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I love every stamp in my passport.

Each one a line penned in my story. Some remind me of tears, hard work, or educational experiences. Others are reminiscent of escape, dusty artifacts, or sunny beaches. This most recent stamp wrote a pause in my life.

It said STOP. Rest. Be.

And so, I did.

With people I love.

In a place that felt like home. 

A throwback to Skerries in 2010 with Emily! 

Emily’s other half…..Norman. That’s how his face looks all the time. 

Elsie Grace Face

And this kid! Lewis! My favorite drooling nerd.

Elsie keeps guard over the Lucan Retreat – none shall pass.

 

Lucan Retreat Centre

Surf master Jono of The Surf Project

 

Portrush, Northern Ireland

Surf Project Leaders

Tea with Jana & Blake

 

My Skerries

Ardgillan Castle, Skerries

St. Patricks Cathedral, Dublin

Click here to learn more about The Surf Project.

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Love is patient.

Love is kind.

Love is….so many things that I’m not good at yet. 

So, this year, the theme of my life is LOVE. 

Love from a pure heart.

Love that causes me to weep.

Love that speaks the truth. 

C.S. Lewis (my dead crush) says, “to love anything is to have your heart wrung, and possibly broken.”

So, here’s to the best and most difficult year ever.

 

 

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My life must glisten with hope.

I will think true thoughts.

I will remember who I am, and how I am to live. 

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We were created…..

To worship.

To be in relationship.

To love.

To be used up.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

For the team at Poured Out, love looks a lot like demolition, piling, raking….and then doing it all over again. One property at a time – one family at a time – they are being the calloused and loving hands of Jesus to a wounded community. It was an honor for our group from The Orchard to work alongside such a strong team of Christ Followers, and this video gives a brief glimpse into our experience.

Let us not grow weary of doing good, but continue to give ourselves daily to the cause of Christ, exerting everything that we are with joy. Whether we’re piling up bricks under the Oklahoma sun, or finding ways to live passionately in our normal, day-to-day context, it’s all for Jesus. 

Go.Be.Used.

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My beloved, bring me awake, because I want to feel your light on my face….

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Love the line from this song – “tomorrow’s freedom is today’s surrender.” All to Jesus I surrender.

All Sons and Daughters perform their song, “Dawn To Dusk”.

Lord as we turn to You
Come free us from our sin
We only have to
So let us now begin

From dawn to dusk
We are waking up
From dawn to dusk
We are waking up

Tomorrows freedom is todays surrender
We come before you to lay our burdens down
We look to You as our hearts remember
You are the only God
You are our only God

Lord as we give you more
Your Spirit swells within
Because You are holy holy Lord
So let us now begin

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For most of March the theme of my life was struggle, battle, hurt, try to just be okay, struggle again, try to be fine (which of course, really means freaked-out, insecure, neurotic & emotional), etc. As I heard in a song today, I had become the villain in my own story. But in the last week I’ve been enjoying what it means to live in the truth. I’m returning to a good theme of joy, hope – victory.

I know that God ministers to us in so many ways, but there were a few that I know for sure helped me on my way to living in the truth of who I am as a daughter of God: Steve and Wendy Backlund, Daniel Self, (both of these messages are great if you’re driving 10 hours to visit your grandparents in Arizona) and my dad (best consulted in person). All of these people, whether through sermons or one-on-one conversations, reminded me of who I am, who I am becoming, and that I have to fight to be that person. Fight the lies. Fight the enemy himself. And then live in truth. Speak the very truth of God OUT LOUD, like, with yo mouth, fool.

I’ve declared several times that 2013 is going to be my best year ever. The last few weeks have not been so amazing, but the struggle is not in vain, and I am thankful that I get to take the truth I’ve re-learned and carry it with me into the rest of this best-est year.

And now, it’s time for a song. Something fun but a little sad, too.

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One of my new favorite worship songs. The words resonate so deeply in my heart. Laura Hackett, an excellent worship leader, does my favorite version – hope you enjoy the Korean subtitles.

There’s just one chief end to man’s purpose
One main reason for existence
All man’s vain and high ambitions
Will one day be brought low, will one day be brought low

To treasure You above all others
To love You like we love no other
Your greatness soon will be uncovered
And all the earth will then know, and all the earth will then know

For You alone will be exalted in that day
Worthless goals will be exposed as idols that we’ve made
For You alone will be exalted in that day
You’ll be seen as rightful King and from our hearts we’ll say that

All is for Your glory, all is for Your name, all is for Your glory
That in all things You may have first place
That in all things You may have preeminence

So put me anywhere, just put Your glory in me
I’ll serve anywhere, just let me see Your beauty

Catch me up in Your story
All my life for Your glory 
My God, My joy, My delight

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In an effort to get my blog on again, I’ve decided to post a song every Friday. More often than not, I hear God’s voice through song. Sometimes sacred, sometimes not so much. I am thankful He understands my mode of communication!

So much of our faith walk is just that – faith. Not understanding what’s going on. Not seeing the end of the story. But still believing that God will bring about His bestest best. And because this IS true, we can choose to love Him, even when nothing else makes sense. So, today, I choose You, Jesus, because I have no idea what’s going on. I want to let you love me through this uncertainty and into bright places of knowing.

“When I don’t understand, I will choose You…..when I don’t understand, I will choose to love you, God.'”

I love this song. I hope you enjoy it, too.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFbMvFdRDvg

When I stop and ponder the love of God, I am filled with wonder. It’s a nothing-held-back kind of love.