Yummy Good Byes

Well, I thought I would update you on all the changes that have happened in just two weeks time! I applied for a nanny job last month and they got back to me. I was told they went from 20 applicants down to four they were interviewing. I was one of the four. I had my interview two Tuesdays ago. They called me the next day. I got the job. It's a live in nanny position for four children while their parents are deployed in Afghanistan. I will be living with the kids and one of the grandmothers for a couple months and then the other grandmother for the rest. It's a beautiful place, the kids are awesome, and the pay is blessed of God if you know what I mean. Only thing is I had to put in my two weeks notice at the preschool right away because they want me to start April 2. So today was my last day working at the preschool since I graduated in 2009 with my Associates in Early Childhood. My preschool parents spoiled me with a cake (it's the one in the picture), a necklace, clothes, flowers, cards, and more! It's crazy that I'm leaving their children and they still blessed me. My co-worker told me it's because I was good to them. It's funny how me just being me has made such a difference to people. It's kind of amazing really. These simple Headstart parents really blew me away. God closed this door so gently for me and with so much love.

So tomorrow I fly off to Texas to visit my brother and sister in law. The perfect time for a vacation! Then I come back for one day and then head to live with my new kids as their nanny. Next I head to college full time to complete my Bachelors degree in Early Childhood and possibly do my student teaching overseas. So yah... I guess you could say... I moved out of the nest and am really starting to soar.

It's just crazy. I just lifted my wee little wings and said "ok Jesus" and He blew. "I'm a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar."

Go ahead and soar world! Be yourself. Enjoy Him. And let His love lift you to places you never thought you could go. :)

Two Steps Back and a Big Leap

It has been awhile beloved readers. Sorry about that. I have been very preoccupied with life... but it is a good preoccupied. I would like to update you on what God is doing with this next chapter of my life.

I have been working as a preschool teacher since I graduated in 2009. I have loved working with my kids and families and my beloved staff. God has taught me soooooo much there and I have enjoyed every moment. I must say it has been a wild crazy little ride at Headstart. But it has become clear that in order to do what I love and help serve these children I must have my Bachelors' degree. And of course God has a way of making His desires your own. So this will be my last year at Headstart. After the summer I will be going back to school, hopefully living on campus (another huge leap for me- living on my own) and getting my Bachelors. I am also considering doing my student teaching in Africa. I feel God has more to teach me from that place. From there God will open the next door. But He has made it clear that it is much bigger then here. He has convinced me He is my husband and I must follow Him alone. I am under Him and though I love my family and friends... I'm on this wild adventure with Him and He is just plain so wild, wonderful, and crazy awesome that I can't help but follow Him. I am wildly in love with Him. And if He wants me to live a wild, abnormal life and is convinced that He can use little old me... then I say... "Jesus, the only response I have is I'm all yours."

So in some senses it seems odd that after getting out of school and then slowly progressing to lead teacher I am now going back to school. My big quote for this chapter of my life has been, "You gotta take two steps backward to take a giant leap forwards."

I must admit I am a wee bit nervous about leaving home, leaving work, trusting God to provide for me financially at school, making new friends, etc.... but I am also extremely excited. And God has ruined me in a good way and I simply must believe Him. Love and faith is my only response to Him. I mean... what can I say... Jesus killed me and made me new. I belong to Him. Let's do it.

In the meanwhile... this song has been an inspiration to me throughout my life. It might seem cheesy to some, but I believe there's so much glory on it. I encourage you all to fly with Jesus. He has given you wings! Love you all. Jesus blessings!

Teenagers/Jesus

Here I am listening to some music...yes it's E.T. by Katy Perry and of course some Bruno Mars, etc. I am not going to lie, I can really feel heaven in some of those songs. But as I sit hear listening to music (this one is Skyscraper by Lovato) I simply must write a bit about the teenagers I've been around.

I have grown up in a church where I used to help lead a kid's group. I've grown up with these kids and love them dearly and have seen them become God loving teenagers who really enjoy real Jesus. Now I pop in at their youth group some times and keep relationships with them. I see so much glory in them and am sooo refreshed by them because they are soooo real! Anyhozers we had a just girl's sleepover prayer thing Friday night. God blew me away with those girls. I ended up staying up til 2 am joining the girls as they opened up and received love and prayers through one another. They also prayed for me and I received words from God and sooooo much love! Now that is heaven on earth.

Lately I have also been joining the teen class as a support to their young teacher, to be around them, and to be honest... because I get bored during the sermon. I love it because they are so open for Jesus to move. And God has used me to give the teens a little nudge when it comes to healing. I encouraged them to just declare the healing and keep it simple. Well over the past few weeks a kid got his back healed instantly and just today a girl got instantly healed from her headache and another from her knee! But what was most awesome to me was to see the kids step up and let Jesus use them and how excited they got when it worked! Praise God! 

So now I am going to lead the teen Sunday school class next quarter and I am pumped. I just can't wait to tell them what Jesus has done for them on the cross, to tell to them more about the Good News, and to empower them and let them lead. I haven't felt this thrilled and excited in awhile. If you want to pray for me and these teens I'll totally take it. (Readers feel free to share your own Jesus-ness in the comments too and pray. You all got Jesus and His light!) It is so true that when the older generation bends down to lift up the younger you feel soooooooo good! It is truly exhilarating. I feel soooo alive right now. It is probably also because God reminded me through the gals prayers that night what an influence I have made on the girls. Sometimes we just don't realize how much we shine and it is soooo encouraging to hear it. Praise God. We are His lights. We can enjoy Him, He enjoys us, we enjoy others, and they enjoy us. Let's do it! Go Generation by Generation!!!

Jesus Guy

Hey, here's another Jesus guy I highly recommend. He has a wonderful understanding of grace and the Word and totally lives heaven's reality. His name is Benjamin Dunn and he wrote one of my favorite books "The Happy Gospel." I had the privilege of helping host his band last year. He is sweet and down to earth in person  and treats everyone with love and respect. Check him out. Enjoy.

A Random Adventure

I just have to tell ya'll about a fun little adventure I just had today... such a sweet little Jesus blessing.

So Katie, a sweet young friend of mine and also my brother's girlfriend decided to take me on a little adventure today. I was given no details except that it would be Saturday at 5. And what a hilarious, fun adventure it was.

It began with us stopping at a family's house we both knew and giving away some Panera bread that her job let the employees have. I had no idea how that worked with what she had plan. Then we gave more bread away to my spiritual little brother. And then she decided to take me to Dunkin Donuts where we ran into my friend Alanna who just happened to be there. I was so confused and had no idea what Katie had planned. May I also say she was so hilarious, silly, and goofy the entire time. Finally... after she drove around in random spots and circling back, she ended up taking me to the true destination... Chipotle. Yummy!! It turned out everything beforehand was just a decoy, but yet it played out so well.

Well after gulping down a huge burrito we decided to continue our adventure by adding another person. We jokingly called it "kidnapping". This black guy started talking to us as we stopped at our "victim's" apartment. The guy asked if me and Katie were drunk. I replied that we did not need that to be happy. (I find it funny that that was not the first time I've been asked such things).We picked up my spiritual little brother Jesse (he is with me in my latest video) and we drove around talking. Then we stop at Burger King and Katie bought Jesse food and we continued great conversation which led to us praying for one another. I love Jesus and fast food. And I can't help get teary eyed when people so sweetly pray for me. We then literally ran to the car.

Our adventure was not over. We decided to go to Marcs and give more bread away to my little sister who was working there and other peeps we knew- mind you we had like ten minutes before the store was going to close. Then we headed to Walmart to find something for my sick brother Sam (also Katie's boyfriend). We found the perfect stuffed cow. Praise Jesus.

It's those delightful, simple things that are heaven on earth. Nothing beats just chilling with sweet people, talking about life and God, and praying and encouraging each other. And there was Jesus showing me Himself today... by living through a sweet girl who wanted to take me on an adventure and by living through my lil bro Jesse too. JESUS is awesome!!!!

May Jesus bless you with your own random little adventures. May you receive them and initiate them. :) Jesus loves you!!!

Yummy Instruments

Hi Ya'll,
It's been a little while. God recently got me out of feeling blue and getting lost in a dumb dumb pool of negativity. That happens when you listen to lies. But praise Jesus He uses people to remind you of who you really are. Now I am delightfully feeling like my real self again and enjoying the present and excited about the future.
Anyhozers... this is my first video welcoming my little brother in Christ, Jesse. I met Jesse at a Bible study and he is a true blessing and a delightful, fun little brother. Don't underestimate the young people folks. Jesus tastes great on anybody no matter age, race, color, etc.
This is a little revelation God gave me about instruments and God showed Jesse things too. I actually asked God to remind me the other day of who I was in Him and God sure did. Enjoy.
And remember you are all unique, beautiful, perfect little instruments in Christ and Jesus makes you sound sooooo wonderful and you are a delight to Him and blessing to everyone!!! May He tune you to understand who you are because of what He has done for you. Praise JESUS!!!!!

Winnie Banov

I love this lady Winnie and her husband Georgian. They led our trip to Mozambique. If you want to learn from somebody look up the Banovs. They are parents of joy.
I will never forget in Africa how I got so drunk in the Spirit after Winnie shared the good news. I went over to her and hugged her and said, "Thank you for believing." Her response to me was, "Thank you for believing." I hope you enjoy how Jesus tastes off of this lovely lady.