year 26.

i will always remember my 26th birthday. its is not your typical celebratory day. however, we did celebrate just different then what i was thinking. 

the day before my birthday, april 8, was my dad's surgery to remove his malignant tumor in his adrenal gland. we all arrived at the hospital around 11am. we gathered in the room with dad as we awaited the doctors and nurses to take him back for surgery to begin at 1pm.

we had a sweet time of fellowship as a family. we read many cards and letters filled with prayers and words of encouragement written by students from auburn university. we were visited by precious family and friends that brought smiles, laughter, and strength as we were facing the unknown with my dad. 

the hundreds of letters written by students from auburn...

soon after (around 1:30pm), dad was taken down the hall for surgery. as my mom, sisters, and i went to the waiting room, there were about 15 other people there to wait with us. and little did i know, both of my sisters brought a cake and cupcakes to celebrate my birthday. i'll be honest, i didn't expect that at all, but i am so grateful for it. it was the very thing to change the mood of being at the hospital. for the next 3hrs we sat with about 20-25 people (coming & going). we laughed, shared stories, talked about life, and prayed together. it was good for each of our spirits and hearts!  

the yummy cake & cupcakes my beautiful sisters made me

fast forward to the next day...april 9...we arrived at the hospital first thing in the morning to see dad. he managed to make it through the night without any major complications. he had been dealing with nausea and pain. however, he was doing much better and could carry on a conversation with each of us. we were thrilled to see him! so there in his room we made ourselves comfortable knowing it may be a long day. 

dad talking to my sister JJ on the phone...

we had a couple of family friends stop by. 

it lifted dad's spirits to be able to visit with some of his buddies.

(picture below is with his college roommate) 

and then to our surprise and expectations, dad was discharge at 2pm!! that was probably the best gift to receive on my birthday. celebrating life with my daddy. celebrating a successful surgery. and celebrating the Lord in how He continues to show us that He is in this and for us! that He is exalting Himself through every situation! 

dad and me on my birthday!

once we all walked out of the hospital doors we got in our separate cars and headed back home. usually when someone in my family has a birthday we all arrange to go out to dinner together. obviously we had to put a rain-check on dinner plans because of dad; however, my friend jenn came down to hang out with me and my sister's family. we cooked out and enjoyed the beautiful weather. 

i have come to realize every year is different when my birthday rolls around. i never know what i will be doing or where i will be or who i will be with. but when it all comes down to it, all i would want for my birthday is to be with those i love! 

thank you to those who sent me cards, text messages, facebook messages, or left me a voice mail. i cherish each one so much! i am excited about what this 26th year of my life looks like. God continues to blow me away at His goodness and faithfulness. 

i lift His Name up and honor Him for all that He has done! 

He is my praise!

joy

*by the way...dad is doing good. healing and regaining strength. we see the doctor tomorrow morning for post-op consultation! we give thanks to the Giver of Life and continue to look to Him for wisdom! 

PASSION FT WORTH

a week ago i moved in with one of my dear friend for a week to help serve at PASSION Ft Worth. this would be my 2nd passion conference in 2011. i attended PASSION Atlanta in January. probably the most powerful 4 days to date. so this time around, i came as a volunteer to serve the students who would encounter Jesus in a more intimate, yet powerful way.


wednesday & thursday consisted of working on projects in the Go Center/Do Something Now area.

this area is for the students to take a step deeper with putting an action to what Jesus is pressing on their hearts. the heartbeat of Do Something Now is just that. taking action right now to come together as a church body and be a part of what is happening around the world. "Together we are a force for good" is the overarching motto. the thought behind it is that you as an individual can make a difference but what if we all came together? how much greater impact would there be?

the project that i worked on the most was the so-called "paper wall"...a beautifully displayed example of how we can turn blank pages into God's word.

 

beautiful.

anyways, at Passion Ft Worth, there was only one cause to focus in on:

the translation of scripture to an unreached people group...

the Koso people in mali, africa. 

 the goal: $220,350 to fund a 5 year program of scripture translations in the Koso's native tongue

the result....FULLY FUNDED & more!! 

friday through sunday were the days of the conference. as a volunteer, we each were given shirts to wear that have the name "door holders" written on the front. it is based on psalm 84:10.."Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, then dwell in the tents of the wicked." throughout the weekend i understood more of the heart beat behind passion. to truly hold the door open and usher these students in to experiencing the presence of the Lord. it was beautiful in every sense. i not only had the privilege of seeing so many of my own friends, but i also witness lives being transformed. i saw hearts being stirred. i heard all about what Jesus was teaching them. and to have 9,000+ students pass me every day, the light in their eyes only shined brighter!  


i am grateful to have come alongside passion and stand in the gap for this generation. i am grateful that i now have a responsibility to continue praying over, for, and with this generation. God is moving in all of us! my heart praises Him for all that He has done and is doing! we are here for You, O Lord! You are the desires of our souls. 

"Yes, Lord, walking in the way of Your Truth,
 we wait eagerly for you,for Your Name 
and Your renown are the desires of our souls."

Isaiah 26:8

speaking out

the moments when you get to speak of the goodness of the Lord. the opportunities to share of all that He has done in your life. the time you get to share your testimony. that is when my heart is overflowing. truly overflowing with sweet emotions.

when i reflect back on ALL the Lord has done FOR me..my heart pours out with tears. tears of joy. tears of sweet restoration. tears of how He continues to love me when i am so undeserving.

i recently shared my story to a small group of youth. i once again heard (through the story He has given me) how faithful. how good. how loving. how merciful. how sovereign. how unchanging. how glorious & great He truly is!

thank you Lord for rescuing me. for setting my feet on a firm foundation. for leading me. refining me. strengthening me. for choosing me to carry Your Name. i am in need of your help. for i am unable to do it alone. i pray that my life will be worthy of the gospel. i pray that i will continue to speak up about Your goodness! may you be exalted, O Lord, for all that you are to me!