This is just a quick update. After a long, sleepless night due to my relentless headache, I made another appointment with the doctor - luckily he could see me today. So I went in prepared to demand action, and I think he finally got the picture (3 visits in 13 days) and sent me to get an MRI done on my head, and upped one rx and gave me a new one for Imitrex. I was a little nervous about the MRI but Julie went with me and it only took 15 minutes. The enclosure didn't bother me - I kept my eyes closed and recited lots of Scripture in my head - but the sound made my headache a lot worse. So when we got to Bible study I took half of an Imitrex pill. I felt horrible for probably 30 minutes (I actually have no idea - I was dead) but then I started feeling GREAT. I actually participated in Bible study! Woohoo!
So I don't care what else happens as long as this stuff stops my headaches - I feel POWERFUL again. Nothing is worse than being in unstoppable pain. I should find out the results from the MRI tomorrow or Thursday. My guess is there is an alien in there zapping things with a laser gun.
Alright I'm going to put my clean sheets on my bed and sleep for as many hours as possible.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
"Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; He answers him from His holy heaven with the saving power of His right hand." Psalm 20:6
Trying to tackle my to-do list since I'm having a pretty good-feeling day. So far I've been very productive (compared to recent days).
Went back to the doctor yesterday after having a negative reaction to one of the medications I was on. I felt a little bad for calling the doctor on-call during the Super Bowl game, but at least I didn't have to go to the ER! Still no answers about the headaches/nausea/dizziness, and I'm a little frustrated. He wants to try me on two new and completely different meds to see if something will work. We'll see.
I have been so encouraged by my family and friends who are praying for me. Last night Julie took me to Bible study - I wasn't able to go last week and didn't want to miss out again! All I could do was lie on the couch, but I was so glad to be there.
We have been talking with our BigHouse kids about prayer. We want them to know the privilege of having a relationship with Christ and being able to call on a living God who hears us and is faithful to answer. One of my favorite verses about prayer is 1 Chronicles 5:20, "They were helped in fighting them, and God handed the Hagrites and all their allies over to them, because they cried out to Him during battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in Him."
We put up a large sheet of paper for our Prayer Wall where the kids can write down what they want us to pray with them about. Here are some of their requests:
"My family." "My friends." "I wish I had more best friends than two."
They've also listed names of our volunteers, which I think is so sweet. I love seeing relationships building at BigHouse - kids making friends with other kids, volunteers falling in love with our kids, volunteers finding new friends in other volunteers...and we get to love on them all! God is at work in our relationships at BigHouse - those we are enjoying in our After-School Program, and some we are building as we network with other believers to reach our goal of providing a new swimsuit and beach towel to all 5,783 kids in Alabama foster care this spring!
You can be a part of what God is doing at BigHouse! Visit our website for more information on the swimsuit drive, summer internship, and all of our programs and events. And if you'd like to receive the awesome monthly e-newsletter (yes, that's one of my personal projects), email me and I'll add you to the list (bighousefoundation@hotmail.com).
Trying to tackle my to-do list since I'm having a pretty good-feeling day. So far I've been very productive (compared to recent days).
Went back to the doctor yesterday after having a negative reaction to one of the medications I was on. I felt a little bad for calling the doctor on-call during the Super Bowl game, but at least I didn't have to go to the ER! Still no answers about the headaches/nausea/dizziness, and I'm a little frustrated. He wants to try me on two new and completely different meds to see if something will work. We'll see.
I have been so encouraged by my family and friends who are praying for me. Last night Julie took me to Bible study - I wasn't able to go last week and didn't want to miss out again! All I could do was lie on the couch, but I was so glad to be there.
We have been talking with our BigHouse kids about prayer. We want them to know the privilege of having a relationship with Christ and being able to call on a living God who hears us and is faithful to answer. One of my favorite verses about prayer is 1 Chronicles 5:20, "They were helped in fighting them, and God handed the Hagrites and all their allies over to them, because they cried out to Him during battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in Him."
We put up a large sheet of paper for our Prayer Wall where the kids can write down what they want us to pray with them about. Here are some of their requests:
"My family." "My friends." "I wish I had more best friends than two."
They've also listed names of our volunteers, which I think is so sweet. I love seeing relationships building at BigHouse - kids making friends with other kids, volunteers falling in love with our kids, volunteers finding new friends in other volunteers...and we get to love on them all! God is at work in our relationships at BigHouse - those we are enjoying in our After-School Program, and some we are building as we network with other believers to reach our goal of providing a new swimsuit and beach towel to all 5,783 kids in Alabama foster care this spring!
You can be a part of what God is doing at BigHouse! Visit our website for more information on the swimsuit drive, summer internship, and all of our programs and events. And if you'd like to receive the awesome monthly e-newsletter (yes, that's one of my personal projects), email me and I'll add you to the list (bighousefoundation@hotmail.com).
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Well I haven't been keeping up with the blog as well as I would have liked. Oh well. I was hoping that in this post I would be able to say, "For the last month I've been having headaches and nausea every day (and now almost constantly), but I went to the doctor, and VOILA! A diagnosis!" That would have been a great post. But instead of a VOILA ending I have - "Well, he gave me 2 prescriptions for the headaches, but I'm not sure they're working that great, and my nausea and loss of appetite are as bad as ever, and I'd like to have my real life back, please." So sorry this post is anti-climatic.
Here are some verses I've been savoring recently:
"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9
"And the God of all grace, Who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10
"Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for You are the one I praise." Jeremiah 17:14
"About Benjamin he said: 'Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.'" Deuteronomy 33:12
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! I am so thankful that our God is sovereign, and that He is a good Father, and that He is our healer, and the lifter of my head. Regardless of what is going on with my body, my Daddy is the Creator of the universe and He cares for me! That is so reassuring. Thank you for your prayers. Hopefully soon I'll be able to give you a "VOILA!" update.
Here are some verses I've been savoring recently:
"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9
"And the God of all grace, Who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10
"Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for You are the one I praise." Jeremiah 17:14
"About Benjamin he said: 'Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.'" Deuteronomy 33:12
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! I am so thankful that our God is sovereign, and that He is a good Father, and that He is our healer, and the lifter of my head. Regardless of what is going on with my body, my Daddy is the Creator of the universe and He cares for me! That is so reassuring. Thank you for your prayers. Hopefully soon I'll be able to give you a "VOILA!" update.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Missionaries
I am in love with missionaries, it's true. I want to be one, I want to marry one, I love to hear their stories, I admire their passion, I desire their adventurous lifestyle of faith...on and on. So I was intrigued by the book Revolution in World Missions and since I could get it for free, obviously I requested a copy. I finished it this morning. Not to say that I read it all in one sitting - I've had it for several weeks, but this weekend especially God used it to deal with me about some things that I have ignored in my own life. Here are the major points He taught me this weekend:
Stewardship - it's not just about money, which I know; it's also about talents and resources and influence. And the point of all of these things is to bring glory to God by telling others about Him. If I'm not using what He's blessed me with for that purpose, I'm not being a good steward. I might as well bury it all in the ground (Matthew 25:24-30). One of the biggest things I have stewardship over is BigHouse. God has blessed me by allowing me to come and serve at BigHouse full-time. I prayed and prayed for this opportunity! But He didn't put me here for my benefit alone - I have work to do for His kingdom! We have the awesome privilege of building relationships with children and teens who are, by all practical purposes, the "least of these" in our society. We have the freedom to tell them about Jesus and set an example for them. We have the opportunity to serve their families in order to demonstrate the love of Christ. It's easy for us to get caught up in taking care of the building or planning programs and events or raising awareness for kids in foster care - all of which are important, but secondary to the reason God gave Micah and Blake the vision of BigHouse, which is to share the love of our Savior with those who have not been shown love.
God has reminded me that we need to be intentional with every interaction we have with strangers. We need to prepare our minds for action (1 Peter 1:13), be clear-minded and self-controlled (1 Peter 4:7), make the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:16, Colossians 4:5), always be prepared to give an answer (1 Peter 3:15), and love each other deeply (1 Peter 4:8).
Pride - this comes up a lot for me. In this book, K.P. Yohannan talks a lot about the wastefulness of the Western Christian world in comparison with the needs of the Two-Thirds World, as well as the inefficiency of sending Western missionaries to Eastern countries when Eastern missionaries can spread the gospel more efficiently. He did not say that there is not a place for Western missionaries in Eastern countries - obviously God has called and continues to call Christians from the United States and elsewhere to the mission field in Asia. Don't worry, there's plenty of work to go around! But I felt very defensive reading his argument for national missionaries (vs sending foreign missionaries). Basically he's saying, "You don't need to come over here, we have our own missionaries, we just need you to give your prayerful and financial support." The thing is, if that is how the Holy Spirit is working in Asia (and it sounds like it's working fine), then yes, we should support it. And instead of getting our pride hurt, we need to reevaluate our work in the mission field God has given us here - in our neighborhoods, cities, states, and across the nation. Obviously we're not doing all that we can here. We need to take the plank out of our own eye and step up to the task that we've been given.
So I want to encourage you to examine your own life - the time, resources, talents, and influence that God has equipped you with, and allow Him to reveal the areas of your life that need to be surrendered to Him, so that you can be useful in the body of Christ.
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: 'He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.'" 2 Corinthians 9:8-9
Stewardship - it's not just about money, which I know; it's also about talents and resources and influence. And the point of all of these things is to bring glory to God by telling others about Him. If I'm not using what He's blessed me with for that purpose, I'm not being a good steward. I might as well bury it all in the ground (Matthew 25:24-30). One of the biggest things I have stewardship over is BigHouse. God has blessed me by allowing me to come and serve at BigHouse full-time. I prayed and prayed for this opportunity! But He didn't put me here for my benefit alone - I have work to do for His kingdom! We have the awesome privilege of building relationships with children and teens who are, by all practical purposes, the "least of these" in our society. We have the freedom to tell them about Jesus and set an example for them. We have the opportunity to serve their families in order to demonstrate the love of Christ. It's easy for us to get caught up in taking care of the building or planning programs and events or raising awareness for kids in foster care - all of which are important, but secondary to the reason God gave Micah and Blake the vision of BigHouse, which is to share the love of our Savior with those who have not been shown love.
God has reminded me that we need to be intentional with every interaction we have with strangers. We need to prepare our minds for action (1 Peter 1:13), be clear-minded and self-controlled (1 Peter 4:7), make the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:16, Colossians 4:5), always be prepared to give an answer (1 Peter 3:15), and love each other deeply (1 Peter 4:8).
Pride - this comes up a lot for me. In this book, K.P. Yohannan talks a lot about the wastefulness of the Western Christian world in comparison with the needs of the Two-Thirds World, as well as the inefficiency of sending Western missionaries to Eastern countries when Eastern missionaries can spread the gospel more efficiently. He did not say that there is not a place for Western missionaries in Eastern countries - obviously God has called and continues to call Christians from the United States and elsewhere to the mission field in Asia. Don't worry, there's plenty of work to go around! But I felt very defensive reading his argument for national missionaries (vs sending foreign missionaries). Basically he's saying, "You don't need to come over here, we have our own missionaries, we just need you to give your prayerful and financial support." The thing is, if that is how the Holy Spirit is working in Asia (and it sounds like it's working fine), then yes, we should support it. And instead of getting our pride hurt, we need to reevaluate our work in the mission field God has given us here - in our neighborhoods, cities, states, and across the nation. Obviously we're not doing all that we can here. We need to take the plank out of our own eye and step up to the task that we've been given.
So I want to encourage you to examine your own life - the time, resources, talents, and influence that God has equipped you with, and allow Him to reveal the areas of your life that need to be surrendered to Him, so that you can be useful in the body of Christ.
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: 'He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.'" 2 Corinthians 9:8-9
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
No-Snow Snow Days
At the risk of being severely unproductive today, I thought I should go ahead and write a new post. Opelika totally missed out on all the snow that seemingly EVERYONE else got. And I'm only slightly jealous. Ok maybe more than slightly. We were very ready to play in the snow. Boo!
At any rate, we haven't started our After-School Program yet since the kids were out of school yesterday and today, so we're planning to start back next Tuesday after MLK Day. That gives us more time to get things ready which is good. Maybe we can even have some progress toward having central by then. That would be GREAT!
For the record, I did not watch the National Championship game last night so that I would not be able to discuss it with anyone. Instead I played Wii Fit with Julie. It was lots of fun.
Today my plan is to go to the Sportsplex to run and do some weight machines. Wii Fit is only good for so much - then you actually have to work out, haha.
Our Bible study starts back tonight - I'm so glad! Without regularly scheduled activities I feel like I've been living a month of Saturdays (I am NOT complaining!). We're in 1 Peter chapter 4. My favorite section is v.7-11:
"The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."
At any rate, we haven't started our After-School Program yet since the kids were out of school yesterday and today, so we're planning to start back next Tuesday after MLK Day. That gives us more time to get things ready which is good. Maybe we can even have some progress toward having central by then. That would be GREAT!
For the record, I did not watch the National Championship game last night so that I would not be able to discuss it with anyone. Instead I played Wii Fit with Julie. It was lots of fun.
Today my plan is to go to the Sportsplex to run and do some weight machines. Wii Fit is only good for so much - then you actually have to work out, haha.
Our Bible study starts back tonight - I'm so glad! Without regularly scheduled activities I feel like I've been living a month of Saturdays (I am NOT complaining!). We're in 1 Peter chapter 4. My favorite section is v.7-11:
"The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
New Year - New Start
I'm not big on New Year's Resolutions, but I do enjoy the feeling of a fresh start that comes with a new year. So here's what's NEW with me and BigHouse
Me:
I'm determined to get in the best shape of my life this year, so I joined the Opelika Sportsplex, and downloaded the Couch - 2 - 5K app on my iPod to start running. The Sportsplex is great - super close to Grandmom's house, has lots of fun classes (so far I've tried Zumba), cool weight machines, indoor and outdoor tracks, an indoor pool, a hot tub, on and on. I've done the first two days of training with C25K (oh and Micah's goal is to run the 5K too). So far it's not too terrible, and I feel so accomplished after running, haha.
Not much else is new with me I guess...which is lame, I know, since it's been over a month since I've updated the blog. So it goes during the holidays.
BigHouse:
We had our first annual BigHouse Staff Planning Retreat at the end of December (me, Micah, Blake, and Joe). We mapped out all the events and programs we want to do in 2011. We're big dreamers, that's for sure! Joe is coming on board as our 3rd staff member (staff, as in "missionary"). He'll be coordinating our tutoring program, doing house maintenance (yay, I'm glad that's not me!), and making a promotional video and other technologically advanced things, like the website. He started his blog today - http://powerofmypower.blogspot.com
The kids come back on Monday - oh we have so much to do before then! Our house still doesn't have heat (although it's in the works, don't worry), so for now it's still cold and nobody wants to clean a house that's 45 degrees! So...our tree is still up, and everything's in shambles from last month. We're planning to go to IKEA in Atlanta on Friday to get some desks/tables/chairs and other things that are going to make our office space a lot more usable. Also changing the art and tutoring rooms somewhat. So that's kind of our weekend project. I'm still in the process of lining up volunteers to lead classes for the After-School Program. We have a new e-newsletter! I found an awesome website that lets us use their services for free b/c we're non-profit. And we can post it to Facebook and Twitter, so be on the lookout. If you don't currently get our newsletter you can email me at bighousefoundation@hotmail.com and I'll put you on the list.
Happy New Year!
Me:
I'm determined to get in the best shape of my life this year, so I joined the Opelika Sportsplex, and downloaded the Couch - 2 - 5K app on my iPod to start running. The Sportsplex is great - super close to Grandmom's house, has lots of fun classes (so far I've tried Zumba), cool weight machines, indoor and outdoor tracks, an indoor pool, a hot tub, on and on. I've done the first two days of training with C25K (oh and Micah's goal is to run the 5K too). So far it's not too terrible, and I feel so accomplished after running, haha.
Not much else is new with me I guess...which is lame, I know, since it's been over a month since I've updated the blog. So it goes during the holidays.
BigHouse:
We had our first annual BigHouse Staff Planning Retreat at the end of December (me, Micah, Blake, and Joe). We mapped out all the events and programs we want to do in 2011. We're big dreamers, that's for sure! Joe is coming on board as our 3rd staff member (staff, as in "missionary"). He'll be coordinating our tutoring program, doing house maintenance (yay, I'm glad that's not me!), and making a promotional video and other technologically advanced things, like the website. He started his blog today - http://powerofmypower.blogspot.com
The kids come back on Monday - oh we have so much to do before then! Our house still doesn't have heat (although it's in the works, don't worry), so for now it's still cold and nobody wants to clean a house that's 45 degrees! So...our tree is still up, and everything's in shambles from last month. We're planning to go to IKEA in Atlanta on Friday to get some desks/tables/chairs and other things that are going to make our office space a lot more usable. Also changing the art and tutoring rooms somewhat. So that's kind of our weekend project. I'm still in the process of lining up volunteers to lead classes for the After-School Program. We have a new e-newsletter! I found an awesome website that lets us use their services for free b/c we're non-profit. And we can post it to Facebook and Twitter, so be on the lookout. If you don't currently get our newsletter you can email me at bighousefoundation@hotmail.com and I'll put you on the list.
Happy New Year!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Whoa - November, where did you go? I just realized that I haven't updated in a while.
BigHouse news - we had a very successful "BigHouse of Blues" fundraiser (live and silent auctions). I wish I would have bid on some of the really nice items at the silent auction! Next year for sure. Blake won the bid on the car (Praise Jesus - he needed it for sure!), and my friend Julie won the bid on a 3-night stay at a chalet in Gatlinburg - woo hoo!
We are getting ready for our Christmas events - so much to do! Two Christmas parties, two benefit concerts, Kids' Night Out...and then after all of that is over, Micah, Blake and I are sequestering ourselves for a BigHouse Planning Retreat - similar to the Planning Campouts I used to take as a Girl Scout - to brainstorm, pray, eat, relax, and play games. Oh yeah and plan - getting some dates on the 2011 calendar!
Other news - I am going to Canton on Thursday to begin the Rogers/Samples wedding festivities! I can't believe Jenna and Trent are getting married on Saturday! I'm so happy for them. I hope I won't trip and die in the heels I have to wear...haha.
My Bucky had knee-replacement surgery last Tuesday, and then Wednesday night had a heart attack at the hospital. She was moved to ICU for a few days, but now she is doing better and they sent her on to the rehab facility for her knee. Please pray that she is able to recovery from the knee surgery and that her heart will continue to get stronger too.
I got to spent most of Thanksgiving break with my brother Cuyler, sister-in-law, Leilani, and nephews, Cameron (2) and Marshall (9 months). It was a lot of fun. They said I was a lifesaver, but all I did was play with babies! We had Thanksgiving dinner at their house with my mom's side of the family (minus Bucky, of course).
December is going to be a very busy month, as expected. I'm going to be singing Handel's Messiah with the Trinity United Methodist Choir (one of our two benefit concerts for BigHouse). I'm sooo excited!
Tonight I have Bible study, and it's time for me to head out. C-Ya!
BigHouse news - we had a very successful "BigHouse of Blues" fundraiser (live and silent auctions). I wish I would have bid on some of the really nice items at the silent auction! Next year for sure. Blake won the bid on the car (Praise Jesus - he needed it for sure!), and my friend Julie won the bid on a 3-night stay at a chalet in Gatlinburg - woo hoo!
We are getting ready for our Christmas events - so much to do! Two Christmas parties, two benefit concerts, Kids' Night Out...and then after all of that is over, Micah, Blake and I are sequestering ourselves for a BigHouse Planning Retreat - similar to the Planning Campouts I used to take as a Girl Scout - to brainstorm, pray, eat, relax, and play games. Oh yeah and plan - getting some dates on the 2011 calendar!
Other news - I am going to Canton on Thursday to begin the Rogers/Samples wedding festivities! I can't believe Jenna and Trent are getting married on Saturday! I'm so happy for them. I hope I won't trip and die in the heels I have to wear...haha.
My Bucky had knee-replacement surgery last Tuesday, and then Wednesday night had a heart attack at the hospital. She was moved to ICU for a few days, but now she is doing better and they sent her on to the rehab facility for her knee. Please pray that she is able to recovery from the knee surgery and that her heart will continue to get stronger too.
I got to spent most of Thanksgiving break with my brother Cuyler, sister-in-law, Leilani, and nephews, Cameron (2) and Marshall (9 months). It was a lot of fun. They said I was a lifesaver, but all I did was play with babies! We had Thanksgiving dinner at their house with my mom's side of the family (minus Bucky, of course).
December is going to be a very busy month, as expected. I'm going to be singing Handel's Messiah with the Trinity United Methodist Choir (one of our two benefit concerts for BigHouse). I'm sooo excited!
Tonight I have Bible study, and it's time for me to head out. C-Ya!
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