New Art

I just finished this new piece yesterday afternoon. It's pretty big, about 4 feet long and 1 1/2 feet wide. It was actually an old canvas that I had painted about 2 years ago. I didn't like that old painting anymore so I primed over it. I wanted to kind of use the idea of an urban, graffiti covered wall as the inspiration.

It's Here!!!

Well, the week of TheMix '08 has finally arrived. It's hard to believe this is the 5th year we have held this event. The excitement and anticipation of this annual weekend has been extreme, if not overwhelming. This year will be the biggest and best yet. We are bringing 200+ teenagers to Iowa City...WOW! Just looking at that number I am amazed at the favor of God upon our ministry. I remember when Justin and I first came to the Rock...there were a whopping 7 kids at the first Wednesday night service...most of which were his cousins! About 2 years later we challenged KYC to have 50 teens in service. It took a few weeks, but they did it and we celebrated with Maggie Moo's. Now we are averaging 200 teenagers every Wednesday night. These past 5 years have been nothing short of a move of God, and I can't freakin' wait to see what He is going to do over the next 5 years! Pray for our leaders this weekend. It will be a long, tiring weekend, with lots of Starbucks in-hand I'm sure. But we are expecting God to ROCK the lives of teenagers so they can go home and begin to change the atmosphere of their families, schools, city, nation...there's no stopping a dangerous church!

Another tat?

This is a sketch called "Dove of Peace" done by Pablo Picasso. I am considering having this historic piece of art made into a tattoo. I love the simplicity of the sketch, the bursts of color and the joy and peace that the dove represents. I also love the idea that it was birthed from the mind of a great artist, and wont be just a trend. I would probably get it done on the underside of my wrist/forearm...Input please!

Uninspired

I apologize for the lack of blogging. As the title hints, I haven't felt very inspired lately. Maybe it's this weather. The onset of winter always makes me want to go into hibernation. I hate being cold. It makes me want to wear layers of fleece and hide under blankets, motionless. And get this. I have a huge, lifeless canvas in my dining room, just waiting to be painted. I can't even get up enough gumption to paint it! Maybe I should take up addictive coffee-drinking, perhaps that would help get me up and at 'em. Anyway, here's to a more optimistic blog-post in the very near future. As for now, like the weather, this page remains cold and boring.

A Fond Farewell...

I love these shoes. I'm not sure why, but I have some sort of an attachment to them. Sure, I only paid $10 for them back in the spring, but they have been good friends all summer long. However, the time has come, for them to head to the trash can. I finally made this decision the other day as I was walking through Wal-Mart and nearly fell over because the soles of my shoes kept curling up. Oh well, on to better shoes for the fall and winter...oh wait, is that in the budget? Yet again, the voice of Dave Ramsey echo's through my head...

Sad, but encouraged...

Today, I was made aware of 3 major prayer requests. Things that are going on within the families of girls that I care about, and who don't deserve to be burdened by things like this. Two of the requests, ironically, are for parents who have been diagnosed with cancer. The other is for a 4-year old little brother who has endured 2 surgeries, and now the doctors are saying he might never walk "just right". 

The results of sin in our world make me angry.

It hurts my heart to see others suffering.

Then I think...how much more must it have hurt the heart of God to see his son suffering, hanging on the cross? And why did he do it?...only for us.

Isaiah 53:5 (MSG) "But it was our sins that did that to Him, that ripped and tore and crushed him- our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through His bruises, we GET HEALED."

The weight of sin on our world and our lives is painful. But PRAISE GOD there is hope.

Jesus gave his live, and not just gave it...He cried, and endured, and suffered an unimaginably painful death, so that we can be free. So that we can be HEALED, so that we can live a life of abundance and peace in every area.

I will be coming into agreement with these girls over the healing of their loved ones, and most importantly that they will turn to Jesus, the only one who can bring true life.

snip-snip

I love makeovers! Today I took my girl Cloe to Five Star Salon in the east village of Davenport to get her hair cut! She cut 10 inches to donate it to "Locks of Love". This is an awesome foundation that makes wigs for women and girls who have lost their hair due to cancer. She looks adorable, and what a great cause! 

Life as a bachlorette...

I do not enjoy cooking...at all. I cook for my husband, but I would much rather survive on string cheese and cereal. Because of this dislike for cooking, I'm surely not going to cook at all while Justin is out of town. So, I picked up a few microwave-meals at Wal-Mart this week to have for dinner while he is gone at Catalyst. Last nights particular meal consisted of chicken-nuggets. After heating the meal in the microwave, I sat down and anticipated that first bite of juicy, white-meat nugget, only to discover...it was hollow. Maybe I should have expected this, considering the entire meal was $1.50...but seriously people. This, was a pitiful dinner.

Answer to the Question...

I am a small group leader. I did not volunteer to be in this position, I actually wasn't even asked. It was more like...a nomination. I remember clearly when Justin first came home and said "Hey babe, I signed you up to be a small group leader." I was not happy. Javen was less than a year old, and I was still trying to adjust to my new schedule as a stay at home mom. I also hate leading conversations, it makes me uncomfortable. I did not want this extra "burden" of leading a group of teenage girls.

That was about 1 year ago.

Sunday night at our leadership meeting, we were asked the question "What makes you want to love and serve Jesus more? What stirs your passion?"

One of the first things that came to my mind, were these 15 amazing girls.

It is hard for me to put into words how differently I feel now, compared to how I felt in the beginning.

I remember when I was in high-school. I was silently crying out for someone to talk to. Someone who could give wise counsel, and love me unconditionally. I so badly wish that I could have had a group of girls and a leader who I could have been myself around. Who I could have asked to pray with me, cry with me, celebrate with me. I pray earnestly that I can be that person to these girls.

A piece of my heart has been given willingly to my small group. I am witnessing their lives being changed on a weekly basis. I am amazed at the work of God.

When I think about the hearts, talent, potential, and love for God that these young women carry with them, it motivates me. They make me thankful, they make me want to praise God.

What motivates you to Praise???

I'm Pooped

If you asked me the question "So, what do you do all day?" (which many people do) I honestly would not be able to tell you, other than that I take care of Javen's needs. This is crazy to me, because most days I literally hardly sit down, except to eat lunch. At at the end of the day, even though I've done a lot, I feel like I haven't completed anything. I've come to the conclusion that the reason this, is because I'm over-committed. I am doing a whole lot, but none of it is being done whole heartedly, or with excellence. This has led to an almost constant state of frustration. I know that I need to start raising up leaders to fill my shoes when it comes to ministry. I know that there is lots of talent and potential within Rock Church, and I just need to be willing to invest some time into developing these potential leaders. At this stage of my life, my family needs to be my number one ministry. I feel like they are the ones suffering the most because my mind, and time is focused on so many other things, and other people. I need to stop being such a "yes" person, and be willing to let some people down if I say no. I am worn out! Physically and emotionally. Have any of you ever felt this way? How have you handled it???