Ya. Have to say, today was just like any other day. While others feasted on their savory turkeys and succulent dressing and mouth-watering sweet potatoes, we had steak. Actually, make that medium-rare, mesquite seasoned steak. Needless to say, we did not 'celebrate' Thanksgiving the way the rest of America did in typical fashion today. Oh don't worry, we will...we just didn't today. Our Thanksgiving is being postponed till Saturday, the day ya'll will be feasting on cold turkey sandwich leftovers. (:

Have to say it was a pretty great day. Our now turning into an annual thing (seeing as it just started last year) of taking a Christmas photo, happened this afternoon. And we got some good ones (: Some I have been swore to secrecy and unfortunately I can not indulge your curious minds as to what it involves, all I can say is that I was forcefully told to promptly delete certain ones (: As to whether or not I have deleted them, I just can't say (:

For now I will give a glimpse into what went on today.......I hope everyone enjoyed their feasting and thankfulness. He is good...oh so good to us.....Let gratefulness and thanksgiving always be on our lips.

be blessed

.ez.

How fast does time fly by you? Do you remember the little things? Do you get hit with a wall of times that have been erased from the halls in your memory? The years have flown by me. But I haven't forgotten what He has done. Where He has lead me. How He has redeemed me. This time in November, exactly 5 years ago, I came to a Journey to the Heart. Not knowing that it would change my life's direction from there on out. 

I remember where I was, the sin I was sloashing around in. I remember the anger, the pain, the hurt, all the bitterness and mostly the guilt. I recall when He spoke into my life. He spoke truth...but didn't stop there. He offered hope. He reached through the mess I had entwined my life in. It was a life of deceit, manipulation, lies, and selfishness. But the grace of God is so much bigger. Jesus consumed my sin and washed me in holiness. He has been continuing the process of cleansing and cleaning and restoring and healing in my life over these 5 years..

The Journey was a launch pad for what God had for me. I do not regret my staying on to the Head Quarters in OakBrook. Never would I have imagined what He would do in my life. He has allowed me to go places I only dreamed I would go. I give Him all the glory. Praise goes to my Redeemer. Never would I have imagined learning all that I have. Not just from the teaching that I have received, but from the lives I have encountered. 

The people that He has crossed my life with have changed and molded and challenged me. The ones I never would have imagined being friends with are now some of the most influential people I have in my life. Some have passed through my life quickly, some have come back into it. Others have been faithful friends through out the entire 5 years. I am brought to tears with how overwhelmed I am by His goodness in my life. He has poured Himself into my life through each one. I am humbled by their wisdom and insight; their rebuke and exhortations; their encouragement and lifting of my head. To the ones that have taken the time and patience to get to know me, I just am blown away and I say thank you. 

I have absolutely NO freakin' idea where He will have me in the next 5 years. I am excited to find out. Shoot, what He has done just in the past years, I can only imagine. I can not fathom what He will do. I want to chase dreams, conquer fears, scream out His faithfulness, paint the sky, and dance with Him throughout it. I won't stop, I won't slow down.....nothing can stand in the way when I am with Him. The fire is only started....the blaze is getting hotter and fiercer.

I am blessed

.ez.

If you are interested in what the heck this Journey to the Heart is check this out

http://livingthejourney.com/


I know You know better so
Why don’t I go whenever
You say come follow wherever You lead.
So won’t You help me

Would You wake me up
And make me aware
Of what You are doing.
And from my point of view
It’s not very clear
Where this is going

But it’s Your call.
Help me understand.
It’s not how I fall.
But where I land.
So I’m reminded
I’m not the one in control.

I know You know better so
Why don’t I go whenever
You say come follow wherever You lead.
So won’t You help me

Whatever You have in store.
Whatever I am in for.
I want to trust You more and more and more...

So much has been happening. After spending a month sabbatical at home I came to be thrust into the throes of life at HQ. I moved apartments, and have been going non-stop since I returned. But nothing beats family times. I was able to go back and spend some much needed time with the Zellon family. My dad's side met at Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Jackie's house for the afternoon. All the little ones have grown so much and it was just fun to relax and laugh and be apart of it all. We took out family picture and some others of course.....it was such a needed and amazing time. No one like the Zellon's....none at all (: I am proud to be one (:

 be blessed.

.ez.

More to come about the recent adventure down south!!! :D:D

There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again.

- Elizabeth Lawrence

Sometime I forget. 

I forget that I can't do things. Like seriously. I think I can do so many things. And then I try and fail-like utterly and completely fail. And then I get upset. I fume inside and kick myself. My human limitations could bind me. I could let those failings stop me and give up. I could become one of those "I can'ts" and let life pass on by while I live within my 'limitations'

Heck yes, I am weak. 

But then I remember.

He is strong. He is more than able. And if I really and truly believe that I am in Him and He is in me then things start to change. And the impossible becomes possible. Those limits are erased. Those boundaries are demolished. Those looming walls are torn down. More than a conqueror? Yes - in Jesus.

So when I think about this trip I catch myself 'limiting' what I think is going to happen. I think that just because I feel unprepared that only certain things will be able to be accomplished. Don't judge, I am being honest here. I am saying that I have fears and doubts-but right now I am recognizing that He is an all consuming God. His thoughts are not my original, first thoughts. His plans are not my own. But He wants them to be. 

So here we go.

 My voice? Ha, no way man-it's His. My hands? Nope. My feet? Uh uh. 

Once again diving deep not knowing where or how but trusting He's got this.

be blessed

.ez.

I can't believe I am saying this again. But it's true! We are leaving for Peru in a week!!! This time the trip will be for two weeks and consist of about 50 people. I can't comprehend it all right now...but this song just spoke the words that couldn't formulate from my thoughts...

Please pray for us as we prepare to head out. Pray for the people in Peru - this nation containing so many people that have stolen my heart. 

be blessed

.ez.