World Changer

This weekend we took the Youth to World Mandate at Antioch Church in Waco, TX at the Ferrell Center. This is our 4th year going and each year has brought different revelation for me.  While I was impacted all weekend, 2 things were a real stand out for me.  A video about the impact of one college student sharing the gospel with his dorm neighbor.  That ONE conversation, over the course of maybe 2 or more decades had GLOBAL impact.  It was a visual of what ONE person, telling ONE person could do.  So many lives changed and impacted for not only the Kingdom, but issues that press daily lives of people suffering all over the world.  Never think that you can not make a difference because you are just one person.  Our words of encouragement to the hurting can transform lives, who go on to transform the lives of others.  Touch a life TODAY!

The other was a speaker from Hillsong Christine Caine who rose up a campaign to end human trafficking called the A21 Campaign.  It is true when she says that it is very hard to connect to the suffering of people who are in slavery all around the world when we are sitting there, like I am right now, in Starbucks.  Drinking a good cup of coffee after a workout, all the buzz of free people in activity as I go on to my next blessed life activity.  But when Christine spoke, it was very clear that she had made a connection with that very real truth....27 million people are enslaved in Human Trafficking all over the world, more than any other time in history.  And she was certainly able to connect me in that moment.

And the big question...SO WHAT?  I can tell you that I did not want to walk through the threshold of my home for fear that I would be immediately be "sanitized".  So often I wonder why I never quite feel "fulfilled" even after I have accomplished everything I had on my "To Do" list. Perhaps it is because the list only really encapsulates what i have accomplished in a very one dimensional way.  But if I were to put someone else on that list....a peace like rain falling down.  Something inside sighs and it is no longer dragging myself up for another day of todays, but as the theme for the weekend suggests, a Run To The Battle, a sudden thrill for victory in my days.  I WILL engage.

I am not sure how my life will be used in the days to come to be a world changer, but for today, I will seek for just one.  Just that precious ONE!

Accidental Tourist

I really wish I had posted this several days ago instead of keeping it to edit.  I am up and can't sleep because I have some things on my mind.  So, just know, I have some things on my mind, and I will post again.  That being said...

I have looked at some blogs lately and I am still amazed that there are women out there who have time to live their lives AND chronicle it...daily.  Because I am a writer at heart, I keep hoping this will be the case for me, and I am sure that I COULD write everyday, but you wouldn't want to read it!  There are days when I don't want to read my life.

So what's been up lately?  I am sitting in a rocker with my elbows glued to my sides because there is not a surface in this house that I can actually put my forearms down on.  Once again I left town without cleaning house, came back to a fender bender which is now a full blown, jaws of life wreck.  My husband and my children appear oblivious.  I guess if there are crumbs on the floor, that is where they are meant to be right?  Ugh. (Since then my husband has said "Do you want Hannah to come clean?"  That was a rhetorical question, Woo Hoo!)

Where did I leave to?  I went to Youth Camp for 5 days.  We have attended this camp for 3 years, though it has been around for 20.  It was the last year, as leadership is on to other ventures which I am equally excited about.  Kari Jobe did the praise and worship,  Her name will mean nothing to you in the rock world - think...Gwen Stefani?  Young, newer to the pop world, insanely popular.  Only singing for God.  The whole week was once again, awesome.  And not in the VBS, play games and sing Kumbaya kind of way either.  This camp is faith moving, core rocking, life questing....well, you just have to see it to believe it.   To see kids won to Jesus is one thing.  I mean, it IS church camp.  But this is more than an alter call.  This is TRANSFORMATION.  We had some chains broken that week.  I have a burden for their young lives for sure.  When you come along side youth, their yoke is palpable.  I have spent 35 years in the desert with that yoke and the last 10 years clawing it off.  The stress for them is high in all areas, among their peers and plans for their future.  I realize here is where making a difference in ONE life, really matters.

Praise and Worship

Rock Island Family Church Youth and some friends!

The day I returned from camp I was signed up for a 5K Mud Run.  Yes, insanity.  I was really stoked about it until the night before.  Then by that morning I was sick.  All the negative thoughts and fears came rushing in.  I was a king crab that morning and nothing went right.  When I finally got their, much to  my relief it was a bit unorganized, so I felt right at home!  I found my peeps and that is always a huge relief, we are in it together!  There were 18 obstacles of which I did every one!  I was in better shape than I thought.  I literally thought it would take me 3 hours.  Literally.  It only took me 45 minutes!  I guess all those bootcamps payed off!  The scariest were the high climbs.  I wish I had a picture of me doing one.  I would get to the top and completely panic, closing my eyes saying "Don't look down, don't look down!", then I would fling my leg, no, what's the word?  More like...flailing!  Then come back down.  Aside from the smell of dung, even though they say it's mud it sure doesn't smell like it, I am doing it again in September!

Me, scaling hay bales!

Me, coming out of a mud pit right AFTER swimming through a pond!

I posted an album on Facebook, but these were the obstacles Wesley got pictures of.  The 2 little kids to the left on the lower part of the embankment are my kids cheering me on!  Again, if I can do it, ANYBODY can do it.  Literally.  I mean, a one armed monkey, a 3 legged dog...

Dining with purpose

I had been looking forward to having dinner with a friend I met at a wedding in DC a couple of years ago for several weeks now.  Each friend has a unique anticipation.  This particular friend, brings instant Kingdom.  She is focused in a way that is hard to escape.  I never feel more personally aware of my need to escape than when I am with her!  And yet I am trapped by the light in her and I am drawn by His force to be present.
We talked for hours, much to our waitresses chagrin, so I tipped her extra because a still small voice told me it would bring a change in her countenance.  We talked about my kids, my marriage, ministry, my new church, our mutual friend, her minisrty, her plans to move to Europe for a year and everything leading to that decision, and my health.  As we moved through our conversation, much of what she shared with me resonated from another conversation with a friend now living in Waco.  Certain things were confirmed for me, feelings, about myself, my family and God's presence in the midst of the mundane.
Every time we speak she tells me how crazy God is for me.  It is really a very child-like way of expressing what I would normally "spiritualize", and in it's expression, I feel very alive.  I believe her.  She affirms it with her own pleasure at my company.  I believe her.
She spoke to me of things that I needed to know and hear about God's heart for me, about what He has placed in me, and what I know is ultimately my destiny...over a very long period of time, in incremental steps.  Beginning with a conversation that may start as a song, or a prayer, or a word of encouragement to the God of the universe, that I, Kris, am His daughter, and I am so glad.  He is too.  And I believe Him.

Soup for the Soul

ADecided to work smart yesterday and chose a soup recipe.  Italian Meatball Soup Rapido and I accompanied it with a loaf of crunchy bread that I sliced, buttered both sides, topped with shredded mozzarella and broiled until cheese melted.  Two hints for this very easy soup.  Double the meatballs because otherwise your man will be complaining "Where's the meatballs?"  Also, add the cheese to the individual bowl, I used just the Walmart shredded parmesan and it kind of clumps as it melts.  Fine in the individual bowl, but weird in the pot.  I buried urge to make the meatballs myself and got the frozen Italian Meatballs at Walmart.  Everyone said YUM and the girls staying with us said "Hey, it looks like the picture!"

No dessert : (  Having this many people in the house is a challenge to get everything in order, so it was ether dinner or dessert.  If it was just me, it would have been a very different meal!  Which is probably why I am not posting to my Physique category lately.

Last night we went to Gateway Church in Southlake and slipped into the Pastor's Conference.  My husband IS a Youth Pastor, but was not scheduled for this event.  We all went.  Jimmy Evans was speaking.  The girls wondered if Kari Jobe (if you open this link and listen, bring a tissue) would be leading worship.  If you are reading this and not a Christian, it is the equivalent of the Jonas Brothers opening for...Aerosmith.  Kari IS one of the worship leaders, but she also now has a career in music, so I was worried they would be disappointed.  Well, WHA WHA, aren't I the downer!  She was totally there in fervent Kari fashion, jumping up and down on stage and the girls were ecstatic.  They sang a song I had not heard that really rattled me inside.  Some of the lyrics are:

Our walls fall down, our strongholds broken,
Eternity's spoken, righteous we stand.
The church we'll rise declaring your kingdom,
shouting your freedom, the blood of the Lamb!
You rein in all the earth,
You reign victorious,
Your power is limitless,
There is no one like our God.

I can not even begin to tell you the fullness of joy throughout that time of worship.  This is such an anointed group of worship leaders.  Again, if you are not a Christian, imagine the best concert you have ever been too, all the lighters are lit, everyone singing the lyrics...only, when you leave, you don't smell like beer, cigarettes and marijuana.  You don't wake up with a stranger.  You have your car keys and your dignity.  All your senses are ON and you are on fire!!!  You feel like you could do ANYTHING!  And it's not the cocaine talking.  That's because we are not singing for ourselves, we are singing in praise to the One who created us, and He LOVES to hear us sing to Him!!  Wouldn't you? I think my husband wouldn't mind...

It was a great way to end the day.

I'll post today's menu tomorrow, as I am not sure if I am up to dinner, I may have to invite my in-laws to ensure I commit to it.  Now that is saying something, just sayin'...

Dear God

Dear God, please help me find the wad of money I lost today.  IJN, Amen

Prayers for Neighbor

God, why do we have cancer?  Please heal Casey.  We love her so much, and I feel very sad when I think what might happen when she starts chemo.  Lord, PLEASE help me to them during the week, maybe bring a meal, or bring the kids by.  Help me know what they need.  IJN, AMen

Little Miss Perfect: Little Miss Perfect: Dear God

Little Miss Perfect: Dear God: Please help me to...just help (crying out!)"

Little Miss Perfect: Dear God

Little Miss Perfect: Dear God

Dear God, Help me to fold the 300 pounds of children's laundry that awaits me. Oh yeah, and then put it away..

Little Miss Perfect: Dear God

Little Miss Perfect: Dear God

Please help me to...just help (crying out!)

Little Miss Perfect: Dear God

Little Miss Perfect: Dear God

Dear God - Help me to not hate my husband. Help me to not blame him for every little thing that I can't control. Help me to stop complaining. Help me to not be so hard on Samuel, or so distant with Ava. Help me to joyfully get dinner on the table, OK, just "git er done" will suffice. Help me to not blow my brains out because I escalate every little thing in my mind. Forgive me for taking your name in vane...several times today. IJN, Amen