Ok, so it's been a really really really long time since I've posted anything.I have so much to say, but am limited in what I can and can't say. We will start with my most challenging adventure of life to date that occured on December 1, 2012. I not only ran in, but completed the St. Jude Children Research Hospital Half Marathon (13.1 miles), in a time of 2:21:21!! Although I know I could have done better because my side started cramping up at mile 9, I am still proud of myself. It goes without saying that finishing the race does not even come close in comparison to raising over $1000 for the hospital. I had no idea that I would even get the $500, that I set for myself. I can truly say that I am ready and am running the race again this year--Lord willing.
I have recently returned from Passion 2013 in Atlanta, GA. What is Passion? It is a 4-day event that over 60,000 18-25 year olds attend. Passion is centered around Isaiah 26:8. All 60,000+ strongly believe that we are the generation that God is going to use to do immeasurably more to spread His word to the nations! I for one am a living wittness to this right now. One thing-the main thing- that the Lord opened my eyes to over the four days at passion was just how bad modern day slavery was. Slavery is a very touchy topic for some people, because we are "a free country." That is a bunch of bull poop! There are currently 27,000,000 slaves world wide (more than any other time in histroy.) Most are young children and women used for and sold for sex and forced labor. If that doesn't put a knot in your stomach well then I guess nothing ever will. Over the course of the 4 days we so called 'broke college people' raised over $3 Million dollars to go towards several different groups-nationally and internationally, all for the cause to end slavery. There is a website that I strongly encourage you go to and look at for more information, www.enditmovement.com. We can't just sit around and do nothing. We have to act and act now! We are the change in the world. We are God's hands to be used for his glory!
I came back to Heartlight more motivated than I have ever been. Yes, I was tired from the little sleep I got on the break, but was motivated because I know I am where God wants me and is using me. My first full day back was January 6. I was welcomed with a bang, knocked back to reality so to speak. After talking to Jason about the conference, he admitted to the house being in a good spot, the kids are excited to get back to work, and everyone seems happy. Well after church on the 6th, right before we were going to Buffalo Wild Wings for one of the boys birthdays, someone was caught smoking marijuana in house. This led to a lock down of the house, and three guys landed on Restriction II. That night, two of the guys ran from HL property, and ended up returning the next morning. Long story short due to the amount of details I can or am able to share, the three guys are all accepting the mistakes they have made and are willing and open in moving forward in there program. As a result of RII rules, they are not able to go to events. On Wednesday night, January 9, I led them in a DEVOTION! Only after one of them asked me to. He was raised a Christian and his exact words, "this is not how I was raised, I have got to change." This is what I have been praying for for a long time!! That God will give me a chance to spread His love with just one person. Here I was reading the Bible and devotion to THREE guys! WOW! And did God know what He was doing having my first ever devotion on January 9th!! "You may encounter many obstacles as you move towards your goal, don't be discouraged--never give up!!" WOW!!! What a message directly for the Lord himself, to me and especially to my guys! They were blown away. Needless to say they want me to look for the copy of the devotion book for them. Maybe they are blowing steam up my rear end, but having confidence in God and His mighty powers gives me the peace of mind that they truly want to change and become closer to God while doing that!
In closing please pray for the guys, Heartlight, its staff, the 27,000,000 slaves in the world, and me. I am starting to look into my future and figure out where God wants me according to His will. We believe that mighty things happen throught the power of prayer.
