God Word is clear for us to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold I am with you always to the end of the age."  (Matthew 28:19-20)

God has already shown himself as seeker, preparer and provider in so many areas of my very short experience in ministry leadership that it's hard for me to imagine bigger, greater and grander.  The verse that keeps running through my head is to "Be still and know that I am God" just rest and revel in His presence and His provision.  It's not about me - it is completely about God using obedient followers to carry out His plan and His mission to make His Glory known.  My mind is so finite.

Just this week, God has shown me so much of His Glory......  It takes my breath and at a loss for words (yes me - at a loss for words) brings me to my face to worship.  God is working in the hearts and lives of the people in inner-city Birmingham.  He is revealing Himself to parents and grandparents through the little hearts of children.  A parent shared with me at kindergarten graduation that her son (who lives with his grandmother) asked her to come sit on the sofa with him so he could read her the bible.  The mother wide-eyed reply was, "the whole thing?"  The little boy encouraged him mother to come sit beside him on the sofa and just listen, the mother not know what she was about to hear the little kindergarten boy opens his bible to the Table of Contents and begins to read the books of the bible to his mother and explains what he has been learning in Sunday school.  This same little boy encourages his grandmother not to just send him to Sunday school but to come with him.  The grandmother asked, "why do you want me to go to Sunday school, I can't go to children's church?"  The little boy in his purity states, "because it will make God happy."   Thank you Father for touching the hearts of children, for revealing your Glory and Truth to them.  Thank you Father for breaking me and showing me my need to be obedient to the Word to make disciples. 

Today, was an emotional day at Divine Faith Missionary Baptist Church praying and sending me out to serve a people group in West Africa that has never heard the name of Jesus Christ.  The children cried, "but I'm gonna miss you!"  But having the chance to explain that I am going to Niger to do exactly what I'm doing at Divine Faith --  Share the Gospel, Teach others about God's truths and what Jesus did for them on the cross.  With much reluctance they give me the biggest hug ever and we "pinky promise" that I'll come back and tell them all about the people of Africa and be their Sunday school leader again.

The children are His heritage and God is using them in mighty ways.  A mother stands up this morning to state that her son reads his bible at home now and has said things and done things that she never thought he would do and how she had noticed a difference in her sons attitude since he had started attending Sunday school on a regular basis.

May this journal entry be a testimony to never - ever underestimate the power of the Gospel.  God's Word is sharper than any double edged sword piercing through bone and marrow to the core of the heart to reveal His greatness to the lost.  Just as I have encouraged my children in Sunday school to be bold in their faith and be sure to share God's truth with someone on the school bus, the play ground, their parents or their grandparents because it the Power of Salvation to ALL who believe.  Just as Ms. Lisa goes to be obedient to the Heavenly Father - you go in the direction God is leading you and be obedient to the Heavenly Father.

Psalm 127:1
Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.  Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 

I am truly blessed beyond measure with some amazing friends and wonderful faith family.  Just a few more days and I will be up - up and away to share the good news of Christ with a people group that has never heard His name before.  I'm so excited to see God work and wonder how He is going to use this missionary journey to change me and draw me closer to him.  I had a wonderful dinner with friends that included my first Beth Moore bible study and quality time in prayer.  He is greater than any traveling fear that I have and there is comfort in knowing that He has gone before me to prepare the way.

He continue to show me His glory - showing me that while I will be serving His people in West Africa He is also handling and taking care of everything for school.  My academic adviser said that she would register me early for my classes since I will not be back in time for registration for school and that I have an "A" average and this time next year we will be talking about transferring to UAB.  WOW - I have finally made it through my Freshmen year of college - it has only taken 17 years.  I am also applying for my first scholarship - a lot of "new" and "first" for me during this season of my life.  I really should not be surprised because once you turn your life completely over to God - He really does turn your world upside down (or right side up) headed in a new direction on a new path toward the Light!  He makes the impossible possible - He provides strength to persevere in times of weakness and struggle.  He replaces my fear with comfort - What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  Romans 8:31

Happy Mother's Day -- this has been an emotional day for me.  I have not cried that much since my mother passed.  I have rejoiced that she had been given her garment of salvation and her robe of righteousness and is singing praises to Jesus.  As most mother's do, mine always knew what to say to make me feel better, her comforting words and tender touch was all I needed to be encouraged to face another challenge.  Whether it is the fact that she has been dead 3 years or the upcoming Mission Trip, or my roller coaster relationship with my Daddy or a combination of it all.  Today, I just wanted her here with me, to fix the hurt relationship with Daddy and to encourage me about making disciples.

Being an adopted child, I can truly say that a Mother's love knows no boundaries.  There were times she wanted to pinch my head off (I'm positive of that!!) but she knew that going in - She always told me I was born in her heart not in her womb.  I was her gift from God.  She was my teacher, my counselor, my cheerleader and my dearest friend and today I just wanted to hold her hand and tell her I love you!

Thank you God for the gift of Mothers.  You Oh Lord, fill a mother's heart with love and patience, kindness and gentleness.  Thank you God for the gift of my mother - though not of her flesh and blood but adopted just as you have adopted me.  She showed me love and favor and held me close to her heart, just as you Father have shown me grace and mercy and drew me nearer to you.  She told me of your majesty as You revealed yourself to me.  I thank you Father for the gift of Mothers and today mine dwells with you.

Sunday was an emotional day for me filled with much excitement and tears of joy.  The realization of serving the next 10 weeks in West Africa and the confirmation of true friendship.  Trusting in God's provision and going to be the hands and feet of Him this summer was not an easy decision.  I believe the decision to finally go was another breaking down of "self" so that I will realize my dependence is on Him and not myself.  So many things have happened over the last 2 years and I have had no choice but to be completely dependent on Him.  He has provided so much and in the most amazing ways and used those close to me and people that I didn't know at all to humble me before Himself.  In my fears and lack of faith He continues to prove Himself faithful - He draws me nearer.  I have literally shed tears over my lack of faith and His provision.  Thank you Father for loving me and adopting me into your Kingdom.  Thank you for the opportunity to share, show, teach and serve this summer among those who may never know your Glory.  Keep me focused on you LORD and use me to further your Kingdom.

Thank you Father for the church and your provision to share your truths with others.  Thank you Father for placing such amazing friends in my life who are encouraging and eager for your Glory to be known among the nations.  Thank you LORD for the leadership at Brook Hills where your truth is preached without compromise and your name is proclaimed boldly.

I have no idea what I'm doing!!

I have a feeling I was born in the wrong period of history - technology is taking over the world and I am so fearful - so here I am trying to keep up in the 21st century and become techno savvy.  So thankful for friends and mentors that are more than patient and willing lead.  The goal of my blog is to give insight to the life of Christ and share the Gospel in broader setting ....  if you will....  God has done amazing things in my life and I am grateful now to be His bond-servant as He sends me to Africa for the next 10 weeks.

I hope to update periodically while on the field - if not I will update as soon as I return with lots of pics and some videos.  I'm so excited about how God is going to change me this summer.