Stand Firm!

My best friend and I just met for coffee, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  How can you not laugh when pastries get in your hair, and coffee spills in your lap?

We were discussing life...yes life.  And I know it can be such a broad subject, but it got me thinking...

I was sitting in on a bible study the other day, and the speaker was talking about the balance of life, ministry, family, and the juggling act we often battle with.  And she said this, "I know life will still take place."  THAT MOST DEFINITELY CAUGHT MY ATTENTION!!!

It often terrifies me when God wants you to draw closer to Him, and LIFE HAPPENS.  And it doesn't seem to happen in the most subtle, hey I'm here waiting for you type of way.  I feel that when you make a blatant decision to follow God in any direction; that's when life grabs you by the neck and shakes!

Can anyone relate?

My friends are going through some heavy stuff right now, and I'm hearing about men and women struggling, their hearts just overflowing with pain and sadness.  As an outsider you feel helpless; wanting to be there for someone and to help them in any capacity.  Life most definitely happens, and sometimes you just want to yell STOP!  I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!

I just want to encourage those of you who are struggling in any capacity, in any area...to you I say God's strength is made perfect in our weakness.  And let me tell you, I often feel weaker then I look.  I pray God gives you a backbone to stand firm in any trial, in any troubling circumstances.  God doesn't want us to cower in our storms but rather be firm and bold. He didn't call us to be timid, no friends, he gave us these outlandish, stubborn, feisty personalities for a reason.  Lets be bold, and stand up together.

Yes, life will still take place.  But it doesn't have to take over, or take precedence over the truth, love and joy that should ultimately reign.  Don't let your love, peace and joy be stolen by life friends, but rather let it blossom.

I love you-
G

Assumptions...

Today I told a few people things about myself that they were surprised by...

And then it made me think...am I living a life that is surprising or predictable? Or both?  I mean I would like to be the first to say that I like keeping people on their toes.  But let's be honest; some assumptions aren't always correct ones...

What assumptions have been made about you?  Have they been correct?

So I thought I'd make a list of things people may not know about me...

1.  I have been to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Brazil, Thailand, and will be going to Haiti next month
2.  I am deathly afraid of doing karaoke(weird cause I sing right?)
3.  My pet peeves are: whistling, people who don't lift up their feet when they walk, people who live vicariously through their children, and people who complain too much.
4.  I pretty much end every day with a dance session or lip-synching session in my room...DE-STRESS!!!
5.  I've only had one boyfriend thus far...(I've been told I don't know how to flirt). Hey there could be worse things ha ha
6.  My sister tells me I need to work on my first impressions...oh well ha ha
7.  I've had Bells-Palsy twice!
8.  People think I've done tons more...but it's just because I ask tons of questions...
9.  I want to name my first dog Scott Speedman...don't laugh <3
10.  I don't have tonsils, my hair IS naturally curly, and I have one tooth that didn't come out till I was twenty-one...my sister calls it my shark tooth...ha ha I know TMI!

Surprised?

I want to know what people have thought about you....give me deets if you dare...

love and peace,
G

I Don't Know Why You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello...

Saying goodbye sucks!  I'm just being honest...

In fact I don't know why it has the word good in it at all...

If parting is such sweet sorrow, then why do we say goodbye at all...

Is it to reflect? Is it to step back and say why?  Is it to remember the good, the bad, the ugly?

If I had my way, (hey I am a dreamer) well then there would only be hellos.  Sweet, sweet hellos!  The Beatles had it right when they sang, "I don't know why you say goodbye, I say hello."

So friends, I say to you, hello.

G

Home Is Where The Heart is...

My parents got back home last night from an amazing 5 day trip to Vizcaino, Mexico.  My mom, who usually isn't one to travel very often was so enamored and uplifted by this trip!  Which in turn, encouraged the living day lights out of me for my trip to Haiti in February.

We sat around the table this morning as a family, listening to their stories, laughing, crying and just listening to see what else needs to be done.

Mission trips aren't just the trip itself, the ride there, the different orphanages you visit, the buildings you build and so on.  It's the in-betweens that make mission trips what they are.  It's the conversations in the car, it's the moments you can't help but laugh because someone is having an awkward moment.  It's being tired and dirty together, it's being happy and satisfied together.  But mostly it's seeing a glimpse of what God can do.  And those glimpses of heaven are the sweetest, and most pure when you're tired, dirty, and stinky.

I have to imagine the disciples next to Jesus, tired and worn out from traveling long hours, listening at the foot of Christ for hours, seeing what will happen next.  Not much has changed dear friends.  In fact, let's draw closer to the feet of Jesus.  Some people might say, "I'm not cut out for the traveling, and the not-so-friendly conditions."  And to you I say, "IT"S OKAY!" You see I've realized in my own world that we are surrounded by different mission fields.  The students I work with who have autism and different forms of A.D.D.  These kids are helpless and just searching for some type of help.  I've purposed within myself to be there for these kids, to love them, and to aide them as much as I can.  They are my love project.  God instilled within me a need to travel, to see and experience different cultures, and I've been blessed to see the dynamic power of God.  It's not the prepared and rigid servant who is moved, but rather the scared, nervous, frustrated, willing servant who sees beauty in the most unexpected times and places.

I challenge all of you: what is your love project?  Is it to love your dad more, to be there for a friend more frequently.  Heck is it to be a better listener to your co-worker, or a more understanding parent?

Let's love more frequently friends.  Even if we are dirty, tired and stinky while doing it.  Thank the Lord that He loves us despite our inadequacies.

Love and Peace,
G

there are some days...

There are some days...

Some which you can expect the outcome.
Others, well; you simply don't know.

Which do you prefer?

I don't want to sound like a control freak, or someone who knows exactly what's to happen; but sometimes there are those days which knock your wind out.  And those days I absolutely hate.  The days which you think could never happen to you, or those you love.

To those of you, who've had the days which knock you off your feet, I'm sure you could relate.  The type of days where crawling under your sheets, pulling the blanket over your head and shutting out the sunshine seems all too amazing.

Well to you my dear friends, it's okay to crawl under the sheets.
It's okay to crawl into fetal position and wish either the day was deleted, or that it would magically disappear.

I would like to start this blog saying that God will give you laughter again, He will make you smile when you least expect it.  And those, my dear sweet friends, are the very best days.

So I thought I'd start writing again. And some posts may be silly little nothings, while others might be enlightening, and others might be, well down-right honest.  I decided to title my blog LOOK BACK AND LAUGH because that's what I've decided to do.  So here's to a journey of ups and downs, I just hope we all remember to smile at all the splattered pieces of heart, anger, pain, laughter and smiles which have created the insane debris which are our lives...

You WILL laugh, I promise,
G