Ecuador!

This summer, July 3rd-10th, I have the amazing opportunity to go to Quito, Ecuador with a group of students from Fairview Baptist Church. While we're there, we'll be ministering to and serving the people of Quito through various ministries.

I'm so excited for many reasons. I turn sixteen on the 4th! Imagine that, sweet sixteen in another country. This is an amazing opportunity! It will be my first time in a plane. It will be my first time overseas. And it will be my first time on an international mission trip. I get to share this experience with my brother and dad. My mom will be holding down the fort while we're gone, and we'll miss her so much over the week.

The group of students going are so so talented and have such a passion for God. I'm so excited about how God will use us over the trip. We're also going with a couple of great adults. The guy's are our youth pastor, Marty, my father, Barry, and Mr. Rob. The ladies going are Mrs. Dee and Mrs. Denise. I can tell God had these special group of chaperons picked out for us even before we knew we were going. These adults are so great and I'm so thankful for them.

We leave in less than 50 days. And with the day approaching soon, I get more and more excited. I ask that you pray for our group going, that God will give us boldness, keep the relationships strong, and that God will meet all our needs financially. We still have about 10,000 dollars to go. Also pray for the people of Ecuador. Pray that God will already be preparing the hearts of those we will share the gospel with.

There's Nothing to Watch

So, I'm sure you're thinking that I don't like any of the shows that are on. You're exactly right. I'm so sick of having to worry about what I'm watching. Even so called "family"channels are filled with cursing and sexual innuendos. What's up with that? I was watching Full House on ABC Family last night. After that That 70s Show came on, along with a warning that this show was not suitable for children under the age of 14. Really? Last time I checked, there are families with children under the age of 14.

I really do not understand this. You can make a good and interesting show without it being inappropriate. I'm sure by the time I grow up and have kids of my own, you wont even be able to watch commercials without there being something inappropriate on it. Heck, they already show inappropriate commercials. I'm so tired of this world. I can't wait until the Lord calls us home. Until then, I'll just keep on keeping on.

First Post

I was encouraged by my youth pastor's wife and a friend of mine to start a blog. A blog is my way of journaling and being held accountable for what I'm writing about. So here goes the first post. (:

This morning I woke up with a song in my head. I love it when this happens. Especially when the song is one that brings glory to God. The song was How He Loves by David Crowder Band. I absolutely love one of the lines of the song: If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking. Then I got to thinking: if grace, if mercy, if love is an ocean, we're all drowning. I love this picture.

The God of the universe and all of it's inhabitants loved us so much that He sent His only Son. Only Son. To die for us. I can't think of many parents who would send their child, especially their only one, to die for a world who would reject them and their love. Christians think of this a ludicrous, that the world would reject Jesus. But daily, we often reject Him. Instead of spending intimate time with Him, we choose instead to watch our favorite show or take a nap. This disgusts me, but I do it too.

So think about this. Christ died for us. We reject Him. But we are STILL sinking in His grace, mercy, and love.