Change # 1

In an earlier post I mentioned that I'm claiming 2012 as my "Year of Change" but didn't go into any detail about the changes that might take place. Why not? Well - I decided it'd be best not to talk about them until I'm positive I'm gonna go through with it. This past week I actually made one of those changes reality.

So... here's the first one of the year...

Sunday night was my first night at Branch Life as an official member. And - it was glorious. I've been at Branch Life for a year now and it's been an amazing journey so far. The Lord is doing great things and I am so thankful that He is allowing me to be part of such a wonderful community of believers. He is adding to our number and that is most definitely a beautiful thing.

I'm so excited about Branch Life and what the Lord is doing there. Our pastor just finished a series called "Christ, Community, Neighbor." and it was really eye opening for me. Especially in the area of outreach. I love people but sometimes it's super easy for me to just stay within my little group of friends. Having a core group of friends isn't the problem. It's the fact that I don't make much of an effort to reach beyond them that's sinful. This past week's sermon was a bit emotional. He talked about loving your enemy and how, for whatever reason, we tend to hate our enemies instead. He also spoke about loving them even when they don't want to love you, when they don't want to reconcile, and when they hate you. It's hard to love when you aren't loved, when you're pushed away, when you feel like you don't matter, when you feel like you aren't good enough, etc. It's hard to love those people. But - that's exactly what we are called to do. To love like Christ loves us. Without judgement and without rules or expectations. To love no matter what the circumstances or situation may be.

Lord, give me the ability and longing to love. To love not only the ones who I decide are worthy of my affection, God, but to seek to love the ones that don't deserve my love at all. I want to love the unloved, the downcast, those unlike me, friends, strangers, family, enemies. Show me how to love them all and how to love them in the right way. This is my prayer. This is my desire. That I would love like You have loved me. Amen.

Truth.

"Love can't bear the weight of our expectations." ~ A.V.

Love.

"It's only when you realize everyone you love will one day leave you - that you really begin to love.". ~ A.V.

Whoa.

The past few days have been SO good.  It makes me feel like something bad is just waiting for me right around the corner to screw all of the good up.  But - if it is... I'll be ready.  I'm not saying it won't knock me off my feet a little or catch me by surprise.  I'm just saying... it's not going to rock my entire world.  At least I hope it doesn't.

But - anyways...  Let's get back to the good....

I took Thursday and Friday off last week because some of my friends were getting married on Friday.  I took Thursday off in case they needed any last minute help.  They pretty much had it covered so I just hung out with the bride for a little while.  We got our nails done and such.  It was nice.  I went to rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner, which was awesome and delicious.  Back to Brent and Haley's to hang out for a bit then headed home to catch some rest before the day of crazy began on Friday.  Friday arrived and it was more hectic than I expected.  I ran here and there and back here and then back there again.  Even though I felt rushed it was such an honor and privilege to be able to help in whatever way possible.  I loved every minute.  It was a beautiful wedding.  Bride... so beautiful.  Groom... so handsome.  Wedding party... rockin' it.  Did I cry?  Uh... duh.  Have you met me?  I cry at every wedding.  Not because I'm sad... just because I LOVE weddings.  Especially when you are able to witness the love the couple has for one another.  It's just a beautiful thing.  Their reception was AWESOME.  There was a photo booth, which I loved, and tons of dancing.  I don't think I've ever danced that much...ever.  It rocked.  It's like on that day all the bad disappeared.  Conflict no longer mattered.  Everyone just got along.  and - in all honesty, I really hope it stays that way.  I want things to stay good.  I want to remain in this place where I feel like I've put the past behind me.  I want to love without reservation.  I want to serve without hesitation.  I want to do outreach without fear of rejection.  and - I want nothing else to matter but Christ and Him glorified.  I don't want to worry about the future so much that I neglect what I have right here... right now.  I want to take advantage of every opportunity given.  I want to live.  So right now... that's the plan.  To live.  Seems simple, right?  I've come to find that nothing is simple.  But - I'm interested to see where this path will take me.  Wanna come along and find out?

Seriously.

I'm putting the past behind me. I'm only looking forward. What happened yesterday no longer matters. What matters is this: Jesus. Loving Him. Following Him. Attempting to be like Him. Learning from Him and from His word. I can't dwell on the past. I refuse to dwell on the hurt. I'm dwelling on Christ instead. He is all I need. Amen.

Goodbye 2011, HELLO 2012!!

Last year was full of heartache, laughter, sadness, frustration, joy, anger, happiness, etc. If it's an emotion and it can be felt... I experienced it to the extreme. It was, of course, full of good and bad. Whose life isn't?! Ha.

Last year I lived in 3 different places. Not 1... not 2... but 3. That fact alone blows my mind. It makes me wonder what 2012 will bring. I'm already claiming it as the year of change. Why? Well...now...if I told you that I just might have to kill you. ;o) Let's just say some things need to be different. And - then there are those things I hope for....those things I hope 2012 brings. But - I guess we will all just have to wait and see what happens. All I know is my God is in control and His timing is most definitely perfect.

Here are some pics from 2011. Enjoy!