One More Home

Guess who got her passport in the mail last week? This girl! I feel a certain sense of freedom in knowing that I can travel to far off destinations, and yet, still be allowed back into the U.S. when the day is done. Like my boundaries just expanded ten-fold and I've got a whole new list of places that just became available to me that weren't just two weeks ago. So, what's a newly passported world traveler to do? I'm leaving the country, of course! But, I'm not going to China just yet. I know, I know. We'll get there, friend. And when we do, you know I'll write at least a word or two about the trip for you to read. For now our destination is......HAITI!!! In less than two months, I will be leaving on a jet plane headed south to Haiti to hit the mission field. And, oh my goodness, I'm excited. I haven't been on a mission trip since the days where I was sportin' big bangs courtesy of Aqua Net and Kriss Kross was all about making ya...

I believe that forewarned is fair warned, so I'm stating up front, I'm grouchy. I'm in one of those moods where I could just sit and stew on the things running in my mind, just indulging my bad mood and feeding it so it grows even bigger, consuming my entire day. It's my hope that maybe if I share my thoughts, I'll drag myself out of this sticky pit and be able to proceed forward with a fresh outlook on the rest of my day. Let's start with how I got here... I'm a social media type of girl. I may not let you know what I had for breakfast/lunch/dinner or check in every moment of my day so you know that I have "left the building" and am on my way home/to soccer practice/ dance practice/ church, but I do check my Facebook, have a Twitter account, and I even post an Instagram photo or two. So, it's not surprising that I follow some of my favorite preachers, teachers, writers, musicians on these media venues. This morning I was scrolling thr...

" I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." John 16:33 ESV Can I tell something you may or may not know about me? When I was a little girl, I learned an adorable little song at church. It even came with hand motions. Who doesn't love hand motions? Since Jesus Christ came in, and took away my sin, I'm inside, outside, upside, downside, happy all the time! This is the moment when you clap! Hooray! I have come to hate that song. Maybe it is a sweet sentiment for children to sing, and maybe I'm just an adult who is being starkly realistic, but I find that song to be misleading. Yes, Jesus has paid the cost for my sins, but I am not happy all the time. For me to present you with the message that having received salvation is an automatic ticket to happiness would only do you and I a disservice. As the verse says, "you will have tribulation." Sometimes...