Five Minute Friday: Table

This post is part of the weekly Five Minute Friday link-up! Five minutes of free-flow writing shared with whoever wants to read it. This week's prompt is TABLE.

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I've been doing a study called "Rhythms of Renewal" by Rebekah Lyons.  The subtitle is "Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose".

As soon as I saw those words, I knew I needed to participate.  The premise of the book is that there are four rhythms to our lives.  These rhythms are ways that God designed for us to live and consist of input and output rhythms.  The input rhythms are Rest and Renewal... taking things out of your life so that you can put the important things in.  The second two are Connection and Create.  

The first two were difficult for me to implement, but I did it.  I did a weeklong fast from Social Media, which doesn't sound hard, but the first three days were TORTURE for me.  Did I know that I was addicted to social media?  I knew I was always on my phone, but I had NO IDEA how connected I was to it.  As a result, I had more time, I was able to do things that were truly important to me, and I wasn't nearly as mentally overloaded as I typically am.

As hard as those two were, I knew the doozie for me was coming in the "Connection" week because this is something I have always struggled with.  As an introvert, all I want is to be left alone and be given space to decompress.  However lately, I have felt closed in, isolated, alone and something else that I can't even name.  In the aforementioned book, I came across a quote this morning that took my breath away.  

"The enemy of our soul wants us to be isolated and alone.  He knows that when we're isolated, we're easy prey.  Why?  When we're alone and vulnerable, we feel afraid.  When we're together and vulnerable, we become brave.  A brave group of vulnerable people acting together in faith is not easily overcome by anxiety and stress."

Since I've gone through this study, I have met with a few of my friends to decompress these feelings and in the process found out that I am not alone.  There are others just like me, longing for a connection that is just a table away.

So, I believe I've found my answer.  I need to set the table and be the type of friend I'd like to have.

Five Minute Friday: BEFORE

This post is part of the weekly Five Minute Friday link-up! Five minutes of free-flow writing shared with whoever wants to read it. This week's prompt is BEFORE.

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Before I was a wife, I was free to be selfish.  I was free to do what I wanted, to go where I wanted, to see what I wanted to see.  I was unchained but desperately wanting something more.

But today, I am a part of an incredible team.  I have found my life partner and we are better together than we were apart.  I am so thankful for the man my husband is.  I no longer want to go, see or do anything without him.  

Now, I am free to be complete with my other half.

Before I was a mom, I was care-free.  I was selfish with my time, energy, body, and mind.  I was free to go on spur of the moment adventures.  Every night was date night.  There were no sitters, no bedtimes, and no issues with putting on shoes.  

But today, I have two amazing kiddos.  I will say 7 and 3 are no walk in the park, but they are my best buddies and I love them more than anything in the world.  They are worth all of the unselfish things that it takes to be a momma.  

Now, they are my everything and I would literally fight bears, lift cars, and go to the ends of the earth for them.

Before today, I was tired.  I was overwhelmed.  I was crippled with the troubles of the 'before'.  

But today, I will stand in the truth that I am fought for and brought in from the ends of the earth, by someone who loves me most of all.  He tells me this: 

"I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places- firm muscles and strong bones.

You'll be like a well-watered garden, 

a gurgling spring that never runs dry.

You'll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew,

rebuild the foundations from our of your past.

You'll be known as those who can fix anything,

restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate,

make the community livable again." (Isaiah 58:12-12)

Now, I am whole, I am complete, I am truly free.  I can use the "before" to shape my after.

Before, I was on my own.  But now, I have everlasting life and will never be alone again.

Five Minute Friday: RISK

This post is part of the weekly Five Minute Friday link-up! Five minutes of free-flow writing shared with whoever wants to read it. This weeks prompt is RISK.

I have just finished a Bible Study called Rhythms of Renewal by Rebekah Lyons. This is an amazing feat in and of itself because I never finish things, so I'd just like to say that I'm really proud of myself.

The final lesson of this study was over Creativity. The premise of the week is that God, our Creator, has invited us to create WITH Him. This allows the overflow from our renewed and refueled hearts to go somewhere productive. I have never really thought about that before, but my heart has been intrigued to see what shape this could take.

Upon pondering where this lesson might lead me, my mind settled on how much I have previously enjoyed writing... I wrote a few blog posts many moons ago, but as time marched on, I had forgotten how much I enjoyed just writing.

I think the thing that God has placed in me is a passion to share stories, both my story and the stories of others. I am grateful to have a job where I get to share the lives of others in order to bring LIFE to others.

As much as I enjoy writing social media posts regarding our ministry at Hope for the Hungry, I feel the Lord telling me to do more. So, here I am, 5 years and another kid later, writing on my blog again. This might just be a post for today, or it might be something that sticks around for a little bit. Only time will tell. What I know is this: it feels good, and it feels right. I have things to say, and if I'm the only one who reads them, at least they are out there. And that's enough for me.

END.

30, Flirty, and Thriving!

So, I’ve decided to keep a running list of all of the things that have made my 30^th birthday the best one possible.  Although I am posting this at the end of my birthday, know that I’ve been adding to this list as things have happened.  Love to you all.  Thanks for making my day great!

1.) A tremendous birthday weekend that was one for the record books.  A lot of things were crossed off my “30 Before 30” list, and I’ll write more about that later.  Let just say it involved Indoor Skydiving and Strawberry shortcake made out of SCONES!  Seriously…

2.) A kiss on the forehead and a whispered “Happy Birthday” from my wonderful husband as he left super early to head to Easter Pageant.  This guys serves the Lord, our family, students and the University more than anyone I know. 

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25)

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. (Ephesians 5:28)

These scriptures above are lived out daily in our home and I couldn’t be more grateful.  I have learned more about the gift of service through this guy than anyone else.  And I have a HUGE crush on him and he’s the most handsome guy I know… that dimple though!

3.) Waking up to texts from family and friends with sweet words of encouragement.

4.) Daddy using celebration emojis in my birthday text.  Seriously though… so cute.

5.) Getting a sleepy “Happy Birthday Momma” from my #1 little guy.  MELT.MY.HEART.

6.) Jude singing me his rendition of Happy Birthday.  HBD is his absolute favorite song and we sing it 249 times a day, but when it’s someone’s actual birthday, he makes up his own version… I’m looking forward to the guitar and drum and microphone version I’ll get when we get home tonight.  Cause it’s coming… (EDIT: It didn’t happen.  Crazy, flailing, fit throwing happened.)

7.) 94.7 holding it down for my birthday by playing “Pumped up Kicks” on my 5 minute drive to drop Jude off… I know it’s a horrible song, but guys, that’s my JAM! Especially when there’s no kid in the car and I can blast it. 

8.) Birthday donuts and coffee to start off the day.

9.) Walking in to a decorated office with chocolates waiting on my desk from my sweet interns… The way to a girls heart is through Reese’s and Mr. Goodbar.

10.) BIRTHDAY COUPONS!

11.) Sweet messages from family and friends (new and old).

12.) Free birthday lunch courtesy of Schlotzsky’s.  Small original sans olives and onions is where it’s at.

13.) Finishing out our Ferrier team at 7 people!  Thank the Lord for adding a few in at the buzzer!  So excited for everyone to meet and see our girls.

14.) Purchasing airfare for our Ferrier trip at the LOWEST price I have ever seen.  Roundtrip tickets to and from Cap Haitien for $850!  $1800 is the lowest price for a trip I have ever taken… especially to Ferrier.  Praise the Lord for the new American flights in and outta there!  No more 30 seat plane where you have to get weighed to determine where you sit on the plane.  Haleluj!

15.) This Facebook message from my daddy.  There have never been truer words.  Best April Fools joke ever!

16.) Continuing to work on our VBS material for this summer that is about God’s power to break through any limits we place on ourselves.  This is not only a challenge to come up with but is completely convicting in my lack of faith in His ability and desire to transcend my abilities, circumstances, what’s popular and what’s expected… Let it be.

17.) My 90’s Pandora station

18.) Riding around with Jude and my little buddy Elijah to give me just a taste of life with a baby and toddler.  Two car seats are nothing to play around with. {No, this is not an announcement. Or an April Fools joke}

19.) Running home and seeing the most beautiful bouquet of flowers on my table picked out by my hottie of a husband and sweetheart of a son.

20.) Birthday messages from Momma.  Today should be HER day.  9 months of carrying me around, tolerating all of the wonderful pregnancy woes, and enduring the pain of bringing me into the world.   Not to mention the 30 years that she has mothered me so well and in doing so has shown me what being a fantastic mother looks like.  So thankful for her.  Love you Momma.

21.) Surprise phone calls

22.) Surprise birthday bagels from my interns. Sugar fried bread.  ‘Nuff said.

23.) Being able to take 32 kids to Easter Pageant to see the story of Christ acted out before their eyes.  For a lot of these littles, this is the first time that the gospel becomes clear to them.  What a better way to spend my 30^th than by sharing the message of Christ.  On a day that I am so aware of all the opportunities God has given me these past 30 years, what a present it is to be able to tell kiddos about the same God that has been drawing their hearts to His.

24.) Hearing 32 kids sing me Happy Birthday right before Pageant started.  And asking me if I’m 100… What a treat!

25.) Questions from tiny people like “Who is Jesus”, “Why is he dying”, and “Are they all friends with Jesus again?”  Nothing like child-like faith to remind you to truly SEE the sacrifice.

26.) Selfless volunteers who spent an afternoon with me in the midst of crazy in order to do their part of serving the Lord.  We had drivers, teachers, seat savers, bathroom runners, and lots of College Buddies that made the Easter Pageant event a possibility!

27.) Coworkers who dropped everything to reign in the crazy with me.  So thankful for a godly team of people who love the Lord and want to share the gospel with our community.

28.) Finishing off two boxes of peeps from Bekah!

29.) Whataburger’s Chicken Strip Meal with a Root Beer

30.) Vegging with my main squeeze after an exhaustingly beautiful day of life and ministry.  We are so lucky.

Any who, just wanted to let you guys in on a little taste of the Lord’s goodness in my life.  Thank you for all the sweet texts, messages, and conversations today.  You all have helped make the beginning of my 30’s awesome.  Yall are the best!

And, feel free to keep up the love.

Presents are still being accepted, indefinitely.

Five Minute Friday: Break

Finally, I have started again.  Five Minute Friday is a time for women all around the world to gather together and write.  Five minutes.  No editing.  Just writing.  Because it’s my first time back in over a year, I was a little rusty and spent 10 minutes, but don’t tell J.  Check out Five Minute Friday to join us.  It’s quite fun.  So, here goes.

Five Minute Friday: BREAK

As we got in the fancy car and started driving, it felt wrong.  We followed a guy who knew our names and we got in a car with him.  A fancy car that was nicer than anything I had ever been in.  There was water, snacks, and even champagne.  Our drive was only 15 minutes, but there were refreshments. 

As I sat in the fancy car next to my brand new husband, I was in awe.  We had just had the most magical day.  A day to celebrate our love.  And we were heading to what we still, to this day, call “heaven” and it felt wrong.

As we passed “our people” on the road, going towards “heaven” it felt wrong.  

The people who we most relate to.  

The people to who our hearts are stirred towards.  

The people we work with everyday.  

We don’t take vacations, we take trips.  We go to the “least of these”.  We don’t go to the land of excess.  We vacation to slums.  To love and serve people who are cast down and ignored.  We cross seas.  We walk down the street in our town.  

It’s hard.  

And heart breaking.  

And exhausting.  

But we keep on.

But you know what… We needed a break.  We needed a chance to reflect upon what the Lord has done in our lives.  We needed a chance to enjoy each other.  

To celebrate an eternal covenant made between us and the Lord.  

To allow ourselves to dream big dreams.  

Have big thoughts.  

To imagine the future.

One of the hardest parts of ministry is allowing myself to take a break.  It’s hard to remember that scripture tells us to take a break, and encourages us to rest and renew ourselves. It’s hard to remember that even Jesus retreated.  That God created, then took a Sabbath.  That God calls us all to be a Mary sometimes and not just a Martha.

Although it’s difficult to do and even harder to accept the need…

We needed a break.  And I’m about ready for another.

Stop.

This is Where Ministry Happens... This is Real

Christmas is a time of rejoicing, reflecting, and celebrating what Christ has done for us. A time for family to get together and enjoy the abundant life that we have in Christ.

Each year we have a “Christmas for Kids” (C4K) program for our Local Outreach families. This year was the 5^th one we've done and if I can be honest, it far exceeded my expectations and wildest dreams. 

The Lord does that, doesn’t He?

The basis of the program is to find donors in the community who are willing to sponsor a family to help fill in some gaps our economy has left vacant. This is a ministry to our parents as a tangible reminder that the Lord cares about all of their needs.

This year, because of the addition of the Hope House we were able to make some changes to the program. 

{Regarding the Hope House, a post about this new ministry site is coming, but  HERE  is a teaser video to catch you up}

Back to the point…

The most important change to C4K was pick up day. We basically had a big wrapping party. The mommas came, picked up their gifts, snacked on some Christmas goodies, and wrapped their presents. We had some friendly volunteers there to help with the wrapping and to meet new friends.

The best part about this whole shebang was how “human” it was. 

Let me explain:

I've been at my job for 6 years now. I love my job. My job is hard.

Stressful.

Overwhelming.

BUT I love my job. 

My time is split in two directions: ministry to kids in Haiti and ministry to kids here in Bell County. More and more of my time is consumed by the work here in Belton, so for the rest of this post, this is where my heart is going to focus.

It is an honor to get to love on people in the name of Jesus. 

To celebrate victories:

Good grades.

Vacations and summer breaks.

Graduation. University.

Fixed cars. New jobs.

New houses. Babies.

THIS is where ministry happens. THIS is real. 

To pray through the tough stuff:

Tests. Girl drama. Moving.

Failing grades. Being bullied. Flu season.

Behavioral problems. Lice. Suspensions. 

Self worth issues.

THIS is where ministry happens. THIS is real. 

To love someone when they are at their very end, with no where else to turn. 

Cancer. Death. Divorce.

Custody battles. Hunger. Homelessness.

Abuse. Evictions. Unplanned pregnancies.

THIS is where ministry happens. THIS is real. 

BUT, in between the best and worst, most of my ministry days are spent in the normal.

Average.  Every day.  Uniquely ordinary.

Learning new things about our kids. Our parents. Our ministry.

Trying to keep up with their new “dating” relationships (really… they're 7).

Laughing. Rolling our eyes. Holding our tongues.

Making popcorn. Jumping rope. Playing games.

Watching Frozen 1246 times.

THIS is where ministry happens. THIS is real. 

I think this is why I loved our Christmas wrapping party so much.
Cause we were wrapping gifts.
Laughing. Talking about traditions.

Passing tape, bows, and scissors across the floor.

Being sarcastic. Laughing some more.

And it solidified for me that ministry is just loving people because Jesus loves us. Not only in the ups and downs of life, but throughout the whole journey.

The hardest part of my job is when I have nothing to offer.

When all I can do is sit. And cry. And feel.all.the.feelings because I’m human and I’m a momma. 

(BTW, if you haven’t read "The Most Powerful Thing You Can Say to Another Mom" you’re missing out cause ugly cry).

Most of the time in ministry, I don't know what to do, so I do all of the wrong things and make things awkward. But you know one thing I can do:

Wrap presents. 

Why? Because I know how to wrap presents. I have to do it for my people, so why not help my sisters wrap for their people? 

As we sat on the floor, talking about normal stuff, it hit me how “human” ministry is. How in the everyday moments we have opportunities to love on people. In those nothing special moments. With no agendas, no tracts, no gospel presentations. Just building some relationships one bow and Christmas cookie at a time.
Because:

THIS is where ministry happens. THIS is real. 

Christmas is such a time of expectation. When kids go back to school after Christmas break, they are met with “I got an iPhone 6 for Christmas. What did you get?”

That’s where the Lord has called us to step in. To love on some mommas and daddies and grandmas who want nothing but the best for their babies. This is where we are called to be His hands and feet… to be a tangible display of God’s provision. 

This year we were able to minister to 75 families with a total of 220 kids. We were able to do this because the Lord asked over 60 families to love someone they didn't know, and won’t ever meet, by buying gifts for their children. 

What is something YOU can do today, this week, or this month for someone? 

In an everyday, average, normal setting.

With no expectations.

With no agenda other than loving someone in the name of Jesus.

Because:

THIS is where ministry happens. THIS is real. 

If you’d like more info on our Local Outreach program or if you’d like to get involved, email me at jen@hopeforthehungry.org and I’d love to give you more information.

Jen

Director of Children’s Ministries

Hope for the Hungry

I'm BAAACCKKK!

After a short hiatus last year, I am finally returning to this bloggity blog.

Because I am such an avid blogger (that one time) I figured I needed to take a step back (2014) to focus on me and mine.  So after much self reflection and new found determination, I'm gonna give it another go.

Here's to 2015 and the many posts (maybe 2?) that are to come.

Here are some things you missed in 2014:

- 29 and 30!  Last year I turned 29 which means this year I turn 30.  So, stay tuned because I have been burning through my 30 before 30 list.  Jeff turned 30 so he has basically been in mourning this year.  BUT I surprised him with a trip to NYC to see Newsies for his bday (and knocked a few things off my 30 before 30 list along the way!) so that helped to ease him into it.  The way I see it is that a guy in his 30s is chasing after a girl in her 20s, and WINNING!

- Jude is 2!  Jude has so much energy and is giving Jeff and I a run for our money in the "Funniest Sutton" contest.  He is constantly making me laugh and is learning new things every day.  Probably my favorite thing he does now is dance.  He knows all the moves to the Cru Spirit dance and does it better than I do.  He is a big fan of all the classics "All about that Base" by Meghan Trainor, "Animals" by Maroon 5, and "Turn down for What" by Dj Snake and Lil John and dances accordingly.  However the "spin in a circle and smack that" is still his go to.  Before you get all huffy, he knows all the words to "Jesus loves me" too.  Don't judge.

- Jude is 2!  Oh my word, is he ever.  He is the cutest dude you will ever see and his personality is to die for, but sometimes... it is to DIE for.  And seriously, if I hear another "it should be called the terrible threes" then I will go all cray on you.  Who does that... for real though? 

- We have a new addition to our ministry called the Hope House.  I will for sure be blogging about it at some point in the next few years, so be on the look out.  The Lord has done some crazy things to make that dream a reality.

- We were able to take some family vacations this year.  Aside from our 'vacations' to Haiti, we went to the beach with the Sutton clan and spent a week with the Savages in NOLA.  We had a blast.  It's so great to spend time with family.  It's never long enough, but we'll take what we can get.

- We've been married 5 years!  It's crazy that it's already been five years but at the same time it's crazy that it's ONLY been 5 years.  In a good way, of course.  We just keep getting better with time.  And I don't know anyone else who would agree to dress up like a cow with me on our anniversary.  What a guy!

Needless to say 2014 was a pretty fantastic year and I was sad to see it go, but I know that 2015 will be just as great.  Some pretty exciting stuff is in the works already!  Stay tuned!