transparency is vital.

as i was listening to the radio today, i heard this song.

perfect people by natalie grant

Never let 'em see you when you're breaking

Never let 'em see you when you fall

That's how we live and that's how we try

Tell the world you've got it all together

Never let them see what's underneath

Cover it up with a crooked smile

But it only lasts for a little while

There's no such thing as perfect people

There's no such thing as a perfect life

So come as you are, broken and scared

Lift up your heart and be amazed

And be changed by a perfect God

Suddenly it's like a weight is lifted

When you hear the words that you are loved

He knows where you are and where you've been

And you never have to go there again

Who lived and died to give new life

To heal our imperfections

So look up and see out let grace be enough

By a perfect God [5x]

Be changed by a perfect God

Be changed

as these lyrics rolled around my head, God spoke so clearly to me. as i'm trying to portray that i'm perfect, people who may desire a relationship with God can get discouraged. they feel disqualified because they know they will mess up. if i choose instead to be transparent, they will see that there is only one difference between us...God's grace.

transparency is vital.

as i was listening to the radio today, i heard this song.

perfect people by natalie grant

Never let 'em see you when you're breaking

Never let 'em see you when you fall

That's how we live and that's how we try

Tell the world you've got it all together

Never let them see what's underneath

Cover it up with a crooked smile

But it only lasts for a little while

There's no such thing as perfect people

There's no such thing as a perfect life

So come as you are, broken and scared

Lift up your heart and be amazed

And be changed by a perfect God

Suddenly it's like a weight is lifted

When you hear the words that you are loved

He knows where you are and where you've been

And you never have to go there again

Who lived and died to give new life

To heal our imperfections

So look up and see out let grace be enough

By a perfect God [5x]

Be changed by a perfect God

Be changed

as these lyrics rolled around my head, God spoke so clearly to me. as i'm trying to portray that i'm perfect, people who may desire a relationship with God can get discouraged. they feel disqualified because they know they will mess up. if i choose instead to be transparent, they will see that there is only one difference between us...God's grace.

move it!

On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him.

Genesis 17:23

Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about.

Genesis 22:3

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

Romans 4:18-21

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.

Hebrews 11:8

By faith Abraham, even though he was past age - and Sarah herself was barren - was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.

Hebrews 11:11

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.

Hebrews 11:17-19

abraham is my role model. seriously. the verses from genesis blow my mind. God asked abraham to do some VERY UNCOMFORTABLE things! does he procrastinate? NO!
dear God: give me a heart like abraham's. give me the courage to act immediately when you speak. grant me wisdom in timing. Lord, you are sovereign. challenge my faith. i want to expect your miracles in my life. AMEN!

move it!

On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him.

Genesis 17:23

Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about.

Genesis 22:3

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

Romans 4:18-21

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.

Hebrews 11:8

By faith Abraham, even though he was past age - and Sarah herself was barren - was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.

Hebrews 11:11

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.

Hebrews 11:17-19

abraham is my role model. seriously. the verses from genesis blow my mind. God asked abraham to do some VERY UNCOMFORTABLE things! does he procrastinate? NO!
dear God: give me a heart like abraham's. give me the courage to act immediately when you speak. grant me wisdom in timing. Lord, you are sovereign. challenge my faith. i want to expect your miracles in my life. AMEN!

memorial day camping trip!

i was blessed with a spontaneous decision to go camping with suburban christian church (my church down in corvallis). it was so fun to catch up with old friends and make a TON of new ones. janey-rae and shannon are pretty amazing.

on a short hike, we saw SO many wild flowers. pictures really just don't do them justice.

the group. this picture just makes me smile. lots of energy and love!

my beautiful sister! i dragged her along with me, and it was such a cool time to share with her. i'm so glad that she came!

to be entirely truthful, i didn't want the weekend to end, and as it was ending i really thought about why i don't live down in corvallis. the group's accepting atmosphere was an example of how much God loves and accepts me. the joy that permeated every meal, game of ultimate frisbee and the baptisms was overwhelming. God has encouraged me to help be a part of creating such a community up here. i am thrilled to see what that will look like!

i took this picture just for you alexis. :o)

memorial day camping trip!

i was blessed with a spontaneous decision to go camping with suburban christian church (my church down in corvallis). it was so fun to catch up with old friends and make a TON of new ones. janey-rae and shannon are pretty amazing.

on a short hike, we saw SO many wild flowers. pictures really just don't do them justice.

the group. this picture just makes me smile. lots of energy and love!

my beautiful sister! i dragged her along with me, and it was such a cool time to share with her. i'm so glad that she came!

to be entirely truthful, i didn't want the weekend to end, and as it was ending i really thought about why i don't live down in corvallis. the group's accepting atmosphere was an example of how much God loves and accepts me. the joy that permeated every meal, game of ultimate frisbee and the baptisms was overwhelming. God has encouraged me to help be a part of creating such a community up here. i am thrilled to see what that will look like!

i took this picture just for you alexis. :o)

the kiddos enjoying the sun.

bubbles are so fun! good thing the kids love them as much as i do. :o) there is something so relaxing to blow bubbles and watch the giggling kids pop them.

beautiful mari. her laugh and smile come so much more frequently now. it's so fun to watch her blossom like a flower. keep praying that the adoption stuff goes quickly and smoothly.

azariah. oh man. that boy is mischevious but so stinkin' adorable. i have to keep a close eye on him or he will climb anything! he just learned how to shake his head no. AND he knows what it means. so cute and much better than saying the word over and over.

i am so blessed to be with these kids so much. i couldn't imagine not doing this.