Treasures

I realize we are several weeks past Christmas, but because I am so far behind in my posts, we will ignore that truth for a moment and focus on some other ones.

As I read the Christmas story each year, one tiny verse always takes hold of my attention and my heart. Luke 2:19 says, "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart". Wow.

No question she is one of my favorite characters in Scripture. She was young, but God took note of her obedience and faithfulness, and blessed her beyond her wildest dreams. And when this craziness is going on, she just worships and magnifies the Lord. I can't get over it. I'm sure the circumstances had to be overwhelming at times, but instead of freaking out, she took the special moments and memories and hid them away in her heart.

"Overwhelming" is the only word I have to describe the last couple of months. We had the Singing Christmas Trees, Christmas, and New Years, which was immediately followed by the wedding of my lovely sister and Bryan Guillot. Many of our family and friends that came in for the party wanted to take advantage of Orlando, so I spent the entire day after the wedding at Universal. Don't judge. Two days later, my mom went in for a biopsy, and was diagnosed with breast cancer on Wednesday. Since then, we have gotten to know MD Anderson very well and prayed through many treatment options. The first anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti was in there somewhere too.

It makes me tired just to type it all out. Despite the craziness of this season, there have been so many perfect moments. Moments when love overshadows everything else. Moments when I'm reminded of the blessing of family. Moments when a friend opens their heart to share their experiences with cancer. Moments when God is glorified in the midst of a storm. Moments that I've hidden away in my heart to treasure and to ponder and to learn vital lessons.

Through this season, we are clinging to truth and promises. I am seeing His faithfulness and grace in ways I never have before. Despite being overwhelmed, we are overwhelmed in peace that can only be from Him. And even if it's through tears, my heart is joining Mary's song... "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior".

Merry Christmas

As I drove home from the Christmas Eve service last night, I spent some time reflecting on the past year and where God has me right now. I am often tempted to complain about this season and let Him know how things should be. My plan makes so much sense to me.

But then the Christmas story hit me like it never has before. If it was up to me, I would have orchestrated Christ's long-awaited arrival so much differently. I would have made sure Jesus came to fanfare and everyone would be aware of who He was and why He was here. They would treat Him with the honor He is due. It would be important dignitaries there celebrating, instead of lowly shepherds. He would be born in a penthouse suite, not spending His first night in a manger.

His plan was so much better than mine. He showed His indescribable love, His humility, and that He came FOR ALL PEOPLE. He came for the humble, the poor, the sick. Those in India's slums. Those in China's orphanages. Those with earthly blessings, and those whose blessings are yet to come. After the past year, this truth brings incredible joy to my heart.

What would I be missing if I got my way? What blessings would I miss out on if we went with my logical plan?

I choose to wait. To trust when it doesn't make sense. To allow His glory to be revealed in unexpected ways. And to celebrate this Christmas with more gratitude and praise than I ever have before.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Do We Care?

World Orphan Day

This day is so important to me. I was not adopted. I have not adopted. But I am a voice... For the "least of these". For 140 million children around the world without a family. For those that will become a part of this statistic.

My father is in ministry, and that title comes with certain responsibilities. One of those is attending the Southern Baptist Convention each summer. Until a few years ago, this responsibility meant that his family also went. If you've never been, let me tell you... it is not the most thrilling thing ever. I dreaded it, except for the couple of times it was held in Orlando. But the convention had one redeeming quality for this over-achieving and slightly nerdy kid- a discount bookstore. Without fail, that bookstore could keep me occupied for a few hours each year.

When I was 10, I was sorting through the numerous tables of books and came across one titled "China Doll". It had a picture of a couple holding a precious Asian toddler on the front. I read the back and was hooked. I bought the book and pulled my first all-nighter to finish this book. To that point, I had never heard about China's one-child policy or the girls abandoned to make way for sons or the orphanages overcrowded and out of resources. The book also opened my eyes to the miracle of adoption, and my life has never been the same.

When I began to see God's heart for the orphan, I decided adoption must be in His plan for our family. I immediately took on the role of the Holy Spirit and discovered adoption agency web sites. Each had a nice form to fill out for more information. My parents started to receive information packets about adoptions from China. I acted as surprised as they were, but I'm pretty sure they saw through that.

If you know my family, you know that this plan didn't go exactly as intended. My sister and I are very clearly my parents' biological children.

But something else happened.

The Lord opened doors for me to literally "visit the orphan" and the statistics became faces. I wrapped my arms around orphans in Mexico. I pushed them in swings in Thailand. I wiped away their tears in India. And my heart broke for these children in a way I can't understand or explain.



Orphans are heavy on my heart. I don't know why the Lord has given me this burden, but I want to bear it well. I pray orphan care and adoption are in my future, but I don't want to wait until another stage of life comes along to speak up for them. There will always be excuses and obstacles, but He has been opening my eyes lately to ways I can advocate and see that His name is glorified as we carry out His call to care for the orphan. I challenge you to seek Him about how He wants for you to be involved.



I also want you to consider that you once fell into the category of "orphan" as well. We had no hope and no future until a gracious Father sacrificed to make us His own. To lavish us with undeserved love. To allow us to take on His name and identity. To adopt us. Let the Gospel speak to you today, and thank our incredible Father on World Orphan Day.

Out of the Ashes

I need to process. To make sense of it all. To let what I have seen sink in. To evaluate what is going on, and let God show me my place in it. That is where I am after my trip to Haiti.

I thought I was prepared. I read statistics and hear stories everyday. Haiti is my job, but it hasn't been my heart. That is beginning to change.

I have been to third world countries. I even lived in one. But I wasn't at all prepared for this. Haiti is often considered a fifth world country. Try to wrap your mind around that.

I knew there would be poverty. Destruction. Hopelessness. But I didn't expect to see such beauty. Smiles. Hope. Strength. God's sovereignty over all of it. The juxtaposition of all of these things blew me away.

My words will never be adequate. My feeble photography attempts aren't either, but it's a step closer.

It's Happening!

Off to Haiti early in the morning! Please be praying for opportunities to share and express the love of Christ. Pray we make it back without any diseases too :) I can't wait to tell you all about it...

Love In the Time of Cholera

Not gonna lie... I haven't read this book. But the title took on new meaning for me yesterday.

I am supposed to board a plane at 7:20am on Monday to head to Haiti. I can't even begin to tell you how much I have been looking forward to seeing the ministry of New Missions up close. I'm even more excited to be meeting my sponsored child. We have built a relationship through letters over the past year and a half, but I can't wait to see her. To hug her. To laugh with her.

It's been less than a year since the earthquake, and only 2% of the rubble has been cleared. To put it bluntly, Haiti is still a mess. It's considered a fifth world country, which I honestly can't wrap my mind around. Part of me feels like my time in South Asia will help me, but I'm afraid it's on a whole different scale.

If you have been watching the news the last couple of days, you have probably heard about a new problem. There has been an outbreak of cholera in Haiti. When I heard this, I had no clue what that even meant, but it sounded terrifying. Then I was asked to do some research on the disease.

I'm no longer terrified, but I'm still asking for prayer. Right now, the trip is up in the air. A decision should be made today on whether our group will head out on Monday as planned. I am longing to get there and minister in another time of great need for these people... to love in the time of cholera.

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." -Proverbs 31:8-9

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." -Micah 6:8

Lindsey

...has a blog. You should follow her. www.writingeverafter.blogspot.com

And this one will be the proud recipient of a real post soon. Promise. The past few months have been full of lessons that need to be shared. Get excited.