the year you declare to be different

I have decided, officially, that is the year that I have been called to be different. I was reading Isaiah 61 last night, and even though I know that I have been “called to be different”, I have been very timid to really roll with that mindset. Just this morning I decided that I won’t run a full Marathon this year, I will only do half’s. To some of you that seems like not a big deal or why would I want to do another one anyway?! My worth is not found in the things that I “do” and choosing not to do something doesn’t = failure, but rather what I do with the things I believe in really matter. For example, for those that are thinking that is too wordy or doesn’t make sense, my ministry matters, my family matters, fellowship matters, my physical & spiritual body matters. A small step for me to remind myself what I truly get life from. I had told someone the other day, I don’t really need “things” I just need Jesus. Well, here we go, let’s go for it. What will He call you to do this year? I bet it wasn’t in your “plan”, but I bet it puts your “plan” to shame.

"...the Lord has anointed me to preach the good news...to proclaim freedom for the captives...to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."- Isaiah 61:1-2
"I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness."- Isaiah 61:10

from the port to the bay

This is a bit delayed, but at least it is now up. Last weekend we headed to Daphne, AL to visit my grandmother, and also we got to see J-Don/Jillian/Don-A-Thon. (I know she appreciates the 2 nick names posted.) Here is a snap shot of fun quick visit. 

J-Don

Browsing in an antique store

Zwie and I in Fairhope 

No oil here, but still no swimming allowed.

I mean... I love the 2 of them. Not to be too mushy...but this is my husband. Shut your mouth!

a scoop for you

National Ice Cream Day!? was… yesterday. Whoops… I missed it! Well, by all means I will celebrate today. I just made an ice cream pie for a meeting tonight in honor or the glorious holiday, and picked up a gallon for later. I have to say my favorite flavors are Mint Chocolate Chip and Coffee. I can’t drink coffee, but I sure can put down some coffee flavored ice cream! How will you or did you celebrate?

i run with my hands in air & i make salsa

Since I have been home, running has not been very easy! Let's just say this morning I started at 6:30am, 85 degrees, 90% humidity, needless to say... a struggle to breathe. Before my run this morning I was really reflecting on some powerful scripture that was given to me over our trip, shout out Niki, Isaiah 62:1-5. One of my favorite parts is when the Lord gives Zion/her (me) a new name. That name being Hephzibah. Hephzibah means "my delight is in her". So, as I'm running to my iPod on shuffle it plays, "None but Jesus" by Hillsong. Fresh in my mind is my new name given to me combined with these lyrics "all my delight is in you Lord". As I'm running I'm so captured by the Holy Spirit that I run with hands raised and singing out loud. I'm sure the builders that I ran by thought I was crazy, but clearly I didn't really care! Oh the feeling of freedom. Its a pretty powerful thing.

My other escape is cooking/creating of course. So, why not do a post on both? Chips & Salsa anyone? Here is my Roasted Tomato Salsa (¡pásatelo)
8 Tomatoes, halved & seeded
3 Garlic Cloves, peeled
1 Sm White Onion, quatered
1 Jalapeno Pepper, halved seeded
1/4 c. Corn
1/2 c. Chopped Cilantro
1/4 c. Corn
3 TBS. Lemon Juice
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Pepper
1/2 tsp. Sugar

Preheat 500*. First 5 ingredients on baking sheet lined with foil & cooking spray. Bake for 20 min. or until charred; stir occasionally. Remove from oven & cool. Place veggies in food processor, pulse until chunky. Place in bowl and stir in remaining 6 ingredients. Cover & chill. 

not the same

I almost laugh as I type out that title, but really all it is… is truth. As you guys know last week I was trekking through the wilderness with 9 other girls (including our 2 guides). We spent 6 wonderful days in Rocky Mountain National Park; with really only 1 bad day of weather, millions of stars over us at night, covering 20-25 miles, no shower or deodorant, some patches of snow, about 5 moose, dozens of elk, 3 rams, several marmots, a 40-50lb. pack strapped to our backs, and oh yeah silence!
It was truly an amazing experience. I had an amazing time with these girls and our guides. It’s funny, and a whole other story, how God put our group together. He couldn’t have planned it any better. Each of us walked away with a deeper connection with one another, and I’m pretty sure each of saw the Father in a whole new way.
Its funny how for years I have thought I have known what freedom in Christ really looked like, but really for the first time I know what that is. Better yet, I don’t just know what it is, I’m experiencing it. God did some amazing and powerful things in me that I didn’t even know needed to be done. Here I am thinking, “OK God, equip me, use me to be the leader that these girls need.”, and then I think he laughed, and made it clear to me that He had other plans for me. (sigh) I have been transformed, broken, free from lies I thought were truth, walking in freedom, and (oddly enough) I don’t have to tell myself to breathe anymore. So here I sit writing this plain and simple… not the same.
"They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy & strong. They are free from burdens..."-Psalm 73:4-5 
"Leave your simple ways & you will live; walk in the way of understanding."-Proverbs 9:6 
"The Lord your God is with you, he is might to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."- Zephaniah 3:17

shreveport today, colorado tomorrow

Tomorrow me and 8 other girls from Shreveport will head out to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado! I can barely believe it is already here. I'm so excited about having a whole week of sweet time with Jesus and with these girls. I know it will be a challenging week, so please throw us up on your prayer list for protection, safety, and for God to do amazing things in each of our hearts. I can vividly look back years ago when I went on a similar trip in Canada, YL's Beyond Malibu, and came face to face in my relationship with God and developed even closer friendships. It was such an amazing experience, and I hope and pray that these girls will have a similar experience. Here is a little peek at where we will be!