Wordless Wednesday

Why Colombia...What's Your Purpose?

When I tell people I am going on a mission trip to Colombia I get some interesting comments and facial expressions...mainly of concern for my safety and why of all places Colombia. While I have had the textbook answer for why this mission trip, tonight at our mission trip fellowship it really hit me...here's my thinking and answer to Why Colombia? and What's my Purpose?

1. I had felt the calling to go on a mission trip back in the fall of 2011, but let the outside world get the best of me...or maybe I should say God knew I wasn't quite ready to make the commitment.
2. When the facebook post came up about the mission trip needing more people, it was my sign that God was ready for me to go... I think this was followed by all other things falling into place.

This was some of the why's...but not so much the purpose. If you have been on my mission trip page, you know the mission of e3 and 12stone in Colombia. It has been hard to express and get people to fully understand it and what my purpose is in Colombia; however, I must be honest... I sometimes wasn't too sure of my purpose. I know God was calling on my heart to do this, but I think/know there was something more.

So here's the answer... why Colombia...what's my purpose?
Because.... He is glorious!

Yes, a three word answer, but full of so much depth.

John 3:8- The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.

Thursdays Thirteen!

1. How your brother tells you he misses you 101- He has his children call you in sad, sappy voices and tells you that they miss you and you need to hurry home... Let it be put on record-my brothers miss me.

2. BRC...that's all I am going to say about that.

3.  Moy...the new word created by Rachel to identify a man-child.

4. I really love my small, small group! I like that I can tell them about who I am, what I am about, and they still appreciate me for who I am!

5. Abby-Auntie Jess, when are you going to marry the new Blake? I think Abby wants me to be married, because she asks this often.

6. Draw Something has become a little bit of an addiction...and yet I get mad when I can't figure out the picture. There is no way of cheating on this game.

7. My new cell phone makes for wonderful group text messaging conversations!

8. Whenever I have a moment with questioning the worldly things, I can't help but think "He is Glorious" this statement has really hit a cord with me!

9. It cracks me up at small group when it is time to pray and everyone looks awhile like students do in the classroom when they don't know the answer...guilty confession: I look away too!

10. I don't like missing church on Sundays, but spending time with my family made up for it!

11. I turn 27 on Sunday...am I suppose to be that old yet!?!?!

12. I enjoy waking up each more thanking God for another day! It really is the simple things!

13. I couldn't be happier with the friends I have met in the last couple of months! I am thankful for the people God has put in my life!!

Thursday Thirteens

1. I have learned I am quite guarded when it comes to dating after the last year of dating...this is teaching me there are a lot of great guys out there that would prefer me to not be so guarded. Must work on this... I think!?!

2. My small group makes me happy! It's amazing how in such a short amount of time we've come so close.

3. My students crack me up. Comment of the week- Alex & Brandon: Ms. Douglas, Hirohito is old in this picture. Me: When was that picture taken. Brandon: 1988. He's probably dead now! Me: Oh, I was alive when he was still around. Alex: Man, you are old! Me: Thanks!

4. March 8th marked a milestone for a very special baby! I am so happy to share my birth month with this precious baby. Jemma- you are quite the miracle baby, and I am so proud of how far you have come in the last year. Happy Birthday!!

5. Another student happy moment...Friday dances with my "cool" kids. I love being silly and dancing!

6. I can't thank the people who have contributed and prayed for my mission trip I will be going on this summer. It has made me quite happy and blessed to know I have people in my life who appreciate what God has done in my life.

7. Guilty pleasure... reality television...Swamp People, Jersey Shore, American Idol, Cupcake Wars, Lizard Lickin Towing, Anything on ID channel, Teen Mom, etc... I am a little addicted to other people's poor choices.

8. Every day...I am... thankful... for the... new... and old... people... in... my... LIFE!!

9. Dinner with my mission trip group to kick-off the birthday weekend was fun, interesting, and gets me even more excited for the trip.

10. Eager, excited, anxious, happy...these words are an understatement of how I feel about the Hunger Games trailers on tv....and the fact that I am going to see the movie opening night at the IMAX... Color me excited!
11. I love my family!

12. AHHHHHHH.... it's already my BURFday!!! I can't believe I am 27, which also signals something else interesting... get a new license! I can't believe I have already been here for 5 years! Crazy!

13. While I know everyone is rushing out to get me a birthday present...just head to www.e3partners.org/jessiedmission to get my present...aka: mission trip! :)

Wordless Wednesdays...

Few Words of the Weekend

Friday-Great friends from Small group + Fun and Sweet Movie + Laughs in the Parking Lot = A Happy Girl

Saturday- Helping a great friend with her OM team + Date Night = A Happy Girl

Sunday- Great Service at Church + Dinner with great friends (again) - Writing a Paper = A Happy Girl

Basically saying... I had a GREAT weekend. It is crazy how God puts people and events in your life at JUST the right time to make you realize is glory and how great life truly is!

Thoughtful Thirteen Thursdays...how do you like that alliteration?!?

So I am stealing this idea from my SIL, since it’s an easy way to get my thoughts and happenings out all at once…and I don’t have to make a huge blog about it.

1.       I am a part of a pretty AMAZING small group with church! It is crazy how in just a few weeks we have bonded so quickly, and become such great friends. Our times with devotional are just as fun and exciting as our outings. I look forward to the relationships we will continue to build with each other and God.

2.       Thinking back to when I was a child in school, I thought teachers went off into this mythical world in the teacher’s lounge where they talked scholarly and about ways to change the world…now as a teacher, I realize it is opposite. Instead it is the perfect time to debrief about the day, but the thing I love the most is the random conversations we have in our down time.

3.       New license (with my name spelled correctly)….check! Passport appointment without waiting a month…check. Everything falling into place for my mission trip….check!

4.       I can’t be more thankful for the donations I have had in just the two and half days I started with making people aware of my mission trip and asking for spiritual and financial support. While I fret at times I will get the money to go on the mission trip, I know God will provide.

5.       My birthday is coming up and I am freaking out a little bit about turning 27…yes, I know that’s not old, but still it makes me want to freak out. To think that 10 years ago I thought I’d be married with kids by now…instead, I have my diploma kids. I guess everyone has to have some kind of financial burden in their life…mine just happens to be a piece of paper.

6.       My brother’s response to my mission trip….Sure thing. I'll support whatever you feel strongly about. I'm glad this makes you happy. Are ya'll going to be staying at a Sandal's resort while you're there? j/k :) I guess the cat’s out of the bag with what I am really doing…haha!

7.       Not tooting my own horn, but I love my job and I think I am pretty awesome at it! Today, I ended my last class with singing and dancing…not only did I love it, but the kids did too!

8.       My fortune cookie message: You have an ambitious nature and will make a name for yourself.
9.       I could take the weather we had today ANY and EVERYDAY…please!

10.   While consuming myself with my mission trip most evenings this week, I have forgotten the importance of sleep, so tonight I am going to remind myself about it!

11.   Because it is my thirteen thoughts, one that keeps ringing out in my head and makes me laugh has to be the image I have when imagining a man trying to approach two baby fawns…won’t make sense to you, but my small group friends TOTALLY get it!

12.   I am pretty sure I like to Skype far more than I like to talk on the phone….so who wants to skype with me?

13.   I miss my family like CRAZY!!!! I can’t wait to go home next weekend to see them!