I literally live in the backyard

of our nations capitol.

I was walking home tonight and I couldn't even believe the scenery that was behind me.

As I turned around to shed a glance at the monuments behind me I could not help but to smile with joy at my present circumstances.

Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be open unto you...

I have moved in with a group of young ladies from a good church. It is so refreshing to come home to people whom I know know the truth & seek it. As I am writing here tonight- I am also filled with a smile of joy because the past 2 hours have been filled with wedding planning.

What a fun time of life for Laura Beth... weddings truly are something to be hopeful for. =)

I have actually found my favorite wedding dress- Vera Wang (which might just make my dad say 'very wong' hahahaha). Looking forward to wearing it someday... I have enclosed the link of course. Vera Wang and the 'Divine Obsession' please watch this. =)

On the flip side of rose petals and engagement rings...

The Ugandan boys have passed the physical testing of their trying hearts. Both boys are doing splendid and are eagerly anxious to return to Uganda. I am looking forward to next week- I will be meeting up with the disassembled group from Memphis, New York and Indianapolis to re-unite Allan and Daniel with their fellow heart pals. =) A major blessing that all has gone well.

I am looking forward to these little ones being back home with their families and praying as they go that their hearts would be softened/opened to the gospel from this trip forward.

Quick update...

Thankful for you and your prayers over my life.

Growing

Always growing, always learning...

So thankful for the people in my life and the dear friends the Lord has blessed me with.

This week I have really been meditating on the different ways the Lord reveals himself to us. Creation is the most beautiful revelation of his glory (to the eyes that is...).  Out of all his creations PEOPLE are the most beautiful to me- especially, growing people.  I love the way the Lord brings people into our lives to reveal himself and his graces to us. Last night I read through a really good essay by Archibald Alexander on Growth in Grace. 

Read it my friends. =) Encouraging and edifying. 

Personally I found a single paragraph to be very convicting and challenging.

"Another powerful cause of hindrance in the growth of the life of God in the soul is that we make general resolutions of improvement, but neglect to extend our efforts to particulars.  We promise ourselves that in the indefinite future we will do much in the way of reformation, but are found doing nothing each day in cultivating piety. We begin and end a day without aiming or expecting to make any particular advance on that day. Thus our best resolutions evaporate without effect. We merely run the round of prescribed duty, satisfied if we do nothing amiss and neglect no external service which we feel to be obligatory.  We resemble the man who purposes to go to a certain place and often resolves with earnestness that he will some day perform the journey, but never takes a step towards the place.  Is it at all strange that that person who on no day makes it his distinct object to advance in the divine life, at the end of months and years is found stationary? The natural body will grow without our thinking about it, even when we are asleep, but not he life of piety, which only increases by and through the exercises of the mind, aiming at higher measures of grace.  And as every day we should do something in the good work, so we should direct our attention to the growth of particular graces, especially of those in which we know ourselves to be defective. Are we weak in faith? Let us give attention to the proper means of strengthening our faith and, above all, apply to the Lord to increase our faith.  Is our love to God cold and hardly perceptible, and greatly interrupted by long intervals in which God and Christ are not in all our thoughts? let us have this for a daily lamentation at the throne of grace- let us resolve to meditate more on the excellency of the divine attributes, and especially on the love of God to us- let us be much in reading the account of Christ's sufferings and death, and be importunate in prayer, until we receive more copious effusions of the Holy Spirit; for the fruit of the Spirit is love, and the love of God is shed abroad in our hearty by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. And so we should directly aim at cultivating and increasing every grace; for the divine life, or 'new man', consists of these graces, and the whole cannot be in health and vigour while the constituent parts are feeble and in a state of decay. " 

Sincere thinking about personal growth...

I am thankful for the men/women in my life who encourage me daily, weekly, monthly or even at times yearly to "re-align" myself, if you would, in the written word of God and daily obedience to it. 

" Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us."

Philippians 3:15-17

Metro...

Welcome to DC. wow. Today was my first, successful, smooth, and what I would consider "empowering" day riding the metro! Thank goodness it was only on day two that I gained such quick (self-proclaimed) competency. HA! I decided it was well worth my money & efforts to give the metro's maps/schedules at least 3o minutes of my precious scrutinizing time after yesterday's tragic incompetent riding episode. Turns out reading has brought about victory once again in the world of Kata.
DC is fantastic. The weather has been unbelievable since I arrived. Yesterday I was able to bike to the monuments and watch the sun set over the Potomac. I feel very blessed to have ended up in this city for this season. Living close to the National Cathedral and American University has been so great as well.
Tonight, as I was rummaging through graduate programs...looking into different areas of study, I realized that there are just too many things in life to experience. I can't even begin to fathom how people choose their area of study!?
Deep down I would love to be a writer- I would love to write vignettes about the people and places I see & visit. An "in the field reporter" would be a fantastic fit. =) However when I discussed this with the woman whose home I have been fortunate to be living in (she is an editor) she said some very thought intriguing things. She really emphasized that it does not take a masters or even doctorate in English literature to make an excellent writer- but it takes time, people & experience.
If you have read any of the previous posts on my blog- you would realize in my case it would take a little more than those three things. For instance, an EDITOR, spell checker, proof reader, how about a thesaurus to have a little variety in word usage, and most importantly- readers.

J.I. Packer never intended to be an writer- this statement speaks for itself.
(I am in no way trying to compare myself to Packer...just a little encouragement that God is gracious and always working- his purposes will prevail and he will be glorified- in whatever measure he chooses to use & refine us).

So, in the meantime- as I continue down the educational road in medicine/nursing/healthcare...blah blah blah- I can dream about one day ending up on the Washington Post!
Until then- I will continue riding the metro (which is a breeding ground for good literature), continue in my nursing, and continue on to wherever the next airbus 330 might take me.
Once again, welcome to DC- glad you could join me.

Kampala Uganda

Lake Victoria

Only hours ago- well I should say a day ago- I was sitting in a beautiful, lush bustling country. The temperature was pleasant and the sun was shining. Lake Victoria was glistening and the storks were hunting for their next meal. I have just returned from Kampala Uganda transporting for Samaritan's Purse. It is close to 5am there now and I bet the sun is beginning to rise- and the roosters are crowing. Kampala is Uganda's Capitol city with roughly 2 million people. The people are beautiful and the children are many. Uganda has over 2 million orphans. Among those numbers (I don't know exact percentages) the AIDS virus is not uncommon. While I was there for a short while I was able to visit one orphanage that is run by a young American woman who truly has over 100 children. She is not alone- she has wonderful Ugandan residents who work with her and take care of all these little ones. As I was able to spend a small amount of time with a handful of the babies and kids my heart was broken again. I don't know how to describe the feeling you get when a little one lifts his/her arms and with droopy little eyes pleads with you to pick them up for a hug and attention. I don't think anything else in life gives me more joy than holding a precious little one.

Little ones at the orphanage

Whirlwind

January 31st, 2009
Sitting here by the fireplace on the shore of the great Lake Superior, thankful for the quilt that is doing an exceptional job in keeping my legs warm and toasty, and watching the waves crash up onto the icy rocky shore only feet below me, I can only think: how glorious!
It was just yesterday that I was in the bustle & hustle of the quaint DC proper of Georgetown visiting with my sister and her husband. And only 24 hours before that was I in Amsterdam with 5 mothers, each holding their little one and anxiously awaiting the next leg of their trip to the US for the first time. And only 24 hours previous to Holland, I was sitting in an Ugandan press conference- bringing a small bit of publicity into the fact that five Ugandan residents (those residents being children I might add) were being flown to the US to have open heart surgery- a necessity for them if they are to live past their childhood.
Thinking back through the past 72 hours my mind can only now think: how glorious!
What a glorious, sovereign, faithful, providing Heavenly Father I serve.
This past week has been a whirlwind of events and I cannot point to one area independent of the Lord's gracious hand. To God be the glory!
One of my favorite passages in scripture is found in Colossians 1:15-18
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all
things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether
thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities- all things were created through
and for him. And he is the head of the body, the church.
(so powerful if I understand what is being said...and who this passage is speaking of...amazing!)

I am always amazed at the times and events the Lord has for his people. Even now- sitting here by the toasty fireplace- waiting for the boys to return from snowmobiling I am aware of the fact that none of this would be great or possible if it were not from the Lord. I guess I am trying to say- whether I am sitting here in the cabin, or on a crowded bus in Kampala, Uganda- there is purpose to the time being spent. I'm learning how quickly time passes and I want to be intentional with each moment I have. I am thankful for the glimpse into a new culture and peoples and I can only imagine what the Lord has in store next for the 5 mothers and their babes. Pray for successful surgeries and tender hearts for the gospel in the upcoming weeks. I have enclosed a photo of one of our little ones who will have surgery this next week. She is beautiful- from a Muslim family- and loves life. I will be heading to Washington National Children's Hospital for the next three months where I will have the privilege to work with two of our little boys just brought here- who will have surgery in the next couple of weeks. I am looking forward to being at their bedsides as they are brought back from the operating room. Pray for my interaction with the moms and our wonderful translator, Olivia, as their boys are recovering in the ever intimidating ICU. I'll keep you posted on the surgeries. =) God is so good.
Pamilia and I- Kampala, Uganda January 2009

Thabiti M. Anyabwile

I was able to sit under the teaching of pastor & author Thabiti M. Anyabwile this weekend. =)

Anyabwile currently lives in the Grand Caymans with his wife and three children where he pastors First Baptist Church of Grand Caymans. He is affiliated with the 9Marks ministry where he grew his roots out of Capitol Hill Baptist Church. Speaking with Anyabwile after the conference and truly just getting to know this man of God through his teaching was so refreshing and edifying. I am thankful for the church, the body of Christ, and for the grace given to us by God to remain faithful to it.

I have attached links to both Anyabwile's blog and 9Marks ministry. Both well worth your time for growth and maturing in your walk with the Lord! Just click on the name of where you want to go!

Enjoy!

Anyabwile

9Marks

44

Washington

J. Adams

Jefferson

Madison

Monroe

J.Q. Adams

Jackson

Van Buren

W. Harrison

Tyler

Polk

Taylor

Fillmore

Pierce

Buchanan

Lincoln

A. Johnson

Grant

Hayes

Garfield

Arthur

Cleveland

B. Harrison

McKinley

T. Roosevelt

Taft

Wilson

Harding

Coolidge

Hoover

F. Roosevelt

Truman

Eisenhower

Kennedy

L. Johnson

Nixon

Ford

Carter

Reagan

G.H. Bush

Clinton

G.W. Bush

and...

Barack Obama

Thankful for extended Family... =)

On the last excursion out east my first stop was in Charlotte to visit my college rooms and her family. There wasn't a whole lot going on in my neck of my woods... so I decided to catch the red eye and head to North Carolina. I was blessed to bring in the New Year with my favorite family from Charlotte. The McCutcheon's (Amory's parent's) & Anderson's are very dear to me.  

Charlotte North Carolina ... 

Bethany, Tucker, Penny & Amory

Maggiano's little Italy for Penny McCutcheon's birthday celebration. Thank you sugga daddy papa JOE. =) Such a treat. 

Bringing in the New Year right... Tucker by my side. 

Seriously guys...Tucker is really excited about that bottle...and when you said you were giving him the bottle- well, I had no idea. I think Proverbs 22:6 needs to be implemented here.

Sweet boy in his Radio Flyer. 

I do not think he could get any cuter than this. 

So thankful for healthy, happy babes!

Washington DC

The Melrose Hotel 2400 Pennsylvania Ave.

I just returned home from a little vacay out east. It was so nice to spend a couple of weeks with old friends, roommates, their families and of course the randoms that I always meet along the way. 

This morning as I was waiting to board my flight at Reagan National Airport I tried to write down all 43 presidents starting with Washington in 1789 and ending with our President Elect Obama now in 09.

I couldn't do it. SAD DAY. aye aye aye. You should try. It will impress me if you can. =) Ask me in two days if I know them...hopefully I will list them off royally.

While it was only a brief visit to DC- it was surely a joy. My dear friend Vanesa and I were able to stay on Pennsylvania Ave. at the Melrose Hotel which was simply lovely. It is at the 2400 block and therefore is within walking distance to Georgetown. Georgetown is a fun place to shop & eat...and there always seems to be something going on in the vicinity. A good friend from College, Kristen Hussa, was able to join us for dinner at Bistro Francais. The conversation was wonderful and very sweet. Kristen proceeded to take us around Washington DC after dinner which turned into a cold- but fun adventure. There is much going on these days in preparation for Obama's inaguration. It was nice to get a feel of what I will most likely be viewing on television or reading on-line.

My sweet friend and her boyfriend. =) Turns out to be quite a great couple. It was a pleasure meeting Jordan Michael Minnick.

Funny, bright and adores my friend Vanesa. 

A sweet dinner with Kristen Hussa 

Thankful for these two girls.

Wounded pride...

What does it take to get our attention...?
How does the Lord speak to our hearts when our heads are so big?
Recently I was reminded how much I have to  hourly and minutely dwell on the Word of God to get me through my day. Doubts, questions and angst arise around ever corner in this world... life can be confusing. Personal refinement is one the greatest gifts God has given us in our lifetime. Arguably the greatest gift next to eternity with him.

Circumstances and trials that seem to be, oh so non-forgiving, are ultimately working for our good. It's our response during these circumstances that really can shed a light on how we view ourselves in the grip of our mighty God. Where does our faith rest? Hopefully it isn't a thing that only walks off our lips, but truly arises from the depths of our hearts.

Knowledge is a great thing.

I happen to really love it. I guess you could say that it impresses me to the Nth degree.

I was reminded of something that i know but often times disregard. A very foolish disregard to say the least.

I was reminded that ALL knowledge comes from God.

Proverbs 1:7 "The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Psalms 19:1&2 "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours our speech, and night to night reveals knowledge."

Romans 11:33 "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements and how incrutable his ways!"

Knowledge is a great thing- only through the understanding that it is gift from God. Apart from Him...knowledge is useless. Growing in my knowledge of God can only open my eyes and mind to growing in truth.

My pastor preached on Ephesians 3: 14-21 many years ago- I recently re-read his sermon from the resource library...

Ephesians 3:14-21 "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith-that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

"Paul is singing because he sees two things, not just one thing. He sees that the power of God over the church goes beyond what we can think. And he also sees that the love of God for the church goes beyond what we can think. Notice verses 18–19. He prays that the church "may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge."
Do you see the parallel with the power of God in verse 20? In verse 19 he says that the love of Christ for the church goes beyond what you can know, and in verse 20 he says that the power of God over the church goes beyond what you can think. When the massive weather front of God's love meets the massive weather front of God's power in the heart of a believer, it produces a hurricane of confidence called "Gloria"—a powerful doxology: "To him be GLORY in the church and in Christ Jesus Christ, forever and ever AMEN."
John Piper from Far More Than You Think

(Taken from September 29, 1985)

I hope you are still reading...I  think this may have gone off onto a rabbit trail- 

the point is...I want live a life of knowing God. =)

Not knowing him through JI Packer...ha (which is not a bad book- you should read it) but truly knowing him because of my love for the written Word. I want to be impressed to the Nth degree, not by some man- as I am so easily inclined to do but by my God...and men who fear God.

Paul wrote to the church in Corinth- Chapter 2 "And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

Keep studying, learning and growing. Just remember where your growth, understanding & knowledge are truly coming from.