Mars Hills 2013

Dear friends, this coming week Dave and I will be spending our time in Mars Hill, NC!

We will be working alongside nearly 50 other people (from our church, a nearby church, & a church from Maryland), and serving the wonderful folks down there.

I don't know too much about it yet, but from what I've read and heard, there are many places within the Appalachian region (spanning several states of course) that are more impoverished than you'd think. Many families live in make-shift trailer homes & structures that are considered "substandard", there is also a great need for educational revitalization. Part of the mission too, is to raise basic awareness that areas such as these exist in the states, and we can make a difference.

Kentucky and part of West Virginia are some of the most affected areas, but as you can see there is still much needs throughout the region.

All that to say, we'll mainly be helping with construction tasks such as roofing homes to protect from the elements, building ramps for accessibility, and whatever else may be needed.

Our theme this year is "I Lift Up My Eyes to the Hills" based on Psalm 121, which reads:
"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? ² My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. ³ He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. ⁴ Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. ⁵ The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. ⁶ The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. ⁷ The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. ⁸ The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." ESV

(via BibleGateway.com) 

This is such a great reminder and summary of the love of God and how He cares for us.

He never ignores our needs, or turns us away, or let's evil harm us.

(All people, including Christians, experience trying times but know they are not wasted by God!)

This is a helpful verse for us, and for the people in NC who may experience trials more frequently and in many different forms than we might be used to. 

There's also a great song by Casting Crowns that references this verse and really encourages those going through rough times in life. (The reference to Psalm 121 appears at 3:05)

We are very excited about this short-term mission opportunity and would welcome your prayers for our safety, strength, & the ability to love and serve well.

I'll definitely have more to share when we return but while I'm away I have some great posts scheduled that include a guest poster, and new project I'm working on!

Thank you all so much for keeping our team in your thoughts and prayers! 

-N

Here is a time-lapse video of plants sprouting and blooming. 

God is so creative & this is incredibly beautiful.

Enjoy!

-N

The Power Of Prayer

I have seen God do many incredible things through prayer.

Sometimes He provides exactly what I ask for, other times He provides various opportunities for me to choose from and gives me some room to grow and learn, and another part of the time He has something completely different but definitely better planned for me. 

Which reminds me of a sign I saw years ago in a little Christian book shop (and then later found on Pinterest - thank you, Internet!)

Anyway, all this to say, I have happily added a "Can I Pray For You?" tab on my left sidebar!
It actually goes straight to my email - like my email button - (mind-blowing I know,) but will automatically insert "prayer request" as the subject and right when I open it I will pray for you and whatever your situation may be!

(I originally saw this "prayer" option over on Newlywed Moments and asked Emily if she wouldn't mind me borrowing her idea - she didn't ツ)

 

 Looking forward to praying for you, dear friends!
-N

A Child's Heart

I was at my favorite place yesterday, sketching some flowers and enjoying God's creation, when I heard some kids talking to their mom.
--------------------------------------------------
"Did you remember the pennies?" One said hopefully.

"Oh darn not again..." Another added, seeing the look on moms face.

"You guys should try and remind me before we leave next time." Said mom.

"I have some pennies" I said, thinking nothing of it.

"Oh no, please, we'll bring some next time" said the mom.

 "I really don't mind, but what are they for?" I asked. 

"There's a wishing fountain in the other room" answered mom, as I handed the oldest three pennies

"Thank you so much!" The child shouted.

"Make sure you two thank this nice lady too," said mom to the other kids.

"Thank you so much, really, thank you! You're so kind!" They all said as they literally jumped for joy.

--------------------------------------------------

I handed them three pennies and their gratitude was immense.

Three pennies, for three wishes, that's it.

It was such a lovely and beautiful interaction that it nearly brought tears to my eyes, and really got me thinking. What a great example and clear understanding of why God wants us to have a child's heart.

Matthew 18:3 says, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (NIV) And C.S. Lewis explained it well when he said, "He [God] wants a child's heart, but a grown-up's head."

I gave some kids three pennies and they were filled with joy and gratitude. Imagine how we should react to the gift if eternal life and the grace and mercy that God gives us everyday.

Something to think about,
-N

Nicaragua

Nicaragua is a place that I hold very dear to my heart.

Ever since Dave and I took a/(our first!) short-term mission trip there, in March 2011, we haven't stopped thinking about the impact it has made on us.

We truly loved the people, the culture, the climate, and the joy that the folks emitted.

While we were there we worked with a wonderful group of people - and the founders of - Managua Christian Academy. We interacted with hundreds of kids in their makeshift school (a parking lot with tents while there buildings were renovated after an overwhelming flood), helped facilitate worship, cooked, played, ate, & prayed with many different people there.

We lived life together for nearly a week - and it changed our hearts forever. 

When I found out that some Compassion Bloggers were taking a trip to Nicaragua, to work with some of the sponsored families and children there, I was elated!

Knowing that Compassion International (my favorite organization) and Nicaragua (as far as I know, my favorite place) were going to be connected in some way was great. Then, I got an email to get involved and share a bit about what the bloggers are doing there, and I was even more excited!

-------------------------------------------------------

Today is the day that eight bloggers leave for a trip that will change their lives, and as I was reading one of their posts about doubts and fears, I couldn't help but think how differently they'll feel after they return back to the states. 

I remember being a bit nervous before going to Nicaragua because I only spoke Spanish conversationally, and I had never been on a mission trip before - nor have I been to a country/area quite like Managua, Nicaragua... But God is so good and always takes care of things perfectly. 

And often times all I can think of is returning and serving there again!

I know that the Compassion bloggers headed to Nicaragua are going to have an amazing, life-changing experience, but would you say a few prayers for them?

Just a short "tweet" to God, as I like to say, for their travels, strength, love, health and overall open hearts and minds.

Also, would you consider praying for the families and children they are going to meet and serve?

That they may have health, happiness, and above all, an eternal & loving relationship with God.

I know I'm asking a lot here, but could you also drop in some prayers for me? Unlike Edie who knows she is living and serving in the right place/community (where she lives) - I am struggling with my calling to serve others, internationally, while living in the states for at least another four years.

Although I really love Pittsburgh and all it has to offer, I feel as though my 'home' may be somewhere else in the world & I'd appreciate some prayers to help me truly discern my calling.

Many thanks,

-N

May Challenge - Day 7

The thing(s) you are most afraid of...

I try really hard not to get caught up in worrying and being afraid - but of course I sometimes fear things like losing my husband or my mother.

As I think about this prompt, though, I think that I'm more afraid (or at least lately) of not leaving a mark on the world. I don't mean I hope that someone builds a statue of me someday after I've passed, but instead, I hope that when people think of me, they see a bit of Jesus and his love and grace.

I worry sometimes that I am just going through life as a nice person or occasional push-over and that's not who Jesus was. He stood up for his beliefs and he spoke out about God and His love.

I'm afraid I don't do that enough - at least not in person - and I hope and pray that I can do something great in the name of God, before I die.

I mentioned Bob Goff in my last post, and he is definitely someone that inspires me to want to go out and do more. But I just don't know how. I feel like I can't just up and leave my wonderful husband and serve in Africa for a month - and I also feel like when I try to serve where I am (unless it's a structured/planned event) people don't really respond to me.

Do anyone have any words of insight? 

I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions!

-N

May Challenge - Day 4

Favorite quote (from a person, from a book, etc.) and why you love it.

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself..." Matthew 6:34

I spent a large amount of my younger years worrying.
Part of it, I think, is genetic, but most of it, I know, is a choice.

Growing up with a single-mom was great fun - but it also caused me to be anxious.
What if something happened to my mom?
What would I do without her? How would I go on?
I used to worry myself sick, literally.

The earliest memories I have of this were probably when I was two or three and I would scream, cry, kick, vomit, anything, just to make her stay home from an event. (And being the super-hero single mom that she was, she didn't go out or leave me home often.)

I had a very vivid and morbid imagination and all I could do was worry about her.

Then, one day, I don't know when exactly, I realized that worrying is pointless.
Of course, these thoughts and feelings would still bubble up, but once I was aware of them, I tried to put them in the back of my mind or just distract myself. This worked, to an extent.

Then, when I gave my life to Christ a little over four years ago I found out what it really meant to be at peace. As I mentioned a couple days ago, I have always had faith, but it was then that I really knew that God had a plan and whatever was supposed to be, would be.

This verse is such a great reminder to me that God is in control and my worrying isn't going to do anything, so why bother? Instead I now spend my time and energy being productive and focusing on the things that are I can control like the choices I make and the way I treat people.

What's your favorite?
-N

May Challenge - Day 2

Educate us on something you know a lot about or are good at. 

Hm. This one is tough. 

At first I was trying to think of things that I could do really well, but I'm not particularly great at any one thing. Then, I thought about writing a kind of a joke-post about how good I am at things like eating for example. (Step 1: Acquire food. Step 2: Open mount, insert food... you get it.) But I wanted something more than that. Something deeper.

After a bit more thinking, I have decided to share with you something that I both know a bit about and that I am good at - trusting God.

Ever since I was young I have always had a strong sense of faith. Of course I was influenced by my wonderful mom and her strong faith in the Lord, but even when I was very little and may not have totally understood everything what was going on, I knew it was all alright and it was how it was supposed to be. 

We struggled a bit, my mom and I, but we always had faith and God always provided. 

And He always does.

He knows just what you need and when you need it.
He pushes you and stretches you and twists you, but when you have faith, He never breaks you.

I know that I am cared for and loved by a great and powerful God and I am good at having faith in that. I am good at knowing that I don't know much and I may not excel at much but I am who I am and I am designed by God and for God.

My hope is that you'll know that too. 

-N

World Malaria Day, Poverty, & Compassion

Poverty is hopeless and depressing. And I’m an agent of poverty—in the preventable disease division. I’m effective, too.

Every 30 seconds a child dies from Malaria, and I get the assist. It’s enough to make a caring, God-fearing soul see red. But who cares?

Red is just a color, like the color of a blood cocktail with 50 thousand plasmodia swimming in a drop the size of the period at the end of this sentence. Fifty thousand is overkill when it only takes one determined to do what needs to be done...

This is supposed to be a prompt (given to me from Compassion) written from the perspective of a mosquito. But up until the third section, it could be written by anyone of us who does not take action to end this terrible, preventable & treatable disease.  

Similar to the lies we hear about how poverty is unavoidable, the idea that Malaria is inevitable is just another lie Evil tells to children and people in poverty around the world.
Poverty is not hopeless - we are the hope.

The Bible says a lot about poverty.
Here are just a couple verses to show you what I mean:

Proverbs 31:8-9 "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 3:27-28 " Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow" — when you now have it with you."

And Leviticus 25:35 says, “If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you."
Imagine if we truly lived like that.
There would be no more homelessness. No more hunger. No more Malaria.
No more poverty. 

Please take a minute today to share some facts about Malaria and its impact on the world, find a way to take action, and make sure you let those in poverty know that there's a way out.

Many thanks,
-N

I teamed up with Compassion International to raise awareness about Malaria and it's devastating impact on more than half a million children around the world and you can to!

Appreciating Yesterdays

It seems as though we're all too obsessed with "today" and "living in the now."

I'm not saying we shouldn't appreciate all the things we've been blessed with, and take advantage of the breath that we currently have, but I am recommending that we slow down and appreciate them longer than we usually do.

For example, yesterday I had a wonderful day wandering around outside and enjoying God's creation.
Today, I'm at work. Stuck inside, with two energetic kids.

So, although I'm grateful for my job and these boys, I am also going to think about all of the wonderful moments I had yesterday, no matter how small, and really bask in them. (Especially when I'm losing patience and not enjoying certain moments of the day.)

We must dwell in the beauty and the blessings and the enormity of our God.

So much so that "...the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh." (2 Cor. 4:11)

And not just look for the "next best thing".

Here are some bits of beauty from my yesterday.

 What are some of yours?
-N

Love Thy Neighbor

In an effort to do just that, Dave and I are hosting a game night in our apartment building this Friday! We're going to have games, snacks, & drinks for whoever shows up! 

...I know I would show up for free food, so I hope some people in my building have a similar mindset...

Since we moved here over 6 months ago (wow! time flies in Pittsburgh!) we haven't had many any opportunities to get to know the people we share a building with. And since we're called to "love our neighbor" we're trying to start right where we are, and do just that.

I posted flyers around our building a couple weeks ago & I really hope someone shows up!

(We invited a few friends, too, so if one person shows up they don't feel totally weird lol)

If you can, pray that some people come and that we can have fun and get to know each other.

I'd really appreciate it ツ

I'll keep you posted!

-N

Making Prayer a Priority

I had a bit of a revelation today. 

As I mentioned in my last post, I am inspired by 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 which reminds us to pray continually. Way easier said than done, right? 

Why?

Is it because we don't make time to pray? We don't set aside "x" minutes each morning or night? We don't remember? We don't care? We don't think it makes a difference? 

Well, it does. 

And it's important. 

And I think we should all aspire to pray more.

So, starting today I am doing something life-changing. Right when I say I am going to pray for someone or right when I think of something I need (patience, healing, opportunities, etc.) I am going to pray about it. 

It isn't going to be a long, fancy prayer. Just a quick "tweet" to God, if you will. 

Just thinking about the amount of times per day I complain, or feel weak or needy, I'll basically already be praying continually! (If you have any other tips for chronic complainers like myself, they'd be appreciated. It's always the small things... Why is my parking spot taken? Why did I get stuck at this red light? How pathetic!)

Part of this idea - I think - comes from something I read in an old Relevant issue yesterday.

It was an interview with Bob Goff where he mentioned that he never makes appointments. If someone calls and says, "Can we meet Tuesday at 3?" He just responds with "how about now?"

I challenge you (as I am challenging myself) to start praying more.

How about now?

-N

Jubilee

This past weekend Dave and I went to the Jubilee Conference which is held in Pittsburgh every year. In years past we would travel with a group of students from Arcadia University, in Philadelphia all the way across the state to attend, but since we're Pittburghians (pretend that's right) now, the commute was much simpler. 

Friday evening through Sunday afternoon were filled with absolutely incredible worship, educational and enlightening seminars, and wonderful reunions with some of our dearest friends. 

I learned a lot about how God uses my work and how my work is a really important way to serve God. I am extremely grateful to have been filled with this knowledge and to take home "Every Good Endeavor" by Tim Keller, to help learn more and keep myself encouraged. 

-All Work Matters- 

A simple, yet powerful reminder for me (and maybe you, too!)

I could elaborate on all of the notes I took while listening to several speakers, but instead, I'd like to meditate more on them and share them as I put them into action. As I have mentioned before, I started this blog to help keep me accountable to actually doing things & hopefully if I continually review what I learned and heard about this weekend I will be more aware of opportunities in which I can act on them. 

I always feel so inspired and filled-up after attending Jubilee & I hope I can continue to think about and act on the things I studied this weekend. 

What are some things that fill you up? Have you ever attended Jubilee or something similar?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

-N

Compassion

My dearest readers, near and far. Today I feel called to share with you Compassion International, a truly amazing organization that I have been sponsoring two children through, for the last few years.

They have dubbed the month of September "Blogging Month" and they set a goal for a certain number of children to be sponsored. Of course, I had all intentions of writing a post earlier in the month, in hopes to help get more children sponsored, but alas, life got in the way. (How terrible is that?)

That is why today, the last day of "Blogging Month", I appeal to you to please sponsor a child. There are a little over 100 children left that need sponsoring (from their original goal) and it would be a huge blessing to get the rest of these children sponsors!

If you feel lead to do this, please click this photo and follow the instructions on their website

If you're still unsure, let me take a moment to share with you how exactly a sponsorship with a Compassion child works.

Here are the two girls my husband and I sponsor

Yetty(L) is a 4 yr old girl from Indonisia and Safiatou(R) is a 6 yr old girl from Burkina Faso.

At least 4 times a year we receive letters from them & at any point throughout the year we can send letters to them. We can also send small gifts and photos to them with our letters. (And we get photos of them about twice a year.)

We get updates on their community groups, their country, their needs, their prayer requests, and much more.

We pray for them, and they pray for us, & we can even visit them through Compassion trips at a various times throughout the year.

Our donation does not just get handed to the family with a  "good luck" label. Instead, our money goes toward directly affecting our sponsored child, her family, and her education, church, and community group as well as medicine and emergency relief that may be needed.

(If you're still curious about where your money will go, click here.)

Click now to become a sponsor!

So, what's the bottom line, you ask? 

$38/month to sponsor and positively affect the life of one child in poverty.

That's just over $1/day and less than you spend on coffee on your way to work.

It's really not a large commitment financially, but inter-personally it can make a world of a difference.

Please take a few moments to change a life and help bring a child out of poverty.

Many thanks,

Niquelle

Marry Your Best Friend.

Dave and I are part of a small group of young married couples through our church. We're currently reading and discussing Tim & Kathy Keller's book, The Meaning of Marriage. Although I am only half way through, I would highly recommend this book -whether you're married, dating, or single- because it really puts into perspective a lot of important aspects of marriage and things that should be considered before you marry.

"[when people are] looking for a spouse, [they] are looking for a finished statue when they should be looking for a wonderful block of marble... When Michelangelo was asked how he carved his magnificent David, his reply is reputed to have been, "I looked inside the marble and just took away the bits that weren't David."

For many young people, marriage sounds like a prison sentence, but I believe (along with Mr. & Mrs. Keller), that people are just looking for the wrong person to marry. 

"It often happens that you have a good friend of the opposite sex, with whom you share common commitments. You trust this person's wisdom and you find you can open up and share many intimate things without fear. He or she understand you well and listens to you and gives you advice. But the person does't attract you romantically. Maybe he or she doesn't have the body type that you find appealing. You feel no sexual chemistry at all. Then imagine you meet someone else to whom you feel very attracted. This person has the physical and social attribute you have been looking for and is interested in you, too. So you start seeing each other and you have a lot of fun together and things are moving along into more and more romantic intimacy. But if you are honest with yourself, this person you say you are falling in love with does not make nearly as good a friend as the one you already have, nor is that likely to change... Your spouse has got to be your best friend, or be on the way to becoming your best friend, or you won't have a strong, rich marriage that endures and that makes you both vastly better persons for having been in it."

All that to say, don't go wasting your time looking for this "Christian Grey" character who is just make-believe. (Yeah, I said it.)

Instead, take a moment to look around you, and understand that being married to your best friend, who may be a bit pudgy, or super corny, or shorter, or balder, or less rich than you imagined your "dream husband to be" and know that marrying someone you love and helping them become the person God is shaping them into is more important and more meaningful than any of those other (often temporary) things are. 

It's really that simple.

-N

We All Matter

 "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body..."

Last night I was reading 1 Corinthians 12 and although I've read/heard it many times before, it was a great reminder about how important we all are. The message I received from this was two-fold. 

1) I am important and I am a vital part of the body. Many times I catch myself being my toughest critic. I think most girls/women are like this, no matter their age, but it's not healthy, and worst of all, none of it's true! We're all matter - every bit of us.

Every love handle, every freckle, every ounce of us is important to the body (the world as a whole) and above all, to God.

2) We can't all be great at the same thing. Verse 17 of the same chapter says; "If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?" As I mentioned above, I am a tough critic, but unfortunately it's not just me I'm criticizing most times. (Now, I think most people do this, male and female. We get angry, we get jealous, we just can't get enough.) That being said, I often find myself bitter when I find or consider other people to be talented in ways that I desire to be. That's not cool. (Don't worry though, I've been working on it.)

Anyways, I often don't recognize the flip side of that.

Yesterday I was finally able to rejoice in it, fully and truly. Dave and I were at church (our second visit since we just moved) and a young couple we had met the week before invited us to dinner that evening, at their house with another young married couple. They had taken the time to meet us the previous week, and ask us questions, and get to know us, and it really made a great impact. 

Last night after we got home and I read this chapter, I couldn't stop thinking about how important it was for Dave and I to meet this couple, and how thankful I was for the gifts that they brought to the world. Their outgoing, friendly, and thoughtful personalities meant a lot.  I am glad that instead of comparing or being jealous, I was finally able to open my eyes and recognize that they are so important. 

And I am so important.

And you are so important.

To the world, and above all, to God.

With Love,

-N

A Godly Woman

My whole live I’ve felt average. I never really excelled in sports, or academics, or anything, instead, I just did what I was supposed to do while growing up, and I got by just fine, but I was average.

Now that I have the creator of everything as my Savior, I don’t think there’s any way that I could feel average anymore. Of course, I still do feel like that at times, we all do because we’re human, but when I stop and really think about it, I want to be as awesome as God sees me, and I want to show the world, myself, and mainly God (even though He already knows it), that I’m far more than average. 

The bible talks about the perfect woman. Not the (slightly unrealistic) “36-24-36” type-woman, but the woman who not only takes care of her home, but also matters of business, her families land, her husband, her children, herself, and most of all, she loves God in the process. Proverbs 31:10-30 describes this woman, and throughout all of the verses it never once mentions a woman who complains, or is selfish, or lazy, but instead a woman who “gets up while it is still night; [and] provides food for her family” and is considered to be, “worth far more than rubies.”

This is the woman, and the wife I aspire to be. Being married almost a year now, I have definitely changed (for the better), but I still have a ton of growth to do. This passage really inspires me to want to be a better woman, one that my husband can always be proud of and one that God can always clearly call His own.