New Year's Eve 2010

2010. How can I sum it up? Flipping amazing!!!

There was this book I read with my small group from church and it talked about having God idea's (idea's from God). I got one of those Feb of this year. I drove by a church named Woodside and felt God say to me, "You belong there." From there, I just knew about their young adults ministry, Lighthouse. Not sure how. I praise the Lord for that thought and all the wisdom he has given me about Woodside. It just took me 3 months to get there because I didn't want to go to a big church on my own. I'm kind of a wimp like that. lol Then I started texting an old friend and learn she goes to Lighthouse. I jumped at the chance and ask if I could with her. That was in the beginning of May. Since then, my life has been filled with so many wonderful people.

I love how you can look at your life and see God's hand in it. I can see how and why he put me next to Carol at Watershed. Through our friendship, I met some wonderful women. During the summer, I was Mama Ally in our small group, though I felt like the child looking up at such godly woman. We all opened up about what was going on in our lives and who Jesus was to us and what he was teaching us. Beautiful. Carol and I got to be close. We decided to hang out while I was house sitting one night. She suggested we go to bonfire she was invited to. There, I met more of my now close friends, Keisha, Deeds, and Criag. Who knew Craig would become my wonderful boyfriend. As the summer went on, I found myself in situations where I had a plan, God would change it and it would be 100 times better than what I could ever plan. I wasn't suppose to go to that bonfire!

The fall came, and God's loving hand was still guiding me. He put me in a small group with some of the best women I could ever think to be put with. Kiesha was leading a long with now good friend of mine, Katherine. Carol, Emily, Anna, Keisha, Katherine, Bryn, Kristen, Jordan and I read through the book Primal, opened up about our lives, prayed our hearts out, and grew in friendship. What a beautiful group of ladies. I praise God for bringing us all together.

As I look to the future, I see many amazing things. Friendships growing deeper, family getting closer, and s heart open to more of the Lord's teaching.

Now, I can see how one God idea can change the corse of your life and how it is always for your good and the Lord's. I shutter at the thought of not acting on it. As I think about my call to ministry for youth, I can't wait to see what God's going to do. I feel this over flow of love and joy wash over me, as my eye's fill tears.

Thank you Lord for all that you are, were, and are to come. It's mind blowing how you can take a life, flip it, and open a sinners eye's to what is really going on. I love reading about you, talking about you, talking and listening to you, singing to you, and giving you all the glory. This is the best life. I praise you for this life you have given me. I love you Jesus. You rock my world!

How often do we go back to doing our own thing?
after He shows, writes on our heart
digest
meditate
love Him more.

Lord Jesus,
you are brilliant!
Through your grace, I am yours.
To love us so much, you take our sin and make it good and pure.
Wow! I love you Jesus and your word. I feel a am privileged to be apart of a small part of your story of this world.
In your name I pray,
Amen.

Trust

When you give your life to Christ, you trust him. Trust. But what if he asks you to give someone up? Someone who is very close to you? Do you trust him? Even though it hurts? A door has been opened for me to really trust God. I can't see anything through this door. I have to step through it. (I typed that and deleted it, then typed it again.) I can't see what is going to happen but I do one thing. It's going to break me.

I trust you, Lord.

lost for words

When I see a wall coming
I ask for your strength
to climb.
In my weakness
not knowing...
Even when you know it's a small bump in the road
You're there, holding me through it.

Like a small child
with her father.
She's trusts him
with everything.

A weak child, still learning.
Lost for words.

Thank you. <3

John 1:1-5

[1:1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4] In him was life, and the life was the light of men. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
(John 1:1-5 ESV)

Jesus is God. Do you really know that? I've heard it my whole life. I can say I really know what that means. Wow! He loves us to much that he came to us in flesh, and died for us, so then we can be with him and give him glory. It's so simple but so hard for our minds to comprehend.

Lord Jesus
There are no words to describe
I am in awe...
silence, peace, love
I weep at your feet
tears of joy, passion
perfect love in you, Lord.
Your servent


Life has been pretty good. I've been visiting seminaries to make my final choice, still working two jobs, have been blessed with a wonderful boyfriend, friends, and a loving mother.

24

I just turned 24 this past weekend. I feel old. I know I'm not. I just thought I would be in a different place in my life than I am now. I know God has a plan for me and I am enjoying how it is playing out but I am having a hard time right now, in this moment. I'm 24. That's so strange to say and here. My birthday was amazing! It was the tail end of the mission trip to Mexico and it was our day off. It was such a beautiful day and the frosting on the cake, pun intended, of an amazing, blessed-ed, week. Maybe I miss the group, work, and the kids from last week.

Lord Jesus,
May I ask you please to fill me. I don't like feeling this. You have your plan. Remind me of that plan and give me comfort in the knowledge you are in control. I love and trust you.
In your name,
Amen.

Love

Love. That word is heavy and loaded. Have you ever really thought about that that means? I've asked God to show me how to love him. I know it sounds strange. But I know how to make it look like I'm in love with Christ and I do Love Him, it's just I'm not in love and I want to be. I want to be crazy in love for Christ. At the same time, I'm so scared of that love. I don't know what it entails and what He'll do in my life.

However, I've had many gifts the last week or so since I've started praying this.

Today while I was a the laundromat I had a wonderful conversation with a guy who I thought was a bit off, only at first though. It was just him and I there and I was folding clothes by then. I didn't really want to talk to him but I had this nagging inside of me that I should. I finally broke the ice and we ended up having a lot in common. We are both Christian, same denomination, we both knew people from each others church's and he was all around a good guy. At first, our conversation was me just listening to him because he needed someone to talk to about his condition which I was happy to do. It clicked right when I started talking to him that my nagging was God leading me. After I left, I was filled with so much joy that I could give my gift of conversation to someone and knowing that it was all lead by God was such a blessing and gift from him. I know it seems like any old conversation but I smile when I think about it.

Thank you, Lord.
Your gifts,
blessings,
and teaching.
I'm learning slowly to really be in love with you.
You're always faithful
You have me in awe all the time.
Send your Grace
Send your mercy
Humble me, please.
In Jesus's name, Amen

Conflict

It was Don Miller who said and wrote, "Conflict Equals Beauty." I truly believe that. The more you face conflict, in any of it's forms, the better person you will be and a better life you will have. It hurts going through it all, and you may not see the light at the end of the tunnel, but you'll have a better story for you and others. You'll get through it and have faith God will walk the journey with you. Don't run from conflict, face it.
Have no fear.
Be honest with yourself.
Listen to others, the Lord.
Change is hard
it's good.

I love it when God works through non-believers, a license plate, children, the trees, stars, books, and us. I've been blessed to live this life, and I'm going to live it for him. Bring it. I'm ready.

thankful

I have so much to be thankful for.
you lead
you carry
you challenge
every day.

You heal
You've healed me!
Saved my heart
My soul

I'm all yours
take me, mold me
I'll follow you.
Where ever you lead me
I'll go with no fear

I love you
I stand in awe
Lord, you are everything to me.

grace

Grace. God's grace. It's one of the hardest things for me to get. I understand it but, it's so hard for me to receive it. I did something, to the world it's nothing big in fact, I've been told enjoy, have fun. I've had this hurt in my heart that I've upset Christ. I've asked for forgiveness and God has forgiven me and keeps reminding me. I just feel so bad. This why I have such a hard time with His grace. I'm so worried I'll do it again. I love Jesus so much it hurts, and I don't want to upset him with who I am. Maybe I'm striving to be too perfect? Time to read more of the word; meditate.

Lord,
I need you. I don't want to feel bad. Show me your love. Show others your love. I don't want to feel like this anymore. Please.
Christ's name,
Amen.

Time stops when praising God. ♥

We had our first worship gathering at my house tonight and it went with flying colors. I felt like time stopped and we got to worship in a completely different way from the norm and talk about it after. Then, I still had time to play wii over at my friends house. Wow! God is good.

Amy had a great message today in church this morning. She talked about how God get's down on our level and holds our cheeks with his hands so we aren't distracted from what he is saying. It's interesting. I've been praying for motivation, this past week, and when she started her sermon about how God just wants us to listen and do what is called for us, everything falls into place. If you don't, he'll get down on our level and say it again. I felt like that happened to me me today. It was like a oh wow I get it kind of moment. It was the initiating action, as Don Miller would say. I love his books. Now, our of that, I have motivation. The Lord works in wonderful and loving ways. When it hit me, my eye's filled with tears.

I got to talk to some of the youth tonight after our gathering. One of the girls was telling me she's really not into all this "church stuff". I told her that I was like that growing up. I went to church but I really didn't believe. I told her I didn't go to church while I was in college. Then I explained to her my story about how Christ came into my life and how you have to ask and genuinely mean it. She looked at me and wasn't really sure what to say. I told her to start coming to youth group. It's a good time. Then the conversation shifted. It was really cool how I got to share that with her. Since I've given my life to Jesus, I've been a bit weary about sharing my faith and I hadn't really been praying about it but God showed me tonight that it's ok and you can have confidence about it. He knows everything on your heart. He has me on awe almost every day.

Romance me Lord,
help others find you.
Use me Lord,
I will always love you.

Happy Valentine's day!

snow day.

The first snow day in a long time and I had to work. That's weird. I'm not used to that. I'm not sure you would call going sledding with kids work but, if you didn't get much sleep the night before and getting over a cold, it could be work. Oh, it's so not fun when a child looses their boot in the lake because the ice was soft.

I just finished a book about 24/7 prayer. I loved it! The whole idea of praying and worshiping God for all day and night sounds so refreshing. I'd like to try it someday. I feel like someone would walk into a prayer room and everything bad would just wash away. They would be completely clean.

I have this feeling God is setting me up for something big. I have no idea what it is. All I know is I have to get into seminary and get through it. This past weekend was hard for me but I got through the emotional part. Now I've got to take action and do something. God's been whispering in my ear telling me that I'm alright, now go to this. There is an order to things, I've learned.

Lord,
my friend
father
teacher.
What it maybe, you are doing
love us even more.
We don't understand it
we try
We love you more.
God is good.
Thank you for today.
Amen

curve ball

Just when you think things are great and pleasant, God throws you a curve ball. But it makes me love him more. Makes things more interesting and I'll know who is more true to me. I also have to buck up and be me and not hide. I'm taking this, and looking at it positively. Just to clarify, everything is ok.

As I lay in bed to talk to you
you're there
listening
caring for me.

I trust
I listen for you
I wait
wait with Joy

Things happen over time
Love is what
you bring.
Loving me for me
no matter what.

There is nothing more
sweeter
beautiful
than that.

As I lay in bed to talk to you.
Thank you.

make cookies instead

Being sick makes you sleepy. Well, one shouldn't got to bed before 9 o'clock if you're 23 years old even if you're sick. Make cookies instead. They smell amazing!

Oh and drink your IZZE also. hehe

Pray for those who don't know Him.
Pray for those who don't get prayed for.
Pray 24/7
iPray

Something New

I write in my journal all the time like there is something to hide but this just makes more sense. I had a live journal sometime ago but I think it go deleted.

I've started on this new path with God and I've never been more happy in my life. Who knew have a relationship with Jesus would be this wonderful? I've always gone to church and done church things but I never truly believed. I feel bad that I'd been lying to so many people and for so long.

I went away to college and tried going to church but my major didn't allow that. Theatre was and still is a passion of mine but I got hurt so many times by people and what I didn't do. Mined you the things I didn't do are things you shouldn't do but I guess if you want the lead in a show, you get the picture.

I finished college and didn't know where to turn. What to do. I kept getting pressure from my sister and I understand why it was just hard because I was lost.

I started going back to church in the fall, singing in the choir and helping out with youth group. In November we went to convention in Atlanta. I was so excited! One, for the road trip and two, something was going to happen. I wasn't sure what but I knew it was good. During one of the speakers I asked God to say my name. Something simple. I thought it would be instant; nothing happen. Walking back, I was in a daze. Talking, but in a daze. Then a guy walking by, just passing me said Ally. I had to do a double take. I didn't know who this person was. He just kept walking. A smile came to my face and I was filled with so much joy.

A week later, I got a call to be a youth pastor. I'm in the process of applying to seminary and I have never been so sure of what I'm doing with my life.

The Lord loves all of us. He wants a relationship with you but, you have to pursue him first. It's funny, my friend Emma prayed for me to find God winter of 08. It took about a year and a half and during that time I learned so much about myself and then He saved me. :-)

"My God is mighty to save." - Hillsong United.