I am determined...

... but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. -- Philippians 3:12

Lately I have had to keep telling myself to press on towards the goal. It seems that my enemy would have me to believe that I am working in vain. However, I know the source and root of my passions and am therefore DETERMINED to PRESS ON!!

"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." -- Philippians 3:13-14

Daily I say to myself, "I am determined to be organized and prepared, diligently working with purpose, toward all things that God has put before me and to never find my work complete!"

I am determined and not even the gates of hell will be able to keep me from my mission!

Upcoming Event - TONIGHT - Macclenny, FL

At FirstFitness we are Transforming Lives, Restoring Hope and Fulfilling Dreams!!

We are currently on a mission to raise awareness about diabetes and obesity! Join us tonight in Macclenny to learn more.

Also learn about the best weight loss program in America! With personal consulting and support along the way.

...I lost 10.5 pounds in 10 days and went on to lose 22 pounds in 1 month and have kept it off since May 2009. I have gone from a tight size 11 to a slim size 4 and I FEEL great! I have more energy than ever!

These are proven health and wellness products with money back guarantee.

A wonderful business opportunity as well.

Come and find out for yourself!

Get the training, tools, and strategies to accelerate your journey to successful health and financial freedom. RSVP here!

Also tonight:

"The Lady in the Red Pants Interview" -- a frank, in-depth interview by Dr. Eileen Silva, who trains medical doctors in integrative medicine, as she interviews my friendDiane Miller, an amazing lady who has gone through 2 failed gastric bypass surgeries to "finishing the journey" with FirstFitness and keeping the weight off for nine years going from a size 22 to a size 4!

You don't want to miss this! Everyone struggles and it is often difficult to understand obesity, Diane and her husband Charles have recently been moved to reach out to others and share this battle to help fight obesity.

Listen in with us from Crystal River Seafood in Macclenny or dial 702-473-3463, and enter code: 832670# at 8:00 pm eastern.

RSVP here.

Catching Up: Mission 2 Honduras...

...I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. - Ephesians 3:7

I have been thinking for weeks what this post would be like and its just so much to wrap my head (and my heart) around.

It's so hard to describe a trip like this where people will really get a sense of what it was like.

Imagine 20 or more women and a few fellas aging from sixteen to sixty-something, teachers, students, homemakers, accountants, clerical administrators, business owners, all joined together by the bond of Christ, in a land where very few of us knew the spoken language.

A land with little electricity and no indoor plumbing.

A land with few paved roads.

Imagine communicating solely through the love of Christ.

Imagine a land where the people love one another above all else and are hungry, starving for the message of hope, love, peace and redemption that you are carrying in your heart.

Imagine having the opportunity to give a child who came to school with no shoes on her feet not just one pair of new shoes, but two.

Imagine a land where the husband labors in the fields all day for about five dollars or less a day, the wife cooks a simple meal from scratch on an open fire and does the laundry out back with a wash board, and the children wander the mountainsides, sometimes miles to and from school on their own.

Imagine hearing a young girl, 10 or 11 years old say, "thank you for showing us attention and making us feel special".

Imagine seeing a young man, 16 or 17 stopped on the side of the road reading the Bible you just gave him.

Imagine knowing that even though you have lived all of your life in sin, God would give you this blessing and use you to build His Kingdom!!

This trip was all of these things and so much more....

"Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ" -- Ephesians 3:8

God's Power and Grace...

...I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. -- Ephesians 3:7


As I have been preparing for our mission trip to Honduras, I have been led in my Bible reading to Ephesians. One of my favorite all time verses has always been Ephesians 2:10 -"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

As I have been reading in Ephesians I have found Paul's Prayer for the Ephesians. I have been repeating it daily as my prayer for our mission team and for the people of Honduras. I ask you to join me in this prayer over the next week:

A Prayer for the Ephesians

¹⁴For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.²⁰Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. --Ephesians 3:14-21

I earnestly believe that God has had this planned for me from the time He formed me in my mother's womb. From the time I was a teenager, I wanted to join the Peace Corp, but fear held me back. Not just my own fear, but the fears of my family and friends as well. It wasn't until I had a real relationship with God that I was able to overcome that fear and go on my first mission trip a couple of years ago. Can you imagine what God could have used me for if I had been obedient and in relationship with Him for all of those years?

His Word never returns void...

but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
--Isaiah 40:31 NIV

---
On April 9th 2010, SonGear.com is searching for one million Christians who own a Christian T-Shirt and/or hat to volunteer to participate in "One Million Walking Billboards for Christ” by wearing them for the day.** It can be ANY Christian T-Shirt ** Other billboards could include signs in businesses, on buses, internet web sites, etc. SonGear is also challenging all participants and friends who may not be able to participate, to take time to pray for this event daily as well as our leaders, service personnel, and our country from today until the event … and continue thereafter.

Will this cause others to take a step towards committing their lives to Jesus Christ? Will this help other Christians realize the community is large and supportive? Will this help those Christians who have stepped away from the Christian lifestyle to return? Will it cause someone to go home and open their Bible and read God’s Word? Will it strengthen us in our walk with Christ? Only God knows.

But we do know that His Word never returns void, and this opportunity will counter some of the anti-Christian messages that are out there. If you have any feedback on things that happened as a result of this event, Songear would like to compile them and put them on their site.

Blessed in Business...

"...for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:14-16 NIV

Wow! This is a busy and exciting month for us! Our business has been truly blessed. We had our best month ever in March and our team is really growing. We are helping more people help more people and that is truly what this is all about for us!

Here's what we'll be doing this month. We'd love for you to join us!

10 Day Challenge

• APRIL 9th - 18th
• You Can Correct 5 Major Body Chemistry Issues In 10 Days:
  1. Blood Sugar
  2. Toxicity Level
  3. Bacteria and Parasites
  4. Body pH Levels
  5. Burn that Fat

Jason & I want you to join us for a 10 Day Challenge!

Jason wants to lose a few more pounds before he hits the gym again! I want to cleanse and detoxify my body after four months of eating things I know aren't healthy! BUT MOST OF ALL WE WANT TO HELP AND ENCOURAGE YOU!

The Challenge begins on Friday, April 9th and runs for 10 days, ending on April 18th. Everyone who participates in the Challenge will be registered to win a FREE Box of our NEW SPN Energy!

Annual Strawberry Festival

• APRIL 17th & 18th
  
• 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  
• 100 W Call Street
  
  Starke, FL

The 12th Annual Bradford County Strawberry Festival will be held in the Historic Downtown Area of Starke, Florida on April 17 & 18, 2010.

One of the areas largest downtown street festivals celebrating our local succulent strawberries. Lots of games, prizes, food, music, antique cars, vendors and of course STRAWBERRIES! Come and enjoy with your family and see why they say the berries around here are "the sweetest this side of heaven!"

My team will be there offering 3 Day Weight Loss Samples for just $5! You can lose 3 lbs or more in just 3 days! Come by and see us!

Business Opportunity Invitation

• APRIL 30th - MAY 2nd
• Spring Hill, FL
  
• Featuring:
  * Crown Presidential Directors: Matthew & Debra Phillips
  * Diamond Presidential Directors: Cheryl & Paul Vanscoter
• 20 year old company
• Check back for more details

This is an event for serious entrepreneurs looking to change their own lives and the lives of others! If you would like to start making $300-500 or more a month part-time while helping others lose weight and improve their health, please consider joining us in Spring Hill at the end of the month.

Friday, will be the Business Opportunity Invitation Event - This is an opportunity for prospective business partners to learn more about FirstFitness & how to become a part of this revolutionary company! You'll learn how our products and income opportunity are changing the lives of so many people!

Saturday, will be a day of Intense Business Training for all distributors - FREE - 9am -2pm with the top leaders in FirstFitness!

"I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest- and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man." - Proverbs 24:30-34

Holy Week - The Tale of an Almighty Hero

"It's official, my favorite week of the year has begun! Today my Hero came into town on a donkey to die for my sins!! Thank you Jesus!"

This is my favorite time of year! I always like to reflect on exactly what happened the week that Jesus suffered and died for my sins. I've wanted to post the details, but haven't taken the time, so I was excited to see that Carmen from the JoyFM posted this today -

"While many of us are familiar with Holy Week, we may not all know the specific time line of the week. - The point being:

He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5

Sunday, March 28th - Palm Sunday
2 mile journey to Jerusalem from Bethany, where Jesus stays each night

Monday, March 29th
Jesus protests financial transactions within the temple; argues with chief priests

Tuesday, March 30th
Jesus predicts/announces the date of his execution; debates with religious leaders; responds to question about greatest commandment

Judas contracts to betray Jesus

Wednesday, March 31st
Jesus warns against religious leaders, calling them hypocrites and snakes;
From Mount of Olives, Jesus mourns Jerusalem's rejection and pending destruction

Thursday, April 1st - Maundy Thursday
6:00pm-11:30pm
Last supper with disciples - Passover meal

11:30pm
Garden of Gethsemane - Jesus waits for his arrest

Friday, April 2nd - Good Friday
1:00am-1:30am
Confrontation in Garden and Jesus' Arrest

1:30am-3:00am
Trial 1: Annas, former Jewish High Priest for 16 years - Jesus receives initial physical abuse

Trial 2: Current Jewish High Priest, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin Court - Jesus bloodied by abuse

3:00am-5:00am
Imprisonment at Caiaphas' palace

5:00am-6:00am
Trial 3: All the Jewish elders, including the High Priest, scribes and whole Sanhedrin. They decide to ask the Roman government to kill Jesus

6:00am-7:00am
Trial 4: Hearing before Roman governor Pilate, who declares, "I find no guilt in this man."

7:00am-7:30am
Trial 5: Hearing before Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, who had jurisdiction over Galilee. Jesus refused to answer any questions so Herod returned him quickly to Pilate

7:30am-8:30am
Trial 6: Pilate repeatedly tried to release Jesus but the Jewish leaders continued to object. Pilate physically tortured and beat Jesus beyond recognition seeking to satisfy the Jewish leaders. However the Jews demanded that Jesus be crucified. Pilate resisted but eventually gave the order to execute Jesus

8:30am-9:00am
Pilate's Roman soldiers take Jesus into the court ("Praetorium") and enjoy mockery and continued torture, including driving thorns into his skull

9:00am-12:00noon
Jesus forced to carry his own cross, then actual crucifixion

12:00noon-3:00pm
Momentous final 3 hours on the cross

Some of the things that Jesus spoke from the cross:

"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Jesus is talking about his executioners because they do not understand or know that Jesus is God.

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Jesus (quoting a line from the Jewish scriptures) cries out at a moment in time when he is not just physically punished, but spiritually separated from God, his Father. God separates Himself from Jesus because all of the evils of mankind are placed on Jesus. This spiritual separation is the heaviest sacrifice which Jesus pays of behalf of mankind, so that mankand does not need to suffer spiritual separation from God.

"It is finished."
Once Jesus felt he had borne the penalty for the evils of mankind, he declared his mission as accomplished.

"Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
These words, spoken to a thief also being executed with Jesus, indicates Jesus' belief that Jesus would continue to live in paradise (heaven) and that Jesus can choose who will be there with him.

"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."
Jesus believes his spirit, not body, now goes to heaven with God.

3:00pm
Death
Burial

Sunday, April 4th - Easter Sunday
Resurrection! Jesus is alive!

Friends, the tomb is empty!! He is risen! And He's coming back for us. Jesus is the best do-over button we could ever hope for! His grace is enough. And His grace covers you. There's nothing that you have done - or can do - that is bigger than Jesus' ability AND willingness to forgive. In short, you can't "out-sin" the cross. He is alive indeed, but certainly not without nail-pierced hands. Those scars are for you. For me. Accept His gift. Let Him love you today. He wants nothing more. And I want nothing more for you."

I couldn't have said it better myself! Go enjoy Jesus!

40 Days of Water

...no ark required

No coffee, no tea, no Coke Zero for me.

As the season of Lent approached, I began thinking about my annual sacrifice. I was somewhat familiar with Blood:Water Mission because I had heard about it on the radio, I think I was mostly intrigued by the water challenge and knew it would be sacrificial for me because I do enjoy my coffee, tea and Coke Zero daily. I also like the fact that the challenge falls in line with the lenten season. Though I'm not Catholic and never practiced giving up anything as a child, I do like this tradition and have practiced it for the past several years.

I appreciate that there is a season for which I can make a sacrifice and use it to draw nearer to Jesus Christ. Of course just giving up water does not draw me nearer to Him. It is recognizing that I do not need the other beverages and that He alone provides for my every need that draws me nearer to Him. I like this challenge because I have the opportunity to give back as a result of giving up.

I am to drink only tap water for 40 days (Feb 17-April 3, excluding Sundays). For someone who is spoiled like me, this seems like a sacrifice. For our brothers and sisters in Uganda who will benefit from my contribution, tap water is a luxury that they do not have. They may walk miles to their nearest water source and even then, it is dirty, parasite infested water.

Three days into my "sacrifice", now and already I've passed up 12 beverages and pledged more than twelve dollars. With each glass of water, I am reminded of the ultimate sacrifice that was made for me all those years ago, when my Lord gave his life so that I may come to know Him and have eternal life.

And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again. -2 Corinthians 5:15

Join me on this journey:

• MAKE WATER YOUR ONLY BEVERAGE FOR 40 DAYS.
• KEEP TRACK AND SAVE THE MONEY YOU WOULD HAVE SPENT.
• AT THE END OF 40 DAYS DONATE WHAT YOU SAVED TO SUPPORT WATER PROJECTS IN UGANDA.

Follow my progress here.

Pound For Pound Challenge

...this is very cool!

I don't watch much TV, so I may be a little late with this exciting news! It seems this is the second year this has been done, but I was thrilled when I caught this ad in my Gmail Inbox this morning!

NBC's The Biggest Loser, General Mills, Subway, 24 Hour Fitness and Feeding America are partnering on the Pound For Pound Challenge, a program that encourages Americans to lose weight nationally to help provide hunger relief locally.

For every pound of weight participants pledge to lose, a pound of groceries (which costs 14 cents) will be delivered to a local food bank! Now it can't get much easier than that!

You simply go to the Pound for Pound website, click the big red Pledge Now button, enter a few details, including how much weight you plan to lose by June 30, 2010 and they will send 14 cents per pound to the nearest Food Pantry participating in the promotion!

If you live in the Lake City, Raiford, or Gainesville area, your pledges will benefit The Second Harvest Food Bank of North Florida, located at 1502 Jessie Street in Jacksonville, FL.

Check out their website for more info about where they distribute food, what they do and how they've made it easier than ever to get in on Disney's Give A Day. Get A Disney Day Program.

It's never been easier to put food on someone's table! Make your pledge and post your goal in the comment section below!

From Overwhelming Despair to Overwhelming Victory...

...this is my prayer.

My heart has been very heavy the last two weeks. It started when I recognized the pain of the average American teenager. I work with youth on a regular basis in my church and I see many who struggle with things much like I struggled with as a teenager. The things you don't always recognize is that even the "kid who has it all" struggles on a daily basis. They struggle to fit in with their peers, they struggle to maintain what they know is right and wrong, they struggle to meet their parents' expectations, and they struggle to do good in a world that just isn't. They want to do good, they want to excel, they want to give to others, and they want to be loved.

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." - John 14:16-17

Then there is Haiti. 1.5 million homeless, 70,000 dead in a country with 380,000 orphans. It's just so hard to comprehend. Tears fill my eyes with every news story, with every image. Daily I find myself calling out to God and asking "why?"!

"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." - James 1:27

Early Sunday morning, I witnessed the death of a great man, Ralph Morrison Smith, Jason's uncle. I didn't know him that well, but in his death, I found myself wishing I had taken the time to know him better. He was a good man, full of love, the overflowing kind. He lived a self-less life and was always willing to lend a helping hand or just a kind word. I honestly never heard him complain or say a cross word to or about anyone. His son said it best at the memorial yesterday when he said, he truly reflects Christ. I pray that someday someone will be able to say the same about me.

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. - John 11:25-26

Following the services yesterday, a tornado ripped through Bradford County. 25 homes were destroyed. Driving through the area this morning, I was devastated to witness what looked like a war zone. Tears filled my eyes and I cried out, "God help them." Again, it's just so hard to comprehend.

I don't know "why", but I do know that God can "help them". Psalm 34:18 says, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Please join me in prayer for all who are struggling in this world today, that they will come to know the comfort of the Holy Spirit and they will have overwhelming victory in Him!

Why am I doing this?

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. - Ephesians 2:10

For the last several months, I have been asking myself this question. Why am I so driven to work this FirstFitness business? Is it the money? Is it the car? Is it the promise of better health for myself and others? What is it that is pushing me? Is it of God or is it of the world?

I've always had a general interest in health and wellness, but its never been a passion. My passion over the last 5 years has evolved from wanting to climb the corporate\career ladder, make a good paycheck, and be successful in the eyes of others to wanting to do mission work, helping those who can't help themselves, those who are less fortunate than me, and to spread the Word to the Nations... Over the last week or two, I have really been in prayer seeking God as to the reason for my drive and success with FirstFitness since I didn't really think it was inline with my passion.

He has revealed to me that it is a company full of Christian leaders and distributors. He has opened my eyes to the fact that our bodies are just a shell that He has provided us to walk around in here on earth. It is just a shell until we invite the Holy Spirit to live within us and make us whole. The shell then becomes a temple! A temple of the Holy Spirit! A place for our Savior to dwell on earth with us as we do the works He has prepared for us. Taking care of our bodies and keeping our temples clean is a way we can honor God.

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body,” -1 Corinthians 6:19-20

First Corinthians 8:6 says that God created us to live for Him He’s given us the gift of life and He wants us to enjoy it! I am having a great time meeting people and helping them reach their weight loss and healthy-living goals! Because this is a Christian-based company, I get to share the Word with the people that I meet. Maybe this does line up just right with my passion and my purpose! I'm going to forge forward trying to be a blessing to everyone I encounter, being the body of Christ!

So many things, so few minutes...

...how many of you have said that in the last 18 days?

Since Thanksgiving, I've wanted to tell you all what I'm thankful for and then came my 5 year wedding anniversary and I wanted to tell you how my marriage brought me closer to God and now we are fast approaching the day we celebrate "the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us"! Hallelujah!

So, here goes, better late than never, right?

Thanksgiving
The day came and went but not without many reflections of things that I am most thankful for. I am most thankful for God's Grace! Though I do not deserve it and could never earn it, it is mine and it offers me eternity in heaven.

Next, I am very thankful for an amazing husband who longs to make me happy, his family who supports me in all that I do, my own family who loves God and each other no matter what. Thankful for step-children who have accepted me and made me feel loved and allowed me to love them like my own.

Thankful for a job that puts a roof over our heads and food on the table. Thankful for FirstFitness, products that have helped me and so many others feel great and live healthier, not to mention the extra cash that has provided little extras for Jason and me.

Thankful for my church family who are faithful, giving and 100% genuine! Thankful for the joy that I feel every day! Thankful for the men and women that have fought for my freedoms and the freedoms of all God's children. Thankful for men and women who have committed their lives to sharing the Gospel, giving others hope, peace and love.

I could probably go on and on for pages, but these are the things that surface immediately when I want to give thanks.

December 11, 2004
The day I said, "I do" and "I will"! It was 53 degrees and the wind was whipping like crazy. Our wedding was outside at Stephen Foster Memorial and had been put together in just 2 months. My dear Aunt Judy and my mom slaved over the details non-stop from October 1st right up until the very minute the ceremony started. It was beautiful.

Now, 5 years later, Jason and I are finally getting it figured out! It hasn't been all fun and games. There have been tough times, there have been fusses about the silliest of things and the most serious of things. All in all, the good far outweighs the bad. We've grown so much, individually and together.

Until Jason, I was wandering around lost, searching, longing for that forever kind of love. I think we both were. Together, Jason and I were able to turn back to God and get rooted in Him! We made a commitment to build our marriage on the solid foundation of our faith. To put God first, to be active in our church and to teach our children the importance of these things, not by telling them, but by showing them. I don't know that I would have ever been strong enough to leave my old life behind and walk with God in such a way with out Jason by my side.

Jason, you are my soul mate! You were my windshield wipers in the blinding storm I had driven myself into! Thank you for showing me the way! Like Jerry said, "I love you. You... complete me."

Next up - Christmas
What a glorious way to end the year? Reflecting on our Savior's coming! My prayer for you all is that you celebrate this above and beyond any other thing this "holiday" season! The fact that God loves you so much He sent His one and only son to live on Earth and to eventually suffer and die so that you may know His love for you, that my friend, is worth celebrating and celebrating abundantly. Don't get all "wrapped" up in the shopping and the presents and the events! Celebrate the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ! Recognize that you are loved by the Highest, Mightiest, Most Powerful of all and share His Love with someone every day!!!

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." - John 1:14

When a song reads your heart...

I nearly skipped church this morning. You know, I just wasn't feeling it...I was actually reasoning with myself that staying home and cleaning my house would be my worship today. I do believe that worship can come in any form, but God knew what He was doing when He forced me in the shower and out the door.

This song played on the way there and while I've heard it many times, today it was like it was just reading my heart and pouring it through the speakers...

Amazing God!

actions speak louder than words

When I look back at my life, just my adult life, the part I was responsible for, I am so truly amazed at the difference God has made in me.

From the age of 18-28, my life was a whirlwind of wild and crazy events. When I look back, I can see them as dumb, careless, irresponsible, havoc-reaking events. Things that held me back, weighed me down and kept me running in circles. Yet, these things shaped the person I am today. Even then, God had a plan for me.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. " - Jeremiah 29:11

Part of this twisting and turning in the way of the world, landed me in Tallahassee for about 10 months as I pursued dreams of becoming the "IT Expert" I am today. Landing there, I fell into a group of ambitious, young singles running in the same circles as me. Yippee!

I don't want to speak for them, but you know what they say, "actions speak louder than words". At this point in our young lives, our actions spoke very little of our concern for our own salvation, much less that of others.

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise." - Psalm 51:12-15

Fast-forward - now, here we are, exactly eight years later. I, with my church, am collecting Underwear for Africa. Two of my dear friends from Tallahassee, whom I am very proud of, will deliver them to Lesotho next month as they share the Word of God with the Basotho people!

What an amazing journey! What an amazing God!