Recently I have been very passionate about missions. God has been daily impacting my life and pressing on me a desire to serve people. My heart yearns to become a member of a separate culture and society (Africa and India specifically). Even though blood is truly my biggest fear...I am considering getting a health/first aid certificate or degree because the need for health care is so great throughout the world. I don't fear for my life or my wellbeing. God is so much bigger than me and He is at work. My life is simply equal to the rising and setting of the sun...in the grand picture it isn't going to be very long. I trust that God will keep His promise in Deuteronomy 31:6 where He says: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." I don't fear death. I honestly fear going through life and never following my passions...never submitting to my calling.
The more I talk to people I hear that missions is a passion God is spreading in the hearts of many. I had a conversation with Travis tonight about his calling and his passions. That guy is going to do great things...I know it. Michelle and I are talking about going together in a few years. Jakob has expressed to me his passions as well.
The way I see it...generosity isn't just a money thing. 1 Timothy 6:7 says "For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it." Also in Luke 12:13-21 Jesus tells a parable of a man who had much but kept it to himself then died and his wealth went to waste. We feel like we deserve what we have because we've worked hard for it...but God has given us every blessing...He even gave us the breath, strength, and will to work hard for the things He's blessed us with. I'd consider every single breath a blessing from the Lord. He has the power to give and take away. I think we can be selfish not only with our money but also with our lives. I don't want to be selfish with my life...I want to use my life to serve people and I just so happen to feel called to serve people in specific locations. You could feel compelled to serve people in your home town...and honestly I think that's the best place to start!
I don't want to watch my fear become a reality as I sit on my butt and do nothing to follow my passions. I want to get there one day...whatever it takes. Jesus Christ came and died to save us all...every human being that has ever walked the face of this earth. Why? Because He loves us all...He loves us so much that He would rather go through hell then go to heaven without us. In the same way that a child will never love their parent as much as a parent loves a child--I don't believe we will ever fully comprehend God's love for us because we aren't capable of loving like He does. I just want to let His love flow into my life...and overflow onto people I encounter. That's my passion...that's essentially what it all comes down to.
Monday, June 23, 2008
nanny shelly's diary: final installment
I wrote a blog in the airport as I was heading home...but I couldn't get a signal for the internet so I didn't post it. Unfortunately I forgot I had written it with all the busy-ness of being home. So here it is:
Well...I'm sitting in an airport terminal (again) writing a blog. Hmmm...maybe they put me in a blog mood? Or maybe not. One thing about airport terminals is that they are great for people watching. I'm honestly taking a while to write this blog...because Chris Brown's smooth voice in my ear is a bit distracting...for sure!
The contrast between Virginia weather and what I hear Oregon is up to will be fun. One hundred degree days with humidity to sixty degrees and rainy.
Well the boys started school this week. Alex jumped right in and was totally in his element. It was actually difficult to pry him off the playground with the other kids. Michael isn't a huge fan of the idea yet, but it will be so good for him.
One of the most exciting things that happened this week was the thunder storms on Wednesday. They started during the boys nap around 2:00 and continued on and off until about 9:00. The thunder was shaking the house, the lightning was the only thing that was lighting up the house, the power went out for a bit, and the rain and wind was a flurry of grey outside. We also spent a good deal of the evening in the basement because of tornado warnings. The next day we found out that eight tornadoes touched down in the area...one fairly close to where the house is. I can honestly say I've never in my life experienced tornado warnings...I wasn't even scared cuz it was too cool.
As usual I have a few Alex quotes for the week. That kid cracks me up! Goodness.
I told him yesterday that I would miss him a lot and his response was, "good!"
I asked him earlier this week if he likes peaches and he said, "Peaches? They smell like money...I like money!" Ha! I don't really have any idea where he gets some of this stuff!
One day Elizabeth was trying to get the DVD player working so we could watch "Enchanted" and once she had it figured out Alex said, "give me a high five there girl!"
The one that had Elizabeth and I laughing for quite a while was this: We picked the boys up from school yesterday and went through the Taco Bell/Kentucky Fried chicken drive through window. Elizabeth asked Alex what he wanted and he said that he wanted a "cadooda." Her and I looked at each other and just started busting up laughing...he meant a quesadilla.
I miss the boys already. As they were dropping me off at the airport Alex asked me if I'd be back tomorrow. I am definitely leaving a piece of my heart in Virginia. I can't wait until I can come visit them now.
Well...I'm sitting in an airport terminal (again) writing a blog. Hmmm...maybe they put me in a blog mood? Or maybe not. One thing about airport terminals is that they are great for people watching. I'm honestly taking a while to write this blog...because Chris Brown's smooth voice in my ear is a bit distracting...for sure!
The contrast between Virginia weather and what I hear Oregon is up to will be fun. One hundred degree days with humidity to sixty degrees and rainy.
Well the boys started school this week. Alex jumped right in and was totally in his element. It was actually difficult to pry him off the playground with the other kids. Michael isn't a huge fan of the idea yet, but it will be so good for him.
One of the most exciting things that happened this week was the thunder storms on Wednesday. They started during the boys nap around 2:00 and continued on and off until about 9:00. The thunder was shaking the house, the lightning was the only thing that was lighting up the house, the power went out for a bit, and the rain and wind was a flurry of grey outside. We also spent a good deal of the evening in the basement because of tornado warnings. The next day we found out that eight tornadoes touched down in the area...one fairly close to where the house is. I can honestly say I've never in my life experienced tornado warnings...I wasn't even scared cuz it was too cool.
As usual I have a few Alex quotes for the week. That kid cracks me up! Goodness.
I told him yesterday that I would miss him a lot and his response was, "good!"
I asked him earlier this week if he likes peaches and he said, "Peaches? They smell like money...I like money!" Ha! I don't really have any idea where he gets some of this stuff!
One day Elizabeth was trying to get the DVD player working so we could watch "Enchanted" and once she had it figured out Alex said, "give me a high five there girl!"
The one that had Elizabeth and I laughing for quite a while was this: We picked the boys up from school yesterday and went through the Taco Bell/Kentucky Fried chicken drive through window. Elizabeth asked Alex what he wanted and he said that he wanted a "cadooda." Her and I looked at each other and just started busting up laughing...he meant a quesadilla.
I miss the boys already. As they were dropping me off at the airport Alex asked me if I'd be back tomorrow. I am definitely leaving a piece of my heart in Virginia. I can't wait until I can come visit them now.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
nanny shelly's diary: week nine
Hello world!
...or hello to everyone who reads my blogs.
Hi mom! :)
Well this will officially be my last Sunday night blog from the East Coast. I fly home next Saturday...quite late...I will attempt to post a blog from the airport about this next week.
The boys and I had a nice week together. The boys got their library cards so we were able to bring books and movies home to enjoy. Alex was also able to play on the computers in the Children's section. He loves doing that! There's one game that has you paint a picture...it seems to be his favorite. Michael and I wander through the picture books and I read to him while Alex plays. One day I asked Alex if he liked playing on the computers and he said, "I wasn't playing, I was emailing!"
Alex officially has the movie "Alvin & the Chipmunks" memorized. His favorite part is when Alvin says, "major rock stars!" And if you've never seen the movie you'll have no clue what I'm talking about right now.
One day while I was sitting on the couch the boys took two wet wipes and tried to rub off my tattoo...cuz my foot was dirty. To their frustration it just wouldn't come off! Funny how that works.
They also took almost every toy from their playroom in the basement and put it into their Thomas-the-train-play-tent-thing. I asked Alex why they were moving everything and he informed me that they were trying to hide from the giraffes. I learned about Alex's fear of giraffes.
One day I tried to get the boys to take a nap...and Michael really wasn't wanting to take a nap this day. But alas! after two headbutts and an elbow to the nose he was out! In the battle of child versus sleep, thank goodness sleep mostly wins.
Today we made our way over to Camden Yards to watch the Orioles play the Red Sox. It was so much fun! I do love me some baseball. I was the burnt, sweaty blonde in the second row third base side. We ended up going to the suite where Jim's business friends were...and wow! Never been in a suite before...it was pretty cool! Alex kept putting his fingers in his mouth and screaming...it took me a second to realize that he was "whistling." Michael had a fun time wandering around...he's a two year old who is very interested in everything! The boys were able to go into a bounce house and eat baseball park hot dogs...the best in my opinion! A church near the ballpark had a sign that said "May God bless the O's, and maybe the Sox, but those yankees--Lord, forgive us our thoughts."
A few Alex quotes:
He and I were hitting a ball back and forth and he missed it and said "woopsiedaisy!" Now he says it cuz it cracks me up so much. It reminds me of Hugh Grant's character in "Notting Hill."
Tonight at dinner he asked Elizabeth what happened to the "dinner carpets"--meaning the place mats. Pretty cute.
Until next week...
shells
...or hello to everyone who reads my blogs.
Hi mom! :)
Well this will officially be my last Sunday night blog from the East Coast. I fly home next Saturday...quite late...I will attempt to post a blog from the airport about this next week.
The boys and I had a nice week together. The boys got their library cards so we were able to bring books and movies home to enjoy. Alex was also able to play on the computers in the Children's section. He loves doing that! There's one game that has you paint a picture...it seems to be his favorite. Michael and I wander through the picture books and I read to him while Alex plays. One day I asked Alex if he liked playing on the computers and he said, "I wasn't playing, I was emailing!"
Alex officially has the movie "Alvin & the Chipmunks" memorized. His favorite part is when Alvin says, "major rock stars!" And if you've never seen the movie you'll have no clue what I'm talking about right now.
One day while I was sitting on the couch the boys took two wet wipes and tried to rub off my tattoo...cuz my foot was dirty. To their frustration it just wouldn't come off! Funny how that works.
They also took almost every toy from their playroom in the basement and put it into their Thomas-the-train-play-tent-thing. I asked Alex why they were moving everything and he informed me that they were trying to hide from the giraffes. I learned about Alex's fear of giraffes.
One day I tried to get the boys to take a nap...and Michael really wasn't wanting to take a nap this day. But alas! after two headbutts and an elbow to the nose he was out! In the battle of child versus sleep, thank goodness sleep mostly wins.
Today we made our way over to Camden Yards to watch the Orioles play the Red Sox. It was so much fun! I do love me some baseball. I was the burnt, sweaty blonde in the second row third base side. We ended up going to the suite where Jim's business friends were...and wow! Never been in a suite before...it was pretty cool! Alex kept putting his fingers in his mouth and screaming...it took me a second to realize that he was "whistling." Michael had a fun time wandering around...he's a two year old who is very interested in everything! The boys were able to go into a bounce house and eat baseball park hot dogs...the best in my opinion! A church near the ballpark had a sign that said "May God bless the O's, and maybe the Sox, but those yankees--Lord, forgive us our thoughts."
A few Alex quotes:
He and I were hitting a ball back and forth and he missed it and said "woopsiedaisy!" Now he says it cuz it cracks me up so much. It reminds me of Hugh Grant's character in "Notting Hill."
Tonight at dinner he asked Elizabeth what happened to the "dinner carpets"--meaning the place mats. Pretty cute.
Until next week...
shells
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