Dressember

Hi Friends! 

I have decided to join in the stand against human trafficking by joining Dressember. God has began to stir in me a desire for justice for young women all across our world. God began this work in me when my prayer turned into "break my heart for what breaks yours." I learned this is the most fulfilling and terrifying way to pray because I know it is not always the easy road. God broke my heart for orphans as I journeyed to Guatemala in 2014 for 3 months. He also stirred in me a heart for serving others and a desire to share my story with teen girls about inner beauty, value on purity, and a call for modesty. Little did I know I would find a man who had a desire for justice and service as well; in fact that was exactly what drew us close right away was our same longing for justice and service. God is great mighty and truly our best interest in mind when we trust him completely- I am the first to say it is HARD but I get excited to page back thru journals I have written and see HIS plan unfold perfectly.

Back to Dressember... This summer we had the privilege of hearing David Zach, lead singer of Remedy Drive, speak at Power Connection about his journey to help free girls from human trafficking. He shared first hand what it is like to go under cover with Exodus Road into Southeast Asia to gather information to free the young ladies. Read more about his journey and new album http://www.remedydrive.com/ and https://davidmzach.wordpress.com/ also check out more about the Exodus Road https://theexodusroad.com/ Please watch the video to learn more about what they do. So we were able to hear first hand David's experience in Asia and as I heard this my stomach churned, tears formed in my eyes, and my heart broken for orphans cried out for justice for these young beautiful gifts from the Lord. I thought of my own adopted sisters and for a moment my heart broke that I wasn't able to help all orphans but rather God gave me two precious little sisters to love and raise up loving him. I sit and write with tears in my eyes as I remember living and caring for those orphans in Guatemala; each special and unique in their own way. Each of these girls unique and special Children of one true King. I may not be able to be the one in the midst of a rescue but my prayers and heart cries out for God to protect each of his precious children. My husband I and were on our way to Des Moines not long ago and every semi we passed made me wonder if any children were being trafficked as we traveled. I am not saying truckers are bad but it was a hard drive to imagine what these kids go thru and a reminder to humble myself to pray and cry out. As December was drawing nearer I was feeling a tug to participate but a hesitation of uncertainty as to my capability. Then a day before so yesterday I received a message of another woman participating and inviting others to join. I knew that God was saying I can do this with his strength alone to humble my comfortableness and take a stand. He has been working and continues to work in my life. I told my husband that I wanted to participate and he was fully behind me and willing to pray with me this month more than ever for children around that world who need to hear that Jesus loves them and will protect them. SO if you will join my husband, myself, and thousands of others this Christmas season in praying for freedom for even just one of the 27 million in slavery. God hears the prayers of his people. If you feel the need to donate to help free the children check out my page https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraise?is_new=1&fcid=573711

Thank you for taking a moment to read where God is working and taking a moment to say a prayer for his Children across the globe.

"So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it 

shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish 

that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for 

which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11

Journey of a GOD-Venture r

I have had a stirring in my heart to get back to sharing life thru writing.  It has almost been a year since I last posted but it is time to bring that to a close!  Lots has changed but one thing remains.  I am HIS and HE is mine.  Forever and ever HE is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear?

Let me share one of the most exciting life changing parts of my adventure this last year.  I am getting MARRIED!  And to my best friend!  God truly brought us together and there is no other way around it but to give HIM the glory for what HE is doing thru us!

And it all started with Guatemala... God called me unto HIMSELF breaking my heart as I returned home a little dazed and confused because now my heart was on fire for HIM and I wasn't sure what I was suppose to learn thru it all except to trust HIM in the plan and follow HIS lead in the process.  I made lots of new contacts thru meeting all the teams last year but most were from Michigan so I wasn't able to see them but the very first group was from Maurice Church, right near Sioux Center.  A family and a few young adult ladies were talking about starting a Christian Young Adult (AKA SINGLES) Bible Study in the spring but since I wasn't home I promised to be in touch when I returned home.

Once I returned home I was able to get involved with the group but I was NOT in it to meet anyone let's be clear I wanted to return to Guatemala pretty bad! It was rough trying to adjust but I made awesome friends thru the group and I value that so much!  Now my church also had one of these "groups" but because I work on Monday nights I was never able to go and since Maurice held their's on Wednesday night I was able to attend...

Fast forward a little bit to August.... Maurice was looking for a new Middle School Pastor and the leader of our bible study group was on the search committee because her kiddos are around that age.  I remember being there when he accepted the position, finding out what his name was, and then proceeded to stalk him on Facebook- yup no shame here!

Needless to say I thought he was cute but now I needed to meet him... and Yes I did almost add him as a friend on the Facebook but decided to wait til the day I was able to meet him.  A few weeks after he started we had a Maurice Amazing Race!  I knew he would be there BUT I didn't know it was a set up to be on his team!  Well I have to admit I was a little nervous and tried my hardest to look my best but not too much!

To make an even greater first impression which is the most important I showed up late because I had the wrong time and made the whole group wait.  He was a little impatient and was ready to start without me when in I came and our world's changed forever!  We both instantly loved each other's competitive spirit!  I also learned he is the best listener and paid attention to every little detail I said that night.  I was a little bit regretful because earlier in the day I had gotten my hair cut and claimed I was not going to meet or date anyone for sure for the next 2 years and God laughed at me because HE had other plans, boy am I sure glad he did because I am one blessed woman to be only 102 days away from marrying that same Man I met on October 4, 2014.

To make a longer story shorter, I made my daddy proud and played hard to get but in my heart I already knew he was the one for me!  It makes me all emotional just writing it all out because of how perfectly God had it planned out!  To finish out how we actually started dating is humorous!  He did not get a chance that first night to ask for my number but he did as me on Facebook as a friend- technically he made the first move right?!  BUT I waited oh so very patiently for 2 LONG days and heard nothing from him but knowing me I struck up a chat conversation and we have never looked back!  I did however make him come to the next Wednesday night bible study to get my number and ask me out to dinner!  On that night we talked on the driveway til 1:30 AM... like they say nothing good happens after midnight right?!  :)  well we quickly realized the heart of mission we both had and knew already that our individual adventures were meant to be together!
On February 25, 2015 he got down on one knee and asked me to be his forever!  I can't describe how excited I am to spend the rest of my life by his side and continue to love him forever.  We know now as marriage is under attack that as Christians our focus needs to be on our marriage and serving each other.  Daily we ask the Lord to bless us in the time of waiting to join as one.  We beg HIM to direct our journey and also give us courage to take the steps HE leads us to!  I have been blessed with a God fearing, servant hearted, compassionate, loving, listening, and handsome man that I soon get to call my husband!

Please join us at the foot of the cross and ask God to bless and strengthen marriages around the United States to glorify HIM and have people wanting what we have.

"So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

 - Matthew 19:6

I'm Feeling 22

Yes it has been a memorable start to my year of being 22 to say the least.

Here is what I had planned for my birthday week starting with a Wednesday night bible study celebration.  I love the friends I have made thru hanging out weekly and was looking forward to finishing up our short summer 5 week study.  I also knew they had something planned for me since it was my birthday the next day but I wasn't too worried since I don't get embarrassed all that quick or easy.

On Thursday my actual birthday I had a chiro appointment in the morning to get put back in place for my upcoming girls weekend in Des Moines.  I was also working at the salon in the afternoon.  My grandparents were going to take me out for supper to Nederlander's in Orange City and we were all going to my sister's singing recital that night!

But the best part was Friday and the girls trip I had planned with some friends.  We all work a lot and it's hard to make time for each other so we were heading up to Des Moines for the weekend to go to Adventureland, Cheesecake Factory, and of course the Jordan Creek Mall.  I had made hotel reservations and was planning on buying our tickets online on Wednesday night after Bible Study.

BUT none of it happened because GOD decided I needed some rest and relaxation on my birthday instead.  I did end up going to the ER on Wednesday at noon.  I came home for lunch and to walk the dogs but I was having minor stomach cramps to which I thought was an after effect of eating Ice Cream the night before because I am lactose intolerant not the wisest choice but I figured I could handle it :)  I suddenly realized it was not just from the ice cream but something else and instantly I knew.  In November I had ended up in the ER due to a cyst located behind but not attached to my right ovary.  It was happening again but way more pain and way quicker.  Lord, I was saying, I don't have time for this I have to get back to work this afternoon and I have all these plans lined up and a wedding I need to do hair for next week Please not now.  Well I didn't stand a chance because it was out of my control.  Anyway long story short I was able to experience the clinic, ER, and stay a night in the new Hospital.  What a wonderful facility!

So for my birthday it was room service... I came home on Thursday night!  I now have an appointment on Wednesday in Sioux Falls.  The cyst is not attached to the ovary but is located behind it so in order to fix it they need to take it out, exactly what I don't have time for.  But I now just get to take it easy for a few days and hope to get some more answers next week.

Nothing better than room service on your birthday

As we were sitting there on my birthday my mom kept saying 22 years ago I thought it was the best day of my life because you were born.  So God blessed me with a relaxing day and some time to reflect and be thankful for my family.  I did enjoy my birthday even if it was not what I had planned, God knew I needed to slow down instead :)

Finding HOME

I have wrestled with my challenge where is home... The more I have prayed chewed on and conversed with others I have come to realize the longing inside of me is not a place a building country or even the people I call family but it is being in the center of God's will each and every day of my life.  I can wake up each day and be focused on all the missed opportunities, kiddos I long to kiss and hold, and the place I WANT... Instead I have focused on who and what God is asking of me each day.  I have been on a roller coaster of emotions every day since returning but the more I focus on relationships and God's will the easier life is... Not easier but more fulfilling because trust me what God asks sometimes stops me dead in my tracks but when I follow thru I am so overflowing with his faithfulness I am as a bride on her wedding day... or you know what I mean :)

I do yes have rough days and times I don't see or seize and opportunity.. But God is faithful and always provides another!!  That is just how perfect and wonderful God is!  I am just ahhh so glad to be loved, forgiven, and in love with HIM.  I am so far from perfect I have my own set of flaws mistakes and imperfections that I see but I know all HE sees is beauty, perfection, and a heart that yearns to follow HIM.  

I get asked frequently where exactly God is leading me next in life and I am here to say, " Not sure yet."  But when I look back over the past 3 years I can say it just took time to fulfill the purpose and following in the little things opened up the door to the bigger things.  I am learning to be faithful in the little things so I can look back in 5 years and say,"Thanks God you had my back the whole time now I just understand it a whole lot better."  That is just how cool God is.  I need to continue to hold his hand even when all I want to do is cry in frustration because I miss opportunities, people, or just need to let it all out.  He loves me the good ugly and all.. I am a child of a King. Forgiven, Redeemed. and Living for a PURPOSE.

Living in the Moment that Lasts for a Lifetime

Ahhh warm weather!! FINALLY!!!!  It sure does wonders on the attitude and a little tan never hurt either!   It has been a great past 2 weeks.  2 amazing weddings two weekends in a row watching friends commit their lives to each other with the Lord as their guide.  Simply a blessing to be the stylist for one of the weddings and walking alongside the bride and the families enjoy the day of celebration!  Laughter and tears of joy and the pride in a father's voice of his love for his daughter.  The simple delights but yet moments I will forever treasure.  blessings.  relationships.  The Lord blessed me with friends who live in the moment and laughter that lasts years beyond.

This past memorial day my family got down in the dirt and planted all 1102 flowers... Yes that is a lot of holes but we have our ways!!  What a pleasure it was to just simply enjoy each sister for an afternoon and evening.  We each had our special "task" but none was more important than the other because everything needed to be done to accomplish the job together correctly.  It brings to mind my Wednesday night bible study discussion.  I learned about spiritual gifts; none is greater but they are all serving the greater purpose to glorify the Lord.  No matter how great or small they are as long as I use the gifts God has given me to glorify him I am serving HIM and living in the moment by not missing an opportunity to bring praise to HIS name and delight HIM by being simply who he created me to be.

As my family faithfully gathers each night out by our fire pit after every busy day, I find myself just simply smiling at the moments we relive over and over.  The laughter never seems to cease the more and more we repeat our stories and moments in life.  We might not always tell them correctly, or perhaps stretch them a little more but it never fails to have everyone laughing.  I am lucky to have people in my life who I have shared incredible moments with in life that have shaped me whether learning to love more, let go, or simply take a deep breath.  Life is a simply amazing journey but keeping my eyes up and knowing I live solely for an audience of ONE allows me to just step back, even when I have lost patience or gotten frustrated and laugh.  Reliving those moments over and over to allow them to last for my lifetime and who knows maybe even generations to come..

Stuck in the Middle

Here I am again... waiting, patiently, well not SO patiently... Why do I always look ahead to what I can see at the end of the week rather than looking at the person in my chair in the salon, next to me in the checkout line, sitting at lunch with me.  Do I REALLY know or even want to know how they are doing besides our normal "good" response?  Their is so much more going on in our "good" lives but we don't take the time to share what good it is.. weather bad good or great good.  Relationships are a key to life.  The more I develop the existing friendships the more I long for even deeper things within those relationships.  One key for me not to slip into pity mode is to invest time, energy, and listening ears not just one but BOTH.  I say I am stuck in the middle not in a bad way but in a way that I have relationships here that I know will always be here and family down a few countries away that might not always be there or will constantly be changing.

Yes this weekend was a great relational weekend.  Graduation parties for the class that were just baby freshman when I was a senior; congratulating them on a job well done and whoa I was so humbled by the stories of when I had taken time as the "elder" to listen, laugh, or cry with them.  Class of 2014 I am blessed by you!  A wedding of a very dear and special brotherly friend to an amazing woman!  May God richly bless you as you begin the new chapter together!  And the dance was the best ever with amazing friends!  Then watching commencement as my sister walked across the stage to receive her diploma from a special uncle!  And her awesome party where once again I was able to share my Guatemala experience and just catch up with those I haven't seen in a few months!  It was wonderful to reconnect relationships!  And lastly having to say goodbye to friends as they ventured back after graduation from college, not knowing when I will be able to see them but hopefully sooner than later since I struggle with this patience thing!

I am so blessed and look forward to warmer weather, bonfires, and moving the lawn.  But more importantly building relationships to last and deepening the existing relationships I have.  As I am in the patience zone, God is teaching me to really listen to the answers of :good: and date to ask more of them instead of just settling for an answer I know is only surface level.  I challenge you tomorrow to challenge those you love to be better than good everyday but rather be honest about the real issues high or low going on.  We might all be surprised how admitting the truth will bring us closer.  I know I have sad days and happy days but thru it all I have to remember who it is that I will keep my focus on.. my life is lived for an audience of 1

Did someone mention GRADUATE?!?!?!

May is absolutely flying... where has the time gone?!  Actually that is how I feel about the past 4 years as my little sis GRADUATES.....wait yes for real she is GRADUATING!!!!   It feels like yesterday I was the big "senior" sister she was looking up to and I was the one standing up and stepping in for her.  Now as I have been blessed to watch her grow and blossom into a lovely young woman; I am proud!  We have spent so much time bonding and no one quite understands me like she does.  We never really fight, yes we disagree from time to time but a heart beat later we are joking and going to Walmart together.  She is the one I can always count on for a funny Pinterest joke or a goofy text to cheer up any bad day I might be having.  It is crazy how different we are but yet we tolerate and love each other in a weird but totally normal way!  I remember all the teasing and deep talks we have shared throughout the years, moments I will always treasure and cherish.  And yes all those crushes I would tease you about or how much better my driving skills will always be compared to yours.. simply because I am older!  It feels like yesterday I was looking for you in the hallway, coaching you thru basketball practice, or getting ticked at you for ALWAYS making me late for school (which we never really were).  It has been fun working in the Pet Lodge together and always getting into trouble for being the "naughty two".  The trouble we got in was minimal but the memories monumental.  All those pranks or silly nights of sparkling grape juice need to always be a part of our routine together no matter how old we become!  I will always be the proudest big sister of you no matter how old we get!!

Jules I am proud how you have been the Senior sister standing up and stepping in for Em!  I have enjoyed this year watching you two bond and grow closer as the year is almost over cherish and treasure the last few days you have in school together because it won't ever quite be the same!  I love you and can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for you in the future