We live in...

a world of hungry people. I just randomly said that phrase outloud right now and it's caught my attention. I don't even know why I thought of this phrase but I find it to be very true.

We do live in a world of hungry people. I'm not talking about food.... I'm actually not quite sure of what I'm wanting to say, but everyone's hungry for something special in their lives. I'm convinced that every individual on this planet hungers for happiness, but we're all fed and satisfied by different things. Unfortunately, a great number of people are fed by the worldly things rather than the heavenly things... inspiration.....

From Stones to Gems

Wooo! I niko'ed it again. I've picked up many stones throughout the trip and they're in the process of turning into precious gems. I feel like I need to lay out everything that's in my heart, so here it goes...

First day of Niko, I had an insecure feeling about the rest of the week only because I didn't know what was ahead of me. Then that night God welcomed the alumni team with a ridiculously, amazingly beautiful moon-rise and I was assured that God had special gems in store for me. Throughout the rest of Niko, I was challenged mindfully rather than physically... God continually asked me to be a servant-leader but I kept ignoring His voice because it wasn't what I wanted to hear at the moment.

Now aside from the servant-leader subject, I was definitely awed by His creation; just standing in the presence of my almighty King left me wonderstruck. There's one specific moment I remember encountering God's presence in the mountains. After a long hike, I found a nice big tree providing amazing shade, which I believe God placed it there for a purpose, and I sat underneath it for some rest. I looked up and was left speechless by the beauty of mountains, trees, and birds... then I heard and felt the wind blow around for a short time and I knew it was God's presence- the wind was so gentle yet majestic. I couldn't help but sing a song of praise to Him. It was this very short moment, in which I found intimacy and simplicity in the grandeur of God's presence.

Towards the end of Niko I spent some time writing a letter to myself about the experience I had the past couple of days and that's when all the pieces of puzzle began coming together to create a picture. God was still asking me to be a servant-leader and I decided to listen this time. Although it's not exactly what my flesh desires to be, it's something my heart longs to be. Those puzzle pieces are still gathering and it's so exciting to see them come together!

Something I've come to understand, recently, is the special relationship I have with my God. He calls me His daughter. King of the Heavens calls me His daughter and cherishes me with all that He has. He is my Creator. I'm learning to embrace the woman that God has created me to be and I find joy in this certainty. I have been praying for humility for years and I always thought I knew what it meant, but I've finally come to understand a bit of it. Humility is not denying myself or the gifts that God has given me, but giving my all with the gifts He has given me. Because of my new understanding of who I am in Christ, I am able to come before God with intimacy and simplicity. I think... true intimacy can only be found when we come with simplicity. Can't wait to see the final picture God puts together for me...

Generosity seems to be the talk of the moment, lately...

This question just crossed my mind- How would the world look with only selfless people?

Anyways, I had a nightmare about Michael Jackson last night. I couldn't stop thinking about Michael Jackson all day yesterday... and I don't know why? His memorial made quite an impact on me, but I can't lay out my feelings clearly. Oh and I watched Michael Jackson's "ghost" caught on one of CNN's live segments before I went to bed and I kept dreaming of that scene! And I just found out the mysterious figure moving in the background was a shadow of one of the workers- hehe.