Circle of Grace

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. 

Ephesians 2:8-9

Each year, I like to pick a word to focus on for the whole year. I have only been doing it a couple of years, but for 2016, I picked the word LOVED. And while I have seen this word played out in my life (also, it is the meaning of my name), there was another word that kept appearing - GRACE.

The circle of Grace.

It was probably about 1.5 years ago already that I started seeing the word, hearing it, thinking a lot about it.

The story is not all about me. In fact, I really only have a tiny part to play in it all. God is the author and our family, friends, and church play the supporting roles. This story has been a long time coming and there is so much more to it then I can even share, but here is a little bit of the circle of grace that I have seen over the last year.

In the Spring of 2015, my mom was asked to be a part of a new group starting called Grace Ladies' Fellowship. It was not at the church we were currently attending, but was at a church we had attended many years before. My mom was asked to be one of the main speakers at the event they were having and also head up the food aspect of it. After a lot of prayer and encouragement from our family, mom agreed to it. And of course, my sister and I helped with making the goodies!

Cheesecake tarts that we served

Some more of the yummy food we made

More desserts

That summer, we were asked to help with the food for a shower of a family friend. The shower was also held at Grace Covenant Church. 

Later in the summer as we headed into fall, a family friend was diagnosed with cancer. She also went to Grace. We attended 2-3 prayer services for her there. I watched as the family of God came around her and her family during this time. 

One of the prayer services

It was about that time, August 2015, that we started attending, once again, at Grace. (We had also went to a confirmation service for my nephew around the same time.)

We saw the grace that was extended to us as we returned and were a apart of the body of Christ. 

I continued to see the word grace and God's grace in different situations. 

Our friend that was going through cancer, her middle name was Grace.

One day, I had a friend named Grace call me and ask me about the gal who was going through cancer and she prayed for her with me right on the phone. 

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

Ephesians 4:7 

One of the most inspiring things that our friend with cancer said was along the lines of "If I live, I win, if I die, I win). She knew that whether God gave her more time on earth with all of us or called her home to Him, she won!

Jesus did call her home in June. When we had talked with her, earlier in the year, she had said she wanted cupcakes for her party (We had made them for her graduation). Whether it was a party to celebrate her coming home to her family or going home to Jesus, we were going to have cupcakes.

And we did indeed! Mom and I made over 800 cupcakes and then we had many helpers from church to decorate them!

Mom and I with all the cupcakes

This was the orange sunset on the day she went to be with Jesus.

It had been about a year since God had started showing me GRACE...in so many different ways. I thought it was maybe over, this year of grace. But God had one more surprise in store! There had been a job posting in the bulletin at church for a children's ministry assistant. I had thought about applying, but it was during my sabbatical time and I wasn't planning on working right then. But then I felt God tell me that the door to a job was not closed just because I thought it was during this time. So after the posting was no longer even in the bulletin, I inquired about the position. It turned out the position was still open. I ended up applying and being asked for an interview, but I was going to be out of town for about 3 weeks. They said they were willing to wait to interview me. So when I got home, I interviewed and was then offered the job at Grace. God is so good. He takes the unexpected and shows you His plan and He offers us GRACE!

This past weekend, I and another staff person were presented to the church and prayed over as we start these new jobs.

I have seen a circle of GRACE this year and I can't to see what God has in store next. I have loved seeing the community of Christ and how the church can work together. Grace really is a beautiful thing.

Summer is Here!

Yesterday was the start of summer for me! Parade season always seems to kick-off the summer for me and we walked in our first parade of the year (many more to come) for our state senator last night. I always enjoy walking in the parades and seeing all the people. We have met so many people through politics and it is always fun to see them!

All in all, yesterday was a great day. We started the day off by going to our state capitol. Franklin Graham's Decision America tour was finally in MN! It was a great rally with over 6,300 people attending!

Franklin Graham encouraged people to:

Pray.

Vote.

Engage.

It was also fun to see friends from around the state at this event, too. We saw senators, representatives, and candidates that are running for office come to this event and rally together as fellow believers. Truly a blessing to see!

Me and my sister by the tour bus!

Screen shot of their website:

http://billygraham.org/gallery/decision-america-tour-photos-from-minnesota/

Screen shot of the pictures they posted on Facebook. Look at that crowd!

 

Franklin Graham

The crowd

The trailer

By the bus

Our Capitol is undergoing construction

After the rally, we headed home so we could get to the parade and stopped at Dairy Queen for a treat. After the parade, we also stopped at DQ! (We hadn't eaten supper and it was late and the only thing open!) Just another sign of summer in MN!

What are the signs of summer for you? Is it finally here for you?

********************

The last couple weeks…

I started writing this about a week ago and things just got so busy! The post was going to be titled:

Creating, celebrating, and campaigning

Creating –

·         ~Homemade bibs for a silent auction

·         ~Decorated flip-flops for a silent auction

·         ~Gifts for all the birthdays this summer

·         ~Baking

·         ~Made a fairy house

·         ~Making graphic designs for an organization that I was volunteering with

Celebrating –

·        ~ My younger sister’s birthday

·         ~One of my nephew’s birthday

·         ~One of my niece’s birthday

·         ~One of my niece’s first communion

·         ~And planning other celebrations for the summer

Campaigning –

·        ~ Organizing 3 parades (for this weekend and many more for the summer)

·         ~Planning a campaign kick-off event

·         ~Doing a huge fundraiser mailing

~

I think there were a few other things we did in the last couple weeks because we were busy every day, but too many things to remember to write them all! I am enjoying the start of summer and looking forward to many more memories!

What are your plans for the summer?

Republican State Convention 2016

This past weekend was our state's Republican Convention. It was a two-day convention where we elected delegates and alternates to the National Republican Convention and go through resolutions to the state party's platform. It was a busy weekend. I always enjoy seeing all the people we have met over the years through politics.

I also had my picture taken with the GOP Elephant!

Captain America: Civil War - Movie Night

My younger sister and I went to the movie Captain America: Civil War this past week. There was one quote from the movie that really stood out to me and I wanted to share it with you.

"Compromise where you can. Where you can't, don't. Even if everyone is telling you that something wrong is something right. Even if the whole world is telling you to move, it is your duty to plant yourself like a tree, look them in the eye, and say, 'No, you move'."

It seems to me that these days everyone feels the need to compromise. I believe that there are some things we can't compromise on. My faith, my values, and my convictions are things I cannot compromise on. Often times, it is not easy. But God calls us to take a stand! I am learning this lesson and I am sure there is still much to learn! 

Visiting the Captiol and Friends - May 17, 2016

It was such a great day today! My mom, sister, and I headed down to our Capitol to visit our legislators and friends before session ends for the year. It is a busy time of year for them as they only have about one week left. Please remember to pray for your legislators! They work hard!

Our Capitol in MN is currently under construction...  I took these pictures on my phone so they aren't great, but I wanted you to be able to take a peek at it.

 

They are also working on the outside of the Capitol building. Here is one of the cranes lifting something onto the Capitol.

 

While there is very limited public access we were able to get a pass to visit the House Chamber and visit some of our representatives.

We also were able to visit a friend that has cancer. It was such a blessing to visit with her and her mom. The t-shirt I have on says "Not all cancer is pink". Many times we see the pink ribbons that represent cancer, but there are so many different forms of cancer and her t-shirts are raising awareness for that!

 

It was such a blessing to be around so many people that share the same passions. Many of the friends we visited with share our Christian faith and I really felt encouraged after spending time with them. One of my friends reminded me that home is where Jesus is and we are also at home when we are with other believers. It was a great reminder!

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

 Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

Indiana! May 8-13, 2016

On Mother's Day, May 8, my dad, mom, younger sister, and I left for Indiana! My dad had a work convention and we girls went with just for fun! We love road trips, so it was a fun ride out there and back. While there we went exploring and did a lot of walking in downtown Indianapolis. (Actually, we walked eight miles one day and 12 the next, 20 miles in two day!)

The view from our hotel window

By the Indiana State House

Also from our hotel window

The canal that we walked along

I Love Words!

I really do love words, but, whether good or bad, they have a very powerful affect on me. They can lift me up, or tear me down. 

If you have ever heard of The Five Love Languages* (book by Gary Chapman), you may have heard that one of the "languages" is words of affirmation. Whenever I take the love languages test*, that is the one that comes up highest. 

Yesterday was a good reminder of just how much words impact my life. 

Yesterday morning, my family received some very hard news, news we may have predicted, but, nevertheless, it was still hard news to get. Of course, that news came through words. It was like someone stuck a knife in you. It cut right into my heart... Those words hurt...

Yesterday morning, I also posted my last blog post about my sabbatical on Facebook. I wasn't sure what the response would be. I wasn't sure if I would want any responses. But this time God used words to completely bless me. I didn't receive any negative response. Everyone was so supportive and it was such an encouragement to me. I felt like it was just one more affirmation that I was doing what God has asked of me. 

While yesterday certainly had its ups and downs, I certainly saw how words affect me. 

Another "down" was going to a funeral of a young women who was only years older than me. It was hard. One of the family members spoke and he reminded us just how short life is and to remember to tell those around you, "I love you". He encouraged the listeners to call an old friend or reconnect with a family member. Those words resonated with me. 

Finally, after all that happened yesterday, we went to run some errands and decided to go to the new Hobby Lobby store that just opened nearby. The place was filled with words! I love all the signs and plaques that they have. I went up and down the aisles reading the words and was so encouraged. The words filled my heart.   

All this brings me back to the Word, the most important word, Jesus Christ. In John 1:1, it says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” I love that we can point it all back to the Word, to God. He has created each one of us and not one the same. I am so glad He created me to love words and that I have the privilege to love the Word and be loved by Him. 

Do you love words? 

What is your love language?*

*Link to the Five Love Languages: http://www.5lovelanguages.com

My Sabbatical - A Leap of Faith

A new season of life.

Change.

Going outside of my comfort zone.

A challenge.

A leap of faith. (It is leap year after all!)

With the encouragement and blessing of my parents, peace from God, and the desire for change, growth, and something new, I am setting out on a new season in my life.

I am taking a personal sabbatical.

There have been many things leading up to this decision. I have felt so many affirmations in my decision. This was truly a choice I made that was between me and God (and encouragement from my parents!). There have been road blocks, questions asked, doubts, and maybe even some tears at the possibilities of change, of going outside my comfort zone. I like my comfort zone. After all, it is pretty comfy there, but in the end, staying in my comfort zone will not lead to growth for me. So here I go; I have taken a leap of faith.

According to Merriam-Webster, a sabbatical is defined as: a period of time during which someone does not work at his or her regular job and is able to rest, travel, do research, etc.

So I am going on a sabbatical. Today, was officially my last day at work. (I worked at a great job and loved my co-workers. I will definitely miss them and their fun nature.)  Leaving my job was a hard choice to make. I left behind good people, pay, and benefits. But I believe there is so much more to life than just money. I want to go experience more of the world. I want to rediscover my passions. I want to live with no regrets. One thing I keep thinking about is that my grandpa always said that he wished he could have done more. When he was in his last years of life, he continued to encourage all of his family to travel and do things while we still could.

The truth comes down to the fact that none of us know how much time we have left on this earth. We could have decades, years, days, or even minutes. But I believe each one of us was put here for "such a time as this". I believe this is my time to do this. I want to do this while I am young, able, and have the resources to do so.

I know there will be more questions asked of me and, honestly, I have not been ready to answer these questions. This is not what the world would say is smart to do. In fact, I am not sure if all of my family and friends will agree with my decision, yet I have felt God is telling me to step out in faith. And I believe He will bless me for that.

I am planning on blogging about my journey, so please stay tuned for more information and feel free to comment below. God has already been doing big things in my life and I hope to share those things here soon. I have many plans for the summer and am excited to see how I can be used by God and how He will work in my life.
 

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 (NIV)