South Africa

I wrote this while I was in South Africa but never posted it...so enjoy!

Entering into a world unknown, I was bursting with excitement from anticipation. Always picturing myself in Africa surrounded by the helpless, in a place of desolation, I felt guilty flying 19 hours to reach this country knowing that was not my final destination.Desiring to at least get a glimpse of the reality of Africa and the pain this country suffers daily, my eyes were willing, but my heart not ready for the agony it would soon experience. It did not take me long to figure out that just because it is South Africa, and not Swaziland or Botswana, does not mean there is no one suffering and the needy are not present. 

My itinerary was suppose to go as follows: 9 hour flight to the Netherlands, 2 hour layover, and an 11 hour flight from the Netherlands to South Africa. My itinerary ended up being as follows: 9 hour fight to the Netherlands, 8 hour layover, 1 hour flight to Paris, 4 hour layover, and then FINALLY..the 11 hour flight to South Africa. WHy you may ask....An emergency landing was needed for a little boy with stomach obstruction. So, we turned the plane around and 1 hour after flying in the opposite direction of our destination, we land in Vancouver,Canada. God was pulling at my heart the entire time to pray for the little 4 year old boy. So, finally I stepped out in faith. Knowing I wouldn't regret it, I nervously walked over to the worried family from Uganda and asked if I could pray for him. To me, this was huge.. The first time I had ever bravely stepped out and prayed for a stranger. His crying increased as I began to pray and I thought Oh great...I wonder what this family is thinking. Which should not matter..but anyway...eventually his crying died down. Was he healed instantly? No, it was one of those things where you plant the seed and have faith for the harvester.I believe that Jesus healed that little boy. I believe that as soon as he got to the hospital the doctors found nothing. But more than that, I believe that was the first step for me walking in fearlessness.  

Sometimes in life we pray for things and nothing happens.( that WE see at least) And, sadly, even more times, that means we  give up.We give up in perseverance. We give up in hope. We give up in believing. Whether it be for someone dear to us to change and live their life on the RIGHT path. Or, maybe we are praying for something in our own life to change. Whatever it is, we can't give up. We CANNOT give up. Whether it is seen in the natural world or not, things are happening. As soon as those prayers are lifted up, Heaven gets busy... Whether we are the planter or the harvester, we must continue in faith, knowing things are being done, whether we see it or not. 

Maybe this was the reason I couldn't get the 4 other flights I tried to get for days. Maybe those prayers were the only ones that little boy would have. All I know is, the extra 24 hours it took to get to South Africa was COMPLETELY worth it for this short 10 minute experience. And plus, I got to go to Paris!...where I ended up getting lost and stepping into Paris without even going through immigration or customs...hmm...oh and not to mention the airport in the netherlands was incredible!! It had a huge place with recliners to sleep and a mediation center and tons of other really cool stuff!.... When we were finally on our way to South Africa I was in the aisle seat,sadly. However! The girl with the window seat asked if I would want to switch and I smiled,said a huge thank you to Jesus, and quickly accepted her request! At the end of the flight I noticed the African woman sitting next to me trying to read my Heidi Baker book with me, Compelled by Love. With an occasional head nod, I noticed her interest. I gave her the book and believed God would use it in not only her life, but her family's life and even her communities life in a tremendous way! 

Then...South Africa! After making my way through the airport, there they were...waiting and very excited! The kids jumped over the divider to run and hug me..welcomed with love.

Going Forward by overcoming

On my way back to Auburn I noticed a really big hill. Countless times I have driven up this hill and yet today I just realized its intensity. Or maybe for a brief moment God intensified the extent of this hill in order to reveal to me this lesson..

Through life often times we feel like we are going up this gigantic hill. We can't see what the tops view reveals and whats in store on the other side or even if it will be worth the strength to make it to the top.What happens if we don't make it? What happens if we do? What happens if we get to the top and realize we have been climbing up a small anthill the whole time.The beauty in life is its unpredictability. Never knowing what the next moment in life will hold or release, is part of the ride. Life brings pain, its inevitable. I know I have had to travel up many big hills. Many unpredictable, strenuous, painful hills. And, just when I felt as though I was running out of gas, my Savior pulled, pushed, and gave me the physical,mental, and spiritual strength I needed to succeed.

If we rely solely upon ourselves, small anthills will be a challenge. But as long as we depend on His strength, the biggest mountains in our life will even be conquerable! Sometimes we do not realize that He sends us people in our lives as well,to go with us on the journey to overcoming our weaknesses,our mountains. We were not created to do everything on our own. Vulnerability is scary at first. But, once you realize that weakness is beautiful, that scariness starts to fade. Everyone is going through something in their life. Whether it is right now, in the past, or the future..and, no matter how much we pretend like we have it all together, we don't. Nobody does. If we strive to become who God wants us to be, and seek after overcoming our struggles, weakness becomes beautiful. He will take you, who are burdened and heavy laden, and will give you rest. No one is perfect. NO ONE! Only our Daddy in Heaven who sets the perfect example for us to follow.... And, no one can do it on their own.

I guess the point of this note is to be bold. When you feel like you are struggling with getting to the top of your mountain, call on Jesus. He will help. And, chances are, there is also at least one person in your life who would like to do the same for you. Don't be afraid. It's surprising the response you may get once you ask for some advice or help..or even prayer. If nobody knows you need it, nobody can help you get through it. We are all human. And, we are all trying to imitate our Father. So, be bold. Ask that person in your life, whom you can trust, to help you overcome your mountain... in the end, you might just realize it was just a small anthill.

New beginnings? Fresh starts? Back to the basics...

If you get nothing out of this note at least read the last few paragraphs.."Begin...start...commence...open... There's something refreshing and optimistic about these words, whether they refer to the dawn of the day, the birth of a child, the prelude of a symphony, or the first miles of a family vacation. FREE OF PROBLEMS AND FULL OF PROMISE, beginnings stir hope and imaginative visions for the future."

   As a prelude to my study Bible, this quote is referring to the book of Genesis. The book of Genesis starts out with a beautiful pure world being created by a Holy God. Genesis, "reveals the person and nature of God( Creator, Sustainer, Judge, Redeemer); the value and dignity of human beings(made in the God's image,saved by grace, used by God in the world); the tragedy and consequences of sin (the fall, separation from God, judgment); and the promise and assurance of salvation (covenant,forgiveness, promised Messiah)."

Genesis. The beginning. Free of pain, free of sin(well at least in the beginning). However, it was not free of temptation.  The whole point of creation was to build a beautiful place with beautiful people to be able to share in the fellowship and  Holiness of God..with CHOICE. Bathed in innocence, creation was shattered by the fall.This note is that of a lead towards a redemption that is easily obtained.

With Easter just passing, God was showing  me how He wants to bring us all back to that place. He wants to all takes us back to the Genesis in our lives before the fall from temptation led us spiraling downward. Maybe you don't remember what it was that took you away from the purity in your heart, and maybe there has been a situation in your life that you think you will never be free of. But, whatever the case may be there is a God that wants to allure you unto Him. He wants to lead us tenderly into the desert and give us back our most prized possession, and here he will turn what meant for death into a beautiful life everlasting. Here we will sing and rejoice just as we did before our lifeless days- Hosea 2:15 paraphrased. 

Gods longing is to take us back into the place in our life where we were once proud of ourself. The place that held no guilt or shame. The place that echoed back His love into the world so that the lost and the dying could see a glimpse of life. The place where we ourself felt life. A place full of happiness, love and compassion. His desire is for ALL of His children to find this escape from life's hard reality to a place where nothing can shake off His joy!

His death was meant to cover our shame and sin and bring us back to our Genesis! Every person has their own Genesis, their own fresh beginning. At some point we all become someone we hate. Maybe you remember yourself as a child so free and happy and full of the love God placed in you. God can renew you and bring you back to that place of innocence. Maybe you find that your heart has hardened to the point of being compassionless for people. God can turn your heart into complete mush to where it breaks over those that are hurting, no matter who it may be. Maybe you find that no matter how hard you try you cant seem to ever be enough. God can show you that he created you with the perfect intention of using you! And He will!

Do some soul searching. Find out where you were before the fall and give it all up to your Father.He will take you above and beyond what you ever thought you could be. When you find yourself surrounded in the new Genesis beware of the temptations, for they will still come. But with God, everything is conquerable. Genesis 4:7 "For if you do right will you not be accepted? But if you do not do right sin is crouching at your door and its desire is to have you, but you must master it."We are all good people, we just lose our way and our hearts harden to the love our God is so desperately waiting to give away.

"Come now, let us reason together,says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." Isaiah 1:18. Stop making it harder than it has to be.

In the midst..

Our Father knows when we will breathe our last. He knows our hearts,our desires, and our weaknesses. He knows what still lays on the line and what needs to be accomplished spiritually before our time comes. He will reach out to us with the urgency of preparation. It is just a matter of who is listening, a matter of how long it takes to hear.

For my Uncle Charlie, it took his whole life to be able to listen. He knew and he heard, but never quite listened to that which he was hearing. But, just a few months before his death (or should I said his rebirth into life in its most extravagant form), on April10,2011, he actually heard AND listened. He was faced with a situation that reminded him of how he had lived his life and the hurt others may have felt because of it. He was able to come to grips with his walk with God and smooth out all the imperfections. Looking at his life, he gave all his failures to God. He picked up this newly found love given to him by our Savior and he ran with it.

We all prayed for healing in his body. Even someone on life support can be healed with one word from our Fathers mouth. If my uncle was suppose to be healed, he would have been. No doubt about it. We experienced another family losing their loved one as we waiting in the CCU waiting room. The first thing we expressed to them was love. Without words, we simply loved. We hugged and we cried with the hurting. Sometimes all we need is that kind of love. Not a love that looks at you for what you have done or who you are. But Gods kind of love that looks at who you CAN be. He sees the potential in all of us and will not stop loving.

In the midst of this incredibly hard time God has reached out with that love. In fact I feel as though he has used this hard time and strengthened me. Do I feel as though that place in my heart that my uncle CHarlie held has been filled? No. He was a father to me. But, I do know that with time, all things will heal. God has blessed me with the most amazing family and friends. I am at a lost for words when it comes to expressing my thanks for all the thoughtfulness that has been shown.

Experiencing the death of a loved one could be one of the hardest realities I have ever had to face. Not only did my Uncle have his heart attack that Wed., but I also found myself hurrying down the stairs at our school to help with providing aid to the wounded. Im sure I am not the only one who can say they never thought they would be placed in a situation as this. Placed. I feel as though God had me at school as the shooting took place. Not only was I able to provide aid to the wounded, but I was able to see how strong one can be with the help of the Lord. Was it hard looking into the eyes of a woman and seeing lifelessness? Yes. Extremely.

I feel as though I have been surrounded with death these last few weeks. And, in a sense I have been. But, I learned that no matter the situation, God is right there. In the midst of brokenness, HE is whole. In the midst of sadness, HE is joy. In the midst of exhaustion, HE is the energy we need. He is everything we need to be completed and brought into perfection; and, it is NEVER to late to achieve it. Just as my uncle did 2 months before his passing, we too can achieve that which we have longed for our entire life.

I say all that to say this, life is incredibly short. God's word and the love of our Savior is way too extravagant to be keep to ourself. People around us are dying everyday. Evaluate your life and who you are and who you can be. Dont look at yourself in shame for all you've done. Look at yourself the way God looks at you. Spread the word. Share the love.

My uncles last note he wrote in his Bible was as follows," Constant prayer,keep praying until answer comes. The proud shall be humbled and the humbled shall be proud."

Our Proposal Story

Even though it was a little over 7 months ago, I am reminded of this life-changing story everyday I look at my hand. I realized I did not ever put this on my blog so I decided I would share...

Let our story unfold with my beautiful boyfriend ...wait wait wait... fiance. There we go : ) .....

♥Ethan Daniel Spivey called our Pastor last week sometime and told him his plans and hopes. With much excitement, a secret agreement was made that would end up taking place Sunday morning at Solid Rock, August 29th 2010...aka my 21st Birthday!! That morning Pastor Jay was preaching on "The One". Not necessarily "the one" and the only one that God has made for each person to share this life with, but it was able to be turned around for an awesome twist at the end of service! I kind of had a suspicion that it was going to happen that morning. But, when it didnt happen before church, or the "meet and greet" time, or after announcements I was beginning to wonder! I had to force myself to pay attention and listen to the amazing message over all my self-consuming thoughts. I mean they were driving me crazy with anticipation and wonder!

♥Once we were bringing all the names up to the altar of "the one" person in our life that we would interceed for and pray over, Pastor Jay said,"Once you have brought the card up and layed it on the altar, please return back to your seats and remain standing for one last announcement." Finally!! I knew it had to be it! Thump thump. Thump thump thumpthumpthumpthump!! My heart was going crazy! Ethan kept such a good straight face though! Once everyone was back in their seats, Pastor Jay said, " Well, we have someone here who wants to share their testimony about HOW they FOUND their ONE. Ethan Spivey would you please come up"........... Frantically reaching for my purse trying to get my camera out......nervously listening....heart melting.......so many things happening....life changing. Once Ethan was on the stage..in front of at least 300 people...he uttered the sweetest words I have ever heard any man speak...except Jesus of course. And, I'm sure every woman who has gotten engaged would argue that their significant others words were sweeter..but these words were the sweetest words to me..and were spoken straight to me!..straight to my soul.These words were as follows.. "One of the amazing things about God is that I didn't have to search for my one, instead He brought her to me. And I knew from the first time I saw her that I was going to pursue after her with all of my heart.And, I've been waiting a long time for this day. Elizabeth Wright, would you please join me on this stage?" With my hands shaking, a heart about to beat out of my chest, and trembling knees, I made my way as best I could up to that stage where the rest of my life awaited me. Barely able to utter the "Will you marry me"..Ethan got down on one knee and looked at me with his watery brown eyes. And, in those watery brown eyes, I saw assurance. I saw a deep love and peace. I saw Jesus, commitment, and excitement.I saw.... the rest of my life! The rest was kind of a blur. I think I said yes? haha! All I remember is jumping up and hugging him : ) Making it the best birthday I have EVER had!! And the rest is History!

...tonight I was asking Ethan about it and..well...he said I grabbed the ring out of the box before he could get the chance to put the ring on my finger...guess I was too excited. haha

♥ Thank you ALL for all your encouragements,advice, support, and congratulations so far! It really means ALOT to us! Just like it says in Matthew, "Out of the abundace of the heart the mouth speaks" Let me end with the famous passage of 1Corinthians 13:4-8. Don't just read it without digestion. Read each sentence and think about what it truly means, letting it speak to your heart.

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1Cr 13:8 LOVE NEVER FAILS.

♥ Everyones prayers are greatly appreciated. We dream to speak to the mountains and expect their movement. We dream to reach out to this world with love, forgiveness and hope. From the words of Ethan, "It is our goal to respect the traditions of the church and, with creativity, transform the traditional evangelical methods to reach this modern culture. Just as Jesus showed us, we have to meet the people where they are.First, I believe that we are to love all people, whether they feel unlovable or undeserving of love. Secondly, we are to forgive all people, showing forgiveness whether they feel unforgivable or are unable themselves to forgive. Finally, we are to have hope in those who have lost all hope in themselves, and most importantly, to direct them towards God’s endless love, forgiveness, and hope for the future."

♥We love you all. Thank you so much for making this incredible time! There will be video up soon hopefully!

The simple greatness of a moment

As I was looking through some of my old writings, I found this from a few years ago..and with this current state of rain I figured it appropriate..

Whenever there are days like today..days when the rain either makes you want to: one- run through the rain and escape the present state of reality or two- lie around and contemplate things,listening to the peaceful quiet sound that it brings to Earth. Well, at least those are two of the side effects that rain has on me ..

Anyway, as I am getting onto the tiger transit (absolutely drenched from the rain; already in that contemplative state) I begin to look for an empty seat. Luckily, there is one seat left, in the very back next to some girl on her cell phone just talking away, not even enjoying the wonder and greatness of the rain. Right before the bus was about to take off another girl came onto the bus. However, she was not as lucky as I-she would have to stand..the whole ride.

Minutes passed and a very generous guy got up and kindly offered her his dry seat. This simple moment almost brought me to tears. I really wanted to stand up and hug that guy. Not only because he was attractive, but because he, unlike any other self-absorbed guy on that bus just took one look at this average girl and did not think twice about her not having something as simple as a seat. But, this guy who could probably have any girl he wanted even if he were the biggest jerk in the world cared that this unknown average girl did not have a seat...and it mattered. And, it got me to thinking, why don't we all care about each other that way. No matter how average or strange. No matter how poor or rich. Just us being us...helping one another in need even if nothing comes in return.

Never Alone

Time spent being around people you can have fun with, people you can be yourself with, and people you feel you could cry with, are the most priceless moments in life. Feeling as though I had no one to turn to or to make these amazing moments with, after a while I felt I had no reason to look at life through colorful eyes, so I figured...why not turn to the only one who has been there for me through everything. Even when I, the one He loves, turns my back upon Him, He remains constant. Even through messing up, time and time again. Through sadness.Laughter. Bad days and good... Why not turn to my God who loves me and adores me. And, in doing so, I have been sent some amazing people and have not laughed more in my entire life,than I have in these past couple of days. And, for Him, I have to thank for that :)