Purpose Driven with Passion

Even when I'm at my best, it is not because of me, it’s him (God) that is within me. It is all for his glory, not mine. When I think about how big God is, that he can hold our galaxy in the palm of his hand, and I am but a minuscule dot compared to that and yet he loves me and longs to have a relationship with me. That is humbling. Michelangelo's painting of God reaching out to humanity tells it all. God gave us free will, yet he reaches with every muscle in his body to be with us and all we have to do is lift one little finger to close the gap. The words to my favorite song.... Aware by Salvador Even in the little things that never seem to big to me In the things I thought didn’t matter much at all As simple as my daily bread To the strength I need to get out of bed When I fly or when I am bout to fall Oh it's you in me that I fail to see Make me aware, make me see That everything I am is not all about me So Take my world and turn it around So that the obvious can finally ...

Just thought I'd share a little humor with everyone...... I had been wanting a leather tooling kit for some time, so that I could make leather wrist bands like the one I bought in Swaziland. My plan was to learn to do this and then show the ladies at El Shaddai how to make them. So Rob bought one for me for Mother's Day. I was so excited to get started and of course didn't prepare, I just wanted to make one. It was going great and I enjoyed pounding away on the lettering to imprint the leather, it was a great stress reliever, as my week had been very trying. Anyhow needless to say my kitchen table now has "El Shaddai" stamped into the wood! Bright side..... El Shaddai means God Provides, I guess I'll remember to say grace. And I actually hated that table until now! It may be a keeper!

It's been a few months since I updated my blog so here I am preparing to go back to Swaziland.. and this time I'll be taking with me a few of my dearest friends. I'm really looking forward to seeing Futhi. It'll also be great to see Busicewe, & Cali and Charmaine. It's still more than a year out, but our first meeting will be this Sunday, which makes it more of a reality. I signed Rob up to go, only he don't know it yet. I guess we'll see if he reads my blog. Maybe he'll find out when I tell him to park in long term parking at the airport. j/k

Day 1- January 15, 2008 Our team arrived at Bishop Airport at 11:30 am. Our families stayed for awhile visiting and then we said our goodbyes. Braden usually cries when we leave each other and it always breaks my heart, but this time was much harder as I have never been away from him for more than a few days. As Ashley walked away with a crying Braden in her arms, I started to cry too, which if you know me; you know that’s not uncommon. Some people look at crying as a weakness, but I believe it is a great strength. Crying always makes me feel better, not only is it cleansing but it also feels as good as screaming to the top of your lungs when you’re frustrated. After the goodbyes were said, we went on to our gate, but of course before we could get there; we had to go through security. It was pretty funny; the two young ones of our team Krista and Lisa went through like they knew the protocol and it was just part of their daily routine. Then along come me and Tammy, the two that “had th...

Swaziland is an amazing place with wonderful, loving, kind hearted people that have a true love for the lord. I find it heartwarming to see people that physically have nothing, yet are so hospitable and willing to give you what little they do have. The one thing I notice here is that there is a whole generation that is missing, they don't exist, and many have died from aids. Children are living with their Grandparents or in home's where no adults exist. Many are sick and without proper nutrition or medical care. My heart breaks. The children at El Shaddai tugged at my heart and the orphanage is an amazing place with two very beautiful, kind hearted people that started it and continue to care for these children like their own. Amazing seems to be my new- often used word. My biggest fear right now is that there aren't any words big enough to describe my experience in Swaziland or the wonderful people there. I have truly fallen in love with this place and it has brought me clo...

Swaziland Arrival- We arrived in Swaziland about 2:00 in the afternoon. Pastor Dale and Jennifer Willson(with Free Methodist World Missions) were there to pick us up. We went to the church that New Covenant built in Manzini and met Busisewe (her and her husband Vasco live next to the church which is on the same property). We also met several children that live in the village and attend the church. It is a custom in Swaziland to greet your guest by singing to them. This video is of Busisewe and the children of the village greeting us. Every time I see it, I want to be there. Each child then shared something about themselves. These children are very intelligent, and they have hopes and dreams for their future. I see a definite poverty here, not like you see in the United States though. Many of these children live in homes without electricity, some live in homes where their are only children living, some may have not eaten that day yet they have an innocent hope in their faces and they w...