March Madness

March Madness is not just about basketball these days.  It has been a crazy and exciting month for me. I have been looking forward to our class on mission trips.  I am a planner so I was so ready to hear everything about Uganda so that I could start making plans and have goals to work toward.  We heard two testimonies of individuals that have been on mission trips.  These were very inspirational and gave great in site to what to expect, which is the unexpected. Mark gave us more information that I could process that day but it was very helpful to know why Journey Church chose these two countries and the relationships with each missionaries. There were two shocking moments during the class.  The first was when we were told that if we were given food by locals, no matter what it was or how sick it could make us, we would have to eat it.  Yikes!  The second was the new cost of the trip.  The cost went from $2500 to $3000 because of flight cost. This scared me because I didn't think that I could come up with that much more money. He told us how a man had his whole trip paid for by writing letters and asking for small donation of $12. This is something that I thought of but NEVER wanted to do.  How does the saying go??? "Never say Never." After considering the new cost, I knew I was going to have to come up with a way to get more money so I broke down and wrote the letter.  I only sent our around 30 and asked for $15 donations.  I was shocked that by the end of the week I had 2 checks - one for $50 and one for $25. This just goes to show how great God is and how he will provide for us.  

One of the greatest things to come out of the missions class is that my good friends Matt and Stacy are now considering to go to Uganda instead of Honduras!  It would be so awesome to have them there to share this experience.  Since I know they have a lot of money to raise, we had a discussion in our small group on ways to raise money and came up with some great ideas. It will be great to work together to raise money and split the proceeds.  I also have a jewelry show that one friend is donating her profits from and a yard sale that I am working on. It looks like the money planning is underway.  Now, I am on to getting all my shots and have found a friend who is a PA and she is going to help me with getting those covered by insurance to reduce my out of pocket expense. 

To top off this great month, Jimmy announced that April 17th is Arise Africa Day at Journey.  Godfrey and Joy are coming from Uganda!!  We are trying to raise $50,000 that weekend to give them to complete the second phase of the Orphanage. I am SO EXCITED to see them.  I have only seen them once in my time at Journey and I am looking forward their visit. 

There are just a few days left in this month and I can't wait to see what God brings.

Psalm 119: 33-37

Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees,
   that I may follow it to the end.
Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
   and obey it with all my heart.
Direct me in the path of your commands,
   for there I find delight.
Turn my heart toward your statutes
   and not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
   preserve my life according to your word.

Time to Party . . . . . Blog Party That Is!

How would people describe your personality? (If they could only use ONE word.) Are they right?

That's a tough one....ONE word? Giving/Caring - and I think they would be right. I try to always put others needs before mine and help anyone that I can.

What celebrity/celebrities would create a “Star-Struck” feeling if you saw them in real life?

I would be absolutely speechless if I saw Matthew McConaughey. 

Wouldn't you be if you saw this  :)

Who is your favorite blogger? Why?

I don't have a favorite blogger.  I don't follow that many blogs but I do love all the pictures that my friends Stacy and Jennifer post.

What is your comfort food/drink?

I love Coke.  I have loved it since I was a kid.  I don't usually keep it in the house because I will drink it all at once.

Be brave – tell us something very random and weird about yourself.

I have three tattoos and want more. I have two on my back and one on my wrist.  I believe that there is some crack-like substance in the ink that makes you addicted to them. 

Do you have a strong desire to do something you’ve never done? What is it?

 A mission trip which is happening this year!

 

Movies: Action, Drama, Romantic Comedy, Documentary, Comedy? What are your favorite genres?

Comedy and Romantic Comedy. I am a sucker for a girly movies or anything that will make me laugh until my sides hurt. 

Books: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Romance, Biographies, True Stories, Self-Help, Devotional/Study? What are your favorite types of reading material?

I like fiction - romantic novels or crime novels. Two totally different types but it depends on my mood.

Music: Funk, Rock, Country, Jazz, Classical, Film Score, Blues, Classic Rock, Crooner, Alternative, Heavy Metal, Techno? What are your favorite types?

I have diverse taste. I like anything as long as it's not opera. My I Pod has everything - Christian, Broadway, Rock, Hip Hop, Country and Big Hair Bands!

If you inherited a million dollars, what is the first thing you would do with your money?

Pay off debt! Not just my debt but others - the church, family and close friends.

Name one weakness of yours (confession is good for the soul).

PURSES!! All kinds but I LOVE the smell of Leather.

If you could live anywhere at all (and take all your loved ones with you), where would you go?

Somewhere in the Caribbean - Maybe Grand Cayman.  Somewhere where the beaches are white and the weather is tropical.

Strange Talent? Can you juggle basketballs, put your legs behind your head or perform some other strange feat?

Nope...at least none that I can think of.

What’s something you consider yourself to be good at? (Don’t worry, it’s not bragging, it’s acknowledging a God given gift).

Pool. I'm not the best but I can hold my own.  (It helps that I play each week in a league)

What is one of your favorite things to catch a whiff of?

Hyacinths 

When you leave a social gathering, do you wish: You would have talked more or You would have talked less?

Talked less and listened more.

If money wasn’t a factor, what stores would you shop in?

COACH (I mentioned the I LOVE purses, right?? I have a 4 drawer dresser in my closet that houses my purse collection)

What is your greatest fear or strange phobia?

I hate going down steps or up ones that you can see through the backs and snakes.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

Two things- 1.Surrendering to God.  I was saved at a young age but never knew what it was like to surrender and do what He wants and not what I want.  2. Finishing college.  It took me 14 years and attending 3 different universities but I finally finished.

What are your favorite animals?

For animals that you could own - I like dogs and horses. 

I like seahorses (even have a tattoo of one on my back). I liked them from the first time I heard that they males are the one that give birth. :)

Are you a hopeless romantic?

Nope. I tend to try to keep things in perspective and be that dreamy love struck type girl. Guess I don't want to get my hopes up and then be let down.

Now it's your turn to party down!