What a phenomenal way to end VBS! Our original goal for the week long offering was $2,500. When we surpassed that goal on Thursday they set a new goal for $3,000. How amazing it was to hear the kids cheer when this total came up! Love to see little hearts realizing the importance of giving. One of the best things about the offering is part of the funds will be buying French Bibles for Brussels and the other part will be used at the after school program at Wherry Housing. Both are programs that I am involved in so I am extra excited about that!

Another beautiful thing about this week was an opportunity to spell out God's plan of salvation in a new way. It was my first year as a Bible station leader so I got to do this, talk about emotions! It was presented as God loving us and providing a way for us to be in His family, forever! I loved the idea of family, it was simple and easy for the kids to understand. I am humbled by the chance to be used by the God who saved me to reach out to children that I love.

What a wild, fun and amazing week. It may just be our last VBS in America and I am so happy that we all got to enjoy it and serve together as a family.

God is good!

This is our "baby" Chewie. He became very sick last weekend. Monday morning when Rob brought him to the vet we realized just how serious it was. His white blood cell count was almost non existent. He was dehydrated and unable to stand. In short he was dying and no one knew why. In my life I know of instances where God has stepped in and worked in a powerful way. At 18 I fell asleep and drove a car off the road. The car was totaled, I was fine. At 16 weeks fetus Ruthie was in trouble. There was bleeding and it appeared that my water had broke. She was delivered on her due date totally healthy. God is powerful.

Back to Chewie, I can not over exaggerate the amount of prayer that went on in this household, or tears. To hear the tender prayers of a six year old who knows that God can save his puppy. It was heart wrenching and I'm not going to lie I was asking God to help me explain to him if Chewie didn't make it. How could I even doubt that God knew what would happen and He was in control. After two long nights at the vet, iv's and antibiotics and tests, the miracle happened. Our puppy started to recover as quickly as he got sick. The vet said we may never know what caused his illness or even what it was. I KNOW that this was an opportunity for my family to pray, to seek God and to build faith in the One that we have given our lives to. Tonight I am thanking God for His love and mercy.

I would like to say to those of you who are unsure about your life, your worries, your problems. You can trust God to help you with it all. Now He wont answer all your prayers the way you want, trust me I have had disappointments. I know though that every prayer is answered and He is always in control. When it wasn't the answer I wanted He graciously came alongside and comforted me.

This God that I serve is amazing. Someday I will have the honor or serving Him in a country that is growing in its darkness, until then I will serve Him right here in Smyrna, TN. The best news? He wants you to be a part of His plan too! Trust Him, it is more than worth the trade!

5 Things Jesus Did to Convince Others He Was God

1. Positioned Himself as a servant

Matthew 20:28 "even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many"

2. Jesus functioned as a Shepherd

John 10:10-14"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

3. Jesus related as a friend

John 15:5 "I am the vine and you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing"

Lazarus "Jesus Wept" John 11:35 He wants us to see how he loves us

4. Jesus attracted sinners

Matthew 9:9-13 "As Jesus passed by there He saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and He said to him, "Follow me". And he rose and followed Him.", "Those who are well have no need for a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice. For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

Jesus was comfortable with sinners and they were comfortable with Him. We must offer grace and mercy. Zacchaeus (Luke 19:10)

5. Jesus spoke with authority

Luke 4:31-32 "and they were astonished at His teaching for His word possessed authority"

God has put us here to point people to Christ.

How? Do what He did.

Invest and Invite

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Belgium

In the past 23 months I've learned a lot about what it means to follow God. Besides a two year lesson in patience I've learned that God has quite the sense of humor! Case in point, the discovery that our California marriage license was never filed meaning legally we weren't married. Two 2 hour premarital classes and an April Fools Day Wedding later it's official. But the workings of God is in the details, we met some terrific people in th e classes and had the opportunity to share our journey with many people because of the great story a do over wedding makes! It also was a special thing to really understand the vows as we said them and to have a whole new set of friends and family celebrate the second time around.

Becoming a part of His Story is an investment worthy of the time we have left here on earth. It seems only right to give to the One who has given us everything. So I am thankful tonight for His timing and His will. Watch out because the Laws are in it for the long haul and we are Belgium Bound!

Isn't it amazing how God's view is so much bigger than ours? We had this plan to go to Canada for spring break so that we could use the kids brand new passports. Our choices were Canada and Mexico and Canada far beat Mexico in safety. So here we are, north of the "border". Simple right? Turns out Canada is A LOT like Brussels. Big city very European feel. The kids have gotten a terrific lesson on how to move about in a big city. We've even heard French spoken around us and caught some pre-school aged cartoons au francais. I am amazed that we thought this would be a fun getaway and we have totally as a family had a lesson in being prepared for Belgium. What a God we serve! He never ceases to amaze me. How He loves and cares for us and never stops stretching our strengths and strengthening our weaknesses.

We've had a terrific time here in Toronto. Been to the zoo, walked around the city, visited the world's largest underground shopping center, walked around the city, ate at neighborhood restaurants, and yes walked around the city. This has been one of our better family vacations as we have grown as a family and team. Oh and yes pushed each other's buttons but that's okay because that's what family does!

The church should be passionate about the Glory of God.

I heard this statement this morning at church and was really moved by it. If, as a church we were passionate about only God's Glory how would we live differently? Would we be concerned about the music, the seating, what that girl is wearing? I don't think so. We would be consumed with the poor, the broken hearted and the people who need His light. Because the more we shine His light the more people come to know and love Him. The more people who know and love Him the more Glory He receives. I want to be about the business of making His name famous. I want the people I know and love to know and love Him too.

Another statement that stuck with me this morning...Jesus you are ALL to me. Do you know this Jesus?

Do you want to? Have I got a story for you!

Psalm 117:1 Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! 2 For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!

Praising Him today for the send off for our faithful friends Dan and Liz. LifePoint Church is sending out another family to shine God's love into a dark corner of the world that is needing the Hope that only Jesus brings. We are excited for The Christensen's but even more excited for the people of Belgium who will be touched and changed forever by the sacrifice they are making. We love you guys like crazy and look forward to the amazing things God is going to do through you.

Bon Voyage!