Captivated

Childlike Faith

Last night a missionary from North Korea came to speak at the children’s ministry where I teach. He spoke of the persecution of the people in North Korea, and the fight to spread the Gospel in a place where Christians are brutally persecuted.

Afterwards, one of the 2nd grade boys in my class sat and talked to me about the lesson for an entire segment of our night. He was very disturbed that the people didn’t have food. This part of our conversations struck me:

The boy - “What if we got a big backpack of food and took it to them?”

Me - “Well, they won’t let us in..”

The boy - “No, like a BIG backpack. One that’s bigger than this room! I mean, wouldn’t they be happy we helped their friends?” 

When I tried to explain more how difficult it is for outsiders to reach the North Korean people, he said to me, “Well, we have to do something. Isn’t someone going to do something?”

I was so struck by his childlike faith. So simple, yet so pure. It reminded me how we complicate things with “what if’s”, possible scenarios, feelings, or trying to plan everything out in certain steps… When all we need to do is act.

(Source: captivated-by-his-love)

Trying to teach my 2 and 3 year old nephews how to make mud pies and all they say is “Ewww! Gross!”

I ended up sitting there making the mud, while they brought water from the creek to wash my hands… and face… over and over again.

Goodness… :)

(Source: captivated-by-his-love)

I’m so happy for you!

Thank you!! :D

A project for summer? :)

This summer, I’m hoping I can do a woodworking project with my dad… I want to make a hope chest. We used to do woodworking together all the time, so it would be a great project.

I’m very sentimental. People don’t realize it so much, but I’m very much so. :) 

Read More

(Source: captivated-by-his-love)

RAOK Challenge .. Do it!!

Random
Act
Of
Kindness

Purposely look for an opportunity to bless someone (whether it be in a big or a small way) once a day, whether it be strangers, friends, or someone you’re not getting along with at the moment..

Obviously, we should be nice more than once a day. ;) But making a commitment to search for an opportunity a day to deliberately go out of your way to bless someone will do wonders, not only for others, but for you as well!

I mean, c’mon, we’re always reblogging posts about “One moment can change a life” or “do something adventurous each day” … Well, do it! Reblogging, talking about it, and wishing isn’t gonna do any good! Just DO IT!

Buy coffee for the person behind you in the line at Starbucks. That will start someone’s day out great! Get creative.. Get a handful of balloons at the dollar store and randomly give them out to kids in the store. I don’t know! Just do it! Make breakfast for a family member. Put an encouraging note on the bathroom mirror in the public restroom. That’s something I want to start doing. How many girls go in there to check their hair and makeup? Put a note that says “The reflection you see here doesn’t define you!” Even add a verse! Have a pack of sticky notes to stick up wherever you go. Instead of brushing people off, take the time to converse with the waitress who looks overwhelmed.

We live in a world that’s always in a rush. Slow down, take time to see people as people, not as your waiter, cashier, or person in front of you who can’t drive!! lol!  We live in a society that’s wrapped up in technology. Look around.. People are looking down at their phones to text, calling people, or checking their twitter. Face to face fellowship is soo rare, even when people are there. We feel alone.

Show people you’re different. See people as people.

In Acts 11:26, the Bible says that the Christians were called Christians, which means “little Christs.” They didn’t name themselves, proclaiming they were from God with nothing but empty words. The people around them recognized Christ in them.

Stand up. Live for Christ; don’t just talk about Him. Be more than a fan of Jesus; be His follower!

RAOK.. Do it!

(Source: captivated-by-his-love)

Praise Report!!

I haven’t been able to write the second part of my previous text post, because some things have happened the past couple days which are changing my schedule…

If you’ve kept up with my blog at all, you’ve heard me mention a few times about needing a job. I’ve been searching for months now, and I was getting pretty discouraged. It was especially hard, since I just wanted a part time job, not even looking for a “serious / career” one.

Well, I mustered the confidence to apply to this restaurant, which is known to have Christian influence. I hadn’t wanted to apply there. One, it IS fast food (even though it has totally higher standards than most), and two, there was a guy who “knew me” from my past there. He didn’t know me that well, but knew enough to potentially ruin my chances of getting a job.

I decided to go in anyways. I had to go through 4 steps. First, the man who overlooks the restaurants in the region picks out applications. I passed this step. Second, the hiring manager calls for a phone interview. I passed this step. Third, I had a face to face interview with the manager. I passed this step. Fourth, I had a face to face interview with the owner. I passed this step and am now hired.

The business is nothing like I had expected… They are so involved in the community, helping their employees, and training you for more than the business itself (I mean, obviously it isn’t rocket science). I had to commit to at least one year, though I don’t mind it at all now. The owner sat down and gave me an outline of how I can make my way up to management if I wanted. He even suggested going into the human resources part of the company, since I want to pursue Christian Counseling or ministry. Not only that, but the company has an agreement with the university that I want to take classes from, offering a 15 percent discount for online classes if you’re an employee there. Not only that! but the owner said he was impressed enough with my interviews to start me off with a higher wage, since he thinks I’ll complete the necessary training quickly.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This has all been happening over the past few days, and I’m still so stunned by God’s hand in this. I mean, it may seem like a small thing, but after so long of feeling like I was struggling with no avail it is so relieving, refreshing, and just warms my soul to know that God was working the whole time to lead me to this job.

Not only do I have a job now, but I also have a HUGE opportunity to do what I love - benefit the community, as in the people. I’ll not only learn how to work efficiently in task oriented stuff, but also in leadership. Not only do I have a paycheck, I will have a boss to help me reach my goals.

Hopefully, I’ll be working in a week and a half. There’s some training to do. :-)

I know we, as Christians, don’t always see God working. We have to have faith that He is always involved, tirelessly loving us, molding us, and making a way for us. Still, I absolutely love those moments where His plan just hits me in the face and it’s like WOW, YOU’VE BEEN BUSY GOD. Haha!

Anyways, I had to share. :)

(Source: captivated-by-his-love)