What if.....

I am starting this blog of again with a crazy idea that I would love input on.

But first I want you to see a video......if you haven't already. In the video is Phil Robertson (from Duck Dynasty), his son, and his grandson. In it is an amazing story about love, family and one's journey to Christ.

Phil Robertson

Just click the link above and it will take you to the video. I understand it is a long video but it is completely worth the time.

So what has this video done for me. Well it has got me thinking.

As Christian's we are told to go out and spread the good news of Jesus Christ. We are to go out and speak of how Jesus can transform lives and change who we are. We preach to those that will listen, and though weekends like Cursillo, or Acts, or Happening, or Vocare; we can hear other Christians talk about the good news of Christ.

But what if we changed what we talk about. What is we like Phil, and Jeb, and Reed, talk about our pitfalls that brought us to Christ, or even our stumbles in our walk with Christ. We can show a side of Christ that many of us would rather not discuss, not because we don't want people to know but because it hurts to tell our story.

About a year ago I met a women that would change my views on Christians and what we say to others. This women was one patient that I can say transformed my life. You see this woman, let's call her Sally, was on the oncology floor in my last semester of nursing school. Sally was honest in the fact that she was sure that this hospital stay would most likely be the last she had but she kept a smile on her face that would light up the whole floor. Everytime I would walk into her room she would smile and ask how my day was going. If I seemed flustered Sally would reach for my hand and look at me, smile, and say "just breath you are doing great, I can wait, just take a moment for yourself." And for those of you that are a nurse or know a nurse, you understand how much those words can mean to someone.

One of my last days on the floor, Sally was in her room as always. But something was different this day. On this day, prior to heading to the hospital, I had decided that I would start wearing my Fishers of Men bracelet again. I had worn it in semesters before but for some reason as much when I was on the oncology floor. As I walked through the ward and entered Sally's room, I was greeted with a smile and the usual morning chatter. But today as I was hanging her IV fluids, Sally asked if I had a bunch of patients today. When I had stated that I had a full workload but a few had gone for procedures so at the moment I was pretty relaxed, she asked if I minded talking to her for a while, to which I was more then pleased to stay if she needed.

Sally and I then sat and discussed when Christ had entered my life. She talked about how when she saw my bracelet she just smiled knowing what that symbol means to many people out there and how it is a symbol of our journey with Christ. We talked about how Christ can be seen through people and through people's actions. But then she asked a question, the question that made me rethink things:

Why do Christians sometimes feel that we can only share the good times in our walk with Christ?

Wow. I was speechless. She went on to talk about that in her church she always heard about the good things in the life of Christ, and how he can better your life. She said that rarely would she hear the stories about the climbs people had to fight, or the dark times and how it strengthened their lives, or even when people felt as if Christ wasn't in their lives but how in the end they would see he was constantly there.

Every relationship has it's ups and downs. Every set of siblings fight, every couple has good days and bad days, every parents-child relationship has its moments; so what makes our relationship with Christ and God any different. It has it's up and downs too. Yet as Christians, some of us like to hide this dark moments, thinking that if we tell ours about the downs in our relationship with Christ, then we won't be as "good" as a Christ loving person as we thought we were.

To which I say.......WRONG!

I truly and completely believe that the bad times I have had in my life have made me a stronger Christian and have a stronger love for my Savior. And I completely believe that I should share the good, the bad, and the ugly in terms of my life with Christ.

So this is where I have this crazy idea that I would love input in.

As I was thinking about Sally and her thoughts, and my own journey with Christ, I had this idea of a way for all Christians to have a way to share the good, the bad, and the ugly of there journey. What if there was a place to completely discuss all aspects of our faith with others. It could be completely nameless so no one would know who went through what. It could be a place to discuss faith journeys, have a prayer wall, be opened for discussion from other denominations about what they believe in a safe and non judgmental place. Would people use this? Would Christians enjoy having a place to learn, and pray, and discus, and see all sides of the Christian Faith? I honestly dunno but I would love if I could start something that could change how people see Christians.

I guess the thing that Sally and Phil really showed me is that just because we are Christians, doesn't mean we have perfect lives and that is something, as Sally stated, that not everyone on the outside sees.

I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. – Philemon 1:6 (NIV)

 So go out and spread the word. Questions what would happen if we shared our faith stories; the good, the bad, and the ugly. Ask what would happen if we reached across denominations  to create were we are free to discuss, pray, and grow as Christians, not as Catholics, Episcopalians, Baptists, Methodists, or whatever any others out there. We we can grow as the BODY of Christ not just the individual parts. 

God Bless! 

When the Darkness closes in Lord, Still I will say......

.....Blessed be your name!!!


In today's world, every time we turn on the TV something new and horrific has happened. Recently the storms in Oklahoma, continued war, people losing their jobs, shootings, bombings, you name it is has prolly happened in the past year. And yet I smiles.

You see the other day I was driving in my car with the windows down and jamming out to one of my many burned CDs. I was singing along with this song came on.

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful 
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out 
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering 
Though there's pain in the offering 
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out 
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

Look at the lyrics and think about it. Yes stuff happens in this world that makes us want to turn away from Christ and from God but isn't that part of the journey. Even when there is suffering and pain we should praise Him and love Him. 

Now I know that it is hard to do this and it is difficult to love a God that allows so much pain and hurt in this world. But I really don't think that he is the cause of it.....what the heck am I talking about, well I will tell you. 

A few years ago, I experienced hurt and pain that I hope no one has to go through, and I honestly turned away from the church, my faith, and Christ. And I will admit that in that time my life was dark, something was missing. Things that brought me joy, now just brought me pain. I would have moments in the car where all I could do was cry. I questioned my calling in life. And I ultimately questioned who I was. I found myself settling in relationships, not caring what others thought, and becoming a royal bee-otch to those that I loved. 

After going along this path for a while, I met a priest that showed me the way back to the church and back to Christ and it was at this moment that I had a huge epiphany. Once I placed God back in my life, while the pain was still there, it suddenly became bearable. I walked with a smile on my face, I loved life, and I realized that even in the bad times He is still the Great I AM, He is the one that will never give me more then I can bear, and He is the one that loves me enough to carry me when I am weak and unsure of my ability to go on. 

God never promised that we wouldn't feel hurt, or fear, or pain, or suffering.....however he did promise to see us through all the bad until the day that we have Eternal Life in his glorious kingdom. The amazing thing is that even with pain, when you have Christ on your side the sun shines a little brighter, the grass is a little greener, the sky becomes a little bluer, and life becomes a glorious and beautiful journey towards what is to come. 

I have a story for you......

One day a caterpillar was walking through the leaves and the grass. He looked around and saw that everywhere in his little world was pain and destruction. The other caterpillar saw what he and his friends were doing, there was holes in everything from them eating, some caterpillars were crying because they were missing loved ones, they would say that climbed up the tree and never returned. The caterpillar became scared because he knew one day he too would have to climb up the tree but he loved his life on the ground and didn't want to see what the other side was about. He moved around slowly, fearing what was to come, he lost friends who went up the tree, and he cried for them. One day however, when the caterpillar was old, he started his journey up the tree. He was tired and was ready for things to be over. When he reached the top we wrapped himself up tightly and was ready for it all to be over. Days later, something happened, the caterpillar started to emerge from his safe home. He looked around and saw the amazing colorful wings on his back. He was astonished at what he saw. And as he took off for his first flight, he looked down at what was once his home and he smiled, what was once pain and destruction in his eyes had become a beautiful meadow full or green grass and wildflowers. He had made it through the pain and was blessed with the beauty that can only be seen in the skies above. 

Are we not little caterpillars in this world. The thing is we can continue to praise God and praise Jesus knowing that what we experience here is short term. YEs it hurts badly, but the beauty will show itself in due time and it will be glorious. 

In conclusion I just want to say this. 

To all those that lost loved ones, lost homes, and ultimately lost everything they have in Oklahoma. My prayers and I believe the prayers of all those reading this are with you. God be with you in this time. God be with the volunteers helping search for people and cleaning up. God be with the emergency response team as they work through the night. God be with those in pain and help them realize that the pain will go away slowly but that with you it is possible. God let them feel our love, let them feel your loving embrace, and let them know that they are not alone! 

AMEN 

God Bless 

The Changes in a Year

Just a note: I am sorry I haven't blogged in forever......it is amazing what can happen when you lose your password, who knew I had 3 different blogs on blogspot. Oh well I am back and ready to role! 

The year that completely changed who I am now......

One Year......one year can change you forever. Don't believe me, then sit back and let me take you on a journey. 

Today, April 22, makes one year since my family gained another angel in Heaven. Heidi left us in this world to join her sister in heaven one year ago today, and one year ago today I stood in a church thinking that this can't be happening again and that this time might just break me. I fought off the darkness by keeping myself busy with school and church, I refused to sit down in the quietness for the fear that if I did I would lose what little sanity I have left. But today and the weeks that followed completely changed me in an amazing way. 

  

In the weeks after the loss of my niece, I struggled but with the help of those around my I survived and honestly become close to Christ, close to my family, and close to myself. Even in this tragedy I learned how to love life and the gift that is life itself. I spent the summer focusing on myself and on school. I would drive out the the beach to just enjoy a beautiful day, I learned how to relax and have fun, something that I was never really good at......and to be honest I still struggle with it sometimes. 

In August I got to start on a journey with a group of people I now consider family. I was honored to be a part of my first Cursillo team. You see in March of that year I went to Cursillo for the first time. In March, I had finally decided to go to Cursillo (and for those of you not in the Episcopal Church it is a four day spiritual weekend to help jump start your relationship with Christ or a way to further your relationship). The weekend I went to Cursillo, I experienced something that completely changed me. I become closer to Christ, I became closer to my family, and ultimately I became closer to myself. I learned how to love life again.....something that I had struggled with throughout college. And now I was able to be apart of the team that helped people have this same experience in November. I was beyond excited. I was hyper with God's love (I still think to this day some people are scared of me). I got to give a talk about Study, something that I have now fallen in love with. But something happened in November that I never expected..... 

During the Cursillo weekend in November, I learned a lesson that I will carry in my heart forever. That that weekend I learned that age should never define a person's journey with Christ. Age is just a number and everyone's experiences are different. I learned that everyone has a story, whether is just started a new chapter or just closed a chapter, everyone has a story. I learned that God places people in your life that you are beyond grateful for, people that you may only see a couple times a year but everytime you are with them is a time to remember. People that you can anything to and people that you can vent to and know that they will listen (even if it is a one in the morning and you have to be up at 6). I gained so much from that one weekend, but mostly I gained a family in Christ that I will always cherish. 

Flash forward to December, the time that I failed my first class ever. My first major failure in life. I honestly completely lost it, but looking back now I wouldn't change it for the world. You see God taught me an important lesson in that.......failure does not define who I am and who I will become. Yes it is a bump in the road but it does not alter the road itself. Failures are lessons, they help you learn how to be better, how to be strong, and ultimately how to overcome. I also learned that failure is something everyone will experience sooner or later and that you are never alone when it happens. I also learned that failure can open some amazing doors for you. 

So that brings us to January, my trip to the Dominican, which honestly was beyond life altering and too much to write her but if you really want to learn what I went through read my week of blogs about the trip. Trust me, it will be worth your time. 

So those are the big lessons, but what else have I learned in this year. Well, here let's list them out. 

1. I fear three things: 1. disappointing my mama, 2. angering my daddy, and 3. not being Christ's light in a dark world. 

2. A relationship should never define you, I am in the perfect partnership with Christ and if a guy wants to join in that relationship that is fine.......but I don't need a guy to show me what love it. 

3. I am a country women that can find God's love in any Christian or Country song out there. 

4. No dream is impossible with God on your side. 

5. Never think you always have the answer.....most of the time you won't 

6. Never think you know what will happen next......9 times out of 10 you will be wrong 

7. God can be found in any subject.....read this blog for proof. 

8. I have the mouth and attitude of my daddy but the love and kindness of my mama, and God made me who I am so I shouldn't let a man or anyone else try to change me. 

9. Someone might leave you behind in this world, but they are waiting for you in the next so never say goodbye, always say see you later. 

10. Family will always be there for you no matter what stupid mistakes you make 

10b. God will also be there so don't turn away from him when you need him most 

11. You will never be able to plan your life completely, sometimes you got to trust the path that God has for you. 

A year can completely change you. I know I have been an image of change. As I sit here and write this I am amazed my the changes I have gone through, and yet I wonder what changes would have happened if Heidi were here. What would life be like for me and for her and more my family? But then I think, why do I wonder, this is God's plan, this is the path that he laid for us long before time began. He knows what each of us will feel and how we will grow in him. Yes I still have days where it hurts knowing I have two beautiful angels in heaven watching out for me that I feel should still be on this earth, but I know that they are playing and having an amazing time up there. 

No matter how much you may struggle in a year, know that you are going through a transformation that is beyond amazing. And a year doesn't have to be January to January, it can be April to April, or November to November. 

So I challenge you.....Look back on this year. What have you learned? How have you changed? Was it a struggle or a year full of epiphany? What do you hope to gain in the year to come? What do you think this year has done in your relationship with Christ? 

Finally, I have a final thing to say to my sweet niece. (you never know they may have internet in heaven)....

Heidi- 

Thank you for being my angel this year. Thank you for being a constant reminder of what love is and how much someone can love another. Thank you for watching over your Daddy, we both know he can be hard headed but I know that with you and your sister on his side he can do anything. I love you so much baby girl and my love for you grows everyday, and not a day goes by that I don't think about you. You will always be my ladybug and always be a symbol of HoPE for me. Give your sister a hug for me and let her know I love her so much and miss you both. I can't wait for the day I can see you both again. 

Love, 

Aunt Courtney 

God Bless! 

Modern Day Prodigal Son

So guess what? Country music has inspired me again and this time by total accident.

Before I get into my thoughts I have to tell you a story.....well two stories. First a parable....

The Parable of the Lost Son

¹¹ Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.¹² The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

¹³ “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

¹⁷ “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

²⁵ “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ²⁷ ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

²⁸ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

³¹ “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Now my story....

A few days ago a friend of mine saw Brantley Gilbert in San Antonio and sent me a video of him singing. I don't know why but it got me thinking that I didn't have any music of his on my Spotify channel. So away I went to add some of my future husbands music to my playlist. Usually I just had 4 or 5 of their top songs to the playlist but something different happened on this day. I decided to scroll though his work and add song titles I found interesting. Of these songs one of them was A Modern Day Prodigal Son. Why did I add this one? I loved it because it is about one of my all time favorite biblical stories.

So here is the song please listen closely and and lyrics are in the video....

This song got me thinking.....what is your modern day prodigal story? What part did you play? Where you the one to return, the brother that was jealous, or the loving father that welcomed the son home? 

Part of the reason I love this story is one, because I learned I am not the only one in the family that loves it and two, everytime I hear it something changes for me. Me role changes, my ideas change, my feelings change, something changes. 

Everyone turns away from something at some point in their lives. I have turned away from the church, from my faith, and occasionally from my friends. Those moments were some of the hardest I have ever had to go through but they taught me something. When you turn back and return the love and celebration that occurs is crazy. For instance, when I returned to a church after not going for a while, they welcomed me with open arms and loving hearts. They have been my home for the last year because I am one of the lost sheep that returned home. It is those moments that I feel like the son that has returned. But really everyone has been that brother. It is easy to see what that brother has gone through. 

What about the father? What was he going through? I mean he technically lost a son. As I type this I think of another song that comes to mind. Listen to this song.....and yes it is country again. Sorry 

That is a dad that lost everything. And yet he never gave up. He waited.....and can you imagine that joy and celebration this Dad had when his daughter returned. He never gave up on her, never gave up hope. It makes me think that maybe the father in the Prodigal Son never gave up. He hoped and prayed that his son would return. Upon seeing his son again the joy that overtook him was unimaginable. He celebrated with the fattest calf. His message was answered and his son returned. 

So what do you think? What does the prodigal con mean to you? And really there is no right or wrong answer. This story can mean so many things. It all depends on what is going on when you hear it. And that is what is so amazing about this story. It can shift and form to be whatever God needs it to be and when it changes it will hit us in an amazing and forceful way. 

And that right there is one reason I love the bible. It is a true living, breathing, piece of work. While the words never change it is constantly shifting in meaning and ideas for each and every one of us. What I hear might not be exactly what you hear. What hits my soul might not even touch yours. And isn't that just amazing! The Bible never gets old.....it is a timeless piece of work. 

The word is alive and this story, this Prodigal son and Modern Day Prodigal Son proves that. It is a timeless piece that will constantly alter how we look at this world. 

So sorry for all the country but I hope you take it all to heart. 

Love you all and God Bless! 

Batman

Okay so I know I posted about superheroes a while back.....but I am wanting to add to it.

In my blog, for those of you that didn't see, I posed the question, who is your favorite superhero? I wanted to show how Jesus is the ultimate superhero, the ultimate sacrifice. But something came up the other day that got me thinking.

In the car the other day I was listening to a country artist state that for some music comes easy, those are the Supermans, for others it takes time, dedication, and effort....those are the Batmans, the ones that choose to be the superheroes.

And that is when the thinking started......are we as Christians not the Batmans of the church. Think about it, Jesus was born to save, born to be the hero, Jesus is Superman. But we, we are born to choose. We have to choose whether to step up and be the hero and show what sacrifice and dedication are or we can sit back and watch from a distance.

For those of you that don't know the story, Batman wasn't born to be a hero. Bruce Wayne, an orphan who's parents were killed in a robbery, was raised by the butler. He then went off and in the mountains of a foreign country he learned how to fight and be stealthy and everything it took to be Batman. That was when he returned to Gotham to save the people of the evil ways and become the hero the city needed. Bruce Wayne did what no one else could, he saved a city from it's own death and destruction.

Okay Courtney, so how does this relate to Christians and our walk with Christ. Well simple, be Batman. Take the steps to be more then just someone on the sideline. And no it won't come easy, but I can promise it will come. Like Batman, we have to learn how to be dedicated, how to be stealthy at times, how to help from the shadows, and how to be that light in the darkness. Jesus can't be the only hero, well we could. But like Superman it is sometimes nice to have back up from those that weren't born heroes, from those that choose the destiny for themselves.

So be Batman, be the superhero the world needs now, as we wait for the one that will help us soon. Be the Batman in the world and choose what to do.

In Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy there are many quotes that can be applied to our lives as Christians. Don't believe me let me show you.

Batman Begins:

At one point in the movie Bruce Wayne is talking to Ra's Al Ghul who states " You cannot lead these men unless you are prepared to do what is necessary to defeat evil." We must be willing to face anything that comes our way in order to achieve what is needed to be done in this world. There will be obstacles but we have to be able to move them. Another aspect of the movie is the rebirth of Bruce Wayne into Batman. Bruce "died," and while everyone close to him that he really had died he was really being transformed and reborn in to Batman, the "Savior" that Gotham needed. Now I am not saying we have to be Saviors because we can't but I am saying that we can be a fighting force in our own communities, we just have to "kill" off the parts that are stopping us. Before Al Ghul turns evil, he kind of becomes Bruce's priest, helping him obtain the skills that is needed to be a disciple, obtaining the skills needed to help Gotham. Just look at the clip below, without Al Ghul, there would be no Batman. Without our guide there would be no one to help lead us.

The Dark Knight: 

There are too many quotes for this one, but the whole story line proves what I am trying to say. In the movie Batman works to pass on the heroism to Harvey Dent, he believe that in order for Gotham to be saved he must have the people want to save it and Harvey Dent can do that. Isn't that what we as Christians are supposed to do? Yes we should also work and strive to create a better world but we should also want to pass the torch onto others so that it can continue. We must spread the news and works of Jesus Christ in order to obtain more disciples of Christ. In the following clip, Dent is dead and Batman understands that Dent needs to be the Hero not Batman so he sacrifices for the better of Gotham, he sacrifices his life for Gotham. 

The Dark Knight Rises: 

This one is a little harder but I think I can do it. This one more represents how we won't always have the perfect life with Christ, but if we work hard and strive to be better, we become stronger in Him. In the Dark Knight Rises, Batman does just this. Bane breaks Batman down and sends him to the pit. A prison in which the only way out is to climb out. Batman works hard to become stronger and better while in the pit. On his first attempt out he fails. But on his second attempt he realizes that the harness is limiting him, so he climbs out without it. He faces life or death in order to escape the hole that he is in. He must trust his work and strength and the strength of those around him to get out. We must do the same. WE might stumble and fall but with trust and faith in Christ no hole is big enough to keep us in.....sometimes we just have to take off the harness. Here is the clip from the movie see for yourself.....

So Rise! Bruce did!!!! 

We must be Batman, we must learn to adapt to anything to comes our way. We must sacrifice to help others. Jesus is Superman, let's be his Batman, let's help to form the Justice League. What do I mean by that. We must work with Jesus Christ in order to help the greater good. We must work together with Superman to be the best Batman we can be. We have to take our ideals and hopes and fight for them, no matter what. 

So there you have it. So my final question is this.....Do you want to be the Batman for the Christian world? 

God Bless!!!! 

The Most Common Language

Wow I am so sorry I haven't posted. I have been crazy busy with school and homecoming and I finally have a chance to sit down and write some more.

Okay so start off by watching this quick video. 

So this video means so much to me for two reasons, a) I love Bobby McFerrin and b) This proves something I have thought all along. And that is that music is the most common language that the whole world shares and because of that it links us in a very unique way. Think about it, during this video were you not resisting the urge to sing along even though you didn't know the answer. 

Music for me is life, it always has been and always will be. Music speaks to the soul for me and if creates a sense of calm for me. But what does this have to do with my journey with Christ. Well a lot actually. In church I love singing and making music for Christ. I feel everytime I sing or play djembe that I am one moment closer to Christ and the feelings that surround me complete this feeling. When I am lost or confused I listen to music to find my way, and I know I can't be the only one. 

Who out there has ever been in a car and turned on the radio to just sit and listen to what was on. Who ever just wanted to be alone so they put on headphones and just listened to what was on their CD or MP3 player. 

Music is a way to reach the heart and the soul. There is something out there for everyone and it is a great way to hear God's message.....and no it doesn't have to be just Christian music. It can be rock, or country, or pop, anything! Just look through my blog, I have had Country artists, I have had current pop artists on here, and I have much more to go. The message is everywhere and in every genre, is that not anything short of AMAZING?!?!  We all listen to different types of music so the fact that we can all listen to the music we enjoy and still be able to hear God's message is just awesome! 

Music has the ability to make one laugh, or cry, or happy, or dance, really music has the ability to do anything. Watching Pitch Perfect the other day one of the characters wants to write scores for movies because he states that music can set the mood and make the movie even greater. Think about that, it isn't the words or the acting (well okay maybe a little bit), but it is the music that helps set the mood. That is because music connects to the heart and the soul. It has the ability to tug on the heart strings. 

I love the sign above because it is so true. God is the DJ, he is in charge of the rhythm that is life. He can speed things up or slow things down as needed. He knows when to play the right songs. For example: some of yall might know how crazy school became for me last semester and the pain and worry I went through at the end of the semester. Well, one day as I was driving worrying about when I was going to graduate or what classes to take I rolled down my windows and turned up my radio. The station that was one was playing "Just Breath" by Faith Hill, well I didn't want to hear that at the time so I switched the channel.....well God had another plan on the new station "This is only a Mountain" was playing. That was God right there. I was worrying and panicking and here he was telling me it was okay and that I will make it through this minor bump in the road. 

Music is the most common language in the word. It is a language that can speak to the soul and speak to the heart. It is a way to get closer to Christ and is a way to hear his message. So here is my challenge to you.....listen to music closely and tell me what does your heart hear that your ears don't. Listen and really take in what is going on. I can promise that things will drastically change in a good way. 

God Bless! 

Courtney

 

Day 6.....the last leg of a journey

Writing today is bittersweet.....today is the last day of this amazing journey that I have been on.

Today started off exciting for me. You see we had our last clinic in La Romana today, but something more exciting happened. I had my first solo flight as a nurse today. No one looking over my shoulder, no professor asking why I choose what I choose, no second guessing my decisions. In four years of school today was a very special day for me. I felt like I was a nurse, not a student nurse, a real nurse. Okay granted it was at a mission clinic were it is mostly parasite and fungal infections but hey we all have to start somewhere. With my amazing translator Rebeca, we saw about 35 people at my station alone. All together, that clinic was expected to see 50 people......we ended up seeing 98! And they weren't just Dominicans. There were many Haitians there as well. Which proved to be interesting as Haitians and Dominicans do not speak the same language so at one point there would be 4 people talking....me to Rebeca, Rebeca to someone who spoke Haitian and then that Translator to the patient. It was really interesting to watch (It reminded me of playing telephone).

(Where the clinic was held at)

(MY SOLO FLIGHT!!!!)

(My amazing translator)

After the busy clinic morning we met up with the rest of the group at a pizza palor with boys from the orphanage and enjoyed a nice meal all together. It was actually really good pizza too and the afternoon was full of laughter and fun. 

The rest of the afternoon was full of the last VBS that the other group put together. It was fun to watch the kids sing and learn about the story of Christmas. The story was so fun to listen to as it was acted out and then all the kids got a bracelet with the colors red, green, blue, white, black, and yellow. They were then taught about how the entire bible can be summed up in these six colors. And while it was a story I had grew up hearing, it was so interesting to hear it in the middle of this adventure, in a time where I needed the reminder if anything else. 

Red- For the Blood Christ Shed for us and for his love 

Black- for our sin

White- For God's Forgiveness 

Yellow- for Heaven and the Streets of Gold 

Blue- For Baptism 

Green- for growing in Christ and for Christ 

The kids understood it, and now I have a greater appreciation for the story and the story of Christ in general. It is amazing what a VBS for children can teach adults as well.  

After the VBS, all the boys from the orphanage left as well as the other kids, and we got the opportunity to sit down and listen to the story of how the orphanage got started. It was started by a pastor and his wife who had been praying about it for quite some time. Well, the wife worked in CPS, and when one baby was brought to her because the women knew she couldn't care for him after getting the child from a single mother, the orphanage began. 10 years later, 70 boys have been through the orphanage, about 15 are there now. And there are some from the Dominican as well as some from Haiti.

What got me about the story the most, is the hope and prayers for the future. This couple wants the best for all the boys that walk through the door of the orphanage. And because of that there are currently hopes of building a place that is bigger then what they are currently in and soon. Due to having to soon move out of the place they are renting now, they would love to be able to build now but simply can't due to money issues so for now they are stuck looking for another place to rent at this time.

(Learning the story)

But something else happened in this time. Looking around, you could see the wheels turning in everyone's heads. As the pastor was giving costs to build (in pesos) you could see calculators out and trying to figure out cost, in US currency. One week, well less then that, two days at this orphanage and we are already all on board to help them out and continue supporting them anyway we can. "Going to the Dominican to help build will lower the cost? Okay so when do you need us to head back?"  At least that was what kept going through my head.

It is hard to believe that this trip is pretty much over. I am sitting on a bus thinking about all the things that have changed not only for the community here but for me as well. In a week I have changed. I know it is hard to explain that in words but I know it has taken place.

This song has taken new meaning for me in these past 6-7 days.

"I don't live I don't care, I don't want to say another empty prayer, I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else to do what God has called me to do myself, I could choose not to move, But I refuse!"

This song is my theme for the week. I refuse to sit back and watch as others need help. And I mean that in more then one way. I refuse to sit back and not help others in the Dominican and at home. Mission work isn't just about helping others in a different country, it is about helping those in your backyard. It is serving God in every way possible. I refuse to turn my back on someone that needs help. I refuse to think I am not good enough. I refuse to look away. I refuse to doubt God's plans for me. I refuse to think I am not strong enough to serve God's people in anyway possible! I REFUSE!

"I can do all things, through Christ that strengthens me"

Thank you for walking on this journey with me but I doubt this is the end.

God Bless!

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This was only the start......wait to see what tomorrow brings!
Thank you everyone for the prayers throughout my journey and please continue to pray as I continue on a path that God has put before me.

I love you all so very much, those I know and those I may not know. I started this blog for me, but through the things others have told me I am slowly seeing that there is more to it then just what I want and need and desire.

Until tomorrow!