This is an example of the new bracelet I'm selling! Each button will be different and I found 4 different colours of hemp that I like and will be incorporating into different pieces of jewelry. $3 each, just like before.
Here's hoping that my Bracelets for Change line will raise some serious money once more. I'm headed for Jamaica again in January!

Shalom, friends.




Lydia

I think I remember how to do this. It has been ages, and for this I do apologize.

Life right now has been crazy. This past week was as crazy busy as I think I have ever been. And I'm standing in front of my upcoming week slightly scared, because it has the potential to be almost as busy. Lord give me strength.

I've been learning a lot right now about God, people, where I'm at in life, etc. I just have to say how incredible it is to look at what's going on and just see God working.

God provided for Lydia's missions trip, and as I write this, she's in Washington state on a Native American Reservation. The way God provided for her trip is incredible in and of itself. God has provided for her not only financially, but by providing just the right type of trip. This was exactly what Lydia wanted. I cannot wait to hear all of her stories and see all her pictures. Pray for her this week as she's far from home serving these beautiful people.

Not only has He provided for Lydia's trip, but also for my missions trip to New York City. I have been praying for a while that I'd be able to serve on some kind of missions trip. I've never before gone on one, but I know it's exactly right. Anyways, I found this trip and went through all the necessary steps and eventually was accepted. The hardest part of committing to this trip for me, was figuring out how the money would be provided. I couldn't have paid for all of it. My parents wouldn't have been able to pay for all of it. I had to trust to much that God would take care of it. About two or three weeks after having sent out my support letter, my trip was completely paid for. ALL OF IT. I do not have to pay for a single thing. My parents don't have to pay for a single thing. I am still so overwhelmed by this. The generosity of the body of Christ has astounded me, and I can say that it has greatly strengthened my faith. It's only possible through HIM! 13 days until I leave!!!

I've been working at my job now for 1 year. A whole year! This job has been a huge blessing and I continue to be blessed by the friendships I have made and the people I have come to call my other family. They are such a blessing to me. When I don't work for several days at a time, I actually miss them. They mean that much to me. I've really been thankful for my job lately because I'm surrounded by people who for the most part don't a faith similiar to mine or who have no faith. This has caused me to grow, and I've come to see that this is my mission field right now. This is the place God has provided to use me now. I want to take and engage these people. I want to love them like Christ loves us. If that means I go without a couple of non-essential items so that I can get something for someone who needs something at work then so be it. I love to do that for them.

OH! And it's summer...yeah...it's so stinkin hot.

So much is going on. Life is moving at the speed of light and I'm holding on for dear life. There is so much to be done in such a small amount of time. I pray that I'll be an adequate vessel that will be used.


Brianna

-I'm pretty sure that my best friend is a hero. She buys less wealthy people shoes. She gets food to people who are going through a hard time. She gives money to friends who can't afford the things they need. If that doesn't make you a hero, I don't know what does.

-Someone paid for the rest of my mission trip to Washington this summer for me tonight. He's going to get one heck of a crown when the role is called up yonder. Just sayin.

-Another hero of mine whom I love (Melinda!) is going to be coming home from Africa this week.

Could I be any more happy, or more thankful for, or more proud of my brothers and sisters in Christ?

I doubt it.

It may be March, but Spring is coming.

Here's a bunch of the stuff that has been donated to my sale. It is going to be September 24-25th, and really can't come fast enough-storing all of this is becoming a hassle. Praise God, though, because this is going to be the most obese garage sale fundraiser ever.

Lydia

I feel like I'm about to fall over. Literally.

Can you guess as to why? No, I don't have some mysterious muscle disease that is making it difficult for me to stand. No, I have not been shocked to the point of fainting. And, no, I have not just met Joseph Gordon Levitt in person. The fact is this: I'm exhausted. Never did I ever think I could feel so tired. It's 8 P.M. for peets sake, and I'm falling off into dreamy land!

I will say this...this tiredness I'm feeling--it's a result of work. Wonderful, fun, busying work. Normally, I wouldn't be this tired from doing school. But right now, in the midst of the chaos of working and doing schoolwork my days seem to go on and on and on. It's as if I no longer have one week...but rather one majorly prolonged day.

This exhaustion, strangly enough, is quite fulfilling.

Briannna