The term healthy is used to describe many things these days. Healthy eating, healthy body, healthy relationships, Healthy this, and healthy that. So in my quest to be more....ummm well...healthy, I have made some small changes to my daily life. I gave up drinking pop, I am eating foods that are healthier for me and I started to work out. This change did not come from me making a new years resolution, I don't do new years resolutions. But this came from many years of me asking God to give me more self discipline in my life. The eating habits and working out habits are not the only area of my life that needed a make over. See my insides needed a make over too. I knew that I needed to do a better job of managing my time, managing my walk with Christ, managing our money. See I have found when I am lacking self discipline in one area of my life... there is usually several that need a pick me up.

So through the course of the last 2 weeks I have learned a lot about myself, my ministry and God. It took a small thing like giving up coke to bring some other pretty major changes in my life. I know I am only 2 weeks in and anything can happen. But I am praying that each day I realize the potential of the day when I practice living within my means, walking with the Lord, and eating what is good for me. I feel better, I interact better with those around me and I know I am doing my best.

Long story short- 2 weeks in I have lost 9 pounds, but I have gained so much more!  ( and I am not talking about weight! :) )

The news feed is constant about the devastation  in Haiti this week. This country has been hit with yet another catastrophic event. Yesterday all day I prayed for those I know who are over there not knowing if they were safe or okay. The word came in the night that yes indeed those 4 men of God who have such a heart for missions are safe and are trying to get home. I was so thankful for their safety and their families who had been anxiously awaiting to hear from them. And yet, their are still thousands of people over there, who are in need. I pray now for the recovery and rebuilding process. That those who don't know Jesus will find him in the midst of rubble and despair.

I also pray that we will remember all of those in need around us. I am guessing that right here in most of our backyards are people who are desperately needing some Hope. Some of them are without jobs, without food, without healthy relationships. Some without a knowledge of who Jesus is.

This is not an either or situation. We as Christians have a mission. We are to pray, help and preach the Gospel to all the world. Our hearts should break for those in Haiti, and if you can help them by sending funds to help with the relief efforts, you should. If you can go and help an organization helping the people there, then you should. And we should all pray for them. And we should also look beyond our own four walls and help those who are right in front of us hurting, seeking, searching, and wishing for some peace and Hope in their lives. Be the hands and feet of Jesus today to people in your community, your nation and your world!

We not only are starting a new year but a new decade. This year will be a huge year for us and our family. By the end of this year, our oldest will go to High School, and our youngest will turn 10. This time last year Jason lost his job. Last year was a year  we would not have scripted for ourselves but we learned so much about ourselves and about God. This year will be a new year for us and a lot of changes.

Last night I walked into this huge High School to find out all about what the process was to enroll my sweet innocent 14 year old girl. It was worse than taking her to kindergarten. I cried. I realized that we have 4 short years of her being a child. In 4 years she will be an adult, making her own choices. The choices she makes over the next 4 years will effect her the rest of her life. But she is a smart girl and I am so thankful for who she is and her desire to serve God.

This year we launched SENT 2010 at our church. We encouraged every member to move beyond themselves and reach out to their community, our nation and our world. You see just like Isaiah, God is asking whom can I send? Send me. Isaiah 6:1-8. I have personally in the last few days have learned so much about God and who He is. You see God calling me to be a Pastor is a miracle all by itself. God never gave up on me. He constantly encouraged, pursed and called me to be His. His grace that He extends to me is breathtaking. I understand a little more about the compassion of God. I have a new sense of passion and desire to serve Him better, to do all that He has called me to do. I don't want to be like Jonah who was called and ran. I want to embrace the people that God puts before me with authentic love and mercy and grace. Because everyday He embraces me. I may be the pastor but i am just another woman on a journey with an amazing Heavenly Father. I just like you need God's grace. I just like you need clear direction for the each step I take and I just like you need people in my life who give me godly, wise council. 

Being all that God called me to be in 2010 will I am sure hold many victories, failures and uncharted territories. I know that this year, I will preach my first message. I will start a new chapter of being a mom. I will grow closer to my husband of almost 15 years and I will grow in my knowledge of who God is. You see tonight, I have a new sense of who God is. He is mine and I am His, and even though that is not the newness of my relationship with Him. He never ceases to amazing me. His presence has been made known to me in a whole new way. He is faithful.

I pray that all of you will have an amazing 2010. That you will think beyond your 4 walls and take the gospel to those all around you.