One step at a time

Love is real. It is not just some fairytale that we girls dream of our whole lives only to be left disappointed and broken. Love is a reality that captures hearts, draws people together and changes lives. Love does not leave you out in the cold only to be the pray of the enemy. Love protects, defends, fights for and cherishes those he loves. True love of a man comes from God the Father. Love is unconditional. Love has no limits or boundaries, it can stretch across oceans and reach down to the core of who you are.

Love is patient and kind. It is not envious, boastful or proud. It seeks to lift up one another. Love does not tear down, hurt or destroy. Love builds up, lifts up and heals wounds.

For a man to truly love a woman, he must first be with God.

For God is love.

He gives love to us and then love pours out to others.

Love is beautiful!

This is a wonderful thing to experience.

I’m currently learning a lot about how Christ loves the church.

Simply because someone is showing me this kind of love.

Thank you Jesus for this great love you give!!!

Thank you mentors and friends who have always told me about this and yet I was unsure. Well, I’m not anymore. :D

Love is not just a fairytale or far away dream, it’s real and it’s happening before my very eyes!

A love that's unending

As I looked into their eyes, the hopelessness broke in to the core of my very being. Their efforts spent striving to simply survive. They wanted something more, but knew of nothing that truly lasts. Many of

them had been abandoned or their family simply died ad they were the only ones left. Where had the hope gone? Where was God when this happened? How could so many people, so many children live in such extreme poverty? God, why haven't they heard of you? Why don't they know your love like we do?

So many questions, and so few answers. The children laughed and played with us and the adults cried and laughed with us, and taught us all so much! Throughout my time in Ethiopia I saw everything from complete hopelessness to complete joy in extreme poverty and among the fortunate. The faces, the names their longing to be loved is forever etched in my mind.

I wish you could have been with me at the soup kitchen as I laughed and hugged and received hugs from the street beggars, of all ages, mostly older men. Most of them were crippled and hungry and needing of life everlasting, of Jesus our Savior. What a blessing it was to be with them, and serve them. My life is forever changed because of what God is doing in Ethiopia.

I'm back here at home, and striving to keep the same passion alive and to love just as much and whole heartedly. It's nice to be with family, but honestly I see why God has called us to the ends of the earth, even if it means leaving my family behind and just obeying.

So for now, I'm simply going to obey. One day at a time. With pleasure and joy. I'll pick up my cross and follow Christ daily. What does that look like here? What is it supposed to look like? Well I guess I'll find out one day at a time.

I am going back in December for over a month to Ethiopia. And for that trip I am beyond excited, and seeking Jesus whole-heartedly. For I know it won't be easy living thier for those almost 6 weeks, but I know that everyday my God will move, and that he will equip us. And every night when we lay down our heads we will thank God for what he is doing and for bringing us to Ethiopia.

I never thought I would fall in love with a people so quickly, but honestly, I can't get them off my mind or stop praying for them. I love them!!!!!

Our drivers, translators, and staff of the guest home are wonderful and so encouraging! I look forward to working with them again soon!

Please pray for Ethiopia, as most of the people have not heard the true gospel, especially outside of Addis. They are a beautiful people!!!