What a Wonderful Wednesday!!

Late Nite last night was incredible. It was totally the renewal and reminding that my spirit needed. It has been a tough transition to go from concentrating on middle schoolers to college students and young professionals. Last night, God really showed me that I am exactly where He wants me right now, and that is such a great feeling.

After the pre-service meeting, all the leaders headed to the sanctuary to get set up for the Life Group fair and meet some new folks. The goal of the night was to talk to as many people as we could and pump up life groups big time. I haven't always been so good at the walking up to strangers and talking thing, but I am definitely improving. God totally hooked me up last night, though. I saw a girl sitting alone before service and knew I needed to make her feel welcome- someone did it for me just a few years ago. I met Amy, and after chatting a few minutes, I brought her around and introduced her to some people. I gotta give this girl a shout-out. Yesterday was her 24th birthday and she started LSU to get her PhD on Monday! She's a straight GENIUS! Very humble, but a genius nonetheless. Plus she moved down here from Kansas, leaving behind her love and her family, because she knows this is where God wants her. And what's so cool is that she found HPC on the web!!!

Then, I saw my cousin! This made me REALLY happy!!!

Service got kicked off with some slammin' worship. I haven't worshiped that passionately in months. I don't know if it was just that good or if it was just me, but God was doing something in me big time and I just couldn't tell Him enough how amazing He is. I was jumpin' around, reaching for Heaven... I just couldn't stop moving. I was oblivious to everyone and everything around me. I really felt connected to the heart of my Father and it was beautiful.

Then, Mike gave a real life message on the dangers of temptation to get our Gravity series started. Let me tell you, there was no fluffy cookie-cutter action here- it was down to the nitty gritty and I loved every single minute of it. I know I always say Mike does a great job- because he does- but this was one of my favorites ever. I know this series is going to change lives and I am so humbled and so honored to get to be a part of this team. When Mike was preaching, you would have thought he was preaching about my life... my falling into temptation so many times, trying to find happiness and fulfillment in the things of this world, letting the devil "crop" my big picture so I only saw the "right now"... This message reminded me why God has called me to this age group- because this is where I fell. This is where I threw years of my life away. This is where the enemy tricks me and brings my mind back to in order to torment me and remind me of the things I have done and the way I treated people. But in college is also where I was restored. It's where I was redeemed. It's where I found freedom and true love, mercy, and relentless grace. This age is where I learned how to really love again, where my heart was repaired and my mind cleansed. The message Mike preached is the reason why I have a passion to see college students and young professionals come to Christ. This passion won't die anytime soon. I'm on a mission. I have found my destiny in the One who created me, and it's the most amazing feeling.

The mood after Late Nite was different. As everyone browsed Life Groups and got connected, relationships were formed. No one cared how late it was. Everyone was just glad to get to talk and laugh. I got to talk to Amy more and find out more about her life and her walk. I got to talk to people who had left the church for a while but have begun to come back. The feeling in the sanctuary was one I hadn't felt in a long time- things are changing. This is a season of harvest and I have never been happier to be a laborer for the cause of Christ.

Having Chris with me in this endeavor has made all the difference. He knows the things I have done and what I have been through. He knows my hurts and my joys. He makes my life a better place to be and everyday I see him make a difference in this world. It may be cliche, but life is good and God and good, and I trust Him to carry me through.

Remembering the Victims

I want to take a moment to remember what happened a year ago yesterday. I know that it would be impossible to forget, but I think too many people have swept it under the rug. Though most of Louisiana's problems came from bad politicians and a bad levee, the stories are real, thousands of people died, and those who were affected still deserve our prayers. I went to the New Orleans Airport a year ago to help organize and work with the relief there, and those days of my life are permanently etched in my memory. Just thinking about the people I met and the stories I heard still makes me cry everytime. It's easy for us to say they could have gotten out, but many couldn't. Many didn't have TVs and didn't hear til it was too late to get out. Many tried to get transportation but couldn't. It's easy for us to judge, but it's not so easy to have compassion. Jesus had compassion on everyone, and isn't our goal to be just like Him? Anyway, please take a minute and pray for those still hurting and helpless a year later. And let's continue to praise God for the members of His body who have come to their rescue.

So sorry I'm a slacker!

Ok, I know I have been a blog slacker lately. Things have been picking up both at work and socially and I have been blowin' and goin' like a crazy person!! The wedding is in only 37 days and we are so excited!!

I want to thank everyone who was able to come out to our shower this weekend. We had such an amazing time celebrating with our closest friends and family. Richie, Holly, and Kristin really went above and beyond the call of duty. Everything was beautiful and the atmosphere was rich with love. We feel so blessed to be so well taken care of by such amazing people. We got to hang out with those we love and got lots of great presents... everybody loves getting free stuff!!!

The apartment is really coming along. Thanks to my incredible mother who helped us get our bedroom furniture, it was delivered Monday night and it's WONDERFUL! The master bedroom is beginning to look like something out of a catalog. My daddy gave me access to his rewards card and we were able to buy some slammin' accessories. I am such a blessed girl!! Of course, Chris isn't moving in until after the wedding, but it's really starting to feel like "our first place" and we love it!

And kudos to my baby's softball team who is still undefeated!!! Go blue!

A LEETLE bit of clarification and some excitement!!!

Ok, so in the last blog I wasn't exactly clear about HOW Kristin told me I was being selfish. It was surrounded by stories of my past rejections and her understanding of me finally wanting something to be all about me. She didn't come out and just say I was being selfish, but she spoke to me in an understanding and loving way and showed me how I haven't been acting like myself. I just wanted to make sure that was clear, because she was totally gentle and loving and I would hate for her to be portrayed any other way.

.... So yesterday my mom and I packed up all my wedding attire essentials and headed to Nottoway Plantation for my bridal pictures!!! Ms. Tammy and Mr. Mike Landry came and met us and we had such an amazing photo shoot! I felt like a princess... like something out of a movie. It was amazing! Both my mom and I are eager to see how awesome the pictures came out. Mr. Mike totally shot my style- journalistic, model-feel, trendy. If these turn out as good as the engagements- which I know they will- I will be one happy girl!!!

This weekend Chris and I also had out first shower. His family worked really hard to put it on and we had a really great time. He got some awesome stuff- including THREE bar-b-que pits- and it was a great time of food, family, and fellowship. Thanks especialy to Christine and Shea for all their hard work :)

This was a packed weekend- we also saw Fiddler on the Roof. It was a very good show. For some local people, they did a really great job. Plus we got to hang out with my mom a lot this weekend, which is always fantastic for me! She is so patient with me and so giving. Yay for Claire....

Oh, everybody say a prayer for Mike. He's out of town this week speaking several times in Dallas. Let's pray for protection and annointing!!!
Off to work... have a super day!!!

Beautiful Morning- no, not the CD

So, this morning after a great time of prayer, worship, and communion, I went to Kristin's house for a little pow-wow... and OH was it necessary! I have been really stressed out lately- and just not myself- and I had to get to the bottom of it. We talked for over an hour and I realized that I haven't completely dealt with some issues from my past and the enemy had been using them to torture me in an attempt to steal my joy, destroy my most vital relationships, and ultimately ruin my life. Well, sorry SUCKER! Kristin loves me and is honest with me and showed me how selfish I have been about the wedding. I have been thinking of others, but in reality, the final decisions were all about what's best for ME. God hasn't been able to pour his blessing into the ceremony because I haven't let Him take control of it. I have been expecting more out of Chris than any human can give and stopped fully relying on God... that all changed this morning and it was a
BEAUTIFUL MORNING!!!!!

Spirit-filled, out of control, amazing God weekend!!!

Ok, so I may have never had a more spiritual weekend in my life as I had this weekend. Friday and Saturday we were at the Student Ministries Leaders Retreat in New Orleans. We had an amazing night of worship, prayer, and ministry Friday night. Saturday morning we heard incredible teachings from Pastors Johnny Green and Mike Haman.

Then, I was able to work all the weekend services, which were each unique and powerful in their own way. At all the services we prayed over children, students, administrators, teachers, and school faculty. We prayed for over 1000 kids this weekend, and I felt so blessed to be able to be a part of such a huge event in the lives of these boys and girls. It's great to be a part of a church that calls the kids on stage during service and after a blessing, gets the youth up there to jump around and lead some more worship.I love this place.

Saturday night Pastor Dino gave a great Word, and even used me and Chris as an inspiration. He spoke about why we do what we do- that we do it "For Them." HPCers before us did it for people like us, who met at church, fell in love, and now serve alongside each other. Our heart and passion For Them came from the people before us. It was a great Word.

Sunday morning we had 3 completely different services. At all the services, the altars were full after worship- people got healed, freed from bondages, lies from the Devil... many just experienced the awesome presence of the Lord. I have never felt so close to God. He revealed to me many things that I have been harboring that I thought I had let go of- things that I am not proud of feeling. I want to walk in the promises of God, and I now fully realize how much I truly have to die to myself every minute of every day in order to fully experience what He has for me.
It was a very humbling weekend, and definitely one I will not soon forget...

An update

This week, Chris and I stepped down from leadership at Pathfinders. It was a very difficult decision to make, but we have felt total peace about it from the beginning. We will miss both the kids and the leaders, but we know that God has called us to put our marriage as top priority right now. We want to serve more fervently with Late Nite, and with our schedules, we had to let go of something. It was weird coming home last night and eating dinner with Chris on a Wednesday night. I don't even remember what that was like. I already miss my kids- they have all touched my heart and my ministry... and Becca will always be my little sister!
Tyler and Crystal were so kind and released us with full confidence that our ministry and marriage will flourish. Those guys truly live their motto- Stand up. Stand out. Change the World. It was an honor to work with them and serve alongside all the leaders. They have all been such a blessing to us.

P.S. I love Chris Matt!!!!!!!!!!

Thank God for those who are willing to lay down the egos and logos and just get after it serving the Kingdom.

This was one of MANY lines that struck me when reading
Dan Ohlerking's blog about his experience at Bethany this weekend. Pastor Dino stressed to us last week at staff meeting how important his friendship and partnership with Pastor Larry Stockstill has been. After the hurricane, they laid aside their philisophical, style, and pastoral differences and got locked into the vision that God has for this community and this nation. Unity between churches is the ONLY way we will ever truly be "one nation, under God." I am so proud to call this church my home, but I am equally proud that I work for a pastor who is willing to lay down his ego and our logo to get after it serving the Kingdom.
Dino Rizzo is making it harder for people to die without knowing Jesus, and through his relationships with Ps. Larry, Joyce Meyer, Christine Caine, Dave Ohlerking, Robert Barriger, Brian Houston, and and so many other pastors around the world- HPC will help populate Heaven and plunder Hell. That is why God has kept us on earth and has not brought us up to Heaven when we get saved- we are still here to spread the love of Christ and the life-changing Word of God. That's why working at Healing Place isn't a "job"- it's a lifestyle, and I wouldn't want it any other way!!!!

5 new dresses!

Ok, so I am perhaps just a little bit spoiled, but I have seen much more extreme cases. My lovely mother bought me 5 new dresses this weekend to wear to wedding events, showers, etc. Two were massively on sale, and the other 3 were very reasonably priced- so don't go thinkin' I spent 250 per dress or anything. However, I did discover every overpriced clothing store in Baton Rouge this weekend- Currie, BeBe, Aimee's, and Eros to name a few. Eros had a shirt that was almost 1200 dollars- for a SHIRT! I mean I know Baton Rouge is "up & coming" and that's great, but who really buys that stuff!?
However, I did discover this great boutique "Wish" in Towne Center. I saw the Rizzo ladies in there, too, which was an added bonus. The music was a little loud and sometimes inappropriate, but the customer service was decent and the prices are great. There's also this place "Hemline" out here by the church. They were SO nice in there you just want to buy the entire store! It's a little pricier, but they have some reasonable stuff and great staff.
Anyway, I gotta give a little shout-out to Mike Haman for preaching about Relevance in the weekend services. It was very similar to the sermon preached last Wednesday at Late Nite, but he gave it more of a general audience feel, and everyone I've talked to really enjoyed it. This is a very important message and I am glad he helped get it out.
Until tomorrow... unless something cool happens today....

The Best Week Ever!

Ok, so this week is definitely on the top of the list for the best week ever!
1. The ring. You MUST see it in person to truly understand, but here are a few pics to help:



2. Hillsong United concert at Bethany World Prayer Center. Props to Pastor Larry and Pastor Dino for putting philisophical differences to the side and keeping God's agenda first... This was an incredible night of worship and prayer... one of the best I have ever been blessed to be a part of. Rock on, Hillsong!


3. Wedding invitations... Sarah Haviland helped create my perfect wedding invitations, and I received them this week. Last night I sat down with my mom to address them, and we had such a great time. My brother came home and we all hung out, talked, ate cherries and spit out the pits, and laughed til we cried. I really do have the most amazing family. Spending time with them makes me feel closer to Jesus, and that's the best feeling.

4. Just being with Chris made me cry happy tears twice this week. God has really made me realize all over again how truly blessed I am to have him in my life. I cannot believe how much I love this man. It still feels like a dream. (Oh, and they smoked both teams they went up against last night in softball.)

Hillsong rocked the house down... and more news from the fam!

So, Hillsong's worship night last night was incredible. I could go on for hours about their talent, their humility, their obvious love for Jesus, but it really would never do it justice. That was definitely one of the most amazing nights of worship I have ever been able to be a part of, and I think that was their ultimate goal- to see this generation rise up and worship. Job well done.

I also have to brag about my family right now. Over the last few months, I have been blown away by the love and generosity that I have been shown. My parents have sacrificed SO much to give me my ultimate dream wedding and help us get on our feet. They are truly the most loving, giving people that I have ever seen. I am so blessed to have parents that I can look up to so much. My brother is awesome, too. He's almost 18- an age where it's not cool to show affection to your fam. Without fail- every single time I see him- my brother drops what he is doing to come hug me, kiss me on the cheek, and tell me he loves me. He is the sweetest kid ever and I am so proud of the grown-up he is becoming.

And I couldn't ever say enough about my beautiful fiance. He works so hard and sacrifices so much so that he can provide everything I want and need. His first priority in life- besides Jesus- is me and my happiness. He surprises me with candlelit dinners, love journals, and wonderful cards all the time. (Not to mention my fantabulous new engagement ring!!!) He is the greatest blessing I have ever received.

As I worshiped God last night through music and prayer, He really dropped a spirit of appreciation on me. I am so grateful for all the blessings in my life- a dream job, dream wedding, best family, and unbelievable fiance. I can't believe everything God has given me. Today, I am just in awe of His goodness.... I guess that's how I should always be.

New ring!!

So, I got my brand new, gorgeous, amazing, wonderful, sparkly, bling bling bling out of control ring today!!! My honey totally surprised me today at lunch with my beautiful new ring. The ring I initially got for the engagement is fantastic, and I would have been content with it, but this one is the one we picked out together last December- it is my absolute dream ring. The stone is almost one full carat with 1.2 carats in the setting... Apologies for the bragging... I am just slightly excited!!
This ring is just one more example of how much Chris loves me and is willing to sacrifice for me. He made this an incredible surprise and I love him so much!!!!

Yay for Jesus... and Mike Haman, too!!!

So we had one of the craziest weekends ever, but we survived and even grew closer through the craziness. My baby played his heart out in 3 games of softball on Sunday, and his team won every single game!! I was a great cheerleader til I slipped in some water and tore my knee up. I got my bruises and blood on me in 3 seconds than my honey got in 3 games. I'm a klutz, but he loves me :)

So, there are quite a few benfits of working for the most amazing pastor on the planet.
Yesterday I was a little down about some family drama and I texted Mike for some prayers. He returned with such a good Word for me. He told me to read Psalm 27:13. I went on to read the entire chapter, but I found verses 11-14 especially relevant in my hardship. " (11)Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. (12)Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. (13)I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (14) Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

I just pray that God continues to keep me from the way of the world- not retaliating when others hurt me or my family, but treating them with grace, mercy, and love as Jesus did. I am still confident that I will see the goodness of the Lord, despite all the attacks of the enemy. Waiting is so difficult, but I will continue to wait on the Lord and His timing. I will learn from every situation.

This entire chapter is slammin' and I recommend everyone read it when hard times come upon us. Like John 10:10 says- the Devil wants to steal, kill, and destroy- but God wants us to have the fullest life. Sometimes a full life consists of many hard learning experiences, but we grow and become more like Him with every trial and persecution. Even when more attacks came last night from a different angle, I decided to keep my peace and wait on the Lord. I can't help but praise God in this season. And yay for Mike Haman, too!