Walkers.in.Africa

Recently my family was extremely blessed to go on vacation to Bass Lake together. My Mom believes you should always go to church if you are able to (*gasp* yes, even on vacation). I remember as little kids my siblings and myself would always grumble about the "church while on vacation" factor. Anyways, on our vacation we went to The Little Church in the Pines. You know the kind of cute little country churches they always use in Christmas Hallmark movies? Yeah, well, that is exactly what this chummy church looked like!

The church received us in what felt like a nice big hug and the message blessed me so much. The guest pastor, Carman Ruggeri, had me laughing until tears came to my eyes but he also really challenged me. I want to share with you a little bit about what he said:

"I love the fact that Jesus came as a baby. That means he had to be nursed, changed and potty trained. He had to learn to talk, learn to read, to add and subtract, multiply and divide and maybe even some algebra! He got skinned, bruised, stung and bitten. He slept and He dreamed. He is fully aware of how easily we Bumble and Tumble.

Did He ever fail to duck a low tree branch? Did He ever back His mule into the neighbors fence? Did He ever spill His milk? Swallow His gum? Choke on a chip? Sneeze with His mouth full? Dribble on His robe? Did He burp out loud as an eight year old boy? I know this sounds a bit sacrilegious but if He is going to understand me He has to walk a few paces in my Sanuks. And, He did!

Christmas means He knows me and still likes me. It means He has heard me say some really dumb things but still likes to converse with me. His birth and life here tell me He wanted to know what it was like so He could “atta boy” me when I do well, warn me when I walk too close to the edge and give me a “good game” pat on the rump as I enter glory. He remembers what it was like to turn 13, to get up for work each day, to labor and pay taxes and to know there is more but maintain proper perspective.

Christmas is the greatest. When I see the lights, I am reminded He is the Light. When I see the tree, I remember He died on one. When I watch the gifts being passed out, I recall that He is the greatest gift and gave the best gift. When I eat the wonderful food I know that He is the bread of life. When I sing the carols, I hear that mind boggling passage from Hebrews 2 when the Lord says I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. It is quite possible He is singing right along with me.

It is a wonderful thing to realize that in all my Bumbleness I am accepted by Christ. I wonder if He even giggles when I fumble or stumble? Maybe in eternity somewhere we’ll spend an afternoon together and He’ll tell me about all the times I made Him lol! I’m sure I have! I’m sure I will. It really is A Wonderful Life, Jimmy!

Yet this Christmas holiday reminds me that Jesus came for the Bumblers and the Tumblers, of which I am chief. As I stumbled into free fall I was caught by grace for which I am ever thankful. What a thing to give one’s life to! I love that grace measures intent and not incident."

He then went on to share about his "Life Map", which consists of thirteen statements that he challenges himself to live his life by. Here are a few of them (the best I could do with quick notes!):

-Purity in relationship with my wife and love her as Christ loves the church.

-I will rise up by pulling myself up, not by pushing others down.

-I will honor my word and integrity no matter the cost.

-I will not mock those whose situation should gain my compassion.

-Treat all people with the same love, no matter their position.

-Admit fault readily.

-Praise exuberantly, pray excessively, love extravagantly.

-Maintain graciousness in defeat.

-I will not speak behind your back, I will only say what I will say to your face.

-I will automatically think the best of others unless God reveals otherwise.

Through, in, and by Christ!

http://carmanruggeri.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/bumbling-and-tumbling-along/#comment-16

P.S.

We had a wonderful vacation and we even stopped by Yosemite. EEEEK, I was so excited! I've always wanted to go there (another item checked off my bucket list). Anyways, I was so thankful for the fun memories with my family before heading to Africa. Here is a picture of us kids after our rather slippery hike up to the falls :).

Ezekiel 16 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible!

Child of God:

Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into covenant with you, and you became Mine, says the Lord GOD.

Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. You ate pastry of fine flour, honey, and oil. You were exceedingly beautiful, and succeeded to royalty.

Your fame went out among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect through My splendor which I had bestowed on you, says the Lord GOD.

Running Away:

An Everlasting Covenant:

Nevertheless I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.

I will establish My covenant with you. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.

I've always been fascinated by the meanings of names. It is so much fun to look up someones name and see how the meaning and scriptures apply to them. Check out the names of the people from the lineage of Jesus ... their meanings put together tell a story!

You will never posses what you're unwilling to pursue. Pursuit is the proof of you desire.
You want Him? You will find Him...but only if you seek Him.
The mystery invites us to investigate, it's not insurmountable and unresolvable. But He is a person, who is God, who hides Himself except for those who make an effort to find Him.
He wants to be wanted. He invites you to pursue.
-Sy Rogers

One cannot read that quote without doing some serious soul searching. I think back to my good friend Dara asking me, "Cori, what is the greatest desire of your heart?" Talk about a deep question! Sadly, questions like that are not normally asked ... but they should be!

Growing up my mother would mention missionary work, and I would always fear that the LORD would call me to share the gospel overseas. One day when I was driving, I remember listening to the song Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath and crying it out as a prayer to the LORD. Little did I know that He would use Teen Mania to give me His eyes and heart for the brokenhearted! I want to share hope though being His hands and feet to everyone – the elderly, those in adolescence, and the tender ages of childhood. Through my growing relationship with the LORD, He has changed my heart. It says in Proverbs 21:1 “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, like rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” Well, The LORD gave me the heart, and the Honor Academy has accepted me to go overseas to South Africa. For this I praise Him!

When and how did the LORD give me a love for missions?

"I pondered this a good deal, and at last concluded that men do not know how much they are capable of doing till they try, and that we should never give way to despair in any undertaking, however difficult it may seem - always supposing, however, that our cause is a good one, and that we can ask the Diving blessing on it." -R.M. Ballantyne


William Wilberforce: "No one of our ages has ever taken power"
Pitt the Younger: "Which is why we're too young to realize certain things are impossible. Which is why we will do them anyway"
(Abolition of the slave trade)

This young woman is an inspiration to me! Crazy to think that she is 22 and has adopted 13 children in Uganda along with founding a thriving ministry. I admire her and stand in awe of what the LORD is doing in in her and through her! Please read her story on the blog link below.

http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/

"What would cause an eighteen-year-old old senior class president and homecoming queen from Nashville, Tennessee, to disappoint her parents by forgoing college, break her little brother’s heart, lose all but a handful of her friends (because the rest of them think she has gone off the deep end), and break up with the love of her life, all so she could move to Uganda, where she knew only one person but didn’t know any of the language? A passion to make a difference. Katie Davis left over Christmas break her senior year for a short mission trip to Uganda and her life was turned completely inside out. She found herself so moved by the people and children of Uganda that she knew her calling was to return and care for them. She has given up a relatively comfortable life—at a young age—to care for the less fortunate of this world. She was so moved by the need she witnessed, she's centered her life around meeting that need. Katie, a charismatic and articulate young woman, is in the process of adopting 13 children in Uganda, and she completely trusts God for daily provision for her and her family."


She also has a book coming out soon!

http://www.christianbook.com/kisses-katie-woman-size-of-africa/katie-davis/9781451612066/pd/612111?item_code=WW&netp_id=907680&event=ESRCG&view=details#curr


Quote from Katie:

I was working at the Ward's corn stand the other day and processing my thoughts as I sorted corn, I randomly began to think about street witnessing. I've always remembered the one and only time a stranger shared her faith with me and my friends while we were at the ocean, she passed tracts out to us and was really nice.

I sadly pondered, Wow, that has only happened once! If I didn't already know Jesus ... that would be a sad thing to only have been witnessed to once! Cori, how many times has He given you the opportunity to witness to strangers and you haven't done it?

Well that was about as far as my thoughts went and I forgot all about it until I met Terry. Terry was my last customer to roll in before lock up. He told me he is always late because he is normally at the church until noon. We chatted for a moment and he bought a dozen ears of corn and then he paused, looking straight into my eyes while smiling he asked, "Do you know Jesus?"


I think my jaw dropped open at his question. I was happy to be able to tell him that I know Jesus and thanked him from the bottom of my heart for asking. As we spoke I was encouraged by his love for the LORD, missions, people, and sharing the gospel.

I had to smile at the end of the day - God is so good and so faithful! I praise Him for His faithfulness to me and thank Him for showing me His relentless heart for the unreached through someone like Terry.

Shout out to my computer skilled brother who made this creative blog for me. I was so impressed when he sent me the link.

Thanks Kyle! <3

"Cori,