Most of you are aware, but I need to let those near and dear to me know what the Lord's been teaching me, showing me, and telling me to do (in a little more detail). . .1 because I need accountability and 2 because I hope to encourage others:) For me, I am most encouraged and challenged in my faith when I see God's people bearing fruit in such a way that inspires me to do the same. Not out of guilt, but out of pure desire to become more intimate with the Maker of Heaven and Earth in order to make His glory known throughout the world.

My thought process on what I must do to reach the lost and the poor has been greatly challenged as of late, mainly through the teaching of my pastor, David Platt. We have been studying the book of James and I have been really inspired to be more of a "doer of the Word, and not just a hearer only." Without getting too wordy (HA), David has challenged our church to help out in any way we can for those in need...especially the children (or orphans as it talks about in James). I attended an informational meeting at church in which numerous agencies, including DHR and other adoption associations, met with those interested in fostering or adopting. I truly feel fostering a child is something the Lord is leading me to do. YES...it will be hard. And YES...I will have to make some MAJOR changes in my life! But, I have really been thinking this through, and the reasons that I shouldn't do it just sound selfish in light of what I feel God's Word is speaking to me. I am able to set parameters as far as what I am willing to accept. My ideal scenario would be to get matched with a 5-8 year old child, or I have even been considering a pregnant teenager. I begin what's called GPS classes this Wednesday night. This is an informational/training class that I will take for 10 weeks. The main goal in foster world is for the child to be placed back in their biological home if at all possible. That will probably be the hardest thing for me to deal with in this whole process. But, if I can show Jesus to a child (who is in great need of Him) by bringing them into my home and my life for a day, week, or even months when I can, then it will be all worth it! I just can't not do this because I know it's gonna be hard if this is truly something I feel He is leading me to do...

With that said, check out the blog of this girl who basically goes around Uganda meeting the needs of orphans and whom I believe houses around 12...AMAZING. I haven't read her whole story, but I cry every time I read something she posts. SO cool to see what this 20-something, single gal is doing with numerous children under who knows what kind of conditions on a daily basis in a war-torn country. This sister in Christ has really encouraged and inspired me, and I have no clue who she is! http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/


Here are some scriptures that I have been praying through...some since this summer:)

"For my determined purpose is that I may know Him, that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly."
~Philippians 3:10 Amplified Version

10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.

11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

~Isaiah 58:10-11 NIV

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." ~Galatians 2:20 ESV

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." ~James 1:27 NIV

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." ~James 2:14-19 NIV

"But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4:13 NIV

I hope you saw as you read (and processed this) that Christ is at the center of every decision I am making. My aim is to please Him only no matter the earthly cost. I know my faith will only be strengthened in the days to come as I continue to rely on Him. My prayer is that He can be glorified through me as I strive to be obedient to Him. Please make that your prayer for me too:)