Home Sweet Home

Announcement: The Facebook events for the Craft Fair are up!!  Yay!!!  Check them out!
   Crafting Day: https://www.facebook.com/events/676391922444998/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming
   Crafting Fair: https://www.facebook.com/events/1442889259295505/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

Why is it that we are so excited to travel places, but once we've been away from home we are so eager to get back to our comfy bed and squishy pillow?  I don't know about you, but I do this ALL the time.  It's not that I don't enjoy the vacation.  This past week I went to Clovis to visit my family.  Since mom had shoulder surgery on Monday and Sunday was Father's Day it was perfect timing!  I love going back to see my family and get caught up with everyone.  I even got to visit with my friend Rachel whom I haven't seen in years.  As much as I loved being in Clovis, I was happy to get back to my bed and see Sean.

On the way back I had some time to kill in the airport.  I took the opportunity to have some quiet time (which I wasn't too good about over my vacation).  I read the story in Mark 9:14-29 where a father comes to Jesus and asks him to help his son who has been possessed by an evil spirit.  The man ends his request by adding "if you can".  Jesus tells the father that anything is possible if a person believes.

"The father instantly cried out, 'I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief.'" (Mark 9:24)

I don't know about you, but I have difficulty processing the idea of believing and having unbelief at the same time.  I think we're taught to think that everything is black and white.  Either you agree, or don't.  You believe, or you don't.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I am like the father in this story.  Especially when I am confronting something big or something that I cannot do on my own.  I had this conflict when I went to Kenya.  The idea of raising funds for the trip was daunting.  I believed God could help because I had seen Him do it before (for myself and countless others), but I also struggled with unbelief that God could work in this situation.  It's the age old struggle.  I know God is able and has done things like this for others, but would He really do it for this?  For me?  How many times have I had this debate in my head?

I've even been having this struggle with the Craft Fair.  I have never put on anything like this.  This is something completely new to me.  I believe that God can make this a success because it is something that is important and I believe that He can do anything.  But then that little voice starts again.  Are you sure He's going to do this?  I mean, how many other things does God have to deal with?  

The truth is my unbelief doesn't limit God.  I do.  When I approach these instances of doubt, I can respond in one of two ways.

1.  I can give in to that doubt and turn away from where I feel God is leading.

2.  I can respond like the father in the story.  "Lord I believe, but help me overcome my unbelief."  


It's amazing what God can do when we respond with the second sentence.  So take a second this week to see what God's calling you to and ask Him to work in spite of the unbelief you feel.

Crafting Hope

Life has been so busy lately!  Since Sean and I both teach, we decided that we want to take full advantage of summers and travel as much as we can.  After school got out, Sean went to a swim meet in Phoenix before we went to London and Ireland.  My dad has students in London for a study abroad program and Sean has family in Ireland so it worked out perfectly!  Then we came back and had one night in our own bed before we went to Phoenix to be in our friends' wedding.  It was such a beautiful wedding and we were so grateful to be a part of it!

Needless to say, we are a bit exhausted now that we're back home.  It's back to normal life, which means I am now on my millionth load of laundry and our apartment needs some cleaning.  BUT I am so excited to tell you all about a project I am working on this summer!  First a little background...

In 2012 I went to Kenya on a mission trip with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.  I was blown away by everything, but one particular part of the trip has stuck in the front of my mind.  We visited Sanctuary of Hope, an orphanage that cares for over 20 children.  As I sat there listening to small children leading a worship service, I was moved by what God had done in their lives.  Pastor Karau and his wife, the founders of Sanctuary of Hope, opened these homes to give children from the Mathare Valley slum a safe home, an education, and a family.

So now, two years later, I still can't get that picture of those children out of my head.  I've been trying to think of how to respond and I've finally decided.  Introducing...

I'm putting together a craft fair called "Crafting Hope" to benefit Sanctuary of Hope!  I am so excited about it...and nervous.  I've never put together anything like this before and am so grateful that my good friends Kassily and Liz have agreed to help me out!  So here's the plan:

Open Crafting and Donation Day

Friday, July 18th 9am - 7pm

Hope Evangelical Free Church

On this day, people can come to the church and make crafts to donate to the sale on Saturday.  We are working on getting some craft items donated, but participants should bring their own crafting supplies.  If you cannot make the open crafting time but want to donate an item to be sold on Saturday, this is the time you can drop it off.  

Crafting Hope Craft Fair

Saturday, July 19th 9:30am - 3:30pm

Hope Evangelical Free Church

All donated craft items will be sold on Saturday and all proceeds will go to Sanctuary of Hope.

I am so excited about this event and cannot wait to see how it plays out!  If you are interested in helping out in any way (advertising the event, donating crafted items, etc.) please let me know.  And above all, please pray for this event!