I blogged...

...but not here. I was asked to do a guest post. Please head over to inspiredRD and check it out.

Unimaginable Adventures

 (Anna carrying her friend after the "color run" in Grand Rapids)

A letter from my daughter...

Hello!

 I would like to share with you the amazing work God has been doing in my life these past two months! If you would have asked me what I was doing this fall before July, I would have been able to tell you my fall plans, which sounded like this: This fall I will be going to GVSU for a major in Biomedical sciences, a minor in Spanish, then going on to become a physician’s assistant and getting involved in medical mission work. 

July 29, I had the privilege to go on a local mission trip called Immersion. It is ran through the Bridge Street House of Prayer, a.k.a the BSHOP. It’s a free coffee shop ran by individuals living in community and showing Gods love to the west side of Grand Rapids. They invite youth groups into their daily routine for 9 days in the summer. We started with a camping trip Friday to Sunday with team bonding, and lots of personal time to listen to God. Then Monday through Saturday it’s all about spending time with God and the West side.

Camping is where my adventure began.

I was worried about college since the spring, because I was worried about living at home, didn’t want seven more years of classes, and I wanted to go DO something. I just didn’t have peace with my current plans. While camping, during some quiet time, I felt God telling me that GVSU wasn’t His plan YET. And I definitely doubted what I heard at first, I was skeptical. So Monday, I prayed if God was telling me this He would bring someone to me to affirm that. He didn’t bring one, instead He brought 5; one two hours after praying, the rest throughout the remainder of the week. I finally got the picture –I need to seek Him for some new fall plans. I started feeling called to YWAM.

BACKGROUND: YWAM stands for Youth with a Mission. Their vision is waves of young people spreading God’s Word all over the World. YWAM has 1,000 bases in 180 countries. It starts with a 5 month Discipleship Training School, or DTS. DTS is a 3 month lecture phase where you have lots of teachings, and preparation for the outreach. The outreach is like a 2 month mission trip, putting what you learned into action and sharing God’s love.  Some DTS’s have a focus.

I decided to fast after Immersion, to really seek God’s direction about changing my fall plans. My mom and I both fasted over the decision, and it was a great way to seek out God’s direction.  During the fast, God provided a base to apply to, and opened the right doors for my application. I still don’t know how I found the San Pedro, Dominican Republic base website. I clicked on a long series of links and ended up there, and instantly felt at peace about it. It was the first base I found with the right start date and focus.  I applied and kept pressing into God for direction and the right doors to open and shut. Then on August 7, I received a phone call saying I was accepted to the September 20 DTS in San Pedro, Dominican Republic!

I will be leaving Sept 20, and flying down to Dominican Republic for three months. My DTS has a Mercy and Compassion focus which means on outreach we will focus on witnessing to sex trafficking victims, orphans and AIDS/HIV victims. Dec 17 I fly out of the Dominican to an outreach location, which will be chosen within the first few weeks in the DR. I will return Feb. 15. Then we will retry the original fall plans for fall of 2013.

Here’s how you can help!

Financially:

Lecture phase is $2,900

Outreach is $1500-$2,500

Travel is $600

Prayers!!

Prayers for safety, guidance

For open, receiving hearts in the communities we interact with.

And that the glory keeps getting pointed to God and that people don’t see the students as we serve, but that they are pointed to God, and He is glorified through our work.

Thank you for all the support!

If you have any questions, email me at marjen@altelco.net

Anna Hill

Wake UP!

It's been so long since I posted that everything blogger has been updated. I had to reteach myself. That's what I get for neglecting my blog. Wink!

So who is joining me in this challenge? I have fallen off the "stay fit" bandwagon over the last couple weeks and desperately need to get back on track. Hopefully this will kick it gear for me.

Click on the image for all the details.

Project 365 - Pictures Week 5

Super Bowl mixed with an 18th birthday party kept me so busy Sunday that I completely forgot about posting the week's pictures. I hope you all enjoyed your weekend too.



January 29: These frames were an anniversary gift from a close friend years ago...

January 30: Spicy Lentil-Walnut Burgers.

January 31: Her first birthday party for a friend.

February 1: Just keep moving.

February 2: After school snack.

February 3: Tonight's the big night. Libby's been working hard on her part as "Jenny the Pig".

February 4: So much for keeping me company? Was an hour on the treadmill to much to ask?

Thanks Giving Inspired Fridays: Week 5

Here's a recap of what my #365Thanks tweets were last week.

• Jan 27: I'm thankful for sore muscles today as a result of a hard work out yesterday. #365thanks
• Jan 28: Thankful for a wonderful date night. #365thanks
• Jan 29: Thankful for a slow start to the week tomorrow. The kids don't have school. #365thanks
• Jan 30: Thankful for a family that's willing to at least try whatever mom puts in front of them. Up tonight, walnut-lentil burgers. #365thanks
• Jan 31: Had a fun morning with my niece at a bday party for a friend. Thankful for the invite. #365thanks
• Feb 1: Thankful for the beautiful gift God gave me 18 years ago. Happy birthday Georgiana. I love you! #365thanks
• Feb 2: Thankful for an extra vehicle when mine needs to go in for repairs. #365thanks

Linking up here:

Project 365 - Pictures Week 4

January 22: Today's jewelry.


January 23: My motto for the day.

January 24: Creativity.


January 25: Lunch.


January 26: My "Spring" during Michigan winters.


January 27: A 42-30 win for the lady falcons! (23 belongs to me)


January 28: Control.

Thanks Giving Inspired Fridays: Week 4

Here is a recap of what my #365Thanks tweets were since last week's post.

• Jan 20: Today I'm on day 20 of 21 of the #DanielFast and I'm thankful for the focus God's given me during it. #365thanks
• Jan 21: Heading down to South Bend to watch the oldest throw at Notre Dame. Thankful for clear roads. #365thanks #GoState #MSU
• Jan 22: Today I'm thankful for family time. #365thanks
• Jan 23: Thankful for God's protection for a dear friend today. #365thanks
• Jan 24: Today I'm thankful for children who don't hold back from sharing Christ with their peers. #365thanks
• Jan 25: Oh no! I just realized that I forgot this day but I know it would have been "today I'm thankful for the support of christian girlfriends"
  
• Jan 26: I'm thankful for people that speak kind, encouraging, and uplifting words to my children. #365thanks

Linking up here:

Ephesians 1:11-19

This morning's scripture was Ephesians 1:18-19

18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength,

Something that stuck out to me was "eyes of your heart". It seems to me so often, as women, we are accused of not seeing clearly because we are lead by our hearts. I love that we need to have the "eyes of our hearts" enlightened to know hope.

Linking up here:

Project 365 - Pictures Week 3

Week 3 is looking much more organized. In case you are wondering all of the pictures are taken with my iPhone and usually edited/posted to Instagram and Flickr.


January 15: Christmas gift from a girl in my HS youth group. It makes me smile.



January 16: Ready to dig in.

January 17: Hanging out with me while I'm on the treadmill.

January 18: A beautiful bow made by a beautiful friend for my beautiful daughter.

January 19: I'm on day 19 of 21 of a Daniel Fast. I made tacos for the family and here is my version. Corn tortillas, hummus, guacamole, black beans, roasted tomato, and lettuce. They were yummy.

January 20: Brrr!

January 21: "A great day to be a Spartan." Zack set a new PR (personal record) of 61' 7" with the shot put. That mark makes him 2nd in the Big 10 and 8th in the nation.

Thanks Giving Inspired Fridays: Week 3

Here is a recap of what my #365Thanks tweets were since last weeks post.

• Jan 13: Snow day fun! #365thanks

• Jan 14: Today I'm thankful to have had all 6 of us around the dinner table. #365thanks
• Jan 15: Today I'm thankful that God gave me the perseverance to run an hour. #365thanks
• Jan 16: Today I am thankful that my salvation began with God choosing me first. #365thanks
• Jan 17: I'm thankful for a reliable, safe vehicle to drive my family to and from on wintery Michigan roads. #365thanks

• Jan 18: Today I'm thankful that God lavished the riches of his grace on me. #365thanks
• Jan 19: I'm thankful for a husband that takes the time to shovel the front walk and driveway before heading to work. #365thanks

Linking up here:

Ephesians 1:1-10

I've started studying Ephesians with Good Morning Girls. The study uses the SOAP tool to really dig into scripture.

What is S.O.A.P.?
S.O.A.P. stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. It is a way of getting more out of your time in God's word.

This morning's scripture was Ephesians 1:7-10.

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,

10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment–to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

The word that really stuck out to me was "lavished".

Definition of LAVISH: 1.more than enough 2.expend or produced in abundance 3.using or giving in great amounts

The thought that God has lavished the riches of his grace on me is humbling!

Linking up here:

Project 365 - Pictures Week 2

I am a little behind because I'm just starting this week but I am going to attempt 365 (+1 for leap year) days of pictures.

Here is where I am at so far...


January 10: Anna's basketball team getting ready for their game. Anna is #23.


January 13: An "Emily day". She is loving the easy to peel Mandarin oranges.


January 13 (again): Zack's first indoor track meet of the season. He went in with a goal of 18 meters and his furthest throw was 18.01. Good day!


January 14: They were both "dog tired" and I couldn't resist taking a picture.

A sporadic first post but hopefully by next week I will be in full swing.

Be Blessed!

Thanks Giving Inspired Fridays: Week 2

If you want to join in head over to to InspiredRD and read about the Project 365 Thanks.

Here is a recap of what my #365Thanks tweets were since last weeks post.

• Jan 5: I'm thankful for the opportunity to attend kickboxing class at my church. #365thanks
• Jan 6: I'm so excited for a weekend with girlfriends and thankful that I'm able to go. #365thanks
• Jan 7: A view from my run this morning. Gorgeous! #365thanks
  

• Jan 8: Today I am thankful for a husband that let's me go away for the weekend while he cares for the kids. #365thanks
• Jan 9: Thankful for a husband that will stand firm in his faith. May God continue to use/bless him. #365thanks
• Jan 10: Today I'm thankful for the sunshine. We don't see much of that during the winter in Michigan. #365thanks
• Jan 11: Today I am thankful I was able to run in this unseasonably warm West Michigan weather before the snow hits tomorrow. #365thanks
• Jan 12: Today as I pray for discernment between wants and needs I am thankful that God ALWAYS meets my needs. #365thanks

Project 365 Thanks

Do you remember this?
It inspired me to make this...

We still have the journal and just had it out on the counter during the month of November. It is a blessing to read back a couple of years and see what everyone was thankful for as we continued to add to it.

Which brings me to Project 365 Thanks.

Alysa at InspiredRD has started Project 365 Thanks. She got her inspiration from reading reading the book 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp. The book came about from Ann's own journal of 1000 gifts.

Alysa is challenging us to live with a thankful for heart and to post something daily for the entire year that we are thankful for.

"Stopping to give thanks will slow down the hurry, and bring my attention to where it needs to be. As Ann says, 'Wherever you are, be all there.'" -Alysa

If you want to join in head over to to InspiredRD and read about the Project 365 Thanks.

Here is a recap of what my #365Thanks tweets have been so far.

• Jan 1: I'm thankful that West Michigan is finally getting snow. #365thanks
• Jan 2: Today I'm thankful for a teammate that offered to bring Z back to MSU and save us part of the drive on the snowy roads. #365thanks
• Jan 3: Today I'm thankful for the opportunity to care for my niece 2 days a week. She is a blessing. #365thanks
• Jan 4: I'm thankful for the opportunity I have to be a youth group leader and spend time with some amazing girls! #365Thanks

Be blessed!

Running goals for 2012

Just because I need it in writing to hold myself accountable I thought I'd better post some goals.

Last year I logged 193.61 miles into my Nike+ app. I know I actually ran more than that since I don't always use the app while I am on the treadmill. I am going to guess that I actually logged about 250 miles in 2011.

I'm going to go for a 20% increase for 2012 which, if I did the math correct, puts me at a goal of 300 miles.

Another goal for 2012 is to run a half marathon. That is 13.1 miles. That is an overwhelming thought for me during these cold winter months but I think it's doable come spring or summer.

Finally, to overcome my "it's to cold outside to run outside" attitude my last running goal is to not let more than 7 days go by without getting a minimum of a 30 minute run in outside.

Feel free to hold me accountable these, please.

What are your goals for 2012 running or other?