Barack the vote! I plan to.

I wrote the following in response to a Facebook wall post by a friend of mine who questioned my spiritual walk because of my decision to support Barack Obama in the upcoming election. I am glad to live in a country where we are allowed to have differing opinions and talk openly about them. So, the following blog is my chance to explain why I am voting for Obama. By the way, I want to point out that having a difference of opinion does not mean a loss of intimacy in ones walk with God. I'm just saying...

I want to first state that I completely agree that we need to do what we can to end abortion. However, I do not feel like abortion is the ONLY issue in this election, no matter how much "Christians" want to act as though it were. Abortions are at a 30 year low, is it low enough? NO! But, I do believe that we have had the decrease because Christians are not only standing around waiting for their elected officials to enact some policy to make it illegal, they are ACTING to see it come to an end. The church is finally sticking to a cause and loving people to the truth. Regardless of Obama's decision to say he is pro choice, he has stated clearly that it is a grave decision and not one to be taken lightly. He also said it was a decision to be talked through with ones Pastor/Rabbi/etc... The only way we are realistically going to stop abortion from happening is not by making it illegal; because millions of babies were killed before Roe v. Wade, we just don't have the official numbers since they weren't recorded. We, as God's children, have to continue to seek out the hurting people in the world and love them. We can't blame a lost world for acting lost; we love them as Christ would love them! We hope, by God’s grace, they will realize their state and seek redemption from it because they have met the person of Jesus IN US not just heard about Him. There have been positive changes in laws but they can be easily changed again. Rather than trying to change the law, why not try to make the law unnecessary? We need to create strong families so our daughters don't even consider abortion an option; so they aren't having sex before marriage. If we, the church, would work on building strong families girls would not have to look to boys to find their identity; they would not have to find acceptance and love through sexual attention.

Let's be honest, we are a country who talks God but we don't often live it. As a whole we live independent lives never caring for our neighbor or the hurting that we pass everyday. I can't do that anymore. My belief in God urges me to give all that I have to meet the needs of those around me. Scriptures like Matthew 25:31-45 and James 1:27 give the mandate to those who love the Father to provide for those in need. I can't give healthcare away, because I have none. I can't afford it. I have been back in the States for 3 months and couldn't get a job until a couple of weeks ago; not for lack of trying but, no one was hiring (even with my college degree and career experience.) I provide what I can to those God brings me but I can't provide for everyone. What I can do is prayerfully seek political representatives who will make decisions to better the lives of hurting Americans rather than pad the pockets of the elite. I am not saying that only Democrats are the ones who make decisions for the everyday man but I can tell you that, in this election, the one not taking money from lobbiest is the democratic nominee. My heart is at peace with where my ballot will be cast.

I believe that Obama knows the Lord; I also believe that he wants to see us, the CHURCH, rise up and take our place as the rightful caretakers of our nation and the world. I have held babies that have soon after passed away from malnutrition and AIDS; I have been through the killing fields in Cambodia and seen what happens when our government turns a blind eye. I have even sat in bars night after night and watched foreign men take home Thai prostitutes while the Thai church sits back and pretends it doesn't happen. I cannot sit back in my own country and pretend that we don't have children who are going to school hungry and at night sleep in the streets. I can't pretend that most girls who sleep around, get pregnant, and either end up aborting, on welfare, or contracting an STD aren't missing people in their lives to tell them about their worth. I can't sit back while women and children are sexually and physically abused but won't leave because the only place to go is a shelter. The church has got to rise up and start meeting these needs as well. I don't think we need welfare reform; I think that Christians should start being their brothers keeper again and make a need for welfare nonexistent. I believe strongly that we have got to wake up and allow the lost and hurting world to see Christ in action through us as we love one another and love others. He said they will know us by our love...but where, in today's church, do they honestly see that love? For the most part, we shoot our own wounded. Until this awakening occurs I must vote to give lawmakers the ability to fill in where we are not getting the job done. I hope for a better day in America; I hope for an awakening in the church where Fathers take their rightful place as Godly heads of their homes and in turn bring a revival to our country. I look forward to a day when we truly live as an Acts 2 & 4 church giving all we have to each other. (And on a "selfish" note; I'd like to be able to go to the doctor or get my teeth cleaned without having to save up for it. It would be nice to be able to get a check up after having lived the past year in some of the poorest living conditions in the world.)

I can only hope that your decision on where your ballot is cast is taken as seriously as I am taking mine. I hope that you do not discount a candidate without information about him or her and without seeking God's direction in it. Please know that I am doing my research and am praying about God's continued guidance. Thanks for allowing me to share my perspective.

It's been awhile...

The month of August was a blur. We were so busy, with wonderful opportunities, but busy none the less. The week after my last post I drove down to Charlotte with Raegan & Reece so they could spend a week with mom, at her house, before school started again. I was at Mom's for two days then I drove down to Gainesville, GA to help with training camp for the World Race Team leaving in October. The week was full of blessings where I got to spend time with some of my WR family, cook international food for a group of Racers who have no idea what they have signed on for, sit under tremendous teaching from Men of God, and have the opportunity to minister and pray for this new group of racers. While in Gainesville Allison, Sean, Jane, Julie, Cameron, and myself stayed at Scott & Carol Pitts house. The Pitts have been a wonderful blessing to all of us C squad racers; they have opened their lives to us. We are forever grateful for their love and wisdom and will never be the same because of their influence.

Thursday night, after a great night out to eat with the serve team, Cameron and I hopped in Sheldon (the most fabulous powder blue Chevy Lumina ever) and drove back to Charlotte where I dropped Cameron off at her mom's house and I drove back to Cornelius to spend the night at my mom's house. Courtney and Elizabeth Uhles had come in to Cornelius overnight as well to stay with my mom so we could leave the next morning for Knoxville, TN where two of our teammates, Brooke & Silas, were getting married. So the next day, Courtney, E-beth, and myself loaded up the car and headed out for Asheville where we picked up Christy Linhart & Heather. It was a beautiful and intimate wedding. They were married in Old Town Knoxville at the Foundry. A large number of World Racers were able to make it to the wedding so it was a great reunion. Thinking back on weddings I have attended the thought comes to mind that there have been very few that the Lord's presence and approval was so greatly felt as with the two weddings I have been to this summer. With every word that pastor spoke about their love and their relationship with the Lord my spirit welled up with the pride of the Father. These two come from places where they understand the importance and seriousness of commitment, and the results of giving up on ones commitments. They understood in that sacred moment that their words were choosing life for generations and that they have a huge responsibility to those generations following after them. I was blessed to be witness to their commitment to one another and God.

After the whirlwind wedding weekend (I dare you to say that three times fast) I returned to Cornelius, bidding goodbye to each of my friends along the way, then left the next morning on family vacation to Universal Orlando. Gavin, Emily and the girls, mom, and myself spent as many days as possible at the parks. We hung out in Suess Landing which was the girls favorite location. Emily and I had fun riding the roller coasters like Dueling Dragons, Hulk, Spider Man, and the Mummy. We ate good food, went swimming every evening in the pool, and just enjoyed being together. Mom and I took our time getting back home stopping in St. Augustine & Savannah before meeting Matt, Steph, and the kids in SC for dinner on their way down to vacation in FL. Once we arrived back in Cornelius, I spent the week visiting family and friends in NC who I had not seen since my weekend arrival back in the States in May. It was a great time hanging out with Keri & little Ari, David & Anthony, Kim, Mom, Nana, Grandmother, The Spurlings, and all the other family that I got to spend time with. I am now back in NoVa working full time at Starbucks and finally feeling like I am catching on to all the drinks they make and all the "extras" that people want. Who knew coffee could get so complicated?!

A most wonderful weekend!

This past weekend was packed full of plans but it was a fantastic weekend. Our friends the Pryors and the Pattersons came down from Cincinnati on Friday to visit. Because of the gift of teaching that Jeremy Pryor has we decided we wanted our friends from NOVA/DC to come out and have some great discussion while getting to know these families.

So, we began the evite process a couple of weeks ago inviting everyone we know to a family camp out on the 18th, which was also Emily's birthday, and then a dinner/discipleship discussion on Sunday night. The cookout/campout was fabulous. We had so much fun. We ended up having about 7 tents pitched in the backyard and even more families represented for food and hangout time. We made homemade ice cream and had cupcakes to celebrate Em's birthday. The kids watched a movie outside on a sheet when it got dark. The adults had a wonderful night of conversation and relaxation. We had a really late night, so Saturday was a bit chaotic. We had a birthday party to attend and we began preparing for Sunday. The whole bunch of us, 13 in total, got up Sunday morning and loaded into the vans for the drive into the city where we attended services and then headed back to the house for a light lunch and to begin prep on Sunday nights dinner. Emily and I made appetizers, Chicken parm, and sides for 50 people Sunday night. It was wonderful. I can't think of a more fun way for us to spend a weekend. It was nice to get to spend time with old friends and to introduce them to new friends. It was nice to get to discuss, as Christians following hard after God, how we can do that best. It was nice to come from different backgrounds, ethnic groups, and "Church" bodies and realize how God has knit us all together to be His church. God is good and He is doing something in the DC metro area. He is calling average men & women and asking them to raise their children His way and asking them to follow regardless of the direction. The coolest part of that is...these average people are saying yes!

The Face of Poverty

I had a friend who posted a blog recently entitled: Serving the Poor is Not Our Mission. I respect this friend and believe that he has a lot of godly wisdom but, on this account, I had to strongly disagree. I began thinking of ways to respond but quickly realized, because this is an issue so close to my heart, that it deserved a blog. So, here is my response to that post. I hope that it shows my heart and is not just stirring up division. This is just a little of my experience.







I think our lack of action on behalf of the poor is a perfect example of the old addage: "Out of sight, out of mind." It is not that we are uncaring or mean; I think the major issue is that we don't see it. Americans are so independent; we are trained from an early age to get a good job, work hard, make good money, and take care of our families. We are active in the PTA, we volunteer countless hours at our local church, we probably even lead our children's Girl/Boy Scout troops. We are so caught up in our own realities that we forget to look around at everyone else's. I am not at all demeaning this life or saying that involvement in any of the above is wrong. But, knowing what I know makes me responsible to share it and remind myself of it's importance as often as I can.








Thanks to several experiences serving around our country and overseas my eyes have been opened to the reality of those who have not been as fortunate as I. The faces of those in poverty belong to men, women, young, and old. They are African, Asian, Latino, & American. Some of them, had they been born in another country or space in time, would not have to deal with the issues of poverty that they struggle with today. But, so many of them do everything they can to make each day better for those they love. I am challenged by them in how they share with one another and how they sacrifice for each other. I have seen Jesus alive among them more often than not. I have felt His touch, seen His smile, and felt His warmth and affection from those in need.





For me, poverty has a name and a specific experience. I know what makes these faces smile, I have seen where they live. I have seen how they perservere in the midst of extreme challenge so they can provide for their families. I have held them, comforted them, and helped to feed them. I have helped to train them in ways to feed themselves and steps to take to keep their children from getting sick. I say all of this to make this point: Now that I have seen their faces and I know their names I can't ever forget. I can never again choose to not see or get caught up in my own life. God has written their experience on my heart and it is now part of my calling, my DNA as His daughter to serve them any way I can.










It is my honor and my priveledge to serve, Lord show me opportunities every day. Give me your eyes to see those hurting around me, inside Your body and out. Help me to encourage brothers and sisters in Christ to see and serve these needs too while staying humble and open to discussion. You are so good to Your children, thank you for letting me be one who shares Your goodness with others.

Matthew 25:35-40

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

Reason to Celebrate

This past weekend I lived on the couch of a dear friend, and former roommate, from Cincinnati. I had arrived on Friday night and enjoyed dinner from Ambar, the best Indian restaurant on the planet; that just happens to be located in the Clifton neighborhood in Cinci. After dinner came dessert, more old friends, introductions to new ones, and plenty of fireworks. Even though we had over a years worth of living to catch up on, it felt as though we had only been apart for a few days. We celebrated new babies & pregnancies, new homes, and stories of my many adventures through the year. We shared our hearts and our passions with every laugh, hug, and smile. The men drank Cognac and smoked cigars; the women sat around the kitchen table and shared "remember when" moments and what are they doing now updates.

Saturday, Emily Caine, one of the most precious women I know married Justin Carabello a man I had not met before that day but, from the moment I saw them together I knew he was perfect for her. Emily is a free spirit, she is an artist, she is silly, she wears Chuck Taylor's with her prettiest dresses! She wanted, in place of a ring, and bicycle built for two. She is the kind of girl you want to be friends with. She makes you laugh, she listens to your heart, and she knows how the throw a wicked party! At the reception I saw everyone that Emily loves not only party with her, but help her throw the party too. Instead of an expensive cake, which is always pretty to look at but very rarely tastes good, she had local friends make dozens and dozens of cookies and other dessert recipes. Our friend Wendi did all the flowers for the wedding, and I even got in on the flower arranging that morning, it was a blast! The decorations: borrowed. The caterer: family friends. The DJ: Mark Treas & an ITunes playlist, created by the bride and groom themselves. I saw community in action and was blessed to see it. The night was filled with fun, good food, dancing, authentic conversation, and a celebration of love given by God to two of His children. He was pleased with the day. I got to watch Raegan, Reece, and Eliot become mezmerized by the beautiful princess bride they saw in Miss Emily and watch as they partied along side a room full of adults, old and young alike, who were cutting up the dance floor. It was fantastic!

On Sunday, the Long's and I were invited to the Willis' house for brunch. It was so much fun spending time with our old friends. Jon made us pancakes with blueberry sauce and mimosa's. Jon, Gavin, and I were on the team to clean the kitchen and cleaned absolutely everything in 10 minutes, including sweeping the floor! The kids loved playing with one another; Rae & Reece really enjoyed their time spent with Lucy and Mary Rose and Eliot really hit it off. It seems the only one who didn't have a playmate was poor Ashton, the only boy in the bunch. He got to play a little but got over it when the girls decided to have a tea party! Gavin & Jon decided to walk across the river to the Reds game while Laura, Emily, and I; with the kids hung out and caught up on life. We got to see amazing pictures of Jon's recent trip to Mumbai, India where he took photos for an IJM project; and I shared many stories about the race.

Sunday night we got to attend the Ft Thomas Community Gathering, which is the group we were a huge part of when we lived in Cincinnati. It was a blessing to be surrounded by dear friends, hurting and blessed and minister to one another. We had those who really poured out their hearts in confession and others who came around them and prayed for strength and perserverance. It was a beautiful time of the body functioning as it should in small group settings.

This whole weekend happened, and was as wonderful as it was, because of one thing: LOVE. Every single person who played a role in making the wedding happen did so because they love Emily. They wanted to show Emily, in big and small ways, that they love her and celebrate along with her. It is the reason that Gavin, Emily, Nick, and I loaded up the van with snacks, suitcases, and three little girls who hate to be strapped down in car seats, and drove the 8 hours it takes to get from our house to Cincinnati. Love is the factor that makes it possible for time to feel nonexistant when you are catching up with friends. It is the reason we go out of our way to help when a friend is in need. Love is the reason and purpose to our lives. Love should be our identity. I was so blessed to be a part of the entire weekend, every single part. It was a redemptive trip, it was a trip that rekindled love I thought may have disappeared and it created new love and appreciation for the people and things we are so blessed to have in our lives.

What life have we; if we have not life together... T.S. Eliot

This is where I've been...Now what's next?

As most of you know, this past year I had the amazing opportunity to travel with 27 other individuals around the world. To have had the experiences I have had and to know the people I have been blessed to meet is a huge blessing. I honestly can't find the words to express how changed I am because everyday of this past year left a mark.

We had our good days and bad, our sickness and health, our abundance and lack. The 27 of us experienced miracles, both large and small. We suffered loss together and we celebrated together. We were family, but more importantly, we were the church.

We didn't always get along, we didn't always agree but, we always came back to the underlying truth that Our Father God called us to love one another and to put each other ahead of ourselves. Each of those people and the many we met along the road will be forever in my heart and many of them will be covenant relationships for a lifetime.

I thought I would add some pictures, a few from each continent, in case you haven't seen them all on Facebook.


















So now, I sit in my kitchen in the beautiful town of Great Falls, VA blessed to be surrounded by family, missing those I have served beside in some pretty hard places in the world, and wondering what God has next. I know that as His daughter, and His favorite (sorry, I feel bad for the rest of you, but that is straight from His lips to my ears!) He knows exactly what is in store for me. He knows the career path I should take, He knows the financial needs that He will meet, and He knows the answers to all the questions that continue to pile up.

And all the while, He whispers gently in my ear; "It's okay, take your time. Trust me I know what I'm doing. Let me do what I know is best and focus on Our love. The next step will come." And so, I wait...