Thankful

I took this picture outside Charles's apartment. It is perfect for my 2013 thankful list.

Here are 30 things I am thankful for this year:

1. God and His love and mercy

2. Salvation through Christ

3. Jason

4. Daisy Duke snuggles

5. Scarlett's sweet personality

6. close relationship with my parents and Jason's parents

7. our house

8. having friends and family with us for Thanksgiving

9. my job

10. having every other week off

11. having Thanksgiving and Christmas off this year!

12. comfy pajamas

13. freedom

14. our small group

15. a healthy baby nephew

16. colorful leaves in the fall

17. gorgeous sunrises on my way home from work

18. beach sunsets

19. date nights with Jason

20. good health

21. Jason's arm healing well

22. my phone/computer

23. appliances that make life easier- washer/dryer, dishwasher, fridge, etc.

24. running water

25. electricity

26. dark chocolate

27. new glasses

28. mountain views

29. warm blankets on chilly nights

30. a new family photo of us with our pups

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

iServe Update

A lot has changed since my original post about iServe, which can be found here.

Our backpack ministry is still going strong. We were able to do boxes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Breaks which allowed for more food than the backpacks. The backpacks will pick back up in a few weeks when school starts back.

In February of this year we began our Food Truck ministry. Through our local food bank, we are able to purchase a semi truck of food for $800. This food is then distributed to families in the community who need it. The semi truck holds 40,000 pounds of grocery store overstock. Each truck holds different items, but it is usually a variety of canned goods, produce, juice, snacks, bread, and meat. We have asked local churches, businesses, and individuals to sponsor a truck. We are hosting our Food Truck once a month at a local flea market. There are already sponsors for each truck for the year 2013 which is a huge blessing!

On the third Tuesday of every month, the food truck delivers to our local flea market. Right now we are using Jason's bobcat to help unload all the pallets off the truck. Then we use hand trucks to set up the pallets down an assembly line of tables. The assembly line starts with empty milk boxes that one of our volunteers picks up from Ingles. Heavier items like bottles of juice and canned goods are next along the assembly line. Then the lighter or more fragile items (i.e. produce, bagged snacks, etc.) are put on top of the heavier items. Volunteers are stationed all along our table assembly line to put the items into the boxes. At the end of the tables an information sheet about iServe and the truck sponsor are also put into the box before the boxes are loaded into a buggy. Bigger items that will not fit into our boxes are also at the end of our assembly line so they can just be put into the buggy before the buggy is taken by one of our volunteers to someone's car. 

The top picture is the food truck and some volunteers helping with the hand trucks to move the pallets.

The bottom left picture is our assembly line. The pallets are set up on either side of a long line of tables with a volunteer for each item that needs to be placed in the box or buggy. We also have extra volunteers along the line to help push the boxes down and keep things moving.

The bottom right picture is a full buggy ready to be taken and loaded into someone's car.

This is a better picture of the assembly line.
The Georgia tent in the far right of the picture is where the line starts for those in need of food. We also have volunteers here taking information. Before we can give anyone food, we have to verify that they live in the county we are serving (using their ID) and they have to sign verifying their income per month is below a certain amount. This amount is based on the number of members in their family.

Things have grown considerably over the last months. At our first truck in February we served 116 families. This month we served 357 families! 

All of this is possible because of the amazing God we serve!
He has provided incredible volunteers and sponsors.
We are blessed to work with them and blessed to be able to serve so many people in need.

We have also recently launched a website for iServe (iserveministries.com). The website is also linked under the ministry tab at the top of this blog.
On the website you can find information about both our backpack and food truck ministries plus ways to support us and get involved with what we are doing.

Here are some ways we would love for you to pray for us:
- We would ideally like to have a fork lift to unload the truck, but they are expensive. We are hoping for a donation or funding from grants.
- Next year we would like to do a second food truck each month. Our location now is at one end of the county. Ideally our second truck would be closer to the other end of the county. We need prayer about the logistics, sponsors for the additional trucks, and a location. 
- Pray for those receiving the food! We pray that they would see Jesus through us and what we are doing.

1 John 3:18 (NLT)
"Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." 

The Plan

2 Timothy 1:9 (NLT)

"For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time- to show us his grace through Christ Jesus."

There is so much truth in this one verse! 

God saves us- not because we are deserving (no one is!). It was his plan from the beginning! He knew before creation that we would fall short, but He had a plan. A perfect plan- to show us His amazing grace and unfailing love through Christ. 

God's love is so incredible. Even in our sin (which He cannot stand because He is Holy), He sent Christ as a sacrifice for us, so we can be reconciled to Him.

Romans 5:8 (NLT)

"But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."

Thank you, Lord, for your great love and plan for our redemption!

Sunrise

One of the positives about working the night shift is that I'm often driving home as the sun rises. I have seen so many gorgeous skies over the last year. On Monday I had a dentist appointment after work, so I got some breakfast before I left the hospital. As I was walking down a hallway lined with windows, I happened to look out and see the sky. I was mesmerized. The sun was just coming up over the horizon, so it was still pretty dark higher up in the sky. The colors were amazing, such vivid reds and oranges. It was gorgeous! I had to go outside and try to make a picture. Unfortunately, none of the pictures I took with my iPhone even remotely captured the colors and amazing beauty. 

Panoramic Picture

The beautiful sunrise reminds me of these verses: 

Psalm 19:1 (NLT)

"The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship."

God is an incredible artist! The sky on Monday morning was just one of His masterpieces!

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Just like the sun comes up every morning to begin a new day, the Lord's mercy is new every morning. Each day a fresh start to give Him all the glory.

I am so thankful for the beauty of creation that reflects God's glory and for His new mercies and continued faithfulness.

iServe

Last year, as Jason and I stepped away from youth ministry, we felt God calling to minister in the community. Our good friends, Jeff and Sherry, also felt God calling them into ministry. In talking with them, we decided to start a non-profit to serve the community. Instead of being associated with one church, the goal is to be connected with multiple churches. Association with multiple churches would allow us to help connect people in the community to a church near them.

We decided to call our ministry iServe Ministries. An immediate need we knew of was food. There are many children using a free/reduced lunch program at their schools. For many this means they eat both breakfast and lunch at school for free or at a reduced rate. We knew of a group in a nearby county that was providing some students on the free/reduced lunch program food for the weekends. We thought that might be something we could do in our base county.

Our goal was to provide a backpack each Friday with enough food inside to feed that child and its family for the weekend.

We started trying to get connected at some of the elementary schools last school year. In the beginning we felt a lot of opposition. Satan was not interested in our plan being successful at all. But finally things started falling in to place. At the end of the school year last year we had already begun delivering backpacks on Fridays.

This school year the ministry has gotten even bigger. Currently, we are delivering backpacks to three elementary schools and one high school. We are in the process of adding another elementary school and high school. Each backpack holds 24 meals and some snacks. We are including non perishable food items like jars of peanut butter, cans of stew, cracker packs, pancake mix, etc. Getting the food and backpacks has been made possible through donations by friends, family, neighbors, and churches. It has been so awesome to see what God has done and is doing. 

We are excited to continue serving the community and to see what all God has in store for this ministry!

Galations 6:10 "Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone- especially to those in the family of faith." (NLT)

The Word

There are two verses that God has shown me recently that I thought I would share.

Psalm 31:14-15 (NLT)

"But I am trusting you, O Lord; saying 'You are my God!' My future is in your hands."

This verse really spoke to me. Lately some things about our future have seemed uncertain. Hearing these words from the Lord gave me such assurance. No matter what kind of uncertainty we may face; we know that our future is in His hands!

Psalm 103: 11 (NLT)

"For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth."

I love this verse too! God's love for me reaches as high as the heavens above the earth! His love is unfathomable. He loves me and you no matter what we have said or done. His love is unconditional and never-ending. I am truly grateful.

This week remember- God loves you more than you could ever imagine and your future is in His hands!

Philippians 1:6

I decided to choose a verse for the blog.

I chose Philippians 1:6,

"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." (NLT)

I started this blog when Jason and I took a step of faith a few months before our wedding (read the post here). I wanted to be able to document the changes in our lives as well as God's teachings and provision. God started his good work in each of us individually when we accepted Christ, but I feel he started something in us as a couple as well. While we still don't know exactly what God has planned for our future, we know that He will finish what He started! 

Friday's Letters

I'm linking up with Ashley for Friday's Letters today!

Dear month of May,

Where did you come from? I can't believe you are already here, but I'm excited about all the celebrations you are bringing!

Dear Jason, 

I'm thankful that you didn't have to go out of town this week while I was off! And I'm looking forward to spending the weekend with you.

Dear Charles,

I can't believe you are graduating from college tomorrow! I am proud of you and excited about your next steps. I know you will enjoy seminary! And I'm excited to spend this weekend with you and MC.

Dear Daisy Duke,

I am going to miss you this weekend while we are out of town for graduation. Please be good for MeeMaw, and please be sweet to her puppies!

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for always remaining faithful even when I fail. Your love is amazing.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Always

Yesterday Jason and I went to Passion City Church.

Kristian Stanfill led worship and sang the song "Always".

"Oh my God

He will not delay 

my refuge and strength always

I will not fear

His promise is true

my God will come through always

Always"

We can choose to put our hope and trust in anything.

But as long as we are trusting in our friends, family, selves, money, etc 

to always come through for us, we will be very disappointed.

God is the ONLY one who will ALWAYS come through.

No matter what.

Psalm 46:1 (NLT)

"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble."

emphasis mine

Psalm 121:1-2 (NLT)

"I look up to the mountains - does my help come from there?

My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!"

Broken Hearts

I am doing the Bible Study Breaking Free by Beth Moore.

I read something today that I feel led to share.

This study is based around Isaiah 61:1-4.

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations." (NIV)

Today the focus was on the second part of verse 1: 

"He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted".

We have all experienced a broken heart at some point in our lives. 

The question is how do we handle it and deal with it.

The following is an excerpt from Breaking Free:

"Life's way of reacting to a crushed heart is to wrap tough sinews of flesh around it and tempt us to promise we'll never let ourselves get hurt again. That's not God's way. Remember, self-made fortresses built to protect our hearts not only keep love from going out but they keep love from coming in. We risk becoming captives in our own protective fortresses. Only God can put the pieces of our hearts back together again, close up all the wounds, and bind them with a porous bandage that protects from infection ... but keeps the heart free to inhale and exhale love."

Let that sink in for a minute, or read it again if you need to.

How many times when my heart has been broken have I thought to myself:

 "I won't let that happen again"? 

Or at the very least had the attitude that I would protect myself better the next time.

But, that is NOT God's way!

God doesn't want me to trapped in my fortress of protection.

He wants me to be free to experience His love and the love of others and pour love out.

God is the only one who can heal our broken hearts. 

No amount of self protection can put all the pieces back together.

Today, I choose to expose my broken heart to God, so that He can put it back together the way that He sees fit. If not, how can I ever be free to be fully effective for Him and His kingdom?

Today, I choose to longer be imprisoned by my self protection.

I pray that you will allow God to heal your broken heart too.

Wednesday Loves

I'm linking up with Jamie today for What I'm Loving Wednesday!

This Wednesday I am loving:

1. That it's my week off. I love weeks off!

2. That I got to have a yummy Cracker Barrel breakfast with a sweet, sweet friend today!

 I'm glad we were able to catch up.

3. That Jason came home today!! :)

I'm excited to spend some time with him the next couple of days.

Representing the Vols.

4. That my brother and his fiancé are coming home this weekend. 

I can't wait to spend time with them. 

My mom and I are throwing a bridal shower for MC on Saturday!

Sweet engagement photo.

5. That our apartment is so clean! 

You can read about my spring cleaning here. 

Now I have to try my best to keep it clean.

6. New nail polish!

I treated myself to 2 new colors yesterday after all the cleaning.

7. That in less than a month we are headed to Jamaica for our one year anniversary!

I can hardly believe it's almost been a year since we got married.

I am excited to celebrate with our Jamaica trip and some yummy cake from Elaine at Sweet Stuff Cakes.

Last year in St. Lucia on our honeymoon!

8. The Jesus Calling devotional.

It is amazing.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

Worth Celebrating

Today is Easter.

This is the day we celebrate The risen Savior!

I am reminded of the lyrics of "Mystery" on the Passion CD.

"Christ has died, 

Christ is Risen,

Christ will come again...

Celebrate His death and rising, 

Lift your eyes proclaim His coming"

He even says in the song, "This is worth celebrating"!

Christ's death and resurrection give us, as Christians, reason to celebrate!

Because of His death and resurrection, we have:

Forgiveness from sin and Freedom from its control of us

Peace from knowing that God is always with us and for us

Unfailing Love

Eternal Life

Hope and Joy because of God's gift of eternal life and all of His blessings.

Luke 24:5 (NLT)

"...'Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn't here! He is risen from the dead!...."

And this is definitely worth celebrating.

Life Ain't Always Beautiful

I'm just going to be honest. This week has not been the best week at our house. 

Both of us have been really busy with work and working weird schedules.

Then Jason has had issues with both of us trucks (the joys of car ownership),

 and there were some random things to bring us down.

So, I am borrowing a line from a Gary Allan song,

"Life ain't always beautiful, but it's a beautiful ride..."

Life will never be perfect. And every week can't be the best week ever.

If we never had a bad week, we wouldn't appreciate the good weeks as much!

God certainly never promised us perfection.
In fact, he promised exactly the opposite.

James 1:2 (NLT)

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy." (emphasis mine)

It doesn't say "if trouble comes your way"; trouble is surely coming. 

But God has promised that He will be with us in every circumstance.

Deutoronomy 31:6 (NLT)

"So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will never fail you nor abandon you."

I love it! God has personally gone before us. He already knows where we are headed because he has been there already! Amazing!! 
And He will never fail us or abandon us.

He is there in the good weeks and the bad weeks.

God had truly blessed me in this bad week through the Passion White Flag CD.

We were able to get a copy at Passion City Church on Sunday.

I have been listening to it non-stop since. 

If you don't have a copy, I highly recommend it!!

This CD has literally brought me to tears every time I listen.

Oh the love God has for me and all He has done.

I cannot even choose a favorite song because they are all awesome!

There are a few lyrics that have really touched me this week that I would like to share.

You Revive Me- Christy Nickels

"My soul, O Lord, is thirsty

Only you can satisfy

You're the well that never will run dry

You revive me, You revive me Lord

And all my deserts are rivers of joy

You are the treasure, I could not afford

So I'll spend myself til I'm empty and poor

All for you, You revive me Lord"

Mystery- Charlie Hall

"Sweet Jesus Christ, my sanity

Sweet Jesus Christ, my clarity

Bread of Heaven, broken for me

Cup of salvation, held up to drink

Jesus, mystery

Christ has died and Christ is risen

Christ will come again"

One Thing Remains- Kristian Stanfill

"Your love never fails, never gives up

Never runs out on me

Higher than the mountains that I face

Stronger than the power of the grave

Constant in the trial and the change

One thing remains"

Thank you Jesus for reviving me and being the only thing I need. 
Thank you for being my sanity and clarity. 
Thank you that your love is unending and unfailing!

Change

Last year I considered 2011 the year of change. So many new things were happening- graduating from school, getting married, etc.

Now it's 2012 and already there are a lot of changes happening in our lives. 

It was so silly of me to think that there would be one year of change.

Isn't change one of the few things that actually is consistent?

Things are always changing.

God has used this time of change to remind me that while everything else may be changing, He is NOT. God is constant. His love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, and faithfulness will never change. 

For this I am so very thankful.

Hebrews 13:8 (NLT)

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

An Exciting Opportunity

Our church focuses heavily on missions- both local and international.

The church rents a house in Nicaragua where groups from our church and other churches

can stay when they go to minister to the people there. 

This month our church is sending 3 groups to Nicaragua.

January 7 - 14 is the construction group

January 14 - 21 is the medical group

January 21 - 28 is the language school group

Jason and I are going with the medical group. 

It is certainly a very exciting opportunity! 

I am excited to be able to go and minister to the people of Nicaragua

and share with them the love of God.

I am excited to be able to use all the things I learned in school to further God's kingdom.

I am excited to be able to do all these things with my husband by my side. 

Jason is definitely going to be moral support for me on this trip. 

I have never been on a trip like this before, so I am a little nervous.

Jason hasn't been to Nicaragua before, but he has been to Ecuador and Jamaica on mission trips, so I think he has more of an idea what to expect. 

The unknown has always been a source of fear for me.

That's why I have chosen the following verse to claim for our trip:

Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you.

Don't be discouraged, for I am with you.

I will strengthen you and help you.

I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."

God promises that He is with me, so I do not have to be afraid.

God will give us the strength we need for this trip.

And we will be victorious through Him!

God has already shown Himself so faithful to us as we have prepared for this trip.

He has provided for us financially

And provided encouragement through His word.

I am excited for all that God is going to teach us while we are in Nicaragua.

I pray that he will use us and speak through us to His people there.

Please join me in praying for the 3 groups going to Nicaragua

and all the people they will meet there over the month of January!

Matthew 28:18-19 (NLT)

"Jesus came and told his disciples, 'I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.'"

Our First Christmas

Christmas came and went so quickly this year! We have been so busy with Christmas parties, dinners with friends, and work that the time flew by.

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas. Jason and I certainly did. We celebrated our first Christmas as a married couple! Very exciting. 

I loved having our own tree. We decided to get a real one. I really don't want to take it down. I think it's pretty, and it was so much work. But I guess it will have to come down this weekend. 

We were able to spend a lot of time with our families over the long Christmas weekend. We had Christmas Eve dinner with my parents and brother and his girlfriend. Then we were able to go to the Christmas Eve service at Shadowbrook together before heading to Jason's aunt's house for Christmas with his extended family.

On Christmas day we woke up and had breakfast and opened presents with my family. Then we headed to Jason's parent's house for Christmas dinner, more presents, bingo, and white elephant! 

Here are some pictures, although I didn't take nearly enough!

 Our stockings; Even Daisy got one!

 Gifts under our tree!

 Daisy in her Christmas sweater

 Daisy got a new ball for Christmas

 Our Tree

One of our gifts: a reindeer for each of us!

I am so thankful for Christmas to celebrate the greatest gift of all- the birth of our Savior- and to spend precious time with family.

"But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children." Galations 4:4-5

Thankful

I have noticed a lot of my Facebook friends are posting something they are thankful for each day. I think this is a wonderful idea! I know so often I get caught up in the one or two things that don't seem to be going my way that I forget how many things I have been blessed with. There is so much to be thankful for! I want to list 15 things I am thankful for on this post, then I will post 15 more next week around Thanksgiving!

1. I am thankful for my gracious God who gave His precious and perfect son, Jesus, to conquer death so that I can have a relationship with Him. God has shown me so much love, mercy, and grace that I do not deserve. I am so very grateful!


2. I am thankful for my sweet husband, Jason. Jason loves Jesus and people! He is continually challenging me to step out of my comfort zone and think outside the box. I am truly blessed that God brought us together, and I am super excited about our first holiday season as a married couple!! :)

3. I am very thankful to finally be done with school! Six years of college was a little bit long for me, but I am grateful to live in a place with the opportunity for education.  Now I am Kristen Ellis, Pharm.D. 

4. I am so thankful for my wonderful brother, Charles! Charles is the best brother ever. I am so grateful that God placed us in the same family. I have never understood those who do not get along with their siblings. Charles is one of my closest friends! He has always been a person I can go to for sound advice. 

5. I am thankful for my amazing parents. When I was growing up, I often did not appreciate my parents or their rules. But now that I am a grown up and more mature, I am so glad that they raised me the way that they did! They have taught me so much. I am thankful to them for teaching me about the love of Jesus and instilling in me good values and work ethic. I am so glad to have their unconditional love and support. They are an example of true love for the Lord, for each other, and for their children. 

6. I am so incredibly thankful for all the years I had growing up with my sweet grandparents, Nana and Papa. They are so special to me and made such a difference in my life! They also taught me so much about loving the Lord and loving on people. Their 62 year marriage is an incredible example of true love and commitment! 

7. I am thankful for my dog, Daisy Duke. She is a sweet girl. I love that she is always happy to see me and greets me with a wagging tail and kisses. I love that she takes walks with me around the neighborhood. I love that she is a snuggler! And she is the most beautiful dog ever, of course :)

8. I am thankful to have a job. God has blessed me with a wonderful work opportunity. Jason and I are so grateful for His provision for us! I am looking forward to starting my new job on Monday!


9.  I am thankful to have a roof over my head! I am so glad that we have a little basement apartment to call our own. And we are thankful for all of the hand-me-down furniture that fills it up!


10. I am thankful for our wonderful church. Jason and I have finally found a place where we can worship and serve the Lord alongside our fellow Christians! We have really enjoyed meeting so many new friends through Sunday school and our small group. We are working with the youth and enjoying them as well! I am especially thankful for the pastor and his wife who have been so sweet to Jason and I!


11. I am thankful for all of the wonderful friends God has blessed me with. Whether I have known them for a long time or just a short while, God has placed some amazing people in my life that I am blessed to call friends! Special shout our here to my sweet friend, Kristen Eleveld!!


12. I am thankful for desserts! I have such a sweet tooth! I pretty much cannot eat a meal without having something sweet at the end of it! :)


13. I am thankful for the beach. I LOVE the beach. The feel of the sand between my toes, the sound of the waves, the breeze, seafood,  the sun on my face, and everything else about it. The beach just seems peaceful to me. It's calming. And it really cries out to me all of God's glory. I look out and all I see is water and waves.

14. I am thankful for my car. In August, I rear ended a giant Tahoe. My little Infiniti of course got most of the damage. For a few days I was concerned that it would be totaled, but it wasn't! It is fixed and good as new! I'm thankful to not have had to figure out what to do about a new car too!


15. I am thankful for my in-laws. Jason's family has been so sweet and welcoming to me! I love having a big family. I have always wanted a sister, and now I have two sister-in-laws. We are also blessed with nieces and nephews and even a great nephew! 

"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)