Even better than having John Wayne for a dad.

This is my dad.  And he's probably the. coolest. dad. ever. No joke.  I'm not saying he's perfect.  In fact, he'd be the first one to say that he's not. We'd reluctantly agree--but we don't really care.  All our imperfections make us that much more quirky!  Growing up we watched a lot of John Wayne movies. I thought he was pretty cool..but quickly realized that movie characters are fake! Bus as I've grown and seen a lot of hard family situations-deadbeat dads, absent dads, workaholic dads, etc. And I don't know why, but God has seen fit to bless me with my dad, who in real life is a good man.
Honestly, he's taught me so many good things.  Like working hard, working for others, and finishing a job.  He taught me to be strong, and to learn as much as I can about as much as I can.

 I told him one time that no matter how good of a show part-time dad's put on to try to show everyone what a good dad they were, I know he's the kind of dad who was there for me.  He was standing at the finish line when I ran my hardest 1/2 marathon, he put his arm around me and held me when I cried when I sold my steer (*and didn't even act like I was silly), he was there for my quiz meets, helped put on llama leaps, has picked me up from the airport hundreds of times, and fixes my car without ever complaining! He taught us how to play basketball--in the living room with a ball of socks.  He didn't bail me out when I got into a project over my head.  He stood behind me and reassured me that I could tame that steer, or back that rake into the barn, or end that relationship.  And when I had to make a hard decision he never told me what to do-even if I cried and begged.  He just gave me some things to think about and told me that he knew I would make the right decision.  Well, this list could go on forever, but I think you get the idea.

But the things Dad taught me went beyond physical achievements.  He encouraged me to know the Lord. He challenged me to read and memorize God's Word, and think about my decisions and actions and how they represent God.  He introduced me to Mexico and missions to unreached people.  I'm sure he had no idea that would have such a deep impact. He and my mom modeled sacrifice like no human I've ever seen.  Imagine, 13 kids, all fed, clothed and educated.  And we never had food-stamps or medicaid.  They trusted in our God to be faithful-and He always has been.  And my earthly dad has been a cool example of unconditional love when I make really poor choices and sacrifice when I don't deserve it, and the encouragement to do more than I think I'm capable of.

This kind of reminds me of someone else...Jesus who "loved me and gave Himself up for me" (Galatians 2:20),

In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that He loved us

and sent His son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. (I John 4:10)

He is the ultimate example of love and sacrifice.  Of accepting us and loving uis just the way we are. And as cool as my dad is, I can assure you that he probably has felt on a few occassions that he would rather just put me up for adoption--I was a pretty stubborn kid, okay?!  But our God is faithful in spite of our sins,  longsuffering and kind. He has sent Jesus to pay the debt we've incurred because of our sins that we could never repay.  And that's grace.  And on top of all of that He showed even more grace by giving me the family I've been given.  And because of that, I think no sacrifice is to great to give.  As CT Studd once said,

"If Jesus Christ be the Son of God and died for me,

Then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him"

So today, on his birthday, I'm so thankful to God for giving him to me and allowing me to be so deeply affected by a man who loves his family, gives of his time and skill to serve, and has been faithful (though still learning and growing) in his role as a father, husband, brother and son. And I love him!

Banana Oatmeal Bread Bites

1/2 c brown sugar

1 stick soft butter

4 T cornstarch

1 1/2 c ripe bananas (3 lg, or 4 small)                                                                                                       

1 t cinnamon

1 t vanilla

1 1/2 c flour

1 1/2 c oats

1 t baking soda

1/4 t salt

Drop by rounded tablespoons on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.  This recipe is adapted from key ingredient (I didn't have any eggs and wanted to add some healthy things to them...so I added oats and left out the chocolate chips) and they turned out delicious if I do say so myself!  The cornstarch made them soft and fluffy and held them together.  Made them for my nieces and then went home and made them for my siblings!  (*sorry I don't have a super duper fancy camera to take awesome pictures, but I guess this will have to do!). 

Lessons Learned: Grace

So I cannot believe I'm in my final semester of Bible school.  This past week I had my senior interview and it's basically a chance to sit down with my dean (who's been an incredible model of intentionality, honesty and grace) and recap the past two years.  Good times and bad and what God's taught me through all of it (both the academic side (classes) and experiences).  It was a really cool way to be reminded of things and even while remembering some moments that I'm not proud of, to see God's hand in it and His desire to redeem even those moments where my brokenness and sinfulness is most evident.  She asked me how the whole concept of Grace has changed since I've been here and I found myself get really emotional as I reflected on the many ways I've been overwhelmed as God so faithfully  and continually extends His grace to me--even in those moments I'm most ashamed of.  Wow, so different from the response I find in others, or even give many times when others fail.  In Christ we have the chance to move on.  Unconditional love that we do not deserve. The opportunity to grow when I'm incompetent to complete the task in front of me.  The room to move on from failure because in and of myself I'm incapable of making good decisions.  I don't know maybe some of you have found yourself in a similar place.  Before the Lord, broken; so aware of your sin; your need exposed and finding that all you can do is hang on to the Lord and trust that He will be faithful.  Because really, when I look back, I see that I've failed so many more times than I care to even recall.  I remember that every time, my amazingly faithful God has been the source of strength that I need.  I remember the promise of Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

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. 

So grow in grace my friend.  

Bendiciones:

Kristen

Two girls that have modeled grace so genuinely in my life. 

My dean Martha (R) and great friend Deborah (middle). 

Bolivia 2013

Lessons learned: [Part 1-Felix]

Follow this link to the team page to learn some pretty cool lessons the Lord taught us through our brother Felix.

Blessed Hope.

Had a conversation last week with my aunt who worked for a long time in the ER. She said she could always tell when people were dying if they were Christians or not. She said that those who were not, would claw, and struggle and carry on as they passed on into the next life. I got goosebumps hearing her explain it... She talked about how their families would be left in chaos and without hope.
She said that the believers would pass in complete peace, their families grieving the loss but hopeful for the future and rejoicing that their loved one was with Jesus now. It reminded me of a good friend's experience. The husband/father quickly became ill and deteriorated over approximately one month. The immediate family and dear friends from church gathered around praying for them and encouraging them. The father/husband passed away very early one morning with his family gathered around his bedside. In his weakest physical state he found the strength to mouth the words to join his family in singing "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now am found. Was blind, but now I see". He passed into the glory of our LORD with a smile on his face, and although aching for their lost father, husband and friend, the family and church moved forward rejoicing for the life of a good man.

And my dear friends, this is the hope that Jesus gifts to us. Not hope only for this life, but even more for the next. And it is a wonderful, wonderful thing.

I Corinthians 15 has an excellent argument for the hope given to us through Christ's death and Resurrection which paid our sin debt. Here are a few excerpts:

19-If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?
57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am so looking forward to going to meet the Lord one day...are you?

Titus 2: 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Provision & Redemption

Ruth, Naomi, Boaz. You might want to consider naming your future kids these names one day...Lord willing they will follow in their footsteps. I am blown away by these timeless examples, of godliness, love, loyalty.

I think I would have to write a book to even mostly get all of my thoughts down and lessons God has taught me....but, I'll try to give you a few that will hopefully motivate you to do your own study on this beautiful short story. You may be tempted to write this story off as a chick-flick, but you should seriously consider the lessons to guys AND girls in this story. Plus...it's a true story.

1. There were fatal consequences for leaving the promised land--but Naomi followed her husband, and still modeled a godly character that caused her daughters in law to be willing to forsake their families, land, gods and all they had ever known. Even in her pain and sorrow she unselfishly tried to persuade her daughters in law to return to their families (realizing the very few options available to them in Bethlehem) Orpah returned after Naomi reasoned with both of them to return to their families and remarry. "But Ruth clung to her". She acknowledged God's sovereignty over her circumstances.

2. Ruth's incredible commitment to follow Naomi, knowing that she was forsaking all she had known (her family, her gods, her culture, her prospects to remarry, her comfort). She instead commited to care for Naomi who had nothing/no one else. She worked hard to provide for them. She graciously accepted Boaz' generosity and respected Naomi.

3. Boaz was a godly man who treated his servants well, went above and beyond the requirements to care for the poor and widowed, provided a safe environment for Ruth while guarding their reputations, and treated her with dignity (a woman, and foreigner). He accepted and even exerted effort to obtain the right to redeem Ruth (and even provided for Naomi too).

So grab your Bible--and a few commentaries if you want-- and tell me what you learned!