whispers

also then i heard the voice of 

the Lord,saying: whom shall I

send, and who will go with us?

then said i, here i am: send me.

|isaiah 6:8|

GIVE 02 | a c t i o n.

'Together we can change the world.' - me

[super quick warning, this is a longish post cause I've been working really hard on it...so get cozy, get coffee, and read with an open heart <33]

[and this is honestly just a gathering of my thoughts rn. Pleaseee share your thoughts after reading!!!]

Here lately the Lord has been putting some very specific things on my heart. I have a strong feeling - that just keeps getting stronger - that we really are not supposed to just 'live well', at least not how the world says to. I'm coming to the conviction that we are to be selfless. We are to care for the least of these.  I see pictures of children starving, orphans not being taken care of, and on and on literally all around the world. Yes that isn't a surprise, that people are hurting, but it is a surprise [more like disappointment] that more people aren't doing more. Jesus tells us to be selfless, to sacrifice, but mostly he calls us to care. 

 There are 168.4 million orphans living under horrific conditions. And while that looks like a big number, 2.1 billion people proclaim to be Christians. So the truth is, if only 8 percent of Christians would care for just one more child, there would be no statistics left. 

boom. let that sink in. The Lord wants willing hearts - PRAY He will lead our decisions and that we will have the heart of sacrifice and service. Lift up these people who seem to not have hope, lift up the children that are being neglected. When God puts love and compassion in your heart towards someone, He's offering you an opportunity to make a difference in that person's life. You must learn to follow that love. don't ignore it. Act on it. Somebody needs what you have.

[things we could do]

1. The difference between [dreams] and reality, is action. I firmly believe that we must act, yes God can do anything, but He uses US to carry out His plan. Isn't that amazing? We just have to be willing to reach out, willing to help, willing to GIVE.

2.I think that too often we underestimate the power of touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, which all have the potential to turn a life around.

3. Be brave enough to start a conversation that matters. |This is hard for me, because I tend to ramble on and on about...useless topics. As of today, I am working on this.| I think this is important. I use to think that 'I'll just grow up and help people and that'll be it, that'll be how I show people I care..etc', but honestly, people will see how you care if you talk about the things you're passionate about, and that can inspire them too. 

4. PRAY MORE. I am working on this still, developing a strong relationship with the Lord, trusting Him, and sharing with Him my every need and desire. Because, honestly, I haven't been. Even when you really don't feel like praying (for whatever reason) just do. Pray. Ask Him to help you to bring your burdens to Him. 

I realize that right now God is calling me to be an example to my younger siblings, invest in them, kiss their owies and love them immensely. But He has also given me a burden to care for the children who don't have what they have. He has given me a passion to reach them, and show how powerful His love is. I don't know when or where that will happen, but I know that Jesus will open doors in the future, and He will for you too. 

Something that was really good and eye-opening for me was >this<. If your eyes aren't too tired of reading alllll of this..I recommend that you read it. <33

xxxx

If you think  you're too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito. -African Proverb

One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.

If you desire to make a difference in the world, you have to be different from the world.

To make a difference in someone's life you don't have to be rich, beautiful, or perfect - you just have to care.

'let all that you do be done in love.' -the Bible

If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you.

Every child is just one caring adult away from a success story. 

[via pinterest ;D]

xxxx

Real quick, ask yourself what it is you want to make a difference in. Vulnerable children and people? Nursing clinics in Haiti? Reaching people with the gospel? Whatever it is, make Jesus the very center of your goal, whatever you decide you want to do, share the gospel with people. Trust Him to guide you when things are unclear. And one last thing: the only sad thing about helping people, is that you can't help everyone. But you can make a difference in the life of one. And Jesus says that all the angels on high rejoice over one!! 

Did ya make it through this?? *nervous laugh*

What do you want to make a difference in..and how will you do it?

sorry this was so incredibly long. I just felt lead to share these things. Thanks so much for reading <33

[LET'S CHANGE THIS WORLD TOGETHER!]

6 things to do when you feel spiritually empty]

6 things you can do when you're feeling spiritually empty:

1. Surround yourself with positivity. [go to a Christian book store, write out verses or prayers]
2. Relax. [de-stress, spend quiet time with the Lord every morning/night, drink tea, journal]
3. Send someone a note of encouragement. 
4. Pray. pray pray pray. [even when you don't feel like it]
5. Talk. [tell someone how you feel, we are here to support each others as Christians. Talk to someone, it helps]
6. Read. [SCRIPTURE, quotes, uplifting books]

I feel like I've been going through a time of spiritual dry-ness. Everyone does, and it's nothing to be ashamed about, but even while you feel empty and far away from Jesus, He's still right there. He wants you to talk to Him about everything. Everything. 

"God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved."
-Psalm 46:5

"I have heard thy prayers, I have seen thy tears, behold, I will heal thee."
-2 Kings 20:5

You don't have to be the happiest person to make someone else's life better.

CHOOSE JOY!!!

[p.s. sorry for the sorta randomness...i haven't quite sorted out all these thoughts of mine..but i'm hoping to be posting regularly again soon. ;) ]

A mini mission trip [training] + PHOTO DUMP ALERT.

+

Wow like where do I even start???

June 23-30 was probably one of the best weeks of my life. I learned so much, and made so many new friends. I became an 'Auntie' to 5 precious little children. 

On 6.23.17 I went to AR to stay with a family we had met the previous month. I stayed with a family we are really good friends with, and every morning I went over to the Z's house to help out. I cleaned and cooked and took care of some of the children for the mom to get a nap.  (she said that changed her life, lol!!) These people were so much fun, and the best memories ever were made!! 

It was my 'training' for going to Africa. My first 'mission' trip. I missed my family so much, but now that I'm back I miss them SO. MUCH!!!! *cries* We really need to visit them! *sniffs*

I've decided not to put all these pictures in exact order. I'm gonna do more in other posts, cause there are around 200 I think. I'm planning on getting all of them printed out and put into an album, to forever keep. ugh i miss them so much!!!!

The very first day we went to a turtle race...I never thought I would be so excited about turtles!!?! #onlyinMO/AR 

ISN'T THIS THING ADORABLE?????

David's big brown eyes steal my heart! He's the cutest little man everr! I love him so much, and told Maria to make sure he grows up calling me 'Auntie Paige' <3333 (I also made that hat for him jsyk)

I love this little 'Science Kid'!!! (otherwise known as Hosanna xD)

anddd this is Michael..the mischievous little boy! He's a real sweetie tho and always calls me his Sweet Heartie <333

My first Mocha Frappe. omw we joked forever about this thing!!!

Me and Zipporah, the oldest. 

Scarlet..such a cutie!!!

...we joked forevs about these too....

I also had asparagus for the first time..IT WAS SOOOO GOODDD! (this was when I made dinner, it was fried fish with  veggies! :3

We went swimming at Bull shoals. It was flooded o it was like a water park!! With the slide and swings which were so much fun!!

this crazy dude is known as Pappa Pepper to all the internet folks...HE IS SUCH A GOOF. 

Luci came over while I baked dessert and heated up lasagna. She's a lot of fun!! (and btw Betsy if you're reading this ya need to give me your email lol!)

Hannah came over with her adorabs  children and we got to catch up. She is so sweet!!!

This was the very last picture I took..driving down the dusty long driveway from New Life. My emotions were pretty mixed up, terribly sad that I had to leave, but so happy to be going home.



-Memories made with the Z's-

>Catching turtles and snakes in swamps
>Mocha Frappes and the worlds best gummy worms 
>Shopping for food and ending up getting at least 17 headbands..
>David staring at me with his huge brown eyes
>[New Life] talking with everyone there...I miss them!!
>Hosanna grabbing me in a big bear hug every night before I left 
>Scarlet and Zipporah helping me with dinner
>Swinging with the girls
>Michael giving me hugs
>All of them showing me their animals {woodchucks, baby ducklings, turtles and rabbits}
>Seeing a little chick that hatched (sadly it didn't make it)
>Snorkeling and swimming under the slides and swinging above the water then jumping into it XDD
>Crocheting with Zipporah 
>Joking around with Pappa Pepper about the fried fish I made...
>[New Life] Holding all the babies! Isaiah, Abbi, and David..I'm convinced that babies love me!! xp
>Baking brownie cookie things with the girls and exploding the brownie mix EVERYWHERE. It covered my outfit and half the kitchen! :O
>Telling [Mr. K] that I'd been craving Chinese food for 3 months and then eating THE BEST CHINESE FOOD!
>Speaking Spanish and French with Oscar
>Mom calling me and saying that it was like a huge iceberg was missing from our family while I was gone <333
>Eating ice cream and cookies before I left :) = :( 

And Pappa Pepper- when you read this tell all those crazy cuties running around your house that I miss them immensely and YOU NEED TO COME VISIT US!!! I miss y'all!!!