what I choose

i choose love. i choose to support family and friends over agendas and politics. i choose to surrender to a king who knows my requests before I ask. i choose abundance. i choose family. i choose to support that the church is more than merely a steple but a gathering place of broken people. a place where we come together in fellowship, in worship, in communion, and in prayer and praise our king in reverence, and then we our charged to go out into our community and love on our neighbors, our teachers, our co-workers, our friends etc. I choose to surender wholly because its what Im called to do by a Lord who knows all the days I have here. The old me would get defensive or put up walls but the new remade me says no im keeping them down. On days like tonight I refuse to put my wall up. Why are so many people so angry? I choose peace that passes all understanding. I think there are so many people that spent there entire lives trying to be heard. That their has to be heard above everything else. The problem is that theres not enough listeners. I choose to strive to listen. maybe then something profound might be accomplished.

Thank you Jesus for choosing me. i continue to be overwhelmed by your grace and the peace that comes only from you.

This peace is such a blessing.

im not a leader.

i am a follower.






of Christ!

rumor destroyed.

its raining mad hard and i cant sleep so ill write.If you havent heard the news I got a new phone. No this isn't a rumor. haha get it. cause my old phone was a rumor. Anyhoo. i ordered it in the mail and hadn't activated it had my numbers transfered over extra for 6 days. why would I wait? My old phone had some issues. ok alot of issues. The light didnt work in it, The keypad didnt work etc. but I knew it extensively. I knew how to set the calendar, use EZ tip calculator, I was familar with the ringtone I had for 2 years. You get the picture I knew this phone. so even though it barely worked and wasn't reliable (wouldn't even always turn on) I couldn't let it go. I knew I was upgrading to a new phone that was more reliable, fully functioning but there was something about the security of the known. It was reliably unreliable and I had accepted that. I had accepted its quirks and although they bothered me I accepted them and moved on. so heres what went down

Tuesday was also pouring down rain when I was driving to campus. It was bad like traffic, accidents etc. Well I parked in an overflow lot and had 4 minutes to walk to class and I was walking on this sidewalk when a truck flew by hit a MAJOR HUGE puddle that like waterfalled over me. Im talking about my head my arms my feet I was covered. Like out of a movie I didn't know that actually happens to people.so glad I have a speech to present today... well folks my (old) phone was in my hand. I preceded to go to class cold but realized after class that when i went to text it went to contacts instead. and when I went to call it picked which numbers it wanted. My phone was reliable about its quirks this was a whole new world. I didn't know how to operate it. So after classes were done for the day I went to the store and activated my phone. bc the part hooks into works I got all my numbers transfered.

so whats the point in this long drawn out story you ask?

My phone my hanging by a thread, I knew there was something for me better out there but I couldn't let my old phone go. Familiarity won out over a brand new phone.
The bible says when you accept the Lord into your heart you become a new creation which means the old has gone and the new has come. The new creation you become is better then the old and all the sins and failures and faults are given to the Lord when you let him in to your heart. I knew that my new phone was a better phone. It was reliable, fully functioning etc. but we cling onto what we know. in faith we jump. We jump into the arms of love becoming a new creation because we know we the gift of salvation is deep and wide and so wonderful that its aprox 2354646856763 times better then the old life. My new phone trumps my old phone. so glad I had to give it up because now I have something better. but i had to give up my old phone in order to have my new phone. We have to lay down our lives daily. its totally worth it. I love the new phone and I love my Jesus.

love a daughter of the king

Operation

I've been thinking alot lately. Who am I? Whose am I? Where am I going? Where have I been? Where I am I now? What am I going to do with my life? How will I accomplish this? Who will I rely on to accomplish this.

I've had doubts too. Many. Im not strong enough. Im not creative enough. Im not deep enough. Im not intelligent enough. Im not consistent enough. Im not whole enough. and the list goes on

As I begin to discern I learn. and wait in eager expectation for the anwsers to these questions and the constant love of a god who says "this is my plan for you my child".

I'm currently listening to a song by Third Day called "I will always be true". Its talking about how God says he will always be true and be a shoulder to cry on and how he will give me his life. The truth is my friend Im overwhelmed. Ive never felt so overwhelmed in my whole life. Overwhelmed by my Savior's soverignity. I am overwhelmed about who he has put in my life. The greatest people a kid could ask for. I mean seriously I have so many people that care about me deeply. and its like wow Lord thank you for blessing me with friends that love me. and then I encounter his love over and over again and its this downpour of relentless pursuing love of depth . i am blessed. I am covered by the king.

Have you ever played the game operation? I feel like Im that guy and God is the one playing and he knows what parts of my life I need and what parts I dont. Its this life sized version of the game where he knows what I need so he begins to take away the parts that aren't working or that hinder me or that draw me away from him and Im left with less... but so much more. I didn't need it all.

so my prayer becomes take it all Lord.Operate on my heart and let you be in the center of it. Purify me Lord. My sins are many. I am so broken. You are perfect and can make me whole.

He knows me better then I know myself and Im like woah. So i begin to follow his lead.

Love,
A daughter of the king.

you're beautiful...

My hope this past summer was to fall in love with God. Madly Deeply in love with my gracious savior. As I fell with him this summer I fell in love with his creation. I fell in love with waterfalls, and the beach, and arizona buttes, and North Georgia Mountains. I fell in love with bright shining stars in Arizona, and the sunsets of a quiet beach in Florida. this notoriously mostly indoor kid is now so into wanting to be outside its unreal. I spent most of my days today looking at outdoor jobs in places like Alaska and Utah. I just wanted to be somewhere that gorgeous. that beautiful. I see God in his creation. He didn't have to put that much detail into every sunset... BUT he did! Its there and its wonderful and peaceful and such a blessing to enjoy and now Im fixated about being in the most epic beautiful remote places because I want to see that beauty to the max. I want to see that mountain with the view that goes on forever because you cant explain the beauty. No one can say well "so and so" designed that sunset and that's why it so lovely. or "so in so designed the Atlantic ocean" but I would have designed it differently... why? because you cant! It doesn't matter if you're a brainiac. Neurosurgeons cant put stars in their place. but God can. and he did. and he lavishes love on me through his beauty in nature. God is consistent friends. and in a way I didn't even realize before. I always knew that he was consistent but I never realized that he was consistent in his beauty. Not only does the sun always rise but the stars shine and the mountains stand. the clouds form fun shapes and the picture of the sky makes for a beautiful canvas painting. I love the song by Lifehouse called "Everything". One line in particular hits me like a rock it goes " and how could I stand here with you and not be moved by you". Im swept away by my marvelous and I am moved by his most lovely sunrises and sunsets. Thank you Jesus... I can't remain the same. Moses saw the back of you and was changed. completly changed. life altering. You're Beautiful. i am changed.
MCD.
-Galatians 1:10

consistency.

As I sit here trying to pass some time before my next class in one hour and 18 minutes I am filled with thanksgiving. Thanksgiving deep from my heart about several things. 1) My 7:10 class got canceled due to hurricaness. Boo hurricane...yay no class. 2.) This is my first class week but I already feel at home here. ODU is a fit. and I feel Gods handprints all over my transition. I keep meeting people that are such an encouragement to my transition. Lovely people. I love it here. I even love this "hip" computer lab im currently in. I love when you can hear tons of people talking far away but its quiet where you are working. Its such a random quirk but its true. 3). I love my family and friends. I love how much Valk thinks I should play Quidditch and how Brocke constantly encourages me. I love talking Hogwarts with Katie and having heart to hearts with Mallory. I love hanging out with DB, talking with Little (the best little in all the land), and phone chats with Becca and I LOVE tues/thursday lunches with Valentine. I love it and I love the people the Lord has put in my life and the ones he continues too. I love all of Gods wonderful children and I love being blessed with constant encouragement and support. I love them. and I love this life that God has given me. He is steadfast and constant while I am ever changing but he loves me. And not only does he love me but he blessed me with amazing people to do life with. Amazing people to share life with. Amazing people to GROW in life with. I will forever be growing. This reminds me of a verse found in Luke 9:23.

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me"

its the daily word that gets me. The truth is my dearest friends. Im not consistent. I love consistency and friends who are consistent but its a quality I completely lack. To pick up your cross daily you have to be... CONSISTENT. CONSISTENT in putting the Lord first, consistent in kindness, CONSISTENT in finding Joy in your struggles and trials, CONSISTENT in overcoming challenges with integrity and the list goes on. Its a choice. A choice to follow Christ. A choice to live in his presence and walk humbly. Micah 6:8 talks about what this looks like played out...

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God"

We can do this.. TOGETHER!but ...I lack consistency.
I will be the first one to tell you i'm consistent at being inconsistent.
Will you?

I love his love,
Mary

unconventional

2:07 is my favorite time of the day. If you really know me you would know that 2/07 is my birthday. It is 2:07 as I type this. So obviously Im writting this during my favorite part of the day :). A day filled with laundry/ Jason Reeves songs, cleaning online homework etc. etc. If you really know me you would know I LOVE careers. I love trying to find my friends jobs, looking up jobs, and I probally know more about the possibilities of your career then you do! I was looking up adult jobs today (like when I graduate) and I got this weird feeling. This is the end. 22 years of life are planned out for me. Im 20 years down in that. What happens after the next 2? Where do I move? What do I do? Grown up cothes? ugh. But the truth is I dont want that. The truth is I couldnt do it. My mind isnt programed for success in a buisness world. Im not smart enough for most money making careers (nor much intrested) and I really only care about one thing- Making his name famous. How do I do that? Im 20. Where do I start? Theres so many different wonderful ministries, so many wonderful people. Im 20. Im not ready for decisions like this. But my prayer has to change

"Lord send me. Lord equip me.use me. Lord this life is yours in entirety. "

i want to serve others. i want to make his name famous. but even though I am no longer in as much denial about growing up... I still don't like grown up clothes.

So what do I do? im aking HIM to lead me as I comprehend the plans he has for me FAR out way the wildest dreams I have for myself. Im only 20 but i know full well the Lord will provide for me in ABUNDANCE. he always has.

so the journey moves onward...

when they call you

My first word was Abba. It means father. I love my earthly Abba and my eternal Abba very much. Ive been thinking about that word Abba lately. Both of my Abba's have given me so much love and encouragement. Your eternal Abba is CRAZY about you.

I know its been a long time since I blogged but I honestly havent really felt like it. Ive thought alot about it or what I would say but nothing really was like I need to say this.

I do have two thoughts in my head that I would love to share.

1. Thank you for being you. In some shape or form I know you and If your a friend of a friend then youve influenced me because youve defintally impacted one of my friends who has been impacted by you and in turn they have impacted me! (That sounds so cheesy but I dont care)
and If you dont feel that way or that noone cares about you then talk to me. fb me or something. Seriously take me up on it. I dont care if I never met you or your secretly a vampire. I secretly go to Hogwarts. I want each person to know just how deeply loved you are. This is sparked by the fact that I am completly surrounded by friends near and far who love me unconditionally and I just feel very blessed by that indeed. I recently saw the movie "to save a life" and wonder if we as believers can spark a movement. A movement of reaching out and reaching in all at the same time. Are you with me? No one should have to feel alone. We should be a community. God desires for us to live in unity with each other. Lets be that body of Christ. that community is so important.

2. I love the song "the call" by Regina Specktor. Please listen to it. its wonderful really.
It is exactly how i feel today. or rather yesterday considering its 2:33 in the morning.
I know who my friends are and Im blessed with people who fill my life with crazy bedtime stories, late night heart to hearts, encouraging bible verses, intense conversations about Hogwarts, afternoon calls, and good movies.


"You've got SO much L0V3 in you"
MARYYYY

"But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.
Psalms 39:7

3,000 thoughts and a keyboard

Hello from Panera! What a wonderful week it has been. A week of hard work, fellowship, and expoloring North Georgia and the beauty it truly beholds! Thursday we explored Babyland General Hospital which is where the Cabbage Patch Kids are from. What a place. kinda creepy. so basically Friday we went in search of a good hike with a waterfall and we found what we were looking for! It was about a 2 mile hike to the waterfall and it was thundering but no rain...but as soon as we got to the waterfall took a few pictures the rain came pouring. And boy did it pour! What an amazing God moment the 7 of us on staff enjoyed an awesome time. We worshiped. Praising the Lord for his beauty and his majesty. His power displayed in the thunderstorm and his beauty truly displayed in the waterfall. God is so good. The song our god is greater kept coming to my heart. "OUR God is greater, Awesome in power, God you are higher than ANY other, Our God is healer AWESOME in power, OUR GOD, OUR GOD!!!" Let our lives be one of worship and one of dedication to the king. He makes waterfalls in North Georgia, Canyons in Arizona, and beautiful beaches all down the coast. I love him and im not worthy to love him. But he wants me too anyways! He wants this broken child to come to him and praise him for the waterfalls and all things he created. so cool. so moving.

Currently sitting in Panera I'm with some of my staff but right behind me is a group of older Christian women who are knitting. They are talking about their lives and laughing and knitting. I want to always be apart of a strong community. I want that just as much now as a 2o year old as I do for when I'm 80. Being apart of a strong God centered community keeps you supported,challenged, accountable, and grounded. TEAMeffort has been that this summer. and I start to think what will that community be when im 30? when im 50? when im 80? The people, the expierences, and the setting might change throughout my life.Yes I accept this. but the Lord being center of that community won't and so God will be people in my life and he HAS no matter my age or the place I am in my life. Because like I've seen this summer there ARE strong christian woman in every state!

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how WIDE and LONG and HIGH and DEEP is the love of Christ, and to know this love SURPASSES knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the FULLNESS of God. Now to him who is able to do IMMEASURABLY more than all we ask or imagine, according to his POWER that is at work within us, to him be GLORY in the church and in Christ Jesus THROUGHOUT all generations, for ever and ever! Amen"
-Ephesians 3:14-20

WE derive from his name. how cool is that. I continue to marvel at the works of my waterfall making, mountain shaping, star placing creator.

I'll be home Wednesday and I look forward to seeing everyone but I won't forget the things I have seen this summer. I won't forget the places I've been to, the campers and chaperones I have had the honor to work with, and the feelings and emotions I have felt. I won't. I won't forget the moments of sometimes silent surrender, sometimes louder surrender, and always peaceful surrender.

I love you all very much!
-Mary D
Galatians 1:10

here in Georgia

im sitting at my friends house in th cutest mountain small town in Georgia. Im overwhelmed by the goodness of my savior, the presence of him in his people, and the simple things in life. Im humbled daily that Christ would choose to use me and his love for me that completly radiates my soul. I am very tired but rejoicing in the good times I have had and continue to have. I am currently spending the next week living in a house with 20 girls. its seriously like the christian real word but WAY BETTER. haha. Working hard, enjoying fellowship, and loving these precious days ahead. 9 Days until being home. Im very much looking forward to that. and spending time with my 2 bestttt friends before they go back to school.
- Mary D.

the living stone

I'd like to first start out saying wow i dont think ive ever been to a nicer laundry mat in my life. this place is snazzy. haha. but more importantly id love to share with you whats been going on in my life these last couple of days. My whole life ive failed to understand and grasp the fullness and Greatness of the Lord. I keep getting glimpses of his majesty and the more I begin to grasp what he desires from me and then i am blown away by a song, or a verse, or a prayer, or his children showering me with his love. We love to say what do you do in real life? or what do you watch in real life? because this summer is so unlike the normal occurences of day to day life. but its far more beautiful. We were at a place eating lunch last night and soccer was on but i couldnt even keep up with it. like it was too much for my eyes to handle because i wasn't used to watching tv-especially sports on tv. it was crazy bc i love tv and i love movies and i love just chilling and watching. but my eyes couldn't do it because they weren't used to it. Isn't that how we are with most things? Its the same thing if you're a runner and you have to get back in shape with running or if you're a mathematician but you haven't done math in years. call it a stretch i a product of this generation can't seem to fit in. I never really did before but I really think its going to be an ajustment to go back to the REAL world with all rush hours included. Ive been in this beach small town community for about 3 and a half weeks and people just live slower paced lives here. Theres very few things open on Sundays and the stores close early and its just different. I wouldn't call my summer expierence sheltered at all though. I have seen some intense poverty and brokeness but I have also encountered the God who holds me. The same God who did a work in Saul to change him to Paul. During my talk on Wednesday I talked about Saul truly having a heart of stone and how God did work in his heart. God worked through Paul and used him. Theres people in our lives I believe we've given up on that they would let God in or let God use them. but thats the God we serve. He can MELT anyone's heart and make ANYONE a fisher of men. Why would we cast limitations on a God to marvelous and mysterious for human standards or assumptions. I've seen heart of stones melt this summer. I've seen what that surrender looks like, i know how it feels too. I also know that NO ONE is out of Gods reach for a true encounter and he continues to be jealous for them. The living stone can melt ANY heart of stone.

"As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him"
1 Peter 2:4


and my saga after seeking after Gods will continues...
-Mary Dimick

Love you all!

being vulnerable

worship starts here in an hour. The band is practicing as i sit here in the balcony writting this I begin to realize ive never been so open, vulnerable in my life. To a God thats opening my heart to his. I keep his people, his children and I love them. Whenever I'm in a homeowners house I always ask them about the pictures on their fridge. It is seriously the most heart opening question you can ask someone you really dont know. Ive learned about these people- also Gods children that are close to the homeowners I work for. I learn about the children, diseases that have claimed husbands, adoptions that changed a family for better, and relationships after a spouses death. Ive read poetry written by an 89 year old father weeks before he passed away, been encouraged by people perserving through their trials, and painted the living room of the sweetest 80 year old. I dont deserve these expierences. I dont deserve this life of abundance God has granted me. I dont deserve true freedom found in his grace. But God he relentlessly continues to cover me in it. He continues to open my eyes to his people and their hurts and needs and dreams. I drink thier lemonade and try to see them and love them in a way God-their father does. I fail to do that often but I want to. I have seen my lifes dreams switch drastically in the last 2 monthes. Because I have begin to comprehend this God I follow. He is a God of fullness and compassion and JOY! He loves his children and I love meeting his children. I want to begin to live a life complete because he makes it that way. He gets my career, and my thoughts, and my dreams, and my doubts, and my lack of grammer skills (haha) because he is worthy of my life's service. He is worthy of my praise!

For the dinos,
Mary D!

The faith I see in Ruth

One of my favorite bible stories is the story about Ruth and Naomi's friendship. Naomi had 2 sons who were married to Ruth and Orpah. In a short period of time her sons and her husband had both passed away. In that culture you would go back to where you were from and find a new husband to take you. Naomi told Ruth and Orpah to go back and find husbands and prayed that the Lord would be kind to them for the kindness they displayed to her. Orpah said goodbye and went on her way but Ruth wouldnt go. Ruth was committed to Naomi and told her where you go i will go and where you stay I will stay. your people will be my people and your god will be my God. can you say WOW. Ruth stayed and God blessed her with a new husband named Boaz but the relationship Ruth has with Naomi is such a unique, special relationship that I think is such a treasured one. This story ties in to my life perfectly this week because on Monday I met an incredibly wonderful elderly woman named Ruth. She started to cry when she was telling me her story and has I hugged her and as she cried on my shoulder I knew it was one of those moments I wouldn't forgot. Strangers united in Christ, in service, and in this amazing womans strengh. Shes an 80 year old dealing with the illness of her beloved husband and all the stress that goes along with that care. She visits him at the nursing home every day and sits with him all day long. She is faithful to him like Ruth was faithful to Naomi. I see God in the people Ive met this summer. From Arizona to Florida I see people seeking the Lord amongst their daily challenges. I see him in the widow of the house we are painting, I see him in the homeowner yesterday who was driving today and stopped on the road to thank us. and tell us all about the amazing woman we were currrently working ons house. We dont deserve ANY thanks. This isnt about gratitude this is about faithfulness (like Ruth's to the King) It is such an honor to serve the King's children. Im learning what it really means to be Gods hand and feet. Its sitting in the widows living room, working with youth groups from various denominations and backgrounds but being united in the one king we serve, and beating many many middle schoolers in dodgeball :)

I want to become the 20 year old I hope to have helping me out when Im 80.
That's what Im working towards.

Thanks for being my friend
-MCD

My friends have courage.

Hello dear friends. I hope this blog has found you in high spirits and stress free?! maybe? just maybe? Well heres what is on my heart today...

Although all bible stories are amazing I find the story where Jesus heals the Paralytic to be exteremly powerful and touching. Its found in the book of Luke in chapter 5. if you want to look it up or google it :) lolz. anyway what happens is Jesus is teaching the Pharisees and teachers of the law. They are gathered in a house and there are so many people all around the outside of the house too. Basically these guys have a friend who is a paralytic and they believe that if they can get him before Jesus then Jesus will heal him. They couldn't get in the house so.. THEY GOT ON THE ROOF AND WENT THROUGH THE TILES AND LOWERED HIM INTO THE HOUSE!
verse 20 says "When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven".
The faith of this parlytic mans friends moved Jesus to heal him.

I was thinking about this story today and realizing that I have friends like that. I have friends that break me through roofs to see Jesus. They carry me to his feet. I bet I'm not the only one either. I want to be that kind of friend for my friends. A friend that would do something so radical, so daring so their friend could be healed, touched by the king.

On a side note I really enjoy popcorn shrimp.

Kind Regards,
Mary D.

FREE

Hello from Port St. Joe Florida!

Im writting this in the coolest little coffee shop in a small town called Port St. Joe. Im so at peace here. sitting in this coffee shop stirring up the biggest dreams in my head knowing my God has the biggest plans for me.
2 things folks.
1. I wrote a bucketlist. You guys should write one. It gives you some direction, hope for bigger dreams, and it helped me see some stuff ive already accomplished. Ive been to 3 continents. not too shabby for a 20 year old.
2) im giving up politics.
-when your personal views get in the way of loving on people for Jesus something has to change. Something has to be done.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me".- Matthew 16:24

In order to pick up the cross you must leave other things behind. The truth is you cant hold it all because you werent made with the intention to hold it all. I'm ready to take up the cross and I'm leaving many things behind. For this cause I will give up my life in entirety. Because the Lord is worth it. He deserves it and so much more that I'm not even capable of offering. but ill give what I have. Francesca Battistelli has a song called "free to be me" that really reinerates what Im expierencing and feeling right now. These are the lyrics for your wonderful viewing pleasure.

At twenty years of age
I'm still looking for a dream
A war is already waged for my destiny
But You've already won the battle
And You've got great plans for me
Though I can't always see, 'cause

I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
And on my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me

When I was just a girl
I thought I had it figured out
See my life will turn out right
And I'll make it here somehow
But things don't always come that easy
And sometimes I would doubt, 'cause…

And you're free to be you
Sometimes I believe
That I can do anything
Yet other times I think
I've got nothing good to bring
But You look at my heart and you tell me
That I've got all You seek
And it's easy to believe, even though
And you're free to be you


We are free in Christ. But will you accept that freedom he's granted you? I told my dear friend Mallory yesterday that I'd rather be a Noah then a Jonah. Id rather be called CRAZY then be running from the will of God! cause this crazy kid is FREE!

Godspeed,
MCD

how do you even describe it?

Hello from humid, peaceful North Carolina,

I have constantly been amazed by the people I have encountered this summmer and continue to be encountered by. From church members who serve us meals, to chaperones with a heart to serve, the campers with a heart to give back, to the cooks at the Navajo reservation, to my team. I love the people I have met along the way, who show me glimpses of God working in them and through them, and what "service with a smile" essentially looks like. I feel like we just keep recieving and recieving God's blessings and mercy by simply being in his presence and being aware of the incredible surroundings he has put us in. I just finished reading "Tuesdays with Morrie" wowowowow. What an awesome book with an awesome friendship between a young man and his professor. I love when wisdom is shared and spread between one person to another.
I cannot wait to learn more on this journey with people surrounding and lifting me up.
Love you all!
-Mary d.

"For What it's Worth"

At 8 we have chapel and im speaking for like 3-5 Minutes (ish). The theme of tonight is giving God your best. As I sit here 42 minutes before this thing starts I have like so many different things going through my head. From people, to expierences, to bible stories of what giving God your best looks like. The Lord is relentless. I think of Daniel in the lion's trusting God giving his best which wasn't perfection (something none of us have to offer up) but rather faithfulness. David against Goliath offered up courage, King Solomon used the wisdom God granted him, and John the Baptist offered up his life and his head (Literally). wow. Sidewalk Prophets wrote a song called, "For What it's worth"...

I'm just a glimpse of the hope you see in me
Hold my heart in your hands
Jesus, help me understand I can only give my life
for what it’s worth

For what it’s worth I am standing here amazed
By the wonders that your mighty hands have made
I don’t deserve to be covered by Your grace
So with every breath the least that I can say
I will run and not grow weary, I will walk and not be faint
I can’t sing loud enough I could never earn your love
I’m just a glimpse of the hope You see in me

Giving your best is giving all you have to the king for what its worth. We can't earn it. but our king is relentless and he wants our best because he wants us completly for him. I don't feel worthy enough to even talk about the greatness and the full majesty of our mysterious and gracious creator but for what its worth I will try my best for God.

think fast or you'll get trampled

Day two at the worksite here in sunny North Carolina. One of the chaperones this week is a political consultant who does all kinds of work with political campaigns. Today why digging post holes we had the most intresting conversation about being a christian in politics and how if you don't think fast you'll get trampled. I thought that was a really intresting thought considering we are on a horse ranch. Most of these horses come from backgrounds (malnourished, ex. drug horses etc) that really in the scheme of things did get trampled on. People "trampled" on these horses and now they are in a safe environment free from being abused and malnourished. They are being taken care of by the most amazing lady and she makes sure these horses needs are provided for. Doesn't God do that? Life "tramples" on us if we don't think fast enough but God he takes us into a safe environment and loves on us. He brings us back to health and in his presence with his care we can make progress and grow just like these horses are. The days are long and the work is hard but I love to be in the presence of God. On a sidenote im eating skittles and I think the green kind is WAY better then the purple ones.
Kind regards,
Mary D.

A new adventure will ensue

Hey friends!
I decided to start to blog to share my adventures of the summer and what God is doing in my life. As many of you know I am working for a youth missions organization called TEAMeffort this summer and man God is so good and faithful to his children. I had the pleasure of spending two weeks on a Navajo Indian reservation in Arizona and I've never seen stars so bright, so detailed in my life. Psalms 8:3-4 says, " When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" I named this blogging space "Shine the brightest" because when we begin to put the broken part of our lives together we find true peace and that true peace makes us shine like the brightest of all the stars.
kind regards,
Mary D.