30 septembre 2011

I ran across this picture this week and it reduced me to tears. Such a heartbreaking yet real image of life for so many around the world, while we are consumed with the clothes we wear and what we should do with our empty Thursday evenings.

We have a life so many would do anything to have. Yes, there are hardships and trials. But only a fraction of the American existence has ever experienced anything which would remotely compare to the reality so many live each and every day.

Sometimes, at least for me, it is heartbreaking to see these images, yes, but the more concerning question is "What am I supposed to do about it?" or "How in the world do I even begin to take the first step towards helping?" or "Is this starving person in a third world country even my responsibility?" Sometimes it is a severe case of "out of sight, out of mind". Regardless of what your view is, there are people starving, and they need help.

I've been convicted lately of my worldly possessions. I feel that while I don't live lavishly by American standards, I live like a queen by most worldly standards. There have been recent opportunities for me to share what I have.

Two nights ago in the NET Lab, I had just finished my homework and there was a lady there that wanted to use my phone. She looked foreign, and I was terrified she was wanting to place and international call, but I let her use it. Luckily she called locally. When the person she was attempting to reach didn't answer, she asked for a ride. I tried to pretend I didn't hear her ask because I didn't have a lot of gas, but I couldn't ignore her offer. It was late, I was tired and had just finished my homework, but I knew this was an opportunity to help my fellow man.

She told me she lived out almost to Ft. Gibson, and I told her I would give her a ride. Come to find out, this lady is a professor at NSU. Once we were in the car, I smelled alcohol heavy on her breath. She absolutely broke my heart.

I said "So, you don't have a phone. The person you were trying to get a hold of didn't answer, and you don't have a car. What would you have done if you didn't find a ride?"

Her response shocked me. "If I didn't find a ride, I would've just gone back to the bar and tried to go home with a guy."

Wow. I told her how she is worth so much more than to just be used. She continued to share with me, and told me how the God that provides for me and loves me (and also loves her) had betrayed her. I told her he never would do anything like that, but she wouldn't hear. By this point we were at her house. I let her know how glad I was to be able to give her a ride home. She thanked me, and stumbled inside her home. I sat in her driveway and cried for her.

There are ways to give to those in need, whether it be giving funds to projects that provide meals (http://www.changethisworld.com/) or just giving your time and resources to those around you. People are in need, and people need love. We just have to be sensitive to others and willing to help.

21 septembre 2011

Today's jam of the day is definitely "September" by Earth, Wind, and Fire. Wanna know why? Because in the song they sing exclusively of the 21st of September. Here's a link to the video in case you wanted to hear for yourself.

So God has been teaching me a lot lately. The biggest lesson I've been learning is one in patience and faith. This is an awesome God story. You ready? Didn't think so. Check this.

I'm headed back to China in 16 days. My flight there and back is entirely paid for, as well as my lodging while I'm there. All I have to cover financially is the cost of food, travellings, and souveneirs and such. Here is the situation: I have no job (because realistically, it doesn't make much sense to hire someone for one month and then they leave the next. I understand). I'm lacking (very) in funds. The fam is going through a situation of its own... so I'm without.

This is where the story gets good. I've been lifting up my situation in prayer for the past month consistently, knowing God will provide because He promised He would. The passage I learned this concept in is Luke 12:22-31 which says:

"And he said to his disciples, 'Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you."

Yesterday, someone anonymously dropped off $200 for me at the BCM dedicated to my China trip. PTL! But it gets better. Today as I was checking my email, there was one out of the ordinary. An email about my change check? Firstly, I have never received a change check in all of my college years. Usually I have to pay an additional amount at the end of the year. So this is a complete surprise blessing. I got a change check for $1287.60! PTL!!

I'm completely overwhelmed with God's blessings, his faithfulness, his fulfilled promises, and his unending love. It has been difficult just to sit and receive God's blessing and favor, but there is nothing I could have done to become worthy of his blessing and love.

Thank you, Jesus!

11 septembre 2011

Thank you, God, for new life despite the path sin paves. No matter what this physical life brings, I have confidence in my Saviour who promises new life in his Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. the old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Today marks the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. While I've participated in normal daily activities today and gone along just as I would any other day, there has been a somber resembrence with me all day long. Thinking about all those families, all of the dreams, all the worlds shattered in a moment's time affects me deeply and sends a shocking realization through me saying "the time on this earth is short. tomorrow is not a guarantee."

There are so many lost around me. I see them everyday, everywhere I go. They are searching for love and acceptance, the very thing I find laced in the grace of God. How selfish am I if I choose to remain in silence, harbouring the love so thickly lavished on every corner of my life?

This weekend was the Momentum conference. Afshin Ziafat was the speaker, and some of the things he said really hit home with me. He highlighted 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10 which says
"For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you  not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."

This gospel is gripping. The gospel comes to life once we have a realization that God wants to do something through me so I can live a life beyond myself. If we try by our own will power and strength to seek God, it becomes a good work. It is ALL about who God is, how much He loves us, what He did for us, and out of realising God's eternal love for us, inspiring and driving us to a response, rekindling and revival of the only relationship that is eternal, unconditional, never-failing, and greater than any love there ever was, or ever will be. Our spirit is secure in God's love.

30 août 2011

Let's celebrate Christ and His Father, our Creator; God!


If there's only one thing
I desire in this life
It's to honor You.
To love You,
To know You,
To bring glory to Your name.
Adonai
El Shaddai
Redeemer
Holy

You are God. We praise you!

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29 août 2011

You don't have to be attracted to me, but come on... at least be nice to me! Geez lasneeze. It's not like I'm a heathen or something.

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28 août 2011

Galatians 2:20 says "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." 


Crucifixion was not an impersonal, mechanical transaction, but a personal expression of Christ's love for people as individuals. 




It has taken 10 years of Christian life to realise that no matter how many times I've been told to read my bible, spend time in prayer, or to live life a certain way, it just doesn't work like that. 


For my life to be transformed took a complete revelation of God's love for humanity, His son, and shockingly, for me. God moves in love. Jesus was sent out of love. I am saved by love. 


Revelation and Response. 


Understanding God's love and realising that it provides life and ultimately leads to the life church people try to instruct people to live. When I see that God loves me, is perfectly divine, eternal, Healer, and so much more, my response is to develop a desire to want to know Him more, so I read the Word. I want to communicate with Him and receive His word spoken to me in secret, so I spend time in prayer. I desire to glorify my Father with my mind, soul, and body, so I align my life with Biblical values and follow the example Jesus led.


It is through love and dedication to continue seeing God reveal Himself to me that revelation and response come, day after day. 

17 juillet 2011

2 Peter 3:18 says to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."

Jeremiah 15:16 says "Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts."

Romans 8:31 asks "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" 

These verses have become some sort of a life-theme for me over the summer. 

2 Peter 3:18 because I honestly have no higher desire than to glorify my Father in heaven, and to do so by following the example Jesus led. Also, the promise of grace and the gift of knowledge through the word keep me in complete awe of who God is revealing Himself to be (Rom.1:18), and fulfilled in the promises the Bible proclaims.

Jeremiah 15:16, because I find myself craving the word of God, and to learn more about His character. I am filled with joy when I read God's word and discover more of His truths, and He truly is becoming the complete delight of my heart <3

Romans 8:31 because it boasts of God's love, commitment, and desire for the best for us as humans. It is remarkable how much God actually loves us. It goes on in Romans 8:37 how we, as children of the King, are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus who saves us, covers us with His grace and love, and brings us to the Father (John 14:6).

God's word is altogether perfect, masterfully crafted, and true to itself. I love it!

In other news, I played for a wedding today, and bawled like a baby. Their honest, raw, sincere love for each other was plain. I desire a love like that, someday. Selfless, true, and God-driven. So excited for what the future holds... plenty of adventures, I'm sure :)

Also, was called a gypsy twice today when telling of my year and future plans/ opportunities ahead... God is just SO awesome. :) 


祝福

1 juillet 2011

I can't believe it's July already. I can't believe how much I've grown in who I am in Christ this summer. I can't believe how God has used me. I can't believe where God is leading me.

I'm so overwhelmed with God's love; His perfect, holy, merciful, graceful, magnificent and binding love that covers my sins with the cleansing blood of His son, Jesus Christ. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, just in the same way Paul was not as he wrote to the Romans. I have been transformed, renewed, and covered by grace. My old, sinful condition was nailed to the cross. And even though I may stumble and sin, there is NOTHING I can do that can or will ever separate me from the love of God. 

Knowing this, I can live the new life He's called me to live. A full life of victory. Because I am MORE than a conqueror. I am a victor in Christ. 

Unbelievable. He's so amazing, glorious, God of everything. Wow.

9 juin 2011

RATATAT plays Cain's- 8june11



One word: LEGEND

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25 mai 2011

Today was a success.

I decided that I don't want, need, or have any desire to meet my husband yet. In fact, I prayed that God would hide him from me until the time is absolutely perfect. I realize that yes, perhaps I've already met my husband. And in that case, I pray that God would keep his hand between us. 

This is my plea because I know that I'm not spiritually, emotionally, or maturely ready to begin dating my husband. I can't imagine becoming married at such an early time in my life. I feel that the world is my oyster, and there are big things life has in store for me before I find the man I will enjoy life with. God and I have a great adventure planned together before that time. I just don't know what it is yet... and that's perfectly alright with me. 

Having said this, perhaps this isn't the plan. Perhaps my man will enter my life earlier than I imagine. I cannot predict anything. And if this is the case, I will gladly welcome him... But I pray God would let us both ripen a bit before then.

And deciding/realizing this made my day VERY successful.

Also,

Today was a success because I made some fall plans, ate delicious food, and made steps towards getting my body back in shape. All great things.

Side note,

I've written two songs in the past week. Besides these two, I haven't written a song since the eighth grade. You could say I've been "inspired". . . and I feel another one coming on. . .

"oh sweet symphony, I can't believe that you found me"

H

P.S. walls are in place for a reason, and hearts are meant to be guarded. proverbs 4:23

23 mai 2011

A few items consuming my thoughts 

in the style of #twitterhashtagging

#frenchopen

#funfetticookies

#graduation

#theothersideoftheworld

#summer

#california

#turning21

#whatgodhasforme

#trialsandtribulations

#foolishdecisions

#discipline

#family

#patience

#swimsuits

#freckles

#dietcoke

#theodders

#music

#investments

#priorities

#timemanagement

#shoppingsprees

#youdontalwayshavetoberight

#ihatewritingsongsaboutyoulateatnightbuticanthelpmyself
#pleasejustbehonesticanhandleit
#dietcokemakesmyworldgoround

Whew... Just needed to get that one out. That's all for now.

H

18 mai 2011

I love being happy, and as I grow older, I find there are more than plenty of things to be thankful for and not worth being upset over. 

This being said, it always amazes me how one moment, one incident can affect my emotions in such a vibrant fashion. I despise how affected I am by one person and how they feel about a certain situation. 

THAT being said, I love Wednesdays, and I love cool 67 degree weather... maybe I'm not as ready for summer as I think I am.

H

12 mai 2011

Tout le monde, 


This lady hasn't blogged in quite a while, but that doesn't mean her life has been on pause. Quite the contrary. This young woman has been letting her Lord lead her to all ends of the earth, meeting an array of humans with a vast variety of interests, passions, and ideals. 


She's grown.


She's been to Southeast Asia, Eureka Springs, Collinsville, Broken Arrow, Muskogee, Tulsa, and of course, Tahlequah. She will be travelling again this weekend to Broken Arrow, Tulsa, and then on to Norman.


This lady has learn to love and still learning to be loved. Her passions for people have increased twofold, threefold, and still exponentially growing.


News she has to share consists of an internship at the BCM as a Utility Intern. It is a scholarship opportunity. The requirements for this position are for the position to be filled by a woman called to the field of ministry, which leads this story to a new page.


Haley has been called to serve her Lord with her life, just as we all have, but specifically to those people around the world that have never heard His name. 


A story she wants to share is one of a lady she met in Southeast Asia. Her name was Mary. She and Haley became great friends. They chatted quite a bit and she asked Mary if she had ever heard of Jesus before. Her response was "Yes, everyone must hear of him at least once if they attend a university".
Wow.
So she proceeded to ask Mary if she would like to hear about Jesus. Mary was ecstatic, and replied "yes". So She shared of how Jesus walked on water and how he fed the five thousand. Mary's response was "Wow, he is so generous and amazing!"


Mary asked if she could have a copy of the good book, and Haley was able to provide her a copy in her own language. Mary couldn't have been in better spirits.


Through email correspondence, the two friends have kept up with each other. And each time Mary responds, she always mentions of the joy her good book brings her and thanks Haley.


Mary has become her inspiration, for she realized that she could have very easily been Mary, not knowing who Jesus is and what he did for us all. This now is her motivation each morning as the night pushes up the day. There are Marys here in America, and who are we to discriminate who should hear the gospel and who shouldn't? How is it our gift to give or to not give? 


If you had the most prized material possession on the planet, would you not be telling others about it? And if it was available to others, would you SURELY not be informing them how they might be allowed access to such a treasure?


These are all ponderings that shape Haley's thoughts daily, and she is very excited to be able to share them freely with you.

09 mars 2011

I leave for SE Asia in the morning.

I feel unprepared, but at the same time,

I'm ready.

I'm ready to leave America for a while and be exposed to the rest of the world.

I'm ready to not be naive. 

Please keep the people of Asia and the rest of the world in your prayers, as well as my team. We will be gone from tomorrow morning and we will fly back in the states Sunday, 20 March around 10:00 p.m... I will be journalling every day while I'm over there, and will be excited to share some of those adventures here when I return. 

I can't wait to be over there. I've said YES to God and what He has for me... and I can't wait to learn, grow, see, and share the love He's poured out over me.

Rich or poor, God I want You more

 than anything that glitters in this world.

 Be my all consuming fire.

27 février 2011

I just flew in from Colorado and I discovered while travelling solo for the first time that one, I really enjoy travelling alone and two, I love airports.  For that moment in time, you're in the same place as all of these people, stuck in transit, for a period of time. If you stop and look at it, it's pretty neat to think about. All of these travellers are not at their final destinations: no one lives in an airport (to my knowledge, and excluding Tom Hanks in 'Terminal'). And yet, we all have to cooperate and wait and experience life in the same way together against our desires, or perhaps alongside them. I heard numerous languages today travelling home; Greek, French, Italian, Spanish, and one I didn't recognize. I love language and am fascinated by it. I took 2 years of French and wish I could speak it. I don't know hardly any of it at all anymore.

This weekend was not what I expected it to be in any sense. My brain is jumbled. I'm confused, happy, disappointed, excited, exhausted, and had to leave the house as soon as I got home. I am very disoriented as well. I know how I want to be treated, and I try to treat others that same way. It is always upsetting when someone you care about chooses, or can't help, but to treat you in a way that is hurtful. The thing that I'm discovering that pours the most salt in a wound is apathy. But, like I said, I'm also disoriented. I just got home, and I think time will help my emotions clear and settle. I'm feeling so much at the moment that I don't know how to process it. And that's fine. I know my Lord won't give me more than I can handle. So obviously I should be reminded that it is not what others think, but what the Eternal Saviour thinks.

I was journaling the other day and here's what I said: "If we truly do not love the world and all of its cravings and lusts, we should not resemble the world at all. Life should be a resistance to the world's temptations. It should not concern the thoughts of others and what they think of the actions of Christians. A Christian is Christ's and NOT the world's."

The verses that correspond with this response are these: "Do not love this world not the things it offers you, for when you love the world you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. " 1 John 2: 15-16

I can't make everyone happy. It's not my job to. I can only be confident in pleasing my Father in heaven. For when I please and give in to the cravings of this world, I am not filled with God's love according to these verses.

So I leave this post confused about the immediate future, but confident in the fact that my God is bigger than an airport, bigger than a bad weekend, bigger than a broken cell phone, and bigger than the false hopes of this world.

18 février 2011

Obviously, this hasn't turned into the daily blog I had once envisioned. I'll still keep that goal in mind tho.

I met this guy at a friend's house and he's been wanting to hang out. So yesterday he called to let me know he had a surprise for m... so we just went ahead and had dinner too. He has lived in Tahlequah his whole life like me, and surprised me with a tiger cookie!! People not from here say they taste awful, but it tastes like a delicious childhood to me. I can't help but love them. So that cookie made my day. 

I was also surprised with plane tickets to visit a special friend out in Colorado. We were together over Christmas break and last summer, but haven't spoken to him much this semester. But next thing I know, he told me to check my email. Sitting in my inbox was a receipt for my flight next weekend!! I don't really know what I'm expecting, so I'm just planning on going out to have fun and enjoy a weekend in the mountains :)

I'm in a non-profit class this semester and we have to have at least 20 hours working with a non-profit in town to write a consultation report for a final project. I'm working with Habitat for Humanity and I get my first hours tomorrow! We will be building birdhouses for homeless birds outside previously-homeless people. How lovely!

I've developed my first real celebrity crush over the snow days (we had about 6). I've completed the first two seasons of Heroes and on hiatus for a while to try and catch up on sleep... BUT, I decided that Peter Petrelli, or Milo Ventimiglia, is rather gorgeous, and I tweeted this to him on Valentine's Day (because I apparently think I'm hysterical): 
Roses are red. Violets are rad. Someone told me you smell pretty bad... jokes! Happy Commercialized Affection Day!

Yeah I know I'm a dork... but that's ok. 

Radiohead just came out with a new album. I learned this literally seconds ago. Here's the video for their new single. Pretty quirky, but what's new.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfOa1a8hYP8

That's all for today. More to come, eventually.

02 février 2011

I am going to 

take advantage 

of this 

Groundhog Day 

to begin a 

blog 

to store my 

thoughts, 

stories, 

and more. 

And so it begins.

The past two days (Tuesday and today,Wednesday) I have been home on account of the massive amounts of snow and ice covering the ground. It's the worst I've personally experienced. 

So as of this year, some things are a little different. 

I am a Public Relations major. I had a couple stories published in the school paper this past year. That's pretty exciting. I missed writing. 

I'm still getting my music fill by being the worship leader at the BCM on campus, playing in a chamber ensemble, singing in the school chorus, and playing Sunday mornings at church.

I have developed a passion for people. I love to love on people, spend time getting to know people and just listen to what they have to say. I feel that God has given me this passion so that I can share His love that He's given me with others that may not feel loved like I do from the Father. Regrettably, I do not have the time I wish I did to develop this passion. I am very good at being busy.

I have two jobs. 

I have been working at Meigs Jewelry since septembre 2011. It's a great job. I really enjoy working with the people there. 

My other job is an internship in Broken Arrow on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I work for Kimbra Scott doing special event planning, and, well, pretty much anything else she needs me to do. I've done some meeting planning, and it's neat to be given responsibilities and high expectations. She sets me up to succeed and it's really encouraging. I love working up there in BA.

I love international people and culture.

I met a boy from Brighton, UK and we chat quite a bit. I really have enjoyed learning about the English culture. One thing that has really spurred on from this is my newly developed love/appreciation for SOCCER (or footy, as Harrison calls it).

My team is Chelsea FC. I've found that I just really enjoy watching the game and all the culture that goes along with it.

Also, I have the opportunity to visit a SE Asian country over spring break this mars! I am so excited I can barely contain myself. I can't disclose many details on the intarwebz, but... let's just say the Land of Lottie awaits :)

I am single and couldn't be happier.

I have found that my self confidence comes from within and is given to me by the Father. I don't have a crush on anyone atm, and it's glorious! I'm really enjoying spending what spare time I have with girl friends and investing in them. I really wish I had more time to spare. 

Hmm.

This seems to be a nice beginning to what is soon to become (I hope) a daily blog. 

haley out.