A Sliver of Heaven

I toss and turn all night. Heat wraps the house in its unforgiving claws, dragging sweat from wherever it can be found. I drift in and out of sleep; dreams of the things of my past making their way into my restlessness.

I awake to the sounds of weedeaters chomping down their breakfast in the neighbors yards next door.  Dogs bark up and down the street and the one in my backyard yaps back faithfully. I can still feel the trains coming before I can hear them. Somehow I just know; I always have. In habitual processions they come both day and night, blaring their horns as loud as they can go; rattling the house frames ever so slightly, making its way into a low rumble in the carpet beneath my feet. Life seems to stop for those 20 seconds as conversations are swallowed up like a vacuum in space, tv's are paused and cars stack up behind the blinking red lights like little dominoes in a row.

I lace up my shoes in preparation for my now frequent runs- something I look forward as a place of solace; a place where everything around me but the sound of my heart beating in my chest can be drowned out for those 30 minutes of my day. As my feet hit the pavement, waves of repulsion hit my nose, seeming to rape it violently. This intruder engulfs me in the sour smells of octane, exhaust, sewage, and roadkill lining the streets and ditches, interrupting my once peaceful runs. Cars haphazardly speed by to pass me, some slowing down to smile and whistle at me, asking me if I want a ride. I keep my mouth closed and my head up; keep running towards the goal before me. And though I block everything out as I run, I can't seem to block out the memories of last summer. The sounds and smells and intrusions here remind me that I'm back in the place I grew up, but the memories, they remind me that somewhere far away, I have what feels like home.

Flashback
I wake up to the sweet, ashy smell of logs burning in the stove. Strands of glorious light make their way in through the slats and settle on the blanket which is engulfing me in its warmth. I step out of bed, still smiling from the warmth of both my blanket and my dreams.  The sounds of wild turkeys meet my ears and I look out the windows to see their jolly little wobbling and their awkward attempts at flight. Something else moves; barely, but its there. A sweetly spotted fawn gingerly follows the footsteps of his cautious mother. Somehow she senses my eyes on her, and on feet that seem airborne, swiftly leads her little one off into the ubiquitous covering of pine trees that surround the property.
I lace up my running shoes and let them hit the dirt. I'm greeted with the smell of pine trees, horses grazing along the barbed wire fences, hay bales for the buffalo lining the mountainside, dirt settling on fences, settling on the animals, settling on me. As I run my eyes meet the graceful mountains shrouded in the glory of the sun and of the pink clouds drifting silently across like cotton candy. The buffalo on the hillside graze on their meals, mindful of my my presence and mulling over whether I'm a threat or not. The reflections of all these things melt into the cow lined lake before me. I take in this double portion of beauty and run faster towards this little sliver of heaven.

And now, as I run in the assaulting sounds and smell of the city, I realize that that is exactly what it was; my own little sliver of heaven.

God displays the beauty of the riches of heaven uniquely for each person. He pours his love into marriages, reminding his children of His bridegroom yet to come. He uses the backdrop of landscapes, of children's laughter echoing in the corridor of our hearts. He uses the the beauty of the broken being made whole to shine glimpses of the perfection of His kingdom. Sometimes He shares pieces of heaven by taking His people there directly. He takes them into dreams, He takes them into visions. But me; He just took me to Montana.

Who Are You?

This article is great, and I encourage you all to take some time to read it. Its not just one persons opinion, it is truth that has truly set me, and so many others free. There are many amazing blogs and people who could share the same freeing truth you, but I've found this to be one that sums up a lot efficiently in a short amount of time. I take no credit for this writing, but only am, sharing this link that you too may experience the truth that will set you free. I'll write more through my own lenses later! Love you all!

http://www.iamaspirit.org/archives/1481

Puppy Love

Last night, Savannah and I stayed over at a lady's house to take care of her 4 dogs. I decided to take her dog, Annie, for a walk (run) this morning.

Annie's this crazy, energetic red hound dog pup. She's in that awkward, annoying stage where she's not quite a puppy and not quite an adult. She's big and awkward and trips over herself, and trips everyone else with her. She doesn't quite know what's expected of her as a dog yet, and she doesn't know the exact appropriate way to love people yet. She jumps all over you and crowds your space and slobbers all over your face. She was jumping all over my and wouldn't leave me alone this morning. She was in dire need of some attention, so I decided to take her for a walk. She went wild. She likes to zigzag all over the place and trip you and gets excited over biting dirt mounds, and she'll bolt off running in the direction of butterflies flittering by. She has a short leash, and pulls against it with all her might to go explore more of this world that I've taken her into out of the comfort of her home. We finally turned onto the road that leads back to her home, and so since we were close, I decided to take her off her leash and trust that she wouldn't run off too far. So I took it off, and she still stayed close. Then she looked behind her and realized that she wasn't on the leash anymore. She got excited and went a bit farther than she would if she were still in the leash. She would run then come back to my side, then run off again and come right back, not going far. I called her name once, and she happily bounded back to my side and stayed there. She now had complete freedom and yet she loved the fact that she could explore yet stay with me.

That's when Papa God really got ahold of my heart. As I was watched Annie enjoying her new freedom, He spoke to me and He asked me "how long do you really want your leash to be?" And I stop, slightly perplexed, and ask "what do you mean Papa?" He answers me, gently and graciously, as He always does. He answers me and He tells me that there's a short leash on me. A leash that not He, but I have put on myself and handed Him to hold to keep me away when I get to close to danger. And he whipsers "will you let me take your leash off? I want to give you freedom." And I say "but Papa, that's dangerous, Annie might run off and get hit by a car or get lost, then what would I do? I might do the same thing if you take this leash off..." And in my spirit I hear "Love always TRUSTS. Love Always HOPES." And Papa shows me the beauty of Annie. He shows me that in the same way I trusted and hoped in her and let her off her leash for a bit, He wants to do the same for me, because He trusts and hopes in me. Papa tells me that in the same way Annie realized her freedom and bounded off to enjoy it, yet coming back and came to the sound of my voice, He wants to give me the same. He has taken me out of my home, has taken me out into the middle of beauty and new things to explore and discover, and He wants to take me off my leash and give me complete freedom to explore and run and taste and see the wonderful things He has created around me. I thought He'd be scared to let me off my leash because like the pup, I can act wrecklessly and compulsively, but He tells me He trusts me, He hopes in me, because He loves me. 

Papa shows me Annie's beauty, and our likeness. Like Annie, sometimes I can come off awkward or crazy, because I'm just learning what it looks like to love people, and I don't quite into the expectations of what or how people are used to being loved. Sometimes I trip over myself, and slobber, and invade people's space with my need to love, and to be loved. I get excited over silly things that seem to matter to no one but myself. I like to play in the dirt and get myself into situations that maybe aren't the safest. I'm not always what people expect of me, and neither is Annie. One day she'll learn the commands, and she'll know when and how love and attention is acceptable. But Papa shows me the beauty in Annie, and the beauty in me. He shows me that she has a thirst to kiss and chase and love with NO bounds or restrictions whatsoever. She chases beautiful things with every expectation of catching them. She knows what it looks like to be free, and yet come at her master's voice. She drives you crazy, but you can't help but love her, and she leaves footprints on your heart. 

And that is the beauty and freedom Papa wants to give me. Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is FREEDOM. He wants to unhook my lease, and watch me as I love in ways that invade people's privacy, not because that's a bad thing, but because people just aren't being loved so fiercely. He wants to watch me as I chase beautiful things with every expectation of catching them, and because I'm not on a leash, I will! He wants to watch me as I run and smile and dance and explore within the confines of His freedom, where He'll be right by my side every step of the way, and where I don't wander far, but come at the sound of His voice. I may not fit into expectations, social norms, and I may come off as crazy. But if I live anything less than wild, fierce, and free, I'll never know or taste the beauty and freedom that comes outside of my comfort zone. Like Annie, I choose to love, explore, and expect great things no matter what or how others receive, because I know my master, and He's not just my master. Like a dog, I'm my masters best friend, not just a pet!

I'm not sure what this freedom looks like. For so long I've been scared to let myself off the hook, to explore, to step out and trust that Papa will still be right there should trouble come along, or should I find something amazing to share with Him:) All I know is that we are called into the freedom of Christ, and I seek to find out what that looks like in my own life. What does it look like in yours? Love always HOPES. Love always TRUSTS. Love will set you FREE and never let you down.

And maybe like Annie, just maybe, I'll leave footprints of love on your heart too. 

SCARS and IDENTITY

In this world's intense striving and need for perfection, physical scars are highly frowned upon. These blemishes mar the flawless bodies in which we crave to keep looking airbrushed at all times. They are viewed as showing the result of pain, an ugliness that cannot be removed nor forgotten. I however, see them differently. 

To me, scars show that we have lived, that we have been hurt and that we have come through hard times, that we have made it through. They show that our skin has the possibility to be marred, showing us that we indeed are not in fact bulletproof. Oh, how sweet it the weight of bondage lifted when we stop striving to be perfect, and start seeing the scars which speak the beautiful news to us that we are not a Barbie doll, but that we are in fact alive!

These little things we deem "imperfections" are really like small dots on a map, marking where we've been, and the stops along the way from here to there. Want to get to know somebody better? Ask them to tell you about one of their scars. Each and every one has a story, no matter how small, and most connect straight to the heart. I could sit and try to tell you about myself, where I've come from and who I am, but if I told the stories behind my scars, I wouldn't need to dig much deeper to share a part of who I am with you. Scars are not skin deep, and neither are the purposes of the human heart. So here's me. 

Take the simple, white inch on my right forearm for example. Simple story, but a story nonetheless. I worked at a frozen yogurt shop for a year, and they had the big wooden trash cans with the swinging little doors. I shoved some trash in, and the door swung back, scratched my arm, and left a scar. My coworkers laughed at me forever, because I tend to be klutzy at times. It makes people laugh, and it shows the roots of my identity, because I can laugh at myself freely, and not let who I am take a hit. So that tiny little scar, it shows a part of my work history and heart history. 

There's a tiny mark on my right ankle. Its a scar from a razor cut. Not just any shaving mishap. A mishap caused by the unstable movement of ocean waves on a huge cruise ship. This tiny splotch holds a weeks worth of memories with my sister. Cherished memories of Caribbean islands, snorkeling, and sun tanning oil. Memories that I'll hold dear to me forever, because my sister means so much to me. She took me on this cruise, paid half my ticket, because she wanted me to go. Wanted to spend a week with ME. This scar doesn't only hold memories, it holds the fact that my sister cherishes me. She cares for me, and she would give as much as she could just to be with me, because she loves me. This scar speaks to my heart, tells me I'm important. I am cherished. 

Then there's the tiny scar in my mouth-caused by the same sister. A scar that happened when I was a tiny little girl. She wanted to give me a piggy back ride, and I said "no! you'll drop me!" She insisted she'd be careful, that she wouldn't let me go. Again I refused, believing she'd let me hit the floor. Finally, she got me to concede. I got on her shoulders, and about two steps in, she dropped me. I think I passed out, and I woke up with blood in my mouth and a scar in my mouth today. What do you think that scar taught my heart at such a young age? "You can't trust anyone, not even your family. You'll be hurt no matter how much someone proclaims to love you." Now I don't blame my sister for that, no, not at all. Out of her love, she just wanted to play with me. Her dropping me had nothing to do with the enemy feeding lies to my young heart. And feed he did. That scar and lack of trust carried out the rest of my life, up until recently. And what about my sister? What was said to her young heart? Maybe it was "you're foolish, a horrible sister, you dropped your little sister, you can't ever be trusted." Lies! But heart scars, nonetheless. 

Take the large white one cut into my stomach. That one hurt more. That wasn't done by accident, that was done to save my life. Wanna know that story? I'll tell you. I could have died. My appendix was inflamed, could have burst. My family waited what seemed like forever to take me to the hospital. I finally got there, and I needed surgery. I needed it as soon as possible, before it got worse or possibly burst. I was in third grade, and back then, they didn't have the same technology they have today. Today, appendix or gallbladder scars seem microscopic compared to the gash on my stomach. But this scar is special to me. It's SO much deeper than my stomach. This scar has memories of my family, my friends all around me. Stuffed animals (that I still have), flowers, presents, and cards from my entire class back at school. Memories of having to strengthen my inhaling again, and my mom holding my arm as began to try to walk again without stomach pain doubling me over. This scar speaks identity, because it speaks that I could have died, and yet God had another purpose. He wanted me here longer, had a purpose for me. It speaks of love and family, memories of my family together in unity for a single cause:me. It speaks once again that I am loved, important; cherished.

I have many scars running all over my body. Like the three inch gash I got on my calf from running through rusted barbed wire in the woods the other day. It may scar, and it may not. But the scar on my heart will always be the blessing of the joy and memory of when Papa God took me to the middle of a world of beauty, provided for me, and taught me. It will be a beautiful scar and tale of the time in my life when Papa placed me in Montana. And like all my scars, it will be special to me. I am blessed to have so many scars, because they each speak God's identity into my life. The first one, on my arm, it speaks that I am free to be me, klutz or not- I am free and loved no matter how many mistakes or mishaps I make. The mark on my ankle, it speaks that Jesus, too, cherishes me. That He would spend anything, so anything just to spend some time with me, to take me somewhere beautiful, because He simply loves me. The one in my mouth, it teaches that though trusting can be hard, its not impossible. After all, Jesus entrusted the funds to Judas, a known thief. He knew he would betray him. He trusted and loved him anyway. And the one on my stomach, it shows that I have a purpose, that I am made to do great things here, that I am not made to die under the threat of the enemy, but that I am made to be loved and surrounded by people that love me, and people I love. It shows that Papa has a plan for me.  

Now, think about this. BECAUSE of SCARS we are SAVED. The greatest, most gruesome scars in history are the ones that run WAY deeper than flesh. The scars that Jesus took in his wrists, his feet, his side, his beaten back- they speak of the greatest love and grace ever shown to mankind. They speak of redemption and of our identity- that we were made to be FREE from the bondage of sin and death. That we are made to live in RELATIONSHIP with the living God of love! Without these scars, we would not have life at all. Without this sacrifice, we would be lost.

I encourage you, all of you, to take some time and think of the scars on your body. Think of the stories and the truths or lies of your identity that they may still be speaking into your life. Recognize the lies, and then, turn to the one with the deepest scars of all. The one who has the scars of love written all over his body. May His scars free and bless you for the scars in your own life. Rejoice in the ones that bring life, and rejoice in the ONE who brings life. 

"Through His stripes we are healed"

πνοή ζωής •spiritus vitae •speak life

I trek through the shrubs and dirt, surrounded by Ponderosa pines and pine trees so plentiful that I cannot name them all. They cover the rolling hillsides like a blanket. Along the meadows and hillsides thrive various colors of wildflowers and dandelions the size of baseballs. They adorn the hills with beauty and splendor, a truly remarkable sight to see. I enter a large meadow and my breathing stops short as I am awestruck by what I see. The rolling hillside is covered in nothing but a carpet of these same wildflowers and dandelions. Deep shades of purples, oranges, and yellows mesh together in an abundance of vibrant color. Puffy pink clouds cross the big, cerulean Montana sky, and the quiet evening glow starts to settle in the distance, over the serene Montana and Canadian Rockies. I stand in the middle of this abundant beauty, taking in the smell of freedom all around me. And as I enjoy every particle of this grandeur, the romancer of the universe and of my heart whispers to me and says that even among all this, I am still more beautiful; I am a daughter of the King, a princess in the midst of her daddy's kingdom. "And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you" (Matthew 6:30)


This has been my life in Montana for the last two weeks; and abundance of wealth, where beauty is concerned, in the "Get Lost State" of the west. The pace of life here is steady and slow, yet the days seem to be over before they hardly begin. Mornings of singing birds and laughing squirrels melt quickly into deer wandering gently in the woods far below the cotton candy sunsets that last for hours. Ten o'clock finally comes around and all the creatures of the night come alive as the moon makes its grand entrance on its wide stretching stage. Things here are simple, yet aesthetics are nothing short of abundant; they shout the glory of a God who gives us more than we could ever want or need. They sing of His heart to lavish an abundance of goodness, grace, and freedom over all His creation, and that's only the beginning of where our story starts. 

On the last Wednesday in June, I piled into a tiny (and ridiculously packed car) with my friends Ana, Savannah, and Andrew. Our trip was to take us to Oregon for a few days, and then onto Eureka, Montana as our final destination. I was so excited to start a new life in a new state with my new friends. I knew nothing of what the trip would entail, and certainly not that it would change my life so drastically. I was ready to learn, grow, and experience life. We finally made it to Dexter, Oregon (a tiny town outside of Eugene) and were immediately welcomed and added to the family that we met there. We were to stay with a family that Andrew and Savannah had met at a conference event a month or so before. I had heard great things about (we'll call him P) and his family, and I was excited to meet them all. Little did I know just how much we would all be blessed, and learn to bless.

Now I'd love to go into great detail about everything I learned and saw there- the healing of several people, the right-on words of knowledge and encouragement that people I've never met came up and told me about myself, and further yet, the things God began to tell me about other people that I've never met, in order that I might encourage them and tell them of His great love. I've learned and seen so much, and I have so many stories to tell, but as I try to fit them all into one blog, I find it is impossible and only delays my writing for lack of where to start. So I have decided that  the in-depth stories of Oregon, and some from here, will have to wait for a blog just for them :)


So, that leaves us starting out here in Montana. Andrew, Savannah, Ana and I had many great adventures the first week here. Finally the week came to an end, and Andrew and Ana left for California again. It was just Savannah and I. It felt so empty, so quiet without the others who make us laugh so incredibly much. We didn't do much of anything, except try to settle in. 


After a few weeks, Savannah and I realized we were not living the life that God has called us to live here. This town is known for its suicide rates, its spirit of depression. We were called to come be salt and light to the people of Montana, and here we were not doing much. We decided to start getting involved. 


Because the town is so tiny, you can walk the length of stores and know every shop keepers name by the time you leave. As we were walking one Wednesday, we decided to go into this little antique shop that we had not been in before. The shopkeeper, an older lady started talking with us, and I was excited to find out she lived her life in Ireland (which I adore) and we became friends. She told us to call her "Granny Smith" and to come back and visit her. She was so delighted that someone took time to stop and talk to her for such a long time (which oftentimes includes Granny trying to set me up with her grandson, and have us tell her our adventures to put in the book she's writing. We've been in a couple other times, and we talk for quite a bit before we leave. She is a sweet lady, and we get to be the people to show her love. 


That same evening we went to the Farmer's Market and thoroughly enjoyed talking to everyone there. It was great just to get to know people. We also went to youth group that evening, which was really great because we got to meet some of the youth there. The funny thing about youth is that they try so hard to make it look like they are so mature, but the thing is that really, they are looking up to you for an example. They are still children at heart, and what better time than to help mold their searching hearts with nothing but love and encouragement! 


We have also been attending church services with Savannah's family. I wasn't really sure what to expect at first, but I soon realized that this is where I want to be. The people are incredible! There are so many people that I already love so much, and though I still struggle a great deal with trying to put all the right names with the right people, I know many by face, and I get excited to give them a hug whenever I see them at church or just out in public (which happens a lot in this tiny town!). 


The church is having a Vacation Bible School for the children next week, and Savannah and I have volunteered to help out! We get to be crew leaders and work with groups of children! We also get to be in a skit for the children, which will be a blast. I get to hang out with children and teach them about Jesus ALL WEEK LONG! What could be a better way to spend your time? :D I can't wait!


There is a ladies group at the church that gets together every week to have tea and make crafts. We attended last week and it was such a blast! Meeting all the sweet ladies was such a blessing!  Everyone is so kind, and I can't wait until next time! I also enjoyed playing with two adorable little girls there, and wish I had had more time playing with them than I had spent drinking tea :P The great thing about this, is the way we heard about the women's group. Papa God gave me a spot on word of knowledge about a lady in the church, and when I met her and gave her the word, we became friends and found out about the meetings. It is such a great testimony of how Papa uses His spirit in us to connect us all and build up relationships in the Family of God, while encouraging each other! Papa is so good, and smart might I add ;)


Overall, I am starting to get more and more involved into this tiny town, and I am loving every minute of it. I love these people here, and I already greatly love the children that I will get to meet next week for VBS! My time here isn't about going out and trying to convert people, because that's definitely not my heart. My time here is about building as many relationships as I can, and loving as many people as I can. Walking in the freedom and identities that Jesus has given us is enough to shine His love and light into the world. Our job as children of God is never, and never has been, to tell people to get their lives straightened up and bow down to God. But rather, our desire is to show the love of a great God who gives grace through broken lives, who takes them and makes them whole, whose love is enough to set anyone free. 


I deeply encourage you all to continue to build relationships, because we were created to be the children and family of God. We were created to work TOGETHER, as one, living in relationship with the God of this miraculous universe. That's what were were created for: RELATIONSHIP. The cross symbolizes the relationship between God (vertical) and humankind (horizontal) bound together by the love and blood of Christ. I encourage you to speak life and encouragement into people, especially brothers and sisters in Christ. The word "breath" literally means "spirit." With our tongues the heart speaks, or our spirit is spoken into the room, changing the atmosphere. On our tongues is the power of life and death, because we speak with the spirit of the living God in us. Continue to speak life into people, because you are children of God, free and dearly beloved. 


πνοή ζωής •spiritus vitae •speak life


Katie Grace

Captivated by Innocence

I thought I'd be doing all the teaching, loving, and blessing. I didn't realize that I'd be participating in all the learning, being loved, and being blessed. I didn't realize I'd come out so beautifully broken, yet made so whole by these beautiful little people. But as with all good stories, it's best to start at the very beginning. 

I moved back home a couple months ago, broken and completely lost as to where life was going to take me next. I was a nanny, and left two children whom I'd grown to love, whether I would admit it or not. I had no job, wasn't attending college, and didn't want to be back home, feeling that it only meant failure. All I knew was that a new year was coming up, and that I wanted my focus of that new year to be on learning how to love like Jesus. I really wanted to get involved volunteering somewhere that I could make a difference, preferable a ministry opportunity. I prayed several weeks for God to open a door for me where I could serve to the best of my abilities. I soon started attending my parents church where I went for most of my younger years growing up. I found out that they were desperately praying and seeking a Sunday School teacher for their children and youth. Because of my love for children and my background working with them, I knew this was the opportunity God had provided for me to serve where my heart was. The church happily and eagerly accepted my volunteer to be their new Sunday School leader. 

At first I was scared that I wouldn't be able to make much of an affect on the children, or that they wouldn't take to me easily. I was so completely wrong. By my second Sunday there, I had children running to my classroom yelling "Miss Katie! Miss Katie!" and fighting to give me a hug first before the other. I got to know the children and the older youth, and I grew to love them more with each passing week. I got to spend some time with the older ones, and I saw their self-esteem rise higher and higher as they felt more comfortable with me, and got used to me telling them how beautiful they were and how much Jesus loves them. After a few weeks, only one little girl was able to keep making it to class. She always wished more children would come to class alongside her, but I tried to make it as fun and educational as possible with only the two of us. 

As I got to know this beautiful little girl, I came to know that she loves to create and she loves to teach. So the Sunday before last,  I decided not to plan a big lesson, but to just sit back and let her teach me a craft that she wanted to teach me. I had some cute cross and verse materials that she was welcome to use to make crafts, and yet she decided she wanted to make marshmallow men, with tiny s'mores for them to eat, as well as an entire village made out of bibles. Marshmallow men?! Now there aren't exactly any lessons in the Bible that relate to r marshmallows or s'mores. And I could have said as such, and encouraged her activity to take on a different direction of my prompting. But in order to love a child, sometimes you just have to put aside your own personal agenda, get down on their level (which is usually one full of dirt and mischief and silly nonsense), and put your entire being into participating with them in their own world. So that's what we did. We spent over an hour playing "marshmallow men" and seeing who could make the "tiniest s'mores in the world." I didn't sit and try to teach her a bible lesson. I just got down on the floor with her and loved the best way a child knows how to best loved. 

And that morning, when the Pastor gave the alter call, that beautiful little girl went up to accept Jesus Christ as her personal savior, and asked to be baptized in the church. She had seen and tasted what love was, and she wanted to accept it for herself. It was nothing I ever did, nothing the pastor ever did. It was nothing but the love of Jesus captivating her little heart. And in the same way, Jesus continues to captivate my heart when I experience His love in the selfless, indulgent, lavishing love of a little child. In the way they laugh without stopping, and wrap their arms around you without hesitation. In the way 5 pairs of hands all grab you at once, begging for you to sit by them and not the other. It's when you hear their little prayer requests for their fighting parents, their arguing siblings, their sick relatives...and yet, they don't become hostile and bitter, withholding their love. Even the most broken of children continue to love, to hug, to touch, just like Jesus does with us. 

Because of God's wonderful blessing in my life, He has given me the awesome opportunity to move to Montana with a dear friend for a few months. Because I will be moving soon, this last Sunday would be my last as the Sunday School teacher at the church. It was also to be the 65th Anniversary of the church. That morning as I prepared for church, I asked Papa God to please bring some new children to church that I could teach about Jesus and love on, and to whom I could give away all the fun prizes I had been saving up. So I went to my little classroom and set up all my crafts, prizes, and activities. I waited and thought that maybe on my last day that no children would end up coming. But in comes my little girl, excited to see me and hug me, with two other little girls trailing along that I had never seen. They told me that all they had heard about God was that He was mean and controlling, and that they had never even heard of Jesus Christ before. I got to teach them all about Jesus' love for us, and all of the things He does for us because He loves us! Their timidness to be in class was soon replaced with their excitement to learn about Jesus and the Bible! We had a great time and they were able to each tell me all about God and how the Bible says He loves us and will be with us and what Jesus did for us. And I wasn't surprised this time when three pairs of hands each pulled me into the church service, begging for me to sit by them instead of the other. 

As the church service started, I saw another group of children filing in! They sat in the back with my long time friend's grandma, who helped start the church 65 years ago. After the service, there was a big potluck, and the three children wanted me to take them to the park across the street. So I decided to meet the other children who had filed in, and to ask them if they wanted to come to the park with us. They were so excited to go! So I had 7 children trailing behind me to the park across the street. I started playing tickle monster and I soon became the "troll under the bridge." After about 5 minutes, the game  was turned on me, as all the children started running towards me and started tickling me so much I almost fell over. Two of the little children couldn't stop hugging me, and they had only just met me! As I was giving one child a piggy back ride around the park, I turned to hear and see the all of the rest of the children standing on the top of a park table yelling all together as loud as they could "OHH MISS KATIE! MISS KATIE! COME GET  US IF YOU CAN! BUT WE ARE ON BASE SO YOU CAN'T NA NA NA NA OHH MISS KAAAAATIIIEEEE!" Let's just say my heart melted :) 

For another two hours, I played different games with these children who continually wanted hugs, piggy back rides, attention, and mostly love. As their parents started collecting different ones to leave, I realized just how blessed I was. I was completely exhuasted, out of breath, and had grass stained knees with a child riding on my back and another clinging onto my waist. In that moment, I realized just how sad I was that I had only just met these children, fell in love with their beautiful little laughs so quickly, and yet I would never see them again. I've never been a biological mother, but in that moment, I realized the full extent of that quote that says something about how her heart is always outside her body walking around with her children. As I hugged the last ones good bye and watched them go, I was both heartbroken and completely full. I knew for the first time in my life, that with a hundred percent confidence, that my purpose here on earth is to be with children. I've always wanted to be a mother, but now I understand what it feels like to love a child so much. I may or may not be a biological mother some day, but I will always be a mother to all children, whether they are mine or not. 

As I get ready to pack up and start a new adventure in my life, I eagerly look forward to loving the children God brings into my life. May it be just playing with children in the park, or carrying around orphans and telling them how beautiful, how loved, how important they are (my ultimate dream). But no matter where I go or what I do, I know that God has given me the heart of a child, and the love of a mother. It truly takes a special ability, patience, and unconditional love to work with children, and it comes from God. I've always connected easily, and I know its because of the heart Jesus has given me for His children. He loves the little children, and He says to let them come to Him. In the same way, may we come to Him with childlike faith, love, and trust, as well as bringing the other little children with us to the feet of Jesus.

Blessings, 

Katie Grace

   * As always, I thankfully accept any donations put on your heart to give to my ministry. All funds will be directly used for ministry purposes, not excluding travel expenses in and outside of the country. You can easily donate by clicking the DONATE at the top of this blog. Forms of payment accepted are also shown in the icons below the DONATE button. If you have any questions concerning donations, as well as any concerns, or prayer requests, you are always welcome to contact me through comments or my personal e-mail address (ilovecharlotte@att.net) Thank you so much for supporting this ministry. God bless. 

Sellings and Blessings

I woke up this morning, ready to put out my huge garbage bags full of clothes for sale. I packed up my things, drove to my friend's house in Yuba City (because her street is more populated than mine) and put my things out for sale. I put up some signs pointing to our yard sale, which also said "For the least of these," because the money I earn is going straight into my funds for missions. I prayed for God to bless my endeavors, that I might have money to put towards His ministry. Not too long after I set things up, a van with dark tinted windows pulls up and parks in the middle of the street. A big African American man and a youth aged looking boy step out of the van. The boy, who was wearing a shirt proclaiming "I ♥ Haters" shirt started grabbing a ton of things off the table and taking them into the van, not asking for prices or anything. A few seconds later, the passenger side door is opened and I hear a woman's voice saying "how much for all these lotions?" "You can have them for a quarter" I say, walking up to the door so I can see her face. She starts asking me about all the sizes on my summer dresses, shorts, and shirts for sale. She asks me to bring them all up to the door and show them to her because she can't get out of the car. I spend about 20 minutes showing her all of the clothes with the size she was looking for. She filled up a huge bag of clothes that she thought her daughters would like. At first impression, I thougt the van was sketchy, and that this lady sent the guys out to just grab stuff and go because I would be intimidated and not say anything. But after I went up and started talking with her, I realized that my first impression was completely wrong. I started asking her about her, and she told me her name was Sarah. She told me that she fell and has to have surgery on her hip, because she is in pain all of the time and can barely walk. I told her that my God is the great physician and asked if I could pray for her hip, and if she would mind me laying my hands on her. She said "yes, of course, my grandson is always doin that for me like when he gets back from church and stuff." So I go around to the driver's side and put my hand on her hip and told the pain to leave, that it has no authority in her life, and that in the name of Jesus Christ, that it would leave and not come back. I asked her how it felt after that and she said "wow, I felt most of the pain trinkle down my leg and there's only a little bit left!" So I asked if I could pray for her again that the rest would leave. I prayed again that Jesus would heal her and that the pain would leave. She said that there was still a tiny bit, but felt a lot better than it did before. I asked if I could pray for her one last time but she said "no, that's enough, my grandson prays for me too. Thank you though, if my leg is healed, I'm gonna be back knocking on your oor asking you for prayers and asking about this God and how you did it!" So I smiled and said "My God is healer, and I'd be happy to pray for you anytime and tell you about him. Feel free to come back Sarah." So she seemed to be very blessed and excited to see what God would do in her hip. They finished deciding on clothes and were ready to leave. I smiled at them all and told them that they were all awesome and thank you for stopping by! Sarah seemed excited to get home and test her leg and once again said "I'll be back knocking on your door if my leg is healed" and I said "Awesome, my God is healer, come back anytime" (even though I'm not even at my home, but at my friends). I told my friend about it, and told her that if Sarah comes back and I'm not here, that its her responsibility to love on Sarah and pray for her, sharing Jesus Christ. She obliged, as I knew she would. This morning I expected to sell a few things and throw some money into my "Katie's Missionary Fund." I did get some money to put into my fund, but more importantly, I got to show this woman the love and power of Jesus Christ, instead of just getting money to go do so elsewhere. Praise Jesus for his never ending grace, love, and desire to see His creation healed. Continue to pray for Sarah and her children, that they might come to know relationship with Jesus Christ. 


 Blessings, 
 Katie Grace 


 * As always, I thankfully accept any donations put on your heart to give to my ministry. All funds will be directly used for ministry purposes, not excluding travel expenses in and outside of the country. You can easily donate by clicking the DONATE at the top of this blog. Forms of payment accepted are also shown in the icons below the DONATE button. If you have any questions concerning donations, as well as any concerns, or prayer requests, you are always welcome to contact me through comments or my personal e-mail address (ilovecharlotte@att.net) Thank you so much for supporting this ministry. God bless. 

Grace Love Ministries

Hello! I am so pleased that you have decided to stop by and see what Papa God is doing through my life, and in the lives of others. This blog is a means of declaring the love and workings of the Father through my life, and in the lives in which I am able to touch through Him. I will try my best to frequently update my readers on the adventures and testimonies of the work which God is doing through our ministry. May God continue to work in our lives in all we do and say, showing His great love to all we come in contact with. I will be heading for Oregon the end of June for a week with some amazing brothers and sisters in Christ. We will be spending our time ministering to those on the streets, and possibly those in the prisons and schools. We will then finish our trip up to Eureka, Montana. We will be spending the week ministering to the small community. I will then stay there for a couple months, seeking to share Christ with others, and learning who I myself am in Christ. Please keep us all in your prayers, as we will be doing a lot of traveling and ministering. I look forward to sharing with you all the great workings of the great healer; the One who calls us His friends!


Blessings,
Katie Grace


*As always, I thankfully accept any donations put on your heart to give to my ministry. All funds will be directly used for ministry purposes, not excluding travel expenses in and outside of the country. You can easily donate by clicking the DONATE at the top of this blog. Forms of payment accepted are also shown in the icons below the DONATE button. If you have any questions concerning donations, as well as any concerns, or prayer requests, you are always welcome to contact me through comments or my personal e-mail address (ilovecharlotte@att.net) Thank you so much for supporting this ministry. God bless.