A Year of Inviting

A year ago I joined a group of dreamers...a word that still sounds so foreign to me. But we spent the year getting to know each other, sharing the wins and the setbacks, encouraging each other, and yes, dreaming.

In 2013 my dream focused on inviting others into our home and into our lives. Community is often messy and hard and inconvenient, but it's also refreshing, vital, and life-giving. And so we invite each other in.

2013 was a year of learning what this looked like for us. We did little things like sharing meals and throwing a few parties. A summer intern working at our church lived in our basement. Another friend stayed for a week while his family moved. We had friends stay in our home even though we were out of town. Our backyard filled up with people we love and people we hadn't yet met.

A year ago I didn't know who I would be inviting into our home, but I knew what I wanted our guests, our friends to find when they arrived. A place of comfort, of grace. A place of equal parts deep conversation and light-hearted merriment. A place of peaceful welcome.

A place that reflected our hearts.

My home is far from perfect, and my heart has so much room to grow. This year saw quite a few failures and forgotten goals, but the yeses we said in 2013 are producing growth that extends into 2014. And that's how I'll measure my success.

Happy New Year, dear friends. Looking forward to seeing all God has in store!

6 years.

6 years ago I walked across campus to meet my guy while the snow fell.

Today I decorated for Christmas with that same guy while the snow fell.

6 years can change a lot of things, but he is still my favorite.

Our relationship, our marriage is still just a baby, but reflecting on our few years shows me that we're changing and growing and writing a great story. And since it's the season for favorite things, here's 6 reasons why I just can't stop loving him.

1. Those honest eyes.
I may tease him for his inability to hide a thing. But it's his transparency is what drew me to him 6 years ago and I still love he shows me everything with a look.

2. He makes me laugh.
He just does. It's the best.

3. He holds me.
The last three years have thrown a lot at us, but he's carried me through the hardest parts.

4. He makes me better.
Nate's a planner. I am not. Nate's organized. I am not. He loves me despite my rough edges, but he also smooths them out.

5. The way he works.
Nate is faithful in the little things. He works hard and remains humble.

6. He loves Jesus.
And he spurs me toward loving Jesus more, too.

*          *          *

Happy six years, sweet man. I love that I get to keep dating you, 

and I can't wait to see what the next six years will bring.

Day 31: United States of America

We made it to the end of the month! Hopefully this has been a learning journey for you. It definitely has been for me! If you have stuck around throughout this little challenge, do you mind leaving a comment? I'd love to know your thoughts!

When we began the month, the United States government was shut down. And yet the order in our day to day lives stayed relatively the same. There are still too many living in poverty within our borders, and yet just yesterday we saw that an average Haitian earns $790 annually. We face extremely real foreign threats, and yet we don't think about anyone invading our city on a daily basis.

The United States faces many significant issues and challenges that break our hearts. And yet we must remember that we are part of a world in which the majority of our brothers and sister live in very different circumstances.

And perhaps that's where we'll land with this 31 day experiment. My prayer for my home country is to live with an awareness of others. Others living in our neighborhoods, living in our cities, living in the world around us. Lord, let us not be consumed with ourselves. May we be satisfied solely in You.

American Quick Facts:
Population: 317.7 million
Primary Industry: Technology, Industry, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Service
Annual Income per Person: $47,440
Political System: Democracy
Primary Religion: Christianity
All facts found in Operation World.

Papa, let Your name be made great in our country, let it change our heart and the way we live our lives. Take away our complacency and replace it with an authentic care and love for others. In a nation that loves to celebrate celebrity, may You be known as the only one worthy of glory. Amen

Day 30: Haiti

Though I've never been there myself, Haiti holds a special place in my heart.

The Haitians have endured so much poverty and corruption and natural devastation, but their spirit seems to penetrate those who visit in a unique way. It's a place that's stolen the hearts of dear friends and revived my mom.

This is a special nation facing many complex, challenging issues. The public has been made aware of many, but the reality of life in Haiti is not one to easily grasp. We do know there is Someone who does know the intricacies of these hardships. Let's turn our attention there.

Haitian Quick Facts
Population: 10.2 million
Primary Industry: Aid Relief
Annual Income per Person: $790
Political System: Unstable
Primary Religion: Christianity (Typically coupled with voodoo and witchcraft)
All facts found in Operation World

Lord Jesus, we pray for Haiti tonight. So many of our prayers this month have echoed one another, and we ask that in the midst of repeated sentiments and incoherent thoughts, You would hear the heart of our prayer...free the nations from oppression and let them walk in the light and truth. We want to make Your name great, and we love how the Haitian church loves You. Let us learn from our brothers and sisters and give you glory. Dear Jesus, You deserve it. Amen

Day 29: Syria

Syria...

I've been avoiding this one hoping I could fill the month without trying to articulate any coherent thoughts on this broken nation.

But when I read things like this and watch things like this, I just can't fill this space with anything else tonight.

But here's the deal. I have nothing to offer on the topic. No new ideas or thoughtful perspective. No perfectly chosen words or nice arrangement of argument. All I have is hurt and angst, and come, Lord Jesus, we desperately need saving.

These are our brothers and sisters. Let's cry out as though we truly believe it.

Syrian Quick Facts
Population: 22.6 million
Primary Industry: Agriculture, Oil, Tourism
Annual Income per Person: $2,768
Political System: Civil War
Primary Religion: Islam
All facts found in Operation World

Father God, we have no words for the things happening in Syria. It would be so much easier if we could be contentedly ignorant of all that is happening halfway around the world, but we are not. Therefore, we are responsible. We ache for Your people, for the violence, the disease, the displacement, the seemingly unending conflict. We pray that they would know the Prince of Peace. We plead that You would be their comfort. Lord Jesus, we need saving. Show Your strength to Syria. Amen

Day 28: Belgium

Today our lead pastor is taking off for a missions trip to a few partnerships is Europe. One of the places he is visiting is Brussels, Belgium. Belgium doesn't exactly get a lot of attention, especially compared to its power-player neighbors: Germany, France, and the Netherlands.

But Belgium has is quite unique. The city of Brussels has a population of 1.1 million people, and is home to over 45 different nationalities of 1,000 people or more including Eastern European, North African, Turkish, and Kurdish populations. This is a clear case of God bringing the nations together!

The spiritual climate of the country tends to be one of apathy. Faith issues are not typically a part of the public sphere. Let's pray for the gospel to take root in Belgium, for the many nations to find their hope in Jesus, and take that hope to their home countries.

Belgian Quick Facts
Population: 10.7 million
Primary Industry: Engineering & Metal Products
Annual Income per Person: $47,289
Political System: Constitutional Monarchy
Primary Religion: Christian
All facts found in Operation World

Lord, we praise You for the work You are doing in Belgium. We see You moving despite the apathetic spirit that is so prevalent. We ask that You would ignite a passion for You among the people of Belgium and that this passion would spread to all the different nationalities and people groups currently calling this country home. Our finite minds cannot comprehend the impact You can create, so we just ask that You would do more than we can ask or imagine. Bring glory to Your name. Amen

Day 27: Scripture

Today has been the day of rest we've needed for several weeks. Instead of moving on to another nation tonight, let's focus on the purpose of this month's adventure.

"Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
   make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
   tell of all his wondrous works!
Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
   Tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
   his marvelous works among all the peoples!"
1 Chronicles 16:8-9, 23-24

We give thanks to You, Lord! Shape our heart to reflect

 and declare your glory among the nations! Amen