My Southern Adventure Part 2

This post is way overdue, but I guess better late than never! So, I wrote about going south to surprise my family. My time with them was only the first part of my weekend. Saturday afternoon I borrowed a car and headed to Greenville to see some friends. Let me just first say how much I LOVED driving a car for three hours. It was the first time I had driven in 7 months and so incredibly exhilarating to be closed in a car and just "be". I am thankful for public transportation, but boy do I miss praying in the car, listening to music, and just having some space to be alone, a rare happening in this city. So once I got to G Vegas I met up with some friends from my South Africa team (I spent a summer in South Africa in 2004). We all live in different places, but were able to come together for a mini reunion(Mel we missed you) Oh it was soooo fun to laugh and reminisce about our crazy and amazing summer together.

Me, Courtney, Jameson, and Jacqueline

Sunday I attended my old church and then had lunch with some fav's. I had to bribe L to smile for the camera. I told her that when Frances(her mom) brought her to NYC that I would take her to a huge toy store. When I told her that her little sister (not pictured) piped in and said, "I want to go to York". Oh they are so cute. Their little brother is pretty cute too, don't you think?

Katherine, Colette, Kaye, Jack, Frances, and Me.

It was a quick after church lunch at the one and only Joy of of Tokyo.

It was a quick visit, but so fun.

P.S. Did anyone watch Martha Stewart on Tuesday? I was in the audience along with 5 of my friends (thanks KJ for requesting the tickets). It was a spider themed show, so a little scary. We had fun, but could not help but compare it to our Rachel Ray experience. We all agreed Rachel won. Sorry Martha!

Eyes Wide Open

My heart feels heavy tonight for all the brokenness in our world, in my city. I went to a benefit tonight. A benefit to raise money for Restore. an organization that provides services for internationally sex-trafficked women in NYC. It was a phenomenal event of Broadway stars who donated their time and talent to perform for this event. Most theatres are "dark" on Monday which allowed these performers to be here tonight. We saw talent from Les Mis, The Little Mermaid, Hair, Billy Elliot, Beauty and the Beast, and several others. It was so fun to experience these amazing performances, but when the presentation begin on the real reason we were there, my eyes welled up with tears. The executive Director began the presentation by talking about the many choices that we have everyday. I choose what time I will wake up, what I will eat that day, who I will spend my time with and so on. Women who are trafficked in to this industry do not have choices. They are told when to wake up, what to eat, what to wear, how many men will have sex with them that day, and so on. They are slaves. My heart breaks for them.

Did you know that there are over 27 million slaves in this world? Did you know that the Sex Trafficking industry has brought in more money that Google, Starbucks, and Nike COMBINED? Did you know that it is one of the fastest growing social justice issues in our country? As I heard more about this terrible issue, my heart felt heavy. Just this morning as I prayed on the way to work I talked to the Lord about how broken I feel, about how broken people around me are. We live in a fallen world. A world that is full of nasty, awful sin. We live in this sin because we are sinful. I just feel overwhelmed in my sin. I feel overwhelmed in how undeserving I am of the good news of Christ, yet so incredibly needy for it. And then tonight I was reminded again of this brokenness. I knew Sex trafficking was an issue, but it just one of those things that is easy to slide under the table and honestly not care to much about. After tonight my viewpoint has changed. My heart hurts for men, women, and children who are slaves to prostitution. My heart hurts for the sin in this world and complete depravity that is around me everyday. Personally, I want to help. I would love to give my time to the ones who do escape as they come out unimaginably physically, mentally, emotionally wounded. I do want to pray about that, but more importantly I want to pray for this industry. That it would be brought down and crumble. I want to pray for this organization specifically, but also that more organizations would begin in other cities in our world. I often have this mentality that I want to save the world, I want to help. But then I get overwhelmed because I don't know how to always do that. But one thing I did come away with from tonight was being so thankful that I live in this city. I live in a city where brokenness is (as it is everywhere) on every corner, on every subway and I have the opportunity to look at my life here as not see what I can take from this city, but what I can give. How can I serve this city? How can I be a light in a very dark place? How can I share the good news that there is a Savior who has promised to one day wipe away every tear, that there is HOPE beyond this day? I loved the performance tonight, I loved being there, but mostly I am really thankful that I have been enlightened on this issue in our world.

Please check out www.restorenyc.org to find out more about this organization

You can also learn more about the issue of sex trafficking and prostitution at:

www.ijm.org

www.polarisproject.org

www.notforsalecampaign.org

"The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, in the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion. to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes. the oil of gladness instead of mourning. the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified." Isaiah 61:1

This is how it all went down

It all started like this: Last Thursday I hopped on a high speed plane to take a little trip to the South East. I made it from the North to the South in a speedy 2 hours. I hurried through the ATL airport and walked right up to my parents car. My dad knew I was coming, but you better believe my mother was surprised when I walked up the passenger side of the car and opened her door! She just kept saying, "bethany, bethany, bethany" and since she cries at Wal-Mart openings we all know that of course she would cry when she saw me! It was so fun to surprise her for this special weekend.

So I spent the first night with my parents and then prepared for the 2nd surprise. We headed to Stone Mountain Park to attend a family event that my dad's work was hosting. Cat and Gary pulled up to meet my parents, but to Cat's surprise I jumped out from behind a post to greet them! Surprise #2 down!

We then all headed to enjoy a day at Stone Mountain Park. It was a cold fall day, but still really fun to be outside and enjoy the park.

3 of us decided it would be fun to do a high ropes obstacle course at the park. I have to admit the idea sounded more fun when we were on the ground. Once we got harnessed up and stared walking across high beams and loose ropes the idea was not quite as exciting, but maybe a little more scary! We made it through without a slip, so I guess that's an accomplishment!

This is what happens when the girls leave the boys unattended.

Do you see the cool carving in stone mountain behind us?

We all spent the night in a Marriott Resort and enjoyed dinner and celebrating the big 30 for Catherine! I don't really have an explanation for this picture, but I think it's funny

For Cat's birthday my mom has been working on a scrapbook of her life. The funny thing is we have a picture exactly like this of Catherine at 21 looking at this exact book when my mom started it. 9 years later she gets it back. I think my mom made it up to age 10 of Cat's life for this birthday. We're hoping before age 40 the book is completed:-) I have scrapbook too that my mom gave me for my 21st birthday. Hopefully I'll get mine back by age 30 but we'll see! Mom, if you are reading this I am just kidding! Thanks for making us these amazing scrapbooks!

Because we are such mature adults, we ended the weekend at Stone Mountain with a trip to the candy store!

It was a great weekend and was so fun to surprise my mom and my sister! I will be back soon to post about the 2nd part of my weekend as I made my way to GVegas to see friends!

Someone Turned 30...

I boarded one of these this weekend and went on a little trip....

To surprise someone who turned 30

Doesn't she look 30? I can't believe my big sister is that old.:-)

I decided to do a little blog tribute to her to celebrate this special day!

I would love to say 30 fun things about Catherine, but since I don't think I can be that creative tonight maybe I will just say 5 reason I am thankful she is my sister...

1) She loves Jesus and seeks to live a life that is glorifying to Him

2) She is a GREAT person to look up to and always let me copy her when I was little(even though she did not always like it)

3) She is honest with me.

4) She is really fun

5) she loves me!

I was thinking this weekend how I don't know life without Catherine. She is my big sister and has been there since day 1 with me. I have learned a lot from her and am thankful that she has always been a part of my life.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CATHERINE!!!

P.S. Check back soon to hear more about my little surprise trip!

The Big "W"

I have been reading alot of blogs lately and so many of them include talking about the beauty and joy of FALL. Now I think Fall is a wonderful season and Central Park is GORGEOUS in the fall. I do like NYC in the fall BUT I really can't enjoy it. Do you know why I can't enjoy it? Well, it all has to do with the season that comes after fall, I hate to even say it, but it starts with a big fat "W". I mean let's face it, WINTER is not my favorite season and today reminded me why. It is dreary and cold, and all the outdoor seating is closed up, and it is cold, and there aren't nearly as many people on the street and it is cold, and you can't enjoy the outdoors as much and it is cold. You get my point? The key word here is COLD. Today was a cold day and it just reminded me of how many cold days we had last winter. I know I should be thankful for all seasons, but it is just hard when you are a warm weather person. I grew up in LA (Lower Alabama) and I just can't take this cold weather. I even got a stomach ache the other night when I saw my North Face puffy jacket in the back of my closet. So with that being said you guys can pray for me this winter, because I am being honest when I say it is a hard season for me. I just have to keep telling myself how much I love Spring and Summer and after the big "W" comes those beautiful seasons! Now with that being said, there is one thing I really do love about winter.....the cute outerwear. When living in the South I did not have much of an excuse to buy fun outerwear, but now I do. Let's face it, because NYC is such an outdoor city outerwear is all really people see of you so to say it's important is an understatement:-) So last Friday i took a little shopping buddy with me (2 year old H Mister ) and we moseyed into the GAP. They had a lot of fun clothes and super cute outwear. Although I could not buy much, look at the cute jacket I came out with. And the best part was I only paid $3.80 for it. It started at $88, but it was on oober sell and I had a coupon. I asked the H mister if I should get it and she said yes. I think listening to a 2 year old's shopping advice is a wise thing to do. don't you?

Now on to another shopping subject. I ventered over to the ritzy East Side today to run some errands. I was reminded how much I love my down to earth Upper West Side neighborhood as I walked these expensive stores, very well dressed people streets today. But it was all worth it, because look at what I came home with....

I finally used my birthday money my parents gave me and got the new nano ipod. I love it! Not only does it have the normal ipod features, but it has radio and a video camera on it. I can't wait to use it on my commute to work tomorrow.

Ok, enough about my shopping purchases.

Happy Columbus Day!

Serving the Lord Unconditionally

I have been thinking a lot the last few days about what does it really mean to serve the Lord unconditionally. I know for this past year of my life so much of my prayers have been God I really desire this... Or God will you please give me this.... Tim Keller said in a sermon recently that we should say, "I will serve you, Lord, without condition. Even, if you never answer my prayers."

WOW that is so true, yet so incredibly challenging to wrap my mind around. The Lord has been so faithful to me and has answered my prayers repeatedly throughout my life, But even if God never answered another prayer, could I say that? I think about the verses in Habakuk 3 "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, YET I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places."

I know that my life has been pretty "easy" compared to so many people. The Lord has blessed me tremendously and has given me abundantly more than I need or deserve. I know that, YET I still want more. Without even always being aware i often have this mindset of "God if I follow you, If I really serve you and show you how much I worship you, then you will bless me...then you will make my life easy and wonderful." I think God has to give me what I want because I am obeying him and he blesses those who obey him. UGH. Why do I think that? Even if I am called to live a life of hardships, pain, suffering I want to claim this verse in Habakuk. I want to be a woman who fears the Lord and follows him no matter the cost, no matter the hardships. I know that I am still young in the worlds eyes. Lord willing, i have many more years on this earth. I don't know what kind of Life God has prepared for me, what he will call me to. What I do know is that "as for me it is good to be near the Lord." I know that ultimately I do not want to live a life that is not in step with my savior. I know deep down that if I don't have life in Him then I don't really have life. I know that, but sometimes it is so hard to follow with my feelings. Sometimes I get scared because I think what if the Lord doesn't bless me? What if I never receive the desires of my heart? What if I am the girl watching all the good and exciting things happen to those around me but am never the receiver of it. That is what my mind and heart thinks so often BUT still I want to live a live a life that is so incredibly committed to my Father. Man, I am struggling with that right now. I was reading in Streams in the Desert last night. One of the lines in the devotion really captured me. The line read, "One way or the other we must learn the difference between trusting in the Gift and trusting in the Giver." Ouch. How often do put more trust in what I am asking for rather than the one I am asking.

I know this will be a continual struggle, but the prayer of my heart is that I would be putting my trust in the Giver, that I would be Rejoicing in the Lord each day of my life, that I would be worshipping the Lord no matter my circumstances. I want to pray in expectation that the Lord will bless me that he knows me and he wants good things for me, yet I want to trust him that he knows what those good things are. I know that what I think is best and what God thinks is best is not always the same. I want to believe that God is worthy of my trust and so where He leads me I will follow JOYFULLY.

And so I pray that you to would put your trust in the Giver and that you would be challenged by Tim Keller's statement. That we would all serve the Lord without condition.

Redeemer's Vision Campaign

REN3W 2009

A Vision. A Hope. A City

"By the end of this next decade the vision is to have three strong congregations serving a total of 9,000-10,000 people, worshipping at 7-9 locations and 12 or more services around the city, drawing many more un-churched people into a relationship with God, and with a reputation for serving and loving those in the city who don't share our beliefs as well as loving those who do."

The Church I attend(and work at) has embarked on a vision campaign. This is a very big season for us as we learn and re-commit to the vision of Redeemer Presbyterian Church. We are asking the Lord for great things to come out of this campaign. Please check out REN3W to learn more about this exciting season at Redeemer. If you check out the website you can view the "New Birth Portraits" which are amazing, as well as listen to Tim Keller's sermon series for FREE.

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• Hope for the World - Sept. 27
• Hope for the Poor - Oct. 4
• Hope for Your Life - Oct. 11
• Hope for the Family - Oct. 18
• Hope for Your Work - Oct. 25
• Hope for the Church - Nov. 1
• Hope and Money - Nov. 8
• Hope for the City - Nov. 15

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"You're the God of this city. Your're the King of these people. You're the Lord of this nation, You Are.

You're the light in this darkness. You're the hope to the hopeless. You're the peace in the restless You are.

There is no one like our God

There is no one like our God

For greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city. "

-Chris Tomlin-