To Him Who is able.

Ephesians 3:20-21.

This is the banner for the Austin Stone this fall. 

Please check out this video.

In awe of the story the Lord is writing here. I am just thankful to be a part of a family of people who are relentless to live authentically in pursuit of Jesus alone, and as a community on mission to lift high the name of their Savior. Hopefully these pictures, words, and numbers just begin to give a glimpse of what God is continuing to do here.

Thankful to be a witness.

Aggies in the Outfield.

Well, what I'm about to get to tell you about makes me so excited because I get to tell you of specific stories of the Lord's faithfulness. I know most days this blog becomes an outlet for how the Lord is specifically growing me. The hope is that those who read will know that if He's moving mountains like these in my own stubborn heart, He's doing immeasurably more in the hearts and lives of those of this church, city, and world. Because of sensitive subject matter and for the privacy of those we're in contact with, unfortunately a lot of those cannot be shared openly online. If you are ever interested in hearing specific stories though, please do not hesitate to contact me! I love sharing stories of God's faithfulness and impact around me. 

This summer I was given the opportunity to help coach a softball team with an organization called RBI Austin (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities). What a season! We were the fightin' Texas Aggies (whoop)! Not only did we go to the championship game, but we saw victories won in these girls' hearts. This organization exists to, yes, coach the games of baseball/softball, but more importantly to teach these kids valuable lessons of who they are, who they can be, and above all who Christ is.

Each week was filled with practices and games that challenged our girls in their abilities, but ultimately created "teachable" moments every step of the way. These are the faces of girls who went from feeling inadequate, to hopefully beginning to see their true value. Conversations often started with healthy discipline, but ended in lessons like recognizing the value of words and our impact on others, and why we choose to love others in this way and Who we ultimately serve. Seeds planted, constantly. We, as coaches, were held accountable to steadfastly pursuing our girls each week and being dependable to make practices and games. With everything that we put into this season, we tried to show these girls the love of Jesus through all the ways we loved them. The goal of RBI is not to simply coach softball, but to continue to pursue our girls throughout the year as examples of their Savior Who is constantly pursuing them.

12+ games.

Weekly practices.

Clinic with Cat Osterman (former UT and US National team pitcher).

Attending Round Rock Express and Houston Astros games.

Playoffs and championship game. 

Forgetting where home plate is because it's covered in dirt.

Having to learn which way to stand in the batters' box in the middle of the game.
Sitting on the bench when we aren't respectful, even if no one's there to fill our position in the field.

Always making sure our gloves are on the correct hand. 

Not working hard in in practice (when it doesn't technically "count") means others play our position (when it does).

Not playing in certain positions because we selfishly begged for them, rather than trusting our coach to make the best game plan (hello, lesson for my own heart).

Rotating positions to let others get more playing time (because winning isn't everything).

Chewing bubble gum until our jaws hurt.

And having lots of fun!

We played hard, and we learned a ton. But most importantly, my prayer is that they would know that they are wholly and dearly loved, and that their value is not found in school, parents, friends, or even the game of softball. I am already looking forward to next year, dreaming of goals and ways we can powerfully share Christ with these girls. They are each a beautiful picture of us, our Father's beloved kids.

Check out the RBI video!

Last Stop.

And lastly...

Stop #3: Madrid

As if the first trip was not enough, I was actually crazy enough to land in Austin and turn around 36 hours later and get on a plane for Europe. I know what you're thinking. Don't worry, I was thinking it too ("And it's official. She's crazy"). Yep. But this trip was the last component to the Women's Development Program at the Austin Stone, and I was going to be obedient (on a scale of 0 to 10 of excitement, I was about at a 2. Hence "obedient") to fulfill my time here. Going into the trip, I had heard that it would be one of the most difficult things I had ever done, but my prideful little heart still questioned and pushed the limits.

And then we landed in Madrid.

My heart earnestly longed for Portland/Seattle and the comforts there. I did not speak the language, much less did I have the energy to be bold in proclaiming the gospel to the Muslim people there. Days filled with an outpouring of prayer, intense training, and engaging with people all over the city only made my soul feel weaker and more helpless. There is nothing like physical and spiritual discomfort to dismantle our prideful, self-sustaining armor.

But God meets us in those places--the lowest and most desperate.

I felt as if I were blind, walking in darkness, yet having to trust that He was near (Psalm 145:17-19). That was all I knew to do. He had taught my heart well in this past season of intense wrestling (Ps. 51:8). Then slowly God revealed Himself in mighty ways...

Not some wimpy, comfortable version of Himself, but MIGHTY. The God of the universe. The all powerful, all-knowing Lord over every tribe, tongue, and nation. He used my tears to bring humility, so that He could show His power even more fully. He used my lack of eloquent words to step in with His Word that speaks to the very heart of man (Heb. 4:12). He used my weakness to bring Him even more glory (2 Cor. 12:9). He taught us that, at the end of the day, our will submits to His. No matter how good the motivation or deed. Even when my heart was ugly and counted the days until I could sleep in my bed in Austin and hug those I care deeply for, He proved to be even more faithful to impress on my heart the truth that Jesus is better. (Note: This was not some warm fuzzy felt emotion all the time, but a felt and seen tuning of my heart. It was not comfortable by any means.)

I was forced to reconcile in my own mind (in this new way) at what value did I actually hold Jesus to in my life.

Is He worth giving of my finances in ways that may cause me to sacrifice physical pleasures I enjoy (and somehow assume entitlement to)?

Is He worth moving to a different city for?

Is He worth giving up my beloved community (who know me, and are easy to communicate with) for?

But these questions aside, the ultimate question I had to answer was this: is this life (80-ish years on this earth I may get) everything I have to live (give time, resources, energy) for, or is this gospel (Esphesians 2:1-10) true, meaning am I called to live for something beyond this time here on earth? I have sincerely believed this for some time now, but beginning to actually "live" it in this place puts legs to that kind of faith.

In the presence of those who had seen and known the consequences of choosing Him over their very lives first-hand, I knew I couldn't sit on my hands and stare up at the ceiling away from confrontation any longer. Once that last question is answered, every other issue and decision falls into place, on one side or the other. Life either becomes the greatest or smallest thing of value to us. There is no middle ground.

Make my heart believe, Jesus. Because I know there are plenty of days it does not.

I am not my own, but bought (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

I am Yours.

 

 (Note: these are mostly from our day of touring the most prominent areas of Madrid. The areas my team spent most of our time in are not able to be posted.)

Last but not least, I want to thank all of you who gave of yourselves in prayer and your finances in this time. The Lord truly sustained us and answered your prayers for the gospel to go out and for lives to be changed. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

Tales of Travel: Portland, Seattle, and beyond...

And...I'm home! I cannot believe it. This past month has flown by! It seems like just yesterday I was getting on that first plane. Time spent away has been just what I needed and so much more. Each trip had a perfect purpose.

Stop #1: Portland

This city reminded me the most of Austin! Filled with music, coffee, unique restaurants, and plenty of outdoor activities, Kate and I felt right at home. A sweet sanctuary of adventure, laughter, and just room to breathe, Portland was perfect. We even got to see a good friend, Anna, who has recently moved back from Texas. From white water rafting, to traveling by bike to all of the main sites of the city, we felt we had conquered this town...and even started to make our plans for the next trip! What a needed time of reflection on this previous season and quieting our hearts and minds for the next one to come.

 Stop #2: Seattle

From Portland, we drove to the beautiful state of Washington. We were blessed with a place to stay on Anderson Island where we were surrounded by water and some of the most breath-taking scenery I've ever witnessed. This provided a perfect place of physical rest, as well as peaceful time to just be with the Lord. After our time near Olympia, we met up with some dear friends who are like family to us. Life-giving conversations and exploring were met with anticipation of the next phase of our trip.

That weekend a team of our interns and college students landed in Seattle for a week on mission with our church-planting mobilization initiative. This group was particularly special because so many were some of closest friends, and living on mission in a new city was a dream for us. We worked with local church plants to help as needed, including community service, putting on a neighborhood block party, house shows, and engaging students from University of Washington in conversation about Jesus. Getting on the plane to return to Austin, my heart was full from time spent with these incredibly humble and talented people whose love for Jesus is contagious!