It Started with a Dream

There has been so much that has happened this year, already. Maybe not in a way that is noticeable to the naked eye, but so much that I believe God is working out in places I can't see... yet.

It all started with a dream.

For many years now, I have taken the advice of my pastor, and have taken the week between Christmas and the new year to see what God is saying regarding the year to come. This year, right around Christmas, I had a dream. I don't dream often, and if I do, I rarely remember the details of the dream.

I couldn't shake this dream.

The more I prayed about it, the more I felt like God was speaking through it.

I was on a trip, away from my house. When I returned, I walked inside and there was a person from work in my house. This person is someone who isn't saved, but has become a good friend to me at work and has been extremely kind and generous towards me. When I walked inside, this person said, "Hi Andrea. I want to show you what I've done for you while you were gone."

This person took me through my house to the basement. If you've ever been to my house, you know the basement is scary. It's old, tile block is leaky. The ceilings are very short with cobwebs and pipes everywhere. Part of the basement is a crawl space underneath my porch, and it's where the coal was stored to heat the house, and where piles of coal still sit, untouched now for many, many years. The folks who lived in the house before me had graffitied the walls with ghoulish skulls, etc.

All of this was gone. It was breathtaking. The old, tile block had been replaced, and the basement was finished with drywall and beautiful paint. The ceilings were many feet taller and finished as well. Gone was the coal and the graffiti. In it's place were guest rooms, bathrooms, a kitchen, and living room.

This person then led me outside through the basement door. My backyard had been professionally landscaped. There were lit paths and pools of water. Well manicured gardens and cement patios replaced my gravel parking pit.

I walked around the front of my house and realized that the siding had been cleaned and the shutters and front door painted. Everything was beautiful. I walked back inside the main level, and for the first time realized that everything was redone. I had new furniture - new appliances - new flooring. It was immaculate and must have cost more than building a brand new house would have.

Then I woke up.

As I began to pray about this dream, I felt like the Lord was saying that this would be a year of unexpected blessing. I was so excited - what a great year ahead!

However, then I saw in my mind's eye two verses: Psalm 16:5 and Luke 4:2.

I immediately pulled my Bible out and began to read. The verse in Psalms stated the the Lord is our inheritance and our blessing and the Luke scripture was the story of Jesus fasting for 40 days.

I immediately felt like the Lord was saying that He is my unexpected blessing. Discovering new things about Him this year would be like an inheritance - a gift that would change my life.

But then I felt a word of caution. Sometimes unexpected blessings begin as unexpected burdens. My first thought was my niece and my nephew. When I found out that my brother was going to have a baby outside of marriage, I only thought of the burden for my family. What I know now is that they have been the best, most unexpected blessings in my entire life. And that's what I felt like the Lord was saying to me. There were will be things that happen this year that begin as a burden but turn in to the most incredible blessing. My job is to continue to seek after Him and to keep my heart and attitude in check so that I won't become bitter or discouraged.

Which led me to the second verse - Luke 4:2. I have wanted to do a 40 day fast for many years, but have always been afraid. I feel like I MUST do it this year. So I am. Starting tomorrow - Ash Wednesday.

I can already tell you that there have been situations this year that have led me back to a place of fear and anxiety. Difficult circumstances that have made me want to quit and walk away from everything. My one defense has been Jesus. I began the year with a resolution to read the Bible in a year using an app on my i-Pad. It has been my sure-footing—the only thing that has sustained me when I felt like I couldn't depend on anything else. This is scripture I have read time and time again, but it has come alive. Moments in Mark where Jesus, in His compassion, heals and loves and forgives. The faithfulness of God through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And the wisdom of Proverbs.

This morning, tears streamed down my face as I read about the faith of the men who lowered their friend through the ceiling so that he could be healed by Jesus.

When I am distressed, I remember the scripture, but I also remember my dream and the promise from God. I remember that often unexpected blessings start off as unexpected burdens. It brings me hope and keeps me walking forward - running after the prize that awaits me.

HM

You don't really know me.

But I know you.

We were classmates for a brief minute, and then you graduated.

You became a successful writer, securing a fellowship at a prestigious school. I stayed here and continued working.

I always admired your writing; the way you creatively spoke in class. You were gifted; I knew it from the start. And I wished we could have been friends, but I was a non-traditional student. The old one. Often the outcast.

Perhaps you remember me, working at your alma mater, inviting you back to do a poetry reading for our Board. You were so impressive - sharing your experiences in war. I could tell the audience was moved. I read your article that was published by the Times, and I wished I could write like that. But writing like that is created in the deepest waters of experience.

I'm writing this today because I found out that your mom passed away in December. And I cried at my desk. I'd met your mom twice in my office. She seemed so upbeat and talented. I wondered if you and your brother and your father were ok. I wondered if you still wrote. I wondered what would happen to me if it were my mom.

As strange as this is, sometimes knowing that someone else is sad brings comfort. I hope you are surrounded by comfort today. I hope that you rise in these deep waters.

December&2015

So, I am writing this post from my new iPad Air 2 in Charlotte, NC, while I visit my friends Misty and Adam for a few days. My last and most expensive jubilee was the purchase of new technology for worship. I am the proud new owner of a MacBook Pro and this fancy little iPad. While I never wanted to be an Apple snob, I had the chance to go to worship training with Andrew Ironside, where he quickly showed us the way that Mainstage and Onsong can change your worship life. I'm both excited and terrified at the possibilities!

I was able to inscribe a simple message on the back of my iPad for free, and as I thought and prayed about it, I felt like God reminded me of Hosea 6:3 - He will come like the rain. I love that verse and the imagery it brings. I am hoping that these tools will help others sense His rain. That inscription keeps that vision in front of me.

As for the coming year, I plan to continue to live life to the fullest. I don't ever want to stop adventuring. I hope to finally parasail and hot air balloon this coming year. I also hope to cross four more unvisited states off of my list this summer - Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Looking forward to every moment.

October&November

So, I'm not going to lie - the year of jubilee is exhausting and kind of expensive, lol. It's almost over!

In October, Mom, Dad, Sky, and I ventured to our capital city. This was a first for me, and I really loved D.C. I loved that you could navigate the streets by landmarks - and landmarks are everywhere! I loved Asian Chipotle (Shophouse), and the metro, and figuring our way around. It was great! So much history and so much to learn. We walked, and walked, and walked some more. I think I almost killed mom and dad. Sky and I had a blast! Photos are up on fbook if you are interested.

In November, for the first time, I participated in the Messiah by singing in the choir. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever done, and I loved it. It was challenging and difficult, but when all of the instruments, and voices collided, it was heaven.

I'm currently in my last month of jubileeing {is that a word?} Anyway, my last adventure is the most expensive of all, and one that I am kind of stressing over....I'll post a pic when it arrives.

August&September

It's funny. When you are trying to be intentional about life, it becomes very difficult. I think I'm better at spontaneous adventures!

I was hoping to parasail in August, but real life happens, so for the first time ever, my roomies and I ventured to the drive-in in Strasburg, Ohio. While you might say the adventure was watching a movie outside via drive-in for the first time, I'd say the adventure was me watching a double-feature and staying up until 2 a.m. intentionally (not to mention I drove home while other people slept). Aside from my sleep deprivation, it was so fun! I loved it!

For September, I once again tried to parasail with my best bud Misty, but once again, the weather decided to foil our plans. We opted for a girl's day of beauty (so not my thing), but it was actually really relaxing. I had my first ever mani/pedi, and I really enjoyed myself! 

I have no photos to commemorate either of these moments, but I have the memories!

Barring a snow storm, October holds my first ever trip to Washington D.C. I'm excited!

June's Adventure - Fear Turns to Faith

My June adventure was all scheduled and ready to go. My dear friend Linda and I were ready to zipline at the Wilds - across lakes and wild animals. Me. The kid who is afraid of everything. Heights. Falling. etc. This was a Big. Deal.

We arrived - were fed dinner, (even though that wasn't part of the deal), and then we proceeded to watch the hardest torrential downpour fall from the sky. Of course this would happen. I couldn't decide if I was relieved that I wouldn't have to face my fears or extremely frustrated because I just wanted to get it over with.

June turned to July and my OCD-self was concerned that I hadn't really had an adventure in June.

However, something completely unexpected happened in June when my pastor approached me to take over my dad's position as worship leader. Talk about adventure. Talk about fear. I said yes because I know that God is calling me. I know that He is so good at helping turn my fear into faith.

And that's what happened this past Sunday when Linda and I finally (after weeks of rain) got to experience ziplining for the first time. I swallowed my fear and stepped off that first platform thinking "Only 9 more to go and I can be done." What I realized as I experienced soaring through the air and looking at the incredible beauty of the Wilds was that God is faithful. He turns fear into faith when we give it to Him. He ordains situations and people and experiences that we could never have dreamed of.

After weeks of waiting to zipline, and crumbling under that anxiety, it turns out that one of our guides was a good friend of my brothers. Both our guides were funny and put us at ease. The other folks zipping with us were fun and adventurous. Everything was perfect. The weather. The company. The entire experience. Because I faced my fear, I have a new hobby. I. love. ziplining!

As I was soaring through that first zip, my entire attitude changed, and I thought "What, I only have 9 more zips to go? Boo!"

Our Ziplining Team

The Year of Jubilee Continues - I'm Officially 30 :) Here's May's Adventure

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May