Sunday, August 25, 2013

God doesn't call the equipped

I've been thinking lately... and I've come to realize how often individuals believe that they are incapable of achieving or completing a larger than life task. How wrong is that!? We serve a larger than life God, so why would we, hand crafted in his divine image, believe that we are incapable of completing ANY task? "God doesn't call the equipped, he equips the called."

 Take Moses for example. Moses is minding his own business, tending to his sheep one day. All of a sudden God becomes present to him through a burning bush, and asks him to complete the Exodus, to free and lead his people out of Egypt. Here is Moses, a murderer and poor speaker, and God is asking him to complete one of the tasks that lays the foundation for the rest of Christianity as we know it. Just like we usually do, Moses responds to God by telling him that he is simply not the man for the job. You know how the story goes though, Moses goes on to lead God's people out of Egypt and into the promised land. 

Or how about Peter? Peter, the man who denies Jesus three times, becomes the leader of the church following Jesus'crucifixion. Jesus hands the keys of the church to Peter, How amazing is that!? 

There is, however, one brave woman who never questions God's will for her. Mary. Mary, a young teenage girl, is asked to give birth to the savior of the universe. The key word here is, "Asked." Mary could have told the angel no, she could have responded by saying that she is just too incapable, but Mary chose to say yes. Mary chose to do what I only hope I can have enough courage to do in my life. Mary said yes to the call of God. 

It's fairly simple, why I'm doing what I'm doing. All I know is that there are people in Romania: Living, breathing, human beings, who are not actually living at all. They are not living because they are crippled by the seemingly never ending cycle of poverty. What I also know is that the prosperity of our society should be based off of how well our poor population is fairing, not by how well our rich are fairing. If this is the case, then I can not and will not rest until every one of those people there know and understand that there is a God who truly cares about them, and there is a me that truly cares about them. I know that by returning to my new found friends there, I will make a lasting impression in God's name for them. This lasting impression will be more than delivered supplies to families or shelter to the homeless. This impression will be the smile on a child's face, the health of an elderly man, and the knowledge of a loving God. 

What this whole tyrant boils down to, is that every time I explain to someone what I am doing by selling these bracelets, they are ecstatic for me! .....At least until they hear me say that I will have to sell 600 bracelets to meet my goal, then they just politely smile and nod. Hey, is selling 600 bracelets in between now and April ambitious? OF COURSE IT IS! I choose to look at my goal from Mary's perspective though. While 600 bracelets is a lot of time, effort, and work, I know that as long as my heart is in the right place, I can do anything through my God. (Philippians 4:13) If my God can help Moses lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Peter become the leader of the church, and heal the lepers, then I am sure I can make and sell 600 bracelets and make it back to Romania to leave my lasting impression. 

So, once again, I say thank you to everyone who has offered their moral support to me on this journey! I pray that we can all have the courage to say yes to God's will, like our Holy Mother Mary. 

Peace & Blessings,
Katie :) 


Saturday, August 10, 2013

How it all got started

How it all got started 


Last year I was blessed beyond anything I had ever imagined to be able to travel to Romania through the Smiles Foundation. The things I saw while traveling through the beautiful country allowed me to truly understand that being poor is to lack a holistic relationship with Christ. I thought I was traveling to Romania to help the poor and neglected, but I had no idea what I was in for. I learned that the beautiful people there were richer than I could ever hope to be. They have nothing, and yet they have everything! They have that relationship with Christ that only few people in this world ever achieve, because even though they may be poor by our societies standards today, they have a true insight as to what it means to be eternally rich. Leaving these people was one of the hardest things I have ever done, and on the way home I decided that I simply HAD to make it back. Last trip, my grandfather traveled with me and was generous enough to pay for my part in the trip. This time around, I am determined to raise the money for myself!  So I am proud to announce that with the help of some of my family and friends, I will be making and selling Romania-flag inspired friendship bracelets to help raise the funds I will need to hopefully journey back this summer. I will need to sell around 600 bracelets between now and late April, so you can help me out in a number of different ways. First, of course, buy a bracelet or make a donation! The bracelets will sell for $5 each. Second, you could like my page on Facebook and share it with your own friends! (www.Facebook.com/helpkatiespreadsmiles) Thirdly, you can continue to check my blog throughout the year for updates and more!  600 is a long way to go, but I am confident that through hard work, determination, the help of my family and friends, and God at my side, that I can meet this goal and soon be back in Romania helping spread smiles to the communities there. Thanks everyone for visiting my blog! 

"Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." - Mother Teresa 




-Katie :)