Michigan, Ohio’s arch nemesis, if you care about college football.   😉
(For the record, I don’t.)

I know plenty of people from the hand shaped state. I’ve had many Michigander’s show me where on their hand they live in Michigan. But some of my first memories of Michigan was when I was an older teenager/early adulthood, I went with my uncle to the Red Bud Motocross race for a weekend with my now sister-in-law. It was a blast! I’ve always enjoyed watching motocross, and my uncle had a ministry/was a Pastor at these events, and my cousin races. This was a whole new world for me, but I’ll never forget it, and the excitement of seeing the bikes come around the turns!

But most of the times that I have been to Michigan have been spent in Gowen or Greenville! I know the Tim Hortons across from Walmart in Greenville very well! When I worked for Off The Wall Discipleship, we spent a week in the summer at Lincoln Lake Baptist Camp, and have taken students there for retreats in the winter time, and now our church has partnered with Lincoln Lake and our students go there for winter camp! I love this camp. I never grew up going to camps, so camp life is very different to me and way out of my comfort zone, but I have had some incredible times when at Lincoln Lake. To even count how many times I have been there, I lose track. I’ve met so many amazing people via the partnership between them and OTW, that I am so very grateful for. I have had opportunities to be stretched to branch out and talk to people in ways that I normally wouldn’t. I have had so many laughs, almost peeing myself multiple times, taking runs (this lasted only a summer) early in the morning, swimming and going boating, watching kids water ski…I’ve had the opportunity to lead worship there, and to exhort others.

Being from Ohio, I feel like I’m supposed to not like MI, tehe, but I thoroughly enjoy Michigan and it’s people. I have nothing but fond memories and I hope that you do too.
#pureMichigan

Towards the beginning of last year, I had this vision.
It was a time when I was in the midst of extreme bitterness, anger and fighting with God. I was at one of our church’s evening worship services and  all of a sudden the only thing I saw was a woman wearing a tank top style red dress on the stage in complete freedom worshiping her Savior, Father, Healer, Redeemer, Friend, Lover with everything she had. She was dancing, and full of God’s light and freedom, and story and grace and love with the biggest smile. She was oblivious to everything else but Him. She was like a dream, but real.

I fought the tears. Because as soon as I saw her, it became very clear to me… 

the woman in the red dress, was me. 

Last month I got a new tattoo. I got the woman in the red dress.
And since getting her, I have been wrestling with believing some serious lies about myself and who I am and what God has called me to.
She is on my forearm, where I can always see her. So every time I look down, I see this image of this red dress woman, reminding me of who God see’s, of what He has called me to, of what He is able to do, of freedom, victory and redemption.
I may not be that woman in the dress right now, but there are pieces of her inside of me, she is there waiting. I need more story, I need more action, more faith, more obedience, more surrender, more rejoicing.

So whoever you are, wherever you are, there is hope. God is more than able to deliver what you need, to bring you out of darkness and into His glorious light, to bring victory and end to the longest battle…just hold on. Just seek Him and be found by Him. Surrender who you are now, each day and trust that He has a plan. He will get you where you need to go, FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE.

“Redemption depends not on our human will or exertion, but on our kind and merciful God.”
She Reads Truth

“Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst if the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 12:5-6

Summer of 2010 I got to go on a missions trip to Oklahoma to help out around a school for Native American’s, and do a VBS for a local church of Native American’s also. We partnered with a local church youth group from home, which some of those people, are still in my life today, which I am forever grateful! This was probably one of my most favorite mission’s trips I have been on. It was hard work, but also a ridiculous amount of fun.

I remember the food…the taco’s were on this amazing bread…yummmm, it was so thick and large! I love bread. It was SUPER hot. We drove…so it was about a 17 hour drive, and I slept basically the whole entire time (I can’t do that anymore). Don would drive on the rumble strips just to try and wake me up….but nope, I just went right back to sleep. We had some bible classes with the teens we were with and leaders, we did some karaoke, we played some Nukem (however you spell that) with the local teenagers at one of the church’s and they put on a service for us so we could hear and see them worship in their own language. It was really cool and special!

I particularly remember Doc Rasher. Who has the main man, he had the school we did work at and had the connections for us. He recently just passed away, which I am very sad to hear. He is pictured below with Beki, he is the older man with the white hair. He was sweet and wise and gentle man. One whom I will never forget taught me basics and balance…is what life comes down to. I’m still learning the balance part. He was a man who had a great legacy and ministry and will be missed by many. So I guess in honor of him, and the many awesome memories of Oklahoma and the friendships that still remain 7 years later, this post is Oklahoma!

I’ve been to Missouri twice in the past year. I thoroughly enjoy having friends who live in different parts of the state, that way I can go visit them, especially when it is within driving distance.

I remember when I first went to Missouri everyone was asking me why I was going to misery. Some people may think MO is boring, but I thoroughly enjoy it! I love southern MO and all the rock along the highways, and the Lake of the Ozarks, the wine country. Usually whenever my friend Abby and I get together, wine is almost always involved, so we went to a few wineries and did some tastings. This past time I was there we got to celebrate her Aunt’s 50th at St. James Winery and that was a blast and a great location!

My first trip to MO i flew into St. Louis. So we spent the day walking around the city, went to see the Arch, ate near the ballpark, it was fun! This past time I was there for quite a bit longer, yet it went by so quickly. I spent most of my time in the Jeff City area, which is great. I had just started to get to know my way around the city a bit, and then it was time to  leave. Isn’t that how it usually goes? I was there in the summer time last time, and I remember we spent a large chunk of the day walking around the city, which is a great way to actually see the city, rather than driving through! So if your ever in Jeff City, walk around the city. There is ton’s to see, lots of history and character!

Overall, I think MO will always be a happy memory and give a happy feeling, because my time’s there are always refreshing with Abby. It’s the people that make a place, and she makes MO great! Also, Panera Bread is one of my favorite places to go, and fun fact, it started out as St. Louis Bread Company! I even went to one in St. Louis! #lifemade