Quip, It's Time

Well folks, tomorrow is the day. I'll be leaving early in the morning and arriving in the Quip sometime Friday. The reality of moving is here. The journey of this next step with Christ is beginning. Though I know I will be stretched in more ways than I can probably imagine, I am excited to see what the Lord is going to do. Thank you so very for joining me in this invitation to serve the Lord. I cannot begin to thank you enough for your prayers. Please continue to pray for me daily. I will update specifics on prayer requests when I get up there. Thank you once again.

Love deeply.

5-Points, It's Where It's At!

My beautiful friend Heather and I headed to downtown ATL yesterday in hopes of hooking up with our homeless friends. I wanted to say bye to the group of guys I had built relationships with over the last couple of years. We were expecting to see one of them, Copper, but we ended up seeing Malik as well. Malik has one of the most genuine and beautiful hearts on the face of this planet. He is sweetness to my soul. I believe God had us go downtown just for him, and in turn me as well. I see Jesus through Malik's eyes. There is just something about Malik that screams, yet whispers, "Christ's love." He calls me his sister. I call him my brother. It is amazing to see how two completely different people, from two completely different backgrounds can bond in such a way that cannot be broken. Even though Heather and I didn't see everybody I would have wanted to see, we saw exactly who we were supposed to see. I will always cherish the bond I have with my guys downtown. They have taught me so very much about what is really important, slowing down life, genuineness, true relationships, and most importantly loving people for what their soul reflects. I will miss them tremendously.

I have been reading through 1 Peter and have been so encouraged by the truth and richness of God's words through Peter. I encourage you to read it or revisit it if you get a chance. I am so thankful for the Lord meeting me exactly where I am right now. It is such a peaceful feeling knowing that our God is so big He can meet all the needs of this world, yet He is so small that He will sit right beside us and meet us exactly where we want Him to. In this season of prayer and preparation He is and has continued to do just that. I am so thankful for this and so thankful for Him. 6 days and counting. Please continue to pray for me as I seek out the Lord in this journey. Love deeply.

SNOW ALREADY . . . PSSSHHHHHH

Two weeks from today I will be packed in the front seat of a U-Haul with my Dad and Mom headed up to The Quip. Supposedly, it is going to snow there this weekend! My friends up in Aliquippa have decided to make a point of telling me how freezing cold it is and when it is snowing or going to snow! They are so encouraging to a girl from the dirty South who sees snow once every 5 years or something. :) What am I getting myself into?!?! Ha, with all that being said I have started hoarding snow apparel and cold weather apparel. If you ever come up and visit me, I might not answer your phone call, but you will be able to find me sitting face to face with a space heater on HIGH! The other night at my support party, my beautiful friend Melinda was praying for me. Her exact words to start off the prayer were, "Lord, we love you and we pray that in the -20 degree weather you will give Steph peace." MELINDA AND EVERYONE ELSE: LET ME ASSURE YOU THAT IF IT IS -20 DEGREES MY BUTT WILL BE BACK HERE IN THE DIRTY SOUTH IN A QUICK, AND I MEAN QUICK SECOND!!!!!!! :)

How am I feeling 2 weeks out? I can't really grasp my emotions right now. It seems as though I am still running around trying to get little things done, or I am just pushing my feelings to the back burner. I don't know which it actually is. However, I am excited! I am ready to enter into this new chapter that the Lord has scripted over my life. I was encouraged the other night at the support party; it made this whole thing official. Since then, I have been able to breathe better. Fresh new air. Jesus; that's what He is to me, fresh new air.

What do I have to do to get ready? Everything is pretty much packed. I just plan on enjoying these last 2 weeks with the fam. You know the usual, getting "clawed" by Bubba, getting screamed at by Blakey. You gotta love this stuff :)

I ask that you begin praying for transition to the Quip and transition for my family as well. I know it will be hard on both sides, but God is good and He will give us peace. Please also pray for beginning thoughts and discernments on exactly which areas the Lord would have me focus on; this will be a process. That's it for now though. Thank you again for all your prayers. I covet them. I love ya'll and appreciate all the support. Love deeply.

As Little Children Do . . .

Last Spring my family and I were enjoying a hot Georgia day in the front yard of my parents house. My sister had just bought an Elmo sprinkler for my nephews, Alex and Blake. Basically, you attach the hose to a flat, plastic circular tarp that has Elmo staring up at you. The water sprays out of the sides up into the air. Alex, the oldest of the two of course loved it. He had no fear. He would run from one side to the other through the water, laughing hysterically and screaming at the top of his lungs. Blake on the other hand was fearful, hesitant. He would run up to the outside of the water, stop, scream out of fear, and run back where he came from with tears in his eyes. He would try over and over again. Everyone was encouraging Blake, yet there was still the same outcome. Again, he would run up to the outside of the water, stop, scream out of fear, and run back where he came from with tears in his eyes. Finally, Paul, his dad, went up to Blake reached out his hand and said, "come on Blake, I'll go with you." With lightened up eyes and a huge smile on his face, Blake said yes to the invitation and began running by his father's side. As they got closer to the sprinkler Blake continued on, but closed his eyes while running through the sprinkler. After he realized what he had done, Blake paused, looked up and let out a huge laugh, and said, "again Daddy."

So it is with me, taking a lesson from my nephew; saying yes to the invitation, taking my Father's hand, closing my eyes, and trusting that my Lord will guide me and direct me to the end. Oh how beautiful our God is!

I apologize for not being on point with this blog the last two weeks. I have been extremely busy getting support letters together, meeting with people, making phone calls, and beginning the overall process of heading to the Quip. I would ask that you please and always keep me in your prayers. I covet them! It is official, I will be leaving the weekend of October 30. The Lord has blessed me with the exact place I want to stay, which will be ready for that weekend. Until then, I have plenty to do, but am resting in the presence of our beautiful God! If you are reading this blog and in any way want to support me in joining Him, please contact me. I thank you all so much ahead of time for all you are doing and will continue to do on this journey. Love deeply.