...just trying to chase lions

If I could describe my perfect day, today would be it. It was in the upper 40's as I left for class this morning, and it's a perfect 65 degrees outside right now with the trees beginning to turn shades of yellow, orange and red--PERFECT! Living in Georgia, we know that we will be teased at least a couple of times with the coming of fall weather. It will be in the 60's one day feeling every bit of autumn, then a day later it will shoot back up in the mid 80's and it's back to tank tops and flip-flops instead of the classic, comfy UGA sweatshirt.

This weekend, though, it was no tease...fall, I believe, is here! I spent Saturday with a small group of ladies from Water's Edge (12Stone's College/Young Adults Ministry) hiking Panther Creek Trail in north Georgia. The hike was beautiful, but the most memorable parts of the day weren't the waterfalls or the bright yellow leaves floating to the ground, but the conversations I had with my friends. It is a bigger blessing than I can put into words to be surrounded by people who want to do whatever it takes to further the Kingdom; people who dare to take God seriously and follow His extreme adventures. As we hiked and talked I became so overwhelmed with passion, but I'm honestly not exactly sure what that passion looks like lived out yet. What I do know, though, is that this first trip to Liberia is God's plan and not mine. I was created with a purpose to do something that no one else was created to do. Each of us has a unique purpose to do things that no one else was created to do...let's go do it!!!

So, as I was thinking about Liberia, and daydreaming about what it will be like to be there...wondering if my heart will really be broken like I hear others say theirs has been...I remembered Michael. Michael is a teenage Liberian boy who Rodney Edwards (Service to Servants-the organization we are pairing with) came across one day who was selling crosses. The boy was in much need financially and, as many Liberians do when they see foreigners, he asked Rodney for money. Being a man with much international missions experience, Rodney knew that just giving the boy a financial handout would do him no good in the long run, so he made a deal with Michael--Rodney saw what Michael was making...they were crosses made out of bullet shells that litter the streets, buildings and churches throughout Liberia. He put in an order with Michael for 50 crosses and negotiated a price. He told Michael he'd be back at a later date to inspect the work he had done, and if they were made with the utmost quality, he would purchase them.



This is the cross given to me from Rodney when he returned from that particular trip when he first met Michael. It is a simple reminder to pray for the nation, and to pray for God to continue to lay out the path He has planned for us on this trip.

The AWARENESS EVENT FOR LIBERIA being held on November 18th at 12Stone will share more of this story from Rodney himself. It is an event you will not want to miss, and just a fair warning...it may completely ruin you for life--I've been ruined...and it's pretty great!

Well, everyone...I hope you are enjoying your fall as much as I am enjoying mine. Life is not slowing down for one second, so keep running with fervor after the plan God has set out for you...and if you're not sure what that is...well...just keep asking and running anyways!

Much Love,
em

Posted in: on Monday, October 20, 2008 at at 11:25 AM