Giving More

Last weekend K.P. Yohannan, Founder of
Gospel for Asia, spoke at our church.


It's the second time I've heard him
speak and he has such a heart to help
others. God has used him to open the
eyes of people all over the world to
the harsh realities that many times
we aren't exposed to here in the USA.

Jake and I had read about India and
their caste system but it was as K.P.
talked about the Dalits, that my heart
just broke.

These people are treated worse than
animals and they believe they are not
worthy of being treated as humans due
to their society.

On his website, we can help these people
by clicking on this link: Dalit Outreach

He asked us this and it really hit me
hard, "What is wrong with us in America
that we just keep buying stuff and more
stuff and people around the world are
dying and don't even had food to eat?"

Now, he reminded us that God has convicted
him first and he is sharing what God has
put on his heart. I have been really striving
to be a doer of God's Word. We help others in
different ways, but I am reminded that I can
still do more. So as I have prayed, "God,
show me where to give and what to do and who
to help," God has been faithful to show me
many areas that I can make a difference.

God wants to use each of us. We can help in
many different ways, but I want to make eternal
differences by helping others with my blessings
that I've received from God and letting them
know that Jesus lives in me and deserves all
the glory. I know I'm only one person, but
I will not let Satan get the best of me by
putting in my head that one person can't make
a difference. One person makes a huge
difference and it starts with one heart
softened by God!

Cousins at the Pumpkin Patch

Drew and Micah are cousins

and

BEST FRIENDS!

They are only 10 months apart in age but
you'd think they were twins! They have
so much in common and are best buds.
They love doing everything together. . .
including picking out pumpkins :)

First Baptist Church in Shreveport, LA

Last night I spoke at First Baptist
Church in Shreveport to softball
teams in the area. There were
Jr. High, High School and College
athletes at the dinner.

We ate, I spoke about the Olympics
and what it takes to be successful.
I also shared about my faith and
how people have impacted me and how
I strive to impact others.


Some of these athletes know all about
success on the softball field:
East Texas Baptist University Softball:
They were National Champions this past year!

A picture of the
2010 NCAA Division III National Champions!

Evangel Christian Academy
Varsity, JV, and Jr. High Softball Teams

After I spoke I signed autographs and we
took a bunch of pictures. One girl (after
being persuaded by her teammate) told me,
"When I was 11, you signed a card for me
at a Baylor softball game and you wrote
Philippians 4:13 on it." She said, "I
wasn't really into reading the Bible
but I looked it up and later I got
more into the Bible. Now that is my
favorite verse."

She probably has no idea how much of
an encouragement that was for me to
hear! So grateful, honored and humbled
to speak and share in Louisiana. I knew
I was in the South because after I spoke,
a boy named Chad asked me to sign my
card to him by putting "You Guys". At
first I didn't get it until it hit me-
they say "Y'all" here!

Thanks to Ronnie Joe and everyone else
that helped to put this event together.

Also a special thanks to Jimmy Watson,
a writer for the Shreveport Times for
interviewing me. Click HERE to see
the article. I learned that Jimmy and
his wife lost their house this past Dec.
in a fire, so please pray for them. He
told me it is very hard, but his faith is
getting them through. The bigger picture
always comes into play as I travel and
meet people!

Prayer for those hurting

I know that I've written about prayer
and I've learned that it is the most
powerful thing we can do. To go to
God with our requests and lift others
up is such an honor.

I am asking those of you who pray to
please cover Daphne (Jr. High) and
her mom up right now. She goes to
Bellaire Middle School in Ohio where
I spoke last week. I was told that she
was very excited to come because she
plays softball but she never made it to
the event because her father collapsed.
I learned later that he passed away last
Friday. It was very sudden and I'm not
sure if they know the cause. He was
only 38 years old.

One thing I do know is that her friends
in school have been praying for her. And
her friends told me that "she was her dad's
whole world" and "he adored her". This is
such a devastating loss and I'm praying that
our God, the God of all comfort, will cover
her and her family in a way that they've
never experienced before.

My message is all about living every day
to the fullest to make an impact in the
lives of those around you because we never
know what will happen tomorrow. This is
just another reminder of how true that is.

God, please meet Daphne and her mom right
where they are right now. May they experience
your love and comfort in more ways now than
they ever have. Help them through this very
hard time. Amen

Bellaire Middle School in Ohio

They were so
WELCOMING
at Bellaire Middle School :)

I spoke to a group of young softball players
and the Bellaire HS Team also came to get
some tips on Wed night

I get excited when I speak and I use my
hands so much!

Hopefully it was a good time for them

Afterward, it was dessert time (always
my weakness!)

Then I signed a bunch of autographs

And we took pictures of course! These
softball players are so cute.

The Bellaire High School Softball Team

A bunch of girls from the group

The next day I went back and spoke to the
whole school (5-8th grades) which was about
420 students. I had a great week in Ohio and
ended my trip with a great school: Bellaire
Middle School.

Who You Gonna Call?

What do we do and where do we turn when
things get hard? What about when you
are really excited about something, who
do you tell about it? I am so thankful
for my family and friends in my life,
and many times when something happens,
good or bad, I pick up the phone (unless
somebody close to me is right with me)
and call to share the news.

Well, I have learned over time as I
have drawn closer to God, that the
very best place to turn is to Him.
Instead of calling somebody on the
phone, I should call out to Him!

I have learned to praise Him and
thank Him for the good. I also
have cried out to Him many times
when things have been hard and
overwhelming for me.

Psalm 145:18 says:
"The Lord is near to all who call
on him, to all who call on Him in
truth."

As I have called on the Lord, I have
found His promises to be so TRUE.
He IS near- I can sense His love,
peace, and truth in my life when
I call on Him.

I think one important thing for me
was to call on Him in "TRUTH".
Growing up I kinda made God who I
wanted Him to be. I wanted Him to
protect me, bless me, and also
wanted heaven one day. But I
have learned that there is so much
more than that when there is a true
relationship with God through His
Son, Jesus Christ. When I know the
truth, God's Word, then I call on
Him and understand who He really is.
I know that God is good no matter what
my circumstances may make me feel like.

No matter what you go through, remember
that God is near: all you gotta do is
CALL on Him!

Drew turns 5!

Happy Birthday to my middle son,

DREW!!!


He is 5 years old today.

We celebrated by going to Red
Robin for lunch today (his
choice) and then tonight we
went to pick out ice cream
and he chose Ben and Jerry's
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.

This morning when he woke up
we sang "Happy Birthday" to
him and he said, "I feel bigger
now." He really is growing up
so fast.

This was him on his birthday
two years ago!

He still loves Star Wars (and
anything else his big brother
likes). He chose to have a
G.I. Joe Theme for a party
and then picked out a Dinosaur
Cake. Gotta love kids!

Happy Birthday Drew!

Thankful for Skype

This is how we make the time apart
go faster with my family:
Talking on Skype

My kids were proud of their work from
pre-school and what they've been coloring!
Luke showing me his pumpkin

Drew showing me his artwork

He has been obsessed with coloring lately.
I'm wondering where he gets his creative
side?
Definitely not from me :)

OVAC, Ohio and Sportswold

Sports World is about

Here are some pictures from and thoughts
about my 1st time speaking for Sports
World:

East Richland Friends Church


I'm here in Ohio in the area known as the
Ohio Valley Athletic Conference. It's cold
and rainy and the trees are turning colors
(something we don't see very much where I
live in So. Cal). I had to take a picture
of this sign surrounded by all the trees!
It's just next to the Highway for everyone
to see. Jesus does love them!

Yesterday I spoke at River
HS, New Martinsville Middle School, and
Beallsville HS. Last night I spoke to
female athletes at East Richland Friends
Church. Today I spoke at Shenandoah HS
and Jr. High (+ 5&6th graders). At the
Jr. High I signed a lot of autographs:
many of them with a sharpie on their
arms, hands, shirts and jackets.


It's been fun! I met some great people
and was so encouraged by the kids. I love
the fact that I come to speak and am
hoping to inspire them to be their very
best and many times I end up just as
encouraged by them! We have them fill
out feedback forms so we can see what
they get out of our messages and they
have been so encouraging to me. These
students want to make a difference!
They are our future and need to be
reminded that they have talents that
will open up opportunities for them.
There are a few out of the hundreds
that don't care about much, but the
majority do care. That is why we do
what we do.

I get pumped up to speak to the
students. As I reflect on my time,
I realize that my goal when I'm
speaking to the kids is the same
thing that I encourage them to do:

To be the very best I can be!

I share from my heart and believe
that those who are open to hearing from
others will take some of these truths
that I share and impact those around
them. "With God, all things are
possible!"

Some pictures from last night:

a 3-yr old and 4-yr old: sisters! So
cute and reminded me of my boys (the
cute part, because my boys are much
more rambunctious :) )

Great leaders at this church: so welcoming
and friendly!



Pictures from New Martinsville Middle School:



Beallsville High School


I hope they all remember:

Conversation is a good thing!

I love to talk to people and get to know their
thoughts and views. I like to know about
them even if they believe completely the
opposite of what I believe.

I was thinking about an exchange I had
in another state earlier this year. I
had walked into a Panera Bread with
another girl and there was a woman
laying her head down on a backpack
at one of the tables. I wasn't sure
if she was with somebody, but after
awhile, I realized she was alone.

It was very cold outside and I quickly
realized that this woman was homeless.
As we were leaving, I had my money in
the car. I told the girl that I'd
be right back and I ran in and handed
the lady some money.

Here was our conversation:

Me: "God put this on my heart to give
to you."

Her: "Thank you. Where are from?"

Me: "California."

Her: "Oh. Well, I don't believe in
God."

Me: "Well I do and He wanted you to
have this and He loves you."

And that was it. I felt like I was
supposed to give her the money. It
was out of my comfort zone but I feel
like at least a seed was planted!
If nothing else, she could get a
hot drink to warm her up.

Something I read just reminded me of
this. I figured, even if she doesn't
believe in God, then I want her to
see an action from somebody who does.