Signing The Covenant

I am sooo thrilled and excited to day. While I know that this is susposed to be the day of national reflection for the awful attack we received four years ago, I am also optimistic about my new beginning. Feeling Christian love is such a wonderful thing. As I've said before acceptance is a large part of love for me. Knowing that I have value inspite of being female encourages me so much. I am excited to be in relationship with God again. While I know that my church membership doesn't really have to effect that relationship, I allow it to. When I feel like my church doesn't value me, then I question God's value for me. Not being able to serve means I'm not worshipping or honoring God. This makes me feel like I don't belong as a child of God. I wish I had better words to express this for those who love me. It isn't about being a feminist or whatever...it is about fulfilling my calling. God has given me abilities that aren't just for behind the scenes. The smile that my heart had when I saw that women were able to read scripture, pray, and do the offering in a Sunday Morning Service was a clear indicator to me that I belonged in my new church. This church also has such a desire for real missions and not just the abroad stuff. (I really think if you aren't doing it locally then pffffftttt to the efforts far away.) I look forward to becoming involved in the efforts of local missions. I'm not stupid and I know that no church is perfect! I am just very thankful and feeling blessed that God has allowed me to join this church who I already feel love from despite not really knowing people there.

Katrina Tears --- Part 2

I have enjoyed discovering that almost everyone I had built a relationship with in New Orleans had evacuated. Thankfully the missionaries that I worked with were able to get out some of the teens. I also was so thankful to know that the church building I was at only had minimal damage. The seminary is having classes for students in various ways. The professors and administration are having the faith and strength from God to go on. I love that this seminary has so much heart and drive to continue the teaching and mission that God has for it. I cried when reading the blogs for the seminary and thinking how blessed I've been by knowing this people of such strong faith.
Despite what some have said, I so agree that some people are better off with the new start they are being given. The people of need are no longer hidden...people are not reaching out to them. All the political mess behind it is just crap, but it is good to know that people are now trying to make a difference. One of the things that made me cry was giving a little girl a hug after playing with her. She quickly said to me that she didn't know white people would be so nice. Something is sooo screwed up with our world when children say things like this. At least she can now know that love doesn't have to be based on color any more in her world.
I thank God for letting me be able to serve in some ways during this mess. Even though I wasn't as used as I could have been, I cherish and am thankful for the times which I was able to be used and show God's love.