I’ve been on a lot of lists in my day. Travel lists, Class lists, Doctor waiting lists, Foreign Visa Application lists, Jury Duty lists, Amazon Wish lists - Oh, wait that’s what I put ON Lists. Hopefully, my husband is reading this. 😂 But there is one list, I dream about being on. One list [...]
On February 17, 2023, I loaded my kids into my car and began a 13-hour drive to Willmore, KY to Asbury University. My prayer for 13 hours was, “God Mark my children like you marked me!” Back in 1998, I visited Brownsville Assembly of God in Pensacola, Fl along with my mentor as a 21 [...]
Our disappointment lies in the fact we believed God would perform differently than He did. But it was us who put an expectation or expiration on God – not that God failed us. He did not fail. We have failed to trust Him with what we don’t understand.
I don’t know about you, but I am tired of the enemy assuming upon my life, my family and my ministry. It’s time we BREAK THE CURSE!
I am sure if you’re reading this, then you have felt the stuckage of that deep pain in the pit of your stomach when, what you believed would happen, just doesn’t. When, what you prayed for feels as though it goes unanswered. It’s a tormenting feeling to see a severing of hope from a deep [...]
For the past couple of years God has been speaking to me about how I handle the presence of God. Mostly in my secret moments alone, that no one sees. But then how I reflect that in public ministry. Each day I seek hard after His presence in Prayer, Worship, Word, and in Fellowship with [...]
Most of my life, I have been taught prayer is more about talking to God, than about listening to Him. I remember In my younger years of being discipled; being given a model on how to study the Bible, I was taught to posture my heart and body in Worship, and even, coached on how [...]
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-w63my-1080d27 Today we have a unique episode where I will be interviewing Parker Maddox. Parker is a Surviver of Elite Child Human Trafficking, Child Porn, Ritual Occult Abuse, and Organized Crime Grooming. Her story is one of how God rescued, redeemed, and is still restoring and healing a life of darkness, shame, and brokenness to [...]
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-ci89e-1023af3 Welcome back! Today we are discussing a subject that literally affects every country of the world. Andrea Graver, founder and CEO of Defending Dignity is with us and will be discussing her calling to combat social injustice and how you and I can be a part of advancing God's Kingdom among the world's most [...]
For months I have been praying, along with the Awe Star staff, that God would give us favor wherever we would go. Psalms 90:17 reads; “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And, confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands.” We experienced this [...]
During spring break, I led a team of Student Missionaries with Awe Star Missions in the nation of Mexico. We had just performed an 18 minute drama narrative in the local language that storied from Creation to the Resurrection when the presence of the Lord filled the local Pulga (flea market). Student Ministry teams dispersed [...]
These last few months have been different. Covid-19 has been an unearthing for everyone. Schedules have shifted, calendars wiped clean, financial uncertainty, job instability, widespread sickness, fear of the unknown and church services closed! There has never been a time in history we have walked where we are walking today. The greatest leaders are struggling [...]
This morning I was reading in Luke 9 about how Jesus sent out the 12 Disciples. It felt so foreign to read that they were anointed with power and authority to cast out unclean spirits and heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. It made me wonder that if we were living [...]
Thinking about going on a short-term mission trip in 2020? Here are a few things I've put together to help you begin now preparing to go. 1. Where God Guides, He Provides. The first steps of obedience are always a test of trust. Can you trust that the One who called you will provide for you? Can you [...]
I remember a Co-worker, years ago, telling a story about when she was teaching in a children’s Sunday school class. It was a preschool class if I remember right. She began by retelling the story from Matthew 14 of Jesus feeding the 5000. She opened the text sharing how there was a massive crowd. All the [...]
Recently, I met with someone whom I was counseling with on the difficulty of 'Hard Love’. You know, the kind of love that your heart knows you’re to engage in, but your flesh fights it with all resilience. It’s that kind of love that only Jesus talks about. The kind of love that makes you [...]
We live in a culture now that whatever you do it seems as though everyone is easily offended. One wrong interpretation of a statement can mean a social media blast or even worse, a stain on the intent of your character. I am amazed at the things people get offended at. Vaccinating or not vaccinating, [...]
Last Monday marked 13 months to the day that I stepped into my new role as President of Awe Star Missions. Wow, what a year it has been!!!! Since last August 9, 2018 I have had the privilege of introducing missions to first time student missionaries in Mexico, venture to an undisclosed Middle Eastern country, [...]
Today, I sit in Kaposvár, Hungary. 26 years ago, on this day, I sat in this same country on my 16th birthday. It was the most defining year of my life. I learned 3 Truths that summer that has shaped my obedience since... 1. I could really trust God; 2. God was and is really [...]
"It should be the fundamental right of all people to hear the gospel once.” I heard a Missionary say this to me as I sat in a meeting recapping the life of John Chau, Missionary Martyr, to the unreached Sentinel tribes off the coast of India. As I heard her words, I paused to think [...]
While in my car driving this week I was having a conversation with my mom that struck my heart. She was sharing with me regarding some big decisions she was about to make and made a statement that took me back a few weeks ago when I sat in the Amazon Jungle. She said, “I [...]
As I write this, I am on a Chalupa (Peruvian motorized canoe) going down the Aguaruna River that flows through the Amazon Rainforest. I am literally headed into the jungle to engage with a People group that has limited access to the gospel. Two days of travel by airplane, taxi car, tuk tuk, five hours [...]
In my early 20’s I had the unique opportunity to travel to West Africa for 7 months. Those 7 months were some of the best and hardest moments I have ever experienced in Ministry. I embraced absolute abandonment to the Call when I bought a one way ticket to Africa, not knowing if I would [...]
Just recently, I returned from a mission trip working with Syrian Refugees. It was such a unique experience. God was faithful in bringing together a team of College Students, Therapists, and Medical Professionals to go and serve the emotional, spiritual, and physical needs of the ‘Least of These.’ What I discovered on the trip, though, [...]
In August 2018 I got the privilege to step into the servant ministry role as President of Awe Star Missions. It's been an amazing ride since August and God is continuing to grow, expand, develop, and enlarge this incredible ministry right before my eyes. Maybe your asking, who is Awe Star Missions? Awe Star Missions [...]
This past year and a half I have been intentionally exercising 5 days a week trying to get my body in shape. Now, what shape is debatable? With all joking aside, I have tried diligently to live healthier and build my endurance level. I decided to go to the ‘next level’ in my exercising routine [...]
As I pray over 2019 I asked God to give me a word for His desire for my life, my ministry, my family and my purpose this next year. As I sat and listened in prayer I heard the word, ‘PRESENCE.’ Not in an audible voice, but in a moment of quiet reflection of listening. [...]
I’m a planner. I love when I can check the box and officially say that ‘Project’ is finished. I get excited about seeing my calendar fill up and then events getting crossed off as they are completed. I don’t know why this makes me feel good, but for whatever reason, fulfilled plans make me feel happy and [...]
Here of late, I have been reflecting and doing a deep study into the life of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. A story I thought was simple has become complex and awakening to my soul. I always imagined Mary as a young girl, who in her immaturity and innocence, accepted the call to be the [...]
I get the privilege to lead a Short-Term Discipleship Mission Agency here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. My job description is simple, “Evangelization Of The Planet!” Honestly, there isn’t anything I could image doing that I would love more than what I get to do every day. But.......What they didn’t tell me when I started this job, was [...]
This past weekend I had the privilege to be part of a Global Missions Conference hosted by Awe Star Missions. The theme for the weekend was, “Step Out Of Your Element.” The weekend was intense! Multiple Main Sessions and Break Out Speakers shared how God urged each person to step out in suffering, trial, risk, [...]
Walking in the ‘Unknown’ place is one of the hardest things in obedience to Jesus. During my life I have experienced a lot of the ‘Unknowns’. I’m sure in your life you have too. I remember when I was young I would think about the future and often become anxious. How would I do [...]
I never know how I get to this place? I envision my days different. I’m a dreamer. Since I was young I have carved out memories of imagining incredible Gospel adventures in jungles, safaris, and restricted access nations. I am a lover of innovation and thrive in newness and change. But lately, when I reflect [...]
I’ll never forget that day.... I had a team of students in West Africa. We were doing Mobile Medical Clinics by day and Chronological Bible Storytelling Ministry by night. We decided to go to a local beach for some intentional team prayer and worship. We envisioned looking out over the ocean and reclaiming, Habakkuk 2:14: [...]
Our family has been through a lot of transitions over the last year. In August all my kids began attending a new school. It’s a great school but, my kids have really been struggling. Until this year they had the same home, school, teachers and friends. They had a calm, steady, consistent life that required [...]
Recently I have been engaged in a renovation project that has made me face unexpected lies tucked away deep within my heart. When I was in Middle School I had to take my first ‘Shop’ class. I still remember to this day when I had to face “The Drill Press” for “the first time”! I was [...]
“At Some Point Risk Doesn’t Matter, You Just Have to Follow The Call!” These words ricocheted in my heart as I tuned in more closely to the Persecuted Believer that was speaking them. At that point in his ministry, risk was a norm. Little did he or anyone else know that one day it would [...]
For years I have lived with what I believe was an ‘Unmet Expectation’. Or another way to phrase it is, disappointment!' I believed since I was young that I would, at some point, be living on the mission field in a ‘closed’ country. I felt the Missionary Calling when I was around 14 years old. [...]
I met you at a YC Conference in Indianapolis. I was a shy backwards 15 year old girl from a broken family. The summer before the conference I had been introduced to my first Missionary. She was a “Summer Missionary” from Oklahoma sent to a small, rural, Indiana Baptist church to serve in Backyard Bible [...]
This summer I had the opportunity to serve in The Gambia, Africa for 28 days through Awe Star Ministries. My husband and I led a team of medical professionals, college, and high school students in a combined trip of Medical Missions and Chronological Bible Storytelling. The first 10 days upon arriving in country we went [...]
For the last 6 weeks I have not been blogging. I’ve had so many blog thoughts rush through my head and emotions shoot through my heart, but my time has not allowed me the freedom to divide my interests. Single focused, hand to the plow dedication, I have been unapologetically given to the mission at [...]
This weekend we will celebrate the joys of ‘Motherhood.’ Flowers will be bought, cards will be given, and gifts will be received. Today, though, I would like to talk to you about the ‘other’ side of being a mom. First, let me say, I LOVE being a mom. I love the snuggles, the kisses, the [...]
The last 6 months I have been reflecting a lot on what it means to walk out our 'calling.' When I say, 'calling' I mean- obedience to a specific mission or assignment God has placed upon your life. For most of my life I have lived ‘On-Mission’ trekking among some of the most primitive tribes [...]
This year is the year of what seems to be constant change for our family. I love change! If it were up to me I would rearrange our house daily, update and throw out the old and bring in the new on a constant basis. I would go, see, explore, and chase the adventure of [...]
Several years ago I began to realize that my ‘vision’ was diminishing. Now I’m certain it was genetic and NOT due to the fact I was getting older. Ok maybe ‘age’ did play a small part. 🙄 So,,,, I did what every responsible adult would do. I went to my local Vision Doctor, got an [...]
Today I’m boarding a plane to take two of my four kids to Mexico for a Spring Break Mission Trip with Awe Star Ministries. Two years ago our whole family went on this trip. My husband and I felt that we needed to do a “FAMILY” mission. What made this particular trip especially unique was [...]
This week we had Spring Picture Day at my kids elementary school. On Monday, the kids and I talked and I said I would pick them up a new outfit to wear for ‘Spring Pictures’. I enjoy shopping, so this was a treat for me as much as it was for them. As I talked [...]
This past year I have been doing a lot of 'soul-searching' to discover what ‘lies’ I have adopted as ‘truth’ in my life. For example, for two years I avoided and refused to believe that I was qualified to step into a ministry role where I would lead a non-profit mission organization. I kept telling [...]
Here lately I’ve been thinking about what it means to live Authentically, Serve Fearlessly, and Love Whole-Heartily. Thinking on these things took me to the book of Genesis chapters 1 and 2. I began digging through the Hebrew texts about the forming of the first WOman. I wanted to know How was she formed? How [...]
Recently I had the opportunity to sit with some folks that were walking in a lot of hopelessness. They had lost their home, ran out of their own country, watched helplessly as tragedy struck their family. They were traumatized by their loss and paralyzed emotionally by their pain. They sat in front of me weeping. [...]
So, I recently spent a few days in a Middle Eastern nation working with Syrian Refugees. While there, I was able to share this ministry with some incredible young people. (19-25 yr olds) They were from Europe, USA, Africa, & the Middle East. They had given a year of their life to being discipled and [...]
I love the first of the year. I get excited as I pray about what the next year will hold. I always pray God will give me a word or a verse that will be a “theme” for what He has planned for me. You see, I have a big imagination. When I travel I [...]
Recently, my husband and I have had to make some serious decisions. We have felt God calling us to step into a new ministry. This new step is requiring us to uproot our family, home, jobs, ministry and comforts in order to obey. Needless to say, this has brought some BiG changes for our whole [...]
It was about 10-12 years ago and my husband and I had mobilized a medical mission team into a restricted access nation in North Africa. On this particular day we were at a Sudanese refugee camp. Like it was yesterday, I can still feel the intensity and surreal sense of courage and grief in the [...]
I would like to say thank you to those that prayed for my family while we served in West Africa this summer. Here is a glimpse of how God moved and worked through your prayers and support! Thank you! https://youtu.be/qpBB3cqbvzI
The Beautifully Broken 