hiatus

gotta take a blog hiatus! not sure when I'll be back... but right now, I don't have time to collect my thoughts & throw them on here. it makes me sad! but time away is a good thing!

love love

I love love, weddings and marriage! last weekend my lovely friend Jenna got hitched. it was a cute outdoor wedding on a beautiful farm property, then the reception was in a pinterest-ed-out barn. the cherry on top was that I got to see some of my Australian family! it was such a blessing to see some lovely long-lost faces.

guest post: Bangkok to Detroit, same same but different

My friend Lindsey recently got home from an anti-human trafficking trip in Thailand.  I LOVED how she worded this post, so I had to repost her :) leave her some love on her blog!
*see blog here

Bangkok to Detroit, same same but different 

How can two evils be so alike and so different and half a world away from each other?
I’m still processing and working my way through Thailand (I recently went on an anti-human trafficking mission trip). The dark, the evil, the sadness, and also the light, the joy, and the purity of the Father’s love. In Bangkok sex is no secret. It is not hidden and prostitution is socially acceptable. Sex sells on a menu and where there is one girl there is many. One of the hardest realizations for me was the daunting feeling these young girls grow up with knowing the expectation for them to bring in money by way of prostitution is heavily set upon them.....some even from birth. Sixty percent of men that fly into the Bangkok airport fly in for sex. To use, abuse, belittle, and degrade young girls.....because they think they ‘can’ or they feel ‘entitled’, whatever their motive is it is wrong. When you walk down the streets of Pat Pong, the 2^nd largest red light district in the world sex is not hidden. Signs that read ‘Super Pussy’ or ‘Super Girls’ are plastered all over. Every corner is home to 2-3 people asking if you want to go to a ‘ping pong show’ which is a sex show. Every bar leaves open just a large enough crack in the door so you can peer your eyes in and see dozens of teenage girls either half-dressed or naked. Innocent baby girls. Yes, there are brothels hidden in the depths of the city that house continual sex trains off 11 year old girls that most do not know about. Yes, there are hidden sex rooms the higher you travel up in the bars. There are also obvious sexual acts that are so sickening you turn your eye and somehow convince yourself what you see is not real… I’m sure that is how those young baby girls feel too. But for the most part, sex in Bangkok sells itself right in front of your eyes. There is a purpose for these tourists, a plan of action, a pre-determined mind set, and innocent lives fall responsible to fulfill. 

Almost an entire world away…across oceans and miles away in Detroit, Michigan some of the same evils listed above take place. The difference? In Detroit for the most part it is hidden. You don’t walk down a designated street for young woman or lady boys. You don’t walk down a four block neighborhood and see 4,000 girls/lady boys selling themselves. You don’t walk up and down streets to see young western men (and old ones, too) purchasing sex before your eyes. In Detroit, Michigan, my home, it’s the same but it’s different… sex is hidden. Now if all you’ve ever been exposed to is prostitution within the United States you won’t fully understand this; you may think ‘prostitution is not hidden here’ but when you travel to the worst of the worst, Detroit appears to be a cake walk when compared… but that is not true. Looks are deceiving. Just because we do not have designated streets or sex sold on a menu does not mean that Detroit is any better off than Thailand – but rather the opposite. It’s the hidden that is worse. If 11 year old girls were the same as the 15 year old we met in ‘Super Girls’ bar in Pat Pong they would not be hidden in a brothel… in the same way, if the women in Detroit who are caught up in the Sex trade industry were ‘not in as bad of conditions’ as the others then the evil wouldn’t be hidden. I’ve been all over Detroit at night, 10pm, midnight, 2am, 4am, in the strip clubs, at the bars, strolled over Michigan Avenue and it is nothing like Bangkok. But when you go deeper into the neighborhoods, drive up and down the streets that look like a war zone, peer into the busted windows, boarded up doors, the crack houses……it is there that you will find Bangkok in Detroit. 

via Connie Rock

I went out last night with a local ministry who offer prayer and pass out bagged lunches and hygiene packets to the afflicted in those very streets and neighborhoods of Detroit. I had gone with the team prior to my trip to Thailand and then again after my return home. Night and Day difference. I left Thailand thinking ‘what in the world… my city is nothing like this’ and after last night I came home and thought ‘they are almost the same’. How can two evils be so alike and so different and half a world away from each other? In Thailand people say ‘same same but different’ that is what I think about Thailand and Detroit – same, same…but different. Here we have to look for the evil, search for the girls… in Thailand it’s all in front of your face. I’m not saying one is better than the other… actually quite the opposite. Both are disgusting and inexcusable. Last night while driving through these broken neighborhoods I thought I was in a war zone. A similar war zone I felt while in Thailand. These girls were afraid for their lives. The same look of desperation, hopelessness, and distress gazed from their eyes. In the last week three girls were found dead in the neighborhood we were in. All left to die in their own pool of blood from their slit throats. One of the girls was only eighteen, her life barely lived. Each girl we came in contact with (which were many) immediately wanted prayer. Similarly each wanted protection. 

This morning the Detroit Free Press released an article stating 70 arrests were made in Metro-Detroit within 3 days in connection to sex trafficking. Five girls and one boy recovered from child prostitution, ages ranging from 13-17. Arrests made in the city I grew up in. Sex trafficking is not just in Bangkok, Thailand or Amsterdam, or any other third world country. Sex trafficking is here. It is in our own backyards. It is everywhere. We must do something besides turn a blind eye to the topic that makes us feel uncomfortable. 

Find out what you can do in YOUR community. Find out how YOU can make a difference. And be encouraged… Jesus Christ has OVERCOME this world – and no evil, no prostitution, no pimp, NOTHING CAN OVERCOME HIM! Share His hope, love, joy, and goodness; wherever you are is a good place to start. Pray for your city, your state, your country, and this world. Sex trafficking is the 2^nd largest crime in the world and each night thousands and thousands and thousands fall victim. Enough is enough. Let’s change our city. 

Google search ‘Human Trafficking in the United States’ = 18,700,000 results  

Google search ‘Human Trafficking in Michigan’ = 1,210,000 results 

Google search ‘Human Trafficking in Detroit’ = 897,000 results 

And pray for me as I seek the Lord on returning to Bangkok in October. 

At His Service, 

Lindsey

summer time

first of all where did JUNE go!? this summer seems to be slipping by way too fast for my liking!

last week I went on a lovely relaxing vacation with the fam! lots of driving, sand, sun and eating out...typical vacation, right? other summer happenings have involved bon fires, driving with the windows down, warm weather, sun tan lines, eating lunch outside at work, watershed ... summer has been so good so far!

Yahweh

seriously?! this song gives me chills. that Kari Jobe knows how to lead the Church in powerful worship!

morning glory

whoa! blog world in the AM... haven't seen this side of things in a while! like since my library days! anyways, this morning is a little bit more laid back than the usual rush cause I have to pick up my brother from a half day at school soon... BUT that's is besides the point!

this AM deserves a post BECAUSE it's only 9 AM and God is already talking to me... not that He doesn't on any given day, but today I REALLY needed to hear from Him!

1. bright & early a lovely friend of mine -- creative, hard working and very servant minded -- who does A LOT for the ministry I work for, sent me a really encouraging text. [when hello it should be the other way around, cause she does SO MUCH for us at lighthouse] it's like she knew I needed a pick me up at 7 am! it's also funny how encouragement is contagious... cause now all I want to do is send out encouraging texts the rest of the day!

2. lately I haven't really had time to actually read through twitter... I usually just post dumb/random things through out the day, but don't get a lot of time to read through others tweets... but I did this morning! and Brian Houston post this tweet and I was like WHOA! he read my mind! [aka God just knows us & our needs]

"Every single day of your life is a fresh chance to be an overcomer. Today is no exception!"
-said in a thick/strong Aussie accent of course


walk in His encouragement today.
no matter what today brings, glory in it!


ps this time next week I'll be on the ocean with my family! cannot wait to smell the salty air!

Selah ::

two songs that make my nose tingly for more of Him
& cause me to just wait on Him... 


1. OVER MY HEAD / STARFIELD; this song describes what has been going on in my mind. my tiny human mind does not understand His ways. how is that HE would choose to use me!? all of HIS grace lavished on me is literally over my head..

Unquenchable songs and endless praise
A million tongues poised to sing
Could still not convey
The worth that Your name deserves
Beauty for ashes
Joy for pain
Mercy instead of my blame
Ruins me for more
I'm lost in Your presence, Lord

Hallelujah...

Lost for the words to say
I'm left here in disarray
Waiting for You, waiting on truth
I've thrown reason overboard
Knowing that there's still more
I don't yet believe, I can't even perceive
I can't seem to understand
Can't seem to find my way
It's over my head, it's over my head
Learning this mystery
Trust what I cannot see
It's over my head, it's over my head
The wonder of all You've made
Foundations Your hands have laid
Bringing me back to my knees, to my knees
I'm lost for the words to say
Lost for another way
Bringing me back to my knees, to my knees
I'm lost for the words to say
Lost for another way
Ruined for anything other than Your love
I'm desperate to know You, Lord
Desperate for what's in store
Finding my hope in only You, in only You
Take me beyond this door
Lead me to something more
Open my heart up for more of You, more of You


2. MAKE US READY / HARVEST BASHTA; basically my cry and prayer for my life. this is exactly what I want... 

Let there be oil in my lamp

Let the fire not go out 

When I hear the Bridegroom comes

Make us ready

So take my lamp set it on a hill

Set it on a lamp stand 

I wont be hidden

I wont be hidden

So take my lamp set in on a hill

Set it on a lamp stand 

I wont be be hidden

I wont be hidden 

I’ll be dripping with the oils of love

I’ll be dripping with the oils of love

next move

it finally happened. I have an answer for where/what I'm doing next. I got accepted to Moody Bible Institute...starting in the 2013 Spring semester! God has taken me on quit the journey to get to this point.  lots of questioning/ups/downs/cries/toil/encouragement/anxiety... and now looking back I can see why He was doing what He was doing, when/why He was doing it....

I read Psalm 136 the other night... while I was just praising God without words to express how THANKFUL I am, that after all of this time... I finally feel like I'm out of the wilderness, no more just wandering around aimlessly [for now anyways .... ]

"to him who led his people through the wilderness; His love endures forever!"

God has been so faithful... even in my unbelief and doubt, He remained so faithful.  I'm thankful for a God who takes care of us in time of wandering/wilderness.

I can't wait to see what He does in and through me in Chicago! I hope to be studying for a major in Women's Ministry or Ministry to Victims of Sexual Exploitation. excited for this next chapter or adventures... is this really my life?! is still a very relevant life statement... a year after being in Australia/Thailand.

anything I do. anywhere I go. I just want Jesus to spend & send me! all I can do to thank HIM is give Him my life... day after day after day. thank-You, thank-You, thank-You for wanting to use a broken messy life!

three for thursday.

1. work is more fun with with friends! I'm super blessed a. to work for my multi-campus church b. to have a work laptop that allows me to bounce around to different campuses...when my boss isn't in! who knew working remotely could be so much fun!? megs & I are going to try to have work days at least once a week from now on...I'm excited about it! and believe it or not, we ACTUALLY seem to get a lot done.

2. I've had zero motivation to run or even go on a flipping walk this week! then I read online that if you're loosing motivation, to change your playlist & route/routine... so I did and it was very successful!!

3. here are some worship songs I'm currently listening to via spotify... aka the best invention ever! old school & new school... that version of Jesus Lover of My Soul gives me chills every time!

finding Hope

this week I started reading the book My Name Is Hope by John Mark Comer. he's a pastor at a church in portland & he has a great/easy-to-read/raw writing style...which is awesome, I'm cruising right through the book--huge strides I've made since high school, says the once I-hate-reading-tough-girl :) anyways, the book is great & he uses SO MUCH SCRIPTURE!! to me that's the best part, lots of "inspirational" books unfortunately don't use too much scripture, it's mainly just the authors opinion...so having lots of passages to reference & soak in is excellent! get this book... it's basically about what he has learned through his personal struggle with depression/anxiety & how he found the Light at the end of the tunnel... through the power of Christ, not just Zoloft.

you certainly don't have to be depressed or anxious to read it either...chances are there are people in your circle of life struggling, so it's just good insight all around. depression/anxiety is unfortunately very common today. it's time to stop letting satan steal our JOY that can only come from the Lord! Hope has come & is patiently waiting to walk us back to the Garden & restore our everlasting joy/peace!

*ps I feel super accomplished whenI do an entire post via my Blogger iphone app :)

romans 5

 my sweet friend, as seen above :) sent me this passage today... so needed! so encouraging!

thankful for quality friends.

There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! - romans 5:2-4

space between

Shawn McDonald's music has seriously ministered to me so much through this whole wandering/waiting season... especially this song, I feel like I could've written this song! through this foreign season -- God has really been filling the space between us. all the late nights of doubt, depression, anxious thoughts, turmoil, and lots of tears have all really just lead me closer to Him! I know that in the darkest times, God's light is the strongest... slowly the space between us is closing in. no matter where I end up or what I end up doing... Jesus is enough & He is all I need.  Jesus is the only thing that will ever make me whole. Jesus is the one thing that will always stay constant though trials/change. so here's to where/when/whatever happens next in my journey!

 

I'm still up, and its 3 in the morning
I try to sleep but my mind keeps going
Am I awake cause You're trying to speak to me
Lying here with my ears wide open
Can You fix what I know I have broken
There's a hole in my heart where I need You to be
But I'm right here, and You're right there
Will You take this wall I built and tear it down

And do what You always do
Making the old so new
Taking away the space between us
Filling it up with more of You
You do what You always do 
Cause You're my rescue
Taking away the space between us
Taking away the space between me and You

Never really meant to be so distant
Should have known that it made no difference
You were holding my hand when I walked away
And You were there in the middle of the night
You were there when I lost my sight
And You're still holding me today

"Letting go and letting God" isn't always comfortable.

Relevant just put out an article called Is There Room for Anxiety in the Church?  that hit a little too close to home, not to share... this quote below is basically what I've been feeling over, oh say the last ten months or so!! at the end of June, it will have been exactly a year from coming home & I still don't feel a certain calling toward His good purpose... which is super difficult, because I know, that I know, that I know He has a good & perfect plan/purpose for me... it's just hard to see it when anxiety creeps in.  I suggest reading the entire article, it was really good read.

"... imagine God freely calling you toward His good purposes. And as you journey in that direction, you may find yourself caught between the present and the future. That in-between place of the present and the future can create all kinds of anxiety because of the freedom of choice God has given us in our life. Perhaps we are anxious because the experiences of our past have shaped us in such a way that we dread making a free and deliberate choice. Or perhaps the mere possibility of making a wrong choice has left you feeling anxious."

*photo & quote originally posted on Relevant Magazine's website. 

random ramblings.

 /// God places the lonely in families. - ps. 68:8

I LOVE having a big family! I take them for granted a lot... it's pretty natural though right? we don't realize what we have until it's gone, this weekend a third of the fam went to Nashville for my grandpa's retirement party... I quickly remembered how hard it is to sleep at night without all of them accounted for! the house just seemed less chaotic and boring... don't get me wrong, I LOVE and value quiet time... because it's hard to come by in a house of a lot of people... but too much quiet is uncomfortable & unfamiliar. luckily, yesterday we were all accounted for again to celebrate mommy :) when I lived in Australia/Thailand it was the same thing, if I was by myself for too long, I felt like I was missing something or someone!  God knows our needs & knows exactly how to tend to them.... I like that.

------

today I was listening to Kari Jobe stuck in traffic and Steady My Heart came on.... I think she wrote this song about me! seriously though, the lyrics are exactly what I was pondering/praying today.

Even when it hurts
Even when it's hard
Even when it all just falls apart
I will run to You
Cause I know that You are
Lover of my soul
Healer of my scars
You steady my heart

------

*lately I'm learning that grasping Grace does not happen over night, it's basically a life long process until we reach the Kingdom! our ignorant human minds cannot and will not ever understand the mind of God and the fact that He would wash away our mistakes. also remembering that my past does not define my future! ah... seriously God, you won't hold my dumb moves against me?! You still choose to bless me beyond what I deserve, even when I mess up... daily!? crazy. been pondering Romans 6 too... go read it.

dear marmie.

christmas 2011

I LOVE my mom, Lisa Lyn. we might not really share any physical traits, but we share the same middle name, which has always made me feel like your favorite! [but we all know you can't have favorites....] here are some ramblings of things I love about this woman!

I love that... you took care of this sick baby! I'm sorry for any sleepless nights & for making you wait while I just had to have surgery...I can't imagine having to experience that as a new mommy, thanks for being strong & courageous during the sick years. I love that you have always believed in me, even when I doubted myself. I'll never forget driving in the car two summers ago and you told me that I needed to go to Australia and that you believed that I could get there. you always speak/spoke  value/Truth/security into me. you made growing up care-free and enjoyable; just by coming to my t-ball games, that one jazz recital, class presentations, field trips and by understanding my hate for that whole school thing.  I remember last mother's day skype date and being so happy just to hear your voice...it was very comforting in such a foreign place. [I'm glad we're in the same time zone this time]. I love that summers growing up, you made us go to bed when it was still light outside... I guess now I sort of trust you had good intentions. you cleaned up our vomit and tried your best to make us take our medicine when we were sick... even though you found it under my bed. you stayed with me when I broke my arm and had to go to a big scary hospital, instead enjoying a birthday at Major Magic. my entire life, you taught me what really mattered in this life; a relationship with Jesus, people, and family. you still loved me when I was a nasty, cranky, and angry teenager. I am so thankful for all the wisdom you've shared with me. thanks for showing me how to unconditionally love. you have [and continue] to be an excellent example of how a wife, mom and woman should be! I can't wait to try to be half of the mom you have been to me. you make your job as mom look so easy... so it will be funny when I come crying to you in a few years asking how you did it?!

other kids are wrong, because I actually think you're the best mom.

xoxo #three

insta-friday

 

 

1.  I love our date nights!

2. my aunt sent this picture of my cousin [who feels more like a nephew :) ]... he is so cute! makes me wish I lived in Nashville, so I could cuddle him all day!

3. my dear friend/mentor/role-model/middle-school-small-group-leader is having a baby! last weekend we celebrated her & Baby mini Wheat.

4. L & I wen running together for the first time in years -- I hate running with other people :x it was fun, but we decided to post a picture of us AFTER the run... girls never post nasty/sweaty/just-went-on-a-four-mile-run pictures...haha...

5. this week felt like Seattle! so much rain.

6. creepy tire cover.

7. Baby J... no caption needed.

8. Megs new office... so cute! proud of this little campus Admin :)

8. & 10. this was the sky at 8AM and again at 5PM ... obsessed

11. It's a miricale! I wore three inch wedges ALL day yesteday... even though I felt like a giant, I loved them... they're so cute & I felt so girly for once :)

12. the summer is coming... that means one thing! watershed...!! I'm so excited for what God has in store for all of us this summer!!

wait a minute

just got another letter from Moody. 
still in this mysterious waiting group.
[I want to meet the rest of this group...]
they don't have enough space at the Chicago campus right now
... but are still interested in my application.

this time my attitude is different this time.
realizing that God does knows what He's doing.
no more wasting my waiting time.

insta-friday

I guess I run past this often & have never noticed it until yesterday... I love art!

this week I was reminiscing a lot about Thailand... sigh.. I know I will go back one day, I just don't know when that will be... yet.

my sister & the baby she nanny's for... she basically raises three children, two of them, since birth!!

PRAISE GOD! I finally snagged a side job... so I can actually start saving.  It's conveniently at a chocolate shop... I couldn't be happier, what girl wouldn't want to work with chocolate?!

this song by the Strokes came on the other day... I can't get away from this YOLO thing :)

last weekend we were wearing winter clothes & yesterday it hit 90 -- typical Michigan -- after work it seemed fitting to get an Iced Capp from Tim Horton's!

this doesn't really need an explanation, my pastor said it last weekend... good truth

--------

I know this isn't an instagram, but it's a really convicting Lecrae song about how the world views the Church... enjoy!

ne·far·i·ous

ne·far·i·ous/niˈfe(ə)rēəs - Adjective: (of an action or activity) Wicked or criminal: "the nefarious activities of the organized-crime syndicates".

here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. but take heart, because I have overcome the world.

JOHN 16:33

rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

ROMANS 12:12

prayer walk

today thousands of people gathered downtown to cover the streets of our city with prayer! it was sweet... first we had an outdoor worship session & encouragement from local pastors. then we hit the streets praying! they blocked off a mile of the main street going downtown & we did a prayer walk through the city. it was an awesome opportunity to see the Church gather in such a huge way!!


"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians 3:17

people everywhere

post prayer walk, we hit up the lafayette coney...yumm-oh!

trek down wooward

love these girls -- notice we're wearing WINTER clothes! classic MI Spring :(

we know where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

dotk

daughter of the King.
I just LOVE what this phrase means...
daughter: belonging
of: ownership
the King: utmost/highest/ruler

that also happens to be the name of the girls only weekend that WSM does every other year.  this past weekend 150 of us gathered to be reminded that we are daughters of the King! the theme this year was hidden: safe. secure. adored. stemming from the passage in Colossians 3 that says we're hidden with Christ... leaving us safe/secure/adored! it was such an encouraging weekend.  the girls each got letters from their dads/father figures.  watching the girls read their letters was the most nose tingling part of the weekend!! I love the relationship between fathers & daughters, it doesn't matter how bad or how good your relationship is with your dad... there's still a very unique connection between the two.  and this is only magnified when it comes to our relationship with the ultimate father figure, God! we're safe/secure/adored by our heavenly Father! on Saturday night as the leaders, we got to speak Truth into each girl one-by-one.  we shared with her characteristics of God we saw in her, told her what God thought of her, encouraged her and prayed over her. this was my favorite part! being able to crush satan with TRUTH. we were able to help erase lies that the girls may have believed or been told... ah it was so great, it gave me chills to look the girls in their eyes and tell them who God says they are. we also did lots of typical girly things like; paint nails, have a fashion show, give out cute gifts, eat lots chocolate, cried lots of tears, laughed a lot, said YOLO after every sentence, dance to one direction.,. ya know the usual things! ///////// it was a refreshing weekend.

Insta-friday

1. last weekend was a woman's conference at my church! this insta is so grainy, but I am SO blessed to call these girls my friends/sisters & go through the ups/downs of life together.

2. this weekend WSM is taking 150 girls up North for DOTK! [girls retreat for our youth group...an amazingly life-changing & empowering weekend is ahead] as a gift we made a gazillion button bracelets & a ton of other Pinterest trinkets.

3. the other night I went running rather late in the day -- I love that we can do that now -- and the sun was setting, so I had to snap a photo... I'm obsessed with the sky/sunsets, the Artist is a good painter!

4. working for a young adults/college ministry, but not being in college is kind of funny. I forget how stressful this time of the year is, with finals and what not. so yesterday I got to assemble & pack a ton of hopefully encouraging care packages... fun times trying to figure out postage machine in our office :)

5. this morning when I was leaving the house I noticed all the dandelions popping up and it reminded me of the classic Five Iron Frenzy song... old school, right!?