Reflections

My sexy rockstar husband started our band, Free, about 3 years ago.  We spent this year writing originals and plan to record an album in 2012.  We play at various events in Memphis like Unity Youth Fest, Abundant Life Church's youth week, and Crunk for Christ.   From left to right: Justin Ballard (drums and occasional vocal), Jason Wulff (guitar and lead vocal), yours truley (BGV), and Keenan Smith (Keys and BGV).  Justy and Kee-Kee = FAM!

We have also been singing at Bellevue Baptist Church this year.  We sang every Sunday at the former 11:11 service (now simply 11).  Bellevue has such a sweet Spirit and we've LOVED growing there and becoming friends with our fellow singers/musicians.  We went through the Chronological Bible this year with Bellevue and it has caused tremendous growth.  Feels good to know I've read every word in the Bible!

Throughout our marriage Jason and I have been shared a heart for inner city discipleship/church/fellowship.  We even almost moved in with our friends Maurice & Teria Mosby to start a community living situation!  God has led us into this sweet church plant, Pursuit Church of Memphis.  Led by pastors Matt and Mondonico, this small new church is right up our alley.  We've been swapping out every other week between Pursuit and Bellevue.  Both such Spirit filled churches!!!  We're blessed!

This is our new home!  We have also made it a goal to become 100% debt free- and God provided us with this awesome house for next to nothing!  We have been revamping the interior this year ("almost" done!) and we plan to fix up and paint the exterior come Spring.  We were this close to buying a house off of Lamar/Crump in aims to be in the inner city, but God provided this home on the very boarder of Memphis.  It's a big step closer than our previous Arlington zero lot line cookie cutter house in the 'burbs :)  We LOVE making this place our home and we've been having a blast together on this gianormous project.

We have also had a few gorgeous additions to our extended family in 2011.  Charlee Liu is our ADORABLE neice born this April to Jason's sister Amy and her husband Bob.  She couldn't be any cuter.  My cousin (who's far closer to "brother") married his highschool sweetheart, Emma, at the very beginning of 2011.  We had an amazing time at the wedding and I couldn't be happier to have my long-time friend Emma become part of the Family.

These are my hilarious and amazing students!  I tutor these 3rd graders on Wednesday and Thursday.  This is my 3rd school year tutoring with Repairing the Breach ministries.  We work on reading, writing, and math skills.  This year's group has been especially close to my heart.  They have written me sweet notes and we've had some great talks together.  I love these kiddos and the awesome staff I get to work along side.

Each year of our marriage/relationship has been a full fledged adventure.  Sometimes very hard, sometimes insanely fun.  I thank God for continuing to mature us in the Faith this year and I pray with all my heart he guides us in His perfect plan in 2012.  I'm thankful to serve the one true God who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all I could ask :) AND I'm forever thankful that he gave me a husband who is just that.  He's beyond my wildest dreams and I can't believe the way I love him more each day/month/year!  It's amazing!  Can't wait to see where God takes us in 2012!!!

PS- we visited some Mayan ruins a few months ago and they informed us that 2012 was merely an end to an "era" as far as their calandar was concerned.  Just thought I'd throw that in there!

Introduction.

I love looking at Blogs rather than facebook or twitter, so I decided to create one!  I chose to call it "to live is Christ" because blogging is about sharing your life with others- and the central focus of my life is Christ.  The whole verse is "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."  Phillipians 1:21.  Paul writes these famous words while in prison.  He writes that what has happened to him (being in chains) is actually a blessing because it was advancing the Kindgom.  I try to be like Paul and see my life as wholly about Christ. 

In November I lost my baby in miscariage.  It was devasting.  One of the hardest thing's Jason and I have been through in our 2.5 years of marraige.  Even though I will never understand why, I choose to say "to live is Christ" and believe that God's got a plan and He uses all things not only for my good, but also for His Kingdom.  I have been able to relate to countless women who have experienced the exact same thing.  I have felt the nearness to God only the brokenhearted are priveledged.  I have been showered with love from friends and family.  Though it was tragic, as was Paul's imprisionment, the Lord used it in positive ways, some of which I'll only find out in the "GAIN" part: heaven :), where my baby is now. 

In this Blog I hope to communicate the Gospel, the Good News, as it functions in my daily life.  I am far from perfect, but God can still use me and my little life for his Glory!  That, my friend, is good news!  Let me briefly share this Good News:  We have all messed up, we're all imperfect sinners and always will be.  But God loves us enough to send His only Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for our sin (death!).  If you BELIEVE that he lived, died, and rose again, you are saved.  Simple as that!  Free from all the sinful mess and adopted as God's son or daughter.  If you want to know more, seek and you will find.  

I hope to share my daily life and encourage others through this Blog.  And at the end of the day, every day, good or bad, I hope I can be brave enough to say "For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."