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Wednesday, April 22, 2009

ROMA Spring Break

As most of you know my husband and I work for Campus Crusade for Christ at Ole Miss. Our campus has a partnership with several universities in Rome, Italy. Every spring break we take about 30 to 40 students to Rome to share the gospel with Italians. There is so much I could say about Italy! I absolutely love everything about Italy…the people, the churches, the history, the language! I just love it! But my heart breaks for this country! If you could spend just one week in Italy you would see the great need for the gospel. Most Italians have grown up in the Catholic church but they do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior nor do they have a personal relationship with Him. Below is an excerpt from our most recent prayer letter sent to those who support our ministry regularly. I wanted to share this with you so you can also rejoice with us over David and Virginia but also so you can pray for the Italians.

During Spring Break we took a group of 26 students and 5 staff to Rome, Italy. We had an amazing trip and we appreciate you praying for us! This was our sixth trip to Italy and we had never seen anyone pray to receive Christ as Lord and Savior. From this trip we saw 2 Italian students trust Christ! Isaac Jenkins, our campus director, said “I have now been to Italy 13 times. I have seen students trust Christ in Serbia, Croatia, and Romania but never in Italy. I have had the opportunity to share Christ in Pisa, Salerno, and  three different campuses in Rome. I estimate that I have spent around 85 to 90 afternoons taking students out and sharing Christ and have never seen a student trust Christ. There are several reasons, mainly the fact that most students say that they are either an atheist are agnostic and most are very negative towards the Catholic church. Therefore, they tend to not think very highly of anything religion - until this trip! I finally met a student who wanted to know more about Christ! After two afternoons of spending time together talking about Christ, David trusted in Christ even though he had never attended a church service or read the Bible!”  Another student named Virginia also trusted in Christ two days after we had come back to the states. Praise the Lord for He is faithful and He is continually drawing people to Himself! We are so excited for David and Virginia and we ask that you pray for them as they read and study the word of God and grow in their walk with the Lord.   

DAVID

DAVID

VIRGINIA

VIRGINIA

Since David’s decision to trust Christ, he has written to Isaac several times on Facebook. He has now read all of John and Romans and is currently reading through Matthew. This is what he has written. You can tell how serious he is now about his new faith in Christ. 

He writes:  “Jesus says in John 11:25-26, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”  It is such a great verse..I loved it..I feel like someone that is not going to die…I believe in Jesus, I believe he is the only Son of God and he died for our sins…I will never forget!! And I’m gonna live forever in his name and for what he did…

John 14.6:”Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  It is so important and explains and makes so clear the meaning of Jesus-bridge…you know, our bridge to God…only if we trust Jesus’ words and teaching we can reach God and heaven… ..I’m your brother now. I feel like a new David has come, and a new David was born three days ago when I met you for the first time..              

David also wrote: “My faith in Christ is growing up every day more and im so glad lots of people are encouraged by my changing,… I know the truth is in the Holy Bible and I just have to read it and look for the answers to my questions, helped by you guys cuz it’s amazing to know the real meaning of life is in it!!

Talk to you soon, take care, your brother in Christ, David

Sarah Love, Me, Kyle

Sarah Love, Me, Kyle

Kyle and Jeff sharing with an Italian student

Kyle and Jeff sharing with an Italian student

John, Craig, Carl, and Kyle at Paul & Peter's Prison

John, Craig, Carl, and Kyle at Paul & Peter's Prison

Debbie and I with Italian students

Debbie and I with Italian students

Kyle and I in Venice

Kyle and I in Venice

The following list is the names of Italian college students. Those in our group had in-depth conversations about Christ with these and many more. Would you please pray for them?

Eliza, Simone, Ronaldo, Diego, Alessio, Valentino, Andrea, Aziere, Paulo, Marika, Susana, Silvio, Mateo, Gaytano, Claudia, Eliza, Lorenzo, Constantino, Lorenzo, John, Surrimi, Andrea, Donatello, Isbella, Jon Luca, Carlo, Mateo, Valencio,  Antonio, Armanda, Elena, Virginia, Francesco,  Mario, Roberto, Patricia, Lena, JaLucca, Rebeta, Andrea, Eduardo, Andreas, Francesco, “The Bus Guy”, Jacamo, Salvo, Stefano, Fabio, Hoop, Davide, Gustavo, Paolo, Julia, Ferríca, Emuela, Ariana, Mateo, Luigi, Nada, Anastasia, Claudia, Francesca, Daniella, Elizabeta, Claudia, Pepe, Yaya, Laura, Julia, Paulo, Michelle,, Illario, Gabriele, Lucca, Leonardo,  Sarah,  Sara, Laura, Francesca,  Andrea,  Ana, Stefano, Georgia, Gloria, Karia, Elaria, Rosella, Carla, Kiki, Roberto, Isaac, Maria Louisa, David, Antonio,  Alexandrio, Larina, Carlo, Girarde, Marco, Simone, Dario, Amir, Frederico, Angnese, Jania, Clara, Ennio, Sabina, Paula, Luka, Leoardo, Irena, Luca, Michael, Jaco, Roberto, Paulo, Francesco, Antonio, Mohammed, Moria, Valentina, Ida,  Elejona, Alberto, Roberto, Edoardo, Viatelli, Carlo, Mumad.

Monday, April 20, 2009

B. Happybags

In celebration of Earth Day, April 22nd, I thought I would share with you how I am helping preserve our beautiful earth. About 6 months ago I decided it was time to make the switch from plastic to recyclable bags. In search of a bag that would be functional and stylish, I found these really very cute bags by B. Happybags. They come in all sorts of different patterns and they are cotton so you can wash them. They are $24 each which I think it pretty reasonable being that you are going to use it over and over. Check them out and celebrate Earth Day!

www.bhappybags.com

           Wendy

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Chocolate-Banana Pudding

Kyle and I hosted a BBQ today for his Sigma Nu freshman bible study group. I just love having all these boys in our home and Kyle really enjoyed talking about Ole Miss sports for a few hours! BBQ is always great for serving large groups and especially boys but I wanted to have a fun dessert to serve. So, I chose this chocolate banana pudding. I had served it once before but forgot just how delicious it is! It adds a nice twist to the classic banana pudding! Give it a try! It is actually pretty easy to make. I am sure your guest will be impressed and you will enjoy it too!

Chocolate Banana Pudding

Ingredients

  1. Crumb crust:
  2. 1 sleeve chocolate graham crackers, crushed
  3. 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
  4. 1½ cup finely chopped pecans
  5. ¼ cup sugar
  6. ½ cup butter, melted
  7. Filling:
  8. 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  9. 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  10. 2 (3-ounce) packages instant chocolate pudding mix
  11. 3 cups cold milk
  12. 5 to 7 bananas, peeled and sliced into ½ -inch chunks
  13. 1 (8-ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 300º.
  2. In a large bowl, combine graham-cracker crumbs, coconut, pecans, and sugar. Add melted butter, stirring until well combined. Spread mixture on a rimmed sheet pan and bake for approximately 15 minutes until coconut is golden brown, stirring regularly and watching to prevent burning. Set aside to cool.*
  3. In another bowl, beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add condensed milk and beat until well combined. Stir in pudding mix and milk and beat until mixture is smooth.
  4. Reserve 2 tablespoons crumb mixture. In a large glass serving bowl or in individual stemmed glasses, layer 1/3 of the pudding, ½ of the bananas, ½ of the crumb mixture, another 1/3 of the pudding, ½ of the crumb mixture, remaining bananas, and remaining pudding. Top with whipped topping and sprinkle reserved crumbs on top
Note: *Crumb mixture can be prepared ahead of time and stored in an airtight container.
Sigma Nu BBQ

Sigma Nu BBQ


Saturday, April 18, 2009

Ugly Mug

I just love trying out new products and I especially love it when I find one I really like! I happened to be at the grocery store in Memphis one day when I stumbled upon this coffee. I thought I would give it a try and much to my surprise I like it better than Starbucks! It is extremely flavorful, fair trade coffee that is roasted in Memphis! It is also organically grown and I am pretty positive that the founder is a Christian. I just don’t think it gets any better! Below are several of my favorites but check out their website (www.uglymugcoffee.com)! I think you will find yourself purchasing a bag before you are done reading!

Southern PecanSaving Grace

Making WavesEthiopian

Friday, April 17, 2009

Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa

Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa from Cooking Light

I am a monthly subscriber of Cooking Light and I it is one of my favorite magazines for recipes! I have tried numerous recipes and very rarely have I been disappointed with the turnout. They always prove to be very delicious and healthy! Last night Kyle and I tried this cliantro-lime chicken and we loved it! It will definitely be one that we make a lot throughout the summer. Our farmers market just opened this morning but next time I am going to get some fresh and locally grown tomatoes and avocados to have an even tastier salsa!

Yield

4 servings (serving size: 1 chicken breast half and about 1/4 cup salsa)

Ingredients

CHICKEN:

2  tablespoons  minced fresh cilantro

2 1/2  tablespoons  fresh lime juice

1 1/2  tablespoons  olive oil

4  (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1/4  teaspoon  salt

Cooking spray

SALSA:

1  cup  chopped plum tomato (about 2)

2  tablespoons  finely chopped onion

2  teaspoons  fresh lime juice

1/4  teaspoon  salt

1/8  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper

1  avocado, peeled and finely chopped

Preparation

1. To prepare chicken, combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl; toss and let stand 3 minutes. Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade. Sprinkle chicken evenly with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add chicken to pan; cook 6 minutes on each side or until done.

2. To prepare salsa, combine tomato and next 4 ingredients (through pepper) in a medium bowl. Add avocado; stir gently to combine. Serve salsa over chicken.  Serve with saffron rice

RISK...Is It Right?

I have been reading Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper over the past semester. This is actually my second time to read it (I read it for the first time in 2005) and I can actually say that it has challenged, encouraged, and convicted me just as much as this time. Today I was discussing chapter 5  on taking risks with a girl I disciple named Christin. At first it simply talks about why risk exist. Risk exist because we do not know how things will turn out. Piper says, “We are not God; we are ignorant. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow. God does not tell us in detail what intends to do tomorrow or five years from now. Evidently God intends for us to live and act in ignorance and in uncertainty about the outcome of our actions.”

Piper uses the story of Esther as an example of “courageous risk in the service of love and for the glory of God. ” Most of you probably know the story of Queen Esther.  Mordecai (Esther’s cousin, he had adopted her as his daughter) had sent word to Esther that a decree had been issued for all Jews to be killed. After a three day fast Esther decided to approach the king and plead on behalf of her people although she had not been summoned by the king in thirty days.The law stated that anyone that approaches the king without being summoned is to be put to death, unless the king holds out the golden scepter. But Esther decided to take the RISK…and what a big RISK…it was her own life at stake. Esther 4:15-16 says, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” What does  this mean…”If I perish, I perish?” Piper says, “Esther did not know what the outcome of her act would be. She had no special revelation from God. She made her decision on the basis of wisdom and love for her people and trust in God. She had to RISK or run. She did not know how it would turn out. So she made her decision and handed the results over to God.” Now, is it right to RISK? Is it right to say, “If I perish, I perish.” Piper says, “On the far side of every risk–even if it results in death–the love of God triumphs. This is the faith that frees us to risk for the cause of God. It is not heroism, or lust for adventure, or courageous self-reliance, or efforts to ear God’s favor. It is childlike faith in the triumph of God’s love–that on the other side of all our risks, for the sake of righteousness, God will still be holding us. We will be eternally satisfied in him. Nothing will have been wasted.”

So, I asked myself and Christin why do we often seek safety and comfort instead of taking risks for the cause of Christ. I know for me it comes down to one simple thing…CONTROL. I want to control my life and not expose myself to any loss, suffering, or pain and I want to make decisions where I know what the outcome is going to be. Although, Paul said, “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” As Christians we are called to a life of risk .We really have two choices. We can choose to waste our lives or we can choose to live with risk. Today I have chosen to live with risk, to take risk for the cause of Christ and I challenge you to as well! Remember, “If God is for us, who can be against us.”  

Is it right to risk? YES! It is right to risk for the cause of Christ. “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Falling

It is so crazy to me how God orchestrates every single day of our lives even down to the tiniest details. Today was a beautiful Spring day in Oxford especially with all the azaleas in bloom. I went on a walk early this morning and took my dog Emmy too just so I could soak up more of this gorgeous day God had given me. I love to take walks around our neighborhood because I have found it can be great prayer time for me. It is actually the one place that is completely quite and I am removed from all distractions. This morning though instead of praying the Lord just brought a song to my head and I kept singing it over and over. I want to share this song with you because the Lord revealed Himself to me today through this song.

To The Only God

To the only God
Who is able to keep us
Able to keep us
From falling

To the only God
Be all glory and honor
Majesty and power
From all ages now
Forever more

I reflected on this song throughout my entire day until it lead directly into my afternoon. I was meeting with a student name Christie and we have been studying the book of Micah together since the beginning of the year. We were finally finishing up with chapter 7 today when I had an “ahh” moment with God. If you are not familiar with the book of Micah I highly suggest you study it because you will learn so much about the Lord’s judgment and His forgiveness but I will give you a little background information. The purpose of the book of Micah was to show the people of Judah that God would judge them for their sin and disobedience, but that He will ultimately establish a kingdom whose King will reign in righteousness . Micah 5:2 says, “from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from old, from ancient days,” and Micah 5:4 says, “And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace.” From chapter 1 to chapter 7 we see this continuous cycle of God’s judgment and restoration. In chapter 7 Micah shares his hope for Israel’s future deliverance. He had given up on the people of Judah, but he could still watch in hope for the Lord because he knew God would answer his prayers. Micah 7:7-8 says, “But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.” Micah concludes his book with beautiful words that focus on the Lord’s faithfulness and compassion. 

“Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from days of old.”

Micah then fell silent, knowing Israel’s future rested securely in the hands of God, who keeps His word. So where am I going with all of this? As I sang all day “to the only God, who is able to keep us, able to keep us, from falling,” I later find myself so deep in a passage of scripture that is all about a nation completely fallen that God is going to restore (rise). And Micah fully believed that! He proclaimed the promises of God and believed that the Lord would be faithful to His word. He said, “my God will hear me,” “I shall rise,” and  ”you will show faithfulness.” 

This is just what I need to hear today and I believe the Lord orchestrated this song and scripture into my life today. The past year of my life has been filled with many moments where I felt as if I were on the edge of a cliff and at any moment I might fall. I have had many days where I thought to myself “just what is tomorrow going to bring” or “can I even make it another day” or “what if I just completely fall?” I am sure that some of you have had these moments too so I wanted to take a moment to encourage you because I have been greatly encouraged today. I think what we really need to do in the moments is cling to Word of God and have confidence in His faithfulness. Psalm 37:23-24 says, “The steps of man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” Psalm 145: 14 says, “The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.” Cling to these promises and have confidence that God will keep His word.  He is able to keep us from falling and even if we do fall, we shall rise!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Up From The Grave He Arose

Wow! When I first began this blog I had full intentions of writing every other day. As you can see from the dates its been almost two months since I last posted. I have so much to catch up on! After a trip to Italy, a week and half with my sister and niece, and a trip to the Masters, there is so much I want to share. Today though I am just going to focus on one topic and that is the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Kyle has been sick the entire past week but was not going to miss a chance to go to the Masters. It got so bad that I ended up driving to and from Augusta. As I longed to be reading in the word yesterday morning, I just started thinking about the cross and what the resurrection has meant to me throughout my years of faith. It was funny because this one song kept coming to mind that we sang every Easter as a child. Got to love those good old hymns! This is how it went:

Up from the grave He arose;

With a triumph over His foes;

He arose a victor from the dark domain,

And He lives forever with the saints to reign.

He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ Arose!

As I was driving down the road, I just kept singing this chorus in my head over and over until I had tears in my eyes because He has indeed risen! Hallelujah! My King has Risen! I just kept singing for a while and thinking about the cross and I thought about this chapter I had read in Don’t Waste Your Life. It is titled “Boasting Only in the Cross of Christ.” I want to post two excerpts from this chapter since Piper says it so much better than I do.

“The apostle Paul said that his life and ministry were riveted on a single aim: “I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2) That is astonishing, when you think of all the varied things Paul did, in fact, talk about. There must be a sense in which “Jesus Christ and him crucified” is the ground and sum of everything else he says. He is pushing us to see our lives with a single focus and for the cross of Christ to be that focus.” 

“Because for redeemed sinners, every good thing–indeed every bad thing that God turns for good–was obtained for us by the cross of Christ. Apart from the death of Christ, sinners get nothing but judgment. Apart from the cross of Christ, there is only condemnation. Therefore everything that you enjoy in Christ–as a Christian, as a person who trusts Christ–is owing to the death of Christ. And all your rejoicing in all things should therefore be a rejoicing in the cross where all your blessings were purchased for you at the cost of the death of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.”

As I read this quote above I can only think about the pain and suffering that Christ endured on the cross for ME, so that I would not receive judgment but instead be freed from sin and receive the gift of eternal life. One last quote from Piper: “Because of his cross, the wrath of God is taken away. Because of his cross all guilt is removed, and sins are forgiven, and perfect righteousness is imputed to us, and the love of God is poured out in our hearts by the Spirit, and we are being conformed to the image of Christ. Now that is something to celebrate! As we celebrate Easter Sunday, may we focus on and only boast in the CROSS!