Thankfulness 11.12.14

123. the act of stirring risotto that forces me to slow down

124. collaborating with friends on fun new ideas

125. red cups 

126. veterans day and the freedom that was fought for

127. My dad, grandpa, and pop pop and all others who were part of that sacrifice

128. Harry Potter references

129. the unmistakable smell of yeast

130. how excited 4 year old get when you tell them you'll read 3 stories instead or 2 at bedtime

131. ice cream in the living room

132. sunsets

133. sunrises

134. secretly awesome people, and the ability to be secretly awesome

135. recipes sent over twitter

136. She Reads Truth walking through what hospitality really means and resetting my mindset from the way of the world

137. hymns and the years of meaning they contain

138. the words of the creed that bind us together

139. encouragement that comes in the most unexpected ways at the most unexpected times

140. pumpkin spice candles

141. the last beautifully warm days of Autumn

142. snow in the forecast

143, planning wedding roadtrips

144. books that are read in a day (eight twenty eight, you should read it!)

145. walking into the classroom and being told it'll be a super easy day

146. dinner with friends, no matter how short they are

147. struggling with feeling like a human contradiction, but realizing Paul was too

give thanks with your whole heart

Thankfulness: 11.4.14

104. apples being an excuse to eat massive amounts of caramel dip 

105. the ability to vote

106. pumpkin spice coffee creamer

107. falling leaves

108. subbing at an elementary school on Halloween

109. friends like Beth that are so worth celebrating

110. sitting in 30 degree misty/flurry weather during trick-or-treating made so worth it by the adorable kiddos that came

111. carving pumpkins 

112. sunsets that could only be painted by God

113. orphan Sunday and the heart He has given me for the orphans of the world

114. the faces I've seen, the hands that I've held, and the children who are forever ingrained in my heart 

115. friends who know its you without saying a word

116. talks with people who share my heart for missions

117. pumpkin pie chai

118. digging deeper into hospitality and how it can always be a part of my life

119. people who advocate me and remind me that I am on the right track

120. having much to write thank you cards for

121. unexpected warm days

122. warm apple juice to sooth sore throats

What are YOU thankful for? What would happen if you took time to be thankful for the little things?

Thankfulness 10.28.14

87. Handwritten letters in the mail! In an age of the internet and typed words I treasure my friends who take the time to write with pen and paper all the more

88. heavy duty cough syrup 

89. the community and encouragement found in #fireworkpeople

89. fall leaves all around

90. pumpkin patches and apple picking with the cutest nephew ever

91. unseasonably warm October Mondays

92. sweater weather and giving away the ones I never really wore anyways

93. the clarity that only comes with prayer, journaling, and the word

94. finding the perfect print for a friend

95. knowing the no matter what happens, God is still faithful

96. coconut creamer that you can only find in the large sizes

97. fleeces and flannels 

98. painting the porch and the uninterrupted time it gives me to think 

99. coffee in the morning and tea in the evening

100. hugs from little people who you just met

101. joy that is always found in the middle of frustration and disappointment

102. unexpected messages full of words that hit my heart in just the right place

103. knowing that I have an amazing group of supporters behind me every step of the way

Come back next week for a special November thankfulness link up and giveaway!!!!

Support Raising Isn't for Wimps

Right now I am deep in the world of support raising. It's a world I've entered before, and now more than ever I'm learning that it isn't for wimps.

• Support raising requires asking people to come alongside you and believe in your vision
• Support raising is putting yourself on the line
• Support raising is setting yourself up for possible rejection
• Support raising is entering the land of the unknown
• Support raising is going against the worlds idea of success
• Support raising can be seen as selling yourself

Yet, I've learned support raising really is a huge honor

You are able to continue a long line of people of God who were supported by others to do His work. In the Old Testament the Levites were set apart to do the Lords work, and God provided for them through the tithes and offerings of the Israelites.  God promises that He is their portion and inheritance and that they could trust in Him to provide all the needed (Numbers 18:20). Throughout the Bible there are countless examples of how people set apart for Gods work were supported by Gods people.

"If it were wrong to be supported by the personal gifts of others, Jesus Christ would not have allowed it in His own ministry. If Jesus became vulnerable enough to be supported by others, you and I must be willing to as well." -Scott Morton (via The God Ask) 

Jesus, our ultimate example shows us that is it perfectly ok to be supported by others, and if we are not ok with this, are we really following His example?

Having a support team is a huge blessing. You have a group of people who are behind you and are invested in the work that you are doing. These are people who will pray for you and celebrate each victory. By choosing to support raise you are choosing to allow people a chance to partner in Gods work throughout the world. You are allowing people to be a part of the Great Commission by sending you, which is just as important as the going, as one couldn't happen without the other.

Support raising requires faith, it requires confidence. If you approach support raising questioning if you'll raise the money, you never will. But, if you have faith that you will be fully funded, you will. "We never utter the weak phrase, 'If I raise my support,' but only the strong and faith-filled, 'when I raise it.' (The God Ask. The weak and wimpy say if, the strong and faith-filled say when. And that is why support raising isn't for wimps!

I have taken the leap and am full of faith that God will provide the supporters I need to serve Him in China. I have chosen to believe in Gods perfect plan and not to listen to the lies the world tries to tell me. I feel privileged to be set apart for this call and look forward to the huge responsibility God has given me to steward His resources well.

Do you believe this?

Do you believe God wants to use you as part of His plan to reach the nations?

Would you join me by becoming part of my support team? 

*If you want to know more about Biblical Support raising I can't recommend The God Ask by Steve Shadrach enough!

Etsy Shop Open!!!

I am SO SO SO excited to be able to announce that my Etsy store is now officially opened.

I would be honored if you check it out. I will be adding more designs in the next few days and am always taking suggestions for new designs as well. 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EvenBetterDesigns

Thank you for all your support, encouragement, and prayers!

Thankful Thursday 11.7.13

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to Your name O Most High; to declare Your steadfast love in the morning, and Your faithfulness by night                                                                         -Psalm 92:1-2

69. Subbing in the community I grew up in is such a blessing. I love that I know all the secretaries and they always ask me if I am getting enough jobs.

70. Making chocolate chip cookies and my dad asking if I made half a batch because he didn't know I already had a pan in the oven.

71. Sunday afternoon hikes with my dad as the leaves are turning their beautiful shades that are a sure sign of fall

72. Babysitting 2 of my favorite boys and rediscovering how fun Candy Land can be with a 3 year old

73. Beth Barron, a dear friend who has done so much to encourage me

74. Guys, she designed this amazing logo for me!

75. Taking the huge step of announcing Even Better Designs to the world and the amazing support I have received

76. The Olympics are now less that 100 days away!

77. Carving the pumpkin with the thickest skin I have ever seen, but not caring because it is the first pumpkin I carved in 4 years

78. Passing out candy to adorable trick or treaters, hearing their sweet little voices, and their beyond excitement when they saw they got popcorn

79. Receiving my Cara box! 

80. Mustard pants that are perfect for big announcements

81. Captions 3 year olds come up with to describe pictures they drew, "my dad with a smiley face in Hawaii"

82. The leaves are seriously beautiful this year!

83. While drinking tea out of my big McConn mug it never ceases to remind me pray for a dear friend

84. Hearing news that brings me to my knees and knowing that God is there to catch me every time

85. Reading 5 books at a time, but learning SO much from each of them

86. Pumpkin Spice creamer for my morning coffee

Thankful Thursday 10.24.13

49. checking things off my fall bucket list. I really am SO excited to be home for fall and experience all of the things I've missed

50. Going to the Covered Bridge Festival on a perfect day with my parents and eating my very favorite pumpkin ice cream

51. Teaching Sunday School using a childrens Bible that I had when I was little

52. A short but very sweet reunion lunch with my roommate while she and her fam were driving through town. Seeing her, her husband, and her two littles made my heart SO happy (Why didn't I take a picture!)

53. Cleaning my room. It has been a packing and unpacking zone for so long it's nice to have some of the floor back

54. Leaves, pumpkins, and mums are everywhere

55. Trick-or-treat loot ready by our front door

56. Using frequent flyer miles for an amazing vacation 

57. Spending time with Isaac and Emily and finally seeing the island that Isaac talks so much about

58. Sunsets and ferry rides

59. Making kale chips; after hearing so many good things about them for so long, now I know why!

60. A Saturday filled with football, walks, and cooking with a friend who I hadn't see for far too long

61. Making maple twist with Kyle, or rather making him do all the work because I knew he could (recipe coming!)

62. A sweet time spent eating lunch with Kyle's family, a family that is so close to my heart and encourages me so much 

63. A day spent drinking tea, having quiet time, and reading a whole book (My Father, Maker of the Trees)

64. Pumpkin milkshakes before heading to the airport

65. Even Better becoming closer to reality

66. The first snow of the season. I don't care that it is October, snow always makes me super happy

67. Picking the basil from the garden before it snowed and was ruined

68. The perfect weather for cuddling with a blanket, cup of tea or coffee and my new book I was blessed with, A Million Little Ways

more posts coming...I promise, including a recipe tomorrow!

Thankful Thursday 10.10.2013

You guys, God is good. I have been so blessed by so many people these past 2 weeks. So many unexpected get togethers and conversations. A lot of super super exciting things are coming up and I am SO excited to share them with you. Be thankful that He is always so so good.

31. sibling weekend with the best brothers ever

32. apple picking, drinking apple cider and eating donuts

33. reading books to my nephew

34. being an aunt

35. soaking in all the the truth that was spoken at the Influence Conference

36. cold mornings curled up with a blanket

37. easy subbing jobs and subbing jobs that leave me feeling fulfilled at the end of he day

38. talks with friends who just get you

39. sharing God given dreams with people who believe in you no questions asked

40. wearing Chacos in the fall

41. the hot sign at Krispy Kreme

42. opening my Bible to a page filled with notes

43. sitting in coffee shops surrounded by women studying Gods word

44. reuniting with I Squad friends

45. late night prayers 

46. non stop encouragement when things get a little scary
47. Discovering this blog

48. 10 day forecasts finally covering my upcoming vacation!

Thankful Thursday 9.26.13

You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
-Psalm 30:11-12

15. my baby brother came to visit for the weekend
16. finally...it rained!
17. fall leaf Sunday School crafts hanging in my window
18. bringing honeycrisp apples home from church 
19. an invitation to pick apples at a church members house
20. driving past the mum and pumpkin stand
21. evenings spent making muffins with a candle burning in the background
22. Colts win
23. fall season premiers started this week
24. coffee
25. cold evenings meant for drinking tea
26. allergy medicine
27. staying within my (strict) budget
28. unexpected sources of income
29. walking to the middle school to sub and seeing students gathered praying for see you at the poll
30. tomorrow=Influence Conference! 

Thankful Thursday 9.13.2013

• My computer died the second day I was in China this summer. Today when I got home my new computer was waiting for me!
• There is finally a coffee shop in town!
• pumpkin spice lattes from said coffee shop
• 3 sub jobs this week!
• sweet conversation and a picnic lunch with Amie
• driving and seeing nothing but corn fields
• hugs from kids after a long day of subbing
• clouds and blue sky
• shopping at Target and finding awesome clearance sales
• home-cooked meals
• air conditioning and 90 degree days
• cheese curds and root beer
• surprise messages from friends 
• homemade vanilla iced coffee and shereadstruth to start my mornings

2 years...

As of today I have been living in China for 2 years. I really don't know where the time has gone. I can remember the day that I arrived. I was nervous, excited, scared, tired, but also confident that this is where God wanted me to be.  I remember walking off the airplane knowing that they spoke a different language, but thinking hola in my head instead of ni hao. I remember being so relieved when I finally say two people holding a sign with my name on it, knowing they would take me to campus, where I have spent the past two years.


But now I am in the middle of winding down. For the present time I have just over 2 more months in China and then it is on to time spent at home with my family and friends and then whatever God has planned next. I never imagined 2 years ago that would be here today, which makes me excited to see where in the world I will be 2 years from now.

catch all...

A lot of things have happened since my last post.  Most excitingly, my family can to visit me over Thanksgiving. Of the million things I have to be thankful for right at the top, after the gift of salvation and all the amazing gifts that come with that, is a family who loves and supports me no matter what.  Most people come to China for a season of their life and consider themselves lucky if some of their family or friends visit them once during that time.  Somehow, I was blessed by a family that wants to see me as much as they can, and my parents came back, this time with my brothers and sister in law (and my niece or nephew on its first vacation :) )  I really should have written about this earlier, but, as we all know I don't always do a good job at updating this.  I can however sum up their trip as a breath of fresh air and an incredible gift for all involved.  Being so far away from my family can be really hard but it doesn't take long to remind myself how much they love me and how they have also made sacrifices to allow me to follow Gods plan for my life.


On the work front, we have two new facilitators this month!   So that leaves me busy with training and making sure they know what to do and have their questions answered.  It is also December...which means its the Christmas session.  We have some fun activities planned for the students and its always amazing spending the Christmas season with so many people who have never celebrated the real reason for the season.  I will also be taking one of my Chinese friends to her first ever Christmas service at church this Friday so I am very excited about that.  God continues to be good and show me just how God he is!