Promises and "Where do you have in mind?"

So for the past two weeks during my prayer time, God has just been on me about learning His promises. What does He promise us in His word? What promises do I embrace and which do I need to grab hold of?

I have been trying to learn about them in a variety of ways, mostly by looking at the old testament and the promises He made to Israel, Abraham and several other people. It is cool to see what he promised and how he promised it (by speaking directly, or through a prophet, or ...).

Anyway this week, God spoke 1 Chronicles 17. It is when He talks to David, through Nathan, about his hand on David's life and his covenant for the future generations. One line that stuck with me was 1 Chronicles 17:2- "Do whatever you have in mind, for God is with you." WOW! What an opportunity. I thought about it a bit and then forgot about it.

Then in the middle of the week God spoke again: 2 Samuel 7:3. What is the deal with these random scripture verses.

Not kidding- I look it up at Late Nite last night and it is the exact same story as 1 Chronicles 17:2. Weird!

So today I am thinking more about it. It is interesting that it doesn't say "do whatever you want", it says "do whatever is in your mind/heart/innermost being".

Oddly enough, just when I hear that and want to take full advantage of doing it, I sit back and contemplate. What is in my heart? What do I have in mind for the plans that God has for me? Where would I want to take God with me?

I am at a lose here. I don't know what God has planned for my life, but I am also at a moment where I don't know what I have in mind for my life.

Often it is like, "Lord I will go whereever you want to take me" but this time He says to me, "Colleen, I will go whereever you have in mind to take me."

Not just geographically but spiritually, relationally, intellectually. Where do I want to go? What do you have in mind to do?

Choices and Consequences

So this morning my girl April decided to move back to Donaldsonville. Please keep her in your prayers. She really just wanted to go back. It made me sad because I see such an incredible life God has in store for her, but I know that she has to want it and that is what is so great about God is that we have a choice. He gives us a little reminder:

"Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would CHOOSE LIFE, that you and your descendants might live!"-Deutoronomy 30:19

But ultimately we have to make the choice. Sadly, many of us settle at one point for ground chuck and don't grab hold of the filet mignon God had prepared for us.

I made this incredibly wise beyond my years (it was totally Holy Spirit infused) statement to April yesterday when she complained about not having any choices in her life. I said,

"I think the problem is that you are getting confused between choices and consequences. We all always have CHOICES in life. Everything is a choice that you get to make, but what you must face is the CONSEQUENCE of that choice, which is usually not up to us."

How often do I avoid the CHOICE for fear of the CONSEQUENCE?

Profound I know.

I AM GOING TO AFRICA!!!

ALL of the money is raised for the Africa trip- and then some!!- PRAISE GOD!
So the cool story behind this is how it happened.

Since the start of my desire to go, God made it clear that He wanted to perform this miracle of $3500.
He told me that in life I have always had a plan B, like just in case His way doesn't work out then I will do it. Sometimes, I even let Him sit out of big decisions because I think that I can take care of them. So this one He clearly said that I nor my mom were to contribute any money to this trip.

So I was humbled to send out sponsor letters and do the jambalaya fundraisers. He showed me that I should get used to this if I plan on doing missions for life because it will be a lot of fundraising.

So anyway, I waited, prayed and waited...and waited. "God, I know you said you wanted to do this one, so if you could please do it that would be great".

Long story short, tuesday I hit the wall. I couldn't wait any longer, if God wanted me to go, he needed to move!

So wednesday we had a long cry and questioning if God truly wanted me to go becuase I was still $1000 short. Then at late nite, the college ministry for HPC, someone (who wants to remain nameless) came up and said that they wanted to help with my financial burden. I poured out my heart with all that was going on and they said (so nonchalantly I might add), "I'll take care of the $1000 for Africa."

WHAT?!!! I thought they were kidding. You can imagine me after that, screaming, laughing, crying, and telling everyone about this incredible miracle God just performed.

This is just one of the many testimonies I have from the fundraising. For others just ask about the prayer journal that showed up the day I asked for a reminder that he hears my prayers, and the phone call that came just minutes after I complained about not being able to make the second payment. Thank you to ALL of you who contributed both financially and prayerfully!

Sometimes I think he justs wants to see how bad you want it and how far he can take you before you snap. So turns out... God is faithful. Once again His word is true. And I am humbled.

My Girl April

This is my girl April Davis. She is my housemate and has been staying with me for the past three weeks. She got herself out of a bad situation and is now on the road of living the life that God intends for her. Currently, she is working at Wendy's and taking classes to get her GED. When she is not schooling or working it, she serves it up on JP's team, http://www.jpbrumfield.blogspot.com and outreaches as much as she can. She is truly a testimony as one who has been called and chosen by God. I am so privileged to be a part of her journey. Watch out enemy because this girl is going to do incredible things for Jesus Christ!

Twenty-something haircut

After coming to terms with the fact that I was going grey at 23yrs old, I decided it was time to do something drastic. Of course, drastic for me is a typical haircut for anyone else. So with much guidance and support from the team at Salon Bella Vida, my hairstylist Laura Loupe, and my life coach Elizabeth Demarest, I went auburn with sassy bangs and layers. Definitely good looking. I ain't lying, I ain't lying!

Totally Great...It's Friday!

Today was a fantastic friday. For lunch I visited the promo team (if you ever need a laugh, visit the annex) and had a pizza party for Lance's 29th birthday!

this is lance opening coffee grinds with nail clippers. and that's why we call it the CREATIVE team.

Then after work, I went to Sarai Stermer's birthday party where there was slipping and sliding and a professionally-decorated cake (Well done Ms. Cindy!).

mighty men

check out pastor mark's dive through the bridge of kids (and big kid, brandon daigle).

After Sarai's party, I jetted down the interstate to a bbq at Natalie Spera's home (we are going to Swaziland together!!). It was a relaxing night with good conversation and awesome burgers and strawberry pie (good grilling Elton, great pie Kristan).


the men working the grill

chef elton at the grill

me sporting the overalls (they are making a comeback...or not) while in a deep discussion (thank my dad for the debater in me)


gustave always in for a good conversation

And then the altima turned back into a pumpkin and I headed home to bed! All in all, a wonderful friday and the end to another week of 2006! Is it me or is this year racing by??

Lisa and Bittu's Wedding

So it has been a long time since I have blogged so I will have to back track... two weeks after my cousin katie's wedding, my aunt lisa got married. It was a beautiful wedding. We heard a buddhist teaching and spend another great weekend with my relatives! Enjoy the picures!

I AM GOING TO AFRICA!!

You know when you know something but it hasn't really hit you yet. That is how I was about Africa. I was talking to people about it and when I leave and all the fundraiser letters were sent, but it didn't really ever set in. Then yesterday I got this email from another elevater going on the trip and she gave me suggestions for packing and asked about the flights. I read the email and it hit me... I AM GOING TO AFRICA!!!
Some of you (whoever actually reads this?) have known that this has been my dream since my sophmore year of college and it is really happening. It may be only ten days but to me it is an actualization of a dream and the manifestion of four years of prayer!
THANK YOU SO MUCH for your prayers and financial support. Your prayers mean more than you know and your contributions purchased my plane ticket (paying for it this friday!). May God bless you all back a hundred fold!
I am still in debt of about $1500 but am sure it will be provided. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Have I said it in the last ten seconds? I am going to AFRICA!!!!!
I may have to say it a million more times but luckily I have 53 more days to say it!