Farewell

Tomorrow is my last day of work with the OCJ. My office gave me a card full of words of encouragement and a gift of $100.00. He provides with love and generosity.

"Alicia, It's been a joy! You are a light here at the OCJ and I will miss you. I wish you much success in your quest to make a difference. Stay safe, and keep in touch!"

"Good on you for pushing your limits and wanting to do better things in this world!"

"Changing the world is a big responsibility; I'm glad that it's someone like you leading the charge! Good luck with all of the adventures that lie ahead."

"Good luck on this adventure. I think what you are doing is absolutely fantasic. Blessings."

"Good luck, and God bless Alicia. May angels guide you on your life journey."

"Well Alicia, it's been a slice."

This really is a sad day. I have loved so much of my time here.

Lesson

Humility encourages generosity.

Yes! Yes! Yes!

I was rolling pennies today in the lunch room at work, $13.00 of pennies donated by a co-worker. Another co-worker threw in $20.00 of encouragement. Then another offered to bring her pennies too, excited to unload. Praise God.

God cares for us too. I was exhausted from such a busy weekend. A friend invited me for pedicures and though I know I need to be responsible with my money and am usually busy on Monday nights, I agreed to go, knowing that this would be the pampering and relaxation I desperately needed. Generously my friend insisted on giving this to me as a gift, a gift to support my mission. Provision is such a weighty word and I think I am beginning to understand.

Amen.

Waiting

And once again that rising sun is droppin' on down
And once again, you my friend, are nowhere to be found

Ben Harper, Walk Away

Farming

.. for cans and bottles and recyclable drink containers. Four heaping wheel barrels full! Praise God. Bethany and I used trick-or-treating as an opportunity to travel door to door collecting cans for Africa. So many people were so generous and loving. It was such an affirming night and so fruitful. We had to treck back home to unload twice. We returned our bountiful crop for $63.34! He provides! We also recieved a $15.00 donation and a handful of chocolate.

Goodmorning

I love waking up with God in my thoughts and on my heart.

Warm tea is so soothing after coming in from the cold outside. I like the darkness, it's calm, as though everyone is asleep but me.

I am so tired this morning, but I love falling asleep delighting in You. Ryan and I talked late into the night, rejoycing in Your goodness. Love that! You are SO good.

I laughed aloud on the bus to work this morning reading A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller. Donald Miller is a gem. He wrote Blue Like Jazz too, which was, just amazing. Bethany gave it to me as a gift. I love Beth and I loved that book! Bethany and I attended the book tour for this new book, it was so great. I feel like I know Donald Miller, haha. I really don't. You should be a fan.

Sister

When I first learned that I would be serving alongside Alicia Thompson, I was so disappointed: I felt something had been taken from me. God has changed my heart. He has really humbled me in this, reminding me that nothing, not even my name, belongs to me. Everything is His and for His glory and He is so thoughtful in the way He writes our stories. God has encouraged me to see myself not as an individual but as a member of a body with a shared identity in Christ. Praise God! I now rejoyce in this connectedness and sisterhood with Alicia and am so excited to journey with her. We are growing in friendship but we haven't yet met. I want so badly for her to walk with me in South Africa. I am praying with an expectant heart! Hosanna.

Laughter

I haven't laughed this hard in so long. I love Bethany.

She is my super trendy Stone Sister, who I love. We chime together "we have potential!" and then joust about love and God. If only I knew her when she was Glam-Beth. Alas.

Church Music

I love David Crowder Band so much. The concert was amazing. Worship is so good. I feel so in love with God!

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a huricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of the sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all.

David Crowder Band, How He Loves

Bethany and I were SO close to him and we bought super cool fan tees. How lovely.

Wisdom

My Stone Sister is so wise: "God never changes, we are the ones who keep walking away."

Yes I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles but until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

Matt Redman, You Never Let Go