Saturday, December 20, 2008

Thoughts for Brazil...

“Love has to do with showing a dying soul the life giving beauty of the glory of God- especially His Grace.” - John Piper

Sweet Family and Friends…

I am truly excited to share with you the news of an upcoming mission to the Amazon River Basin which I will be going on this coming spring. The mission trip will take place from March 7th – 15th during my last college spring break and it is led through a ministry called Amazon Outreach, a non- denominational, non-profit mission organization formed to unite both North and South Americans in spreading the Word of Jesus Christ to the Amazon Basin in Brazil.

Their goal is to see people healed physically and spiritually, while at the same time strengthening and planting new churches along the Amazon River. It is being sponsored through Watermark Community Church in Dallas and SMU’s college ministry, ONE28.

Our time in Brazil will be spent living on a boat that will travel along the Amazon River to different villages each day. We will spend our time ministering in these remote villages, teaching vacation Bible schools, working in men’s and women’s ministries, evangelism and construction.

I truly feel that the Lord desires to bless this trip and the hearts of those that we will encounter through the love and messages that we will be blessed to share. First and foremost, I would truly love your support through prayers about this trip for the lives we will encounter; for the safety of those traveling; as well as for all of hearts that may be changed.

So I would love to talk to you personally about this trip- to share with you my passion and what I believe can be gained from this trip with prayer. I am asking you to be a part of something that is bigger than Claire, bigger than Watermark Church, and bigger than Amazon Outreach- through your prayers, or support or both; to be a part of coming along side me in offering Christ’s love in changing people’s lives for His Kingdom.

I would like to get commitments from at least 30 prayer partners to be praying daily for me, the team and the individuals we will encounter, as well as any financial gifts, which you desire to give. If you can be a prayer partner that week, send me an e-mail, so I can keep you appraised. If you feel led to offer financial support, please mail it to me directly, either in Fredericksburg or Dallas, before February 1st, made out to Amazon Outreach. They require me to raise $3,100 to participate on the trip.

The checks will be completely tax-deductible, but I warn you, you will be subject to updates and photos, maybe even some home movies when I return…and be sure to check in here regularly for as many updates and photo's as I can!!

I truly appreciate your consideration of prayer and support- you have been such a blessing to my life, my walk and my faith. I would love for you to be a part of this last college trip and the blessing of serving others. Please contact me if you have any questions; I’m looking forward to talking to you more about what the Lord just might be doing around the next bend in the river!

In Him,
Claire

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

ONE's Challenge

According to ONE, poverty fighting programs make up less than one percent of the entire U.S. budget. Yet for that modest investment in the developing world, we've helped deliver life-saving AIDS medicine to 3 million people, been an important part of the effort to put 41 million children in schools across developing world, and hung anti-malaria bed nets across Africa. These efforts are saving millions of lives and helping the world's poorest people break free from crippling poverty and will be more important than ever as the effects of any global economic slowdown are sure to be magnified in already struggling countries. 

As ONE, we are coming together, as Democratic and Republican, men and women, young and old, Americans from all walks of life- the gaol is to come together to form a powerful constituency that needs to be heard. Adding your name to the petition and reminding Senators Obama and McCain that in these weeks before the elections, we will be watching to make sure that they keep their poverty-fighting commitments...

Check this website to sign your own name...
http://www.one.org/keepourcommitments/

Friday, July 18, 2008

the fourth of july

By 9 am, a cool summer breeze sweeps over the 12 blocks of people lining main-street awaiting the day's celebrations. People have already taken to their color coordinated chairs which wonderfully enough match their visors and their children's outfits. Hoards of red, white and blue locals and visitors alike pour up from the side streets up to the blocked off main road to see what this parade, this day, this town is all about.

It's the July 4th and its great to be home. 

 Family and friends pour up from the side streets to THE Fredericksburg main-street, the same main-street that can shut down traffic for over two hours  and 12 blocks without anyone thinking twice about it. That's what makes Fredericksburg, well Fredericksburg. Who knows how many people are here to partake in this holiday and celebration- but to them it's
 new, charming and oh so lovely... but to the rest of us, it's simply wonderful and it's home. 

Visitors and locals alike are seen wearing red, white and blue shirts, multi-colored beads (which naturally I added to my look) and firework headbands (which naturally I regretted not having)- as they walk up and down main-street with coffee in hand and some with bandana clad dogs happily following close by.
 Some just completely put their heart, effort and absolute craft ability into their children's "look"- but I can only laugh at them and say this in love, because I was that kid.... that kid covered in ever red, white and blue piece of clothing we owned, the flag sticker tattoo's just covering my cheeks and little smile and of course my bike completely wrapped in patriotic ribbon... oh yes, I was that kid. 

Policeman on bike stroll up and down the street greeting locals; dog's trot with no leash  and no agenda; and people live through their laughter and their smile. It's once again the wonderful reminder that I live in a small town and no matter where I go, no matter how far away I travel and no matter how long I am gone - this will always be home. Home is where my friends are family and where my best memories come from. No matter how touristy and laid back this small town feels, Fredericksburg will always be the place that compares to none other- it's just not like any other place. 

Fredericksburg is where I grew up and where the people are who have influenced my life tremendously. It's where 12 years of memories, challenges and growth are rooted - it's home and today is just another day of celebration, watermelon football in the lake, afternoon naps, Texas BBQ, live music and without a doubt an entertaining firework show- Welcome to Fredericksburg, it's July 4th in this small Texas town!

Friday, June 13, 2008

quote of the day

"If I had my life to live over again, I'd dare to make more mistakes the next time." 
- Nadine Stai

“I believe life is a series of near misses. A lot of what we ascribe to luck is not luck at all. It's seizing the day and accepting responsibility for your future. It's seeing what other people don't see. And pursuing that vision.”
-Howard Schultz

“Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Thursday, June 12, 2008

the canvas of life... what will make you paint?

"Travel can make you a poet. Travel can be spiritual. By venturing far from home and looking back you assumed you were self- evident and god-given. It rearranges your cultural furniture. By traveling you learn about yourself. 

But without capturing your thoughts on paper, the lessons of traveling are like shooting stars you just missed. Your journey is a facet of your broader life. Journaling thoughtfully relates your travel experiences to your life in general. If your life is a canvas, traveling brings new color."

Rick Steves obviously spends his life dedicated to finding new places around the world and discovering the new in old ones. This article I read once, quoting him, stuck with me as fascinating and bright. It is true- travel changes you. It opens your mind to new cultures and new sights that the mind alone can't even create. How can you not be effected by something so radical and changing- the obvious that each country has something different to offer. Each place- each city, each park, each country, each person, each continent- all bring something new to the table and paints an even grander picture of the whole thing. Travel is an open door that will forever change you the moment you take the chance to step through it. 

quote of the day

"It's never too late to be what you might have been."
- George Eliot, novelist
From the Foundation for a Better Life