Even though the bible says to those who ask for a sign, none will be given, we must walk by faith and not by sight… I think God is so loving and understanding of our human condition that he does give us signs to point us in the right direction : ).
Last night, I prayed, as I so often do, for God to not only show me the path, and guide my steps, but to literally be shoved in the direction that I should be walking in. I want it to be SO crystal clear that I’m not even given any other choice, and not a doubt exists that I’m doing what I was MEANT to do.
That’s the kind of conviction I want and pray for.
Kiva’s mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.
Kiva is the world’s first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs around the globe.
The people you see on Kiva’s site are real individuals in need of funding – not marketing material. When you browse entrepreneurs’ profiles on the site, choose someone to lend to, and then make a loan, you are helping a real person make great strides towards economic independence and improve life for themselves, their family, and their community. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates and track repayments. Then, when you get your loan money back, you can relend to someone else in need.
To make a difference in these people’s lives, you can donate as little as $25 up to whatever amount you can, and let me tell you, its so rewarding to know that I can help change someone’s circumstances and living conditions for LESS THAN I SPEND ON A PAIR OF SHOES. Literally.
So seriously, if you have ever thought about giving back, and just don’t know where to start, think about starting here! Its a worthy cause for worthy people!
A Time for Everything
1 For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
2 A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
6 A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.
9 What do people really get for all their hard work?10 I have seen the burden God has placed on us all.11 Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.12 So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can.13 And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.
14 And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear him.15 What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again.
The Injustices of Life
16 I also noticed that under the sun there is evil in the courtroom. Yes, even the courts of law are corrupt!17 I said to myself, “In due season God will judge everyone, both good and bad, for all their deeds.”
18 I also thought about the human condition—how God proves to people that they are like animals.19 For people and animals share the same fate—both breathe* and both must die. So people have no real advantage over the animals. How meaningless!20 Both go to the same place—they came from dust and they return to dust.21 For who can prove that the human spirit goes up and the spirit of animals goes down into the earth?22 So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is why we are here! No one will bring us back from death to enjoy life after we die.
Hanging out and doing life with amazing friends & family (& friends who become like family) is my favorite part of life, hands down.
I met Tara through Mike, Jon and Olivia, and though we had run in the same salsa dancing circles, we had never met in person. I was excited to know she was coming to our Monday salsa class and we would finally meet. Last Monday, she let us know she would be getting baptized at the Cavalry Beach Baptism this weekend. We all wanted to be there to support her in this new adventure and way of life, and it was a great time!
We are constantly reminded that Baptism is an outward expression of the feelings in your heart, and we were so happy to be there with Tara for this expression of her faith!
Enjoy the slideshow below with photos of the day, as well as the video : ).
