Praise God for new life! Yesterday, January 23, 2013, my newest cousin entered the world. As cute as his name, I think he is the most adorable newborn Ive ever seen. Welcome to the family Cooper Isaiah Mullarkey. Praying that your life is so blessed by the Lord and that you grow up to be a mighty man of God. Love ya little one.
Source: New Life
This past weekend I had an amazing time at the gun range with some friends of mine. I forgot how fun it is to shoot guns and actually take time to work on my aim. Unfortunately I wasnt able to shoot my ww2 russian mosin nagat rifle because the range doesnt allow full metal jacket rifle ammunition, but the others guns I was able to shoot were fun!
My Walther P38 was a pretty accurate shot, need to get a new magazine though because the spring is kinda older in the current one. Which makes sense since it was actually used in ww2. 9mm
Tim’s 1911 was fun to shoot too, even tried one handed and still got a bullseye! Its a .45 caliber
Alex’s shotgun was probably my favorite to shoot. Did both skeet shooting and fired it once with a slug. I think the shot gun is my favorite because of the kickback you get from it. The slug made me have to take a step back because of the power behind it. Fun times. I think it was a 12 gauge
Steward’s revolver was interesting. Ive never really been a fan of revolvers, but was interesting to shoot it. Not sure what kind it was. Other than it was .22 caliber.
Looking forward to the next time we go shooting, but I will need to get some more ammunition first… On to the next gun show!
Source: At The Range Again
Tonight I was invited to watch the Sound of Music with some single friends of mine that serve at GFA with me. I love that since Those at GFA are like family, and are serving thebLord toward the same goal, to see His glory proclaimed through all the Earth. So as we gathered for this classic musical, we reached the intermission. Some of the group picked up guitars and a banjo and started to jam a bit. After a little while we all started to just worship with all our hearts and, though we arent professionals in any sense of the word, it was such a blessing. I am so honored that God would call me here to this community of believers who are truely living what it means to be a New Testament believer. That spontaneous acts of worship whenever we gather. That is my favorite part about serving in a ministry, with this group of people, serving the One true God. Yes we have our differences, but its through His love that we are One Body, each with its own purpose, but working as one we give glory to God in any circumstance.
Not at all how I thought this night would turn out, but oh how joyful it is to be free to worship our Lord anytime we want. That it would be more important and the simple act of worshiping Him would distract us from even starting the movie back up again.
At GFA there are some people on staff who stay up till midnight to answer the phones for people who decide to give a last minute gift. And upon delivering some Starbucks to one of them, i decided to dress funny to make them laugh, since their job is usually pretty serious. was a great time.
Source: Comic Relief on New Years Eve
This Christmas was a memerable one spent with my friends and ‘family’ in Texas. Yes, I missed my family in PA, but as far as Christmases go, I would say this hits the top 10.
There was time for our friend group to exchange gifts and fellowship over wonderful baked goods. The first snow of the year occured on Christmas afternoon, blessing us with a white Texas Christmas. Fun gifts were recieved and given. The Christmas story was told starting in John 18 when Jesus shares in His own words why He was born, and then continued in Matthew where He was born in a manger. Games were played, memories were made, families missed but since we are blessed with Skype we were able to see them and smile and spread love, a sleep over occurred, and Jesus was glorified.
Below are a few pictures from my iPhone of some of the festivities. If you want to see more legit ones, check out my Facebook sometime soon, I will be uploading them tomorrow.
Merry Christmas! Cant believe how fast it came and was gone, and how fast this whole year of 2012 flew by.
Source: A White Christmas in Texas
“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:35
Love for one another. It sounds like an easy task, especially if you are in a good mood, the person you are with doesn’t annoy you, and things are going as planned. However, we are not always in the best of moods, maybe the person you are with rubs you the wrong way, and the circumstances you find yourself in may be chaotic. How do you love someone then?
Lately I’ve been learning how to love people when I don’t feel like it, or would rather be alone. See, Christ asks us to sacrifice ourselves, and serve others in His name. If I am loving others with HIS love, then He will continue to replenish it, and as I continue to pursue Him, His love will automatically flow to others.
Love is not a feeling that comes and goes, it is a way of life, a choice. I certainly don’t “feel” like loving my enemies, but the Lord says to do so. It isn’t easy, but it is a commitment. It’s a full time job to love others, finding ways to serve them, listening when they
need an ear, not avoiding them when you want alone time.
It is a hard lesson to learn, but I’m finding that when I choose to allow the Lord to love others through me, even when I don’t feel like it, it’s rewarding to see the other person smile. Sometimes they won’t even know it’s you that wrote that note, that you did the dishes because you know it’s less stressful for that person to live in a clean apartment. But really, we don’t perform acts of love for ourselves to get praise, we do it so that the Lord can love others and receive all the glory.
Anyways, thank you for listening. I am still in the process of learning this lesson, and am finding that unity between the Body of Christ is much more appealing than the separation that occurs from unbroken people.
Please pray for me that I don’t let my own selfishness get in the way of loving my brothers and sisters, my family, friends, and those around me. I will be praying for you too.
Source: Love One Another – John 13:35
Today was not the official start of the sessions, but there was registration, the setting up of the GFA booth, conversations with passersby, and dinner followed by a keynote speaker.
It started off a very nice day (ended that way too) with sleeping in and waking up feeling rested after a night of some bizarre dreams that were kinda sad. We got dressed and then i ate a banana and some pineapple for breakfast then joined Sara and Rachael in a hotel restaurant for breakfast.
After breakfast Rachael went to CVS to get some supplies because her bag is lost somewhere in an airport in some location between here and DFW. Sara and I went off in search of our booth location and boxes of supplies. We discovered our booth tucked in the waaaaay back coridor with a few other ministries. After setting up a rather nice display, rachael and I registered ourselves and recieved Gigantic goodie bags full of free stuff. Not sure how we will get it all back to Texas though…
Sara then took Rachael to Target to get some clothes since Rachaels are lost in limbo, leaving me to my self manning the booth. Was great! Met some really cool people and had good conversations. They eventually came back with a smoothie for me!
Then was dinner. I couldnt eat most of it so i stuck to green beans and water. After dinner the guy who created Veggietales and Whats in the Bible spoke an amazing message on surrendering your dreams to God because He knows best and should be first. Then a keynote speaker talked about juggling life and a blog, not spending too much time on your computer that you miss the lives of people around you.
After that we headed back to our rooms and on the way saw two ladies dressed ib rennaisance dresses just because they like to dress up, they tried to get Sara involved too.
Once back in our rooms, i had some great bonding time with Sara. After talking for a bit we decided to go downstairs and mingle with people. There i ran into a supporter of mine from church, and another lady who used to go to my church! Small world right? I hope to catch up with them tomorrow when im a bit more coherent and awake.
Now its bed time and tomorrow will be full of learning and running a booth! night!
Source: Allume Conference Day 1
Are you looking for ways to impact the millions in Asia who are hated, abused and have never heard Jesus’ name? Check out Gospel for Asias opportunities to change eternity.
Get involved by:
– Bringing a child the hope of a future
– Spreading the Gospel through dedicated servants of the Lord
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– Serve alongside the GFA staff
– Blog for Asia through our Affiliate Program
– etc
My last day at the Allume conference was interesting indeed. After spending the morning in sessions, enjoying lunch and an inspiring keynote speaker, I decided to walk to the CVS down the street to collect some packing tape for the boxes we would send back to Gospel for Asia.
I was looking forward to my walk so that I could take some pictures of the city life in Harrisburg from ground level. Slowly I approached the CVS, discovering that it closed an hour earlier. A little bummed I decided to just walk to the end of the block to get a few more pictures before heading back to the hotel to man the booth. As I was taking pictures of this really cute cafe this couple that was sitting on the steps called me over and proceeded to tell me all the interesting things I could take pictures of in Harrisburg. Which was interesting because I dont normally get people that stop me on the street and talk to me at length, quite exciting if you ask me.
While I was discussing pictures and arcitecture with the couple, this cute little boy who couldnt have been more than 2 or 3, came up to us and posed for the camera a few times, then his mother came and took him by the hand to lead him in the other direction. Every few steps though, the little boy would turn around and pose again.
A few minutes later I was back on my way taking photos of Harisburg. I saw a few painters painting this brick building red, so I took a few pictures of them. After those pictures, the three ladies sitting outside another cafe asked me if the painters looked safe enough. I said that Im sure they know what the are doing, and went on my way.
Soon I decided I should probably head back to my hotel and started on my way. On the way back i saw a sign with the history of some guy. I took a picture of it and then heard the gu from that first couple call to me from across the street asking if I liked history, then he crossed the street to talk to me more. He told me about the Whig part and a president that was elected at the church down one block, and how that president died and his vice president wasnt part of the Whig party and then they disbanded. It was very interesting, but as he was talking I saw a RiteAid behind him!
After he stopped talking, i asked if i could take a picture of him. Then I headed to the RiteAid for packing tape. When i got the tape, i decided to take a picture of the church the guy was talking about since it was at the end of the block, and this old lady asked if i had some change she could have. I was about to say no when the Lord said to give her something, so i gave her the $5 bill i had in my wallet and smiled at her wishing her a good day. I took a picture of the church then started back to my hotel again.
As i neared the hotel a homeless fellow that i had passed a few times that day asked if i took a picture of the oldest church in Harrisburg that is by the river a few blocks from where we were. I told him that I havent, but I would see if maybe later i could.
Finally back at the hotel, i gave the packing tape to Sara and Rachael and started running through the happenings of my outing. Things like that almost never happen to me, but im so blessed that it did! I loved smiling at people and taking the time to listen to them. Im sure they dont always have people that will stop and treat them like real people, so i was glad the Lord would allow me to be that person that could stop and listen and smile.
Now there were only an hour or two left before my mom would pick me up from Harrisburg to stop by my aunt Kristie’s house to congradulate her on her wedding and then stop by my brother’s calvacade for marching band. So i went upstairs to m room and became a master packer and fit all the millions of free gifts i got at the Allume conference into my carry on suitcase. Then went out to find my mommy in front of the hotel. When i stepped outside there was this homeless guy who wanted to know if i could help him because this store wouldnt let him buy a coke, but i told him that I couldnt help because my mom was there to pick me up.
Talk about an interesting day!
Yesterday was a rather interesting day as I travelled with two other GFA staff members to Harrisburg, PA to attend a blogging conference. It started off like any other trip, checking in, going through security, and finding our terminal. Everything was going great, exactly as we planned it.
The first flight to Chicago was quite bumpy and I finished two books that I brought with me, and enjoyed some quiet time with the Lord. When we landed I put my ipod back into the side pocket of my backpack as I always do when I travel. I grabbed my carry on bag and then Rachael, Sara and I found a place we could eat. Which was kinda difficult for me to do in an airport during this detox diet, but I mannaged.
After we ate, we headed to our next gate so that we could fly to Harrisburg in a teensy plane. But when i went to grab my ipod for some tuneage, it wasnt there…
I frantically searched through my bag to no avail. Then I literally ran back to the gate our flight dropped us off at and asked if the flight attendants had found an ipod. The guy behind the counter was very nice and did everything thatbhe could to help me, but it wasnt there. So i received the phone number for the AA Chicago lost and found, and I ran back to my gate.
This whole time I am praying “Lord please let me find it…let it not be stolen, and help me to understand why this happened.”
We loaded onto the next flight and Sara let me play games on her ipod, and then we landed. When we went to baggage claim to pick up Sara abd Rachaels bags, Rachaels hadnt arrived. It was still in Chicago but would be delivered the next day at the Hilton Harrisburg where we are staying.
So we go to walmart to get Rachael some PJ pants, and pick up some foods that i can eat so i dont starve. And then we try to find the Hilton Harrisburg, took ud a while to find the parking place, and it was super ghetto.
We get checked in and then get to our hotel rooms. The beds are super comfy and across the street you can see buisness people having a meeting at midnight. We waved but they didnt see us.
So far it has been an interesting adventure, and i look forward to seeing how God will move in this conference, if He will return my ipod, and if i will continue to have good nights of rest
These beds are super comfy!
Ill try to keep you all posted on the conference.
