The Adventures of Darcey & Watson

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.

Source: My favorite Thing about serving in ministry

Last month I took a trip to Alabama. Why Alabama? Well, my birth-dad and his family lives there! Now, I had only ever seen my birth-dad, Danny, in the summer of 2011 when he came with my little brother and sister (Ethan and Elizabeth), Patricia his wife, one of my older sisters (Ashley) and my niece (Kylee). That visit went very well, read my blog posts titled “the start of a new chapter” and you will get a walk through of the day by day with them.

So I visited Alabama this time to meet with them and a lot of the rest of my family on his side. It went REALLY well! I love each of them in their own ways. All the quirks, and their accents, and how they interact with each other. I count them all as my family, and that’s saying something. I would totally go back, and I look forward to building these relationships with the family I never knew I had.

Some highlights of the trip:
– Playing catch with Ethan in the hot sun (he’s really good!)
– the pet squirrel, Bama, and playing with her (even if she attacked us)
– beating my dad in Guitar Hero and just spending time playing games with him
– meeting the family
– sight-seeing and seeing the beauty of Alabama
– off roading in my dad’s truck while me and Ashley were in the bed of the truck trying not to fall out
– the cats! (they had about 13 cats. 5 of them were full grown and the others were kittens)
– the laid-backness of Alabama
– the small town feel
– Spending time with Ethan, Elizabeth, Kylee, Ashley, Patricia, my dad, and my grandma and grandpa Lemieux

Over all it was a nice time, and if you’d like to hear more about the trip, I’d be happy to share them.

Thanks for reading! God is good, and I’m so blessed to have this relationship being built between me and my dad.

Source: The Adventure Continues in Alabama

Here’s another quick update of what I’ve been up to, for those who are wondering. Since I haven’t written much lately. Hopefully soon I’ll have some deeper stuff to write about. Next week I’ll write about my easter weekend, we’re headed up to Colorado and I’m sure there will be lots to write about. ANYWAYS, here’s the quick version of the Bales camping trip I went on:

A few weekends ago, I had the amazing privilege to go camping with the Bales family. The Bales family includes the people that they mentored and Katie, as well as their immediate family. So… Wendy (my mentor), David (her husband), their kids Jesse, Kim, Alia, and Gabe, and then those they mentored Steve, Alex, and me, and then Katie Quite a unique family, but I wouldn’t trade being “adopted” by any other family down here.

The camping trip was spent at Daingerfield state park, complete with tenting, hiking trails, and a freeeeeeeeezing cold spring-fed lake. We had lots of fun spending time in God’s nature, and had some great conversations, and worship. Was an over all refreshing weekend. Praise God for the break.

Source: Camping with the Bales – March 2012

At a recent prayer meeting, Danny talked about how important it is to keep your camera lens clean. If it’s not cleaned regularly, then dirt, dust, and sometimes even fungus can get in the camera or lens and ruin any chance of taking a nice photo. This all is a representative of a bigger picture. We are supposed to keep our hearts, minds, and eyes clean so that we can clearly reflect God’s nature to those around us.
So often Christ is misrepresented by those who claim to be Believers, but lie, steal and destroy those around them. Clearly they are not “loving one another” as Christ commanded us to do. Now, I’m not writing this to judge them, or knock them down in any way. Because how often do we, ourselves misrepresent the Lord to those around us?
Maybe we are frustrated in traffic at the person who isn’t turning fast enough. Or the person in the grocery store took the last item off the shelf that you needed for dinner that night. Or maybe you are tired and exhausted, and get impatient with those around you. I know I struggle a lot with those simple things. But doesn’t God say in John 13:35 “by this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
A good test of this happened not too long ago for me. I had the privilege to travel up to Pennsylvania, with my best friend Katie, to spend a few days at Christmas with my amazing family. I was so excited, yet so nervous at the same time. I’m not sure why I was nervous, they’re my family and I love them dearly. But it had been a year since I had seen most of them, and I knew I had missed a lot. Would I be able to just fit in like normal? Would they notice any growth that the Lord had done in my life? Would I be able to love them like Christ loves them, and be a good representation of Christ to them?
As the days flew by, I could feel my energy draining. By the time I was boarding the plane with Katie, I had just come off a very busy week at work. I was emotionally, physically, and mentally exhausted. I wasn’t sure I would have enough energy or enthusiasm left to give everyone attention when they came over. The only thing left for me to do was pray. Pray that the Lord would use me, despite my inability to give anything.
As I arrived, I felt like I was a visitor. I love my Mommy, my brother, and the rest of my family and friends. But I knew that I didn’t “belong” in PA anymore. No matter how much I may think about how things “might have turned out”, what I could be doing, who I might be hanging out with. It was like God confirmed to me, yet again, that He called me to Gospel for Asia, and that no matter how hard things may get, He will use me as I remain faithful to Him in Texas.
The days flew by as we moved from the open house on Friday, to Christmas Eve celebrations on Saturday, Christmas on Sunday, and then last minute things on Monday. Each day, God filled me with His Spirit. His patience. His love. It was like, even though I had nothing left to give, all God needed was a willing heart. A willing heart that allowed Him to clearly reflect His glorious, and awe-inspiring nature, to those who gathered around. I was able to play with my cousins, and not be frustrated with them, but enjoy every moment spent with them. To talk with relatives and boldly share what the Lord is doing in my life, and share possible plans for the future. To laugh and worship with friends, without being shy or nervous about who the Lord has transformed me into in the past year. To spend time with my mommy, brother, and Katie and not be worried or flustered with all the chaos of preparing for people to come over. And as silly as it seems, it was enjoyable to spend time playing with my mom’s dog Sawyer, and her new puppy Finn, even when Finn would try to escape in the yard.
I guess what I’m trying to say is, no matter how tired you may be, always keep your camera lens clean. Allow God to work through your life to those who might be around. Ask the Lord to make you a clear reflection of His magnificent glory. Thanks for reading, I’m praying for each of you. God Bless!

Source: Keeping Your Lens Clean for Christmas