Help bring Baby Sienna home from China

During my senior year of high school when I decided to get serious about the Lord, I quickly realized that in order to grow, I needed those slightly ahead of me to help guide me into a deeper relationship with Christ. I needed mentors that would show me the way and teach me, through their life, what it looked like to live a God-centered life.

Because of that realization, since my freshman year of college, I have thrown myself under those spiritually more mature than me. If you were willing to take me under your wing, I was happy to latch on and go for a ride. Of course, in a healthy, non-creepy kind of way.

The Lord has been really sweet in every season of life to place a handful of people just like this in my life. To say I’m thankful for them would be the biggest understatement of the year. It is so biblical (according to Titus 2) to not only take someone under your own wing, but to also learn from someone a few steps ahead of you. The Lord hasn’t left us hanging. Not only has He given us His Word, but He’s also designed us for relationships.

When I graduated from college and moved back home, I was delighted when three months later I learned that my old youth pastor was also moving back to now become the missions pastor at our church. We were both in different seasons of life and I knew it would be fun to get to work and serve together. On top of that, I adored his wife Allison and wanted to be her friend.

Three years later, they have been those people to me. Allison is most definitely one of my favorite people on this earth and I don’t just say that about everybody. I have thrown myself under their leadership and tried to learn everything I can about ministry. I really don’t think they know how much I adore, love and appreciate them. They are such dear friends to me.

Allison has taught me a lot of things, but I think the thing that stands out to me the most is the prayer warrior that she is. I don’t ever leave her house (let alone her sight) without her praying for me right on the spot. Sometimes we’ve even prayed more than once. Gasp! Y’all, I don’t know why we as believers tend to shy away from prayer, and if we admitted it, we don’t pray near enough. What Greg has always preached rings loud and true in their home; Prayer is the work! I want to be like Allison in that way. In fact, I have started doing that myself and y’all, it is revolutionary. I don’t let a girl leave my sight without me praying for her. It has been the sweetest thing.

So, why do I tell you all of this? Because I love my friends and desire to serve them as well.

They have a house full of four wonderful children that I love dearly, and there’s one on the way…from CHINA! Yes, they are adopting a little girl and she is so close to being home with her family. I am so excited for them and can’t wait to meet little Sienna. She doesn’t know how blessed she’s about to be.

As a single girl I’m limited in the ways I can help, besides prayer and the giving of my time, but I can tell you that they’re selling t-shirts to raise money to bring her home and I’d love it if you bought one as well. I know you don’t know them personally, but I can’t express to you enough how much you would love this family if you knew them too. Plus, the shirts are pretty cute.

So, if you’re interested in blessing them here’s what you can do:

1. First, you can visit their blog to learn all about their family. That is if you don’t trust me. But either way, it’s great. You can read their story here.

2. If you don’t want a t-shirt, Lifesong for Orphans, where financial gifts are tax deductible, is also an option. Simply go to Lifesong For Orphans. Click on the DONATE button and type- DESPRES 2133 in the purpose line.

3. Lastly, if you do want a shirt and are a lady (sorry to the two guys that read this blog), you can visit the Wild Olive Trees website. I had never heard of them before they told me about this, but it’s pretty neat. Click and type Despres0805 for their adoption fund. I know we don’t need anything in return, but it’s fun to receive a shirt. It’s also a reminder to pray for those families that are adopting when you wear it.

You, my sweet blog friends, are the best. Let’s help get sweet Sienna home in time to spend Christmas with her new family. I know it would mean the world to the Depres family. I love y’all!

The Despres family. Love them!


Sweet Sienna.

The ABC MeMe

I saw this floating around and it looked fun. Especially since I am having bloggers block. Forgive the random, yet fun post. And please, play along if you feel led. : )

A. Age: 26

B. Bed size: A queen. I’ve always had a queen or a full because of my long legs. They tend to hang off if I have anything smaller.

C. Chore that you hate: Hanging up clothes. Not washing or ironing, but hanging them up. I loathe it. I have been known to have neat piles of folded clothes around my room because I hate doing that so much.

D. Dogs: Oh, the puppies. I’ve only “owned” those that my roommates have had. Which have been Macy, we had a special bond, Cohen and Cupcake. Three of the most different dogs you’ll ever meet. Growing up I only had a turtle that unfortunately ran away.

E. Essential start to your day: Waking up. That is essential. Seriously, though? I cannot get ready without listening to worship music. Ask my roommates.

F. Favorite color: It’s constantly changing, but is currently yellow. Or coral. And maybe navy. See, I’m very fickle with my colors.

G. Gold or Silver: Both. I used to think Gold looked terrible on my skin tone, but currently gold is the “in thing” so I own a lot of gold costume jewelry which I wear often. However, silver is my go-to choice.

H. Height: 6’0. Though my license says 5’11. I’m confused.

I. Instruments you play: Since my mom has been a piano teacher my entire life, I play the piano. Not quite like her, though. She’s the best of the best. : )

J. Job title: Media Assistant and Youth Specialist. If you’re going to friend the youth, you must know the media. ; )

K. Kids: Nada. Though I'd claim many as my own.

L. Live: Texas! I’m a proud Texan through and through. First family member born and raised here.

M. Mother’s name: Kristy Kay. Love her!

N. Nicknames: The most obvious one is Lindsee Lou. (Lou is not my middle name contrary to popular belief!) Lou. Loupers. Leddy. Lindslepie. (Thank you, Grandma, for that last one.)

O. Overnight hospital stays: Besides when I was born, to date this hasn’t happened.

P. Pet peeves: When people drive crazy. It drive me nutty.

Q. Quote from a movie: “Hence the boat!” from The Proposal. For some reason, I get tickled every time I hear it. If you’ve not seen it, well, you should. It's funny. Of course, I also love me some Madea lines. “Heller? How u durnin?”, “Um, ner.” ,“Halleu-yer.” So funny.

R. Right or left handed: Right hand all the way!

S. Siblings: Two brothers. One older and one younger. I’m smack dan in the middle and the only girl. It’s not the worst gig in the world.

U. Ultimate Vacation: Currently, that would have to be the Seychelles. Oh, to dream.

V. Vegetable you hate: Peas. Gross.

W. What makes you run late: The fact that I am really slow at everything I do makes me late. I enjoy taking my time and hate to be rushed. Therefore, I seem to never give myself enough time. Other than that, probably applying my mascara. It takes a sweet forever.

X. X-Rays you’ve had: Do my teeth count? Oh, and I think in the third grade I had my ankle x-rayed because I hurt it in P.E. That was unfortunate since I'm not sure I actually DID anything in P.E.

Y. Yummy food that you make: I really don’t make much yummy food. My roommates could testify to that. However, I can make a mean Taco Ring. And I also have mastered the are of Nutella Rice Krispie Treats.

Z. Zoo animal: I’m gonna have to go with anything “baby” here. That might be cheating, but that’s okay.

With Nothing in Sight

For the longest time, I was the girl whose testimony lent itself to never having gone on a date with a boy. I am sure people got tired of hearing my story, but it was mine to tell and I had no power of changing it on my own.

What always stood out to me as I told my story were the responses I received from people. The best response was when girls would ask if I ever liked anybody, to which I always replied, and probably not so gently, “Um, duh!” Or in the words of Madea, “Um, der!” Of course I’ve liked guys! I’m a girl with feelings after all. And I’ve not just liked them. I’ve had major crushes. When I fall, I fall hard. Yes, I may or may not have had a few obsessions. What you need to know about me, though, is that I’m not very fickle. When I like a guy, I tend to like him for a long time. Like, really long. I could easily have one crush for two years. I wish I were lying.

Over time, though, I have learned a lot about crushes. Allow me to share one take-away: they waste so much of your time.

I know that sounds funny because they probably don’t even realize you exist, or have the slightest clue you’re interested, but they do, they really do.

Shall I list why?

Daydreams. Oh, the daydreams. In one day I could have gone on our first date. Gone on a second date. Decided we were going to be official. Kissed him. Dated for approximately 12 months. Gotten engaged and gotten married. All in one day. It was exhausting.

Stalking. Oh, the stalking. These days stalking means “friending” them on facebook or “following” them on twitter. Let’s just admit it, we’ve all done it, and maybe we’re currently doing it. And I’m not talking about just checking their facebook once a day; I’m talking once an hour. Or every 30 minutes depending on how smitten you are.

Shall I even get started on trying to take our thoughts captive? Attempting to do that while daydreaming and stalking is nearly impossible. I can’t intentionally go stalk a guy on facebook and then try to take thoughts towards him captive. I think we’re all aware that what we really need is a major dose of self-control to not even go there. To fill our minds with the Truth of God’s word as opposed to a silly little status update telling us where He just ate lunch.

The most humbling thing, however, I’ve learned about crushes that the Lord has had to knock out of me is my feelings of control over the situation. Do you know what I mean?

My thought process went something like this: If I liked a guy and stalked him enough, then eventually he would realize my love for him and chase after me and we’d live happily ever after. In other words, I was in complete control of the entire situation. Except I wasn’t in control at all.

In hindsight, I see how completely ridiculous and insane that sounds, but that’s how I was living and that was certainly the lie I believed. On top of that, what I always failed to realize was that although I thought I had complete control over the entire situation, it really had so much more control over me.

I’m sure you wouldn’t be surprised to hear that it took a toll on my heart and my emotions. When you let a feeling have that much control over you, it is hard to focus, let alone get much sleep and rest.

Towards the beginning of February I was seriously so fed up with myself. I started to realize that I was being flat out stupid and at that time, I had a come to Jesus meeting. It was really good.

One night in particular I had been journaling and I just heard the Lord ask me, Lindsee, do you trust me with zero prospects?

In other words, if the Lord took every eligible young single guy out of the picture could I trust Him enough to provide a husband in His time without my help? Without my obsessing? Without my stalking?

For the first time in a long time I was legitimately able to answer with a simple yes.

All my worrying, all my stressing, all my desires to be in control were disobedience because essentially, I wasn’t trusting the Lord to provide that particular desire of my heart. I honestly remember that night sleeping really well and woke up feeling like I hadn’t just run a marathon.

I don’t want you to get the impression that I am boy crazy, because if you asked any of my friends or family, I don’t think they would tell you I was, but I just needed to trust the Lord to provide for me in His own way and His own time.

In the midst of all of this was when the Lord really started stirring in my heart about what was next for me. I had no idea what was ahead but I sought Him constantly until May when He started opening up doors for a job change. And more so, a life change. (I wasn’t just changing jobs; I was changing churches as well. What you may not know is that my church was my job.)

I can honestly say that these months have been the sweetest months of my relationship with the Lord yet. I stepped out on a limb not knowing what the Lord had in store, and He blew me away. My faith deepened.

You know what else happened? I forgot all about boys. I forgot all about the fact that I was single. Maybe forgot isn’t the most appropriate term, but I was so content where the Lord had me in my singleness. It was so refreshing and really, really good for me to not be caught up in some type of crush that would eventually go nowhere.

Today, I am no longer the girl that has never been on a date. In July I went on my very first, and wonderful, I might add, date. I felt so special and will remember it always. Don’t get any ideas thinking that I’m engaged and getting married tomorrow, but to have been noticed and treated like a girl should be treated on a date was the best thing I could have ever experienced.

This summer was proof to me that there are Godly men out there searching for Godly wives. There are guys out there doing it right. This I know for sure, the bar has been raised.

I can’t tell you how thankful I am the Lord allowed me to experience what it’s like to be pursued. And what did I do to be pursued? Absolutely nothing. Nada. I just responded.

What I'm not saying is that the minute you stop thinking about being single is the minute the Lord brings a man into your life. I'm not too fond of that saying because I think if the Lord placed that desire on your heart, you'll always be mindful of it. What I am saying, though, is that the Lord, I believe, teaches us different things through different circumstances. For a while I think I doubted the Lord was ever going to let me experience the pursuit of a man for myself and not just vicariously. He clearly thought otherwise.

So, do I trust Him with no prospect? Do I trust Him when the single men around me aren’t outnumbering the single ladies? Yes, yes I do.

I don’t want to be known as the girl who begged and pleaded for God to bring my man and waste my singleness. I want to be known as the girl who believed God and served Him while I was waiting. After all, is it really about me? My comfort? My wants? That’s a simple no. It’s about Christ being honored and glorified in everything.

Very recently I heard someone say that God can do more in our waiting than we can do in our doing. Let’s stop doing and start waiting. Start bringing your requests and being still before the Lord. Trusting Him for His best for us. He really can do more in our waiting, expecting and anticipating Him.

I don’t know what you’re waiting for, but I promise He’s working out the details.

You can trust Him even with nothing in sight. We have hope because He is our hope.

Oh, that we would anticipate the Lord to move in our midst. He will. I know He will.

“In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” Psalm 5:3

The Village

As of today it's been a week since I've been a part of what they loving call "The Village". In other words, I've been at Living Proof Ministries for an entire week. I am certain that if I had a penny for every time I've heard the words "the village", whether referring to the LPM staff, or in the phrase "It takes a village!", I'd be one wealthy girl.

But if I've learned one thing this past week, I've learned that it certainly takes a village. And that the village is very easy to love.

I jumped into what I like to refer to as sanguine land.

I myself am quite the sanguine, but have noticed this week that I've really toned it down a bit. I have been a top notch observer, just taking everything in moment by moment. Quite honestly, the other night I sat down to journal and I couldn't think of one thing to write down. Not because I have a lack of words or thoughts, but because I didn't know where to start.

Even as I started this post, I uploaded pictures then decided I had nothing to say. Thankfully, I regained consciousness and came back to this post shortly after my loss of words and this is what you've got. What is it I've got, you ask? A list of observations from a week of working with the village.

1) This may disappoint, but my first observation? The phones never stop ringing. Ever. LPM is a hopping ministry. Praise God.

2) These ladies are hilarious.

3) They know how to pray. And they do it often.

4) A lot of laughter is heard all day long.

5) LPM knows how to eat. The workday pretty much revolves around lunch. I'm a-okay with that. I like food, too.

6) There is nothing you do alone at LPM. It really does take a village. For instance, it took four of us to connect my computer to another screen so I'd be double screening it. I don't know the technical term for that since I'm not technical, but let me tell you, it is a blessing.

7) You won't get to work or leave work without getting approximately ten hugs.

8) Personal? What is that? The village needs to know all personal matters. But at least you know they'll keep it to themselves. At least that's what I'm told.

9) Skype is a must. As is email. As is HeyTell. As is text messaging. Communication is flourishing.

10) They love Jesus. For real. I want to love Jesus more because of them.

11) With their forces combined, along with the prophetic dream Amanda had, I'm sure I'll be married in six months. Except I'm totally kidding. Maybe. ;)

12) You know your boss is legit when she sends you a picture text message of the yogurt you'd been discussing earlier. She wanted you to make sure you knew exactly what it was so you wouldn't have to go on a wild goose chase. I'm thankful.

In all seriousness, I've been there a week and I can say I sincerely love it already. I'm still slowly taking everything in, but really enjoying learning the ropes and getting to know everyone there. Yes, I'm tired and adjusting to a new job and bed time, but I feel beyond blessed to get to serve alongside these incredible ladies.

Here are some pictures from my first week.

My old boss JJ and his wife Anna sent me flowers my first day of work at the office. It was so sweet and they were beautiful. Thank you so much, JJ and Anna! It meant so much to me.

I have literally taken zero pictures with my real camera, but here are some of my office that I took with my phone. I share an office with Jenn, our Tuesday Night Bible study coordinator, but she is a mama of three youngins', so you can imagine that her office hours are more flexible and different than mine. We've only shared the office for two hours! The desk on the left is hers.

This is the view looking out to the balcony. Not too shabby, eh?

Just a cute corner of the office. Don't you love those pillows? At 3:00 everyday they tempt me with a nap.

This is my side/desk of the office. So far, I love it.

This is what the double screen looks like. It has been such a tremendous help when you stare at a computer all day long!

We hosted our volunteers at the ministry office on Saturday for the simulcast. It was really fun getting to know them and also getting to be with my co-workers soaking up God's Word. We had the best time! I am so glad I went. And boy did I get a Word! Amen.

In case you were wondering, yes, I still pinch myself every morning. Thank you, Lord, for this gift.

A New Job Description

I planned on writing a post about what my new job entails, but this video pretty much sums it up. If you've not seen it yet on the Living Proof Ministries blog, please feel free to watch it here! It was so fun to record, but I've realized now more than ever that I am a proffessional head nodder. It looks as if I know exactly what I'm talking about. Be blessed, friends. And please, for my sake, feel free to laugh as well.

Meet Lindsee! from LPV on Vimeo.

You can do this! You planned a girls retreat and ran a triathlon!

Tomorrow I will embark on a new journey. At a new office. With new co-workers. At a new desk. And a new (awesome) boss.

Tomorrow I will walk into Living Proof Ministries and be welcomed by many hugs, smiles and warm hearts, I'm sure. I've never walked in there and received anything less.

I'm not anxious because of the people or the ministry, in fact, quite the opposite, but more so because everything is different and new.

September 6th has been marked on my calendar since July 28th, so this is not surprising.

But it's here. It's finally here! There were days I thought this day would never arrive. Months I hesitated jumping all in for fear I would be disappointed if it didn't happen. Months of praying and laying every plan and desire back at the Lord's feet.

I'm like a little girl on Christmas Eve. I don't know how well I'll sleep, not because my body isn't tired after spending a day at the beach, but for the sheer excitement in my heart.

However, this day hasn't come without many tears and much pondering and a lot of transition.

Just the other night I sat in my living room pouring over a scrapbook I had been given that afternoon that my old Sunday school teacher (6th grade, in fact, and for the record, she's still serving in middle school as a small group leader) made for me with the help of many members of Cypress Bible Church. It was sweet. It was thoughtful. It was an absolute treasure. I cried. I laughed. Then I prayed for every person that spoke life into my heart.

New seasons are exciting, but change can be tough and intimidating.

I have embraced every moment of change up until now and I fully intend on embracing every moment tomorrow.

I'm leaving a very familiar, comfortable life for a new, slightly uncomfortabe and slightly more challenging life. New is always uncomfortable, but good. It keeps you quick on your toes.

But like one of the middle school girls wrote to me, "Lindsee, you can do this! You planned a girls retreat and ran a triathlon!" If that's not qualification I don't know what is.

In all seriousness, the only qualifier is Jesus. He alone has opened every door and put me in this position. Without Him, my work is in vain. My, what a scary thought that is.

I have every emotion you can imagine, but pure joy and anticipation of what's ahead trump them all!

My prayer is that I would carry His name well. I will fail Him. Undoubtedly. But He will NOT fail me. He will carry me, just like He's carried me up until this very moment.

And so it begins.

September sixth, you are about to make a lot of dreams come true.

Lord, I pray I serve you well in this next journey. Thank you for doing more than I could possibly ask or imagine. You deserve all the praise. May You be lifted so very high. Let's do this!

A Spontaneous 24 Hour Getaway

I am a sanguine at heart, but I've realized that every now and then I enjoy some alone time. I can only stand to be alone with me, myself and I before I really start needing someone to speak my words to, but I do enjoy the freedom I have when I can get away from everything.

When I realized I had two weeks off in between jobs, I didn't make plans to go anywhere or do anything. Honestly, the thought of getting on a plane or in a car made me want to curl into a fetal position. All I wanted was to be home and do nothing. My summers in student ministry tend to be crazy traveling all over the US of A, so to just be settled for two weeks straight sounded glorious to me.

Last week for the first three days I literally slept, went to the pool, ate lunch, took a nap, showered, made dinner, and went to bed. It. Was. Heaven. My week picked up towards the end, but it was so great and flew by. This week I didn't have any plans, either, and was just going to play it by ear.

Shane and Shane are by far my favorite Christian artists and when I learned they were going to be in Huntsville last night, I knew I had to go. I had no good reason not to! Since I knew I'd already be driving an hour north of Houston, I hopped on priceline.com real quick to see if I could snag a deal on a hotel and just call it a mini-vacay. Sure enough, it worked and within 30 minutes I had a hotel room reserved and was in the shower. I did this last year too and it was great! It wasn't so much that I wanted to be alone since I've had a pretty slow two weeks, but I just wanted a change of scenery and I knew this was my last chance, so I took it.

I then proceeded to do all manner of things that rejuvenate me. They went as follows:

First, I booked a room at the Woodlands Resort and Conference Center. Before you go thinking I have cash flowing out my ears, think again. You can thank priceline.com and it being "off" season. However, it is a very nice hotel that I thoroughly enjoyed. Once I checked in I headed to my room and immediately pictured myself in scary movie. Of course, my room had to be the one behind the staircase. Sweet mercy. My thoughts are awful. Fear, people. Flat out fear. I got settled and just kind of rested for a bit, and ate the dinner I picked up on the way in.

Once I was all ready, I drove my sweet little self to Huntsville! Do you know that I love Huntsville? Of course! I went to college there! I was so excited because not only was I going to see Shane and Shane, but the concert was at the church I attended while in school. It was also where my Bible study Truth was held. I have some very fond memories in that sanctuary. God did a lot in my little life there.

Nothing rejuvenates me like some worship and man oh man, can Shane and Shane bring it. The added bonus was that Bethany Dillon was there as well! Love her. Love her heart. There are multiple reasons why I would worship with them every night if I could, and among those reasons are their epic harmonies that are unexplainable, but also the fact that they never let their gifts distract from who we're truly worshiping. Jesus Christ alone. I always walk away from their concerts feeling nearer to God. And the nearness of God is our absolute good. I really appreciate that. I'd rather hear them live over one of their albums any day, but that's impossible. They never showcase themselves. Lord, I pray I always showcase you over myself. You are bigger and so much better!

If you don't have their new album The One You Need, be sure to pre-order it so you'll have it the day it comes out. You don't want to miss The One You Need, Without You or Future Version. Really, the whole album is legit. Just get it. They have yet to disappoint me.

Another added bonus was the fact that I got to hug some old friends and people who poured into my life while I was in college which is always sweet. It was a wonderful night.

(P.S. Yes, I went alone. Can I just say, sitting alone at the concert was the sweetest thing? Truly. I loved soaking up every minute with no distractions. I highly recommend it.)

I headed back just in time to meet my friend Jen back at the resort. I asked her to spend the night with me since she lives in the woodlands and she happily accepted my offer. I was so excited! Nothing rejuvenates me like a good sleepover. Jen and I were queens of sleepovers in college and this one was our best yet. We literally talked our mouths off until the early morning and laughed till we cried. In between talking and laughing we also killed a few bugs. You can thank the heat and wooded area for our bug friends. Ew. Unlike me, she had to get up and work the next morning so I'm just hoping she got a nap in.

This morning I woke up to this view.

Can you say rejuvenating? Very peaceful. I tried to journal out there but that only lasted two minutes thanks to the very muggy air. I didn't want to risk having to wash my hair two days in a row. That is not rejuvenating.

Once I got all packed and ready, I headed out to first grab a coffee and chocolate croissant from La Madeleine and then I shopped til I dropped. Not really, but that sounds like fun. However, I did use a little bit of a gift card I was given to get a few new things. It is much more fun to shop with a gift card as opposed to using your own pennies. I may or may not have gotten the cutest dress from Anthropologie. But that's neither here nor there. I'll have you know that besides the fact that no one can vouch for cute or not cute, I actually really like shopping by myself. I am rack by rack, hanger by hanger kind of girl and that typically annoys people unless you're my mom. I think I visited three stores today in a matter of four hours? No lie, folks. I am the poky little shopper.

When I had done all the shopping I could do, I headed out to use my Groupon for a manicure and pedicure at the Posh Nail Studio. Y'all, oh my word, the cutest nail salon you've ever seen. And the ladies who treated me were the sweetest things. One look at their website and I know you'll be hooked, too. So fun! It's going to be hard going anywhere else now simply because of the environment. But then again, I only went there because of my Groupon. I'm keeping an eye on that deal more often! And I bet you guessed it, nothing rejuvenates me like a good mani and pedi.

Currently I am back at home on my comfy couch taking in the aroma of the banana bread that is currently baking in my oven. It is the best banana bread you'll ever put in your mouth. If I told you it was straight from the Disneyland recipe book would you believe it's the best ever? It's also the happiest banana bread on earth. Swap those walnuts for a cut of mini-chocolate chips and you've got yourself a winning loaf.

Don't believe me? Try it for yourself. You're welcome. And yes, I just took a picture of the recipe, emailed it to myself and put it on the blog. Is that illegal? Oh well. Welcome to 2011 where smart phones are the handiest thing invented.

If you've not one for a spontaneous getaway to rejuvenate, I dare you to try it and tell me how you feel. It was the best 24 hours.

Also, since when did September arrive? Sweet nation. Six days until I'm a working woman again.

A New Journey: A New Church

*I wrote this Sunday evening but am just now posting it.

Leaving a place you dearly love is never easy, but sometimes necessary. If I strongly disliked my church of 26 years, then I wouldn’t have had tears streaming down my face today, but that’s not the case. Quite the opposite, actually, I love Cypress Bible Church. Not everyone can say they’ve grown up in the same church, known the same people and had lifelong relationships that won’t soon go away. It is a blessing I realized when I left for college, and now an even bigger blessing as I look back and ponder the ways that church has poured into me for an entire lifetime. The investment they’ve made in me has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated by me for one second. No, leaving is not easy. But Jesus is better and He is worth following. He is worth the tears on my cheeks and the lump in my throat.

God is so into details and has not left me to wander for one second. To say He’s been faithful the past four months is a huge understatement. Yes, He’s always faithful, no doubt, but I’ve seen Him move more mightily in these few months than I’ve ever seen Him move in my life. It has been very sweet.

As I was praying through this transition, I really wrestled with my decision to actually leave this church body for another in this new season. I felt that the Lord was calling me to go, but as I’ve said time and time again, leaving for good is so much easier said than done.

What most people don't know is that in March I had a few significant conversations that still stand out to me. Looking back, I see now how the Lord was preparing me to leave this church body. When Curtis and Amanda had the initial core team meeting to share their vision of planting Bayou City Fellowship with their close friends and family, they asked if I would be willing to watch their kids and few others that night. Of course, I willingly said yes and was happy to help them in any way that I could as they stepped out on a limb to build something from the ground up. It was huge and I knew that. At the time, I was on staff at a church, so I knew my part in their faith journey would be to support them through love and prayer. I was happy to do just that and be a part in that small way.

A few days after their meeting, Curtis and I exchanged a couple of emails in which I told him I was undoubtedly praying for them, excited for them and that if the Lord allowed, maybe one day I'd get to be a part of their church.

Around that same time was when I began struggling and really wrestling with what was next for me. I remember eating frozen yogurt one night with my parents and we were chatting about all manner of things when my dad simply said to me, Lindsee, you know you can leave Cypress. No one expects you to be there forever. He may not remember that, but for whatever reason that really hit home with me. No one had ever said that to me before and in my mind, I was going to be there for the rest of my life. I left that night with a new perspective. If the Lord called me elsewhere, I had the blessing to go, at least from my parents.

Soon after I was offered the job at LPM, I was talking to Amanda and she so graciously offered that if I wanted, I was welcome to attend Bayou City Fellowship, but that there was absolutely no pressure. I told her I’d been praying about it, but that was one of the two churches I’d been praying about. I really don’t want to hop right into a church just because I love the people there, but because I know that’s where God wants me. However, now that I think about it, why would I not attend a church where I know I already love the people and the vision there? Sounds silly if you ask me.

This is where being single becomes such a blessing; all I have to worry about is me. I realize now that finding a home church for you and your family is so tough. For that, I am so thankful. And for all of you big families searching for a new church, I have much respect for you.

A few weeks later Amanda invited me to attend their core team meeting. It happened to be on my last official day of work, which was really good for my heart, and maybe a good distraction as well. After telling Amanda that their church was the “first” one I was going to visit anyway and that I'd be so happy and honored to come, she and Curtis both joked that it would be the “first and last” and to please bring my membership papers. Ha!

Although a bit intimidating at first, it was a wonderful fit. What you need to know is that it wasn't intimidating because the people weren't inviting or accepting, quite the opposite, actually, but because you have to remember that I come from a very comfortable church. One I've been at for 26 years. I can immediately walk in the doors at CBC and say hi to at least ten people.

I hesitated being all in at first for fear that I was making a irrational quick decision out of my emotional state, but I decided to go back this week, making that two consecutive weeks, and as I explained to everyone during a time of sharing, I think I'm in. There is no un-biblical reason not to be. No good reason to say no. And I don't hear the Lord telling me to wait. I hear Him say go! Why wait? Why hesitate?

So, as I said goodbye to my church of 26 years today, with a very bittersweet heart, I say hello to a new church. A new season. For now, I am honored to attend and serve at Bayou City Fellowship. No church will ever replace Cypress Bible Church and what it’s meant to me over the years, but I pray for sweet relationships and a desire to serve and love Houston like I’ve never had before. I pray with great anticipation and expectation that God will blow up in this city, not because we have awesome skills or hearts, because without Jesus we’re all ugly, but because Jesus loves Houston and our hearts are willing and open.

I'm very new to this church, so I can't give you a lot of details. But what you need to know is that BCF will open the doors to the public on September 11th at Houston Christian High School at 10:00 a.m. It would be our greatest pleasure for you to come and join us as we celebrate and get involved with what God is doing in Houston. And I say that as a girl who's been praying for this church, and not been involved month to month putting in the hard work. But I assure you, it's a God-sized ordeal and they've been working very hard.

I'm very grateful He led me here so quickly. It's hard to explain how much of a blessing that is to me. It doesn't mean I won't still grieve my church family of 26 years, or that in any way they'll be forgotten, but I see now how it wasn't a rash decision, but one only the Lord could have woven together these past five months for His glory alone.

Again, the Lord is doing something good and new. All glory to Him.

A Cypress Bible Farewell

Yesterday was my last official day at my church, Cypress Bible Church. It was a very bittersweet day, but I tried to focus more on the sweet part of it as opposed to the bitter. My last day on staff was actually the previous Sunday, but they wanted to honor me in all of this services yesterday. In all honesty, I would have been perfectly fine if they wouldn't have done anything, but I left that church yesterday feeling more loved by that body than I've ever felt before.

I knew it would be a day of tears, especially since I'd held them all in until yesterday, which is partly why I would have been okay without anything, but the words, prayers, support and blessing they sent me out on made leaving a tiny bit easier. Well, that and the fact that I'm very excited about this new journey I'm about to embark on.

There is an entire mushy post about where the Lord is planting me next as far as churches go, but before I post that, I wanted to post some sweet pictures from yesterday.

I was told to be in every service. That meant all three main services and then both the middle school and high school services. It was funny because before JJ and I went on stage for the 8:15 service I whispered to him that that would be the easiest service as far as tears were concerned. My was I wrong. JJ tends to be a crier (he has a sensitive heart, gotta love it) and the minute he started talking he lost it, which meant I was an absolute puddle.

Needless to say, the 8:15 service was the hardest. It all hit me right then and there that this was actually happening. It was very official.

Once that service was over, I made my way over to the middle school service, shed some tears there, then visited with the high school students for a while, then finished off the day at the last two main services. Such a whirlwind. When church was over, they had a reception for me with some goodies. I didn't eat one thing, but I got my fair share of hugs which filled me love tank to the brim.

To say I'm thankful for this church body would be a vast understatement. By the way, I feel like I've been using the term vast understatement way too much as of late, but I feel it's the only term to appropriately convey what my heart is feeling. Anyway, I love them dearly. I've been a part of this church in some way, shape or form for my entire life. All 26 years of it. With that said, the Lord was very sweet to me and they released me yesterday with much blessing and love. I am so grateful.

Here I am saying goodbye to our high school students. Unfortunately, I didn't get one picture in the main service. I'm hoping someone else did.

Opening a gift from all the students and their parents.

Saying thank you, giving some words of wisdom (hopefully) and probably on the verge of huge tears.

Thankfully, the card sang to me when I opened it and I really enjoyed it. Thank you, TSMAC, for the beautiful bracelet and generous gift card. Y'all are too much.

Sweet prayers as I left.

At the reception with Anna and Lauri. Love them.

A small portion of my freshman girls. I heart them. Like, a lot.

This is my pastor Dave. I actually refer to him as Uncle Dave. I love and respect this man.

These girls are JUNIORS! Where did the time go?!

All of these girls are our volunteers girls. Even in elementary school, they've won my heart over.

Dana and Keeley!

Three of my favorite pastors wives on the planet. How much do I love them? SO much.

My staff.

Then we added Greg. I will seriously miss these funny people. Such wonderful friends!

You really want each of these ladies prayer for you. What mighty warriors they are. I love them.

My parents. Of course I love them.

My favorite Sophie Girl. She's one of a kind.

Thank you, CBC, for all you are to me, for all you've given me and for letting me serve you all. Words could never express how much I love you. You will always be home to me. Keep serving and loving Jesus well. So much love to each and everyone of you.

iPhone Dump: I love Babies

The other day I told someone that my phone has been running really slow. I think it's due to the fact that I haven't updated it in a sweet forever, but then someone was looking through my pictures and not so gently exclaimed, "Lindsee, you're phone is running slow because you have 1,616 pictures on it!" That. Is. Ridiculous. Yet true. I am ashamed. That fact that I have enough pictures to categorize them into blog posts is enough evidence that I'm too addicted to that little camera. I guess it's time for another picture dump.

I am not close to becoming a mother, but one glance at the pictures on my phone and I think you'd realize quickly that I love children, especially babies. They fill my love tank the minute I look at them. There is just something about that tiny little human body that absolutely fascinates me. They are just a mini version of us. Sometimes my thoughts are very profound.

Lately, the babies have come in multitudes. They're everywhere! And I do everything I can to get my hands on them. I've been very successful.

Our friends, Becky and Daniel, went to serve on the mission field last year overseas. Upon arriving, they realized they were pregnant. With twins, nonetheless! So exciting! They prayed about different options as to what to do, and it was in their best interest, and the babies interest, to deliver in the US. Plus, they have two other kids already and although the thought of traveling wasn't fun, it just seemed like the wisest option to come back. They came home to do just that which made all of us very happy because that meant we got to love on them. And love on them we did. A few weeks ago the roomie and I headed over to their house to hold them. The best part about twins is there is more love to go around! We soaked up every minute with them. I'm secretly hoping I can hold them again before they head back overseas. I know they'd appreciate your prayers as they transition back to a foreign land with four kids! Becky is my hero.


Shortly after that, sweet Callie had baby Cami. Also her fourth child! Seriously, I need to hop on this bandwagon soon. It was my greatest delight to go visit Callie in the hospital and meet Baby Cami as she was only two days old. I hogged that baby. Sorry, Kelli! Callie makes me laugh so much and I love her to pieces. She is also supermom in my eyes.


Y'all might remember last year when I was living with my friend, Claire. Her husband was serving in Iraq so Mandy and I moved in with her to keep her company for that year. Well, Russell has been home safe and sound for a year (praise the Lord!) and surprise, baby Bradley is here safe and sound as well! He is six days old today and has stolen my heart. I had every intention of meeting him at the hospital, but I unfortunately left for San Antonio the day he entered the world and wasn't back in time before they went home. However, this morning I spent some much needed quality time with Mr. Bradley. I love his mommy, too, but Bradley won my heart over quickly.

It was love at first sight.

I imagine I'll be spending a lot of time with this little bundle of joy.

How could you NOT love that face? I'm in love.


Next up, baby number four for Ashley and crew. Can't wait!

Welcome to the world, little loves. We're SO glad y'all are here.