Called...

Let me give you a bit of background info before you read this. In the passage a demon possessed man comes to Jesus and asks him to heal him, this is what happens next:

Luke 8:32-39
"32 A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. 33 When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

34 When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, 35 and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 36 Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. 37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.

38 The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him."

Now when you read this passage you can't help but laugh at the image of demon possessed pigs drowning, I mean really?

Anyway- this was the passage that my dad preached out of this morning. In the end of the passage it says that the man from whom the demons had gone out comes to Jesus and begs to let him come with him. But Jesus replies, "Return home and tell how much God has done for you." Then the man does what Jesus commanded him to do, with no hesitation or questioning, he just goes.

One thing my dad pointed out is that the demon possessed man doesn't hesitate to ask Jesus to heal him, he doesn't care what Jesus does to him, he just wants to be healed. Now- how can this apply to our lives?

We have to ask Him to do what he wants with our lives, not caring what He does, because we know that whatever He does is for the good. But are we afraid of asking this? Are we afraid of giving up certain things because of our comfort? Are we afraid of letting go of our culture and move to another country? Are we hesitant in doing what God wants us to do in our lives?

Are we afraid of following God's calling for our life, and giving up everything for him?

Am I afraid of the thought that one day when I get older I am probably going to leave everything here, that I am used to and that I love, to love small children and change their lives by showing them the love of Christ in Rwanda? Why yes- sometimes the thought makes me scared or worried, but still I know that God is calling me to do this, even at the young age of 13, I know that God is calling me not to be here- but somewhere else- shining for him.

We have to give up everything, be fearless, and trust in God and his calling for our lives.

~Bailey

P.S. Mom and Dad, I hope you are ok with me moving to a different country later in life. Cause I probably will. Just sayin'.

Storing up treasures...

Ok, so I was browsing over blogs this morning(like I usually do) and came to this post on Storing Up Treasures. You should read it. I had an interesting day yesterday to say the least, and it sort of put me to rest.

I want you to read it so bad, that I'm gonna put the link below!

Storing Up Treasures...They Intoxicate Me

Aright...I'm done. But I might post later!

~Bailey

To my daddy- from his little girl

Dad-
I would love to wish you a very happy father's day today! You have done so many things for me...you know- like taking me to the ER, and to birthday parties, and buying me new shoes, and taking me to get a pedicure on my birthday. The list goes on and on! You have been a role model for me, and for so many others. No matter what is going on, you manage to always take care of me, Sonia, and the boys. You have raised me to be a Godly woman, and I thank you for that.


Thanks for teaching me everything I know.


Thanks for setting an example for me, by caring for others(Amanda) like she was your own daughter.


Thanks for introducing us to Fripp Island.


Thanks for being so much fun.
Thanks for everything. I love you more than you can imagine!

With Love- your little girl- Bailey Elizabeth

A glimpse at the Summer...

Now that school is out(here I come high school), most people would say, "Oh yes, summer is here! Now I can relax." Haha. Relax? What are you talking about? Our summer is probably crazier than during the school year. Please don't mistake me, our school year is busy too, but summer- INSANE! But it is still, with out a doubt, my favorite time of the year! If you would like a glimpse at my summer-

June 20-23: VBS at Rich Fork Baptist Church. I am helping with the card making track(go figure) and the nights I am not doing that I will be helping with Sonia's age group. It's kinda sad that she is big enough to go to VBS, but you know- life happens.

July 4-9: My brothers are going to Camp Caswell for church camp, my dad will be going this year also! This means that Sonia, my mom and I will be having a girl week, which I am hoping will include a trip to Build-A-Bear(yes- you read that correctly, and yes- I am almost 14)



Oh boys. That's all I'm gonna say. But I know that they will have so much fun!

July 18-22+24: My favorite week of the WHOLE summer- SUMMER WITH THE ARTS! I'm already on a countdown. Hehe. I absolutely love SWTA. This year I will be working with the 1 and 2 graders! I guess since I loved it so much when I was little, it's just so cool to see them and help them love and experience it also! The 24th is the musical production that we work on all week, which is extremely impressive.



All of my lovely students from last year! But I am so very sad when it all ends!

July 25-30: Youth camp for me. This year we are going to North Greenville for M*Fuge! And wow and am I excited, we went to the same camp last year, and it was AMAZING!



From left to right: Caylin, Me, Ruth Anna, Abbie, Paige, and Jessie.

August 6-13: OUR ANUAL TRIP TO FRIPP ISLAND!!!



EEEEKKK....I am sooo exicted! Fripp has to be one of my favorite places in the whole world! I just love being there!

Anyway- There you have it! I glimpse at my fun summer! All of the weeks(3) that we don't have things planned, will be spent at the pool and friend's houses! I hope that your summer will be as awesome as ours!

Thanks for reading- Bailey

Amanda and Nick Land's wedding!

Me and my gorgeous sissy!


Daddy and Amanda!


Me and Daddy!


Do you think they want to have alot of kids?


Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Adam Land!


Blow a kiss to the groom!


Having fun with Mardi Gras masks!


All of the Bridesmaids and the BEAUTIFUL bride!


JUST KIDDING!

So Amanda and Nick are officially married! Still kinda hard to believe that my sister is married! Yippee!!! All I can say is that it was absolutely gorgeous as you have seen in the pictures and that my sissy Amanda, was the prettiest bride ever. The end.

Amanda and Nick- I can't wait to see what God has in store for you and your family you will have one day. I know that he will use you in so many ways to serve him. Thanks for always being there for me. I love you both so much and can't tell you how happy I am for both of you!

Thanks- Bailey

An exciting weekend!

*(this is not going to be a long post- at all)

Do you remember this post? Amanda, who that post was written about is getting married this weekend! Yesterday was the rehearsal, and today is the BIG day! We went to do nails on Thursday, and I still haven't messed them up! I am so stinkin' excited! I will try to post about the wedding on Monday or Tuesday, because I have a Sunday School pool party tomorrow! My weekend is just a little but crazy, but thats ok, cause it will be really fun! Sorry for the lack of posts, but I might even have pics of the wedding to post- but you will have to come back and see!

I love you Amanda- and I can't believe you are actually getting married! I am so grateful to have you and Nick in my life!

~Thanks~Bailey~Philippians 4:13~

In the summertime

In the summer time, I love the smell of salt water at the beach.
In the summer time, I love jumping into the pool- wondering if its cold or warm.
In the summer time, I love lathering sun-screen on my skin.
In the summer time, I love playing STAR, or racing my brothers across the pool(I always win).
In the summer time, I love my birthday.
In the summer time, I love camp.
In the summer time, I love Summer with the Arts.
In the summer time, I love to catch fire flies in the front yard.
In the summer time, I love to stay up late talking with my BFFs when they sleep over, because I don't have to get up early for school in the morning.
In the summer time, I love watching the sun rise through my arched window above my bed.
In the summer time, I love hot days at the pool.
In the summer time, I love getting up and after eating breakfast spending time in God's word.

How does God bless us with all these things in the summer time? How does he bless us with the ocean, and the beach? How does he bless us with the sun rise, and great friends to spend long, hot days with? How does he bless us with all of these things, when we are sinners and have fallen short of the glory of God?

His mercy amazes me. So as a write this and look out the dining room window, to see the green grass(or weeds, whichever one you want to call it), the flowers, and the cloudless blue sky, I sit in awe of the mercy that he shows to us, so we can be blessed by what he has made for us to enjoy.

Romans 8:39- "Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creationm will be able to separate is from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

~Thanks~ Little Miss Thing(aka Bailey)~Philippians 4:13~