Access Life Expo

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Last Saturday I got an amazing opportunity to volunteer as a "buddy" at the Access Life Expo for people with disabilities.  The East Tennessee location was held at Cherokee Dam.  My friend Maddie who is the president of Sub Debs, a club I am in, got some of us involved easily since her mom was one of the lead coordinators. 

Some girls came and worked the game station for an hour or so throughout the day, and a couple of us were there from 8:30-2:00 to be with a buddy.

We were thankful for a beautiful, warm, and sunny day out on the lake to have some fun with these kids and adults!

When each participant was matched up with their buddy, they got to walk through a tunnel we made while their name was announced and we all cheered.  This is Abby and Connar with their buddy Hannah, age 9.

As soon as I saw this cutie walking up, I could feel it inside that she is who I wanted to be my buddy!

Connar and Abby double-teamed with Hannah. I wasinpressed by her painting!

"An S for Sarah and a cross for Jesus."

Sarah is a member of the Sunshine Ambassadors, a dance group for people with disabilities. They have several locations around East Tennessee, and have classes to attend and go places like this expo!

Since we were out by the lake, one of the activities was a float boat ride!  This was Sarah's favorite part. She also got to "drive."

These are just a few of the stations that were her favorties.  There were also snacks, archery, coloring, crafts, fishing, kayaking, crafts, prayer tables, bracelets, fingernails, and more!

There was also a section of animals to pet and play with.

The furs kept the girls entertained as they chased each other around with them like they were real!

Golf and fishing were a it more of a challenge, but it was still so much fun!

It is such a blessing to serve.  There is no feeling that compares to loving someone and not expecting anything back.  However, you usually end up getting something back, something more valuable than money can buy or you can acquire on your own.  God will fill you with that one-of-a-kind joy that He gives His servants and children.

 

Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"

Serving others is ultimately serving God.

"Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."  Matthew 19:14

Little children are so important to the Lord.

"And He said, 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoever welcomes one such child in My name welcomes Me."  Matthew 18:3-5

Children are the best example of how to approach God, totally humble, with that "childlike faith" in our Father who has the power to accomplish anything.

Matthew 5: Beatitudes, Salt, and Light

I've been reading in Matthew since the end of Christmas break, and chapter 5 has been blowing me away!  Sunday morning at church, Pastor Dean's sermon was even on chapter 5 (which I had no idea was coming in his messages), and I was thrilled!  I love learning more and more about my Lord.  When things happen, I don't call it "coincidence" but God's divine appointment.  He controls it all anyways.

In Jesus's Sermon on the Mount, The Beatitudes (or Be-Attitudes, as I like to think of them) are one of His beautiful messages.  Being blessed isn't just being happy, because happiness comes from the world.  Being blessed comes from the joy and peace experienced by those who have accepted Christ because that is what He gives.  Here Jesus mentions those who are humble and know their sins, the meek (not weak, but know they must depend on God and not themselves), those who desire to know Him, those who show mercy, those pure in heart, those who look to be at peace with all people, and those who a persecuted because they live for Him.  The end of this section says,

"Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven..."  (verse 12)

Through every circumstance, thick or thin, sky-high or valley-low, God blesses His children.  We can always be optimistic because He is saving a place for us in heaven.

In John 14:1-2, Jesus also says, "Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in Me.  In My Father's house there are many rooms; if it were not so, I would not have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you."

The only way to personally be able to experience and understand these blessings, joy, and peace, and to have your eternal home in heaven is through a relationship with Christ.  "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me."  John 14:6

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

 

The next section of Matthew 5 is more of Jesus teaching from the Sermon on the Mount.  To many people this would not make much sense.  --Why is He talking about salt and light?  That's food flavoring and light.--There is so much deeper meaning to it than that! 

 

When other things are added to salt, it makes it less salty, loses its flavor.  This same thing happens when Christians let impurities come into their lives.  They are less useful for the Lord; they lose their purpose for being "salty."  God is the shaker, and we are the salt He uses to go into the world.

 

When we accept Christ, He puts a light inside our souls.  Not a light to be covered, but a light to be shined into the darkness!  This isn't to shine our light so people can see "Makenzie's light," but so that they may see "God's light shining through Makenzie" and desire that same relationship with Christ.  The joy of the Lord can uplift anyone's spirit at any time, in any circumstance if you just allow Him into your heart!

Back to School Verses of Encouragement

Back around New Years, I picked out some Bible verses that I wanted to focus on when I'm getting back into the swing of school and regular schedules, and I wanted to share them, too!

These are the Bible verses that I have written and placed in the front page of the binder that I plan to keep with me during the school day.  Often times, I need an encouragement to keep me positive and focused, and God's Word never fails!

 

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of his world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing, and perfect will."  Romans 12:2

 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers, whatever is true...noble...right...pure...lovely...admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.  Whatever you have learned...put it into practice."  Philippians 4:6-9

 

"Be happy, young one, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth..."  Ecclesiastes 11:9 (I used this verse for a decoration the other day, too)

 

"He will have no fear of bad news; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord."  Psalm 112:7

 

"Be very careful to keep the commandment and the law...to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to obey His commands, to hold fast to Him and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul."  Joshua 22:5

 

"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom...and whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father..."  Colossians 3:16-17

 

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving."  Colossians 3:23-24

 

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace..."  Colossians 4:5

 

"Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and He will come near to you.  Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded...Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.  Brothers, do not slander one another...There is only one Lawgiver and one Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy.  But you--who are you to judge your neighbor?"
James 4:7-8, 10-12

 

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me...Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me."
Psalm 51:10, 12

 

"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols.  I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws...I will be your God...I will save you from all your uncleanness."  Ezekiel 36:25-29

 

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:  to look after orphans and widows and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."  James 1:27

 

I hope these verses are as uplifting to you in your days as they are for me!

 

 

"Not I, But the Grace of God.."

A few weeks ago, I got a message from my coach saying that our top 5 girls need to be at the Knox News Sentinel between such and such times on that Wednesday for pictures.  "Makenzie needs to be there at 5:45 and wear her shoes and uniform for runner of the year photos."  Well I was totally confused.  This whole thing went right over my head.

  First off, I thought it was that day (Monday), and I could not figure out why I was the only one who needed shoes and a uniform and a specific time either.  So here I was, at home by myself, calling to no avail my parents that would not answer.  I was freaking out because I thought that we had to leave for Knoxville in the next few minutes, but no one was going to be home to leave.  So a few minutes later I went back and very carefully re-read the message from Coach Farmer.  Oh.  "Thank goodness; it's Wednesday, not today," I thought.  "OH MY! WHAT? OH MAN! OH MAN!" was about all the words that would come out.  Yeah, that said runner of the year.  I finally realized that I had been chosen for the PrepXtra Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year by the Knoxville News Sentinel, the main East Tennessee newspaper.

 

I remember being younger, just really getting into running, my dad would show me these guys and girls selected for this, and I would think, "Whoa, that would be the coolest thing!  These people are awesome!"  I never would have thought it would be me.  That's kinda why it took me so long to figure out what was going on when Farmer just flat-out told me.  I have always admired runners who receive awards like this and many others.

 

I knew this season was a blessing; more things happened than I would have ever imagined possible.  Winning a state championship by a very wide margin, for example.

 

God set all these things into action for one purpose, His purpose.  I always pray a lot for God to take my life and use me in whatever ways He sees fit for His glory.  He has presented so many opportunities for our team to be in situations for others to see Him working through us.  "Nothing is impossible with God."  (Luke 1:37)  We worked so hard all season with the goal of a championship on our mind, pushing us forward from race to race.  More importantly than everything, we had faith in God that He would prepare us for whatever we may be challenged with.  Yes, there were painful days, sickness and soreness, defeats in races, and competition within the team.  All of that made us stronger.  I believe that God brought the girls, families, and coaches of our team together to encourage each other to be bold in sharing what we are here for.  We have been given talents by God and for God.  We must "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for [us] in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

 

I cannot find words to say how blessed I am to have this opportunity to share with so many others how God gives so much strength, rewards the faithful, and is just flat-out good and loving.

It's not me; it's Him at work.

 

Like I had said earlier in the season, one of my all-time favorite Bible verses of this season is

1 Corinthians 15:10, "By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect.  No, I worked hard...yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me."

That's why I titled this post with part of that verse.  It just means so much to me and is a daily reminder of why God's word tells us to be humble.  "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."  1 Corinthians 6:19-20.  I am not my own.  Another way to  put the verse above (Luke 1:37)--without God, I can do nothing.  “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing."  John 15:5

There is a piece of the article on my school system's Facebook page, and the whole thing is in the Knox News Sentinel.

My coach, Raymond Farmer, was also one of the two selected for Coach of the Year.

 

(The other 4 girls from our team were on the PrepXtra first team.  They got an individual picture taken and placed in the sports section with around 10 other girls from the area.  That Wednesday, I did the same photo and went to the pro photographer for the pictured-above shoot.)

Not Quite "Love/Hate Relationship" with Storms

Everyone experiences different hardships in their life.  We may see some as much worse or much more menial than others, but they all affect us in our own way.  Praying for each girl on the cross country team last night, I had this neat analogy pop in my mind.

When I was a little girl, I hated storms; I feared tham like crazy.  I would cry and be so afraid.  When I woud have problems, pains, or things going wrong or not my way, I would worry, get angry, make worse decisions out of selfishness, and have a bad attitude all around. 
Now that I'm older, I don't always like when bad weather storms come, but they don't scare me; they are actually interesting and entertaining.  I find ways to enjoy myself and make the most of the change in atmosphere.  In the same way, as I have matured in my faith, I have come to appreciate the storms in my life, becuase I know that God sent them to "make all things work together for" my good (Romans 8:28).  I may not like the interruption that the difficulty may bring, but I have the power to go through it knowing the end result will be better than the beginning.  "The end of a matter is better than the beginning and patience better than pride."  Ecclesiates 7:8  I have learned to (at least give it my best shot to) be joyful in all circumstances, look for the good, make the most of every moment, and appreciate the low moments there to keep me humble, as well as the high moments.

If you are down in a rut, I encourage you to listen to this song by Casting Crowns called Praise You in this Storm.

1 Corinthians

Parts of this book have been hitting me hard as I make my way through the chapters.  I really liked chapter 4, titled Apostles of Christ.  It humbled me, and that is what I needed with school starting and the cross country season getting into full swing.
"I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court...it is The Lord who judges me." 1 Corinthians 4:3-4
This is what Paul said speaking of himself.  This is how I also should live because when we are in Christ, we are not held under human's judgment.  We are all sinner, and God is the only one who knows everything to the very depths, therefore He is the only one who can make sound judgments.  When we are living for Christ, we don't have to worry about what others say about us.
"For who makes you different from anyone else?  What do you have that you did not receive?  And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?"  1 Corinthians 4:7
This book tells a lot about how we are not our own, but that we belong to Christ.  I would be nothing without Him.  I am a human being, sinner, like everyone else.  Everything I have, every possession, talent, opportunity, and just life is a gift from God.  There is no reason for me to be proud or boast in anything.  Everything I have was given to me, I did not earn it.  So when people see me out in the world, I want them to be able to see God's work being done, not attention being drawn to me.
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?   You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body."  1 Corinthians 6:19-20
I was given the Holy Spirit to live in me and guide me.  I was bought by Christ at the price of death on a cross; that is what has given me everything I have, not my own works.  God gave me this body and my abilities to be a tool for Him, so this really hits me as a runner.  Every race, people see me running.  They are watching how I respond to situations.  I want everything I say and do to be pointing to the One who gave me the ability.  To honor God with my body in this situation would be to give everything I have to do my best and let Him take care of the rest.  My attitude will show people His love.  I must use every step of my life to reflect who He is, and stay humble; He gives me all I truly need.  My goal is to lift Him higher.