We Love: The story of the Jar.

Caitlin is 10 years old.
She greets me with a huge hug and a matching smile every Sunday morning.
She has the biggest, brightest, kindest, most compassionate heart.
Over the past few months, she's been working hard.
Washing cars, lemonade stands, collecting recycling, raking leaves, doing the dishes, and I can only imagine what else.
She's been working hard and saving her pennies.
Putting them in this jar.
On Sunday, she came running up to me (as usual) and handed me this glitter-covered jar. At first, I looked at it, thinking it was something her teachers had prompted her to bring to Sunday School. But after closer examination, I realized she was bringing her hard-earned money to contribute to our church-wide "We Love" offering that was happening that day at all three gatherings to help us raise money for our new space.
My heart melted.
Tears began to run down my cheeks. I was overwhelmed by the amount of sacrifice and generosity I was seeing from this 10 year old.
Nate said a number of times that it's not how much you bring, but how much it costs you.
This jar of change was everything to Caitlin.
It was all she had.
Do you remember being 10? A quarter was a big deal!
This jar was full of quarters.
This jar was a big deal.
I know that because of her ability to give up everything for God's glory, this little girl will live an incredibly blessed life. God will overwhelm her. I'm sure of it.
I realize to some, this jar doesn't look like much. Maybe $20 work of coins. But to this 10 year old, it was months and months of hard work and sacrifice.
What an example.
And the joy she had when she was giving it... We have a lot we can learn from 10 year olds like Caitlin.

Speak...

We talked on Sunday night at the Stirring about the least. Dan seriously threw down. No joke, that man has a heart for the least. I'm not sure about all of you out there in blog world, but the least can look very different for every person. When hearing that phrase, "the least" I think some see a homeless man, some see battered and bruised women, some see the addicts, and some see themselves. When I hear that phrase, I see children. Most of you know of my heart for children. I'm working my tail off right now to get my teaching credential so that I can make a difference in the lives of children for years to come (hopefully!). On any given Sunday night, you can find me hanging out with the kids, and I couldn't be happier. So I guess it makes sense that when I think of the least, I think of children. That's why I think it touches me so much to hear about Dan and Alyssa's story of the adoption of their two beautiful children Zeke and Sofia. I cry every time I hear this story. It touches my heart so much, and I am overwhelmed by the passion God has given me for these over looked and voiceless children. Monday night, some women at the Stirring put on an amazing night of worship geared toward the women serving at the Stirring. The entire time I'm on my knees worshiping God, and the faces of these children are burning in my mind. I find myself thinking about them all day. I lose myself in the dreams that I have for them. But where do I start? How do I go about changing the lives of these neglected children? I am continuously asking God this question, and tonight He told me to speak. That was it, that's all He gave me. Speak. So, against my better judgment, this blog is my first lame attempt at speaking. I'm not sure where it will get me, and I'm not sure if this is even what God wants, but I've got to start somewhere, right?

A bit about Emily-2-years-ago.

It's crazy, sometimes, to look back and realize just how far you've come. Many of you didn't know me two years ago, but if you did, you can attest to just how different I've become. It was only two years ago that I came to know Jesus. I was a 21 year old just living the day-to-day, not really sure why I was put on this out of control planet. I had been in a series of unsuccessful and semi-abusive relationships, lived with a number of discouraging and bitter roommates, and lived a rather self-destructive lifestyle. That all changed the day I went to my first Life Group. I still remember so many details... it was a Tuesday night, and I had just gotten out of my math class out at the college. Kristena Hayes literally dragged me to Meghan Edwardson's women's group, where I encountered God for the first time in my entire life. That night, I revealed secrets to complete strangers that I had never even admitted to my closest friends. I was blown away by the amount of love and support these women gave me, especially because I had JUST MET THEM! That night I struggled to forgive myself for the all of the bad decisions I had made, and began to find freedom from the bondage that had once tied me down. The Tuesday nights to follow were full of tears, laughter, some more tears, forgiveness, even MORE tears, and lots of love. The change wasn't overnight, but it wasn't until last night at the Stirring that I really saw for the first time just how far I've come. We talked about loving each other, and about how important forgiveness really is. Being able to love your enemies, and pray for the ones who have hurt you the most. Now, you see, the Emily-2-years-ago would have been weeping through the entire service. That Emily would have been struggling to forgive herself still, trying to come face-to-face with the consequences of her various poor decisions. The Emily-2-years-ago would have been finally stepping out of a very dark place, into the light... she would have been totally rocked by the idea of forgiveness. But last night, I realized that I've finally forgiven myself. God has always forgiven me, but I have finally forgiven MYSELF. There is really no better feeling in the world. I was able to pray for other women last night, who were dealing with the same things Emily-2-years-ago was dealing with. I was able to speak words of truth into them, and encourage them to break free of those lies. Last night, I was able to look back, and really appreciate how for God's taken me in the last two years. Some days I still struggle with the lies I once whole heatedly believed, but Emily-2-years-ago is gone. In her place stands a confident, loving, encouraging, free Emily. I don't even recognize that old Emily... she really has no place in this New life.

We Love...!

We love. from the Stirring on Vimeo.

This video will seriously change your life. It is part of the latest conversation we're having on Sunday nights at the Stirring. Awesome work Nate.