My kids...

This might come as a shock to some of you, but I have 2 little girls...one is 7 and one is 8. They are beautiful. Okay...okay...they aren't LITERALLY mine, but I do have the privilige of sponsoring them. A year and a half ago I received Leidy...she lives in Colombia. It has been such a blessing corresponding with her and viewing life through her lens. I received an updated picture on the year anniversary of my sponsorship and was amazed to see how she has grown. And she looked so happy! The letters I receive are precious...she calls me her godmother or pretty sponsor. Receiving letters from her warms my heart. As a single woman who doesn't necessarily feel together enough to have kids it is a blessing to pray for this child and watch her grow in the Lord. She has been the top of her class and is so proud of her accomplishments...she mails prayer requests for "Daddy God" and tells me tidbits about her life and family. I have never met Leidy, but hope to one day.

Meyrizza lives in Indonesia. I started sponsoring her in August. Little did I know when I embarked on a mission trip that I would have the opportunity to sponsor another child...and to meet her! She is beautiful. We met at a waterpark and were able to spend the afternoon together. At first she was so timid, but after splashing around in the water and communicating non-verbally the barriers came down. We walked through the park riding rides, playing games, and laughting at each other's antics. My heart soared...I learned that she loved pink and Strawberry Shortcake. She does not pray to "Daddy God" yet...her family is Muslim. She enjoys dancing and our outing was her first time at a waterpark. By the end of the afternoon her hand would constantly find mine as we walked to our next adventure. I was taken and look forward to corresponding with this precious one. I pray for her, that she will know and experience the love of her heavenly "Daddy".

At first I was cynical about sponsoring a child. Yet, the experience has been so rewarding. I care about my kids and their families. When I hear of news in Colombia or Indonesia my heart skips a beat and I find myself praying for them. It has taken me outside of my comfortable little world and into the life of a child. Interacting with them is so refreshing...their innocence and take on life despite their circumstances is a constant reminder that it isn't all about me. Luke 18:16 sums it up, "But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." If we help little children realize their importance in the eyes of their Father, what an impact that will make on the world. "Do not hinder them"...in many countries basic necessities are lacking in the lives of children. Removing physical barriers through child sponsorship and engaging through correspondence and prayer we have the opportunity of walking these precious ones to Jesus. Are you ready to experience a glimpse of the kingdom of God? The best view is through the eyes of a child.

Happy Birthday Frontline Arlington

Dedicated to Jason C.

Birthdays are a time to celebrate life. On Monday, February 11 ALIVE was the buzz word of the evening. Every Monday night I am at the same place...the Rosslyn Spectrum in Arlington, VA. A year ago the Frontline ministry of McLean Bible Church took a step of faith. As Todd shared in his sermon we "stepped away from the table." So much has happened in a year. Personally I have been blessed beyond measure through the staff, the small group ministry and the mission trip that I was a part of. I look back at my story and am in awe of all that God has done. And I am just one. The campus started with 250 people from our Tyson's campus. We are now typically over 500 strong...most services in overflow. Over 500 lives impacted with the message of God's love...over 500 lights walking out into the DC metro area sharing what we have experienced.

On Monday I sat with my Global Impact team. Sixteen of us went to Indonesia in August...sixteen lives forever intertwined. One of our team members was a new Christian when he signed up for our trip. I have been a Christian for 25 years and just went on my first foreign soil mission. Jason was a Christian for a few short weeks and stepped out in obedience. He was baptized Monday night during our one year celebration. The team had the privilige of being front and center. The campus pastor immersed him in the water with these words "dead to sin and raised to walk in newness of life." ALIVE. Eternally alive. The water did not change where Jason stands with God, yet the act is a celebration of the life he now lives.

Rewind back to the service...the worship was electric, the message was inspiring, but what sets Frontline Arlington apart is God's people. In a year we are beginning to understand the levity of the lives we live. We are engaging with each other through small groups, mission trips, service and corporate worship. We have taken our first steps away from the table and experienced the initial exhileration of firsts. What will next year's celebration look like? I pray that the firsts we have known this year will be but a memory. I pray that we will step forward with faith and run, not walk into the lives God has called us to share with. My devotion on Monday was from Joshua 3. This passage recounts the Israelites crossing the Jordan onto dry land. In verse 7 God makes His mission known..."I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel..." To the priests, I am sure the direction seemed crazy. They were to carry the ark of the covenant into the Jordan while the river was at flood stage. "Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away." Do you see it? God called them to step out...His presence (the ark of the covenant) was with them and as they were obedient His name was exalted. Just as He had parted the Red Sea for Moses, He stopped the rivers of the Jordan for Joshua. God wants to exalt you believer, He wants to make His name known through His divine power at work in your life. May next year's celebration include countless lives impacted by a campus fully engaged in the presence of God.