All means... ALL right?

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. - (KJV)

Have you ever been through a time in life where you read this verse and you say does ALL really mean me.. or this... or what about death? I have been through times when I question the ALL in this verse. However time and time again I see it to be worked out as true in the lives of those I love. It is amazing to me to watch friends and family make steps in their lives toward what God has for them and it makes me more thrilled to see them do it in the face of difficult odds or against what "the World" would say they do. Ponder on this verse today and find that thing that God is calling you to and know that even if it might seem illogical to you, if GOD Is the one calling you to it... he will make ALL things work for GOOD!!

Easter Weekend

Getting Ready for all the Kids to Come with their Baskets!!

They are so excited lining up ... can`t wait to get baskets full of eggs... over 10,000 all around!! And now the HUNT!!!!!

What a exciting Easter Weekend. So much happening around DC with the Cherry Blossoms and Easter Activities everywhere. Saturday we had lots of fun getting the kids out even through we had some rain we still had a blast. I love being a part of blessing the community in so many different ways!!

Extra Special Day

After a super busy weekend with Good Friday Services, and Easter Saturday Services, My family was able to get a great awaited surprise!! My younger sister Jackie was engaged!! Jackie and Justin have been together for almost 7 years... kinda Biblical isn`t it!! He for sure worked for her!! I am posting a few pics of the event!!

Below is where he purpose... this is a gloomy day when I took the picture but it was nice and sunny when he asked her!! Great place!!

Jackie and Justin and of course Henry.. this is a family already!! Jackie and Justin were able to sit while family and friends toasted to the new journey they were about to start together!!

The siblings all got together... what a great day! So excited...

The Goodness of Good Friday

Today we are remembering the Good Friday that changed our lives forever. Today is the day that Jesus took all of our sins and up on the cross the placed them and with his blood covered them. I am so grateful that I have been saved by such a wonderful Savior. Today you want to say so much but I am always just struck by the depth of the day and mostly find myself reflecting on a time where we remember the new beginning he gave each one of us on the Cross. Thank you just doesn`t seem to be enough today!! I will follow you and give up my life in return seems about right... when is the last time you told Jesus... ITS ALL YOURS.. you gave it to me do what you will with my life Lord that I might serve you MORE!!

On the Left......

Today in my travels around town I was struck by the "on the left" concept here in the city. Most people that travel in DC or other major cities know if you are on a escalator if you are just riding you should stand on the right because the mover and shakers are coming on the left to get where they are going. Weeks like this when people from all over the nation are coming to DC for the Cherry Blossom Festival the "on the left" concept gets lost often times. Today as I saw lots of field trips and big groups trying to get around today I was thinking about how we often live our lives. So often I know I live my life "on the left" it is so important to get to the next location I have to run up the already moving stairs. Do we take the time to stand on the right and see the life that is passing by. Today I was challenged to take my time and step to the right every now and then to see what amazing things God is doing in my life. Have you taken the time to enjoy the stage in life you are in? Are you always looking for the next thing, are you always running on the already moving platform of your life? Take some time today and get on the right and see what you can see!!

1/2 Way Point!!

March is the half way point for us here at NCC with the Protege program. After this week will be on the back end of our 12 months here with this amazing team learning and growing. It has been a experience I would have never expected to have and we all know I have high expectations of everything God calls me to. To think in just 6 short months we have had the opportunity to be a part of so much and be under AMAZING teaching and leadership. I am grateful for the leadership skills and methods we are learning from out wonderful Pastoral Staff. Jason has had some great opportunities to speak, lead, and make new things happen. Next month we will be helping to run a large outreach that NCC does each year for the community for Easter. We are expecting 1500 to 2000 people to come out the Saturday before Easter to be blessed with Free games, food, and of course a Easter Egg Hunt.
This past week Jason had the opportunity to share at our 630 service at Ebz. I think we will have a link up soon to share with everyone. I will try to do better at posting every week, since it has been over 2 months since my last post.
Thank you again for all your prayers and support they are truly felt and we are excited about what God is doing in our lives through this opportunity.

Busy Weekend

Jason leading worship on Sunday Morning at Union Station!!
My Best Girls came all the way to DC to see my Man Preach!! Love Them!!

Jason pre-paring to deliver the WORD to the people!!!

Our great friends/family from the shore!! So grateful for them in our lives!!

Great worship at Ebz this weekend too!!!

This weekend was very busy and exciting. Jason had the chance to speak at NCC at our location at 6:30pm. We also had guest in town for that event such fun!! In addition to that on Saturday night Jason also led worship at Union station for all three services this morning. Just wanted to share some pictures.

Snowboarding

We enjoyed our time together and we were ready for a big dinner

after all day on the slopes!! Good times had by all!!

Jason was so kind, knew what he was doing and stayed with me on the bunny slopes after a crazy hour getting down the "real" mountain they attempted to get me on!!

This was the wonderful technique that I acquired while going down the "real" mountain. Crystal and I had a great time laughing at ME, and I am sure the guys on the ski lifts were entertained.

For Christmas this year the Ditch & Yost families decided we would make some memories instead of getting each other gifts. Well that we did for sure. Jason, Chris, and Crystal had all been snowboarding before where I had not. When we got there we were all so excited boarded up and warm as can be with all the layers and gear we had. To save the story I went down the bunny slope twice and then WE all decided I could handle a real mountain. Well as the pictures will show we all had fun... needless to say I stayed on the bunny hill the rest of the day and Jason taught me how to master the bunny hill!!!

New Year Goals

This year I have decided that my new years "resolutions" are really going to be New Years "Goals". Jason and I have sat down and categorized several areas as a family where we want to set "goals" for our 2009 year. I have been dong a lot of reflecting this first few weeks of 2009 to decide what this year will hold for me. The first goal of the new year was to pass my LGSW exam. This is the licensee that I need to continue in my current job and advance in a few years to a higher licensee. God was truly with me and I passed on January 5th!! So exciting!! Most excited that I do not have to study for another test for 2 years!! School officially over. Some of the other goals that Jason and I are excited about include Hawaii in 2011, paying off school now that its over, getting into a apartment in the city, and continuing to connect with new people and learning from them. It is amazing to sit back and see what God has done in just a year. It was just a year ago that Jason and I were starting to get a hit that God was calling us to move, do something different, and step out in faith. Not sure what that was at the time we started praying and fasting to seek the heart of God. In only 12 months he has placed us here at NCC and we are excited to see what he has for us this next 12 months!!