Loose Like A Feather.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” – John 8:36

Two weeks ago I received the wonderful news that my wounds from surgery had healed, and that I could now begin water therapy.  I immediately went to Target, bought a pair of goggles, dug up my swimsuit, and headed to the pool.

For those of you who know me, you know that I am a creature of the morning.  I love being up before the sun and I love to watch it rise.  Lucky for me, the swimming pool at the gym has a whole east-facing wall made of windows.  So two weeks ago I woke up at the beautiful hour of 4:30 am, made my favorite tea, scooped out some delicious key lime yogurt into a bowl, topped it off with some o-so-delicious coconut granola, and headed to the gym.  I was ecstatic when I entered the pool area and found all my best friends doing water aerobics and swimming laps.  And by best friends, I mean a pool full of 70+-year-old strangers who welcomed me into their morning routines with smiles, laughter, and friendly “good mornings”.  They all moved over so I could have a lane of my own.  All the wonderful little Grannies complimented me on my “bit out of place” two-piece swimsuit and I asked them where they found their killer water socks. 

As I swam my first lap, I immediately teleported back to childhood.  My childhood dream of becoming a mermaid instantly reignited in my soul.  I was reminded why I used to write all my papers and draw all my pictures of me as a mermaid, while all my peers drew pictures of astronauts and wrote stories about their dreams of becoming doctors.  I guess I’ve always had a bit of a free spirit :) With each stroke that sliced through the water and with each breath that filled my lungs, I kept tasting more and more freedom.  I became more and more thankful for the ability to move again.  I had missed physical activity and the freedom it provides my heart.  About halfway through my mermaid frolics and childhood reminiscing that Monday morning, the sun began to rise.  It was as if fire had taken over the whole sky… Flooding into the windows and capturing each of us in the pool.  Being the waterworks individual that I am, I couldn’t help but cry.  It’s as if my heart exploded with thankfulness for that moment, and that moment alone.  I was moving my legs again.  My lungs were working hard for me again.  My heart was beating in my chest.  My mind was free again.  My faith was that of a child again.  My feet were not confined by shoes.  My body was weightless in the sea around me.  My soul was given a new day that was flooding into that small room.  My new best friends were encouraging me and taking it in with me.  I was overcome by joy. 

It Was A Beautiful Day Indeed

I was brought back to reality as my vision blurred and my goggles were filled with salty tears.  I emptied them out into the pool and laughed through tears and smiled at the beauty of that moment.  There was nothing spectacular or monumental about that Monday morning… It was simply the fact that I allowed God to completely capture me in that moment.  To see Him in that sunrise and to realize that each day is truly a gift.  He had to startle me in such a way so that I could remember to rejoice with each new sunrise and to thank Him with each passing sunset… To not dread the days ahead, but rather to rejoice and seek His face throughout the craziness of this fleeting life.  From that day on, I have tried to spend more and more mornings in that pool.  I want to be startled and moved to tears with each new sunrise.  I want to remember why I’ve always wanted to be a mermaid.  I want to realize why I spent most of my life in my swimsuit with bare feet… Literally my mom said it was quite the fight trying to get me to wear shoes and change out of my swimsuit haha :) Most of all, I want to remember the freedom that comes with childhood.  The trust and the faith that are unwavering, and eyes that see each and every little thing as amazing and new.  

So I permitted my newfound thankfulness and awe to seep into each avenue of my life.  To try and show that same light I found in the sunrise to others that I crossed paths with.  Whether it was friends, family, or strangers, I wanted this little light to shine.  I thought of all of my little brothers and sisters in Uganda and Rwanda and how I can't wait to swim with them again.  I can't wait to fetch water with them as the sun rises in foreign lands.  I can't wait to play with them on a new playground at a new school when God provides us with each of those things.  I can't wait to hear about their hopes and dreams.  I can't wait to draw pictures and write stories about becoming mermaids, doctors, nurses, teachers, and athletes.  I can't wait to walk on dirt roads with our bare feet... Free as can be.  I can't wait to tell them that in just a few more weeks they will have brand new desks to learn from because a group of people, oceans away, believe in them and believe that they deserve the best.  I can't wait :) 

Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to the funding needed for the new desks!  We have almost met our goal amount of $1,500.  We are hoping to have the total amount within the next two weeks.  If you would still like to contribute, please visit our website at: 

http://www.raysofgrace.org/support

Like always, I pray that you find joy and fulfillment in each day.  I pray that you recognize Who fills your cup and how much abundance lies within the Maker's Hand.  His Grace is truly sufficient and His love is captivating.

I love you guys!

grace&love&joy,

britt :) 

Sanctified.

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” – 1 Thessalonians 5:23

This past week I’ve been learning how to unplug from life’s craziness and enter into genuine stillness… With God challenging me to truly remove myself from daily routines and enter into His calm presence.  The first thing He asked of me was to step away from the distraction of social media.  I immediately thought, “O God, I can’t do that because I need to keep everyone posted on what’s happening with Rays of Grace”.  And He followed up with, “Brittany, don’t you know I’m bigger than that?  I will provide you with people to help with that”.  So I deactivated Facebook and journeyed out to purchase a Polaroid camera.  I felt this deep desire to start seeing beauty in a way God needed me to see it.  To start capturing memories and moments that were sacred and not shared with the whole world.  So everyday since last Sunday, my eyes and heart have been opened to a fresh take on the same life I have been living for the last 23 years.

I’ve learned to talk less and write more.

I’ve learned that I’ve disappointed, let down, and hurt people.

I’ve learned to take ownership for my actions and apologize more.

I’ve learned how to face darkness and let in the light.

I’ve learned to write more letters and send less emails and texts.         

I’ve learned to turn off my music and write down more lyrics.

I’ve learned how to make my past my past.

(my old journals)

I’ve learned that I am not a savior, only a disciple of the One True King.

I’ve learned there’s a time for every purpose under heaven.

I’ve learned how to be quick to forgive and let go.

I’ve learned that it’s ok to have sucky days that just don’t go right.

I’ve learned that it’s freeing to stay in your pajamas all day, watching all your favorite movies and eating bags of Swedish Fish.

I’ve learned that it’s ok to let other people into my heart.

I’ve learned to listen to God more and complain to Him less.

I’ve learned how to slow down and cheer on others from the sideline.

I’ve learned that complete silence is a good thing.

I’ve learned to find peace by the bank of my favorite river.

I’ve learned to read more.

I’ve learned how to receive criticism with open hands.

I’ve learned that this life does not belong to me, but rather to God.

I’ve learned to crave the utter relief of no cell phone service or internet connection as I sit in the wilderness with the Lord.

I’ve learned how to shed layers of my heart that I never thought I would be able to let go of.

I’ve learned that sometimes the only thing that seems right in the world is going to Chik-fil-a with the best brother ever and ripping donuts in every parking lot we can find.

 I’ve learned how to be startled by the beauty of life every.single.day.

I’ve learned how to adventure more and keep track of time less.

I’ve learned how to visit more parks and swing on more swings under the darkness of night and a blanket of stars.

I’ve learned how to romp through more puddles of mud rather than keep my car clean.

I’ve learned to spend more mornings in this chair with a cup of tea.

I've learned that dirt roads provide more freedom than those that are paved.

I’ve learned how to live.

So as I’ve held onto less and let go of more, God has filled my cup with all of His goodness, mercy, and grace.  He has delivered me to a state of peace that I could only dream about in the past.  He has showed me that as soon as I put Him first, my troubles and doubts melt away.

As I’ve taken this week to pray BIG prayers for Rays of Grace, I have seen God show up in a BIG way.  He has sent me help in perfect timing.  He has sent me people that believe in Rays of Grace and are willing to do whatever it takes to help.  He has sent me friends to help with a documentary, fundraising, on the ground volunteering, design help, website help, social media help, and so much more.  As God continues to nurture and grow ROG, I begin to see His hand more and more.  He has scaled back the overwhelming reality of building a full-blown school and has brought more tangible goals into site. 

Our current project: New desks for 310 students

Goal Amount: $1,500

Costs: Wood for the desks, labor to build them, and delivery of the desks to the school.

Donate by check or credit card (every little bit counts!): http://www.raysofgrace.org/support

Our School!  

Thank you so much for taking the time to hang out with me for a bit of your Sunday.  I pray that you seek God with your whole heart, this day and everyday, so that you can understand His purpose in your life.  The process to being sanctified sometimes requires the painful removal of certain things in our lives.  I can’t promise that it will be an easy process… I’ve learned that it usually hurts a lot more than I would like it too.  But once we let go and let God flood each and every place in our hearts, grace and freedom begin to capture our souls :)

I want to leave you with my favorite quote of all time from one of my favorite movies EVER – Benjamin Button:

“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.” 

So good.  Go out and love and live because you are alive and you can :)

gracegracegrace&biglove,

britt :)