everything made stormy

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.  For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.  Romans 8:18-22

Recently, some storms have ripped through the Southeast. It's not uncommon for us to get some nasty weather during the summer, but I cannot recall ever getting stuff like this week after week.

Last night, 11 Georgians died because of the storms and more than 150 Alabamans were taken. Friends' hometowns were demolished. Friends' siblings were barely missed.

Here's a chilling video of a tornado ripping through Ringgold, Georgia. 
 
It's never easy to see people we love and people we don't even know go through something like this. Whether it's a tsunami in Japan, earthquake in Haiti, or tornadoes in the US, there is hope. Just like we are broken, creation is broken. We broke it. Thankfully, we have a Savior who has and is and will always redeem us. Through the brokenness, people are helping those in need. Through the brokenness, people are recovering and rebuilding. Through the brokenness, broken hearts and weary souls are gaining rest.

Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:23-25

Jesus came to restore His broken creation. He restored it to God. It's amazing that God's glory is seen in the brokenness being restored. OUR brokenness being restored. Though we continually slap God in the face and spit on the cross, He comes running to us when we turn to Him. 

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Romans 8:26- 30

everything made BABY!!

She's here!! My niece is here!!

I don't remember if I ever talked about my sister being pregnant on my other blog, but I know I posted tons about it on Facebook and Twitter.

After some very difficult labor and a long delivery, God blessed us with Miss Ellesey May! Born at 5:38pm on April 26, 2011 at 6lbs. 9oz. and 19 inches long.

It's amazing how after so much pain, something so beautiful happens. I hope that Miss E helps mom and dad forget about the struggles from this pregnancy. 

Our lives are forever changed, and I cannot wait to get to know this little girl!!

Please, post your prayers for baby and new mommy and daddy!

Welcome to world, Little Miss!

everything made Costa Rican!

I'm going to Costa Rica in July! I'll be there for a week to 8 days.

I am imploring you for your help.

Here is my support letter:

Click on the DONATE button on the left hand of the page to give.


Greetings!

This summer, July 19/20-26, I will have the honor of going on a Mission Trip to Costa Rica. I am very excited about the trip and want to share this opportunity with you and your family. Here are a few things that we are planning to accomplish as we are ministering:

• Ministering to girls and women who have been sold into slave trade;
• Visiting area schools & taking food to feed them;
• Visiting nursing homes;
• Going into different villages & ministering to families;
• Visiting a teenage boys’ home & have service with them. Buy pizza and play games with them;
• Visit an orphanage & spend time with the kids and babies;
• We will visit the local radio station and talk live to the community in Turrialba about Christ;
• We will probably do a baptism in the river with local pastors;
• We have service every night with the locals; ministering & sharing the gospel; and
• We will be taking clothes, Crocs, & glasses to those in need.

I am praying that God will use me in great ways to minister to the lost and help those in need. Here is how I need you and your family to help me. I desire for you to begin praying for me now. I want to be a vessel that God can work through. I desire to see Jesus save through this trip!

I will also need your financial help. The trip will cost at least $1,500.00. I will be trying to raise all of that money through sponsors and fundraisers. Please ask God how much you could give for this trip. The need is great and I want to help in any way I can to the people there. If you can contribute, it will be tax deductable. You can make the check out to The Journey Church (my home church) with Jennifer Chapman/ Costa Rica on the memo line and the money will be disbursed correctly.  If you can contribute, I need the 1st $250 by this Friday as we are trying to secure the best price possible for airline tickets. Please know that every little bit helps! Even seemingly small gift could pay for a checked bag.

If you would like to see what is going on in Costa Rica missions, go to: http://www.whosyourcoach.org/ and look at the Why Costa Rica video at the bottom of the 1st page. Again, this is a great opportunity to minister and I pray that you will join with me in this endeavor. Please pray above all else. May you and your family be blessed!

Please contact me should you have any questions or concerns.

**MESSAGE ME FOR MY CONTACT INFO**

Blessings to you!

Jennifer Chapman

everything made new

A fresh start!

I would first like to thank Shana at Titanium Lizard for the beautiful design of this blog. I gave her some ideas of what I wanted, and she turned those ideas into an awesome reality.

Next, I'd like to thank you, reader! You may not know it, but you're the reason I want to do better. I started my first blog when I went to Canada, and I continued it through Germany and beyond. It morphed into something I never expected it to, but that's not to say I don't love it. It will still be around for you to check out.

I have a new focus, though:

• to highlight what it's like living on mission for God;
• to make you laugh and cry with me (or at me as far as laughing goes);
• to inspire you to look outside yourself and to God for your identity in Christ and to others to serve;
• to let you in on what life is like in a missional community;
• to tell you stories of what it's like being a single gal going to a wonderful church full of married people and their kids; and
• to be who I am despite myself and because of God.

I do hope you'll stick around for a while.