Remember.. only you can prevent forest fires

"Remember... Only you can prevent forest fires" a famous slogan coined in 1947 by Smokey the Bear, the mascot of the United States Forest Service. The ad was created to motivate American persons to take personal responsibility for preventing forest fires. Today the slogan has stood the test of time, but has it worked? Well a current static states that 9 out 0f 10 fires are causes by the carelessness of Americans and could have been prevented. What?? After all these years and all of smokey's hard work, us Americans still don't get it?

I have found through observations that most Americans when presented with problems we tend to look the other way and assume that someone else will fix it. We believe that America is perfect, bad things don't happen here and as long as we have our Starbucks Latte in the morning and series of reality TV shows at night we are content. Every day on the news, radio, papers, magazines, Facebook, blogs... etc we encounter issues such as teen suicide, homelessness, abortion, human trafficking, poverty, crime, political mayhem .. I could go on. Daily Christians socialize with non-believers at work, school, in stores and restaurants, on the internet, but do we strive to communicate the gospel? Many of us know the current forecasts for uprising generation, that only 4% of us are predicted to grow up to be Bible based believers. Currently 35% of the adults in charge are Bible based believers and look what has happened under their rule.

There are forest fires burning all around us. While we keep looking the other way expecting someone else to put them out; not realizing that we are getting burned. Reality is only you can choose to prevent forest fires, reality is Jesus was one man, there were only 12 disciples; Gandhi, Martian Luther King Jr, Mother Teresa, were individuals who understood if they did not strive for change, who would?

Believers stop looking for someone to do what we are created to do. All throughout the New Testament, Christians went against the grain to implement change and bring to gospel to non believers. When did we loose that zest and zeal to do the same? You would think that after all these years and numerous Christian's hard work we would have gotten it. But still 9 out 10 fires could have been prevented and are started by careless Americans. Jesus doesn't need you to change to world, He could do it Himself, but He wants to use you. Are you willing? Only YOU can make that choice.

John 21:15-23

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

spiritual shape

Wow. My time here at the Hope House is coming to and end. I thought that four weeks would go by fast, but it just seems that I came here yesterday. God has showed me so much during my stay here at the home. It's been such a blessing to work with people in the house and girls who have come through during my time here.

For the past two weeks after all the transitions there has been one girl here at the home. The house can hold four girls, but we just got a new resident director so we are getting adjusted before more girls come. It's been an interesting, but great time to be here at the house. I so glad that I get to see some of changes that are coming to the home. Last week our new case manager and resident director stared working, and I can already see God at work in the house. I can know that Hope House is going to be a an even more powerful tool that God uses to crush Satan's plan to ruin these girls. Ah, I am sooo excited!

One thought that God has put heavy on my heart while I have been gone is being in "spiritual shape" If you know me, you know that I am advocate of physical fitness and staying healthy. One of my hobbies is working out. Some of my friends would also call me a health nut.. but I tend to say that I eat everything in moderation. In my book it's soo important for us to exercise regularly and eat good to maintain a healthy mind and body. We just functions better when our bodies are fed the right things and we exercise regularly. Of course we know that it's great for us to do so.. but we always do not find time or make the smartest food choices. One funny thought, there are tons of doctors who tell their patients to exercises and eat smart but don't do it themselves!

Just like it is so important for us to keep our bodies in check physically. It's even more important to stay in shape spiritually. Just as exercise and right nutrition keeps our bodies healthy, so it is the same for staying spiritually healthy. Prior to coming to the Hope House, I struggled with a lot was studying my Bible and spending "quality" time with God. The change of location brought a new and fresh urgency to press further into God's presence and study his word. I knew that it was high time for me to lace up my tennis shoes and get back into spiritual shape. Of course getting into physical shape is not an over night process, neither is getting into spiritual shape. One trip to gym is not going to do it, neither will one prayer session and couple Bible verses do the trick. Getting into shape is not a fun or easy task. It takes hard work, time, willingness and dedication.. but it's soo worth it! Getting into spiritual shape will enhance your relationship with Jesus like no other. It strengthens our Holy Spirit sensors and sharpens our ears to hear what God wants us to do. Also not to mention the Word of is our sword, and weapon against Satan's attacks (Ephesians 6:17) We will not be in ready to fight attacks from the enemy unless we are in shape spiritually! That means studying and reading our word daily!

This verse really spoke to me "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." -Isaiah 40:31
Getting into God's presence and diving in your Word will defiantly put you in spiritual shape! There is no other way to strengthen your effectiveness and power in life. Jesus wants us to seek him at all times! Want to go from "couch" to 5k, read your word and press into God's presence! Get into Spiritual Shape and see the results and benefits appear!

loving the least of these

Jesus tells us above all else love God and love others. This the is greatest commandment that God give us.

Here at the Hope House due to safety reasons we are presently in a bit of transition with the girls. We currently have one girl in house and later this week she will be moving on to another Christian program. Then a another girl will be coming back in the home for good and not leaving! PTL. :) So things have been a little crazy around the house, but it's been such a blessing just to be here and be used by God. The girl who is currently in the house right now is very bit of 12..ha! Moody, wants attention, silly, crazy, and is has a really sweet personality. The poor thing has been going through a lot of changes/transitions during the past week and is just mentally tired. Within a week she found out that she had to leave the Hope House, was told she could not go back home (it's a good thing, her mom knows she needs more help and restoration) and discovered she is going to a totally different program (one that has a uniform, does not allow make up, jewelry.. ect.) Soo.. at the house we are trying to get to her ready to leave, make sure she has the right things to bring, go through her stuff, clean, take her doctors visits and did I mention clean? Since she has been through a lot changes during the last week and had a lot of decisions made for her lately, shes been a bit frustrated (to say the least). Her frustrations come out through fits of anger(anger is a very lite way to describe what happens). Then 20 minutes later she feels horrible about getting so mad and saying ugly things. She knows that Jesus is bigger than her anger and is praying for Him to help her over come it.

Well, we all know that when someone gets mad at you and says ugly things to you it's really hard to show love back. I learned that above all else my job inside and outside of the home is to show and model Christ's love. Even when the girl gets mad and says very ugly things to me and about me. I know she doesn't mean it and more than anything she needs me to show Christ's love. I know that she shows so much anger on the outside because she was hurt so bad in the inside. Even when she is mad, when I look at her all I can see is Jesus. In spite of her fits of anger and 12 year old immaturity Jesus made her and loves her dearly. When we love and serve others, it's actually Jesus that we are serving and loving. Every time we touch the heart of another, we are reaching the heart of God also.

Today I was reminded of this teaching:

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' - Matthew 25:31-46

wow, whens the last time you touched the heart of God by serving "the least of these?"

hope house after a week

Yesterday I had a little bit of free time so I adventured to the farmers market in Asheville. It's huge!!! I mean the Pitt county farmer's market is like a 1/4 of it's size. I heard that the honey was very good, so I did a little taste testing. I tried several different kinds of honey. My favorite was the sour wood?? I had never of it before, but I walked away with a huge jar. :-D I got to eat the farmer's market restaurant called the Moose Cafe. I got a egg and cheese biscuit and they served me sweet tea in a mason jar! It was too cute! Still waiting for a chance to go hiking with someone and I hope to get to do downtown Asheville at some point...

There is never been a dull moment living at the home. One minute everyone is happy and it's peaceful then the next some one's mad and upset! Coming to the hope house I did not have many expectations of what life would be like living here, but one things for sure it's never boring. Yesterday (Friday) was pretty fun I got the chance to take one of girls to the Fun Depot in Asheville. We raced go carts and then ate super at Red Lobster. Later that night we came home made chocolate cake and made up silly rhythms. This is one we made...toddlers terrify trebling tigers.. She is leaving today to go to another program, so we decided to do something fun on her last day here. The thing that is soo cool about her is that she really wants change and knows that God is real. She has past filled with drugs, murder, and sex trafficking.. and she's only 15 but she knows who Jesus is and that He has forgiven her. It's awesome to see how God is really transformed her life and restored her some much already!

It makes me so mad that men take advantage of these girls at ages or as young as 11 or 12 and force them to have sex with other men so they can earn profit. Sex Trafficking is growing problem worldwide, but also in America. Did you know that North Carolina is the ranked 8th for highest rates of minor domestic sex trafficking in the nation! It is so high because of highways 70, 40 and 64 that run right through our state. At many of the truck stops along the highways is where you can find these girls trapped and used at the expense of an other's buck. Wow, talk about it happening in our own back yard. But check this, Hope House was the first faith based home in the nation to open up for these girls who are victims. What the Hope House is doing is absolutly amazing and I am so glad to be apart of the process. I can't wait to see what else Jesus is going to do with this ministry. I know that one day there will many Hope Houses across America.


In case some of you all were wondering what goes on in the home here is an sample:

Here is the daily schedule of the girls:

9-9:30am Shower, get dressed and ready for the day
9:30-10am Devotionals
10-3pm school (with a lunch break at 12pm)
3-5 Life Skills, gym, and rec activities
6-9 Free Time and Supper
9-9:30 Pear Time (talk time)
9-10:30 Free Time
10:30pm Quiet time in own bedroom

"work" and my GPS!

sooo... I'm sure everyone is kind of wondering what I am actually doing while I am here at the Hope House. I know that from Facebook it may seem that I am doing no "work." I am currently interning here at the home and my job is to relieve the resident director and the other workers in home. As you can imagine working in safe home for girls who are victims of sex trafficking is no easy job. Living where you work can be extremely hard and it takes a special person for that job. The goal of the home is create a Christian home atmosphere for the girls. Every morning when they wake up there is an option for devotional and then they start home school work. In the afternoon they can have visitors and do activities, like the other day they went to a marshal arts class. My role in all of this is be like a big sister to girls, hang out with them, and be there if they want to talk. I technical do not start working until 3pm, but really if you are in the home it's important to always be available. So yea, nothing too exciting yet.. but it's only day 3 so we will see what happens.






the room that I am staying in!!

I got myself a GPS before I came here... I love that little electronic! Haven't named it yet.. any ideas? It's really has come in handy! Since I am very unfamiliar with area, I totally rely on the GPS's for guidance. Whether it's for food, going to the house, or where ever! I would be totally lost without it.. yea I am not too good with maps either.. so I am sticking to the GPS. It also has all these cool choices like I can save locations, look for shopping or food places.. love it!



My little GPS reminds me of how important it is trust and follow God with our life's direction. For example, me in the mountains without a GPS would be like a life without God. I would end up lost, tired, hungry, and out of gas.. ha, needless to say without God's direction we end up unsatisfied, confused and totally LOST! God is be our guide, He is our personal navigation system that has our destination pre-programmed. All we have to do is hit it "Go!" and listen to the Navigator's voice. God will direct you where he wants you, but you have to be willing to listen and follow. My GPS would not be much help at alll if I refused to drive my car! Just like my GPS shows how to get from point A to point B; God does the same for us. If you are unsure of why you are here, or where you are going..maybe it's time to rely on God for guidance and stop using your own map! After alll.. it says "seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path is to take" Proverbs 3:6

Ajusting

Soo...Monday mid day I left Greenville and headed toward the mountains for my months stay at the Hope House. The drive was easy, not much traffic and no road work I arrived at the home close to supper time safe and sound. The home is very nice and comfy, four bedrooms, and three bathrooms. For now I am staying downstairs in room all to myself until the other intern leaves in a couple of weeks. The scenery up here is beautiful! Yesterday was easy day with girls, everyone was in good mood and went about the day peacefully. When dealing with victims of sex trafficking you never know what to expect and you take one day at a time (so that's what I have been told). My schedule allows me time in the mornings to explore and go out until around 3pm. Yesterday I explored the YMCA and downtown Hendersonville. I ate a yummy veggie sandwich at a place called the mountain deli and bought some peaches and apples at a local market. I cannot wait to go out and explore some more. A couple of things I want to do while I am here is hike and visit the Asheville farmers market. I am getting used the system of living at the home and the schedule of the girls. One of prayers is that I will find favor with girls and they will feel able to open up to me. I have already been able to bond and talk with them quite a bit. I have been playing speed (the card game) with one, and of course she is kicking my butt! I think of Mary Beth and Jenny while I am playing and how they showed me up over spring break at the beach. Well now that I have been getting plenty of practice and will have to play them when I get back.

Surprisingly enough, one of the girls opened up to tell me some of her story last night. It's so sad that she has experienced so much at such a young age. I can't begin to tell you some of things I have already learned and heard. They are just kids, that have been robbed of their childhood. It's such damaging problem, but thank God that Jesus is big enough to take care of it. I think of the Youthquake girls and how I would feel if any of this ever happened to them. The thought is heart wrenching. I think that's how Jesus feels about every little girl it happens to.

Youthquake is tonight and it's weird to think that I really won't be there. I love all the Youthquake students and I will continue to lift up the leaders, Chris, and students in prayer everyday. I may not be there in the physical but I am defiantly there in spirit.

Home for a Month

Please pray for me! I am going to serve at, Hope House, a home that restores girls who are victims of domestic sex trafficking through the love and power of Jesus Christ. The home is located near Asheville, NC and currently has three girls that I will be living and working with everyday. I am leaving July 26th and returning August 20th! Please continue to keep Youthquake students in your prayers during my time of absence. The website for the home is http://www.hopehousenc.com/. Also I will be blogging while I am gone; my blog website is http://annahasideas.blogspot.com/. Thank you so much, I know that your prayers make a difference! I am going to miss everyone in Greenville, but I know that this is what the Lord has for me during this time! Thank you for all your love and support. :)

Precious

Tonight Chris and I watched Breanna's swim meet. She swims for the Brook Valley Country Club Swim Team aka the Barracudas. You can tell she really enjoys it! Bre even placed 2nd in her free style heat, Go Bre! One thing that I learned, is that in swimming there is a lot of down time between heats. Well that's okay with me, because I enjoy the social factor of being sport spectator. In between heats I overheard Bre's friend and her talking. She was telling Bre about her friends "concerns" about her grandfather's heart surgery. Her friend was worried about Jesus falling out during of her granddad's open heart during the surgery! Too cute! Don't you just love how a child's brain literally imagines Jesus hanging out inside of our hearts.. love it! She didn't want Him to fall out of her Grandfathers while in surgery. In this girl's mind she pictures Jesus (Jerusalem cruisers and all) hanging out inside our hearts after we get saved!

If only us adults understood what this girl does.. If only we recognized that Jesus is with us all time (dwelling in our hearts). With that mindset, just think how we would act different.. hmm. Sin would be a whole lot easier to turn down ..we would have no doubt and believe..we be a lot nicer, kinder, never feel alone, gossip less, talk bout Jesus more, maybe worry less and pray a whole lot more, be courageous and have no fear. Well if you do remember Jesus is fan of child like faith.

Matthew 18:3 "unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven"

Child like faith... hmm so is Jesus is in your heart? If so please remember Hes there and make sure He doesn't fall out. :)

Update!

Wow, I can say that I have been horrible about updating this, but life has been crazy these past couple of months! Well let me give you some highlights of what has happen thus far this summer:

May 28th - got engaged to my high school sweet heart Chris Smith! (yay) at the Biltmore Estate in Ashville, NC. It was the perfect place and the perfect proposal! We are getting married August 6th 2011!! We are just now starting to get all the wedding stuff together. Ginny Corbett is going to photograph our wedding.. so exciting. She does amazing work and she loves Jesus, how could it get any better? So far we have not picked a place to have the wedding or reception.. we want a nice place, without having to pay a fortune for it!



Us on our engagement day, in the Biltmore Gardens!



Chris and I after a long day of Mt. Biking


June 4th and 5th - Hope House orientation! The next weekend I went back to Ashville again, this time for my Hope House orientation and to spend some quality time with Dad. Hope House is a home near Ashville, NC that restores domestic (meaning from America) minor (under 18) girls, who are victims of sex trafficking/prostitution. Through the power of Jesus these girls are brought to full rehabilitation! The girls at the home are from America and are both under 16! I am going in just a few short weeks to serve at the Hope House for a whole month. Sex trafficking is growing problem world wide, it happens right here in our home town of Greenville. Sadly restoration homes for the victims are few and far between, just a couple years ago there was only 50 beds in America for victims! Yikes!



Dad at Cragmont, he said that he always wanted to go, so I took him!

June 18th - Georgina's shower! Mary Beth, Jenny and I threw her a wedding shower! What fun that was! One of my best friends Georgina McGlawhorn is getting married July 17 to Alex Greer and I could not be more happy for her! They truly make a great match! It is just soo hard to believe that one of best friends will be married in less than a month, wow how time flys. It just a reminder that we are all growing up and no one is getting younger.

So that's the latest update of what's been going on in the life of Anna, not too interesting but it's fun! I'll be sure to post some more before I leave for Youth Quest and Ashville!

Spontaneous

Ever heard the saying the best and sweetest experiences in life are often unplanned and totally unexpected? I personally LOVE surprises. For example just last Monday my wonderful boy friend, Chris showed up at my house and SURPRISED me with flowers. :-D Totally made my day and best part was I had no idea until he showed up. Now, I say that I love surprises, but at heart I am a planner. My calender and agenda for the most part is organized with times, dates, and places to be. Last night I had the privilege along with Mary Beth, Jenny, and Karla Williams to plan the Youthquake girl's sleepover/going away party for Sam and Hayli (two amazing girls who are part of the Youthquake family). Needless to say the sleepover was a blast! We played Bunco, made desserts, learned the "Hoe Down Throw Down," made up our own music videos..ect. After all of those activities it was only 11:30pm and by then the girls were hanging out, chatting and listening to music. When a couple of girls starting singing and playing worship music in the living room. I walked in thinking to myself, "okay so what are we going to do next?" My previous thoughts for the night were just to hang out, let the girls bond and not really have a devotional. But if the opportunity persented itself Ms. Karla was going to share her testimony. Haha, I was wrong. Before I knew it the couple of girls singing, turned into the entire group spontaneously worshiping Jesus! We spent about an hour sitting together in the living room with nothing but an IPod, simply singing to our King! Following worship Ms. Karla shared her beautiful story of how Christ transformed her life, and we were all deeply touched. The best part about this whole experience was, it was totally and entirely unplanned or expected. It was a surprise. The best and most rememberable memories are not planned or rehearsed. It's the unrequested and spontaneous moments that leave a lastly impact on our heart. We had no idea Jesus was going to show up in such a sweet way until he was already there! Thanks Jesus, for being spontaneous, you know us girls love surprises. :)

'just praying to god that don't believe in'

Lyrics of the hit song Breakeven by The Script

This is a popular song that can be heard on Bob 933, the top 20 Countdown.. ect. More importantly this song describes the cry of a generation.

The lyrics of the song remind of a story found in Acts 17:16-32
In the story, Paul's ministry has led him to Athens, a city he describes as full of idols and dedicated to many different gods. During one of Paul's debates with some philosophers concerning the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he was pulled away to Council of Philosophers who wanted to know more about his strange claim. As he opened his statements to the council, he noted that among the many alters and shrines in Athens, there was one alter dedicated "to an unknown god." Paul recognized that they had been worshiping God without knowing who he is and it was his job to tell them!

This generation, longs for the real experence with God. Humans are designed to commune with God and our soul will never be content until we do so. Most modern Americans are like the people of Athens, praying to an unknown god. They recognize there is a God, but they don't believe that he is able or willing to touch their life's. They know they are missing something, but know one has told them what. Many want to believe, but do not know how. God is very real and alive, but are his people? The reality of this is, God will remain unknown to many, until his people realize it is our job to tell them the Good News.