Travel Diary: Entry 1

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 2019

Dear Travel Diary,
  I just got home from South Carolina!  It was my first time in that state and it was so much fun!  Let me explain why I went:
  So my dad works for a company that restores water slides.  The owner of the company is my best friend's dad... and basically their whole family is really close to my family.  So... since this job requires quite a bit of traveling, between our two families we've went on quite a few trips; some together! 
  This time, most of the owner's family (they have twelve kids.  Yes... twelve) were in Florida headed to South Carolina next.  Their oldest daughter was planning on driving down there to meet up with them for a week and then they would all drive back together.  They had already been gone for about four weeks so I was really missing them.  When I was asked if I wanted to come along for the week I, of course, said yes!  I went to Michigan with them this past summer and it was a blast so I knew South Carolina would be fun too. 
  So, bright and early Saturday morning we left and drove to South Carolina.  We would be staying at Ocean Lakes Family Campground in Myrtle Beach where the crew was working on the water slides.

The camp had these three crosses set up right in front of the beach and I thought they were so neat!

  I packed for warm weather but most of the week it was cloudy, foggy, or just not very warm at all.  Well, I guess I should say it wasn't hot.  It was nice weather but I definitely didn't have any use for my swimsuit that I had packed!  But... it was definitely a lot warmer than Missouri so that was a plus!  AND... our house had a great view of the ocean!  We got up early twice to watch the sunrise.  It was absolutely beautiful one morning and the other it was really foggy.  But I thought the foggy morning was pretty too.  Something about not being able to see into that cloudy mist and thinking that we were basically surrounded by a cloud is pretty cool. 

The "non foggy" morning ♥

  We walked on the beach many times and I got my feet wet a couple times (once by accident).  It was definitely way too cold to go swimming! 
  We went to the Nature Center at the camp and got our own private tour because no one else was there.  Since it was the middle of the week and in winter no one but old people were there at the time.  At the Nature Center we got to pet an alligator (a small one, don't worry) and see lots of other cool animals, including a little turtle that kept staring at me! 

  We went to the Arcade twice and, while I'm not one to get super into arcades, it was pretty fun!  Especially because, the first time, no one else was there except us!  We had the whole thing to ourselves!

  On Valentine's Day us girls dressed in pink or red and went to the beach to take some pictures.  You gotta document the trip right??

  I just love road trips... especially one to a new place.  I can now cross South Carolina off of the list of states I've been to.  Thank you Cooper's for including me in your trip!  It was a fun week! 
-Abbi

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." -Saint Augustine

"For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up
in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." Psalm 91:11-12

A beautiful sunset in South Carolina

My Favorite Bible Verse

 Hello! Today, I want to talk about my favorite Bible verse. Most Christians have a favorite verse and I think whatever it is says a lot about you and your personality. I have lots of verses that I love but one that has always stuck out to me is this one:

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Now, if you just read that once, you'd probably think about how God loves you so much that He was willing to die for you. And yes, that's true. But if you read it again, then maybe you'll notice how it also says "While we were still sinners". Jesus died for us while we were still sinners! Think about that for a minute. How cool is that?! I mean, it's cool that He would die for the people that love and obey Him but how much cooler that He died for sinners too?? We're all sinners. Not one of us is without sin. If Jesus would have died for only those without sin... there would have been no point to his death on the cross. He died to pay the price for the sins that we have committed.

Not obeying your parents, fighting with a sibling or a friend, being prideful, angry, lazy, or greedy, having a god other than Jesus, using the Lord's name in vain, murder, hate, adultery, sexual immorality, homosexuality, stealing, dishonesty, deceit, boasting, and lustfulness are all sins that the Bible warns us of. And because Jesus died to pay the price for our sins, we can be forgiven if we repent of our sins and ask Jesus to come into our lives. I'm not saying that Jesus will forgive you of your sins and you'll never sin again. Definitely not! But I am saying that Jesus will forgive you and if you give your life to Him, read His Word, and obey it then you will learn how to live a life pleasing to God. This still doesn't mean you'll never sin. You will, because you're human and it's been that way since Adam and Eve. But with God guiding you, you will be a better person than you were because God is the one leading you!

And that leads me to my second point. If God could die for us while we were still sinners, then shouldn't we be able to love our enemies as well as our friends? So often, we want to avoid the people we don't like because it makes us uncomfortable or it's not as fun as being with the people you do like. But God didn't come to Earth to hang out with all the people who had lived their lives for Him. No, He came to be with the sinnners and to save them. He didn't spend all of His time with the religious people. He spent it with tax collectors (Zacchaeus), trouble makers (Saul), and the sick (lepers, the blind, crippled, paralyzed, etc.). So if we strive to be like Christ, shouldn't we not shy away from sinners and others whom we don't want anything to do with? Shouldn't we go to them and tell them the good news? How Jesus loves them and can forgive them? How they can live their lives for Him and one day go to be with Him in heaven?

I wonder why, we as Christians, don't spread the news of Christ everywhere we go. The cashier at the grocery store or fast food drive-through, the waiter at a restaurant, your classmates, the person you accidentally bump into in public, the stranger who opens the door for you, your boss, coworkers, and Uber driver. There are so many opportunities to spread the good news, especially through social media. We should take advantage of these opportunities and use them to shine a light for Christ. We need to love our enemies the way Jesus loves His. We need to set an example of love for those who have been deceived by all of the judgment that so called "Christians" throw at them. We need to speak out boldly of the love of Christ to everyone around us and not be ashamed of the gospel.

These are things that I need to work on. And maybe you do too. I hope that, in some way, this encouraged you to go tell the next stranger you see that Jesus loves them. We tend to be afraid to do these things because we're scared of what people will think. Well, let me remind you of something: Don't be afraid of what other people think of you. Worry about what God thinks. How you can please Him. Because, when the day of judgment comes, no one else's opinion is going to matter... except God's.

"When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw Him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked His disciples: 'Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?'

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" Mark 2:16-17

"You have heard that is was said, ''Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?" Matthew 5:43-47

End It

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." -Anne Frank

  Hey there!  Did you know that Thursday, February seventh is Shine a Light on Slavery Day?  If you want to read more about modern day slavery go to my blog post titled "Dressember".  You'll also find out why I wore a dress every single day of December!  So, back to this Thursday:

  There are more than forty million slaves in the world today!  So on Thursday, people like you and me are helping raise awareness of this fact by drawing a red X on our hand.  How does this help you may ask?  Well, awareness is step number one.  Someone may see that bright red X on your hand and ask you why it's there.  "Because I want the forty million people trapped in slavery to be free," you might reply. 

"Nothing happens just because we are aware, but nothing will ever happen until we are." -Gary Haugen

  You see, there are ways that everyone can help!  I'll list a few to get you started, but you can use your imagination too!

1. Join the End It Movement and draw a red X on your hand this Thursday to raise awareness.

2. Post a picture of your red X on social media using the hashtag #enditmovement.  Social media is a powerful way to raise awareness!

3. Educate yourself and do some research.  Use social media, the internet, books, etc.  We have so many resources; use them!

4. Donate.  There are many organizations but here are a few: Dressember, IJM, and Operation Underground Railroad.

5. Fundraise.  There are so many different ways to fundraise.  And it can be fun!  Grab your friends to help you sell baked goods, things you've made, used clothes, and anything else you don't need that you could sell.  Donate the money you make.

6. Read books.  This is such a good way to learn more and you can pass the book on to someone else!  A good one I'd recommend is "Do Justly".  It's written by my cousin, Savannah Jane McCrary and it talks about injustices in the world today.  It also includes a list of 102 ways you can help!  You can find the book on Amazon or on Savanna's website at www.writtenonyourheart.weebly.com .

7. Participate in Dressember this December.  Even though it's almost a year away, you can still go ahead and commit to wearing a dress or tie every day of December to help raise awareness for human trafficking.  Go to my blog post titled "Dressember" for details.

8. PRAY!  Prayer is such a powerful thing that I think we take too lightly sometimes.  Don't ever underestimate the power of prayer.  God hears the small requests just as much as he hears the big ones.

  Drawing a red X on your hand is such a small and easy thing to do!  I hope you'll join me in this fight to End It.

"Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are." -Benjamin Franklin

"Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." Hebrews 13:3

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." Proverbs 31:8

Dear Jesus, Love Beth

Dear Jesus,

How are you?  I'm doing pretty good.  Life is cool.  Sometimes it's hard and weird though.  Sometimes I'm sad.  But more often than that, I'm happy.  I know you are right beside me all of the time and I remind myself of that whenever I'm having a hard day... which has been happening more often lately.  In life there's so much pressure to find a career, get married, and have kids.  Isn't there more to life than that?  What about traveling and seeing the beautiful world that you created?  What about finding my purpose?  What about living my life glorifying you?  Why are people always asking me about my love life?  Why can't I spend more time with my friends and that not be weird?  Why can't I always live in the moment?  Why can't I always be inspired?  These thoughts enter my head all. the. time.  I want to know what it is you have planned for me.  Patience is hard.

Love,

Beth

　

Dear Beth,

I'm good.  Thanks for asking.

Your questions are all normal.  Everyone has questions and doubts.  I am right beside you every. single. moment. of every single day.  Don't ever forget that.

Don't feel pressure from others.  My thoughts are what matter, not anyone else's.  Please me, and if others aren't happy then don't worry about it.

There is more to life than those things.  My plan for you exceeds anything that anyone else could ever plan for you.  I had my plan for you even before you were formed in the womb.  You have a purpose.  A purpose that is unique for you and only you.  And in my time, I will reveal that purpose.  It may not all be at once.  It may be gradually until, one day you look back and suddenly, it all becomes clear.  I've been shaping you for your purpose since before you were born.  Just keep living your life glorifying me.  Be a light in the midst of the darkness of the Earth.

You have a heart for travel.  I know that because I created you with a sense of adventure.  Follow me and you'll have an adventure of a lifetime.

You can be friends with anyone.  Don't live your life worrying about what others will think of you.  If you obey me and live your life for me then it's okay.  Don't worry.  I created humans to be friends with each other.  Don't forget to include the person who doesn't have friends or who is sitting alone.  Kindness is never a bad thing.

If you always lived in the moment and were always inspired, then you would never appreciate the joy of these things.  Sometimes, I will choose a specific moment to reveal to you how cool your life is or how much I love you.  Sometimes, I will use something as small as the birds chirping or sometimes as big as the night sky full of bright, shining stars to inspire you.  If you always felt that way, you would never appreciate the beauty of those moments.

And lastly, patience is hard.  You are human.  I would expect nothing more.  But remember me in the good times as well as the hard times.  I will teach you patience as you grow in life.  You will learn patience, wisdom, love, peace, and many more things that will all come in time.  Be patient, my child.

I love you more than you know.

Love,

Your Father

　

Dear Jesus,

I received your letter and it made me feel better.  Your words give me peace and fill me with joy.  I do have another question though.  Why doesn't everyone write to you?  Why doesn't everyone talk to you all the time?  It's really easy actually.  I just write down all of my thoughts and questions and you answer them.  Don't others realize how much you love them?  I have my hard days, there's no doubt about it, but talking to you is what makes it better!  Do others know this?  Should I tell them?

I love you.

Love,

Beth

　

Dear Beth,

I'm glad you're doing better.  But remember to be on your guard.  The enemy is always close by, waiting for you to drop you guard and then he will pounce on you.  Keep your eyes on me.

It is easy to talk to me.  But some people don't realize that.  They're scared to start.  They need someone to encourage them.  That is your job.  I want people to come to me.  I want them to know of my love for them.  I want to hear their thoughts the way you tell me yours.  You have to tell people about me.  You have to tell them that I love them so much.  And, in doing so, you may just change someone's life.  It makes me sad to see so many people who push my love away.  But you can help change that.  That is part of your purpose in life.  Spread the news of my love everywhere you can.

Don't lose hope.

Love,

Jesus

　

Dear Jesus,

That's sad that some people don't realize that you love them.  But there are so many people!  How can I tell everyone about you?  That sounds like such a big job!  Surely you've got the wrong person!  What can I do?  Please answer as soon as possible because I'm really worried about this.

Love,

Beth

　

Dear Beth,

I understand your worry.  But you have misunderstood.  This isn't just your job.  This is the job of everyone who loves me.  I know there are a lot of people.  I don't expect you to tell everyone on Earth about me.  Just as many people as you can.  Even if you're only able to tell one person that I love them, it's worth it.  I love each person so much.  I would die just for you, the way I did for everyone.  Every single person matters to me more than anyone knows.  Just tell one person.

I love you always.

Love,

Jesus.

　

Dear Jesus,

I told someone!  I told her that you love her!  It was easier than I thought... a little awkward at first, but totally worth it!  It made me feel so good too!  She said she is going to write to you!  I'm so excited!  Thank you for the encouragement.

I love you.

Love,

Beth

　

Dear Beth,

Good job!  The girl you talked to has been writing me.  I am so proud of you.  Now that you have told one, tell another.  Just focus on one person at a time and, if the opportunity arises, you may be telling more than one person.  Always trust in me and it will be alright.

And remember to write me about the good times as well as the bad.  You need me just as much on your good days as you do on the bad.

I love you, my child.

Love,

Jesus

　

  I wrote this correspondance between a girl named Beth and Jesus because I just got the idea in my head of writing Jesus a letter; of having Jesus as a pen pal.  I had many pen pals growing up and some of them have turned into my best friends.  Beth's questions came from my own mind and from other people's struggles that I have heard of.  I just started writing and this is was happened.  I hope you enjoyed it and I hope you realize that you really can talk to Jesus any time you want.  Sometimes it may take a while for His answer to come but He always hears you.  Remember that.  He wants to hear from you.

"The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry;" Psalm 34:15

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." 1 John 5:14

My Top Five Favorite Songs

Silver Falls, Oregon

  Hey peeps!  How's your week going so far?  A blizzard (basically ;P) hit us on Saturday so that's great.  I love snow but I think I'm ready for spring now (aka the reason for that beautiful picture above;)).  Anyways, today I'll be talking about my top five favorite songs.  I love music and I actually play the piano.  I tried the guitar out once and, as much as I would love to play it, I don't really think it's for me.  I also tried the banjo once but never really committed to it.  I do know the beginning to "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" on the violin!  I can play "Twinkle, twinkle" and... that's it!  Piano has always been the instrument for me I guess.  And while I'm by no means a pro at piano I try to keep practicing and learning new songs.  So let's get on with it!

   Number 1: "Old Friends" by Ben Rector

Ahhh!! This song gets me every time!  It gives you all the feels and is probably my number one favorite song.  Some people when listening to it may think it's a sad song but I don't really think so.  It reminds me of all the memories I've made over the years with my friends.  Yes, it also reminds me of the times I've cried because I miss my friends that live far away (shoutout to the Berkey's!) but more than that it reminds me of all the good times we've had together and the many more to come.  Definitely a good song and worth checking out!

  Number 2: "Dream Small" by Josh Wilson

This one is a good reminder to remember the small things.  I try to live my life in the moment and not let the simple things fly by because years from now we'll realize that it was the small things that brought us to where we are now.  As a person who has big dreams and is just a small person in this big world it reminds me to take a step back and take in the small things of life and not take them for granted.

  Number 3: "Be Brave" by Owl City

I had to have at least one Owl City song on this list right?  This one is by far my absolute favorite Owl City song and might just always be.  Of course I also love "Fireflies" and "New York City" but "Be Brave" just gives me the feels.  Go listen to it and you'll know what I mean!

  Number 4: "Adventure" by Matthew Parker

Honestly, I came across this song while searching YouTube for some traveling/wanderlust songs.  Last spring my family of ten went on a trip in an RV for my dad's work and we were gone for seven weeks!  So obviously, I had to have some adventure songs to listen to during that time.  Definitely a good one for anyone's adventure playlist!

   Number 5: "Sparrows" by Jason Gray

*sigh* This one is a good reminder that Jesus cares about each one of us so much.  If He cares about even the sparrows then how much more does He care about us?  The ones He created in His own image!  He created each one of us differently and came to earth to die for us while we were still sinners!  If that doesn't show His love for us then I don't know what does!

  And bonus because, duh: ANYTHING FROM THE GREATEST SHOWMAN!

I couldn't possibly make any list of my favorite songs without adding that!  It's a great movie with an even greater soundtrack!  Every single song is on my regular playlist and I don't think I'll ever get tired of them.  No, I don't listen to only those songs on repeat like I did when the movie first came out but I still listen to them quite a bit. ;)

  And there you have it.  My top five favorite songs right now.  I hope you check them out and love them just as much as I do!  Until next week!

  "The beautiful thing is, music can be like a time machine.  One song- the lyrics, the melody, the mood- can take you back to a moment in time like nothing else can." -Unknown

  Let me know your favorite songs and which one of these is your favorite in the comments below!

Why do we go to Church?

  Why do we go to church?  Have you ever asked yourself that question?  How would you answer if someone came up to you and asked that?  I mean, think about it.  Every Sunday we go to a designated building, we sing and then sit and listen to someone talk about some man that lived hundreds of years ago.  To a non-Christian that would sound crazy!  To anyone it would sound crazy... except for the fact that "that man" is Jesus.  He's not just anyone that we talk about every Sunday.  He's our Creater, our Savior, our Father, and our King.  He alone is worthy enough for us to take the time out of our week to praise and worship and learn more about Him. 

  The bible doesn't say that we have to go to church every Sunday in order to be a Christian.  But it does say in Hebrews 10:24-25: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching."  God wants us to gather together so that we may encourage each other in Him.  If we always kept to ourselves we may grow bored of our faith because we are not getting encouragement from other believers. 

  Jesus also says in Matthew 18:20: "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."  This is another reason why we go to church.  To gather together in Christ's name so that we can pray together and worship Him.  He is always with us and we should never forget that, but gathering with other believers can encourage us in our faith; bringing us closer to God in the process.

  So why the singing?  Well let me tell you... or better yet let the bible tell you: "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." (Colossians 3:16)  And also in Psalm 150:

"Praise the Lord.

Praise God in His sanctuary;

praise Him in His mighty heavens.

Praise Him for His acts of power;

praise Him for His surpassing greatness.

Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet,

praise Him with the harp and lyre,

praise Him with timbrel and dancing,

praise Him with the strings and pipe,

praise Him with the clash of cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord."

  I think singing is a great form of worship.  The music just really gets me in the zone for praising God.  I go to a little country church and, while we don't exactly have trumpets, dancing, and cymbals, we do sing and I enjoy it.  But what I really love is when I'm in my car and I turn on the radio or put my playlist on shuffle and that perfect song comes on.  That song that just really speaks to your heart.  I love turning the volume up and singing along or just listening and letting the words soak into my soul.  It's a wonderful feeling.

  So, why do I go to church?  To start my week off worshipping and learning more about my Savior.  The one who created me and came to earth to die and save me from my sins.  The one who loves me even when I mess up.  My Father. My King. 

  I would encourage you to gather with fellow believers around you and encourage each other in Jesus.  To worship God with your whole heart.  To block out any distractions and use that time to focus on God and God alone.  And don't just do it on Sundays!  Every day of every week, every second of every hour, remember that God is always with you.  He will never leave you.  He is worthy of your worship.  He alone is worthy.

  "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." Romans 10:17

　

  P.S. Today I was driving home and "Only Jesus" by Casting Crowns came on and it's so good! I definitely recommend checking it out!

P.P.S. Also, it snowed here in Missouri this past weekend!  Pictured above is some snow melting off the pine trees at my house.  It's beautiful isn't it?💙

"Stolen": A Book Review

  Hello friends!  So since it's National Human Trafficking Awarerness month I decided to do a book review on a book I just finished about a survivor of sex trafficking.  It's called "Stolen" by Katariina Rosenblatt with Cecil Murphey.  It is a true story about Katariina and how she was lured into a child trafficking ring but also how she escaped and turned her life around for the better.
  From the back cover: "Katariina Rosenblatt, LLM, PhD, is living proof of the promise she heard long ago at a Billy Graham crusade that God would never forsake her.  Katariina has a PhD in conflict analysis and resolution and an LLM graduate law degree in intercultural human rights, and she works closely with law enforcement agencies such as the FBI and Homeland Security to eliminate human slavery.  She also founded Stolen Ones- There Is H.O.P.E. For Me, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to freeing other victims of human trafficking..."

  This book really moved me and showed me how human trafficking really can happen anywhere.  Katariina was young and vulnerable.  She had grown up in an abusive household and she just wanted to be loved and that made her the perfect choice.  Recruiters for human trafficking will often show that they care for and love the victim in order to trick them into human trafficking.  That's why, when a young lady "befriended" Katariina and pretended she cared about and loved her, it was easy for her to fall into the trap of modern day slavery at the age of thirteen. 

  Fortunately, God had a plan for Katariina and is now using her story to help others trapped in human trafficking.  Just like He has a plan for you and me.  He had His perfect plan for us even before He formed us in the womb.  We just have to be willing to listen and follow Him.  I'm not saying it'll always be easy.  For sure no!  But it will be worth it because Jesus will be right beside us every step of the way, guiding us down the path we call life.

  I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about human trafficking.  It is very inspiring and informative but it's also filled with content that may be innappropriate for anyone under the age of thirteen.  I would recommend a parent's approval before reading this book if you are under the age of thirteen.

  "They [victims of modern day slavery] need a voice- a voice for the voiceless in our society." -Katariina Rosenblatt from her book: "Stolen"

  "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners," Isaiah 61:1

  "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8

  "For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to proser you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11