Diagon Alley

My second day in the Ukraine started very early when I woke up at five in the morning and was unable to go back to sleep. It turned out to be a blessing because I had a sweet friend message me about a very difficult situation she is facing right now. It is amazing that we are able to use modern technology in such a positive way. Although I am half way around the world I am still able to send some words of encouragement. (Although I can't exactly share who my friend is, it would mean so much if you could send some prayers for peace and strength during this tough time for her.)

Even though I downloaded five books in anticipation for the long trip over here, I didn't ever read a single sentence on the way because I felt so sick. This morning I had time to start reading "Abba's Child" by Brennan Manning, a book that my uncle recommended. The first chapter was about how we tend to not love ourselves the way we should and that is what hurts us the most.

A few of the excerpts from the chapter:

"Our courteous Lord does not want his servants to despair because they fall often and grievously; for our falling doesn't hinder him in loving us."

“Surrender your own poverty and acknowledge your nothingness to the Lord. Whether you understand it or not, God loves you, is present in you, lives in you, dwells in you, calls you, saves you and offers you an understanding and compassion which are like nothing you have ever found in a book or heard in a sermon.”

"Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us 'Beloved.' Being the Beloved constitutes the core truth of our existence."

Needless to say, although it was an early morning, it was a very refreshing and much needed quiet time after being on the go for so many days. I look forward to continuing this book in mornings to come!

Ann and Nadya woke up around eight. We had breakfast at the hotel and went on our way to the underground rail station just outside of our hotel. I was surprised how far down the escalator took us. The rail station we will travel to tomorrow is the farthest underground rail system in the world. It was very fast paced and crowded. Ann has been very good at keeping and eye on me and making sure my bag is protected from the many pickpockets in the city. We went a few stops to get to a market area where bus tours started. We were 45 minutes early but decided to wait on the bus to make sure we had good seats. I had my iPad with me so we passed the time taking pictures on photo booth. iPads are more advanced here and aren't as common so it was fun watching them enjoy something as simple as taking pictures and videos.

Once the bus tour started, Ann was able to translate what the tour guide was talking about. Although it was in the 70s outside, the bus became extremely hot and stuffy because they wouldn't use the air conditioning. Ann said this was very common because people will do whatever they can to save money. Our first stop was at an all female monastery where there are still practicing nuns who live there and young girls who are students there. Although it was in the middle of the city it felt like it was somewhere back in time with no city noise to drown out the serene atmosphere. No vehicles have ever entered the grounds of the monastery, which makes it hard to imagine how much more difficult it made it to do construction that way. There was a nun there who placed oil on our foreheads which was a sign of protection and a blessing.

Once we left the monastery we hit a lot of traffic, so we were very relieved once we got to a point close enough to walk back to the hotel. We ate lunch at McDonald's and then I went back to the room and took a long nap. We skyped with my mom and Yvonne while they were at work and told them about our day so far. (I don't know how they actually get work done being in the same office as each other haha).

We decided to head to dinner where I got to try some more Ukrainian food. After dinner we started our walk back to the hotel and the weather was perfect to be in. The atmosphere was so enjoyable and relaxing. They have closed down one of the main streets that runs in front of Independence Square (where our hotel is located) for the Euro Cup so it's quieter and more enjoyable without all of the cars. There were a couple of bands playing with people sitting to watch. The fountains in the square were lit up and synchronized to music, so we sat and enjoyed watching those for a little while. Afterwards we went and got some ice cream and went back to the hotel.

After we got to bed, Ann and I stayed awake talking about her time in America, which she remembers so vividly. She was telling me about a time that she baby sat my brothers and I, how she thought my Uncle Bert's name was "Bird", spending time at Possum Kingdom, and a summer vacation to Florida. She went on to ask about each member of my family and even all of my moms cousins and second cousins. She said that instead of reading bedtime fairy tales to Nadya, that she read her journal that she kept when in America and wrote every detail in, so all of these memories are vivid in her memory.

Today we have spent walking around in the city and finding souvenirs. I was able to get good keepsakes for myself and just about all of my gifts for family and friends. Instead of going on any tours, we walked through some of the city and down a historical street that they are in the process of renovating. This is where St. Andrews is said to have visited and built this church. The cathedral is built in a Baroque style.

St. Andrew's Cathedral

St. Andrew's Street

Nadya is becoming less and less shy, but Ann still has to encourage her to speak in English. Ann and I will have a conversation and after we finish talking Nadya will repeat back everything we said to Ann in Ukrainian. So although she understands, she doesn't yet have the confidence to speak English all of the time.

Ann is very interested in different slang and sayings that I use because it isn't anything in textbooks that she can teach. Phrases and words such as spic and span, LOL (laugh out loud) , gal, BFF (best friends forever), and stuck up were all new to her. Also, when I was redoing my ponytail I asked if I had any bumps, and she said that they call them "roosters".

We got on my iPad to find the location of a restaurant to see how far the walk would be and then went on to find Wichita Falls on google maps. We put it on satellite view so you could see houses and showed Nadya the places Ann was when she was there for a year. Then we got on Facebook and looked through different albums with family and also taught them about Deb and the traditions that go along with it.

The button to the elevator in the lobby is pointed upwards at a slant, so I joked with Nadya that it is the way to Diagon Alley. In the Harry Potter movies they transport to a place called "Diagon Alley", which is easily confused with "diagonally" and if said wrong, it will take you to a different place. So every time we push the button she laughs and says "Diagonally!" in her precious accent.

We continued shopping after dinner. A lot of shops are underground one level and are so small that you just look through the glass windows and don't enter. After you purchase something you pay the person through a small window. I assume it is this way for safety and to save money on rent. This underground passage way is also how most pedestrians travel so they can avoid crazy drivers. While I was purchasing a t-shirt from one of these shops, Ann translated for me. After I made the purchase Ann told me that the lady selling the shirts was saying that she could tell I was American because she felt a good energy and kind spirit. Ann said that many people feel this way about Americans.

Flower shops are all over the place

Traditional Ukrainian singers

Nadya is in a singing class and they mentioned to me that it would be helpful if I could find an American song for her to sing that was youthful. We spent about an hour going through my iPod listening to different artists. Every time Ann asked what genre a song was it would be country, so she said "I love country music!" Nadya's final choice was "The Show" by Lenka that was made popular in the movie Moneyball. We pulled up the lyrics and she is starting to learn the tune. I think by the end of the trip she will have it memorized and I will get a recording of her performing.

Tomorrow we have a lot planned for our last completely free day in Kiev. I am especially excited for the plans they have made for me in Zaporozhye between a play, symphony, circus, one of Nadya's rehearsals, and a very traditional Ukrainian ceremony.

Please be praying for my grandfather who has been having severe back and leg problems. He goes in for another doctor appointment on Thursday and then could possibly have surgery on Friday which would be ideal.

I am so thankful to be here learning about their culture and taking in so many new sights. It is truly a trip that I will always remember and the best is yet to come! Hope all is well half way around the world!

My heart, O God, is steadfast;
I will sing and make music with all my soul. -Psalm 108:1

I made it!

After four long flights and a few moments where I wasn't sure if I would be sick or not, I made it with all of my belongings to Kiev, Ukraine! Ann, her mother, Zoya, and her daughter, Nadya (who is twelve and a half), picked me up at the airport. I was so relieved and excited to see them! It took a little while to sink in that I was actually here with them because my anticipation was so great. At the airport we ran into one of Ann's students who she hadn't seen since 2004 and had just come back from Columbia, South Carolina (Ann is an English professor at a university in Zaporozhye).

At the airport I went to an ATM, they call it a "bankomat", to withdraw some of the local currency which is Hryvnya (you pronounce how it looks) in case my card wouldn't work. Once I felt well enough we grabbed a taxi to take into central Kiev where our hotel is.

As I started unpacking I was pulling out gifts I had brought for their family, so I went ahead and gave Nadya hers. We bought her some multicolored crayons, a sock monkey, and Littlest Pet Shop toys. Also, I was able to bring her Christmas present that was stolen from their post office. She loves Harry Potter so my mom bought her a book that is from page to screen about how the movies were made. She has been waiting since Christmas to receive it so you can imagine her excitement!

Once I showered and got freshened up we went into the city's square which our hotel is on. The Euro Cup is being hosted by Ukraine and Poland so the city is decked out with soccer, or I should say futbol, signs and tents. We are leaving the day before it starts so we will miss the crowds that the Euro Cup will bring in.

 This is statue that tells how far different cities all over the world are from Kiev - the one that is 7828 km is "Washington"

I had my first Ukrainian meal that consisted of a soup made from beets, garlic bread that was more cold and with what tasted like pickle juice on top, chicken with cheese, and potato wedges. It was very good and Ann said we would go to a better quality Ukrainian restaurant tomorrow, so I am looking forward to that.

Nadya has been speaking English very clearly and I am trying to speak slower and more proper English so she can better understand what I'm saying. Ann gets on to Nadya when she doesn't speak in English.

We're back at the hotel now about to go to sleep and rest up for a day of touring tomorrow. The hotel doesn't have air conditioning, but we have a balcony so we will leave it open during the night for a cool breeze. I'm enjoying the sounds of the city and people. I am already having a great time and am excited to explore and learn about the city of Kiev. I feel very lucky to have Ann with me because she is so knowledgeable and can explain details that most tourists wouldn't notice.

Pre-Trip

I can't believe that time has flown by so quickly, and my trip begins TOMORROW. After all of the preparation that has gone into these weeks to come it is finally here and it is surreal. For those of you who haven't been informed where I will be heading, my first leg of the trip will be to Ukraine, then I head to Romania, and I will finish up in Italy.

Ukraine: 

I can't say which portion of the trip I am most excited about because they will all be much different experiences, but going to Ukraine will be the most interesting because I'm not going with school, family, or a church. I am going to live with Ann and her family for two and a half weeks. Ann was a translator for my grandparents when they went to Russia around twenty years ago for a mission trip. Ann was saved when she heard the gospel while translating for them. My grandparents paid her way to come to Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls for a year once she was able to receive a student visa. Although I was only four, I remember the year that she was here and the time that she spent with our family. Thanks to technology, we have been able to keep in touch via email and, on special occasions, phone calls. I don't remember a single time that Ann forgot to wish me a happy birthday or our family a Merry Christmas, Happy Thanksgiving (which they don't celebrate), Happy Easter, or Happy New Year. She is the most thoughtful person I know and has such a strong faith. She always has encouraging words for our family when there is something going on. I am so excited to see what it is like to be a believer living in a completely different environment. After four flights, I will arrive in Kiev on Monday evening. Ann and her daughter, Nadya, will be riding a train for 12 hours from their home city Zaporozhye to stay a few nights in Kiev to sight see with me. Then we will ride a sleeper train to Zaporozhye where I will stay the remainder of the time until I have to catch my flight in Kiev to get to Bucharest on the 15th of June.

Romania:

In Romania I will be doing a mission trip with the Palo Duro Presbytery at an orphanage through NOROC (New Opportunities for Romanian Orphaned Children). My mom read about the trip in the church bulletin and it was so clear that this is where the Lord wanted me. It lined up almost perfectly with my family trip to Italy and it is within reasonable travel distance. This is my first mission trip and although I've felt somewhat unprepared I know that the Lord is sending me with what knowledge I have right now for a reason.

"Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." -1 Timothy 4:12

I really do believe that we are our biggest critics. I know it holds true for me, especially when it comes to my walk and when I doubt my ability to lead. The enemy knows that is one of my biggest weaknesses and uses that against me by filling me with doubt and fears of failing. I'm excited to say that although I still struggle with believing I am capable of witnessing to others, that I am done believing those lies. Since I have broken free from that hold I have become a Young Life and a Disciple Now leader, I'm going on a mission trip, and (the biggest one) I've started this blog! I am so excited to not only see how far I will be stretched and grown, but also what it looks like to preach the gospel to nonbelievers and people in a completely different setting than what I see on an average day.

Italy:

My grandparents take our entire family on trips every so often and this year they decided to go big by renting a house for two weeks in the Tuscany region of Italy. I will arrive a couple of days after the rest of my family on the evening of the 26th of June. This will be the more relaxing part of the trip, but there will definitely be a lot of learning and touring. The main places we will visit are Rome, Florence, and Milan. I'm most looking forward to seeing the fashion capital of the world, the Roman Colosseum, the Statue of David by Michelangelo, and the Last Supper by Da Vinci, but I honestly just can't wait to be there with my entire family!

The villa we will be staying at!

What I'm bringing:

-Minimal amount of clothes due to lack of luggage space
-Gifts for Ann's family (It is customary to give gifts to every member of the family that you are visiting)
-My new iPad (I've already downloaded: The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler, I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by Norman L. Geisler, The Magicians Nephew by C.S. Lewis, Abba's Child by Brennan Manning, and This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti)
-My grandfather's pocket bible that he would carry everywhere he went

What I'm leaving:

-Aggie Ring and all other nice jewelry (this will be the first time I've taken it off since I received it!)
-Worry/Stress ("Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." - Philippians 4:6)

My goals:

-Strengthen my relationship with the Lord
-Serve the Lord at all times, planned and unplanned opportunities ("The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives." -Psalm 37:23)
-finish my reading list
-pursue the Lord each day
-find good pieces of art

Before I close I want to ask something of you! If you could take a minute to pray for my trip and for each person I will encounter it would mean the world to me! I believe prayer is powerful and if I had people praying for me during this journey then great things can happen. Thank you!

"Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you." -2 Thessalonians 3:1

Work Week

Young Life has over twenty summer camps in the US. Each year before the summer kicks off, volunteers in Young Life from different areas go to the camps to get them ready for the summer. This year the Brazos Valley area YL was sent to Frontier Ranch just outside of Buena Vista, Colorado. Jobs ranged anywhere from cleaning rocks, clearing rocks, applying teak to interior and exterior of buildings, building new fences, clearing paths, and a kitchen crew to assist in feeding everyone working at the camp.

 This wasn't my first time to Frontier Ranch. I actually had gone as a camper in the summer of '08 with Wichita Falls area Young Life. As a camper, I had no idea how much work went into preparing the camp. I guess I just assumed that the grass stayed green, the wood always looked new, and paths were always rock free, so it was a really eye opening experience to get to see all of the work that actually goes into the camp.

There were only three of us from my YL Capernaum team that were able to make it to work week this year. For some reason or another, the Lord placed us up at the corral to work with the horses all week! This was an immediate blessing for me because I have grown up riding horses and hardly get the chance to ride because I'm away at school. Our week looked a bit different from most everybody else in that we were grooming the horses, cleaning saddles, and working on the barn. We worked with two wrangler interns who will be there the entire summer, one of whom who attends Midwestern State and is a leader in Wichita Falls. 

JC, Myself, and Haleigh

Travis, JC, Doc, Myself, Morgan, and Haleigh

Katniss (who I got to name) and Myself

Some of the construction being done

Majority of the Aggies that came with our group from Brazos Valley

It was a breathtaking view the whole time we were working and with weather that I would take any day over what I've spent my past few summers in as a lifeguard. A light jack and jeans were comfortable, but not necessary with the high never being over 80 degrees while we were there. Getting to enjoy God's creation while working for His name was such a beautiful gift and reminder that God is so big and generous.

"The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world." -Psalm 19:1-4

At the end of the week they told us that if they were to pay each worker for the 40+ hours we put in at minimum wage, the camp would have been writing $100,000 worth in checks. Although it was encouraging to see how much we helped the camp financially, it was more rewarding to see the way the Lord worked in each person at camp. Going to Work Week I had the mindset that I was getting to check off something good from my summer to-do list. After working throughout the week knowing that nothing I did was in vain, I was reminded of the true reason I was placed there.

"Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to." -Deuteronomy 15:10

"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" -Acts 20:35

I was slow but finally able to realize that it wasn't for my gain, but the Kingdom's gain that me and so many others dedicated this week to bettering the camp. It wasn't for my glory, but the Lord's. It is a blessing to know that the work I completed throughout the week will in one way or another bless a camper's time at Frontier Ranch.

To learn more about Young Life click here.

Young Life Capernaum

After being involved in a sorority freshman year and a business organization sophomore year, I decided to pursue an organization that would be more of a spiritual challenge and where I could better serve. I wasn't sure where to start, so I just looked into what I was already familiar with. I had been involved with Young Life in high school where I went to a weekly club and attended camp one summer in Colorado. Here in the Brazos Valley, Young Life is pretty big with 12 teams serving high schools, junior highs, teen moms, and people with special needs. In Young Life, there is a two year commitment and a semester of training. Because I was a junior and hadn't gone through training, I thought I would have to move on to look for another organization to join.

I have a friend from Wichita Falls that had been placed on Young Life Capernaum late in the spring semester of our sophomore year and he encouraged me to visit. They were going to be short on leaders because three would be graduating in December, so the two team leaders sat me down to see if I was really interested and willing to commit more than an ample amount of time each week to being on the team. After quite a few prayers and a meeting with the area director I was placed on Young Life Capernaum. For the first time in my life I was totally giving up my plans and decisions to the Lord and He blessed me so incredibly much by placing me on Capernaum.

Young Life Capernaum is a branch of Young Life that ministers to kids with special needs. I say "kids", but the ages of people who attend range from fourteen to upper sixties. As a leader, we have a couple of meetings each week along with contact work and club. Here's a small glimpse into what I am so extremely blessed and proud to be involved in:

Contact Work:

Contact work is one of my favorite parts of being on Capernaum because we are able to live life with our friends. Most of the kids in Capernaum are in a bowling league. They have practice every Tuesday night and an occasional tournament. This is a time for us Young Life leaders to go and cheer them on at practice and be able to talk to them about things going on in their lives.

Haley and Clay

Cassie and Dana

Stacie

Another opportunity we have to see our friends is at their schools. Our team goes to two local high schools that allow us to visit in the cafeteria, PE classes, and classrooms. This is a great opportunity for us to meet new kids and build our relationships for the ones that already come to Capernaum. At Bryan High, they have a coffee shop where special needs kids can work to help gain real world skills. All of the proceeds go to their program at school.

We are also able to hang out with our friends outside of school. Whether we go grab lunch, watch a movie or head to the park, it is mainly about spending time with each of them in a more one-on-one setting.

Jennifer and myself feeding ducks at the park

Polar Bear Camp:

Young Life typically takes kids to Polar Bear camp for a few days in the winter months. In January, we took our Capernaum friends for a weekend retreat. We stayed for two nights at a camp site just outside of Huntsville where we had different activities. Between club, talks, free time, skits, s'mores, and a carnival, our friends had an amazing time and were able to learn about our Father who loves us and finds each one of us so extremely precious. 

Janet, myself, and Carolyn

Juan

Dylan and Morgan

Carolyn

Chris and myself

Dylan got water balloon payback

Jolyn

Clay

John eating his first s'mores

Waiting on s'mores

Special Olympics:

This past weekend was the spring Special Olympics in Brenham, Texas. It was about an hour away for those driving from the Bryan/College Station area, but there were schools and groups from other areas as far as Houston. One of our friends in Capernaum, Dylan, had been calling me each day the entire week before the Special Olympics to make sure I was coming to see him in the softball throw and a 50 meter dash. They all get so excited to take part in such a big competition and be cheered on by friends and loved ones.
 

Showing off their muscles

Manuel

Stephen and Manuel

Receiving medals

Joey, myself, Shawn, and Joseph

Club:

Thursday nights are always my favorite nights of the week! This is the time that all of our friends get to gather for games, skits, worship, and a message given by a leader. We have a theme each week to make it a little more fun for our friends. Our prayer each week is not that we just make it a fun time for our friends, but that they see and learn that their heavenly Father wants a relationship with each one of them.

This semester I gave my first club talk. I had free reign on what I would get to share with the kids, so I decided to do something that I was (and still am) going through so that it would be more genuine... trusting in the Lord's plan and timing.

¹¹ "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29

Not that God takes the easy way out, but I feel like it was His way of killing two birds with one stone. Not only was it rewarding to share the truth that God tells us about His perfect plan, but my time of preparation taught me so much that I had skimmed over before. Although I feel the need to stress and worry about the changes and unknowns in my life, all I should do is give them up to the Lord because His plan is so much bigger than what I can plan for myself.

Tony and Tony skit

Myself, Kent (George Strait), Miles, and Clay (Motley Crew) at "80's" club

Myself and Kyle at "Noah's Ark" club

Molly, myself, Kyle, and Mason at "Crazy Hair"club

Dorothy and Linda Sue at Valentine's Club

 Greta, Cassie, Kelly, and Molly at "Super Hero" club

Ben and Alice at "Super Hero" club

Matt and myself at "Super Hero" club

Joe as Indiana Jones at "Super Hero" club

Myself and Jennifer at "Beach Party" club

Dana trying to avoid "hermit crabs" (fortune cookies with whip cream filling)

Jennifer and Molly at "Easter" club

Charlotte, Matt, and myself at "Fiesta" club

Haley, myself, Dylan, and Hayley at "Pilgrims and Indians" club

Welcoming Ben to club

Clay and myself

Merl and Earl (Kyle and Mason) doing a skit

Boys at "Patriotic" club

Dylan as George Washington at "Patriotic" club

Teddy at "Western" club

Talent Show:

Each fall Capernaum puts on a talent show to raise money for sending a few of our friends to camp during the summer. We have performances anywhere from "Grease Lightening" to Sunny & Cher's "I Got You Babe." There was such a great turnout with over 200 people to support our friends. It was by far my favorite night of the fall semester getting to see our friends have the courage to perform in front of so many people.

 Juan practicing for the talent show

Waiting for the show to start!

Fall 2011 Leaders

Leader Appreciation Dinner:

A few weeks ago, some of the parents decided to throw all of the leaders an appreciation dinner to thank us for the time we spend with their kids. It was such an honor not only having a dinner party, but having our meals served to us by our sweet friends. It wasn't anything we as leaders expected or felt that we deserved, but it was one of the sweetest nights of my life getting to hear that our hard work and love hadn't gone unnoticed. 
 

Guy leaders and Ben

Girl leaders and Wendy

Kent, myself, and Gary

Myself, Carolyn, and Mason

Dylan saying the blessing

Because Capernaum is geared toward people with special needs, it sometimes leads me to doubts and thoughts of if I really am making a difference or wondering if our friends are understanding what we try to teach them. I realize that those are all lies that the enemy is using against me. Although it is out of my control, I know that the Lord will provide them with the capability to understand what He is telling them through us. A few weeks ago, someone told our team that one day our friends will be thanking us in heaven for everything that we are doing for them now. It is such a sight to look forward to getting to see our friends in perfect form telling us what they were experiencing when they were at Capernaum! Since I have heard that, I have had a better attitude going into situations with our friends and realizing that all the small things we do for them really are making a difference in their lives.

¹² “...When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. ¹³ But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, ¹⁴ and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”  -Luke 14

Spending the last two semesters pouring into this ministry has become the most rewarding time of my life. I have found so much joy in serving our friends and getting to show them the way Christ loves each of us through unconditional love. I have also received so much from our kids by getting to see their childlike faith and positive attitudes despite what personal issues they have. It has been such a blessing to get to be a leader and it has pushed me to grow and strive to be more like Christ each day. It is such an honor to be serving my God even though I have so many issues and struggles that I deal with. I am blessed with the love and grace of my Savior, and although I am a broken vessel, I am still a vessel that God is using to display His truth. Regardless if I am "too tired" or "not in the mood," it is still my duty to be a living example of Christ for our friends. I am only able to be completely drained of energy and effort because I have the everlasting love of a Savior that will undoubtedly fill me up when I'm running low. 

"Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory." -Romans 5:1-2