What's Right In Front Of You?

I am ambitious! There is no other way to put it but in those plain terms. I have a little thing inside my mind that is always thinking of ways to reach for the next "GREAT" accomplishment! My ambition can be used as one of my greatest strengths and also my greatest weakness. As I have spent months and years planning for a mighty endeavor that awaits me in the future, I have spent months missing something that was right in front of me, all along.

I have worked at my current job, a web design company, for a little of two years. I have taken the same driving route to work every single day, besides a few abnormal exceptions. I drive the same freeways, sit in the same bumper-to-bumper traffic and I always get off on the same exit. 7th Street and the I10. A busy intersection that sees thousands of cars per day. It wasn't until the past 3-4 months that I started to notice a pattern. A middle aged man, standing on the right side of the road where I exit. This man, everyday, held the same sign that said, "Need money, thank you, God bless." Everyday he had the same heart-warming smile, the same friendly wave, with a limping walk which shouted that he was in pain. I have watched him stand on the road, begging and pleading for help.

Now, usually this is were the critics chime in and make claims that sound like, "He is probably an alcoholic, a drug addict or just lazy. Giving him anything would only be me enabling him." And those very well may be true! But I would like to respond to those people and say, my dad is a recovering alcoholic, personal friends of mine are drug dealers, and I know a lot of lazy people. So what's the difference? Those people, standing on the curb, can very well be someone dear to my heart, and I can't image that I would ever drive by them without stopping and saying, "WHAT are you doing? LET ME HELP!" For some reason, most of us treat the person on the side of the road with less importance and care.

We all have our own excuses, and I'm no different. Until I felt convicted. I thought about the great ambitions and dreams I've been working towards. My hope is to eventually reach intercity, lower socioeconomic homeless teens and young adults. I want to move and start an urban arts center that helps reach the "underdogs" in our world. There is nothing inherently wrong with my dreams, but the conviction came from me realizing that God was giving me opportunities to start NOW and not in the "future." My ambition was cloudy my present reality. I have driven by the same man for months and I have even waved to him. Except I drove by and never gave him food, water, clothes, or money. I had to do something different. I needed to make a change in my perspective and stop waiting until I have some expansive ministry that is helping "save the world," and instead find the urgency about helping people now! The people that are right in front of me.

One morning, I arrived down town 20 minutes earlier than usual, which never happens! Like clockwork, the same man was standing with his sign waving to each passing car. I decided that I needed to stop putting it off and take the time to go to the store. I bought sandwich bags so that I could make care-kits to keep in my car for the houseless people I meet. I filled his with a tooth brush, tooth paste, a cliff bad, chapstick and a verse I wrote on a piece of paper from my car. This was the verse:

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - "And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong."

Since Down Town Phoenix is filled with one way streets I had to get back on the freeway going the opposite direction in order to turn around and get off on my usual exit. I started to approach him but the light way green. I had to make a quick decision, drive past him and give him the bag the next day or frustrate all the people behind me by stopping in the middle of the exit. I did the ladder! I rolled down my window. He hurried to my car window and I handed him the bag. We both simultaneously said, "God bless you," and I drove off. The hoking of horns from those behind me were distant sounds that reminded me that our world is too much in a hurry to take care of those around us. 

The next day I woke up and packed a few extra food items that I was planning on giving him. But when I drove up to my exit I didn't see him. From the time I gave him the care-kit until now, (about a month) I have not seen him anywhere. It taught me that when God calls us to respond, we need to respond without hesitation, or else we might miss the God appointed opportunity.

I can't say that I'll always be aware and never walk by an opportunity to help someone, but my goal is to be more aware and proactive. And my hope is, you'll do the same! I don't know if anyone has told you, but combining our willingness with the power of Jesus makes a pretty powerful force! Don't miss what is right in front of you. 

I give everything over to You Lord

A Letter to Jemma Sophia

Dear my darling niece,
 Jemma Sophia

 

It has been quite the emotional week for the family since you've been born. Especially for your parents. You definitely know how to make an entrance! If you haven't been able to feel the love yet, when you grow up, you'll be able to look back and see how many people have been praying for you and how many people have sent their encouragement to all of us. You are my wonderful little niece and I love you more than words could express. This week alone, I have felt and experienced everything from pure joy and excitement to fear and nervousness. It has sincerely broken my heart to watch you go through so much. The image of you laying in the tiny bed, your second day of life, with wires attached to you everywhere, will forever be burned in my mind. That way, when God heals your strong but petite body, we can look back and praise Him for how far He has brought you. I am believing for a complete healing. A crazy-miracle-kinda healing! I think you might have enough spunk in you, Jemma, to shock us all.

I can picture it as I write you... A mighty purpose and plan that God has for your life. Although small, you are going to greatly impact the world around you, more than you already have. You will be different than the average girl. You will grow in a strength that not many of us could handle, and you will have the scares to show your story. Jemma Sophia, embrace the scares, be proud of your uniqueness and individuality. Know your boundaries and understand your limits, but never let anyone tell you that you can't accomplish something. You are going to do amazing things! I will have the privilege of witnessing it! Since you have managed to fight with unbelievable endurance these past 10 days, I highly doubt the future will be able to contain your drive, tenderness and power. I am praying over your life continually. Myself and many others are so excited for the bright future ahead of you. I can't wait to hear your laugh and to see you smile. I can almost hear the sweet sound of your voice. Jemma Sophia, I am proud of who you are, already, and I will stand firmly in the hope and healing of Jesus and anxiously watch Him perform miracle after miracle in your life. I love you Jemma Sophia Starks, you are brilliantly created and designed as a beautiful masterpiece.

Your Forever,
Tunte Sheena


I give everything over to You Lord

Jemma Sophia Starks

We welcomed the darling Jemma Sophia Starks into the world Tuesday, October 8th at 5:22! A beautiful little girl that makes me so proud to be called aunt. There is nothing quite like the birth of a new baby and the celebration that surrounds the gift of life. The full head of dark hair and the puffy little cheeks brings the biggest smile to my heart. I was able to wrap her up in my arms, kiss her, talk to her, and tell her how much she's loved. Our sweet Jemma Sophia has no idea how many fans she has. Any baby born into our family becomes quite popular... quite fast! Jemma, you are brilliant!


Although we continue to celebrate the gift we call Jemma, there were some complications that occurred the day after her birth. Wednesday the 9th, in the morning, Rory and Stephanie, her parents, noticed that she was having a difficult time breathing. They sent a video clip to their midwife and she immediately responded and said, "Call 911." So they did, and the newly born Jemma was rushed to the hospital. I wasn't there upon their arrival, but my dad described it like a sense out of a movie. A security guard handed my brother Rory (Jemma's Dad) and my dad visitor badges to go into the NICU. They walked in the room to find 20 doctors and nurses running around getting Jemma oxygen, hooking her up to IV's and making sure they wasted no time with stabilizing her. Rory and my dad couldn't even see Jemma because there were so many people surrounding her. To call the scenario "intense," would be an understatement. 

Doctors said that they like to see people's oxygen levels around 90% and when Jemma was first brought into the ER, her oxygen levels were around 20%. She was not in good condition. Not everything has been figured out and they are still running several scans and tests, but they have concluded that she has a severe heart defect and will need surgery this week. We are praying against any long term affects. We don't want any seizures to occur now or in the future due to her time spent with such little oxygen. The most beautiful little doll has been through some much in her 2 1/2 short days of life. I believe she will make a full recovery and be completely healed. The doctors said she will have heart surgery in about a week and she will need to spend three more weeks recovering in the hospital. Needless-to-say, Rory and Stephanie and our families will be spending days and weeks and months in the hospital to ensure that our Little Jemma Sophia is made whole again! If you think about it, pray for everyone surrounding the situations; Jemma's parents, the doctors, India and Olive {Jemma's older sisters}, all the aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents. We all would appreciate your love and support through prayer. So if you think about... Pray! We are very grateful for the blessing and joy Jemma Sophia has brought to all of our lives. Even in the midst of the chaos, she is beautiful, strong, and has officially melted all of our hearts. As her older sister calls her, "We love you Princess Jemma!" 

I give everything over to You Lord