God's Plan Revealed

(Okay so I have been told by many people that now I am going to have to start blogging more so here we go my first blog for the next chapter in my life. I promise I will get better and post more often. :D)I am so excited about the next adventure that God is taking me on. Ever since I was a little girl my dad would always tell me that I was going to be a Children’s Pastor. He saw the passion in my eyes whenever I was around children and believed that I had a calling on my life to tell them about the love of Jesus. At the time I didn’t agree; I wanted to be a teacher because I love stickers and grading papers, but God changed my heart. From that moment on I wanted each and every child I came in contact with to know the love of Jesus. I have been praying that God would open the right door for me to walk through, and now, in His timing, His plan is being revealed for my life. I am ready to trust Him and follow His lead.MY HEART'S DESIRE
I am so blessed to have been raised in a Christian home with loving parents; however, there are many children in our country who are longing to hear the words,” I love you.” Some kids have never heard the words, “you are beautiful handsome,” “you are a treasure,” or “you are not a mistake.” Just typing this brings tears to my eyes to think that there are children out there who don’t even know that they are loved or wanted. My heart’s desire is that every child I meet, will know that they are valued and loved, even if their home life is not stable and they have no hope. I want to be a living example of God’s love and faithfulness by showing them their value. By being an example, my heart’s desire is that each child will begin to build a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This is why I am so excited about what God has in store for not only my life, but also the lives of all the kids in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. I know that ministry is not something to take lightly, and, to be totally honest with you, I am so honored that God has put such a burning passion in my heart for children. Here I am, Lord, use me!DOOR OPENING
I recently was offered a Children’s Pastor position in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. After prayer and seeking wise counsel, I decided to take a road trip to check out the church and spend time with the Pastor and his family. The minute I drove into the little town I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. As the weekend unfolded, I started to fall in love with the family, the town, and the church. The whole weekend I kept hearing the word, “potential.” I continued to pray that God would give me wisdom, discernment, as well as clear direction. It was an amazing time and I continued to have peace through out the whole visit, I was saddened when it was time to leave.CLEAR DIRECTION
As I headed home, I continued to pray that God would give me clear direction. I was excited about the opportunity and I really wanted to take it, but I wanted it to be God’s direction not my own. When I think about leaving Durango, my friends, and my church family, it is really hard. However, I was excited about the future so I continued to pray for clear directionWOULD YOU JOIN ME?
Through a series of God - breathed moments I have been connected with Tyson the pastor of The Rock Church, a recently planted new church that started with 6 people, and is now up to 250 adults and 80 kids over the past three years. Tyson and Tami have a burning passion to see kids in this area know the love of Jesus. Right now there is no Children’s Pastor, so I will be taking a step of faith in moving and creating a ministry where each kid is loved, accepted, and valued. Then, through these, they will begin to grow in an intimate relationship with Jesus.
Every time I pray, I hear these four words.... ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! I know that God is going to provide, so I am trusting Him and believing that He is going to answer this prayer, just like He has answered all the others. Tyson and the church council are working very hard to get me onto full - time staff, so, in this transition period I will be living off of financial support. This is where you can join me; in taking this step of faith, I am praying that God will provide $2,000 a month to take care of my monthly expenses. Would you prayerfully consider supporting me in fulfilling the plan that God has for this chapter of my life? Thank you for all your love and support.

Alive in Christ, Beautiful in Him, Controlled by the Spirit

Love, Miss. Jinny MacDonald

Memories that will be Treasured for a Lifetime!

Last Tuesday was the 6 year mark of my dad leaving this earth and going to heaven. If you would have asked me at age 18 what my life would look like at age 24 I would have told you that I will be married, have 1 or 2 kids, and living the life that I dream about. However this was not God's plan it was my plan and although sometimes I wish my plan would have come true I am truly thankful that in God's timing it will. :)

I also would have never thought that my dad would not be here with us. To be totally honest some days are easier then others, however every day I think about him and the memories that we shared. There are so many memories that I am blessed to have had over the span of the 18 years that I had with my dad here on this earth so, I thought I would share a few with you. Some are funny and my dad would kill me if he knew I was tell you them and others are just special moments that we shared together. :)

My encouragement to all of us is to live in the moment. Make memories with your kids, spouses, friends, and family that will be treasured for a life time and most of all honor Jesus while you are doing them.

Memory #1: (special moment)
Through out my growing up years I can remember many times my dad getting out his guitar and us all singing praises to our King. I am so blessed that I was raised by two parents who love(d) Jesus and raised me in a Christian home.

Memory #2: (funny)
One morning I can remember walking into my parents bathroom and my dad had mascara in his hand. As I stood there I watched as he began putting it on his side burns because they where gray. When he finally realized that I was standing there giggle really hard he made me promise that is was our secret! :) (sorry dad)

Memory #3:
His favorite candy bar was butterfingers.

Memory #4: (special moment)
When I was little my dad and I would always have our special daddy daughter dates. I would get all dressed up and it would be just the two of us going out on the town. During these dates my dad and I would talk and laugh and have a great time. At times he would teach me how a guy should treat me like by having me walk on the inside of the sidewalk so that if a car came he could protect me. No matter what we where doing on our date we would always have a great time together. These special dates will be a memory that I will treasure forever.

Memory #5: (funny)
On our special dates I would love holding onto his forearm because he had some nice muscals and I would love to squeeze them however he hated it. So every time I would start tightening my grip around his muscals he would get his deep serious voice out and say don't you dare. I would always giggle with delight as he was shaking his head and telling me no. :)

Memory #6: (special memory)
When I turned 16 my dad gave me a promise ring and asked me to be his until the day God brought me the man of my dreams. I had always wanted a promise ring and still to this day I wear it on my wedding finger. It means so much that he picked it out just for me.

Memory #7: (special memory)
As soon as I got my license and started driving my favorite thing to do was to go to the church and have lunch with my dad in his office. It was just a special time that I got to have with just me and my dad as I got older. We would talk and laugh and I would tell him how my day at school was going. One of the best times we shared was when I would be having a bad day and he would pray with me before I went back to school.

I could go on and on with all the memories that we shared but I will stop at number 7! :) Always remember that life here on this earth is short so, live out the plan and desires that God has placed in your heart today don't continue to tell yourself I will get to that tomorrow, next week, or a year from now because you never know when your time will come. Cherish the memories that you have and make new ones with the ones you love. AND ALWAYS TELL THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE, I LOVE YOU!

I love you daddy and miss you bunches and bunches! :)

I'm Still Here! :)

Life has been a bit crazy lately. Some times good crazy and some times not so good crazy but I am learning to live up and not act out!

It is only Tuesday and it has been an emotional week. Noah has been very whinny and it is really getting at me. I love him so much but it has just been draining to deal with his whining lately! I am also praying about what I am called to do next and really seeking God's direction for the decisions I am going to have to be making in the next couple of weeks. So it has been emotional to say the least.

Last night I had a dream about my wedding, now mind you I have had many dreams about my wedding and stuff and I am always so upset when I wake up because the dreams feel so real and I hate waking up!

So back to last night it was my wedding day and I was so excited it was a quick engagement which lead to a quick wedding. In my dream my mom was running late and I was freaking out because I wanted her to be there. It was time for me to walk down the isle and I was getting really nervous and all of the sudden my dad appeared and started walking me down the isle. It was strange because no one else could see him but I could see and feel him right next to me holding my arm and leading the way. As we got to the front my future husband (whom I could not see but I could tell that he was a child hood friend) reached out his arm and gave me a huge smile. When I finally got up the steps to stand in front of the pastor I turned around to see if my dad was sitting next to my mom and he wasn't, he was actually standing in the back. When I met his eyes he gave me this smile and look as if he where telling me "Jinny I am so proud of the women you have become." Then my alarm went off and it was time for me to get up. I was so upset because it was seriously so real.

As I started getting ready for the day tears started falling down my checks. Some days are easier then others and today was just not one of those days. And even as I type these words tears are running down my face. I miss my dad's voice, his hugs, and his words of encouragement. The dream seemed so real to me and my dads face express has stuck with me all day. He eyes where loving and proud and oh how I miss that.

As I sit here and type this up it is just so crazy to me that in seven days it will be the 6 year mark of him leaving earth and going to heaven. Some days it feels so real and others feel like he is not even gone. It is so hard to describe the feelings that have been going on over these last 6 years. To be honest I have wondered many times if my dad would be proud of the women I have become. So in a way I truly feel that this dream was from God. It was his way of allowing me to know that my daddy is proud of the women I am today. His eyes, smile and face expression in my dream last night will stick with me forever and will remind me that my God truly does hear the cries and desires of my heart.

I love you Nooker!

My heart is heavy as I write this post! Tonight at 6 pm California time my precious cousin Brooke (Nooker) went to be in the arms of our heavenly Father! She is dancing with the angels and my daddy!
Brooke is a hero in my book! Ever since she was diagnosed with Primary Pulmonary Hipertention she has had the best attitude! She has loved the Lord with all her heart and trusted Him every step of the way! Any time you would talk to her about her sickness and if she was scared or worried she would always tell you no because I trust in Jesus and know that He has His best in mind for me!
She was a fighter and a warrior for Christ! She loved Jesus with her whole heart and was always so excited and ready to be in the arms of our heavenly Father! Before my dad passed away I can remember her telling him that she was ready to be with Jesus!
I loved sitting with her and just talking about life, anytime I was having a really hard time and I need someone to lift me up in the word I would call Nooker and she would always have a word for me! Her and I had some great laughs and great times together! She always had a smile on her face and arms ready to give you the best hug!

I am so thankful that I was able to go and spend Christmas with her this year and that will be a memory that I will never forget!

She will ALWAYS be a hero in my book and she will NEVER be forgotten!

Nooker,
Thank you for challenging me to be a better women of God! For loving me and encouraging me to be the best that I can be! Thank you for your wonderful hugs and words of encouragement!
Thank you for the passion that burned so bright in your eyes, heart, and the words that you spoke about our Lord and Savior! You are an amazing women and will be missed! I look forward to dancing with you in heaven! Please give my daddy a big hug and kiss for me and tell him how much I love and miss him! You will always be in my heart! I miss you already!

Much Love,
Jin

What If???

Yesterday we had a young lady named Jessica come to church and speak about her life as a missionary to Uganda Africa! During her talk I was crying though out the whole thing however one thing really stood out to me! She told a story about how she would always say I love you to the kids in the family home that she works with! These kids have never heard that words I love you! They have never said the words I love you! So it really made me start to think about what would my life be like if I never heard the words I love you!

Never hearing my daddy's sweet voice saying I love you! Never hearing Kate Elizabeth say I love you Miss. Jinny over and over again in a 4 hour period! :) Never hearing my friends say I love you! Never hearing the people I care about the most say I love you! Man how would my attitude be different if I never heard those 3 words!

Here in America we sometimes view those words as cliche words! Oh don't say I love you because you never know what that person might think when you say it! Then there are times where here in American we take those words for granted! But think about thousands of kids who have NEVER hear those 3 words! How would you life be so very different?

Have you ever thought about what your life would be like if you never heard the words "I LOVE YOU"

Update on Brooke!

Okay so here is what is going on with my cousin Brooke! Last week they did several tests on both her lungs and her heart. Then they had to wait till Tuesday to hear the results of the tests! She was moved to high priority on the transplant list and is waiting for new lungs. The good news is that the test that they did on her heart came back good so at this point they are not going to need to do a heart transplant. They are hoping that once she gets her new lungs that her heart will be just fine.

They released her from the hospital on Tuesday however her and her husband are staying in a hotel for a few days just to make sure that Brooke is okay to go home! The transplant surgery can be any minute, hour, or day! So please pray with me that they will find a donor sooner the later! They have to match the blood type as well as the lung size! Once the surgery is done they will have to stay in San Diego for 3 months so that she can have regular check ups and so that the doctors can keep a close eye on her. They live in Apple Valley which is about an hour and a half to two hours from San Diego!

Brooke and JJ are both doing as well as can be expected. They both have high hopes and know that God is in control! Please pray for patients, trust, faith, and understanding. As well as for their marriage that Satan will have no foot hold during this difficult time! They are both such strong people who love God so much!

Thank you all so much for you prays it means so much!

Thankful Thursdays!

This week I am Thankful for a few random things! :)

Last week I told you about our car ride home from California however while we where there I got to see my older brother Matt for about 20 minutes although short it was well worth it! We had not seen each other for over a year which is way to long! So I am so thankful that I got to see him and give him some great big hugs! I am not kidding you I felt like a little kid waiting for Santa clause to come and visit! When he got to the mall I wanted to run and no joke it was running through my mind when I saw him across the store. I didn't actually get into a full on run but you can bet I did jog a little! :) I need his hug for a long time and I finally got it! :)
I am thankful for my warm little cozy home that is all mine! I come home to this little place that is quite small but it is my home and I love it! :)
I am thankful for silly youth girls that I get to spend a lot of my time with! :) They light up my life and make me feel young again! :) Ashley Coleman told me while we where riding the horses that I needed to not text cause I could get a ticket it really made me giggle really hard! :)
I am thankful for the snow although I am so not ready for it! It was so cute yesterday morning when Noah woke up and saw the snow for the first time he said "bubbles" it made me laugh! :) And all day today when he would look outside he would say "bubbles" although he did not want to touch it at all! :)
I am thankful for great friends like my pea in my pod! Brenda you are such an amazing women and I am so thankful for you! There is so much that we have both gone through and I thank God that He has brought us together! :) Happy Birthday Tomorrow! :)
I am thankful for a heater that works in my car! :) Cause it was really cold this morning at 6:20 am and it is really cold right now outside!

I am thankful for yummy coffee and fun, cute mugs to drink it in! :)

What are you thankful for this Thursday????