Amazing Blog

WARNING: This may be long but WELL worth the read!

Yesterday I was catching up on some blogs from over the weekend and my thoughts and attention were captured by what I found on Marianne from Haven and Home post from Sunday.
This beautiful young woman pictured below (Katie and her 13 daughters) is making such an impact for eternity through her selfless heart to love people right into the kingdom of God. Katie is a prime example on how one person, no matter the age, really can make a difference in the world! My heart reaches out to this newly discovered sister of mine... I believe in, pray, and support everything she is doing! Check out her blog @ kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com

Here's a small piece of her story found on one of her blogs from August: It has truly blessed my life beyond measure!

Friday, August 14, 2009

"It is my 16th Birthday and I am eating sushi at my favorite restaurant with my parents when I tell them that I would like to explore the possibility of taking a year in between high school and college to do mission work. This is unheard of in my family and they say they are not sure and will think about it. I am nervous, but somehow I know it is right. He changes their hearts.

I have just turned 18 and find an orphanage online. I beg my parents to let me visit over break, just three weeks. A month later I am on a plane. I am so excited. I am so scared of being, but I know He is going with me. I fall in love.I graduate high school having made the commitment to teach Kindergarten for a year at a school in The Middle of Nowhere, Uganda.

In August I get on the plane. I’m apprehensive and I cry most of the way because I miss my Mommy and my boyfriend. I am eager, but so uncertain. I trust Him. I teach 138 children how to speak English and to love Jesus.

It is October and I am just not sure I can do it anymore. I live in the smallest room I have ever seen in the back of a pastor’s house. I am more uncomfortable than I had bargained for. No one understands, not people here, not people at home. I am tired. But I am prideful and I am not going to quit. I don’t like this. But I know He has a plan. I learn, I grow, He is there.

It is December and God has spoken very clearly about opening a ministry that sponsors 40 of the orphaned children in the village where I am working. This involves moving into a different house, ALONE. It is big and I cannot imagine how God will fill it up. I am lonely and I am anxious. But I am still trusting. He fills the house, and we now have 400 children sponsored.

It is January and I am looking at a little girl, crushed under a brick wall with no one to care for her or her younger siblings. I offer to take the three home with me until we find them a better placement. I am not really sure what to do with them, but I know they are God’s children. They stay.

It is three days later and the littlest looks at me and calls me mommy. My heart might break in two. Something clicks. I am even more scared than I was the day I stepped on that plane, but I KNOW. Today I have 13.

I have to deliver a baby, give a boy stitches, pull a tooth, give and injection. I am petrified. But no one will do it if I do not. He is present, He holds my hand, they are all fine.

It is August and I must get on a plane back to America to go to college, as I have promised my father. I do not remember how to be a teenager or what it is to be normal Brentwood, Tennessee. I will have to leave my babies. I will have to make new friends. I am sad and I am terrified. He wraps His arms around me. He puts just the right people in just the right places, and they help me and they make me feel at home.

First semester is over and He speaks clearly to me that I cannot serve two masters. “Go HOME,” He says, “and stay.” I am uncertain, but I want to be obedient. He squeezes tighter. I am thankful.

I have to look at my loving parents who have given me everything and tell them that I will not go to college right now, because I feel God wants me to be in Uganda. I know how disappointed and how angry they will be. I am more scared than I was when I got on the plane and more scared than I was when I took my first children. But I know that this IS the Plan. They love me anyway.

It is February and my daughter’s biological father comes to take her away. My heart breaks in half, and I am not sure I will ever be able to get out of my bed again, let alone foster another child. I am more than devastated, but I want what is best for her, what He wants for her. She comes back and her biological father learns about Jesus.

It is March and a lame little girl is brought to my gate. She is undoubtedly mine, but I am still anxious. What if I can’t do it? I don’t know what to do with a special needs child, especially as my 13th child. I am criticized and ridiculed. I wonder. I trust and praise God for her sweet little life. She starts to walk.

I find myself in a village full of starving people that for some reason seem to want to kill me. God says to serve them anyway. I am not sure how it is going to work, or if it is safe. I can’t figure it out, but I know He can. 1,200 Karamajongs, the poorest of Uganda’s poor, are now served hot meals daily.We keep taking in more children until there are 400 in our program. There is no way we will raise enough funds, but by now I have stopped worrying. He has always provided. Blessings rain from the sky, and all 400 children go to school.

I am 20 years old and have 13 children and 400 more who all depend on me for their care. Who are all learning to love Jesus and be responsible adults and looking up to me. The reality of it all can be a bit overwhelming at times. However, it is always pure joy.

There is a common misconception that I am courageous. I will be the first to tell you that this is not actually true. Most of the time, I am not brave. I just believe in a God who will use me even though I am not. Most mornings, before I even get out of bed I am overwhelmed with His goodness, with His plan for my life; I stand in awe of the fact that He could entrust me with so much. Most days, I don’t have much of a plan. I don’t always know where this is going. I can’t see the end of the road, but here is the great part: Courage is not about knowing the path. It is about taking the first step. It is about Peter, getting out of the boat. I do not know my five year plan; even tomorrow will probably not go as I have planned. I am thrilled and I am terrified, in a good way. So some call it courage, some call it foolish, I call it Faith. I choose to get out of the boat. To take the next step. Sometimes I walk straight into His arms. More often, I get scared and look down and stumble. Sometimes I almost completely drown. And through it all, He never lets go of my hand. "

I see....

Today is a day I choose to see. To see the people that are walking right in front of me. To see their needs. To see their hurt. To see them, who they are, what they are about.

This morning I went to our middle school ministry (Redeemed) service; something I do most every Monday morning... but this morning was different. As I greeted each of the young students I didn't just give high fives and say the normal "Hey! How are ya!?!" without waiting for a reply. This morning God's grace gave me eyes to really see them.... and the results... well... one girl just lost a family member, she deserately needed someone to notice, and to hold her through the grieving pain she felt. My heart was overwhelmed as she clung to me like I was the first person to ever hug her; another young girl looks at me with weary eyes and says "Everyone in my family is fighting. They don't stop. It's all the time..." this one, even though she was opening up and reaching out, can't even seem to look me in the eye... she looks lost and alone... I long for her to know the love, joy, and peace that I have found in Christ; and still another crying comes out from behind me and grabs me around my waist... tears overflowing.... she just wants to be held.... she has stress at home, her mom is remarrying, she's moving away from all her friends... and she just needed someone to tell it's gonna be ok and hug her with the reassurance that God was there to comfort and hold her through the tough times.

May the Lord continue to give us "eyes to see the things that make His heart cry"

"Ears to hear and eyes to see— both are gifts from the Lord" Proverbs 20:12 NLT

CAN'T WAIT!!!

In 6 weeks I'll be leaving the country to visit here....

I've never been out of the U.S., and what an amazing place to visit for my first trip, ISRAEL!!! I'm so excited and honestly CANNOT wait to get there! I've wanted to visit there ever since I was a little girl, and now through circumstances that ONLY GOD HIMSELF could have worked out, I have the opportunity to go!

I would like to put a disclaimer here; I know this is a random post but for some reason today I woke up and it's all I could think about!!!! YAY!!! :):):)

These are a few of my favorite things....

This drink....need I say more... A nice grande skinny vanilla latte... yum!

This book... Amazing... All about living the life you were meant to live!

This nail polish...

in this color of course.... I'm obsessed with anything silver or grey :)

This Bronzer.... By NARS... from Sephora... introduced to it a few weeks ago and it has been a life saver! haha

And last but definitely NOT least...

These girls.... The most amazing group of women I've ever known!!! They are a constant encouragement and breath of fresh air everytime I'm around them!

Grace's Amazing Hands They Hold Me...

OK I know that's a line from a Dave Barne's song... but it's been the underlining theme of my life...

Grace is typically defined as "getting something you don't deserve" Though this is true, left with that definition alone leaves me asking the question "Well, if that's true, what did I get?" :)

I think a lot of times we look to grace as a covering... which it MOST DEFINITELY IS! But I also believe there is another part to grace that we tend to forget. You are not only covered and clothed by the grace of God once you accept Jesus as your personal Savior, but you also are ENABLED and EMPOWERED by the grace of God to live out the life He has destined for you!

Ephesians 2:8-10
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." NIV

So God himself created us as His workmanship to do good works... and How are we to complete those works?

BY HIS GRACE!

It's only by His grace that we can do anything! His grace is what paves a way for the purposes on our life to be fulfilled!

Philippians 2:13 says;
"[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight." AMP

I love the amplified version of this verse, because the very first thing Paul reassures this church is that it is NOT BY OUR OWN STRENGTH! Praise Jesus! If I were to try and please God and do all that He has called me to do out of my own strength I would surely fail!
I can gladly say this, because I know that I am an imperfect woman living in a fallen world. Which is exactly why His grace is so needed! I am in desperate need to be totally dependent upon His grace daily!

Paul continues expressing our need for God's grace in our lives through 2 Corinthians 12:
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me......For when I am weak, then I am strong." NLT

Does that just bring a smile on your face to know that not only is it by God's grace that we are saved, but he also continually pours out His grace upon our lives to complete everything He's called us to do.... and EVEN WHEN WE ARE WEAK (dry, down, sick, tired, hurt, etc..) His GRACE is still there to be STRONG! In fact, it's ALL THE MORE STRONGER!

Thank you Jesus for your "Amazing Hands of Grace That Hold Me!"

Amy Hawkins is in ENGAGED!!!!

That's right my beautiful best friend is engaged to this awesome man of God! Their love story is one that will definitely make your heart skip a few!

They met our freshman year of college and the chemistry was there! It was then Paul and Amy began a friendship that would have it's definite ups and downs through the years. :) Throughout our years of college it was back and forth for these two... both desiring to be in the perfect will of God while dealing with the circumstances that this fallen world brings us. After college Paul went on to pursue his dreams of eventually being a pastor, while Amy stayed in Birmingham to continue raising her son, Nate, and become a teacher.

3 years down the road......

After 3 years of much praying and seeking God on Amy's behalf, Paul decides it's time to reunite! And WOW! It was a beautiful pursual! Over the past few months I've had the priviledge of seeing these two grow not only in their relationship with each other, but more importantly their relationship with God. God's perfect timing is a beautiful thing. His plans really are perfect, once we give Him the pen to write!

They now are mentoring young adults through their small group and continually seeking God on the next steps to take in life! I'm so honored to be apart of this amazing couples union in March! I know God has HUGE plans in store for them together! (along with little Nate!)

We celebrated this awesome couple's engagement with a dinner and some

sweet time with close friends!

Nurture Bible Study!

Starting This Sunday!!!!

6:00 p.m.

My house

For women and girls of ALL ages!!

We will be using DVD teachings from this amazing woman of God, Lisa Bevere.

For more information just email me at amiknight@hotmail.com

"There is a stirring, a gathering, and an awakening
happening around the world. Women are rising to
take their place, find their voice, and connect for
strength and destiny. It is our season to flourish.
To see this happen, Nurture, the language of the
feminine heart, must be spoken by women of
every age group. This book will position you to
take your place as part of the company of women
arising to change their world!"

Psalm 139

So I just had to do another post... Last night we had girls only worship and prayer time at my house. It was amazing... God moved, lives were encouraged, and destinies released... This was the scripture that set the tone for the whole night... Read it and just sit back and worship God right where you are... worship Him for how great He is, how marvelous His plan is, and how wonderful it is to know that He can be trusted...
God thank you that we can rest in assurance that you are in control!

Psalm 139 (the message)
A David Psalm 1-6

God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand.

I'm an open book to you;

even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking.

You know when I leave and when I get back;

I'm never out of your sight.

You know everything I'm going to saybefore I start the first sentence.

I look behind me and you're there,

then up ahead and you're there, too—

your reassuring presence, coming and going.

This is too much, too wonderful—

I can't take it all in!

7-12 Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?

to be out of your sight?

If I climb to the sky, you're there!

If I go underground, you're there!

If I flew on morning's wings

to the far western horizon,

You'd find me in a minute—

you're already there waiting!

Then I said to myself, "Oh, he even sees me in the dark!

At night I'm immersed in the light!"

It's a fact: darkness isn't dark to you;

night and day, darkness and light, they're all the same to you.

13-16 Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;

you formed me in my mother's womb.

I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!

Body and soul, I am marvelously made!

I worship in adoration—what a creation!

You know me inside and out,

you know every bone in my body;

You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,

how I was sculpted from nothing into something.

Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;

all the stages of my life were spread out before you,

The days of my life all prepared

before I'd even lived one day.

17-22 Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful!

God, I'll never comprehend them!

I couldn't even begin to count them—

any more than I could count the sand of the sea.

Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you!

And please, God, do away with wickedness for good!

And you murderers—out of here!—

all the men and women who belittle you, God,

infatuated with cheap god-imitations.

See how I hate those who hate you, God,

see how I loathe all this godless arrogance;

I hate it with pure, unadulterated hatred.

Your enemies are my enemies!

23-24 Investigate my life, O God,

find out everything about me;

Cross-examine and test me,

get a clear picture of what I'm about;

See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong—

then guide me on the road to eternal life.

Wednesday's Wisdom... :)

"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."

Proverbs 10:19 NIV

The Message reads:

"The more talk, the less truth; the wise measure their words."

Let's use wisdom today and WATCH OUR WORDS!!

The power of LIFE and DEATH are in our tongues!