Portrait

Right now in my life, I am striving to be a better person. I am striving to do what God has called me to do, even if I don't think I can handle it at times. There is a worship song, by the band Freely, that says, "This is a loud faith, a sacred devotion. I'm reaching out to know who You. It's not a fake life, a religious commotion, but a living, breathing portrait of Christ." Now please, don't mistake this for the desire of perfection. It is simply wanting to be a Godly woman and live that out in all that I do. Today in church Pastor John gave an incredible message titled "The Family Legacy Test" and he focused on the story of Issac in Genesis 26. The Lord told Issac not to fear, because if he were to fear, it would only be passed on to his further generations. Pastor John told us how we should Reflect (on positive traits our family has passed down to us), Recognize (some of the destructive patterns in our family), and Respond (create a plan to remove harmful patterns, show forgiveness). He also addressed different roles of different people in the family in Ephesians 5 and 6. This really got a hold of my heart. He talked about wives being submissive to their husbands and how the husband is to love his wife as God loves the church. He told us some pretty powerful things and it really got me to thinking. I know I'm not married or anything but I feel like the Lord has really been working through me lately and it is incredible how he so intricately makes things work together, and all for my good. After this message and much prayer lately, I have made a promise to myself and to God, and that is to no longer settle, especially when it comes to relationships. If a man is not going to be so lost in the Lord that he tries to pull me away from Him, it is not worth my time. I realize that I am a child of God and I will wait to find someone that glorifies that. I want to be a portrait of Christ in all that I do. In my career, in my school work, in my home life, in my friendships, in my dating relationships, and in much more. I apologize if this is a little heavy, but I felt the need to write about it...as somewhat of a reminder to myself. Aside from that though here are some other things that have been going on:

- I have the privilege to be a part of the Oklahoma Hope Link fundraiser!! This is a support group in Oklahoma for parents with children that have undiagnosed diseases/problems (special needs). They are putting together care packages and taking them to the OU Children's Hospital (where the sickest little kids go) and handing out the packages to kids and their families. They will have a table set up and are going to purchase quite a few clips from Miracle Makers to sell! I am so excited and honored to be a part of this! I have met a couple of the moms that run this group, and they are such incredible women with amazing children!!!

- One of my best friends, Sarah, messaged me today and is also interested in purchasing quite a few things from Miracle Makers. She is in a sorority at her school in Tennessee and will have a "little sis" next year, and she needs several gifts made to give to her. Sarah told her other sisters in her sorority about Miracle Makers and how all of it goes to helping kids with special needs. All of the girls are planning on purchasing things from me for their sisters next year! How exciting!! They all love the idea of the business and want to help out! God is seriously doing some incredible things with this!!!

- I miss my best friends like crazy, and can't wait for all of them to be home soon!

- I went to visit Sarah's mom today and she is going to sell me a couch for $50 for my new apartment! Yesterday I got a huge frame to put in our living room too, and it was 90% off! I LOVE good deals!

- Lindsey is coming Friday for apartment shopping!! Can't wait!

- I am not a fan of the rain today, and I think summer needs to consider getting here just a little bit faster!

- I get to go to Kenna's doctor appointment tomorrow! I am very excited to see what it will be like. Also, she is getting fit for her new SFO's tomorrow (ankle braces) so that her feet and ankles won't be bruised anymore.

- I had lunch with my mom, sister, and little brother today! It was very nice to sit down and talk to them! I really do love my family so much!

Now that I have gone on and on, it is time for some sleep!

Praying for a good appointment for Kenna tomorrow, and for a good week!

It may be a hectic life, but it sure is a good one!

The website for Miracle Makers is now up! It took a lot of messing around with and getting things just right, but I am proud to say that it is complete! To visit the website just click on the link below:

http://creativemiraclemakers.blogspot.com/

I have already had my first customers and it is so exciting! I love making things for other people, and I love the cause that it is all going to. The whole business just brings about a new happiness in me. I LOVE it! However, I am ready for the semester to be over with, and for the summer to begin, so that I can become even more serious about this business. Also, Marianne and I have been planning some pretty neat things to do with Kenna and the other kids (including water therapy for Kenna! ha!)! It should be fun!!

Kenna had a good day today once she got home from school, a lot better than her morning was apparently. Poor girl woke up screaming with tears rolling down her face, and no one knew why. My heart really hurts for her sometimes. Since I have been working with her, I have found out what it feels like to want so badly to help her or to make her worries go away, but sometimes it seems impossible. I am glad that she had a good afternoon though! We sang a bunch of songs, danced a little, and I let her hop all over the house. She loves being able to have that freedom and I love watching her explore (even though it ends up a little messy at times haha).

Somewhat off topic, but today I was thinking about how I truly am so blessed, and I think too often I let that go unnoticed. My hectic life doesn't always allow me to sit back, breathe, and just be at peace with what I have.

I love the parents I have. I love the friends I have. I love the second family I have(you know who you are- mjals). I love Makenna. I love the Jesus I serve. I love the church I call home. I love my ability to create. I love my life...and I am grateful for it!

Other than that, there is not too much else to say for today. Please, check out the website and if you have any feedback I would love to hear it!!

Praying for patience to get through these last few weeks of school.

Inspiration

The ability to create absolutely anything is just so powerful. As Miracle Makers is turning into more of a business, complete with a new website(should be up soon), business cards, a facebook group, and some starting customers, I realize how far my creativity can take me. I am so blessed to be able to express myself through creative ways, and have people be inspired by that. All of this creativity and the idea of starting a non-profit business has stemmed from something more than just a few craft supplies and a couple of new ideas, it has stemmed from MY inspiration. I want so badly to help other people and make a huge difference in the lives of many, and maybe this business can be the beginning of something great. After much thought was put into it, I realized that I have such a passion for Makenna and other children like her. I realized that SHE is my inspiration. She inspired me to actually get this business going. I have always thought about starting something before, but she helped me to realize that my abilities can be put into action, rather than just being kept to myself. The name Miracle Makers was even inspired by this beautiful little girl. She is such a miracle to me, to her family, to her teachers, and to anyone else that passes her way. I just love that girl!

My friend Lindsey and I have been talking more and more about getting an apartment this summer. She is coming to stay with me next weekend so that we can go look around, we already have a couple of places in mind. We have also been looking for good deals on things we may need, such as furniture, kitchen-ware, and any other things. If any of you know of any good deals, or are trying to sell something, PLEASE let me know! We are both college kids, so we don't have too much money to spend. Ha! It would be MUCH appreciated!

I am SO ready for school to be over with! I only have 3-4 weeks left, which means lots of studying to do and more homework to get done! It is going to be a huge weight lifted off my back once I get everything done. The countdown for summer begins!

Well that is about all I have time for today, as I have a lot to get done today!

Praying for Miracle Makers to make a difference, and for sweet Kenna :)

Miracle Makers

As of today, I have decided to start my own little business. The business name is "Miracle Makers". It is going to be a non-profit business created to give back to those who need it. I have a passion for creating things that bring joy and happiness to other people. Miracle Makers is designed to do just that. There are several items to pick from, and the money raised will go towards supplies, and to charity. My plan is to donate the money to help create a website that helps the parents of special needs children to maneuver through all the red tape of the medical world. After working with sweet Makenna , I have gained so much inspiration and passion for these special children and for their families. By making and selling different things such as hair accessories, books, frames, and much more I will be able to raise awareness and glorify God with the gifts and talents He has given me. I would like to give a HUGE shout out to Marianne for her help and encouragement during this!!! She has allowed me to use some of her supplies to get started, and hopefully she will play a big part in this business! Thank you SOOO much Marianne, you don't know how much I appreciate you and your family!!! I love yall! I am hoping to start an etsy website this summer to make the business even more of a success! Please, spread the word! If any of you are interested in purchasing anything, please find me on facebook or email me at allisonlees@tx.rr.com! I can customize your order however you like!

Also, more news! My friend Lindsey and I are looking more and more into the whole apartment thing. She is planning on coming down next weekend so we can go look around. We are both on a tight budget, but I don't want to be too far from Kenna either, as I will continue working for her if everything works out just right, including finances. I am leaving it up to God though, He always finds a way to make it all work!

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day! I have class, then my mom and I are going to visit the Dallas Museum of Art! I have a project for school I have to complete, which requires me to go visit. After that, going to spend some time with Kenna, then church! Tuesday nights I have started to help lead a life class at my church, Divorce Care for Kids. This class helps kids who are going through divorce and helps them learn how to deal with this hard time. I love giving back and helping in any way I can, so this is something I am really going to enjoy doing I think.

Enough said for now, I need to get some sleep! Once again, if you are interested in anything sold by Miracle Makers, please let me know!! Thank you all for your support!

Praying for Matt's back to heal, for Miracle Makers to make a difference, and for guidance!

Answer to Prayer

So, I really need to get better about keeping up with this blog. I love it, I have just been so busy that by the end of the day all I want to do is go to sleep! The past few days have been pretty good, but like I said, they have been busy. I've had a lot going on at school, as this semester is finishing up! I can't believe my first year of college is about to come to an end. It sounds cliche, but it really is crazy how time flies. Before I know it, I'll be graduating and getting my first teaching job (at least that's the plan). One of the main things I had been working on for school was a project for my humanities class. We were told to make a "collage" of ourselves. However, she asked us to think outside of the box and more so make a piece of art that summed up who we are. I had so much fun making mine! I ended up making a book. I took a canvas and decopauged it with some different papers and wrote "everyone has a story worth telling, are you willing to listen?" On the canvas was my book. When you open the book up, you are able to see different things that have happened to me throughout my lifetime that make up my "story". I love making things like that, and I got inspired to make other things for my new room. I made something to put over my bed, and I am working on some other things now too. Just like this blog, art is somewhat of an out for me. I am able to express myself and make whatever I like without it being wrong. It is one of the times I am most at peace with things. I am hoping to start a little business on this website etsy this summer, possibly with Marianne. I am really looking forward to it. There are pictures of some of the things I have made on my facebook if you are interested!

This is totally switching subjects, but I just got some really exciting news while typing this! I have been praying for so long for the Lord to give me some direction as to what to do next semester. Well, an old friend of mine, Lindsey, just sent me a message saying that she is thinking about going to Collin County next semester and would need a room mate! Hello?!?! Are you kidding me?? Exactly what I have been looking for! She is going to look into her budget tomorrow and see what she can afford. Once she decides, we are going to look at apartments together in the Plano area! This seriously has to be an answer to prayer! I just hope that if this is what God has planned next for me, that everything works out smoothly. Well know that all that excitement just hit me, I can't really remember what else I had to say. Maybe more will come to me tomorrow! I am off to bed for now though!

Praying for Matt's back to heal and for guidance in my next steps.

Perfection

Well, it has been a few days since my last update, and I must say I have a lot on my heart and on my mind right now. I have been quite busy this week (getting things organized at my dad's, car problems, school stuff, etc), and am just now having some down time to really sit and reflect. Reflect on my life and where I am headed and who I have been. Ever since I was a little girl, I always had a fear of making mistakes. I so badly wanted to please my parents in every area of my life including school, sports (yes, I at one time in my life was pretty athletic...whatever happened to that?), and in my maturity level. I wanted to impress them and never let them down. To this day, I am still somewhat like that. I have a desire to reach some sort of perfection, and need reminders that "perfection" is way out of my reach. As I get older and more mature in my walk with God, I realize that without Him, I am nothing. I would like to stress without HIM. Through His grace and love for me, I am able to find joy and peace in who I am, whether that be deemed "perfect" or not. I realize that my walk with Him is the most important thing in my life-it should be what I constantly, twenty four seven have my heart, soul, and mind fixated upon. As I grow up and continue to explore life, I see that trying to be perfect for someone else, rather than God, is not worth my while. In the end, He will be the one to judge me and decide whether or not I have been a good witness of Him.

Tonight in church we had a guest speaker come and speak about this very thing, about how we as "Christians" get so fixated on being "perfect" that we lose sight of what it really means to be a Christ-follower. What it really means to have a passion for the Lord and a passion for others, despite what they may or may not believe. In his sermon, he said something that really stuck with me. He said, "Do not try to convict with your words, but convince with your life." It is so imperative that we come to the conclusion that in our weaknesses, He is stronger. It is okay to be imperfect, because through Him we are given strength. Troy also told a story that just about brought tears to my eyes. The story goes like this: At a past youth summer camp, there was a little boy who had down syndrome. During the middle of worship, he came up on stage and asked to sing a song. Due to his disability, his voice was not "perfect" to the other students out in the audience, so they were quick to judge. The next day, the little boy came up and did the same thing, despite the student's comments. The last night, the little boy came up on stage once again, and sang. This time his disability seemed to disappear. His voice was beautiful and "perfect" to the audience. They all came to the front as the little boy worshiped and sang to His God. The students began to sob and pray, lives were touched and changed that night. When I heard this story, it gave me so much joy. Here is a little boy, who despite his "imperfections", never ceased to worship. He never gave up.

This story also brings Makenna to my mind. She is so perfect to me. Here is a girl who only has half of a brain, and she is so joyful. There is just something about her. Maybe it's the fact that she seems to have such a relationship with God that is indescribable. I watch her face light up as she listens to her baby worship videos, it's like she just knows. It's like out of all the things going on, she is just at peace with everything because He puts some sort of joy in her heart that radiates in her smile, in her sweet hugs, and in her laughter. It is the people like this in my life, that help remind me that "perfect" is nothing but a word. We can have a million things going wrong in our life, and still be filled with joy.

As I face a lot of changes in my life right now, I am praying that I am consistent in reminding myself that perfection shouldn't be my goal. I shouldn't be here to impress anyone else or beat myself up for being a little different than some may wish. I am simply here to be the best Christ-follower I can, to better myself in His eyes, and His eyes only. Because, it is HIS love that never fails me!

Praying for patience and forgiveness.

Happy Easter

I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Easter first off! Service was so AMAZING today! So unique, and non-traditional. I love my church so much, they aren't afraid to take a different spin on things. There was an artist that came and painted two portraits during the message and songs...it was incredible! Pastor John spoke about the real meaning behind everything, it was such a great message! Yesterday, I painted the girls toes and Marlee's fingers for Easter. Marlee was amazed by the whole thing, it was adorable. A few of her nails came off in the tub and she freaked. I rushed to fix them so she would calm down, it was funny. Makenna did pretty well with me painting her toe nails too. Here are a few pics from yesterday and today:

Yesterday, we also had a little fun dancing around the house! We have started doing this the past few days because Makenna absolutely loves it and it's an added workout :) I swear, music is the key to Kenna's soul. We took some video and pics of the kids dancing, myself included, and I loved watching Kenna's face light up when the music came on. She loves upbeat songs, like Fireflight, Miley Cyrus, and Justin Bieber. Such a little girl! If you want to see the video or pics, just go to my facebook.

Today was a great day, but I, as always, am still trying to figure out what the next step is in my so-called "journey". I feel like it is time for me to be independent and get a place of my own, but finding a roommate has been a struggle. (If any of you know of anyone looking for a roommate in the Plano/Allen/Mckinney area please let me know!!!) I can't seem to stop asking God to give me the answers, and I am finding that I am becoming less and less patient. I guess mainly because I only have 5 weeks of school left this semester, and then what? Today, I decided to move into my dad's house for a while, until I figure out my plans for next semester. Due to some personal things, it was just the best thing for me to do right now. I know that it will all work out just fine. He is glad to have me here, and so is his puppy Betty. It will be an adjustment, but I know we will make it work. I have been dealing with stress, worry, and impatience lately and I could really use some prayer for that. I know what I want to do, but not how to get there. I know in His time, it will happen and I will be given clarity and understanding, despite all the confusion along the way.

Praying for strength, forgiveness, understanding, and maturity. Thank you Lord for all you have done for us! You are our one and only savior!