it’s kind of where I feel most at home

give me flip flops and sand any day

these are pictures of pictures of me when I was 12, we lived in Tonga at the time

have you ever heard this song?

“there is something about the ocean that makes me rise up and praise

there’s something about the heavens makes me stand in awe again

there’s something about the sunrise, reminds me of your faithfulness

there’s something about the ocean, and I’m lost in love again”

**

that is what the ocean does for me.

makes me fall in love with God again.

Here are some pictures of the ocean in Haiti.

It was my first time experiencing Caribbean ocean

it was primitive, non-commercial, and simple

my kind of ocean

I think I need to go back:)

For me, the cause that has always shook my core is homelessness. It moves me in ways I can’t describe. I ache for those people. I want to know their story. I want them to know I care. I want to learn from them, because often they are wise beyond their years.

So, when a fellow photographer shared their project, Dear World, I couldn’t wait to share it. To spread the word.

Dear World contains excerpts of letters written by the street community to the world. Their stories are paired with their portraits and readers are given an eye-opening view of what life is really like on the street and how they can help people stay off it.

Readers will meet Miranda – a former meth addict who has found healing and restoration. They will meet Jeremiah, a young man who, like many Americans, misjudged the economic stability and lost it all. They will read the words penned by people that they choose to ignore, the invisible urban population that stands in front of us all.

We should not ignore them.

Dear World is a book that will challenge, inspire, and equip you to answer the question for yourself. And you will be honored to be the hands and feet of Jesus to your community.

The book is a free download but they are accepting donations to help this cause. You can also spread the word on facebook, your own blog, twitter, etc.

Some quotes that rocked me.
I am a person.

Life is what you make it, so make it great. Make sure you live it to the fullest. God is great in all He does, so go after Him with all your might. -Miranda, on the street for 12 years.

I found more truth in drugs than I did in the church. -anonymous street person

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This is my personal challenge to myself and you. The next time you see a homeless, connect with them. If you don’t have anything monetary to give, give yourself. Find out their story, pray with them, give them a hug, show them that they are a person, a person loved by God.

______________________________________________________

I will not lie, at one point during the day I wondered why I do this. I sign up all gung ho and then mid way through I’m asking myself what I’ve gotten myself into. That moment happened when I was elbow deep in 20 pounds of spaghetti. My time and effort felt small, so small that I wondered what good it was. Why do it? Later that night I realized that even when I feel small, God is great. Even our small gestures mean so much to people. and to Him.

It was just spaghetti after all. But to the girl who held out her hand for her plate and told me that because of us she got to eat dinner tonight, well, it wasn’t just spaghetti. It was love, it was love in action.

I’m continually amazed at those that give love in action. Like Preacher Bob, who In 1984, arrived in Knoxville, TN with only two changes of clothes and $25. He started Highways and By-Ways Ministry in 1987 after getting back on his feet through the love and help of a preacher. Highways and By-Ways Ministry was formed to help street souls one-on-one under bridges, railroad tracks, local grave yards and homeless camps in the Knoxville area.

I signed up to cook by myself and put out a call to help earlier in the week because, well, 150 people are alot to cook for:) A gigantic thanks to my friends Kerri, Marie and my ever awesome mom! Thank you so much for taking time to help and putting love into action! And I can’t forget Susie, who is there every week and gives so much to this organization.  Thank you!

ps…Preacher Bob has a new facebook fan page! Go be a fan! And if you are interested in helping out, they meet every Thursday evening and need people to sponsor/make the food! I promise it is worth it!