Help a Sister Out!

If you've been around on the 'ole blog, you probably know that this summer I have the chance to go on a mission trip to Limón, Costa Rica, a region of this beautiful country where the people are marginalized by the government.

The total cost of the trip is between $2300-$2600 (depending on flight costs). I'm asking you to prayerfully consider partnering with me for this trip, first in prayer and secondly financially.

There are a couple ways you can help.

#1 Go to the Visiting Orphans and click on the "Donate" Tab. It's fairly easy to figure out what to do from there. Just make sure in the Fund category you choose: July 16-Costa Rica and then put my name in the blank that asks if you would like the donation to go to a specific team member. Honest to goodness, every dollar makes a difference. Even a $5 donation can be used mightily by God.

#2 Purchase some Visiting Orphans merchandise on their website! They just came out with a whole new spring line. When you checkout, you can choose to allow some of your purchase to go toward my trip. Just be sure to put my name.

Here's some of the stuff!!

Happy shopping! 

Rejoice, Rejoice, and Again I Say Rejoice!

Reach down. Put your hand on your chest. Ya feel that? That heart pumping gallons and gallons of life-sustaining blood through your veins?

Your heart is not beating aimlessly at this moment.

There is a reason you have been given today. No matter how tired, sick, unhappy, or overwhelmed you are...This day was not a mistake.

Will you step up? Will you be who God has called you to be today?

Rejoice loudly. Live boldly. Love fiercely.

For, this is the day that the Lord has made. Be compelled to rejoice and be glad in it. 

Extraordinary Blessings: Happy Birthday to my very own Proverbs 31 woman!!

Well, ladies and gents, it's time to wrap up the Billman birthday season with none other than...

Our mother dearest!! 

Happy Birthday to my very own Proverbs 31 woman! 

Mom, your profound influence on my life will never go unnoticed. I am who I am today because of you! 

We are so different, so so different, but I believe in the deepest parts of my heart that this is the way God has designed our relationship. 

He knew what I needed from the very beginning, and you have been exactly that...what I need, day in and day out. 

I needed to learn how to be a friend.  You are such a great friend. I've watched for years as God has brought new people into our family's life, and time and time again I'm astounded at your ability to make anyone feel loved and welcome. You are the easiest person to carry on conversation with, and everyone can tell that you are genuinely interested in what they have to say. Relationship building does not come as naturally to me, but you have modeled it so well. 

I needed to learn how to be confident in my identity in Christ. There's no beating around the bush, I have struggled deeply in finding my identity in Christ, but in all my wavering, self-conscious babble, and insecurity, you have never abandoned me as a lost cause. When I come to you for the billionth time, complaining about how I'm not happy with the way I am, you patiently repeat again and again, "You are beautiful;" "I'm proud of you;" "You will do great things." I cannot even begin to describe to you how much these words have meant to me.

I need to learn how to be a God-honoring wife. You know me, always thinking about the future...speaking of that, I'm so blessed to have parents who have modeled a Godly marriage! And being as I'll one day be a wife, I'm so thankful to have learned from the best. I love that you will candidly give us advice about married life, even now, instead of pushing it off to the side as something Emily and I will just have to figure out on our own. Watching you manage a household with ease is so inspirational; I want so badly to be a mom to my kids like you are to us and a wife like you are to Dad. Thank you for all your sacrifices for us: sleep, time, money to name a few. 

I needed to learn how to follow Jesus. The other day I was thinking about what my life would look like if I lived in a different family. The number one aha! that I had was that I might not know Jesus, if you and Dad weren't my parents. So, thank you! Thank you for modeling a relationship with God for me and for encouraging me to make it my own. 

Although we are different in so many ways, I also love the similarities we share. Cupcakes, cooking, Africa, reading books about orphans, Middle Eastern food, long conversations, Bible studies.

So, today, Mom, on your ? birthday (not sure you want the blog world to know ;) I hope you know how unfathomably loved you are. Thank you for all of your wise instruction, for teaching me how to do makeup and dress presentably, for loving me in spite of my many shortcomings, for giving me the idea to go to Africa on a mission trip, for your hours of work to make sure our family life runs smoothly, and, most importantly, for being a woman of God. 

I love you!! 

Extraordinary Blessings: Happy Birthday, Ry Guy!!

Happy Birthday, Ryan Paul! You've blessed me more than you could ever know. 

On March 6, 1995, I received a title that I've cherished deeply ever since. Ryan, you were the first to give me the honor of being a "big sister," and I am so so thankful that God placed you in my life. 

What a journey these last seventeen years as siblings has brought us! 

Perhaps a highlight reel is in order? 

In the last 17 years we have: 

+Welcomed two more Billman children into our family (and certainly showed them who the bosses were ;)

+Made countless forts and created millions of make-believe scenarios in our back yard 

+Prayed with Emily outside in the snow as she accepted Jesus

+Worked on countless math problem sets and papers (ok...maybe those weren't highlights...let's just stick with "learning experiences") 

+Rocked it out on PC Swim team together 

+Survived two big moves

A lot of times, people think that it's the little sibling that's supposed to look up to the older one, but truth be told, you are the one who should be admired in this relationship. I watch the steadfast love that you continually demonstrate to your friends...and I want to be a friend like that. 

I watch the way you approach life, easygoing and carefree, "sucking the marrow out of life" to quote you're favorite Thoreau (ha)...and I long to find joy like you, in even the most mundane. 

I listen to a room burst with uncontainable laughter (my own eye pouring out tears as I, too, laugh until I can no longer breathe) at your witty and timely humor...and I want to be around your contagious personality for hours upon hours.  

With fascination, I observe the ease and fluidity with which you recite mountains of information about Anatomy or History...and I think to myself, "This kid must certainly be a genius." 

I listen intently, as you vividly describe an experience or conversation related to faith and God...and my heart beats a little faster because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you will do amazing things for Jesus. 

Ryan, you are an absolute gift to this world: to our family, to your friends, and especially to me. I would love to claim that I "taught" you a lot of the things that you know, like a good big sister should, but the truth is that you have had so much more to teach me. Thank you for showing me how to live big, love hard, and enjoy the moments God has given me. Thank you for having a zest for life that beckons me away from my seriousness and not-so-sociability. Thank you for years of unconditional love that only a little brother can give. 

You are so so loved, Mr. Ry Guy! Cherish this day as we all celebrate 17 years of your life!! 

Happy Birthday!!