GIVEAWAY WINNER

 

Happy President's Day!

We are almost as excited about announcing the giveaway winner as we are about being out of school today. :)

 

Last week, Alabama was hit with snow for the 2nd time this winter.

Thankfully, we were much more prepared this time around, which made things a lot less dangerous & a lot more fun.

 

 

For our very first giveaway, we asked you to share a picture of the snow, & the winner would receive a FREE Mission:118 t-shirt of his/her choice.

 

& the winner is....

 

Drum roll, please.

 

Kelsey Brumbeloe!

 

 

 

Congratulations, Kelsey!

Your picture is beautiful!

 

 

We will get your tee to you this week!

 

Thanks to everyone that entered this giveaway!

We loved seeing how much fun you & your families had in the snow.

 

Don't forget to purchase your own Mission:118 tee before February is over to help support our friend Heath. Even if you are unable to purchase a shirt this month, we ask that you generously share your social influence by telling your friends & family about our cause!

 

Have a great week!

 

-Mission:118

 

 

 

 

 

 

You Know Me

 

Before you read this, watch this video!

 

I'm a sucker for a good worship song, so when I heard 'You Know Me' by Steffany Frizzell for the first time, I was hooked.

 

Every time I listen to this song, I am completely overwhelmed & in awe of the simple fact that

God knows me.
 

But I'm not just his acquaintance.

In fact, he knows every detail of my life:

 

He knew me before I was in my mother's womb (Jeremiah 1:5), & He formed me.

He knows my name (Isaiah 41:3), & He calls me.

He knows how many hairs are on my head (Jeremiah 1:5), & He counts them all.

He knows the desires of my heart (Psalm 37:4), & He provides them.

 

(This last one really gets me.)

He knows my sin, (Psalm 69:5), & He LOVES me.


This Sunday at Church 29:11, Pastor Rick preached on love. You can listen to the message here.
He said:
 "God is the one who has been wronged. He's been disobeyed. He's been rebelled against- all the promises we make to Him that we break. We do all this against God, & then God says, "You've done this against me, but I'm still going to pay for it, & I'm going to pay for it with the best that I've got- my own son, Jesus Christ.
That's sacrifice, & that's what the Word of God says is true love."

You see, God is never surprised by us.
He doesn't fall off his throne when we get a new job or refinance our house or fight with our spouse.
He knows us to our very core, & nothing gets past him.
The good, the bad, & the ugly: He sees it all & still loves us.


Tonight I am thankful for a God who 'hung the stars & moves the sea' & still knows me.

(& for Steffany Frizzell's rockin' voice. That girl can sing.)
 

Oh, The Places GOD Will Take You!

Have you ever read "Oh, The Places You'll Go!" by Dr. Seuss? I came across the whimsical children's book a few days ago and found myself super motivated and encouraged to step out and do BIG things. And if you haven't read it recently, I recommend you read it now.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares The Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Did that story remind you of this verse? Jeremiah 29:11 was the first thing that came to my mind as I was reading the silly book. But this didn't accidentally happen. Dr. Seuss is known for writing more than what meets the eye. The famous cartoonist, just like Jesus, is challenging us to go further, dig deeper to find our purpose and to fulfill the plan that's already written for us.

But let's get real here. 

A lot of us can probably recite Jeremiah 29:11 with our eyes closed but how many of us believe it? I mean, actually believe that God has a crazy, radical, and out of this world plan for YOUR life? It may have just been me but all I saw ahead of me was: College, good career, get married, live happily ever after. Now what about that sounds radical? I belittled God's word. I took what he said and thought that it meant he'd give me a good husband and maybe stay financially stable all my life.

But I soon realized that that was literally nothing compared to his plans for my life. All I had to do was be bold enough to step into those plans, and once I did, I truly began to understand what God meant by having plans for me. 

I can honestly say that Mission:118 has been the biggest blessing of my life, and it was in God's plan all along. I didn't know it, but He was working in my heart, placing specific people in my life, and putting me in the most perfect places and situations all in His perfect timing. He was doing all this so that one day, three teenage best friends would share their dreams for their lives, and in turn, create one BIG dream to change the world using the unique gifts and talents God gave them.

But it hasn't been easy. No one said it would be. In fact, the Bible AND "Oh, The Places You'll Go!" warns us of that. They both make it very clear that we would not always be ahead of the game, that we would have to make very hard decisions, and that we would never be perfect; however, we cannot let that discourage us from living the life God intended us to.

"So...

be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray

or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,

You're off to Great Places!

Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting.

So...get on your way!"

No Day Like a Snow Day

Almost 2 inches of snow fell over Birmingham in just a few hours today, which was quite a surprise. 

Some of us were lucky enough to make it home safe & sound, but others had a bit of a struggle.

 

This winter storm roared through the south, causing multiple wrecks, canceled flights, closed schools & businesses, stranded drivers on the roads with no way home, & several reported deaths.


While I was bundled up on my couch, safe & warm, my heart was blessed by the generosity I saw being poured out by the people of Birmingham. My Twitter feed was FULL of Alabamians lending a hand to those around them.

 

These students at UAB were pushing cars uphill one at a time to help others make it home. 

Employees at The Fresh Market walked along 280 in the freezing cold passing out snacks and bottled water to those stuck in traffic, & several local churches and businesses opened their doors as warm shelters to those stranded on the road.

Even my friend Preston was able to make it home thanks to some very generous commuters.

 

As I look out my window at the perfect, untouched snow, I am reminded of the precious blood of Jesus that has made us pure by his loving sacrifice. It's so refreshing to know that we serve a God that would gladly give up the comfort of his warm home, put on his North Face jacket, touch screen gloves, & rain boots, & trudge through the snow for us.

 

 

Today, I am thankful for generous hearts all over Birmingham that put other's needs first & for our generous savior who has washed us white as snow.

 

So where did you see generosity today?

 

Stay warm & safe!

 

 

Welcome to our NEW blog!

We’re so excited that Mission:118 will officially be launching in FEBRUARY!

Each month, we will select a cause we love, design & screen print t-shirts, & give all of the profit we make to that specific cause.

We are proud to announce that our very first cause will be We Believe in Heath, a fund set up to support Heath Lowery.

Heath is a single 42 year old who suffered from a massive stroke in October 2013. Doctors told him he would never walk again or use the right side of his body, but after almost 4 months, Heath is quickly beginning to walk and regain control of his right side.

 

Because his body is not fully functioning, it is necessary for Heath to have an in-home nurse who not only cares for him, but also helps him learn how to regain control of his body. Heath has lost all immediate family over the past 10 years, so his extended family and friends have banned together to provide financial support, & they need our help!

For every t-shirt you purchase in February, all of the profit will go directly toward Heath’s medical expenses.

We recently went to visit Heath at the assisted living home he is temporarily living in & discovered what a wonderful man he is. He is a walking (with a cane) testimony of the power and grace Christ daily extends to us.

If you are unable to purchase a t-shirt this month, we would love to see you donate your social influence by sharing Heath’s cause on your favorite social media site!

We are so grateful for everyone that has encouraged & supported Mission:118 since it began in September.

Only a few more days until t-shirts go on sale! We hope we see you then!

LIVE GENEROUSLY.

Mission:118