OKC Warriors

Something I am really (reallly) passionate about is showing the love of Christ to Inner City kids. I believe this must be done through relationships, showing the love of Christ by taking the time to listen, truly listen, to what kids have to tell you. Asking them about their day, showing them that you are in it for the long haul...that you aren't going to disappear from their lives whenever you feel like it. I know it can be hard to get connected with a way to do this, that's why I want to take a moment to tell you about a program that changed my heart.

It's so easy to separate yourself from those that you "help." Although we don't want to have this perspective, it's so easy to see ourselves in one world and "them" in a totally separate world. When we finally do get around to "their world" we try to do everything we can to make their lives mirror our own, because that's what we think "they" need. Let me tell you, that is not what is needed. 

The Okc Warriors provide an opportunity to "love your neighbor as yourself." It's so easy to get connected and the impact it will have on your life is undoubtedly life changing. Whether you are interested in helping coach the wrestling team or tutoring the kids, the program can definitely find a place for you. To learn more about the Warriors you can email me at surrenderedchildren@gmail.com and check out their website .

P.S The Surrendered Children is currently working on a garage sale to raise money for this program. If you can donate anything for us to sell, or even donate your time to helping run the event, please let me know.

Rives

This kind of love

Anyone ever heard the song "Circle" by Flyleaf ? Well it has a great story behind it written by Flyleaf.  There are a few things you should know before you read this for it to make sense: "Passerby Army" is Gods army and "Dread Army" is the army of the world.

Our most loyal Captain that we put in charge of a thousand men was replaced today. He will be greatly missed. He was the strongest, most loving, selfless and courageous man any of us had ever known and his wife was a wonderful woman. The Commander loved her desperately. She was his life, but she had come from a very dark past and had been hurt so much that she was never able to fully trust him.

One day the Captain left to go on a mission. His wife was so sure that he was meeting another woman that she followed him. He settled into his hiding spot and after a moment of silence, she appeared before him with tears streaming down her face. "I know you are meeting another woman!" She screamed, "Where is she?!! I hate you! You lie to me all the time! I hope you die out here! I know you have had an affair, so guess what? I have had an affair too! I never want to see you again!" He was horrified and tried to quiet her, but it was too late. She began to flee and was nearly out of the Captain's sight when a Dread Army soldier appeared and seized her. The soldier threw her to the ground and as she lay there with a gun pointed at her, she realized that her husband wasn't meeting anyone. Remorse overwhelmed her just as she heard rapidly approaching footsteps and then her husband's voice shout, "let her go! Take me, but let her go!" The soldier looked at our Captain, scanned his uniform, and fear flashed across his face. He recognized him and put the gun closer to the woman, shouting,"Don't come any closer!" The Passerby Army Captain stopped and spoke softly. "Please take me, but let her go. My life in exchange for hers. Please." The soldier asked in disbelief. "But you are a Captain! Why would you die for this woman?" The man looked at his wife and said with tears flowing down his face, "Because I love her more than my own life." The Dread Army soldier threw back his head and laughed. "Woman, get out of here!!" The soldier commanded. When she walked far enough away for the soldier to be satisfied, she turned and saw her husband killed in her place. For the first time in her life, she knew that she was loved. Her cold heart was melted and she wept for 7 days without eating. She got up and went before the Passerby Army and told them all that had happened, asking to be punished with justice. A Passerby Army soldier went and stood by her to address his fellow troops. "Our Captain loved us. He lived for this mission, but he would do anything this woman asked. He loved her enough to die for her, so he must have believed in her ability to do greater things than he himself did while he was here with us. She has already proven that she is just by her request to bring justice on herself. I say that we make her our new captain!"
The crowd was in unison. "Long live our new Captain!"

She is proven to be our best Captain yet.


Let us not forget that Jesus loved us so much that he gave His life for us.
"Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."
-1 Corinthians 13:7

-A.J. =D

Think about it...

I saw a shirt the other day that said "live without Christ, die without Christ". Harsh but very true. Think about it...You may be having fun and living a careless life now but is it worth spending an eternity seperated from Christ?


-A.J.

Happy Independence day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Baby you're a firework

Come on let your colors burst!

Happy 4th of July! How blessed are we that we can live in a free country like the U.S.A!
I pray everyone had a safe night!



~A.J.

That's all I can stands!

"I believe the motivating reason why millions of people choose to good around us in the world is because there is something so wrong in that world. In fact there is something so wrong in that world, they can't stand it. Like Popeye, they too experience a firestorm of frustration, a moment when they grow so completely incensed by the present affairs that they throw their hands up in the air and shout;

'That's all I can stands and I can't stands it no more!'"

~ Bill Hybels

Holy Discontent

Happy Birthday My Friend

AJ

You are the most joyful, kind, selfless person I know. You truly shine with joy. The last 5 years of my life have been  happier, giddier, and much more amusing because you have been a part of them.
It has been a true honor to 'grow up' alongside of you. I truly believe you have helped shape me into who I am today. To  quote Emily Bronte (I know you don't know who that is, ugh)

 "Whatever our souls are made of [yours] and mine are the same."

I hope you have an exciting, adventurous, joyful year. I look forward to spending many many more with you.

"There is more to your life than you ever thought. There is more to your story than you ever read. There is more to your song than you ever sung.

A good author saves the best for last. A great composer keeps his finest for the finish.

And God, the author of life and the composer of hope, has done the same for you.

The best is yet to be."

~Max Lucado

~Rives

Your Trash, Our Treasure

Not sure if any of you attended our garage sale last year but we are in preparation of the one we will be having in a few weeks. 100% of proceeds will go towards an upcoming mission trip we will be going on (more on that later.) So if you have anything you are wanting to get rid of we will gladly take it! We will let you know when our drop off date is and if it doesn't work for you we will gladly pick it up!

Read It!

"A nice, middle-class, American Jesus. A Jesus who doesn't mind materialism and who would never call us to give away everything we have. A Jesus who would not expect us to forsake our closest relationships so that he receives all our affection. A Jesus who is fine with nominal devotion that does not infringe on our comforts, because, after all, he loves us just the way we are. A Jesus who wants us to be balanced, who wants us to avoid dangerous extremes, and who, for that matter, wants us to avoid danger altogether. A Jesus who brings us comfort and prosperity as we live out our Christian spin on the American dream.

But do you and I realize what we are doing at this point? We are molding Jesus into our image. He is beginning to look a lot like us because, after all, that is whom we are most comfortable with. And the danger now is that when we gather in our church building to sing and lift up our hands in worship, we may not actually be worshiping the Jesus of the Bible. Instead we may be worshiping ourselves."

~David Platt

These Are a Few of Our Favorite Things

A.J and I LOVE a LOT of things. Some things we both really enjoy (or enjoy imagining ourselves having) are:

Photography. Bet ya didn't guess that one.

Gray Owl Coffee

Toms

Almost anything that donates all or a portion of it's proceeds to something cool. Like this

 blood:water water bottle

Sour Patch Kids

All my own ~

Messenger Bags

Art Festivals

Anne of Green Gables

Mentos

Good music. (Manchester Orchestra)

Enjoy any of our favorites as well?

Photography anyone?

As you may already know me(A.J.) and Reives love photography! So I thought I would share some of my favorite pictures. Let me know what you think.

 This is my dog =]

 This is my cat =]

-A.J.

You call me.....

Thus speaketh Christ our Lord to us,

" You call me Master and obey me not,

You call me Light and see me not;

You call me the Way and walk me not;

You call me Life and live me not;

You call me Wise and follow me not;

You call me Fair and love me not;

You call me Rich and ask me not;

You call me Eternal and seek me not;

If I condemn you, blame me not."


- A.J.

Foster Care Awareness Walk

 "Tell me who'd have thought that we would be so controversial and stand against the normal

Are we too outspoken, loud, and messing up the comfortable

Well we've been messed up also

 But how can we be silent

When a fire burns inside us

 'Cause we're a million strong and getting stronger still

They'll remember we were here

With a million voices breaking silence till

They'll remember we were here

 We were made to start the riot, take on the impossible

And we will slay the giant

 We are done with fake religions fighting now to find the movement

Won't stop till we find it

 How can we be silent

When a fire burns inside us

 'Cause we're a million strong and getting stronger still

They'll remember we were here

With a million voices breaking silence till

They'll remember we were here

 You will remember

Yes you'll remember"

"million voices" by Barlowgirl.

A Weird Easter

Crafts for a Cause

Who doesn't like crafts? Whether making or buying there is something about having something handmade that just makes it seem more significant, like some thought was actually put into the product. A.J and I want to do so much to help others and have an impact on the world. We want to be world changers! Whether full on "mission trips" to third world countries or "micro-mission" in our area, someone has to fund these things! Instead of just asking for funds from friends and family members we are going to start making and selling items to friends and at craft fairs. We are trying to plan for future missions we plan to take and events we are running this summer. Look for Surrendered Children at craft fairs in this area and at church craft fairs and please help support us. All of the proceeds will go to Surrendered Children events and missions. We will post pictures of the goodies we are working on so you can get a chance to check it out. Also, if you are ever interested in hosting a Surrendered Children Party please contact us! We will pair up with other "crafty" friends and supply products to sell. It would be an amazing opportunity for us to meet people interested in Supporting our Group and get the word out about what we are doing ( plus who doesn't like a party where you shop?) Hope everyone has a great weekend and a Very Happy Easter!

~Rives

Walk a mile in my shoes

Foster Care Awareness Walk

DATE: 9 a.m. Saturday, April 30, 2011

LOCATION: The Mickey Mantle Plaza at the Bricktown Ball Park in OKC

COST: Participation is FREE but registration is required.

REGISTRATION: walkamileOKC.com

BRING A SUITCASE: Symbolic of the many moves Foster Children endure due to the shortage of foster homes.

Defend the weak and the fatherless...

Psalm 82:3

Quotes

 

I love quotes. Motivational, inspiring, thoughtful, cute, silly....a good quote is something I want to always remember. I think a quote can sometimes be as inspirational as a Bible verse (hopefully that's not just me.)Anytime I hear or read a good quote I add it to my "quote book" so I'll always have it at hand.
Here are a few you might find to be as special to you as they are to me.
Please share any quotes you love as well! I would love to read them, and maybe add them to my book;)

"I like people who can do things."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Too low they build, who build beneath the stars."
Edward Young


"With one hand I take thousands from the poor, and with the other I hand back a few."
Leo Tolstoy

"As long as Jesus is one of many options: he is no option. As long as you carry your burdens alone;
you don't need a burden-bearer. As long as your situation brings you no grief; you will receive no comfort.
And as long as you can take him or leave him, you might as well leave him,
 because he won't be taken half-heartedly"
Max Lucado

"Jesus didn't die on the cross to make us safe. He died to make us dangerous."
Mark Batterson


On a totally different subject, A.J and I have a new "mission" coming up that we are really excited about! It's different from all of the other events we have ever done before. Can't wait to see how it turns out. Should be a lot of fun! More on that soon!

~Rives

Think about it

So the past two weeks at my church ( life church.tv) we had messages (watch here) from a guest speaker named Steven Furtick . He did an amazing job at putting somethings in perspective for me. He explained that-Sometimes we are afraid to do things because no one else has done it before, but maybe the reason no one else has done it before is because God wanted you to be the first to do it. Think about it someone has to be the first, why not you?

A.J

Church 2011 Experience

We had an amazing time at Church 2011! Here is a quick look at what our time there looked like.

 

"So I'll stand with arms high and heart abandoned in awe of the one who gave it all. I stand, my soul Lord to you surrendered. All I am is yours."

 

 

"Let your Spirit take me over God 'cause you're all I'll ever need yeah you're all I'll ever need Lord. Receive this life an offering God 'cause I've spent it all on you, yeah all spend it all on you."

 

 

Matthew 5:13-16

Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand-shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. 

20 Questions

So before we start posting what we do we thought it might be a good idea to start off letting you know who we are. We are each going to answer 20 questions, not with what we think people want to hear, but how we really feel. I (Rives) will be answering in blue and A.J will be answering in purple (which is how you can distinguish who posts what in the future.) Hopefully you feel like you get a better understanding of who we are as individuals. We can't wait to share with you some of our favorite past events and exciting events we have coming up very soon!



So, here we go!

1.)What makes you righteously angry?

I am made righteously angry by Inner City schools that do not provide each child with the best education possible for them.
The disrespect of our generation.
2.)What comes to mind when you think of fear?

That I will get comfortable and let my life go by without any significant purpose.
Suffocating.

3.)What does your perfect Saturday look like?

Going to Gray Owl for coffee, spending the afternoon at an arts festival, eating lunch at Victoria's Pasta Shop, and searching for beautiful things at used furniture and antique stores.
A day full of Starbucks, walking around Lake Hefner and taking pictures.

4.) What is your favorite book?

Anne of Green Gables...the entire series. I would use up both hands to count how many times I have read this series.
The Bible.

5.) What is one item you can't live without?

Assuming food and water are a given...my car maybe? I would hate not being able to get around easily.
My flat iron. I will not go out without first straightening my hair.

6.) What is your favorite quote, verse, or song lyric?
I love quotes! I keep a book of them because there are just so many I love. I think one of my very favorites is "Friends in what other life are you going to go all out? We all have one shot and one shot only to leave a lasting legacy - a definitive mark on this world that reflects our decision to lean in to and not away from our areas of holy discontent. We can finish differently than we started friends. We can!"
~Bill Hybels
Holy Discontent (Great book!)
"Then I asked 'Have you ever been abandoned? Felt so lost that you are stranded? Just like all the walls are closing in and you were left inside? Have you ever felt like your days were numbered stuck under a tree in thunder? Seems to be no way out, but there is one when in doubt."
~Thousand Foot Cruth
~When in doubt
7.) What is your favorite quality in a person?
Passion. When a person is willing to give all they've got for something they believe in. When someone is willing to be the change.
Passion. Someone who will go the extra mile for something they believe in.
8.) What is one dream you have for your life?
To go on a mission trip to Africa.
To go on a mission trip to Africa.
9.) What is your life motto?
Just go for it (because "just do it" is already taken) You can talk yourself in and out of God's will for you by over analysing and asking every ones opinion. It's so easy to scare yourself out of God's will for your life! Just go for it! Even if you do fail, at the very least you know you tried.
It is what it is.
10.)Who do you strive to be daily?
I strive to be someone who knows that if I was to die tomorrow I would hear "Job well done my good and faithful servant" from my father. I strive to be someone who can witness to someone without even having to speak.
A passionate person. Someone who lives up to up high expectations.
11.)What is your biggest pet-peeve?
When local our meteorologist "send it  back" to the national meteorologist when they can not even hear each other!
People touching my elbows.
12.)What is one place you have always wanted to go?
Prince Edward Island.
Spain. Because of the beautiful historical architecture.
13.)What was your favorite Surrendered Children project?
Our garage sale when we sold donated items to raise money for the Inner City Warriors (a local non-profit mentoring/wrestling organization that we are very passionate about helping to support.)
The Blood:Water Walk where we raised money and awareness about the lack of clean water in Africa by "walking a mile in their shoes" and carrying a gallon of water to help us better understand the living conditions of those in Africa.
14.) What is your perfect morning?
Waking up really early to watch the sunrise while driving to get breakfast and a delicious cup of coffee.
Driving at 5 a.m. (when no one is on the road) with the windows down listening to Cartel and drinking coffee.
15.) What is your dream job?
Working at an Inner City school and changing the system.
Photography.
16.) How do you want to be remembered?
I want to be remembered as someone who holds nothing back in life. Remembered for going all out.
I would like to be remembered as a follower of Christ. Someone inspiring.
17.) What do you consider to be your biggest achievement?
The fact that I am able to plan missions that other people attend.
Surrendered Children.
18.) What do you want to do on your 18 birthday?
Stay home and order infomercial products.
Go on a road trip with Rives not knowing where we will end up. Just get in the car and drive.
19.) You have no patience for?
Laziness
Under-Achievers
20.) What do you want you epitaph (tomb stone) to read?
The End.
It is what it is.

What about you? Any of these questions make you think about your life? Let us hear some of your answers!

Surrendered

We are the surrendered. We have surrendered our lives to God and let him lead the way and decide where we go next. Last year me and Rives felt called to start a mission group, so with the help and support of our families, friends, and church the surrendered children was born. We knew that starting this group would be challenging but it has been so worth it! Although sometimes before an event I may feel overwhelmed, stressed, or like I can't do something Rives pulls me pack and reminds me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

 I would not be able to do this with anyone but Rives nor would i want to. She is a great friend and I am blessed to have her in my life. -A.J.

Long Story Short

The Surrendered Children is a group AJ and I started of teen/young adults who have a burden to do missions. We seek out opportunities to serve as well as create our own.
There are a lot of little things to take care of when running an event and it is all very exciting (if not stressful at times). Liability forms, donations, volunteers, permits...it is a lot to think about! When I had the idea for this group I know exactly who to go to (turned out she had been having similar ideas)

AJ is the perfect person to do this with!

She is on fire for God and it shows. She hops right on board when I have an idea for the group, and she pushes me to do more.

 She is generous, kind, funny, quirky, and independent. She is the kind of person everyone wants to be friends with because she is just that nice. She is the perfect balance to me and I know I can count on her for anything. I couldn't ask for a better Surrendered Children partner or a better friend.

I can not wait to see what God has in store for the Surrendered Children! ( we have a lot of exciting things coming up!)

"I despaired at the thought that my life might slip by without seeing God show himself mightily
 on our behalf." ~Jim Cymbala
-Rives

What Were Here For

I know these days everyone is blogging, tweeting, facebooking, texting...it just never ends! We are not those girls! We aren't here to post every thought that runs through our head, we are here to connect with people. Blogging is a great way to get a glimpse of someone's daily life that you normally wouldn't get to see. We will let you in on what burdens our hearts, what makes us "righteously angry" what makes us go to sleep at night praying " God I am not done yet!" We are ordinary girls who pray God will use us to do extraordinary things. We are the next generation, so it might be interesting to see where were headed:)
There are a lot of "we's" in this post so far, right? We are two friends encouraging each other in our walks of faith. We are each other's biggest supporters and we push each other to do what we might want to shy away from. We have similar personalities but we are not the same in every way! We have different fears, callings, and interests. However we are both independent, purpose driven, fully devoted followers of Christ.
So who's who? We will be signing our posts with different signitures so you know who is posting what. We are excited to start this journey and can't wait to see who we meet!