the unexpected

Oh, Sebastian

How to expect the unexpected: A Recipe.


1. Do not presume to know anything. At all.
2. Stir in a lot of flexibility. Blend well.
3. Add in a healthy amount of laughter.
4. Remember to be surprised by nothing.
5. Mix well with spontaneity.
6. Add a pinch of "faking it even when you have no idea what is happening"
7. Pray hard, pray frequently.
8. Pour into the pan and believe that Jesus is going to make it turn out all right.
9. Set the timer and use each minute wisely.
10. The unexpected will come out differently every time, so don't expect it to look
one way. There is no set time to bake, either. Just use your God-given intuition.


This is a recipe I'm learning this summer at Operation Exodus. From being dragged through the sprinklers at the park because Sebastian and a first grade girl overpowered me, to getting so little sleep I can barely think, the Lord has helped me not only tolerate, but embrace the unexpected.


Monday morning began with lots of fun and learning. This included counting and sorting Fruit Loops and then making necklaces!

Spiro and Aaron working hard

One of these things is not like the others...Mr. Hugo joins the Fruit Loop fun

My sweet ray of sunshine, Sebastian

Besines getting creative during necklace making

Read closely. Sometimes, encouraging sentences show up in the alphabet!

My kindergarteners worked hard and I was so proud of them. It is the little moments, friends. I appreciate their hearts and abounding love. I appreciate their boundless energy and curiosity. Sometimes it is difficult for me to understand their mindset and learn how to value the things they value, but the Lord allows me some measure of understanding. 

What would we do without the sweet Pre-K, Jordyn, to keep things interesting?

On Thursday, we introduced the Olympics to our kids. We learned about the Olympic flag, watched some of the different sports in the Olympics, learned about the torch, the medals and sportsmanship. These are some pictures of our kids working as a team to color our own Kindergarten Olympics banner. 

Coloring: A Kindergarten Favorite

This is Spiro. As I headed down to assembly on Thursday morning, Spiro's mom stopped me and handed me a big bag. She told me that Spiro asked if they could bring fruit for his whole class. 


"So, I got some fruit. And here it is."


Wow! We had an delicious, fresh snack of fruit because of Spiro and his mom. I honored him later in the day with a shout-out for his thoughtfulness. I thought it was awesome of him to think about his whole class. What an unexpected blessing!

My prayer is this week is one of thankfulness.
I returned to New York City and I am learning how to serve and love like Jesus.
Living in community and having sweet fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ
is an encouragement.
We proclaim the gospel to one another and to the world.
A gospel of grace.
                     freedom.
                     love.
                     joy.
a scandalous gospel.
an unexpected gospel.
a much-needed gospel.
a daily gospel.
JESUS,
Thank you for meeting me where I was,
but loving me too much
to let me stay there.
Thank you for the transforming power of your WORD.
Thank you for shining your light in my darkness
and changing me.
Thank you for freeing me from the lies I believed.
Thank you for healing me of my blindness.
To God be the glory.


I have been reading the Sermon on the Mount this week as well as learning more about the miracles of Jesus. He continues to amaze me. I am still cut to the heart when I read about the new law that governs not our outward actions, but the deepest desires of our hearts. It is convicting, but it is here that I also find freedom. I cannot keep the law because I was sinful from birth and will be until the day I die. Jesus came to fulfill the law, not abolish it, and it is finished. Praise God. Continue to work in my heart, Lord, and change me. 


May the grace and peace of our Lord fill your hearts and cover your lives.