Murdered for loving God.

We had Apostle James Jacob tonight at Encounter Christ Church. His sermon was awesome, but what he had to say about India was heartbreaking to say the least. Being a Christian in India is like being an African American to the KKK's. It's upsetting and ridiculous, but most of all it makes my heart hurt for these people. I realize that there are people being killed all over the world for what they believe in. But there is no such thing as a Christian terrorist and its so sad to see millions and MILLIONS of Christians being killed just because they chose to worship Jesus Christ. How many of us would go to church if we knew that any minute there was a large chance of people coming in with guns to shoot whoever was in there? How many people would put a cross in their front yard if they knew in the middle of the night someone could set their house on fire because of it? Some of us can't even wear our Christian t-shirts to Walmart. We save those just for church. I mean, after all, if people see us wearing it in walmart they might laugh at us. Or talk about us behind our back. That'd be just horrible! In India and all over different parts of the world Christianity isn't just what people do for fun. It isn't to satisfy their loved ones or to scratch a religious itch. They are Christians because they believe in God. They believe in the Holy Spirit. They believe in their salvation. They know God did miracles back in the biblical days and they KNOW he performs NEW miracles every single day...today. Being a Christian is WHO they are. It's their life. You'd take it pretty seriously too if you had a high probability of being murdered every hour of the day.

I just wish that we could have that FERVENT love for Jesus like these people do. They love God and trust his word-no matter what. They have to fight for the freedom to serve the Lord every single day. The biggest thing most of us have to fight for is for a good parking space in a parking lot. We can't even fathom being actually harmed (and murdered) for believing in something, these people deal with this reality every single day of their lives.

It's really humbling to see and hear about. It also makes me want to do more. Not everyone has it like we do, and I think too often we forget that. You can take the whole world, but leave me JESUS!

If you want to see actual pictures on Apostle James Jacob's website go to the following URL. I need to warn you that some of these are pretty disturbing, but they are ACTUAL photos. Imagine having to face this everyday of your life...

http://www.jamesjacobmin.org/gallery.aspx?id=8

I'm alive.

I am trying to sleep off this weekend, but it hasn't worked so well yet. I flew to PA this weekend for a family reunion. I didn't know any of them, and still don't. We stayed in the family cabin that has been in my family for like 50yrs. or something. It was a cute, little, quaint cabin. (Pictures will be up of the weekend as soon as I can get my camera to work!) Although I didn't know any of the PA family my REAL family was all there. Mom, Grandma, Aunt Linda & Uncle Rick, Bradley, Matt and Nikki. It was the first time that ALL of us have been on vacation somewhere and all together in a VERY long time. We got to know each other VERY well over the weekend in such a humble cabin :) Sunday we got to spend 4hrs. in NYC before I had to catch a plane back home. My Uncle had reservations for us to have lunch at a 4 star place in Little Italy. It was very nice! My plane ride home was...well...a nightmare. We won't get into that Let's just say I was supposed to get home at 12pm Sunday evening and didn't make it to Charlotte until 11am the next day. Home never felt so sweet! A lot has been happening with my family over the last month, and especially the last week. You know, the saying is true. People REALLY show their true colors when adversity strikes. Needless to say I didn't like a few of those "true colors" at all and i'm happy to get rid of them in my life. As far as family goes, well, the ones who really care about us are still here and will always will be. One thing i've learned through all of this is that my mother is the strongest person I have EVER known. She will find a hurdle, clear it, and keep truckin'. I admire her for that and hope to pass that kind of strength on to my kids in the future.

The wedding planning is going great! We had a couple setbacks with the loss of the family members I was speaking of but all of that is taken care of and flourishing because of the great people in my life! I know who has my back and I love it. I can't believe in about 7 months I will be Mrs. Jessica Clayton. It is still so surreal to me. I hope his family likes me enough to accept me sharing their last name! Of course, I guess they don't really have a choice. hehehehe.

School...is...school. Haven't really got into the "meat" of everything yet being that it is only the 2nd week of school. Don't worry, I know its coming!

Bradley is coming home for NINE days in a little over two weeks. I'm so excited and can't wait to have him home. For 9 days it will feel like he actually lives here again and we will be able to do all the things that couples do. I've seen him a lot lately, but he hasn't actually got to be home..without any work..for more than 2days..just him and me..for like two months now. I'm ecstatic about the break!

I need to see my best friends so bad! Robin is wedding planning and so much is going on in her life that I need to catch up with her as soon as possible. Anna is in love and I still need to get more details on that one! And Kelly is having a BABY! So, I need you girls to call me!

I think thats about it for now. Until next time..