Reflection

Just coming off of Easter, Jesus is still fresh in our minds. Our weeks will move on and life will take over, but will you still remember how Jesus suffered for you as well as you do right now? Will you continue to live as if he is returning tomorrow? Sometimes I get so busy with school, work, social life, family and everything in between that I forget to breathe let alone have time to reflect on Jesus. During a Bible study last week, a comment was made about just doing our Bible Study just to check it off the list of To-Do’s. It made me realize I was not spending the quality time I needed to with God.   I was just checking him off the list. If we don’t make time for God, we grow farther apart from him and God longs for a relationship with his children. Upon realizing these things I decided to make time to spend with God, good quality time. I would love to share with you some of my most favorite things to do during this new found time with God. Ways to continue to remember how Jesus suffered for us and without him we are nothing.

This year I started a Christ Book. One of my friends introduced me to this idea and I absolutely loved it. So I went out and bought my self a journal to start this process. My favorite thing about this is that you literally can put anything that inspires you to become closer to Christ in it. I have put song lyrics, take my devotion notes in it. I have brought it to church and take notes over the sermon so I can review them later.  I just love having something I can look back and reflect over. Here are some ideas you can use for your very own Christ book.

This is my most recent journal about Easter and the resurrection.

My other favorite way is my prayer journal.  I received this journal from my parents at my graduation. I have never been consistent with a journal, but I thought to write down my prayers. I love being able to write them down and reflect on what I am talking to God about. It puts things in to prospective for me and I realize the important issues I need to pray about. Another thing that is cool is I can look back at prayers and see or identify what  I was going through when I prayed that prayer. I recently looked back in my prayer journal and noticed a specific prayer that I prayed in December. It was right before I figured out what kindergarten class I would be placed in for January. The children sure gave me a run for my money, but in my prayer I asked God to place me with the children that needed me the most. The definitely was the case and I had forgotten I even asked God to help me in that situation.  You could also incorporate your Christ book and prayer journal as well.

While most of my prayers are personal as well as I mention people
 I am praying for, I tried to find a simple prayer to give you an idea on how I use my journal.

My last favorite way has just become a recent way to praise God. I received this devotion and coloring book for Easter from my mother. I enjoyed my other coloring books, but this one is especially fun because it comes with a soundtrack to play and mediate over while you are coloring. This is a fun way to reflect over what God is doing in your life.

                                               

The backs  of each paper are filled with hymns,
Bible verses, poems or quotes. 

                                 



You can purchase a journal and Whatever is lovely on the right hand side of my blog! Use this referral link to make your purchase! Let me know how you like both products!

While school, work, kids and everything in between take up our time, I believe we still need to find time to reflect with God. He is after all the one who will be with us forever. I have been consumed these past weeks with tasks to complete and homework to finish that even my blogging has gotten forgot about. As you reflect over God this week remember that he wants a relationship with you. Reach out to him and your requests with be answered. What are some of your favorite ways to reflect with Christ?

As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. -Proverbs 27:19

Lots of Love,

The Adorned Campaign

      In 2009 a state of suicide emergency was declared on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. In 2013, 100 attempted youth suicides occurred during the first 110 days of the year. In 2015 between the months of December to March 103 attempts occurred of individuals between the ages of 12-14. These situations have become so common they don’t make the news.. The suicide rate on Pine Ridge is 150% higher than the national rate, so why does no one know about this? These beautiful angels were crying for help, but with no one to listen they thought the worst.

      When I visited the Reservation this fact was prevalent in my mind, but I had no idea how large the actual issue had become.  This is a issue we should address and not continue to ignore. We can not be apathetic to this situation. These are beautiful human beings taking their own lives because they feel they have no other escape. 

       On March 11th, a campaign was launched to combat the suicide rate on Pine Ridge. This program is run through the same ministry I helped serve when I was there. The Adorned Campaign is spreading love and worth in many different ways. I am so excited to bring awareness to the campaign to share the love we have for our brothers and sisters of Christ. You may be wondering how you can get involved?
        You can support this campaign financially by sponsoring a shirt. These shirts are given to girls in school systems on the Reservation. The Adorned Campaign is teamed up with the local schools and counselors to provide the girls with a positive message. The campaign will have a lasting impact and relationship within the schools. If you are willing and able to purchase a sponsorship bundle you will be providing these girls with a t-shirt, a band together bracelet and a encouraging poster.  You can find a picture of what the package consists of HERE. This is a large way you can make an impact from your own community. If God places this campaign on your heart and you feel as if you can contribute purchase a sponsorship bundle HERE.
       You can support this campaign socially. This is one of my personal favorite aspect of this campaign. When they go into the schools they will start off with a slide show showing these teens pictures of people who have written “You are more” on their hands. They will show them all of the support that have from across the country and across the world. You can take a picture of your hand with “You are more” and tag @adornedcampaign on their social media. We are showing these teens that they matter and there are people who do care about them. We are showing them they are more than the situations and environments they grow up in. They are more then the thoughts they are having.

                     

              

Get creative! Have your little brother, you, your grandparents all get involved. You are helping combat teen suicide on the Reservation. You are making a difference. God did not place us on this earth to sit back and let lives be taken. He wants you to make an impact. God has laid this campaign on my heart and I hope he has laid it on yours as well. 

Lets make a goal to have at least 25 of you loving individuals to post pictures with your hand. It’s a simple task that is making a difference in the Native American community. So let us show our love. Snap a picture and show these teens that they matter.

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. -John 13:35

Info from:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/02/us/pine-ridge-indian-reservation-struggles-with-suicides-among-young-people.html?_r=0
http://lakotachildren.org/pine-ridge-reservation/

Lots of Love,

Pine Ridge Reservation.. Day 5

Our day began at Rockyford School. This is a K-8 public school here on the reservation. It was a very nice building and well kept! They even fed us lunch and I ran into one of my old principals, who is now a principal here.

                                

While we were here we packed sacks with food in them called Blessings in a Backpack. These are for the kids to take home on the weekends so they do not go without food. One lady undertakes this each week so we decided to give her a hand. Each weekend they send home around 450 sacks of food. We were able to pack just short of 900 before running out of one of the items. This program is similar to programs I have in my hometown, except for one big factor. This entire program is funded by one lady in Texas who sends around $80,000 a year to help feed children in the local schools. It is so incredible that one lady can make this large of an impact on a community. I know these children are so grateful for the food they receive.

                             

                                         

After we finished packing one of the teachers invited us to come dance with his P.E. class. This was a fun experience to get to bond with the children here. They all wanted to be our partners and we were excited to be there!

                                         

After serving at the school we took a little break for a long hike around the property. The scenery here is phenomenal and I am so blessed to live in such a beautiful state. 

                                       

Once we finished our hike we unloaded another bus full of mattresses. We were able to place them on the beds we made for the group that is coming next week. We cleaned and disinfected them for all of the new bunk beds!

                                     

Night time came and we headed in towards the church. Each Wednesday night Sharps Corner Baptist Mission hosts church and kids church. We were able to help out with kids church. This was a fun way to end our last day here. 

                         

                           

 We said goodbye to Julie and the rest of the family who lives here on the ranch. We are so thankful for them and the mission they are pursuing. They are making a very large impact on Pine Ridge Reservation. I can not wait to return as God has called me to this mission.  I hope to participate in the kids camp Chanku Waste Ranch hosts each summer. I know this will be a new and exciting opportunity to get to know the people even more.

                          

Is so incredible what you can learn from a different culture if you immerse yourself among their own environment. All the stereotypes and stigmas that are placed on a culture seem to fall apart and become irrelevant when you actually get to know the people within the culture and lifestyle. When we let our hearts open and keep our minds aware, we are able to serve with a loving soul. These Native Americans are humans and God has called me to love other human beings. It does not matter what people say towards these individuals, until you actually immerse yourself within the culture you can not understand where they are coming from. I highly encourage you all to take upon yourselves to visit a culture outside of your own to better understand the world. I am so happy for this opportunity to serve individuals within my own state. I am grateful towards my university for allowing me to have this opportunity.

                        

Thank you God for this opportunity to serve you and our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are so thankful for your blessings and ability to serve.

Each one of you should use whatever gifts he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. -1 Peter 4:10

Lots of Love,

Pine Ridge Reservation.. Day 4

Our morning began with finishing the second halves of the rooms with carpet. We laid carpet squares in each of the rooms after we painted. 

                          

                                    

After lunch, we headed in town towards the church. At the church they have a pantry building in order to help fill some of the needs in the community. Here we were able to rearrange and organize for the church. A couple hours and a few mice later we successfully organized the pantry top to bottom.They are still in need of many basic necessities including Mac and Cheese as well as baby wipes. They take in any clothing items you are willing to donate as well as food items.
*Please contact me at yesjustallieblogspot@outlook.com if you are looking to donate.

                      

                     

                      

                       

After our long day of rearranging and organizing we headed back to the ranch for supper. We ate supper and watched the movie Buried My Heart at Wounded Knee. This is a good movie and historically accurate to what events lead up to the massacre. Later that night we built the rest of the bunk beds. Each room only had one set of bunk beds in order for it to be easier for us to lay carpet. We built the next sets so the group next week is able to have a place to stay!

                                 

Our night ended with a beautiful sunset and another day of work ahead. We are excited to go to Rockyford school today and help with Blessings in a Backpack. This program sends food with children for the weekends, so they are not left with out a meal. 

                    

Please continue to pray for this mission and all the good work they are doing.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:19

Lots of Love,

Pine Ridge Reservation.. Day 3

Yesterday we began work at the ranch. Our work consisted of painting rooms, laying carpet, cleaning and reorganizing. We started by painting the rooms in which the groups who run the summer camp stay in.

                        

                        

Next, we took our hand at laying carpet squares. We were able to get our hands dirty and lay half of the rooms before we ran out of glue. We will have some muscles come move the beds today so we are able to carpet the next half. Another mission group is coming next week and bringing curtains and other decor to make the rooms a a bit more cozy.

                                 

                                 

After our hard work we took  a break. Correena and I decided to have a real life princess and the pea moment.  We could not work the entire day so we had to slip a little fun in somewhere.

                              

                   

                    

After our break we cleaned the camp building and made our way outside. The camp here has a bus that functions as their tool shed. We were able to organize it, which allows it to be easier for them to access tools. After supper we headed in to Sharps Baptist Mission Church. Here we also organized and sorted items. The church runs a pantry and we sorted items to go to the pantry and to give away. Today we will be heading towards the pantry to bring the items and sort there as well. If anyone is looking to donate towards their pantry they are currently in need of Mac and Cheese, Ramen Noodles and Diapers Size 4,5,6. With all of us working we were able to get it done quickly.

                       

We are so thankful for this opportunity to work with this community. We have learned so much about the Natives culture already and will continue to learn as the week goes on. I am thankful to help our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We will continue to work at the ranch today and eventually move our way over to the pantry for some more organizing! Thank you for your continued prayers and thoughts.

*If you are interested in making donations please contact me at yesjustallieblogspot@outlook.com

Feed the hungry, and those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be bright as noon. -Isaiah 58:10

Lots of Love,

Pine Ridge Reservation.. Day 2

Day 2 began with an early morning sunrise and church. Pastor Mike and his wife are also connected to a church at Sharps Corner.  They host church every Sunday as well as children's activities. During the weekdays there is also events happening at the church or at the ranch. They run a unique outreach mission in order to spread the word of Christ on the reservation. While we were here they had a guest speaker named Mr. Coleman. He spoke about rejoicing in the Lord and how we should be excited for his return, we should begin to prepare our hearts and minds.

                    

                    

After church we made our way to Sheeps Mountain. Here we had lunch and took in the view of the Badlands. This is one of the most breathtaking views of the Badlands I have ever seen. If you are ever in the area I highly encourage you to stop here. At the top of the mountain you could see for miles and even catch a glimpse of Harney Peak.

                   

                 

                 

After our lovely lunch we headed to the interiors of the Badlands. We spent the rest of our afternoon hiking and exploring the interior. This was a fun bonding activity our group got to experience. We saw buffalo, prairie dogs and even a coyote. We got to enjoy our campus pastor Dennis run up and down the sides of the Badlands with the go-pro. This provided us with some cheap entertainment and a lifetime of laughs.

                

               

                 

We once again ended our day back on the ranch. We had some free time and then we had girls night. Girls from the community were brought to the camp by the ministry. We ate supper, played football, card games and they even taught us one of their own games. After supper, Julie, who lives here on the ranch, gave her testimony and how she continued to live her life despite the struggles she has gone through. 

                    

                  

                  

I loved getting to meet the girls who use this camp on a weekly basis. I enjoyed getting to hear how the ranch affects their lives and to see firsthand the lives this ministry is touching. Interacting with the girls made my day and allowed me to see what really happens on the reservation through their eyes. It's so interesting to see how God is working in all of our lives. He loves each and every one of us and is doing great things here at Chaku Waste Ranch. Today we begin working on the repairs at the ranch. Please continue to pray for us and this ministry. I am so thankful for the journey that God has led me on. 

In his hands are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. -Psalm 95:4-5

Lots of Love,

Pine Ridge Reservation.. Day 1

During my honors course this year our main over arching topic is identity. One of the cultures we talked about pertaining to how they identify is Native Americans. We talked a lot about the real history of what happened between Whites and Natives. We talked about what the history books conveniently left out. As I started to research the topic of Native Americans I began to find my love for their culture. I kept wanting to find more and more about what really happened. So here I find myself on Spring Break serving on Pine Ridge Reservation. God called me here to fuel my passion, to help others understand another world in our very own state.

Yesterday was full of driving to where we will call home for the next week. We will be staying at Chanku Waste Ranch which is a Christian ministry run by a Pastor Mike and his wife Monica.

                     

                           Check out their Facebook page Here.

During our week we will be painting and laying carpet in the buildings here. As well as sightseeing and spending time with some young girls for a girls night the ministry puts on. Our first day here we visited:

The Massacre sight of Wounded Knee. Just beyond the sign lies the ground where these Natives were circled upon and viciously shot at. 146 men, women and children lay scattered dead for a  two mile radius after the massacre. This was the last armed conflict between the United States Army and the Sioux Natives.

                       

                           

                       

On the hill overlooking the massacre grounds lies the mass burial sight where the 146 men, women and children were buried. This is a somber sight to see as these Natives were brutally murdered.

                                    

We continued on our way and visited the Red Cloud Indian School which has a heritage museum inside. We were not allowed to take pictures of the inside, but there were many pieces of artwork done by the locals. There were quilts, beadwork and paintings. Everything was so ornate and beautifully made.  

                                     

At the school if you continue up a large hill there is the burial sight of Chief Red Cloud. This is who the school is named after. He was the chief of the Oglala Lakota tribe. He was resistant to whites moving into their land, but he was known for peace. He was a peaceful fighter for Native Americans and their rights.

                         

                        

                         

                            Red Cloud’s burial grounds. He is buried next to his wife. 

                       

                               Red Clouds prayer that he delivered to the Peace Council.

                                 

We ended the night with a spaghetti and cornbread supper back at the ranch. We played some games of carpet ball and giant Jenga. As well as snuggling up to one of the ranches dogs, Marley, for a good long night sleep.

                                      

Good Morning! Today is a new day on the ranch! We are off to church and to do some more sightseeing before our long work week ahead. I hope you continue to follow my new serving journey!

                     

                          Sunrise on the ranch with the Badlands peeking through.

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. -Psalm 34:14

Lots of Love,