Randomness from the "WestSide"

Today is sunday. church was good. Of course. Yet for the first time, I had that little-brand-new-church feeling. When we visit my cousin's church in Ashburn, VA it feels like that. Which was wierd b/c before we used to go to Fairfax with them and that felt home-ish. Off track. I'm rather ADD right now so prepare to deal with alot of sidetrackness.
Anyway, about the whole baby-church feeling. Can't describe it. It's not bad. Just strange at your "home church". I wanted to do a post all about the West side and how God's moving. About the encouraging words we've had and the fact that we've actually had VISITORS ALREADY!! Of course, the 2fams I know of are christian families invited by friends, but hey it's a start! It will have to wait, because my bro is wanting the pc. I probably have about 5more seconds before I start beign physically taken out of the chair...
Grace Church is the westside. An explanation for the ignorant, taken from our website. (which is finally up for real. go visit. http://www.gracechurchorlando.com/ )
"WHY THE WESTSIDE?
Apart from the obvious, in that we are located on the West side of Orlando, the WestSide phrase and hand signal was originally used to differentiate ourselves from the church we were planted out of - Metro Life Church. Metro Life is located on the East side of Orlando in Cassleberry."

That's it from the chaoticly peaceful life of Damaris Wells.
Oh, about the picture...i know if i don't say something everyone will be going on about how random they think i am. it has nothing to do with anything. except that I liked the idea of leaping into nothingness. On skis, no less. That's what a church plant feels like. (without the skis).
~outs.dami
((("until i tell you how to braid your hair, don't tell me how to plow a field!!")))

songs.

"should i start this [post] off with a question"...
ever had more than one song running through your head? ((or is that unique to me?)) 'cause I have 3 in there now.

not sure why. all that music swirling in my head and now i want to write a song. not happening. I should think of something redeeming to write. but at 10:30 after caregroup my brain is dead. my back's better. the annoying nerve isn't screaming so much anymore--i only have physical therapy once a week!! whoo! i'll leave with another song, one that i've always loved. it's one of my "theme songs" so to say. one that always reminds me of the focus in life and lifts my heart to sing of Christ.

How firm a foundation
You saints of the Lord
Is laid for your faith in
His excellent Word
What more can He say
Than to you He has said
To you who for refuge
To Jesus have fled
To you who for refuge
To Jesus have fled

Fear not I am with you
Oh be not dismayed
For I am your God
And will still give you aid
I?ll strengthen you help you
And cause you to stand
Upheld by My righteous
Omnipotent hand
Upheld by My righteous
Omnipotent hand

When through the deep waters
I call you to go
The rivers of sorrow
Shall not overflow
For I will be with you
Your troubles to bless
And sanctify to you
Your deepest distress
And sanctify to you
Your deepest distress

When through fiery trials
Your pathway shall lie
My grace all-sufficient
Shall be your supply
The flame shall not hurt you
I only design
Your dross to consume and
Your gold to refine
Your dross to consume and
Your gold to refine

The soul that on Jesus
Has leaned for repose
I will not I will not
Desert to his foes
That soul though all hell
Should endeavor to shake
I?ll never no never
No never forsake
I?ll never no never
No never forsake

the gift of brothers

Brothers. What would life be without them? Calmer? Maybe. Certainly boring. Sometimes we talk about brothers like they're aliens sent for our sanctification. In reality they're a precious gift. I can't imagine life without my little-and not so little-brothers.
Sometimes they are incomprehensible. Other times you look over and know exactly what he's thinking, causing you to burst into laughter at seemingly nothing. Bros know how to push your buttons just right till you get mad-but in such a way that you're laughing to hard to do much about it. They make insessant fun of you for getting upset over something they say is trivial; but in doing so remind you that it really doesn't matter in light of eternity. They hate to see you sad and will do anything to cheer you up. They can't look for anything. Example: they will stand in the middle of a room saying "I can't find it" until you walk in and see it somewhere obvious. (then they grin sheepishly telling you that's what sisters are for). They're always willing to help you with something technical. They teach you more than you ever wanted to know about guys. If you try to explain how girls think, you get a blank stare of confusion. Later they surprise you by doing exactly what you need when you need it. (making you wonder how much they know and don't let on to...) They give you the ability to laugh hysterically at your friends from all-female-famlies. They break into a wrestling match in the middle of your room, create an authentic-looking war zone, then amaze you by picking it up.

There is a point to this gushy rambling. Josiah, (maybe my not so little brother) is 14. He'll be driving next year! I remember when he was just a toddler, happily following me into whatever trouble I found. He's becoming a God-honoring guy. I can't wait to see how God uses him. He has stuck with the piano 4 years and never given up. He's a better artist than I could ever hope to be. He's got good rythym--fools around on the drum set in the garage and gets a good beat going. When I take him somewhere, he's willing to stick up for me in any situation. (pretty soon he'll be big enough, it might work). He can be thoughtful. He's quite creative--in such a completly different way from me that his insight brings a perspective I'd never think of.
I want to encourage him, and thank him for being such a great "little" brother. After all, I'M STILL TALLER!! 2inches may not seem like much but it counts.

Happy Birthday. I love you. Thanks for all the laughter-and sanctification- you've given us. I'm proud to plant Grace Church with you, and look forward to serving with you. (maybe in a few years Grace will have a youth band...at least a pianist...i'm counting on you...)

~still the kangeroo,
is dams.


{off to find a present. aaacck!}

musings

O Wondrous Love

O wondrous love
That will not let me go
I cling to You
With all my strength and soul
Yet if my hold should ever fail
This wondrous love will never let me go

O wondrous love
That's come to dwell in me
Lord who am I
That I should come to know
Your tender voice assuring me
This wondrous love will never let me go

I?m resting in the everlasting arms
In the ever faithful heart
The Shepherd of my life
You carry me on
Your mighty wings of grace
Keeping me until the day
I look into your eyes

O wondrous love
That sings of Calvary
The sweetest sound
The sinner's ever known
The song of your
Redeeming Son
Whose wondrous love
Will never let me go

O wondrous love
That rushes over me
I can't escape
This river's glorious flow
You overwhelm
My days with good
Your wondrous love
Will never let me go

I love this song. Today I was listening to worship and God stopped my chemistry lesson to breathe some rest into my soul. Oh how needed it was! Sometimes the headlong pace of my life gets overwhelming. I start looking for something to "cut out". Sometimes, that's neccessary. But in this season, there isn't really anything to "cut". Everything I'm doing is God's will. (though I selfishly didn't want some of it). What I really need to do is turn everything over to God. Letting Him not just lead me, but be my sufficiency. How easy it is to start taking things back into my own hands! Sometimes it's a choice. Other times it's Damaris starting to sub-consciously attempt to control the seeming whirlwind. of life. But God is always quick to point out my sin when I'm blind. There are times I'm not always quick to see it. I don't want to know how black my heart is. But once I confess, His blood is there to wash it clean.
What a comfort to know I rest in His hands. To know that I am not in control, to know that I can't mess up His plans, to just rest. Rest is good. And it is possible to rest when your world is orderly chaos.
~Dams.

((isn't it great how we can still write when our voices get lost? mine is sneaking off to neverland. i suppose i'll be voiceless. for however long it's gone. i do hope it's not too long. after all, i don't think a voiceless greeter. will be very helpful. on Grace Church's first official. sunday!!))