news, news, NEWS.

this is a season of change

I graduated college in May, and May was so different from what June held and June was so different from the July that has just ended. August and into fall holds new adventure and all the fullness of God if I can just reach out and take it.


there are some things about life that I've been learning:

I want to tell everyone something. Every day I become less content with who I am, with where I am, with what I'm doing. If we are not searching for the "more" God has for us, then where are we going? really. My soul aches to be moved to deeper places. And I'm only interested in things that are real, gritty, alive and moving. What's the use in hiding or running away from what truly makes our heart beat? "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (john 8:32)

And I found out that I belong in the moment. After all, that is where we find God...it's where we see grace: in the smallness of life. For the first time, the word "freedom" is starting to mean something to me. Until now I never understood that I was free to go and do and dream and laugh and dance and love, without shame. Shame does not have power over me. I want my life to be so full that there is no more room for doubt, or fear.

so, i'm going.
I go to be a part of the lives of the people who stole my heart over a year ago.
I'm going to be a vessel of this freedom.

I leave for the Dominican Republic in September (yes, 2011) to live all of this out and be with those people, loving them...Christ through me. Heather, Christine and I will be living in Monte Cristi, serving the community and seeking the Lord to learn how to disciple, invest, and bring change. Please pray that these hearts that we serve will be opened to the love of God.

***If you would like to know more about what I'll be doing and/or how you can support me, send me an email (emilee.cook@gmail.com)! I would love to send you more info than you probably even want.
There is also a link to directly support me on this page, to your right :)


more to come...

all i know.

It is now, around the start of my last semester of college, when I constantly get the question, "So, what are your plans after you graduate?" These are the words I dread, probably not unlike most people my age.

It's not that I'm not excited to share my plan, it's just that I haven't filled in all the details yet. Some very important details. I spent the week before Christmas visiting most of my Dominican friends and the orphanages where I had worked over the summer. It was so good for my heart, and I was reminded of the country's desperate need for discipleship. God has given me a place, the DR, and he has given me a vision of restoration and hope for the people there, but I am still waiting on him to reveal what it's all going to look like. Being there again caused me to rethink my previous plans and realize that everything has to start from the ground up; I can't just barge into a country and do things my way. My main goal for the DR, and in life in general, is to raise up leaders... people of God who are sold out, radical followers. So even though it is scary, I am completely okay with being in this place of waiting on the Spirit's leading, simply waiting and seeking the will of God. But still so excited to see what is coming!

Being in the DR again also renewed my passion and love for Dominican people and life there in general. Here are some pictures from my trip!

Nena and I in Monte Cristi at a special service/dinner.

me with some beloved Jaibon boys, Galan and Imanol.

Jacqueline and her boys the day we went to La Caya to visit her parents.

me with Jacqueline and Heather, my hermanitas.

All I know is, God is good. He's going to use me to bring more of his beauty and more of his kingdom to earth if I trust him. And he is going to lead me, one little detail at a time :)

waiting for life

This is the first time I've been able to just sit down and think in a while. It feels a little overwhelming. I've put so many thoughts on hold and now it's time to dig them up again. I'm learning so much about life this year at school but it's not the fun kind of learning. It's hard lessons. I know that God is shaping me and growing me but I've never felt growing pains like this before. It's different, but I know good will follow. God is faithful...and I am in the process of being made new. It is a constant struggle, but I am starting to think that life, even though it can be full of joy, is a constant struggle because of our sin. I'm learning what it means to be in perpetual pursuit of God. He's showing me that only he can make me whole. And give me shalom :)

I'm getting exactly what I wanted for Christmas this year and it's coming at just the right time...next Wednesday I'll be in the DR! I'm praying for some restoration to accompany this trip. I think it will be good for my soul to be there and spend the week before Christmas in my favorite place with the people who are the love of my life. I think it's time to take a break from the hard lessons and let God's peace wash over me. I know that's what He longs to do.

This verse is one that someone recently challenged me with...I'm encouraged by it and at the same time I feel the weight of it on my shoulders:

"be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land i swore to their ancestors to give them."
joshua 1:6