I have grown a lot this year. I started off the year by jumping into a leadership internship called 252. It is based off of the verse Luke 2:52 ("And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man"). I grew a lot that semester. I learned all the qualities of a leader, but more importantly I learned what it meant to be surrounded by good people. People who always breathe life, encourage, and support. A group of friends that are there for each other. Through this internship I was encouraged to step out and learn how to serve in many areas in the church. I also began to be able to pray out loud.
Then the summer I grew even more by leading my class of campers into daily Bible studies/ stories. I also was able to step out and lead worship for the entire camp for a week all by myself. It wasn't the best but I did it by relying on God! I also helped play guitar most every other day at chapel and at youth. All of those were big steps for me because before the summer I wouldn't play guitar in front of people. Last summer was not always spiritual highs though. I got into a relationship that I should not have. I thought everything would be okay because I was dating a pastor who was also my best friend. However, it went south. Lack of self control led to a lot of sin and conviction. I knew I needed out of that relationship but it was hard to end it because everyone else thought he was perfect for me. I knew what needed to happen, so I broke up with him.
In the fall I jumped into a small group, and there I met my best friend. She challenged me a lot whether she realized it or not. I learned how to trust God more and how to be spirit lead in conversations and with my life.
Finally, in December I went on my first mission trip. Over spring break I realized that God was calling me to higher things, because I sat and cried every day over wanting to go to Haiti. I didn't think I was going to be able to go, because I didn't know how I would be able to come up with the money. God provided though. In about 2 weeks after sending out only 7 support letters I had almost all the money needed for my trip. The rest came in shortly after. (God provides everything you need for what He is calling you to do). The trip itself was even more amazing. I wouldn't even know where to start to explain everything that happened. God really showed me how He is always there for me. He showed me how blessed I am, and He showed me the power of prayer.
I cannot wait too see everything God has in store for me next year.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Jeremiah 17:5-8 MSG
5-6 God’s Message:
“Cursed is the strong one
who depends on mere humans,
Who thinks he can make it on muscle alone
and sets God aside as dead weight.
He’s like a tumbleweed on the prairie,
out of touch with the good earth.
He lives rootless and aimless
in a land where nothing grows.
who depends on mere humans,
Who thinks he can make it on muscle alone
and sets God aside as dead weight.
He’s like a tumbleweed on the prairie,
out of touch with the good earth.
He lives rootless and aimless
in a land where nothing grows.
7-8 “But blessed is the man who trusts me, God,
the woman who sticks with God.
They’re like trees replanted in Eden,
putting down roots near the rivers—
Never a worry through the hottest of summers,
never dropping a leaf,
Serene and calm through droughts,
bearing fresh fruit every season.”
the woman who sticks with God.
They’re like trees replanted in Eden,
putting down roots near the rivers—
Never a worry through the hottest of summers,
never dropping a leaf,
Serene and calm through droughts,
bearing fresh fruit every season.”
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
It's Christmas Eve...
It is Christmas Eve and I am not in the Christmas spirit. I have never cried more than I have cried in the last week. Nothing bad has happened to me. Actually, I just got back from a mission trip last Thursday. I must say Haiti rocked my world. I miss that country, culture, and people more than anything. I really don't think people understand that I left my heart there. I tell people I miss it and they are just like whatever but really I MISS IT!!! One of my leaders from the trip said whatever makes tears fall might be directed toward your calling/purpose. I prayed on the plane ride home that if I was meant to do missions or to go to Haiti again that he would lay it on my heart. Well God has more than placed it on my heart. I cannot stop thinking about it. Everything I see, do, or hear reminds me of Haiti somehow. If I could hop on a plane right now I would.
I don't care to get a single present this Christmas. Nothing under a tree would make me as happy as I was in Haiti. Nothing will make me smile bigger than bridging a language barrier through worship. Nothing will brighten up my day more than getting to see a paralyzed lady be normal for a day. Nothing will compare to literally feeling God's mighty rushing wind.
How can I get in a Christmas spirit when I know that America is focused on the wrong things. It is all about loving God and loving people not money, status, of materialistic things. Giving should also be done with joy and not as a duty because of a holiday. I asked my translator if Christmas was celebrated much there and he said it was. Haiti has it right though. Gifts don't matter. Christmas is not about presents but about one present that was born on that day many years ago. Fully human, fully man He came to bring us joy! His joy is what matters not happiness from gifts or anything else.
I just rambled on there but whatever. I wish I could cheer up but like I said earlier I am missing my heart. I left it somewhere that needed it more.
I don't care to get a single present this Christmas. Nothing under a tree would make me as happy as I was in Haiti. Nothing will make me smile bigger than bridging a language barrier through worship. Nothing will brighten up my day more than getting to see a paralyzed lady be normal for a day. Nothing will compare to literally feeling God's mighty rushing wind.
How can I get in a Christmas spirit when I know that America is focused on the wrong things. It is all about loving God and loving people not money, status, of materialistic things. Giving should also be done with joy and not as a duty because of a holiday. I asked my translator if Christmas was celebrated much there and he said it was. Haiti has it right though. Gifts don't matter. Christmas is not about presents but about one present that was born on that day many years ago. Fully human, fully man He came to bring us joy! His joy is what matters not happiness from gifts or anything else.
I just rambled on there but whatever. I wish I could cheer up but like I said earlier I am missing my heart. I left it somewhere that needed it more.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Financial Pressure
I know I have blogged about the recently, but it really is stressing me out. Financially, I do not know how I am go to finish out this year. It seems like I keep having so much I have to buy and my bank account keeps dwindling. It seems like my expenses are unending and my income is fighting a losing battle. I am not ready to grow up and have this financial pressure on myself. But then I remember how faithful God was in helping me raise the money for my mission trip and I know that he will help me even now.
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34
Monday, December 2, 2013
Sappy Monday
WAR EAGLE!
Now that is out of the way. I was reading my journal last night, and I read over a entry from last spring. I talked about how I really wanted/needed a best friend that lived here in Auburn. Well after a few months of praying, God finally allowed me to cross paths with the most amazing person! I really never expected to meet my best friend in a small group that in the last minute I decided to even go to. BUT I did. Jenna (Jaytay, fish, Gina Burgers) is seriously an answered prayer! She is fantastic in every way possible. She is always loving, always supportive, and always there for me. What more could I want in a friend? Even on her worst days she is still the best. She may not see that but I do! We are pretty much one big awko taco. We hung out for 48 days straight until she went home for thanksgiving break. That week was crazy for both of us and not really in good ways. I do believe God put us in each others lives so we could have someone to lean on when we need some support. SHe is a constant encouragement, and it is wonderful. I might strike down half the stuff she says as "lies," but it doesn't mean I don't appreciate her saying it! Anyways yeah, she is just FANTASTIC! Love you best friend!
PS I bet you are crying Jenna!
Now that is out of the way. I was reading my journal last night, and I read over a entry from last spring. I talked about how I really wanted/needed a best friend that lived here in Auburn. Well after a few months of praying, God finally allowed me to cross paths with the most amazing person! I really never expected to meet my best friend in a small group that in the last minute I decided to even go to. BUT I did. Jenna (Jaytay, fish, Gina Burgers) is seriously an answered prayer! She is fantastic in every way possible. She is always loving, always supportive, and always there for me. What more could I want in a friend? Even on her worst days she is still the best. She may not see that but I do! We are pretty much one big awko taco. We hung out for 48 days straight until she went home for thanksgiving break. That week was crazy for both of us and not really in good ways. I do believe God put us in each others lives so we could have someone to lean on when we need some support. SHe is a constant encouragement, and it is wonderful. I might strike down half the stuff she says as "lies," but it doesn't mean I don't appreciate her saying it! Anyways yeah, she is just FANTASTIC! Love you best friend!
PS I bet you are crying Jenna!
Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
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