Oh and p.s.- my best friend Ashlie from WI sent me an incredible gift today. A necklace made of Laramar, which she purchased in the Dominican Republic on her recent mission trip there. She writes-
"Laramar is found only in the Dominican Republic. Dominicans believe it grants the wearer with protection and wisdom from God, because the color blue is symbolic of the Holy Spirit."
I plan on wearing it most of, if not the entire time I am in Asia. What an incredible reminder of Who I will be there serving! Love you Ash<3
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wonder Full God
T-minus 6 days!
Things are beginning to become a whirlwind now. I have clothes to buy, bags to pack, still haven't been able to get ahold of the malaria prevention meds I will need... but within it all, God is still pulling together little details for me. He is so incredibly good.
Today I was beginning to stress out about how I would possibly be able to get everything done that I needed to before wednesday, as I look towards yet another weekend packed to the brim with activities. Instead of working myself into a worried frenzy however, (which I tend to do a little too often..) I laid the issue in Gods hands and focused on getting done what I could right then. Just a moment ago I logged online to check my email to find that my entire Sunday afternoon has been freed up due to a meeting cancellation. Praise His mighty Name!:) It is when I realize He answers our tiny prayers like that, that I truly sit in fear of Him. I mean, I can believe He is enormous, able, and oh so mighty, but its when I see His hand in the smallest things that He truly takes my breath away and leaves me speechless.
Who am I, that Almighty God should hear my whispers? My heart is full of praise tonight.
Who am I, that Almighty God should hear my whispers? My heart is full of praise tonight.
"...What a wonderful Maker
What a wonderful Savior
How majestic Your whispers
And how humble Your love
With a strength like no other
And the heart of a Father
How majestic Your whispers
What a wonderful God"
What a wonderful Savior
How majestic Your whispers
And how humble Your love
With a strength like no other
And the heart of a Father
How majestic Your whispers
What a wonderful God"
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Standing Firm
"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." -Psalm 46:10
Spiritual warfare is heavy here this week. Gods joy cannot be quenched in my heart, praise Him for that, but the amount of hurt that has surrounded me as I've walked through the past few days can be difficult to coninuously turn to God. Its hard for me to hear stories of broken people and wounded souls and not be able to physically do anything to help. But these are the times when God asks us to be still, and hold on tight to Him. To hope in Him. To remember that He is still there and still faithful.
One thing that was an encouragement to me happened yesterday at the inner city youth ministry I've been blessed to help out with lately. Our team of leaders comes early to the school on monday nights to just run through the nights schedule and then lift it all up to God in prayer, to invite Him to mold and shape the night into all He wants it to be. As we shared prayer requests with one another, there were quite a few heavy hearts feeling the weight of the world as an almost physical force, weighing us down. We had alot to share with the kids that night, a gospel message to present and a call to make. Looking back, it was clear Satan did not want our efforts to be successful that night, and he worked as hard as he could to keep us from Gods hope and truth.
-But heres the good news-
We prayed as a team in that gym, and God was there. (Matthew 18:20) You could feel it. We stood firm in Gods hands and exalted His Name, in the midst of that cloud of oppression, and praise the Almighty Name of our Savior, so many children chose to make decisions to follow Christ last night! In the middle of the valley of darkness, Gods light shone and drew lost hearts unto Him. It was truly incredible.
So be still, stand firm-know that God is who He says He is, and His Name will surely be exalted in all the earth. Hallelujah!
Spiritual warfare is heavy here this week. Gods joy cannot be quenched in my heart, praise Him for that, but the amount of hurt that has surrounded me as I've walked through the past few days can be difficult to coninuously turn to God. Its hard for me to hear stories of broken people and wounded souls and not be able to physically do anything to help. But these are the times when God asks us to be still, and hold on tight to Him. To hope in Him. To remember that He is still there and still faithful.
One thing that was an encouragement to me happened yesterday at the inner city youth ministry I've been blessed to help out with lately. Our team of leaders comes early to the school on monday nights to just run through the nights schedule and then lift it all up to God in prayer, to invite Him to mold and shape the night into all He wants it to be. As we shared prayer requests with one another, there were quite a few heavy hearts feeling the weight of the world as an almost physical force, weighing us down. We had alot to share with the kids that night, a gospel message to present and a call to make. Looking back, it was clear Satan did not want our efforts to be successful that night, and he worked as hard as he could to keep us from Gods hope and truth.
-But heres the good news-
We prayed as a team in that gym, and God was there. (Matthew 18:20) You could feel it. We stood firm in Gods hands and exalted His Name, in the midst of that cloud of oppression, and praise the Almighty Name of our Savior, so many children chose to make decisions to follow Christ last night! In the middle of the valley of darkness, Gods light shone and drew lost hearts unto Him. It was truly incredible.
So be still, stand firm-know that God is who He says He is, and His Name will surely be exalted in all the earth. Hallelujah!
Monday, March 28, 2011
the basic scoop
For those of you who aren't already aware of what I meant by "I'm leaving for the other side of the world in ten days", heres the basic scoop..
Two weeks ago sunday, I was heading to a friend's house from a babysitting job, and was hit with some really emotional news via phone on my way. So by the time I arrived, I was quite the little mess. I stumbled up the steps and let myself in the door, headed for the basement where everyone would be gathered. What I did not expect to find however, was a most beloved friend and mentor, Mrs. Kathy, seated in the living room I was about to walk past. She was the wonderful lady who took me under her wing when we traveled to Asia this past January, and to find her there in the midst of being so overwhelmed was such a God thing. The owners of the house had asked her to come be a chaperone for a short time while they ran out, and that short time "just so happened" to be going on when I walked in the door.
-Thanks Jesus:)-
We sat and talked for a while, and about halfway through my conversation with her, she said, "You know I wish you weren't so very busy with schoolwork, because one of the families we worked with this January just sent out an email asking if there was anyone who could come and help them in Asia this April."
I responded, "really?..well...when would the trip be?"
From the moment she brought the opportunity up, by heart did a little hop-skip-jump. As in, "Are you behind this timing God?" One of the first thoughts that came to my mind was a replay of a conversation I had with my younger sister Morgan that morning. She had asked me randomly if I was busy in the month of April. I told her no, all I had on my schedule was school and work, and asked why she was wondering. "No reason" She replied. Her question hadn't crossed my mind again until i was talking with Mrs. Kathy, and I've asked her since then if she remembers why she asked, but she doesnt even remember the conversation. Strange.
The next morning, Mrs. Kathy had forwarded me the email from the family in need and informed me that the dates were not four weeks away, but instead a mere three. She wrote, "take a look and see what you think. It's not impossible."
Of course not. Nothing...no thing is impossible for God.
And the rest is history. Everything from my boss giving me the go ahead to take off time from work, to my dad being at peace with the idea of me flying internationally all alone, to being FULLY FUNDED IN ONE WEEK, has been orchestrated and pulled together by God. Not in a year, or a few months, or even a few weeks. My God did these miracles in one single week. I cant do anything else but just sit in stunned amazement and fear of the God I serve. I keep telling people I shouldn't be so surprised. I mean, if my God created the entire world, what is it for Him to pick me up in His mighty hands and carry me to the other side?
Two weeks ago sunday, I was heading to a friend's house from a babysitting job, and was hit with some really emotional news via phone on my way. So by the time I arrived, I was quite the little mess. I stumbled up the steps and let myself in the door, headed for the basement where everyone would be gathered. What I did not expect to find however, was a most beloved friend and mentor, Mrs. Kathy, seated in the living room I was about to walk past. She was the wonderful lady who took me under her wing when we traveled to Asia this past January, and to find her there in the midst of being so overwhelmed was such a God thing. The owners of the house had asked her to come be a chaperone for a short time while they ran out, and that short time "just so happened" to be going on when I walked in the door.
-Thanks Jesus:)-
We sat and talked for a while, and about halfway through my conversation with her, she said, "You know I wish you weren't so very busy with schoolwork, because one of the families we worked with this January just sent out an email asking if there was anyone who could come and help them in Asia this April."
I responded, "really?..well...when would the trip be?"
From the moment she brought the opportunity up, by heart did a little hop-skip-jump. As in, "Are you behind this timing God?" One of the first thoughts that came to my mind was a replay of a conversation I had with my younger sister Morgan that morning. She had asked me randomly if I was busy in the month of April. I told her no, all I had on my schedule was school and work, and asked why she was wondering. "No reason" She replied. Her question hadn't crossed my mind again until i was talking with Mrs. Kathy, and I've asked her since then if she remembers why she asked, but she doesnt even remember the conversation. Strange.
The next morning, Mrs. Kathy had forwarded me the email from the family in need and informed me that the dates were not four weeks away, but instead a mere three. She wrote, "take a look and see what you think. It's not impossible."
Of course not. Nothing...no thing is impossible for God.
And the rest is history. Everything from my boss giving me the go ahead to take off time from work, to my dad being at peace with the idea of me flying internationally all alone, to being FULLY FUNDED IN ONE WEEK, has been orchestrated and pulled together by God. Not in a year, or a few months, or even a few weeks. My God did these miracles in one single week. I cant do anything else but just sit in stunned amazement and fear of the God I serve. I keep telling people I shouldn't be so surprised. I mean, if my God created the entire world, what is it for Him to pick me up in His mighty hands and carry me to the other side?
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Heart in His Hands
"I have, at all times, felt a disposition to leave it with God, and trust in Him to direct me. I have at length come to the conclusion, that if nothing in providence appears to prevent, I must spend my days in a heathen land. I am a creature of God, and he has an undoubted right to do with me, as seemeth good in his sight. I rejoice, that I am in his hands--that he is everywhere present, and can protect me in one place as well as in another. He has my heart in his hands, and when I am called to face danger, to pass through scenes of horror and distress, he can inspire me with fotitude, and enable me to trust in him. Jesus is faithful; his promises are precious.....whether I spend my days in India or America, I desire to spend them in the service of God, and be prepared to spend an eternity in his presence. O Jesus, make me live to thee, and I desire no more." -Ann Judson, first female missionary to Asia
I leave in 10 days for the other side of the world.
Alone.
God told me He wanted me there 7 days ago.
...Come again?
I have been so blown away by the ways that God has been working in my life lately that I needed to share it somehow. So if you're reading this now, plan on sitting down when you read. I serve an amazing God who still works wonders and miracles in the 21st century. I serve a God who moves mountains in the lives of His children, when they come desiring nothing more than to know Him and serve His glorious Name. I serve a God who is HUGE enough to pick me up from one side of planet earth and place me down on the other side like its nothing. And yet that same God has held my weary, broken heart in His hands more times than I can count, and has patiently sewn me back together time and again. I am nothing on my own. Just one more set of feet traipsing across this world. But with Him in His mighty hands, I am -and will be- all that He wants me to be.
'"For nothing is impossible with God."
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said.'" -Matthew 1:37-38
I leave in 10 days for the other side of the world.
Alone.
God told me He wanted me there 7 days ago.
...Come again?
I have been so blown away by the ways that God has been working in my life lately that I needed to share it somehow. So if you're reading this now, plan on sitting down when you read. I serve an amazing God who still works wonders and miracles in the 21st century. I serve a God who moves mountains in the lives of His children, when they come desiring nothing more than to know Him and serve His glorious Name. I serve a God who is HUGE enough to pick me up from one side of planet earth and place me down on the other side like its nothing. And yet that same God has held my weary, broken heart in His hands more times than I can count, and has patiently sewn me back together time and again. I am nothing on my own. Just one more set of feet traipsing across this world. But with Him in His mighty hands, I am -and will be- all that He wants me to be.
'"For nothing is impossible with God."
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said.'" -Matthew 1:37-38
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