Where have the last two years gone....

It's been two years since my last post and I can't believe it! I have been majorly slacking. I am not going to bother with the updates on my life at the this point, all is well with me. That is the truth and I am so grateful for all of the love and blessings that God has given me.

Here are a couple verses for you today from Isaiah 41:

I took you from the ends of the earth,

from its farthest corners I called you.

I said, ‘You are my servant’;

I have chosen you and have not rejected you.

So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Let those words sit in the front of your mind today as you go about your day. God is with you.

Haiti Mission Trip

One month from today a team from Central Church of Christ and I will be on a plane headed to Haiti, where we will be working with Haitian Christian Outreach for a week! This has been over a year in the making, but the time has finally come! We have now started getting all of the smaller details (packing, etc.) in order and getting ready to work on our VBS program. We found out last week that we will have the opportunity to run 2 VBS programs one up in the mountains for 2 days and then another one on the HCO campus for 2 days. There is going to be an estimated 200 kids at each VBS, wow!

Our VBS theme is STAND FIRM. We want kids to know that no matter what happens in life that it is important to STAND FIRM in Lord. There are so many things in life that can pull and push against us, but no matter what we need to stand firm in the Lord. I can't wait to see how God works through us and in us during this time! It is going to be great!

We may also have the opportunity to build a rock wall and do some painting, but all of this work will depend on what the team before us finishes. FLEXIBILITY and PATIENCE are our team's themes. Flexibility because we know that things will change and curve balls will be thrown, but that's life and we have to take things as they come and be flexible.  Patience because we have to be flexible ;)

There are 13 team members all together and we are all so excited to be going! This is going to be one amazing experience!

A huge thank you to all of those who have and are supporting us!

I can't wait to tell you more about our trip when I return, actually I can wait. If I don't come back don't worry, I am right where God has called me to be. Don't question it ;)

Well Hello June....

He graduated from basic training (a.k.a boot camp)! 

This past Friday my family and I were able to go to Chicago and see Trey graduate! It was so great to be able to see his face and hear his voice. We are all so proud of him! I asked him what his favorite part was and he says, "None of it". Then I go, "Okay what was the best part?" and he says, "being done". Haha, it was a struggle for him, but he made it! I spoke to him on the phone yesterday and he is happy to be in Texas for 19 weeks going to school and doing some more training. He says it is like living in a dorm. I am sure he will excel in school and continue to go on and do great things! 

I also wanted to share another praise with you all! After I wrote my blog last week, I was blessed with some donations towards my Haiti trip and I also received two paychecks in mail to go towards my loans! Thank you Lord! I only need $67.00 to reach my goal for Haiti! This made me think of the prayer that I started praying almost two years ago, "Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord? Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God." Proverbs 30: 7-9. Thank you Lord for my daily bread and for being a constant provider and sustainer!

The End of May

Here we are at the end of May, wow! This has been a crazy, fun, busy month! This month has been a month full of dreams, expectations, changes, and lots of graduations!

I am still working hard and paying off loans. My little happy dance moment this month was when I mapped out a plan to finish paying off all of my loans in 3 years! Woot woot! Okay I just figure it out about a week a go and already it is a challenge, but I am so excited! It's not impossible it's doable with a little, okay a lot, of budgeting, self-control, and prayer! So far this past week was a success! I am broke as a joke, but I tell ya what I am appreciating the value of a penny a whole lot! So if anyone wants me to come and clean out their couches and chairs for them I would be more than happy too ;)

I am also still preparing for Haiti and raising support for that trip. I only need $300.00! If you would like to support me on this journey please click the donate button on the right! I will be leading a team from my home church to Haiti for a week in July to work with Haitian Christian Outreach. Where we will be doing some manual labor and working with kids, more details to come!

Also, this month my dear friend Han the Man (a.k.a. Hannah) graduated from Lincoln Christian University! We had a fun weekend celebrating and hanging out, before she moved up to Wisconsin. Love you Han!

Speaking of graduation...tomorrow I get to go see my brother graduate from boot camp! I am so proud of him! I can't wait to embarrass him and spend time with him!

This month really has been crazy busy, but God has given me great friends and family to make it fun and exciting! 

*You may have noticed the name of this blog and layout has changed. I thought it was time for a new look :)

Matters of the Heart...

When I was in high school, I asked God to help me make a huge change in my life. I asked God to soften my heart. I remember being involved in the children's ministry at my church and I remember watching our children's minister working with the kids and I remember her crying a lot! She would always say that was just the way God made her and at the time I didn't understand why she would cry when someone got baptized or when she would talk about certain topics surrounding God. Showing such an outward display of emotions was foreign to me. I didn't understand it so I asked God to soften my heart so that I could understand and see some of the world as she sees it. I knew she understood something and knew something that I did not yet know.

Since then, God has softened my heart in many ways and He has put people in my life that teach me more and more about God, compassion, selflessness, and love. This softening process is taking a lot of time. This process has been more about moving from my mind to matters of the heart. As one of the ministers at my church said on Sunday, "The heart has reason that the reason of the mind doesn't understand". My rational logical realistic mind often tries to take over the matters of my heart, but my mind can't fully understand the reasons of my heart. It doesn't understand why I feel compassion or love for someone who makes the same mistakes over and over again or why I keep praying for that person. My mind doesn't understand why I long for something or someone I have never seen.

The heart is a mysterious and precious thing.

Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it".

Be cautious though not to close your heart off so much that it becomes hard. Soften your heart, allow God to transform it, and He will help you guard it. Remember He has your best interest at heart.

Psalm 37:4-5a, "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn.."

Take A Moment

Last night I was reminded of how important it is for all of us to just take a moment. I was driving home and when I got into the driveway I just shut off the car and sat there. I needed a moment, not some preplanned quiet time or some scheduled church event. I just wanted a moment to unwind, get myself together, and have some peace and quiet, which while I sat there I realized is something I have not heard in a while...complete silence. Oh it was wonderful! (Right until my cat decided to jump on top of my car and scare the living daylights out of me. Anyone interested in a cat? Just kidding I love that ball of fur, most of the time.)

Today I would like to encourage you all to just take a moment and slow down. Sit in your car a little longer before going inside. Take a break at work and go off by yourself. Have one moment today that is completely God's and yours. Shut off the t.v., the cellphone, and just breath. Whatever happens in that moment is between God and you. You don't have to do anything in that moment that you don't want to do. You don't have to do anything at all, just breath.

Take a break and slow down, even if it's just for a moment. Cherish that moment and thank God for that moment.

January Newsletter

   

     Last day of January! I can’t believe it! It feels like it was only a couple of weeks ago that I was getting off of the plane on my way back from Costa Rica and making my way through the O’Hare airport. It is hard to believe that it has been almost 9 months!

     At first, I had a hard time adjusting to the U.S.A. culture and I just wanted to stay home while I was trying to process everything. However, after a week or so I began to branch out and start exploring this land I call my “home”.  It felt great to see my family and friends again and enjoy some of my favorite meals together.

     After a few months of being home, I decided to buy a bike and shortly after that the weather started to get worse and I bought a car. God provided just the right car to meet my needs and my budget! Having that car has been a huge blessing as it has provided transportation to work, church, and everything in-between. Thanks God!

     I am currently working as a substitute teacher for all ages in Streator, IL. and some of the surrounding areas. I have really enjoyed this job and the new experiences it has offered. I have never taught in a public school so it has been interesting as I have had to learn how to teach in a structured environment. All of the teachers and secretaries I have met have been super helpful in this area. I am so grateful for God surrounding me with such nice people and for blessing me with many different job opportunities.

    My goal of paying off my student loans has been going really well. Whenever possible I have been paying ahead on my loans. Each time I make a payment I praise God and do a little happy dance! My financial needs have and continued to be met every step of the way.

     In order to continue paying off my student loans in a timely manner I have started to look into other job opportunities as well. Recently, I have had the chance to interview at a boy’s ranch in Wisconsin. At the end of this month, I will be traveling up to Wisconsin for a face to face interview. Please be praying for me as I visit the ranch on February 27th for a few days.

     Thank you all so much for your continued prayers and support! 

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. - Matthew 6:33-34