Numb...

Do you ever just feel numb? No emotions... You can't cry, you laugh, but you aren't really laughing? Maybe its just me, but the last few weeks have been so intense and so busy that I sat down today and realized that I don't really feel anything. A little transparent, yeah maybe. Especially after seeing a tornado rip through my town and devastate homes, you think I would be overwhelmed with emotion. Now don't get me wrong it broke my heart, but sometimes you can just feel numb.  I know that many Christians probably experience moments like this. It's moments like these that remind me of Martha, the one lady in the Bible I often find myself relating to the most. She was so busy making everything pretty for Jesus, working so hard preparing for Him hat she forgot the one thing that her sister Mary understood. That regardless of what is going on in life, nothing is better than sitting at the feet of Jesus. Four weeks after the tornado and I am just now taking the time to reflect on what Jesus has done. On just how incredible it has been to see this city come together and to see lives restored and to see families turn their heart to God. I just want to kick myself sometimes for constantly acting like Martha when I know that everything I could ever need or want can only be found in His presence. How is it that we can be so consumed in preparing for something that we forget what we are preparing for in the first place. I remember being a teenager in love. I would spend hours getting ready picking out that perfect outfit, or hours with the person just talking on the phone. I would even get up early if it meant just another moment with that special someone. So when it comes to my first love, why is this a challenge? I found myself repenting because on top of being busy with working I have also been so busy preparing for Ecuador that I almost forgot why I am going. Thankfully I serve a God who pursues me and as long as I seek Him He will constantly keep me where I need to be. There has been so much uncertainty and destruction in this world in just the last few weeks that so many have forgotten or don't even have a clue that there is a real hell and enemy of our soul fighting against the plan of God. People are busy, fear has overtaken so many with the tornadoes, with the end of the world nonsense, hope has been lost and so much more. I am sick and tired of watching Satan win again and again. Its time to leave our Martha Mentalities. God showed me something so cool about this story that I have read a million times. Martha was preparing but Mary was fighting. Instead of preparing its time we realize the battle has already begun and that the answer is Jesus. We can't work without purpose and we certainly cant fight without God's help...... A little reminder.

An update from Cuenca...

I received the following e-mail from the missionaries I will be working with in Cuenca, Ecuador... my home away from home! I thought some of you may like to read some of the great things happening there! I am so privileged to have the opportunity to work with Bill & Connie McDonald! They have done so much with what God has given them and  have dreams for so much more! Please remember to pray for them as you read this. Also, as of now my last day at Griffin First will be July 7th. I still need $643 dollars in monthly commitments to guarantee that I will leave in August. That may not sound like much, but that could be 60 people giving $10 and my people list is running short. haha If you would be interested in giving monthly , please click here! As always Thank You!! I could not do any of this without you!

The e-mail:
The first 3 months of 2011 have been incredibly productive.

In March, our medical clinic produced over 1,400 visits and 252 decisions for Christ, and also the inauguration of the permanent clinic facility UnsionMed. Honestly, I would have never believed that God would put into our hands  such tools as Medical Clinics and Television Stations!  Truly, ¨He does exceedingly more than we can ask or think.¨ Un Buen Consejo, our counseling  and follow-up ministry has reported a total of 8,012 calls and 2,650 decisions for Christ in this first quarter!  Miraculous!

In addition to the UnsiónMed Medical Clinic, we have started a new church to help disciple the new believers, within the first three months, our weekly attendance has grown to 300.   One of these news converts is Alejo and his entire family.  Far from the Lord and any faith, Alejo made a solid decision for Christ.   His wife tells me that Alejo was the guy that was NEVER going to go to church.  And now, 3 months into his new life in Christ he is a most faithful believer with his entire family joining him in his decision.  They are just ecstatic about the change they all have experienced.

With the Lord's help and provision we plan to launch Unsión TV in the 2 largest cities in Ecuador, Quito and Guayaquil through a national cable service.  I would covet your prayers as we attempt to raise the $27,000 needed for the initial investment and one year of service. You can tell by the two miraculous stories above that God is working mightily in this window of opportunity.  We are so grateful for all God has allowed us to do together to impact lives.  However, God has put before us yet another opportunity to impact more people.  Together, I am confident we can do this.

I Love, I Love Your Presence....

Wow..... This song just about says everything that I have been feeling lately! I can't stop listening to it! There is no sweeter place than the presence of Jesus! After a very long amazing Easter Sunday.....4 services later....It is still so satisfying to sit in His sweet presence! I am so thankful for the love of my Heavenly Father, the blood of His son, and the beautiful reward of getting to do exactly what I was created to do.... To love Him and be by loved by Him, and from that love, tell everyone I know!!! Happy Easter Everyone!! 

The Commitment- More than just a form...

I wanted to write a little note just to explain this..... The lovely commitment form. In order for me to leave for Ecuador, I need a certain amount of these completed that equal $2,416. I am about 60% there. This form is a faith promise.. By signing it you are committing to helping me reach the people of Ecuador as God enables you to.

A year ago I made a commitment to do my very best to see the dream that God has placed in my heart come true, but reality is I can't do it without this little form!! haha.

I thought a blog entry was appropriate because some of you have given to me monthly and have not had the opportunity to complete this form. Thank you so much!!!!! However if you would like to continue to help me please click here to fill out this form online so that I can receive final clearance. If you are giving through a church I still have to have this lovely form. You can download it to print it and fax it in (include your church name), or click here to complete an online version and continue giving through your church as you have been doing. Completing the form does not require a payment, it just shows that you are making a future commitment to support me monthly.

The second reason for this lovely blog is to ask for your  help! If you would like to consider helping me in Ecuador whether it be $5, $10, $15, $20, $25, $50, $100 ( you get it, haha) a month! I would be forever grateful and your giving would reach so much farther than this little form!! You can give online  or through your church!  Either way this must be complete! I can also e-mail it to you or you can download it  here to fax it in.

Once you have signed up you will receive giving credit either from your home church and/or from the AG in Springfield.  If you give through your church the statement from the AG in Springfield will not show an actual dollar amount unless you have given money through their website or to them directly. They will just have a record of your commitment form, your home church can provide an actually listing of your donations. Any direct donations to their website will be processed and a statement will be sent out. All donations are tax-deductible.

Also as of now! I plan to leave in August! I know what you are thinking! Leave already!! Trust me!! I can't wait! I want to leave! I am sooooo close!I have seen God bless me so much in the last 6 months! I trust in His perfect timing and I am committed to seeing His dream come true! Also please sign up for my mailing list!! Once I hire a personal secretary you will receive a monthly newsletter by e-mail. haha just kidding! However that would nice! Thank you soooo much!  And of course I could not do any of this without your love, support, and prayers!

Do you Still Believe?

It has been so long since my last post. Where is time going?! Just to give an update. I have gotten so much closer to my goal. God is so faithful. I am still looking for monthly supporters to commit to helping me while I am on the field. It is only 7 weeks until the April deadline. You can click on the link above to contribute if interested. As always thank you for everyone's prayers.  I can't believe it, that a year ago I was getting ready to go to Ecuador on an unbelievable trip that changed my life and now I am getting ready to move my entire life there. I am so excited!  I  know everything is in God's timing so I am ready to see what happens! Today I read something that I had to share, one so I can have a reference back to it and two because I really believe it will remind everyone of just how Great our God truly is. It was written by the great David Wilkerson. Enjoy. 

DO YOU STILL BELIEVE?

Recently I had an unusual experience while in meditation with the Lord. His still small voice asked of me, “Do you still believe?”
“Do you believe I still love you unconditionally—that you are right now being led by the Holy Spirit—that every tear you shed I bottle—that you are right now in this place, in this very hour, in the perfect will of God?
“Do you believe all things still work together for good to them that love me—that I hear your prayers, even when you have no audible words to express them, when all seems dark and you are overwhelmed—when fear lays hold on your mind and soul—when it seems I have shut the heavens to you?
“David, do you still believe I feed all living things: the fish of the sea, the cattle, the fowls, all creeping things? Do you still believe I count every hair on your head—that I take note of every fallen bird on the face of the earth? Do you truly believe that?
“Do you still believe—when death comes to your loved ones? Do you still believe what you have testified, that I give comfort and strength to face even the grave?
“Do you still believe I love you—I forgive you all your past sins, your present sins—and I will forgive all future sins if you rest and trust me? Do you believe I understand when Satan sends his messengers against you to implant lies, doubts, blasphemies, fears, despair?
“Do you still believe you are in the palm of my hand—that you are more precious than gold to your Savior—that eternal life is your future—that there is no power that can pluck you out of my hand—that I still am touched by every infirmity and affliction you endure? Do you still believe these things are true?”


Read all of Psalm 103 and ask yourself, “Do I still believe it? All of it?”

OCHO: 8 ways you can help!

2011 is here! In just a few months I am believing that God is going to make a way for me to get to Ecuador! If you would like to partner with me and help make a diffierence here are some ways you can help.

1. Pray: Check out the needs listed on the right of this page! Pray that I can receive final clearance to leave by April 2011.
2. Give: Any amount will help. All donations are tax-deductible. Click the tabs at the top. THANK YOU!
3. Monthly Support: Sign up to give monthly support while I am on the field. Starts at $5 a month.
4. Share My Story: The AG wrote an article about my testimony! Share this link or post it to your facebook. http://rss.ag.org/articles/detail.cfm?RSS_RSSContentID=17849&RSS_OriginatingChannelID=1072&RSS_OriginatingRSSFeedID=1045&RSS_Source=search
5. Hire Me: Check out my Graphic Design portfolio by clicking the link below. I am willing to do Graphic Design for donations as well as clean houses, baby sit, house sit, dog sit, and well I will just sit there too. haha just kidding.http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/album.php?aid=2323677&id=23203613&fbid=724483951423
6. Stay Connected: Keep up to date by following me on twitter, becoming my friend on facebook, and messaging me through email.
7. Attend Events: Coming soon.... Leah's Closet, The She Tea, Photoshop Basics Luncheon, Moving Sale, & More!!!
8. Subscribe: Subscribe to this blog!

Thank you!!!

Take Number........

It is so fascinating to me what a New Year will do to people. Well maybe I can only speak for myself, but a day away from a brand new beginning and I have started listing my resolutions! Why!?! So I can beat myself up every year on December 31st for not perfectly completing the goals I had set 365 days earlier! Oh the torture!  Well right now….here I am sitting in my room thinking & reflecting upon the past year. Not my best to say the least.  Soooo in discouragement I get out the notepad, turn on some inspirational music and before you know it, everything is cupcakes and rainbows again. Oh I feel so organized! I think I even lost 10 lbs , well maybe not. haha. It reminded me of one of those movie moments. You know the point in the movie where everything speeds up, the dramatic yet motivating music starts playing, and in one take you see everything work out perfectly! Well if only it were that easy!  I think I am on take number 9, 371.

Then….. the movie comes to the last scene, suddenly a long pause and it finally hits me. Its been there all year, all 365 days right in front of me……. yet it took me all of this time and one bad day to be reminded that even in the midst of my failures and all my imperfections God is not keeping count!! So why am I?  The solution to a great year has to be better than that!

So here it goes…. I am tearing up my list and starting over! This year will be spent enjoying God, getting to know Him so much more. Yes this may be a resolution but I am taking a new approach! Instead of listing all of the things I need to change about myself I am listing the things that don’t change. Things like the promises that God has given me, dreams for Ecuador, scripture, and things that I know about the character of God that will get me through the year ahead. Someone asked me just the other day. Who is God to you?  It sounds like a simple question, but it’s so complex. Think about it. I am hoping by the end of this year I will Know who God is to me in such a way that in 365 days my piece of paper will have turned into a novel! We can never know our creator enough! I am ready for an awesome year fulfilled by personally knowing God, being surrounded by His presence, and being immersed in His word! I believe the more we know God the more the little things will line up, and yes that even includes losing a few pounds! Woo hoo! haha 2011 oh how wonderful you shall be! 

An update:

I still need around $10,000 to get to Ecuador. This will allow me to attend language school in Costa Rica and work in Ecuador for the next 2 years. I am praying for a miracle to leave by April! I am also searching for monthly donors. No gift is too small.  All of the donations are processed through the Assemblies of God and are tax-deductible. If interested just click on the tabs above.  Also if you have any questions or would like more information please don’t hesitate to ask. Thank you so much for reading this and I will keep you updated on how your prayers and giving are helping make a difference in the lives of thousands of people across the world!

Feliz Ano Nuevo!