First Sunday

So it was my first Sunday back at Church of the Resurrection and I was a little nervous.  I was helping lead the worship with my Mom, and I ended playing piano and guitar.  I knew worship wouldn't be terrible, but I was worried that no one would like the songs I chose and that no one would feel God.  I was so dumb. 

The worship isn't about me.  I practiced the songs, knew how to play them, and followed God's leading.  I gave the time to him, and there he was.  I was so ridiculous to think it even mattered if I was there : ) I think it went well because I am leading worship next week...so we shall see: )

It was wonderful seeing everyone at church again, and hearing where they have been in the last 6 months, and being able to share where I have been.  It was incredible to hear all the stories and to feel so supported and loved. 

So good news : ) church is still amazing, the people are still amazing, and God moves when you are not in the way.  I am praying for next weeks worship and I hope you will pray to.

I love you all!! Thank you for your Support!

I can see clearly now : )

So another eventful day : ) full of adventure!!!!

I went the eye doctor today and guess what!!! I don't need glasses anymore!
Moving on.
I left my purse in a Starbucks last night so my Dad and I proceeded down to Foothill Blvd. in search of it.  We grabbed the purse and then sat.  This was the best conversation we have had in a long time.  We talked about relationships, past decisions, and whether things would have been better if they were handled differently.  It was very enlightening and I think I gained a higher understanding of my Dad.  I appreciate the fact that he taught us how to be independent and at an early age we learned to discern between wise choices and poor choices.

After this conversation we headed to Best Buy and as we walked out we ran into a man raising money for Veterans on Easter.  We had an amazing conversation.  His shirt said Built on a Strong Foundation, and I asked if his foundation was Jesus Christ. He said yes, but he had hesitation so I spoke with him some more and found out that he was struggling, we were both able to encourage each other and pray for each other.  It was incredible and I praise God for this moment.

The man's name is Dante and he is struggling with family issues, and feeling that he is always on a battle ground, "He is haunted by Satan" So if you feel led please pray for strength for this man.  He is doing good things and standing for a lot of people who don't know how to stand on their own. I appreciate your support in this : )

God Bless

Day One

So I had a huge list today : )
Because it makes me feel better to check things off, it is so...satisfying.

I got most of them done and I found out something really cool.

I HAVE A DEGREE...I've HAD a degree : ) who knew that when you take classes, classes, and more classes it could add up to something.

So I decided to drop into the VVC counseling office to get a rough idea of where I am, and was directed to a counselor to do a grad check.  While waiting for my appointment I talked to some people and it was amazing how many people were willing to just chat with me.  I haven't had that type of conversation since leaving Morocco and I was so happy to find it here.

The most amazing conversation I had though, was with a woman named Melanie.  She walked in with a friend and seemed bewildered, not knowing whether to go up to the desk, grab a number, or even where to grab a number if she decided to do so : ).  I watched this and smiled at her and then God just really pushed me to reach out to this woman and ask her about her relationship with God.

What did I do? I didn't ask her that...I got nervous about all the people sitting around so I just made small talk. After they left I prayed that God would PLEASE send her back so I could talk more with her.  HE DID!!! She walked in and I said, what are you doing here? Are you here often? Why are you here?

She said she just got out of prison...earlier than she thought she would, and she is trying to stay on the right path!!!! I said how are you? can I pray for you? She said yes! sure you can pray for me, so I said I will and then gave her huge hug because I was stinking proud of her...I can't imagine overcoming something like that! Thank God for this woman and for a sense of perspective.  I commend her, and I will be praying for her, I hope you will too. 

Tomorrows list...
Job
-please God! 

Re Entry

So...
I'm home.
I think I'm excited.
It's definitely extreme, I get excited for whats next and then anxious and feel very convicted that I'm not thinking in the present.  So this is where I am going to stay...

Thank you God for everything, for my new brothers and sisters, for all the experiences, and all the growth.

I'm working out now how to go from Holmsted, the routine, and the set apart time to seek God to here where it is all on my own time.  I have to make it happen, and I am trying.  It's amazing how easy it is, but also amazing how hard it is.  So I have made a plan, which I love to do and I have about 20 lists with sub headings and notes to the side which I learned from my amazing friend Audra : )

In the next 6 months I plan to
-Work off my debt
-Take Music Lessons
  -Guitar, Piano, Voice
-Save Money
During this time I will be involved in Ministry including but not limited to : )
Moses House, Kairos, and conversation.

I want to be in England again asap, and also plan to be visiting France a fair amount : )

In England I want to glean and take in everything I can about leadership and worship from the wonderful Traci and Johnny Dixon and from the many many talented musicians at Holmsted.

After this time of gleaning I want to head to Berklee School of Music and become a Music Therapist : ) where I intend to use my degree at the Villa for member/pastoral care with the beautiful people of Spain and North Africa

Good Plan? I know I like it to...but God knows and I am giving it all to him : )

Love

Relationships : )

So last week...we learned some really cool things about God, and I mean incredible : ) We learned 3 main points that just help you see your Identity and when you have confidence in yourself and your relationship with God then you can have incredible relationship with the people around you.  The more you fall in love with God, your capacity to love grows so here are are some corny yet really important keys to who God is and who you are in him.

1)God is who He says He is.

2)I am who God says I am.

3)I can do what God says I can do.

I really think that this can be vital to realizing your potential, and doing big things with Christ.  Anyways there is my corny encouragement. Enjoy : )

Week of Evangelism in Bethnal Green

So Nov. 5th until the 12th 210 Ywammers have been in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in a place called Bethnal Green, it was an incredible time of learning and putting it into practice.  We arrived Saturday afternoon at around 3 o clock and the rest of is slowly trickled in through out the weekend.  By Monday we were out on the streets prayer walking and picture hunting, with a couple creative outreaches set up all around Bethnal Green.  That evening Yan (one of our wonderful speakers) taught that Evangelism and Discipleship are the same and that there are steps to someone coming to God.  No step is greater or less than the other but without one you can't get to the next.  He also split up different callings within Evangelism.  Whether you are a connector, planner, preparation it doesn't change the importance, they are all valid and essential to sharing the Gospel.  The next day we started bright and early with Intercession and another teacher but this time from an exceedingly exuberant woman named Connie who seemed to have a contagious joy flowing from her and onto us.  To be honest it was a little scary but I really wanted to have to joy she had in following God's heart and not man's.  She spoke on conquering the Fear of Man and how to be in the Fear of God.  Again we were sent out and this time I did a little something called Picture hunting...this is going to sound crazy to some but we sat down and prayed and then drew a picture to encourage someone and to reach out to someone and then we just walked.  There was a lot of God's guidance and in the end he led us to a church and told us to wait and as we were waiting a wonderful woman walked into the church and we were just able to love on her and to build her up it was wonderful : )  Through out the week I felt like I was growing and changing and coming out of my comfort zone I had more than a couple God sent meetings...and I am extremely excited for what comes next!!! Thanks for the support!!!

Where does time go?

So it's been a month, and it feels like a year, but it has been the best time.  I'm so excited for missions.  We got our outreach locations but I won't share until I'm sure : ) This life seems like it should be everywhere.  Wake up have breakfast with 30 other people. Have a quiet time with God for an hour, praise and worship for an hour and a half, lecture about God and his purpose for 3 hours, lunch, work in the garden for 2 hours, dinner, and hang out with amazing people until one in the morning and then start all over again.  It's such a beautiful life and I don't know how I'm going to leave.  Thank you for all your prayers and we are praying for you here.