Big Dreams

Last night I put on my graduation gown and it finally hit me that I only have 27 more days until it's all over. A part of me is so excited and ready, but another part is sad and scared. As I think about leaving and going on to that next step of my life, I look back to the years before and how my dreams have changed. This year the Lord has opened my heart to many things and given me new dreams that I want to accomplish. One of the things I noticed in China and in Costa Rica was how the women have not been trained. There are Bible colleges all over the world that are preparing men to go out among their own people and share the Gospel, but who is there to teach the women? The wives of these "soon to be preachers" need to be taught how to reach other women and how to develop children's ministries within their new churches. This is definitely a new dream of mine and I would love to be able to travel to different countries and help these women. God taught me a long time ago that if HE puts a dream within my heart, I don't just need to dream it, I need to make decisions that will ultimately help me make those dreams a reality. So as I take these next steps, I pray for His will above my own and an open, willing heart.

Hiking, Rafting, and Horseback riding

Well, I haven´t written in a while because we´ve been so busy! Monday we went rafting and it was alot of fun. We had to go down class 2 rapids at the last minute because we had a few chickens. We were suppose to go down class 4 and 5 rapids and even though it wasn´t as exciting as I hoped it would be, it was still fun. Tuesday we left for the mountains. The resort we stayed at was beautiful. I had a view of the volcano and that night we saw it erupt. We were outside having share time and we looked up and saw the lava running down the side of it. Earlier that day we went hiking down to a waterfall. It was so beautiful! When we finally made it down there, I stood and just looked at it for a long time. It made me think of how God made that waterfall for a purpose. First of all to glorify Him and secondly to empty water into the pool below. The waterfall fulfills its purpose everyday and it never strays away from that purpose. So having that thought in mind, I´m amazed and humbled to know that He loves me more than that. Even though I don´t glorify Him everyday and fulfill His purpose everyday, He still chooses to love me more. As you can probably tell, I learned alot on that hike. Today we went horseback riding and rode the zipline through the rainforest. The horses were interesting and I still feel like I´m in a saddle! The zipline was awesome! We were 130 ft. in the air hanging by a cable! The view was incredible!! The beauty of this country amazes me and to know that God just spoke this into existence reminds me of His awesome power. Please pray for us as we travel tomorrow. We should be in Houston by 11 and then get to Knoxville by 4:20. It´s going to be an early morning for us, we have to be at the airport by 5. Well, I´m exhausted so I´m going to go eat and get some sleep. See you all soon!

I love you mom and pop!

I´m here!!

Well, we finally made it to Costa Rica! Our flights messed up in Knoxville so we had to fly to N.C. then from there to Costa Rica. The weather is perfect here and it is beautiful. Today we worked with a church in their sunday school ministry. We sang songs, did face paint, and made braclets with them. The thing that the kids wanted the most was love and attention. I was sitting with one little girl who had alot of physical deformities and she was very quiet and shy, but all I had to do was smile at her and hug her and she stayed in my lap the whole time. It was so awesome to be in a place where it doesn´t matter that we can´t speak the same language because we were all there for the same reason- to worship God. This place reminds me alot of the Dominican Republic and God´s beauty is displayed everywhere. The food has been interesting. I´ve had some pretty gross stuff before but today we had this fruit that looked like maggots and seeds, needless to say, it was nasty! Tomorrow we go rafting and Tuesday we go hiking up to the volcanoe! God has given me opportunities to witness, so please pray that He will continue to do that and that He will use us this week. I want to come back a changed person who has seen the need for the Gospel in this country.

I love you mom and pop!

Leavin on a Jet Plane!

Yesterday we just got home from Nationals at BJU. This was a really fun trip and I think we did pretty good on our handchimes. Now I'm in the middle of packing for my Senior trip to Costa Rica. We're going to Knoxville tonight because our flight leaves so early in the morning and we have a layover in Texas that morning too, so I have no idea when I'll actually arrive there.I'm so excited about this trip! On sunday we get to work in an orphanage. We will be singing, doing skits, and playing with the kids. All week I've prayed that this wouldn't be the "normal" Senior trip but that it would count for something and that God would use us in a great way. Of course we'll be hiking, rafting, and shopping while we're there, but I don't want to lose the mindset of my real purpose for going. Please pray that my heart stays open and willing this week. Well, I'm going to finish my packing and I'll see you all in a week!

Happy Easter!

Today we had a great Easter service. It was good to take the day and reflect on the importance of Easter and how awesome it is to know that we serve a risen Savior! I teach a Spanish Sunday school class and I usually have a wild group of kids who never stop talking, but today was different. I know God worked in hearts this morning and I'm so thankful and excited to see how He will continue to work. They are all good kids and I love them very much.

And if anyone out there doesn't have Skype, get it! I have dial-up so all I can do is hear people's voices and type my response to them, but it's awesome! And thanks Gabe for hooking it all up!!

Also, if anyone is having trouble with their quite time, like I was, read through II Chronicles. I have learned so much the past couple of days and if you're just looking for some encouragement, read II Chronicles 26:5 and 16:9.

Seeking

The past couple of days God has made Himself so close to me. In these times of uncertainty He reminds me that He is the Potter and I am the clay. I only pray that I will always be moldable in His hands.


"I'm no longer anxious about anything, as I realize that He is able to carry out His
will for me. It doesnot matter where He places me or how. That is for Him to consider
not me, for in the easiest positions He will give me grace, and in the most difficult ones
His grace is sufficient." - Hudson Taylor

Confusing Days

Most of you know that my family and I traveled to West Virginia to see a college. I had already applied and was pretty much accepted. My sister was going to finish up her degree there with me and we had made plans to room together in the fall. We thought we had everything planned out they way we wanted it to be. But apparently, God had other plans. The first night I was there, I knew that this wasn't where He wanted me. I stayed up the whole night praying and trying to convince myself that I was suppose to go there because everything was already palnned out and where else could I go? After alot of prayer and talking with my parents, I realized that even though my plans had been good, God had a better plan. I have no idea where I'm going to go, but I do know that if I seek the Lord with my whole heart, He'll show me in His time and in His way. All I know for sure is that I want God's will above my own. So, needless to say, the last few days have been confusing and discouraging. But God is in control and He is always faithful. Please pray for me the next few months as I seek the Lord and His will.

Spring Break!!

Today was the first official day of Spring Break! My mom and I left Friday afternoon for South Carolina and after spending almost five hours on the road and making a few coffee breaks, we finally made it. The weather was terrible and we saw alot of wrecks but God was good and protected us. I'm so thankful we have a week to rest and relax before heading back to the busy last few weeks of school. God has taught me alot these last few days. In church yesterday, the pastor spoke on unity and how encouragement plays an important role in it. I needed to be reminded again how important it is to encourage other believers and lift them up in prayer.