I pray that this next year God takes me to new places. That i wouldnt be fearful of what He is doing in my life or in the lives around me. I pray i would hold tightly to the robe of Jesus and that i would feel his comfort when i am weary. I pray that this next year i will stand on new and holy ground with the lover of my soul! I pray for the will of God to be done in my life this next year. That i would not be shaken.
Set a fire down in my soul that i cant contain, that i cant control...
I want more of you God!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Fun Game to Play...
I have only played this once.. but it is a blast! What you do is watch the people walking by, and count how many of them are wearing Chucks for shoes... be prepared to count fast! Ready... Set... GO! Enjoy!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
I am the new Mia Hamm...
I have finally played a few games of soccer, and God blessed me with playing in Hong Kong!! What a wonderfully fun time. The first game I ever played took place on top of a mountain, after we took a speed boat across part of the China Sea! It was beautiful. We did an outreach at a drug rehab center. I just wanted to share a few pictures and moments of my first game. Enjoy!!
This is a picture from the speed boat while we were crossing the China Sea.
Picking teams on the mountain.
Playing my very first game of soccer!
Our Outreach Team along with the boys at the drug rehab center.
The veiw from the rehab center. that is the China Sea and also the mountains of Hong Kong! Beautiful!
My Toms in the China Sea :)
My second game of soccer took place after a long (but blessed) day of outreaches. A few of us from our team went to a local soccer field in the village that the base is on. I (much to my surprise) was the first picked to be on a team!! That never happened when I was a kid, so I enjoyed someone wanting me on their team. It was during that game that I began to grasp the concept of how to play the game. Not once did I touch the ball with my hands. I also stunned the crowd (aka my teammates) with scoring my first ever goal!! I wish the moment was recorded for all to see, but if I could imagine my celebration, I would look like Mia Hamm! It was beautiful! My team leader, Tomasi, had to stop my celebration so we could continue the game. J proud moment in my life! and tonight at our game i made 3 goals!! i am kicking butt on the soccer field!
This is a picture from the speed boat while we were crossing the China Sea.
My second game of soccer took place after a long (but blessed) day of outreaches. A few of us from our team went to a local soccer field in the village that the base is on. I (much to my surprise) was the first picked to be on a team!! That never happened when I was a kid, so I enjoyed someone wanting me on their team. It was during that game that I began to grasp the concept of how to play the game. Not once did I touch the ball with my hands. I also stunned the crowd (aka my teammates) with scoring my first ever goal!! I wish the moment was recorded for all to see, but if I could imagine my celebration, I would look like Mia Hamm! It was beautiful! My team leader, Tomasi, had to stop my celebration so we could continue the game. J proud moment in my life! and tonight at our game i made 3 goals!! i am kicking butt on the soccer field!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
You're Love Never Runs Out On Me...
Hello from beautiful Hong Kong!! I have arrived safe and sound and have hit the ground running. Such wonderful things have happened even in the few short days I have been here.
I was welcomed to the YWAM base by wonderful friends (those that I have known before arriving and others that I couldn’t wait to meet!) The first few nights were difficult due to jetlag, and even last night.. I slept for almost 12 hours (missing my first soccer game because of it.. which is a huge bummer.)
The food here is AMAZING!! The Chinese food we eat in America is nothing compared to how great Dim Sum is! Also at the base, they feed us very well! I have been eating 3 wonderful meals a day and even now I am snacking on some banana chips and craving the apples I have been storing up. I have tried many new things, some are wonderful. Others I have chosen not to eat again!
The people on the base are so wonderful! They are inviting and fun. I so look forward to getting to know them more throughout this next year.
I was welcomed to the YWAM base by wonderful friends (those that I have known before arriving and others that I couldn’t wait to meet!) The first few nights were difficult due to jetlag, and even last night.. I slept for almost 12 hours (missing my first soccer game because of it.. which is a huge bummer.)
The food here is AMAZING!! The Chinese food we eat in America is nothing compared to how great Dim Sum is! Also at the base, they feed us very well! I have been eating 3 wonderful meals a day and even now I am snacking on some banana chips and craving the apples I have been storing up. I have tried many new things, some are wonderful. Others I have chosen not to eat again!
The people on the base are so wonderful! They are inviting and fun. I so look forward to getting to know them more throughout this next year.
How am I doing? What has been stirring on my heart the past few days you ask?
The song lyrics that say “Our God is not dead, He’s surly alive. He’s living on the inside, roaring like a lion.” It has such truth to it! OUR GOD IS ALIVE!! He speaks. He loves. He is moving among us! I also believed that to be true, however the past few days God has opened my eyes to how real he is and how much he longs to be in conversation with each of us. Each day we have a time of worship and intersession in the mornings. (Those of you who know me, I LOVE worship, however intersession was one of the lowest on my list of spiritual gifts.) I always found it challenging to talk to someone who wasn’t there, or to wait for an answer when it didn’t come fast enough. While I have been in worship it feels as if the voice of God couldn’t be kept silenced. It’s an amazing moment to be filled with such love. The first day God was asking me things like, “Will you allow me to just be your Father? Will you allow me to just love you with all I have to give you? Will you let me be the God you dream of, rather than a God who has limits?” That day I left worship realizing I have put many limits on God and who he really is. I have compared my earthly father to the Creator of the world. I have compared the love of my earthly family to the indescribable love of my Savior.
The second day during worship we sang a song with the lyrics, “You’re love never fails. It never gives up. It never runs out on me.” It was in that moment that God came to me, as if he was sitting right next to me and said. “They (my family) have failed you. They have hurt you deeply at time. They have even given up on you. I won’t do that to you. I love you more then you will ever know. I delight in you. I smile when I see you and I sing songs over you. I am your creator. I am your friend. I will never forget you. You are mine. My love will never run out on you.” WOW! I can’t even tell you the emotion that I had hearing that. I so often seek to do good for God and all he was asking of me was to just allow him to love me. And that His love would NEVER run out. I was prayed over that day, and one thing that was spoken over me was, “This love is constant. It won’t go away after a little bit, God wants you to know that you will be loved for eternity.” I don’t know to even tell this without a smile on my face! My God sees me and loves me deeply! J
Today I was really struggling to come to the Lord. It felt that I was being held back by some force that I couldn’t recognize. After much prayer during worship God’s voice was finally heard, “You deserve to be here. You are here. I called you and I want you here for this moment. You deserve this. You can do this. You WILL do this.” God is moving! He is great and mighty.
I think these moments have been my highlight so far. I can hear God’s voice. We have a lecture about hearing God’s voice one of the first few days. It is truth! It is beautiful! Even during our times of intersession God is speaking.
What a beautiful and mighty Father we serve! Thank you Lord!
The second day during worship we sang a song with the lyrics, “You’re love never fails. It never gives up. It never runs out on me.” It was in that moment that God came to me, as if he was sitting right next to me and said. “They (my family) have failed you. They have hurt you deeply at time. They have even given up on you. I won’t do that to you. I love you more then you will ever know. I delight in you. I smile when I see you and I sing songs over you. I am your creator. I am your friend. I will never forget you. You are mine. My love will never run out on you.” WOW! I can’t even tell you the emotion that I had hearing that. I so often seek to do good for God and all he was asking of me was to just allow him to love me. And that His love would NEVER run out. I was prayed over that day, and one thing that was spoken over me was, “This love is constant. It won’t go away after a little bit, God wants you to know that you will be loved for eternity.” I don’t know to even tell this without a smile on my face! My God sees me and loves me deeply! J
Today I was really struggling to come to the Lord. It felt that I was being held back by some force that I couldn’t recognize. After much prayer during worship God’s voice was finally heard, “You deserve to be here. You are here. I called you and I want you here for this moment. You deserve this. You can do this. You WILL do this.” God is moving! He is great and mighty.
I think these moments have been my highlight so far. I can hear God’s voice. We have a lecture about hearing God’s voice one of the first few days. It is truth! It is beautiful! Even during our times of intersession God is speaking.
What a beautiful and mighty Father we serve! Thank you Lord!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
12 days and counting...
My oh my.. how time does fly by!!
I wish i could just put into a short little blog how i feel about leaving in just a few days.. but i am speechess!!
**I have a Beautiful Savior who accepts me for who i am and where i am at, each and every moment.
**I have a wonderful Church Family who has supported me and believed in me and my calling.. even when i struggled to believe in myself.
**I have a Community of people who have chosen to fight with me in the journey of sharing the Good News of the Lord.
Thank you Lord for the way you cover me in love!
I wish i could just put into a short little blog how i feel about leaving in just a few days.. but i am speechess!!
**I have a Beautiful Savior who accepts me for who i am and where i am at, each and every moment.
**I have a wonderful Church Family who has supported me and believed in me and my calling.. even when i struggled to believe in myself.
**I have a Community of people who have chosen to fight with me in the journey of sharing the Good News of the Lord.
Thank you Lord for the way you cover me in love!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
T-minus 35 days...
It is getting down to the end of one season in my life, and onto another season in just a few short weeks.
Many parts of me long to stay in the USA longer. I dont want to leave certain relationships and things that i have on passions for here in the states. I want to stay comfortable with my surroundings. I do not want to face fears. I would like to stay "normal" in some senses.
Other parts of me just want to get on a plane tomorrow and get the heck out of here. Lets get to something new and unknown. Lets have a "new beginning". Let me do something crazy and learn great things in the process. I want to feel like i am being used for a great purpose and calling. I want to change this world.. and it starts with me leaving everything that i know.
At times i find myself being so torn. There are moments when i feel so used, discouraged, and trampled on and it makes me feel like the best option is to get out of here and move to something different until life settles down back home. And then there are moments when to leave brings tears to my eyes and hurts so much to imagine not sharing in the life of those who have invested in me for years.
God, may this be for you and not for me. I dont want to hang on to my selfish ways, rather just let me bless you with this life you have given me. Take those who are trying to destroy me out of my path and let me just run full speed at you and the plans you have for me. May you protect me from the enemy (mind, body and spirit). Would you be the only one i fix my eyes upon during these last few days. I have felt defeated at times and as if i have lost my way/direction in this journey. I know this has all been preparation for what is to come and would You give me a heart of understanding and to trust, with all my being, that you are in control. You know what i need. You can use me to do anything you want. Allow me to know that you have called me, and you desire me to do your work. You long to see me do great things and grow in my faith in wonderful ways. You see me.. even when no one else sees me. And you love me for where i am right now at this moment.. discouraged or not. You want me!! And with these 35 days left for me to be "comfy" may you be my desire, my heart, my soul, and my all. You alone, Jesus, are my hope and dream. Lets get out of this boat and walk on those waves. Amen.
Many parts of me long to stay in the USA longer. I dont want to leave certain relationships and things that i have on passions for here in the states. I want to stay comfortable with my surroundings. I do not want to face fears. I would like to stay "normal" in some senses.
Other parts of me just want to get on a plane tomorrow and get the heck out of here. Lets get to something new and unknown. Lets have a "new beginning". Let me do something crazy and learn great things in the process. I want to feel like i am being used for a great purpose and calling. I want to change this world.. and it starts with me leaving everything that i know.
At times i find myself being so torn. There are moments when i feel so used, discouraged, and trampled on and it makes me feel like the best option is to get out of here and move to something different until life settles down back home. And then there are moments when to leave brings tears to my eyes and hurts so much to imagine not sharing in the life of those who have invested in me for years.
God, may this be for you and not for me. I dont want to hang on to my selfish ways, rather just let me bless you with this life you have given me. Take those who are trying to destroy me out of my path and let me just run full speed at you and the plans you have for me. May you protect me from the enemy (mind, body and spirit). Would you be the only one i fix my eyes upon during these last few days. I have felt defeated at times and as if i have lost my way/direction in this journey. I know this has all been preparation for what is to come and would You give me a heart of understanding and to trust, with all my being, that you are in control. You know what i need. You can use me to do anything you want. Allow me to know that you have called me, and you desire me to do your work. You long to see me do great things and grow in my faith in wonderful ways. You see me.. even when no one else sees me. And you love me for where i am right now at this moment.. discouraged or not. You want me!! And with these 35 days left for me to be "comfy" may you be my desire, my heart, my soul, and my all. You alone, Jesus, are my hope and dream. Lets get out of this boat and walk on those waves. Amen.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Picture this Prep Time...
Take a look at this progress and the amazing people who have helped with my journey to Asia!
these are the peole who stepped in to help me build breakfast burritos:
these are the peole who stepped in to help me build breakfast burritos:
I was challenged to send Ellen an email asking if she would help me raise my funds.. so i did:
Much needed encouragement and details from Alli and Elise:
Said "goodbye" to Micheals Cantina to make time for more fundraising:
Selling "Alicia to Asia" bracelets as a fundraiser:
Garage Sale Fundraiser Total = $874!!! Yea!! we had some fun along the way with this one!
Breakfast Burrito Supplies:
Many coffee dates and engergy drinks have helped keep me going:
..along with a few margaritas:
And ALOT of Mexican food!! along with great times with Casey :)
I have had some crazy adventures:
Had to say some very difficult goodbyes:
And welcomed a few very precious new people into my life:
And thru it all God has allowed me to smile and learn how to be thankful for every step.
It has been a journey, to say the least. A journey that i wouldnt have any other way. God is teaching me so much already.. and im sure i will learn much much more!!!
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