JOY =D~

to be full....

I see God preparing me to be "full" of His word and knowledge and spirit in the next few weeks. He has provided me 3 very busy weekends that He will be filling me up with His word. Last weekend was a ladies conference here in town. This weekend is another conference about an hour away.....and promises to be a great time to be in God's presence. (and a couple of good friends too) And the next weekend is a Casting Crowns concert on Friday and a ladies brunch on Saturday. This brings us to May. For the past 4 years there has been something very traumatic and life changing happen to me in May. So when I first saw God preparing to fill me up I was saying "Oh God, why in the world do I need to be so full for May?" and then I realized that that was the wrong attitude. So now, I'm saying "thank you God for filling me up so I will be ready for what you have for me."

So here I am.....Thank you God! Thank you for your sovereignty. You reign. You are the Master. Here I am, take me.

Off to get some rest.....I'll share the next revelation when it arrives :)

during camp...

I woke up Friday morning with the thought "how can I, as a teacher at camp, make more relationships with the campers?" Last summer I loved getting to know the campers, but I have to admit, English class was not the favorite part of the day....it was just soemthing they did and endured. Due to that, yes, they opened up some, but it took a long time and not as much as they would during counseling group or other times. I have kept in email contact with several of them this year, but I would like more personal connections with the campers.

So, I woke up with this as my thought and my heart's desire. I checked my email and there was an email offering the three teachers of the camp that I was going to be teaching at a counseling spot. I immedately replied and told them of my waking thought. :) Which I then realized wasn't MY thought, but a thought planted by God.

My day then went on and I had a wonderful lunch with my dad, get my car fixed, and got to see a very dear friend. :)

When there seems to be no reason that God has you in a valley. He reminds you of a verse.

Thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. The last part is the part that ministered to me. But when a dear friend called and she was also in a valley.....a much deeper one than me..... I was able to share this verse and revelation. We also focused on the part that says God is leading us. Although our circumstances are very different right now, the verse still applies to both. We both walked away with a significant warmth that only God could give us.

Our God is an awesome God. He reigns from heaven above. With wisdom power and love. Our God is an awesome God.

The ephinany for today....... Some people understand and support missions and some people are just negative about it. My lesson is to not let the negative people get me down. Thank goodness they are few and far between.

I was also told today that I inspired someone. A fellow teacher told me she has always wanted to go to Ireland and Australia and she doesn't think she will ever go unless she does a trip along the same lines as I'm doing..... A mission trip. :))) she said she would feel too guilty just going for fun when she could go and see sights and help people at the same time. See. Those are the comments that I relish in, not the negative ones.

In everything there is a lesson. We just have to be open to it and accepting of the lesson. Then we have to apply it. When we apply the truth given to us in the lesson that's when we prove that we understand the lesson. Once we understand it, God can use the principal so you can minister to others in the same situation.

Look for the lesson. Life is a fable.

taste......

taste-a kind of sensing
The song lyrics "Taste and see that the Lord is good to me. Oh taste and see that the Lord is good to me. He takes off my rags and clothes me in gladness. I will sing and not be silent! Taste and see that the Lord is good to me." This has been in my spirit today. So I looked up the defination of taste. "A kind of sensing." Interesting. The song says to sense God and see that He is good. He is changing the circumstances in your life and wants you to rely on Him for you JOY. And when you have the Joy of the Lord, you can't be silent.

Yesterday was a day when I couldn't be slient. It was an amazing day of ministry. It was a difficult day to get out of bed....it took a lot of prayer and looking back, I think that was the biggest difference. When I woke up, I begged God to help me get out of bed and go for my run. (it's been a long time since I have gone for a morning run) Well, He did. I felt great. School was a typical day. :) At the end of school I got an email from a camper/ staff from last summer and she said that she really wanted to talk to me and tell me all the things that were going on with her. So, she called and we talked for over an hour!!!! It was great! Very refreshing for me! Made me realize AGAIN why I need to go back to camp and Germany. She told me of how she gave of her self during spring break and went to Ukraine to show some kids Jesus with skin on. During our conversation we laughed and shared and giggled and remembered and planned. =D

A dear friend called and said that her aunt, a lady whom I've never met, but I know the rest of the family very well, wanted to support me in my trip and has sent her a check. How touching!!! God has suprises around every corner. :))

The evening continued and I visited and walked with a friend. Talked to a couple of people via text and encouraged them while walking. :) Had dinner with my friend :) Came home, got a call from a long time friend who was dealing with some decisions in life, encouraged again :) listened :) and just loved chatting. We talked for over 2 hours.

I got off the phone and checked my email and a friend in need was on there and I was able to chat and encourage her through her tough situation. The day was such a "God day". :) Plus there were very encouraging emails to me throughout the day!!!

All in all, it was a day when overwhelmingly I was reminded that God knows my needs before I do. He knew I was going to be needed and called upon, so He gave me the encouragement I needed so I could be filled up and able to pour out to others.

Today, I got in my prayer cards so I will be able to hand those out and people will remember to pray for me and contact me. I also talked to another pastor and I now have another confirmed speaking engagement. =D Again....it's God!

People from church are very encouraging too! They just don't realize how the little things they tell me are very significant to me. I'm loving this journey that God has me on.

~His mercies are new every day.~
~Carry each other's burdens.~
~be in an atmosphere of encouragement~
These have been the things that God has given me and truths that I have held on to recently and in the recent past.

conclusion: God is good to me :) He is faithful.

Seasons

not too much new to report for today..... Just enjoying my time with my kiddos in Kindergarten :) We ARE on the count down, but there is still so far to go to get them ready for next year.

I firmly believe that there are seasons in our lives. I've been through many different ones. My current season is "Bittersweet". I'm loving my time with the people around me, but knowing that it's coming to an end.

Forgot to say....my mission organization is http://www.teachbeyond.org/ and I will be in Kandern, Germany for at least a year working with German teenagers this summer and then keeping in contact with them throughout the year. I will be organizing materials to teachers for the summer camps and reorganizing the materials after camp!

This is a picture of one of my classes from last summer. gotta love teens!!!!

It's Easter Sunday. My prayer is for God to continue to confirm His plan for me. Less than a month ago all I had was my start up costs for my year long mission trip. Now, I'm at 40% confirmed pledges or donations and I have 5 more that are going to donate, but I don't know how much at this time. I have 1 confirmed speaking engagement and at least one more in the works. I am going to be the local VBS mission project in June (I'm really excited about it....it's all kids that I know or have taught). And there are more and more people each day that say they want to give. My church family is a blessing. No matter what it is, they are always there to help. Take pictues, eat, auctions......anything. They ask questions, and are very interested. In those little ways, it all add up to YES, this is what you are suppose to be doing!

In thinking back, even a year ago, I can see how things have changed and how God is preparing me to be away from my family. To some of my close friends I may sound bitter on holidays, and for that I'm sorry. I'm learning as I go around the moutains! lol My life is totally different from 3 years ago. It's been a big change and I have embraced every step of the way....either with full joy or holding on for dear life! lol I am who I am today because of accepting the changes.

So, the point of this blog is to let people know what God is doing and how He is confirming things and basiclly.....what's going on!!!!