On one of our last shopping and sightseeing days in Switzerland, we AYCers were allowed to scatter a few blocks and roam in groups of two or more, I would say they were our "don't get lost buddies" in downtown Geneva. Well, thats what I would have called my buddy because we stayed very close together and in the vicinity of our scattered group! My buddy that day was the best official AYC Switzerland 2012 photographer, Chelsea. I think if there was an award for all the AYC photographers in 2012, I'd say she would win. She was a great photographer and even left herself out in a few group pictures so she could take the pictures! Chelsea was in dire need of alkaline batteries for her camera, the last ones she had were dead and they were much needed as she was taking pictures of the events for our team. We went on a mission to find batteries. She and I went to two stores one the "COOP" which was a 3 or four story grocery, clothing, pharmacy, and electronics store one very unique place that I have ever been in. The second was "MIGROS" a grocery store, we looked in both stores for batteries but could not find any it was very hard to even ask a clerk because most did not speak much English and worst our poor French. But we searched and searched till we landed on an aisle and to our amazement was a huge sigh of relief, ahhhh yay we found AAA batteries! "Yes, two packets that's all we need we'll take them!" We go to the check out and as Chelsea was sliding her credit card she noticed the computer said two packages for $29.99 "Wait! That sounds awfully expensive for just a small package of batteries? Are you sure they are that much?" The clerk nodded her head to a yes. Chelsea cancelled the transaction and again we went on a dire mission to find cheap batteries, finally after much searching, we decided we NEEDED them or els? Somewhere a long the mission we shopped till we dropped and thinking and laughing, who would ever pay $29.99 for small package of AAA batteries? Back home you can buy a years worth of batteries for that much. After much searching and going around both stores (we actually went around both stores more times then Joshua did at Jericho:) We finally found some and to our relization they were somewhat a little cheaper then the $29.99 ones! Thank God He sure hears the prayers of two desperate AYCers on a dire mission to find cheap and very much needed batteries! Thinking back on this hilarious and adventurous moment, God allowed me to see that He truly cares about His children when something so small can be such a desperate thing but yet so amazing and fun! I thank Him for a"COOP moment with a Big MIGROS!"
MIGROS grocery store they had every food product imaginable!
Mimi's pan toastado con queso and chocolate caliente
I recently spent a weekend in California visiting my dear sweet grandmother, who I like to call "Mimi" sometimes "Abuelita" or Abuelita Mimi." In this story I will refer to her as "Mimi." Mimi is from the country of Ecuador, South America her eldest son, Josias is my father.
The first morning of my visit, I woke up to the delicious aroma of freshly made hot chocolate and 'pan tostado con queso' (hot fresh toasted bread with cheese) To be honest I thought I was dreaming but as soon as I smelled it, I jump up and walk around the corner to the dinning table and there it was waiting for me to enjoy! Mimi join me and we blessed the food, she would have her coffee with her 'pan tostado' and we'd talk not just a few minutes but several hours and then my tia would join in the conversation with her cup of coffee and pan tostado as well. Just listening to Mimi tell about her life, funny stories or giving me some encouraging words weather it be on finding the right husband or telling me God is in control of all things, those words mean and really lifts my spirit and makes me want to be a better women and wife someday. "Breakfast with Mimi" makes everything so much more meaningful and extra special! I will always cherish those moments with Mimi in my heart. I have learned oh so much from her or rather from both my grandmothers. I am so thankful that God has truly blessed me with Godly women in my life! I have learned so many lessons from being a single lady to hopefully being married and a mom one day!! I hope to have several more "Breakfast's With Mimi" in the near future well, as you can tell she makes the best chocolate and 'pan toastado con queso' ever! I can just sit for hours and enjoy being in the company of a great lady who raised a great son, who raised a daughter who will hopefully someday raise a son and/or daughter too!!
AYC Evangelism team singing and signing in the park. Sitting here thinking about my Switzerland trip, I got reminded (to myself) about our last outreach and evangelism day in Geneva. It was on a Saturday just two days before our departure back to the US. The AYC teams were scattered throughout a beautiful park around Lake Geneva, the city was celebrating Geneva's independence day,which for us here in the US is 4th of July. They have a huge carnival, parades, vendors, etc and tons of people fill the park. What was more exciting about being there was the opportunity to witness and invite people to church. We met people from every part of the world mostly a lot of tourist, so yes we met tons of people! We had outdoor concerts and people watched us as we sang and worshiped right inside the park. My team moved right by a fountain in the most beautiful part of the park and as part of the team sang some of us walked around passing flyers out to people having a picnic or walking the dog, or just enjoying the beauty of the perfect day out in Geneva. Some young men were "mocking" our team and with hilariously funny accents were making fun of us. But we just let God deal with them with a smile and said "God bless you!" My buddy and sweetest friend Linsey and I were walking around the fountain passing out flyers and enjoying the sights, when one of those young men walked by us and started singing to us "Oh happy day" Linsey and I just stood there with a huge smile and I said "Linsey lets go let's just keep walking and God bless you too gentlemen!" I honestly believe they may have been "hitting" on us but well we just won't go there! The expression that those men had on their faces was so hilarious, we couldn't stop laughing even till now thinking about that moment makes me smile and I am thankful that I was able to be a witness to them along with my buddy Linsey. "OH HAPPY DAY WHEN MY JESUS WASHED MY SINS AWAY!" I said a small prayer for those young good looking men that what they did against us that God will touch their hearts and that one day they too will be holy ghost filled and baptized in Jesus' Name and they will sing this song with excitement and not mockery!
Danita waiting to check in at Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport
Day 1: I was up most the night finishing last minute packing and having to be at the airport at 4am the morning of July 6th. My mom drove me to the airport and when we got in the terminal there was no one kinda felt erie but we had a little wait to get checked in at the desk. It was such an emotional time because this was my first international trip without my parents and my first missions trip with a big group.
Once I boarded my flight at 6am I felt my life changed completely! When I arrived to DFW I met my buddy and fellow AYCer Melinda from Midland, Texas. Melinda and I got to our gate to catch a flight to NYC. While finding a place to sit Melinda, found a green shirt dude! Hector a fellow AYCer from Larado, Texas was on our flight too! We sat in the waiting area and had a good little conversation. Come to find out he spoke SPANISH too! So needless to say you can guess the whole conversation turned a complete 180 degrees from English to Spanish (insert a little LOL) pobrecita Melinda when a bit later here came another AYCer Spencer from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Spencer had a dark red shirt on but thankfully he found us green shirts! We were ALL headed in the same direction our final destination? You guessed it SWITZERLAND! It was really fun to meet up with a couple of AYCers before we met the entire group. We got to chat and got to know one another a bit before take off. We all sat in different locations in the plane with the exception of Melinda and I we had seats together. I also found out there were a few other AYCers at DFW but on different airlines, we'd soon meet up within a few hours. Thankful for Facebook, we find out who's where and what. A three and half hour flight later we landed at JFK in New York city! It was very awesome to see city from the air, central park I couldn't see Lady Liberty but I did see the entire city wow it was amazing I've never been to New York City before and to see it from the air was more exciting. We got to the gate and the guys were waiting for us to go the Swiss LX terminal but the first stop was to get luggage although Spencer and I had had ours sent all the way through to Geneva Melinda and Hector had to pick there's up. We got kinda lost and we couldn't find our way to the tram very confusing but thankfully we had a few good navigators who got us to the right place! We got to Swiss LX terminal and met with a few fellow AYCers and got all checked in. A bit later the rest of the group arrived and we had a group meeting and Bro. Mann gave us our badges and we ALL headed to the gate to take us to Geneva...yep! Group A a group of about 54 and five chaperones. The other group (B) and 21 young people and two chaperones had already left from Washington, D.C. We had a little wait and everyone was anxiously waiting to board, we all got to know one another and it sure felt like we knew each other for a very long, long time! Many of us from different parts of the US. Although, my group was just half of the entire AYC group it was pretty big! We took a group photo and boarded it was a loooong walk through the hall to the plane, we got settled in our seats and about to take off. The attendants were very nice and attended us very well. It felt awesome to be getting to GO!
AYCers first meeting at DFW AA gate. Hector, Danita, Melinda and Spencer
Final count down is down to 1 day! Yes, wow thank you Jesus for allowing me to make it this far as of the next 20 hrs or so I will be on a plane heading to DFW and on to NYC to meet with my group and on to Geneva! I'm all packed and ready to go and excited to meet with my fellow AYCer's and to participate in a life changing experience is going to be incredible! I'm excited for what is to take place during my journey to Switzerland-Liechtenstein. I hope I can keep up with my journals and blogs so that everyone can enjoy this journey with me too. I can't wait! Please keep us in your prayers that God will protect us and use us so that we can be a blessing to the churches and whomever we come in contact with, may the presence of God shine through us wherever GO!
While shopping at a popular store and looking for an extra journal to take on my trip, I was having somewhat of a down kinda day and in going through the journals and note books, trying to find a nice but rather cheap one, I found one and on the top of the flap it says: "Do what you u love to do" I kinda smiled and felt a peace in my heart that lifted the downess and I think God was telling me "Enjoy doing what YOU love to do NOT what other's think you should do!" I know He's telling me continue doing what I love and thats to serve Him, DO His will and keep searching for what He has in store for my life! I will also take this as a reminder to enjoy working in my church, traveling, going on fun adventures, enjoy my family and friends, making good memories, meeting new people and making new friends. Yes, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!
Today is the "official" day to pack and get things ready to depart on Friday! I'm amazed how its ALREADY time to leave! I'm so thankful that God has allowed me this opportunity to go on this missions trip! I'm more nervous and more excited than I ever was and now that its just a mere few days way my nerves are kicking in but the good kind of nerves not the worry ones. This being my first missions trip without my family is very exciting and I know they are excited too. I'll try not to miss them too much. Preparing for this trip has been incredible from beginning to end. I've been so blessed from my own church, every church and everyone that has sponsored me and blessed me its hard to explain my gratitude for everything they have done for me to be able to get to GO!!! I didn't think I would make it but God has every step ordered for each of us and He even knows exactly what we want so He even throws some of our wants and surprises in there too! It's amazing to serve an AWESOME GOD who knows the desires of our hearts!!
Woke up this morning realizing that next Sunday I will be waking up getting ready to attend church clear across the Atlantic ocean! Its also my last in my home church till after the first of August so needless to say it's not "goodbye forever" but a practice as till that day comes, when God sends me to the place He's called me to GO too. (And if this is the place He's called me too, I will stay also!:)
My Sunday school kids gave me a "going away" party in my Sunday School class this morning. (tearing.) They presented me with some very sweet cards that said how much they appreciated their teacher! I have some of the BEST kids you will ever know even though they are not mine they sure have a place in my heart! I know that God has great things in store for their lives and I'm excited to be a part of it. LOVE THEM.
As they days draw near to departure time to Switzerland-Liechtenstien I am getting more excited and feeling more nervous but I am also being reminded that God has ALL things under control and He's got great things for me, it is such an amazing feeling when you know something awesome is going to happen!
So this time next week I'll be well on my way to AYC Switzerland Lord willing! First stop Dallas, Texas to meet with my fellow AYCer and very sweet friend Melinda from my district then next stop we fly together to NYC to meet with half of our AYC tour group!! Excited to meet everyone! Although, I do know two of my chaperones and look forward to meeting the rest. Final details and schedules of the tour are coming and its now really becoming a reality to think in a few short days I'll be in Europe! I can't wait to share what's happening while I am out there and I'll do my best to keep posting/blogging (internet permitting) as much as I can and keep my journal written in and share what God is doing on tour. As I have stated before I know God has something awesome in store for me on this life changing trip!
Now the time is REALLY, REALLY getting closer less then a week till departure! I'm getting so nervous now as the days keep ticking by. I'm getting anxious, nervous and jittery all at the same time! I just know God is going to do something awesome for me, I just feel it down in my heart. My prayer is that the Holy Ghost rains and saturates my AYC team with God's presence wherever we go, in the services, when we are evangelizing, ministering, hanging out, sightseeing and traveling in the planes and buses that there will be an anointing and that His light will shine brightly through us!!
Mi oración es que Dios nos manda lluvia a Suiza (y en los estados unidos y por todo el mundo) y que mi groupo sea lleno con una unción de tú poder y espíritu por donde quiera que vallamos!!
Wow I can't believe its EXACTLY 10 more days till my departure to SWISS! My blogs will now be a daily post. I can't believe how fast time is going and that I will be sitting in Europe with all my fellow AYCers, chaperones and host. I know God has something awesome in store for me and all my fellow AYCers! I have always wanted to be a missionary since I was a little girl, my whole life has been involved around missions. Having been born and raised in a multicultural family and hearing stories about their missionary life as well as from other missionaries, has had an impact that has stayed deep down in my heart! I've visited Ecuador, South America (the birth country of my father) many times and each time I go and return home to the US its like leaving "home" and there's a piercing in my heart that longs to return to live and work in a Latin country or wherever God sends me.... I WILL GO!!!
I wrote this on my facebook notes and have updated it some.
About three years ago, I submitted an article to the Texico Harvester (my local church district magazine), about a miracle that took place in my mom on July 27, 2009. As each year passes I'm so thankful to God for that awesome miracle and I still have my mom with me. Things get scary but God has all things under control! She has not had a single episode or any kind of complication since that frightful day! Her doctor has since taken her off all of the medications!!!
ARTICLE:
I’m so very thankful for a great miracle that took place in my home to a very special person in my life! Around 2 AM on July 27, 2009 I heard a knock on my bedroom door which rarely happens, unless something major has happened or my mother is checking up on me due to sickness. But this one was a little more then that, it was a freighting knock, my father called my brother and I in to their bedroom and I saw my mom bent over the bed. We begin to pray and there was a such a sweet presence of God that it seemed like everything was going to be ok and my mother felt much better but just to be sure my father suggested we rush my mom to the emergency room. I hoped in the car with my parents and my mom had several episodes of slurred speech and it seemed like something major was happening to her. I’m a very nervous person when it comes to sudden events like this but I remained calm and kept praying that my mom would be ok. We arrived at the ER and the doctors believed my mother had a mini-stroke with all the symptoms she was having and they did test after test and she again had a few of those strange episodes but we serve an awesome God that the test showed no signs of any problem! I waited in the waiting room in a little bit of shock as I have never dealt with a member of my family in the hospital, I have been there for others in the church but I never imagined I would be with my mother! As a precaution my mother stayed in the hospital for about four or 5 days for observation and the doctors again could not find anything wrong, the only minor problem was her blood pressure and stress levels were slightly high. I believe that God allowed this to happen so that my mother would get some major rest due to a huge workload she had upon her shoulders. I sure do know that God has a way of waking us up! The strong amount of support and prayers were such an uplifting to my mother and father they would have never made it without them. Today I give God all the honor and glory because He still is a healing God. He allows us to go through tragedy sometimes heartache just to let us know He still is a faithful God no matter what happens to us or a loved one He is a FAITHFUL GOD!
Re-published from a facebook note that I wrote on May 21, 2010. While I was on a trip to West Virginia.
I am currently in West Virginia the home state of my ancestry, the birthplace of many generations including those of my great-great-great-grandparents, great-great-grandparents, great-grandparents, grandparents and my mother. At the moment I'm sitting in my hotel room looking out at the hills and breathing the fresh air coming through the amazingly beautiful mountains that God created! I started thinking about all that I have been blessed with...I started looking back and realized that the greatest blessing in my life is that of my heritage! Today, I was visiting my great-grandparents homestead, still standing today after many, many years! Still furnished with all the house holds, furniture, books, bibles, piano, china, etc.. I walked through the house looking at all her things she left behind and I could hear the walls speaking many joyous occasions reunions, births, family visits, good home cooking, and the most important the many, many hours of prayers that were prayed there by my great-grandmother, who was a very Godly and most definitely a praying women! I was very happy thinking about her prayers what could have been said. She spent hours praying for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and the generations to follow. I have been told that my great-grandmothers prayers were that all her family would be saved and live for God and that we would all be in heaven together someday! I could feel those prayers while I was walking through the house and they are still working till this day and forever till we all meet once again! Although, I do not remember my great-grandmother, she died when I was little. I have heard and continue to hear many stories about her and how she raised her family in a Godly home. I know she left behind a great legacy through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and I pray that it will continue on with the generations to come!
It's definitely dwindling down to the last couple of days! A WEEK and a half left and the departure countdown is ticking faster then I can think. This week is the official packing week, re-checking my list, going over e-mails, making sure I have everything I need, packing for St. Louis, double checking that there are no "stole -a-ways" hiding in my suitcase. I did hear of one who asked if he could hide in my "maletas" (suitcase) I said lets go! HAHA :) Just found out that we will be visiting a Spanish church in a German speaking French country in Swiss! That just makes this trip much more exciting, I can't wait. Now I'll get to use my Spanish after all! God has worked everything out for me so perfectly, it's exciting when you know that God controls ALL things and makes them so exciting to see. He surely knows the desires of our hearts and I am so thankful to Him for this awesome opportunity to be able to witness to the German, French, Swiss and Spanish people! As I have stated in my last few blogs I'm now more so EXCITED!!!!
In exactly 2 more weeks! YES!! I think you just read that right this time in two weeks, my friend Melinda and I will boarding our plane from Dallas to New York City then later on that same evening meeting with our group to board our plane to Geneva, Switzerland!! It's starting to really sink in that we are ACTUALLY going to Europe!! A continent I've wanted to visit since I was very little. Although, I'm a little bit sad as I will be so close but yet so far from so many of my dearest friends who reside close by in Italy and Slovenia-Croatia. Thankfully I get to see them through Facebook and to communicate makes life a little easier and I honestly believe we are very blessed with so much technology these days and that is good a thing! Next week officially commences the packing and fully getting ready to head out stage and as each day approaches and the time is getting closer to leave I'm getting more nervous and excited all the same! I'm even more excited to report all the awesome things that will happen during the tour. To take all my friends and sponsors with me spiritually is a huge blessing to me! I can't wait to share my excitement while I am over there.
Wow time is getting ever so so close, just a mare 16 more days till I depart Amarillo and on to NYC and Geneva, Switzerland! Clothes are getting picked out, suitcases are being bought, the list is getting checked and double checked. E-mails on our team assignments in Swiss are arriving and everyone on the AYC Swiss FB page are getting super anxious to meet each other, some in New York and others in Washington, DC and we will all meet in Geneva! As I write each blog, I'm getting more and more excited and I hope you will follow me on my journey as I go on my first AYC tour to the lovely continent of Europe! I hope that you will keep us in your prayers as we embark on a journey that will be a life changing experience for myself and others on the tour. I know God has some awesome, awesome things in store for us!!
Today is Sunday the day of the Lord... For me needless to say everyday has been a God day and it should be! Since June 4th I've been in services non-stop. First of all I was in youth camp and then I had a few days off and on to Tucson for a Spanish conference. So on this Sunday morning I'm sitting on the plane thinking, I should be in my church preparing my class, greeting people, music prep, sound check, screen test and making sure we are ready for church to go! So as I sit here thinking of all I should be doing instead of sitting on a plane. Why not have a worship service of my own? Yes! I turn on the iPod/iphone on to Brooklyn Tabernacle choir, and the first song that comes on "I'll say yes Lord!" I felt a peace in my spirit, and my answer is yes Lord I'll say yes to your will and do what you have for me! In 19 days Im about to take a leap of faith to fulfill a life long dream and find the answer to my calling that God has placed in my life. It should be our everyday prayer to say "yes Lord to everything He has for me. I'm here Lord use me for anything take my life, mold me, lead me, be my light to what you have for me!" yes I'm having a worship service here in the plane as I write this! I want nothing more then to say yes always to MY God!
Lord, Help me to be what you desire me to be NOT what the world or other people expect me to be. I don't want to pretend to be someone I am not. I don't want to wear a mask that hides what and who I am. To let the holy ghost shine brightly through me. I want to be that clay vessel that He molded me into a person who lives a pure, Godly, modestly and holy life! Yes, there are desires that I want, but only the desires of my heart and the desires that God gives me. Dream the dreams that He gives and choose not to live someone els'. I ONLY want what you Lord made and desired me to be!
Im having an amazing time at the Spanish regional conference here in Tucson! I've met some very sweet people, seen dear and close friends. I've heard some awesome preaching that impacted my life, spirit and my heart. I came with a huge and exciting perspective but turned out to be sour but God changed it and gave me a much bigger and better perspective that turned out far and much greater!! I truly believe it was to know that He hasn't left me nor forsaken me and that I need to leave and forgive my past and look toward today for the future! I refuse to go back to what I was. I'm going to look forward to what's straight ahead! Bro. Howell spoke on some awesome things that are happening around the world and that gave me hope to continue to follow my dreams!!! On the first night a man from the Ukraine got the holy ghost and was baptized in a Spanish service! Wow!!!
Ive had an awesome awesome time here! Meeting new friends and getting to be around all the pastors and their families joking, laughing and hearing the amazing things that God is doing has been truly amazing! Today is the final day and I'm going to enjoy it even more! Excited to hear what Bro. Howell is going to preach in the final service. And looking forward to more fellowship again!
The days are trekking closer and closer to Swiss! Packing will commence in the next week or so. Government documents will be getting organized to pack and I will fly to an amazing place that I look forward to seeing with my own eyes!
Swiss is getting closer and closer each day! So exciting, especially to see what God will do in my life and for others too. To experience Europe some of France, Austria and Liechtenstein and to see the wondrous scenery that God created! I am very much looking forward to it and I want to come back home renewed in the Holy Ghost and have a new mind and spirit. Prayers for our team as we fly, for protection, that we will have a right spirit, for the Holy Ghost to move amongst us as we minister, sing, evangelize and whatever we do that God's spirit will shine in each and every one of us wherever we go. That the light of God's glory will shine in the darkness of this evil world!!!!
From St. Louis, Missouri I traveled to Raleigh, North Carolina to attend IMPACTO '12 with my dearest friend's The Vitanzas. I was invited along with my parents to sing and promote my AYC missions trip to Switzerland. Bro. and Sis. Vitanza pastor an amazing church that words alone cannot describe how sweet and so very kind their congregation were to my parents and I! From the moment I walked in the door waiting to meet with Sis. Rhonda about the service, one of the young ministers Sylvester (not as in the cat or Sylvester Stallone) met my mother and I asking us if we needed anything or what they could do to make our stay more hospitable. I felt so welcomed and very much at home! Walking into the sanctuary hearing people worshiping and in the presence of God was powerful and moving. God was most DEFINITELY there! At the start of the service the musicians singing and the congregation worshiping and dancing before God was so very powerful. The little children were dancing and praising God too!
My daddy preaching
I was very nervous about singing but I know God would give me strength and if I left it up to Him He would do the ministering and I just gave my heart out to Him and worshiped with everything I had. My sound track got left at another church I had visited back in January and I since have not replaced it but so thankful for technology that I was able to sing my song with my iphone. I felt the presence of God while I sang and I'm so thankful God moved!!
The hermanas (ladies) cooked for the ministers and boy did they make some of the
AWWWWWWWW.....
most amazing homemade mexican food I have ever tasted...wow, I wish I had some right now! My plate was so loaded I couldn't hardly eat it but the second and third times I finished and got seconds it was that good. The preaching and fellowship was so amazing got to meet some new friends and was "adopted" by the Vitanza kids. They are some very, very special kids and I had so much fun being their "other sister." I sang on the second day and at the conclusion of my song, I was presented with an offering from the church for my missions trip...totally unexpected WOW! I was in shock and felt so very special to have receive it. I am very thankful more then that I can't express for what they did for me. I am taking 1st Church with me on my trip along with many others too. THANK YOU PRIMERA IGLESIA and Pastor Vitanza!
Singing.
We had a personal chauffeur well not really a personal one but he took us to the hotel and back a few times, Bro. Guizar who also was a special speaker at Impacto. Bro. Guizar preached on Friday night and Sunday Morning of Impacto as well as to the Singles which I so enjoyed very much.
Bro. Vitanza interpreting for Bro. Guizar
The town where the church is located is a very country and amazingly beautiful. Old buildings, cemeteries, houses, farms and churches. Trees', lakes and very green grass surrounded the beautiful country landscape and I fell in love with the beauty that God created for my eyes to see. I saw some amazing sights and wished I had more time to enjoy it. People everywhere were so kind and super friendly! Yes, I most definitely was in the South!!
Bro. Vitanza playing his guitar
On Sunday, at the conclusion of the services we were honored to be in a private concert with Pastor Vitanza, he plucked his guitar and it "talked" some amazing classical music, I sat in owe at what I was hearing. I had heard him many times before but never in a private setting where he just played his heart out. I already contracted him to play in my wedding someday. Bro. Vitanza is one of the best concert guitarist I have ever had he privilege of knowing. I loved it!!! We left the church to the most amazing weather it was such a mist of cool air and quietness surrounded the country. I did not want to leave I wanted to just sit and grasp the quietness and beauty of what I was feeling. My time in Raleigh was now over but I have a reason to return to visit once again someday. I left with a huge blessing, a fresher mind and new heart to what God has in store for me! Bro. Vitanza was our chauffeur to the airport but also traveled with us all the way back to St. Louis, Missouri that was a very fun flight!!
Switzerland is just around the corner....36 more days! Super duper, awesomely, can't wait, excited!!!! I know God has great and awesome things in store for me on this trip. I have met a few of my fellow AYCers on facebook as well as in person and one I get the privilege to travel with. I can't contain my excitement and to travel to Europe oh yeah! lol. I ask that you keep us in prayer that God will move amongst our teams and that wherever we go that His light will shine through us on the streets, the churches, in the hotels and wherever we sightsee that His presence will shine in the darkness of this evil world that truly and desperately needs Him!
The official count down to Switzerland is now on, 50 days away from going on my first youth missions trip to Europe! Itineraries and lots of information is trickling in everyone is anxiously awaiting to meet everyone. Some will be meeting in DC others in NYC (where I will be flying out to Swiss from) and we will all meet in Geneva, Switzerland on July 7 Lord willing!!!!
Today, I am in the beautiful state of Missouri and I've enjoyed spending time with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and the list goes on! Thankful for my family God has been so good to me more then I'll ever know.
This Past weekend I spoke a session for the very first time at a Spanish Ladies conference in Dallas, Texas. "Visión De Dios Para Ti Mujer"I didn't really know what to speak I procrastinated for a very long time but something in me said to talk about my experiences as a young single women so I decided to talk about MY DESIRE and how its worth waiting for! My desire to serve God to wait for Him and doing His WILL was worth waiting for. Then the song "This is my desire" also came to me, it had been in my heart for a while and every time I listened to it I knew God was speaking to me through it.
I actually fought with my thought up until the very last minute and it was time to get up and speak. I edited and changed my mind several times, I knew the enemy was telling me "don't say it no one els is going to listen to what you say, it's not going to make sense"
But God had it all planned it out! I got up to speak I was very nervous but God gave me the strength to say what was in my heart. I don't like to give myself praise for what I did but I give HIM praise for what HE DID because He is the one who speaks through us! If we let Him use us even though we think we can't do it, He puts words in our mouths for everyone to understand in so many different ways. I finished my thought with the song (Listen at the end of this page) and I knew God had it all under control!!
This was the verse I read for the conference I changed the 'he to she' I love how it says we have a HOPE in the LORD.
Scripture: Psalm 146:5 “Happy is he(she) that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whos hope is in the Lord.”
"This is MY DESIRE....Its Worth Waiting For"
How can we honor God and know His will? First of all we must SEEK God’s will in our lives. How can I seek Him? Heres an example, offer your help to clean the toilets in your church, make them sparkly clean! I’m the cleaning director at my church and when its my turn to do the cleaning and I get to the restrooms, I disinfect the mens restroom in Jesus’Name and pray “Lord bless this restroom and I rebuke the germs!” Yes, its dirty work and no one wants to clean the guys restroom but who els?
When someone truly wants God’s will in their life they will start with the dirty work and go up and God will honor that. No one may not see how much time you spent getting the toilets cleaned but there is a God does. He sees what no man sees, He sees what’s in your heart! Some people want God’s will and to honor Him but they refuse to do what the pastor or pastors wife or their leader says. If you ask them “What can I do to honor God, what can I do to do His will?” Well, if he or she tells you “You must clean the toilets and scrub them till they shine so bright you need to wear sun glasses” then you must do it but if you say “No that’s not Gods will I don’t want to clean the toilets thats just nasty” you are out of God’s will because God speaks through our pastors, pastors wives and leaders too!
If you do it without problem and you truly want God’s will, you must have a heart to serve Him. Do everything you can do to do it for His glory and will in your life and you will see great things happening like never before!
You will see that your reaching higher levels in ministry, blessings start pouring in, your bank account is getting full and you don’t realize where it came from, you have things happening that you never imagined and God’s WILL will come! Now cleaning the toilets is an example but that is the way I see it! In order for me to seek God’s will for my life I must start from the bottom and go up. We also need to have a clean and pure heart. Our hearts must be in tuned with God’s heart, if our hearts are wrong we must turn it to God ask Him to give us clean one so that I can know and do exactly what it is He has for me!
Praying, fasting and reading God’s word is one the most important things in finding out God’s will. This is an area I fight with daily and I get frustrated very easily. I always tell the Lord how come I am not married, how come I am not oversees doing missions work, how come I still live in hot dry TEXAS how come Lord? In reality He is expecting us to seek Him first. He expects us to take a few steps to see if we are truly following His WILL and if its right He’ll make a way, if its not then He will change them to better fit our needs for what He is preparing us ahead. Putting God first in everything you do He’ll honor you more then you will ever know. Some people say: “Well, I pray but God doesn’t seem to answer my prayers” well you must put your prayers to work before you can see them answered. God is usually put aside because some get tired of waiting on HIS WILL!
When I was starting my teen years people everywhere would ask me how come I don’t have a boyfriend and as I got older the same question “how come your not married yet?!?”Your an old women you need to get married? I’m not ready to be married at 16 years old thank you very much.” I got to be 20 and the same question “YOUR NOT MARRIED YET?” twenty-five came “now your really getting old.” Yes, this question is getting very old now. I was raised to make friends everywhere I went and that the “right one” out there and would be amongst those many friends.
I was taught that If I waited for God He would place (colocaría) the “right one” in my life but only if I would wait on HIM. I am almost 30 and its worst now people still ask me the same o’l questions. In reality not very many know but I am waiting on God’s WILL! I’m seeking what He has just for me, yes my desire is to meet the “right one” and be married have my dream wedding. I want nothing more then to experience having a child to be a mom and my desires are so strong.
But if I jump out of God’s WILL I’ll have missed some great opportunities that He is anxiously waiting for me! He’s preparing that special moment that I can shout out and say: “I’m glad I waited...every step was worth waiting for!” Every dumb question of how come I’m not married yet or have a boyfriend yet was worth waiting even in my older age! Every step is worth taking even though we have to wait a longtime, it will be worth it in the end. Maybe at the alter to the most handsome, most amazing, holy ghost filled guy God has chosen for me and I for him.
Yes, there are times I beg and cry and I’m like “OK GOD SHOW ME MY FUTURE HUSBAND?!?!?...who is HE? what does HE LOOK LIKE? Is he tall, dark and handsome maybe he’s Ecuadorian or Mexican or just blond blue eyed?I’d like to really know?” I can see God has a big smile on His face saying: “Just be patient and wait till you see what I have just for you....Just wait and you will see.”
In the past few weeks, months and year I’ve seen God’s hand in my life like never before and I now know I’m getting closer to His will in my life. I’m seeing glimpses of what He’s got in store for me. Its an amazing feeling to see and feel that you have waited this long and come this far. Ladies, waiting on God’s will is worth it! If you’ve had bad experiences in the past and your heart is scarred and you don’t want to go through another relationship or difficult situation just remember there is a God who will take away all the scars and heal your heart!
And for the single ladies, He’ll bless you with that very special one who you have been waiting for your whole life, even if you have had to walk through some bad experiences in the past, just to get where you are right now and you will be glad you did! That ONE will treat you like a jewel or a diamond that shines so bright in the Sun. Its ok to beg and ask God exactly what you want and he the chosen one too is praying for you.
Another way to find out God’s will is to that we must have a vision for what God has for us. We must seek a spiritual anointing on our lives. We must worship Him no matter the horrible storms we face. If our hearts are hurting so bad that it won’t go away and you don’t feel like nothing is happening, all you have to do is say “God I’m tired of having a hurting heart, its so scarred that every time I think of horrible events, maybe people hurt me in the past or present I can’t let go but here you go Lord I’m asking you to take it away. Cover me with your blood give me a new heart, a new spirit, a new soul it all belongs to you”
Hand it to over to him He’ll take away all the pain and hurt that you are facing. We must praise Him weather we feel like or not, if you truly want God to take away all the hurt and give you a new life. If you will just surrender your heart to Him. Sometimes we feel like we can’t worship Him because we’re so exhausted and we can’t take it anymore but when we start worshiping and praising Him we start seeing the victory in our minds, then there will be greater things in the end. You will have the victory and you will see the results, you will see His WILL. Let this be MY DESIRE to worship God, to SEEK His WILL, seek His face, his heart, to have a VISION to do what He has planned for you life.
This is my desire God to honor you to with ALL my heart I give you praise no matter what weather I am weak and I can’t go no more, sick or just hurting and I can’t go no longer but here you go Lord it all belongs to you!
This July I will be taking a lifelong dream of going to Europe on a missions trip with the United Pentecostal Church General Youth Division. I will be sightseeing, outreaching as well as ministering to the Swiss churches, making new friends and having a time of my life! I am very excited for this awesome opportunity and I look forward to taking you with me on my journey through this blog. Keep checking back for day to day post and pictures!
