Embrace the Unexpected

Adventure Awaits!

When you are about to embark on your next adventure and the time to leave is closing in, your heart is racing and your head is spinning, and the fear of the unexpected creeps in. 

Well, here it is... FOUR days before leaving for the refugee camp in Greece. So many emotions happening right now.  Thinking about preparations to make and plans to lay out.  It's only that I realize I can only plan so much and the rest...well...stay tuned for how this adventure plays out in the coming weeks.

Excited, nervous, a little scared. Am I really supposed to do this? What did I sign up for?  All legitimate questions going through my head right now.

I’m terrified of not being fully prepared for what I may encounter over there, but it was in my devotional time this week when I was reading about choosing peace. The storm of life rages all around us. Fear creeps into our lives on a daily basis. It is when we choose to take a stand against this fear and look fear in the eye and say, “you don’t own me!” “You have no business inferring in the plans that have been set before me!” “We are through!”

Fear can't exist when our mind is fully focused on and filled with God.  When the storm is all around us and we are trying to weather the chaos, we often get discouraged.  When circumstances change and unexpected things get thrown at us, we feel helpless and confused, not knowing which way to go.  We are not meant to go through the storms of this life alone. Jesus is always there and will always be there for us, He is the true peace and comfort that we need and long so much for.  

In Matthew 14:22-36, we read about the disciples seeing Jesus in the storm while they are out on a boat.  They were terrified at the storm raging all around them.  Peter, being the one to walk toward Jesus on water even got scared and began to sink into the rough waves.  Peter started sinking when he took his eyes off of Jesus and began focusing on his fear. When we keep our eyes on Jesus and focus on Him even in the tough times, when the storm is raging, and the waves are high we can feel peace and comfort in the midst of the storm and we can release our fears to The One who can carry us through our storms.  

As we are traveling overseas, I pray for our team as we draw closer to God in prayer and in relationships with each other, that we can be vulnerable as we talk to and do life together in the coming weeks.  As we come together to be the hands and feet of Jesus, let us also remember that we need to fill ourselves up as well in God's Word.  Fill us with passion and the strength to keep going when things are going to get difficult and rough. The waves will eventually calm and the sun will shine through the clouds again.  When we remain strong and confident in the Lord we can make it through.  We may get bruised along the way, but it's through the bruises that tell an amazing story.

Matthew 25:25-36

For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.

Through out these next few weeks I want to share about what's happening.  I want to give a greater knowledge to what is not spoken a lot about. I want to spread awareness by writing about these experiences, corresponding about life circumstances in a foreign country, and to be able to bring a little hope to those who need it.  I can't wait to see everything God has for us over in Greece.

Francesca Battistelli - The Break Up Song

Blessings, 

One thing remains....

Your love never fails it never gives up it never runs out on me...

With these words in mind, as we are thinking of three small numbers with a powerful impact when spoken. 9-1-1.  These numbers have always been used in case of an emergency.  If something traumatic had happened we would pick up the phone and and dial these three numbers...9-1-1.  We get emergency personnel on the other line asking 'what our emergency is?' In 2001 we added another remembrance, we associate these numbers with a date, a date that we may never forget, a date when everyone was changed. We will remember that, Your love never fails it never gives up it never runs out on me.

Reflect.  Another word we use to describe events or ourselves. We reflect on what happened in the our past and we look in the mirror and reflect on our self and what we see looking back at us.  Although, we do have to move on, we leave our past is behind us and we press on toward the future.  We can turn this around, to remembering the all the good that came after this event.  Remembering the people coming together and never forgetting the people affected by this and the people serving our country, the firefighters who risked their lives to save people from the destruction.  Thank you to all who have served and helped out.  We will remember!  Remembering once again, Your love never fails it never gives up it never runs out on me.

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:14 NLT)
As we reflect on those who have stepped out in love and kindness for our country, we know that we can do anything that we set our hearts and minds to, because with God on our side, whom shall we fear.  We remember all Christ did for us and how much we can do for Him.  How much we can share His love and mercy and goodness, to those who need to hear.
The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

For many of us on the West Coast, we woke up to the news around 6am.  The news that our country was forever changed.  The news of a tragic event that took place in on the East Coast in New York.  As we watched the planes fly into the towers from our television screens, and our tears stinging our eyes we stood in awe of what was occurring at that very moment.  Thinking, what can I do but pray.  Pray for the victims, pray for the families involved...just pray.

I remember getting ready and going to class that day.  I had a 8am geography class. I remember walking into my class where everyone had looked and felt like I did.  It was a large class, but instead of class our professor had turned on the news to watch for the length of the class period.  It was silence in the class as we sat their listening to what had just happened just 2 hours ago.  Thinking once again....Your love never fails it never gives up it never runs out on me.


Since, September 11, 2001, since America was changed, since such tragedy occurred....we came together.  We came together as a nation to stand up for our country.  As people all over our nation were on their knees in prayer. People were finding a way to serve in their own community, even if they were miles and miles away from New York, it was as if this tragic event took place in their own backyard.
We held prayer and candlelight services, we held community car washes where all donations were send to the needs of New York.  We came together.  Together to serve. To do something for someone else.  What can you do to help someone else today?  To make a difference in someone else's life.  To be the hands and feet of God, to share the love of Christ to those we come into contact with.  Because this LOVE, it should be shared...it needs to be shared.  There are so many people out in this world who need to know that God's love never fails, never gives up and it never runs out on you and me!


As an added note, I found this video on YouTube.  What a great song!

Listen….

I absolutely love this part of the year!  When Autumn is ending and Winter is approaching.  Listening to Christmas songs while decorating the tree/house, drinking hot chocolate apple cider and making Christmas cookies all while making/creating your Christmas cards to send out. 

One of my all-time favorite Christmas songs to listen to is Breath of Heaven; Mary’s Song (Amy Grant version). I just love the words to this song!  It’s so poetic to imagine what this young girl, Mary, had went through as she was carrying the child of God.  Even getting a little bit more creative, I even wrote a monologue drama to Mary’s Song, and performed it at my church one year.  Where another year I pulled together an interpretive movement that went with the Breath of Heaven song to perform and share.  To be able to put yourself in Mary’s shoes or sandal's and to think about what she may have went through on her amazing journey.   What were her thoughts before and after she found out she was pregnant.  And, how she became a safe, healthy and empowered woman of God!

Maybe this is a little bit what Mary felt like after finding out she would be the one to carry God’s Son…                                                                         

A little alone and scared, but incredibly happy at the same time, all while wondering, why me, why would my great and almighty God choose me of all women!  Probably pacing back and forth trying to figure this whole thing out. :)  I mean here she is, a young girl about to be married to the love of her life when she discovers she is carrying the God’s Son.  Wow! What an amazing yet scary feeling that must have been.  I’m  sure she did a lot of thinking about what people were saying about her, what she was going to tell people, what her family was going to think…and wait, how is Joseph going to react to this news?
     If you could imagine just sitting alone in your room as a teenage girl, just being told that you were going to bear a son.  Can you imagine the thoughts that would be going through your head alone.  You’re so innocent.  You’re a good girl, and here you are about to have a child.  Have you moved yet?  would you break down in tears?  Would you turn up your stereo speakers?  Would you grab your journal and spill it all out on paper to document every detail of this moment and what you are feeling at this very moment?  There’s a plethora of things that any young girl would do if she heard the news that Mary did.  The importance is how do you react to what God is telling you to do.  Sometimes we are just meant to listen!  Listen to the still voice that is calling us.  Calling us to a greater purpose.  Calling us to be THE ONE!  The one to be more, the one to do something, the one to just be quiet and listen to our Heavenly Father call us to be more than we could ever imagine we could be.


   Mary listened!  She sat quietly and just listened!  She was even able to go and visit her cousin Elizabeth.  What better way to have this whole situation explained to you than from an older and wiser women, about what is happening to her.  Another woman who was to bear a child.  A mentor.  To be able to sit and chat with someone who has been through a similar situation.  As Elizabeth was so excited that Mary had come to visit her.  She told her: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!  I’m sure she was incredibly blessed by the time she has with Elizabeth as she made her way home to Joseph. 
   An ordinary girl had been used to bring forth the Messiah.  “I am the Lord’s servant.  May it be to me as you have said.” 

   You know, it’s so wonderfully amazing how we can feel completely safe God’s arms and with his arms are wrapped around me….I AM a SAFE, Healthy and EMPOWERED Woman of God…..and with God….all things are possible!
(Scripture used from Luke 1:26-56)
 

Autumn….Pumpkins…..and Dreams!

Homemade Pumpkin Pie and Pumpkin Bread from a fresh homegrown pumpkin!  Just some of the wonderful things that come from this Autumn season!         
Yes!  Starting the season off with some baking!  What a great way to kick-off the Fall season than with baking some fabulous and delicious pumpkin flavored treats!   

     Leaves changing colors and falling to the ground.  The weather is changing and we are bringing out our Fall clothes, our winter coats and sweaters, boots, scarves, hats and gloves as we prepare for the winter season to come.  
     While it may be snowing or preparing to snow in certain parts of the country…here in Cali we may get down to just about freezing…and for here…that is cold for us Cali people! Then there are those of us who have had the chance to experience living in a state where it actually snows in the winter! We may have had a slight weather shock when we saw our first snowfall and actually seeing snow stick to the ground for more than 2 seconds. Having lived in Indiana for a couple years we may have not got the most snow of the 50 states but compared to California’s Central Valley…it seemed like a lot! Especially the year of the ice storm when we had a layer of ice….snow…and more ICE! YES! it may be horrible to drive in but it makes for some awesome sledding times with friends using the lids to our storage tubs!    There’s always a lot of fun to be had in the snow.  Whether it’s sledding or building a snowman, as long as we were around good friends! 

     I recently read a quote from someone that said, “why is it that the Fall season makes me want soup and something pumpkin flavored every singe day? I’m worried it’s becoming an  addiction.” Isn’t that so true? I think it is for me at least.  From Pumpkin Spice Latte’s, Pumpkin Pie and Pumpkin Bread to anything pumpkin flavored that we grab while we like to curl up in a big, soft and warm comfy blanket while watching an amazing holiday classic movie, and just maybe with a large cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows and maybe even a hint of pumpkin spice sprinkled on top. :) Another great way to spend the season with loved ones. 

    While we are watching the leaves change colors and the seasons change we sometimes stop and just stand in awe in amazement as we ponder God’s wonderful and amazing creations and masterpieces.  Could this be how God views his children? As wonderful masterpieces of his own creation. After creating and molding each and everyone of us into just the way he wants us to be, and he looks at each of us knowing that he created each one of us as different as the next.  As he holds each one of our life stories in palm of his hands.  He knows every detail in our lives, every step we are going to take and every move we make.  God has a plan!   Jeremiah 29:11 says that -- I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. (MSG)  I LOVE this verse! I love the way the Message Bible writes it out! God has a Plan! I was listening to an inspirational message the other day and the woman that was speaking based her message around Jeremiah 29:11, and how God has a plan for each and everyone of us in everything we do and will do in our lives.  He knows what’s best for us, he knows our life story and every move we make and every thought we think, and through it all…He Loves us!  Because…God has a PLAN!  He has a plan for our lives, for our future!   He knows are story, He is writing our story.  When we surrender our life to Christ we are giving him complete control because we know we can’t do it on our own, no matter how hard we try or may want to live our lives by ourselves, it’s just too much for us to handle…it’s overwhelming! We are being prepared for greater things…Because…..GOD HAS A PLAN! 
It’s like the song “Surrender” by Barlow Girl says to surrender our life and dreams to Christ to hand them over, to ask for help…
        Say you have a plan for me, And that you want the best for my life. 
        Told me the world has yet to see What you can do with one
        That’s committed to your call.  I know of course what I should do
        That I can’t hold these dreams forever.  But if I give them now to you
        Will you take them  Away forever?  Or can I dream again?

        Surrender, surrender
        You whisper gently
        You say I will be free
        I know but can’t you see
        My dreams own me, My dreams own me.

YES! We can dream! We can still have our dreams, but we often feel like we have to fulfill our own dreams, but when we surrender our dreams to Christ, he helps us fulfill our dreams and goals, and he does it better than we ever could on our own.  He gives us ambition and strength to make it through tough times that we can’t get through by ourselves. It’s because of Christ’s love for us that we CAN DREAM!  When we are committed to what Christ has called us to do, we can do anything, because he gives us the strength to do it!

Remember the Blessings….

Even in times of sorrow can come happiness and good things.  Love the song by Laura Story, called ‘Blessings’…..
”what if these blessings come through raindrops what if your healing comes through tears what if a thousand sleepless nights are enough to know you’re near….”

     Wow…September isn’t even over yet and it’s already been an eventful one.  Full of ups and downs. September marks the beginning of Autumn, the start of new school years and a month of remembrance for the past decade.  Many beginnings and endings to the many chapters of our lives.  Though the end of every chapter brings a new beginning to another chapter and a new beginning brings new experiences and many many new adventures!
     The beginning of September brought a great Labor Day with many family and friends.  My cousin had been down for the past couple of months and we had several friends over for dinner.  It was so wonderful to be able to spend time with family that I never get to see or don’t get to see that often.  That Monday brought many smiles.  My cousin had fixed my guitar in the past month so I could start practicing on it more and  he was willing to help me learn some more about the guitar to become better at it.  I was so excited to be able to learn more.    
     Well, as September pressed on and 9/11 was approaching and this being the 10 year anniversary of that unforgettable tragedy that struck NYC and the east coast.  I will never forget that day!  I still remember waking up to the news that morning (before 6am west coast time) and watching the two planes hit the twin towers and seeing them collapse.  I remember crying my eyes out that whole day.  Even watching the news in my Geography class (so grateful for only one class that day), in the whole room there wasn’t a dry eye in the place.  We will remember!  It’s amazing the things that we will never forget!
     Well, remembering that morning as well, this year is when we discovered that my cousin, had recently passed away early that morning.  A day where it was a great comfort to have most of the family get in their cars and make the trip to be with each other that day and comfort one another.  While many other family members were making plane reservations that day to fly in just to be around family, even the ones that couldn’t make the trip were all with us all in spirit and prayers.  It’s so great to feel blessed to have a great family that God has provided! 
    It was so great to be able to have my cousin around for these past few months and being able to talk to him, more than we have before.  We will all miss him so much and have treasured the time that we had with him this summer!  
     But, even though we have times of tears and sorrow, there is a greater joy that comes from MY Heavenly Father.  Being able to be apart of a new church plant…is simply amazing!  I am so blessed to be apart of an amazing Family of God!  Granted it’s not the easiest road to take and the path seems rough at times and we feel we just can’t take it anymore.  But, when we can reach those people who have been turned off church or  other religious paraphernalia, it’s totally worth it to be able to show them the true and everlasting LOVE of Christ!  If we can show the kindness and love of that Christ has to offer in our smiles and in our actions and in OUR FAITH…we can give a whole new meaning to the name “Christian.”  We can show people what it really means to be a Christian and me totally and completely in love with Christ…with “no strings attached.”  He can lift our burdens and be with us during our pain and wipe away our tears, when we go through a life-changing time in our lives.   God is with us!  Just ask….it’s    LIFE-CHANGING!
     Our church has recently relocated into a commercial building in North Modesto.  We’ve been working to fix up and prepare the building for our services to be held.  We will soon be able to be a “mobile church”  being able to have our worship services anywhere we feel led to worship and share this amazing love inside of us to those who haven’t heard!   This new adventure is exciting to see what God has in store for us here with The Beacon.
     I’ve been totally blessed this past month to be able to call on the friends that God has provided me as well here.  Being able to call friends up and go to a random movie in the middle of the week, just because I need to be with friends, makes me incredibly grateful for the people that God has provided to comfort me.  Whether it’s going to a movie or circling Modesto for a place open after 10pm and ending up at Denny’s.  To be able to hang out and just talk is something that is so wonderful to be able to have friends that share similar interest with each other! 

Grace and Peace to YOU and Blessings!!!!