Despite leaving this blog for years...It is not for a lack or crazy adventure in my life or the incredible work of God changing me into HIS image and showing me more of the greatness of who HE is and my inability on my own to accomplish eternal things!
God works to accomplish that which you ask Him to. Don't forget when you cry out in desperation "God, do whatever it takes to bring me to a place where I truly am emanating Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit so people actually see "Christ only, always, living in me." God will take you up on that. He crushes all the "I can do this myself" until you realize...yes, I can do things...but they will never have the lasting, deep impact that can only be through abiding in the Vine. Finding my life-source in Christ, and Him alone.
At the end of the day...really all that matters is to know that if my heavenly father is pleased, that's what matters. I will spend eternity in His presence and if I don't love his voice now, I won't then. There is joy in obedience and total surrender!!
Last summer along with my mom and sister Hannah, we went all the way to Columbia in South America. It was an eye opener for me as I hadn't been out of the country except for Canada or when I went to Norway as an infant. The latter, I do not remember. :D In Columbia we went to visit an orphanage as well as different indigenous tribes. I was overwhelmed by the giving hospitality of those who have so much less but have a heart of giving. Many were true born-again believers. One incredible story of one tribe was that they were given these extra houses and plots of land from the government and the Christians in the tribe decided to give all theirs to the un-believers that they might be a testimony of Christ and win them to Jesus!
There are so many other examples...I was blown away. Going to Columbia wasn't for helping them...it was to help me. That my eyes would be opened and I would see a bigger picture of what God is doing all over the world with those that are seeking him with all their hearts and being totally available for HIM to use them as his hands and feet here on earth.
God work in me a selfless love and willingness to always walk in obedience and have that joy. "The joy of the Lord is your strength".
Our drive on the way to visit some mountain indigenous people groups <3
Below is the view I had when I went on walks with mom at the orphanage down to the little village.
They had such colorful houses in this part of Columbia.
The beginning of this year I went to Guatemala with Sam, Hannah and mom also my good friend Chandra .
Dear dad and the kids have been so gracious letting us go on these adventures and leave them all to fend for themselves. ha! We went to a beautiful language school to learn Spanish for a month. It was a total immersion where you were surrounded by Spanish speaking people everywhere including the family where you stayed.
The ancient small city of Antigua is known for it's many Schools and it's a town of the old ruins of cathedrals and a place of intrigue, beauty and adventure. The market is so big you get lost if you're not careful and the vendors shout to one another at the top of their lungs. It's comical. By the end of that time, I'd say Hannah and I became fierce negotiators. And our Spanish was good enough to converse. We had loads of fun...and the vendors did too, let me tell you!. ha! I have stories...:D
I was able to really connect with my teacher and she was a born-again believer and towards the end I was able (by God's grace) to really encourage her in the Lord using Spanish! God truly multiplied what I knew and helped me put it into words. I was blown away by her hospitality in inviting me to her humble home...She was such a courageous and strong women who was holding onto God's promises despite a heart broken moment a few years prior when her husband left her. She said she was weeping one day...completely broken and she felt God held her in his arms and a peace and love washed over her..."Jesus is my husband and a father for my children". It was incredible beautiful to see and hear her testimony. May God continue to lead and guide her and as she prays faithfully for the salvation of her Husband may he be born-again and come back a changed man for the glory of God!!!
All of us with our teachers <3 It was so cool how you had your own personal tutor for 6 hours every day and had your own inside jokes and good times together. Ahh...the memories!
May the Love of Christ sustain you, and no matter what you do or where you go...make sure God is the one sending you, not you sending you. There is a whole difference and the effectiveness for eternal souls being changed forever weighs on God being in something and anointing you with the power of the Holy Spirit...equipping you for doing what you naturally couldn't do...but what you CAN and WILL do when the Holy Ghost has come apon you. Wait upon the Lord and He WILL renew your strength and you want him to work and speak through you...get alone and get that living water from heaven so you have something to give which is not from you, but from the throne of heaven! Turning back, is never an option for the follower of Christ!
