Monday, October 25, 2010

Let's catch up

I feel like I have been neglecting my blog. Shame on me. Well let me catch up a little bit.

The biggest thing I have had on my heart recently is missions. Through a book I recently read (Jenna Lucado's newest- must read) and our missions conference at church, I really feel like God is opening my eyes to missions in a whole new way. I even started looking into short-term mission trips for the summer of 2011. One that keeps grabbing at my heart is a 2 week trip with Show Hope to China. During the trip the team members stay at Maria's Big House of Hope and take care and love on all the kids staying there. I don't know all the details of this trip yet, but I am seriously praying about it. If the dates are to work out and financially I was able to go, I would love to spend 2 weeks of  my summer in China.

God is reminding me time and time again that missions does not just happen on the other side of the world. It starts right here at home. We have are very own mission field right in front of us. That is a definite challenge to reach people.

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation" -Mark 16:15
Are you going?

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Missions Conference

Tonight was the last night of our missions conference at Southside Baptist Church. It makes me kind of sad because I had such a great time this year. All the missionaries had kids and it was so much fun to hang out with all of them this week. We all got along so well and spent a lot of time laughing. It was great.

Between the conference and a book I am reading, missions has been on my mind and on my heart a lot. We need to be praying for all the different countries and nations. Culturally we may be different, but we are all in desperate need of a savior.

I am still recovering cold that has left me physically drained, but I will definitely be posting more about what is on my mind later this week.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Judgment House

This weekend has been absolutely spectacular.

Friday night a group of 30 teenagers and leaders headed to Largo for judgment house. It was incredible. I have been to judgment house before, but I have never felt the emotions like I did this weekend. Maybe it was the fact I had friends with me who are not saved (who heard an awesome presentation of the Gospel and I am really praying about them responding). Maybe it was seeing the horrors of Hell. Or maybe it was catching a glimpse at how absolutely wonderful Heaven is going to be. I was already on edge after the Hell scene, but then walking into Heaven and hearing kids shout "They're here! They're here!" and watching angels sing praises to God, I am not ashamed to admit I lost it. Standing there thinking of how amazing it will be to get to Heaven and have Jesus look into my eyes and say "welcome home". I still get goosebumps as I type this. And to think that the scene won't even compare to the wonders once we reach Heaven.

To end the evening we headed to Rita's. A very nice bonus in my book.

Today has been loads of fun. Girls are having a great time in Sunday School (lead by my awesome mom) and I am really excited to see all the fun we will have this year. I was able to see a couple of my favorite little kids today, which made me very excited. After church I finally finished my online class. *Insert giant leap for joy here* Later in the afternoon I hung out with my friends Andrew and Will. We got ice cream, talked a lot, and ended the afternoon by shaving Andrew's head. Lots of fun if you ask me. At church I got to see some of my favorite people. Southside Student Ministry had a S.N.A.C. (Sunday Night After Church) tonight. We headed out to Camp Sparta to chill at the Snyder residence. What a great time of fellowship! As well as a classic game of ERS. I had a wonderful night hanging out with everyone in youth group.

No school tomorrow which means sleeping in and then babysitting the rest of the day. It shall be quite enjoyable.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Simply Delightful

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

Unbelievable? Yes
True? Yes
Wonderful? Yes

When I delight myself in the Lord, His desires become my desires, and He gives me the desires of my heart.

Oh how that makes me smile....