June 24, 2012

Here are some photos from the project so far!

This is almost the whole group!

This was one of our socials from a few weeks ago. We dressed up like old people and played bingo and then had a dance party! 

Being in Miami when the Heat won the Finals was so sweet! After the win the City echoed with cheers. Every balcony was filled with people chanting GO HEAT! Today we got to go to the parade. This is my art-teacher partner in crime Erica and I at the parade.

 GO HEAT!

 A party fell from the sky!

This was taken at the University of Miami. This is where we go sharing our faith every Monday. It is a really beautiful campus, filled with beautiful loving people. It has been so cool to learn more about God as I share my faith with others and listen to their questions and ideas about God. So far on project 21 people have prayed to receive Christ!!!!

This is my girl Kelly Miller. We are roommates and have become quick friends. I am so thankful for her <3

The life of an art teacher =]

 On one of our days off from work, a few of us went to South Beach. This is Becky and I'm blessed to have her at my campus USF! It has been so cool to experience Summer Project with her. <3

 

Another photo of Erica and I <3 

My heart will be in this city for a while <3

From Death to Life

Do you know that Miami is the most unchurched city in America? I was shocked when our pastor told us this fact, but this became true to me as I talked to more and more students here in Miami.

Every Monday we go to college campuses in Miami and talk to students about the gospel. Our conversations always start with simple topics like what we are majoring in, but then soon go to spiritual topics. We ask students what they believe, what their spiritual backgrounds are, and many other questions. This can become very tiring because sometimes you find yourself walking around for a while trying to find students to have conversations with, or because the conversations can be draining. One night we went sharing and my partner Vince and I went up to 12 people asking if they would want to take a spiritual survey and each denied us. Today was more of a success because I was able to share the whole gospel with 4 people. None of them prayed to receive Christ, but you never know what seed might have been planted.

In the end, I know all of this is worth it because I am doing what God commanded me to do and lives are going from death to life. I am not sure of the exact number, but so far I think 10 or more people have prayed to receive Christ into their life just from us college kids evangelizing. This means that 10 more people will be going to Heaven than only a couple weeks ago. This is a party worth celebrating.

"He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." - Mark 16:15

"for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” - Acts 4:20

Ultimate Bliss

If anyone knew me in high school, especially during my sophomore year, they would know that I often used this phrase, "Ultimate Bliss". This was another way to say complete happiness or joy. In high school I thought Ultimate Bliss came from worldly things. Mostly I thought it came from assurance of having affection, acceptance, and approval. I thought this could be achieved through a boyfriend, friends, and family. Thus, any time I was lacking one of the three groups or felt like one of the three groups did not feel that way about me, I lacked Ultimate Bliss.

A couple days ago I reread some surveys I had posted on Facebook during my sophomore year of high school. Do you remember when those were popular to do? They were 100 random questions about life that you were supposed to answer and then tag 10 friends for them to answer too. Well when I reread my responses I re-encountered my Ultimate Bliss concept. Here are a couple questions with my answers.

What is one thing you wish you could change about your life?
-I want Ultimate Bliss.

What is the best feeling in the world?
-Ultimate Bliss

Greatest fear?
-Not finding Ultimate Bliss.

Why was I so worried about not finding Ultimate Bliss? At this point I even had the boyfriend, had awesome friends, and a loving family, yet I was still scared I would never find it. Warning sign! This feeling can not be found though people.

This feeling can only be found through a personal relationship with our creator God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Only after I gave my life up for Jesus did I have the possibility to even find this joy. Knowing who I am in Christ is making me begin to feel affection, acceptance, and approval.

A couple days ago on project a staff member stated, "The only way to experience a deeper love of God is to experience deeper the way God loves us."
I am so excited for this summer to continue so I can learn more about what this means!

I pray that you would also experience joy from a relationship with God and not seek Ultimate Bliss from worldly things.


Here are some questions to think about:
1) Where do you go for affection, acceptance, and approval?
2) What are your coping methods to get them?
3) What do you wish you could change about your life?

Update!

Project has begun!

There are 60+ students here and it is a bit overwhelming. I still have not met everyone and am struggling learning names but besides that it has been awesome! I have 3 roomies. They all are great! The condos we stay in are gorgeous! I'm on the 21st floor and the view is beautiful. The balcony overlooks the bay and it is the perfect place to spend time with Jesus and think about the day.

In the past two days we have started orientation for project and began job hunting! I went to one job interview at a place called Game Time, and then went to another interview and got the job!!

SO this summer I will be working as an Art Teacher at a children's summer camp! It is the perfect job for me, getting paid to craft?!? Perfect.

Everything this summer is falling into place. I know I am not lucky, I know I am blessed. I am so excited for this summer. I am so excited to grow closer to God, closer to others, and grow in the sanctification journey.


Prayer requests: Jobs for the rest of the team

It is starting!

Today I am driving to Miami! Please pray for a safe trip for me and all the other students who are on the way to Miami! 

5 Days!

There are only 5 days till Miami!

This is crazy!

In preparation for the summer I have been job hunting. While on project, we work 5 days a week at a part time job. Our job becomes our mission field for the summer, so we can learn how to bring the gospel everywhere we go. So far I have set up 4 interviews for when I get to Miami. I need prayers that one of these places accepts me or that I find a job somewhere else. I have already been denied by multiple places for not having any retail experience. Thus I ask, how does a girl get her first job?

I know God has a plan, so I know it will all work out. I leave on Sunday to get on a plane and fly to Tampa where my friend April will pick me up and take me to get my car. I'm so thankful for friends!


I also just posted in my other blog if you want to check that out:

http://joyfullcircle.blogspot.com

1 MONTH UNTIL MIAMI!!!!!

In exactly one month I will be starting my summer project in Miami. I am excited and nervous, but mostly excited. I'm really thankful to have two friends going with me, Becky and Brianna. This is very comforting and I am so excited to grow with them and then be able to come back to USF together in the fall. Here is a photo of the three of us at the last Cru leadership meeting! Becky is in the center and then Brianna. Becky and I will both be juniors in the fall and Brianna will be a sophomore. I am so thankful for these two and our friendships.

Thank you for all the prayers for this summer! Please continue to pray for me and the other students that will be there and all the people we will meet this summer. Pray that there hearts will be open to hearing about Jesus. Also thank you so much for supporting me and praying about my support. I have reached my goal of $3,000 and it would not have been possible without my wonderful supporters. It has been so cool to see God provide through all of your generous hearts. I am truly touched at your generosity, love, and support. God is just so cool and so good. He is really working in my life and preparing my heart for Miami. This semester I have already grown so much, and I know it is in preparation for what God has planned for the summer.