It's now my turn

Wow.... I have so much to be thankful for. God has been showing me so much the past two days. I've been reading 4 books: The Bible (all over, especially in Isaiah), Radical- David Platt, The Hiding Place- Corrie Ten Boom, and a social justice book for my youth. I have been learning about missions and truly being committed to the Lord. As amazing as it has been, I have seen that I have a long way to go in my heart. Lots of surrender.

In Radical, Platt talks about how we take certain verses of the Bible and say "yeah that applies to me" or "not so much me"... for example, in Matt 28 when Jesus calls us to make disciples of all nations, some people say "that's for others." But other scripture, like Matt 11:28- "Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden..." we say, "that's me!"
AHH! What a crazy thought. I do that far too often. Do you?
He also talks about making disciples... and I have been so encouraged on this topic. I have been blessed with an amazing women who has discipled me for years now. Her name is Ms. Charlotte. And I love her. She has taught me how to follow Christ in all areas of my heart and lie. And I am starting to understand why the Lord has called me be a youth leader: it is now my turn to make disciples. And, Lord willing, that is what I fully intend to here in Hopetown.

The Hiding Place is captivating (ps- my wonderful mentor was the one who gave me this book...) I woke up at 4:57 this morning and got so excited because I could read it again. An hour later, I figured I should try to sleep again, but feel asleep praying that I would continue to learn from this women's testimony.

Fun little happenings today:
1. I officially weathered my first tropical depression here in Hopetown.
2. I went for a run and ran in more puddle than on dry ground.
3. The Lord gave me a big laugh: this past week I have been rationing out my toilet paper carefully b/c I was running out. And sure enough I got to the end of my roll this morning. As I went to the bathroom this afternoon, of course forgetting that I needed to go get tp, I was horrified when I realized my predicament, but it was too late. But at that same moment, I glanced over from my throne to the bottom shelf in my bathroom and saw a pack of toilet paper I had never laid eyes on! I laughed out loud so hard. God is so good, provides everything I need... His time=perfect. =)
4. I met the oldest woman on the island- she is 88 and her name is Aunt Mariah. And I have fallen in love.
5. I decided that I will be talking about hands this Sunday for my message and on the walk back from praise band practice, God showed me a precious girls hands who had gotten dirty from helping her daddy with his work....umm... yeah. EXACTLY what I am talking about. Affirmation, check.
6. Talking to my sister everyday is a blessing. I love her. I have decided she is my oldest and newest best friend.

I am in love with Jesus. That's all.

For the rest of the evening I will be popping in my seasons of I love Lucy and having a gay 'ol time laughing with my Savior and Friend.

Keep praying for my family, and dad.

I finally gave in..

So here I am. I finally gave into these bloody blogs... I guess I deemed it as a matter of practicality, seeing as how I live out of the country now. And there are so many things I want to share with people about what He is doing in my life and in my heart... so, yes... I'm gave in.

For those of you who happen upon reading this that haven't connected with me in a while... I am now living on a tiny island called Hopetown in the Abacos in the Bahamas. This beautiful (and I do mean beautiful) place is where the Lord has called me to serve as a youth and family leader for St. James Methodist church this next year of my life. And what a blessing it has been- and I've only been here for 2 weeks. 

It has been quite the transition... going from living in a place with 20+ people in college (FSUWesley), then  living with my TEAMeffort family over the summer 24/7 and coming back to work with another family known as "office staff" and then coming to this place, living by myself... needless to stay, it's a little different. But I have been overwhelmed by the kindness of these 400 people or so that live here. I think it's pretty safe to say that the amount of meals/food that I have received in the past 2 weeks FAR out way the total of food that has ever been given to me during the course of my life thus far. Ha! And not just any food, Bahamian food, which, I have come to realize is quite delicious. 

I thank you, anyone has said but just one small prayer to the Lord on my behalf, because I feel them. All of them... they shower over my heart and soul daily, and it is when I stop and spend time with Him does He remind me of the prayers of His children. So thank you, truly. 

I'm sure I'll be writing more on this thing later... I imagine this is how some people feel when they gave into facebook. ha! But I am honored to share with anyone willing to read about how the Lord is moving, because He is surely moving here.

Please, please pray for hearts to be open to His move. And pray that I have discernment as to how to convey His messages to them. And pray for my family- my mom and dad- that family. =)