What have I been doing?

I've tried to decide what to write on here several times lately. Every time I just decided to wait because I kept feeling like I didn't really have anything interesting to say. But tonight I just decided that I would write a little bit, just so you all know that I'm still alive :)
I'm learning a lot! I have been ministering a lot. I was recently so very honored to have been asked to do the memorial service for my friend Bob Woods. I'm sad that he is gone, but I had the privilege of leading him to Christ about a year ago, so that is very comforting to me.
Basically, I'm having fun, learning more about God, learning more about myself (and how much more I need God!) and just trying to figure it all out.
I have my days when not everything is going great...believe me.
Tonight Apostle Lisa was preaching about "What Has God Said To You?" and how if God tells you he's going to do something, then it WILL come about. Seems to have been God's answer to some things I was asking him earlier today. I'm working on it...
I love and miss a bunch of people...quite possibly this could be you!
I'll write again soon. Love to all!

Sorry for the long break!

Hey there friends, I do apologize for the long break from here. Wow things have been busy!
I have often thought about updating you all on here, but to be honest, there have been times lately where I just haven't felt like talking about anything. 
I'll be very honest with you...life is not always super easy! Are you shocked? I didn't think so. For the most part, things are going great and I LOVE being a part of what God is doing in Lawrence and around the world through Eagle Rock Church  and Warring Dove International. I love working in the office and out in the field doing some of the things that God has called me to do since before I was born!
I have had some adjustments to make in the past several months, though. I miss all of my Wellsville and WFWC people! It's always great getting to see you guys when I can! It has been quite an adjustment for me being away from my family so much...I miss them like crazy (especially all the kids)! And honestly, things happen. Life happens. And sometimes things happen when you least expect them to and you just have to do your best to keep going. I've had one or two of those types of obstacles recently. Hasn't been my favorite time, but God is still good and He's still on the throne and He loves me way more than I could ever know or imagine. Having that realization means I can get through anything!
There's a song that I heard on the radio that has been playing in my heart throughout the past several weeks. I'm going to try to put it here and make it work for you...let's see if it does!
http://youtu.be/0HtXIKvDLy8

I hope that song ministers to you like it has (and continues to do so) for me.

Anyway, so I am continuing to work for CLO (Community Living Opportunities) in order to attempt to fund the ministry stuff I am doing. I do enjoy it there and have MANY opportunities on a regular basis to minister while at work. God is so cool like that! I enjoy the people I work with and I feel very blessed to be in that particular job during this time.
It looks as though we are preparing to go back to Mexico in January. I'M SO EXCITED!!! I need to work on raising the money to get there. I believe I am going to need around $500, though it could be a little more or a little less, that is just my estimate. I have not had extra money running around, so saving for this will be a challenge, but it is DEFINITELY worth it! And hey, if you would like to help me to meet those goals, please let me know! I will be happy to answer any questions you might have (to the best of my ability) and I would absolutely LOVE to tell you all about my recent trip to Mexico if you'd like.
I hope that you are all doing well. Hey, I still exist. I still have the same phone number and email address. I still have facebook. So if you are reading this and you miss me, for goodness sakes contact me!!!
Love and life in abundance to you!
Tami

Mexico Mexico Mexico!!!!

Yep, Mexico is on my mind. I miss all the awesome people that I have grown to love, both in Merida and Obregon! But...look out Obregon, because I think a return trip is being planned soon! Hopefully, I will be on that trip! I can't guarantee it at this point. There are things that will have to fall into place first. But I'm going to pray about it and hopefully I'll be there.
In other news, we are having our big "Voice in the Wilderness" retreat this weekend and, well, I'M SO EXCITED!!! I really believe God is going to show up in a big way. I can't wait to see what He's about to do! It'll be awesome to see so many of the ministry friends that we haven't seen in several months. Such an exciting time :)
And wow, this week has been tough for me. I feel like I have been attacked on several fronts this week and I have been struggling not to be distracted. Ok, so I haven't always been able to keep my mind focused this week. I've actually made some mistakes and forgotten some things and it just hasn't been the easiest week. Especially in my emotions. Ugh, emotions. Sometimes I hate them, but then I realize they are necessary and they are actually a good thing...they can just turn on you when you least expect it!!!
But today is different. Today I have a hope and an expectancy that God is getting ready to do something big! Oh, the enemy already tried to wreck my day (almost literally, haha) but God is bigger. I'm so glad I serve a God who cares about every little aspect of my life! How do people get by without Him?
Mexico...I'm sure I'll see you soon!

What can I say?

That's a really good question. Wow, this past week I was blessed to be a part of the Transformations Training with George Otis, Jr. in Topeka. He discussed the necessary steps and mindset changes that must be taken in order to bring transforming revival to your community. I don't even know where to begin to discuss this with you, other than to say that if you weren't already aware, it all starts on a personal level. Man, did I feel the conviction of the Lord when he was talking about our prayer and devotional lives and living holy!
Friends, I have a LONG way to go before I'm where I need to be. Just being real with you. But thank God He loves each of us so much that He "puts up" with us and loves us into the place He desires us to be in. Can't help but love Him back!
Hope you are having a great week! Please remember to pray for me as I follow God where I believe He is leading me. Finances are tight (aren't they for us all?) and I still miss being with my family everyday, but it's worth it to be submitted to this King I love!
Thanks and God bless!

Hey, watch it!

Ok, today I want to talk to you about something. But first, take a few minutes and watch this clip. No really, do it! Aaaaaaannnnnnddddddd...GO!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an4MMQbtqM0

This scene is one of my favorites when I want to talk to people about certain things such as perseverance, positive attitudes, and encouraging others. So tonight as I sit with some friends at Dillon's in Lawrence, I am taking a minute to talk to YOU. I want to speak something into your life right now, so please keep reading.

First of all, if you are at a point in your life where you feel like you can't keep going and you just want to give up, I am challenging you right now....YOU CAN KEEP GOING! YOU CAN DO THIS! Life isn't always easy, my friend! Life is hard and messy sometimes! But you are NOT alone...even when you don't see anyone else around, God is there waiting for you to turn to Him and ask Him to help you. Don't believe me? Tell Him. Don't believe Him? I challenge you to tell Him and wait expectantly for Him to show Himself true to you. Seriously. For a whole month, I challenge you every day to tell God exactly what you think. See what He does.
Second of all, if you keep thinking that you are not good enough, strong enough, beautiful enough, rich enough, or any other kind of thing enough to make it, then congratulations. You won't. You have just talked yourself into getting in your own way. Listen, God created you for a purpose. Yes YOU!!! You have an eternal purpose for your life and you need to quit focusing on yourself so much and focus on God. Ask Him what He has for you to do. I dare you!
Lastly, if you are in a good place in your life...or even if you aren't, but you care about other people...stop sitting idly by and watching people while they drown in life! No, I don't expect you to solve all their problems, but you know what you CAN do? You can cheer them on. Let them know there is someone in their corner! Did you watch the coach in this clip? He didn't just tell Brock one time that he could do it. He cheered him on and encouraged him to keep going the whole way until he literally had nothing left. Also, the coach didn't just stand on the sidelines or at the start line and yell to him. Nope. Not this coach! He went the distance with him and encouraged him all along the way until the goal was beyond met. That is a true encourager.
So friends, wherever you're at in this scenario, take a lesson from Facing the Giants. You can get through this. You can push harder. You can negotiate with your body or emotions to find more strength. You can go the distance. And you can encourage others to do the same!
Hang in there friends...you're almost in the end zone.

Quick update

Hello there friends, it's been a while! Things here have been busy busy busy! I've been working at the church a lot and also working for CLO. I am really enjoying both of these things. I feel like I have been constantly doing something for weeks and weeks, so every chance I get to sit back and just breathe or rest for a minute, I'm doing it.
God is really so good, isn't He? I don't know about you, but I know that I have seen Him answer prayers in such bold and indisputable ways even just this summer. I do not understand how on earth people can deny His existence! If you are one of those people, I invite you to come and hang out with me for a while. I'd like to show you what I'm talking about.
Ok, so on the mission front here is what is happening: We have a team right now in Nepal training pastors, teaching about leading worship, leading people to Christ, and encouraging Christians everywhere they go. They will be leaving in a few days for India as well. So be praying for them! In a few months there will be a team going back to Mexico...I would love to be on this team! I'm sure I will be posting more details about that in the near future.
I hope that this blog finds you doing well, being happy, and loving God. I'd love to hear from you! What's happening in your world?

And a good time was had by all...

I remember in high school one of my friends, Emery Carl, would write sports articles for a local paper. One article that he wrote kind of cracked me up because as he was writing about the multiple events that had taken place that week he would end each segment with "And a good time was had by all..." Haha, I still think of that every once in a while.
So I chose that title because, well, for the most part we're all having good times right now around here in Lawrence and for me personally, I have had so many unexpected opportunities to minister. That, my friends, though it does take a lot out of you, is a GOOD TIME!
I went to work last weekend and had the opportunity to minister almost the entire shift one of my days while still getting all our work done. I ministered while I was visiting at Helping Hands Food Ministry's distribution day last weekend as well. Then I went to visit my cousin and we ended up in some pretty deep discussions about different ministry things that I do and some of the information that I have learned while being at Warring Dove International/Eagle Rock Church.
I love to talk about God and what He is doing in and through my life! Haha, I'm reminded of Jesus' words when he said that if the people stopped praising Him even the rocks would cry out and sing His praise. That's kinda how I feel about it. I'd so much rather be the one praising Him than allow a rock to do it!!!
So, I'll continue on praising God, talking about how awesome He is, helping people get freedom in their lives, and ministering anytime there is an opportunity. And a good time will be had by all....

You know, some weeks seem more like months! This week has been that way. With the terrible news on Friday of my ex brother-in-law's untimely death and all that came with it, this has been a VERY long week. Please keep his children (Samantha, Timothy, and David) and his family in your prayers as they attempt to heal and find a new normal in their lives without him.
All I keep thinking about is that in Psalms 34:18 it says "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." That sure seems to sum up what everyone is going through after Larry's death. So God right now I just claim that verse over Larry's children, family, and friends. I pray You would be close to them, hold them in your embrace, and let them feel your presence! Father, all that do not know you now, I pray you would draw them to yourself and they would turn to you and live for you. Thank you Father, amen.

A blog? Really?

Well hello there friends :) I've never really been a blogger before. It's a little strange to think that I actually need to be doing this. There are just so many people that I've had a difficult time keeping up with and I'm always being asked what is going on in my crazy life...so here you go. I'll try really hard to keep up with this blog. It's going to be pretty important, I think.
Listen, this thing can be just to chat and let you know what I'm doing, but I am also going to use it as an to give you an opportunity to not just read about my life, but to be a part as well. There are so many things coming up that I cannot do alone. I'm going to need all the prayer support, encouragement, and financial support that I can get.
What is happening, you ask? Well...I'm currently working in the Eagle Rock Church office, I'm starting a very part time job (today actually) with CLO in Lawrence, and I'm looking toward several ministry and research opportunities in the very near future. Mexico is on the list, but is not the full extent of it. There are crazy cool places like Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Israel, Nigeria, the Congo, Pakistan...just to name a few. No, I will not be able to go to all of these places, but there are two coming up around December or so that I feel like I should pray about attending. There is the possibility of going to a 10 day school in Israel at the Israel Goodwill Ambassador Academy. This is very important to me and I would like to go. It's not just so I can have the experience of going to Israel, it's a learning opportunity that will prove useful in the future. The other trip is a research trip to China learning about Chinese history, culture, and the people.
If you feel God tugging at your heart to help me get to one of these destinations, let me know.
Thanks for reading!
Tami