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?