Did you say God called you a DONKEY?!?!?!

Why yes, yes I did. That is exactly what I said! I was in the shower this morning and I was praying about some things (which I am about to post in a minute) and God said, "Hey, do you remember Pastor Gustavo?"
Me: Yes, of course I do! I love him!
God: Remember the story he tells about the donkey?
Me: I do... (here, for those who don't know, I'll post the video of it for you)

God: Well, YOU are like that donkey.
Me: Umm...thanks God. Should I be saying I'm sorry?
God: You are like that donkey...but you should think about the rest of that story...the beginning part. You see, the donkey was all tied up in the service of its owners right? But then when it was time for it to be used for its big purpose, the disciples just had to go and untie it and tell them that the Master had use of it. Your Master has use for you.
Me: Oh. Oh! Wow...that's really awesome God! So...now what do I do? Hello? (He hasn't told me the rest yet...)

So there we have it friends...God called me a donkey first thing this morning. And I love it! So now for the explanation behind my conversation with God. As many of you know, I am working as part of the ministry with Eagle Rock Church and Warring Dove International Ministries here in Lawrence, KS. The ministry stuff keeps all of us pretty busy much of the time. I love it and I have learned SO much about God and His kingdom and His purposes! In order to be funded, I have been working at CLO (Community Living Opportunities) here in Lawrence as a central site monitor. This basically means that I sit in an office and watch monitors of cameras in some of the homes that they oversee. CLO is an organization that takes care of developmentally disabled men and women. I watch in some of their homes with the higher functioning people and the cameras are only in the common areas of the home. Our goal is to allow them to be without constant staff intervention while still maintaining a safe environment.
Anyway, I have been working for CLO since July and God had started telling me early on that I needed to not get comfortable there because I wouldn't be there very long. He has been speaking to me about timing recently and I've been thinking "Whoa, God...I am ok with this, but You are going to have to show me what it looks like to do it. I really do have a need to be funded and I don't know how to do that without having a job." Then at the very end of the year, my car decided that it is going to begin dying a slow death. Oh, it still works right now, but honestly, it's in really bad shape. It's not really the safest place for me to be while driving down the road and the issues that it has would cost more to fix than the car is actually worth. So basically, I'm in desperate need of a "new-to-me" car. So again I have been asking, "God...what does it look like for me to not work and to be funded...because now I have to have a new car too and there's no money for any of this!?!?!?!?!"
So that brings me to this morning. I really believe that as we in the ministry prepare to launch the Mane Event Tour, I need to be available to travel as much as is needed and be in the church/ministry office when I am not traveling. I need to be able to be focused on the tasks that God has set before me. So I was praying about it this morning and God decides to tell me I'm like the donkey that carried Jesus, the Glory, in...and the Master has use of me.
I don't know what that means, exactly. I don't know how He is going to make it work. But I am open and waiting for Him to do what He does best...whatever He desires!
 My friends, I ask that you be in prayer for me as I continue to seek God's heart for what He desires of me in this time.
Thanks for reading! Love to you all.
Tami

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?