Apologies...

Hey All,
I want to start this post by apologizing profusely for the lack of attention I have been giving to this blog. Yipe! Summer weather has finally come to NY and I have been taking advantage of it.

Life has been pretty crazy these past few weeks. A dear 81 year old man from my church died. It's been an emotional roller coaster ride for sure! BUT God IS GOOD!!! All the time even in the hard times.

I've been looking into ticket prices for my trip. God is amazing and is taking care of my needs. Please continue to pray for me. God has put me in contact with a girl who is going to Chiapas. She is from NY too which is amazing!!

Here are some pictures of what's been happening lately. My brother Danny, friend Bethany and Rudiel went to the Lilac Festival which is near our house. We had alot of fun and Rudiel got to try many new things like fried dough. The evening ended with a nice dinner at Bugaboo Creek. *The last picture is PEPSI by the way*

Dios te bendiga mucho. Cuidate gentes!

More Happens...

Hey All,
I have neglected this blog for a bit and want to apologize. Many things have been happening these past couple weeks. The biggest being that I applied for a mission trip to Chiapas, Mexico a few weeks ago rather impulsively. I didn't pray about it first. A friend told me about the mission organization, Global Encounters after bible study one night so I got on the computer and looked up the mission, perused the statement of faith, and saw the trip to San Cristobal de las Casas which leaves in July. I quickly filled out the application online and hit send. There was no fee or anything. I did it without thinking or praying and really felt guilty after that.

I got accepted to the team that is going and after alot of prayer, my parents have decided to let me go. The trip is from July 10-31. We will be traveling to different jungle villages in Chiapas, working primarily with children. I am SO excited and can't wait to see what the Lord does. Even though I did this impulsively, I feel God is leading me to do this. I appreciate your prayers for me. I will post more details as I find them out.

No picture for this post but there will be next time. Cuidate gentes!

Conviction...

Hey All,
I came across a video from a friend's Facebook page and had to share it with all of you. This video is incredibly convicting for me. Last summer, I went on a trip to Papua New Guinea. During that time, I met people who's parents and grandparents died without ever hearing the Gospel. All my life I have sat through dozens of missionary presentations. I have heard dozens of stories about people dying without hearing the Gospel. But to look into the faces of people whose parents died before hearing the Gospel was heartbreaking. The reality of the need for laborers in God's harvest hit me. People are DYING without ever hearing the name of Jesus and here in our comfortable lives, we use His name as a swear word. How sick is that?

I firmly believe that it is not an option to be a missionary. If you do not believe you are "called" to the foreign field then you had better be working wherever God has you. I am not meaning to sound like I'm better than you because I am not. Just because I have gone on a missions trip does not make me holier than you at all. Coming home from PNG, I struggled with feelings of resentment towards the American church. We who have had the Gospel for hundreds of years yet there are still how many unreached people in the world? I am not resentful anymore, just sad for the lack of laborers for His harvest. People are dying EVERY DAY without ever hearing Jesus' wonderful name.

If you are not called to go to the foreign field, do everything you can to support those who are. Whether it be praying (the most important tool of all) or giving monetarily. I know this probably sounds like I am asking for money for me but I am not in any way meaning it to be that. As of now, there are no definite plans for trips anywhere. I'm just trying to point out the need for support of missionaries here at home.

This is a picture of me with 4 precious bible leaders. At least one of these said that their parents or grandparents died without ever hearing the Gospel. Heartbreaking for sure. Why have we not done something? Jesus commanded us to "Go into ALL the world and preach the Gospel to every kingdom." So far, we've reached not very far with the Gospel.

But we can be and are part of the solution! We are laborers in God's harvest. "Look unto the fields for they are WHITE UNTO HARVEST."

I might not be the most popular gal after this post and if I came across as proud, I truly am sorry. I don't mean to be. This topic is so close to my heart though. Listen to the Lord's leading in your life. Seek Him and don't pray for opportunities to share Him, pray for the courage to take the opportunities He sends our way. Dios te bendiga mucho hoy. Cuidate!

Pure In Heart Award

Hey All,
I thought I'd post this since it seems like a fun, get to know me better thing. My blogger friend Adria (aka Loca Chica) awarded me the Pure In Heart award. I'm honored but also slightly ashamed. If only you all could see what my heart really looks like, you'd be sick and shocked and horrified. BUT I am a sinner saved by grace! Praise the Lord for this.

Here are the rules: If you are tagged: 1) Post about the tag 2) Pick 10 bloggers who deserve this award. 3) Leave a comment on the blogs of the people you tagged letting them know they were awarded.4) Answer the questions along with your post

1) Apples, Oranges or Bananas? I absolutely LOVE oranges. Bananas are amazing too. Especially when they're fresh off the banana tree. :)

2) How many siblings do you have? I have 3 siblings. They are amazing. I don't always like them but I LOVE them and would die for them in a heart beat. Katy is 19, Jenny is almost 17 and Danny is 15. We're all close in age too which is even more fun!

3) How old are you? 18

4) Do you live on a woodland, swamp, city, or other? Country!!! Western NY is amazing especially this time of year with all the different shades of green. I love where I live!

5) Scissors or glue? I guess scissors but why does it matter?

6) Describe your dream house: I would love to live somewhere like Mexico but I'm not gonna lie and say "Oh yeah, mud floors and tin roofs are what I dream of!" 'cause that's not true. But if that's what God calls me to then I will go willingly. I love colonial houses or a house like my Grandma Kelley's, big and homey.

7) Is your room clean? Well, I am in the midst of spring cleaning and rearranging furniture so it's not TECHNICALLY clean at the moment but it's getting there. It always gets messier before it gets cleaner! :)

8) If you could be a movie character for a day, who would you be? Hmm, tough question. I'd have to say Susan from Narnia series.

9) Italy, Greece, France, Spain or England? Can I put all 5? I so want to travel the world and see ALL these places!!!

10) What denomination are you? I am a follower of Jesus Christ who is my Savior. I don't put too much stock in denominations but my family happens to go to an Independent Baptist church.

11) Do you sleep with a stuffed toy (BE HONEST!!!!) Sometimes I sleep with a black lab stuffed dog. No, I don't need her to get to sleep or anything, I just like wrapping my arms around something whether it's a pillow or extra blanket. I haven't slept with her in about a year though :)

12) Gum, chocolate, or jelly beans? Sugarless gum. Especially Extra's. It's the best! I go through many packs a month.

13) What is your favorite book? Aside from the Bible I like reading Dee Henderson, Janette Oke, and Beverly Lewis books. Also, Francine Rivers Atonement Child and Last Sin Eater are amazing as well.

14) Favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. It's the best! That's one of the food items I missed the most while in PNG. Their ice cream just isn't the same...

15) If you had to eat one type of food for two weeks, what would that food be? Salad. Not just with iceberg lettuce but with good lettuce and tomatoes, chicken, cheese, peppers, carrots, croutons, and lots of other yummy salad stuff.

16) What is your favorite Olympic sport? I LOVE watching ice skating. Especially couples. It's so beautiful to me.

17) If you woke up and discovered that you had turned into Miley Cyrus for the day, what would you do? Travel to some exotic place I guess. I'm not really sure...

18) Describe yourself in three words: Shy, stubborn, funny.

19) What do you hate? Sin. My sin to be precise. Also snakes are the worst thing ever invented!!!! And I hate it when people are mean to my family.

20) If Elmo came into your room with a gun, what would you do? Um, not really sure. Probably pinch myself to see if I was dreaming :)

I'm not sure I'll be able to give out 10 awards because I don't know that many people yet but here are some of the awards:

My big sister, Katy Dee at 110% Surrendered. I love you SO much even though I don't act like it alot of times.

Loca Chica (aka Adria) It's been a joy getting to know you. Praying for you!

My former PNG roomie, Jasmine at Beautiful Feet. Good times fo shizzle! Love and praying for you!

Amanda at Borders Aside. Your story inspires me so much. Thanks.

My new friend Sarah (aka Loquita) at Just One Girl. I'm looking forward to adventures with you my dear! :)

And last but not least to my friend Marie at Quiet Thoughts. Our friendship has grown since I've known you. I miss working with you and love you!

Here's the picture of the day: This is me and my darling boy, Dominic. He is 6 years old. I met him about a year and a half ago and he has me wrapped around his little finger. He's such a joy. This picture was taken last summer when his family came over for a picnic. He climbed up in my lap for pictures. I think I might have been tickling him :) Have I ever mentioned that I absolutely adore latino kids. They are SO adorable.

Anyhoo, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Stay warm and remember to wish your moms happy Mothers day. I'm so blessed to have my amazing mom. Love her!
Cuidate.

It's May!!!

Hey All,

I can't believe it's May already! Where does the time go? It seems the older I get, the faster time flies. That's kind of scary because I'm only 18! What will it be like when I'm 30 then 40? That sounds like such a long time away but it's really not. But a comforting thought is knowing that in Heaven, we won't have to worry about time 'cause there won't be any. We will have eternity to do the things we want.

I guess this post is going to be as confusing as my thoughts are right now. I just wish that I knew what the Lord wants me to do concerning college and Mexico. I've had 2 offers for trips to Mexico next year which sound amazing. I also have a job offer at a restaurant that I substitute at. Then there's college. Do I do summer school or just stick with the fall semester? SO confusing!!! I just want to do what the Lord wants me to do but what is that? I know that I am to follow Him and serve Him wherever I'm at. But what about the future?

A friend shared this from Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest. The title of the devotional is The Graciousness of Uncertainty: "Naturally we are inclined to be so mathematical and calculating that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We imagine that we have to reach some end, but that is not the nature of spiritual life. The nature of spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty, consequently we do not make our nests anywhere. Common sense says---'Well, supposing I were in that condition...' We cannot suppose ourselves in any condition we have never been in.
Certainty is the mark of the common sense life: gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness, it should be rather an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. Immediately we abandon to God, and do the duty that lies nearest, He packs our life with surprises all the time. When we become advocates of a creed, something dies; we do not believe God, we only believe our belief about Him. Jesus said 'Except ye... become as little children.' Spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, but uncertain of what He is going to do next. If we are only certain in our beliefs, we get dignified and severe and have the ban of finality about our views; but when we are rightly related to God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy.
'Believe also in Me,' said Jesus, not--- 'Believe certain things about Me.' Leave the whole thing to Him, it is gloriously uncertain how He will come in, but He will come. Remain loyal to Him."

God knew I needed to read this and meditate on it this week. I AM uncertain about my future but I am certain about God. Praise You, Father!

This post's picture is of my younger sister, Jennifer Marie. She is 16, almost 17 (Yes, 'You are 16 going on 17' is running through my head right now, too!) No, this picture does nothing for me. I look HORRID but it shows the kind of relationship Jenny and I have. I call her Juanita or Bubba depending on the day. Jenny is very talented with guitar and singing. She is looking into going to college for worship major. I'm excited to see how the Lord leads her. We do not have a perfect relationship either. I have struggled alot over the years with jealousy towards her because she is better at so much stuff than me. It's a constant battle for me. But the Lord helps me. I am consistently rude to her and my other sister and brother but they forgive me and are patient with me (usually). This is a better picture of us. We love to ride horses together and also eat Chinese food. My siblings and I have many precious memories together and I am so blessed to have all of them. I wouldn't trade them for anything. I joined a group on Facebook that says "Only I can fight with my siblings, you lay a finger on them, you die!" A bit violent perhaps but I'm a fierce defender of my siblings. I love them all SO much.

As usual, I've written what's on my heart. The only problem is my heart is confused right now so this post might be, too. I hope you are all blessed by this. I serve an amazing God. Praise Him! Cuidate.