so isnt it just crazy how fast time can fly?
on how last february this whole process started?
and how this time last year i was going crazy making plates for a craft show?
and how a few months ago i was exuberant when i got my first newsletter?
and here we are...5 days away!
its awesome to see how far God has brought us. i can't believe it.
i just finished the long, tiring time of packing everything today. it was hard to fit all that stuff in there. but it worked, just a few more things to pack up and i'll be on my way to miami...
can't wait to just get there and meet everyone!
i'll try to update every few days!
aubrey
Thursday, June 4, 2009
so here we are. the final few days before we go...its 25 days i think.
its kinda been a crazy past week or so...
i got my tshirt, the one that all 600 of us are wearing,
i got my costume assignment...i get to get stuff for a Kat, (yes spelled with a K)
i know who my team peoples are...as well as our team leaders.
and i gots about 130 bracelets!!
and i went shopping for my supplies, and i got most everything i need, and now have the problem of having no room for clothes...so yeah. i'll have to figure that out...i mean seriously, i have to pack a paint roller and pan, that takes up a bunch of room! its kinda crazy, but oh well.
only thing left is getting an outfit tomorrow for my sponsored child, which i think will be a lot of fun.
but anyways, thanks for the prayers, and support.
aubrey
its kinda been a crazy past week or so...
i got my tshirt, the one that all 600 of us are wearing,
i got my costume assignment...i get to get stuff for a Kat, (yes spelled with a K)
i know who my team peoples are...as well as our team leaders.
and i gots about 130 bracelets!!
and i went shopping for my supplies, and i got most everything i need, and now have the problem of having no room for clothes...so yeah. i'll have to figure that out...i mean seriously, i have to pack a paint roller and pan, that takes up a bunch of room! its kinda crazy, but oh well.
only thing left is getting an outfit tomorrow for my sponsored child, which i think will be a lot of fun.
but anyways, thanks for the prayers, and support.
aubrey
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Searching for Light
Hey, it's Starr. There's things i have been going through that i have never really told anyone, maybe i won't. i dont think i can, but over the past year and a half, my inner world became a dark place. and the light i clung to seemed to vanish. could it have been from something i've done, possibly, but i'm convinced it's something more.
A year and a half ago, my father's brother, his wife, and another brother's ex-wife made an attack of accusations against my father. This attack should have caused my father and mother to divorce after, at the time, 17 years of marriage and five years previous of knowing each other. Fights between my parents erupted and i didnt understand what was going on. for some reason unknown to me, my mother didnt leave my dad, but believed what he said was true and they realized what was happening. (now, my father's brother was the soundman at the church we currently attend remember that.)
the three against us went to the pastor and told him the accusations; he didnt do anything. every service since, they would linger and watch who we would talk to; they wouldnt leave until we did. they made sure they positioned themsleves to see where we were so later they could talk to and "pray" for the people we were with. many times over they would talk to those who were our friends and tell them not to hang around us. that we were no good liars, fakers, and propheliars. people who we were cool with stopped talkin to us and avoided us. even a couple personal attacks were made towards me. when my mother told the pastor, still he did nothing. our hope was that he was waiting on God and trying to make a decision. but then 9 months went by, and it all continues. we still laughed and worshiped no different, but the stress was takin its toll. our desire to go to church had dimmed.
finally, it seemed our liberation came, and they didnt show up one sunday. we couldn't believe it until 2 more sundays go by and they're not there. we had peace for the next 2 months, all it seemed was restored and we picked up where our lives left off. We were happy again. Until one sunday, when we walk in, we saw my father's brother and his wife sitting in the back. it was like life stopped again. nothing was clear. heaviness enveloped me. i knew it was too good to be true. my dad decided that we would leave VCT for the time being, until they left. he said he couldnt bare to bring his family through it again.
we find a temporal church and fit in nicely. once again, pretty normal. one day we decide to go back to VCT and realize the terrible three were gone. we tested the waters; still they did not come back. more months pass, and we return to VCT. But this time it's different. i was no longer happy there. i no longer worshipped. i was no longer the strong Christian girl that people came to for prayer. i sat in the back, with a bitter taste in my mouth. you see, the youth group there is cliquie and judgmental. if you dont go to youth services, and dont show up for a while, you're automatically a backslider in their book and they treat you like one. but i never left church, i just went to a differnt one. all of the friends i thought i had, the ones who would stop and talk or give me a hug, walked by me and wouldn't even look me in my eye. i was devastated. surely, by the way i behaved in church previously, they would no that i wasn't a backslider, i hadn't changed. i was just going through a really bad time. i would smile at them to get their attention and they'd look away. finally, i turned my hurt into anger. that was a stonger emotion to have. i wasnt as weak with it. i sat in the back with my sister and did nothing. made no attempt to get into the service, i just sat there. i was not only angry at the youth, but i was angry at the pastor. you see, we soon realized that his reasoning behind not doing anything when we made our complaints was because he needed that soundman. i thought our pastor had loved us. he said he did. yet he had no idea of the effects of what happened. even he would walk by and not speak. Now dont get me wrong, pastor is a good man, but even the heads get caught up in flesh and make bad decisions. i hope he realizes what he's done and one day makes it right. he's a good man, he just made a bad decision.
i was now angry and bitter. i hated coming to church. and, i was alone. but the worst part was, i knew i was angry and bitter, and i didnt know how to get out. i begged God daily to release me of the virus of bitterness. but a couple months went by, and i was the same. i felt myself pull away from God. guilt prevented me from talking to him. i wasnt worthy enough. my apologies were no good because i'll do the same thing again. sometimes i prayed for release; but my hope for freedom was gone. again, i pull further away. all conversation had stopped. any intimacy between us is no longer in existance. God is just a distant stranger i once knew.
Soon, after a talk with my father about my anger, i realize that me being bitter doesn't affect anyone else, just me. i knew that i was missing out on blessings i felt like i couldn't afford to lose. my bitterness began to fade. Easter of '09 is now in two weeks. church has ended. the drama team is doin Now Behold the Lamb again; i had a solo in it. the youth leader comes up to me and asks if i'll be at practice. i wouldnt want anything else. at practice that day, the remnants of my bitterness vanished. but my joy was short lived. Even though it seemed that the storm was over, the after effects were still there. my spiritual life was in shambles. i had become confused, untrusting, unsure, guilty, afraid. the Holy Spirit i knew and loved wasnt what it used to be any more, therefore, i tried to avoid getting touched by it. i didnt shout or cry or dance in the Spirit. i wasnt worthy. then, no matter how much i pushed and fought, something seemed to be pulling me even further away from God. sooner than i could realize, everything has fallen apart. I grew weary. I wanted to give up, and just live my life the way i wanted to. it didnt matter anyway. i wasnt sure of what to fight, and didnt know how to fight it. i was tired of always going through a trial. i just wanted to stop. even to this day i consider it. but then i remember, that even though he's distant, God is still there. and he wants me as bad as i need him. and even though i'm a big screw up, he loves me all the same. i cant fathom why. why he forgives me all the time. why he's so patient. why he doesn't give up on me. i almost wish he would. just so i feel i have gotten something i deserve.
So where am i today? The same place, waiting on God to move. Or do something. i feel like this trip is all i have left to look for. if it doesnt change me, then i have nothing left. nothing but a little hope, a little light that i'm searching for. Now do not take this as a tragic event. i do not want pity. i want witnesses. to how i am now. i want people to see, so sometime down the road, when i'm out of the darkness, they will give honor to the Lord for the great work he has done. Jesus is the light i'm searching for. but in the darkness, i can barely see it. it's there, i jsut cant get to it. So, i guess in me writing this i want to say. if you can relate at all to what i'm going through. please dont give up. please, keep fighting. find a piece of hope and hold on to it. remember God has not forgotten you. just hold on. i need someone to fight with. fight with me. search for the light.
A year and a half ago, my father's brother, his wife, and another brother's ex-wife made an attack of accusations against my father. This attack should have caused my father and mother to divorce after, at the time, 17 years of marriage and five years previous of knowing each other. Fights between my parents erupted and i didnt understand what was going on. for some reason unknown to me, my mother didnt leave my dad, but believed what he said was true and they realized what was happening. (now, my father's brother was the soundman at the church we currently attend remember that.)
the three against us went to the pastor and told him the accusations; he didnt do anything. every service since, they would linger and watch who we would talk to; they wouldnt leave until we did. they made sure they positioned themsleves to see where we were so later they could talk to and "pray" for the people we were with. many times over they would talk to those who were our friends and tell them not to hang around us. that we were no good liars, fakers, and propheliars. people who we were cool with stopped talkin to us and avoided us. even a couple personal attacks were made towards me. when my mother told the pastor, still he did nothing. our hope was that he was waiting on God and trying to make a decision. but then 9 months went by, and it all continues. we still laughed and worshiped no different, but the stress was takin its toll. our desire to go to church had dimmed.
finally, it seemed our liberation came, and they didnt show up one sunday. we couldn't believe it until 2 more sundays go by and they're not there. we had peace for the next 2 months, all it seemed was restored and we picked up where our lives left off. We were happy again. Until one sunday, when we walk in, we saw my father's brother and his wife sitting in the back. it was like life stopped again. nothing was clear. heaviness enveloped me. i knew it was too good to be true. my dad decided that we would leave VCT for the time being, until they left. he said he couldnt bare to bring his family through it again.
we find a temporal church and fit in nicely. once again, pretty normal. one day we decide to go back to VCT and realize the terrible three were gone. we tested the waters; still they did not come back. more months pass, and we return to VCT. But this time it's different. i was no longer happy there. i no longer worshipped. i was no longer the strong Christian girl that people came to for prayer. i sat in the back, with a bitter taste in my mouth. you see, the youth group there is cliquie and judgmental. if you dont go to youth services, and dont show up for a while, you're automatically a backslider in their book and they treat you like one. but i never left church, i just went to a differnt one. all of the friends i thought i had, the ones who would stop and talk or give me a hug, walked by me and wouldn't even look me in my eye. i was devastated. surely, by the way i behaved in church previously, they would no that i wasn't a backslider, i hadn't changed. i was just going through a really bad time. i would smile at them to get their attention and they'd look away. finally, i turned my hurt into anger. that was a stonger emotion to have. i wasnt as weak with it. i sat in the back with my sister and did nothing. made no attempt to get into the service, i just sat there. i was not only angry at the youth, but i was angry at the pastor. you see, we soon realized that his reasoning behind not doing anything when we made our complaints was because he needed that soundman. i thought our pastor had loved us. he said he did. yet he had no idea of the effects of what happened. even he would walk by and not speak. Now dont get me wrong, pastor is a good man, but even the heads get caught up in flesh and make bad decisions. i hope he realizes what he's done and one day makes it right. he's a good man, he just made a bad decision.
i was now angry and bitter. i hated coming to church. and, i was alone. but the worst part was, i knew i was angry and bitter, and i didnt know how to get out. i begged God daily to release me of the virus of bitterness. but a couple months went by, and i was the same. i felt myself pull away from God. guilt prevented me from talking to him. i wasnt worthy enough. my apologies were no good because i'll do the same thing again. sometimes i prayed for release; but my hope for freedom was gone. again, i pull further away. all conversation had stopped. any intimacy between us is no longer in existance. God is just a distant stranger i once knew.
Soon, after a talk with my father about my anger, i realize that me being bitter doesn't affect anyone else, just me. i knew that i was missing out on blessings i felt like i couldn't afford to lose. my bitterness began to fade. Easter of '09 is now in two weeks. church has ended. the drama team is doin Now Behold the Lamb again; i had a solo in it. the youth leader comes up to me and asks if i'll be at practice. i wouldnt want anything else. at practice that day, the remnants of my bitterness vanished. but my joy was short lived. Even though it seemed that the storm was over, the after effects were still there. my spiritual life was in shambles. i had become confused, untrusting, unsure, guilty, afraid. the Holy Spirit i knew and loved wasnt what it used to be any more, therefore, i tried to avoid getting touched by it. i didnt shout or cry or dance in the Spirit. i wasnt worthy. then, no matter how much i pushed and fought, something seemed to be pulling me even further away from God. sooner than i could realize, everything has fallen apart. I grew weary. I wanted to give up, and just live my life the way i wanted to. it didnt matter anyway. i wasnt sure of what to fight, and didnt know how to fight it. i was tired of always going through a trial. i just wanted to stop. even to this day i consider it. but then i remember, that even though he's distant, God is still there. and he wants me as bad as i need him. and even though i'm a big screw up, he loves me all the same. i cant fathom why. why he forgives me all the time. why he's so patient. why he doesn't give up on me. i almost wish he would. just so i feel i have gotten something i deserve.
So where am i today? The same place, waiting on God to move. Or do something. i feel like this trip is all i have left to look for. if it doesnt change me, then i have nothing left. nothing but a little hope, a little light that i'm searching for. Now do not take this as a tragic event. i do not want pity. i want witnesses. to how i am now. i want people to see, so sometime down the road, when i'm out of the darkness, they will give honor to the Lord for the great work he has done. Jesus is the light i'm searching for. but in the darkness, i can barely see it. it's there, i jsut cant get to it. So, i guess in me writing this i want to say. if you can relate at all to what i'm going through. please dont give up. please, keep fighting. find a piece of hope and hold on to it. remember God has not forgotten you. just hold on. i need someone to fight with. fight with me. search for the light.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Prayer
Hey everyone, this is only my second post ever but I would like to share a short story about the things God has been doing to prepare me for the trip. Ever since last summer,I have really felt a call from God to start a Bible study at my school. I go to a private christian school and we don't have one Bible study going on(sad, I know). So this past quarter, I got together with a few friends who had the same calling from God and we successfully started a Bible study on Wednesdays at lunch. Sometimes we have 30 people come. Only a movement of God could have brought out such a response. I praise God everyday for what he is doing at my school. Secondly, God has given others in my school the same zeal and passion for a revival. A prayer group has started and at seven, before school starts, about 15 people come and pray for our school and for Jesus to use us for his glory. God has been teaching me the power of prayer and how it draws christians closer to one another. When we pray for each other, we grow closer to God and our peers. I give all the glory to Jesus, it is by him I am able to do these things. Keep praying.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Garage and Bake Sale!
I mentioned in earlier posts that some friends and I are planning on having a garage and bake sale.... well it's this Saturday. If you are having a garage sale in Waterloo, then there is always one particular Saturday that everyone does it on. I have been getting a ton of stuff together, and, in a couple days I will be baking like crazy! It will be a blast and I am really hoping to raise a lot of money from it. All of the proceeds will be going towards buying things for the people of Guatemala. I'll take some pictures of the bake sale and post them on here! Hey- if you have any easy and amazing recipes... go ahead and email them to me! Dramaqueen004@gmail.com It would be much appreciated, I will make as much stuff as a can!
My friends and I have also been knitting wash clothes and hand towels. It's super easy and they turn out great! I posted a video of a couple of them.
Thanks for all of your prayers, everything is falling into place. Right now I am just focusing on getting my heart on track for the trip... so if you could pray for that, that would be great.
Living for Him,
Miranda
My friends and I have also been knitting wash clothes and hand towels. It's super easy and they turn out great! I posted a video of a couple of them.
Thanks for all of your prayers, everything is falling into place. Right now I am just focusing on getting my heart on track for the trip... so if you could pray for that, that would be great.
Living for Him,
Miranda
Monday, April 20, 2009
Hola.
sorry its been a while since I've posted something. that's because i thought i had nothing to post, but when i talked to my mom, she gave me a few ideas. so for those of you who have been asking me why i haven't been posting (hi grandma!!), here ya go.
i have read 2 books: "rock your world" by Susie shellenberger, and "how to prepare for short-term missions" by Anne-Geri Fann (Sp?), and i am currently reading a book called "do hard things" by Brett and Alex Harris, that wasn't required for the trip, but its been suggested by a few people, so i got that too.
what I've learned from those books, is that I'm not ready to go to Guatemala in 69 days. that's right. i said I'm not ready. i will be straight up honest and just say that my focus isn't completely on god. that my reasons for going aren't correct. and i know that's a problem. and I'm working on it...but this doesn't just happen in a day, it takes time.
I've also begun running a mile everyday....well everyday that its not raining...which is quite often, with it being April...
i have been making those bracelets, well OK. since basically yesterday. but i have over 30 now so ha. I've just been crazy busy, and haven't straightened out my priorities..but I'm working on that too, and so I've been cranking those thingies out like mad. :)
(I'm actually making one now as I pause to think about what to write next)
so, those are the updates I can think about writing about now, and again, I apologize for not being more consistent about posting, (grandma) :)
aubrey
sorry its been a while since I've posted something. that's because i thought i had nothing to post, but when i talked to my mom, she gave me a few ideas. so for those of you who have been asking me why i haven't been posting (hi grandma!!), here ya go.
i have read 2 books: "rock your world" by Susie shellenberger, and "how to prepare for short-term missions" by Anne-Geri Fann (Sp?), and i am currently reading a book called "do hard things" by Brett and Alex Harris, that wasn't required for the trip, but its been suggested by a few people, so i got that too.
what I've learned from those books, is that I'm not ready to go to Guatemala in 69 days. that's right. i said I'm not ready. i will be straight up honest and just say that my focus isn't completely on god. that my reasons for going aren't correct. and i know that's a problem. and I'm working on it...but this doesn't just happen in a day, it takes time.
I've also begun running a mile everyday....well everyday that its not raining...which is quite often, with it being April...
i have been making those bracelets, well OK. since basically yesterday. but i have over 30 now so ha. I've just been crazy busy, and haven't straightened out my priorities..but I'm working on that too, and so I've been cranking those thingies out like mad. :)
(I'm actually making one now as I pause to think about what to write next)
so, those are the updates I can think about writing about now, and again, I apologize for not being more consistent about posting, (grandma) :)
aubrey
Thursday, March 26, 2009
How to make the bracelet thingies
ok here it is...if this even helps at all. i had to go really fast cause we had to go to dance. if you cant get it...let me know and i'll make a better one when i come back from our trip on tuesday.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Gift Ideas!!!
Hola Amigos!!
or amigas, either way you wanna say it. :)
I had this idea last night.
Ok. I am what some people call an "Artsy" or "Craftsy" person.
I apparently "Have an eye" for design.
Haha.
I learned in like 6th grade how to make these awesome little (girly term)
"Friendship Bracelets".
It was awesome cause I used to have one for like every outfit!
So ANYWAYS. I haven't done that in a LOOOOng time, and I have a whole bunch of sweet colored string laying around in my room.
and I totally forgot about it, until my dogs, Pepper and Bella drug it out...EVERYWHERE on the floor last night.(yes I know they look sweet now...that's only because they're sleeping...dont let it fool you)
I've been doing this school project on Guatemala, and have found out a lot about the culture. They love bright colors. So seeing this string all over my floor reminded me of that.
So I made a goal. I am going to make 5 of those bracelets a day. In 20 days (ooh this is math) I will have 100! That equals 100 children in Guatemala with a simple gift that i am sure will rock their world.
(I'll post a video soon on how to make them if you want)
I'm SUPER excited I had this idea, because I really wanted to bring toys and all for the kids, but I just knew that I wouldn't have enough room in my Suitcase. And these are SO easy to pack.
I've talked to missionaries from our church family that have gone to Guatemala City, and they have said that the littlest things THRILL them. The little girls there LOVE just simple hair ties.
(Speaking of hair, I'm trying to learn how to French Braid. I think the girls would like that??)
And this is simple AND easy AND very convenient to pack.
Team members, Keep this in mind when thinking of what to get the children there.
Aubrey
or amigas, either way you wanna say it. :)
I had this idea last night.
Ok. I am what some people call an "Artsy" or "Craftsy" person.
I apparently "Have an eye" for design.
Haha.
I learned in like 6th grade how to make these awesome little (girly term)
"Friendship Bracelets".
It was awesome cause I used to have one for like every outfit!
So ANYWAYS. I haven't done that in a LOOOOng time, and I have a whole bunch of sweet colored string laying around in my room.
and I totally forgot about it, until my dogs, Pepper and Bella drug it out...EVERYWHERE on the floor last night.(yes I know they look sweet now...that's only because they're sleeping...dont let it fool you) I've been doing this school project on Guatemala, and have found out a lot about the culture. They love bright colors. So seeing this string all over my floor reminded me of that.
So I made a goal. I am going to make 5 of those bracelets a day. In 20 days (ooh this is math) I will have 100! That equals 100 children in Guatemala with a simple gift that i am sure will rock their world.
(I'll post a video soon on how to make them if you want)
I'm SUPER excited I had this idea, because I really wanted to bring toys and all for the kids, but I just knew that I wouldn't have enough room in my Suitcase. And these are SO easy to pack.
I've talked to missionaries from our church family that have gone to Guatemala City, and they have said that the littlest things THRILL them. The little girls there LOVE just simple hair ties.
(Speaking of hair, I'm trying to learn how to French Braid. I think the girls would like that??)
And this is simple AND easy AND very convenient to pack.
Team members, Keep this in mind when thinking of what to get the children there.
Aubrey
Friday, March 20, 2009
al azar
oh.
and i thought i would throw something REEEL random out there...
100 dias!!!!!
oh yes. this is very exciting.
just because...it just is.
=)
aubrey
and i thought i would throw something REEEL random out there...
100 dias!!!!!
oh yes. this is very exciting.
just because...it just is.
=)
aubrey
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Meeting Friends!
Hey Guys!
This is Miranda. :) I introduced myself a couple posts ago. I have two exciting things to share!
1. My small group and I are going to have a bake sale and garage sale in May! In my neighborhood everyone has an annual garage sale on like the first Saturday of the month- so we will do it then. We have aggreed that the proceeds will go towards my plane ticket (we already have it bought, but I just need to pay my parents back now) and also a whole bunch of toys and games for kids in Guatemala. I am really hoping that we can also get some nescessities (hotel shampoos, tooth brushes, toothepaste, etc.) for the people of Guatemala.
2. On Monday, my mom and I met Adeline Limmex and her mom! Addie is going to Guatemala too and so it was very exciting to meet her. Addie and I are going to fly to Miami together. We all met for lunch and then I went back to Addie's house with her. I was planning on just staying until Tuesday night, but I ended up getting invited to stay until Wednesday. I had such a blast with her! I'm also thankful that we get along really well- otherwise the three-hour plane ride to Florida might get incredibly long! :) But she is a great young woman and I am excited to be friends with her.
Thank you all for your prayers! I have all my fundraising ALL DONE! I just have a couple small details to work out now. For those others that are going to Guatemala too- I will be praying for all of you! I can't wait to do God's work right beside you! I know He will do amazing things in our lives on this trip. You can email me at dramaqueen004@gmail.com.
Living for His Glory,
Miranda <3
This is Miranda. :) I introduced myself a couple posts ago. I have two exciting things to share!
1. My small group and I are going to have a bake sale and garage sale in May! In my neighborhood everyone has an annual garage sale on like the first Saturday of the month- so we will do it then. We have aggreed that the proceeds will go towards my plane ticket (we already have it bought, but I just need to pay my parents back now) and also a whole bunch of toys and games for kids in Guatemala. I am really hoping that we can also get some nescessities (hotel shampoos, tooth brushes, toothepaste, etc.) for the people of Guatemala.
2. On Monday, my mom and I met Adeline Limmex and her mom! Addie is going to Guatemala too and so it was very exciting to meet her. Addie and I are going to fly to Miami together. We all met for lunch and then I went back to Addie's house with her. I was planning on just staying until Tuesday night, but I ended up getting invited to stay until Wednesday. I had such a blast with her! I'm also thankful that we get along really well- otherwise the three-hour plane ride to Florida might get incredibly long! :) But she is a great young woman and I am excited to be friends with her.
Thank you all for your prayers! I have all my fundraising ALL DONE! I just have a couple small details to work out now. For those others that are going to Guatemala too- I will be praying for all of you! I can't wait to do God's work right beside you! I know He will do amazing things in our lives on this trip. You can email me at dramaqueen004@gmail.com.
Living for His Glory,
Miranda <3
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Danielle[:
Hey, I am Danielle Shoemaker. I am 15 and I am home schooled. I am also going on a Missions trip to Guatemala.. go figure. So, I am almost done fundraising.please pray for the other people going on this amazing missions trip. I doubt any of them (well, unless they have been on one before) know what the trip is going to be like, what to expect, and I am pretty sure that every person is extremely nervous. (I amm!!) Although I'm pretty sure that we all know that God is going to be there, and no matter what happens, or what we are going to do, go through, or whatever. God will be with us, and He is going to be blessing us beyond anyone's knowledge through this trip. So anyways this is getting kinda long, so please pray for all of us. I know many people are really worried about getting the money, and all the different details, but hey, God wouldn't bring us this far and forget about us!!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
A Time to Stand
Hello! my name is Starr, and i'm going on the trip as well. There's so much that God has already done in preparation for this trip. not just in my life, but in the lives of the friends i have met who are going as well. we've been able to understand each other in what we're going through and have been able to encourage each other through prayer and the word of God. much is yet to come. i am so honored that i have been chosen to be apart of something so great. this is the time i believe that was spoken of in Joel 2:28 and it says
"And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions." and its time i think that the youth of God stand up and be not afraid to be called different, but be bold and willing to be used by him. its time that we will freely say the name of Jesus and not fear what comes. His is the only name that can set the captive free, and if we dont do it, who will? it's time to stand.
"And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions." and its time i think that the youth of God stand up and be not afraid to be called different, but be bold and willing to be used by him. its time that we will freely say the name of Jesus and not fear what comes. His is the only name that can set the captive free, and if we dont do it, who will? it's time to stand.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
el inicio del viaje
"dont forget next week will begin our 3 week series on AIDS." ugh. not againpastor scott. this is the third time now i've watched these videos, heard the talks. sure, AIDS is a huge problem, and pictures are sad, and statistics unreal. but it doesnt reach me or anyone around me, so i wont worry about it.
...
that was my attitude. to me, in 8th grade, youth group on wednesday nights was just to socialize, -- oh yeah, and i mean of course God, right? eh, i'd do my duty to him during worship, now was my time with my friends.
...
so i didnt go to church this wednesday expecting anything, just to see my friends. maybe learn a new fact, but not something that would change my life.
...
after chillen for a while, we all gathered into the sanctuary. me and my friends took our usual 2 rows, and pastor scott asked us to "open our hearts and let God speak." *yawn* "yeah, uh huh, ok. lets go on with it", i was thinkin'.
...
well, during the first video, while all my peeps were talking, i was crying my eyes out. HOW EMBARASSING!! having them all look at me weird and laugh was humiliating. i honestly could not control myself. i wasn't prepared for God, but he was prepared for me.
...
every year we watch the same videos. never changes. so why something happened that night, no idea. a while after this happened i remembered praying a previous prayer, asking god to break my heart, and to see the things the way he sees things and to touch lives and make a difference. even before that i asked what my purpose was in life. /// step 1&2 done. step 3...in process.
...
i was silent the rest of the night. back at home, nothing. first, i was embarassed that i broke down in front of everyone, then i was confused. it took me a while to figure out what God was saying. but this is it: "aubrey, YOU are chosen. i chose you. you are going to be a light. and you are going to make a difference. are you willing? do you trust me?"
...
being a just 13 year old girl, i mean, i guess i could do it. so i jumped in the deep end.
...
things started to unfold february of 2008. Brio mag had a challenge to the girls to sponsor a child and then meet them the next summer of 2009 on mission trip. i talked to my mom and prayed about it, and i only felt led to sponsor the child. so, i chose one. Luis Fernando Alonzo, 6 years old. after a few months, i started to think about the trip again. so i sent in an application for guatemala, and within a month got an acceptance letter...now, $3000 was a lot of money to raise, considering i only babysit a few times a week at $5 an hour. the $32 for luis was really pushin it already. but again, i prayed about it and felt led to try. i started getting more babysitting, so that was a start. later, lucy gave me the idea of making my plates and selling them.
...
i knew of our church's annual christmas/thanksgiving craft show, so i bought the needed materials, made a few, and sent in an application. i was soon accepted. now i had a lot of work to do. (skip a few months time to the craft show). early november was the show. i spent all summer making the plates and had about 300. in two days, i made over $600. a lady leading girl scouts asked me to come teach the girls how to make them and she would donate. there i made about $150. another lady owned a dance studio and ofered to sell them there. Lucy sold them at the bank and made about $300. overall, in profit, i made over $1300 from the plates. and i am still getting orders. the rest of the money soon came in from overly generous sponsors.
...
so here i am, on march 12, 2009, talking on how God's hand is on my life. and he's working in me, and i am so ready for guatemala now.
-aubrey
"if you think you can,you can,
and if you think you can't,
you're right."
...
that was my attitude. to me, in 8th grade, youth group on wednesday nights was just to socialize, -- oh yeah, and i mean of course God, right? eh, i'd do my duty to him during worship, now was my time with my friends.
...
so i didnt go to church this wednesday expecting anything, just to see my friends. maybe learn a new fact, but not something that would change my life.
...
after chillen for a while, we all gathered into the sanctuary. me and my friends took our usual 2 rows, and pastor scott asked us to "open our hearts and let God speak." *yawn* "yeah, uh huh, ok. lets go on with it", i was thinkin'.
...
well, during the first video, while all my peeps were talking, i was crying my eyes out. HOW EMBARASSING!! having them all look at me weird and laugh was humiliating. i honestly could not control myself. i wasn't prepared for God, but he was prepared for me.
...
every year we watch the same videos. never changes. so why something happened that night, no idea. a while after this happened i remembered praying a previous prayer, asking god to break my heart, and to see the things the way he sees things and to touch lives and make a difference. even before that i asked what my purpose was in life. /// step 1&2 done. step 3...in process.
...
i was silent the rest of the night. back at home, nothing. first, i was embarassed that i broke down in front of everyone, then i was confused. it took me a while to figure out what God was saying. but this is it: "aubrey, YOU are chosen. i chose you. you are going to be a light. and you are going to make a difference. are you willing? do you trust me?"
...
being a just 13 year old girl, i mean, i guess i could do it. so i jumped in the deep end.
...
things started to unfold february of 2008. Brio mag had a challenge to the girls to sponsor a child and then meet them the next summer of 2009 on mission trip. i talked to my mom and prayed about it, and i only felt led to sponsor the child. so, i chose one. Luis Fernando Alonzo, 6 years old. after a few months, i started to think about the trip again. so i sent in an application for guatemala, and within a month got an acceptance letter...now, $3000 was a lot of money to raise, considering i only babysit a few times a week at $5 an hour. the $32 for luis was really pushin it already. but again, i prayed about it and felt led to try. i started getting more babysitting, so that was a start. later, lucy gave me the idea of making my plates and selling them.
...
i knew of our church's annual christmas/thanksgiving craft show, so i bought the needed materials, made a few, and sent in an application. i was soon accepted. now i had a lot of work to do. (skip a few months time to the craft show). early november was the show. i spent all summer making the plates and had about 300. in two days, i made over $600. a lady leading girl scouts asked me to come teach the girls how to make them and she would donate. there i made about $150. another lady owned a dance studio and ofered to sell them there. Lucy sold them at the bank and made about $300. overall, in profit, i made over $1300 from the plates. and i am still getting orders. the rest of the money soon came in from overly generous sponsors.
...
so here i am, on march 12, 2009, talking on how God's hand is on my life. and he's working in me, and i am so ready for guatemala now.
-aubrey
"if you think you can,you can,
and if you think you can't,
you're right."
Vivir para la Gloria de Dios ^_^
Hola! Mi nombre es Miranda! :)
Wow. Where do I begin? The fact that I am about to tell you that I was accepted to go on a missions trip to Guatemala with over 600 teens and Focus on the Family is just mind blowing....
My name is Miranda Rowenhorst. I'm fourteen years old and from Waterloo, Iowa. This will be my third foreign missions trip. I have been to Mexico, China and soon-to-be Guatemala. I am so excited to go! Ever since I read the Peru article in Brio in, November 2006 something inside of me just wanted so badly to reach out to these people. I swear, I just about screamed when I received the acceptance letter saying that I was going.
So now I have been talking to a lot of people that are going on the trip too and it's starting to actually feel real. I am going to Guatemala with Brio Magazine. I have to tell myself that it really isn't a dream. Please pinch me- it still hasn't completely sunk in!
Fundraising is great- I've got pretty much all my money for the trip- which is a huge sigh of relief. In May, my small group and I are going to have a garage sale & bake sale to raise money so I can buy toys for the kids and also for my plane ticket. (I have it bought, I just need to pay my parents back now)
Now, if you guys could just pray for my nerves! I admit, I am a little nervous for the flights and everything. Although I know that everything will go smoothly, and if not.... then what on earth do I have to worry about? :) But also pray for the teens that will be flying alone. I will be flying with another girl from Iowa- but I know many teens aren't as lucky.
Also, a couple of the teen-missionaries that I have been talking to have been having trouble with fundraising. Please pray for them and another thing is for all of the leaders!
Thanks for reading. I'll post again some other time. Have a great day!!
Living for His Glory,
Miranda
Acts 20:22... "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Guatemala, not knowing what will happen to me there." (my version! ^_^ )
Wow. Where do I begin? The fact that I am about to tell you that I was accepted to go on a missions trip to Guatemala with over 600 teens and Focus on the Family is just mind blowing....
My name is Miranda Rowenhorst. I'm fourteen years old and from Waterloo, Iowa. This will be my third foreign missions trip. I have been to Mexico, China and soon-to-be Guatemala. I am so excited to go! Ever since I read the Peru article in Brio in, November 2006 something inside of me just wanted so badly to reach out to these people. I swear, I just about screamed when I received the acceptance letter saying that I was going.
So now I have been talking to a lot of people that are going on the trip too and it's starting to actually feel real. I am going to Guatemala with Brio Magazine. I have to tell myself that it really isn't a dream. Please pinch me- it still hasn't completely sunk in!
Fundraising is great- I've got pretty much all my money for the trip- which is a huge sigh of relief. In May, my small group and I are going to have a garage sale & bake sale to raise money so I can buy toys for the kids and also for my plane ticket. (I have it bought, I just need to pay my parents back now)
Now, if you guys could just pray for my nerves! I admit, I am a little nervous for the flights and everything. Although I know that everything will go smoothly, and if not.... then what on earth do I have to worry about? :) But also pray for the teens that will be flying alone. I will be flying with another girl from Iowa- but I know many teens aren't as lucky.
Also, a couple of the teen-missionaries that I have been talking to have been having trouble with fundraising. Please pray for them and another thing is for all of the leaders!
Thanks for reading. I'll post again some other time. Have a great day!!
Living for His Glory,
Miranda
Acts 20:22... "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Guatemala, not knowing what will happen to me there." (my version! ^_^ )
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Hola, Soy Aaron
Hello everyone, my name is Aaron. I will be going on the trip to Guatemala. I'm extremely excited to be able to be a part of this trip. I believe that God will be using the people going in mighty ways. My mom went on the trip to Peru in 2007 and she came back a completely transformed person.
Since then she told me that I should look into the trip to Guatemala. I kind of shrugged it off and told myself that I could do something else instead. My mom still pressured me to check it out, so I finally did. I really felt God calling me to go on this trip, so told my mom that I wanted to go. I applied and was accepted in early December. Raising all of the money was difficult at first, but my family and I really prayed that God would make this trip possible, and by the end of January, the trip was almost completely paid for. I now have everything paid for and I am so grateful to everyone who supported me.
A little about me. I live in Cary, North Carolina (represent!). I play the guitar and the mandolin. I also play football and track and am in drama at my school. I am excited to meet and get to know some of the people going on the trip to Guatemala so shoot me an email at aaronwinterhartley@gmail.com. I look forward to meeting you guys.
Aaron Winter- Hartley
Thursday, March 5, 2009
más actualizaciones
so to update everyone on where i am at for the trip....here ya go:
- i am fully payed for
- i have my passport
- i am currently working on flight plans
- i have sent in a thing to get international health insurance
- i have started to buy gifts for my sponsored family
- i am in contact with over 30 people going on the trip :)
i have recently been praying a lot about this trip, and all i can say is this is nothing that i can really prepare for. i know that it will be physically, emotionally, and most certainly spiritually challenging. i know that Satan doesn't appreciate at all what we are going to be doing, and i'm ok with that, i don't really care, but he will try to throw unexpected things at us. please continue to pray for the over 600 people going, and for their fundraising, as it can be difficult to get support in this economy, and for God to start to open the hearts of the Guatemalans, for health while we are there, and for safety always.
thanks again for everything,
aubrey
Sunday, March 1, 2009
¡eh!! gracias por venir otra vez!
i just wanted to thank my sponsors. for your overly generous financial support, and for being strong prayer warriors as i prepare to go. i greatly appreciate everything you guys have done. with your help, i have fully reached my financial goal.
...
i just found out that to have internet access in guatemala, we have to pay, so i might not be able to update this every day, but i will try to do it every 2-3 days.
...
i want to introduce danielle, starr, miranda, and aaron. they might be writing on here sometimes. all are going on the guatemala trip too...and we're buddies...haha
:)
Deuteronomy 14:2: You are a people holy to the LORD your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be his treasured possession.
...
i just found out that to have internet access in guatemala, we have to pay, so i might not be able to update this every day, but i will try to do it every 2-3 days.
...
i want to introduce danielle, starr, miranda, and aaron. they might be writing on here sometimes. all are going on the guatemala trip too...and we're buddies...haha
:)
Deuteronomy 14:2: You are a people holy to the LORD your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be his treasured possession.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
124 días...
so yeah. i have already started the countdown until miami. we will all meet (BRIO Sisses, and BREAKAWAY bros) in miami and stay there for 3 days training before we head across sea to Guatemala. the 3 people i am in contact with has now turned to 4. its super exciting. so far, none of us has been on an international mission trip, so it is a new experience for all of us. super excited...(think i already said that) but anyways, if you happen to come across this blog, and are going on the trip this year, or have been on a past trip, let me know!!
xD
Aubrey
xD
Aubrey
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Preparación...
so as the time gets nearer to go to guatemala, my excitement grows. i have sent out letters to all of the participants going from my state. only 3 have replied so far, but its all good, cause i get to know them before we even go on the trip...which is cool. turns out i went to school with one of the girls going. i know that this whole thing will be such a wonderful experience, and all to give glory to our Father.
1 Timothy 4:12 (New International Version)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
Mark 16:15 (New International Version)
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."
1 Timothy 4:12 (New International Version)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
Mark 16:15 (New International Version)
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."
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