Planting Seeds

linkin up with Kerrie at The Williams Post!

Over spring break, I led a team of high school students and some helpers on a mission trip to the Edinburg/McAllen/Mission, Texas area. We partnered with Faith Baptist Church there and devoted our mornings to Backyard Bible Clubs and our afternoons to serving our host church. 

The past two years, we've participated in Mission Arlington's spring break activities. It's an awesome organization that has made a huge impact on the DFW area. Their backyard Bible club program is called Rainbow Express, and we'd have between twenty and fifty children at our Rainbow Express twice a day. They target apartment complexes and mobile home parks, making it simple to reach a large number of families and children in a small area. The two years we participated, the children we met were so happy to see us and participate in Rainbow Express. We were overjoyed to be used to lead multiple children to Christ. Last year my students became so attached to the children we met that it was truly painful to come home at the end of the week.

So that is kinda what we were expecting to happen here. 

Spoiler alert- that's not how it went. 

I had five amazing students take part in this trip.

At first I was disappointed, even angry, that others had dropped out or decided to spend their time doing something less meaningful (in my mind). 

However, this small group of students was absolutely perfect for the week. 

It was absolutely a testament of God's control over the entire situation to see how everything worked out the way He had planned. 

This was the first youth trip I've ever led with zero behavior issues.

Each student worked hard, stayed positive, 

and was respectful and obedient to myself and the other leaders with us. 

I was humbled by their leadership and the initiative they took 

in serving each other and the community we were in. 

When we arrived at the church,
We were assigned to a nearby park

to do our backyard Bible club.

We made a huge advertising promotion in chalk by the park entrance

canvased over 100 homes

and knocked on nearly every door in the neighborhood 

to let them know about Rainbow Express

But our first day there,

we had no kids show up.

People were polite but uninterested

So we prayer walked the area, 

covering the neighborhood in specific and meaningful prayer

In the midst of prayer walking,

we came across a group of people passing out the gospel to every door

and a mobile vacation bible school ministry

It was so encouraging to see God using all kinds of people 

to reach this community with the good news!

We also met a sweet East Indian family going for a walk.

They joined us back at the park and we were able to share 

our Bible story with them and color some pictures.

They were so genuinely interested in the story from Mark 2 of the paralytic 

man whose friends lowered him through the roof to Jesus!

Our guys met a high school student playing basketball alone the park

and were able to interact with and pray over him.

We had better response the following days 

and were able to 

sing silly songs

play lots of kickball

eat snacks together

color with crayons and chalk

and share beautiful stories about Jesus

We only met about ten children over the course of the week and

we didn't get to see any children come to know Jesus 

But 

we learned that sometimes God calls you to just plant seeds

Sometimes you just show people how awesome Jesus is

and God sends someone else to continue to teach them

We're so grateful that we got to share with 

Eric, Adi, Gopika, Davika, Lucia, Jayne, Joey, Nathan and Noah!

But we know that God loves each of them so much more deeply than we ever could

and have faith that He will continue to show them love.

During our Bible study Wednedsday night, our associate pastor shared 1 Corinthians 15:58 which says that the work we do in the name of the Lord is never in vain. 

We're clinging to that promise,

grateful to have planted seeds

praying for water and sunshine and harvesters 

and most of all for Jesus to reach this community!

Be encouraged wherever you are,

whatever it is that you are doing and know 

that even when things don't meet our expectations-

God does not measure success by numbers

and His plans are so much better than our own.

Continue to give yourself fully to the work of the Lord 

because it's never in vain!

Stay tuned to hear more of what God taught us!

Prayer Request: Spring Break Missions

Hello there my praying friends!

In case you didn't deduce from reading my recaps,

your prayers made a huge difference 

in the Girls Extravaganza

So I have a new request for you!

(duck duck goose!)

This Sunday, March 11th our youth group will be traveling several hours to South Texas

to spend our spring break partnering with a church there, helping to spread the gospel through  Backyard Bible Clubs, service projects, prayer walking and fellowship.

(students leading prayer)

We've participated in very similar programs the past two years through Mission Arlington, a wonderful organization who has intentionally created churches in apartments and mobile home parks all throughout the Dallas/Ft Worth area. 

(Ninja. Best game ever.)

This year we're taking everything that we've learned through those experiences and putting it into action in a less saturated area. The area of Texas we're traveling to is high in Spanish speakers, which is great because the majority going on our trip are bilingual! In addition, this area is often overlooked by outreach or mission organizations because it is so close to the Mexico border. Most, instead, focus on Mexico. 

(This little girl absolutely stole our hearts.)

To be completely honest, I've been giving in to

 stress and anxiety this week as I've been preparing.

I don't like being flexible.

I like to have a plan, to be prepared, to have details set in place

(we didn't just meet children. Two teens accepted Christ this week as well, and they remain friends with my students.)

Y'all, my worry and anxiety is the opposite of faith. 

So I'm praying for more faith. 

Here are some things you can be praying for:

-clear weather

Our backyard bible club is outdoors, which is the simplest way to join everyone together. Rain would cause a serious problem for us!

-hearts open to the Truth

one of the biggest obstacles we've encountered is that people are blinded by the idea of religion, and so they miss Jesus.

-team unity 

We have a small team- six students, four adults, and four small children. Unity will be so important!

-that the Holy Spirit would go before us

without the Father's hand over this effort, this is all of our own power. We want all of the success to be from and glorifying to God!

-that our service projects would pan out

There are a few details about the trip, including where we'll be spending our afternoons, that are still up in the air. It's really hard for me to find balance between good planning and trusting.

-That as we return to Austin, we'll pray for and have faith that God will continue to send workers into this field

Last year one of our biggest struggles was that the students fell so deeply in love with the kids we met that leaving was devastating. There were tears and hurt feelings and frustrations. They felt that without our group there, the children would have no continued access to the gospel. So this year we're intentionally sharing follow up information with our partner church to ensure that this isn't an isolated gospel experience for them!

- for energy, boldness and above all, love

It's going to be a long week for everyone involved. We'll be sleeping on the floor, and sharing quarters with 4 children under 5 years old. We may find people challenging to work with. Without love, we'll only be a resounding gong or a clanging symbol as we speak the truth.

(as we were leaving an apartment complex, we witnessed a domestic disturbance and prayed powerfully over the situation)

We'll be returning to Austin Thursday evening and most of the students on the trip will immediately be going to a Disciple Now Weekend, hosted by a sister church. In fact, David and three of my students are leading worship for the weekend!

We are excited to see how God will reveal Himself this next week.

For those of you who made it through the whole post, thank you so very much!

I am deeply grateful for your encouragement and prayers. 

(the favorite song at every location- Making Melodies!)

*all photos from previous spring break trips*

Girls Extravaganza and Prayer Request

I  know a lot of you awesome readers expressed how much you loved the idea of praying for my youth group with me; 
so I've got a specific event you can pray for!

This Saturday, we're hosting the first ever Girls Extravaganza! 
I've been planning, preparing and praying for this for a long time, 
ever since God started nudging my heart in this direction 
after I attended an awesome clothing swap with my friend Becky. 

In the beginning I was just thinking of holding a clothing swap for my girls, but then I realized that there is rarely a time when I have audience with just the girls in our youth group. God began placing subjects and ideas in my heart. What started out as a good idea has matured into an event that I hope will deeply affect the hearts of these girls. We've invited several churches across Austin and are praying for fifty girls to attend. We are incorporating: worship through song with a female-led worship band; breakout sessions with topics very relevant to teen girls including true beauty, biblical conflict resolution, and healthy relationships; and a massive clothing swap which will encourage girls to focus less on materialism and consumerism. God has provided over and over again as I've prayed about and planned this event... everything from cupcake donations from my favorite bakery to speakers just hearing about it through the grapevine and wanting to come volunteer their time to pour into girls' lives. 

One of the biggest ways that God has confirmed His work in this event has been through the outrageous outpouring of generosity from the Etsy and blogging communities. Because of the donations from some sweet, sweet ladies, each girl who attend the event will receive a swag bag stocked with goodies to remind her that God deeply loves her. I've received everything from scripture prints to love letters to accessories and hygiene products. I will be writing some specific posts over the next week about the wonderful ladies who have donated, but for now thank you so much to:

Natalie at NS Pottery

Erika at Rouge and Whimsy

Amanda at moxiemandie

Lauren at Seek First

Amy at Amy Cornwell Designs

Andee at Bearing Fruit

Jessi at Naptime Diaries

Jackie at Willow of Wonder 

Becky at Petals, Lace and Pearls

The support of these women has not only provided 
some awesome goodies for the girls to take home with them, 
but also confirmation that God is at work here.

The theme of the Girls Extravaganza is

Trading Materialism for Generosity

Trading Self Preservation for His Provision

Trading Ashes for Beauty

Aren't those such beautiful and important things to pursue?

I'm excited and overwhelmed and in much need of prayer 
as this event draws close.

Pray for:

• fifty girls to attend
• that God would abolish stress and second-guessing from myself, speakers, and worship leaders
• that all of the electronics would work- sound equipment, tvs, projectors, etc
• that there will be clothes for every size girl at the swap
• that the event would transition smoothly
• that God would work in awesome and mighty ways to transform the hearts and minds of girls to be like His. 

Thank you so much, y'all!

Renewal and Resolutions

Setting goals for myself has always been something that kept me motivated

... if I cared about that goal.

So, these things that I'll be working toward in 2012 are things 

that I care enough about to share in a place with accountability.

Here are things I'm praying over

practicing, 

and working to see more of in 2012:

1. Develop humility

If I want to be more like Jesus, this is the first one I've got to work on.


2. Eat less processed foods 
I want to cut down on the canned, packaged, sodium laden products that I've depended on and instead lean more on fresh fruits and vegetables, homemade meals and DIY products (such as my DIY Vanilla Extract, dressings, or syrups). I'll be practicing this by making weekly menus, visiting farmer's markets, and packing lunches in mason jars for when I know I won't have time to cook. I'm not saying I won't eat Kraft Mac and Cheese or some Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch. I just want to be more proactive in using homemade or fresh foods when I can.


3. Develop an exercise routine
For 2011, I resolved to join a gym and work out three times a week. And I did! ... when I had a gym buddy. But after graduation and moving and spraining my ankle, the treadmill has not been a possibility and I actually kind of despise running anyway.  I want to still take care of my body by exploring options like yoga or Pilates; that way I still stay active and can get away from running. Who knows, maybe I'll enjoy exercise?


4. Invest more time in my students
I will have more time to invest since my church has generously brought me on full time for the remainder of my time with OMBC and I was able to quit my second job. I want to go to band concerts, wrestling tournaments, powerlifting meets and mariachi performances to support my students. But I also want to sit down and talk and pray and find out what's going on in their lives... and then play an active role in it. 


5. Be more organized and responsible financially 
I have taken measures to limit my expenses in a city that's pretty expensive to live in- sharing a room, paying off my car, living in a house of four ladies and dividing all the bills- but I still require some budgeting and planning to keep a tight control on what God's blessed me with. I want to be a faithful and wise steward of those funds! 


6. Do things now that I won't be able to do later
I want to enjoy all the beautiful and unique things about Austin that I won't have access to when I leave for seminary in the fall. I want to be present when spending time with people whom I'll be leaving. I want to take more chances and risks now, before I am responsible to a husband and family or restrained my a school schedule again!

What are some of the goals you've set for yourself this year? 

Or what ideas are driving you in this fresh start?