Follow The Leader

It's God calling...

2011-07-20T14:38:00.000-07:00

I have been reading a few books recently! As you may notice in my previous post I was reading the book "Radical". I finished and have read two other books since! This is probably the first time in my life I have read so many books in such a short amount of time! The other books that I read were "Heaven is for Real" and "Sacred Romance", both of which I highly recommend! In reading "Sacred Romance" I discovered a new love for my Savior! A new love that He has for me! A love that goes beyond circumstances or situations; a love so deep that it reaches into even the deepest and most secret places of my heart and soul! It's not easy to seek Him as much as I should, but I am learning new things every time I allow God into my life, allowing Him to take my stress, take my worries, my fears! He is so faithful to strengthen us and carry our burdens when we relinquish ourselves to Him in humility and thanksgiving!

God is stirring new things in my heart. Calling me to a greater intimacy! I don't know all of the ins-and-outs of this journey or where I may end up, but I have a peace that passes understanding. I trust God will carry me through it all, knowing that His thoughts for me are good and not of evil. He has a plan and a purpose for my life!

To be Radical

2011-06-16T13:49:00.000-07:00

I have been reading a book called "Radical" by David Platt. This book is so good! I highly recommend it, but only if you are willing to open your eyes to God's view of His purpose for our lives. *The book is very straight forward and may be offensive to some readers, but I agree with much of what Platt says.

In the book Platt writes about the American Dream and what that means for us as Christians. Should we fulfill the American Dream? What does that look like according to the Bible and God's perspective? One chapter hit me really hard. It's called 'How Much is Enough? American Wealth and World Poverty' I want to share a few excerpts from the chapter...

p.111 "if our lives do not reflect radical compassion for the poor, there is reason to question just how effective we will be in declaring the glory of Christ to the ends of the earth. More pointedly, if our lives do not reflect radical compassion for the poor, there is reason to wonder if Christ is really in us at all."

WOW! What a statement! I ask myself, "Am I living radically to reflect God's glory by showing compassion to the poor?"
Flashbacks flood my mind...praying for a woman on the bus who had an arm defect...sitting on a dirty sidewalk with a gypsy praying and leading her to Christ...holding small abandoned children fully aware of my chances of getting lice...
I hope and pray that my life is a reflection of God's glory and love to the lost and poor.

Later in the chapter the author shares the story in Luke 16 of the rich man who lives in luxury while ignoring the poor man, Lazarus, who sits outside his gate. The day came that they both died. The rich man went to hell and Lazarus, the poor man outside the gate, went to Heaven.

p.114 "The rich man in this story is not in hell because he had money. Instead, he is in hell because he lacked faith in God, leading him to indulge in luxuries while ignoring the poor outside his gate. As a result, earth was his heaven, and eternity became his hell."
Do we have poor outside our gate that we neglect? Do we turn our head the other way and think to ourselves "God wouldn't use me...look at my problems" or things like "There's no way I could give to the poor, my budgets too tight as it is"?

I have asked myself, "am I doing enough? Who else can I help?" After becoming a full-time missionary in Argentina, I was saddened by the fact that I was no longer able to monthly support a young girl in Honduras (who I had been supporting for a couple years). Now I wonder to myself, "was that the right thing to do, look out for my needs and stop helping this girl?", "should I have kept supporting her while at the same time raising my own support?" I don't have an answer, but my hearts desire is to bless others even while trusting God for my financial situation.

I have become content living with what I have and not buying more. Having lived out of the United States for the last three years, I have learned so much about my own culture. I realize that society says "It's all about you! You're wants, desires, needs!" Society says "Independence is the only way!" I have realized how little we Americans value our families. We look to better our own lives, we move out of our parents house to find our own, have our own car, while at the same time falling more and more into debt. I'm not suggesting we live with mom and dad forever, but why not save a few bucks! Oh, would that hurt our status queue? would we be seen as "out of date and totally not cool"? What would our friends say if they knew we rode the bus or walked? Before I left Argentina in May I really wanted to try and save money while here in the States; I thought about riding the bus, walking to the grocery close to my house, etc. Upon arriving I found out that the car I had planned on driving is now uninsured and not working. I was upset. I had planned on driving and was kind of excited after not having driven in quite some time! One day as I was walking down the road, a little frustrated with my conditions, God reminded me of my wishes back in Argentina. I chuckled to myself and thought, thanks God for making it impossible for me to drive! That way there's no temptation, I have to save money by walking or riding the bus! God has a funny way of giving us our desires!

Okay, back to the book!
I am learning and continue to seek God for guidance and wisdom in my finances. Just as Platt states in the book, p.123 "I wonder at some points if I'm being irresponsible or unwise. But then I realize there is never going to come a day when I stand before God and He looks at me and says, "I wish you would have kept more for yourself". I'm confident that God will take care of me."
p.117 "In the dawn of this new phase in redemptive history, no teachers (including Jesus) in the New Testament ever promise material wealth as a reward for obedience."
I do want to say that following Jesus doesn't necessarily imply a loss of all your private property or possessions.
p.121 "Are we looking to Jesus for total leadership in our lives, even if that means going against everything our affluent culture and maybe even our affluent religious neighbors might tell us to do?"

When we believe God calls us to give extravagantly, go to other nations, adopt internationally, or just be radical with our finances, do we trust Him? Do we trust Him to know what is best for our lives, our families, and our financial future?

A phrase I learned and love says "Stop telling God how big your problems are and tell your problems how big your God is!" Finances are NOT bigger than God.

1 Timothy 6:6-9 "Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction."

This isn't even mentioning the next verse that talks about the love of money, but clearly talks about the desire to even be rich! We need to be careful about what our desires are. Do we want to be comfortable? Live in luxury? I'm not saying that having things is bad or sinful, but let's remember to glorify God with all that we have. God has given us excess, not so that we could have more, but so that we could give more.

I love the example that Platt gives of John Wesley.
p.128 "Wesley identified a modest level of expenses that he was going to live on every year. The first year his income surpassed his level by a small amount, and he gave that excess away. The next year his income increased, but he kept his standards of living the same, so he had more to give away. This continued year after year. At one point Wesley was making the equivalent of about $160,000 a year, in today's terms, but he was living as if he were making $20,000 a year. As a result, he had the equivalent of $140,000 to give away that year."
Wow! What a testimony of someone who really lived radically! I hope my life reflects that same radical trust and generosity!

I'd love to hear your advice, encouragement, or thoughts...

Fun with Friends!!!

2011-06-13T14:09:00.000-07:00

This weekend I had a great time with old friends! We went to Hood Canal and had a great time even though it wasn't very warm... but that didn't keep me from going skiing!!!
I was so thankful I was able to ski. I had been a little worried because the last time I had been skiing was about 4 or 5 years ago and I have had 3 knee surgeries since then. But as I looped around the canal, tears fell from my eyes out of thankfulness to be skiing again!!!

The Girls right before skiing!!!
Hosanna, Emily, Lynne, me, and Lindsey (a new friend!)

Thoughts and Ponderings

2011-06-01T13:09:00.000-07:00

I am at home in the States right now!!! I have two siblings getting married in July!!! I'm excited to be here for summer...I hope it stops raining soon!

It has been great to reconnect with family after not being here for over a year. It has been great, but I do admit that it has been challenging. My family doesn't recognize their daughter/sister. They see someone who appears to be a part of the family but have said things like "you're very distinct...we're trying to figure out who you are." And when I say recognize, that doesn't mean physically. I look just about the same.
But I do believe God has done and will continue to do a lot of inside changes that may not be as obvious to see as I continue to deepen my relationship with Him. I have learned a lot about myself, my fears, my enemies, my potential, my gifts, my passions, about my past, my present and my future. I have been broken, I have been built up, I have been set free. I have experienced in God in a new and real way!
Talking with someone recently I asked why they believed God to be real. What I was looking for in their response was that they could say that they have experienced Him, beyond what the Bible says, beyond what their parents say, what church says, what their "supposed" to believe. But that really they believed in God because they had experienced Him!

My journey with God will never end. I will make mistakes, learn from them, and keep walking and growing; holding on to God's hand every step of the way.

One thing I have also learned is that when I hear from the Lord, I also look to others. I want to hear concerns and advice. But that doesn't mean that I will or have to walk exactly according to the advice or concerns. I want to go before the Lord with what He's spoken, with what others have shared and weigh them before Him, seek His best.

I will not doubt in the darkness/confusion/conflict/disagreement what I believe God has spoken to me in the light/clarity.

2011-03-11T14:25:00.000-08:00

Hey blogging world....

The past 5 months I was apart of the leadership team of the
Discipleship Training School here in Mendoza! We had 18 students from
5 nations, the school had two different orientations, one in
counseling/mercy and the other in sports! It was an amazing time of
seeing God transform lives, do miracles in everyday situations,
encourage and disciple others to seek God and a time of growing,
stretching and deepening my personal walk with the Lord! I co-lead an
outreach team of 5 students and we went to Santa Cruz, Argentina (far
south). We worked in various cities doing children´s events, sharing
with youth groups, and always interceding and evangelizing, and
showing God´s love through simple acts of kindness!

I am ready to continue all that God has for me to do here in Mendoza!
I am focusing on raising up the Children´s Ministry, working with
various activities in the different ministries here in YWAM
Mendoza...sports, mercy, art, King´s Kids, and so much more!

Please join me in prayer and support for the challenges and new
opportunities God has for this year! I hope to see great changes in
the lives of many children throughout Mendoza!

The path...

2011-01-11T07:35:00.000-08:00

I was going through a rough time and some asked me how I felt, he wanted to know what was going through my head, how I really felt and this is what I said...

¨I feel like a child running down a path laughing cheerfully with friends when all of the sudden I find myslef in the middle of a huge mud puddle.
I call to my friends asking for help and in return they look back at me surprised by my condition and one says, ¨get yourself out! your the one who wasn´t looking far enough ahead, it´s your own fault you ended up there in the mud!¨
I felt so broken and abandoned inside, I began to cry as I sat there in the muddy path watching my friends go on ahead laughing excited for the upcoming events...¨

I know all situations work out for the good of those who love and seek God. He has shown himself faith through it all...I don´t know where the path ends, but I looking ahead, watching out for mud puddles, but over all, looking up to my Daddy who carries me through it all! New things are coming, I find myself on the path again, no more mud puddle, no more tears, just hope and peace!!!

Update on Life

2010-07-10T10:52:00.000-07:00

Friends,

I don’t know where this letter finds you, but I want you to know that I’m thinking of you and praying that wherever you are, you recognize the presence of the almighty God right beside you. As you are there and I am here, let me tell you about what’s happening in Mendoza.

As you might know I have been working as a volunteer in a preschool in my neighborhood. It has been such a great opportunity to get to know the children of the area, to see how a preschool is run, to take ideas and create new ones, and most importantly to bring the presence of God into a dark place.
These children need His love. They are, at such a young age (3 years old), acting in ways that I wouldn’t want my child of any age to act. They come from a lower class in society where abuse just might be a part of their little lives, where hunger is seen on a small scale, where violence is a daily occurrence and seen as normal. These kids need role models, examples to follow and that is way God has called me to this place, to love them, protect them, teach them, stand up for them, and show them abundant life in Jesus.

This month we were able to participate in a movement/protest against the legalization of homosexual marriage and child adoption. There have been two of these events with more than 1000 people standing up for God’s original design for family. It is possible that due to the rising up of so many people all over Argentina, the law might not be approved!

I continue praying and seeking God’s guidance as to the steps we are to take in moving the Kid’s Center ministry forward. What does God have in mind? What are the next steps we are to take? Who will be apart of this ministry (directly and indirectly)? Where should we buy property and build? These are all questions that only God knows the answers to, the key is to seek His heart and discover His will.

I had an accident about a month ago and hurt my neck and back. I did two weeks of physical therapy and am feeling much better. While I was attending the sessions I had the opportunity on various occasions to tell the therapists about my faith and the gift of salvation! The word of the Lord never returns void and I pray that this seed will take root in their hearts and that they may come to know God personally.

Please keep me in your prayers as I continue to live by faith daily extending His kingdom. God has brought me to a deeper level with Him; I am learning to walk daily sustained by His miracles. May God give us strength each day to die to ourselves and put Him on the throne. He knows best and has authority over all things!

Open Doors

2010-04-16T12:36:00.001-07:00

God has been speaking to me a lot lately about His plans and dreams for me!

Let´s rewind a bit...
May 2007, it was my last year of highschool and I was on the varsity track team. I had been doing track and field for six years, i loved it and God had blessed me with this talent! I had two different colleges that had invited me to run track for them, but after praying about it I felt that God was calling me to head a different direction...Mendoza, Argentina!
It was not the easiest thing leaing home and i had really enjoyed the years of running track, but felt like God was calling to move on to something new.

After arriving here and realizing that soccer is almost as important as eating, i decided to give it a shot. I had never really played it back home since it wasn´t a sport that anyone in my family played, but thought it would be fun to learn!
It wasn´t very long until i began to really enjoy planning and they asked me to join the girls team here on the YWAM base! I said yes and we began practicing each week!
Last year in August as i was playing soccer one day, I had an accident and tore my ACL (a ligament in my knee). It didn´t take me very long to realize what i had done since two years previously i had tore the ssame ligament in the other knee.
I flew home and had surgery, the doctors told me that i needed to rest and wait 6 months before playing sports again. I did my exercises and recovery as they told me, and when March rolled around i slowly and cautiously began to play soccer again.
Last week as i was playing i streched a muscle weird and it was sore for about 3 days. I was frustrated and did understand why i was getting hurt again. It had been awhile since the last time i had played, but i began to pray about it and ask God what He wanted to speak to me through this.

In my frustration i thought to myself:¨why would God give me such a strong passion and love for sports if i just keep getting hurt and then am unable to play?¨
Then suddenly i was reminded of a quote one of my leaders once told me: ¨When God gives us dreams and passions, He gives us doors to walk through. Sometimes we keep trying to open one, but it seems that no matter how hard we try to beat down the door, it won´t open...it´s then that we need to realize that there are other doors. It doesn´t mean that God doesn´t want us to walk in the dream or passion, it just means we need to find the right door to walk through in order to fulfill God´s dream.¨ I am realizing that maybe soccer is not the right door for me. As i was seeking the Lord and the door, God reminded me of something that I gave up when i came here. I gave up running, i had loved it, i wanted to run in college, i loved competing, but i had chosen something greater by coming here and now was reminding me of that dream and passion i left behind.
I don´t know what God has for me in the future, but i am seeking the right door to wak through in order to fulfill the dreams God has for my life!
I am talking with my leaders and praying about joining a track team here in Mendoza!

Please keep me in your prayers as I seek God and the doors He wants to open in my life!

Constitucion, Chile - Earthquake and Tsunami Relief

2010-04-01T07:46:00.000-07:00

This last week i have been helping with the earthquake/tsunami relief in Constitucion, Chile. Many people's lives, jobs, families, and house have been affected greatly by this tragedy.
I have had the privilege of sharing the Word of God with many people and they have been open to listening and receiving prayer! god is doing great things and i hope to see Constitucion rebuilt, firm on the foundation of God's truth!

Please keep us in your prayers as there is much work yet to be done. The greatest need that we are seeing is the need for emotional and psychological help/comfort. Many people are receiving donations and getting back to life, but many businesses have been destroyed. I have heard it said that it could take Constitucion 30 years to rebuild itself to where it was before the earthquake and tsunami.
Please also pray for wisdom and guidance as we talk with people, that God would give us words and divine appointments as well!

Running the Race

2010-01-20T06:52:00.000-08:00

I feel like I’m running a race.

I’ve been running for quite some time, I’m tired, I feel alone, and I want to get to the finish line in order to receive the price of a race well run.

I am running to reach the goal. I’m running with perseverance. Running in obedience without understanding the full idea of why the race seems so long.

Every time I think as though the end is coming I’m left with dust on my knees; I get back up and keep on running despite the bruises and weariness.

The other day I was encouraged, a friend told me that I was not alone in this race. They told me that they were in it too. They told me that if we run just a little bit more we will arrive! We will receive the price for our obedience and perseverance!

Lord Jesus, Help me never lose sight of you. Help me remember that you are my strength; you are the giver of life. You are my everything. I am never satisfied with what I have in you; I need more of you each day.
Help me to persevere even when I don’t understand. Help me to walk in obedience even when it doesn’t make sense. I will not live life by my emotions or the circumstances; I will live by the truth on which I stand. I will continue recognizing you in all things, I am not my own. You have given me life and given it to the fullest. I am ever so grateful. I love you Jesus. I need you. Please be with me in this race. Please guide me in my steps. Show me where to turn and where keep straight. Show me your hand when I start to fall. Be with me Jesus. I will follow you where ever you go.
Guide me in your ways. Run this race with me today and always.

The Different Week

2009-12-26T10:31:00.000-08:00

Here in the YWAM base in Mendoza we had our annual Semana Diferente (Different Week)!
We invite people from LaValle Desert, a place where the indigenous Huarpe people live, to come experience something different, something special!

For several weeks prior we had been praying about this Different Week and we really wanted to know what God wanted to do. We began to understand that God wanted to show Himself in supernatural ways!

This year was a bit different, we had the most people we have ever had, there were about 800 people that came from the desert and then all of us from the base, from Puerto Rico, and many other volunteers who came to help! We ended with a gran total of about 1000 people! It was a great week full of hard work preparing before the event, then a week full of work loving on the people, providing their every need, organizing events, taking care of the 200 kids (3-13 yrs. old) and not to mention those of other age groups!

For 6 days we provided them with activities, great food, a huge swimming pool, outings to the mountains, movie theater, and many other exciting places, and to finish off the week, we have a very special Christmas dinner with presents for everyone!

The team from Puerto Rico came to do a medical operation. They spent the week giving free check-ups to everyone and providing medication when needed. It was such a blessing to have them because many of us got sick with a bad virus that the people from the desert had brought with them.

I am content to say that God showed Himself faithful and did things supernatural! This year the people truly experience a different week!

What is it worth?

2009-11-22T14:34:00.000-08:00

Last week the art ministry and I went to a home for children who have been taken from their homes due to parental problems. These kids are in such a need of love, affection, and just someone who will listen to them. We went to present a few skits and share a time with them. It was difficult because most of the kids were from 1-6 years old and wanted to be held or didn’t pay much attention to what we were doing, but I felt privileged to be there and see the reality of what the kids here in Mendoza are living. It is a sad reality and there is so much work to be done.

On the way home I was talking with one of the girls who went with us and she said she couldn’t wait to wash her hands and get out of there. I was so saddened by the outlook she presented. God has put a great burden in my heart for the lost, abandoned and needy children of the world. This girl also began to tell me of how difficult it was for her to be at this home with those kids, they had lice, they were dirty, and they wouldn’t stop touching us. I saw such need and my heart grew sad for these kids. I didn’t ask permission neither did I mention it to anyone but as I began to interact with these kids, I began to pray a blessing over each one, knowing that God could do something great with their lives. After chatting with this girl I began to ponder what she had said and I asked myself:

Is it worth it?

This girl saw these kids as dirty and lice infested. I saw them as kids in need of love.
She couldn’t wait to leave and wash her hands. I wanted to hug as many as possible. Yes, I wanted to wash my hands too, but the moment with them was more important to me.

Is it worth it to get dirty when holding a child longing for love?

Are we too worried about ourselves that we forget the hurting lives of others?

Is it worth it to sit with a child and have the chance of getting lice or are we too selfish that we don’t recognize the opportunity we have to extend God’s kingdom?

I don’t mean to say anything bad about this precious girl, don’t get me wrong, she is a wonderful women of God. But it did make me ponder.

What is it worth to you?

My first week back in Mendoza!

2009-11-14T08:17:00.000-08:00

I´m back in Argentina and enjoying the hot weather!
This week has gone by quickly and seems like i have already been here for much longer than that.

I am getting used to the hang of things and getting back into the rythem.
It has been wondeful to see the way GOd has everything planned out! I am getting involved with the people in the neighborhood before we start building the kid´s center in March or April.
Only a couple weeks before i returned, the Director´s wife, Nayda, recieved a call from the community center asking if there was anyone who could provide childcare one day a week while the ladies of the nieighborhood get together for a few hours.
Nayda said that there was no one at the moment, but the I was returning and would possibly be interested. I am SO interested and excited to be working with these kids!
God is really opening the doors and i am walking into many new and amazing things!

That´s about all i have to share for now. I´m sure i will hae much more as God continues to show me the way!

The Victorious

2009-10-30T20:09:00.000-07:00

I have been praying about a name for the kid's center/daycare that I am starting and last night I was reading the Bible and praying when God reminded me of a vision He gave me back in February. This vision was about the kid's center, but what I saw was a road with obstacles, God was calling me to walk down this road persevere; at the end of the road stood Jesus with a sign that said "VICTORY". I knew that if i decided to walk down this road, God would give me the strength to get pass the obstacles and receive the victory! Last night as i remembered this vision i began to pray and ask God for a verse confirming this. I felt lead to read Psalms 108. The very last first, Psalm 108:13, says:

"With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies."

God showed me that not only walking down this road would I receive victory over the obstacles, but I would be victorious!

I believe that this kid's center should be called "The Victorious - Kid's Center" (El Victorioso - Centro de Niños). I also believe that God has great plans for these children's lives and they will be victorious as well!

Our call of Duty

2009-10-23T23:45:00.000-07:00

Something on my mind...

I just watched a movie that brought tears to my eyes and agony to my heart.
"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is a powerful movie about the Holocaust and an 8 year old boy who stands up for what's right.

It made me realize the desperate need there is in the world for the gospel. The amount of people that have yet to hear the glorious life-changing news of salvation.

I was reminded of a verse...

THE HARVEST IS PLENTY BUT THE WORKERS ARE FEW!

Where are the workers? Why have we forgotten our call? We, as Christians, have been employed by the greatest employer in all the universe; just think, He sends us around the world and provides for our every need! So what are we doing? In what ways are we fulfilling the job we have committed to doing when we chose to follow Christ?

There are too many people dying in the world without the free gift that we hold in our hands. We've been called to give it away. We've been called to be the voice for those without one. We've been called to take a stand for what's right. We've been called to go against the flow, be on the flip-side of society. Why do we blend in so well? Are we making a difference?

I heard a quote from a book that said: "If Christianity were a crime, would you have enough evidence to convict you?"

Those who've been convicted of crimes have proof and evidence of what they've done; do we, as Christians, have proof and evidence of what we've done, of what we are doing?

WE NEED TO TAKE UP OUR CROSS AND FOLLOW HIM!!! RESPOND TO THE CALL OF DUTY!

In Need of a Name

2009-10-22T21:37:00.000-07:00

I need a name.

No a child has not been born.
No a new kitten, puppy, nor goldfish has been brought home from the pet store.

This is something that was conceived in the heart of God.
I have been thinking and praying about a name for this kid's center/daycare that I am starting.
As you may know, the idea of actually building came from a word from the Lord.

1st Chronicles 17 is the passage that lead me on this journey towards building a facility.

I am yet to have peace about a name for this place, and am open to ideas. I cannot guarantee that your idea will be used in the final choice of a name, but it may help in getting me a step farther!

I encourage you to pray about it and read 1st Chronicles 17, maybe you'll be inspired!

The building continues...

2009-10-19T21:11:00.000-07:00

I now know how much money I need to raise for the daycare!!!

$30,000

Please join me as I take this giant step of faith!

This is NOT just a daycare...I want to make that clear. This is a life saving, life changing and family uniting way to change a neighborhood!

God has called each one of us to care for the widows and orphans (James 1:27).
The number of orphans is increasing and many of them are not "true" orphans, while they may have biological parents alive, they have become orphans due to a lack of financial income in the home, therefore leaving their parents with the terrible decision of releasing them into orphanages. This is no decision any mother should have to make, but without a job there seems to be no other answer.

But that's when I come into the picture!!! This daycare is a way to provide free care for children in order that their parent(s) can find work without the guilt of leaving a child home alone for many hours. This is a way of increasing the economical state in my neighborhood, keeping more families together, and showing the love of Jesus in a practical way!

Leave a comment for more info on how you can be a part!

2009-10-15T21:34:00.000-07:00

Quick update...

Things are going well here in the states!

My knee recovery has gone amazingly well!!!
God has totally gone above and beyond a normal recovery time!
It's great to see how fast my knee has gotten back into shape, i'm bending it, walking great, and have increasingly flexibility!!!

Thank You Jesus for your love and mercy on my life! Love you!

Ramblings...

2009-10-10T22:00:00.000-07:00

Life has been so crazy and nothing like i would have thought it would be...

I am in the US right now as i recover from an unexpected knee surgery, well i guess no one expects those kinds of things to happen, but it was not what i had in mind.

God has been so very gracious to me! His faithfulness continually amazes me, I mean, why would someone, who created everything, galaxy upon galaxy, even think about the little people He put on one of the planets amidst thousands upon millions of stars and planets that come in unimaginable amounts! Really, His love is so great that He gives me breath each day, He gives me a loving family who seeks Him wholeheartedly,He gives me visions, dreams and passions for the lost people of faraway lands, He blesses me with an understanding of a foreign language and the ability to adapt and embrace a culture different than my own. He wisdom to walk by faith and in patience. He teaches me about Himself and His love by showing me the poor who stand on the road in dirty clothes and hold cardboard signs.
He reveals me things like this:
I have been praying, for over a year, about working with the kids in my neighborhood in Mendoza. God has shown me many things and I'm starting a daycare! WOW! I have been praying for a place to build the daycare, but haven't really been at peace until after a conversation with my mom i began praying firmly about building the daycare on the YWAM base, in the very spot that i had spent many days, nights and hours praying for these precious children! Wow God has a way of revealing His plan and purpose!

Anyway, God is faithful, never doubt it! He moves mountains when we choose faith!

I am so excited to see all the things that Gos has in store for me as I walk with Him, holding tightly to His hand, on this journey reaching out to little kids in Argentina.

Petition?

2009-09-13T18:51:00.000-07:00

So as i was laying down to sleep I began to pray. Pray about things I wanted, needed, desired...blessings in finances, relationships, salvation for the lost, my parents move/job, and many other things.

I suddenly pondered, what does it mean to petition? A passage in the Bible flashed through my mind...

Philippians 4:6
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

So, what does it mean to petition?

- According to wikipedia: Petition is a request to change something and can also be the legal title to a pleading that initiates a case to be heard in court.

- According to dictionary.com: Petition is a request made for something desired, especially a respectful or humble request, as to a superior or to one of those in authority. Something that is sought for by request.

When I think of petition, it makes me think of the people who stand in front of federal buildings with their signs and they stand their "petitioning" until something changes. Rain or shine, sun or snow, these people are faithful in standing for what they want. They believe that by marching around, waving their signs and shouting, that in the end, they can make a difference. They are confident and don't easily give up.

Are we like this with God? Or do we give up easily, thinking that God doesn't hear us?

Do we believe we have the power to move the hand of God?

Are we confident that our words and actions by faith can really make a difference?

Maybe when we pray, we should not merely use words, but should believe and be confident that what we are petitioning for, will come to pass.

God is gracious and able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine...so what are we afraid of? He wants to give good gifts to His children!!! If we feel as though we aren't receiving these good gifts, then who are we? Does God consider me His child?
Am I acting as one of His?

Those are just my thoughts and ramblings as I seek God and believe for miracles!

Building a dream…

2009-08-11T13:39:00.000-07:00

This dream that God has me building is getting me very excited! I keep getting new ideas and planning crazy things! I guess if I’m gonna dream, I’ll dream big when nothing is impossible for God!
I was praying awhile back and really wanting God to speak to me about the daycare. I was praying for a name, for a location, for anything. I really just wanted confirmation that something this crazy was actually possible. I had my Bible there on my lap and said “God I want you to speak, guide me in your word.” And I ended up in 1st Chronicles 17. He spoke to me throughout the entire chapter, but here are some key verses that stuck out to me:
Verse 2: “…Whatever you have in mind, do it, for God is with you.”

Verse 10b: “I declare to you that the Lord will build a house for you.”

Verse 23-27 “And now, Lord, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised, so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever. Then men will say, “The Lord Almighty, the God over Israel, is Israel’s God! And the house of your servant David will be established before you. You, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. So your servant has found courage to pray to you. Oh Lord, you are my God! You have promised these good things to your servant. Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight, for you O Lord, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever.”

Wow! I was surprised at what God was speaking to me; He didn’t want me to find a house, but rather to build a house. I am still praying for a name, but now that I know that I will be building a house, I have an idea of where I would like to do it!

Please join me as I build this dream into a reality!

2009-08-11T13:30:00.000-07:00

This week has been very different than most; I have been in bed unable to walk. Last week I was playing soccer and I was running I went to kick the ball, I don’t exactly know what happened but I remember feeling something move out of place and back again. This something happened in my knee. I was not happy, honestly I was mad at God for letting it happen. In the moment I was unsure of how serious this injury was, it looks as though surgery is on it's way. This time in bed has given me time for lots of sleeping, thinking, praying and pondering.

I don’t know how much I have written about the dream that God has given me, but He spoke to me very clearly last year in October that He wanted me to do something for the children in my neighborhood, Borbollón. At the time I was unsure of exactly what it would look like, but I knew that it was to be a safe place where children could learn, live, and laugh. This place would not be an orphanage (for now), but more of a place where kids could come during the day while their parents are out working. Through many months of prayer and seeking, God has shown me much more clearly what He wants for these kids in Borbollón. While attending the school of Principles for Children and Youth Ministries, God gave me and continues to give me many visions and ideas of what this is going to look like. I am to build a daycare and provide a safe place where kids can come and spend their days learning, living, and laughing. I hope that each child in Borbollón and the surrounding area will have the opportunity to hear about Jesus’ love and the free gift of salvation. In this home, I will provide activities such as: Bible stories and other educational stories, music, physical/recreational activities, basic knowledge of health and hygiene, and breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack.

I don’t know where or how it will all come to be, but nothing is too big for my God, and where there’s a vision, there’s sure to be provision.

Amazed by You

2009-07-29T07:04:00.000-07:00

I wrote a song and thought i would share it with you!

Amazed by You

The way you paint the sky
Has always caught my eye
And you never cease to amaze me

The sunlight at dawn
The moonlight comes on
As i walk through the darkness
Oh how you never cease to amaze me

For you are my creator
And you are my father
You're the lover of my soul

You hold the earth in your hand
The mountains, the streams and the sand
And you never cease to amaze me

For you are my Jesus
You are my Savior
The redeemer of my sins

You amaze me, Oh you amaze me

Trip to Uruguay

2009-07-22T10:19:00.000-07:00

While i was in Buenos Aires i had to renew my visa, so i went to Uruguay!!!

had a great day walking around and taking pictures! it was cold, but i enjoyed some time resting on the dock looking out into the ocean.

2009-07-22T02:15:00.000-07:00

Hey...

Don't have lots of time, but thought i'd let you all know that it's snowing!!!

this winter has been crazy, just yesterday we were enjoying the sunshine, it was cold, but very sunny! then last night the wind started to pick up and it swept through with hot hair and lots of dust and sand. and now today it's very cold with snow!!

i'll post pictures soon!

New Plans

2009-07-04T17:36:00.000-07:00

There are new plans as of only days ago...

i will not be going to Central America. There is a really bad flu that has been going around and many of the people here on the YWAM base are sick, three with pneumonia and others with some symptoms and are on quarantine to prevent them from getting worse and from getting anyone else sick.
Honduras is in a political stand still as their president was taken out of the country, so we are unable to enter.
Many members of the team that had planned on going don't have the finances to go.

with these three factors in mind, we will not be going to Central America.

please pray for guidance and wisdom as i will most likely be returning to Mendoza, alone.
i'm not very excited about the changes or about going back to Mendoza without a team, but i know that God is bigger than my circumstances and has a plan for me where ever i am. It doesn't matter where i am or where i go, God will be there.

Quick Update...

2009-06-23T17:15:00.000-07:00

So i have been incredibly busy lately and really slacking on updating my blog...

i have been in school the last three months and have not had time to really sit and write a blog, but i wanted to update and say that i am almost finished with the lecture phase of my school and will be going to El Salvador and Honduras for a month!
I am waiting for a miracle and believing that it will come! God has been so faithful up til now in my life and i believe that He will continue to be faithful because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever!
i still do not have all of the money for the school or outreach, but i know that with your support and prayers (the possible), God is faithful in doing the impossible!

please continue to pray, there are many of us in my school who still need the money and we leave in two weeks!

thanks again for prayers and support...if anyone is interested in supporting me please leave a comment and we'll work out the details!

Blessings!

Walking...

2009-04-29T09:31:00.000-07:00

Last week i had the opportunity to go on an extreme adventure that focuses on accepting challenges, conquering fears, and coming closer to God.
The main thing that i learned, in those five days, was about patience. I was put in a group with 3 other girls and 1 guy. By the second day one of the girls could barely walk because of the pain in her feet. God told me that I needed to walk with her throughout the week. You know me, full of energy, strength and perseverance...it was definitely hard, but so worth it. God kept speaking about how I need to walk hand-in-hand with Him...I CANNOT rush ahead to the future...He wants to guide me and prepare the way, so that when the time is right, I arrive and receive the whole blessing!
At the end of the week, God confirmed this in our time of affirmation. One girl prayed over me and really felt God speak the word: RISK. if I take the risk and rush through life, not being completely sensitive to God's voice, I may miss God's will for me in that moment. It hit me really hard. I really need to spend more time with God and recognize His voice and walk slowly beside Him. My relationship with Him NEEDS to be my first priority.

Accepted!!!

2009-03-22T10:57:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I was just sitting here in the coffee shop and thought I'd write
about how things are going!

Last week I filled out an application for a school i plan on
doing in April. This school is a second level YWAM school called,
"Principles in Children and Youth Ministries" and will be held in Buenos Aires
(about 14 hours from Mendoza). I just found out from a staff member (Marcela) that the staff at the Buenos Aires base are already looking forward to having me!

I am very excited about this opportunity and feel that it will greatly
benefit my future plans to start a ministry working with kids. I feel
God has opened up this school as a way for me to gain more knowledge,
understanding, ideas and tools to work with kids!

So, with this said, i could use all of your prayers.
The school costs $850 (lecture phase) and an additional amount for the
outreach (with possibilities of traveling to China, Central America,
or Argentina)

I received an email yesterday saying that i have been accepted!
I would greatly appreciate all your prayers as i walk in faith into
this new journey of going deeper!

Waiting for a miracle,
Carissa

YWAM Conference 2009

2009-03-01T12:28:00.000-08:00

So...here's an overview in pictures of the National YWAM Conference!!!

More than my Provider...

2009-03-01T12:01:00.000-08:00

It's been way too long since i've written...wow time flies.
Life is going well here in Argentina! God is doing many great things!
I came to the realization the other day that i have the coolest best friend in the world!
God is so great, He provides for my needs beyond what i even ask or need.
It's like, "hey i really could use some new shoes...only days later a girl gives me a pair of shoes!" I am hungry and need something to eat, but haven't been able to go shopping; someone invites me to eat with them. It's so wonderful the way God responds to my needs! i love Him so much!

that's my note of encouragement for you all...God wants to not just provide for our needs, He wants to bless us beyond what we ask or need!

FInding Joy in Simple Things

2009-01-10T08:52:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to you all!!!
It’s been a very long time since I’ve written, so I will do my best to not forget anything.
I was in the States in November and came back home to Argentina the second week of December, just in time for our annual evangelistic outreach event to the indigenous people of “el campo” (the country side/desert). We had about 600 people here for 5 days; during this week I was able to work with kids 1-3 years old. I was known as “Mama Carissa”, I had the privilege of taking care of one little girl almost all day every day. There were five kids on my list, but being of such a young age they were very attached to their moms. Guadalupe was a one-year-old girl who was uncomfortable with almost anyone but her mom and I; I felt so honored to have the trust of this precious girl. There were, however, other days where I took care of five or six kids. One day in particular, we were able to go to the aquarium and the zoo! I was in charge of 5 kids ages 5-9, it was wonderful time where I saw so much joy in these kids who had never been to the big city nor the aquarium or zoo. It was a wonderful experience and I hope and pray that these kids will never forget the love and care that was shown to them by so many people willing to serve them with the love of God!
The last night we had a Christmas Dinner for all of them! I really enjoyed being able to bless these people, one thing that I was able to do was give new clothes to many of the children! There was one little girl, Maria that I had been taking care of during the week, she had worn the same clothes the 5 days and looked as thought she had not taken a bath in many week, her hair was matted and she probably had lice. I found a cute dress and some coordinating shoes for her, I took her in the bathroom to get her ready for the special dinner! I wanted so badly to bathe her, but the water on the base had completely been shut off and nobody could find a way to fix it, the only thing we could do was wait, but seeing that the dinner was already being prepared and we had no idea when the water would come back, we did what we could. I took Maria into the bathroom changed her clothes and fix her hair into a simple braid, trying to make the most of the situation and lack of water. As we went out of the bathroom to find her mom, I noticed the huge smile on her face as she gently touch her new clothes! As I walked toward her mom with a smile on my face, I saw the look on her moms face…pure shock. Maria ran up to her mom and hugged her, her mom began to touch her daughter and ask herself “is it really you, Maria? This is my daughter? Are you sure?” I was filled with pure joy! This woman was filled with an inexpressible joy after I had felt bad for not being able to bathe her daughter. God is so faithful! I was blown away by the way that God moved and touched this woman’s life.

Well...this is pretty long, so i'll write more when i can.

Gratefulness isn't found in the material things...

2008-12-07T21:37:00.000-08:00

As i have chosen to live and serve on the YWAM base in Argentina, i have also chosen to trust God to provide for my every need. Each day i recognize the gratefulness i have for the many things that i am blessed with.

...we live in a nation that freely allows us to practice religions and worship our creator, but are we grateful for that freedom? are we fighting for it? WAKE UP AMERICA AND RECOGNIZE THE FREEDOM WE HAVE! TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE BLESSINGS THAT GOD GIVES YOU EACH DAY! you never know when it all could be stripped away from you. there are people being persecuted for believing in God and we, in the United States, sit around and waist the amazing blessing that we have; we can love God, worship Him freely, wherever, and whenever we want to...but do we take the time? do we value our freedom? He is there waiting for you, He will never stop pursuing you, He loves you and has a purpose for you life...(just a thought)

...i have family and friends who love and support me! They have chosen to step along with me in this journey of faith and have also chosen to cover me in prayer! i am so blessed and eternally grateful for my family and friends who have walked with me through the years and watched me as i learned and grew to understand the dreams that God has for my life! to have a support system that prays for me and takes time to listen to all of my stories, challenges and experiences and comfort me through it all...i am so grateful for each and every one of you (you know who you are) who have taken the time to invest your time in my life that i might have the privilege to invest in the lives of many others worldwide!

...a warm home to come to when i get to leave Argentina for a little while. In Argentina my home doesn't have heating and in the winter we learn to keep warm and keep a good attitude because this is the life God has called me to and i wouldn't trade it for anything!

...the loving arms of Jesus that are always wide open ready to embrace me! He is always with me, pursuing me, and watching out for me...even the little details in life!
what a gracious and personal God we serve! There are days that i feel like all i have is Jesus, but even in those moments, i know that having Him is more important than anything in my life because He is the one who gave me life and no one could ever take away my Jesus!

I'm Home!!!!

2008-11-16T18:06:00.000-08:00

I went to the park today and had fun taking pictures and playing around with my siblings and friend Em!

It's been fun to spend time with Em after doing our school together in Argentina!

It has been wonderful to spend time with family and friends!
More stories and pictures to come!

Visions, Hopes and Open Doors...

2008-11-09T11:09:00.000-08:00

Visions...

God gave me a vision recently that was something like this...

"i was standing on a beach with Jesus, we weren't actually standing we were running.
He was ahead of me and He kept looking back to make sure that i was okay.
With each glance He would say, "Come on, there's something i want to show you! You can do it, keep running, i've prepared something for you!"
This run was not a challenge, but we were laughing the whole time! it was wonderful!"

in this vision i was shown more of who Jesus wants to be in my life; He wants to be my friend, someone that i can laugh with, someone that i can run with. He wants to show me new mysteries each day! Since He gave me this vision, i've been spending a lot of time with Him and He inspires me to be more like Him! we have had some pretty great times together! i like to go sit on the basketball court at night and talk with Him. One night we talked for 2 hours, it was awesome how many things HE showed me, all because i chose to believe in this vision He gave me and accept Him as my friend!

Hopes...

Some of my hopes would be:
to see my great-grandchildren follow Jesus

to live everyday recognizing the presence of God at my side and use His power with every opportunity He gives me

to one day see my extended family standing by my side in Heaven as we stand in awe of the presence of OUR Lord and Savior

to raise children from other nations

Open Doors...

God has opened a new door for me!
a couple of weeks ago i was talking with my discipler and she said that i should pray about the ministries i want to be involved in and even more than being involved, embrace it, be passionate about it. I had told her that one of my passions was kids and she said i should pray and consider helping with the soccer school we have in the neighborhood or ask God if there's something else He has for me.
i didn't really have peace about helping with the soccer school, but i told God i'd be willing to do it if that's what He wanted.
i started praying and feeling that God was calling me to raise up a new ministry.
It's been crazy to see God open new doors as i begin this journey trusting Him. So, this ministry that i am starting is to provide an afternoon snack time with the kids of my neighborhood. i also want to be able to sing songs, color pictures, and share the love of Jesus with them. i have already talked to the base directors and they are in full support of the ministry that God is calling me to. They have encouraged me to talk to others and get a team built. i don't know the details of how it will happen, where the money is going to come from, or even when it will happen, but i am taking little steps forward and trusting that God will provide all my needs in his timing!
i am really excited to see all that God will do in my life, He has become so much of a friend to me that i really enjoy following His foot steps!

i hope and pray that all of you, my friends, family, and readers can help support me in your prayers as i step out in faith trusting that God will provide for all my needs as i open this door and help the needs of the little kids in the neighborhood of Borbollón.

Who do you work for?

2008-10-20T07:54:00.000-07:00

Just a few ramblings that have been buzzing through my head...

Everything we do in life should be done to serve and glorify God...
i know, i´ve heard it a million times, but it´s true. And once you start to think about the sacrifices that Jesus made for you, it´s not so difficult to see the importance.
we should not be a slave to our bodies, nor our emotions, nor the circumstanes around us. But our bodies should be our slave. we should not give up when things are hard, when we are tired, when people are disrespectful, we should just do our best to love and respect others and give our all to be like Jesus. We should follow His lead, he knows what it´s like to suffer, He knows what it´s like to feel hungry, tired, beaten, mocked, weak, yet He gave His all, He gave us His life. He layed layed it down, no one took it from Him.
So my question is, why aren´t we willing to go to work in the morning, or water the lawn, clean the house, help others, run a race or exercise so that we can expand the kingdom of God? i know you might not see how cleaning a house or running a race could expand His kingdom, but being ready in every area of your life is the best that you could do.

we have become so selfish and self serving that we don´t even see the needs of the people around us. God has given us so much, but He didn´t give it to us that we would squander it or waist it. No, He gave it to us that we might us it effectively and make something good come from it.
He gave us time that we would use wisely, serving others, going to work,and maybe we should use it to spend time with Him. He gave us a job that we would be able to provide for our family, to go on vacation, or possibly to support a missionary or orphan in need.
God has given us things that we would administer them well. We should be so thankful for the things that God has so graciously given to us and we should be willing to take responsibility to care for those things.

Colossians 3:23-24
¨Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is Lord Christ that you are serving.¨

Ramblings about "everything" and what that means to me

2008-09-12T20:52:00.000-07:00

So i am laying here listening to my music when i felt inspired to write...
the song i am listening to is called "Everything" it's by Lifehouse.
during my outreach we performed a drama done to this song, it's incredibly powerful, i still get the chills every time i listen to the song.

"Find me here
Speak to me
I want to feel you
I need to hear you
You are the light
That is leading me
To the place where
I find peace again

You are the strength
That keeps me walking
You are the hope
That keeps me trusting
You are the life to my soul
You are my purpose
You are everything
And how can I
Stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me

How could it be
Any better than this
You calm the storms
You give me rest
You hold me in your hands
You won't let me fall
You still my heart
And you take my breath away
Would you take me in
Would you take me deeper now
'Cause you're all I want
You are all I need
You are everything
Everything"

[these lyrics are found on http://www.songlyrics.com]

it just made me think how many Christians are really giving God their everything, how much time do we actually spend in fellowship with God? Do we really trust Him to give us strength, provide for our every need? Do we allow Him to calm our storms, hold our hands when we fall? i believe that we need to stop singing songs just because that's what good, little Christians do; but rather we need to live extreme lives, shouting praises to our Savior, our Redeemer, our Lover, our Everything, if that is what He is to us. I heard it said recently that a person who studies one subject for one hour a day for a whole year will be the most knowledgeable person in the world in that subject. It made me wonder how much more we would know about God if we even started with 1/2 an hour a day? How much deeper and secure would our friendship with God be? I'm sure that with this time spent, we would not only have this knowledge but God would give us incredible revelation. We cannot apply something to our lives if we have not received revelation about it, so what good is it to obtain such great knowledge but then not have the ability to apply to our lives for lack of revelation? So next time you read the Bible, don't just read to gain knowledge, but seek God for revelation to guide you in your own life, that's what the Bible's for= receiving and sharing!

well...that's my ramblings for the moment, i hope i have encouraged you to seek more revelation and let God be your everything.

Completed Promises

2008-09-12T11:41:00.001-07:00

Just over a year ago as i was praying about coming to Argentina, i was in church one night and received a vision from God. In this vision God showed me that a little girl and i were dancing. i asked God what this meant, and who the little girl is. He told me that i would find her in Argentina and that i needed to show her His love.
After arriving in Argentina, i continued to pray that the Holy Spirit would allow our paths to cross and that i would know for sure it was her. God then told me that i would find her on my outreach. I continued praying for her and began to sense that this girl needed someone to look up to. Even before meeting her, i felt a burden for the lack of relationship between her and her parents. With this revelation i felt more at peace that i would know who she would be when i meet her.

We left for outreach and i was still faithfully praying for this girl who needed the love of God. I asked fervently that the Holy Spirit would guide me, and as the weeks turned into months, i felt i needed to press deeper into God and His Word. The last week of the outreach arrived and i had not yet met her. i began praying and believing in faith that this promise would come to pass, that i had heard the voice of God, that there really was a girl who needed God's love. The second day we were in Santiago del Estero, we were working in the church getting ready for an event later in the week. A young girl walked in to the church as if it were her home. she looked so comfortable and at ease with the people from the church. i didn't really think anything of her... but then i felt like i should be ready, because the girl from my vision could come at any moment.

She walked around for awhile as we finished doing things, and then, as if i was the only person in the building, she walked straight up to me and said "Hi, I'm Paola, what's your name?" i told her my name and then she just kept talking. one of the first things she told me was that her parents are separated, her dad is living in another province, her mom doesn't like church, travels a lot and smokes, she lives with her Grandma and her mom (when she isn't away). I felt a tug on my heart, this is it, the little girl in my vision was now standing right in front of me! it was incredible, i began talking, not wanting to lose a second of time to tell her about God. she goes to the church, but i began telling her more about Jesus, the personal relationship we can have, and how we should strife to be more like God. it was so wonderful to be able to feel the presence of God so heavily upon me! i told the rest of my team that night and for the rest of the time there, i was spending time playing ping-pong, drawing pictures, and talking about God with Paola!
It was a wonderful privilege to be apart of something so simple, yet so rewarding!

Over and over again, i am reminded of the faithfulness of God. He has done so many great things in my life, i am in awe of the love He has shown to me and allowed me to show to others!

Outreach Pictures

2008-09-11T11:09:00.000-07:00

Now that i have graduated from my Discipleship School, i have more time to write on my blog, so now i would like to show you all pictures from my outreach!

Dramas and Clowns

Well...this is very long, so i will add more on the next post. i hope you enjoy seeing what i did!

Part of the family!

2008-09-07T14:38:00.000-07:00

I am officially part of the YWAM International family! Last night was the graduation ceremony, which was soooo wonderful! I cried a lot with mixed emotions: reflecting on all that God has done in my life and all the amazing times i have had here, and realizing that some of my closest friends will be going back home to the new things God
has called them to. I am so glad that my mom was able to share this night with me as i close the door to one stage of my life and open another!
I have learned so much over the past few months, i don´t have words to express the love and appreciation i have for my best friend: God!
the last few weeks of outreach were great! we saw God´s hand move incredibly and i was able to share personal tesimony of the amazing God that i believe in, call my friend, and have a personal relationship with!
Along with finding my friend God in this time, i have met some really neat people that i hope to be life longs friends with! So many of them i count as sisters and brothers! They have already told my mom that i am their new sister, it´s such a blessing!

Outreach Update #3

2008-08-23T22:44:00.000-07:00

We have just over one week until we complete the outreach. We will be graduating the 6th of September!!!
God has been doing incredible things in our lives! We spent nearly a month in Misiones and now are almost finished with a week of ministry here in Chaco.
This week has gone by really fast, but has been an incredible week of blessings and miracles!
One of the first days here, we were walking home after an activity with the youth and we were deciding what we were going to eat. Not having many options, it came down to noodles with salt and oil! Marianela and i really wanted meat along with our noodles, so we prayed as we walked. The girls and i have been staying in an apartment with a house attached in the back. As we arrived home and began preparing the dinner there was a knock on the door. The lady asked if we would like some cheese, we gladly said yes! We were so grateful to God that He had added a little more flavor to our meal! A few minutes later another knock on the door, this time the woman asked if we wanted meat that was left over from their dinner!!! Once again we gratefully accepted what was offered! Glory to God, He is so faithful! But God was not yet satisfied...that night not only did we eat noodles, but we ate noodles with cheese and meat...AND DESSERT!!!! it was a wonderful night of thanksgiving and praise to God!
His faithfulnees doesn´t stop there...
One day we had the opportunity to watch the semi-fianl Olympic Games, basketball game. The teams playing were the United States versus Argentina!!!! it was quite exciting! as we prepared to leave, Laura prayed ¨Lord, how nice it would be to watch it on a plasma, or big screen. we arrived at the restaurant and sat down to watch the game...a waiter came over and informed us that if we wanted to watch the game we needed to move to the second floor. we went up the stairs and there on the wall was a t.v. not just a big screen, but two huge screens!!!! thank you Lord!

Marianela has been praying for some jeans because more than one pair has ripped and been too severe for repairs...leaving her with just one pair of jeans...
She has been praying for quite some time and the other day, we were talking to one of the girls from the church and she happened to mention that there was a bunch of jeans that had been sitting in her closet and she had asked the Lord to show her who to give them to and up until now no one had been in need of jeans!
We are all so amazed at how faithful God is, even in the little silly detials.

okay.. one more story in case you haven´t grasped how faithful God is...
the day we were watching the basketball game, our leader, Naka, accidently left his backpack at the restaurant, but didn´t realize it for over 2 or 3 hours. this was not just any backpack, it had all the money for the outreach, plus documents and other important information. we all began interceding as Naka ran out the door and down the street. a few minutes later, we received a phone call from Naka...NOTHING was missing from the backpack!!!! Glory to God!

well...those are my stories for now...it´s really late and i should sleep.
May God surprise you with tons of blessings...even in the little ordinary things!

Outreach Update #2

2008-08-04T17:09:00.000-07:00

Hello friends and family!
i hope you are all doing well. i am in Misiones right now. i´m in a
little town called Garuhape. this past week we were in another town
about 10 minutes away called Puerto Rico. it was incredible to see the
love and generousity flow through the people there.
we had services at the church every night of the week, which were
really great! Saturday and Sunday, there was a pastor from Brazil who
came and spoke. totaly powerful!!! really cool to hear someone speak
in portuegese as well!
i had the priveledges of sharing twice this week in the ¨celulas¨
(kind of like small groups, but more for evangelism purposes). the
first one i spoke about evangelism, and the second i spoke about God
being a personal god. they both went really well. i have not had a
translator at all, so i have really been learning a ton in Spanish!
God has been working in me soooo much. i am learning to open up and
share who i am, why i´m here and what God has and is continually doing
in my life. i am learning to put names to my enemies: loniness,
tiredness, self-deceit, passivity, apathy, etc.
my leader is really helping me, she gives me practical things to do in
defeating my enemies. so i have written a on a sheet of paper, that
every day i repeat: today i choice to walk in contrary to my enemies.¨
it is really helping!

please continue to pray that the Lord really guides and protects us.

Outreach update

2008-08-04T17:07:00.000-07:00

So it´s been awhile since i´ve written, but i am doing well.
This last week we were in Iruya, Salta. it´s a little town tucked away
in the mountains of Northern Argentina, only about 3 hours away from
Bolivia.
a group from Mendoza (along with the base director) traveled with us
and spent a week evangelizing and sharing the love of God with the
people of Iruya.
Many people dod a lot of walking, travelign aver mountains just to
share God´s love with a family or two.
i was unable to travel because i was sick. my throat was inflamed and
it became very difficult for me to breath. i actually ended up going
to the hospital to get help. a few days later, i was feeling much
better and was able to go pray for people.
one of the hardest things for me since being here is being able to
pray in Spanish. and i actually got to pray for healing over a lady,
and i prayed in Spanish!!!!
thanks you, Lord!!! God is so good!
we also played and shared a lot with the kids of Iruya. we did dramas
in the cobblestone street, which went realy well. despite that i now
have bruises and scrapes on my legs and arms. but, i hope and pray
that the people received the message with open hearts!

i am in Mendoza right now, but tonight i will be heading to Misiones
(about a 32 hour bus ride).

thanks for all your continued prayers!
i´d love to hear how things are going in your life!

one girl, serving one God, with one goal = to reach the nations with
the love, truth, and grace of my Savior!

Carissa

Lecture Phase Coming to an End

2008-06-30T11:43:00.000-07:00

So life here in Mendoza is going really good.
God is doing so many great things and I am excited to be apart of all the things He is doing here. I am also very excited to see what He does in the future.
These past few weeks have been really busy as we leave for outreach on Friday, July 4th.
I am staying in Argentina but will be traveling to three other provinces, Buenas Aires, Salta, and Misiones. God has placed such an extreme passion in my heart. I am overflowing with joy and excitement for all the things God will do through me on this outreach!
One thing God showed me this last week was the passage in Jeremiah when God told him not to feel like a child, because God would place words in Jeremiah and everything would be okay. It was really awesome, because I felt like that was what God wanted to do in my team and me on outreach. We need not fear because God is always there right beside us and will place the words in our mouths necessary to be effective in sharing the gospel.
I have received such an abundance of the Holy Spirit that I feel like on outreach God wants to use me in extreme and radical ways, heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out demons. God alsospoke to me through a vision before i came here He told me there would be a little girl that i am supposed to meet and show her the love of God. He didn´t tell me anything else, so all i know is that i will find her and show her God´s love!!!
thanks for all your continued prayers!

Carissa

My YWAM Family...well some of them!

2008-06-08T10:59:00.000-07:00

Marlon "Captain Daffodil" (26, Peru) - Leader

Sabrina (lives on base) and Laura (Colombia) - Leader

Belén (22, Santa Fe) - Leader and Personal Discipler

Bekah (20, Alberta, Canada) - Leader

Yanina (22, Buenas Aires, AR.) - Leader

Group Photo

Me "The Mutant Shadow" and Laura (34, Mendoza) - Students

Yessica (22, Venezuela) and Veronica (38, Mendoza) - Students

Abel (19, Buenas Aires, AR.) - Student [pic. taken at old folks home]

Pablo (34, Mendoza) and Leandro (21, San Luis, AR.) - Students

Em "Ninja Girl" (19, USA) - Student

Marianela(19, Buenas Aires, AR.) and Daniela(8, Mendoza)- Student and Pablo's daughter

Vanesa and Victoria (28, Mendoza) - Students

Martina (3, Mendoza) - Daughter of Base Director

Maria (59, Chile) and "Mikey Boy" (27, Alberta, Canada) - Students

Vanesa (28, Mendoza) and Kate (34, England) - Students

Hola de Argentina!!! Hello from Argentina!!!

2008-06-08T09:25:00.000-07:00

Hey Everybody...
so, before i left i was asked to write a blog in Spanish, so today i thought since i have time i would do it! So here goes...

This is a journal entry i wrote for the of May 13-19th.

"Victoria de La Semana" "Victory of the Week"

Este fin de semana tuvimos una mini-cruzada! Fue muy bueno!
Fuimos a una iglesia que se llama "Camino de la Vida" y está en un barrio me senti hay mucha tinieblas. Pero, cuando estabamos alla, orabamos muchisimo. Fuimos a una plaza y sentimos que esta plaza necesitaba al Espiritu Santo. Entonces, nos quitamos nuestros zapatos y medias y caminamos alrededor de la plaza. Proclamamos que esta lugar es de Dios. Despues, cantamos y arabamos más. No hicimos las obras, pero yo me senti que era el plan de Dios. Estoy muy emocionada por ver lo que Dios va a hacer en este lugar!

This weekend we had a mini-outreach! It went very good!
We went to a church called "The Path of Life" and in that neighborhood i felt that there is a lot of darkness. But when we were there, we prayed soooo much!!! We went to a "plaza" (which is kind of like a park) and we felt that this plaza needed the Holy Spirit. So, we took off our shoes and shock and walked around the plaza. We were proclaiming that this place was of God. After that, we sang and prayed more. We didn't do any of the dramas (we had practiced and planned a lot that week), but i felt that it was God's plan. I am very excited to see what God is going to do in this place!!!

...so there you have it. all written out in Spanish and English just in case you didn't understand. =)

love you all and i'm doing well. thanks for the prayers!

Mini-Outreach Pictures!

2008-06-02T11:03:00.000-07:00

These pictures are from our mini-outreach. We went to the desert which is about 3 hours away.

Pictures!

2008-05-04T12:58:00.001-07:00

Our team went to a Youth Center to hangout and Em and i found some boxing gloves, so we decided to play!

Em ready for the fight!

Me ready for the fight!

Taking some punches!

The champion!

Pictures from the Love Feast!

2008-05-04T12:39:00.001-07:00

So, each DTS has a ¨Love Feast¨ and our theme was ¨Circus¨, so we all dressed in our circus best! it was so much fun!

Maria the clown

Marianela and Vanesa getting ready!

All the girls in their Circus Best!

Vanesa, Marianela, Yessica and Maria ready for the Love Feast!

The guys had a little too much fun being creative!
Pablo (in the pink), Leandro (the only ¨guy¨) and Abel

The guys performed a dance.
Lucas (in the hat, with stripes), Pablo (in pink), Leandro (in Tanktop), Daniella (Pablo´s daughter, in green), Abel (in tu-tu and wig), Mike (purple skirt)

Life on the base...

2008-04-27T11:18:00.000-07:00

So i thought i´d share about life here in Argentina and at the YWAM Base.
The People:
It was very suprising when i got here, because there is so much diveresity in the appearance of people. There are people with blonde hair, brown hair, blue eyes, green eyes, brown eyes, short people, tall people, curly hair, straight hair, and they all speak Spanish! it´s crazy, i almost blend in! there was actually a girl on the base who after over a week finally asked if i spoke Enlgish and where i was from, because she had only heard me speaking Spanish! She is from England but speaks Spanish fluently.
The team:
Our team consists of 14 people. 10 girls and 4 guys. We have Marianela from Buenas Aires, Argentina (18), Em from Lynden, Washington, USA (19), Me (19), Abel from Buenas Aires (19), Leandro from San Luis, Argentina (21), Yessica from Venezuela (22), Vanesa from Mendoza (28), Victoria from Mendoza (28), Mike from Alberta, Canada (27), Laura from Mendoza (33), Kate from England (34), Veronica from Mendoza (38), Pablo from Mendoza (34), and Maria from Chile (59). It´s been so much fun! we are like one big happy family(which is normal for me)! i think i´ll be sad when we have to split for outreach, some of us will stay in Argentina and some of us will go to Mexico. We all get along really well! OH... then there is our School Director, Marcela R. and our leaders, Marlon from Peru (26), Laura from Colombia (late 20s), Marcela C. from Mendoza(31), Yanina from Buenas Aires (22), and Belen from Santa Fe, Argentina (22). We also have 3 translators: Bekah from Calgary (20), Trudy from Calgary (31), and Alicia from California, USA (24). And there are plenty of others who live and work on the base!
This week:
God has taught me so much more this week. I am learning to walk in Humility, but with confidence using the gifts God has given me! For example, last night we had our ¨Love Feast¨or La Cena de Amor¨. it was very fun! this past week, we had ïnvisible friends¨ we would leave them notes, goodies and such and then we would receive the same from others! and then last night we all revealed ourselves!!! the theme for the night was Circus! we all had tons of fun dressing up. then we each had to give a presentation. i asked God what i should do, He told me i should walk in humility and use the gifts He´s given me. so i played the piano and sang the song that i wrote last year! i was nervous, but all went well! and although many didn´t understand the words, their hearts were there!

i will upload pictures when i can. i forgot my camera this time. =(
i have taken over 250 already!!! Cass...i think i´m starting to be like you, carrying my camera whereever i go!
(except when i have internet access and want to upload pics...)

well...blessing to you all and i will continue praying for you!

walking humbly, Carissa

Here in Argentina!

2008-04-14T12:45:00.000-07:00

Hey Family and Friends!!!!

I am here safe and sound in beautiful Mendoza, Argentina!!!
Life this week has been amazing, one story i would like to share is this.

The first day we had the regional director/Chile base director come and speak, it was amazing!
He spoke about Faith and the power we have in the holy Spirit. One thing he said is that we need to bring all of our desires before the Lord and give up our desires/rights and walk out in faith knowing that God is in control. it was a wonderful word.
The next day while reading my book(we have a new book assigned every 5 weeks)¨Making Jesus Lord¨, Loren Cunningham shared an amazing story. He and his wife were travelling when the got in a wreck and his wife, Darleen, nearly died. he realized that God was realy in control. He had given up everything to walk out and fulfill God´s calling.

He then said, ¨you need to give up all your rights and desires and follow God´s call.
Give up all rights, and surrender to walking in God´s will. i began crying as i thought of one right/desire that i was still holding on to. My soul mate.
i began to pray and ask that the Lord forgive me for holding on. i placed that desire/right at His feet. i then felt great peace knowing that whether i get married or not, i will serve God wholeheartedly...

i have to go now. my time is up. i´ll try and write more next weekend!
love you all, Carissa

*so for some reason this post was never posted last week when i wrote it, so here you go.

The Challenge...who will step up?

2008-03-26T12:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday God challenged me.
I am a small group leader at my church's middle school youth group.
At the beginning of the night, all the leaders gather together and talk about what's happening that night and then we pray together. Well...last night started out like any other night. We all gather, talk, pray, and then go love on kids! Well, when we got together, one of my dear friends and fellow leaders, got a call that our "sound guy" (a friend for quite sometime) Evan, had just raced to the hospital because his mom had just been rushed there. Lynn was an amazing woman of God. she had battled cancer for many years, but faithfully came to church because of her love for God! A few minutes later we got another call...this time from Evan...his mom was now with Jesus. Many tears were shed last night, but we know that Lynn is in a better place with a new, healthy, beautiful body, standing before the throne of God! As the leaders and myself included, got together a couple more times to decided what exactly we were going to do, God spoke to me. "I have something i want you to share with all the kids, Carissa" "Uh, now God? we're all a bit disoriented. Are you sure, God?" "Yes, there is no better time than now." "Okay God, give me words to speak."
i went to a couple leaders and told them what i had to do and then i was "scheduled" to speak right before worship time. So, when it was time, i went up on stage and began to speak. And this is what the Lord brought forth:

"God spoke to me tonight and challenged me to challenge you. As you all know, Evan's mom has gone to be with God. And now God is telling me that i need to live each day to the fullest according to His will. We all need to thank God for the little things. The things like waking up in the morning, having a family, and even for life itself. We need to live like there's no tomorrow. I don't know how many of you middle schoolers
go to church here on the weekends, but we are doing a series right now that's called "Live like you are dying". Are we living like we're dying? you need to tell the people you love that you love them. you need to be the example for Christ TODAY! God does not promise us long life, so we need to live for Him NOW! NOW is the time to make the decision to follow Christ, NOW is the time to be the helping hand to someone in need. NOW is the time to step out and be the example. Many of you have come here for awhile,
you have the heard the Word, you know the truth, now all you have to do, is LIVE IT OUT! Live for God NOW!"

that's the challenge...are you willing to accept it? Are you going to step up?

It's all about Time...

2008-03-24T19:33:00.000-07:00

I have not written in so very long! wow..time passes so quickly.

Speaking of passing time...i leave for Argentina in just 10 Days!!!!
God is so good and has done amazing things getting me ready for this trip!
He overwhelms me with His presence and His voice speaks His love through the beautiful creations around me!!!

A passage of scripture that came to mind...

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under Heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a tie to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace."

I think that we all need to remember that God's timing is perfect in everything.
whether building a relationship with a friend or letting it rest;
whether going or staying; whether refreshing others or being refreshed;
whether choosing to speak or choosing to listen,
everything we do should be done in its time.

It's now time to end this post. :)

Product of Peace

2008-03-01T17:42:00.000-08:00

Many thoughts cross my mind as i prepare for YWAM. What will it be like? How many people will be at the school? Will it be hard?...But the question that has come into my mind that most is: Am i going to have enough money to even get there?

People kept telling me that i shouldn't worry. if it God's will, He'll pay the bill.
i knew that in my head, but it wasn't really settling in my heart. i kept worrying about, but i knew i couldn't get more hours at my job because i have school. It kept getting to me. if i don't have the money, then i can't go and if there is no way to make more money...than how am i going to be able to get there?
One week at church, our pastor was talking about money and what we should be doing with it. He talked about how we need to let go of ownership of our money and really give it to God. I felt very convicted, so i decided to go up and receive prayer at the end of the service. Pastor Steve prayed over me and spoke some great things into my life! i felt God's presence there, telling me that it was going to be alright, i have nothing to worry about. Peace began to settle in my heart. Since then, i have felt completely different about my money and i know that God will provide...in any circumstance.

Today i got a letter in the mail from some very good friends in Oregon. They sent me a note telling me that they would be praying for me as i head to Argentina. Enclosed was a check...for $500!!!!!! yes. FIVE-HUNDRED DOLLARS!!!!! i was in soooo much shock i just sat there and laughed!!! God has a way of blessing us so much, all we can do is laugh and look back and think about how silly we were for ever doubting God's faithfulness to provide our every need.
i now know that God heard my cry...even with a lack of faith. He is faithful and just to carry out His work until completion!!!!

I am holding on to that peace knowing that God is with me wherever i go...even in Argentina, He'll be with me!

May God bring peace to calm the stresses of your life now and always!

The Future Awaits

2008-02-26T17:14:00.000-08:00

So, as some of you may know, i burned my hand at work the other day.(Sunday)
For those of you who don't know, i was steaming milk (i work at Starbucks in Safeway) the pitcher was a bit full to begin with so when the woman ordering informed me she wanted it extra hot, i thought "okay, that's not hard, just keep it from over flowing."
well, i looked away just for a split second and when i looked back, my hand was covered in 200 degree steamed milk! i was in so much shock that i didn't shot the machine right away and it continued to burn me. i also didn't want to just drop the pitcher of milk, i tried to turn off the machine, and then set the milk down, and then try and cool my hand down. at this point, my hand was completely red and it stayed that way for about 2 hours. i stuck my hand under cold water for awhile, but then had to continue helping customers, so the cooling didn't last long. I continued working for another 4 hours until my shift ended. my hand was in a ton of pain, but didn't look terribly bad. i then kept it in a cup of cold water for awhile, but that didn't help much, it was still very red. i could see the beginning stages of a blister forming, but thought that since it had been in cold water it would be okay and wouldn't be that bad, well after two days, the pain i gone , except when i write or type for more than a couple minutes. yes, my hand is hurting while i type this. i now have two blisters and the start of a third one. the redness is gone in some areas, but remains on my fingers around the blisters. Doing homework the last couple of days has been a bit of a challenge...along with taking 2 tests and writing 2 papers.
I am doing well besides that. and it's not all that bad. i am alive and well. God will take care of my hand in His timing.

All i can say is, i am sure glad that i know that i am going to Heaven. After getting these burns i have thought about Hell and what it must be like there, surrounded by fire, but stuck in darkness; burning continually without ease. Wow! how terrible would that be. i know many people who have been burned, but to be in Hell, i cannot even begin to imagine the torture for eternity, forever, without end, FOREVER!!!!
I am thankful that i have saved by the blood of the Lamb!!! Praise God for His great love and mercy on us!!!

My title to this post may seem odd, but really, we do not know what the future holds. i was not expecting to get burned at work, but it happened. God is the one in control and the best thing we can do is put our life in His hands and sit back and see what He does! It's our choice, will we choose to run our own lives, or will we allow God to take control and and do what He longs to do in and through our lives?

It's your choice...the future awaits...

To Taste His Goodness

2008-02-21T14:34:00.000-08:00

So i have found myself more and more in love with my savior.
But, then there is that desire in every girls heart to not only be pursued by her Heavenly Father, but to be pursued by her prince charming.
I was talking to my mom a few days ago and we were talking about my future and the thought of a husband down the road. I long for that day when it's official: I'm a wife!
And oh how i am so very excited to be a mom one day. But, as i was talking to my mom, she said that i need to be completely content being single before i can even think about finding a life long husband and forever friend.
I really thought about it and then told my mom when i came to this conclusion:

-I would be more content spending eternity in Heaven with God than being married here on earth.

-Sometimes i look at my future and wonder what i will be doing in 5, 10, 20 years, and sometimes, strangely enough, i never really think about my spouse being there with me. It's just me and God.

Not to say that i will never get married or have no desire, but i am falling more and more in love with God that i know He will bring someone along at just the right moment and i am not really worried about it!

A couple days after talking to my mom, i was talking to a friend of mine and she was asking how things are going and if there was anything new and exciting in my life. i then shared with her how i have felt so much closer to God even in the last few weeks. I said that i was beginning to see Him in everything: the bird flying by, i saw God's hand guiding it through the wind; the tall grass swaying in the wind, God's breath breathing life and the sunshine throughout the day, God's beauty radiating for all to see! At church i felt His presence next to me as i sang loudly to Him in praise of all the magnificent things that He has done for me. I heard His voice speaking to my heart as i sat intently listening to the message.
My friend told me that although many people are Christians and want to pursue God, there are few that actually allow God to take complete control of their lives to the point that they can taste Him. She told me that i was one of those people who had been truly tasting the goodness of God. I am really beginning to understand the deeper things of God, i am not done, the journey has only just begun.
I long for the day that i stand face to face with the Creator of all the universe, the God who chose His son to die on the Cross for my sins, the God who knows how many hairs are on my head, the God who knit me together in my mother's womb, the God who i have fallen in love with.

Psalm 34:8
"Oh Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him."

My Savior, My Lover

2008-02-13T21:27:00.000-08:00

So...i thought that i should update, since it's been a little while and people are wondering when i am going to post again (i love you Linda N.)

So, this post is about my Savior, my lover.
In the last several months, God has been teaching me many things. One of those things is that I have been hearing His voice more! It's amazing what God does when you begin to spend more and more time with Him! I have found that i feel closest to God, when i am singing, listening to music, or playing the piano. I have begun to feel and even become more in love with God! I don't know what i would do without music, it's my inspiration...along with God Himself! I would have to be honest though, i spend so much more time in prayer and worship then i do in the Word, which bugs me a bit. Although, thanks to my amazing friend, Jen, i have been getting in the Word more and we have been meeting weekly to discuss our reading times, which has helped a ton!

Thank you to all the friends who are praying for me and encouraging me to pursue my lover more! (you know who you are!)

I don't have a whole lot more to say except that i am so excited to see what God does in the GLORIOUS future He has for me! :)

Some verses i like about love:

Romans 12:9 "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good."

Romans 13:10 "Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."

1 Corinthians 13:4 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth, It always protects, always trusts, alway hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

It's Today! It's Today! It's Today!

2008-02-02T20:39:00.000-08:00

My parents are headed to Africa. well...right now they are in Seattle spending the night together in a hotel before they fly out tomorrow morning at about 7:00AM.
Before they left we gathered around in the kitchen and prayed together one last time before adding 3 more beautiful children to our home! It brought tears to my eyes as i was filled with joy to know the the next time i see my parents face to face, i will be seeing Jacob, Sarah, and Rachel face to face as well!!!!! Praise the Lord for in His great mercy He has poured out His blessing on us!!!

Only Four More Days!

2008-01-30T21:20:00.000-08:00

My mom and dad leave for Ghana, Africa in only four more days! we are all so very excited! They will be going to Seattle and staying the night before taking off on Sunday morning headed for Africa!!!
Today was very exciting! We were able to video conference with Jacob, Sarah and Rachel on the computer!!! It was SO great to be able to see them and talk to them and we even carried the laptop around the house showing them their bedrooms, their toys, their snow outfits, and the snow! They are very excited to come and live here in Washington with us! i can't wait to hold them in my arms!

Things you could pray for:
1. Safe travels to and from Ghana. And they will be traveling to the North part of the country while in Ghana, so pray for safety on that trip as well.
2. Financial blessing: food while they are there in Accra, transportation, and any other expenses that they might encounter
3. Good bonding between the kids and my parents (I'm not too worried, they're really excited to meet us all.)
4.The Diacogiannis household while mom and dad are gone.(it's gonna be crazy!)

oh...and if you haven't noticed, we're all SUPER excited to meet our new family members!!!!

thanks for your prayers, Carissa

A buddy for my Adventure!

2008-01-25T15:24:00.000-08:00

So, my friend Emmy, had been praying about going to Argentina to do her DTS since last February. It was really crazy, because i had forgotten that she was even thinking about going when i heard about the school in July. God was really working on both of us at completely different times and knew exactly what He was doing! I sent my application in back in September and then got accepted in October. Emmy sent her application in the first week of November and has been waiting for over two months to hear back from them. When she did hear from them, they informed her that the application had not gotten to them, it had gotten lost in the mail. Bummer. So she emailed it to them and finally today she called me and told that she has officially been accepted!!!!
We are both so excited to see what God has in store for us as we go out on this adventure together!

Struggles...

2008-01-22T15:07:00.000-08:00

It has been about six months since my family and I started on this adoption journey. When we first started, we were told it would be about 4-5 months before they would be here. That meant that they should have been here near the end of November. Well...it is now the end of January and they have not arrived. It has been hard on all of us, but especially hard on me due to the fact that i am leaving for Argentina the first week of April. Yesterday was really hard... my mom and i were talking about their (my mom and dad) travel plans and when they would be leaving for Africa (probably the 3rd or 4th of Feb.), i began crying as i came to the realization that i will probably only know Jacob, Sarah, and Rachel for about one month before i go. It doesn't make any sense to any of us, but we are all trying to see the good in this and know that God has a plan. Sometimes I wonder if this is really what He wanted. I have learned that there is the Will of God: which to me means , the things that He has ordained in advance before the Creation of the world. And there is the things that God allows to happen due to choices that people make. Some of the things that have happened over the last few months have been really discouraging and disappointing. The choices people make have been questionable and sometimes just ridiculous. But, we will keep pressing into God through prayer knowing that He hears each word.

keep it real. -Carissa

The Real Beginning

2008-01-14T19:55:00.000-08:00

So...i thought you should know the REAL beginning to this story and adventure.

It all started on a cold January day in 1989; on 25th day to be exact. I was born.
I came into the world just seven minutes before my beautiful twin sister Lindsey!
We have lived a great life, these last (almost) 19 years!
Let's fast forward a couple of years to February 3, 1997. I decided to give my life to God.
Later that year, while visiting a Christian camp in Oregon, i decided to take the next step in my walk with God:
i got baptized! The coolest part: it was done in a creek; i felt so much like Jesus!

Ever since i was about 5 years old i had been going to a program called Bible Study Fellowship, it was so much fun learning about God, memorizing verses, fellowshiping with other Christians young and old! On one particular night while i was there, God spoke to me. There was a man there that had been a leader for awhile. He came to the front to announce that God had been speaking to him and his wife, God was calling them to leave the United States and venture over to Madagascar, Africa.
Right then and there, God said, "I want to send you too, Carissa." I was so excited, i wanted to hop on the next plane to Madagascar!!!! But, then reality hit me: i was 8 years old! What was i thinking wanting to go across the world? I knew at that moment, that if i couldn't go now, i would for sure go someday down the road!
One person once asked the question: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I answered: "I want to be a missionary!" "A missionary? Okay...but what kind of job are you going to have?" "Well, i just told you, I'm going to be a missionary!" "I heard that, but what are you going to do for money?" "I'm not gonna make money when I am a missionary, God will provide it for me." " Huh? How do you know that?" "I have faith!" "Faith, what's that?" "It's a level of trust i have with God. As my mom says: Fantastic Adventure In Trusting Him (F.A.I.T.H.)" 'Well...i guess if that's what you want to do, go for it."

So for the past ten years i have been saying to God: "Send ME Lord! I am your servant and long to do your will"
When i was 15. my older sister Cassie went to Port Townsend, Washington and did a Discipleship Trainging School (DTS) with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). I was sooo happy for her, but at the same time, i wondered if my time would ever come.
I was a sophmore in high school when she left and it felt like it would be forever before i would finish high school and then do what I really wanted to do: be a missionary. Well, I have graduated high school and have almost completed a two-year college degree!
It's been nearly ten years since God birthed that dream in my heart and i can finally say that "I AM GOING TO BE A MISSIONARY!!!!!!" I have always known that you don't have to go anywhere to be a missionary, you can be one in your own neghborhood. But, for me, i always knew that i wanted to reach the people of Africa and now in the last few years God has been laying a burden on my heart for the people of Latin America! It's so exciting to see what God is doing/has done/will do in and through me in the years to come!!!

Ever since Cassie had completed her trip with YWAM, i have been looking at the differnt schools and locations that there are.
This past June i was on the website of YWAM international and was doing a search for the different school. I decided to search by specific topic. Having taken a spiritual gifts class, i knew that my strongest God-given gift was compassion, so i decided to see of there were any schools with the focus on Compassion. There was one school; it happened to be in Argentina! HOw crazy is that? The two most obvious passions in my life right now, would be in the same place, focusing on the same two things!!!! How awesome! I told my parents, and with out much hesitation, we agreed that a Compassion DTS in Argentina was the place for me!!!

I am sooo thrilled beyond words that i have the opportunity to serve God in Argentina!!!
As i prepare to go, i have been praying for a guarded heart, unity in the team, and divine encounters with the Almighty God!

So that is the road i have traveled to get to where i am now! It's been exciting and i know that God has a GLORIOUS future in store for me!!!

the beginning of the adventure...

2008-01-05T15:06:00.000-08:00

So... it's my first post. I am making this blog as a way of communicating to others while i am in Argentina. i am not there yet but will be there in 3 months. i am traveling to Argentina to attend Youth With A Mission - Discipleship Training School. i will be gone for 6 months!!!! so that's about it for now. peace out.