Rachel's Life

2012-02-13T22:25:00.002-05:00

"If you don't have a burden for souls like you ought to, go knock some doors." - I heard this over and over while I was at West Coast Bapstist College from Pastor Paul Chappell....thankful for the great preaching and teaching that I received there! I'm also thankful for this bit of advice!

Update

2011-07-28T22:36:00.003-04:00

Graduation has come and gone! It's weird knowing that I have completed my four year journey in college! I can't believe I've graduated! It's craziness! Now, instead of going to school as a student, I am getting ready for school as a teacher!

Tomorrow I will be going to Orlando for some training and then next week I will be going to Pensacola for some more training. August 10th starts Orientation here at Liberty Baptist Academy and then August 22nd will be the first day of school! I'm so nervous about teaching, but I know the Lord will help me!

Some good news, my new niece, Zoe Rose Burch, was born Friday, July 22, 2011! She is beautiful! I have not been able to see her and probably won't until Thanksgiving, but her pictures are gorgeous! I am so happy for Elisabeth and Emory and I can't wait to meet that little one! But for now, the phone and Skype will have to do for Zoe's and my communication! Lexi is excited to have a baby sister and Abi is excited to have another cousin around to play with!

My summer is going well! My mom and youngest brother, Andrew, were able to come down and visit me here in Florida! I really enjoyed them being here! I have moved into my new apartment! I love it! I have my own room and bathroom and I absolutely love it! I'm so thankful to the Lord for His provisions in my life!

My new roommate and friend from college, Jenny, has moved in! She will also be teaching the other 6th grade class! I'm excited about teaching with her! Also, Janna lives with us!

I am really enjoying the bus ministry! I also am having a lot of opportunities to play the piano in church and am loving it! I'm so grateful for the talent God has given me...it is only through His power that I am able to play and I thank God for it!

Last week we had Vacation Bible School! That was very exciting! One day we had 235 kids there! The Lord was so good and we had at least 17 professions of salvation plus other decisions! Praise the Lord!

God has been so good to me! What a great God I serve!

Graduation...1.5 Weeks Away!

2011-05-01T21:10:00.003-04:00

1.5 weeks away from my graduation from West Coast Baptist College and I'm amazed at how far God has brought me! I never thought I would make it to my high school graduation! When that finally came, 4 years of college seemed like it would take an eternity! About halfway through my first semester in college, I never thought that May of 2011 would EVER get here! Today is May 1st! I am 8 days away from turning 22 and 10 days away from graduating college! I am amazed at how God has brought me through Bible college and already placed me in a position where I can learn to trust on Him and teach children in the 6th grade! I am excited about the opportunities that God has already given me and the ones that lie ahead! I stand upon God's promises that He will never leave me or give me more than I can handle!

I pray that as I graduate college, move into my own apartment, and start a new phase of my job, that the Lord will use me to make a difference in the lives of those people around me. I pray that God will do whatever He needs to do to use me for His glory and for His purpose.

2011-04-11T05:48:00.001-04:00

"When you can't trace His hand, trust His heart."

Quote

2011-04-01T23:38:00.000-04:00

"Don't doubt in the night what God gave you in the light."

2011-03-14T21:46:00.006-04:00

Derik and Michelle Lawrence....some of the most influencial people in my life! On countless occasions they have been there for me. On countless occasions they have prayed for me. On countless occasions they have encouraged me. On countless occasions they have taken a moment to stop and teach me. On countless occasions they have been a pure example of a couple who loves the Lord and wants to serve Him with their life! I just want to say thank you to them for investing their lives into me. I hope that I will make them proud as I live my life out here in Florida. I pray that a little bit of them will shine through me!

Their kids are all amazing as well! Each one of them is unique and special to me!
Cole - Cole is funny and can be very sweet! He would hate to admit that, but he is a sweet kid! I'm so thankful I got to student teach in his class! (I'm praying for Cole right now that the doctors will find out what's wrong with him! Praying for some tired parents as well!)
Hunter - Hunter is fun! He is fun to play with and be around! He is a very sensitive kid and I love that about him!
Malia - Malia is fun to be with as well! I love playing with her!
Marissa - Marissa is such a sweet girl! She is loving and always kind!
Marianna - She's a mess! I love her! Such a cutie!
Drake - Although I'm not Drake's favorite person in the world, that kid is so sweet! He loves his family! I love watching him with Cole and his Mommy!

Another family that has been very influencial in my life (probably the most) is my family! My parents have been so good to me for the past 21 years! They have raised me in a Christian home and they have always taken care of me! They want only the best for me and have always done 110% to help me! I am so thankful for EvErYtHiNg they have done for me and for the support they have given me! My siblings....well....I love them!! I would do anything for them....ALMOST! hehe! I'm so thankful that in the end, our family loves each other and would kill for each other (even though sometimes we may kill each other too)!! I have the best family ever!

I am so thankful that God has brought me to Florida. Right now, He is teaching me A LOT! I'm learning how to rely on God! Already, huge unexpected bills and such have come up, but I KNOW that the Lord is in control. I am so thankful for the way He has already provided for me and so thankful for His promises that He gives us in His Word that I can stand on and claim! The song says it so plainly when it says, "What a mighty God we serve!" I am so excited to serve that mighty God with my whole life for the rest of my life!

Florida

2011-02-05T23:26:00.002-05:00

God has taught me a lot lately...the past couple months, and weeks especially, I have learned a lot. The Lord has been bringing me to a point where I had to make a decision and preparing me for that decision. Now, the decision is made. Next month I will be moving to Florida. I have accepted a position at Liberty Baptist Academy teaching 6th grade starting in August. But until then, I will be working doing whatever they need done. I was able to go down and visit the school and church and I really liked it. It's not my home church by any means, however, it is a great church with a heart to reach people in their area and around the world with the Gospel. This will be a big move, but I know that God wants me there and so I'm going.

Until that point, I have a lot to do. I am currently car shopping! I'm praying about a car I want. However, it's about $2,000 more than the other car I've been looking at. I'm hoping that they will come down, though they say they can't come down anymore. I really like the car! Both cars are nice, so if I have to go with the cheaper car then I still will have a nice car! There are a lot of little details to work out before I can go, but God has been so good! The church down there is being very helpful! I already know where I will be living and who I will be living with - which is one very big detail! Oh, I also need to start my oline class ASAP! I wish I was done with it!

Moving away from my church, family, and niece will be one of the hardest things I've ever done! I'm just praying that God will show me exactly why He has me down there and that God will just continue to line things up!

God is good all the time; all the time, God is good!

2011-01-25T22:53:00.001-05:00

"The process of abiding will cause an intertwining/meshing of your will with God's will."
"Abiding accomplishes affirmative answers from the Almighty."

Decisions

2011-01-18T21:38:00.004-05:00

Decisions, decisions, decisions. Why are they so hard? Why can't there just be a neon sign on my bed when I get home with life's answers signed by God so that I could know exactly what He wants?!

Praying about several things and trusting God to ClEaRlY show me His will for my life! I want to be where God wants me to be...right in the middle of His will!

Excited about going to Florida this weekend! A friend from college will pick me up at the airport along with the lady I will be staying with. They will show me around the area. Then Sunday I will go to church. I will have lunch with the pastor and his wife and after the evening service I will have dinner with the administrator and his wife. Monday I will see the school...sit in on some classes and see what it's like. Then I will have lunch with the pastor and his wife again and will come back Monday evening.

Really praying and seeking the Lord to give me peace about a decision.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-18T23:46:00.002-05:00

God has been so good to me, especially since I've been home! He has provided me with several opportunities to make a little cash here and there...plus I know that I have a few checks in the mail coming my way! Thank you Lord!

Well, I am home for good now! Leaving was bitter-sweet! I was so excited to leave and be done with finals and papers and demerits and lights out and sharing a room and everything else that comes with college life until the last couple of days. It was pretty hard to say goodbye to everyone, knowing that I may only see them one more time at graduation and maybe never again this side of Heaven. Several people cried when I said goodbye, which only made it all the harder. My assistant dorm supervisor was my asst. dorm supe last year as well and my freshmen year she was in my best friend's room so I was always in there and my sophomore year she was in the same dorm so I've been around her a LOT! She knows all my mouse stories from last year and a lot about me, I guess! hehe! She started crying which killed me. The night before I left my best friend was having a horrible night and just crying her heart out in her room while I sat there and held her and comoforted her...it was hard to know that it would be the last time I could be there for her like that.

However, I am really excited to be home! I know this is God's will for my life right now! God is showing Himself very real to me in several different ways and I can't wait to see what God has in store for me and my future and how I can grow in my relationship with Him! I am really enjoying going through this devotional book "Lady in Waiting" by Jackie Kendall and Debby Jones. It is really good! God is teaching me a lot right now!

Merry Christmas! I can't believe it's Christmas time already! This is my favorite time of the year with Thanksgiving coming in a close 2nd! I just love the fact that we get to celebrate a time when Jesus Christ willingly came to this Earth to be MY Savior! I don't know why He would do that for me, but He did! He left His Heavenly throne and was born in a manger. Listen to this song, www.youtube.com/user/1Bohdan1#p/u/29/S3njryR2L0k called "Isn't It Amazing". 3 sisters sang it in college chapel and Pastor Chappell had them sing it in church that night! It's a great song. It speaks of how amazing it is that Jesus came, the King of Kings came, and was born in such lowly conditions! God is such a God of humility. I want to be more like Christ. I have listened to this song over and over. I love it!

Merry Christmas to everyone! I pray that the Lord will bless you richly this Christmas! Remember to thank God for His gift of Christ this CHRISTmas!

2010-12-11T20:39:00.002-05:00

Here are some pictures from my last couple of days here at West Coast Baptist College!

Malerie H., Erica D., and me at the Christmas banquet! (We are Apologetics buddies!)
The Grinch came to town! Megan (far right) was seriously scared of him! We forced her to get in the picture!

Dr. and Mrs. Sisk showed up at Whoville!

Here we are (Ciera, Megan, me, Kensly, and Melissa), in Whoville!

Friends Forever!

Chapel 12-10-10

2010-12-10T15:11:00.002-05:00

Die, Deny, Dedicate your life to God

It's not "Take me from this hour," but "Lord, I have come for this hour, that You might be glorified in my life."

"Lord, whatever it takes for You to be glorified in my life, I surrender."
-Rachel Sewell-

8 Days

2010-12-06T21:31:00.004-05:00

One week from tomorrow I will be flying home to Georgia and forever leaving the dorms of West Coast Baptist College. I will be student teaching at my home church, Victory Baptist Church, for the first half of next semester. From there, I am still unsure of God's exact plans for me, but hope to be finding out soon!

The last day of classes will be Wednesday! Then I have one final Thursday and 4 finals next Monday. This Thursday night is our annual Christmas banquet! I am excited to go to my last banquet! I am going to go with my friend Malerie H. and a few others! Super excited!

I am starting to get really sad though to leave all of my friends forever. I will miss them a lot! Wednesday is my last day of work. I will miss my co-worker, Carla, a lot! We have had some great memories together and I am hoping that she will come with me to the Christmas Musical at Lancaster Baptist Church this Saturday for the last time.

I will also miss my extension a lot! We are looking to find someone to replace me. :( I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience and time at Mtn. View Baptist Church in Rancho Cucamonga, California! The people are so kind and I have enjoyed getting to know the Pastor and his wife and kids as well as the people at the church. I have enjoyed helping in the nursery and playing the piano on Sunday nights and the keyboard Sunday mornings! I am praying that the Lord will continue to bless and grow Mtn. View Baptist Church!

However, I'm excited to be home and to be helping at my church now! I can't wait to get back on my bus and see the kids again and hopefully see the van be packed out and grow to a full bus! I am excited to see children get saved and come faithfully to church! I can't wait to be back in all my ministries at home!

Interview Days

2010-11-16T14:56:00.005-05:00

Interview Days are coming up this Thursday and Friday. I will be interviewing with several Pastors and Administrators in search for a teaching position this next Fall. I have already had a couple of interviews. Please pray that God will show me His perfect will concerning after graduation!

28 days 'til Christmas break!

Encouraging Verses

2010-11-10T16:40:00.002-05:00

Here are some verses that have meant a lot to me lately! I hope maybe they could be an encouragement for you as well!

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way..."
Psalm 37:7

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way."
Psalm 37:23

"And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them."
Isaiah 42:16

"For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour..."
Isaiah 43:3

"Fear not: for I am with thee..."
Isaiah 43:5

"I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour."
Isaiah 43:11

"Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;"
Isaiah 43:16

"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."
Isaiah 43:19

"This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise."
Isaiah 43:21

37 Days

2010-11-06T23:03:00.002-04:00

Today has been a good day! I have been spending a lot of time lately with two of my friends....Megan M. and Melissa L. Also tonight I was able to spend a little bit of quality time with one of my best friends, Adrienne Berman! I don't get to see her that often so that was really good! 37 more days until Christmas break! It's kind of a sobering, sad, exciting time! I'm not sure what the future holds for me...it honestly is a neat thought to think about how in one year from now I have no clue what job I will have or where I will be living. It will be really neat to see how God will guide me and show me His will for my life and to see how He will provide for me and take care of me.

Something neat I learned in one of my classes last week was that the phrase "the angel of the Lord" in the Old Testament refers to an appearance of Jesus before His birth, a Christophony. Well, I was reading in Matthew 1 one day and I read where "the angel of the Lord" came to Joseph and told him in a dream about Jesus' birth and that Mary was going to conceive of the Holy Ghost so he should not put her away. I asked Bro. Butterfield if that meant that Jesus was actually the person announcing His own birth to Joseph and it is! I just thought that it was really neat that Jesus appeared to Joseph to announce His own birth! It shows how Christ always has been and it shows His omnipotence. I just thought that was an extremely neat thought!

43 Days!

2010-11-01T11:40:00.004-04:00

Wow! Life has been busy! Last week was our Missions Conference! It was awesome! Awesome preaching, awesome missionary presentations, awesome missionary families! It was great! God was good....and He still is! This Thursday and Friday we will have College Days. So, once again, it will be busy! Midterms were 2 weeks ago and now there is only 6 weeks until Christmas vacation (43 days)! Next semester, instead of returning to college, I will finish my training by student teaching at Victory Baptist School. Then in May, I will return here to walk across this platform at Lancaster Baptist Church and receive my diploma! I am excited! Please pray for me as I go through interviews with Pastors and Administrators in search for a teaching position next year and God's will for my life. I have already had one interview with a Pastor and will have another one this week. School is going well and ministry is too! I go on extension to Mountain View Baptist Church in Rancho Cucamonga, California, pastored by Pastor Christopher Strother. It is has been a lot of fun to travel down there each week with Alyssa Brown and Ryan McCormick, both juniors, and be able to help there in that ministry. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the people, working in the nursery, and helping play the piano in their services!
I just want to say thank you to all who read this and pray for me! I really appreciate your prayers!

Pic. #1 - My extension team: Ryan McCormick (Washington), Alyssa Brown (Ohio), and me (GA)!

Pic. #2 - There is a Chick-fil-a in Rancho Cucamonga!

Pic. #3 - My absolutely gorgeous niece, Alexis Burch!

Pic, #4 - My other absolutely gorgeous niece, Abi Sewell!

God is Good!

2010-10-02T00:04:00.002-04:00

God is good all the time, all the time God is good! Have you ever stopped and thought about how good God really is to you? I have been thinking a lot about it lately. God is better to me than I ever deserve! All I am is a rotten, no good piece of dirt, but with God's grace and mercy I am where I am. Yesterday and today we have had our annual Educator's Conference here at West Coast Baptist College. The keynote speaker for the conference was Pastor Mike Norris, Pastor of the Franklin Road Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, TN. Today he was preaching about the little lad in the story where Christ fed the 5,000 men plus women and children. Sometimes I feel like that little lad, I don't have much to offer and I'm just a little insignificant person in a big crowd. However, God used that little boy in a HUGE way! If I am willing to give God all that I have, He could use me as well. I hope that I will be found willing to be used by Him when He comes looking for someone to use.

So this past Monday I was given the opportunity to accompany on the piano a group of girls from my floor as they sang a song, "Romans 8:28" in girls devotions! It was a lot of fun! Then Tuesday a girl asked me if I would play the piano for the Missionary Prayer Band Choir! I'm so excited! I am also playing the piano each week at Mountain View Baptist Church. I am so thankful for the opportunities God is giving me with the piano!

2 weeks until midterms...or less. I don't know. It's coming up quick though. I have a ton of projects to finish before that point in time! Please pray that I can get caught up and finish everything on time!

Thank you to all who pray for me! I am doing great and really excited for all the awesome opportunities to serve the Lord is giving me this semester! God really is too good to me! Something I learned from Bro. Butterfield and has helped me a lot is to every single day recount the story of Jesus going to the cross and being hung for my sins. It really helps my attitude throughout the day. Nothing that happens to me can even compare to what Christ went through for me!

Excited to go to Chick-fil-a tomorrow! :)

College Life

2010-09-23T22:10:00.003-04:00

I heard that it is only 82 days 'til Christmas Break!! That is super exciting! School is going great...it's keeping me busy but it's going good so far! In about 3 weeks 3 of my classes will be over. So I have a lot of projects to finish up before then. Work is going good too. It's also keeping me very busy.

I am really enjoying going on extension each week! I am travelling with Alyssa and Ryan down to Rancho Cucamonga each week to help out at the Mountain View Baptist Church. I am helping with playing the piano and in the nursery. Soon hopefully we will be able to travel down on Saturdays as well, but not sure if it will all work out. Praying for it though. Plus, there is a Chick-fil-a there that we could eat at on Saturdays! Ha! But I really would love to be able to go soulwinning down there and help out with the nursery so that the ladies of the church could go soulwinning as well. We'll see though!

Well, we finally got internet in our rooms! Yay! It was a happy day yesterday when I walked in the room from work and my roommate told me we had internet!

Well, I have a US History test tomorrow with Dr. R so I need to go study - a lot!!! Ha!

School Started!

2010-09-09T00:20:00.002-04:00

Wow! The students are back and school has started! I will be taking 7 classes this semester. They are...
Teaching History
Practical Teaching Methods
Teaching Bible in the Christian School
US History I
Christ in the Old Testament
Apologetics and
Counseling Youth Conflicts!

I am very excited for this semester! It is going to be great! The school is growing a lot! It's amazing how much it seems like we continually need more space even once we have built a new building! God is blessing West Coast Baptist College and Lancaster Baptist Church and I am glad that He has put me here for "such a time as this"! I will be proud to call myself a graduate of WCBC!

This semester I have a unique opportunity to travel each week to another church and help serve there. It is a small church about an 1 hr and 20 minutes away. The church is Mountain View Baptist Church and is located in Rancho Cucomonga, CA. (There is a Chick-fil-a near the church!) The pastor's name is Chris Strothers. I will be able to help this church in whatever ministry the Pastor would like help. I am super excited! I am hoping to be able to help some with playing the piano. I am really excited for this opportunity! 2 other students from the college will be travelling with me down there each week. It will be a lot of fun and a great experience!

This Thursday and Friday Lancaster Baptist Church is hosting the Sword of the Lord Ladies Jubilee! This will be a lot of fun! I loved it last year when it was hosted here! I talked with Mrs. Sherry Camperson who is Dr. Hutson's daughter and she knows my parents! That was cool!

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me! I really appreciate and value your prayers! God has been really working on my heart as I now prepare to finish up college and go into ministry, whatever that may be!

Update

2010-08-17T12:29:00.003-04:00

These past couple of weeks have been good! Last weekend I was dogsitting/housesitting for Bro. and Mrs. Samms! That was fun! They have 2 big black labs, Kole and Kenya. Now this weekend I am going to housesit/babysit for Bro. Morin and his wife while they go to Staff Orientation and I may end up dogsitting for the Samms again if they don't find someone else! I'm excited! It will be fun! Work is going good. I am getting 30 hours a week, but sometimes they will ask me to come in early. My roommates are great! Next Monday is when we will move into our new rooms and then the following Monday is when everyone will come for the start of a new school year! I'm excited for my senior year here at West Coast Baptist College! The preaching and devotions that have gone on these past couple of weeks have been amazing and just what I needed. The Lord is so good!

My Saturday

2010-08-08T00:34:00.002-04:00

Tonight was fun! The past few days I have been helping my suite mate clean a house that her parents bought. The house is in the middle of the desert and it has set unoccupied for a year so much of the desert is inside of the house instead of outside! :) So we have been cleaning it. Today we got to the point where it looks halfway habitable! I was so excited when we got the kitchen looking like a kitchen! After cleaning we went to Mrs. Eyre's house for a floor activity. It was a lot of fun and the food was great! We ate, played badmitton, ate some more, laughed, laughed, and laughed some more! Some of the girls are hilarious! I showed off pictures of my adorable nieces!

I am really excited about tomorrow! I will get to see my bus kids again! I will also get to go to my bus class. I also have a new minstry assignment. I have the opportunity to work with the 1st-2nd grade girls in Sunday School! I am excited about this because now I will get to work with bus kids and church kids.

I went soulwinning with Mrs. Samms this morning! That was a lot of fun! We had a really interesting street! I'm glad tomorrow is Sunday! I will definitely have something to do all day long! :) Plus, I love Sundays!

By the way, if you have never heard Pastor Merritt from CA preach, you should! He's hilarious and he really gets the point across! He's a great preacher!

Back on Campus

2010-08-05T12:53:00.002-04:00

I arrived back here on the campus of West Coast Baptist College in Lancaster, CA late Monday night. I will be working for the next few weeks before school starts. Then I will still be working as well as going to school! I have 2 roommates right now, but one goes home on the weekends, Susan and Madai. They are great roommates and I'm sure the time will fly until school starts! Thank you to everyone who prays for me! I really appreciate your prayers, love, and encouragement! I'm excited to start my senior year here at WCBC!

Busy Week Ahead!

2010-07-25T22:58:00.003-04:00

This week is going to start early tomorrow at 6am. That is when I am going to leave with my mom to go pick up Rosanna and Abi from Tennessee where Jonathan is taking some kids to camp. This week while he is at camp, Rosanna and Abi are going to stay with us. Tomorrow my grandma is also coming up from Florida in order to spend some time with us - specifically Mary before she moves and her 2 great granddaughters of which she has not met yet! Rob's parents are also going to be coming down tomorrow to spend a few days with us and the babies before she takes Mary away to Virginia. Tuesday night we are going to have everyone plus my aunts and uncles who live locally over for a dinner. Wednesday night at church we will have a baby shower for Mary and little Jude! Friday, Mary will leave with her in-laws to VA and Rosanna and Abi will also go home. My grandma will leave some time during the week. Next Sunday will be my last Sunday here before I return to school next Monday, August 2nd. So this week it is going to be crazy at my house, but exciting at the same time! At the end of the week everyone is leaving and then Monday I will leave for my senior year at West Coast Baptist College! I always miss Victory Baptist while I am at college though. There's nothing like being at your home church!

Pastor and Mrs. Michelle, I hope you had a GrEaT anniversary! I love y'all!

Thank You Pastor and Mrs. Michelle

2010-07-24T23:44:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow is my Pastor's anniversary of 6 years of being Pastor! I want to personally thank Pastor and Mrs. Michelle for their faithfulness over the years. When I first entered the youth group Pastor was the youth pastor. I can remember initiation night. He had me eating nasty stuff out of a diaper without the use of my hands and I also remember becoming a human sundae! Under his leadership in the youth group I can remeber looking up to him and Mrs. Michelle a lot. They helped me in so many ways, they will never even know how much. Now as he has become the senior pastor, I have seen him step up to the plate and lead the Victory Baptist Church like never before. Pastor has not only led the church, but has also helped me to grow spiritually and given me opportunities that I would never have had without him. I am so thankful for a Pastor who will take some time to help me personally. I am thankful for a Pastor who will lead the church in the direction God would have and who will stand up for what is right, even when it is not popular.

Mrs. Michelle has been someone I have looked up to for as long as I've known her. As a pianist, I admire her ability to play and her willingness to serve the Lord with her talents. As a mother, I admire her love for her children and her desire to be the absolute best mother to her 6 kids as she possibly can! As a wife, I admire her love for her husband and her submissive attitude to follow him wherever the Lord leads. As a christian, I admire her passion to serve the Lord and to live within His will. Mrs. Michelle has loved me and taught me so much over the years! For that, I will forever be endebted to her.

Pastor and Mrs. Michelle, happy anniversary! I love y'all and thank God for 'ya! I hope this day is a great one!

Another Quote!

2010-07-20T22:36:00.003-04:00

A quote that I always like to follow up the previous quote with is :
"The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you."

Something that I've heard a million times growing up, but was said once again in Bro. Patrick's message (I believe it was his), God has a unique plan for each and every one of us.

What God has shown you during the spiritual peaks, don't starting doubting in the tough times. God's will for your life is not too hard for you....His grace is ALWAYS sufficient! He will never give us more than we can handle. Just trust Him.

Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

This is just something the Lord has been showing me lately!

Quote

2010-07-20T00:33:00.002-04:00

Quote: "Don't doubt in the night what God gave you in the light."

It's a Boy!!!

2010-07-17T23:45:00.003-04:00

My sister, Mary Firkin, and her husband Rob found out today that they are expecting a little boy! They have already decided on a name....Jude John Lester Firkin! Rob likes the name Jude and John Lester is after a late uncle of his. We are very excited that they will be having a boy! With 2 nieces already, we are ready to have a little boy! My first (of many) nephew! Jude is due December 5th, I believe! Mary and Rob will be moving up to Virginia this next week. Rob has to be there by the 26th of July and Mary will join him a few days later. Please pray for Mary, Rob, and little Jude as they move up to Virginia. They are still trying to figure out where they will be living and many other details.

Amazing Weekend!

2010-07-11T23:57:00.004-04:00

This has been a GrEaT weekend! I had a ton of fun getting to hang out some with the group from West Coast! The Weavers, Jensine, Danae, Katie, and Ashley all were here Saturday night and Sunday morning! It was a lot of fun being able to hang out with them Saturday night at Pastor's house for the luau and then again this morning at church and for lunch afterwards. I had a great time! Jensine and I relived the chronicles of Gus Gus and Company this morning! :) Thank you Pastor for allowing me to come to the luau last night and have lunch with y'all today! I really appreciate it!

Another highlight of the day was on the bus route this morning! We had several first timers come and there were 16 of us in a 15 passenger van! Hopefully we can continue to fill that van so that we can get a bus and fill it up too! Below is a picture of me with a few of the girls from this morning! I am thankful for some of the children that have begun coming faithfully through the summer. Some of these children are going through things that I couldn't even dream of. I hope that you will join me in praying for these children who may not have it as well as we do. Pray for their families that they might come to church and that they might come to know the Lord Jesus as their personal Saviour.

My brother, Benjamin, will join the youth group tomorrow as they journey down to Pensacola Christian College for teen camp! Please pray for Bro. Josh, Mrs. Sarah, and all the teens as they travel down to Florida. Also pray that the Lord will work in all the hearts of the teenagers that attend the camp.

My sister, Rebekah, is in Peru right now. She went down last Wednesday and is coming back this Thursday. Please pray for her safety as well. Travis and Jesse are down there also.

Also, Pastor and his family will be travelling tomorrow as they leave for vacation. Please pray for their safety as well as a relaxing time! They deserve it!

I also wanted to thank Bro. Will and Mrs. Tamara for their 11.5 years of service to Victory Baptist Church in the music department! It's been a lot of fun! They have put in many, many, many hours each week and I appreciate it!

Well, I guess that about sums up my weekend!

WCBC Tour Group

2010-07-08T00:37:00.003-04:00

This Sunday a group from my college, West Coast Baptist College, will be coming to my church to sing and minister! I'm so excited! One of the girls in the group, Jensine, was my suite mate last year! She is so funny! I love her to death! The pianist, Ashley, is an amazing pianist! Her brother is also extremely amazing! He is one of the main pianists at Lancaster Baptist Church! He is pretty much amazing on the piano! The other girls in the group are great too! I love them all! Bro. Weaver will be preaching in the AM service and the girls will be singing! Bro. Weaver is a funny preacher! I love to listen to him preach! Please be praying for all the tour groups as they travel all around the US. Many of them will be traveling back to Lancaster this next week for Leadership Conference. Please pray for the safety of all of the groups and pray that they will be a blessing and that we might be able to be a blessing to them! These students give their whole summer to traveling and being in different churches every night. They sacrifice going home to their families for the summer so that they might be a blessing to us. I appreciate it and hope that I might be able to be a blessing back to them!

New Laptop!

2010-07-04T00:08:00.003-04:00

My parents just bought me a new laptop! It's really nice and although I didn't necessarily need a new laptop, a new one takes care of several problems I had with my old one! It's really nice and I love it! Thanks Dad and Mom!

Nieces!

2010-07-01T23:27:00.003-04:00

Some of the cutest nieces EVER....

Abi Grace Sewell....her first Sunday in church outside of the womb! I can't wait until she comes and visits in a couple of weeks!

Alexis Sarah Burch....a loud, strong, and long little girl! :) Look how tiny yet long she is! She's going to be tall!

Home!

2010-06-30T00:42:00.003-04:00

Rosanna, Jonathan, and Abi are all home and safe! They were able to go home last Wednesdaay night! Praise the Lord! Both Rosanna and Abi are doing well and are no longer sick! My mom will return home this Wednesday!

God is so good to me! I have watched Him provide in really neat ways these past few weeks! In a little over a month I will be returning to West Coast Baptist College to work for a month before beginning school again (for the last time :)! I am excited to see all of my friends again! One of my best friends ever- Adrienne B. - stayed over the summer and so we are both really excited for me to get there!

Thank you to everyone who prayed for Jonathan, Rosanna, and Abi these past couple of weeks! We really appreciate the prayers!

Abi Update

2010-06-18T00:57:00.004-04:00

Abi was air-lifted today to the Covenant Hospital in Saginaw, Michigan. However, Rosanna was not stable enough to leave the first hospital. Jonathan went with Abi and my mom stayed with Rosanna. We have found out that Abi has a slight case of pneumonia as well as an infection in her blood. Praise the Lord, it was caught early enough that she should be fine after several days of antibotics. Please keep both Abi and Rosanna's health in your prayers. Lord-willing their family will be reunited and sent home soon!

Abi Grace Sewell

2010-06-16T12:26:00.003-04:00

Abi Grace Sewell was born this morning at 4:26am to Jonathan and Rosanna Sewell! She is 6lb 11 oz and 18.75" long!

After 20 hours of labor, Rosanna was given a c section. Please pray for Rosanna as she is very tired and weak. Please be in much prayer for Abi. They are concerned about some fluid on her lungs. She is being given an iv and she is also on oxygen. We are praying that the fluid on her lungs will not develop into pneumonia.

Thank you for all your prayers!

Babies!

2010-06-15T22:59:00.005-04:00

Please be in prayer for my sister-in-law. She is in labor right now and has been all day. Her blood pressure has been high and they think she was developing preclampsia, but then at her appt. yesterday it was regular again so they said they would check up on her again Friday before deciding when to induce her. (They needed to induce her due to the preclampsia and high blood pressure.) However, Jonathan took her back to the hospital Monday night. They decided this morning that they would induce her today. So she has been induced and now is in labor. The baby is about a month early. Please be in prayer for Rosanna and the baby. Lord-willing she will be born by morning! Please just pray for the health of Rosanna and the health of the baby.

Also, please be in prayer for my pregnant sister, Mary. She has been real sick the whole pregnancy. She went to the doctor the other day and she has lost 6 lbs since becoming pregnant. She has been unable to keep foods and liquids down and she is 15 wks along. They gave her 2 ivs due to her dehydration and then gave her a shot. She has been feeling a lot better today. Please pray that she will gain weight and that she and the baby will stay healthy.

On a happy note, Alexis is doing great! She is growing a lot...especially length wise. I have a feeling that Lexi will be very tall! She has long arms and legs! She is the cutest baby that has been born thus far! She used to cry ALL the time! When she wasn't sleeping she was crying due to her colic. The past few days, however, it has been so much fun to see and hold Alexis and her not scream! She was even smiling the other day! I just love being with her! She loves me too! I'm her favorite aunt! lol!

Wow! I'm going to be an aunt 3 times over in one year! Mary's baby is due December 5th, I believe! Alexis was born May 10th! The Lord has been so good to us! My mom is in Michigan right now with Jonathan and Rosanna! So for the next two weeks I will be at home babysitting the twins for my mom. They are so cute though! I really love playing with them! They both have great personalities and they both take good, long naps! I could not ask for better kids to babysit!

Update!

2010-06-08T23:56:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday Elisabeth! Today was my sister, Elisabeth's, birthday!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to watch Marley King all day! She was so much fun to play with! She's so cute! I may be able to play with her again on Thursday...we'll see! Then Monday evening I went to a piano recital! It was really cute! All the kids did a really good job as well! No one stopped in the middle of their piece and started crying! That's always a good thing! I've seen that happen way too many times before! It went really well though! Hunter was so cute! When I walked into the auditorium he was handing out the programs and I was asking him if he was playing and he told me he was so nervous and he was going to mess up. I told him he would do great! Then he looked over at me during the person before him and I smiled at him and he just shook his head. Then he went up there and ended that program with a bang! His piece was so cool! Good job Hunter! I also would like to say a good job to Brooke and Malia! Y'all did such a great job! I'm so proud of y'all! Congratulations Mrs. Michelle! Your students did great! It was an amazing performance! You can tell that those kids have a piano teacher that loves them and really wants them to succeed! I love you Mrs. Michelle! Thanks for all you have taught me both on the piano and off!

Today I have been preparing my room to paint it! We had the carpet in my room cleaned on Saturday so I had to move everything out of my room for that so I figured while my room was already empty I would paint it (since my Dad has been saying he would do it since we moved in 5 years ago!) My mom helped me tape my room up! That was a big blessing! Tomorrow I will be able to actually paint it! I am so excited! I am going to paint it the color Cheery! It's like really bright pink color! It's really cute though. Not all pinks are cute, but this one is super cute! :)

I was able to talk to some of my bus girls from Lancaster today! They are so sweet! Shevette is a girl who is actually older than all of us workers on the bus probably. I think she is like 26 years old actually. I love her to death. She started coming on the bus a while ago and now she comes faithfully. She also faithfully comes to the Sunday night service and the Wednesday night service. She started out coming to the other services with some other girls from the bus, but they never come anymore and yet there is never a Sunday night or Wednesday night that I don't see Shevette sitting in the service. Shevette is also going through a discipleship course. She wants to attend West Coast Baptist College! It's so amazing to see what God can do with those that the world would say would never get anywhere in life. Sometimes even we as Chrisitans can look at people and think that there is no hope, but God wants to use the weaker things in life. It is not until we see our need for God that He will actually use us. I'm so proud of Shevette! I was texting her earlier and then another one of my bus girls, Janie, and her sent me this video where they sang "We miss you, hope to see you soon. We love you!" It was so sweet! It made my whole day! I'm so glad that I can invest my life in girls like Shevette and all the other girls from both my bus routes in Lancaster and here in Loganville as well as my bus class there and my 7th-9th grade girls here. God is so good to allow our church to be able to run buses to pick up these precious children who need Jesus! We never know what God can and will do through these kids because of the time, money and love we have invested in them!

Well, I can't wait for church again tomorrow night!

Seeking Employment

2010-05-28T23:39:00.003-04:00

Right now I am looking for a job for the summer. If anyone has heard of one please let me know. I can't work at all Sundays or Wednesday nights, but other than that I have open availability! :) Thank you in advance for any help I can get!

Meet Baby Lexi

2010-05-22T19:36:00.015-04:00

I'm not sure why the pictures and captions are not going in the right spot, but here are some pictures of Baby Lexi! She is the cutest baby ever! She really is adorable though! These pictures are not in any order.

This is Lexi right after she was born at the hospital!

This is Lexi with her Papa!

Mom and Dad and Baby!

Lexi is taking a much needed nap after her first big day at church!

This is Lexi when she does not want to be put in her car seat! lol!

Here she is in her care seat (obviously) a little bit happier than above picture

Lexi with her mommy! She loves being held by mommy!

Just lookin' cute!

Lexi and me at her first doctor's visit.

Angelic!

Alexis Sarah Burch, Etc.!

2010-05-17T23:07:00.006-04:00

Alexis Sarah Burch - born on May 10, 2010 at 5:40 am
At birth: 6 lb 11 oz; 19.75 in. long

My beautriful niece was born one week ago today! She is so gorgeous! I love her to death! Praise the Lord, there were no complications at birth. The delivery went well! The baby and mom are doing great! Elisabeth is up and around. Lexi (Alexis goes by either Lexi or Alexis) was able to go to church for the first time this past Sunday! She is just a tiny little thing! On Thursday she weighed only 6 lb 5 oz. I love to hold her and talk to her! We had some good aunt - niece bonding time this past Saturday night! Congratulations Emory and Elisabeth!

Well, I am home for the summer! I am looking for a job or two right now! This will be my last summer before I graduate from college. Only one more year left of school. Have I ever mentioned how much I love West Coast Baptist College?!? I have learned so much there. I have seen so many different angles to ministry. I have met some of my best friends ever there! Jenn S., I'm gonna miss you! Jacqi S., you too! I have learned a lot from my friends! You know, having godly friends who encourage you to do right and encourage you in the Lord is so important. I don't know what I would do without some of my friends! Thank you Lord for giving me some of the best friends I could ever ask for!

I am going to post some pictures soon of little Lexi! Here are some pictures from the end of college though!

This is a picture of 2 of my roomates with me at my Surprise B'day Party! Melissa, Me, and Heidi!

This is a picture of Mrs. Sisk and me! I took Missionary's Wife with Mrs. Sisk this semester and have had the privilege to spend some time with Mrs. Sisk after class each Tuesday and Thursday before chapel. I have fallen in love with Mrs. Sisk! She is a hero of mine and I love and respect her dearly!

This is Jenn, Mrs. Weaver, and me! I love and respect Mrs. Weaver a ton! She has a job that no one wants! She loves and prays for us girls like she was our mom! I love you Mrs. Weaver!

Megan, Jenn, and me! This is a picture at Sadie Hawkins! Megan and her boyfriend were dressed up as Woody and the sheperd girl off of Toy Story. (That explains Megan's outfit! :)

This is Jenn and me at Sadies! Jenn has become one of my best friends and I am going to miss her a TON as she will finish up online this year and will come back to graduate next May with me! I love 'ya a ton Jenn! (beavior modification...amen?!? Shhhh....)

This is Megan and me in the back and then Melissa and Jenn in the front. This is at Chipotle! They kidnapped me after bus class on my birthday and we went there! (I'm still a little disappointed we didn't go to Jimmy's or whatever it was called! lol!)

Speaking of bus class, I miss my girls! I was thinking about them yesterday and wishing I could be there! I hope and pray so much that they have a great teacher that will love them! I wish I had been a better teacher. I know I could have done a better job, but I do love those girls and I miss them a ton!

2 Weeks

2010-04-29T23:53:00.002-04:00

Please pray for my sister, Elisabeth Burch, and her husband, Emory, and my nephew/niece. The baby is due May 10th, but they think that the baby will come a week early. I'm hoping for the baby to come a day early! :) May 9th is just the best day of the year as well as Mother's Day! I can't think of a better Mother's Day present than your first child! Please pray that the delivery will go smoothly and that Elisabeth and the baby will stay healthy! And pray for Emory too! :)

In two weeks from yesterday I will be home! I will arrive home around midnight on May 12th, well I guess that would make it May 13th! The last day of classes is Monday and then we have finals all next week. Please pray for all the graduates that will be receiving their diplomas and then walking off this campus to go into ministry! That's an exciting thought!

One prayer request is that I will find out what I am going to do this summer. Please pray that I will find a job so that I can save some money to pay for my school bill next semester (and all the baby clothes I have been buying - for super cheap prices of course:)!

Well, don't forget to pray for my sister and niece/nephew! I really appreciate it! Have a great weekend in ministry! :)

Oh yeah...two of my bus girls that were saved on Big Day are planning on coming with their family to church this Sunday night to get baptized. Please pray this works out! We have a lot of following up to do! Over the two days of bussing them in we saw 1600 kids come and over 200 salvations! Praise the Lord for all He did! It was a great weekend!

Bus Them In Day!

2010-04-10T19:40:00.002-04:00

33 days 'til I get to come home! I know the countdown due to all of the seniors on my hall!

So next weekend is Big Day/Bus Them In Day/Community Appreciation Day! Whatever you want to call it, it is one of the most exciting days of the year! Well will see hundreds if not over 1,000 kids come to church on the buses in a matter of 2 days! Children will have the opportunity to hear the Gospel in clear fashion. Lord-willing, many will be saved! I'm so excited to see what will happen on my bus route. I'm not sure, we may have to break the route up into two routes for this Sunday. We did last year. It was pretty exciting though! There's nothing quite like the bus ministry! I absolutely love it!

Sometimes I really don't look forward to going soul-winning, but actually it is the funnest thing! It's once I am out knocking on doors that it becomes exciting and I am so glad that I am out there. I can easily become complacent with just visiting my bus kids, but that's not the Great Commission and I am the one missing out when I don't go door to door as they did in Acts and tell people about what Christ did for me and what He can do for them as well! I would encourage everyone to just try it! It's so much fun to serve the Lord! Share your faith with others! God will bless you for it! It's a blessing to still be able to it openly here in America and we should use the freedoms we have while we still have them! In other countries they cannot go door to door or they would be thrown in prison. God has put us in America and we need to do all we can to shine the Light where we are!

Please pray for Elisabeth Burch as she is less than a month away from having my nephew/niece! Please pray that she and the baby will continue to be healthy and that the delivery will go smoothly! Also, Roseanna Sewell is about 3 months away from having my niece! Please pray for here as well! Thanks!

Youth Conference was this last Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday! It was so amazing. There were thousands (yes, thousands) of teenagers from all over this country and several foreign countries in the auditorium of Lancaster Baptist Church this past week! It was amazing! Pastor Kurt Skelly, Bro. Kenny Baldwin, Bro. Larry Chappell (as he recovers from chemo), Dr. Goetsch, and Pastor Paul Chappell all did an amazing job of preaching for this conference! Bro. Kenny Baldwin did an amazing job Thursday night!! I would encourage everyone who did not see it to go to www.wcbc.edu and watch it. They have everything recorded and online. You can download it to your computer or ipod and listen to it! The preaching was phenomenal! Pastor Kurt Skelly also did some amazing preaching! Pastor Chappell finished the conference really strong as well with hundreds of teenagers making decisions for Christ. Please pray for the teenagers that came that they will keep the decisions they made this week as they go back to their homes. That's the hard part!

Half Way There!

2010-03-14T00:07:00.002-05:00

Well, midterms are over! Finally! Now, it is Spring Vacation! One week of no classes! I get the privilege to stay here! I'm hoping to get some projects done this week...we'll see though. None of my roommates are leaving and so they are planning on doing all these "fun" things and I would just rather do some reading. (I've been told reading is fun and I don't do enough of it!) I am hoping though that one day my roommates and maybe Courtney can go to Chick-fil-a...we'll have to get a pass and make a morning of it because the closest one is in Moreno Valley or something. I don't know, Courtney knows where it is. I just want to go and eat some Chick-Fil-A! I miss it so much!

Well, I am in tennis shoes right now. The podiatrist thinks that I tore some of the tissue in my left foot and so he wants me to tape some of my toes together and wear tennis shoes for a month in hopes that it will heal on its own. If it doesn't then I will probably have to have surgery. I am praying that surgery won't be necessary, so I'm trying to take good care of it! Hopefully, it will heal!

Bus class is going well! My bus route is going well! Everything is so exciting! This week in chapel, the messages have been really good! 3 pastors in the past week, week and a half have preached from Revelation 2 on "Leaving Your First Love". Pastor Chappell preached a tremendous message on it Wednesday. 2 others pastors have preached on it as well! One thing that has stuck with me is the fact that if we would remember what God has saved us from, we probably wouldn't leave our first love. I have been so privileged to grow up in a great family. I have been in church every time the doors are open, but what if I came from a family that did not love the Lord? Would I still be in church? Would I be in Bible college? What if my parents were alcoholic? Would I even be saved? God has blessed me so much! We truly serve an amazing God!

I was reading Chris Waye's blog! I am so proud of him and his wife and kids! I am so excited for them! I am praying for them and excited to hear about how things go there in Peru! Well, the computer lab is closing so I need to go! Have a great weekend of ministry!

By His Spirit

2010-02-06T23:41:00.003-05:00

"Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." Zechariah 4:6

"By His Spirit" is the theme for Lancaster Baptist Church this year! What a great theme though! Everything we do needs to be by His Spirit and not by our own power. With God all things are possible and God can do way more with His Spirit than we can do in our strength. The Winter Revival with Dr. Goetsch was January 24-27 and it was amazing! I really enjoy hearing Dr. Goetsch preach. He knows how to preach and really hit home. He is an amazing preacher.

My bus class with 2nd-3rd grade girls has been going well so far! I really love those girls and I am going to love this semester with them. It will be my last with them and I am praying that with God's Spirit it will be an amazing semester! The new curriculum is AWESOME! It was written by Bro. Christison and Mrs. Chappell and it is something I will be able to use again and again in any ministry I am ever in with children! I am extremely thankful for it!

Classes are going well! I am starting to take a lot of teaching classes now that I am down to only 2 semesters left here at West Coast Baptist College! I am really hoping to seize the time I have left here because I see the day quickly approaching when I will be done with college! It's crazy that I have already been here 3 years! Wow, time flies!

Wow! God is so good to me! I'm not even sure why, but I am praying for a great semester! I am wanting to be more in His Word and in His presence in prayer this semester than ever before. Dr. Beckum (spelling?) preached an amazing message on prayer in chapel the other day. I am going to get and listen to it over and over again. We can always improve on our prayer life and I definitely want to. It will be totally worth it! God loves to hear His children speak to Him and no one does it enough, but I certainly don't and I want to be more of a prayer warrior. There are some men and women who can be called prayer warriors and I always think of Tom Williams as this. What an awesome example of someone who spends time with Him in prayer!

A thought that I continually think of that Pastor said in one of his sermons before I came back to school was, "I want to be more concerned with walking with God than doing something great for God." So many times you think of how you just want to do great things for God. But this can set you up for failure. If you are more concerned about having a great and thriving relationship and walk with God, then you will be in the center of God's perfect will for your life. You will be doing great things for God, even if man wouldn't look at it and think of all the "great" things you are doing, God will be glorified and He will bless you for being in His perfect will.

Being God's child is about the best thing I could ever be! I am so glad that God loves me even though I am so unloveable at times. God loves me even when I have messed up! God loves me when no one else does and I am so thankful for a God that loves me enough to die for me! Thank you, Lord! What a friend I have in Jesus!

Tomorrow is Friend Day at church! I am so excited, almost all of my co-workers are coming and two of them I know are unsaved! I am praying that God will show them their need for the Best Friend one could ever have!

Christmas & New Years!

2010-01-08T23:25:00.002-05:00

Wow! This Christmas break has come and gone! It seems like it has whizzed by...maybe because I have been sitting on the couch with my foot up in the air the whole time! hehe! On Christmas Eve as we were headed to bed, my sister, Mary, and I were playing around and I ended up on the floor with my foot in pain! I went to bed with a lot of pain and still was unable to put any pressure on it all day Christmas. I hopped around like a little frog! hehe! The day after Christmas I went to the doctors as it had bruised really bad and became extremely swollen. The doctor gave me crutches and told me not to put any pressure on it. Well, this past Thursday marked 2 weeks and it was still very purple and swollen so I returned back to the doctor. They still say that it is not broken, just sprained. They gave me a big 'ol honkin' boot to wear! hehe! They say that with this boot I will be able to walk on it. My dad says it is my very own Japanese Army Boot! I'm not sure what a Japanese Army Boot is, but I have my very own now! hehe! Lord-willing my foot will be all better by this next Saturday as I will be returning to school on Saturday, January 16th.

So who can believe it is already 2010?!? Not me! That's crazy! I feel so old! This year I will turn 21. When I was a kid I thought you were old at 16. 21 is like WaY old! Every time I return home after being away from college and I see all the kids that have grown leaps and bounds while I have been away, I am reminded just of how old I am! My sister will have her baby in May and my brother will have his baby in July! Wow! I am going to become an aunt two fold! God is so good to me! I can't wait to be an aunt. I hope I will be able to see Jonathan and Roseanna and their baby! I hope I will be able to meet Roseanna soon!

Today I was able to meet with my Pastor, finally! hehe! I have the absolute best pastor in the whole world! Thank you Pastor for taking some time and talking with me! Thank you for your advice!

So this Christmas was great! We are so blessed! What other god died, but rose again and is alive today? None! Our God is the only true God and I am so thankful that He was born and came to this earth so many years ago. I am so glad that He stayed in the Father's will and died on the cross and then rose again 3 days later! What if He had not stayed in the Father's will? We would have no hope. How important it was for Him to stay in the Father's will and how important it is for us to stay in the Father's will. I know that right now I am praying that God will show me His will in so many different areas of my life, but you know, it's not just a long-term thing. God has a perfect will for me today and one for me tomorrow. I need to make sure that daily I am living in the Father's will. What would God have for me to do today?

Well, I hope your Christmas and New Years was as wonderful as mine was! As one of my college teachers would always say, "Have a great ministry-filled weekend!"

Christmas...1 Week Away!

2009-12-19T00:17:00.003-05:00

Wow! School ended great! I had to say goodbye to several people...Ashley Stevens (my roommate), Jacqi Sasek (my x-roommate), Bek Hassel (my x-suite mate who is getting married Jan. 23), and Alicia Monteith (who has been on my bus for the past year and a half) all graduated this semester. So, it was very sad to say goodbye to them. Who knows what my room will be like next semester without Ashley...probably a little less painful! ;) Well, finals went well...there was only one I am a little worried about. Other than that, I think they all went well! My last bus class with my girls went great! We had a Chrsitmas party with Hot Chocolate, cookies, and candy canes! It was a blast! I'm going to miss teaching my bus class during the break! Those girls are super special to me and I am praying for them!

So, Christmas is here and I have only bought presents for about 1/2 of my family! Praise the Lord for the babysitting job I got tonight...now I can go buy presents for the other half of my family! lol!

God has been so good to me and He has proved Himself over and over this semester in the area of finances. God has provided just the right amount of money every single time I have needed it and I was able to pay off this whole semester by myself! Praise the Lord! I told God that I would never be able to doubt Him in the future when maybe it is more serious becasue of the lessons I learned while I was in college and the way God has proved Himself now! I am so thankful that my God is the only God and that He is my Provider!

So a thought from my devotions this morning that I have read a million and 1/2 times, but it really spoke to me today...it is from Proverbs 18...one of the verses is talking about with the right spirit you can make it through your infirmities and God can sustain you, but only if your spirit is right. And how true that is, with the right spirit, hard things can become liveable and can not seem as much of a burden. When your spirit is wrong, the hard things become harder and the unbearable really is unbearable. When your in the midst of a trial and you have the right spirit, life can become so much more enjoyable and you can learn so much more. If you have a bad attitude in the midst of a trial tragedy truly is tragedy and you don't learn anything because you are mad at the world. I don't know if this makes any sense, but there are several people who come to mind who had a good attitude in the midst of a trial! Praise God for those people! I hope this made sense to you...it makes sense in my mind, not sure about how it came out, but I understand it anyway! lol!

Well, I can't wait for the morning when I will be able to go visit my bus kids from here! I miss them while I am at college and can't wait to see them again! Also, the Christmas program is tomorrow night at church! Bro. Will wants me to play the violin even though I have never even looked at the music and there are no more practices! lol! It makes me laugh! I hope I don't embarass him or myself! lol!

Thanksgiving Update

2009-11-27T23:38:00.002-05:00

Wow! Only 1.5 weeks left of classes! Then just 1 week of finals! December 15th marks the day of departure from Lancaster, CA and December 16, 2009 marks the day of arrival to Atlanta, GA and eventually Grayson, GA and Loganville, GA! YAY! I just have 2 more projects to do in the next week! Hehe! It shouldn't be too bad though...I have them started!

Thanksgiving was so much fun!!! I went to Anthony Stafford's house. He is my bus captain. I went to his house last year as well! It was a ton of fun! That night we played a game called Signs!It's so much fun! This is definitely a game I will have to teach the youth group at home! It's so much fun and really funny to watch!

Well, now I have just a little bit left to do before coming home! God has been so good this semester! I have seen and learned a lot! God has showed me a lot about faith! Ain't God good?!?

Update!

2009-11-02T22:06:00.003-05:00

It's been a long time since I've updated! So here it goes...

Alicia has been coming pretty faithfully, but now has some problems that she has to deal with. Please keep her in your prayers along with her boyfriend who just got out of the hospital and her son.

Midterms were 2 weeks ago. I did well on them. My grades after midterms were all A's with one B+, maybe 2 of them, I can't remember! (6 weeks left of school!)

Missions Conference was last week!!! That was AMAZING!! I love the missions conferences here at Lancaster Baptist Church! Chad and Linda Phillips were here! That was pretty neat! I got to hang out with them and their children some!! They are such a blessing! It's wierd, you set out to be a blessing to someone and they end up being way more of a blessing to you! Anyways, all of Missions Conference was great! The preaching was outstanding! Dr. Kim, Dr. Sisk, Bro. Lancaster were some of the speakers and it was a GrEaT week! God really spoke to my heart about giving more to missions. We call it faith promise giving...faith is believing what you cannot see. So, unless you cannot figure where the money will come from, then you are not giving by faith.

My bus class has been doing great! We had 57 kids one week! It was absolutely crazy! We learned about missions for a couple weeks in there and now we are back on David. This past week there was a really great spirit in the class! It was a really great week!

Route 4 has been doing really good as well! A short testimony...this past Sunday morning we had picked up several kids at our apartment complex and were waiting at the front of the complex for the bus to come back and pick us up when a lady saw all of us out there and came up to me. She was asking what church we were from and what time are our services and if we had nurseries and a bunch of questions like that. When we told here we were with Lancaster Baptist Church she said, "Oh, y'all left a brochure on my door at Easter. I didn't think too much of it then, but I've been going through some hard times and I want to go to church now and I remembered that brochure." She said that she wants to come to church this next week. I gave her my number and I am going to go visit her this Saturday. Her name is Jacquelyn. Please pray that as I go follow up on her she might get saved and then baptized and she might join the church! It was just an encouragement because it shows you that even when no one is home and you just leave a track on someone's door that it is not in vain. God promises that His Word will not return void and it is so true! Also, it's an encouragement because for her to come up and ask us those questions it means that she's seen us around every week and she knows who we are and we are having a good testimony for the Lord in that area! Praise God!

I would like to ask that you pray for two of my friends who are going through some stuggles with their health. One of my roommates and one of my workers in my bus class. Please just keep them in your prayers.

Well, I have homework to go do. That is about it for now. Oh yeah, College Days is at the end of this week!

Amazing Open House Sunday

2009-10-12T00:25:00.003-04:00

Last night when I went out soul-winning I ran into a girl named Alicia W. who used to ride the bus to church when she was younger. Now she is 19 and the mother of a 1 year old son Tykeam. Her boyfriend is in the hospital. She wanted so much to come to church today, but needed a ride. It took a little bit of work to find people to get her and take her home, but it all worked out! She came this morning and then came again tonight! She has a clear testimony of salvation, and is ready to start living for the Lord. She wants to do right, but she doesn't know what "right" is. Please pray that we will be able to get her into the discipleship program and into church. She has a sweet spirit and a moldable heart. Please pray for Alicia.

I was able to have visitors in both services and it was an AMAZING day in church, bus, and bus class! Praise God for what all happened here at Lancaster Baptist Church today!

Open House Sunday

2009-10-10T23:09:00.004-04:00

Looking forward to a great day tomorrow! Tomorrow is Open House Sunday and I am having several guests come! I am excited and hope to see some of them walk the aisle and get saved! I'm praying about it anyway! I have lots to do to get ready for bus and bus class in the morning! Excited about tomorrow!!!

Amazing Weekend!

2009-10-04T23:31:00.004-04:00

Saturday was a good day...I got a lot of homework done and will need to go finish up some questions tonight for tomorrow for Baptist History. Today was an AMAZING day on the bus and in my bus class!!! The spirit on the bus was great! It was Round-Up Sunday so we were all in jean skirts and plaid shirts with cowboy hats and bandanas! It's always a fun day to dress up! When you drive on the campus there are people on horses jsut walking around the campus everywhere! The kids love it! Anthony somehow had connections and someone allowed us to borrow their horse for all of the kids to get a picture with the horse! It was a lot of fun for the kids! Then bus class was really great too! Last week the class was a little rowdy and the lesson was not there I didn't feel, but this week it was amazing! The kids were quiet and listening! Good thing since the lesson was on listening and obeying...it was about Samuel when God was calling him, but he thought that it was Eli talking to him. I was able to then lead it to the plan of salvation! By the way if you are ever looking for a good object lesson take a black sharpie (permanent marker- make sure the kids know that it will not come off a white board). Then color the heart in all black (our hearts are black with sin). Then if you take a red marker (Jesus' blood) and apply it over the black heart, the sharpie will come off and the kids will see how Jesus' blood can wash our sins away and make our hearts as pure as snow!

Anyways, the class was GREAT and 4 girls were saved and 1 girl reassured of her salvation! It was an amaing day! Church tonight was great as well! Now, off to do Baptist History questions. The book "Glorious Church" by Mike Gass is a really good one! You should read it!

P.S. Jacqi Sasek is cool!

Baby Burch

2009-09-29T22:31:00.004-04:00

So my sister, Elisabeth Burch, is now 8 weeks pregnant with the cutest baby ever! Congratulations Emory and Elisabeth! Here's a picture of the baby so you will know just how cute my niece/nephew is!!!!

I'm so excited! The baby is due May 10, 2010. However, I'm pretty positive that it will be born a day early on May 9, 2010...my 21st birthday, which will also double as Mother's Day!!!! I can't wait for the day! I already told Emory that the baby will address me as Aunt Rae Rae before it ever says Da Da! lol! Well, congratulations once again Emory and Elisabeth! And Elisabeth, take care of my niece/nephew, ok! lol!

Update

2009-09-28T22:22:00.004-04:00

So...I haven't updated in a long time. Sorry. I just haven't had time. So last weekend was great! 4 were saved in bus class! Praise the Lord! And then this weekend we had another great day for bus and bus class. It was Hawaiian Sunday on the bus and that was fun...except we were given special permission to wear jean skirts and I was not informed so I was in heels and a dress and everyone else had on a jean skirt and a cute shirt! Oh well, I liked my dress and it was a Hawaiian looking dress! We had a great day at my stop...there were 15 kids (just at my one stop)!!! YAY! We had several new kids come! YAY! Anyways, that was exciting! The kids in my bus class were a little more routy this week than the past couple of weeks, but it was good. One of my workers started to pass out while she was doing the verse for the class....that was interesting. She was dehydrated. It turned out ok though, we just sat her down and I went and took control back over the class and the other workers helped her...they got her water and she was much better. (It is extremely hot here now....if you don't drink a lot of water and liquids, you are going to pass out...the air is dry and very, very hot!) So I pass out these fliers to every child as they come in the class every week and they fill them out as everyone is coming in and settling down. It is a sheet where they put prayer requests at the top and blessings at the bottom. It is so humbling at the end of the day to read them. Last night I wept as I prayed over each one I had. Two of the girls were praying for their dad to get out of jail and there were some other requests that just broke my heart. Sometimes you just don't realize what these kids go through during the week. We have them for an hour every week and God has given me the responsibility and blessing of being their teacher. I don't know why God chose me for this position, but I am praying that God will help me do a good job teaching these kids about Christ and how much He loves them! I was given a roster and maps to each of the girls' houses this past weekend during a training for the teachers and I am wanting to go visit them. One of my workers said that she is going to be getting a car this coming up weekend so hopefully then I will have a ride and will be better able to visit them in their home and meet their parents. I hope that I will be able to reach their parents and families as well! Please pray for these girls and pray for me as I try my best with God's help to minister to them because God has burdened my heart for them. I hope my workers will catch that burden as well! I believe some of them are!

School is going well...it's starting to get really busy. I'm working a lot more as well. I appreciate all the prayers I can get!! Educator's Conference is this weekend!

What a Weekend!!!!

2009-09-14T22:12:00.003-04:00

God was sooo good this weekend...but then again, isn't He always good?!?

So Saturday I went out soulwinning and bus calling. Our goal was to knock all the doors in the apartment complex where we pick up our bus kids. We didn't finish the complex, but after several hours of knocking on doors, we had 13 kids sign up for the bus (some will come for the first time next week) and we had talked with several people about their salvation. We didn't see anyone saved there, but we have some good prospects to go back and visit! There was this one man who when we knocked on his door he came out but up at his balcony. We could tell that we had just woke him up when I asked him how he was and he said "Not good!" I just said, "Sorry for waking you up, we are from Lancaster Baptist Church. Can I just leave this on the door?" He then goes, "Oh, you're from Lancaster Baptist. Oh. We thought y'all were Mormons. Are y'all the ones that takes the kids on the bus. We just moved in a while ago and we have 2 daughters that really want to ride the bus to church." Those 2 girls ended up riding the bus Sunday! It was amazing! There were several people yesterday who asked us if we were from the bus and could take their kids! It's funny, everyone in those apartments always knows who we are! Anyways, it was a great day out door knocking!

The rest of Saturday I just basically prepared for bus Sunday morning, but mostly bus class Sunday afternoon! Sunday night I enjoyed praying with Beka T. for Sunday!

Then Sunday rolled around and we had several of the kids whos aid they would come actually come on the bus! Total on the bus I think we had 68 kids! Then instead of riding the bus to take the kdis home I went to SS and then the 11:00 church service because my boss, co-worker, and 2 kids come to the service! That was really good! I think they are going to start coming and they said they want to get into the SS program as well! It will be really good if they will! I am praying for my boss' husband to come...he has some ill feelings toward church as he has been hurt by a church before. I'm praying though that he will come just once and see what it is like. Pastor Chappell is preaching an amazing series on Sunday mornings called Times Are Changing . I know a couple weeks ago he said that for every minute of preaching he had about an hour of study put into the message! Needless to say, he has really studied this series and it is great. Next weeks message will be especially great for lost people. I hope to have people in the service.

Anyway, after the service I went to my bus class. We had a couple discipline issues...long story short, one of the security guys and I were playing hide and go seek with one of the girls in the balcony :/ But, God got the glory when several girls raised their hands after the lesson and 2 girls were saved!!! Praise the Lord!

The Sunday evening message was great as well! Anyways, it was a great weekend of ministry!

Just a few minutes ago when I checked my email someone emailed me and is sending me a love offering for my school bill! Praise the Lord! God is so good! Thank you Lord!

Praise the Lord

2009-09-11T22:50:00.003-04:00

Gus Gus is DEAD!!!!!!!!

He made the mistake of running across the laundry room floor last night while I was doing my laundry. So my roommates and I (well, I watched anyway!) set up a trap in the laundry room and when I went to get my laundry out of the dryer this morning, he was dead!!!! His head was caught in the trap and the trap flipped him upside down. You could see his body with his legs sticking straight up in the air and his long tail lying on the floor. It was really gross. I screamed when I saw it and then made my roommate get my laundry out of the dryer. Later this morning my roommate got the courage to pick it up with the trash bag and throw him away. Unfortunately, the mistake was made and he was thrown in the garbage inside and he started stinking later on!! My roommate took a picture of him before he was thrown away, but for your sake I am not going to post it! This is the price of a growing church and college. (There is construction going on beside our dorm and that is why there is mice in the dorm.)

Well, on a brighter note, I am super excited about bus class this Sunday! I am getting everything ready and can't wait to see how it will go! I will be speaking from Genesis 43. I'm also excited about my bus route! Wet and Wash Sunday on my bus route! Tomorrow I will get the opportunity to hit a lot of new doors for bus route and visit some of my bus kids and hopefully very soon (like later tonight or tomorrow) I will get a roster for my bus class and I can start visiting my girls! I'm excited!

Well, I hope everyone's weekend starts off as great as mine is! By the way, today is Kacie B.'s 19th birthday! Happy birthday Kacie!

Chapel was really good today! Dr. Goetsch preached/spoke a speech about 9/11. It was good! I love America by the way!

The Return

2009-09-10T22:23:00.002-04:00

To sum up last night and all day today...

Gus Gus is back.

Hopefully soon and very soon I will be able to report his death!

(In case you didn't read my earlier posts, Gus Gus is a mouse!)

New Email and Weekend Update

2009-09-07T18:39:00.002-04:00

My school email has changed. My new email is now rachel.sewell@students.wcbc.edu. If you send something to my other West Coast address I will only get it this semester. Starting next semester I will only get email to this address.

Bus went really well yesterday. There were like 25 workers :) and 70 kids! It was good! I was able to lead a little boy named Kenneth to the Lord on the way home! Praise the Lord!

Bus class went well! I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was able to teach and everything! I have 4 or 5 other girls who will be helping me! It should be a good year! I'm super excited about it!

Classes started today! I have lots of projects to go get started on! Labor Day so I don't have to go to work today! YAY!

Hope everyone has a great Labor Day!

West Coast Baptist College

2009-09-06T00:06:00.002-04:00

Well, I made it to college safely! I have 3 great roommates. 2 of them are extremely crazy! We have a good room. We actually do have a 5th roommate. Or he was a roommate for a while, I think he is back. We saw him this morning. His name is Gus Gus and he is a mouse. If he gets in my line of sight one more time, he will be dead meat! Actually, I will probably just scream and start climbing something again!!!

I am taking 16 credits, which is less than I have been taking so hopefully it won't be too hard and overwhelming like before. I have started my job back at AV Christian Academy. I am teaching 4 and 5 year olds Bible and Art.

They would not let me have bus as my ministry again so I will be the head teacher for the 2nd and 3rd grade girls bus class on Sunday afternoons. Please pray that I will do a good joh. I have never been a head teacher for a class before and am a little nervous. Please pray that I honor God and do a good job. It worked out that I can still ride my bus though on Sunday mornings so I am extremely excited for tomorrow when I can get back on my bus and see all the kids again and also start teaching my bus class! Route 4 is the best bus!

Well, I must go. Oh, EXCITING news! The McDonalds' here in CA are now selling Sweet Tea! I know, I am so excited! The large Sweet Tea for $1! Before, you could never find anywhere with Sweet Tea around here, but now I can get it at McDonalds! I know this may not sound exciting to y'all who have Sweet Tea everywhere, but I am definitely excited about my Sweet Tea!

Sunday Update

2009-08-30T23:19:00.006-04:00

PRAISE THE LORD! 4 children were saved at the Vacation Bible School in Timisoara, Romania this week! 2 boys and 2 girls! God is so good! Now it has only started. Please pray for the Timisoara Independent Baptist Church as they start a weekly kids program...Clubul Copiilor Crestini (Christian Kids Club)! Pray that many of the children from VBS will come to church and that they will bring their parents and family as well!

Had a great day in church today! Pastor preached a great message this morning on salvation! This evening Bro. Wayne preached a great message on fear. How many times have I not given out a track or not used my talents or not obeyed the Lord because of fear? Fear is something everyone of us has and needs to deal with.

I am going to go finish packing. I leave for So Cal (Southern California) in the morning. I should arrive on the campus of West Coast Baptist College around 2 or 3 tomorrow CA time (5 or 6 GA time). Can't wait to see all my friends again! Can't wait to find out who my roommates will be - a little nervous about that part - praying about it though! I'm super excited to be going back though. Sad about leaving, but excited to see everyone again! Adrienne, Courtney...thanks for all your help! I'll see y'all tomorrow!!!

By the way, have I ever said that VICTORY BAPTIST CHURCH is the best church in the world?!? Because it is! Have I ever said that Pastor Lawrence and Mrs. Michelle is the best pastor and wife in the world?!? Because they are! Thank you Pastor and church for all your financial support and prayer support in sending me to Romania and supporting me at my college! Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me and to everyone who has come up to me and encouraged me! Y'all are the best! I love my church to death!!! Couldn't imagine not being a member at VBC at this point in my life!!

Thank You!

2009-08-28T00:34:00.005-04:00

I want to thank Bro. and Mrs. Tyler so much for all of their kindness and hospitality while I stayed with them for three weeks. The Tylers have been a great example to me of godly servants. They have both worked really hard getting things ready for Vacation Bible School and I have been able to see how they labor together as a couple and as a family with their children for the work of the Lord. I am praying that the Lord will continue to bless the Tylers as they serve the Lord with their whole hearts in Romania! Happy 25th anniversary (a little late)! I'm praying for y'all and the Timisoara Independent Baptist Church! Thanks for everything! Bethany and Camy, I miss y'all! I still owe you water on your head Bethany! I can't wait to see y'all again!

Wow! What a great start to VBS with 68 kids on Sunday! Up to 90 on Wednesday! I'm praying for 101 by Friday night! I'm praying even harder that God will work in the hearts of the children and the parents and that He will be uplifted and glorified for everything that happens!

Home Safely!

2009-08-26T23:35:00.005-04:00

Well, Monday was my last day in Romania. Once we left the house we dropped the girls off at the Toteran's and then Bro. and Mrs. Tyler and I made the trek to Budapest, Hungary. It was really hard to say goodbye to everyone. I didn't want to leave! I'm glad I got to come home before college, but I didn't want to leave Romania. I'm praying that I will get to go back one day!

Anyway, Monday evening I stepped on a plane and flew from Budapest to Paris. In Paris I tried to sleep during my 11 hour layover...it wasn't too bad, but those chairs were not very condusive to sleeping! :) Then I hopped onto another plane and flew to Atlanta. I got home around 4:00pm GA time.

So I had one of those “Jesus really loves me!” moments Monday. Well, let’s just say that someone was not wanting me to get on that plane in Budapest. When we left the house and were driving to the church, where we had to stop before we went to the airport, we were in a wreck. Some guy was trying to pass us and whip around us and when he did he lost control and hit his brakes twice. We hit him the second time. He readily admitted that it was his fault, praise the Lord. The damage was not as bad as it could be, but please pray that everything will work out with both sets of insurances and the Tylers will be able to get their van fixed at no cost for them. Anyways, that was just the start of it. There were several things that happened that day. Well, when we finally got up to the ticket counter at the airport the man said that the economy class was full, but because I had a connecting flight in Paris I had to be on that flight so he just moved me to business class. I’m told that business class is not first class, but if it’s not then this flight did not have first class…their business class was their first class. It was really nice. I was in the second row. My seat was an aisle seat. I was hoping to have a window seat, but I was just glad to be up there. Then, no one sat beside me! I had the whole row (2 nice big seats) to myself! So I was able to sit by the window! As soon as I sat down there was a lady offering me Orange Juice or Water. The whole flight they just kept coming up to me and asking me if I wanted something! I had 4 glasses of OJ. They just kept bringing it to me and I haven’t had OJ like the whole trip (with the exception of 1 week) so I was thankful! There was a snack and then there was dinner. The dinner was so good. It was rice and the best carrots I’ve had in a long time, bread, and asparagus wrapped in fish with this really good sauce! It was so nice! Oh yeah, and a piece of cake! Then the flight attendant walked by me as I was taking my last couple bites of bread and asked if I wanted more bread. I was like, “Sure, why not!” So she brought out 2 pieces, the more healthy kind and another piece. I picked one up and she said, “No, take them both!” It was so nice! And the scenery outside was really nice! It was like the coolest flight. Then after dinner I just curled up under my blanket and went to sleep for the last 45 minutes! Then I landed in Paris! The whole flight everytime they would do something really kind all I could say to myself was “Jesus really loves me!” Anyways, that was one of my “Jesus really loves me!” moments. Thought I would share.

I was able to go to my church tonight, Victory Baptist Church! It's the best church ever! It was my first service in the new auditorium! Wow, God is just too good to us to give us that auditorium and building! Mrs. Michelle gave me the opportunity to play the piano for my last Wed. night service there until Christmas. It was nice to be able to see everyone again before I leave for college. Sunday will be my last service there before I leave for WCBC.

Please continue praying for the Tylers and the Timisoara Independent Baptist Church as they have Vacation Bible School this week! They started off with 68 Sunday night and had 90 kids tonight! I am praying for 101 by the end of the week! Please pray that God will work in the hearts of the children and the parents as well. Many of the parents are staying for VBS also!

Sunday

2009-08-23T17:04:00.004-04:00

Well, one more day has come and gone. It was an exciting day. This morning Bro. Tyler preached an awesome message ending with the thought...What am I doing for the Lord after all He has done for me. Then we had lunch! That was good. The chicken was similar to my dad's Chicken Eloquent. Then I recorded some more on the piano after helping to set up the auditorium for Vacation Bible School. Then we had the evening service. Then we had VBS! VBS went really well! They had 68 kids! The most they have ever had before is like 60 or something like that, but tonight, on a Sunday night, the first official night being tomorrow, they had 68! Praise the Lord! There were a lot of kids and there were several parents there as well! It was really good! I won't be a bit surprised if God sends 101 kids here by the end of the week! Hey, he who aims at nothing hits it everytime!

It was sad, I had to say good bye to some people. It's hard to say bye when you don't know if you are ever going to see them again. I hope I can come back sometime.

I played an offertory this morning...I didn't do as bad on this song as I have had in all the other churches I've played it in! I also sang with the choir. Then this evening I played for the congregation and I played when the ladies sang. I also sang a duet with Flavia! That was interesting. We sang one verse of Send the Light in Romanian and then we sang one verse in English. We were singing without a piano...I was singing soprano and she was singing alto. When we got up there she wanted me to pick the note to start on and I couldn't even make a sound! It was funny. I think it turned out all right! She had it recorded and I think she is going to send it to me so I can hear us! It was fun though. I'm just sure that the whole congregation got a good laugh at hearing me trying to sing first of all, and then trying to sing in Romanian! lol! I'm glad that I could give them a good laugh! Flavia was like, they'll love the fact that you are trying! Just sing with me! lol! So I did!

Saturday

2009-08-22T16:16:00.002-04:00

Today was a good day! I was able to record one more song for Bro. Tyler. We had choir practice. I am going to play the piano for a ladies special tomorrow night. They were able to use one of the songs I recorded Thursday for practice and they are going to sing the song next week! Then this afternoon I went with the other teens and singles on an activity. We went to this field where we had a devotion and then we made dinner. Ok, so slanina is nasty...if anyone asks you. It is pig fat. What they do is they will take the fat and put it on a stick and put it over the fire like you would marshmallows. As soon as it starts dripping, you put it over bread and you drip the juice over the bread. They also put onions on the bread and tomatoes. That was not bad. However, they also just cut up the pig fat into little pieces and eat it. I was told I had to try it. Everyone made me try it...I did...they took a picture of my expression. If I had my pictures downloaded I would put it on here...oh well. It was nasty!!! yuck! Don't eat it...it's pure fat from a pig anyway. Then we played some games and went on this beautiful trail throught this reservation that had trees from all around the world in it! Tomorrow will be my last Sunday here...my last full day here. I really wish I could stay...I love being here! I wish I could stay and play the piano for them and teach music lessons and learn the language and teach one of their childrens SS classes for a teacher who just left suddenly 2 weeks ago and help out in any other way needed. I at least wish I could stay for another 5 days for Vacation Bible School.

Please pray for the Timisoara Independent Baptist Church tomorrow. We will have services tomorrow morning as usual. Then the evening service will be at 4 and VBS will start at 5:30 (I think, maybe 6 or even 6:30). I'm praying for a huge crowd! Please pray that God will send the kids He wants there and that He will be with the leadership team at the church as they put this on. A lot of work has gone into this week and I'm praying that souls will be saved! The church looks AWESOME! There is a huge dinosaur painting the size of the back wall in the auditorium taped up and they built a cave looking entrance to the church for the kids to go under that says Attention Dinosaurs! And as the kids enter through the cave there will be these loud dinosaur sounds going on! It's super cool! I will post pictures later! Anyways, please just pray for the church and the kids that will come!

Friday

2009-08-21T17:58:00.002-04:00

Today was a lot of fun! We were able to go sight-seeing! This morning started off a little bit rough though. The van that we just got back out of the shop for the second time in 2 days yesterday would not start. After a little while Bro. Tyler was able to get it to start and we went into Timisoara to take it to the repair shop again. They looked at it for a little shile. I think it has something to do with the fuses and they are thinking that it might have something to do with the fuel pmp, but they are not sure. I don't really know...all I know was something was wrong with it. But, we drove out of there with that van and we were finally able to go on our day trip! It was a lot of fun. It was about a 2, 2.5 hour drive to the ruins we went and saw! It was pretty cool. We got to see all these ruins from 18 centuries ago! It was pretty neat...we saw the ruins of one of those ampitheatre thingys! Wish y'all could see it! It was cool! Then we went to some city I cannot pronounce and went to a castle! It was so cool too! We were able to go through into a lot of the different rooms! It was neat! They are remodeling some of it so we couldn't go into all the rooms, but it was really nice! Then we came home. Flavia was waiting at the house and Mrs. Tyler, Flavia, and I have had fun playing games and enjoying each others company tonight! It has been a really nice day with a nice evening! Tomorrow we are going to leave around 10:45 for the church! Can't wait for tomorrow!

As we were driving we drove through several large cities of around 100,000 people with no Gospel preaching church or at least no Independent Baptist Church. I find it so hard to imagine growing up in a place where there is not a church on every corner. I'm praying that God will prepare the hearts and call His servants to these cities and the cities and countries all around the globe who have never heard of Jesus. I think everyone needs to surrender to God to go wherever...Loganville, Grayson, Lancaster, Budapest, Bucarest, London, Choeng Ek, and the many many many other cities around the world.

Lord, please show me where you want me to go.

Wednesday and Thursday

2009-08-20T16:53:00.008-04:00

Well, yesterday we went to church and set up all afternoon. The Tylers finally got their other van back from the shop so that was exciting! Then we had church Wednesday night. I was given the opportunity once again to play the piano for their services. Then on the way home the van we just got out of the shop stopped working. It wouldn't accelerate. That was fun! Today we were going to go sight seeing, but plans changed when the van wouldn't even turn on! This morning Gabi came and brought their other van to them and we pulled the minivan into town to the shop. Bro. Tyler and Gabi did a good job. We made it there safely...praise the Lord! Then the shop got it fixed and we got it back today. We just went ahead to the church and set up more for VBS instead of sight seeing. We were painting all day today! Well, actually I was trying to record some songs for them on their keyboard all day. Ioana was about to strangle me she was so tired of the same songs! Bro. Tyler wanted me to record them though. It's a good thing I did her dishes the other day...I think it's the only reason she left me without another bruise! :) Well, I got a couple songs recorded. I need to redo two of them and then record a couple more. Then this evening we went and passed out some more fliers. We had a pitstop for some good cheesecake on the way! We had dinner at 11:10 tonight! Romanians eat on a crazy time schedule! lol! It was a good dinner though! Fried potatoes, salad, some really good bread, and tomatoes! Yummy! Tomorrow we are going to try to go sight seeing, I think! Can't wait!!!

Here are some pictures from a couple weeks ago in Cluj...

These are the girls from day camp...they made snow globes! The aprons are from the day before!

Enjoying ice cream! Me, Diana, and Melissa

Me, Diana, BJ, and Roni on a boat ride!

Not the best of pictures, but we were passing out tracks as we walked through town.

The girls at one of the stops!

This is from the Lawrence's church in the village.

This picture is from here in Timisoara. Well, actually this is from the VBS we did in the gypsy church in Colonia!

Tuesday

2009-08-19T03:59:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was good! We went to the church in the late morning and began decorating and setting up for Vacation Bible School. Then last night I went with the Heisey family to their Gypsy church in Colonia. That was a different kind of experience! In their small auditorium they had 2 accordians going. I don't know if you are aware, but accordians are really loud! The music was interesting! Then I went with Mrs. Heisey and the children to their class. I recognized a couple of the kids from VBS last week. The kids class was fun. Then I met back up with the Bro. Tyler and Cami as they were passing out fliers for VBS next week. We met up with the rest of the group and continued to pass out fliers. We went to this one park. It was so nice! There were kids everywhere. All of the kids were so excited. You could see kids all over the place running to their parents with their fliers and telling them about it! A couple of the kids ran up to me several times asking for more! It was pretty exciting! Then after we finished passing out fliers we took everyone home. We then went to the Toteran's apartment (their youth pastor and family) and we ate dinner and had ice cream. I think they solved the world's problems while they were there since they talked 'til like 12:15 or 12:30...somewhere in there! Since Cosmeen (youth pastor) does not speak English they were all talking in Romanian so I went in the kitchen and decided that I would wash the dishes. When Ioana walked in the kitchen and saw me washing her dishes she was so surprised and so happy. I have never seen anyone so happy that I washed their dishes before! It was like a huge deal to her! I was glad I did it! I'm now her new best friend! It was cool! Anyways, once they finally finished talking we went home and straight to bed!

Today we slept in!!!! We are going to eat lunch in a bit and then go to the church to continue preparations for VBS! Church tonight!

Sunday and Monday

2009-08-17T16:08:00.003-04:00

Well, Sunday was a very long day. We left around 8:40 Sunday morning and got home around 7:30 or 8:00 that night! It was good though. I know next time just not to stay up so late on Saturday night! lol! It was good though. For SS, BJ taught the teens and adults in the auditorium. He taught on Noah. One thought that stuck out in my mind was 'If you are the only one preaching Christ on the earth and everyone else is making fun of you, would you still do it? Would you still be able to do it?' Noah was the only one, but he was able to do it because the Bible says in Genesis 6:9, "...and Noah walked with God." That's a good thought. What kind of walk do I have with the Lord?

Then Bro. Tyler preached a good message Sunday morning. The thought that rings in my mind from this message is just that God did so much for me, I need to live for Him. I owe Him everything, I need to give Him my everything! Anyways, it was a good message.

Oh yeah, I played the piano for the choir special. I think it went alright. I didn't mess up too bad, I don't think anyway! :)

After services we had lunch. There were 19 of us eating there that afternoon. It was fun....I ate way way too much, but everyone ate everything from their plate so I felt like I should too! It was good though. The thing I really enjoyed about that meal was being able to serve everyone! I know, I'm wierd, but I love serving at meals like that. I always try to volunteer to do it when I'm not so busy at school for their banquets and things...it's just always so much fun! I don't know what it is, but something about it is a lot of fun!

Then BJ left by train to go back to Cluj before he leaves for school next week. Then we had a meeting with all the leadership. Then I practiced the piano some for the evening service. Then they had the teen meeting. That went well. Then I played the piano for the evening service. One of the men in the church preached. He did a good job. He preached on trusting the Lord...really trusting Him with our lives. Mrs. Tyler did a great job translating for me! :)

We eventually left to go home. On the way home we stopped and enjoyed some scenery! Then we took this one couple from their church to the village. It was a beautiful drive! I will show pictures soon. On the way home the sun was setting and Bro. Tyler stopped on the side of road and let us walk over the hill so I could get a good picture and we could enjoy the scenery for a minute!

Then we got home and ate some dinner and relaxed as we were all very tired! It was a nice evening!

Then this morning the power went out while I was trying to decide whether I was actually going to get out of bed or not...so I decided NOT!! I was so tired! I slept for a little while longer! Then I got out of bed and went to take my laundry downstairs because I knew that when the power came back on Mrs. Tyler wanted to start the laundry. Now you have to understand, their stairs are extremely steep and they are slippery. I was walking with socks on. Don't laugh too hard, but when I get to the bottom portion of the steps, I fell. It was so embarassing. You can stop laughing now. I'm glad no one saw it. There is a door at the bottom of the steps and it was shut so no one could have seen it, but Bro. and Mrs. Tyler were right outside the door. Bro. Tyler was like "Who is that? Did you fall down the stairs?" It was embarassing. It's funny, now. It wasn't then. It was painful! I have the scars to prove it too! lol! Okay, now that everyone has had a good laugh...

This morning we just did work around the house. Mrs. Tyler and the girls did laundry and dishes today. They cleaned their rooms as well. I tryed to help out where I could. I heped with rinsing the dishes. Then I worked on games for the week of VBS the rest of the day. The Tylers have this AWANA book with all the AWANA games in it, so my job was to go through there and plan out all of the games for VBS with Mrs. Tyler's help. We came up with most of them. There are still a couple more we need to figure out.

Then tonight we went to the Heisey's house for dinner. That was fun! Mrs. Heisey made a really good meal! We had Ritz Chicken (I think that's what she called it), but it was very similar to my dad's Chicken Casserolle (which is the best!) Then she also had homemade bread! The bread tasted really good! Then Mrs. Tyler had made a Cabbage Casserole! That was really good as well! There was also rice. What can I say, it was just a really good meal! Then she had a really good dessert!

Jonathan Heisey, Bethany Tyler, and I ate outside in the back yard. Jonathan has 2 guys from their Gyspy church over for a couple of days. He's doing a little retreat sort of thing with them. I would say they ate dinner with us as well, but they more or less hid from us in the back yard while we ate in front of them. Mrs. Heisey brought them out some food and they said "We're not hungry", but she forced them to take the plate anyway! It was funny! Then we played some card games...Phase 10 and Dutch Blitz. They finally came and played cards with us, but they didn't really get Dutch Blitz. Phase 10 was fun though! Then we left. I think the 2 guys probably went and ate their dinner while the Heiseys walked us out!

Well, tomorrow we are going to the church to set up for VBS. Tomorrow night I think I am going to the Gypsy service in Colonia with the Heisey's. I'm told that I will really enjoy it....it will be different than anything else I've seen I'm told! It should be interesting anyway!

Going to bed now! G'night!

Saturday

2009-08-15T16:59:00.002-04:00

We left this morning for church. We went passing out tracks and fliers in the parks and around Timisoara for a couple of hours. We were passing out fliers for VBS, which is coming up quickly! I am praying that there will be a lot of kids! I'm praying for 101 kids - to be exact! I wish I could be here for that week. I leave Monday, August 24th, and Bible School starts Sunday night the 23rd. So I will only be there for the opening night. Oh well, I'm glad they are starting Sunday night so I can be there for a little bit of it.

After that we went back to the church. Sunday evening we had choir practice at church. That was fun. I played the piano for this one song "Cine E De Partea Domnului?" In English that is "Who Is On the Lord's Side?" They are going to sing that song tomorrow. So, hopefully I won't make them look bad! (It's a big possibility :I ) lol! Then Claudia brought Ice Cream and Coke! By the way, the Coke here tastes more like Pepsi than the coke in the states.

Then we cleaned the church. Then we waited around for a little while. Then we went home. Had dinner at 10pm! hehe! It was good though! Talked with Mrs. Tyler a little bit. Talked to my mom...kinda! I don't have a microphone so she talked and I typed back. Now, I'm going to sleep! Can't wait for tomorrow...church!

Friday Night in the Village!

2009-08-14T17:07:00.004-04:00

Today was a good day! We went to the church this afternoon and did some work getting ready for VBS. Then this evening we went to Maguri and did VBS once again. It was a lot of fun! This one girl, Isa, was so cute. When I walked in the door she grabbed my hand and walked into the main room there. Throughout the whole night she would come up to me and give me a hug or hold my hand. She told me that she was 10 years old. I wouldn't have believed it except Mrs. Heisey was right behind me and told me that it was true! She looks like she is 5. The Tyler's told me that she has some sort of growth disorder or something along those lines. She left the church to walk home at least 6 times after it was over, no kidding! She just kept coming back! She didn't want to leave, I guess. Bro. Heisey was telling her and this other girl to go home, they finally did, but they just kept coming back! When we left in the van, they were right outside the van door waving goodbye! Maybe I'll put a picture of her on here later, we'll see. I don't know all of these kids or their backgrounds, but I'm pretty sure that some of these kids are just looking for someone to love them. Church is an escape where they can forget about all that happens at their home. I know one of the girls who came to the day camp in Cluj, that is what her mom told Melissa. Some of these gypsy kids from the village live in the worst conditions. When you leave the village, you just feel nasty. Bro. Tyler mentioned that tonight. He said that one of the hardest things with working there is you just feel gross everytime you do something. It's true though.

It was a good day though! There were about 50 kids there tonight...40 last night! No better way that I could have spent my Friday night! It was a lot of fun! I'm looking forward to tomorrow! I'm praying for the RU ministry tonight! Wish I could be there!

Thursday

2009-08-13T15:57:00.003-04:00

Today we had a little bit of a later breakfast! Then after cleaning the dishes I helped Mrs. Tyler a little bit doing other stuff in the kitchen. I was able to practice the piano for a little while after that and play a couple minutes of the Wii. Then I helped get lunch/dinner ready and we ate around 4:30. We left the house around 5:30 for Maguri (spelling?). We did VBS there in the gypsy church in Maguri. There were about 35 kids there. That was fun! We just did the same thing as we did Monday in Colonia. We will do VBS again tomorrow night in Maguri. We stopped on the way home and got ice cream! Thanks Bro. Tyler!

Now, I'm going to bed! I plan on sleeping well tonight! I need to make up on some sleep! Have a great evening!

Random picture for the day...

This is a picture of me at the monestary.

I will start put some more recent pictures hepefully tomorrow when I download them!

Tuesday and Wednesday

2009-08-12T18:01:00.007-04:00

Tuesday I slept in really late! That afternoon we went into town. We went to Starbucks at the mall! I got a Strawberries and Cream Frappachino! It was really good!! :)

(This is actually a picture of the Starbucks in Cluj, not the one here in Timisoara.)

I got to see Teo again! Bro. and Mrs. Tyler had some counseling to do at the church for a little while and then we went to their youth pastor's house and hung out while Bro. Tyler fixed their Internet. On the way home we stopped at Billa and Camy got her Webkins Racoon. She almost named it Rachel, but she ended up naming it Fluffy! Mrs. Tyler was able to find Flour Tortillas there- she previously was unable to find them in Romania! I think it was one of those God Really Loves Me moments for her!

Then we went home and hung out! It was a nice relaxing evening. Sometimes you just need an evening of relaxation!

Today we went into town and picked up BJ. We ate lunch and walked through some parks as well as the center. That was fun! Then we went to the church. I helped Mrs. Tyler a little bit get some things organized and copied for VBS. Then we had church. I played for the service. Bro. Tyler preached and BJ translated. It was a good message. He preached on being a servant- I think, or maybe that was just what God was speaking to my heart about. When I think of the concept of being a servant for the Most High God- the ONLY God, I want to be one more than ever. It is something I should think about more often when I am being selfish and am only thinking about myself and what I want to do.

Then after church we had a sandwich from McDonalds and then went to the center again and walked along the water while it was dark with the lights all lit up! It was so pretty! We had a lot of fun! Then we walked through the center and we got an ice cream at McDonalds!

I was thinking a lot on the way home...life is so short. We never know when it is going to end. There is an urgency to spread the Gospel. There is a lost and dying world out there that needs Jesus. Who will go and tell them? I know that I want to go and tell!

Pictures

2009-08-11T17:35:00.010-04:00

Bro. Tyler fixed my picture link...

This picture was of me playing the piano at day camp!

This picture is all of us at some point on the way down the mountain (Actually, Maria is missing)!

This is one of the many beautiful scenes from the mountain!

This is me at the beginning of the hike! The tree had a hole in the shape of a heart!

This is a picture from the park one day. Delia was handing out candy to those who answered review questions correctly!

This is me, Diana, and Maria! They are really sweet girls!

This is Delia and me! Delia is really funny to say the least! I am so glad to have been able to make good friends on this trip!

This is a picture from VBS Monday night at the gypsy church!

I will write about today, tomorrow! G'night!

Sunday Update

2009-08-11T16:27:00.003-04:00

So Sunday we had church. That went really well. They have their evening service as an afternoon service. Then after church I went to the Lawrence's house for lunch and then went with them to their church service in the village. That went pretty well, one the kids was acting up really bad, but other than that it was good!

After that I met up with Mellisa at this lady's apartment she was visiting and the Lawrence's wanted to visit her as well. When I got into the apartment, I was shocked. I have never seen an apartment so small. Her couch doubled as a bed. She had an extremely small kitchen. Just a stove. Her refrigerator was in her living room/bedroom. That room was also extremely small. They have community bathrooms in the hallway. It was tiny. This lady is older. She just had surgery therefore she cannot lift things. She cannot even take up or down her bed everyday. She has to ask a neigbor to do it for her. When I said to Melissa later, "I would just leave the bed down everyday" she told me that she can't because then she would not be able to get into her refrigerator (on the opposite wall). That is how small her apartment is. I was thinking about it, my parent's bathroom is bigger than her whole house, kitchen and all. My heart broke as I sat there and listened as they all spoke to each other in Romanian. I just wanted to start weeping when I thought about how much we have and how selfish we are sometimes. In Romania most people do not have air conditioning and it gets extremely hot here in the summer. It is very rare for a person to have air conditioning. We have so much to be thankful for, but so many times we do not even know how much we have. I know that after this trip, I will be much more grateful for everything God has blessed me with. I am so blessed beyond measure. I cannot even begin to write down all the stories I've heard. God has been too good to me for me to complain ever. I am so thankful for God's blessings in my life! I think of the song and how it says "Count your many blessings" - if we really did that, we would see that God is way too nice to us!

After that I just went back to Mellisa's, ate dinner, packed, and talked way too long on the phone!

Quick Update

2009-08-10T16:25:00.003-04:00

Sunday was really good...I have some good thoughts on Sunday, but they will have to wait until another time. I am exhausted. I went to bed around 1 this morning then I woke up around 4 this morning then BJ and I boarded a train around 5:15 this morning and we arrived here is Timisoara around 11:45 this afternoon. We ate lunch and I helped Mrs. Tyler a little bit get ready for VBS tonight. Tonight we put on VBS for one of the gypsy churches in a village. Thursday and Friday we will do VBS for another gypsy church in another village. I will try to put some more thoughts on here later, but for now I'm going to bed. I did have KFC for dinner! :) Well, I hope everyone has a good evening!

Matt, Ben, and Andrew, I hope y'all had a great day at school! Especially you Andrew (it was his first day of middle school! :) I love y'all!

Saturday

2009-08-08T13:55:00.003-04:00

Another week has come and gone. The 3rd week of my 5 week journey is gone. 2 more to go! I'm really excited about the next 2 weeks! I will be spending them in Timisoara with the Tyler family! BJ will come for the first week. We will be leaving nice and early Monday morning on the train. The train leaves around 5:15 AM or 5:30 AM or something like that. I'm not sure at all, but I think it may be around a 5 hour train ride. I could be way off though. :)

Today I had a lot of fun! About 10 of us started at the church then took a bus to certain place and then walked for 1.5 hours through some beautiful scenery to this clearing where we ate lunch. Then we just hung out all day. We played soccer and volleyball and had a lot of fun! The only stinky thing was the grass has not been cut in a while so it was tall grass. We were trying to step on it and get it to lay down. It was interesting to play soccer in though! :) We started to head back around 5 because it looked like it was going to rain. We walked a different way home (on the way there we walked through some major mud lakes! Helen and I pretty much told Mihai that we were going the other way home - although I am glad we walked that way once because it was absolutely beautiful country!) So on our other route home we passed by the mall. So we went in the mall for about an hour or so and walked around. I took BJ and Brandon to the grocery (they have a grocery store inside the mall) and showed them where the Dr. Pepper was located (Mellisa and I had got some a couple days ago.) Dr. Pepper can only be found in a few places and it only comes in cans. It's almost $1 for a can. It was 2.70 lei for a can (3 lei is $1.) BJ bought 2 of them and guzzled them down. Brandon bought one as well. Then we met up with Mihai and Otto in the food court and hung out there 'til 7:10. While waiting we ate a large thing of French Fries from McDonalds. They were really hot! The McDonalds' here in Romania do not serve their food cold. They only serve it while it is hot. That is what makes them better than the McDonalds' in the states.

Then we took a bus back close to the church and walked the rest of the way. I learned that Watermelon is a big thing here in Romania. A watermelon is only like $1 and is very popular here.

Anyways, I had a lot of fun...the mountain air was nice! Church tomorrow! Then Monday I leave for Timisoara!

Friday

2009-08-07T15:18:00.003-04:00

Well, today was the last day of Day Camp for me. The girls made butterflies! Delia and I were making them for this one girl, Melania...she is probably 4 or 5 years old. She is the cutest little girl ever! She gives tighter hugs than even Hali and she gives them quite frequently...like every 2 minutes! She's a cutie though! I actually played the piano and sang for the kids! I know, poor kids right?!?

This evening Melissa and I went to the mall right here by her house. I had Chinese for dinner. They didn't have any Orange Chicken or Sesame Chicken, but their Pineapple Chicken was pretty good! I was able to get a few presents.

Tomorrow I am going to go on this activity with the singles and the teens. It should be fun. It's an all day event. My time here in Cluj is dwindling. Soon I will be on board a train to Timisoara!

Hope y'all have a great evening!

Thursday

2009-08-06T13:48:00.003-04:00

I had French Toast for breakfast! It was really good!!

Day Camp went well. Melissa was able to invite these 2 girls...I think they are her landlords daughter and daughter's friend...and they finally came today with us. The girls made snowglobes...they were really cute! The boys continued work on their bird houses. One of the mother's of a little girl that has been coming asked about the schedule for church on Sunday and so Melissa was able to invite them to church. Hopefully they will come!

We went to one of the malls a little further away this afternoon and tomorrow we will go to the mall closeby. I think Melissa likes to go to the malls because it feels a little bit more like America. It was neat. It had a Pizza Hut, KFC, and McDonalds. We went home for dinner, but I think that tomorrow we may eat at the mall for dinner. Maybe I will get some KFC or McDonalds!

We went soul-winning tonight. It started to rain right as we were leaving the church to go soul-winning. We were hoping it wouldn't be raining where we were going, since it was a little further away, but it was raining and hard. We were doing apartment buildings so once we were inside we were fine. We had done the buildings Bro. Nibbe told us to do and we thought we were done when Melissa saw another building a litte further away. We started to walk that way not even knowing if we could get to there from where we were. It was raining really hard and we were walking in these huge puddles. In my head I started to have kind of a bad attitude. I was thinking that Bro. Nibbe didn't tell us we had to do that building and it's far away and it's raining really hard and can't we do it some other time when it's not raining and inside my head I was just having a pity party when all the sudden the song "As the Deer" popped into my head and just like that I had the thought of Jesus going to the cross and all the suffering He went through and I was having a bad attitude about the rain. Just like that I didn't even care about the rain anymore, I just wanted to go and tell everyone about what God had done for me. Sometimes we get upset over the smallest things and allow small things like heat or coldness or rain or something like that stop us from spreading the Gospel when Jesus went to the cross for us. I don't know, something I had to correct myself on this evening.

Well, I think I am going to read some now! Have a great day!

Wednesday

2009-08-05T15:03:00.002-04:00

Today has been a really good day! I'm a little overwhelmed at all the kindness I've recieved!

Well day camp was fun today. Mrs. Lawrence did the craft today with the girls. We made aprons! I learned how to sew buttons! :) The craft was neat. Bro. Lawrence made bird houses with the boys! They just loved it! Tomorrow the girls are going to make snow globes and the boys are going to paint their bird houses. I got to play another special on the piano for them.

It was the last day for the kids program in the park. I'm kinda sad...I've really enjoyed doing that. There were 26 kids today! Most of those kids came each day...it was a ton of fun! Today I hid the rings and they had to find them. That was a lot of fun. We also played one round of Hot Potatoe...they love that game so much! It's so funny to watch them!!

It was so funny...during the story time, I'm told that one of the kids asked where you could buy tickets to Heaven. None of the kids stayed and asked about salvation, but we were able to hand out invitations to Sunday School and a track to each kid. Hopefully some kid will come to church. The seed was planted anyway!

On our trip last week I saw Pastor Beni take this stick and he had started to carve these desings on it. It was really neat. Then today his daughter, Ana, ran up to me and gave it to me. He had carved it for me and he carved the words, "Romania Trip 2009" on it. It's the coolest thing I've seen in a long time! It's so neat! I can't wait to put the picture of it on here. He and his family are going out of town tomorrow and won't be back until Tuesday and I leave Monday for Timisoara. This family is a neat family! It was sad to say goodbye. Their daughter, Ana, has attached herself to my side ever since I arrived. She hugged me a minimum of 300.5 times today! She's 9 years old. She wants me to become a missionary to Romania! She's sweet!

Church was good tonight. The power went out in the middle of the message, but Pastor Beni just kept on going...it came back on a little bit later.

Well, it's been a great day! Can't wait for another!

Tuesday

2009-08-04T13:47:00.002-04:00

Day Camp was fun today. I helped with the crafts. It was mixing puddy together and making molds. It was fun! Then I was able to play a special on the piano for the kids. That was fun too!

The pastor's wife, Laura, is a dentist. Everytime a missionary or someone on a missions trip come through she always gives them a cleaning for free just to be a blessing. So this afternoon I had a dentist appointment. Man, I can't get away from the dentist anywhere! Hehe! Just kidding...it was really sweet of her to do!

Then this evening we had the kids meeting at the park! That was a ton of fun too! We were worried that it was going to rain, but God held off the rain! We had a good number of kids. There were a good 13 for the whole thing. A lot of kids were walking up in the middle and toward the end of the hour. It was a lot of fun. I did the game Over Under and then Hot Potatoe again. They really love Hot Potatoe! The kids are a lot of fun to work with! It reminds me so much of the bus ministry! I love it! Please pray that it won't rain tomorrow night either. It is supposed to rain all week.

Had spaghetti for dinner, my favorite! I'm hoping to go to bed early. I haven't gone to bed before 1am since I've been at her house, excluding during the trip. Tonight will be different!! :)

Monday

2009-08-03T17:01:00.006-04:00

Wow! What a day this has been! We started off with day camp at the church this morning. That went well. I don't really have a job or anything. I just kinda observed. It was fun though. There were 13 children this morning. Then this evening we had our first outdoor childrens meeting at the park. It looked like we weren't going to have any kids. It stormed really hard this afternoon, but it cleared up really fast and everything was dried up and the sun was out by 5, but the park was empty. So we didn't think that we were going to have any kids at first. Then we had 2 and we thought that was going to be it, but then out of nowhere all these kids just showed up (I say out of nowhere, but it was obvious...God sent them). I was in charge of the game to start the hour off with. I was going to do the Over Under game, but when there were only 2 people there I wasn't going to be able to do that so I changed to Hot Potatoe. That was a good decision. All these kids showed up and I had them all get into a big circle and then one of the girls played her guitar and they passed around these rings and whoever had the ring when the music stopped was out. It was a ton of fun! The kids loved it! We played twice and then once again at the end. Melissa taught the kids a song. Then se gave the story of Jesus' birth. Then Delia did a memory verse and a song again. Then BJ did a review game and I helped him out some. It was really good! I'm so excited for tomorrow! We are going to have some candy to give out tomorrow. Mihai (Me-high: Micahel in English)told the kids that whoever brought the most friends would get a Snickers candy bar. One kid said he would bring 20! We'll see how that goes! Tonight I went to the Nibbe's house and Mellissa, Mrs. Nibbe, and the pastor's wife all did some planning for the ladies Bible study they do each year. Now I am going to bed.

I was going to add some pictures from today, but for some reason this computer will not allow me to do that. I was able to do it on Bro. Tyler's computer, but I am not in Timisoara right now. Maybe tomorrow I will see if I can do it on Mellissa's computer. Sorry, I borrowed BJ's card reader and everything, but it won't work. Oh well! Just imagine 21 kids under a tree learning about Jesus' birth and standing in a big circle playing Hot Potatoe and singing about Jesus' love...there was a real excitement there! I hope tomorrow is even better!

Thanks for all of your prayers!!!

Sunday

2009-08-02T16:09:00.004-04:00

Today was fun! At church this morning there was another man baptized and a lady saved! Then at the afternoon service I butchered the offertory again :)! Then this evening I went with the Lawrence's and BJ to a church in the village. I was able to speak to the children there. I gave the Gospel and BJ translated for me. That was a lot of fun...the kids were fun! They don't understand the joy of Snickers though. I tried to give them a Snickers bar and they didn't want it. Oh well, more for me! I also really enjoyed Mrs. Lawrence's "Ice Cream"! It was sooooo good! I really enjoyed listening to Bro. and Mrs. Lawrence as they talked about some of the people in that church and how they are trying to find a building and basically how the work there in the village is going. I love listening to the stories that missionaries have. I always try to envision them. One day, maybe I'll have my own stories! Well, I'm going to bed. Monday-Friday we have day camp at the church and then Monday-Wednesday evening we are doing outdoor evangelistic childrens meetings at the park! It will be a full week! I'm excited!

I'm praying for you Victory Baptist Church! I'm so excited about what God is doing there! I wish I could have heard Bro. Weaver preach there in the new auditorium this morning and heard the group sing! I miss y'all!!

By the way, have you ever really thought about how big and how real the love of Christ is? Just something I've been pondering this evening! It's great to serve a God of love!

What a Week!

2009-08-01T16:09:00.002-04:00

Wow! What a week! I just want to let you know that, "Yes, I am still alive!" There were definitely times throughout the week, most of these thoughts coming every 5 minutes on Tuesday, that I didn't think I would make it to today, but here I am!

Early Monday morning we left the church and headed toward Bicaz, Romania. It is about 5 or so hours away! We stopped along the way at the salt mine. That was interesting in the fact that it was a big playground in a big cave underground! I guess people go there for treatments. Apparently the salt in the air is good for you. Many children go there for treatments so the play equipment is there to occupy their time while they breathe the air for 4-5 hours. We made it later that day to the Cabana Cehalau. It was a pretty nice cabin! The scenery was gorgeous! Along the way we stopped and walked through some canyons.

Tuesday was the day of all days! Tuesday most of us left the cabin early and we hiked. When I say hike you have to imagine Stone Mountain as being a tiny little hill! I have never hiked so much. I really didn't think I was going to make it after an hour or so. My legs hurt so bad!! It was a ton of fun though! After a couple hours of hiking I asked if we were almost there and BJ said that we were probably about 3/4 of the way there. About 5-10 minutes later we come to a sign that says we were 1/3 of the way there! I thought that if I started heading down the mountain at that point I probably wouldn't make it, yet I perservered. Oh yeah, I asked about how far we had hiked and Pastor Beni said about 2 miles. You can drive 2 miles in 7 minutes! He said those were words you forget when you are hiking! We hiked for a good 4-4.5 hours. I got to the point where I could no longer even move. Pastor Beni was like pulling me as I held onto his backpack at one point! lol! It was a sight! We took a break just about every time I saw a log! :) I was good at finding them too! ;) I think everyone liked the fact that I was slow because it gave them excuses to take breaks! When we got to the top of the mountain we ate and then the guys and Dehlia did some small hikes there at the top of the mountain while Maria and I slept, got some good tans, and guarded all of the stuff for 1.5 hours! Then we hiked back down the mountain for a good 3-4 hours! The scenery on the way up and down was gorgeous!!! Pictures cannot compare to actually being there and seeing it! I will post pictures later though!

Wednesday we went into town. We visited a monestary. That was interesting. Then we went to see some Romanian bison. They are much like the bison from the states. I think they are just a little smaller (or bigger, I forget). We then went to this fortress! It was really neat. I'm not usually into history and all that stuff, but it was nice. We had lunch at McDonalds! That was cool, except for it is much more expensive and you have to pay if you want ketchup or anything like that. Then we went and rode the cable cars (much like the Sky Lift at Stone Mountain) up a mountain and had some ice cream! On the way we passed out a lot of tracks! That was fun! I stayed up really late that night playing cards!

Thursday we were all so tired from the trip and the hike that we just all hung out at the cabin all day! I slept in until late, except for the little interuption that morning. Some of the people had a midnight snack and left some jelly opened on the counter so Pastor Beni woke us all up at 8:30 and had us doing excersises on the front porch! As sore as I was from the hike it was a challenge, but it is funny now that I look back on it!!!! We had a Bible study that afternoon from I, II and III John. The rest of the day we just played cards and did whatever we wanted. That evening we watched a good movie called, "Come What May". It was really good!

Friday some people went on another hike similar except more dangerous than the first. The rest of us slept in. Then after lunch I told BJ how to make Sweet Tea and he made some. Then we went on a boat ride. The scenery was gorgeous! We then walked some roads. It was a lot of fun. Then Roni bought some ice cream for us! That night we made a camp fire and we sat around it with the people that hosted us (they live on the bottom level of the cabin) and sang some songs. After several songs Pastor Beni looked over at me and asked if I could give my testimony. We sang one more song and then I had the opportunity to give my testimony to everyone including this unsaved couple. Melissa translated for me. Then Pastor Beni started talking, I think mostly to the couple (I didn't understand a word that was said), about salvation. He reffered to my testimony a lot in the conversation. The country of Romania is so steeped in the Orthodox religion and this couple was no exception. They asked really good quesitons, according to Melissa. Pator Beni thinks that they just need to hear the Gospel several more times before it will click. We ended that evening singing, "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus". We then went back into the cabin and had a time of prayer for that couple. Melissa talked to them and Pastor Beni talked with them some more as well. We have their address and Melissa is going to keep in touch with them and we left some tracks in the cabin. We're praying God will work in their hearts.

This morning we packed up and came home! It's just about midnight now so I am going to get ready for tomorrow. I am going to play a special on the piano for one of their services. I'm really nervous because I always mess this song up when I play it for an audinece. I get too nervous! Please pray that I do well and won't be nervous! Thanks!

2009-07-26T15:22:00.002-04:00

It was a good day at church today. One man was saved and two men were baptized! I had the opportunity to give my testimony in the children's church...that was interesting having to have an interpreter! :) We have been getting ready for the trip all day....it will definitely be interesting! I'm just hoping the food will be half way normal because we had to buy some things and half of them did not look good to me, the American! Oh well, I will learn new tastes. Ha, one of the things everyone had to bring 3 big cans of was pateu...it's like a liver spread or something like that. Bethany Tyler loves it, but no one else in her family does. It's kind of gross! I'll have a good attitude though...I have Snickers packed in my suticase and I bought extra yogurts ;)! The man in charge of the trip, Pastor Benny, seems to be pretty funny! It should be an interesting trip anyway. BJ and Brandon Nibbe will be coming and there are a couple of girls that kinda speak English as well so hopefully that won't be a big problem for me. Well, I'm not sure whether I will have internet access where we will be so I may not get to write again until next Saturday. We'll see!

Saturday

2009-07-25T16:16:00.002-04:00

This morning I got to soul-winning in the blocks. Teo and I (well, actually Teo!) were able to actually speak to a couple of people. I think one of them wanted to visit the church! I then flew to Cluj. I am staying with a single missionary lady named Melissa.

I'm praying for the services tomorrow there at Victory! How exciting! God is too nice to give us that building! This first service in this building has been long awaited! I'm praying for everything to go well!!!! I can't wait to see pictures and hear updates!

I'm praying for the services there at Biserica Baptista Indepenenta Timisoara as well! Wish I could be there too!

Pace (pronounced poch-a)!

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETHANY!!! (One of the Tyler's daughters, Bethany, turned 13 today!)

Friday

2009-07-24T17:28:00.002-04:00

Well, I had fun at the Gypsy church tonight with the teens! We played a fun game I could even understand it! I had a lot of fun this afternoon. We went to the center and I got to tour Timisoara. I learned a lot and saw a lot of pretty sites! Then we had a picnic in the park! The parks here are so beautiful! By the way, they just got a Starbucks here. Tomorrow after soul winning I am flying out to Cluj. The Tyler's must not want me anymore! hehe! jk! Well, I'm tired and I still need to pack. By the way, y'all should get out of the city sometime and look at the stars! They are beautiful! The big dipper is right above us! It's so pretty! G'night!

Pictures

2009-07-24T03:41:00.004-04:00

The first picture here is a picture from Budapest! It's a really beautiful city! The second picture is Cami and me at the church. The third picture is Bethany and me and the last picture is of the sign at the church "Biserica Baptista Independenta Timisoara" aka Timisoara Independent Baptist Church!

Thursday (already?)

2009-07-23T16:26:00.002-04:00

Wow! I'm am very tired so this is going to be a very short update.

Today we went shopping at the bazzars. I didn't buy anything. I finally got some Romanian money once we were finished shopping (I know, how smart was that?!) That was fun...a lot of walking though. It was neat, Mrs. Tyler ran into a man who Bro. Tyler had met before while they were out shopping and he was able to sit down with him for an hour and witness to him and talk with him the last time. She was able to talk with him some today. He knew a little bit of English! :) By the way, shoes here are way inexpensive! Their clothes and shoes and many other things were way cheaper here than in the states! I only wish I had another suitcase. I could buy a lot of shoes and other needed things for cheap. However, the sizes on clothes and shoes are different here from the states.

This evening all the missionaries in Timisoara came over (not all the missionaries in Romania...my mistake :) and we had roast. It was good. It was neat to meet all the missionaries. I had a chance to talk with one of the ladies for a couple of minutes alone. Her, her husband, and children are here in Timisoara for language school. It was really good to hear her view on some things. Our conversation reminded me of the fact that the best and safest place to be is the center of God's will!

Well, that's a wrap! Tomorrow I am going to tour Timisoara and see some of the historical things in town. We may work on some Vacation Bible School things as well. Tomorrow night I will go to the Gypsy church! Well, talk to y'all later!

Wednesday

2009-07-22T17:18:00.004-04:00

Ceau (pronounced chow)!

Wow, it's been a busy day! All morning/afternoon, I pulled weeds. I know, I know, you didn't think I could do it, Mom, but I did. For several hours today between breakfast and lunch and then about 30 minutes after lunch, Mrs. Tyler, Bethany, Cameron, and I pulled weeds! Now, the garden looks reallly nice! (For some wierd reason this is not letting me put any pictures on here. Bro. Tyler let me use his card reader so now I just need to figure out how to get the pictures inserted. The "Add Image" button is not working. Will work on that.)

Then tonight we had church. I played the piano for their services. (Bro. Will, I played Love Lifted Me and Victory In Jesus! Hehe! :) It was wierd playing the piano and everyone was singing in a different language!

Well, tomorrow morning Mrs. Tyler and I are going to pick up Ioana and we are going to the bazaars in Timisoara. We are going to be looking for dinosaurs and stuff we can use for Vacation Bible School. Then tomorrow night all the American missionaries in Romania will be coming over here for a BBQ and I will get to meet them all!

Friday night I am going to go with Gabi, Jonathan, and Teo to the gypsy church for their teen services! I'm told I will have a lot of fun! I'm looking forward to it!

Saturday is when I will fly to Cluj. I will be there with the Nibbes for 2 weeks (3 Sundays) before returning to the Tyler's. I think Teo might kidnap me though so I can stay and go to camp with her! Get this, later in the summer Teo will be going to a camp to counsel that has no shower. Bro. Patrick, can you imagine if you had to go to camp, but you didn't even have those showers? Not only would you stink, but everyone would stink really bad!!! I can't imagine. Bro. Tyler told her not to come back to church until she had gone home and showered!

Well, ceau!

Tuesday

2009-07-21T16:23:00.004-04:00

I am exhausted so I am just going to tell a funny story for the day!

So apparently, here in Romania you cannot turn right on red. Mrs. Tyler was driving us to where Teo and I were going to go visit and she started to turn right and then stopped and said, "Oh yeah, I forgot we're not in the states so you can't turn right yet." I asked why you couldn't turn right on red here and their youth pastor's wife was in the car and she loudly said, "The light is red, you can't go. It's red, you stop!" She didn't use the word "Duh", but it was obviously implied in her voice. We all just started laughing!

:) So maybe you had to be there! Anyway, there were a couple of other funny instances, but I'll limit it to that one story for tonight!

Tomorrow night I am going to get to play the piano for the service here! That should be fun! Hey, everyone just remember, "A request from the pastor, is a royal command." I try to always remember that! Bro. Tyler liked it! :)

Well, off to bed with me. We are going to be doing yard work in the morning!

By the way, Bro. Tyler has a card reader so I will try to put some pictures up tomorrow!

Day 1

2009-07-20T17:43:00.002-04:00

So today I slept in until 12:30 this afternoon! I meant to wake up earlier and I did, but then I fell back asleep! :) Actually, 12:30 here is 5:30am to my body...so it wasn't that late I guess. I think Mrs. Tyler slept in until 10:00. I think she is feeling more jet lag than me and I was the one travelling!! However, they were up 'til 3 in the morning because of me : I kinda feel bad.

It was really neat, I gave each of them their favorite candy today that they can't get here in Romania. It was really neat to see their reactions. Bro. Tyler was pretty funny! I got him Butterfingers, Mrs. Tyler I gave Tootsie Rolls, Bethany got Reeses and Cammy got Twizzlers! They were all really excited! I also gave them a large tub of Crunchy Peanut Butter! I think they liked it!

I'm really excited, tomorrow I am going to make some visits with one of the girls, Teo (pronounced Tao). She is about my age. I met her tonight along with the rest people that help them out at the church. They all spoke English so that was pretty cool! It was neat to meet them! They seem like a great group of people!

Well, I need to get in bed! It is late now. I don't think that I am going to be able to upload pictures because I left the adapter thing that I have to put my memory card into in order to upload my pictures onto the computer at home. (Did you understand that sentence?!?) Sorry about that. I will definitely put my pictures on here when I get home!

In Romania

2009-07-19T20:35:00.002-04:00

I made it to Paris...then I made it to Budapest, Hungary. Then we made it to Timisoara, Romania (almost had difficulty getting me into Romania and out of Hungary...kinda long story...I'll tell it later! :) Anyway, I am here in their house now. I am exhausted. It may only be 8:37 PM your time, but it is 3:37AM here in Romania (7 hours ahead). I left my house 24 hours and 37 minutes ago! It's been a long 24 hours! Well, they told me that there is nothing planned until tomorrow evening so I can sleep in as long as I would like. So, I just might take them up on that offer...a little bit anyway. I won't sleep as late as I can, because that would be pretty late! Well, it has been a ton of fun so far. We got to see some neat things there in Budapest. That place is so beautiful, especially at night when the bridges and the city is all lit up! The battery to my camera died pretty early in the evening so I only have a few pictures. I'm really tired right now so I am going to go to sleep. Cammy (she is 9.5 years old) is in a connecting room to mine and their is no door so she is probably wanting me to go to sleep so I will! I will better update my blog later! Thank you to everyone who is praying for me! I am here safely and have already learned a lot. I got to talk with Bro. and Mrs. Tyler during the long drive to their house about the ministry here and asked them a bunch of questions. I've learned a lot already! Can't wait to see the work and be able to meet their team tomorrow night!

Romania!

2009-07-17T23:59:00.003-04:00

I leave tomorrow for Romania! YAY! I am pretty much packed...everything else I will have to pack tomorrow I guess. I do need to go to Wal-Mart once before I leave and pick up a few things! Wow, I'm about to find out what life without Wal-Mart is like...I'll let y'all know how it goes! :) So tomorrow, I am going to visit my bus kids one last time, make a few follow-up visits, and possibly knock some new doors. Then I will eat lunch at Chick-Fil-A and I will drink Sweet Tea with my meal! Do you think they have Sweet Tea in Romania? I guess I should just keep dreaming! If they don't have it in California then they probably don't have it in Romania. I know...no Wal-Mart, Chick-fil-a, or Sweet Tea....can I survive? I guess if I can survive college without Chick-fil-a or Sweet Tea for 3.5 months at a time then I can survive Romania. :) After lunch I will go to Wal-Mart, finish the last minute packing and relax at home until I leave for the airport! My flight is not until 10:55 pm! I don't arrive in Budapest until 5:55pm on Sunday! Yay! A whole day of flying...gotta love it! By the way, as of July 1st, I can only have 1 checked bag for free up to 50 pounds. It used to be 2 bags up to 75 pounds for international flights...what happened??? I will become an expert packer soon!

Last Service For a While

2009-07-15T23:56:00.002-04:00

Okay, so this was my last service at my church for practically the rest of the year!!!!!! I will be home one week give or take a day or two in between Romania and school, but other than that, I won't be home until Christmas. Wow, time flies when you are having fun...I'm already a junior in college. It doesn't seem that long ago when we first started visiting Victory Baptist Church and then we joined. It's crazy...I remember breaking my arm, entering the youth group - initiation was a little rough, but I would have to say eating the three raw eggs was worse...or maybe the 15 cold hot dogs the fastest - entering high school, getting my license, going on all the crazy fun teen trips, and graduating high school. Now I'm half way done with college and feel really, really old! Who knew I would ever even make it this far? I'm pretty sure my parents didn't think so- they probably thought that they would kill me before 20 years was up! Anyway, Brooke - AKA Brocolli - keeps making me feel really old...she tells me that when I was 15, she was 3. I don't feel like 15 was that long ago or at least I didn't until she said that!

I thank God for Victory Baptist Church and I really mean that with all my heart! I think I realized tonight more than ever how much of a great and caring church God has blessed me with. I can't imagine what my life would be like without this church. Thank you to everyone who said they are praying for me! I really appreciate it! The people of Victory Baptist Church are so kind and thoughtful and I love all of y'all! Thank You, Lord!

Weekend Update

2009-07-12T14:19:00.004-04:00

Wow, so yesterday I went and hit some new doors with Bro. J and Victor after I visited some of the bus kids. It was neat to see how God worked that out. We talked to this one man who is going through some things in his life right now and he said he would visit soon and then another man answered the door and he was really interested in coming. He said that he would come to the service this morning. I'm not sure whether he made it or not, but it was neat that God sent us there. That one man was just looking for a church to visit. We were able to talk with him for a while. He said he was already saved and he had been going to some churches, but he just needed to find a different church. God's always so good.

So today was Hawaiian Sunday! There were just a few kids, but it was fun! We had the bus decorated Hawaiian and every rider recieved a lei. It was fun! I bought some silly string and was going to play with it on the way home, but it was gone before we even got the kids to church! McKayla got Bro. J pretty good with it! Victor had it all in his hair! I love the bus! If you will just love the kids they will keep coming and God will speak to their hearts and He can use them in a big way! I really pray that the Lord will continue to keep our buses rolling and that He will bless that ministry in a big way! If anyone would like to get involved in the bus ministry please just let Bro. Patrick or Bro. Josh know. We could use some more workers. It's one of those ministries that if you just jump in and give it your all then God will bless you. You may be dirty or smelly or feel gross by the end of the day or have to put some money and time into it, but to see the kids come back week after week and they start answering Bible trivia then you know that you have made a difference in a child's life and it is worth it all! Well, that's my plug for the bus ministry!

Bro. Josh preached in Sunday School about the Holy Spirit. We should not quench the Spirit or grieve the Spirt, we should walk in the Spirit, pray in the Spirit, and be filled with the Spirit. Bro. Patrick delivered a great message this morning about Following Him through the Difficult Times. Sometimes difficult times come from unbelief, rebellion, sin, or so that you will grow closer to God. Even with trials we ought to praise God for them and thank Him for them. Bro. Chad Phillips is preaching tonight. I'm excited to hear him. Bro. Chad, his wife, and two kids are on deputation right now on their way to Cambodia. It's always exciting to hear him preach.

Well, one more week until I leave. On Saturday at 10:55pm (I think) I will be flying out of Atlanta to Paris and then from Paris to Budapest. I will arrive at the airport in Budapest Sunday evening I believe. I'm so excited. Thank you to everyone who is praying for me. I really appreciate it! The group from our church should be arriving back Wednesday from Peru. We're praying for y'all guys! I can't wait to hear all of the testimonies!

Praise the Lord!

2009-07-10T23:16:00.007-04:00

Wow! What a week this has been! Praise the Lord! Victory Baptist Church in Loganville, Georgia got its CO (Certificate of Occupancy) this past week- well a temporary one while we fix a few minor details, then a permanent one!! So Thursday we moved the offices up to the new building!!! That was a chore. God has been so good to our church! I am so excited about what God is going to do in the new building! The souls that will be saved, the lives that will surrender, the men and women that will be called, the lives that will come together, the marriages that will be mended, and the many, many other decisions that will be made! It's not about a new building, though God has certainly blessed us with a beautiful one, it's all about God. Let's keep our eyes on Him. It's so easy to get so busy doing good things- even doing what God has called you to do, but lose sight of Him. I don't want that to be said of me anymore.

God has certainly continued to prove Himself in the area of finances for my trip. Another church I sent a letter to sent me some money! Also, I had a man come up to me and say he wanted to be a blessing to me for my trip and he handed me cash! My church also gave me a large donation for my trip! God is so good! Thank You Lord! God knows our needs and always meets them!

In the morning I am going to go out and visit some of my bus kids. Then I am going to go knock some new doors. I would love to see somone saved tomorrow. Lord, prepare hearts now! Maybe I can sign up some new bus riders tomorrow. What a responsibility we have. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Matthew 28:19-20. If I learned anything in my Personal Evangelism class my freshmen year with Bro. Lester it was the Great Commission...Matthew 28:19-20...GO, WIN, BAPTIZE, TEACH.

The bus promotion for Sunday is Hawaiian Sunday! I can't wait! I love the bus ministry!! This will be my last Sunday- with the exception of Aug. 30- that I will be on the bus before Christmas break. At college I will join Route 4- the best bus in Lancaster- again for the 3rd year! There is something special about being able to take kids to church who would otherwise never go to church or hear the Gospel presentaion. "Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence." Matthew 19:13-15. Jesus wants the little children. I want to do all I can to get them to Him!

This has been a long blog. I hope you're still awake! :) Have a great weekend!!!

Prayer Request

2009-07-06T22:45:00.003-04:00

Please pray for the group of 22 people (18 from our church) who left for Peru today on a missions trip! Pray that God will already be working in the hearts of the Peruvians that they will come into contact with, but also that He will work in the hearts of some teenagers from Loganville, GA! I pray that God will light a fire in the hearts of those teenagers and adults on this trip for missions and for God!

There's a huge world out there just waiting for someone to tell them that Jesus loves them and died for them! Who will go and tell them? I want to be the one!

Isaiah 6:8 " Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me."

Romania Itinerary

2009-07-04T23:23:00.003-04:00

I finally received my itinerary for my trip! I am very excited! I will actually arrive in Budapest where Mrs. Tyler will pick me up from the airport on July 19th. It is a 4 hour drive to Timisoara, Romania from the airport in Budapest. I will be staying with the Tylers for that first week. On August 24th, I will fly to Cluj where the Nibbes live and stay there until August 10th when I fly back to Timisoara.

This is what Bro. Nibbe said about while I am with them:
"We have a children's program that we run daily, kind of like a Bible summer school, that runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., she will work in that each day. Plus we have tract distribution and she can help in the children's SS classes. Also we have a team of young people that does a program in the parks for children. It is along the lines of Child Evangelism Fellowships program. She can sing in our choir if she wants plus she will help a lady missionary in our church who works with some of our more needy people. She will be busy in ministry."

Here is what Bro. Tyler said about while I am with them:
"During the week of Aug. 10th (which is our anniversary), she will fly back down to Timisoara for the last part of her time with us. We will also be holding a weekly children’s club and canvassing for VBS while she is with us. We will take good care of her and we have several young ladies who speak English so that she can go soul-winning (as well as shopping). We are in need of a good pianist for accompaniments for choir and specials."

I am so excited about the opportunites God is giving me! God is SO good to me!

Praise the Lord

2009-07-02T22:55:00.001-04:00

Praise the Lord - I also found out that one of the churches Bro. England recommended I send a letter to - Liberty Baptist Church - sent me $100! What a great God I serve. A church that doesn't even know me sent me money for my missions trip!

Something I've learned over the years and want to implement this into my life even more...you can NEVER outgive God! If you really think about that and then try it, you'll see that God always takes care of His children! There's never been a time where I have given too much to God, but there have been plenty of times when I didn't give all that I should.

I want to thank God for my church, Victory Baptist Church, and my Pastor! I have the best church and the best Pastor in the world! I don't know where I would be without my Pastor and his wife and several other key people in the church that have done so much for me and I have really grown a lot spiritually because of them. Thank you Pastor, Mrs. Michelle, Bro. Chad, Mrs. Ami, and so so so so so many others who have meant so much to me over the years! Y'all are the best!

First Blog

2009-07-02T00:14:00.001-04:00

I talked to my Pastor today and he thought that I should get a blog and start blogging as I get ready to leave for a five week stay in Romania on a missions trip. I don't think anyone will ever read this, but that's ok! I enjoy talking to myself! :) Really though, I am so excited about this trip! I am just starting to hear about some of the things I will be doing while I am there and I can't wait to see what God will do. One thing I kept thinking would be cool if I was able to do while I was there was play the piano for their services. I may not be able to speak their language, but I can play the piano in their language! However, I know their son (who is in the states) is an excellent pianist so I figured that their other children probably played as well or they probably had someone in their church play. Well, Bro. England was reading an email to me yesterday from them and they asked if I played piano because they were in need of a pianist to accompany their choir and play for them! I don't know how well I will be able to play for them, but I am excited about how God worked that out that - something I never even told anyone- and I will be able to use what little bit of talent I do have on the piano for Him on foreign soil! One of the missionaries said that their are some young ladies in their church who speak English so I will be able to go soul-winning and shopping with them! :) I'm really excited about that! I'm hoping to get a English-Romanian dictionary really soon and start learning some words! Well, it's getting late, but this has been fun! Please pray for me as I get ready to head out to Romania. I'm praying that God will do something great while I am there! I'm really praying that He will work in my heart as well as some Romanian's hearts! Thanks for reading!