Missions (as of April 2017)

So, to help you (and me) know/realize/organize what missions I am currently involved in, I thought I would make a list for you(us):

Where I work:

Shop - Currently, I work at a place in which the owners/bosses do not believe in God.  One of my bosses is open to talking about it a little bit, but the other hates anything religious.  This has been quite a challenge as I have (me being me) tried to minister to others, but am not allowed to do by orders of my boss.  At first, I wondered whether or not this was a test for me to see if I would "preach the Good News while being persecuted", or if this was a different kind of lesson.  As I spoke with Matthew about this, he reminded me that I must obey the secular laws in order to reach the people I am working for.  If I want to continue to be there and love on them in the name of Jesus, I must obey their commands.  This was/is a hard consept for me to grasp.  Especially due to the fact that my last job was being a Children's Director at a church and we are open and ENCOURAGED to speak the Good News to anyone and everyone. A certain interaction between my boss and I helped me realize how difficult it has become to minister to people in the "real world".  I am reminded that I am called to love God first, that only God can "change" those people if He so desires, and that I am called to love.

Jess Dance - Another place I work at is a dance studio in which I am in charge of teaching dance to a group of 10-12 year olds and a group of 25 7-9 year olds.  This has tested my patience.  We have had problems figuring out bathroom procedures with the 7-9 year olds as well as girls being mean to one another.  I have sat the girls down many times for us to discuss and to pray.  I am continuing to figure out this ministry.  Please pray for us.

Teach Piano - I am teach piano lessons to 3 fifth graders and love it.  I love spending one on one time with the kids and seeing things click in their brains when they make a connection with music.  It's such a fun thing, and I love having students I can focus on and be intentional with!

Worship at "The Bridge" - I also help lead worship at a new church plant called "The Bridge" in D'Iberville.  For a while I was their main worship leader, but now, I currently sing back up and play guitar for the band that is lead by Sean.  It's a lot less stressful having to lead (getting all of the songs prepared and to the people and making all of the slides and meeting with the pastor), but it is a way I am able to use my gifts and talents to glorify the Lord, and I love it!

Missions:

Blog - This blog is a mission that has been on my heart to do so that I can communicate with people like you, and so that I can help others and tell others things I was never told and wish I had been told in the past.  

Haiti - A friend of mine posted a video on facebook reguarding that he was bringing a group from his church to Haiti and that someone backed out last minute, and that they were looking for someone to fill that spot.  I messaged him letting him know that I was interested, but would like to pray about it.  After a few days, I felt a "good to go" from God, and am now scheduled to take a trip to Haiti in early May.  The groups plan is to not have a plan, and to see where God leads us while we are there loving on the people there.  I can't wait to see what God has in store for us.

Cherokee, NC - The youth group I grew up in took a couple of mission trips to Cherokee, NC, which is where I feel like I first really understood mission opportunities and how they can be uncomfortable at first, but that if you persist, you grow to LOVE loving on others.  I plan to go back in July and to continue loving on these people.  It is such a fasinating culture, and one that I am passionate about.  I am super excited to see what God is doing/will do there too!

YouTube video on 'Loving God First" - I am in the beginning phases on making a video talking about the realizations I've had about the church and nowaday Christians and how our focus has lost sight of the first and greatest commandment which is to "Love your God with all of your heart with all of your soul and with all of your mind."  We've focused for a very long time on the second commandment which is to "love your neighbors", but have forgotten to put the first commandment first (and the second commandment will come naturally through doing the first).  That might not have made a whole lot of sense, but hopefully you'll see what I'm talking about soon!

People:

My & Younger Generation - I am hoping to minister to the people around my age as well as the next generation to help other Christians know that they are not alone and that there are people out there who struggle with the same things, and I also want those Christians to know that they are truly loved and cared for.  I hope that through this blog I will be able to do this.  Let me know if you have any ideas that could help me help you!  I am open to suggestions!

Compassion Int. - Currently, God has allowed me to sponsor 2 beautiful girls through the Compassion International program.  One of the girls is a cutie pie from Bolivia, and the other is a strong, beautiful woman from Tanzania.  I am so blessed to have them in my life and have the privilege to help sponsor them.

Family - I have seen and understand the importance of family.  One of the things that I have learned is a common thread between all of the homeless I have talked to is that they all have broken families.  Whether their parents left them with their Grandmother to raise them, or their wife or husband left them, they don't have a family to depend on.  I love my family and am continuing to learn relationship skills through the different members of my family and am so grateful for God placing me where He did.

Matthew - I am dating a boy named Matthew who is currently a seminary student at Denver Seminary.  He is studying to become a chaplain and is excited to see where God will lead with that.  Right now we are dealing with the long distance relationship stuff, but are continuing seeking God's approval on what God has in store for our future.  I am so grateful for him and all that he has helped me learn through the past few months.  I am also grateful for how he loves me well and in a healthy, mature way.  He is a great encourager and thinker and I am so blessed to have him in my life.

Me - Oh yeah! There's me! Right now, I'm taking seminary classes at NOBTS honestly to help in my growth with my spiritual walk.  I felt like 1) I was not learning to the depth of knowledge I would like to learn in church and 2) that I missed part of other's childhoods when they learned Biblical truths.  I have felt for a while that I have the right kind of heart for my Chrisitan walk, but that I have been lacking the Bible knowledge for it.  I felt that going to seminary would help me to get back on track and help me focus in on what I feel like I have missed growing up.  I also feel like it is an accountability almost like a mentor role that I have been seeking.  So, we'll see how it goes! And I'd love for you to learn what I'm learning in Seminary, but without the cost I'm having to pay :).

I also am constantly learning on my own and trying to figure things out and how I can help.  This is where my quiet time comes into play.  Recently, I have felt a desire to just spend some quality time with God.  I am trying to figure out how to do that and everything else I'm doing.  Again, I am continuously learning, which is a good thing.

I say none of this so others can "look at me", but to honestly let you know what I am involved in so that you can be involved and pray as I continue on this journey of learning and growing!  I love you!!