Greetings from Guatemala

                                                                                                                                                                                        

       So me and the girls have been here a little over a week and a half already and I cannot believe the work the Lord has already begun. Our PFK location is a tad different than all the other ones mainly because it is currently he newest one, there is a lot foundation work that still needs to be laid down before we can become enamored with the precious little faces that live in this area. I see the pictures and posts of the rest of our family that is currently all around the world and it brings such joy to my face to know that all 12 of us are currently in the exact and perfect will of God for our lives. No location is the same, no host family is the same, no PFK is exactly the same and no team is the same. And while at times is may be extremely easy for me to sit there and point out the differences, and go "hey that's not fair!" the Lord always brings me back to a point of remembrance and awe at the realization that He has cultivated this perfect set up for me, He knew what I could handle, the lessons I need to learn, the experiences I need to go through that will further shape me into the image of Him He wants me to portray to the world. 

               I know and believe that Antigua Guatemala is where I am supposed to be for the next 6 months, and while my heart still longs to travel the world and experience new things and cultures, right now I find myself in the epicenter of God's plan for me ( I'm sorry can I take a second to just marvel and the amazing and incomprehensible fact that there is absolutely no other thing that I could be doing that would be as beneficial to me that what I am right now?!?! The sense of security that it brings me is astounding!)

          While I know and recognize that these 6 months are going to be filled with some of the most amazing moments of my life, with people that I will never forget and experiences that will forever leave me altered and that when I look back I will just stand amazed at the journey the Lord set before me there's a little voice that reminds me of advice that I received not to long ago.....It'll never happen in the way you think it will. A lot can happen in six months, and for right now I am more than content to take it one moment at a time and enjoy every second of it.

Not Just Another Cheesy Light Analogy

“In the same way let your light shine before others, so that they might see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven”- Matthew 5:16

        This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine.
       The poster child of all sunday school songs, yet hidden between it’s catchy tune and repetitive nature I find a truth that is crucial to my walk with Christ. Jesus Himself has called me to be the “ salt and light of the earth”. See here’s the thing I’m convinced that because Jesus sanctified me ( ooh big christianese word! hehe ), the Father can now use me to carry out some of His plans on earth ( how ridiculously cool is that?!)
       Many times me being used of the Lord isn’t going to be magnanimous, I probably won’t be calling down a pillar of fire from heaven, parting the sea, healing people , giving the blind back their sight or raising people from the dead, although you never know. For the most part however, shining my light is going to consist of things that I might not even give much importance to, like giving a 20% tip instead of 15%, actually engaging people in conversation when I go about my day, something as simple as a warm smile, or a big hug could be what the Lord has planned for me that day.
        The little things matter, I’ve learned that so much over the past three months, there are about 25 of us at the ranch at any given time and especially when it comes to the interns I’ve come to realize that God’s glory and Love can be powerfully demonstrated in event the most seemingly mundane tasks, like handing someone your glass of water ( before you’ve had a sip), or allowing them to go before you in the lunch line. The little things are what are going to cause people to stop and take note of the fact that I’m not living my life the way every one else is. Joy, gratitude, a warm smile, or a much needed hug can show Christ just as much as the healing on the blind can.
     I am called to let my light shine before others, in everything I do, even the little things, because in doing so hopefully I leave them wondering why it is that I took the time to take that extra baby step of kindness, and that little step could be the seed that God uses to bring someone to Him.
     So this little light of mine?...I’m gonna let Shine, every which way I can.

Application: I will be purposeful in carrying out even the smallest of tasks, with the understanding that they could make someone’s day

I'm Sorry for Slacking

So I have totally been ignoring my blog and I'm deeply sorry for that....
   The Last week at the Ranch was a sad one for me, I saw family member after family member board a plane or get into a car and drive off, and I myself boarded a plane and flew to Miami for a few days before heading off to the field.
   If I'm being honest, ( honesty is the best policy after all) I have to admit that I wasn't all that excited to come back to the 305. Don't get me wrong I missed my family and friends a lot, and it was indeed very nice to see them again, especially considering it'll be another seven months before I get to do so, but other than that, the city just didn't have a hold on me the way it once did.
    If I've learned anything about being back here for the past few days is that God is not bound to any one geographical location. It sounds like a pretty obvious concept, but many times I selfishly believe that God is present in my current location and that's pretty much it. The physical location doesn't determine how much or how strongly you feel God's presence, that comes from you're personal relationship with Him and purposing yourself to spending time with Him and in prayer.
   In less that 12 hours I will have officially landed in Guatemala, the every so anticipated field location, but what will determine how strongly and clearly I experience the Lord and His will isn't the fact that I have crossed international boarders, or I that I have officially by dictionary definition have become a Missionary. That is determined by purposing to dedicate time, effort, energy and heart into my one on one relationship with the God of the Universe, regardless of where my physical body may reside.