LIfe in Colombia

A question I've been asking myself since I got back is:
How can we go to other countries to share the gospel and our testimonys but when we get back to the states we aren't as confident or we just don't think its as important?

WE have people here who need Jesus just as bad as the person we lead to Christ in another country. I don't know but I've been super convicted about that since I've been back. I don't want this fire to just burn out because I'm comfortable again I want the fire to burn like never before. Just my two cents that Gods been working in me about.

Goodness where do I start with life for the past month! I spent 13 days in Armania area of Colombia and the last 11 days in Chocco area. EAch place had its pros and cons!

Armania area we were still pretty comfortable because we stayed at a nice place and then ride the bus where ever we were heading that day. We went into so many schools to give the book of hope there. I loved doing dramas with my team and loving on kids for the time! Armania has a great climate because you are surrounded by mountains! I would sit outside on the balcony at night and just have God time and I would take a blanket or wear a sweat shirt! Our days were super long in Armania...The first day we started at 5 am and ended around 6pm. Talk about being tired! Some days were 6am to 9pm. God gave each of the strength that was needed! We worked with awesome pastors during the 13 days, each so loving and wanted to bless us when we came to bless them. It was hard leaving that area but God comforted me by knowing that they had awesome pastors to lead them!

Chocco is a different story. I cry everyday a little because I miss these kids. It is the poorest state in the country of Colombia. You have kids at age 7 taking care of their younger siblings, can you imagine? We stayed in Quibdo the first 6 days and were able to get into a few schools then did street ministry. I loved the street ministry because i was able to actually interact alot more with the kids. What broke my heart was one day of street ministry I was speaking to the kids and looked down and saw a kid eating dirt. How selfish am I? He was eating dirt! We are spoiled here Americans!!!!! One place we stayed at in Chocco was at a pastors house and my goodness we didnt have a bit of airflow at all! It was all concrete and 100 degrees at night! It was misirable but then you realize yu are their furthering the kingdom of God! So it helped a little!
we were able to float on the river for the last three days. This is where I get choked up alot! I had 6 or so kids that I just fell in love with! They were waiting on us when we got to the bank of the river. They were all siblings and had nothing. I just played and loved on them for the few days I was with them. I gave one little boy my tennis shoes and he had never had a pair in his life. He started to cry just thanking me. I was like wow! I would probably do anything to be playing with those kids right now! I realized all they need is just to be loved and held. But me typing all this out does not do justice of what this trip was!
We ate some nasty food :) I had to suck a fish head gag me right now and let me throw up haha!! I didn't feel too well after that one. We had this nasty salted cheese and with this cheese you had to look at the women who prepared it and have a big SMILE on your face acting like you like it. Most of us tried so hard to but our contacts could tell we were having a hard time with it! I think we only had salted cheese a few more times after that. I gag thinking about it right now! But for the most part we were blessed by the foods and God gave us the strength to eat it. Well God gave Spencer the strength to eat most of my food plus his, thanks brother!!!


this was a life changing trip for me. I learned alot about trusting in God and not others. Realizing justhow selfish I really am. I have everything plus more..all they have is stuff they need and some don't even have that. They get by with what they can have. Even if its just one meal a day! Think ab not having enough money to feed your family. people would work for 3 american dollars a day....i can spend 50 dollars easy in one day. It just really gets me how much we have and dont need! It was just a good wake up call for me!

Blogger: A Beautiful Offering - Edit Post "Are WE Ready???"

Blogger: A Beautiful Offering - Edit Post "Are WE Ready???"

Are WE Ready???

!!! How hard are we really going out there and sharing our faith?? I was blown away last night by a high school student whose in the 10th grade! Shes changed her life dramatically and has lost alot of friends because of her new Faith! As she shared with me about how hard it is to lose her friends, she still was able to find the JOY to see that she could make a difference in their lives. Guys this is a high school student who is giving up EVERYTHING to fully seek God and His kingdom. I know that I wish I was like her in High School but I definitely was trying to be the cool kid at school. We can have this passion that she has to give up EVERYTHING and fully seek God! We need to have the passion she does to win the high schools, our families, our friends, the kids EVERYONE!! We are raising the generation that many people say will fail to lead the churches but this is a generation that will CHANGE THE WORLD!!! So the question to us all including myself..ARE YOU READY? ARE YOU GOING TO LET A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER DIE AND GO TO HELL? Are you going to step it up?? Rise up guys

Following in the Footsteps of My Hero

Alot of us can say that we have a hero or someone who has impacted your life dramatically.I was thinking yesterday about my papa whose 84 and the impact he's had on my life throughout the years. He was a Baptist preacher for over 50 years a man who loves God and his family. As I was growing up he had already retired as a pastor, but always had the fun bible stories to tell us. I remember always looking to my papa for the answers and would crawl in his lap and ask him questions about Jesus. Papa was always excited to tell us the stories or answer our questions. No matter the time of day or where we were he would always be willing to share Jesus with someone or talk to us about Him.
One specific time in my life I remember, I was around 12 or 13 , he was driving his blue Camry and course we were talking about Jesus! He said Whitney God has called you to minister to kids and you need to keep that focus. I remember thinking that's cool, but I want to be a volleyball coach and teach health. He always told me I was a special kid who was going to do extraordinary things with my life, little did I know HE WAS RIGHT! God really used my Papa in my life to show me truth and tell me I have a purpose with ministry. I always thought I would live an ordinary life with going to college, being a volleyball coach and living the "normal life" but God definitely has shown me my calling and purpose with KIDS! It goes back to God speaking through my Papa at a young age telling me I wasn't going to be apart of the "norm", I was going to do something amazing in ministry. I am now seeing it all play as a movie right before my eyes! I thank God for the Papa that I have, who has poured the love of Jesus into my life for 22 years now. He's a mighty man of God who is still seeking Him today.
Papa is now living in a nursing home with Alzheimer's. The cool thing is he still goes around talking to people about Jesus. Every Thursday night my mom will go up there to sit with him for church. Some weeks he trys to teach even if its scattered and everywhere he still manages to get thru. He is a man that has changed my life and many others! I am so thankful he played such a vital role in my life and has given me more conformation to where I am today!!

Bumps In The Road

Everyday is a new day! We may have a few days that go by when we're just in a funk. But when we're in that funk we can choose how to handle it! WE can either choose the Joy of the Lord or be consumed by the enemy. Over the past few days I was in a funk, not wanting to deal with anything or anybody. I was letting everything around me take over my emotions. I came to realize the only way of overcoming it was to speak the word of God over myself and believe the truth of God. So no matter the circumstances going on CHOOSE JOY! TRUST GOD!

ALL THE THINGS YOU'VE BEEN THRU DO NOT DEFINE WHO YOU ARE!!!

God will heal your scars and make them beautiful!

Children entering the Kingdom of God!

First Wednesday was unbelievable! I had a little 9 year old girl jumping, dancing, and praising the Lord with me tonight. She would cuddle he watched me, I would glance down to see how she was, and was in awe of her innocent little heart singing to God. I see what God sees when he watches children and the joy He receives from it. We then had communion and I asked if she goes and she said no. So I proceed to get the elements and then I feel a tap from Rebecca, I lean down and ask what it is. She asks me what it meant to have Jesus. We sat down with the loudness going on, I explain what Jesus did on the cross for REBECCA and how he forgives us and LOVES us. I ask her if she understands, she shakes her head YES, then I ask if she wants to ask Jesus into her heart. With a smile on Rebecca's face she shakes her head YES. I was filled with joy right then. I prayed with her and had her repeat a little prayer after me. She just hugged me as I had tears of joy run down my face. The last song I grabbed Rebecca and said we are going to jump and dance like crazy for Jesus. We definitely were up in the front doing that! Right after service she said can we go tell my daddy what I did, I exclaimed YES YES, lets do it NOW!! Her dad had tears of joy also. What a glorious picture of Gods little children!! I give God the glory for all the things He has done in me and thru me! I find joy in my passion for children and excited to see what my next step it! Come on God show up!!!!

Forgiveness

So many of us hold onto unforgiveness for a long time. Some a day, a week, a month, and even YEARS! This has definitely been a process for me. I was one of the ones that have held onto things for years, since childhood even! I had unexplained bitterness, anger, emotional breakdowns until i fully gave God the chance to take all control and aspects of my life. I no longer have the hurt, pain, guilt, shame from the unforgivenes that I once held onto. This was a difficult process but now I live in complete freedom!
Look into your life at the unforgiveness you may have. Allow God to work in you and set you free! Seek counselor from a friend, mentor, counselor that will stand in the gap for you in time of need!

Having a Purpose

We all have a passion, a calling, a purpose in our lives. Some of us choose to pursue it and some of us don't. For the past few months I was confused and my vision was blurred for a season. I was too concentrated on my own self and my own desires that took the focus off of what I was called to do. I became lazy and apathetic in all that I did, I definitely wasn't living EXCELLENCE IN ALL I DO! During the past 21 days of fasting and prayer, I was encouraged to set aside all that I desire and truly seek God for my purpose in life. The first week I didn't, I was being lazy as I said earlier, didn't really care. Then the second week I started to pray a little bit for direction but still not full heartily just kinda doing it because I felt that I had to. The third week which we're still in it, God spoke through TJ to get my attention which kept me up the other night. TJ stated that I did well with children's ministry. I was like yes, I do well and enjoy it when I'm there but I'm tired of it in a sense. But God revealed the other night that it was my flesh in the way telling me that I am burnt out and lazy. I chose to not allow the enemy to have a hold of my life like he had. Now knowing and being completely confident in my calling to be in children's ministry has now taken me to the next step in the process of getting there. I have set up an appointment with our children's pastor to share my heart and hear his insight of more responsibility, more involvement, the prepping for a weekend service, you name it. I am now ready to quit being comfortable and take a risk in learning how be a children's pastor. An extra plus is I'm learning under one of the greatest children's pastors ever!

Chase after your purpose and calling in life! Be passionate and excited about it! Get out there and make a difference for His Kingdom!!!! God will never leave us nor forsake us.

Running...

This morning we were running up Lakewood Ranch Blvd., I was in the groove of running where I could run for hours. I was in my own little world thinking about how much I really love running. The weather was awesome with a cool breeze, I just felt good! As I was thinking God asked me what are you running after in the spiritual realm? I didn't think too much about it, I just continued running. Then a few minutes later he asked me again. As I ran I began to think about it and question what am I running for? Am I running after God full heartily? Am I running to seek His counsel? Am I running to do His will for my life? Just a few of the things that popped into my head.
So the question is what are YOU running after?

What is your Giant in life?

I was at Books A Million this afternoon with my team, we chose a book, read about it and shared what it meant to us. So I went over to the Christian section looking at books trying to see what I wanted to read. I came across "Facing Your Giant" by Max Lucado. I grabbed it and didn't want to put it down. As I read about David and his story which most of us has heard a million times! But something stuck out more than normal. I started to think about the giants in my life that are keeping me from being fully saturated in Christ. I started asking myself questions of what I can do to take down the giants!
This is what I came up with:
Live with Faith
Trust in God
Think more of others not all the crazyness I'm dealing with
Giving up control
To not be as lazy

Whats keeping you from beating your Giant?

What Legacy are you leaving?

Today I have pondered alot on what type of legacy I was leaving. What do I want to be remembered as?
I was asked this question a week or two ago by TJ and I didn't have much to say during the conversation, but it has been on my heart all day long.

I don't have it all together yet but these were the thoughts that came to mind today:
as a woman of God who served and loved the Lord
cared for the hurting
left a positive impact on the people I met and invested time into
that people loved being around me
encouraging others to grow in their relationship with the Lord

These are just a few thoughts that came to my mind today!
What do you want others to remember you as? Keep this in mind as you walk throughout your day, it might change your outlook and mindset on things!

A Night of Worship

You know when you push snooze like 10 times and end up waking up 15 minutes before you need to leave! This is how my day started this morning!! It started off on the wrong foot and was a long day. But being able to end my night with a little worship was amazing!

Worship is defined as:
reverent honor and homage paid to God

My definition of worship is pretty much the same just giving thanks to God!

As I worshiped tonight all I could do was give God thanks! I don't always think about where he's taken me from and brought me to, it amazes me! I was in awe of who He is in my life tonight more than ever. Getting out of self and seeking God and others makes a world of difference in ones life!

When I enter worship and prayer I sometimes just ask and want but now I'm working on changing my mindset of worship into giving God the Praise and Honor that He deserves. Next time yall are worshipping God, take a moment and give Him thanks for what He's done in your life and what He's going to do!

Lets take worship to a HNL (hole new level) this last week of fasting and prayer! God is going to do amazing things if you just allow Him too!!!

Learning to be Thankful

I feel as if I'm not always thankful for the things I need to be. I walk throughout my days sometimes just seeing the negative in things and never stop and think wow God, I'm still here! Alive and well! God has done so many amazing things in my life that I need to stop and say THANK YOU GOD!
I'm learning to Praise and Thank God during the roughest seasons of life and the greatest seasons of life! WE go through suffering in order to strengthen our faith! So no matter how things are going just take a minute and thank God for what he's done in your life! I know God will show up in each of our lives more and more when we decide to be thankful for all the great things he's done in our lives!!!
Be Blessed Friends!

Change of Mindset

This morning I woke up exhausted! I was nice,warm, and cozy in my bed and didn't want to get up!  I was like its going to be cold when I walk outside and my car is going to be cold.  And right then God reminded me of how many people are on the streets freezing right now,who didn't get a good night sleep because they were cold and sleeping on the hard ground. They may not even have long pants or a jacket on.  It really moved me to get right out of bed and be THANKFUL for all that I have!  Materialistic things keep me from fully seeking the Lord because I get caught up in needing to be comfortable!  The reality of this is that God doesn't always want us to be comfortable, he allows us to be uncomfortable that we may grow in areas of our life!  So the next time you get caught up in the things of the world be thankful for where has you! 

I read a verse last night about being able to give him praise in all circumstances!!

Psalm 143:6

I lift my hands to you in prayer. I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain. 

David knew to give the Lord praise no matter how he felt!  That he was thirsty for him. Whatever it is thats keeping you from fully seeking Him, give Him praise in the hard times!  Be thirsty for Him!  Go to a whole new level with God today!!  

God will move your mountain

Yesterday was a rough day!  I was getting caught up in my emotions, looking into situations more than I should have been, believing the lie's of the enemy, you name it I was believing it.  I was not able to fully get into the presence of God during prayer, I was frustrated about it.  So after all that said I went outside and just sat, cried a little and just really pressed into what God wanted me to see and hear!  As I sat there confessing all my frustrations and saw all my sin and a HUGE mountain.  God reminded me of my quiet time I had that morning, I was reading about faith and having faith to move the mountains in my own life.  God said wake up Whitney and have the faith that with my strength this will be removed!  As I sat there, I was like in order to see true freedom I have to do it!  

"Don't be discouraged, all good leaders have there struggle days and this too will pass.  Keep your head held high and keep reaching for the sky." -TJ Mccormick

That quote also put things into perspective for where I was at that moment.  Continuously pressing on no matter the circumstance!  And the second I fully trusted God with everything, everything came all together!  WE serve a mighty God!  

So when your down, upset, discouraged keep your head held high towards Jesus!  He's the one we're here to impress not people!  

No Looking Back

Why is it that so many times in our lives we look back at the negative things and don't rejoice in the victories?
I find myself in this situation almost daily. I'm always looking back at the things I did wrong and wonder why did I do that. But the reality of it is that we are victorious through Jesus who has brought us out of darkness. The devil will do all that he can to keep you dwelling on the past but guys we are called to stand firm with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, the breastplate of righteousness, and with your feet fitted for the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Also take the shield of faith, helmet of salvations, and the sword of the spirit. This all comes from Ephesians 6:10-19. We have been given these tools from God so lets become courageous and use them!

1 Peter 5:10
10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
We may suffer for a bit and go through a tough season but hes going to make us stronger in our faith. He Grace abounds in each of us! WE just have to press on and allow God to do his work in each of us!