I'm leaving again!

I am leaving tomorrow morning for a mission trip with my youth group to Tunica, Mississippi!

I just wanted to let you guys know, since I won't be posting for another week!

But when I get back.. be prepared for some awesome posts.. :D

<3

Ecuador Update!

Hey guys, it's me! :D

WOW, the past two days have been INTENSE. Yesterday we had a total of eight hours of drama training. I was up from 6am until at least 12am. WOOO. BUT IT HAS BEEN SOOOO AMAZING.

On my team there is a total of nine 'Cats', which as I said in my previous post is a gang (of demons) who beat up Jesus, bring Him to the cross, and nail Him there. However, the 'King Cat' does repent and comes to know Jesus in the end, unfortunately the rest of us stay evil. :(
Anyway, the costumes, training and everything else have been really tiring. Sometimes I can see and feel the impatience. Nevertheless, we have nearly perfected (or I'd like to think so) the whole drama. The drama is approx. 20ish minutes, at first it seemed really long, but once we begin now, it goes so fast!

A funny part from yesterday:
There was a session about modesty for girls, so there was a fashion show of bad outfits/good outfits. For the bad outfits, guys came out dressed in girls clothing and it was absolutely hilarious... One guy was wearing this super super short dress and bent over.... that's when I let out a shriek and nearly went blind. Pics will come later! :D

I really am beginning to truly enjoy all my team mates and the fun we're having! We have had some really, really great worship time! I cannot wait until we get to Ecuador!

On a slightly more serious note, pride is something I struggle with. I think we all do to some extent, some worse than others of course. In the past month or so though, I've really felt God tugging at that spot in my heart, and consistently reminding me that He is above all things, the most important, and my King, not me. I think it's kind of ironic since my whole blog thing is "Beautifully selfless" and being humble and meek in spirit. I have really felt that tug even more now, being on this trip. There have been some things that have bothered me, some attitudes, motives, and actions from other people. It's really easy for me to look at them and judge them for it, and be upset that they aren't acting the "proper" way. I think technically, we're probably both at fault. Nevertheless, when I feel that way, I seem to feel that God instantly reminds me that I am nothing too, and it's only by HIS continual grace that I am where I am, physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc. And when I feel I have 'the right' to make assumptions about another, I try to think of myself inside, and what I could do to be more loving to those.
I think (and hope) that God will teach me more of this especially when we get to Ecuador. One of my goals is to truly be selfless, as much as can be in my human state, and glorify Christ through it. It's hard, really, really hard, since it goes against all that sin represents and is. Yet, I know and try to remember that I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. :)

Anyway, my dinner is waiting for me... KFC... yay? Who cares. It's food. And after today, having another 8 hours of drama training.. I AM READY TO EAT!!

Last note: Tomorrow I am leaving for Ecuador! My flight is at 11:15am and I will arrive at 6:50pm (we have a three hour layover, bleh!) central standard time, woooo!

Hopefully I'll update you guys soon on how it goes!
Until then, keep praying!

Oh P.S. I forgot to mention but on my flight from Altanta to Miami, I sat next to this really cool lady. We talked for nearly the whole flight about all sorts of stuff, and when we landed, I asked if I could pray for her and she said yes, so I did! It was so great and it was such a great way to start off my trip. :)

And lastly, remember: http://www.neverthesameec.com/
Check it out for daily updates on what we're doing per team. I am team 2, for the millionth time. :D

<3

I'm in awe...

Today I received a check in the mail for my mission trip.
Let's just say, before I opened it I still had a little over $900 to raise.
After opening it, I no longer have any more to raise.

I'M GOING TO ECUADOR!!

I'm just amazed right now.
I can't even comprehend God's goodness towards me.

"For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does."

Psalm 33:4

An Ecuador Update :)

So, it's been nearly a month since I was accepted to go on the mission trip to Ecuador! Here's a little update on my progress. :) I decided to make this just a picture blog post... with as few words as possible, so enjoy the pictures! :)

LETTERS LETTERS LETTERS!

32 to be exact. :)

Oh, how I love letters and mailing letters. :)
 

...So I got a little hungry... which leads to my next pictures.. :)

And as I put all these wonderful letters together I enjoyed a few of my favorite things... :)

Nomnomnom :)

Ohhhh.. so delicious! <3

 And on top of all of that wonderfulness, just a few days ago I received my passport in the mail! Only took about 3 weeks - woohoo government, you're really on the ball this time! ;)

:)

Waiting on my Jesus!

I'm waiting on my Jesus. :)

It all began a few months back. I knew our church, specifically my youth group was planning for an international mission trip. I was excited! I emailed one of my female leaders about any information she knew/could give about it. She responded with little and said that more would be coming out soon. What do you know, the next day my youth pastor sends out an email for the mission trip. It was going to be to Haiti! I was ecstatic! Within a few weeks, things changed and the mission trip was moved from being just youth to it being a church held trip, for several different reasons. While I was a little saddened by it not being my entire youth group, I was still seeking to go.

At the beginning of January, I found out about ANOTHER mission trip, completely apart and outside of my church. It's called "Never the Same Missions" held by Susie Shellenberger (creator of Brio magazines, "Ask Susie"). Dannah Gresh (one of my favorite Christian authors!) was promoting it on her website, since she and her daughter are going to attend. It was a mission trip to Ecuador for 13-19 year old teens!

Then began the conflict of two really attractive and appealing ideas! Which one to pick?

I was still waiting on more information about the Haiti trip, so I couldn't just make a decision. Then I noticed a early bird deadline for the Ecuador trip. If you applied by January 31st, you'd avoid an extra $100 fee. It gave me a few weeks to pray, and ask others to pray.

January 24th rolls around,

"God, can you PLEASE let me know soon about which mission trip to attend?" was a journal entry I wrote, seeking God's answer. Two days later, I attend a leadership meeting for youth group and find out that the Haiti mission trip was canceled due to political conflicts occurring there.

I couldn't believe it! I was excited and nervous at the same time.

After filling out a 12 page application, including two notarization's and a pastor recommendation, I mailed my application on January 31st. Receiving JUST enough grace from God to turn it in without having to pay the extra $100. Praise God!

Now the question is... Will I get accepted?

I'm waiting on my Jesus. :)

Note: Are you interested too? Check out the Never the Same Mission Trip to Ecuador here!