This year I was incredibly blessed by going on my first mission’s trip. A group of us from my church went to Joplin, Missouri to help rebuild after one year had passed from the devastation of tornados. We came to work on a few people’s houses.  One experience that really stuck out in my mind was when the Holy Spirit moved inside me and I knew that I was supposed to ask a lady if she wanted to pray. But like so many of us do, I started analyzing the situation of why it didn’t make sense. The lady didn’t say much and seemed a little distant. She remained upstairs while we worked downstairs.  I thought, “Surely this lady does not want me to talk to her.” When I would see her walk by, the Holy Spirit prompted me but unfortunately I didn’t pray with her that day. Thankfully we were coming to her house the next day but I should have stepped up no matter what because the Lord asked me to. An opportunity went by because I leaned on my own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)

 

The next day, we were cleaning up and the lady came downstairs and I knew I couldn’t let that second chance pass by. Before I left I told her thank you for allowing us into her home. Then I asked her if there was something that we could pray for her about. In an instant she reached out her hands towards mine and said yes and began to tell me what she wanted to pray about. She was just waiting for someone to ask her! She wanted to pray that her home would be God’s home, that her home would be a home for missionaries, and that she would be living in God’s will for her life. Another missionary and I held her hands and we prayed together.

What a great memory and lesson that will live on in my heart. The moments in which God is asking us to act are so precious. I will choose to follow God even when things don’t make sense. I don’t have to understand to be obedient to God.

Today I was feeling a little stressed at work and normally all my stress and tension goes to my shoulders. God reminded me that there is already one that has gone before me and carried it all on His shoulders. He has all authority and has everything under control. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 ♥

Hello :)

Just a friendly heads up that this post is longer than my other ones. It is my testimony of 2011. Around this same time last year I was e-mailing it to a few friends. I can't believe that now I get to share it with my blog readers as well! I am thankful that God encouraged me to start this blog. Thank you for reading...

One year ago, before 2011 began, I sat down and prayed and gave some serious thought about what I’d like to do differently in the New Year. I thought about what I’d like to change about myself, internally that is. I picked two things: I wanted to LOVE and GIVE like never before.  I chose these two things because although I have always loved to give, I caught myself having a hard heart sometimes and I didn’t want to be like that anymore. My prayer for a while had been David’s prayer, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10. If there was anybody I wanted to be like, if there was anybody I wanted to follow, it was Jesus.  I also desired to be more of a cheerful giver, “Each man should give what he has decided in His heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7. I wanted to be sensitive to His Spirit and give to others especially when He prompted me to.  So I made a commitment to God that I would cheerfully and purposefully give something every day in the year of 2011. I have kept this commitment and it’s about to come full circle. I wanted to share this as a way to celebrate what God has done in my life. He has given me amazing, meaningful giving opportunities that I am so glad to have been a part of.    

This experience has really allowed me to hear Him clearer and hear Him more. I left my heart open to be guided by Him and He showed up and led me.  This is what I wrote to God in my journal last January, “This year I want to give and love like never before. I want to let Your love overflow in me and be a walking testimony of Your love. To You, God, be the glory! This year I am going to document what I give every day.” I love to write and I wrote down the things I gave every day as a way of honoring the talent of writing that God gave me (Matthew 25:14-27).  I am so grateful that He not only gave me giving opportunities but that He did a work in my heart.  You see, after a while I noticed that I was so focused on giving that I forgot about my commitment to love. But then God opened my eyes to see that in giving to His people, I had come to love them more also.

The gifts I gave were mostly non-tangible and not always monetary. Sometimes the little things that we do can make a huge difference. I’ve witnessed this as God gave me opportunities to give encouragement, love, gratitude, quality time with family and friends, kindness, a listening ear, hope, honor, prayer for others, and more. God has asked me to give to others by sowing seeds into ministries, sponsoring others for mission trips or youth camp, buying groceries for others, treating others to lunch/dinner, and more.  I knew that whatever He asked me to give, He would provide. Some of these giving commitments will carry over into the next three years.  My journals are filled with these three words, “Today I gave …” He gave me opportunities throughout the year that I could either take or watch as they passed by. It was a challenge, and there were times that He had to remind me about my commitment, but I saw how important it was (and is) to reach out when God is asking for something to be done. He has shown me that giving affects lives, which in turn affects more lives, and in some cases the lives of others in different countries. There is such significance in allowing God to use us to meet a need.  I have learned that when we give, we express gratitude for what God has given to us. When we give, it causes others to give thanksgiving to God (2 Corinthians 9:12). When we give, God uses us to be the answer to other people’s prayers. We can give because God has blessed us.  We can give to bring Glory to His name!  

Although I plan to continue to be a cheerful giver, I also plan on making a new commitment for 2012 and I am looking forward to growing closer to Him. Whatever you are asking God to do in you this upcoming year, I pray that you can feel His sweet spirit guiding you and His unmistakable presence surround you. My prayer is for you to be blessed and to know Him as much as you desire and to see Him move powerfully in your life.

<3 Heidi

Last night I was doing one of my most favorite things– reading my little brother a bed time story.  :) We usually read from his Veggie Tales Bible and he usually picks the same story but last night he picked a different one called, “Josh and the Big Wall”. It wasn’t until I started reading that I noticed that it was the story of the wall of Jericho. This was so significant to me because I am reading the book, “The Circle Maker” that talks about the wall of Jericho and drawing prayer circles around your dreams. I know God set this up. It’s one of those things that caught my attention and I looked up and smiled and said, ok I hear you Lord. Lol.
I have been asking God about a certain thing (blog post right before this one) and I have been drawing prayer circles around it with praise and expectancy. The Circle Maker talks about circling the “Jericho” in our lives. To keep circling those important requests in prayer and to keep praying through until we receive our answer. I have held on and believed Him for an answer and I have told God that no matter what the answer is, I will follow Him and trust Him to do what is best for me.
Look at what the end of the Bible story was, “Sometimes God asks us to do things that don’t make sense to us. But when we remember that God loves us and wants what is best for us, we can be sure that His way is the best way. We know that He will take care of us if we follow Him.” I have asked for Him to lead me and to give me wisdom and guidance. I really feel like He is doing just that. God you are so amazing!

As of last Monday, for the first time, I have taken my hands completely off of a prayer request and completely given it to God. It has brought me much joy because I have experienced God in a way that I have never felt Him before. It was a complete act of faith to step back with raised hands and say, “I trust you God”. I instantly felt Him involved and His sweet loving and powerful presence around me. Today marks one week that I have been in continuous prayer and praise.

This all started after I was unable to reach my mentor. (see previous blog post) Once I started to pray and talk to God, He led me to this beautiful place of faith. Thank you God for loving me enough to bring me here! I was getting absolutely nowhere on my own. I see now that when I try to do things on my own it does absolutely nothing for my faith and it doesn’t glorify The Father. I pray your will for my life God.  

When this prayer request is fulfilled, I want to be able to look back and know that only God could have orchestrated something so great. You are amazing God! I pray that you get all the glory. I give you my life and let you do what you will. Let your will be done. It’s not easy but I am so thankful for this experience because I have learned so much. <3