So this year has started now, and so far it's going well :) I have a new house, a new iPhone, in one day I went from surfing a 6'6 to a 5'9 thats an incredable improvement esspecially because the first wave I got I got up on it even though it took a min to get used to the almost foot shorter board. but Im frothin, I have heaps of new years resolutions, some I have are
To do God's will no matter how crazy it is, like if he says go to the airport I'm going to fly you [_____] I'll go trusting Him even if I'm flat broke :)
To Know God and Make Him known, to the whole world :) I wana have people look at me and See Jesus in my life and in my smile and eyes, I want to shine His light where ever I go and as bright as so that I walk into a room and at the very least one person askes me What is so different about you? You have a glow? and I'll tell them about my Papa God :)
I want to place 1st in at least one surf contest but I know there will be heaps, and The reason why this goal is so high is because I know Jesus said "What is impossible with man is possible with God" If he wants me in surf ministry like He says He does, He said He's my trainer and now that I surf for Him he is going to make me the best because its a different story when you do things for God He turns the tables and blesses and makes you the best to Glory His name. So I know that this is a small thing, but He made the waves right? Stoked He's shown improvement in my over night :P
I want my whole family to know Jesus like I do, part of this was for 2009 and it worked for the most part but Grandma I want you to know Papa God like I know him, He's a great friend to always have around :) and Dad Im stoked you've finally seen Jesus and the homeboy I see him, always lookin across the room with a wink and thumbs up encouraging you to keep going.
Papua New Guniea, New Zealand, and Bali are in the future for this year so far is what Nikki and I feel Papa's said
Christian Surfers Leadership Training, get a group more to travel around doing surf/skate/snow ministry...
Those are few for right now Im stilll prayin on them :)
ahhhhh veganism up for 1 day in 4 days :)
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
A New year to a New decade with Papa God.
So December 29th, 2009. New years in 3 days.
A new year to a new decade to a new life with God.
Woah.
So when I think about the last ten years, age 9-19, I remember a lot of things
-finding God, rollercoaster relationship with Him, heaps of mistakes, heaps of healing, heaps of friends coming and going in my life, heaps of moving.
But since senior year [12th grade] I've seen how everything in my life has lead me to right here in Byron Bay Australia, at this moment, for this year, for Healing and New beginning in an unwavering relationship with God. Finally finding my identity with Him.
In finally opening your heart to God and allowing [keyword:Allowing] Him to work, move, heal, change, fix, bless you in your life He Will if you just give Him the chance. This time a year ago I Never in a million years would have thought that I'd end up falling in love with Australia and living here. I never would have thought I'd do YWAM and learn all the things I've learned about God, and gone through all the deep healing [as hard and as much as it sucked at times to dig up parts of the past] But like how worth it was it? Definatly Worth it.
So heres the final list of all God has done [maybe minus few things] But When I started my Fast October 5th like I've mentioned before main points of that was, Mom and I's [and familys] relatinoship restored, Finances [for school] learning moderation, family to find Jesus the way I've found Him, healing, a few weeks ago God was speaking to me and Nikki, He told me I was going to get an iPhone and a car, yeah two random things, things I didnt need or really think about more then the whole oh thats nice it'd be cool to have but never would buy it like not necessities, I didnt tell many people execpt Elise and Charmina and Amanda He then told me and Nikki we we're going to be able to get a place together by the beach...
Anyways since October 5th
I've recieved healing,
me and my mom are closer then ever before,
my mom and grama are getting along good :)
I got a 4000.00 Check
My dad has come to find Jesus like I have [so far]
I recieved an iPhone for Christmas at church
Me and Nikki moved into our Beach house in town
Now alls that left is the rest of my family to acknowledge Jesus the way I have :)
car
and I'm asking God for a good well paying job
so praise the Lord for all the amazing Blessings He has bestowed on my life in 2009 since coming to Australia.
Thank you papa God.
Living proof-fasting works.
and God loves blessing His children that walk out His will
A new year to a new decade to a new life with God.
Woah.
So when I think about the last ten years, age 9-19, I remember a lot of things
-finding God, rollercoaster relationship with Him, heaps of mistakes, heaps of healing, heaps of friends coming and going in my life, heaps of moving.
But since senior year [12th grade] I've seen how everything in my life has lead me to right here in Byron Bay Australia, at this moment, for this year, for Healing and New beginning in an unwavering relationship with God. Finally finding my identity with Him.
In finally opening your heart to God and allowing [keyword:Allowing] Him to work, move, heal, change, fix, bless you in your life He Will if you just give Him the chance. This time a year ago I Never in a million years would have thought that I'd end up falling in love with Australia and living here. I never would have thought I'd do YWAM and learn all the things I've learned about God, and gone through all the deep healing [as hard and as much as it sucked at times to dig up parts of the past] But like how worth it was it? Definatly Worth it.
So heres the final list of all God has done [maybe minus few things] But When I started my Fast October 5th like I've mentioned before main points of that was, Mom and I's [and familys] relatinoship restored, Finances [for school] learning moderation, family to find Jesus the way I've found Him, healing, a few weeks ago God was speaking to me and Nikki, He told me I was going to get an iPhone and a car, yeah two random things, things I didnt need or really think about more then the whole oh thats nice it'd be cool to have but never would buy it like not necessities, I didnt tell many people execpt Elise and Charmina and Amanda He then told me and Nikki we we're going to be able to get a place together by the beach...
Anyways since October 5th
I've recieved healing,
me and my mom are closer then ever before,
my mom and grama are getting along good :)
I got a 4000.00 Check
My dad has come to find Jesus like I have [so far]
I recieved an iPhone for Christmas at church
Me and Nikki moved into our Beach house in town
Now alls that left is the rest of my family to acknowledge Jesus the way I have :)
car
and I'm asking God for a good well paying job
so praise the Lord for all the amazing Blessings He has bestowed on my life in 2009 since coming to Australia.
Thank you papa God.
Living proof-fasting works.
and God loves blessing His children that walk out His will
Monday, December 7, 2009
Fasting Works.
"He is the one, He is Jesus." -David Crowder Band
So to the day, 2 months ago now, October 5th, 2009 I decided to make a covenant with God with a list in mind of all the things I wanted to pray to happen before the end of 2009. First and most important was For the unity of my family. My mum and I weren't talking for a couple months or arguing for longer, because of this it was breaking apart my family, and if theres one thing I've learned about Satan is he attacks the family first and relationships.
Another thing I was fasting for other then the healing of that and in my life in general, was finances, God took away most of the stress I had over that, so I didnt think about money unless it was brought up. Well times been winding down and in the new year was Bali outreach. about 2 in a half weeks ago God started dimming my excitement for outreach, which is weird because God had told me where we were going before we even found out, after a week of prayer and God quietly saying no to me, I decided to call mum and ask her opinion. She said she had a funny feeling in her stomach about me even going, which made me nervous because I do trust my mums intuition so I waited and prayed another 2 days, then decided to tell my leaders, I wasn't sure if it was spiritual attack or actually God.
After I explained my leader didnt have an initial reaction at first and so she said she'd take it to the leader board and they would pray for it for the week, this week went by I was praying that if I was supposed to go on outreach God would tell my leaders to make me go, or well tell me to go, so Friday we met together again, Friday morning we had a pre outreach lecture and I had fully even talked myself into going to Bali, I was half expecting my leaders to tell me that God was telling me to go. And prepared to just go, but when I sat down they said that they fully had a peace about me staying in Byron and not going on outreach, that God had told them to leave me in His hands.
WOW. so not only was I not prepared for the fact that WOW God actually Was speaking to me, but because I had stepped out in faith and asked to be released on Gods account out of the covering of YWAM, I was Fully in His hands now. My life is no longer my own, I am doing His work and what He wants me to do. The next morning I was praying and doing devotions with God, praying out in faith about fees for school since I still owed about 3100.00 aussie dollars and in credit debt and medical bills for my knee.
I asked God what He wanted to say to me, He sent me to Mark, and the verse exactly was "Jesus asked his deciples, "what do you still not understand?'" I read up and it was talking about How Jesus provided for the 4000, and the 5000 with still 12, and 7 loaves left over, Saying He Always provides not only the amount but more then we need!! After that response from God I was like "oh...sorry Papa..." feeling bad that I ever would not just lift it up once and just trust He'll provide for me, but instead I'd keep asking and praying. Two hours around after that I got a check for $4000.00 aussie dollars. God was just reassuring me he provides and bam there He did.
If you deny that being God then I think there is no purpose to life. Because I love the fact that I have a wonderful amazing perfect God that I can call my Papa, My Papa God, and that He fully Loves blessing His children, weither it be finding vegan chocolate cookies [hahaa nikki] or money He blesses you with the little things that do matter to you, and If your faithful with the little He blesses you with Big. I just dont understand how someone couldnt believe in something so good, so loving, comforting and perfect.
Anyways from where I'm at now, Im leaning in the Palm of my Papa's hand trusting Him and listening to His voice, so blessed that I actually can and do hear and distinct His voice, I know He's going to provide everything I need. I move out of YWAM house the weekend of the 18th-21st of December, I'll be continuing descipleship with our Pastors Nev and Sue, as well as looking for a job in town [Byron] Im excited to find out what His call for my life is, I love the fact that as of now Im finally where God wants me at the exact time He wants me there :) I love this adventure, althought sometimes hectic Im as Livy said today like a Nomad, a traveler leaning completely on God's providing, and Amen to that! :D I wouldnt want it to be any other way :)
Anyways Yeah theres my life as of now, Fasting even if only veganism for 3 months works, It's only month 2 and all this has been answered prayer I cant wait to see what He provides and does over the next and final month now :) Soooo Keep me in your prayers, and I love and miss you family and friends :)
Love and Peace be with you always
God Bless
lolo
So to the day, 2 months ago now, October 5th, 2009 I decided to make a covenant with God with a list in mind of all the things I wanted to pray to happen before the end of 2009. First and most important was For the unity of my family. My mum and I weren't talking for a couple months or arguing for longer, because of this it was breaking apart my family, and if theres one thing I've learned about Satan is he attacks the family first and relationships.
Another thing I was fasting for other then the healing of that and in my life in general, was finances, God took away most of the stress I had over that, so I didnt think about money unless it was brought up. Well times been winding down and in the new year was Bali outreach. about 2 in a half weeks ago God started dimming my excitement for outreach, which is weird because God had told me where we were going before we even found out, after a week of prayer and God quietly saying no to me, I decided to call mum and ask her opinion. She said she had a funny feeling in her stomach about me even going, which made me nervous because I do trust my mums intuition so I waited and prayed another 2 days, then decided to tell my leaders, I wasn't sure if it was spiritual attack or actually God.
After I explained my leader didnt have an initial reaction at first and so she said she'd take it to the leader board and they would pray for it for the week, this week went by I was praying that if I was supposed to go on outreach God would tell my leaders to make me go, or well tell me to go, so Friday we met together again, Friday morning we had a pre outreach lecture and I had fully even talked myself into going to Bali, I was half expecting my leaders to tell me that God was telling me to go. And prepared to just go, but when I sat down they said that they fully had a peace about me staying in Byron and not going on outreach, that God had told them to leave me in His hands.
WOW. so not only was I not prepared for the fact that WOW God actually Was speaking to me, but because I had stepped out in faith and asked to be released on Gods account out of the covering of YWAM, I was Fully in His hands now. My life is no longer my own, I am doing His work and what He wants me to do. The next morning I was praying and doing devotions with God, praying out in faith about fees for school since I still owed about 3100.00 aussie dollars and in credit debt and medical bills for my knee.
I asked God what He wanted to say to me, He sent me to Mark, and the verse exactly was "Jesus asked his deciples, "what do you still not understand?'" I read up and it was talking about How Jesus provided for the 4000, and the 5000 with still 12, and 7 loaves left over, Saying He Always provides not only the amount but more then we need!! After that response from God I was like "oh...sorry Papa..." feeling bad that I ever would not just lift it up once and just trust He'll provide for me, but instead I'd keep asking and praying. Two hours around after that I got a check for $4000.00 aussie dollars. God was just reassuring me he provides and bam there He did.
If you deny that being God then I think there is no purpose to life. Because I love the fact that I have a wonderful amazing perfect God that I can call my Papa, My Papa God, and that He fully Loves blessing His children, weither it be finding vegan chocolate cookies [hahaa nikki] or money He blesses you with the little things that do matter to you, and If your faithful with the little He blesses you with Big. I just dont understand how someone couldnt believe in something so good, so loving, comforting and perfect.
Anyways from where I'm at now, Im leaning in the Palm of my Papa's hand trusting Him and listening to His voice, so blessed that I actually can and do hear and distinct His voice, I know He's going to provide everything I need. I move out of YWAM house the weekend of the 18th-21st of December, I'll be continuing descipleship with our Pastors Nev and Sue, as well as looking for a job in town [Byron] Im excited to find out what His call for my life is, I love the fact that as of now Im finally where God wants me at the exact time He wants me there :) I love this adventure, althought sometimes hectic Im as Livy said today like a Nomad, a traveler leaning completely on God's providing, and Amen to that! :D I wouldnt want it to be any other way :)
Anyways Yeah theres my life as of now, Fasting even if only veganism for 3 months works, It's only month 2 and all this has been answered prayer I cant wait to see what He provides and does over the next and final month now :) Soooo Keep me in your prayers, and I love and miss you family and friends :)
Love and Peace be with you always
God Bless
lolo
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Prayer Pointers!
Its so weird that its getting hott here and doesnt feel like its getting close to christmas at all, like they dont even have thanksgiving so theres like no decorating or anything! Gods been doing so crazy good things in my life, Im learning so much from all the lectures I go through so many things I didnt even know about in the bible. Ive been getting heaps of visions and hearing Papa Gods voice daily, He even helped me with my homework I asked Him for the answers [verses in the bible] and He spoke to me verses I looked them up and it was exactly what I needed!!
Its so cool growing closer to God, He is such a dad, and Ive found Him as My Daddy now like Ive always heard of Him as that way but because of how my relationship [or non existant] relationship was with my dad I was numb to that topic God was just God too me, not my dad. But now after Learning the Father Heart of God last week and finally dealing with unforgivness in my heart against Erik [old step dad] Mom, my dad laying it all at the cross to God He swooped in and revealed Himself in a way I have never felt! I can be anywhere and just talk to my Papa God and He listens and talks back!! Then gives me verses to prove Hes really talking to me :)
I went to the Christian Surfers Australia retreat last weekend [pics up on facebook and myspace] I was walking around and then walking by myself and like all of a sudden I felt this overwhelming peace and feeling of belong so strong it like surprised me, For once in my life I am exactly where God wants me to be at the exact time and I belong here :) I feel at Home. Thats such a rare feeling for me because I always longed for warm weather and surf back home and I felt I fit in in CA but never really found "home" or a scence of belong...
As of right now To lay out all honesty, Im in a pretty pickled situation with funds, God has been faithful and provided this far but it turns out because of when my passport expires its a month earlier then I need to leave Aus and return after Bali, As well as even get a visa to go to Bali, so I have to somehow now Fly to melbourne and see in person a counselate [this is southern australia like 5 hour flight] and book a place to stay as well as find or pay for transportation to the counselate, [UNLESS by God's grace they will stamp and extend my passport until my visa expires next September] On top of $3200.00 left for lecture fees and $3300.00 for outreach fees, We are praying as a base because at this moment Im not the only one relying on God to provide the Funds, There are a few other students that need to see money come in. But I was wondering if you could just be in prayer that God will provide the money over here for us, Gods got a HUGE bank :) He has billions and billions of dollars so $7,000.00/$8,000.00 is like a penny to God but My leader said to ask my church for prayer for God to release the money He has for me :)
Anyways anyone personally can go to the bank get a bank check in Australian Dollars putting a note on it saying its for Laura Cox and can send it to YWAM Byron Bay with My name on it, then you can keep track of the amount and work it into the taxes at the end of the year as a tax write off.
Breaking it down: If 100 people just donate $80.00 that would be $8000.00, But whatever be on your heart weither it just be $5.00 anything honestly helps. :)
I know this is a lot, I am just finding out many of these things, Im doing a fundraiser here this weekend so if nothing else Prayers are all I need :) I know and Have Faith if this is Gods will He Will Provide, He always does :) Its not about the money, it's about reaching the lost in this world, and I am just doing God's will to preach His word to all the Nations as it says in Matthew 28:18-20: "Then Jesus came to them and said "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Right now there is a tropical rainstorm going on I went out surfing today with Fat 3-7 foot thick barrells, and crazy strong rip current! Right now as Im typing theres massive lightening and thunder, pouring tropical rain, and Its amazing! I love it :) Our first week of outreach starts next week with Schoolies, ministering to the graduating 10,000's of students that flood into Byron Bay from all over Australia to just party and fall into sin :( We are to be light to the world and I am fully excited to be able to reach these lost teens. We are about to go to the Light House to watch the lightening :) Keep me in your prayers, You are in Mine :) I wanted to update you all because I have been so busy I havent been able to blog in a while and I love updating what God's doing in my life and the lives of others :)
Love
Lo
Its so cool growing closer to God, He is such a dad, and Ive found Him as My Daddy now like Ive always heard of Him as that way but because of how my relationship [or non existant] relationship was with my dad I was numb to that topic God was just God too me, not my dad. But now after Learning the Father Heart of God last week and finally dealing with unforgivness in my heart against Erik [old step dad] Mom, my dad laying it all at the cross to God He swooped in and revealed Himself in a way I have never felt! I can be anywhere and just talk to my Papa God and He listens and talks back!! Then gives me verses to prove Hes really talking to me :)
I went to the Christian Surfers Australia retreat last weekend [pics up on facebook and myspace] I was walking around and then walking by myself and like all of a sudden I felt this overwhelming peace and feeling of belong so strong it like surprised me, For once in my life I am exactly where God wants me to be at the exact time and I belong here :) I feel at Home. Thats such a rare feeling for me because I always longed for warm weather and surf back home and I felt I fit in in CA but never really found "home" or a scence of belong...
As of right now To lay out all honesty, Im in a pretty pickled situation with funds, God has been faithful and provided this far but it turns out because of when my passport expires its a month earlier then I need to leave Aus and return after Bali, As well as even get a visa to go to Bali, so I have to somehow now Fly to melbourne and see in person a counselate [this is southern australia like 5 hour flight] and book a place to stay as well as find or pay for transportation to the counselate, [UNLESS by God's grace they will stamp and extend my passport until my visa expires next September] On top of $3200.00 left for lecture fees and $3300.00 for outreach fees, We are praying as a base because at this moment Im not the only one relying on God to provide the Funds, There are a few other students that need to see money come in. But I was wondering if you could just be in prayer that God will provide the money over here for us, Gods got a HUGE bank :) He has billions and billions of dollars so $7,000.00/$8,000.00 is like a penny to God but My leader said to ask my church for prayer for God to release the money He has for me :)
Anyways anyone personally can go to the bank get a bank check in Australian Dollars putting a note on it saying its for Laura Cox and can send it to YWAM Byron Bay with My name on it, then you can keep track of the amount and work it into the taxes at the end of the year as a tax write off.
Breaking it down: If 100 people just donate $80.00 that would be $8000.00, But whatever be on your heart weither it just be $5.00 anything honestly helps. :)
Laura Cox
1 Johnston Lane
Tyagarah, NSW
2481 Australia
I know this is a lot, I am just finding out many of these things, Im doing a fundraiser here this weekend so if nothing else Prayers are all I need :) I know and Have Faith if this is Gods will He Will Provide, He always does :) Its not about the money, it's about reaching the lost in this world, and I am just doing God's will to preach His word to all the Nations as it says in Matthew 28:18-20: "Then Jesus came to them and said "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Right now there is a tropical rainstorm going on I went out surfing today with Fat 3-7 foot thick barrells, and crazy strong rip current! Right now as Im typing theres massive lightening and thunder, pouring tropical rain, and Its amazing! I love it :) Our first week of outreach starts next week with Schoolies, ministering to the graduating 10,000's of students that flood into Byron Bay from all over Australia to just party and fall into sin :( We are to be light to the world and I am fully excited to be able to reach these lost teens. We are about to go to the Light House to watch the lightening :) Keep me in your prayers, You are in Mine :) I wanted to update you all because I have been so busy I havent been able to blog in a while and I love updating what God's doing in my life and the lives of others :)
Love
Lo
Friday, November 6, 2009
Big things?
Well one month as of November 5th of being Vegan! yay me! :)
few points of this week:
1. it was about relationships, Ive come to the conclusion the next person I want to date will be my husband and the next kiss I get will be on my wedding day.
2. God's grace is amazing.
3. I think I know what I am supposed to do after DTS, but praying about it before saying anything.
4. I really want a good surf sesh it's been too long.
5. I love Byron Bay.
6. I found out I need to get a flight to Melbourne in order to renew my passport...so please be praying God provides the money for that!
7. God likes to take us out of our comfort zones. But we ultimatly have the say in what we decide to do, we can choose to follow what He says or ignore Him and do what we want.
8. I am going to fulfill God's purpose for my life and not worry about things until He brings someone who can keep up with me and what I am doing with God and that has the same heart for Youth and generation that I do.
sigh of relief.
God is good :)
Peace and Love family.
lolo
few points of this week:
1. it was about relationships, Ive come to the conclusion the next person I want to date will be my husband and the next kiss I get will be on my wedding day.
2. God's grace is amazing.
3. I think I know what I am supposed to do after DTS, but praying about it before saying anything.
4. I really want a good surf sesh it's been too long.
5. I love Byron Bay.
6. I found out I need to get a flight to Melbourne in order to renew my passport...so please be praying God provides the money for that!
7. God likes to take us out of our comfort zones. But we ultimatly have the say in what we decide to do, we can choose to follow what He says or ignore Him and do what we want.
8. I am going to fulfill God's purpose for my life and not worry about things until He brings someone who can keep up with me and what I am doing with God and that has the same heart for Youth and generation that I do.
sigh of relief.
God is good :)
Peace and Love family.
lolo
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Faith
Faith, such a small word but such a huge thing.
I'm not even sure what to write today, Other then I have no idea what I am going to do after DTS. I feel like somewhere even more tropical, going bigger with surfing. Helping others, shining God's light, The knowledge that I am learning...heaps of knowledge. I love it
But man last week learning about Human Trafficking, and this week about Child Soilders in Africa. It's so heavy. There is so much hurt in the world. I knew about Sex slavery, but children soilders? I did not know that existed in today society. It is real though, and My heart is definatly big for it.
Last friday the head director of my base here in YWAM told/asked me to stay after DTS. Along with the Head of Youth Street, and well a few of my friends I've been meeting here. If I decide to stay in Byron and work with Youth Street, I'll be going to South Africa in June for a month, and then Possibly doing the ship tour in August Helping in Papua New Guinea for 6 weeks. Then coming back to Byron.
I know God has a huge plan for my life. For you reading this pray for God's guidence, and if this is what He has for me I'll be happy :) If he decides to send me to Figi, or Africa or anywhere else I'll be happy too, but I know Surfing is my ministry, as well as the hurting, human trafficking, children soilders, There are so many things I would love to do.
November 13th to the 15th Im going on a weekend retreat with Christian Surfers, Im pretty excited about that, Anyways Here are a few things on my heart, pray for guidence and clear answers for me :)
Love and Miss you family and friends.
Lolo
I'm not even sure what to write today, Other then I have no idea what I am going to do after DTS. I feel like somewhere even more tropical, going bigger with surfing. Helping others, shining God's light, The knowledge that I am learning...heaps of knowledge. I love it
But man last week learning about Human Trafficking, and this week about Child Soilders in Africa. It's so heavy. There is so much hurt in the world. I knew about Sex slavery, but children soilders? I did not know that existed in today society. It is real though, and My heart is definatly big for it.
Last friday the head director of my base here in YWAM told/asked me to stay after DTS. Along with the Head of Youth Street, and well a few of my friends I've been meeting here. If I decide to stay in Byron and work with Youth Street, I'll be going to South Africa in June for a month, and then Possibly doing the ship tour in August Helping in Papua New Guinea for 6 weeks. Then coming back to Byron.
I know God has a huge plan for my life. For you reading this pray for God's guidence, and if this is what He has for me I'll be happy :) If he decides to send me to Figi, or Africa or anywhere else I'll be happy too, but I know Surfing is my ministry, as well as the hurting, human trafficking, children soilders, There are so many things I would love to do.
November 13th to the 15th Im going on a weekend retreat with Christian Surfers, Im pretty excited about that, Anyways Here are a few things on my heart, pray for guidence and clear answers for me :)
Love and Miss you family and friends.
Lolo
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9
So days are fading and time is coming for Bali in January! I am so excited to go to my first 3rd world country to tell my story, work in orphanages, shine light in the darkness, whether that be to prostitutes or human trafficing victoms, I am excited to Show that God is there to Help, and Love!
So funny story, I have a necklace that I have worn for a few months now that on one side is a sheild, and the other has Joshua 1:9 written small on it. Last saturday I lost it! I knew I had to have last it in town, and I was hoping and praying I would find it otherwise because It says in the bible to put on the armor of righteousness for protection and with the sheild around my neck it reminded me to do that.
Well last night I was praying to hear from God. I was praying for a word, vision, sign of some sort that God could hear me and He was listening. I asked Him to reveal Himself to me. Well No visions came, no words, no scriptures, nothing. So I said ok God I pray for dreams from You, or a sign tomorrow.
This morning I came to the Base, and Erik walks down and says "Hey Laura look at my new necklace that we found!" I was like "Erik!! Thats my sheild!!" He said he knew, and took it off and gave it too me. The most bizzare part of it was that Jake found it out by the surf shed, When I hadn't gone surfing since before I lost it..So how did it end up there?
Well things I have believed I heard was that I am to be in Surf/Skate/Snow [youth] minisitry, or missions. I am praying for God to speak to me what He wants me to do and where He wants me to go after I graduate here in March. I have a few things I am praying about, with locations, and certain ministries, one involves Nurse/Disaster Training, others involve traveler/surf missions. But who knows it could be something completely different.
Anyways I am so excited for the revival He is placing in my heart and the excitment I have to read the bible, and learn more and more about God, the bible and myself everyday.
Right now once a week I have started working with Christian Surfers, and taking kids out fom the local highschool to just surf and love on them, give them what their families aren't giving them..Love. I have the outreach BBQ where I meet hundreds of people from around the world once a week at a Free BBQ we host and get to share my testimony or the bible with them, hear about their lives, just people traveling searching for more to life.
I love Byron Bay, I love it here! I hope that my story is speaking to someone, somewhere.
Love and Peace be with you.
Family and Friends you are in my Prayers :)
Love
lolo
So days are fading and time is coming for Bali in January! I am so excited to go to my first 3rd world country to tell my story, work in orphanages, shine light in the darkness, whether that be to prostitutes or human trafficing victoms, I am excited to Show that God is there to Help, and Love!
So funny story, I have a necklace that I have worn for a few months now that on one side is a sheild, and the other has Joshua 1:9 written small on it. Last saturday I lost it! I knew I had to have last it in town, and I was hoping and praying I would find it otherwise because It says in the bible to put on the armor of righteousness for protection and with the sheild around my neck it reminded me to do that.
Well last night I was praying to hear from God. I was praying for a word, vision, sign of some sort that God could hear me and He was listening. I asked Him to reveal Himself to me. Well No visions came, no words, no scriptures, nothing. So I said ok God I pray for dreams from You, or a sign tomorrow.
This morning I came to the Base, and Erik walks down and says "Hey Laura look at my new necklace that we found!" I was like "Erik!! Thats my sheild!!" He said he knew, and took it off and gave it too me. The most bizzare part of it was that Jake found it out by the surf shed, When I hadn't gone surfing since before I lost it..So how did it end up there?
Well things I have believed I heard was that I am to be in Surf/Skate/Snow [youth] minisitry, or missions. I am praying for God to speak to me what He wants me to do and where He wants me to go after I graduate here in March. I have a few things I am praying about, with locations, and certain ministries, one involves Nurse/Disaster Training, others involve traveler/surf missions. But who knows it could be something completely different.
Anyways I am so excited for the revival He is placing in my heart and the excitment I have to read the bible, and learn more and more about God, the bible and myself everyday.
Right now once a week I have started working with Christian Surfers, and taking kids out fom the local highschool to just surf and love on them, give them what their families aren't giving them..Love. I have the outreach BBQ where I meet hundreds of people from around the world once a week at a Free BBQ we host and get to share my testimony or the bible with them, hear about their lives, just people traveling searching for more to life.
I love Byron Bay, I love it here! I hope that my story is speaking to someone, somewhere.
Love and Peace be with you.
Family and Friends you are in my Prayers :)
Love
lolo
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Day 17 Vegan :)
Soo I have been way to busy to update as much as I'd like! Here is an overview of the last week or so.. Last week we had Chris Twinn again as a speaker! We learned about recieving the Holy Spirit, and how to recieve healing and some of the spiritual gifts, [which is also what we are learning this week too!]
But I guess the high light of last week was that when I recieved blessing on me He got Grace, and Power. Well those are two big things in my life, which is a huge part of my story for that night. We had our weekly BBQ at the park in Byron, I have become quite the local here in Byron, I see friends I've met from all over the world everytime I go into town or to the Beach :) its a great feeling of belong that I love.
Well at the end of the BBQ I saw this guy sitting off aside listening to the music, and I felt a nudge to go talk to him, Turns out He is a 25 year old surfer who worked with volcum, grew up surfing at the age of 3, real Byron local, started competitive surfing at 13, and has had many injurys but also has gone to Bali on surf trips regularly throughout his life.
He was telling me about his knee, how He just had surgery and how He needed another one, well New Earth Tribe this amazing christian church thats really on fire was having drumming and fire twirling at the park that night at 9 so I invited him to come with me. We ended up talking from 4 to 5 hours, and I asked Pastor Phil to pray for his knee, and it was completely Healed! Well from this I have recieved healing on my own knee as well earlier that day :)
Anyways It was really cool that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, to join us to God, and by His stripes we are healed. So in that I have learned to claim my healing! The leper went to Jesus and said "If it is your will to heal me?" and Jesus replied "It is my will." God is always willing to heal us we just have to ask Him for it, and Recieve it! In this I claim "Thank you God for healing and removing the tumor from my knee." and it is done. I believe my next MRI the tumor will be gone.
So one thing I realized last week is that the scar on my arm has faded severly since I have arrive to australia. Everyone who knows me knows I've had 2 huge surgeries on my elbow and I have a massive scar, and well as one on my knee from a knee injury. Well since I have been growing, and healing on the inside [mind, soul, spirit] I have asked God to heal my outside [scars, bondage to food, ext.] He is being faithful, The scar on my elbow has completely flattened, and half of it is already becoming skin color, and the scar on my knee has faded from a deep purple to a lighter pink.
To me this is amazing, I have been fasting [veganism] for 17 days now and I am seeing changes already in my personal walk with God, as well as outter apperance, everything that I had had that was an insecurity [scars, weight] has been drastically fading. In the last two weeks I have learned that My Spirit controls my soul and body, That I am Not in bondage to Food but believe in a God higher and more powerful then anything else I have ever encountered in my life! That to me is amazing.
Anyways that God is just so faithful to fulfill what His plans are, and be so filling in me and loving me and showing me by healing my scars that he has and is healing me from my past. What an incredible thing. I believe all my scars will be gone by March the end of my DTS and I am so excited that by becoming a new person on the inside He is making me a new person on the outside as well! We are all made new in Christ!
God is good.
"How can I stand here with You, and not be moved by You? But You tell me how could it be any better then this? Cause Your all I want, Your all I need, Your Everything. Everything."
-Lifehouse: Everything
Peace and Love
lolo
But I guess the high light of last week was that when I recieved blessing on me He got Grace, and Power. Well those are two big things in my life, which is a huge part of my story for that night. We had our weekly BBQ at the park in Byron, I have become quite the local here in Byron, I see friends I've met from all over the world everytime I go into town or to the Beach :) its a great feeling of belong that I love.
Well at the end of the BBQ I saw this guy sitting off aside listening to the music, and I felt a nudge to go talk to him, Turns out He is a 25 year old surfer who worked with volcum, grew up surfing at the age of 3, real Byron local, started competitive surfing at 13, and has had many injurys but also has gone to Bali on surf trips regularly throughout his life.
He was telling me about his knee, how He just had surgery and how He needed another one, well New Earth Tribe this amazing christian church thats really on fire was having drumming and fire twirling at the park that night at 9 so I invited him to come with me. We ended up talking from 4 to 5 hours, and I asked Pastor Phil to pray for his knee, and it was completely Healed! Well from this I have recieved healing on my own knee as well earlier that day :)
Anyways It was really cool that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, to join us to God, and by His stripes we are healed. So in that I have learned to claim my healing! The leper went to Jesus and said "If it is your will to heal me?" and Jesus replied "It is my will." God is always willing to heal us we just have to ask Him for it, and Recieve it! In this I claim "Thank you God for healing and removing the tumor from my knee." and it is done. I believe my next MRI the tumor will be gone.
So one thing I realized last week is that the scar on my arm has faded severly since I have arrive to australia. Everyone who knows me knows I've had 2 huge surgeries on my elbow and I have a massive scar, and well as one on my knee from a knee injury. Well since I have been growing, and healing on the inside [mind, soul, spirit] I have asked God to heal my outside [scars, bondage to food, ext.] He is being faithful, The scar on my elbow has completely flattened, and half of it is already becoming skin color, and the scar on my knee has faded from a deep purple to a lighter pink.
To me this is amazing, I have been fasting [veganism] for 17 days now and I am seeing changes already in my personal walk with God, as well as outter apperance, everything that I had had that was an insecurity [scars, weight] has been drastically fading. In the last two weeks I have learned that My Spirit controls my soul and body, That I am Not in bondage to Food but believe in a God higher and more powerful then anything else I have ever encountered in my life! That to me is amazing.
Anyways that God is just so faithful to fulfill what His plans are, and be so filling in me and loving me and showing me by healing my scars that he has and is healing me from my past. What an incredible thing. I believe all my scars will be gone by March the end of my DTS and I am so excited that by becoming a new person on the inside He is making me a new person on the outside as well! We are all made new in Christ!
God is good.
"How can I stand here with You, and not be moved by You? But You tell me how could it be any better then this? Cause Your all I want, Your all I need, Your Everything. Everything."
-Lifehouse: Everything
Peace and Love
lolo
Monday, October 5, 2009
Take my hand to the Promise land..[day one veganism]
Take my hand to the promise land, And on You I want to stand‘Cause I cannot do it on my own, You're what I need and I need to be, Right by Your side ‘cause I cannot hide, Lord, I know that I need You, I need You, Without You I'm so alone, I am weak but You are strong, You pick me up when I'm falling down, And I am crying, Out to You inside of my heart, I need You, Lord, oh so, for the part, I want You to have my life, Jesus, I fall to my knees, And I'm begging You, please, oh, Lord, Won't You change me, Make me new from the inside out. [Take my Hand: Shawn Mcdonald]
Today Lord this is my prayer, that as I lay down to rest tonight I will rest in You, and You alone will be my strength, my rock, my soundmind. Healing is coming in my life tonight plays a pretty big part in it. After receiving an email from my mom, I became very angry and hurt. I shut myself up in my own box again like I'm used too and began to hold it in. I went to the prayer room where I told God I recieved his healing, tears began to form. But still not feeling alone [living in community] I went back to the girls house and took a nap, I had crazy bizarre dream that would end, and keep replaying with different scenerios like if this guy had God in his life what it would be like, it was almost scarey. I woke up still feeling upset and angry, as soon as I got back to the base one of the leaders asked me what was going on I was able to be released and began to cry and share, I went to talk to my one on one Kelly and just opened up, which for me is so hard, I hate crying infront of people and to cry and be so vulnerable is so new to me, but afterwards I feel free to the hurt and sorrow that had filled me.
She told me its ok to be angry, its ok to be sad, those are feelings that I push down and usually hide to put on my "happy face" the fun happy Laura that is so strong and can handel anything thrown at her. Well big surprise I do feel and today I felt emense pain and sorrow and anger at how the enemy is devious and hateful. Anyways I will continue being vegan for the next 3 months until the first week of the new year. I believe its for the cause of healing and for my family. I am not in bondage to food, or sugar. I believe in the God most High who has created me to lean on Him knowing that He is my rock and my salvation. Its crazy the things God has in store for us when we listen to Him. He wants us to be happy, and healed and not in anger, pain or sorrow. This is just day one of Vegan for Jesus and this healing process has already begun. Amazing eh?
Anyways the battle is being faught for my future, and my families generation. It ends here. I will no longer allow generational curses to continue it has been broken by Jesus. Anyways I feel like Im becoming like this "Jesus freak" haha but its not about that, Im still Laura, I love to go out and have fun. I love to surf and hang out at the beach and dance to crazy music. But I also love Jesus, it doesn't make me weird, and its dumb that christians are looked as weird but someone who believes in buddah or alla is entitled to their faith. If your reading this and you know me, then you know I am no different then anyone else, I still have hurts, problems, and temptations, but I believe in a God that loves and forgives and has grace and mercy on me as I am.
I guess thats all for tonight. love and peace be with you -lolo
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Vegan? Me God? Vegan? BALI
Well today we were supposed to fast for something, and fast something. I was asking God what I should fast and I heard food. I was like God I want to feel you, and I want to grow, and I want you to heal me from something. and I heard that he wants me to fast for 3 days, and then become vegan [and im not sure yet if its for 3 weeks] but He wants me to rely on Him that He is my strength and that I am not in bondage to anything, but worship a high God. I feel it is going to prepare me for outreach, and break me down but slowly build me back up. Since there are 3 vegetarians in my school already He says being vegetarian because there is already a menu for that is too easy and that I need to do something that is really going to be a sacrifice to me. He is my rock and my salvation, my sheild. Anyone who knows me know I love to eat and I love to cook and food and meat and eggs and cheese and all that yumminess is what I love. So the fact that This is what God has told me is really exciting, because I know its going to be a challenge but it feels different to me.
Anyways tonight after the outreach BBQ we found out where we will be going on outreach! And its Indonesia!! BALI!!!!! I am one SOO stoked that God answered my prayers :) because I was praying that we would go to Bali, so we will be staying there for 7 weeks starting in Mid January, [so Ill be in BALI on my 20th birthday :)] anyways God is Good. He helped me meet a new friend named Jasper from Germany tonight at the BBQ, keep him in your prayers for he is searching for God he just doesn't realize that its God he is searching for :)
I am honestly so hungary right now ahhhhh!! but I feel such a peace from God on what He wants for me, and what He wants me to do. So monday I will begin my jounraling on my heart into veganism and the process God will be taking me too. Praise the Lord :)
Peace be with you ,
lolo
Anyways tonight after the outreach BBQ we found out where we will be going on outreach! And its Indonesia!! BALI!!!!! I am one SOO stoked that God answered my prayers :) because I was praying that we would go to Bali, so we will be staying there for 7 weeks starting in Mid January, [so Ill be in BALI on my 20th birthday :)] anyways God is Good. He helped me meet a new friend named Jasper from Germany tonight at the BBQ, keep him in your prayers for he is searching for God he just doesn't realize that its God he is searching for :)
I am honestly so hungary right now ahhhhh!! but I feel such a peace from God on what He wants for me, and what He wants me to do. So monday I will begin my jounraling on my heart into veganism and the process God will be taking me too. Praise the Lord :)
Peace be with you ,
lolo
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Homesick
Tonight it's loud. I'm tired. and I'm homesick :( I just am overwhelmed with worry about money, family, the future, the now, my life, and I feel distracted. I dont know what I should do!! I dont feel like I can just sit down and pray right now, I feel sad, and I want to cry. I miss all my muk kids, I miss my friends, I miss my grandma and my sister, I miss my church! I miss Tim and Livy!! Right now I am homesick. I miss skateboarding, I miss surfing in Huntington. This is only week 2 and I'm feeling this way, is this normal? Maybe it's just finally hitting me right now? I don't know if I can make it 6 months, honestly, this is like the hardest thing Ive had to go through, they are digging deep in my life, getting to my roots of my hurts, and it's hard to think about some of these things.
I'm also struggling with my mom, I miss her, I want a relationship with her, I want to write her a letter, but I have no words yet, I know there is a time and season for everything and it'll come soon enough, but for right now its hard not talking to her, and feeling like I have no one back home [other then my wonderful grandma] I havent received any letters at all and friends or family if your reading this, letters or a box or something "familier" could be sent to me it'd be really encouraging, I didn't think much about mail when I was back home because all of you were around me, but now that I am seperated and out of the country a letter or even note would mean the world to me. Because right now I'd even just love a hug from my grandma, Stacey or Livy.
Anyways please keep my in your prayers, esspecially about finances, I found out today from my Tumor deal that I have about 1000.00 in doctors bills I owe, and still 3500.00 for my school.
Love and Peace
lolo
I'm also struggling with my mom, I miss her, I want a relationship with her, I want to write her a letter, but I have no words yet, I know there is a time and season for everything and it'll come soon enough, but for right now its hard not talking to her, and feeling like I have no one back home [other then my wonderful grandma] I havent received any letters at all and friends or family if your reading this, letters or a box or something "familier" could be sent to me it'd be really encouraging, I didn't think much about mail when I was back home because all of you were around me, but now that I am seperated and out of the country a letter or even note would mean the world to me. Because right now I'd even just love a hug from my grandma, Stacey or Livy.
Anyways please keep my in your prayers, esspecially about finances, I found out today from my Tumor deal that I have about 1000.00 in doctors bills I owe, and still 3500.00 for my school.
Love and Peace
lolo
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Different Cultures..
Last night I went to an amazing african concert last night here in byron, awesome african drumming and dancing! Im in love with the culture here I have gone to two concerts in the last week, last weekend was aussie hiphop bands it was so fun and last night was really fun too I've been meeting people from Holland, Germany, The Neitherlands, Czech Republic, all over the world and am getting connections so I can go visit! haha Im so inlove with Byron Bay its absolutly beautiful, Life here is so much more slow paced and laid back then the states I love it :)
I've been learning so much about the bible too, and Love, love that God created for us to have in the beginning, that Love is Giving, it's absolutly amazing and I feel my knowledge growing abundantly, I truely believe knowlegde comes fom travel, and different cultures. This has been an amazing expirience and It's only been 3 weeks! :D
I am excited to recieve the life God had planned for me. <3
Thursday, September 24, 2009
The 24 hour flu
Hey everyone well yesterday about half of our school came down with the 24 hour flu, I kept trying to fight it and did until about 7 or 8 pm last night, it was knarley though. I just had the throwing up half of it [thank God] but someone the guys had both. Anyways we all woke up today feeling better, and thank you to those who prayed for us!
Love you all and peace be with you :)
Lolo
Love you all and peace be with you :)
Lolo
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Dust Storms?
Oh my word! Where to begin! So this week has been insane, our speaker Chris Twine from Brisbane has been teaching us amazing things about The Character and Nature of God. But I learned a lot about the spirit world, and different realms, as far as like the dark realm and how witch craft is involved with that, and how us as chrisitians are linked to God the spirit in the Spirit realm. I wish I had my notes in front of me to explain it better so I will in my next blog.
One thing I can write about is how Chris was telling us that we can take authority over sickness, and healing in Jesus's name, and that sickness is from the devil as well as allergies, because God created us in His perfect image, and doesn't want us to be sick or in pain, Since I arrived to Byron I had been having horrible allergies. Well two days ago when he told us that I had been claiming the allergies as something I always just had, and In that I renounced claiming them as my own, and said that since God created me in His perfect image, and didn't want me to suffer or be distracted by those allergies that in Jesus name they would be gone, and I have been allergy free now for the last two days! Including during the Dust/Sand storm that blew through Byron bay yesterday! http://www.abc.net.au/news/photos/2009/09/23/2693741.htm There are the pictures of across Australia, anyways if I was going to be sick with that it for sure would have been yesterday and God since I believed in faith took that and not once did I sneeze or anything yesterday. God is good :) Not only that but I have been rebuking bug bites and itcy eyes as well and He is doing healing in my life :) that is excited to me.
Anyways yesterday There was a HUGE sand storm across Australia and the news said it would last for 3 days, and we woke up this morning to see the sun shining and it was so clear for the first time we could actually see the sand on the beach from our house! So today for sure is the most beautiful day we have had since we've gotten here :)
Things are going great here.
I love you all and peace be with you! :)
lo lo
One thing I can write about is how Chris was telling us that we can take authority over sickness, and healing in Jesus's name, and that sickness is from the devil as well as allergies, because God created us in His perfect image, and doesn't want us to be sick or in pain, Since I arrived to Byron I had been having horrible allergies. Well two days ago when he told us that I had been claiming the allergies as something I always just had, and In that I renounced claiming them as my own, and said that since God created me in His perfect image, and didn't want me to suffer or be distracted by those allergies that in Jesus name they would be gone, and I have been allergy free now for the last two days! Including during the Dust/Sand storm that blew through Byron bay yesterday! http://www.abc.net.au/news/photos/2009/09/23/2693741.htm There are the pictures of across Australia, anyways if I was going to be sick with that it for sure would have been yesterday and God since I believed in faith took that and not once did I sneeze or anything yesterday. God is good :) Not only that but I have been rebuking bug bites and itcy eyes as well and He is doing healing in my life :) that is excited to me.
Anyways yesterday There was a HUGE sand storm across Australia and the news said it would last for 3 days, and we woke up this morning to see the sun shining and it was so clear for the first time we could actually see the sand on the beach from our house! So today for sure is the most beautiful day we have had since we've gotten here :)
Things are going great here.
I love you all and peace be with you! :)
lo lo
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Footprints in the Sand
Wow what a beautiful day I woke up too today! I'm so stoked on this small little town named Byron Bay in Australia! No one wears shoes here first off, and I remember living in HB and never wearing shoes or walking around in my wetsuit and I always loved it, well today we went to church for the first time and guess what? lots of the locals dont wear shoes to church! So I went to church barefoot. That is seriously so freeing I love it.
Anyways Friday we had a bbq [every friday we have an outreach bbq for travelers and the homeless] and I met two girls named Jackie and Jess and a guy from Holland named Bas. They were all cool, I got Bas's facebook, and said to Jackie and Jess I'd see them around. Well yesterday I spent the day surfing at main beach, got some fun waves it was great! Well today I woke up to go to church, and guess who shows up? Jackie and Jess! I was stoked to see them there, and it turns out by God that they had been going to a different church and it looked closed to they by chance came to the one we go too!
Well I started talking to them and told them a little about my life and stuff and invited them to come again to church tonight and they invited me to an aussie concert in town sooo im pretty excited to make my first aussie friends. I also invited them over for dinner tomorrow and or tuesday and they have been seeing Bas a lot so they are going to bring him over as well. It's cool because I love meeting fellow surfers and new people and music so it's cool that God is bringing all that around to me :)
Anyways off too go surfing again, keep this in your prayers :)
love you all!
peace be with you :)
Anyways Friday we had a bbq [every friday we have an outreach bbq for travelers and the homeless] and I met two girls named Jackie and Jess and a guy from Holland named Bas. They were all cool, I got Bas's facebook, and said to Jackie and Jess I'd see them around. Well yesterday I spent the day surfing at main beach, got some fun waves it was great! Well today I woke up to go to church, and guess who shows up? Jackie and Jess! I was stoked to see them there, and it turns out by God that they had been going to a different church and it looked closed to they by chance came to the one we go too!
Well I started talking to them and told them a little about my life and stuff and invited them to come again to church tonight and they invited me to an aussie concert in town sooo im pretty excited to make my first aussie friends. I also invited them over for dinner tomorrow and or tuesday and they have been seeing Bas a lot so they are going to bring him over as well. It's cool because I love meeting fellow surfers and new people and music so it's cool that God is bringing all that around to me :)
Anyways off too go surfing again, keep this in your prayers :)
love you all!
peace be with you :)
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Lights flashing on and off?
So wednesday night we shared testimony's. I was absolutly terrified to share mine, due to the fact that there was a lot of things that I haven't even told my family about or friends, just have kept to myself or delt with the fear by holding it in. Well time had come, I asked to go outside and pray really quick to which I started sobbing knowing I needed to get everything out off my heart. I came back to the group, and starting sharing my life story. Not sugaring it up or feeling like I was in the box that I feel I've been kept in growing up. Secrets I finally laid out to my new family here, making myself completely vulnerable and admitting the feeling of insecurity. I told about how I grew up with my mother being involved with magic, tarot cards, moving chrystals. How this affected me because when my mom was gone I would be so scared so I turned all the lights on in the house and the tv up loud but still would hear doors slamming, I also had night terror's for a really long time about a witch living in the back of my closet, to the point where my grandma had to come dress me before because I wouldnt open my closet in fear she'd get me.
Well anyways that night I was last to share mine for the night, we went home, slept and when I woke up [yesterday] thursday morning I have never felt so free or refreshed, it was amazing. Well yesterday was full of testimony sharing again, along with the afternoon at the windy beach swimming and playing football. We all met at the base for dinner last night and after did a few more testimony's, finally it was time to go home, so Justice offered to drive me, Mel, Charmina, and Mimi to the house early since our jet leg caught up to us.
Well when we got to the house we saw lights flicking on and off, so Justice went to check it out, and found the door open, and the power out. Well as soon as we had pulled into the driveway I had this heavy heavy feeling of fear, and was really honestly scared. He went to the circut box and the lights plugs were loose and he couldnt get the power on so he called our director Kevin and Kevin and Ian came down, inspected the house with flashlights and bats for protection. They prayed and I was still scared so I was offered to sleep at the base which I was planning on doing. I went into the house with everyone to get all of my things and then as we were leaving a few of the lights came back on so it seems like there was a power outage in our area and it has been windy since we've gotten here. Anyways I still wasn't feeling right about it, and as me and Kevin and Ian got into the van I began to tell them about my testimony [they weren't there when I shared] and about how this brought back a childhood fear for me, Kevin asked if he could pray for me, and I said that was fine and so he began praying for me in the Van and as soon as he started I started crying quietly, afterward I told him how during his prayer I honestly felt like I was five years old again, he prayed more and as he was praying for my release of all my fear I had held in since I was little I began sobbing, and it just felt so so so good to just cry and after we prayed for maybe 20 minutes or so Kevin said he heard the word Victory, and I firmly believe that I claimed victory last night over an era in my life that had been hurting me, I then felt peace and not afraid anymore so I went back into our house, shared with Mel, Charmina, and Mimi what had just happened and was able to cry a little bit more, then slept.
Well this morning I was weary of really being healed of that time in my life. I know that Healing for past things can take time, and I had felt a sence that for that specific era of my life there was healing. So when I woke up I asked God for conformation that He had really worked in my heart for that and that He had healed that part of my life, I picked up the card my leaders had wrote for me for my arrival, and there was a list of scripture's I went through all about 10 of them not finding anything that was for this until the very last one.
It was Isaiah 53:5 it read: "But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed." It showed me that God had released me and healed me of the fears in my life towards spirits, or well just fear in general. And to feel that release is comforting.
Anyways this morning we watched a video about the new YWAM ship tour that will be hitting the youth all around Australia and Papua New Guinea, the objectives of this ship tour is to strengthen existing health care service infrastructure through provided eye care, cataract surgeries and dentistry, providing primary health care that will address some of Papua New Guinea's top killers including lower respiratory infections, malaria, prenatal confitions, tuberculosis, and meningitis. Provide primary health care that will address other health care concerns in PNG including HIV/ADDS, diarrhoeal diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Delivery of health education (i.e. primary health care and HIV awareness) Provide and/or optimise general community developement and water sanitization. Strengthen and support existing communities, churches and government with field oppertunities for PNG nations. Help train PNG nationals in primary health care serive delivery.
Upon hearing about this, me working with Holland American Cruiselines for the last three years [this year I even applied for working onboard] My expirience working on cleaning yaghts [intarrior and exteriar] last summer for 3 months, thinking about wanting to work onboard a ship or sailboat as crew, wanting to travel, wanting to do missions, and wanting to be in medical feild like my dad. This oppertunity has spoken to me, and I will continue to pray about this for the next 6 months, the head director of the ship is going to be one of our speakers at our school so I will be able to talk to him more about it in the future but just to be aware to please pray for me and if this is where God is leading me then that it will be boldly in my heart, and I will have conformation, God as you can see in my blogs is speaking to me immensely already and it hasn't even been a week [which is going by soo slow I love it :)]
love you family and friends :)
Well anyways that night I was last to share mine for the night, we went home, slept and when I woke up [yesterday] thursday morning I have never felt so free or refreshed, it was amazing. Well yesterday was full of testimony sharing again, along with the afternoon at the windy beach swimming and playing football. We all met at the base for dinner last night and after did a few more testimony's, finally it was time to go home, so Justice offered to drive me, Mel, Charmina, and Mimi to the house early since our jet leg caught up to us.
Well when we got to the house we saw lights flicking on and off, so Justice went to check it out, and found the door open, and the power out. Well as soon as we had pulled into the driveway I had this heavy heavy feeling of fear, and was really honestly scared. He went to the circut box and the lights plugs were loose and he couldnt get the power on so he called our director Kevin and Kevin and Ian came down, inspected the house with flashlights and bats for protection. They prayed and I was still scared so I was offered to sleep at the base which I was planning on doing. I went into the house with everyone to get all of my things and then as we were leaving a few of the lights came back on so it seems like there was a power outage in our area and it has been windy since we've gotten here. Anyways I still wasn't feeling right about it, and as me and Kevin and Ian got into the van I began to tell them about my testimony [they weren't there when I shared] and about how this brought back a childhood fear for me, Kevin asked if he could pray for me, and I said that was fine and so he began praying for me in the Van and as soon as he started I started crying quietly, afterward I told him how during his prayer I honestly felt like I was five years old again, he prayed more and as he was praying for my release of all my fear I had held in since I was little I began sobbing, and it just felt so so so good to just cry and after we prayed for maybe 20 minutes or so Kevin said he heard the word Victory, and I firmly believe that I claimed victory last night over an era in my life that had been hurting me, I then felt peace and not afraid anymore so I went back into our house, shared with Mel, Charmina, and Mimi what had just happened and was able to cry a little bit more, then slept.
Well this morning I was weary of really being healed of that time in my life. I know that Healing for past things can take time, and I had felt a sence that for that specific era of my life there was healing. So when I woke up I asked God for conformation that He had really worked in my heart for that and that He had healed that part of my life, I picked up the card my leaders had wrote for me for my arrival, and there was a list of scripture's I went through all about 10 of them not finding anything that was for this until the very last one.
It was Isaiah 53:5 it read: "But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed." It showed me that God had released me and healed me of the fears in my life towards spirits, or well just fear in general. And to feel that release is comforting.
Anyways this morning we watched a video about the new YWAM ship tour that will be hitting the youth all around Australia and Papua New Guinea, the objectives of this ship tour is to strengthen existing health care service infrastructure through provided eye care, cataract surgeries and dentistry, providing primary health care that will address some of Papua New Guinea's top killers including lower respiratory infections, malaria, prenatal confitions, tuberculosis, and meningitis. Provide primary health care that will address other health care concerns in PNG including HIV/ADDS, diarrhoeal diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Delivery of health education (i.e. primary health care and HIV awareness) Provide and/or optimise general community developement and water sanitization. Strengthen and support existing communities, churches and government with field oppertunities for PNG nations. Help train PNG nationals in primary health care serive delivery.
Upon hearing about this, me working with Holland American Cruiselines for the last three years [this year I even applied for working onboard] My expirience working on cleaning yaghts [intarrior and exteriar] last summer for 3 months, thinking about wanting to work onboard a ship or sailboat as crew, wanting to travel, wanting to do missions, and wanting to be in medical feild like my dad. This oppertunity has spoken to me, and I will continue to pray about this for the next 6 months, the head director of the ship is going to be one of our speakers at our school so I will be able to talk to him more about it in the future but just to be aware to please pray for me and if this is where God is leading me then that it will be boldly in my heart, and I will have conformation, God as you can see in my blogs is speaking to me immensely already and it hasn't even been a week [which is going by soo slow I love it :)]
love you family and friends :)
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Byron Bay [the journey begins]
So day 3 in Byron Bay Australia. I flew out Saturday night at 9:30 pm LA time, Layover in New Zealand early monday morning [skipping a day] Not only is New Zealand the greenest and most gorgeous place I've seen since Ireland but I for sure want to return there for a bit to explore the coast! Arriving in Brisbane we all finally met at the airport which was 2 hours north of the base. We all gathered into a big van and car and started our journey. As arriving to the base, we met other students and leaders, the girl were introduced to a large two storey house located on a hill with a beautiful ocean view. I share this house with 7 other girls, and there are about 3 to every room. At the main base we have a swimming pool and most of our meals. Yesterday [day 2] we spent about 2 hours doing a scavenger hunt throughout the town of byron bay finding cool shops [100's of little botiques and surf shops] then afterwards spent the day at the beach surfing, skimming and playing volleyball. The water is already warm enough for only a bathing suit, and the weather so far has been warm and gorgeous!
We started Orientation today, and tonight after our welcome bbq/pool party will begin our testimony sharing. Im pretty nervous for this honestly. I know I have a pretty big one, and it makes me nervous to share it with people I have just met, since I've been judged on it before.
The first night I had a dream. Now for my close friends you know that this is kind of rare for me. Anyways my dream had 2 of the guys from my school in it. And it started with how Tom quit his job he had in the dream saying how it wasn't important. Then we were on the porch and this girl he knew came to talk to us, Her father was in the car parked behind mine and giving me dirty looks, she went over to him and came back asking me why I didnt go to a "real" university and I told her that even if I wanted too I couldn't afford it. She proceeded talking and so I turned and walked away. I remember feeling very vulnerable and insecure. Tom asked why I walked away, I told him she didn't understand my situation. We walked over to my car, I remember my car was just falling apart, and I couldn't find the keys, and I was feeling so broken Tom was comforting me giving me a hug. Jake came around the side of the car and was looking under the hood seeing if he could fix anything. But the jist of this dream was for one, God was telling me the material things arn't important, two it doesn't matter weither or not my family agrees with what I'm doing, or supporting me but the fact that the people now in DTS are my new family, they will be there to help me and support me no matter what. To offer me encouragement and love no matter what I'm struggling or dealing with. Not to offer judgement but support.
Anyways While I was talking to Amanda about how I'm nervous to share my testimony I remembered my dream, and it's encouraging to know that well this is my new family. I'm excited about what God is going to do in my life, and I love the fact that I am about to get healed from my past, and generational curses.
Tonight since the internet was down earlier and we just finished eating amazing bbq burgers [shrimp on the barbie! haha JK] but swimming and dancing tonight was a blast :) we YWAMer's know how to really have fun doing the limbo and "walking it out" haha anyways please continue to keep me in your prayers, and if your interested in Sponsering me my address is on my first blog :)
Family and Friends I love you!
I also love byron bay! :)
We started Orientation today, and tonight after our welcome bbq/pool party will begin our testimony sharing. Im pretty nervous for this honestly. I know I have a pretty big one, and it makes me nervous to share it with people I have just met, since I've been judged on it before.
The first night I had a dream. Now for my close friends you know that this is kind of rare for me. Anyways my dream had 2 of the guys from my school in it. And it started with how Tom quit his job he had in the dream saying how it wasn't important. Then we were on the porch and this girl he knew came to talk to us, Her father was in the car parked behind mine and giving me dirty looks, she went over to him and came back asking me why I didnt go to a "real" university and I told her that even if I wanted too I couldn't afford it. She proceeded talking and so I turned and walked away. I remember feeling very vulnerable and insecure. Tom asked why I walked away, I told him she didn't understand my situation. We walked over to my car, I remember my car was just falling apart, and I couldn't find the keys, and I was feeling so broken Tom was comforting me giving me a hug. Jake came around the side of the car and was looking under the hood seeing if he could fix anything. But the jist of this dream was for one, God was telling me the material things arn't important, two it doesn't matter weither or not my family agrees with what I'm doing, or supporting me but the fact that the people now in DTS are my new family, they will be there to help me and support me no matter what. To offer me encouragement and love no matter what I'm struggling or dealing with. Not to offer judgement but support.
Anyways While I was talking to Amanda about how I'm nervous to share my testimony I remembered my dream, and it's encouraging to know that well this is my new family. I'm excited about what God is going to do in my life, and I love the fact that I am about to get healed from my past, and generational curses.
Tonight since the internet was down earlier and we just finished eating amazing bbq burgers [shrimp on the barbie! haha JK] but swimming and dancing tonight was a blast :) we YWAMer's know how to really have fun doing the limbo and "walking it out" haha anyways please continue to keep me in your prayers, and if your interested in Sponsering me my address is on my first blog :)
Family and Friends I love you!
I also love byron bay! :)
Monday, August 31, 2009
Realization
Its humorus how funny Satan is really trying to put up road block before I go to Australia.
1. I sent in my application for visa, they email me telling me they need a fax or email of my diploma. So now I know why God made it possible for me to graduate all because Australia doesn't let kid's that didnt graduate in. wow.
2. Mom calls today. Ok for those of you who know my mother...Stacey, Alex, Livy, Linda...and few more you know my mom and I have some issues. I am 19 almost 20 years old and I refuse to be afraid of my mother anymore. I will write honestly about her in my blogs I am NOT trying to slander her but as part of my life it has affected me.
I am going to work on my forgiveness while on DTS thats a huge part of the healing I will be going through, I know this already. But for right now, 2 weeks ago my mom was antagonizing me to the point where I couldn't just sit and be quite anymore. Usually I can handel it and just say "ok mom" and be respectful but she pushed the buttons so hard I finally just told her I knew she was on pain meds again and that She needs to just own up to her addiction like she had before instead of hiding it.
Well this made her so angry that she called the police on me and had me moved out with them there, standing around watching me tear apart my whole room, crying, and putting all of my things into garbage bags. I am laying down my pride right now and saying That was honestly the most shameful thing I think she's had done to me. It really tore me up that my mother [who has kicked me out before all due to this whole addiction] could stoop that low and call the police on her oldest daughter to have her leave.
A lot of my closest friends know the things that have gone on in my moms house, esspecially Stacey she has been there and seen up close my moms anger. Along with her mom, and Livy and Linda. I refuse to hide it anymore, I refuse to just stuff it down and believe that I'm the crazy one in this whole thing because I am not.
I would like to love my mom, I would love to have a relationship with her, and be friends, and be able to go over and hang out with her and my sister. She has dropped a huge wall between me and her and I am done trying to climb it to get to her and help her.
3. Stuart. the step dad. I dont have a relationship with him either. He knows whats going on with my mom and once told me that He is scared to confront her, When I brought this up infront of them to show my mom I wasn't the only one who saw these things, he denied it. Because "my mom is always right" and if you argue she called the police.
Anyways I need to get this off my chest. And now whoever reads this can see a little part of my life and maybe be able to understand me a little bit more. I dont like dwelling on the negative in my life, an old friend helped me realize a time where that was all I did. Now instead I push it away and think of positive things but since I'm so close to being able to get through this I feel its now time to completely open up and be vulnerable to what God has.
Once again, blogging is my online journal more for me then anyone else.
1. I sent in my application for visa, they email me telling me they need a fax or email of my diploma. So now I know why God made it possible for me to graduate all because Australia doesn't let kid's that didnt graduate in. wow.
2. Mom calls today. Ok for those of you who know my mother...Stacey, Alex, Livy, Linda...and few more you know my mom and I have some issues. I am 19 almost 20 years old and I refuse to be afraid of my mother anymore. I will write honestly about her in my blogs I am NOT trying to slander her but as part of my life it has affected me.
I am going to work on my forgiveness while on DTS thats a huge part of the healing I will be going through, I know this already. But for right now, 2 weeks ago my mom was antagonizing me to the point where I couldn't just sit and be quite anymore. Usually I can handel it and just say "ok mom" and be respectful but she pushed the buttons so hard I finally just told her I knew she was on pain meds again and that She needs to just own up to her addiction like she had before instead of hiding it.
Well this made her so angry that she called the police on me and had me moved out with them there, standing around watching me tear apart my whole room, crying, and putting all of my things into garbage bags. I am laying down my pride right now and saying That was honestly the most shameful thing I think she's had done to me. It really tore me up that my mother [who has kicked me out before all due to this whole addiction] could stoop that low and call the police on her oldest daughter to have her leave.
A lot of my closest friends know the things that have gone on in my moms house, esspecially Stacey she has been there and seen up close my moms anger. Along with her mom, and Livy and Linda. I refuse to hide it anymore, I refuse to just stuff it down and believe that I'm the crazy one in this whole thing because I am not.
I would like to love my mom, I would love to have a relationship with her, and be friends, and be able to go over and hang out with her and my sister. She has dropped a huge wall between me and her and I am done trying to climb it to get to her and help her.
3. Stuart. the step dad. I dont have a relationship with him either. He knows whats going on with my mom and once told me that He is scared to confront her, When I brought this up infront of them to show my mom I wasn't the only one who saw these things, he denied it. Because "my mom is always right" and if you argue she called the police.
Anyways I need to get this off my chest. And now whoever reads this can see a little part of my life and maybe be able to understand me a little bit more. I dont like dwelling on the negative in my life, an old friend helped me realize a time where that was all I did. Now instead I push it away and think of positive things but since I'm so close to being able to get through this I feel its now time to completely open up and be vulnerable to what God has.
Once again, blogging is my online journal more for me then anyone else.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
The Count Down II
So something this past week has changed in me. I dont know if its because of finding out about my knee, or the new people I've recently met, but it feels like a light has been dimmed in my heart... like turned on, but the lowest glow possible. And thats cool to me, because after talking and praying and thinking so much about this huge adventure God has created for my life I know that by the end the light will be shining with the brightest glow ever.
As I've told a few people already, I took this facebook quiz a few weeks ago, and The title was "how old do you act?" well I apparently act 43 years old. This bothers me only because my mother just turned 43 this month. And I've had to raise myself, I helped raised my sister for a good portion of her birth years and I've had to be "the counselor" to my mom and step father mediating fights and that was when I was between 12-15 years old.
I've been thinking about this a lot, and I've had my friends even tell me Laura your over due for some fun, lighten up your being too serious, I think a lot of it is due to stress of this big next step in my life as I move to a different country for a while, and the fact that I've had so many things happen this summer I just have felt like I cant have fun or be a kid anymore, that I'm almost 20 and need to "grow up" Well Im stoked that God took the initiative to give me some encouragement on the way to church this morning on 106.5 one of the guys said something along the line of "God says you need to have faith like a child and no one enters the kingdom who doesnt"
Not only that I forgot what I read exactly last night but it was in the bible while I was at this BFC [Boarders for Christ] bbq/bible study and it was about how God wants us to think and have faith like a child also. This made me happy. Im excited how the DTS will move this into my life by healing the old person and bringing in a new alive child, like being born again into new life. A new generation.
After church this morning I was talking to Livy [one of my mentors who has guided me through a lot] about how last night I had a conversation with Matt after the bible study. I told him about how I kind of feel like I've been dead my whole life, just enduring all of these things wondering when It will stop and I'll be able to heal from them, almost like Im carrying baggage.
While I was talking to Livy about it I got this analogy in my head, I'm carrying all of these suit cases, and I'm asking God "Lord when can I start giving away all of my "clothes"??" When can I start pouring out my life story and move on from it giving part of my testimony out to the ones who it is ment for [like giving them [what I feel is my old clothes] and to them a new outfit and leaving it with them to have a new outfit and "start new"] I'm trying to make this make sence...
But when I find someone who say, came from a broken family and they feel they have no hope, I share with them I came from a broken family look at how God changed me, I give them that new hope. They see that I have moved on from it and grown, so then they can move on and grow! there we go!
Sorry I'm excited I got the words for what was in my head. haha. Anyways yeah so there I am talking to Livy and just telling her I'm super stoked about what God is about to do in my life. How He is going to help me give away my clothes and empty out my baggage so that I can go through the world with just my tunic and the sandels on my feet [and surfboard]
But its cool also how I am going to go to YWAM with all my baggage and God is going to go through all of my clothes in my suitcase, and these I mean are old clothes, they have huge holes in them, and stains! And He is going to sew them all up! and Bleach them! and make them new again! So that when they are all sewn up, [and I am cleaned up] He will send me out on my mission and I will be able to go to the people who have old clothes [hurt and sorrow and no hope] and even though I had these clothes that to me were old, I give them out and to the people that recieve them they have gotten brand new clothes! A brand new hope.
They see how God has healed my heart and made it new and they can therefore ask Jesus to come and clean up their hearts and make them new again too starting with these new clothes a new faith.
And this analogy I think started with what Matt was saying last night at the biblestudy, about the mustard seed and mustard. If you spill mustard on your shirt good luck trying to get it out, you might as well just throw it away and buy a new shirt because its a hard stain to get out. Well if we spread out mustard seeds they also although the smallest seed, and grow into the largest, strongest tree.
Us as Christians start out small and weak, longing to grow but it takes so much time to get to where God wants us because He wants us to empty out our suitcases and allow him to wash and sew up our clothes! and even though we make mistakes and rip our new jeans again and we are sad and scared our parents will get mad, He lets us know He is sitting there just like a mother saying "oh honey you ripped your new jeans, its ok Let me sew them back up for you, dont be upset" Then we get back up and go outside again to play, or go out into the world and start a new day. No matter what God is there and just like Pam said last night too, its like grated flour, once you pour it out on something it latches to whats there, Once you have God he embedds Himself into your life no matter where your at or what your going through He is there for you to cry too, hug, bandage and sew up.
Anyways this is a lot of learning this weekend. and Im genuinly happy about whats moving in my life. In Matts words, I have some great vibes going on :) and can see that God's going to move in some mighty ways.
As I've told a few people already, I took this facebook quiz a few weeks ago, and The title was "how old do you act?" well I apparently act 43 years old. This bothers me only because my mother just turned 43 this month. And I've had to raise myself, I helped raised my sister for a good portion of her birth years and I've had to be "the counselor" to my mom and step father mediating fights and that was when I was between 12-15 years old.
I've been thinking about this a lot, and I've had my friends even tell me Laura your over due for some fun, lighten up your being too serious, I think a lot of it is due to stress of this big next step in my life as I move to a different country for a while, and the fact that I've had so many things happen this summer I just have felt like I cant have fun or be a kid anymore, that I'm almost 20 and need to "grow up" Well Im stoked that God took the initiative to give me some encouragement on the way to church this morning on 106.5 one of the guys said something along the line of "God says you need to have faith like a child and no one enters the kingdom who doesnt"
Not only that I forgot what I read exactly last night but it was in the bible while I was at this BFC [Boarders for Christ] bbq/bible study and it was about how God wants us to think and have faith like a child also. This made me happy. Im excited how the DTS will move this into my life by healing the old person and bringing in a new alive child, like being born again into new life. A new generation.
After church this morning I was talking to Livy [one of my mentors who has guided me through a lot] about how last night I had a conversation with Matt after the bible study. I told him about how I kind of feel like I've been dead my whole life, just enduring all of these things wondering when It will stop and I'll be able to heal from them, almost like Im carrying baggage.
While I was talking to Livy about it I got this analogy in my head, I'm carrying all of these suit cases, and I'm asking God "Lord when can I start giving away all of my "clothes"??" When can I start pouring out my life story and move on from it giving part of my testimony out to the ones who it is ment for [like giving them [what I feel is my old clothes] and to them a new outfit and leaving it with them to have a new outfit and "start new"] I'm trying to make this make sence...
But when I find someone who say, came from a broken family and they feel they have no hope, I share with them I came from a broken family look at how God changed me, I give them that new hope. They see that I have moved on from it and grown, so then they can move on and grow! there we go!
Sorry I'm excited I got the words for what was in my head. haha. Anyways yeah so there I am talking to Livy and just telling her I'm super stoked about what God is about to do in my life. How He is going to help me give away my clothes and empty out my baggage so that I can go through the world with just my tunic and the sandels on my feet [and surfboard]
But its cool also how I am going to go to YWAM with all my baggage and God is going to go through all of my clothes in my suitcase, and these I mean are old clothes, they have huge holes in them, and stains! And He is going to sew them all up! and Bleach them! and make them new again! So that when they are all sewn up, [and I am cleaned up] He will send me out on my mission and I will be able to go to the people who have old clothes [hurt and sorrow and no hope] and even though I had these clothes that to me were old, I give them out and to the people that recieve them they have gotten brand new clothes! A brand new hope.
They see how God has healed my heart and made it new and they can therefore ask Jesus to come and clean up their hearts and make them new again too starting with these new clothes a new faith.
And this analogy I think started with what Matt was saying last night at the biblestudy, about the mustard seed and mustard. If you spill mustard on your shirt good luck trying to get it out, you might as well just throw it away and buy a new shirt because its a hard stain to get out. Well if we spread out mustard seeds they also although the smallest seed, and grow into the largest, strongest tree.
Us as Christians start out small and weak, longing to grow but it takes so much time to get to where God wants us because He wants us to empty out our suitcases and allow him to wash and sew up our clothes! and even though we make mistakes and rip our new jeans again and we are sad and scared our parents will get mad, He lets us know He is sitting there just like a mother saying "oh honey you ripped your new jeans, its ok Let me sew them back up for you, dont be upset" Then we get back up and go outside again to play, or go out into the world and start a new day. No matter what God is there and just like Pam said last night too, its like grated flour, once you pour it out on something it latches to whats there, Once you have God he embedds Himself into your life no matter where your at or what your going through He is there for you to cry too, hug, bandage and sew up.
Anyways this is a lot of learning this weekend. and Im genuinly happy about whats moving in my life. In Matts words, I have some great vibes going on :) and can see that God's going to move in some mighty ways.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The Countdown
So since August 16th now there have been some crazy happenings in my life so far. For one I got accepted to a ministry school program called "YWAM" [youth with a mission] In Byron bay Australia, I leave September 9th 2009 to Huntington Beach to say goodbye to friends there, and then Fly out September 12th for Australia.
This blog just to be honest up front is more of like a journal for me, I used to journal all the time and some how fell out of it, but since I enjoy typing and what not I figured I'd start a blog.
So be prepared to read not only about the wonderful things God is doing and about to do in my life, but about the hard ships I am facing as well.
Anyways as an overview of the last two weeks, I was asked to leave my moms house..again. Came down with pink eye [and I know its from using my moms mascara or from my job at the cruiselines] and found out I have a Benign Tumor in my right knee. This is A LOT to find out in a short time!
As for the good things I'm staying at my grandmas who is a wonderful person [and cook!] I have been praying a lot more then usual because once again God has been pushing me towards having more more and more faith in Him. AND I met this awesome girl named Amanda who will also be on my journey with me from Seattle too!
So basically here are the things on my heart right now that God keeps saying "faith faith faith" I guess what He is proving to me is that just like in the olden times you have faith and He will provide, what is sad about this is because of how the world is today most people have forgotten or don't believe in faith alone. They say you need a Plan B. But if you have a Plan B isn't that proving that you dont have 100 percent faith that God will provide? That would show you are doubting? yes...
So when I was talking to my mom yesterday she goes "Should I start planning on arranging a flight back for you?" I was confused, and she goes "Laura it doesn't work like that, thats not what the bible says you can't just have faith you need a Plan B, I know your going to get there and just going to have to turn around and come back!" So I said "No! faith doesn't work like that! if I have a Plan B I am not trusting in God or having full faith that He is going to come through!" Once again. That apparently isn't in the bible. But she couldn't tell me where it wasn't, so I called up someone I look up too, Russ and asked him for guidence on faith because Its not just her it's now my WHOLE family telling me to give up and that this significant amount of money is impossible to raise. Well here's how I look at it...
Say I was going to go to Vanguard University [christian college] in Newport CA it's $18,000.00 a semester! and there are 2 semesters in a year! thats $32,000.00 just for 9 months of schooling excluding holidays and time off, [and no I can't get financial help because my mom makes too much so I would be taking out loans] This is Not including Dorming, or Food, where I will be learning most of the same prinicples With Out the hands on missions work.
Now I am going to YWAM, University of Nations in Australia, for 3 months of schooling and 3 months of missions in different countries. for only about $9,000.00 and thats including dorms, food, visa's, health insurance, flights, ext. now looking at the difference, I think it's more likely I would be able to acheive this missions goal then a college goal at this point of my life.
Anyways I am writing this blog more for me then anyone and this is my way of reassuring myself..
Laura Cox
Youth With A Mission
1 Johnston Lane
Tyagarah, NSW
2481 Australia
For more information:
To watch the video check out my gadgets, the DTS title is above the Youtube gadget.
This blog just to be honest up front is more of like a journal for me, I used to journal all the time and some how fell out of it, but since I enjoy typing and what not I figured I'd start a blog.
So be prepared to read not only about the wonderful things God is doing and about to do in my life, but about the hard ships I am facing as well.
Anyways as an overview of the last two weeks, I was asked to leave my moms house..again. Came down with pink eye [and I know its from using my moms mascara or from my job at the cruiselines] and found out I have a Benign Tumor in my right knee. This is A LOT to find out in a short time!
As for the good things I'm staying at my grandmas who is a wonderful person [and cook!] I have been praying a lot more then usual because once again God has been pushing me towards having more more and more faith in Him. AND I met this awesome girl named Amanda who will also be on my journey with me from Seattle too!
So basically here are the things on my heart right now that God keeps saying "faith faith faith" I guess what He is proving to me is that just like in the olden times you have faith and He will provide, what is sad about this is because of how the world is today most people have forgotten or don't believe in faith alone. They say you need a Plan B. But if you have a Plan B isn't that proving that you dont have 100 percent faith that God will provide? That would show you are doubting? yes...
So when I was talking to my mom yesterday she goes "Should I start planning on arranging a flight back for you?" I was confused, and she goes "Laura it doesn't work like that, thats not what the bible says you can't just have faith you need a Plan B, I know your going to get there and just going to have to turn around and come back!" So I said "No! faith doesn't work like that! if I have a Plan B I am not trusting in God or having full faith that He is going to come through!" Once again. That apparently isn't in the bible. But she couldn't tell me where it wasn't, so I called up someone I look up too, Russ and asked him for guidence on faith because Its not just her it's now my WHOLE family telling me to give up and that this significant amount of money is impossible to raise. Well here's how I look at it...
Say I was going to go to Vanguard University [christian college] in Newport CA it's $18,000.00 a semester! and there are 2 semesters in a year! thats $32,000.00 just for 9 months of schooling excluding holidays and time off, [and no I can't get financial help because my mom makes too much so I would be taking out loans] This is Not including Dorming, or Food, where I will be learning most of the same prinicples With Out the hands on missions work.
Now I am going to YWAM, University of Nations in Australia, for 3 months of schooling and 3 months of missions in different countries. for only about $9,000.00 and thats including dorms, food, visa's, health insurance, flights, ext. now looking at the difference, I think it's more likely I would be able to acheive this missions goal then a college goal at this point of my life.
Anyways I am writing this blog more for me then anyone and this is my way of reassuring myself..
Here are some scripture that also back me up 100 percent! and give me more hope and faith:
Psalm 138:8 [His will for my life, I am in the palm of His hand]
Isaiah 6:8-10 [Who will go for Jesus?]
Matthew 18:19-20 [If two or more agree it shall be done]
Matthew 28:16-20 [I send you out to all the nations]
Mark 6:8-10 [Dont bring anything on your journey but the sandels on your feet]
Corinthians 1:3-9 [Give no short in any gift and happily]
Romans 4:16-21 [Abraham had faith, even when he was old and about 100 and had no hope, and God still made him the father of all the nations]
I want new hope and new life for my life. I am ready to grow up and spend time with people that share the same beliefs with me and be able to have fun like a child in a healthy environment. Im trusting and having "Kalele" that God is going to move mountains in my generation and that I will forever be changed from the expirience He is providing.
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