Panama Here I come!

I got back last night from camp, packed today, and leave in the morning for Panama in Central America. I don't think there has been a boring moment yet this summer.. but i love it :)

We have been preparing and praying for this trip all year and I'm so excited that it is finally time to go. As I have been mentally preparing and praying for this trip these last couple of weeks, the Lord continuously been taking me to the book of Joel. I think it's interesting because it talks so much about war and fighting in a battle. I believe the Lord has called me to go and fight; Not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). I have felt this so strong lately. It occured to me one day this week while i was lifeguarding how important it is to be intently focused and take my job seriously. It can be easy to start thinking about something else while im on guard but as soon as i feel my mind wondering, i have to shift my thoughts and realize the importance and urgency of being on task as i watch the water. I am having to set my mind of the urgency of this hour in time to prepare mentally for this trip. It says in Joel 2:1- Blow the Trumpet in Zion; Sound an alarm on My holy Mount. Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming; it is close at hand." Something in me stirs when i read this and makes me take this trip so seriously like it's the last opportunity this people could hear about Jesus. Our minds should remain devoted and urgent at this hour.

Joel 2:30, 32 -"And I will show signs and wonders in the heavens, and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke.. and whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered and saved.." I'm believing for signs and wonders to follow us as we bring the gospel just like it says in Mark 16:17-20 "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; and they take up serpents; and they if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover...And they went out and preached, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accomplanied it." I believe Jesus' words here worked for the disciples and will work for us today. In Panama, Im praying the people will see the power of Jesus displayed and and through that, call on His name to be saved.

Back to Joel 3:9-14 it says "Prepare for war! Stir up the mighty men! Let all the men of war draw near, let them come up.. let the weak say I am strong (a warrior).. Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe.. multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decison."
I know this verse is for me on this trip. I keep thinking about the first part of the verse that says "prepare for war!" I don't really get into the war-like movies and all that kind of gory stuff that guys love haha but i have really been enthralled by this verse. He is preparing me for war and to take back what the enemy has stolen. I know we will always have victory knowing that Jesus is for us and on our side fighting. Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world.. He has called us all to be warriors in His army everyday. It's not even really a fight, if we stop and think about it, because we already know who will win. We are overcomers because of the blood of Jesus. I will stand in victory before i even get on the plane tomorrow knowing who is on my side. I must put on the armor and be prepared to stay focused, be rooted in His love, and not afraid to use my sword to fight. He loves making even the weakest ones fighters :) His love drives me to do whatever He is asking, whatever is on His heart for this hour.

Pray for supernatural faith overriding any fear and also victory at every place we go!
We will come back on June 30th and i'll have lots of updates :)

New Revelations :)

I was reading something from AW Tozer and he said something that really captivated my attention. He said,

"It's a strange and beautiful eccentricity of the free God that He has allowed His heart to be emotionally identified with men. Self-sufficient as He is, He wants our love and will not be satisified until He gets it. Free as He is, He has let His heart be bound to us forever."

I love this so much because we are emotional beings who long for relationships. Sometimes i think i was blessed with more emotions that others :) ha God designed us that way so that He could fill our every desire. It amazes me that He wants my love. He is so self-sufficient and never in need, yet He wants me. He chose me. I have to let this marinate in my heart to really believe what this means. If i really understood my Father's relentless heart then things would be so different. He is showing me this week of His constant pursuit after me. He is constantly drawing me and calling me and wooing me. So many times i don't even seem to realize it. But then other times, it is the smallest things that get my attention. The scenery is beautiful here at camp and as i looked outside today, it seemed like even the trees looked more beautiful than usual. It reminded me of what an intricate Daddy I have that made so many special things just for us. Jesus is on a mission to captivate His Bride before His return. My heart has to remain focused. I have to be in union with Him and be emotionally connected with my Beloved. I feel so much urgency today to reach out for more. I pray this summer i will be able to stay in a hungry place at all times so that complacency will not be anywhere in sight.

It's time to let go and pour ALL my love out, just like in the story of Mary at Bethany. She saved her perfume as a dowry for her husband which entitled her future and her dreams. She realized what it was all about. She poured her dreams, her future, and her life on the feet of Jesus. What a sweet frangrace! I am tired of holding back a jar of my love and my dreams. It is time to pour it all out of Jesus feet and allow Him to take me to a sweeter place of intimacy. I must let go of all I've been holding onto in order for me to go deeper with Him.

The Simplicity of a Child

It was been a great week at camp! We had a few days at the beginning of the week to do maintenance work and just be together as a staff. We have had a lot of fun getting to know eachother better. Then at the end of the week we had a group of 110 kids come in. It has been our biggest group yet but it was so great. I loved asking them what the Lord was teaching them and getting to hear their responses. Their faith is so great and so simple. It's amazing what children can teach you about trusting the Lord. I heard a story of one of children that he had been learning about praying for people. Him and his mom were in the gas station and met the cashier who had an illness of some sort and the child told his mom they had to stop and pray for him. Sure enough the mother went back inside and told the cashier and they prayed a simple prayer of healing for him. Days later the mother went into the gas station to find the cashier completely healed and so grateful for her son's faith filled prayer. The story encouraged me so much to let go of every skewed mindset of doubt and fear and see through the lenses of Jesus' power. I have been praying to have faith as a child, to just let go and let God use me. I think too much sometimes and that can leave room for doubt to set it.
As it says in Matthew 18:3, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
I feel like Waukaway is such a unique place because it's so secluded from the world. It leaves no room for "society" to persuade my mindset. It's like a world in itself. It reminds of how a child is, they sometimes are in their own world not really realizing what's going on in the world so close around them. They can just believe and have faith to trust God in whatever He says. Their minds are so easy to mold. We tell them silly stories on the trails we make up about super squirrels and the old alligator. They actually believe me ha! I want to be open to whatever Holy Spirit says to do, to not question but just have faith and do it.
It really hit me hard when i got to go home yesterday for the weekend. I haven't been home in 4 weeks and it was almost like culture shock. I had been living in my own world and then coming home i realized all the things i need to do when i move home such as school, work, a job, etc. It was like a rush of busyness that I had forgotten. The simplicity being away has cleared my head more than i thought. I want to live in that place of simplicity and faith wherever i am. We have live in the world but not be of the world. My prayer for myself and for you is to get back to the basics of focusing on Jesus.. His name, His love, His blood. The simplicity of a first love comes to my mind. He is saying, "Beloved, just let go of all the confusion and all the busyness and let me have your attention. Let me be your first love. Simply receive my love like a child knows his father's arms and let me love you some more. Just let go of trying to handle and juggle it all. I want to the father and you to be the child. Simply let me have your heart. I've already done all the work for you, just receive!"
I leave to go back tomorrow and i feel like i'm leaving very restored and able to appreciate this summer even more. What a special season to spend alone Jesus and i dont want to take it for granted. So thankful for His grace to receive revelation.