Being back in New York with family and friends brings me such happiness. I love seeing how people's lives have changed since I've been on my journey and to see the testimony of God's faithfulness here.
As many of you know, my hometown was hit pretty hard by Hurricane Sandy back in October 2012. Well, it's almost a year now and I am thrilled to see the efforts and progress made by my family and those from all over the nation. People have come to my home church, Full Gospel Church of Island Park, to volunteer with Samaritan's Purse. It has been an incredible faith filled journey all around but New Yorkers have come out stronger by the grace of God alone. My mom has been blessed by a local church who has repaired our backyard fencing and will be completing the final stages of our basement- previously filled with 4 feet of water, as well as, our church who has done more for us and our community than I could say. I have a tremendous heart of gratitude for everyone who has helped and prayed. It is all good news!
I have had the privilege to share my stories with many friends and want to take the time to fill you in! This summer I was able to be a part of School of the Circuit Riders (www.thecircuitrider.com) in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I knew going in that my faith, beliefs, and attitude would be challenged to grow. Sometimes we fear growth because it is not known what it will look like or feel like on the other side. However, when you have experienced and seen the goodness of God and know that you can only get better from here...you take that chance. You better believe it was one of the most challenging weeks of my life! We covered topics such as selfishness, self-hatred, what true love looks like, breaking off fear, clean break-ups with bad habits, and many more things that shake you to your core. God is love, right? So, it's pretty hard when you say you want to be like Him and yet you have been living your life in love with yourself... When Jesus came to this earth, he wasn't here to fall in love with himself and he most certainly did not have an "every man for himself" type of attitude. So, why should we? "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8 The way the speakers presented the simple Gospel and truth was so inspiring. We had small groups and met people who encouraged each other and knew the reason we came together was to "Revive the saved. Save the Lost. Train them all." And that's what we did that week.
We hit the streets of Lancaster sharing the good news- Hey, Jesus loves you and he has a plan for your life (John 3:16, Jeremiah 29:11). We weren't there to condemn anybody, but to love people because that's what He would have done with us walking next to Him. I just have to say this-- when I was living my life one way and feeling pretty confused and hopeless, like there just has to be more than this, I am pretty ecstatic that God came into my life and it's never been the same since. I have trouble explaining the true joy I have and the adventures God has taken me on, and how I am just HAPPY. Life is exciting with God. How do you convey the best thing that has ever happened to you? When you find people who understand because they also have been through it, all you want to do is tell others. Why wouldn't you share joy and love? We are not to be selfish with those things. God is all those things and more, so we want to share him.
We met up with so many people over two days and 320+ people came to know Jesus and wanted to know him more and invited him into their hearts and lives. 60+ people were touched by God and healed immediately on the streets from broken bones, arthritis, and different physical ailments. Two more babies have a hope and a future because their mom's decided to cancel their abortion appointments. Come on, God is incredibly good.
This is just the beginning.
I cannot wait to continue the journey this fall as I continue as a full time missionary in YWAM... "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace." Acts 20:24
And boy it's so sweet...no matter how fast it goes by. Because there's always more.
