God moves in the midst of all

This week has flown by just like all of the others. I currently have only 24 days in Tahoe before I get to go home for Thanksgiving and then 19 days here after that. For those of you who don’t know me extremely well, I am a counter. I count miles on super long road trips. I count how many hours I have left on long flights. I count how many days I have left in a location. I don’t do this to try to rush things. I am just trying to give myself motivation to push through, work hard, and enjoy the precious time that I am given in a place. One of the ways that I have always counted things down is through paper chains. I have a paper chain hanging beside me right now that helps me keep track of the time I have left here with my precious students. Inside of each link I have listed a Bible passage that I can use for that day to help me focus on Christ and His Kingdom vision. I wish I would have made a link for everyday that I have been here because it has been a true encouragement to me each day. I look forward to waking up every morning and seeing which verse or verses I get to focus on that day. I am learning the truth about the power of memorizing scripture and being able to carry it with me at all times. I of course don’t always turn to the Truth before I turn to fleshly ways of malice, envy and slander. I take 20 steps backwards until I feel God’s conviction. He is patient in dealing with me. He is teaching me things that I didn’t know that I needed to learn. What a gracious God we have the privilege to serve!

My time with my students this week was a blessing to my heart! We started the New Testament on Monday during our Bible study time and I was blown away by their knowledge of Christ and in their interest in learning more. Tuesday I told them the story of Jesus being born, but as soon as the story was over they raised their hands and reminded me that Jesus grew up to die on the cross and now is in Heaven looking over us. When we finish our story each day, they say “that’s it?” Every time one of my students prays, he says “thank you Jeebus for dying on the cross and for giving us freedom.” I love seeing what Christ is doing in these little lives. I love seeing them get excited when I ask them a question about the Bible and they know the answer. I love when they put 5 different Bible stories into one jumbled up mess because it just brings joy to my heart to know that they know about Jesus. I love chasing them on the playground as the “big scary bear” while they are screaming and laughing. I love when they ask if they can read to me, ask to sit on my lap, hug my neck, pick on me, and call me silly names. These kids have stolen my heart! I look forward to seeing them each and every day and I am so excited to see what God has in store for them in the future. (Isaiah 55:11)

This week proved to be a giant break through with Mrs. Anderson, the teacher who I volunteer with on Wednesday mornings. On Wednesday she was much more talkative than usual and was asking me all kinds of questions about my family and friends from back home and my trips overseas. As I told her about my heart for North Korea, she told me that she has always wanted to be able to help people who are less fortunate. This statement lead to us talking about who Christ is and how He is the one who is in control of all things. She had so many questions, but the kids came back from the computer lab and she had to leave. Please pray that God continues to work on her heart! On Thursday morning I was able to go see her class perform their Halloween skit. I wanted to see those sweet kids perform, but mostly I wanted to let Mrs. Anderson know that I truly care about her and I wanted to meet with parents. She hugged me 3 times in a 20 minute period! One of the goals here is to be a presence in the community so that people of all ages can come to know Christ. I believe that people in the community need to know that we are not just here as a business, but we are here to show them the love of Christ. This is a big task, but nothing is impossible with Him. He is capable of taking my sinful messes, and bringing glory to Himself. He wants to show the same mercy and grace to the people in Tahoe City that He has shown me.

Friday was a hard day for me, but I have never felt so much peace and joy while shaking at the exact same time. I am learning the truth in the statement “joy is not based on our circumstances”. I love watching God do big things when we are so uncomfortable and broken down. I hope that I can persevere in all things so that I can see Christ work in BIG ways. Words that people said about me this week hurt my little heart, but I would have missed out on seeing God do big things if I was trying to be selfish and tryin to fight back. I want to learn to handle all things in a way that glorifies my Father. I am getting practice here. Fellow believers can be so hurtful sometimes, but that’s not what matters in any way. All things should be about Christ.

Below I have listed some passages that have encouraged me, challenged me, and motivated me the last few days to keep persevering and working with a Kingdom vision. Thank you again for all of your prayers and support! I love you more than you will ever know!

“A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.” Proverbs 12:16

All of 1 Peter (This chapter and a few other passages in this list were brought to my attention by one of my dearest friends who I have been given the opportunity to get to know the last few months here in Tahoe. She is always quick to point me to Christ in all circumstances. What a blessing!)

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Romans 15:5-7 (The rest of the chapter has been used to convict me on so many different occasions.)

“Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.” 2 Timothy 2:14-16

“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (This passage was brought to mind by one of my best friends from back home. God orchestrated some beautiful friendships for me to enjoy! What a blessing!)

“I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us. Though the gif tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, YET I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go to the heights.” Habakkuk 3:16-19

“I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corner I called you. I said ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have no rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:9-13

“This is what God the LORD says- he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: I , the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.” Isaiah 42:5-7

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:8-11

“Everything is permissible”- but not everything is beneficial. “Everyone is permissible”- but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.” 1 Corinthians 10:23-24

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen in eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

“He made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.” Jeremiah 51:15-16

“I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27

This is Mrs. Anderson. Please pray for her salvation!

This is some of my crazy students :) Love them so much!

This is "Chick Magnet". He likes to rub his head against me like a cat and get right in my face, but he has the sweetest little heart.

This is Harkin. He is a preschool student who might be a little bit confused on whether he is male or female. Check the shoes. Wish I had a picture of his halloween costume or all of the bows he wears. Silly boy!

This is Jake. Jake has good days and bad days, but is just another kid who needs to know the love of Christ!

This is the Kindergarten class at A+.  Such a fun group!!

This little blonde headed boy stole my heart in just a few minutes. He is 5 but talks like a 30 year-old. My heart broke when I had to leave him last night as he was crying. Sad times :(

This is my sweet little one who always thanks Jeebus for dying to give us freedom. I pray that God always holds him in His hands.

Mrs. Anderson's class that I get to work with each Wednesday morning. Precious babies!