I had no idea when I left the US last August what God had planned for me. Well, do we really ever know? He is a far greater planner than I could ever be. I have been back in Oxford for three months now and I am finally really starting to dig deep into my time here. I see how much God wants me to create some roots here and hunger more for Him during this time. I know that if I went home to America as I had planned, I'd rush around for 5 months to see as many people as possible, try to find a good church to go to and get involved with and work/fundraise as much as possible to staff the next school. Knowing myself, I would be on the go constantly and not listening to God much. Just being honest.
But here, God has given me this place and time to dig deeper with Him. I already have a community here, I have a job (part-time) during the week and I have no big 'responsiblities' since I'm not staffing. God is using this time to teach me! I've been asking God to show me more of His character and to show me more of who He's made me to be. It's a very freeing experience. I haven't felt this FREE in a long time. It's also a process... I've been working through past hurts, present lies that I believe about myself, and seeking God's truth. It's all about healing through the Holy Spirit!
This last sunday at church, I couldn't stop dancing around, clapping and praising God. The praises just kept coming out of me and I wanted to pour out to others-- I wanted to PRAY for others. By knowing more of God's heart, I wanted to bless others and speak out blessing!! I've always been a bit of a joyful person, some of you might have noticed :-) , but it was a different feeling this week-- joy from freedom. I love how God is continuing to change, challenge and grow me. It wasn't easy at times for me to obey God and STAY here in NZ when all I wanted was to go home to America. But, through His will, I'm being challenged and changed again.
We have an incredible God. He is so REAL and PERSONAL!! He is worthy to trust.
The next school has started here at the base, it's a snowboarder school. There are about 30 students from all over the world here. I've tried my best this weekend to get to learn names and get to know them. I'm excited to befriend this school and learn from them from an outside perspective. I won't be a busy staff running around with heaps of duties. Instead, I get to snowboard with them, and talk with them, join them for intercession and worship and hopefully do some crazy fun things with them. It's a chance to mentor and grow with them without the business of being a staff. I'm excited, they are already a FUN bunch!
Prayer Requests:
1) I want to PROCLAIM what God is doing in my life to all those around me. I pray that I can be used by God to speak into people's lives.
2) Pray for my ministry at the nursing home with my elderly residents. I've had the chance to pray for and talk about God with some residents and co-workers. I pray that God brings me more opportunities.
3) I want to continue digging deeper into who God is and who He has made me to be- a woman of God- a spiritual prayer warrior- His beautiful daughter!!! Pray that He keeps revealing more to me and I walk in His will for my life.
love you!!
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