Greater things are yet to come!

Last Tuesday night as I was laying down I remembered that I was supposed to lead devotions Wednesday. Even though being unprepared is not always wise, I love how it leaves so much more room to just speak from what the Lord is laying on your heart. I got to share the Derek Redmond video from the 1992 Olympics. If you haven't gotten to watch it, stop and check it out (it shows such a beautiful picture of our Father's love over us). I see myself so much in the son, who is desperate for my Father. Who is broken, and often discouraged- but thankful to have a Father who fights over me, to pick me up, carry me, and cheer me on. I wouldn't be able to be here and love on any one if it wasn't him in me- I am literally daily reminded of this. In this story Derek's father was a physical reminder of who the Lord is. We also get to be this in others lives! Jesus says, " I soon will be gone, but because of the Holy Spirit you will be a part of even greater things". Right before however in the gospel of John there is the promise " remain in me, and I will remain in you". Heidi Baker says as people would come to Africa and ask " How can we help?" Our answer was always the same: very simply, you can always love and hug children. And you can always spend a few weeks of your life to get a glimpse of how much of the world lives- and let your heart break. But more deeply, in order for you to be useful to the Master here- or anywhere- you must be close to Him and in love with Him. To the degree that you are intimate with Him, you will know what to do, what you must do"! I LOVE that! It's so true, the greatest way we can love others and serve others is by being intimate with our Father first! Even though this is so simple, it's so easy to slip away from! We live in a society that tells us our worth is in what we DO DO DO, but so often the Lord says "come, be still, rest in me". This is where we are poured into so that when opportunities come to love on his people, we can't miss out on them because our hearts our being transformed to be more like his! This is a daily prayer, and many days (like today) I get really tired and frustrated, but I am thankful for truth! I am excited for it to continue to come alive in my life!

A few glimpses of how I have gotten to see the Lord lately:
Tuesdays and Thursdays we are tutoring our street boys (Pablo, Menfi, Bebe, Richie, Christopher, Tommy, Gus, Haskerd). This week we were able to pray over them, and as I was praying I looked up to find all the boys with their arms around each other. What a beautiful family to be a part of! I see the Lord more in those boys than they will ever know!

One of the boys (15 years old) has been in jail for 7 weeks, and Harry headed up going over to visit to get him meals. They are not fed in jail, which paints a picture of what life is like there. Pray over our brother, that in a dark place he would experience God's love, light, and truth in undeniable ways! We are praying he will be out soon, but untill then I pray we are able to keep stopping by and giving him daily reminders that the Lord never forgets him & certainly will never give up on him. He has the most beautiful heart!

I have had to have 5 meetings with kids in the principals office this past week addressing behavior issues. As draining as this can be, I am thankful that these kids are reminded that the reason they are corrected is because their worth investing in. One mom even agreed to and has starting taking her child to counseling because of an "intervention". Love when the Lord stops us in our tracks and shows us a better way! This is a huge growing experience for me, because discipline is not what come most naturally to me. I constantly have to pray for boldness and grace for myself. Please join me in praying transformed lives over my kids! It has been very up and down, but I continue to give thanks for them even when I am in tears feeling defeated! They are precious.

We were able to have another high school night. So fun! Nice to take off the uniform and be friend! Harrison did a bangerade job talking about love and the crazy things we are willing to do for it. Plain and simple, straight up- Jesus is the greatest example of this!

On another note, in two days it will be Thanksgiving! I couldn't be more thankful and ready for a much needed break! We are still deciding where we will be traveling- hoping Guatemala :) Will keep you posted!

AS ALWAYS, CRAZY BLESSED AND THANKFUL TO HAVE SUCH SPECIAL PEOPLE IN MY LIFE! THANK YOU FOR LOVING ME AND WALKING WITH ME! I CONTINUALLY AM LEFT IN AWE OF THE RELATIONSHIPS I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH!

MUCHO AMOR AMIOGOS Y FAMILIA! Like that ;)? Learning at the pace of a grandma turtle.... but thats better than not at all right!

LOVE YOU!