My Message to Satan

One verse I have been clinging to lately is John 16:33. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

This summer, God has called me to oversees missions work. I am beyond excited for this opportunity, and cannot wait to see where He leads and what I will be able to do for Him. However, up to this point, it has been a nightmare trying to organize details. From paperwork to immigration issues, I have felt like something has been against me. It only hit me today that I am truly in the middle of a spiritual war. According to Satan, I am spending my whole summer serving his enemy, and winning converts for the opposite side. He hates that. And he hates anyone who is partnering with God to minister to His people. That would be me. No wonder I have hit so many roadblocks!

He is Risen!!!!!

HE IS RISEN!

Those were the words on my lips as I awoke this morning. Sunday has come, the chains of sin and death have been broken. HE IS RISEN!

I love the beauty and majesty of Easter. Even though the sun isn't shining, even though I have watched my friends encounter incredible tragedy, the week has still ended in celebration. Our Lord is Alive. And He Lives In Me! That alone makes me want to dance for joy!

In church this morning, Rev. Monty was talking about how God allows evil to do its worst because that proves how weak evil really is. Take Jesus for instance. He allowed evil to do its worst. He took on every sin, every murder, every theft, every abuse, every bit of pain and suffering on the cross. He was beaten, tortured, destroyed. On Friday, it seemed as if Sunday would never come. Jesus was dead. What more was there?

Here is where the weakness of evil is evident. Satan and all the forces of Hell did their very worst. Every thing they could think to do, they did to Jesus. But Satan's power could only hold for a few hours. By Sunday morning, he could do no more. The power of God was no match for the forces of evil. Instead, God simply proved how weak Satan and his minions really were. Everything Satan had was destroyed in the time it took for Jesus to stand and walk out of the tomb. Satan lost. He bet everything and he lost. The power of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit proves how weak and pathetic evil really is.

So today I want to leave you with a note of encouragement. No matter what you are going through, remember that compared to God evil is weak. It did its worst and could only hold Jesus for a few hours. If you are in the depths of pain and hurt, remember that Jesus is with you. His power will break the force of evil and show Satan how pathetic he truly is. Nothing can overcome the Almighty God. And if He lives in you, then who can be against you? Take heart, persevere, and remember the miracle of this Easter morning. For my God lives, He reigns, and He has broken the forces of evil!

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

"The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” Matthew 28:5-7

It Is Finished

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” 1 John 3:16

Good Friday. 

I really don't have the words to say. I sit at my computer with a heart heavy from grief, pain, and heartache. So many of my friends are hurting by loss, and I hurt with them. These past few days have been emotionally draining and tough. We lost a friend, fellow student, and incredible follower of Christ. 

I also don't have words to express how I feel about the death of my Savior. I read through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John with a heavy heart. He took so much for me. It was my sins that were nailed to that cross. When He told the Father "Let your will be done" it was me He was thinking of. And every day that I sin, every harsh word, every mean thought, I am putting myself into the story. I am a part of the crowd of mockers, of the ones who tortured my Savior. It is me who nailed Him to the cross, every day. 

Christ Church Cathedral

Last night I had the wonderful opportunity of taking a group to hear the evensong service at Christ Church Cathedral. This historic cathedral is beautiful, I just wish I could take pictures inside! The service was amazing. The choir had incredible voices, and it was neat to hear the Psalms sung. Now, onto the pictures!

The service began at 6:00 pm, so it was already dark by the time we got there. The church has a eerie, but yet still beautiful, feel about it at night. I thought it was amazing!

I love the $1 Bin!

I was at Jo Anns the other day looking for some good deals and of course I had to inspect the $1 bin! Here is what I found:

Ever heard of Our Compassion?

When I mention OC what do you think of? No, not Orange County, but Our Compassion! This is a website created for Compassion Sponsors to connect with other sponsors. I fondly call it a Facebook for Compassion ;) Each child development center has its own OC page, so you can connect with other sponsors in your child's area. You can also check out different groups, write journals, or prayer requests. So go check it out!

For example, my favorite Virtual Letter Writing Group is found on OC. There are so many goodies on that website. Do yourself a favor, and connect with other sponsors. You will benefit from it greatly! I know I sure did...let me know if you have any other questions! Click Here!

Introducing...

...the newest member of my Compassion Family, Nimisha from India! She is my new correspondent child and beautiful Indian teenager. Isn't she gorgeous? 

New Letter!

One of my favorite things to ever get in the mail are letters from my little girl! A few weeks ago,  I received the first letter from her in several months. She described how she celebrated the Easter holiday, and drew me a lovely picture of a cup, some bread, and a table. It makes me very happy to hear how well my little girl is doing! It is moments like these that make sponsorship worth it. Yes, it does take a good bit out of my bank account every year, and for a college student struggling to afford private school, that is a large amount. However, with each letter I am once again reminded of why I send letters and why I send money. Because it is for the love and nurture of a little girl in Tanzania whose heart if full of love for Jesus!

I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you!

While watching Lord of the Rings the other day, I decided two best friends have never been seen like Frodo and Sam. When Samwise mutters that iconic promise to Frodo "Come on Mr. Frodo. I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you!" I always find myself wondering if I could be a friend like that. Could I really be someone who was willing to go through the fires of Mordor for my friend? To carry them up a mountain when they have a burden so strong that they can no longer walk themselves? Then I began to think...who am I a Sam for?

You've Been Sponsored!

A few times I have wondered how sponsorship affects our children's families. I came across this video of how a family reacts when they learn their child has been sponsored. It just touches my heart, especially when they beginning singing. Check it out!

Also, check out this Compassion blog post: How Are Children Told They Have Been Sponsored? 

A Compassion Video

Here is a video I made for Compassion. Check it out! :) Special thanks to the Knudsons, de Graafs, and Compassion International! :) Enjoy!

Bite BACK!

I am sure you have felt the sensation. Tiny little legs crawling across your skin, the quick prick of your flesh, then the slam as you squish that annoying little bugger before it has a chance to show its vampire like qualities and begin sucking your blood. Yep, I am talking about mosquitoes. The little blood suckers are the bane of summertime. 

But what if mosquitoes where not only annoying, but deadly? 

The Top 10 Compassion Blog Posts

Hey everyone! So, I am a member of the Compassion International Street Team, and one of my "orders" is to write up my top ten favorite Compassion Blog Posts. So here it goes!

1) My absolutely favorite article is one that introduced me to Our Compassion and the Virtual Letter Writing club. Virtual Letter Writing Club 

Virtual Letter Writing Night

Today is the next Virtual Letter Writing Night for our Compassion children! There are several suggestions for tonights event, such as:

 Write the verses to a childhood bible song.

 Write the verses to a favorite worship song.

 Write a poem.

 Tell what God has been teaching you lately.

 Write a favorite scripture verse.

 Tell a favorite childhood joke.

 Ask about their favorite subject in school.  Tell them yours.

Go on the Virtual Letter Writing Night group at Our Compassion to check out the rest of the letter writing ideas, along with pictures of different projects. Thanks June! 

Happy Writing! 

Would You Drink 14,600 Gallons of Contaminated Water?

Did you know that, according to Compassion International, if you drink the "required" 64 ounces of water a day and live to the age of 80, you will drink 14,600 gallons of water! That is roughly the amount in your average pool, complete with a waterfall.

Now, consider the fact if every one of those gallons were brown with dirt, disease, and a whole bunch of disgusting, life-threatening things. That is the type of water millions of children drink every day.

The Importance of Writing Letters

In our technologically advanced culture, sitting down and writing letters has become almost as extinct as the dinosaurs and just about as appealing. But to our Compassion children, our letters are one of their most important possessions.

 Sadly, many sponsors don't realize the importance of writing to our children. Think about it: would you only speak to your flesh and blood child once or twice every few years? Most people talk to their children every day or at least a few times a year. Sending letters is our way of communicating with our children. And believe me, those children cherish our letters. I am just as guilty of not writing as the next sponsor.

However, our letters can change our children's lives. To me, that is worth the effort of writing a letter and the cost of stamps. One way that I manage to remember to write Bedina is I joined the Virtual Letter Writing night on Our Compassion. In that group, every month you will be given a different topic to write about. That way, you don't even have to come up with something to write! Writing to your sponsored children can build a beautiful relationship with them. And, it is the chance to show the Savior's love to a child thousands of miles away. What an awesome opportunity!

Today, I sat down to write my letter. I went to Target, and found these wonderful coloring books put out by Crayola in the Target dollar section! So, in this letter I included the book and this lovely summer themed card. I love finding goodies and fun stuff to send her!

You don't have to do anything fancy. Just write! Your child will treasure your letters, for it is their link to you. For more information, check out this blog post on the Compassion International Blog: The Impact of Letter Writing

Virtual Letter Writing Night

Tonight is the Virtual Letter Writing Night. On the second Friday of every month, Compassion sponsors can remember to write letters to their children. There is a group on ourcompassion.org and a new theme is introduced each month to write letters to our children. Today's theme: a goal you have accomplished. June suggests on her page to write about a goal that has been accomplished, how you accomplished this goal, what you felt once you achieved it, etc. Thanks June for putting up such a great group!
To access the group, either log in or create a My Compassion account at Our Compassion the search for the group. Here is blog post explaining more at the Compassion International Blog.

101 Letter Writing Ideas

Today I want to share a list with you from Michelle over at Blogging From the Boonies. She came up with a wonderful list of 101 Letter Writing Ideas for our Compassion children!
Check out the list here: 101 Letter Writing Ideas 
Thanks so much Michelle for sharing your list with us!

What can you do with $38 a month?

$38 a month. While this might seem like a lot, it really goes fast. Consider this:
$38 a month is: two Starbucks coffees a week, or maybe going out to lunch once a week. Or, it could be those Diet Cokes you pick up at the gas station a few times a week(those really add up fast!)
Think about it. $38 dollars a month is really not that much. It is a few dollars a week. And instead of buying a coffee at Starbucks why don't you consider rescuing a child out of poverty? $38 a month through Compassion International can save a child, feed them, provide them with medical services, and teach them about Jesus. That sounds like a better deal than a cup of coffee or a cheeseburger!
Think about it. Pray about it. Child sponsorship will open up a whole new world of communication between you and a child in need. If you decided to sponsor, check out Compassion International at compassion.com. And let me know of your decision, because I want to hear about your journey! Thank you for being Jesus to those precious little children.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14