update!

So, it's been a while since I last made a post. But all for a good reason--I've been working full time and then spending my evenings doing a variety of events, sharing my faith, and building sweet relationships with some super awesome girls! Work has been crazy busy and super tiring! For the past three days I have been working on register, which is fine and all, but I've been really wanting to do other things and work to get a feel for what goes on at McDonald's. Today, I was finally able to be a runner. A runner is someone who brings food from the "Hot Loading Zone" (haha, i know, right?) to the people who ordered it. It's really tiring, but my feet hurt less because I am not standing in one spot the entire day and I get to burn a few extra calories! (:

This week's theme is "Killing the Giants". These "Giants" are things that get in the way of sharing; things that we may be scared of, worried about, don't think we can do, ect. One of my giants is sharing to people during house parties. Since North Myrtle Beach is a huge party area, we are surrounded by people, mostly high school graduates, who party like this is their last day to live. I've been super scared of this because I have never been to a party with alcohol and I have never witnessed face-to-face young adults binge drink and choose to make poor decisions. It is really heart breaking to see all of these lost students who put their fulfillment in alcohol and other associated behavior. I haven't actually "killed" this giant yet, and I am definitely praying that God will give me strength to, but I do have all summer. Also, I've been praying for these students who are just so far away from the awesome Truth of God!

Tonight, is "date night with Jesus" and after working all day today, I could really use some alone time with Jesus and really reflect on all of the awesome things He has been doing in my life! There has been so much that has been going on and I really need to take time and sort it out with the help of God and really rely on Him!

So, with that said, I hope y'all (yeah, that's right, a southern accent) have a great evening and have enjoyed reading my update!

Identity in Christ

So, during one of the orientation mornings, we were taught about our identity in Christ. The person speaking used the "4 C's of the adoption process" to describe God's adoption process with us. Enjoy!

The primary verse that we focused on was Galatians 4:4-7

"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba,' Father. So you are no longer a slave, but a son and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir."

What we learn from these three verses is that:

• we have full right as sons (and daughters)
• we are heirs
• we are no longer slaves

This verse clearly explains our identity in Christ--it is that we are His sons who are no longer slaves and are heirs to His throne. This is really awesome! But, despite how awesome this is, we don't always live up to our identities. Here's why:

• we've been wounded and hurt in the past
• we search for worth in wordly things (ie. money, clothing, the latest stuff)
• or maybe we feel like we can't be forgiven

Here's where the "4 C's" come into play.

1. Choice (Ephesians 1:4)

• God chose us
• He made an adoption plan for us before time

2. Cost (Ephesians 1:7-8)

• the ultimate cost was paid to adopt us--Jesus at the cross

3. Condition (Ephesians 2:1-4)

• God know our true condition
• we were once dead
• BUT because of God's great love for us, we've been made alive through Christ

4. Completion (Ephesians 1:13-14)

• by accepting the Gospel we have competed the adoption process
• we are now guaranteed to be children of God

I love how simple it is to be children of God. There is no messy, lengthy paper work that needs to be filled out, no background checks, no hidden fees. Just by accepting the Gospel, we can be children of God. It's that easy.

What the Gospel allows us to do!

Ok, sorry it's been so long, but Summer Project is just super busy and I hardly have any free time. We have been really immersed in the Bible and I have spent so much time with God in His Word and through prayer. I am learning so many new and exciting things but I am also re-learning a lot of things that are really helping me with my walk this summer!

So, for a Summer Project update:

The project itself has officially started; we are past the training week and into the normal schedule. I have gone sharing on the beach twice so far and the very first night, with the help and guidance of God, me and two other girls shared the gospel with two young girls and they accepted Christ! It was so awesome and we should celebrate the new sisters we have in Christ! Yesterday, me and my discipler went sharing and we were able to talk about the Gospel with one girl who said she already believed in Christ but isn't living for Him. We are going sharing as a group again tomorrow night, so prayers for that!

I also got a job! I am working at McDonald's (don't laugh) this summer full time! The mission of this project is to bring Christ to the work place and I am super excited to show Christ's love to all of my co-workers and customers! I start tomorrow at 9:00am, at least my training part. I will not find out my schedule until after tomorrow, I'm sure. But what's really awesome is that if we want to have 40 or more hours a week, we can get it! I will probably try to work 40 hours, but maybe a few more hours if they really need the help. I am just super thankful to have gotten this job and the very first day of job searching! There are so many people who have started work today and who have jobs, but there are still a few people who are really searching, so I've been praying for them and I hope that they will have jobs by Wednesday!

I've been making so many friends and I am really starting to get close to my apartment roommates and my Bible study ladies! Also, there is another girl, named Rachel, who I have been really getting to know and I am just so blessed that God has allowed me to connect with all of these wonderful Christian ladies!

So, last Friday night, we had women's time and we really learned some awesome things! We learned three main points of what the Gospel allows us to do. So, I am going to post just some of the notes I took for you all to read! Enjoy!

The Gospel:

1. Proclaims us to die to self (Phil. 2:3-8)

• we are called to to others' center
• we need to be selfless
• we need to have an interest in others
• we should have the same attitude towards others as Jesus did

2. Proclaims for us to be clean (Romans 6:5-11)

• we have died with Christ
• death has happened once--no more yearly sacrifices
• sin has lost all of its power over us (AMEN!)

3. Proclaims we're valuable (Ephesians 1:3-8)

• God chose us (how awesome is that!?)
• we've been blessed spiritually
• He bought our freedom
• all of this made Him happy

I really love the last point. For me, I struggle with feeling accepted and my body image. But this verse really helps me to remember that God loves me for me and He doesn't care how I look because He CHOSE me, even when I was ugly with sin. I often compare myself with other women--I usually think, "they're so much prettier, or they're so much skinnier, etc." but God doesn't like that. He calls us to compare ourselves with Jesus. God created everyone so uniquely, that it is impossible to compare ourselves with each other, and I really need to remember that! Instead of finding our value in others, clothing, looks, etc., we need to, as women, find our value in Christ. I just LOVE this verse and I am so happy that He did chose me and I am entirely grateful!

So the journey begins!

Well, here I am. I am finally in North Myrtle Beach! After a very long 20 hour drive, I am finally checked in, unpacked, and sitting my in my super cute and cozy beach apartment that I am sharing with 5 other wonderful, beautiful girls! I am super excited to begin doing God's work starting tomorrow! I am also really thankful that I and the three girls that I rode down with made it here smoothly and safely, along with the many other students who are here!

Out of today, my favorite thing that I have done (besides finally getting here and out of the car) has been going down to the ocean (which is literally across the street from where I am) and stuck my feet in! I cannot wait to spend time on the beach and share my faith with people who really need to hear the Gospel! I just hope and pray that God will give me strength and the right words to speak!

So, since I am super tired, I am just going to do a brief outline of the study and scripture I did tonight--Enjoy!

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

These verses really talk about wisdom from the Spirit, hence the italicized subtitle. I really liked the beginning few versus because it talks about how we are to speak of the wisdom of the Spirit and NOT of the wisdom of the world because we haven't been given the spirit of the world but the Spirit of God. I really liked this part and it really applies to me right now, obviously, because I am going to be sharing the Gospel to so many people and I really have to make sure that I am sharing the right Spirit. Through God's Spirit we have been given so many things and are able to know so many truths! But when we do not accept the wisdom and knowledge that God has given us, we are foolish and fall for all of the wrong things. But what is awesome is that we have the mind of Christ and the Spirit will help us to make the right decisions and make us wise in all that we do! I am so thankful for this because without the Spirit nudging me in the right directions, I would have made some pretty foolish mistakes! I think that I don't thank Him enough for the wisdom and guidance that He gives me!

I have to continue to ask for the Spirit's guidance throughout this entire summer so I can do everything that He wants me to do and I do it to honor Him!

Touched by God.

Ok. Today was my last Sunday in my home town's church for the rest of the summer and to celebrate my journey into missions this summer, they had everyone circle around me. People closest to me held my hands and placed their hands on my shoulders while everyone else surrounding them placed their hands on those people. Then, people led in prayer while others prayed silently to themselves. If there has ever been a moment when I have truly felt God standing right next to me, it was then. I am just so blessed to have such an amazing church family who supports me! It is super reassuring to know that I have an entire support team of prayer warriors who will continuously pray for me and my work in Him. God is so good!

AND! There is only one more full day before I depart on a 22 hour drive and then spend my entire summer serving Him and doing His work! What an awesome summer this is going to be!

Watch This!

Ok, I wanted to post this really awesome video that NEEDS to be watched. Everytime I see it and listen to the song, I am touched and I just want to fall to my knees. Not even kidding, everytime. So, watch this! Please!

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA

So True. So Unbelievable. It's Awesome.

So, as I was reading in 1 Corinthians today, I was reading into the section of scripture entitled, "Christ the Wisdom and Power of God". Here are the versus that really stood out to me and really made me think:

1 Corinthians 1:25

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength."

Wow. This just really proves how wonderful and strong God is. No matter how smart and wise we think we are, God's foolishness is still wiser than us. And no matter how strong we become, God's weakness is still stronger. I can't even wrap my finger around this! This is just too awesome! It is so nice to see this and remember that we can't do anything on our own and we really need to rely on God's strength. So many times I have tried to do things on my own and have become so frustrated and I ultimately fall short of what I was trying to do. But as soon as I give whatever it is I am trying to do on my own to God, I can get it done because He gives me strength! This is just so awesome!

The last two versus were just as awesome!

1 Corinthians 1:30-31

"It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.'"

Once again, how eye opening and convicting! Nothing that we have accomplished and succeeded in is because of our own efforts, but it is because of what God has given us and we are to give the credit to Him and NOT boast in ourselves. He has made us wise, He has given us success, and He deserves everything!

So far, I am loving 1 Corinthians and it is really opening up my eyes and reminding me of things that I have forgotten. It is just so refreshing to know that I do not have to deal with anything on my own and know that God will always be there to back me up! So, thanks God, for making me strong and giving me all of Your strength! You're so awesome!