Bearing Precious Seed Trip: Part Three

 After spending several weeks down here I have spent lots of time with Bro. Hector and his family. And oh how God used this family in my life. I watched Brother Hector as he led the programs in the park, how he cared for the little ones that were around, how he reached out to those on the outskirts of things, how he interacted with his kids and how he touched his wife just to let her know he loved her, I watched him as he talked about God and I listened as he told stories and magnified his God, I saw him give up his lunch for someone less fortunate, I watched him spread Jesus and share hope. I saw compassion.

Bearing Precious Seed Trip: Part Two

For weeks leading up to my time at BPS, I anticipated this trip. Last year the Lord allowed me to lead 3 people to the Lord and I was excited to see what He had in store for this trip. I knew that He would definitely be working as long as we would let Him.

Bearing Precious Seed Trip: Part One

Let's go back to early summer 2015 when I'm not sure a trip to BPS will even happen for me. I don't feel at peace about it and so I wrestle over the thought for days. I go to camp and hearing preaching on compassion. I begin to see the need for change in my life over this topic. I study it when I am home and continue to hear thoughts and quotes about it. And this is really where the journey begins...

Bearing Precious Seed Trip: Intro

I'm here to finally post about my summer trip to work with BPS. Please understand now that words aren't even adequate to describe this trip, but I'm just going to try and give you a glimpse of what God taught me and how He changed me through this trip. By the way tears may or may not have been falling while writing this, because it really is still just so amazing to me.

mexico trip || o n e ||

As I sit here and reflect on the first Mexico trip I think over all the things God did and wonder what it is that I learned?

This was a trip never to be forgotten. So many obstacles, battles, and work. So much more victory. Our God is not dead, He truly is alive and working things for our good and His glory.

So what was the main thing I learned?

It was not patience as we waited at the border each night for over an hour and a half each time.

It was not learning to trust when bus two had numerous issues.

It was not relying on God's strength after getting only three hours of sleep and having a full day ahead. 

It was not realizing how much more I need to pray about everything.

 It was not recognizing that serving without love is vain.

It was not hearing that seeing people saved is a huge way that God is glorified.

Yes, I did learn lessons from each one of these things, but there was one thing that I really, REALLY  learned on this trip, and it was this:

 that God's ways are higher and better. 
At the beginning of the week would I have planned all the complications and all the battles? No, because I, being human, couldn't see the outcome. I had no idea who would be changed, who would learn, who would grow because of these things. But Thursday morning as I sat and listened to the various people give testimonies about what God did in their hearts that week, I wouldn't have changed for a week with no problems. God used these hard times and battles as a means to teach us. So you see the thing God taught me on the first Mexico this trip is that His ways are always higher and better. I just need to look up and keep walking towards Him. Trust Him- He's got amazing things planned for you!

[Isaiah 55:8-9] For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

|| love of Jesus Christ ||

i believe any dwelling can be made a home.

any brokenness can be made whole.

and any life can be made sweet...

when transformed by the || love of Jesus Christ ||

//the juarez project//

This trip was definitely different from the regular Mexico trips we usually take with BPS during the summer. 

A typical day on the Juarez project consists of early mornings, busy days, and late nights :) 

We had prayer meeting, breakfast, meeting at one of the Mexican churches, heading to a spot where we would hand out J&R's until our late lunch- this was typically on the streets, at a school, or in a plaza. Lunch was in the late afternoon, some days we had a little time for rest, then off for visitation and a meeting in the park, supper was around 8 or 9 and after packing up we would head back to the hotel in Juarez for the night. 

The first day we were there the plan was to go to one of the schools and hand out John and Romans when the kids got out of class. It just so happened that our timing was off so we missed the kids. I think we were all a little disappointed, but as we were riding in the bus a few streets down we noticed hundreds of kids who had just gotten out of another school. We quickly stopped the bus and got off to hand out hundreds of John and Romans. The picture above is just a small glimpse of the crowds of kids we were able to pass out Scripture to. 

There were a lot of different opportunities for people to be dealt with one on one. I was able to stand at the door with one of the pastors from Mexico, on the first night, as a he led a girl to the Lord. All glory to God! 

Just another day at one of the schools. As you can see there were plenty of kids and parents to hand J&R's out to! 

We were able to walk on the busy roads and hand out J&R's once the light turned red. This is a picture of a man sitting in the back of a truck reading the John and Romans I just gave him. 

Here is a picture of the group that came down from El Paso to work with BPS. We definitely had sweet times of fellowship with the different churches represented. 

Just look at the delight in their eyes as they watch the puppet program, and most importantly hear about the Saviour of the entire universe! 

We had the opportunity to go in to the cathedrals in Juarez. So many people were in their praying to their god- the one who can do nothing for them. "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." II Corinthians 4:3-4. While seeing them seek a god who could not help them was a sobering thought, we rejoice in all the souls who found the True Light this week! 

//of trips, and projects, and new things, and blessings//

I have the tiniest feeling that this post will be full of random information, therefore

where do I begin?

Last Thursday we left in the early hours of the morning to head to the sunny south to visit my sister and her working man. I only took 2 pictures, but 2 are better than none, right? 

these two always have to venture out on the pond when they're together. Oh and using a duck house as a raft...that's not a problem! 

making lots and lots of pizza for supper

It was a quick trip, arriving on Thursday and returning home on Saturday evening, but I'm glad we took it. We managed to jam-pack it full of things. Thursday my sister took my senior pictures- she did an excellent job and I'm so happy with her work-- not to mention her prices are GREAT!!!! ;) ;) 

this is one picture I requested that she take after seeing a friend do this pose...it's very adventurous...to make it better the map is open to Colorado 

We had church, tried some new thrift stores, had a family from the church over, went to huge flea market, laughed, talked, and ate. These kind of trips are always too short, but definitely full of memories.

Oh did I ever mention every time we get together with family we “exchange” things with each other? You know clothes, and things we pick up or make for each other. It just so happens my sister made me this apron:

by the way I just love the sunlight in this picture...

and also managed to sew this new camera strap for me in a matter of minutes:

Really her creative abilities amaze me. Don't you wish you had a sister like her? I do so enjoy the homemade gifts I receive from her.

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As of Tuesday, March 24^th, I finished my last assignment for school! Hooray!!

I've been working on things for graduation for most of the week and normally my thoughts about “What needs done” always run back to graduation prep.

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I felt a bit of a cold coming on so I decided to try something natural and healthy... if you know me well enough you know this is not normal... Ask my mom, sisters, and even my pastors wife. I'm not against natural and healthy, but I'm not the first to try new things that my family finds-- especially since probably the most talked about, shared about, and used recipe that my mom and family use is something called “fire water”... a mixture of vinegar and spices... just the thought of it makes me quiver...

 Anyway this is a simple recipe just honey and cinnamon mixed together. If you like candy fireballs or red hots you'll more than likely like this- I do.

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I received a blessing this week. 

The Lord continues to provided exceeding abundantly above that which I ask or think. A dear friend of mine that I met last summer while working at BPS sent me a prayer card for her upcoming missions trip this summer. Along with that was a very sweet note attached to a check. She felt the Lord prompting her to give towards my missions trip this summer and hoped to be a blessing. Her words were so dear... really the check could have been made out for $10 {which it was far greater than this} and it would have meant SOOOOOOOOOOO much to me. I am so thankful for her and her being a vessel through which the Lord can flow. I am again reminded of Ephesians 3:20, this wasn't something I was asking for or thinking about, and in all reality something I didn't need.

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I am half tempted to not post about this project since it has to do with 2013, but maybe it will make some of you feel less guilty for starting projects and not finishing them until years down the road.

 In 2013 I decided to keep a memory jar. Just writing down memories that happened throughout the year on little scraps of paper to look over at the end of the year. I decided towards the end of the year that I would make a brown paper bag scrapbook to keep them in. I did everything but one page in the book. I meant to post about it a long time ago, but was waiting til I finished. Time moved on and the book got shoved in an empty place in the top of my closet. It wasn't until I cleaned out my closet for a project in the house that I came across it again. Well, I'm almost embarrassed to admit this, but the last page that needed done took all of about 5-20 minutes to do. So here it is. My memory book:

I had more pictures from when I made it, but I must have deleted them thinking I would never finish it!

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New adventures are coming soon...

My family and I are headed to the Lone Star State in about 5 days to go on a missions trip, present our ministry, and spend time with my sister and her mechanic man. I'm not sure how well I will post updates about the trip, but I promise I'll at least post once about it- even if it is a few weeks later :)

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I think I am going to do a photo challenge with my friend in April, and post the pictures on my blog so keep checking back for posts about that!!

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Well, I'm off to do some cooking and try some new recipes. I believe that covers some of the things that have been going on around here! 

Day 18 {a trip I've taken...}

I've taken many trips...

And I'd like to take many more. 

There are so many to choose from, and my sister actually chose the one I was going to write about. That's probably because it was one of the best trips ever!! 

The trip I'll write about is one of my most recent adventures...and most favorite! 

{my journey at Bearing Precious Seed}  

I'll just highlight some things that are very vivid in my mind:

{airport travels} 

Most people would have made it down there pretty fast, but for me and the other two I was traveling with, our adventure started the minute we were dropped off at security. I'll never forget walking back from searching for food and hearing one of the guys I was flying with tell me this..." Our flight has been delayed..." I remember that long night in Houston. Finally we made it after 6 hours of delays.

{music} 

There's so much music going on down there. Singing special music, playing violins, singing/playing on off weeks for fun, singing on the bus. Singing on the bus is one of my favorites. I don't think you'll really understand til you've been on one of those BPS buses, the wind blowing on your face, the excitement for what God will do or has done, and everyone singing melodious tunes about the One who is worthy!!...

Count your blessings name them two by two, 

Count your blessings name them four by four, 

Count your blessings name them by the score, 

And it will surprise you there are many more. 

{lessons learned} 

I could write a lot here. There was so much to learn, so many to learn from. God is a good God and He does good things. Prayer is key. So is faith. God wants to use ME!! God always gets the victory and the devil always gets whooped!!! Your eye affects your heart. 

{the people} 

The staff at BPS is pretty great!! Heroes of the faith. Being able to hear their stories and testimonies is amazing!! Then there are the people you are working with...by the end of the time there, goodbyes are hard and new friends are made. Finally the people who are reached. Those brown eyed Mexicans receiving their very own Bible for the first time...coming from all over just to hear what's being taught, not knowing that it could change their life. And the Navajo Indians. Some of the dearest people I've ever met. Being able to lead some to The Lord is one of the most precious things. It never gets old thinking about those moments. 

This was by far one of the greatest trips I've ever taken. Definitely a life changer. 

{so much of what you are is where you've been} 

{The Precious Blood}

1. The precious blood of Jesus Christ,

the covenant of grace,

unveils the wonder of God's love

to Adam's fallen race.

The sovereign King who died for all,

redeems us from our sin,

and makes us kings and priests of God

where we shall reign with Him.

2.The precious blood of Jesus Christ,

a new and living way,

gives access to a holy place

where we can boldly pray.

In trying time of grief and pain,

a throne of grace is ours,

where mercy flows for ev'ry need

with God's sustaining power.

3. The precious blood of Jesus Christ,

the song of saints above,

who glory in the risen Lamb,

and boast of God's great love.

From ev'ry nation, tribe, and tongue

one body all are we;

a people joined by grace alone 

for all eternity. 

*Steve Pettit