#expectingthebest

Oh hello world!!

Can I just say I love reading other people's blogs and hearing new perspectives.  For a while now, I have put in my heart to get this blog going again. I have in fact already started blogging, but in my journal. So anyways, here goes a start to this oh-so-dormant Baja blog that needs life and revival once again. I've got lots of inspiration and lots of life events to share, but life is passing really fast and 2016 is off to a booming start. So, I must begin in no other place than sharing my HASHTAG FOR LIFE THIS YEAR.

That's right. Not sure who reads this blog- young, old or in-between.  If you're unsure of the real meaning of a hashtag, for practical's sake we will call it a life mantra. Something in this day in age that people rally around, find in common and use to define a moment or perhaps year in my case.

#EXPECTING THE BEST

This is my mantra for 2016.

Rather simple it may sound, but the Lord just spoke to me about how so often we don't experience the best because of low expectations. We don't feel worthy that our God wants to give us the BEST of what he has. I've challenged myself to EXPECT the best but how do you get there?

He told me, the only way to get there is to take a step into His presence.

To turn the big and small moments over to Him each day because..

In Your Presence

Mountains sink into the ocean

And we stand amazed

In Your glory

Chains and prison doors are broken

Where your freedom reigns

In Your Presence

"In Your Presence" - Jesus Culture, 2016

As I write this, this song from Jesus Culture defines the beauty of His presence through my computer speakers so much better than I could. 

By #ExpectingTheBest, God tells me this is a chance to YIELD MY WILL. By making room for His presence, and having Heavenly expectations there is a shift. There is a shift in limited human perspective to boundless blessings from heaven!

So here's to 2016:
A year of the Lord's best
with HEAVENLY EXPECTATIONS
with HEAVENLY DREAMS AND VISIONS
with HEAVENLY HEALING
with HEAVENLY HOPE AND LOVE

Let's hold each other accountable as we #ExpectTheBest

Yes!!

motivation Monday

"The Great Commission and the Great Commandment are calling us out of our comfort zones and into the world’s brokenness. Jesus waits for us there."    

- Richard Stearns

Good piece on Global Missions:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2015/october-web-only/not-just-jobs-not-just-bibles-future-of-fighting-extreme-po.html

#noborders

Our last group of the summer, we were blessed by getting to work with the Lipscomb University Softball team that came down for the first time. They hosted a softball clinic, painted, provided crafts for the kids, made home visits, and more. As with all groups, we had a wonderful time with them and are so thankful for their willing hearts to come and serve as a team. Their unity was evident and their joy contagious.

I love the hashtag they use "no borders." I too reflected on this concept in some of my early days of fear and anxiety in crossing the border to and from Mexico. It really did show me a different take of "Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders."

God accompanies us wherever we go! I am always learning to trust Him more fully.

Love!!

one person at a time

"We've actually never been called to save the world.  We can't. We won't. But we can love the world

 — and we can love the world one person at a time."

- Jena Lee Nardella, Blood: Water 

Inspired today by this Tennessean write-up on this Nashville based non-profit: http://www.tennessean.com/story/life/2015/08/25/deceit-death-and-drought-bring-awakening-bloodwater/32015879/

changed by Your love

Well, the kids went back to school today, the vans are all washed, trailers unloaded, suitcases unpacked, laundry done, 17 groups have safely returned home, we have caught up on sleep and slowly slip back into the day-to-day life around Baja.

The 10 weeks of summer pass by so quickly, and I feel like I do not have the chance to process all of the wonderful things in the moment but in reflections after the fact. I have heard before how sometimes we are in the middle of a miracle and can't even see it. Perhaps that is the best way to describe the amazing summer we had in Baja this year.

I don't have a firm count, but we had over 450 people come and join us in missions this summer! 450! That's awesome. And each person representing unique talents, life experiences, background, age, etc. Many groups bring young teenagers up to the older generations. The combination of wisdom and energy that is produced is so special.

I am so thankful to have had the chance to work with 9 groups this summer. Throughout the busyness, I did not have time to blog after each week, but I want to share some of the special moments that touched my heart.

Working and serving with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we share all aspects of life together. In the medical clinics, I saw lots of hurting and sicknesses, hope from the doctors, and healing from the pharmacy. In the construction projects, I saw a lot of servants working tirelessly in the hot sun determined to leave a great finished product. In the home visits and food delivery, I saw lots of unity circled together in prayer and generosity in the form of rice, beans, oil, and flour. In VBS classes, I saw lots of little minds churning to the tune of interactive Bible stories and huge smiles rejoicing in the luxury of fellowship, snacks, love and attention. In the women's Bible classes, I saw breakthrough in sharing and opening up the Word together. In the team devotionals, I saw a lot of hearts forever changed by the love of the people here. In the coming and going, I saw tears shed at long-awaited reunions and having to say goodbye.

I am reminded that no matter where you are, every day is a precious gift wrapped up with wonderful blessings. I never want to take for granted these heartfelt moments and memories that God has given us. 

In such reflections, all glory, honor and praise be to our great God. Thank you for your prayers and being a part of the work here.

He is so Majestic. His timing is perfect. He is so good.

Majesty, Majesty

Your grace has found me just as I am

Empty handed but alive in Your hands

Forever I am changed by Your love

In the presence of Your majesty

- Michael W. Smith 

Photo: Lealand Shelton

summer update

Hello all!!

Here on July 11, we are in the midst of our summer busyness! We are so blessed to have already had 10 mission teams come down this summer, and have plenty more to go!

I have not found the time to be able to write and reflect much, but I mashed up a little video from my first week of summer with my home congregation, Brentwood Hills. They spent the week down in Papalote.

Some of the activities shown here are similar to the ways we have been continually blessed with by the groups. Medical clinics, construction projects, Bible classes, food relief, home visits, and lots of smiles, hugs and prayers are shared as we celebrate the joy we have in Jesus.

I hope this small video gives you a glimpse at the generosity of all who come and serve here. Thank you to all who have supported these efforts financially, in prayer, or who have actually had the opportunity to come with a team.  May God multiply the sacrifices you have made.

Once again, I feel so blessed to be able to meet so many wonderful people during the summer and see first-hand a beautiful picture of the church over and over.

As the theme for the video shows, we are so blessed to be "one in the Sprit" united by the salvation of Jesus.

Please keep praying for us as we head out again today. May people see Jesus in all we do.

Hugs!
Laura

one year

"I will go before you and will level the mountains..." Isaiah 45:2 

May 13, 2014: I packed 2 suitcases and a backpack and boarded the Southwest direct flight to San Diego. Cruising across the border and arriving in an unusual heat wave, I spent the first few days in Mexico wondering what I may have gotten myself into.  No air conditioning meant waiting until the early morning hours until things were cooled down to the "normal indoor temperatures" that I was accustomed to. Controlled city water meant you could not always shower, do laundry or wash dishes whenever fit your schedule. A new language meant fear of bouncing around town on simple errands unsure of my abilities to respond to whatever may come my way. New relationships meant spending many weeks and months before forming friendships and having a place in this new home.

Now in reflection, I am so thankful to see how stepping into the unknown meant being open to experiencing God in new ways than I ever had before...

• I have been comforted with the realization of never being alone.  No matter what corner of the world you may find yourself in, God created it and its people, knows all about it, and will guide you through it. 

• I have become more reliant on God's promises and have seen the power in speaking His word over circumstances and understanding more fully that what He promised IS true. I have seen more clearly how we are all orphans in this world, and He will never abandon us. When troubles come our way, He is our perfect peace. When you feel like you're carrying the weight of the world, He is the only One capable to take your burdens.

• I have learned that generosity comes from your heart and not from your budget. I have a new expectancy of seeing how God can use little for much.  In learning to rely more fully on Him, He has shown me how you can never out give Him. You are never losing anything but always gaining. "The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller."  Proverbs 11:2 MSG

• I have seen beautiful examples of our main purpose in life to love. Created for relationship with God and others, we are all part of His family. Given unique talents and purpose, we don't have to compete.  Called by name and accepted, we can lend a hand to the hurting and a hug to the lonely. "Freely you have received; freely give." Matthew 10:8

While the physical and cultural differences seemed so large and alarming at first, the way God speaks through His word and His people has allowed me to see His steadfastness in every season.

I have learned a lot about myself this past year, and I hope to be able to use these things to be able to live and love to the best of my brokenness.  I have nothing but praise to give for safety, good health, wonderful relationships, many joys and hardships that have drawn me closer to the Father each time. 

I am so excited to continue this journey here and looking forward to a busy summer. Together we can accomplish much. 

Viva Mexico!

 "... so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things." Isaiah 45:6-7