sí, se puede!

You have to take that first step. 

You have to speak your dreams into existence.

- Jeremy Cowart

I totally relate to this testimony as someone who never felt to really exceed at anything. I tried all sports, and nothing really stuck. I did fine in school, but wavered in finding a career path. 

Like Jeremy, my creative and analytic sides took flight in advertising (thanks to process of elimination of college majors), and I really enjoyed the work, but felt drawn to a bigger-picture project than just sales.

When the opportunity to support the work in Baja came about, I am so thankful that I looked at all the reasons why I CAN and not why I couldn't...

I borrowed a Spanish for Dummies book from my grandmother(!) and said I CAN speak Spanish

I understood God's heart for his hurting children and said I CAN be hope

I allowed God to move the financial mountain in front me and said HE IS faithful to provide

We can do ALL things because HE IS faithful to clear the paths before us and make a way within us. 

It took me a long time to speak my dream into existence. It took me a long time to un-earth the dream. And when I had the chance to go, it still took me a long time to know how to share it with others. 

Sometimes we don't understand even a fraction up front but we can say: 

I CAN ______ because HE IS _______.

I CAN go because HE IS already there.

I CAN forgive because HE HAS forgiven me.

I CAN love because HE first loved me. 

I CAN trust because HE IS faithful

Jesus is so good!!!!    IMPOSSIBLE= I'M POSSIBLE 

Thanks Jeremy for sharing. 

goodness

In being able to #expectthebest, sometimes I think we have to look back on the good things God has blessed us with in order to expect the best coming for the future.

"Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I ever forget the good things he does for me." 

Psalm 103:2

As mentioned, our year has been off to a quite busy start.  We have been so blessed with multiple missions groups already. With thanksgiving, we will look forward to many more good things to come, primeramente Dios.

THANK YOU to all our visitors so far this year:
Lipscomb University Greek Life Trip 
Vaughn Park Church in Maneadero
City of Children Leader's Weekend 
Mechanics Trip 
Men's Encouragement Weekend 

While each of these trips differed, they all played a role in our joint mission of loving and serving people in Jesus' name here in Baja. The variation of these groups is a great reminder and perfect picture of how we all play a different role serving in God's kingdom. Our unique gifts allow us to share the love of Jesus in a special way.

Some play with kids, some build houses, some work on cars, some give shepherding encouragement, some are visionary leaders, some are behind the scenes workers, some cook, some translate,  some provide medical relief, some pray, some teach, but together we make up the hands and feet of Jesus.

Thanks so much to these groups that have come to support the churches here so far this year and have also been a great encouragement to us while here. Thank you for showing us the goodness of our God. We love you!

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17

#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