Campus Harvest - Arise!

An amazing weekend was had this weekend! It was Campus Harvest 2012 - Arise!

Many ECU students went to Durham for Campus Harvest on Friday and Saturday. Students came from New York, Florida and everywhere in between. This was my 3rd year going and it gets better each and every year.

This year was no different than any of the other years, I came back on fire, with my heart full and a lack of sleep. Late nights and early mornings only means it Campus Harvest, right?

I was really pushed to arise in my faith, one of my favorite things that was said this weekend was that "If you want to arise, you first better get low." Man, if that wasn't a punch in the stomach. I don't like getting low but I HAVE to get low in order to rise up in my faith. It's not a option that I get to skip over. One thing that really struck me was that I can't serve the Lord without humbling myself before He and others. I can't be the student that everyone thinks of as someone who doesn't step on toes and step out of her comfort zone. I have to tell people about Jesus and who He is to me and who He can be to them.

Why haven't I done this on my nursing/allied health campus? Because I haven't wanted to be the girl who everybody points fingers at and thinks, that girl is so different because she loves Jesus. You know what this is not going to be me anymore, I'm going to not be afraid to talk about Jesus with others. I will tell others what He has done in my life! I pray that I get the chance to do this during conversation with others!

We can change lives as students on our campus by just being the person that we are called to be!! We are all in different majors and schools for a reason. I was thinking during worship, that if every student at Campus Harvest in Durham went back home to there campus and spoke to 2 people about there experience at CH, do you know how many students would be reached? It blows my mind! BLOWS MY MIND!! Why haven't I been spreading His word? Thank the Lord I still have another year left because I haven't done my job!!

I just encourage each and every person to get low, humble yourself, share the Gospel, love the Lord, let Him work in your heart in order to work in others hearts!! There will be no regrets! Share the Love to the people around you!! We don't have to go out of our way to love on others and tell them about Jesus, just share your testimony or just ask someone how their day is and START the conversation.

It isn't going to be easy, but it will be worth it!

End Of Spring Break

This spring break was the best spring break I have ever had!!

Day 6 of the mission trip was spent getting back to all of our cities/towns/schools. It was a sad day saying bye to everyone, but thankfully I'll see everyone (hopefully!) again in 2 weeks at Campus Harvest!

After getting home on Friday afternoon I slept like it was my job. I seriously slept 17 out of 24 hours. I was E-X-H-A-U-S-T-E-D!! I didn't sleep 17 hours straight but I did sleep for 14 straight. Then I was ready to get back in the swing of things and that I did.

I had such a relaxing ending to break, I did lots of random but fun things that I wanted to do!!

I was able to watch my brother play ball with his school team which I get to see maybe once a season, I was glad I was home and could go!

I love this picture because he is looking at me like "seriously, you're taking my picture while I'm playing."

Momma bought me some new nail polish while at home!

For dinner, my last night at home, we had chicken wrapped in bacon, asparagus, wild rice, and corn. Yum!!

I got my hair done, praise the Lord, it was desperately needed!

(weird angle for a picture with the sun but i kinda felt weird taking a picture of myself in the hair place)

This is what I woke up to this morning after just washing my car yesterday! Pollen, spring is here! :)

Day 5

Day 5

On Thursday we went to His House Children's Home. This is probably one of my favorite days.

The girls all painted some rooms and offices in the main building and I don't really know what the guys did. They went somewhere different and maybe moved furniture?

I loved doing this for two reasons because the workers at His House were very grateful and I could actually see the work I had done. I feel like the people that work at His House are such a blessing to those kids and they don't even know it yet. What an impact they can make on those little lives at such a young age, even the older kids!

We didn't get the chance to interact with the kids because of state laws but I would have loved to even though I it would have broken my heart into two. I think I want to adopt when I'm older! Seriously, I want a foster child!!

I pray that every child that passes through His House is protected and learns just how much the Lord loves them no matter their past. I pray that each one leaves His House knowing Jesus and chasing after Him. I pray that the staff their are blessed and know the impact they had on my life. What an amazing safe place for the children to go to!

(I stole all these off of Facebook, none are mine)

Day 4 & 5 - Miami

Day 4

One word to describe my day... challenging.

Challenging only because I was challenged and questioned as to why I believe what I believe. I learned, today, that I can talk about my beliefs when I'm not put on the spot but when I have to explain myself in a conversation with a stranger and they are drilling me, it is HARD. I was so choppy and I just wish that I didn't struggle with formulating my thoughts into sentences.

Thankfully, we went out to evangelize on the campus in partners. What a blessing! When one person was struggling the other was able to step in and pick up the slack.

We talked to one girl specifically and she had many scattered and altered thoughts about God. She mainly believed in science and philosophers. This was the hardest conversation of the day because she was getting angry and I didn't know what to say or do to help her understand the truth. Honestly, at the end of the conversation I just prayed that we made her think about why she believes what she believes and that a seed was planted in her. I pray that it grows and sprouts new life for her!!

Day 5

What an encouraging day!! Quaneisha and I worked together again. We meet with many people throughout the day and all were Christian. This lifted my soul, it gave me hope for the campus of FIU. I was reassured that there are Christians there and walking throughout the campus but maybe they just need some encourage, community, and accountability to jump start their walk with God and sharing the Gospel on the campus.

We talked mainly with two girls who just needed a hug and to be encouraged in their faith. Both sere struggling with different things but all the same feelings were felt. They both just felt lonely. Oh how this burdens my heart for them. I guess I have never felt the loneliness that they are feeling because when I walk through those valleys on my walk with the Lord, I have plenty of friends to encourage me and pray with me! I can't imagine not having those friendships and enduring what they are!

We exchanged numbers with one girl because I just couldn't not give her my number. She needs a girl who she can shoot a text to at any time! I hope and pray that she grows strong in the Lord and believes in Him to give her the power to say no to Satan and overcome her temptation!!

Today was our last day our on the campus' of Miami, I'm so thankful for the opportunity to talk to the students that I have. What a blessing it has been to me!!

Today, I just pray that the team has spoken the spirit of the Lord into all the people we have come in contact with this week. I know seeds have been planted and I know seeds have been watered. Now, I pray that these people are obedient to the Lord and run after Him harder and faster than ever before!!

Day 3 - Miami

Day 3

Today we hit the road running! We went to FIU's campus and filled it with Jesus and his love. I absolutely LOVED going up to people and just talking with them about who Jesus is and why He loves them so much!

We used a little pamphlet called The God Test. It's very helpful in starting conversations and guiding the conversation. The neat thing about The God Test is that it can be used with believers and non-believers. There are a series of questions to just get a good feel of who the person is and what they believe. I just kind of went with it after asking a couple of questions from The God Test. Today, my partner, Quaneisha, and I talked with three girls and two were very receptive and we talked with both for about 45 minutes give or take. It was amazing how different both girls were but how the Lord lead the words said during that time.

The first girl had class soon and had a midterm so she was studying and didn't have time to talk with us so we asked if we could pray for her and she said yes.

Rachel, our second girl, grew up Catholic but since being in college has grown away from Catholicism and "formulated her own views." She was reading and leaning towards the views of philosopher that I honestly can't remember the name of but I didn't know anything his views and writings, etc. We talked with her and just shared the Gospel and our testimonies and stories. I loved talking with Rachel and I just pray that she opens her heart and her heart is softened this week. We are meeting again on Wednesday. I pray that I can also let the Lord guide my lips and words on Wednesday as we meet again. I want to say nothing but what He has for me to say!

Myrlin, was a Christian who was saved last year. Her sister was saved and baptized before her and then shared the Lord with Myrlin. She has been struggling with getting plugged into the Christian community around the Miami area and finding her place. She currently is attending a church but hasn't found a campus ministry or other girls her age "do life with!" We have connected her with a campus missionary for the FIU/UM area that we are working with this week. I'm so excited for her and praying that within the next days, weeks and months her walk with the Lord takes leaps and bounds and that she is set on fire for the Lord!

This afternoon we were able to play two-hand-tag football and corn hole with some people we meet on campus. It was a great time for fellowship and a time to reach out to the students of FIU!!

Today was a great day and I'm ready for more tomorrow at the University of Miami!! Praise the Lord for opening hearts and allowing us to love on the people of Miami!!

Miami - Day 1 and 2

Day 1

Today started out very early at 3:00. JT picked us up so we didn't have to drive to the church that morning. We went through check in, security, boarding, and flying x2 without problems. That was a blessing in and of itself! So thankful!! We got to Ft. Lauderdale at 11:30 and didn't stop running around it seemed like. We went over to the pastor's house had pizza for lunch and lasanga for dinner (which was amazing!), we played corn hole, painted finger nails and toes nails, sang and worshipped in the den, some watched the UNC/Duke basketball game - I fell asleep, and then came back to the church who is housing us! It was a long day and full of new adventures!

I think the team really bonded and were able to get to know each other before jumping out into the mission field, which is nice! We had lots of fun! And I'm so glad that I'm not a leader for mission trips after seeing what has to go on to keep things running smoothly! I like my sleep too much! haha! But seriously, props to the leaders and van drivers!

Day 2

Much more relaxing than yesterday. We all woke up and went to church at the new church plant! It was a awesome sermon! I loved the 'feel' of the church! I'm so excited to spread the word of God this week to the people of Miami and I left church even more ready! Such an inspiring and convicting service! Convicting in a good way!

Pastor Ross spoke about serving God and living your life in a way that the Lord would want you to. I'm just going to list a couple of quotes that sum up the sermon pretty well!

"You'll never change anything unless you step out of your comfort zone." Basically he was saying that as Christians if we stay in our comfort zone we will never serve the Lord and spread the Gospel with our full ability.

"Create not criticize" Instead of telling people what we don't like we need to formulate a solution to fix it. This takes work and prayer many times in our own lives. The pastor's example was how people many times view Christians different than we see ourselves. This is a time in which we need to "create instead of criticize."

This two points ROCKED me to the core. I seriously feel like I have been way quiet today because I have just had to sit back and focus on myself and how I'm responding to everything. Today has been lots of prayer and focusing on Jesus and why I'm in Miami.

Tonight we went to South Beach to eat and walk around. I opted to go to the beach with a group and I loved sticking my feet in the water and talking with people I normally wouldn't have. A lot of this trip is going to be about me stepping out of my comfort zone and expanding my horizon, so to speak. I'm more excited than ever.

Tomorrow is our first day on campus reaching out to the students! Prayers are appreciated!!

Tomorrow Tomorrow

In four short hours. (it's 1140 now, and I have to leave at 345 tomorrow morning, yikes!) I will be on my way to the airport to leave for the Ten Days Miami Mission Trip!

I never thought I would be leaving on a plane over Spring Break for a mission trip. Funny how the Lord works!

Anyway, I probably won't update any while in Miami but I may.

I would appreciate prayers for the whole team. For boldness to reach out to the students at FIU, for wonderful weather, for safety, for the opportunities that we will have to be the hands and feet of God, and for lives to be changed. I pray that we do nothing but serve the Lord this whole entire week!!