Part of Revival and Change

Authentic

Miracles

Indescribable

Life Changing

Undeniable

Unforgettable

Redeemed

Revived

Alive

These past couple of weeks have been all of those words and so much more. I have been blown away by what is going on around me and in my life. God is transforming the world through his love and mercy and its incredible to be a part of that. Here is a little glimpse at what God is doing:

1). Four months ago I was hired part-time at Saddleback Church as an admin for the high school ministry. I have LOVED every minute of it and couldn't be happier. Well about 2 weeks ago that all changed...I have now been offered a full-time position on the team as an admin and coordinator!! I've always wrestled with God about going into ministry especially since I went to school to become a teacher. My plan was to teach in the inner city and change kids lives from horrible to incredible. I wanted to show them how much they are loved despite their economic and family situations. I guess God had another plan and I can't tell you how easy this transition has been for me. I will sign my offer letter on Thursday...God is AMAZING!!! I am so excited and overflowing with joy and peace. I can already see God using me and setting my heart on fire =)

2). About 6 years ago I invested in time, energy and love into a friend of mine. I was a senior in high school and didn't think that God was really using me in my friendships. I spent a lot of time with a certain boy and wanted him so badly to know Jesus. I saw a lot of potential in him that others didn't see. When I went to college we lost touch except for the occasional facebook message or text message. However it didn't matter how distant our friendship was, I still prayed that he would come to know just how great he was and how loved by Jesus he was. Well 4 months ago I got a letter from him saying he had accepted Jesus. It was a long letter with lots of thank you's and an incredible story. We recently met up for church and hang out time. He has an unbelievable story and the joy of Christ is beaming from his face! I am so proud to call him my friend and amazed at how a seed planted 6 years ago has taken root in his life =)

3). Students. I am surrounded by high school students almost daily! One of my favorite parts of my new job is getting to see lives transformed, healed, and set on fire. Students are stepping up and leading friends and family to the big family of Christ. I have 12 girls that I mentor and hang out with on a weekly basis and wow is God changing them!! They are so eager to learn more, to grow more and to DO more that it is encouraging to me. Their conversations are so heart-felt, genuine and sincere. These girls don't just want to attend church on the weekend, they want to be the church during the week too. I am inspired by you girls!!!!

4). Friendships. I am never more amazed than when God uses my friends to teach me lessons. My friendships have changed a lot in the past 2 years. I have grown to realize exactly what I want out of friendships and the type of people I want to call my friends. God has shown me that I want friendships centered around Christ. I want to be able to talk about God and debate about God. I want to be loved in a friendship. I want our morals, values and lifestyles to be the same. Lately God is teaching me to really examine my relationships and maybe start focusing on some key ones instead of others. I LOVE the messages I'm being taught through my different groups of friends...they are transforming me and shaping me into what I am meant to be TODAY.

Faithful

Never Failing

Unending

Loving

Transformation

Dedicated

Hearts are being broken and Lives are being changed and I'm excited to be on this journey, watching, participating, mentoring and rejoicing =)

Disneyland

Okay most of you know that Disneyland is one of my favorite places to go. I love the rides, I love the employees, I love the atmosphere and I love watching tourists. Its a place I can go to often and not get sick of. This week I have gone twice so far and plan to go again Sunday and Tuesday, which will make it 4 times in 7 days. The past couple of times I have noticed some things that make me love it even more.

1). Peacefulness- although Disneyland is loud it is somewhat peaceful. The music is always uplifting, employees always have a smile on their faces and if you stop and listen long enough you'll hear quiet. I know it sounds crazy but its true. Stop and sit on a bench. Sit without talking and just listen. Its amazing!

2). Diversity- One of my favorite "hobbies" is people watching. People watching at Disneyland is incredible! It is so beautiful to hear so many different languages all at once and then to see people from all over the world enjoying a common place. The diversity in families, friends, rides, shows, and employees is far greater than anywhere else in the world. If you pay attention to the employees name tags they say where they are from. Some of them are from other parts of the world, some are from my home city of Lake Forest. How cool is that!!! People from all over the place working together, playing together and having fun together. That is how God meant it to be!!!

3). Joy- Disneyland is a place that makes me forget about all the craziness in my life and just focus on having fun. I truly find so much joy in going to Dland that I really turn into a child again (and according to one of my bosses I am a 5 year old trapped in a 24 year old body). I experience so much joy just watching people laugh on rides, smile when they see a princess or scream with excitment when the fireworks are displayed. It makes me think "if being at Dland brings me this much joy how much more joyful will I be in heaven?" I mean truly I am excited to go to church on the weekend and to work for the church during the week and a lot of my job brings me much joy. I am joyful when I am serving the Lord but I am not always joyful in my daily life. But Dland brings me joy and puts a smile on my face and that is what God wants from us. He wants us to be as joyful in Him and His creation! So thats what I am pursuing this month, to have joy for God like I do for Disneyland =)

All of that said I learn lots from Disneyland. Its not just a fun place to go with friends and family but its a place to learn some great life lessons and to get a reality check.

He is Jealous

I was recently listening to a song by David Crowder that really got me thinking. There is a part in the song that goes like this:

he is jealous for me

loves like a hurricane I am a tree

bending benethe the weight of his wind and mercy

I think the concept of God being jealous for us is so hard to grasp!! I mean how can a God that is so powerful be jealous of me. He has the power to snap me into place. The power to pick me up when I'm on the wrong path and yet he waits for me to choose to follow him. He looks over me and becomes jealous when I spend time on facebook or twitter or shopping instead of spending time with Him. I think of how I get jealous of other people and how much more is God jealous for me. And not just portions of me but ALL of me. It really is remarkable and lovely!