Into His Marvelous Light

Many things have happened since I last wrote. To catch you up to date...

-My brother Ricky attended a Journey to the Heart, (the same program I went on almost two years ago, which led me to work as staff for the ministry in Chicago.) It was amazing having him here for eleven days! Following are some pictures taken over his visit. :)

-Good Friday...That night I was overwhelmed by His unfathomable love for me...as I sat in the evening church service, a phrase keep running through my mind. 

"If I was the ONLY person in the entire world...

He STILL would of sent His son to die for MY sins."

I don't think I will ever "get over" what He has done for me...

-EASTER!! :) This year was the first time I had ever spent this holiday away from my family. And if any of them are reading this...(I MISSED YA'LL A TON!) But God must of taken pity on me, because He set up an amazing plan B. :) I ended up spending the holiday at a friends' family's house in Indiana. The day involved a beautiful Easter service on Hope, lots of food, really fun friends, games that should probably be outlawed (due to safety hazards,) and of course, Easter egg hunts! Over all, I was overwhelmed with gratefulness. 

<3 "MY Savior, HE can move the mountains, MY God is mighty to save." <3 

The grave my sins placed Him in, couldn't hold Him...yet He washed me clean and now holds me in His beautiful hands. 

"He has called you out of darkness in to His marvelous light."

1 Peter 2:9

-I spent a day with two great friends...here are some pictures of our time together. :)  

-About a week and a half ago, I was reminded of how dependent I am upon God. I firmly believe that He puts us in hard, stressful, I'm-never-gonna-have-time-to-ever-sleep-again, situations so that we can be reminded of our huge need for His help.

     In two days, I along with three amazing girls are heading down to Big Sandy, TX to staff at a A.T.I. conference. We have been put in charge of one hundred and eleven (possibly more), eight to eleven year old girls for the week. As it probably sounds, we are in WAY over our heads...but it's not over God's head. =) God has been orchestrating each and every move we have made while preparing for this conference! He has reminded each of us how it truly is impossible to do anything without Him. I am honored to work along side girls who are so focused on serving their Savior. 

     Today, just like every morning this week, I was struck with how crazy-unbelievably-freaking incredible my heavenly Daddy is. He is WAY to good to me, and I do not deserve the many good things that He gives me. This conference will be completely about bringing Him glory, and trying my personal best to please Him. I am struggling to learn how to live for an audience of one. 

     Please be praying for this girls program, and also for the conference all together. There are a lot of hard working people responsible for making it happen. I'll keep you posted on how it goes!

"Let the redeemed of the Lord, say so." 

Psalm 107:2

I truly am redeemed!

In His Arms,

<3 D

Peru

     I don't have words...not yet. It's been a week since I left the country of Peru, but I can't put into words the miracles I witnessed take place there. I hope to share some stories of ones that were led to the Lord, and of the amazing power God displayed during those two weeks, but honestly, today words just aren't enough. All I can say is after seeing the way God loves the people of Peru, I can't help but fall in love with them too. He shattered my expectations for this trip in a beautiful way. I don't ever want to live outside of His unbelievably perfect will. Not only is He the one who can move the mountains and walk on water, He is the love of my life.

     I hope these faces tell the stories that my words can't...

Those faces are forever engraved on my heart. Peru, I'll be back. 

In His Arms,

<3 D

Isaiah 61:1-3

     Have you ever seen God work a miracle? Have you ever watched God use imperfect people? I along with forty-nine others have been invited to go spend two weeks in the country of Peru, serving the people there. I have never felt so ready yet at the same time so unprepared. I can't put into words what a dream come true it is getting the opportunity to go back to Lima! This trip will be my fourth trip to Peru and each time gets better and better as more of my heart takes root there. The only thing I dread about going back to Peru again is the thought that I'll have to leave it. I love the country of Peru. I love the people. I love how open they are to the gospel. I love how friendly, welcoming, and hospitable they are. I love how they kiss and hug everyone, no matter who you are and what you've done. I never would of seen how closed off, guarded, and judgmental Americans are, if I hadn't gotten to experience the Latin American cultured.

     There are countless reasons as to why I am so hugely undeserving of this opportunity and every time I think about it, I feel completely overwhelmed by my inadequacy, my incapability, and my lack of things to offer. I don't deserve it, but...He chose me....He chose me. In Exodus chapters three and four Moses argues with God informing Him of his inadequacy, of his slow speech, like the God who created Him was unaware of such things. Moses spends a ridiculous amount of time telling God that somehow He had it wrong, that God's plan for his life must of been a mistake, that God had somehow overlooked something or had forgotten how unfit he was for the job description that God perfectly created for him. It's so tempting to fall into the selfishness of focusing on our own short comings. But I refuse to fall to the same mistake that Moses did. I have faith that my God can move the mountains. I have faith that my God can walk on the water. I have faith that my God is big enough and great enough to look past my inadequacy, all my flaws and all my fears. I have faith that my God can work through forty-nine imperfect people. I have faith that my God can work a miracle in Peru.

Isaiah 61:1-3

"The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prisons to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance for our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that morn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for the mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that HE might be glorified."

PLEASE keep me and the rest of the Peru team in your prayers!!!

In His Arms,
<3 D

Hoping

   I don't know where I am going...

...but I am content letting Him figure it out for me.

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord,

 'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'"

Jeremiah 29:11

I am learning to expect and trust in the fulfillment of His promises.

May you trust in Him today. :)

In His Arms,

<3 D

Say Goodbye

     This weekend I appreciated my family more than I ever have before. Coming home for my Grandpa's funeral was made so much easier when I had countless arms to fall into. 

Here is a picture of my siblings and most of my cousins.

My youngest brother, Jacob. <3

Some families cry at funerals...some build human pyramids.

My Aunt, Ty Wolf wrote this poem about my Grandfather.

May the Lord hold your hands, Papa, until I get up there to join you. 

The Lord made it possible for me and my sisters to sing a song at the Memorial Service. I thought about posting a recording of it, but I decided to go with the lyrics instead. It's called I Will Rise by Chris Tomlin. 

There's a peace I've come to know 

Though my heart and flesh may fail 

There's an anchor for my soul 

I can say "It is well" 

Jesus has overcome 

And the grave is overwhelmed 

The victory is won 

He is risen from the dead 

And I will rise when He calls my name 

No more sorrow, no more pain 

I will rise on eagles' wings 

Before my God fall on my knees 

And rise 

I will rise 

There's a day that's drawing near 

When this darkness breaks to light 

And the shadows disappear 

And my faith shall be my eyes 

Jesus has overcome 

And the grave is overwhelmed 

The victory is won 

He is risen from the dead 

And I will rise when He calls my name 

No more sorrow, no more pain 

I will rise on eagles' wings 

Before my God fall on my knees 

And rise 

I will rise 

And I hear the voice of many angels sing, 

"Worthy is the Lamb" 

And I hear the cry of every longing heart, 

"Worthy is the Lamb" 

And I will rise when He calls my name 

No more sorrow, no more pain 

I will rise on eagles' wings 

Before my God fall on my knees 

And rise 

I will rise

"The Lord replied, 'My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'"

Exodus 33:14

May you rest in Him today!

In His Arms,

<3 D

The Wedding

     This past weekend I had the privileged of being able to travel down to Florida with a group of H.Q. staff to witness a union of two very amazing people. The trip included a quick stop at the beach to take pictures with some very dear friends and attempting to watch the Super Bowl during the car ride back to Chicago. It was a blessing to meet up with old friends and to spend forty hours in a fifteen passenger van making new ones. ;P 
     
     God has been teaching me to not be content settling for where I am at in my relationship with Him, but to seek after Him with all my heart. Today I added a new goal to my life's To Do List, it is to learn how to live with a constant awareness of His presence. I was challenged during this trip by some truly amazing people to be completely sold out for Him, to not be afraid to fall head over heels with Him, and most of all to not be ashamed to speak about Him boldly to anyone who's life intertwines mine.  


     Here are some pictures from the weekend...

In His Arms,
<3 D