Full of Joy

Meet Pedro. They call him Pedrito (little Pedro). He is 5. I met him yesterday. He is the most adorable little boy and I fell in love with him just after spending a few minutes with him. He has cerebral palsy. He can't stand up straight or walk. He has a wheelchair and a vertical wheelchair that helps him stand up straight. He got it in December of last year. He loves to drive it all around. He can't speak much but when he was excited or happy he claps or slaps his hand. He was pre-maturely born at 6 months along with his twin brother. Sadly, his twin brother passed away 72 hours after being born.


Despite all of the things in his life that we would say are terrible, he has so much joy! He would just smile and look at me and clap. Just watching him drive his vertical wheelchair around was amazing! And his joy was contagious. I couldn't stop smiling the whole time I was with him. I could also see the joy in his parents as they watched him drive around and interact. I want joy like them! But I must admit that I don't think I would have such joy if I was in the same situation. I just watched in awe at all the joy that God has given Pedro. He can stand up and move around in his vertical wheelchair. God has blessed him so much and I think he knows that.

I know that God has blessed me beyond measures and yet there are times when I don't have the joy that Pedro has or when I feel like I don't have any joy at all. Meeting Pedro made me realize that I should be joyful and praise the Lord for everything. So this is my prayer and I hope it's your prayer too. 

Lord, Help me to have joy like Pedro. Help me to be grateful for everything that you have blessed me with. Help me not to take your blessings for granted. I want to be clapping with happiness all the time because of You. Only you can provide such joy. No matter what situation I am in I pray that you will still let me be joyful knowing that you are with me. I am in awe of you Lord and I want to praise you will all of my life. Amen.

I thank the Lord so much for the opportunity to meet Pedro and share in his joy.

"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy." 

-Psalm 94:14-

-Katey

Skydiving!

 

In December I went skydiving for my 18th birthday! I did a tandem jump and it was the most amazing experience! It was exhilarating, adrenaline-pumping, and just awesome! I never felt scared the whole time, even in the plane (I think that's because I had so much adrenaline). I got to free fall for about 60 seconds and then fall with a parachute for about 9 minutes. It felt like it happened way too fast. I absolutely loved it and I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Even though I loved jumping out of a plane, the feeling of free falling (such an amazing feeling!!), and controlling the parachute; my favorite part was looking at God's creation from a new angle.

I got to turn around 360 degrees and see the beach, volcanoes, mountains, the few clouds that were out that day, and all the little cities in a new way. Looking out an airplane window will never be as cool. I had never seen God's creation like that before and I was awe-struck.

Ecclesiastes 7:13 (The Message) says...

"Take a good look at God's work. Who could simplify and reduce Creation's curves and angles to a plain straight line?"

When I was skydiving this verse came to life for me. God's creation is so detailed and breathtaking. There is no simple way to describe it. You just have to look at it for yourself.

When have you taken the time to just look at God's creation and see how wonderful it is? You don't have to go skydiving to do so (though it is a cool way to view His creation).

A few days after I landed we did a family devotion and the verse we looked at was Psalm 46:10 which says...

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

When we went over this devotion I remembered just being still while skydiving and looking at how amazing God's creation is. I took the time that I was still to think about how amazing He is and just praise him.

When have you taken the time to just be still? Do it right now. Be still and know that he is God.

-Katey :)

Re-Programming Your Mind

Over the past few weeks we have been teaching the kids at the weekly VBS in Santiago Zamora about the armor of God. Each week we taught them about one of the pieces of the armor and then they would make it (See picture below of the kids with their crafts). This week we finished the series by talking about salvation and how we need to ask God to give us his armor. We also handed out Bibles and told the kids where they can find the verses about the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). It was cool because they all looked up the verses and folded the page so that they could remember it. Though one kid asked me "You said it was Ephesians, so why does the top of the page say Matthew?" I had to explain to him that there are different books of the Bible...I think we will be having a class on how to read the Bible and find verses very soon. But it was awesome to see the kids learning and really wanting to know about the armor of God.

(Kids at VBS with their Swords of the Spirit)

It has been awesome to teach the kids about the armor of God but it's even more awesome how God has taught me things about his armor and protection through my own devotions. I am currently reading the book Battlefield of the Mind for Teens by Joyce Meyer. (It is a great book and I recommend it to other Christian teens. And adults, if you want to read it there is a version for you too.) I started reading it the same day I had been preparing the teaching for the kids about how the devil attacks our minds and how with the help of God we can defeat the devil and overcome the evil thoughts he puts in our minds. The book started talking about the same thing and then went into how we have to ask God to help us re-program our minds so that we can protect them from the thoughts that the devil wants to plant in them. I had heard that phrase (re-program your mind) before but it really clicked as I read it in this book. I need God's help to think about the things he wants me to think of. One verse that is mentioned a lot in the book is...

"For as he thinks within himself, so he is." -Proverbs 23:7a-

This verse has really stuck with me. I want to be a person who is Christ-like, But I need to think on the things of Christ all the time to do this. I also need to remove things from my mind that will not let me be the person I want to be. 

I wrote this verse (Proverbs 23:7a) on two index cards. I put one on my computer screen and one on my mirror. I did this so that every time I am on the computer or looking in the mirror I see this verse and am reminded to think of and fill my mind with things pleasing to God. It is a great reminder especially when I am in the mirror because instead of thinking and believing "I look ugly. Why did God make me look like this?" I think and believe "God made me perfect and in his image. He thinks I am absolutely stunning!" This helps me to be more confident and live my life for Christ all day instead of feeling ugly and being depressed all day. Your thoughts have a lot of impact on your life, just like the verse says! And your thoughts come from what you feed your mind. So every time I am on the computer this verse reminds me to feed my mind with the things of Christ. I am reminded to not look at or listen to crap but rather listen to and look at things that would please Christ.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. -Philippians 4:8-

Are you thinking about such things? Are you feeding your mind with such things? Your thoughts are powerful and remember 
"As he thinks within himself, so he is." -Proverbs 23:7a-

-Katey :)

You Matter

The other day I saw this license plate and it reminded me that I matter. It made me feel special. It may seem like just a silly license plate but it made me realize that I do matter. Then just yesterday a friend sent me this TED talk. (Disclaimer: The d-word is used once) (Sorry if the video stops. You only need the audio.)

I watched it and realized that the words "You Matter" are very important. People want to know that they matter. They want to know that they are noticed and needed. And if you tell them they matter and are needed for big things then they will be encouraged to do the things they are needed for.

And I want to tell you that you matter but not only to me but to God. God cares for you and notices you. And he needs you. And the thing is he tells us this. The problem is that we don't know that he notices and needs us. But it's true! God tells us this in the Bible. He says...

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other."                John 15:16-18

He noticed us and choose us specifically! And he needs us! He needs us to bear his fruit and to love others. So no matter what happens you need to remember that God notices you and needs you! This makes me feel awesome. I can always go to the Bible to find out that I am noticed and needed by God. And his Word will always be true so no matter what happens he notices you and needs you. He wants you to know that you matter to him! Did you know that?

So I have a challenge for you today. Actually, I have two....

Challenge #1: Remind yourself daily that you matter to God. That he notices you and that you are needed by him! Maybe you should write John 15:16-18 on your mirror in dry erase marker so that you can read it every day and know that you matter to God. And don't only remind yourself that you matter but continue to live your life for God because he needs you to! He needs you to bear his fruit and love others. Which leads me to the next challenge...

Challenge #2: Remind someone else daily that they matter. That they are noticed and needed. First, just chose one person each day and then go out of your way to make sure they know that they matter. Maybe write on their Facebook wall and tell them you are thinking about them and how awesome they are and how they make you smile when they ________. Maybe if you notice them doing something nice tell them in person. It doesn't matter what you do just make sure they know that they noticed and needed. And make sure that they know they matter and are noticed and needed not only by you by but by God too. Maybe you could tell them you are praying for them to do the things God needs them to do for him (and actually pray for that).

Do you think you can do that? Do you accept these two challenges? I hope you do because I know that you can change the world (or at least someone's day) and I need you to accept these challenges.

By the way...YOU MATTER!

-Katey :)

Destiny Team!

Around this time last week the team from Destiny church finished up their time in Guatemala and headed back to the States. I loved having them down here! Destiny is my church in the States so I knew almost everyone on the trip and it was great to see them all again, to hang out with them again, and to work along side them. They taught me so much. Here are two of the things I learned through the Destiny team while they were here...

1. I learned that the small things really do matter! No matter what they were doing they were doing it to the best of their abilities. And sure, they might not have seen immediate results. Or they might have thought that the little thing they were doing didn't matter but it did! Each lady that they talked to or smiled to. Each kid that they danced with or spun around. Each block that they laid or cut. All of these things made a difference. And there was never a complaint, everyone was working so hard even on the little things with such joy! Here are some pictures of the team doing small but amazing things. Each one of these things makes a difference even if it was just in one persons life.




2. I learned to do everything, even the little things, like Jesus would do them. And to do them joyfully and for the glory of God. The whole team was doing this all week! They were always so joyful in everything they did and they knew that they were working to glorify God. And one night during devotions Robert read Hebrews 12:2-3 from the Message and I loved the way the Message translates the verse. It says...

"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!"

I saw the team living out this verse and I realized it when Robert read this verse. Adrenaline had been shot into their souls and they were using it to work hard for the glory of God! I want adrenaline constantly shot into my soul and I want to use that adrenaline to always be working hard for the glory of God! And this team was a great example of that!

I learned a lot more in the time they were here but those were the two main things I learned through them! The 10 days they were down here was amazing! I didn't want them to leave. God did some amazing work through them and in them! They almost finished building a house for two sisters who are prayer warriors for Santiago Zamora and other villages, they lead a women's bible study for about 20-30 a day, they lead VBS for 35-50 kids every day (2 of the kids accepted Christ), they had a worship night for all of Santiago Zamora (at least 1 person accepted Christ), they worked so hard, they showed God's love to everyone, and more.

Thanks for coming down Destiny team! Hope you guys come back soon :)

Has God used the people around you to teach you anything recently? If so, what?
-Katey :)

Today's Experiences

Today, I was a nurse and a student.

I was a nurse when I cleaned and bandaged up a kid's toe that had been sliced open. I was out by the soccer feild in Santiago Zamora and I was talking to some kids. One of the kids looked like he was hurt and I asked what happened. He told me that he had sliced open his toe in the field. So I went to Forrest's truck to get the first aid kit and brought it to the soccer field. When I first opened the kit the first thing the kids saw was scissors so they told the boy "They are going to cut you open and give you injections!" in Spanish and Clay and I quickly said "No, no no! We are only going to clean and wrap up your toe." in Spanish. So I cleaned his toe with an alcohol pad and I could tell it stung by the look on his face. He was such a brave little boy! Then I wrapped it in gauze and medical tape. His mom came over half way through the process and just kept thanking me over and over. When I was done I asked him if it was ok if I prayed for him and I don't think he was a Christian but I prayed for him anyways. I then told him to wear shoes instead of running around barefoot and he told me he has no shoes. So I told him to wear socks, which fortunately he has. I enjoyed being a nurse, I finally got to use the first aid I learned in my 9th grade health class.

I was a student when I started my lessons on how to weave. Last week I was talking to the mom of the kids my mom tutors while she was weaving and I mentioned that I would like to learn. She got super excited and said she would get the stuff all ready so I could start learning this week. Unfortunately I was a little late for my lesson (due to my experience as a nurse) and she had to leave as soon as I arrived so her sister taught me instead. It was hard but I think I am getting the hang out it. I now know how much work they put into each little thing they make. Oh and did I mention that I learned how to weave in Spanish, a language I am not yet fluent in? I understood everything she was telling me to do and learned a lot of new vocab. Here are some pictures from my weaving class...

My teacher and I :)

Each one of those sticks has a different name! And if any of the ones on the top fall out then I have to start all over again.

Sorry, I have no pictures from my experience being a nurse.

Today was an eventful day, I am so glad God had planned for me to experience these things. I am grateful I got to pray for the kid after bandaging his foot. And I am glad I got to learn something new in a language I am not fluent in.

"Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." -1 Corinthians 10:31b

What experiences did God have planned for you today? Did you use them to give glory to God?

-Katey :)

Worship

Have you ever worshiped in an African dialect? Neither had I until this weekend, and it was pretty awesome! I also worshipped in Spanish and English. I love worshipping in different languages!! If you haven't done it before you should try it sometime!

So, this weekend a team from Miami, Florida was visiting our church and they lead the youth service on Friday night and the main service on Sunday morning. On Friday some of them shared their testimonies and their amazing musical talents that God has given them. They used their words, their voice, and their musical abilities to worship the Lord! It was amazing to see everyone in the room worshiping with all their hearts for the Lord!

One song that we sang both Friday and Sunday was Lord You Are Good in both Spanish and English. The Spanish version has been stuck in my head every since Friday night and I don't mind it at all, I love it!! The first line is Señor eres fiel y tu misericordia eterna! This line in the English version of the song is Lord you are good and your mercy enureth forever but I like the Spanish version better because it says Senor eres fiel which means Lord you are faithful. And that is so true! He is amazingly faithful. He is always there for me no matter what. It doesn't matter what is going on in my life or even if I have been spending time with him recently...HE IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL! AND ALWAYS THERE FOR ME! And I love that! And since I serve such an amazing God I should be worshiping him with all I have! It shouldn't matter who is watching or what they think, I need to put all myself into my worship for the one and only all powerful God! And I need to worship and serve him in everything I do, even the little things :)

So are you worshiping God with all you have all the time? If not, why not? Why aren't you worshiping the God who made you, gave you your amazing talents, cares for and loves you like no other, and is always faithful with all your heart and in everything you do no matter how big or small?

I will extol the Lord at all time; his praise will always be on my lips. -Psalm 34:1-

-Katey :)