Things are wrapping up quickly here as I prepare to head out in less than two weeks. I bought my ticket and I leave April 6th out of Seattle. It will definitely be bitter sweet saying good bye but I know it is the Lord's will and for that I am very excited.
My dear friend Nathalia was here with me this last week and boy was that a treat! It had been well over a year since we met and saw each other in Africa. We were able to have a quality week together and she was able to rest before heading back to Africa for another year to serve with Iris Ministries. She blessed our body soooo much with her testimony and actions that speak louder than any sermon.
I was able to go down to Bethel Church in Redding, CA for a dream culture conference. This conference was extremely practical and impacting. They encouraged us to write down 100 dreams no matter how big or small. A part of me came to life when I did this. I didn't make it to 100 yet but I was able to write out 82 before I even knew it. I felt the Lord's excitement as well as a release when I wrote them down. Hab 2:2 says, “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.”
This really spoke to me for I can picture angels standing around in excitement wondering what is inside of us. I can picture them huddling around full of assurance as we write out our dreams on paper. I can picture them running off to the Father with haste and paper in hand to see that Papa God can set his plans into action. Its as if when we write out we are sealing the deal with God. We are stepping out in faith and declaring that God can make it happen and that no dream is too small to see God fulfill. I was also very encouraged to take steps each day to see some of these come true.We also prayed and asked God to show us the lies that we have believed about ourselves that have prevented us from dreaming. One of the lies I heard was that I am not worthy to dream to too big. The Lord just came, as I asked him to show me the truth, in such a sweet confirming way that swayed my heart into remembering that, “Oh yeah, I AM(insert your name here) a daughter of the cheerful generous King and I have access to the resources of heaven that are innumerable.” I also have been living in the servant mindset of “Ill wait for you to just give it me.” I think I walked in a false humility that I will just take whatever the Lord gives out. Part of it comes from wanting his will for my life, but this mindset also negates the active relationship of taking ownership and going after my dreams as a daughter. I was able to surrender that to the Lord and feel alive and worthy to walk out my dreams. I just pray over everyone who reads this that you would feel stirred, awakened and released to dream with your Creator. I break off any hinderances such as others opinions, finances, physical ailments, and anything else that would quench the flame inside of you.. Begin to ask for the impossible and take daily steps towards seeing that come to pass. TIME TO GET YOUR DREAM ON. YEHAW.
I had also prayed that the Lord would give me specific words for my trip to South America. There were three different people that came up to me and gave me extensive words of encouragement that spoke so deeply to my heart. A lady that I met there also gave me a generous gift towards my trip! Yes Lord!
Dreaming for the next adventure was something that I initially had a hard time with. It hasn't fully sunk in that I am about to live out some of my craziest dreams of going into the Amazon jungle to share Jesus with people that have never heard of Him. It took me a bit to really think of specific things that I want instead of walking in the mindset of “Whatever you want, Lord” I was able to write out some specific goals and desires for this trip. A couple of these dreams include preaching, seeing God heal hundreds of people, becoming fluent in Spanish, proficient at the guitar, write songs and welcomed into many unreached areas to share Jesus to whole villages. I can't wait to see God do these impossible dreams!
