The Best Valentine's Weekend

Valentine's day used to be my favorite holiday - I LOVED seeing the pink everywhere and people hurrying around the stores buying the perfect present to express their love for their significant other. Over the past weekend though, I have come to realize this holiday is just silliness.  Don't get me wrong, I am all for making sure to show your loved one that you care for them, but I think this should be done all year round, not just one day a year. I realized that no future husband of mine will ever be able to give me a gift that expresses love like the one Christ gave to me.

Over two thousand years ago, Christ died on a cross because he took on all of my shame and guilt and sin.  He so loved me that he gave his life for ME so that I might live to righteousness.  He made the way for me to have a relationship with God by taking away all of my sins so that I appear spotless before the Lord.  Call me crazy, but I am pretty sure that beats any candy/flowers/dinner/jewelry present anyone got this year!

I was able to celebrate this gift more than normal this Valentine's day. On February 16th, I was finally baptized!!! I had been yearning for this day since I became a Christian in the fall of 2012.  The timing just never worked out, until this weekend.  I was so nervous going into it.  Everyone would be hearing my testimony, and I just didn't feel comfortable being so vulnerable in front of people.  The Lord worked at my heart though, and encouraged me to share my whole story.  It was so amazing to get to share with others how God has been at work in my life!


When it came time to get in the baptism pool, I felt so incredibly calm in my heart. My pastor read my testimony (which I was incredibly thankful for...I don't know if I would have made it going over it again!) and then it was baptism time! The feeling of being completely submerged in that water, and then being raised completely CLEAN was just incredible.  I can't describe it anymore than that. I felt the Spirit moving in my heart and reassuring me that God's love and mercy will always be with me.  No matter what I do, or don't do, God will always love me.  He will always forgive me and welcome me with open arms as my Father because of what Jesus did for me on that cross.

It was amazing to see how quickly the devil began working in my head after the baptism (and honestly the whole weekend before), and I let him mess up some of my night with his lies.  However, I have an incredible family in Christ who reminded me that God has already won this war, and that He is good and in control.  I can trust him and his plans, no matter if I understand them or not.

I am just so incredibly thankful for what the Lord has done and continues to do in my life.  He has blessed me with so much, and continues to grow and challenge me every single day.  I can't wait to have the opportunity to share this love and forgiveness with others.  It just encourages me to pursue the mission opportunities God places me in, and help spread this grace to peoples of all nations.  THANK YOU to everyone who has been involved in my journey towards this day.  There are so many people who God used to bring me here, and I thank him for each and every one of you :)

Praises/Prayers/Financial Support

Praises

• The family I have found in Christ throughout this journey! I am continuously overwhelmed by how much love and support they provide in good times, and bad times.  I can't wait to praise God with y'all when the Lord calls us all home!

Financially

I need your support! I still have a long ways to go financially before I will be able to serve the Lord in Fiji.  The trip itself costs $4900, and this will include our orientation, lodging, food, and airfare.  Will you consider being a financial support team-member?  There are two ways you can donate:

• Send your donations directly to Pioneers using the support slip, which can be found here.

• Give online at www.pioneers.org/give/missionary using my account #175146.  Please note there is a 3% deduction from your donation amount if you use a credit/debit card.  There is no service charge when using an e-check option!

Prayers

• Pray for those who haven't heard about the forgiveness and love that is available through Christ.
• Pray that my mind and heart are able to resist the lies Satan tells me involving God's faithfulness and sovereignty in all situations. 
• Continue to pray for the people in Fiji who our team will get to interact with.  Pray that they are open to experience this gift of grace!
• Pray for the team at Pioneers as they gear up for a busy season of making preparations for all of the mission trips!