Love Brings Change

Random: This week I was clipping my fingernails and all I was thinking about is when my old roommate Elizabeth Foshee Brannock was cutting her toenails and one of her nails got into her eye. It was like our second week of living together and she came running into my room screaming, "Get it out!!" So I had to get really close to her and find the nail in her eye. Scary. I just finished week 2 of living with these girls, so I was hoping no one would have to come get a nail out of my eye. I miss you, dear :)


Soooo Thursday was a great day! David Hamilton spoke about being hungry and thirsty for God. The more you read His word, the more thirsty you get. Start small, he read 30 minutes a day for 3 months, then another 3 months then another and worked up to an average of 3 hours a day now. That's over like a 30 year span, but you just have to start small in your reading and you'll get thirstier (is that a word?) everyday. He has just published a Bible, called the Source View Bible, where each book of the Bible is written like a script; the narrator is one color, the Lord is another, Jesus is another, and then other speakers are a different color. My roommate got one and it looks so interesting! The Bible was meant to be Spoken, so this format is meant to be read by many, so order one and read it out loud with your friends or family! God wants us to read, speak, and listen to His word so we digest it easier. We get to know our Father better by spending time with Him, through reading His word. I never heard it put so simply. Like the way you get to know your friend better is by spending time with them, so you have to spend time in God's word to get to know Him better. He's your friend, get to know Him :) I had my second small group meeting on Thursday. We gave our testimonies and our expectations for the six months. This was just my group of 7 that's going to both OC and NYC. My leaders are Stephanie and Kristina (she's from Dallas!) and my other group members are Alex, Danielle, Matt, and Donald. I'm the oldest person in my group by at least 2 years. It seems weird to be the oldest because I've always been the youngest person at family gatherings and what not. Time to grow up and act like a big girl being the oldest in my group! Ah! I enjoyed getting to know my group a little bit better, this is going to be a fun and stretching experience. God's placed me with younger people for a reason, so we'll find that reason when it comes! Thursday was our Ohana Gathering which is open to the public. We had worship and then a man from the Philippines spoke about changing his city in the Philippines. People are making such an impact in their city just by praying everyday for the city. It's too much to post, but this city was dedicated to God a few years ago and then when new governmental officials were elected they rededicated the city and it's just amazing to see how prayer can change a negative situation to a positive one. For instance, their city jail can hold 1500 inmates, it currently only has 500. This man made so many jokes, he had us rolling the whole time, but all while telling how his city has changed for the better because of prayer and action.

Friday was our last day of Corporate DTS week. Sean Murphy spoke about leading a DTS in Port Au Prince, Haiti. He included Loren's talk about laying down rights and Darlene's message about grace. He had great stories about the students, the staff, and the native Haitians. But to be honest, the highlight of his talk was the break. Please don't judge me :) We had Junk Food Friday and we made Nutella S'mores. NUTELLA!!!!! Here is a picture of a man describing how to make the s'more (for the non-Americans in the audience) and below that is a picture of my roommates Amber and Gabby with their s'mores.

My day was completely made. I love Nutella.

Friday afternoon was prayer room with my CommTrans group from 1 until 3. That time is always a great time. The first hour is singing and praise, the second hour is directed prayer and intercession. So we first prayed for personal revival, then for revival on the campus and for it's leaders, and then for revival in Kona (the city that I'm in). We pair up a good bit during the prayer room, so when we were asked to pray for Kona, a girl named Chloe was my partner. We didn't pray for Kona. We had hung out on Wednesday, so I don't know her very well, but I can tell she's an amazing woman of faith. So I was slightly intimidated by her, and I told her that! I said, "I just want to let you know, I'm intimidated by you, because you're you and you're amazing." and her reply was, "Ok, let's pray that off." "Do what?" was my reply. She said, "Let's pray off the spirit of intimidation that you have. You aren't inferior to me or anyone else. So you say out loud what you are and how God sees you and I'll agree and pray for you." WOW. Then I felt bad that instead of praying for Kona we were praying for me and I said so, I said it was selfish. She replied, "OK, let's pray that off too. You're important, you deserve time, so let's pray off that as well." I've lost my confidence throughout college, so I'm praying for my confidence and strength in the Lord. I am not an inferior person, I'm a bold, beautiful, important, smart woman of God. Amen. Breakthrough is happening in my spirit and I'm happy with that!

 Friday night, I had dinner with my leader Kristina for my one-on-one. We had a great conversation about the first 2 weeks here and what has been going on in my heart and how I feel about DTS. I really enjoy Kristina. She's sweet and intelligent and has a heart for breakthrough and change. She has an amazing story. I'm really blessed to have her as my one-on-one :) We'll be meeting maybe every week but definitely every other week. So I'm excited to learn from her and share with her my experiences. I met up with some of my roommates at Outback after dinner with Kristina. I ate some of an Awesome Blossom. It had been forever since I had one of those. It was yummy yummy yummy. Then we came back to campus for Open Mic night at the Cafe. There  are sooo many talented people here on campus. My roommate Amy performed a song she wrote that morning. Yes, she performed a song she wrote that morning. It was beautiful. This is a picture of all the roomies :) Amy was definitely the best performer, if I say so. I may be a bit biased though. She has a wonderful voice and can play the guitar very well.

this is from Melissa's phone, sorry it's not perfect!

Today, Saturday, I got to see my friend Emily's beautiful face right when I woke up! We skyped for about an hour and that was a great way to start the day! Melissa and I watched Tangled together. That movie is superb. Racheal, Gabby, Melissa, and I walked down to the beach and laid out for a bit. I put on sunscreen, don't worry. Melissa and I walked back together. I enjoy her company. She's sarcastic, which I like! 

Gabby, Rachael, Melissa, they're real cool.

This week has been a great week. I'm excited about next week being back in the classroom and hearing a new speaker. It's gonna be a good week, like all of them!! I miss you all!

LOVE LOVE LOVE