Live~Love~Lead~Brian Houston

 

One thing that Brian Houston has been rocking my mind was “In order to keep your eyes on Jesus through the ups and downs of life, you must keep your heart focused on the one thing he has purposed you to do.”

God has put us here on this earth for a reason. All you have to do is say “yes” and step up to him. He will show you where he wants you to be. I have had several doors open because I have followed the call God laid on my heart a year and half ago.

I have had several people in my walk of faith help me over obstacles and get me through tough times.

“Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me ~Luke 10:16”

Special Needs Fill My Heart With Joy

My Special Day to Shine Field Day was a huge success. It was overwhelming at first just because everyone was coming to me. Then my mentors and the 5 leaders helped me getting over the obstacle. Once 10:00 am hit the clock, everything went so smoothly which was amazing. I tried my best to make my rounds to every station without getting distracted. The numbers were higher than I thought which was 130 volunteers and 25 participants. Toward the end of the event, I saw participants go out with bags full of prizes from several different stations. I even saw volunteers go out with a big smile on their face. I asked some of the volunteers this question which was ” what was your experience like at Special Day to Shine?” All the perspectives I got were all positive. One of my friends from church put her perspective which was ” my experience was loud, full of smiles, and exciting. It was so much fun.” I also got a perspective from some participants which was amazing to hear all they thought. The quote I got from the experience from the participant gave me a true perspective on my event and my passion. The quote from Gracie was ” I loved it! I was so excited to be successful.”

Stepping Out in Faith

I have been working all year for my senior project since day one. I am very passionate for special need kids. It has been really crazy on how it has all came together. Right after I figured out if my idea was accepted I knew the day I was doing and where I was doing my event. Now, I sit here less than a week and just reflecting on how easy it has all came together. I have always pushed forward no matter the struggles I went through. I have had so many people willing to help such as my youth group and family friends. Also the two mentors that I selected at the beginning of the school year. I have learned to manage time more.

I have prayed over and over again to ask God to intervene is this project because he called me to do something with special needs. He definitely has done some amazing things through this project. He has aligned everything with some amazing people that are willing to take time out of their day to help me. I have stepped so far out in my faith that I am relying on God more. 

This is the supplies that my youth group helped me get which will be used in 4 different stations on the day of the event.

Experiencing Special Needs Schools

This year, I have put a lot of heart and hard work toward a project I have to complete in order to graduate. Last year, I had this experience with being an assistant coach for Mauldin Miracle League that there was no doubt in mind that I should do something for this amazing kids.

Tons of my teachers have been telling me before you follow through with Special Education you should go into a school and observe such as Sara Collins Elementary School. The teacher I got observe was Jamie Taber, honestly I walked around the whole day with those kids and watched what she did with them. I thought to myself this is where I really need to follow through with this degree.

So far, my project has came together really good such as no payments for me. I have had a lot to do such as send emails to people and get in front of people about my project. My project is Special Needs Field Day, and I am hoping this project will open a lot of doors for my future.

Special Needs Field Day Flyer v3

Experiencing Look Up Lodge

I went to Look Up Lodge which is located in Travelers Rest, South Carolina. The two day retreat was based on Mark 12:30 which says “Love your God with all your heart, and all your soul and with all your mind and all your strength.”

We got there on Friday and unpacked in the cabin we were assigned. The whole retreat was called Renew. My youth pastor had a hard time with the topic of renewing your heart. Every lesson, he did was very powerful and wise information that each person that attended could learn and grow from.  This retreat really showed how big and powerful God is.

After the session we would move to small groups. Our group had some good long conversations. I shared what God has laid on my heart which was special education.  Then we would come back together and do a group activity. The first night we did lip sync from a list of songs that were given to the leaders.

Come to God Like You Are

I have relied on God a lot more during this month. This song came up called Here’s My Heart Lord by Casting Crowns. Sometimes I can’t comprehend how BIG our God is. The things he does to stop the time on our clocks to show us  something he has created. The bible verse that I have been meditating on is “the word is the lamp to my feet and the light for my path, Psalms 119:105.

Sometimes when I get to overwhelmed with different things. I know I have God that is willing to give me peace to get through the day. Ask God everyday to give you peace and he will.

“And the peace of God, which transends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:7

Sinking Deep into God’s Presence

 

This year has been a great year so far, God has done incredible things in me. I was sitting in youth group last night and we started singing Sinking Deep by Hillsong Young and Free.

Your love so deep, Is washing over me. Your face is all I seek. You are my everything. Jesus Christ, You are my one desire. Lord hear my only cry to know You are all my life.

Charlee Buitrago lead us in worship last night at Crave and He is like let yourself have a full in counter with God tonight while we sing this song. At the end of that song I had tears in my eyes.  Those lyrics struck me because I have been seeking him full hearted since I recommitted my life to him on July 9. This really spoke to me because I am not letting my focus drift away from him. Whatever he wants me to do I will follow him.

I was just resting in his presence last week and he said ” I have you in the shadow of my wings.” I have been meditating on that since he told me that and the more I do the more true it becomes.

Always remember in the Shadow of Gods wings! 🙂

One Word that Came True

God has given me this past year a lot of eye opening things. A lot of people to have by my side such as leaders at my church and mentors. I have just started attending a bible study on Ephesians.

One saying that really came to mind was “When you have fallen in love with God, you won’t be able to be quite about him.” That has came true because nomatter what is going on in a conversation most of the time God comes up. My friend accepted God because I helped her walk through what God has done for her. That she is always forgiven nomatter what her actions are.

Past couple of months that has definitely came true for me. By having a bigger heart for the God Sized Dream I have committed myself to by saying “yes” to him. Just saying yes to him my life has turned 180.  It has been almost 4 months since I recommitted my life to God and to give him 110%.

These leaders have given me encouragement definitely the hardest parts of my journey with God and joy at the happiest parts. I couldn’t be more thankful than to have them by my side to get advice from.

God bless you! 🙂

Volunteering with Brookwoodkids

Normally teens like to hangout with there friends and just relax on the weekends. I get up 7:30 every Saturday and Sunday to go serve beside some amazing people that have impacted my life. I spend my whole Sunday morning at my church. I get there around 8:15 ish and don’t leave till 12:30. Last year November I was called to go be involved with my church. I was thinking about middle school kids then I just went home and prayed about it. God layed on my heart that I should be with 2 year olds. I am so happy I decided to do 2 year olds because the people I have came in contact with have helped grow closer to God. They always have words of encouragement for me when I am either overwhelmed or stressed about different things. One lady told me “Keep your chin up and know you’re not alone. Remember be strong, God is always by your side.”

My Experience of Crashing My Grandparents 50 Anniversary Trip to the Big City

World Trade Center Memorial

I chose going to Dominican Republic for 5 time to going to Panama City Beach Flordia. My parents and brother went on a mission trip to Dominican Republic so I had to go stay somewhere. My grandparents already planned the air flight and a play they were going to see. We had a back up already if they couldn’t add me since they were so far into the process. Then they came back, said that I was added to it and that I was going to the Big City for 3 nights and 4 days. We stayed in the Wellington hotel right off Times Square. The play ” Jersey Boys” we went to see was the same night we got there. We were up at 4:00 in the morning so we were pretty tired. We had this bus tour pass so we didn’t have to walk everywhere.  My most favorite parts was seeing the World Trade Center and Statue of Liberty.