Spring Travels & Future Plans

I thought I might as well take a few minutes to post a few thoughts and photos on our 3 weeks of traveling this last month... What a delightful family trip we had!! The first 'real' vacation we've had as an entire family in a couple years!!! I sure hope it isn't the last!!

At the Gaylord Hotel in Tennessee

We started on May 27th, at 4am for Nashville, Tennessee for the ATI Conference, where we went to our various sessions (specifically created for building each age group up in the challenges they may be facing. Rachel and I were the only odd ones out, as we led 2 Pre-Embassy groups of 6 girls each, ages 8-11.

Mama and my 2 "COMMIT" sisters

Student Sessions Choir (Esther is near the right middle, 3 lines up)

Rachel was blessed with an assistant, and I was blessed with a pretty precious group of mostly 8-year olds!! What a special time we had!! Pre-Embassy this year focused in on the lies we believe as women, and the fears we face, and how to overcome them through Jesus Christ. We also created identity statements for each girl.

5 of my 6 Pre-Embassy girls, playing with their newly made pets. :)

Out of the 80+ girls we leaders had (of which most were saved), 3 chose to put their trust in Jesus Christ...what a thrill!!  It was a little shocking and saddening to see how many lies and fears these girls have at such a young age, and gave us such a desperate passion to help these girls in the 3 days we had them (from 8am-5pm), to find the Truth to repel such lies.

One of my precious girls

It was our deepest cry and prayer that these girls would find freedom in Jesus Christ now before they get to our ages.... Imagine if they were able to walk in the freedom of the Truth NOW...what an impact they could have even earlier on, knowing Who they belong to, and how to recognize and renounce the lies of the enemy!!

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God...Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

~ 1 John 4:1-2, 4 ~

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

~ 2 Timothy 1:7 ~

Saturday morning, we flew from TN to Guadalajara, Mexico to spend 2 weeks with the Phariss family. Mr. Reese (writer of the Reese Chronological Bible) happened to be there with his wife and daughter, which was quite delightful! It was an honor to meet him, especially so, as we have very much enjoyed his Chronological Bible (the first one ever put out)... I love especially how it starts out with John 1:1 ("In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."). I would highly recommend going through it sometime during the years, as it will give a new perspective on the timeline, and how the Prophetical books went together with the Kings in the OT... (likewise for the NT).

With Mr. and Mrs. Reese, and their daughter Becky

As I briefly mentioned in my last post, it was a time of rejuvenation, relaxation, healing, and for me, a renewed vision for the future... Originally, I was very hesitant to take time away from my work here at home to go to Mexico, but I am so glad I did, as God did so much in my life there!!

One way to climb a tree...

Didn't know I had 3 monkeys for brothers! ;)

And a very creative descent...oh Tarzan..

Since my Single Service Commitment expired in March, as did my 4-year vision, I have been asking God what He wants me to be doing in this new phase of life. During my time at the IBLP Headquarters, God prompted me to ask Him to give me the impossible number of 10,000 disciples.  After my return home, in my focus of trying to get the ranch reorganized, etc. I kind of shoved all that to the side...however, in Mexico, God brought that back to me, and showed me that that was what He wanted my purpose/passion/vision/aim/goal to be.

Ministering at a boys' orphanage

Seeing their facilities/building expansion projects

With that in mind, that made things of lesser value (as in the things of this world) seem to fade away...to dwell in light of eternity!! Wow! It was as if, the Heavens opened up to me, and I saw another glimpse of my King.

A crane on Lake Chapala 

You might ask, 10,000 disciples? How can that be? God wants us to ask Him for the impossible!

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of Whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

~ Ephesians 3:14-21 ~

But Jesus...said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

~ Matthew 19:26 ~

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

~ Mark 9:23 ~

Did you know that behind every great person, is another great person, and behind that great person, is another great person?? Each of us have everything we are or accomplished to someone else. The same goes for discipling. Thought I might not personally disciple 10,000 people, if I were to disciple 10 people, and they were to disciple 10 people, and they were to do the same, and so on...see how it goes??

The underside of that gecko...isn't God's handiwork incredible?!
(Thanks to my little siblings for catching these the whole time, and to David who took most of those pictures.. ;P)

We serve a powerful God!! However, I know that when God gives a vision, Satan is quick to attack, and do everything in His power to thwart the vision. If you think of it, please pray that I would keep my eyes on Christ, and not get distracted by the things of this world, as it is so easy to do (usually starting with our quiet time). I know this is only possible with my Saviour by my side, and the first place to start is on my knees, and at the feet of my Jesus.

The precious Phariss family and us

I am excited to see what opportunities God has in store for me in the next few years, and my biggest prayer is: "Father, increase my faith!!!"

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

~ Matthew 17:20 ~

Originator of All That Is

I just had a wonderful Bible Study with a new friend of mine, down here outside of Guadalajara, Mexico, where my family is spending a couple of weeks with some friends, primarily for health reasons, but also for rejuvenation and ministry purposes as well.

What an incredible God we serve!!! He is the Originator of Life, the Creator of ALL things living, the Mastermind Architect of the most incredible development ever--our Universe.

Did you know that God told us in the Bible that our world was round and suspended by nothing?

"It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in.."

~ Isaiah 40:22 ~

"He stretcheth out the North over the empty place, and hangeth the earth over nothing."

~ Job 26:7 ~

God also told us about microscopic things, long before scientists discovered them:

"Through faith, we understand that the whole worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."

~ Hebrews 11:3 ~

I love doing studies about the creatures of the Bible...God tells us so much, especially in Job, about the Leviathan...what a fascinating creature!! He tells us much of the horse, and of human life, in so many various passages!! Each is a treasure chest, just waiting to be opened!!!

One thing that really excites me is how much rich insight God shows me when I simply ask Him before I open my Bible in the morning: "Lord Jesus, my Saviour, King and Righteousness, give me eyes to see and ears to hear what You want me to apply today. Speak to me through your Word, Father, and give me insights into Who You are, and what Your heart is."

You know, He has never failed me...He has always shown me something so very applicable (though I'll warrant, sometimes it wasn't quite the 'applicable' I might have wanted, because you see, God wants to get to our hearts!!) 

I would encourage you to ask Jesus this every day before you read His Word. I'm also going through a little devotional a friend gave me for my graduation a couple years ago: "Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence", written by missionary Sarah Young. It is truly inspiring. Not only little love letters from our King, but also affirmations of who we are in Christ.

I have really enjoyed the following website for scientific Bible facts....look it up!!

5 Amazing Weeks in Chicago

God opened the opportunity for me to go to to Chicago for 5 weeks from the beginning of March through April 12th. I was able to serve at the IBLP Headquarters for 1.5 weeks, as well as visit my brother-Daniel (who has been working there since January 2012). It was so good to be able to spend quality time with him--the first in nearly that much of time.

It snowed while we were there, and a bunch of the guys made a fireplace..

Another view...isn't it neat?!

Our cousin-Natalie hosted a Black-Tie fundraiser for the St. Jude's Children Hospital,  which Daniel and I had the opportunity to go to... It was a lot of fun, as I had only a couple of hours to find my entire outfit at the Thrift Store!!! (for less than $20!!! woohoo!)

I very, very much enjoyed my time there at HQ, where I worked mainly in the Shipping department, fulfilling orders. I worked right next to Daniel's division, where he is manager of the Call Center, which was kinda fun!!

In The Gap Ministry Training

My dear friend Amy and I (poor dear sprained her ankle badly..)

After that, I went through their 'Vessels of Honor' Program, as the oldest of 13 girls, ages 12 through 19, acting as the unofficial assistant as well...which was fun. It started out with a Journey to the Heart, which was such a special, meaningful time with my Jesus and I.

Mr. Gothard, my dad, and Mr. Zeisemer all prayed over me and anointed me with oil again for ministry. Daniel was also there, which was very special. God wants us to ask the impossible in His name, and I felt prompted to ask Him to give me 10,000 disciples for Him in my lifetime. That number is not one that I can reach myself, but by God's grace, I know He can work that through my obedience to Him.

During VOH, I stepped up to the plate as the 'unofficial assistant', which was a lot of fun. As I thought, VOH was a really good summary of feminine and Kingdom building skills, and though most of it was a review for me (thanks to my amazing parents), there was something new to be gleaned in each class. God worked a lot in my heart during that time as well, including helping me get more readjusted to life in the US.

Classes included cake decorating, baking, sharing the Gospel effectively, scrapbooking, makeup, hair, and clothing workshops, Bible meditation and memorization, health and nutrition, First Aid, hair cutting, proper etiquette, banquets, and much more.

Bread Baking Class

We went to the Shedd Aquarium, as well as The Bean in downtown Chicago, which was a lot of fun... I love frogs, and so these blue ones held particular interest.

Do you see the 3 hidden fish? (Sorry the picture is blurred...blame it on the water/glass. ;p)

Our group of girls with Kendalyn Staddon...what fun!

There is so much I could tell about my time at HQ, but the main thing God showed me is how very, very much He loves me, and how much He is in the 'perfecting' business.... When we let Him mold us into His image, then we can be His vessels unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work. (2  Timothy 2:21)

We serve an awesome God!!!

Because of His Grace,

Sarah Hope

Surprise Oregon Trip

We went down to Oregon at the end of February for my Mamoo's 80th birthday party...what fun!!!
Just had to share this picture with Mama, Mamoo, and my Great-Aunt Norma...what a blast!! I learned so much about my Ballard heritage this trip,  which was really special. We had a lot of fun, and the surprise was a complete success!!

Mamoo, Mama, Me, Great-Aunt Norma

I am so grateful for my grandma..she has so much initiative, and is so special to me!! I don't get to see here very often, but I treasure each moment!!! Praise God for grandparents who love the Lord!!

Snow Sports!!!

I had two fantastic Snow days this Winter, which I just have to post pictures of:
Skiing in January at Silver Mountain, shortly after I got home...it was a wonderful time with friends and family!!

Part of our party....love 'em to death!! We had so much fun!

 We also went Snow Machining at 4th of July Pass in February..what a perfect day!!!:

The boys had a lot of fun on this hill, as well as some other machiners... Lots of fun to watch!

Samuel and I both made Snickerdoodles...sure pays off to follow the recipe's measurements!! *wink *snicker 

My precious daddy and I!!

I hate my starstruck look, but notice the height difference?? That is my 16 year old brother!!! So happy for him! :D

Part of my purr-ecious family!!! It is so nice to be home!

It is so good to be really home! It has been so very long..I'm so looking forward to what God has in store for me this year!!!

Filipino Memoirs

I post this in May, but the following is what God showed me in February:
Time has passed, and looking back, there have been moments that I had to ask God "What did you accomplish through me in the Philippines? I didn't finish my time there...I didn't accomplish what I went to do in the first place--serve the Bukid people.."

In the last few weeks, God has given me insights into what He did there....
In total, I spent 2.5 months at Mercy Maternity Center, where God allowed me enough practice in midwifery and complications in prenatals and delivery, that I felt completely comfortable delivering a baby without a supervisor, in the Bukid (hours away from hospital help), and also allowed me to share the Gospel to different women and encourage others in their walks with God.

While there, I delivered 15 babies (bringing my total to 25); assisted with over 30 births (bringing my total to over 80); and performed over 70 prenatals (bringing my total to around 200). At one point, I delivered 7 babies in a mere 2.5 weeks, and twice, I delivered 2 babies within 4 hours of each other, on one shift!! That was an interesting experience!!

One Crazy Shift!!

With such short hours of sleep, God again reminded me that it was HE I could rely on for my energy, strength, patience, and wisdom.... Praise Him!!!!

Originally, I was supposed to spend 3 months in the mountains, but because God called me back early, I ended up only spending 2 weeks there, at the end of November. My time in the Bukid was definitely the most challenging of all, not only because I (the only white person there) lived with the tribal people, who spoke almost no English (and I only knew coherent Visayan), but I also had some major adventures relationally-wise with the pastor's wife I stayed with, which created a lot of learning, praying, and growing experiences. I was quickly forced to learn more fluent Visayan, God gave me the patience and oversight to just 'go with the flow'.

Some of the people I discipled/stayed with.

While there, I did a prenatal on a patient, that had I stayed, I would have delivered her baby in late January; helped clean up after Bagio Pablo (Typhoon Bopha, which I lived through); did much discipleship with the girls there; and helped lead Bible Studies and church meetings.... God grew me so much, and we had precious, sweet fellowship.

Ruins of Bagio Pablo

My Filipino Teammates

The remainder of my time in the Philippines (6 weeks), was spent in South Cotabato in Koronadal City (Marbel), with the Serisola family, helping my dear Filipino "sister" prepare for her wedding, get married, and then get moved to her new home (North in Cagayan de Oro), followed by my time in the Bukid before coming back for Christmas Break at their family home.

Kuya Jim Harris ug Ateh Sylvette ug ako--sila bridesmaid. ;p

Truly, it wasn't until I got home that I realized why God had me spend so much time there: Not only did I learn so much spiritually while there, but I also learned the Filipino culture intimately, and invested and experienced their Holiday customs/giving season. God also used me to help transition their family from having an oldest single daughter to having a married daughter, who had her own 'family' now that she was married.

Funny "Family" Picture :-)

That is just the tip of the ice berg of ways God used me, and I am so grateful that He allowed to spend the 7 months He did serving Him in the Philippines.

Truly, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth Salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except the be sent? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. 

But I say, Have they not heard? Yes, verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

~ Isaiah 52:7; Romans 10:11-15a, 17-18 ~

My Last Filipino Days

Before I ever left to go to the Philippines for the second time, both my mentor and my dad told me that if for some reason I needed to come home in the middle of the trip, instead of staying for the full 6 months, that I should not feel guilty for not staying the whole time I had planned.

I didn't think too much about those words, but the thought did come back to me in mid-December, and I thought, "Sure...what could possibly happen that would prevent me from staying my intended length? God would have to do something outstanding for me to return to the US before March!!"

While I was busy that week, the men started revamping the lean-to, to make the roof an extension of the house...that was pretty fascinating, seeing how their creativity, and how they went about accomplishing it.

The plan was that I would finish out the weekend with the Serisolas, and then head back up on Monday to spend the next 2.5 months in the Bukid (mountain villages), serving, discipling, doing prenatals, and delivering my client's baby up there, outside Butuan.

A good view of the construction site, after demolition was mostly complete.

However, January 2nd (Wednesday), on our way back from the beach, I started experiencing excruciating abdominal pain, with varying intensity, from 3-8 (on a scale from 1-10) that started on my right side and then  shifted to the center of my core, followed by my left side. It continued all day and all night, worrying all of us. 

They used a Tricee to carry their lumber, which was kind of fun to see!! What creativity!

Thursday, when it persisted, I got convinced to go get it checked out, since some of my symptoms mimicked early appendicitis. After spending most of Thursday and Friday at the the doctor's office/hospital having all sorts of tests done (that was an experience all in its own!!), the doctor couldn't limit out appendicitis, and after worsening symptoms (including exhaustion after any exertion and pain on lifting things), much prayer, tears, and consulting with my parents, it was decided Friday night that it would be best for me to fly home to the US ASAP for further examination and treatment.

The wall they were building too, and a view of their resourceful ladder (using old wood pieces nailed together)

Getting the basic roof structure up, which unfortunately, I was never able to see to completion. (Love their serious faces)

As it was, there was no way I could be effective in the Bukid, and not knowing what was going on not only put a stress on everyone around me, but also, if it was truly early appendicitis and surgery needed to happen, I would be a burden on my caretakers for 6 weeks, which wasn't feasible or considerate.

I really wanted to delay a week, and see how things progressed, but with over 24 hours air travel home, that was not prudent.

My precious "3rd family" made me my favorite dinner before I left--Chicken Adobo...thank you Inday, akong igsoon ng babae--Ate´Sylvette!! Those memories will never be forgotten.

So, Saturday morning, I took the 4 hour bus to Davao City, packed all my stuff up (leaving some things to be shipped in Butuan), and flew home Sunday morning... Talk about a quick turn around!!

Waiting in the Davao airport to fly to Manila, Canada, and Spokane....

It was more than hard for me...in fact, that was one of the hardest things to do--leave my post (including a soon-to-due patient and much girls' discipleship), to come home, for something that might turn out to be 'nothing' (in my mind)...however, God gave me absolute peace, and I knew that no matter how stupid it may seem, God had greater things in store for me (and looking back, I know He did).

A fun Filipino map of our flight to Davao

After 24 more hours of (painful) travel, I arrived home, safe and sound. After much more extensive testing, it proved not to be appendicitis, but other things that still needed taking care of, and looking back, I have to laugh, because Appendicitis really is possibly almost the only thing that would have made me go home..and God knew that. His creativity is ingenious!!!

My welcoming home dinner with my precious family...

Even though I didn't understand all the whys, even then, I knew God had a bigger, better plan....which, if I had stayed wouldn't have happened as it did, and those blessings are still being unfolded... (as of today -- 5/6/2013) 

I praise God for the family He has given me, and for parents (and siblings!) who have not only wholeheartedly supported me in following my dreams and passions, but have always been there with me through the thin and thick of it.

Thank you all who prayed for me during this time, and during the rest of my missions trip...those prayers were felt, and though there are many things I feel could have been done better, God taught me so much, and used me so much... I praise Him for the support team I had back home!! Your letters were priceless!! (Especially my dear Oma--the President of my Fan Club <3)

Moral of the story: 

- Never underestimate the creativity of God!!

- Trust God to work through your authorities, parents, rhemas, and you for His ultimate good.

- Even when we don't understand, God has a plan, and we can TRUST HIM!!!!

Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He hath done for my soul. I cried unto Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. But, verily, God hath heard me; He hath attended to the voice of my prayer. 

Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me.

~ Psalms 66:16-20 ~