A True Miracle of God

       Last Thursday night, our Japan Outreach team baked a whole bunch of brownies, cookies, brownies with cookies baked in them (yeah, how's that for a Pinterest recipe idea for ya) and ice cream, as a way to raise money for our upcoming trip. We decided we were going to sell them by Donation, rather then put a price on the goods. You guys, we could not believe the generosity we saw! Some gave us so much more then we could have ever asked for, some just gave us money to help support us and wanted nothing in return, even some fellow students gave to us when they need help themselves.  The Lord SO blessed our team and we sold EVERYTHING! We counted up everything we made and we were given so much more then we could have ever asked for! We couldn't believe it! Praise JESUS!! On Friday, we all sat and talked as a team and decided we wanted to keep a portion to turn around and bless others with. But then everyone decided to give the rest of the funds to me, because I still hadn't paid the remainder of my tuition that was due that day. I seriously cannot believe the love and generosity of my team!
       A few minutes later, my small group leader called me down to the DTS Office. I had a print out of how much I still owed on my tuition in hand when I walked in to see my two school leaders, my small group leader, and two friends from our outreach team sitting at tables out back. I felt like I had just walked into the principals office. I sat down and helped them recount the donations. Eventually my leader told me, "I don't like giving serious talks.. but I asked to talk to you because I was supposed to tell you that because you didn't have enough to pay for you lecture phase, we had to send you home today."   I just kind of stared at her.. I was being sent home? I couldn't go back to California, I just couldn't.   "But," she continued, nodding toward the couple from my team that was sitting at the table, "..they've decided to cover the remainder of your Lecture Phase, so you can stay."   I couldn't fathom this incredible miracle that had just been placed in my hands. MINUTES before I was told to pack my bags, God stepped in through the wonderful hearts of my friends. If I ever had  problem understanding salvation before, that was gone now. I had a debt that was far more than I could ever pay, and as I was about to be sent home for it, my debt was suddenly paid. Out of incredible love and grace, My Debt Had Been Paid! Are you guys hearing me here? I told so many of you that even though this financial situation over the last few weeks sucked (to put it mildly) that it was a Win/Win for you all. Either way this ended up, you were either going to witness a True Miracle of God, or you all were going to see me a lot sooner then we all thought.
       I would love to tell you all that I had full confidence in God the whole time that He would provide and everything would come in just fine, but I didn't. God asked me one day if I trusted Him, even if He sent me back to California, and I flat out said no. It's a difficult and scary thing to lay your whole life in the hands of a God we can't see. It was a struggle, much harder than I ever thought. There were days I would just sit and cry because I was so afraid of going home.. because I didn't trust Him.. because I wanted to be in control even though I knew I couldn't do this. I wanted to pack my bags on my own because I was too afraid He wouldn't show up. After all the tears and the restless nights, I finally gave up. I turned all my trust over to Him, what other choice did I have? I was still apprehensive because I didn't know how He was going to provide enough to cover this debt and keep me here..

  But He Did. 

        God is so faithful and just when I think I can't fall anymore in love with Him, He comes in and saves the day and I love Him even more then I ever thought possible.  I still need to raise about $5000 more for Japan, but I have full confidence in the Lord that it will come in somehow. He sent me here for a reason, I KNOW He isn't going to let me down. I can't wait to see just HOW He does it :)

         I want to thank everyone of you for all your support, I honestly can't do this without you! And to my amazing Japan Team, if any of you ever see this, you all are the most amazingly giving and beautiful souls I have ever been blessed to know, and I can't wait to go out on this adventure with you♥

So there you all have it, a true miracle of God. He's a pretty awesome Father, right? 

Volcanoes, Flowers & Poop.

        Don't worry, this post has nothing to do with any of those things in the literal sense. Today we got to do Community Outreach, which is where a small team of us head out and serve our community in different ways. Our team gets to work with kids at the local elementary school, and it is just too fun. Kateland and I got to help out in a Drama/Art class of about 22 for kindergardeners and first graders. I know, right? It was a blast. I can honestly say I had forgotten just how funny the word "Poop" is to little boys. Apparently "poop" is a very interchangeable word and can be used as an observation, insult, punchline, or just to spice up conversation. I mean really you guys, this is groundbreaking stuff.
        Seeing the difference between the boys and the girls was too funny. Kateland's table of little girls drew these beautiful flowers and rainbows and stayed on the paper. My table of 5 boys instantly attacked the giant paper.. I imagined it was similar to something you'd see on Animal Planet, when the monkeys are all fighting for food. They instantly began to paint this massive volcano that was errupting and spewing fire everywhere. Everything had to burn in this picture apparently. There was tidal waves and surfers and trees and a few unidentified scribbles.. all on fire. Then they started stabbing the paper with brushes and when I asked them if that was rain, the kindergardener responded, "ITS RAINING POOOOOPPPPP!" and practically collapsed in a fit of giggles.
         Even though the boys and girls are so different, they all wanted the same thing; to be told how wonderful they are. They would all show us, "Look what I did! I painted that! What do you think of my flower?" and they all wanted to hear how amazing they are. And they honestly are! These kids are so bright and talented (..minus the whole burning everything and fecal shower thing) and its sad to think they aren't told that enough.

I already adore these little boogers to no end, and took a picture of their paintings to show you all because I love them that much. 

{Shoot, I am in so much trouble when I'm a mom.}

{My boys' Poop & Lava Volcano is on the far Right.}