Back to Reality..

Hello all. So...first of all I pretty much sucked at updating this while I was in Brasil so hopefully you all got my emails and it didn't matter. My bad. I arrived back in the states this past Thursday and oh my what a bittersweet thing it was to be back. My summer in Brasil was so unbelievable. I met the most amazing people and learned so much about myself, other people, the world and the Lord. Here are a few pictures from my trip this summer...

Oi From Brazil!

It is truly amazing that I have been given the privilege to be in Brazil this summer! I have been here for two weeks so far and already the Lord has been so gracious. First of all, the summer has already been far more challenging than I ever imagined it would be. This is definitely a good thing and God is truly stretching me! Secondly, Brazilians are the most welcoming and most loving people I have ever met! They are so patient with us and so willing to serve and help us! God has been so good to allow us to have such sweet friends here.

We have been on the campus of UFMG for about 2 weeks as well. I have met so many people which is a challenge because I have so many names to remember! The girls and guys I have met are amazing. One thing that has been a challenge is the language barrier. Unfortunately, I do not speak Portuguese fluently but it has definitely been a fun experience to learn different phrases! Did I mention that Brazilians are extremely relational? Oh, and I'm pretty sure that they do not get tired! Being here has been a challenge because I am not used to staying up so late! One thing to pray is for our team and that we would take time to rest!

Well, that is all for now. Sorry I have not been updating regularly! Our time is so limited here! We are constantly busy! Until later.......

4 Days Away

I cannot even believe that I will be leaving for Brazil in four days. I am so incredibly overwhelmed but so excited. In thinking about leaving I thought I'd share a few of my thoughts....

First of all, the Lord is truly amazing. I am not even in Brazil yet and my, how I have seen His hands all over this trip. In raising support to go I have had some major ups and downs just thinking that I was never going to reach my goal. "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19) This verse has proven so true, as if it wasn't true before. :) We serve a great God and "he is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" (Ephesians 3:20) I am in awe of all that He has taught me over the past few months. He has shown me my lack of faith and I have learned better how to trust Him.

As I am preparing to leave for Brazil, I am getting anxious about leaving for the summer. I am anxious to leave my family and nervous about being in a completely different place for 2 months. I know that God has so much He wants to teach me this summer. I am begging the Lord to continue to make me sensitive to His Holy Spirit. I want to be a learner and pour my life into this summer. I want to be teachable. I want to embrace it all. I was reading in Romans the passage that has truly become a verse for "those going on mission trips." "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'" (Romans 10: 13-15) I am thinking about my summer realizing that God truly has called me to go to Brazil, however, this is not a summer thing. From the moment that I became a new creature in Christ I was called to bring the good news. I am excited about the opportunity to go and to experience a whole new culture and to hopefully, see the Lord use me. But, I am called to share the good news all the time. I know that I fail daily but I pray that my life reflects the Gospel.

I am so grateful for this opportunity. How amazing is it that God would choose to use us. He definitely does not need me at all...but He picked me to go to Brazil this summer and to be His hands and feet. What a wonderful God! For now, I would ask that you would pray for me as I prepare to leave. Pray that God would continue to mold me into a humble learner as I go to Brazil. Pray for the hearts of those who I am going to be meeting. Until later, Love Wins. :)