The past two weeks have been fun filled and God filled. I love telling these kids how much God loves them. This blog consist of my summer missions report three and a run down of the past two weeks.
June 5: Messy Games day was fun! We taught the kids about Joseph this week! They
loved it!Picture below!


June 6: Fantastic food fun! The picture above is from that!
Juen 7: Parachute activities!
June 8: Minin Golf: Watching 4 year olds to Kindergarteners play mini golf is quite entertaining.
June 9-10 The team went to San Fran!

June 11: We found out my teammate, Emily from TN, needed to go home because her grandfather was really sick. Our team is really bonded so it was hard to say goodbye. We miss her.
June 12 Share day. We taught the stories of Moses these days!
June 13 Messy Games day! Yes again this year my face got painted with pudding and whipped cream and sprinkles!
June 14 Balloon day!
June 15 Watermelon day! We read the Bible story about the Red Sea on this day. Well there is a song in the musical call Singin' Praises. Well I said when the Israelites crossed the Red Sea on dry land and saw Pharoahs army get swept up in the water they cheered and sang praises because they were free. Well all of my cool caterpillars started singing "Singin' praises, praising the name of Jesus, singin' praises, praisin' the name of Jeeee---eeeesssssuuusss!" They did it all on there own! It was so precious! They said we love to sing to Jesus. They also like to sing "The Bible's just a book til you open it up and start to read it's pages, oh the Bible's just a book til you open it up and find God's treasure inside." It thrills my heart to hear them sing and talk about Jesus.
Well that has been the past few weeks of Big A. Pray for these kids to know Jesus more and accept Him as Savior and Lord one day. Pray that there parents would come to know Christ.

Summer Missions Report 3:

Describe you activities during this report period:
Our summer program is in full swing now and running. We are open to receive children from 7:30AM to 5:30PM on Tuesday through Friday. We rotate working the morning AM A+. AM A+ consists of the children playing in free choice center, organized games, songs, and a Bible story. AM A+ runs from 7:30AM to 9:45AM. At 9:45AM, all children and teachers are on the playground making sure kids are safe and we play with them. At 10:00 the Big A Club begins. We have various themed days each and a go on field trips. I am working with the Cool Caterpillars which a preschoolers who are going to kindergarten in the fall. We have had messy games day where they got to paint my face with pudding, whipped cream, and sprinkles, we took a trip to the fire department, and another trip to mini golf. We have also had watermelon day, balloon day, parachute day, fantastic food fun, and many more events. Each day the children make a craft and hear a Bible Story. We have talked about Jonah, Joseph, and Moses or as the kids say “Mo-fess”. They can’t say Moses. We also eat lunch with the kids. We are also working on a summer musical that the kids will do at the end of summer. So we have music class too. We average around 100 kids a day. Big A ends at 2PM and PM A+ begins. In the afternoons we rotate out teaching various classes. We play on the playground, do organized games, and teach a Bible story using the Team Kids material. We also play more games and do activity sheets. If I worked AM A+ in the morning then I do work projects which consist of cleaning closets to cutting out stuff to shoveling more bark on the playground. We also have Parent’s Night Out on Friday nights from 6PM to 10PM. We take kids that are babies to 6th grade. We play with them and they hear a Bible story, do a craft, have snack, and have movie time. It is a busy day usually, but it is so much fun to teach these kids about Jesus and how much He loves them.

List any prayer concerns you have:
I was sharing with one of the parents how much the children love to come here and I invited them to church. Well the mom didn’t respond and we went onto another subject. I told her about how when Reilly prays she gets on her knees and bows her head to the ground and it’s so cute that she gets on her knees when she prays to Jesus. The mom said, “Oh she is probably praying to Mecca, we do that at home.” I was so shocked! God has placed this family on my heart this summer and I am not giving up on talking with them about Jesus. It just showed me how lost these people are here. They desperately need Jesus. It has also shown me how lost America is. People in America need God. My heart is burdened for America to know Christ. Pray for the people of Tahoe and pray specifically for this family.

Share a meaningful experience God is teaching me:
I have been trying to determine for quite some time whether or not I should do Occupational Therapy (OT) and missions or if I should go to seminary. Well last year in Tahoe God showed me I can do both. I recently finished the Bible study Jonah by Priscilla Shirer. Now I am reading her book Life Interrupted. God has used that book to show me so many new things. He has shown me I need to leave my dreams of OT behind. My dreams were to go to Belmont and do missions my way. Well God has shown me that I should look into Masters programs for OT instead of Doctorate. He also has revealed to me that missions is my full time thing, but OT is a part of it but a small part. He has also shown me that I need to go to seminary. Financially this is better too because I can get 2 degrees for the price Belmont cost. But ultimately it is God’s plan not mine. God has such big plans and I can’t wait to begin them. I am beginning to hate my plans and fall in love with His. I am actually excited about seminary and OT school even if it is just a Masters.

Thank you for your prayers, support, and cards.

Love,
Kacey Porter

Plant the seed! It has to happen before the rest can!

Well the past week has been great and eventful!

Our Big A club is in full swing.
On June 21, we had pajama day! It was so much fun!
On June 22, we had mummy wrap day, my cool caterpillars got to wrap me up with toilet paper, so I looked like a mummy.
One June 28, we took about 60 kids ages 3 to 6 to the fire department! It was so much fun! I love how the kids are so excited about learning about safety. They got to tour the fire house, ambulance where they got to listen to their heartbeat with a stethoscope, and they got to squirt the fire hose then go into the fire truck.
On June 29, we had carnival day inside because it was raining! Only the 2nd time in 30 years that it’s been inside! It went GREAT! The kids had so much fun!
One June 30, we had magic bubbles day and the kids just love soap haha! They had more fun than any other time! I love how bubbles can put a huge smile on their face.
One July 1, we took the kids 3 years old to 6 years old to Kids Zone. Yes we loaded up about 60 kids in car seats and booster seats and took them on a field trip. The place they go had a play area like a jungle gym and then a theme. This year was the ocean so there was a big pretend submarine, sand table and slide thing. And fish! The kids love this place and it’s educational and encourages imaginative play.
So that wraps up last week’s Big A club.

Things God did this week:
I got to talk with a parent about spiritual matters. I was telling the mom how her daughter is so cute when she prays. The little girl kneels on her knees and lays her head down all the way on the ground and prays. I told the mom that right after I got done inviting her to church which she kindly said thank you. And after the story about the little girl praying, the mom said, oh she is praying to Mecca like we do at home. That made my heart plummet to know that God specifically placed this family on my heart. I thought they were closer to understanding than they are. It shows you never know till you talk to someone about Christ. She quickly rounded up her kids and said bye. I hope that wasn’t my last conversation with her. I pray God gives me more divine appointments. I pray He also softens these parent’s hearts and that the kids will know the truth. The kids are going into 1st grade and Kindergarten. Please pray for this family and others in Tahoe, that they will come to know Christ.
I was teaching the kindergarten class one day and I was telling them how one day they would understand what it means to become a Christian. So, I got to share some of the gospel with them. Planting seeds. We also got to talk about why we study the Bible and why it is important.
I love the things God is allowing me to do. Just loving on kids shows them that God loves them and He wants to know them. It’s the small things that occur now that make a big impact in the future even if it is a musical or a Bible Story activity or a craft that got them there. It doesn’t matter how they get the message it matters that they get it and receive salvation through Jesus Christ at some point in their life when they understand. I love the opportunities God gives us each day!

Things I have heard kids say or seen kids do:
It got cold here last week and I asked Seth, “Who made is cold again?” He pointed to the sky and said “He did.” I said, “Who?” and he said “Miss Kacey, God did!”
I was teaching the busy bees class and we were about to read our Bible story. I asked, “Who remembers what our Bible story is for this week?” Well Sienna raised he thumb and I called on her. She said, “The 10 PIGS!” I said, “What did you say?” She said, “You know the 10 PIGS story with the frogs, bugs, river of blood…” I said “I thing you mean the 10 PLAGUES.” She said, “OH YEAH, THAT’S IT!”
While we were at the fire station touring the bunk house, Logan asked the fireman, “Do you have sleepovers?”
Also while we were at the fire station we toured the TV room. It has a great view of Lake Tahoe so all the kids ran over to that. Well there are also giant recliners in there and a kindergartener, Rory, hopped in one and kicked back and reclined. It was too funny!
We also saw a bear cub at the park on commons beach! It ran behind the kids off in the distance! They were eating lunch and looking at the lake and never knew what we happening. But the little bear cub was just running down the bike path.
As you can see is has been a great week! I know God has even more in store! I cannot wait for what else He has planned! I am so excited. Pray for opportunities to share Christ with the people of Tahoe. Pray for their hearts to be opened. Pray that they will come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior. Thank you for your many prayers. Pray for our team to finish strong and to keep going!
Love,
Kacey.

I am a missionary!

I am currently reading the book Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer. I also completed her Bible study through the book of Jonah this past semester. She is one amazing woman who breaks things down to our live today. Jonah's life was interrupted when he was asked to go to Nineveh. But how would the story look if he had just looked at this interruption as a divine intervention.
I have had a few of those moments in my own life. Many of you know I love Occupational Therapy. I want to do mission work with it. Well since reading this book and the Jonah Bible study, God has reminded me to keep my plans open for His interventions. Of course I jumped to conclusions and said well this means no OT. See I don’t think seminary is the thing for me either. I am still unsure though. Well on Monday night, I woke up right after I had gone to sleep and God started speaking and I started writing. The following is what I wrote.
June 20 Monday Night
This wouldn’t let me sleep tonight. God wants me to be a missionary period. He could care less about the very minor details of if OT is a part of it or not. He cares for sure, but it is not His biggest concern. He wants me to do both missions and OT, but OT is NOT what this is about. This is about telling people who are set for an eternity without a Savior in hell and people of this world that there is hope in Jesus Christ. There is a God who loves them and cares for them. He loves them so much that He sent His one and only Son to die on a tree in the shape of a cross for my sins and yours. I don’t want this summer to be wasted. I am not here to count days, but to make every day count. I am not here just to work or just to teach children. I am here to do that so that I can help build the kingdom. I am here because God trusted me enough to tell these people about His son Jesus and how He can change their life. That is my purpose and calling in life is to be a missionary who tells others about Jesus wherever I go. OT of no OT, I am a missionary. And God is using my talents and gifts such as my passions and desire for OT and special needs children to further His kingdom. People need Jesus and special needs people deserve the gospel too. OT is my way to spread the Gospel around so that people can come to know Christ. This has never been an issue of OT or missions, it’s been about being willing to die to myself and my dreams so I can help further the kingdom and make God’s dreams come true and not my own. I get to do OT. But missions is and being a missionary is the first priority and that is why I am here on this earth. I don’t want this life or this summer to go by and not do what God sent me here to do. I’m here to be a missionary not just to work. The teaching in Tahoe and OT is the conduit to share the gospel. The Great Commission says “As you are going make disciples”. Therefore as I am doing everyday life I should be making disciples for Christ as well. That is what Debs, my supervisor, is teaching us. Missions and sharing the gospel is an everyday life mater not just being a “missionary”. If we are going to call ourselves Christians then we need to remember the job description and do it. The job description = The Great Commission. The rest of how the Gospel gets there is just details and minor things. God’s main concern is gathering people from every nation to worship Him. My job is to help Him do that by sharing the Gospel and I will. I’m a missionary, but I get to share the Gospel through OT and teaching children.
God really rocked my world and showed me that I need to stop this worry and give it to Him and take the next step which is making the most of my time her to share the Gospel with the people of Tahoe. Also, the step after undergrad which is OT school. Who knows maybe some seminary classes too, but for now all I need are the next steps along the path not the whole journey mapped out. Thank you for your prayers. Keep praying for the people of Tahoe to know Christ.
Love,
Kacey

God is always teaching me something new!

God has taught me so much over the past few weeks in Tahoe.
I have had the privilege to work in the preschool with many of the kids I had last year in my class. They have all grown up so much! I have learned a lot being here and I have learned things I need to work on. I have kept the changes I made when I was here last summer, but now I am working on my attitude and complaining when I am tired or overwhelmed. I realize that even when I am tired, I am still supposed to be joyful. I am here to spread God’s great news, and if I am moping around because I am tired then why would people see Jesus in me and want that. So that is my goal is to work on how many times a day I say “I am tired”. Another thing I am working on is putting mistakes in the past and moving on and not dwelling on them. I am hoping I can take hold of this and change it.
One thing I am making my goal this summer is to have a conversation with each of my kid’s parents about God and what Jesus has done for us. Many of the parents remembered me from last year which is great, and I have been able to continue those relationships I started building last year. However, one thing about it that make me sad is that many and most of my parents do not have a personal relationship with Jesus and many have never even heard or know what it is all about. I want to have one conversation with each parent about Jesus and if it leads to it, I want to tell them how they can have a personal relationship with Him. My goal though is to start planting seeds, plant more seeds, water, and possibly see fruit be produced in the form of salvation! I ask that you pray for the people of Tahoe to know Christ. Here it’s not easy to share the gospel. These people have all they could ever want and live in such a beautiful place. However, many of them do not know the Maker of themselves or the beauty. I want people here to realize that there is so much more to life and they too can have that abundant life.
Things I have heard from children this summer so far. We all know I have a little boy around here that I adore named Seth. Well we were in line to go to the bathroom and he comes over to me while we were waiting and starts playing with my hair. Then he said, “Miss Kacey, I haven’t had any stop and thinks today have I?” I said, “No Seth you haven’t.” Then he said “That means I get a prize from my mom.” I said “Yay, Seth!” He said, “I love you Miss Kacey.” I said to Him back, “I love you too.” And he said, “Does Jesus love me?” I said, “Yes even when we mess up and have to go to stop and think sometimes, Jesus still loves us then too!” And he just smiled and gave me a hug. As a five year old seeds are already being planted in Seth’s life. Another kid story is about a four year old named Tucker. He is so funny. He was crying one day when he came in because he didn’t want to leave his mom. Well Ms. April calmed him down and went to another center to check on the kids. Well Tucker still didn’t want to go to centers. So then Miss Alexis, one of our high school helpers said “Tucker do you want to go to a center?” Tucker replied with, “No Miss Alexis, the choice I want to make is for you to call my mom her phone number is and he then recites his mom’s phone number. And says just call her she will come get me.” Needless to say we didn’t and he calmed down and went to a center, but not many four year olds will calmly just say call my mom here is the number. There are many other stories as well!
I love the people in Tahoe. I love the kids. I love the place. God is so wonderful! I have one amazing team too. We have all just gelled together really well. We went to Yosemite last weekend. And some stomach bug thing started. I have not had it and it seems to be trailing off around here, but pray for it to go away. The kids here are still in school. They were supposed to be out on June 16, I believe but they had so much snow this winter that school isn’t out until June 22. So our Big A Club summer program isn’t till June 23. So we have been doing school year things. This is why I have worked in preschool during the day while the girls are in orientation (since I have been here before). Also we are all working with the age group we will have for Big A club. I will have the same kids I had last year which means I will continue those relationships and plant seeds.
Another thing God has shown me again is that missions and occupational therapy is for me. OT is just the way to spread the gospel more! Missions is my life though, but OT is a part of that. I am so excited to see what God does with it. I was questioning it again when I got here and to whether or not I could do both. Well yet again on the first parent’s night out, I had a special needs kid. His name is Joaquin, and he has a mild form of autism. He would flail on me and babble and really liked lights. I was able to calm him down and communicate with Him and then he fell asleep in my arms. It was so sweet and in those moments God said what He did last year at the first PNO, see Kacey you can do both. For it to be the first PNO again and God show me that is such a God thing. The little boy named Finn that I worked with last summer at the first PNO now comes to afternoon A+. He has down syndrome but you wouldn’t know it at all! He is just like a normal kid which is the goal of pediatric OT is to help special needs kids to live a normal kid life! I am so excited for God’s plans for my life and I know He wants to do great things through me and I am available.
Pray for me and my team. Pray for the staff. Pray for children and parents to come to know Christ this summer. Pray for all the people of Tahoe to know Christ. Thank you for your prayers and support!

10 days!

That's right! In 10 days, I will be heading back to Tahoe for the summer! I am so blessed to be able to return to the place I was last summer. I felt God calling me to go back there to continue building the relationships that started with people their last year! I cannot wait to see the staff and meet my new team. Even more than that I cannot wait to see my kids again and their families! I believe God has allowed me the opportunity to go back to Tahoe to continue those relationships and possibly lead someone to Christ. I also believe He is allowing me to go back to grow more. People may think I am going back to pick up the part of my heart I left there but I am not, I am going back to leave more of my heart their! I hope that in some way while I'm there and have been there that Jesus shines through me and that the people of Tahoe would come to know Him. I want to know Him more too. I have to remember the gift of salvation that God gave me is meant to be shared not just kept in my heart! I need to be more proactive about giving the gift Christ gave me which is someone be willing to tell me about Christ, so I could know Him. Now if I don't tell others then others won't get to know Him. Jesus isn't meant to come into our hearts and stay in a little box. He is meant toot be shared with everyone. If we aren't sharing Christ with others, can we say we actually love others? More importantly can we say we love Christ if we aren't doing what He commanded us to do which is go make disciples? My goal is to be more active in sharing! And I am gonna do my best!

I''m GOING BACK!

I get to go back to Lake Tahoe this summer and serve God again there! I cannot wait to see what God has done since I left and what He will do! I can't wait to catch up with all my supervisors, precious children, families, and church members! God is so good to allow me to go back to a place I love. I left part of my heart there and now I get to go back and leave more!!

Pictures!

Thats my Seth!

Sorry its been so long since I updated. Its been crazy and God has been showing me a lot. I have grown in so many ways and I didnt realized until today in You are Specials. Debs taught me how to be open and willing to change. I am no longer concerned about myself rather I am concerned about others and investing in their lives. These past few weeks have been a blast with my Little Lions. A few stories:
1. I asked Seth whose Seth he was and he said you and miss Megan's from TN.
2. I was teaching the Kindergarten Bible story about the man on the mat who couldn't walk and his 4 friends carried him on a mat to Jesus and they lowered him down to Jesus through the roof. Well then Jesus tells the man. Get up, take your mat, and walk. So he gets up and takes his mat and walks. We were acting it out as I told it. well Tavis said really Jesus can do that and I said yes. He said, "Woah! Thats cool. I totally believe in Jesus."
3. I told Tucker (3 year old) to put the wood chips in his hand down and he said, "But Miss Kacey, I 'm just trying to give everyone the keys to power."
4. Hannah Banana (3 year old) had comes up and said, "I have wood chips in my panties." I looked and sure enough she did. So we went to the bathroom and fixed that problem.
5. My class was walking to lunch on day and we walked by the registration table and I said say "Hi, Mrs. Mo." Well Brandon a four year old in my class, said that then looked at Miss Debbie and said, "Hello Miss Jesus" haha I laughed so hard.
Oh the things kids say and do!
The week of July 13-16
July 13 was Pinata Day and I worked with the Kindergartener's because the other teacher was at youth camp. But it was fu nand the kids loved it.
July 14 was WATER DAY! They had a beach ball sprinkler and we used the little tike cars and had a car wash! Then we had relays with a sponge over their head and they had to squeeze it in the bucket. Then we had a cup with a hole in it. They filled it with water put it on their head and ran to fill up a bucket. Then we had a big blow up water slide. And 2 slip-n-slides and we use snow tubes to go down them.
July 15 we had messy games day! By far my favorite. First they put their face in a pile of sugar and pulled out a tootsie roll. Then they put their face in a pie pan of chocolate pudding to get a gummy worm. Then the best they got to paint the teacher's faces with pudding. Then added sprinkles and whipped cream! It was a blast! I laughed so hard and loved every minute of it.
July 16 We had foam noodle games. and the kids always love that.
The week of July 20-23
July 20 we had bubble day. Four year olds love bubbles and are so cute with them.
July 21 we went to Kids Zone in Truckee which is a big indoor play ground and
activity place.
July 22 we had parachute day and they loved it too! I was a big kid myself.
July 23 we had our first musical practice. Musical is on Wednesday and a slideshow of summer. You can bet I will be crying.
I started crying this week. I cried holding kids at PNO because I realized a week from then I would have to tell them bye. I cried during You are Specials on Saturady because I realize how much I have grown as a person and in Christ.
God is definitely not finished with me. I have learned we will never be done growing until we reach eternity. I know God has big plans and I am closely listening to Him about what they are. I have had the best summer of my life. I don't want to leave these precious kids and their families. I don't want to leave the staff and church. I love it here and the scenery is just an added bonus.
Thank you for your continuous prayers and support all summer. Continue praying until I am home at 830PM July 31. I am going to pour out all I have in me and in my heart this week to these kids. Pray for me as I have to say see you later. Because its not going to be easy. They have a big piece of my heart.

It's Not About Me, It's Not About Them, It's All About My God And Serving Him

Sorry it has been so long since I have updated. We have been super busy and its been hectic around here. Team issues have arised but of course thats gonna happen with 12 girls living together so we fixed those. I have been forgetting to do some little things around here and we all have which hasnt made the staff to happy so we are having to work on some things. But I got upset over a lot of it then realized It's Not About Me, It's Not About Them, It's All About My God And Serving Him. It's about furthering His kingdom not pleasing people. So in the future I will fix the things that have went wrong this week and move on. Things are going great with Big A and I love my kids so much. I can't believe I only have 3 weeks left here in Tahoe. I also can't wrap my mind around the fact that Josh comes home on Monday. It's crazy how fast summer is going by.
The past 2 weeks at Big A.
June 29 Our class went to the maritime museum and saw boats. They loved it.
June 30 We had share day so all of the kids brought a toy from how and shared it. For Bible story we told the story of Jesus Calming the Storm. Well we used a blanket as the boat, a fan as the wind, and a spray bottle for the rain and told the story. The kids loved it. And we talked about how if the wind and waves obey we should as well right.
July 1 I went to Wild Island Waterpark with the older kids. All of the teachers are on a rotating schedule to go. It was a lot of fun. One of our kid was swinging before he slid down the slide and his head busted open. It was a small cut but deep and he had to have 2 stitches. But he never cried or complained. He said he was completely fine. So we fixed that.
July 2 We had Nerd Day and it was so much fun! Pictures are on FB. Our Bible Story was about Paul and Silas in prison for preaching the good news. Well we built a prison out of big blocks and acted out the story.
July 6 We had Fantastic Food Fun. The kids played games with food. Our Bible Story that day was about Rahab and the spies. So we made binoculars and the kid love them!
July 7 We went miniature golfing. It was interesting with 4 year olds. They each get a turn and you play any open hole haha. We told the story of Jesus Feeding the Five Thousand and Miss Gayle acted it out with the class.
July 8 Miss Gayle was at Wild Island so I had all my Little Lions by myself but it was great. We told the story of the Battle of Jericho. We built up a wall of blocks and marched around it and used shakers we made out of paper towel rolls and beans to bring down the wall of Jericho. It was also Balloon Day that day and they had a lot of fun with that.
July 9 We had All Fired Up here and they brought pottery for the kids to paint. Thay had so much fun! We reviewed out Bible Stories from the week and these kids loved it.
I also had AM A+ Bible Story this week and it was about Samson. Well I think I have only heard about Him once that I can remember so I had to do a lot of studying and preparation to make it fun and exciting. It turned out really well and the kids learned a lot and enjoyed the fun.
The Fourth of July here was fun we cooked at ate a good dinner as a team then we went down to Commons Beach to watch the fireworks. It was good team bonding and fun!
Continue to pray for Tahoe and the people and kids here. Pray for our team and our staff as the summer is coming to a close. Pray that all would work out good for the kingdom and God's glory! Pictures of all of my summer are on my Facebook page.Thank you for your constant prayers and support.

How Great Is Our God

This summer has been incredible God has really been doing some wonderful things in my life. We went to San Francisco this past weekend and on the way home, I got to talking with God and He asked "Kacey, what have you learned this summer?" I stopped and thought and was speechless because I have learned so much I can't put it into words. But I attempted because soon people are going to ask me that question. An easy response would be what I haven’t learned this summer. haha. So I continued my talk with God and this is how it went. Well God I have learned how creative you are and how great you are. When I look around Lake Tahoe, I see your fingerprints all over it. When I look around Yosemite, I realize just how big you are and how small I am in this world. When I look around San Francisco at the diversity of people, I realize yet again how creative you are. When I look at the children's faces, I see each day I realize how creative you are. We are all unique in personality and appearance. No one is the same because you made us and we are fearfully and wonderfully made. God you took your time to make me a sinful person and then sent your son to die for me and rise from the dead so I could have eternal life and be part of your big picture plan. And thank you God for placing that desire of your big picture plan in my heart. And thank you for allowing me to be a part of your plan. You are wonderful. Thank you for placing your desire for the nations to know you in my heart. Thank you for my desire for OT. Thank you that I get to somehow do missions and OT. Only you God can open that door. Thank you for showing me it’s all about knowing you and helping others to know you and being a servant for you. That you for showing me IT'S NOT ABOUT ME! Thank you for teaching me to love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, and with ALL your soul, and with ALL your mind. Thank you for teaching me and using me. Please continue to do so. God has done such wonderful things and that is what I am learning this summer.
This past week at Big A Club was fun! I had to be up early every morning for Morning A+ because I had songs. Then Big A from 10 to 2 then work projects.
Tuesday we had painting activities so we used shaving cream paint-to-paint lions and finger-painted on butcher paper. Wednesday we took 68 3 year olds through kindergarteners on a walking Field Trip to the Fire Dept. It was so fun to see their faces light up at the firehouse and truck. Then we went down to the beach for lunch and playground time. Thursday was CARNIVAL DAY! It was an absolute blast and we very smoothly. We had 122 kids. I was in charge of the duck pond and the beanbag toss. I loved it. Then we did our Bible Story and craft after all of that. There were 14 stations. On Friday we had a normal day and had Frisbee Day in Recreation. It was fun! Then we acted out this week’s Bible Story which was Daniel and the Lion’s Den. One day I asked my little lions what the Bible Story was about and they said lion man and the lions den. haha. I thought it was cute.
This weekend in San Francisco was a blast! I rode a cable car, shopped in Union Square, shopped in Chinatown, went to Fisherman's Wharf, and Pier 39 on Saturday. We stayed with a family on Golden Gate Seminaries campus. On Sunday we went to the Golden Gate Bridge, the Pacific Ocean drove through Golden Gate Park and my FAVORITE the Full House houses! Yes, I saw them in person! Then we went to Lombard Street. The curviest street in America. Then we went to Fisherman's Wharf for lunch and to Pier 33 for the cruise to Alcatraz. Alcatraz was really cool! I loved it! The audio tour was neat! After that we headed back to Tahoe. On the way home driving through the valley there was some intense heat and humidity we thought we were going to die which means we probably will when we get home! haha.
Pictures from this week and weekend are on FaceBook.
Today on my day off I went souvenir shopping on the North Shore. It was def needed...alone time that is haha!
Thank you for your continued prayers and support. They are very appreciated! Love and miss you all!

Summer Missions Report (in case you want to read it)

Kacey Porter
Tahoe Resort Ministries

Well since I have arrived in Tahoe I have not stopped learning and working. Orientation lasted about 2 weeks and was interactive, informative, and interesting to see how things work around here. I have also not stopped having fun. God’s creation here is absolutely breathtaking and when you are here surrounded by mountains a gorgeous blue lake you realize how small you are in comparison to God. I love my local supervisor; she is so passionate about what she does and doesn’t let anything slow her down. One of the first days I was here, she told us her life motto, it’s so true, and God is using it to transform my life like no other. Her motto is: “Life is not about me. Life is about God. Life is about giving ourselves away to the high glory of God.” Boy, did I need to here that and God has been showing me how it is all about others and telling others about Him, nothing else matters. Here in Tahoe these people are very laid back and go with whatever comes their way. Many of them have heard the name Jesus or God but they don’t know what He has done for them. So here in Tahoe, yes, it is about the kids, but it’s also about the parents. We are trying to point them to Christ too not just their children. All day everyday is about kids here and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My team including me is made up of 13 girls. These girls are wonderful and it’s neat to watch us all grow in Christ as sisters. My time here has and is going fast and I don’t ever want to leave. I love it here and my time is spent very well. I am always busy and there is always work to be done around here. During orientation we helped with the before and after school program called A+ because the kids here were still in school. On June 16, Big A Club began. Big A Club is like VBS. We have morning rally, music, recreation, Bible story, crafts, and a whole lot of fun. We also do A+ in the summer before and after Big A Club. Each day at Big A Club there is some special event planned some days we go on field trip in Tahoe with the children. Those are so much fun or we may even have a carnival right here at the church. We have a whole calendar full of summer fun plus all the other activities I mentioned. So that is how things work here in Tahoe.
The children here are so sweet. Each one has taken piece of my heart. One little four year old boy with curly hair named Seth holds a big piece of my heart. One day I asked him if he wanted to come to Tennessee with me, and he said yep then I said ‘I love you’ and he said ‘love you’ with his big eyes and big smile! Then one day he reached over and held my hand in music and he constantly crawls in my lap. He is so sweet and each time I look in his face I see my God and how wonderful He is. These kids here just need love and someone to play with them. Yes, they misbehave but correcting them all day is not fun for them or you so you have to let some things that are little slide. My whole four-year-old Little Lions class is wonderful and so helpful and attentive in Bible Story time. Another thing I have learned here is: ‘What is the worst way to teach a Bible Story?’ ‘The same way you did yesterday.’ I look forward to more summer fun and God moments with these kids.
God has also been growing and teaching me personally. Not only is it not about me but He is showing me more and more how missions is the plan He has for my life. I asked God before I came here this summer to clearly show me His will and where I need to be in it. I have a passion for special needs kids and occupational therapy, but I know I am called into missions and I have surrendered to that call on December 13, 2009. Well the first night we worked with the kids was on Parent’s Night Out and I worked with the little ones. Well this little boy who is five comes in and I looked at Him and it clicked. He had all the features of Down syndrome. Since I have been shadowing a Pediatric Occupational Therapist, I knew things he would and wouldn’t be able to do and helped him. At one point, it’s as if everything faded away and it was this little boy and me and God. In that moment god told me in my hear t that I can do occupational therapy and missions and that is what He wants to do through me and how He wants to use me to further His kingdom. I started tearing up and was so grateful that God would want to use me and my desires in my life for Him. God has been showing me for quite some time but I still was unsure and didn’t fully trust Him till that night. Then on Sunday mornings, I get to work with a girl that goes to this church. She is three and has Cerebral Palsy. Once again, God continues to show me that this is His will for me.
Continue to pray for the people of Tahoe that they would see Jesus and realize their need for Him in their life. Pray for my team that we will continue to bond and grow in Christ. And continue to pray for me to grow in Christ in way I never thought possible because I am growing in ways I never thought possible and I want to continue to grown in Him and serve Him the rest of my life.

I love all that God is doing around the world through my fellow light messengers! Through the hurt of losing Palmer this last week and the car wreck God is doing amazing things through it all. I have had some home sickness this week but I love Tahoe and don't want to leave. I have had my usual worries and doubts about life but Josh from the other side of the world reminded me to give it all to my heavenly Father. So I did once again and freedom and peace from that is indescribable. Josh and I are both growing stronger in Christ as individuals and I can't wait to see what that means for us a couple when we reunite July 31. My team and I are getting closer and hanging out more now that we have some days off. I love it here. I pray that God will give me opportunities to share my story with the people of Tahoe. I constantly keep remembering why I am here. I don't want to leave this place ever. Thankfully I still have a lot of time to serve left. Please continue to pray for Josh and I as we serve this summer and all of the other light messengers. I love and miss yall!

It just hit me...

tomorrow is Father's Day and I am not doing well. I have cried and cried I miss my dad so much. And I know its gonna be hard here tomorrow hearing all the girls talk about being a daddy's girl.
Written in 2005 still true today:
Do you ever just have those times in life where reality hits you big time and you realize this is really happening? Well I know this is wierd but it has really hit me in the past few days about how much I miss my dad. For those who don't know he died when I was 9 on December 3, 1999. It was like I knew he was gone and all but it just didn't seem real. Today I got out my baby pictures and my scrapbook and just looked at the wonderful times we had together the 9 years and 4 months that he was a part of my life but for aobut 3 or 4 years I had to see him every other weekend bcuz my parents were divorced. wow this has hit me really hard and it is like welcome to reality. I miss all the small things we did and shared...
-the unique nicknames he gave me such as rooster which he ALWAYS called me i had abotu 50 nickknames
-he would always swim in the pool w/ me and play w/e games i wanted to play
-we ate wierd food combinations like lettuce, jello, and miracle whip together another is miracle whip and potato chips
-we would "fight" over the last homemade bread and butter pickle in the jar and he alway let me have it
-We would have "daddy days" that was when mom worked overtime and me and him would go to Rudy's diner and eat then go have fun<--my favorite memory
-he would always buy me the candy cigarettes lol I called the candy ret cigarettes I still call them that
-Snow White was the movie we always watched together he always acted otu the part "make a wish and take a bite" lol
-when we went to the lake in the summer w/ my aunt and uncle he would always throw me in the water and play w/ me
-our favorite food was chips and dip
-I would help him out w/ painting sometimes which was his job
-we would watch NASCAR together EVERY sunday
-he always got me what i wanted
-he loved me so much and I wish I had more years w/ him
He won't EVER be there when I...
-get my permit
-get my licsense
-the most important thing to me is he won't be the one to walk me down the aisle when I get married
-he won't get to know his grandchildren and my children won't know him but I will tell them all I know
My step dad is great and he can't ever replace my dad. I am sry that yall had to here all this but I needed to get some of this out. Gosh I miss my dad so much he is not here to watch me grow up. I miss being daddies little girl.

I wish he was here to see me in college and doing missions and how much I love God. I miss him more than anything. He would be so proud! I love you daddy.

"You're the God of this City You're the King of these people "

Even if they do not know it here in Tahoe He is the King of this city and the Lord of this nation. I was listening to God of this city tonight and broke down. These people here is Tahoe need Him so much. Greater thing are truly happening here and yet to come. He has the power to turn these peoples hearts to Him. It amazes me how someone can look around at this beauty and not know there is a God who hand crafted it all.
On June 12 and 13 we went to Yosemite National Park. That just put me in awe of God's creation again. He is truly so wonderful. My mind can't be wrapped around how creative He was in His design of everything. I have truly learned how small I am in comparison to everything else. It's not about me at all. It's all about God.
This week Big A club started and its been difficult but rewarding all at the same time. It has had its challenges and struggles and trials but my God has pulled me through and constantly reminded me why I am here and that is for these children and their parents and the people of Tahoe City. I have some children who have STOLE my heart here one of them is name Seth. I told myself that I wouldn't fall in love with this little 4 year old angel because Megan from TN that came here last year loves him and he is hers but somehow God led me to Him and I teach His class and I get to wrap my arms around Him each day and tell Him I love Him and Miss Megan does too! Seth has the prettiest blond curls and his eyes and smile get me everytime. One day I was holding him on the playground and this was the conversation:
kacey: "seth i love you"
seth: i love you
kacey: "i wanna take you home..."
seth: " to tn"
and we both smiled big
oh that boy has my heart.
One day in music we were sitting and learning the words and I was sitting Indian Style and he reached over and held my hand for like 5 mins. I love my little lions class. They are all so fun and cute. We told the story of Jonah this week and acted it out 3 times because they loved it so much. We let them get inside a "whale" and did sounds and motions. One thing I have learned here is "What is the wrong way to tell a Bible Story?" "The same way you told it yesterday." So each day we tell the story differently.
God is showing me so muc hthrough my own quiet time of how i need to daily draw close to Him and give Him my fears and worries daily. He is also showing me plans for my future. Next summer I feel that He is calling me to serve internationally. God is also working in Devotion time with the team. We are going through John Maxwell's Learning the 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player. Wow you think you have some of these qualities until you learn what they really look like so God is showing me how to be these thing fully through Him. He is changing me so much I can't even describe it. The qualities we have done so far are Adaptable, Collaborative,Committed, Communicative,Competent, and Dependable. So those are what I have begun working on.
This week has also been difficult because on Wednesday I got a text and email that one of my fellow Light Messengers went to be with the Lord. The New England Travel Team was in a car wreck. Everyone else survived but Palmer. He took his last breath in this world and his first breath in heaven. I know we are all saddened even if we didn't know him that well. One thing I do know is he would want us to keep serving Christ whole-heartedly this summer. So that is what we are doing as Light Messengers and I know his life will leave a legacy.
Continue to pray for his family and that team and all the Light Messengers around the world. Pray for Tahoe, its team, the children, the parents, the people, my team, my supervisor, the staff, and for me to continue growing and trusting God and following His plan not my own.
Thank you for your continuous prayers and support. I love and miss yall.

Our God is Greater, Our God is stronger, Our God is higher than any other, Our God is healer awesome in power, Our God, Our God

Since I have been in Tahoe God has not stopped working. In orientation, in A+, in lesson planning, in everything I do! So this blog is all about God moments in Tahoe.

1. "It's NOT about me. It's about God. My life is about bringing glory to God." -Debbie Wohler. Thats one of my supervisor's quote. And its so powerful because everything here is Tahoe is not about you. It's about God nad loving people with God's love. It's about being the best teacher you can be to these kids. It's about everything BUT you. And I need that reality to sink in and be lived out in my life.

2. No doesn't mean no. It just means it can't be done that way. When God told me in my senior year of highschool that I could do OT and missions I didnt believe me and he kept telling me but I still didnt believe Him. Well I do now. At Parents Night Out, He showed me when I got to work with a little boy with Down syndrome and at church Sunday when I got to work with a little girl who has cerebral palsy. I love that all along God had a plan. I trusted Him at times and other times I didnt well when I was faithful He showed me another piece of His plan for me.

3. Even though I am pouring out my life to the people of Tahoe. God is blessing me in huge ways and doing great things all around me. In South Asia, Josh is building relationships with people and being able to share about God and teaching English. In Clarksville there has been VBS like crazy this week and children have heard the Gospel. Through the passing of a precious little boy God is providing Spring Creek Baptist Church with a playground. After a tough year for that same church and it's youth group, God has provided them with an awesome youth pastor! And their world is about to be rocked in more ways that one becasue of centrifuge! God is doing huge things even in people at home that I know. And I know that the 90 Light Messengers could tell you more and I am so excited about how the kingdom is being impacted for Christ this summer.

4. When you hike and stand on a moutain here or stand by a waterfall you realize how great our God is. Its so beautiful here and you can't help but see how small you are in comparison to God.

5. God is also working in my life and showing me where to serve next summer and where my life maybe leading me. God has shown me that I need to serve internationally next summer possibly at the orphanage in the Philippines. He is also showing me that international missions oculd be my life nad to not close myself of to it at all. So I said. Here I am send me. I am willing and available and I will go.

6. I could go on and on aobut what God is doing but I can't form some of it into words thats how much He is doing in me and through me.

Things I have also learned in Tahoe:
1. It is not ok to teach a Bible Story the same way 2 days in a row. And you must be excited about telling it and let the children be involved.
2. Most of these children, this is the ONLY Jesus they see! This is all they get. But what a great opportunity to hear about God day after day in the summer they get 3 Bible Stories a day.
3. I have learned you can tell Bible stories with object lessons and games too.

God is amazing. And I stand in awe. When you fully surrender all to Christ big things happen.
"So I'll stand with arms high and heart abandoned in awe of the one who paid it all. I'll stand my soul Lord to you surrendered all I am is yours!" -Hillsong.

I am God's and He is mine. He loves me and everyone else so much.

Prayer Request:
1. My team is awesome and I hope we continue to bond more and love more and work together as a team and be the best we can be.

2. The staff especially tomorrow. These people area amazing and have already touched my life!

3. The children that their hearts would be open to Christ more and they would know Him personally.

4. The parents that they woudl come to know Christ. And that they would be open to him.

5. That God would open the eyes of all of our hearts to see the needs of people and meet them. That God would shine His light on us so that we shine whereever we are.

6. That changes I make this summer would be permanent.

7. That I take every opportunity God gives me and use it to its full potnetial.

Play hard, work hard, PRAY HARDER! God is big and I'm praying for oyu as you pray for me. I love and miss each one of you!

Busy! and love it!

The past few days have been super busy.
Saturday: We spent the whole day sharing testimonies and yes it took all day but it was great to here where we all came from and how God has worked to bring each of us here! I loved it.
Sunday: Church was amazing and yet again God showed me OT and missions is possible! I got to work with a girl who has cerebral palsy. She was so sweet!
Monday: We had more orietation and I worked with the preschool A+! I love them dearly.
Tuesday: We did My Morning Out and more orientation and found out our Big A Club (the daycamp thing) placements. I am with the Little Lions who are 4 but not going to kindergarten yet. I have been working with this class in the preschool so the ones I have fell in love with I get to keep working with. They are so sweet!
God has done some wonderful things through me. We did conflict assessments yesterday and I usually avoid it and let it bottle up inside then explode so I am going to work on that this summer. Also I have learned to be more aobut others rather than myself. This is a challenge but if the kids can do I can and I have God's help too!
There are so many things He is doing here but it's getting late plus I don't have my journal with me. Pray hard for all of my team, the staff, and the kids. God is rocking my world and I can't wait to see how He molds me this summer :) love yall!

It's Not About Me

Well when God says hold on tight it's gonna be a crazy ride believe Him. I have not stopped moving since I got to Tahoe. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT HERE! I have feel in tee-total love with the scenery, people, staff, my team, and the best part the children. They have stolen pieces of my heart already. We have been having lots of orientation time in the mornings. They are still in school here so Big A club which is like a day camp wont start until June 16. Until then we run the Morning and Afternoon program called A+ on a rotating schedule. So this week I am with preschool and after we find out our Big A assignments for the summer we teach that age group. For each program here you do a lesson plan with games, songs, craft, Bible story, Bible verse, and prayer. So we have also been working on as much of those as we can. Oh and you cannot repeat any lesson plans. We also have been preparing meals and cleaning up after meals. Every day for the rest of the summer we are assigned a cleaning job. Mine is to mop the downstairs tile so it's not bad at all. Our schedule is very busy and different right now until Big A begins so its all about flexibility and learning.
Yesterday I felt like all we did was go go go do do do. And God quickly told me Kacey It's NOT about you! It's aobut me and these kids. Well this morning Debbie gave her testimony (fyi she is our supervisor). She like me like to know everything right then well of course God doesnt work that way. One thing she pointed out to was No to one thing doesn't mean NO it can't happen it just means it won't happen that way. Well I have really been struggling with trusting God when He says I can do Occupational Therapy and missions. I mean He is God He can do what He wants but I just didn't see it until tonight. Every Friday night is parents night out. We have anywhere from 50 to 100 kids and are divided up on a rotating schedule. Well I was with 2's and 3's and we had some that were 4 or 5 also in there because of siblings. Well this boy walks in and Brittni one of my teammates says Kacey look. I look over at this little boy with a big smile and his tongue sticking out uncontrollably, slanted eyes, and more. I immediately know he has Down syndrome. God brought him to me as a total blessing. So i got to know this little boy who just loved to be loved and play with trains. I was playing in room of 20ish kids and it was so loud but for a moment it was if it was me, the little boy, and God. God said Kacey, I brought you here also to show you that you can do Occupational Therapy and Missions. My heart sank and tears started coming. Because I had a long awaited prayer answered all because I was faithful to trust God and come here. This little boy is mainly high functioning but I got to use what I have learned in shadowing here and teach him some. God didnt sotp there. I got to talk with his mom and she told me that I can meet his Occupational Therapist and talk with her. God still wasnt done..later in the night I met a mom who wanted information about BIg A and A+ and then she asked me my religion. I told her I don't have that but what I do have is a relationship with Jesus Christ and that He died on the cross, rose from the grave, and wants a relationship with everyone. And how much God loves us enough to send His son to die for our sins. I planted a seed and she is birnging her kids back..this was her first time here and she has already heard the gospel. I didnt even expect God to do so much.
Also in Debbie's testimony she mentioned her lif motto: "Life is not about me. Life is about God. Life is about giving ourselves away to the high glory of God" And boy did that hit me like a brick wall and God once again said IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU! You are here to serve and love on these people who bring their kids who are nonchristians and hopefully bring them to Christ. My heart aches for these people...80% do not know Jesus and maybe have not heard of Him. The only way they hear is through Big A, A+, Parents Night Out, and other ministries like this with First Baptist Tahoe.
God is doing great things and blowing my mind. When we put Him first He works in big ways and shows us to put other after Him and before ourselves. All these concepts are starting to change my perspective in life drastically.
I'm sorry for the long post but God is working like crazy!
Continue to pray for the people and children here in Tahoe, my team, my supervisor and staff, and me that God would continue to stretch me and mold me into what He wants me to be and into His will. Thank you for your prayers so far because as you can see God is working!!! I love yall! :)

Tahoe Tomorrow!

Well tomorrow morning is the day I have been waiting for. I leave to go to Lake Tahoe! Pray for Brittni and I as we travel tomorrow. Pray that when all of our team meets that we get along and all bond and gel together. Pray that God will work as we are traveling and as we arrive in Tahoe. Pray for the people we will encounter. Pray that the people of Tahoe would have open hearts for God. Pray that God will soften hearts and that people will realize they need Jesus. Pray that I would be bold enough to share my story and not miss opportunities! God has big things in store for this summer and I don't have a clue as to what they are and for the first time in my life I'm ok not knowing the future! Pray hard! I will update soon!

One Week!

At this time next week, I will not be on a computer rather I will be on a plane flying to Lake Tahoe for an awesome summer of serving the love of my life Jesus Christ. Josh left on Saturday and arrived on Sunday in South Asia. He is loving every minute of it and I know God is working in big ways over there! We only communicate via text. He has 50 international text until June 17. So every so often I get a text. This summer is gonna be great for both of us to grow in Christ! Recently I have decided to start digging into some books of the Bible. I have started in Galatians and God has blown my mind and God is also showing me a lot as I continue to read Authentic Beauty by Leslie Ludy. I have came up with some goals for my summer that I feel like I need to work on and that I feel God is working on in me.
Goals for Summer:
1. To rediscover my intimate love relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. To learn my life is not my own and its NOT about me.
3. To give God the glory and not my self, to learn to be humble.
4. To let my life be a response for all Christ has done for me.
5. For the changes that God does in my life to be permanent and NOT just temporary.
This morning as I was having my quiet time I was reading Galatians chapter 3 and God was showing me how I have to live by faith and not by sight. And how we received Christ in salvation by faith yet I expect to know everything right away but thats not how God work He works off faith.So I am striving to do that now in my life. As I got done with my quiet time I noticed something neat in my journal. I journal as I have my quiet time. I finished reading in Galatians about faith and looked down and the verse that was on my page was Hebrews 11:1. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Each page has a verse on it at the bottom and that was the one on the page when I finished writing and reading about faith! God sure is awesome!
As I prepare to leave in the next week be praying even more now for the children in Tahoe, my leaders in Tahoe, my team, and for safety. God has big plans and I can't wait to see them unfold.

My life's purpose

I am currently ready Authentic Beauty by Leslie Ludy. God has revealed so much to me through just the first four chapters. I have harbored sin and let go of my first love and replaced Him with other lovers. And its time it all changed and I returned to my first love. So I spent time in prayer to night asking for forgiveness, repenting, and getting rid of other lovers in my life such as selfishness, success, my dreams and hopes. My life is nothing if it's not driven by Christ. I want to be set-apart. I don't want to be Christian only in title, I want to be Christian in my everyday life, in how I live, act, and speak. During this time of seeking Him, God revealed to me His purpose for my life, so from now on all I do must relate to and go under inspection of my life purpose statement.
My Purpose:
My life's purpose here on this Earth is to know my Heavenly Father intimately, and my life is to be a response to what He has done for me on Calvary. While I am here on Earth until I go home I am called to make disciples in all Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth. - Kacey's Life Purpose designed by her Heavenly Father.
So God is going deep with me, and I am going deep with Him as He prepares me for my summer in Tahoe and for the rest of my walk and life with Him.
Please continue to pray for me, the leaders who will be leading us as summer missionaries, my team, and the people and children of Tahoe that the would be receptive to the still calm voice of God desiring for them to become His children and part of our family of God.