Monday, June 21, 2010
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!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
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!
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!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
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!
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!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
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! :)
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! :)
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
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!
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