=(

What do you say when someone tells you that the absolute most important thing in your life is a complete waste of time??

I miss Team Brasil. <3

I miss Team Brasil a lot more than usual today...



It's hard not to feel as though I let them down; Hard to not feel like a failure.





They were more than a team to me;

they were my family.

people who I went to when I needed help.

there to pray with me when I needed someone.

always supportive through everything.

people who could make me pee my pants laughing

people who could take a joke.

they put others before themselves

very strong christians.

people I could confide in.

I could ask questions without feeing dumb.

do the most ridiculous things.

say what was on my mind.

they were the ones that I trusted with everything





They became a part of me, became the people I depended on. They're MUCH more than a team to me; my very close brothers and sisters in Christ.



I MISS THEM!!

My God Dominates.

"LORD, to whom would we go? You alone have the words that give eternal life. We believe them, and we know you are the Holy One of God."

I was shocked by what my friend had asked me the other day. She had asked me.. "Nikita you've been through SO much this past year. Why didn't you turn your back on the God you serve? And how could a God so good allow something like that to happen to you?" It caught me SO off guard. I don't know why.. It was something that I've been thinking a lot about lately. The only answer that I was able to reply to her was, "Well.. I trust my God with my everything and He knows what's best for me. I don't exactly understand it, but I know without a doubt that He's in control of my life."

My friend isn't a Christian, and she still didn't understand. She said that it didn't make sense me continuing to follow my God even though He's put me through SO much. And she told me that it just seemed as though He'd abandoned me. Why hadn't I just chosen to follow something else, something more fulfilling. By that point my only reply was; I love God, and He loves me and He's with me always, and He'd NEVER leave or fore sake me.

This was a couple days ago. And I've just been thinking a lot about it. My response was SO weak. I should have been able to just drop down a sermon, or just be able to explain to her a little more about what was going through my head. My friend and I have these types of talks often, and she's really actually help me grow in my faith. I was both amazed and in awe of her observations. She had noticed the way that I had taken in the situation. She had noticed that I was going through something very hard. She'd noticed more than some of my Christian friends. She had noticed that I had chosen God.

That verse in John says it all. There wasn't anyone else who could have helped me through everything this year. There wasn't anyone who could have comforted me the way God did. There wasn't ANYONE that could of orchestrated such an intricate incredible plan that worked together for the furtherance of the gospel (Philippians 1:12).

Choosing God wasn't the hard part. Running to Him in times of trouble wasn't the hard part. Receiving His comfort and love wasn't the hard part. The hard part was seeing Him within the difficulty. But once I saw Him... It was incredible. Seeing God within the difficulty blew me away. I saw Him at work; I saw His helping hand within the entire situation, and mostly I saw just how much He loved me. He hadn't just left me there to fend for myself. He had come along side me and bore the biggest burdens onto His shoulders. He was right there fighting the battle, as a strong and noble warrior. The creator of the entire universe was there fighting along side me!! God didn't abandon me during my struggles, He was right there in full out battle on my behalf.

It's something I can't describe in full, but it's something I hold onto. Something that reminds me of how great that God is that I serve. He's willing to suffer with me, in fact He has suffered for me. And it continually astounds me every single day!

My Loving Father.

Someone once told me a long time ago before I became a Christian that for some reason I've always had in the back of my mind. She told me that we can never truly understand the depth and depend on God with our everything until He shakes up our world. We wouldn't fully understand His love, His grace, His compassion, His comfort, and His mercy. We couldn’t understand that He's all-knowing, all-powerful and Omni-present. That we wouldn't understand that He's sovereign, righteous, holy, wise and truth.

It has been something that I’ve always thought about throughout my Christian walk. I forgot about it; and thought to myself.. Well I understand and know that God is all of those things, and He hasn’t shaken up my world. I guess she was wrong. I know how to depend on God with EVERYTHING in my life. I understand His love and compassion. God had comforted me when I had failed that test. Obviously He’s all-powerful; that’s what I’ve been taught. I know that He would love me no matter what I did... But my life was going pretty well, so why should I think any differently about these things. My God that I served was all good.

Then about a year ago, my world started to get shaken up. Everything as I had known it went out the window. That absolutely perfect God that I had been serving had just turned on me. And my life was no longer as I had planned it, and it was no longer perfect in my eyes. And that’s when the questions came, that’s when all I wanted was answers. “All I want is a reasonable answer—then I will keep quite. Tell me, what have I done wrong?” Job 6:24. So then I figured in order to answer my questions I would need to search for them. I studied by bible like crazy, I asked teachers questions, and I’d pay attention in church.

It was then that I realized what that ladie had told me all those years ago was true. God shook up my world. I NEEDED Him to survive, I LONGED for Him with my everything and I CRIED out to Him constantly. “I earnestly search for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1. In return God showered me with his GRACE like never before, He was COMPASSIONATE beyond all compare, He SPOKE to me more clearly than I thought possible, and He LOVED me throughout it all. I was forced to trust Him, it was my only option. In order to take the high road, I needed to TRUST Him with my everything- every last bit of it and He in return would take my burden upon Himself. “I heard an unknown voice that said, ‘Now I will relieve your shoulder of its burden; I will free your hands from their heavy tasks. You cried to me in trouble, and I saved you; I answered out of the thundercloud.” Psalm 81:6-7a.

I realized that the way that my life was going before I didn’t need to trust God. I thought that I had control of my life. I thought that I didn’t need God’s grace, His comfort and I didn’t need to think anything about God’s sovereignty. I was able to trust on my own strength to get through all my little problems. I realized that I wasn’t holding onto God with every last ounce of my being. But when I did something changed, He was now My loving Father that I ran to in times of trouble to seek refuge, He wasn’t just my Daddy that gave me things when I asked. "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him." Nahum 1:7

What she told me was now a reality. My world was turned upside down. Life as I knew it was no longer, and it’s never going to be the same again. I now understand all those things, not only in my head but it’s all poured into my heart. I truly feel that not going to Brasil was part of that journey. It’s allowed me to grow in how much I trust God. I’ve entrusted God with my life... not just some of it, but the entire thing. And if it wasn’t His timing that I go to Brasil, then I trust Him.

The Plan.

"God's secret plan has now been revealed to us; it is a plan centered on Christ, designed long ago according to His good pleasure. And this is His plan: At the right time He will bring everything together under the authority of Christ-- everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because of Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us from the beginning, and all things happen just as He decided long ago. God's purpose was that we who were the first to trust in Christ should praise our glorious God."

Ephesians 1:9-12



God promised long ago that He's going to bring everything together. EVERYTHING. That means me not going to Brasil, my best friend passing away, family not being Christians, and everything else that seems HOW THE HECK is that from God? But everything is going to come together. I think that I've already started to catch a very, very small glimpse of it all. I know that I wouldn't be the person that I am today without every little thing that has happened in my life.
I realize that I wouldn't be able to trust God the way I do now.
I wouldn't have had to depend on Him like I do now.
I wouldn't be as strong as I am now.
I wouldn't have the faith that God changes.
I wouldn't understand that bad things work for the glory of God.

God's plan is better than anything I could EVER imagine. It was planned out a long time ago. And every little thing that has happened was planned. It didn't just happen by accident, and this was what God planned in His orginal plan. He didn't decided that I could no longer handle things and change His mind. God's purpose in my life was that I should praise Him. So that's what I'm going to do.

He loves me more than I can imagine. So I know, and trust with all my heart that something good is going to come out of this. It has to; because I serve a God that is only good.

God's plan.

I see God.

I see God in this whole situation.

He's right here holding my hand, holding me tight.

He's going to get me through the pain

through the confusion

through the hurt

through that feeling of failure.

He's NEVER going to let me go.

Never turn His back on me

Never give me something I can't handle

Never let me go unloved

I will never blame God

Never turn away

Never try to understand why

Never fall away from my Savior

If God really wanted for me to be in Brasil, He would have brought me there. I have no doubt about that in my mind. As I am constantly reminded this isn't Plan B. This has been God's plan the whole time.

So today I am choosing God; not understanding. Because I know that if I choose understanding I won't always choose God.

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!

His mercies never cease.

Great is his faithfulness;

his mercies begin afresh each morning.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;

therefore, I will hope in him!”

The Lord is good to those who depend on him,

to those who search for him.

So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.

And it is good for people to submit at an early age
to the yoke of his discipline:
Let them sit alone in silence

beneath the Lord’s demands

Let them lie face down in the dust,
for there may be hope at last.

Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them
and accept the insults of their enemies.
For no one is abandoned

by the Lord forever.
Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion
because of the greatness of his unfailing love.
For he does not enjoy hurting people

or causing them sorrow.

Lamentations 3:22-33

God knows.... I don't.

I don't understand right now God, but I trust you completly.

I know Your plan is FAR better than anything I could EVER imagine.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Freedom.

Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom

Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom

If you're tired and you are thirsty, there is freedom

If you're tired and you are thirsty, there is freedom

Freedom Reings in this place

Showers of mercy and grace

Falling on every face

There is freedom

Jesus reings in this place

Showers of mercy and grace

Falling on every face

There is freedom

Freedom Reings in this place

Showers of mercy and grace

Falling on every face

There is freedom

Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom

Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom

So we lift our eyes to Jesus, there is freedom

So we lift our eyes to Jesus, there is freedom

2 Corinthians 3:7
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Galations 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Ephesians 3:12
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

BAPTIZED!!!

I got baptized yesterday!!! And it just feels absolutly incredible!!!!

It was more that just baptism. It was God confirming what He's been drilling into my head and heart over and over again these past few months. Just that He's proud of me...

He brought several people today to continually remind me how proud they were of me. And it was EXACTLY what I needed. And it was just incredible to see how many people were there to support me. And just how many people truly cared about me. It was amazing to see how many people were in this together with me on my journey. And just stories of people that have been praying for me for years.. that I had no idea were.

This week I've never felt more alone in my entire life. And yesterday was just an incredible reminder how I am not in this alone, and how I have a HUGE support system. And even though I don't nesessarily realize how much support I have. It's there. It's there abundantly. And I praise God for that. It's always been something that I've struggled with. Not having support that I needed at home and stuff about Spiritual matters with my family being non-believers. But yesterday I realized how loved I really am, and how much people truly care about me.

God continues to amaze me, and He continues to show me how much He loves me, and how proud He is of me. God is good, and I know as I have taken this next step to following Him things are going to get better. I am just ready to pursue the next step now. I'm just ready for more of God!!!!

Confusion.

Romans 11:33-36
Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? For EVERYTHING comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.

Today I was reading Romans 11 & 12. And spent a lot of time reflecting on what's been going on this year. I think of all the loss, all the gain, all the good times, all those heartaches, all those times where I wondered where God was, all those times when God was SO close, all those tears I cried, all those laughs. I remembered how there was great loss this year. There isn't a day that goes by when I don't think about Chelsea or Kyle and the others <3.>

What hit me hard in Romans was the last verse. "For EVERYTHING comes from Him and exisits by his power." It's hard to believe that; especially this year. All of the heartache, the loss, the tears, the pain, the troubles I've dealt with and those times of complete sadness. How can a God that loves me completely still allow that to happen? How could those who were the closest to be not be here anymore? How could God in all this power allow that to come?

And then the second part of that verse "...and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen." I don't see how in any way that everything going on this year would be intended for his glory. I love this verse. And I love the meaning behind it. But applying it to my life it doesn't seem as though anything that happend. The lost of two of my best friends, seven friends, and add to that everything else that's been going on. How is that intended for His glory? Doesn't make sense to me. Sorry I am a downer today. I've overly tired.

Downtown Eastside.

Well we've arrived in East Van. It's been interesting. We're living in the attic of a church. Which we had to do an Extreme Make-Over: Attic Edition. It's taken a little while to get used to. Yesterday we met some of the Youth, and had gelato together. It was nice getting to know them; they're a wild bunch, that come from very broken homes. But I love them. My heart has already broken for them. They have really hit my heart. They we're wild and out of control and the day was complete chaos. But I loved them so much. And I just want the best for them; I want them to understand the compassion, grace and freedom that there is in Christ.

This is where we're sleeping. We still need to clean it out a bit more. And we have to move our stuff out every single morning so we don't die of Dust mites. It makes Team Germ's old living conditions look like a resort.

"After testifying and preaching the word of the Lord in Samaria, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem. And they stopped in many Samaritan villages along the way to preach the Good News." Acts 8:25

As a team yesterday we were reading through Acts 8. And those who think that God doesn't speak as clearly as did in biblical times. I'd like to say that's not true. Our team has continued to read through the books of Acts. And every single time it just seems to be written directly to us. It's crazy. That verse above. I just thought was absolutly perfect. It's our team in a nutshell. Peter and John wanted to go back to Jerusalem. Same as our team wants to get to Brasil. But on their journey they stopped in various places preaching and telling people about the Good News. I tottaly related that to our team. We started out in Abbotsford, and now in East Van. We have just stopped in a few places to spread Christ's love. It's all part of our team's journey to our final destination: Brasil.

Not so Unknown.

****Our VISAs got sent in on Monday, and the Brasilian consulate called MBMSI the other day. And we still don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. A man that was a missionary in Brasil for twenty years was going to call them back. And woo them using some Portueguese. So we're still not too sure on what happend or how it went. So we would really, really appriciate your prayers! We all just want to get to Brasil...Lord willing. =)

Well team unknown is becoming a litte more known. We're heading out to East Van. And we will be working with a Church out there. The Youth Pastor that we'll be working with was actually a missionary in Brasil for five years, and he's married to this woman who is Brasilian. So that will be incredible to work alongside them both.

We will be living in an attic of a church there. All six of us crammed into one tiny place.. That should be interesting. I'll definatly keep everyone updated.

I'm a Missionary.

Isaiah 61

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come"

It's not where I get sent. But it's what I am there to do. I don't care where I go anymore. I just want to serve those who need to be served. Come alongside the brokenhearted, show them God's compassion, mercy and grace. And I really think that i've really grown a lot. And I'm just ready to go where God calls me. Because in the end that's where I am going to end up. And that's were the fruit is going to be produced. So God right now is calling me to Brasil, and now I am going there. As long as I can serve those who need God, then I'm there. Fully engaged and fully ready to serve them with every part of me that I've got, and any part that I don't got-Jesus will shine through. I'm so excited for Brasil now. It took a few weeks to get to this place... but I really feel that God's will is becoming more and more evident in my life. Everytime I spend time with Him in the quite place. And everytime I pray, and becomemore and more intimate with Him. It's not so much where I am going, it's what I am going to do.

And that's something that really has settled in latley, and something that I've really had to accept and really believe in my heart. Staying in Abbotsford, while the rest of the teams went out was really hard. It just seems like they get to serve, and we're just stuck here waiting around. But I was called to serve the brokenhearted, those in need, those who have lost hope, those who are mourning. And I really think feel like God has been teaching me that I don't have to leave the country to find that. And that I am not just a missionary as soon as I go overseas. It starts now, and I have been called to serve. I will go to the corners of the earth, and I am ready. But if God wants me here. Then I am willing.

Well.. I think that I have just arrived in paradise.. <3>

Over these past two days Thailand, Germany, and India have left us. It was two full days mixed with over excitement of the teams embarking on an incredible adventure for Jesus. And sorrow because our family members were getting spread across to the corners of the earth. It was a bitter sweet time.

Thailand has safely arrived in Thailand!!

Germany is safely in London!!

India is on an airplane!!

Brasil is safely in paradise!!

Praise the LORD!!

But Team Brasil, is living at Chelsea's house right now- tentitivley until Tuesday. People and Churchs are praying weather or not they want to host us for the next month. The possiblitlies are: Kelowna, Edmonton, and Winnipeg. We've been praying a lot about it as well. And I know that we have a lot of people praying for us as well.

I think that our team has taken in this whole situation really, really well. We all realize that it's Gods timing. And His will, will be done. If we were susposed to be in Brasil right now, we would have been. So we're going into this next month with open minds, and expecting the best. We know that God has some awesome plans for our team right here. While He continues to prepare our hearts and mind for Brasil.

It's going to be even better once we finally get down there. Our team has been through soooo much, and as soon as we get down there I know that we're going to work even harder. And it's going to be so much more worth it down there, because we had to work through so much together to get down there. It's going to be incredible. I can see our team having such a drive to build relationships, work harder, connect as a team, and spread the Good News together.

I am SOOOOOO excited to see what God has planned in our lives.. and all the other teams!!! God has amazing plans this year for all the nations!! =) And we'll praise Him for that.

I love it.

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

It's really awesome here. Like serisouly theres almost something magical about this place.

Sunsets never looked so gorgeous,
fall never was this beautiful,
God never spoke this clearly,
jumping in leaf piles was never this entertaining,
learning was never this fun,
Grace never flew over this forcefully,
God never seemed this good,
creation was never this spectacular,
worship was never this intimate,
colours were never this vibrant,
God never spoke this clearly,
friends here are like family,
Love never flowed this abundantly,
God never seemed this close before.
He's never captured my heart like this before.



. I love it. I love it with all my heart .

Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar.
Isaiah 33:17

I love my God.

He always loves us no matter what we do, so we should always love Him no matter what He does in our lives.

God it sooo good. That's all that really needs to be said. But let me expain a little...

This morning we did a bible study on Psalm 103. It was amazing! The entire chapter is about praising God. Because He loves us, He is slow to anger and when He does anger He isn't angered forever. How He loves us in our weakness and even though we are sinners. He remembers that we were made from mere dust but still loves us from everlasting to everlasting and casts our sins as far the east is from the west. It just really, really impacted me how MUCH God actually loves us. Even though we are absolutly nothing. It's incredible.

But what I really got from this passage this morning was. Even though He loves us throughout this all. What about us? I was just thinking about our VISA situation.. My first reaction was to say WHAT THE HECK GOD?! I was ready, I was completely prepared to go out to Brasil FINALY. And look what you allowed to happen. It shouldn't be like that. Look at how much God loves us even though we sin. It is the same thing for us. We should love God now matter what God is allowing to happen to us. God loves us despite the fact that we sin reapeatedly, and He looks past all our weaknesses. Therefore we need to praise Him, no matter the situation. God doesn't acuse us constantly or stay angry at us. Since we want to become Christ-like we need to become like Jesus and do the same. You can almost put the golden rule into play here. Treat God the way that you want to be treated.

He always loves us no matter what we do, so we should always love Him no matter what He does in our lives.

In a way it isn't fair.. No matter what we feel towards God. No matter how much anger, hatred, confusion, or resentment He will always love us. His love is unconditional. It was always the same. It doesn't change day by day; it's steadfast. God is SOOOOOO goood. It just blows my mind every single day.

VISAS Blow.

Well.. It's settled in a little more over the night.. I am still in complete shock. The Brasilian consulate told us that we needed to apply for Volunteer VISAs because of the nature of our trip. And Voluteer VISAs take at least three months to process. We don't really have three months to wait around here. So that creates a problem. So we are going to reapply for tourists VISAs but those take at minumum fifteen business days to process. Which is about three weeks. Our flights are booked for October thirty-first.. this creates major problems.. Another BIG problem is that tourists VISAs only last six months. So it seems like the earliest that we can get to Brasil would be December first.

My conclusion..VISAS SUCK!!

Uh-Oh!! :'(

Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

Mark 14:35





Well... Where do I even start?!

Today our VISA's got completely rejected AGAIN.. But this time it's legit. It's pretty much forsure that we have to wait until at least December 1st. Unless a miracle happens... team Brasil is stuck here in A-Town. It really,really blows. Like actually sucks. That pretty much just sums it up right there for yah.



I understand that this is in God's plan. And God's plan is absolutly perfect. It's really hard to fathom though, that God's perfect plan involves something SO painful and hurtful for our team. It doesn't make sense. And it's something that God has been teaching me throught TREK training. That God is my loving Father, and because He loves me. He wants only the best for me. And His plan is absolutly perfect for me.. And it's just been extremely hard just hearing that yet again that my plans aren't what God's plans are.



And It was also really difficult because I was finally at complete peace about going to Brasil. And I honestly felt completely ready to go to Brasil on Friday.



We'll will have to wait and see what God has planned for us here in North America. . . I am still at a point of shock. And it hasn't settled in that I am not going quite yet.



God is good, that's all that really matters.

Well today was VERY interesting.



We found out today that our visas got denied- because they seemed quite suspisous about six young adults just "visiting" for seven months. And apperently it takes fifteen days for us to reapply or for our visas to be finished processing. And we only have nine days until we leave! That includes the weekend. So right now things aren't looking to well. But God has a plan, and His plan is absolutly perfect!! So He'll allow it to work out, or else He'll have us stay here a little longer and wait it out. It's going to work out. I have no doubt in my mind.



It's just been crazy though... Team Brasil is officially up to all six members again!! It was down to four there for awhile.. But we're all ready to go now! It's going to be incredible!!! It's been amazing to just see how God has been working in peoples lives just on my team here. He's completey transformed team Brasil. It's just so amazing to be apart of this amazing journey that God has planned for these amazing people, and even for myself. I can tell that our team is going to accomplish GREAT things together. And we we're told that we have to potential to be the TREK team that learns the most out of all the TREK teams EVER! So that was just incredibly encouraging, and just amazing to hear. It was really motivating as well. To try and actually live up to that now.

God is good.

Jesus Christ's perfectness is completly astounding. He never ceases to amaze me. He comes at the absolute right moments. He comforts us in a way that theres no doubt that He's truly here with us. And He is good and just. I am honored to be serving such an awesome, mighty and compassionate God. His mercy and grace have been showered and poured on me countless amounts of time. Worthy not even to be a slave in His kingdom. God has made me His own daughter. And all my imperfections are made perfect in Christ Jesus. Nothing can even start to compare to Jesus. He's already won the war, therefore all other battles will eventually lead to victory. Some may be lost, some may be won. But in the the end Jesus Christ is the victor over EVERYTHING. I am proud to be Jesus' daughter. And as His loving daughter I claim that my holy Father loves me, and has an absolute perfect plan for me.

Your will be done LORD Jesus. Not mine.

He's proud of me.

This entire week God has been telling me... screaming at me actually ... that He's proud of me. It was something for some reason, that I just wasn't ready to accept, and beleive. But throughout this entire week, it just kept coming up again, and again. And He was so believeable, but for some reason it didn't seem like I could really truly believe Him.
Yesterday I was able to go home for some Thanksgiving supper. It was amazing. In our family, we have this tradition that we go around the room and everyone says what they're thankful for. People went around the room, and said what they were thankful for. And numerious people in my family said that they were SOOO proud of me for what I was doing this up coming year, and how I was willing to give up a year. And it was obvious that this really meant something special to me. I don't know what it was, but it really, really hit down deep. And it made me excited. I am excited what God is doing in my family. How I can already tell that He's changing their hearts. They're starting to understand what I am doing. And I am going to be continuing to pray for my family. God wants them, I know it.
I want this year to be a starting point for my family to notice that there's something different about me. And that diffrence is Jesus. And that they'll notice that difference and want to know more, and be more open to learning more. Because they see the positive transformation in my life, and they'll want that as well.
My family this weekend said that they were proud of me. My friends are proud of me. Jesus Himself is proud of me.
How much better could life get?

4:11 Am.

Can't sleep, can't function. . .

What's there to do at 4:11 am? I am bored.

Sleep.

It's recommended to get at least five to eight hours of sleep at night.
Is it possible to get by on only one or two?

Authority.

Jesus Christ is ultimate authority. He has victory over the darkness and over Satan and all his demons.



ROMANS 16:20 "THE GOD OF PEACE WILL SOON CRUSH SATAN UNDER YOUR FEET. THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS BE WITH YOU."



The time is now to take a stand against evil. The time is now for Jesus to save. Jesus Christ has authority over this world, but Satan has power. If we submit to God who has complete authority, we then have some authority because we reconize Jesus. We can then use that authority to overcome Satan and the grips that he has on us, because of the power that he holds in this world. Jesus' name is a strong tower. Demons & spirits are more scared of us with Jesus than we are of them.

FOR THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH.

With the power of Christ within us, we're able to overcome all and any evil that crosses our pathes. The joy of the LORD is what keeps us going. Without that we're hopeless. God is good, He cares about us so much.

TREK Training...

Where do I even start? Oh my word. I have learned SO much. I love it here. It's been incredible. I love all the people here they're all amazing. There are nineteen of us here living at the Mark Centre. Everyone here is from Canada except one girl from South Dakota. SO we've been here for just over a month now. Here's a quick recap on what we've done and what's gone on so far.

Whistler Get Away- We stayed in this incredible chalet, it was amazing!! God's creation is good.

Grande Tour of Abbotsford- one of the most interesting cities i've ever been to ;)

48 Hour silence retreat-Which was actually incredible. I heard God in ways that I never thought were imaginable.

Amazing TREK- consisted over 14 hours of intense physical & mental exertion of melting a t-shirt with only your body heat, sticking our heads completely under pudding, eating nasty foods, playing bigger and better, getting three dollars worth of pennies from the fountain and much MUCH more!!

Widgeon Creek- canoeing and hiking trip! An amazing time in God's glorious creation. Witnessing peace and calm.

People- The people here are just absolutly incredible!!!! I love them SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Much, that might even be an understatement!! Like seriously. I feel like i've known them for ages. It's pretty sweet!

So yah, those are like the main fun events. It's all been incredible. The thing that's effected me the most is everything that i've learned so far! It's just sweet. Week one was Orientation. Week two was Hearing God's Voice. Week three was Personal Holiness. Week four was Team Building/The Church. Week Five has been Spiritual Authority. But I have learned more this month than I have learned in like my entire life. I feel like i've grown and become a stronger, more mature Christian.

I am heading to Sao Paulo, Brazil. I city of over twenty-one million people. The nightengales who we are going to be helping down there now own a property of tropical rainforest. It's going to be incredible they're starting a new camping ministry. That we get the honor and privledge of helping them start up. It's going to be an incredible experience that I am so stoked for!