lessons learned (part 1)

I was driving home the other day when the song, "Praise You in the Storm" came on the radio. I have always loved that song because it helps me to take the focus off of myself and put it back on God. Then I began to reminisce about lessons that God has taught us the past few years, and how those lessons have prepared us for what lies ahead.
I'll start with myself. It all started after graduating from college. I have always wanted to be a teacher. I grew up hearing my grandparents (Mom's side) speak French, which I thought was really neat. I thought it would be really cool to teach Spanish, that way I could learn a new language too. The mission trips I went on in college confirmed that desire for me. I wanted to learn Spanish so I could communicate with even more people. So I graduated with a major in Spanish and was able to spend 6 weeks in Mexico one summer studying the language. However, in order to teach a foreign language, you have to take an Oral Proficiency Test. That didn't come so easily. Every time I took it, I missed the mark by 1 point. After the 3rd time of taking it and failing, I was discouraged. I wondered if my dream of teaching would ever come to fruition. Everything I worked so hard for in college would not mean anything if I couldn't pass this test to teach the subject I loved.
I remember sitting at church one night. I felt that God was asking me to trust HIM-completely with my career. I felt a strong peace come over me and was confidant that it would all work out. So I smiled and said, "Okay God, its in your hands."
I'd like to say the next time I took the test that I passed, but I failed the 4th time as well. I was confused. I was even angry and at the end of my rope. "Lord, I don't know what else to do! I have tried everything!" There was silence. And in that silence I heard, "Just answer the question." You are probably thinking- Duh! But with the TOPT, they tell you to expand on your answers as much as possible to show how much you know. So here God is telling me to do the opposite, and leave the rest to Him. So that is what I did. I just answered the question. I remember just staring at the wall during the test b/c I had so much extra time left over, thinking there was no way this would work.
Six weeks later, the scores came in. The letter felt different this time. I opened it up. . . "Score: PASSED" It was one of the best days of my life! Tears of joy streamed down my face. I didn't know if I should cry, dance, or fall on my face thanking God for a miracle! I was running all over the house, doing all three. Larry happened to call minutes later and we rejoiced together over the phone, both of us in tears. It was a true testimony of God intervening for me when I let go- and let Him take the wheel!
Through that experience God taught me many lessons. First, to praise Him even when things aren't going my way. Second, to listen and trust that what He says. . .He will do. God is faithful! And lastly, to obey. Even when it doesn't make sense to me!

about the mission

When we moved to Houston, we became involved at University Baptist Church. It was at a bible study there where we heard about HCJB. Two of the couples were affiliated with HCJB Global and told us how we would be a perfect fit. However, we heard that we would have to " raise our own support" which was enough to scare us off. However, God was still working in our hearts and in October of 2006 we decided to take a step of faith. And the rest is history:-)

God began to take us step by step. It didn't seem so scary that way. We went to interview weekend in June of 2007, wondering if we would be accepted. A week later, we received the news that we were! Praise the Lord, the first door was being opened! The only thing was, we couldn't go to training for almost a year. But then, God opened another door, and Larry was able to take off of work in order for us to go in February. The Lord has provided for us in so many different ways and has encouraged to continue to walk forward.

Here is a little about what we will be doing in Ecuador. Larry will be training future radio broadcasters, and I will have the opportunity to teach English to locals. We are so excited to begin. Thank you for all your prayers!

a new journey begins

As many of you know, Larry and I have recently applied with a mission organization called HCJB Global. I'll give you a little background so you know how we came to this point.

It all started in college at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Tx. Larry and I were both involved with an organization known as the BSM (Baptist Student Ministry). It was during our college years that we both questioned who we really were, and what we believed in. We both found out what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Through organizations like the BSM, Cross Talk, and our college church (Martindale Baptist), we learned how to grow in our walk with God.

God began to speak to our hearts about doing missions before we were ever married. I'll never forget that night at the BSM. We were sitting on different sides of the room, and the service was all about missions. I remember the verse for the evening: Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." I knew that God was speaking to me about doing missions, even before that night. My question was, did Larry feel the same call? I was scared, very scared. What if he didn't? I felt that God was asking me to give Him everything, even my relationship with Larry. That night we went back to my apartment, and to my amazement, he said that he felt the same thing. We were very naive, b/c we thought we would get married and that 6 months later. . . voi la. . . we'd be on the mission field.

As you know, God has a plan for us. It is a plan with a hope and a future. But before we were to go, we had some lessons we needed to learn first. And that is what we have been up to the past 4 and a half years. Learning, praying, and now-eager to go!

More to come later:-) Yeah! I wrote my first blog!