Some Thoughts

I was scared to look at the date of my last post, and yikes! it was scary.  I haven't posted in two weeks.  I guess I've been more busy thinking about things than writing about them!

Anyway, I came across these verses today....

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (NIV)
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

I found it encouraging to know that I'm not the only crazy one God chose!  As I think about going to Mexico (in just 18 days!!!!!), I sometimes wonder what I am doing.  I mean seriously, I'm not very brave or outgoing and I'm definitely not eloquent with my words!  But yet, God still has a plan that involves me.  That's pretty exciting (and scary)!

As each day passes and I am one day closer to boarding that plane, I ask that you would remember my team and me in your prayers.  Pray that God would prepare us for what He would have us do while we are serving Him in Mexico!

Thank you, friends!  I am so blessed by each of you! :)

He Is Faithful

Thinking back to December 6, 2013 and seeing God's faithfulness and goodness in this last month.

When I got the call that Elizabeth and Samantha's financial sponsor dropped them, I didn't really know what to do.  I love both of these girls dearly and the thought that I might not be able to continue getting to know them was devastating.  And really, how was I going to support them?  

I had one month to find them both a sponsor, or else they'd go into the pool of unsponsored children.

Right away, Elizabeth (who graduates this month) was sponsored for her final month in the Compassion program!

But I still had Samantha that I was looking for a sponsor for.  I posted on OurCompassion.org about her, and there was a tremendous response.  

Yesterday, everything went through and Samantha is back on my account!!  A sweet girl and I are co-sponsoring Samantha, and I will continue to be her correspondent!

I was so overwhelmed to think that I might not be able to continue being a part of Elizabeth and Samantha's lives.  But now, I am just overwhelmed by God's continual faithfulness and provision and love!

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  - Ephesians 2:10

In Jesus' Name!

I've been thinking lately about all the ways that God has used Compassion to change my life.  And I thought what better time to post about it than after Jessi's guest post (Love is an Action: Compassion Changes Everything!)?

I think back three years ago.  My sister wanted to travel around Europe and go to college in another country.  For the life of me, I couldn't figure out why!  I had no reason whatsoever to go outside the USA.  Then, I got my first Compassion child Aprila.  The moment I saw her, I wanted to go see her.  Compassion has definitely given me a reason and a desire to travel internationally!  My greatest hope is that one day I will be able to meet many of my kiddos face-to-face.  I can't imagine the moment when I would see them running towards me.  My best guess is that I would feel like I was in a dream because something so awesome couldn't actually happen to me!

Similarly, I have learned a LOT of geography!  When I first started corresponding with Aprila, I read the entire Compassion site.  I learned about countries I didn't even know existed!  Now, I can point to them on a map, recognize their flag, and name their capitol.  I've even learned some of the islands in Indonesia.  For sure, Compassion has taught me geography.

But more importantly than all of that, God has used Compassion to change me more into who He wants me to be.  

First, God has shown me through Compassion that there are people who have nothing and that it is His plan for His Church to help them.  I used to think that I was poor.  I was very greedy and selfish.  Every penny I had I spent on myself just for fun.  I did not know that there were people who were literally starving to death or dying of curable diseases or even living in extreme poverty.  

Being a Compassion sponsor and advocate has helped me see that there are many people in this world in great physical need.  But that is not all, Compassion also gave me a tangible way to help those people in Jesus' Name!  

Secondly, God has used Compassion to give me a love for all people.  The second I saw Aprila's face, I fell in love with her.  I did not even know it was possible to love someone who I had never met.  But God has given me such a great love for each of my kiddos.  Through different things I have read because of Compassion, God has begun to give me a love for all people.  He is helping me see them in a positive way and giving me a desire to show them His love.  

Thirdly, God has taught me through Compassion's ministry that it's not all about me.  It's all about Him, in fact.  When I realized that there were many people who are in need, I began to understand that it didn't matter if I had all the clothes and toys and electronics and so on that everyone else had or wanted.  What matters is if I'm spreading Jesus' love.  God has changed my heart so much that I don't even want the "in" things.  I just want others to have the opportunity to get to know the God Who loves them so much.

Fourthly, God has proven Himself faithful to the end through my Compassion sponsorships.  I have no income and I don't get money often, yet every time I go to pay for my Mabel's monthly sponsorship, I have all I need.  I don't have to worry if God is going to provide, because I know He is.  And the neatest thing is that He has provided in so many ways that I never would have imagined!  Just saying, my God is an awesome God!

I could probably go on-and-on about the MANY ways that God has changed me through my partnership with Compassion, but I will end for now here.


If you would like to experience God's love in new ways, why don't you sponsor a child (or a new child) today?  I guarantee you, it will change your life radically!  God will use that child and this ministry to transform you into a different person.

Right now I have child packets for 3 boys - Diego, Diogo, and Rased - would you please look over their profiles prayerfully?  Or will you go to compassion.com to prayerfully consider sponsoring a child (warning: there are some extremely cute kiddos with videos!  You may not be able to resist.)?

224 Lives Changed Forever!

I was so excited to get an e-mail from the event coordinator for Compassion at Kingdom Bound. I was even more excited to see this:

Your involvement made an impact on 95 US & 17 CDN children!

112 children's lives are being changed by having a new sponsor
112 sponsor's lives are being changed by having a new sponsor child

I rejoice! How awesome :) How awesome is our God.

And I am thrilled cause I know that at least two people sponsored older teens. We searched the whole table for the oldest child -February 14, 199# (can't remember the exact year) Born on Valentine's - the holiday celebrating love. Now on a 5th of August, a new holiday for them, celebrating love - the love of a sponsor.

And a girl too was sponsored - my age (15) from India. A sponsor who choose an older child to because he said he was old, who choose an Indian girl cause he wants her to be safe and protected. The love of a sponsor.

I am sure you remember when you started sponsoring, how you fell in love with the child. Hoping that these new sponsors never stop loving and writing their new child!

Say a prayer for all the new sponsors and sponsored children!

(wanna join the party?  Sponsor a Child)

Hop on Over

I feel so blessed to be posting at Shelley's today.  She surprised me big-time when she asked me to guest post on her blog.....about living for Jesus as a young person!

You can read the post here-
my grace is sufficient for you | Unforced Rhythms of Grace

And make sure to check out the rest of her blog, cause it is pretty awesome :)

Thanks Shelley!!

Three Reasons Why My Worship Leader Is Awesome!

My church's worship leader is awesome!  Benji is a songwriter and singer/musician. :)

3. He co-wrote the ever-famous Redeemed with Mike Weaver from Big Daddy Weave.



2. He toured with Mandisa and another guy.  That was before Mandisa was well-known though.  I tried to find the video of Mandisa talking about that at my church, but it seems as though no one captured it :(

1. He loves Jesus with all his heart.  Often he shares about how amazing God is.  I am sure that all our worship leaders hearts are the same- just in love with our Savior.  Here is a song that Benji and his wife Jenna wrote.  I hope you enjoy it!

God of This City, Too

As I have heard and watched the terror in Boston unfold all week, I realize that this will change the history of that city.  This event will change each and every person that was there.  It is just a terrible thing that happened and everyone will be affected negatively...or will they?

I mean what if this tragedy that brought people so close to death that it changes them positively?  What if this caused even one person to come to Jesus?  Would it be considered a good thing then?

The Boston Bombing is going to change the history of that city.  But what if it is like a revival?  What if God's presence could be felt when you walk into Boston?  What if He was God of that city too?




all the glory to God, even in the midst of tragedy.

Good Friday Together, because it shouldn't be any other way

the First Niagara Center was about two-thirds full!

Last night was amazing!  My church participated in Good Friday Together.  Over one hundred church congregations gathered in a stadium to celebrate Jesus' sacrifice.  It was awesome to be with so many brothers and sisters in Christ.  This celebration broke down the barriers of denominations, ethnicities, and even languages.  Around 14,000 Christians worshiped together, despite the color of their skin, their style of church service, or the words they knew.

worshiping together as one Body

I couldn't help but notice the Spanish subtitles and think of my friend who is on a missions trip in the Dominican Republic.  I wondered what it must be like there, to worship God in a different tongue.  

I heard the pastors talk about the seven last saying of Jesus before His death on the cross.  Pastor Angel Gautier spoke in Spanish and a man translated it for us to understand.  Again, how could I not think of the services that my Mabel, Junior, and Mainor were experiencing?  I smiled at the words I recognized- Dios (God), eterna (eternal), amor (love), victoria (victory).

I saw many new family members walk up to the front to learn more about following Jesus.  I experienced the
joy of seeing lives changed.

Pastor Jerry Gillis invited others to give their lives to Jesus

As we worshiped and celebrated together, I was overwhelmed by the massive amount of people there.  Thousands upon thousands upon thousands sat in those blue seats.  This Good Friday will go down in history, because slowly we are going to change the history of Western New York.  Perhaps even someday, everyone who visits here will be able to feel the presence of God on this city.

Now, I will leave you with this song that we sang before we left our family in Christ (perhaps we shall meet again next year).  I sang this song and thought of Buffalo.  And I will share it later with my Compassion family, thinking about Cochabamba, Vijayawada, Waingapu, Nicolas Bravo II, Veracruz, Cap-Haitien, Port-de-Paix, Ambo, Esmeraldas, and Chalchuapa.  Because truly, can't God change every city?

Who Am I?

I gently rub my finger over the cold metal.  I remember when I bought it, how I wanted it to define me.  I practiced lots, and amazingly I become pretty good at baton.  I loved it.  Even to this day, I love to feel the metal wand wrap around my fingers.  But, it is not who I am.

I'm not a dancer.  I never will be.  I am something even better than that.

I am a child of God, loved by the King.

When people see me, I don't want them to see my stuff or talents.  I want people to see my love for God. I want people to my passion to do what is right.  Dare I even say- I want them to see a tiny glimpse of Jesus in me.

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.  Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

-1 Peter 3:3-4

A Lesson in Obedience

Romans 1:29-32, "They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.  Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them."

I have been reading through the whole Bible.  Recently I read Romans, and I caught this verse.  Paul was talking about the wicked people and what they did.  When he said that they disobeyed their parents, it caught me by surprise.

I think in today's world, obedience is considered optional.  Maybe, I even think of it that way.  Sure, I know that the Bible says to obey your parents.

Colossians 3:20, "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord."

The Bible also says to honor your parents.  How often do I obey them without a second thought?  Well, probably not as much as I should.  I think we all could improve in this area.  So will you pray for me to be more obedient and responsible?

My Word for 2013- Faith

Google defines faith as "Complete trust or confidence in someone or something."  

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?" James 2:14

Dear God, even though I do not know where you will take me this year, please help me to completely trust You and act on it.  

"that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.  I want to know Christ."  Philippians 3:8-10

What is your word?

2012 Christmas in Review

I hope you all had a great Christmas!  My Christmas was awesome!  Here are the highlights-

Things I received

I got a beautiful knitted scarf from my sister (picture to follow in days...or months),

awesome stickers to color for my Compassion family from my grandma,

an amazing mp3 player and warm fishing clothes from my parents,

crackle nail polish from my friend,

and a Canon SX260 HS camera!!

Things I Gave

I tatted earrings for my sister,

folded paper ornaments for my dad and mom,

and gave hope to a teen or guardian in Honduras through Compassion's gift catalog.

With all the excitement building up to Christmas, sometimes Christmas Day seems disappointing.  But when we remember why we are celebrating, Christmas is all the more special.

Luke 2:6-7, "While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,  and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them."

^{Matthew 2:7-11, "}Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.' After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh."

Wise men still follow Him.  Our gifts are our lives.

How was your Christmas?

Change a life!

Lizzie :)

What I Learned By Going Door-to-door

Hello!

To get sponsorships for my cycle4compassion ride, I went door-to-door to ask for donations.  I had never done this before, so it was a new experience for me.

The first time, I rode my bike for over an hour.  I only got about half of the block done, but I had over $200 in donations.  It was really encouraging.

The couple at the first house I went to were really sweet.  As you can imagine, I was quite nervous, even though I memorized what to say.  I stepped inside the door while the lady went to get the money.  Apparently the man realized I was nervous, because he told me not to be.  He told me it was a good cause to raise money for.  I know that God used that man to reassure me.  Now I won't say I wasn't still nervous, but I was not as much.

The second time I went door-to-door was after I came home from camping.  Because I had sprained my arm, I could not ride my bike.  So, my mom drove me around.

That day I met two fellow sponsors.  It was so cool to see that there were Compassion sponsors near me.  I could tell that they loved their sponsored kids.  From what they said about their sponsored children, I think they probably write to them as well.  I am so glad that there are other sponsors in my area.  One day when I have a letter writing party, I will invite them.  I would really love to get to know them and their sponsored kids.

While I found going door-to-door easier than asking people I know for donations, it still taught me a lot.  It taught me that God is good all the time and He really does work all things together for good.

Being able to see the people God led to give was awesome.  One lady gave one dollar.  She was so sweet though, and it was all the small bills she had.  She stopped watching a seventies skating movie to find it for me.

All in all, I am glad I went door-to-door.  I can't wait for cycle4compassion next year and to see how God brings all things together to continue sponsoring Mainor.

Change a life!
Lizzie :)

It is that time again!  For more information on how you can participate in Cycle4Compassion this year, go to cycle4compassion.com

Mainor- Part Two

Hello!

First of all, I want to thank you all soo much for your prayers for Mainor.  As you may have seen, I wrote that prayer is powerful.  And it is.  God tugged on someone's heart to sponsor this precious boy.  And she sponsored him.

I am now the proud sponsor of Mainor!!  All the kids always tug on my heart, they are all so cute.  But with Mainor, it was different.  Maybe it was because his mom works, so he is probably alone all day.  Or maybe it was because his house is made of dirt and mud, and it floods in El Salvador.  But one thing is for sure, it was God.

HAPPY FOURTH BIRTHDAY, MAINOR!!

While I have not collected all the money from my ride, once I collect it I will have around $548!  I will use $456 to sponsor Mainor.  I have not decided how I will donate the rest to Compassion, but I have some ideas.

Thank you so much for praying for a sponsor for Mainor.  Please keep praying for him, that God will bless and protect him.

Also, please keep praying for Sharmin.  Her sponsor has not found her yet.  But, I know that God has someone special in mind for her.  If you are that special person, e-mail me lizzie4compassion@gmail.com  I will let you know how to start your sponsorship.

Change a life!

Lizzie :)

Dear God

Dear God,

Thank You so much for my Compassion family.  I pray especially that You will guide each one of them today and bless them.  I love them.

Please, Lord, help the poor children who have waited so long for a sponsor.  My heart brakes for them.  Please bring a loving sponsor to them, to write and encourage them. 

Thank You for the amazing sponsors who love their sponsored children.  Lord, please bless them for loving on Your kids.  I am so thankful that you watch over each one of them.

As we, Compassion sponsors, continue to raise children up out of poverty, please compel many others to join us in this cause.

Lord, please protect all the beautiful little ones.  Let them know that they are loved, and that they are Yours.  Please break our hearts for what breaks Yours.

Thank You, God, for allowing me to help your kids and show them Your love.  Thank You for changing my life through Compassion and the children they serve.

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Please let God change your life by Compassion sponsorship.  The children are waiting for you.
Lizzie :)

NOTE: Because of something I do not understand, Blogger's robot detected my blog as possible spam.  It should all be cleared up soon.  Just wanted to let you know that I am not violating Blogger's rules.