Unstoppable

I am in physical pain but on top of the world! To quickly shed light on why I’m in pain, I got a dermal piercing re-pierced after it had come out. According to other people who have this piercing as well as many other body piercings and tattoos, this is the worst piercings you can get and I’ve got it done twice now within a four month period. The things people will go through for “beauty”. It never ceases to amaze me even though I am one of the crazies.

Back to what this blog is really about, which is pretty much like a diary entry, only I decided to post it online instead of writing it down in my journal. I always leave Wednesday night church feeling so empowered. I literally feel like I can conquer anything and actually truly believe that. I always leave being able to feel God’s presence so heavily that the car ride home becomes “Jesus take the wheel” because I’m in my own dream land with God.

I’m not going to get into it too much as I didn’t do this to brag about in any way but basically I really felt like God telling me to give a gift of money to a woman at church who has a heart for missionary work. She told me last week that she felt called to go to Thailand but the only thing stopping her was finances. With finances being tight for me as well I wasn’t sure that I was the person that could help her. Later on in the evening though, this strong urge to want to help her out came into my mind and just could not be ignored. I needed to do something to encourage this lady and get her started on this calling of hers. After the bible study tonight, I said that I had an announcement and began to share this lady’s story and also to encourage others to give to her as well. If they give to her, they are actually giving to many, as this lady is going to have a huge impact on the women of Thailand, I just know it. I wouldn’t have done this if God hadn’t told me too, but he did. I’m so glad that he did too because I did not expect this lady to start crying as it had touched her more than I will ever know.

Afterwards the pastor (a man I truly look up to and have grown a deep grandfather-like love for) told me that my gift of boldness and the way I take initiative are great things that can be learned from everyone. He also said something along the lines of that it takes an American to come along and show laid-back-Canadians how to just go out and take the initiative and make things happen. As I was walking away he said some words that I could never forget, “THAT’S the kind of thing a preacher does!” What an encouragement this man has been in my life! I can’t believe I only have one more Sunday and one more Wednesday left with these people, and only one more week left with the family I am staying here with. It’s going to be so hard to say goodbye, I try not to think about it too much and just try to enjoy every moment I have left with all these wonderful souls I’ve connected with. I hope and pray that our paths meet again as it is a small world after all.

Despite me talking about just some of the encouragement I’ve received from people lately (because I don’t ever want to forget what God has in store for me), the main thing I took away from tonight is what the ultimate topic of what the pastor was talking about: the importance of prayer. If every single day we devoted a concrete time to get down on our knees and not only pray but cry out to God for a person to come to Him, then people’s life WOULD start changing. It is without a doubt the best thing we can ever do in regards to people’s salvation. I was reminded of how true that is when I realized one of the main reasons why I have been doing so well lately, people have been praying for me! One incredible man has even recently told me God led him to pray that he would carry my burdens. While he’s been having an extra hard time, I have been overcome with unexplainable joy. Even though that makes me feel a bit bad, it proves what incredible power prayer has! I hate to admit it but my prayer life is lacking quite a bit. I need to be constantly in conversation with God throughout the day while also setting aside time that I might usually be watching t.v. or facebooking, and devote it to prayer. I need to do this until I see the people I’m praying for fall to their knees in realization of the love their Father has for them.