A New Year

One thing I really enjoy doing during break
 is taking pictures of my beautiful sisters. 

A new page is turning over in this wild adventure we call LIFE. 

Beautiful

Amazing girls

With the first semester of Moody Bible Institute behind me, I can finally breathe. I am glad to say that I passed all of my classes. Some classes were really hard so it is a huge relief to pass them all. I got four A's, two B's, and one C. Needless to say, I am pleased to have successfully completed all my classes. 

Not knowing what the next year holds is truly frightening. I cannot predict the future, but I would like to update you all on the current plans for the year. 

"A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps." (Proverbs 16:9)

I will be doing another semester of Moody Bible Institute to finish my CEF requirements. Then, around June 1st I will be flying to Little Rock, Arkansas. There I will be an instructor at their CYIA, then staying in Little Rock as the 5-Day Club ministry coordinator until August. After that is a complete blur. There is a possibility of staying in Little Rock longer. But I do not know what will happen. I am still praying for God to direct after this summer.
2015 is here. A quote that I have always loved:

"We do not know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future."

a fork in the trail

Some amazing things have happened. My finical aid went through and now instead of owing $3,600 I owe negative $555. This is huge. We have been worried about how we were going to pay for school next term, but we were trusting God to provide and He did. Dad, Daniel, and I all got our next term basically payed.

This was around the same time as I got the call from Arkansas.

I was sitting in class listening to class presentations when my phone rang. Normally I would have just ignored it, but I knew who it was and it had the potential to be important. Last summer I attended Good News Across America and the person calling my have been on my team (she is also the director of Arkansas CEF). She ask if I had a minute and I told her I would call her after my class. I called her back and she wanted to know if I would come to Little Rock and teach at CYIA and be the ministry coordinator for 5-day clubs this summer. I have been praying about what to do after this year at Moody. I am thinking I might accept. I don't know any details about it yet though. If you would pray for this decision. It is a great opportunity, but I want to be sure this is where God wants me to be.

This week is also finals.

Prayers would be appreciated.
Thanks!

Catch up!

Feelin' at home with the rain. Wet, cold, and miserable.

I have not written anything for a few weeks and that is not because I have nothing to say, but it is that I have had too much going on. This article I wrote an article two weeks ago but did not post it: 

Wow, this week has been pretty amazing!  It started with Thursday. Thursday was my sister’s 13th birthday. Friday we celebrated her birthday with a tea party and sleep over. I had to work so I missed most of but I made it home for dinner and the sleep over. I got to play music, eat dinner and watch a movie with my newly teenager sister.  On Sunday I also had another great event happen. I got to Skype my college group from Oregon. I really enjoyed seeing everyone but it makes me miss them all so much. 

This week’s amazingness was the continuation of mercy birthday gift, a concert a Casting Crowns concert. I have wanted to see them for so long and I finally got to! It was probably one of the best things I have experienced. We had great seats, pretty far back, but high enough that we could see perfectly.

Sidewalk Prophets

 It started with Sidewalk Prophets. They were good, but I was too excited about Casting Crowns. 

Sidewalk Prophets

Mandisa

Mandisa was also there. She was good and she sang Good Morning and Overcomer. I think this was my sister's favorite part. 

 Then, it happened, Casting Crowns walked on stage!!

Casting Crowns!

Their music was exceptional, there explanations of songs were deep, and their stories, hysterical, I sang my voice horse and enjoyed a great evening listening to great music and making a fool of myself. 

Casting Crowns!

I got so many pictures and videos but I don’t think I will ever tire of looking at them. 

Casting Crowns!

That was an amazing time! 

Last week I had four papers due throughout the week. It was a nightmare and I am so glad it is over. But I also have to keep going this week with a paper due Monday and two Friday and a midterm Tuesday.

Monday night I got together with a group of awesome people and did a pumpkin carving contest. I haven't carved a pumpkin in so long. I was worried because I have not done it without help before. My friend Kristin was on a team with me but after we cleaned it out she had to go to class so I was left to finish. I made a pretty cool pumpkin that I was happy with. Can you guess which one it is? 

If you guessed the one with the Avengers symbol on it you are right. I liked how it turned out and so did the judge. I got a bag of Reese's for winning. 

The funny thing is that before we started my friends are all like, "Mariah canNOT win. She does not need that candy; she is crazy enough without it!" 

Basically, life is good. I am drowning in my 18 credit load on top of working, but I know I will make it. I'm hoping all this information I am learning will stick even though I feel overwhelmed by it right now. Another thing that has been occupying my time is thoughts about the future. What am I going to do when this year I up? Right now my options range from staying here an getting a degree to traveling the world. Literally. Those are just a few of the options I have considered.  

Until the Whole World Hears!!!

Lord, I want to feel with your heart                Ready yourselves, ready yourselves
And see the world through your eyes             Let us shine the light of Jesus in the darkest night
I want to be your hands and feet                    Ready yourselves, ready yourselves
I want to live a life that leads                          May the powers of darkness tremble as our praises rise



  Lord, let your sleeping giant rise
  Catch the demons by surprise
  Holy nation sanctified
  Let this be our battle cry

  I want to be your hands and feet
  I want live a life that leads
  To see you set the captive free
  Until the whole world hears
  And I pray that they will see
  More of you and less of me                                   
Lord, I want my life to be
The song You sing

Until the whole world hears, Lord, we are calling out
Lifting up your name for all to hear the sound
Like voices in the wilderness, we're crying out
And as the day draws near
We'll sing until the whole world hears!!

This song came to mind as I was trying to figure out some kind of anthem for everything that I have been learning here. Until the Whole World Hears is pretty accurate. Moody is a very missions oriented school. For Global Theology class we read a book that talked about the Gospel going to every nation, language, people, culture, and tribe. A book for Christian Missions class was also thus focused. The book was on a missionary to Colombia. He went completely by faith in God's provision and protection.

One verse that I have heard reiterated over and over again is Romans 10:14-15 (the name of this blog!). The thing that has been impressed upon me is that everyone of us is called to be involved in missions. Not all of us are told to go, but we are all commanded to be a part. We are to be goers or senders. I basically boiled that verse down to four words: SEND, PREACH, HEAR, CALL.



 



"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?
 And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? 
And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  
And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?"
 - Romans 10:14-15

MBI Week 4: Insanity!

My first day of work!

I have lost my mind!! So much school!

There are 168 hours in a week, about 56 of these should be spent sleeping. I am at Moody 24 hours a week and I spend 20 hours a week at work. This leaves 68 hours of study and free time. This equals approximately 9 hours a day. This does not include travel time, self care, or eating. If we say that I spend 4 hours a day on these activities, that leaves me with about 5 hours a day or 40 hours a week. 

This week I started working in a retirement home diner. I had orientation all day Saturday and I had my first day Monday. I really enjoy it. Some of the residents are particular, but most are friendly and encouraging to me on my first day. I can hardly wait until I will know all their names and be comfortable serving them. The first and second days were amazingly fast, but that is part of what I liked; no waiting for something to happen is great. It is also good to get my head out of school and focus on other people’s needs for a while.My time is precious to me right now. I am so busy and am starting to feel a little overwhelmed. If you remember you could pray for me. It is a huge praise that I got a job even though it is stressful. Please pray that I will be wise with my time and that I will learn a lot. Pray that I will grow in my love and knowledge of the Word. 

Moody Bible Institute

Moody starts Monday!
I have not been using my blog a lot, partly because I have just been too lazy to update, and partly because I broke my laptop. I can still do updates on my Ipod, but that is tedious. So I will probably not be writing on here very much. I will try to write really short things on my Facebook page every once in a while.
I would love to hear from you! You can message me on Facebook or email me.

MBI Countdown: 6 Wks! VBS + GNAA!! (and a few other TLAs)

Legend:
MBI - Moody Bible Institute
VBS - Vacation Bible School
GNAA - Good News Across America
TLA - Three Letter Abbreviation 

This week: VBS!!
 My church is doing VBS this week. I am so excited to be able to help out; I have work in the late morning, but I can help before work. I get to lead the songs in the morning, and today I got to teach the missionary story. I love the kids so much. I have truly missed working with kids this summer. We have a good amount of kids (I don't have the exact number, I wish I did. Maybe tomorrow...) I'm thinking somewhere in the 50 or so range. I am bad at estimating. 

Next week: GNAA!!!! 
I am heading to Portland next Monday to do GNAA. This is very exciting for me! Last year was my first year and it was in Denver, CO. This year, Portland! I am so excited to have GNAA come to my state. We are expecting great things. The first week we meet our team, go through classes and prepare for club. The nest week we go out and teach. 

In six weeks: MBI!! 
The count down to school starting has begun! I have about 6 weeks until I am in classes. But before classes I will be moving up there. I am still up in the air as to when I will be heading up, probably sometime around August 5th, give or take a week or so. Also, as you hear in my last blog I got a scholarship that will almost cover the whole year! That is so exciting for me, but also poses a question. Do I:
1) Live with my family, have no job?
2) Live with Family, have a job?
3) Move out and have a job?
I am leaning towards #3. I have many reasons for it, if you want to know them, ask me. 

Prayer for this week: 
-To get a lot of kids and be able to reach out to them. 
-Boldness to share the Word. 
-Health
-Energy and strength

 "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak." (Colossians 4:2-4)

Moody News (Good News!!!!!) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, all of you who have been hearing about my going to school this fall, I have been so stressed out about how I am going to pay for school (I was about $3,000 short) Well, I got a scholarship that is going to get me through!! I will only have about $900 to pay for the whole year (plus books)!!!! I am so excited!! Thank you all who prayed for me!!

CYIA Pictures

I got the pictures up on my facebook page, Mariah's Adventures at the Children's Ministry Institute and Beyond.

The Time has Come

I am a little

 late giving 

my report 

for CYIA 

this year, 

but here it is!

Most of my county's people

I had the opportunity to be on the teaching team that demonstrated the 5-Day Club to the students every night before club. Being on the demo team was really cool. 
It was cool to walk around and everyone know me. It was also cool to know that I was making an impact on the whole camp. It was hard to stay humble, I heard a lot of encouraging comments from almost everyone I talked to. I got a lot of complements, which was really nice, but hard to not let go to my head. 

My TEAM!

One thing I really missed on Monday was not having a team of teens to lead or a club to go to. So Tuesday during lunch I met up with a team that had only three people and wanted me to come with them. So I did! It was so awesome to see kids and work with the teens. My adopted team was the best team EVER. We were all kinda crazy. Almost all the kids at our club spoke Spanish. I need to learn Spanish. Bad. It was hard to keep them quiet since they didn't catch everything we said. 

The girls in my room were amazing. We were insane! It was sometimes hard to get them to go to bed; it was hard to get them up too.
Also, my band got to play a couple of songs, but only one got recorded. It was Wonderful Merciful Saviour (that is the link to to video). At the end of the video are the statistics for camp. 831 kids we talked to, and 115 made decisions to believe in Jesus. 

There will be more pictures to come, but I cannot locate my SD card that I took pictures with, so they will have to wait. But they will come...eventually. 

CYIA is Just Around the Corner!!!!!

LOVING THE NEW SHIRTS!

AWESOME FRIDAY
SHIRT! It's all Celtic,
Lord of the Rings,
and Casting Crowns
"Thrive" all at the
same time!!!!

Christian Youth in Action is just ONE WEEK AWAY!! :)

This is last year's picture, pretty much the most awesome CYIA in the world. So excited to see everyone again this year!

Some prayer requests: 

• Confidence, not just for me, but for all the students and staff
• Strength
• Health
• The children to be ready to hear
• That many would be reached
• Focus

Also, on more of a side note, 

I have been having some personal struggles 

that I am dealing with right now. 

If you could pray for me as I try to work 

though it all and still be focused 

on the reason we are doing this. 

I heard this song on the radio and thought that it is a pretty cool song for CYIA. We are doing something important. The most important.  

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."

{Mathew 16:15}

"I'm Going on an Adventure!"

All my worldly possessions either in my car or packed away in boxes, and with my pack on my back and walking stick in my hand, I told my family, "I'm going on an adventure."

Yesterday I got the letter:

"We are delighted to inform you that your application for Moody Spokan has been approved for the fall
semester of 2014. We're sure that attending MBI Spokan will be one of the most significant events in
your Christian experience."

I must say that I have mixed emotions about this. Part of me really wanted to get denied admittance, but the other part of my wanted to be accepted. I have been telling people that I am planning on going, but only if I got accepted (duh); but if I didn't then I would stay here. I was almost hoping that I wouldn't get accepted so that I could stay here. But I think I will go. My stuff is already packed and this will give me the college I need to come back to Oregon ready to work with CEF(if this sounds like I'm still trying to convenience myself, it is). Please pray for me, that I will be at peace with leaving my friends and church family for a while. Also pray that I will be a good worker and earn the funds I need to make it through school. Also pray for wisdom on what to do when I am done. And pray for my mental health...Just kidding, but seriously. Thanks. 

My Girls

Have you ever met someone that just stole your heart? Saturday I had the opportunity to help with child care at a conference. Other CYIAers and I got to teach the kids. I fell in love with two girls in particular. The first girl wanted me as an older sister, I told her I really wasn't that fun of an older sister. Another girl would not listen to the story; she was more content to stare at the picture of Goliath on the wall and pretend to throw things at him. I sat by her to try and get her to pay attention. She started to talk to me, but it was about the lesson, the other kids were not disturbed by it, and that way I knew she was listening and could check her understanding. During the review game the question of how to get to heaven was ask. I ask the girl if she knew; she told me that it was by being really good. I wanted to tell her the truth, but just then I had to get up and teach. I tried to make it very clear in my teaching how to be saved. I didn't get to talk to her anymore after that because I had to leave for work. I hated to leave, and I have to admit that I pouted for quite a while at work.
I also have some exciting news! At CYIA every year we have a team that demonstrates the 5-day club the night before the teens have to teach. Well, I am on that team! We have approximately 150 students at CYIA and I have to teach of them all.  If I mess up, all the teens teaching that might mess it up too. Needless to say, I am kinda nervous. I am also teaching a 50 minute class this Saturday at our CYIA Pre-training. Summer's coming! I got the kit for the summer yesterday; you might way that I was a LITTLE bit excited!
I have put my application in to Moody of Spokane, WA. We will see what happens with that. I am still on the fence about going, but if I get accepted I will probably go.
Thank you all for your continued prayer!

Big Decisions

Right now I am being faced with one of the hardest decisions of my life. 
As many of you might already know, my family will be moving to Washington for my dad to attend school to become a pastor. I am left with the choice to either stay here, or go with them. If I went with them I would get to attend school with almost no charge but if I stay I won't. I need a year of college to do what I want with CEF, but I have always thought I would just do it online while I was working for CEF here. I hate to leave my chapter and my church; I am so involved right now. I'm on the worship team, the sound team, teaching a GNC, helping with Teacher Training, working in AWANA, and a few other odd things I'm doing. Plus we have the whole summer filled full of exciting clubs and activities that I don't want to miss. And don't get me started on why I should not leave because of people here. I already left them for three months, and that was hard enough, but what about NINE months? 
But, if I went, I would not have to worry about finding a place to live, I would get my Bible college done and, I would meet new people. I would still be able to be involved in ministry there, but now the ministry I am doing now. I would still be able to do worship team, and probably CEF work. I could teach a GNC and maybe find an AWANA to help at. 
If you would remember to pray for me that would be great. I am so lost as to what to do. I feel like I'm treading water, trying to delay having to make this decision. But the dead line to apply is coming quickly, and time to find arrangements to stay is quickly slipping away. 
Thank you for your prayer!

Update - January changes to February

Wow. Today is the last day of January (unless I don't post this until morning, then it would be the first day of February). January seems to have flown by so fast. 
February first marks the day that I am officially moving out on my own. I am not going to be living with my family anymore; I am going to be living by myself. It kinda scares me, but I am also super stoked about it. Right now I am in the middle of finishing moving all my stuff and  unpacking it. It's kinda crazy, so if I start walking around pulling my hair out, you will know why. 
I am also volunteering with my local CEF chapter. I am currently working on casting a puppet show, studying for teacher training on Monday, working on a fundraiser, and working on another project that is not to be revealed yet. I am so excited about teaching Monday. If you remember, you could pray for me. It is so exciting, but also terrifying. 
Another big thing is that I finally finished all my TCE 1 and TCE 2 practicums. I already received my TCE 1 certificate, and now I just need to send in my request for my TCE 2 certificate. 
Thank you all for your prayers. You have no idea how much they are appreciated. 

CEF USA Prayer

USA Ministries Child Evangelism Fellowship® February 2014    "Just as the business of the tailor is to make clothes, and that of the shoemaker to mend shoes, so the business of the Christian is to pray." ~Martin Luther People often need a reminder to pray. We have a visual reminder here at CEF International Headquarters. It is the USA Plaza in the Kraft Prayer Garden where state flags fly representing the children living in those states and the workers needed to reach them.  See the video at cefonline.com/usaprayerplaza. Praying for State Directors State coordinators/directors are key leaders in the ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship®. One is needed in each of these states/metro areas: Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington, D.C. Please pray for God to send His chosen, called leaders. This month our intercession is particularly focused on Hawaii, our target state. Please Continue to Pray for Missionaries  We are thankful for the thousands of CEF® volunteers across the country.  Still, we are in need of full-time workers. Please be praying for 100 new CEF missionaries for the United States this year.  Hawaii - Target State Praises: Praise God for expanding our prayer ministry and for expanding the vision of our staff and board. Praise God that we have Good News Club® in schools on three out of five islands and for newGNC™ trainings coming up on Oahu and the Big Island. Prayer Requests: Pray for the opening of two new schools on the island of Kauai and one on Maui and for our staff as we recruit teens for Christian Youth In Action® this summer. Pray for the upcoming Hawaiian Island ministries conference in March, that we could develop many new relationships with churches statewide. Arkansas - Gary Atkins, State Coordinator Praises: God has recently provided a state treasurer. The state office in Little Rock has moved to a more central and convenient location. Prayer Requests: Pray that God will provide a local director for the newly formed Northwest Arkansas Chapter. Pray that God will provide a training coordinator who is a graduate of the  Children's Ministries Institute®. Northern California - Cindy Brown, State Coordinator Praises: Praise God for providing a new state coordinator as Sue Spillman, the state director retires. Praise for two new chapters being formed (Southern East Bay Chapter and Northern East Bay Chapter). Prayer Requests: Pray that God would send us directors for Sonoma County, North Bay Chapter, San Joaquin and Tulare-Kings chapters. We need additional staff throughout our large state to reach the many children. Florida - Chuck Martinez, State Director Praises: Praise the Lord for a meeting with a superintendent of schools who is a Christian. She wants Good News Club in all the elementary Schools. Praise the Lord for a church in Panama City that is adopting a school for a Good News Club. Prayer Requests: Please pray for a director for our Collier Chapter. Please pray for committee members for two future chapters: Broward County and for Citrus/Hernando Counties. Idaho - Robert Smith, State Director Praises: Praise God for the three volunteer Good News Clubcoordinators in southern Idaho He has given us. Praise God for the work He is doing in hearts, raising up volunteers burdened for the children. Prayer Requests: Pray that God will raise up a local director for eastern Idaho. Pray that God will raise up a field worker for the Treasure Valley (Boise area). Tennessee - Keith Lamb, State Coordinator Praises: Praise God for 140 Good News Clubs in 2013 with 67 public schools participating! Praise God for initial contacts to begin Spanish clubs in Tennessee! Prayer Requests: Pray that God would send a director for the Nashville Area Chapter. Pray for new committee members across the state, especially three new committee chair persons and three treasurers with QuickBooks experience. West Texas - Janet Johnson, State Coordinator Praises: Praise God for the strong bond He is building among our West Texas staff, committee and board members, as we pray together and get to know each other better. Praise Him for all the children He brings to our Good News Clubs and for our volunteers. Prayer Requests: That God would provide a local director for the South Plains Chapter in Lubbock. We also need a local director for our Panhandle Chapter in Amarillo. USA - Moises Esteves, Vice President, USA Ministries Praises: Praise God for again giving us several new state leaders this year.   Praise God for all that is being done in Portland in preparation for Good News Across America® 2014. Prayer Requests: Pray for God's continued protection on the ministry of CEF and the Good News Clubs as the season continues in the second semester. Pray for the spiritual and physical well-being of our workers.  There is illness, loss of loved ones and as always, spiritual warfare.

Winter Advance Youth Camp

Have you ever tried to make an impact on another person’s life, yet ended up being changed yourself?

This last weekend I was at a youth camp leading worship with my band. I went there to be a leader and have an impact on the junior high and high school kids. While I was there I met a girl. Her life was a mess to say the least; she was full of pain and questions. I saw me in her. I saw her searching for answers to questions that I have been asking. I pulled her aside and talked to her. She opened up and told me about her life. I was shocked; such a young girl, but so much pain. I couldn't answer her questions. I feel like I left her without much hope. But I left her with a few words and verses from the Bible and I prayed for her. I don’t know what else I can do. She was looking for answers; she poured herself out to me. I pulled her out to help her, but instead she helped me. She has impacted my life in a way I could never explain; I won’t even try to. If you feel called, please pray for her. She is hurting and there is nothing I can do right now. All I can do is pray, and ask you to pray for her. 

The Home Adventures Continue

Today I get to give a presentation at my local chapter board meeting. I will be telling them what I want to do with the training I have received. I am hoping to get to work with CEF full time. I want to work with them for a year or two while I do my required Bible classes and then take over as local director when that is done. Please pray that I will not be nervous and that I will present clearly and in a way that is easy to understand.