Why haven't you posted lately? What's your deal?

That is a wonderful question with a wonderful answer. In one sentence, I'd say that God is doing so much in our lives that it's been hard to keep up with everything. I personally (Kayla) want to share a little bit of what God has been doing in my own life.

First of all, I'm working at a day camp at my church, called Camp Agape, again this summer. I absolutely love working here and couldn't imagine my summer without it. God does so much through this camp and it's so exciting to be a part of it. That being said, God's plans were a bit different than mine. Why? I've only worked ten days out of the whole summer so far. It would be really easy to be extremely disappointed by this, because I have no idea why that would be God's plan. But as I've looked back, I am thankful. First of all, I am thankful for those two weeks that I DID work! In those ten days, God used me in the lives of those kids. I have so many stories of cool things he did, from kids asking questions in devotions, awesome conversations I had with kids about Jesus on the bus rides, and just little ways I saw him moving. And it is also a great reminder that, although we have plans, God's may be different, and we must live each day like we won't have the same opportunities forever. It would be really easy to beat myself up about those ten days unless I know that I worked my hardest for Jesus on those days. I am also thankful for the time God has given me apart from Camp that I didn't anticipate. I have been able to learn more about him and be more focused on him, as well as spending precious time with family and friends.

Another cool thing God is doing is coming up soon! For those of you who don't know, Victoria and I will be leaving for Costa Rica tomorrow! We are so excited! And while we are so excited for what God will do through this trip, I am amazed about what he has already done before we have even left. We have been preparing for this trip for over a year. We have done (literal) homework, had meetings, spent hours in prayer, prepared a skit, and so much more. And God has increased our unity as a team, and grown us all
so much in our faith. As my friend put it, "the person who signed up for this trip, is not the person who is going on this trip." If I had to say one thing that God has been teaching me in preparation for this trip, I'd say that he's taught me that I don't have to go to a different country to make disciples. And I knew that already, but he's been walking me through how that plays out practically in my life. And so as I leave for this trip, I feel like it is just an outpouring of my ministry here! Another cool thing that God put into play in my life was that my family hosted two missionary families for a couple of weeks this summer. It was amazing to hear about their ministry and how God is at work around the world, but the other cool thing was one I didn't expect. They partnered with me! They asked me questions about my trip, gave me tips about living in a different culture, and prayed for me! It was definitely a cool way to launch into this trip.

And lastly, the other thing that happened, happened quite recently. Last Sunday, I got baptized. I had always heard of the baptismal services, and knew I wanted to do that someday, and it hit me that 'why wasn't I doing it?' 'What was holding me back?" The answer: nothing. Baptism, nowadays, is an act of obedience to God. It is a public proclamation that you are fully committed to Jesus. And it is a sign that you identify with Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. That you are dead to yourself and that Christ lives in you. It felt wonderful to proclaim to the rooftops....well, the congregation.....that I love Jesus! And I would encourage you guys, if you haven't gotten baptized, to ask yourselves: "What is holding you back?"

Guys? God's at work! I just told you just a few ways he's at work in my life, but I know he's working in amazing ways throughout the world! Draw near to Him and jump into what he's doing!

P.S. - If you guys are interested in following our trip to Costa Rica, you can see the daily updates and pictures at this blog: http://efcwcostarica2013.blogspot.com/  And if you want, you guys could pray for us! Cause we need all the prayer support we can get!

Amy Carmichael: A True Disciple

What if God asked you to give up everything?  What if He called you to leave your home, your family and friends, even your country to go where He sent you?  For one red-haired, spunky young woman, this is what following God meant.  It meant a complete denial of herself for the good of others.

Amy Carmichael spent her life rescuing young girls from sex slavery in India.  Her life is a testimony of the faithfulness of God when a person is willing to step out in faith and go where He leads.  By herself, Amy was no one special.  She had no extraordinary powers, no special gifts; she did not come from a well-to-do family, nor did she have any background in missionary training.  All she had was a phenomenal trust in the power and strength of God.

Amy was a woman who was completely sold out for God.  She devoted her life to helping, serving and loving on people who were unloved.  Rather than live a comfortable, easy life, Amy chose to live in the slums, to interact with the lowest of the low, to show them that there is a God who cares about them.  Some of the other missionaries thought Amy was crazy.  A bit too radical.  When Amy asked the mission if she could dress like an Indian woman and live with an Indian family to learn the language and the culture better, the response she received from the other missionaries was one of complete shock.  They were speechless.  Live like the Indians?  Adopt their way of life, and conform to their culture?  What a ridiculous notion, they thought!  But Amy, in her stubbornness, insisted on living like a native Indian woman.  She wore a Sari, and started traveling from village to village, proclaiming God's great news and inviting people to experience His love and forgiveness.  People left their homes to travel with Amy, leaving their former way of life to follow God and share His love with others.

The last several years of her life, Amy spent confined to a bed after an accident that left her unable to walk.  As her usual, no-nonsense, practical self, Amy made good use of her time in bed.  During these years she penned many books about missionary life, her experiences on the field, stories of girls she had rescued, and powerful testimonies of God's provision.  Even though she has been gone for many years, Amy still influences people with her story and her life by what she wrote.

Though she never married and never had any children of her own, Amy was a "mother" to many children who had been orphaned, abandoned by their parents, or sold to the temple as prostitutes.  Many of these children lovingly called her "Amma", or Mother.  After her death, Amy was buried in India and a small birdbath was placed over her grave as a headstone.  Hundreds of children who had known Amy would miss their loving "Amma".

For Amy, following God cost her everything.  It required her to step outside her comfort zone, leave behind all that was known and comfortable to her, and go to a country where she was a complete stranger.  She never had the pleasure of marriage or the joy of raising her own children.  All this she sacrificed for the God who had saved her and loved her.  She decided that doing what God had called her to do was worth more to her than fulfilling her own personal pleasures and wants.  What about us?  Are we following God's calling on our lives?  If God called us to give up what He required Amy to give up, would we be willing to do it?  Jim Elliot once said: "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose".  That's what discipleship is all about - following God, even when it costs us something.  This is not an easy way to live, but it's definitely worth the cost.  So what about you?  Are you ready to step out in faith, and live out God's calling for your life?  It'll be hard, but it's worth the challenge.

God Cares

Psalm 56:8-11

You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?

I think this has become one of my favorite Bible verses. It is such a great reminder! As girls, we cry all the time! We cry when we’re sad, angry, frustrated, overloaded, confused, broken, and sometimes when we’re happy or excited! It is so cool to know that God cares about each tear we cry. Not only does he care – he collects all our tears in a bottle; he records them in his book. And when we get to heaven, he will wipe all our tears away! Not only that, but as is shown through John 11:35, Jesus cries with us. It is amazing that the Lord of the universe cares so much about each person! He cares about me! He collects all my tears in a bottle and writes them down in his book, while shedding a few of his own tears. He does the same thing for you! The thing that sweetens this deal even more is what the end of the verses say! God is for me! And I don’t need to be afraid. God is with me, so what can man do to me? So take hold of these verses today and remember that God cares and is rooting for you!

God Cares

Psalm 56:8-11

You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?

I think this has become one of my favorite Bible verses. It is such a great reminder! As girls, we cry all the time! We cry when we’re sad, angry, frustrated, overloaded, confused, broken, and sometimes when we’re happy or excited! It is so cool to know that God cares about each tear we cry. Not only does he care – he collects all our tears in a bottle; he records them in his book. And when we get to heaven, he will wipe all our tears away! Not only that, but as is shown through John 11:35, Jesus cries with us. It is amazing that the Lord of the universe cares so much about each person! He cares about me! He collects all my tears in a bottle and writes them down in his book, while shedding a few of his own tears. He does the same thing for you! The thing that sweetens this deal even more is what the end of the verses say! God is for me! And I don’t need to be afraid. God is with me, so what can man do to me? So take hold of these verses today and remember that God cares and is rooting for you!