"Let us go over to the other side"

'That day when evening came, he said to his disciple, "Let us go over to the other side."  Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat.  There were also other boats with him.


A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 


Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"


He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.


He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?"'


Mark 4: 35-40


I read this Truth right now and laugh for many reasons.  First, I feel like I am in the middle of a storm- there are seasons and times of life and sometimes the weather gets a little rough and stormy and all you have to do is hang out tight! Currently, I am hanging on tight! 


So the disciples see miracles ALL the time.  They witness and see all that Jesus does. What does Jesus say to them when they get in the boat? "Let us go over to the other side".  He didn't say maybe you will make it, we will see what happens.  


Jesus, the Son of God spoke, "Let us go over to the other side"  We are going to make it.  We are going to get there.  Jesus said we are.  


Then, Jesus is peacefully sleeping while this crazy storm is happening.  Why wake Him?  He already said "we are going to the other side".  Oh ye with little faith asking Jesus don't you care if we drown?!  Yet, Jesus awakes when His name is called.  He quiets the storm.  Then, turns to his disciples "do you still have no faith?"


In the midst of my storm... do I still have no faith?  do I still not believe that Jesus cares and loves me and is taking me to the other side?! 


Lord, thank you for calming the storms in our life.  thank you for already having the plan of getting to the other side. help us with our unbelief, help us walk by faith and not by sight.
     

this is the way i live



Haiti is beautiful. 

The life here is beautiful. 

The people are beautiful.  

The Word that comes to me when I think of Haiti and this past year is....

b e a u t i f u l.

This past month has been amazing!  Every day, my faith grows stronger and stronger and the Holy Spirit is teaching me more and more!!  What a  C R A Z Y, W I L D , & G R E A T journey He has me on.  I pray that He has you on one as well because without Him life is incomplete and unfulfilling!

During the month of February, Lori's uncle came to visit!  He is with Lightening and Thunder Ministry and him and his wife brought the lightening and thunder of God to Haiti when they came to visit!  He hosts revivals all over the World and has such an amazing connection with the Lord.  We saw the deaf hear through Jesus, over 500 people prayed over individually, and steps intro freedom through Jesus Christ.  He was such an example of how to be more life Jesus!  I cannot wait to serve alongside him again =)  

I have been able to spend a lot more time with my neighbors.  We have cooked together.  I enjoy sitting with them and learning life from them.  They also try to teach me Creole- except when I tell them I don't understand they just say it louder like that will help me =) I LOVE it SO MUCH!  The other day they were doing their hair (which is such a different process than how we do hair). 

"Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?" James 2:5 

My friends are so rich in faith and teach me how to love more. 

I have also gotten to spend time with my American friends here in Haiti.  I cannot thank God enough for providing that community for me.  There are 7 single American girls who live 2 blocks from my house.  I have loved how much closer we all have grown together and how God has given me such great friends and role models here in Haiti!  We work out together, pray together,  have seen more of Haiti together, and it has been F U N.  We have gone to different pools, restaurants (there are about 10 in Haiti), the mountains, glorious beaches, and even waterfalls!

There is no place I would rather be than here in His l o v e.

He wants to give His children good gifts- as long as you seek Him with all your heart.  When He calls you to do something, don't think about it (because then you might talk yourself out of it), just be obedient and do it.  When I thought about moving to Haiti and surrendering ALL to God- the logical thinking completely talked me out of it; however, He told me to be all in and just follow Him.  2 words . . .
 Yes, Lord. 

write His story on my heart

I can’t comprehend your infinitely beautiful and perfect love.

Truth: “My mind cannot grasp how wide, how deep, his love is for me”.

One day I will.

When I am face to face with my Father.  That is what I long for.  That is my heart’s desire.  I think about David and how his desire was to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.   I want to be there with him- dwelling in the house of the Lord on Earth as it is in Heaven.  Your kingdom come God and Your will be done.

His will.  I (and I know many others as well) have been struggling with: what I am supposed to do with my life?!  You graduate high school and go to college (because God told you to? Or because that is just what you’re supposed to do?).  You switch your major because you don’t know what you want to do.  Then, you graduate college and still have NO idea what you’re supposed to do.  I know someone who knows exactly what you are supposed to do.  Have you asked Him? 

The Lord uses the kids here in Haiti to teach me more of Him in so many ways.  Lately, it has been “give me”.  I walk outside our gate and I hear, “Give me your sandals; Give me da ball; Give me water; Give me this (pointing to my necklace)”.  Sometimes I get frustrated and think to myself why always ask for these things that don’t matter.  Then, The Lord says to me… Exactly.  Why ask for these things, when you know I have something so much better-- the good, best and perfect plan. 

What is my plan for success?

What is God’s plan for success? I am sure His ways are higher than my ways and His thoughts higher than my thoughts (Isaiah 55).  I am thinking that is the plan I need to stick to.

“Do not let the Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be PROSPEROUS and SUCCESSFUL.” Joshua 1:8

Are you meditating on the Word of God?  Are you asking Him for the answers for your life or are your prayers sounding like God bless me while I do this?

I choose to seek first His kingdom of righteousness.  I choose to ask God what His plan is.  With an open, clean heart I asked Him- and guess what… He answered!

“Therefore, Heather, I tell you do not worry about your life” Matthew 6:25

“Fix your gaze directly before you. Do not swerve to the right or the left.” Proverbs 4:25-27

He has the answers to all of your questions. He holds your life in His hands.  He is the Creator of the world; He created you.  Don’t you think He has a plan for you?! 

Ask and you shall receive.   

He is the author of my heart. All I want is Him to write His story on my heart.

LOVE

When I go to write a blog post, I always wonder what people want to know who are reading it.  Do they want to know about my everyday life?  What exactly is going on in Haiti?  What am I doing?  Who do I talk to and hang out with?  When I write a post, it is usually always about what the Lord is teaching and what He is doing.  I am an ordinary person, doing ordinary things, for an extraordinary God.  He had and still has a calling on my life.  I simply raised my hands and said, “Yes, God.  Send me!” He has a call on every life here on Earth.  What is your Call?  What does the Lord want to do with you? Have you asked Him?

At the 1^st of the year, Pastor Craig from LifeChurch spoke about 1 word God wants you to focus on this year and what scripture He wants you to live for this year.  I thought all my new year’s resolutions fail- so of course I will see what God wants for me in this new year because unlike my new year’s resolutions HE NEVER FAILS. I was praying for about 2 days or so and the Lord simply said LOVE.  Cool, so you want me to “Love You (the Lord my God) with all my heart, with all my soul, and with my entire mind; and to love my neighbor as myself” (Matthew 22:37).  He said that is the greatest commandment and of course I want you to follow my command.  That is not your scripture for the year.  I continued to pray about the verse He wanted me to focus on.  God was not going to leave me hanging without my verse because “He never leaves us nor forsakes us!” With the most gentle loving words He said, “For Christ’s LOVE compels us” 2 Corinthians 5:14. 

“For Christ’s LOVE compels us.”   

Because of Christ’s love, I was brought out of darkness and into a marvelous life.  Because of Christ’s love, I see everyone as my neighbor.  Because of Christ’s love, I want every person to experience this love. 

We are dead but this love brings life.  “For Christ’s love compels us, that we are convinced that One died for ALL; therefore, ALL have died” 2 Corinthians 5:14.  I have tried to love out of my own strength.  I did it today and totally failed.  I went next door to my sweet neighbors who are so poor yet rich in love.  Sometimes it is uncomfortable because mwen pa pale Kreole byen/ I don’t speak Creole well. However, Christ’s love calls me to go over there.  Help the boy who has a horrible cut from a moto accident.  Hold the child who doesn’t get held.  Live, laugh, love, and learn from them.  I love to go over there- they teach me so much and bring me so much joy!  When I go on my own strength or from my love, I can’t do it.  I freeze.  I can’t speak.  I can’t love. I get annoyed. I get frustrated.   Then, I surrender- I declare I am dead but alive in Christ and His love compels me. 

In order for Christ’s love to compel me, I must first be filled with His love.  I am the bride of Christ.  This is something my mind does not understand, yet I will keep pursuing Him and His Love because when I pursue Him, He pursues me ever more! 

What is your word?  What is your scripture?  What is your call?

The Call

How many times has the Lord called me to do something and I let fear stop me?  Fear of losing friends.  Fear of not having money.  Fear of never getting married.  Fear of not having a job.  Fear of the uncomfortable.  Fear of the unknown.  Fear of rejection.  How many times has He called me and I obediently walked into the Call?  I feared breaking up with my boyfriend but had to follow His call.  I feared leaving my family but had to trust He would provide.  I feared leaving my friends and possibly not having friends but once again I trust Him.  He calls us to high places, we must obey.  The first part of the great commission is, “Go!”.  Go step out of boat and onto the water, Peter.  Go lead the people out of exile and in to the promise land, Moses.  Go divide the land and be a leader, Joshua.

God told me I was going to Go to a third world country after I got my Masters.  I didn’t know where, but I knew I was supposed to be with African Americans (so immediately I thought cool Africa!).  Then the Lord told me, “Haiti”.  I walked obediently into His call- He told me to commit a year but I knew in my heart it was going to be longer.  I am praying for what next year looks like.  God has opened the doors for me to being the team coordinator for the Tugwells with Outside the Bowl/ Titus Task.  Is there fear behind that? UMMM absolutely!  God wants me to plan trips for Americans to come and serve Haiti.  I have to find translators, transportation, housing, finances, and places and people to serve in Haiti.  I cast all my worries on Him.  Satan would love for me to walk in fear and say no and that I can’t do it.  Truth is… I can’t do it!  Christ Can!  “He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world” 1 John 4:4.

I am praying about His Call on my life.  I know it is in Haiti.  The Lord also says to take care of widows and orphans.  I have a dear friend who is a widow with 5 beautiful girls who I absolutely love with all of my heart.  They live right next door to me and have the greatest patience with my Creole and our form of communication.  My friend knows how much I love her girls.  One lady asked me if I had any kids and I said no.  Immediately, my friend Odet turned around and said,” Oh, Heather. Pa Vre.  W gen cinc timouns! Heather. Not true.  You have 5 kids” referring to her 5 girls who I do love so much and would do anything for those girls.  She is a widow, who has 5 girls, and no job.  I am seeking the Lord about what to do to find her a job because I love those girls so much and her!  What Call does the Lord have for me with Odet?  He says to take care of the widow.  How can I take care of her? 

Your call could easily be for 1 person because the Lord cares about the 1 lost son.  Your call could be quitting your job to start something new.  Your call could be forgiving someone who you could never forgive.  Your call is from the Lord.  Your call is that one lost person who desperately needs a Savior.  What does He want you to do?  Do not let fear get in the way.  Because “His perfect love drives out all fear” 1 John 4:18     

4 years ago

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed' says the Lord who has compassion on you." Isaiah 54:10


4 years ago today- January 12, 2010 around 4:45 God shook Haiti for about 30 seconds.  Being here today has touched my life tremendously.  With a day of destruction the Lord brought unity within this country, people fell to their knees to God, and a land that was dedicated to Satan became dedicated to the One True King.  Even with destruction- "God works for the good of those who love Him!" So many people here lost loved ones. They saw death all around them but God chose them to live.  God chooses us to live daily for Him.  It is not an accident you are living on Earth and breathing right now.  There is a purpose- He has a purpose for you.  He can take away our life in a moment.  He is powerful, He is just, He is mighty, He is the God of this city and of the World! 


At church today I got to hear about people's testimonies about where they were on that day, what had happened, what they experienced.  All of their stories focused on God's goodness, faithfulness, and He was there through it ALL!  The people in Haiti woke up 4 years ago today thinking it was another normal day; however, God said that it was time to get His people to hear Him.  He is changing this country and the world!  halleluiah.  He is a good Papa who loves and cares for us so much.  I pray right now that you can experience the compassion and love He has for you.


"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much to shrink from death." Revelation 12:11


"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21
  

my feet may fail

As my time is getting closer to leaving my family, my heart gets sad.  I was in my car thinking about leaving and saying goodbye; immediately tears started streaming down my face I was already seeking His comfort but the tears just made it more clear I needed more of Him!  I was listening to 100.9 KXOJ (Christian radio station in Tulsa) and I said, "Lord you can use the next song to tell me that I am doing the right thing.  Papa, please show me that I am doing the right thing by leaving my family and friends." Then, He played the song Oceans by Hillsong United:

You called me out upon the water, the great unknown, my feet may fail.  There I find you in the mystery, oceans deep, my faith will stand.  Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters wherever you may call me.  Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander, and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior.   

God has used this song to speak truth into my life about Haiti.  It brings so much comfort to me when I think about uncomfortable times there.  In the moment the song came on, the tears fell harder because we serve such a good Father who loves us more than I can imagine! Being faithful in small things, He will allow us to be faithful in big things.

In addition to all of this, I read Sarah Young's Jesus Calling.  I haven't read it in a while but this morning my mom had it sitting on the counter and the Lord told me to read it today.  I thought it would be great to share because it is built on so much truth!

You can achieve the victorious life through living in deep dependence on Me.  People don't associate victory with success: not falling or stumbling, not making mistakes.  But those who are successful in their own strength tend to go their own way, forgetting about Me.  It is through problems and failure, weakness and neediness, that you learn to rely on Me.
True dependence is not simply asking Me to bless what you have decided to do.  It is coming to Me with an open mind and heart, inviting Me to plant My desires within you.  I may infuse within you a dream that seems far beyond your reach.  You know that in yourself you cannot achieve such a goal.  Thus begins your journey and profound reliance on Me.  It is faithwalk, taken one step at a time, leaning on Me as much as you need.  This is not a path of continual success bu of multiple failures.  However, each failure is followed by growth, nourished by increased reliance on Me.

It is okay that my feet fail.  The Lord says we will fail, everyday!  Run back to Him, let Him carry you when your oceans deep.  In Him you can do anything, you can walk on the oceans!

Psalm 34:17-18                             2 Corinthians 5:7                         Joshua 1:8