Do you love Me? "Feed my Lambs"

Only days after college graduation, I'm realizing that my "occupation" is no longer "student." I will no longer be asked the questions, "What grade are you in?" "What year are you?" "What are you studying?" From now on it will be, "What do you do?" I will be identified by what I do, who I am, and that excites me so much. It also means that I am now an adult. There is no question about that. While in college you are still sometimes a kid, college student, almost there, kind of an adult but not really, etc. Now I am an adult, my occupation is missionary and teacher, and I am employed by God and who He has chosen to help me. I'm not gonna lie, that statement is super scary, but also really awesome. I couldn't have chosen a better person than our Lord and Savior to be my boss. He will never let me down, He will always come through for me, and with Him there is no set wage, He will provide what I need no questions asked. I know that if I have faith, this could be the most stress free, rewarding job in the world. 

The Lord tells us many times to not worry. 

He says Look at the birds! (yes God they are beautiful and carefree!) 

I feed them, and don't you think you are more valuable than them? (valid.) 

Do you think worrying will add an hour to your life? (absolutely not...) 

So, why do you worry? (good question!) 

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. 

Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

I have felt like some version of an adult for a long time now. From the first time a child said "yes ma'am" to me, to being in charge of middle-schoolers at camp, to teaching sunday school, to leading groups into Mexico, and on and on. 

That being said, I will always have people to look up to for advice and guidance: thank God for that. I would be lost without the people that have and continue to mentor me though life. I can be "in charge" when I need to be. 

At the same time: recently, I caught myself skipping down the halls, at Samford one day, I raced Cara up the hill just because, I get scared when there are storms, and I am a baby when it comes to shots. In those moments, I am a kid through and through. I like to think I always will have that in me until my last day on Earth. So what makes us adults? 

I've come to the conclusion that this conversation Jesus had with Simon Peter is the same one Jesus has with us. When we finally understand, when we finally take on the responsibility, is when we are adults: It takes place after Jesus helps the disciples from the shore catch fish in the Sea of Galilee. After they finished eating the fish they had caught:

"Jesus said to Simon Peter, 

“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

... Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” 

He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep."

John 21:15-17

Jesus commands us to feed his lambs, take care of his sheep, feed his sheep. If we love him,  we should be happy to do this! I think that's what it means to become an adult. When we finally realize our purpose in life. We have been the lambs for so long, being fed and cared for. Now it is our turn to care for the lambs. Care for the children of God. Share with them why we love the Lord so much and why they should love Him too! So I can assuredly say I am an adult, saying "yes" to God's command. I am a teacher and a missionary and am so excited to help take care of the lambs. I also know that I will always be the girl who skips and giggles and is scared of shots. I know that I will always be a lamb too, being fed by those who have answered God's calling. Guys, if you love Him, feed His lambs and take care of his sheep! It's the most rewarding thing you could ever decide to do. Don't worry, He will take care of you, others will help you along the way, but you must help others. It's a command! When you are ready, say yes! I promise you it will be the BEST decision you ever make! 

Some pictures from Graduation!

Feliz Cinco de Mayo

Feliz Cinco de Mayo a todos mis amigos en Mexico!

Happy Cinco de Mayo to all my friends in Mexico!

The moving date is quickly approaching and I am getting more and more excited everyday!

 

I mentioned in an earlier post that my church from Gadsden, Christ Central United Methodist, will be making its first solo trip to Mexico! In preparation for the trip they have done a few fundraisers to buy building supplies for the house and other needs that arise while we are there in June! This past Saturday CCC hosted a paint party. Everyone got their own canvas to paint a beautiful painting and we were guided every step of the way. This fundraiser brought in $400 to add into previous fundraisers! God is so good! The painting we did was of a pear and had the words,

"²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control."  

Galatians 5:22-23a,  

written across it to remind us of how Jesus taught us to live. We were also able to paint one of them in Spanish and will present it to the family we build for in June at their house dedication!

 

The fruit of the Spirit is a wonderful reminder, not just to the team, but to all of us of how we can share the love of Jesus Christ. When we don't know the words to speak, or can't even speak the same language, we can ALWAYS exemplify these characteristics and live the way Jesus taught us to live.

 

Will we be able to all of the time? Of course not. We are human. Can we pray for God to: help us to love deeper, give us joy in our hearts, grant us peace, give us patience , help us to be kind in our actions and words, help us show goodness, help us to be faithful in the ups and downs, give us a gentle attitude when with others, and help us to have self-control in our angriest of times? YES! We most deffinately can. I challenge you to pray for those things and really try to go throughout this day living as Jesus taught us to live!

Please be praying for the team as they prepare their hearts and minds for this upcoming mission trip! If you would like to help support them in anyway you can contact me by facebook or e-mail! Enjoy the pictures below!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Why my #SB2014 was one for the record books!

#SB2014

Last week, I spent spring break in Mexico with this incredible group!
We have all come to know each other in different ways: coworkers, family, friends, mothers, fathers, daughters, and son.
One thing we all have in common is our love for Reynosa, Mexico.

We could have gone to the beach, the lake, or just rested at home like everyone else. Believe me, that would have been easier! There is nothing wrong with any of those things. Dont get me wrong, we all love the beach, but our #SB2014 looked a little different. I wouldn't have it any other way! In spite of changed plans, sickness, lice, rain, delayed flights, lost bags, and tears, I think everyone would agree that it was the best #SB2014 we have ever had!

           Reason #1: We dedicated this family's new home!



Thanks to Wade listening to the Lord and donations by many generous people, This family of 6 (the father not pictured) recieved a two story home, each child haveing their own space and bed!

Reason #2: Brenda's health improved

Brenda is one of the girls who is now drinking ARBONNE shakes and she is doing so well!

Since drinking them, she said she feels better and she is now more verbal and helps around the house more than I have ever seen her! Her mom is so happy and thankful for her daughter's improvement.

 

Reason #3: Loving on the precious kids!  

Every day, kids come to the safe house to play and just be loved! A lot of time is spent coloring, jumping on the trampoline, and hugs, lots of hugs.There is so much laughter and joy all day!

Of course, the boys didn't want their picture taken...

 

Reason #4: My Students

 These sweet girls are about half of the choir I will be teaching next year. I also asked them who wanted to take private voice. They all raised their hands! I am blessed beyond belief to have this opportunity :)

read more about my calling to teach here!

 

I am still raising support for next year, if you want to make a donation you can send money to my paypal: emilymichele2819@gmail.com

 

 

 

More Shakes. Vitamins, too!

Click here to Donate!!

Hey everyone!
So here's the thing. I have a chance THIS MONTH (next 8 days) to buy $700 worth of ARBONNE products for only $350! That's HUGE! Last time, I raised $600 in two days, so $350 should be a breeze. BUT, I need your help! Click on the like above (or below) to donate or at least share this fundraiser with a friend!

The products I will be purchasing are protein shakes for families in need and vitamins! Both of these products will help keep our families in Reynosa, Mexico healthy and nourished! Consider donating or sharing with someone who you think will want to! I am using GoFundMe.com for this fundraiser and I promise you, the money will get to me. I have used them in the past!
So lets keep needy families healthy and get them some nourishment by Donating today!!!

Spaghetti For Mexico!!

 

 

Who wants Spaghetti?!

 

 

This summer, Christ Central Church will make its first solo trip to Mexico! A few of us have been going since 2010 with other churches, but this will be the first we take alone. I cannot tell you how excited I am for this amazing church and youth group to experience Mexico first hand! I hope it changes each and every one of their lives: just like it has changed mine!

 

In preparation for the trip, Christ Central has done a few fundraisers to raise enough money to build a house for a family in Mexico! I was able to be apart of the Spaghetti Lunch held yesterday. Let me tell you, God showed up! So many people came that we were running out of some things as the last few purchased their plate. We exceeded our goal by a landslide! Hoping to raise $600, the final count was $987!! 

 

Thank you to everyone who helped with this fundraiser: My Parents, Mike and Lisa Smith, for heading it up, Christ Central Church, Red Lobster, Johnson's, Christ Central Youth and parents, and anyone else who came, helped, donated, cooked, and supported with your love and spirit yesterday!   

 Enjoy these pictures!

Dios te Bendiga

 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 

 
 

 

 

 

 

MISSIONMEXICO: Nutrition!

First of all, Feliz 2014! I hope everyone had a blessed holiday season with family and friends! I know some of you set new goals for this year, I know I have! It's taken me a little longer to get motivated though, which is why I haven't posted anything yet. I've had a disconnect. I've thought about my goals and things I need to do, but I just couldn't DO it. I know this is because my relationship with the Lord has not been at its best the past few weeks. All in all, here I am, motivated and ready to start the year!... just about a week late.

I first want to say thank you to Wade Williams- husband of Kerrie Williams. He posted a status on Facebook that absolutely melted my heart! Please read it and consider donating to this cause as well! I will post it at the bottom: Wade and Kerrie are doing some amazing things, following God's calling, and I am so happy to call them friends and family in Christ! His post woke me up from whatever funk I was in and finally motivated me to write this blog. THANK YOU WADE!

Here is my first goal: do more fundraising for Mexico and follow through with ideas God has given me!

The past few years I have slowly but surely been focusing more on health. The past few months in particular, I have been thinking of ideas to raise awareness of the importance of healthy living in Mexico! The problem is, the resources and funds are low for families to provide things that we have such easy access to! So, here is what I am doing: I have gotten an amazing offer from ARBONNE for their Vanilla protein shakes. I am trying to raise $600 to send 600 children's servings to Mexico! That is only a dollar per serving! Crazy awesome right?! So please - DONATE HERE! I took a sample to the Canal in November and they liked it! So, I promise this is a great investment!

1.There are some children who have special needs and can only receive their nutritional needs from some sort of shake such as ARBONNE's protein shakes.
2.Others will be given the opportunity to finally get their daily vitamins and minerals.
3.More importantly: students can get their nutritional needs before going to school where they can learn! Some don't get fed at school so this would be amazing for them!

WADE'S POST: Project PAOLA! Contact me directly to learn how to help this sweet girl!:

"I've got something big I want to do. Project Paola. One of our neighbor families in Mexico that are uber special to us live in one of small houses that Roy and other missionaries built years ago. These houses are small but sufficient for keeping dry. The family is a mom & dad and four girls. Three of the girls are small, 5,6,&7 years old. The oldest girl, Paola, is 14. She is smart. Really smart! She tested into a school for gifted kids and has always been first in her class. She is considered the poor girl at her school and tears flow from my eyes as I write this, thinking of the teasing that kids are so good at dishing out. However, I have a really strong feeling that she will one day bring her family out of poverty and that brings tears of joy. She is brave. So to the idea, This family all sleep in one big bed that is in their 12x24 house. It's hard for me to imagine a 14 year old girl having to sleep with her whole family every night...especially my neighbor. So, I can't stand it and have to do something about it. I want to build onto their house another room for Paola and fix some termite damage on one end of their house. I'm so compelled to see this done, that I told her the other day about the idea and I told her, it WILL be done. So if something happens to me, someone please make sure I didn't lie. Please pray for this project. It needs to happen, we just need some funds for it."

 

You have TWO great opportunities to give! Whether you have made a resolution to give more this year or not, don't miss an amazing way to do so!!!

 

1. Paola's new room!

This is sweet Paola! contact me to donate for her new room!!!


 2. ARBONNE SHAKES!!

 

DONATE HERE!!! 

I will be praying for you all as you go throughout the year. I encourage you to give more and worry less! God will do the rest!

 

Don't miss the signs...

How many times has someone asked you what your calling is? Or maybe people reassure you over and over that someday God will reveal his master plan. That he will "call" you to be a missionary, teacher, doctor, preacher, youth minister, etc. One day you will know and he will make your path clear to you. So how does it work? Does he call you on the phone and tell you? Does he write a letter with your plan mapped out for you? If only it were that easy...

¹⁹ So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. ²⁰ And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs." Mark 16:19-20

Yesterday I signed a contract to teach voice and choir at The Regional Bible Institute. It is a boarding school that gives Mexican girls, most who live in extreme poverty, the opportunity to go to school in Texas. It is an amazing opportunity for these young girls! I am so blessed to be a part of this growing ministry!

I was first introduced to the school in the summer of 2012, my third summer going to Mexico. We took a tour and learned more about the school in hopes that we could send some of our girls from Reynosa (now 3 attend, praise God!). During our tour we learned that each girl takes piano lessons, and some even learn how to play the guitar! Nothing was said about voice so I asked, if the girls sang. The answer was yes, but they did not have a voice teacher to have a voice program. [sign number 1] Without thinking I said, "Me!" Yes, this was a little premature and I had no idea that I would actually end up teaching there, but God knew exactly what he was doing. I let Pastor David know that I was a music education major and I would finish in two years. I knew that over those two years I would need to pray. Was this really something God was calling me to do?

 

March of this year I took my mom to Mexico for the first time. One night we went to the school to visit some of our girls from Reynosa who started school that year. We had dinner with the girls and after I found myself in a meeting about my future at the school. I still don't really know how it happened because this wasn't the purpose of our visit (Gloria a Dios). At the end of our meeting he asked if I would like to teach the girls a lesson that night. [sign number 2] I couldn't pass up the opportunity so I got a lesson plan together and returned that night to teach the girls. It was incredible and such a blessing! They were all so eager to learn and they were sad when I had to leave! I knew that I had some sort of future with these girls, I just didn't and still don't know exactly what it will look like. Shortly after our March visit, I began to tell parents, family, and friends that I planned to move to Texas where I could do some work at the school and be closer to Mexico. I still don't think they truly believe it is happening, but it is God willing!

 

Over the summer it became clearer to me that I was supposed to move and work at the school. My [sign number 3] has been the most important of all throughout these last few years. PEACE and COMFORT. I have never been so at peace in my whole life. The thought of moving excites me. The thought of getting to teach voice and choir to girls who otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity thrills me beyond belief. I still am at disbelief that God chose me to invest in these girls. Me. Of course I am anxious at times and nervous about the journey, but God has given me such comfort and an amazing boyfriend, friends, and family who have the same heart for Mexico. I can't express my thankfulness enough for the little signs God has shown me over the years. There are so many more!

Jonah and I with some of our girls.

Mom and Sylvia.

Dad, Lisa, and I with a family dear to our hearts!

My most recent visit to the school I made on my own. I met with the girls and we worked on a song they had been singing. The greatest part though, was talking to them. We talked about the next year and I asked what they wanted to learn and what they were excited about. They have so many dreams and ambitions! Some said they want to sing higher, while others really want vibrato and to "sound like an opera singer." I can't wait to be a consistent presence in their lives, sharing God's gift of singing!

 

So yesterday, I signed a contract saying YES to God! He gave me the signs and I listened. Don't be afraid of what God has in store. Be patient and pay attention to the signs God gives along the way. Especially the signs of peace and comfort. Those have been the most confirming of all!

 

 

Please be in prayer for me, the girls, and Mexico as I begin to seek sponsorship at the start of the year. If any of you would like more information on what you can do to help, let me know! Stay tuned for a special fundraiser for Mexico!