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!

 

Feliz Navidad! Today and everyday!

Merry Christmas! I'm a day late you say? I know I know, Christmas is technically over, but it is ever REALLY over? Of course not! We should celebrate the birth of Christ every day! I know it's not practical to seriously have Christmas every single day, with the presents and decorations and all the trimmings. We can, however, remember Christ's birth and what it meant every day. Don't be sad that Christmas is over, but continue to rejoice the life of Christ each day of the year. Remember the beautiful faces of friends and family you may not see often. I see Jesus in every smile. Family for me is many different things: most represented below, and I pray you are all blessed to have friends and family to rejoice with throughout the year and that you can see Jesus in them. Most importantly, can they see Jesus in you?

 

So, yes, Merry Christmas today and everyday! Jesus wasn't only close to us yesterday, on his birthday. That's the awesome thing about him, he's always here in each one of us!  

 

 

"For unto us a child is born! A son is given!"

 

 

"Rest in me, my child..."

For all you "Jesus Calling" lovers out there: you should know exactly what I'm talking about. How is it that this daily devotion is ALWAYS speaking right to me? The best answer I have is that its author has based each day from scripture, and scripture IS speaking to each and every one of us. For those of you who don't own "Jesus Calling" or do and haven't read today's yet, I'd like to share a little bit of the message:

"REST IN ME, MY CHILD, forgetting about the worries of the world. Focus on Me-- Emmanuel-- and let My living Presence envelop you in Peace. Tune in to My eternal security, for I am the same yesterday, today and forever... Hold my hand in deliberate dependence on Me, and I will smooth out the path before you."

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

 REST: verb

1. to refresh oneself, as by sleeping, lying down, or relaxing.

2. to relieve weariness by cessation of exertion or labor.  

3. to be at ease; have tranquillity or peace.

4. to repose in death.  

5. to be quiet or still.  

6. to cease from motion, come to rest; stop.

7. to become or remain inactive.

8. to stay as is or remain without further action or notice: to let a matter rest.   

9. to lie, sit, lean, or be set

10. Agriculture . to lie fallow or unworked: to let land rest.

11. to be imposed as a burden or responsibility

12. to rely

13. to be based or founded

14. to be found; belong; reside 

15. to be present; dwell; linger 

16. to be fixed or directed on something, as the eyes, a gaze, etc.

17. Law. to terminate voluntarily the introduction of evidence in a case.

I often think of rest as the first definition, sleep, lying down, relax, (which is what I have tried to do these past few days- post finals). Why do I say TRY? Because, I am doing it all wrong.

Rest: [relieve weariness] [be at ease] [rely] [belong] [dwell] in ME my CHILD, forgetting about the worries of the world... for I am the same yesterday, today and forever...

While in the Christmas Season, let's strive to do exactly this. Rest, be at ease, rely, belong, dwell, in your Father, because He is the one thing that will never change. He will never forsake you. HE is the one thing you can truly rely on, and HE can relieve any weariness you have this holiday season.

These past few days I have found myself trying to rest using that first definition: sleeping, lying down, and relaxing. I haven't been able to do that very well because my mind has be running with the "worries of the world". I haven't RESTED in my Father. And silly me, because He is the only one who can truly grant us rest.

So, from me to you, rather than getting caught in the hustle and bustle of shopping, etc.:

 REST in HIM, my Brothers and Sisters.

HE will take away the worries of the world, and HE will never change!

Celebrate the birth of our Savior in just 11 short days!

For your Entertainment:
When I was Mary in the church pageant, and Olivia and Rabon were Angels!
We were so cute! and so little!
Happy birthday Jesus!



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!

Feliz Dia Del Pavo

 

I honestly think that I could write a novel about our week in Mexico, but I want you to actually read the whole thing so I've narrowed it down to five precious moments. [this was so hard to do]

Yanet, Paola, Dulce, Vanessa, Ana Caren



• Church with this precious family on Sunday. Yanet is one of the most inspiring women I know. She is so passionate about her faith and saturates her family in the word daily. They attend a little blue church down the road every Sunday and a worship meeting every Tuesday. Jonah and I attended both with them and we were greatly humbled. As we sat in a one-room, un-insulated church bundled up in much less than our Sunday best, I wondered if we would still show up for church in those conditions.  When it came time for the offering, I found myself a little surprised. Would anyone have anything to give? I felt a tap on my shoulder and looked down to see 5 year old Dulce holding one peso in her hand. She was glowing with excitement to put her peso in the offering plate. Not only did every child give, but every adult gave as well. We could learn so much from the people of that little blue church.

Baby Meliza Emily

• Meliza Emily. This baby is the youngest daughter of the first family I helped build for in 2010. Until this trip, she wanted nothing to do with me. I think she was just scared of white people haha. This week was different and I felt so connected to her. She couldn't speak, but I knew she could understand everything I said. She loved taking selfies, sticking out her tongue, and finger painting on my cell phone. I've never seen eyes like hers that speak a thousand words. I hope to get to watch her grow up. She is such a blessing in my life!





 

 

 

Ana Caren

• Ana Caren. I don't know where to start with this little girl. She is definitely her mother's daughter with her sweet spirit and permanent smile. I mentioned that Jonah and I went to a worship meeting with Yanet and her daughters Tuesday night. After worshipping with some beautiful people for a while we left early to go back with the group. When the meeting was over Ana Caren came to tell us about the rest of the service. She said, in Spanish of course, "After the meeting, we went by the bridge to pray and it was so beautiful!" My heart melted, absolutely melted.



Sylvia

• Sylvia. She cooks for us and takes care of us, but most of all she loves us with all her heart. Sylvia has never wanted to take a picture with me so I was shocked when she came outside to find Jonah and I to come take a picture by her windows. I didn't know at the time, but she had been given new windows for her home. You can see a corner of them in the picture. She was so proud of her new windows that she was calling people over to take pictures in front of them. I love this sweet lady so much! When she asked when we would return and we said maybe not until June, she replied "Esperando" {waiting}.We will be too, Sylvia, we will too. 

 

 





Singing at the House Dedication
Photo Cred: +Kerrie Williams 

•  Dedication of the Home. I was honored to get to read verses in Spanish and sing at the house dedication. I think the whole group would agree that this building trip was so special to all of us. The family was genuinely the most grateful I have ever seen. The oldest child, Grasiela [spelling?], went up to her new room earlier that day, fell to her knees, and just cried. She was so overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude. She said, "I never could have imagined this, only God..." We were all moved to tears for this family. Keep in mind, we only build four walls with an upstairs. No insulation, no plumbing, and no electricity and the family was so happy: they couldn't stop crying. Let's keep this in mind next time we complain about the nice homes we live in. We are blessed beyond belief.

 

 

Before...

And After...

 

 


I couldn't have asked for a better group to serve with. Love you all!!