Tuesday, December 20, 2011

2 weeks away!!

   In 2 weeks, I will be setting foot on a plane bound for a new adventure for 6 months! !!!!!!!
    I honestly cannot believe that I leave in 2 weeks for YWAM! where has time gone?? It has been a busy past few weeks working, preparing, shopping for necessity supplies and trying to see as many people as I can before I leave. I finished my quarter at TCC strong and am so thankful to be done currently with community college. MY leader of Engage DTS has informed our DTS that there will be around 50 students in my DTS which is very exciting!! They are people from ALL over the world who will be joining me for the same DTS. GOD is soo good!
    I have been very thankful because I sent out support letters in november and people have been generous in helping to donate towards YWAM. It has been such a blessing to recieve surprise donations from families and has eased my stress with the finances a little bit. I still need to raise at least $8,000 for YWAM (not including airfare), so if you feel called to help donate towards my trip, please visit the tab on my blog, "Funds Raised and Needed" to see the funds I'm working towards. Also, if you would like to help financially, please go to the tab, "Ways to Help" for further instructions.
    Please be praying for these next few weeks of preparation. I know the Lord desires for me to do YWAM and I know He has a plan for how everything is going to fall into place. Please pray against the Devil right now, because he is smart and has been trying to get me to doubt God and His provision for this trip. I'm trying to rely on God to my best ability, but Im struggling with doubt and am very anxious with preparations and finances. Thank you for your prayers. They are greatly appreciated! I know the LORD is good!
    2 weeks!!!!    

Monday, November 28, 2011

quick update :)

Hey everyone!!
I can't believe that I will be flying out to Kona sooooo soon to start my journey through YWAM!! It's right around the corner! WOOHOO!!! Time is flying by very quickly, as my fall quarter is coming to a close. Please keep me in your prayers as I'm doing my best to FINISH strong with getting all my reports, homework, assignments, papers and finals! College has been pretty demanding these past few quarters, but with the Lord's strength, I have been able to put forth my best work and hope for the best result.
    My finals are DEC 5th and 6th!! and then after next Tuesday, I will be done with Tacoma Community College for awhile! Starting December 7th, I will be working very hard to further my finances towards YWAM. Thankfully, my father is providing me with the opportunity to work with him at his office. I will be doing my best to also be taking up any side jobs as well. SO, if anyone is in Need of a Babysitter, housesitter or needs help around the house, PLEASE let me know because I will be more than happy to come to your aid! You can feel free to email me at renaeh264@yahoo.com or call my cell at (253) 514-1624.

I Am constantly PRAYING for the Lord to work a miracle for the finances for this trip. As you know, it is very spendy, but I truly feel CALLED to YWAM because it has been my desire for a few years now to participate in a ministry in which I'm fed the Word of GOD and gaining in my knowledge and understanding of Jesus, His plan for me and His heart for the people of this world.
I LONG TO BE HIS HANDS AND FEET IN SERVING the Homeless, the prostitues, the orphans, the young teenage girls who feel lost in this world due to lies they are being fed in media and pop culture, and for the people who are trying to find Hope admist the darkness. This is my Desire and the Lord continues to FUEL that desire within my HEART!
"Lord, I desire this opportunity more than anything, to be able to fulfill the GREAT COMMISSION! I know I am being CALLED by name to this ministry and therefore I know you will Guide me in my endeavors and PROVIDE the finances if this is still your WIll. Heavenly Father, please surround me in your Presence because I know you can do the impossible. Please help me to not doubt you, but to Trust you with my entire heart." amen
For those of you who read this, please keep this trip for YWAM in your prayers and that the Lord will continue to show me His power to provide and guide me within these next few months. Thank you for your support!
      Blessings! -Renae

Sunday, November 6, 2011

With Faith Alone.....
          WOW! What a powerful statement! "With Faith alone..." Over the past few months, this statement has been coming to mind quite often. As I began to ponder these simple, yet Profound, 3 words, I realized they were words from the Lord Jesus Christ. "FAITH....FAITH...FAITH!"

  The words continued to come to Mind as I continued with college, work and my daily activities. I didn't fully begin to comprehend what the word, "FAITH" meant until I realized the stress and burdens I was putting myself under. I was allowing my confidence in myself to dwindle as I stressed about numerous things including upcoming tests, reports, state board exam for my CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) course and just the necessities I had to accomplish. FINALLY, the thought occurred to me, "What am I putting my FAITH IN?", myself or God??
         It took months to get to the point of realizing what TRUE FAITH is!! In fact, I still have a challenging time accepting this as something I need to be trusting in God about.
The Lord's powerful words rang out in my ears and for the first time in awhile I tuned in to listen: "Now FAITH is being sure of what we HOPE for and CERTAIN of what we do not SEE!!" Hebrews 11:1

This verse has transformed the way I live, because "without Faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly SEEK HIM." (Hebrews 11: 4)

      When we choose to WALK in Faith, we are choosing to GIVE Our Life to Christ and Trust in His UNFAILING HOPE and LOVE! What a step of FAITH!

This is what the LORD has been showing me these past few months and this is what has inspired me to FULLY PURSUE ministry by leaving everything in Washington including my family, friends, job and college and FOLLOW the Lord's call for my life.

For the next 6 months of my life, beginning in January and continuing until June, I will be attending YWAM (Youth WIth A Mission) which is a ministry organization that has bases throughout the world that trains people for ministry and sends them out to the nations. The first 3 months will be my Discipleship Training school in Kona, Hawaii which will be the lecture phase. In addition, I will be going on a 3 month outreach phase to some country overseas after the DTS to put everything I have learned into practice. I am so excited for the Lord to transform my life!! He has been reminding me of a verse that has been coming to mind nearly every day,
"Therefore, GO and MAKE disciples of all nations, Baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to Obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20
             This is a passage of Scripture from the Great Commission, in which Jesus is sending out His disciples! Therefore, I am His disciple ready to follow in His steps! He is guiding me to take this next step-LEAP OF FAITH!
BY FAITH ALONE!!..