Standing Still in the Midst of Every Ticking Minute

As I sit here thinking about all the things I can write my mind is flooded, and my eyes are welling up with tears because of being overwhelmed by the how's, what if's, when's etc. I've been given this HUGE dream of getting to North Africa one day to be a messenger of Hope to those who in many cases don't realize that that's what they've been searching for all their lives. To get there is a hard journey, one that seems to be so incredibly daunting that my mind can't fathom how it will ever happen. I've asked friends who are currently serving in other nations if they ever doubted, and they've responded that "it's part of the journey." Though I was relieved to hear it from people I deeply respect there is still that roller coaster of emotions that I feel on a weekly basis. Sometimes it's an incredible excitement then other times my logic gets the best of me. I think though that it's my perspective and heart attitude that has to be examined. 

Constantly the Lord keeps speaking "Be still and know that I am God," from Psalm 46:10. The sad thing is I don't know that I've ever realized that those words are only the first part of that verse. This is what the rest says, "I will be exalted in the nations, I will be exalted on the earth!" How could I never have known those words? In fact, I don't know that I've ever heard them taught with the first part. This isn't to point fingers, but more to show how much I've still to learn about who God is. 

Today, He's given me today. Though I have plans to walk towards what He's called me to, I have to understand and be willing to adjust according to what His plans are. That means I have to stop looking at the big picture. This is what everyone wants, this is what has plagued my mind for so many months with the task of support raising so I can continue to do what God has called me to. I have wanted to provide all the facts and details and be able to speak them with a certainty. I have placed to much power in my words, and left out trusting His faithfulness explained throughout Romans. I've never known God to give the completed picture up front and not keep us relying on Him for more direction. So I tell you yes, I have my plans, and my timing... 

... but I. choose. His! 

I will never be in a place that I can say this is how everything is going to look, but I can say this is the path I'm on now. There is nothing wrong with planning, but as we all know there have never been plans that went absolutely the way we'd planned them. There are so many variables. I choose not to be afraid of the variables. I choose to believe the promises and words God has spoken to me, no matter what the path looks like. I can tell you my plan is to go France to learn the language, and take scouting trips into North Africa (and I feel this is the path God has shown to me) though I am not sure what it's going to look like in the process of getting there. I choose to follow Jesus. I choose to share His love. I choose to lay my life, my expectations, my rights, and even my dreams down to serve Him because He's worthy of it all. 

Today I realize all pressure again is taken off my shoulders to prove the value of the ministry I'll be doing to gain support of people... and just to love God, and share about the incredible relationship I have with Jesus, and let his light shine through. I will not let the calendar or deadlines create fear in me, but to stand still knowing He is God, in the midst of every ticking minute. He will be exalted in every Nation, after all those are His words!

Unwavering faith- It's what I desire

Romans 4:20-21 "No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised."

The above scripture is referring to Abraham, one of the "fathers of the faith." When I read this today it was as if I had to stop and re-read it over and over again. 

I would say I tend to be a person very driven by facts/proof, though not as uptight as some who may be considered logical thinkers. I want to be able to understand, and have a plan out of every situation I am. I want to know how things will work out. In fact, I've found that I've become less of a dare taker in some areas of life. I find myself saying, "this might hurt too much!" or I find myself passing judgement on how I would have handled a situation and even giving advice where it's unwarranted. Honestly, who am I to think my opinion matters so much? 

This past weekend I moved back in with my dad, who also has his girlfriend living with him. It was a long exhausting weekend that I am overly excited to say is finished. As I moved in though, I sensed a huge weight of how long is this going to be for? I have huge dreams and what I even feel direction from the Lord on what this year is going to consist of. Though I look at the time frames and the next few month ahead of me and wonder, "is it even possible?" I share what the plans are with people, and honestly, can't help at times but to look at the possible outcomes or what ifs? I know my dreams aren't something that I can achieve on my own. I first need God as my provider, and then his children to assist. As I've taught recently on dreams and achieving them one of the steps that are apart of seeing dreams come true, is perseverance through obstacles... well, I can boldly say I am in the meat of that step in the very moment. I look at my finances, I look at my relationships, I look at my connections and scheduling and become overwhelmed with all that is going to have to be done. How do I ask for help? What are the steps I need to take? When is the right time to pursue this said step? As you can tell I am full of many thoughts. 

The thing I'm realizing is in spite of these "thoughts/questions," this is where I must hold fast to faith and God's promises! What has he promised? What has he spoken? Do I ever need to doubt? I feel at times God used the many "men/women of faith" to remind us that they too were faced with unbelief, but they held on to the word of the Lord. I want to be that woman! I want to look at every obstacle, every battle, every moment of life with unwavering faith. It's what I desire!

I'm not the first to seek fulfillment

Today as Baylee (the little one I watch) is down for a nap I have been riddled with all kinds of thoughts plaguing my mind.

After reading through the letters of Thessalonians, I only am made more aware of those weaknesses within my life, because they were a congregation that set a great example. I've noticed by focusing more on my lack in life, I've missed growing closer to the one and only thing that brings fulfillment, Jesus.

Last week while my friends were here, we had many different discussions one of which again being the discussion of marriage (which I talked about in my last blog).

I feel that as a single woman in her late 20's watching all the younger friends (and many who I baby sat at one point in their lives) get married, have children, and settling down it tends to be quite a distraction that I have to fight daily and lately, it's been more of a losing battle. Where I should be seeing my singleness as such a luxury and a gift, I am instead viewing it as lack and allowing my insecurities to kick in.

It's amazing how when you allow yourself to get into a place of idleness in your walk with the Lord, you begin to doubt if your call on your life is just that. Settling becomes more of a reality, distractions become more frequent and honestly you don't have as much of a peace and calmness within your life.   The search begins for what can bring you comfort, satisfaction, joy, and worth. The real thing I need to realize is that this crazy desire for husband, though it's not a wrong desire to have, at this point in time is more driven from my lack of intimacy with Jesus. Through examining my heart deeper to know why. I asked, am I comparing my life to others? Am I trying to fill my loneliness with people? And is this what the Lord is speaking to me and directing me to look at in my life? None the less, there is a choice I have to make in allowing God to fill every crevice of my heart.

A while back the Lord I feel put on my heart to refrain from watching "Chic Flicks." For a long time I did that, I was so much more content. I wasn't looking for my possible husband in every guy I met, and I was blessed with new amazing friendships with women, which I know was such a blessing. Over the last few months, I have made excuses up about why it's ok for me to watch them. What has it done? 1. Filled my mind with false reality of relationships. 2. Made the desire for a significant other heighten, and even fueled jealousy/envy of those who do have relationships. 3. Distracted me from learning about true love and relationship from the only one even holding the rights to teaching me about this subject, Jesus. 4. Put me in a place of disobedience. Doesn't the Lord know whats best for me? So you know I'm not saying that everyone should have the same convictions as me, but I am saying there are things in all of our lives that give us false identity and realities that keep us from deepening our relationships with God. I don't want that for myself. I want to be taught by the Lord, who I am to be as a woman and one day a wife and mother. Until then I need to seek my contentment in him and him alone. He puts relationships with people in my life for a reason, and I need to trust him above all else. I know all my life I've been a fixer, and I've tried to fix others and myself, but how can one who is broken try to fix anyone else? Yeah, you got it, it's impossible. I need Jesus. I need Jesus. I need Jesus!

I know this may not be very insightful to some of you, but this is my heart. This is reality in choosing my Heavenly Father. My heart is broken that I would choose anything over Him! I hope that in some way you can relate to the reality and constant reminder of how black hearted we the human race really are! I hope that if you are seeking fulfillment you know you aren't the first person:

Romans 3:9-25

"What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written:

"None is righteous, no, not one;

no one understands;

no one seeks for God.

All have turned aside;

together have become worthless;

no one does good,

not even one."

Their throat is an open grave they use their tongues to deceive.

The venom of asps is under their lips

Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness

Their feet are swift to shed blood;

in their paths are ruin and misery,

and the way of peace they have not known

There is no fear of God before their eyes."

Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it-- the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood to be received by faith."

See, we need Jesus! Through him we ARE fulfilled!

Food, Friends, Marriage Talk and Jesus

Me, Jenna, Lili, and Emily on a ferry to Amelia Island

It's Monday morning, and I'm reflecting on how incredible of a weekend I just finished. It was a weekend filled with quality time with some of the most incredible woman I could have been blessed with as friends. In 2012 I moved to Jacksonville Beach, FL having almost no connections within the city, I had no job, no church, no family and very few friends there (other than the incredible Young family.) I knew that if I was going to have to be ok living there, I would need to find a church and make some friends. I went to a church service with the Young's on Easter and it was amazing to see over 40 people get baptized within the one service. This is just the start of the blessing I would receive from this congregation. After that service I immediately emailed to get plugged in to a small group. Very soon after I received an email from the leader of the group Emily, who would later become one of my best friends I could ever have. I met this group of women and they welcomed me in with open arms. Though many came and went there was a group of 4 of us that remained the same. Emily, Jenna, Lili and I not only laughed and enjoyed each others company, but we have sharpened each other and gotten to see the Lord work in and through our friendship.

Emily, me, and Jenna this weekend

In June 2013, I moved back to Tennessee to work within another school offered through the organization of Youth With a Mission. Though I know it was the Lord's leading, it has been a very difficult time in my life because all of my best friends were so far from where I was. I seriously had to learn (and still am learning) to rely on God as my friend, my companion, my fulfillment and my love. Though I've had good friends here in Tennessee, I know the Lord gave me those women as a gift and couldn't wait to have time with them again when I moved back to Jax Beach.

Due to many different reason I've not returned back to Jax Beach, so it had been almost 8 months since seeing my dear friends. This weekend put to end the wait of seeing my friends Jenna, and Emily as they flew in to Nashville to visit me for the weekend (and Lili will be flying in this next month). It was filled with so much laughter, food, and unforgettable dancing. We made the decision that it would be more about quality time than what we did. So we were never rushed and took our time to just enjoy every

Sopapilla Cheesecake

moment from sitting in the apartment and chatting to listening to the incredible musicians at BBKings Blues Bar, we couldn't have asked for a better time.

Along with the adventurous trips to Nashville, and eating in many different restaurants our conversations were something to be cherished. One common thread through a lot of our conversation was "marriage," from what we want in our husbands to what  does biblical marriage look like. It was funny even the sermon at church this weekend consisted of a man's and woman's role within marriage. It was nice to chat with women in the same shoes as me and hear her perspective and even that we are sharing in the battle, and questions.

Time finally came to say goodbye after church but of course we had to end with more food, and another trip to Opryland hotel to waste a little time before they had to check in to the airport. So Thai food it was. Can we say delicious? But while at Opryland Hotel we just were wandering in and out of the stores when all of a sudden two men walked by one dressed in a centurion outfit and the other dressed as Jesus. They so kindly waived to us. But Emily and I decided we didn't want to just let them pass without getting a picture with them. So Haylee and Jenna following closely behind us while Emily and I literally were running after "Jesus." We finally reached them and asked if they'd be willing to take a picture with us and they very kindly accepted. By the way, they weren't just weirdos ha, they worked as characters within the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, FL. After taking the picture I got to ask them if they were truly believers in Christ and their response was "I don't know how we could even think of playing the roles we play without having an active relationship with the Lord." They followed by asking us a few questions that lead to me sharing what the Lord has called me to. What was cool, is that after they heard the gentleman dressed as Jesus then asked if he could pray a blessing over my life and calling. Yes, he was just a man, but that's the point, his heart was in service to the Lord. While he prayed he prayed protection over my heart and purity, and prayed for my "helpmate."Again tying into that thread through the weekend. Can I say how much of a blessing it was?

Well, now it's Monday like I said earlier and I to get my morning started read from "My Utmost for His Highest," and today it talked about sacrifice. Again taking me to the thought about marriage. But this time look at the relationship between God and his Bride. What a perfect example! Oswald chambers said "I don't throw my life away, but I willingly and deliberately lay it down for Him and His interests in other people," referring to John 15:13. This has always been my perspective on my relationship with the Lord, that when you love someone you want to lay down your life in service/sacrifice. In fact, Emily and I even discussed these exact things being the same in marriage, that selfishness is one of the main reasons marriages fail today.

Last group picture of the weekend: Emily, Haylee, me, and Jenna

So to wrap up, I hope that I can do just that. Give up my life in service to others. I know there is still so much selfish habits in my life and I pray the Lord will continue to teach me to mold me into the woman he made me to be, so I can be prepared for the gift of marriage.

I am thankful that Jesus did allow me to discuss some of the thoughts on marriage this weekend through quality time with friends while eating good food. :)

Are you listening?

My new tattoo that is a depiction of Isaiah 6:8

Isaiah 6:8

"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”

Sayra's story

Have you ever had an evening of story telling? I am finding that it is something I quite enjoy! Hearing others stories and telling mine. Though I recognize I talk a lot and have always had a problem letting others share, it is something I have grown tremendously in and am learning more and more every day what it means to listen.

The other day I got to do just that… I baked some banana chocolate chip bread, brewed some decaf coffee, and waited for my sister to return with her old friend and my new friend named Sayra. We got to sit and listen to Sayra’s story (btw, I’m not going to share much of her story because it’s her story to tell) and my heart went out to her for many different reasons some of which was because I could relate to her from my experiences. Although there was a lot I could relate to, one specific thing that I could not relate to was the fact that she wasn’t a citizen of the U.S. and for most years of her life she was an illegal immigrant. This wasn’t something she planned for herself, or even a result of her decisions, actually all of her siblings were born here in the U.S., so out of her siblings she is the only one with this battle in life. After paying a lot of money out of pocket she was able to obtain a working permit that allows her to work here in the U.S. legally, but it is only good for 2 years and she isn’t allowed to leave the country. If she were to leave the country she would give up her rights to be here with her family and the only life she has ever known. Now many Americans would take this the political route and only focus on the fact that she was illegal for many years, but let me tell you something else about her story.

She told me about the first time she’d ever heard a missionary’s testimony. Coming from the Catholic Hispanic background, when she would hear missionary she pictured a nun doing all the work. She never realized that it was something she too could do.  So from that day on whenever asked what she wanted to be when she grew up it was a missionary. I would say she was called out in that service. After hearing her story, when I asked her ‘what was stopping her from pursuing a life as a missionary?’ She reminded me about the not being able to leave the country due to her citizenship situation.  This now showed me she didn’t only want to be a missionary, but she wanted to be a foreign missionary.

Listening to the Call

This morning I woke up with a lot on my mind due to a night full of vivid dreams. I was waiting for the little girl I baby sit to arrive, when I got a text explaining she wouldn't be here today. Well, since I was up so early and had already taken time to get ready, there was no going back to sleep. I felt the tug to spend my morning seeking the Lord. I opened my "My Utmost for His Highest," and read the devotion for January 14 (since thats today). You know what its title was? "Called by God." Instantly, I knew that the Lord wanted to speak. So I started to blog, because I've found I receive a lot when I reflect on how/what God has been speaking to me as of late. The scripture that was tied to this passage by Oswald Chambers, was Isaiah 6:8. Which hit me even more since I just got this passage tattooed this past weekend. I wanted this scripture because it reminded me of missions. I mean seriously, how often do you hear missionaries quote this?? "Here am I, Send me!" It's a common occurrence. Here's the thing, it is so much deeper than that, in fact it isn't even what he said that we should be paying attention to. It was that Isaiah listened to the Lord. He didn't act out of his own motives to impress the Lord, it was merely a response to the Lord's Call! He was doing exactly what God made him to do. That was to be in relationship with Him. As I was reflecting on that scripture, the Lord reminded me of  the story from 1 Samuel 3:4-10:

"Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, "Here I am !" and ran to Eli and said "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call; lie down again." So he went and lay down. 

And the Lord called again, "Samuel!" and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call, my son; lie down again." Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 

And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, " Here I am, for you called me." The Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, 'Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 
And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant hears."

Samuel was literally born into a consecration. He existed to serve the Lord, but here you see that he listened and at first didn't realize that it was his Lord calling to him. He heard the voice so clearly, but wasn't in close enough relationship yet to be able to identify His voice. He had to learn to listen. The other thing we see is that he was "called" as well. 

Many times today Christians look at the prophets of the Bible in amazement that they heard from the Lord, and their call was so great. That's just it though... they learned to listen. I think they wanted to hear! No one can force you to listen. It takes discipline, it takes the choice to lay self down. 

Responding to your Sayra

For me, after listening Sayra's story, I realized that she has a heart for foreign missions. It's all she's ever wanted to do with her life. I am now helping her obtain her God given dream. Honestly, all she wants to do is respond to the "call on her life." Since, I have had some experience in speaking with embassy's and problem solving with visa issues I am now looking in to how legally she can do what God has laid on her heart. As you can see, I am excited to gather information to help make this possible for her. Had I not listened, and instead been self-absorbed I'd never be able to know of ways that I can possibly assist.

So, I ask you are you listening? Are you available? It may be God has you in a specific place for a reason. If you aren't listening then you may miss the very mission available to you in the moment. 

Your Eyes Are Amazing!

The other day I was watching TV with my brother and the commercial for Centrum Silver came on and within it it claimed;

“Your eyes.  Even at a distance of 10 miles, the length of 146 football fields, they can see the light of a single candle.”

I thought it was an amazing fact, and made me really be amazed in the creativity of God in how perfect and wonderfully He made the human body. What is even more incredible about that, is that their advertising departments math was a little off on their figures…“Based on several studies, in the right conditions (total darkness, no atmospheric conditions or the curve of the horizon to obscure the view), a healthy human eye can detect the light of a single candle from between 15 and 30 miles away.  Since 146 football fields is only 8.3 miles, this statement, whether for 8.3 miles or for 10 miles, appears to be true based on published studies.” CAN.WE.SAY.WOW! Needless to say, that commercial really stuck with me, so their advertising really did do their jobs. Now let me shift this subject just a little bit…

… As we know it has been the Christmas season and many churches do a candle light service. Not being sure whether I’d even been to one before, I got to attend one with my mom and my step-dad. Through most of the service I was like “this is very corny”, us all sitting around singing Christmas songs felt like a bunch of parrot’s sitting in a building mimicking what we’ve heard through most of our lives. I felt it lacked passion, heart, and honestly any authenticity. (which sadly was me being sinful, and judgmental, please forgive me). So the service continued on and I thought it was amazing when the pastor pulled all the kids up on the stage to share the Christmas story with them like he were in his own living room with his kids or grand kids. Then of course after the Christmas story it was now time to do the candle lighting after some instruction. We walked up and got our individual candles, all the lights still being on, and waited for everyone to be in place with candles in hand. It was time, all the electrical lights were shut off and one candle was lit. Now, being a fairly observant person, I couldn’t help but to notice that the one candle was enough light to see in the entire sanctuary! One light! Then the light in the room was rapidly multiplying as each person turned to the person beside them and helped in lighting their candle, and then they would then pass it on. This continued until every persons candle was lit.

In the midst of the lighting it happened… the Holy Spirit started speaking to me. As I was watching the room get brighter and brighter He said “See how each person makes a big difference?” Tears started welling up in my eyes, because it was the first time I’ve ever had a visual display of how each person in the Kingdom of Christ really does make a difference.

Now let’s shift again, on to tonight as I was prepping to lead worship for this Sunday, I started just playing and singing spontaneously what has been running through my mind and I was reminded of the scripture Matthew 5:14-16 which says,

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Just the reflecting on this scripture I wrote this:

If we are a city on a hill
 then they’ll be looking to see what we’re doing
If we are light that’s shining high
then where we are darkness should be expelled 
it’s gotta make you question
It’s gotta make you question
 How are we living
 What are we saying 
To awaken a dying generation 
to know death has been beaten
 How are we serving
 What are we doing 
To be that light in the world 
and that city on a hill 
It’s really gotta make you question

I have obviously been taken back by this thought. God created our eyes to be physically remarkable, but He created our spirits to be as well. I believe our spirits see so much more than we realize, because out of the conditions of our spirits our souls (will, mind and emotions) react, and out of our soul our bodies react.  If the physical eye can see light, then don’t you think that spiritually us being light in this dark world, those around us will be able to see us no matter where we are. Imagine if we worked together instead of against each other. So many times we are more busy trying to extinguish other lights around us instead of fanning the flames!

I don’t know about you, but I know that I want to be that person that is the light in the darkness, and is shinning so brightly that my “good works” will point others to “glorify” my “Father!” I was so aware in that church service how human I am, but through the lighting of the candles, and the centrum silver commercial, I am also fully aware that God made me for a specific purpose and it’s to be that light no matter whether I am here at home, or in a closed nation. I also know for a fact that He is waiting on you to be available to be used by Him, after all your eyes are amazing too!

"If I can do it for them, then can't I do it for you?"

Well, I sit here in amazement of God's faithfulness in Ft.Lauderdale Airport as I wait for my next flight.

We started our journey last night in Lima, Peru at 10:00pm Sunday as we said goodbye and loaded in the van for one last trip to the airport. We got inside and everything was very rushed as we were told our flight was already loading. The line was empty but of course going through immigration check-points took forever. I don't know that I've ever went through such a long process to get to my gate. We ran through everything only to find out they weren't actually loading yet. Finally, we get on the plane and are waiting thinking more people are going to load and to find out the plane literally had only 30 passengers including us. So that's right we got to all have our own rows and lay down a good percentage of the flight. (favor of he Lord!) The only downfall of the flight is while we were distending the pressure in the cabin was so bad that I was almost in tears with pain. (please pray as I am still in pain from it at this very moment at 2:51pm Monday).

So now being in the U.S., we knew that we'd have to go through re-entry and back to the ticket counter because we had to change airlines we got the surprise of signs notating that we'd have to pay for our baggage. Well, being the person who has handling all our money, I knew we didn't have it in our budget to eat and pay for those bags. So I did everything I could think of; called our travel agent (who only confirmed that every airline is different and we'd have to pay it), went to the ticket counter to see if there was any waiver they'd be willing to offer (only to be denied), and finally then called Michael our school leader to see if the base could do anything because we literally didn't have enough money. After some time, we got the thumbs up that the base could use the credit card to pay for our bags, but me knowing that we didn't have anymore money in the budget I was saddened.

Well, a little while later, Sahara (one of the co-leaders) and I were sitting and watching a show and I started remembering all the stories of friends who went to the airport knowing it's where God wanted them and just expected God to show up with the necessary funds to get them from A to B. I then heard a still quiet voice say... "if I can do it for them, then can't I do it for you?" I then had such a peace knowing that something miraculous was going to happen, that somehow we were not going to have to pay for our bags. Some time went by and I shared with Sahara's husband Ryan that I felt like the Lord was going to do something, like we weren't going to have to pay. A little while later the time has come for us to be able to check-in, and I communicate with the students if any of them have the money to pay that would be great because it'd be nice to take as much of the burden off the base as possible, and those of us who couldn't pay at the moment would raise the necessary funds to cover what the base had to cover. More the half of the team was able to cover themselves so we head for the ticket counter knowing 2 of us would be covered by the base, and the rest would be paying for their own bags. Next thing I know, a lady behind the counter looks directly at me and says "do you need some help?", and I explained that I knew I was going to have to pay for a couple bags and ... she cut me off, saying  "come let me help you." She takes the information and she looks up at me and says you don't have to pay for anything. She said "if you were to check-in on the kiosk you would have to pay but I was able to catch the charges," so we waived the rest of the team over and she handled all the ticketing. I couldn't believe it. The lady didn't say anything to anyone else ahead of us, but looked directly at me. I knew it was exactly the thing God mentioned to me earlier in the day. I was soo amazed! God is incredibly faithful. Then to top it off... it's time for us to go through security for one last time where I knew it was such a hassle and I just said I really don't have want to take my computer out again, and my shoes off, then some how I (along with a few others on the team) got moved to the quick line where I didn't have to take my computer out, didn't have to take my shoes off, and didn't have go through the full body scan. Thank you Jesus!

Needless to say, though this trip has been very long and we still have 6 hours before we are actually home, and I am still in pain I have seen the beauty of God's faithfulness, and favor!