Amidst our final preparations and packing (or I'm kind of starting to finally pack! haha), I sat down this morning for a final quiet time before going to Guatemala.  I was encouraged to read Psalm 121, and to meditate on how the psalmist characterizes God.  I love this Psalm, and several parts of it spoke to me more than ever before. -

I lift up my eyes to the hills -

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip - 

he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you - 

the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm -

he will watch over your life;

the Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

When preparing for a trip, I think it is easier to pray that God provides protection and keeps us safe.  While this may be true, we should also seek God to BE our Protector, to be there with us.  As missionaries prepare to spread the Word of God, they can rest assured that they are protected.  It will look different in every circumstance, but if they look to the Lord for help, then His Word says that they are protected, not by anything created, but by the Creator of everything.  I am going forward, confident of that, and confident that the Lord is with us, not just sending us as His laborers.

I think it's so beautiful when you have open hearts, just allowing God's Word to speak to you.  This morning was an example of that.  I'm constantly amazed at how God chooses to reveal Himself, and I know this journey has also encouraged me, again, to seek to know Him more.

Again, thank you for all of the prayers and encouragement! :)

Preparing for Guatemala!!

A week from tomorrow, my mom and I fly to Guatemala to meet a team of 35 others from GAIN to serve and take supplies. Thanks to a conference call with our team going to Guatemala, reality is finally setting in!  When we are there, we are partnering up with Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU) members in Guatemala.  According to our director, we will most likely see about 4,000 children in schools in 4 days.  That sounds overwhelming!!  I'm trying not to let those numbers overwhelm me, but just prepare my heart for how God is going to use us.  As I really reflect on how this is going to work, I am just so amazed that God can use our little team to reach that many people!!  I've realized that, more important than simply those numbers, is the impact I hope the Gospel makes on the lives of the teachers, administrators, students, parents, and even interpreters involved in this trip.

As I've been preparing spiritually for this, and as I've already heard about what God is doing in other areas around the world, I've realized how powerful bold prayer is.
 
If you are willing, there are so many things I can ask you to pray for as we prepare to go, .

• pray for our team to really be united as one body in Christ- coming in from all ages and places in the nation, that God uses our love for Him and willingness to serve to unite us all!! 
• pray for our safety as we travel and stay in Guatemala City and Jutiapa (this is the first time my mom & I are traveling out of the country, so we are super excited/nervous for all the traveling!)
• pray for the team preparing our work there and that God lays His hands over each person and over all preparation (spiritually, mentally, physically, etc) - I'm praying and trusting that He provides exactly what these people need and blesses it in ways we cannot imagine.
• pray (I know especially for me) that we are committed to being humble servants and messengers throughout this trip, boldy preaching about God's love and Jesus and testifying to how He works in our lives. 
• pray for the children. :)  I'm praying that God opens their hearts and prepares the way for His Word to speak to them when we can share about Him.  I want them to know they can have hope, everlasting joy despite their circumstances, and the love of a Savior.   
• pray for EVERYTHING that is about to happen.  I'm trying to open my heart and mind, not putting God in a box, but praying boldly for His Spirit to be present and to change people.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us." - 1 John 5:14

Thank you so much for each & every person who supported us in this journey so far!!  I think it is so beautiful how everyone is involved in expanding God's Kingdom and I am so blessed by the support and encouragement!! :)  We are also praying for everyone "at home" when we are there!  Thank you for your prayers!

"And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?...How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news." Romans 10:14-15