heaven is here. November 25, 2009

we won’t stop crying out to him because he hears us every time.

we won’t stop pouring out our love to him because he loves us every time.

we won’t stop going out to him because he meets us every time.

we won’t stop living only for him because he’s faithful every time.

wake up, the normal life

you can do whatever you want to

shake up eternal signs

because we want you,

because heaven is here now, he’s all around us.

heaven is here now, he’s all around us.

!!!!!!!!!!!! September 27, 2009

WE’RE ENGAGED!!!

After all September 10, 2009

 

 

In your ways oh God,

Redemption is better than perfection.

Your ways are better than life.

 

How could I forget you?

After all you have done for me?

After all you’ve done for me…

 

I will give you all my praise.

Let your glory shine on me.

Over and over you prove yourself to be faithful.

 

There is a song inside my soul, just waiting to be free.

After your heart September 3, 2009

Jesus, here I am your favorite one What are You thinking, what are You feeling? I have to know For I am after Your heart I’m after Your heart I’m after You

I’ll take my cold, cold heart
I’ll take my unrenewed mind
I’ll take Your word in my hand
And I’ll give You time, to come and melt me
I can’t even love You unless You call my name
I can’t even worship unless You anoint my heart
I can’t even want to unless You want me first
So come fan the flame
Do what only You can do – Come fan the flame
Do what only You can do – Come fan the flame
Do what only You can do – Come fan the flame
Do what only You can do
Just let my heart be alive
Let me be living deep, deep on the inside
Just let my heart be alive
Let me be living deep, deep on the inside
Come fan the flame

-Misty Edwards

King of Glory August 14, 2009

King of glory, hear my cry

It’s your heart I long to know

Your kindness and relentless love

To this world I will somehow show.

Gaze into my eyes

Look deep into my heart.

You have been close all along,

You never left me from the start.

You are my beloved

I am yours and you are mine.

Fan this flame that’s deep within

This light of mine, oh let it shine.

May your name be lifted high

All honor and glory to you.

I bow at your throne in all your splendor

Although my words are few.

Drench me in your sweet love

Teach me to walk in Your will

Saturate my soul.

I am desperate for you still.

Surrounding me is your beauty:

The way a bird can fly

The colors of the morning sunrise

and the mysteries of the sky.

Rid me of myself.

Cleanse me and make me new.

This world has nothing for me

All I want is you.

I will dance, I will sing

Take me under the shadow of your wing.

I will dance, I will sing

All for you, my glorious King.

People get ready August 14, 2009

We are the apple of our Father’s eye. ‘In a most watchful and tender manner: the apple of the eye is the aperture in it, which lets in rays of light into the retina where the images of things are formed. The LORD says that he cares for us as we guard the pupil of the eye.’

I sense the Lord doing something big in my heart, in our church, and in this city. The Hinge is coming up (August 29th).  I am expecting the Holy Spirit to blow His mighty wind on our city and in the downtown area of Greenville.  Many of you have been fasting and going to the Lord to interceed for this city’s healing and revival. I am ready and I anticipate what the Lord is stirring in the hearts of His children.

Your love April 24, 2009

The kingdom of the heavens is now advancing.

Invade my heart, invade this broken town.

The kingdom of the heavens is buried treasure

Would you sell yourself to buy the one you’ve found?

Two things you told me

That you are strong

And you love me

Yes, you love me.

On a happy note- January 17, 2009

 I got past the dreaded first day of school. So far I am loving most of my classes and getting to know more people. I have been blessed by having a great school schedule and great work hours AND I have been feeling better! Thank you Lord!

I was so refreshed by the Revival Redefining Normal done by the Wayfarer guys. They are so gifted at speaking truth and captivating our hearts in a call for change. I am really enjoying our Sunday morning series, Fresh. I have such a strong desire to just start over. To start fresh. To start dedicating my life to living a more passionate life of radical faith and leaving the negative opinions of man behind. To stop wasting my days and missing where the Father is leading me. To stop using the excuse “I’m too young” and stop worrying about the things beyond my control. So many times I try to take things in my own hands instead of surrendering completely to the Lord.

 So.. here’s to a “fresh” start.

So I’ll stand with arms high and heart abandoned. In awe of the one who gave it all. I’ll stand my soul Lord to you surrendered.  All I am is Yours.

3 men August 28, 2008

I met an amazing woman named Debbie who lives on the property of where we have school. We talked for a little bit and she told about a ministry she and her husband have and we talked for some time about life and other things. The next day she and her son came by the thrift shop and invited to take me horseback riding. I was thrilled! I needed a break and I had been wanting to go but had not had the time.

So now the good part…

(1) The man we got the horses from ended up living right behind her which she had no idea. She has met him a few days prior in another town when he told her about his horses. She told us that she knew he was going to be saved. While we were riding the horses, they talked and she got to know him better. she told us to keep praying because it was getting close. When we got back to the house he said he wanted to pray and accept Jesus as his savior. We then prayed together with him and welcomed him to the family and invited him to church. Praise God!!

 

 

(2) The next day after class she invited me to go with them to Chapala to show some of her friends around. We met a man who makes these amazing purses out of candy wrappers and cookie papers. His name was Andrew and Debbie asked him if he thought his parents named him after Andrew in the Bible. He said he knew nothing about him. She spoke to him more and after getting to know him she asked him if He knew Jesus. He said no and that he wanted to. We prayed with him and He too, accepted Jesus as his savior. She said she was going to come back and give him a Bible for him to have. He told us he has never owned a Bible in his life. He also said that He was catholic but has always been looking for another way until now. Praise God!!

 

(3) The same day we met another man who was selling ice cream. We talked to him about how he made it because it was odd looking and bought some. We ran into him later and Debbie asked him if he could take a picture for us. They began talking some more and HE TOO wanted to receive Jesus. We prayed the prayer with him and welcomed him to the family and spoke with him some more about what it meant and what he now was apart of. Praise God!!

 

 

All 3 times, Debbie explained to us that it’s not about bombarding them. It was about asking God to bring to her the people who were the lost, the people who were in the dark and needed him. It was sincere. She kept her eyes opened and every opportunity developed a friendship with them then asked if they knew the Lord. It wasn’t for her own glory but for the glory of God. We now have 3 new brothers in Christ!!

Language School August 15, 2008

School starts August 26! When school begins, our main focus will be class, homework and studying. From what we have heard from others who have already taken the school, it is going to be intense, hard work that requires much of our time. I have been greatly blessed with the money to cover the cost of my first session of school. Praise God! However, after discussing finances with my leaders, I still lack $500.00 to cover my living expenses while attending school. Please ask God how you can contribute in whatever way that may be. I need your prayers as I begin living by faith and become a self- supporting missionary. Any money can be given to my mom, Jan Hopkins, where it will come directly to me. You can also send any donations to Shepherd’s Heart Ministries. The mailing address is 135 Bill Cox Road Jonesborough, TN 37659. If you write a check you can make it out to Shepherd’s Heart Ministries and put my name on the memo line. Any amount will help and if there is anything left over, it will be given to support Hope House as they also have certain needs to be met to keep them going.

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Some other things you can be praying for specifically..

-Strength to get me through school when it gets tough.

-That I will soak up the language and not have problems memorizing.

-Self discipline when it comes to studying

-Rest

-My role with the ministry and where I can serve on my days off

-Emotional and spiritual covering

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 Thank you so much! If you would like to e-mail me personally, my e-mail is Lyd3901@yahoo.com

 

 

 

If you haven’t ever gotten an email from me, I have a ton of emails that were incorrect. If you can email your most used email, I can update you more often. J

I’m so excited about starting school and learning more Spanish! I thank God that He’s given me this opportunity and opened so many doors.

A week with Crossroads August 11, 2008

It felt like hours as I anxiously searched for familiar faces through the sliding doors at the airport. I can’t explain the feeling of being reunited with everyone and seeing the smiles I‘ve missed so much these past two months. We spent the week repairing the new house for the boys, fixing the roof, doing yard work, having a VBS at Love in Action, tiling the Church of the Holy Spirit, working in a thrift shop, prayer walking and fellowshipping with each other. We were able to take the kids from Love in Action and the boys from Hope House to a water park. Some of the kids were so excited they SLEPT in their bathing suits. We each had one kid we were to look after for the day. I have to say that was my favorite day. Watching my boy, Marcos, having so much fun and seeing the smile that never left his face gave me so much joy. We also were able to go to a worship service held outside by lake Chapala on Friday (8/8/08). It was a great time of praise and worship and an opportunity for the team to see how the Hispanics worship and how although the language is different, they are still true worshipers. I can’t express how much of an impact our team has made here in Mexico. We have made relationships with the people here and they will continue to grow for years and generations to come. Our team has touched the lives of hundreds in the city of Chapala as well as the surrounding cities. Their willingness to serve and give of themselves selflessly was evident in each and every one of them. Many people got sick during the week but we continued to praise God that he is our healer. How great is our God? I was able to see my friends and church family and serve together with them in the same place God has called me. They have constantly encouraged me. It has been an emotional and spiritual struggle as I was reminded of what I left behind to be here. But as Satan tries to attack me and give me reasons to give up, I will continue to press onward. I will continue to hear what God wants and not what I want or what others want. He has given me His supernatural peace and has blessed me beyond what I ever expected. Although I was sad to see them go, God is not done with me here and I anticipate to see His plans for me unfold.

Here is a link to all of my pictures from this week so you can see more of what we did. I wasn’t kidding when I said I would go crazy with the camera. =)

(i’m working on getting my pictures up)

“When you are willing, God is able.” August 10, 2008

Most of you may know but I have been given the opportunity to take the language school here in Mexico. After praying and seeking the Lord’s will, I have decided I will be taking the first session. School will start August 26 and the session ends October 10. I am going to change my plane ticket and come home October 12, one month later than originally planned. I have picked up a lot of Spanish but I long to know it fluently and hope that one day I will be able to translate. When school begins, my role will change and I will no longer be considered an intern. I will be a self-supporting missionary, therefore I will be in charge of all my finances including school, food, transportation, rent and necessities. When I am done with the session I will then decide if I will take all 4 sessions which ends in February or come home and start school.

It was the last night the team would be here and the time was getting closer to say our goodbyes. Some girls called me into their room and gave me the exact amount of money I needed to pay to get my ticket changed. Later, a hat was passed around and any money left over from the week was put in it and given to me. I have the money to get my ticket changed and on top of that have enough to completely pay for the first session of school! Praise God! Please continue to pray for me as I seek the Lord’s will for my future. Thank you Crossroads! I pray that you would be blessed abundantly so that you can continue to send out God‘s people to reach the nations.

Philippians 4:19-20 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever.

 

Here is the link to the school I will be taking.

 

http://www.harvestlanguagecenter.org/

 

Praise the Lord! July 31, 2008

Some of Meme and Rich’s friends blessed them with a new van! When Havilah and I learn to drive a stick (which isn’t hard but driving a stick IN MEXICO is,) we will be able to drive their old car! It will give us more freedom to be able to go without the inconvenience. Also, Havilah and I do not have a refrigerator in our casita. We talked about splitting the cost to get a mini one so we would not have to go back and forth from the boys home but never got around to it. Another friend of ours had a mini fridge she was going to sell but when she heard about our need, she decided to let us use it for as long as we need it! We are so excited we already have a list of things we want to buy! =)

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It’s 3 days until the team comes! We have been running around, buying groceries, making schedules, figuring out who will go where and figuring out transportation for this coming week. Please pray that everything will work out smoothly but most importantly that we encounter God this week in a way that others may see His glory and come to know Him. I know that with everyone being here I may get homesick when it comes time for their departure. Please pray for me emotionally. It’s going to be hard saying bye again.

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I will not be able to get online while everyone is here, we will be SUPER busy. I can say that I will have tons of pictures and stories for you when the week is over. =)

 

 

Wednesday, July 23 July 23, 2008

It’s so hard to believe it is almost August!! This week Havilah and I have been house sitting this amazingly beautiful house for an Amerian couple while they are on vacation. It has a pool and an amazing view of the mountains. It has been so refreshing. We have been able to sleep in and enjoy the peace and quiet as well as real American food that we can cook because they have an oven!! =) Sitting on their roof looking out onto the mountains and the crisp, white clouds that fall behind them, I am in awe of our creater and the beauty of His creation. The Lord has renewed my body, spirit and mind. I want to do nothing more than to worship Him for His beauty, love, kindness, mercy and forgiveness. I am so in love with my Abba Father. This song has been a constant reminder to me this week that God is my healer and that with Him, nothing is impossible. 

Gloria a Dios July 12, 2008

Today Havilah and I spent the day with Jorge in Guadalarajah. He is the man who stays with the boys every night. He was dying to get out and was so excited about going. One thing.. he only speaks spanish, No English at all.. and he likes to talk. I know some spansish and can understand for the most part, but I am shy when I am asked questions that don’t understand, I feel rude having to ask them repeat what they said. I was praying the whole time that God would supernaturally allow me to understand and speak to him so that it wouldn’t be so awkward. My brain hurts but I was able to understand and he has helped me learn more spanish!! It was great!! I thought it would be so awkard but I got to know him more and I’m picking up on more spanish. =)