So I have some exciting news!! After praying and searching I have finally found a permanent place to live. I will be living in a one bedroom apartment in the town where I am currently living in. I really felt that God wanted me to stay in the Teulon area and so he has blessed me with an apartment here. But here is my story:
When I first arrived I was living in a basement on a cot. It was something temporary because I wanted to search for a place to live. I needed to find my bearings and know what these towns were going to be like. What life was going to be like. I don't know how long I will be staying. It could be a year, five, maybe 9 months... I don't know. Anyway, there was this apartment building that caught interest in me since I first got here but wasn't sure if I should live in there because I didn't have a job, I needed to get things together, and yeah I felt like it was not a good idea to go in there first off.
In September I looked at the place and thought that it was okay but I wanted to see what else was round the area. As days went by I nothing was happening. I couldn't find anything around in the area or if I did it would be too expensive for my budget.
When October came around I was feeling very discouraged and really wanted my own place. Independence was really tickling my bones and I just wasn't satisfied... I then began to pray and asked God to provide me with a permanent place to live by the end of October. I was so desperate and so I was hoping my prayers would be answered and God would provide. By the end of October, nothing really happened. I became a little discouraged but I didn't give up because I knew that God was going to provide.
I was still searching and trying to find options available for me and there was still nothing. I was looking in the paper and trying to hear from other people but there was still nothing. I became discouraged and thought that I will be staying in the basement until when I come back after Christmas.
I then found the number that was given to me from the landlady and I decided to give her a call to see if there were any apartments available. Before I called though I prayed and said to God that if He wants me in those apartments, open the doors. I called the woman and asked her if there were any available and she said yes, there was a man that backed out on her and there is one available! It was such a huge answer to prayer. She said that I am able to move in at the end of the month and I told her that would be amazing.
So there you have it folks! God is so amazing and he provides so hugely! I couldn't ask for anything better! He has given me so much and I am super blessed!!
Thanks for those who have been praying and continuing praying for me. I love your support and everything that you have done in my life. I really appreciate everyone of you!
Much love,
Sandra
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Ready to Give Up?
A couple of days ago I was doing my daily reading and this scripture really popped out at me and I thought I should share it with you.
Luke 5:1-7
One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water's edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish."
"Master," Simon replied, "we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, I'll let the nets down again." And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.
When reading this, Simon was crazy!! Think about it! Simon and the other fishermen were out ALL NIGHT trying to catch fish and they didn't catch anything! Jesus told Simon to go where it's deeper and let down his nets and the obedience Simon had to go out there is incredible. Just think what would have happened if Simon said no.
Think about it in your life how many times you have tried and tried at something and constantly have been discouraged. You want to give up, you want to quit and when people tell you to keep trying you probably have the attitude of being: PFFFTTT, ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! I HAVE TRIED ALL DAY AND YOU WANT ME TO KEEP TRYING???!!!
Simon had that obedience! Simon went out after being out there all night trying and trying. Simon went out again with hope. After being discouraged he went out with hope, still trying and having faith.
It is a huge challenge for me to continue to keep going when you constantly try and nothing seems the way you want it to go, nothing comes through the way you want it to, or even how you expected it to be. But that is life, we try and try and sometimes it just doesn't happen. Sometimes it just doesn't work. But we must not give up very easily. We must continue to go, continue to seek, continue to try and try again. It may be hard at that time but in the end it will be rewarding.
I am inspired by a friend, Li Mei, from Thailand who's motto was "Never Give Up!" I can hear it so clearly when we would be together eating the abundance amount of Thai food on the table. Our plates are full with food and it keeps being added to the plate every time. You eat and eat and feel as though your stomach is going to burst and Li Mei would pile the food on when you just finished two plates and say Never Give Up...
NEVER GIVE UP!! Just like Simon never gave up! Continue to go through your struggles, continue to battle the hardship, continue to seek the light at the end of the tunnel because it will come. Give it to God and walk through it with him! Ask God for help, know that you are not alone and that you can continue on this journey with God by your side.
Are you going to give up or are you going to try and try again?
Luke 5:1-7
One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water's edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish."
"Master," Simon replied, "we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, I'll let the nets down again." And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.
When reading this, Simon was crazy!! Think about it! Simon and the other fishermen were out ALL NIGHT trying to catch fish and they didn't catch anything! Jesus told Simon to go where it's deeper and let down his nets and the obedience Simon had to go out there is incredible. Just think what would have happened if Simon said no.
Think about it in your life how many times you have tried and tried at something and constantly have been discouraged. You want to give up, you want to quit and when people tell you to keep trying you probably have the attitude of being: PFFFTTT, ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! I HAVE TRIED ALL DAY AND YOU WANT ME TO KEEP TRYING???!!!
Simon had that obedience! Simon went out after being out there all night trying and trying. Simon went out again with hope. After being discouraged he went out with hope, still trying and having faith.
It is a huge challenge for me to continue to keep going when you constantly try and nothing seems the way you want it to go, nothing comes through the way you want it to, or even how you expected it to be. But that is life, we try and try and sometimes it just doesn't happen. Sometimes it just doesn't work. But we must not give up very easily. We must continue to go, continue to seek, continue to try and try again. It may be hard at that time but in the end it will be rewarding.
I am inspired by a friend, Li Mei, from Thailand who's motto was "Never Give Up!" I can hear it so clearly when we would be together eating the abundance amount of Thai food on the table. Our plates are full with food and it keeps being added to the plate every time. You eat and eat and feel as though your stomach is going to burst and Li Mei would pile the food on when you just finished two plates and say Never Give Up...
NEVER GIVE UP!! Just like Simon never gave up! Continue to go through your struggles, continue to battle the hardship, continue to seek the light at the end of the tunnel because it will come. Give it to God and walk through it with him! Ask God for help, know that you are not alone and that you can continue on this journey with God by your side.
Are you going to give up or are you going to try and try again?
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Coming Alive!
I know that I haven't posted in a while because things have been quite busy. Working at Tim Hortons has been crazy because I have actually been getting a lot of hours than I was expecting. And so with that and also doing ministry it has been a super crazy life for me.
I guess those of you who are reading want to know what is going on in my life and what I have been doing here in Manitoba ministry wise.
Well to start off, we have started a young adults group that focus on social justice through the eyes of God. It is called Influence and it has already begun but is still in the process and is being revamped as we speak. We are hoping that people of our generation are willing to come so that we will be able to change their lives as well. Allowing them to be aware of what is going on around in this world and that Jesus cares about what is happening in this world.
Something that we are hoping to start real soon is a youth drop in where we will be able to transition into a youth group. It is something that I am really looking forward to. Something that I hope will be able to change these young lives because there is nothing else for them to do and what they end up resulting is drinking, partying and drugs. I am unsure of what is going to come to it but I know that great things are going to start happening through this.
One thing that I am also working on the side is developing a children's program that will be able to allow children to come during the week to learn more about God and to just have a lot of fun. I want these children to be a new generation that will rise and stand firm in what they believe in.
There is an amazing opportunity that the church is involved in right now which is called "Operation Come Alive!" This is where we are coming together as a church body and being involved in 21 days of prayer and praying for the church, praying for leadership and praying for 10 new families to come into the church. I feel as though God is working in some of the people in the church and I feel as though He is preparing others for what is to come.
This is going to be an amazing year and am hoping by the end of June 30th, 2013 this church will be filled and will be stable to continue on to the future! It is going to be an amazing year and I know that great things are going to happen.
So, I ask you to pray with me as we pray for the leadership, the church body and for the 10 new families to flood in the church by the end of June 2013. Great things are to come and with God nothing is impossible! Praise God for what He has already done and what is going to come!
I guess those of you who are reading want to know what is going on in my life and what I have been doing here in Manitoba ministry wise.
Well to start off, we have started a young adults group that focus on social justice through the eyes of God. It is called Influence and it has already begun but is still in the process and is being revamped as we speak. We are hoping that people of our generation are willing to come so that we will be able to change their lives as well. Allowing them to be aware of what is going on around in this world and that Jesus cares about what is happening in this world.
Something that we are hoping to start real soon is a youth drop in where we will be able to transition into a youth group. It is something that I am really looking forward to. Something that I hope will be able to change these young lives because there is nothing else for them to do and what they end up resulting is drinking, partying and drugs. I am unsure of what is going to come to it but I know that great things are going to start happening through this.
One thing that I am also working on the side is developing a children's program that will be able to allow children to come during the week to learn more about God and to just have a lot of fun. I want these children to be a new generation that will rise and stand firm in what they believe in.
There is an amazing opportunity that the church is involved in right now which is called "Operation Come Alive!" This is where we are coming together as a church body and being involved in 21 days of prayer and praying for the church, praying for leadership and praying for 10 new families to come into the church. I feel as though God is working in some of the people in the church and I feel as though He is preparing others for what is to come.
This is going to be an amazing year and am hoping by the end of June 30th, 2013 this church will be filled and will be stable to continue on to the future! It is going to be an amazing year and I know that great things are going to happen.
So, I ask you to pray with me as we pray for the leadership, the church body and for the 10 new families to flood in the church by the end of June 2013. Great things are to come and with God nothing is impossible! Praise God for what He has already done and what is going to come!
Friday, October 19, 2012
Never Alone
Isaiah 43:1-2 ~ But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
I was reading this verse last night and it is something that I was really pondering over. When I read it again this is what I think: God called us here to live on this Earth. Our parents haven't called us here, our grandparents didn't call us here and our friends haven't called us here. God has called us here to live on this Earth. He was called us by name and we are children of God!
This makes sense to me because the next verse tells us "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you."
Now you will be saying, what the heck are you talking about woman?? Well, when we go through hard times of life, when we feel as though we are stuck or failing God is always by our side no matter what!
Think about it like this, when you were young and you fell and scraped your knee, it was the end of the world!! You were gonna die or get your leg amputated! You will never be able to walk again and life will just be so difficult from now on because of one little stinking scrape on your knee. Now when you scraped your knee, your parents came to the rescue you. To comfort you, to hug you and telling you that everything is going to be alright and that you will be fine. This is a reflection of what God is like in our lives!
When we are in the midst of the storm, sometimes people will not be there to rescue you. Sometimes your family will not be there and sometimes your friends will not be there. It sucks and we feel as though we are doing it all in our own but we have to remember that God IS ALWAYS THERE! He is beside us and near us 24/7 because He loves us so much. He has a love that is unfailing and it never fails.
The thing is to make it our choice. We have choices, lots of them to make and I really hate making them but I feel as though when it is a choice between you and God, you have to give it to Him and trust him and walk together or you control the situation by yourself. It is a huge challenge that I believe all Christian's face and I feel as though the word Christian makes us feel as though we should be perfect and everyone must hide their true selves (but this is going on to a rant).
Anyway, what I am trying to say is that through the storm it is hard for us to remember that God is there with us every step of the way and we must do our best to remember that God is ALWAYS there. He is our Father who picks us up when we fall and scrape our knees. He is there when we cannot see the road because the fog is too thick or when the water is rising higher and higher.
It is easy to say and harder to do but we should not hold on to anything. Don't control it, something that I have been struggling with in my life ~ Trust in God and give it to Him!
I hope this makes sense, and know that if you are struggling like me, you are not alone because I am struggling too... That makes the both of us, ha so you're not alone!
Much Love!
Nothing I hold on to ~ Will Reagan and United Pursuit
I lean not on my own understanding
My life is in the hands of the maker of heaven
I lean not on my own understanding
My life is in the hands of the maker of heaven
I give it all to You God
Trusting that You'll make something beautiful out of me
I give it all to You God
Trusting that You'll make something beautiful out of me
I will climb this mountain
With my hands wide open
There's nothing I hold on to
Thursday, October 4, 2012
The Waiting Challenge
Isaiah 30:18 ~ So the Lord must wait for you to come to Him so He can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for His help.
Thank you Lord for Your word!
Monday, September 17, 2012
Day 3 - I am thankful!
Today embarks the third day of me setting foot in the province of Manitoba. Things have been going quite well since being here, mostly everything has been a blessing.
When I arrived in Winnipeg, I was greeted by the pastor, who I will be working with, and his daughter, who is 2 years younger than me. I know this family from when I was living in Thunder Bay and going to University studying to be a teacher. It was nice to be reacquainted with them and to "catch up" so to speak. It was like we never left each other and it was great to be able to re-connect after 2 years of poor communication between one another.
I got to see a little slice of Winnipeg and I didn't expect it to be a big city. I was rather shocked because I didn't realize how lucky I am to be living an hour away from this city. Now, I know some people say that Winnipeg is a dangerous place to live in and I do have to be cautious of the areas that I go but man, this is a dream that I can't even imagine. With most of my life living 4 hours away from a city and then now starting a life where I am only 1 hour is totally a huge blessing!!
Yesterday, I went to church in Stonewall. This is where one of the churches are located. You see, I live in Teulon at the moment and there is a church that the pastor has opened up here, in Teulon, and then there is another church in Stonewall as well. This means that I will be dealing with two churches!! HOW COOL IS THAT??!!
Anyway, I went to church and there were people that were super excited for me to be there. It was very encouraging and very amazing to hear people have an interest in me. (Haha, just kinda sounds weird) There was this one little girl that I met and she told me that she is really excited for me to be here and that she is really happy for me. It was a confirmation that this is where I am supposed to be. Also, I was talking to her mom for a little bit and she also told me that she was super excited to see me. It was very encouraging and welcoming for me.
This family also has talked to the pastor and is willing for me to come into their house and to live with them. They have three kids ages 3-10 and I have been really thinking about it. I feel as though God wants me there in that family. It makes sense but I will see what happens and where God really wants to take me.
You may be wondering why the family talked to the pastor about me coming into their home. Well, I am living with the pastors family but the thing is that I am sleeping on a cot in the basement sharing it with a washer, dryer and a bunch of boxes. A part of me wishes I can have my own room and my own place but at the same time I need to count my blessings and be thankful. And so I am thankful!! Praise God that I am in a house with a family who is taking care of me and helping me out! Praise God that he is providing me with a lot of great things! But, only time will tell how tired I will get for rooming with the washer, dryer and boxes and would like my own room with my own privacy. Only the time and waiting will tell to see God providing me with what I need.
I am at this point of waiting on God and just seeing Him answering prayers. Trusting that His plan will conquer and not mine. I am thankful!
Much love!
When I arrived in Winnipeg, I was greeted by the pastor, who I will be working with, and his daughter, who is 2 years younger than me. I know this family from when I was living in Thunder Bay and going to University studying to be a teacher. It was nice to be reacquainted with them and to "catch up" so to speak. It was like we never left each other and it was great to be able to re-connect after 2 years of poor communication between one another.
I got to see a little slice of Winnipeg and I didn't expect it to be a big city. I was rather shocked because I didn't realize how lucky I am to be living an hour away from this city. Now, I know some people say that Winnipeg is a dangerous place to live in and I do have to be cautious of the areas that I go but man, this is a dream that I can't even imagine. With most of my life living 4 hours away from a city and then now starting a life where I am only 1 hour is totally a huge blessing!!
Yesterday, I went to church in Stonewall. This is where one of the churches are located. You see, I live in Teulon at the moment and there is a church that the pastor has opened up here, in Teulon, and then there is another church in Stonewall as well. This means that I will be dealing with two churches!! HOW COOL IS THAT??!!
Anyway, I went to church and there were people that were super excited for me to be there. It was very encouraging and very amazing to hear people have an interest in me. (Haha, just kinda sounds weird) There was this one little girl that I met and she told me that she is really excited for me to be here and that she is really happy for me. It was a confirmation that this is where I am supposed to be. Also, I was talking to her mom for a little bit and she also told me that she was super excited to see me. It was very encouraging and welcoming for me.
This family also has talked to the pastor and is willing for me to come into their house and to live with them. They have three kids ages 3-10 and I have been really thinking about it. I feel as though God wants me there in that family. It makes sense but I will see what happens and where God really wants to take me.
You may be wondering why the family talked to the pastor about me coming into their home. Well, I am living with the pastors family but the thing is that I am sleeping on a cot in the basement sharing it with a washer, dryer and a bunch of boxes. A part of me wishes I can have my own room and my own place but at the same time I need to count my blessings and be thankful. And so I am thankful!! Praise God that I am in a house with a family who is taking care of me and helping me out! Praise God that he is providing me with a lot of great things! But, only time will tell how tired I will get for rooming with the washer, dryer and boxes and would like my own room with my own privacy. Only the time and waiting will tell to see God providing me with what I need.
I am at this point of waiting on God and just seeing Him answering prayers. Trusting that His plan will conquer and not mine. I am thankful!
Much love!
Sunday, September 16, 2012
With Everything - Hillsongs
This is a song that I encourage you to listen to. It is something that really speaks to me and it is something thing that I feel as though us as a church and us at Christians can make a real difference if we follow and serve God with everything that we have. We can make a difference in this world if we give God everything that we have. It is amazing what God will do in our lives if we are obedient and follow HIM!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq_z_i9XQZc
Here are the lyrics for you to read and ponder them. They are not in the order of how it is sung.
Open our eyes
To see the things that make Your heart cry
To be the church that You would desire
Your light to be seen
Break down our pride
And al the walls we've built up inside
Our earthly crowns and all our desires
We lay at Your feet
So let hope rise and darkness tremble
In Your holy light
That every eye will see Jesus our God
Great and mighty to be praised
God of all days
Glorious in all of Your ways
The majesty the wonder and grace
In the light of Your Name
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq_z_i9XQZc
Here are the lyrics for you to read and ponder them. They are not in the order of how it is sung.
Open our eyes
To see the things that make Your heart cry
To be the church that You would desire
Your light to be seen
Break down our pride
And al the walls we've built up inside
Our earthly crowns and all our desires
We lay at Your feet
So let hope rise and darkness tremble
In Your holy light
That every eye will see Jesus our God
Great and mighty to be praised
God of all days
Glorious in all of Your ways
The majesty the wonder and grace
In the light of Your Name
With everything, with everything
We will shout for Your glory
With everything, with everything
We will shout forth Your praise
Our hearts they cry, be glorified
Be lifted high above all names
For You our King with everything
We will shout forth Your praise
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