Faith is more then being faithful....

Ok...so I realized that my last blog was quite awhile ago...and it wasn't exactly the best view of what God's been teaching me. So I thought I would send out an update that has a little more to do with how God's been moving here in Brazil...

Well as I sit in my kitchen trying to update friends and family through email, facebook, and skype I look out the sliding glass door of our 7th story apartment and take in the sights of Brazil. There are mountains around us, the ocean is out to my left, Recreio shopping to my right...everything a girl could want! haha The mall is awesome because it has a fantastic little coffee shop and a great super market that fits our needs quite nicely. For example: Last night I made our little family penne pasta, with spaghetti sauce that I doctored up quite nicely with oregano and fresh garlic, we also had steamed broccoli, and homemade cheesy garlic bread! Thanks mom...I can't take the credit for my cooking genius ; ) God has provided for us in numerous ways by allowing us opportunities to make our apartment our home, eating meals that remind us of home, and keeping in contact with people who are our home and our life.

How do I express what God is doing in my life here in Brazil? Man that question could take forever to answer. I lean on God more here. Plain and simple. My friends, family, and loved ones are far from me. But God has given me internet so that I can communicate. He gave me skype so I can see their faces. He blesses me with encouragement from people every single day. The ladies here that I live with have become family to me. We lean on each other. When Laura, Bria, and I were in Campo Grande all this last week staying with a family we missed Sharon and Kristi a ton! It was so awesome to finally come back together and come back to our home. God has blessed me so fully with the ladies I serve with down here. I feel the love! God fills me cup every single day with his love many many times through all of you back home!

God is teaching me about how to be bold in my faith. That it isn't just about reading your bible and faithfully going to church every Sunday. Faith is about actions, it's about deeds, it's about stepping up to the plate when God calls your name. No hesitation, no fear of looking foolish, or wondering what God's plan is. I can't tell you the number of amazing conversations I've had with people by asking them what God has been doing in their lives. I have enjoyed encouraging the students of Campo Grande to step up and challenge one another to not just come to church but to be apostles and to bring the good news to their friends in school. We have an English Night coming up at Campo Grande on Saturday. We have invited kids from all different English courses and churches to come, to invite their friends, and to enjoy american snacks, music, games, and conversation. This is to get them excited for English Camp in July. I really want to challenge the kids of the church to use this as an opportunity for them to be examples of Christ to those who may be seeking or are lost! Please pray that they would step up to the plate!

I am currently reading through James with a young woman here that I have built a relationship with over the last few years during my time in Brazil. God has used this relationship to encourage me to seek out opportunities to share with other students. It is so important not to waste any time!

There are days when I am so exhausted trying to think in Portuguese, when I miss my family like crazy, and when I just wish I could be in my room on my bed or able to have a delicious Mexican meal : ) There are days when I just desire to be with people who know my background and where I've come from. Days when I wish that I could hug my boyfriend and have someone pamper me : ) But MAN let me tell you...God ALWAYS brings me to his throne. He ALWAYS speaks to my heart and helps me to tell him my heart's frustrations and he ALWAYS fills me with his love and strength. I truly have come to experience his provision in all circumstances. There is NOTHING that I cannot do when I look to the Lord of my life. He is the God that I seek to serve in all that I do. In every conversation, every hard moment, every moment that I am lonely, every amazing experience, every triumph, and every moment I learn something new. Faith is not just about being faithful. It is about stepping up to the plate. It is about taking the challenges that God gives you so that you can grow. He keeps asking me to flex my spiritual muscles and when I get tired I look to him to give me the boost I need. I have learned that my faith back home was real. That I truly desire to have him as Lord of my life. But it is here that I am learning how to do that in all that I do.

God is taking me, breaking me, fixing me, strengthening me, transforming me, refining me, celebrating with me, and pouring his love into me.

Praise Him with me in the ways in which he is working in your own life!

Blessings,
Anna