i in him, he in me

Let us go on...

2009-05-08T02:45:00.002+09:00

It's been a while since I have even opened my blogger, I thought I would just let it die peacefully but it has been a chronicle of the things God has done in my life and He is not finished. And even though I don't need a blogger to remember all the good things the Lord has done for me, its nice to be able to write down those things and "declare His faithfulness and salvation...to the great assembly (psalm 40:10)."

I have now been in Lima for the past 9 months, I think I have felt every possible emotion while being here. It's been hard getting readjusted to life here and missing Germany so much and all the people there, but the Lord's hand is in it completely, of that I have no doubts.

This morning at devotions we studied Psalm 73. I love how clearly the Lord speaks to our hearts when we are listening. I am thankful for the reminder to once again look to Christ. When we look to Christ it seems like everything gets so much more clearer and you can walk in peace and rest. I wish I could write all the things we talked about but it would be too long, so I will just share one thing the Lord impressed upon my mind which actually came from another verse in Hebrews 13:5

"Let your conduct be without coveteousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

I think it is easy when you get your eyes off of the Lord to become discontent, I have seen this a lot in my own life. Its so easy to compare yourself to others and desire what they have, but how amazing when you realize you have Christ Jesus Himself and He will never be taken from you! I want to understand more and more every day what that entails, exactly what that means. Just some things to meditate on.....

"Godliness with contentment is great gain..." 1 Timothy 6:6

More to come....

Michelle

Ich liebe Deutschland!

2008-08-31T05:37:00.003+09:00

This will be my last entry from Germany. The next couple weeks will be busy with things and I probably wont have easy access to a computer.

I am so thankful for the time the Lord has given me here in Germany. Germany is one of the dearest places on earth to me. Its people will always have a special place in my heart, especially the ones I have gotten to know here at the church in Siegen. It is such a bittersweet feeling leaving. I feel like I am leaving home but also that I am going home. I am excited for the things that God has for me in Peru but I know I will be longing and excited for the day when He will bring me back here to Germany. A huge part of my heart will remain here.

There are a couple prayer requests I would like to ask you to pray for:

Next Friday I will be sharing again at the youth group girls Bible study about Mary from Bethany. Please pray that goes well and the girls are blessed and encouraged.

On the 8th I am going with a group from the Bible College to the Black Forest to do worship for a Christian school. Please pray again that we would be used by the Lord in the lives of the students there.

Verses the Lord gave me the first time I came to Germany as a student in the Bible College were:

"May He grant you according to your heart's desire, and fulfill all your purpose." Psalm 20:4

"You have given him his heart's desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips. For you meet him with the blessing of goodness you set a crown of pure gold upon his head." Psalm 21:2-3

I feel as though the Lord has done this and above. He has given me so much I didnt even ask for or imagine. I feel as though I am leaving Germany far richer and far fuller than when I came in.

Journals

2008-08-23T04:01:00.003+09:00

I think everyone should keep a Journal or Diary (even boys!). Tonight I decided to read an old Journal of mine that I had from two semesters ago and I was amazed at the stuff I found in it and incredibly blessed! It reminds me of that verse about "bringing forth treasures new and old." The Lord wants to remind us of those good things He has done in our lives, the things He taught us, the things He brought us through. How else will we remember those things unless we have them written them down somewhere? Poor humans are so easily prone to forget things, especially spiritual things I think. I highly encourage you start one if you havent already, you will find amazing treasures when you go back and read it...I dont know why I am always amazed when I see how the Lord answered my prayers or worked something into me, He promised to. Keeping a Journal just reminds you of His faithfulness!

A Life Truely Blessed

2008-08-16T17:34:00.003+09:00

Last night I had the privelege of sharing my testimony with the youth group girl's bible study. I really like sharing my testimony because it causes me to remember all of the good things the Lord has done for me! My life has been a truely blessed one.

"Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!" Psalm 107:8

There is so much to thank the Lord for, even in the hard times--the Lord's goodness to us is so much more than we deserved. We are a truely blessed people!

I have one more month in Germany. Right now I am living with the youth pastor and his wife, Tobi and Luci Saenger. Its nice living with people again after living on my own for awhile. I am really blessed by their hospitality. I am so glad that I was able to stay the summer here, its been amazing! I am also very very VERY excited to go home. I havent been back to Peru for about 2 years. I am excited and ready for this new season in my life, there will be lots for me to do and I am excited to just jump right into it. Please pray for CCBC Peru, this next week they are starting classes!

Thanks for reading!

2008-08-05T17:56:00.002+09:00

Last week I was able to go to Dusseldorf again for a week with the youth group from Siegen. It was a really really great time ministry with Pastor Edmund there. My heart is always stirred up for that city. Please pray for the church there, it is small and the work seems slow but I know the Lord is faithful and He is doing something great in that city!

2008-07-17T04:58:00.002+09:00

Simon and I were talking today about updating blogs and I realized that I am not doing so good at updating mine. I will try harder even if it is something small, I will try!!!! Anyways, this morning I read Psalm 91 and I think that is one of my favorite Psalms. The pictures the writer uses are so cool, I can just imagine being so close to the Lord, under His wing or in a huge fortified tower, Him protecting me so carefully, while the enemy gets creamed.
What is the reason for His gentle and careful care? Because I put myself in that place. "Because you have made the Lord who is my refuge...your dwelling place." v.9 "Because he has set his love upon Me...because he has known My name." v.14

what comfort that we know Him and that we have placed ourselves in such victorious and powerful hands! There is so much to meditate on in this Psalm, I havent gotten to it yet but I thought I would just encourage you to read it because you will be blessed!

Today was nice because I got to hang out with Simon. Usually we are able to just hang out on weekends becasue of work so today was a treat, lots of good times of lauging and joking each other. Ill try not to be mushy but I am so thankful to the Lord for giving him to me. Waiting for sure was worth it and every day I am blessed just by knowing him. He has a blog now, please check it out: http://simonfriedrich.wordpress.com/.

Thanks for reading!

2008-06-10T18:20:00.004+09:00

So time for a new update! The semester ended a few weeks ago. We have been pretty busy since it ended doing different things, this week I am helping cook for team that is here-that should be interesting!! Some of my plans have wonderfully changed. I was supposed to go home June 15th but I was able to change my ticket and I will be staying until September 16th, so I get to spend another summer in beautiful Germany! The reason for this change of plans, of course, is Simon. He will leave a day before me in September to go to Belize for a year to help out in the ministry there. I think it will be a hard year apart but we both are confident that the Lord will do amazing things.

This morning in my devotions I was reminded of how happy a Christian really is and should be. In Psalm 1, David writes "blessed" or "happy" is the one who's delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates in it day and night. I was reminded of the importance of training myself to "set my mind on things above." It isn't always the easiest discipline to learn, it takes time and effort but in the end the rewards are far greater and far more satisfying than anything this world can offer. I have also been reading through 1 Corinthians, and in chapter 9 it comes to the part about athletes. Paul talks about fighting and disciplining the body. An athlete's life isn't easy, there is plenty of denying the flesh. The Christian life isn't any different, but the amazing thing, like Paul says, is that our prize is certain, we know what we shall receive and it is really something worth fighting for!

...just because he is so cute!

2008-04-20T05:52:00.002+09:00

So probably most everyone knows by now but I was waiting for the right photos to announce that I have someone very special in my life. His name is Simon Friedrich and we have been together a little over two months. I am blown away and amazed at the Lord's goodness and grace in this relationship. The Lord uses him so much in my life to teach me and reveal the care that He, Himself has for me. I am a very blessed woman!

2008-04-14T16:00:00.002+09:00

"Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

At our last staff meeting, Ben Viscarra, one of our teachers, spoke on this verse. He asked us the question, "What do we delight in?" A great number of things were said, like music, coffee, relationships, seeing people grow, things of this nature. Ben shared with us what Paul delighted in, in weakness and infirmity, according to this verse. For me that is such a strange thing to delight in and really didn't make much sense to me but yesterday, with that in mind, I got a little glimpse of why Paul felt that way.

Mind you, this is nothing in comparison to what Paul went through, but I am a little Christian so I think it is legitimate. Every weekend an intern takes over in the kitchen, cooking and making meals for all the students. For me, this is a difficult task as I dont know really how to cook. I know some basic things but cooking (and especially for 80 people) pretty much is far from my comfort zone. Basically the story is, that yesterday was a very trying day, after not sleeping Saturday night and having to get up early and being very emotionally drained I told the Lord I couldn't do it. Making dinner was too much for me, then He reminded me of these verses and I knew He was going to give me strength. And He really did, He gave me joy and helped me to be more than decent to people. I thought that it is very rarely that I get opportunity to really be stretched and pulled like that, and I think that is exactly what Paul delighted in, those opportunities where he could see the Lord be his strength when he was weak. Every weakness and difficult situation was an exciting way to see the Lord do something amazing! Maybe our flesh doesn't like to be pulled on but after that dinner I was so thankful to the Lord because I knew He had done it! And I look forward to more of those pulling times where His strength has to be revealed through my weakness!

2008-03-29T22:55:00.007+09:00

Egypt Baby!

Museum in Cairo

Dinner on the Nile!

He is not from Egypt, he was our cute tourguide from Israel, named Israel. He was one of my favorite people I met on this trip.

Mediterranean Sea in Alexandria

New Museum in Alexandria

How Cute!

Walking like an Egyptian

2008-03-29T21:07:00.003+09:00

God is so good to me! His blessings are more than I can take...I was reminded that His goodness in my life now is nothing compared to eternity, it is but a small glimmer! That is way too much to handle! How good and great God is!!! Thank you Jesus for my life and for all the blessings you give me!!!

2008-03-21T04:25:00.005+09:00

Israel Pictures!

Everything is going great, its nice to bee here with my dad and seeing the Holy Land! I love you all and miss all you Siegerlanders!

2008-02-23T22:53:00.002+09:00

"For you, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield." Psalm 5:12

2008-02-06T20:11:00.000+09:00

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 35

God is so amazing! i am blown away by His goodness to His children, and the blessings He pours and pours out on us. seems too much sometimes, like i dont know what to do with it, i guess just pour it all back in thanksgiving and praise!

2008-02-06T07:21:00.001+09:00

SAMBOOKIE HERE I COME!!!!

2008-02-04T15:18:00.001+09:00

how amazing his love is!!! his banner over me is LOVE. thank you jesus for all your blessings! my heart is full...welcome to the abundant life!

2008-02-02T17:26:00.001+09:00

its snowing today! i thought it was for sure going to start springing but alas it looks like it will be cold for a while longer...God please bring the spring!!!

most of the students are here, its going to be a good semester! tonight i am going with keith and sabine to a Bible study in Koblenz, i am gonna do worship auf deutsch! please pray we dont crash in the miserable snow.

2008-01-28T08:56:00.000+09:00

chiara mai, i love you so much and i am SO thankful to the Lord to be here with you for this season! oh, this is going to be a good semester!!!

1 corinthians 15:57-58

love,
chiiiiilllaaaaaaaaaannnnga!

2008-01-26T18:46:00.000+09:00

how amazing that the Lord has a specific and perfect plan for each one of us. last night he was so faithful to remind me of that...i went to a home group at Tobi and Luci Sangers house we read the first chapter of Jonah, so cool to me not all about how jonah rebelled or whatever, becuase i dont feel like i am rebelling, but how even though he did rebel there was a specific calling God placed on him and he couldnt get away from it. if God would do that for someone who is rebelling how much more for his children who are seeking to know and do his will? this is my last semester as an intern in germany and i have been here long enough to know that it will go by so fast. this is the first time i have not really had a plan or a "next semester" where i know what i am going to do, it is kind of a wierd feeling for me, but i am encouraged by the desires he has placed in my heart and that he does have a plan and he will bring them to pass.

2008-01-20T00:00:00.000+09:00

Above all else (by Vicky Beaching):

Jesus, my passion in life is to know You

May all other goals bow down to

This journey of loving You more

Jesus, You’ve showered Your goodness on me

Given Your gifts so freely

But there’s one thing I’m longing for

Hear my heart’s cry

And my prayer for this life

Above all else

Give me Yourself

Savior, the more that I see Your beauty

The more that I glimpse Your glory

My heart is captured by You

Jesus, You are my greatest treasure

Nothing this world can offer

Could ever compare to You

So, hear my heart’s cry

And my prayer for this life

2008-01-18T08:11:00.000+09:00

so amazing how the Lord works in such natural ways...i was craving pizza so bad this evening so me and chiara headed to the pizza shop, she left to go to the bank and i stayed to wait for the pizza, the couple who owns the joint is from argentina and italy so i got to practice my spanish and out of the blue they started to ask questions about the bible and the door opened to share the gospel and i was asked specifically about what my hope was, and i got to share that it is christ and eternal life with him. they are both JW's and they tried to share their beliefs with me. the wife wants to keep talking to me and encouraged me to bring my spanish bible around so she can show me that what she believes is biblical. so please pray for them and for another door to open to share the truth of God's living word...

....i love pizza :)

2008-01-16T05:15:00.000+09:00

friend left today. we had a really good time together and i have the same empty, lonely feeling i have when i have to say goodbye to my family. please pray for her as she seeks and steps into the next step of God's plan for her.

the craziness begins again this week, getting ready for the pastor's conference and then the semester...oh God get my heart ready!

2008-01-11T04:46:00.000+09:00

The fear of the LORD

i have been wondering for a long while, why i have not been seeing or experiencing the power of God in my life the way i read about it in the bible or the way bible teachers talk about it. i wondered about that not just for me but for a lot of the body as a whole. i have been wondering why i do not have so much power over sin, why i am not ready when it is time to minister, why i come up short and feel like i am barely keeping my head above water in my christian life...
i think it comes back to those verses from 2 timothy i posted a few posts back. who am i living for? me and shannon listened to a bible study where the preacher was talking about how the Lord does not fill much of the church because we compromise. much of the church today is living too much like the world, not being set apart and that is what those verses are all about: sanctification. why would the lord fill a vessel that is compromising, unfaithful to him, that has ulterior motives and seeks to glorify itself? he wont...i miss so many of the chances for an abundant life the Lord has given me because i still have one foot in the world and one foot in the things of God. it really is one of the most miserable places to be, a lukewarm christian trying to balance the world and a relationship with God at the same time.
i have been reading in proverbs about the fear of the lord. the lord is giving me a little bit of a clearer understanding of what the fear of the lord really is. it is to hate evil (8:13), it is to depart from evil (3:7). it is being afraid of missing out on the fullness of God because of sin, it is being afraid of severing that relationship again. i am tired of letting the enemy keep me in bondage as he steals away my opportunities to be a vessel of honor "prepared for every good work."
what else does proverbs say? the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. wisdom is something everyone desires!!! i encourage you to read the book of proverbs and see the fruits of wisdom, they are so many and so beautiful, who would want to be a fool??? and best of all the lord delights in it!

i am not trying to condemn anyone or say anyone is a fool, i know sometimes i am, but i long for so much more and i think it will take a lot of mortifying the flesh and its deeds, a lot of hating the evil i sometimes so much enjoy, and truly be set apart for our lord but the fruits it yields are so much greater, they are everlasting!

"the Lord knows those who are His, and let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity." 2 timothy 2:19

2008-01-08T03:09:00.000+09:00

HANNOVER TRIP PICTURES!!

our faces make me laugh haha!

2008-01-07T07:23:00.000+09:00

me and shannon went to hannover this weekend...we walked a huge circle around the city trying to find our hotel which turned out to be not that far from where we started but it was nice to just walk around and see something outside of the siegerland. we went to calvary chapel koinonia there, its a pretty sweet church, and the message by pastor peter will was pretty sweet, relating somehow to my "vessel lesson" the lord is giving me now. i have a stinking cold now from walking around in the rain this morning trying to find the church. grrrrr...anyways im sure shannon will put pics up on her blogg of our little outing maybe ill steal some and put them up! goodnight everyone.

may the grace and love our lord guard your hearts and minds in christ jesus!

mit lieb,
michelle daniela.

2008-01-05T10:43:00.001+09:00

"if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the master, prepared for every good work." 2 timothy 2:21

the principle of this verse is something the lord has been challenging me on for the past few days, what am i? i would love so eagerly to say that i am a vessel of honor...

2007-12-31T04:48:00.001+09:00

well, we finally took the cameras out! shan and me are having a good time, just chilling, staying up till 3am and waking up at 3pm, holidays are amazing! christmas was pretty sweet , you can read more about it on shan's blog if you are really that interested...i dont know what else to say only that everyone should try the game PIT its pretty sweet! something to consider: "by faith he (abraham) dwelt in a land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with isaac and jacob, heirs of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is god." Hebrews 11:9-10

p.s. thanks chiara for lending me your beanie and your sweater hehehe :)

2007-12-14T00:50:00.000+09:00

Puppies! My dog lady loo had puppies a few weeks ago...here are some pictures. We are gonna keep one named Christmas Joy, I can't wait to see her in June. Arent they cute?

2007-12-13T01:24:00.000+09:00

ok, just to clarify my most recent post by BF i meant best friend not boyfriend ahahaha...a few of you have asked me so just to be clear shannon is one of my best friends in the whole wide world and I cant wait until she gets here. that would be wierd anyways to have a boyfriend named shannon....

2007-12-11T05:42:00.001+09:00

well, the semester is almost over, 9 more days en counting. even though its been an amazing semester i am ready for a break. my bf shannon is coming in 9 days for 3 glorious weeks. i cannot wait to see her!!!!!! ill post all our adventures once she gets here.
on a personal note, i have been going through the gospel of matthew just focusing on the ministry of jesus. so amazing how much he gave out. he was all about people. i am excited for a new semester to really pour into people from the very beginning. that is what ministry is all about anyways, people.
i read chapter 16 today. "for whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." sometimes i dont think i really believe this verse, that if i loose my life for christ's sake i will find it...i keep trying to find my life. it is such a basic principle if we pour into him he will pour into us. that is one thing he has been challenging me so much in surrendering everything to him, to hold absolutely nothing back and dive into all that he is. basically, to seek him with my whole heart. what an amazing promise, "and you will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart." jeremiah 29:13
its basically up to me how much of him i want to experience, the more i let go of myself and cling on to him the more life i experience, the more i will see him. what do we have to loose (verse 26)? God give me an undivided heart to seek you!!!
"Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart." Psalm 119:2

"With my whole heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from your commandments!" Psalm 119:10

stay strong the end draws near, beloved bride...

2007-12-09T09:04:00.001+09:00

Oh, I miss them!!! 6 more months....

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward." Genesis 15:1

2007-12-08T06:51:00.001+09:00

tonight we had a theme night at the bible college , the theme was old people christmas party. it was a lot of work but a lot of fun. there are only two weeks left of school. the lord blessed us with a great group of students and staff, i will miss them when they are gone! enjoy the pictures!
the balcha san

joshie

the waldrops

and my personal favorite, my roomie christy!

way to go guys!!!

2007-11-28T20:21:00.000+09:00

Thanksgiving pics

Preparing for the feast!

the Girls, thank you God for Christy, Chiara, and Lyds!

2007-11-19T23:51:00.000+09:00

thoughts from motherwell, scotland

i was looking though my old journal rereading what God was teaching me this summer, and i was blessed by some notes taken while listening to a calvary pastor from motherwell, scotland on the life of gideon:

the trip from egypt to the promised land only should have taken eleven days but because of disobedience and disbelief it took 40 years! dont let disobedience and disbelief rob you..dont be merely content with having escaped egpyt, step into the abundance God has for you. the failure of israel was that they never made a complete end of their enemies. later they became a hindrance. abundant life comes from being God-centered not self-centered. it was easier for God to get his people out of egypt than to get egypt out of his people.

hope these notes are encouraging...

2007-11-09T16:26:00.000+09:00

Complete Abandonment

seems like the lord has been bringing up the same theme all this week and i think it is one i will forever see and think upon. the importance of abiding, i in him and he in me, the key to the whole christian life. how amazing a relationship. it is all about me surrendering daily more and more until there is nothing left of me and him filling me until all there is, is him. how my spirit longs for that, but the truth is there are so many things that fight against it. my flesh especially really wants to have its own way. it wants to plan its own future, to do what it wants. it does not want to trust that the lord has something far better than i could ever imagine, after all his thoughts toward me are good to give me a future and a hope. i cannot have my way and the lord's they are too exclusive, i must choose one or the other. someone's will must be given up. by faith, let it be mine. i will trust you lord, because i know your character, that you are loving and good, that you only desire what's best for me. it is a daily descision to choose to abide. how greatful i am to be only a branch, not worried about producing fruit, my only care in the world is simply to abide! and the more i do the more fruit that comes; marvelous, tasty, lasting fruit.

i read this poem in a biography on the life of john and betty stamm martyrs in china:

and shall i fear

that there is anything that men hold dear

thou wouldst deprive me of,

and nothing give in place?

that is not so-

for i can see thy face

and hear thee now:

"my child, i died for thee.

and if the gift of love and life

you took from me,

shall i one precious thing withhold-

one beautiful and bright

one pure and precious thing withhold?

my child, it cannot be."

--Betty Stamm

2007-11-08T03:22:00.000+09:00

PSALM 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

2007-11-03T03:33:00.000+09:00

We have been in Sweden the past 5 days and its been amazing. I have seen the Lord do cool things, not only in the city but a lot in my heart. We were really blessed to meet Mike and Sofia Ortiz and Joel Wickstrom the missionaries here, their hearts and passion for Christ are very evident, they were a real encouragement to me and a lot of people here. The work here is slow in coming but very productive, right now they are mostly just praying over the city waiting for God to break down strongholds the enemy has in this city and they eventually want to start a church. I am very glad to have been a part of it for the past week. Thanks all for your prayers!

2007-10-26T20:12:00.001+09:00

Shabbat Shalom Eretz Israel! stolen from Tobey Hancock's cool Isreal pics

2007-10-25T23:37:00.000+09:00

Beautiful Saviour

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive ou to Myself, that where I am there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know." John 14:1-4

I've heard that in Jewish weddings when the groom was ready to wed he would start to prepare a house for his bride and himself to live in. As he builds, the bride is continually reminded that he could finish at any time and as soon as he is he will come to fetch her and marry her. What a rad reminder from the Lord, our bridegroom, that He is away building and as soon as its ready He will come for us and take us to our new home.

I want to understand that, like Abraham and the saints of old, who looked for a city not made with hands (Hebrews 11), whose hope and future was not in this lifetime but in the one Christ will bring when He comes back, whose citizenship was not of this earth but heavenly.

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 3:20

"I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am there you may be always!" How amazing, oh my love!

2007-10-25T23:18:00.000+09:00

Sweden Bound!

I am leaving on Monday for Stockholm, Sweden for a week of outreach. Our team of 5 will be going to encourage the saints there, pray over the city, and just minister to the Lord through worship and prayer. Most of the students are leaving this weekend to various places please keep them in your prayers!

2007-10-21T02:58:00.000+09:00

10 virgins

i read matthew 24-25 today. i've been thinking alot about the second coming of our lord. seems like the earth and all its inhabitants are groaning with labor pains. oh, when will this baby be birthed? why do i continually get so caught up and distracted with the things around me, the cares of this life? i forget to look up. when he finally catches my attention i can't help but rejoice and walk uprightly because of this amazing hope i have. how amazing, life eternal with the one i love so dearly.

"So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near-at the doors." Matthew 24:33

"Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming." Matthew 24:42

"Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season. Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing." Matthew 24:45-46

2007-10-08T03:30:00.000+09:00

Ya llego mi Madre!

Dusseldorf

Bonfire

Koln

2007-09-30T00:45:00.001+09:00

Colors of Fall

2007-09-29T22:37:00.000+09:00

Fall is here, the trees are changing colors and if it isnt really raining its raining leaves its so beautiful but it really makes me miss home. Today is one of those days where you just want to cuddle up with someone you love and watch movies or read a book and drink tea and eat chicken noodle soup. I miss home. God is so faithful though, He knows exactly when I need another family fix and He is sending my mom all the way from Peru here to Germany to visit for 10 days. But until she gets here God reminds me that He is my home, my shelter, yes my hideaway. How sweet He is. Thank you Father!

2007-09-23T07:43:00.000+09:00

meditate:
love is patient.
love is kind.
love does not envy.
love does not boast.
love is not proud.
love is not rude.
love is not self-seeking.
love is not easily angered.
love keeps no record of wrongs.
love doe not delight in evil.
love rejoices in the truth.
love always protects.
love always trusts.
love always hopes.
love always perseveres.
love never fails.

2007-09-21T17:42:00.000+09:00

Jesus Christ is ENOUGH!

this is a lesson the Lord is teachine me. he is enough if i will just allow him to be. how will i experince that enoughness unless i stop looking in other things and allow him to fill the void and longing in my heart. he is so faithful to meet when i show up and give him the opportunity. in class last night i learned a relationship with jesus only gets better and better the deeper you decide to go. show up give him a chance to be everything.

2007-09-17T04:16:00.003+09:00

Trip to Heidelberg was amazing, the Lord gave us great weather and everyone had a fun time. Intern Girls (Christy, Lydia, and Michelle)
Crazy Matt

Tuukka, Vince, and Barber

Chillin in the shade

Heidelberg

Chiara Mai and Jessica

My Finnish friend Jaakko

Arne and Julia

2007-09-15T05:18:00.000+09:00

hey hey, this week is coming to an end but the crazyness isnt going to end for awhile. The Lord is opening many doors for ministry but honeslty this outward man is getting really worn out. I would greatly appreciate your prayers. This next week is going to be super busy for me. On top of the practical things I have to do here I will be teaching my first bible college class next thursday and I need to study for that. We are going on a class trip early tomorrow morning to a city called Heidelberg, Ill post pics when I get a chance. On Sunday we are going for the first time to Dusseldorf to minister with the church there, please pray the Lord will do amazing things. Thanks all for you prayer and love. Misheru San

2007-09-12T06:35:00.000+09:00

"For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught." Proverbs 3:26

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

"For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation." Psalm 149:9

Love Much,
Michelle

2007-08-30T02:17:00.000+09:00

This week has been so crazy and it is only half way over. We are getting ready for all the new students to get here, a lot of them are already here. Lots to do, thats for sure. The Lord is so faithful however, I have been so strengthened and encouraged. Going into this week I was asking the Lord what He was doing placing me here, I felt so incapable of doing the work that is set before me, which of course is true but He reminded me that HE called me and He doesnt not expect me and will not allow me to do it all on my own. I have been so encouraged through the book of 2 Corinthians lately, such a good book about ministry! In 3:5 it says, "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our suficiency is from God." Then later 9:8 "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every work."
I am blessed to have these promises from the Lord because there is a lot to do this semester. I will be working for the registar, Ben Viscarra mostly. I will also be helping in the coffeeshop, cooking dinners (hahahaha) , and most amazing of all I will be helping lead a missions trip to Dusseldorf, Germany!!! How crazy, I have been praying about going there for a while now and God is so amazing and wise I cant wrap my mind around His goodness and sweetness to me.
Thank you all for your prayers and for stopping by to read what is happening in my life, maybe sometime soon I will put pics up. Please continue to pray the Lord would empty me of myself and give me the heart of a servant and that He would give all of us the strength to get ready for the semester, that He would also unify us as a team.
In my devos this morning I read a most amazing Psalm, 107 I was vastly encouraged.
"Oh , that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness."
much love, Michelle

2007-08-21T15:39:00.000+09:00

New Intern Girl, Kristy that came yesterday. Me and Wendy went to pick her up from the airport in Frankfurt then we went out to eat yummy German food! Good times

2007-08-21T15:38:00.000+09:00

Police Officer Michelle

2007-08-17T04:21:00.000+09:00

Probably most of you hae heard about the big earthquake in Peru my family is fine as far as I know, please pray for the people of Peru and espeically that the Lord would use our church to reach out to them in this time when they are hurting. I think they sent a team to help the people affected by it. The Lord uses all things for good...

2007-08-16T07:36:00.000+09:00

I cant sleep because there is a thunderstorm and I wanted to watch it so I decided to post the pics of the Christafari concert. Lots of fun dancing, learned some new moves :)

Christafari She was so beautiful and she sang really good too.
Girl bass player!

For Jason

2007-08-14T20:33:00.000+09:00

Bike Accident

This is for you Shannon, since you cant be here. Sorry I didnt have anyone there to take a pic of me lying in the middle of the street!! This is pretty much all the excitement Michelle has seen in days...except tomorrow night Christifari is coming to do a concert should be pretty sweet, and they are staying at the Villa...Ill have to spy on them and take pics. Shan, member when Bleach came and I was so excited? If you were here you would be hearing about this too and we would have fun.

On a spiritual note the Lord continues to show me His goodness...how blown away I am that He desires to bless me so much...can one vessel contain so much blessing? I dont think so....its meant to be poured out onto others. The Lord along with blessing is giving me opportunity to minister to several young girls...please pray for my new friend who works at the Halle, she is working there for a couple weeks. Honestly, she grieves me. I want her to give her all to Jesus to really experience Him, I dont know if she has even tasted yet. Please pray the Lord would give me words to speak to her and that her heart would be soft soil ready to receive the word and bear fruit. I am learning more about the sacrificial, and unconditional love of our savior. Even when we were sinners Christ died for us, when we were dark and enemies He still came to us and pursused us I am now beginning to understand a little more...and it blows my mind. Thanks for your prayers, please pray for my toe...it hurts :) With Agape, Michelle

2007-08-08T02:51:00.000+09:00

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Matthew 13:44, "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."

We are God's treasure, how amazing He joyfully sold all He had in order that we could be His purchased possession, that He saw us as something He greatly desired.

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9

"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

Beyond amazing, no words to express the greatness of His love for us. If we could just grasp and understand a little more everyday, know the depth, height, width, length of His love for us (Ephesians 3). Is that not our purpose? To love and be loved by Him? Oh Jesus cause us to understand and to live in light of that!

Matisyahu Jerusalem

2007-08-07T02:47:00.001+09:00

Te quiero Papi!

2007-08-01T03:17:00.000+09:00

Lovely Köln trip. Anne and her daughters Ida and Johanna invited me to go on their annual shopping/sightseeing trip to Cologne this year. I was spoiled.

2007-07-31T01:33:00.000+09:00

Fight the good fight of faith...

In my devos I am kinda reading about Joshua and all the battles of the Israelites as they come into the Promised Land. No wonder the Lord told Joshua in the very first chapter not to be afraid nor dismayed because there were a lot of armys and cities to fight. It always amazes me how many times the Israelites in history have been way outnumbered by their enemies but they (almost) always gained victory. It is so easy to just read through it and think, "it was so easy for them" or to think "they werent afraid, this isnt as real as the things that are happening in my life" but the truth is there battles were crazy, they really were facing, living breathing men that wanted to kill them. They really had to be brave and courageous, and place all of their confidence in the Lord because their lives were at stake. I wonder if we take our battles as serious? Paul tells the Ephesians, "we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers..." Our battle is just as real and maybe the stakes are even higher for us than they were for Joshua and the Israelites. How much more should be place our confidence in the Lord, to not be afraid and walk as soldiers. Be encouraged, the command to not be afraid is always accompanied with the promise of the Lord's presence. We are assured victory because He fights our battles and not us.

One other thing I want to point out about Joshua that I absolutely love (!!!) is before he was even made a commander or a leader he was continually in the Lord's presence. During Moses time when they set up the tent of meeting, Exodus 33:11 says that Joshua never departed from the tent. I love that about Him and I desire that same heart, no wonder God called him to be a leader of His people! True faith and courage comes from knowing whom you serve and that HE is able and will do what He has said.

Picture is my tough fighting face, haha...I really do have too much free time...but I am going to Cologne tomorrow..THAnk you JESUS!!!

2007-07-26T15:44:00.000+09:00

Say unto my soul...fix your eyes on Jesus.

"But hold fast what you have till I come." Revelation 2:25

2007-07-25T05:32:00.000+09:00

Some of the girls God has put in my life so far, they are a huge blessing...they make my heart full.

2007-07-23T05:12:00.000+09:00

Homesickness....could it be that I long for something deeper than just the houses I grew up in or the family I am so close to? Could it be that I am longing for the home that I have never actually been to, the home that is awaiting me? My heart longs for the cozy arms of my heavenly father, the comfort of completely being myself, of knowing where I am, who I am, and that I belong. When will you come for me dear Lord?

John 14:1-3"Let not your heart be troubled...I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am there you may be also."

"Beloved, I beg you as sojourers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul..." 1 Peter 2:11

"By faith he (Abraham) dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob...for he waited for the city which has foundations whose builder and maker is God." Hebrews 11

"For our citizenship is in Heaven from which we also eagerly wait fot the savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." Philippians 3:20

2007-07-21T22:24:00.000+09:00

There is a river that runs through Siegen, called the Sieg. One morning I had an hour before I had to go to work and the Lord led me to go down a little trail across from my apartment and there is a cute little bridge with the Sieg flowing under it, so romantic :) it reminds me of when Anne Shirley tells Gil Blythe that she only wants to be friends...always makes me cry...anyways. I decided to take a pic there today after my bike ride. When I was in Siegen I met a couple from Peru, how amazing! They live 20 minutes from Cologne, it was nice to speak Spanish again...

2007-07-21T19:30:00.000+09:00

Oh why are you so good to me? Today is a beautiful summer's day, a perfect day for a bike ride into Siegen. Saturdays really are wonderful, no wonder the Lord commanded the Jews to keep the Sabbath.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." James 1:17

Thank you Lord Jesus for this day!

2007-07-21T03:03:00.000+09:00

This morning I woke up after a crazy dream about people running in fear hiding from what looked like Roman soldiers, I was amongst them trying to hide from all the killing. When I woke up I had the passage from Luke on my heart where Jesus weeps over the city of Jerusalem because they didnt recongize their messiah and He weeps because of all the devestation that was going to come upon them. I asked the Lord if the dream meant something or if there was something He wanted to show me. He showed me that a lot of times His people miss Him even now...We should recognize that our Messiah is right in our midst, He promised to never leave us or forsake us, He promised us every spiritual blessing, yet we miss out becuase we dont seek Him out, becuase we are too busy to make time for Him, because there is too much distracting us. I think sometimes the Lord weeps over us when we fail to recognize and acknowledge Him in everything. DO you realize what you have???? I know I have written posts like this before but like Paul for me to write to you the same thing is not tedious (Philippians 3:1) it is good to be reminded the abundance we have in a relationship with Him. He is so amazing that He would even want to have a relationship with us, to spend a little time with us, let alone every second of every day.

"How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" Matthew 23:37

I only write this with the desire that we all draw nearer to God, He is so amazing. He is so good to those who wait upon Him and those who seek Him. There is something so much deeper that I know He wants us all to step into, that abundant life He talked so much about. I havent figured it all out and I think there is so much we will never fully obtain it but I know He desires that we experience every second so much more of Himself! Be blessed my beloved brothers and sisters...

on a personal note, I am doing good.. the Lord is blessing so much here in Germany. I dont think I have ever been so happy anywhere. The more I am here the more I dont ever want to leave. I am learning a lot more german and I am getting to know a lot of people, they feel like family now. God is good thank you all for your prayers!

2007-07-17T16:13:00.000+09:00

Oh, how good the Lord is!

"Happy are the people who are in such a state; happy are the people whose God is the Lord!" Psalm 144:15

"who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our woks, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began." 2 Timothy 1:9

"who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works!" Titus 2:14

2007-07-15T03:50:00.001+09:00

Finally we had a sunny day in the Siegerland so I went to this lake/pond with the youth Pastor Tobi Sanger and his wife Lucy, Janos from Hungary, and a few other friends. The guys played in the fridged water while us girls got some sun...

2007-07-11T03:59:00.000+09:00

I miss you friend!

"As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17

Let's have more adventures...Love, Misheru

2007-07-07T04:09:00.000+09:00

One of the ministries of CC Siegen is their thrift store aka The Halle, it is an enourmous warehouse. The vision for the Halle is to reach out to the community by providing a Christ centered atmosphere. We have an average of prolly 100-2oo people that come everyday. Most of the people that come are not from the church but from the Siegerland. This is where I am working for the summer, cleaning, organizing, pretty much doing whatever needs to be done. It is a huge blessing from the Lord, I get to meet lots of cool people and I get to practice my German.

2007-07-03T02:11:00.000+09:00

This is my new friend, Lisa. Her mom works at the Halle with me. Lisa wanted to learn better English so she decided to come with her mom one day so she could meet me. I got to hang out with her in Siegen on Saturday we went shopping at H&M...good times! The Lord continues to bless me so much beyond my imagination especially through the friendships He is placing in my life. I am grateful and honored by all of them!

2007-07-02T04:55:00.000+09:00

Do you have Eternal or Abundant Life?

The trip from Egypt to the Promise Land was an 11 day trip but because of unbelief and failure to obey the Lord the Israelites wandered in the Wilderness needlessly 40 years! Do not let disobedience and disbelief rob you, Do not be merely content with having escaped from Egypt step into the Promised Land, the abundance God has for you!

"...all ate the same spiritual food and drank from the same spiritual drink...these things became our example...all these things happened to them as examples and were written for OUR admonition upon whom the end of the ages have come." 1 Corinthians 10:3-4,6,11

2007-06-23T19:59:00.000+09:00

Sometimes I think we do not really understand what we have.

Isaiah 55:2 "Why do you spend money for what is not bread and your wages for what does not satisfy. Listen carefully to Me and eat what is good and let your soul delight itself in abundance."

I have been given so many promises from the Lord, so many benefits simply because I am called His child (Psalm 103:1-5) yet I try to do things on my own or seek to satisfy myself in some way other than Him. I am ashamed to say that I love Him or that I know Him because I still keep doing my own thing, my life is not completely surrendered to Him. If I truly knew Him He would be my everything. The small glimpses I have had of Him bring me to my knees in adoration and thanksgiving for all He has done, but like the children of Israel I am so quick to forget, rebel, and seek my physical needs above a relationship with Him. Oh that we really knew Him we would be set apart from this world, apart from sin, apart from the flesh, we would obey His command to love others, we would see the world changed. Oh that we would take the time to simply sit at His feet and know Him today instead of always saying "later". The one thing that will count in eternity is how much we know our Savior Jesus Christ, I do not want to be ashamed when I see Him face to face I want to recognize Him and continue on as best friends in Heaven as it was here on earth.

Psalm 146:2 "While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being."

Oh please saints, know Him! Come to Him with everything He loves you so much, there is nothing He will hold back from you, there is nothing to horrible that He cannot forgive. He desires relationship so much, fulfill the purpose of your existance, to know and worship Him! By doing this you will be so much more satisfied than you could ever be doing anything else! He is great and greatly to be praised!

"I am the bread of life." John 6: 48,

"But whoever drinks from the water that I give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give shall him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." John 4:14

"This is eternal, that they may know You, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." John 17:3

Be blessed,

Michelle

2007-06-13T01:52:00.000+09:00

Ministry in Ben Yehuda Street
Jason and I in the Dead Sea

Tio Mesod at the Kotel on Shabbat

Balcony at the CCBC

Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age they shall be fresh adn flourish to declare that the lord is upright He is my Rock and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

Psalm 92:13-15

2007-06-05T00:05:00.001+09:00

EnJoY!

Bonner family on top of Mount Carmel.

Tractor ride after a long day of hiking in Petra, Jordan.

On our trip to Petra we got to meet many Bedouins who work in Petra and one of them invited us to His house for dinner where we got to eat amazing food with our hands! It was the greatest experience and Bedouins are the coolest people ever!

We have 10 more days here in Eretz Yisrael. I want to stay here forever it is by far the coolest place I have been. It is so amazing to look around and see and hear all the Jews from all over the world who have answered that "inexplainable" urge to come back to the land of their fathers. God has been so faithful to do exactly what He said in His word, Israel is the greatest example of this. If He is so faithful to this very rebellious and stiff-necked people how much more will He be to us His children according to the New Covenant?

2007-05-28T19:16:00.000+09:00

A lot has happened since i last updated this thing, my family came out to Hungary for my Graduation from Bible College we traveled around Hungary then Vienna Austria and now we are in Israel! We will be here a couple more weeks then I am off to Germany. I am not exactly sure what I will be doing now that I am finished with Bible College but I sense the Lord opening some doors so we shall see thank you for your prayers and encouragement! Here are some pictures from our trip so far.

For Graduation I got to play a song that the Lord gave to me.

We got to minister at a youth group in Vacs, Hungary. They were the coolest youth group ever!
Crazy JOshie!

Wien, Osterreich

The little Austrian girl we stayed with

2007-05-01T03:00:00.000+09:00

Here are some pics of my trip in Vienna Austria it was amaying, the Lord did amaying things i didnt want to come back.
Some of the girls we stayed with: Caro and Kristin and my little room mate Aline Me and Aline possing in a sauber WC ;)

Vienna is amazing! Especially at night!

Thanks to everyone who prayed it was an amazing time! our team became like family we got to share the gospel one person gave their life to Christ, our hearts were knit to the church family there...and now i am back and only have 2 more weeks of school then iam finsedh wiht bible colelge forever crazy!! love you all, Michelle

2007-03-28T18:21:00.000+09:00

Hey Family in Christ! This post is way overdue...I am doing well, the semester is going well it is half way over i cant believe it. The Lord has been teaching me so much this semester I cant contain it all but I know He will bring it out when He needs to. This semester has been really different, the things the Lord has been teaching me it has been a lot more challenging, a lot more heart work. It is a sweet time and I love being here in Hungary. I live in a castle with 100 other people...pretty crazy where the Lord will take you. My classes are amazing I have like 50 papers to write it seems but it is all good and helping me be diligent.
As a word of encouragement the Lord has been teaching me about being the faithful and wise steward from Luke 12:42-44 and being ready for His return like the 1o virgins. Our Lord's return is so near, beloved family be ready!!! Walk circumspectly in this world, redeeming the time because the days are evil, dont let your love grow cold but keep yourselves in the love of God soon our hope will be revealed and what an amazing day that will be. All the struggles and difficulties we go through are nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed at His coming!! Above all rejoice, we have been given so much He gave us His SON!! what esle will He not give us if we ask? Ok so this is the run down on what I have been learning :) I love you all and you are in my prayers!! In our Savior, whom we have not seen but love, Misheru

2007-01-29T10:49:00.000+09:00

A couple from Calvary Chapel Murrieta took us out to a Hockey Game, we saw the Ducks vs. the Stars. Ducks won 4 to 1 Woo!! It was a great game and on top of that we got to see it not just from ordinary seats but from a suite included with food and drinks it was a pretty amazing experience...

2007-01-28T06:55:00.000+09:00

DISNEY LAND!!

Yesterday we spent the whole day at Disneyland and it was a blast!! The family I am staying with here, the Ramseys, blessed me with a day at Disneyland. The Lord promised me before my parents left a few weeks ago that even though my father and mother left me, He would still take care of me and He has, even spoiling me even more than I could ever have imagined, namely through this family.

The Ramsey Family (Mike, Lori, Jillian, and Josh) and Me outside of California Adventure!

MATOR See you Later...

Josh, Mike, and Jillian--Honorary Bugs :)

2007-01-26T15:16:00.000+09:00

ART MUSEUM....

Today I went to an art museum and I learned some very interesting things, at least I thought they were very interesting so I wanted to share them with you. Throughout the centuries art has changed. Most of the early paintings were centered on Christ, things pertaining to the Bible and the church. As time went on the paintings began to be more personal, focusing more on the artist, his emotions and feelings, the way he perceived things, they became less defined. Today the genre is abstract. What is abstract? To me, all it looks like is a big mess with no meaning. Maybe the colors are nice and it's interesting, and maybe even appealing but what is it? There is no definite answer. Do you see how we have come farther and farther away from the truth? There are no longer any absolutes or truth, it is whatever man thinks and determines in his heart is right, there is no right or wrong, no God. Even art shows the digression of man.

Lord, thank you that you are the sense in this senseless world and generation that we live in. Make me a woman of depth and character, a woman of intergrity ready to stand up for truth in this shallow, meaningless world.

This is a little bit of what I have been contemplaiting today, I think there is still a wealth of things to dig up from this topic, I know kinda random but the Lord works so naturally that this is what I saw. Here are a few paintings so you kinda get a picture. Hope you enjoy.

John 8:32
"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Be blessed, do not be conformed to the world but transformed, fight the good fight of faith. Don't give up what you have in Christ for anything this world has to offer, in the end it is empty and vain!

2007-01-15T07:55:00.000+09:00

"Blessed is the man whose strength is in you, whose heart is set on pilgrimage." Ps. 84

The Lord is so faithful...my visa for Hungary came Friday, thanks to all of you who have been praying!!

2 Corinthians 2: 14

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place."

2007-01-11T06:21:00.000+09:00

Yesterday I said goodbye to my familia as they went back home to Peru. :( It was a hard goodbye but I will be seeing them again in a couple of month in Hungary at my graduation...yes, I will be doing my last semester of Bible Collge in Hungary. I leave February 2 from LAX!! Anyways, my family was here in the states for 3 weeks, we had Christmas and New Years here, the first in 7 years! We also got to go to the missions conference, it was really cool to see a bunch of friends from all over the world some we hadnt seen for years others from the extension campuses I had gone to. I am now staying here in Murrieta until I go to Hungary so if any of you are in the area it would be great to see you!

My Bella Madre!!

Me and my bros Jason and Joshie...they are choo cute!!

Psalm 27:4 "One thing I have desired of the Lord, that wil I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple."

One thing that seemed to be touched a lot upon during the missions conference was the need simply to know Jesus...we can do all these things for the Lord but without actually knowing Him what does it value? It is all in vain. One of the speakers, Heather Mercer asked the question how can we take the kingdom of God to others if we havent truly experienced it ourselves? It was very convicting and challenging...how can we share Christ with others and expect them to receive Christ and desire to have a relationship with Him if our lives dont reflect His love and His joy? The world is looking for something real and the Lord is desiring that we bring it to them through our relationship with Him. A relationship with Him is the thing. Like David I want God to be my ONLY desire, just to be in His presence. I hope this encourages you guys I was really encouraged just to say to the Lord, "Your face, Lord I will seek." (v. 8) Love in Worthy One, Michelle

2006-11-15T10:31:00.000+09:00

Gott segne Deutschland!!

"Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!" Joh 4:35

2006-11-15T10:18:00.000+09:00

Sandra took us out on Monday to an amazing park to see the sun set and then to eat at an Okinawan restorant it was a fun day. Okinawa is one of the most amazing places God's glory is revealed through His creation-you cant help but worship!!

All pictures taken from Haley San's website

2006-11-15T09:53:00.000+09:00

May the Lamb that was Slain receive the reward of His suffering!
Greetings Saints in Christ! Here are some pics of our trip to South Korea, it was a good trip but really short. The Lord showed us many things while there. One thing the Lord spoke me about that He has been speaking to me about is the need for people who will count their lives as lost and go into the far parts of the world and share the gospel. The missionaries back in the day went to the countries God was sending them to with their caskets because they never expected to come back but to die on the missionfield we need that kind of passion and zeal for the Lord and His creation today! Asia is so dark and in need of the gospel of Christ, it was crazy seeing people come and worship before the giant buddha, just like in the Old Testament when they would worship before idols it is the same today, they are worshiping the work of their hands. They are so lost and so blind, it must grieve the heart of God to see His creation worship in vain, trying to reach God in vain.

Be blessed by the truth that dwells in you, that He has counted you worthy to partake of the good news of His Son!

2006-11-01T10:06:00.000+09:00

Last night we got home to our furniture turned around thanks to the La Habra chicks that stayed with us for 10 days but its all good cuz they left loads of candy...yay!

Amazing artwork done by Nicky Whalen

The two La Habra sistas Mo and Candace My amazing bike crash! My "Jonathan" and me at a Hawaiian retsutoran
Shannon, Djudji, Michal, and Nicky and part of Asa's head at a Japanese Festival a couple weeks ago...

Amazing drinks called Taro Shakes...thanks Sandra I am addicted...

We got to help at a festival on one of the Marine Bases here so we got to check out the army vehichles pretty amazing
This was like 2 months ago but it reminded me of today cuz it is raining and I just think its a cool pic of Doug. Well we have been really busy but it has been a lot of fun, we are more than half way through the semester---CRAzy!! It makes me sad thinking the semester is going to end...It is cool to be part of the different churches here, they all feel like family it will be hard to leave not only them but the 11 other students that are here.

We are getting ready for the Franklin Graham Crusade this weekend then we are heading off to South Korea next week, pretty exciting! Please keep us in your prayers!!

Genesis 15:1

After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Matthew 13:44

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Make the Lord your treasure and reward today, seek Him with all your heart, mind, and soul and you will in no way be ashamed or disappointed!!

In Christ our eternal peace,

Misheru

2006-10-19T15:28:00.000+09:00

A Vapor...
Today I have been thinking about our lives and how they are so small compared to eternity. We only have a few years on this earth, it's crazy how we can get so caught up in the here and now and forget that it doesnt really matter because this is but a drip compared to the ocean of eternity. It also made me wonder, what am I really doing with it? It is a precious gift God has given me in order that I might use it for His glory to, in a small way, give Him a little back for all He has done for me. My life could be taken away tomorrow and I think I would be ashamed that I wasted so much of my life on me and accomplishing my will and pleasing myself instead of doing that which is truly necessary, the only thing that will last, getting to know my Savior. It is a sobering thought...are we living for this life or the one that will last forever? Praise God for His neverending grace and mercy which allows us a new chance to live for Him! There is so much to do and so little time...
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58

2006-09-29T10:08:00.000+09:00

Now introducing.... Shannon and Michelle the Rockstars! Just kidding, we were just helping our friend Tim record some background vocals for the Franklin Graham crusade that is coming up in November. These are actually from a couple of weeks ago but I thought they would be fun to put up.

Sunset on our roof at six in the morning WOO WOO! Its pretty amazing you can see the beach from our roof and its amazing when the sun rises.

This is a drawing of my roomates and its funny cuz that is actually kinda what we all look like. Real Roomates: Nikki, Misty, Shannon, Me, Haley, and Djuji :)

We played at this outside mall as an outreach and this is Me and Keegan and Doug playing it was fun.

That is it for now! God bless. Love, Michelle

2Th 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.

2006-09-17T08:53:00.000+09:00

Amazing park right by my house
My Housemate Haley getting "blown" off the roof!
Typhoon ShanShan! It was amazing!
Yesterday morning we went to eat breakfast at the Macaroni Grill on the Marine base with Sandra and her three adorable children. Sandra and her husband Damian (who is in the Marines) are planning on moving to Italy in a few months to start a church. They have been a huge blessing and example to us and have spoiled us in so many ways!

"For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them; but it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You favored them." (Psalm 44:3)

May the Lord fill you with His Holy Spirt and strengthen you to do all the desire that is in His heart.

2006-09-11T18:03:00.000+09:00

Matthew 9:37-38
Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers in His harvest.”

This verse has been coming to my mind so many times since I have been here. Oh the need for Christ in our world! Most of the people here haven’t even heard of Jesus Christ. They are held in bondage by spirits, their forefathers and so many other evil things. Another verse that has been coming to my mind is:
Romans 10:14 “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” We, as Christians have such a great treasure in ourselves. I learned in class the other day that Paul counted himself as a debtor to the gospel and to the people to bring them the gospel. I pray that more of our generation rises up and counts their lives as nothing to share Christ with those who have never heard before. Okinawa is only a small part of the world that hasn't heard of Jesus, there is so much need for "beautiful feet."

2006-09-05T22:08:00.000+09:00

Tonight we just got through with Revelation class. It was a long day 4 classes, pretty crazy put Pastor Tommy and his wife Joanna are really good teachers. At class tonight we talked about the churches and to the church of Sardis he says, "Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you." Revelation 3:3. One thing the Lord reminded me of was the passage in Matthew 25 about the ten virgins and how 5 of them were ready and the other 5 were not, Pastor Tommy raised a good point that the verse in Rev. was written to Christians and that maybe it could be possible that a Christian be left behind if he is not watching and waiting. I thought it was interesting and at the same time a wake up call, just like it must have been to the church of Sardis, "Wake up and watch!" God says. Another thing Pastor Tommy talked about was Jewish weddings and how a bride was to know when her groom would come for her. There were certain signs she would get, mostly he was building a house and as she saw it being completed she knew the time was closer for him to come and get her. The same goes for us, we are watching in these last days all the signs of the return of our glorious Bridegroom being fulfilled and we should all the more like the Jewish bride preparing ourselves for our marriage. Jesus is coming for a pure bride, therefore walk holy for He is Holy!!
These were things that encouraged me tonight and I hope they encourage you. He who has this hope in him purifies himself just as HE is pure. Be watchful my friends the day is near. Do not put your hope and expectation in this life, don't waste your time trying to fill yourself with the things of this world invest in the everlasting, eternal kingdom that will soon be revealed and in the Savior who alone can satisfy.
With much love in our beautiful Bridegroom who is coming soon,
Michelle
PS the pic is of yesterday at the waterfall i am kinda an airhead and didnt take a pic of the actual waterfall but this is a bridge leading to the waterfall...

2006-09-04T22:24:00.000+09:00

Woo first blog! Pretty much Okinawa is the coolest place in the whole world. Me and Shannon got here a week and a half ago and the whole time has been filled with the Lord's blessings one right after the other. Today we had a day off, we went to this water fall up north about an hour away. It was the prettiest place I have ever seen. It's a rain water waterfall, I guess, the water was freezing but it felt nice cuz its really hot here. Well I better go to bed cuz I have to get up early to finish homework...

"from Jesus Christ , the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the king of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood , and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion both now and forever and ever. Amen." Revelation 1

Guten Nacht! Der Herr Segne Euch.