This is how we roll

2009-02-06T10:17:00.000-08:00

THis needs an update for sure! Angela.... you are such a faithful friend!! thanks so much for your support and interest in my crazy life.
Since Spain, life has continiued.... I came home for a week and spent some amazing quality family time and started packing once again :) i was able to go to Kentucky for New Years! I stayed with a friend there, Krista. She is amazing and please keep her in prayer as she is stepping out in faith to serve HIM, possibly in UGANDA!!! Krista took a week off work when i got there, so obviously we couldnt just sit in E-town on New Years Eve!! SO we decided the night before to road trip it up to Philly. This was a dream come true for me! My heart for Philly and the urban culture exploded! There was a storm on our way up and we almost died in Virgina but God knew we HAD to make it to Philly :). Once we were there it was a pretty packed trip. We spent New Years with my friend Patricia and her friends playing games and eating food of course. The next day we drove over to New Jersey to see the freezing ocean (first time for Krista!!) it was awesome to see her look into the incredible work of our Father. Since we were so close to New York, we had to visit. The next day we walked through the Philly Streets...amazing. We had our very first Philly CHesse Steak. (it definantly beats John's Philly Steak here in Yucaipa!) Then we literally jumped on a train to New York because i forgot my ticket in the machine and had to run back to get it... great adventures! I met a friend in New York who showed us around. i had to stop at an indian food place. the guy taught me how to make the bread but the curry was a little different. There's nothing like Indian food in Spain. We drove back down to kentucky on saturday just in time for some Ralley's fully loaded Fries! heartattack in a box. soooo good. Church the next day at Emmaus, always a blessing. We had a going away party for a friend, Brian, who moved to North Carolina. He had never been to Nashville and I love Nashville so we had to go! Krista, Brian, and I went to the Bass Pro shop and smelled candles for quiet awhile. The cake smell is so real! It was a very productive trip to say the least. I was able to spend time with old and new friends. God bleeses me every time i am able to go to Kentucky.
Now i am back at home in Yucaipa. I started Bible College in Murietta on Monday as an Off Campus student. I will be going there on Mondays. My friend Angelica, from Spain, is living with us and she too will be taking classes on Mondays. Im trying to find a job. And when i didnt get hired at Pet CO. i was pretty bummed but God reminded me that the job he has for me must be way more amazing :)
THis week i have been looking into some Cosmotolgy schools all over, Redlands, Moreno Valley, and even Hemet. I am just seeing what the are like, pricing, and gettng my nails done for free! please keep this in prayer as it is a passion of mine to be able to take this skill where ever i go to serve Him. While i was in Kentucky i was able to also look at one right in Etown. I shared with the director my focus and even my desire to serve the Lord with this skill. SHe was so supportive and even encouraged me in it. This has been the only school to share in this work. So pray that i trust God to open the doors and close doors also.
so there is my life on a page...or two. these are some pictures of my road trip!

Unveiled

2008-11-08T06:45:00.001-08:00

“I never said it would be easy. I said it would be worth it.” (A reminder from Jesus talking about our ministry.) These words have become so evident, so true. so tangible, and so real to me in my heart.
The story and current state of my family’s salvation has been known, and all of you know how precious they are to me. Being here in my third semester of Bible College the Lord has renewed me with excitement and joy of Himself. His words “Remember Me….” Have become apart of my daily dose of “Jesus”. The incredible thing is that there is so so much to “remember” about Him, and what is even greater is remembering that He is that same God today as He was when He first beautifully invaded my life. Just as powerful. Just as alive. And just as loving as He was then, He still remains.
In being the wonderful stress case that I am, I have almost perfected the art of asking “well, what next Lord? Im going to live my life for you, and I do not want to be out of your will, so please Lord, please guide me to do Your will. What should I do next semester?” … This is all fine and dandy, but how frustrating and consuming it becomes. Praise the Lord that He is so faithful to reveal Himself in such ways that our feeble minds can actually focus and listen to Him, Praise the Lord when He grabs a hold of us and captures our thoughts and options and “other” peoples opinions that plague our mind, and allows us to sit at His feet and JUST LISTEN.
Today in class, the Lord seized my heart in a way that words cannot dictate. As the Lord spoke through the speaker… His gentle voice filled my ears, while His hand wiped my tears, and He Himself began to unveil the burden of my heart.

As the Lord was doing that work in my heart, the message that was being spoken was lovingly convicting my brothers and sisters and myself. And a few things remained on the forefront of my heart and mind from class:

The Lord cares.

How quickly do we forget this? Or maybe its not a question of forgetfulness, maybe it is a question of do you truly know what this means? Yes the Lord cares. But about what? About Who? And do you care about the same things?
The world is going crazy right now, especially in America it seems. People are for this and people are for that. Everyone is still fighting for freedom in the land of the free and all the while, us Believers sit and aspire that everyone would know and have the security that we have, right? … that is life… well, my life at least. Now my only question (to myself) is: WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE?

The only way you won’t waste your life is if you do what the Lord wants you to do. DON’T WASTE IT. For me, it’s obvious that the Lord has called me to be in Bible College. I need to not waste this unique time I have to set all aside and grow in the Lord. But I do. How? By constantly wondering what is next? When should I start “real” school? Blah blah blah. Who cares!? Its not here yet. Right now I need to BE HERE. Wherever you are in life right now, whether it is in ministry, career, family or all of the above… BE THERE. Bloom where you are planted. How much of our thought life is plagued with our fears, doubts, worries, self-praises, and our own plans and desires and goals?
IF YOUR FULFILLMENT CANNOT BE COMPLETELY FOUND IN CHRIST, WHAT MAKES YOU THINK IT CAN BE FOUND IN ANYTHING ELSE? (a guy, a girl, your spouse, your kids, your Sunday school message, your career).
We truly need to “Seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and Hid righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33.

Tozar once said “100% of us die. The percentage cannot be increased.” We only have one life, and it will soon pass; only the things of Christ will last. So, we are to REDEEM THE TIME, because you can’t get it back. (Ephesians 5:15-16). Following Jesus is about sacrificing. Picking up your cross and following, THIS is your reasonable service to Him. We are to Keep a loose grip on the things of this world. Be faithful to the Lord. How many times has He ever let you down? How many times has He provided for you with the air in your lungs and the smile of your family members?
God cares about faithfulness and obedience. (Hebrews 12) Its about laying aside weights (it doesn’t have to be a sin, its just something that is holding you back from giving your all to Him). Running with endurance, and ultimately looking unto Jesus (this is HUGE. Stop taking your eyes off of Him. Our goal is to be more like Him. How can we do this if we aren’t even looking His way? The Lord cries out “ Stop taking your eyes off of Me, even when you can’t see me.” Have you ever had a blurry vision? It never focuses on its own right? You have to keep your eyes open and they will see clearly. How often do you use your vision? Most of us would agree on a daily basis right? ☺ So, if Jesus is to be the center of our vision… He should be a daily part of your life… well, is He?
This life is so hard. Tiring. Draining. Comfortable. So how do we NOT waste our lives? Philippians 1:20-21 That Christ may be magnified in your body, whether by life or death. The un-wasted life is one that IN EVERYTHING YOU DO, you do it FOR Christ. God is most glorified when we are satisfied IN Him.
Family and friends: It is when our death becomes gain… that you will see Christ, the man who died for you, glorified… and THAT reason alone will give you assurance that your life was never wasted on this earth.

Coming to Bible College has been quite an adventure. It has had its approvals and disapprovals from friends, family members and all the people I love. The term “wasting you time” has emerged in this area of my life, and many times I would take those words and grip them, which would create doubt and fears of my own walk with the Lord and in general what I am doing with my life.
It is now almost the end of my THIRD semester of Bible College. Oh the irony. haha! Through the ups and down and doubts and confirmations I have never been more sure of my plan in this life. MY PLAN IS HIS PLAN. To seek first His kingdom and to love one another until it hurts, and the love some more. That is Our plan ☺. I desire from the Lord to BREAK MY HEART FOR WHAT BREAKS YOURS . And with that, the Lord has been sp faithful to show me what is breaking in His heart, and that is what has now become my burden, my mission, my love…. My family’s salvation.
Its pretty plain and simple, its HOPE. This is what I want my family to have. The same Hope that I have. Before the Lord my hope was much like all the cookie cutter plans and dreams of this world. I aspired to succeed, to please, to live a fun, quiet, overall good life. I knew of Jesus and I didn’t have a problem with him. I thought he was a good guy and I thought religion was good on Sundays. How tiring and stressful this life becomes.
But oh how the love of the Lord has stolen my heart. After I was saved and my relationship with Christ began I had an entire different reason for living and entire different thought process, and entire different trust, and an entire different hope. My hope now is HIM. This hope gives me rest. Satisfaction in knowing that everything I do is for Him and imperishable, it is finally worth it. I get to spend eternity with HIM. The ONE BEING that has not only saved me, sanctified me, redeemed me, guided me, guarded me, forgave me everyday I sin, answered me, and completely loved me through every moment of my life, my first love, my best friend. The one that made my heart come alive and gave me peace. That is my HOPE and it is He. His name is Jesus.
Hell is not just a lake of fire for those who chose sin. It is much more scarier that that. It is an eternity without Christ. I cannot live one day without needing Christ, let alone an entire eternity. I need Him. I have Him. I have the eternal Hope. And THAT is my desire. That my family would not come to church, or completely drop their habits or friends or opinions …. But instead, that they would soon experience EVEN ONE of the things that I have in my relationship with Christ. That they would feel what it is like to for the first time find that rest, or that peace, or finally be satisfied and know what it is like to be invaded with His Love. My desire is that they will feel His love and have no other option but to want more of Him, and that they too would have this eternal Hope.
What is so awesome is that I know it is possible. My God is mighty to save.

So… all this is encourage those who may not know exactly what their burden is. We all have one. I encourage you to redeem this time,; He is worth it. His love for us is beyond comprehension, but it doesn’t make it any less true.

My prayer for myself is that I would perfect the art of losing myself in bringing Him praise.

I love you all who are reading this so much. You are all my family and im so blessed by your prayers. Please if you can pray for my grandmother and her kidney situation still. ☺ God is so good.
I can’t wait to see all of yall; it’s coming so soon! Happy Thanksgiving!

At His feet,
Anna

the color of friendship... literally haha

2008-11-06T09:38:00.000-08:00

9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:

10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!

11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?

12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

serving the Lord... and a little free time...

2008-11-06T09:35:00.000-08:00

(Feliz) Halloween!!

2008-11-05T10:29:00.000-08:00

mandy the supermandy
and
anna the wild jungle woman / christmas tree gone mad

haha

funnies...

2008-11-05T10:23:00.000-08:00

the retreat!!!!!

2008-11-04T08:01:00.000-08:00

so in a nutshell... every semester here we take a trip to the other side of the island to have some mad crazy fellowship with the student body and staff. we drive for two hours and hike fo like an hour and a half to this house that has NO ELECTRICITY!! this isnt so bad.. until i realized that mandy signed us up for camping.. this also isnt bad.. but you see, one of the biggest storms in mallorca hit this weekend.!! so as you would guess. on night two amndy and i woke up in our army onesies to the rain seeping under our tent and inside our sleeping bags and footies!!! so from one in the morning to six in the morning we slept in our damp little pjs and our mini tent. God is good :) haha... actually, He is pretty funny. needless to say the next day we slept inthe kitchen pretty much and left two days later. but overall it was a great time to hang out and eat food and listen to the Word and worship together! :)

ah man...

2008-10-14T08:44:00.000-07:00

so as ive been here in spain its been amazing!! i cant complain too much... seriously though... the weather... amazing... the scenery... spectacular... the people... incredible... the whole experience has been sweet. but i still miss america... i didnt think i really would miss america.. but i do.. i miss the culture and the excitement of the holidays... it has recently hit me that there will not be a halloween this year... nor will there be a true thanksgiving with turkey...
this week i was thinking about pumpkins.. pumpkin pie, pumpkin spices, pumpkin patches!!! if you have gone, or going to the pumpkin patch... take pictures!!! and please send them... i wanna see the joy living in your lives since i cant... :( but i really do want to see all the cute faces!!! please send them... manfree136@yahoo.com
mandy

days in spain....

2008-09-29T10:03:00.000-07:00

here are a few pictures of mine.. some of the girls and i went to palma last week and it poured, like, POURED rain. so, we decided to make it a photo opportunity :)
oh, and my roomie melissa and i were tackling the shower in dorm cleaning together.. haha wit till you see pictures of how small my fridge is.... :)

love you guys!

Thorn

2008-09-23T06:35:00.000-07:00

Spiritual Clinic: The Purpose of Suffering

The Thorn.

The world and all whom are in it seem to be at a constant antithesis amongst each other. Whether the world disagrees on statistics, politics, morals, fashion, or example, the world does not share many mutual commonalities. Though, is it undeniable that we all do share trials and great adversities from time to time.
Being here in Spain for a second time would seem to everyone as a “great opportunity” or “such a blessing” or even “oh! You are so lucky, that’s something that I would love to do, if I was still single”. But in a harsh reality, the first few weeks here has been everything BUT. What is so amazing is that even though these words come off so negative and ungrateful, they, like many rough beginnings, end with the sweet realization of the love of the Lord.
There are many who know my story and how the Lord has beautifully and completely redirected my path and desires. Though I was completely untrusting at points, the Lord always continued to be so faithful, patient, and loving. As I gave the Lord one semester of bible college, He led me to my second, and left me with a “peace” to continue my third back out here in Mallorca. As the summer came to an end, so did my peace. The week before my departure, my feelings, emotions, and comfort was a wreck. I loved the ministry I had at home, the relationship I had with my family, and the fellowship I had with my friends. I had such a great ministry and environment at home, why should I go 9,000 miles across the world to find “another” ministry? Why can’t I stay at home, and watch “my” family bible study continue to grow? Why can’t I just stay at home and finally start “my” schooling for medicine? Why cant I stay and make sure “my” grandma and her kidney gets prayed for? … All these questions intruded my mind and hardened my heart… and when the time came, I uneasily boarded the plane.
These past three weeks have gone by, and I have prayed night and day that I was in the Lord’s will. I prayed so fervently that the Lord would pick up my heart and mind at home, and reunite it with my body in Mallorca. My desire was spoken, that I would truly seek His will here, and that I would enjoy and utilize this blessing that He had given me. I wanted to bring reality to the things that all the people back at home “thought” Bible College was. I truly did desire that my desire would be parallel to His. I even cried in women’s discipleship class last week! … Hoping that maybe, just maybe, it was the Lord that was breaking me and reminding me that this is where he wants me. And prayer after prayer, the Lord stayed quiet, until now.
The third chapter of the book “A Spiritual Clinic” is titled “THE PURPOSE OF SUFFERING”…. Okay, so yes, it sounds a bit dramatic, but wait until you see how the Lord may use it for you too…
Because these last three weeks I have felt like I have been living in a complete “chick flick” movie… going out and eating ice cream when I miss home, or calling the people that I miss so much every chance I get, or listening to every depressing slow song that come onto my computer, I have also had the privilege of reading every scripture that has to do with dying, suffering, doubting, hating, stressing, and you know, all the horrible ones. Haha! …. Anyways, today I came across the definition of the word “Thorn”. A thorn is a synonym for the word splinter, stake, painful idea, migraine, malaria, epilepsy, and a bunch of other painful diseases and stuff… okay, so I realize that I’m not dying of malaria and I’m not being stoned to death out here, but it truly spoke to me…
So Paul the Apostle, I’m thinking, probably earned the right to say that he “suffered in the name of Christ”, well up until today I thought that I earned that right too. In many ways I felt like Paul. As he began to pray impulsively and persistently for the removal of pain that he felt, he began to inquire to the Lord why He wasn’t removing it right away. Most believers so easily get it into their minds that God would never refuse to answer a prayer for the removal of something morally or spiritually evil. So every time something painful happens to us, we usually take the time to, now, pray real hard, right? We use our big words and all of a sudden throw out all of the Lord’s titles “Father who art in Heaven, Who created the Heavens and the Earth, and the Sea too, and Who Knows all the hairs on all the peoples heads in here, and Who … please help me right now!” Though all these things of the Lord are indeed true, it is also here where we need to realize that there is no such thing as purposeless pain to God’s children. God’s “unanswered” prayer to heal us, is probably the best thing that will ever happen to you in your relationship with Christ. We must be reminded that we are made weak, so that we might obey. Our personal thorn will vary between a physical limitation, a temporal weakness, a deformity, or a physical loss (homesick)… whatever it may be just know that the thorn had never lost any of its sharpness, nor ever became less severe; but it is by the grace of God that makes the pain so loving .The Lord is there and is not going to take it away, but He will be there to watch you grow. So we can either choose to accept the pain and have the Lord, or not have the Lord and just have the pain. [What can’t be cured, can be enjoyed], So I have come to the conclusion that though ice cream is good, and depressing country songs are quite catchy, I would rather trade that time in for spending it with the Lord, and finally appreciating what He has given me. Coming to the realization that the Lord doesn’t need me back at home. Knowing that the ministry is still continuing, and in some ways continuing even better than when I was there, and knowing that my prayers are the same here as they were there, and knowing that He has me here because He loves me; that knowledge alone, is worth getting on that plane and being here, writing this encouragement to you all.

I love the Lord. I am so excited to know that He has “home” under his wings, and I am forever thankful for this “home” I have here in Mallorca.

… Oh yea, and about the whole “peace” thing. Turns out the peace I “had”, never left. I just had to let go of “my” definition of it as being this fluffy, pillow of a feeling and realize that it can be simply, movement without friction… in other words, even if times are sucky but you can still move forward for the Lord, you are going in the right direction, sooo keep on truckin’ !

Man, God is good.

-Adrianna

yup...still in spain

2008-09-10T11:16:00.000-07:00

Acts 18
AFTER these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth.
come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them.
by occupation they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, "Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."
And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.
Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.
Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; "for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city."

In verse 3, Paul says he found some friends and they happened to build tents, just like him so he stayed close to them. it mentions him goin to the synagogue next, but first he earned a living. He built tents. nothing special, nothing profound. but he did it to the lord. i believe no matter where u "work" it is important to "work". we often say..."oh, my job is my ministry" but god has called us to work and he will bless us. its HIS ministry anyways so just work and work hard.
next, when he actually reasoned with the jews and greeks, he did not loose hope, nor did he give up, but he preached the gospel. especially in america, we tend to separate those two. i encourage you to not be discouraged in work with the world but work for the LORD.
from this passage i also was encouraged when Paul was very open with the gospel with the jews, but when they did not recieve it, he was willing to go reach to others. he was not discouraged but open to sharing with all. i often get discouraged but paul is one who is there to reach the masses...
at the end God speaks to paul and ensures him that he is his protection. I get so scared of this world and what could happen... i concentrate on the ifs and forget that god will protect his flock. i have been praying for peace lately. Peace that i am doin his will and peace that everything will work out in His timing. I was reading this book today and the author had a new definition that i had never thought of before...."peace is movement without friction" i had been praying for this... and never realizing that he had givin me this the entire time! god is sooo good... once my heart is open i feel like i learn soooo much....
its gonna be a good semester but hard as always....

heres some more pictures to laugh at... we do actually do a lot of work... i know alot of you think we dont... you should see how much homework i have to do!!!! craziness....

our address is....
Calle Huguet de Mata Plana 22a

07180 Santa Ponsa Mallorca Spain

we are welcoming: hot chettos, peanut butter, tortillas, enchilada sauce, almonds, cranberries, oatmeal, brown sugar, chocolate chips... and anything else you can think we would enjoy.... like.... letters, pictures, underware (just kiding), sparkling cider, and early christmas presents...

love you and miss you all!
mandy

spain

2008-09-09T02:56:00.000-07:00

This last week has been full of craziness... i have finally found time to sit down... It has been a fairly busy schedule with many stories already.
Since our arrival we have experienced our first Kebab (a shreaded chicken sandwhich on peta bread with cabbage and other stuff type of thing) soooo amazing!!
Our flates are in the same building separated by 7 sotries. Pretty close huh? :) it is about a 3.75 minute walk to the church and internet (which is regualted!! crazy) Everything is with in walking distance like everywhere in Europe. Both of our apartments face the Mediterranean Sea. My bed is literally in an inclosed balcony. The sun beats in around 11, so no sleeping in or I will be sunburnt!!
We had church on Sunday with a very pleasant BBQ at this German couple's house. They are loaded!! Their house feels like Egypt with riches. there was even a statue of Cleopatra.
there was a medival market where the tourists get ripped off... hookah is hudge here as it is in Israel...
right off the balcony of the church is a stage where there are different performers each night... its always amusing and entertaining!!
We have always picked our classes...
Mandy:
Lessons in Ministry
Church History
Community Service
Missions
Romans
1 & 2 Peter
1 Corinthians
Genesis
Plus all of the required credits including, chuck tracks and m199, devos and other lectures. This all adds up to 26 credits!! CRAZY!!!
Adrianna has to take:
1 & 2 Thessalonians
Genesis
Romans
Church History
1 Corinthians
1& 2 Peter
She will be having 24 credits
this semester is going to be full of JESUS!!

2008-09-05T12:07:00.000-07:00

they are not ready for us .. nope

2008-09-05T11:59:00.000-07:00

oooooookay....
so we have landed n this country they call spain. with unpromising thoughts and uneasy hearts, we boarded the plane. joining us were about 80 kajillion students in white shirts, meaning we could not sit next to eachother on this 11 hour flight to london. no biggie right? .. WRONG! haha this meant we had to go back and forth and "visit" eachother ... in this, we were able to see a woman fall down the isle (haha!!) .. not funny. and we also saw this skini black male run down the isle to make it to the toilet :) haha!! ... the flight kept going and going and going. we got to london... then to madrid.. then finally to mallorca. we arrived at like 9pm local time... after great delay, we got our luggage and then jimmy picked us up.... we drove like 45 min to our apartments. Mandy and i both live in Cesars... which is pretty much like a resort. we are in seperate apartments like 7 levels apart.. but nothing that a smelly elevator wont fix.. hiiii five! :)

we all woke up like noon... got ready and wen to get kebabs for lunch. we also went grocery shopping. and took a nap and now we are here at the church hanging out. we have orientation tomorrow .. we will up date with more details sooooon but for now just know that we love and miss all of you guys more than you will ever know. seriously. this semester is already a tough one, but God is so good and He is always with us. Amen.

pray that our hearts and minds are here for the remainder of the semester, and that we stay faithful to HIm as He is so fithful to us.

adios.....

anna and mandy

3.40

2008-09-03T07:25:00.000-07:00

PLEASE PRAY!!!

nuber one for adrianna's health... she isn't feelinf well at all!! i cant have the seat next to me full of puke!! i hate satan! he jus needs to leave our stomachs alone!
number 2 the plane... that we BOTH get on...
number 3 that spain wouldn't be amazing... but that we would learn and do what ever it takes to be in HIS will.
pray god know and i know He knows just pray!!

our plane takes off at 3.40 pm today septemeber 3... wow... thats today!

many lessons learned

2008-08-30T19:31:00.000-07:00

Matthew 26: eleven
For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always.

This is one of verses the Lord has given to me that has kept me in Bible College. I know I sound really dumb to even think of not finishing or "dropping out" but I have. It has actualy crossed my mind every semester. The same reasons come in to my head. God is so faithful to stick with me. Every four months I want to quit and start my own life somewhere else. But He always reminds me of scene in His life where He reminds Judas the same lesson. In John twelve Mary uses the most precious item she could ever own on the feet of Jesus and Judas as the audacity to stand and require her to give the fragrance to the poor.
In my life I want to be in ministry and help out everywhere (literally). But these years of Bible Collgeg are few and one day I will HAVE to "grow up" but right now He has given me a chance to soak it in. To gain and learn from great christian men and women. Now Judas's real intentions were to steal from the church. I was reminded this last week that there is absolutely no difference between Judas and I. CHemically we are made the same. This means that I am capable of doing such an evil thing. Many times we over look Judas and think "oh i will never be THAT bad" or "oh i could never do THAT" but we can. And its only by giving our life, mind, heart, and soul to Jesus everyday that stops us from commit these sins.
He is faithful to show us this and also reminding us of the grace given and mercy we receive. Romans eight:1 (there is) therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
We must be walking in the Spirit. This could be uncomfortable many times. I have found in the church the Spirit wants to move and we often quinch the Spirit by stricktly just "doing things" I want to encourage you to fall back on the Holy Spirit. He is here. He is real. And the best part is that He wants to be here. For me walking in His Spirit means every four months (for now) I pray pray pray and wait until He reveals my next destination. I have fought many times. But the key is He KNOWS. Why don't we trust Him more? Why would we think we have it all figured out?
John 14: 16-17
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
Please pray as Adrianna and I head off to Spain for our third semester. Pray that our eyes will be open and our hearts ready and wiling to recieve. ANd pray for His will in both of our lives as we finish next year...only He knows what is to come

mandy

2008-08-05T21:35:00.000-07:00

1 samuel chapter 3
1Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. 2 And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, 3 and before the lamp of God went out in the [fn1] tabernacle of the Lord where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, 4 that the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, "Here I am!" 5 So he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me."
And he said, "I did not call; lie down again." And he went and lay down.
6 Then the Lord called yet again, "Samuel!"
So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." He answered, "I did not call, my son; lie down again." 7 (Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.)
8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you did call me."
Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, 'Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"
And Samuel answered, "Speak, for Your servant hears."

"mandy"....
i turn and ask "did someone say my name?" ...
"nah... ur jus hearing things hahaha"
"no seriously i thought i heard my name"
"no seriously i didnt say anything"

this happens to me all the time... now im not saying that everytime i hear something that sounds like my name.. that it is the lord calling out... but i do have faith and know that god has called and yearned for my attention and i so easily turn and look for something or something else...
i was reading this passage tonight jus glancing at it and the lord grabbed me... i have been such a slacker at keeping this blog posted... but hopefully i will get back in the routine... but this is a lesson i learned awhile ago but i still and learning to do. samuel was listening... he heard god... he heard his name.. but his response wasn't to the lord... he was seeking the voice of a man. seeking something here on earth... seeking the noticable and logical... i hope you know by now in your walk with the lord that he doesn't work logically... he usually doesnt work the way we see it... he uses the impossible to do the impossible... i feel that often i find my self hearing god.. knowing its god... but looking for what i think it is... wheni heard god calling my name and the word kentucky was in the same sentence... i completely turned and said it was a person telling me i should go... i confused the voice of my creator for the created... i say here i am lord... here... but then i wait for a person to confirm his voice. i find (myself included) believers offering their lives to the lord and then sitting there waiting for someone to open the door of ministry or to suggest a ministry....
i have also learned that when god calls you somewhere... no matter if he confirms it through the stranger and the store or your senior pastor... you must follow with everthing you got. we cant wait for him to open doors either we need to step out in faith believing that he will close the proper doors and guide us in his direction. FAITH... believing in the things unseen....
god is good... my summer was unbelievable... i wish i could tell all the stories of gods provison, guidance, blessings, trails, and amazing love i was shown this summer... i cant wait to see whats next...
as of right now im in so california spending some time with my family and friends... off to spain september 3...
thanks for all your prayer and support...
mandy
manfree136@yahoo.com 19095288964

oh yea...

2008-06-24T18:00:00.000-07:00

check out the marletts blog... they do such a better job explaining...
thesix.wordpress.com

I GOT A JOB!!!.... and a tattoo....

2008-06-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

man this week.... it goes by so fast!! i have been out here n good ol' kentucky for almost a month now... and wat an experience...
my days are filled wit laughter, tears, praises, and requests... and one things that never fails to happen is GOds faithfulness to meet me. it seems to get harder and harder to leave... this last time was rough.. but what a blessing it has been. CHar... wow girl u truly are amazing, it has been a joy n my life to b able to share these moments wit you and your family...thanks girl!!
k so we are still n preparation for our summer bible club happening next month... n july on friday nights... u guys can b praying for us as we pray through specific teachings, skits, snacks, crafts and even games... its gonna b awesoome!! please pray for the other families here too... jen and gabe, the dewitts, butoras.... we all want to b used by the LORD and just need direction and guidance...
well u all might have heard n some way or another a huge praise!! I GOT A JOB!!!
MC DONALDS here i come!!! lol... if kentucky wasn't bad enough... i will start my new job next monday!! haha... im sure u will all have a good laugh or two about that one!!... pics will b comin dont u worry...
next big thing.. tattoo... yup i finally did it... (thanks mom ;)) it is the hand print of Jesus wit his blood stain which he died for me... i love it!! it looks almost too real... people ask me it a got smacked so hard it left their finger prints hahaha...
its been such an incredible time to be here and to be apart of what the lord is doing here....
thanks for the prayers!!!

His Tears

2008-06-21T09:45:00.000-07:00

Ding Dong!

Opening the door i see the three. Entering one by one, i greet each with a loving hug and brotherly kiss. We make our way to the living room, open up the blinds for grandmas comfort, turn on the light for grandpas eyes, and make it comfy for tina's leisure. We all sit and converse about the days events and wait for dad to come out and mom to come home , meanwhile we comment on tina's pink precious moments bible thats she has kept since we were the little croutons we were. As dad finally come out and adds his Bible to the other four on the coffee table, all noise ceases. In the midst of this family genesis, grandpa takes the first words.

Scooting to the edge of the rocking chair, "I want to take this moment to say a little something." My heart sinks and beats as i see his eyes being intruded with tears and voice crack with sincerity. "I want to say thank you. Thank you for finally having this. God is so good, and He answers prayers. We have prayed this for a long time Mija. I pray that we would just give this up to the Lord right now. Remember this day. Remember this day in June. But most of all Mija, I pray that you guys would continue this. I want to see my family delivered. Listen Mija, when we are gone, I want this still to continue, even when we are gone. We love you. and the Lord loves you." With the side of my hand, i wipe my tears from each cheek. Giggling, as i look at my dad and cousin do the same. Heart and mind ready, I speak. "Turn to the book of Ephesians. Let's pray..."

Starting us off with verses one and two I felt an unfamiliar beauty. This was the first time the Word of the Lord was ever spoken out loud in my own home. What was more beautiful and completely unforgettable was what followed. Another unfamiliar beauty was heard, as my dad, grandma, grandpa, and cousin tina continued to read through the first chapter of Ephesians. Stopping in the middle of the chapter, my grandma began to comment on Pauls letter to Ephesus. So excited and eager, I threw out all that i had learned in Mallorca. So naturally, I began to share of these Ephesians and their richness in the Lord, yet their ignorance which completely became a mask. I shared about our eternal hope we have and just the different desires that Paul was writing about. Before I could finish my thoughts, my grandpa took over, then soon after my dad began to converse. For the next hour I sat on my couch watching the Lord light up each person in that living room. What an inexplicable joy it was to hear my own father tell my own grandfather and grandmother what the Lord has been filling his heart with. Hearing about their convictions, weaknesses, realizations, and praises... my words quickly became replaced with smiles.

To look at a 4 year prayer be answered right in front of my eyes... now that folks, is true happiness. To see my dad sit on the very couch he drank and instead have a Bible in his hand... that is just the birth of a new baby boy. And to see MY HOUSE as a gathering place for prayer and a Bible study... now that, that is just a glimpse of how faithful My God is.

After an hour and a half of questions, laughs, sharing, and reading we decided my dad needed to stop "sharing" because we all had work in the morning. :) And with prayer requests for the deliverance of my other 44+ family members, and a new kidney for my grandma, I had the privilege of lifting my family up and thanking Him for all that He is.....

It truly takes the Lord, and nothing else to soften a heart to cry. Yes, I claim Fox and the Hound and the death of the elderly in movies as my tear-jerker moments, BUT tonight was truly the first time I have cried since last September, when the Lord completely broke me. Though the most perfect realization between that moment and now is that this time, the Lord gave me not my own tears, but instead shared with me His.

And for that, I know My God is Mighty To Save.

i love you all,
anna

prayer...

2008-06-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

so its really hard for me to keep up with the blog... i need some prayer...
first of all a job... where ever the lord wants me to work i want to... i turned n an application at michaels the other day n we are jus waiting on a phone call... but the lord knows how to provide....
my computer broke while we were road trippin.. i dont know how n i dont know whats wrong wit it...so i need to take it to circut city but its n louisville bout 1 hr away... so i have to find time to do that...
my mom is coming out here to visit next week!! n she hopefully will bring my camara which was broken from hungary... so know i will b back n action...
its been sooo much fun out here livin wit the marletts they r amazing!!! we have a womens bible study today n i will b taking care of ALL the kids... pretty crazy... more prayer needed :)

2008-06-08T09:31:00.000-07:00

okay blog world.... so these are a few pictures from our roadtrip! man it was such a blessing!! mandy and i have bee talking about this trip since our freshman year... and boy oh boy was it all that we imagined.

i never want to drive or sit in the passengers seat again, BUT it was sweet. mandy is now inkentucky and i am back in cali!

we went through 7 states in i about 5 days and we used every second of it!... we will have to write stories later but a guess we can sum it up in that

God is good and he aint lyin when he saud Delight in Him and He will give you the desires of your heart.

amen

here we go...one more time...

2008-06-03T19:19:00.000-07:00

well we are off to kentucky folks....

after church on sunday we trecked out for the AZ... we made it by 9.30.... adrianna's family was waiting for us wit a fiesta!!! it was amazing!....

the next morning we got up at 5 and started on the longest day every... we traveled through az, new mexico, texas, n oklahoma...all n one day... i dont care what the map looks like... new mexico is the longest state ever!!

so weve been in oklahoma and one last night n we are off to nashville tomorrow....

oh boy....

2008-05-24T17:20:00.000-07:00

i'll praise u through the strom....
literally...no yard sell.... too many toronados running around n so cal....
next week its on rain or shine we will b selling stuff!!

YARD SELL!!!

2008-05-21T11:31:00.000-07:00

ight...so YARD SELL! on friday and saturday the 23 and 24... at 6 n the morning!! its at

13502 fremont st yucaipa ca....

coome n buy stuff... or jus come n chill...
if anybody's got anything they wanna give... call me asap and we will come and pick it up
19095288964
hope to hear from ya and see ya!!

2008-05-17T08:15:00.001-07:00

i made it home at last...

oh man!

2008-05-14T10:22:00.000-07:00

k so time is goin by soooo fast....

heres the deal.... i really want to do alll the work u guys need.... but i kinda need to know what u guys need to b done... or when u need babysittin... so if u guys could email me or post it let me know what u need.... (yard work, house cleaning, recyles, yard sell, or n e thing else) n when u guys would like that too b done... i get home this friday. my weekends r already pretty full but i might b able to do somethin if ya need it... free most weekdays n nights... so let me know.... we leave the 1st of june! so time is gonna fly by...

cant wait to see u all!!! hope to hear from ya before then...

mandy

shnazzy

2008-05-13T02:34:00.000-07:00

teclas bro jean

squidney!!

yeah!!

we had the calvary dove awards tonight... its were the entire school gets all dressed up and we watch funny videos and pictures from throughout the semester... it was a lot of fun... many embarassing pictures... haha it was soo good!

heres some pics from the night... n past nights...

MOMS!!

2008-05-11T07:38:00.000-07:00

just wanted to wish all u moms a happy moms day!!! i have learned sooo many mama jokes.....but i dont think this is the day to share them with ya guys... :) thanks moms for all your hard work raising us whippersnapers...
miss ya moms!!
love ya...see ya guys n 5 days!!

2008-05-08T12:42:00.000-07:00

hey guys heres some pics from my open mic night....it was sooo much fun but i was so tired afterwards!!! good stuff.... cant wait to tell u guys everthing.... 1 week!!!

coming to an end ...

2008-05-07T00:25:00.000-07:00

welp .... less than a week to go .. here r some pics from the past few weeks here ... ill write a blog here soon but i gott ajet and go to Lorettas house for a mexican food girls night! soo fun :) but ill see you guys sooner than i can think! wowzers

last days...

2008-05-05T01:22:00.000-07:00

well here we are in the last days... these are always the weirdest... i hate saying goodbye.. i always end up saying some thing like...well, see ya later... but in reality i prolly will never see most of the people i have spent the last 3 1/2 months of my life with everyday... i wake up and they are there...all day we hang out, i go to bed knowing they are only a few feet away...literally... and now the time has ended. i love moving and changing places, but the this time is going to be hard. i dont like getting to know people and investing in their life only to say ...well, see ya in heaven.... God is so good and is calling and sending us all out all over the world... it will be exciting to keep in touch wit all of them...thanks to skype!

well so as u all know and prolly expected....i have made alot of friends over here in hungary.... we had a talent show in the middle of the semester.... i was asked to participate...but i denied the request... but my friend joe and i have decided to host an 'open mic night'... this night, as we have planned so far, will b a great time to share memorable moments, jokes, songs, poetry, any proposals (bridal college), and maybe a dance or 2... its gonna b pretty funny...hopefully i get some pictures... its this wen at 7:30 n the coffee shop...u can come if ya want :)

heres some pics of wat else has been goin on...i babysat one of the pastor's kids... well 3 of them all girls!! oh man it made me miss all of yous guys kids sooo much!! we had a little makeover...

my friends patricia and sydney watchin fresh prince of bel air!!! WORD!

n finally we had a sock war.... it was intense...the goal was to tackle the person n grab their socks off before someone took yours off...i was one of the last ones remaining.... it was sooo crazy!! i think i scared some of them.... haha i got some pretty nasty battle wounds from it...but they are healing nicely after the nurse had to look at them...:) see ya all soon...

another genius idea....

2008-04-30T04:30:00.000-07:00

ight ladies and gents...

we will now be collecting plastic and glass bottles and cans... if you want you can save your recycling items in a trash bag and we will come by and pick them up and discard them appropriatly... this is not only help in our financial needs but save the whales and well.

We will also have a yard sell on friday the 23 starting at 6 am... it will be held at my parent's house on fremont st. ....those interested in giving anything away let us know.... thanks

God has a sense of humor too :)

Will WORK for MONEY

2008-04-28T13:03:00.001-07:00

so here we are less than three weeks away from going back to sunny california... blue skys and burritos...

adrianna called me today n we had a nice talk...as we always do. it was filled wit funny faces on skype and bits of homework. the subject of finances is always a common topic we discuss on our skype calls.... and so on this fine afternoon we have created a business.... we dont quiet have a business name, office, logo, or business cards... but my partner (adrianna) will b on that i think ;) so our services will include....

*babysitting

*yardwork

*dishes

*housekeeping

*washing of the cars

*the process of taking out the trash

*picking up dog poooooop (adrianna's specialty...and idea)

*and basically anything else....

know waiting lists will fill up soon and we only have 2 weeks people... so hurry!

JUST KIDDING.....

but seriously we would love to help in anyway possible.... all funds and contributions will be added to the MandyAdrianna foundation copyright 08... this will fund the roadtrip, flight home for Adrianna, and hopefully if the LORD calls our next semester of bible college in the fall....

Paul was a tentmaker... this was his job... we are called to be tentmakers... it is a good skill to have... adrianna and i are working on the tentmaking skills... for now we will start with the ones we do have :)

let us know if you have any work for us to do.... u can email us manfree136@yahoo.com or leave messages on our cell phones...

with open hearts and working hands....

Business manager..mandy

Business accountant, secretary, laboror, misc. worker... adrianna

less than 3 wks~~~

2008-04-27T13:33:00.000-07:00

oh man so i leave n less than 3 wks to go back to the states!!.... man im soooo excited!

so i got soooo much that the lord has taught me this semester..its been a great experience n i know god has called me here to hungary for this semester...but i also know god has not called me to hungary for the rest of my life (thanks god :)

adrianna n i met up once again n the gatwick airport n england....we then take a bus back to the heathrow airport...or we migt have a friend pick us up n take us,....but we still have another adventure.... :) we arrive in LAX on may 16 sometme.... there we will b reunited with our cells phones..oh yea n our familys...just kiddin..im very happpy n excited to see them.... but we will also have contact wit the world once again...so feel free to call n say hey... we want to see u all!!

god has been so faithful wit guiding me n his ways...i have complete trust n peace n this,.... as a result the lord has called me to go back to kentucky this summer... oh man i cant wait!! as most of u know.... one of the assisting pastors at my church n yucaipa moved to elizabethtown kentucky last summer. i visited for just a short week.they have now started a new fellowship called emmaus. i hope to be a blessing there not only to the marlettes, ditmars, dewits, and butoras but to the people of etown.. god has placed LOVE JOY AND PEACE on my heart like no other.... only by his grace can i wake up everyday... i want to share that wit them and show them what jesus wants to do n their lives... it is sooo exciting!! who knows where god is taking me... i will b staying wit josh and char n their apartment ... such a blessing!!! Char has already met many people n the town and has started to build relationships wit them...i hope to do the same. there are soo many kids there.. hopefully lord willing.... we will be able to plan some events to share the gosple wit the community and hang out with all of the kids...

well i embark on this new adventure... :) on the 1 of june... hopefully i will make it there by the 6 because thats when adrianna needs to get back to the states... oh yes we r road trippin it out there!! cant believe adrianna n i r gonna go cross the states.... so i guess ur thinkin we need alot of prayer?? :) YES we do!
please pray for the rest of this semester that god will continue to give me the strength i need, for my health that i dont get sick.. we have had everything here from kidney infections, strep throught, the flu, chicken pox, lice...oh we've had it all... pray for adrianna and i n are flight back home for safety and not getting lost or missing our flights, for finances just that god will provide in every area as he always does, pray for a possible job opportunity out in kentucky, and for this fall.... who knows what exciting things the lord brings.. just that i will be open and willing to go wherever.....
well...thanks for praying for us....
see you soon....or at least n yucaipa.....
mandy

RETREAT-ed

2008-04-24T13:58:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

man, i just got back from my retreat! it was gooooorgeous! oofff! we left monday morning for a two hour drive to the other side of the island and then embarked on our two hour hike to this completely secluded house in the middle of the island by Calla Rajata. It was amazing! No ELECTRICITY! man, it was so nice. We had devos every morning and that was pretty much it. Every night was ended by amazing camp fires and fun worship songs! haha good times.. but it was completely a time of relaxation and being able to get into "romantic time" with Jesus... which is much needed :) It is so nice to be able to go out, even without your Bible sometimes, and just sit with Him. Include him in anything and everything. Whether its putting butter on your toast or watching the sunrise...

These last four days were just that. A time of hilarious fellowship. sun tanning, swimming, coffe with sunrise, coffee with sunset, amazing food by Paul ( chicken curry, pork chops ...), coffee, volleyball, soccer, cards, laughing, thumb war, naps, laughing .. coffee :)

God is so good, and he loves us so much!

Look at these pictures. They are flawless yea? Now read Genesis 1-2 , flawless yea?

Exactly! The LORD has intended us to have this ALL THE TIME! we just jack it all up with our busy body city slicker lifestyle. But its okay, cuz we screw it all up all the time and He STILL loves us .. his thoughts towards us are more than the number of grains in the sand!!!! trip out on that!

PSALM 139 ... read it puess :)

relaxed and loved,

anna

camping!!!

2008-04-20T15:59:00.000-07:00

yoyo hey sorry i havent updated but im going camoing tomorow to the other side of the island where there is no electricity no homoeowrk and no stress!! so its gonna be the best retreat ever!! so ill try to update when we get back next week! love al yall!!

love, anna

2008-04-16T04:58:00.001-07:00

well im back n vajta once again....but only one more month left!!! it gonna be a hard one though...... hope ya enjoy da pics...

2008-04-16T04:55:00.000-07:00

2008-04-16T04:27:00.000-07:00

2008-04-16T04:13:00.000-07:00

2008-04-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

shalom everybody!!

2008-04-10T12:36:00.000-07:00

man guys...seriously u guys gotta go to this place!!! its really amazing...just the experience of bein here wit gods people.... i have to say...touring is really hard for me..i have found out i dont do well wit a bunch of americans altogether...its pretty hard...i always seem to get lost or somethin cause i want to stay far away from them....but its been so life changing too!!....
not only tourin....but we had a prophecy conference the other day..AMAZING! this general guy was speaking about when we die n we come to jesus at the gates of heaven...he said that most people see themselves walking to the gates standing tall n a white robe wit a straight face waitin to get in..... but in reality we should we runnin and skidding down to the gates wit blood and dirt on our faces...not bein able to get up tired...exahausted...n being able to say to jesus.... man jesus...ive been fightin the good fight...
isnt that neat?? it gives us a total push to keep runnin in this race....as we talked about the wars to come..n already happened... we talked about the even more important war...the spiritual war... personally i hear about the war n iraq or iran...n think. oh yea that stinks but i cant do n e thing bout it... but its the spiritual war that is even greater..n we can do something... so just an encouragment...but the people here r amazin its so neat to see this life style...
well enjoy da pics... laugh at them... go ahead...thats y i took them...cant wait to show u guys more...

mandy...
hey jesus washed our feet, lets kiss his toe jam.... cause he's got our backs like a kick me sign...

Embarrassing Moment owed to the sea

2008-04-07T14:18:00.000-07:00

Okay, so we all are curious and today was one of those days for me. Yes yes yes, curiosity killed the cat, and i was the cat.

I was outside me apartment waiting for a friend, and i decided to take a gander of the sea and see how clear it was. Mind you, it was a bleak day and i was sportin my Rainbows (of course) and black capris (thanks kym) and my sweater. I was to the edge of the mini dock and as my left foot stepped on the corner, i noticed that it was just as quickly up in the air. My right foot tried to catch its balance, but unfortunately moss is NOT the best kind of gripping terrane. So before i knew it both feet and lags and waste were submerged in the sea and my elbows were now paddling in the moss for support. Fortunately one elbow managed to strike gold and i was able to wheem my way onto the concrete dock. I looked around and noticed a dog. Phew! This victimized dog was able to witness this monumental bitter-sweet embarrassment in my life. As i uncomfortably gaited my way to the stairs, my mind began to create a less-embarrassing scenario to why half my body was soaking. In the end i came to terms with the fact that I was the lucky one and there was no need to make a cover. I mean, how often can I say i fell into the Mediterranean Sea?

Oprah's church...

2008-04-06T06:32:00.000-07:00

yyoyo guys this is just something i just came across and i thought it was very interesting and sad at the same time. You guys should check it out. seriously.

peace

2008-04-02T14:20:00.000-07:00

well.....cya later...im off to da HOLY LAND!!!
IZZZZZREAL!!!
fo sho...
ill hollar when im back!!
mandy

WHAT A BLESSING!!

2008-03-30T14:30:00.000-07:00

oh man so the sun finally is coming out!!! it was such a beautiful day!!! i got to go on 2 walks!! ... i got to make my first jar of sun tea...jeremy if u read this...which i doubt u do... but i did think of all the tea we would drink....REDICULOUS!...ummm it is soooo good... i have to hide it or everyone will steal it..haha i cant wait to all the sweet tea in kentucky this summer!!

Ephesians Homework

2008-03-29T16:16:00.000-07:00

Ephesians- Ch 2 Anna Chaparro
1.4.08

The second chapter of Ephesians is loaded with scriptures for the believer that is convicted and brings many things into remembrance. Paul first gives us multiple examples of our life before Christ has entered it. It allows us to see our lifestyle and the lost ways of our flesh. We truly did deserve nothing but the wrath of God; we still do in a sense, for it’s only by the grace of God that we don’t have to. Barclay really hones in on the true meaning of sin. It is more than us doing “bad things”; it is us failing to hit the target of life. When we realize what sin is, we see it come to life as an actual aspect of life, and not some theologian term for imperfection. Though we are forgiven and cleansed for our sins, it is always apart of our lives. It kills innocence that may never be returned, it kills ideals of temptation, and it kills the will. Barclay uses a piece from highly proclaimed author Oscar Wilde and his realization of sin in his life. A man that had “it all” in life ended his life in the words “The gods had given me almost everything…Tired of being on heights I deliberately went to the depths in search for new sensation…ceased to be lord over myself. I was no longer captain of my own soul, and did not know it. I allowed pleasure to dominate me. I ended in horrible disgrace” What an incredible paradox we see; that desire is a bad master. Even if your desires are minor, may no one think that through escaping the grosser sins of the body, the sins of the flesh have been avoided. As we go on to see the heart of repentance in 2:4 Paul beautifully reminds us of Who can restore this loss of innocence. Whenever people realize that they have sinned and they are often weighed down by the feeling that they dare not approach God. But we must remember, as Isaiah shared the same acknowledgement with you and me in Isaiah 6:5, we must remember that no matter what we are like, the door is open to the presence of God. How lucky are we to not have to confess to a man who claims the name priest, or get on our knees to climb some steps that are claimed to be “holy”? Jesus tells us to come as we are. The grace of Jesus Christ rekindles the ideals which chronic sin has extinguished. And by that very rekindling, life begins ascending again. As we have our relationship with Christ, He reminds us that we cannot enter the Kingdom with works. It’s so refreshing to know that we don’t have to have a time sheet to turn in when we go to heaven. NO, but instead that our relationship to God, our salvation will naturally produce the urge to love and serve one another. We can never earn God’s love, but we can and must show how thankful we are for it by seeking a life that will bring joy to His heart. He has accepted us as citizens (11-12) in God’s family and he has completely unified all of us. How refreshing is it to know that we do not have to change our ethnicity or origin to have a relationship with Christ? Yes, it’s by the peace and love of God that we have all nations and tongues. It is Jesus’ purpose not that we should turn all people into one nation, but that there should be Christian Indians and Christian Africans whose unity lies in their Christianity. We have an oneness in Christ, and He had provided a home where the Spirit of Christ can dwell and where everyone that truly loves Him can meet in that Spirit (18).
Paul gives so much encouragement in this letter to the Ephesians. It is such a comforting thing to know that we all have a peace in Christ, and that we can all obtain it no matter what wretched state we are in. God is so good as I can’t get over the fact that we deserve His wrath so much, and yet, instead He invites us into His family. That is love; and THAT is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.

Infection

2008-03-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

So, moral of the story.. DO NOT BITE YOUR CUTICLES .... or you will get an infection. So i woke up the other day to find 9 fingers... 9FINGERS?!?! .. yes, 9, and one that was the size of my face! ugh... so i asked around and they rushed me to Brenda to see if i could get it lanced.... okay, so the term lanced is new to me. at forst i was down with it... and then i see this lady come to me with a hot needle and a hand to squeeze. yes yes yes, she proceeded to stick it into the hot tip of my finger which was discolored by the green puss and blood, more formerly known as my middle finger. As she opened it, she squeezed it, and asked me if it hurt. I as politely as i could said, "Uh huh. yes. yup. sure. oh yeah" As i thought it was all coming to an end, i learned it was only the beginning, because she told me that nothing came out and that we need to surface it more so that we can drain it later.

So, this has been my life for that last three days. I have discovered a local chemist "pharmacist" here, which politely gives perscriptioned drugs over the counter. So, my friend Paul told me i had a "gordo finger" and got me some Pennisylan.. of so he thinks. haha but, ive been taking them and it seems to have gone down. so im happy.

but yes people, dont bite your cuticles in spain... it just wraps you up.

with love and a fat finger,

anna

March is almost a goner...

2008-03-28T04:29:00.000-07:00

here are some random pics of um the storm we had here, the lunch with loretta, easter, and random apartment life pictures! :)

Roma

2008-03-28T03:56:00.000-07:00

ahhh so i finally posted some pictures from rome!!! sorry it took forever!! i suck at life sometimes ... but ill try to post some other ones from the past two weeks back... man time is a flyin! we're gona be back before you know it! ... there are pictures of me in pauls prison (below) and then me and my like 14th cappachino, and at the colosseum, and the roman forum and trevi fountain, holy steps, st paul and peters basillica, ad randomness....

2008-03-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

2008-03-26T05:12:00.000-07:00

2008-03-26T05:08:00.000-07:00

heres the pictures!!

2008-03-26T04:55:00.000-07:00

jesus has risen!! n im still alive....

2008-03-24T05:21:00.000-07:00

so i went to austria this weekend wit 8 of my friends from the college... we rented a van (huge!) it was tall enough for us all to stand up in.... we had the best dance parties on the auto ban!! it was amazing... here r some pics...ill b getttin more from the rest of the guys today... cause yall know i didn't take any pics :)
it was beautiful!! it might have been my favorite place eva! i could even communicate wit them ....thanks to mr smith...my german teacher!! i would love to go back...we all almost dropped out of the school in hungary so we could go to the austria castle!! lucky....
if there is n e questions.... bring um out...cause i dont know what u guys wanna know... :)
well the pics wont post...but heres one :)
more comin...

Ah! i know i know...

2008-03-21T06:53:00.000-07:00

... i suck at life. so im gonna try to post random pics from rome and life in the last weeks. but yea!! im so jazzed that mandy is in austria! lucky !! i just finished my week here, and i have the busiest week of my life starting tonight. SO pray for me. the Lord is stretching me like no other here... im so glad to be here though! i went to the hospital yesterday and got to visit a few ladies and just love on them (in espanol of course) :) ... and it was just a good time. they totally stole my heart and laid desire of medicine even more! God is good and his love is incredable folks! remember that . :)
anna

weeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrd

2008-03-20T17:22:00.000-07:00

so basically im not going boarding....im kinda bummed but i think its for the better....i would fully brake a leg.... but the story gettin here has been amazing...our AMAZING driver...neal.... has conqured the autoban.... it was intense tho hahaha we first missed our off rap to a grocery store (tesco) but then had to make a quick Uie to get back on track...we had a gps system so thank god gigi was wit us!! (for uncle steven :) the when we got to austria we missed another off ramp so instead of drivin forever... i had the briliant idea of just puttin it n reverse since it was around midnight n e ways..no one was around...or at least we thaught... it was just in time...but we made it safe... our van that we rented literaly was huge! we had a huge dancing party in it on the auto ban!! it was amazin maybe the video wil happen someday!!! well more to come on my incredible journey!!!
much love...
oh yeah im tryin to whistle :)
mandy

this ones for aimeeeeeeeee

2008-03-19T14:52:00.000-07:00

hey guys sorry....ive been really busy... im leavin for austria n a couple hrs!!! crazy. me n 8 other friends r rentin a van n cruzin up to the castle there... so please PRAY...im wit a bunch of guys who say they know how to drive n "know" how to get there...so it will b interesting...haha i might b darin n snowboard n the alps...but ill prolly chicken out... but it will b fun..im meeting up wit some friends from murietta who r goin to the germany campus...
so i pretty much shaved my head...no joke... ;) just the back...i wanted to get pics up before i left but it just didnt happen... but when i get back it will b top priority....just ask adrianna...she's seen it... its sick!! three lines shaved n each side...pretty awesome!...
so pray for me also im playin bass n singin for tomorrows devos...( every thurs...) but tomorrow we will b playin BIG HOUSE oh u know....come n go wit me to my father's house..... offff its gonna b sick!! we practiced today n its off the walls...pray dat the lord will receive this song wit as much laughter as we r playin it!! we love sing wit the joy he gives us!!
well im out...i still have to do 6 chuck track...pack...2 classes... n worship!! ahhh.... peace out
mandy...aka... chief :)

Gonna start...

2008-03-13T00:58:00.000-07:00

... so rome pictures are to come... this is one from st. peters basillica.... im the dark thing by the column ...

2008-03-11T04:15:00.000-07:00

so im NOT in rome....

2008-03-09T03:45:00.000-07:00

but hey thats ok....im still blessed....earilier this week tecla was able to come out and pay us all a visit to da castle....it was a lot of fun...me, jean her bro, my friends kati and jd came wit to go to meet her in budapest on sunday. it was super early and freezing. out two hr train ride was amazing...none of us had ever takin the train there and they all expected me to know where to go...bad idea...the entire journey went like this...hey mandy wat train to we go on...me: i dunno...
hey mandy wat time does it leave....
me...well i heard it was early so lets just get there around 6....
ok well mandy where is da train station....
me...i dunno
well we made it on the train,
so mandy i heard we might have to switch trains....?
me...oh well next time we stop lets switch...
we finally got there in budapest...got out of the train station and had to take the metro... well wheres da metro...
i dunno
which stop is it...
i dunno
do u know where da church is....
nope i was told to go the opposite way of mc donalds...thats it...
OH IT WAS AMAZING...if i could travel like that everywhere i would but most people arent that laid back...or dumb,...hahah but kati jd and jean were amazing they didn't care either it was all for da ride...
so we kept walkin n then this lil romanian kid jumped out of know where..it was tec
it was soooo good to see her! so we just hung out for a while then she had to leave the next day...but it was good...misss ya tecla!!
this sat...which was yesterday...we ventured out again to a city i have no idea to spell...most of the time i have no idea where i am...but it was fun we went to this italian place wit my friends kati, phil and matt...had some grub pizza!! then we just chilled around... i got a prety sick sweatshirt ill have to get a pick up soon.... the next big thing is easter...since adrianna n i couldn't find eachother...i think im goin to austria for da weekend wit my friends...we will be chillin n prolly a lot of hikin n maybe some snowboarding...crazy!! hope all is well over there......
mandy

Prego!

2008-03-08T13:21:00.000-08:00

... so im in the lovely rome, italy! and i love everything about it. today we saw the collosseum and the arch of titus and we went inside pauls prison and read 2timothy aloud. it was insane. and weve seen the basillicas of st peter and paul and the catacombes and the pantheon and so many other thing that are incredable. the pizza is to die for. no joke and tomorrow im on my way to calvary chapel rome and then to the opera of the divine comedy by dante alegheris the inferno! then we make a stop to barcelona! im so blessed. ill load pics when i get back. but im havin a blast and hope u guys have a good weekend!!!!!

love you guys.

ciao!
anna

moving to rome

2008-03-04T21:16:00.001-08:00

... in an hour!

pray for safe travels as it is stormy! see yall in a week wif pictures!

love you,
love, anna

homesick. again

2008-03-03T04:15:00.000-08:00

yes yes yes. Homesick, again.
At first glance, one would assume that I am yearning to go home, to be back in my comfort zone, with my chunky peanut butter, and cottage cheese. Though that would be nice, i wish it was true. This week, the Lord has fully been speaking to my heart, and ive been keeping this "journal" in my heart. As i woke up this morning on the worlds most uncomfortable pillow, i layed there. It was the strangest feeling. I was consciously awake, but my eyes were closed. And i had NO idea where i was! haha funny, yes. I layed thereand thought of 6 possible places. A retreat, camp, home, mandys house, still in spain, or rome. As my mind was figuring out where i was, it hit me. I was homesick.
Strange, because though all the places i had mentioned are what i consider my home, and they are all where i feel most comfortable. I still felt homesick?! What's that all about???

This week has been a week of conviction for me. My mind is so captive in the scriptures. As i sit in my classes, serve in the community, and share in the life of everyone here in Mallorca, i feel so happy. so excited. so undeserving. and so nostalgic. So nostalgic? how could i feel nostalgic over something that i have only had for four weeks?? It was this week that i have found myself falling back in love with the Lord. Though i have always been in love with Him, a fresh new fire arose. I remembered what it was like when i first gave my life to Christ about 5 years ago. I was so excited to share what i knew, and was so excited for the hope i had. Though that knowledge has still been evident in my life the past 5 years, it is now alive again. I have been beautifully reminded that we are to live each day like the first day. .
There is such a lack of Homesickness.in our lives. Is there any sense of hope as we long for heaven? Do we honestly yean for Christ to return? Who are we living for? and what is after death?
I hate religion. I know we arent supposed to hate. but i hate religion. It is so man made, and satans way of robbing us of what we need to hear and know. Very few people think we are in a war that is greater than WW2. Truth be told, we are in a war and Satan is the leader. In "Screwtape Letters" by CS Lewis, he describes Satan saying that he doesnt "hope for too much from war". Why is that you may ask? He explains that war will not destroy the faith of real believers and will, thanks to God's high handed ways, roduce a good deal of unwanted seriousness about life, death, and the issues of eternity." " How disastrous for us, the devil complains, is the continual remembrance of death which war enforces. In wartime, not even a human can believe that he is going to live forever.
Whether you label yourself as christian, catholic, agnostic, athiest, or whatever. One thing we ALL have in common is our unability to be immortal. yes ladies and gents... we all die. And so arises the ever so popular question where do you go after death? Whether you believe in eternal life or not think of how many times at a funeral you say "its okay, they are going to a better place" .. where is that better place you are talking about? and are YOU going there?

We live in such a ficticious life. In the moment and in the scene. As long as our paychecks and bills are on time, and we get to eat out once a week, and go to church, and homeschool our kids, and still serve in the ministry... we are safe and content. We are even satisfied with our life after death.
OH HOW WRONG WE ARE.
I am realizing how easy it is to be so relaxed at how "nice" my life is. When in reality, the Lord in heaven who created every cell in our body, the One who knows every single hair on your childs head, the One who allows you to smell the rose outside your house, and the One who keeps the seas in their beautiful place .. is coming BACK. SOON! ... yes, this is true and soooo exciting! so exciting, and sooo scarry. I cant help but think of all the people here in spain, in europe, in america, in california, in yucaipa, in redlands, in my family.. who may know this, yet truly dont.
If we arent living our lives for Christ everyday and living everyday for His return that IS coming, then we are living it for Satan. period. Whether we think so or not, we are living under someone or worse, something. Anyone can fight, but very few can submit. Dont fear the man who can kill the body, fear the man who can take your body and cast it into hell .. AMEN! man, im so excited right now. :)
(Im sorry guys, this is getting really long. but thanks for hangin in this far)
... AH! anyways, basically my desire right now is that we would ALL be homesick. That we would all long and desire to go home with Christ. The definition of desire is not merely a simple wish. it is a deep seated craving; and intense longing, for attainment. Think about it. We dont DESIRE a snickers bar, or DESIRE to clean the bathroom. We desire to new car, or to win the lotto, right? It something that we pray for. Even if you dont ever pray. When you really want somethin, and you realize you cant do by yourself, you pray for it. Both Christians and Non christians. Religious and non religious people do this. Desire is intense, but narrow.It wants a few things, and it wants them badly, so badly that nothing but God's willingness to answer, can bring it easement or content. Without desire, there is not burden of the soul, no sense of need, no vision, no strength, no glow of faith. As desire and prayer go hand in hand. It must be made personal, and centered on God with a unquenchable hunger and thirst after Him and His strength.
When people ask me what my desires were. My first answer was to be a doctor. I see my grandma and her need of a kidney, and i get a bitter-sweet burden on my heart. I am bitter at the fact that i cannot give her a kidney, and that she has to go through the painful medical process every week where they blatantly hook her up to a machine to artificaily replace the work of an organ she once had. AND THEN i am beautifully overtaken by the sweet joy she has on her face every time i see her. The joy and aroma she gives off is one that only can be credited to the love of Christ she has in her. I see the joy of the Lord in both my grandparents. In every single step they take, and every single word they speak. I read of Stephen the Martyer, and his face of an angel he had as he was stoned to death for proclaiming the Name, the only name that is worth being proclaimed.
Though my desire is still to go into medicine. My first and foremost desire is to see everyone be Homesick. To see everyone yearn to die, and come to the realization that someone loves you more than i do, more than your spouse does, more than your sister does, more than your mom and kids do. And that Person is coming back to take you Home.

So, to finally wrap this beautiful mess up... simple questions:

1.What are your desires RIGHT NOW?

2. Are you Homesick? or are you comfortable? or are you scared?

... whatever it may be. I urge you to pray. Talk to the Lord, and pray for Him to change your heart and desires if need be. Sucky, we may have to give up our joy we get from wanting a snickers bar or In n out, or it may even mean giving up that BMW dream.. but hey, who knows what we will be cruisin in on the golden pavement at HOME. :)

i love you so much,
Anna

ps... sorry it was so long! but i miss you guys soo much. serioso. and pray for me as "move" to ROME on wednesday morning. xoxoxo <3 (yes mandy, i went there, i did the heart symbol)

B E A utiful day at home :)

2008-03-03T04:02:00.001-08:00

time is flyin!

2008-03-03T01:00:00.000-08:00

these are some randome pics from this week. lucy and i went on a lil adventure and found some real live spanish dancers.. so fun... and went to buy A banana. and i made the best sandwich of my life, as u can see.. OH OH and my new son. Divine. he is sooo cute! :)

hollar!!

2008-03-01T03:42:00.000-08:00

so basically its pretty sad...i didn't bring any pictures...and i dont have a printer to print any either....so if any of you would like to be on my closet of fame...please send me a pic!! it can be anything!! of you..of me...of ur kids...just not of the castle in hungary...got plenty of those :P thanks guys...much love...

Petofi Sandor ut. 562
7041 Vajta
HUNGARY

theres my crib... hollar at cha girl!!
mandy

baller!!

2008-02-27T01:19:00.001-08:00

so ive been workin on my SKILLS..wel since i got none..hahaa ive started b=playin ball wit da guys..its so fun!! my friend kati played wit me for a bit!! shes amzin for neva playin ball before n to play wit da guys...but it just isn't her game...so i gotta reppresent da girls out there!!
well..u know...THATS HOW WE ROLL!

She Runs

2008-02-27T00:23:00.001-08:00

this is my weekly saturday run... its grand :)

For Mandy: you would be proud!...
The holy spirit got cha boy doin a dozen push up! push up! ... I run to the word cuz my soul is thirsty... RUN" - lecrae

best line eva!

2008-02-27T00:21:00.000-08:00

so heres da new line..gotta say it to everybody..n this ones especially for those pastors out there....
yall should spit scripture like luggies!! (ya know those nasties) hahaha.....
especially adrianna!!

they let who drive??

2008-02-24T13:47:00.000-08:00

so i found some more sweet pics!! lol of course there r of this imfamous watch of mine.., so today i got back from baja...n pretty much da whole school has already seen or heard bout da watch ...i hope it dont get stollen by no gypsie!! so they actually let me drive today!! know our fans who have been through this blog from the beginnin remember the days of when i learned stick...in murietta adrianna taught me...well this VAN was stick..i did sooo good i didn't stall or n e thing!! i was a natural... i can't believe they let ME drive already!! ive only been here for like 3 weeks!! shoot i might b runnin this place n 3 months!! hahaha enjoy da pics..

Boot Sale

2008-02-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

This saturday we went to the weekedly boot sale.. its pretty much equivilant to the swap meet, except worse! It really cool because usually they charge 6 euros for a spot, but because we arent selling anything, we get a free spot in the front, where we set up a little table and hand out tracks and just talk with people! It is such a blessing!
... i found some time to browse around and i picked up this little number. Dont Hate. Dont Judge. It is an authentic chinese work robe on sale for ONE EURO! ... yes, i know, i know it was a steal! ... haha okay, maybe not, but believe me, the lady never saw it comin... i totally took it off her hands.... its in the washer right now... :)

with love and a new robe,
anna

got them numbas?

2008-02-23T11:57:00.000-08:00

hey hey folks...look at these pics!! they r amazing!
so this weekend i went to baja bout n hr away... we helped wit da youth..went shopin bought da sweetest watch eva!! chris i'll get u one bro! for like 2 bucks!! fresh wit a calculator n everything! some clean slippers!! n some grub! it was sooo much fun... n e one know wat time it is??
(i couldn't stop watchin da tick tock!!)

2008-02-23T11:41:00.000-08:00

bring dat TRUTH back

2008-02-23T11:02:00.000-08:00

IM NOT GONNA LIEE.....heres da truth....this has prolly been one of the hardest weeks n all of my life....but most importantly its been one of the best weeks with da lord!! he has been sooooo faithful! i feel like i am learnin n just opening my eyes to some new incredible things dat ive never thought of before!! da first week i was here as u know i got super sick...so i thought...sweet da lord is breakin me physically dat means hes got somethin hudge n i must just surrender my all to him...so i did...i really wanted to go home dat first weekend...im not gonna lie..but da lord used matt 26:11 to strengthen n really just give me confidence n being here n hungary away from all dat is goin on at home.... it says da poor u will have always, but me u do not have always....n i will not always have this opportunity to b here n hungary full emersed wit believers n da word...i need to take hold of this time even if i dont want to b...even if i want to b wit da poor...which is good..but da lord has called me here to learn for dat time to come... its been an incredible journey alread n ive only been here for wat..3 weeks?
like i said its been a rough week...im not gonna lie... it seemed as though everytime something came up n finally started to settle down...another thing would pop up n rock my world once again...i was at a point one night that i felt nothin...i felt that nothin could get worse... every single person i loved n cherished was fallin apart... n i was soo far away from anyone that could comfort me or encourage me...skype wouldn't work...lol...i know now its cause da lord was makin me loose controll...i reaized i cant talk, do or even see n e one n make n e thing better... every single situation was out of my hands...the only thing i had was his promises... HE IS TRUTH... HIS WORDS ARE TRUTH...n da promises n da bible started to come alive right n fromt of me...he would never give me n e thing i couldn't handle, he would protect me, he would love me when i felt unloved, he would promise to be there for me!! ive known these things n have felt each one n i know they r true..but i have never been n da position that every single one was soooo alive n so plain n simple...n every single one of my classes....minor prophets, philipians, hebrews, devos, chucktracks...n it all this one thing has stuck out to me...n i start to laugh know when i hear it cause he has been reminding me all week.....no matter wat circumstances our lives r n...no matter wat changes we go through, or wat we r feeling....the truth of wat he did on da cross has stayed! it remains through everything.... it will never change, there will never b a day dat i will wake up n for a moment think he didnt die for me...it will always b there...it will haunt me n a good way... after being stripped away from everything, mental n physical, from family friends to bein across da world.... I ONLY HAVE DA PROMISES OF DA CROSS... so finally its friday now n i can fully rest n his arms...its like n hebrews 3...it says every house is built by someone..but he who builds all things is GOD. ive realized wat is my house built upon? upon da fact that i know jesus loves me n is always there? or is it dat i BELIEVE with all my heart n i have felt da HS there...he is my house...its differetn than just wat ur house is built upon cause..everything will b washed away n jesus will remain..but if da lord builds ur house...it will not be shaken!! i had da foundation of christ...he was my rock..but this week my house was shaken n parts were startin to crumble...da lord had to come n rebuild my house for me..strengthen my faith!! knowin dat i have nothin and am nothin...but the only thing i have is jesus christ... wow dat amazing! when u r soo comforted by such a simple idea...dat we all know for years... but just hits u differently... so theres a lil of wats been goin on n my heart..

Man i feel like a woman!

2008-02-22T08:48:00.000-08:00

yes, blogworld... i have officially reached womanhood. I made my first real jar of home made peanut butter. Thank you for your prayers and support in my process of reaching domestication. i will be sure to let you know of my other talents that have bloomed from this... until then im going to enjoy my all natural "Makes you wanna utter smooth and creamy Peanut Butter" ...
anna

Catch me at da brooke

2008-02-20T01:19:00.000-08:00

aw the deer pantith for the water so my soul thirsts for you GOD.....catch me at da brook!
this song is rocks!!....but heres another one
its called send me...all bout spread dat word!!!.....

i seen it with my own two,
there's no way i can show you
a perfectly poverty stricken people with no view.
And i bet you can't believe this,
they never heard of jesus.
Heard young butler, lil wayne, and young jeezy.

No one's signing up to go on missions this summa.
Rather sit at home and watch exibit pimp in a humma
while a nine year old is shot down.
No one's screaming 'stop now!'
no bridge illustrations for criminals who on lock down.

People deep in africa
looking for an answer bra'.
In china man,
they're dying man,
until they know who died for sins.
So look what grace did.
Not for us to stay here
inside our comfort zones
at home in mama's basement.

Get out on the grind y'all.
Ain't no better time doll.
I know y'all read the great commission.
Let me just remind y'all:
make disciples of the nations.
Teach'm to obey the lord.
Have to lead someone to christ before i face the lord.

Send me I'll go,

hey! After, 1,000 years in the west and the churches
get'n bigger daily without understand'n worship. (say what?)
Some regenerate but a lot ain't saved.
You walk outside and be surprised cuz the block ain't changed.
And the numbers they be get'n me.
Something just ain't hit'n them.
America ain't christian they practice'n the ritual.
That's why we should be mission though.
Hey, what you think i'm spit'n for?
The united states is die'n
and in the east is looking pitiful.

Some places if they catch you
they'll arrest you.
They'll serve you,
but they still need the word too.
The gospel should be heard too.
We claim we ain't ashamed,
but we ain't hit the block up.
We're in our christian bubble,
while our brotha's get'n locked up.
Lord i wanna stock up,
pack a bag and walk up
in a country where my faith may get me shot up
anywhere i go, whether my city or far abroad,
i just wanna show' em jesus christ the risen holy god.

Via Dolorosa

2008-02-17T08:47:00.000-08:00

check out this video! This is one of the songs we have to sing in choir for our easter play. Today was my first practice, and im not gona lie, i was not feelin it going in because i was one of SIX of us girls singing in front of all of SPAIN ... well the whole santa ponsa community haha.. but still, if you know me, you know that drama is not on my extra curricular activities list... and as surely as that isnt, neither is singing... BUT the Lord fully changed my heart, and im so excited for easter!
this is one of the songs we get to sing... its pretty intense, and i love it! haha dont judge the vidoe. it is one of a kind, but it was either this, or some lady set in the early 80's with a pink suit and country music award hair singin it. But, I cant wait to sing it with the girls... and do it with the whole performance.. oofff!... So, yup, i have to try and pull off these vocals, so PRAY and laugh it up!

<3, adrianna

some friends...

2008-02-16T08:22:00.000-08:00

good idea mandy...

2008-02-16T08:15:00.000-08:00

i guess this is how i live....

Calle Huguet de Mata Plana 22a
07180 Santa Ponsa. Mallorca SPAIN

my apartment cell: 01134 660 339 625

*all my incoming calls are free .. im not sure the rates for you guys... but i would love to hear your voices or send me a lil something or a letter or peanut butter or marshmallows :) .. jk but there is also this program called SKYPE that is totally free online... so download it if you can and holler... oh yea and that is my whole school ... they're good people :)

this is how i live....

2008-02-16T04:17:00.000-08:00

Petofi Sandor ut. 562
7041 Vajta
HUNGARY

heres my address just in case n e body wanna send me pics or a letta...lol

mandy

Wake up in da mornin gotta thank God Luke 9:23

2008-02-16T01:48:00.000-08:00

so as u all know we must listen to chuck tracks here at ccbc....wow i struggle wit dat im not gonna lie..the lord uses it i know but my lil attention span is soooo short!! n 7 yrs a week??? wow!! so n ways i was listenin to my rap n talkting to a friend about da lyrics n i came to da conclusion that basically it is chucks message but to a beat..they read scripture verse by verse,...these tracks of rap r sermons n they speak to me so much!! its a shout out to da truth. trip lee. shobaraka. n my boy J.R. dude look em up n take time to listen to da lyrics!! they will hit ya cause my jesus died harder than bruce willis get it??!!!
heres some pics of my days here...

Feliz Dia De San Valentin!

2008-02-15T05:58:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentimes day people!

So today was fun! Lisa, Nichole and I went to Dexailles (a small group of like 6 middle aged people we meet at a old salvation army type place) and we gave a little lesson in love. It was soooo fun to teach them english! We had everyone make valentines cards, a first for many of them, and went around and shared what we LOVE.

One cute little old guy made this one for me... it was so fun!

general update: everything is soo amazingly good. it is friday. it is good. and i am hungry. Me and lisa are going to go out to eat here in the island for a late v-day dinner.

I would post some nice, thoughtful, meaningful, touching word that the Lord has spoken to me... but i dont feel like getting a skype call from mandy making fun of me.... so yea... thanks a lot friend.

haha but seriously, everything is good. EXCEPT i forgot to tell you guys.

i start play practice on sunday.

yes, i am in the choir or a whole 5 people. and we must sing like 9 songs on easter in front of the whole santa ponsa community. So, yes laugh it up, and pray that mandy will get plane ticket to come and have the honor of making fun of me... to my face of course.

well im off to go study and read the scriptures about the salvation of sisters who need to overcome the sickness of the ipizzle.

adios! te amo!

please don't stop da music....

2008-02-13T04:56:00.000-08:00

any body like.....lord of da rings or chronicles of narnia or dat really old movie...willow? well basically i live on da set of those movies...i feel like i am walking out of a wardrob everytime i step out of da castle... its crazy! today i went on a walk into vajta da village.... i was honked at soooooo many times!! lol reminded me of da blvd...ok not really but kinda. this guy was burning something (?) in his backyard n had a sick beat bumpin in da car...naturally my body just starts moving..weird...i know... so there i was dancing in da middle of a lil dirt road wit a car comin... i think it mad their day watchin this white girl in a black person's jacket move to da beat...it was so good to hear american hip hop thou...it was an amazing time! maybe da video will work later...ill post it.... i work again today in da coffee shop..but tomorrow i am goin to a city! yeah first time of gettin outta here... it will definately b written about later... feel free to drop me n email on how u all r doin...i miss u all!!

manfree136@yahoo.com

love ya guys....

mandy

adrianna....theres lots of silence here....when dat happens to me i put in my ipizzle...just kiddin ;)

Gertrude.

2008-02-13T00:10:00.000-08:00

so i am in a community service class, but this is just amazing anyways... every week we are going to go visit Gertrude. She lives in a pure German- speaking community for the elderly in Santa Ponsa (right down the street). She is the only one who speaks english, so we visit her. But she is soo cute! She gave us a bunch of juice and cookies and we just hung out and got to know each other a little more. I cant wait to visit more!!

little trip to palma

2008-02-11T09:55:00.000-08:00

palma, mallorca

reppin the raza in the mainland (for chris basirico) :)

What do you do in the silence of God?

2008-02-10T05:03:00.000-08:00

What DO you do in the silence of God??

So, to be honest, iam a little, okay maybe more than a little, but nonetheless i am homesick. Yes, me homesick. But its weird. its not in the sense that i am dying and cyring and hate my life here and have to run home. Because truthfully, there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to complain about. My roomates are incredable, the apartment is insane, i live on the flippin mediterranean sea, my classes are so uplifting, i live in spain, AND i am so blessed with everything about this place... seriously.
I was talking to mandy, and though she is sick sick, she is also homesick. I think for me, it is the idea of being away for the next 3 months and one week and not having the ability to just go home. and being with all our "comfortable" people. Or maybe its not being able to share this with the people we have loved forever.?
Whatever it is, it has sucked emotionally from time to time. We got so comfortable with our loved ones and lifestyle, and the second it gets taken away or put on pause, or is a kajillion miles away, you truly do realize how precious your blessings are. And its so ironic for me because i have left my blessings to go to another blessing. I have been so torn these past few days, and have been praying for the Lord to help me be distracted here instead of wondering what everyone else os doing with out me, or wondering what we could be doing instead. and with all that said, I realize that, that is just it. Its not about me. Its about HIM. and He is the reason He provided for me to come out here. and it truly is a beautiful thing.
As i was in church today, we had these amazing guest singers from Austria, Outi and Lee. They are so beautiful, and the Lord reminded me that He is here and He is meeting me here at this devine appointment.

The title of this post is what do you do in the silence of God? and this speaks volumes to me right now because i am living this answer. and it is amazing! What is the answer you ask?? well let me tell you, it is to be still.

I am taking ACTS and i was so truly blessed in the last hour when Pastor Raf was talking about Peter the apostle and how when the Lord told him to wait for the other disciple, and how he in turn, didnt. He gave the Lord a choice between Matt and justus.

Peter: "Alright Lord the blonde (matt) or the brunette (justus)
God: "Wait! I got a redhead (paul) for you! I know he is an enemy of the cross and persecuting christians right now, but he is the vessel I designed for you!"
Peter: "Yea, lets settle for the blonde"
Though both were "qulified" in the sense, they also were maybe not who the Lord had set for that spot. It can be debated whether or not peter was wrong in that, but "acting with no direction" is a great plague of the church today.
Peter took charge that resulted in settling for less that what God had best. That may work in politics and business-but not in the church.
We are to remember that His ways are higher than ours and that [ A good thing can be a bad thing, If its not the best thing]

ALL this to say, that though at times when i feel like the Lord decided not to speak back to me, is usually when he is doing the greatest work. In these times, when we want to be back in the comfort of home, we start to question everything about where we are now. And when i feel like the Lord is not talking back to me, and as i am now sitting in the silence of God, and in a foreign country, with foreign people, i can find comfort in the unknown and also find comfort in knowing that I am exactly where he wants me to be, and KNOW that i am not settling, and that i am waiting for the [best] thing that He has for me, the thing that i would not have recieved if i would havebeen in the comfort of my own home and my own human decision making.

welp! i hope u were as blessed as i was to be reminded of that! So i miss you guys so much and pray for me in this time of stillness! and i encourage all of you bloggers to be still and though the impulsive daily decisions we make, may be fun, it is not as fun as what we get when we wait and are still.

be blessed! and cant wait to share new bits i learn here!!

so im gonna go eat some chocolate and be all girly... haha totally kidding, i got missions homework, but i am really gonna go eat some chocolate :)

much love!

more laughs

2008-02-10T04:43:00.000-08:00

so today since i have some extra time... (alot) i was looking at how many people loved da escelator story....adrianna and i were talking last night about our last escelator story...n i remembered we had created a post awhile ago about it so i will try to add a link or something but i do encourage you guys to look at our older posts...they r hilarious!! literally they will make u pee ur pants! we can't wait to get back to having more stories together but for now...we ridin solo

k so its called "straight trippin" look it up in da past posts...good times

mandy

Valdemossa and Soller

2008-02-09T09:01:00.000-08:00

stealing the vespa...

valdemossa... gorgeous....

my roomies!

julie, madeline, kailtlin, anna, luuuucy, liz, and erika.

so today was our class trip to valdemossa and soller. we all hopped into cars after church cleaning and were off!! it was so fun! we all dispersed and hung out in the different cities. i bought some mallorcian shoes for 5 euros! what a deal! and we went to some chinese restaurant and then i tried to steal a vespa, but i chickened out... maybe next time! so , we are all back and all car sick. the road is exactly like the ride up to idyllwild, for all u at home, you know what i mean. barf! but so beautiful. so ill post pics and i got soo much homework, but the boys are makin pizza n pasta, sooo i gotta jet in like 45 minutos!!

oh and the pic with all the girls is me and my roomies!! julie, madeline, kaitlin, me, and lucy. and then liz and erika. i love them so much!

sleep.... can't get enough.....

2008-02-09T00:22:00.000-08:00

ok so the pictures finally made it!! sorry it took forever...
so the new adventure... not so fun
ive been extremly sick for the past couple of days...i got a fever n just sleeping forever...my eyes could barley stay open just so that i could go pee.. pretty sad...as u guys know i rarly get sick...so i have no idea how to get better..lol..but its been nice to sleep...i sleep all day n all night. last night i was dripping in sweat (pretty nasty) so its been all morning...i think that means im getting better?? hopefully. please pray for me its been really hard and i get really home sick too!! so if any of u would like to come vist just let me know!!
im drinkin some orange juice n it tastes soooo good! hope u all are doing well i love the comments...keep em coming... i thrive on them seriously...i wake up n the only thing i want to do is check my blog!!
but oh yea before i got sick i had a couple of classes...they where pretty sweet i have a lot of reading to do though...i hate reading..it puts me to sleep.
and dad....no movies i promise...ive been sleeping the whole time... seriously maybe today i can watch stomp da yizzle (stomp the yard)
well im prolly gonna go back to sleep again... :)
love yall
mandy

photo play

2008-02-07T01:15:00.000-08:00

okay some pics from me chillin at home....

and mandy, i gave our necklace a photo shoot :)

sea breeze

2008-02-07T00:30:00.000-08:00

snazzz... so life here is pretty much amazing. i started classes yesterday (community service and womens d) i have galatians/ephesians today at 12:30 and im waiting for mandizzle to call at like 11!!!! yea... man its so crazy its only the 4th day! eeehole! but lets see i went with my friend lisa to palma the other day, which is the main city here in mallorca. you have to take like a 20 min bus to the city, its pretty much like victoria gardens (waaay overpriced stuff) but nice. So we took a bus there, but buses here r crazy cuz ive learned that spanish people do NOT have and conscience of time or anyhitng associated with it. seriously, they have a bus schedual, but dont go by it, so its pretty much a gamble anywhere u go. but anyways, we went there and ate some more authentic mallorcan/spanish food. I ordered a:
Tapa (appetizer): really common is spain, because people will literally open at like 9am and go for a "deseunar" break (nap) and close for a few hours, and open again at like 5. they really enjoy their lunch and dinners here and there is NO fast food or serving type. .. so anyways, i ordered "championes" whic is basically sauteed mushrooms in garlic. MMMMMmmm!
then i ordered a Bondedillo or however u say it, and its basiclally a sandwich, although mine was a tortilla one, which is their term for egg. so i guess i ordered an egg sandwich with potatoes toasted with tomtoes... not too shabby. but definitely a first and a last for me.
after we went and looked around, took some pictures, and then i ran into these characters in the Palma Plaza, as u will see in the picture with the mime! hahaha good stuff....
but then we came home, hung out with the roomies. and the next day iwent to class and had a few hours so i walked outside and sat on the flat and sealine of the mediterranean and layed there with my ipod and looked at the fishies and took some cool shots. then we had Koinonia which was sweet!

so thats the update so far lol. i tolked to my mom and dad and bro for a little!!!! sooo fun. man i miss all of u back at home.. seriously. so pray that the Lord sustains me through this. i know it will be sweet. but i wish all yall were here with me.

oh yea... like mandy, i work coffee shop (in which we have spanish style of course, so really good cafe con leche and real chocolate milk! .... and i have nursery. okay so now i will try to post pics.......

oh yea! and if any of u guys want to call just email me and ill give u the number to my apartment. it is free for me for any incoming calls, but i think it chrges u a little... so just let me know! :)

wooooooo......

2008-02-06T13:05:00.000-08:00

Woa woa woa woa… its been an adventure for sure!!
Im here in hungary…read Adriannas post bout our exciting adventures in london…definitely don’t recommend the whole changing airports…not a good idea! But we both made it safe and sound!!
It was so weird…Adrianna went to go find food and she ran into a guy who we went to school with in murietta…n one of da pastors from spain who was on her flight…that was pretty neat so that she didn’t have to fly by herslf. Me on da ofther hand… after our friends stayed with me of a lil bit they dropped off my lougage and I had to sit in da airport for quiet some time! I asked about 3 different people to watch my stuff so I could go pee 3 times! That’s a loooong time… I fell asleep most of it but I did make a hat and read da book of james (which I will be taking as one of my classes!!) so I got on da Hungarian airlines…n realized there was no more English…no translator…no nothing but I had a whole row of seats to myself so da was sweet…got to da airport found my stuff saw a CCBCE sign jumped in a van fer 2 hrs n wala I was at da castle by 1230 at night… all da interns were up waiting for our lil group n when I got to my dorm my old room mate from murietta was standing there sooo excited!! So dat was really cool also… so yeah its been a great time classes start tomorrow with Hebrews, james, minor prophets, n apologetics, phillipians too..not to mention all da chuck I have to listen to!! I got coffee shop for my m199…I really don’t know how I get so lucky wit these job things….maybe its my last name??  which I am jakes lil sister here but its cool cause I get to start my on story…
So I wrote have of this yesterday but the internet wasn’t workin to post it… but im a lil sick so this was sooo funny had to share it wit yalll….so I have this pretty bad cough. N couple nights ago I was coughin so bad that I totally slammed my head into my bed post in the middle of da night!! It hurt real bad…didn’t think n e thing of it… well next morning I wake up n I have this HUDGE bump on my forhead!! Totally noticeable!! It was sooo sad but really funny…I still have a lil knot but not to bad…I wish I took a picture to show u guys!! It was great…only me right? Oh yeah…thanks AUNT VERONICA fer da lil medicine kit I actually have used almost half of da meds already!!
So life here is slow at da moment but it will get better im sure…haven’t gone outside too much..ok not at all since I got here but maybe tomorrow right?  I worked coffee shop today with this crazy Serbian guy named max… im tryin to get him to let me play my rap in da coffee shop… it might work by the end of da semester…haha hope ya guys like da pics… my roomie took me for a photo shoot… hahahaha
mandy

shots of mallorca life

2008-02-04T12:59:00.000-08:00

life in santa ponca.....
this is seriously my apartment right off the coast of the mediteranean sea... and then the sea itself and then this mallorcian dish called Habob lol really good! oh and me and my roomie liz at the store....

mi vida ahora....

2008-02-04T11:47:00.000-08:00

hola! como esta usteden? lo siento por todo lo toempo que no me escribir usted!
haha okay, ill write in english :) ... so wow!!!! im here in mallorca and mandy is in hungry!!!!
its insane! tha plane ride was INTENSE! i almost missed my flight.... yes i did i was the last to check in and pretty much i almost cried. BUT we got on, mandy and i went crazy on our 9 hour adventure.... we watched sooo many movies!!we sat next to a reallly cool new zeland guy, whom we decided to make laugh the whole 9 hours! so fun!
so we go to LONDON! man, it sucked cuz i only slept for an hour and it was like 9 am in LOndon and we had quite and adventure in front of us. We had to:
1. go thru customs
2. find our luggage
3. find mandys guitar
4. find the coach/bus station
5. buy 2 ticketsto Gatwick airpot north terminal ASAP
6. go to gatwick and drop off luggage and get ticket
7. eat
8. go thru security
9. go to madrid!
... and we had to do all this in 3 stinkin hours!!!!! AAAAND we didnt have any form of time.... so we were off!!......
okay we got off, went to the wrong line in customs... i got yelled at for taking a picture of mandy going under a line bar "No pitchurem no pitcher, you delete pitcjure okey?!!" -me: okay ill delete it (...still have picture :) .. oops!)
but then, we got interegated and then had to get our luggage! .. i got mine super fast (cuz i boarded last) and then we got mandys beast... hen we waited and waited and stressed for her guitar... we got it! ...
we were running everywhere lookin for the floor with the coach station!!!! OMG this was one of the funniest moments in our entire friendship! let me walk you thru this....

okay here is the setting... I have 2 ginormous black fully heavy 20 kilo suitcases and a huge backpack. Mandy has the incredable hulk suitcase, a backback the size of her torso and head, and a guitar. We are frantically looking everywhere, when we are suddenly directed up a flight of escalators. Okay, so i was going in pretty confident cause i had the double suitcase-roll down, and mandy looked stable. so we get to the bottom of the escalator, and lo and behold we realize that we have to put these big rolly things on these stairs that automatically move.... and to top it off, people are coming behind us... and not just people, but ENGLISH PEOPLE (no offense, but you know, not so on the "love is patient" side). Okay so without thinking about anything we roll our cases on and we somehow get on too. So mandy goes first..... i put on case on a step and i get on and somehow hold onto my other as it follows behind. Everything is good. right? ... wrong!!!!! i look up and not more than 3 seconds up, i see the incredible hulk in all its entirity tumbling down the escalators... and as we all know, the only way gravity can stop is when it hits a solid object. and the only sold object was.... me, and my two suitcases, and grumpy english locals. So.... what do we do.... we of course bust a gut and stand in the pee position while i try my hardest to balance all three cases... i have seriously never laughed so hard in my life.... and just imagine what it was like getting off that escalator....

anyways... we got off and found the coaches, hopped on the next one and went to the city of gatwick, which was a hour away. We almost died on the bus when the driver was cussing everyone out and almost got in an accident, but its all good... soyea we got there, i checked in my stuff, we couldnt check in mandys so we went down stairs to eat and mandy spilt water all over the floor and it was time for me to go.... no tears fortunately cuz we met some people from murrietta there so it would have been awkward, but we said bye and i was off to madrid which was another 3 hours, and the a 3 hour layover, where i sat and looked at overpriced mcdonalds, and then waited for my flight to palma. where i spoke my first lick of spanish to this lil old lady who sat next to me.!

i got in like at 10pm and saw eric flores waiting for me, and we took off to my flat!!!!

i couldnt really see much cuz it ws night and i was on about 2 hours of sleep within the past 24 hours.... but i got ot my room, and met my 6 roomies and ditched the toothbrush and went to bed.

okay so i have a literal apartment in the city of Mallorca. It is a 2 bedroom house with a kitchen and a bathroom. there are 7 of us total!!! man, its insane. I LOOOVE all the girls in my room tho. i have top bunk and a gorgeous balcony view of the mediterranean sea. its a 5 min walk to the santa posa community church, where pastor rafael manzaneras teaches and we do all our classes. my roomies are erika (steward from nappa valley) lucy (from england) julie (hemet) madeline (hemet) kaitlin (bakersfield) and liz (long island, NY) ... i have some other amazin friends lisa (anaheim) and alexa (idaho) ... i love lov love life herer so far. it is amazing!!!!!

my classes: missions, galations/ephesians, acts, revelations, community service, womens d.

the community is amazing! they are all german, irish, and mallorcian. they speak their own language so its crazy.... the euro is crazy too!! we went shopping for the first time today and it was ooo fun... basically im going to be living off of bread and bananas and a tomotoe haha!!!! but seriously... haha

so im so tired and i will give detail later but thats the update for now haha....

i love life in mallorca and am ready for our last orientation tomorrow!!!

love you all and please pray for me out here!!! miss you guys.. and mandy.. i love oyu and hope you are well and i tell everyone pur stories here and i still have my necklace on!!!! :)

muah!

thanks yall

2008-01-28T22:56:00.000-08:00

sunday was sooo much fun thanks for all who came... those who didn't..well see ya in 4 months. just kidding we will miss you all but keep in touch please we may not respond quickly but in it the quality not quantity that counts..haha
mandy's email: manfree136@yahoo.com
adrianna's email: senorita_wayne@yahoo.com
we leave friday feb 1 at 3:40 i think :) we will both fly to london together where we will hop on to a train bus or shuttle...to gatwick and there we will separate n go our different ways..pretty sad but exciting too...
please pray for us this is something completely different and adventurous individually... pray for safety, financises, wisedom and guidance...and just for a fun time!!
we will try to give updates quiet often..please do comment!! we look forward to them. also keep us updated with your lives.
we will miss you all..love ya all
mandy anna

heres some pics from sunday!!!

ON DA MOVE!!

2008-01-09T14:39:00.000-08:00

k so here we go...3 weeks let to earn money, pack our bags n say good bye!!
its officiall....we r both leavin FEB 1!!! we have been crazy enough to venture out together..the lord allowed this to happen in such an amazing way. we got tickets together to fly to heathrow london...then we will take a train to gatwick london!! adrianna and i in a foreign land by ourselves!! AMAZING i can't wait to see wat da lord is goin to do in these next couple of months... please pray or us as we both move alone...pray for clearity from the lord and that his will would be our desires. pray for our families that they wouldn't worry too much :)
we r gonna have a goin-away party on SUN JAN 27 at 3 pm...if u guys can make that would be so cool...but if ya can't...please send emails... skype...yahoo messenger...anything that we can update u on how we r doin n also see how u n ur familys r doing!!
mandy adrianna

we back like JESUS!!

2007-10-20T13:42:00.000-07:00

wow...did the semester fly by or wat??? so this blog lasted bout half way through....i think we did fairly well...
just to update u all...
mandy is going to hungary in feb for her next semester!! crazy..
adrianna is hopefully going to spain for her next semester!!..
the lord has shown us both very different things this semester bu has brought us together so close!! it will be hard to part..but we just know god is not done using us!! pray for us as we venture off..individually away from family and friends...
dont forget to look for us on christmas eve!!(we will be doing the kidz chior!!)
thanks for checkin up on us....i know i (mandy) will be using this blog to keep u updated when im in hungary..soo kep checkin...im sure adrianna will too!!!
this is the way we live...
mandyanna

to the homeboy named JOn

2007-09-25T13:10:00.001-07:00

this is a black guy at school and a white girl
he feels special that he is going to be on our blog...make sure to leave a comment!!!