Instruments of Wickedness or Instruments of Righteousness?

Happy Sunday!
Today, I forgot myself, and almost forgot to post. That would be dreadful since I only have two more Sundays in Peru.
This week, I have been pretty busy with my 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus class (AKA Pastoral Epistles), and I have learned a lot. I have been to the beach a couple times also, and I have found time to enjoy the weather, now that it is FINALLY a little warmer. :)
On a deeper level, I have been distracted this week. Thoughts of so many things are flooding my head. Thankfully, I have so many encouragements to keep me praying. God has been teaching me a lot about myself, and I am exciting to see what is to come.
I never could have anticipated what this time in Peru would mean to me, and I am glad to be returning next semester.
I have found a new verse that I plan to memorize for the times when I am tempted to live for myself and fleshly desires:
"Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness."
As a daughter of God, I have two options constantly before me with my thoughts, actions, and even emotions. I can offer them to God, as instruments of righteousness, or offer them to sin as instruments of wickedness. And when we don't offer them to God, this is sin. That may be hard to swallow, but it is a truth I am learning the hard way. I need to put God in the center of all I do if I desire to please Him in it.
So, please pray for me as I struggle to put aside my distractions and offer the parts of my body to God. My challenge is for you to spend some time allowing God to point out which parts of yourself you are offering to sin.
Have a great week friends!

More of You, Less of Me

2 Samuel 5:10
"And he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him."
Acts 27:25
"So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me."
As I lay in bed at night, I remember my walks on the beach, my phone calls with my family, and the Words that God has placed on my heart. I wake up praising Him, still in a state of disbelief that I have been living in a foreign country. I leave in 3 weeks, with the plan to return in February (this time for 1o months). I feel so.... blessed. But some nights I still fail to rest easy.
This week was my Missions class. It was a tough class. Most of it was about Spiritual Warfare, and that was intense. I realized that I need to pray more. The last day we talked about building a support team. I realize that this is something I need to do. I know there are many people who have provided me support, through prayer, exhortation, money, and other ways. And I appreciate it more than I can tell. However, since I plan to be in Peru for the next year and a half as a missionary/intern/student, I have realized that this is an area that I have not spent much time on. So, please pray for me as God and I work on this in my life.
I know that only through God can I become more powerful, like David. And I know, like Paul, that my God is faithful. He will keep His promises to me, and He will provide for me to do the work in the area He has guided me into. But sometimes my faith is so weak, so I pray that I will continue in the path He has set before me, and I thank God that He is faithful no matter what, and that His work is not dependant on my faithfulness, but on His.
If I sound weak, I am glad because I am certain that God is using me right now, and if you see my weakness, you will not be able to give credit to me. But let me tell you, I am so full of joy right now. And even amidst my anxiety of the looming money issues, I have a peace inside that I am learning to grab hold of and cling to in times of uncertainty.
I pray so often for many of you. I am so grateful to you for your encouragement, especially to Danielle and Linda who are always finding just the words I need to hear.
I am so happy to be returning for a couple months, and am excited to see how God will use the rest of my time in Peru to prepare me for the next step and to reach the people here.
I didn't share much about my trip last week because it is still processing, but please ask if you want to know more.
This week, I challenge you to surround yourself with godly people who can support you in the call of God on your life.
Please pray for me as I try to do the same.

Home?

So, this week was amazing. I went with five other students to Cuzco and we were expecting to stay in a hostal, and instead got to stay in a huge house with two rock walls and a pet sheep (who I adore). We were blessed to overflowing with extra funds which we passed on to our host, Coco, and his ministry. We were able to share the Nueva Buena with children and families all around the Cuzco area in several mountain villages.

Sunday morning, we headed to the airport with groggy faces and backpacks full of dirty clothes, and spirits full of fond memories. But our adventure was not over. Due to unforseen weather conditions and several events beyond our control, we got home (AKA Lima) more than 28 hours later than expected. I truely believed God had us there longer so we could be a witness during times of unexpected misfortune as well as blessing. It is so easy to be on fire for God when you have a comfy bed and clean clothes and extra food and a pet sheep. But take that away and give you an airport floor as a matress and it's not quite as easy.

I have been in Lima for about 3 months now, and I leave in a month. I have learned a lot here, but I have learned what words cannot express on my trip this past week.

My challenge to you is to look at all the ways God has been blessing you, and remember them, even when you are frustrated.

I meant to post more pictures soon.