Forth of July!

Happy 4th of July! As I'm visiting with my family in town, a lot has been going through my head. The number one thing is how blessed we are to live in this country. It amazes me day after day, then freedom we have is incredible. Freedom of speech? Freedom of religion?! Did you know people in some countries can get killed for having a prayer service? I was reading Radical by David Platt, he was talking about being in Asia and have a prayer service. First of all, they had to get there in such a sneak and secretive way. Then, once they get there, there is a guard, the blinds are down, the lights are off, and they have to do things in such a secretive way that I was in shock!

So, be thankful today that we have a God who has blessed us with so many things in this country! <3

P.s. 5 days until Mexico!

Mexico Devotion 2

So, 27 days. Yup, thats it! It's a little hard to believe and a little scary for some people. I know a lot of people are having finacial problems, this year thankfully God has blessed me this year, and my trip is paid for. I know though that some are really struggling and at this point, they can't seem to see how there trips will ever get paid for. But, this is where trust comes in. To do some thing this big, we have to fully trust God with everything.

2 Corinthians 5:7

"It's what in we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going."

You see the people in the picture above? I cannot explain what it's like to meet these people, it's something you have to experiance yourself. Their joy is so indescribable. The fact that they rejoice throught everything, is amazing. But they choose not to worry, they choose to trust in God. They know that if they are faithful and keep believing, God will provide!

We have to trust that God will provide the money. I know there's also other worries that I have, but we have to put all of those problems into God's hands. As hard as it is to look forward, as hard as it is not to worry and fear, we have to trust God! :)

Alrighty! Bye <3 (:

I've always asked..

I've always asked God, "Break my heart for what breaks yours," well, He did it, I'm broken.

Today in church, there was a missionary from Tanzania, he put me to tears. He said, (correct me if I'm wrong) "5,000 people find Jesus everyday in (idk if it was Africa or just Tanzania), but 6,000 die everyday from water related illness."

WOAH.

Let me slam some more facts on you that I've learned this week:

- A child dies every 5 seconds because of starvation
- 1.3 billion people in the world are living on less than a dollar a day
- More than 26,000 children die everday under the age of five

Did I blow you're mind yet? Think about how crazy it is. This is short but I'm going to leave you with something that will probably get you thinking.

"Sometimes I would like to ask God, why He allows poverty, famine and injustice in the world, when He could do something about it…but I’m afraid He might ask me the same question."

Are we missing something?

I've talked to at least three people that went to Convention who have said..It wasn't ask good as I expected it to be, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

PUT ON YOUR GLASSES! How can you be missing what went on? I think that as Christians when we think of an amazing moment with God, we have to cry, and shake, and fall over. NO! You're missing the point, tears aren't God, Shaking isn't God, Speaking in toungues isn't God, do you get what I'm saying?  Sure, these things happen through God but, there is so much more to it then screaming and crying! Guys, think about all the messages that Robert Madu spoke, how insane! They were crazy and God was speaking right through him to us, and we totally missed it! I know how hard it was to focus, because the devil was doing distracting things all weekend, trust me I know! I had a few times where I wanted to punch certain people in the face! We were so focused on the small dumb things, we missed the big amazing things!

I'm posting this now because Incline is tonight, go after God, for real. Don't let one thing distract you! Don't let the devil get to you! go after Him with EVERYTHING. Don't miss out.

Don't Stop Here

"I am not the same, I am a new creation. I am not the same anymore."

This is going to be short, but it needs to be said.

I'm seriously sick of it, I'm sick of going to convention and fall reatreat and youth camp and all these places and being "forever changed." Saying you're going to make a change, save all these people. I'm not trying to bring anyone down, because I'm guilty too!!!!

DON'T STOP HERE.

Guys, I don't think we understand how much God wants for us. My Pastor preached a few weeks ago and said, "You cant live for the big moments." Think about Convention, think about the point where you were standing up, arms raised, you had join that you couldn't contain, and you felt God so strongly. What if it could be like that all the time, it can! Don't stop here. Go after God ALL of the time, become His child, spend time with him as much as you can.

Do you know how many people you will be able to save and reach out too if you are reflecting God?

Get out there, draw closer to God, then get some people on the boat ;)

Today I Was At Panera...

I was sitting at my table with my mom eating my wonderful sandwich, and I saw this little boy walk by me. His father called his name because he was very far behind. He was taking his time, and ever so carefully trying not to step on the cracks of the cold tile floor. He was focused, he didn't even look up when his dad called his name. At one point, he went all the way to the corner of the restruaunt and turned around, just so he would keep his pattern going. The little boy continued this as he walked out.

Why do we forget God? Why do we push Him aside, as if He is just another person? Why don't we focus on God like this little boy focused on the tile floor?

These questions and many more floated through my mind. They were easily answered, we don't care.

That sounds harsh, and also scary! You're probably thinking, "Not me, How could I not care about the God of the universe?" Well you don't...Enough. None of us do, and we need too.

You realise when Jesus went to die on the cross for us He didn't say, "Hmmm, wait guys. I don't really think want to do this today."

It's just like us thinking about reading our bibles, but then grabbing our phones and texting so and so, making plans, and easily forgetting about our King.

He needs to be on your heart, and on your mind at ALL times.

Now get off of here, and go read your bible (;

I was so excited to flip my calender today!

This title is wierd but true, for those of you who know me, I get excited about dumb stuff. Well, I always get real excited to flip my Taylor Swift Calender every month, and I get to read the quote that is on the bottom, and yeah!

Well today I flipped my calender, and just stared at it. Guys...We're going to Mexico in 99 days, and if you want me to be completely honest...I'm terrified.

I know what you guys are thinking, "Why in the world are you terrified, you should be excited, blah blah blah."

Well, OF COURSE I'M EXCITED!! But so much is going on inside of me. It's like a whirlwind of emotions spinning around and around. First of all, this trip is expensive, and I know some trips are a lot more but, for my family it's the cost of the trip times 2. Also, like I've blogged about before, I'm scared to leave again. But there's one more that I haven't really said anything about, I'm scared that I won't make a difference, the more I think about it, the more I basically want to break down and cry.

But you know what, as dumb of a comparison as this is, I was watching What Not To Wear today, and this lady on there really didn't want to wear a dress, they told her "You need to get our of your comfort zone."

God uses crazy ways to speak to us, I need to get out of my comfort zone. Not just there, but here. I think it's so important to prepare your heart to love on broken people before a missions trip, and just get ready to, get out of your comfort zone.

I really need to trust God through this, and everything. This has really made me realise that we NEED to give our worries over to God, He knows what He is doing, and has everything under control.

Trust Him (:

Sweep Me Away

Lately, I've felt so....empty. Why, I wasn't sure, until right now.

I've been in a really scary place lately, asking myself that one question over and over again.

''Am I really living for God?''

Ya know what though, we are so focused on other things, that we seem to really forget why we are on this earth. You know that Juicy Couture purse that you really want? That won't get you into Heaven. Or how about that super cute skirt you saw at the mall? Go buy it, but you can't take it with you.

Only one things matters in life, and that's God. You may think you absoulutly NEED those brand new shoes, but I guarentee you, that you need God more.

Go after God, become His child, cry out to him, give Him your everything.

You need Him, SO SO MUCH. Become His, I promise, it will be so worth it.

He Loves Us

Today, I was putting the dishes away, and one small glass plate slipped right out of my hands. I cringed as it fell, I new I'd have to sweep up the broken glass, and eventually tell everyone I broke the plate. But then something weird happened, the plate simply hit the floor, it didn't even crack! So I picked it back up, and put it away. The first thing that came to my mind was God's love for us, even if we fall away from Him, we won't break or shatter, He is always holding us, and constantly watching over us.

"You Can Run, But You Can't Hide"

You can do everything in your power, and God will still love you. It's like playing a game of hide and seek, and there is always that one person who isn't hiding when the seeker turns around. That's how we are in God's eyes. We're that kid, that can never ever find a hiding spot, because we can't hide from Him.

Impossible is not a word.

(Hey, I'm going to do that 30 day challenge some other time! Hahah) (:

Hi guys! Yesterday I was listening to KLOVE, and the song, "Thats what faith can do" came on. I love this song, and one line in it really pooped out at me yesterday.

"It doesn't matter what you've heard, impossible is not a word."

Some of you, may or may not know this, but I'm trying to give $2,400 to Speed the Light this year. Which is crazy, when your also trying to go on a $950 misson trip. Yesterday, I looked at my STL can, which holds a small amount of about 20 dollars, and I decided, I was done. I can't do this, can't, can't can't. Ya know what though? When that song came on, I knew it was no accident that I heard those very lyrics.

When God places something on your heart, you CANNOT, just give up. There's a very good reason it's on your heart if it's there. Don't ever give up. Keep believing, God can work miracles.

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."
Phillipians 4:13 <3

Keep Holding On

You know how sometimes we let little things scare us? Well, I did that a last night. I was texting my friend, and we started talking about Mexico. Last week at our meeting, people were saying different things we should pray for about the trip. Somebody said how hard it was for them to say goodbye, I don't think I can describe what I felt. My heart dropped into my stomach, I've been worried about that since we got back last year, how in the world could I say goodbye again? I was so scared. Last night, that kept running through my mind as my friend and I talked. But you know what she said? "Its hard to do it again, but when you think about going last time, you wouldn't change going there because of this goodbye." You know what, That is so true! We have all had to say good bye to somebody at some point, maybe this goodbye was the WORST thing you have ever had to do, but you would not change anything about meeting this person and the impact they've had on you, just because the good bye is horrible. We can't be afraid! God brings people in our lives, and He has a plan for us, and that plan includes that person, and even that goodbye. Every little thing we do in our lives is important, never forget that.

Byeeee<3 (:

What Love Really Means

So, we listen to songs all the time, right? I can't think of anyone who would say "No, I hate music." I think we all love music, but sometimes, we listen to songs, and totally over look the meaning. The song that Mia and I are singing for fine arts is What Love Really Means by J.J. Heller. I think I have listened to it hundreds of times, but it has never meant so much then it does today. I played the song, and I got chills all through my body. It is the most BEAUTIFUL song, I have ever heard. At the end it says, "I will give you the love, the love that you never knew." God loves us, He always has, He always will. No matter what we do, God loves us so much. You could do a million things wrong, and He will still love you. Well, thats it. Adios <3



Fine Arts

The fact that fine arts is so so close, is unbelievable. But i'm writing this because I know everyone is terrified. After having a good talk with my best friend Christina Rabickow tonight, I realised this isn't a talent show. Every talent we have is from God, if we are doing fine arts for ourselves, and the only thing we keep in mind is ourselves, then whats the point. I just want to say, if you give everything you have to God on saturday, He won't dissapoint you. No, thats not a sure spot at Districts, but it is going to help you, you will be happy (: Alright thats all I have to say.

Adios,

Bethy <3

Fellowship

After schoolwork tomorrow, I will go to my mom's, and Christina and Kami are coming to sleepover (: And at 3:30 on saturday, I'm going tubing with incline.  Which brings me to my point, Incline is my youth group, the actual BEST youth group in the world! I remember last year, I wanted to leave the youth group, why did I need it! I could have a relationship with God on my own! Wrongooooo! Fellowship is so important!! You have no idea how much my youth group has helped me! Everybody in it is important! It's just like the passage in the bible talking about how every part of the body is important, well at incline, not one person is better then another, everyone is there for eachother no matter what. So yeah, I justl ove my youth group <3

You're here, and I'm never alone.

God is here. You are never alone. It doesn't matter what you are going through, God is always there. He is constantly catching you when you fall, and He holds your world in his hands.

It doesn't matter what you are going through, God's there. You should always rejoice in Him, no matter what. That something I'm trying to learn myself, ALWAYS REJOICE!

Habakkuk 3:18
"Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior"

So today no matter what you are going through, Be happy!! Because God wants you to be happy all the time! (: (: (: And remember that God is always there, no matter what! He loves you SO much <3

"You're never fully dressed without a smile" <3

Here's the lyrics to Never Alone by Barlow Girl

I waited for you today



But you didn't show


No no no


I needed You today


So where did You go?


You told me to call


Said You'd be there


And though I haven't seen You


Are You still there?






I cried out with no reply


And I can't feel You by my side


So I'll hold tight to what I know


You're here and I"m never alone






And though I cannot see You


And I can't explain why


Such a deep, deep reassurance


You've placed in my life






We cannot separate


'Cause You're part of me


And though You're invisible


I'll trust the unseen






I cried out with no reply


And I can't feel You by my side


So I'll hold tight to what I know


You're here and I"m never alone






We cannot separate


You're part of me


And though You're invisible


I'll trust the unseen






I cried out with no reply


And I can't feel You by my side


So I'll hold tight to what I know


You're here and I"m never alone

| Who will love me for me |

Today I'm going to blog about something HUGE today, acceptance. We all go through a time where we just don't feel accepted, and it hurts. Well lately, I've been questioning myself, "Am I accepting people?" My answer was a simple no. But, at first i ignored it, It didn't really matter, I'll try my best to include people but, whatever! Then, I was at this service my youth group has called The River, well at the river, we all pick cards with prayer requests.

 There's my card, crazy right?? I could not believe it! So basically, if you're reading this, and I've ever been mean to you, or hurt you, i'm really sorry, I don't hate you! I don't hate anybody! I'm done ignoring people, I'm done having a clique, I'm going to start being everybodys friend. <3

-Bethy <3

| You Hold Me Now |

Think of somebody you love, think of how much you love hugging them, or holding them. Now, think of sitting at the altar of standing in church worshipping God, if when your in church it's like my youth group, maybe you cry while your praying, well guess what, if you asked God to think of somebody He loved, He would think of YOU! Guess what, God love love loves you, and He loves the person you thought of WAY more than you do! And God loves to hold you when you are at that altar. When I pray for people. A lot of the time I say "God, let them know that you are catching every tear." He really is, He understands everything!! He knows just what you are going through, and when I'm going through something hard, I think of it as a test, God is seeing if you will stick with Him, and if you can handle it. YOU CAN! no matter what it is, always hold onto God, it's the best thing you can do <3

Where you go I'll go

Helloooooooo (:

So this past wednesday, I woke up that morning, I read my bible, and I found this.

Phillipians 1:7

"It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart"

This verse reminded me of mexico, all day I just kept thinking, what if I'm not supposed to go back, I can't describe to you how bad that hurt. But, I hated to think I might be going back for the wrong reasons. I ended up breaking down at church later, what was I supposed to do. I cried and cried, and i prayed "God, if I am supposed to go, tell me." Then I thought of when I was talking to a friend a few weeks ago about how I kept having dreams that I went back, and I wasn't making an impact, and the kids didn't remember me, and they said that was definatly the devil. That stuck in my head, then in the car this song called Savior King came on, I really love this song. It says "Now the weak say I have strength" It says a lot of stuff like that, and what it's mean to me is like. When somebody tells you about God, your life flips around. Well thats what you do on a missions trip, you tell people about god. Well you know what, after that, and the thought in my hed, and a lot of prayer, God told me that I was supposed to head back to Mexico <3 <3 <3 <3 (: (: (: I 'm so excited to go back <3 <3 <3 (: (:

So one thing,  NEVER EVER let the devil convince you of things. He does not have good intentions for your life, and he is trying to block out the wonderful plan God has for you. ALWAYS trust God (: (: (:

You're Beautiful

Today, my bestfriend got baptized. That was amazing, so I just wanna say I love her so much,  and tears filled my eyes as she was up there <3 <3 <3 <3.

Would you like to know something?

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!!

Every single person reading this, is beautiful in there own way.

God made you just the way you are and that makes you beautiful. <3

Pslam 45:11

"The king is enthralled by your beauty, honor him for he is your lord." <3

That's my favorite verse in the bible i think, it's a verse that constantly speaks to me and remind me what true beauty is when my insecurities are holding me back. Never ever doubt your beauty, the Savior of our World, looks at all of us everyday and can't even believe what beautiful people we are, and He made us <3 He cries tears of joy over you while you are being created, because he knows what you will do, he knows what you will become. <3 <3 <3

He's pretty coool <3333333333333

Lots o' love,

Bethy! <3 (:

| I will live to carry your compassion|

"I will live, to carry your compassion, to love a world thats broken, to be your hands and feet

This is one of my favorite songs, it's called the Power of Your Name, by Lincoln Brewster. This song means so much, it's basically talking about living a life as a disciple of God, and doing His will and living out his plan for you, and serving him. Because that's what we're all here to do, we are here to "Love a world thats broken." Ahhh! This song is just so amazing. You have all heard the saying, it's better to give then to recieve, well do that. GIVE! I'm leaving you with 3 more words, think hard about them.

Make a change