HANDS ...

It was great to get together for our first OFFICIAL team meeting yesterday! I'm very excited to see all the returning faces, new faces and the variety of faces! I went on YouTube to look up some Romania videos and found the girls! I found some clips that the Tulsa team had taken and it was so great to see the girls singing and having fun. Daria has a beautiful voice and Gabi ... I can't wait to see her. She stole my heart when I was there and can't wait until I get to give her the biggest hug ever!

Something that has just been tugging at my heart lately is ... our hands. God has been showing me alot of "hands" lately. I saw a beautiful painting of a beautiful hand on Easter Sunday and it brought me back to some great memories of that hand. "You remember to ALWAYS love Jesus and remember that I love you very much, I really do". Knowing that that hand was connected to a heart that lived for Jesus and had a passion for missions makes me all the more convinced that God has great plans for my hands in Romania (and probably someplace African, yikes!). But wherever He takes me ... I will go. When Satin tries to hold me back and discourage me ... I will remember ...

They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, "Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed."

But I prayed, "Now strengthen my hands." Nehemiah 6:9

Here's a few songs & verses that have been on my heart lately ...

I will praise you as long as I live,

and in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:4

* * * * *

"Hands" by Jewel

My hands are small, I know

But they're not yours, they are my own

~

In the end only kindness matters

I will get down on my knees, and I will pray

~

We are God's eyes

God's hands

We are God's hands

* * * * *

"Love Them Like Jesus" by Casting Crowns

Lord of all creation holds our lives in His hands

The God of all the nations holds our lives in His hands

The Rock of our salvation holds our lives in His hands

He cares for them just as He cares for you

So love them like Jesus, love them like Jesus

So ... until next time ... please pray for our team and keep an eye out for upcoming fundraising events. I'll keep you posted.

Love ~ Alma :-)

Romania ... Chapter 2: Verse 1

God just continues to amaze me. His greatness, His love, His outstretched arms. I have been so consumed these last few days with the Holy Spirit that I can't contain it. On my way to church Sunday, I felt like every breath I took was filled with His presence. Like I was inhaling a heavenly vapor. How stinking' cool is that! During worship, I felt like He was sitting on every side of me ... every infinate side of me. It was that powerful.

What made that day different from any other? ... Romania! God not only whispered for me to be there last year ~ He cleared my path, held my hand and walked with me ALL THE WAY! And now getting ready for my second trip ... it's a little different. I have been blessed with a new found confidence and security. My direction is to put His teaching into practice with a boldness and genuine desire to please Him. I have learned so many things over the last few months about myself, about God's love for me and about obedience. This is so crazy, but when I think about how God loves me I get that giddy feeling inside. Like I can't wait to see him ... can't believe he loves me ... and I'm so happy that He is FIRST in my life.

So ... for now ... please pray for our team, pray for our team leader, Sarah and for my finances & fundraising to be successful. We are still in the planning stage, but it's a go for August 8th to 17th. To you all ~ Welcome back and I look forward to your comments and words of encouragement. I'll share with you my verse that just reassures me of my salvation and that He does love me ... unconditionally and for eternity.

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12

I WILL follow Him, I will NEVER again walk (or wallow) in darkness ... and I will have the light of life.

Until next time ... God BLESS!