As Time Goes By...and my mind begins to drift.

I was just thinking about what my blog looked like when I started it, not even a year ago, compared to now. It's astounding to me how quickly God can transform us. It seems like, the moment you aren't looking he rearranges everything. And I love it. At first I wasn't sure what this blog would represent, but I think I've got it figured out... This is a story about change. Like my title says "To walk with the Holy Spirit, is to walk in change." And God's shown me that as a child of the King, even when I walk away, the Spirit is always in me, so I'm always going to be changing. And sometimes that's hard. But I'd much rather change every so often than never change at all.

Tangent #1:

I'm in love with God's love. I think it is the most wonderful thing in the world. I have this one song in my head that pretty much sums it all up: "Smile, smile, Jesus loves you....for you are so precious to Him." I learned it in Asia, it was Larisa's favorite. :) And just thinking about how true that is. It blows my mind.

Tangent #2:

In case you haven't figured it out yet, I have a song for EVERYTHING haha. When we were in South Asia we did what's called the "Everything skit" (I played the drunk girl)

I can't hear this song without thinking of the first time we performed it over there:

Throughout the entire song, I couldn't stop thinking of the audience and how true it is to their lives, to all our lives. And my heart began to physically ache for them. I couldn't breathe. As soon as it finished and we all got up off the ground, I ran to the jeeps and tore off my dupata (scarf). I hated imagining their faces on the face of the main girl....I was so burdened for them. I wanted to scream or cry or gasp for breath, I couldn't figure it out. Two or three of my team mates gathered around me and pretty soon our entire team was in a group hug praying for the truth that was being spoken and for the hearts of each person there. And now, every time I hear the song, my chest tightens up and I relive the whole thing over again. It's hard, but I know that God is doing amazing things in their lives and cities, and I absolutely cannot wait till He brings me back.

Sticks and stones may break my bones, your words they shoot and kill

South Asia taught me how powerful the spoken word is. It can heal, it can kill, it can praise, it can demote. And in the spiritual battle that is life, words are the most powerful weapon (for either opponent).

For the evil one:

While at City Market, four of our team members were physically, mentally, and emotionally attacked by a man who was possessed. But not two minutes before this happened we walked past three men who were praying. Now, obviously they were not praying in the name of Jesus. These audible words were the open door that Satan needed to send his spirits our way. I truly believed that had we not passed these men, or anyone else praising demons, that that encounter would not have occurred. Don't get me wrong, I praise God for opening my eyes, through that experience, to how real our battle is.

For the Holy One:

I learned early on in the trip, that simply claiming the power of the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ will immediately free us from any bondage and wrap us in safety. Anything that is not for Christ cannot stand to be in His presence and must leave. As soon as we made His presence known by speaking His name, the demons left.

Likewise, praises to our Father are extremely powerful. By singing, or simply stating, praise to Jesus Christ, we claim His power and authority over creation. Whether it was in "team time" when we claimed His authority of our own lives, or at VBS when we claimed it over the audience and the village, or anytime we were out and about or traveling and claimed it over wherever we were and the buildings, streets, or people there, our God's power became known and His glory was poured out. Light was present in the midst of complete and utter death and darkness. This is the power of my God who lives and abides in me! Sotram!

Hallelu, hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah, PRAISE YE THE LORD!

This is my darling treasure, Larisa. She had her arms wrapped around my neck like that for two straight days. :) I miss her. I think the kids at Sandra's home was the final tug at my heartstrings that I needed to convince me I would come back to live and work there one day. Sarah and Hannah said they can't see me staying there, but mom said as soon as I got back and shared my heart about what happened, she knew that I would go back eventually. That made my heart sing. I said earlier, I just felt at home there, I didn't feel like a foreigner.

Latha and Suresh are building a school and want students to come during the summer for 3-6 months and teach english, math, or Bible. I have to sit back and laugh at God for his detailed preparedness. How many times growing up did I say I wanted to teach math or english? More than I can count. So as soon as Latha told us this I wanted to immediately tell her I would come and stay. Of course, I have to first give it to God. And I know I may not come back next summer, or even the one after that, but I pray with all my heart that I return some day, and that I get to see Larisa again, and that she remembers me. I know that sounds like an awful lot to ask...I feel that way myself. But that's what's in my heart, so... I'm going to ask my Father for it, like the princess/daughter and heir to the throne that I am.

Which brings me to the states.... This is a hard concept for me to grasp...asking God for whatever is on your heart... because I don't like asking my earthly parents for things...it makes me feel selfish and greedy. Of course, pride is the biggest factor. I don't want to have to hear "no" especially when it's a logical reason like we can't afford it or it's not safe or it's just not healthy spiritually or emotionally. Cause then I feel like I should have known better...well, anyway you look at it....it's pride.

Now that I've gone on a tangent....haha. I really miss South Asia. But I have to remember to praise Jesus for what He is doing here, in my life, and everywhere around me. So today, I have tried to literally praise him when I get discouraged or just sad. I think of the pastors and children in South Asia all together shouting "Halle-lujah" and I say it under my breath or in my heart. And it always brings a smile to my face and a song to my heart. Jesus is worthy of our praise no matter where we are or what we're doing. I think that is the key to "blooming where you're planted" as my dear Sarah would say. :)

Jesus loves me bubbling over, Hallelujah

This is part of my new wonderful family. It was a total God-thing how we all suddenly bonded in South Asia. It was an instant heart connection that we all shared and it was wonderful. I miss seeing and meeting with them all day.

I loved being over there. It felt like 3 days instead of 12. It never once dawned on me that I was halfway around the world. I felt like I was home, still in the states. There was no real culture shock (or what I had imagined to be so). I think that's the hardest part of coming back for me...I never felt like I left, so to come back and not see Suresh, Latha, and the pastors; or to drive with air conditioning; or to sleep in a bed that sits on carpet, not marble....it's all really uncomfortable to me.

One thing I learned is the reality of darkness and evil. Believers in the states talk about it all the time but it is so tangible over there. It's a part of daily life. Many Hindu families welcome the biggest demon into their house (the blood demon) in order to scare off all the smaller demons. While we were over there, our entire team encountered many demons physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I think that would have to be one of the most memorable and valuable lessons I brought back.

I love the people. Yes, most of them have a soulless gaze and are lifeless, but then you see the believers who are filled with so much joy and peace and you can never doubt the faithfulness of our Father.