The Father loves blessing His children, and I’m in the process of learning to accept the gifts He ever so sweetly gives.
When our squad arrived in Chile, we had something called Leadership Development Weekend. It was a two-day event of worship, hearing our leadership pour our their wisdom, and listening to what our fellow squad mates had to share from the Lord. The Squad Leaders from my squad never cease to blow my mind with all they have to say; they are always mindful with their words and they crave to share what the Lord has placed in them. Colby Elizabeth and Melanie, three of my squamates, also shared their hearts with us over this weekend. We heard from Colby about his sweet pursuit with the Father, Elizabeth shared about her fun relationship with Jesus as her friend, and Melanie told us about confirmation in hearing the Lord’s voice. I was also asked to share my heart during this weekend about hearing from the Lord in visions and pictures. This is something I’m extremely passionate about, and am so thankful I was able to open up with 40 of the greatest people I know. Leadership Development Weekend was a time of sharing wisdom and love, but also a sweet time of rest to fill up our tanks for a new country and time of ministry.
My team of 8 women, Priceless in Him, is loving life here in Chile. We are split up into four groups of two for our living situations: each group of two is staying with a Chilean family! My teammate Kaitie and I are living with a family of 5, the Aguirre family! Marcelo and Carla are the parents, Isidora is their 16 year old daughter, and Benjamin (11) and Mateo (9) are the sons. It’s quite the party with them and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Each morning we are greeted with a hug and kiss on the cheek from each family member, per Chilean culture. The Aguirre family loves to sing and play music which as you all know, I am ALL ABOUT. We have a lot of fun evenings with this for sure! Benjamin, Mateo, Kaitie and I love to play ping pong and soccer in the yard even though Kaitie and I get beat every time.
This family loves to bless us in every way they can. To give you some insight, Marcelo barbecued for us on our first day with them while Carla hand made empanadas. This meal alone showed me their generous spirit right from the start. They always make sure we always have more than enough food, the perfect amount of sleep, and unlimited love. One morning, Carla made Kaitie and I a bundt cake for breakfast.
Yes, a BUNDT CAKE, for breakfast.
This may seem silly, but she was so excited about it! (As were Kaitie and I!) She worked on that cake and made it from scratch just to serve us. That just blew my mind.
This moment was the moment it hit me though.
I signed up for the World Race to serve. Why on earth am I being served so generously in the process?
These thoughts raced through my mind. I never expected to have such generous love poured out to me in casual everyday things like barbecues, cakes, ping pong, and my own bedroom. The Father loves blessing His children with little things that have a big impact. I know this and have seen it through my life. Yet now, I’m struggling to actually accept it. I know the Father sees my smile and feels the joy I have when I am given these gifts, I just need to get to the point now of praising Him for them and accepting them with humility.
This is a process and I know I’m not there yet, but one thing for sure I’m going to dig deep into what the Father has to say. I would appreciate your prayers in this time, but I urge you to pray hard for our host dad Marcelo! He has a job interview today, and we are praying that if this is the right thing for him that the answer would be clear. He has been out of work for four months now and is the main financial provider in the home. YET, he serves us in every way he can.
Thank you all for loving on me as always. I am still in need of some funds to be able to stay on the field! If you feel led to donate or know anyone who would be interested, click the orange ‘donate’ button at the top of my blog! The Lord provides, can I get an amen?!
Here’s a photo of Kaitie, myself, Mateo, and Benjamin.
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Here’s what I’ve been jammin to!
“Hay Ana Nube (There is a Cloud)” by Elevation Worship
“Open Space” by Housefires
…and the entire La La Land Soundtrack.
LOVE YOU ALL!
I am so happy to hear about the gifts that God is giving you right now. I know this is probably very hard for you because you like to be the giver but you also have to know how to be the receiver of God’s love. It sounds like you are living with a beautiful family that will take good care of you. This makes Mama and Papa very happy because we love you so much! We will be praying for Marcelo and his job search. Happy Thanksgiving! Love you lots!
Hi, Bernadette!! I can see why this is so hard for you…….you have a heart for serving others!! For a lot of us it’s easier to give than to receive. Maybe God is preparing you for something HUGE or maybe it’s so small that you won’t even know what it is! BUT God will and He will use it in His perfect timing and plan! A little birdie told me you are making bread!!
Do you know how to knead?? 🙂 Have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! Sending our love, hugs and PRAYERS!! “Grandpa” Gerald & “Grandma” Pat
Great to hear from you! Glad you made it safely to Chile! And I totally get where you’re coming from… accepting gifts or being served can be hard sometimes when we are the ones that want to serve and give. But maybe God is bringing you such joy from this wonderful family to refill your tank and help you serve even more! You will definitely always learn a lesson in every situation. Embrace it and enjoy it and then share it! 🙂 Will lift up prayers for Marcelo and of course you! Hugs! And Happy Thanksgiving!
As I read more and more blogs, I am beginning to realize that “ministry” and “mission work” is all over the board! It’s not always what I was expecting the journey to look like. Yet it is EXACTLY what God was expecting it to look like! He has you right where He needs you, doing His work and receiving His blessings through others such as your host family. What a great opportunity to really lean into what He has to tell you and to show God’s love to your host family. I’m quite certain they are feeling like the luckiest family to have you staying with them…sharing your smiles and hugs with them every day! Enjoy the little moments! Love you!
Wow Sweetie… I am amazed! Not surprised, amazed!!! God does love you so so much! And it’s wonderful to see His abundant and extravagant blessings! That’s easy for me to say, because I’m referring to the blessings He is pouring out on you, lol. And I also find it difficult to receive at times, especially when I’m overwhelmed with the generosity. After reading your words though, I’m going to be more intentional with praying for the both of us… that we will get to a place quickly where we can freely receive from HIM and fully praise HIS Holy name! From this momma’s heart, it brings me great joy that God and the Aguirre family are loving on you so well! Especially since I am not able to get my arms wrapped around you at the moment! And it also warms my heart that the Lord keeps bringing you to this place, through His overwhelming love, this place of ‘He’s always more than enough’…. ‘He is all you need’….. ‘He is your everything’! Sweetie, I am so very excited you have chosen to follow your Heavenly Father… no matter where, no matter what! A good father delights in giving good gifts to his daughter… and HE is the giver of good, good gifts! May you receive Him as the joyful giver He is, just as you enjoy being received as the joyful giver He’s made you! I look forward to listening to your suggested tunes! A good recent read of mine is Psalm 23. And remember Sweetie…where ever you are, my love will find you! It’s with a full heart that I wish you and your team and all your host families a very joyful Thanksgiving! Love you! xoxoxox
Sounds like you’re having a blast which is awesome!! I’m glad you’re learning to embrace the blessing He has blessed you with here!
Love you,
Nick