Hurricane Evacuee Shelter

This morning between 4AM-11:30AM I worked the Special Needs Hurricane Evacuee Shelter at First Presbyterian Church. For the first few hours I made a puzzle, played with some dominoes, and made myself available. Between 8AM--11:30AM I took care of some organizational needs, and created a rules poster (8x)! It was a neat opportunity and I might take the chance to go volunteer at the shelter later this week.

One of the men, who wears a size 15 shoes, was without shoes. God is so good. He provided a pair of shoes for this man, through a member of the congregation!

Where do you serve?

On Friday, I was given the opportunity to serve either at the Habitat House, or with the shelter down at the church, for people evacuating Galveston due to Hurricane Ike. I chose to go down and work the Habitat House. A group of four of us, Tammi, Steve, Eric, and myself worked on roof decking together. We also did some blocking. Other people worked on installing windows, and siding.

I enjoyed working at the Habitat House, especially with the group of people I was with. We made a positive and encouraging team, making sure to say things such as "good job", "high-five", and "way to go" as we were working with one another! Everybody likes encouragement along the way! I don't know which would have been the "better" choice, but it looks like I might have another opportunity to work the shelter on Monday, if people are still evacuated.

Funny, but true story. As I was climbing down the ladder, off of the roof, at the end of the day, I hit my knee! I have a pretty bruise now.

Arn-Man!

My cousin, Arnie Chycoski passed away at 1:20 PST, September 10, near Olympia Washington. I had the honour of visiting the Fairmont Empress hotel with Arn-man when I was visiting Sher and Arnie a few years back. It's one thing to go to a hotel, it's another to go to a hotel and hear stories about playing in different areas at the Fairmont Empress. I was blessed by his generosity on many different occasions. I specifically remember walking around Victoria, and Arnie dropping money into peoples cases, as we were enjoying the music. I have loved Victoria since my vacation with Arn-man! I love you too, Sher! be blessed!

Bowling

I went bowling with a good friend on Sunday night. What struck me as incredibly uncanny was the pure fact as my friend and I would encourage and lift up one another, those around us were doing so as well. Our "neighbors" became much more fun to be around, and their comments to one another were wholesome and appropriate, rather than tearing down!

Habitat House

Yesterday, I went down to the Habitat House my Mom's church is building. I have never been to Day 1 of a Habitat build. I helped put up the house frame, helped place the trusses on the roof, and I helped measure where the trusses would be going up today. This gives me the opportunity to both meet new people, and learn something about home building/repair.

DEX Report

DEX stands for Discipleship Experience. It is a mission trip for University students, to join a team of young adults, venture all over the world for cross-cultural experiences, with the purpose of spreading the gospel, and stretching their understanding of the world. Countless lives have been touched by the love and faithfulness of Christ.

When these students sign up for the trip, they do not know where they are going to be going or what they will be doing. The young adults simply sign up for an eight week (two month) mission trip, trusting all will work out, both financially and in the place chosen for them. Our church supported five people going to India.

During tonight's presentation I was reminded of some great times I had in Indonesia and East Timor. I had forgotten about some of the healings and the miracles God worked in and through the people. I laughed when the young men talked about always eating with their right hand (I know you clean yourself after using the squatty potty using your left hand!) My heart went out for a girl that was so passionately nicknamed "Devil girl." She was prayed over, demon's left, God entered, and she became "Angel girl!"

I was not surprised, rather joyful, when one of the students shared a story about an older man who had kept his distance for days, but right before the group left, he opened up a little, allowing one of the young men to pray for him, and his shoulder was later healed. This was an eye opening experience for both the student and the older man. The student was scared to pray for healing--what if it doesn't work, what could happen to me, is this really God calling me to pray for healing?...the questions go on... This young man chose obedience to Jesus Christ, showing a true faith, rooted in love, to Godhead--God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The older man experienced God's healing power. In the book of Mark, after a healing, people would tell of the great things God has done. I expect nothing less out of this man!

These University aged students are forever changed, not only in their view of world cultures, but in relationships, and God's power and might! Amen! :)

Loaves and Fishes

For the past couple weeks I have heard the pastor talk about Loaves and Fishes. Loaves and Fishes is a program our church sponsors, where once a month, the homeless come into the church, and are fed a fresh, warm, meal. The food is provided by members of the church, and then it is served.



I had also read about serving at Loaves and Fishes in the bulletin. I've gone before. I knew I wanted to go, but I was making no action or thoughts towards actually participating in Loaves and Fishes this month. After church, my friend asked me to join her in serving! Spur of the moment decision, "Yes, I would like to do that!" I invited another friend to come, and she came too! So there were three of us girls from Soulhouse! Clearly, God had been working on me for a couple weeks at that point. (Soulhouse is the young adults group at my church.)

I spent most of my time serving water and lemonade to the guests. The people are very kind and appreciative--please, thank you, we appreciate you serving us, etc. And I was glad to be a part of this outreach! I have also noticed that I am now seeing some of these people in contemporary worship!



While at Loaves and Fishes, I noticed two younger people, that looked to be about my age. In talking with them, I found at that they were new to San Antonio and have been coming to the church for a couple weeks. And they are already serving in such a fashion! Awesome!

We had a young adults fajita party, right after Loaves and Fishes, so I invited them to come, and would you know, they came and joined us! God is bringing new people into our young adults group, and we love it! Yay for Jesus!

Jesus Christ is Lord

As I was driving down the road, facing the I-10, I looked up onto the interstate and noticed a semi that read,

It took me a full 45-60 seconds before I understood what was being said. Those were never words used at my house. It is sad that a statement like that has to be made! When I finally "got it," my reaction was to laugh; laugh out of ignorance to societies ways, and I was busting!

Yodalis Florentino

For almost 10 years now I have been praying off and on about sponsoring a child in another country. My parents sponsor a couple different people through World Vision, but each time I went online to look at the commitment, it just did not seem to be the right thing to do at that time.

I have been reading in the Church bulletin, and in the weekly mailer that sponsors were needed for children in the Dominican Republic (DR), through Food for the Hungry. The sponsorship had been paid, all you need to do is write them back and forth. This had been pegging away at my heart for a good three weeks.

Today, Phyllis came to Sunday school and made an announcement about these kids in the DR that needed sponsors, to be pen pals. Financial obligations were taken care of! Don't you love it when God speaks to you, and then since you fail to do anything about it, he places the opportunity right in front of you, so then and there, you can make a decision!

I am now the writing sponsor of Yodalis Florentino. His birthday is the 13 October 1995 and he loves mathematics! :)

Top 2 Prayer Requests

So...I have two prayer requests right now

1. I need a job for the fall! I would like to continue to teach HS Math.
2. I am training for the SA Half Marathon and I have been experiencing quite a bit of pain in my hip. I am running 28-30 miles per week.

Yo habla un pequito Espanol!

As I entered LAX (airport in Los Angeles, CA) I noticed an older Mexican gentleman that looked quite lost and confused. He spoke a few words to me, and I immediately responded, "Yo habla un pequito Espanol!" This brought a huge smile to his face! He gave me all his paperwork so that I could get his boarding pass, luggage, and anything else needed. I was able to do this for him and as it turns out, I had the joy of sitting next to him on my flight home. Wahoo!

You did what?

Towards the end of the academia year, I started helping a student with his UIL forms so that he could play basketball as a fifth year senior. At the end of the year he was told that his request was denied. My advise, fight for it! I told him to appeal the decision and he chose to do so after seeking the advise of others as well.

For the past couple months I have been praying for my student, the decision that is to be made, and for his heart and "sole" (he is a basketball player! =) We would text back and forth a little bit, he shared with me that he was scared, and really was looking forward to playing Varsity Basketball once again.

The night before his court date I was able to call him and pray with him. I cannot say he won his case, nor that everything went perfectly, but this young man knows that God is good, and that he is loved, most dearly by T. Yes, he calls me T. =) So to any teacher out there, it's not impossible to pray for a student, and you may have the opportunity to pray with a student someday!

Blessings in Dating

I went out on a fantastic date this past Thursday! The young man picked me up at the airport and took me out to a restaurant. I only ate 1/2 of the sandwich, and it was conveniently cut in half. When we were ready to leave, the server asked me if I wanted a to-go box, hesitantly I said, "Yes, please." When asked why I hesitated, my answer was simple, "I doubt I will actually eat this other half." I took the sandwich to-go. As we walked back to the car, I saw a woman that I was able to give the sandwich to. So, my sandwich was able to bless another person! I didn't even say God Bless You or something like that, I simply said I want you to have this. The woman was very gracious.