79...

79 days, till I can return to the place I love!

Yes, I am counting down the days till Mexico!

I can't help it, I'm beyond excited to return! 

I have my paper work that I need to fill out, and the $50 commitment fee! 

My body is filled with excitement, and a smile constantly on my face! 

My agenda from last year, as well as the bulletin from La Vid (The church we go to in Mexico!)

79 days, my heart will be content yet again! 

Eep! 

God Knows Better

The past few days, I've been thinking about the costs of Africa, and Mexico, I was thinking about the kids in Mexico, and I was thinking about where I feel called too.  With all of this running through my head, and with me constantly praying, I feel that God wants me to focus on Mexico, Casa, and impacting THOSE lives. If I add Africa on to my plate, I will lose focus of the lives I already have a bond with.  Now don't get me wrong, you all know I live to benefit others, and make others feel loved (Although I fail at that sometimes.) but by adding Africa, on to my plate it just doesn't feel right.  Everyone is called to different places, everyone has a different purpose, everyones heart is drawn to a different place.  I feel and strongly believe that my heart is being called to impact the lives of those down in Hermosillo, Mexico.  To build a bond with those kids, and help support that ministry.

Now this doesn't mean that down the road, God might move my focus to a different place, but right now...At this time I feel that God wants me to focus on the place I can't go a day without thinking about.  The desires in my heart for the people, and kids in Mexico, is stronger then anything.   I have more of a desire to learn, their launguage, and learn more about their culture just to be more informed then, I have with anything ever.   My heart lies, in the faces of those kids.  Their sweet laughs, and their contagious smiles.  

Tonight I got my packet for Mexico.  On January 13th, I will turn in my commitment form, along with $50 (Which by the way God blessed me with that $50 last night! Woot!)  saying that I am committing to go in March.  We leave on the 8th of March, and return the 14th.  My heart, and hands are oh so ready to impact lives, and love on some precious children!  If you feel led, to there is a 'Chip-In' on the left side of the page that you can donate to.  This trip will cost me around $350 dollars, and I know God will provide me a way to get that money.  Thank you for reading, this post and praying along with me. :)  I will now leave you with a precious picture of just ONE of the kids I left my heart with when I left Mexico.   Me and Raphael, I miss him bunches!

Christmas Cookies & Innocence

If only we all had the innocence of a child.  As my younger brothers, sat at the table decorating Christmas cookies, I was walking around the table shooting photos of them.  They were all so proud of their cookies, and they way they had decorated them.  Their joy was such a wonderful sight!  But as I looked at their cookies, I thought to myself "If an adult were to look at these cookies that didn't have children, they would think they are ugly and horribly put together." Because we always strive for perfection. But with the innocence of a child, they made their cookies look they exact way they wanted.  They were perfect and beautiful in their eyes, and that's all that mattered.

I feel like sometimes that is how we as teens and adults are with people, we get so stuck in the worlds view of "Perfect" that we forget that God made each of us perfectly in His image.  Most people with look at those who were blessed with a special need, and think "Well they're different, not normal, and strange."  When in reality they are just like you and I.  We all have our differences, I learn differently then you do, and at a different pace then you do.  I like different things then you do, and I look different from you.  So why is it that they get treated differently? They're perfect in God's eyes so why aren't they perfect in the eyes of the world?

I have 7 younger brothers, so I know how much those beautifully made cookies mean to them.  I also know how heartbroken they would be, if someone said they were 'ugly', 'horrible', and not worth showing to others.  They would be devastated.  I think that is how God feels too, when we treat those who have the label "Special Needs" poorly.   They are made in the image of God, and are probably one of the BEST images of  God you'll see.  So next time, think before you treat someone poorly.  It's God's heart you're breaking.

God bless,
Alyssa  

Another One!

Hey there everyone!  So as some of you may know I have two opportunitys in the coming year.  In March I will (Lord willing) be going to Mexico again!  I also have the opportunity to go to Uganda.  Which I am extremely excited about both trips!  But I will just cut to the chase.  As I have many times before, I'm asking for donations.  For the Mexico trip I will need close to $500 dollars, and for Uganda I am estimating about $4,000.  Yes, I'm aware that is a lot of money.  But I also have faith that God will provide if He wants me to go on both trips.

As always I will put a 'Chip-In' up on the left side of the blog, and if you feel led to donate please do so! :)  It's greatly appreciated, and even if you would just pray with me that I will get the money that would be great!

Now, for the Uganda trip I have to fill out a bunch of forms and send in the initial commitment fee, which is $50.  But I also need to get a passport (Right now I only have a travel card, and that restricts the place I can go.) before I can turn in the paper work.  The passport is going to cost me $100.   So that is kind of an urgent need.  If you are able to donate to help, I would love that!

Also you can help fund my trip by buying hair clips from my store here ---> Becoming Love

I hope this doesn't sound like I'm begging for money, and I hope you don't think my mindset is that I deserve this money.  Cause that isn't it at all!  But if you are looking for a way to bless someone this Christmas, this would be a great way to do so. :)  Thank you for taking the time to read, and thank you in advanced to those of you who donate. <3 nbsp="nbsp" p="p"> Love you guys,
Alyssa