Deliverance

Soooo here I am.. I have not blogged in over a year. In 2017 I was looking forward to writing all of these wonderful blog posts and continuing to be successful in the blog world, but God had different ideas. Spiritual growth has been a large reality this past year. I did not know where my relationship with God was, so it was hard for me to share with you my own advice, when I couldn't even follow it. So God and I have been working together to develop a stronger relationship. I often felt as God was silent and not answering my prayers, but I have come to realize I wasn't praying for the right things. When sorrow and hurt struck my family, I once again found myself blaming God instead of seeking him. I have seen the power of prayer work mighty wonders, but yet I doubted. As this new year began God gave me the word "Deliverance" as my word for the year. I did not know what this meant and was slightly confused because I did not ask for "a word," but yet he provided. When I received this word from the Lord, I asked him what this meant and how I was to go about living out this word, but yet still no answer. I have continued to try to live my life each day to glorify him and be a light to the children I work with, but pushed deliverance to the side. So here we are at today.. I was supposed to attended a church service with my roommate, but ended up falling back to sleep. I woke up feeling terrible that I skipped out, but I realized I still could make it to my church service in time. On the way to church this morning I was praying to God to open my heart and let me hear his voice. As I stood in church I could feel the Holy Spirit present and filling the atmosphere. The pastor preached on Luke chapter 5. He discuss how Levi (also known as Matthew) was a tax collector, but when Jesus approached him and said "Follow Me" Levi dropped everything and followed the Lord. We often talk about following the Lord, but when we are in the season of waiting we say "I'll just pray about it for awhile" in order to avoid what we don't want to do. As the service was ending, the pastor began to speak about individuals who are seeking to be baptized or reborn in the word could come to the front. I am standing in my spot, trying to hide from God, but he calls me out. The conversation proceeded as followed:
 God: "Go!"
 Me: " What? ME? No."
 God: "I said go."
 Me: "No... I am not going. OKAY FINE! I'LL GO."

So I approached the alter and individuals began to pray with me. In no way was I prepared for what was about to occur. I had worn jeans and a blouse to church?!? But I was trusting in the Lord and being obedient to his call to follow him. He told me to go, so I went. I was baptized today in the name of the Lord. As I came above the water, I could here God's voice rejoicing and praising all of those who were committing or recommitting their life to the Lord. So today, God brought deliverance to my life. I have always been a Christian and today I renewed my promise to God to glorify him in all that I do.

Deliverance at Ransom Church

    I thank you all who have been praying for me and pouring their love into me. I am looking forward to this new season with the Lord. If the Lord calls, go and serve freely of self.

After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. -Luke 5:27-28

Lots of Love,

Pura Vida Bracelets

During this year I am going to be doing monthly features on my blog about a companies that give back. I have been lucky enough to represent some of these companies and I want to share them with you. The first company of the year is Pura Vida Bracelets. These bracelets are handmade by artisans Costa Rica and provide full time employment. These bracelets are beautiful and responsibly priced!

Do you know what else is awesome??? Not only do they provide full time employment to 100+ Native Costa Ricans, proceeds from each bracelet also benefit nonprofits. Depending on the bracelet you pick, a different charity receives the proceeds. How cool is that? With your purchase you are providing full time employment and a donation to a nonprofit. Below you will find links to so of my personal favorite charity bands and the link to the nonprofit they support!

Save the Orcas: Anti-Captivity Pack
10% of net profits of this bracelet are
donated to Whale and Dolphin Conservation.  

Anti-Child Abuse Awareness Bracelet
10% of net profits of this bracelet are
donated to Dallas Children's Advocacy Center. 

U.S. Marine Corps 
10% of net profits of this bracelet are
 donated to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. 

LGBT Pride Awareness
10% of net profits of this bracelet
are donated to SD Pride. 

Pura Vida has many different charities they support. The charities change quite frequently so they are able to spread their love to multiple different areas. If you have a charity you can submit a request for them to support you! (HERE) It amazes me how one business can have an impact on people all around the world. Pura Vida has partnered with over 190 charties and donated more than $935,358 to date. They are also apart of 1% for the planet, which means they donate 1% of their annual net revenue to environmental organizations worldwide! How incredible is that??? If you are looking to for some fun and easy gifts I would start here! Also, just because I am thankful you are helping make our world a better place, use code ALLIETHIESSE20 at checkout to receive 20% off your order! Thank you for making the world a better place, we need more people like you.

You are the light of the world-a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. -Matthew 5:14

Lots of Love,

Teaching on Pine Ridge Week 3

This month flew by so quickly that it felt like I blinked and it was over. I am so thankful to have spent the month on Pine Ridge working with some of my favorite people. The week began with building and organizing shelving units for the new Adorned Campaign office. I was also able to  help Miss Pam with some tasks she needed completed and made a new friend, her dog Piper!

Wednesday night was church and Awana night. This Wednesday the kids learned about the Tower of Babel and how God mixed up our languages. God did this to the people because they were building a tower for their own glory and not for the glory of God. They listened to the Bible story and then had to build towers of their own with marshmallows and toothpicks. They could work together or by themselves, but the end result had to be a freestanding tower! The kids also worked to put puzzles together! We stressed the importance of communication and how difficult it would be if we all spoke a different language. We also talked about how when we are doing tasks, we need to glorify God, not ourselves. 

On Friday we had a inauguration watch party to see the new president sworn in. Despite everyones political views, it was a historical aspect our students had not yet experienced in their lifetime. We talked about what this meant for our country and they had many questions. I also got some prime baby snuggle while watching the inauguration! 

I have a feeling this is a depiction of my future.
Anyone who knows me, knows I want a lot of
kids, but preferably all boys! :)

After school on Thursday, I ended up heading a little over an hour away to Rapid City Urgent Care. The day before I experienced what we thought was a bug bite on my knee, but by the next day it had significantly grown and became irritated. Unfortunately the few days with no bites was short lived and I ended up with an infected knee. They prescribed me with antibiotics and sent me on my way. 

Saturday morning the Haddens and I headed on over to the pantry. We organized clothing and set out clothing for individuals to look through! We had multitudes of children clothes and every single piece was needed! We were excited to see a need being filled within our community. Jacob assisted with cutting open our boxes and being the strong man for the day!

My last few days were filled with fun! We did some organizing, finished up school, gave the puppies a bath and even did ear candles! Who knew cleaning my ears could be so much fun! I am so thankful for the missionary families for hosting me over this month and for all the new friends I was able to meet. I am already getting excited to return in March.

Thank you God for this opportunity! I am so grateful to continue to  see Gods’ work on the reservation. Please continue to pray for the missionaries and others on the reservation. If you are ever interested in ever coming along to see Gods’ beauty please let me know! 

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. -Psalms 1:1-2

Lots of Love,

Teaching on Pine Ridge Week 2

This last week has been full of more learning opportunities for me and the kiddos. We finished up our unit study on Polar Bears and they completed a report. The used the internet, books and prior knowledge to write their final report. We were also able to use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast penguins and polar bears. This next week the students will begin a unit study on penguins. We also had a lot of fun with sight word fishing. Each fish had a different sight word on it and the students used a fishing pole to catch each fish. Thanks to my awesome mom for putting this and many more activities together.    

                                               

    

                                                

                                           

                                           

                                           

The week continued with Wednesday night Awana with the awesome children. We learned about Noah’s Ark and created our own arks with spaghetti. The kids also were able to use the points they have earned through Awana to buy toys from the Awana store! They earned these points by dressing up with each theme, bringing their Bibles, and remembering the Bible verse for each week. It is truly wonderful to see these children’s faces light up when they are learning about God. Throughout school and church the students are constantly learning about the timeline of the Bible. They use Biblical timeline cards to put the Bible stories in order. It is fascinating watching 5 year olds discuss the Bible and when events occurred.

                         

                                 

                                 

                                      

On Saturday, Miss Amanda and I set up the new Adorned Campaign office. We took inventory of everything and were able to update the current website. This is an organization Miss Amanda is so passionate about. It is a campaign completely about self worth and trying to combat suicide on the reservation. I would love for you to checkout their program and if you feel so inclined to buy a shirt or sponsorship bundle. Each sponsorship bundle is given to a teen to send a message that they are loved, they are more and to give hope. 

Click HERE to checkout their apparel.
I scored this wonderful sweater during my stay! 

Click HERE to purchase a sponsorship bundle.

                                              

                          

                                 

On Monday the kids did not have school due to Martin Luther King Day, so we spent the day in Bell Fourche, SD. Miss Amanda attended a conference to become certified as a Mental Health First Aider. This will provide many opportunities for her and the Adorned Campaign on the reservation. While Miss Amanda was attending the conference we went sledding, ice skating, painted pictures and watched movies. It was a fun day just getting to have free play with the kids!

Please continue to pray for this mission and everything God is doing here. I can truly see his work and him moving on this land and in these people. Let me know if you have any questions about the Adorned Campaign. I truly believe this campaign is making a difference in the lives of many members here on the reservation.

Sanctify them by the truth; your word. -John 17:17

Lots of Love,

Teaching on Pine Ridge Week 1

 I could not ask for better beauty than what God has provided on Pine Ridge Reservation. The views I wake up to each morning are breathtaking, despite the blistering cold, Gods creations is so beautiful. I will be spending the month of January here working with the missionaries and their children. I am filling in for their normal teacher as she is on vacation. It has been a blessing to get to know the missionaries and children on a deeper level.

                                    

Our unit study has been focused on Polar Bears. We have done multiple activities focusing on the parts and habitats of the Polar Bears. The first week of school took place in one of the missionaries home, due to the heat being off and the water being frozen. This was a challenge at first trying to keep the children focused on their studies and not quite having everything we needed to teach. This resulted in some quick thinking and improvising. While I am working with the students Miss Sarah is working with another set of students on math.

                                    

                                                

                                             

Polar Bear Craft we made on Fun Friday!

Science experiment we did showing the affect of Polar Bears blubber.

Using oil as an insulator just like blubber.

  The missionaries have already had brand new additions to their families including new babies and puppies! This results in a lot of baby and puppy snuggles, which happen to be my favorite!                                

Brand new baby Samuel!

                               

Rosie and Ranger

                                

Sunday morning resulted in a beautiful Sunrise on God’s great Earth. We went to church and learned about how following God can result in our ultimate happiness. Sunday night was finished with teen night where I was able to continue to make relationships with the teens I have been working with. We played say what where we used the mouth pieces and said funny words! I love these people so incredibly much and I can truly see God working here.

                                  

                                   

                                   

I have also been able to help with administration tasks that need to be accomplished at Sharps Baptist Corner Mission which is the church the missionaries are pastors in. We were also able to unload a trailer full of donations for the pantry from a church in Virginia! This week we will be able to do more in the church and with the ministry. This first week the propane went out and resulted in many busted pipes within the church and parsonage. We unfortunately were unable to get much done do to the church being a chilly 30 degrees.  

Once again I have been eaten alive by whatever likes me out here. Every time I have come to Pine Ridge I have left with copious amounts of bug bites that itch like no other. Thankfully most of whatever normally eats me is frozen. I do not have nearly as many bug bites as I usually have. Thank the Lord! :)

                                              

I cannot wait to share with you what the next weeks will bring in this mission. If you would like to know more about the missionary families I am working with take a look at the  Hadden Journey! These families are wonderful and full of Southern hospitality. I could not think of better people to spend my time with. I am truly thankful God has led me to Pine Ridge!

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. -Matthew 28:19

Lots of Love,

Pine Ridge

In November, myself and three of my closest friends were able to spend another weekend on Pine Ridge. We were blessed with another opportunity to serve and I am so excited once again to share this mission with you. One our way to Pine Ridge, we stopped at the Dignity Statue which was a gift to the Lakota people. This statue was breathtaking and over 50ft tall.

When we arrived at Pine Ridge we assisted one of the missionary families in moving to a different home. The current home they were living in will now be used for the children’s ministry with Sharp Baptist Church. I will start helping with the children’s ministry during the month of January.  In their new home we assisted in putting up drywall moving in their furniture. We wanted to assist them in getting their home done before  their new baby Declan arrived.

We hosted a girls night where we we picked up teenage girls we had established a relationship with from previous visits on the reservation. We cooked a nice meal, made homemade ice cream and even hosted a game night. It was truly wonderful getting to know some of the girls even more! At the end of the night we brought the girls home and even rocked out to some music in our van!

Like our necklaces? Get yours at the Adorned Campaign

The next day we organized the pantry. We brought food with us for Thanksgiving boxes to put together. We put flour and sugar into smaller bags for boxing, lined up cans and even did some cleaning.

 

Sunday morning we took yet another trip out to the breathtaking Sheep's Mountain. Erica and Emmali had not experienced Pine Ridge or Sheeps Mountain before so we were excited to show them God’s beautiful creation. If you ever make a trip to western South Dakota, I highly recommend visiting this spot of the Badlands.

Erica and Emmali blindfolding each other
for the surprise! :)

                                        

Sunday morning we were able to assist with the Children’s ministry program the church puts on every Sunday! We taught Sunday school to the children where we discussed prominent stories in the Bible, along with singing dancing and games!

Chanku Waste Ranch has a large spot in our hearts. We are so thankful to the generous donors that allowed us to take this trip and cannot wait to return over spring break.  After leaving Pine Ridge I still felt God pulling at my heart as he called me to serve the Lakota people. With this I am excited to announce I will be spending the month of January on the Ranch. I will be assisting the the missionaries school, the children’s ministry program as well as focusing on the education of Native Americans. I am excited for this journey to begin and will definitely keep you all updated! Please pray for me!

Be humble and gentle; be patient, bearing one another with love. -Ephesians 4:2

Lots of Love,