WINTER WONDERLAND

Ok so in 8 days I am leaving warm Sacramento to embark on a grand adventure to freezing Missoula. I need ideas from my fellows on what I should bring to keep my toes, fingers, and ears from getting frostbite.

PLEASe HeLP Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

V*I*C*T*O*R*Y

WE'Ve GoT The ViCTory We GoT thE VicToRy....Oh yeah....Today I just wanted to say Thanks to Jesus.

Check out my brothers' blogs to see exciting things! God is working in my family :)

12 am Cravings...

So its 12am and I can't sleep. I just came from Chris' house where a group of us came over. I really shouldn't have ate anything, but of course it was there so I ate it. Now, I am craving some Gelato. I have Anna to thank for my new found love. Gelato is mmmm mmm mmm yummy! It is icecream with less air, so it is creamier, denser, and more delicious but in a smaller serving. Less calories! I feel a message coming out of this...taste and see that God (Gelato) is good! So go try some if you haven't :)

A Defining Moment

Bishop/Dr. Nathaniel J. Wilson's book "Ultimate Leadership: The Defining Moment" is an incredible resource for those who feel God's calling upon their lives. The journey to fulfill that calling is likened unto a ship called out into the deep or a man standing at the edge of a cliff. In both cases risk and decision are necessary to fulfill the calling. The deep is where we encounter the unkown, and where we learn to trust God. The cliff is dying not in real terms but killing our carnal desires. Before all of these decisions can be made, we must find ourselves desperate. We must be willing to sacrifice all for the vision God has placed in our lives. The Defining Moment may happen once or many times, and this moment forever changes our destiny. To not launch out into the deep means denying the calling of God, but to launch at the wrong time is also not the will of God. So how do we know when are facing this defining moment? Jesus said to Peter and Andrew come with me and I will make you fishers of men. That was there defining moment. Did they know who Jesus was? Did they know what it meant to be a fisher of men? Did they know the sacrifice of their time that would be required? The answers are no. Did they still go? Yes, they went and by doing so they experienced three years of ministry with Jesus, the one and only God and savior. They fulfilled the calling of God. So again how do we know? The answer is simple. When we pray God's voice becomes familiar. God will speak, and we must be sensitive and obediant.

After reading this book, I prayed for God to give me vision and purpose for my life. I already had the calling, but I needed the vision. I began to feel an intense burden to win souls. God began speaking to me about teaching Bible studies, mentoring, and praying with people at altar. As I began to do these things, God's vision for my life slowly began to unfold. The vision I began seeing was me starting a church in a city that does not know truth. I did not know how or when this would take place, but I knew God was preparing me for this task. Little did I know at this time my parents where feeling the same burden and calling. They also felt called to start a church. Doors would open and then they would close. We faced discouragement time after time. We thought God if this is your plan why is it so difficult. But God wanted His timing not ours. Then the beginning of July we got a call. Faith Tabernacle of Missoula, Montana needed a pastor. We got excited, but again the door closed or so we thought. My parents felt strongly about Missoula and after lots of prayer they decided this was the place. It was not even one day after that decision that the church decided they did want us. So we packed up and drove there. While driving I prayed "God this is what I have been praying for, I know this is the vision you gave me but Montana?" A spirit of depression, loneliness, and fear began to confuse and blur the vision God had given me. Now, two days of being back in Sacramento I realize this is my defining moment. Will I take the leap? Am I willing to give up friends, family, and a great church to fulfill my calling? Well, I can only answer yes. Fear and doubt may get in the way but I am still taking the leap. We are leaving in two weeks. We have a nice home already. This is my testimony but it is not finished. It is still waiting for the news of revival and great spiritual growth in Missoula, Montana!

Wowy! It has been a long time since I updated my blog.

Update:

1. As everyone has already posted, PEAK 2008 was amazing! My life and the lives of 2,000 teens, parents, and pastors were changed. Divine promise and purpose were endowed upon us. This generation will lay hands on the sick and see them recover, we will see dreams and prophecy, we will stand, we will fight! "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" Romans 1:16.

2. School is back! The real exciting part is that I am an official University Student. I was shocked to realize Sac State really is not that big. I found all my classes the first week. I survived University teachers (they are no different than junior college). Lastly, I got into all my classes! I am still working on meeting and making new friends. Change is hard sometimes, so it is usually best to just do it! Don't try to have it all figured out because part of the experience is taking the wrong turn in the middle of traffic, showing up to the wrong class, and walking past the right building three or four times! Notice I said at the top that I found all my classes...in other words it took me a few tries haha.

3. Lastly, but certainly not least I want to give a shout out to my brother Austin. He turned 15 yesterday. Austin I am extremely proud of you. God has gifted you in so many ways. I love being your big sister. In fact, I don't know what life would be like without you. I know for sure it would be dull, lifeless, and boring. Yes, you annoy the fire out of me at least 75% of the time, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Sisters and brothers were meant to be that way. It is so amazing that we can have a TRUE sibling to sibling relationship! So Happy Birthday to the craziest skater, wackiest skiier, most talented musician, and one of the best Bros EVER!

Pastors, Parents, Family, and Friends...Thank you!

I am so blessed to have people in my life whom love, guide, listen, and help me. I am thankful for my Bishop and his wife for their undying vision which has propelled my life with divine purpose. I am thankful for my Pastor and his wife for also having vision, but more than that they have had a personal impact in my life through World Class (a great class for great young people), mentoring, and prayer. I am thankful for my four parents because they have never once doubted my abilities and they have always pushed me past my imagination. I am thankful for my grandparents, aunts, and uncles for being there and having listening ears. Lastly, I am thankful for my many friends who have been my inspiration, my source of laughter, my faithful pride busters (thanks anna :), and my spiritual brothers and sisters in the Lord. Oh and last but not least my four handsome brothers Steven, Austin, Luke, and Jaden who teach me patience and how to have fun, and to my adorable sisters Eliana and Chloe thank you for making laughter a constant in my life. I honestly don't want to imagine life without all of these wonderful people. If I forgot someone please know I feel the same for you too!

Happy 20th Fayruz!

She is crazy and fun and she laughs a ton.

She is loveable and sweet and likes to eat.

She is smart and curious which makes some furious.

She is my friend and your friend...in fact she has no enemies since she loves to please.

You can trust her, you can love her, and most of all its great to have fun with her.

Hope you like my lovely poem hehe love ya fAyrUz....Happy Birthday :)