YWAM LA: Week 1

So Michael and I have now been in Los Angeles for a week! For those of you who didn't know we are attending Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Los Angeles, California. We are now taking a discipleship training course which is basically a program to equip others to become missionaries and share the love of Jesus with the nations. For three months we will live in LA and then for another three months we will be over seas. Two weeks ago Michael and I left our jobs, apartment, friends and family, sold and donated our stuff, stored some of it and only packed a Pathfinder of things and drove straight threw to Cali for 14 hours. We now live in a little trailer, go to classes, work on the campus for free, evangelize to the city and in a couple months we will go over seas.

This week has definitely been emotionally, physically and spiritually draining as you can imagine. But I've been very encouraged by the others that I have met. And God has ALREADY taught me more about myself and who He is. He is slowly pulling out lots of nasty things that have built up in my heart over the years and is day by day healing me of my past. He has showed me how much He loves me and how much He loves this world. I've just seen a tiny part of what Jesus wants to reveal to me and I can't even imagine what's to come. I will keep all you posted!

Love,
Gracie xo

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor." -Isaiah 61:1-3

Here are some photos from this past week!

 

 

 

Ask and you shall receive

It's been awhile since I've last posted. Life has been super busy, just go, go, go for months now. This is the first week in many where I feel like I've actually got to rest and my soul was at ease. So much has gone on, so many emotions, so much work, so much running around! I'm glad everything has calmed down for a little! But now I've got to share a crazy story with you...

Almost two weeks ago Michael got surgery on this knee. This knee has already been worked on twice and he tore his ACL about a year and a half ago and has just been struggling with it ever since. We contemplated surgery long ago but didn't want to have the medical debt stack up and leave us in a place that we were just freed from. So for months we were praying for God to heal Mikeys knee or for an affordable surgery. Mikey had received a free MRI from his doctor. Basically he was told it's going to have to been worked on in the future and would be best to get it done sooner than later. After that news we prayed even more and started to specifically ask God "if you want us to get this surgery for Michael let us know by making it super affordable and if it's way more than we can do, that will be a sign for us to wait when you want us to do this."

About a month went by and Michael called the hospital to see how much the surgery would cost with his insurance. The lady on the other end said, "Honey don't worry about it, it will be paid for." WHAT? That sort of thing NEVER happens! A FREE SURGERY?!
And the week leading up to this Michael didn't believe it and was expecting to pay something before entering the surgery room. We got there his deductible was already met and we didn't have to pay a dime!

In the mean time I was some what worried about money for the next few months just because we would only be living on one income. I was worried but I knew in my heart that we were going to be taken care of regardless how much money I was making during Mikes recovery. I expected Michael to be laid up for two months at least. But of course we come to find out that Michaels surgery went much better than expected and is only going to be out of work for 3 weeks! So insane when you ask God for an inch and he goes 10 miles!

This last year Mike and I have really learned and experienced the power of prayer. God loves us and he wants to bless us. Jesus said, "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." -John 14:13-14

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened." -Matthew 7:7

"And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive it, if you have faith." -Matthew 11:24

His Provision

This past year Michael and I have been fighting off debit that was turned over to collections while Mike was in Chile two years ago. We were making huge monthly payments that left us living paycheck to paycheck. We were praying that God would help us get this paid off before we pursue our calling to move to LA and live as missionaries. After much praying with one another and people in our church The Lord blessed us in an incredible way! About a month ago Michael came into contact with some fellow missionaries and they started coming to church with us. One of the guys named Dave really connected with Michael and since then they've been fellowshipping with one another once a week. One night Dave came over to the house to hang out with Michael and before they parted ways they prayed for each other and Dave stopped Michael and told him that he's been praying for us and felt God calling him to bless us with some money to pay off the rest of our debit. Dave then pulls out a huge wad of cash and gave it to Mike saying "God has a big plan for you and Grace, this is only a fraction of what the Lord is going to do in your lives." How amazing is that?!

I wasn't present for any of their "man time" but Michael and I were talking later that night and he tells me the story above and pulls this money out of his pocket. My heart dropped to my butt and I just started balling. I was in such disbelief and awe... haha I still kind of am. There is no limit as to what God can do! The Lord is so good, praise Jesus! 

"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." -Phillipians 4:19

-Gracie