Writing a book and then Guatemala

          I've been thinking a lot about my future and all but again when don't I? I know God has shown me a clear path and a for sure path until I'm 30 at the least. I do want to go back to Guatemala and always have since last summer. I have been talking to God about it off and on since then. The things that was holding me back was of course the country and how the people were once you get outside of the shelter or city and other was how could I raise money for long term.
           I'm a person who love to writes poems and "devos." just in case you couldn't tell on here. That is why I started this to share my thoughts like that but then I thought this week way not a real book. I have enough poems to do a least one. I've been talking to an author friend and she says to keep this up for 6 months to a year to get an audience started and then we'll see what is next. She also says it takes 2 years to get a book published at the least. It was strange because God brought the title of my book to me this week and it has been with me all along and how it fits for the what I would be fundraising it for is strange.
           The title would be the title of this blog because Jesus is calling me to Guatemala or to another country. Then I thought of what poems will be first and I thought of the one that has the title in it which is already on here. I'll write short one about Guatemala, might even use the one I put on here in April or May about it, and then one where the title will be "Have you talked to God about it?"  There are my first three poems in my book titled, "Jesus Loves, Jesus Cares, and Jesus is Calling You."
             Then I got to thinking how really strange it is that I started this blog 2 years from when a friend of my started their TV show/youtube videos but a month later. My friend started in March and I started in April. Now it is strange that I'm thinking about this when my friend's show is going National in Oct of this year. I really want to get my book started soon so there will be more poems on here then there has been lately and please look at them and like them. It just seems like God is showing me the path He wants me to go down now.
              It is also strange with everything that is going on in Guatemala and just thinking about being part of that big change in 2 or 3 years is I think what is pushing me. I've always wanted to be a part of something big even it I'm doing a little thing and here is my chance. I get to be in a country where God is becoming the Lord of. It is a start of history and I love history and would love to be a part of it and see what goes on. It is like God is saying to me, "Ok, Tiffney now it's time to go and make a change even in the smallest way. I know you love history and what to make a difference so here is your chance."
              What better way to change the history and see history being made then changing the hearts of the children in Guatemala for Christ so that they can be Christ-followers and leaders at the same time? To change a genenation and the future forever for Christ. There is no better way to do that. I'm not saying that it will be easy or that I will get there in 2 years but I'm saying I will try and whenever I get that that is when God wants me there. It would even be neat if I could get the book published in Spanish because some of my poem ideas are based on verses from the Bible. You will see how as I put them up on here.

God is Bigger then the Boogyman

        Not what went through my head when I was talking to my kiddos at work tonight but something near that did go through my head. We were are sitting down watching a movie before bed and the boy that has a lot of disbabilites out of them all said something that shocked me. One child asked me, "Who was that guy on the movie?" We were watching Mulan 2 and the king came out. I said, "He is sort of the king."
         Then the little boy said, "He is up there" and I was like, "You mean on the TV?" and he was like, "No, God is up there!" and it seems like this boy said it randomly out of nowhere. Then that got one of the little girls talking about how big God really is. She said, "God is bigger then me." I responded back, "He is even bigger then me" and that seemed to surpise her and she couldn't get it. It was just neat trying to see someone get it and a little child at that but couldn't. It is just a reminder of how even as adults we will never get how big God really is until we see Him.
            I was also thinking while I was talking back and forth to these children about a lesson my community small group went through less then a year ago. It was actually the last full one that I went through with my group. It was about how God made the earth and space and how big He really is. That study called us, human brings, just a dot in space and it is true. Adults might look big and scary to children but yet there is someone greater and bigger then us, adults. Just think how big God would look to a child if we are big to them. They have a better view of who God really is then we do.
          Then while that was happening another God thing was happening. One of my little boys was "teaching" one of the little girls how to pray. It was cute because the little girl was repeating the words the little boy would say. I was thinking how easy does that look and is for children but then as adults it is hard. We should be able to tell someone about Christ or even pray with them like this little boy did. It was the simple prayer "God is Great, God is Good. Amen" or that is what I heard at least. God knew I needed that dose of Him tonight like that because He sure gave it to me. I'm glad He did too. Those moments just made my night.

Music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-zJHgaoVa4

My Heart for Guatemala

If any of my friends read this you know what I'm talking about and God just made it clearer to me that I should have that country on my heart and be there long term but don't know when yet. That I truly believe. I just read on a blog that is written by people I know at an orphanage there that the president as declare God the country's Lord at the 1st national prayer meeting.
            Along with this news, "Molina also spoke about his reliance on God as his strength and noted that violence is one of Guatemala's growing issues as crime continues to increase due to extreme poverty, a legacy of societal violence, and a weak law enforcement and judicial system. "In the morning, it's hard see the news of how many Guatemalans died the day before because of violence," said Molina. "In those moments what gives me strength is knowing that I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me." Guatemalan congressman Manuel Barquín, who attended the breakfast, said he will begin initiatives to declare August 22 as the official day of prayer for peace."
            I love how he is depending on Phil. 3:14 to get him through the biggest problems and it's true. He has a mess before him because that country as had a hard history but with prayer and sending people there there is no doubt in my mind that that country could change for the better and I hope it will for their children's and future sake if anything. I would love to be a part of that change somehow for some length of time. In a way, it would be neat and an adventure to leave in a country that is turning around and changing for the better, hopefully. Guatemala is on my heart and I will be going back there for longer term someday there is not a doubt in my mind. It takes a long time for a country to change from one thing to another so God will send me there at the right and safe time, I do believe that. Until then, though, that country is on my heart and in my prayers for sure. I will also try and keep track of the progress they are making in that way.
            A friend asked me in Jan. after I told them I was thinking about going there long term: Have you talked to God about it? I think it is the longest convo. I have had with God yet. I went again this past summer and a friend on the same trip asked me there: Do you think you will move here in the future? Answered: Yes. She asked: When? I answered: I don't know yet. Then when I got back a friend of mine said to me, "I'm surpised you came back" or something like that. My thought to their comment (and if they read this they might be not be surpised I was thinking this but didn't say it) "Yeah, I'm surpised I came back too." I will write more later on this entery so come back and read more later. 

God's Universe

God’s Universe

Let me draw for you a picture

Of how big the universe really is.

Then that will show you God’s

 Love for us and what He is about

to do through us.

Our earth is like a spot in the distance

That you can barely see it. On top of

That is our solar system and then

The Milky Way galaxy. It just keeps

Getting bigger and we just keep

Getting smaller.

If we ever get to see out of the galaxy,

We would see a little dot but yet there

Are so many more galaxies out there.

Why would He care about one small

Planet?

We are grass that dies away. We are

Not here for long. Even the flowers,

The glory, we have made will die

Away but the Words of God stands

Forever. The flowers are much bigger

And beautiful then the grass. Whatever

We do for His glory is big but it will

Never be as big as Him.

As people, we are nothing but grasshoppers

Or a drop of water in a bucket when it

Comes to God, Yet He loves and cares for

Us. He sees our troubles. He understands

Our pain. He sees our dreams. He gives

Us strength and power. He sees and has

Been down the path made for us because

It was made by Him.

If you really look at the full picture

Of the universe, there is no reason

Why we cannot trust God. He is so

Mighty and big but yet we do doubt

Him a lot. We are scared to do what

He has called us to do.

We think of ourselves as

Nothing really special but God

Loves us as His own children. He

Has a lot more things He could

Care about but yet He picked

This place called “Earth” with the

“sinners” on it to love and bring

Him glory. I don’t know about you

But I want to do something  “big”

For Him with my life. He is more

Then worth it. He deserves it!

By: Tiffney Wilson

Nov. 2012

Some of the context taken from: Isaiah 40

Death Brings Life

I'm going to try and write this one out of my mind right now because it needs to be written on here I think. Usually I write down my devos. first because it is just faster if I copy them off the paper but this one needs to be now. Hopefully, it will make sense. God has been putting on my mind a lot about how to live life for Him. Things like not to conform to this world and spend time with Him and make him the center of your life. It kind of hit me upside the head when God brought this theme into my mind this week and last night at church He seemed to be pushing it with the message my pastor gave about devotion. It hit me in a missions way too for those of you who really know me personally that is a big deal. How many times have we heard "Death brings Life" espically in the church? That is what most if not all the new testament is about too. It is about Christ dying on the cross for us. To start out because I don't know how many people are reading this that are or are not Christians but I will give an example in my life where death brought me life. There are 4 times where it has. Two I could chose and 2 times I couldn't. First major change in my life was after my grandpa passed away. I changed my major in college from an elementary ed degree to a FACS plus Child Development degree. It wasn't the easiest change in my life because I have always dreamed about being a teacher. Another recent one is when my grandma past away 2 years ago. That one was a I had to do it major life change. I graduated from college and moved down to AR with a preschool teaching job. Never will regret that change. I love it here and the people around me. I have two more I could share but won't. Those two examples should be enough to show you that death even when it is someone that we love will bring some kind of change in our lives big or small. A small one could be like for me getting a part time job because I needed it and wanted to move on with my life and I got that job after a favorite teacher of mine past away and that started my career path in a way. Isn't it the same way with Christ? Christ died on the cross so we could have a new start in life with Him by our sides. He took away our sins upon that cross and bared them for us so we could be free in Him. Free to have a life that glorifies His Father and Him. Free to be happy. Free to love without mistakes. Free to find comfort in Him. Free to go to Him whenever we need to. Free to do whatever pleases Him because the sins were off of us. Free to fly and trust Him while we are flying through life with Him. I think even Peter died to himself after he saw Jesus raised from the grave because he saw the words of Jesus come true. That changed Peter's life. It just amazes me how we go through life thinking death is a bad thing when really it isn't on either side. Really, would you rather be living for Jesus here where it is hard or dying for Him and going to a place where there is glory forever. There is a way to start a convo. with someone who doesn't know Christ. What better way to start out but saying "Death brings Life" and then explaining what that means with Christ. From a mission view, missionaries might have to die for Christ but what better way to die then for Him. You are living the best life you could for Him if you are out there serving on the mission field or at least in my view but of course it's where I want to be and for those of you who know me you know that. This is a big lesson that God is teaching me and another way He is preparing me to go I truly believe someday.

Is Anything Too Hard?

"Is anything too hard for the Lord?"-Gen. 18:14

"And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others."-2 Cor. 9:8

These 2 verses are great when you think you are going through something hard. They are great reminders for us to ask. Is anything too hard for the Lord? Then in a way of many He gives us an answer, " I will give you want you need plus more." Isn't that a wonderful promise to remember? He will give is what we need (strength, joy, comfort, rest) and more to pass it on to others. That goes for the lessons we learn through life and the things we can touch too. He teaches us things so we can share our stories with others and it might help them get through something too. We shouldn't be quiet about what we are learning or wanting to keep things like money and clothes. We shouldn't even worry because nothing is too hard for our God to give and/or provide us when we ask and seek for Him. He will not leave us psyhically or without anything. He is always there for us. We might think we are going through something hard but it could be that He is teaching us a lot of things that we need to learn before we can be used for Him. We could be so messed up in our own lives that we need to firgure out who we are before we can help other people and be confidence in us and Him. We could have patterns in our lives that we need to fix and get rid of because they are not good for us. They don't let us follow God the way we should. We can get so caught up in the patterns of this world that we don't even know it until God knocks us on our feet and that is the hardest place to be but He is there to get us through and help us break those patterns. I have noticed a lot in my life and I might share some of them on here. Some that I think everyone has problems with once in their lives and verses to go with them because if we search His Word He has answers for everything and ways we should live for Him. That's the biggest thing I have learned lately. His Word is filled with ways to live for Him. You hear that saying, "The Bible has words on how to live for Him" and "Look in the Bible and it will show you how to live". There is no doubt in my mind after this week that that is true. You just need to be in that mind set that this is how we really need to live without doubt, taking care of ourselves for Him, and loving people (dying to ourselves first). If you want those could sum up if not all the Bible some of it maybe at least the whole New Testament. Nothing is too hard for Him if we just look to Him and keep focusing on Him and not this world or the things around us. To change those patterns it might take little steps and we might even have to go back to baby steps and start all over but if it will change your life it is worth it. Nothing is too hard for the Lord no matter how far you have gone in whatever mess you are in. He can get you back up on your feet in no time if you will just trust Him with your mess.

Update on my life

Hey-
Sorry it has been a long time since I have wrote anything on here and this won't be anything interesting. I just want my readers to know that I'm still trying to keep this up and that God is teaching me a lot this week that I would love to write when I get the time. I just haven't been home any mornings and work has kept me busy but I like it. God has been given me verses to learn by this week and thoughts. If anything this week was eye opening and life changing for me. It's kind of fun when you just focus on you and God for a little while which is feeling like I have been doing these past few weeks. It is even fun when you have a little prayer garden of your own where you can go spend time with God, which I found this week and have spent time there with God when I can. The next few enteries will be about health and mind. God has also shown me why He has done the things He has and why I'm doing the things I have done and how to stop them or that I want to stop them with His Help. He has given me some patterns in my life that I need to change and new things that I'm going to or have started. He is showing me that I'm in the real world and I need to start acting like it in a good way and stop depending on people. That is a big lesson He has opened my eyes to and I will tell you all more about that. That might be my next entery because thanks to a friend (and I really mean it) I wouldn't have seen how much I depending on people instead of God. Sometimes you have to have a friend that can be straightforwards with you and tell you to stop it on some things and that is what has happened in a way here I think. I'm not thinking what I use to and that is good. I'm more focus on God and lovin' it. I know my job as a lot to do with it because you can't get through a day without seeing God in those children or having God work through you and you are like I got through that day. Schools are starting and as a teacher's kid I miss the school setting even preschool setting but I love where I am in life now and my friends even if I don't get to talk to them as much as I should or can. Something will stick and has since the last times we have talked. I wish I could explain more of how AWESOME God has been in my life when I have focused on Him but there is no explaination. It is just amazing how I'm changing and countine to change. God has a reason for all of this and I see little reasons now but I know there are bigger reasons in my future even if it is 5 years down the road. Hopefully, I can do 2 or 3 enteries this weekend and then I will have to stop until next Friday because I will have something to do every morning next week so I'll be busy then too.