Encouragement

It's been too long since I last blogged - so I can't guarantee that this letter will cover everything. I am taking a small break from studying for a big chapter review test tomorrow morning. Let me start with: We only have 3.5 months left here for this year!! We are praying and seeking God for His plans for us for next year because there is an option of coming back for a second and third year and potentially staff member. God has been so good to us! :) He has nothing but the best for us everyday we wake up. We have learned to wake up and crave His presence - to desire the blessings of our Father each morning. Our schedules are packed with travelling services, classes, prayer and worship, serving, tracks, etc. On my day off I prefer to go to the beach if it's nice out - which by the way the weather is definitely getting nicer each day. ;-) All in all, everyday is totally different. Everyday gets better and better - God reveals Himself in new ways -Holy Spirit leads and comforts us. My Father's love goes so deep and is so strong - it breaks down my walls in such a gentle way and releases freedom into my life. I thought I was free before coming here - but after seeking God and resting in my Father's heart; Holy Spirit releases true freedom. The depth of His love and freedom is immeasureable and will never be contained! With freedom comes joy - and with joy there is strength! I just absolutely am in love with the relationship that I have with my Daddy in Heaven, my Jesus and Holy Spirit! It is the most fun, pleasureable, meaningful, purposeful, and intimate relationship I have and will ever have. I love love love God and He loves loves loves me. :D Okay, what else can I say; I think to encourage you all, I will just ask you to not give up. Don't ever stop seeking God even if you cannot feel Him or see Him. His love for you is the greatest, the deepest, and the strongest - it will never fail and it drives out all fear! God has so much for you and asks you to be with Him. Just let go of the lies, the insecurities, a worker mentality, and confusion. God never brought any of those in your life and He never intended for them to be there. But we have a choice - to accept God's perfect love or not. His way is perfect, His way is right. His way is truth! His way is freedom and joy and peace! So don't quit please - never give up. God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. You are sons and daughters of the King of Heaven - we are royalty - citizens of the Kingdom of God.. so indulge in His goodness and love His presence. God bless you all <3 Megan xo

LOVE IS LIFE!!!!

WoW... all I have to say to my Lakeshore peeps is that I love you all so much. I don't know what I would do without each of you of  in my life. Thank you so much for all the beautiful gifts and goodies you sent in the mail. It ment so much to us. It was so nice to recieve Christmas gifts due to the fact that we were not home for Chistmas. All of your amazing words and Love has made Christmas for us. OUR amazing daddy has blessed us so much with all of you.
His love is so amazing. Life in JESUS is the BEST and the only life. I see it changing people's lives daily. He is too good to us. We are getting ready for pastor school in Pheonix Feb. 7-9th which is next week. We are expressing what the Movement is about throught riffle, dance, music and rap. Jess, Meg and I are in the riffle routine. It is soooo SWEET, we are doing really cool moves with a wooden riffle gun :) I will let you guys know more about that.
I love you all so much xoxox
Peace and Love from Heaven above!
We are all praying for you xoxox

Note from Megan's Journal - Jan. 29/30 - 2011

So Karina's mom is in jail right now. Not her first time either. Grandma won't even say why, she doesn't want to disappoint the kids even more. Or maybe it doesn't even matter why she's in jail - just the fact that she is says enough to Karina, Ivan, and Vanessa. And Shannon the man who runs buses is pretty angry right now. Not like hit someone angry but sad angry. I've never really seen someone like Shannon cry. You see Shannon is the type of man to make everyone else laugh. He makes everyone feel welcome and comfortable. He has done alot in his life, he's made alot of mistakes but knows it and has made the commitment to turn his life around. He has an eight year old boy named Dominique back home (not in LA) that he always talks about. Yesterday before Adopt a Block we all meet in the gym for prayer and announcements before heading out on the buses with food for the sites. Shannon came up and asked me and a couple other people to pray for him. The mother of his son tried to commit suicide the other day. He was crying. Shannon was crying. What do you even say to that? His son asked him if he wanted to die too. What do you even say to an eight year old's mother who doesn't think she's special. Who thinks that her life is worth nothing and that she's incapable of fulfilling her responsibilities as a mother. I can't imagine not having God with the weight of her world on her chest. She was led by her emotions to the point of death. She feels lonely. She feels tired and weak.
And Maria. Maria was very anxious and weary yesterday. She's been running away from her ex husband who kidnapped her son. She hasn't been able to talk to Peter or see him in a long time. Peter is in a troubled teen home in San Diego - they won't let her visit him or even talk to him. And so Maria feels scared and worried that he isn't alright. She has no idea what they could be doing to him and telling him. She lives paycheck to paycheck and her grandma just died so she's trying to raise money for a funeral. She sold her laptop for money and got fake money instead. This - this breaks my heart.
So what is my purpose in all this? Why am I here? Surely it isn't just to talk and meet people; to serve the needs of others. Or maybe it is. It's a beautiful treasure. People. People's lives are treasures. I love people. I love their lives. Everyone has a story. A history behind their name. Everyone has had feelings and emotions, thoughts and ideas.
What am I doing here? Not to be cynical and negative. But I mean really, what am I really doing here? Besides helping and learning. What is my cause and purpose? Is there more?
There is no greater joy than God's joy, no greater love than God's love. So to love others is to have no greater joy. How powerful -love. How deep = love. So once I see all that I can see, and meet everyone that I can meet - what is left? What is next? Love drives me to see and meet. The next step is also love. To do life in love. To love unconditionally. If they come to Jesus or not -love. If they cuss me out - love. If they are homeless and need food or filthy rich and full - love. If they've been gangraped multiple times - love. If they've shot heroin most of their life - love. If they've had 20 abortions and are so insecure that they don't look up anymore - love.

You see, they key is to love. That is the answer. It is the solution. Everyone everywhere needs love. Craves love. Demands love.

So I demand love from my Father. What else can He give? He is love in itself. Love is all He knows. Perfection. Joy. Hope. Perseverance. Patience. No limits and no conditions. Sky high to ocean deep love.

So I walk in love. I rest in love. I treasure my Father's love. And I ask for more of this love that drives me, will sustain me. Love is what sustains, maintains me.

Speechless

So let's just say that since the last time I blogged, so much has happened. And I can never really fully fill you in on everything that came up and has now passed, but I will let you in on a bit of it. First things first, I have a new job every Sunday - I ride buses. A few of us head to the projects of McCoy Plaza and Jordan Downs to pick up kids to go to church. They love it! There are so many of them. And the bus that picks the most kids up gets a pizza party. Can I just say that we have gotten two pizza parties already? Thank you very much, Jesus. Another highlight is that some students from the movement partnered with jonah project on skid row and had a night of worship right on skid row. People from the street joined in, others stayed far away. Others came and mocked us and were drunk/high out of their minds. But God's holy presence was absolutely, undoubtedly there all around the streets that night. It was so amazing! And then the next morning we met on the blacktop for 7am to start a thanksgiving turkey giveaway at the dream center. We met James and Nicki who use to live on skid row for ten years. They were just so real and generous and encouraging. Serving is by far the most amazing thing ever - it's when we get to focus on other people. We focus on God and we become smaller - we must decrease so that He can increase. To God be all the glory for everything that happens here. He is sooo wonderful! And then in three weeks is our Christmas break. I will be heading to houston texas with my friend Stephanie and her family - Jess and and Michelle will stay at the Dream Center to rest up and explore a bit. When we get back is when our travelling services start - it's when our sleepless nights and extra hard working start .. as if it hasn't already. God leaves me speechless and in awe every single day. He teaches me things and fills me with wisdom and knowledge. I pray the same for your lives! We miss you all and love you all. May God bless your beautiful souls! - Megan

No life

Hi everyone - fastest blog ever. I Megan went to Dr. Phil this morning with some girls from the Movement - we got free tickets for our day off. We are in two episodes, one on Teen pregnancy and one on Jealous couples. It was very dramatic and at least overly dramatic. Let me just state this plainly and boldly - life without God sucks. Life without God is really no life at all. This people had nothing to live for... no hope, no values, no trust, no forgiveness, ALL judgements. I kept thinking the whole time that they need to meet Jesus because He wants so desperately for them to be set free from the web that they're caught up in. And then we walked down the beautiful Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. We drove really high into the mountains and saw HUGE massive houses. Then got to a peak and saw the most gorgeous view of L.A. ever. The sun was setting we had a photoshoot. We will be going back there to have bible studies and down time. Just to be still and know that God is who He says He is. To look into the sky and city and know that He created it and can destroy because He is in control. Wow God I'm so thankful for You in my life! My friends are amazing I'm so blessed to have them. He knows what He's doing - always trust Him viewers. I love you, keep the peace! Megan

My life thus far...

Hey everyone! Things are going alot better around here. God is showing us more and more of Him every day. He is so amazing! Today was the first day of our small groups. Mine is awesommmeee! We went to Yogurtland - a frozen yogourt parlor where you can put your own toppings on it. I was in heaven... forsure. And this week will be alot of practicing because the Movement's sneak peak is this weekend. So we are preparing a music/dance/spoken word/routine production to put on for them. Then on nov. 4 we will be going to San Diego to inspire people there at a 'mini-conference'. Most of the travelling services will be after February though. In February we go to Phoenix to perform at Pastor Tommy Barnett's church of like 20,000 people... ah!!
We also started tracks this week. All three of us are in Culture Creators... it's pretty awesome that we all got the same track because they weren't even our first picks. So basically Culture Creators are the team of people to plan and organize productions for the year. Ie. For the travelling services, Pastor's Conference in Phoenix, Reach (the youth group), church services etc. We will incorporate painting this year... YAY! I'm stoked for that! We miss you all so much! Sorry about taking so long to blog... we're always busy with classes/hanging out with others/practices and such. Last week as Michelle said was Champion Week... it's like Hell Week for the army in the states where they see who's the most committed and dedicated to being there. But this week was alot easier and I proved different strengths and values in us. It was so hard because we woke up every morning at 3am. But last Thursday was our last week. We walked up the Hollywood Hills at 4am... BEAUTIFUL walk... and the leadership team prayed and blessed each of us specifically. They prayed for things in each of our lives specifically without even really knowing us that well... God is definitely moving here. I feel like already I have grown so much - God is really stretching us and teaching us.
We also started essentials this week where all the girls and guys split up for a few hours and talk/learn/have devos. Our girl leaders are so genuine and kind... I feel like things are finally starting to move along in the program. I still don't know what this year holds/what the years after hold. It will be crazy though. So far I've been through many trials and troubles but I am learning how to overcome them. It is very stressful but very purposeful too.
OH! Also, my birthday is in 2 weeks and so we are all going to do something sweet - I love the beach so I was thinking Huntington and then out for dinner or something.. I want to have a bonfire on the beach too!... Any ideas viewers? And, this monday five of us girls are going to see.... you'll never guess... DR. Phil!! haha! I never watch that show but any excuse to go somewhere for free. We need to dress in business attire. And on Monday we went shopping down Melrose area. There are many thrift stores there... window shopping can be fun but frustrating. Then we were going to drive down Rodeo Drive, but we will another day instead.
Okay ladies and gents, thanks for reading and tune in again for the next blog! :) We miss you all and love you all! xxoo

SO MUCH TO SAY!!!

I am so excited to share what's going on here at The Movement. First of all .... God is revealing himself in so many ways. Through tasks given by our leaders and the many acts of love through His people. My heart wants more of Him everyday. But of course there are difficault times I go through but they are for my good and I really believe that.
We were woken up at 3 am for the past two days to spend time with Jesus and to do different group activities. These activities is more than about the physical challenge, there is a spiritual Truth behind them, which blows my mind. They benifit us each time.
Today we went for a walk to Hollywood walk of fame to pray for ten minutes. It was another powerful day. We were not able to talk to anyone the whole way there. The only time we were able to talk was after we were done praying. We were all placed on a star and got down on our knees and prayed, there were nine people who got down and prayed near us who were not part of The Movement. Prais JESUS :)There were people taking pictures of us as well. I am just so in awe that God choose us to be a part of that. I feel so honored. He is so amazing... I love him so much.
Comming here is too good to be true. But what I am learning from my leaders is that I have to recieve that LOVE he has for me, which I didn't know too much about before. Our leaders are so loving and gracious towards us. We are learning to be a family under Jesus. To be willing to sacrifice ourselves for Jesus and our family.
We will be starting our classes next week and we will be in the new Movement building. Last week was orientation to the program and this week was much group /spiritual activities. This week was tough because there was much stretching involved as well as keep thriving.
I am really sorry it took me so long to write but I promise when I say this.. I am thinking of everyone and my family from Lakeshore ... I love you all so much and I am praying for all of you. You will be forever in my hearts, when ever I think of you it warms my heart. I am so blessed to have you guys a part of this journey with me.
We will be writing again soon!
PEACE AND LOVE FROM HEAVEN ABOVE :)
Michelle xoxo