life struggles from a college student...

I don't' really know Him, I just know about Him.
Ok this is only because you haven’t spent time with Him to know Him. There is definitely an easy solution to this. Spend time with Him. That means you will make conscious decisions to do just that. By making it a PRIORITY in your life, to be consumed early in the moring, so it doesn’t get done at all is SO important. Like a best friend, you want to spend time. This I will be praying for you!


my quiet times are nonexistent. I 've let everything else get in the way and haven't made the time...really lame, I know.


Make a decision that you will put aside time early each morning to read His Word. Check out the following….
TOP 10 MUST read books of the bible…
• James (5 chapters)
• 1 John (5 chapters)
• Colossians (4 chapters)
• Galatians (6 chapters)
• Ephesians (6 chapters)
• Philippians (4 chapters)
• I Thessalonians (5 chapters)
• 2 Thessalonians (3 chapters)
• Jonah (4 chapters)
• Titus (3 chapters)

Read the book each day for 1 week. Just read it. It’s so awesome cuz somedays you’ll notice a verse that’ll stand out and ‘become real’ for you like you had never read it before even though you were. If you have a study bible some days read 1 or 2 chapters then read the study notes. Super cool insight!


How do I forgive me? Because I really feel like I'm this awful person and can't really seem to forgive me

You need to learn to KNOW & TRUST Christ more, to understand and appropriate God’s grace and resources you have in Christ…who you are and what you have IN CHRIST. To lose self for Christ’s sake and the Gospel. To DISCOVER, DEVELOP & DEPLOY your spiritual gifts, the mind of Christ, and spiritual growth.

Forgiving yourself is sometimes a process but know that when you ask for forgiveness…I John 1:9 then believe it whole heartedly. There’s only 2 ways to go…God’s way. “what does God want?” or satan’s way “What do I want?”. God’s way may require present suffering (probably the scares me to death you mentioned below) BUT He promises to never leave you or forsake you.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/study/misc/putoffon.html

print and highlight verses as you come across your PUT OFF feelings and replace them with PUT ON truths.

I hope you’re feeling loved, which you are!

slices of Ukraine

Make a postcard - it's easy!

glimpse of our trip....Ukraine 2008

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

i represent God to the fullest....

Click and enjoy! Here's Brandon at Slobado High School

the stage was set for God to be glorified

I'm still in awe. Awe and wonder at what Jesus did. Only He could
have done what took place. You know we were set up to follow an
awards ceremony. The House of Culture is a very old building from the
Soviet Union and Communism era. Old wooden floors, no heater because
they turn off all heat in government buildings when winter is over,
very old seating and the stage curtains must have been hundreds of
years old.

But the message of Jesus Christ from Brandon's rap illuminated not only
the House of Culture but the hearts of every single student,
teacher, official, Assistant Mayor, principal and all who attended!

For the 1st time ever in this community the stage, literally, was set
for God to be glorified as He used Brandon's talent in rap to portray
a message of Hope.

"could you walk in His shoes?
could you drink from His cup?
He opened up His arms like He loved you this much
could you do what He did and die so we can live?
if you could then your name is JESUS"

The Gospel message was translated word by word at the end of his
concert and everyone; everyone listened.

Micah said he had NEVER seen this many students gather together in
Kaharlyk. He had the students repeat a prayer. So amazing to hear
this translated. We plugged in Ultimate Freedom which is Micah's youth
group on Saturday night.

Can you believe it!!

One more thing....After the concert a beautiful young girl about 8
years old with braided pigtails wearing blue knit stockings and a long
coat stood out because of her smile. She ended up being Alonya's
daughter. Alonya is the lady who is the Regional Counselor for schools and had
a strategic part in putting the visit in November and this visit
together.(especially Brandon's rap concert) She is not a believer but it's all
about relationship and building trust.

I asked her, "Are you a single mom" because I heard from Olya, the pastors wife, to pray for her. Well it turns out she has been a single mom for 4 years. I was
able to share with her how I was a single mom for 10 years and only by
making Jesus real in my life and allowing Him full control did I ever
make it raising two beautiful children. She said she would talk with
me tomorrow, Sunday, so I hope this will take place.

UKRAINE TIDBIT: Only 10% of homes in Kaharlyk have bathrooms.
Everyone else uses an outhouse.

"the rep"

Brandon, also known as 'the rep' which stands for Representative of Christ had his first appearance in the Culture Center following an awards ceremony. We walked into the building tonight not knowing what to expect.

God knew. He knew all along and planned this from the beginning. The house was full of over 200 students and from even 20 minutes away students somehow came from the village we just shared at in Slobada. These students were standing in the entryway! The screen came down. I've never seen a screen this BIG....and Brandon's video was the kick off. My Life, My Struggle.

He got the students involved by his next rap when he would point to the crowd and they would say, "the rep"! His lyrics preach the gospel and that's what happened this afternoon. The Gospel was preached to every student, teacher, representative...

I was in awe of what God did in this little town of Karahlyk. The vision Micah has had and Wayne the Pastor of Calvary Chapel is community transformation. And that it was!

Talking to the Parents...

Brandon & I spoke to parents about the sanctity of life to break the bondage that "it's just a blob of cells" and bring truth it's a miracle of life in the womb. We were able to pass around amazing fetal models in a black velvet box with 4 models representing 7weeks, 8weeks, 9weeks, and 10weeks. IT"S A BABY! A real life...by 10 weeks there is a heart beat, brain waves and finger prints. I love sharing this truth and setting captives free.

By sharing personal testimonies, skits, stories, statistics both in America and Ukraine their eyes become open and hearts tender to receive truth. Olya, Pastors Wife, said out of everything we're doing here in Kaharlyk 'this' is the most important. This will have the biggest impact for the church. We were able to plug the parents, teachers, and officails into Calvary Chapel Kaharlyk and bridge the judgement gap.