Oh man oh man oh man! God has just been showering His blessings down on me this week, and it's been overwhelming. I'm sorry I haven't written for a while. I'll try my best to get you up to speed!
So, last week's topic was identity, which is seriously the most important thing ever. The first thing God did for me when He started working on me was to give me a new identity. That identity, by the way, is sunflower. Praise the Lord(: I was talking to my dad about it today, and he was saying that: A sunflower grows with sunflower roots; sunflowers are designed by God for other people; and ...........
And, we've been sharing our testimonies with each other. I haven't shared yet. But anyway, Wednesday I was thinking about what my testimony is, and it hot me so down. I haven't been in a sad mood for suchhhhh a long time, and I couldn't get out of it for some reason. I was doing laundry with the boys later in the day, and finally Luke managed to get me to talk. Literally, as soon as I finished getting some things off my chest, Pat and Isaac came back from walking around with a Bonsai tree for me because they saw that I wasn't having a good day and they hated to see me down(: It made me so so happy. Then, as soon as we got home, Jimmy showed up with a new pair of shoes for me (which I freaking dig) and Kaitlin had a rose for me. God just super blessed me, totally cheered me up with His love. He just reminded me how much He loves me, and it was overwhelming(:
Later in the week, we were watching these movies, Furious Love and Finger of God, both excellent, both HIGHLY recommended, all about God's love and His incredible miracles. He's so phenomenal. We serve such an incredible God.
Friday morning, the girls went to get frozen yogurt for small group. We were sitting at Menchie's, and the manager came an talked to us for a second about what we were doing- talking about the incredible things Jesus has been doing in our lives(: Then, a few minutes later, he came back with his arms full of prepackaged frozen yogurts! He doubled that amount when we told him about how we have a BBQ every Friday for the homeless people in Sunland. It was CRAZY. Dani was crying she was so filled with Joy(: It was incredible. God is so mind-blowing and He loves to provide in ways we would never expect.
There were also several healings this week- a man at the park had his shoulder miraculously healed, a headache was removed by the Spirit, Asma's knees were healed... Praise the Lord! He is SO much more powerful than we give Him credit for. Just let Him work through you.
Oh yeah, Asma left. She's going back to Pakistan.
Also, I have a new skateboard now, with John 3:16 on the bottom(: Praise God. I'm so so happy. You probably have no idea what this means, but I'm learning to do a shove-it right now! I've almost got it down. It's super cool(:
Also, some dude at In and Out bought me fries. Just because. It was lovely(:
And, today, God gave me this sweet dress and a new backpack and necklace.
See? He's just been blessing me like mad this week. It's incredible. Blows my mind. God is so good.
This week is Holy Spirit week(: Sooooo stoked!
May God bless you this week(:
Let me give you my course, Sunflower 101:
ReplyDelete1. Sunflowers grow because they have Sunflower roots. You will know the fruit by the root. Dandelions don't grow from Sunflower roots!
2. Sunflower's are always visible. There is no such thing as an invisible Sunflower. They are always seen by others since they are so prominent.
3. Finally, Sunflower's were designed by God to bring pleasure to others. I.E., Sunflowers don't look at themselves and act narcissistic. Sunflowers always serve and live for the delight of others.
So it is with you Ashley! You will be known by your roots, your IDENTITY and your identity is in Christ - Thee Root of all HIS children. Your fruit will reflect the root - so it is with you. People will know your identity thanks to your roots (Christ)
Second, the influence you have by your actions have to be seen by others. There is no influence with invisible actions! If you want to influence the world with Jesus' love, you have to SHOW IT. Can't hide it, can't just think about it, you have to DO IT! Just like the Sunflower - visible for the world to see!
Finally, you were made to be enjoyed by others. The Ashley who sits in a room contemplating her belly button is gone, you are a new creature, with a new identity. You have been made to serve and lead others! (Like the Sunflower).
Wow, the Sunflower: What a wonderful metaphor for your identity.
The word Sunflower could be re-written as Son-flower. As in the Son who flowers in whomsoever decides to follow Him. The Son blooms where He is invited.
Keep growing, keep making other's happy and keep leading them to Him. Dad