It Starts Here

As I drove into Laurel Park to run its mile loop, I began looking for the trail start. I didn’t see it, but I spotted the half-mile mark. Good enough, I thought. I parked my car and began my run. 

Halfway through the loop, I found the real start sign. 

Most of you know I feel called to women’s ministry, but I didn’t know where to start. 

I followed the Lord’s leading to Georgia, of all places, and hit the ground running.

I’ve been serving in the Adventures In Missions office and taking classes in the afternoon, as part of the Center for Global Action (CGA) curriculum. I've been meeting with several people who have taken me under their wings, people whose words I take to heart and whose faith I admire. I even signed up for a web design class! I started attending Revolution Church and now I am one of the leaders for their brand-new youth group, Recourse.

The pace has been wild and new, but I kept on running.
Lo and behold, I spotted my start sign...

Leading a Bible study!

The very first Phylla House Bible Study for divorced and widowed women will be here in Gainesville, Georgia. It’ll be 7 weeks long, meeting on Mondays, from 6 to 8pm.  With the Lord’s blessing, there will be ladies who are willing to meet and allow me to lead them in a very special study through relevant and sensitive subjects. It kicks off April 8^th and goes until May 20^th.  If you’re interested and available, send me an email at phyllahouse@gmail.com.

I've been working on the website, and it isn't much yet but I'm learning: phyllahouse.com

The Lord is calling and I'm answering.

How’s that for a start?

Spoiled

I feel so spoiled.
I'm supposed to be having a hard time having less stuff, right?
All my belongings literally fit inside my car.


Yet I am sitting here at Starbucks, with the biggest grin on my face, thinking


"I am the luckiest girl in the world"


How can it be?


Well I have the coolest Daddy ever, to start things off.
No, not my earthly Daddy (he's pretty cool) but my perfect, all-powerful Daddy in Heaven. My Creator and sustainer.


The One who calls me to rise in the morning and looks at me like I'm the most lovely thing and says "this is very good" :)


He says "hey I have something for you to do!!" and I jump for joy.
Yes, I'll sell my stuff, here we go. Okay what now, Lord?


And He tells me to love on my brothers and sisters.
Encourage the ones who are quieter.
Empower the men.
Call out the beauty in my sisters.


Okay awesome.


I walked into Starbucks today, expecting to get a Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino (which is my SECOND favorite drink)


Last year around this time of the year, I was a REGULAR here at this Starbucks.
They knew my name, they knew my order, they recognized my voice over the drive-thru. I made a lot of friends in green aprons :) My friends also controlled my coffee, so you can imagine the "special treatment" I'd get when I ordered my all-time favorite, the Caramel Brulee Frappuccino. The candy bits? The good stuff? Oh yeah, it was ridiculous the amount of candy they put in my drink. Heck, they've even given me a whole bottle of the candy bits before.


Sadly this drink is no longer on the menu, so that's why I expected to get the Salted Caramel Mocha, still amazing. Still would have been the ultimate treat because superfluous spending went right out the window for me.


Well I am greeted with "HEEEEEY YOUUUU!!!" and familiar faces peeking at me from behind the counter. Two of my friends, making a scene, and delighted to inform me that they have the ingredients and the syrups and the crazy awesome candy bits to make *dun dun dun*

The CARAMEL BRULEE FRAPPUCCINO!!!!!

I got to share with the girls about my mission trip, and they were excited to hear about it.
So I'm sitting here, grinning from ear to ear, reading James, listening to The Civil Wars, Ray LaMontagne, Glen Hansard, & Gungor, having such a wonderful day in my life.


I've gotten to visit with the Community Groups at my church, and tonight I'm visiting another one! I've been communicating well with people.


My to-do list is still ridiculously long, but when is it not?


My day is beautiful. I got to watch the sunset and hear a new worship song on the radio that made me smile. It said "there's no place like home" :)


The perfect words for a missionary who hasn't left home yet. Yearning to leave, but realizing that today is such a blessing. I am one spoiled daughter of God.
Thank You Lord.


Here's that song, enjoy it <3

When it rains...

IT POURS!!!!!

I am so incredibly overwhelmed with joy today. Holy Lord Almighty and Good!

Allow me to count these blessings!! Let's stick with chronological order, because I'm not facebook :)

1) woke up on time & got ready in peace (trust me, such a blessing)
2) watched the SUNRISE as I drove to work
3) got to sing my current favorite song because it came on the radio "Times" by Tenth Avenue North
4) put in my notice at work that I'll be quitting on dec 9 and it was well-received! *PRRRAAAISE*
5) oh oh and I got my launch date, no big deal. I'm LEAVING ON JANUARY 10TH :)
6) My aunt and grandma are here from Brazil! I get to see them and visit with them for a whole week!
7) I am getting to see a lot of amazing people this weekend. Halleluyerrrrr
8) I am getting to baptize one of my best friends. What a joy what a joy.
9) I realize that I fall deeper and deeper in love with Jesus like... every single day.
10) It's Friday, Friday, getting down on Friday... and now it's weekend time :)

If I kept going, I'd waste my weekend in front of a screen.

I love you, reader!
God bless you :)

Update on Stubborn Stanley

Dear friends and family,

I know this matter of great concern has been keeping you up at night, tossing and turning.
My Invisalign journey was supposed to end on September 20^th.
 
Instead, there was a delay due to Stubborn Stanley’s lack of cooperation.  The question on everyone’s mind:

“Will Helena’s tooth move up enough for her to get Invisalign off in time for training camp??”

Yes, my tooth is moving forward.

I’m relieved to announce that Stubborn Stanley, my troublesome upper right lateral incisor IS indeed getting pushed into the desired position.  His yield began shortly after Dr. Davis modified the last retainer to contain two “buttons,” which are now manhandling Stanley with unprecedented vehemence.

October 10 is the new projected “last day” of Invisalign!

Thank you all for your kind words and encouraging gestures through this unexpected setback.


Love,
Helena

And then there were three...

Antonio is moving out, heading back to school!
I get that old-timey feeling of reminiscing, back in the day when I went to college and had first days of school. Oh and buying new pens! Post-its! The excitement of digging out my "good" highlighters. Back in high school I'd check and double check the battery of my calculators (yes plural!). I'd say those were the days, but today is a beautiful day in my life. I can smile about those memories, but today in itself is a lovely blessing. It's just as special if not more special, simply for the fact that it is still here and I'm in it.


I had my World Race interview today :)  (YAAAY)  I'd like to say it went really well. We drudged up and talked about a lot of pain and hurt in my past. I told her I'll never talk about it flippantly, but it no longer has chains on me. It's no longer a dark cloud over me. I was taught how to really truly forgive, when it hits home. Grace is bigger. God's plan is brighter. My testimony is bumpy, but so full of God's grace. And I was able to say that I had a peace about all of it, and the mentors I've consulted have raised no concerns. My interviewer perked up when I said this. She said that's what they look for. Lots of people are in my life, many advisers, many mentors, and many prayer warriors. I have a strong support group and community, and I think that's absolutely crucial to thriving while on mission.


Exhale!
Now with Antonio gone, it's gonna be just Casper (the cat) and Edward (the turtle) living with me. I'll enjoy them as much as I can in the meantime. It breaks my heart, but in September I'll be finding a new home for each of them. The time to start claiming them is now. I will accept bribes and flattery haha. Remember, the cat does talk. He says mama and helloooo. And the turtle does not talk, which is a definite plus when it comes to turtles. September will be "Sell everything I own" month, so be ready. Stop shopping now. Start saving up to buy all my stuff :) I'll be giving most of it away, but I will accept donations!!!


Love you all, and I appreciate the prayers.

Hankerin!

Hey yall :)
Goodness... it's been a long time since I've put something on here. Yes, a week to me is a long time. I've had the hankerin to write so many times but I have been keeping so busy, and work has been busier too.

I guess updates are in order, eh?

I've been devoting a lot of my time to what we would call in Brazil "matando a saudade" which means to kill the missing feeling. So visiting friends that I miss :) You know you have true friends when it's been a long time yet you just catch right back up. I hate that we're all so busy. I really do. Let's all go back to the dorms and be neighbors again? haha no, we've grown up. It's a beautiful thing, but bittersweet.

My brother and I are spending lots of quality time :) we went to Six Flags last weekend and last night we watched a movie and I made empanadas for dinner! It's fun to have him around and he keeps me company now that Ruth is gone to Africa. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do when he goes back to Austin. I don't know where I want to live, or who I want to live with, or what I want to do. Hurray! There's lots of room for God to work here, and that much is really exciting. I miss the heck out of my parents. Definitely going to fix that. It's hard because I get home and I just want to stay home! I have no excuse, they're 15 minutes down the road. My aunt and I skyped and it was FANTASTIC. God bless technology. All the way in Brazil and the video quality was pretty good!

On the Skype note, I skyped with Thomas (went to high school with him) all the way in Iraq! Skype is the coolest thing. I got to see him! Pray he's safe out there, please? He's gonna be home soon!!

As far as working out, I've been exhausted lately. I lucked out that I work this weekend because I don't think I could wing a 14-miler right now. I need to get back on the horse!!

On a super exciting note, I caught up on sleep! I know, wow.

If you're all holding your breaths for a romantic update, there's no news.

I'm officially a member of my church, the Vista! It feels so nice to belong to a church family again. As far as my walk with Christ goes, I've been keeping up, reading everyday, and He's definitely working in my life right now. It's safe to say that only God knows!! But how exciting that He has plans for me, and my heart is joyful in hope. He's gonna bring exactly what I need, when I need it. I lack nothing. What I need, I have in Christ. A lot of my anxiety and my worries went out the window in this last week. This is probably why I've been so quiet. It's a little bittersweet but I do praise God for taking something out of my life (at least for a time) to show me I don't really need it. I'm really focused right now. Standing strong... a little on the guarded side, but I think it's for my benefit. I have my friends and family rallying beside me like never before. My church family is so strong and encouraging. I have people asking me questions, asking for prayer, and I get to see God unfold hearts the way only He can do. I'm assisting in heart surgery :)

And in turn, I ask that you, friends and family and internet creepers, keep me in your prayers as well. Pray for God's direction for my life, and timing for my family. Pray for safety and the unfolding hearts of my friends, seeking wisdom. Pray that they find the truth and grace of Christ. Pray that I trust God's vision for my life and have a grateful, content, non-lonely heart.

He does listen kindly and lovingly to prayer. It's okay to be clingy, God can handle it :)

That's all I have for now. There's some funny stuff I have to post! These wheels never stop spinning, I tell ya.

Love you all so very much


-Helena