It's a good day to be free!

Hey peeps :)

Haven’t typed a theme-less, don't-know-where-this-is-going update blog in a while.


Today is the day.
 

Perks of the day: day off from ministry, and I watched 2 movies, had a couch all to myself, spent absolutely no cash, worked out, took the most refreshing cold shower, and had a great time at our prayer meeting.
 

I got asked if I’m good with commas (yes), and I’m currently mesmerized, watching ants devour the corpses of the bigger bugs I’ve killed a few minutes ago.
 

I enjoyed about 5 minutes of air-conditioning (whoa, treat).
 

My time in the Bible is amazing **still powering through chronologically… if you’re curious as to where I am, David’s just been anointed king of Israel – 1 Chron 12, 2 Sam 5, Psalm 107 ish**
 

God is teaching me so much in this journey, especially about patience and the things I thought I wanted. Much like last year, I got to my birthday and realized none of my plans were right.
 

That’s okay.

I’m serving the Lord!
 

I have around 7 months to make a decision of my “next step” and I know God has me by the hand. God is raising my standards and opening up my eyes to His power and His will for me. 
  

Way back when, I learned Jeremiah 29:11 at VBS and sang songs about God having plans for each person. Then I arrived in the “real world” and I bought into a different gospel:

Get this kind of job. Earn money. Buy stuff. Find love. Feel happy.

Trust in God, but… take matters into my own hands.

I didn’t really rely on God.

I prayed. I thanked Him.
Then I’d find myself in a pit, crying out.

He’d get me out. And repeat.

I’d sit back and wonder how on earth so many bad things could happen to me, oblivious to the fact I’d been making all those choices and putting myself in those situations.

Lo and behold, once I began submitting to God, my life started to change.

Not a “prosperity gospel” kind of change, but something similarly amazing:

Big changes seemed possible. Crazy stuff seemed possible. I did things I never thought were possible for me. Me, a missionary? I’m not good enough! I’m chosen? Seriously? How am I supposed to leave my family? They need me! 

Then I looked around and saw that God had relieved me from my burdens.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matt 11:28

I came to Him and He truly gave me rest. Funny definition of rest, Lord!

He took away the burdens I’d put on myself. I was no longer in charge of helping my brother, as he was all set in college. I was no longer bound to my past.

I was ransomed.
 

Every relationship I tried to settle for crumbled.

God was determined to have His will in my life. I invited Him further. I asked for His intervention, and He answered. He’s faithful! He spared me from a lot of harm.

He has better things in mind, bigger things.

There’s more to go through so I can fully appreciate what’s to come. There are opportunities that only God will present. His hand will be all over it.

Meanwhile, I’m 25, serving the Lord as a missionary, and traveling the world with a backpack and a squad of 40 lunatics for Jesus.

I’m learning to appreciate the little things in life.
I’m finding contentment with my lot, my today.

I make jokes, watch bugs, and I’m good with commas.
I’m still a goofy weirdo.


The difference is that God’s word is sweet as dessert to me. I crave it. I love it. In His Word, He reveals to me why His plans are better, His ways are higher, and His timing is flawless. I truly trust Him. I humbly submit.
 

“Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.” Ps 107:15-16

It’s a good day to be free!
 

God bless yall! I miss yall. Can’t wait to see your faces, and hug you again. Pray for me, as I’m in a spiritually dark country, boldly bringing light.

 

Faithfully His,

Helena

25 Lessons I've Learned in 25 Years

Simple and straight-forward enough. I just had my quarter century birthday on the 12th of April :) I'm aging remarkably slowly, so I'm not overly concerned.

Here are 25 extremely random things I've learned, illogically ordered.

1) There is nothing that I need that God has not already provided.

2) The food I despised the most, I now like: bananas. So anything can change :) 

3) Hammocks are the most efficient furnishing.

4) There is a "right way" to eat a mango without a knife.

5) The fetal position is the safest way to roll down a mountain.

6) All eyes are on you when you stumble, so get ready to preach in the pit.

7) Laughter really is the best medicine. Joy heals. Praise binds wounds.

8) God actively restores. Just look at me!

9) The only way to practice patience is to wait. It is easier to wait with headphones on, though ;)

10) It is hella hard to ignore cute puppies wrestling.

11) Cats can talk. 

12) The sixth love language is chocolate.

13) Beer before liquor, never been sicker. Oh the truth in that.

14) There are 2 kinds of people: those who bring you closer to God, and those who don't. Look at where you are, and then look at who's around you. It's not a coincidence!

15) Joy is a gift from God. No one or nothing can take it away unless you allow it.

16) There is a reason for the season. God brings us through hardships intentionally. Grow.

17) Asians don't speak Spanish, no matter how hard you try!

18) I don't have to understand something in order for it to be right.

19) Ladies: never start or end a relationship on the day before your period starts. Shoot, don't leave the house. Don't use your phone. What a wretched day!

20) Fountains are upside-down water falls. (I'm so deep!)

21) Never fall in love with a crazy person. Here's my how to blog.

22) Killing a scorpion is easier than it seems.

23) Cesteiro que faz um cesto faz um cento. Means a basket-maker who makes one basket can make 100 baskets, so if someone was able to do something one time, they have the ability to do it again and again. Careful with the basket-makers. 

24) If you know what you want, by all means, go for it. Love in action! Be brave!

25) It's not about me. It's really really not about me!