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?

Tentative Christmas Wish List

Christmas is just around the corner...well it's around the corner, and then you have to walk about a mile, to the left... but who cares about specifics, right? Christmas is coming.

I thought it'd be fun to write my tentative wish list!

Before I get started, I want to emphasize that 1) my love language is physical touch, not gifts, so I'd much rather have a hug and a visit than stuff. 2) I can fit all my belongings in my car (and I'm glad) so don't judge me!

Ahem.

1) E-reader, preferably a Nook (and my mom is giving me hers that she never uses, so CHECK!)
2) A straightener to tame the mane (mine died in April, sad sad day!).
3) A gun. It's just weird not to own something I can shoot with... I sold my shotgun before the trip.
4) Mascara.
5) A new case for my phone, because the one I have now is torn to shreds because I fiddle with it too much.
6) Car insurance ahahaha.
7) Unlimited Starbucks would be nice... but heaven will have fountains of salted caramel frappuccino.
8) A job would be awesome. A fax from Jesus with my 2-year plan would be even more awesome!
9) Acceptance letter from grad school would be supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
10) An external hard drive.
11) A cat? No... I can't have a cat. But pray that I can have a cat soon.

Okay that's all I have :) Making this list was probably more for my benefit, but I guess it's alright once in a while to blog like this, eh? Gives you a glimpse into my brain.

Thanks for stopping by and you stay classy! 

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

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 :)