All in the Family

Its the week after Christmas and I'm full of stories! This has truly been one the best Christmas' ever.

God is really working in my family's life. Like any family we are not perfect by any means. I've stated before my intermediate family is not really in church any longer, but I can honestly say they still love God. They have a funny way of showing it, but nevertheless I'm still convinced they do. Especially after this Christmas.

Saturday my Grandma took us older grandchildren shopping, my two sisters my cousin Megan and I. On this little trip my cousin opened up about how hard life is now. See, she recently moved out and is living a life she knows she shouldn't be and now she is starting to regret some decisions and is wanting to make something of her life, which got us on a great conversation about how bringing God back in her life would help that and I really think it gave her hope!

Christmas was Sunday. The Tuesday after we had a family dinner, everyone was there and we were having one of our good ole' family "discussions". This one started out on woman in ministry, which got me worked up lol and somehow led into hounding my sister about why she was moving.

My sister is 17 and has decided to move out of my parents house to live with her biological grandma. I have two little sisters who were adopted. One when she was 3 and the other was 5. The one that was 5 remembers a lot from her childhood, before she came to us. So, my guess is she wanted to get to know her grandma a little better. With that being said everyone in our family is a little confused about her plans, if she has any at all. So, there was some discussion about that and it really got my sister and mom to open up about some stuff they have been dealing with, which was really good for them. My uncle started talking to them about how God can help them and my Great Grandma suggested we prayed. So, we did and God's presence was there. It was something my family really needed and God once again showed me that he is in complete control. Rachel afterwards said she felt lighter and at more peace...which I answered ...

THAT'S JESUS!

OK, 3rd and last story! So, I went to Colorado ( I mentioned this in the last blog) with a group of a few amazing young people. One of which I got a little closer with then I thought I was going to. I'm always cautious about saying anything about my "love life" on my blog because God knows that can change...a lot and it is no ones business, but this is an exception... I really like him!! hahaha Anyway Thursday night he came over and met most of the family. They loved him, which is a miracle and it means a lot to me for them to like him. He liked them also. Said he felt right at home. I'm really excited to see what God has in store for us.

So, there is my Christmas .... like I said one of my best<3

Love my family and so happy that God is in control:)

Colorado {Dec. 14th - 21st, 2011}

So a couple weeks ago I was asked if I wanted to go on an all expense paid, home missions trip to Colorado! Sounds intriguing, right? ....So, I said yes! The week before I was dreading it. Going to Colorado sounded like fun, but going with the people that was going...not so much! But I think it was God's will for me to go because I tried making other plans and they fell through.

So, here I am in Greeley, Colorado! We came in Wednesday night really late and the family was automatically warm and welcoming, which made me feel more comfortable. Thursday night church was scheduled. I was teaching Sunday school. We did puppets and taught our lesson on "God is Bigger"!

Friday we helped set up for their daughters graduation and that night we had another service! Johnnie preached on "We are people of the Name" ....Good stuff!

Saturday we helped with the graduation, which wasn't a big deal at all, but they were so grateful. That night they found out I could sing and play....

So, Sunday I sang and played the piano, but Sunday was fantastic. I taught the little kiddos about Jesus being the Reason for the Season. They are so precious. That afternoon we went to a smaller home missions church about an hour away. They found out I felt called to preach...so I preached on "Worshiping instead of Worrying" and Nate preached on "The Power of Magnification" and Johnnie preached on "God's Presence Identifies Us". All great and Bro. Cabrerra was so grateful, but honestly he blessed us. As did the Kiwimagi's! It just grew my love and desire to help small churches. They are so important. They're set in these remote area's where churches are so needed and they have such an opportunity to reach that city. I'm so privileged to be a part of this trip ...and I don't regret coming at all:D

......and I grew more fond of the people that came too lol

Mark 9:35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

Love,

Ally