Shut up and Listen.

Those couple of words have so much meaning. I have spent these last few weeks being taught how to listen to god, and now that I am home that is one of the things I have to remember to do some times we get so caught up in our daily lives that we forget to take time to just listen to god.  We may pray everyday, but do we actually take the time to see what he has to tell us.  I personally have been struggling with as I have been home, I can't always figure out if it is me or God talking.  sometimes I just have to go to my room, close the door, and sit in the silence. When I open my ears and my heart to what God is telling me it is so amazing how much we can be told.  All we have to do is shut-up and listen.

Superhero or sidekick

Sidekick-a follower who accompanies another
Superhero-a hero possessing extraordinary powers

This past week I was working a kindermusic camp for kids ages 4-7, when the leader was introducing me she said that my name is Noelle can you guess when I was born.  I told the kids I was born at Christmas time, and Drew who is 6 years old said "Jesus was born at Christmas time you must be Jesus's sidekick."  I laughed so hard my side hurt.  It is so amazing how kids say some of the funniest things. 
The dictionary defines sidekick as a follower who accompanies another.  We as Christians are followers of Jesus Christ. Therefore we are his sidekicks. He is the superhero, and when we become his followers we become sidekicks.  Now that doesn't mean that we should all wear tights and our underwear on the outside, however it does mean that we should let Christ lead us in everything that we do.  We are HIS followers and he is our leader. 
  When ever we are in trouble we should use the Jesus signal and ask for help.  Even though we are not attacked by real villains we are still attacked by Satan, and that is when we use the Jesus signal(pray) for help he will come. Jesus is our strength, he is our rock, sword, and shield.

I have a voice!

Thanks for being my light, and showing me how to use my voice.

One of the things I have been learning lately is that God gave me a voice.  He gave me a voice so I could use it. There is a reason that I am not shy, or timid or even easily frightened.  When given the courage needed my voice will be a light in this dark world.  Recently while I was in bolivia I was attacked by satan with lies, I felt hopeless, unloved, I felt like I was a peice of trash.  God knew exatly what I was feeling and why, he sent one of my leaders to pray over me which helped for about 1minute.  Than I felt hopeless and like a peice of trash all over again just 10 times stronger.  I didn't want anything to do with anybody. At this point in time it was family worship time which is just where we worshiped as a family.  After we were through I really just wanted to bolt, but God had other plans he used my leader Hannah's voice to show me that what I felt was not true, it was all lies.  Through Hannah voice God was able to teach me I have one and even though I am hearing lies about myself it is my job to use my voice to find the light.



  Through knowing this I can use my voice to do what Hannah did for me, I can be the light for this dark world.



Bolivia pictures

our team flag in progress

team flag

My Bolivia teammates



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One of the kitchen ladies got me with machine oil



I taught some of the Bolivia children how to make fish faces

this is what greeted me when i came home

learning through watching

While i was in Bolivia i had the chance to learn so many things. I learned by listening and watching.  When you are leading a trip or in any leadership position be aware that you are being watched and people are learning through everything you do. 

 My leaders for Bolivia were some of the best leaders ever.  They were calm and acted in control when we were trying to get to Bolivia, even thought they were tired because they got a total of 3 hours maybe of sleep in 61 hours of traveling. When we were afraid they would help us, they would guide us and take the first step to show us it was safe.

Through there guidance my entire team grew not only in ourselves but we grew as a family.  I will never forget all that these leaders have done in my life.  They have helped shape me into the woman of God I am growing to be.