Reflection

Our team had a chance this week to go to Siem Reap. It was a chance for us to have a couple of days off, spend some fun time together, and reflect on the last six weeks. We were able to go to a few restaurants, relax, participate in a fish massage (fish eating the dead skin off your feet), and my personal favorite, shopping until we dropped, at the night market. I had such an amazing time with my team in Siem Reap, but the most meaningful has been the epiphany that god has given me of how deep and intimate my relationship with Him has become. In such a short six weeks He's grown me leaps and bounds that I never thought were possible. I am able to hear his voice, encourage 13 other wonderful women everyday with things He has spoken to me, and mold my character into the godly woman He wants me to become. 

    This summer before I headed off to Cambodia one of the desires in my heart was to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I wanted it not only to fulfill God's plan for my life, being credentialed to pursue missions, but to also be closer to Him.  After a few times of going to my home church with the worship music playing and trying to figure out how I was suppose to make it happen, I honestly gave up. I knew it was something God could do in my life, but what I didn't realize is my heart wasn't in the right place. I wanted it, but I wasn't truly worshiping God like I needed to. I know I wanted it more Our team had a chance this week to go to Siem Reap. It was a chance for us to have a couple of days off, spend some fun time together, and reflect on the last six weeks. We were able to go to a few restaurants, relax, participate in a fish massage (fish eating the dead skin off your feet) and my personal favorite shopping until we dropped at the night market. I had such an amazing time with my team in Siem Reap but the most meaningful has been God as truly given me an epiphany of how deep and intimate my relationship with Him has gotten. In such a short six weeks He's grown me leaps and bounds that I never thought were possible. I am able to hear his voice, encourage 13 other wonderful women everyday with things He has spoken to me, and mold my character into the godly woman He wants me to become. 

    This summer before I headed off to Cambodia one of the desires in my heart was to be filled with the holy spirit. I wanted it not only to fulfill God's plan for my life being  to credentialed to pursue missions but to also be closer to Him.  After a few times of going to my home church with the worship music playing and trying to figure out how I was suppose to make it happen I honestly gave up. I knew it was something God could do in my life but what I didn't realize is my heart wasn't in the right place. I wanted it but I wasn't truly worshiping God like I needed to. I know I wanted it more to complete schooling then to really pursue a deeper relationship with Christ. 

     The girls and I had a worship time together one night in Siem Reap and God showed up like I never expected. I was listening to one of the songs being played on an I-pod and I felt him like I never have before. I got to the point where I was truly in the heart of worship honestly thanking Him over and over for everything he had done for me in the last six weeks. I know I got to the point of really being in love with God and worshiping him with a pure heart. Before I knew it God's presence came over me and I was experiencing the most intimate moment I have ever had with him being filled with the holy spirit. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I was able to experience God in this way because my heart had come to a pure place; just thanking the Lord for all He had done in my life with no other motives in mind. I can honestly say I am completely on fire for him and have a new love for my Lord like I have never known. He has shown me the exceptional amount of growth a person can achieve in six weeks and I am so thankful. It hasn't been easy at all to get to the point I'm at but it has been worth it. Through my experience, as you have a pure heart and a desire to grow closer to him you are unstoppable. God will move mountains in your life, give you a deeper faith in him, and use you in ways you never thought were possible. If only I had truly realized within the first twenty-two years of my life that if I make the first few steps towards him He will run towards me. So I challenge you wherever you are in your relationship with God at this moment press into him and he will show up and things will happen in your life you never imagined were possible.