Knowing Christ's Love and Sharing Christ's Love

I am so thankful for the experience of serving in Tahoe. I can't explain enough how the Lord used the experience to help me grow in Him and grow in so many other areas of my life. It was amazing to be able to teach the preschoolers about Christ and see them grow in knowing more about him. My kids became so confident in praying out load and whenever I asked who wanted to pray tons and tons of hands would go up. One of my students really loved praying. He comes from a home where he has 2 moms, that are actually separating. Ethan is one of the most happy kids you will meet and a very energetic 4 year old boy! Whenever he prayed, he would pray, "Thank you for my mommy, my momma, my brother, and my school" It was beautiful to see that he loved talking to the Lord. When I got home from Tahoe, I received a card in the mail from Ethan's momma. It said, "Thank you for being there for Ethan during this difficult time our family is going through. I knew whenever he was at A+ he was loved and taken care of by you. Thank you for all that you have done with Ethan". It was so sweet and showed me a little glimpse of the part I got to have in Ethan's life and Ethan's family's life and how I was able to show them the love of Christ.

One of my students, had to go live with his grandparents for a little while because his mom had been scheduled long work hours and wasn't able to find sitters for her son at all the times she needed them. One day she came to A+ and she said that he wanted to talk to his teachers on the phone. It was such a good opportunity to tell him that we loved and missed him. After I talked with him on the phone, his mom was brought to tears by the way we showed that we loved her son.

My biggest goal this month was to show people the love of Christ as much as possible.I believe the biggest truth I have seen working around me this month is showing people you care as Christ cares for them. Whether it be through a little boy who rips his homework, a preschooler who throws a tantrum, a preschooler who needs an extra hand putting all his snow clothes back in his cubby, a fellow missionary (and friend) that needs prayer, or just giving someone a hug…showing people you care as Christ makes a huge difference. It brings people to tears when talking to their son on the phone, it brings them happiness to know that their children are loved and cared for, they see the difference when you care as Christ cares.

Once I began to be intentional about showing Christ love, I began to see my students showing it as well. I saw that me showing the love of Chirst has made such an impact on them. I told my preschoolers that I was leaving a couple of weeks before it was time. As I told them, I began crying when I told them that I loved them very much and would miss them so much. One of kids Hanna, said, "Ms. Kayla, I'll be praying for you" It made me cry even harder of course and was one of the sweetest things ever. They all came up to me and hugged me and told me they loved me. This showed me that they have grasped Christ love through me and they are now showing that to not only me, but others too.

This passion to show people's Christ love came from the quiet time I had in November. I had been reading through the book of Songs of Solomon. As I read, I began to even more realize the deep love that Christ has for me and that made me want to share it with others even more. After studying the book, I wrote this response to the Lord.

The intensity of the way Jesus loves me baffles my mind. HE loves me more than the pictured love in Song of Solomon. He loves me more than anyone, my family, my friends. His love is faithful and true. Even though I am a retched sinner and so unclean before him. Once I come to him he makes me clean. He washes away the past failures and sin and disobedience. He washes away my insecurities. He has eyes only for me and wants the best for me. He is for me and not against me.

You speak tenderly over me.
You seek me out
You speak praise over me as I sing praise to you.
You gave your body for me.
You statisfy my every need.
Emotionally. Spiritually, Intellectually, Physically
Therefore, I commit my life to you, my king! My heart to you! So you can move through my life, So I can wear your righteousness, feast at your table.

I surrender to your LOVE JESUS!

So as many of you know, I have been a Christian since I was a little girl, but as I have grown in my relationship with Christ, I grasp more and more how much he loves me. I know I can not fully ever grasp this concept but I do know that as much of it that I can grasp and know the better I can share that love with others. I am so thankful that I got to be apart of what the Lord is doing in Tahoe. He has shown me lately that he is in control of what He has for me next and I just need to trust in what he has in store.

I want to say thanks again to everyone who supported me on this journey through prayers, finances, love, and encouragement. Y'all are just as much a part of this as me who was there, because with out all of you supporting me while I was there I would not have been as effective for Christ! So THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! I love y'all so much!!

My amazing Tahoe Team!


And some of my amazing Tahoe kids!




"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him." -1 John 4:9

Grace and Love

Thursday and Friday this past week, I was the opening person. That means that I had to get up an hour earlier then normal and open the doors for the kids that come until their bus picks them up for school. One of the boys that come is challenging because he gets upset easily at the little things. On Thursday morning, when he came in his mom said that he had some math homework he needed to finish and said if he didn't finish he would have to come to our after school program that day. So, we worked on it for about 30 minutes and he still didn't finish it. So, he realizes that he is not done when I tell everyone they needed to line up for the bus, so he becomes very angry, cries and is upset. He runs into the corner and cries and keeps saying over and over again, "I'm not going to finish, I'm not going to finish". So, I go over to him and talk with him calmly and tell him maybe we can try and finish as we wait for the bus outside. He just yells and says, "I'm never going to finish it". I then tell him, "well, maybe since you only had a little bit left I can call your mom and tell her that it is just a little bit and see if you can take it home instead of coming to A+. This still does not help and runs back over to the table and rips up 4 pages of his homework. So, I looked up at him and said, "that was not a good choice, we will have to find a solution, you may possibly have to do your homework over again, but I'll talk to Ms. Nell and see what she thinks." He looks at me still upset and we line up and go outside and wait for the bus. As the kids climb onto the bus I tell them I love them and as the boy that ripped up his homework gets on I looked at him and said, "I still love you, even though you ripped up your homework."

The next day, his mom had him come in and apologize to me about him ripping his homework and throwing a fit. We talked about different ways for him to react when he is angry and upset. I asked his mom what she wanted to do about the homework and she said she just wanted him to show the ripped up one to his teacher at school.

As, I began thinking about this situation. I realized how much this reflects our Heavenly Father's love for us is and his grace. I realized that many times in life I get upset and angry and make bad decisions. Yet, the Lord still loves me even though I do it and he gives me grace just as this child's mother did in not making him redo is homework. It made me think how many times have cried and got upset and Christ is right there in the corner with me telling me it is going to be ok. He tells me he still loves me even when I mess up. It was neat to see how God used this situation to remind me of his grace in a practical way. I understand God's grace and I know it is there and his love is there, but it was neat to see it in this situation.

Just thought I would share this with y'all.

It has been eventful since the last time I posted. This weekend we have gotten a lot of snow already. I shoveled for the first time. I have never seen snow so fluffy and it is suppose to continue on into Tuesday. Here are some pics so far of the snow!

The snow is also a good reminder of how Christ has washed us clean!

Time sure does FLY!

It is crazy to me that right now it is November 6th? Where does the time go? I constantly ask this question to myself? I feel as though I have always asked myself this question. I guess it is just proof of the verse in James that says, Our lives are like vapors." or the Psalm I recently read, "Man is like a breath, his days are like a fleet shadow" Psalm 144:4 Man o Man. Sometimes I just don't like how fast life goes by, and sometimes it is a blessing. Right now it is bittersweet for sure. And right now the Lord is showing me how treasure every moment.

Things here in Tahoe are going so great. I love my preschoolers so much. They give the best hugs. They say the funniest things. They are so silly and goofy. I never thought I would love teaching preschool so much. God has confirmed to me so much while I have been here that teaching is my calling. What a comfort to know what the Lord wants me to do. I felt this while I student taught in college, but now I know without a shadow of a doubt that I am going to be teaching in some sort of way for the rest of my life. Does this involve the international mission field? The more I pray, the more I feel led to missions overseas. But the Lord has also showed me the beauty of missions here in the states.

Just here in Tahoe lately I have seen the Lord working in some awesome ways.

**One of my students is a from a single parent home. His mother is trying her best to make their finances stretch and fit all their needs. She told her son, whose in my class, not to worry. He said, "I know mommy God is always with us" she said how do you know this, and he replied, "My teacher Ms. Kayla told me".
It was so awesome to hear that God is working in this family through one of my precious preschoolers.

**Another one of my students told her parents that they had to go out on a date because she wanted to go to Parent's Night out which is a program we do once a month on Friday nights from 6-10 so parents can have a night out to do whatever they want without their kids. Who knows how much that could have blessed that couple to spend a night out with each other?

**This past Friday we had Parent's Night Out. The past 2 times I worked downstairs (with prek-6th grade) and parents came and told me how appreciative they were that we had this for them. This past Friday I worked upstairs with newborns to 3 years old. I also received the same feedback from the parents. You could tell when they came to pick up their kids they were refreshed and so happy.

**We also had a big Halloween Party last week for the kids. There were games, bounce house, piñatas, and a haunted house. We had over 100 kids come and it was a blast. Parents were also so appreciative of this party and it was such a great time.

**Each and everyday I am blown away by the love the kids give me. It is awesome to be able to love them back and show them Christ. I love them so much and am going to miss them when I leave here next month.

**My team had a blessed time visiting San Fran. I was able to see the Golden Gate Bridge, Step in the Pacific Ocean, See the Full House Houses, tour Alcatraz, ride the street cars and just have a good time fellowshipping with my team! It was a wonderful time where we got to know each other better and get a great change in scenery!

I know God has big ministry plans for me at home. That is something that he has also been showing me. Is how I can serve him wherever I am at. So often we get mission focused as it being somewhere far away. But I know that my mission will not stop when I get home. I am a missionary here in Tahoe City, CA and I will be a missionary in Acworth, GA too.

Currently, the Lord has been showing me so much as I study the life of King David. It has been beautiful to see what the Lord did through him because he was a man after God's own heart. Yes, he messed up, but he Loved the Lord with all his heart, soul, and mind as He calls us to do. And in return the Lord greatly blessed him. As I am reading David's life in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles, I have been also reading the Psalms he wrote during his life. It is amazing to me how he never ceases to praise the Lord in all his circumstances.

"I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Everyday I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise his greatness no one can fathom." Psalm 145:5

So I have enjoyed reading these Psalms and praising the Lord as I read.

Here are some pics of my amazing Tahoe Times and I hope that in each picture you can see the beauty of what the Lord is doing here...

It's the little things that matter the most

Being here in Tahoe and working with preschoolers all day is draining at times, but recently I have realized what gets me through my days...It's the little things that matter the most...for example

*Waking up a little bit earlier everyday to spend time with my creator. When I do this the whole day is better. My perspective is better, my attitude is that of Christ Jesus, and I love as He Loves.

*Telling people how much you care about them and love them. Whether it be my students, teammates, supervisors, the parents of my kids, anyone that I come in contact with. This makes a big deal into relationships. I have one parent who is a single mom. She is struggling being firm with her son and disciplining him. This week, I sat down with her and just had a conversation about him not eating his lunch. At the end of the conversation she told me, "Thank you for caring so much for him and showing your concern. It means a lot." I never realized that a simple conversation like that would show that, but it did and the Lord used it.

*Spending time with people is vital to building relationships. This seems like a no brainer right? Well, what I had to learn was that even though I live with my teammates doesn't mean that we shouldn't spend quality time together. Last weekend me and four others on my team and one of the ladies from the church went and saw the Big Trees (the redwoods and sequoias). It was a 4 hour road trip to them and I can't tell you fun it was! Just to be with them out of the church setting and see everyone open up and be themselves. I also really got to know the lady from the church (who graciously took us) in a different way. The Big Trees were so amazing! I highly suggest you seeing them if you get the chance!

*Be real with people and they will be real with you. I have seen that once I reveal who I am and what I am going through with others they will do the same. I had my personal conference this week and found out that once I was real with my supervisor she was real with me and now we are closer and understand each other better. Same with others on the team, asking them how they are is important, but it is essential to tell them how you really are doing in order to help them through what they are going through too.

Speaking of the little things it amazing how much 4 year olds get enthralled over something that us as adults would never think twice of. My kids found a bush on the playground it seems to be the home of some caterpillars. These kids have absolutely fallin in love with these caterpillars. They have become our class pets. The first day they found them they were so excited and then a week later they were just as excited about them. I read them the Very Hungry Caterpillar and have been teaching them about bugs and living things through these caterpillars and they are having a blast because they are in love with them. I love building on their interest and I am having a blast as well.

We have also had community helpers week this week. We had several different community helpers come and talk to the kids and the kids got to experience some of what it would be like to be that community helper. It was a fun fun week!

Here are some pictures of the exciting things that have happened these past couple weeks:

The visit to the Big Trees:








My kids and their caterpillars







Community Helpers Week

Laughing til my ABS hurt!

Today has been such a wonderful day. It is awesome how me being human and waking up tired and cranking can be turned around in the blink of an eye by my awesome children in my class. I woke up tired from crying before bed about my dog passing. Yes, I know he is just a dog and way worse things could be happening to me, I know this because there are people in my life going through way worse...but it was still a hard night thinking about all the memories and how much I loved him and what a great dog he was to my family. He was a part of my family and he will be greatly missed.

Anyways, back to my children and all the Lord is doing here in Tahoe. I most say some days have been craaaazy and difficult, having 20 4 year olds from 8:45-5:30 every day is a challenge but such a blessing. I love my kids each and every one of them. When they walk in the door my whole tiredness goes away and I am ready to spend the day with them. This morning I spent the free choice play time reading with 2 of my girls. It was a precious time...I love reading with just one or two and being able to love on them in that way. My kids constantly crack me up. They do the funniest things and say the most hilarious things. It has now been 4 weeks and they seem to be getting used to the routine and mine and CA's expectations. So, it is getting less crazy day by day. Today though I realized how much I can just stand back and watch them and enjoy them. Especially when they are playing. It is awesome to see them learning through play. They have the best imaginations. I loved buying ice cream for 200 dollars the other day. Today, I laughed until my abs hurt on the play ground at one of my boys who wear too big of shorts and had to run around holding them up while he played(you had to be there I think to laugh as hard as I did). I realized that I am loving getting to know them, their likes, their dislikes, their hangups. I am so glad the first few weeks are over and I am beginning to truly know the kids and the parents. The parents are trusting me more and more each day. They are staying to talk and also asking for me to babysit. The Lord is showing me through the little moments that I am exactly where I should be right now at this time.

My team has been wonderful. We are praying for each other, laughing with each other and just chilling with each other. It has been awesome to get to know them and what the Lord has placed on their hearts.

Fun things I have done so far in Tahoe besides teaching of course:
*Boat Riding to Emerald Bay and hiking the Island to the Tea House
*Hiking up to a beautiful cross (much easier hike then the one in Peru)
*Boat Riding and getting to Wake Board on Lake Tahoe. (had to wear a wet suit cause the water was so cold) SO fun though!!
*Seeing a bear! Saw a bear up in the tree right outside the school/church. Got to take my kids to look at it.
*Went to the Balloon Race in Reno. Watched over 100 hot air balloons fly in the air.
*Celebrated my 22nd Bday here and got 2 cakes!

God is great! He is doing awesome things here...be in prayer that the relationships we are building with our kids and families will bring opportunities to minister to them.

"I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in his unfailing love for ever and ever. I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints." Psalm 52:8-10

Here are some pics, there are more on facebook!

The class


Seeing the Bear

Love.

I am so in love. I am first and foremost in love with my Lord and Savior, each day he shows me something that makes me love him even more, and what is really cool is that his love for me is never changing and always consistent as well. I am in love with Tahoe already. It is so beautiful how could I not be, but also the people are so awesome too. They have their own uniqueness and personalities. I love my preschoolers. There is just something about a little hug from a four year old that makes me know that I am exactly where God wants me to be. I love teaching. It is awesome to see the light bulb click on or a kid grasp something they never knew. I love my team. We are always laughing and supporting each other.

So, yes I love life right now. How could I not?

The past week and half has been wonderful so far. I have seen the power of serving already and how much it makes an impact for the Lord and others. Whether it is cleaning a toilet or teaching a kid their days of the week, serving the Lord is my passion. I have realized that through out the day no matter what I am doing, I am serving Him and how impactful that can be.


The Lord is shaping and molding me as well. I have been reading Radical and have been so challenged by it. It is amazing how he puts the words of the Lord in a context that make them stick out. I have learned how easy it is to read things in the Bible and just skim them instead of taking them to heart, and changing my life due to them. God calls us to be Radical and the majority of the time that means living life way different then world and often the "American Dream" lifestyle. I have been challenged and encouraged that serving the Lord in Tahoe is a way that my life is being Radical before the Lord. I want to continue to live a Radical Life for Him until He returns or takes me home.

I am so thankful for encouraging friends and family in my life. Thanks so much for all you do. Continue to pray for Tahoe City, my kids, and opportunities to arise to minister.

Some exciting things that happened this past week---
*Taking kids from prek-6th grade to the beach on Lake Tahoe
*Taking kids from prek-6th grade on a hike up a mountain over looking Lake Tahoe and eating a sack lunch and enjoying the view.
*Bonding with my team as we drove around the lake and hung out.
*Spending time with some awesome adult ladies from GA who came and helped out here for a week. They were such an encouragement and support
*Having church service outside has been so awesome!
*Hiking up to a cross with my team and looking at the view!
*Teaching pre-k! I love my kids already!
Love y'all so much!

Tahoe Time: T minus 9 Hours!

Tahoe time is now T minus 9 hours! In just 9 hours I will be boarding a plane to Phoenix and then to Reno. In Reno, I then drive 1 hour to Tahoe City, CA!

It is incredible where the Lord has taken me and the plans He has sat out ahead. It has been so awesome to just let Him have complete control. I can't wait to see what He does in Tahoe. I can't wait to see my pre-k students and start learning who they are and teaching them! I can't wait for all the opportunities that the Lord has lined up for me!!

It has been a wonderful last couple days here at home. I got to be apart of a great church service on Sunday and spend time with friends there who greatly encouraged me. I got to talk to my grandparents and aunt on the phone which was so encouraging. I got to spend time with the girls from Peru, which was much needed. I think we had another debriefing and encouraged each other. I also got to spend time with my three best friends from high school. I am so excited to see where the Lord leads each of them this year and it was a wonderful time of encouragement as well. I also got to spend time with my fantastic family. I enjoyed swimming at the pool with my niece today, holding my new born nephew, and hanging out with my mom, dad, brother and sister in law. I am truly blessed with an amazing support system. Of course as you read that you read the word encouraging a lot and that is what you all are to me! So Encouraging and supportive and I am so thankful! I am so thankful for your words of encouragement, support and most of all prayers!

I have also just started reading the book Radical by David Platt. It has already challenged me so much! But, I wanted to share this quote from the book. It really stuck out to me and made me see the blessing I have in my family/friends and the richness of my calling. How my family/friends and my calling gives my life the meaning that Christ calls us to have:

"Our meaning is found in community and our life is found in giving ourselves for the sake of others in the church, among the lost, and among the poor."

This really stuck out to me because I have seen such a value in the community the Lord has given me and the calling he has given me to serve others.

Well, as I have told many of you I am going to keep this blog updated as much as possible. Hopefully once a week if things don't get too crazy! I am so excited and I can't wait to see all the Lord does.

This is my prayer for my community (family and friends):

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:14-21