2008 is coming to an end

2008 is coming to an end. Here is my year in pictures...

Me and Sanctus Real at the Battle of the Bands 2008

Ella, me and Katie...My girls:)

Me, Mrs. Molly and Ella at the Buddy Walk 2008

Alaska Summer Mission Trip

Me and Jennifer Hooks (my cousin) we both traveled to Alaska to meet each other. lol.

Light the Night group. Walking for Jordan Jackson


Top 25

me and britt modeling

Believing...

So recently I’ve been thinking about this coming school year…about how I can make a difference and how I can make this year count. I want this year to count. I want to make a difference and I know and believe with my whole heart that God is going to do some amazing things this year. This time next year I believe I will be sitting here saying…God, WOW! Look at all you’ve done and their won’t be a doubt in this world that God didn’t do it…b/c their will be no other explainable way! So in June I went to Student Life a conference for teenagers in Myrtle Beach, SC the last night the speaker spoke about how we needed to live our lives for Christ. I was really broken about sharing with others about Christ. My best friend and I were both crying and she got up to pray with our youth pastor and she came back and I sat down to give her a hug and she looked and me and said, “are you ready?” and I was like “yea, I’m ready” It was an amazing moment…I’ve realized recently how blessed I truly am I normally say that I’m blessed but to have a family that supports me, a church family who supports me, a God who says just say Yes to my calling and I’ll do the rest, I’ll provide, keep you safe and give you a testimony so when people here it they say hey that was God! He gave me the best friend a girl could ask for. Not only do we get along and have shared many many many years of friendship together but we have grown spiritually together! We have had many tears shared through this journey we have both survived mission trips from home & supported each other through it all. God is good. When we just believe things begin to happen that are unexplainable to man but explainable to the people of God!

My Story from this summer.
In January my best friend and I began praying about what summer missions trip we should take. I thought I had found what I was going to do this summer…s o I began praying and my parents were praying and this was something I wanted to do, not something necessarily that He wanted me to do. So after some stubbornness on my part I decided that I wasn’t listening to God so I looked at Brio’s mission trip but most of the dates had passed by and the money was due soon…things didn’t fall into place but still I felt as though God was calling me somewhere then I heard about the annual mission trip to Kotzebue, Alaska with some local churches so I e-mailed the missionary in Kotzebue and he got me in contact with the pastor at home that was heading it up…things began falling into place…this was where HE wanted me to go! I’m a planner by heart but…I never worried about where the money would come from or what my parents would say somehow I had a peace that He was taking care of it all. July 1st I boarded my first plane to guess where?? Kotzebue, Alaska I was on my way…God provided and still provides!

Do we have that childlike faith that He will provide when we say Lord hear I am send me….Do we really give it all to him and BELIEVE with our hearts that it will happen…I do…I’m proof that when we believe and give it all up…its so much better!

God,
“Here I am, Send me.” Send me this year to where you want me to go. I believe that this year you will change me, you will change our school & our community. Lord, help me to believe and follow your will. We can do all things through you. Give us the strength this year and use us…but Lord next summer let it be all about you … help everyone to realize and see that this past year wasn’t about us but that You did it all!

Helen Mission Trip

So i'm back! This past week (Wednesday through monday) we were in Helen, Georgia on a mission trip. We held Day Camps for Kids, did service projects such as: cleaning the river in Helen & washing windows in Downtown Helen, praying for the store owners and then paricipating in drama and music at the Georgia State Fair, Mountain Lakes evening program & a local church in Cleveland. We had a blast! 50 students and adults went to serve the Lord...My prayer is that we change! We have the ability to change the heart to change and a GOD who wants to change us and make us HIS! So my prayer is that we allow Him to do so...pictures coming soon!

Alaska Missions..What a week!

On Tuesday July 1, 2008 I left for a 9 day mission trip to Kotzebue, Alaska. I could have never prepared myself for what I would see, hear or do while I was there. I had the most amazing team ever and we got along great, I learned about everyone and how many of us had the same stories of how we got to go on the mission trip. God wanted us each there, thats for sure. I have no doubt looking back that He planned it all out. From 7 of us missing our flight in Ancourage to being without power for nearly 8 hours and the wind on the 4th of July. God had it all planned out. We filled 576 buckets with new bibles, cds, toothrbrushes, toothpaste, chapstick and lotion & nearly 340 kids bags full of toothbrushes, chapstick, lotion, coloring books & crayons and toys. We had so much fun giving these things for FREE (These things that the First Baptist Church of Kotzebue sponsors are the only things given out for free), We painted hundreds of faces & gave out nearly 1,000 sno-cones and only stopped when we ran out of ice...yes we were very disappointed. I got tosee God's beauty everyday and lived for each morning that I got up to see the ocean and the mountains! God is so good. Our first day of crafts and games for kids we had 15 kids (which was a great turnout) But God couldn't have prepared me for what happened next. The next day (sunday) i went upstairs to help Matt & Tammy Hoke (the associate pastor and his wife) do Kids Club for K-5th graders and we had 29 kids and then Monday we did our second day of Crafts and games and had 33 kids at the church and 4 walk up when we were playing games making a total of 37kids!!! Wow! Isn't God simply amazing. But what is more amazing is what i learned this past week. God is great for one thing. One night I sat down in John Forresters living room just listening to him tell story after story of how he baptized a lady in September in the Arctic Ocean and how they were reaching out to certain people in the community. When a grown man cries when telling stories of how $50,000 that it took them to get there...its all worth it to him and he will tell you Hes exactly where God wants him to be. You know God is there amongst the people...amongst the friendships that the missionaries are making and the many stories of how God has done some amazing things. It gives us hope! While I was there I was listening to my MP3 and heard this song by: Audio Adrenaline
Hands & Feet
An image flashed across my TV screenAnother broken heart comes into viewI saw the pain, and I turned my backWhy can't I do the things I want to?I am willing yet I'm so afraidYou give me strengthWhen I say{chorus}:I wanna be Your handsI wanna be Your feetI'll go where You send meI'll go where You send meI'll be Your handsI'll be Your feetI'll go where You send meI'll go where You send meAnd I try, yeah I tryTo touch the world like You touched my lifeAn I'll find my wayTo be Your handsI've abandoned every selfish thoughtI've surrender everything I've gotYou can have everything I amAnd perfect everything I'm notI am willing, I'm not afraidYou give me strengthWhen I say...This is the last timeI turn my back on YouFrom now on I'll go outSend me where You want me toI finally have a missionI promise I'll completeI don't need excusesWhen I am Your hands and feetI am Your hands and feet
This song made me realize what a urgency it is for us to work in mission and do missions. But missions aren't all about traveling to Alaska or Mississippi or going and building someones home but missions can be in our homes, schools, neighborhoods and churches too.
So this year I've committed to being the Hands and Feet of Christ. Who will join me on this journey? I'm not sure but if you will commit to being the Hands and Feet of Christ please leave comments.
God is good & Holy & Deserves all of our Honor, Glory & Praise!
Lets be His HANDS & FEET!

**ALASKA PICTURES BELOW~~CHECK THEM OUT & LEAVE COMMENTS**

More Pictures from Alaska. Thanks for your prayers and support. God is good. Please continue to pray for John and Terri Forrester & John Mark their son & also for Matt & Tammy Hoke and their 3 kids as they continue to minister in Kotzebue Alaska. Also pray for the other missionaries in the small villages of Alaska. May God get all Glory!
The buckets...we put bibles, cds, toothbrushes, toothpaste and other things in these buckets...we made 576 buckets and 340 kids bags. all handed out for Free!
Our group leaving in Savannah, Georgia

me & emily, megan and brenton
the youth of Kotzebue Baptist Church

2 little girls after we painted their facing during the 4th of July festivities

Me & Bethany
Me in Ancourage
from the plane...white snowcap mountains!
Ancourage
Gods beautiful Creation

The kids from Kids Club & Me
Standing on Snow July 7, 2008
Me Standing on Tundra
Teaching Jesus Loves me to the kids...they wanted to do this song over and over!
33 kids on the second day of Crafts and Games

the first day of crafts and games 15 kids!
Polar Plungers
me & this adorable little girl
Gods creation!
Me & my distant cousin Jennifer (shes a summer missionary in Alaska)

Some pictures of Alaska for you to enjoy: This picture was taken at midnight (Above)
The ladies in front of Baleen (the black stuff on the wall)
me fishing
Mrs. Chris, Emily, Brenton, me, Nikki, & Megan
Me and this adorable little girl

I'm Home...

Hey everyone!

I'm home i got home around 9:00 tonight. God has been awesome & its been an amazing ride...i've been talking nonstop since i got home and their are MANY MANY more stories to come. Thanks to each of you who have been in prayer for our safety. It was been an amazing ride. We arrived back in the lower 48 as you will here me refer to it on Wednesday and then made our way to Fort walton Beach (well me and nathan) to meet some middle schoolers for Super Wow Camp. Wow what a fantastic camp!
God is doing some amazing things...so Lord i'm here, i'm ready, send me where you please and because you said so i'll go!

Helen in a few days....

Memories...

so we are headed home tomarrow. we had 36 kids today in our crafts and games time...memories made...times shared together...late nights...people....stories...native dress...Karaboo...Moose...tundra...snow...All a new experience that will last a lifetime & a new family that i now have!!! God is good all the time...he knows that we were going to be here. He put people in our paths and have given us this group of 19 people to share this experience with!

Thanks for your prayers and support!

Keep em' coming.

Headed home toamrrow

Stephanie

A New Day of Firsts...

A day of firsts...i ate karabo, moose, halibit, sheefish, i LOVEd the moose. I stepped on snow on July 7, 2008. We had a wonderful day...We had church with the people this morning. Matt gave the sunday school lesson then Bro. Paul preached this morning & then Bro. George preached tonight. Kids Club was from 4-6 today then at 7 we had night church. They had 29 children in attendance and 13 brand new kids. We've had so much fun! Tonight i walked on snow on July 7, 2008. It was sooo much fun. I also walked on tundra! Anyways. i will be heading home in a few days...but its so beautiful up here. Thanks for the prayers and support.

Stephanie

Alvin!!!!

yep, So this was the saying of today. Alvin was what we called all afternoon when we had the kids for crafts and games...He kept getting away. We had TONS of fun with the kids & it was fun to see them smile & see how blessed we truly are! Its beautiful up here...i wish you all could see it....but pictures will have to do! I offically became apart of the Polar Bear Club at approx. 8:00pm when i went under with 6 others. These people have become part of my family. Its fun to see the inside jokes and friendships come to life!

More to come...keep reading & praying!

I swimming in the Arctic Tomarrow...

Yep. Thats right exactly what i said...i'm going swimming in the arctic tomarrow! This afternoon was fun we saw snow mobiles race across the arctice waters and got to see the native Eskimo games this evening. They competed in various areas and we got to see native dance too. One guy kicked a ball looking thing above 9 ft by running, kicking the ball with one foot and landing on the same foot that you cooked the ball with. It was so cool & i have LOTS of pictures!

I'm staying up tonight to see the sun go down for about 20 min. behind the mountains...and Yep, thats right i'm going to swimming tomarrow in the Arctic!!! Yay!

Thanks for your prayers, keepem' coming!

Stephanie

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th Everyone!

This morning we talked about how its so great that we have freedom in Jesus! I am loving every minute of it. First thing this morning we saw the parade...the threw out lots of goodies & GOOD candy too..not the cheap candy we have. then, Today we have been painting faces, making snocones, passing out buckets & kids bags & chapstick, toothbrushes, soaps, etc. & making balloon animals! We had a blast & i even made a full face flower & butterfly & spider man too! We passed out all of the buckets & bags in only a few hours! We got to meet many people & faces. The kids are so precious. Later this afternoon we will head out to see the Eskimo games & the snow mobile races across the water! So Today has been very busy, fun, exhausting & God is everywhere...the view is Beautiful..& my pictures will not do justice once i arrive home but they will have to do.

Have a great 4th of July

But a few prayer requests before i head out...

-one of our team memebers is sick..please pray for her healing
-please pray for us as we do our 'childrens' days (sat. & mon.)
- please pray for continued safety & good health
-pray for Gods will to be done

Oh yea i had my first fryed snickers today! (YUM YUM)

Thanks for checking in...leave comments please!

Stephanie Deal

I stepped in the Arctic Ocean!

Hey Guys.
Today was a beautiful day here in Kotzebue! I love it! the weather was wonderful. I was in short sleeves and jeans. The clouds looked gorgeous over the mountains & ocean. The associate pastors kids are so cute & we've been hunting rocks today besdie the ocean. memories made:) i saw my first seal (sry mom it was dead) in the ocean and also my first caraboo (it was a baby & also dead) i also saw what they call toe biters their ocean little creatures. So God has been good. we recieved 'Mail' today from some people back home. Thank you mrs. lisa for your letter! We appreciate all of your prayers...oh yea mom i bought the most beautiful hand made picture frame. Lots of pics...but you'll have to wait til i return home.

Love you all, Thanks for your prayers

oh yea 567 big buckets & 240 kids bags for tomarrows 4th of july celebrations!

Please continue to pray for great weather & health, for the 4th of July festivities tomarrow & for the people of Kotzebue that we've met. Also pray for my family....b/c my team has become a family!

Thanks for checking in...leave comments
Stephanie Deal

Us waiting on the bus this is about 9:00pm at night.

In Kotzebue...

Hey Everyone,

I am offically in Kotzebue. It is 9:35pm right now Kotzebue Time. When i have time i'll share a few pictures...it will probably be later on though! So today has been interesting. We arrived at the airport at 5:00am to check in for a flight at 6:00am and we missed our flight. Yep 7 of the group of 19 missed our flight. So we rescheduled our flight & headed to Ancourage to do some sight seeing. So we had a fun time. Arrived in Kotzebue about 7:45pm tonight. We are very blessed with safe travels & great plane rides. The sky is beautiful...their is still ice in the waters up here..but the children are swimming away! Tomarrow is a full day of work & fun & new memories!

Thanks for your prayers & continuous support...just keep praying....we can feel them.

Stephanie

In Atlanta...

Hey guys. I'm in Atlanta right now its currently 12:07pm & we are sitting her waiting on our flight. we head out around 2:00pm from here and will be on an 8 hour flight to Alaska. Thanks for your prayers! I survived my first plane ride! Thanks again for your prayers & support...keep praying! I'll update again soon.

Stephanie Deal

please continue to pray for safety travels. Good health. Easy plane rides.

Leaving on Tuesday...

I just wanted to update you before i left for Alaska. I leave this coming Tuesday, July 1st from the Savannah Airport leaving around 9:15 in the morning. Arriving in Atlanta. 4 hour layover then 8 hour plan ride to Ancourage. 12 hour layover in Ancourage then July 2nd we head to Kotzebue Alaska. While we are there we will be doing a day of games with the children. A day of crafts with the children. Participate in their 4th of July festivities & help in the remodeling of their church. Thank you all so much already for your prayers and support through the many months of planning. You will never know how much this means to me! Thank you thank you thank you for your support!

A few prayer requset:
-Safe traveling mercies
-Good health for our team
-for our luggage to arrive with us
-for our hearts to be open
-that in all we say and do that we will bring glory to God
-that the people of Kotzebue would be open to the word


Heres a list of the team that i am traveling with:
KayCAndersonNikki BerryNathan CarpenterRonaldLCox, Jr.StephanieLDealWileneRDickeyDeborahCEdwardsKristy SGarnerJamesFGarner, IIIBrianRHoltBonnieDHowardSandra JeffriesReneeNMcKenziePaul MooreChristineOOglesbyBarbaraDPabstGeorgeCPabstLynroseMParrishAnnJPrice

While i'm in Alaska i will have limited phone access but will have access to the internet. To keep everyone as informed as possible i have set up a blog it is
http://godsgirll.blogspot.com

Thank you all!

Love,
Stephanie Deal

Unity in the Body!

This morning in church we began talking about Unity & how before Jesus died He talked to His disciples leaving these words from John chapter 17 vs. 6-26
Jesus Prays for His Disciples 6"I have revealed you[a] to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. 12While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. 13"I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17Sanctify[b] them by the truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. Jesus Prays for All Believers 20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

Wow! What powerful words! So I began thinking more about unity. Dictionary.com states Unity as ‘a whole or totality as combining all its parts into one’ So shouldn’t the church (not the different buildings but the body of Believers be able to join together for the common goal? To win souls for Christ? We must live in UNITY AS THE BODY OF BELIEVERS in order to bring glory to God. We can’t have a struggle or disagreement among our brothers and sisters and still effectively witness & live for Christ. Unity within the Body of Christ allows us to reach other for HIS glory!
My pastor described it in this way…When those that are called to fish, don’t fish; they fight. We should all be fishing, that is our job in this world. We are to never give up & daily fish for lost souls by loving them & caring for them but when we are not fishing as the Lord commands, we tend to fight. That really hit me hard…how many times do I fight with my parents or my sister. Those are Brothers and sisters in Christ…& I am not effectively bringing Glory to HIM b/c I am fighting with my brothers & sisters.
So How can we become One? By praying for those that persecute us, pray for those that are sick, pray for those & thank God for those people in your life that encourage you & push you in the right direction. & never forget to Thank God for all of His blessing each day. Ask Him to bring unity to your church & to the Body of Believers. I’m praying will you join me?

First Time Blog

So this is my first Blog.

I leave for Kotzebue, Alaska in 10 days!