Yet another week that God has blessed me with! Thanks to all of you who continually encourage me with your comments and by telling me you read this blog. I pray that this blog not be my words but God's words of how He is working in not only my life but in those around me as well. All glory to Him forever!
The big thing that happened this week was my 17th birthday. No offense to anyone, but I FEEL OLD! I am becoming an adult all too quickly and it scares me a little bit! But it also reminds me of how short my life really is and a reminder to live for what really matters. Ha- i called my mom earlier this week and told her about all that and then i told her of how i could be married in 3 years! I think that scared her a bit but then again she and my dad got married when he was 20 and she had just turned 21! It's a little crazy to think about that but its true! NOW i better make this clear! I am not saying that because i am with anyone right now or have a 'crush' on anyone... just stating reality! :)
So yeah, my birthday was on Thursday. It was hard being away from home and getting to be with my family but God provided family here to surround me in love. Although it hurt deep when my family asked me how they were supposed to celebrate my birthday without me. To start things off, when we got to school i had a good friend walk up to me with a candle in hand and sing 'happy birthday' to me. Adriana is the girl's name and she has been an awesome friend to me since i have been in Venezuela! She is super sweet and has a gift with people- encouraging and including everyone, especially making people feel welcome! :) Then in English, my first class, my classmates and teacher threw me a little party. A few of the girls had made brownies and snickerdoodles and brought fruit drinks! YUM! :) It meant to much to me! On top of that, one of the girls in my class called her dad (who is a radio host in the mornings) and she asked him to wish me a happy birthday on the radio! HE DID and we all gathered around a stereo and listened to it! HOW COOL! :)
The rest of the day people were super sweet and made my birthday really special. In Anatomy, if you are late to class you have to get up in front and sing a song to the class. Well, one of the Korean girls named Lisa was late for class that day. For her song she sang 'Happy Birthday' to me in Korean! That was pretty sweet! Then that night Donna made some awesome skyline chili for my birthday dinner... a little reminder of home. :) After dinner Dionna asked me if i wanted to go to a lookout spot with her and talk for a bit. We went and on the way home Dionna told me we were going to go the back way. Well, i am still new here in Venezuela and come-to-find-out there is no back way home! Instead she took me to one of the girl's house from our school. Her name is Mari and she walked up and said that her grandma wanted to wish me a 'happy birthday.' Well i thought it was just another Venezuelan cutlure thing, so we walked in and then about 15 people from my school popped out and starting singing "Feliz Cumpleazaños!" Wow they got me good! i had no idea they were planning this! They made me dance latin dances (salsa and merengue). But dont worry- it was all clean and fun, just getting a taste of Venezuelan culture! I was horrible at dancing though. I was trying so hard to get the steps and then they were making fun of me becuase i would not move my hips at all! But i think i am ok with that! :) I really enjoyed the night and it was good for me to get to know some of my friends from school better. I felt like i was able to relax and laugh- which was much needed! So overall, my birthday was great and thank you for everyone who sent me a birthday message! This was definetly a birthday i will always remember!
On Saturday morning Aunt Donna took me to downtown Caracas to do a little shopping. This part of Caracas is known to be very dangerous and often you hear about people getting mugged. So Donna and I were careful in what we took and wore. I enjoyed spending some time with her and going into all the venezuelan shops! So cool! i loved seeing all the Venezuelan culture and also getting to try some new food. :) After that we went to watch Dionna play soccer. She is a BEAST at soccer and it was so much fun watching her play! She scored on a indirect kick near the goal! It was hard sitting on the sideline becasue it made me want to get out on the field and rub some shoulders with girls and kick the ball around. :) Yeah i am starting to miss soccer a bit.
This weekend has been pretty chill. Church this morning was awesome like always! :) We sang 'trading my sorrows' and 'Great is thy faithfulness' in spanish. So cool to know those songs in English. I thought of my dad for some reason singing 'Great is thy faithfulness' and just wanted him there standing beside me. :( I enjoyed talking with some friends after church and practicing some spanish. It's coming little by little- i just need to keep talking with people! I still love every minute i get to spend at the church. :)
Well I think i am finally able to pin-point what God wants to teach me: DISCIPLINE. uggggg,,, grrrrrr,,,, ouchhhhh. It hurts and its hard. But this summer i read a book about spiritual discipline and felt like i learned somethings but apparently i have a TON more to learn. For my small group at school we are reading another disciplines book. At first i was really dissapointed i had to read another discipline book beaucse i just read all this stuff. But i am seeing how much i need these things in my life. Last night as i was lying in bed reading, i heard uncle David tell Dawson, "Discipline is a daily choice..." Then i started reading my book called "Having a Mary Spirit" by Joanna Weaver, and of course, the chapter was about spiritual discipline! OK GOD! I GET IT! Ever since i came to Venezuela i started praying that God would allow me and help me grow closer to Him. I keep praying for a closer relationship with Him. Well i don't know if He could be any clearer. I NEED DISCIPLINE!
Here are a few points for the chapter i read last night that really stuck out to me:
- Without discipline and help from God you will remain the same and not grow in your faith
- We tend to want to live a life of ease rather than a life that pleases God
- the Holy Spirit is like your personal trainer and HE is WILLING to help you!
- Whenever I resist the conviction of the Holy Spirit, I am really saying no to God and yes to Satan
- When God asks, He also enables
- The battle is the LORD'S! YESS!
So this is how i grow closer to God, this is how i let go of me and cling onto Him. This is not going to be easy at all! but I am so glad i have the Creator of the Universe to help me!
Venezuela has been amazing. Although it kills me beacuse i want friends and family to experience everything with me. Words can not describle many things nor can a picture. But i hope you all get a taste of what Venezuela is like and come to love it like i do! Thanks for everyone's support and love!
In Christ Alone,
Mariah Brooke
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