Big Update!!!

Hello all!

I have been trying to write a blog over the past month on all that has been happening since my last update on moving to LA. Since then, I've served at a Revival Alliance conference, Azusa Now (a prayer and worship event that took place in LA with over 100,000 people!!), I have been working updates for Iris, helping launch a video podcast, and really settling in here. It is really wonderful how we have become family within Iris Media and love each other so well. The journey has been tough but we have been pressing on together and it makes it all the more worth it.

I have been praying for years about becoming a yoga or fitness instructor and really felt that direction from the Lord, but have been waiting on the right timing. Moving to LA, I really felt like God was speaking to me about pursing yoga and was randomly offered unlimited yoga classes for cleaning the studio twice a week! That has been a dream and I am falling in love with yoga! It has been a great escape from the busyness of internship and LA life and living with 5 other girls! I've been really able to connect with the Lord on the yoga mat and hear His voice and feel His joy and strength so powerfully.

Now the big news.... The original plan for the internship was going to Mozambique for 3 weeks. This is still the plan for most of the interns... but when my leaders heard of my heart and passion to be a missionary in Africa, it was arranged that I would stay on our base in Pemba, Mozambique for 3 months!!! I will be able to accomplish so much more for Iris Media and especially for our Stop for the One sponsorship program! There is so much happening in Mozambique with Iris and there is so much that needs to be captured on film so that God can be glorified!

I will be leaving for Mozambique in a month!! So there is a lot to get done before then! I am finishing up a video update on the drought and famine in eastern Africa which has been a lot of work because of the importance of getting the poor and the hungry fed! Then am heading off to Redding, CA to train with some Iris Media staff for filming in Africa and will also attend Bethel Church's Creative Conference! I am really believing for a lot of breakthrough in my creativity before I head out to Africa to lay my life down and truly pursue my dreams for media!

My passion for media is that it is the best way to get your message to the MASSES! And to be able to preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in Mozambique and show the world what God is doing. It is a DREAM COME TRUE! I know that this is JUST THE BEGINNING of the incredible work God is doing with me.

All I want to do is give the Lamb the reward for His suffering, all He has done for me, I want to do for Him. I will go lower still in laying my life down at the alter so that He may be glorified fully and truly in my life. He is worthy of it all. I am so in love with Him and I will go anywhere so that His Kingdom would come and His will will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

So I need a lot of miracles to get to Mozambique for 3 months this summer! PLEASE PRAY FOR ME! for

• PLANE TICKETS! 
• Traveling expenses
• Visas 
• Vaccinations 
• Supplies 
• A new computer 
• I desperately need a new computer to be able to work on videos in Mozambique. My current computer is about 7 years old and I can't even update my iPhone on it! Or even update Google Chrome. 
• Traveling money 
• Money for Redding trip 

So I am believing God for a lot very quickly. I'm leaving for Redding on Sunday, May 15th until about May 27th and will return to LA to pack up all my stuff. I will leave some things in LA but will be flying out to Mozambique from Chicago so I can see my family before I go!

I know Jesus said in Luke 9:3, Matthew 10:9-10, Mark 6:8 to go out and bring nothing with you. And in Luke 22:35.."Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you out without purse or bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered." So when I feel foolish for not having anything but knowing God has called me to go, I remember what JESUS said. Go with nothing. So, here I am following the words of my Savior, believing every word He has said.

I think this may be the best update I've ever written. I'm so in Love with Jesus.

So PLEASE PRAY FOR ME! Pray for protection, for blessings, and for lots of money.

If you would like to support me financially, you can give to me over Paypal (email shootingesther@gmail.com) , send me a wad of cash and/or checks in the mail, or just buy my plane tickets or a new computer.

I love you so much! Thanks for reading and being invested in what God is doing in my life! I am so grateful for all of you!

Here is a little update I posted on Facebook!

Update I posted on Facebook on April 13!

Serving at the Revival Alliance conference! 

A podcast shoot we did with Shawn Bolz yesterday!

Azusa Now!! 100,000 people worshiping Jesus! 

Podcast shoot with Heidi Baker!! So powerful!

My 26th birthday celebrated at Zuma Beach in Malibu, CA! 

I MOVED TO LA

I have like 10 unfinished blog posts because while I was in Chicago I really felt that I was supposed to lay my life down and serve my family in the season and be hidden in Him. Leaving Harrisburg was super hard because I loved and was loved so much but I knew that I was stepping into greater purposes that the Lord has for me. I didn't know how long I would be in Chicago with my family but the Lord had told me it would be a season of easy harvest and low hanging fruit. And it definitely was. It was WONDERFUL! I love my family SO SO SO much! I love all that God has done in my heart and my life through going lower still for my family and showing them Love looks like something.

I have been taking baby steps to pick up the dream of my heart to be film maker that I had laid down before the Lord to pick of more of Him and His Word so that I would be established in my faith before getting behind a camera. I knew that the Iris Hollywood Artist Boot Camp would be a huge launching into this dream, but I had no idea how huge.

I now live in LA.
Interning with Iris Media.
Working on media projects for the Kingdom of God.

Say what...

Jesus says if you lose your life for Me, you will find it. Matt 10:39. I love how the more I get to know Him, the more I get to know myself. And the more I love to lose my life.

It has been an easy and hard transition into LA. Easy because God has given me amazing roommates to run along side with that I met at the Iris Hollywood boot camp and has allowed me to come here right into family. We have all taken huge steps of faith to come here and serve the Lord through Iris Media. These women are amazing. We are all so thankful to be here in this season and to be there for one another. Making meals together, praying together, encouraging another, and going on this adventure together has been amazing. And it hasn't even been two weeks.The hard part has been a new level of faith and new level of fighting for it.

When I got my final acceptance to the internship, I started packing my bags right away. I didn't have any resources to come but I knew that God would provide. And He did in the 11th hour. Actually exactly 24 hours before I was leaving, what I needed to get here was provided. I had an appointment to rent a car at 1 PM and at 12 noon was handed an envelope with $1,000 cash. And then within the next hours before leaving at 1 PM on Sunday, was given more with love to help on the journey, and also found out that two different friends had paid for hotel rooms for my mother and I.

It was amazing.

The journey here was incredible, the Holy Spirit poured Himself out without measure. The trip was gorgeous, the time with my mother, the time with my friends, seeing the country, was all so wonderful. The Lord was so faithful to bless my mom and I with a great time and great country. Utah is beautiful. The Grand Canyon is amazing. I'm in love with this land.

Since being here it has been a search for what I am doing. At the Iris Hollywood school, they prepared us mentally for the spiritual atmosphere that is over LA. Hollywood and LA hold so much influence over the world and there is a fight for it in the spirit. It's definitely been a battle to remain steadfast knowing that I AM SUPPOSED TO BE HERE. That I am qualified, I am called, and more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. HALLELUJAH.

The internship is amazing and all that we will be accomplishing is powerful and fierce. I'm so honored to be a part of a team that will be using media to proclaim the Gospel and testify to what the Lord is doing all over the earth with Iris Global.

There are definitely things I am in need of to pray for. I have been sleeping on a mini futon in the corner of the living room, so a bed would be FABULOUS but there God gives grace to abound in little. I also could definitely use a bike to get around since I don't have a car, we have been walking lots and lots which is great but a bike would be useful when in time crunches. I am also seeking the Lord for the right job or the right provision that I can give more of my time to the many projects we have with Iris Media. We are also going to Mozambique this summer with the internship and am seeking God for how I am to be obedient to Him in that. So if you could pray for me and believe God with me! I know if I seek Him first all things I need will be provided.

Thank you so much for reading this update and what God is doing in my life. I love you all so much. Please let me know what you think and what you are hearing from the Lord for me!!

Love love love to you!! A video soon to come!!

The view from my apartment in LA! 

Kisses from Jesus

I feel the transition I'm in. Doors opening and doors closing. It's been a season of PRUNING! Preparation for the next. Learning to LOVE discipline from the Lord more than I have ever before. Knowing He prunes those He loves so we can bear more fruit.

It's not easy... being pruned... it's humbling. Like lowering oneself and getting food stamps, but always seeing the mercy of the Lord, like in supernaturally short visits to the welfare office. Hallelujah. Some small mercies don't seem that small. And knowing greater mercies like the joy of knowing I'll have food! HALLELUJAH!

The pruning, which I could go on and on about, does produce great fruit. I feel it already so deep. The discipline of the Lord has been amazing. The hours God has led me to devote to Him are priceless. The power of God I've seen manifest as I pray for people and even just speaking has amazed myself. The accuracy of the prophetic words He has given me astonishes myself. It's been so humbling and honoring to be able to speak such words of knowledge from heaven. It's so assuring me that it is NOT ME giving these words, but so by His Spirit. All by His grace and His mercy. And its super fun.

Super fun.

I could go on more about things God has been doing to prune and discipline me...

BUT ISRAEL!!!!!!! I haven't told about Israel !! Which is over a month ago now but still fresh in my heart, mind, and spirit.  Some people have seen pictures I've posted and little blurbs on facebook or instagram... But, oh, can I tell you about Israel??

Israel was so wonderful. Such a gift from the Father. Such a kiss from Jesus. Such a whirl wind of the Holy Spirit. So much joy. I laughed for two weeks. Words cannot express the joy of this trip! SO MUCH JOY! Our team was phenomenal. Family from the airport! We were of one mind and one Spirit. Worship was at the foundation of everything we did.We could not stop worshiping, with our praise or with our actions. Jesus was at the center of it all! Oh how He overflowed!!

I pray the Holy Spirit gives you a taste right now of the joy we experienced! YES, LORD!

The hotels we were able to stay at were wonderful, the first was an old palace! It was amazingly beautiful and really easy to get lost in. And I was so happy it had a gym and was able to run a couple times.

The refugee camps were, I think, everyone's favorite part. Being able to go and love those who've been hurt and confused by where they belong and who's heart's are crying for justice. We were able to dance, sing, laugh, paint, feed, love, hug, kiss, and play with these wonderful children and women who've known such third world life and fear. It was hours of dancing, laughing, and playing and imparting the Joy we have which comes from the throne of heaven! It was also a privilege to hear the Palestinian hearts and to honor them in whatever way we could, going into their homes and listening to their stories, providing for what needs we could, and simply loving them.

On the other side of the border we were able to go to an Israeli soldier hospital... WOW. JESUS. WOW. From the moment we walked in ... it was an explosion of joy. An explosion of worship, singing, dancing, waving flags, and releasing the Kingdom of Heaven. People were amazed, coming from all over the hospital to see what was going on! People were healed, people were dancing with us, and longing to know WHY WE WERE SO HAPPY. We were ready to give an answer to anyone who asked. It was awesome. We also split up into groups and went all over to pray for the sick and the afflicted to see the Holy Spirit who's desperate to encounter hearts.

The land of Israel is so beautiful. So much to say, I fell so madly in love with the land and the people I want to go back and live there. And I will. Someday. I will.

It was so amazing to see the Word of God come to life! To see the history of my history! To see the Living Word! The Word Living ! It was truly life changing. Forever changed. God did so much in and through me. It's hard for me to even speak about the depths that God did. It's so precious to me. It's hard for me to put words to God. I pray that the Lord will allow you to feel the depth right now.

I can tell you that I have been born again after this trip. That I encountered God in such a powerful way that I can honestly confess that Jesus Christ died for me and I died with Him. I was co crucified with Christ that it may be no longer I who live but JESUS WHO LIVES IN ME. I felt such a powerful revelation of the resurrection of Christ and the life and death of Christ which reigns and rules in my body. The resurrection of Christ. My resurrection from the dead. I was dead in my sins, in my transgressions, but now I am fully alive to God. I pray that Holy Spirit will help you understand this which is of the Spirit. That there would be an importation for you to KNOW that Jesus died for you so that you may truly live. That there is resurrection power available. That our faith in Jesus is based on the RESURRECTION.

I just realized that this is a convenient topic because Easter is this week.

Beloved, will you please seek God about this? Seek God about the power of the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The first BORN from the dead OF MANY!!!!!!!!!!! Which you are included. To be raised to life with Him, In Him, to have your being seated in Heavenly places which the Father is pleased to bless you with.

I try not to talk to long because I could talk FOREVER about this. Or anything of God. Or lots of things, really.

I thank God for you ! I pray peace for you! Joy in the Holy Spirit! I pray more hunger for the things of God for you! That Jesus would pursue you relentlessly and that you would allow Him to Kiss you with the kisses of His mouth for His love is better than wine.

xoxo

Love, Esther

I'm going to Israel?!?!

It has been a really crazy season.

 I've wanted to blog more but honestly I haven't wanted to share the happenings of my heart. Processes can be painful. Transformation isn't always easy. But it is always worth it. Character comes from fire. And how badly do I desire to be of Godly character. My heart rages to be tested and found worthy but the tests are hard. Because the Prize is great. I want to know Jesus. I want Him to know ME. I want to be His friend more and more every day.

It's hard when I sit down and I don't want to read the Bible. I don't like it when my heart isn't desiring to seek His face. I don't like it when I'm distracted by worldly things. I don't like being distracted from His captivating face.

He is so good to change me. He is so good to help me deny myself and seek Him. I want people to see Him and want Him when they see me.

So, I've wrote how my walk in faith has been a lot about finances. He has been really faithful even when I'm faithless. I've really doubted when I have no reason to doubt. But for over three months... my faith was truly tested. God didn't provide like I thought He would of for over 3 months. I got behind in my rent, my bills, wasn't able to eat often, and was really afraid. I was training for a marathon that I didn't have money to register for or even get to. What was I doing wrong? Was I not following man's wisdom in getting food stamps? or I don't even know. There was so much 'good advice' given to me. But so much I didn't feel God leading me to.

Was I foolish? I don't know. I know that Paul confesses he's a fool for Christ. 1 Corinthians 4:10. I know that I am good company for being thought foolish.

So I was three months behind in rent. My cell phone was turned off. My electric was about to be turned off. And the only miracles I had was for some food money because I was living off of popcorn and rice. This was about the end of October.

So many thoughts go through your head in situations like this. I have people telling me what I ought to do. I have doubts. I have condemnations. I have convictions. I have the Word of God. That He is faithful. That is promises are True. I have my own testimonies. I have Him saying, "I am faithful to the end." At this point I was coming to the end of my marathon training (which I knew was a prophetic act), and I'm wondering if I'm training in vain. But God.

But God.

But God.

But God is bigger than my doubts. God is bigger than my faithlessness. God is bigger than my mistakes. God is my Redeemer. He is my Salvation. He is my Strength. He is Everything. Gosh, I am so not perfect but He is. He is perfect. And His ways are perfect.

In one day God met all my needs. October 27th I'm pretty sure. I woke up to someone coming over to give me $300 for my electric. When I got home from that someone paid for my cell phone to get turned on. And then that afternoon, someone texted me and asked how much I needed. And put $2,000 into my bank account. In one day, God covered all my rent, all my bills, and my needs for my marathon. I'm not training in vain. The tests are for real. This training is for real. I may be Crazy but I am Sane in the Kingdom of God.

I walk by faith and not by sight. It doesn't mean I'm careless with finances or don't work hard. I've gotten a second job at a health food store and have worked 7 days in a row between the two jobs and have 7 more days to work in a row. Maybe even more.

There is so much I don't know. But God has made it so evidently clear I CANNOT lean on my own understanding. But I MUST acknowledge Him in everything so He can make my path straight.

I ran my marathon November 15th in Richmond, Va. And it was the hardest thing I've ever done. I wanted to quit so many times. I wanted to just go home. I wanted to stop. It was super painful. But God. He has trained me to finish well. He has trained me to endure. He has trained me to persevere. He is doing a great work in me and He will finish it. ii

Man, it's hard. Man, my heart has felt pain. And, oh boy, has Jesus come to heal me. Jesus has come to make every wrong thing right. Because wrong things happen. And sometimes it's totally my fault. But His grace is sufficient for me. His mercies are new every morning.

So, now I'm going to Israel in February on a trip with Global Celebration (the ministry I serve here in Harrisburg). Global Celebration does this trip to Israel every February and it has been on my mind for a couple years to go. Thursday, I found out a Bible translator, Brian Simmons, and his wife were attending this next trip... My heart exploded. I know this trip is going to be different. God ALWAYS does amazing amazing amazing things on this trip, but Brian and his wife carry something very special. I listen to Brian's sermons all the time and LOVE his translations of the Bible called The Passion Translation. So when I saw that they were going. My heart exploded. I asked the Lord for a sign of confirmation if I could go on this trip and within 30 minutes God confirmed it. The next day, Friday morning, less than 24 hours of my asking Jesus if I could go, someone called and said they would give $2,000 for my trip. Holy Confirmation.

I can't even begin to tell you. I've been just talking with Jesus, not so much asking, but talking about how I would like to go overseas. But for Jesus to bring me to ISRAEL! With Georgian and Winnie Banov (Global Celebration leaders) and Brian and Candice Simmons. I'm undone. To be so honest. I feel like this year has been so very hard and I've worked so very hard and been through so much pain that for The Lord to do this for me......... I'm just so thankful. I'm just so humbled. I'm so honored. To know that He honors me for honoring Him... I'm so thankful. How do I begin to show my utter reverence for God???? He is GOOD.

So, I humbly ask you to please help me get there. I have to get the rest of the finances for the trip by THURSDAY DECEMBER 11th!!!!!!! I need $1,800 to cover the rest of the trip. I know that this is The Lord. Will you please help me???

Jesus has 5 days to finish this! Will you please be a part of this???? God is so faithful to repay you for your kindness to me!

HERE IS A LINK!!! PUT MY NAME ESTHER SCHEELE UNDER THE PARTICIPANT SPOT

https://globalcelebration.wufoo.com/forms/israel-2015-invoice-40703940/

here is the link again.
https://globalcelebration.wufoo.com/forms/israel-2015-invoice-40703940/

This is a link ABOUT THE TRIP
http://www.globalcelebration.com/Holy-Land-Missions-Tour-2015

HERE IS THE LINK WHERE YOU CAN HELP ME GO
DONATE TO MY TRIP !!
AND ITS TAX DEDUCTIBLE!!!!!!!! i think. And I will write a prophetic word to anyone who donates to my trip!!!!!!!! Seriously.

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Jesus is so amazing. I love you all. Thanks for reading this. Thanks for praying for me. Let me know how I can pray for you! Call me. Text me. Email me. Facebook me. Let's be friends forever.

I quit my job.

Hi Beloved, 

You are great. 

I'm so thankful you're reading this. Or at least beginning to! Hahah. There are LOTS of things I could say... I've been meaning to write sooner but I've had a lot to process. It's been a rough month in my spirit, God has been doing a lot that I don't fully understand but I know that there has been a growth spurt and I'm losing things that don't belong to me. Hallelujah for transformation from glory to glory. I want to be transformed into the image of Christ! Oh how I long for it. 

So I quit my job at Starbucks about two weeks ago. I was just struggling. There are a few reasons that I quit. Part of it was that I didn't want to wake up at 5 am anymore and I especially didn't want to wake up that early with school again! Some other situations were happening that I feel allowed a door to step out. The company that owns my licensed Starbucks is offering to transfer me to another position in the company because they do value me as an employee. They own a nice restaurant called Bricco that I am going to try to begin serving at. You could pray for me for that.  

Meanwhile, since closing the door at Starbucks, a door opened for me to accept a promotion at Dressbarn as part time assistant manager. So if I'm able to begin serving at the restaurant along with being an assistant manager, I'll be in an easier financial position. Hallelujah. I really felt confirmation from Jesus that I made the right choice of leaving Starbucks and being able to accept the promotion at Dressbarn. Dressbarn has been an amazing company to work for. They totally support my ministry and the call God has put on my life. I'm so thankful for the team I work with. So thankful.

It was a really hard choice in closing the door to Starbucks because I have loved working there. I've made amazing relationships and seen God do amazing things. But I feel like it is really a new season. And a season of rest. 

For the past year I've worked the two jobs on average of 45-55 hours a week while going to school. I'm really praying not to have to do that again. It was really hard. And really tiring. God was so good to give me strength, teaching me endurance and growing me in character and patience. 

I feel like I haven't had much of a life with working so much. I haven't been able to do ministry like I want to. If I wanted to hang out with people I had to sacrifice sleep. Coming to the end I wasn't happy. Joy and peace I had and deepness with God but I didn't have pleasure getting up for work like I did before. God is way too good to let us endure suffering if we don't have to. I feel like I have suffered a lot this year and God did a lot through that. I'm truly grateful for what God has been doing in me beyond what I can even see. I cried so much this year. And in this new Hebrew calender year, I'm ready for jubilee. I'm ready for rest. 

I wish I didn't even have to work a second job as a waitress and work only at Dressbarn but I wouldn't make enough money. I've thought about having people come along side me and support me monthly as a missionary but I don't like asking people for money. Part of the reason I have not written more blogs this summer is because I have been in so much financial need and have not wanted my aching heart to come through like I'm begging. Because I'm not a beggar. I'm a child of God and He provides for me. And I believe Him and I've seen Him come through so much. He has given me so many miracles this year and I am so grateful. And I'm still waiting on another one. Haha. 

This past year I have been living in an apartment that is way too expensive for me. But God did it. He provided faithfully every month. I didn't even ask anyone for help. Except once. But the past 2 months He has not provided!! YET. And I don't know why!!! I don't know what He is doing in my heart. But it is so hard and I don't think it should be. I don't think it should be hard to trust God, especially after all He has done for me!!!! Haha What are You doing, Lord???? 

I feel a lot of what God has been trying to bring to the surface of my heart is some issues with my father. My earthly father has a warrant out for his arrest right now which will put him in jail for the 7th time in the past 18 months. God is so much bigger than this. God is so much bigger than the brokenness of my father. God is so much greater and so much more than you or I can imagine. 

My Heavenly Father has been so faithful to me and I have been doubting Him so much. So I am in debt and in desperate need to catch up on my rent....... But why should I fear??? why should I be afraid??? Is God not my provider???? I don't even have to have a job for God to provide. I know that. I don't have to ask for God to provide. HE KNOWS MY NEEDS. 

But God cares about my character than anything else. God wants me to be of Godly character. He cares about my heart. He cares about the position of my heart. He cares that I am a good steward. He cares about my transformation into the image of Jesus Christ. I was made to look like Jesus. I was made to bear Good Fruit. 

And I'm not saying that I haven't born good fruit. I'm saying God is pruning me because He cares about His vine. He is the Vine Dresser and I am the vine. John 15. I LOVE JOHN 15. 

JESUS DO WHAT YOU WILL. JESUS HAVE YOUR WAY WITH ME. JESUS I LOVE YOU.

I just want to go deeper in God. I want to be a better representation of LOVE everyday. If God wants me to work two jobs again and reach the lost that way, may His name be blessed. He will give me strength. He's given me strength to train for a MARATHON! And it's going amazing. I need more. I need more of God. I need Him more. I need Him so much. I love Him so much. I want full revelation on His love and to go deeper in His Word. And this new school year is focused just on that. And I don't even know how I'll do that with working two jobs and training for a marathon. But if God is calling me to it He will take me through it. That's it. He's just that Good. I trust Him. And He will make me trust Him. He will call me out upon the water and I will walk because I will keep my eyes upon HIM!!

I will get to the other side. I will be provided for. I will be given all that I need according to the riches in GLORY in Christ Jesus. 

Because that is who He is. He is RICH and He loves Me. Jesus loves Me. My Father loves me. Even if my earthly father doesn't love me and doesn't provide for me. My God does.  He is worthy of my life. He is worthy of my praise. I will praise Him when the waters rise and I will praise Him because I know I will not drown. Even if I doubt and am faithless HE IS FAITHFUL. HE WILL BE FAITHFUL TO THE END. 

He is mighty to save me. 

And I got a new roommate which is FANTASTIC!!! She even brought a table and chairs. I haven't had a table for this entire year!!! WHOOO!!! I'm so excited. 

Updates

Hey.

It's been a summer since I've written. So, what have I done, what have I been doing?

At this moment, I feel a bit weary but grace to blog.. especially since it's been so long. And it has been a year in one week that I have been living in Harrisburg, PA. Wow. Hahaha! That is CRAZY. All that my God has done in this past year is mind blowing. It takes hours to tell all. Surely God is good to those who love Him. And Oh How I Love Him.

The past four days I've worked over 45 hours. Blah. So with today off, I slept until almost noon then rushed to a Haitian church service of a pastor that I met this week! YAY to be able to practice French in a Holy Spiritual environment! And she ordered me a FRENCH BIBLE!! How kind!! I'm so excited! To read the Bible in French! Oh the beautiful revelations The Lord will be giving me through the beautiful French language! YAY GOD. Earlier this week someone was asking me if I had ever thought about Haiti since I speak French, and I had not. Then later in the week, I have an amazing encounter with a beautiful Haitian pastor of a church within a five minute walk of my house! What! Jesus! He's so cool! I've always wanted to have French speaking Christians to practice the language with! Now I do! I'm going back this Wednesday and Thursday for prayer and worship! IN FRENCH!

This truly has been my life. I work. I work. I work. And in work, I encounter God. Meeting many beautiful people that the Lord desires to encounter and gives me the privilege of being His hands and feet for them. Holy holy holy. Oh the Lord. He is good.

My heart desires for so much more though. My heart desires so greatly to see the Gospel effectively preached here and wherever I go in power and in signs and wonders from the motivation of LOVE.

I did get to go home for a week this July to serve at a Global Celebration conference in Chicago! It was AMAZING! I got to see friends and family as well as amazing worshipers like Kim Walker-Smith, Anthony Skinner, and the band United Pursuit. It was so wonderful, such fun refreshment of my love for conferences! A beautiful conference focused on worship.. Yes. Yes. Yes. Jesus was there. It was powerful.
I also got to visit with my sister who has now left the country to South Korea for the next year to teach English. She recently had an amazing encounter with JESUS and rededicated her life to Christ! So so so so exciting to see prayers answered as her life is transformed by the love of God!

My older sister had an amazing encounter with Jesus when her, my younger sister, and my mom visited me in Harrisburg in June!! So fun!! Jesus was so good to bring them here and show them where I live and all I do here! It was incredible. I'm so thankful God made it happen.

So, I've been working a lot at Starbucks and at the Dressbarn. I recently got promoted to supervisor at Starbucks and have opportunities for promotion at Dressbarn as well. It's such an honor to be recognized for hard work. I'm grateful because promotion comes from the Lord. (But it is God who judges; He brings one down, he exalts another. Psalm 75:7. The Lord is the lifter of my head, Psalm 3:3.)

This last month I started having meetings at my apartment focused on worship. Wanting to have a place where God can encounter His people, have intimate fellowship, and spiritual growth. Praying so much for God to show up and show off in a united pursuit of more of Him.

Another cool thing I've been doing is training for a marathon. When I ask God what He says about this season, He says that He is teaching me endurance. So what better to do as a prophetic act than to learn endurance running. Truly amazing to see the physical strength grow alongside the spiritual. The farthest I've run now is 10 miles. I feel God so much when I run. It's amazing for Him to do so much on a simple run and show me how much His grace can do in a little girl like me. I have never felt so strong and full of energy.

I will hopefully be starting a second year of school with Global Celebration Supernatural School of Ministry as a Year 2 student. My heart is hopeful of what God is going to do with another year of ministry school. God shows up and shows off continually. Always. Always. Always. I'm just waiting on the provision of the finances that I need for God to confirm His will of it. I can't really see myself living in Harrisburg and not doing GCSSM so I believe God will provide above and beyond.

This is a nutshell of some things God is up to in my life. I don't want to overwhelm you. Although, I feel constantly overwhelmed at by what God is with me. I could go on for hours.

But I won't tonight.

Pray for me. I'm in need of some big miracles. Good thing we serve the God who raises the dead. He's in the business of miracles. I can testify. Please pray for my family. My dad has been in and out of jail 6 times in the past 18 months. It has been very hard. My mom is doing exceedingly well and finding God in much power. My younger brother really needs an encounter with God like my older sister had. We all need more Jesus.

The conference in Chicago. 

My sister Jessica and I. 

My family visiting me in Harrisburg!! 

Let me know how I can pray for you! I love you all. You're amazing. God is good.

GRADUATING

TODAY

I graduate this day, Tuesday May 13, 2014, with a certificate from Global Celebration School of Supernatural Ministry. BAM. After 9 months of glorious training and fiery trials of life I have come through. Thank You, Lord Jesus so much.

I am so blessed and honored to have God bring me to a place where His glory is being revealed in such power. Georgian and Winnie Banov carry such a radical message of Grace and the Cross that my life has been truly changed. Knowing that Jesus Christ died for my sins and I was CO crucified on the cross with Him. My life in sin was crucified on the cross with my Lord Christ Jesus!!! Galatians 2:20 I have been co crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives through me! I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live I live by believing God's Son, who loved me and took the punishment for my sins!

I am CO raised with Christ! Colossians 3:1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. (NLT) You are in fact raised together with Christ!!! Now ponder with persuasion the consequence of your CO inclusion in Him! Relocate yourself mentally! Engage your thoughts with throne room reality! His resurrection CO raised you to the same position of authority where you are now CO seated in the executive authority of God's right hand!!! (Mirror Translation) Come on.

I am now a CO Heir with Christ!! Romans 8:17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Since are His offspring, we qualify to be heirs; God Himself is our portion, we CO inherit with Christ! Since we were represented and included in His suffering we equally participate in the glory of His resurrection........... Mirror Translation. 

What does this mean??? What does this mean?? That we are CO crucified, CO risen, and CO heirs??? How then shall we live?? The message that Georgian and Winnie Banov carry is that of Romans 6,7, and 8. That we are dead to sin and alive to God! We are no longer slaves to sin but alive to God! Our desire is no longer of death and destruction but life in God!! Fullness of God! God's goodness has overflowed onto the cross to deliver us from sin and destruction and into the glorious life of being CO heirs with Christ! Seated with Him in heavenly places!!! 

Oh the bliss! Oh the bliss! That our sin has been forgiven and we have been delivered from death into GLORIOUS life! 

OH Happy Day. 

It has been an amazing year. God has so poured out His Holy Spirit in such abundance. I shall never be the same. He is constantly transforming my heart and mind in Christ that I am to totally mirror His Son. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.  Galatians 2:20 in the Distilled Version is.. I now consider myself as having died, and am enjoying a second existence which is simply, Jesus using my body. 

Jesus, use my body! Jesus, let me just be a vessel of your love! Jesus, let me bring the Kingdom of Heaven just as you did! It's all about JESUS. He has brought us into the Kingdom of Glorious LIFE! 

Since I have died, I may now truly live. 

Oh Beloved! You are so loved by God! He wants you to know that riches of His glory in Christ Jesus! How it benefits YOU! Holy Spirit ravish the hearts of those who read this. Let them be overcome by what You have DONE! It is FINISHED. The work of the cross of Jesus Christ is FINISHED! It is a FINISHED WORK. Let us live fully in the finished work of the cross. Let us truly live God.

I could go on and on but I have to get ready for graduation! I bless you in the name of Jesus. I love you with the love of Christ within me.

Surprises !

God loves surprises. He loves to surprise us and keep us on our toes... He hates formulas. He loves being the God of the unexpected kiss. He is the God of the Suddenly's. 

I've learned so recently that I cannot trust in plans but I can only trust in God. 

**In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9**

*Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21**

So I make plans. But God changes them. And then I don't make plans and God plans things that are too wonderful for me to imagine. He has plans and purposes for me that are bigger than any dream that I could ever fathom. So, okay. Alright. 

Right now....I have no plans. I have no idea what is next. 

I didn't get accepted to staff the school in Mozambique like I totally planned on this summer. And I'm not legally able to live in my apartment because I don't legally make enough money to live in it. But God has provided faithfully every month. This past month for April's rent, I decided to give money away because I knew I didn't have enough for rent anyway and I had to trust Him for some, so why not trust Him for more. So on April 7th, I was like "God. It's April 7th, rent was due a week ago." I decided that I was just going to give the rest of my money away towards my school tuition, and I checked my bank account... to find...  someone put a $1,000 in my bank account without my knowledge! COME ON!!!! GOD PROVIDES!! God has made it IMPOSSIBLE for me to doubt Him. When you walk in His purposes He shows up and shows off. And it's usually last minute in a Suddenly. Suddenly, God provided. When all was almost lost, suddenly, the Spirit of The Lord.... 

It can be annoying and tiresome to wait upon The Lord. But it is always glorious. God always shows up in Glory. 

So right now. I wait upon the Lord to show me what are His purposes and His plans for my next season. I need to live somewhere. I don't know if He will provide a roommate for my current apartment, or if I will sign my lease over to someone and live somewhere else. I don't know if I'll continue in Harrisburg, or back in Illinois, or it will be overseas. I have absolutely no idea. 

But my heart, my mind, my flesh, my spirit, my soul, my every cell and fiber in my body KNOW that God is FAITHFUL. 

My birthday is on Monday! April 21! I pray that God will show me His next moves in my life as a present. I'll wait, He always speaks. I don't even know what I would choose. My ultimate choice would be to go back to Mozambique. I can reapply to staff for the October- December school in June. And I'm probably going to. But I'm just waiting. 

All I have is God. Nothing else matters. 

But life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus- the work of telling others the Good News about God's mighty kindness and love. Acts 20:24

What will God surprise us with next?

This is a picture I drew which represents how I feel most of the time. 

                   * ******After I wrote this blog I was given a surprise party for my birthday !!!! And was surprised with a favorite band of mine from high school playing a concert right down the street. !!! A surprise party and a surprise concert. God is HILARIOUS!! ********

What's been going on.

So it's been a while since I've posted. I don't like posting unless I feel led by God, also I've been soooooo busy. But its been on my heart to let the world and all the people that I'm so blessed to have care about me know what my life has been. 

I've been working like 50 hours a week for the past couple months. And it's been pretty hard. I work 7-12 at Starbucks and then 2pm-6:30pm at a clothing store called Dressbarn. I was working out at the gym on my break between 12 and 2 but after I did that for a month, I got literal exhaustion and had to stay in bed for 2 days to rest. So, I really felt the Lord tell me to fast exercise because it's something I really enjoy doing but I need to find all my strength in Him not at the gym. 

So I also have class Monday and Tuesday nights from 6:30-10, church Wednesday nights, and small group every other Friday. As well as Sunday morning church where I serve at the coffee bar and also on the video cameras helping film the service. There is also other outreaches and things we do for class on random days. 

It was getting pretty hard for me because since I was working so much, I started skipping class to be able to get to bed earlier. But I felt a lot of conviction about that because I didn't move to Harrisburg to work. I moved here to do school with Global Celebration. So God has been so faithful at helping me get rest and go to school. 

However, work has been an amazing. God is invading both my jobs with His glorious love. Its been such a privilege to love on my coworkers and my customers. I totally believe God to overflow my life with His love. I want everyone I meet to feel His love, peace, joy, and righteousness radiating through me. It's amazing the feedback that my customers and coworkers both give me about just that. God is so good. I'm so grateful to be able to serve Him with my life. 

One of the biggest things that have been going on has been whats next. The Lord had opened a door of opportunity for me with Global Celebration and New York City for the fall.. So when I came to the Lord in prayer asking Him for a dream to confirm these plans... I dreamt I was back in Mozambique staffing the Harvest School I did this past summer. And then almost every other night I was dreaming I was back in Mozambique or I would be talking with Heidi Baker, the principle of the ministry. There has also been lots of prophetic confirmation but I won't share that yet. 

So I've applied to staff the next two schools in Mozambique. I would be there from mid May to beginning of December. But I haven't been accepted or denied yet. I've been in a kind of hard wait. But patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. 

I feel strongly that this is the Lord. I've prepared that the lease of my apartment to be signed over to a coworker. The Lord has already given me many dreams about how He would provide. I feel His pleasure in this. My heart weeps to be able to back. I've been getting up early in the morning to seek God about what His will is. Every other moment I'm thinking about being back and what I would bring, what I would do. 

I would be a house mother to a group of students, I would help them, serve them, speak into their lives, direct them about living in Mozambique, encourage their encounters with the Lord. As well as helping with the administration of the school, serving the school to run efficiently and full of the Spirit of God. Totally led by Him. Letting God have His way. 

But I haven't been accepted or denied yet. 

So Jesus knows my heart. He hears my cries. I've been waiting patiently. Even though its been hard. 

I trust God. He's good and gives me the desires of my heart. I know that when I abide in Him and His words in me, I ask what I wish and it shall be given and by this people will know I am His disciple. 

Help

Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

I feel poor in spirit. I feel so hungry for more of Him. So in need. My favorite song recently has been "O how I need you" by All Sons and Daughters. 

"Lord I find you in the seeking,
 Lord I find you in the doubt.
And to know You is to Love you. 
And to know so little else.

I need You.
Oh how I need You.
Oh how I need You.
Oh how I need You." 

I've had this on repeat for the past couple weeks. 

How I desperately I am in need of God. I can't do anything without Him. And I don't want to do anything without Him. When I go to the gym I tell the Lord that I don't even want to exercise unless HE gives me the strength. I don't want to try to do anything in my own energy that I may boast. 

Well, right now I am in need. I am in need for my rent. And I have been calling out to God knowing He provides for all my needs. It's so hard for me because I work so much and to not even have enough for my rent is really humbling. This is my first time living on my own and it's definitely been a huge learning and growing experience. 

I had given finances as I really felt directed by the Lord, leaving me in need of rent, and I believe the Lord to provide all I need. I always cast my cares to Him. He knows my needs. He knows my heart. So in crying out to Him, all I've heard is 'if there is a need among you let it be made known.' 

So if I have done anything wrong with my finances... I repent. I am so grieved if I have been disobedient and not been a good steward. My heart has been so to bless the Lord in all areas of my life, especially financial stewardship. 

But I come humbly before anyone who feels led and ask if anyone would help me. Since taking two weeks off to be home for Christmas, I'm nervous to even be short for next month. But I haven't been able to pay my rent that was due January 1st. I'm so humbled and brought lower. Knowing that I am always in need. I can't do anything on my own. I am so need of God. 

I just would like you to ask God if He would desire you to help me. I trust God to provide always. If He desires me to be living somewhere else, I trust Him. But its amazing how the Lord brought me here so I don't think He wants me to leave. I trust Him. And I've made my requests and my needs known to God so I feel like the Lord has lead me to do this. This is hard for me, I'll admit. God called me to do this earlier but in my pride I didn't want to ask anyone for help. But I can do nothing on my own. God is my strength and my helper and I am apart of His body. 

So if you want. 

https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/send-money-online

shootingesther@gmail.com

And you know when you give to the poor you lend to the Lord. Proverbs 19:17

I'm not trying to persuade you. I trust God. I trust Him so much. 

Just please pray for me. I so desire to serve the Lord and honor Him in all areas of my life. I desire to walk worthy of the calling. I desire to walk holy and pure, blameless before Him. I need Him. I need His help. I need Him. And I need you. Because we're one body. We're a family. We're here to build each other up. Let me know how I can pray for you. Let me know if I can help you. 

I love you. Thank you for reading this. I am always in awe that people even read my little words. Praise God. He's way too kind to me. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-ZpcJzGBpE

Joy in Suffering

I've been realizing why James and Paul says take joy in suffering. James 1. Romans 5.

It really does produce perseverance. And endurance. It really does produce character. And God really does pour out hope and His Holy Spirit. Abundantly. I've been having so much joy. So much crazy supernatural Holy Spirit joy.

Today I'm a little sad though.

I think its okay to be sad. God get sad over things. He mourns. His heart hurts over things.

When we suffer, we feel the nearness of Jesus so incredibly. He shows up so beautiful without fail. He never fails to provide for me. It's truly amazing. His presence has been so thick in the midst of the trials and tribulations of the past month that when things get to feel normal, I do almost wish for another just so I can feel the closeness of His presence knowing He's about to perform another miracle in my life.

So many freaking miracles. Someone posted as status on my facebook saying they were encouraged by my faith and to keep walking on water til its the only surface I know how to walk on. AH. Blah blah blah. I don't know if she even knows how deep that statement is to me. Because I know that's the life God is calling me to live. Walking on water.

I've been walking on water now for 3 months and the water just keeps getting deeper. I call out for normalcy and God is making this it.

As long as Jesus keeps showing up. And He always does.....

Gosh my heart is so heavy today. I'm so sad today. It's okay to be sad. I couldn't even go to the gym today, I just wanted lay in bed. AND THATS OKAY. Jesus meets me wherever I go. Whatever I do. He meets me. He says come to me and I will give you rest.

Today, I feel like drowning in His love. Today, I just want to sink into the ocean of His grace. Today. I'm going to be weak because in my weakness He is strong.

And now I've just gotten a call in reference to my student loans. Which is great. Because I didn't finish college. And I don't know when or if I will! HA Jesus. Thanks. If anyone would like to pay my student loans let me know.

Thank You Lord that it's okay to feel the full spectrum of emotions. Thank You Lord that its okay to be weak. I love being weak. Thank You Lord for being EVERYTHING that I need. I need you so desperately God. I am so poor in spirit. I need you so badly. I am so desperate for you. My heart and flesh cry out for you God. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I am so in love with you God. I am so in love with you.

Jesus, bless the readers of these words. Let them feel Your presence. Let them feel your affection for them. I am so thankful for these people who read my words. Thank You Lord.

Amen. lalalala.

My life is a miracle. Constantly.

Let God be glorified in all I do!!!!!!!! I pray. Jesus' name, Father. 

I have been really trying to get into reading the 5 psalms a day and a proverb. I really have been seeking wisdom and understanding. I really want to know the heart of God and understand Him as best as I can. 

It's been cool because as I read the Psalms I notice that the psalmists will bring their complaints to God and then they say to Him, answer me and then my soul will again rejoice and be glad.... So its okay to be distressed until the answer comes. I am definitely NOT saying that you must be 'woe is me' until the answer comes, because I'm all about rejoice ALWAYS. But I KNOW you can rejoice with a hurting heart. I know you can declare God's goodness and truth with tears streaming down your face. And how good it is when the answer comes and God rescues you.

So here is a good miracle. 

About 2.5 weeks ago when I signed my lease... I realized I didn't have enough money for rent. I had been given in early October a check from an acquaintance for $800 for my first month rent. A MIRACLE. But when it came time for me to sign my lease on October 23rd, I realized that I had to pay for the last week of October and then full rent November 1st. So I was about $115 dollars short. And on top of that I had no money to buy food or anything else until I got paid on November 4th. 

(BTW work had been and is still going SO WELL!!! I have so much fun serving up cups of joy and blessing my customers with kind words and compliments! I love working at Starbucks. I love it so much. And I'm praying for MORE of everything God has planned for me there. I also got a second job at clothing store called the Dress Barn. I just started but I know I'm going to love it too.)

So. Me and my roommate both were trying not to stress in the pressure of paying rent... But I had been feeling pretty exhausted from not getting much sleep (still acclimating to waking up at 5am for work). It was a Tuesday we signed the lease and I had class that night and I spent most of the class crying in the lobby. I was so tired. I just wanted my own space. I just wanted my own bed. I didn't want to have to be at the mercy of others. I just wanted to sleeeeeep. And I was so tired of always needing mercy and money and miracles. But God is funny. So I ended up spending that night again at my beloved friend's who had been caring for me... in the morning when I was getting dressed for work.. I found a $100 bill in my pocket..... 

The angel of the Lord who put it there (one of my beloved friends) told me that while she was praying for me God had said to her, simply, that 'miracles don't have to be hard'. She said she knew I needed more but it still helped. Amen to that. 

So it was definitely a kiss from my Father. So I knew I still needed more and God would provide more. But I had NO IDEA how He was going to do it. So the next few days... I just kind of spent money like I had it. Not a lot. But I'd buy myself lunch or whatever. 

That weekend a friend came to visit and on our way to a worship event we stopped at the mall to pray for people. While praying for a lady who wanted financial stability... I heard the Lord say, 'miracles don't have to be hard.' So I passed on the $100 note. I knew that I still needed more so I just believed that an act of obedience is the best thing I could do. And that night was an amazinggg night of worship. Oh man it was good. 

So the next day, Saturday, my beloved friend, Jessie who had come to visit me took me to the thrift store and we were able to get a decent amount of essentials for my apartment! She was so sweet to me. And that day a group of us went into the ghetto of Harrisburg (and it is literally ghetto) to pray for people and had a wonderful time being the hands of feet of Jesus and again went to another worship event. We love to worship Jesus. At the worship event my friends who I had stayed with for two weeks showed up with a bag of food for me!!!! Soooo sweet. 

And even more still, I was sharing with a friend some of the crazy testimonies I've had been since being here in Harrisburg, like the guy giving me $800 and so many other powerful testimonies. He was just blown away by the provision of God in my life and the radical life of faith I've been living. I told him I was even yet still believing God for my rent in a week. And his face gets serious and he asks me 'how much do you need? like $300?' And I stop and think. I have about $200 now... I need $400 for rent. So $300 would help me survive until I get paid. And so I told him yeah, yeah. And he just looks at me so serious and tells me that the Lord just told him, 'give her $300, give her $300, give her $300.' The presence of God fell so strongly. It is so powerful what an act of obedience can do. 

God is so funny. I was totally expecting Him to provide like October 31st. Because, ya know, how God likes to make you wait because He can be slow. But look at that. God was EARLY. What??

So funny that even the next day I had checked my bank balance and realized I spent more money than I intended and realized I'd have to live on even less. But at church, I saw him and he asked if it was really $300 that I needed. I said, yeah, yeah. And he told me that the Lord had really said $350 so he was just going to give me that. 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOD ALWAYS PROVIDES. 

God is gracious and exceeding in all things. He is so merciful. I don't deserve His kindness but He pours it out abundantly. 

Even more so. He is SO MERCIFUL. let me tell you...

So, I got paid on November 4th. And. What did I do.... I went to Sephora. It is a make up store. That is of the Lord. I promise. Jesus loves make up. And I had been really needed new foundation and a couple things. And I just bought itt....... not recklessly but just not super prudent. And then after Sephora, I paid my phone bill and realized...... I was back down to having..... nothing. I actually ended up making a couple purchases and over drawing my bank account. I told the Lord I would return the make up but I didn't even know how I was going to get to the store... so just praying and praying for wisdom and mercy and direction...... My grandma is of the Lord and had already been moved by His Spirit and had sent me a card with a check in it. 

GOD ALWAYS PROVIDES. And He loves make up. He loves beauty. He really does. 

And so I can go on and on about how Good my Father is....... but I'll save it.

There are a lot of miracles I haven't mentioned... I could literally talk to for an hour on what God does in less than a week in my life... 

My life is so full of miracles. I am so honored by God that He would choose me to live so under His grace and mercy. 

I love being obedient to Him. There is no better way to live. I love Him. I love you too. Let me know how I can pray for you. 

Please continue praying for me. Pray that I can have an increased anointing for the prophetic so that I may love more coworkers and be able to speak the words of God into their lives and that they would KNOW Him and give their selves to Him. Pray that I would get deeper in the Word of God and that the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation would be upon me. Pray that my apartment would be full of beautiful furniture and would be a garden full of fruit. 

LOVE YOU SO MUCH. 

MY OWN BED.

Me and Jessie out on the streets!

Starbucks girl 

I still can't fully believe I'm in Harrisburg.

I pinch myself sometimes.

I'm really living in Pennsylvania.

I've signed a lease. I have my own apartment. I HAVE TWO JOBS. And jobs that I asked God for. One in a coffee shop and the other in a clothing store. Yay God.

Haha.

I don't even know what to say. My life is constantly this supernatural journey where I don't know how I'm going to eat one minute to the next I'm feasting in glory.

I do not know the full extent yet of what I'm doing here. Over the past weeks I've been really crying out to God asking Him what am I really doing here?

What do you think I'm doing here? Haha

Homeless for a solid month, hungry from time to time, tired, not fully aware.. but always happy and in peace, knowing God's hand is upon me. Thank the Lord I got a good night sleep last night, had a good breakfast, and am now enjoying a good cup of coffee at a local cafe down the street.

It's cool with my job that I'm really becoming a part of the community. I walk down the street and I see the people I serve coffee to and stop and talk. Which is so fun and I love it sooo much..

I'm really grateful that the church that Global Celebration runs out of has 3 other ministry schools full of young adults that are on fire for Jesus too.. So I have a huge rich church community. It's so awesome. Last weekend I was able to get together with a bunch of people and go out onto the streets praying for people and showing them the love of Christ.. It was amazing. I had so much fun. I'm so grateful for friends that I can do that with. I love sharing the Good News! I am compelled by the Love of God to preach! MUAHAHAHA.

Okay. I don't know what else to say. If you want to send me mail!!!!!!!! Because I have an address... Email me at shootingesther@gmail.com

Love you guys. Talk to me. Keep me in your prayers. Pray for my apartment to be filled with love and life and beautiful furniture.

Grace and peace to you through God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. WHOOP WHOOP.

My life is crazy.

So, I'd like to tell you about my past week or so in Harrisburg, PA.

My life has been so crazy. I have been discovering what a real adventure it is to walk on water, completely in faith.

I really pray that this blog is worship unto God. I want this to be a pleasing sacrifice unto Him. I desire this blog to be a testimony of the Good things the Lord does in my life. I want it to be the Spirit of Prophesy for you to know what He will do in your life!!

Thank You, Lord, for the wonders You perform in my life! Encourage these readers to know that You will do the same in their lives! YAY GOD.


So, I've been homeless for almost 3 weeks now. LOL.

Sleeping on couches by the mercy of others.

Wow, it is humbling. To have absolutely no control.

But there's a lot of freedom.... even when you run out of money!

So my first full weekend here in Harrisburg, Global Celebration had a huge conference with speakers like Heidi Baker, Bill Johnson, and Lance Wallnau. It was absolutely amazing. And I have this obsessive compulsion to be obedient to God. So when He tells me to give, I give! Knowing that nothing I have is my own. It all belongs to God!! So there's a lot of freedom to give- because none of it was mine in the beginning!! All the earth is the LORD's and everything in it... Psalm 24:1

My beautiful roommate, Dawn, who picked me up and drove me out to this crazy adventure, is doing the school part-time-ish because she has children in high school so she is driving up to see them every other week. So after a week in Harrisburg she had to head back to Michigan to be with her children. I understood and God worked it out for me to stay at one of the staff at the school's apartments while they went out of town for the week. So I had an apartment to myself for like 5 days, which was amazing because when you're living as a nomad, private time is rare.

Whilst being in rest my body went out of adrenaline mode and the stresses came upon me in a sort of sickness. I wasn't too sick, but ill enough to really need serious rest.

I was able to go out, however, and apply for a job at Starbucks... which is the job I had wanted when God first told me I was coming out here while in Africa.. the same day I applied I got called for an interview! Which was for this past Tuesday, October 8th. After that I new I wasn't to apply for any other jobs because this was it.

So even though I just rested, my body wasn't seeming to get much better because I didn't have the opportunity to be able to go to a grocery store and buy vegetables to maintain proper nutrient... so I wasn't getting better, kind of worse. I also didn't have a lot of money to be able to go out and buy regular meals. I clung to the Word of God as my medicine. ;-)

When the staff members got back from their week away, I was hoping my roommate, Dawn, would be back in town for us to get to serious work at getting an apartment. I had found one while she was gone that was PERFECT and was given the application for it but didn't fill it out or try to submit it because I knew that she had a better credit and credentials as an appealing tenant. So I was waiting for her to return. Unfortunately... I had forgotten... that Dawn had signed up to do a Global Celebration retreat in Cabo, Mexico... I did know the Lord called her to it... but I forgot that it was this past week.... And I still wasn't feeling well... The staff member's whose place I was staying at have a baby and I didn't want to be around the baby not feeling well...

So, Monday-Tuesday were pretty hard days for me. I sought the Lord. I didn't know what to do. I wasn't feeling well, I didn't know where to go. I had basically no money. Dawn had the money for the deposit on our apartment. I sought the Lord. I sought the Lord. I sought the Lord. I sought His Face. I sought His wisdom, His counsel, His might. Because I had absolutely no strength.

Tuesday morning my interview went REALLY well. And I got the job!!! YAY GOD. But they told me at my interview that I had to wait 2 weeks to start so I could do an orientation class.

I didn't have 2 weeks. So after the interview. I just went and sat somewhere. I had no money. I had a check but I really felt the Lord telling me NOT to cash it. I didn't know what to do. I didn't even have any money to eat that day. I didn't know what I was going to do. I sought the Lord. I knew that He wouldn't let His child go hungry or beg for bread. I knew that I wasn't supposed to stay at the staff member's place much longer. I wasn't going to start my job for 2 weeks. How was I supposed to start working to pay for rent? I sought the Lord. Because I know when you seek the Lord, you find Him. I had seriously no idea how I was going to eat. I told the Lord I would fast, but I don't think the conditions of my heart were right... So, I just walked around Harrisburg, praying and seeking God's face.

Sitting on a bench by the river, praying and praying, worshiping God, trusting Him. Reminding Him of His promises. Seeking His face. I remembered I needed an ID to show for paperwork sake when you get a new job.. so I went to look in my wallet to find my license to make sure I had it. So looking through my wallet.. I found $20!! I had so thought I lost that $20 and had TORN UP my wallet looking for it before!! But God had kept it hidden because He wanted to prove His faithfulness at ALWAYS PROVIDING! I was going to be able to eat! And my favorite place to eat down town was having a special so I got to get a huge steak salad for $4. Jesus is soo good.

And so encouraged, I went back to the apartment, filled out this application for the apartment I wanted and turned it in. I knew it would be a miracle if I was approved for the apartment for us... and even more of a miracle because I didn't have the money to pay for it yet......

So, that night was class, and trying so hard to maintain a thankful and trustful heart... I completely broke down and just sobbed. I was still weary. I still only had in my possession like $15... I didn't know where I was going to stay until I could get an apartment... I didn't know how I was going to pay for it... I KNEW the Lord WILL provide... I know His promises... But I was tired. Still sickish. Still seeking full rest. And still seeking Him knowing He was going to show Himself.

And so, a beautiful friend of mine offered her apartment to me, since she was going to be out of town for the weekend and I could stay in her room and also come early to stay before she leaves. Both her and her roommate both felt it was the Lord for me to come! It was an amazing relief just knowing how God works continually through people's lives to provide for you.

So Wednesday I went to stay with Jenny and Tiffany, more amazing staff at Global Celebration. My sister also felt the Lord leading her to send me some money that I'll be able to survive on until I start working. Praise God! Praise God. Praise God. Praise God. He always provides.

He always provides.

Wednesday night we went to church to see Brother Yun, Heavenly Man, who was speaking. At church I was talking to someone who has been very excited about what God is doing in my life and the adventure I'm on... and very concerned about my job and apartment search... He felt led to provide the $800 I needed for my first month rent! So I could move into my apartment! (if I was approved)

GOD PROVIDES ALWAYS. GOD ALWAYS PROVIDES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So the next miracle I needed was to be approved for this apartment... So Thursday.... I get a call from the rental company saying that... despite the facts, like all I have is a part time job and Dawn isn't working yet... they just need to see some financial statements.. and the apartment is ours! They considered our missionary status'... and approved us..... What? Yes. God is a god of MIRACLES.

THEN

I get a call from Starbucks... and they said I could start the next day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I got to start working YESTERDAY! Full of favor and glory from the Lord. I'll be working Monday through Friday 6 AM to 12. Sounds great to me. And I'll have plenty of time to get a second job.  YAY GOD.

So now I'm just waiting for Dawn to get back and she can show the rental company some paperwork and we will be moving into our new apartment. :DD

So I have an apartment. I have a job. Because I have a good God.

HE always provides. He always provides.

I came out to Harrisburg with basically nothing. And God provides everything. He is so faithful.

It is so important to be obedient to God. Because He always comes through. Always.

I'm so thankful for people who are obedient to Him.

I haven't stopped being so full of joy and glory. I haven't been able to stop praising Him. Even when I was hurting and confused, I still was praising Him and seeking Him. Even in my tears, I cried out to Him in worship. Knowing that everything was in His control. I totally felt all pride ripped from me. I can't do anything unless the Lord is breathing on my life. I don't have breath unless He gives it. It's all because of Him. It's all Jesus. It's all His. It all belongs to Him. And He'll never leave the righteous homeless or begging for bread.

There's so much more I could preach...... but I've already written so much. Thank you for reading these words. I hope you praise God because of them. And see that it is all Him. It's all Him. I couldn't have done any of that. It's all Him. Hehe Obvi.