Trusting and Following God. Joining EMI. Designing a World of Hope.

-- Hello lovely blog followers --
I am writing this note to inform you of and invite you to share in this next part of my life and new adventure God is calling me to. I am now a new graduate from UW-Stout in interior design. God has blessed my past four years with such an amazing experience learning about the Fathers love, and who I am in Him and who He is in me. While finishing up my last year at school I was praying about what the Lord is calling me to in this next part of my life. He brought me to the opportunity to apply for an internship with EMI (Engineering Ministries International). They are a Christian non-profit organization that works on design projects all over the world to reach the poorest people with rich hope through design and ultimately the LORD. They have worked in over 85 countries on over 800 projects. EMI does design work for ministries such as YWAM, Wycliff, and World Relief in developing countries. They have worked on projects such as water systems, churches, mission base camps, hospitals, and much more!
I applied not knowing if God would really bring me any further than the application. Guess what, he did! I was contacted this April for an interview, and a few weeks later was informed that I was accepted to the Costa Rica office!!!! It is so amazing that God knows how to use the gifts that he has given us. He truly knows our hearts and he sees us trusting him, and sees us waiting for him. God has really been calling me to things bigger then I am. I am learning to trust him in ways I have never had to before. So I will be gone working in Costa Rica from the end of August – Mid December. I will be working alongside the full time staff there and the other fall interns.

Because EMI is a non-profit organization both their staff and interns must raise their support. I am going to have to raise $7,600 for the 4 months that I am going to be gone. I am going to have to have my funds raised by August 6th. This funding will supply me with my travel related to projects, language school, EMI tuition, and staying with a host family. I have never raised support before so this is a step into the unknown. I know that if the Lord is calling me to this he will bring me all the way. I would like to invite you to join me on this journey and the next steps in my life with the Lord. If this is something that hits your heart please remember me, EMI, and the country of Costa Rica in your prayers. Please take time to talk to the Lord about the possibility of giving a monthly or one time donation of any amount. All the donations are tax-deductible.

I am looking forward to sharing and updating you with all of the things that God is doing! Thank you for taking time to read into my life! The Lord is Faithful!

Below is the link that contains all the information and ways to donate to my internship.
http://emiworld.org/donate_staff.php 

Also take a look around their site too to learn more and take a peek into what the Lord is doing!

http://emiworld.org/index.html 

- In HIS love, Erika Sanborn

He is doing a NEW thing!

Isaiah 43:18-19 Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

How wonderful are these words. This says to me that God is faithful. in the deserts and in the wastelands he makes us a way! He gives us streams! of LIVING WATER.
The past weeks have been so full of busy busy work! Finding physical rest has been a challenge but the spiritual rest is in also in NEED! We have been talking at my church the past weeks about the Holy Spirit and how he is our helper and our comforter, and many many things for us. I am so thankful that God has comfort for us and rest for us when we are in restless seasons and uncomfortable transitions. I know that I need him! I am done being a Stout student in one week. This is so crazy to think about! And do you know what I haven't had much time to feel this fact, to really let it hit me. Like the verse for today God is doing new things, and he is slowly and surly filling me in on them. :)
I was so blessed to be able to go to a weekend meeting with PPM a few weekends back. What an amazing group. I got a glimpse of what my time in Belize and my time with PPM is going to look like. Love is going to be there that is for sure, and it is love that comes from God alone. I know I will be stretched this summer in ways like never before. I have recently been thinking about how next week I am jumping of the edge of my understanding. What a big jump. But the Lord is a firm foundation in whom we shall not be shaken, So I know when he calls me to Jump he is gone before me to catch me.  Here is a pic of the PPM group! lovely!

One more update for the week is another new thing that I am thankful to the LORD for. It seems that he has known my busy crazy life these last weeks and worked around and through and with them.  I was accepted 2 weeks ago for a fall internship with EMI Costa Rica. You can check them out at www.emiworld.org 
I will find time soon to fill you in with more detail.

Ok to end this I think that I for sure, and maybe you need a reminder that the LORD is mighty, his love is everlasting, we were made for that love and He is the only thing that will fill us. He hears our prayers and is longing for me and you to talk to him and listen to him! I need this to hit me tonight and the days to come. I pray for refreshing in the name of the Lord Jesus and thank you Lord for the comforter that you have given us to live in the hearts of your people!

Going to a party

Ready for something so cute!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbICnR0XyQs

Penelope Judd




Once upon a time in a distant land
Far beyond the sea where there lived no man
Or woman- in fact, lo and behold
The oldest person there was only 12 years old
Because all the grown-ups had washed away in a flood
One town in particular there was called Mud
Because every sister, cousin and brother
From head to toe in mud they were covered
But anyway, in this town called Mud
There lived a little girl named Penelope Judd
Now Penelope was a very sad, sad girl
Because she was living in a bad, bad world
Where kids teased each other and acted really mean
They lied, cheated and stole and their speech was obscene
With no grown-ups around, nobody was really wise
So every kid did what was right in their own eyes
Penelope would cry- like every single day
No matter what she did, the tears wouldn’t go away
But deep down in her heart, she hoped it would get better
Because of what her grandpa had written in a letter
He said, “Penelope, it’s great news that I bring
On the mountain top there lives a great King
The King has a Son, and being a proud Father
He’s going to throw the Prince a huge party in His honor
But the good part: and I hope it gets you excited
Penelope Judd, you’re officially invited!
He’s sending a Dove- He’ll tell you all you need to know
Just have your bags packed and be ready to go”
It had been such a long time Penelope was waiting
She wondered if the letter was true or just faking
But one day she was playing outside
And to her great surprise, the Dove had arrived!
He said:
Off we go with no delay


Don’t let nobody try to make you stay.We’re gonna see the King, we're on our way
And all the old things gon’ pass away
The Dove told her that He was sent by the King
If she wanted to go, she had to run and grab her things
Penelope said, “OK. I’ll be right back!”
Ran into the house and came back out with her knapsack
The Dove said, “Penelope, the party is in a day
Stay alert, follow me and I’ll lead the way”
So as He flew and Penelope walked the path
She waived good-bye to her friends and they started to laugh
They said that she was silly for following the Dove
Just to go to some stupid party up above
Penelope and the Dove continued on their way
But then she got sad, because part of her wanted to stay
But then she thought to herself, “Why would I want to stay?
Because all they do is play in the mud all day
And while they’re doing that, I’m gonna see the King!”
It made Penelope so happy, she started to sing
She said:
Off I go with no delay
And ain’t nobody gonna make me stay
I’m gonna see the King- I’m on my way
And all the old things gon’ pass away


Now when they had been walking for a long time
They reached the foot of the mountain and they started to climb
Penelope got scared, not sure if she could keep
going because the mountain was very, very steep
On top of that, it was now dark outside
The Dove said, “Keep your eyes on me- I’ll be your guide”
Getting to the top was a difficult trip
But the Dove was there to pick her up whenever she slipped
And she was so excited when they got near the top
that she didn’t even stop when her knapsack dropped
The Dove led her to the Palace and said, “Farewell!
See you inside!” He flew away; Penelope rang the bell
A huge angel answered, looked her up and down
She knew something was wrong because he had a big frown
“Can I help you, ma’am?” “Yes, I’m here for the party


I have an invitation” He said, “I’m so sorry!
There’s no way that I can let you through these doors
The King won’t let anyone dirty up His floors”
She didn’t understand, so without coming near her
He reached into his pocket and He pulled out a mirror
And for the very first time, she saw that she was dirty
The Palace was spotless- she knew she was unworthy
As the angel continued, “I’m sorry, little friend
but…”A voice inside the party said, “You can let her in”
The next thing she knew, the Prince Himself was at the door
He looked at her, smiled and said, “There’s room for one more”
He reached out and touched her- instantly she was clean
Wearing the brightest robe that she had ever seen
If the Mud kids had seen it, they would have gone blind
“Where’d you get it?”, she asked, He said, “Actually, it’s mine”
And as He lead her in through the Palace doors
He sang the sweetest song she ever heard before
He said:
Long ago, laid aside my crown
Became a Mud kid, traveled to your tow
They kicked me out, didn’t want me around
But those who love me get to share my crown
- By Shai Linne. This is one track on his wonderful new album Storiez.


Have a WONDERFUL day :)
remember who you were made by and who you were made for.

Here are some cuties from my trip <3 sorry I have not posted more pictuers yet!!!!
Just a quick update, I will be going back June 3- July 3rd this summer. :)  yippy God is good

"What does love look like?"

Today will be a simple post, a song by Misty and a poem from a few springs ago. Take some quiet time. Set your heart on the Lord and take a listen to these two things. Have a wonderful weekend. Remember you are made for Love and made by Love. It is on purpose that Christ died for this world. Your true purpose can and will only be found in God. He created you for it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2ZCIp0HiRo&feature=related

Completing the Grace
By: Jesus and Erika


Break it!
Take it!
My life can not hold it.
It weighs me down, lying on the ground.
My back will break.
My heart will melt.
My head will burst with pain!


The things I’ve done, you know everyone.
How I shiver at the thought of God knowing what I’ve got!
It’s and illness, it’s a plague, covering, corroding what He has made!
How I HATE IT, how I SCREAM!


…


As I lay there on the floor, my heart doesn’t hurt anymore.
My back feels light.
My head is clear and my eyes drift to who is near.




In His tomb he laid by me, and that is when he arose.
He leans to me with a mighty hand and whispers in a loving voice:
“It was finished 3 days ago. I took it on that day.
Stand up my child for I have taken the blame,
all the guilt, and all the shame.
You have found me here and I have been waiting for the day that I could say:


“YOU’RE FREE”


“YOU’RE FREE”


Take my hand child of mine.
Here in this place, let’s complete the grace.
Burying all your sin,
Let it ALL out, and we will win.
Hand in hand we will live.”






So I reached out and took his hand, it was a perfect fit.
We walked away from the tomb.
I felt so light.
We both turned and looked the tomb was empty,
My sins had been taken.
My lips and hands shaken.


I knew as he turned me back around they never again would be found!
So, God and I walked hand in hand,
And that’s the day my true life began.

The Joy of the Lord is our stregth! Home from Belize

Hello everyone. I am now in the USA. Arriving in Belize was a culture shock and arriving back in the US was a culture shock. It is amazing how God can get you adjusted to something so new so quickly when you trust in him! Now that I am back I am looking back on the trip and seeing how AMAZING it was. I was there as a assistant trip leader with Praying Pelican. I went in with little idea of what it would be like.

It was interesting being on my first missions trip, first time out of the country, and learning about being a trip leader all at one time! Im going to give you a  look into my days in Belize :

6:50am

get up and get on the road

drop off trash from the day before
then go get water from the store

then off the the cute cooks to pick up breakfasts!

Then eat breakfast with the lovely team

pack up and head to the town for the day. We went to a different one everyday.

9:00 am

set up and start the clinic at the local community center.

nursing and pre-med students did all the vitals, then one American Dr. Greg and one Belizean Dr. and our pastor for the week saw many many people each day! And then 2 pharmacy students helping get meds out in both Spanish and English. Also lots of playing, bubbles, and coloring with the kids.

Then lunch around 12

then off to the local school for some health education about coughing, sneezing, teeth brushing, hand washing
then lots of play time, packed with games

Then VBS prep, some prayer walking, Fanta runs
around 3:30 VBS lots of kiddos about 60 + each day Lots and Lots of kids. All filled with smiles! :)
Then dinner, some days at the sea with the cooks.

And then night time was different every night depending on if we had church or not.

That is a VERY quick look into the week. So many highlights that I could type about! So so many!

God has JOY for all of his children, and that really hit me today! If joy is what God has for us to strengthen us how much does Satan hate that joy?!
There are many many verses that talk about JOY!
Take some time to look at psalm 45 <3 the whole thing is great. See how joy is uses in verse 7 and 15. Jesus will one day come back for his Bride. Are you ready?
"They are led in with joy and gladness; they enter the palace of the king." Verse 15 What a beautiful visual this creates!

have a blessed day, I pray the joy of the Lord hits you today like it hit me. Remember you were made for HIM and you were made by HIM. It is not about what you do but what God does. It is about his love, his joy, his sacrifice, his ideas! This makes me happy because when I don’t know what I am doing, God always knows what he is doing! We get to trust him. Thank you Lord! So thankful that we are The Lords, no longer our own.

Spring Ahead into Belize! :)

Ok so it is a bit late and daylight savings isn't helping. I will be up in the air at 6:10 am and off to Belize. I am so excited to go, to see what the Lords plan has been. I am so glad that He is with us where ever we go. I am so thankful that he has let me go on this trip with him. It will be bigger then I think.
I cant wait to tell you all about it! My hope is in the LORD!  I was thinking about hope and the saying "gave up all hope" or "give up all hope" and I was thinking about how sad it sounds but then I was thinking about our HOPE BEING IN THE LORD when we are children of the most high king and ruler of everything. Then giving "UP" are hope is such a lovely thought. Placing that high up there with our king in his chambers. Our hope is found in God!
This makes me think of a great lyric "our hope is found in the God we trust, any other identity will self destruct."
think on these things, think on wondeful God things :) <3  I pray you find your hope has been given up to our God!

I don't really know what to say for this post.

the verse of the day on my facebook was this:

"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands." Acts 17:24

This is a beautiful reality. And I am so glad it is what we get to live out!

I pray you are all blessed, and grow in the fullness of the Lord, who He is and who you are. I am going to miss many people while on this trip :) have a wonderful 10 days! YOU are loved by a perfect God!

He is faithful, he is just.

<--- this is Emily Porter, life long gift from the Lord I am thankful to call friend! her and i will be working together on this trip starting tomorrow!!! God is good! all the time! God is good!

Trust the Lord, lean not on your own understanding. he was and is and is to come

In less than a week I will be leaving the country and heading to Belize with the Lord, my lifelong friend Emily, a group of students from both Uof M and Bethel, and others. To go be with this team I have yet to meet and all the people in Belize I have yet to meet. What is SO cool is that the Lord who knows me perfectly also knows all of them.


and the Lord knows what every day has in store for us there. He goes ahead of us and behind us. God talks about this in Isaiah 52, (btw it seems that I cannot get enough of Isaiah, I don’t even try to go there it just happens) but anyway Isaiah 52:12 "But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard."
Go take a look at chapter 52. The Lord is calling the captives free, free in him and by him. He says awake and put on strength and splendor, shake off dust, stand up and sit enthroned! wow those are just bits of the first 2 verses. The LORD calls us out of chains to a place enthroned! lets keep going....

verse 6, we will know his name! Then we come to verse 7 oh how lovely of a picture is this???
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring the good news... verse 9 burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people....
Keep reading it on your own, it is amazing
bare his holy arm in the sight of all nations
the ends if the earth will see the salvation of our God
The he is calling Zion to depart and to know that he is before them and their rear gua
what a wonderful chapter!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANNAH 19!
<--- could she be cuter?
Ok hope you all have a blessed day, call on the name of the Lord, learn who you are, created by him and for him. What does that mean today? Be encouraged, stand in the Love of the Father, and pass it out to others <3