The Gift of Giving & New Seasons

So much time has blown by since October! 
I wish I had the time to sit with all of you over a cup of coffee and just catch up on how you are doing and all the things that have happened these passed few months. 
I have finally gotten the opportunity to sit & relax. 
Because I'm on Christmas Break. 

This Christmas is a little bit different from my previous Christmas'.
Instead of going home to my family in Ohio, my family in Ohio came to my Texas home. 
On the 17th, my parents made their way over to Tyler, Texas and we spend Christmas with my mom's side of the family. We've done a lot of traveling around Texas between different families so it's been good to see Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and meet a few cousins that I haven't met yet. 

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 

Isaiah 9:6

I love spending time with family and friends during the holidays. There is just something beautiful that happens during theses times that we get together and give. A quotes that I enjoy is “For it is in giving that we receive.” I love those quotes so much because we have an Almighty God who loves us so much that gave the ultimate gift so that we can receive Life. Because of what He gave, we receive so much more. We receive everything that we would ever need in our life. Provision, Grace, Love, Protection, Peace, and so much more. And when we receive something, our response can only be two words, "Thank You." I am so thankful for what I have.  Thankful for that little baby that grew up in to a man that would change my life forever. I am thankful for my family who is always by my side. My dear friends that love me in my mountains and in my valleys. I am so thankful for you. I pray that as you read this, that you would remember the times that someone influenced your life because that is how you have influenced me. 

My January intern, Sarah Tapp.

These past four months that I have spend as a Core Advisor have been such a learning experience. My January intern, Sarah Tapp, has graduated the Honor Academy and is starting an new chapter in her life.  In January she will be heading over to South Africa with Impact Africa to be a missionary there. I am so excited for her and seeing how the Lord is going to move so deeply in her life. My seven young ladies are all at home right now and enjoying time with family & friends as I am. As we enter a new year and transition, I continue to pray 2 Corinthians 11:1 over these next 8 months. 

"Follow me as I follow Christ." 

This scripture has just become my verse over this year. I am not a perfect leader whatsoever and I have made mistakes and will make more mistakes in the future. But it's by the grace that is given to me that I can be the leader that He has called me to be. 

I love you all so much, 

Abigail Marie. 

Dirty Clothes, Pretty Rings & Lovelyheads

Next week is November. 
I can barely even believe it! 


Life as a Core Advisor has been filled with so many memories and life changing experiences. 
So let's begin. . 

The PEARL Life Transforming Event

Alabama Company

Teaching the dance to the entire conference

 We were Alabama Company and it was such a brand new experience.  Going through the PEARL for the second time, I thought would be so hard. And yes, it did have it's challenges, but my mindset during the PEARL was so different. My mindset was still set on me and my pain and how I was going to be an example for my ladies, but that became my biggest obstacle. To get over my own self righteousness.  To be there to encourage my family around me and bear fruit of joy! Out of my 8 ladies, 6 of them participated. And out of those 6, 4 of them finished with me. I am so proud of every single one of them.  They were so strong and persevered even through the hardest moments of the PEARL. I think my core won for the most crutches being used after the LTE too! But all is well, they are healed in the name of Jesus. 

It's a new thing.

          For about a month now, I have been starting my second year as a Graduate Intern in the Honor Academy.  The program I am committed to is the Core Advisor [CA] program.  In this program you dedicate to a life of service. 
Over this next year I will be over a young group of ladies, eight to be exact. And they all are very lovely girls.  During the first week of the internship, I had eight temporary girls for gauntlet week.  This is the week where they're getting a feel for things and figuring out what the Honor Academy life will begin to look like.  I had Sarah Tapp, Amber Leyba, Christiean Gutierrez, Ashely Favichia, Lindsey [Tika] Storm, Daniela Echeverry, Rebecca Sparks & Sherry Leung. 

top left to right: Becca, Christiean, Sherry & Tika
bottom left to right: Sarah, myself, Ashley, Daniela & Amber

They all are very sweet girls and each encountered the Lord in such a great and mighty way.  Well at the end of the week and after the commitment banquet, the official cores were announced.  I ended up losing Rebecca & Daniela and gained two lovely girls, Sarah & Nicole [Coco]. Each one of my girls are so wonderful and are here to pursue Christ with their everything. I'm looking forward to having many memories and experiences with each of these ladies. 

There are also a two other people that will be very involved in my life this year and that is my sister core advisor and my brother core advisor.

Quincie Lavire: She is my sister core advisor.  Quincie and I were team captains when we called for the Lansing Acquire the Fire together during my undergrad year, so we have a good friendship already. Quincie is from Michigan and I'm really looking forward to our year together. 

Dominic Zimmerman: Dominic is a really fun and awesome man of God.  We really didn't know each other very well during my undergrad year, but I would see him every know and then.  Dominic is from Colorado and I'm really looking forward to co-leading with him this year. 

PEARL

So since I am starting another year here at Teen Mania, I will be participating in the PEARL Life Transforming Event.  Last year and years before it has been known as ESOAL, but because of changes that have happened over these past 12 years, it is now called PEARL. PEARL stands for Physical, Emotional, and Relational Learning.  I have many different emotions about this coming up week, but I know the Lord is going to be with me. 

If you want to follow on how we're all doing with the PEARL, you can follow Heath Stoner's blog. He should be updating it everyday starting on Thursday. The PEARL will be ending around Sunday morning or early afternoon. I will never find out, (:

http://www.honoracademydirector.com/

Well that should be it for now, I will definitely be updating soon with everything! 

I love you all,

blessings.

Abigail Marie. 

Goodbyes & New Beginnings

So much has just gone on since the last time I updated this blog! It has definitely been such a roller coaster of events and emotions. So let’s just jump into things!

The top of the mountain, a breathtaking experience...literally.

July has been such a blur really for me.  Majority of the time, I had only 3 roommates because the others were on their missions trip during July and I was the only one in my room that went during June.  So room 1209 was really quieter than usual. During the month I had a lot of training for my year as a core advisor, the Dorm Directors really helped us a lot and I really got to bond with my core advisor class.  At the end of July, I went to Colorado in Estes Park to hike Halets Peak.  It took us about 7 hours to go up the mountain and 2 hours to go down.  The mountain was such a hard day, but I had such great encouragement from my family core.  The top of the mountain was so breath taking and something that a Dorm Director told are group just really hit home.  He said that God created such big mountains that He could just crumble at any moment, but yet He still gives us the authority to walk on them.  Looking at some of the rocks on mountain was so crazy to look at because they looked like if slighted bit of a push would knock them over. The mountain was a great experience.

As soon as I got back from the mountain, on August 2nd, I got the chance to go home for a little bit.  That weekend, I got to see my life long best friend, Ellen Ollervides become Ellen Emery.  Seeing her walk down the aisle to Ben was such a breath taking moment, I couldn’t stop crying.  I was with my pastor’s wife, Sister Bunny, and we just both had these moments of “where did the time go!?” I told her how I remember so clearly in the 2nd grade when Ellen and I would sit next to each other in GMA.  We had so memories together like...

Dancing together

Talking for hours on each other’s bed

The “pose”

Sharing love stories together from all those crazy boys

Crying together from them crazy boys

Laughing until our cheeks hurt

Never getting into a big argument

Taking phycology together

Crying tears of joy on the phone when December 31st, 2009 happened

Helping with the wedding

& there is just many more to come.

And there’s only more to come.  Sure we’re separated, but I know the Lord will continue to guide us and let us have more time together. The wedding was a beautiful day that I will never forget. Praying for continued blessing for the Emery’s.

After home, I went straight into getting ready for a new year ahead of me in TeenMania.  Every day, your conversation kinda sounded like “Hey, remember that one time!” or “What was your first impression of me?” Reminiscing was something you couldn’t help but do. My parents, Joshua and his girlfriends son, Junior, all came down during my Gala and graduation.  I had lot of memories and business for sure.  I really appreciate everyone that the Lord had distinctly placed in my life for a reason.  

Saying goodbye to SimplyLove was one of the hardest things I had to do.  The memories we shared. The vulnerability we experienced. My heart just chills just thinking of them.  I couldn’t be more thankful for them and how each day we learned to SimplyLove Him and remove everything from hindering loving Him. Gosh, I really do miss you all! Courtney Paige, Megan Heath, Kristen Akridge, Samantha Madison, Marie Bui and Lindsey Bender.  You all are such precious women of God and He is doing a beautiful thing in each of your lives. 

Right after graduation, it was straight into transition week.  This is the week that there is only January interns and Graduate Interns and we begin to get ready for the next incoming August class. We just finished gauntlet week and I know have an official core, but that will have to be in my next blog which will be coming up soon. 

Before I let all of you go, I wanted to take some time to address a few things about this next year.  I am staying another FULL year here at TeenMania and I will be raising money for tuition again.  My tuition this year is $5,400.  So I would love to have any help if you can.  If you are not able to give financially, prayer is one thing that I appreciate even more! To give to account, there are few ways you can donate:

Online:

www.honoracademy.com/donate 

My TM ID is 2516631

Over the phone:

32423423

Mailing a check to:

Abigail Lopez

PO BOX 2010 CPO#303

Garden Valley, TX 75771

p.s. I also love getting letters in the mail, ;) 

I appreciate all of you and I cannot thank you enough for all the prayer and support each of you have done.  Thank you so much & God Bless! 

Abigail Marie 

Degitte [Hello] from Panama!

I am back from Panama and I don't know whether to be sad or happy.  It is very bittersweet. 

Panama was just beautiful and life changing! 

It all started on June 11th, with Missionary Advisor training.  A missionary advisor is a leader that is over a small group of girls called a Missionary Advisor Group [MAG] and small group of guys & girls, which is called a Ministering In Groups [MIG].  

My MAG, Annette & Hannah

A total of 77 young teenagers were set to go to Panama.  We all got split up into 4 teams.  My team was with 16 people in it.  Our team name was MMOJ which means "Make Most of Jesus." I really didn't know what to expect from this team and honestly, I didn't think I was going to have fun.  I got split up from my Honor Academy friends and placed with kids that we much younger than me. 

For the first few days, we had many hours of training in Garden Valley first. We had many sessions and spend a long day outside, learning skits and songs for our Vocational Bible School that we were doing on the Islands and the Jungle.  I was put into leadership as the MC for Vocational Bible Study.  Being in leadership is something that I had to learn to love.  Naturally, it is easy for me to be a leader with a team of leaders, but during this trip, I had to learn that God gives us authority.  He is going to put us in positions that stretch us and being in leadership by myself was something I had to face and be confident in.  I had such great team leaders that poured into me daily and empowered me every time I had to face the small group of kids.    

After hut to hut ministry, my MIG

Kendra, Verity, Nathan & Breanna

On June 15th, we made our journey to Panama City.  We all got to rest at a camp and get ready for our boat rides over to the Islands for our first week of ministry.  After a few complications with  logistics, we took a 5 hours boat ride to the Nargana Island. Upon arrival we went up to a island that had trash every where.  The island had no plumbing, but for Panama is was a very modern island.  They had electricity, so we heard music and televisions and most people had cell phones and wifi. We were greeting by the Silas and headed our way to the church where we would be housing.  Immediately kids from every corner saw that the Americans were hear and greeted us with welcoming smiles and hugs.  Our group quickly put our things down and went out to the court to play with the children.  We played duck, duck, goose or in Panama they say "gato, gato, perro."  which is cat, cat, dog.  We all were just drenched in the humidity and ready to call it a night, but we had one problem.  Our hammocks and food were shipped to the wrong island.  The locals were so giving though and let us use their own hammocks while our leaders found out which island our things went.  

The Nargana Island

Throughout the week, our schedule looked kinda like this:

6am: wake up & get ready

7am: breakfast

8am: quiet time

9am: time with your MAG

9:30am: hut to hut ministry with your MIG

11:30 lunch

12:30 VBS

2:30 processing the day

3:00 MAG time

4:00 preparation for the next day

5:00 dinner

6:00 showers

8:00 couch time

It was definitely exhausting in the heat.  We all were very ready to sleep, but we all had a few rough nights because of some noises we heard throughout the night and a very loud thunderstorm.  At 4:30 every morning, a man were blow a conch and call all the women to clean their huts.  We also had a cat at night that would get into fights with other animals right next to the church.  It was definitely an experience that won't be forgotten any time soon.  

On June 25th, we all got back on the boats and headed back to Panama City.  It was so bittersweet.  We all got very attached to the natives and many tears were shed.  The children were probably the hardest to say goodbye too.  They all would just climb up you and beg you not to leave.  I was left speechless so many times.  We all headed back to the city and got to experience our first free day of shopping in Panama City.

Effie, Leianna, Luciero and I

The buildings in Panama City

Braceletes! Bracelets! 

On June 29th, we all took a 4 hour bus ride to the Darien jungle.  When we arrived at our Te Kuna village, it was definitely something that I did not expect.  This village was a lot less modern and the people mostly spoke Kuna, unlike the at the islands where people spoke Spanish majority of the time.

Showers in the river.

All of our hammocks

The bathroom.....sick.

  There also was a lot of spiritual warfare in the villages.  Many of the people did not know who Jesus Christ was, but they believed in God and many other idols.  The children also were very hesitant to approach us.

We went straight in with our typical schedule and ministry was great and the same with VBS.  We all really learned to work together as a team and made great friendships with the older people in the villages.  The children also became used to us and open to us.  

Celestino showing off his artwork

Playing red light, green light
150 charging after me to win a prize!

Leianna and I in Kuna skirts

He was so fun! He only spoke Kuna, so he didn't talk much

On July 8th we all were back in Garden Valley, debriefing on how our trip went.  Today, I still cannot believe how fast my trip went.  Throughout the weeks I learned so much about boldness and having authority.  At both the islands and the villages, there was a language barrier because well...I don't speak spanish [yet!] and there was so many opportunities that our group could've just gave up and quit.  

Psalm 37:5

"Commit your way to the Lord,

Trust also in Him,

and He shall bring it to pass."

Our group had to remember to trust in Him, because even though we didn't see mighty miracles like a blind person seeing or lame person walking, we had to let God do what He wanted to do.  I do believe that miracles did happen they were done on the inside.  Many people got a chance to encounter the Lord in such a way that is so unexplainable.  

So to everyone who has been praying and supporting me, I cannot express my gratitude for everything that you have done for the Kingdom of God.  Miracles did happen, hearts were softened and many gave their lives to the Lord during our trip.  Your acts of service helped make this happen! Thank you! (:

Sincerely,

Abigail Marie

For All Who Believe, Panama Missions Trip!

Starting June 13th, I will be starting my month long missions trip to Panama.

I can't wait to be spending one whole month dedicated to living a lifestyle that I am not used to.  With no plumbing or electricity, I'm going to be living in a straw hut and sleeping in a hammock, preaching the Gospel to the Islands and Jungles of Panama.

   

To give you all the details of my trip, here is our itinerary for the trip:

June 13 – Arrive at Global Expeditions headquarters in Texas and meet your team

June 14-15 – Get to know your team and train for your trip to Panama

June 16: International Travel Day

Jun 17: Get oriented in country and complete your training

Jun 18 – 24: Ministry in Islands: In the morning we will minister to kids with VBS at schools or communities, the afternoon ministry with teens and hut to hut ministry.

Jun 25: Travel to the city.

Jun 27: Free Day at Market 5 de Mayo.

Jun 28 – July 4 Jul: Ministry in Jungle: VBS in schools or communities and Servant Evangelism.

July 5: Travel Panama City.July 6: Free Day in Gatun.

July 7: Depart for Texas

July 8: Spend one last day with your team and prepare to go home

July 9: Depart for home

As right now, financially, I am in of help.  Right now my balance says I need about $1732 left to fundraise for my Global Expeditions trip.  So if you would like to donate to my trip, you can help out with this mission to save lives in Panama.

Online:

www.globalexpeditions.com/donate

click on "Support A Missionary"

You can use my name or ID # which is 

2516631

Phone:

1.866.545.6239

You can say you would like to donate to a missionaries account and they can help you from there.

Right now, because of the shortage of time, I do ask that you do not mail check because it would get to the offices later.

I thank you so much for all of your prayers, help and support! Each and every one of you have blessed me so much in helping advance the Kingdom of God.

I love you all!

Abigail Marie

"And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs"

Mark 16:20

Playing Catch up for 2011

Family and Friends,
First off I really need to apologize for my lack of communicating to you what I have been doing for this entire year! I have been having some trouble with my Mac and getting it to send my newsletters. I have them made, but my server has been acting up.  So this newsletter will be long with all my newsletters from then, but I hope this will be able to catch you all up with what I have been doing these past 5 months! You will definitely the process of my journey change a lot too, (:

January: 

Since back in Garden Valley, it has been non stop moving.  Coming back to the Honor Academy this semester, I have been placed in higher leadership than a usual undergrad.  Currently I am an Assistant Core Advisor in my core, Team Captain for the Lansing, Michigan Acquire the Fire and Assistant to the producers of Potter’s Desire dance team.  I knew over break that I would be really busy and I thought that I was ready for it.  By the second week into January, I was full of stress and worry.  I tried to do this all on my own.  I put other priorities first before putting the Lord first.  

“The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.”  

Proverbs 11:25 

This scripture isn’t saying that the Lord fills us when were empty, but that He will continue to have an overflow of refreshment so that some of that overflow can be poured into others.  But if you’re not having that time with the Lord and you don’t seek Him daily, you can shrivel up like a plant without any water and it’ll be harder to pour into people when you have nothing left for yourself.  It was a tough lesson learned, but the Lord has brought me through it.  

During the first week of Gauntlet, we got to have a January named Abigail Hall in our room for the week.  During that week, I got to experience gauntlet week different than my own personal gauntlet.  It really was a good reminder to look back on how the Lord has moved me since my arrival week.  

Core Rollouts

After Gauntlet week, we all found our permanent cores for the next 7 months of our internship.  Abigail got placed into another core and we got Samantha Marie Madison, or Sammie, placed in our core.  She is such a sweet heart! She is very athletic, funny, and kind.  She really has opened up to us and it has been nothing but good memories with her.  

During the second week with Sammie, the August in the core got to roll out our core name, Simply Love, to Sammie.  This core is really near and dear to my heart.  Right now, I am praying whether to stay a second year or not at the Honor Academy.  As of right now, I have not a clue what the Lord has in store for me.  I do know that I more than likely will be going to Core Advisor roads, which is a week for undergrads to be tested and facilitated to see if they have the responsibility and heart to be a Graduate Intern.  Being able to roll out core gave me a true experience for what it could be like in the future.  I also have a love for our core name, Simply Love.  Being able to show Sammie our heart as to what it truly means to be Simply Love, really showed me how much depth there was in a core name.  It was a night that won’t be forgotten any time soon.   

Potter’s Desire

The very next week, I got to participate in setting up and being on the judging panel for the auditions for Potter’s Desire.  It was so awesome to see so many people with different backgrounds and different passions each tell a story with their solos.  From dancing since they were 3 to never setting foot in a studio, each person had something to say through their movementAfter we had posted up the new family to the dance team, we all started practice right away.  Currently, we are working on 2 performances this coming up weekend [February 5th & 6th].  We will be performing 3 different pieces over the weekend.  On Friday, we will be heading to Dallas to perform 2 modern pieces. The first piece is the 20 minutes piece that we have already performed before.  However, most of leads have graduated and are no longer on the dance team and we have newer members.  So we had quick auditions and I actually got the main role as Valerie Henderson, a young girl that grew up with an abusive father and now has a ministry called “Roadblock Ministries.” I am very honored to be playing such an impacting role.  Our other piece is a Woman at the Well piece. We have 7 young women portraying a woman in prostitution and we have a man playing Jesus.  Through all the brokenness and hopelessness, we find Jesus and that living water that will fulfill us forever.  It is really dear to one of our producers heart, because he is called to work in that ministry.

February:

 During the first weekend of February, Texas got something that they rarely see.  SNOW! Garden Valley got about 7 inches of snow during the first weekend of April.  My Core Advisor and roommate, Marie live in the South and they don’t see sow much so they were very excited.  The roads got really bad and all ministry placements were cancelled for the day, so we took advantage of our free day and rested.  Our core & my dorm director Shyla, had a snowball fight and explored campus, then curled up with some hot chocolate and watched a movie.  The weekends that are full of rest are such a blessing here. After our restful day, it was back into the norm of going constantly.  This month has been full of such exciting events! On February 6th, I got a chance to work at this years Superbowl to help fundraise for my Honor Academy account.  I went with my roommate, Kristen, and we were up for about 21 hours and stood for a very long time, but I got an opportunity to reflect Christ by having the joy of the Lord by serving others.  The fans were crazy & loud, but they all were very friendly.

Fasting Life Transforming Event

On February 10th to the 13th, I got to enter my second Fasting Life Transforming Event.  I really had no idea what to expect going into it.  Right now, the August interns are starting to seek the Lord on finding direction as to whether or not to stay a second year or not.  Many people asked me what were my plans after my internship & ask of right now I am praying and seeking the Lord.  I want to have an open heart to what He has for me and seek how I can serve Him.  The weekend was tough mentally, spiritually, & physically.  I wanted to eat and I was light headed and there were times that I wanted to give up.  I also felt spiritually dry & that I couldn’t physically feel His presence.  But that became my problem.  I learned that I cannot base how I feel the Lord on how I’m feeling emotionally, but to remember that He is always faithful.  And with what is to come this August, I am learning to be patient and being still to here His voice. 

“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage.  And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord.”

--Psalm 27:14

“Seek His face, not His hands” is what my brother Core Advisor told us before we go into His hands.  Delight in Him & He will give you the desires of your heart.  

Wisdom of Women

Since the Fasting LTE, my Core Advisor has really encouraged me to seek older women.  It has really been a challenge for me because of fear I have had in my life, but right now I am so thankful that she pushed me out of my comfort zone.  Being able to sit down with women and see their hearts really has shown me to break those chains that the devil had me on for far too long.  In my Risen Women class, Katie Luce says “Rise Women will be generationally connected, reaching up to older women who have gone before them for wisdom & guidance and reaching down to the next generation to provide Godly example and encouragement.”  It’s been great to be able to embrace that statement now. 

 Operation Collision

This past week and next week, the Acquire the Fire call center has been placed in an over week.  We are now working 40 hours this next week and are really pushing to reach a broken generation.  God is doing some awesome things for the Lansing, Michigan team.  He has done nothing but blessed our phone calls with divine appointments.  I love encouraging each of the youth pastors I talk to and especially praying for them.  Hearing praise reports from everyone is so wonderful! 

March:

Life here in Texas has been such a blessing.  The Lord has blessed me so much these past two months.  On March 7th to March 12th, the Honor Academy had the August Ring Banquet.  My class, along with our new January class, got to be reminded as to why we are here at the Honor Academy and what we aim to achieve her. Things like faith, integrity, godly relationships, vision, and excellence.  My parents and little brother, David, also got to experience some of my life at the Honor Academy.  I was so glad to spend time with them down here in lovely Texas.  

Unreached People Group

 A few weeks later, the internship got to experience another Life Transforming Event, called the unreached people group or UPG.  During this weekend, we got experience the life of role playing as a tribe or missionary group.  During the weekend, the missionaries would set out to find their tribe and adapt to their lifestyle while preaching the gospel to them in the same way.  I was chosen to be a tribal person and I was part of the Kui tribe.  The Kui tribe believed in worshiping spirits and it was really hard.  The Kui tribe is a real tribe in Magnolia and having to bow down to things like fire and tree and the sun was all so weird to me.  But to the Kui, it is an everyday lifestyle. It was a really fun LTE and it really gave me some insight for what is to come for me in Panama.  

Core Advisor Roads

This next section of my newsletter is probably one of my favorite times during my whole entire internship here at the Honor Academy and that is roads.

To back track all the way to December, when I was home for break. I was asked a lot a questions as to what my plans were for August after I graduated the Honor Academy.  Well since then, I have done a lot of praying and fasting over what I should do for my next step.  At the end of March and beginning of April, I pursued to be a Graduate Intern at the Honor Academy as a Core Advisor.  

The Honor Academy has second year options for an interns to consider after graduation and undergrad year.    There are options like a Management Associate, where you are trained in the business area of the ministry.  The Ministry Team, who puts on all the Acquire the Fire events for a year and live on a bus for that time of the ATF events. Also the Core Advisor, which is the mentoring area.  I have a Core Advisor right now named Courtney Fricke.  During this year she has met with me weekly and she pursued me and challenges my growth here at the Honor Academy.  We have had many laughs, tears, trials and memories during this year.  

So during this week, I pursued being a Core Advisor by going down CA roads.  During this week you have tasks, assignments, and nightly events that you do with the current Core Advisors.  During the day you are facilitated by Core Advisors where they test you on memorization, pressure of being a CA and your heart as to why you want to be a CA. During roads, the Lord really showed a lot to me on fear that I have on my life.  During that week, the leadership puts in you tests that you will fail, but in the end they what to see what are you putting your hope in.  Am I putting my hope in my own strength or in the Lord, because even though I will fail, He will never fail me.  

“There fore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.  For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: ‘For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry.  Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him.’ But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.”

Hebrews 10:35-39

That week was one of the hardest weeks of my internship, but in the end I became more dependent on His strength, rather than my own. I am so thankful for the Truth that was poured into my life every single day.

A week later, I found out that I was accepted to be a 2011-2012 core advisor.  I probably will never forgot the huge amount of butterflies that I had in my stomach while I was on my way to my Dorm Directors office to find out.  After she had told me, I just put my face in my hand and cried. When I looked up, I saw Courtney, my core advisor, scream “Congratulations!” Since then, I have signed my commitment paper and I am committed to stay another year to be a Core Advisor for the incoming August class and current January class.  I am very excited and very nervous. I know that I will fail as a core advisor, but His love never fails.  

April:

Easter in New Orleans

For this years Easter, I got the chance to go to New Orleans at Courtney’s house.  It was such a beautiful weekend.  We got to go to the beach and build a sandcastle, eat some good New Orleans food, shop in the city, and just have fun.  Her family was so hospitable and we all made some great memories together.  We also got a chance to look at some of the debris that was still left over from Hurricane Katrina. It was interesting to see all these memories still left on houses and buildings.  New Orleans was so beautiful and so culturally diverse.  I hope to one day go back.

Lansing, Acquire the Fire 

Last week, I got to finally embark on a bus to Lansing, Michigan.  The event I have been calling for 8 months had finally came and I couldn’t wait to finally experience this event.  There were many days were I didn’t want to go into work and call youth pastors. And there were days were I was able to minister to youth pastors and give them a message of hope.  Well I journeyed to Lansing on Wednesday morning and set off to a weekend I wouldn’t forget.  

We started early on Thursday and started to set up for the event. We made 7,000 lanyards and wrist bands and got everything all ready to go.  Then on Friday morning was the day I was so excited to come.  I got to meet youth pastors that I have been calling for months and teens ready to be impacted by the Lord.  Friday night was so moving when all the kids got to come down to the alter and lay down a letter they wrote to the Lord.  The Lord put a young girl on my heart to go and pray for her.  When I went to her, she said her named was Kara. Kara was with 2 other friends.  Kara’s brother had committed suicide the day before the event.  My heart just dropped when she told me and I just held her hand as we prayed.  Her grip on my hand became tighter and tighter and when we were done, she gave me the biggest hug her tiny body could give.  That is the reason I called for 8 months.  For young ladies and gentlemen like Kara, that need restoration from the collisions they’ve been in.  On Saturday, I got to sit with my youth group in the dramas and videos, but never got a chance to really worship until Saturday night when my manager took me aside to just be refreshed in the Lord.  The worship was set for 1 hour and we ended up worshipping for 2 full hours.  My manager and I sat there and she said to me, “Abigail, you did this. You made this happen.  Don’t you ever underestimate the impact you can make.  You are a mighty warrior.”  I just fell to my knees and worshipped God, feeling so humbled.  I am 18 years old, and I helped put on an event that 7,000 young lives were changed at.  I truly was able to experience 1 Timothy 4:14.

So as you all can see, I have done quite a bit with Teen Mania! The journey is still going fast and faster! However, I cannot thank you for all of the prayers and financial support you have given me! You have truly been such a wonderful blessing!

Sincerely,

Abigail Marie