Looking Back

Christmas is right around the corner, which means the end of the year is shortly after and 2010 will be right at our door step. As I look back at this last week, month, year I cant help but give God praise & glory. 2009 was the turning point in my life. The year when I chose to look forward and NEVER turn back. The year I chose to give my life to God fully and follow His will. After years of being a hypocritical & luke warm Christian, I was tired & drained, yearning for more of God, to be more like Him.

So I did the DTS program here in Boston and the experience transformed my life. God brought healing to my heart & He reconciled relationships that I never thought were possible, He opened doors so that I could minister to my family and friends, He REDEEMED my life. It was 24/7 being in God's presence surrounded by other Christians who were seeking the same thing. To know God, to live a life of integrity, to bring glory to the Kingdom... to be Free.
In May Javian & I went out on the streets of Northern Ireland, England & Scotland for over a month, all day telling people about Jesus. In the summer we traveled all over the Boston area with a team of teenagers doing the same thing. And then this fall I really felt God lead me to be here at YWAM Boston full-time.

I would've never thought that this is where my God would've brought me. But thats the beauty of it all. God knows whats best for us and He leads us in the path of everlasting life. He has plans to prosper & not to harm us. & all we have to do is be willing to be lead by Him.

Not perfect just Willing... so simple ♥

Merry Christmas From YWAM Boston

Last night we had our staff Christmas party!

Tis the Season! (Quick Thought)

Christmas Tree!! Jingle Bells!! On the 1st day of Christmas!! Fa la la la la la...!

I hear all these songs every year. Never really get sick of them since they only come around once a year. This past weekend I found a radio station that only plays Christmas music. I blasted it and danced around with Javian as we cleaned the house. There's just something about that music haha. Gets me all in the mood to give, to love and to be thankful.

I love this time of the year and although alot of Christmas has turned into cookies and milk for Santa Claus, caroling, elves and reindeer, I believe that the spirit, the REAL spirit behind Christmas still has its Christian roots.
The son of God, was given to the world to be the final sacrifice. To reconcile us back to God once and for all. How could we not be thankful for that? How could we not love God in return and want to GIVE something back to Him?

I'm really excited for this season... I'm in a very different place in my life this year, I'm looking forward to what God has for me as this year ends and the new one begins.

Until Next time... You can find me jammin' to some good old christmas tunes..

Oh Turkey Day...

Oh Thanksgiving is right around the corner!! I can not wait. This year my family and I are all spending Thanksgiving at my older brothers house. A whole mess of Dominicans & 3 kids. That means tons of food, music, loud conversations and fun!! Definitely looking forward to that!

I love this time of year! Thankfulness is in everyone's heart. We all have something to be thankful for.

1. My God! Who is GOOD, and gives me an abundant LIFE, full of love!
2. My Family & Friends
   
3. Laughter, LOVE, Grace & Redemption!!

Just a few things I'm thankful for!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

JUNK!

As some of you may know Javian and I moved into our own apartment at the beginning of the month. It truly is a blessing and just perfect for us right now. We've been there going on three weeks now and I still have things in boxes around the house. Mainly because I'm not sure where to place them or they sit there because I wont be using whatever is in that box. So it made me think... Why do I have this JUNK anyway? Its just taking up room in my house! Whats the point of holding on to this JUNK if I'm not going to put it to use? I should really either toss or donate this stuff.

And then is dawned on me... "What JUNK do I hold onto in my own life? Things that are in my life that I don't need or is not very useful? Pride? Independence? Selfishness? Any Grudges? The list goes on...

What are things that I can toss or "donate" over to God?

So that they wont burden me anymore and I can truly continue to be productive and walk in freedom

Hmm.. something to think about...
Any thoughts?

King Saul

As part of being a new staff here at YWAM you have to go through this program called "Step Up" its a way to transition from being a student to being a leader. So about three times a week we meet with each other and have various projects. For example our first week we had to do a visual project on synergy and what that means here at YWAM Boston.
This week we are studying about being people of influence and also finding our identity in Christ and not in WHAT we do. Debi split us into two groups, one group studies King David and the other King Saul. (Obviously... according to my title you can tell which group I'm in. =] )

So you turn to 1Samuel. If any of you know the story Israel wanted a king and even though Samuel warned them, they still wanted one so God gave them Saul. In my opinion Saul was supposed to be a great man of God but he was insecure. So insecure that he didn't know how to trust God with EVERYTHING and in the end he loses EVERYTHING. How sad.

In 1Samuel 15, I think the story hits the climax. At this point God has given Saul & Israel victory, and gives them another command to go and destroy the Amalekites. Destroy EVERYTHING! And Saul did... kinda.

Samuel 15:7-23 (New Living Translation)

⁷ Then Saul slaughtered the Amalekites from Havilah all the way to Shur, east of Egypt. ⁸ He captured Agag, the Amalekite king, but completely destroyed everyone else. ⁹ Saul and his men spared Agag’s life and kept the best of the sheep and goats, the cattle, the fat calves, and the lambs—everything, in fact, that appealed to them. They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality.

The Lord Rejects Saul

¹⁰ Then the Lord said to Samuel, ¹¹ “I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.” Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the Lord all night.

¹² Early the next morning Samuel went to find Saul. Someone told him, “Saul went to the town of Carmel to set up a monument to himself; then he went on to Gilgal.”

¹³ When Samuel finally found him, Saul greeted him cheerfully. “May the Lord bless you,” he said. “I have carried out the Lord’s command!”

¹⁴ “Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?” Samuel demanded.

¹⁵ “It’s true that the army spared the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle,” Saul admitted. “But they are going to sacrifice them to the Lord your God. We have destroyed everything else.”

¹⁶ Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop! Listen to what the Lord told me last night!”

“What did he tell you?” Saul asked.

¹⁷ And Samuel told him, “Although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? The Lord has anointed you king of Israel. ¹⁸ And the Lord sent you on a mission and told you, ‘Go and completely destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, until they are all dead.’ ¹⁹ Why haven’t you obeyed the Lord? Why did you rush for the plunder and do what was evil in the Lord’s sight?”

²⁰ “But I did obey the Lord,” Saul insisted. “I carried out the mission he gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else. ²¹ Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.”

²² But Samuel replied,

“What is more pleasing to the Lord:
your burnt offerings and sacrifices
or your obedience to his voice?
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,
and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
²³ Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,
and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.
So because you have rejected the command of the Lord,
he has rejected you as king.”

So the reason why I'm even talking about this is because I think.. How many of us have an attitude like Saul? Only trusting God when He gives us what we want? Or only obeying some of this commands instead of all of them. Only partially giving our hearts to Him? How many of us prefer what people think rather than what God thinks? The list goes on and on.

HOW MANY OF US FEEL INSECURE IN GOD'S HANDS EVEN THOUGH ITS THE SAFEST PLACE WE COULD EVER BE??

I'll be the first one to raise my hand. Being here as been hard for me at times. I start to feel so insecure. Thinking why am I not able to raise the funds we need? Why do I feel so out of place? How come this and that BLAH BLAH BLAH.

Even though I know God has called me here, even though I know He is going to take care of me. I need to stop relying what others think, on my strengths and ways . I have to go back to that place in my heart where God made it so clear to me and surrender. Truly TRUST God with EVERYTHING!!!

Big Changes Coming!

I absolutely love the fall, its my favorite season. There's just something about September-Christmas. So in the midst of loving this season there are a few other things besides leaves changing in my life! ( Very Exciting!)

So the biggest thing is... (drum role please!!) Javian and I officially have our own apartment now! Its a very nice place on a 1st floor, garage and backyard. Its everything that we need and I feel so blessed to be able to have it. The leadership team had meeting with us about six weeks ago saying that it was important for Javian and I to have our own place and be a family. I was excited and nervous at the same time. But I am so happy that everything came through! Its available for us on Nov 1st. Right before my Nov 2nd birthday.. What a great birthday gift from God lol.. for making it available and perfect for us.

Then next change is me... I feel that God is calling me to really step up in a lot of areas in my life. After a meeting I had yesterday I realized "Wow I don't know as much as I thought I did." a very humbling realization to say the least. So I prayed (and will continue to pray) and asked God to give me wisdom and to continue to guide me in this process of becoming more like Him in EVERY aspect of life. I know that it could be challenging at times but in the end God knows what's best for me and laying down my pride is a just a small sacrifice that will reap great rewards!!

Boston.. Definitely the Place to be

(So I'm not sure how often your supposed to update your blog but I'll just stick with whenever something cool happens lol)

This morning we had some guests here at the YWAM base. Elijah Kim (world renowned.. wow) visited us and brought a group of intercessors (prayer warriors) from Korea. They shared with us that God has specifically called them to come to BOSTON and pray for this nation. We spent the morning having breakfast and worship and prayer. It was insane, just praying in the Spirit and hearing what God is saying to people about this place... this city!





I feel like I'm on the edge of my seat just ready to JUMP, RUN...I don't know do something because REVIVAL is on its way.

Last week we had a gentleman and his wife from YWAM in Thailand come and speak to us and he gave the same word. "God is gonna pour out His Spirit on Boston" How exciting is that? I just cant help but pray and thank God, for calling me to this place at a time like this! I get to be apart of this? Wow! Really?

I just feel so inspired, blessed, & privileged.

So thats the excitement for now. So looking forward to outreach and continuing to pray and connect!!

Keep Boston in your prayers!! & Please give a shout if you ever want to come and join us!!

heidy.rodriguez@ywamboston.org

On your Mark, Get Set....GO!!!

If I could give a description to this season of my life, I would compare it to a race.

The beginning of one. I picture the starting point, and the anticipation of what is coming ahead. Can I make it? Am I strong enough? Smart enough? What will have to be endured or am I equipped?

I've never been an athlete but I can imagine there is a lot of preparation and training to do before a big race.So I am here! At my race, my new journey, new path that God has set me on... As a full-time missionary with YWAM Boston.

I look at the scriptures

Hebrews 12:1, 12-13
¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
¹² So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. ¹³ Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

Philippians 3:13-14

No dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.


This past August God revealed to me over and over again that this is where I was meant to be. I was nervous, excited, scared, anxious.. EMOTIONAL lol. But with all those emotions running through me I had a peace that I could not understand. I know I have to be here, I know I have a passion to show people God's love; the love that transformed my life.

So here I am... Not looking back but striding forward; towards the goal that God has set. Never in my own strength but with the Lord's. Choosing JOY & knowing that the work for the Lord is never useless.

The End? No this is Just the Beginning!

So, Welcome to my blog! (Are you supposed to say that? haha) As you can probably see I am very new at blogging!

So I guess I'll begin at why I started a blog:
I'm going to become a full time missionary this fall with Youth with A Mission Boston (YWAM) and thought this would be a good way to keep people updated with the ministry that will be going on!!
Exciting :)

Last night I graduated from my DTS along with 13 other students. It was a bitter sweet time for me. I knew that night marked a moment in my life that I thought I would never experience. Jesus has redeemed my life and as I got my turn on the mic to speak about the impact this experience has had on me I.... cried!

Not because I was sad but because it dawned on me. My life has truly been redeemed. Who would've thought that I would be living for the Lord? Honestly I lost hope in myself a long time ago but thats where the beauty of the Gospel comes... Jesus never lost hope in ME!! =)

So its the end of DTS yes, But its the beginning of a "epic" new journey.
Javian (my son) and I will be joining YWAM this fall!!
And I'm excited to see what God has in store for us!!

Stay Posted!