A Year of Grace

While in Green Bay, Wisconsin...

I had the kindest and most welcoming host family!

I got to see my good friend Austin after he graduated from Boot Camp and is now an official Marine! I'm so proud of him and his hard work to serve our country! 

I officially have signed my contract to travel for another year in Life Action Ministries!

And I had two of my best friends for roommates!

Wisconsin has been quite an interesting state to add to the list of places I've been. 

Everywhere from cheese, to the Green Bay Packers, life's been just a touch different here "Ya know"

Speaking of different... Today the team and I will be leaving Green Bay and headed to Webster, Wisconsin for our very last summit of the year. However, for me I will be leaving a few days early to head out to Atlanta. FCC Christian Cheerleading Camps will be starting very soon and I am needed in Atlanta for the beginning of it. I'll be making a very quick stop in Phoenix to switch out my suitcases and pack for the summer. 

When I was in Iowa last month my uncle asked me when was the last time I had been home for a long period of time (6-8 weeks). The answer would be May of 2012. Two years, and I'm heading in for a third. Please keep me in your prayers as I have become nervous about being away for so very long. 

Sure, you get tired, but you can sleep on the way from place to place. Yeah, you're laundry needs to get done but God always provides a place for me to do it.  Of course, I just want to sit down for a little while and not have to think or do anything... But that's why God's given me grace. 

God's shown me that going into my third year of FCC and Life Action will consist of a year of grace. Grace for me, and grace for me to give to others. 

(Our last team picture altogether for the travel year)

Please keep me in your prayers, and thank you so much for having been such a big part of my travel year by following my blog! I will do my best to update during the summer but more than likely it will not be as frequent seeing how my schedule is fairly unpredictable. 

As always if you would like to send support you can go to lifeaction.org click on, "Ways To Give" "Support a Team Member" and click on my name.

Where & What's Next?

I hope you all had a great Easter! We had a blast in Happy Heart City and many many new kids that Sunday morning (Around 50 altogether)

Last month we were in Bartlett, Tennessee, where I sat through all of our services. One of the things I won’t forget was God brought me to the realization that I will always have pride in my life. In Life Action we define pride as: doing what I want to do, when I want to do it, putting myself above God or others.

As soon as I feel humbled, I’m so proud of how humble I am. There are just so many little parts of my life that I can’t fully be humbled. At least, I don’t think I’ve ever experienced that.

Have you?

Right now I’m in Newton, Iowa. I was actually born in Des Moines, which is about 45 minutes from Newton. I’ve been able to have a few visits with my Aunt and Uncle. Last time I saw them I was on my way to Life Action Camp for the first time, two years ago. Being able to see family members of mine refreshed my soul and I’m still so utterly happy I was able to see them!

My Aunt and one of my cousins! 

(This is a picture of my mom's graduating class. My cousins family still attends the same school and I was able to look in the gymnasium and hallways one last time before the school shuts down at the end of this school year. Many memories for my family at Grandview Park Baptist School.) 

Tomorrow we’ll be driving to Green Bay, Wisconsin for an 8-day summit. Then one more 8-day summit in Wisconsin and the travel year is over! I can’t believe two years is almost over for me.

The team took a trip to Pella, Iowa yesterday. It's known as, "A Touch of Holland"

Some other exciting news to tell you is that my boss, from my summer cheer job called me and has asked me to be on his leadership team! This is an amazing and rare opportunity that I feel so blessed to be a part of. I greatly look forward to this summer and all that is in store.

Please keep me in your prayers!

If you would like to donate to help me in preparation for another travel year you can go here and click on my name. Head quarters has informed us there is a possibility of going on a missions trip out of the country during our next travel year and is telling us to set aside an extra $1,000 for this trip.

Any donation is so, so greatly appreciated!

Thank you so much for all your prayers and kind thoughts! I look forward to being back in Phoenix soon.

An Important Announcement...

Hello faithful readers

I have some very exciting news to share with you all!

After much prayer and council God has directed me to stay for another year in Life Action Ministries. This decision was not easy or based off of just my personal desire to stay. In the past some have said that I am “running away” from growing up, getting a job, or going to school. Please understand it’s much more than that.

  

If you did not know, when I was a Junior in High School I was fervently praying the Lord would clearly guide me in the direction I should go after graduation. I had all the same desires as my classmates. Go to college, have a roommate, the time of my life and so on. However, God had a different plan in mind for me. One night, after I had read my bible, I was praying once again about my future decisions. I asked God, “Do you want me to go to Life Action or college?”

And to my surprise I audibly heard God say, “You know you’re going to Life Action, Right?” I smiled and said, “Yes”.

(This picture was taken just a week after God and I had that conversation)

He wanted me to travel, teach kids, live with people I didn’t know, and basically have zero independence all over again. Not exactly what I had in mind. I always knew Life Action was an option. My mom started traveling as soon as she graduated high school and stayed for four years!

  

Now I’m here, with some incredible people that have grown to be life long friends of mine. As I'm preparing for year three, I’m not going to be just a teacher in Happy Heart City. I have accepted the position as leader for my kids club (ages 4 through first grade)! After being in charge a couple of churches ago I know that it’s not an easy job or something to be taken lightly. So I am mentally preparing for August and what it will be like. I can’t wait for another great year of teaching the little ones.

 I have a great peace about staying and I’m so grateful for everyone’s love, prayers, and encouragement. Yet, when you are a full time missionary you have to raise support. I haven’t been told what the cost is for next year. However, last year we had to raise $3,500 for just the yearly fee. After I’ve raised that much, any additional money given will be given once a month as a stipend to help me pay for what I need. Such as toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, razors, etc. This is my main source of income to pay for these things and therefore it is quit important I raise enough to pay for what I will need.

If you feel called to give then you can go HERE and put in my name (Conrad, Marina). Every donation helps no matter how small!

Thank you all again, I look forward to another year of serving in children’s ministry!

The Latest and Greatest of My Travels…

So a quick fill in on what's been happening!

We had a summit in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Phenomenal. Loved the church, all the people were amazing including my host family! We felt so incredibly loved as a team, and more importantly the testimonies where incredible. To say, "God moved in Temple Baptist Church" is an understatement. 

A short favorite testimony of mine would be from a dad of one of the Happy Heart City kids. He said the Lord had showed him his love for hunting had grown so much, he placed it above his family. Since then, he's barely touched any of his hunting gear. Not to mention he gave some of his stuff to a team member of ours, which happens to include a giant spear. It's actually really cool I held it.  However, that is just a short to the point testimony I heard out of several given during the services.

We had the opportunity to ride horses at one of the host homes! It was a blast and at the end of the night we watched Thor 2 on a huge screen outside under the stars. 

On Sunday mornings we had an average of 80 kids! This is a picture of me sharing the love of our Savior and how he died on the cross for all our sins. 

If you didn't know, because I didn't, during Mardi Gras season in the king cake they put these baby dolls inside the pastry. According to tradition whoever finds it has to buy the king cake for the next year. Yup, I found it!

My close friends Trysta and Hunter got engaged on our last weekend in Mississippi! They've also asked me to be a bridesmaid in the wedding! So beyond excited for them!

After our summit in Mississippi ended, I had the privilege of going home! I was only there for a short 5 days so please don't be upset if I didn't contact you. I've come back on the road refreshed and fueled with love from my family! We went bowling, mini-golfing, out to dinners, and shared a lot of laughter together. 

I got to spend special time with my dad, and it was so nice! I love and miss him very much. He's an enormous example to me of being generous to those who are in need and placing all my trust in Christ.

This is Samson. My brothers' dog whom I love dearly! We had a great time playing outside in the gorgeous Phoenix weather.

However, I had to say goodbye to 72 degrees of sunshine and am now reunited with my team in Bartlett, Tennessee (right next to Memphis). I'm also incredibly excited because I get to sit through all of the services! I've never sat through the whole summit before! Last year when I was sitting through, I had to run home for a couple of emergencies with my best friends wedding and I missed the second week. I'm so very ecstatic for this much needed time. I'll be listening intently to see how God wants to change my heart.
Please be in prayer for me that God would speak clearly, and that I would listen and obey his voice.

Thank you all for your prayers, love, and support!

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What State Are You In?

An often asked question for me. Currently I am residing in Cabot, Arkansas for the next few days and then I'll be on my way to Hattiesburg, Mississippi. These past couple of weeks in AR I've been in charge of my kids club while my leader has been sitting through the services. Leading Happy Heart City has been a different but very growing experience for me. I've enjoyed being able to call the shots (on small things of course). However, it can be very exhausting and I'm fighting the end of a cold. 

So, I very much look forward to our next church where I will be able to continue to learn from my leader and take orders instead of giving them. 

 (Picture taken by James Conrad at Desert Botanical Gardens)

At the moment I'm just in my room at the end of Valentines Day. Just taking it in as a young single lady. I actually have really enjoyed today. Because, I know there's always the chance this could be my last time not having a valentine on February 14th. Only God knows maybe next year I won't have one either. But it's the possibility of it that makes me excited. Wishing you all a wonderful Valentines and an even greater Saturday. 

Goodnight.

As always you can find me on Instagram and Twitter.

Phoenix, Orlando, and Melbourne. Where to Next?

Wow so much has happened since my last post! As usual time went by fast at home. I was fortunate enough to do as much as I did while I was in AZ.

My mom, sister and I saw White Christmas at the Phoenix theatre.

My dad, brother, and I went to the desert botanical gardens to take some pictures of the famous Chihuly Glass they were displaying.

One of the weekends the family went up north to Prescott for some time away from our busy lives.

Then before I knew it my mom and I were on our way to FCC’s 25^th Nationals! 

It was great seeing so many FCC staff friends outside of summer camps! As we ran the competition it was a very fun experience to see all of the teams practice, perform, and even worship together at night. Not to mention when Jamie Grace came and did a special performance night for us!

(Staff meeting Jamie Grace)

After the competition ended my mom and I were able to stay in Orlando for a whole week doing whatever we wanted. We went to Universal Studios a few times, to the movies, and of course, shopping.

(It's always bittersweet saying goodbye to Universal Studios)

 Once again that time came to a close and she had to drive me to Melbourne, Florida to meet back up with my Life Action team. It feels so good to be back on the road with my friends ministering to kids, and families. Being back where God wants me is so refreshing. I’ve been blessed with an amazing host family with three adorable little girls and one baby on the way! Staying with them has made coming back on the road so much easier.

From day one at First Baptist Melbourne to our last service Sunday night, the kids were night and day different. In a good way. They soaked up all the lessons like sponges and every night they seemed to understand more and more.  What a great first church of the semester to start off with!

A couple of things I did during the summit…

Held an alligator. There's a first for everything. 

And we went to DisneyWorld with the team!

I had so much fun going with my close friends to such a great place! 

On one of the Sunday mornings in Happy Heart City (ages four-first grade) they learned about what obeying looks like, and how to do it. Later that night I had the privilege of teaching the kids (thirty) WHO we are supposed to obey and WHY. 

This was honestly a lesson I was dealing with while having to prepare. God was teaching me that even though I don't always agree with my authorities decisions His word says, “…whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” Romans 13:2

In conclusion, I may feel like I’m just resisting an authority (or person), but in reality I’m resisting God. Because they are God given authorities. This goes as far as my parents, to Obama. God’s purposely place those people in charge of different areas. God is my ultimate authority and I listen to Him over any other person. Yet, I should not disrespect those He has placed above me.

Talk about a hard lesson to swallow.

So now that we are done in Florida we will be leaving early Wednesday morning to Cabot Arkansas where it’s currently twenty-seven degrees. The good news is, I'm surprisingly looking forward to the weather. However, that’s just based off of getting to wear my winter clothes longer. The sad news is, I have to say goodbye to this precious family. I'm greatly going to miss them!

Please keep us in your prayers as we travel on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Thank you for reading!

As always you can follow me on Instagram and Twitter!