Baby Shower

What a privilege and joy for Christen and I to be able to give a baby shower to one of our newest women in the church! We also thank God for Gracie's two unsaved neighbors who were able to come as well. Please pray that we be able to visit her neighbors so we may share the gospel with them. How exciting to hear one of them say to Christen, "You are always welcome at my house." The women seemed to really enjoy their time of fellowship together, especially the game of attempting to draw a picture of a baby on a paper plate that was placed on their heads.  =) Besides a great time of fellowship, we had a wonderful time in God's Word and on reflecting of great truths of what God wants from each women in every stage of their lives.

http://s290.photobucket.com/user/futbolnut/slideshow/Baby%20Shower?sort=2

Children's Day

      Each year, on October 12th, Children's Day is celebrated in Brazil to honor children. In fact, it is said that Brasil was the first country to have this special day, and they have been celebrating this day since 1920. Thus, Redemption Baptist Church decided to do two different activities - one for the adolescent class and one for the younger children. 

      On Friday, October 11th, we took the adolescents out bowling. How exciting to see some of these kids bowl for the very first time in their life! It was a very big thing for them. If you have never tried bowling with pins on strings, then you are definitely in for a challenge. =) It is quite comical seeing the strings get all tied up sometimes. Following our fun time of bowling, we headed to a very popular hot dog place where they fill your hot dogs will all kind of stuff - corn, mayo, peas, little french fries, a special dressing, and so much more. Sorry I forgot to take a picture of these amazing, stuffed hot dogs. =)

       On Sunday, October 13th, following the morning service, a group of families with smaller children headed to a park to have a picnic and have a time of fellowship together. How wonderful to not only be able to fellowship as a church, but also see God bring two different strangers into our midst. One stranger was needing food and bus money. Not only were we able to feed him and give him some money, but one of our men was also able to share the gospel with him. After awhile, a man selling cotton candy came by and we were able to give him a piece of cake, as well as, a tract. While some of the ladies from our church were playing games with the kids, we had different kids from the park come over and ask to play the games as well. How exciting to not only be able to fellowship with our church, but also be able to share the love of Christ with others!

http://s290.photobucket.com/user/futbolnut/slideshow/Dia%20da%20Crianca?sort=2

 

Fun with Learning

Homeschooling is on it's way and for National Cake Decorating Day, Tuesday, October 15th, we decided to integrate a few fun activities such as reading the book "If you give a cat a cupcake", completing some fun worksheets, and making cupcakes. Jeremiah is coming along great with his reading and writing and Hannah with reading, English, and writing. In fact, Hannah completed reading her fourth book today! =) So proud of Daniel as he works many times on his own, but is excelling in his understanding of Grammar. The biggest challenge for them is having two languages in their heads - Portuguese and English. One funny moment in reading with Jeremiah was when I was reviewing letters and sounds with him and saying words that start with that sound/letter. After repeating the sound of L, he gave me the word "lata" in Portuguese which means can. Although he said a word in Portuguese, Jeremiah is still grasping the right concept so I couldn't not praise him. =) However, I did enjoy a good laugh and so did he. 

 

 

http://s290.photobucket.com/user/futbolnut/slideshow/Fun%20with%20learning

Showers of Blessings

Dear Family & Friends,

        What a wonderful blessing to enter through Brazilian customs without any problems! Even my dozen box of Krispy Kreme donuts made it through alive without any questioning. It was quite comical hearing the security workers joke around as they saw my box of donuts go through on the conveyor belt.  Glad they weren't serious when they said they might have to taste test them; but, what a treat it surely was for my family!
       

              During the first week back in Brazil, I have been busy shopping around for furniture for my mini-apartment behind my brother's house. The Lord has already supplied me with a stove, cabinets, a sink, and a closet. After hearing about my need for a stove, Josineide, a woman from Redemption Baptist Church, told us about a stove that was on sale at her workplace last Saturday. Not only that, but she would also be able to purchase the stove with a further discounted price. How encouraging to hear not only the price, but to also see a woman from the church reaching out to me! Following us picking up the stove from her workplace, we were able to also make a little visit with her by seeing the bakery department where she works and having a Brazilian traditional coffee with her since it was close to 4:00 in the afternoon. As we were leaving, she had us make one last stop in a cute, little shop where she had my sister-in-law and I pick out something for her to get us. She told me it was my welcome back to Brazil gift! It truly humbled me to see a woman despite not knowing me showing love - a love that kept on giving.

       
Although I am still readjusting my brain back to Portuguese, it has been fun getting to know the people at Redemption Baptist Church. I was even asked to help participate in the evening service by playing and singing a couple songs. What a warm welcome they even gave me following the service! I am truly excited to see what God is going to continue doing at Redemption Baptist Church, as well as, what all He is going to teach me and use me for.
   

             

  













What can you be praying for? Well, this week, my sister-in-law Christen and I have been working on getting homeschooling material together and ready to teach their three children - Daniel, Hannah, and Jeremiah. Lord-willing, we will begin teaching by next Monday.
As far as shopping goes, I am still searching for a refrigerator, small table, and couch for my apartment. Pray that I be able to find those for great prices to finish getting settled into my apartment.
          During my reading today, I was reminded of the importance of knowing the answer to two questions - Who am I & Who is God? These questions went along with the story of when God met with Moses in the wilderness. God asked Moses to do a very important task - "Go to Pharaoh to bring My people out from Egypt." Moses' response was "Who Am I?" Although sometimes it is easy to judge Moses and put him down for his response, what a humble response it really was. Because in all essence, we are nothing. If God asks us to complete a task, it is not because of how great or talented we are because all we have is because of Him. In other words, "there is no way that we can define ourselves apart from God!"  That is why God's response to Him was "I WILL CERTAINLY BE WITH YOU!" Along with this promise, He gave Him many more. What a comfort to know that whatever God asks from us is because He will be completing the task through us for His complete glory! As far as who is God, the answer is in Exodus 3:14 - "I Am Who I Am!" In other words, there was no God before Him for He always existed thus He does not have to compare Himself to anyone or anything else.
           Thank you all again for your prayers, encouragement and support! The Lord has used you to be a blessing in my life. =)

Neat promises God gave His people in Exodus 6

VS. 6 - "I will bring you out"/ "I will rescue you from their bondage"/ "I will redeem you"
VS. 7 - "I will take you as my people"/ "I will be your God"
VS. 8 - "I will bring you into the land"/ "I will give it to you



       

Short Term Missions Trip

“Being confident of this very thing that He which hath begun
 a good work in you will complete it until the
day of Jesus Christ!” Philippians 1:6



Dear Family & Friends,
At the age of six, I accepted Christ as my personal Savior and began having a desire for teaching
children. As I grew up on the mission field of Brazil, I was greatly influenced for ministry.
After graduating from Faith Baptist Bible College, God led me to Memphis, Tennessee, where I
have taught elementary, middle school, and high school for ten years at Central Baptist School.

Following my trip to Brazil to visit my family this past Christmas, God brought some family and
ministry opportunities to my attention: a part-time school teacher for my two nephews and niece,
and someone to help with music, women’s Bible studies, evangelism, and children/youth. After
much prayer and an invitation to come help, I have decided to go to Brazil this coming
August to help my brother James and his wife Christen and three children – Daniel, Hannah,
and Jeremiah – with their new church plant for the next two years.

Thankfully, my sending church, Central Baptist Church is committed to help! But I need your help as well with some living expenses, air fare, and ministry needs. Would you pray about giving a one-time gift or a monthly commitment towards my mission’s trip? “With God ALL
things are possible!”

Most importantly, would you pray for me to stay in close communion with God every day as I
prepare for the new ministry He has for me. I would be more than happy to send you a prayer
card so you can keep me before God.
Attached to my prayer letter is a form you can fill out and send to Baptist Mid-Missions or you
can go online at the following address if you want to give financially:
http://www.bmm.org/BMM/Giving/GiveNow/missionary+support.htm

Blog address: setapart4hiskingdom.blogspot.com
Email: raytay7@gmail.com
Facebook: Rachel Anne Taylor
Skype: raytay7
Cell: (901) 497-5663 until August

Confident in Christ,
Rachel Anne Taylor

Homework - 9/8/11

Memory Verse for the week:

~2 Timothy 2:22~

"Flee also youthful lusts, but follow RIGHTEOUSNESS, FAITH, CHARITY, PEACE with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."


Math - Lesson 10 even #'s

Bible 10th-12th Girls: Read Chapter 3 of Lies Young Women Believe;
Verse Quiz tomorrow - 2 Timothy 2:22 & Quiz over notes from Tuesday & Wednesday

English 8 - Noun Quiz tomorrow; Complete pg. 30 - 2-9 Review the Skill
Name Project: Find out the meaning of your name and make a small poster/sign with your name and its meaning. Be creative!

P.E.: Journal Everyday!

English 7 - Noun Quiz tomorrow; Complete pg. 34 2-8 Review the Skill

Proverbs 31 Ministries

September 2, 2011

Faith over Feelings
Tracie Miles

“…for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:5b (NIV)

I spent months working on it, with big expectations and high hopes. In the blink of an eye it was crushed. This reality tore into my heart like a jagged knife, ripping my dream into tiny little shreds. Disappointment was so great it was difficult to process my feelings. I had worked tirelessly on this project and now I felt disappointment and rejection.

Disappointment soon turned to irritation which morphed into resentment. I didn’t FEEL it was fair.

Why didn’t God answer my prayers? Why had He placed a dream in my heart only to allow it to crumble? Why had He let this happen? Why me?

I knew I needed to have a good attitude and not give up, but I did not FEEL like doing that at all!

Questions pummeled my brain. What is the use? Why try again? If God didn’t answer my prayer after all this time, why bother keep trying?

I allowed my FEELings to overtake my FAITH.

All I could think about was how this disappointment made me feel, instead of what God may be doing that my faith could not see. I felt things weren’t fair, without remembering God’s ways are best. I felt a longing for immediate results, instead of trusting God’s timing is perfect.

My feelings had gotten in the way of my faith, so I turned to Psalm 25 (NIV) for perspective. The following verses washed over my spirit.

Verse 1, “In you, LORD my God, I put my trust.”

I felt discouraged, unworthy, hopeless, rejected. So I poured my feelings and my soul out to God. And He listened.

Verse 2, “I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.”

God reminded me to trust Him, not a desire or a dream. Not the world’s view. Not my abilities. Not my timeframe. Not my ideas. Trust Him alone. I prayed about my enemies—intangible feelings such as self doubt, insecurity, frustration, and discouragement.

Verse 3, “No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.”

Regardless of whether or not my desires become a reality, I will not be put to shame, because God is my God. If His plans coincide with my dreams, I know He will keep His eternal promises.

Verses 4-5a, “Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me,”

These words stopped me in my tracks. I began to think more rationally. Why did I beat my head against a wall? Why was I consumed with anxiety and frustration? Was I allowing God to direct my paths? God gently reminded me He is the teacher, I am the student.

Verse 5b, “…for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”

If I put my hope in my own desires and abilities, I set myself up for failure. My only hope for joy and fulfillment comes from Christ alone. Hope is found in Him, not people, a career, your husband or children, church, financial success, a carefree life, or dreams that come true.

Disappointments will happen. With God, however, we can turn those disappointments into God’s appointments to trust Him. The first step is to exercise faith over feelings.

Dear Lord, You know the hurt in my heart and the sting of disappointments I have experienced. Please help me trust You, instead of being consumed by feelings. Empower me with a faith that is stronger than my emotions. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Compassion International helps turn children’s disappointments into God’s appointments to trust Him. You can too! Sponsor a child today.

Reinventing Your Rainbow by Tracie Miles

Visit Tracie’s blog for more encouragement in trusting God.

What to do in the W.A.I.T: Finding Contentment in God’s Pauses and Plans (CD) by Wendy Pope

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can’t compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Application Steps:
Consider the disappointments you have experienced recently. Ask God to help your faith be more powerful than your feelings.

Unpack Psalm 25:1-5 verse by verse and apply it to your situation, with open ears to hear God’s voice.

Reflections:
Am I allowing my feelings to guide my actions, or relying on my faith to help me move forward?

Have I asked God how He can use my disappointments to strengthen my faith in Him?

Have I sought God’s direction in my situation?

Power Verses:
Psalm 78:7, “That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments…” (KJV)