Mexico- Summer- Life

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Being that it is summer, I have no excuse not to post what has been going on in my life. The main theme that I have to share right now is the beauty of missions. The beauty of missions does not lie in its difference, it does not lie in its difficulty. The beauty of missions lies in its absolute applicability to every individual who is living. Each and every person, when truly following God, becomes a missionary. This is particularly difficult for me to grasp. I love being in foreign countries, serving my brothers and sisters, preaching the gospel, and living radically for Christ. Because of this, it is hard for me to hold on to the beauty of the life God has given me.

This past year, being in the United States for the third year in a row, has been difficult in that regard. I sometimes forget that this is where God wants me right now. I cannot understand God's plan. I still do not know why He called my family out of foreign missions, but I do know that He knows. I also know that even in my reluctance to be here, He has blessed me abundantly.

Because I haven't posted much this year, I will share a bit of what has gone on. First off, the school that I attend has been a tremendous blessing to me. God has sent me some very good friends who draw me closer to Himself, and teach me how to be the stateside missionary that I want to be.

Also, my lifelong friend Hollis and I started a group called "Faith in Action". We started it about 5 months ago now, and it has been a blessing to see how God has let it grow. The purpose of the group is to offer a support system for high school students who want to see their faith in God be actualized in their lives. This group has been a blessing to me, and to those people who have come to our monthly meetings.

Since January, I have been meeting weekly with the coordinators of Faith Camp to help with this year's "Challenge Accepted" Faith Camp.  I am a coordinator in training, and so I am learning all of the behind-the-scene work that is poured into Faith Camp. I am so blessed to be able to help in the camp that has been so instrumental in my spiritual formation, and I can't wait to see how God uses it for His glory this year.

One of the absolute biggest blessings of my life was born April 18th of this year. My precious, miracle, brother Isaac Joseph was welcomed into the world. My mom suffered 7 miscarriages, and I have 8 little siblings in Heaven. I was truly able to see the fruit of a community's prayer and fasting when my little brother was welcomed into this world with so much love, and with no problems whatsoever. He is truly a testament of God's love for our family.

The next huge blessing to share with you is my trip to General Cepeda. I hadn't visited in two years, and my heart was aching to return. Going back to that precious town which I love so dearly was a true gift of God's infinite love for me. I was able to see so many old friends, and the families that have become my family. I was able to visit with some of the living saints that I have been anxious to see for so long, and visit ejidos of people who still pray for my family daily. God reminded me of the desperate need for simplicity in my life, and the call to sanctity my life for His glory.

Another gift God has given me is my job. I am working this summer as a babysitter, which is my absolute favorite job. I am so grateful for this job, and it really came at such a perfect time that I know God's hand was in it.

Well that is the basic update for the year, but there is more to come. Now that it is summer I will hopefully be posting more frequently, so that I can give more glory to God who deserves it all. Keep persevering in prayer, and in serving God more perfectly every day.

Peace and love in Christ,

Alyse

Donor's Dinner

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,
Last night was FMC's annual donor's dinner. We invite all of the people who have donated or supported FMC in the last year and we gather for food and presentations on all that has been going on this last year. I was so blessed to see all that God has done in FMC just in a year it reminds me that this is genuinely one of the greatest missions of the church and that I am abundantly blessed to be a part of it. I was blessed to sell some rosary bags and gather some money for WYD this august. I was also reminded that FMC is more than a company and more than a community we really are all family and what a huge blessing it is to find that!
During vigil mass on Saturday I started thinking about how much I missed Mexico, how much I missed missions in general. I kept on thinking about how much I wanted to be there and to be serving God through foreign missions. I really felt God touch my heart and say that "This is your mission right now Alyse, this is what I have called you to." I "knew" that but I was glad to be reminded. Again after all of the presentations at the donor's dinner my heart started crying out for missions and yearning to go to the ends of the earth. Once more I was reminded that my mission is here, for now, and I need to support God's mission through my prayers and through my service. I am going to try and look into mission work here in our new city and hope to do my best while I am here. Not to use this time for waiting but to use this time for genuine service to the Lord. I also would like to share that I will be speaking at a confirmation retreat! I am super excited/nervous about that but I hope that I can be a missionary witness to all of those in the confirmation class. Please start praying for me for that even though it isn't until January. Please keep me in your prayers as I keep you in mine. God bless!
Peace and love in Christ,
Alyse

How old are you?

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
On my way back from Mexico last week we were at the border trying to cross back into the USA. There were probably seven people there, I don't know why exactly but all of them were standing there, inspecting our vehicle or listening to what we were saying. The one lady that was checking out all of our passports read each person's name and then would move to the next one. That is until she got to me. She pronounced my name wrong, then looked around the car for me. I smiled and waved to show her where I was sitting. Then she looked at my passport and back at me, "How old are you?" she asked. I smiled, "Fifteen." She looked at me skeptically, "Where are your parents?" "At home back in Louisiana." Then she looked around the whole car, apparently noticing for the first time that we were all young. "You are all young." We smiled and nodded, "Yes mam," "You aren't afraid to be going to Mexico?" James, who was in the passenger seat just shrugged his shoulders and said, "No. God is on our side." The lady laughed a little and said, "Yes he is." Then she waved us on. As we drove on we all laughed a little. I guess she doesn't see a car full of missionaries under the age of 25 all of the time, which doesn't really surprise me.
It made me glad though. Often times I look at my age as a hindrance, a block between me and where I want to be. But it isn't, it is cool to see that it makes a difference. Even if that difference is hidden in a question, the point is that it shows. It was fun to answer that lady, to tell her who I was even if it was done for legal purposes. I know we changed her day, I bet she remembered us as the crazy car of young missionaries. It was awesome.
Peace and love in Christ,
Alyse

My week in General Cepeda

Dear readers,
I was so incredibly blessed by my week in General Cepeda. We had a small group of people which was so nice since we all really got to know each other. I was able to lead home visits and I visited my wonderful brothers and sisters who live so simply and welcome me so warmly each and every time I go to be with them. The week was really special because we had so many FMC missionaries there for that trip it was Me, Erika, Teresa, Breanne, Susanna, James and Jonathan. At night we would go out for an evening of wonderful Ejido (rancho) visits. I was blessed to share my testimony along with the group since it was small enough to be able to do so. I translated, Tonio preached and played guitar and Breanne and James were there as well, praising it up, and spreading missionary joy and love wherever they went. Victoria and Rachel were there as well with the group that came from Colorado. For desert day we went up to one of my favorite places, the cave. This cave has so much history! During the Christian persecution people would go in secret and a priest would celebrate mass. Also while we were in General Cepeda we had “Cenaculos”, which means “upper room” with the whole town. Once a month they all get together then walk to 12 homes where they expose Jesus for an hour with prayer and meditation, then all 12 sectors all head back to the church with singing and praising for a beautiful mass together. So many other beautiful and wonderful things happened the week I spent in General and I will hopefully write about them soon! But until then God Bless! Also, I will hopefully post my Faith Camp/ Covecrest pics soon, sorry that it is taking so long!
Peace and Love in Christ,
Alyse

In Mexico

Dear readers,
I am in General Cepeda!!! It was a wonderful surprise since it was totally unexpected. My mom let me come and now I am here for a week! My family and I just moved to a new apartment and if you want to learn how to be persistent try carrying everything your family owns up three flights of stairs! I am here in General with a bunch of awesome missionaries preparing for an awesome group. We had a bit of a problem at the border yesterday but it all worked out in the end, after we arrived in General about 6 hours later that expected. I am so blessed to be here again. I am keeping you all in my prayers.
Peace and Love in Christ,
Alyse

Back Home!

Dear readers,
I cannot put into words how indescribably blessed I have been these past two weeks in General Cepeda. God moved so powerfully and from the trips four people have felt the call to be full time missionaries! Please pray for these people and for their families. I feel so refreshed and renewed from being back in missions. One thing that I love about being a missionary is that I can always feel a change in myself. I feel like a different and better prson than I did before I went down two weeks ago. Even though I am back home I am preparing for a busy month and upcoming year. I will be home schooled again next year so as to continue being able to be a part of the mission trips. Faith Camp (a summer camp that I will be helping out with and is a wonderful ministry to junior high kids) is coming up soon! My mom will be going down to General while I am at Faith Camp. If you would like to learn more about the camp go to www.bestweekofyourlife.com. Hopefully I will have my own laptop soon and I plan to write a novel about missionaries! Please pray that God would inspire me so that it will give the glory to him! I will hopefully be going back to General Cepeda in August for a week. I am praying that I will be able to go to Ecuador sometime in this upcoming year!!!! If not this fall then in May for a short term group my uncle will be leading. Next summer, or if possible sooner, I plan to volunteer in an orphanage in Guadalajara for a time. Maybe two or three weeks. I am hoping to get a jump start or completely finish college by the time I am 18 so that I can go straight into missions, having moved college out of the way. So as you all see I plan to keep busy :) Please be praying for me and that I would be able to accomplish all of the things that God has in store for me! I am praying for y'all! Praise God for his providence!
Peace and Love in Christ,
Alyse

Blessings!!!!

Dear readers,
I have arrived safely back at my dearest General Cepeda. We had a slight stumbling block at the border, but as always God had our back. We had a totally safe and happy trip here. We were greeted by the four full time missionaries that have been living here the past month. I have just been here a day but I know that God id going to move powerfully in and through this group. I didn't know the full extent of how much I missed this place until I got here. I was able to visit two of God's saints today and that gave me so much joy! I have reached the point that the thought of my life without missions is unbearable. I want to give my whole life to the service of my brother's and sister's in him who gives us life! I am so blessed with all that I have seen and experienced, I don't know why God blesses me so abundantly, but I do know that I am ready to live my life in thanksgiving for those blessings. Thank y'all for reading and praying with and for me! I love you all!
Peace and Love in Christ,
Alyse

Mission trip

Dear readers,
I have been very busy and blessed lately! Yesterday an acting group I have been a part of this year put on a play that was super blessed and awesome! I am going down on a mission trip on the 20th of this month to General Cepeda. It is much overdue since I had hoped to go during holy week, but everything is in God's perfect timing! I will be there for my birthday, so I am super excited about that! But I ask all of you to please be praying for me and for my trip. Pray that I would be able to touch all of those God has prepared for me and that all those attending the trip would be blessed. Also just be praying for the situation in Mexico in general. I thank all of you for your prayers. I am praying for y'all and I hope each one of you is blessed!
Peace and Love in Christ, who strengthens us all!
Alyse

Speaking

Dear readers,
Yesterday we went to talk with a 6th grade catechism class about missions. It was so blessed! There is nothing that pumps me up like missions does! It was so great to see their faces light up when we talked to them about everything that we do. It is so nice to be able to spread the mission of the church with those around you, especially if they want to hear it! It was a super blessed experience, they gathered a bunch of rosaries and prayer cards for people in General Cepeda. I pray that we lit the burning in their hearts for missions!
It was funny because I thought about planning what to say but then remembered the scripture that said let the spirit speak through you. So I basically stood up and gave my testimony. It was so blessed and I know that the spirit worked through that more than if I had ever planned anything on my own. I also ask yall to pray becuase public speaking really scares me. I have had the grace to get better with the past groups I have led, translating and encouraging testimonies. But still it is frightning. I pray that one day I will hav ehte courage to lead a teaching in one of the ranchos. Please pray that we get some more groups together this year! Well God Bless!
Peace and Love in Christ,
Alyse
Thank you all for reading! I am praying for you!

Please Pray

Dear readers,
My great-grandfather is very sick. He is in the hospital in ICU and he might not get out. Either way I beg yall to please pray for him to be ready if God calls him to heaven! Also please pray for there to be peace in Mexico especially on the border. The group I was supposed to go down with cancelled, although General Cepeda is not in harm's way it is tragic to see a country suffering with violence! Also please pray for all of our missionaries in field and that more people would answer God's call to be missionaries! I am sorry this entry is so brief, and mildy depressing, but I am in a bit of a rush! God bless all of yall! You are all in my prayers!
Peace and Love in Christ!
Alyse

Back home

Dear readers,
I am so blessed with wonderful memories in my heart from this past week and a half. I had such a beautiful blessed time in General Cepeda!!! I am back early because my uncle's wedding is tomorrow, but the Steubenville group is still there to keep in your hearts and prayers! We had a safe ride back home. The Easter group is on a string but God willing I will make it back to my home in Mexico soon. I was so blessed with the groups, and I am sure at least two missionaries will come from them :)!!!! It is so nice to have the love of Christ in your heart in such a full way! Every time I go the burning for missions increases in my heart and I am sure eventually it will be totally consumed! I am so delighted with the thoughts of God's plans in my life! I know I can be totally at peace wherever he places me because he is the lord of the universe and still he loves me so much! Tomorrow is my Uncle's wedding, like I already said, so please pray for him and Brooke! I would also like to thank all of you for reading my blog! I hope I can minister to your hearts through this! I pray for all of you! God bless y'all!
Peace and Love in Christ Jesus!
Alyse

Windsheild wipers

Dear readers,
Today it drizzled a little bit in the morning so that when we got into our car to visit people our windshield was covered with tiny droplet of water. We started the engine and then clicked on our wipers. It started smudging the water all over the place and we couldn't see a thing. The whole world was a blur of colors and our windshield wipers screeched on contact with the glass. I thought of how sad it was to not be able to see the beautiful scenery, and that is when I decided to blog about it. God gives us beautiful lives, he really does. But then our sin starts to cover up our view, blurring the beauty that God offers us. And what happens if our prayer lives aren't new or strong enough?
They just cant clear it. It tries to do what it was fashioned or created for but if it isn't new or strong enough it just barely clears our view.
During this Lenten season I know I want to have good windshield wipers because lets face it, our lives our full of sin and unlike a gentle General Cepeda drizzle it is a full fledged storm. And the best ultimate way to clear our view is confession. The church asks everyone to confess at least once during lent and I second that request!
Thank you all for your prayers! General Cepeda is really great! Pray that God works miracles!
Peace and Love in Christ!
ALyse

Rancho Visits

Dear readers,
I would just like to give you an idea of one of the major ministries we do while we are here. General Cepeda has around 50 surrounding villages, they receive mass every other week, maybe. We go and read from scripture and remind them that they are not forgotten, that God has not abandoned them and that we haven't either. These people have faith beyond mine and i am thoroughly convinced way beyond a mustard seed. When we share our testimonies or the gospel of the week all eyes are fixed directly on us, with unwavering looks and understanding smiles. I stand up every night and translate for the English speaker's testimonies. I shake off my nervousness by being thoroughly convinced that I, Alyse Elizabeth 14 year old missionary, am doing the work of God, the work that Jesus left for you and I to accomplish. I can do nothing other than be a telephone between God and his people, and yet that is so much greater a work than I am worth to do. I remind myself that God doesn't call the qualified he qualifies the called. And I know if just a small message of Love and Forgiveness is passed on to them it is enough for me to get over myself, jump out of my comfort zone and be who God wants me to be.
Who am I? I ask myself. I am just a high-schooler, with amazing experiences no doubt, but it is just little Alyse. And yet I am beyond content to be that because I am doing His work!
Peace and Love in Christ Jesus,
Alyse

I love general cepeda

Dear readers,
The steubenville group just arrived. The Miami group just left. I had such a blessed time and during the group two young students were called to be missionaries!!! God is so good and I truly had an amazing time.
Lately I have been meditating on finding Jesus in each and every person who knocks on our door, and that is a lot of people!!! Jesus says whatever you do to the least of my brothers you do to me. I know when I get to heaven I do not want to be asked why I didnt feed, love, and care for Jesus while I was on earth. It is the most difficult to accomplish when you need to shower, are doing about 5 things and have already helped this person the day before. But not only is it serving God it is so rewarding. I do not go to sleep one night where I do not feel exausted because of serving so much! I encourage each and everyone of us to find Jesus in everyone especially those who are the hardest to love. Maybe they just need a word of afirmation or a hug and some encouragement! And we can never underestimate the power of a real smile.
Peace and Love in Christ,
ALyse
p.s please pray for all those who we have served and will serve last and this week!

Thanks to God

Dear readers,
This morning in morning prayer we gave the guys a chance to all thank the lord. One boy who is 9 years old, who's name is Alexi, thanked God in such a beautiful way! His thanks was so simple and beautiful that it makes me want to share it with all of you. He started off with thanking God for the stars and bright moon, he thanked God for his brothers, for nature and all of the animals. His thanks was so simple and was filled with things that I know I take for granted. Jesus said "let the children come to me" and I know why! Their simplicity is so holy and pure! I need to strive to be aware of the simple things in life that God gives us! Just being in General Cepeda where the people's beauty and faith is so simple and humble draws me back to God's infinite power and awesomeness! I hope we can all be drawn back to the child like faith that we must have in God!
Peace and Love in Christ!
ALyse

General Cepeda

Dear readers,
I arrived in Mexico yesterday. We had a wonderfully blessed easy trip! I am so excited about the big plans that God has for this trip. I ask everyone to please pray for everyone here on the trip and all the people we will have an effect on. I was blessed by the first reading today. When God speaks to Moses in such a miraculous way! I pray that we will be able to experience miracles while we are here, and I know God will not short change us. I have a very limited time on the computer but God bless all of you!
Paz y amor en Cristo!!!
Alyse

Si Dios Quiere

Dear readers,
The other day while I thought of the many reasons I love Mexico I remembered a phrase that is a part of their culture that I love. It is "Si Dios quiere" it means "God willing". This is a phrase that we use in the USA but not half as often as there. Every time they say see you later or speak of the future they add si Dios quiere at the end. So basically every aspect of their lives is based and reliant on God. Our lives are based on God as well but we don't always admit or acknowledge it. How sad huh? God gives us everything and we don't even talk about him that often. I don't expect to change all of the world to have a wonderful phrase like si Dios quiere but that doesn't mean I don't want it to. I just hope that we can be a culture that talks more about God. Let everything that you say praise the Lord.
Peace and love in Christ!
Alyse