Can I Just Say, God is Absolutely Amazing?!

Hey guys!

It's been a while since I've written a blog! Last time I talked to y'all, it was in January all about Passion Conferenece 2014! Well since then, so much has been going on and Gos has been keeping me blessed and busy for sure! I couldn't thank Him more for that! 

February 17th, the BSU held a Missions Banquet for the missionaries going away this summer! It was such a great time of fellowship and entertainment! It was a success of raising money, and all the proceeds go to myself and the other two summer missionaries in this pic you see below! Their names are Maura and Doug!  It would be awesome if you would keep them in prayer as we all prepare and get ready to leave for our missions in 2 months!

Maura-India

Doug-Indonesia

Me-Philippines

We also had an awesome Disciple Now (D-Now) this year! It was all of the Copiah County area! February 21st-23rd, our D-Now was takin place at First Baptist Church of Hazlehurst, and it was an incredible weekend full of fellowship, worship, and having fun together as a huge group of Christians! We had Landon Dowden as the pastor for the weekend, and also Jared Smith as the worship leader, and they were amazing! I had the awesome opportunity to be a D-Now leader for the very first time! Me and a girl I met named Reed were the junior high girls leaders for that weekend, and we had a blast serving! That Saturday, we had a time of missions, and for our missions, our church helped go and clean an elderly lady's (from our church) house! Our group came together in an awesome way that weekend, and I believe it helped us grow a lot more closer! That Sunday morning, our group finished off D-Now at our home church, Zion Hill Baptist, and it was all youth lead!  This D-Now was definitely worth going to!

^Reed and I with our junior high girls!

^Zion Hill Baptist Church group!

February 27th was Shine A Light On Slavery Day! 

((If you don't know much about that, visit www.enditmovement.com ))

That day, we all put huge red X's on our hands, and help build awareness to the slavery issue when people ask what that red X means. The night before, I showed the youth group at my church a short movie about slavery. Once I explained to them what the plan was for the 27th, we all put X's on our hands and took a pic, to show the world that we were "In It To End It!" Building awareness to the situation. Pic below!

The next day, lots of people were telling me that putting X's wasn't going to stop slavery, and I do understand that. But building awareness to let people know about the issue, helps them to become known to the fact, and will encourage then to give financially to any of the organizations who are able to go and rescue these slaves trapped. We can't help them, but the organizations such as End It Movement, IJM, Poloris Project, Love 146, etc., can help free these slaves all around the world when we can't! Awareness helps people know!

Also that day, me and 3 of the youth and my boyfriend traveled to Tupelo, MS to go to WinterJam! WinterJam is a tour that had 10 artists, and 1 speaker! They were absolutely amazing! It was an awesome time of gathering together with other Christians!

The awesome thing about that night also, we saw so many people wearing the red X's on their hands! WinterJam helped let everyone know about slavery that night! Here's a pic they posted that night!

Recently, something awesome happened! In the beginning of this year, I applied for the BSU leadership team for the year 2014-2015! So many people applied, and I honestly didn't think I had the chance to get a spot. I just tried to keep thinking, "God, if You want me to be a part of this, You'll have Your way. But if not, it's not part of Your plan for my life. You've got this." When the BSU pastor messaged me that night asking me if I would be the missions coordinator for next year, I almost cried. My passion for missions, is expanding even more! Of course I said yes! God blessed me with this position, and I can't wait to serve! I can't wait to talk to students next year about missions and why they should go!

Finally, spring break! For spring break this year, I traveled with the BSU for a mission trip in Martin, TN to help a church called Hope Church! (I'm traveling from there now!) all I can say from this week is wow! God is so amazing! At the church, we helped repaint walls, redo flooring, replace some parts of ceilings, added new additions to to he sanctuary, built a railing for a balcony, repaired stairs, fixed the kitchen, and dining area called the "Kill A Cow Cafe", and so much more!

We finished all of our work in 3 days! Thursday, we went door to door inviting people to the church for free BBQ, worship, and fellowship! It was an awesome turnout! I couldn't have been more blessed to have met the people at Hope Church and their love for Christ. They truly are a real church who welcomes anyone and everyone! Along with BSU people, Clear Branch Baptist Church joined with us, and we all got along so week! We all had so much unity and God was just working in awesome ways with all of us! I wouldn't have traded this week for anything!

1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT
"So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless."

God has been showing his faithfulness to me so much lately! It's crazy! I couldn't be more thankful! I've been learning that if I stay faithful to God, and follow His way, He will lead me in the right directions in life. Pray for me as I continue to learn this!

Thanks!

Show Love. Be Love.

-Tonya, :)

Passion 2014

Hey y'all!

So last weekend (January 17-18), I had the awesome opportunity to go to the Passion Conferenece 2014! For you who don't know what that is, it's a Christian conference for college students! 

I went last year for 2013, but it was for four days whereas this one was only 2 days. At Passion 2014, we had 20,000 college students and leaders at the Phillips Arena in Atlanta to gather together in God's name! Just wow! I don't know what it is, but there is something about gathering with other Christians and only worshipping 1 God. And the students come from all over the world! It's amazing! 

We heard many new songs off of the new Passion record that will come out maybe in the spring. 

Do Something Now is a project that Passion puts on every year at their conference, and it is always something different. Lat year it was End It Movement, a movement to stop human trafficking, and this year was raising money to send bibles to Iran! The goal was to raise $250,000 to send at least 25,000 bibles to families. Well because so many students were inspired by this, Passion rose $335,000! So over 33,000 bibles are goo to families in Iran! God is so amazing! 

One thing I got out of Passion Conference, was realizing how deep it is for Jesus to had died for us. Yeah I always knew that Jesus died for us to save us from our sin, but I never just took time to really sit and meditate on it. And it seemed that's what the whole conference was about! Almost every song was about that, and 2 sermons were about that. Just to sit and think how it was OUR fault that Jesus died. It wasn't just the cross it was OUR cross! It's just so hard to think that He didn't deserve our punishment, but He took it anyways! Think about it!

Passion was amazing this year! And I can't wait for next year! 

Here are some pics from Passion 2014!

That Sunday, we were able to pass through Birmingham, AL and go to The Church At Brook Hills where David Platt preaches! It was absolutely amazing to hear him preach and was also a pleasure meeting him!

^David Platt and I

^our group visiting The Church At Brook Hills!

Thanks for reading! 

Share Love. Be Love,

-Tonya!  :)

Christmas Break and a New Year!

Hey y'all!

So my first semester of college ended, and Christmas break was here! 3 weeks away from school! Where most people would be happy about not going to school and going home to their families for the holidays, I was thinking, "Home? I love it here at Colin and I don't want to go to back home!" I love my family, but I see them every weekend and they don't live hours away like many college kids do. So staying at Colin all the time isn't a big deal, I love it here! It's pretty much my home away from home! 

Christmas time isn't such a big deal to me anymore. It's great getting together with the family, but ever since my daddy passed away when I was 15, Christmas just hasn't been the same. The feelings aren't the same. I'm sure some know what I'm talking about.

The whole time I was home, I was thinking, "Man! I just want to hop on a plane and go do some missions somewhere!" China was an option for me, but the time I had heard about it, I only had 3 days to decide to go there or not. That's not a lot of time for me. So I knew that there was always next year, and I do plan on going!

For New Years Eve, my church's youth leadership team traveled to Xtreme Winter in Gatlinburg, TN for 3 days! It was an amazing experience! We say 8 amazing bands, and 4 speakers! I was also able to meet 2 different band members! AT&T he conference, we kicked off the New Year worshipping Jesus with the band Skillet band! Also as the youth leadership team, we got together to talk about things that we could do differently in the youth group and what type of missions hat we could do throughout this new year!

^the leadership team!

^one of the lead singers from the band Unhindered!

^oneof the lead singers from the band For King and Country, Joel!

^the first night at Xtreme Winter

Now I'm back at Colin, and I couldn't be happier to be back! I have a new roommate, and her name is Carlianne, and we get along great! I'm ready to see what God has in store for us! 

^me and Carlianne!

I getting ready for Passion Conference  next weekend, and getting ready to raise money for my trip to the Philippines! Mission trip over spring break, then ending the last semester of my freshman year here at Colin, then off to summer missions in the Philippines!

It'll be here before I know it!

Show Love. Be Love.

Tonya, :)

First Semester Down, New Opportunities Ahead!

Hey y'all!

So many awesome things have been going on, but it's been so stressful lately! Being in college keeps me a busy bee! With exams coming up next week, Christmas coming up, and the New Year, it's supposed to be stree free, right?! Nooooo! It's always busy busy busy. I have always loved being busy, but it tires me out so quick! But I really have enjoyed this semester of college, and I can't wait for what the next semester will bring!

^we had our last nursing home ministry visit for the semester :(  can't wait to be back next semester!

Just wanted to update y'all on what all has been going on lately! So last Monday, we had a Christmas party at the BSU for the Baptist Children's Village! I can't tell y'all enough how awesome it was! To be able to give gifts to kids young and our age who can't have a normal Christmas like we can have. I saw so many smiles that night. I was able to paint a girl's nails, play cards with one of the young boys and some friends, and just talk to some of the kids and what they wanted to do when they grew up. It was such a blessing to meet and talk with these kids.

(I wish I had some pics but for safety reasons they asked us not to post pics.)

^Elizabeth, Reneé, and me with our Christmas sweaters!

^roomie and I, with Jordan creeping in the background!

Tuesday, we decided to have a "joint bible study" night since it was the last BSU bible study for the semester. Only it wasn't bible study, it was a surprise going away party for my roommate, Grace! (She is transferring from Colin to Holmes to be closer to home.) She had no idea about it! We had a great night eating snacks, playing games, and just spending time with Grace all together one last time. I'm so happy and blessed beyond words to have met her at Passion this year, and I am so blessed to have had her as a roommate for a semester! We got to know each other so much more, and I know she will be a friend for a lifetime. I'm going to miss our grouchy morning arguments! I love you! 

^My amazing roomie and me drinking hot coco and eating cookies from our awesome dorm moms!

Lastly, I recieved some amazing news over Thanksgiving break!

Here it is!

I am officially going to the Philippines for Summer Missions 2014! I will be gone from May 29-August 2!! I am so excited for this adventure! 

As y'all know (and if you don't I encourage you to read my Ukraine blog real quick ------> http://summerof2013.blogspot.com/2013/07/justwow.html ) I have became attached to orphans and just abandoned kids. In my life, I have felt unwanted in the past, so I know (in a way) how they feel. If you don't know my testimony, I will be happy to share it with you sometime.

I visited an orphanage only for 1 day while in Ukraine, and I fell in love with it! Just spending time with the kids and playing with them, and caring for them! 

This is why I chose the Philippines. I will be mopping floors, changing diapers, feeding & holding babies, playing with children, and discipling youth. I will be able to share my faith and disciple those around me! I will be a part of the Nehemiah Team and will care for "the least of these." I am excited to help play and hold little children, but also to disciple youth because youth is also where my heart is.

Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans.... (James 1:27)

I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store for me this coming summer, and to just give my summer to Him and to serving orphans.

^I ask y'all to please pray with me as these 2 beautiful girls leave during the Christmas break to go to China on a mission trip! It's so awesome that they are spending their Christmas holidays to go and spread the love and Word of God there! Please be in prayer for them! Love you girls!

^This is Carlianne, and I met her this year at Colin! She will be my roommate next semester, and I can't wait for an awesome adventure with her!

^These are the tshirts I am selling to raise money for the Philippines! They come in long and short sleeves! Long-$20. Short-$15. Help me raise money for my mission trip!

This has been such an amazing semester, and I ask y'all to please be with me and my friends as we take our final exams next week! Our last day is the 13th, then 3 weeks off for school!

Thank y'all!

Tonya, :)

Show Love. Be Love.

A Little Bit of Everything

Hey y'all! 

So lots have been happening lately! 

I recently turned 19 years old! And I couldn't be more happier that God has given me 19 years of life, and I can't wait to see how He uses me this next year! 

We had the a Holy Ghost Weenie Roast at Lake Lincoln with BSU for Halloween, and it was a blast because we had an awesome speaker, worship, and a costume contest! I was in a group where we dressed up like Duck Dynasty! Our friend Maura actually won the contest dressed up as a farm girl!

^Duck Dynasty Crew! 

^Maura our farm girl winner

^Joanna Banana

^Si and the girls from Despicable Me

^Si and Taylor Swift

^Social Networks

^Siamese Cats

There were many funny consumes there at the Holy Ghost Weenie Roast! It was such a fun night and it's awesome how you can have fun in a Christian way.

My family and I went up to Duck Commander in Louisiana just to take a trip and pick up some things there for Christmas and it was awesome there! We didn't see any of the Duck Dynasty Crew, but it was still fun. We also ate at Willi's Diner which opened maybe a month ago. Amazing food.

I had the awesome opportunity to speak at the BSU this past Monday! My church's youth group lead worship with 5 of my jr high small group girls, and we had two of the students lead a skit there at the BSU. I shared a little about my life and how God has used me in the mission field. It was mostly about my trip to Ukraine. 

While I was preparing my presentation, I had so much on my mind about missions and people. Here is a little something I shared about Monday. (I included the Phillipines in there because as y'all should know, I plan on going this coming summer.)

((How can we call ourselves Christians if we aren't going out and making disciples? God commands us to go out and tell people about Him, but how are we doing that sitting at home? We are supposed to go out and share about Him, whether it's here in Wesson, Brookhaven, in the states or out of the country. There are people who get passed by everyday and never hear anything about Jesus. Can they even tell something is different about you? Or do they see you like the rest of the world?

So many people in other countries don't know anything about Jesus. Take the Philippines as an example. About 10,000 people were killed this weekend. How many of those people do you think really knew Jesus? All I could think about during these news updates about the Philippines, was the orphans that I want to go help and see. I look at kids around here I live close to, and they don't know anything about Jesus because their parents never taught them. Think of the orphans who don't have parents at all, and they are just sitting there wondering about their life and why they are even alive. They feel like no one wants them. That's why I want to go there so badly because they need someone to hold them and tell them that people do care about them and love them, but mainly there is one person who has and always will love them, and that's Jesus. 

So I ask again, how can you call yourself a Christian, yet not go and share the love of Christ with others? He tells us to go, so go.))

So that's what I shared, and it's something that I challenge you to think about also! :)

^My amazing roomie! So happy she was there to hear me speak!

^we got awesome BSU shirts!

So much more is happening in the next few weeks and I can't wait to share with y'all about that also! 

Show Love. Be Love.

-Tonya, :)

But how can they call on Him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who announce the gospel of good things! (Romans 10:14, 15 HCSB)