Monday 29 September 2008

Let All that I am Praise the LORD

"Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise His holy name. Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he has done for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like eagle's! The LORD gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly."
Psalm 103:1-6

God gave me this passage today during our morning devotions while I was helping lead worship. It has been such a privilege and blessing to be apart of the worship team. Today was the first day that I helped lead, but the last few days that we have practiced have been so encouraging. I was randomly walking by the lecture hall where the others (Corban, Tim, and Ana) were meeting to practice and stopped to see what they were up to. Tim (also from Lynden and is on staff here) asked if I would like to join them and further asked if I would like to be apart of leading worship for the devotional times. I was filled with so much joy, as worship is a huge passion of mine, and I so wanted to be able to use my gifts to glorify God and lead others in praise as well.

I am praising the LORD with all that I am!

Friday 26 September 2008

Thursday 25 September 2008

Willkommen zu Herrnhut (welcome to Herrnhut)

I have finally arrived in Herrnhut, Germany for YWAM! After a long day and a half of traveling I finally made it! It was a long, tiring journey, but I am so glad to be here again and am ready to see what God has in store for me.
Already today, I have felt a great sense of assurance in being here at this time -before the lecture phase starts. This morning the school leader, Lucy, was talking to all of us girls (the photo DTS students have been here for about a month now) after a time of worship and I was so blessed with what she shared.

"I see that all of you ladies are on a narrow path, and there are things outside the path that are calling to you. Even some of the guys are the "voices" calling to you - 'oh, he's cute', 'maybe God brought me here to meet the one', etc. But God did not call you here to play with your heart, He doesn't do that. God called you here at this time for a reason. You are different. There is a spirit about you all that is different, but you have to keep your focus on God. He has called you here to know Him. When you know God, you will trust Him, and when you trust Him, you will love Him. God has called you here to know Him. God is totally for relationships, but relationships aren't #1, God is! And He wants to reveal Himself to us! We have to have the right focus - to know God. Are you willing to give up everything to have God? The table is there for us. And we have to accept the things that God has prepared for us. God wants to give you a new heart. He doesn't fix your heart, He gives you a new one. The Holy Spirit is there for you. He won't let you down. Get to know God."

It was really good to hear that the leader has a heart for us to know God and not be distracted by other things! While I am here before lecture phase starts, I will be helping in the kitchen with prep and clean up for coffee break. I am excited to help serve others and be able to use my kitchen experience.

blessings from Germany!

Tuesday 23 September 2008

It's Today, It's Today, It's Today

Today's the day! I will be leaving in about 12 hours to head to Seattle and then from there to Frankfurt, Germany! After I arrive in Frankfurt, I will have a connecting flight to Dresden, and from there will board a train to Loebau where I will be picked up and driven to Herrnhut!

I am SO excited to be taking this step in following the Lord. Thanks to all of you who have helped me on this journey either through financial, prayer, or emotional support! I consider it an honor to be traveling, learning more about God and myself, and sharing His love with the nations!

If you would like to write to me or send me a package my address will be:

Lindsey Diacogiannis
JMEM/DTS
Untere Dorfstr. 56
02747 Ruppersdorf
Germany

feel free to email me also: lindseylou31@gmail.com
I will have internet connection for the first three months while I am in Germany, but don't know after that. I will do my best to keep you all up to date with what God is doing in my life, and what I am up to!

In His Grip,
Lindsey <><

Friday 12 September 2008

"Go, therefore, into all the world..."

With only 12 days left before I leave for Germany for 6 months, I am spending a lot of time with my family. Unfortunately, I will not be able to spend time with my dear twin sister Carissa, as she is staying in Argentina until Nov.
Jeremiah is also away in Amman, Jordan,
but fortunately I spent time with him before he left in August.
I will surely miss my wonderful family while I am away!
Mama and Papa on their cruise

Gregg, Jeremiah, and Cassie

Jeremiah

Gregg

Josh running Track

Josh and Ben

Jacob at the lake


Josiah, Hosanna, and Elijah

Carissa with friends in Argentina

Cassie and I
Me and Rachel

I love my family!!!!!

Monday 8 September 2008

Travels Part 2 -pictures

I had a great time in Bend with my sister, and have finally uploaded pictures to share with you the great time that I had! Thanks for having me, sis!

Me and Cassie
Floating the River
Having fun on the swings

Visiting with old friends, Jordan and Whitney

and making a new friend, Stephenie!

Monday 1 September 2008

Nightly Reading

The other night, as I was finishing my reading through Mark, I was reading chapter 15, and it was talking about how Jesus was being crucified, and the people were mocking him. As I read, I felt discontent with just "knowing" the story. I asked God to show me something new, "God, this passage is so familiar, please show me something deeper". As I read, I thought about how easy it would have been for Jesus to get off the cross and prove His identity to the people. They mocked him saying, "he saved others, can't he save himself?" I just kept thinking how it was not even a question as to whether or not He could come down from the cross and prove to them that He is the Son of God, and then it dawned on me that He just submitted Himself to the will of the Father. By doing so still expressed his Lordship; the Roman official even said, "surely this was the Son of God". Through this God spoke to me and it dawned on my that I don't have to do anything to prove my worth to people either. When I humbly submit myself to the will of the Father, my identity in Christ shows through. I don't have to prove anything, because I am grounded in Him and in submission is evidence of my heavenly relations.