I'm proud to say....

I am proud to say I got baptized on Sunday June 12,2011 at 2:30pm. I been wanting to get baptized since I got saved in February 26,2006. That's 5 years ago. :)

I had to go to a baptism class like 2 weeks before the baptism actually happened. I actually got a lot of good information that I didn't know about getting baptized.

Then the guy asked all the people that was wanting to get baptized, why they wanted to get baptized. I didn't really have a chance to think about it. I said "I wanted to have a closer relationship with Jesus Christ." He liked my answer. :)

Now that I got a chance to really think about why I wanted to get baptized. I really wanted to get baptized because I not only wanted to have a closer relationship with Jesus Christ but I also be more committed to Jesus and doing his laws and trying really hard not to sin all the time.

Now that I have been baptized it was so amazing that I can tell people about it and connivence them to get baptized and have a real relationship with Jesus Christ.

My mom of course came to watch me get baptized and so did my best friend Juline. Juline is a real best friend. I couldn't thank her enough for being a best friend. She likes me for who I am and she really cares about me and she has been their for me through really bad times, sad times, and good times, and happy times. She has encouraged me to give back to others like she has done for me. Thank you Juline. I really love being your best friend. We have been friends for a year and half and counting. :)

Me, Juline, & My Mom get to were the baptism is being held. I get checked in and then I stand in line. My mom is like I want you to be the 5th or 6th person to get baptized and I was like okay.

I was really nervous at this point. I want to watch some people get baptized and then do it myself. I am like should I stay in line where I am at or just go more to the back of the line. I stayed where I was.

Before I knew it, it was my time to get baptized. I was like the 7th or 8th person to get baptized. Yay, Me! :)

Here's the video of me getting baptized. I am so proud of myself for getting baptized! :)

They asked me three questions. The three questions were:

Question 1: Do you believe Jesus is the Son of the living God?

My Answer: Yes.

Question 2: Did you accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.

My Answer: Yes, 5 years ago on February 24, 2006.

Question 3: Do you plan to follow him the rest of your life?

My Answer: Yes. I already am.

Then they baptized me. :)

FYI: When I came back up out of the water. I had makeup on and it was getting in my eyes burning so that I why I sorta freaked out and was moving my hands like that and making those faces.

Knowing when they baptized me, putting me under the water to get rid of my old life and when they bring me back out of the water to begin my new life, it was awesome.

I'm so excited right now and have been since I got baptized. I couldn't sleep the night I got baptized. I was thinking back on my old life and thinking what God is going do in my new life. 

Wow, I can't wait to see what God has in store for me. Can my life get any better? My new life is awesome. Since the baptism I do feel a lot closer and more connected to God than before I was baptized.

My perspective has also changed. I am wanting to be just like God or close to God as I can get everyday.

Here are some pictures:

All Smiles When Getting Baptized On June 12, 2011 at 2:30pm.

Getting ready to get rid of my old life to this world to begin my new life in Christ.

My old life is over with. Time to begin my new life in Christ. 

 Woohoo! I did it. Time to start my new life in Christ. I am super stoked to see what God has in store for me. 

Right after I got baptized. Woohoo. I love my new life in Christ after getting baptized.

Here's the guy that baptized me. :)

P.S. I am so glad I got baptized. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me and be more committed to God. 

Best day of my life,

Rachel

My Letter To God!

God,


God, use me to show people your love.
God, send me places to change people's lives for you.
God, give me opportunities to do things for you.
God, let me see things through your eyes.
God, challenge me.
God, speak to me.
God, bless me more.
God, teach me. 
God, show me your way and your will you have for me.
God, keep showing me how awesome you are.
God, help me to know you better.
God, help me stay positive. 
God, help me understand the way you understand things.

God, help me be on fire for you all the time.

God, help me have patience.

God, help me know you are near through the good times and bad times.

God, help me step out in my faith more.

God, help me to be more committed to you.

God, help me overcome my fears.

God, help me go beyond my comfort zone.

God, impact my life everyday weather it's little things or big things.
God, make my dreams become reality. 
God, stir things in my heart.
God, change my life.
God, I want to do your will even better than I am now.
God, have life changing events happen for me.
God, I am expecting high expectations in my life.
"Through God All Things Are Possible"!


Your Daughter,
Rachel

Happy Memorial Day!

I am beyond thankful for all the women and men who served our country and the women and men that are still serving our country.
I have had 3 family members serve our country.
I had my grandpa who serve our country when I wasn't even alive. He dropped out of high school to go serve, after he was done serving our country he became an architect. Got married and had kids of course. He lived a good life. He went to be with Jesus on September 1,2010.
I also had a second cousin that served our country to. He's done serving. He is now battling cancer. He doing good though.
I have a cousin who is 22, and is currently still serving our country in the Air Force. He has already been to Iraq and the surrounding areas of Iraq.
Yes, it was scary and hard to let him to Iraq but I prayed and I had others praying and he came back alive. I kept my hope and faith in God. If it was his time to go then you can't stop it.
I am just thankful that the 3 family members that served our country and the soldiers that I don't even know who have served our country.
If you are someone who served our country or is still serving. Thank you for the bottom of my heart for serving our country so we can have freedom that we get because of you, who are serving.
I'm also sorry if your loved one has passed away while serving. You got Jesus by your side to help you through it. Your going to see them again. It's not the last time your going to see your loved ones. You will see them in heaven one day. Be strong. :)
When I am out and about on Memorial Day and if I see a soldier or someone who has served for our country or is still serving our country I am going to simply go up to them and tell them "thank you for serving our country, so we can have freedom because of you!"
Thank you!,
Rachel

I am Blessed!

Last week at Thrive 2011, My mom and I were text messaging back and forth and this is what one of the text messages said "Do you realize how blessed you are?" My answer that I texted her back was "How can I not realize how blessed I am?!"

I been blessed so much by God. I have had life changing experiences and moments. Grew closer to God. Went out of my comfort zone, which I rarely do. I have had so many opportunities in the past 3 months. I am grabbing hold of every opportunities I have and really making use of the opportunities and experiences I get.

God is rocking my life right now. My life is amazing. This summer is going to be life changing and I can't wait to see what God has in store for me.

With God All Things Are Possible,
Rachel

May 21, 2011- My Thoughts!

Wake Up To Reality,

If you are true Christian a.k.a Jesus Believer you would know the truth and not by into someone's prediction.

People the world isn't going to end on May 21,2011. I promise you that. This Harold due that predicted it is wrong and not only that he said the rapture is going to happen at 6pm on May 21,2011. He's already predicted once before and he was wrong so therefore makes him a false profit.

In the bible it says "No one knows the time or hour of when Jesus Christ is coming back down on this Earth. No one knows besides God. Even the Angels and Jesus Christ don't even know.

If the Angels and Jesus Christ don't even know then how can you believe Harold's prediction that Jesus Christ is coming down May 21,2011 at 6pm? You can't because no one know besides God.

I use to be 50% maybe and 50% it's going to happen. I am a 100% sure that Jesus Christ isn't coming down on May 21,2011 at 6pm by a prediction.

If Jesus does come down on May 21,2011 at 6pm then thats just closer to being with God in eternity forever. But I doubt it's going to happen.

See ya all on May 22,2011,
Rachel

TO THRIVE 2011!

Thrive 2011,

Seriously, THRIVE 2011 was by far one of the best events that I volunteered at! I enjoyed Thrive 2011 so much that I am going to volunteer next year as long as nothing gets in the way.

The experiences and opportunities I have had were AMAZING. Thrive 2011 has impacted my life. My life has forever changed at Thrive 2011 this year by volunteering.

I had some life changing moments. Grew closer to God. Went out of my comfort zone, which I rarely do. Life is amazing and I am so blessed. Experienced a deeper connection with God.

Seeing people come in to Thrive with a smile on their face meant a lot to me. The speakers, the attendees, and the volunteers were all nice and helpful.

Thank you Thrive Team, Thrive Speakers, Thrive Attendees, Thrive Volunteers for making this event so life changing for everyone else who was at Thrive 2011.

Forever changed,
Rachel :)

Thrive Day 3- My Experience!

Thrive Day 3 May 14, 2011, changed my life forever. No joke either. It's one of the best conference's I have ever volunteered for. Thrive 2011 team made it happen. You guys are awesome. :) The night before Thrive 2011 conference, I was so excited I couldn't sleep.


I got to volunteer central at 7am. Today was a short day. All I did was help the food team get food in all the different rooms for the breakfast networking classes for compassion, logos, monvee, and biblica. I also stay in the compassion international networking class and listen to them for 5 mins and then did the same with the other three class.


I went around checking to make sure everything was okay and went back and forth to see if the supplies were getting low. Then in the mean time while the classes started I managed to go back into the lobby and help out some more at both Bob's tables. Then when the networking classes were over i went helped clean up.


After I help cleaned up with the networking classes. I went back to both Bob's merch tables and sat their and helped them out. 


I watch both Bob's speak and the listen to Christine Cane speak for a few mins. I also watched Jeffrey B. Scott and Band soundcheck. That was so neat to watch. Then got to peak in and watch the Jeffrey B. Scott and band concert. I sung to the song "Our God" they were singing. It's currently my favorite song I am hooked on right now. 


The conference ended at 12:30pm so after everyone left. I helped teardown everything and put the church back to the way it normally was. I am super tired and sore from this all. But don't get me wrong. I love it and I will volunteer again next year.


P.S That was my day and their was a lot of nice people and volunteers. My best experience helping volunteer for an event. The experience I had volunteering at Thrive 2011 was awesome. Thrive 2011 has changed and impacted my life forever. Thank you Thrive 2011 team.


Expecting high expectations,
Rachel

Thrive Day 2- My Experience!

Thrive Day 2 May 13, 2011, changed my life forever. No joke either. It's one of the best conference's I have ever volunteered for. Thrive 2011 team made it happen. You guys are awesome. :)

The night before Thrive 2011 conference, I was so excited I couldn't sleep.

I was classroom aide for the 1st breakout session. I helped a speaker by the name of David Johnson. He was speaking on "The value of Short-Term missions to the Local Church. This was very interesting to listen to. 

I was a classroom aide for the 2nd & 3rd breakout session. I helped a speaker by the name of Eric Bryant. He was speaking on "Innovators", I seriously needed to listen to this. I didn't get to listen to him speak once but twice. I also took notes in this breakout session. I am going to blog about it separately.

Worked at the Bob Smiley & Bob Stromberg merch tables again. They were so much fun to hang out with them and get to know and help them. 

I met both Bob's and got to take pics with them both. I got to go on a golf cart ride with a really funny volunteer and went across the street from the church were the church offices were to make sure the were enough pens and water for the speakers or meeting being held near the church offices. The volunteer and I joked around. So much fun.

Two hours before the event was over I got really tired. I get my ipod out, put the headphones in my ears and blast the music to keep me awake. 

I made a lot of good memories I wouldn't forget and laughed a lot. I also runned around a lot to. Had a lot of fun to.

When I wasn't set to volunteer I just asked around who needed help and I help them. I worked hard and stayed committed. 

I saw a lady crying and asked if she was ok and if she needed anything. She was okay. 

Got a free thrive cup and brought Eric Bryant's book "No One Like Me" I am so excited to read it.

P.S That was my day and their was a lot of nice people and volunteers. My best experience helping volunteer for an event. The experience I had volunteering at Thrive 2011 was awesome. Thrive 2011 has changed and impacted my life forever. Thank you Thrive 2011 team.

Thrive Day 3- My Experience my blog post:
http://rachelspeaksthetruth.blogspot.com/2011/05/thrive-day-3-my-experience.html

Jesus Loves You,

Rachel

Thrive 2011 Day 1- My Experience!

Thrive Day 1-May 12, 2011, changed my life forever. No joke either. It's one of the best conference's I have ever volunteered for. Thrive 2011 team made it happen. You guys are awesome. :)

The night before Thrive 2011 conference, I was so excited I couldn't sleep.

Yes, I woke up at 7am, if you know me well enough you know I don't wake up before 10am. I'm a night owl not a morning person. I went to go check in at volunteer central. It was quite a busy day for me. 

I checked in to help with tech team and the volunteer central sends me to registration, were I had to check people in for the conference, give them their tickets, and handouts. I did that for about 4 hours. It got hot but it was breezy. I did get sunburned. 

Shh, Don't tell anyone this but I was considering starting a water fight since everyone was hot. I would of love that. I hate the heat. But it didn't happen. 

I also broke down a bunch of boxes, now that's what I call fun. If you haven't notice it doesn't take much to keep me satisfied and happy. I'm a go with flow person. 

I also helped other volunteers, got water for everyone, and walked back and forth like 10 times which felt like a million in one times. I did end up getting a migraine because I was so busy helping because I didn't get to eat until 5pm at night.

Then after that I got sent to the tech team and I get there and there's nothing to do. What I end up doing? Hanging out with a bunch of guys. I was the only girl on the tech team. It was very fun and entertaining. All I did was go around to different classrooms to make sure there were not technical difficulties during the breakout classes. Then after the classes were over I had to turn off the projectors and sound system speakers. 

Then I went to go check in with the food team. They sent me out front to help with the tri tip dinner so I collected tickets. 

After I collected tickets for the tri tip dinner they sent me inside the lobby to help Bob Smiley's & Bob Stromberg's merch tables. I got to watch part of the Salvador Concert at Thrive 2011!

After dinner I got a massage. That was so AWESOME. I needed that. Massages are the best. The massage lady got rid of my migraine. My dad also called so I talked to him and while I talked to him Lincoln Brewster walks by me. I smile and said hi to him and he did the same thing back to me. I didn't recognize him until after to walked by me because he had his sunglasses on. I was like OMGosh! That was Lincoln Brewster. 

I got to listen to Bob Stromberg, Bob Smiley, Surewood Carthen, Mike Bureaux, Margret Feinberg and David Harris speak for a little bit. Lincoln Brewster also engaged in the conversations on the stage.

I also got to pass out these dessert cake ball things to all the attendees. They were so delicious. I am going to attempt to make them when my life isn't so busy.

I checked into the volunteer central and I watch a David Garibaldi paint to music on tv. That was so awesome. I went to bed at the midnight. I had to be up before 6am on May 13, 2011. 

P.S That was my day and their was a lot of nice people and volunteers. My best experience helping volunteer for an event. The experience I had volunteering at Thrive 2011 was awesome. Thrive 2011 has changed and impacted my life forever. Thank you Thrive 2011 team.

For Thrive Day 2011-Day 2-My Experience Blog Post: http://rachelspeaksthetruth.blogspot.com/2011/05/thrive-day-2-my-experience_15.html

Keep your eyes towards Jesus & you will be okay. I promise you that,

Rachel

God Just Keeps Amazing Me!

Like the title saids, "God Just Keeps Amazing Me" for what I can do for him. I have a whole bunch of projects and ideas to put to use and see where they go.

If it's God's will I am ALL for it. God's already stirring things in my heart. What God stirs in my heart, I achieve it. Period. :)

I am expecting high expectations for my life and what I do for God. Period. I think there's room to make changes and be flexible. I am so blessed and I just keep getting blessed. I cannot say this enough, but I am excited to see were God takes me on my path he wants me to go down.

I got a lot of good awesome things in the works. I am stoked to see where I go. I am going to be volunteering a lot this summer. I am not just doing it to do it and I doing it all for God.

I am going to go speak at churches for free, I am going to volunteer my time to help the homeless and ill kids and the list goes on and on. I am going to see what I can accomplish the whole summer.

Let God Stir In Your Heart,
Rachel

THRIVE 2011 Conference!

I'm so happy to tell you guys that I am volunteering at the THRIVE 2011 conference on May 12-14, 2011. I am expecting high expectations. I am expecting God to change people's lives. I am expecting God to become real in people's lives that are broken and want have a tighter relationship with God. Weather your a person has been hurting, abused, raped, molested, depressed, or just needs a relationship with a REAL GOD or whatever your issue or situation might be. God is REAL. He can transform people's lives for the better. 


I try an live by this song chorus everyday and so should you:

Chris Tomlin-I will Follow.


Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I'll love
How you serve I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you
I will follow you 


Weather its your first time, second time, third time, fourth time, or fifthteenth billionth time. God is going to radically change peoples lives. I am so excited and honored to be a part of that. 
I'm stoked to see people accepted Jesus as their SAVIOR. 


At the THRIVE Conference you will be encouraged and get advice from the well known christian speakers. Also have an awesome time worshipping God with Lincoln Brewster and Salvador. 


You don't want to miss this three day event. Come to this conference to feel renewed in God's spirit. Hear God's word and feel his presence. 


If you have a passion for God and want to see the visions in your life, future and ministry and what God has called you to do? Do you want to energize your spirit? Do you want to worship God with some well known christian artists? Do want to hear the word of God from some well known Christian speakers? Then this THRIVE 2011 Conference Event is for you. I wouldn't miss it. 


This THRIVE 2011 Conference is going to be off the hook and like I said I am expecting high expectations for what God is going to do in some of these peoples lives. 


Event Information:


THRIVE 2011 Conference 
When: May 12-14,2011
Where: Bayside Christian Church
8191 Sierra College Blvd. 
Roseville, CA 95661
Phone Number: 916-791-1244
Website: http://www.thriveconference.com
Bayside Christian Church's Website: http://www.baysideonline.com
Get Tickets Here: I would call about getting tickets. Can't find anywhere to get tickets online. Sorry. :)


Some of the Christian Artists playing:
Lincoln Brewster & Salvador 


Some of the Christian Speakers Speaking:
Christine Caine
Bob Smiley
Louis Zamperini
& More


This event is going to be AMAZING. I cannot wait to volunteer. 11 more days until I get to volunteer and have my life completely changed. I will be at the event for the entire three days. So if you come and I know you, please say come find me and say hi.


God's already stirring things in my heart already.
What God stirs in my heart, I achieve it. Period. :)


P.S. I will try to get some video and pictures at the THRIVE 2011 Conference. I will also be blogging about my experience everyday after the event and leading up to the event.


Expecting High Expectations at THRIVE 2011 Conference,
Rachel

Proverbs 3:5-6

Here are some bible verses that are really making me think about. God's still got a lot of work to do in me. I'm not perfect and I am far from perfect. I do make mistakes, and a lot of them.

Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understand: in all ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight. Proverbs 3:5&6.

When true wisdom often comes from experience, we can also become wise by doing serval things: accepting advice from partners, following God's commands and actively seeking wisdom. The Lord promises to give wisdom to those who go after it.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5. Got Wisdom?

Wisdom is a very hard thing for me to do. I need to try harder to listen to others and let them tell me what they want to tell me without me interrupting them or ignoring them or just going along with what they say.

It's hard to do when others love to annoy you by talking to much or people you dislike who want to talk to you about nothing but crap or just to sit there and talk and waste my time over something dumb or stupid.

Well, I need to let those people talk to me, listen to what they have to say, and accept them for who they are. Period. That doesn't mean I have to be friends with them but I have to kill them with kindness.

God saids, Love you enemies like you would love yourself. That's a hard to do. No ones perfect but it takes time to make some changes.

I want to see change in my life. The change starts with me. I will be changing right now.

Let me know what you think or if you have any advice. Enjoy my blog and have a blessed day.

-Rachel

Waiting on God...

I know what I want to do for a living. I am waiting on God to direct me and guide me through this. He right beside me guiding me through this. I want to do his will, his way. I want to be blessed by God. I'm listening to God. Praying and reading the bible and going to church on a regular basis now. I love it.

this was a short post,
Rachel