InsideOutta Here!

Welp... Tonight was my last InsideOut at Branches of Christ! It is definitely sad =[ It means that my time here is coming to a close. I have 2 more Sundays left and then I go home for a few days and then back to the Lou... which, I do miss the NoCo, but I know I will miss here as well.
Man, this has been such an amazing experience. Working with my aunt and uncle has been amazing. And DJ was pretty cool too. I have to give him credit for the name of this blog.

Ya know, that's an interesting story in itself. Last summer I did camp teams and at my first week of camp (camp MOCOMI) I met DJ, he was interning with one of the guys there. Then a few months later, I found out he knew my aunt and uncle, well about 6 months later I call my aunt and guess who is sitting in her living room? DJ and Dianna, who was DJ's fiance at the time, but now she's his precious wifey =] DJ was about to be hired by Branches to be their new Youth and Family Minister. What are the odds? So crazy! Anywho, a week or so later Julie calls me and they want me to intern here this summer!

What a crazy plan God has for me... blows me away everyday. How he weaves lives together, its unbelievable. ah... I love it =]
I love Branches =]

Thanks God, for a super cool summer and for reminding me that I'm always in Your hand.

a day off =]

ahh yes! It has been a glorious day off! I feel so accomplished! I went grocery shopping, and planned my meals for the week. But most importantly I am getting ready to send of my South Africa thank you letters! I love being reconnected to South Africa and reading over my letter and reliving my memories from that trip.
I can't wait to go back someday... I pray that God will lead me back there at some point in my life, but I have no clue where the Lord will lead me next... and that is what makes this life so interesting! haha!
So for now, I will continue to remember South Africa with fondness and look forward to my next adventure!
And, I will also share my South Africa thank you letters with you all!

Hello again!

            First of all, I just want to say, thank you, thank you, thank you for supporting me on my trip to South Africa! I learned so much on this incredible journey. I learned about the country, about myself, but most importantly about my God. The two weeks went by so fast, but not too fast for me to make some memories!
            There are so many things I would like to share with you about this trip. But, I guess the best way would be to start at the beginning. The fact that I was going to Africa didn’t get real at all until I was on the plane to Washington DC, and after that it was all too real! Once we landed in Johannesburg I knew there was no going back. Trust me, I definitely didn’t want to come back home yet, all I wanted to do was to get to our final destination which was George.

            Once we landed in George, I felt at home, literally. The missionaries there were so incredibly kind to us and treated us like a family. They opened their home to us and taught us about the culture and what it was like to be a missionary in South Africa. They also showed us around the town of George, as well as showing us how beautiful God’s creation is. I wish I could tell you what it was like, but words and pictures will never do it justice. The mountains were majestic and the ocean was so beautiful (as well as freezing).

            Though the mountains and the coast were very beautiful, nothing could compare to the beauty of the South African people. Every time one of those little children smiled at me, it just stole my heart! They’re laugh, the way they talk, and their hugs all spoke of how awesome God is and how he is the Creator!
            But, I’m jumping ahead of myself! I should probably tell you where I met these children of God. We put on two VBS programs while we were there; one was only a day and the other lasted an entire week. But, there is an interesting story about that. Halfway through the week long VBS my team and I had a strong desire to do more. We knew God brought us to South Africa for more than to see the children for just an hour a day. So myself and two other girls in the group stayed up late and prayed one night that God would open up more opportunities for us and that we could be used to spread His Love to more children or at least get more time with the children we were already working with. So, as we all know. God answers prayer! And the next day at Kidstop (where VBS was taking place) we were asked to help serve meals to the children and come in on Friday morning to not only serve breakfast but to learn more about the organization and tour it. And then we would spend the rest of the day touring the other facilities and organizations put on by Youth For Christ.

            On Saturday we spent some time at Kidstop just playing with the children and ending our time there with some fun. That night we held a “braai” pronounced “brie” at the house so all the church folks could come and spend some quality time with us! It was so cool to see how they serve meals in their culture. But, before the meal was served the ladies sang some old hymns from in their native tongue, which was beautiful.

It was on this night that I decided that I wanted to do more with South Africa, that I felt a sincere calling and a feeling of home there. I don’t know when God will call me back there, but I do know that God has placed a strong desire to be there on my heart. I want to sincerely thank you all for helping me realize some desires that God has put on my heart that I didn’t even know existed. I want to ask that you all continue to pray for me as I am figuring out God’s plan for my life and as I am seeking out my future ties with South Africa. God will make his plan known in time, but until this I will rejoice in the time I spent in George and hope that I can do it again soon.
            The last day at church they sang one of the old hymns for us again as we were all saying our goodbyes. They sang one that had a special meaning. It goes something like this “aiyah duma ma Samaria, sizo gena Jerusalem” The song basically means, if I don’t see you again, I will see you in the next Jerusalem. And there was no better way to end our time in George than hearing that message and with that I will tell you all baai danke, which means thank you very much. And of course, see sizo gena Jerusalem.

With a grateful heart,
Terah Jo Mulvany

God... you are one crazy Potter.

So, remember that whole thing about me being amazed at where God puts me. Currently, I am house sitting and dog watching for a couple in the church... It's been fun. The dog is stinking precious. And adorable... but here's the problem. I am the biggest chicken in the world!
I blame this on the fact that someone tried to break into our house when I was in Jr. High... but, I digress.

The true reason I am insane is because I imagined the garage door opening and closing at midnight. Or heard someone knock on the door in a rhythmic pattern... makes me think 2 things.

1. I am losing my mind.
2. God has instilled in me one insane imagination.

Or both?

who knows?
only He does.

oh, and speaking of Potter. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2 this Thursday... OH YEAH!!!

the purpose

So, as many of you know. My life is crazy. I never know where God is taking me and half the time you don't know until I get back. So I am going to use this as a means to let you all know what is happening in my life =]

wherever He takes me...

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.