tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22342150613632497432024-02-08T10:26:38.309-08:00NO TURNING BACKI taught high school for 8 years before entering into full time ministry with One Collective.
This blog documents the ups and downs of my decision to follow Jesus.Chelsea Diefenbachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08444786906057379644noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234215061363249743.post-75855034722597705822019-11-20T13:43:00.000-08:002019-11-20T13:43:23.884-08:00Searching for Truth and Light - Buscando la Verdad y la Luz<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
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Lately I’ve thought a lot about what it really is to be in Christ’s
light. This idea keeps coming up and I don’t know exactly what to do with
it. It started months ago when I was doing a puzzle with some
friends. We worked for a few hours and didn’t really notice that it had
been getting dark until it was so dark that we couldn’t tell the difference
between several of the colors. When we finally moved the puzzle into
better light it was like a whole new picture. One of my friends said,
“It’s like Jesus lighting up the dark places in our lives!” Those words
painted such a vivid picture for me. Soooo, I decided to do some
research.<o:p></o:p></div>
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1 John 1:5-10 says, “This is the message we have heard from him
and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at
all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the
darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the
light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the
blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be
without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we
confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and
purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not
sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The most recent part of my search was a word from a woman at my church
in the States. She asked me to coffee after I spoke one Sunday because
she said that she had a word that God wanted me to hear. We had a good
long talk that day but part of what she told me was kind of a “parable.”
She told me to picture myself in a beautiful radiant dress that God himself has
given me, but that when I look down one day I see that I have gotten a hole in
my dress and then I see another and another and I begin to cry out to God
apologizing and crying for the mess I made of my dress. Soon God looks
down and with one finger, touches the holes in my dress turning them into
beautiful lace. She reminded me that our God brings all things into the
light. He makes all things new and he heals all wounds.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve had some moments in the last few months where I have felt like I
am failing. Failing to be the right kind of person, failing to be good
enough, just failing, but failure is not my truth and I serve a God who brings
the truth to light. So, what is my truth? I’m not sure I completely know
yet, but I know the more light I learn to shine in my life the clearer the
truth will be, the more fellowship I will have, the more forgiveness I will
have and the more lace I will find where I used to have holes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="ES-EC" style="mso-ansi-language: ES-EC;">---<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES-EC" style="mso-ansi-language: ES-EC;">Últimamente he pensado
mucho sobre lo que realmente es estar a la luz de Cristo. Esta idea sigue
surgiendo y no sé exactamente qué hacer con ella. Comenzó hace meses cuando
estaba haciendo un rompecabezas con algunos amigos. Trabajamos durante unas
horas y no nos dimos cuenta de que había estado oscureciendo hasta que estuvo
tan oscuro que no pudimos distinguir la diferencia entre varios de los colores.
Cuando finalmente movimos el rompecabezas a una mejor luz, era como una imagen
completamente nueva. Uno de mis amigos dijo: "¡Es como si Jesús iluminara
los lugares oscuros de nuestras vidas!" Esas palabras me pintaron una
imagen tan vívida. Entonces, decidí investigar un poco.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES-EC" style="mso-ansi-language: ES-EC;">1 Juan 1: 5-10 dice:
“Este es el mensaje que hemos oído de él y que les anunciamos: Dios es luz y en
él no hay ninguna oscuridad. Si afirmamos que tenemos comunión con él,
pero vivimos en la oscuridad, mentimos y no ponemos en práctica la
verdad. Pero, si vivimos en la luz, así como él está en la luz, tenemos
comunión unos con otros, y la sangre de su Hijo Jesucristo nos limpia de todo
pecado. Si afirmamos que no tenemos pecado, nos engañamos a nosotros mismos y
no tenemos la verdad. Si confesamos nuestros pecados, Dios, que es fiel y
justo, nos los perdonará y nos limpiará de toda maldad. Si afirmamos que
no hemos pecado, lo hacemos pasar por mentiroso y su palabra no habita en
nosotros.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES-EC" style="mso-ansi-language: ES-EC;">La parte más reciente
de mi búsqueda fueron las palabras de una mujer en mi iglesia en los Estados
Unidos. Un domingo ella me pidió salir por un café para hablar porque dijo que
tenía una palabra que Dios quería que escuchara. Tuvimos una buena conversación
ese día, pero parte de lo que ella me dijo fue una especie de
"parábola". Me dijo que me imaginara con un hermoso vestido radiante
que Dios mismo me había regalado, pero que cuando miro hacia abajo un día, veo
que tengo un agujero en mi vestido y luego veo otro y otro y empiezo a gritarle
a Dios disculpándome y llorando por el desastre que hice de mi vestido. Pronto
Dios mira hacia abajo y con un dedo toca los agujeros en mi vestido
convirtiéndolos en hermosos encajes. Ella me recordó que nuestro Dios trae
todas las cosas a la luz. Hace todas las cosas nuevas y cura todas las heridas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES-EC" style="mso-ansi-language: ES-EC;">He tenido algunos
momentos en los últimos meses en los que he sentido que estoy fallando. No ser
el tipo correcto de persona, no ser lo suficientemente bueno, simplemente
fallar, pero el fracaso no es mi verdad y sirvo a un Dios que saca a la luz la
verdad. Entonces, ¿cuál es mi verdad? No estoy seguro de saberlo completamente
todavía, pero sé que cuanta más luz aprenda a brillar en mi vida, más clara
será la verdad, más comunión tendré, más perdón tendré y más encaje encontraré
donde solía tener agujeros.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Chelsea Diefenbachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08444786906057379644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234215061363249743.post-42064560778204816292019-10-12T09:46:00.000-07:002019-10-15T22:08:30.464-07:00The Return - El Regreso<br />
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So, it’s been almost 2 years since I updated this blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could say that I’ve been busy, but the
truth is that I have been avoiding it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As a mathy person writing is not necessarily my forte and when I
stopped, I felt like I didn’t have a voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even now, I’m not sure I believe that people will want to read what I
have to say, but this page keeps nagging at the back of my mind and I think
there is a reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure what
yet, but it’s titled <i>No Turning Back</i> so onward I go.<o:p></o:p></div>
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At One Collective they teach that <i>vision</i> is the goal you want to
see complete in the future and <i>mission</i> is the path you follow to reach
that goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Starting over means finding
my voice… the vision and the mission for this blog and the reasons I am writing
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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So, starting today: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>The Vision</b> is Christ; a life saturated in His light and His
truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>The Mission</b> is, whether I am standing firm or falling on my face,
to be transparent about my search for Him and what He is teaching me on a daily
basis.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sure, I will talk about Ecuador; I will talk about my family and my
friends; I will talk about the amazing and ridiculous young men that drive what
I do on the daily; And I will probably talk about giant bugs that I find in the
jungle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I will also talk about what
God is doing in my heart and in my life and about which passages of scripture
are speaking to me in the moment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Welcome back! I hope I don’t disappoint.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="ES-EC" style="background: white; color: #222222;">Han pasado
casi 2 años desde que actualicé este blog. Podría decir que he estado
ocupada, pero la verdad es que lo he estado evitando. Como una persona de
matemáticas, escribir no es necesariamente mi fuerte y cuando paré, sentí que
no tenía voz. Incluso ahora, no estoy segura de creer que otros quieren
leer lo que tengo que decir, pero esta página sigue molestandome en el fondo de
mi mente y creo que hay una razón. Todavía no estoy segura de qué, pero
se llama <i>Sin Vuelta Atrás</i>, así que sigo.</span><span lang="ES-EC" style="color: #222222; mso-ansi-language: ES-EC; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">En One Collective enseñan que la <i>visión</i> es el objetivo
que quieres ver completo en el futuro y la <i>misión</i> es el camino
que sigues para cumplir ese objetivo. Comenzar de nuevo significa
encontrar mi voz ... la visión y la misión de este blog y las razones por las
que lo estoy escribiendo.</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Entonces, a partir de hoy:</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<b><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">La Visión </span></span></b><span style="background: white;">es Cristo;
una vida saturada en su luz y su verdad.</span></span><br />
<b><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">La Misión </span></span></b><span style="background: white;">es, ya sea que me
mantenga firme o me caiga de cara, ser transparente sobre mi búsqueda de Él y
lo que Él me está enseñando a diario.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Claro, voy a hablar de Ecuador; Voy a hablar de mi familia y mis
amigos; Voy a hablar de los chicos increíbles y ridículos que manejan lo
que hago a diario; Y probablemente voy a hablar sobre los insectos
gigantes que encuentro en la selva. Pero también voy a hablar sobre lo
que Dios está haciendo en mi corazón y en mi vida y sobre los pasajes de La
Biblia me están hablando en este momento.</span></span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">¡Bienvenidos! Espero no los decepcione.</span></span></div>
Chelsea Diefenbachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08444786906057379644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234215061363249743.post-86214798739731021652017-10-17T19:08:00.000-07:002017-10-17T19:11:20.544-07:00The More of God"We have access to the more of God as we embrace HIS identity as our Father." I had to stop and really absorb this thought as I read through my devotional today.<br />
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What is the "more" of God? </div>
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What does it mean to have access to this "more"?</div>
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What does HE and as a result, we, have "more" of?</div>
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Do I feel like I have "more"?</div>
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I haven't posted in a while. I've been a bit overwhelmed with the mountain of new things in my life. New friends, new family, new country, new job, new language, new life...need I really continue? And sometimes I think I should only post if I have something truly profound to say. Which let's be honest, is not that often. But looking back on these last couple of months, I wonder how I could have been ignoring the more that God has brought to my life. What post could possibly be more profound than the proclamation of God's more?!?!</div>
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God promises more! God IS more!</div>
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I don't mean this in the "prosperity gospel" sense of the word. I mean that God IS more than our tiny little human brains can possibly understand. He offers us more love, more freedom, more mercy, more protection, more truth, more trust, more consistency, more comfort, more goodness, more peace, more power, more fulfillment and more life. When we ask the Holy Spirit to enter our bodies and our lives, we are escorted through a doorway to a life filled with so much more.</div>
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So what is standing between you and the more you could be living with? What is getting in the way? My anxiety and busyness are not bigger than God. I choose to walk beyond what I see in front of me today. I choose to accept God's more. I will choose daily to learn more about who God is and the more that he has planned for my life.</div>
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Have you been searching for more? Because Christ is freely and willingly offering you everything.</div>
Chelsea Diefenbachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08444786906057379644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234215061363249743.post-38409820073861227062017-03-21T09:47:00.003-07:002017-03-21T09:47:58.649-07:00Passions<div>
Too many children go home to empty houses, broken homes or to parents with drug and alcohol addictions. Too many children don't complete their educations because they are working to support their families and too many don't believe they are good enough.</div>
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I believe that every child should have hope, equal access to an education and an introduction to Jesus. Every child should know that they are "fearfully and wonderfully made" by the creator of the universe and should always know that they are loved.</div>
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I became a teacher to impact the lives of children and I am transitioning to Youth World for the same reason. My passion is to show children that they are valuable and worth it. Even if no one else is, I will be on their side. Even on the worst of days, I will be there to remind them that the God who breathed our whole planet into existence, loves them unconditionally and created them for a purpose.</div>
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I choose to follow my passions and I choose to follow Jesus. As I move forward, all I can hope for is that God will bring the love he has shown me, into the life of each child I serve.</div>
Chelsea Diefenbachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08444786906057379644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234215061363249743.post-56399596548993256992016-11-09T14:24:00.001-08:002016-11-09T14:28:35.614-08:00Persevering with Joy<div style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"He loves others, works hard, and overcomes
his circumstances no matter how bleak the moment may seem. I have a lot of respect for this young
man. I appreciate his intellect and
fervor for science and learning and I am in awe of his compassion and his
ability to show love and bring joy to each person in his life. He is already an asset in the lives of
everyone he knows and he will absolutely be a huge asset on any college
campus. I can’t wait to see what his future has in store."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Yesterday, I wrote these words in a letter of recommendation for a young man who I both admire and respect. Ralph is a senior in high school and going through the process of applying to some of the best colleges in the country. With an impeccable academic record and a slew of extracurricular activities, Ralphie is sure to gain entrance into a great college, but what makes me so proud is that Ralph's accomplishments are in spite of the pain and sadness that the last year has brought. A little over a year ago, </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Ralph
came home to find his mother and step-father arguing. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">That night, his step-father and step-brother packed
up their belongings and moved out of the house.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Over the last year and a half Ralph has had to get used to a brand new
way of life.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">He has learned to live without a father, without a brother, and with the</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> emotion of returning to a quite lonely house when he was so used to returning
to a full and bustling home. Through these changes, Ralphie has continued to peruse life and relationships to the fullest. He found reasons to smile, reasons to be grateful and he never looked back.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It is young men like Ralph who encourage me and give me hope for others around the world. Hope that pain and abandonment can be overcome with love, joy and determination. Hope that with the right support and guidance, any youth can overcome what life or their parents have thrown at them. Hope that God has a bigger plan than what we can see in the moment.</span></div>
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Chelsea Diefenbachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08444786906057379644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234215061363249743.post-40664558745708854502016-10-04T12:09:00.002-07:002016-10-04T12:09:21.466-07:00Hope in the DesertThe purpose of today's post is to brag about an amazing young woman who I have watched blossom into a strong, beautiful, vibrant flower despite her dry, hopeless situation. She is a symbol of hope and determination for mistreated youth everywhere.<br />
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I met Laura when she was 14, loud, rebellious, and searching for someone who would love her for exactly who she was. After suffering abuses at home, Laura was placed in the foster care system and landed in my Algebra I class. We clicked pretty immediately. We bonded in this indescribable way that a teacher and her favorite trouble maker can't help. You kind of just know that you were meant to be in each others' lives. As a kid, Laura bounced from foster home to foster home, back and forth across county lines and on and off of different drugs. Luckily, along the way, she found people who believed in her and knew that she was meant for more than the pain and loneliness she had learned to embrace. At 17, Laura was adopted by a family who loved her and treated her as her own. Later that year, we all watched her graduate from high school, with tears in our eyes! Laura's story only continues to bloom from there. Now she is 22, a face of the National Foster Youth Institute, has shadowed congress members in the White House, is hosting a foster youth awareness event in LA later this month, and is, <i>right this moment</i>, in a job interview to work at one of the group homes that helped to change her life!!!<br />
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I am so indescribably proud of Laura!! She has crossed rivers and broken boundaries that many people in her life never thought she could. I hope that I was and will continue to be a constant reminder to her that she is loved, valued and looked up to! As a teacher and a youth worker, my biggest hope to be a place of light and love for other children and teens as they find their place in the world! I love you Laura and I am so proud of who you are and who you continue to become!Chelsea Diefenbachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08444786906057379644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234215061363249743.post-65456181494590255312016-09-27T09:54:00.000-07:002016-09-27T09:54:05.065-07:00The Busy BeeThe last couple weeks have been crazy! I've been subbing 4 days a week, meeting with potential donors, and I flew to Idaho to see my sister and my in laws. The calm in the whole storm was rocking my sleeping, 2 month old, niece. Andee Paige is so sweet and smiley and such a light of joy. I didn't know it was possible to have so much love for such a little blob, but she captures my heart! <br />
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It is truly hard to stomach that I'm going to be gone for three years. I'm going to miss Andee's first three birthdays, her first words and her first steps. But I am looking forward to skyping with her and her parents, to sending her videos from South America, and to the day that she learns to call me "Tia Chelsea." I love my little blob, Andee Paige!! I am so excited to spend as much time with her as I can, and then to be able to send a little part of Ecuador back to her!!Chelsea Diefenbachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08444786906057379644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234215061363249743.post-1299436172923586302016-09-05T16:16:00.001-07:002016-09-05T16:16:18.449-07:00Heart of a Child<div class="MsoNormal">
The 2015-2016 school year took a toll on me. I taught
an extra period (which means I didn't get a break in my day) and I taught two
new classes. I was tired, worn out and cranky. Despite all of that,
I had an important reason to get up each day! My heart and my soul
endured each day because of the joy and fulfillment I found in my students.
I've done a few pretty tough things in my 29 years of life, but nothing
was as tough as having to tell my students, that I would not be returning to
teaching for the 2016-2017 school year. I knew I was making the right
decision, but my kids are MY kids!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
This school year has been so different. I'm not a full
time teacher, but in the month that Montclair has been back to school, I have
subbed 7 days of school. It feels like I never left. I look forward
to going to work, to seeing the bright shining faces of the kids I love and to
sharing my journey with those who are interested. The last couple weeks,
back on the MoHi campus, have been such a light and a reminder that my heart
lies with children, no matter where they are, because the hearts of children shine
brighter than anything else I know.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I am so excited to bring the children of North America
together with the children of South America. United, "two are better
than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either
of them falls down, one can help the other up" Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. Imagine what the hearts of children all over
the world can do when they are united as one!!<o:p></o:p></div>
Chelsea Diefenbachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08444786906057379644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234215061363249743.post-65410058707560046372016-08-15T13:50:00.001-07:002016-08-15T13:50:19.113-07:00The Blur of SummerThe last couple of weeks have been crazy! I met my beautiful new niece for the first time, I turned 29, I sold almost all of my belongings, I raised 10% of my monthly support and tomorrow I am substituting at the school where I used to be a full time teacher. Emotions are running high and a million things are swirling through my mind. Life is flying by and I'm having trouble catching up, but through it all, God is SO good!<br />
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Last week I had a moment to stop and breathe. Sitting in the shade under a tree, I took a few minutes to listen to the breeze, close my eyes and thank God for the peace of that moment. Having a chance to take a deep breath and thank God for my friends, family, co-workers, and crazy new life was just the break I needed from the hurricane that this summer has been!!<br />
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Come September, I will be living with my sweet grandparents and have a regular routine. My grandfather has Alzheimer and it will be such a blessing to spend my last few North American months loving on him and his wife!! I will also be able to put so much more energy towards fundraising! I have high hopes for the coming days and am so grateful for the big plans God is laying out in my life!!Chelsea Diefenbachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08444786906057379644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234215061363249743.post-5348311082491037502016-07-24T20:54:00.000-07:002016-07-24T20:54:25.782-07:00Trusting JesusThis post is a little late because I spent most of last week camping with my church's youth group. Now, let's be clear, we weren't exactly "roughing it." Unless beach camping in Malibu, with running water and delicious meals like smoked tri-tip, chicken tacos, and sausage breakfast burritos counts as the rough life. But, we did spend the trip without power and cell service which means we were off the grid for longer than any currently living high school student has ever chosen to be off the grid before. It turns out that being off the grid is exactly what our kids and leaders needed. Without YouTube, Facebook, tweets and texts life seems to slow down. Each morning, our 45 minutes of quite journal time was like a peaceful getaway with God. The sound of the waves and wind were a relaxing break for my over stimulated brain.<br />
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On Monday, we journaled about Psalm 139. I was struck both personally and as a small group leader, by verse 1 which begins with, "Oh Lord, you have searched me and you know me." Since accepting my position with ITeams I have started a monthly newsletter, a blog, an Instagram and I have even spoken at my home church a couple of times. As I move forward, it is becoming time for me to make personal appointments and begin building a solid team of donors, but I have been nervous about money conversations. What if people don't believe in our ministry in Quito? What if I have trouble sharing my heart and enthusiasm for the work of Jesus in Ecuador? While reading Psalm 139 I was reminded that God knows my heart and my fears. I was encouraged in the knowledge that God is always searching the inner parts of who I am and that he will be leading my conversations. As a small group leader I was super encouraged to remind my students that they, also, are never alone. God knows their passions and desires and he has a plan that will lead them into a life of true fulfillment.<br />
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Youth camp was a great opportunity to experience a small part of what I will get to do in Quito. As a teacher, I have such a heart for children. I love to encourage them to stretch out of their comfort zones and to strive towards their goals and passions. I am so crazy excited to work with a program that will teach and bring together students from the US and Ecuador!! I will have the opportunity to remind children from all over the world that God is searching their hearts and that he constantly knows and loves them!!<br />
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So in the future, I'm letting go of nervous. I am trusting that my love of God, his son and his children will shine! I am trusting that prospective donors will be just as excited to partner with me in support of uniting children from around the world! I am trusting Jesus!Chelsea Diefenbachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08444786906057379644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234215061363249743.post-37396713689343726562016-07-03T21:11:00.001-07:002016-07-03T21:11:40.093-07:00AffirmationsI don't actually leave the US and launch into full time ministry until mid 2017, but it certainly feels as though my life has already begun to orbit a whole new planet. 13 days ago, I was beginning to wonder if I had somehow slept though my own launch date only to wake up while my life was entering an atmosphere that I was not completely confident I could survive in. However, that was a long 13 days ago.<br />
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13 days ago, while I was trying to fall asleep on the barely carpet covered, concrete, LAX floor (<i>as hard as I try, I keep ending up there</i>) I was tired, thirsty, sleepy and nervous that landing in Costa Rica was just going to confirm my deepest unspoken fear. It had been weeks. I'd been putting on a good face and explaining to others, while secretly trying to convince myself, that I was smart, determined and capable of anything. But, let's be honest, I have a degree in math. MATH. The acquisition of language, English or otherwise, has never been on my list of talents or skills. I just couldn't bring myself to say it out loud. I don't know if I can learn Spanish and I definitely don't know if I can learn enough to network and build lasting relationships in a Spanish speaking community. Well, I've always been taught that God meets us where we are and boy am I grateful that that's true.<br />
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10 days in Costa Rica affirmed that I remember way more Spanish than I could have hoped and that I am totally capable of learning and building relationships in Spanish. Far beyond my hopes and expectations, I also made several amazing new friends. Before Ecuador, I will be returning to Costa Rica for language school. The next time I am sitting on a plane to San Jose, I won't be nervous. Instead, I will be anxiously anticipating spending time with the family I found at La Montana Christian Camps.<br />
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God manages to constantly surprises me. I'm not sure why I would have thought that this trip would be anything other than surprising. I was so absolutely affirmed. I know that I can trust that whenever this ship finally launches, God will have made sure I am totally ready!!!Chelsea Diefenbachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08444786906057379644noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234215061363249743.post-51589561353488277882016-06-19T01:16:00.000-07:002016-07-03T20:06:11.295-07:00The LeapIt was in April that I decided it was time to pursue a career in full time ministry. A lot of people didn't see this coming. I had been teaching at the same school for 7 years. I was established and settled. But in the scheme of my life, this change has been a <i>long time</i> coming. I was probably 11 when I stepped out of a bus and, for the first time, found myself on Mexican soil. I didn't realize it until later in the week, but it was on <i>that </i>trip that I discovered my passion for serving people and serving Christ. So, a short 17 years later, I resigned from my teaching position, accepted an offer from ITeams and come Spring of 2017, I will be moving to and serving in Quito, Ecuador.<br />
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Last Sunday night, I found myself in a window seat, squished against the wall of a plane, watching the LAX tarmac disappear into a sea of flashing lights. I was on the way to Elgin, IL for my first official day as an International Teams (ITeams) employee. I didn't have <i>low </i>expectations so much as I had <i>no </i>expectations. This was a whole new world for me. When I arrived at the ministry center I was greeted with smiles and hugs. After that, every lesson, every staff member, and every interaction only made me feel more and more a part of a family who values what I value and loves the Jesus that I love.<br />
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I can't begin to imagine what the next couple years will have in store for me, but I have no doubt that taking this leap was the best decision I have ever made. I am so grateful that Jesus called <i>my </i>name and I am so glad that I decided to follow.Chelsea Diefenbachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08444786906057379644noreply@blogger.com5