I am now in the Maple Leaf state, and so far it really is no different! Well, except for a few 'ehs' and a couple 'aboots' =] =]. But God has been moving mountains!! The past two days (July 2nd and 3rd) we were in Mississauga. The Holy Spirit was strong in both of the churches. At one of the worship nights the celebrants went around and laid their hands on each person. As our hands went down, people began to cry and pray. The Spirit was moving! Each night I am amazed that as I worship the Lord the people in the audience are having an experience with God, that they are being touch by us worshiping Him.
And God is providing for us financially too! Peoples hearts are moving and they are able to see what God does with our ministry. Jon Stemkoski talked to us today and God has firmly told him that we are to go to Morocco. We may not be leaving on the 9th, and instead leaving on the 14th but God told him that even though there are people in power who do not want us there, He is stronger than them. Talking to Jon and his wife, Mimi, I know that God wants us there and we are going to do some powerful stuff. I am really excited that God wanted to use me here too. And I am also so humbled. Part of me wants to say, 'who am I to minister to someone in a country who cannot praise God in public?' But what it comes down to is that I am willing to say, 'Here I am, Lord. Use me!' We all need to be open to His call!
Also, I had a great moment with the Holy Spirit on the bus today. As Jon was talking he was telling us about how Celebrant Singers were the first ministry to get into the country of Albania. He said that God used Celebrants as a ministry to plant a seed and begin revivals in countries. After he said that the Spirit lead me back to a moment in the fall of 2005.
I had a vision of a red heart lifting up in front of me, and as it rose, I could feel the Holy Spirit get stronger in me. I reached out to grab it and as my hand almost touched it it parted in two and floated to the ground. The feeling of the Spirit fell back into me and I was shocked. I didn't know what it meant and I realized that I needed my Joseph. During the summer of 2006 I found a girl who interpreted my dream and she told me that God uses me and will use me to plant the seeds but with the work that He will have me do I will not see the fruit. I will begin the work and He doesn't want me to be disappointed by this.
It was so powerful that the Spirit reminded me at that moment because it was God telling me that I am doing the right thing. This is the ministry He wants me in. With this summer I needed to hear that confirmation again. God is good!
Keep up your prayers for us, God is moving!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
God can Move Mountains
" 'If you have faith as small as a mustard seed you can say to this mountain, 'move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.' "
Matthew 17:20
Isn't that verse amazing? I hear it often but when I think about the words it is so powerful: Nothing will be impossible for you. Do I really believe that? God keeps showing me that I can. He is Almighty, All-powerful and in control of everything!
Since I said 'yes' to joining celebrants this summer I knew that I had a challenge. I had three weeks before I left to begin to fund raise. Looking at my list I had no idea how I was going to raise $4900. I would talk to God and say, 'You called me here. I need you to provide.' And I would tell my friends that God was going to do a miracle and it would be this great story that I would be able to share on this web site. That blessing has happened!!
Yesterday I had the blessing of being able to facilitate worship at my church in Elkhorn. Jon Stemkoski (The leader and creator of the Celebrants) had said to me that I was going to get my funding. Now I thought they would let the church know of my need and take up a second offering. Well, the people was told that all the money given that night was going to go towards my support (which I needed at least $2000). They raised over $2000 for me! I was so shocked that I began to cry tears of joy.
I was so shocked because I had decided the day before that when I got home that night I was going to check my bank account and see how high of a check I could write to the celebrants (which is really not much at all). I have been blessed so much by the Lord I cannot even put it into words.
My church has grown me so much spiritually and the people mean so much to me. It blessed me to see their love for me in return.
That has been one of Gods messages to me this summer. through my church and also through people at rehearsal camp God has told me how much he loves me and how others love me. He has also confirmed me as a teacher, during a time when I can feel so unsure about my career.
I believe I have received so much love because this tour has been spiritually hard. God calls himself a potter. Right now He is chiseling out a beautiful design in this clay pot. I say that with faith because right now I can't see the design and I only feel Him carving the surface. I don't know what I am going to learn or why I am going through these challenges but looking at the challenges I have had and, remembering the promises in His Word, I know that I can have faith in Him. He is in control and when this is over I will have a grand story of the greatness of God.
I see though that I need prayer to be faithful. No matter how hard the circumstance I need to submit to Gods authority and do what is right. I know that it is good for me to climb this mountain. May I follow God and be obedient.
My final praise is also financial. 10 days ago I wrote about how our whole team was in need of $40,000 to go to Morocco. We are now down to $20,000 and 9 days until we fly! We are a team of faith, God can move mountains, and Keep praying for us!! God is answering!
Matthew 17:20
Isn't that verse amazing? I hear it often but when I think about the words it is so powerful: Nothing will be impossible for you. Do I really believe that? God keeps showing me that I can. He is Almighty, All-powerful and in control of everything!
Since I said 'yes' to joining celebrants this summer I knew that I had a challenge. I had three weeks before I left to begin to fund raise. Looking at my list I had no idea how I was going to raise $4900. I would talk to God and say, 'You called me here. I need you to provide.' And I would tell my friends that God was going to do a miracle and it would be this great story that I would be able to share on this web site. That blessing has happened!!
Yesterday I had the blessing of being able to facilitate worship at my church in Elkhorn. Jon Stemkoski (The leader and creator of the Celebrants) had said to me that I was going to get my funding. Now I thought they would let the church know of my need and take up a second offering. Well, the people was told that all the money given that night was going to go towards my support (which I needed at least $2000). They raised over $2000 for me! I was so shocked that I began to cry tears of joy.
I was so shocked because I had decided the day before that when I got home that night I was going to check my bank account and see how high of a check I could write to the celebrants (which is really not much at all). I have been blessed so much by the Lord I cannot even put it into words.
My church has grown me so much spiritually and the people mean so much to me. It blessed me to see their love for me in return.
That has been one of Gods messages to me this summer. through my church and also through people at rehearsal camp God has told me how much he loves me and how others love me. He has also confirmed me as a teacher, during a time when I can feel so unsure about my career.
I believe I have received so much love because this tour has been spiritually hard. God calls himself a potter. Right now He is chiseling out a beautiful design in this clay pot. I say that with faith because right now I can't see the design and I only feel Him carving the surface. I don't know what I am going to learn or why I am going through these challenges but looking at the challenges I have had and, remembering the promises in His Word, I know that I can have faith in Him. He is in control and when this is over I will have a grand story of the greatness of God.
I see though that I need prayer to be faithful. No matter how hard the circumstance I need to submit to Gods authority and do what is right. I know that it is good for me to climb this mountain. May I follow God and be obedient.
My final praise is also financial. 10 days ago I wrote about how our whole team was in need of $40,000 to go to Morocco. We are now down to $20,000 and 9 days until we fly! We are a team of faith, God can move mountains, and Keep praying for us!! God is answering!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Information to see Holly and Celebrants Perform
Hello Everyone!! Information Stacey here to the rescue!!!
First of all, Please remember when you are sending in your donations to Celebrant Singers to remember to direct the payments for Holly Ericson!!! Let's help get her fully funded!!
Second of all, and the REASON she asked me to post is because she and all of Celebrant Singers will be performing in Wisconsin at Holly's church on Tuesday, June 30th.
Date (again) - Tuesday, June 30th, 2009
Time - 7:30pm
Location - Southern Lakes Evangelical Free Church
Address - N6686 US Highway 12, Elkhorn, WI 53121 (I recomend Google for directions)
Phone # for More information - 1.262.742.2366
I encourage ALL of you to make the trip out to see them!
That's all for now! We look forward to hearing more from Holly soon! I will see all of you on Tuesday, June 30th!! :)
First of all, Please remember when you are sending in your donations to Celebrant Singers to remember to direct the payments for Holly Ericson!!! Let's help get her fully funded!!
Second of all, and the REASON she asked me to post is because she and all of Celebrant Singers will be performing in Wisconsin at Holly's church on Tuesday, June 30th.
Date (again) - Tuesday, June 30th, 2009
Time - 7:30pm
Location - Southern Lakes Evangelical Free Church
Address - N6686 US Highway 12, Elkhorn, WI 53121 (I recomend Google for directions)
Phone # for More information - 1.262.742.2366
I encourage ALL of you to make the trip out to see them!
That's all for now! We look forward to hearing more from Holly soon! I will see all of you on Tuesday, June 30th!! :)
Monday, June 22, 2009
Hitting the Road
Hello Everyone!
First, please forgive any typing errors. I have a very small window of time to blog! Well, we are now hitting the road today and it is an adventure! There is a lot of spiritual warfare going on and we need your prayers to conquer. We have now had two people denied access to the US even though they have good Visas. So we are looking for another pianist and trying to contact congressmen and senators to help us.
Also, we will be performing at my church in elkhorn WI! The church name is Southern Lakes Evangelical Free Church. We will be performing at 7:30. i am hoping stacey can come on here to give the address for all of you. What a great opportunity for some of you to see what part of our ministry is like.
God has been working wonders with fundraising. I am still at 47% but I have many promised pledges. I ask all of you to be in prayer for our whole team. we nee $40,000 all together. I do not know how the Lord is going to provide but I know he has us all here and he can do it. Pray for his provision and also keep your eyes open for anyone who may have interest in supporting a music ministry.
Well, i have 3 min to get on the bus so I must run. Thank you and I love you all! I am just an email or a call away!
Holly
First, please forgive any typing errors. I have a very small window of time to blog! Well, we are now hitting the road today and it is an adventure! There is a lot of spiritual warfare going on and we need your prayers to conquer. We have now had two people denied access to the US even though they have good Visas. So we are looking for another pianist and trying to contact congressmen and senators to help us.
Also, we will be performing at my church in elkhorn WI! The church name is Southern Lakes Evangelical Free Church. We will be performing at 7:30. i am hoping stacey can come on here to give the address for all of you. What a great opportunity for some of you to see what part of our ministry is like.
God has been working wonders with fundraising. I am still at 47% but I have many promised pledges. I ask all of you to be in prayer for our whole team. we nee $40,000 all together. I do not know how the Lord is going to provide but I know he has us all here and he can do it. Pray for his provision and also keep your eyes open for anyone who may have interest in supporting a music ministry.
Well, i have 3 min to get on the bus so I must run. Thank you and I love you all! I am just an email or a call away!
Holly
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Prayer Warriors Needed!
Hello from sunny California!! I must admit that it was very nice to arrive here out of the chilled, rainy day it was in Wisconsin on Monday. However, there have been some changes and Celebrants need your prayers!
We had to postpone our rehersal camp by two days for two reasons. First of all, our Violinist (and also one of the leaders of our group) is stuck in Slovania. Long story short, when she was coming back into the states from Slovania they did not believe that she was a missionary and deported her. Celebrants is now trying to work on getting her back in the country. Please pray for God to work wonders so that she may travel with us!
Second of all, we are still in need of a few players for our group. Continue to pray that God would move the hearts of those He wants to minister with us this summer.
Please also pray for me as I face new circumstances that may be difficult.
I am blessed to have all of you who care so much for me and this ministry. Thank you for joining us in prayer. God is good, and may His Will be done!
We had to postpone our rehersal camp by two days for two reasons. First of all, our Violinist (and also one of the leaders of our group) is stuck in Slovania. Long story short, when she was coming back into the states from Slovania they did not believe that she was a missionary and deported her. Celebrants is now trying to work on getting her back in the country. Please pray for God to work wonders so that she may travel with us!
Second of all, we are still in need of a few players for our group. Continue to pray that God would move the hearts of those He wants to minister with us this summer.
Please also pray for me as I face new circumstances that may be difficult.
I am blessed to have all of you who care so much for me and this ministry. Thank you for joining us in prayer. God is good, and may His Will be done!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Beginning Another Summer
Hello everyone!
Summer has come, and hopefully good weather with it! I have two days until I leave to join the Celebrant Singers but I wanted to leave an new post for all of you.
If you do not know, our tour will be bringing us across the US, Canada, and, if we receive all of our support, Morocco and Spain. The Celebrants have never been to Morocco before so it really shall be an adventure for all of us! On June 30th we will be in the Chicago area (we are still looking for a church). I would be nice to share that experience with you!
I am getting excited with the date approaching! Please pray for God to be preparing our hearts and minds before we get there. Personally, I have had a lot on my plate with the school year ending, working at Wal-Mart, and trying to get ready for this summer. Please pray that God would bring me peace and focus. Also, we are still in need of a trumpeter, a male vocalist, and a sound technician. Please pray for those who may still be attending out team.
Also, please continue to pray for God to supply my financial support. As of today, I have a little over 30% of it raised! I feel blessed to see the support coming in, and Gods provision coming through! He is truly in control and He will pave the way for me!
I feel blessed that I have all of you with me, praying for me this summer. My hope is to give all of you an update at least every 10 days. I will try my best with our schedule!
Summer has come, and hopefully good weather with it! I have two days until I leave to join the Celebrant Singers but I wanted to leave an new post for all of you.
If you do not know, our tour will be bringing us across the US, Canada, and, if we receive all of our support, Morocco and Spain. The Celebrants have never been to Morocco before so it really shall be an adventure for all of us! On June 30th we will be in the Chicago area (we are still looking for a church). I would be nice to share that experience with you!
I am getting excited with the date approaching! Please pray for God to be preparing our hearts and minds before we get there. Personally, I have had a lot on my plate with the school year ending, working at Wal-Mart, and trying to get ready for this summer. Please pray that God would bring me peace and focus. Also, we are still in need of a trumpeter, a male vocalist, and a sound technician. Please pray for those who may still be attending out team.
Also, please continue to pray for God to supply my financial support. As of today, I have a little over 30% of it raised! I feel blessed to see the support coming in, and Gods provision coming through! He is truly in control and He will pave the way for me!
I feel blessed that I have all of you with me, praying for me this summer. My hope is to give all of you an update at least every 10 days. I will try my best with our schedule!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Videos on You tube
Hello,
So my trip is over and I am working on getting my letters out (finally) as said, I wanted to put some videos of our trip on this web site. There are more and if you would like to see them you may go to www.youtube.com and type in "celebrant singers". I am in the group that wears blue.
Here are three. Two videos of our Phillipines trip and one of us singing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54ulDdh3EG8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tTeW4etSJc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du4h_QLv7pc
So my trip is over and I am working on getting my letters out (finally) as said, I wanted to put some videos of our trip on this web site. There are more and if you would like to see them you may go to www.youtube.com and type in "celebrant singers". I am in the group that wears blue.
Here are three. Two videos of our Phillipines trip and one of us singing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54ulDdh3EG8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tTeW4etSJc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du4h_QLv7pc
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
