“Sometimes it’s in the moments when you feel like God has left you, that you realize He’s always been by your side”
I have been watching sermons from Elevation Church by Pastor Steven Furtick a lot lately. He leads a mega-church in North Carolina that is vibrant and filled with the Holy Spirit. Recently, I watched a sermon called ‘It’s in the Middle‘ he preached back in March and it changed my perspective on the next 6 weeks. It starts with my testimony..
Like many others, I grew up in a very loving, yet broken family. I was told I could accomplish anything I set my mind to and was encouraged to do just that. I fell in love with traveling while exploring Europe and Australia at a young age and found out how much I loved meeting new people along the way. Then, the unthinkable happened – divorce.
I was 14 when my parents separated and will never forget the day. It was the shattering of the mirror that had long been cracking
Six months later, a miracle happened. Jesus found me. Rather, I found Him. I dropped everything and began living for Christ.
It wasn’t easy, even with this new found joy. I began to second guess myself – struggling with my self-image and self-worth. I feared rejection and loneliness. The wounds of a heart break during college only led me deeper into shame and guilt. I was found, yet somehow so lost.
Then God whispered, “Keep going, there’s more” and He led me to the Race. This incredible journey with Him and 30 strangers has been life changing. I have found true freedom and redemption. My old wounds have been healed and turned into scars – a reminder of God’s grace and mercy. I am His Beloved.
In Steven’s message, ‘It’s in the Middle‘ he talks about the big events and seasons that God carries us through. Moving out of our parents house, graduating college, getting the first ‘big girl job’ post grad, falling in love, marriage, children, etc. He talks about how life happens in the middle of the big career moves, and birthday parties and how God moves in every ‘in between’ day and fills them with small and large miracles. Those miracles are IN THE MIDDLE.
As I transition back into the States, I have news of my plans to come. I am excited to share that I will be leaving California and MOVING TO PORTLAND, OREGON!! I have been accepted to participate in a 9-month discipleship program called ‘Portland Fellows.’
I will be working for Clark Country Food Bank while being mentored and discipled. I will be earning a paycheck again (YAY!!) but I do need your support getting there. I will need $1000 to get home from the Race, participate in our final retreat after a few weeks of being state-side, visit my church in Newport Beach, and move to Oregon.
Please join me in finishing this journey strong. Meet me in the middle.
Payment Options:
Paypal: paypal.me/VandellaJasso
Venmo: @vandella-jasso
