Houston here I come!

After 4 years of playing varsity softball at the University of Virginia, I graduated in May 2011 with a degree in psychology. As a student, I was involved with Athletes in Action (campus sports ministry) and decided to serve as a staff member this past year. In addition to working with Athletes in Action I pursued my passion for art by taking classes through the University in painting, drawing, sculpting, and printmaking. Since fall 2010, I was praying consistently for guidance in what to do after leaving Virginia. I had wrestled through options ranging from art therapy school, business, international internships, campus ministry, or mission work.

On December 27, 2011, the day before I arrived at the

 Impact Conference in New Orleans I wrote in my journal:

“Praises for Impact Conference tomorrow! Reveal to me your plans Lord”

Within minutes of arriving at the Hyatt hotel the night of the first session I ran into one of my former strength coaches for varsity softball at UVA (Laura Pritchard!). I hadn’t seen her in a couple years and had no idea she would be attending the conference!

The next day, on December 28, 2011 I received the Lord’s calling for my future.

the verse from my devotional book that day:

“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him…”- psalm 37:7

my prayer written that morning:

“GUIDANCE!!! Lord where and what? Next year? For my life?”

After a full day of sessions, I went to see Laura at the missionyear info booth and asked if there were any art programs? She responded with, “yes! There is one in Houston!”

I immediately was amazed that God would be calling me to the place where my faith journey began (July 10,2008) when my friend from Houston shared the Gospel with me and I accepted Christ at Galveston Island Beach, TX.

The next day I wrote in my journal,

“I am released and freed from anxiety about next year, the Lord is calling me to go to Houston mission year arts program, God’s plan is perfect and I feel free I am looking forward to what God has in store for me! Every conversation is planned and every interaction is purposeful!”

On January 31,2011 the final day of the conference I wrote,

“Dear God, I praise you for bringing me to this conference! I thank you for bringing me to the mission year opportunity info booth last night and I pray and boldly ask that if I am called to mission year next year you would make a way for those plans, and would make your plans for me so clear that I would be emptied with any doubt in my heart.”

God has made a way for mission year and my heart is emptied with doubt about this year. I am looking forward to seeing amazing things happen through our program!

I will be leaving for my road trip this week starting in Massachusetts, including 40 hours of driving, covering 12 states, and spanning 3 weeks.

Houston here I come!

Check out the website to learn more about the program! missionyear.org 

-I will be posting to my blog soon at missionyear.org/cynthiajavaras

-support ID number: 12-9025

A friend is always loyal.

These 2 friends pictured have known me since I was 4 years old! We experienced the playground in kindergarten, the awkward middle school dances, and the embarrassing moments in Highschool together.  Through all of this, amazingly, we still love to hang out. 

I have enjoyed every memory and know there will be plenty more.  When I think of going home to Massachusetts there faces pop in my mind as some of my most loyal and dear friends. 

^"A friend is always loyal,

and a brother is born to help in time of need."

-Proverbs 17:17

"Sup!"

So it has come to my attention that the word (sup) actually means stand up paddle boarding.  This term I encountered for the first time this summer in Fort Collins, CO when my friends and I ventured into the water with nothing more than a paddle, a board, and a lifejacket.  Just this past week I came across this activity yet again only this time the water was surging with current, wind, and waves.  I found myself reflecting on how much of an adventure life is.  Sometimes you are in calm waters and sometimes you are paddling up against what seems like hurricane winds.  The verse that came to mind is "I come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
-John 10:10
Since about 4 years ago, when Christ entered my life, I can honestly say that I have lived more abundantly than I had in the first 19 before.  Following Him has provided me with the most challenging and exciting moments that I could have ever imagined!  The adventure continues...

                  "Being safe is risky!"

Rest.

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.   For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus is inviting us to rest in Him, but most

  of the time it seems more convenient to use my own efforts and decline his invitation.  The yoke  doesn't always feel easy or light but I can trust in God's word rather than my own feelings.  His promises are never broken and His heart is always true.

^"He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams."

Psalm 23:2

Following faint footprints...

 As I was shifting through the sand with my feet, I gazed up at the footprints in front of me and could only see one step ahead.  I was in awe of how at this point in my life it feels as though I am walking in a direction with little to no knowledge of where the next footprint is leading me.  Only one word played over and over in my head, faith.

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.  Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation…

All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.” -Hebrews 11

As I’m thinking about my future and what I want my life to be, I want to look back on each day as a token of walking by faith.  As a challenge to myself I ask one simple question...

What have I done today that requires faith?

many houses...one Home

As I was sitting by the ocean today listening to the waves crash on shore two things came to mind. The first being the word, majesty, to describe God's creation.  The second being that even during an extreme transition of life, between the unpacking/repacking, changing locations, and saying "cya laters", one thing remains... 

 ^"When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,¹⁵ the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. ¹⁶ I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. ¹⁷ Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. ¹⁸ And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. ¹⁹ May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God." -Ephesians 3:14-19

 I have Christ in my heart so even if I have many houses, I will always have a home.

An encouraging word

^" This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Peace of mind and heart

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27

When I think about different seasons of my life… the question that comes into mind is “How do you experience me?”

I am certain that some people in my life have experienced me in a variety of ways whether positively or negatively, whether I engage with them or not…

I cling to this truth that God alone gives me a peace of mind and heart.  God knows me AND loves me on my bad days. my good days. my in between days.  He loves me unconditionally, all the time, in all circumstances.

My prayer is that the people in my life who do not know this peace will be drawn to God through Jesus Christ!

What is your canvas?

“When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
the moon and the stars you set in place—
 what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?
Yet you made them only a little lower than God
and crowned them with glory and honor.”

-Psalm 8:4-5

 “So God created human beings in his own image.
In the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.”

-Genesis 1:27

As I was sitting in the airport yesterday during a very long flight delay, God granted me the opportunity to reflect on how everyone walking by was filled with anticipation and destination.  Each person is filled with a capacity and a desire to make something more than themselves, to walk through each day with eyes on a greater unkown.

God does not want us to limit the meaning of being a creator

So the question is not whether or not you are creative… the question is what is your canvas?

Inspired by a story

Seconds - I Am Second

Baptized to Baptizing

 The Great Commision

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19-20

Baptized!- November 20, 2011

Baptizing on July 8, 2012

I have come to a joyous conclusion that nothing is more inspiring than to publicly acknowldge the inward heart change of the Gospel in someone's life!

"God doesn't call us to be successful, but to be faithful" Mother Teresa

That's my King!

Inspired through words