Remembrance Stones for 2022

The theme God gave me for 2022 was to be “Wide Awake.”

It’s interesting to hear what people say about you in their encouragements to you. Being with YWAM Kona working with Discipleship Training Schools and Word by Heart, you get a lot of time to listen to others teach you.

I always loved to sit in front of class and take notes, not being distracted and catching their every word. People would say “Teresa, you are so humble.” They would be struck at how I was always learning from others though I had been in positions of leadership before that were much greater than what I was currently doing. I truly WAS learning from others and hope that I am always a learner until the day I meet Jesus face to face.

A mere title of leadership is nothing. Anyone can wear a badge. A true leader is one that leads without a title. It’s in you, because you have been entrusted by the King of Kings to be faithful with what He has given you. You are either a 5 talent Christian who stays close to the Shepherd and sees multiplication as a result or one who buries his gifts not knowing His master’s character at all. It’s a choice we make every day.

I discovered this year at YWAM Kona, I was always pushed as a believer. They pray ALL the time. They worship ALL the time. Many of the leader’s faith is way higher than mine. That’s good for you. Along with doing Crossfit for the first time, I realized it’s always good to do things you aren’t great at. To be pushed….it keeps you humble. Be around people that are greater than you, do things you can’t do well and stay close to Jesus. If you stay there, you will stay humble and not get it twisted.

The “Wide Awake” part wasn’t just for in class alertness; it was for worship, working out, conversations, and the ability to listen to the Holy Spirit as you listen to someone talking. It was being alert as you walked in Africa, being alert to the spirit realm and to the vast difference of what it looks like to be a Christian ready with oil in their lamps or one that runs dry figuring they will get it together one day or another.

I loved reading through the Bible chronologically. I highlighted what it meant to be “Wide Awake” as a believer in Jesus. It formed my mind all year.

My biggest takeaway from 2022, in being Wide Awake, is that you see and hear things others don’t notice at all. It isn’t that you are special or unique, it’s that you were paying attention in the physical and spirit realm. Being alert gives you a way different perspective. You pick up on room dynamics, people’s emotions and their overall countenance without even trying. You are making your thoughts obedient to Christ constantly and as a result, you SEE the world different.

It isn’t that you are just a positive person for the sake of being positive, you are thankful constantly. You don’t allow the enemy to steal, kill and destroy. You forgive very very quickly. And it keeps you in a state of peace with God and with man.

Romans 6:13 was on repeat this year from the Holy Spirit. “Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.” Jesus cares that you walk in purity. I wanna be a vessel of honor in actions and thoughts for the glory of God.

In 2022, I memorized more Scripture than ever. That also takes being wide awake. What do you want stored in your mind? We make those decisions every day of what we invest and there is fruit as a result, depending on what we feed our minds with. Jesus wants the Word in me for possible prison one day for the testimony of Jesus.

Being with YWAM Kona was like a little taste of heaven on earth. What a spacious and fertile land the Lord brought me into….a land flowing with milk and honey. I love how they love the gospel and the Word. I am living in a legacy.

I prayed, fasted, and learned a lot about revival this year. The Hebrides revival marked me for life. I want to be someone who can be trusted with revival and also steward it well.

Revival isn’t a miracle as Finney says, it is a decision. A choice to live a lifestyle of repentance. Yes, God comes in powerful ways like in Scotland during the Hebrides Revival, but there were a faithful few who laid down their lives in prayer first.

Zambia was in revival when we went this year. I have never seen anything like what I saw there. People chased our team begging for the Word of God to be shared with them. People immediately received Jesus followed by miracles. It was the book of Acts before our eyes.

I saw answers to prayer this year. I truly believe this year was marked with “Ask for anything in My name and I will do it.” Many might not know what I prayed, but Jesus and I know and we celebrated together. Never go weary in praying for years for the same thing. He hears and He answers.

I discipled many this year. I will always be amazed that people trust me with their story. They tell me things they have never told anyone and we watch as Jesus brings healing to relationships and families. Things in darkness come to light and once in the light…there is no limit to what God can do.

Many of the people I was entrusted with evangelized, saw someone come to know Jesus, preached, and taught for the first time this year. To see “firsts” is like being a mother watch their children take their first steps. You celebrate so much and know it only goes up from here, as long as they stay close to Jesus.

In 2022, I had dreams, visions and words of knowledge. He spoke to me through His word over and over. I turned 22 in the Lord. That means I have been alive as long as I was dead. 22 years without Him and 22 with Him.

I loved living in community at YWAM Kona. Those relationships are gifts from God. People would ask me “Is it hard to live with so many people?” Not at all. It’s my choice. Living on top bunk…sharing a bathroom with 8 other girls…and living life on life discipleship is where it’s at. I believe this is how Jesus did it. Life on life.

Thank you Jesus for 2022, for more stones stacked than ever. Life with You in abundant. I know now what it means to be Wide Awake. And I can go into 2023, building off of the foundation You laid in 2022. Here’s to many more adventures with my King.

Funniest moment of 2022: Hania and I’s first one on one in Word by Heart. Died laughing.

Greatest runs of 2022: Both half marathons Jesus told me to do in Kona.

Greatest compliment of 2022: That I looked like Jesus.

My favorite band of 2022: Sons the Band….hands down.

Best salvation story of 2022: Edward the witch doctor in Zambia.

Best answer to prayer in 2022: being with fam

Most refreshing moment in 2022: When people were crying out for Bibles to get to nations in corporate worship/intercession at YWAM Kona

Best book I read in 2022: Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill

Fave ministry moment with fam in 2022: Sharing my full content presentation with my fam at Christmas

Most repeated Scripture He highlighted to me in 2022: Romans 6:13

Favorite part of 2022: Being at YWAM Kona is like a little taste of heaven. He brought me into a spacious land….a land flowing with milk and honey.