WyldLife session 1

Whoa.... What a  crazy week It has been! There has been tears, laughs, arguments, joy, smiles, and craziness! There is no better way to describe WyldLife! 

WyldLife is part of young life, what WyldLife is, they are junior high kids. Junior High kids terrify me. The camp was over run by them and we were hiding in a corner. In all honesty it was not that bad. Junior High kids make me laugh. Their hormones are raging and they want everyone to think they are cool! It is a joy to work with them. This week God really taught me patience. Never have I been called to junior high ministry really. God has always called me  to work with older youth. This week I talked to some really awesome kids! Not only did God teach me patience with the kids, He taught me patience with the leaders as well. I had some interesting encounters with a few of the leaders. At first I was very angry and down by the way they were treating me. God opened my eyes to show me that the way I was acting was not in a Christ like manner. I learned that not only are we here to serve the kids and show them love and acceptance, but I am here to serve everyone. I have been called to become more like Christ daily. To accept oppression and learn from criticism. That wall of anger was broken and I was able to treat the leaders with more respect, even when they didn't treat me with respect back. 

As I was leaving Friday for another camp that I will be at tomorrow, I realized how much everyone in the house meant to me. When saying a quick goodbye, that goodbye turned into 20 minutes. Everyone gave me a hug and told me how much they would miss me. The girls told me how much I meant to them, and the boys gave me a hug letting me know how much they do care. It was comforting. On the drive home I could not stop telling stormi about the impact that they all have had on my life. In this short month or so we have become family. We have laughed, argued, cried, and just walked through difficult time in life together. I am blessed by them. 

This week not much really happened. It was more of me preparing for this next week, where I will be a youth leader for my home church. God has shown me patience, and comfort during the hard time. He showed me how to allow the boys become my brothers and how to talk to them and allow them to care for me and pray over me. He has showed me how to rely on the girls when my world is falling apart and how much power a simple hug has. Even when emotions flared, even when tempers became outrage, even when laughs turned into tears, this week God continued to bless me. He blessed me with sweet junior high kids, funny youth leaders, amazing friends, and a great camp family!

God bless <3

Heaven Slaughter 

Life at Buckner

Yesterday was the final day of the two week young lives camps! What a crazy week it was! As I sit here writing this I am laying in a hammock in the back yard of our house over looking the pond with the giant slide. It is safe to say that I am very peaceful and content right now. This is probably the most peaceful and down time I have had all week. 

This week God revealed so much of His character to me. He taught me how to stay calm even in frustration, how to love even in hurt, and how to laugh even in tiredness. I am almost positive that there was never a dull moment this week. I know God changed lives, I know this because He sure did change mine. 

I wont go through everything that happened this week. I will, however, hit on a few of the highlights.

1. Unity within the two groups- There is young life work crew here along with our summer staff. This week I got to know so many of the other young life staff members so well. Its a true blessing to do ministry along side them. One of the best moments was getting to hammock with one of the girl workers named Stacy. I was able to hang out with here for a few hours. We just shared testimonies and stories of our childhood together. I was able to encourage her, and she was defiantly able to encourage me. I love seeing how God can really work in the lives of those seeking him. 

2. Power of prayer- I worked the zip line once again this week. It is becoming my favorite activity that I work at. Many people are scared and have trust issues with the zip line. We are human. Things frighten us. Wednesday I got the privilege of meeting some awesome girls on top of the zip line tower! Time after time girls went up there terrified and allowed me to hold their hands and pray over them. Many times they asked me to pray. I was so touched that day. These girls were looking to God in their fear and God gave me the privilege of being the one who prayed over them .That day I saw fear become joy as girls zipped down and realized how peaceful it was. I saw tears turn into smile at the name of the Lord. I was able to speak truth to girls who felt Satan had a hold on their life. Not only did I see fear of the zip line disappear but I saw fear of the hold on their life disappear as well. The power of prayer is unbelievable. 


3. Kayla and Ava- While helping move all the girls in I was able to spend some time with a young mom named Kayla and her sweet baby girl Ava. These two were the picture of Joy. Throughout the whole week I was able to get to know Kayla a little more and see Ava's sweet smile. Those two really showed me what the love of Christ looks like. They were always so joyful. I got to see them while they were leaving this morning. Kayla pulled me aside and said thank you for everything. Little did she know she helped me this week! Through her and Ava God showed me a little of Himself. 

4. Unity within our staff- Its no surprise that our staff tends to fight. When living so close to one another for so long, we start to break. This week I saw God break down walls and lift our pride of ourselves. There were so many times when I saw fighting going on and someone would become the bigger person and apologise for the way they were acting. That really encouraged me. I sometimes let my pride get the best of me and feel like I need to be right. I was shown that we are a team. We work together to accomplish the goal. We can admit when we are wrong and move forward.  

There is so much more that I could write about. God reveled to me so many things. This week I saw Him break down so many walls. Not only in myself but also in so many people around me. I am blessed, even in my weakness. Press on and never give up. God can use you no matter where you are in life. He meets us where we are at and picks up the broken pieces.

Please be in prayer for the girls that encountered God these last two weeks. Also be in prayer for the middle school kids that will be coming to camp tomorrow. Also be in prayer for us, that we can show them the love of Christ no matter what. 

God bless <3

Heaven Slaughter 

Young Lives- Week 1

I'm going to do things a little different for the blog post for this week. Instead of just writing a blog about how the week went, I am going to write about each day one day at a time. That way the day is still fresh in my mind when I sit down to write about it that night. I will also write about what God showed/taught/spoke to me that day.  So for those of you reading, I hope you enjoy. (:

6/8/14

Sunday- Day 1 of young lives week 1

Today was the first official day of camp. For the next six weeks we will be working with young life. For the next two weeks we have young lives which is teen moms and their babies. (: The past week has been chaos trying to get everything prepared, but its been so rewarding. Today was stressful, joyful, insane all at once. The morning was very busy just trying to get the final touches in place for young life. I was able to attend an all camp worship with the young life staff this morning. I love that we can all come together as one. There is no separation in God's children. We are all after one goal and we should be able to unite to conquer that goal. Around 2p.m the buses started arriving with the girls! We had all activities open, I was on zip line. I think the only activity that actually had anyone at was the pool. So for three hours I sat at the zip line throwing rocks and getting into the Word. I got to zip line so that was a plus. Earlier tonight I was scheduled to help at the black light dance. I am so happy that I got to attend and help. I got to see all the girls in one place, and even got to meet a few. These girls are all between the ages of 14 and 18 so to see their smiles and hear their laughter was so rewarding. I know that most of these young moms are struggling but I couldn't help but smile when I saw how happy they were. Today God really revealed to me just how faithful He really is. He showed me how much He truly loves His children and how He loves to bring joy to their eyes. He taught me that even when the quiet moments come He is still speaking and calling after us. 

We have successfully survived day one of camp. Let the summer begin!! 

 6/9/14
Monday- Day 2 of young lives week 1
Today was... Exhausting. There is so much anger among our summer staff and it breaks my heart. I feel that we are in this for all the wrong reasons. We are doing this job for our own selfish gain instead of for the Lord and that is making us bitter. Today I worked ropes course. We got to a hectic start and it took a while for us to get going. Once we did, God showed me and reminded me why I was here. I was able to help the girls and encourage them. I used the power pole as a way to shed a little truth into them while explaining it. I was able to talk to scared girls and encourage them to let go of that fear. God reminded me that He sent me here this summer to further His kingdom and bring Him glory, not for the money or the worldly things. I am here for my Father. I found myself very frustrated today. We ended up missing dinner because the time was changed without us knowing and the kitchen forgot to put food aside for us. All of us were angry myself included. That anger seemed to lift when I saw the smiling babies and teenagers come together to enjoy the carnival we had this evening. Its amazing how God knows what it takes to bring us joy. Seeing others happy is what does it for me. Living in the house, I don't see that happiness often so lately I haven't been that light that God has called me to be. I am blessed to be here and today God reminded me that it is for His glory and not for my own. I am a Child of His and I am called to shine His light, no matter what the circumstances.

6/10/11
Tuesday- Day 3 or young lives week 1
Today was the longest day we will have, so I have herd. For weeks now we have been told that today would be the hardest most exhausting day. As I sit here at 11 p.m writing this I feel nothing but pure joy. That is how amazing the Lord is. He brings joy in our tiredness. This morning I was on TCB crew 1 (Take care of buckner) so we had to be up at 7a.m ready to clean the pool, fill water jugs, pick up trash and various other little things around the camp. I was tired this morning but my team made it so much easier to work. The guys on my team got up at 6 a.m to begin the work and let Alexys and I sleep until 7. That was so amazing of them! Once again today I was on zip line. I love it up there its so beautiful! We didnt have many people actually participating in the zip line today. Only 8 girls, but I took the down time on top the zip line platform to get into the word. After zip line we did a still frame skit for the girls, and a state fair type deal. I loved coming together with young lives summer staff and running all the events for the girls! Getting to know the other staff members has been so great! The best part of the day was the ending. Young Life threw a dance of the ages. All the campers and staff members got together and just enjoyed the dancing! Today God reminded me how blessed I am. He reminded me that even in my weakness I a strong, and even when the work is hard, He pushes me through. He taught me how to love those who are lost and how to work together with others for His glory. I am thankful for what I have and the opportunity God has given me this summer.

6/11/14
Wednesday- Day 4 of young lives week 1
Today left me speechless in so many ways. The day started off by us helping lead rec for the group that is here. That brought me so much joy! This past year God has really given me a heart and passion for rec and field events so getting to incorporate that into my work here at Buckner was amazing! Once again I was on the zip line and once again i turned into a lobster. I love running the zip line, though. I got to talk with alot of the girls today. There is one that broke my heart. To hear a young teen mom say shes getting an abortion nearly brought me to tears. I am constantly praying that God just speaks to her during the rest of this week. I was able to once again attend church this evening. God knew that I needed that and He really broke down some walls tonight. The worship was so raw and beautiful and the Lord was so present. After that I came back to the ranch house and worshiped some more with Grace and Brandon. Its such a beautiful thing  that we can openly and wonderfully praise the Lord. God is so big and so beautiful and it brings so much joy to me that I get to love Him for ever and that He allows me to be in His presence. Today God really showed me just how great He truly is. Even in my weakness, He gives me strength. Even when I'm broken He heals my wounds and shows me that all work is for His glory!

6/12/14
Thursday- Day 4 of young lives week 1 
I am writing this a day late. Yesterday was the last full day we had with young life. Not much happened yesterday. We did the normal activities with the kids and that is about all. There was a huge storm that hit the camp. Some of our staff got stuck at walmart while the rest of us were stuck in the house. Two amazing things happened yesterday! I got to skype with one of my closest friends and talk to her about her trip to Honduras. She leaves Saturday. I am so proud of Hope and Alyssa! They are following the Lord. I was able to talk with both of them and just send prayer their way and encouragement! I also got the opportunity to speak with my friend April. God really uses here to speak truth into me. She was able to just encourage me and help me through some things I have been dealing with lately. Yesterday God showed me through others a little more of Himself. I was so encouraged by friends who lavish His love upon me. 

6/13/12
Friday- Breakdown and turn over day. 
Today was a calm day. It involved alot of work but alot of fun also. Today was turnover, which meant cleaning and doing laundry! Today I completely got over my fear of vacuums cleaners because I had to vacuum so many floors. We worked from 10a.m until about 5p.m. I noticed today that when our attitudes become positive our work becomes fun. Today I had fun cleaning. Sometimes I was angry or aggravated, but there were more times when I was joyful and having a good time. After work we all got dressed up (I even wore a dress) and we went out to eat at chili's and went to a movie as a birthday/survived one week celebration! I love coming together with everyone and just having a good time. It is not often that I see all the staff in a good mood and smiling all at once. Today God showed me how to live out Colossians 3:23. How to truly do all work as doing it for the Lord. He showed me how smiles can light up a room and how celebrations  bring people closer to one another. Today God showed me love. 

There you go! There is a break down on the first week of camp! It's a long summer ahead of us, but I can already tell that its going to be a great one! God is already moving in so many ways and I am so excited to where He takes us as the summer continues! Thank you for all the prayers and sweet letters! 

God Bless <3

Heaven Slaughter 

Hope Shines Here

Wow. What a week it has been!

Wednesday night last week we got a little of a scare. One of our summer staff member's was in a car wreck. That was the first real challenge that we faced as a group. We all came together and prayed over the situation. She is alright and back at camp, but we were all startled when it happened. It really showed how in a few short weeks we have all come to care for one another. 

God has really opened my eyes this week. I have seen how much of a ministry opportunity He has given me in the house. Everyone is so broken, like me. We are all searching for something and trying to find fulfillment in things of this world. It breaks my heart, but God is really moving in me and showing me what His will is and His plan for me this summer. Friday morning CJ brought us together as a group and did a mini bible study with us. I feel like that is what we need most now. We need Christ. I had my expectations for this camp to high. That was the problem, though, they were MY expectations and God had different plans. I expected this to be a "Jesus" camp like the ones I have been experiencing at seek week the past two years. Working as a staff member is a way different experience. Its hard but God is defiantly giving me strength. I now understand that every oppertunity is an oppertunity to point others to Christ. I am always going to be on a mission trip. At first I was surprised. I did not expect to be doing ministry within the other staff members, but now I know that Gods plan all along was different then my expectations. 

In the beginning I was very skeptical wondering how God could use me to witness and minister to others this summer. I have been doing alot of making beds and cleaning toilets. When I fell apart and called upon the Lord, He provided. Last week God really showed me how He could use me no matter what I am doing. Everything is for His glory. I got to hang out with Sale Street Baptist and sit in on their worship sessions. I formed relationships with the kids and got to witness to a few of them. That week really helped prepare me for the summer. It really opened my eyes to seeing that God can use us no matter what as long as we let all we do be for His glory. 

This week we have been working with young life and getting ready for the next six weeks when we will be running camps for them. It has been great working alongside the young life workers. The next six weeks are going to be intense and busy but I know the Lord has some amazing things in store. Please be in prayer for the young life groups that will be coming. I know the first two weeks are teen moms and their babies, so this camp is about to get crazy! 

Please pray for me and that I can do the Lords work. I have been getting very discouraged and frustrated lately. I know that is not of the Lord. I have been selfish and instead of chasing after God's heart I have been going my own way. Pray for the other staff members that thy just seek after God in all that they do. Pray that we can work together as a team even when we get angry with one another. Pray for the camps and their workers as they make it a week the kids wont forget. Also pray for the campers that they encounter God in a new way. 

God bless

Heaven Slaughter 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. 

Colossians 3:23 

Camp Buckner

Hey guys, I know it has been a really long time since I have updated anything. For that I am sorry. I have many people wanting me to keep them updated on what is going on this summer, and I figure this is a good way to do that.

This summer I have the opportunity to work at camp Buckner in Burnet Texas. I have been going to summer camp for a few years with many of the people that work here or live in Burnet, and last summer i felt the Lord really pulling on my heart to work with this group of people. At that time I didn't know what that would look like. Maybe rec team for front line ministries or just living in Burnet for a summer. Last semester I discovered what God was calling me to. I started to look at camp jobs for the summer and I got in touch with CJ who was the leader of the summer staff for Buckner in Burnet. During that time there was no doubt in my mind that Camp Buckner was where God was leading me for the summer. As I started to look more into what Camp Buckner really was I started to fall more in love with the ministry. Buckner International is a orphanage ministry. They have in Texas camps and out of country mission trips. I am so blessed to be part of this wonderful ministry.

I arrived on the 18th. I had only been out of school two days before having to drive up to camp, so I was a little wore out, but God defiantly got me pumped up! The first day was about getting acquainted with the other staff members that we would be living with for the next three months. There were ten of us total but by the end of the two training weeks we will have a total of 12 staff members. So far there is:

Alexys and Alex- The twins. I go to school with Alexys and through that have gotten to know her sister. They are great to do ministry alongside
Victoria- She is from Irving and her heart for the Lord is inspiring.
Reed- Hes the outdoorsy guy who is quiet and has random moments
Canon- He is the one who reminds me of my brother. He is kind and funny but has some funny violent verbal moments.
Jon Jon- He is Napoleon Dynamite. That is the only way to describe him.
Thomas- I have known Thomas for nearly a year now. He is the funny guy. I have seen so much growth in him this past year and I can not wait to see how God grows him this summer. 
Seth- Seth is seth. He is the baby of the group and I feel God is going to really change him this summer. 
Jose- He is the oldest guy of the group. He is funny and caring and takes care of us girls.
Ben- He is one of the ones who just got here a few days ago. He is on retreat staff here at Buckner.

On our staff field trip we got the opportunity to visit Buckner headquarters in Dallas. We also got to visit one of the warehouses and see part of the Go Now missions training. It was a true blessing to be there.






One staff member that we can never forget is CJ, our boss. He is goofy and crazy but is one of the best guys I know!





It is crazy how close we have all became in the less than two weeks that we have been here. We are a family. That closeness comes from living in a four bedroom house with one another and going through intense training together. We basically do everything together from ropes course, to eating, to cleaning and even living. 

Last week we really focused on team building as well as getting certified for ropes trainings. It was a blast and a challenge. In a few short days we all learned who the leaders of the group were, and we learned how to be patient with one another. God challenged us in so many ways this past week. Some of us broke down and fell apart and others carried those who were weak. 

I have been struggling for a while now and this weak I learned how to let others help me. Even though they did not know the situation, they were able to speak kind words to me and make me laugh and realize that God's love shines through all. By the end of the week we were all roped certified. I did things I never imagined that I could do in a few short days. I learned to not say 'I can't' ever and to not tear one another down but lift each other up. 

This is a picture of me setting up the rope wall. This is one of the things I am now certified to do. 




Sunday morning we got the opportunity to attend church at the epicenter. For three years I have heard about this church and it was such a blessing to be able to attend. The service made me feel like I was sitting in on a night at seek week and I really felt God moving through that church. It was great to get to see some of my friends that I had met through the years. Its still unbelievable to me that I am now working for the people who ran the church that changed my life. That night I got to attend a bible study led by my boss CJ at the epicenter. It was exciting. 

If you are ever in the burnet area stop by this church you wont regret it! 





This past week I have been working with the cleaning crew. I was unable to pass the pre rec for lifeguard certification, so a few of us are now working with cleaning staff while the others go through training. At first I was hesitant and a little down on myself. I felt like God couldn't use me if I was cleaning all day long. Boy was I wrong! God can use us no matter what the job. Everyday is a mission trip and God can use us no matter what! 

Today we got the opportunity to run ropes for the first group of the summer. We did it for a ladies nurse retreat. It was a blessing to serve them! They were crazy and funny and spoke so much life into me. 

God has big things in store for this summer. I can already feel Him working on my heart and breaking down my walls. I pray constantly that He will use me no matter what the situation. Please pray for me as I walk down this journey. 

If anyone has prayer request for the summer feel free to facebook message me or email me at 
Heaven_California14@yahoo.com 

God bless <3

Heaven Slaughter 

A year of growth

The mourning over a loved one, the brokenness of a family, the struggle with an addiction, the wounds from losing the battle, the pain of the forgotten, these are all things we struggle with. Things that I experienced in the year 2013. 

This year has been a year of change, a year of lessons, a year with no regrets. This has been a year that has made me cling to my father and be thankful for the little things. This year I have learned so much and I have grown in so many ways. 

This year I ended a chapter of my life by graduating High School. Even though the road wasn't always easy, I struggled often, I made it. By Gods grace I was given the privilege of walking across the stage and receiving my diploma. Senior year was not an easy one. I struggled a lot. The one thing that kept me going was S.W.A.G, the student led bible study that we started that year. Those kids taught me so much about myself. They helped me realize that kids have the power to change the world. They made me realize that even when things are hard we cling to the savior of the world. The biggest thing they taught me was how to follow God's calling on my life. How to put aside my pride and my own dreams and follow after God's. Through S.W.A.G I was shown that by the power of God we all have to ability to change lives. They showed me Christ like love, and walked with me every step of the way. Through the good and through the bad. 

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.

-Matthew 18:20-

This year I struggled with an addiction that I have had for years, self harming. To be completely honest with you, I can not tell you when I stopped cutting. I don't recall if it was early 2013 or late 2012. The thoughts still arise sometimes. When times get hard I often fall to my old routines. This year I have learned that I don't have to relieve the pain on my own. God is fighting this battle with me and He will be the strength I don't have. When I fail, when my past come up, when the scars mock me, my God sustains me. He tells me of my worth and shows me unconditional love. The scars will never go away, but God has healed the wounds. The memories will always be there, but God has forgiven them. I hold close to the promise that I am not fighting this battle alone. We are not walking through life on our own. We have a savior who thinks we are worth everything. Who wants to fight for us, who does love us, and who will protect us. Hold to that promise. 

The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still. 

-Exodus 14:14- 

This summer I was given two amazing opportunities. The first being given the privilege of going as the elementary and junior high youth girls sponsor at summer church camp.This was an eye opening, life changing experience. Two years ago if someone would have asked me to spend a week with eight junior high kids I would have laughed in your face. I never thought of myself as someone working with younger kids. This summer, I realized that is exactly what I want to do. Children see Christ in a way that we don't. Their love is still pure and their eyes still shielded. Being around the junior high girls was a blast. They saw life differently then I did. They didn't let the little things get them down. They jumped in and were eager to learn about Jesus. I learned patience, and how to view God in a different perspective. I learned how to just have fun and enjoy the moment when its here. This summer I also got the opportunity to go on my first mission trip to New Mexico, where I got to hang out on a Navajo Indian reservation. That week completely changed my life. It gave me a burning passion for missions. I was given the opportunity to meet so many amazing kids and adults. I connected with children who had very little. They lived in one bedroom houses with five brothers and sisters. They played with busted Frisbee, not x boxes. They cheered and screamed for bracelets. They stole food because that's what they had to do in order to get fed. They hid in the bushes hoping someone would come to play soccer with them. They broke my heart. One girl clung to me all week and I fell in love with her. She taught me how to value what I do have. She got excited when I fed her cotton candy and made me cry when she told me that her parents didn't feed her often. I saw what it looked like to have nothing, but also what it looked like to truly love God. I learned what it meant to serve others and put them before yourself. This summer my heart was changed. 

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of he Lord Jesus Himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive."

- Acts 20:35- 

This year I saw loss. I saw loss of faith, loss of hope, loss of loved ones, loss of life. I saw a church who fell and turned to worldly treasures. I saw people who turned back to earthly desires and lost sight of Heaven. I held those broken by loosing loved ones. Through all this loss I saw hope. I saw forgiveness. I watched a young girl loose the only parent that had ever been in here life. I watched as she fell apart and God picked her up and showed her love. I saw the strength she had and the assurance that God had a plan. I saw the pain she had in the mourning of her mother, but the love she had for our Father. I experience a church family fall apart and struggle to save what was left. Even when things seemed hopeless they clung to what little they had left. They clung to the promise that God would deliver them of their struggles and answer their prayers. I am still seeing people who once guided me in my walk loose their way. They have turned from the father and turned towards the riches of this world. The riches that will soon pass away. I saw myself begin to lose hope and begin to feel worthless. I struggled with identity and finding my place in this world. God showed me my worht and my place in His kingdom. Through all this loss I pray that God just carries everyone when they cant carry themselves. I know He knows the desires of our heart and will answer the prayer. He will forgive us and finds us worthy. 

Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. 

-Psalm 37:4

This year I began college. I began a new chapter in my life and one that was constantly being rewritten. Each day God taught me another lesson. The lesson of the power of prayer, the lesson of forgiveness, the lesson of self- worth, the lesson of patience, the lesson of obedience, I could go on and on with the lessons. I struggled more then I had before this semester. I struggled with fear of man and what others thought of me. I struggled with grades and discipline in studying. I struggled with the calling on my life. I struggled with letting my past define me. I struggled with my home life. Through all the lessons and all the struggles God bestowed blessing after blessing on my life. He gave me amazing friends that walked with me. They held me while I cried and rejoiced with me when I was joyful. They stayed up talking with me until 2 a.m and continued to point me towards Jesus. Some Friends are goofy and outgoing and caring. Some are calm and thoughtful but still caring. Some post sweet notes on my door to know that they are there for me and some barge right in the door and tell me in person. I found people that I call family and that I know will be with me through this next chapter in my life. I found a new church family that will never replace the old, but have a special place in my heart. A church who is welcoming and never gives up on us. They point us toward Christ and living a Christ like life. Dallas Baptist university has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. DBU has become my home and my comfort. It has challenged me and been the answer to my prayers. 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, Plans to give you hope and a future."

-Jeremiah 29:11- 

2013 will soon be the past. This year was a year of growth, just as 2014 will be and the years to follow. We are always growing in our walk with God. Look at the blessings, no matter how big or little they may be. Let those be your joy. When pain comes in the night remember that joy will come in the day. Hold on the promises of God and let Him lead your life. This life is one worth living, and the eternal life is one worth striving towards. As we close out this year reflect on all the good. What lessons have you learned? How has your heart changed? When have you felt hopeless and God has given you hope? 

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

-Hebrews 11:1-

My prayer is that we can all reflect on the good and close out 2013 with a smile. 

God bless <3 

Heaven Slaughter 

The real gift.

Merry Christmas! (:

Today millions across the world are celebrating this day with gifts, family, and food. Today millions across the world are forgetting the real reason we celebrate Christmas.Presents are being passed our, food is being cooked, football is being watched and jingles are being sung. Where is the prayer? Where is the manger scene? Where is Christ? 

The answer is He is being forgotten. We focus so much on the big man with a white beard who brings us gifts, and his little elves that grant our wishes. Kids are focusing on the presents and complaining when its not what they asked. What is the real meaning of Christmas? What is the real gift?

The real gift is one that can't be wrapped. Its one that came thousand of years ago. Its the gift that was brought into this sinful world to live a perfect life. A baby born of a virgin to a mother named Mary and two fathers, one Joseph and the other God. Born in a manger and raised a carpenter. Christ is the real gift today, and every day. He is the gift that is often looked passed on this day full of earthly gifts. 

Christmas is not a day that is wrong. It is not a day that is bad and I do not want it to seem like I see it that way. Christmas is one of my favorite holidays. Until about two years ago I used to see this day as a day of receiving gifts. A day of seeing who got the biggest gift and who santa thought was the best little girl. I saw it as a day full of food and watching football or listing to music. A few years ago Christ humbled me and showed me the real reason for this holiday.

Christmas is about celebrating the one who gives us life. Sweet baby Jesus took his first breath into a world of sin and hatred, oppression and persecution, that way we would be given the opportunity to take our first breath. He came sinless just to take on all our sins and die a painful death. He lived a life perfectly, never making a mistake, that way we would be forgiven of ours. He did all of this so that you and I may have His light inside of us. 

Remember that the real gift today is a baby born of a virgin. Who came, lived perfectly, suffered, died and rose again, just so that you may be given the ultimate gift of salvation. A gift that can not be wrapped, it can not be held, but is worth more then anything money could by. The gift of love and forgiveness. The gift of a savior. 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Happy birthday sweet savior. <3 

God bless,

Heaven Slaughter