Meet Phil.

It's been a while since my last post. Sorry to those who still regularly check this thing. But I guess I should share the most exciting part of my life at the moment. His name is Phil. I met Phil from an awesome friend of mine about 2 years ago. The whole story is quite crazy and humorous, but I'll have to talk about that another time. Anyway, Phil is the kind of guy that you just want to be around all the time. He has an awesome beard, a great laugh, and he's just that friend that you know you can trust with anything. I remember when I first met Phil I was a bit intimidated, but that was probably just the beard. As I got to know Phil I loved hearing him speak. He was always so encouraging to talk to and I just felt comfortable around him. I never would have thought that he would be my boyfriend, but I'm fortunate enough to say that he is. God has done some amazing things in my life over the past year, and a lot has happened to lead us to this point. I can honestly say that I've never been in a dating relationship with anyone. This is the first. It's exciting for me but scary at the same time because to be with Phil is a very big deal. When Phil first told me that he wanted to be with me, I made it known to him how important of a decision it was for me. We both knew how serious it was and we still know how serious it is! Being in a relationship with someone isn't easy, but the thing I'm most thankful for with Phil is that we made a promise to each other. I made him promise me to be 100% honest about everything. And I promised the same for him. Because of that promise, we make it a priority to talk about everything so none of us will ever be left out. So there will be no secrets, no shame, and no guilt. We want God to be at the center of our relationship and because of that, we have already seen the incredible grace and love that our father has for both of us. I don't know what is going happen. I don't know how my life will turn out, and I don't know if Phil and I will be together forever. It's a scary thought, but at the same time I know that I have nothing to worry about because God is leading me. His plans are so much greater than any dream I can make up for myself. I'm just so thankful to have someone else right by my side who wants God just as much as I do. I hope all of you get to meet Phil soon.

Everything falls into place.

I'm finally starting to feel at ease with being back home. Things are really beginning to fall into place and I am confident that this is wear I am supposed to be... for now. I got a new job at Free People. It's so funny because this is my absolute favorite clothing store. It's where I get all of my style and inspiration from. I'm just amazed at how God's timing is always so perfect. This job couldn't have come at a better time. And the fact that I even got the job is just so exciting! It honestly is the absolute perfect job for me. I love the brand, I love the visuals and creativity in the store and in the clothing. The staff that I work with is such a great group of beautiful and talented people, and I feel truly blessed to be part of the Free People Denver team. As far as what is coming next... I really don't know. But I have peace about everything. I know I will be in Colorado for a while longer and I'm really happy about that. For now, I am just trusting that everything will work out in it's right time. I'm enjoying every new experience and living each day to it's fullest. I'm filled with so much joy during this time of my life, I just want to share it with everyone I come in contact with.
I'm excited for this new season.
I've been volunteering at a youth group on Wednesday nights at my old church. I've been helping lead and inspire middle school girls. It's been so amazing to continue this journey and take what I've learned in London and Romania and bring it back here :)
God has been showing me just how much he wants to bless me and give me the desires of my heart, it's just a matter of giving him my heart first.
And everything will fall into place from there.
Thanks for reading!
Lots of love,
Makayla

Home is where the heart is

...As much as I didn't want to come back to Colorado, i'm slowly beginning to realize how much this place means to me. This past month being back home has been tough because I'm still trying to adjust to my life and routine here. But I love my home. After experiencing YWAM, I've come back with a different view and perspective of Denver. The spiritual atmosphere here is really dead. Everything feels dry and boring most of the time. I need to be treating this place and these people just like I was treating London and Romania. I need to be fighting and praying daily over this place. I keep telling myself that now that I'm back in the "real world", God is so much harder to find... but I have it all backwards. This isn't the "real world". What I was doing in Europe was the "real world". I was living out my faith every day. I was loving the sick, the needy, the poor, and the broken. I was having encounters with God and I was worshipping and praying. And now that I'm back home, and the conditions are different, am I totally oblivious to the hurts and needs here? Am I completely forgetting that God is just as close now as he was then?...I have to admit that the aftermath of my experience has been one of the hardest stages in this whole growing process. God is really testing my faith and the trust that I have in Him, and it is by no means an easy feat.
This morning I had the opportunity to go back to my High school and share about YWAM and my journey. I spoke to a christian club that meets on Wednesday mornings called "First Priority".
It was so invigorating to see the room filled with eager students. I'm sure they've all had questions and doubts about God. Some of them probably don't know if they even believe in anything. But I got to speak God's heart to these kids this morning.
And I know that the words I spoke weren't mine. They were God's, because each story shared was what He did.
As I was driving on my way home I prayed for each student in that room. I prayed that he would stir their hearts for a longing of more of Him. And they're probably asking themselves now... "What is my first priority?"....
Thank you, God,for continuing to shine your light.

Home, sweet home.

I've been back home for almost 2 weeks now.
It really feels like I didn't leave at all.
The past 5 months almost seem like a dream. The best dream I've ever had.
I'm happy to be back home with my amazing family and friends, but I have been having a hard time adjusting to reality in Colorado.
Life is just different here. It's a whole new environment and culture.
I got so used to my life in London that coming back home just feels strange.
I've realized just how much I've grown up.
I'm no longer afraid of the world and I have learned to love change.
Change is good for you.
"When you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you've always got."
That was a quote I took from one of our guest speakers in my DTS.
It's so true. If you want to experience new things and if you want to grow, do something different. Don't be afraid to take risks.
Now that I'm back home, I plan to keep seeking God and to continue on this amazing journey. My mission isn't over yet. It's only the beginning. I have such a new outlook on life now and I've really found myself during this season.
I'm just so excited for whatever God has planned next.
He has put so many important people in my life and I look forward to sharing my experiences with everyone he has blessed me with.
I'll be looking for a new job soon and I also plan on making a lot of new art. I may just start up a website filled with all of my creations.
I invite you to keep praying and following me on this journey!
Just because I'm no longer in the UK doesn't mean that my adventure stops here!
I will continue to update my blog so you guys can keep watching me grow :)
I encourage all of you to seek God.
Seek him with your whole heart.
And when you do, I can promise you that you will find him.
Lots of love,
Makayla


And here is a video I made from my amazing YWAM experience.
Enjoy!

Goodbye to the best time of my life.

I'm laying in bed just thinking about all the memories i've made here and how much I've changed since the first day I arrived in London. It only seemed like yesterday when I was writing the blog from my room about how sad I was to leave my family. It's funny because my emotions are the same ones I had then. But now I am just heartbroken to leave my family here. I think the fact that I might not ever see some of these people again just hurts me inside. Well, I know I will see them all in heaven, but it's just sad to leave this experience. If I could do it all again I would in a heartbeat. I am just so thankful for the amazing journey God has taken me on. I will never forget this season of my life. I am forever changed and forever grateful for what God has done. I am excited for the next phase and the next journey I have with him. I can't wait to go back home and take everything I've learned here and pour out into my family and friends. I have been praying about what step to take next and God simply said, " Go home and keep seeking me." I know it will be difficult at times, especially to be thrown back into the place where I felt lost and somewhat alone in my walk with God. But I have a new outlook on life now, and I am new. The Makayla you knew 5 months ago is not the same. I have seen God in a way like never before and I have discovered my true identity. I am refreshed and transformed.
I just want to thank God for giving me the best time of my life. And I would also like to thank my amazing DTS: Erika, Amy, Rafi, Alessandra, Angelica, Romina, Tom, Michela, Valerie, Ella, Jordan, Andrea, Tara, and Ben. Thanks for making every day so much fun. Thank you BLS: Ezra, Nathan, Mats, Dan, Vanessa, David, and Josmar. Thanks for your amazing leadership and for all of your support and encouragement. And thank you Lisa, Stef, and Marta for cooking for us all the time and for blessing us with your servant hearts. And thanks for your prayers. Thank you base leaders, Jose, Rosanna, J-Lo, Gabby, and the Galarza girls. You truly are such a blessing to us and watching your family grow together is just beautiful.
God Bless you all.
We will be in touch for many years to come.
This might just be my last blog post from London, but I will be sure to continue writing more when I return home soon.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this life-changing journey. Through your prayers, donations, and friendships, I have been blessed more than I ever expected. I couldn't have done this without you.
See you in Colorado.

Portsmouth

I've been back in England for a week and half, and I can't say enough about how much I love it here. My team is now in Portsmouth, located on the southern coast of England. It's beautiful. I am staying with an incredible family of 4: Steve and Sonja Forde, with their two lovely daughters Emma(16) and Katy(18).And you can't forget their adorable dog Errol. He is a 15 year old chocolate labrador. I only have another week and half left with them until I head back to London for my DTS graduation. I can't believe I am nearing the end of this amazing journey. Our time in Portsmouth has been quite different than our time in Romania, but it's been refreshing to be helping out with the church here and the local community. Right now we are in the process of planning a Valentines disco dance for children ages 13 and under which will take place this Friday night. I'm helping with arts and activites that will take place on the night. It's a busy week, but I'm having such a fun time with this family and with my team. It's been refreshing for all of us. We have been sharing our experience from Romania with many people here and they are so inspired to have us helping and serving. It just feels so good to be sharing God and doing his work. I wake up every morning knowing that I am in the right place. I'm just so thankful. There is so much to say that I can't put into words, but I just wanted to give another brief update.
Please be praying for my remaining time here.
And please be praying for the Forde family. Steve in particular.He has some things going on with his heart, and I just know that God will restore what is lost and wipe away the fear that the enemy has put on their family. Last night God gave me a word for them. He said, "If you believe in me, then surely you believe in what I can do." I know that the God who raised Jesus from the dead is the same God that is living in me and in you. He is a God with no limits. He is a God whose love never fails. And a God who can do all things. And I believe that God has a plan for this family and a purpose for Steve's life.
Thanks for your support!
And thanks for reading.
Lots of love,
Makayla

God speaks

So it's my last week here in Romania.
I can't believe how fast this month has gone by. I apologize for not updating my blog enough, but I can assure you that my time here has been more than I could have asked for.
I have to say that before coming to Romania I really wasn't as excited as I thought I would be. My attitude when I arrived probably wasn't the best, but my whole team was feeling similar. But after being here 3 weeks, I have fallen in love with the people here and this country.
God has allowed me to see these people how he sees them. I can just feel his heart for all of those who are lost in this place. And I am so thankful that he has been using me and my team to bring his light in such a dark place.
He really spoke to me on Saturday. Literally. You could almost say it was his audible voice.
Similar to the encounter I had with Him back in London, except this time in writing.
Every Saturday we have been helping out at a church here in Targu Mures. There are only about 5 people who attend but we were asked to lead the services. The pastor has been praying for revival in this church and he was so thankful for our team to come and share some of God's truth.
Anyway, I knew that God wanted me to speak to these people.
I spent some time on Friday praying for God to show me what he wanted me to speak.
Then he brought me to Luke chapter 15-The parable of the lost sheep.
I knew this was what I supposed to share, but I had no clue how relevant it would be for the people at the church. So for all night on Friday I was stressing about exactly what to say and all day on Saturday I was praying for God to tell me more.
At about 3:00 Saturday afternoon, I tried to organize how the service would go in my journal.
The only thing I had on the page was " The parable of the lost sheep"
And I just sat there looking at the page with my pen in my hand.
Then I began writing.
But I couldn't read what my hand was writing at first. It was very scribbly. And it was in cursive. I never write in cursive.
I wrote it again.
This time I saw what it said.
" Repent"
Okay God. You want me to talk to these people about repentance.
And then my hand wrote again...
"You repent"
Okay God. You want me to repent before I speak this message to your people.
But I don't know what to repent of.
Then my pen began writing again.
" Yesterday"...
as soon as I saw it said yesterday, chills ran over my body. I knew exactly what I had done. Then the writing continued.
" Yesterday you said you would never love anyone more than me".
I began to cry.
And God continued to write:
"You love your family"
"You love your friends"
"You love your music"
I then realized that I had put all of these things before God.
I fell to my knees and I cried out to God in repentance.

Then God wrote:
" You are beautiful.
You are smart.
You are talented.
You are loved by a lot of people.
You are loved.
You are loved.
You are loved."

Then he said:
"Give me control over tonight. Don't do anything"
I asked him, " So I don't have to prepare anything?"
He said "No. Trust me. Just relax and let me do the rest"
So I did exactly what he said.
I showed up to the church service at 5:00 without a clue as to what I would say. I just brought my bible and the words God had written in my journal just hours earlier.
I wasn't the slightest bit nervous. I knew God was about to share something special for these people and I knew I was obeying what he had told me to do.
I introduced myself and I told the people that I didn't do much preparation but that God had something he really wanted them to hear.
So I spoke. Every word that left my mouth was God's heart and his voice.
Afterwards, I sat back down in my seat and opened up my journal again and wrote,
"I'm so proud of you. I love you"
God had literally spoke to me and spoke through me to these people.
And Since Saturday night, God has been writing to me.
I can't begin to tell you how amazing it is to look at my journal and see God's writing. Him speaking directly to me.
I asked him last night why he chose to speak to me in this way and his response was:
"You are brave and not afraid. You allow me to speak."
I am just so thankful for what God has done this weekend and I'm excited for the remaining weeks I have left with this team.
But before I end this post, I just have to say that it is so important that when you make a promise to God or when you tell him you will do something, that you do it.
God keeps all of his promises, yet we are so quick to say one thing but do another.
And God wants us to love our family and our friends and our music. He put these things in our lives for us to enjoy. He just wants our hearts to be his. When that happens, everything else will fall into place.

God Bless you.
And thanks for reading.
- Makayla