$9 from 99

I'm looking for 99 people to support me with a $9 donation between now and July 9th!!

 As I sit here and type I'm watching the World Cup.  I've tried to catch at least a portion of every game since soccer (and the #9) seems to run in my blood and has been a HUGE part of my life for the past 25 years.  People ask me if I have a favorite team...obviously I have to say USA, but I really love watching a GOOD game, lots of action, great goals, less 'dives' and most of the time I enjoy when the player that everyone puts so much pressure on actually comes through and scores the winning goal.
One of my favorite parts about soccer was being a part of a team.  I never actually succeeded in individual sports - swimming, tennis, golf...but it was the team sports that captured my heart.  I have learned more about encouragement, leadership, teamwork, acceptance, humility and many other life lessons in the midst of playing on a team than I have reading any book.

I have been lucky enough to have found another team to be a part of over this past year.  Many of you know that I have joined the missions organization of SCORE International and have been living in the Dominican Republic over the past 9 months.  Coincidentally, they began as a sports ministry that has grown to include safe homes, orphanages, schools, church planting and the GAP program, which I am currently 'coaching' (or Directing).

"Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning."

-Proverbs 9:9

It is a place where I truly feel that I belong, and as challenging as it has been, it's another team where I have learned even more about the attributes listed above, as well as being able to share the Good News of Jesus Christ to Americans and Dominicans alike!

my 2013-2014 team!  

I have had tremendous support from family and friends over the past year, and it's that time where I ask for your support again for this coming year.  So in honor of the soccer blood that runs through my veins I am beginning a $9 from 99 campaign.  

I know that there are 99 of you out there because I took a selfie a few weeks back of a new hair cut and color and 95 of you liked it...so I know there are at least 4 more of you out there!

I am asking for 99 of my family, friends, teammates and even strangers to possibly give up 2 Starbucks coffee's, or 1 dinner out, or 1 manicure, or 1 movie ticket and support me in a small way.  (If you feel led to send a donation of more than $9, you are welcome to do that too!)  My fundraising goal is $4,000 for this next year and this current campaign can help kick start that.

It would be such a blessing to have you on my team!  And even if you can't spare $9 at this time, just committing to my prayer team is equally as valuable to me!

There are a few ways you can donate.

Online & Tax Deductible through the SCORE website:
 https://scoresponsor.org/missionaries-staff/shop/snyder-jaime/

Directly to me by check or cash:
3257 Buffalo Road
Allegany, NY 14706
 
email or facebook me with any questions!


 Thank you in advance!!!

And because you read my whole blog and made it to the end...here's a little somethin' #9 for ya! Throwback to 1998!

Do It Anyway

I'm actually writing this post from the Dominican Republic.  I had the preiveledge of coming back down for a week.  Part of it was to do some more planning for this upcoming year, part of it was to help out while there's both a High School student and Sports Conference going on, part of it was to see friends who live here and who are only here for the summer, and part of it was just for me and my heart.  At times I questioned my decision to take a week from my summer home in the US to come back, but being here...I know it was the right choice.  I'm in a better place, physically and emotionally and I wanted to use that to encourage those who are down in the mist of hot, humid, people-everywhere ministry.

Was able to spend the weekend at Emanuel House and help with Child Sponsorship mailings, oh yeah and hang out with some pretty cool chicks!

I have spent 4 weeks back in the US and honestly the transition was easier than I anticipated (although I'm FREEZING!!!), which is a HUGE answer to prayer.  I've been able to see and hang out with friends and family and honestly it was like I never left.  Sure some of the kids are a little older, but it was to my advantage because I'm loving getting to know their changing personalities.  It's also given me time to help out and encourage those that I haven't been able to in the past 9 months...and work on some things like prayer cards and support letters.

The hardest thing being in the States is the lack of consistency.  In my quiet time, in my church attendance, in the bed that I sleep in...obviously the toughest ones is my quiet time and church.  I'm back and forth between Allegany and Buffalo and Rochester and who knows where else.  It's great to keep up with currently friendships and relationships, but it's hard to form new ones.  I'll have 6 weeks when I get back and am praying that the time is fruitful...whatever that may look like.

I really had no agenda when I came back, just to be available and to hang out and help.  I've been able to bless and encourage others and in turn I have been blessed and encouraged myself.  Last night I attended the first night of the High School 'Kosmos' conference, and had little to no expectations.  But just being there, singing and then hearing God's Word touched my heart.

Luke 17:11-19 (NLT) 

¹¹ As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. ¹² As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance,  

¹³ crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

¹⁴ He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” 

And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.

¹⁵ One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!”  

¹⁶ He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.

¹⁷ Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 

¹⁸ Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”  

¹⁹ And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”

 The main speaker used this passage to talk about how we sometimes have to be active in our healing and in our changing as we see in verse 14.  The men had to GO, and it was only then...after they had begun their journey as lepers that they were cleansed.  It was good stuff!!!  But it was one of the last statements that really caught my attention.  Jesus healed 10 men, but only 1 returned to thank him.  And here's the kicker...Jesus, knower of all things, knew that the other 9 wouldn't come back BUT HE HEALED THEM ANYWAYS.

Many times, in ministry and in life, we (I) get discouraged for all the things we do for people without any gratitude or feedback in return.  But if what we do for people demonstrates the love of Christ, the power of Christ, and brings glory to God (whether those people realize it or not) it's worth doing anyways...because THAT'S WHAT JESUS WOULD DO...AND DID. 

We have to assume that no everyone will come back to thank us.   We have to prepare that the numbers of people in the seats aren't always going to grow, that the people won't come back, that we may never see people again.  But should that prevent us from doing what God called us to do?  ABSOLUTELY NOT.  And it's a hard choice to make, to keep doing things over and over.  But it's worth it.  Jesus healed them anyway.  We have to do it (whatever 'it' is) anyway.

It's a struggle for me.  There are some GAP students that I may never see or talk to again.  And that's ok.  Actually there are very few students from all of my teams, small groups, bible studies combined that I will never see again.  And that's ok. Does that mean I wasted my time and my breath? NO.  I was faithful to what God called me to in that season.  I was able to glorify God through my obedience, through the way I lived my life, and that's all God has asked of me.  The way people respond to that (although we always want to know that what we've done made a difference) is not actually our concern.

"Let the Lord judge the peoples.  Vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness,
    according to my integrity, O Most High."  -Psalm 7:8

No matter if the students come back, no matter if the people I help return to me, no matter if anyone anywhere ever says thank you.  It was worth it.  As long as my heart is pure and I'm doing the will of God, it will ALWAYS be worth it.  I don't say that I do it right every time or most times, but that's what I have to strive for...that's the example set before me in Luke 17.

So I'll do it anyway. Again. And again. Until the Lord tells me not to.  And I'll have to remind myself to do it anways. Again. And again. That no matter what the outcome is, sharing my life, being vulnerable, pouring my life out...for the sake of the Gospel, it is worth it.

'MERICA!

It's been an awesome 2 weeks since the students left...not necessarily because they left, but because it was finally a time where I could exhale.  As much as I love them, loved being with and around them, leadership and the leading of 13 lives comes with burdens and struggles and weight.  Once they were back into the care of their families and friends I could exhale and honestly I woke up one morning and felt lighter...literally.  I had no idea how much I had been carrying until I didn't have to carry it anymore.

And I know this is the same with our sin...

(just a thought to stir your heart because it just stirred mine as I type, but I'll leave that topic for another day).

I was lonely for the first few days after they left, then I started easing back into life.  I started planning for next year while things were still fresh in my brain.  I finished budgets and manuals, calendars and job descriptions.  I journaled, processed, and "retreated."

The Villa that we stayed for our retreat

loved getting to know these women better!

In three days I will be heading back to America (or 'Merica as the kids like to say).  I've tried to plan and anticipate what it will be like stepping back onto State soil and back into life.  But I really can't.  I do know some of what's waiting for me, time with family and friends, nephews and nieces, living out of a suitcase and on couches..but there are still things that are up-in-the-air, or completely unknown.

I struggled when trying to figure out what I should do this summer.  Should I get a job? Not get a job? Stay in my duplex? move out? keep my car? sell it? Travel? Stay home? Earn money? Raise money?

I realized that if I spent a week with family and good friends whom I haven't seen in 9 months, that would take up the majority of the summer, and because this is the only time I'll get to have quality face-to-face time with them I have decided NOT to get a job this summer.  Not a full-time job anyways.  There was no way that I would be hired and then me turn around and ask for 5-6 weeks off!!

Please pray for odd-jobs, baby-sitting or house-sitting opportunities, needs for pictures, portraits, or sports pictures where I can earn some extra gas and food money.  

And if you know of any please let me know!

I was struggling to decide whether or not I should keep my duplex in Cheektowaga. I would be great to have a place I could still call my own, but I'd be paying with money I didn't have for a place to live for half the summer.  The Lord did make it clear that I should give up the duplex and circumstances confirmed the decision. The plan was to have all of my stuff out by May 31, but my awesome parents already went up and moved my stuff out so one less thing I have to worry about....SO SO SO GRATEFUL! My parents house will now be my home base (and my permanent address).

I will also be selling my car at the end of the summer.  It can't stand another winter being idle...and in the words of my parents "you never really liked that car anyways"...which is true...I still love my Outbacks!  I have a few people interested in buying my 2009 Subaru Legacy, but if you know of anyone have them get a hold of me. 

Please pray that in the next 3 months that nothing goes wrong on my car that I will have to get fixed!

I guess with all of these more "permanent" changes it officially makes me a missionary, or a "missionary apprentice" as the home office likes to call me.  It's still weird to say, and I'm sure for some of you even hard to hear/read/understand.  And because I have said YES to God and am choosing to follow the present path He has me on, I'm looking to HIS PEOPLE for help.

I have tried to make the necessary decisions and steps to live as simply as possible while in the States.  I am willing to work hard when I'm available to earn some money.  But I anticipate that the money that I will spend while at home, will be greater than the money that I will make.

So with that I am starting to ask for support for this summer and for this fall into next year when I'll be back in the Dominican Republic. 

There are many ways that you can help support me:

• Through Prayer
• Financially
• Donating Sky-miles for flights home
• Opportunities for work over the summer
• Gift Cards for gas, Target, Wal-Mart, Amazon, iTunes, Starbucks

I am confident that the Lord will provide all that I need.  And I will learn how to sacrifice some things that I've never had to before to be the best steward of God's provision. 

I officially have a profile up on the SCORE website where you can make a one-time donation or commit to supporting me monthly...those donations through the site will be tax deductible. 

In the mean time, if you would like to donate anything please comment below, facebook me, or email me at jaima927@me.com

Thank you in advance for prayers, for support and for being a part of my journey!

To GOD be the GLORY!

And the Journey Continues...

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I have tried to start this post so many times.  There were times when I felt like I had nothing to say, times when I had so much to say that I couldn’t choose what to put into writing, times when I was so exhausted that there was no other option but to sleep.  I’m not a writer, I’ve never claimed to be…I’m not good with words, not good at expressing what I’m feeling.  But there are times when I have to share.  Share the good and the bad, the Truth and the lies, the progress and the set backs of this Dominican Republic missionary journey that I’m on, and will continue to be on. 

Yup…you read that right…CONTINUE TO BE ON.   

The Lord has made it clear that my time serving Him down here is not over, and in obedience I have committed to another year as GAP Director.  I know that most of you thought it was a 9 month commitment, and I was right there with you.  But God has called me to more, to longer.

It was almost exactly a year ago that I said ‘yes’ in my heart to God when this opportunity was presented to me.  The Lord had been stirring my heart for something more, something bigger… I had no idea what.  BUT GOD DID.

It has definitely been a rollercoaster.  As much as I like to stay neutral, even, consistent, this year was one of trials, struggles, refining, humility, joys, sorrows, triumphs, surrender, rejoicing, and so much more.  All of this, GOD KNEW, I wouldn’t have gone through if I would have stayed in Cheektowaga, NY.  

Looking back now, my faith was growing, but I had hit a ceiling.  Living in Buffalo was a time of healing for me.  In the midst of life, I had a lot of time to myself and along side an amazingly wise mentor and best friend we were able to figure out and correct heart issues that I had been stuck in and struggling with for so long.  But once I was set free from those, God knew I needed more.  I needed different.  I needed a place where I had to completely rely on Him, not comforts of home, not friends or family. Him. ONLY HIM. A place where I was FORCED out of my comfort zone because He knew that I would never choose a place of discomfort on my own. 

(I wonder if any part of my story is hitting your heart….

where is God asking you to get out of your comfort zone?)

And talk about out of my comfort zone?  I’d been to the country once for a week. I knew no one. I didn’t know the native language (I took French in high school).  I was not a teacher.  I was not a mom.  I am an introvert at a place where 6,000 people come through every year.  No cable. No Starbucks.

But by the grace of God the transition was easier than expected.  I love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and have learned that He TRULY DOES know what’s best for me.  That when I choose to obey Him and His calling that HE WILL WORK EVERYTHING OUT.  It’s also great to have perspective.  I struggle here…BUT I’d be struggling more in Buffalo, NY right now because I was living in disobedience and out of God’s will. 

(Are you struggling right now because you may be in a place of disobedience?)

And just last week when most of the students had left, I was reflecting on the year, seeking God, reading through Romans, and I opened to chapter 5:

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” v.3-5

As I’m sitting at the end of one year, I can reflect and this verse hits my heart.  Because I have endured this year, endured the problems, the trials, the fights the confrontations, the mistakes, the late nights, the broken hearts…I can see that I have new strength IN CHRIST, renewed character IN CHRIST and am now confident that no matter what next year looks like, I will get through that too.  My faith is stronger.  I have seen God come through on so many prayer requests, change so many hearts, meet people where they’re at and bless them.  I have been prayed for, provided for, encouraged, lifted up, and taken care of. 

All of the students and those who loved, taught and supported them at GRADUATION!

There are so many more things to write about, to reflect on, to process through…and I’ll be doing a lot of that while I’m back in the States this summer.  I’d love to share all God has done and is doing with you, and I’m sorry that my words on these pages don’t exactly do my heart justice.  Maybe a face to face meeting would be easier…I’ll meet you at, say, STARBUCKS??? (Hey, a girls gotta make up for lost time!)

If you’ve made it to the end of this post, then you truly love me and I appreciate that! And now that I know you love me…would you take some time to read and pray for the following requests? Thanks!

Please pray for:

- The students that finished the program and are now back in the United States…the transition back to American living is hard! For their lives to reflect all God has taught them and how He has changed them over the past 9 months, and that their new knowledge and experience can help glorify God and bring people to Him.

- The incoming students of GAP 2014-2015 (right now we have 10).  For their hearts to be softened, for their support to come in, and for them to begin and continue to follow Jesus in all that He’s calling them to.

- The SCORE Missionaries, Interns and Staff here.  The summer is the CRAZIEST, BUSIEST time for them.  Please pray for rest, strength, patience, endurance and peace.

- The short-term groups coming down. That their hearts would be humble, their plans will be flexible, their agenda will be God’s agenda and that they will do what is NEEDED to best serve the Dominicans.

- Me.  I am now in a new cycle of raising support, moving out of my Cheektowaga apartment, and spending time with friends and family.  Please pray that I use my time wisely, that I have time to reflect, and process the good and bad from this year and learn what God would have me do this next year. That I will be disciplined in my quiet time and in learning more Spanish!

Faithful

I know it's been awhile.  Part of me apologizes and part of me doesn't...is that bad!?!  Life has been a whirlwind the past month and a half, but sitting here and seeing all that God has done in that time, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

God has shown up here in the Dominican Republic.  Although at times I can compare myself and my ministry to the ones going on around me, I have to stop and remind myself that we're all here for different reasons.  I see friend's prayers answered.  I see their ministry growing and having instant impact on lives.  I see the short term groups come in and out and go out to places I haven't yet been to in my 7 months here.  I see my students develop friendships and relationships and have experiences that I have yet to have.  AND IT'S AWESOME.

It's so easy to see what others have and compare, especially when I don't take time to sit and actually see what the Lord's been doing in my life and in the lives of the students.  For some the change has been gradual, steadily increasing.  For some it's been a rocky road and the change has been more apparent.  But no matter who the student, God has shown up.  And it's amazing to see first hand the faithfulness of God.

Graduation is a month from today.  ONE MONTH. Time has flown.  This marathon is nearly over.  We're in the home stretch.  Pardon the sports comparisons but right now it's feeling like we've hit our stride...we're peaking at the right time and nothing gives me more joy...and yet all the glory goes to God. They're working hard, they're playing hard, they're studying hard.  This week they get to put their spanish skills to the test while out with a group of 300+ highschool students.

In October I had to come to the realization that the lives and the hearts of the students are not my responsibility...they're Gods.  And through situations and teachers and His Word and other circumstances He has been slowly drawing the girls to Himself.  What an awesome experience it has been to see it happen from a distance and to be completely humbled in the fact that none of this was me, this was ALL. GOD.

I had no idea what I was getting into when I signed up for this. Little did I know that I'd have a front row seat to see God's handiwork, God's perfect timing, God's presence, God's faithfulness to grow and shape and change the hearts of these girls that I have grown to love and truly care about.

It's been an awesome experience to be able to do life with these girls and the good times definitely outweigh the bad.  We were able to have some fun over the past month and make some life-long memories!

My family came to visit!

Girls in Haiti!

My bestie came to teach GAP!

Took a trip to 27 Falls for the Adventurers!

Loving playing softball every Thursday evening then getting to share the gospel!

Inside my Life

(Hopefully) Quick blog post to let you know all that's been going on, and what is continuing to go on in my life and the lives of the GAP students!

The last couple weeks have been crazy busy, and if I can remember correctly here's all that's been going on and short bullet points represent the thoughts going through my head since I last posted:


Frank's Birthday
Kelli's birthday
Work with Lily House January receipts and formulate a plan
Ken Ham Conference day 1
Renee's Birthday
last minute decision to let the students go to Ken Ham Conference day 2
Work with Lily House finances
Missions trip planning meeting
Finalize plans for GAP Family weekend
Take care of a sick friend
Realize that there's a HUGE snow storm everywhere in the US and that most friends and families will be delayed
FREAK OUT
Pray
Breathe
Make a list of flights being rescheduled
Make a list of flights being re-rescheduled
Work with Lily House finances
SOFTBALL GAME (we won!) & sharing the Gospel
Airport runs
Friends and Family Scorientation
Spanish class
Emanuel House
talk, pray, give out food
Josiah's House
Airport run
Capital
Airport run
San Jose
Airport run
Church
Lily House
Sunset worship service at the beach
Make a list of flights for friends and family leaving
Pasitos de Jesus
Airport run
Help with Lily House finance organization
Airport run
Small Group
GAP Staff meeting
Work with Lily House receipts
Missions trip meeting
GAP leadership meeting
San Jose
Airport run
Exhale
church
GAP Budget Meeting
Missions trip planning and re-planning
Hear that Craig & Joanna McClure will be coming with us on our missions trip
EXHALE
Missions trip meeting
Help with Lily House finances organization
Airport run
Make lists for missions trip
Make more lists for missions trip
Laundry
Clean
Pack
Blog

Which brings us to right now! We leave tomorrow morning on our missions trip to a City called Perdenales which is the most southern (western) city in the Dominican and borders Haiti.  We may even get the chance to get over to Haiti on Friday.  PRAYERS FOR SAFE TRAVEL AND FOR THE TRIP IN GENERAL ARE APPRECIATED! PRAY THAT WE SEE GOD WORKING IN OUR GROUP AND THOSE WE ARE MINISTERING TO.  We're away from Tuesday-Saturday.  I'm really excited to see what God is going to do when we are all so completely exhausted and we are COMPLETELY relying in Him for strength each day.

We return to SCORE Saturday at 6pm and my family comes in that same day at 8pm!  Excited to see them and for them to see what I do!

PS: The Friends and Family weekend was a HUGE success! It was awesome getting to know the "people behind the people" and those who are such an important part of the students lives.  We had moms, dads, families, fiances, sisters and best friends!  LOVED the time I got to spend with them!

15 years & still so much to learn

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Today is the day.  15 years ago today…at about this time I was hearing Truth for the first time.  15 years ago today I gave my life to Jesus, I accepted Him into my heart, made Him my Savior and put Him on the throne of my life.  I’ll never forget that cold and snowy day when my life changed forever…and my eternal life changed forever.  

That weekend I went to Circle ‘C’ Ranch to simply have a good time with my best friends.  I had no idea what I was getting into…but God knew.  I wasn’t seeking God at the time, but HE WAS SEEKING ME.  Unknown to me, He was piecing my story together to get me to a place where my heart was ready to hear the Good News He wanted to tell me. 

I remember it like it was yesterday.  Friday night, sitting in the back left corner of the Longbranch, playing icebreaker games where some guy from our team had to go around and pull the socks off of each member…with.his.teeth. GROSS! Then we played the whole “whoever can eat these 3 packages of saltine crackers and whistle first wins game”…and you know I was one of the ones up there to win it for my team.  And I was so concerned with winning that I cheated (shows you how much I was seeking God at the time) I slipped a package of crackers into my pocket…and only had to chew 4 as opposed to the other persons 6.  And here’s the funny thing…I STILL lost.  Talk about a moment of humility!  The rest of that night was spent laughing, playing four square and ping-pong, and eating candy in Miss Kate’s Place. 

The next morning we got up, had breakfast and trudged up the hill to morning chapel.  Becca & Rachel had worked at Circle ‘C’ the previous summer and knew the place inside and out.  So of course we had to sit in the front row.  Sure I went to church pretty much every Sunday, but to sit in the front row of chapel…uncomfortable!  But God knew I needed to be there, front and center to have the best seat in the house to really hear what He had to say to me. 

I remember hearing Mr. Wes talk about heaven and hell, and about Jesus coming to earth…sinless, blameless, perfect…to die for us.  To take the weight of our sins, of our mistakes, of our imperfect, prideful, selfish human nature, on his shoulders so that we would be able to have a relationship with God, our Creator, and never be separated from Him again, on earth and in heaven.  I heard how it’s not about what we have done or not done, that we can’t EARN our way into heaven. 

“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.” –Titus 3:4-8

God’s standard for us is not to be “good” or “good enough” or “better than so-and-so” in the worlds eyes…but the requirement is PERFECTION.  Trust me, I’ve tried…but no matter how hard I try I cannot be perfect.  YOU cannot be perfect.  But if that’s the requirement to get to heaven, how can we get there?  By letting Jesus take those imperfections for us.  To take the punishment and wrath of sin for us.  And accepting that gift. 

“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” -2 Corinthians 5:21

“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” -Ephesians 2:8-9

At the end of the service Mr. Wes gave an invitation.  An invitation to receive Jesus, to accept the gift of salvation, for a chance to turn from our sinful ways and turn to God, to realize all that He has sacrificed because that’s how much HE LOVES US that God was willing to send His Son to live on earth, endure all that we endure and more, to then die on our behalf.  Sound a little far-fetched??? I thought so too, but the question remains…if we could get to heaven ANY OTHER WAY, why did Jesus have to die? If we could get to heaven by simply being “good people” (whatever that looks like) why would God send His Son to be beaten and killed on our behalf?

“Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’” – John 14:6

Honestly at the time of the invitation, I wasn’t ready to give up my life.  I thought I had it pretty good.  There were things that I knew weren’t right, but I was having fun doing them anyways.  I really thought I had it all, friends, a successful high school athletic career, good grades, a good family…I was having fun, not (really) getting into trouble.  But even in the midst of all that surfacey stuff…God knew I was broken, that no matter how good I appeared to be in the world’s eyes, that I was still a sinner to Him, doing life independent of Him…separated from him doing life my own way, and suffering in silence because of it.

My pride wouldn’t let me say yes so I sat in my seat until the chapel was over.  Mr. Wes came up to talk to Becca & Rachel afterwards and was catching up on life.  Then he asked me some get-to-know-you questions…then came out with the kicker.  “Are you a Christian?”  and I replied with a very forceful, very cocky… “NOPE.”  So he asked me another one.  “Wouldn’t you like to know that if you were to die tonight that you would go to heaven?”  and of course I said “yes” to that one…I mean who doesn’t want to go to heaven?  Then he explained that the only way we can get there is by accepting Jesus into our hearts, to invite Him in to stay there.  That eternal life with God may require some hard times and hard choices here on temporary earth.  He asked then if I wanted to pray the prayer and accept Jesus.  Humbly I replied ‘yes’ and the rest is history! 

Well not so much history, it’s not that my life instantly became all sunshine and rainbows and lollipops.  Living life is hard. Living life for God is hard.  Making right choices to please God is hard.  And sometimes I mess up, and that’s ok.  Jesus died for my sins…ALL OF THEM. Past. Present. Future.  Does that mean I do what I want knowing that He will forgive me? No. I live a life that’s dedicated to knowing God more, a life that doesn’t break His heart, a life that is dependent on Him to provide for me, to protect me, to love me.  And so far He hasn’t let me down….and He will NEVER let me down.  It’s not His nature…He CAN’T let me down…He CAN’T lie.

“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” –Jeremiah 29:11

If you would have told me 15 years ago that I would be a missionary in the Dominican Republic…I would have laughed in your face.  But God’s got a plan for me, and because I trust Him and His goodness.

Little by little He’s still changing my heart.  Still teaching me new things. Still breaking down walls that I’ve put up.  Still humbling me. Still growing me.  Still putting me in situations where I realize that I am so not-qualified, but He is. 

“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” –Philippians 3:12-14

If nothing else, regardless of what you believe…I hope and pray that I am a reflection of Jesus to you.  I hope that you can see that this is not me being successful or confident or rich or good.  This.is.all.God. He has changed my heart and my life. 

I’d love to tell you the rest of my story or go into greater detail, but this blog is long enough already.  If you’d like to hear it, comment below or facebook me or something, I’d be happy to share!

To those who have been part of my Christian walk over the last 15 years: THANK YOU!  There are so many people I could thank individually, but I know that you know and that God knows who you are!!!

Drowning in Gifts, Drowning in Grace

Between my last blog post I have been to the States and back to the Dominican again.  It’s safe to say that when I got home my body pretty much shut down, from my brain to my immune system…it knew it was home! 

It was great to see family and friends again, catch up on life, drink Starbucks and be able to wear jeans, hoodies, socks and boots!  There definitely wasn’t enough time to see everybody and the visits I had with some of the besties weren’t quite long enough, but I’ll take what I can get and was loved on immensely. 

At times it was difficult tho…especially Christmas morning.  My family has a saying “Go big or go home” and usually that is illustrated the best at Christmas.  We are a gift giving family…and safe to say it’s pretty much the love language of each one of the Snyders.  Not to mention it was my nephews first “real” Christmas where he could open presents and interact with us all.  You can say we’re all a little bit spoiled. 

Usually I’m as guilty as anyone when it comes to spoiling friend and family regardless if it’s Christmas or not.   To me, giving the perfect gift is the highlight of my year.  Starting August or September I’m listening, taking notes or observing people to try and figure out what that perfect gift would be, but this year I wasn’t able to do that.  Living in the Dominican Republic, removed from normal life in the States, I didn’t realize how difficult Christmas shopping would be.  Not only was I not interacting with those I love the most to figure out that perfect gifts, it didn’t even FEEL like Christmas because I was still wearing shorts and tank tops in early December so even online shopping wasn’t appealing to me!

So to walk down stairs on Christmas morning to the mountains of presents in the family room and to realize that I had barely bought one was hard.  The other difficult part was just the amount of presents that were for me.  It’s really no more or no less than I usually get…but this year (or for the last 4 months) I did nothing to earn those gifts.  I know most of you are thinking “it’s Christmas, Jaime…you shouldn’t have to earn those…they’re GIFTS!”  Exactly.  They were given to me because my family loves me unconditionally…I didn’t have to earn them and will never have to earn them.  So for me to sit there, not earning the gifts and also having done nothing to reciprocate the amount spent on the gifts was extremely humbling. 

I was reflecting on that this morning then realized that is exactly how we’re supposed to feel when it comes to God’s perfect gift for us, humbled and undeserving.   

Ephesians 2:8-9 says “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast.”   

Salvation is a gift from God.  But just because it’s under the tree with my name on it, it is not actually mine until I accept it.  Salvation, eternal life in heaven with God, is a gift that we have to receive.  It’s not enough just to know about it, we have to be proactive and accept it. 

“For it is by grace you have been saved…”

GRACE: “God’s free and undeserved favor” :: We don’t deserve God’s gift of grace, just as I didn’t deserve the Christmas gifts…but I received both anyways. 

“this is not of yourselves” :: I did nothing to receive the gift of grace, just as I did nothing to receive the Christmas gifts

“it is the gift of God” :: He wants us to receive it because He loves us, just as my family and friends wanted me to receive what they had gotten me, because they love me.

“not by works” :: I didn’t work for God’s gift of grace, God just loves me…after all He is the one who created me, just as I didn’t work for the Christmas gifts that were given to me because my family and friends love me.

“so that no one can boast” :: it’s not about being better than any one person, or being the best.  We’re all sinners.  We’re all born on a level playing field and nothing we can do or say will earn us more or less grace.  It’s there…it’s free…it’s yours for the taking.

Honestly I struggle with that sometimes.  I love to serve people and to do things for people I love, and sometimes I think… “I wonder if they’re my friend because I do things for them, and if I stop doing things for them…will they still be my friend?”  Having friends is sometimes hard to come by so I’ve never actually stopped doing things for people for fear that it is true and they will no longer want to be my friend.  I know it’s a skewed perspective, but it’s the truth.  The cool thing is that God's not human...even if my friend/love hypothesis turned out to be true here on earth...God's love is never conditional like that.  It is unconditional.  For me not to have to do anything for God’s love and grace is hard for me to comprehend sometimes.  So I dig a little deeper into God’s Word.

John 6:63 says “The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing.”  Wow.  Human effort accomplishes nothing? NOTHING. NANA. ZIP. ZILTCH.  Getting to heaven is not a points system, it’s not a comparison system, it’s nothing that we can do.  Only by accepting Jesus into our hearts, thus accepting the Holy Spirit ALONE gives eternal life.  

So I ask you today to think about it, think about the gift of grace…it’s not just a pretty thing to look at…GO GRAB IT, it’ll be the best gift you’ve ever received.   

And you thought Christmas was just about baby Jesus!

Thankful.

And then Thanksgiving came and went.  So did the last 3 months.  Wow.  Time really has flown!! This past week I had some great time to sit & reflect on what I was thankful for as I'm sure many of you did. There is no rhyme or reason to this list...just pure thankfulness from the bottom of my soul.

I am thankful for God's perfect timing.
I am thankful for God's provision.
I am thankful for God's protection.
I am thankful for discipline.
I am thankful for being stretched.
I am thankful for being lovingly broken and then put back together by the hands of the Potter.
I am thankful for getting to be a part of this GAP program.
I am thankful for each and every student that God has placed here.
I am thankful for all of those supporting me prayerfully, financially and emotionally.
I am thankful for family and friends back home loving me and supporting me.
I am thankful for the community God has given me here.
I am thankful for encouragement that comes in all different ways.
I am thankful for a God who is strong in my weakness.
I am thankful for sunrises at the beach.
I am thankful for accountability.
I am thankful for God's living Word guiding me every single day.
I am thankful for Leadership here at SCORE.
I am thankful for those who have patience with me.
I am thankful for the times where my spiritual gifts can be used to their fullest.
I am thankful for the new friends that God has brought along side of me.
I am thankful for the situations that I have gone through in the past, that they can help someone else.
I am thankful for the sun shining every morning.
I am thankful for a group of girls that want to run every morning.
I am thankful for hearts that are seeking after Jesus.
I am thankful for late night random talks.
I am thankful for new experiences.
I am thankful for God pulling and pushing me out of my comfort zone.
I am thankful for the path that has brought me to right here, right now.
I am thankful for beginning to see hearts as Jesus sees hearts.
I am thankful for running water.
I am thankful for good health.
I am thankful that I am able to serve.
I am thankful that I am able to find time daily to spend in the Word.
I am thankful that my brain hasn't shut completely off to learning new languages.
I am thankful that the times of small obedience has taught me how to be obedient in the big things.
I am thankful that God is bigger than EVERYTHING.
I am thankful that God reminds me daily of how big He is and how small I am.
I am thankful that no matter how many times I mess up, God still loves me.

And the list could go on, and on, and on.  I hope you have been able to sit and reflect this past week on what you're thankful for too. 

In less than 2 weeks we'll be home for Christmas break.  And what an amazing last 3 months it has been.  I have seen the kids grow in so many ways and it is so encouraging!  Their Spanish is amazing!!!  They're still running hard after Jesus, hearts are being broken and changed through circumstances and God's Word.  Attitudes are changing.  Walls are being broken down.  Humility is setting in.  Realizations of what a life lived for Christ are being realized, formed and strengthened.  And the fact that I get to be a part of that is amazing.  Not that I have been doing any of it...it's ALL GOD, but that He lets me see it and be a vessel is humbling. 

Please be praying for all of us as we go home (students and missionaries alike) that we can keep the testimony that we've began here and that the heart and life changes will stay strong.  That we will resist temptation, that our American culture shock would be minimal, that we would get awesome time with family and friends.  Please pray that the change in our lives is evident and permanent. 

As you're thinking about Christmas...and the true meaning of the season please keep in mind other opportunities you have to change lives down here in the DR.  Check out www.scoresponsor.org where you can sponsor a child, and/or donate to a specific ministry or missionary (I'm not yet on the website so if the Lord is putting it on your heart to donate to me, please comment below or shoot me an email and I can let you know how that's done).

¡Gracias & Adios!