Go. Do. Say. Give.

This week Cru at Sac State got home from San Diego Winter Conference (Winter Conf)! #sdwc12 We were blessed with the opportunity to hear from a variety of speakers, worship our holy God, pack 100,000 meals, build friendships, and learn more about being UNDONE for God. Undone was the theme and each speaker did a great job relating back to what that means and challenged us to allow God to work in and through us. 

Let me share a few highlights:

The second night, I was in the Summer Project promo skit and had a blast. Jonathan (OCSP11) did a great job as an extra too. ;) It was a great opportunity to get students talking about Summer Project even if it was silly and dramatic. Here we are before the meeting! 

The "Day of Faith" included three parts. One of the parts was packing 100,000 meals for children. Here is a pic of most of Cru at Sac State who attended Winter Conf. Don't we look good in those hairnets? It was so fun working together to accomplish such a task.  

A song that was played throughout Winter Conf was "Where you Go I Go" by Jesus Culture. Listen to it here:

The last meeting,  four big graffiti boards were put around the room titled: go, do, say, give. Students used chalk and wrote where they would go, what they would do, what they would say, and what they would give to God. It was incredible to see how the Holy Spirit was stirring in students.

  

I wrote: East Asia 2013 on the "go" board. I know I had already committed to being a Project Director, but throughout Winter Conf, I was reassured that this was exactly how God wanted to use me this summer. 

Students had the opportunity to sign this and surrender all of these things to God for a lifetime.

Finally, it was time to CELEBRATE!

The New Years Eve party was a whole lot of fun. The theme was #bestof2012 so you know this girl rocked Giants gear to celebrate the World Champions. I was not alone.

Aubrey, Me, Collin, Cody

 Me and Lydia

At midnight the dance party stopped, and worship began. An hour and a half of worship to our Creator and Savior to bring in the New Year.



Overall, Winter Conf was a great time and experience. It was first one and it was totally worth it. One of the speakers, Michael Oh, spoke a lot about missions-and tithing our time to missions. I am thankful for the opportunity to tithe part of my summer to East Asia.

God answered a BIG prayer of ours by providing an Operations Director.

Things you can be praying for:
1. Our trip to Denver-safe travels and that we can leave feeling confident and equipped to lead to East Asia
2. A team-trusting that God will provide students that will join us in East Asia
3. Wisdom-that James and I use wisdom when making decisions for our team

Thanks again for you support-can't wait to see what God has in store for 2013!

Summer 2013...East Asia Edition!

Hello friends and family! It's that time again where I reflect back and am in complete awe of how God chooses to use me: a twenty-one year old Sac State student...to reach the world. Crazy right? Before I dive in, let me update you on my past semester.

Fall 2012
I am so encouraged by Fall 2012 at Sac State. There were so many ministry highlights but I would just like to share a few. I have been overseeing the Weekly Meeting Team for Cru and God answered a big prayer of ours by establishing a team of people who are excited for reaching our campus on Wednesday nights. It's been cool to see younger students take ownership of the meetings and be excited about how God can use them. 

My favorite highlights come through my experience as an RA. Three of my residents attended Fall Retreat and one was led to Christ by another Cru woman. That resident wasn't even sure if she could go to Fall Retreat. Finances were an issue but we figured it out and she joined us. It was incredible to see the joy that she had when she realized that she was able to have a personal relationship with God through Jesus. When was the last time you were STOKED about your salvation? That was great!

My discipler, Caellin, has challenged me to have spiritual conversations with each of my residents and we have been doing Soularium with them. This semester, we had a great conversation with a resident on a Friday morning and I got to learn so much about her life. After hearing about her beliefs, she allowed me to share what I know is true and what the Bible says is true about who God is. She was eager to hear how to have a relationship with God---she had never known anything other than trying to do enough good things to make Him happy. She prayed to receive Christ that morning!

I do not say these things to brag or to build up my spiritual resume. I say these things to thank God for how he has used me-to show how powerful He is in a weak person like me. God moves in the hearts of people all around us. We are called to go and make disciples of ALL nations (Matthew 28:19). With that being said, Summer 2013 will take me to East Asia!!!!

Being Sent to East Asia
Let me back up a little and tell you how this happened. Back in October I was with James (Cru Intern at Sac State and a friend) planning a leadership meeting. We were chatting and he asked me, "Have you considered going on an International Summer Project this summer." My answer, "No...but I guess I can start thinking about it." That got my gears going. I seriously hadn't given it any though. I was graduating...and that was as far as I had figured out. 

Cru at Sac State has been looking to partner with an international location. We thought we had one figured out but late in November, it fell through. We knew James was going to lead a project...we just didn't know where. Monday of finals week, I get a call from Caellin and our conversation went something like this: "Hey Auds, how's finals? We found out where we're sending students this summer...East Asia. In order for Cru at Sac State to fully lead the project, James needs a female Co Project Director...we think you should do it." My response: "Really? OK!" In two minutes, I went from having no idea where we were going...to leading a project. Crazy. We had no clue in October when James asked me to consider going on a project, that we would end up leading one together. Funny funny.

James and I will be attending a training in Denver this January to be equipped with all we need to know to lead the project. What I know so far is that we will be heading to East Asia in June and will be focusing on two campuses there. I am beyond excited to see what adventures lay ahead and to see God still in the heart of East Asia students. Here are some things you can be praying for:

1. OPD-James and I are looking for someone to be our Operations Director (handle finances) for the trip.
2. A team! We would love to see 20 students from Sac State and Arizona State join us.
3. Wisdom-that James and I can lead with wisdom as we make decisions for our team.



Winter Conference is next week and then a few short days after that, we're heading to Denver!!

Thank you for investing in my life as God uses me to invest in the lives of others. Can't wait to keep you posted!

Buenos Aires Part 1

Hey all! I think oftentimes it's overwhelming coming back to a trip and trying to fully communicate all that happened and how great our Savior truly is. When people asked me how the trip went, I struggle because if I can't tell the whole story, I don't want to tell it at all. My discipler on Tuesday asked if I had thought about mini testimonies to share about my trip....I hadn't yet. So we talked about it and I feel like I have a better grasp of what to share....or at least how to start to share!

So, this is Part One. A few little nugget testimonies that only begin to explain what God is doing in the city of Buenos Aires. Keep an eye out or more details, pictures, and stories. 

1. We serve God of ALL nations

I think this is something we always know but we don't necessarily understand. We  know that God desires a relationship with everyone but hearing someone pray in a different language on a different continent reminds me that He is Creator and God of the entire universe. 

2. College students in Argentina have the same questions and struggles as students at Sac State

We did Soularium with students on campuses which is a spiritual picture survey. The three questions we asked were: What three pictures describe your life right now? What three pictures do  you wished described your life? What is one picture that represents God?

Just like here at Sac State, Argentine students were seeking wealth, peace of mind, community, family, and hope. It was so cool sharing with students that the only way to be truly satisfied is with a relationship with your Creator through Jesus. Kenny and I shared with a lady named Gracelinda  who goes to church every Sunday but was not assured of her salvation. She prayed to ask Christ to be on the throne of her life and to have faith of assured salvation! The team in Buenos Aires (STINTers) will follow up with her and it was just a great opportunity to share and to be a part of her life. 

3. Whether we go internationally or are missionaries in our day to day lives, we are called to go

Sharing your faith can certainly be a scary experience! We need to remember that the Holy Spirit is living and active. He is in control and we are called to be obedient. Take steps of faith to share with family members, classmates, and friends!

Those are just three things that I've brought back with me to the States. I hope it begins to paint a picture of my trip and stay tuned to hear more. I'll give you a hint of a story to come: I had a teeter-totter accident. I'm totally fine but I still have bruises on my legs. The video is priceless and I'll try to figure out how to post it on the blog!

Meet the Sac State Team! Laura, Kenny, James, Me, Jonathan, Jacob, Caellin, Keller, Christina, Brian, and Kymber. 

Kenny and I on the teeter-totter after sharing on the law campus.

The ladies after dinner on our way to a tango show! The roses were from Keller (the cutest six month old on the planet).

Kenny and I sharing with a guy named George on the law campus.

Some of the gang at an Argentine steakhouse! 

Jehovah Jireh

God has provided everything we need and we are about to board our flight to Buenos Aires. Please keep our team in your prayers. I can't wait to let you all know how it goes and what we experience!!

10 days, 620 dollars, and 6,465 miles to go!

Happy March! As the days to another round of midterms approach, I know Spring Break is coming faster...and that means heading out to Buenos Aires!

We've had a few team meetings and we've discussed our goals, expectations, and norms. We are expecting big things from our ever BIGGER God. Support raising was slow but has picked up this week. Besides these great blessings, I am still waiting to see 620 more dollars to come in by March 15th.

I seem to have caught yet another cold this semester. I'm used to maybe one or two colds a year, but it seems like I've already been sick like four times this semester. I'm going to blame it on a lack of sleep and this ridiculous wind.

We leave Saturday the 17th later in the day. Closing Jenkins for Spring will be a task Friday night but I'm excited to head back to Galt in order attend one of my best friend's bridal shower earlier in the day Saturday before I meet my team for the airport. It's going to be a wild ride but I am so excited to see all that the Lord has in store for us down there!


I am so thankful for all of your prayerful and financial support. If you are interested in partnering with me, please email me at audrey.l.desoto@gmail.com.

Buenos Aires or Bust

Well hello friends and family!


My last post in December left with this thought: 

The power of God has changed me. He will continue to change me until I meet Him someday in Heaven. I am blessed beyond measure. Let us not forget that this is about what He does inside of us, not around us.

I have found that to be completely true as I have continued to walk with Him during my third year hear at Sac State. As I left Summer Project, I was confident that the Lord was not calling me to go overseas on an international Summer Project. Although that is still true, He had something up his sleeve that I couldn't have even imagined back in August. Sac State is a new movement which means we have so many opportunities to grow! Many larger movements of Cru have international partnerships which means partnering with a specific area of the world and committing to send students there on internships, summer projects, and as staff. Sac State is starting the first part of a partnership by sending students on a Vision Trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

I have been chosen by the staff to go on this trip along with 5 other students. The goal of this Vision trip is to get an idea of what it would look like for Sac State to partner with the Buenos Aires campuses and to have student input. We are leaving on March 17th and will return on March 25th. A big part of our trip will be hands on by going onto university campuses and engaging students in spiritual and hopefully Gospel conversations. There is already a Cru staff team established in Buenos Aires so we will be joining them for the week.

I have started to raise support for this trip, prayerfully and financially, and I am prayerful that He will provide the means for me to go on this trip. The total amount is $2100 and I have one month to raise the additional $1650. This may sound like a lot, but with your help, it is completely possible. If you are interested in receiving a letter with more details about my trip, I would be excited to send you one. Please email me at ald223@saclink.csus.edu with any questions or if you are considering in supporting me! 

Your friendship is incredibly valuable to me and thank to all that are in my life and spurring me on towards Jesus. 

Still Walking

Well, it's December 7th. This time last year, I was still working on my Summer Project Application.

When I have hard days, I like looking back 6 months or a year in my journal just to see how far God has brought me; to remind myself that He is good all the time. I wanted to share some notes I took  this summer when our project director, Bob Fuhs, gave a talk about our new operating system, the Holy Spirit.

Part of my journal entry: Thursday June 9th, 2011.
"Don't live off the fumes of past victories of Summer Project. Summer Project doesn't change us. It's not about what's going on around me---it's about what's going on within me. The power of God changes us."

I feel so blessed to have Project friends here in Sac and also in Chico. Last week, I was able to spend a few days in Chico and it's crazy to think that when we're together, we could be any where else but Ocean City. Here's reality: I am a Sacramento State student and we are approaching finals week. It's coming up fast. Five days fast. Life is busy and if I'm really honest with myself, I don't take enough time out of my day to recharge my spirit with His Word.

The power of God has changed me. He will continue to change me until I meet Him someday in Heaven. I am blessed beyond measure. Let us not forget that this is about what He does inside of us, not around us.

Janae, Me, Katelyn, Kelly at Bidwell Park

Chico, CA