erindiaz

We Love So Flo and a wonderful Leader in Training

One of the people who have become very special to me is my friend and leader-in-training, Martiza Ceron.   She came to the Pursuit already a Christ-Follower and brought people with her from day one.

Maritza has now stepped into training to be a leader for our Student Community, and I get to meet weekly with her to talk about what it means to lead people in community.   I love to see her enthusiasm and her willingness to do whatever it takes to become a leader God can use.

The fruit of her labor to grow as a leader is already visible.  The day after Independence Day, Maritza took a couple of students at 6am to clean the beaches as a part of “We Love SoFlo.”  She is quickly grasping the importance of relationships in her ministry to students and making remarkable sacrifices to show her love for them and desire for them to grow as they follow Christ.

Hula!!

As I was getting ready for our friend and community group member Leslie’s Chick-fil-a luau, I realized I got rid of most of my Hawiian gear since I graduated from Indiana University!    I was able to scrounge something together and go show support for Leslie along with Alex, Adriana, and Matt and Janie Mehaffey.   And to boot, I won the hula hoop contest…..yep, I still got it!! 

(By the way, we will be returning to chick-fil-a tonight with the student community group for cow appreciation day.   Dress like a cow and you eat free!   Yessss!)

Its all about relationships

If you sit in a conversation long enough with me, you will probably hear me say something to the tune of, “its all about relationships.”  That is because I try to live what I have been taught.

The people who have impacted my life tremendously taught me not only with their words, but with their actions how to truly love God and love people.  Their lives of ministry are exemplary. They have invested heavily of their time, their friendship, and their hearts in me.

Hebrews 13:7 says, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”

Because of the impact these leaders have had on my life, I am forever changed.  Like them, I now firmly believe that the only true way we will ever make a difference in the lives of others for the sake of Christ is by being available to others, opening our hearts, our homes, our lives, and our friendship to them so that they not only hear our words but they see our example. 

I hope that at the end of my life I will be known as someone who loved sacrificially so that others can come to know the love of Jesus.  I daily seek that through the time I invest with the people God has placed in my life and only hope that I can follow in the footsteps of those who impacted me, because it is truly all about relationships.