Have you experienced the happiest place on earth?

Disneyworld in snapshots!

The Beloved Mickey Mouse

 I confess I got goose bumps when we stepped into his green room

First ride - Merry-go-round

MAGIC KINGDOM! 

Walt and Mickey - where it all began! 

MINNIE MOUSE! 

I believe TJ was riding Space Mountain during this picture!

Epcot - my favorite park of them all

I potentially had the best beer ever in "Germany" (grapefruit beer) 

Next trip here will be without kids!

Sophia the 1st 

We rode this ride a lot  
The People Mover (sit and watch people overhead)

A favorite of everyone. 

supercalifragilelisticexpialidocious

Disneyworld - bringing families together! :) 

A glimpse of our food intake - pure goodness! 

Apparently I only ever wore this Nike shirt the whole 3 days! 

Watching the Magic Kingdom parade - it's a lot to take in. 

This is how the Schaefer kids cope with a 7 hour car ride
 - media comatose! 

One of the many quotes we saw posted throughout the parks. 

Walt was truly a visionary and dreamer, who got things done.  

He has basically built a mini-empire in the state of Florida - the place has it's own gas station and highway system for goodness sake.  

BUT even with all the rides, entertainment, over zealous childhood heros, amazing food and all the rest of it I wasn't fooled.  

Jesus BY FAR remains the happiest place on earth.

On this Easter weekend holiday/vacation, I was increasingly thankful I knew Jesus. 

The most powerful quote ever...just maybe...

After last Saturday night, never again could I say I did not know.

Awe-struck and overwhelmed I sat hearing story after story and statistic after statistic on the everyday reality of human trafficking all across the world.  I was enlightened and left with a burden to pray, pray, and pray for those who have found themselves in this awful situation.

Stacy, Anka, and Vicki are just a few of the names that still run through my mind, as well as the many mind boggling statistics that were shared that night.  One statistic stated that over 800,000 people are trafficked internationally each year, which is just one reason that human trafficking is now classified as worse than the slave trade years ago. 

The biggest eye opener was hearing how common trafficking is right here in America.  I don’t write this to scare you but rather to bring AWARENESS! The organization (Pearl Ministry) I have now connected with believes that awareness and prayer are two of the biggest solutions.    

After hearing these horrific stories I was shocked to find out that over 90% of those who find a way out, willingly go back to being trafficked. 

What? Why? 

It’s simple.  

They have become brainwashed and accustomed to being a victim.  They have NO self-esteem and think they are worthless and deserve to be treated in this way.  Their minds are completely subjected to those who are controlling them.  They have acquired a new “normal” and anything outside of this, is scary in it’s own right.  

BUT there is hope!  Those who experience a significant encounter with Jesus, rarely return!  We also heard testimonies of individuals who trafficked, who had radical encounters with Jesus and are now working to be part of the solution!  

At the end of the night, as we were praying for human trafficking in Myrtle Beach, I could see first hand what a spiritual issue this was and how vital the power of prayer is!

Like William, I now know too much.  I have heard too many sad, movie-like stories and I want to be part of the solution.  I believe our children will look back on this epidemic and wonder if their parents were part of the solution or choose to look the other way. 

Today, I am not choosing to look the other way.  I am choosing to pray, and if and when God wants me to use me in some capacity, I will be ready.

The statistics are staggering, the darkness around this problem is growing and it must be met with overwhelming LIGHT! If you know Jesus, YOU ARE THE LIGHT!

Are you READY for what God has for YOU?!

I strolled in late to church on Sunday and found myself near the back behind a family of four.  Two cute boys were in front of me, maybe around 4 and 5 years old.  Seeing as it was Palm Sunday, the two boys were absolutely loving waving around these palm branches!

Finally, I figured I better close my eyes and focus on Jesus, otherwise I will end up watching these boys have fun for the next 20 minutes.  It wasn't but a minute later, when WACK!  Palm branch straight to the face! I looked down and they had no idea what had happened, or at least they continued on as they didn't! From there I decided to sit down (out of the danger zone) and get out my journal.  The minute I did, God slowly started to speak these words below to me.

As my pen went to the paper, I pray these words hit your heart! 

I am about to stir something magnificent in the Heavenlies.  Something like you have never seen before.  Full of wonder and full of might. 

My vastness you have yet to see.  The vastness and greatness of my Glory. 

Those who have seen my heart will start to see in greater measure.  If you ask, you shall receive.  There is no limit to my resources and to my love.  So ask, ask, ask. 

I have enough for you. Enough is found in me. 

I am shaking and stirring in the Heavenlies, there will be a battle like you have never seen or heard. 

Pray, pray, pray for hearts to be awakened and for my word to be awakened.  For my glory to be released in the hearts of my people. 

This great work is not accomplished by those “committed” but by those who have surrendered to the heart of the Father.

 I am stirring deep, deep things in the hearts of my people.  So, get ready. 

Get ready to host my presence. 

My army is being raised up.  My army is made of many parts, and I am putting my people in their rightful place.  Don’t doubt where I am leading you, and what I am doing with you, and where I have placed you.  It’s for such a time as this.

Army rise up, so that praise, praise, praise will be on your lips, and worship, worship, worship will be on your hearts.

It’s not business as usual anymore, it’s not life as usual.  There is a new wave, new gifts, new anointings, and a fresh wind coming upon this land.

Will you hide in a hole and miss it? OR  Will you stand letting it move you where you are meant to go?

A covering is coming upon my people and this land.  My glory will be known, my glory will be seen.  My breath will blow.  It’s about to get windy. 

Army, are you ready?

Are you ready to host my presence? 

Who knew a good ole palm branch smack to the face is just what Thee Doctor ordered?! :)