God's Love For Us

Last night there was a reunion for the bible study that my older siblings held in their house. This bible study that they used to have had even changed some lives. It even changed mine because after they stopped having bible studies, since my older brother graduated high school and most of the people going there had too, I realized that if they could have made such a big impact within the lives of their high school friends, then why can't I help to change the lives of all of the surfers. So that helped me to start Groms For God. It also helped kids who didn't even know God or anything about his love for us. They would start out just by coming to the bible study because they could get free food, but as they came more and more, and started to find their way to God, they started to understand God and his endless, unbreakable love for us. It was amazing to me last night, to listen to everyone's stories about how it changed their lives and how they wouldn't be where they are right now if it wasn't for that bible study and how that helped them find God. Then, later that night, when Danny read God's word to us, he read Romans 8:38-39 and it really showed me how there is nothing in all creation and nothing that anyone can either do or say that could ever separate us from God's love. The verse is a hope to everyone that whatever happens to them, whatever takes them in the wrong direction or convinces them to believe in something else that is not as loving or amazing as our God, he will always love us and nothing can ever cause something different. I am so happy that I was able to be a part of that last night and even throughout my childhood. I know that even though I didn't completely understand what all of it meant then, it helped lead me on to the right and amazing path.

Seeing God Through Me

"Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

Over the past few months, I have better understood what it means to have faith. It doesn't take popularity to be noticed, it takes the faith you have in God to make a difference in their lives. When I put all of my faith in God, he helps me to be a good example by letting others see him through myself and what I believe in. Even though I mostly travel for surfing, people notice me because of my faith in God, and every time someone notices me through my faith, I am also able to use those moments to be a light in their lives so they can find strength and happiness in God. Being a good example in everyone's lives means a lot to me because it lets me know that what I am doing is right and helps me find my purpose in God's plan. I hope that everyone finds strength and happiness in God and knows that they are never too young to help others find HIM.

The picture is of bible study, "Walk in the Light on Wednesday Night," I started with Randy Nolan of FLOW Surfers (Fellowship Led On Water). Together, we hope to bring all ages to a closer relationship with God.

Jesus Center Joy

JCJ = Jesus Center Joy

 

"Jesus Center Joy" started when I used to go to a bible study that my siblings had started with Danny Cruden, who led the study. After he talked about how Jesus should be the center of our lives, I began to chant it in my head whenever I was afraid or nervous, and somehow it brought me peace. JCJ is what pushes me to my limits and helps give me the strength to do anything I put my mind to. It helps me remember that no matter what the situation is, if I have Jesus in the center of my life, I will find strength and happiness. This has gotten me through everything, from my toughest heats to all of the moments that make me feel more afraid than ever.

 

Isaiah 40:29-31 "He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even the youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." This bible verse fits JCJ perfectly. It lets you know that if you trust in the Lord you will find strength to do the impossible and find joy in it all.

True Friendship

"There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends." John 15:13

What happened yesterday was amazing. While this was the most terrifying thing that has ever happened on the WSL, it was amazing because God has shown the world true friendship put into such a terrifying scene. When Mick Fanning was being attacked by two great whites, he was telling his opponent, Julian Wilson, to go to the beach where he would be safe. But Julian made the choice to  paddle towards Mick to help him instead of going to the beach. This one choice has changed many lives. Watching the interview that Julian gave after, shows how emotional and terrifying this incident was and clearly how Julian feels about his brother in Christ. It has made us want to have people like Julian in our lives that will help us in even the toughest situation and has made us want to strive to be that person in the lives of our friends. Moments like these let us know that God is always watching over us. God has blessed us all with guardian angels that I know had been watching over them that day, and God gives an everlasting love to us no matter what.

"For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go." Psalm 91:11

Be Strong and Courageous

A few weekends ago was my first time surfing out of Florida. I was in South Carolina and there for an Atlantic Surfing Federation / Village Surf Shoppe / Herndon/Lebel Memorial contest. This contest was amazing to me because everyone came together and did a paddle out to honor all of our fellow surfers who have gone to a place where we can only imagine the beauty of. I was also able to hang out with one of my friends, Bree Labiak. Bree is an amazing friend and surfer. She has cystic fibrosis and is currently fighting a lung infection. Through all of this, she is always laughing and having fun out in the water with her friends. Please pray for Bree as she faces some difficult challenges so that she can keep charging it out in the water!

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had." Romans 15:5

"Have I not commanded you, be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

"Walk in the Light on Wednesday Night!"

Revelation 1:3 "God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.

Last week I met with Randy Nolan, founder of FLOW Surfers, so that we could talk about how we can start up a bible study to try to help all of the groms come together to hear and learn about the word of the Lord. I feel that God has brought Randy and I together so that we could help all of these groms find their part in God's plan. The bible study is called "Walk in the Light on Wednesday Night". Please join us for our first bible study on June 3rd at 6:30pm at the Todd Holland School of Surf in Cocoa Beach. We'll have pizza and drinks, then start the study around 7pm and should finish up by 8pm. 

ALL AGES ARE WELCOME! 

Giving Glory to God

 "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen... And without faith it is impossible to please him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." Hebrews 11:1-6

Bianca Buitendag (pictured above), Lakey Peterson, Nikki Viesins, and Bethany Hamilton are all great role models to me and have made a huge impact on my life. Like me, they all have a lot of faith in God. Today, Bianca got 2nd place in the Oi Rio Pro. When she was interviewed after winning her semi, she gave all of her glory to God. She is also putting all of her trust in God knowing that nothing can stop the amazing plan God has for her. Nikki is also giving her glory to God. She has really been an big inspiration to me for a while. She is true to God and also has a lot of trust and faith in Him. Bethany has given God so much trust. Even when she lost her arm to a shark, she knew that it was all part of God's plan for her and now that she has proven that she "can do all things through Christ who strengthens" her, He has given her so many opportunities to spread God's word to millions of people.

I pray that God is working through me and Groms for God to spread the word to those around me.

Happy Mother's Day

"Honor her for all that her hands have done." Proverbs 31:31. Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers out there! What would all of us do without you? You care for us, love us, give us hope, and help us find God. Without you, we would be nowhere. Not only all of that, but you cheer us up, make us laugh, and teach us to love and be a light in any circumstances. Thank you to every mom for loving us no matter what. YOU ARE OUR LIGHT! And an extra special thanks to my momma! I love you!

"A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take."~Anonymous

Finding Strength through God

This past surf contest, Pineapple / Lost Pro Founders Day, was hard for me. Starting out by narrowly making it through the first round, I wasn't really sure that would make it to finals. These are the moments that I really focus on putting all of my faith and trust in God. Thankful to take first in semis and go to finals, I knew that all I could do was try to focus on God and ask Him for the strength I needed to do good in that heat. So, like always, I prayed to Him before my heat, I asked for strength and courage because I knew how hard this heat would be. I went into the heat feeling surprisingly good. I caught a few good ones and was already satisfied enough with how I did because even though I wan't sure of how I placed, I gave it my all and tried to surf to the best of my ability. Later, finding out that we had to re-run the heat because two colors got mixed up, I wasn't to happy. Luckily, thanks to Mrs.Sky, I was calmed down and reassured me by letting me know that I got first, so that no matter what happened in the re-run finals heat, I would know in my heart that I won. Going into this next heat was not really something I looked forward to doing. I knew now that God was my strength and courage. Getting first in that heat meant a lot to me, but having the strength that God provided me with meant even more. I hope that everyone finds God and gets the strength and courage in which I know He will give you if you fully trust in Him. Isaiah 41:10

Be The Light

God who said, "Let there be light in the darkness" has made this light shine in our hearts.
2 Corinthians 4:6

God truly has made a light shine in our hearts. The light is to let us see the best in everyone and to help us be a light to everyone. "Don't shine so others can see you. Shine so that through you others can see Him."~C.S. Lewis. I had made this design for my board so that wherever I go, whatever I do, I will remember that my whole purpose is to be a light in the lives around me, so that the light that I am trying to shine will let others see the beauty of God and the strength he will give us if we trust in him.

Our plan or God's Plan?

Not getting the results you want or things not going just how you planned can be hard to take. This past weekend at the ESA Regionals, I didn't get the results that I wanted and I know that happened to a lot of people. Even though it is hard to take and not what you have planned for yourself, it is what God has planned for you and he knows that this isn't the moment where you will shine the most, instead of that moment, he will pick the greatest moments, where he knows that it is when you can spread his word to the greatest of your ability. You just have to be patient and trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and he will give you an opportunity to reach beyond your imagination and follow the tasks that the he has provided for you. God wants you to have great moments that you will remember forever, but he wants you to remember that it all happened because of HIM. Remember none of this will work if you don't trust in him, if you haven't fought the good fight, if you haven't finished the race, and if you haven't kept your faith through your whole journey, which will become an amazing and wonderful life if you follow everything according to God's plan.  2 Timothy 4:7

Who Is Jesus To You?

Who is Jesus to you? 

Jesus is my savior! He gives me the strength I need to overcome any obstacle and achieve any goal. Without him I would't be here and I wouldn't have fallen in love with surfing. He has given me a light and he has helped me be a light. He gives me a hope! "He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless," Isaiah 40:29. Jesus gives everyone a hope we just need to trust in this hope and trust that he will give us what we need. JESUS SAVED US! JESUS LOVES US!

Comment who Jesus is to you below!

Making New Friends

At the NSSA East Coast Championships this weekend, I got to hang out with a lot of old friends and made a few new ones. One amazing family I met was the Waltmans. I surfed against their daughter, Hanna, who was a really talented surfer. The family told me how they thought that Groms for God was amazing and to keep it up but what really meant a lot to me was that the dad was a pastor and he was telling me all of this.  God has really blessed me with meeting some amazing people and the Waltman family was definitely some of them. Can't wait to see them again next weekend! It is also amazing that others that I have never met, have recognized me because of Groms for God and have told me how incredible and brave I am for promoting Groms for God.

"So encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are already doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Happy National Sibling Day

"Isn't it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back everything is different"~C.S. Lewis. Happy national sibling day! My siblings are some of the most influential people in my life. They are a light to me and they help me make sure that I am always on the right path and doing the right things. Thank you Daniel, Alli and Marina for being good role models. I love you! #flashbackfriday

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