@theBCmovement...The Blue Cross Movement

"Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God" Romans 15:7

On every board I have, starting from my first custom board, I have had a blue cross on the bottom, so that I can glorify God in and out of the water and have it as a symbol of my faith in Him. It's also a good reminder of Jesus giving up His life to set us free. Over the years, people have noticed and recognized it...and that cross and God have led me to meet some amazing people just from them seeing it. One of those people would be Randy Nolan of FLOW Surfers. He saw it surfing in New Smyrna Beach years ago and talked to me about it, and ever since, he has been a huge role model in my life, and I could not be more thankful for the opportunities like this that God has blessed me with. It's also led me to Christian Surfers where I have met more amazing people such as DK Plumlee and Jimmy Kaiser. Having the blue cross as a symbol of my faith is a way for people to know that I am a person that they can talk to and express their own love for God to as well. As I mentioned, it has led me to meeting amazing people in many different parts of the country, even in other countries. My three siblings, Daniel, Alli, and Marina, and I thought that it would be awesome to start, The Blue Cross Movement. This movement will simply be a small sticker with a blue cross on it. You can put it on a surfboard, skateboard, car, bike, or anywhere. It will be a symbol of your faith and love for our Lord and Saviour, and if you have it on something where others can see it and recognize it, trust me, it may lead you to meet some people that will change your life and help you to become even closer to God and your faith. My siblings and I are super excited to see how this works out in God's plan! We will have stickers with a blue cross that say @theBCmovement to start this sticker campaign. Please follow the account on Instagram and please reach out if you would like a sticker!

In God's Time

"Whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God"

1 Corinthians 10:31

Winning U14 Girls at the Easterns Championships this year was a huge accomplishment for me. Being given the opportunity to glorify God when I got the opportunity was an even bigger accomplishment. At all of the big National, East Coast, Primes, or Regionals events, I always hope and pray that I will do good so that I can glorify God and show everyone that if we believe in Him and trust Him to lead us on our path, then He will help us achieve our goals... though many times it does not work out for me. At these big contests when I don't perform as I had hoped and it doesn't work out for me, I am constantly told "This was not your time, this is not where God thought that you could have the biggest impact on the people around you." After competing for four or five years, I have been waiting and praying for one of those moments. This year, starting at the ESA regionals, God started giving me opportunities that I could use to glorify His name. I felt so blessed to have had that experience and going into Easterns last weekend I prayed that He would give me an even bigger platform. After praying heat after heat, finals came around. I was using a new board that I had just gotten, so I did not yet have stickers or my scripture and cross on it yet. But when I came out of the water, I was able to be chaired up the beach with my old board behind me, with the cross facing everyone so they could all see WHO I stand for and I felt so blessed knowing that this was one of the moments that He was providing me with...to show everyone that my identity is in Christ. We went into awards later that day and I was able to give a speech and praise our Lord and thank Him for all He has done for me in front of the entire crowd and online on ESA's website. This was one of the biggest accomplishments I have had in my life and I thank God for every single bit of it. For all of you surfers, or whatever sport you might play that you are waiting for a moment to glorify Him with, just be patient with Him. Know that He will give you the opportunity to glorify Him, when He knows that you are ready.

"Our Identity is in Christ"

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart" Proverbs 3:5

Watching and hearing Synchronized divers David Boudia and Steele Johnson last night at the Rio Olympics was very inspiring. After taking a silver medal, in Synchronized Platform Diving, they gave all of their glory to God. They talked about how blessed they were for the experience and how they put all of their faith in to God and just let Him guide their path. They were literally able to use their platform to spread God's word. It was really inspiring to see these two very successful Olympic athletes showing their faith and knowing God is working through them in such a way that I can only hope and pray that He can do with me. Praying for the rest of the athletes as they take on their dreams in hope of finding glory!

Speak no evil, See no evil, Hear no evil

The word "God" or "Christian" is not meant to be used just to win a popularity contest or to try to get more people to think you are some great believer, without actually believing. It should be used to describe the person that can love you like no other and the person who will fight for you in a way that he will give "his one and only son so that whoever believes in him will have eternal and everlasting life". We should use his name so that everyone can understand his love for us and know how amazing our God is. If you say something about your love for God, or being "Christian",  then you go talk bad about someone online or while gossiping then you are not showing people what our Lord is wanting us to portray for him in this world. If there is something bothering you or things didn't go how you planned, don't go and blame other people and try to make them look bad in front of everyone. Just tell yourself that God has bigger plans for you. I would know because in contests when I don't perform well, I try telling myself "that person got in my way" or "she was sitting right in front of me the entire heat" but then I have to talk to myself and know that these were my mistakes and I could have just paddled away. I have to tell myself that one day God will give me a greater platform, where I can tell more people about his love for us. As you can see, there are better things you can do, especially in God's name, to deal with loss other than saying bad things about people and then saying how great God is after. God loves all of us and doesn't want any of us to do wrong to others. If you are a true Christian at heart, you would try to find the good in a bad situation. Ephesians 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Hope is Real...Help is Real

It always hurts me to hear about people having depression and the terrible things that come of it. Sadly, this happened to my oldest sister's friend from high school last night and my prayers go out to his family and everyone else who may be going through these hard times. It is awful to think that people are going through this and it may be unknown to anyone, so they might not get all of the love and support they need to get through this. If it is happening to you or someone you know, let them feel loved. Know that God is always there for you and He never wants you to feel broken or unloved. He wants to give you hope and help you through the toughest times. If you let Him help you and if you just reach out to Him with hope, you will feel his unconditional and unrelenting love. Our God cares so much for us and He can not stand to see anyone hurt. There are also other ways to find help. "To Write Love On Her Arms" is an amazing organization for people who are depressed and searching for hope. TWLOHA helps people who think that they are all alone to know that they are not and will not let them be alone. I hope and pray that whoever may be going through this will reach out to others so that they don't have to feel alone so that they can "soar high on wings like eagles" and so they can feel and know about God's love for them because "No one can measure the depths of His understanding." Let's all raise awareness and not be afraid to talk about or seek out help. For more information about TWLOHA, visit their website www.twloha.com

4 Chair Discipling

Today I was blessed to have been invited to the Christian Surfers "4 Chair Discipling". Dean Plumlee, director of Christian Surfers, spoke to us about how to be disciples and live, love, speak, and act in the way Jesus did. He also spoke to us about how to make more disciples who will then follow Christ in the same way and so that they will keep making more and more generations of disciples. The first chair of the "Four Chair Discipling" talked about when you are lost and how Jesus wants you to "come and see" who He is. The second chair is when you begin to follow the Lord, you are a believer. It's your foundation. You cannot completely succeed the third and fourth chair if you are not a fully devoted believer and if you do not understand what a believer is. Jesus wants to teach you to grow to be more and more like Him so that you can speak and love and teach others to do the exact same. Chair three is being a "fisher for men". You are now a worker. This is where you will learn and begin to become a disciple maker. Where you will "walk as Jesus walked" and learn to teach others to do the same. You will begin "fishing for men".  Last but not least, you are now a disciple maker. You will now "go and bear fruit". Jesus strengthens you so that you can go and seek the lost as Jesus did. You will teach them to love our Father and they will go through the same process so they can be strengthened by God and live in Him and with Him. I learned a lot today and I really hope and pray that Jesus will strengthen me to help people to know Him and love Him as He already loves them and I pray that He will strengthen us all throughout our journey and our lives to speak His good word and that we will all find peace, love and joy in Him. Thank you Dean Plumlee for being one of the disciples in my life to help me on my journey :)  "A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher." Luke 6:40

Knowing Jesus

It is crazy for me to believe how many children don't know Jesus. For me growing up with my faith, not knowing Jesus seems impossible because He has always been my strength and my hope. It's like, how could you not know and believe in the person who gave you life and the sun, moon, stars, and everything else that makes us feel so much love and joy? Then, in culinary class we watched a movie called, "Supersize Me". This movie is about a guy who tries to prove a point about how bad fast-food is for you and how it is becoming too big of a part of American's lives. In the movie, they interviewed a bunch of kids, individually, and showed them pictures of people and asked if they knew who the people were. The first picture was of the Wendy's girl and the kids had comments like "Oh, I have seen her on signs before." Then when they saw the second picture they were making curious faces and saying, "I don't know who that is" and "Who is that?" They then, turned the picture to the camera and it was a picture of Jesus. The last picture was of Ronald McDonald and they all knew who he was. Seeing this broke my heart because they didn't know their Father and Creator. I mean, the bible tells us how much God and Jesus love and care for us, yet, some of us have no idea who They are. This is why I started Groms For God, so that everyone can KNOW their Heavenly Father.
"You alone are the LORD. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all, and the angels of heaven worship you." Nehemiah 9:6

#nomorebullying

#nomorebullying

Bullying is something very powerful that a lot of people wouldn't even think twice about. It can tear a person apart and can do a lot of damage. Bullying is a terrible thing that needs to end so that everyone can show their greatness to the world that God has given all of us. "How cool is it that the same God who created mountains and oceans and galaxies looked at you and thought the world needed one of you". This quote tells how we are all meant to achieve greatness. For some people it is hard because all of these bullies get in their way, to a point where doing something great seems nearly impossible when all you can think about is what is this person going to do next time. The quote states "thought the world needed one of you." God didn't just think to himself about how He thought the world could use a few more people, He knew that the world needed you. He put you into this world because He needed you to be someone to make a difference in this world. If you are being bullied, you need to reach out to God with all of your heart and find a new way to let your greatness and the love of God shine throughout this world. We can stop bullying if we prove to them that whatever they try to do is no match for God's plan for us and His unconditional love.

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!