Getting back at this Blogging thing!

Hello all! I am back to blogging, I think it is a great way to gather my thoughts & hopefully share with some others in the same season of life I am in. I love seasons! Especially Fall :) More specifically, this UPCOMING Fall 2009. I will be marrying my best friend & spending the rest of my life with him! ...6 months...

Well, it sure is easy to get caught up in all this planning and forget some MAJOR truths...

Let me just remind myself and you...

Psalms 62:3 "He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

Psalms 63:1 "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water."

Psalms 27:4 "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."

A "Psalms-theme" but I turn there when I need to be reminded of my king and father. Put myself back in reality check.

Here are some latest and greatest wedding ideas. (mind you i have time on my hands at work)

Were having one small cake & cupcakes :)

UGANDA

HELLO ALL!

I leave for UGANDA TOMORROW AT 8AM!

We are flying out of Houston to Dubai then into Kampala, Uganda... I am unsure if I will have any time to write while in country.

Please pray for strength and for the Lord to be glorifed as we bring LIFE, HOPE, and FORGIVENESS to the People of Uganda.

Blessings,

Ria

Time in Texas!

TEXAS TIME - Hot, Hot, Hot!

Garden Valley, Texas

It has been an interesting adventure this past week in Texas. The Honor Academy North Campus came down to join in Celebrating and Competing with the Honor Academy South Campus. In the picture above you can see we were all wearing similar shirts. Our team was "Mexico" - VIVA EL NORTE (long live the north) was our cheer! We had a fun time competing in things such as: soccer, volleyball, basketball, water balloon toss, synchronized swimming, and many more crazy competitions. The South Campus was divided into about 15 countries and we all competed against each other. This picture was taken at the track meet. I ran a Sprint Medley- the 400 (once around the track)! It was SO hot and I was not sure If I was going to make it :)

I have been a part of the dorm life, class life and work life of an Honor Academy South intern. It is very different than being in Minnesota. Everything is much larger and there are tons of interns around campus all the time. I have been working in the Acquire the Fire Call Center while I am here this week creating some calling lists and Banquet Ideas for the Minneapolis Acquire the Fire 09 Tour. I have enjoyed the change of scenery, but really miss my family back at Honor Academy North.

I am staying in a dorm room with 4 other ladies. They are all very inviting and really welcoming to me! One of the girls, Emily Engebretson went to High School with me! It has been fun reminiscing with her and sharing about our experiences at the Honor Academy. Also, Josh Hayden from Concordia Academy is on this campus and it is fun seeing him around. Emily, Josh and I are planning to spend some time together this evening, actually.

UGANDA, AFRICA

I officially start training for Uganda this Saturday, June 7Th. We will begin our Missionary Advisor training. I am planning to be an MA on this trip, meaning that I will be overseeing a group of about 4-5 young ladies. I am really looking forward to this opportunity, although it is more responsibility. I pray for grace :)

Then on Monday all of the other missionaries will arrive. We then will train until we leave on June 12Th from the Houston, TX airport. As I write this it is officially hitting me that I will be on a plane to Africa in a WEEK! I am really looking forward to getting to know the other teammates. From what I have heard, everyone is really incredible and they obviously have a heart for Uganda, Africa.

Some prayer requests would be:

Unity: For every team member to be united in one goal, serving the people of Uganda through the Love of Jesus!

Relatibility: I pray that I am able (with the help of Jesus) to relate with the people in Uganda. I really can not even begin to imagine what each of them have gone through. I want Jesus to radiate his love out of my life.

Safety: We will be traveling in small groups which will prevent much attention. I know God is our protector, but it is good to be prepared for anything. Pray against any form of sickness or disease. Pray for our flights!

Thank you family and friends for your continuing support. I am so blessed!

May Madness!

April Showers bring May flowers...

Mel and I (one of my 3 Roommates)


Many great and exciting things have come from that statement this month. God had prepared me for this wonderful month of May in the middle of April. He reminded me that the showers and hard times and crazy-ness of April was going to bring immense growth. I believed him, but now I understand!



May 2&3rd Pittsburgh Acquire the Fire

We traveled to Pittsburgh, PA! We were a part of the Acquire the Fire that took place. Since Minneapolis was over I had been on the call team for the Pittsburgh Acquire the Fire. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Acquire the Fire - It is a large youth conference that is put on by Teen Mania Ministries. We travel all across the United States and Canada from September - May. There are speakers, bands and a life transforming live drama to inspire and encourage our generation to stand up for what they believe and become PASSIONATE followers of Jesus :) Needless to say, It has changed my life ever since I was in 8Th grade. Basically the drive to Pittsburgh was 21 hours but it was SO worth it. We had the opportunity to do some exploring downtown, as well as preparing for the event. At the event the Lord reminded me of where I have come from. And about how much he has taught me in the past several months while being a part of the Honor Academy. So quickly I forget all that the Lord has done in my life! During the event I was able to work at the HA (Honor Academy) Booth, promoting for students to come to the internship. I had the chance to interview two beautiful ladies who are planning on going to our Honor Academy campus in Texas. I still stay in touch with one of them - Marie. Pray that the Lord would make a way for her to go and that nothing would hold her back :)



May 7-9Th - Fasting Life Transforming Event

This was our 2nd fasting retreat weekend. I had experienced this back in November, but this time our focus was on Vision. I would like to say that I put no expectation on this weekend, but in all honesty I was banking on the fact that the Lord was going to reveal some HUGE things for my life... but, It did not go like that. Actually, it was quite a struggle the first day and a half. I was trying so hard to focus on my own agenda that I was closing off what the Lord planned to do in my heart and life. We had some phenomenal speakers come in and incredible worship. It did not click that in my striving I was not abiding (John 15) in my true vine. I think the main theme of the whole weekend was that JESUS IS THE VISION. It is great that we all have our own ideas and very much truths about what Jesus has revealed to us, but if we forget that Jesus is truly our focus and vision we have lost the simple truth. Sunday Morning at 5am they had an optional viewing of the Passion of the Christ. I chose to watch this. I had seen it before, but there was a deeper meaning and significance this time. My focus was on the truth and reality that he took it ALL. All my sins. All my failures. All my unbelief... He took that on the cross. For me and for you, truthfully we don't have to bear it anymore. HE BORE IT! My eyes kept being drawn to Mary Magdalene as well, I read her story in Luke 7 and it changed my view of love. Mary Magdalene was known and forgiven because she loved much. I want to be someone that is known because regardless of anything and everything going on around me - I loved much.



May 16-18th - World Awareness Life Transforming Event
Where to even begin? This weekend was to make us aware of what was taking place all over the World with Christians and non-Christians. We role played a scenario of a Communist government coming in and capturing the US citizens that were "visiting". All of the interns (including myself) and Bethany College of Missions students were considered Christians coming into this communist, "Republic of Ceylon". I was taken immediately to the "Prison Camp" while others were sent to the "Peace Camp". It may be a little hard to explain due to the fact that it was a role playing scenario, but it was significant because it opened my eyes as well as my peers to the cold, hard truth about persecution in the Church. While in the prison I was questioned as to what I believe and why I believe it. I was "charged" for Treason and Cult Activity. They classified Christianity as "A cult". There was a general over the Republic of Ceylon as well as a Warden who tended the Prison Camp. It lasted for 36 hours and I was in the Prison camp for about half of that time until someone was traded in and I was released. Like I stated before, it may be hard to gain a real understanding of what all took place but the truth is that I learned SO much. In between role playing this situation we watched some videos/documentaries of what is taking place all over the world. Some include: Hotel Rwanda, Invisible Children, Obsession and one on the crisis in Sudan. These opened my eyes to a hard reality of what is really taking place all over the world. I can now say that I have a World Awareness. It is hard sometimes for me to watch these things and then ask myself, "What am I going to do in response?" I feel like my response to this is going to Uganda, Africa next month! I will be able to go and be a part of how the Lord is showing his glory even in the midst of persecution.

Texas - Next Week: May 28th - June 9th
I will be making my way to Texas with the whole Honor Academy North internship. We will be joining with the Texas Campus for a big Celebration Event! This is to rejoice in all the Lord did through the Acquire the Fire's this past year :) Then I will be spending a week working and going to classes in Texas before preparing for my trip to Uganda.

UGANDA, AFRICA June 9th- July 5th
I will keep you posted as I begin training on June 9th and I will be flying out on June 12th to Kampala, Uganda. My funds are coming in for my trip due to trusting the Lord! He is SO faithful!I am still in need of a couple hundred dollars so if you are willing to donate and feel led my information is:

www.globalexpeditions.com
Click on: Support a Missionary
My Id#: 2434692
Follow the Instructions

Thank you for taking the time to read about all the Lord is doing in and through me. Please feel free to comment on this blog or send me an email: ria.lenzen@teenmania.com

Much love,

Ria Lenzen

Quick Update on March & April

Hello All! I am looking forward to beggining this blog and using this as a way to keep everyone updated :) I will try to keep this up-to-date as much as possible.

March and April of 2008,

Both of these months were full of incredible opportunities and many great things. Sometimes when I look back on my experiences at the Honor Academy I get a little overwhelmed, because it is hard to process everything. March was a pivitol time in my internship thus far as I had many changes happen.

In my ministry placement - I am working on promoting the Pittsburgh Acquire the Fire. This event is May 2&3rd. It has been quite a transition from the Minneapolis event, but I am excited to be focusing more on Customer Care. I have the opportunity to work with customers who have registration difficulties, etc. It has been a great experience and we have a new manager - Mrs. Randee Jones :) She is a great blessing. Her Husband, Mr. Trace Jones is the director of Honor Academy North. He teaches some of my classes and runs the program in Minnesota!

Being a part of Teen Mania Ministries has been a life transforming opportunity for me. I am challenged daily in my faith and in chosing what and why I believe the things I do. At the end of March we had our Ring Ceremony. Everyone intern has the opportunity to "join the line" and commit to a LIFESTYLE of Honor. We had a whole week dedicated to learning about what it means to live honorably. Each evening we had a session on another characteristic of Honor. These included: Teachablitiy, Resposability, Purity, Excellence, Valor, etc. At the end of this week as a symbol we recieve a Honor ring. There is NO power in this ring, but it alone is a reminder of the commitment of honoring the Lord in all areas of my life. There was a beautiful ceremony, because this was a very big and special commitment. Here are a few pictures from this amazing ceremony.

My family joined me :) laurel, mel, sammy, me - my core! The ceremony was BEAUTIFUL!

There are 4 Pillars of the Teen Mania Honor Academy - Wisdom, Vision, Discipline and Leadership. The Leadership of the Honor Academy awarded 4 interns with these awards at the cermony. I was honored by recieving the Vision Award. It was an encouragement and surprise to me. It has reminded me to keep dreaming big and pouring my whole heart into whatever the Lord has called me to. I am realizing that the Christian definition of Vision is - Understanding God's plan and identifying MY part in it!

Besides the Ring Cermony we just had our Womens Retreat this past weekend. We had the opportunity to stay at a Hotel, relax, but also have sessions on incredible material. Something that I am learning a lot about lately is how the Lord uses Seasons in our lives. This thought started back in November, when I spoke at Concordia Academy high school. I was learning much about how the Lord had used things from my previous seasons of life. He was using them in what I was doing at the Honor Academy. More so I am realizing the timing of Physical Seasons: such as Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. Spring is coming! I am learning about April Showers bringing May flowers in my life. I am living in expectancy for the things the Lord is going to do in my heart this May!!

I wanted to start this blog, because May is one of the busiest months yet at The Honor Academy. I want to quick be able to jump on here and write about what the Lord is doing. Every single weekend in May we have something going on and then Early June I will be heading to Uganda, Africa. By the way - thank you very much to everyones financial support for my trip. I am very close to having all my financial needs met. I am still believing for about $1,000. I know the Lord is faithful and he has called me to Africa for this summer so he will provide for me.

Thank you for your prayers mostly. This is a season of refreshment and growth in my life. Many things have been brought to the light, restored and it has been beautiful! I know continued growth is going to come in May. Please pray for discernment and direction for my desicions about after the Honor Academy.

Blessings,

Ria Lenzen

Ria.lenzen@teenmania.com

6820 Auto Club Road

Suite S

Bloomington, MN 55438

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