This is kinda where I am at right now!

The Climb
Miley Cyrus

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"
Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking
But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going
And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody's gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa

1st Wildfire Newsletter

Hello Everyone!

It is almost hard to believe it has been a year since I moved home to be with my family... So much has happened since we hit the road early last May! Many of you got the news around Nov that dad's cancer was in remission... Unfortunately his battle is not over yet... Cancer is never an easily won battle. But God is faithful and we still believe dad's healing is yet to come... Till then dad is working on finding emotional and spiritual healing and leaving the physical healing in the hands of the Great Physician. But I am not just writing to update you on my father but to also let you know what the Lord is doing in my life.

As many of you may already know I have been talking about this ranch in West Texas that my best friend and her family are starting up and how I am going to join them someday! Well... that someday is finally approaching... The Lord is opening the door for me to serve with an incredible team to launch an amazing ministry in West Texas.

Wildfire Miniseries is a Youth outreach ministry located on a ranch near the mountains of Fort Davis in Big Bend. We will be hosting Youth Camps and Retreats as well as Sponsoring Missions trips. I will be helping with office administration and possibly working as a house mom for some of the girls.

I am so thankful for this incredible opportunity! As I make plans for the move I am realizing I can not do this alone. I am so thankful for the support of my family! Both of My parents and even my little brother support what I am doing and have given me their blessing to go.

So in August of this year I am packing everything I have into the back of a small rental truck and moving 1500 miles to Alpine Texas!

This is where you come in... I would like to ask for your support in prayer! Please pray for Safety over the trip, God's provision (moving is not free) and God's blessing and outpouring over this ministry. If the Lord moves on your heart to send a financial gift, I would not turn it down... Let me know, Wild Fire or my church here in NC can take donations on my behalf. For more information you can contact me by email.

Thank you for your prayer & support!

I love y'all!

Alicia Zinn

PS: Below is an info Video about Wildfire Ministries. It is a little out of date. We have recently been put in contact with a grant writer and the purchase of the ranch and the building of the ministry should be paid for by the grant we are applying for. If you would pray that the Lord would continue to guide us through the grant process it would be much appreciated.



Visit Wild Fire online at: http://www.westtexaswildfire.org
For more info email Wild Fire at: info@westtexaswildfire.org

Punishment or Being Perfected!

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. ~ 1 John 4:18

I have been contemplating this verse a lot lately and really tried to understand and remember that I don't need to fear for I have God's people seem to think that through punishment one builds character which makes us better people. It kinda makes sense... right? That's what we were taught... right? "You are grounded!"... 'Why?'... "Because, you are being punished for...(insert offense)"
That is the best way to motivate someone to change... isn't it? I think not! Think about it this way. When you do something wrong and are punished for it... What really motivates you to change? Fear! But not only that... when fear motivates us we focus on what not to do! Rather than teaching us to learn what is right and walk in it, We are being taught to learn what is wrong and attempt to avoid it because when you fall out of line it isn't gonna be pretty. So we spend our lives paralyzed by fear thinking that this is the way life is supposed to be. We just take the cards we are dealt by the enemy and instead of turning in a bad card we hold onto it because we fear the consequences of asking the dealer for a new card... even when it is within your power to win... You put on a happy face and try to play a losing game. In the end the enemy just took more than your money but also more power.

God has called us into a lifestyle of love and trust. A life of learning Him and focusing on Him... So that we could live our lives without fear... but in complete trust of Him no matter how bad the circumstances may be... When you are focused on Him, His love for you washes away any fear that tries to come in and steal your focus. Because stealing the focus from God is one of the enemy's ultimate goals. Because what we behold is what we become. Mind your focus... Even when you focus on what you don't want to be... Ultimately because that is what holds your focus it is what you become most like. Whatever you spend most of your time thinking about you are probably going to be the most like. If it is not God remember that it is replacing Him and therefore becoming a god in your mind.

I love y'all! ~ Alicia

God's Preparation For This Canvas!

Spent some time today looking back, it is the time of year where my mom starts asking me to have my part of the family Christmas letter ready! She likes it before Thanksgiving mostly because last year she didn't get them all until mid January and that makes it a post-new year family update letter… not Christmas update letter! So I figured I would share with you what I wrote.
A new year brought a New Beginning! At the turning of 2008... As I sat in my apartment alone watching the ball drop in NY on my TV… I bowed my head and asked the Lord what He had for me this year... New Beginnings was his response. I thanked Him for another year and took communion as our family does every New Year! Now looking back... It is almost funny how true those words are... My past year has truly been one change after another. I have a new home, vision, family, friends and outlook on life!
Last year I was at the 6 month mark of working on staff at CFNI... my Alma Madder. God grew me so much in that experience! I love CFNI and miss it greatly. But God brought me where I am for a reason... am back in NC with my Family! By now you have read of my father’s battle with cancer. In Feb My mom called me from the hospital and told me of the pending diagnosis. When she told me it might be cancer... My heart broke… But God! He gave me a peace about it from the beginning... But I still knew change was on the horizon. If the diagnosis was cancer... I would be joining Paul for the journey home in May! On March Forth we got our Orders! After a quick spring break home! I knew for sure, I was homeward bound! We moved home in May! Then on my golden birthday, I started at Family Dollar! A new job, one of those jobs with a 6 months learning curve. I am a Merchandise Assistant in the Paper dept and sometimes the Stationary Dept. So if you need to know anything about Toilet paper or tissues, disposables cups or plates, or occasionally Greeting Cards or Poster board at Family Dollar, I am you girl, for now! True to my understanding it has taken a good amount of time to learn what exactly it is they wanted me to do. But I am finally getting it after 6 months! I am so glad to be home! My family is never the same. God is so good! As I was leaving CFNI I found myself telling people… I've never thought of cancer as a good thing. But in our lives as a family God has used cancer to bring out the best in each of us! The Zinn family is the best it has ever been!
I will close with one last thing... the future... A new Vision! God is good at choosing some of the craziest times in our lives, to speak into us... My life was not an exception... Near the end of March the Lord started stirring in my heart many of my passions and gifts... For me this is no small thing in... My passions and gifts are as different and abundant as the many colors of the rainbow; writing, singing, administration, art, computers, photography, leadership and mostly the Ministry. God being God, He began to give me a glimpse of the picture He is beginning to paint with the gifts He had placed in my life. For all those who are praying for a picture of what the Lord’s plan for your life is... Wait don’t try to figure it out or start it for Him. We can never truly understand or imagine His plan for us. The many ideas and plans I have come on my own… well they would have gotten in the way of the plan God has for my life. Let the canvas of your life remain open, so your life can be His masterpiece.
All that to stay there is a new step in my journey to come… But before I get to it I have to apologize for something I said in last year’s letter and I quote… “Although the state is somewhat large, rater flat but mostly ugly... It's home for now!”... This was in reference to Texas… I am now retracting this statement it was made in my ignorance. I have since been hiking in the Hill country of TX and seen the Desert Mountains of west Texas near Fort Davis! I would have to say Texas is very large and uniquely beautiful… It is a one of the kind state that I happen to love and actually miss greatly. Most of my distaste for Texas started and ended with Dallas (a city most Texans don't even claim)! Now that that is all cleared up! I can in fact move on… My best Friend Audrie and her Husband Steven are now currently in west Texas with their family in the process of starting a Ministry called Wild Fire… A ministry for Individuals to come unplug from the noise and tyranny of the urgent, to hear the quietness of God’s Word to us… Okay so I borrowed the last statement from the brochure… but there is a point! Sometime in the next or so year I am planning to join them in this ministry! Upon meeting these families over the last few years the Lord made it clear that he had a purpose for this connection… this was impressed even deeper in my heart during Steven and Audrie's visit to here in Oct. They visited NC for an extended weekend… during which my family also saw the importance of this friendship. God is truly amazing and I can't wait to look back again next year and see what new he has added to the picture! God Bless!

I love y'all! ~ Alicia

Understanding the system...

Today I was reading in 2 Tim 3 about the last days and found myself challenged by the words.

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! - 2 Tim 3:1-5

I felt the need to share my heart. We are living in the last days... I mean really those words describe our culture to a T.

So why did I feel the need to share? Because it continues:

They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.) - 2 Tim 3:6-7

Sometime we all act easily swayed as the women described in this verse. We know of the truth but will never grasp an understanding of the truth. We are an entire people who base the existence of truth on feelings. The fine line of right and wrong is no longer based on an infallible source... But rather on whether or not we feel like it is right. Just because something feels right does not make it right... Here's an example. Sex... It feels great (not that I know or anything but it is a point) But is not always right in the wrong context. Unless you are willing to enter into a covenant relationship before crossing that line you will not just hurt yourself but your partner of choice at the time. It is an intimacy that is meant for a deep and long term relationship not meant to be a one night fling.

Based on a moral system that is founded in feeling. We could kill someone because we felt that they were an inconvenience to us, after having a physically intimate relationship with someone we have little relationship with otherwise because it felt 'right'.

We can't live our lives based on feelings!

So please don't base your decisions on how they make you feel that is how our society has gotten to the place that 2 Tim 3 describes. When you go to a ballot on Tuesday do it having researched the politicians take some time to find out where everyone from the judge in your local court or sheriff all the way up to president. One of the biggest mistakes Americans make is only voting when there are important things like the president to vote for. We have a system built to allow us as the American people to decide who we would like to represent us as a nation to us as the people of the United States of America. Do we no longer care for our country enough to know the about the people for whom we vote? Or do you just vote for the person you guess would do a good job in the Senate, did you vote for them because you like the way their named looked on a ballot or because you saw their name somewhere even though you don't know where and figure that was good enough for you. You could strongly disagree with issues like abortion, gay marriage and taking away our right to bare arms, But you just voted for a someone who will vote against a ban on abortion. It is not just about who signs the bills (the president) but our government is a series of checks and balances. Ask yourself before voting... Do I want this person to represent me as a/an Insert Role (i.e.: Sheriff, Judge, Senator, President...etc.)? Take a few minutes before heading off to the ballots the do your civic duty of voting... This isn't some survey you take online! Look up your local County board of elections get a candidate list or a sample ballot. Look up the names of the people who are running you can even google them... and any bonds or amendments to your state constitution. Look it up before hand! know what they are asking you bonds are the taxes that you pay they are giving you the opportunity to decide how you local office distributes it. Know that you have been given the right to make an educated vote. Don't take advantage of that right by letting the biased media and untrustworthy polls help you decide for you. Be assertive!

I love y'all! ~ Alicia

Life and it's changes...

I am currently sitting in a place I haven't sat in years... My chair in my room in NC! It has been 3 years since I have called NC home. I know that God has called me here. But my heart wants to disagree. I left a lot of people in TX that I did not want to leave. To some I said goodbye but others see you later. I would be naive to think that I will see or talk to everyone again someday. But thankfully families like the Dilts & the Hellums and friends like Brittany, Chris & Melody. I will have in my life forever whether they like it or not! The EGGheads is a bond that sha'nt be broken! I have found anew understanding of Love & Friendship through many of them! This new season is promising to be one of growth but not without the occasional storm. I am learning that to grow we need food and water but to grow strong we have to learn to whether the storm. The years have had their toll on my life and it is typically clear by my appearance what my defense mechanism is the Lord is taking me out of my comfortable place and now He is setting me apart to teach me more about Him and my relationship with Him. He is growing me to become the woman He is calling me to be. Teaching me to submit to authority so as to learn to submit to my husband. Showing me how to care for myself so I can one day care for my children and family. I am excited to see what is next. Who is Alicia? To find out I am asking God to show me... Who are you God? Knowing God is the key to understanding who we are! I love y'all! ~ Alicia

Fear and Unbelief... My attempted companions!

It seems when I'm at my best this is when the enemy likes to send them my way. They bring their friends Discontent and Self-pity with them and they make my life, the life I was happy with just hours ago, seem like the last thing I want to be apart of anymore. Apparently they forgot a few things... Goodness & Mercy Fallow me and I dwell in the house of the Lord Forever! Even in a dark valley I have no fear for His Discipline & Power are my comfort!

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

(Php 4:4-7 ESV)

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

(Php 4:11-13 ESV)

Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

(Php 4:17-20 ESV)

I am not worried for tomorrow, Just today. That is all God intended for me to worry about. I choose now to continue in contentment. Know in that if not thru those around me He will supply my needs in whatever ways He sees fit! My God is Faithful! Nothing can convince me otherwise! No matter how may things go wrong I still know that I am a child of the Most High... And therefore I am Blessed & Highly Favored! I love y'all! ~ Alicia

Please Pray for the Lord to Open a door for a Job in NC!