Ellen DiTrolio

Hold On To Your Dreams

Ellen DiTrolio

On April 9, 2011 I attended a Luncheon at Valley Forge Christian College. This luncheon was provided by the young women’s group called “Becoming”

Ellen DiTrolio along with her husband Roco are presently serving Missionary in Residence at Valley Forge Christian College. They came in September of 2010 and this September they will be returning to Argentina once again.

After lunch Ellen shared with those in attendance.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

‘Told On To Your Dreams’

She accepted Jesus when she was fifteen years of age. After graduating high school she came to Valley Forge Christian College and graduated with a three year diploma in missions. She met her husband Roco at Valley Forge and they dated for four year. However, although she knew God had called her to missions it was sometime later that God placed the same call upon the heart of her husband.”

Ellen said, “Twenty-eight years ago I had a dream. I dreamed of getting a degree one day. Although I received a three year diploma I still didn’t have a degree. Since we have been on campus this past year I have taken advantage of this opportunity and took the classes I needed to bring my dream to pass. And after twenty-eight years I will get to wear my cap and gown on May 6.” Needless to say she was quite excited about this major accomplishment. “A dream has come to pass, she said, and now I have a new dream. I want to a degree in Psychology. My husband and I are already taking classes that will help us help pastors in Argentina. When you fulfill a dream, get another one.”

If God has placed a dream in your heart there are some things you must do for that dream to come to pass.

1. Don’t give up on your dream.
2. Don’t let others talk you out of your dream.
3. Live your own dream.
4. Don’t live someone else's dream.

“I am a Martha who has been called to Argentina. I do not do well speaking in front of large groups of people. My ministry is in small clusters, one on one. I love working in the kitchen. Even though I am not like my husband, who is running every where, speaking here and there. I have gifts he does not have. When your ministry is one on one you really get to know a person. You know the struggles they face day after day. You know about their personal lives.” She went on to say, “When my husband and I are along I will say, ‘honey we really need to pray for (so and so) they have this going on in their life right now.’ He will ask me, “How did you know that?” “So, ladies don’t feel if you are a Martha, a behind the scenes person; a one on one person, that your ministry is not important. It is very important!”

If you want that dream to come to pass you must:
1. Plan for it. If you don’t plan how can it happen?
2. Wright down your plan to make it happen.

Proverbs 4:20-27 My son (daughter), pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words...for they are life to those who find them... guard your heart...look straight ahead...fix your gaze...do not turn to the right or the left...Above all else, guard your heart

“Jeremiah 29:11 speaks of Prosperity, Hope and Future. The enemy will do all he can to stop you .”

James 1:14 says, “but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.”

“Let’s face it,” Ellen said, “no one says today that I will take the first step to ruin my life. No, it happens with tiny steps at a time.”

Ellen gave this example:

Men don’t like to take directions. “We were traveling and I told my husband, ‘This is the exit we need to take.’ Instead to listening to my directions he continued on and said, “We’ll just pick up the next one.” Only the next one was fourteen and a half miles further down the road. Taking the right exit was a difference of 2 miles vs. 29 miles. Ladies, why not stay on the right path to start with!”

She continued, “If we are no different than others then we have nothing to give. Swearing, tattoos, smoking, drinking, etc....don’t be like everybody else. You have a divine plan to fulfill. Ask God to reveal your weak spot and then choose. When you find yourself standing at the cross road, choose. Choose in the light of eternity. Don’t take this lightly because small choices can change your life. If we are not careful to choose the right way, we will continue to sin in disobedience.”

Two easy steps can we take to prevent this.
1. Put a guard at the weak spot.
2. Get an accountability partner. If you try to guard on your own, you will loose.

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Satan will do all he can to exploit our weak spots.

Psalms 62:6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

“God gave you a dream; be faithful, be women of integrity, be different than everybody else.”

In her closing statements she encouraged with ladies with the following:

* Don’t stop asking God for new dreams.
* Don’t give up even if no one else believes in your dream.
- Not even if things don’t start out well...keep working toward it.
- Not even if the journey is full of surprises and feels like a roller coaster ride.

Keep on dreaming!

Even if it takes a long time coming to pass. They may not come about in your timing. But they will come to pass in God’s timing.

Don’t let the enemy trick you into thinking it will never happen.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

We then closed our time in praying for Ellen.