Character is Destiny

What's on my mind? Our strength and weaknesses. During a discussion one day, we focused on what separates the elite or "very good", from settling for just being good. Seriously, have you ever thought about that? What can we do to become our best selves? I have for so long wondered what or how it is that we can find our destiny! Do you suddenly wake up and realize, this is what I am supposed to do and I am going to spend the rest of my life doing this exact same thing? 
          Our discussion about what separates the elite from those who settle for just being, 'good enough', is mainly that that the elite are those who  are aware of their weaknesses and challenge themselves to find strength in them. Along with that thought, I have come to realize that it can be difficult for us to relate to people's strengths, but more often than not, we can especially relate to each other's weaknesses. After a conversation, about our character's from 2nd Peter 2-1l, I've come to realize, while still learning, that in order to find one's destiny and to really be effective not only in ourselves, but also when it comes to sharing the gospel, is waking up both individually and collectively to each other's weaknesses and start their in challenging ourselves to find strength in them by building up that weak side of our character. I encourage you to read that passage from 2nd Peter and to ask yourself what your weakness is, but not forget about our strengths either, character is destiny! It is never too late to ask Jesus, what  He desires to teach us about ourselves.

Sparks Fly

Its been more than just me who has said that since being in Washington sparks seem to fly with creativity! I've written a song that I hope to share soon as I am learning to play it on guitar (slowly, but surely). Some of you may know my passion for writing, I have written more than one poem and I really hope to have a story written, but its crazy the amount of time and effort we are preparing to get ready to leave, but I crave my time and space to write. Here's a poem that I'd like to share with you that I wrote for my dad for his birthday yesterday: 
Who is this man?
He is strong a mighty man of God and a tender father
He picks me up when I fall and shows me love most of all
He is called chosen and loved and called?
Called to what?
A deeper abiding a deeper rest in a heavenly Father who loves him most of all
Who is this man with a great smile, warm hugs and strong hands?
It starts with a D-E-A-.....
Nope...
That's his name
But he's my Daddy:)
This is his life
Happy Birthday and many to come!

Intercession is Crucial!

2 weeks left of classes after Thanksgiving break and then I leave Washington! This video will give you better insight into the work that I will be doing in Thailand. I am so excited for all that God has been doing in my life right here, right now and all that is to come in His future plans for me! Pray people. Intercession is crucial. http://vimeo.com/4673059. 

Acceptance

What does acceptance mean to you? Since being in Washington, God has taught me more of the meaning behind acceptance. Acceptance of who He has designed me to be, or acceptance of other people and how He's designed them. I've posted a few things on Facebook, asking for prayer requests about getting a cold, I'm  much better now and through being sick God taught me a deeper level of acceptance.
        I like to think of myself as an independent person. It was hard for me to let things go as I got more sick and I had to let other people do things for me. Towards the beginning of this past week God reminded me that it was my job to be outrageously loved, this is my first primary occupation in life and its yours too! He calls us the Beloved, because we were created to Be-Loved. Whether it was someone taking my dishes, lending me their hat to wear, giving me cough drops to suck on or a drink of vitamin C, I was touched by my family's kindness to me and through this process of getting better God taught me to be gracious, let go and receive with gratitude. 
         Thank you for your prayers! My prayer for you is that you may be able to grasp where you are His acceptance for you in how He designed you to be and that hopefully it won't take being sick for you to be able to let go and receive with gratitude! 

What More Could I Ask For?

People really don't understand when my sister and I will explain to them how excited we are to be going to our favorite place in the world-East Grand Forks, Minnesota. They usually nod their heads and say something like, "I hope you have fun!" To which my sister Grace and I shake our heads and whisper, "They really don't get it do they?" Because, we know that when people say, "I hope you have fun!" We don't even have to, 'hope to have fun!' we are always going to have a good time here in this town, that is guaranteed. You'd think that after 6 days in Europe and a plan to visit India for missions, I might not even look forward to coming to such a small place as this, but these visits are what I look forward to the most.
      As I wake up this morning, still in my pajamas and looking forward to a day that could hold almost anything, such as-enjoying the afternoon on the deck, getting a tan and eating the Mexican Caviar that my Grandma has made, taking a break to play basketball with my neighbor friend, and if anyone knows my family you know how much we love movies, and when we went to go see the Lone Ranger movie we walked away happy. I call this blog, "What More Could I Ask For?" simply because as I sit content in this happy home I really can't think of anything else that I could possibly want or need! You'll see a picture here of my sister and I with our neighbor friend, Christian as we sit on my grandparents back deck. We've spent a big chunk of our time here playing basketball together, as well as flashlight tag, and most of all laughing together as childhood friends. We see each other as cousins and will hopefully always be that close. I love how many people live here that I can call family, that are not my biological family. 
       How do we reach such a place of contentment? So many people today have all the wealth of the world at their fingertips and, "all they could ever ask for..." from all the wealth and money they have, but is that all they could really ask for? Wealth and riches beyond all comparison? As I read in my devotional, Jesus Calling, this morning, "The glitter of the world is tinny and temporal. The Light of My Presence is brilliant and everlasting." Contentment comes from inside of us. We all know that and I pray that as a reader you will have felt this type of contentment at some point in your life that I feel whenever I walk in the front door of this home, this sweet escape. Jesus promises us peace that transcends all understanding. As I think about my future and wonder, "When will I get to come back here again? Will I have to wait until I get back from India in order to enjoy my Grandma's company, and homemade food and basketball with my sister and friend?" The Bible tells us not to fear 365 times, so why is it that we usually wake up in the morning with so many fears and burdens to carry in our mind and heart? Besides, the burden of fear we also tend to carry on a lot, is too much worry, I know this is a familiar verse to those who grew up in the Church, but I never tire of hearing this, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:25-26, 34. It's up to us to decide to stop this worrying, sit back and enjoy our day for what it has to offer. I am going to choose right now to not worry today, of course I will worry later on, but my mindset is on the right path and even though I am human and will forget I will also choose to take joy in my circumstances. I will laugh as I attempt to shoot baskets and will usually miss, I will laugh as I sip my Tennessee tea and listen to my Grandpa tell stories, and I will laugh at the worries that come my way, and choose today to rest and walk in the path of truth that tells me a different story, that tells me to not be afraid. 

Mighty to Save

Yesterday, was one of my classmates 18th birthday. After a full day of class, local outreach and other activities a different friend and I had taken a walk by the ocean, came back to the base and were talked into playing a game of frisbee. After this, someone suggested playing tag. It was so fun to run around in the big field in front of the campus and act like little kids again! This was also a funny way to end this friend's 18th birthday! While chasing each other, someone eventually got out the hoola-hoops a jump rope and each new activity brought out a new challenge. Challenges like: To see who could hoola-hoop or jump rope the longest, or jump through the hoola-hoop and land on their feet. Playing in the field with whatever we could find seemed like a great way to end a great week of learning and a good beginning for the weekend. 
      One of the most comforting concepts that I have been able to grasp is that although I've heard it over and over again, is the truth that our God is Mighty to Save. I have really come to grips with this reality more than ever through my time in Washington thus far. It has especially hit me during our time of worship together before class as we sing it out, or during a local outreach on Friday's. Together, we can all walk in the reality that our God can save the smallest and biggest in this world and as I am in this relaxing coffeeshop writing, I can know the truth that together we can whisper, "Shine your light and let the whole world see, we're singing for the glory of the Risen King!" May the lyrics to this song be forever whispered on your lips and lived out through whatever atmosphere we find ourselves in. 

Tinkerbell

Saturday's are our days off! The days pass by slowly, yet quickly with our daily schedules. So, when we went into town yesterday to do a prayer walk around Port Townsend, I was praying for the town with my companions, and at the same time I was thinking that I could not wait to simply explore the town. So today, all of us girls decided that it was our time to explore the town while the guys wanted to stay on base and watch the football game. 
       Walking into a coffee shop this morning that overlooked the ocean, I knew I could start my mornings there writing or having quiet time overlooking the sea. We then stopped into a store to look around and take pictures in a photo booth. The man working there called me, "Tinkerbell," it made my friends and I laugh as I sat on one of their laps and us girls all tried to cuddle into the little booth. Whether it was the bookstore where we could hear the ocean waves behind us, or trying the pumpkin ice cream my heart is 100% in Port Townsend, Washington. It's not just the good places to eat or the fun shops that really make me smile it's knowing that through our prayers we believe that our God can change this town into a place where the locals can rest in the joy of the Lord as their strength. 
     Last night, a few of us went for a walk down by the sea across from our base. It was breathtaking to watch for the first time in my life a lighthouse reflect it's bright light over the water and the mist slowly rise up as well. We laughed together, exchanged flowers, and a couple of them refused to tell us their middle names. Through all this time being here, I have been able to take a deep breath as I rest in Jesus fully, knowing that this is exactly where He wants me to be, knowing more of His love and growing deeper with Him. 
          
       
        

The Boiler Room: Creepily Beautiful

The Boiler Room is a coffee shop nestled in between two stores in the middle of Port Townsend. On our first real day of getting to know each other here, we went on a scavenger hunt around town and one of the things we had to find was the Boiler Room. One of us students was supposed to strike up a conversation with anyone in the coffee shop. Originally, I was the one who was supposed to go in and ask someone a question, but when I walked in, I was so disturbed at the weirdness of humanity gathered there that I asked another friend in our group to start the conversation.  Later, during worship that night on campus I had an amazing encounter with the Lord and I felt like He was calling me to go back to the Boiler Room and speak truth into that place. 
           Let me back up a little bit. The Boiler Room is also known as a place where they try to get kids off the streets of Port Townsend. I walked in and there was a twenty something young man just lying on the couch and playing guitar while another guy was playing some type of card game with someone else. They have open karoke night as well as some other things to try and engage with the youth that need help there. Some Friday when we go back into town and do outreach again into town, I am praying that I won't be so scared to talk to the youth there that are so desperate for the real truth. 
     I call this post the Boiling Room, Creepily Beautiful because I believe that despite the creepiness of that coffee shop with the troubled youth, God has a plan to make that place into something beautiful. I dare you to find a place where you are right now that might not be entirely like the Boiler Room, but a place where you feel maybe even uncomfortable to speak truth into those peoples lives. I encourage you reader, to know that you have been brought to wherever you are for such a time as this.

A Story I Wrote Yesterday

She began her journey with great expectation. Taking both seriously and lightheartedly the adventure that lay before her. She knew its risks and laughed without fear of the future. Knowing and resting in the truth that besides having a great God by her side she also had loved ones and a close knit community waiting back at home for her. So, taking a deep breath praying a quick prayer she stepped one foot onto the plane and then the other. There was no turning back now. She was headed straight for Washington. As she leaned back in her seat, she might've murmured out loud, "Let the adventure begin," She was both independent and weak, strong, but wanting to be loved. Looking forward to enjoying her favorite season, fall in a place that seemed to be unfamiliar to say the least and yet so inviting-so what she needed and what her soul craved. It was time to go. The second comfort besides her God that she could cling to was knowing that the smell of fall was coming, you know that crispness in the air. She hoped that these people to whom she was traveling too, knew how to make a good pumpkin pie. 

    Please keep me in your prayers as I at last begin my great adventure tomorrow, heading to Washington. Peace to you readers, I look forward to writing more about what life is like on the west coast by the sea. 

       

Why Are We So Afraid?

Why are we so afraid? Afraid of what, you may be wondering. Some of my small fears consist of spiders, mice, getting through security in airports and first impressions when meeting someone new. I think my biggest fear is the fear of vulnerability, I don't know what your biggest fear may be, but lately I've been challenged in my prayer life and in conversations about the powerful tool of vulnerability.
          I have many fears when it comes to leaving for this trip. My biggest fear is probably wondering if anyone will really understand me and get me for who I really am. As I rode home with a friend this weekend after hanging out for a while and explaining this fear to her she told me to not be afraid and to be vulnerable. This does not mean to simply share all my weaknesses and fears with everyone right when I get there, it could mean opening up and sharing my testimony if the opportunity arises. Don't hold on to your fears, release them. Jesus says He desires our minds to be filled with life and the peace of the spirit.
     I want to encourage you today to tell Him that you release your thoughts to Him and ask Him to put those people in your life who you can be vulnerable with even when you might feel so afraid. I found this to be incredibly true for me when I was able to share with a friend my testimony and instead of feeling fear and anxiety afterwards I felt an unearthly sense of joy and peace. It may look much different for you depending on your circumstance or who you are surrounded by, but I simply encourage you to release your thoughts and fears to Him and ask Him for that mind filled with life and peace. "But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace." Romans 8:6

Blessings

It's rare when I actually recognize a blessing for what it's worth. Usually, it takes me at least a week or two to see it and then I am in awe at what took place. This will be my last week at home before I head for Washington next week and I'd like to name a few blessings for you readers that have caught me by surprise on these last few days at home. 
      Minnesota will always be home, I have many certain spots of this state that are both near and dear to my heart. One of them being the Shoreview YMCA, where I work at a daycare. I have both loved and found it challenging working there. I've been challenged by it when the baby I'm holding is screaming in my ears and just wants to be held by their mommy, and I am grateful for the co-workers who I clean up with, do puzzles and talk about life with when we are waiting for the next group of kids to check into the room. I am grateful for this job and for the life skills that I didn't even realize that I was developing until I looked back and thought, "Wow I really did get that baby to stop crying and I was able to sit and play Candy Land with those two adorable little boys!" I miss this job already and look forward to working there again when I return from Washington and my outreach.
       I have had the amazing blessing of friends. Last weekend I went to an event called the "Awakening," a student led worship event at Concordia Academy high school. It was an extended Awakening which meant that there was pizza, we played sardines, and were there until 11 p.m. worshiping the Lord. I laugh so hard when I am around a few of my good friends, one of whom I got to know better and am so glad I did. I loved looking around and seeing how diverse the student body and those of us graduates who returned are from one another. I loved taking a deep breath and watching the underclassmen worship, in awe of their smiles, sometimes occasional tears, and deep affection for the Lord. 
          To my Minnesota friends, I will always be grateful for the good times that have happened and the few more times that we'll be having together before I leave next week. I'm so grateful for those of you who have taken time out of your day to spend time with me. Whether it's been going to the Tea Garden, paddle boarding, hanging out at my house or going to the Awakening I am so happy to look back on the memories that I have made with each of you. I hope to have one of my next posts be written about my first few days  in Washington and how I am adjusting to this new chapter in my life. Whether it's the time zone, making new friends or who our speaker is for the first week I hope to keep you all informed about this next chapter. Thank you supporters, friends and family for all that you have done in my life. There will be 12 of us going on this adventure (interesting number, huh?), please pray for good chemistry for our team that we would love each other laugh together and cry together. I also ask that you would continue to also pray for open hearts for all of us in regards to what God is going to do in each of our lives over the next 6 months, and that we would be receptive to all of the teaching and have great expectations as to what God is going to do during our outreach phase as well. To close, I want to share with you a verse that made me smile as I thought about God carrying me, Isaiah 46:3-10, "Listen to me descendants of Jacob, all you who remain in Israel. I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime-until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you, To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal? Some people pour out their silver and gold and hire a craftsman to make a god from it. Then they bow down and worship it! They carry it around on their shoulders and when they set it down, it stays there. It can't even move! And when someone prays to it, there is no answer. It can't rescue anyone from trouble. Do not forget this! Keep it in mind! Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to past, for I do whatever I wish."

The Art of Thinking Brilliantly

A close family friend of ours often likes to remind us, "Act enthusiastic and you will be enthusiastic!" The numerous times that he has repeated this phrase to our family and then our parents passing it down to my sister and I, I have lost count of. It is a good reminder. That does not mean to cover up what we are really feeling, but to simply act positive about whatever situation you find yourself in. 
      I call this post, "The Art Of Thinking Brilliantly," after a sermon that I never grow tired of hearing by Graham Cooke. Graham Cooke is my favorite preacher and before I leave for my DTS in Washington, I will most likely be listening to him every week. I would like to challenge and encourage you as you read some key points that I heard from this sermon to take time to listen to it on your own. This is all about what to do when we may feel frustrated, overwhelmed and anxious, by whatever present situation we find ourselves in. I will be quoting Graham Cooke a lot, but I dare you after you read this post to check out, "The Art Of Thinking Brilliantly," by Graham Cooke. http://www.youtube.com/results_search_query=the+art+of+thinking+brilliantly+graham+cooke&oq=The+Art+Of+thinking+&gs. (Its a fairly long sermon that will come in part 1, 2....). 
         "Don't concentrate on faith. Concentrate on being loved." -Graham Cooke. This was probably the biggest statement of truth that he spoke to me as I sat in my room folding clothes and taking this in. We can put all of our effort into, yes Lord I believe, I believe help my unbelief! This is a great truth to cling to as a part of our faith life, but more important if not most important we need to cling to the truth of, wow God You love me? You love me because you love me because you love me? You sent Your only Son to die on the cross for me a death that I should have died? When we concentrate less on putting effort into faith and more on the fact that we are loved for free we can get excited about grace and intrigued about what God is doing in our lives. 
    "Let's be curious and intrigued! Happy when a problem comes! Your starting point when you face a problem guarantees your outcome." -Graham Cook. When I think about my future and the adventure that lies ahead for me at Washington I can choose to be 1) Frustrated because Idaho did not work out and who knows when, if ever I could go to my dream that God has put on my heart of going to India or 2) Wahoo I've got a trial! Jesus is so majestic and wonderful, this is the starting point of my thinking of my trial, so we won't just wait for the outcome of my trial to be victorious. Right now as this trial does it's work in me I can think, "I am victorious, because Jesus is victorious for me." This is thinking brilliantly. 
          I hope that I have intrigued you and encouraged you to not just listen to my words or Graham Cooke's words, but listen to what God has put on your heart. Ask Him, "What outcome has been assigned to me in the situations I'm facing?" This is a constant tug at my heart that I am everyday learning to answer. I am not perfect and neither is Graham Cooke, but Jesus is. This is crucial for us to remember as we listen to different preachers and read different blogs. I want to end with this quote, "Be kind for everyone you know is fighting their own battle." -Ian Macleran. I hope this quote encourages and reminds you that you are not alone in whatever trial you are facing. When we hear this next verse and we hear brothers and sisters it makes me feel comforted as I am reminded that when we are vulnerable with each other in whatever we are going through we are able to endure the trial with joy.  "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4. 

Taken Care Of

"Taken care of." Our minds and our souls can go many places when we here that phrase. Sometimes we might be jealous of those who we feel are being more taken care of than ourselves, other times we might be overwhelmed at the sense of peace that people are offering us by sincerely reaching out and offering us true care. Over the last few days I have felt very anxious about my future. As many of my readers know, I have had YWAM Idaho and the country India planted on my heart since I was young. However, as many of us have heard the phrase, "We plan, God laughs," this is pretty much where I am now. God always has a better plan, and while I like to think of myself as a planner and organizer, He has always got something better in mind.
     A few days ago, I got a notification on my phone about an e-mail from one of the staff in Idaho, explaining that we had a problem at our DTS and,  due to only three attendees, we might have to cancel. DTS stands for Discipleship Training School, so before we would head to our outreach in India we have the first three months of lecture phase to teach, deepen and prepare us in Idaho. Now a new decision has been made and they are no longer offering a DTS this fall at the Cascade, ID base. You, reader can imagine my disappointment, my sleepless nights and crying out to God wondering what my next step is. "Taken care of, "... let's put that phrase on the shelf and come back to it in a little bit. 
         One of the staff at  Idaho recommended a place in Port Townsend, Washington. Marty, a director from Idaho base will even be going there to speak for a week. Once we confirmed that the  was indeed cancelled, my mom and I called the number fro Taken care of. This is exactly how I felt after the phone call with Allen from Discovery Bay. With his Australian accent he counciled me, "Amelia, this adventure is really about you going deeper in your relationship with Christ. That is the most important aspect of this entire experience." . I couldn't help, but think, wow God, really? What do you have in store for me there? I thought that this whole adventure was about India?  Taken care of. 
      Through this long season of waiting and trusting God I am so grateful for all of your prayers as supporters not only financially, but being there and praying for me, spending time with me and encouraging me. I have no doubt that Washington is now where I am called to be and who knows, I may be going to India yet, and on God's timeline (and I may adopt a few kids)! During this season of waiting to start in September I am trying to remember that God doesn't simply want us to cope through the hard times, He wants us to GROW through them. I am learning and trusting daily to be thankful during this waiting time, excited to receive this acceptance packet and looking forward to connecting with the other 9 people who will be joining me on this adventure. Thank you to those of you who are reading this and are supporters in my life, please keep me in your prayers and don't be afraid to ask me any questions regarding this new transition. Remember, dear reader, we are all taken care of. 
     
        
      

The Importance of Friendship

Something that has always taken up a large part of our prayer time at home has been asking God to provide good friends for our family. Growing up as a homeschooler, my mom always wanted to make sure that my sister and I were social with other kids our age so we attended a homeschool co-op. This is a place that provides additional academics and activities for kids who are homeschooled. Things like science classes, creative writing and gym were offered while parents spent time together learning from books and speakers.  
         I am so thankful for my parents choosing to have Grace and I be a part of this, but I could not be more thankful for the fact that my parents prayed for Grace and I to have good friends as we got older as well as when we were young.
     The other day my two best friends and I decided to have a photo shoot. I have to admit, at first I did not want to go. I thought that it would be hours of taking pictures and that I would just want to go home. Instead, I am so happy that I went! I hope to have some of these pictures of the three of us at the slideshow at my wedding someday and to always look back on these photos and laugh and say, "Hey remember when we made Catie lie down in the middle of the road?" (It was a bridge that we were taking pictures where cars weren't allowed to drive and my other best friend Elise, who is very photogenic, thought it would be a good angle and slightly humourous to have Catie lie down at that angle, it turned out to be a great picture).
     I am so thankful for these girls who I have known since my freshman year in high school. I would often wonder as a little kid, "Will I ever find the right friends who are like me and love me for who I am?" I did. I have laughed with these girls until my stomach hurts as we play Murder by a bonfire, cried with them when I need prayer and can always call them in the middle of the night if I am just up late and need someone to talk to. They have drawn me so close to my Savior and over this next year of my life as we all go our seperate ways I will miss them so, so much. However, this is a new season. This is a new time for all three of us to grow to our full potential as young women. I know for a fact that I will see them again. Even though my parents have had to sign off an agreement that they would let YWAM bury me in India if I died on outreach, I know even that I will see these girls in heaven. What a gift, what a pleasure to know, love, laugh, cry and spend time with them.
     I hope you, reader enjoy these photos that we took together and know that the only reason why I could have grown so close with these friends was because all three of us were close with our Savior. We know Him, love Him, sometimes are mad at Him, but always cling to Him for true hope and redemption. Elise and Catie, thanks for the fun I can't wait to take more pictures when we are all three reunited again:)

 

 

God Beside Me

For some reason I never have trouble doubting God's presence next to me when I am away from home in the outdoors. It is a mysterious thing where I can simply just rest and know that God is beside me and all I have to do is have faith to trust and know that He really is there and present. When I have less distractions and technology in my life I feel less irritated and more happy, and focused on what really matters and why I am called to live this life that God has planned for me. 
         One memory I have is of our most recent trip as a family camping at Whitewater State Park. This is an annual trip that we take every summer with my dad's co-workers and their families. As we sat around the bonfire late at night, laughing and talking, I was caught off guard by the intense welling up of gratitude that overwhelmed me and sent a surge of joy running through my entire being. Looking around at all the faces I thought to myself, "Wow. I have been taught by these people, corrected, loved and appreciated. Here I am now, a high school graduate sitting in their company in this same place that I have been since I was 6 years old, and now I really get to have the privilege of simply enjoying them." It is an amazing thing that we often aren't able to fathom, that God wants us to enjoy life. He even tells us very specifically in His Word, "Celebrate God all day, every day. Revel in Him! Don't fret or worry. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God know your concerns."-Philippians 4. Lately, besides the immense feeling of gratitude I have been realizing how blessed we are as humans to have a God who desires relationship. A God who says, I want to talk with you, yes you! Wouldn't you want to spend time with me today so that I can bless you when you sit and talk with me?
        When we start to wake up and realize how simply good God is we are able to find what it means to rest in Him and have the privilege of knowing Him intimately. On this last trip to Whitewater State Park, (I hope to have many more and bring my kids there camping someday, God willing) I came to a deeper understanding of God always being with me and beside me. Looking back, I long to be there again, communing with our friends sharing the same campsite, waking up to seeing each other whether it's simply on our way out of our tent, or a good morning sitting beside each other by the campfire and reading before a long hike. I am so grateful for these people and this experience of fellowship. Camping is often times challenging, especially when you will find a frog in the bathrooms or a racoon that your dad is determined to scare off the campsite by punching it through the inside of the tent. 

The most beautiful part of the experience is the simplicity of friendship and time together as families. I look forward to next year and to right now trusting God more deeply because even here at home with all the distractions I know that He is right here beside me, even as I type this. Thank you dear friends, for this sweet experience and the memories that we have made together. Let's continue to share the fellowship of our lives spent together in our own kitchens and backyards. Peace to you, readers may this encourage you to be able to fathom the overwhelming grace that the God of the Universe is right there beside you, where you are reading this, right now. 

Livin' the Dream

You know the drill in a few minutes you will be leaving and you want to make sure that you have remembered everything on your packing list. No matter where you travel whether it is across the world, or just a few hours away to visit your grandparents you want to make sure that you've remembered everything. I got a second chance at this as my first flight to Chicago was cancelled and I got to go back home, double check and rest up before the next day when I would leave for this adventure. Was I disappointed about this cancellation? Of course, but it gave me perspective knowing that I would be in my destination in a couple of days and this simply meant more time with my family. 
        I fell in love with a country. I have always thought of myself as a born traveller, someone who loves trying new things, meeting new people and of course going to those far off places that we read about in story books. It's name was Doolin, Ireland. A small town filled with people who go out of their way to make sure you save extra on the sweater that you just bought, and the manager of the small cafe will come make sure that everything is just right for you. I loved waking up in the morning and seeing horses and rolling hills from the bed and breakfast that my Aunt and I stayed in. "Livin' the dream...livin' the dream," was a thought that occurred to me more that once while I stayed in that town and enjoyed my carrot cake in the small cafe, as well as on Sunday night in the pub engaging with the locals and being in awe of the musicians as they played with the type of songs that you would typically picture for classic Irish music-lots of jigs and songs of love.  
 
     Most of all I was amazed, not at the beauty which was breathtaking, but by the unpretentious, kindness of the people who lived there. I want to be known by my kindness. Even if these people didn't have a place for us to stay at their bed and breakfasts they would call a bed and breakfast so that we would have a place to stay.  Do you want to literally take people's breath away? Be kind. As the famous quote says, "be kind for everyone is fighting their own battle," (Plato).  This is how we can not just change the world,  but change people by our kindness. Starting today, "And to love without growing tired," as Mother Teresa says. It is also what Jesus calls us to do,  and most importantly what we are made for. It is our mission to start showing kindness today. To the people of Doolin, Ireland thank you for not only showing me the beauty of Ireland, but the beauty of your people. Thank you for having such a place as O'Conners pub that plays music every night as well as for the way that you make someone so far from home feel comfortable in your presence. I cherish the memories I've made here with my Aunt and hope to make more with all of you in the future. 

You Make Beautiful Things

     As I have come to grips with the fact that I have actually graduated from high school, a new reality has shaken me. I am awakened to what is really important to me and what is not.
     One of the many things that is important to me is the people that God has blessed me with and placed in my life for special reasons. The other night I had a bonfire at my house where I had a couple of my friends come talk about their adventures with YWAM and going on outreach to India. It was both hilarious and insightful to listen to the two of them exchange stories. Hearing one of them say, "Did you get to visit the third largest mountain in the world?" and then the other would say, "No, but did you get to go sledding?" This is not all the outreach entails, obviously. My outreach will involve teaching hygiene classes, sharing my testimony and much more which is also what these two had to do. I remember one of these friends sharing a story about coming upon a man who was lying by the side of the road literally dying and yet no one would touch or help him. His (YWAM) team took the man and found medical help. THAT is what I call really important. Looking around the fire that night I was amazed at the influence that we as believers can have on unbelievers and what God is able to accomplish through his people if we would simply let Him in.
     Two of the friends that were by the fire that night have had amazing transformations through their high school years. Listening to one of my friends talk about how badly the church needs to be more united, I was amazed at how true I have found this to be. One of the biggest aspects my friends' transformations was the fact that their friends, who were believers, never gave up on them, prayed for them and didn't judge them for their past mistakes, but chose to listen and then correct at the same time. Truth, forgiveness and love are amazing and uniting forces. 
        I call this post, "You Make Beautiful Things," after the song, by Michael Gungor. One of my favorite lines from that song is, "All around hope is springing up from this old ground. Out of chaos life is being found in You." There was hope springing up from the dirty ground around the fire that night as we ended the night praying together and encouraging one other. Although, the older generations may be skeptical that kids like us do not exist, who sit around a campfire and worship and pray together like we did that night, the older generations  need to not set such low expectations of what we as young adults are capable of. Through fellowship like this together and not being quick to judge one another we are able to bring others into community and relationship with Christ. This is what we are called to do as a body of believers, this is real love. I want to challenge you as readers to ask yourselves, young or old, "Am I setting low expectations for myself in my walk with Christ? What do I truly think that God is capable of doing through me?" Conviction is good, it's healthy, but as individuals we need to walk out of that conviction and embrace the reality that we are forgiven and loved. This truth is what is important to me, and I hope to you. Anything that distracts us from this truth falls in my "not important" category. Through walking out of the distractions and lies the world hands us and walking into and realizing the hope we truly have, it becomes our mission as believers to share that hope with our community, family, friends and the world.

Gratitude for Community

I am so grateful for the people in my life who make me laugh. In my last post I wrote about my last track meet, which went very well. As I had talked about there being much pain in running, there can also be a rush of joy as you realize what you are truly capable of. I will never forget running my last lap of the 4 by 8 and hearing a teammate cheer for me yelling,"You only have 350 meters left to go!" This is not the most helpful information to hear as you are finishing an event, but it did make me laugh! As there are many "lasts" as a graduate and a finished track season is one of them, my prayer is that there will never be an end to the friendships, as well as to the memories that have been made and stories that will be retold as the years go by. There is truly no place like home and as I will begin my DTS this fall I can look forward to, Lord willing, coming home to these people. I am so grateful to hear my coaches say that they really do want us to come back and visit. At the same time right now I can look ahead. I am already getting so excited thinking about being in Idaho in the mountains and eventually off to India.
       There is meaning and purpose behind each aspect of our lives. My prayer for the CA community, from where I graduated, is that they would continue to do the next thing in love, to have gratitude for each other and that when I would come back from India and visit, that there would continue to be joy in everyone with whom I have shared so much and so many memories.

My Last Lap

Have you ever tried running? Not just from danger, I mean. I have run cross country all four years and track my freshman and senior year. One of the many things that I love about this sport is that, as selfish as this might sound, this whole running experience is all about you as an individual. It is up to you to decide how fast you are really going to run, whether it is around the track or up a hill, and the biggest aspect of this is your mind. Your mind is capable of telling you whether or not you should slow down as you run up the hill because you still have a mile to go before you cross the finish line and your mind will also tell you that you can do it as you know that you only have one lap left. As excited and thrilled as I am about being done with competitive running, I can choose now that tomorrow both during my race and throughout the day my mind can be sent on things above. "Set your mind on things above not on earthly things." Colossians 3:2. We can sent our minds on our current circumstances, our emotions, pain and hurt, or we can set our minds to focus on the truth of who we are, how we are made and in whose image we are made. When I have one lap left to run I am going to leave it all on the field and give it my best. What are you going to do with your last lap? 

The part you are probably wondering about as a reader is why I have started this blog. The title is  helpful describing it as my YWAM (Youth With a Mission) adventures. I am so excited for YWAM! I prayed that I would be accepted as a part of this DTS, but when my mom pulled up to the back door of the school to tell my that she had something exciting to share I remember standing by the car window and listening to a voicemail she had gotten saying just what I wanted to hear: that I had been accepted! After that began the process of writing support letters to help raise the 7,000 dollars that I pray I will reach by September 8th. The overall cost of the DTS/outreach is 6,000,but my goal is 7,000 so that I can purchase the rest of what I need for this adventure (anything from bedding to hiking Himalaya gear...).  I hope that my posts will keep you informed and encourage you as I write more when I start my YWAM adventure to start doing ministry. You don't have to travel to Idaho and be apart of a DTS for 3 months to do ministry. You don't have to travel to India for 3 months  in order to serve and love people. (Hopefully you already know all this). Bloom where you are planted, says my mom. Do the next thing in love. Ask God what He wants you to do right now, right where you are. It can be something that calls for physical change if He is calling you to travel, but it can also be something  that  matters for  His kingdom in another way like praying for missionaries like me who will be going to places like India to preach the gospel. My hope and prayer is that this blog will inspire you in the days to come and that you will  feel challenged to live love right where you are.