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.