Training has begun! Lots of little things that need to be learned and done around base. People leaving and coming, getting base staff and school staff in the right spots and roles as we're beginning. Getting to know each other and our surroundings, testing our wings with this new role, hearing from people who've been doing it for years. Today the Basic Leadership School semi started for us staff to get a head start on our homework and book reports for that. (I need to find a good book on leadership to do a report on...suggestions? I know a bunch but want something GREAT!). We're starting to go through files and pray over our students, feel our way around the facebook group and start making contact.
One of the things we've been talking about is the importance of staying in contact with supporters and prayer partners back home. Newsletters, blogs, emails, trying to keep schedules to make sure all of that is happening. Remembering and putting into practice now times of rest and quiet. I met with our financial leader and he's giving me an updated sort of fees report this week that I'll be updating here and sending to supporters. I have been in contact with a supporter from home that's having trouble transferring money into my account so continued prayers for finances would be wonderful.
It's been really chilly here in the mornings with frost on the ground and the cars. But the midday has been sunny and pleasant. The mountains are making snow now that it's getting cold enough up there so they have a good base for the real stuff that's been sporadic. Saturday the SDTS staff team is going into Christchurch to pick up our last guy and go to the SFC (Snowboarders for Christ) kickoff. Should be a good time, get me amped for the snowboard season here.
During my quiet time I've been reading through Genesis. I read thru the New Testament while I was a DTS student and as staff I figured I'd go through the Old. One of the things that's been sticking out to me is how much everything God does comes from a heart of complete, divine love for His people. From making a help mate for Adam, to separating them from the tree of life, to making them skins to wear, even marking Cain, everything He does comes from this complete love for His people. Even when things didn't make sense or even when they seem to be just a reaction to sin, EVERYTHING is done from love. Like the Father just LOVES. He just totally, completely loves His people. We don't even know what that kind of love is like. Human love, even it's like most pure state is still really selfish, we're still doing or getting something out or in return for it. And here you have this marvelous Creator who just got done making the whole earth and is so powerful and so in control of everything and can do anything and He chooses to love these weak, small, little people and doesn't love them with anything but all of Himself!
28 May 2012
25 May 2012
Landed!
Well I am here! In the frozen South! Well ok, it's not quite frozen but a quite a bit colder than the 90 degree days I left in Minnesota.
My flights over were not bad. Actually all of them had some little supernatural bonus. The first flight from Minneapolis to LA I was slotted to sit in the dreaded middle seat. (This was not something I was looking forward to knowing I was going from saying goodbye to Jenny downstairs to getting squished between two other travelers during the last night hours on my body clock) well the third person in the row didn't show up so I got my favorite aisle seat. While this was lovely, we ended up not being able to leave Minneapolis until twenty minutes after we were supposed to because of weather, added with time wasted taxing in LA, I was still sitting on my first plane almost 40 minutes after they started boarding my long haul flight! I was praying while sitting on the plane that I would somehow make the flight which was set to take off in 20 minutes. Thankfully the gates were right next to each so I ran from one door to the next and got on my flight to Australia. I was in the middle of a 3, 3, 3 set up. I was in the aisle of that middle 3 column, well this flight the person in the middle of that 3 section didn't show. So the hilarious Australian girl on the other side of me decided we'd take that middle seat in shifts and spread out to sleep. She ended up being a super sweet seat mate. She even made sure the flight attendants left me food when I slept through dinner! When I finally landed in Australia I had to check in with Air New Zealand for my international transfer ticket. When I got to the line (6 am ish) the man at the counter asked me what kind of ticket I wanted. I said I didn't know, just a normal ticket? He said he'd give me a "works deluxe" ticket. I didn't know what that meant until I got on the plane 2 hours later. He's gotten me an aisle seat, with an upgraded entertainment system, meals and drinks! He'd gotten my name on some list and they treated me like royalty! Every time some silly little bonus like that happened I just smiled knowing my Heavenly Daddy was just showing me how much he loves to love me. I totally appreciated it! (And all of you who were praying for safe and peaceful flights!)
I met my school leader, Loren at the airport along with another base staff. We went down to Christchurch to see the damage from the 2011 earthquakes. WOAH! I was not prepared for what I saw. I guess just because American media didn't really focus so much on it after the initial sort of panic. Whole portions of the city are leveled. Our old stomping grounds are in ruin. One of the areas that I spent a lot of time in when I came as a student was Manchester St where we worked with a prostitution ministry. This was one of the hardest hit areas in all of Christchurch. In a really odd way I wonder if in some ways it was not an answer to our prayers to crumble the strong holds of evil on that street. Not that we would ever pray for destruction like I saw but I know God works through all things...
We got back to the base and I got to see the new building which was only in the praying and dreaming stages when I was here as a student. It's awesome. A place where our whole school will be able to eat together and learn together on our own property. And I also got to see where I'm staying, in my own room! And while this is not that abnormal in life at home if you know YWAM you know this is rare. Rare and I am super thankful for it! Haha, supernaturally? I'm totally spoiled!
My first days here have been great. (COLD!) but great. God has filled me with peace and calm about being here. I was so worried and panicked at home about leaving and what was coming and not knowing. While I still don't know a ton of details or some of the ins and outs of whats going to happen in the next many months I am filled with peace that I know can only come from God. I have prayed and have been joined with so many others just praying that this would be a time of peace for me and God has and is answering those prayers. I am incredibly blessed by that.
I will update financially in a few days after I've met with our financial guy. But for now I wanted to let you all know I'm here, I'm blessed, I'm safe and sound and content in the place God has me right now. Please continue to pray and keep us covered in prayer for the staff, students and this entire school and base. Monday we're going to start staff training where we will get to start planning and dreaming for this school. I'm excited and ready. Let's do this!
My flights over were not bad. Actually all of them had some little supernatural bonus. The first flight from Minneapolis to LA I was slotted to sit in the dreaded middle seat. (This was not something I was looking forward to knowing I was going from saying goodbye to Jenny downstairs to getting squished between two other travelers during the last night hours on my body clock) well the third person in the row didn't show up so I got my favorite aisle seat. While this was lovely, we ended up not being able to leave Minneapolis until twenty minutes after we were supposed to because of weather, added with time wasted taxing in LA, I was still sitting on my first plane almost 40 minutes after they started boarding my long haul flight! I was praying while sitting on the plane that I would somehow make the flight which was set to take off in 20 minutes. Thankfully the gates were right next to each so I ran from one door to the next and got on my flight to Australia. I was in the middle of a 3, 3, 3 set up. I was in the aisle of that middle 3 column, well this flight the person in the middle of that 3 section didn't show. So the hilarious Australian girl on the other side of me decided we'd take that middle seat in shifts and spread out to sleep. She ended up being a super sweet seat mate. She even made sure the flight attendants left me food when I slept through dinner! When I finally landed in Australia I had to check in with Air New Zealand for my international transfer ticket. When I got to the line (6 am ish) the man at the counter asked me what kind of ticket I wanted. I said I didn't know, just a normal ticket? He said he'd give me a "works deluxe" ticket. I didn't know what that meant until I got on the plane 2 hours later. He's gotten me an aisle seat, with an upgraded entertainment system, meals and drinks! He'd gotten my name on some list and they treated me like royalty! Every time some silly little bonus like that happened I just smiled knowing my Heavenly Daddy was just showing me how much he loves to love me. I totally appreciated it! (And all of you who were praying for safe and peaceful flights!)
I met my school leader, Loren at the airport along with another base staff. We went down to Christchurch to see the damage from the 2011 earthquakes. WOAH! I was not prepared for what I saw. I guess just because American media didn't really focus so much on it after the initial sort of panic. Whole portions of the city are leveled. Our old stomping grounds are in ruin. One of the areas that I spent a lot of time in when I came as a student was Manchester St where we worked with a prostitution ministry. This was one of the hardest hit areas in all of Christchurch. In a really odd way I wonder if in some ways it was not an answer to our prayers to crumble the strong holds of evil on that street. Not that we would ever pray for destruction like I saw but I know God works through all things...
We got back to the base and I got to see the new building which was only in the praying and dreaming stages when I was here as a student. It's awesome. A place where our whole school will be able to eat together and learn together on our own property. And I also got to see where I'm staying, in my own room! And while this is not that abnormal in life at home if you know YWAM you know this is rare. Rare and I am super thankful for it! Haha, supernaturally? I'm totally spoiled!
My first days here have been great. (COLD!) but great. God has filled me with peace and calm about being here. I was so worried and panicked at home about leaving and what was coming and not knowing. While I still don't know a ton of details or some of the ins and outs of whats going to happen in the next many months I am filled with peace that I know can only come from God. I have prayed and have been joined with so many others just praying that this would be a time of peace for me and God has and is answering those prayers. I am incredibly blessed by that.
I will update financially in a few days after I've met with our financial guy. But for now I wanted to let you all know I'm here, I'm blessed, I'm safe and sound and content in the place God has me right now. Please continue to pray and keep us covered in prayer for the staff, students and this entire school and base. Monday we're going to start staff training where we will get to start planning and dreaming for this school. I'm excited and ready. Let's do this!
22 May 2012
Last night in MN
Well this is it, my last night in Minnesota for a while. My last night ever in this house. It's been a very short I suppose journey but filled with ups and downs as I've prepared for this crazy adventure. Right now I suppose I'm just so tired and worn out from crying that there's not much emotion left in me.
Today I took my sweet Izze girl out of school and we went to Mall of America to spend an afternoon just being with each other and making some sweet memories and spoiling my girl. At one point we headed down to the Sealife Aquarium and we're watching a woman feed the sting rays. They have built a small play structure in and around the tank, there are little clear domes the kids can crawl in and through to get an up close look at the sting rays. Above the tank there is a small walk way and a portion of it has a clear glass bottom. I stepped out and said how cool it was after Izze pointed it out to me. "Come here." I said and held my hand out to her. "I don't want to, I'm scared." She said. I held my hand out to her again and told her she needed to be brave; my hand was right there. And she did it. Without stopping to think about it, without weighing her options. She grabbed my hand and stepped out onto the glass and joined me.
And instantly I knew this was what God was asking me to do. We were no higher than 8 feet above the ground but to such a little girl I'm sure it felt much higher. And while it does seem scary to step out onto a floor that you can see right through, it was thick glass and there was a bottom. God's not asking me to walk on water right now. He knows I'm scared and that I don't want to journey into that fear. But He's holding His hand out and asking me to join Him on this glass bottomed floor...
If you have been praying please continue. The next few days will be full of challenges for me. I found out just this evening that weekly staff fees have gone up to $100/wk instead of $95 and while it does not seem that big of a jump over 17 weeks that's almost $100 I was not planning for. So please continue to lift my finances up in prayer, I'm still about $1200 short with this new total. (If you would feel lead to give you can use the PayPal link in the upper right corner). Also please pray for peace as I'm having to say "See you later" to the ones I love the most, as well as safe travels, peace at the airports and that my luggage would arrive safely and on time.
I am incredibly blessed by many, many loving, supportive relationships here in Minnesota that I will miss dearly. I'm excited for the plans God has for all of our lives this summer and the coming fall. Please continue to check back for updates. (Feel free to leave comments and encouragement :) Please also continue to pray for this journey. This is by far the most important need and request I have. Please, please continue to keep me in prayer through out this entire process.
Catch ya on the flip side!
Today I took my sweet Izze girl out of school and we went to Mall of America to spend an afternoon just being with each other and making some sweet memories and spoiling my girl. At one point we headed down to the Sealife Aquarium and we're watching a woman feed the sting rays. They have built a small play structure in and around the tank, there are little clear domes the kids can crawl in and through to get an up close look at the sting rays. Above the tank there is a small walk way and a portion of it has a clear glass bottom. I stepped out and said how cool it was after Izze pointed it out to me. "Come here." I said and held my hand out to her. "I don't want to, I'm scared." She said. I held my hand out to her again and told her she needed to be brave; my hand was right there. And she did it. Without stopping to think about it, without weighing her options. She grabbed my hand and stepped out onto the glass and joined me.
And instantly I knew this was what God was asking me to do. We were no higher than 8 feet above the ground but to such a little girl I'm sure it felt much higher. And while it does seem scary to step out onto a floor that you can see right through, it was thick glass and there was a bottom. God's not asking me to walk on water right now. He knows I'm scared and that I don't want to journey into that fear. But He's holding His hand out and asking me to join Him on this glass bottomed floor...
If you have been praying please continue. The next few days will be full of challenges for me. I found out just this evening that weekly staff fees have gone up to $100/wk instead of $95 and while it does not seem that big of a jump over 17 weeks that's almost $100 I was not planning for. So please continue to lift my finances up in prayer, I'm still about $1200 short with this new total. (If you would feel lead to give you can use the PayPal link in the upper right corner). Also please pray for peace as I'm having to say "See you later" to the ones I love the most, as well as safe travels, peace at the airports and that my luggage would arrive safely and on time.
I am incredibly blessed by many, many loving, supportive relationships here in Minnesota that I will miss dearly. I'm excited for the plans God has for all of our lives this summer and the coming fall. Please continue to check back for updates. (Feel free to leave comments and encouragement :) Please also continue to pray for this journey. This is by far the most important need and request I have. Please, please continue to keep me in prayer through out this entire process.
Catch ya on the flip side!
16 May 2012
A week out...
A week from today I will be getting ready to take off the second leg of my 2 day journey to New Zealand. There are a lot of thoughts and emotions this week. If you have been praying for me this week, PLEASE KEEP GOING! Your prayers and your thoughts and wisdom have been felt and appreciated. Last week I was an emotional mess, literally I could only go a few hours without bawling. I was racked by fear, anxiety, nervousness, and doubt. This week while I am still incredibly nervous and anxious there is an odd sense of calm, comfort and even excitement maybe? I know this is the new season God has for me and while the next week is going to be emotional because I am so blessed by such amazing relationships and community here in Minnesota I know I am journeying into an amazing adventure with the Lord right now. The blessings and favor has poured out again and again! Financial support is almost all in! I'm only about $1200 short of the total needed! This has been a tornado of a week.... This past weekend I was personal attendant for my dear friends Nicole and Jon's wedding.
I don't know what it is about weddings. When I left in 2007 my Mom married Jon less than a week before I left and now Nicole and Jon. I don't know if it's just a fluke or if there is a little wink from God that these wonderful and beautiful glimpses into the Kingdom just keep happening around major leaps for me.
At the end of the weekend I got to spend a last sort of "normal" Sunday with my best friend; Doing and cherishing the normal routine. I've realized that lately, I LOVE routine! I love and find security in knowing what's coming next, knowing what to expect, etc. I think part of my fear in this new venture is I know I'm going to lose my current routine and I don't yet know what my new one will be. (Thankfully I know for any school to run smoothly there will be a routine. I just don't know what it is). But I also realize there are going to be times when I need to let go and let things happen as they will.
AND THEN.... as you can see from the last entry...my newest and dear little niece Faith Isabelle came into the world on Monday at 11:01 AM. She is perfect, just as her older cousin is. It amazes me because I've said since she was born that I could never love anyone the way I love Izze and in a moment it felt like my heart grew even bigger and suddenly there was room for another tiny little being in there! She gave Sissy quite a battle but she is finally here. Safe, sound and beautiful! With long skinny fingers, huge checks and big pouty lips. As soon as I heard she was coming I just had one wish with her before I leave, I wished that I could hold her and Isabelle just once in my arms at the same time. Just to have both my girls in my arms once. And tonight I got that wish...
Isabelle Michelle and her new cousin named after her, Faith Isabelle.
The most perfect little girls in the whole world!
I was going to say, next week this time this new adventure will have started. I will have officially ended my time at Zanewood, packed, said goodbye to these precious little girls and their Mama's, cried my eyes out saying goodbye to Jen and gotten on the plane. But this adventure has already started. God is doing this. He is doing this...
14 May 2012
She's here!
Thank you Lord for the miracle of birth. For another beautiful, perfect little girl. Mostly safe delivery for my sister and a chance to hold her in my arms before I leave. It's so crazy to see this little body and know even thou I have not met her officially I would lay down my life for this little baby. I am so in love!!
Welcome to the world Faithy Lou. Auntie loves you more than life!!
09 May 2012
Faith is due today...in more ways than one.
My niece Faith Isabelle was due to be born today...with two and a half hours left of her due date she's looking like she's picking a different birthday. I hope someone lets her know we're on a time crunch, her Auntie would like to meet her and I've only got fourteen days left in this country.
Speaking of being two weeks out, if you have committed to praying for and with me through this journey please start now. I'm really struggling. It's gotten to the point where everything starts piling up, the days start flashing by like strobe lights and the time spent with friends and family is never enough. This has been the hardest part of finding out two months ago, there just isn't (its feels like enough time). I can't believe Bitsy was here this weekend, time is flying by so quickly it does not even seem real.
I still am without a flight and my bank deposit is being held with the funds I do have. Prayers for supernatural release of finances and provision and favor with travel agents would be much appreciated.
Prayers also for my heart and mind. I am feeling Satan's attacks from every direction. He's seeking to tear apart my relationships, my health, my finances, every step towards New Zealand seems to have some secondary bunny trail of complications. Part of me is waiting for someone to finally jump out of the curtain and say, "Nope forget it, it's just not going to work."
But in my heart I know it is. I know God has a wonderful and powerful and amazing plan for me this season and for my family and friends back home. I just pray that the Holy Spirit would come with peace, comfort, wisdom, mercy, favor and joy in these last few days.
Speaking of being two weeks out, if you have committed to praying for and with me through this journey please start now. I'm really struggling. It's gotten to the point where everything starts piling up, the days start flashing by like strobe lights and the time spent with friends and family is never enough. This has been the hardest part of finding out two months ago, there just isn't (its feels like enough time). I can't believe Bitsy was here this weekend, time is flying by so quickly it does not even seem real.
I still am without a flight and my bank deposit is being held with the funds I do have. Prayers for supernatural release of finances and provision and favor with travel agents would be much appreciated.
Prayers also for my heart and mind. I am feeling Satan's attacks from every direction. He's seeking to tear apart my relationships, my health, my finances, every step towards New Zealand seems to have some secondary bunny trail of complications. Part of me is waiting for someone to finally jump out of the curtain and say, "Nope forget it, it's just not going to work."
But in my heart I know it is. I know God has a wonderful and powerful and amazing plan for me this season and for my family and friends back home. I just pray that the Holy Spirit would come with peace, comfort, wisdom, mercy, favor and joy in these last few days.
02 May 2012
Half is in!!
News worth celebrating: Last night a friend (whose fundraising for her own short term missions trip this summer) pledged the last $125! That pushed total funds raised to $2000 and I was able to email my church and let them know it was time to release the money they pledged unto New Zealand. Praise Him for answered prayer within 24 hours!!
This afternoon I realized once again that life happens anywhere, anytime. This afternoon both my car and my phone stopped functioning as they should, at the same time. Isabelle is hot, hungry and excited in my back seat. Her innocent questions and comments relentless. I'm hot, over tired, and at the gates of strep throat in the front. I could feel angry, stressed, overwhelmed tears threatening on the dark side of my sunglasses. In my heart I could hear a question, "How are you going to react?"
And I suppose that is the question that I will have to keep in the forefront of my mind in this season. None of any of this is what I had planned. None of this afternoon was anything I wanted to do or deal with. So much of my life is out of my control or unexpected and God is wanting to know, how am I going to react. At the end of the day do I believe scripture when it says my God has everything in control and that He works all things together for my good? My natural instinct is always emotion. I'm a feeler first and a planner second. I think tonight and I think the moving of my heart towards that question was a challenge to take two seconds and ask myself "How am I going to react? How are outward actions going to reflect my heart and my faith?" Am I going to take two seconds to be intentional about my choice instead of letting my emotions pop off immediately. Maybe a good cry is what's needed in the moment and maybe it's time to bit my tongue and get through the moment. I think tonight was a challenge to be intentional. To be intentionally in the huge mountain top, major moments in my life and in the quiet, private, stress induced moments on my own.
Prayers are always appreciated!
Tonight I'm praying for the rest of the $1200 needed for my flight would come in and I would be able to purchase my ticket at the cheapest rate possible. This would be a MAJOR stress relieved.
I'm praying that my car would be able to fixed as soon and as painlessly as possible.
I'm praying for a complete healing of my throat and body and that I would not be sick or distracted this weekend as BITSY IS COMING INTO TOWN!
This afternoon I realized once again that life happens anywhere, anytime. This afternoon both my car and my phone stopped functioning as they should, at the same time. Isabelle is hot, hungry and excited in my back seat. Her innocent questions and comments relentless. I'm hot, over tired, and at the gates of strep throat in the front. I could feel angry, stressed, overwhelmed tears threatening on the dark side of my sunglasses. In my heart I could hear a question, "How are you going to react?"
And I suppose that is the question that I will have to keep in the forefront of my mind in this season. None of any of this is what I had planned. None of this afternoon was anything I wanted to do or deal with. So much of my life is out of my control or unexpected and God is wanting to know, how am I going to react. At the end of the day do I believe scripture when it says my God has everything in control and that He works all things together for my good? My natural instinct is always emotion. I'm a feeler first and a planner second. I think tonight and I think the moving of my heart towards that question was a challenge to take two seconds and ask myself "How am I going to react? How are outward actions going to reflect my heart and my faith?" Am I going to take two seconds to be intentional about my choice instead of letting my emotions pop off immediately. Maybe a good cry is what's needed in the moment and maybe it's time to bit my tongue and get through the moment. I think tonight was a challenge to be intentional. To be intentionally in the huge mountain top, major moments in my life and in the quiet, private, stress induced moments on my own.
Prayers are always appreciated!
Tonight I'm praying for the rest of the $1200 needed for my flight would come in and I would be able to purchase my ticket at the cheapest rate possible. This would be a MAJOR stress relieved.
I'm praying that my car would be able to fixed as soon and as painlessly as possible.
I'm praying for a complete healing of my throat and body and that I would not be sick or distracted this weekend as BITSY IS COMING INTO TOWN!
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