In 2007 while in Alaska I started a tradition I like to call the Thanksgiving ABC's and every year I take some time to Celebrate God's goodness (not the only time of the year that I do, but in this fashion!) Try it..it's so much fun!
A-Airplanes. They make getting around soooo easy! With their existence I have seen many many countries in the world.
B-Bed, I have an excellently comfortable bed. I sleep well every night.
C- Candles, they make places smell much better. And I love the crackly one we have in our house.
D-Dad of course! I can still call him any time to get advice and prayer and all that great stuff. He's an amazing Dad who loves Jesus a whole lot.
E- Early morning sunrises, though I do not see them much I am so grateful for them when I do.
F-Friends; We hosted a great thanksgiving feast full of good friends today!
G- Garages. I get to park in a garage. Wow. I am blessed.
H-Home. I have been blessed to live in the same little apartment for the past year in a half with my room mate Stacy.
I-Ice Cream dates with Jada every year as she is growing up. (My friends' daughter who has a birthday this time of year!)
J-Journalling. A way to process life!
K-Kenya and the team that I am getting to know right now. They are such a blessing and I am looking forward to ministering with them for 8 weeks this winter.
L-London and Romania Team. I love them so much, I had the best privilege in the world to take a team of 8 on the most transforming trip of their lives!
M- Mom, who is willing to let me cry when I need to and can chat for hours about the most random things, sends me stuff like probiotics in the mail and knows how to make a great chicken pot pie.
N-New (to us) couches from our friends who moved away. Would have loved for them to stay; but at the same time we are enjoying our new furniture.
O- Options. I am so blessed to have options. When I wake up I can decide what to wear. I can choose what to eat for breakfast. I can decide if i want to walk, bike or drive to work. I have multiple pairs of shoes...wow. Many don't have options and I have many. I am blessed.
P-Pumpkin Spice Egg Nog. I discovered I LOVE egg nog. I grew up thinking I didn't like it...now I know what I was missing.
Q- Quiet moments, especially when outside.
R- Recovery from chronic illness. Praise God. Still trusting Him for completion.
S- Shayla, the most adorable little niece ever, who loves Jesus and wants to do everything for him!
T-Toaster oven! We have become master cookers in the toaster oven!
U-Ukeleles. Seriously. Do you know how cool they sound?!
V-Vehicle. I am blessed to have wheels to drive around and can bless many other with it!
W-Water. I am so thankful for clean water to drink. So many people die every day just because they do not have clean water to drink.
X- eXamples in my life that pointed to Jesus everyday.
Y- Years and years of amazing life.
Z- Zeph. 3:17.. He quiets us with His love and He rejoices over us with singing. Our God is not dead. He is alive and He's living on the inside.
Happy Thanksgiving 2012. And many more.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Sunday, November 4, 2012
On the corner of 58th and Ward
I pulled up to the light on my way to church this evening...listening to a song by Jenny and Tyler...I looked over to check traffic as I was in yield lane. The corner of my eye caught a man shuffling along. His shoulders slightly hunched, he had headphones on his head, a school pack on his back with a sleeping bag strapped precariously on top. He had a bushy gray beard and appeared to be headed somewhere...
What was he doing out there? Why was he out there trudging along?
I think God showed me His heart in that moment because my eyes welled up with tears and I thought "Why is that man not at home with a family?" Why is he sleeping on the street? What was his story? Is he kept out because of pride? Or because of loneliness? Rejection? Failure?
Jesus, take care of him tonight. I wanted to ask him "Where is your family? Do you not have anyone?"He sets the lonely in families...give him back a family Lord.
What was he doing out there? Why was he out there trudging along?
I think God showed me His heart in that moment because my eyes welled up with tears and I thought "Why is that man not at home with a family?" Why is he sleeping on the street? What was his story? Is he kept out because of pride? Or because of loneliness? Rejection? Failure?
Jesus, take care of him tonight. I wanted to ask him "Where is your family? Do you not have anyone?"He sets the lonely in families...give him back a family Lord.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Way back when...
There was a time in my life when I actually dreamed of being an author. I would write stories all the time. They were generally set somewhere in the prairie, It was the pioneer heart in me I guess. The pioneer heart hasn't gone away...I felt like the writer heart in me had.
But i was reminded this week that it is still alive and well in me! I think I just hit this blog and think...I am writing to the masses and I don't know who will read it..when I was writing stories I thought, well, i can share it with everyone or no one...
So..I think I am going to direct my blogs to people from time to time, it makes it easier to write when I am telling someone specific. This one will be for my friend Carmen, I've never to this day met her, but it's for you Carmen!
I thought I would write about the difference of little investments into the lives of others. You took the time to invest in my life via email. For those who don't know. Back in the day when I was about 14 I had an email address that was very similar to someone else (not that I knew... until my friend Diana accidentally sent an email to her instead of me.) Turned out it was the Lord's hand in it.
It was the day and age of forwards. Ew. Can't stand forwards these days, but back then, you know someone sends you something cute and you pass it on. The problem was I never took the time to pay attention to the notes at the bottom- the part that says "do this or else bad luck...blah blah blah".
Carmen, thanks for taking the time to email me back and say "you know i don't know if this is the wisest thing to send out.." it made a profound impact on my life. Yeah, it was a simple response to an email, but it taught me to value words, to not take things lightly, that what we communicate matters. The simple response taught me how to do the same later in my life as I got older and have had similar experiences with others.
Not sure if you remember it or not, but thanks! And thanks for being a friend over the net all these years! I have been very inspired by you and your family as you have continued to be faithful in missions and to the Lord.
But i was reminded this week that it is still alive and well in me! I think I just hit this blog and think...I am writing to the masses and I don't know who will read it..when I was writing stories I thought, well, i can share it with everyone or no one...
So..I think I am going to direct my blogs to people from time to time, it makes it easier to write when I am telling someone specific. This one will be for my friend Carmen, I've never to this day met her, but it's for you Carmen!
I thought I would write about the difference of little investments into the lives of others. You took the time to invest in my life via email. For those who don't know. Back in the day when I was about 14 I had an email address that was very similar to someone else (not that I knew... until my friend Diana accidentally sent an email to her instead of me.) Turned out it was the Lord's hand in it.
It was the day and age of forwards. Ew. Can't stand forwards these days, but back then, you know someone sends you something cute and you pass it on. The problem was I never took the time to pay attention to the notes at the bottom- the part that says "do this or else bad luck...blah blah blah".
Carmen, thanks for taking the time to email me back and say "you know i don't know if this is the wisest thing to send out.." it made a profound impact on my life. Yeah, it was a simple response to an email, but it taught me to value words, to not take things lightly, that what we communicate matters. The simple response taught me how to do the same later in my life as I got older and have had similar experiences with others.
Not sure if you remember it or not, but thanks! And thanks for being a friend over the net all these years! I have been very inspired by you and your family as you have continued to be faithful in missions and to the Lord.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Blogging ideas?!
What would you like to read about? Send me a comment and I can write a blog regarding the topic you are curious about! Questions about what we do in YWAM, Nations, Outreaches, Home life, Prayer, etc.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Journaling!
I've been an avid journal-er since I was a wee girl of 9 1/2 and though over the years it's gone from documenting day to day life to more scribing what the Lord is doing in my life and prayer and things like that. And wow is it amazing. I am so thankful for the practice.
Today I have been looking back over the past year and seeing the prayers and thoughts that have come to fruition just in the past year; it is incredible. And reading over a period of time makes it easier to see what are fleeting ideas and what has been more consist. I'm finding things that I wrote once and forgot about that God has been faithful to fulfill. It gives me increased faith to believe that He will fulfill the ones that are left unanswered.
There are times (like last summer) that in my mind were so full of vision and direction and I look back and laugh because what I wrote seems so just the opposite. So the reality is though emotions can go up and down we can gain so much out of a season that we remember its value more than the actual moments! It's awesome.
If you don't journal; try it. SO much perspective can be gained!
Today I have been looking back over the past year and seeing the prayers and thoughts that have come to fruition just in the past year; it is incredible. And reading over a period of time makes it easier to see what are fleeting ideas and what has been more consist. I'm finding things that I wrote once and forgot about that God has been faithful to fulfill. It gives me increased faith to believe that He will fulfill the ones that are left unanswered.
There are times (like last summer) that in my mind were so full of vision and direction and I look back and laugh because what I wrote seems so just the opposite. So the reality is though emotions can go up and down we can gain so much out of a season that we remember its value more than the actual moments! It's awesome.
If you don't journal; try it. SO much perspective can be gained!
Friday, June 22, 2012
Check out the Video Impact School Project! These guys did an amazing job creating a video that shares the heart of DTS. Enjoy!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Its been a while!
I must be the queen of not keeping up with a blog.
It's already been a month since our return from Europe. I miss my amazing team so much, but am very excited for the places God is leading each one of them.
Upon our return we had one week of debriefing and then they, as well as the rest of the students from Winter quarter DTS's, graduated!
I flew out that Saturday with a last minute change of plans. Originally I was going to fly to Seattle to spend Sunday and monday with my aunt and cousin, she's going through Chemo because of cancer right now. But then she was cleared to leave for the weekend! Which meant....camping with the rest of the family. Thanks to Southwest I was able to switch my flight with zero cost. (seriously, if you never use this airline you should..they even give you free bags.)
Instead of a quiet weekend with them I spent it camping with 934 other people. (and that's not even a joke). I was #935. Yup.
After that I rested. Ample time was spent on mom and dad's couch reading my Bible, journalling..and diving into the land of Narnia. Every time I read that series I feel like I learn more about the greatness of our incredible God. C.S. Lewis is amazing!
It was also a good time to catch up with family and friends and see church family! Ahhh blessings in life. So thankful.
Well, lets just say 10 days of chilling was lovely and even though I loved every second of outreach it's always great for a little recharge!
Since being back here at the base it's been NON stop..and you know I realized, I thrive in the nonstop. I love when there is always something to do, always a project...I thought I was going to have a quiet summer. NOPE!
Since being back I've jumped into a lot of admin for the school of the Circuit Riders we are hosting here in July! Also I've been filling in our Personnel department some and heading up our intercession department.
Oh, and we are running our very first school downtown -this is a forerunning of vision for a permanent location in Denver. So, I've been loving doing some prep for this as well.
Yeah, life is crazy a bit..and I love every second. All the more reason to press into Jesus, can't do it without HIM!
I thought it was going to be quiet this summer because I will be gone for a family reunion and seeing my new little niece (still could be a nephew actually...) who will be born sooooon! So, that's coming up as well. Got my ticket today for the going, don't know who coming back is happening yet! Pray ticket prices go down ASAP! :- )
My cousin brycen is here for a couple of days with one of his friends, it's sweet to show them around.
And there you have it, the low down. Til next time...whenever that may be!
It's already been a month since our return from Europe. I miss my amazing team so much, but am very excited for the places God is leading each one of them.
Upon our return we had one week of debriefing and then they, as well as the rest of the students from Winter quarter DTS's, graduated!
I flew out that Saturday with a last minute change of plans. Originally I was going to fly to Seattle to spend Sunday and monday with my aunt and cousin, she's going through Chemo because of cancer right now. But then she was cleared to leave for the weekend! Which meant....camping with the rest of the family. Thanks to Southwest I was able to switch my flight with zero cost. (seriously, if you never use this airline you should..they even give you free bags.)
Instead of a quiet weekend with them I spent it camping with 934 other people. (and that's not even a joke). I was #935. Yup.
After that I rested. Ample time was spent on mom and dad's couch reading my Bible, journalling..and diving into the land of Narnia. Every time I read that series I feel like I learn more about the greatness of our incredible God. C.S. Lewis is amazing!
It was also a good time to catch up with family and friends and see church family! Ahhh blessings in life. So thankful.
Well, lets just say 10 days of chilling was lovely and even though I loved every second of outreach it's always great for a little recharge!
Since being back here at the base it's been NON stop..and you know I realized, I thrive in the nonstop. I love when there is always something to do, always a project...I thought I was going to have a quiet summer. NOPE!
Since being back I've jumped into a lot of admin for the school of the Circuit Riders we are hosting here in July! Also I've been filling in our Personnel department some and heading up our intercession department.
Oh, and we are running our very first school downtown -this is a forerunning of vision for a permanent location in Denver. So, I've been loving doing some prep for this as well.
Yeah, life is crazy a bit..and I love every second. All the more reason to press into Jesus, can't do it without HIM!
I thought it was going to be quiet this summer because I will be gone for a family reunion and seeing my new little niece (still could be a nephew actually...) who will be born sooooon! So, that's coming up as well. Got my ticket today for the going, don't know who coming back is happening yet! Pray ticket prices go down ASAP! :- )
My cousin brycen is here for a couple of days with one of his friends, it's sweet to show them around.
And there you have it, the low down. Til next time...whenever that may be!
Friday, May 4, 2012
Why I love my team....
They love Jesus with everything they have to give. They practice thankfulness. They hear from God and obey Him. They work hard and long without complaint. They chose to grow. They are flexible...joyful..forgiving...united...willing to fight for one another in prayer. They are worshipers, friends, they know who they are and walk in their identity....
just a few reasons why I love them....:-)
just a few reasons why I love them....:-)
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Singing on the 356
Today we took a little trek to see what we could see..
Had coffee in a little shop, and at some chips (delightful).
And then we finally caught the bus we knew would get us back
To the driver "hello how are you?" 4x's -once each.
And then we climbed up to the back and laughed and talked a bit.
The bus emptied down to just us and then the driver opened up the door
"do you sing?" He asked...
We gladly obliged. "He's Alive" "I was made for love"..
And then we stop again and he begins to sing "Lord I lift your name on high..."
We join in. People get on more each stop..
we keep singing.
Then we sing "Amazing Grace....." and you can hear his voice floating through the bus.
People said nothing, but the gospel message rang out as we belted out every last verse.
This is life.
I'd have it no other way.
Had coffee in a little shop, and at some chips (delightful).
And then we finally caught the bus we knew would get us back
To the driver "hello how are you?" 4x's -once each.
And then we climbed up to the back and laughed and talked a bit.
The bus emptied down to just us and then the driver opened up the door
"do you sing?" He asked...
We gladly obliged. "He's Alive" "I was made for love"..
And then we stop again and he begins to sing "Lord I lift your name on high..."
We join in. People get on more each stop..
we keep singing.
Then we sing "Amazing Grace....." and you can hear his voice floating through the bus.
People said nothing, but the gospel message rang out as we belted out every last verse.
This is life.
I'd have it no other way.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Subscriptions
For safety purposes I will no longer accept subscribers to my updates via my blog. Those interested who know me will contact me personally. Thank you. If you are interested in receiving them drop me a line and I will add you.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Week 2 begins in London!
We have been here now in south London for a week and it's been quite a busy and productive week.
Today was our day off and a few of us slept in and then went to Central London (while others got up REALLY early-sleeping in was definitely the way to go!) Here are a few of the fun sights we saw:
Today was our day off and a few of us slept in and then went to Central London (while others got up REALLY early-sleeping in was definitely the way to go!) Here are a few of the fun sights we saw:
Big Ben
The London Eye
The Thames River
Down near the London Bridge there was this "scare house" basically..I can't remember exactly what it was called, but we got to talk to one of the guys who was inviting everyone off the street and really share with him about God. While being a "tourist" is fun for a little while, I really guess I have been ruined for the ordinary because this conversation and one we had with the guy in the Cathedral we toured were my favorite moments of being in the Center. London is beautiful and full of history- and the people are beautiful as well.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
In three hours we head out to the airport! Its here. It's really happening! God's been so faithful. He always is. His love never fails. He never gives up.
Today the message at church was so good. Pastor Jay was talking about Abraham and how he was called out, even without knowing where he was going. He talked about how often throughout scripture God called on people to step out on a special purpose and how being called into something is always for the purpose of others. It's not for ourselves that He calls us. Like Abraham "through you all nations of the world will be blessed." Moses-freedom of the captives. Mary-the birth of the Savior.
When God says go...will you?
Today the message at church was so good. Pastor Jay was talking about Abraham and how he was called out, even without knowing where he was going. He talked about how often throughout scripture God called on people to step out on a special purpose and how being called into something is always for the purpose of others. It's not for ourselves that He calls us. Like Abraham "through you all nations of the world will be blessed." Moses-freedom of the captives. Mary-the birth of the Savior.
When God says go...will you?
Saturday, February 18, 2012
The winter quarter is scooting by so fast! The Compassion DTS just returned from spending two weeks at Eaglerock with the Boarders DTS. I as so excited last sunday to be able to join them for Service on the hill. I love working with this school - but I must admit that I do miss a lot of aspects of Boarders! (Except the part of being tired all the time from the activity/energy level!)
This past week was a whole week focused on Missions. And I walked away with one question...God do I really know who YOU ARE?! Or do I create a god in my mind that I think I worship.
Are we willing to encounter the God of the Bible? Really? It's painful..but I want nothing less than to know Him as HE is..not as I want Him to be.
Why? Because He is worthy. He paid it all.
When we really know who He is we are willing to give it all. Am I really willing? Do I let my heart really break for what breaks His?
May I know what Love is, so that..
The Lamb that was slain may receive the reward of His suffering. -The Moravian Call.
This past week was a whole week focused on Missions. And I walked away with one question...God do I really know who YOU ARE?! Or do I create a god in my mind that I think I worship.
Are we willing to encounter the God of the Bible? Really? It's painful..but I want nothing less than to know Him as HE is..not as I want Him to be.
Why? Because He is worthy. He paid it all.
When we really know who He is we are willing to give it all. Am I really willing? Do I let my heart really break for what breaks His?
May I know what Love is, so that..
The Lamb that was slain may receive the reward of His suffering. -The Moravian Call.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
My team!
This is the incredible LONDON AND ROMANIA Team! I am so excited to take them on outreach. Today we had a team breakfast and snow fight...I love their hearts and passion and can't wait to see what God will do!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Bittersweet
It's never easy, no matter how much you realize the reality that life is short-its still shorter than you ever know. Today we lost a dear co worker- my "boss" as I generally teased him when I worked in the accounting department. Cary was an integral part of Youth WIth a Mission Denver. He was on staff here for 15 years, and left behind a legacy.
About 3 months ago Cary was diagnosed with a tumor on his brain stem, it was an aggressive tumor and though he received some treatment- healing would need to come through a miracle. Today Jesus took him home to be with him.
Cary became one of my most avid supporters when I joined staff. Why? He said he believe in me and that I was worth investing in. He did this with a lot of staff-he championed people.
My life has been very impacted by him. I'll miss him and the random encouragement, telling him to go home late at night when I'd stop by and see him working away......
It's so weird that he's gone. It doesn't make sense. I know God is faithful and He knows what's best, but it still hurts.
About 3 months ago Cary was diagnosed with a tumor on his brain stem, it was an aggressive tumor and though he received some treatment- healing would need to come through a miracle. Today Jesus took him home to be with him.
Cary became one of my most avid supporters when I joined staff. Why? He said he believe in me and that I was worth investing in. He did this with a lot of staff-he championed people.
My life has been very impacted by him. I'll miss him and the random encouragement, telling him to go home late at night when I'd stop by and see him working away......
It's so weird that he's gone. It doesn't make sense. I know God is faithful and He knows what's best, but it still hurts.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
for those who do not frequent facebook.
A day in the life of Carmen and stacy: stacy wakes up 10 minutes before church, Church. Carmen works on a rug. Stacy cuts her hair into a mullet. Carmen laughs. Carmen tries to be an informed american citizen. stacy does the dishes. Carmen makes french fries. They laugh some more.
This is my status today. I have to laugh! Seriously my roommate gets sick of her hair and so she take scissors to it and it winds up looking like a mullet! Who does that?? hahah!
And yes..I am making a rug. Right now it's green. Making it out of old flannel sheets that had pretty well wore out. May try to find some more second hand because I am in decisive of using other fabrics in it. It's one of those braided rugs, i will post a pic of the completed project.
This is my status today. I have to laugh! Seriously my roommate gets sick of her hair and so she take scissors to it and it winds up looking like a mullet! Who does that?? hahah!
And yes..I am making a rug. Right now it's green. Making it out of old flannel sheets that had pretty well wore out. May try to find some more second hand because I am in decisive of using other fabrics in it. It's one of those braided rugs, i will post a pic of the completed project.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
The BEST is coming.
Tomorrow starts a new quarter with many new faces, stories and a continuation of adventure with Jesus. We have been anticipating and praying for the arrival of these students and over the weekend as they have begun to arrive I get more and more excited. So far everyone I have met has been so much fun and ready for the schools to begin!
I made a bunch of apple crisp yesterday and it was so much fun to bring it for the early arrivals to enjoy. Many of them traveled from overseas and quite a few from Canada. Also one from Mexico. Often its nicer for our foreign students when they can arrive a day early to adjust to the time and get settled. Anyway, it's been fun-took a few of them to run some errands today and get things they still needed. We also took some of them to church.
Often the first week of the school is my least favorite just because there is so much talking and getting to know people. I would rather skip that week and just get on with it. But it is an important week nonetheless :-). But I think this time around it will be a lot of fun. I just have this anticipation in my heart. We have been talking and praying and come the consensus, why would not this be the BEST quarter we have ever seen? Lets go for it! I know God has so much in store for these students. He is so excited that they have chosen to take 5 months of their lives to specifically focus on Him and their relationship with Him. They could be doing so many other things, and yet here they are. Thank you Jesus for letting us be a part of this season of their lives! You are so good!
I made a bunch of apple crisp yesterday and it was so much fun to bring it for the early arrivals to enjoy. Many of them traveled from overseas and quite a few from Canada. Also one from Mexico. Often its nicer for our foreign students when they can arrive a day early to adjust to the time and get settled. Anyway, it's been fun-took a few of them to run some errands today and get things they still needed. We also took some of them to church.
Often the first week of the school is my least favorite just because there is so much talking and getting to know people. I would rather skip that week and just get on with it. But it is an important week nonetheless :-). But I think this time around it will be a lot of fun. I just have this anticipation in my heart. We have been talking and praying and come the consensus, why would not this be the BEST quarter we have ever seen? Lets go for it! I know God has so much in store for these students. He is so excited that they have chosen to take 5 months of their lives to specifically focus on Him and their relationship with Him. They could be doing so many other things, and yet here they are. Thank you Jesus for letting us be a part of this season of their lives! You are so good!
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