There are only certain times I will use text acronyms. When I am trying to be funny. When I am making fun of texting. When I am actually too lazy to say the words (yes say, I not only just use acronyms in certain situations, I also speak them.) And when I am EXTREMELY excited. Friends, I can truly say this is an OH-EM-GEE moment.
I GOT ACCEPTED INTO LIFETEAMS!!!
WOOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Now, I found this out a little while ago, but never blogged about it. Until now. So a good majority of you who are my friends already know this. BAHHH! I am just so ecstatic!!
Lifeteams is a youth ministry and outreach program based in Abbotsford, BC. It is a discipleship program as well as a mentorship, practicum and college type course program thingy. I am going to be starting in September. Mondays are volunteer/outdoor days. Tuesdays and Thursdays are classroom days. Wednesday and Fridays are practicum days. One of the reasons I am so excited is because they only accept 8-10 students a year and I was one of them, so I feel pretty dang special. Another reason is that I know this is something God wants me to do.
I have been waiting (and so has He) to start doing something for God. I was stuck in business, just pluttering along, not really know why I was there, but knowing that I knew I was going to get a job when I was done. The question I kept asking myself was "Do I really want to do this for the rest of my life? Am I really going to enjoy the job that comes out of this? Am I going to be making a difference?" and the answer was always "No."
So finally, FINALLY! I am doing something that I know I will enjoy. I know I am going to be making a difference. And it is the first step into the field I want to go. (If you didn't know already it is human trafficking prevention and rehabilitation specifically in girls aka youth). I want to bring the worthiness of God to those who feel worthless. I want to bring the hope of God to those who feel hopeless. I want to bring the love of God to those who feel loveless.
I am so excited to start this new chapter, new season and new journey of my life. I am so excited to just soak up our amazing Saviour each and every day for 8 whole months. Glorifying Him, working for Him, and learning from Him. This is going to be a season that is amazing-as.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Sunday, March 17, 2013
I need to pray more.
I need to remember that God loves me so much and He is really all I need.
He PROVIDES
I don't have to waste weeks, days, minutes or seconds feeling down because I have a Saviour who rescued me.
Saved my life.
Took my burdens on a cross.
Died for me.
So that I can live freely.
So that I can live joyfully.
So that I can know how much He, my Lord of Lords, loves me.
Oh, how He loves me.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Patience
God has so much planned for us in one year. Though we may not notice, may not see change or may not experience anything new, God is at work. He stirs our plans throughout our lives and it is more than imaginable. God works in mysterious ways and sometimes not even in ways we expect or want and sometimes not when we want.
As the New Year rolled in, I was constantly asked what my New Years Resolution was. I never had an answer to give anyone. I am not a big "resolutioner" if you will. I have never made the decision to resolve anything in my life. I think mostly because I am lazy and I don't think of these things enough. I have never put in any effort to change something as soon as the new year comes around. I am more of a change-things-as-the-problems-come-up kind of person. Also I have never wanted to make a resolution I didn't mean such as go to the gym more, pick up a new instrument, be nicer to people on the street. Heck, I feel fit enough, I already play 3 instruments and I think I am a pretty nice person (you can all hold me to this and prove me wrong if you feel differently)
But God showed me something new. In a Facebook post I read, there was some talk about a "word of the year". Not a resolution that you change as soon as the New Year starts, but a whole word to define your year and help you grow in the Christ-like way we should as believers. As soon as I read this I was immediately praying, searching for my word. You see, a word isn't just a "hey I am going to put cheetah speed effort for the first three weeks of the year and then turtle down as the year continues" kind of thing. It is a long lasting thing. It follows you. It pops up. And if it comes from God, there is no getting rid of it.
My word didn't just pop up right away when I was praying, it has been brewing up in my head for quite some time. God has been working this into me for a long, long, long, long, long time. In relationships, family, life, faith. I am a bit ashamed to say I haven't listened as well as I should. I am pretty hasty, I like seeing results, I like things going my way and I don't like people messing it up and bugging me. More over, I don't like putting in the effort needed to fill all the previously mentioned things. Woah, is it hot in here or is it just me? So when this word thing popped up I was into it from the start. A word. One word. To work on, to grow, to change, to define myself, my year and my faith? Yes please!
So for this year, 2013, my word is:
As the New Year rolled in, I was constantly asked what my New Years Resolution was. I never had an answer to give anyone. I am not a big "resolutioner" if you will. I have never made the decision to resolve anything in my life. I think mostly because I am lazy and I don't think of these things enough. I have never put in any effort to change something as soon as the new year comes around. I am more of a change-things-as-the-problems-come-up kind of person. Also I have never wanted to make a resolution I didn't mean such as go to the gym more, pick up a new instrument, be nicer to people on the street. Heck, I feel fit enough, I already play 3 instruments and I think I am a pretty nice person (you can all hold me to this and prove me wrong if you feel differently)
But God showed me something new. In a Facebook post I read, there was some talk about a "word of the year". Not a resolution that you change as soon as the New Year starts, but a whole word to define your year and help you grow in the Christ-like way we should as believers. As soon as I read this I was immediately praying, searching for my word. You see, a word isn't just a "hey I am going to put cheetah speed effort for the first three weeks of the year and then turtle down as the year continues" kind of thing. It is a long lasting thing. It follows you. It pops up. And if it comes from God, there is no getting rid of it.
My word didn't just pop up right away when I was praying, it has been brewing up in my head for quite some time. God has been working this into me for a long, long, long, long, long time. In relationships, family, life, faith. I am a bit ashamed to say I haven't listened as well as I should. I am pretty hasty, I like seeing results, I like things going my way and I don't like people messing it up and bugging me. More over, I don't like putting in the effort needed to fill all the previously mentioned things. Woah, is it hot in here or is it just me? So when this word thing popped up I was into it from the start. A word. One word. To work on, to grow, to change, to define myself, my year and my faith? Yes please!
So for this year, 2013, my word is:
PATIENCE
Yup, patience. I need patience in almost every aspect of my life. In my faith. In my family (goodness they get annoying sometimes- patience, starting now). In my relationships. In my future. God's timing is perfect, it is time for me to be patient with Him and know his plan is perfect!
So I am going to start working on this. If you want, hold me to it. This is part of my life that I really want to work on. Patience. I am so excited to see what this year holds for me and what God is going to do with me. I am so excited to practice patience. Amazing patience.
"We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised" --Hebrews 6:11-12
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Be still there is a healer...
I love Jesus. I love my God. I love my faith. I love the fact that I live under the power of grace. I love that every day I can wake up knowing that the Lord has made that day. I love how He loves me. I love how He provides for me. I love my faith and that is why the fact that I don't have this in common with my family, breaks my heart.
I just got back from an amazing weekend at Camp Imadene. I am seriously so incredibly blessed to have a place where I can worship and see others worship God so strongly. Every time we are in chapel I can't help but think how much God is smiling down on us, watching the countless young people raising their arms in praise to our Savior King.
We were extra blessed this weekend to have youth pastor John Thwaites come in and speak. His story struck so many similarities in mine. Like him, I also grew up in the Catholic light. Like him, I also had my fair share of partying. Like him, I want to minister to youth. I got to speak with him a little bit on how to start a life in pastoral work and what he did to get where he is today. He gave me some tips and told me to keep in contact with him which I am so grateful for. Seriously, thanks John!
He was speaking on how we are running. Running in this race. And in this race there will be roadblocks. Roadblocks that keep us from the prize and roadblocks in our walks with God.
Like every time I go to camp, I come home hyped on God. This fire in me burns so strongly and I love to know how strong my faith is and see how much, even if it is a little, my faith has grown with just one little trip to camp. And like every time I come back from camp I want to share some of this good news with my family. But when I hear my grandma say "that's enough religious talk, I don't believe in it and I just don't understand it", it hits me hard. Roadblock.
Lately I have been feeling super attacked by the enemy. He knows my faith is growing and getting stronger each and every day and that scares him. He wants to take me down. He also knows he can get to me through my family. It has been hard. I know God has been opening doors for me and giving me the opportunities I've prayed for. I thought I was really getting somewhere with my grandpa. He's been so keen on learning more about my faith and I have so much certainty in my heart that he believes there is a God up there. He asked me himself to say grace. He told me himself that he believes as a doctor, he is being used by God. "One of God's agents" were his exact words. You can't imagine the smile on my heart when I heard that. You can't imagine how quickly it was taken away by the "I don't believe in it and I just don't understand it". Roadblock.
I would love so strongly for my family to share this passion with me. There is no doubt in my mind that God will put this passion in their hearts. But until then, my heart is hurting for them. I am constantly praying and constantly trying to witness. Who knows when their hearts will soften. It could be tomorrow. It could be a year from now. Or it could be on their death beds. But until then, I will continue to pray. Continue to try and get God's word to them.
God is so powerful and so strong. He will not let the Godly slip and fall. He will not forsake or leave us. He is working in me and I have complete faith in Him. He will turn this around. He will. But for right now, my heart is breaking. For right now, I have to be still and wait on God. For I am in this battle and I have been equipped with the tools, but it is God who does the changing. He is on my side.
Exodus 14:14
"The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
I just got back from an amazing weekend at Camp Imadene. I am seriously so incredibly blessed to have a place where I can worship and see others worship God so strongly. Every time we are in chapel I can't help but think how much God is smiling down on us, watching the countless young people raising their arms in praise to our Savior King.
We were extra blessed this weekend to have youth pastor John Thwaites come in and speak. His story struck so many similarities in mine. Like him, I also grew up in the Catholic light. Like him, I also had my fair share of partying. Like him, I want to minister to youth. I got to speak with him a little bit on how to start a life in pastoral work and what he did to get where he is today. He gave me some tips and told me to keep in contact with him which I am so grateful for. Seriously, thanks John!
He was speaking on how we are running. Running in this race. And in this race there will be roadblocks. Roadblocks that keep us from the prize and roadblocks in our walks with God.
Like every time I go to camp, I come home hyped on God. This fire in me burns so strongly and I love to know how strong my faith is and see how much, even if it is a little, my faith has grown with just one little trip to camp. And like every time I come back from camp I want to share some of this good news with my family. But when I hear my grandma say "that's enough religious talk, I don't believe in it and I just don't understand it", it hits me hard. Roadblock.
Lately I have been feeling super attacked by the enemy. He knows my faith is growing and getting stronger each and every day and that scares him. He wants to take me down. He also knows he can get to me through my family. It has been hard. I know God has been opening doors for me and giving me the opportunities I've prayed for. I thought I was really getting somewhere with my grandpa. He's been so keen on learning more about my faith and I have so much certainty in my heart that he believes there is a God up there. He asked me himself to say grace. He told me himself that he believes as a doctor, he is being used by God. "One of God's agents" were his exact words. You can't imagine the smile on my heart when I heard that. You can't imagine how quickly it was taken away by the "I don't believe in it and I just don't understand it". Roadblock.
I would love so strongly for my family to share this passion with me. There is no doubt in my mind that God will put this passion in their hearts. But until then, my heart is hurting for them. I am constantly praying and constantly trying to witness. Who knows when their hearts will soften. It could be tomorrow. It could be a year from now. Or it could be on their death beds. But until then, I will continue to pray. Continue to try and get God's word to them.
God is so powerful and so strong. He will not let the Godly slip and fall. He will not forsake or leave us. He is working in me and I have complete faith in Him. He will turn this around. He will. But for right now, my heart is breaking. For right now, I have to be still and wait on God. For I am in this battle and I have been equipped with the tools, but it is God who does the changing. He is on my side.
Exodus 14:14
"The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
September School
Back to school, back to school. It's been a bit wild for the past little bit. I was straight back into the get go after getting home from Australia. Seriously. Busy everyday. If it wasn't work it was play. Every day had something planned in it. Which was good for me because it kept me distracted from the fact that I am not in Australia anymore and saved me from the "reverse culture shock". I definitely thought I was going to have a break down after arriving home. Stepping back to the norm and all. But I didn't. Probably because I was so busy. Don't get me wrong, I miss everyone and everything so unbelievably much it's hard to think. That's when I get upset. When I start thinking all about my friends and all the adventures. I miss it. I just want to travel now. But that's besides the point.
Now it's school time. YAY!! (nayyy). I was really NOT looking forward at all to moving back to Nanaimo. I was really NOT looking forward to going to school. I was really NOT looking forward to continuing something I know I am not going to be doing with my life. This isn't my calling. After an extremely AMAZING week at camp (Camp Imadene. Go.) I was about to fall straight back into my fellowship-less life of boring and struggle. I don't live in a Christian home so it is hard for me to stay connected in a way to God I feel when I am around other believers. I can't talk about it with my roommates or family because all I really get is blank face. I miss being about to witness. I miss being able to lead. I miss being about to devote. I miss being able to share. God is amazing and I love all that He does in my life. I love being able to talk about that and share with others. So naturally coming home from camp I had a sever case of "camp high". I was devastated.
On moving day I was close to tears with every shirt I folded and every pair of pants packed. I REALLY DID NOT WANT TO MOVE. My mom dropped me off and I burst into tears. All she could really do is tell me it was going to be okay. I would figure it out she said. At that point all I could think was I have it figured out! I know my calling, God reminds me every day. And right here right now certainly isn't it.
God knew the struggles I was going through and He managed to show me the good in this situation. Everywhere I looked I managed to stumble upon a quote: "This is not my home. This is not where I belong" "All I know is I am not home yet". Well played again God. SO TRUE! This isn't my home. This isn't where I belong! I don't have to get sucked into the life here. EXCITING!
My attitude took a complete turn around and I was able to get excited about the future and not get upset about where I am now. I know God has a plan for me and I know the path He is directing me to now. A life of leadership and ministry and I am so excited to see the amazing wonders God has planned for me in that life.
So with all that said, I came to a conclusion. I am dropping out of school (who called it?) and moving to Salt Spring Island (who called it?) in January with my dear friend Amy C. WEE! I am so excited. Next year I will start my path in a leadership and ministry program. I don't know which yet. I am still waiting on God for that. It could be Auxano, Cappenray, YWAM, or bible college (back in Australia maybe???). But what I do know is that where ever this takes me it is just going to be amazing. God is going to work in me and through me and show me my direction. A direction of meaning and truth. A direction that is amazing-as.
Now it's school time. YAY!! (nayyy). I was really NOT looking forward at all to moving back to Nanaimo. I was really NOT looking forward to going to school. I was really NOT looking forward to continuing something I know I am not going to be doing with my life. This isn't my calling. After an extremely AMAZING week at camp (Camp Imadene. Go.) I was about to fall straight back into my fellowship-less life of boring and struggle. I don't live in a Christian home so it is hard for me to stay connected in a way to God I feel when I am around other believers. I can't talk about it with my roommates or family because all I really get is blank face. I miss being about to witness. I miss being able to lead. I miss being about to devote. I miss being able to share. God is amazing and I love all that He does in my life. I love being able to talk about that and share with others. So naturally coming home from camp I had a sever case of "camp high". I was devastated.
On moving day I was close to tears with every shirt I folded and every pair of pants packed. I REALLY DID NOT WANT TO MOVE. My mom dropped me off and I burst into tears. All she could really do is tell me it was going to be okay. I would figure it out she said. At that point all I could think was I have it figured out! I know my calling, God reminds me every day. And right here right now certainly isn't it.
God knew the struggles I was going through and He managed to show me the good in this situation. Everywhere I looked I managed to stumble upon a quote: "This is not my home. This is not where I belong" "All I know is I am not home yet". Well played again God. SO TRUE! This isn't my home. This isn't where I belong! I don't have to get sucked into the life here. EXCITING!
My attitude took a complete turn around and I was able to get excited about the future and not get upset about where I am now. I know God has a plan for me and I know the path He is directing me to now. A life of leadership and ministry and I am so excited to see the amazing wonders God has planned for me in that life.
So with all that said, I came to a conclusion. I am dropping out of school (who called it?) and moving to Salt Spring Island (who called it?) in January with my dear friend Amy C. WEE! I am so excited. Next year I will start my path in a leadership and ministry program. I don't know which yet. I am still waiting on God for that. It could be Auxano, Cappenray, YWAM, or bible college (back in Australia maybe???). But what I do know is that where ever this takes me it is just going to be amazing. God is going to work in me and through me and show me my direction. A direction of meaning and truth. A direction that is amazing-as.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
One Month
Today marks exactly one month since I've been home from Australia. I honestly don't know what to say to describe how I feel. It all feels so surreal. Almost like Australia was one big dream. I mean I know I was there and I have the pictures to prove it but it still, for some reason, doesn't feel real. I had the time of my life and I learned a lot and I wanted to share some of them with you. So are some experiences, differences and lesson I learned along the way:
- I got to see footy for the first time
- I got to see cricket for the first time
- I drove on the other side of the road
- Seagulls in Australia are smaller
- I got to scuba dive on the most famous reef in the world
- I pet a kangaroo
- People in Australia still rock the bleached hair, beach, surfer look
- I got to experience life with no care
- Some words have an "r" sound added to the end (bra-er) and some have the "r" sound removed (Melbourne=Melbun)
- I learned how to paddle board
- I visited Steve Irwin in his natural habitat
- I learned how to surf
- I got the most epic, wicked, dark skin tan. Ever.
- Pedestrians DON'T have the right of way (AT ALL... I almost died several times)
- I saw the whitest sand I've ever seen in my entire life
- School was a vacation. Literally.
- I met some of the most friendliest people alive.
- I ziplined in Australian jungle.
- I went to the most amazing church ever. Planetshakers.
- I saw the opera house.
- I did the full Manly Beach Walk
- Vegemite is disgusting
- I got to live a day ahead of everyone
- I got to experience the true "red rock" outback
- I got to see a long lost friend
- I rekindled old friendships as if we were never apart
- I got to experience my first "front page news" shark attack story
- I learned that distance really does make the heart grow fonder
- I made some of the most amazing life time friendships
- I learned how to completely remove myself from uncomfortable situations
- I learned what it was like to actually cook properly
- Being on your own with absolutely no one is a challenge but it is a challenge that makes you a better person
- I pet a koala
- I got to experience living with no form of income and running low on money
- I learned to fully appreciate the friendships I have and the family I have
- I ignited a fire to travel
Throughout this experience I learned what it was actually like to be a grown up and live completely separated from anything that makes you comfortable. I grew as a person and figured out what I actually want to do with my life. I grew stronger in my relationship with God and learned how to live my life just for Him and Him alone. I realized that myself is the only person I am supposed to try and please and learned that I am still learning how to do that. Throughout this experience I learned more about me and what I really want to do. I got to experience things beyond my wildest dreams and lived my life as an adventure and not just a life. I made some amazing friends and said so many truly hard goodbyes. I learned that home is really where the heart is and that right now mine is bouncing back and forth from Canada to Australia. I learned that to fully live your life you have to step outside of your comfort zone and experience. I learned that simply existing isn't enough. You have to live.
I am so thankful for this experience and amazing adventure. I could not have asked for something better. Thank you Australia for making me grow up, find my passion and truly live.
- I got to see footy for the first time
- I got to see cricket for the first time
- I drove on the other side of the road
- Seagulls in Australia are smaller
- I got to scuba dive on the most famous reef in the world
- I pet a kangaroo
- People in Australia still rock the bleached hair, beach, surfer look
- I got to experience life with no care
- Some words have an "r" sound added to the end (bra-er) and some have the "r" sound removed (Melbourne=Melbun)
- I learned how to paddle board
- I visited Steve Irwin in his natural habitat
- I learned how to surf
- I got the most epic, wicked, dark skin tan. Ever.
- Pedestrians DON'T have the right of way (AT ALL... I almost died several times)
- I saw the whitest sand I've ever seen in my entire life
- School was a vacation. Literally.
- I met some of the most friendliest people alive.
- I ziplined in Australian jungle.
- I went to the most amazing church ever. Planetshakers.
- I saw the opera house.
- I did the full Manly Beach Walk
- Vegemite is disgusting
- I got to live a day ahead of everyone
- I got to experience the true "red rock" outback
- I got to see a long lost friend
- I rekindled old friendships as if we were never apart
- I got to experience my first "front page news" shark attack story
- I learned that distance really does make the heart grow fonder
- I made some of the most amazing life time friendships
- I learned how to completely remove myself from uncomfortable situations
- I learned what it was like to actually cook properly
- Being on your own with absolutely no one is a challenge but it is a challenge that makes you a better person
- I pet a koala
- I got to experience living with no form of income and running low on money
- I learned to fully appreciate the friendships I have and the family I have
- I ignited a fire to travel
Throughout this experience I learned what it was actually like to be a grown up and live completely separated from anything that makes you comfortable. I grew as a person and figured out what I actually want to do with my life. I grew stronger in my relationship with God and learned how to live my life just for Him and Him alone. I realized that myself is the only person I am supposed to try and please and learned that I am still learning how to do that. Throughout this experience I learned more about me and what I really want to do. I got to experience things beyond my wildest dreams and lived my life as an adventure and not just a life. I made some amazing friends and said so many truly hard goodbyes. I learned that home is really where the heart is and that right now mine is bouncing back and forth from Canada to Australia. I learned that to fully live your life you have to step outside of your comfort zone and experience. I learned that simply existing isn't enough. You have to live.
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