Simply Wrecked for the Ordinary

The July DTS has been going for 2 weeks now! Gotta love being in YWAM, every 5 months there's a whole new group of young believers that come to Australia seeking out God and being rocked by their discoveries. Can't say that it's not hard sometimes. As staff, a little part of you wants to protect yourself, because you know that you'll grow to love these people and get close, only to have to say goodbye possibly forever 5 months later. Is it worth it though? Yes. This is my job (although unpaid :) ), I get to walk alongside people my age and push them towards God. I get to spend hours in prayer with them every week, be the one to hug them when they are working through trials from their lives, and serve next to them in unreached places of the world. All the while, God is changing me and growing me through challenges that I have had to face in my own life. And all the while, I'm being more and more ruined for the ordinary.

I've realized recently something so simple. God has shown me that no matter where I am, what I'm doing, or who I'm with, HE is exaclty the same. He has the same thoughts about me, the same plan for my life and others, the same voice, and the same character no matter the circumstance or environment. It's me that changes, it's me that becomes apathetic, it's me that grows distant from God and then blames Him for not speaking clearly, and it's me that gets my identity from others and doesn't listen to the truth about who I am.

God has been teaching me to trust in Him in the villages of Uganda, where demon manifestation is a normal occurance, and in my quiet bedroom in Australia on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

He is good, true, and faithful, and He is waiting for us.

The July 2012 DTS students!

God: The Miracle Worker

I'm about to say something that may be controversial. Ok, are you ready?

God is alive. His Holy Spirit lives and breaths within us. He has angels that are fighting an unseen battle all around us. He has imparted spiritual gifts to each of his followers, that when obedient and faithful, can bring about tremendous fruit. He tells His believers to pray, and that when we pray, things will happen.


This past Tuesday was like any other day at the Boardstore and Kai Coffee bar. People were milling around the shop, and Sean Naus (Kai's owner) was hanging out with Seth (his good friend and current barista). He had his whole family there- wife, year old son, and month old daughter. For the past 10 days Sean had been fasting, and had just ended it, not really satisfied with the lack of revelation that he got.

...Meanwhile, my good friend Pete had gotten off work early, and was planning on meeting Seth at Kai Coffee to catch up. He got held up doing other things and wasn't able to make it...

As Sean, his family, and Seth stood inside the coffee bar, the next turn of events happened in a split second.

The Boardstore and Kai Coffee are part of one unit situated on the corner of a busy road. As the group was talking, Sean looked up and watched in horror as a silver suv was coming directly at the front of the coffee bar. There was another car waiting to pull out onto the road, and the silver suv hit the back of the car, causing it to change its course and make it go slightly to the left of the coffee bar.

In a matter of seconds, Sean grabbed his son Elijah, as his wife Emily turned with her daughter cradled in her arms just as a huge board crashed almost right into her. Seth was only inches away from the car is it came into the building. Everyone, even the driver, came out of the accident with minor cuts and bruises. Out of the family, only Elijah had a cut on his ear.

Apparently the driver was just coming out of cancer treatment, and had blacked out when she was driving.

My friends looked death in the face on Tuesday, and yet are walking, talking, and laughing only days later. To say that this is pure luck would be a tremendously sad and blind understatement. Every little thing, from Sean fasting, Pete getting held up after work, the car hitting the other car as it came towards the shop, were all part of God's plan.

Myself and my friends here believe that God completely works all things together for the good of those who love Him. I have a feeling that through all the media and talk that has come out of this accident, glory will be given to Him and His message will go forth.

Amazing escape : click this link to watch the security video of when the accident happened

My God is a God of miracles. He is alive-and He loves us.

Discipleship Training School- Round 4 does the charm.

If you've been following my blog, I want to say sorry that the posts have been sporadic and the least bit consistent. Sometimes I get caught up in the things going on here and don't even know where to start to explain. I guess I have to start somewhere...

Almost a month ago now, the February Discipleship Training School began. This will be the 4th DTS that I have staffed. I cannot believe how fast time flies when you staff these 5 month schools! The last one, I not only staffed, but co-led with my friend Whitney. Our responsibilities were a bit different and more intense because we planned the school and our main duty was to look out for the staff as they discipled the students. I can't stress enough how God uses the weak things of this world. I definitely am one of 'the weak.'

Now that this new DTS is in full swing, I'm back to being staff. This has been the hardest DTS to get into. I had to ask God the first couple of weeks to help me to not become a DTS 'machine' and become numb to the process. I know what a DTS looks like. I know when the students will break down. I know what struggles they are facing and what answers to give them in that time of struggle...I guess I was feeling like I was really close to becoming fake. I recently took an all girl team to Thailand for 2 months, and since then, God has really been showing me some stuff that has helped me during this new school.

As leaders, we asked the girls the last day in Thailand to sum up in 1 sentence their outreach experience. To get an idea of what God really showed me, here's mine: "God didn't explode onto center stage to get our approval, but spoke so many times in His ever present still, small voice about our own journeys and how to pour Him out on everyone we met." I think I'm just really learning what it means to 'abide' in God. My outreach co-leader said something really challenging during team time with the girls as we shared about rights that we wanted to surrender to God. She said that she was laying down her right to ever feel God again. That one sentence challenged me big time. Somehow now, I'm at a place where I love just sitting outside in God's presence, and have this crazy peace that yea, whether I feel God's spirit stirring inside of me or not, I know He is true and He will always be here.

So there's a little look into my life these past couple of months... Fun fact for ya, I've been asked by the base leaders to lead the July school, and have decided to go ahead with that. That means I won't be leading an outreach team on this current DTS because I'll be staying back in Australia to plan for July. I'm actually super stoked to just be living in Australia while the teams are away and get out of the YWAM bubble for a bit (no offence to any YWAMers reading this).

Also, (as a little side note) I have some friends that are connected with the YWAM base here that created a clothing company a couple years ago called Moselle. All the clothes are made by survivors of human trafficking, and Moselle helps create sustainable employment for them. They asked me to help by being a model in their photoshoots for their advertisements. It was such a sweet opportunity to be a part of something so impacting in the nations (and it was fun!). I would love for you to check out their web site: moselleclothing.com and maybe even partner with them!

I knew watching America's Next Top Model reruns would come in handy someday! ;)

Just hangin out with one of my students, Rakel, and our elephant friend in Thailand.

Anywho, keep praying for me, and I'd love to be updated about your life!

 And please please please check out my last team's video of our trip to Thailand! Thanks!

The weeks leading this school have flown by. It's hard to believe that in 3 short weeks, I will be going with 11 other girls to Thailand for 2 months. It seems like I was just in Uganda. Whitney and I have been blessed with a great school that is hungry for God. Our staff team has been amazing and jumping in to help any where they see a need. I've definitely been learning how to lead people even more now that I'm leading the DTS. You have to be completely selfless, patient, gentle, wise, and an over-communicator. I've learned that you really have to sit down with people- talk things through. I love how God keeps guiding me and showing me things about my character that He's trying to work on. I love how He continuosly puts situations in front of me that I can grow from. There have been a couple different instances these past weeks where I'm reminded of that verse "God makes all things work together for His good".... It's a simple phrase that provides so much peace and freedom.

Just around a week ago, we realized that the team planning to go to Uganda still needs thousands of dollars for the whole team to go. Tons of questions and doubts arose within the students and even some staff. Why would this happen if God wants the people there to be reached? Then I'm reminded of that verse above, and am able to trust completely that God sees the big picture, and will use this situation to grow the faith of that team. Whatever ends up happening with them, I know that God is in control, and He can use that team wherever they go. We'll find out if they will be going on Wednesday because that is their deadline to get the money in.

This past Sunday we held our first ever in YWAM Sunshine Coast history, Outreach Olympics. One of the base leaders gave me and Whit the idea, and we decided to have a go at it. We had 9 different events- from eating brains and heart to swimming into the ocean to memorize a code off of a floating bottle. The whole time our teams had to wear 10 lb. backpacks and points were taken off if anyone complained. It was a great simulation of some outreach situations. It helped us staff see how our team works together and pointed out how different people react in stressful situations! It was awesome! Team Uganda ended up winning the $75 prize that will go towards a team party on outreach.

I would love if you could stand with me in prayer about all the things needing to get done before we leave for Thailand, for my staff team to stay united and not get burnt out, for finances for our Ugandan team, and for continuous revelation from God.

Much Love!

Outreach Olympics- Team Thailand

'I'm here, Beloved.'

You ever feel like you're going along with the motions? For the past week that's how I have been feeling..I've never 'gone off the rails' or completely back slidden, but I realized a couple days ago how very completely comfortable and dry my relationship with God has been..and it's completely because of me. This past Sunday night at church, the pastor left time at the end to spend in worship and prayer. I always love worship, but I've realized that I really have become comfortable looking 'Christian.' Not that I'm not worshipping God, but I just expect the same thing every worship time. I don't think I've been giving God room or time to speak during those times. As we were singing, I decided to just sit down and be quiet (which is really hard for me at times, because when I hear music, I can't help but dance!) I started talking to God and telling Him that I miss hearing from Him, and that I'm sorry for not giving Him time to speak. I asked God to speak to me, because I've felt more distant from Him lately. I asked for any revelation, something to refresh my spirit. I was a bit desperate. As I sat with my head in my hands, I heard just a still, small voice in my head, "I'm here, Beloved." Right away I was flooded with joy, peace, love, to an extreme that I can't even express. I lost it. I was weeping and couldn't control it. God will never leave me. He's so patient and loving. The thing that broke me was the word, 'beloved.' There's something about that word that just blows me away. It is such a sweet word to describe how God feels about us. It's how a father would speak to his child with unconditional love, it's how a lover would talk to his love.

God is so good to me. I'm so blessed.

The DTS I'm leading started 2 weeks ago, and I'm blown away by God's grace and power. During our staff retreat, we prayed for the school, and some of us got prophetic pictures. One of mine was about a dam that exploded from the water that built up on the one side (this was a picture of how the Holy Spirit would pour heavily onto our school). One of the students confirmed this picture with the same one during prayer time. Another staff had a picture of a light speed light that brough brighteness quickly (this meant that the students would grow, step up, be broken quickly). This has definitely been happening as students have already been stepping up and sharing things on their heart the first week. Our school already feels so close and united.

Things have come up like all of our work/plans for the school (that was saved on the computer) being deleted the night before we needed to share it, and our speaker for next week breaking his leg and emailing me this morning saying he probably won't be able to speak (although he is currently praying for a miracle). Even though these things have come up, God has somehow given me and Whitney divine peace and calmness. Not once have I felt stressed or worried. We are trusting in God for everything and know He will not let us down.

"Welcome to Australia Night" - Students learning the nut bush dance

DTS Staff Team!

Small Group- Picture Scavenger Hunt (We won!)

Thanks so much for all your prayers. God is moving in all the student's and staff's lives. Can't wait to update you guys again soon!

A Whole New Season

Hey Everyone!


It's been a little while since I posted. Can anyone tell me why time flies so fast? I've already been back in Australia for 3 and a 1/2 weeks. We started staff training this past Monday... and the September Waves Discipleship Training School starts in a week!

God has been teaching me so much about leadership already. It's such a full-on position leading a DTS. In normal paying jobs, you pretty much hone in on 1 skill that you are good at. Leading within YWAM is a whole different story. You are put in charge of anything from administration, cooking meals, counseling people, coming up with a skit, to cleaning houses. I've been given a bunch of chances to get better at speaking in front of people. There's just so much freedom to try new things (and possibly fail) here.

So my friend Whitney and I are leading the upcoming DTS: 29 students, 9 staff, and 19 amazing weeks of God moving in people's lives. If you would have told me 1/2 a year ago that I would be leading a DTS, I would have laughed in your face..But God has changed my heart. He's taught me how to be willing and open to anything He puts in front of me, and because of that, He is using me in such big ways.

Whitney and I get reminded every day that we can't do anything out of our own strength. When we try, we get a really rude awakening. We're still figuring out how to lead together, and there's definitely been a couple times that we probably wanted to kill each other, but I know if we have a covering of prayer for our unity, God will keep us strong. We're so stoked for the staff that God has blessed us with. We leave for our staff retreat tomorrow, so please pray for us to bond! Then one more week of staff training and the students arrive!

 Trying to get over my jet lag quicker by climbing a mountain the day after I got back!

 Hanging out with Whit at Starbucks, dreaming about all the amazing things that will happen on our DTS

My home break!

Thanks for all your prayers! I'm so blessed to be here, and it's because of everyone's prayers and support! Much love!

Back in the land down undah

This past week has been crazy (and that's an under-statement)! Some of my family left 5 days before I left, so I was busy packing in an empty house. That Friday (about a week ago) I called the Australian embassy to find out what was taking my visa so long to be granted. (I was planning on leaving that coming Monday.) They pretty much told me I shouldn't have booked a flight without having my visa granted, and that I may not be getting on my flight that Monday. That day I was leaving to go spend the weekend camping with my friends since it would be the last time I would see them for at least a year, but in the back of my mind I was freaking out and stressed that I wouldn't be able to get back to Australia. I posted a bunch of freak out posts on facebook about praying for my visa to be granted and skyped a couple of friends after having 5 emotional break downs in one day.

Sunday night came around and as I was skyping with my friend Whitney, she suggested I call the embassy in Australia since they're in the future (yay!). I was holding my breath as I called them, this could make me or break me.. As I was talking to the lady, it wasn't sounding too good. Then she talked to my case officer who said they would verify my visa that day! Jesuuuus! I had another good cry right after. Next morning I got up and still didn't have an emailfrom them, but just trusted that God had it under control. On my way to the airport I called and they finally said it was granted. When I boarded the plane, I was praising God under my breath! It was such a relief. Thank you so much if you were praying for my visa. God really does hear us and answer!