YWAM life

6/28/13

As always, I had a really great day today. I can't say that I love this place and the people enough.

We ventured off to to Idaho springs. 

It was amazing to go out and see the mountains and explore thru some shops. I got a fan for three dollars at a thrift store. It's so cute, small and it fits perfectly on my shelf. It does help a little, but my room has to cool off a little for it to even make a difference. It's also a heater but I don't want to turn that on for a very long time. In Idaho, the group and I stopped at this little shop, where we got root beer floats and shared French fries. So good!:) 

Tonight we got to watch a really neat teaching by Loren Cunningham (the one who started YWAM) and he told a lot about His life and stories of how he got to YWAM and what he had to change to get there. Speaking a lot about letting things go. Afterwards we all had the opportunity to put that into our own lives. God told me to make a list of things I needed to let go of. So I did!:) Afterwards, He told me to go lay down, and said that this was how I could lay it out at the alter for Him to take care of. So I shut my journal and laid down. Once I did this, i opened up my journal expecting to flip thru and find the page I just made the list on. I could NOT find it. I looked and looked and looked. It was just not there. So I just stopped for a moment and it was like I knew that, that is confirmation that God took all that up and I don't have to worry about it anymore. After I realized what He did, I just laughed. Everyone around me was crying and here I am just laughing out of pure joy and at God. He just amazes me. I then, got a bracelet that should be permanent and I'm glad. I'm glad that this little neon orange bracelet gets to have a story like this of God's relentless love and protection over me. I'm just so overwhelmed by it all.

Afterwards I went out side where the sky was just simply beautiful, with all different shades of blue coming towards us. A group of us just were hanging out in the lobby singing, talking and always laughing. 

We did have a good rain that carried a lot of lighting, which might of had something to do with the fire alarms going off. Nobody was freaking out, instead we were playing the ukulele, singing outside  and dancing in the rain. Nothing like it. The fire department didn't know what the cause of the fire alarms was, but allowed us back into the building to go on with our lives. 

Wildatheart

Katie Jones

Around the world

6/27/13

I had to wake up super early to take my last typhoid capsule for vaccinations that are required to travel. This going to bed late and wake up early thing, does not work for me. So I think soon I will be going to bed a lot earlier. 

I forgot to mention that yesterday we started morning quiet times. I'm excited about this because it means this is just one less thing to worry about fitting into a busy schedule. 

That way it's a part of our busy schedule's. 

So to be more specific about where I'm going during out reach.

1st -Costa Rica for 8 days, where we will be doing children's ministry, practical/hands on work and church encouragement. 

2nd-Europe (possible) for 8 days. Pray for details to fall into place.

They are looking at:Ireland, England, Holland and France. France is not likely but it's ok to keep it in your prayers! I love that place.

In one or more of these places, we will do a week of teaching as a part of the lecture phase. 

3rd- South Africa for 15 days where we will do some more children's ministry as well as youth and church ministry.

4th-Thailand for 14 days where we will do kids, youth, church ministry and evangelism.

5th stop-The Philippines for 14 days, where we will be doing kids ministry, slum ministry and church encouragement.

I think some of it is still in the works so just keep praying for all that. Y'all are awesome!:) 

I'm excited about all this. We start preparing for it next week while the other schools won't even worry about it for another 4 weeks. 

Great day today. The weather is great until I go into my room. I figured out the other day that my building doesn't have an ac, it's not in the budget and prayer is going into the funds to provide that. Pray for that. I'm blessed where I am though and I am fine with or without. Just reminds me how spoiled I was and it just makes me more thankful to be in an ac building. Thank The Lord that our class room has ac. I have been hearing so much positive about myself lately, that I can hardly believe it all. This doesn't happen everyday. But it has happened every day I have been here and we all pray it happens more. They say this is just the beginning and this is just a "honey moon" stage. I don't believe that. I believe we all became closely knit from the beginning for a reason and will stay this way to the end. I was sitting in an informational class yesterday and just the mention of leaving in 8 weeks without compassion (our other half/DTS)and the thought of not crossing paths in thailand made everyone sigh. This was just the 3rd DAY. Seriously. I love these people. I have never been able to say that before. Though I miss people back home, I wouldn't want to leave all this and these wonderful people I now call my YWAM family. I got the blessing to share a glimpse of my story today. I was not excited to do so and God really had to show me that nothing is wrong with it and that He would help me share what was necessary. And that's what He did. I couldn't have told it any better and the best part is God is just so entertaining, like what Graham Cooke has said before "He has such a sense of humor" and that's what flowed out of my mouth. I hadn't noticed anyone laugh so much until my story. It was appropriate and a lot of fun. I am so glad He is always In me, in some way, making things a little better and a little lighter on my shoulders.  Today God decided that I had enough of dishes and He didn't put me on the list to do dishes for my job around base (to keep base neat and tidy). Thank The Lord. Please pray I get child care as my job. They already have had a meeting for those people but, its not too late. And if not, pray I get a job that I will enjoy. 

YWAM does not just stand for "youth with a mission" but also "yes we arrange marriages" cause most people that eventually marry have met in YWAM. I have always said I thought I would meet someone that I would marry and say I met him in YWAM. That's possible. But that is God's plans. I just thought that was funny. 

I'm aiming towards videoing a song or two of worship soon and post it. So be looking forward to that:)

Wildatheart

Katie Jones

Willing heart

6/25/13

 

I have made it thru my second day as a YWAM student. It's great here! The weather was perfect! I am extremely thankful for that since it has been really hot. I also think I figured out where is cool in the day and where is not cool. My room is one of those places that is not cool in the day. The sun is always shining towards our bedroom. My roommates and I are constantly trying to figure out new places to put the 3 fans we have in the room where everyone can feel at peace. It's a tough thing, especially with bunk beds.

 Today in class,  was more of a "lets get to know each other" sort of thang. They welcomed us first thing this morning  with a big breakfast, having the staff serve us. It was amazing and showed just how much they truly care about us and want us here. The day ended with another welcome party with our own DTS. There are 4 DTS/secondary schools running right now and those are: compassion, Around the world, school of biblical foundations and wise. Around the world and compassion are one as of now, with few separations as well as separate outreaches. My DTS (Around the world/ATW) will leave in 8 weeks for outreach.

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The party was fun! I found out who my small group leader is and I got to help teach the game "signs" to the group. I love this group! I am loving YWAM!:)

YWAM

Katie Jones

6/26/13

Worship was powerful this morning! I did not want to be done. The day before I was a little hesitant cause I was just so amazed at how it all works. Classes were bitter/sweet. "Bitter" due to the fact that the chairs make my butt numb/sore every time (I say that cause I am not the only one).  "Sweet" due to some amazing teaching on the flow of worship and fundraising (for those who don't have all the funds for their DTS and just some pure wisdom for everyone). Later a testimony was shared! After break we as individuals shared our testimonies in 5 minutes. I didn't get to, but I will at some point.  I also found out today my official destinations during out reach. We will leave for Costa Rica first and be there 2 weeks. Europe is an iffy next stop. Please be praying for communication, they are not communicating very well. I will be going to Thailand and the Philippines. I'm so stoked. 

Today I wrestled with a washing machine and dryer from 6-10:30. I think we made up and forgave each other..... after the fact but, I still wonder what the deal was. God has moments where he chews on me and let's me taste the sweet stuff but, this time he was blowing me up to the point of popping. 

All good now and all clean clothes! Ready for a few group pictures tomorrow. 

By the way my roommates and I figured out a fan system in the room that works. It's all good:)

Every night I listen to a prophetic word I got 2 weeks before I left. Every time it gives me chills, every time I get a little more passionate about this adventure, every time I get something different and every time God shows me something and then confirms it later.

During worship God told me to let Him break my heart for what breaks His! Not too long afterwards a guy came up to the microphone to give a word and said this very thing. It's a hard prayer to pray but, God doesn't pick just anyone to pray it. I know this journey is not going to be easy but I know it will be worth it. I see this as confirmation. 

"Nothing is Impossible to a

Willing heart" unknown (I have a wall writing back home that says this)

Wildatheart

Katie Jones

YWAM Family

6/24/13

I want to ask you to come with me on a journey! A journey that will challenge, cultivate, sharpen and equip me to become who God wants me to be. Today is my first day at school! I am sharing a room with 6 (as of now...might be a 7 soon) girls who are just so amazing! It has become a big surprise to me, that they all are so nice and welcoming. Coming from as far as Australia to England to Michigan. I am excited to call them my YWAM Family!

Today has been pretty relaxing. I have met two staff members with my name. So my name will more than likely always be said as "Katie J."

As of now I am unpacked and settled.  I am excited. I am ready. I am  willing. 

I love it here!:) This is Home!:)

Wildatheart

Katie Jones

YWAM post

6/21-23/13

Hey:)

This is my last post before life gets a little too busy. I should be on in a week to update. Today(Friday) is my last day in Amarillo! I can't believe how fast 7 years has come and gone since my family and I moved here from Wheeler , Tx. I know I will miss this place a lot and the people who have made a big impact on my life but, I also know how much of an anointing  is on this journey, I will officially embark on Monday. I'm nervous and this week, that has gotten so bad that it made me a little sick. Prayer works though.  God is bigger than a nervous bug. 

I'm excited to meet new people that are desiring to do, what I have wanted to do since I was 12. 

I was asked the other day "what does this trip really look like for me and what am I looking forward to?"

A deeper teaching! I have always either gotten a deep teaching or a wide teaching but never all at once. I think I'm going to get to see both of those on this trip. Growing up in Trinity Fellowship since I was 8, I'm used to seeing things happen! Whether it's a pastor who wrote a great sermon that touched many or a  big switch in youth going from a not so good reputation to a phenomenal reputation that has changed many. A YWAM DTS is something that once it has been done, you have the power to make things happen and that is something I want to do. I want to make things happen instead of just watch them happen.

Wildatheart-ready for a new adventure

Katie Jones