The returning YWAM

8/2/13

Kingdom night tonight was phenomenal. God told me that I wouldn't have to search for people to talk to, so I just went with it and what happened was really cool.

Stephanie  (one of my leaders)word to me-Your heart is sensitive right now and will know who to go to!;) 

A few of us found a lady in her 60's homeless and desperate for someone to talk to! We all listened intently to her as she spoke about her country stealing from her and her family leaving her stranded. She believe's she doesn't need her family anymore and she prays that this government will get itself together one of these days. We got the opportunity to pray over her and I gave her a word saying "with great difficulty will come great Favor from The Lord and I want to declare that over your life!:)"

She was happy to hear this but she questioned my name and asked If I had any other names/identities! I don't know what this mean but I answered to what God calls me. Not sure if that's what she meant.

Next guy I talked to was not a Christian but he will be in my prayers! I am positive I planted a seed. His family is gangster (what he told me), his mom died of heroin and his dad died in the Vietnam war, his two brothers are distant and he was dropped off in Denver by his now ex-girlfriend left to be homeless. They fought a lot. He was a very nice guy! I felt like he was giving up on life in general with the extremity of what he talked about. My heart hurts for him. He asked me what I worked for and so I told him I am a missionary! He then continued to ask me what got me into all this religious stuff, so I was honest and told him that I was raised in a Christian family and continued to say that I am not here to change him but to love on him and whoever God put in my path. He was very understanding! I just know I wouldn't want a Muslim to go up to me only to be there to change me and not to listen to me. I wanted him to know I was there to listen to him and give encouragement and if he was interested in having a relationship with Jesus, the door was not closed. I did offer to pray for him but he refused and I'm fine with that. I told him he would be in m prayers.

Then storm and I left for Starbucks! After getting a drink we sat outside at a table. When storm looked to her right, she looked back at me with eye's that said "she is it, she is the one God wants me to talk to" and so I looked and said "yes, lets do it!" We walked over to a young lady at a table all by her self. We both introduced ourselves and sat down as if we were old friends. Storm started talking to her as if she had known her, her whole life. I just sat there very silent at first listening to storm ask her if she had anything we could pray for her and the young lady (Gaby) telling her she was very blessed and then continued to ask if she had anything she could pray for. This was a little shocking to us, this doesn't happen often. As I sat there I felt bad for staying silent but that was also the moment God gave me a word for Gaby. When we were done praying over her! I began telling her "Gaby, I feel like The Lord would want me to tell you that you are rooted and planted in His path, you don't look to the right or the left but to him and he likes this about you! He really likes you a lot! I feel like He has such a big plan for you. He is also telling me y'all are about to do some amazing stuff, y'all are going to have a lot of fun together!" It was almost as if He was putting words into my mouth as I got more comfortable speaking this over her. After I prayed for her, I looked at her and she was wiping tears from her face. 

Before we headed back we all exchanged numbers and emails, letting her know that we are here for her when she needs us. I told her we are now her prayer warriors.

I'm excited! I love pouring into people and loving on them. 

8/3/13

My small group surprised me by taking me to the zoo for a happy late birthday gift. Totally a blast! Love this group like none other! The peacocks were everywhere making their noises, that I think sound like the bird off of "UP". I think I embarrassed Logan a few times for mimicking some of the animals there or making sound effects to what animal I was looking at. The most fun I had was imitating a monkey's actions to what it is thinking at the moment. I am entertained by animals almost always.

It was fun but exhausting. I wanted to crash when I got back but it was like energy came back to me, so I 

Just hung out with everyone that was around.

8/4/13

I tried Bridge way today and let me just tell you! Worship rocked!!!!

Everything else, okay...but worship....WOW! 

The rest of the day I treated myself to a over half of my book left to read before tomorrow because its due then.lol I didn't succeed but I plan to finish early in the morning.

8/5/13

Woke up at 5:30 to go read at Starbucks. I finished!!! Woot woot! Always a celebration to finish a book on my account. It was a great book I must say. 

Troy Sherman is speaking this week on relationships! For two hours he spoke to us, giving no breaks and let me just say that I was ok with that. Because he is so entertaining. Blows my mind!:) 

His class went a little like this.... (my notes of what he said)
Love your neighbor as youself.
"Grace compelled me to change my behavior not law"
Gynecologists don't have to be Christians (this point is a little creepy to me)
A joke by Troy Sherman " I was meditating on the book of numbers and I realized I don't have yours." He is super funny and entertaining. It's going to be a great day.

The whole time we really dug into 1st Corinthians chapter 13.
"Being vulnerable makes us more like God and more powerful"
"what you did or what you do will never define you but what you do with that is what will define you."
Love- is desiring the highest good for the other individual.
"If Jesus has been telling you He loves you and you have been slapping it down, you have been quieting the lord."
The more clear God is with you the more reason you have to pee yourself.
Once you have something worth steeling the devil will attack.
Give Him your full heart and He will do infinity, hold back a little and He can only do His max.
Sometimes what seems the best will end up being the worst.
Sex was intended by God to be the overflow of intimacy.
I don't care about you having sex before marriage, its why you did it, I care about.
Less of us would sin if we had to pay for it.
It isn't a sin issue it is a love issue.
We confuse our attraction with our anointing.

really intense and interesting. (this isn't even all my notes....crazy...just summarized)
 

8/6/13

Troy Sherman talked about- Expressing different levels of understanding love.
"When I was a child I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I gave up childish ways."
You will become like the thing you worship.
If your trying to love it's no longer love, its seduction.
Marriage doesn't fix you.
You cannot train a leader to love.
Lie's only have power, if you give them power.
We are the revival.
Love never fails
1st Corinthians 13:7-8 Love bears all things....
Have a good fight before you marry and then your ready.
1st Corinthians 13
He will not tell you but show you.

 

8/7/13

Troy Sherman

Notes...
Believe-
Ezekiel 16:49
Hope-A desire of some good, accompanied with all expectation of obtaining it or a belief that it is obtainable; an expectation of something which is thought to be desirable; confidence; pleasing expectancy.
Endure-To continue in the same state without perishing; to last; to remain.

 

I had drama practice today where I played the role of greed! Pretty fun and funny, I must say. I'm so happy to be here. 

8/8/13

Hard quiet time today, one of those mornings when you just leave the tissue box close by. 

Last day with Troy! So sad! He is really awesome and a talented speaker!
Notes
Dating and Marriage
Have a good fight before you marry.
Experience the good, bad and ugly.
1st Corinthians 13:4- Love is patient, love it kind....
Beauty is cursed in 2/3 of the world. Proof would be looking at the before and after pictures of anyone famous. Makeup is just making this world have a distorted view of beauty.
God called us to a ministry of obedience not success.
I would rather be drowning with Jesus than in the boat without Him.
Forgiveness-The blood of Jesus only covers what you uncover.
He loves you, let it go!
Identity- you can't relate to others unless you know you.
 

8/9/13

Today we had mid term evaluations on the leaders and directors. Hardest thing I have ever done! I don't know how to answer those type of things. Then we had small group where our group combined with Katie's group, who has Danny, Alley and storm. So all of us played taboo. 

Then we went to a really nice Brazilian restaurant, where we are a lot of food!:) really yummy stuff.
A lot of fun to just dress up and eat with some amazing people. The rest of the day consisted of resting and trying not to think about how full I was.  

8/10/12

For service Saturday we walked a 5k for Aids/HIV. When we arrived at the race, a family who lost their brother from Aids, was there ready to welcome. They were so excited to see us. They are such a sweet family and have a testimony of their brother. Breaks my heart that this is a problem in the world and not much is done for it. Not many survive. The families little kids were there, I got to play with them a little with a few other YWAM siblings of mine. Such a great day. The rest of the day was just restful.

8/11/12

I have decided I really love vineyard. I think it's because of the group that also likes going there but I also really like the worship leader. She has a really pretty voice.
After Church Meghan and I worked on our Thailand project for the cookout later. A family that is great friends with my leader Ruth has asked us to come for a cookout they are hosting for us. It was so sweet and so much fun. Getting so close to leaving for Costa Rica.

8/12-14/12

Donna is teaching us on spiritual warfare this week. It's so good.

 

 

Travel update

• We have not heard much from the London, England base so we are not sure what will happen there. So keep that in your prayers. Yes, doors have been open as to where we will stay but not stable just yet.
• We leave the Base at 8:30 pm Saturday and depart from the airport at 1:00am. From there we will land in South Carolina for a layover and then we go to Costa Rica.

8/15

least busiest Thursday I have ever had. So I got to facetime my sweet mom and sister. They got a sneak peak at one of the Drama's the compassion team was working on, that we also will be doing. Today we had a team meeting, these are always so good. We are learning how to communicate on outreach when we might not be in the best of moods. God has this, it's going to be good. I'm excited to be stretched and strengthened.

We had drama review today where we review all the drama's we will do on outreach. So much fun.:)

 

 

Pictures of my adventure

 

 

 

To kingdom night we go:)

I love the zoo

Zack and I in purple

The group at Brazilian steak house

Me and the beautiful Alyssa

Aids walk for service Saturday

Me and Cindy Lou hoo my puppet on outreach. We sing, we laungh and we dance!:)

Graduation!:)

Wildatheart

Katie- Daughter of the one true king

P.s. will update as soon as I can!:)

YWAM Update

YWAM Journal

7/21/13

Funny how I can get so excited about doing my hair because its short and really easy to do. It's even easier now due to the fact that its not as curly anymore. And it's not as curly as I thought it would be short.
 I went with a few other girls to Faith this morning. First time here! It reminds me a lot of Trinity, especially since I know some of the people on stage cause they play on the worship team on base as well. It was great! I think I will need to go again to make it feel more comfortable. I already feel that way with mile high vineyard. God is good!:)
I finished my book report paper today and sent it to my small group leader. So glad that's out of the way.
The book is really good!
So to celebrate a group of us ventured off to Starbucks and hung out. Some needed to do homework so I took that time to write the blog you saw last time.
Afterwards we went back to base for dinner and then did some more reading on my big purple blanket in the grass.
A few of us ended our day with some bliss frozen yogurt and then crashed.
I also forgot to mention that Friday Meghan's friend Becca arrived here at YWAM and is now staying on my top bunk!:) She is really neat and a joy to be around.



7/22/13

It's getting closer to my birthday and I'm getting even more excited! I'm ready to be 18 and have been for a very long time. This day will be good even if I do nothing for myself.
This week Eric from staff is speaking about bible study! He aims to make 3 senses apart of his speaking so today was taste I guess. We took something that is like tonic (spicy and boost's your metabolism and immune system), a cracker and then jelly beans that could taste anywhere from gross to yummy. I thankfully got strawberry jam instead of centipede (the two are the same color). He dug into our beliefs of  bible study by relating it to our own lives. I realize this now has a big significance to belief's in general and God pointed some stuff out to me. I can't wait to learn more.
After supper I had a date night with just me and Jesus.
I need a special time with Him sometimes that tastes sweet!lol I don't think He has much against Reece's and a iced white chocolate mocha. Lol He just wants time with me.
He is showing me that it's ok to stop and look around!
I have noticed today how much I have changed in just 4 weeks! I'm enjoying every bit of me that is stepping out to change. I'm never in a comfort zone here. If a comfort zone is with Jesus than that's what mine is and sometimes it's not the type of comfort I would like. Even though as I sit here, the coffee is gone and there is no more Reece's, my date is not over yet! I love Him so much! He makes me just want to sit in this moment forever and ponder on who He says I am.
Every time I say "Jesus" He always gives me chills! Being here at YWAM has given me this sweet feeling to say "Jesus"! I love it! "Jesus" here is a sweet sound to all here. I know it would be anywhere but I feel like this is the place it has hit me.



7/23/13

Last night I had a weird dream.
When I say "weird" I mean it.
During quiet time I dissected and was reminded of a lot of things and it all matched up really well. God is so good. The dream was about a dog fighting against the enemy and a bird would come over and give the dog a treat to keep it going. I think God is the bird and I was the dog, keeping the enemy in mind that we always are in a war. The enemy in my dream couldn't be seen, I just knew it was coming. My prophetic word says that I am sweet, that's what He likes about me, I am like candy wanting to give people what I have. The word prey came to mind as I was asking Jesus what this dream meant. Meaning that because of my sweetness the enemy will always be seeking me as prey to devour because I AM so precious to God.
This was a really cool thing to see happen and think thru.

 Class has been really good!
We had a chance to act out a part from the bible! My group did the "fall of man". I was the serpent in this one! At the beginning it says that the serpent was the most crafty of them all so I got some scissors, glue and paper and acted like I was being crafty. I had been joking about how God made child labor painful from the beginning when we were practicing so I got to do the sound effects to the child labor part! That was fun!
In class we are learning the different Narratives in the bible such as,

• historical narrative
• old testament law
• prophetic
• poetry
• wisdom
• gospel
• epistle
• eschatological

and the different genres of the bible. All very neat. I now have a different perspective of bible study.

The day ended with Meghan, her friend Becca and I going to Bliss to get frozen yogurt and then we took a drive towards the mountains. God is always reminding me to take in His beauty and not to take it for granted. I am always ok with this, as long as He is in me reminding me, I will take it all in and enjoy it all. I also learned how to play bonanza which was a lot of fun.

7/24/13

During quiet time I had a revelation of a song I have been wanting to get for a long time because it has just kept on playing in the background of my mind for prolly a month. Found it!:) so guess what? It's been playing every time I get a chance! It's called "He is with us" by love and the outcome (meredith andrews sings it)

Today in class we learned about- meditating on the word, giving 3 options of how you can do this:

• one thought method- read a portion of scripture, pick one verse and think about it, turn it into a prayer and then pray it back to God.
• Gospel meditation approach-Quiet yourself in God's presence, ask Him to take the words in scripture and lead you to an encounter with the Father, son and the holy spirit.(read John 15:1-7 outloud)
• Contemplative approach (also known as Lectio Divina)- a sacred reading method a way of listening to God through scripture.

I had my one on one with my small group leader Mary today at lunch! She is amazing and so very sweet! I can't wait till my parents meet her!:) She is the sweetest!:) She is the kind of person that if you tell her about something you need prayer over, you can have no doubt that she will be praying about it for you. I love her!:)

We had an outreach prep meeting/team meeting today, Erica Strickland (an amazing singer and speaker) taught us how to write a sermon and gave tips to do for our translator when we get one.

Today in work duties on grounds we raked the grass. They don't bag their grass because it fertilizes the grass but in a few days they take it up so that it doesn't suffocate the new grass coming in. Pretty neat I must say. Great biceps and ab workout, I mean I do get enough of this in a day due to laughter but I'm ok with more exercise. It was way better than picking pine cones up!:)

Afterwards Becca, Meghan and I hung out before Meghan went to life  group and I needed to do homework.

After homework I just hungout and eventually went to bed early due to God telling me I needed to wake up really early. Before I did I got to drop in on a skit that some of the group was learning/working on. When they all are done and perfected I will post some video's. They are all so great!:)

7/25/13

I woke up at 5:30am to get ready quickly and go see the sunrise.

Living in the mountains is different you don't see it as soon as it come up but you know it is up cause its light out. Plus, clouds got in the way but that was what God wanted I guess. It's funny cause the last two mornings God has told me to do this and my alarm was on low volume and I ended up not doing it but this morning it was 3x louder and much more awakening. And it didn't go off just once, I guess God wanted to keep reminding me even if I was already up! Lets just say it was Beautiful and God's timing was great.  I just sat there admiring it and listening to graham Cooke, Afterwards I went to Starbucks across the road and got me set up! My new favorite is iced white chocolate mocha. As i sat in Starbucks I looked out side and caught a glimpse of a rainbow coming from the clouds.:)

So the rest of my day was really nice. I was surprisingly wide eyed and bushy tailed!:) lol

Last day of class we dug into observing, interpreting, finding timeless truth's and application God's word. We did this by digging into Ephesians, taking a bit of it and going thru these steps.

After dinner Tabea and I went and did laundry! I needed it done for the weekend and she had no more clean clothes to wear. Then we went to bliss. Bliss is my favorite place to go after laundry or during if it works out. Then I walked around the park with Alyssa and we just talked, following an awesome quirky time with the photo booth, Tabea and I!:)

7/26/13

I love waking up and walking into the bathroom with my roommates cheerfully telling me "Happy Birthday!!!!!!"

I am 18 today!:) Woot Woot!:)

My small group leader Mary made me Mississippi mud cake (a Paula dean recipe) and they all wrote me words that they felt God was telling me/encouraging words! I love it! They all are so sweet!

I even got to play on the play ground by base with them a little. My youthfulness is what I aim to keep always. Lol

The group sang to me today! It was awesome! I feel so special.

Then some of my friends surprised me with a brownie cake with my name on it!:)

I can't think of a better way to spend my birthday than to be here at YWAM with this new family!!!

When my parents arrived I ran to them. I immediately had happy tears. We ate on base, they were having taco's! We ate outside where we fought a bumble bee for the spot and I opened my gifts they brought. My mom did an amazing job on a picture book that included my graduation pictures, senior pictures, family pictures (Jones) and childhood pictures! I love it! Best part is its zebra. Zebra keeps growing in my stuff. Ha! It's funny.

We later had frozen yogurt at bliss with most of the group. This place was especially busy since they exempt kingdom night this Friday.

Then we just rode around in the mountains!

7/27/13

My mom texting me at 8:30 am was my alarm this morning. I got up, got ready and packed in 15 minutes.

As soon as I was ready and texted them they were on base before 9! We left to go eat at IHOP. Me and my dad ate the best red velvet pancakes ever there. Then we headed for Estes park. At Estes park it was cool but too busy for us so we went thru Rocky Mountain national park. It was simply beautiful.

We made our way thru Idaho springs, where my we got to get root beer floats and me some owl PJ's (needed new Pj's).

My mom found an awesome hotel in wheat ridge for all of us to stay. She can pick. Our joke!:) 

Paisley had a sleepover. We watched Disney channel and cuddle until 9 and then we crashed! I love this little girls cuddles. She is sweet, she has her moments but she is 3.

7/28/13

Woke up to a sweet voice asking me if I was up yet. I chose to be happy to be woken up by paisley. I love this girl.  Saying goodbye to my family was bitter/sweet! I feel bad for saying I really love it here at YWAM but I do. I wouldn't want to go back home for anything right now. I have so much more exploring to do in this world (literally!!!).

I really loved having them here. Having them meet everyone here and experience some hustle and bustle YWAM life. But saying goodbye to the little one about to burst into tears because she wants her K-T, breaks my heart. I can't believe it has been 5 weeks since I had left them and will be 15 more weeks (or less) till I see them again. Which will be for graduation.:)

I'm realizing that I'm a little pampered here as far as stress goes. I don't have family stress but due date stress. Which to me is nothing compared to family stress.

I wasn't planning on going to church as long as my family was here but they ended up dropping me off at base right before church started so I got to go. It all works out in the end. My Idea's:
popsicles with paper that have a verse on the topic of love, delivered to a near by college.
5 blank t-shirts with a love verse on the front and a cool picture of some sort (hand drawn) delivered to a near by college
My Heart:
My Heart goes out to the College student's of this generation. They deal with so much as fresh new adults. From payments, work school, and tempations always at their fingertips. My heart is to share the love of Jesus with them. I know I am loved and I have experienced His love and can't imagine a day without it. This love is like Candy, candy is sweet and tasty anybody who has tried it wants more of it because it's so good. God is like this, I want them to have this. If they have this love, this sweet love, that is so good, they will come back for more.
What really ended up happening:
 All these idea's meant nothing this week to God. He is funny. He had His own idea's for my love action this week. He did let me know that He would use these idea's soon. I ended up going to Hobby lobby on sunday thinking I would get my supplies, make what I wanted and go put it into action at a college. Nope! First of all, Hobby Lobby is closed on sundays, so that ruined my plans immediately. I ended up going somewhere for lunch, ate in my car while I did some other homework I needed done before monday. When I was done and left to go back to the base, this seemed like a bummer since my GPS sent me to the farthest Hobby Lobby (past down town denver- 30 minutes away). God started to talk to me as I drove telling me that this trip wasnt for nothing, It was to get me away from the base to be all to His self. Because He is a Jealous God, He deffinitely has to do this with me sometimes. I can do my own thing sometimes. He showed me the song called He is with us by Love and the outcome. When I asked Him what He wanted me to do, He told me "Katie, daughter of the feared Beloved, you are precious, you don's see this as an assignment but as an oppurtunity. I love this about you. I woud like you to Go to the Starbucks on Ward across from base and there will be a little girl reading (or doing something- He wasnt exactly specific on this part), in her life has been some lies and false truth's about love and religion, i am sending you there to speak life into her and let her know how much she is loved". So i agreed to what He was telling me and went. So as soon as i went in and got me a drink, i walked by a little girl on her lap top. As soon as I saw her I knew God wanted me to speak to her. Funny thing is I have seen her before. I sat down by what i assumed to be her father. I sat there and did my homework for a while and when I thought the time was right I talked to her dad. He was excited about me wanting to talk to his daughter and let me give her the note I had written. It said "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son to make a way for us to know Him. John 3:16 (In my own words)
In purple because purple means royalty and you are His royal daughter."
Now I realize the verse isnt complete word for word but this was God's plan not mine and I'm perfectly Happy with that and I did write the note in purple. Total God thing.
The little girl's name is Andrea and she is 11, when she opened up to me she told me her parents were not christians but she was. She showed me what she was doing on her lap top and that was listening to the adventure's of oddysey (a bible story sound track for kids). Later I knew her dad had a "mask" on because of a confrontation with the word that was made based on his beliefs that was not relevant at all.
God showed me thru this experience that the broken are out there just waiting for us to come and help them, He is ready to use me, use us. This little girl is just one out of many. He also is driven to always remind me to remember how much one person can change the world, if i am one person and I change one. Think of how many can change others, If one is all it takes to change the world.
I do however hope to full fill a college ministry Love action soon, in God's timing.
This is my passion, my heart and my desire to reach out and speak out to people who need it most. This was a blessing to do and a blessing to talk about with you.

7/29/13

It's a rainy and cold Monday here at YWAM. I love it!

Starting the morning out with sweet Jesus time and worship is the best way I know to start the week.

Phil Gasely is speaking this week.He is pretty interesting and has a sense of humor. He is speaking on Justice and compassion, starting the week on true freedom.

" True freedom is to have sin removed from both soul and society and for God's character to be reflected in both." Phil Gasely

I have a feeling we will get along great. Work duties, got put off and instead of normal work duties they let us have quiet time. This is the best part of being on grounds! When it rains, no work duties. So a group of us went to Starbucks and just hung out! I listened to Graham Cooke and loaded his cd's to my computer.

We had night classes tonight from 7-9! Pretty good stuff, I am just glad I voice recorded it because I was too tired to understand most of it! So I used this time to practice my people drawing skills. Pretty good I must say. After such a late class a group of us ate some Mississippi mud cake. Too much cake for just me and way more fun to share with everyone. We did this last night too so it's all going somewhere now!

7/30/13

I had Mississippi mud cake for breakfast! Not a good idea. Seriously didn't feel good most of the morning. Only a night thing from now on. Almost fell asleep in class several times this morning. Ha!  I would think it would keep me awake and going but nope! Not how I work! Is this what being an adult feel's like?

Bekah, Meghan's friend left today!:( really sad she had to go but I'm so glad she got to visit! 

I have my second creative presentation today called "love action" we all have to do this the second time around. And the story about the little girl at Starbucks is what I got to tell. Almost like show and tell! I had fun! It was great. I'm pretty sure I forgot to mention some stuff but I feel like that's what God wanted any-who.

In work duties we raked the lawn again! Great arm exercise and time consuming so I'm fine with this. After dinner I got spiffed up for church at bridge way, they are doing a prophetic conference tonight and its going to be good. As I walked out in front of the pong I must have caught a wasp with my hand as it swung by my side and it stung me. I have never felt that much pain all at once in one moment. Forgetting that the doors Locke after 5:30 I'm trying to go back into the door I came out of to find it was locked. One of the leaders and Meghan my friend came running up to me asking me what was up! So I was took into the kitchen to get sting ointment but they didn't have any so I was given what they thought would work and a wet paper towel. I decided about over half way to bridge way that the devil was trying to get in the way of what was in store for tonight. And he continued to try to get in the way till half way into the service.

Prophetic word- they spoke a lot of the Father's love over me and how He really likes me. One lady healed my hand by massaging it while she spoke over me, she didn't even know I was hurt and didn't mention it but I told her afterwards that she healed me. One guy laid a fire ball on my head as he placed his and on top of my head and mentioned that it will increase. I could feel it go throughout my body and increase. It was so cool. The last guy I was to go to was the pastor and was really moved by me and mentioned my fire ball. afterwards his wife was telling him it was cold in the room and he told her that he was sweating from me "the fire ball". I did not let the enemy win today.

7/31/13

This morning I woke up extremely tired. But as usual in my quiet times, God seems to revive me of that. I love that. Worship was so good. It is always so powerful. I love worship with this group and intercession to follow. We prayed for the education in Libya and drew pictures, ate goldfish and animal crackers and blew bubbles. So much fun. I'm not going to lie class was pretty boring today but I made it thru them. We had a outreach prep meeting today which consisted of getting some cultural differences from some people on staff and my team. Pretty neat and nice to know! Something's shocked me and something's I could relate to.

In work duties Andi and I raked the grass while the others cleaned out the fish pond. Fun stuff! This girl is a lot of fun!:) excited to be traveling the world with her in 2 weeks!lol After dinner I had a rehearsal for the skit "forgiveness"! I play "greed" in this one. It's a really cool skit and will be really powerful. Afterwards Meghan and I went to do laundry. As we did this, we talked about life and marveled over the fact that we feel like sisters. God answered my biggest prayer here at YWAM and that would be to have a big family and here I have it! I love all 8 sisters and 3 brothers as I would my own family! 

We got back just in time for our curfew!

8/1/13 

I woke up at 5:30 this morning to go have my quiet time.:) I quickly packed a bag of things I needed and got ready! 

I drove to my point to watch the sunrise.

It was pretty! On the way back to Starbucks across from base and as I drove I saw at the corner of my eye, bunny rabbit dart across the road just as I passed! The worst feeling is looking in the mirror and seeing the floppy feet flopped over its body as it lay helplessly in the middle of the road. I was in tears going down the road! I quietly asked God why He intended that and He told me "Life is short and can be taken in a second, this is just a reminder to live life to it's fullest!" 

OK! Gotcha! I just wish it was shown differently but I guess this is ok. 

I won't ever look at a bunny the same again. 

I got coffee and have been working on this very blog post! 

Bible study was good with Rachel (my roommate) teaching on obeying God and relating it to our own lives and the story of Jonah and the whale. She is amazing and so sweet.

Class was much more interesting today, yet hard! 

Speaking on Sex trafficking, 

I got to eat lunch with Phil Gasley our speaker, it was great! Then afterwards I had a meeting with my team for outreach. We had some fun times doing some team building excercises.Then I had puppet rehearsal where I met my darling "Cindy Lou hoo", a red headed sweet heart and spunky personality. She had cataracts on her eyes when they pulled her out but we fixed it with a little sharpie. These puppets are not just puppets but dancing puppets! Yup!:) We worked on a song called "laughing" then "Jesus Loves you" by veggie tales and then a Spanish one with a great beat. It was a blast! My darling is the main character of "Jesus loves you".

After that much fun, ATW's had a dinner meeting where we cracked down to business on some travel info. I'm getting more excited as we are 2 weeks and 2 days away from leaving. 

I finally got a break after dinner for 30 minutes and then to community night I went! Worship was really good! God showed me my angel wings and kept putting a fire ball on my head! Every time I say "Jesus" during worship or any intimate time with Him, I get chills! It's great!:) Phil Gasley spoke a recap (for me and all the other students in class with him this week) for us!:) He is a great speaker!:) I love his passion for the world and what It hurts for. 

The we had cookies and lemonade. I got to get to know Melanie's sweet family (she will be traveling the world with me). 

Then had some great laughs by the pond with a lot of the team. Love them all and am so glad they love me for me, all the way. 

Bekah and Meghan saying goodbye!:(

Paisley and I sleep over:) love her! Melts my heart:)

Beautiful mountains with my family:)

Paisley's buddy Meghan:) she has great taste in friends:) 

Cool chick in Andi's shades before work duties.

Hand swollen from wasp sting below my thumb.

Libya drawing. Intercession fun:)

Sunrise (8/1/13)

Life is good at YWAM

7/13/13

This morning I got up, got ready, and packed. Today a few schools (not all) are going to eagle rock till Thursday! 

This means mountains, no phone service and hiking! The base here is really neat! It has a spectacular view of the mountains. Showers of rain poured over us shortly after arriving. It was a great way to start the weekend! 

Rainy deck (^)

7/14/13

This morning I watched the service online from my home church trinity fellowship! Thank you lord for wifi and a modern church. 

This afternoon from 1:30-5:45 I hiked eagle rock mountain. It was very tough but a great reward doing so at the time. Last night God told me i would be climbing a mountain, not knowing what that meant i agreed. Before a group left to go, my YWAM sister Gracie pulled me aside and told me she thought i needed to go and so i agreed. On the way up, the "flesh" in me kept piercing hurtful words to get me to turn around and go back, but God told me I wasn't done yet! As I kept going, Gracie then appeared at my side assuring me that I could go my pace and stop when I needed to. It was a blast. When we finally got to what I thought was "the top", I tested my trust and had two of our guy leaders (larse and Steph) help me climb a really tall rock! Once I was up, I realized I was clinging to Larse, Until I got direction to move otherwise.lol

When I got up the rock I felt really accomplished! Until I realized we weren't there just yet. So down I went, almost like repelling.

So we went a little farther and then stopped but a few of us decided to just go ahead and go down. On the way down God told me "Katie, sometimes it's going to be tough, sometimes you will go down  hill and it will be fun. Other times your going to have to trust the people I surround you with. Sometimes you will have to get really close to me, so I can direct you with every little detail. Sometimes it's going to be just me and you and your going to have to trust me. Sometimes I am going to tell you to stop and enjoy the view. Other times I am going to go great lengths in showing you just how strong you really are. I love you and I am with you always." As He was telling me this I was cutting thru paths, going straight down a mountain. I was told that to dig my heals into the mountain and hold my arms out. God surprised me by saying "hey, what are you doing with your arms stretched out that way....my hands are here" before long I saw my hands find His and I was breezing down the mountain. Sometimes I found myself losing sight but God assured me by not ever letting me fall, that he was there with me. When I got to the base dinner was ready and so I ate, took my test for class, showered and crashed.lol

A few sites from where I was climbing (^)

Ally, Bethany and I at the top of the rock Larse and stephe helped us climb (^)

7/15/13

My first 2 tests are due this morning as well as my journal report. Worship was a little different. Though I know worship is not always music, this was even cooler. As The Lord directed each of us we got up, wrote the scripture reference on the whiteboard and then read aloud the scripture God lead us to. Reading it aloud 3 times slowly to let it sink in. 

It was really great!:) 

This week Mark Davies is speaking. Today was mostly let's get to know each other but I expect tomorrow to be deep. Class got out early so i ventured off to the prayer garden! It's so cute.

I stayed there for prolly almost two hours. 

After dinner I cuddled up on the couch with one of my roommates by the fire.  It was great. We just read our books and marveled on our lives. 

Community living is different! I am learning to be more vulnerable as we go. I find myself trying to hide in my cave which is sometimes acceptable but not always. God usually helps me out by dragging me out by my feet! 

The path to the prayer chapel (^)

The cutest little prayer chapel I have ever seen (^).

7/16/13

My quiet times are always the best part of the day! And from there they continue thru the day! Mark Davie spoke on relationships today! I thought it was a little fuddy duddy at first until he backed it up with scripture! Then it literally hit me, that truth was behind that with not just him but anyone. Speaking on best friends with the opposite sex and how dangerous it is to do that. Because it says something great about you that might attract the other when you only just want to be friends. Lets just say it won't last long. It's rare if it does. And if it does it more than likely won't end well.

I had clean up after lunch and dinner today, so my afternoon was free. 

I walked up to the prayer garden. I sat down and God told me "Daughter 

Of the feared beloved

You are like a butterfly dancing in a field of flowers." And sure enough, just before me was a bright yellow butterfly fluttering through the wild flowers that surround the garden. 

It has been a blessing to work in the kitchen because I only have to do this two days this week! My body appreciates this, due to climbing a mountain I'm still very sore! I'm so glad I did it though. We all ended the day with a bonfire outside. I really do love this group! I can't brag enough about them.

7/17/13

Today is our last full day in Eagle Rock! 

This morning we did class outside. Pretty interesting if you ask me.

I have been voice recording the lectures so I don't miss a thing and can focus more on listening and relating. My phone decided it was too hot though and turned off till it cooled down. Honestly I can't blame it! It got hot out there. So during break I moved to shade. Outreach prep today went a little like making paper dolls that the scraps turned into crowns. Plus we played two truth's and a lie as well as a few other games that were really fun to play as a family! I love each and everyone of these people. Their isn't one I love more or less, they are all equal! Snacks are always involved, which consisted of a little sugar free chocolate. This also rooted on the alti-toot's (to go along with altitude) for everyone (oh dear!😳). This is a little bit of community living in a nut shell for you. It does get deeper and much more personal as I go each day but, I'm totally fine with that. 

We ended the day with s'mores by the fire outside, surrounded by mountains and just a big YWAM family gathering. I got the blessing of helping Jessa (YWAM staff) set up! She is awesome!:) 

S'mores was yummy! 

Honestly hadn't had that much sugar at once in a long time. I was pretty hysterical later. These are the moments I don't stop talking and I always find something to laugh at.

Melanie, Jessa and Logan getting ready for smore's (^)

Camp fire pics (^)

7/18/13

Last day in Eagle rock. This is bitter sweet for me. I love it here yet I want to go Back home (the base down the mountain). Got to hear mark one more time before he left. 

It's like vacation here! I'm going to miss this place. 

I wasn't too happy this morning due to the fact that we did bible study instead of quiet time! This will be a normal Thursday deal, so I think in order to be in a good mood on those days, I am going to get up earlier for quiet time!

My last clean up duty was fun, but the dishwasher decided to stop working....which we later found out it just needed to be filled. Then we went home! I unpacked, made a Walmart run and talked on the phone for an hour with my lovely parents.

I'm excited to say they will be coming for my birthday! Everybody here is excited to meet the famous Paisley.:) 

I'm really excited for them to meet the family here at YWAM.

I know paisley will love it since they always have pb&j available at every meal on top of the normal meal they provide. 

Last day at Eagle rock, rocking the stripes and a little sad/happy we are leaving (^)

7/19/13

Fridays are normally relaxing. I like it this way! Quiet time was very relaxing and so needed. I always take this time to take care of my heart by journaling everything but I guess I left a few things out. I payed that price during worship! I was a mess. Many of my prayers go out to the family and friends back home.

For intercession we all broke out in groups and walked around the neighborhood near base, praying for the family's living there or anything God brought to our attention. In my group, one of the girls toes hurt so I bent down touched her toe and prayed for it to be healed in Jesus name. When I finished praying she looked at me shocked and excitedly announced that her toe doesn't hurt anymore. 

On a side note:

My constant prayer lately that really has brought change to everything I walk into whether its from a far or up close. I always thank God for that person first, then I ask that the devil not be aloud to come near this person and a blanket of healing/peace to be placed over this person. I have seen immediate change for several weeks praying this prayer. It's really neat. 

A little while later, God told the 4 of us to pray over the playground and so we sat down and started to pray. When we got there, their were only a few kids, as we prayed, more kids came running onto the playground. As we sat there watching, we prayed over a little girl (from a distance) who we felt had been told lie's about her in her life. Praying against those lies and for help over the person expressing that to her. Later a little girl and a little boy began to fight over a play thing, which ended in her kicking the little boy in the face. As we watched, the little boy fell to the ground and started to cry, the little girl then stood up and looked down. She started to walk towards a teacher muttering "now, I'm in trouble." She went up to her teacher to tell her what she did. We all knew though that she didn't really tell her what had happened. The little girl went over to a tree near by and sat down. We watched for a moment and saw that she was talking and crying. Faith church is near by and so we thought this group was from there and it was. This little girl was talking to God. Mary, one of the girls in my group felt the calling to go and talk to her. So she asked a teacher who was happy to hear this and let her. She talked to this little girl who expressed that she loves Jesus and wants to be just like Him but can't figure out why she can't. When Mary had asked to pray over her, this little girl said "yes, I want you to pray that I won't be so mean". Breaks my heart! As I watched this from a distance, I wanted to cry! 

This girl wasn't the only one changed today but all of us as well. I can't speak for the rest of the group but I definitely know I was changed watching.

I want to challenge you to pray for your community, families and anything God places on your heart! It really makes a difference. 

7/20/13

Today I woke up at 5:40 to get ready for service Saturday! We left at 6:30 after packing our lunches. We arrived at Salvation Army in Estes Park where they had a music camp for kids. After we are breakfast, we were put to work. Tabea and I were placed at an entrance to keep people from going up the road to park, cause there wasn't any parking at that entrance. So we were directing traffics to the next entrance. We had fun walking around like we owned the entrance singing kid songs like "Jesus love me" and "Jesus loves the little children". I don't know why these songs came to mind but they did. Afterwards we pulled out dead tree's in area's that really needed it, due to the fire cautions, dead tree's can make this problem spread. It was fun! We also paired up and made beds. My mom did a great job raising me to be tidy! I am thankful for this in times like this because the guy I was paired with confessed he wasn't good at it, so I took the mom role in a way to help make things look good. Thanks mom!:) 

When we got back to base I had half a book to read in order to get it done by Monday. I have a report due Monday as well. 

That was also the time I got a lovely call from my amazing parents. I now have to choose between having them come up for my birthday or me and a few other coming down to Amarillo. 

Decisions decisions!  In between I got my hair cut! I needed it bad! I have been contemplating this thought for a week. It worked out to where a friend needed to go to target and there was a great clips next door to it and it was also in my price range. 

I finished my book!:) Woot! Woot! 

Tabea (from Switzerland) and I at Salvation Army having fun directing traffic (^)

Golf cart driving:) (^)

Hair cut 👍😃(^)

Katie Jones

Wildatheart

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