Thursday 16 June 2016

Graduations and Going away parties

So much has happened since my last blog!
First, I have some big news! I am extending my time staffing here at YWAM Toowoomba. I will be here another 6 months and my commitment is now until June 2017. I will continue working in the administration department, and will be transitioning into leading the admissions department in the next few months to take over that role. I'll also be continuing on with the Freedom Project. I'm really excited to see how the next 6 months pan out!
Thank you for all of you who've been supporting me, both financially and through prayer. I'm really blessed to have you as friends and family. I love you guys!
me and the poinsettia's by the main building

Since my last blog, the students had their final week of lectures followed by a debrief week.  I've been really intentional in the last few weeks with spending time with students and staff. I loved the times we spent talking around the fireplace, watching movies like Sound of Music and Inside Out, playing Mario Kart (which I am very bad at but it's a good time for laughing at myself and being in awe of people who are really amazing), and going on long walks with the students and staff here. It was bittersweet seeing them off, knowing I might not see them again this side of eternity, but I can see how much God has in store for them and that their DTS is just the beginning of their lifelong crazy adventure with their Creator.

During the day I've been in the office, answering emails from future students and getting the last payments from students settled among other things. I've also enjoyed going to Bella nights. On June 3rd, we had a Bella Chicks called "Girls just want to have Fun". We talked about friendships and how to have healthy friendships and relationships. We played some fun games, a few people spoke about their friendships, and we had a mini dance party. I love those fun-loving goofballs so much!





Then, the next week we had Bella Sisters, which is the bi-weekly youth group for teen age girls I'm a leader at. A lady came and told her testimony. When she was 20, she fell off a horse and was paralysed from the waist down. Since then, she's grown in her faith, gotten married, and is full of life, passion, and joy of the Lord. It's inspiring to see. Before she even spoke, I was looking at her and at first I just saw her disability. Then, I felt like God was telling me, "She doesn't have a disability" and I looked at her again and just saw her as God sees her. It really changed my perspective and I think we all learned a lot about God's character and how to live life from her testimony. At the end of her talk, she said that a lot of people have prayed for her over the years, and although she isn't healed and can walk yet, the amazing thing about God is that He has the power to heal in an instant. God is with us through it all and He has the power and authority. We might not know why bad things happen to us, but no matter what, God has our back and is with us through it all. So cool!


On June 9th, the students graduated. They shared some cool testimonies of God's provision and faithfulness, shared a couple songs that some students had written, did a funny skit, and then they graduated and hugged all the Discipleship Training School staff and took pictures.

The January 2016 DTS

Mariah & me

Julia and me

The next evening we had Honouring night. We all took turns picking 2 people to honour, encouraging them and sharing things about them we liked and are inspired by. I really loved that evening and how much closer we got to each other. It's so fun to build each other up!

Another event that happened was our Staff Farewell Party, which happened this last Tuesday night after the students left. Seven of the staff are going home and so we wanted to honour them and send them off. We had a big dinner and put together a video of some photos and good memories we've shared with them. Then someone from the leadership team honoured and encouraged them. It was such an awesome night!

Megan, one of the beautiful people who graduated their internship
Love these crazy people!

Before I finish off, here are some things you can be praying for:

-Please pray for me as I go on holidays the next 2 weeks. I'm going to Townsville next week and then the week after I am helping out at a Kids Camp. I feel like God has something in store for me over the next few weeks, but I don't know what yet. It's exciting but I'm a bit nervous as well not knowing.
I would love prayer to talk with people (maybe pray for some people as well) in Townsville and just love on people. For the Kids Camp, to show the love of God to them and give it my all, relying on God for strength instead of my own strength. Also, to step out in God's authority over the next 2 weeks and for rest and peace.

-For the students and staff going home that they would continue to dive deep in the word, know what to say to their friends and family about their last 5 months, and for them to invest in their churches at home.

-For continued growth in the girls at Bella and for listening ears and open hearts to learn and see the love of Christ.

"The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
"Yes, I have loved you with an
everlasting love;
Therefore with
lovingkindness I have
drawn you."

Jeremiah 31:3

Thank you for your prayers and support. If you wish to support me financially, please contact my parents to ask for my bank details or go to my GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/gmz85bz8