Shira

Going for Walks

2009-10-22T17:16:00.002-05:00

There is something about going for walks that awakens dreams inside of me. It seems to open up the world of possibilities. Today was my first really extended walk of exploration since i moved out. I passed a many houses... some that were for sale which always causes my mind to wander to the days ahead, where i will have a home of my own. Oh the adventures my mind takes. There are so many things i would like to do in my life. Yet strangely, even as my mind dances with new ideas, and lifes possibilites, i am left feeling so at peace. I'm not sure which ideas i like better, i am unsure how i would like to paint my life's canvas. But inside my heart is full of peace and joy, excitement and rest. God is good. I know this to be true, and as long as I remain in his love, and abide in him, anything is possible, anything can happen.

Squished

2009-03-28T16:28:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I feel squished, I feel stuck. There are so many things in life that are changing. Yet, there are also many that are staying the same. I feel God has been challenging me, calling me out into adulthood and into maturity, yet there are area's that seem to stay the same. Areas in which i sometimes feel my growth is being squished. I do like living at home, and its not like I could afford school and living on my own and paying off my car (which i am hoping will happen soon, yay!) But there are parts of me that i will only be able to discover and explore if i were to step out on my own. So today... I wish i had my own place. A place i could invite friends over to, a place that i could take more steps into my independence. I can't believe i am almost 22. Crazy, I am actually an adult, and its cool to see the way God has been encouraging me to discover more about myself and more about who i am in him, and giving me courage to step out into new tasks and challenges. Weither it is actually stepping out from under the care of may parents, or in other ways yet to be discovered. This is the element of surprise and adventure that God leaves me with, always giving me a sense in my heart, yet never really telling me the specifics before i need them.

2008-08-11T13:44:00.002-05:00

Wow, its been a long time since i have made a post. I guess i have been processing thoughts else where. But today, I felt the need to log on and try and uncoil the mixture of thoughts in my head.

I have been noticing a shift in my heart the last few days. I realized last night that I love that God has been showing up at the meetings at Sanctuary, but I didn't really care about the theatrics as much as usual. Usually I think its exciting and fun and... well cool to see God move in power and see people fall down. Yes, people can fall down or do a various number of things when the lord comes on them in power. Our bodies are just not use to that kind of power.
Not that I don't long for more of God, on the contrary. Yet, my soul is beginning to cry out for his healing power, and i want it to go beyond our walls.

I have been really thinking on the Lords compassion lately. Beginning to think about the promise of being made whole that the Lord has given us as believers. If you try and picture his face of compassion as we sit here on earth; broken, sick, and diseased, you can't help but begin to realize that the lord has more to offer than the shaking theatrics or prayer. When did Jesus ever say he was not willing to heal in the scriptures? And if he is present in our worship meetings and we can sense his power around us, could the Lords desire really be that we ask that he use his power to heal us, not just emotionally but physically as well?

So I sit here, with what i would like to call a healthy discontent. An aching and a yearning for more of God. More of God in healings, that those who doubt his goodness might know it. That the unsaved would now believe.

Business has crept up on me again....

2008-01-10T15:34:00.000-06:00

So i find myself having stuff all the time. I like it, but it makes it more difficult to schedule in God time. Yet, that is what i must continue to do. I don't want to hold back my social stuff... i think i just need to learn how to time manage everything. Thus far i have been alright.. but i can feel it inside of me, i could feel it last night as well to a lesser degree. I wanted to go shopping with my mom this afternoon after i was finished work... but i don't have time. I must go to my room and read my bible and let his word wash over me once again. For once again, i have people coming over tonight for a bible study, but to be able to contribute or even just take the discussion in, i need to have some personal time and space.
I think that another part is, that the more time i spend at the prayer meetings the more i long and need time to grow my relationship with God. I am in need of more time with God. This is a good thing that i would like to accommodate in my weekly schedule.

New links

2007-12-20T18:37:00.000-06:00

So I put two new links on my blog. Sanctuary house of prayer, and TVVT. The reason... comes with a bit of story.
I have been going to 'sanctuary house of prayer' on Sunday afternoons for the last month and a half or so. Anyways...before I started going there regularly... actually over the last two years, God has really been revealing to me this heart for prayer that I have. I looked to get involved at my church with prayer, but the little that they had was not really what my heart was longing for. Anyways, its a long story as to how God connected me into the House of prayer here in Winnipeg (if you would like to know you should ask me sometime), but I feel so at home there. Being there inspires me to pursue Gods heart and brings me revelation of how he is pursuing me with his love. There are many other things that he is doing in me, threw my time there, much more than I can even comprehend at the moment. I just know he is working something in and threw me that is great. Anyways, the reason for the new links ... sanctuaryhop is because it has taken a special place in my heart. The TVVT is a blog written by one of the guys at Sanctuary. I found it and am recommending it to all. I find the entries to be encouraging and uplifting spiritually. That is all for now. If any of you are ever around Winnipeg on a Sunday afternoon, you should check out the house of prayer. (They pray threw singing/worship)

Gods affections

2007-11-27T15:47:00.000-06:00

So i wonder why its so hard to let God love us, or at least, its hard for me to just enjoy his affections sometimes. God has really been revealing to me his longing for his people. How he has been longing to be one with us since the beginning of creation. Though, when i think of this... my heart breaks for those that will not turn, or aren't turning to him.
I was having one of those moments last night, as i was going to bed, where my heart was breaking for those who could not or would not see the glory of God and turn to him and go after his heart and then i heard God whisper to me 'But i want you.' It breaks me everytime he gives me a glimps of his affections for me. The feeling wasn't there long, but i remember it, and i don't want to forget it. I need to firstly give him myself. I need to let God love me. He wants to love me. Its not always about 'them'. (being the ministries)
I don't know if that makes sense or if anyone really reads this anymore... but thats what was on my mind.

Last Wed. Night

2007-09-10T19:49:00.001-05:00

Last wed. night, i was walking on the street and my mind began to describe the picture that was before me. I felt like sharing it.

As i step out onto Bob and Hilde's front door step, i can distinctly smell the fragrance of smoke hanging in the air. It seems like someone in the neighborhood has had a bonfire causing the block to be enveloped in a haze of smoke. I make my way to the road, that i might walk to my van beneath the canapy of trees framing the street. My path is lite up, ever so gently, by the soft light of the street lamps. There seems to be a layer of fog hanging in the air to mix with the smell of smoke i had noticed upon stepping out onto the door step. It is such a beautiful evening to be enjoying the fresh cool air.

Humorous findings

2007-08-14T23:28:00.000-05:00

Alright... so i was walking my dog this evening and... well i saw the most amusing thing. There was this old lady sitting in her yard on one of those white plastic chairs. Now, this in itself, is not so interesting, but when she is watering her lawn in this chair it is. And when it is the second time you have seen this same old lady doing this it becomes even more interesting. Apparently, this is how this old lady chooses to water her yard. I find it humorous. If you try and picture this scene in your head, you probably would too.

oh and i still have not computer at my house. I am hoping i will have one soon.

Camp for the week

2007-07-10T14:46:00.000-05:00

Alright, so I didn't go on a road trip this past week. It just didn't work out. God had other plans for me. Instead, i went out to circle square ranch for the week and helped staff. It was a lot of fun, but i did come back tired and ready for a rest. I am so glad it still worked out for me to be out of the city for the whole week though. I like being away from the business of the city. It was also nice meeting some of the new staff for this coming summer out at camp. Anyways, that is what i have been up to... having fun and having God show me new things. (I also got to ride a horse on saturday before i came back into the city)

My house got hit by Lightning!!!

2007-06-28T14:28:00.001-05:00

This is no word of a lie. Sunday night my house got hit my lightning. I was lying in my bed and there was a crazy storm goin on outside. This loud thunder came and i thought to myself 'That one was close'. Little did i know, my house has just been hit. Anyways, long story short, the firemen came and checked things over. We have a big hole in our roof (it is now covered in plastic) Other than that, our computer, phone and satelite were all fried. Phones are back on but the other two will talk a little while. You may ask...' if you have not working computer, how are you blogging?' Easy, i am at my dads office. THough i never realised how much i use email to plan stuff until i didn't have my computer. But all is good. I just wont be checking email as frequently in the near futur, which is more the publics loss than mine. I still get to enjoy myself, but others we'll be missing out. hehe Anyways, that was some of the adveture I have had this past week. Have a good one.

A Walk with God

2007-06-24T21:33:00.001-05:00

I went for a walk with my dog so that i might sort things in my head out with God. Talk things over in a way. Ask him to make sense of my thoughts and such.... and he decided to show me his art work. I don't know if you know this, but residential streets in the city are so beautiful. With the canopy of trees hanging over the streets and the beautifully green leaves. Each house has its own unique yard with flowers or lack there of, bushes or not... and then the sky was a light blue with nice random clouds decorating it. And it was one of those evenings where the moon was out, but it was still light. Every direction i looked, there was a master piece that was perfectly balanced. As i looked around, he made everything i was trying to figure out disappear, and his glorious creation brought a stillness to my spirit. Sometimes the best way to deal with our 'problems' is to enjoy the master pieces of Gods creation around us.

God likes flowers

2007-06-24T03:07:00.000-05:00

I was lying in my bed trying to fall asleep. Because sleep wasn't coming so easily I was mulling over some stuff with God in my head. I was thinking, why do we like people or care about some people more than they care about us? I don't know if this happens to anybody else, but sometimes I have friendships where I genuinely want to know what’s going on with the other person, but I feel they aren't as interested in what’s going on with me. I was telling God (in my thoughts) that I wanted people to want to ask me those questions, not out of obligation but because they genuinely want to know. Then this revelation came to me. God does the same to us. He asks us how our days are and we don't always ask him in return how he is doing. So I made a point of asking him to share something with me. And I heard 'I like flowers'. It made me smile. It felt like God was showing me the vulnerable part of himself where he wanted someone to care enough to let him share something. He was waiting for me to ask him. I know for those reading this, it may not hit the same cord of revelation with you as it did with me. I mean 'I like flowers' sounds kind of cheesy if you read it the wrong way, and I can't really describe how it sounds in my head. Though maybe it will make you think, and maybe if you ask God, he will share something different with you. Something that will make you smile.

New Frontiers

2007-06-14T17:08:00.000-05:00

When choosing life's path...

'Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.' - Gil Bailie

To me, this line seems so powerful. As well, it’s my hearts cry, not only for myself, but for those around me. I long to see people step out and enjoy the adventure of life that God has put in them. It’s not only the journey that those around us see, but the journey we take spiritually as we trust God with the things that don't make sense.

'The spiritual life cannot be made suburban. It is always frontier, and we who live in it must accept and even rejoice that it remains untamed.' -Howard Macey

The reality of this last quote is daunting at times. My spiritual journey, or road of discovery, with God is confusing at most times. It is in away a huge puzzle that is being put together and ever single piece is cut into a different shape. Not one piece looks the same as another. The picture may look similar at certain parts as you put it together, but the way you arrive there is always different. If you look at some of the stories in the bible, you may notice that none of them repeat them selfs (other than some of the ones in the gospels). In every story, God is often drawing his people near to him by taking them on an adventure that has never been done before. For example, Joshua taking Jericho is a very unique way of doing things, but it called the Israelites to trust him. It was also never repeated again. God is the same with us; there is no formula. It is not a tame journey.

'Naturally, we are inclined to be so mathematical and calculating that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing...Certainty is the mark of the common-sense life; gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness; it should rather be an expression of breathless expectation. (Oswald Chambers - My Utmost for his Highest)

I like these words. I like the idea of being certain of God, but not of everything else. I don't like knowing everything, but I like knowing that God has it under control and is very adventurous and fun at heart. Oswald's words challenge me, as do the other quotes. But it is not a guilty challenge where I regret how I have lived to this moment, but they push me to long for more. Long for the adventure that God has put before me. For the desires he has placed in my heart, and to trust him to take me to the new frontiers in my heart. Rather than being suburban and try and fit a boring cookie cutter shape.

Road Trip?

2007-06-11T12:14:00.000-05:00

I want to go on a road trip. I need to get out of the city. You see, I was going to fly to New Brunswick the first week of July, so I go it off work. But last week, my trip got canceled. That’s right, I no longer have a place to go, but I still have to time off. So I am sitting here, weighing my options. What could I do to get a breath of fresh air, rejuvenate myself? I could volunteer at camp for the week, I could go visit some friends somewhere (fly), but most of all I want a road trip. I want to go on a road trip more than any of the other options. Yet it’s the only option that doesn't seem open at the moment. All my friends work and would need more than two weeks notice to go on a road trip. And where would I go? I don't really know.... somewhere fun I guess... where ever that is.
Why do I want to go on a road trip so bad when it doesn't even look like an option?
Anyways, I guess that is my little rant on how I want to go on a road trip. We'll see what actually happens. Maybe i will just go to camp....

Recieving Compliments

2007-06-04T22:38:00.000-05:00

I don't know if you have ever refused a compliment from God, but I found myself doing it the other day. I never thought it would be so easy to overlook a compliment, but I even tried to explain it away. What compliment did I refuse? Well, someone informed me that they were telling a story including me to someone. The person listening to the story stopped them and asked if they meant me, repeating my full name and said 'That is a good girl" or something like that.
Not that I think I am a bad person, but sometimes in my thoughts I focus on the mistakes I make, and how I often disappoint because I am human. The little things I need to learn to do better and need to work on...but as I was thinking, 'he doesn't really know me'.... I felt God saying...." it’s true, that compliment is from me."
Why is it so hard to accept compliments, and some more than others? This is a question that I had to ask myself. Why is it so much easier to see all my imperfections and flaws? Even now, I am finding it hard not to turn my thinking towards my mistakes and little so called 'flaws'.

A House?

2007-06-04T00:02:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it, my parents just helped my sister and her husband buy a house. A HOUSE!!!! That is so weird. They weren't even really looking seriously. They weren't even planning on looking at houses today. And now they have a house...... they have a house. That means they will be moving.... they will still be living close, but i wasn't expecting this. It happened so fast, but God definitely had a hand in it. Its crazy how he does the unexpected sometimes. CRAZY.
Anyways, it gets you thinking, 'I wonder what he has in store for me?' What is he planning, but hasn't told me yet? Life never has a dull moment when God is in control.

Selfish Tendencies

2007-05-31T17:28:00.000-05:00

This last week I read the book ‘Blue like Jazz’. I think one of the things I felt God draw to my attention was these few lines.

“I hear addicts talk about the shakes and panic attacks and the highs and lows of resisting their habit, and to some degree I understand them because I have had habits of my own, but no drug is so powerful as the drug of self. No rut in the mind is so deep as the one that says I am the world, the world belongs to me, all people are characters in my play. There is no addiction so powerful as self-addiction.” Donald Miller

I know that I can be self absorbed. I do things for myself all the time. I think about myself more than anyone else, and sometimes I even think the world around me is mostly about me. I may not actually have those exact thoughts, I may not think I think those things, but when I look at my actions, I see they are saying I think I am more important.
The next line that really made me think was said when Don asked someone how he could continue being so kind and serve others when they kept abusing his servant hood.

“ ‘Don,’ he said ‘If we are not willing to wake up in the morning and die to ourselves, perhaps we should ask ourselves whether or not we are really following Jesus.’ ”

This to me is an interesting way of looking at life. God had been challenging me a bit to help out and serve around the house, and this helped me see it from a new perspective. How can I consider myself a Christian, if I am being selfish all the time? I know I am not perfect, and I wont be able to do everything perfect, but it is something for me to think about. Serving doesn’t come naturally to me most of the time. I have to think about it, or make a conscious choice to step outside myself and do something for someone else. I wish it could be easy, but then it wouldn’t be character building. So God… we’ll just have to wait and see how long it takes me to learn this lesson. I’ll probably be learning how to be selfless until I die.

Unfansy Life

2007-05-24T12:19:00.001-05:00

Why do we feel that our lives have to look like we are going somewhere to know that we are going somewhere? My life, to me anyways, doesn't look like I am going anywhere. I work part time at a cafe, and I am involved with my church. At the moment I don't have plans for school. I don't actually know what my future looks like. So what am I planning on doing with my life? Well, whatever it is I am living it for God. Sometimes I wish God would just tell me where I am going, so that I know the 'nothing' that I am doing right now is relevant.
The other night God blessed me with one of those moments where he shows you he is using you, even if it is ever so slightly. One of those moments where he reminds you that, you living for him and being real is often all he really needs. When we do that, he moves. It’s not us that does the work, he just moves through us.
So here I am, living at home, knowing what my next year is probably going to look like. Knowing that God could change it in an instant, but that my just living for him is relevant. My unfancy life is fancy enough for him. In fact, if I tried to make it 'fancy' according to our worldly standards, I would be cheating God.

Changing

2007-05-24T11:41:00.001-05:00

Do you ever have those moments when your realise how much you've changed, or maybe not so much changed but become more you? I had one of those moments yesterday. It in a way made me sad.
Sorry, i will explain that last sentence. I was hanging out with some friends from high school last night, as i do every so often. I love them. They are great people. I find that I see a lot of who i am in them. I think that's why i was friends with them in high school. But in high school i wasn't as me. I wasn't not me... i was still becoming me. I still am becoming me. Anyways, as i was sitting there with them, i was having fun, i enjoyed myself very much. I guess, there are just parts of my personality that i have discovered over the last two years that they don't really know, and i don't hangout with them enough for it to come out naturally. I hope that make sense. So in away i was sad because they were missing a part of me that i couldn't just force out.

Why do I like the rain?

2007-05-20T16:32:00.000-05:00

I was thinking about this question today,'what do i love so much about the rain?' Because really, it makes you unnecessarily wet, and then you get cold, and then you have to change, or if you're not at home, you have to suffer being damp/wet.

So I was sitting in my friends sun room this afternoon while she was taking a nap thinking about this question. You could hear the rain falling ever so gently. There was also a crispness to the sun room air, as it is cool out. I had to tuck my feet under me to keep them warm, and a peaceful joy was in my spirit, sitting there as i was spending time with God. And i realised that there is something about being outside, being away from the busy city life, being away... in the quietness, that puts my spirit in awe of God. That awakens me to him. I like lieing under the stars, not always because i like looking at them, but for the joy of being outside, in the quiet night air, with him. Its a place I know God is in, in every aspect. I love it. It is in a way unexplainable, i just love it.

Random Midnight Rant

2007-05-16T01:35:00.000-05:00

I hate that i can't sleep. I hate that i was so tired and looking forward to my bed and now, all i can do is stare at my ceiling. I hate that tomorrow i have to work an early shift and i can't sleep. I don't like that the music i tried to play to distract my mind so i could sleep didn't work. I don't like that i dream of a life that is to come, or that i wish is to come, but isn't within grasp yet.
Why does my sister get to drive to BC on a road trip with friends. Why can't i? Why do people show me pictures of all the people they have seen as they have traveled the world? I want to meet those people. I want to meet my own people. I want to leave on my adventure, but why does God keep telling me my adventure is here at the moment?
PATIENCE!!!! Why does it have to be so hard sometimes? How can i be content one moment and not the next?....OK i think i will be alright. I am tired and need to go to bed. I can let my dreams go and know that God is guiding them. Its not easy, but i know i can do it.

Bursts of Inspiration

2007-04-20T14:16:00.000-05:00

I am a poet. I am a dancer. But not in the sense others would think. I like to dance to worship music, in the quietness of my own home, when no one is looking. I love to dance with my hands beating on a drum. I also love to let my words dance on the page, never really knowing where they are going to take me, yet seeing the words unfold as my heart is inspired. I find it beautiful. It brings me closer to the God I love, as he reveals to me the thoughts of my heart. It doesn't always look or sound poetic, but that doesn't change that it is my spirits way of dancing. It doesn't have to be perfect. For God, he loves the realness of our hearts. He loves the real sound of me beating the drum, even if I am off beat. He loves it when I dance when no one is looking, just for him. And he loves it when I put my words together in a moment of inspiration, so elegantly on the page. He loves it when I am real, when we're real.
I am a poet. I am a dancer.

Stupid Painting

2007-04-18T23:17:00.000-05:00

Life is so confusing. Why does it have to be so complicated? You never have a perfect life. As soon as one area is going well, another becomes difficult. Sometimes if you're lucky, all areas go up in the air at once. And when it all goes wrong, you turn to God all confused, asking him to show you what your role is suppose to be. Yet, its like a painting being held to close to your face. No matter how hard you look at it, you have no idea what it is suppose to look like. You need to pull it away, so that you can see it in focus. But you don't know how to pull it away yourself, so you close your eyes and pretend its not there. If you just pretend that your not confused, or know what God is doing, maybe it will all just work out with out any wrinkles. Anyways, you can't ignore the painting that is starring you in the face. Soon enough it will demand your attention. You can't keep your eyes closed forever.

Canadian Blood Services

2007-04-09T21:09:00.000-05:00

So... every once in awhile Canada blood services calls me to ask if I want to give blood. Its not a annoying call. I expressed interest once so they keep me on their calling list. Yet, every time they call (every few months) I can't give for some reason or another. Today, I got home from work and sure enough they called me again. It was some guy on the other line asking if I was still interested. I informed him that I wanted to give blood, but I had been in Cambodia and didn't know if my blood was under the at risk category. Then we got a talking, he was really interested in my travels to Cambodia and what I had done there. How the food was… He had done some traveling you see. He was not a Christian, but I told him I had gone with a missionary group called ywam. It was really cool. He asked me what I did, and if I would ever go again. He talked briefly about his trip. After a bit of discussion, (about 15 min.) he informed me that his shift was finished and that he would transfer me to the nurse so she could let me know whether I could give blood again. Anyways, it was really cool. He thanked me for making the last bit of his shift go by faster. I thought it was awesome that I was able to share a bit about what God had used me for. I mean, he called me, he was the one with the questions. I was just honest and was laughing to myself while we were talking. He didn’t give his life to Christ or anything like that, but I did my piece and it just amazed me how good God is. I just pray that God continues to bring the right people into his life.

Easter Birthday

2007-04-09T12:25:00.000-05:00

I have to say that for me, this was one of the best birthday/ Easter weekends ever. It was a really good birthday in all, and my church put on good Easter services too. They were good on there own and good together. Had some friends plan a photo scavenger hunt for my birthday on Saturday. It was really cool. I knew we were going to be hanging out, but I didn't know what we were going to do. I love Patricia and Josée. (They planned it all) I would put some of my pictures on this blog, but i couldn't get my pictures onto my computer because the connection is faulty.

Though with a 20th birthday come questions from my parents and family. They ask me what my plan or vision for my life is. It’s a good question, one that should be asked. They just want to make sure I am not just wandering aimlessly. I'm not. I know I am called to be at home right now working and serving. Yet future wise.... it all depends on God.

From what I know I am going into another year of working at the cafe, but with more hours. Another year of serving at church, but in more areas, and whatever else God throws at me. Other than next year I don't know. It could all change in an instant, or I could remain here longer than I would have guessed. I am kind of hoping for the surprise change. Surprise meaning not knowing what change will really bring. Maybe for an opening or calling to do missions over seas. Maybe I would be able to go visit my friend Anna in New Zealand, or visit friends in Australia or where ever else they are from.

I can think and dream all I want about what the future might hold, yet God will only reveal it to me when the time is right. Sometimes I don't mind being patient, but days like today I long for the future plans to unfold. I long for the adventure to come, but this is a part of it. Waiting on the Lord. Strength will rise as we wait upon the lord.

Puddle jumping

2007-03-29T02:00:00.000-05:00

So it is 2 in the morning and my small group just left my house. Yep that’s right, they were here late again. Though what does that have to do with puddle jumping? Well, just as Katie was heading out the door she informed us that it was raining cats and dogs outside. A few of us had been planning a puddle jumping party for Sunday after church, but this was the perfect opportunity. I let Erin use my rubber boots, I got some flip flops we rolled up our pants and outside to enjoy the rain we went. So here I am sitting all wet by my computer, making a puddle of water on the floor underneath me, capturing the moment before it passes away. If it was a little warmer I would still be out there getting soaked by the rain. But for now I should probably be heading off to bed.

Random Road Trips

2007-03-16T11:45:00.000-05:00

So... Danielle... this post is for you. To let you know about a little adventure I had yesterday. It actually all started Wednesday when my small group was over. It was nearly midnight. Everyone was getting ready to leave and beginning to remember what time they had to get up in the morning. My friend Erin proceeded to mention how she had to drive out to Morden again to teach dance the following day (as she does every Thursday). I happened to say out loud that I would go if only I knew someone I could visit with while I was there. Erin then jumped on my willingness to go and got really excited, and asked me to come. So I found myself saying yes because I was due for a random road trip.

The next day, at about 2 o'clock, Erin picked me up and we began our road trip. When we got to there, after a little errand and a bit of set up, and run through for her, she began her first dance class. (She does 6, one hour classes, starting at 430 ending at 1030)

To pass the time I went for a walk and did some reading and watched parts of her dance classes. Then I decided to take her car to explore. I found a clothing store off the main road, and looked around for a little while. Following the clothing store I decided to go the opposite way I had been going down the main road. As I was driving, I realized that I was leaving the little town of Mordan and that I should probably turn around. Though by this time it was fairly dark and I couldn't see the exits very far in advance. As a result I found myself on a little adventure to the city of Winkler (only a ten minute drive away). I came to the conclusion that Winkler would probably have a Tim Hortans and I would find one and buy what I could with the 2 dollars in my pocket. As soon as I entered the city, there was a timmies on my right. I also noticed a Wal-Mart on my left and decided to go there after my timmies run.

By the time I returned to Erin’s dance class it was the adult class and I was allowed to join in. In all, it was a wonderfully fun day.

Boot envy

2007-01-30T20:57:00.000-06:00

So today i was driving to pick up my sister from dance. On my way, i happened to see a man walking across the street in what looked like rubber boots. It brought me back to a day in Cambodia; driving on the back of a motto, down the muddy muddy roads, wearing my black rubber boots. I had seen a man with greenish rubber boots and i got what i call boot envy. I had wanted to get yellow or red ones originally, but all they had was black. Now, here was this person with coloured ones. i wished, at that moment that i had colourful rubber boots too. This is not the person i saw (as he is not wearing green boots), and this is not a very muddy day either. But he has boots, and is from Cambodia so i thought it fit the theme.

God's Grace

2007-01-17T23:50:00.000-06:00

I love God. He is so good. Earlier this morning I was having a rant day. Thanks to Jessica and Erin I was able to rant off some stuff to them. They were great friends and I love them very much. Anyways, I guess I was avoiding some issues God wants me to deal with. As a result I have not spent as much time with him as I would like. Though, he has pushed me into situations that I need to turn back to him. I had my small group over tonight, and I new it would suck, and God would not be able to move as well unless I spent time preparing with him. I scrunched my nose at him a little because I didn't want to spend time with him, yet did at the same time. I also have to teach on Sunday and I really wasn't feeling like I was in a good pace for teaching. Yet, I knew God wanted me to and it wasn't about me.
God is showing me his grace. In the middle of all this fighting and resisting him, he has given me a joy in my heart. He has given me a heart to teach on Sunday. I feel blessed. I don't deserve it, I have been terrible to him this week, yet he insists on drawing me in, despite how I feel and I love him for it.

Getting Old

2007-01-08T23:30:00.000-06:00

My papa is turning 90 years old in a few days. We had his birthday party this past weekend. It was interesting to see how much he actually remembers. We had a little DVD that my uncle made for him of pictures. The part that surprised me was that he remembered stories from most of the pictures. He is doing pretty well for a 90 year old. I also love my babas bluntness. She was working in the kitchen cleaning up, and someone asked her what she wanted to do with the left over cake and she said, "i don't want to clean anymore" and sat down. It wasn't so much what she said, but how she said it. It was so matter of factly. Anyways, i feel truly blessed to have them in my life. I love my grandparents (on both sides) they are such a blessing to have around. My papa is turning 90 and i am turning 20 this year. he is 70 years older than me. I feel like i am getting old, yet i know i am so young still. It will be interesting to see what is to come for me.
On another note: (kind of to do with previous blog)
I also feel like God is happy that i want to get to know him, and he will meet me where i am at. I love how he reminds you sometimes that we can't work to get close to him. If the desire is there, he will be there too. He will also take you down roads you never new you needed to take, and sometimes on the way there you don't know where you are, or where your going. This makes it difficult to try and figure out your way if you don't even know which way you need to go. You just need to trust in the lord.

What is God teaching me?

2007-01-05T13:40:00.000-06:00

I told Jessica and Erin that I would write a blog on what God has been challenging me on. So I guess I will have to figure out the specifics so I can put it into words……. He has been challenging me to really get to know him. Not that I don't know him already, but there is so much more that I don't know. I am at the moment working on reading through the whole bible. Yes, I have grown up in a Christian home and probably throughout my childhood have gone through most of the bible, if not all of it. Yet, I really want to know, that I know, that I know, that I have read the whole bible. I am also one that is not very good at reading in order, so I hop all over the bible with lists to cross out books as I read them. Anyways, my point isn't to just read the bible to say that I have read it. I want to read it, and lean not on my own understand but on Gods. I want to understand his heart for his people. I really want to know the God of the Old Testament. Now, saying that, I know that the God of the Old Testament is the same one as the New Testament. Yet, I want to understand this in my heart; so that when people ask why he appears different I will be able to answer them with the truth that comes from an understanding in your spirit. I want to truly share with them the love of my God because I know it myself. This is all very over-whelming because this is not the only thing I am trying to figure out. I have recently had some teaching on end-times. I know Jesus preached on it a bunch as well, and I am trying to figure out what my specific point of few of it is. However, I know that I want God to be my teacher. I don't want people to tell me what they believe and just take there word for it. I want to know for myself in my heart. I want to know the scriptures that support it. I guess the thing is, there is so much I know that God is waiting to teach me through his word, and I just want to read it all and understand it right away. Although, I know it doesn’t always work that way. I have to wait on the lord, but I want to understand so I can keep reading and learn more. Yet, I sometimes need to read and re-read so that I can actually let the knowledge I receive sink into my heart.

I guess the main thing is; I know I am doing what I am supposed to be doing right now. I know that I am called to serve at home, in Winnipeg. I know that me working at the cafe part time is a part of the ministry that God has called me to. I know that me serving as a Jr. High leader at church and doing a few teachings, is what God has asked me to do. I know that leading a small group of young adults every other week is also part of Gods call. However, that is not all he has called me to. He has called me to be his student. God will call me to step to the next level of ministry at some point, but when he calls me to that next step will I be ready? Will I be spiritually prepared to take on whatever he has for me? These are the questions God has really been asking me to consider. That is what the longing to get into the word has really been about. I know that God has called me to do great things for him, as he has for all of us. He has great plans for everyone, for every Christian, but are we letting him work in us and teach us, so that he can actually use us in his plans. The people who will bring the gospel to the nations with power and authority need to have the spirit working through them. If you don't know the spirit of God, how can you have him flowing through you with power? If I was put in a situation where I needed to suffer for the cross, I don't know if I would be ready, but I would like to think I would be one day. I would like to think that God could use me in that way if he wanted to.
I also want to know the truths of the bible so well, that if I was confronted with a lie, I would know. This ended up being a lot longer than I thought it would be. I hope it makes sense. If you have any questions or need me to clarify on any of the points, just leave me a little comment and I will do what I can. Thanks to those who actually read the whole thing. I hope you didn't read it out of obligation though. Oh and those of you who read the whole thing get this little random comment.-“I need new socks, one of the ones I am wearing has a hole"

Jumble of thoughts

2006-12-17T00:18:00.000-06:00

How to put my thoughts to words? I don't really know if I can because I am not quite sure I understand them myself. I don't think I will put all my thoughts into this blog, it would be too hard. I will just say the conclusion I have come to at the moment. I can't stay here. I can't live at home forever. There are needs here, but I am not called here. I am called to the world. I want to go and be aware of all the needs of the world; I want to help people practically and spiritually. I want to love people. I don't want my home to be a material thing filled with objects I don't need gathering. I want it to be with God. I want to trust him to make me feel at home where ever I am. I want to bring the part of God, God has placed within me, to the nations. I want to learn about the different aspects of Gods character through the nations and all the people I meet. Where will I go? Everywhere. When will I go? I don't know. I guess I need to wait on God for that one, but he will let me know. I trust him. Part of me doesn't want to go, yet the bigger part of me knows I could never stay. Tomorrow these strong feelings I don't quite understand (there is more than I could put in words) will probably subside. I will be back to being content with my life at the moment. Yet, I know I will never be fully satisfied here, I know God as called me to a bigger life than Winnipeg; I just don't know when it will begin.

Bitter Sweet Memories

2006-12-03T20:53:00.000-06:00

This evening, I was sitting in my church and during worship a sweet memory from Cambodia entered my mind. I closed my eyes to capture the full bitter sweetness of the memory. We had gone out as a group (6 of us on our team) to a little house way out in the 'middle of nowhere' where they usually held a non-formal school for kids to come and learn. Usually, at this particular spot, there would be probably about 15 kids at ‘school’.
Yet, this day was different. We were there to do some lice treatment. Nothing that would be permanent, yet something that would help show the kids we did care and give them a little bit of relief. Though we found that the spot where they would usually teach (on the ground with a tarp and a white board under a tree) had no water close enough to carry. Because of this, we had to walk a little ways down the dirt road. As we did, kids from around the neighborhood saw us and came and joined us. By the time we got to the water pump there was a mob of little Asian kids following us.

This is only part of the memory of that day, and these pictures are not from this particular memory. Though, each picture i took came with its own story. Some pictures have two. I never thought I could find so much joy in going around for three days doing lice treatment. Part of me wants to be back in that moment, back to that experiance. I miss those simply sweet moments were you have the opportunities to share Gods love in that way, even when you can’t speak their language well. However, i know that God will bring me more experiances and memories that i will come to cherish just as much.

My heart

2006-11-21T21:22:00.000-06:00

I felt like pouring a bit of my heart out to someone and so here I am going to try and make since of it in words. I don't know if my rant can be understood, but it makes since to me. I know that as soon as I put it into words it losses some of its edge as, I know I and God are the only ones who will ever fully understand what I am trying to say, yet I had to try.
How can you describe being the most content, yet most discontent at the same time? I am enjoying life. I enjoy my job, I love my friends and where God has put me. I love how God has trusted me in minor places of leadership within the youth program at my church. I love how he has grown me up in my faith so much and is continuing to grow me and teaching me knew things. Yet, I want more. I want more God. I want to see my friends; I want to have more adventure. I want to.... I want to... I want to go everywhere, see everyone, experience many cultures, learn many different languages, and see everything God created. I want to bring my love for God to the nations. Yet, I want to stay here in my city, and help all the kids here that have poor lives and need God. There is so much out there to do, and it seems like so few workers, and I feel like I’m doing nothing when I look at the big picture. I want all God has for me; I want to do everything that he has called me to do. But how can I do anything when I am so imperfect. I don't want answers to these questions, I know them. I know God gives us grace. I just wish God would get more of the love he deserves, a love that I know that even I fail to give him because of my sinful ways.

Dry Hands

2006-11-09T21:48:00.000-06:00

Why do my hands have to get so dry in the winter? I don't like having dry hands, they hurt. Though it is fun to put lotion on, it is not always available. A minute ago I was being bitter to myself about my dry hands and probably could have ranted about it a little more. Then my little sister gave me some lotion. Now all my bitterness towards dry hands as faded for the moment and I am quite content. I no longer have anything else to say.

Travel

2006-10-31T23:01:00.000-06:00

So I couldn't sleep very well last night. It was just not working for me because I had stayed up late the previous two nights. Anyways, as I was trying to fall asleep I got this sudden urge to pack my backpackers backpack. I didn't know where I wanted to go, but I wanted to go somewhere overseas. I still want to go somewhere. I want to go to Europe at the moment actually. I haven't been able to get it out of my head these last few days. I want to backpack through Europe. I think that will probably be the next big trip I go on. Yet, I know I am supposed to be here at home right now. I want to be here right now. I am enjoying my time here at home, growing close with the lord and learning how to depend on him and be patient. Yet, a part of my heart is growing in its fondness for Europe. I really don't know that much about it, I just crave the adventure it will bring. Don’t get me wrong, I think its a healthy craving, as long as I continue to give it to God so that I don't run wild with it and distort it and ruin it by trying to make it my own.

Growing up

2006-10-27T02:26:00.000-05:00

Since being home from Ohio, now going on three days, I have begun to notice new interests in myself. For instance, I had a strong urge and desire to do all the dishes in my kitchen at home the other night. Now, I never minded doing kitchen stuff at camp or while in Australia, but doing it at home has always been a different story. Regardless, I found myself doing them. Then I also have this new found interest in learning how to cook a few dishes. I have never been much of a cooker, and I still haven't explored that area that much. Yet, I have been craving different dishes my mom likes to make since I have been home from Australia. Now, normally I would just get her to make them, but in these last three days...well... I want to make them so that I know how to make them. I even told my mom that I would make lasagna next week if she told me how to do it. I am also thinking of asking her about making waffles and quiche and... I don't know... food. I don't know if this desire to learn is going to stay or if its just a phase... I am kind of hoping it stays and that I have a natural creativity and talent for the kitchen so that I will be able to enjoy good food all my life as well as enjoy making it.
On top of those kitchen things, I have begun to organize and clean my room. I have never wanted to clean my room before as much as I do now. I want it to be neat. It has always been messy because cleaning has never been my thing, but here I am wanting to make my room look "pretty". Anyways, I feel like I am finally growing up. I just wonder how long I will actually stay grown up in this way, with all this cooking and cleaning.

Ohio

2006-10-25T18:38:00.000-05:00

I can't believe how much I like traveling. I love how God makes things work out, such as me going to Ohio last week for 6 days. Yep that’s right, I got to go to Ohio and still have a little money left. I can't wait until my next trip. It could be flying somewhere or just a road trip. It doesn't really matter to me. The other week I went to Brandon with my mom for a day. Why did I go? I think it was because I wanted to go on a road trip, and my mom invited me because she was going out there for work. I should probably be going though. (I don't know if anyone actually reads this blog, and a feel a little like a loner if people don't and all these blogs are just to myself.....whatever, at least I enjoy writing them)

Cocoanuts

2006-10-10T22:50:00.000-05:00

I don't really think this is a good picture of myself, but I figured out how to put pictures on my blog now, and so I felt like, not only putting on a picture story, but one of myself that I guess would tell a story. Here I am drinking hot chocolate out of a cocoanut, in Airlie Beach Australia. Yep, I drank hot chocolate out of a cocoanut. And for your information the hot chocolate was not made with Cocoanut milk, though now that I think about it, that would have been interesting to try.

And the picture below is of me in the province of Kampot in Cambodia. Yep, I am out in the middle of some rice fields were we had helped our doctor run health clinics. The village of people, as a way of welcoming us, had given our whole team our own Cocoanut. So here I am taking a picture of myself with my wonderfully good tasting Cocoanut. And yes there is a king of clubs in the top of my cocoanut because I found it randomly in the middle of nowhere, in the rice field of Cambodia. I thought it was an odd find for the middle of Cambodia, so i made sure it
ended up in a picture with me. Finally the writing is going down beside the second picture. This is kind of annoying. I wish all of it would go beside the picture but I don't know how to do that. I wish I had another picture of myself with a cocoanut so I could get a really good theme going. But all I have is a picture of some cows from Cambodia, so that will have to do for now.

Picture story

2006-10-10T22:39:00.000-05:00

Nice people

2006-09-30T23:28:00.000-05:00

I love nice people. They really make your life so much more enjoyable. I feel so blessed to have the privilege of working with so many nice people, who bless you at almost any opportunity they have. Today at work, Jared ended up staying an extra hour to help serve because he doesn't feel right leaving while it is a little busy. And another guy, the dish washer, decided to come and help me clean up after close so it didn't take me quite as long. And then he filled the mop bucket. I know they aren't all that big, but it seems like around every corner God seems to give me little blessings to make my day better. My day wasn't going bad either, so it made a good day... great. Then on top of it all, Jared taught me how to hold three plates in one hand. I have not perfected it yet, but I will work on it and soon I will have it down. This week I mastered the three plates at once, and next week I will practice and move up to four or five. God is Good.

What is home

2006-09-28T17:33:00.000-05:00

I was thinking today on how, i may be home with my family, and where i grew up, yet as you begin to travel, home becomes where you have enjoyed different life experiances. I am sitting at my computer at "Home" missing my home that i had made in australia. Yet australia is not really the home, it was the people there and the experiances God brought we through while i was there that gives it a flavour of home. And Cambodia, in a way has become my home as well. And i am looking forward to going back "home", at the end of october, when i go to ohio, for my friends wedding, and well be able to enjoy a reunion with some of the friends i came to have in australia. Yet the thing that holds comman to all the places i have been is my God, who has been there with me through it all. He has been there to help me through the low points and make the enjoyable moments all the better. it makes it easier to have something constant in your life, no matter where you go or what you do. someone who you know you can count on. Thats what my God is for me.

Good fruit

2006-09-17T19:51:00.000-05:00

so i wasn't really planning on using this blog after i got back from Australia because... well i just didn't feel like it. but then today as i was preparing myself a little snack of fruit i felt i should write about this fruit. or at least tell a few people how good this fruit, i am in the middle of eating, is. I have cut up an apple, and man it is full of so much flavor, the plum sitting next to it is not as good, as plums in my opinion are not as good as apples, but if it weren't for the apple i would be thrilled with the plum too. as it is a very good plum. though back to the apple, my first bit was so good that i thought the mango i was going to have with it was going to be down played and not enjoyed as much (and i really like mangos) but when i took a bite of the mango. and well i was yet again reminded how good the batch of mangos my mom bought were. i really love fruit, it tastes better than candy and its better for you as well. Anyways that is all i really have to say for now.

(ps. i would have put a picture of the bowl because it would have been a good added feature, but my camera and computer have not been working together lately)

Home

2006-08-25T01:24:00.000-05:00

Shira is officially home. That is right, i am home. But there is not much time for relaxing, as my sisters wedding is in a week. There is much to do with helping my sister move her stuff into the new appartment or avoiding the unpacking of my bags. Which i have to do soon, due to the fact that next week we have a guest in my room. I was actually planning on unpacking this afternoon, but decided to watch a few reruns of gilmor girls instead. Though now i am really feeling i should probably get started or it will never get done at all. Tomorrow my dad and little sister will come home and various other things will begin to occur to take up my time. My sisters wedding will come and go, but then i will start work and hanging out with friends. I could probably avoid unpacking for the rest of my life if i wanted to, but the fact of the matter is, i do want it done. So now i must go, but before i do, I would like to thank all you guys who supported me in prayer and/or finances while i was away. May God Bless you in all you do.

Almost Home

2006-08-17T00:28:00.000-05:00

So i have been back in brisbane australia for two weeks now. Its been really good to have this time to stop and really reflect on what we have learnt, and how much we have been through these last six months. Tomorrow night will be our "Graduation" dinner and then the next morning will come with many goodbyes, as people begin to leave for home. It will be hard to say goodbye to all my friends, not knowing when i will get the chance to seeing any of them again. Yet i know i am ready for the next thing that God puts before me, and looking forward to seeing everyone back home. As well as my sisters wedding.

Back in Australia

2006-08-07T03:37:00.000-05:00

I have now been back in Australia for a few days. It was hard to leave Poipet, and then Cambodia. I really loved it there. I am really missing the moto rides.
My last two weeks were filled with ministry up in poipet. I got to teach some more English as well as our team helped put in some cement for a sports centre. They are going to use it to reach out the the community (its in the middle of a slum). After we left Cambodia we got a chance to see Singapore for three days. A few of us went to the night safari which was really cool. It was quite a culture shock from Cambodia to Singapore, given that Cambodia is the poorest country in Asia and Singapore is the richest. Yet I was still able to enjoy it, even though we weren't there very long. A family let us stay in their apartment, because they were away, and it had a pool that we were able to use.
Being back in Australia, and seeing everyone again has been really nice. Its really cool to see how everyone has changed and all the cool stories each team has, from their own outreachs. I didn't realize how much I missed some of them until I saw them again. Its going to be hard to say goodbye to them in two weeks, not knowing when I will see all of them again. Though at the moment it is just nice to hangout with them again. Thats all for now. God Bless

Poipet

2006-07-15T22:07:00.000-05:00

I have so much that I have done in the last two weeks that I don't even know where to start, or what to say or leave out. The last two weeks we have been workign in poipet. I get to go for a moto ride everyday. I love it. I have spent my days teaching the little kids English in little non-formal schools under a tree or in a hut. The first week it was in actual schools but I like the non-formal ones better because it is focused more on kids that were not able to keep up in actual school, so had to drop out. It is also younger kids and they are so cute. The first Friday they had a staff party for us so we could meet everyone we would be working with. There was khyme dancing. It was a lot of fun and we mentioned it so they did it again for us this week. Its so much fun. We do stupid dances with them and eat.
when we travel to the little non-formal in the villages we go through back roads and it can get really muddy because its rainy season. When the rain comes down it comes down hard, and everything shuts down. Sometimes our moto rides can be from half an hour to an hour, and I just get to sit on the back and take in everything. Though it can be bumpy due to bad road conditions but I still love it. One day my driver turned around a corner and there was a whole herd of cows blocking the end of the road. There were a lot of them. Be we just drove right through them and they got out of our way. Though we did have to slow down a bit. Anyways I think that's all I will say for now. Later

Going to Poypet

2006-06-28T01:21:00.000-05:00

So are team will be taking a bus up to poypet on Friday morning. I can't believe its already the half way point of our outreach. While in singreap we had the chance to go to ankor watt. I have now seen on of the seven great wonders of the world. We were only up there for two days and then we went back to the church and orphanage. It was really nice because it was the first chance we actually got to stay there and spend more time with the staff and kids. Though as a result when we had to leave on Monday, it was really hard and I miss all the kids. They were so beautiful. Its weird how you can build such a strong bond with people even with the language barrior. i have to admit i cried when i left. though i know God is now calling us up to poypet, and that we will grow to love it there as well. Thats about all for now. God bless you all

Villages of Camboda

2006-06-14T03:28:00.000-05:00

the last two days our team spent out in the country. it was the most beautiful place i have been yet. it took us a three hour bumpy ride to get there but it was worth it. we were in a little area between homes in the middle of a bunch of rice fields. it was so green and a bit of mountain in the back ground. they also gave us cocanuts to drink out of both days. then me and chelsey asked them to open them up for us. the people were so greatful that we traveled all the way out there to give them free meds as well there was a singapore team with us that brought some delicing stuff to work on their hair. we were able to sing songs and the singaore team did a puppet show that showed the lost sheep story. one of the cambodian pasters that was translating got really into it, and the kids loved it. We are now back in the city until the friday. we actually have today and tomorrow to relax which is nice because we haven't had a full day off since we got going. i will get a chance to go to the market again tomorrow. anyways that is all for now. God bless

Beautiful Cambodia

2006-06-12T06:33:00.000-05:00

I love it here so much. The country is so green. The food is so good, the fruit is amazing, the people are so beautiful. It is so unique. The people we are working with treat us so good. I feel so blessed. I even got to use some of my French the other day because the older generation knows French. Anyways, I am learning the language slowly. I now know how to count to ten in khmye and got someone to tell me how to sing "Jesus loves me", so I could write it down. Don't really have much else to say. Thank you for your prayers

First days in Cambodia

2006-06-04T06:10:00.000-05:00

I can't believe that i am in Cambodia. So i have been here for two full days now. they have been a busy two days. We arrived friday afternoon and pretty much just ate supper adn went to bed. Saturday was a full day. We went to a museum about the khymer rouge in the morning. IT was really sadto see all the blood shed this country has gone through in the past. For lunch we had a chance to go to the market. It was really cool. I don't really know what i ate. something with veggies and noodles. All i did was point at one thing and she heaped tones of other stuff on there. But what ever it was, it was really good. After we ate, we got to walk around. I got a bag, which i greatly needed. In the afternoon we went to the "killing fields" where they buried tones of dead bodies during the war. There again it was sadto see the hugeness of what had happend. they sayit was worse than what hitler did in world war 2.
We also gota chance to ride on a moto. it was so cool and so much fun. thedrivign is so crazy here. but they all know what there doing so it works.
Today we went to church. It was really cool. They had littleradios with head phones so that we could hear the translation. The worship was really cool too because it was songs we knew but they didn't sing them in english. i liked it. We went out for lunch to a place called "Tea and Coffee World". I would have to say that their coffee is the strongest stuff i have ever had. They say that if you have too much, its so strong that you'll feel like your on drugs.
We also got a chance to meet with the doctor we will be working with for the first month, today. We will be going out to work in villages with him, leaving tuesday. We will get a chance to work with the kids, do some skits, probably get to share our testimonies. We will be coming back into the city between trips,but most of our time will be away. I am so excited to get started. If you could pray that we will be able to pick up basics of the language quickly, as well for chelsey. She got motion sickness on the plane that carried into yesterday afternoon. She is fine right now, but as we will be going on the road a bit it would be nice to have that prayer protection, for her as will as for the rest of the team. Thankyou so much.

Singapore

2006-06-01T18:05:00.000-05:00

So I am in the Singapore airport right now. We have a three hour stop over and there is free internet here in the airport, so I thought I would come on for a short little bit. In just a few short hours I will be in Cambodia. Wow that's hard to believe. Anyways God is good. A year ago I would have never thought I would be going to Cambodia, but when he is in control of your life you get to go do way cooler things then you would without him. Well... That's all for now. Later
Blessings

Cambodia Here We Come

2006-05-30T18:44:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I got to go to "the property", which is a lot of land that the base bought to just repair a bit and then re-sell to make some money for the base, so it can do some improvements. They were guessing that the property will make them about 70 000 dollars. So, I got to go and help out with digging a trench for electrical stuff to be put in. We got a lot of work done. I am a little sore now, but nothing major. I actually enjoyed myself.
now I am back in the base getting ready to leave. I can't believe I am already leaving in less than 2 days for Cambodia. Its pretty crazy. I will be living there for 2 months, in the hottest part of the season, apparently its 40-45 degrees Celsius. But I am sure we will survive. It will be nice to get some warm weather, because right now in Australia it is actually quite cold. Maybe not as cold as Canada, but it is way to cold for Australia.
If you could think of our Cambodia team in your prayers, that would be awesome. God works powerfully through the people who pray. I should probably be going.

Possum Hunt

2006-05-23T05:46:00.000-05:00

So I am in Airlie beach now, we arrived here on Sunday evening after a full day of driving. It wasn't that bad though because Chelsey, Jessica, and me pulled an all nighter. We decided to go on a possum hunt. It was such a great adventure. We had bait and a laundry basket as a trap. We didn't end up catching anything, but ended up with many good pictures. If I had a way of getting my pictures on to the computer, I would. THough I am greatly grieved to say that this is not possible and that you are not able to share in the enjoyment of our pictures.
Other than that I would like to thank all of you who have been praying for finances, as we have seen a good amount come in these last few days. We still have a little ways to go, so if you could continue to pray that all the money comes in on time that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your prayer support.
God bless

Outreach starts tomorrow

2006-05-19T00:30:00.000-05:00

I can't believe how fast the time has gone. Two weeks ago we were in Byron bay having lectures on evangelism. It was such a cool week to see how God was moving through the churches in the area, as well as realizing on a new level how we are to be ambassadors of Christ everywhere we go.
this week we have been learning about world views, and then a biblical worldview. It was cool because we got to go on three fieldtrips. We went to a mosque, a Buddhist temple, and a Hindu temple and got to ask people who actually follow those religions what they believed, instead of always getting our information second hand. Then today we actually had our last lecture. Its wired to thing that as of Sunday we are leaving for Airily beach on our first part of our outreach. We are going there for a week, together as a school. After that, we will be parting ways and going to our different outreach locations.
I am so pumped to go to Cambodia. It is going to be so much fun, and it is going to be so cool to see God work through us. At the moment my outreach team still needs $4950 to pay all our outreach fees. So if you guys could pray that it all comes in on time that would be awesome. As well, as a whole, I think our school still has $20 000 to cover. I believe that our God will provide all the money, yet if you could press in with us, that would be greatly appreciated. Love you guys
God bless

Back from being our Road trip

2006-05-03T04:59:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone. These last three weeks on the road were so good. The first week we went to stanthorp. We stayed on a farm in the country and it was so relaxing. It was a really nice place to meet with God, with no distractions from the city or internet. As well it was a really good time to get to know our group better. From there we moved on the Roma, its a small town. There we learned about surrender/Lordship and really got to see God move in healing of peoples pasts hurts. It was really encouraging to see how God worked through our prayers.
Then on to last week, we went to the island breeze base. There we had a conference called "Gods heart for the nations" it was really good. Our speaker was so funny and they had a whole bunch of different cultural dances. God really showed me that week, on a new level, how God has a reason for each people group and nation. Each culture has something to share of Gods character that no one else can bring to the table. God really did give me his heart for the nations, even more than before.

on top of all this awesome stuff that God did, I came back to the base to meet up with Mel and Paloma. Who had made their way to Brisbane on their backpacking trip. We spent a fun two days together before they went on their way. It was really nice to see friends from home. So that's what I have been up to lately. As well as getting prepared for going to Cambodia. We leave in less than a month. I can't believe how fast time goes.

Weekend at Nadine's House

2006-04-02T05:56:00.000-05:00

This week it was one of the staffs birthdays (Jordan). When we asked him what he wanted for his birthday he said he would love it if people dressed up. So sure enough, on Thursday we all dressed up. Nadine was Minnie mouse, erin dressed up in 80's cloths, I was a gypsy, and many other people were other things. We had a lot of fun with it. This weekend we woke up early Saturday morning to take the train down to surfers paradise. It took a good long time. We left at about 810 and arrived close to 11. It was good fun though. We spend the day on the beach swimming tanning and walking around the shops. I have to say that I still have not gotten a sunburn, other than Saturday getting pink a little on my face. After the beach we went to our friend Nadine's house in Brisbane. Her parents made us lots of food and the girls slept over. It was kind of an early birthday thing for the two of us,since our birthdays are this coming Friday and we leave for three weeks next weekend. Next Saturday we leave for three weeks off base, so it was nice to have a nice relaxing weekend. Today (Sunday) we woke up to pancakes for breakfast and then went and rented a bunch of old movies and just hung around her house all day. So that was my week, i will continue to keep you posted.

Weekend plans

2006-03-23T16:56:00.000-06:00

So this past week there was a conference at the base to celebrate 25 years of YWAM in Queensland. It was really cool because we had guest speakers every night, as well as different cultural people came in to share there dance and music two out of the three nights we had it.
oh and this weekend is going to be so much fun. Last week the hospitality girls asked me and my friend Sarah and two of the b2b girls if we would like to go to the leaders retreat this weekend at a resort so that we could help them out with cooking and cleaning the dishes and such. Though even though we are going there to serve we are still going to get a chance to rest at the resort and a chance to just hangout, Its at the sunshine coast so we will be able to go swimming as well. I am really looking forward to it. We leave this evening (friday) and come back on sunday afternoon or evening. On top of all that, God has really been just giving me a sense of peace and rest lately. So even with this week being so busy because of the conference, I still was able to regain my strength in him and find rest in him. Though that is about all I have to say for now. love all you guys and God bless

Dance Party

2006-03-18T00:35:00.000-06:00

hey everyone. This week of lecuters was really good. The main break through for most people was the fear of men in different areas. it was really cool how that happened, because on friday it was my friend chealsey's 21 birthday and we had a really fun dance party with everyone. it was so much fun because no one really cared how stupid we looked we just had fun. It was really one of the best dance parties ever. The guys also made pizza for supper and served all us girls. it was really nice of them.

Outreach location

2006-03-10T02:20:00.000-06:00

This morning we found out our outreach locations after praying about it. it was really cool how it worked out. they asked us not to talk about it with each other as that can make it more difficult and we ended up having 4 on each outreach team, and they didn't have to move anyone around to make it even. i love how god works and speaks to make things work out so well. so i will be going to cambodia, which is apparently the third poorest country in the world and the poorest in asia. the other outreach teams are going to china india and palestine. that is about all that is new for now. so i will be going.
God bless

2006-03-07T05:35:00.000-06:00

hey guys
so i'm on my second week of dts already though it feels like i have been her so much longer (in a good way). i love it this weekend i got to go into brisbane and do a little shopping and on sunday me and some of the people decided to go to brisbane city church in the morning, but because it rained all night and all mornign and there was a tree on the train tracks somewhere we had an adventure getting there and we were all wet when we got there. as well in the evening a few of us decided to go again in a guys car and we got lost on the way home for about 45 minutes which was really interesting. this week we are learning about the character of god. i love our speaker. he is really funny and interesting. we also found out our possible outreach location but i wont post those until i know forsure where i'm going because we have to pray about it and outside influences can make it a little difficult to hear god sometimes. this evening we also had a fun little party with all the frontiers. we dressed up all cool like and played games. it was so much fun. i am having such an awesome time. this weekend i may get to go to the gold coast on the saturday, so that should be fun. though i need to get to bed, but i will continue to keep you guys updated. love you all

2006-02-25T23:43:00.000-06:00

hey everybody
so i am in brisbane australia doing ywam and you probably know. i have been here for about a week now. the first two days were just orientation and such. though this weekend we got a chance to go to byron bay. so i got to swim in the ocean. we left friday afternoon and came back sunday afternoon. this evening we are having dinner at different staff memebers homes which will be cool as well. though back to the weekend, it was really good. we all got a chance to bond and get to know each other a bit better and we all shared our testimonies staff and students. I am having so much fun here. though it is not as hot as i would have expected, but i think thats because its been raining a lot lately. but its different here. it will be sunny and then rain for like not even 5 minutes and then be sunny again and then like an hour later it will rain again for a few more minutes. it never rains for very long. oh and they have really good trees to sit in which i find really relaxing and fun to climb. i don;t really have much else to say. we start actual classes tomorrow and i am really pumped to get started. God bless you all and have a great day.