Amy the Flying Squirrel & other adventures

It's been a while since my last post and I've been busy, as I imagine you have been!

Here's what a typical day looks like for me and my classmates (sorry the format's a little hard to read):

7am-breakfast; 8:30-worship/intercession; 9:30-1pm-class/lecture/team-building; 1pm-lunch; 2-3-work duty; 3-4-study/rest; 4-5-work duty; 5:15-dinner; 6-10pm-study, clean, errands, socialize (+worship/intercession 1+ nights a week)

Last week was all about starting to work as a team (see me below in the Flying Squirrel from the ropes course, starting to build trust in my team pulling me up). With 18 adults over 25 (more than half over 40), we're quite set in our ways and it can be a challenge to "die to ourselves". I'm loving it though! :) This week, we're learning better to hear God's voice.

It's back to studying for me now! Thank you for all your love and support. I've enjoyed your comments and emails, even when I don't get to respond to each one.

For those who have asked, I'm at 62% support. That means the lecture phase is paid for, but part of the outreach phase and personal responsibilities are still not. If you'd like to help me reach this goal, please see the right hand column of this goal. I look forward to rejoicing with you when 100% is met!

Praises: relearning to give myself grace, allergies are much better, enjoying beautiful weather

Prayer requests: adequate rest/good time management, my sensitivity to God's voice, wisdom when to act/speak! :)

Preparation

After a wonderful visit with the Dreschers, Sara and I made the last leg of our trek to Portland, Oregon. We took a breather first at beautiful Multnomah Falls (http://www.multnomahfallslodge.com/MF%20LODGE%20falls.htm), which falls 620 feet from the top of Larch Mtn (see left), then made our way through Portland traffic to our last hotel of the voyage. It started to set in for both of us that tomorrow we'd head our separate ways for weeks/months of what God's led us to next. By a sheer miracle, neither of us has cried this week. ;)

Tomorrow truly begins my next step. I'll share more as I learn, but below are a list of week-long classes I know I'll be taking during training (June-Sept).

Week #1 June 21 Orientation / Get Acquainted / Teaching

Week #2 June 28 Hearing Voice of God

Week #3 July 5 Life Style of Repentance

Week #4 July 12 Plumb Line

Week #5 July 19 Truth Box

Week #6 July 26 Father Heart of God

Week #7 Aug 2 Who is God

Week #8 Aug 9 Holy Spirit

Week #9 Aug 16 Radical Discipleship

Week#10 Aug 23 TBD

Week #11 Aug 30 Spiritual Warfare

Week #12 Sept 6 Missions

On the road again...

After 11 hours on the road/in restaurants Monday and another 8 hours today, Sara and I are TIRED! BUT we've encountered the beautiful mountain surroundings of Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah and only encountered one small disagreement ;) - otherwise, LOTS of laughs and general good times.

Tomorrow, we get to see the Drescher's, good family friends from growing up! I'm excited! From there, we'll head on to Portland, then my home for the next 3 months ~ Salem, Oregon!

It feels good to be on my way, and though I miss my friends from home and will miss Sara as she heads to Mexico Friday, I can't WAIT to meet my new friends and learn all that God has in store!

Quick update for those wondering-->Praise God, financial support is up 10% from last week to 61%. Prayer support abounds, and I am so thankful for it all. If you're curious how you can be a part, stay tuned to the blog, or check out my "locations" info on the side of the blog.

'Til next time,
Amy

T minus one week!

<--My doctor suggested a sun protective shirt for the outreach portion of my trip. In her words "You won't be able to take enough sunscreen". I'll wait 'til Oregon to actually get one/some but this goofy shopping trip was fun. :)

So begins my new adventure, my "gainful unemployment" as one friend dubbed it. All I know is my next step for 6 months, CDTS in Salem, OR (http://www.ywamsalem.org/schools/cdts) and then a third-world country (TBD). Sara and I head out for a "leisurely" drive to Oregon next Monday (June 14) and training begins June 21. Wow, I have a lot to get done this week ~ packing would be a good start!

This blog is to help me stay better connected to you ~ the myriad of people who have supported me, getting me to this point. I'll do my best to keep you updated about what I'm learning, who I'm serving, and how God is working in our lives. I hope to hear the same from you!

A few prayers for you to join me in:

• Clarity & discernment about what needs done before I leave!
• Health & safety on our trip out, and Sara's subsequent trip to Mexico!!!
• Quality, affordable health care for the next 6 months and beyond (my original plan won't work)
• Continued financial support ~ currently at 51% of budget

I look forward to the months ahead with anticipation!

Amy