And the destination is...

INDIA!

For those who didn't know, our team has been anxiously awaiting the announcement of where outreach would be since we applied for Discipleship Training School! Imagine a group of 18 adults and 12 children, some prepared to go to Thailand (had been a strong possibility for our group), some knowing God was preparing us for this location, and some just waiting for God's direction in the decision, not knowing where to imagine!

Today, months of waiting and uncertainty dissolved as our school director announced we'd be ministering in India, but details have not been finalized about where or what we'll be doing. As he did, I had a peace, perhaps because I finally knew where we'd spend the fall months, or perhaps because the announcement alligns with what God placed in my heart but I did not previously understand.

I'll let you know more as details are available. One huge blessing is the Indian family on our team, who can provide helpful information about culture and experiences in their nation. They are excited that God is bringing us back to their country and I have been encouraged by them while here. (see picture of Abigail and me above, while berry-picking)

Camping

Last weekend, I had a fun and relaxing time with my friends Maggie, Jodi, and her daughter Erin at a family church camp about an hour from Salem. It was a fabulous time of swimming in the river, being girly with pedicures and massages, worship, and group devotion time. Only thing is, we missed our group devotion time, so us girls decided to do something we've done sometimes "on base" here in Salem ~ each of us spend some time in prayer and the Bible asking God for a word, song, verse, encouragement for the group, then come back together and share it. As we did, God amazed us by giving us similar words and verses about His protection and how essential it is to remain "in Him" (seeking and obeying His guidance regularly; growing closer to Him in relationship all the time). For those who want to read what He gave us, check out Psalm 119:114; John 15; Jeremiah 10:12 and beyond; and Psalm 37. One particularly powerful image was a tree down by the river that had started growing sideways-it was amazing to see how, over time, God has straightened it out to be alligned with what it needs (sun, space, etc.) just as He does with us when we allow Him to.

Of course, what else could make the weekend complete w/o viewing things like banana slugs, chocolate-eating chipmunks, and little stick-bugs in the water (this was the most amazing one to me, by far :))?! And is anyone ready for the "physical Plumbline" of jumping into COLD river water because there's just no other way to get across?! ~ this tested our willingness to plunge into the "difficult" things physically like "Plumbline" classes had last week emotionally and spiritually. It was worth it, though, in both cases!

Until next time,

Amy

Week 4 already?! Plumbline...

<---Berry-picking at Fordyce Farms. A nice "break" from studying...and a chance to start working on my sun-absorbtion for outreach. ;)

Week 4 at Crossroads Discipleship Training School brings "Plumbline". What's that, you ask? The best and most difficult week of the school, I've heard. It's a week that brings us to deal with the difficult issues in our lives as God brings them to our attention. The image of a plumbine is used. In really rough layman's terms=a weight hangs on the end of a string and this line helps a building be straight. Except this plumbline is based on God = truth on one side and love on the other. I'm anxious to work through the rest of this week and strengthen my "life message" with God's help.

Last week we learned about "Lifestyle of Repentance". Based on the Bible and the rich family heritage of our speaker, I learned that this means having such a close walk with God that you are always listening to the Holy Spirit and doing what He says. It was encouraging to hear this, as God's been helping me understand this concept better over the last couple of years. A few other encouragements I heard: 1)Plant seeds of gratefulness, not of bitterness (sometimes easier said than done!), 2)Blameless does not equal faultless, 3)Get the mind of Christ through reading the Word, spending thime with Him, spending so much time in His presence I start to look/act/see, etc like Him, and 4)Do not judge--you don't know the truth in others' hearts! All of this reminds me to have an unshakable confdence in the unchanging character of God (not dependent on circumstances) through the tragedies and joys of life.

Such in-depth teaching, daily time living in community (4 women now in our room, 8 in our suite sharing one bathroom :)), and service in the hospitality department and other ways God leads...such is my "learning zone" at YWAM-Salem. My days are all mixed together now and I'm having a hard time keeping the days straight!

Please continue to keep my finances in your prayers. God is faithful and He will provide. I am currently at 62% of support, which means funds are still needed for outreach and living expenses. Those funds need to be raised by August.

I'm so thankful for your prayers and encouraging posts/emails and look forward to hearing what God is doing in your life. I apologize for the times I don't get back to you in a timely manner ~ when I find a moment, I often don't have phone/internet access! They're working on that at the "base" (our collection of living and meeting buildings).

Praises: relief from allergies, new experiences (yea for berry-picking!), LOTS of learning in class and out

Prayers: Humility before God as He "breaks" and rebuilds me for what He wants, emotional and spiritual healing

In God's love and grace,

Amy

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