Without a voice

The past couple of weeks, I've been without a voice, literally and figuratively! A nasty cold/infection hit several of us, making me tired, giving me a persistent cough for more than a week, and very little voice for about five days. I'm feeling much better now; please keep me and the team in your prayers for continued healing now and during outreach!

Figuratively, I've had a hard time putting my finger on where God is leading me and what He's doing in my life. Last school week (Aug 23-27) gave more of a voice to my feelings of helplessness.

Two weeks ago, we studied "Radical Discipleship". I took away two key concepts from this week. The first was a "return to the basics" of Christianity: both the root definition of "radical" AND one that fits our idea of radical = extreme. These basics focus on devotion to 1)Scripture, 2)fellowship, and 3)prayer. The second concept that stuck with me is that God is worthy of 52-card deck devotion...the whole deck! The only way we can meet all the challenges of our day is to give EVERYTHING to Him (our thoughts, decisions, emotions, worries, etc) and let Him give us and others what is needed.

Last week, we concentrated on team building. We started with a Scripture study of all the places the Bible talks about "one another" and what that looks like in reality. I encourage you to do it sometime! Then we focused on affirming all others in our group. Finally, we experienced our base's "Ropes Course" (http://www.ywamsalem.org/ropes/) that helped us focus on team building in SO many ways. My personal challenge became "leadership" and how I respond to it...especially my own leadership abilities. Please join me in prayer, asking God to reveal His desire for me in this and grow into who He wants me to be.

This week, we're learning about Spiritual Warfare and Kingdom Dynamics. I'm loving its simplicity and power...more to come next week about that. The pace all around me (including me!) is picking up as we get close to outreach time ~ I can't believe it's almost here! To get a glimpse of India, please check out my friend's webpage (http://www.harvestindia.in/) when you have a chance--you'll even find some opportunities to serve or support if God lays India on your heart. He and his family pastor in India and have been called to our school for this season.

On a serious note, I want to share my need with you as I prepare to leave the country for two months. God has been SO faithful through you to provide for my financial needs on this journey. I try not to mention the need often, but it's hard for you to know of the need unless I tell you! The amount outstanding is $3000. If God has laid this need on your heart, please see the information to the right about how you can partner with me as I represent Him in India. Praise God, He knows our needs and how to meet them!

So, to sum it up...

Praise:

* Healing! I'm grateful to have a voice and breath back!

* I've been learning SO much about myself and God in the past few weeks. Several significant steps have been made toward recognizing God's specific call for this next season of my life (see above).

* God's providence, emotionally, financially, spiritually, etc. He is faithful, and He is good.

Prayer:

* Clear direction from God during outreach as I prepare for my next step in November and beyond.

* Financial needs to be met for me and my classmates. Please specifically pray for how God will meet the financial needs of my roommate, whose fees must be paid by this Friday in order to join us for outreach.

Blessings to you!

Countdown to India

Thank you for being patient for my next post. The last three weeks have been times of great growth for me and multiple birthday celebrations for team members.

Countdown to India
The countdown is on with just over a month until we leave for India. We plan to leave September 14 and arrive the next day (this will definitely be my longest international flight yet!). Outreach and debriefing will continue for 2 months, ending on November 13. I am seeking God for His will for me following CDTS.

Though I have a lot to learn, here's a little about where we'll be. We will be based in Tiruchirappalli, called Trichy ("Tree-chee") for short, a city of 1.2 million people. India is a Hindu nation, filled with temples and colorful statues. Transportation for foreigners includes taxis, rickshaws, buses and trains. We plan to help in orphanages, teach English, share testimonies, skits, and puppet shows. Preparation for these is already moving many of us beyond our comfort zones (me included!) and God is equipping us for things we did not know we could do.

In the classroom
During the past three weeks, I've re-evaluated my "Truth Box", more deeply felt the Father Heart of God, and pondered "Who is God?". It's nearly impossible to summarize these each in a sentence or less, but I'm going to try and share what touched me most.

* I realized how many untruths/lies I'd let into my Truth Box (another way of saying "beliefs you operate from on a daily basis") and how I need to "take them out" as they're revealed to me and replace them with God's truths = two-way communication with Him SO important!

* Through multiple truths from the Bible and a more relaxed week, God ministered to my heart...I just felt more at peace, getting a clearer glimpse of how much He loves me...no matter what!

* What are my anchors/non-negotiables that I'll weigh everything in life against? - God is good. God is big. God is love. For my dear, over-analytical brain, this brought some clarity as I move forward in more training.

"Life"
Life on base has been full of typical small group and one-on-one meetings, work duty, class, studying, worship, and intercession, but we've also celebrated 4 or more birthdays (yea for surprise parties and princess birthday cakes) and relaxed at the river...marking another feat for me!

For those who don't know, I'm not a huge fan of deep ends, though I'll tolerate them. ;) So when the opportunity came to jump off a 20+ foot bridge, of course I said....YES! It was a lot of fun, though I wouldn't add it to my list of "favorite things to do" just yet. :) Don't worry ~ the water where I jumped is much deeper than it looks, I promise!


Praise
* Continued growth as a team and personally with God
* Unexpected financial contributions last month and faithful giving from others
* Good health! In community life, that's quite a feat!

Prayer points
* God to continue to open my eyes to what He wants to refine in me
* God to help me to know how to love my teammates and those on outreach as He would
* Continued financial providence ~ the remainder of my outreach fees are due August 26 and I do not have that money in hand yet ~ trusting God as He's been so faithful!

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