Pictures from last weekend!

Weekend retreat and 1st day of lectures!

Hey!

Last weekend we went with our Frontiers group and spent a couple nights in the mountains. It was soooo beautiful and there was great weather. The first day we shared testimonies and focused on 4 main aspects: 

1. Challenges we've faced

2. Greatest and most important moments/times with God

3. Passions and talents

4. Why we chose to go on this DTS and what are our goals and expectations for this time

It was really a powerful time because our group was very honest and open. There were many sad tears and happy tears in hearing and telling our stories. Despite the challenges that we heard from people's stories, it was really awesome to see how God has used that to bring good. Many of the challenges in people's lives, and mine as well, have lead to the greatest moments and growth we have had with God.

God has been showing me a ton through all of this. I think a big lesson that God has been teaching me, especially through the weekend, is just to see people in the way that God sees us. Also, to really remember that I have NO idea what someone has been through, and I should not make any judgments or assumptions about them. People shared very painful and surprising stories, and I just would never guess they had been through that. My daddy always emphasized that I must treat people with love and respect and how I would want to be treated. So simple and something I have always known, but hadn't always lived out as I should. I think this environment, with living with so many different people from different backgrounds and cultures, will teach me to see everyone more in the eyes of how God views us, with love and compassion and care for them. 

Anyway, that's just one tidbit of what God has been doing in my heart. 

He has also been revealing to me just how powerful prayer is. I unfortunately, have slowly allowed myself to forget how real and powerful God really is. Its awful to say, but I think through being honest with myself about that, God can start to really change my heart. It has been really encouraging to hear so many people's stories of how God has been faithful and answered prayer. It was also really cool to see how God has spoken to them through prayer (not necessarily verbal, but in other ways, such as pictures or words, etc). I just have been getting this sense of how much I need to really LISTEN and WAIT on God for direction and in all aspects of my life. I am sure I have missed many opportunities when God has been speaking to me or leading me in a certain direction, and that sucks, but I want to change that. I want to really learn to hear God's voice more and not forget to include him in big decisions and even small things in my life. It is cool though, to see that God has already been growing me in that area, because going on this mission trip was really a process of me waiting on God and allowing Him to lead. I honestly have been praying about doing something like this for almost all of high school. There were so many times during this process, when I was SO close to turning back on all of it and ignoring where God was leading me. I thankfully have listened, and really believe that God wants me to spend this time here. 

Anyway, sorry this is very long but it is very exciting to me. Its also cool to look around and see that God is really moving and changing the hearts of the people around me too. 

Oh ya, the first day of lectures were today and that was really great. This week's focus is on the Character and Nature of God. I took many notes, and will try and update you more as the week goes on and I learn more and more from the lectures.

God is doing great things here :)

I want to give some prayer requests though please if you could remember to pray for:

There has been a lot of information and the schedules have for the most part been very non-stop. I was talking with many of the girls, and we just got an awful feeling of being very overwhelmed with everything. Everyone, especially tonight, seemed soooo exhausted and stressed. Because there is such a lack of free time, if you could just pray to learn a good balance of our time and energy. Also, renewed energy and strength. I have already found myself having to drink some coffee tonight to pay attention during a bible study. So that's not good. This next one is soooo important. Pretty much every girl in our group got a feeling of some demonic force working against them today and especially tonight. I know for me even, I got super anxious and negative and scared and wanted to go to sleep just so I wouldn't feel that anymore. Many felt the same, and some more serious than others. However, we all had a great prayer time and really felt God's presence after. This is such a place for growth in God and the devil hates and fears what is going on here. So if you could pray for protection against any spiritual warfare during this time.

Thank you soooooooooooooooo much. Your prayer means sooo much to me and the girls here. 

Sorry that this is so incredibly long! I love you all and will try and update again when I can. I had pictures I was going to post from the weekend but they won't load :(

Here safe and sound!

Hey! Sorry that I haven't updated this yet. It has been kind of crazy and I didn't have much access to internet. I had a great stay in Melbourne with my cousin and got to explore the city a bit. I got to the YWAM base in Brisbane yesterday. The weather and everything is absolutely beautiful! Melbourne was very cold and so it is nice to have some beach weather like home.

There are people from EVERYWHERE. It is so cool. I am the only one from LA and I think there is one other girl from CA but very far north. It is so cool to learn about other people's cultures and ways of doing things. We have not started official classes yet (I think we do next week). We have been doing orientation today, and just getting the run down on rules and EVERYTHING we should know. We are actually leaving tomorrow for a retreat in Mt. Tambourine or something like that. Both schools (MAD and Frontiers) are going, but to different areas.

Everything has been so great so far. The people here are so sweet and so on fire for God. Last night we had great worship and this morning we had a great prayer time. We broke up into groups and prayed for missionaries that came out of YWAM and who they support. I think they said that this specific prayer time (they call it "intercession") which we do consistently (not sure yet how many days a week) will focus on praying for things happening around the world, or local things. It will have a specific focus each time. It was very cool.

I have taken some pics of the place because I know a lot of people want to see pictures! So I will try and post some now and will probably post more later.

First disgusting insect sighting!

Outside of our room where we stay. We live on an upstairs thing with 3 rooms and a bathroom. The guys live below us, and I believe there is one more dorm area where more girls are staying, somewhere downstairs.

This is my room. I think there are 12 in my room. It is actually really nice! I thought I would have to live out of my suitcase for the whole time that I was here, but there is actually space to hang things and a set of drawers and shelves. Really cool.








My fabulous bed shelf thing!
I didn't know I would have a place for pics and stuff, so I didn't bring a ton. So send me some!!!! :)
and I can show you off to my foreign friends!

work out room!

Inside dining hall and hangout area.

Kitchen and area where you line up and get food

Outside patio where people hang out or eat. Also there is a fire pit where some of those girls are gathered around.

"Community Room"-worship and events

Library and computer room.
Where I am now actually!















Love you all! Update you again soon hopefully!

Off to australia!

I'm flying today to Melbourne! I am going early to see my cousin there.  I will spend a little less than a week with her, and then (for my bday present) she is going to be flying me to Brisbane where my program is. Please pray for safe travels!

God Provides!

We made close to $1600 at the garage sale!! God truly provided.  Thank you so much to all who helped!!! I really could not have done it without you guys.  Your support is truly appreciated. 

Also, I have officially reached my financial goal so PRAISE THE LORD!  I cannot thank you all enough for your prayers and financial support.  I have been greatly blessed with amazing and selfless people in my life.