Penguin Island

Well, it’s almost self-explanatory. Penguin Island is a BEAUTIFUL place off the coast of Perth, and it’s home to some very special creatures. They’re the worlds SMALLEST penguins! Our trip was in celebration of Melissa’s 21st birthday, and celebrate we did. We took a bus to Rockingham, a little town outside of Perth, and then took another bus to………….the middle of nowhere. From there we walked a couple of blocks to the water, and caught a ferry to the island. The water was a million shades of blue, and so pretty. I just had to swim in it, which I promptly did (see pictures). Some of the amazing sights included: a sea lion, a million different kinds of birds, the largest lizards you’ve ever seen, a rugby team, and of course the worlds smallest penguins. What a fun day, Happy Birthday Melissa!

Central African Republic

God spoke to me BIG TIME about outreach. As I was thinking about outreach before I got here, my first idea was that I would join the team going to Africa. I’ve really wanted to go to Africa since I was 15; it’s been a strong desire. And if I could have picked which country, I would have picked Ethiopia! (There is a team going to Ethiopia, but I’m not n on it) As time went on, and people kept asking me, and I continued to grow, my ideas changed, and I wanted to join the team that was going to be in the same place for the longest amount of time. (There will be in Jakarta for 12 weeks, but I’m not on that team either.) I thought that would be the best way to build really strong relationships and be ale to disciple those around me. Well, this week, I actually sought God’s voice instead of figuring it out myself. I was in full expectation that God would tell me which team to pursue. That’s all that I thought he would do. I asked him about the Jakarta team and listened, he said no. I would be going to Jakarta based on things I’ve already done, based on the passed, he told me he was sending me to a country based on my future. Obviously I don’t know my future, so I don’t really know what that means yet. I asked about the team going to Ethiopia. I didn’t hear anything, so I moved on to the next one, and……..the Holy Spirit spoke. Not just a word or two, but volumes. He really showed me more about lies I’ve believed about myself, that I’m not capable of doing great things for the kingdom. He said that if I wanted to step up and step out for him, and struggle and persevere and be part of something big, then I could go to the Central African Republic. He gave me a picture of the place we would be, and how he felt about the people there. I decided to go for it, I don’t know what to expect exactly, but I do know that it will be a hard 3 and a half weeks there, but if we really lean into what God wants to do and live in obedience to him, God will use us to do something BIG!

God Spoke in Week 5

God started speaking to me about my gifts last Tuesday during small group, but I didn't even know it. A couple people commented on how strong I am. I thought big deal, everyone says that, and it's not really a gift, it's more of an attitude, stubbornness, even inflexibility. On Wednesday this week, during worship, Katie felt to pray over me about my strength, and using it for God's glory, and I really don't remember the details of what she prayed, I was kinda thinking, what good is strength, why do people keep bringing it up anyway. I went back to singing and God just spoke to me about me. "I didn't give you your strength of spirit for you. You've been living off of it, relying on it instead of me, and it's not even for you. It's for others. Your strength and will give it to me, give it to others. It's for the weak, the wondering, and the lost. Stop using it for you; don't make yourself comfortable in it. Step out, I want my strength in your weakness, and your strength in others weakness. Give it away." He talked so fast I had to write it all down before I forgot it. I told God I didn't understand how to do that, or what he meant, but I wanted to know and I want to obey. Thursday morning during my quiet time, I read 2 Sam 15, and prayed for revelation about my independent spirit. In class Andrew went over the beatitudes and one really stuck out to me. "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth". Andrew defined meek, as strength in walking in the opposite spirit. When someone attacks you, love him or her. When someone is greedy, be generous. Be strong in your opposition, and you will win the hearts of the lost. These actions start in prayer, pray blessings over those who persecute and frustrate, this will release God's power into the circumstance. I felt like God was saying, this is how you can use your strength and will, walk in the opposite direction, in the opposite spirit, in extreme righteousness. Other phrases that got my attention were "walking against injustice" and "unconditional love enables me to walk out justice". God gave me another piece of the puzzle, which I am rejoicing in as I expectantly wait for the big picture.

The World Series Air Show and A Dolphin

So, I'm not really into planes, or piloting, or getting sunburt, but the World Series Air Show was awesome! The competition was Thursday-Sunday, and my friends and I caught the tail end. (What that a pun? Not sure) Anyway, these pilots were crazy! Flips and spirals and getting way to close to the water for comfort, and....................the U.S took the championship! He wasn't the most humble champion I've ever seen, which makes things is a bit awkward when you're the only US citizen in a crowd of hundereds. Oh well! I sat by a guy named Andrew. He's from Melbourne, and it was his dream come true to fly out for the show. He was having a great time, and was really patient in answering all my silly questions. Overall, it was a great afternoon.

But this morning was the best thing yet.........

Every morning before I go out for a walk along the river, I get all pumped up to see a dolphin in the river. After about 20 mornings of not seeing one, I was begining to think that people were not telling the truth about the dolphins. I was wrong! I was walking along with my friend Katie, and we hear a big splash. I think to myself, that HAS to be a dolphin, what else? So I run down to the rivers edge, and get all pumped to see a dolphin, but theres' nothing but ripples. 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 30 seconds. My excitement and anticipation have hit a level which is dangerous to my health when...............the dolphin resurfaces! I jump up and down and all over Katie, and yell, and basically freak out. Some poor folks trying to have a peaceful morning walk were quiet impressed with my reaction, which only got better. As it swam up (or maybe down) the river, I ran along the bike path on the shore, keeping place and ......................still yelling. It was the most glorious morning walk ever! I wish I could post a picture of the sight, but I usually don't take my camera on walks. Sorry, maybe next time.

Journal Excerpt, Week 4

8 Principles from Week 4: Spiritual Warfare

1) Spiritual warfare should always be in the context of knowing who you are in Christ and living responsibly
2) You can’t fight the battle unless you are “strong in the Lord”
3) My struggle is against the schemes and strategies of the "rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world", not against people
4) Everything I do affects the heavenlies and may be affected by the heavenlies
5) Spiritual Warfare: one spirit force pushing out another spirit force
6) There is as much evil in my life, my family, my city, my nation, my DTS, as I/we allow
7) The enemy enters through the gates of my mind, my heart, and my mouth.
8) God has given me his authority and he’s not taking it back. The more I yield myself, the more power I will have through my authority.

Halloween?

October 31st was a great day! Imagine this: 6:30am, 40 girls in one bathroom, pink eye shadow everywhere, hair teasing like there’s no tomorrow, spandex leggings, t-shirts off the shoulders. Basically, the 80's. That's what we were going for! Some us from the US thought it would be great to have a dress up day, and invited everyone to do the same. It's amazing what the wardrobes of 40 girls and a little creativty can do! It was a great morning of team bonding at 228 Lord St. We also thought it necessary to have a bit of a party that evening, it's supposed to be study night, but some things are worth the sacrifice. =) We played the ultimate game of spoons, about 20 people, and then had a bit of an 80's dance party. Good times! See the pictures for proof!

Journal Excerpt, Week 3

One way God spoke to me this week:


During our intercession time for Myanmar, God gave me a super detailed picture: a women sitting on her couch in the morning. She was looking out the window thinking about what she should say. She was feeling sad because she felt like she had been saying the same thing and bringing the same message for so long, and she didn’t know what else to say. She was feeling powerless, and a little hopeless. I saw what she looked like, and felt how she felt, I felt like I was looking at the women who is fighting for democracy in Myanmar. The next day Caleb (my school leader) told us about a publicized meeting she had with government officials. I looked it up online and saw a picture of her. It was the lady in my picture!