Be Youer Than You!

Our students leave in one week for outreach!
I cannot believe that I have gotten so close to these young men and women over the past 3 months and now they're leaving to change the world!
I feel like that proud mom, sending her child out into the world.

To say the least, these past few months of lecture phase have been amazing.
We've covered many topics, dealt with many deep heart issues and have had many breakthru's in people's lives!

Thank God for the time we've had, because we have been able to build relationships, get to the root of issues and truly walk in love with one another!
Fellowship is such a blessing.
 If you don't go to church, I'd encourage you to seek one because there's nothing better than building deep friendships and watching the Lord work in one another.

I'm sorry if a church has ever hurt you in the past.
I'm sorry if the topic or thought pisses you off.
I know there is a lot of hurt out there and deep wounds.
I hope you'll find people who can encourage you, challenge you in your walk, and be able to rejoice with you!
I pray you will encounter someone who will give you the time of day, accept you for you, and be able to walk with you as Jesus would.. Church isn't bad, trust me.

I personally have learned that there is no greater pleasure than seeing God transform people's lives.
The students that arrived in October are not the same students that are preparing for outreach.
Many of them came with past hurts, be it marriages/relationships, sexual abuse, drugs/alcohol abuse, psychological abuse.. and over the past 12 weeks we have been able to walk along side them,
speak Truth into their lives and be the best example of Jesus we could be.

Yes, we have all had our ups and downs, good days and bad days, but it's working thru our issues that we learn. Thank God these students have been so patient with me, Lord knows I'm not always the easiest person to get along with! It's keeping short accounts with one another that's made a difference for me. If I upset someone, or someone upset's me, I take no time to approach them and resolve the issue, whereas before, I would let it dwell and fester inside of me. Which honestly brought me down more and more, and I would gossip about that person or situation, but man! Nip it in the butt and life is good! Nothing hanging over you, no thoughts wandering around making you think things that aren't true! Such release and freedom, try it out!

I've definitely also learned to let go of control in this season of my life.
Funny how you don't notice certain things about yourself until you're in a leadership position; then, when it's all out in the open, you want nothing more than to change. And by change, I mean be more Christlike.. some times I'm not the best example..
I love being a leader in our schools, however, I'm forever grateful for the revelation that I'm a leader whether in that position or not.
People are always watching what you do.
Life is so much better when you're being an encouragement than a bad example!
Relationships are better when you can trust.
God is constant, never changing and finding my identity in that releases such weight from my chest.
No longer do I need to live up to man's standards, for Christ set the standard for me long ago.

I truly know God is real, He's moving in and thru each of us everyday whether we want to acknowledge it or not.
I would like to challenge you to "walk in the opposite spirit" for a while, and see what goes on in your heart.
And by walking in the opposite spirit, I mean not acting out in a situation as "man" normally would.
For example, you're driving down the road and someone pulls out in front of you and you have to slow down or change your pace (heaven forbid).
Instead of sitting there, yelling at your steering wheel (in which case, nothing happens anyways!) simply let it go. Back off the person in front of you, riding their rear end isn't going to change the fact they pulled out in front of you! Smile, relax, enjoy the ride, be grateful you own a vehicle, be grateful you can listen to music for a little bit longer, be grateful the person in front of you has somewhere to be, be grateful you are now a little bit behind to something but at least you have somewhere to be. And by thinking these positive thoughts, your mind gets renewed. Don't always focus on the negative, it's so easy for our minds to naturally draw that way. But, truth is, we think we are "owed" things in this life, when really, we have no rights.
Yes, I said it, we deserve nothing.

While writing this blog, I am now realizing that Christmas is soon to be here, and this is the perfect time to practice walking in the opposite spirit!
How many times are people stressed out, rushing thru the stores, waiting in line to buy that big gift with money they don't have to spend anyways!?
Why do we think it's gifts or material items that matter??
What draws people together are meaningful times, not items.
Write a sincere letter to someone.
Spend quality time with friends.
Be a friend.
Spend quality time with your family (not sitting in front of a television or computer).
Embrace what you have, because so many are with out.
Go serve in a food line with family or friends.
Buy someone a cup of coffee.
Reach out to your community and help those in need.
I promise you, by doing that you will find much greater joy than you would opening any gift under a tree.
Gifts are always changing, nothing is ever enough anymore.
Check out this video I watched last week..
"First World Problems"

This season is not for YOU.
This is not Tayler-Mas .. it's Christ-mas folks.
Maybe before Christmas arrives, you could sit down and read a Gospel?
Just one, you don't have to read the entire Bible, but embrace what the season truly is about.
Gain some understanding.
It's easy to lose sight of what's really important when we get sucked in to what everyone else is doing, comparing ourselves to others. Be happy in who you are.

I pray you will have insight. I pray for conviction. Pray your eyes would be opened.
Pray you will love people more boldly.
Pray you will see people to help in your busy day.
Pray people will become a priority as opposed to a problem.
Pray blame will not be shifted, but accounted for.
Pray we can be men and women of change.
Pray for peace.
Amen.

Encouragement. Sarcasm.

So, every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning at 8:30 we have a Ships Staff meeting, to get updates from the different ministry areas (which consist of: Bible Core Course, Intro. to Primary Health Care, Discipleship Training School, and School of Navigation and Seamanship). 

This campus is so big that sometimes it can be challenging to be all on the same page, let alone all being in the same place at once wouldn't happen without an arrangement.

These meetings are generally just a catch up, have a little bit more personal connection aside from all the "business" and "busyiness" talks. 

Today, however, we were blessed to have the incredible Christian Fox sit in and speak with us.

Christian has been leading our Wednesday morning Bible Studies for our school.

Christian has served with YWAM since 2001, during which time he has staffed a number of DTS' and lead Bible Core Courses. Over the years, he has been heavily involved in Biblical scholarship and study methods within the context of our schools. 

This morning it was nice to have him lead us aside from the morning's he teaches the entire school, little more personal.

What was his topic of the morning you ask?

Encouragement and Sarcasm.

Here's what I learned.

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En-cour-age: to put courage in; give support, confidence, or hope to (someone)

John Maxwell has some pretty amazing quotes if you look them up.

The one used this morning went along the lines of 'invest in others, not in how the world will make us happy'

Everyone loves to hear an encouraging word.

"We need to give people flowers before their funeral"

This statement spoke heaps to me.

Imagine: You are going to the funeral of a beloved friend. You bring a bouquet of flowers, take the time out of your "busy" schedule to attend, you sob and long to speak with your friend, you speak love - joyful memories - everything wonderful you remember about this person. 

But.. how often did you tell them that while they were alive? Truly?

How people speak at funerals, is how we should be speaking to our friends all the time.

Were you encouraging them while you had the chance, or tearing them down?

Who doesn't want to be around someone who speaks "life" and not "death"? 

Who speaks happiness instead of destruction? 

Words are powerful.  

Proverbs 12:18 "Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing."

Proverbs 15:4 "Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit."

Proverbs 16:24 "Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."

(Bible is full of reasons to build up one another.. Possibly relating to the fact our Creator is Love)

We need to be more encouraging to one another.

Do you know someone, that when you're around them they are constantly complaining and it just brings you down? Imagine if we did the opposite of that all the time! How much better would you feel?!

If you see something in somebody, say it.

Bless them all the time.

Create a culture of community.

Ephesians 4:17-32 

(I will type this at the bottom of this post, so you can read it if you'd like)

-I should be living a life that refuses to make excuses of why something is ok for me to do.

I shouldn't be justifying things against the Bible.

Put off my old life.

I am not that person anymore.

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Sarcasm.

(Cripes.

If you know me, you know sarcasm is my language.

Strong conviction this morning. . .)

Sar-casm: to tear or rip the flesh off;

a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain

Synonyms: cut, dig, offense, indignity

Not a very happy word is it?

How long have I carried this with me?!

Our words nip/gnaw at one another, eventually we consume each other!

Imagine, every sarcastic remark you make towards another person tearing off a bit of their flesh. Do it enough, eventually the person will perish.

How true is it we must control our tongues?

People may be able to laugh off your smart remarks, but you truly are ripping them a part little by little, and people can only take so much.

You are speaking such negativity over them, possibly embarrassing them, insulting them without even knowing it. 

I personally know this is something I have struggled with since being in Kona.

Some people will ask me questions with the most obvious answer that I "can't help" but respond in a sarcastic way! How foolish!

Now, not only do a couple students not enjoy talking to me, but I feel like I've been walking blindly.

I am very thankful that we live and learn; thankful we are always being taught.

- - - -

So, along with my conviction this morning I decided to do a little research in to sarcasm.

I stumbled upon this website with seven reasons why sarcasm is unhealthy and wrong.. After reading thru, I have to say I completely agree.

1. Sarcasm is a lie and not the language of the Kingdom.

John 8:44 "He (satan) was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

2. Sarcasm fosters insecurity.

3. Sarcasm interferes with authentic community.

"Often things we are unable to say seriously but still feel.

Can often be a challenge to sort out the truth from lies when a sarcastic person speaks.

Sarcasm allows them to maintain their mask of hypocrisy."

4. Sarcasm discourages inquisitiveness. 

"Derides people from asking simple questions.

Causes some people to be cautious to talk at all."

"When I reveal my ignorance on a topic I often must brace for the sarcastic blow that may or may not fall. My confidence is in Christ and not myself so these comments do not destroy me but are nevertheless unappreciated."

5. Sarcasm interferes with good leadership. 

I've been called to leadership in YWAM, enough said.

"Secure people make good leaders; if sarcasm is a symptom of insecurity then the better a leader you are the less sarcastic you are."

6. Sarcasm undermines true humor.

"How many times have you ever belly laughed to a sarcastic comment? The best you can hope for from sarcasm is snicker."

7. Sarcasm is the language of bullies.

This is a straight up apology to anyone I have ever offended with my words. 

This has been a sub-conscience tool I've used to cover up my own personal flaws and insecurities. 

I will miss it, because I think it's hilarious, but it's very hurtful, rude, harsh, demeaning, and heaps of other negative words.

I don't want anything negative in my life, and if I can change, I will.

I won't be perfect. I will struggle with this. I won't be as "funny" (yes, I think I'm funny).

But I'll feel a lot more confident in my relationships, hopefully be more approachable, be more trusting, and full of life.

Something legit to go along with this, I'm being honest and truly feel bad.

Don't antagonize me, don't ask me how my "non-sarcasm" is going.

Please.

Like anything else, it takes time. I will stumble.

But I want to be more loving to every single person, so today, I lay down my sarcasm card.

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I hope this encouraged you in one way or another! 

This was my own personal conviction that I felt like sharing with you!

Love you all, thanks for taking the time to read :)

xo

Live in Love :)

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Ephesians 4:17-32

(NLT)

Living as Children of Light

With the Lord's authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

But that isn't what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God - truly righteous and holy.

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And "don't sin by letting anger control you." Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

--AMEN--

(I got the seven sarcasm reasons from: http://www.thomasumstattd.com/2008/06/the-sin-of-sarcasm/ just so I don't potentially get in trouble)

Thanksgiving/Christmas/School Update

Well my dear friends, 'tis the Christmas Season!!!

I can hardly believe it's already in to December!

And I'm spending my second year without a white Christmas (sad day!).

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I don't think I posted anything about Thanksgiving! 

That was a fun day, we had a morning meeting in O'Hana Court to come together as a family and worship our Amazing God!

Then we proceeded to do a prayer walk around the campus, the new housing and our new cafeteria/culinary school/entertainment building!

And then, had a traditional Thanksgiving meal!

Some of our fabulous ladies, outside of the classroom :)

Madison and I waiting for the meeting to begin

(Does my school leader look like he is sitting behind me listening to football on his headphones..?)

Haha :)

I'm getting used to being away from my family for the Holiday's (fourth year!) 

God is amazing and thankfully we now have Skype! And Voxer!

Amen and Amen!

- - - - - - - - - - - 

Aside from Thanksgiving, our school has been very busy!

Our students have been staying very busy with outreach meetings!

The teams are set in stone, however, the locations for a couple teams have changed a couple times in the last few weeks, so hopefully by the end of this week I can put up a post letting you know where they'll be going and what they'll be doing! 

(As of now, Brazil/Amazon - Fiji/Christmas Island - Granada/Eastern Caribbean/Venezuela/Colombia)

Ya, pretty sick locations.

So be looking out for updates!

Ships are on the move!

As for me. . . I'm not planning an awesome outreach.

I've been sitting in lots of staff training meetings and getting prepped for the January school!

(As well as still being full time staff for the current school.. lots of energy, but thank God He gives me strength every morning)

I'm super stoked tho because I definitely want to stay with Ships for a while, so I feel I've been given the perfect opportunity to see how the school's flow, learn the logistics and have a lot more understanding! 

Our January school is currently up to 23 students, but we're expecting a few more to trickle in :)

Our current DTS will leave for Outreach on December 24th, and then we have to transition right over to the January school which begins January 3rd. So we will have to set up a new classroom, make sure all the bedrooms are cleaned, I will prolly be moved to a new room, get new roommates, prepare for arrivals, have beautification day (where we dedicate one day to literally cleaning the entire campus), and so forth. Transition time is great, but not a lot of rest.

I've got a great team I'm working with tho, I am truly blessed beyond measure.

I'm thankful that I'm 24 and have finally found a passion in life.

:)

Staffing this school has been amazing.

Rough some days, but in general, the best job I could possibly have at this time in my life!
As my dear DTS leader told me before I began.. "Welcome to leadership, which is really just having all of the things you need to work on now displayed publicly." 'Tis the truth. 

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So that's just a tiny update!

We had our Christmas Celebration this past weekend that was open to the community, it was great fun!

I've got some picture's I wanted to share with you :)
Enjoy!

*This was our cute flyer*

*Opening act: Campus children singing carols*

*Some legit African dancing!*

*One of our students Renne* 

*Another beautiful student, Andrea (from Norway).

She is a gifted dancer and blessed us this day!*

*A couple of our students dancing some more!*

*Beautiful Asian dance*

*Yanika, (our school leaders daughter) was hard at work building toys at the craft area!*

*Little Miss Eliza and I - We were dancing*

*Nativity drama in O'Hanna Court*

*Nativity Drama, with the three wise men giving their gifts*

*Our dear sweet Emma (Eliza's sister) was selling Peppermint Rice Krispies to raise money for her trip to Africa! She has the biggest heart of any child I've ever met.

*This was our beautiful water fountain at night, I just really liked how the water looked*

*So this photo doesn't do justice. But this mountain is behind our base and it's always covered in vog (which is like fog, only it's from the volcanoes) and you can rarely see the mountain.

This day, the vog was lowered for a bit!

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I have a few more photos that are random, and aren't from the Christmas Celebration but wanted to share anyways :)

*Dear sweet Eliza again, rockin' my hat at our last school outing*

Too cute.

*Once a month the strip down by the water gets closed down for a Street Market!

Absolutely love this day*

*And while walking thru this market I found a ND painted coconut!

That was pretty legit to stumble upon*

*And last but not least, last weekend I went down to the pier to read and this dude was just chilling on the beach with a nudey magazine! What the heck!? So I took a candid photo because it was random. 

Un-legit.*

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Thanks for looking at my update! 

Not too informative but a bit of interaction for ya! :) 

xo