The New School & What I've Learned

Transitioning from one school to another is NOT easy!

My first batch of students left for outreach on December 24th, which then left us with about 10 days to transition and prep for the next school!

I didn't think this would be that big of a challenge, aside from making new manuals, decorating the classroom, beautification day, and all the little physical jobs we knew needed to be done.

But man, mentally and emotionally I was not prepared! It wasn't hard for me to say goodbye to my students because they're going on outreach and I'm SUPER pumped for them! However, I didn't realize it'd be so hard saying hello to my current students.

We had registration day on January 3rd (which is a crazy day when every single student, from every school, flies in). We met in O'Hana Court around 8am to begin!

 Only problem, I woke up sick.

Whilst in the transition phase, I got out of my normal routine, stopped taking my vitamins, and before I knew it my body was shutting down. And fast.

So, after sitting in O'Hana Court for 12 hours, I was pretty well shot.

The next morning I couldn't even get out of bed. My nose was running so bad I had tissues just shoved up it to clog it! Haha, cute I know.

I ended up missing the Welcome Ceremony that is pretty epic. 

Same as my first description many blogs ago. Gather at the flags, walk with native Islander's to O'Hana Court to present gifts, take a tour around campus, have time to meet as a school - then in the afternoon there's a Hawaiian barbecue, followed by a celebration in O'Hana Court. 

Thankfully, I slept through all of it.

This is O'Hana court for the Welcome Ceremony in the morning.

Biggest quarter in YWAM history!

This is now what our food line looks like.

Generally about at least 25-30 minutes waiting in line, but it'll get better as the quarter goes on :)

Very first night students arrived, our dear sweet student decided to get his longboard out and hit the hills.. Accident #1.

So, life has been pretty eventful! After our students arrived and the Welcome Ceremony was had, they spent their first Saturday at the beach! I was still sleeping the day away, but completely content. I had no energy to try and beach it up with them! I spent the weekend relaxing, resting and fighting off the illness. Little did I know, I missed a pretty major time of bonding. 

I was well enough by Monday to attend class.. however, I barely knew anyone's names and everyone was already "best friends"! I felt like a complete outsider walking in to our classroom Monday, it was quite a bummer.

So, as lectures began and our busy schedules picked up once again it was very hard for me to feel like I was in the right place. I struggled for a bit, doubted if I was supposed to be staffing this school and was pretty much having a pity-party. Horrible idea.

But praise be to God, come the second week of lectures things started looking up! 

We grew way deeper as a school, definitely bonded and now I absolutely LOVE our students!

I definitely was in a lull with the Lord, doubting Him and if I was hearing Him correctly.

I was being pretty pissy with my fellow staff, irritated by everything, and then revelation just hit me like a hammer. I was being super stubborn, prideful, and avoiding situations like it was my job.

I just didn't want to deal with anything or anybody. Which is a bad place to be when you're in leadership. 

Thankfully tho, it didn't last long.

I basically made myself start doing things opposite of what I wanted to do. 

When I wanted to be alone, I went around people.

When I wanted to skip something, I showed up early.

When I wanted to say something, I made myself be quiet.

And little by little God began speaking to me and working thru the situations alongside me.

Funny thing is, He had been doing that all along.

I was just being too stubborn to admit it or look for His help.

I absolutely love God.

I love that what he calls us to do is love others.

How much joy, satisfaction, peace of mind, etc. was I receiving being pissed off and letting every little thing bother me?

The mind is a powerful thing, but once you begin to distinguish who is telling you to do what, life get's so much better.

God would never tell me to say something that would hurt someone else.

God doesn't want me avoiding his beloved children.

God doesn't want me controlling every situation and every last detail.

I had already sub-consciously set so many expectations, that I left no room for God.

None whatsoever.

And what did I reap of this?

Disbelief. Doubt. Guilt. "Poor me" mentality. Feeling as tho nobody liked me or wanted me around.

Rubbish.

Once I realized the situation I had let myself get in to, I knew I had to leave it as soon as possible.

I began spending more time with the Lord. Reacting and seeing people the way He sees them.

I let myself be overcome by His love, and in turn it flowed out of me, and hallelujah life is wonderful.

How many times do you let someone or something ruin your day?

How often do you get in a down mood and allow yourself to stay there?

How many times a day do you say something negative to yourself?

Friend.. You don't have to stay there.

I thank the Lord every single day that I am continually learning and growing and that I'm not going to be perfect, nor do I intend to be perfect. 

I know I'm a child of the Lord Most High and my puny little thoughts are nothing compared to HIM.

He is beautiful, perfect, wants nothing but good.. Loves us enough to give us freedom and choice.

Friend, choose the right path today.

Choose joy.

Choose life.

Choose the positive thoughts.

Speak positively to yourself and others, and feel the difference!

You know that feeling, when you do something AMAZING and the one person you're seeking affirmation from actually gives it to you? And you feel on top of the world, accomplished, seen. Well, God feels that for you every day. 

I feel bad for my friends out there who are so condemned by their own minds and choices.

It's not God's will for harm to come to you.

It's not God's will for you to be alone.

It's not God's will for you to hate what you look like.

It's not God's will for you to be depressed.

Trust me, I've been thru depression, image issues, drugs/alcohol, sour friendships.. I get it.

But it doesn't have to control you.

And I praise God that although I walked thru a valley for nearly two weeks (self pity, feeling alone), I was able to overcome it with His Word, His grace, His love, and knowing His affections for me.

When you truly walk out in love, it's impossible to stay in the darkness.

I promise you that.

Try it today. 

Love you all.

Mahalo!

Hitch hiked with my students this weekend to a truly beautiful place.

Thank you God for your beauty, your forgiveness, and your constant blessings.

May I continue to be a vessel used by you, all of my days.

Love Feast - Outreach

Aloha! Welcome to the NewYear!

I have been horrible at updates again, time is flying!

Here's what we did for Christmas :)

Christmas was fantastic! We went to King's Mansion the Friday before Christmas, which is about a 20 mile drive and had a fabulous Love Feast before the students left for Outreach. 

King's Mansion has quite an awesome story behind it.. In 1973 a YWAM student (Cindy) had a dream; she saw this house in her small group as they were praying for direction for YWAM in the Hawaiian Islands. One woman envisioned a large white house on a hill with a veranda and green shutters. As she spoke this out, Cindy had a vivid picture of this house - even where it was located on the island. Of course none of them had ever been in Kona before. Several years went by before Cindy and her husband, Tom, were in Kona for the first time. Loren Cunningham (YWAM Founder) picked Tom and Cindy up from the airport and took them to the new property that YWAM had gotten not too long before. It was King's Mansion, exactly as she has seen it in her prayer! 

I believe the property was purchased in 1977 and to this day is used by YWAM. It's legit!

King's Mansion

My one-on-one and small group girls

*Jesse, Grace, Annemarie, Chana*

My girls

Our DTS ladies

Our ladies are legit

My dear sweet Renee and I

- After our Love Feast we spent the weekend cleaning. With everyone leaving for Outreach, it means we have to deep clean our bedrooms, make sure the students rooms are all clean, deep clean the classroom, deep clean our new classroom and then move everything in! It's crazy and semi-exhaustive. This campus is huge! But definitely feel accomplished when it's all said and done.

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Monday, December 24th, we spent shuttling our students to the airport! This was a sad day. I was ok with staying and staffing the next school when the decision was made a couple months prior, however, when the day arrived for them to all depart, I was so sad! I literally had empty nest syndrome. Their rooms were all vacant, their door signs were down, they were the last school on campus to leave for Outreach which meant the entire campus was bare! I was very blessed and spoiled by my first school and miss them like crazy! 

Our Gracie girl cleaning out her room!

Tradition: drive around the flags a few times! The rest of our school made a tunnel!

My students.. At the airport.. Sad day! 

This is a little video of our tunnel :)

All teams will be gone for 8 weeks!

The Fiji/Christmas Island Team

Their first couple weeks have been spent in Christmas Island, where they were welcomed and immediately tossed in to ministry! They learned traditional dances, have been performing, speaking and completely embraced by the islanders! They have been such a light to these people, it's amazing! 

It's kind of hard to described exactly what their outreach team will be doing because they are pioneering this path and are going with the flow day by day. Their intent is to build relationships with islanders, speak in their churches, do physical labor where it's needed and basically be a blessing wherever it's needed!

The Brazil Team 

Our Brazil team will be traveling up the Amazon River by boat, stopping in different villages, building relationships with the children and adults. Speaking in churches, playing with the kids and sharing the love of Jesus in any way possible. Their leader Kyle, the one hanging upside down in the tree, went there on his outreach so they are following up! They also get to sleep in hammocks, which is pretty legit.

The Caribbean Team

The Caribbean/Grenada team will be partnering with the Caribbean Reach ministry and sailing on their 74-foot sailboat to several different Islands in the Caribbean, Venezuela, and Colombia. They have the incredible opportunity to serve the local communities by helping with various building projects, teaching in local churches, facilitating youth programs, working with seniors and disabled, street evangelizing and serving peoples physical needs. Basically showing the love of God to the people in these nations.

So that's where my students have headed out to! It's been such a privilege and blessing getting to know them these past three months, and I CANNOT wait! to see what they're like when they return from outreach! Seeing people's lives changed, witnessing healings, being a blessing to people in need changes people, and I cannot wait to hear their stories.

Jesus is real.

God is alive and at work every single day.

It's such a privilege to be able to do what I do.

I'm grateful everyday.

Keep them in your thoughts and prayers :) 

xo

Transitioning

What I've learned in the past three months: I love what I do.

I am blessed beyond blessed.

Getting to know these students has been quite the adventure. I was pretty psyched in the beginning to be staffing a school, and then preparing the school was rather difficult. Once the school began, it's safe to say my heart wasn't necessarily in the right place. I was worried more about how everything was running, if thing's weren't being done "by book" I was stressed and confused, and basically worrying about all the little things that help make it run, while being a bit blind to the relationship aspect. I wanted to serve our students; I sub-consciously thought it was by having everything ready and in running order, when in reality I needed to put the details on the back burner and be more focused on the person.

I'd say it was a Martha/Mary situation.

Know what that means?

Luke 10:38-42 "As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things but few things are needed - or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

That is a small glimpse into the Martha and Mary I am talking about.

Sometime's its easy to want to have everything prepared and in great running order, but not having the best motives, unintentionally. 

Needless to say, over a few weeks God revealed to me where my heart was, and it was a rude awakening. It was about the time my "sarcasm" blog was posted, and I realized how much damage I had caused in some relationships, simply because I had the wrong view.

Thus, why do I love what I do? Because I'm constantly in check with the Lord and surrounded by great people who can give correction in a loving manner. I've learned heaps and grown more in three months than I have in years.

And now! My students are gone on outreach, and today a new school has commenced! We have 20 students - from England, Australia, Germany, Canada, USA. 

Aside from the growth I've personally had, another reason I love what I do is the end result. Seeing people's lives be rocked by Christ and their lives changed dramatically, there's nothing better! The students that I said goodbye to a week ago are definitely not the same students that arrived three months ago. And now, we are doing it all again. 

It was great to meet the students today at Registration Day and see how different they are from my last students! I love God's timing, who he places with who, and being able to have a different understanding for this new school. I know I'm going to see fruit produced, and see changes in each individual. I'm so excited for these young men and women, and the journey that is before them that they have NO idea bout! I definitely feel more prepared, am stoked for my new one-on-one girls, my new small group and my potential Outreach group!

Needless to say, with all of this excitement I am also in a bit of a bind this quarter. The last school I rushed in to, arrived a little less than two weeks before the school started, ran with it and decided I definitely want to do this missionary business long term. Since this decision and confirmation from the Lord, I need to build a support group. I will need monthly support, yearly support, a one time donation, whatever anyone feels on their heart to do. I have housing/food fees, along with basic necessities, saving for outreach, and other expenses. If you would pray about becoming a supporter, that would be well appreciated. I will be sending newsletter's out soon via mail, will try and begin an e-mail newsletter soon, as well as posting blog updates, Instagram, and Facebook. 

You can go to my support link found on my Homepage of this blog. 

I have my support running thru YWAM El Paso, TX - Simply because it is the main headquarter for all YWAM supporters in the U.S. and if I switch bases or move around I don't have to change my support location each time. It gives me the freedom to either be in Hawaii for a bit and move to Orange County, or somewhere else, without having to have a one year+ commitment. Which is great, because YWAM Ships OC will most likely be jumping back and forth between a few bases. 

If you need any information or have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me! Even $10 a month for laundry is appreciated! 

E-mail me at taylerswaim@yahoo.com

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Another thing I'd love to share with you!

A few weeks ago we were having corporate worship and the children were invited on stage to "teach us old people how to loosen up!" It was the Monday after the CT. shooting at the Elementary school.

As my good friend Phil Cunningham pointed out, there were 20 children running across the stage. A few days prior 20 children lost their lives, this morning 20 children danced with life. I believe it was an amazing revelation and picture of those 20 dancing with Jesus who perished in Newtown, CT.

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I also completed a 5 day "Lemonade Fast" which I would TOTALLY recommend to you!

Basically mix a drink containing cayenne pepper, fresh lemons and maple syrup. Drink nothing but that for 5 days, and feel amazingly refreshed and rejuvenated!

However, I do recommend you do a salt water flush the day before you begin. 

Google it, do it, love it.

And definitely do the measurements they suggest.. This was day #1, and I put a little bit too much cayenne pepper and maple syrup.. Legitly thought I was going to puke.

Stephanie got quite a kick out of me chugging this..

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Also! I have been introduced to a legit new friend named Ollie. 

Ollie is one of the most free spirited fun dudes I've ever met and he hung out on base during our transition weeks. He has a truck and loves to go to the beach! We hit up Mile 88 last weekend, which was soo fun. Madison, Ollie, Isaac and I spent the day body surfing, learned how to safely swim out past the two breaks, waded in the water and got scared of talking about sharks, and learned how to skim board! 

Slight success

Don't try and go against the wind.. You go nowhere

Never have had so much sand in my hair, ever!

Pretty legit day, super blessed.

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As I've said previously, I've gotten back in to running! I just wanted to share this photo because it's fun :)

This is Brad. Brad was my 5 am running partner.

He lost 20 pounds running in the mornings! Wish I could say the same..

But it was funny because we got injured A LOT, he continuously had shin splints, and my knee continued to act up.

If you would like to donate to my Running Shoes Fund, you can also email me about that ;)

Haha

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I believe that is my update for the day! I am hoping I can update this again here in a few days!

Tomorrow we will have our Welcoming Ceremony by the flags, walk all the students around the campus, have our Aloha Dinner, our Aloha Ceremony at night, have a beach day Saturday and then begin another round of lecture phase on Monday!

I could use some prayer, just to stay focused and have my whole heart in this school.

It's definitely hard feeling so attached to my first students, because I absolutely love and adore each of them. I'm stoked to get to know these guy's for sure, but definitely need to refocus a bit. 

Most people staff one or two schools a year. It's pretty crazy to staff back to back, because it is so emotional and intense. My first school left less than 10 days ago and now I'm being introduced to heaps of young men and women who are on fire to grow and learn! I want to keep my eyes focused on Christ and not be half in. 

Thank you for walking along this journey with me. 

Encouragement and support are always accepted!

Love! 

xo

My Hawai'ian Christmas

Never thought I would spend two years in a row in the tropics without a white Christmas! 

God is SO amazing and has so many plans that I never saw coming.

I've learned to be extremely grateful for my past, the hurts and the good times. It has strengthened me and prepared me in areas I didn't even know existed. 

I love looking at my life in retrospect.

 God has always been present, even in the times it felt He was nowhere to be found, yet He never left my side and was paving a path I could never have done myself. 

I'm beyond grateful.

I'm also grateful you are along this journey with me. 

Christmas was beautiful.

Our Base Director's Brett & Karen Curtis invited us up to their condo for an amazing dinner and dessert! We played Monopoly Deal, watched Troy, build a gingerbread house, and had amazing conversations all thru out. I'm extremely blessed by YWAM Ships, everyone involved is extremely laid back, chill, sweet, kind hearted, east to converse with, and extremely genuine. I love where I am in life. Christmas was definitely different this year than last year in Australia. All of our students were gone, there was prolly 20 of us up at Brett & Karen's and it felt like a very lazy day, which was an odd feeling.

Our lovely gingerbread house!

Our gingerbread house collapsed about 10 minutes after we were finished.. Haha

This is a green journal Brett & Karen got me as a present! Totally unexpected, now full of scripture, and beautiful quotes, especially from Mother Teresa :)

I also got an amazing surprise package from my parents! As my heart is geared towards Justice Issues in the world, I have decided that this quarter if I want any new clothes, headbands, etc I will only purchase Fair Trade and Direct Trade items; so if they are from India (for example) it won't come from Wal-Mart but will specifically be from an Organization that the money will directly return to. It won't support sweat shops, but support women who have escaped the sex-trade industry, or children escaping abuse, etc. I hadn't told anybody this, and my parents bought me a few headbands and a travel jewelry case that were direct trade! The little tag had the signature of the woman who made the items, which was the most special part. My parents keep blowing me away with their awesomeness. It meant the world to me that they acknowledged where my heart is, and in return were able to help people out! They also sent me a beautiful silver/blue bracelet that is my treasured gift.

I'm just a lucky girl and had to brag.

Along with this crazy amazingness, my dear friend Jami sent me a care package! 

This is a pretty neat story. Jami and I met our Freshman year in High School, became good friends and stayed decent friends thru out High School. We just always got along, whether we hung with the same crowd or did the same things or not. She has always been a joy, a woman who always brings laughter and a smile to any room she walks in. It's funny how Facebook has allowed me to be a creeper on her life these past few years post High School and to feel as tho we were friends, but kind of not at the same time. So anyways, we ran into each other at a bar of all places a couple weeks before I left Michigan for Hawaii. We reconnected, I totally got to share my heart with her and catch up! It was SUCH a blessing and encouragement. When I came to YWAM Ships she had emailed me saying she'd like to send me care packages to support what I'm doing. (As you all know, being a missionary means you don't buy anything but necessities.. especially right now, have zero supporters, kinda rough). So, I thought it'd just be a little package - NO! I should have known better with Jami! 

Jami sent me a box filled with heaps of wrapped gifts! They were basic things a girl loves :) Some granola bars, nail polish, mousse, face mask, etc.! 

I was absolutely blown away by the kindness she showed to me! I love that someone you haven't seen in years cares enough about what you do to support it, in such a legit way. 

My students thought it was legit, it inspired heaps of people and was a blessing to many people. 

What an angel.

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Aside from the amazing gifts, I was also able to finally Skype my grandma in Wyoming! My mom's dad Rex Tryon passed away December 9th, which was pretty hard. He had a stroke when I was in 3rd grade and has been paralyzed ever since. I would visit him and hang out with him while I lived in Wyoming and was very blessed by him. I definitely didn't think the last time I left Wyoming would be the last time I'd see him. Even tho he was old and is better off, it still sucked. I definitely needed a Skype session with my grandma and am super thankful my mom was able to fly out there for a few weeks to spend much needed mom time. 

Which then left dad and Chris at home, haha, which had to be pretty weird! 

Glad my daddy is up to date with technology tho and I was able to Skype him as well!

 Very great Christmas.  

So ya, I'd have to say that my Christmas in Hawaii was pretty darn legit. I'm a very lucky girl, surrounded by amazing people, building relationships in Kona and all over the world! 

Thank you Lord for all you provide.

Thank you for the communication and how easy it is to stay in touch with family and friends!

Thank you for people you bring back into our lives.

Thank you that friendships never die.

Thank you everything you created and are allowing me to enjoy. 

I love you Abba! 

XO

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.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

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.

- - - - - - - - - - 

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.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

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 :)

- - - - - - - -  -

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)