Simplicity

How can simplicity not really be that simple. With it being caught up in legalism and religious well over done views, how can one really know if they are doing what God wants them to be doing as a way of life. I get that living simply you are not to love money and possessions etc, which I already knew because you can't love both money and God but then there is the other extreme where you over do it (asceticism) and become so anal that you don't enjoy the blessings that God wants to bestow upon you and then you can also get caught up in the whole pride things where you want everyone to know what your doing and thinking that you are better than other s because you are doing it to a bigger extreme and then simplicity doesn't just apply to objects but also to words, eating, what you do with your time and so on...... It can get so confusing and can tear your brain in two.

But I've come to understand that I can live a simplistic life and receive God's blessings as long as I don't put it before God and that I don't hoard it either and letting my yes and no mean just that (yes or no) and not be be all like "look at me" for it either.

Blessings

New family

Now don't get me wrong I love the family I have already and I'm not trying to replace them but I now have a new extended family in this community and I kinda already did but it's now different after youth councils.

We got to take 11 of our kids to youth councils (thanks to God) and all of them had either rededicated their lives to Jesus or did so for the first time. Many, many, many tears were wept and I'll admit that alot were from me to. Although we only got back yesterday things just even feel alot better in the community. We all now have a new respect for each other and a fresh love for one another.

Any way one of the boys that didn't come was trying to work me (pay me out, make fun of me etc.) but this time one of the boys who came with us go this trip stood up for me and was even going to start fighting him (which is how they have learned to show love and defend honour around here) which in a messed up way is really sweet, but I just kept telling him that he was better than that and to remember what he had promised to God over the weekend.

He then backed off after I said it a couple of times and then just sat with me on the stairs and started to cry. "That's not right the way he treats you. You guys do so much for us and you don't deserve it. He shouldn't be trying you"

I was so blessed at the fact that he had even had this reaction for me because that like never happens around here. I gave him a hug then D (the boy that was trying to start me) was looking over at Keith (the boy that was defending me) and Keith was not ashamed at the fact that he was crying for me. He starting saying to D "You're lucky I have Jesus now or your be broken now."

D was all like "why are you crying. I didn't even hit you"
"You shouldn't be doing that to Jesse...." and he said pretty much the same stuff he said to me be to D.

I now feel like our community is becoming moe of a family now. The kids are coming over more with in the past 2 days just to say hey and to talk about their problems and just chill in a safe place.

Things are looking up.

Highs and Lows

This week I was very blessed to have Lyn (Lisa's Mum) spend a week here to see what I'm doing with this ministry. I enjoyed having her around (not just because the kids were more polite around her) and I know that she enjoyed seeing what I do and the relationships that are being formed between the kids and I. So that would be my high.

My low would be that one of the prostituted people that I had just started doing ministry with was murdered last night. I don't even want to type out what happened, nothing was mentioned in the media but read the 614 Charlotte blog or Leo's blog.

Bless you all.

614 WILL REMEMBER.

So as you can see Lisa and I got to see each other for our reading week holiday. Last Tuesday I got to fly (while poohing my pants because I don't like to fly) to Denver then Seattle and then drive from there to Vancouver, Canada were one of my bestest friends in the whole world (Lisa Stewart AKA Stewy). It was awesome but I'm sad that later this morning at around 7am I leave. (it's currently midnight).

I loved to spend time with Lyce and I got to meet the entire Revolution Session which is extremely cool because this has been the first time session mates have been in two different countries and the fact that we all got to meet each other is such a blessing. I love them all and we all have an instant connection and all by the grace of God. I loved just seeing what they do here, making new and everlasting friends, seeing old ones and just chilling out with no stress for a while. We also got to have our first group photo which is actually alot more exciting than you would think. (Don't worry Mum, I didn't find a guy here either. No need to stress and I'm also a long way off dating again.)

I also got to mend an old friendship that really needed to be restored. I'm blessed that God had humble me (even through all my pride) to approach the untouchable issue to seek forgiveness and to also forgive so that I could fully hand over the hurt to Jesus who is the only one with the healing balm that perminently heals us and makes us a new. I also got to pray for them and the love of his life which was a huge step because of all that ha happenedbut I feel released and God has lifted my burden and lightened my yolk. Praise Jesus.

I just chucked up a few photos of Lisa and I so you can all see what we look like now (I know I've put on some weight but I'm keeping it on for warmth) but what ever. And now you know that I am still crazy as crap. I gotta go (lisa needs her
computer.)

Blessings and Love