Facing reality

So I had the absolute pleasure of getting the morning and afternoon off yesterday and the morning off today. For the entire time I was just thinking and praying and listening to God because he has revealed some stuff to me that has thrown some of my plans out of whack, which is cool though because I would rather live in God's amazing perfect plan as appose to my own in which I would have to do it in my own strength (which isn't that much) and fail as to who God wants me to be.

I was doing an essay on Tuesday about Commissioner Emma Booth-Tucker in which I had to read her articles in 'the officer' (a Salvation Army magazine) from the years 1893-1895 and write on her views on international mission, which I will admit hit me really hard. I had this plan of going to university, getting a degree, settling down, have a home and a family, you know all that normal stuff which I believe would be an incredible life but God has something else in store for me which I have known for a while now but never wanted to admit it because I didn't want somethings to change.

In January 1893 Commissioner Emma Booth-Tucker wrote:
"Yes, this is our field. Wherever on earth there is a soul, there, in measure must beat the heart of The Salvation Army''
So that's where I'll be. I'm going to become a solider. Not just one who is doing it because they feel it is their next step as a Salvationist but because God has been calling me to it for a long time now but I didn't want it to be something that was taken lightly. I am already a solider of God, I now just going to make it better know and wherever the Lord leads me that's were I'm going to be from here on out (Don't stress Mum I'm still coming back to Australia in 4 weeks) Love you all and be prepared

Blessings

Galatians 1:10 'Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.'

About time

It is now getting towards the end of my summer placement which I've been traveling all over Georgia for. To give a quick run down of what went down where I'm going to give an outline.

We arrived mid afternoon on Friday and were put to work about 2 hours after being together. Commissioning was happening in Atlanta and we were helping with the teen venue. I was blessed to run some activities that open up kids minds spiritually. That was for our first weekend together. Sunday evening we went down to camp Grandview (salvation army summer camp grounds in GA) to do our orientation. We worked on mimes, songs, puppet training, spiritual development, everything really. Training was for 1 week.

Week 1 of placement was Albany where we were mainly focused on children's ministry. Our first day of VBS (vacation bible school) we had a grand total of 12 children. After doing out reach we extended our numbers to over 40. I did another sermon here and although we faced a lot of challenges this was definitely the place that we will all remember because it was all totally done in Gods strength.

Week 2 of placement was Marietta where we were more of the helpers this time not the organisers. Week 3 was split with Cartersville and Rome where we did ministry with the elderly in nursing homes. Week 4 was Toccoa which was another challenge but all in all it went pretty well. We then had 2 days of debriefing.

Then Shelbie (1 of my team members and 1 of the most amazing people in the world) and I went to Atlanta for 10 days to do apartment ministries in a Latino community. Now I'm still in Atlanta but am no longer with a team. This week I'm helping out all over the place with ministries that Lakewood corps is involved in. Next week I help out with Lakewood's VBS and then I'm back to Charlotte to graduate. I'm so excited, it's only a little more than a month till I go home to Australia. 5 weeks today till I fly out, 5 weeks on Thursday till I arrive home.

Miss you all and I'll write again really soon

PS Congratulations to Karyn & Jon and Joel & Lycey on their weddings
Mwah

Training

So the team has been together for a whole week now and we are getting along so well (a little to well at times that we can get distracted from our work). We are leaving for Albany on Sunday and will tell you all how it goes once I get on the feild

Atlanta

This once again is just going to be quick because I have like 2 minutes before we go to church.

Well I arrived in Atlanta Georgia on Friday and have been working with my team (called the E-team) at the teen venue at commissioning and we have pulled together as a team so quickly and so well. My team consists of Eman (team leader), Jason, Shelbie, Erica and myself. We are an awesome team and we get along so well already. God totally had his hand on this when the team members were getting decided on.

Today we go out to camp and we are staying there till Friday (I think) to do our orientation and team building.

Gotta go. I love you all
Blessing

Info.

This blog is just to inform everyone of what's been happening and what is about to happen.

A lot of warfare (spiritual attacks) have been happening lately but some are best not mentioned. Last Saturday we had a break in at the community house (for more info go to Rob and Heathers blog- 614 Charlotte) which was frustrating but God prevailed in the end so it was all good. We had one of our air conditioners stolen the Wednesday before that and other stuff has happened.

Leo left for his summer placement last Thursday and I miss him already (he is definitely the comedian among us.)

Matt from Vancouver war college came here 2 weeks ago and I leave today for my summer placement. I'm not sure how much internet access I'll have (if any) so I'll be communicating through blogger mainly.


*Special note*
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Holly sorry it's late and that I didn't get to call, it's been really busy here. Love you.

What's real

How can one feel that they are so alone while there are so many around them,
Never getting away from it all sucks the life from me.
Suffocation, lack of air.

So many words are said but all I here is silence,
Entangled by the ways of the world, empty as can be.
Suffocation, lack of air. Dehydration, lack of water.

Bound by the chains of media of what will make me full,
Immersed by commercialism, what will set me free.
Suffocation, lack of air. Dehydration, lack of water. Hunger, lack of food.



How can I be concerned and consumed by the ways of the world while people go hungry, die of because they have no water or have drunk water that is carrying a disease, while people are being smothered by things they can not change.

We all need a reality check

All around me- flyleaf

"All Around Me"

My hands are searching for you
My arms are outstretched towards you
I feel you on my fingertips
My tongue dances behind my lips for you

This fire rising through my being
Burning I'm not used to seeing you

I'm alive, I'm alive

I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air I'm breathing
Holding on to what I'm feeling
Savoring this heart that's healing

My hands float up above me
And you whisper you love me
And I begin to fade
Into our secret place
The music makes me sway
The angels singing say we are alone with you
I am alone and they are too with you

I'm alive, I'm alive

I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air
I'm breathing
Holding on to what I'm feeling
Savoring this heart that's healing

And so I cry
The light is white
And I see you
I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive

I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air I'm breathing
Holding on to what I'm feeling
Savoring this heart that's healing

Take my handI give it to you
Now you owe me
All I amYou said you would never leave me
I believe you
I believe

I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air I'm breathing
Holding on to what I'm feeling
Savoring this heart that's healed

Rest

I'm feeling a little lost to be honest. This week I'm preparing myself for my summer placement, which is only like 4 weeks away. I'm meant to be spending as much time as possible resting and just enjoying some quite time. So last night I had the opportunity after cell group to do that but when I sat down to chill I wasn't able to sit still. It's been so long since I've really had the chance to bludge, I'm not sure if I even know how to now. I'm used to having people around me all the time that instead of staying by myself I went out and hung out with some of the kids here.

I would really love some prayer about this. Just that I can rest and be revitalized. It's not that I'm not tired, I just feel like there is some much to do while I'm still here so how can I sit still. Please pray for a release from over doing myself because I know it's better to rest and have a lot of energy than to be constantly running on almost empty.

Joy

Today was so awesome and it was for no particular reason either. We had 2 wonderful classes. We were learning more on leadership and about Esther and I love studying women in the bible, so for classes I was set on happy. I know that the evening was like any other evening around here but I was just extremely giggly and enjoyed just seeing the kids smile. It's so like something has just lifted in this place. Then tonight Rob, Heather, Leo and I just hung out, then picked up Travis from work.

Joy is just consuming me today and I can't help it but that's all cool because I love it. Please Lord, keep bringing the joy.

James 1:12

Blessed is the man (or woman) who perseveres under trial, because he (or she) has stood the test, he (or she) will recieve the crown of life that God has promised those who love him.