This weekend is was 40 degrees celcius! That's 104 degrees farenheit! And we went to a rugby game in it!!! Smart kids we are :) But we had to support our fellow YWAMer. One of the staff guys, Cam [he's from New Zealand] plays for the Sunshine Coast Stigrays. Just a minor league, but I'd say it puts American football to shame.... whoaa!! I bet I got some reactions on that :) But seriously, those guys are nuts! No pads or nothin'!
Monday I was priviledged to attend [and serve at] the funeral of the woman, Donna McDermid who founded [her and her husband Merv] our YWAM base. She passed away last Monday of a long illness [15 years]. Pastor Tim led the service, and a couple other crazy YWAM Pastor's spoke. It's such an awesome feeling to be part of this YWAM family. It was the best funeral I ever attended. Such an amazing celebration of life and a healthy mourning of a woman who touched so many lives- including mine! I never met Donna, but in the past few weeks have been praying for her and her family. How amazing to be able to touch someone's life who you've never met. I could only hope and pray for Jesus to use me like that! :)
This week we're learning how to actually READ our Bibles... no, we aren't stupid. haha. But our speaker, Bryan Hunsberger is teaching on Inductive Bible Study. He's petitioned to name the week: A Week of IBS with Bryan. I vote yes! :) He is like a walking movie... just sheer entertainment. He's from Canada and he is praying to be part of the starting of a School of Biblical Studies [one of the another things YWAM does] here on the Sunshine Coast.
More to come soon.
<3 Jade
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
It's week six!
Hey all!
Well it's been a little while.
Apologies.
I've gotten on here a couple times to update but have been struggling what to write about. Not that nothing has been happening! Exactly opposite actually. So much stuff- fun stuff, lecture stuff, holy spirit stuff, people [girl!] stuff, deep stuff- I just don't know where to start!
The reality of this whole YWAM thing and what I expected it to be is setting in- basically I can now compare what I thought this was going to be like and what it is actually like. Nothing negative to report :)
Like I shared before, I was taken aback by the different lives that showed up here... and of course how that is playing out both positive and negative is still amazing me. Last night one of the guys [24 from Norway] shared with us last night that He actually decided to become a follower of Christ three weeks ago! He shared with us, even before, about his girlfriend and how she was the first thing in his life and that she was what he basically lived for... and how that has all changed. And the best part is that he told her. That is confidence :)
But, one the girls [18 from Canada] is going home in two weeks. I'm not too sure of all the details... but my heart hurts for her. Please pray for her and whatever is getting in her way of being able to open up to what God has in store... But I am certain that He has defintely revealed Himself to her in just some sort of fashion. I mean she got here :) It's still just an disappointing situation. But hey, I'm not God [whew!] so I don't know the plans :)
So Tim Lovell, the Pastor of GoodLife [the church we've been attending], is speaking this week on the Character of God. INTENSE! He is so real. He gave an awesome disclaimer monday that he's not sure where we come up with the idea that we can understand God, [and told us that he feels completely inadequate to do so] because as soon as we think we have figured something out we realize that we haven't a clue! Which is a good thing!!!
"We can question all we want why things happen the way they do and why God does what He does, but God says [in His word] that He is faithful- so He is." - Pastor Tim.
We just had a meeting this morning about Indo! We have our itinerary set- lots of connections- but it'll be fun traveling with people this time :) Maybe I'll even make it there smoothly! Please be praying for Jesus to go ahead of us and prepare their hearts, to make those diving appointments and for us to be aware of where the Holy Spirit wants to lead us. Of course for all the other logistical preparations that need to be made. I think I want to purchase some Bibles and maybe some soccer balls for kids or something cool like that?? Any suggestions?? I am so excited!!!!!
Love and miss you all dearly! :)
<3 Jade
Well it's been a little while.
Apologies.
I've gotten on here a couple times to update but have been struggling what to write about. Not that nothing has been happening! Exactly opposite actually. So much stuff- fun stuff, lecture stuff, holy spirit stuff, people [girl!] stuff, deep stuff- I just don't know where to start!
The reality of this whole YWAM thing and what I expected it to be is setting in- basically I can now compare what I thought this was going to be like and what it is actually like. Nothing negative to report :)
Like I shared before, I was taken aback by the different lives that showed up here... and of course how that is playing out both positive and negative is still amazing me. Last night one of the guys [24 from Norway] shared with us last night that He actually decided to become a follower of Christ three weeks ago! He shared with us, even before, about his girlfriend and how she was the first thing in his life and that she was what he basically lived for... and how that has all changed. And the best part is that he told her. That is confidence :)
But, one the girls [18 from Canada] is going home in two weeks. I'm not too sure of all the details... but my heart hurts for her. Please pray for her and whatever is getting in her way of being able to open up to what God has in store... But I am certain that He has defintely revealed Himself to her in just some sort of fashion. I mean she got here :) It's still just an disappointing situation. But hey, I'm not God [whew!] so I don't know the plans :)
So Tim Lovell, the Pastor of GoodLife [the church we've been attending], is speaking this week on the Character of God. INTENSE! He is so real. He gave an awesome disclaimer monday that he's not sure where we come up with the idea that we can understand God, [and told us that he feels completely inadequate to do so] because as soon as we think we have figured something out we realize that we haven't a clue! Which is a good thing!!!
"We can question all we want why things happen the way they do and why God does what He does, but God says [in His word] that He is faithful- so He is." - Pastor Tim.
We just had a meeting this morning about Indo! We have our itinerary set- lots of connections- but it'll be fun traveling with people this time :) Maybe I'll even make it there smoothly! Please be praying for Jesus to go ahead of us and prepare their hearts, to make those diving appointments and for us to be aware of where the Holy Spirit wants to lead us. Of course for all the other logistical preparations that need to be made. I think I want to purchase some Bibles and maybe some soccer balls for kids or something cool like that?? Any suggestions?? I am so excited!!!!!
Love and miss you all dearly! :)
<3 Jade
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
<3 <3 <3
Love <3 love <3 love <3
Happy Valentine's Day!
This has been the best Valentine's Day/Eve ever! [and there isn't even a boy involved! whooo!] Last night two of my roommates, Christine and Bree, guided me and Becca [one of my other roommates] along a trail of chocolates and notes which led us to our laundry room door with more chocolate, Valentine cards, and a note to 'come inside'... inside they sat with their guitars and sang us a hand-written song about the both of us to 'Can't take my eyes off of you'. There was a bowl of flowers [from the neighborhood of course] and incense burning to set a romantic mood :) THEY LOVE US! It was sooooo sweet.
And! It's Ashlee's birthday. She's 22! We made her breakfast in bed [chocolate chip pancakes] and Christine and Bree wrote and sang her a special birthday song... they are soooo thoughtful. We're suprising her tonight too at dinner with the whole gang!
Hope everyone has a wonderful loving day!
<3 Jade
p.s. I wrote this poem for the girls:
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Yes, a boyfriend might be neat,
But, thank God! only Jesus makes us complete.
:)
Happy Valentine's Day!
This has been the best Valentine's Day/Eve ever! [and there isn't even a boy involved! whooo!] Last night two of my roommates, Christine and Bree, guided me and Becca [one of my other roommates] along a trail of chocolates and notes which led us to our laundry room door with more chocolate, Valentine cards, and a note to 'come inside'... inside they sat with their guitars and sang us a hand-written song about the both of us to 'Can't take my eyes off of you'. There was a bowl of flowers [from the neighborhood of course] and incense burning to set a romantic mood :) THEY LOVE US! It was sooooo sweet.
And! It's Ashlee's birthday. She's 22! We made her breakfast in bed [chocolate chip pancakes] and Christine and Bree wrote and sang her a special birthday song... they are soooo thoughtful. We're suprising her tonight too at dinner with the whole gang!
Hope everyone has a wonderful loving day!
<3 Jade
p.s. I wrote this poem for the girls:
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Yes, a boyfriend might be neat,
But, thank God! only Jesus makes us complete.
:)
Sunday, February 10, 2008
That stupid snake...
I bet you can't guess what we talked about today!
Our speaker this week is Andrew Merry, and he is presenting what he calls: The Essentials to Life. Basically, who we are in Christ, our Father and the Holy Spirit.
And today we chatted a bit about Creation and the Fall; that we need to understand who we are regardng both perspectives. Something I never thought about. Good stuff [are you getting the hint yet that I think everything is good stuff!].
He put the Big Bang theory in a really good statement today:
If we were established from material- accidental and random placement of matter- we would be satisfied by material.
[But we all know that we're not!]
We were made by God so He is the only thing that will satisfy us. And this is Good News, because He is eternal and everlasting. That is real hope. :)
Hope all is well at home! Someone fill me in on Mississippi, please! :)
<3 ya'll!
Jade
Our speaker this week is Andrew Merry, and he is presenting what he calls: The Essentials to Life. Basically, who we are in Christ, our Father and the Holy Spirit.
And today we chatted a bit about Creation and the Fall; that we need to understand who we are regardng both perspectives. Something I never thought about. Good stuff [are you getting the hint yet that I think everything is good stuff!].
He put the Big Bang theory in a really good statement today:
If we were established from material- accidental and random placement of matter- we would be satisfied by material.
[But we all know that we're not!]
We were made by God so He is the only thing that will satisfy us. And this is Good News, because He is eternal and everlasting. That is real hope. :)
Hope all is well at home! Someone fill me in on Mississippi, please! :)
<3 ya'll!
Jade
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
I think I was in heaven... !
I’m back!
Fraser Island was nothing short of amazing, hootttt, but amazing. [My apologies for no pictures... I tried at least 7 times!] At one point I was certain I had died and gone to heaven! Aqua-blue freshwater lakes with white sand, humungous sand dunes, tropical bush [a.k.a. ‘woods’] with sand trails [walking through the woods in bare feet, no problem], driving Land Cruisers on the beach listening to country music :) … definitely two thumbs up to God for creating such a naturally beautiful place.
… for all the not-so-good feelings of jealousy, there were also; wild dingos [aggressive, sneaky little buggers- they actually almost ran off with someone’s bag- clothes, food and all!], enormous horse flies [the size of a quarter at least!], and constant perspiration [we glistened all weekend!].
All in all I think God gave me a small reminder that when I’m obedient to what He’s asking, He’ll make it worth my while…
This week’s lectures are on RELATIONSHIPS. Gooooooooood stuff. [I know I keep saying it’s all good. But seriously- it just keeps getting better!] Rob and Trisha Hensser, our base director and his lovely wife, are just sockin’ it to us. Everyone is like so blahhh at lunch ‘cause our brains are just overflowing. It really makes for some awesome and intense conversations.
On day one they shared their amazing/hilarious/crazy story:
He was an agnostic British man who moved to Texas after high school… major culture shock. She was a native-Texan, shall I say, a “southern bell’ and they met at Target. Romaaaantic. Well after a few dates, she broke up with him because he didn’t know Jesus…which Rob tells us he was glad about at first. :) [when these speakers tell these stories in accents, especially cynical British ones, they are certainly 20 times better] But anyway, Rob was pretty much relieved about their “break up”. But He was also actually inspired by the fact that she was the first person who claimed Christianity and actually stood up for something.
Needless to say, he became really curious. Being from England, Christianity was something from the past. Cathedrals and religion were all that he thought of when he even heard the name Jesus. God cleverly jumped on his British fundamentalism and saved him in an awkward, funny, and fitting spot- on the toilet. Yes, on the toilet. He was actually reading a Bible he had “dug up”, and God just rocked his world while he was going to the bathroom. [And we get scared to tell our stories!]
After this crazy experience, Rob called Trish and told her [add British accent] “I think I’m a Christian.” I think you can assume her response. But Rob was persistent and Trish is just incredibly sweet and they got engaged three weeks later…!!!! …then married just five months after that. They just celebrated their twentieth year anniversary. :)
As all you married people know, it wasn’t sugar plum and fairytales, but they honored God through the good, the bad and the ugly, and for that have sooooo much experience, knowledge, and humor to share with us.
This week’s major thing:
EVERY PROBLEM IS A RELATIONAL ONE.
Crazy to actually put that statement in perspective.
But Jesus fills us in on it when He sums up it allll up for us:
“'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
<3 <3 <3
Jade
p.s. I’m praying for you Team Katrina! Rock on. :)
p.p.s. To answer the question I’m sure you’re all asking, No, I have not seen a kangaroo yet! Soon enough…
Fraser Island was nothing short of amazing, hootttt, but amazing. [My apologies for no pictures... I tried at least 7 times!] At one point I was certain I had died and gone to heaven! Aqua-blue freshwater lakes with white sand, humungous sand dunes, tropical bush [a.k.a. ‘woods’] with sand trails [walking through the woods in bare feet, no problem], driving Land Cruisers on the beach listening to country music :) … definitely two thumbs up to God for creating such a naturally beautiful place.
… for all the not-so-good feelings of jealousy, there were also; wild dingos [aggressive, sneaky little buggers- they actually almost ran off with someone’s bag- clothes, food and all!], enormous horse flies [the size of a quarter at least!], and constant perspiration [we glistened all weekend!].
All in all I think God gave me a small reminder that when I’m obedient to what He’s asking, He’ll make it worth my while…
This week’s lectures are on RELATIONSHIPS. Gooooooooood stuff. [I know I keep saying it’s all good. But seriously- it just keeps getting better!] Rob and Trisha Hensser, our base director and his lovely wife, are just sockin’ it to us. Everyone is like so blahhh at lunch ‘cause our brains are just overflowing. It really makes for some awesome and intense conversations.
On day one they shared their amazing/hilarious/crazy story:
He was an agnostic British man who moved to Texas after high school… major culture shock. She was a native-Texan, shall I say, a “southern bell’ and they met at Target. Romaaaantic. Well after a few dates, she broke up with him because he didn’t know Jesus…which Rob tells us he was glad about at first. :) [when these speakers tell these stories in accents, especially cynical British ones, they are certainly 20 times better] But anyway, Rob was pretty much relieved about their “break up”. But He was also actually inspired by the fact that she was the first person who claimed Christianity and actually stood up for something.
Needless to say, he became really curious. Being from England, Christianity was something from the past. Cathedrals and religion were all that he thought of when he even heard the name Jesus. God cleverly jumped on his British fundamentalism and saved him in an awkward, funny, and fitting spot- on the toilet. Yes, on the toilet. He was actually reading a Bible he had “dug up”, and God just rocked his world while he was going to the bathroom. [And we get scared to tell our stories!]
After this crazy experience, Rob called Trish and told her [add British accent] “I think I’m a Christian.” I think you can assume her response. But Rob was persistent and Trish is just incredibly sweet and they got engaged three weeks later…!!!! …then married just five months after that. They just celebrated their twentieth year anniversary. :)
As all you married people know, it wasn’t sugar plum and fairytales, but they honored God through the good, the bad and the ugly, and for that have sooooo much experience, knowledge, and humor to share with us.
This week’s major thing:
EVERY PROBLEM IS A RELATIONAL ONE.
Crazy to actually put that statement in perspective.
But Jesus fills us in on it when He sums up it allll up for us:
“'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
<3 <3 <3
Jade
p.s. I’m praying for you Team Katrina! Rock on. :)
p.p.s. To answer the question I’m sure you’re all asking, No, I have not seen a kangaroo yet! Soon enough…
Friday, February 1, 2008
Giddy up!
Hello everyone!
Well the heat is getting intense down here. And so are our lectures. This week was awesome. Everyone is just so hungry to see God move and ready for Him do big things! Dave was great. He has an amazing ability to be super super funny, but super super serious... without being awkward or face. His genuine spirit really touched everyone; he is definitely blessed by the Big Man upstairs. :)
'Fear of the Lord' definitely looks a lot different to me now... all good things of course. Along with reverential awe, Dave helped us understand what is means to fear the Lord by hating evil. When you start understanding who Jesus was and is and who you are in Him, He begins to shape and mold your heart. And the fruit of that involves not just loving what He loves. but hating what He hates. Which of course is a process, but a fun one. Giddy up! [these are Dave's infamous last words...and He's not even a cowboy!] :)
I am so excited [and grateful] for the incredible people that I've become friends with here. We've been growing so close, which is amazing for a group of 30! [I really need to get a group photo up here for you all to see]. We've just been having so much fun entertaining ourselves [no t.v.!] and that also leaves lots of time for us to talk. And I mean so good, solid, dare I say, life-changing conversations... so many good brains around here :)
One conversation this week honestly blew my mind. Hopefully it does yours....
We were talking about Christian 'jargon'. Allow me to explain. By that I mean words and phrases that Christians say that when they use them they just basically sound like they're 'flappin' their gums' to be quite frank. Not because they're frauds, but because we start to hear and say things so much that we forget the power and truth behind them. Ya follow?
...This example got to me the most: Jesus bore our sins, so that we could have eternal life.
Yes, this statement holds solid truth. Actually more truth than our puny minds can comprehend. So we were talking about what that actually means; how did Jesus "bear" our sins? Yes, we know that he died a horrid and terrible death on the cross. But Jesus actually FELT our sins, all of them- past, present, future. Can you imagine? This is where is gets good. We've heard this so many times, but in Mattew 27: 46 "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" At this very moment, Jesus was SEPERATED from His Father so he could pay the price of our debt, in order to be delivered. One girl here put it this way, He tricked Satan at his own game. Because, before Jesus died on the cross, Satan held the keys to death and Hades. But since Jesus was a perfect and innocent man, He won! BUT, he had to be seperated from God to do so.
How amazing that we are loved by a God like that. :) :) :)
Hope you guys have a wonderful weekend! We're going to Fraser Island tomorrow... and island of sand! We ride 4x4's around all weekend and sleep in tents! Bound to be pure fun, I'm sure.
Lots of love,
Jade
Well the heat is getting intense down here. And so are our lectures. This week was awesome. Everyone is just so hungry to see God move and ready for Him do big things! Dave was great. He has an amazing ability to be super super funny, but super super serious... without being awkward or face. His genuine spirit really touched everyone; he is definitely blessed by the Big Man upstairs. :)
'Fear of the Lord' definitely looks a lot different to me now... all good things of course. Along with reverential awe, Dave helped us understand what is means to fear the Lord by hating evil. When you start understanding who Jesus was and is and who you are in Him, He begins to shape and mold your heart. And the fruit of that involves not just loving what He loves. but hating what He hates. Which of course is a process, but a fun one. Giddy up! [these are Dave's infamous last words...and He's not even a cowboy!] :)
I am so excited [and grateful] for the incredible people that I've become friends with here. We've been growing so close, which is amazing for a group of 30! [I really need to get a group photo up here for you all to see]. We've just been having so much fun entertaining ourselves [no t.v.!] and that also leaves lots of time for us to talk. And I mean so good, solid, dare I say, life-changing conversations... so many good brains around here :)
One conversation this week honestly blew my mind. Hopefully it does yours....
We were talking about Christian 'jargon'. Allow me to explain. By that I mean words and phrases that Christians say that when they use them they just basically sound like they're 'flappin' their gums' to be quite frank. Not because they're frauds, but because we start to hear and say things so much that we forget the power and truth behind them. Ya follow?
...This example got to me the most: Jesus bore our sins, so that we could have eternal life.
Yes, this statement holds solid truth. Actually more truth than our puny minds can comprehend. So we were talking about what that actually means; how did Jesus "bear" our sins? Yes, we know that he died a horrid and terrible death on the cross. But Jesus actually FELT our sins, all of them- past, present, future. Can you imagine? This is where is gets good. We've heard this so many times, but in Mattew 27: 46 "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" At this very moment, Jesus was SEPERATED from His Father so he could pay the price of our debt, in order to be delivered. One girl here put it this way, He tricked Satan at his own game. Because, before Jesus died on the cross, Satan held the keys to death and Hades. But since Jesus was a perfect and innocent man, He won! BUT, he had to be seperated from God to do so.
How amazing that we are loved by a God like that. :) :) :)
Hope you guys have a wonderful weekend! We're going to Fraser Island tomorrow... and island of sand! We ride 4x4's around all weekend and sleep in tents! Bound to be pure fun, I'm sure.
Lots of love,
Jade
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