Sunny San Francisco

READ ME!

If you haven't read Atom 3 yet, check it out!
This is the magazine that was put together by the Jan Marriage of the Arts school in YWAM Germany.
It tells our stories of what God did during the last six months.

Praying for an Eagerness to Change

Being back home has brought up the guilt again that comes with the luxury of driving a car (a midst other luxuries). Living in a society that functions off oil and inevitably contributes to carbon emissions, it's easy to be overwhelmed by the whole climate change issue. Of course it's something we have been aware of for years now, but how has my lifestyle really changed? We all know that the polar bears are struggling and the glaciers are melting. But we'll cross that bridge when we get there, right? I think it's time to cross that bridge. 

As a Christian, I feel a responsibility to cherish God's creation. I think it's easy for us to limit that to mean solely people, but does that not include the nature that surrounds us? The resources and ecosystems that sustain us? 

I recently read this article from ethical ocean and was encouraged. (This article also talks about Planetair flights, for all you travelers out there.) "Being a vegetarian saves me about 0.55 tonnes per year, about equivalent to one round trip flight to Saskatoon from Toronto," Hancock stated. I know being a vegetarian is only one of the many things I can do to reduce my "carbon footprint." (Don't get me wrong, I"m not saying you have to be vegetarian.) During the upcoming weeks, I plan to seek more ways I can give value to God's creation. 

With the crisis of climate change looming over our heads, will we turn to earthly things to ease the fear? I do wonder if one reason we desire comfort and stability is because of this fear. Somehow we think a well paying job and a big house will secure our lives. 

Or can we instead turn to God who gives us a peace that surpasses all understanding? Yesterday during a time of prayer I felt the call to look at myself and how I handle the current issues around me. I pray that God will give me grace and a piece of His heart for the world around me. 

With God, I can proactively live in opposition to a culture which is destroying His creation without anger and bitterness in my heart. Instead, I can be filled with a love that only comes from Him. 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1

feelin' artsy

"Imagining is an act of hope, a challenge to fate, an effort to take matters in hand and to accept our unique role as human beings, 'in the world but not of it'." -Janine Langan

"The Christian is one whose imagination should fly beyond the stars." -Francis Schaeffe

Miracles in the Mundane

Home, sweet, home.

This week has been filled with blessings. I keep hearing God say, "Don't worry, I got your back." 

My trip home to California was incredibly grace-filled. Despite my awkward, anxious way of running around airports to find my flights, everything went surprisingly smooth. When arriving hours early to my gate I was reminded to chill out. Jesus definitely had it under control. I tend to forget that... 

Being bumped up to first class was unreal. I sat down in my original seat, getting comfy, when the flight attendant said there was a booking mistake and asked me to follow her. I was then led to seat 3C in "comfort class". Talk about luxury. (I don't think the business man in 3B was too stoked though with a  disheveled youngster was sitting next to him for free.) 

About half way through the plane ride, the reality of getting home began setting in. Suddenly, I felt anxious again. The last hours of the ride I was about ready to jump out of my seat. Then I finally got off the plane and 
saw my family, the nervousness dissipating. I made it home.
I've definitely been experiencing a bit of "reverse culture shock". Fast internet, an abundance of food, and thousands of movies On Demand, quite literally. However, God is so good.

Being a little worried about money, I have been praying about finances. Today I checked my bank account before heading to fill up my gas tank, only to find the amount had doubled from this morning. Confused, I checked my bank statement. No deposits. I called my Dad to see if he put money in my account; he said no. I couldn't believe my eyes. 

God is clearly providing for me. Each day he amazes me again with His unfailing love. Miracles can happen everyday because we have a miraculous Father in heaven. Miracles in the mundane routines.

The opposite of mundane is supernatural, extraordinary, heavenly, wonderful. That is God.

In Africa, He was there in the struggles. When we were sick, lost, hungry, and tired He led the way with His light. Some how I feared that being home I would lose Him, that maybe He would forget about me. Nope, He's reminding me that He is right here. I've only been home for three days and doors of opportunity are opening. 

No matter where we are in the world, He has our back. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. 

Home, sweet, home is dwelling in His presence. Wherever we may be.  

    I can't believe I will be heading home tomorrow morning. Saying goodbyes has been hard but I know better things are to come for everyone. All we have to do is listen to God.
I'm so grateful for all the amazing people I have met these last six month, and for all the experiences God given me, all the things He revealed to me. It's been a journey, but it's only the beginning.
California, here I come!

First day in Germany

 Middle of outreach, Kenya 

JAN Mota DTS Graduation!

Pictures from our time with the Jaja community at All For Christ Ministries. 

Back in Germany!

Being back in Germany has been lovely. Herrnhut has an unreal beauty in the summer, like something out of a movie. Our school has been digesting the last few months, working on a magazine, and focusing on artwork for our upcoming exhibition. 

Time seems to be slipping through my fingers, but I'm trying to enjoy every last moment. We are graduating next Friday and soon I will be home back in the states! 

The last three months has brought me through three countries of Africa and to a deeper point in my relationship with God. Looking back, it all seems kind of crazy. 

Most importantly though, I'm so anxious for whatever God has next...

If you will but trust Christ, not only for the death he died in order to redeem you, but for the life that he lives and waits to live through you, the very next step you take will be a step taken in the very energy and power of God himself.

-Major W Ian Thomas

Kingdom of God

Hello all! Our last speaker had us come up with a 10 minute sermon on the Kingdom of God, focusing on a parable from Matthew 13. It was a challenge but I know we all learned from it. I was taken away by what everyone else shared.
These are my notes from what I spoke on...


The Kingdom of God is of past, present, and future since God is.
Being in the kingdom of God means being under His complete control and authority.
All kings, rulers, govts will fade away but God will remain.
It is not of this world. It also involves taking up the cross daily.


The parable of the weeds
To me this parable is pretty straight forward. The wheat represents the children of God and the weeds are the people which the enemy sows. It speaks on the end times- the children of God will be taken up into the barn (heaven).
In the world however things are not this clear. We have to seek God for heavenly wisdom and knowledge versus the "wisdom" that the world tells us. It's hard to distinguish what is from the enemy and what is from God. From the time we are born we have the enemy telling us lies; confusing our identity in God.
Some people may not know that they are wheat. They may believe they are just weeds among weeds and not understand how great they are in God.
That is where Jesus comes in. He reveals who we are. He is our connection to our Father.
And when we completely trust in Him, he protects us from anything.

God is the only one who can make us grow. We are God's field.
If you're not with Jesus than you're against Him. The kingdom is a battle but good news is that Jesus will fight for you if you trust. His burden is light.

The kingdom of God can be a confusing, especially when reading the parables. A common thread throughout all the sermons was that being in the kingdom is about
-knowing who you are (a child of God hidden in Jesus)
-keeping Jesus at the center of your life, continuing to seek Him
-walking in the spirit and being in a relationship with God

In the end it's all about Jesus. It's all about His love.

Art show!

 Here are some pictures from the art show we had with the September MOTA school at the church in Dillingen. It was a really cool set up constructed by a few people from cardboard, boxes, and tree branches. The students from the other school are so creative!
  The top right are pictures of a student Laura Quam from her outreach in Kenya.
The top left is my set titled "Resting in God". It was based on a concept on the peace that we can find in God when we seek Him as our refuge and strength. A really cool thing happened- a student from the other school asked me if she could buy the photos from me because they inspired her to pray more during her alone time. I hadn't even talked to her or explained to her what the series is about. It was very encouraging.
It was really nice to have all the art displayed and see other students work. And at the end of the day it's all about God. As students were all learning about how we can show His love through our artwork.

More photos from mini outreach in Dillingen!

Only a few weeks til outreach!

This is something that spoke to me during the first week of David Gava's teachings.

Dillingen

Hello!
I just wanted to update everyone about my mini outreach. 
Everything has been going great! God has been blessing the team and I'm really looking forward to the rest of the time here and what he will do. 
We are staying at a local church that has been so welcoming. 
(Here's their website http://www.christliches-zentrum-dillingen.de/)


We have been waking up at 6 every morning and praying with the pastor. Yesterday we went into the town center, set up a piano, and played some music. We just really wanted to worship and pray over the city. It was awesome- people were stopping and talking to us.  Last night we had a prayer meeting with a few people from the church and us girls got to join in the women's meeting. The meeting was very inspirational to me. We had similar impressions of what to pray for and the women seemed like such strong women of faith. 
Tomorrow we will be leading the youth group here. I'm super excited! We're going to do some sort of photo project with them. I'm also looking forward to the September MOTA getting here on Saturday!

Prague!

Psychedelic

Practicing portraits with Rachael

Sunny snowy day

I just felt like posting a photo. Took this a few weeks ago. Made me think of John 15. 

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit-fruit that will last- and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you." (John 15:16)

Pictures from Bautzen

Hello! These are some pictures I took last weekend when we ventured to Bautzen. It's an absolutely beautiful town with a lot to see. I found it to be an awesome display of restoration and community. Anyways... here's a few photos.

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    Hello everyone! Over the first few months my goal is to post awesome pictures of my fellow students on my blog. They are amazing people and I want to share how great they are with everyone at home. This is my friend Pia. She is from a small fishing town called Urk in Holland. She has a great love for God and is also in the photography track here at YWAM Herrnhut. I took these pictures of her this last weekend at the abandoned warehouse.