Makapala!

Last weekend we had our DTS retreat! We got to get away from base, and just PhotogenX headed to Makapala! It was about an hour and a half away I think? Anyways, we took a school bus alllll the way there, the wind wacking the girls hair in our faces, and even more than just our own face! haha. It was a windy ride, that's for sure! Once we got there, guys got their room, and ladies got our room! There are only 11 guys in our whole DTS, and over 40 girls! Guys got a room with nothing, and girls got 2 rooms FILLED with bunk beds! We almost made an "Annie" video! So the guys grabbed the beds that were left over to sleep on in the room where we met for worship/prayer/and meetings. That first night we had an AWESOME bonfire! S'mores! That was a treat, back at the base they never serve dessert! The stars were amazing. It seemed so fake like I was in an IMAX theater! The second night we were there, Nate and I saw 4 shooting stars! The Lord is soo good to us, the first night I was asking the Lord for one, but I waited and the second night He shot 4 for us! It's so relaxing to just rest in God's presence and admire His creations. I encourage you to do that, whoever is reading this, just to take a 10 min. break and relax, get everything off of your mind and sit back and let all your senses have a party!

It's funny, in Hawaii it really depends WHERE you are because the weather is different wherever you go! At Makapala the air was so much clearer, and at night it was actually cold to me. I loved it! The second morning I woke up and when I walked outside our door this overwhelming hapiness came over my Spirit. The Love of the Lord was just being drenched on me! As I kept walking I realized the weather reminded me of Costa Rica! =] Beautiful beautiful. =] ahhh It rained a few times we were there, but just for a bit it would come and go.

Saturday we had a choice to go hiking. Of course, I chose to go! I ended up super sore! It was a good hike, all the way down, but back up, we had to climb uphill. We saw a dead whale washed up on the shore, it was dug into the sand by now. The stench was gross! You knew something DIED hahah! There were also 2 made huts on the shore. There were some people who made tower stones. They looked pretty cool! After sweating like crazy, we got back on the bus to ride back to the campsite. Dinner prep was my work duty. We have speggeti and sauce with chicken and salad! Boy that was some work. 2 of my friends were cutting off fat of the chicken for 2 and a half hours! I never saw that much fat, and that many bags of chicken!

Our staff came along, which was AWESOME! We played a game of ultimate frisbee! Loved that, it makes me feel not too out of the loop since we play back home every sunday! =] Well I hope you enjoy these pictures. God blessed us with an awesome weekend with relaxation!

Can't get enough

Two days ago started a 48 hr. of prayer here. It's optional, but Tuesday was awesome. We are celebrating Pentecost. "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. The saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." Acts 2:1-4 "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy...And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Acts 2:17-21

It was an awesome time of prayer and worship on tuesday, and is still going on. It's super cool to be in there for hours and time flies by when your in the precence of your God. He truly does make known the paths of life and fills me with joy in His presence. (Acts 2:28 and Psalm 16:11)

The Holy Spirit is so powerful. Some don't give enough credit to that part of the Godhead. Sometimes we forget He is there! How could we! He allows us to worship in SPIRIT and in TRUTH! =] This picture shows what face you make when the joy of the Lord fills you up! =]

50th year celebration!

Soooo, I did not realize what I am a part of till TONIGHT. =] Loren Cunningham, the founder of YWAM, was here tonight and spoke about how many missionaries, bases, and students we have in the whole organization. There are now 6000+ bases in around the world. YWAM is the most effective missionary movement in history! Mike Bickle is the founder of IHOP (international house of prayer). IHOP made a commitment to support YWAM as thier primary missions organization in 2004. Here in the prayer room, we have IHOP playing live all the time, unless we have open mic, or a set up. God has really overwhelmed me tonight in realizing what I'm a part of. The most effective missions movement! WHAT?! CRAZY! I am also finding out you can do anything you could possibly think of with YWAM. From buisness to medical and production to teaching. It is really all here, and if it's not, there is room for more visions, and dreams happening to bring more to Christ!

The Holy Spirit has been something consuming me this week. Realizing how powerful He is, yet how small we make Him and yet even sometimes don't even give Him everyday credit. HE LIVES IN US!! I want to receive Him everday, just as I want to receive the word, and the Lord's love.

=]

Is That Really You, GOD?

"Is That Really You, GOD?" Is an awesome book written by Loren Cunningham. This book has taught me a lot about hearing the voice of God. Day by day I want to hear my Savior's voice. I know He is speaking to me, its just a matter of me having my ears open. A few things I want to take out of the reading includes: the wise men principle, the trial ministry and the ability to focus on the whisper of the Lord's voice.

The wise men principle is when a group of people come to pray about a specific thing, and the Lord reveals to each of them the same thing, or something to do with it, than the Lord confirms things, and is a neat way of hearing God's voice.

The trial ministry was taken from Jesus being in the desert for 40 days. After that time, Jesus' ministry burst into scene. I feel its the same with us. We may go through trials and testing, but afterwards the Lord's ministry is increased.
There were many tips about the ability to focus hearing God's voice. I think it comes with practice. You first of all, have to know your Lord, and know His heart. The more you hear what He has written the more you can see who He is.
One thing that amazed me was the vision that the Lord gave Loren, and the obedience Loren had, I am thankful for. This is my dream, and for many others to have a wide variety of missions and doing what you love for the Lord. Praise God for answering the desire's of our heart! Thank you God also for connecting the body together for your glory through all generations!

I suggest this book to anyone wanting to hear God's voice more clearly, or wanting to see the Lord more.

Crazystory

=] Well last night before I went to bed the right side of my cheek and wisdom teeth did not feel too good. As some of you know, I got my wisdom teeth out 3 weeks ago, before I came to Hawaii for DTS. =] God is totally transforming my heart, and my mind. Today was a struggle. I woke up around 1:30 and couldn't go to sleep because of the pain. I am running off of about 3 hours asleep so forgive me if this doesn't make sense. haha. =] The Lord is always good. Well I ended up having to go to the oral surgeon just a few minutes away. Praise the Lord, someone is so close! I ended up having an infection. Oh wait, I forgot to tell you, my right cheek is looking like i am either playing the game chubby bunny, or have a golfball in my cheek. =] Well, as the day went on I went to class at 8 and found out I am able to make an appointment at 12. Praise the Lord! =] So, as the day went on, emotional, physical, and spiritual trials came along. Since I have lack of sleep, it did not help. Anyways, I wanted to praise the Lord. He is my hiding place, my safe refuge, the ULTIMATE healer. =] I started worrying a lot, because as the day went on my cheeks were getting bigger and bigger. "I lift my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip--he who watches over you will not slumber... the Lord will keep you from all harm--he will watch over your life. The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalm 121

Well, I ended up having stitches and basically surgery because of the infection, my cheeks and gums were so inlammed they had so separate them from my jaw. As I sat there just bawling my eyes out, I know the only person I can turn to is my Lord. God is sooo good! He will never leave you or forsake you. This DTS is challenging my whole life before me. How I can become more as one with my Savior. Lord, I will praise you, for your love is BETTER THAN LIFE!!! JESUS!!!

I know these are the times to persevere and overcome the evil and stand firm in the Lord. These are the times when I need the sword (the word) to fight with! Thank you for reading this! Please pray for my appointment tomorrow to make sure the infection is getting better! I would love to pray for you all, so send prayer request!!!

How Big I make myself

Today in class we talked about the Holiness, and Majesty of God. People think of God as a friend, and loving Father, which is awesome, but I think we should not forget that God is HOLY. He is worthy of complete devotion and is perfect in goodness and righteousness. He is un-equal to us. I am sick of putting my God in a box. He is so sovereign and I trust Him with my all. I know daily I need to be reminded, but just take a look at the evidence of His creation. He created the Earth. He created the whole universe. He created you, and me. Making us is a miracle it self. Today in class we just followed God's leading, not what was planned. God is soo good! I encourage you all to watch this video that is linked to this blog. It will blow your mind, and is worth anyone's time to watch it. God cares about every single person on this earth sooo much. It is indescribable. I cannot describe my God. This blog is just for those like me, who are not going to go back to putting God in a box.