Base Staff: Day 1

 Here I am again, in New Zealand! 
Now that I've been here a few days I'm beginning to feel more and more at home. 
The first couple of days were hard for me--just realizing how long I might actually be away from my family. God's grace is sufficient for me, though! I feel the peace and the comfort of the Lord upon me. I can't wait to dive into this season with Him. I know I am about to experience incredible growth and learn so much about myself and my Father. I am so hungry to know more about who He is. Without Him I feel so empty. 

 In this past season of my life I've felt very spiritually dry.
I couldn't wait to get here to start fresh with God and really get to focus in on Him. The other day I went for a walk up to a hilltop where you can look over Oxford. As I walked I talked through things with Jesus, and I felt Him genuinely listening to me pouring out my heart. I cried as I felt Him lifting the burdens I had been carrying off my shoulders. Why do we ever think it's okay for us to carry around so much weight? His burden is easy. His yoke is light. Cast all your cares on Him. It is so freeing.

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 Today I was trained in my hospitality role. The more I learned about the job description, the more I realized how amazing of the Lord it was to put me here. He is calling out the giftings in me and putting them to use where there is a need in the Kingdom. That is so gratifying and exciting to me. He is so good. 
I have been told a couple of times that coming to work here is such an answer to prayers. :)

 It's a funny thing being part of YWAM. 
You come and spend a lot of money to work very hard, with no pay.
Each day you learn selflessness as you serve other missionaries and the community around you. You live off so little, yet have the whole world.
It does not make any sense through the world's eyes, but when you have Kingdom glasses on it makes perfect sense. 
There is no better satisfaction than to live in the Lord's house day and night. In a community of believers who come from all different backgrounds and places. In a place where there will always be people around you that lift you up and bring you much joy and laughter. Abiding in the Lord's peace and joy. Learning to trust Him in a very real way. Learning His ways in exchange for your ways. Living in a different country (like....WHAT?!)
It's funny how normal this becomes while living it out.
I'm excited to see God's plans for this season unfold. 
I am so blessed to be part of this organization.



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PRAYER POINTS:

• The around the World DTS 2013 is about to go on outreach (in about 2 weeks), and they still need around $30,000 collectively. Pray for provision! We've seen God do above and beyond this before, He can do it again. Open up those floodgates!
• You can be praying for me, as I transition and adjust to working here full time.
• I've been battling sickness since I got here, especially concerning my gluten intolerance. Pray for protection over my body.
• Spiritual growth and hunger to learn.

THANK YOU!

This is my apartment!

Cloudy day in Oxford