Gaining A New Perspective

Hi!

Preparing for Outreach with a Cultural Breakfast

On Tuesday afternoon, we went out to go talk to people. Going out in a buddy systems, one of my friends and I walked around the lagoon (an outdoor pool) here in Airlie Beach. Letting God lead us we joined a lady who was sitting at a picnic table. After talking for some time, there was a bit of a lull in the conversation as often happens when talking with complete strangers or even your best friend. If you've met me or talked to me at any point, it's quite possible you know full well that I'm a very curious person and like to ask lots of questions (troublesome things those questions). So, given the lull in conversation I asked a question to see where the conversation would lead.

The turn in conversation was not what I had expected whatsoever. The lady shut me down telling me I was asking too many questions and she didn't appreciate being "interviewed." My friend and I apologized, and then the conversation moved on to a different topic. Later that evening, my friend and I sat discussing the conversation. We had both walked away feeling odd and hadn't been able to shake the feeling.

Personally, I was struggling with the reality of what the lady said. I know of previous instances in my life where I have asked too many questions, and the results were not good ones. I don't want my curiosity to be something that hurts people. I also don't want to be afraid to ask questions. I seem to have found myself in the very long process of learning the boundary between a good amount of questions and going overboard. My friend and I prayed for one another after this long conversation and said goodnight.

Cute Little Birds

The next morning I read near the end of Mark 10 about the blind beggar, Bartimaeus. I've heard this story before, yet this time the man's boldness struck me. Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was walking past, and knowing of the miracles that Jesus had done he began to shout. This man wanted to see and he believed that Jesus could heal him. The people around the blind man told him to be quiet, yet their scolding created more of a public spectacle because he refused to shut up.

One lady's statement had completely shut me down and left me cross-examining myself for hours! I will respect the input of others, but I don't want their comments to dissuade me from calling out to Jesus. I want to be able to stand up when everyone is telling me to sit down. I want to choose to follow God and continue to believe in who He is and what He can do, despite any obstacles I face down the road.

Thank you for reading!

Fun fact: I now have a baby niece! So excited for this new addition to the family!

Please pray for:
- Continual growth in God
- Finances (if you would like to support me, please email me at amyt.dr@gmail.com)

- Health
- That the people of Airlie Beach will encounter God
- For all the details to come together smoothly as my school prepares to go to Central Asia for outreach (it's coming up fast!)

Down Under

Hello,

I've officially been back in Australia for a week. I arrived at the beginning of the fourth week of the school, due to my visa complications. It's been a bit of a challenge to jump right back into the full swing of things with the lectures in the morning, prayer, worship, book reports, other homework, and lots of evangelism. Yet, despite how far behind I am in course content it's wonderful to be here!

Snow capped peak in Canada

In the first few days back I was really struggling. It was another one of those times in life when there is way too much going on in your mind, so you can't really focus on anything to sort it out. Basically, I was driving myself crazy! One morning I woke up to turn off my alarm clock in the dark of a room that I share with two other girls, and it promptly fell of the bed silenced. I reached down to find it in the dark and picked up plastic and wires. "That's it!" I thought. A broken alarm clock on top of everything else and I was done.

Needless to say, I was a bit of a grouch as I sat down on a couch awhile later and opened my Bible. I half-heartedly asked God for a change of attitude. I looked down at my Bible reading for the day and started reading. It was Isaiah 61 and after reading the first three verses my first thought was a resounding, "no." Why? Because, those three verses are exactly what I believe God has called me to do and in that moment it was the last thing I wanted to do. Yet, as one of my friends later explained, "it's okay not to always want to do what God has called you too. As long as you choose to do it anyway with the right heart attitude."

Sunrise in New Zealand

I believe Australia is where I am supposed to for this time period, doing a School of Evangelism. I don't really know what is going to take place when this school ends, but for right now that's okay. And despite the bad beginning, that day turned out be great by the end. I even managed to fix my alarm clock, haha!

Thank you! Without your encouragement, prayer, and support I would not be here.

Please continue to pray for:
- More revelations of God's character and the anointing He has placed on my life
- Finances
- Health
- That the people in this small town of Airlie Beach will experience the freedom and love that comes from our Heavenly Father