For Such A Time As This

     As I was sitting in the living room/lounge doing my quiet time, verses began to stick out at me. Now, I've been reading through 1 Chronicles for my morning devotions of late, which isn't exactly one of the most exciting books in the Bible (from my point of view). Yet, there are some rather surprising stories in there amongst all the numbers and ancestral records. I was reading one such story about David and his desire to build a dwelling for God, for at this time the Ark of the Covenant was sheltered by a simple tent.

    God speaks to David through the prophet Nathan concerning this desire to build a dwelling place, and gives some amazing promises to David. Yet, something more stood out to me. In 1 Chronicles 17:7-8, David is reminded of his background as a shepherd and of how God raised him up as a leader over the nation of Israel. Isn't that amazing?!?!

   "I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel." (verse 7, emphasis added) These two phrases, "I took you from..." "I selected you to be...", drew my attention. It wasn't just David's story anymore. This now became my story. God took me from a life that held few strong, healthy relationships, a life of constantly trying to please, depression, and being a pretender. He gave me a life full of amazing friendships, brought me to a place of joy and peace in Him, and has blessed me so richly in an identity that is all my own. He made me to be myself, and He thinks that is beautiful. Taken from my past and brought into a bright future full of possibilities as I walk in His presence!
   In verse 8 it starts of saying, "I have been with you wherever you have gone..." Then in verse 22, "You chose (me) to be your very own...and you, O LORD, became (my) God." God was always there, He is still here, and He promises to continue to be with us wherever we go. He chose me! He chose you! Isn't that amazing? Isn't God good?

Where has God taken you from? Who has He selected you to be? What role have you been given?

   
No matter your background, I believe God has amazing plans in store for each person. We just need to be ready to say yes, no matter how outlandish it may seem at the time. I ended up in Perth, Australia serving with YWAM! Who knows where you will go! :)

Jumping In With Both Feet

I now live in a BIG city

As I walked through the doors of the YWAM Perth campus conversations, the clatter of forks and plates, the scooting of chairs, and the general chaos of a dining room filled with roughly 300 people eating lunch confronted me. "Amy, what did you just sign up for?" Was the main question running through my head my first full day back in Australia. Now nearly two weeks later, I'm still searching for the full answer to my question, but I'm beginning to piece together some details.

Day 2 - Thursday, October 1st:
I was sitting with about three other people during a time of intercession when I heard a familiar voice whisper in my ear. "Jump in with both feet." Say, what now? "Jump in with both feet. Don't be timid and stand on the sidelines, join in. Trust me to take care of you each step of the way, and immerse yourself in this new life." That was God's answer when I was struggling to embrace this new season of life. A simple piece of advice can sometimes go a long way.

Present Day:
It is currently Sunday on the Australian side of the world and spring is in full force. After over a year away I'm back in this beautiful nation that has become a second (third? fourth? I have too many...) home to me. Now only two weeks into life at YWAM Perth so much has taken place! Last Sunday we had 170 students join us to be split into ten schools running this quarter. Our base has now grown to roughly 500 people and being a part of the Hospitality /Hospo team keeps me very busy!

Hospo:
So what do I do?
Well, as a ministry we are in charge of staff birthdays (which is nearly every day with 300 people), Friday lunches, any baking for events taking place around base, rooms assigned to our guest speakers, housekeeping laundry, running a small cafe in our main building, and helping to ensure things on the base run smoothly. All of this is split up between six people, including myself, and we do it for the purpose of serving those around us that we might be a testimony of God's love.

In some ways my life really does not sound that eventful, but trust me when I say that it keeps me busy! Tomorrow is also my first official day of class with the Ministry Development School! I'm so excited for a new opportunity to grow in God and learn how to lead others into His loving arms.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask away! I would love to hear about what is taking place in your life.

Blessings,
Amy

In A Matter of Hours

A year ago I was sitting in a small house in Central Asia asking God what He was calling me to next. It's taken a whole year to get to this point, and now my suitcase is packed. In a matter of hours my whole life is going to change....

Will this be my reality?

Two years ago I embarked on what I thought would be a six month trip to Australia and surrounding nations. I was going to learn more about God, grow my personal faith, and discover more about myself as a person. Six months turned into a year of learning, growing, stretching, and ultimately releasing my past, present, and future into God's hands. Lots of changes have taken place in my life since I first set out two years ago with the questions "Who am I?" and "Who is God?" Yet, this may be one of the biggest changes thus far.

I'm moving. You probably already knew that, but for me it's still sinking in. I'm moving for two years. To the date I have not been away from family for more than roughly six or seven months. My destination is Australia. The land of kangaroos and koalas. The country full of poisonous anything and everything. The nation that gave me a deep love for my Saviour, other nations, and missions.

Now as the minutes tick by the time is approaching for me to set out for Perth, Australia. There I will be on staff at Youth With A Mission's ministry location. Taking part in a leadership school, participating in worship and prayer times, learning how to bring the Gospel to the nations and those around me, are only a few of the things I will be doing. So stay tuned!

Perth, here I come!

A Season of Change

The days are cooler, the leaves are changing, sweaters are being pulled out, and a new school year approaches. Fall. A season of beauty. A season marking an end to a summer holiday, camping, and days out in the sunshine or at the lake/beach with friends and family. A season that marks the beginning of something new. Fall is a season of change.

This year September is the launch pad for change in my life. My notice was handed in at work and I now only have four days of work left and seven days until I leave! I am soon be leaving the work place where I have been spending forty hours of my times for the last eight months. Instead of working I am preparing to depart on a journey I have been anticipating since December. I'm going to Australia!

Tomorrow also marks a big change in my life. Actually in a roughly nine hours time... but who's counting? I will be turning twenty! I don't usually broadcast my birthday (honestly I hardly ever tell anybody), but this year it seems like a milestone is being passed. Not only will I no longer be a teenager, but twenty is going to bring a lot of changes to my life.
Just a short week into my twentieth year I will be leaving home and moving to Perth, Australia for two years! I am so excited and yet quite nervous for this upcoming trip. I am literally packing my life into two suitcases (one is a carry-on) and moving hundreds of miles across the ocean, and this time none of my family is coming with me. I've never been away from home for such a long period of time either, though I do plan on visiting Canada at least once in those two years.
I'm not just moving to Australia for a holiday either. I am going to join a global, non-profit, Christian organization called Youth With A Mission (YWAM) and serve as a volunteer on their base campus in Perth for those two years. Again, super excited and really nervous. This organization gave me a love for God, pe

ople, the nations, missions, and travel. I'm looking forward to this time in which I get to serve and help give back. During these next two years, I will also be taking a school on base that will help further equip me in leadership skills, identity in Christ, sharing my faith, and much more! Two years in my mind seems like ages, yet I also know time can go by very quickly.

When I first returned to Canada I had no idea I would be staying for a year. A year of growing my trust in God. Trust that He knows better than I do. Trust that He will provide. Having trust that He will walk with me and that His love never fails. Even trusting Him with the little things like getting to work on time day after day. He's been faithful and ever so patient through it all. I've only been late to work twice! :)

So yes, a season of change is approaching. What will I learn? Who will I become? How will I be challenged? What does this year hold? How will my faith grow in God?

So many questions.... Would you like to journey with me as I seek the answers?

Here's to another year! Twenty here we come!

Two Months To Go!

It seems that since I was little my life has been full of countdowns. Ticking off the days on the calendar till summer arrives, my birthday, Christmas, family vacation, or when we travelled to go visit friends. In more recent years the countdowns have included graduation from high school, special times with friends or family, and my first trip to Australia for my Discipleship Training School in 2013.
2013? Was it really so long ago?
Now another countdown begins for I'm leaving for Perth, Australia in two months! Yep, my plane tickets have been booked for the end of September and all the paperwork is in order! When I submitted my visa application I was very apprehensive due to bad experiences in the past. Yet, to my surprise and delight my visa was granted in a week with very little extra paperwork. What a blessing!

I keep glancing at the calendar and can't seem to decide whether two months is a long period of time or much too short of a time. All the logistical paperwork may be in order, the plane ticket bought, and the luggage awaiting to be packed...yet two more months are waiting to be lived. I have been working full time at a local grocery store since the end of January and I hope to continue there until a week or so before I leave. I have places I would like to explore in the area, friends & family I wish to spend more time with, and there are funds that have yet to come in.

I have been blessed with a wonderful job with which I've been able to save several thousand towards this upcoming year. Many friends, family members, and my church community have also contributed towards my vision for this time in Australia. I was able to host a BBQ at my church two weeks ago where I was able to share a little bit with my church community. God has been so faithful to provide everything I have needed thus far and I believe He will continue to provide!

The Beautiful Okanagan

Lately as I've been reading through the book of Hebrews in the New Testament, God has been encouraging me to have more faith in Him. There are many examples in this book, especially chapter eleven, which depict how a person's faith in God changed their circumstances. Through faith they left their homeland for a new country, brought forth nations, saved a people from starvation as well as slavery, killed giants, rescued soldiers, and so much more. Amazing things take place when we have faith in God and the promises He has made to us.

What can God do in two months? I guess I'm about to find out!

The Uncomfortable Truth

Well it sure has been awhile since I last posted. I don't really have any great excuses aside from the fact that I honestly didn't feel like I had much to say. Well, honestly, I didn't know what to say. So prepare yourself in the best way you know how for a confession as to my emotions regarding my pending trip to Australia. Prepare yourself because, I'm not entirely sure where this is going to go, but I want to be honest with you.

I'm going back to Australia!!! Oh, my goodness I'm so incredibly excited to return to the land Down Under where I spent the majority of my time last year. It was an incredible year of learning, growth, sunshine, friendship, and exploring God's heart. I changed so much in that year alongside an amazing group of other young people. I also got to experience Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in a completely new way, from what I had already seen growing up within it's atmosphere.

I'm going back to Australia?!?! For two years? Don't get me wrong I enjoy adventure, but I've never been away from family for that long. I know I'll probably have breaks here and there and be able to come back and visit...but two years? How much will change in that time? Who will I be? What will I have learned? Where will I have gone? Who will I have met?

Considering all that I've seen God do for me in the last couple years. Despite the ways I've seen/heard of Him coming through for countless other people around the world, I still ask the same question. Will God come through for me? Is it honestly true that I get to go back to Australia? That I'm already in the process of getting a visa that will allow to both study and volunteer for two years in YWAM Perth? Will all the finances come in? He's already provided so much through fundraising, one-time donations, and blessing me with a job! Close to half of the finances I will need for my first year have already come through. This includes payment for a plane ticket, a visa, and renewing my passport! God has already opened so many doors, allowing the details to come together so smoothly it blows me away!

My God is good. He has blessed me with an amazing family and wonderful friends. He has provided for me from the beginning and guided me every step of the way. He's sending me back to the country where I fell in love with Him. A country where I learned of the love that a Father has for his children, and God's love for me. A love that I want to share with others.

I'm not eloquent with words. Nor am I good at walking up to people and starting conversations. But, I found a love that captivates me. A love that over the next two years in Australia, I want to learn to share with others. I want to embrace my strengths, find my weaknesses, and learn how I can best reach out to the people in this broken world. A people who cry out for love and acceptance. I want make a difference, as cliché as that may sound.

Will you join me?

A Quick Look

You may or may not have been wondering what life is looking like for me right now. But, for all the curious minds I would like to provide a rough outline for what my average week looks like.

I am currently a full-time employee at a grocery store, about ten minutes drive from my house (or a fifteen minute bus ride which is my typical style of travel). My forty hour work week is delegated in shift work, which means I rarely if ever have the same schedule twice. My shifts can start as early as 7am or as late as 1:45pm and last approximately eight hours with a half hour lunch break (so technically 8.5 hours). Our store is open from 8am - 10pm every day unless otherwise stated, and early morning shifts are my preference as part of the day is still available.
My chief job role is as a cashier, and as an introvert this can either make for some great stories, awkward moments, or very draining days. Depending on when I get off work, I either socialize with family and help prepare dinner, or just head straight for bed. I generally work weekends and with a constantly shifting schedule, time to visit with friends or hangout in group settings is often cut to a minimum. So finding a community to plug into has been rather difficult, though I'm launching a quest to see that changed.
Thankfully my co-workers are pretty awesome, and I'm learning more each day of how to better interact with the customers who I serve.

While my parents were out of town for six weeks my brother and I took care of the house. We both work full-time, though thankfully he has a steady schedule. Those six weeks gave me a healthy dose of respect for anyone who holds a full-time job and still manages to find time for family, friends, and leisure. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around how married couples and families manage to stay sane....maybe they don't have shift work. By the end of those six weeks, I was very happy to hand the house back over to my parents!

Yeah, life is busy. Some days are exciting and full of stories and other days are just about putting one foot in front of the other. I sometimes feel like I live at my workplace, and that black (our basic uniform component) is about the only colour/shade I wear now. I'm sorely feeling the need for a community of friends with whom to share life. I find myself desiring to be around people who speak in accents and come from multiple countries (can you tell I grew up on the mission field?), and it makes me miss the YWAM community I was a part of last year.

And that is my life in a rather large nutshell. Now you have an idea of what takes place in my day. If you would like to let me know what is going on in your life feel free to contact me! I'd love to chat with you sometime. :)

Blessings!

Simple Joys

Have you ever had those days where one little thing makes the whole difference? For example, sharing a cup of tea/coffee with a friend, going for a walk whether along the beach on in the mountains, snuggling under a blanket, watching a favourite movie, or just simply receiving a hug when you need it most. There are so many choices that we make throughout the day, and sometimes the smallest ones are the ones that change our day for the better or for the worse.

I know I've already written about this topic a bit in my last post, but finding joy in something simple amid what could otherwise be a very chaotic life has been a big lesson for me lately.You see, I'm a perfectionist in the sense that when a certain number of things don't turn out the way I hoped they would, life sucks and thus my day is ruined. I didn't ever care for how my mind seemed to work in this way, so over the last few weeks I've been challenging myself to keep a looser hold on perfection and a slightly tighter hold on the simple joys a day can bring.

That may have sounded a little confusing so let me try and provide some examples from the last few weeks. Examples...examples...where to start. Ah, yes! Last week, after my work day was finished, I was returning home and stopped to check the mailbox before going inside. There was some of the usual junk mail, business stuff for my parents, and then to my delight I found an envelope addressed to me! Okay so this sounds incredibly old fashioned and slightly cheesy but I really love getting letters in the mail (no subtle hints here). This letter happened to be from a dear friend of mine in Australia, and what she wrote really made my day. It was only a letter, yet after a long work day it warmed my heart.
On another day, one of my co-workers bought me chocolate. And then there are the evenings that I've worked late and returned to find that my brother had made dinner for me. Or when you find that the library or a thrift store has a book that you've been wanting to read for ages. It might just be meeting with a friend and having a chance to talk over a cup of tea. Even last night, I got to go to the theatre with my brother and a friend. All of these things and so many more, are so simple and yet they can bring so much joy with them.

I still struggle with perfection when it comes to everything turning out the way I want it too. It may be something I struggle with for the rest of my life. But I don't want the struggle to obstruct my view of all the little things that can make the day turn into something awesome. If you can't tell by how often I repeat myself, I like the simple joys that life offers. :)

Even the Little Things

God cares about the little things.

     This is something I've been slowly learning over this past month. We can hear about God's appreciation and acknowledgement for the small details in life, or read about it, but many times we don't quite comprehend it until experience gives us the knowledge.

    Over this last month or so my life has undergone several changes. I have remained in Canada instead of striking out for Australia at the beginning of the year, attained a full-time job, and commenced application to a different YWAM location. Through it all, God has begun to show me that He cares about the little things.
- He watched over my heart as I wrestled with the decision to return to Australia as staff at the beginning of the year. He gave me the strength to ask the hard questions such as, "what will it be like when I return?", "what will happen if I don't go?", "what has God told me?", "do I have the peace to make the right decision?", and so many others. When the time came to make the final decision, I had peace because I knew God had walked me through the entire process.
- He blessed me with a job. After job hunting for weeks, with no prospects I was at a loss. I wasn't sure what I was doing, why I was in Canada, or if I was even meant to be looking for a job in the first place. One morning I cracked under the self-imposed weight of trying to sort out all the ifs, buts, whens, hows, and whys of my life. I gave God control and in the span of an hour I was on the phone being summoned for a job interview. This led to a full-time job with great co-workers.
- After three weeks of working as a cashier I was offered training in an administrative department of the store. The schedule changes would give me more time at the end of the day to be around the house or meet with people outside of work. Since my parents where just leaving town to run a one month seminar this was an unspoken answer to prayer, as my brother and I both worked full-time jobs and I was largely in charge of the kitchen. I later learned that this job role is quite sought after, and though many people had been asking about it they gave it to me though I had only recently been hired.

God walking me through a difficult situation, blessed me with a job on a day when I was ready to give up ever having one, and blessed me with a job role that allows me to participate more in activities outside of work. He heard a desperate cry and answered a prayer I hadn't even uttered. My God cares for the little things!
God has recently opened the doors for me to return to Australia. I will now be joining the Perth base as staff later this year! I am so excited for this opportunity and so thankful for those who have already partnered with me in prayer and financial support. I hope to be arriving in Perth between July-October this year! Please pray with me for the right timing and for open doors!

Courage In the Storm

"Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, 'It's a ghost!' But Jesus spoke to them at once. 'Don't be afraid,' he said. 'Take courage. I am here!'
Then Peter called to him, 'Lord, if it's really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.'
'Yes,come,' Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. 'Save me, Lord!' he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. 'You have so little faith,' Jesus said. 'Why did you doubt me?'" Matthew 14:24-31

You may have heard this story of Jesus walking on water before, maybe more times than you can count. Yet, today I learned something new from this simple story. It wasn't Peter's lack of faith that stood out to me, or the fact that Jesus was walking on water. What stood out to me as I read my Bible in the living room of our house, was Jesus words to Peter before he ever left the boat. "Don't be afraid. Take courage. I am here!"

Over the last two weeks I've been fundraising, job hunting, helping around the house, meeting with friends, spending time with my brothers, and yet through it all feeling restless. The type of restless as if there is something just beyond your fingertips, but though you stand on your tip-toes and turn in all directions it remains elusively out of reach, like that item on the top shelf in a kitchen cupboard that you are just a little to short to reach. Personally, I think my restlessness is stemming from a place within that is struggling to comprehend why I am in Kelowna. I believe that this time is meant to build relationships, to do fundraising, to build a support/prayer team for the time when God calls me to rejoin missions overseas, and do just be in God's presence. However, that last component has been sorely lacking.

I can so easily get caught up with things that I want/need to do or fill my time for the day, that I reach the end and discover I didn't spend nearly as much time with God as I should/could have. Jesus called out to Peter saying, "I am here!" and he still calls out to us each day wanting to take away our fear and replace it with the courage that comes with knowing we are not alone on the journey. But, how I can I acknowledge that I am not alone if I do not take the time to talk with my companion, to listen to what he says, and to spend time enjoying having him around. It's far too easy to breeze through one's Bible reading for the day, close the book, continue with the day's agenda, and fall into bed without spending even two minutes enjoying God.

It is a daily choice. It is a choice that I wish to make. I want to leave behind the fear and take courage in the one that I call my Saviour and Lord. I want to have the courage to step out of the boat, knowing He is right there with me. I also want the courage to call out and acknowledge when I'm sinking, because He'll always be right there with a steady hand to pull me up and help me try again. That is one of the many reasons why I love him and follow him. For he never gives up on me and he's with me even in the midst of the most treacherous storms giving me courage to reach out to him.

Walking in Trust

Happy 2015 from a cold and snowy Kelowna! With the first snow day in 35 years there are a few changes taking place, and not just in the weather.

As many of you may recall in my last post, I mentioned that I was planning to return to Australia this week (in two days to be precise) and join YWAM Whitsunday as staff. However, details were not coming together and one day as I was praying for God to make Himself clear I received an email that made it clear that I was not meant to return to YWAM Whitsunday or Australia at this time. At first I was disappointed, I had been so sure that God would provide. Yet now it's becoming clear to me that being in Canada at this time is truly for the best.

The soup and cookie mixes

When I made the decision to not return to Australia this January God began to provide me with more opportunities to share with people what He has put on my heart. I believe that over the last week He has been confirming my decision. I have been doing a fundraiser through my church by selling soup and cookie mixes in a jar. It has been a huge blessing to know that people support me, are praying for me, and are interested in what I am doing. I've been able to raise over $300!

Even though the plans to return to Australia have been postponed I am still pursuing the opportunity to return later this year. For several weeks I was encouraged to look into a different base in Australia and I am now considering the option of joining staff there instead. For now I am looking for work, building relationships, sharing what God has put on my heart, and hoping to meet up with individuals who I have not yet had the chance to see.

An afternoon with two great friends!

Thank you so much for standing with me through this time! I appreciate all your prayers and encouragement so much!

Blessings,
Amy

Please continue to pray with me for:
- Work as I look for a job
- Clear understanding of how best to use my time while in Canada
- Clarity in what God is calling me towards next
- Individuals and families who are would be willing to support and pray for me as I look into being staff in YWAM