Guarded by Grace

I hope you are all having a very wonderful Christmas season. Whether you are surrounded by friends or loved ones, I trust that your last week and the week to come will be full of laughter, joyful memories, wonderful people, and delicious food!

I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who prayed for my family and I as we did a road trip across the USA several weeks ago. We got to meet with many people who we had not seen in a good number of years, see new places, make new friends, and have a great time building relationship with each other over the 3000 or so miles of road we covered. We then returned home to find that the vehicle we had been riding in over those many miles had several problems that could have easily caused an accident at any point along the trip. As our mechanic so wonderfully sized up the situation, "you have so much grace!" for without God's grace who knows what would have taken place.

Visiting in Vancouver

These last two weeks back in Canada have been a huge blessing. I had the opportunity to go down to Vancouver for several days to visit a good friend, spend time with family here, as well as visit with several families and good friends sharing what God has put on my heart. These last few months have truly shown me the value of family. I'm so thankful to God for the people he has surrounded me with, through all the embarrassing moments, tears, moments of frustration, and times of joy they've always stood by me. I don't know what I would do without them. :)

First time skating!

Within the next few weeks (January 7th actually) I'm hoping to be flying out to Australia once again. I'll be returning as staff for a year to YWAM Whitsunday where I will be volunteering in hospitality, helping train and equip young people in the calling God has given them, and sharing the love of God with those I meet. Since this is a volunteer position I've been raising support by selling soup and cookie mixes. I'm also looking for individuals and families who would consider supporting me financially on a monthly basis or through prayer over the next year. I'd like to raise a support base of 20 families giving $20-50 a month. I also appreciate donations as everything is a blessing. If you would like to know more about what my expenses will look like or how to support me please write me at amyt.dr@gmail.com I'd be happy to share with you.

Thank you for being part of my journey! I'm so thankful for Christ's continuous grace as he leads me each step of the way. May God continually bless you over this holiday season and as we enter a new year.

Blessings,
Amy

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for the remainder of my time in Canada as I raise support, spend quality time with family, and visit with friends
- That all the details for this next year will come together smoothly and quickly
- For men and women who are willing to pray for me and/or support me financially over the next year

Made to be Courageous!

"Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD you God is with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:8-9

            Over the past few weeks God has been continually reminding me that He is trustworthy and can help me handle all circumstances and challenges. During the outreach of my School of Evangelism, God used Psalms 73:23-26 to help me understand that when I feel weak, God is still strong and if I rely on him then he will give me strength for each day. "My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever." I guess this lesson didn't end with outreach, because God is once again reminding me to let Him be my strength.

            Over the last month or so I've been asking God what He has planned for this next year. It's been quite the process, but as I step forward I'm learning to be courageous. It's difficult to step forward when you don't really know what lies ahead. Yet, even though it's scary to take a step forward in what seems like utter darkness, I know God is going to shine His light as I continue chasing after Him. I've resolved that I want to choose to follow God in love every day of my life, through all circumstances and in all seasons. For that I need courage. Courage to chase after God when I don't understand what is going on around me, but trusting Him to have the answers and to tell me in the perfect timing. My God is good and I am so full of joy as I continue to grow in my knowledge of Him.

Please continue to partner with me in prayer, support, or words of encouragement as I pursue another year or more in missions. I'm preparing to return to Australia in January and join staff at the Whitsunday base where I did both my DTS and SOE. During the next few months I will be raising prayer and financial support for my time there. If you are interested in partnering with me during this coming time, please contact me. I would be so privileged to have you as a partner in this journey!

As far as what is coming a little sooner, the months of November and December have been and will continue to be full of time with family. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time in Michigan seeing my niece and nephew. It has also been a real blessing to spend Thanksgiving all together as a family. Now tomorrow we will be driving out to Minnesota to visit family friends we have not seen in many years. I'm so excited to reconnect! From there half of us will be flying back to Kelowna and the other half will be driving back stopping along the way to visit many more friends. I will be joining in on this winter road trip and would enjoy seeing you, please contact me!

Thank you so much for reading and for partnering with me in this time. None of my travels with Youth With A Mission to share the love of God would be possible without you! Let's walk forward in courage!

Blessings,
Amy

A great article: So Your Life Didn't Turn Out the Way You Hoped

Prayer Requests:
- For clear guidance and open doors as I step forward into God's plans for me
- Safe travels as we visit friends across America
- Health
- Finances as I trust God to provide everything for this coming season
- Be shine His light to everyone I meet

Seeking to Go Further and Appreciating the Journey

Frost on the leaves

Over the last few weeks I have been in Canada spending time with my family, friends, and supporters. It's been great to travel on short road trips to go visit friends and to have fun when an Aunt and Uncle came up the States for several days. Though riding in the car for several hours isn't always the most comfortable experience, I find it usually makes for wonderful memories when you go with friends and/or family.

A mountain sheep

One of my highlights of being home is having the opportunity to review this last year of my life. I got to spend several days browsing through pictures and reading over notes from both my DTS and SOE. Around this time last year I was arriving in Australia for the first time with one of my fellow DTS students. We were two days late for the school due to some plane trouble, but we were so excited (and I was really nervous) as we pulled up to a small house and met more fellow students as well as the staff of the Whitsunday base. Walking through the door that day I had no idea that the people in that room would become some of my closest friends, and that over the next year God would impact my life in ways that I could have never imagined. I'm so thankful for this past season and I'm so excited to see what's coming next!

Right now I'm in Grand Rapids, Michigan visiting with my oldest brother Chris and his wife Lisa. They have two little children and for the next month I'm going to be baby-sitting and helping around the house. It's a very different lifestyle having two little kids around 24/7, but waking up to hearing your nephew say, "where's Amy?" is completely worth it. The laughter and smiles make up for the late nights and grumpy moments. I'm looking forward to this next month to make memories and face the challenges that come my way.

God has been teaching me a lot about the importance of embracing the moments that we have each day. Sometimes I get so caught up in wondering what is coming next that I don't appreciate my surroundings and the people around me. God keeps reminding me that I need to put my trust in Him with the knowledge that He is going to make everything work out, and it's going to be far better than what I could imagine on my own. I may not ever stop glancing at the horizon, but I'm learning to spend more time focusing on the here and now. For the moment, that means spending time with family and helping out where I'm needed. So bring on the late nights with laughter, tears, and all the colors of fall. I'm learning to appreciate this wild and random journey I call my life!

Blessings!
Amy

Prayer Requests:

- For patience as I continue to seek God
- For the time I spend with family
- Finances
- I'm looking for a phone with a good life span that will work internationally for calls, texts, and some social media
- To continue to glorify God in all that I say and do, as I learn to seek His plans for my life above all else.

Scanning the Horizon

Hello!

A new month seems to suggest a different location for my life, so at the moment I'm back in Kelowna, Canada! The School of Evangelism officially ended on September 26 after five months of exploring effective ways to share the Good News in a cross-cultural setting and learning more about our amazing God. Our eight week outreach in Central Asia was full of challenges, but they were all worthwhile for the growth we experienced, the lives we touched, and the ways we saw God move. If you would like to hear some stories of what I got to be a part of during that time feel free to contact me at amyt.dr@gmail.com, I'd be happy to tell you about all that God did!

The team

Through the SOE God continually revealed to me the importance of finding my strength in Him and learning to have joy in all circumstances. The other day I was looking through some of my notes from the lecture phase and found a prayer that I had written down. I was momentarily stunned and then laughed as I read over the prayer which talked all about learning to find joy in my Heavenly Father every day. God had taken that simple prayer and turned it into a day to day lesson for the rest of my school. He taught me to find my joy and strength in Him, and some days I still need reminders of those lessons. My faith in Jesus Christ combined with my love for people and travel has taken me to several new countries over the last year. I've learned to trust in God for finances, to love the way He loves, to step out in boldness because I serve a God that does the impossible, and to give even when I feel like I have nothing left for God can truly take the bad and make it into good. It has been a wild, crazy, and exciting journey which I wouldn't trade in for anything!

The journey isn't finished yet, it continues even now while I'm back in Canada though it may look a little different. For the next few months I am going to be in North America spending time with family and friends. I'll be mainly here in Kelowna, but during the month of November I plan to be in Michigan with my eldest brother and his growing family. During my time there we'll also have a mini family reunion over American Thanksgiving. I'm also planning to join in a road trip with my dad from Michigan to Canada during which we will be stopping to visit friends and family whom we haven't seen in several years. I'm so excited for these next few months to relax, catch up with friends and family, and seek God for whatever lies ahead. I'm so blessed to have this time and would love to see you and personally share stories of God's love and faithfulness. I hope to host a night within the next few weeks to share about my time in Central Asia, show some photos, and share stories from the last year. I am also looking at finding some work as well as getting plugged into some of the ministries that take place here.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support!  With your help I've been able to share the Gospel and see transformation in the lives of those around me as they learn of God's love. It is so amazing to think of all the seeds that have been planted around the world through your prayers, support, encouragement, and through simply reading this blog!

Blessings,
Amy

Prayer Requests:
- To know what ministries I should volunteer with around the city
- To find work
- For the time I spend with family and friends
- Finances
- To continue to glorify God in all that I say and do, as I learn to seek His plans for my life above all else.

Life Without A Compass

Have you ever tried going on a new adventure, whether it was a trek in the woods or just a car ride to a town that you weren't very familiar with? Have you ever gotten there or been well on your way only to realize you had no compass, no map, no GPS, and worst of all, no internet to ask Google for directions? Maybe you've gotten lost driving around your own town, or maybe you are perfectly capable of asking for directions and arriving safely at your destination right on time. Either way, most of us have gotten lost at some point in our life, even if it was only for a few minutes.

Personally, I hate being lost. Once I find a familiar place to orientate myself, I'll laugh and feel silly for getting lost in the first place. But in the moments when I don't know where I am or what is coming next, all I want is to be found and have someone/something to show me the way. I'm all for adventure and trying new things like going on a road trip or travelling to another country where I don't know the language. Just so long as there is a map or some way I can orientate myself if I end up in the middle of nowhere... which often ends up being the outskirts of somewhere.

I'm one of those people who can enjoy surprises, but prefers to know what is coming and how to prepare for it. I like to know that I am headed in the right direction. To walk forward with the assurance that I am doing the right thing. Yet, sometimes you have to make decisions when you don't know all the answers. It's what I've decided to call "life without a compass" - making tough decisions and having no idea where you will end up.

To me, one of the hardest parts about following God as I go on adventures around the world, is that most of the time you are living a life without a compass. You are challenged to follow Him, even when you don't know where you are going. To trust Him with your heart, your family, your dreams, and your future. To believe that He will make everything work out in the end. You learn to put one foot in front of the other and continue moving forward even when the ground beneath your feet doesn't look like it will support you. When you fall down, you ask for the strength to get back up again. Why? Because in my life, no matter how hard the journey gets God is the one person I can count on to always be there for me. Through the sunshine, thunderstorms, and earthquakes He's always with me. Though I'm far from perfect, He calls me precious, treasured, and loved. The best part is that God never changes, the only thing that changes is my understanding of His character and nature.

As I try to discern what adventures may be coming next, I'm learning to trust God. I don't know where I am going, what I will be doing, or who I will be meeting along the way. All I know is that I'm moving forward one tentative step at a time. I'm looking for a compass, yet if I can use a Pirates of the Caribbean reference, the ones that I've been finding don't seem to point north. On the contrary they keep pointing back to God, so I'm going to try and be patient because I know that whatever choices await me, they all lead to great adventures.

Thank you for reading this somewhat confusing post. I truly appreciate your support and prayers.

Many blessings!

Prayer requests:

- Please continue to pray for my team and I here in Central Asia!
- Our time here is nearly over and we want to make the most of what is left as we continue to see God move and build relationships with the amazing people here.
- Health - To know God's plans for the remainder of our time here.
- Safety
- Finances

If you would like to get in contact with me, just send me an email at amyt.dr@gmail.com! I'd love to hear from you!

A World of Dreamers

More and more God has been showing me that I live in a world made of dreams. We are all dreamers in our own right. Ever since childhood we have had ideas of who we want to be, what career we want to have, or how we want to impact the world. As we grow older those childhood ideas that became dreams change as we learn more about ourselves and the world around us. Many of us believe some dreams die and are replaced with about five new ones. I like to think that dreams do not ever die, they simply fade into the background as we focus our attention on different ones.

Sunrise on the ship!

Sometimes we look back through our life, however long it's been, and ponder all our dreams. We think of the dreams we had as children and often laugh at how absurd some of them were. We think of the dreams we had/have as teenagers and the life decisions we made on whether or not we pursued some of our dreams. Then we sit each in our own Lay-Z-Boy or rocking chair (whichever you prefer) of thought and look at where those life decisions have led us. Have we pursued the dreams that have been with us since childhood? Have we compromised our dreams for what we thought was a better 'life decision' at the time? Do we still have dreams to live out? Do we even dream anymore?

I believe we are all dreamers, and we are a result of a dream. God's dream to have relationship with us! He didn't have to create us, but He chose to because we were His dream! God made us to be dreamers as well. We might not ever make a whole universe, but we can change lives. It doesn't matter whether you are a doctor, mechanic, engineer, teacher, pastor, work in media, IT, serve your country through the military, work in government, or are simply a stay at home parent or any number of other things - you make a difference every day with your dreams!

My school on YWAM Australia's new medical ship!

My life is full of dreams. I've lived out some of them, others aren't ready to come out of the incubator of my heart, and still others have been laid aside or shoved to the back of my mind. Each dream, whether it lived for a few seconds or has stayed with me through several years, has meaning. I may not ever see them all become a reality, yet I want to live out as many as I can.

Right now my chief dream is to love and serve God with all my heart and let others see that reflected in me! That may sound like a silly dream to have at the top of my list, considering I should be living that out anyway. Still it's a dream. I want to travel the world sharing God's love with others! I don't know where this dream will lead me, but at the moment it's leading me to Central Asia for eight weeks starting on Wednesday! I'm so excited for this new adventure to meet new people and see a new part of the world!

Will you journey with me on this adventure that has been birthed from a dream?

Will you continue to pursue the dreams on your own heart?

Thank you for reading, as well as all your prayers and support!

Blessings,
Amy

Fun video: If you would like to know a little bit more about the new YWAM Medical Ship for Australia, just click the link!

Prayer Requests:
- Safe travels: we fly out on Wednesday and several of my fellow students are already enroute.
- For those who are staying in here for an Australian outreach and that God would reveal His plans for them.
- Finances: over $1000 has come in over this last week! As a school we are still trusting God for $4000.
- Health: several of us have been struggling with colds and fevers.
- That all the last minute details would come together smoothly.
- For God to continue to lead and guide each of us!

My Eyes are Open

Hello!

How are you?

Lately God has been teaching me about the importance of living with my eyes open. It's hard walking through a room in the dark when you aren't quite certain where things are (especially if you tend to trip over things like air as I'm often prone to doing).It's often harder to walk through a room with your eyes closed and having someone else lead you. However, to me one of the hardest things is to walk through a room seeing with my eyes and yet being somehow blind to how God is working.

I am one of those people who find it incredibly frustrating when I don't understand what is taking place around me. So when God began showing me how much I've been missing out on by walking through life with my eyes partly closed, I wasn't a happy camper. If someone tells me I'm in a box, I like to find that box and smash it. Thus, I refuse to live in a box that dims my vision of the world around me.

I am far from perfect, but I'm not concerned about being perfect. My goal is to walk through life with my eyes on Jesus Christ. With both eyes on Him, I believe that despite whatever ups and downs that come my way I will be the better for it. Walking through life with no understanding of God or how He is moving in the world and in the lives of people, holds no appeal for me. I want my eyes to be open in order to walk in all God has in store for me and to share Him with others. God is my Father, Savior, and King and I will follow Him all the days of my life!

Thank you for reading and for all your prayers!

Blessings,
Amy

Praise report:

I would like to thank you all so much for your prayers this last week. God has been providing in amazing ways! At the beginning of the week between my eleven fellow students and I, as well as our base leaders, we needed to see over $20,000 come in for us all to go on outreach to Central Asia. Praise God, we now only need a little over $5,000! In the span of just twenty-four hours one of my friends received all $3400 that she was needing. Isn't our God good?

Prayer Requests:

- For the last of the money to come in. God can provide!

- For peace and unity through all the last minute preparations and packing - Health - To continue to seek God's will in everything as we see Him glorified in our lives and in the nations! 

I am a Soldier!

Please take a few minutes to listen to this speech by Dwight L. Moody. One of my fellow students shared it as part of a devotional earlier this week and it really impacted me. I know it's a little long but please take the time to listen to it before reading the rest of this post. I promise it's worth it.

The sunrise

I am a soldier. I am part of an army of believers who are willing to travel the world for God, because I want people to know the how much we are all loved by our Creator. Being a soldier comes at a cost. I have given up time with friends, family, and possibly the opportunity to have an amazing career that makes good money. I have to choose this life every day. Some days I love the chance to travel and meet new people as I share what God has done in my life with others. Other days I want to be anywhere but right where I am because I miss my friends and family, and I often detest the challenges that come my way. Every morning when I wake up, I make the choice to be a soldier. I hope it is a choice that I will keep on making when I laugh like a lunatic overcome with joy and when I cry because my heart longs for those I care for but cannot be with.

I am also a work in progress. I know this because every day and every week, God is teaching me something new about himself or myself. I do not think this project will ever be completed and I can't say that I mind. I love growing closer to God and learning more about his heart for me and his heart for those young and old all over the world.

Airlie Beach

My fellow students and I may be nearing the end of our five month School of Evangelism, but that doesn't mean our learning will stop here. God has been equipping us with the tools and strategies we need to reach the nations. I've learned about Paul and the early Church in the book of Acts with the way they valued fellowship, worship, and prayer. I've learned about the battles you face when you pioneer in a city that is waiting to encounter God's love through the Holy Spirit. I've learned about the importance of knowing the history of the area you are living in or preparing to travel too, because what you learn may impact your time there.  As well as, the importance of opening up and letting others be a part of our walk with Jesus so that they can speak into our lives, but also learn from our mistakes. All of these things along with the importance of prayer, worship, and knowing our strengths has helped me grow so much.

We have a little more than fifteen days before we leave for Central Asia on outreach. There we will be sharing with others what God has been doing in our lives and how much He loves each one of us. I am so excited for upcoming journey and I know God is going to be moving in powerful ways. Right now I am trusting God for $7,250 to be able to pay for the teaching that I have been receiving and to go on this trip to Central Asia. I am trusting God to provide and ask you to partner with me in prayer. I have seen God' s provision for myself and for others. On the last school I did we saw roughly $10,000 come in over the course of a week for various individuals to be able to go on outreach! I know God can do exceedingly more than I could ever ask or imagine, and am trusting him to provide.

Will you stand with me in prayer to see God provide in miraculous ways?

Thank you for reading and for supporting me in this journey!

Blessings,
Amy

Please pray for:
- An open heart and mind as I continue to grow in God
- Finances: I am currently needing roughly $7000 for my school and outreach fees to be paid off. To give you a better idea of what that looks like it comes to about 50 people giving $140 each.
- Health
- Open doors as we prepare to go to Central Asia for outreach in three weeks
- That I would get everything packed before I leave as I'm going to be switching living quarters several times before actually getting on the plane

If you would like to contact me regarding finances please email me at amyt.dr@gmail.com and I can send you the details.

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

Looking Backwards or Forwards?

Hello!

I hope you are enjoying a lovely spring, or whatever season life finds you in wherever you may be in the world. :)

I am currently sitting in Canada on a beautiful Monday morning with a mix of sun and clouds and a promise of more throughout the week. Trust a Canadian to discuss the weather, eh? Haha, on to the important stuff.

These last few weeks have been spent with family, meeting friends that I didn't get a lot of time with before, and lots of desperate prayer. When I didn't board my Australian bound flight on May ninth, I had a funny feeling these extra weeks in Canada weren't just about a visa. After all, I had been telling God I thought I hadn't had enough time to truly reconnect with the people I wanted to see. Brilliant idea to tell him that, huh? Well, I have gotten that extra time and it has been really good. Though the next weeks were far from easy with the stress of getting all the paperwork put together for a visa leaving me in tears on many different days, and finding me asking God if Australia was where I was really supposed to go.

Happy Day! All the paperwork is nearly done and now I am just waiting on the mail to send one of the last puzzle pieces and once that is in, I'm just waiting on the green flag telling me that I can board my plane. Yes, I rescheduled my ticket for this Saturday so hopefully I'll be seeing Australia again soon as well as all of my friends who are currently there. The fight hasn't been easy, but I am believing that victory is in sight!

Thank you for reading and supporting me through this time!

Prayer Requests:
- That the last two pieces of paperwork would come in soon
- That I get the "yes!" that I've been waiting for and be able to board my plane on Saturday
- That I would be able to pack everything I will need
- For the last few days (hopefully) to be full of laughter, good times with friends and family, and so much more!

Fun Fact:
When I got home from my Discipleship Training School I was looking through some things that I had put into storage and trying to downsize. I can across a list of countries that I wanted to visit which I had written when I was roughly thirteen. I was out to prove that I had not ever really thought of going to Australia. Wouldn't you know that not only was Australia on my list, but the planned outreach location for this School of Evangelism was on there too! But, more about that later, so "sssshhh...."

A Slight Delay

Thank you for all your prayers concerning my trip to Australia to do a School of Evangelism! I am happy to say that so far everything is working out, even if it is not according to plan. I went from a green light go, to a proceed with caution yellow light, to a full stop at a red light. All that to say that the trip is being postponed and I am no longer leaving today as planned, instead my flight has been rescheduled to the end of the month.

Learning to wait for the sun to shine

Why the need to postpone my departure and miss the first few weeks of this next school which I am still hoping to join? This is where it gets complicated. To make a rather long story a tiny bit shorter, I have two visa options to enter Australia. One is a tourist visa, but the three months of study time allocated to this specific visa were used during my Discipleship Training School and you are not to apply for one right after another. This brings us to option two: pay more money, do health tests (first opening being in the last week of May), and hope and pray that I can still join the SOE at the beginning of June.

In the meantime, I'm going to try and partake in the teachings that I miss by having them recorded and then listening to them here in Canada. I will also continue to spend time with family and friends, while hopefully getting my job back.

Thank you so much for standing with me in this time with your prayers, words of encouragement, and so much more. You have been such a blessing!

I am excited to say that I have gone from $650 to $1040 towards the roughly $8000 school. I am trusting that God will continue to provide, even with all the extra fees coming into play at this moment.

Thank you for reading!

Please continue to pray for:

- Peace for everything to come together smoothly
- An opening at the doctor's office for the health tests to get done quickly
- For all the details with the visa to work out
- Finances
- And to clearly hear God for what I'm supposed to do in this time, as I'm at somewhat of a loss

The Final Countdown (Five Days!!!)

Hello!

The time is once again quickly approaching (Friday) to do laundry, pack, do last minute shopping, say farewell to family and friends, and board a plane in search for new friendships and more adventures! In the meantime I'll be double checking everything in my luggage and hoping I didn't forget anything too important. :)

My emotions are honestly all over the place when I think about being back in Australia in a week (is it really only a week away?). I'm excited to for the School of Evangelism, and to see many of my friends from DTS and meet even more amazing people. I'm also wishing I had just a little more time to roam this town that I have called home from the past few years and spend time with friends, or talk and laugh with my family. Alas, deadlines wait for no one and onward I go. I have a funny feeling getting on a plane Australia bound once again, will not feel like reality until I get off. Haha, but what can I do except make the best of it and make memories along the way?

These last five weeks at home in Canada have passed in a bit of blur. I must confess that upon entering the country I already had a decently long "to-do" list. That list has since been revised at least three times and believe it or not I've been able to check off a thing or two! The list wasn't ever nearly as important as meeting up with friends and spending time with the few members of my family that live here (we like to spread out around the world). Though I wish I had more time to meet up with so many others friends,

the time that I have had here and the conversations, or companionable silences, have all been cherished.

This beauty joined me in the greenhouse for a little while.

Work has been great, it came with a few challenges but I believe God has grown me through it. A small testimony from work would be seeing my boss smile and laugh. He's a really good businessman, yet after two weeks I realized I'd only seen him smile once or twice. For some reason this really bugged me and I began to pray that God would give him joy. This last week as I was asking him how long he wanted me working till since I fly out on Friday, he told me five minutes before the plane left and laughed. I was so shocked and ecstatic all at the same time. God answered my prayer!

Another small praise report is that I officially have $650 towards my roughly $8000 school! Whoohoo!

Thank you for reading!

Prayer requests:

- Knowing what to pack :)
- Health
- Safe travels
- A great last week with friends and family
- Finances for the SOE

Sweater Weather

Hello!

 Thank you all for your prayers I arrived safely back in Canada two weeks ago. Spring is here and the trees are budding, yet while the stores are putting out summer clothing I am happily wandering around in sweaters and jeans. :) Stuffy noses may not be my favorite welcome home present, but I finally use blankets again! Yes, I'm one of those people who puts like four or more blankets on the bed if I can get away with it in the winter time. :P

It was very surreal stepping off the plane and seeing family again, but I'm enjoying it. Sometimes it seems like I never left North America, yet I know I've changed so much from the insecure girl who was so mad at the world to who I am now. DTS was truly a blessing though I didn't think it was going to be anything of the sort in the first few days of Australian life. Strange how a person can change so much in just six months if they open up to others and ultimately to God. I'm so glad I got on that plane way back in October, even if birds did decide to run into my plane's engine and delay me a few days. :)

Being back home has come with its blessings of seeing family and a few friends, and it has come with its challenges. I arrived with five weeks, a call to return to Australia for the five month School of Evangelism, and unsure of how I was going to get everything done or find where the finances would come from. God has been so faithful, and within the first few days He miraculously provided a job for me! That was a true answer to prayer, after visiting other locations that morning with my mom we walked in and I was hired on the spot. In a town like Kelowna finding jobs is near impossible, not to mention if you are only in town for five weeks. 

So, I am now working in horticulture  transplanting flowers at a plant nursery.

Astras

Time however is still moving fast and on Wednesday I panicked because I felt like outside of work I wasn't getting one thing on my long "to do" list done. With my parents now running their own short YWAM school an hour and a half away, my brother and I are running the house and have been enjoying it. Yet, there goes more time. Challenges are ever-present, thankfully God gave me brothers and one is at home right now and can unconsciously make me calm down just by being Bryan. He's quirky, but who in my family isn't? I love each and every one of them for it too. :)

Thank you for reading and for supporting me in this crazy journey I call my life!

Prayer Requests:

- That I wouldn't stress out over all the details, but trust God to provide
- For the rest of the finances for my roughly $8000 school, because my job the blessing that it is cannot pay for everything
- To enjoy the time I have with my family and friends and not be sidetracked by everything else
- To love Jesus with all that I am and shine His light at my work place

Intermission

Hello!

How are you?

I have been busy lately finishing up my school of Discipleship Training School (DTS) here in Airlie Beach, Australia. Actually graduation is tomorrow! Can it have been six months already? There will be many tears and lots of laughter as friends (who are more like family) prepare to go home.

So, what's next? Why the intermission? I will be flying out of Brisbane Sunday morning and starting the slow journey back to Kelowna, Canada. In the midst of catching up with my church, family, friends, and sorting through my storage I will hopefully be working to make money for.... *dramatic drum roll please*

The School of Evangelism! (SOE) This is a secondary school running here in Airlie Beach starting on May 12th. During this six month school I will continue to build on the foundations of DTS in my identity, calling, missions, and communicating the Gospel. I am looking forward to this next step in my journey with God and brimming with excitement to see what will take place. For more information about what I will be learning go to http://www.ywamwhitsunday.com/  .

You may ask why bother going home when there is only a little over a month in between these schools? I believe it is important for me to return home for this short period of time to see my family and raise support. The school will cost roughly $7650.

Please pray for me as I prepare to go home:

- For clear communication with everyone I meet - For a job - For safe travel - For all the finances to come in - Grace as this time will be very busy

Thank you so much for reading, for all your prayers, and your support!

If you would like to see me while I am home in Canada, or would like more information in general email me at amyt.dr@gmail.com

Psalms 115:1

Team Malaysia!

Whohoo! These last two weeks have been great! I'll try not to overwhelm you with details as I try to capture everything God has been doing in my life.

Two weeks ago, four members of our team went to a village with a pastor and had a wonderful few days sharing God's love with the people and seeing His wonders displayed through a crazy thunderstorm. In the meantime, five of us remained here in the city to meet up with our friends here.
Over the weekend my brother, Matt, was able to come visit from Thailand! We had a great few days together catching up on each others lives. Thank you for your prayers I couldn't have asked for a better time with him.

A lovely family we stayed with.

Fellowship

This last week one staff and four of us girls had the priveledge to go on a long road trip to spend a week encouraging our brothers and sisters. We stayed with a pastor's family and had a wonderful time fellowshipping with everyone we met. We played with children, learned to bathe in the river with a sarong, attempted to learn some Iban songs, had a cultural night in one of the villages, and ate and ate and ate some more. We got to introduce our Father and pray for several families. In all it was an amazing week, and many tears were shed upon departure.

Now we are looking at our last week here in Malaysia. It is hard to believe that the time has gone so fast, and that we will soon be back in Australia preparing for graduation. I am looking forward to seeing where God will take me next and what other adventures await along the horizon.

Please pray for these next few weeks as our time here comes to an end and we prepare to be reunited with the rest of our friends.
Pray that we will remain focused and let God guide us every step of thee way.
Pray for safe travels and that no luggage will be lost.
Please pray for me as I begin to make plans to return to Canada after graduation, while seeking God's direction for the next step in my life journey. I desire to follow wherever He may lead.

Thank you for reading! It is much appreciated! It is because of your prayer and support that I am able to share our Father's love with the people around the world.

If you would like to support me financially you can email me at amyt.dr@gmail.com

Coffee in a can