The Start Of Something Amazing

To those of you that did not know.

2011-12-07T04:04:00.007-05:00

Ten days before our wedding I received a life altering phone call.

The Plan: We were going to start our marriage living in Georgia. We had already found a wonderful place to live, that I had moved into the day I received the phone call. Our honeymoon was booked * Jamaica* 10 days all-inclusive resort. Outdoor country wedding set for August 20th 2011. All the plans were in order. However junk happens at a moments notice.

The phone call: Aaron was stopped at the border for a three hour questioning. He was not let through, but to add to that he was banned from the States for 5 years. This was the first of many tearful conversations.

Action Plan to have my groom for our wedding: Hire immigration lawyers who deal with this sort of thing all the time to help us. They were able to get Aaron in for our wedding on parol. Which is a temporary 10 day stay. Enough time for us to have our wedding and leave for the honeymoon. Our wedding went on just as it was planned. We had a massive set back, but we made it through. Only took Aaron two days to get to Georgia. Rough two days for Aaron.

Key Point: My husband is no criminal, but man are they treating him like one. This is very upsetting to anyone that knows him.

The wedding that almost did not happen: AMAZING. We had rented out Briar Rose Plantation (located in White Plains GA) for the weekend. 120 guests, and hours of dancing. Great southern fried chicken and for dessert cheesecakes and mississippi mudd pies. Best day of my life. All our family and friends rolled into one place to celebrate our love and commitment to one another.

Honeymoon: Wonderful. At the same time horrible. Everyone goes on their honeymoon expecting to start their lives out with one another after. Not us. We had to fly home separate ways from Jamaica. I flew to Georgia and Aaron flew to Calgary. That was a tear filled day. As much as we were so ready to "get back to reality" our reality did not look so pretty. It involved lawyers, paper work, and a hole lot of "what should we do now?"

Decisions: I had to quit my job in order to have to freedom to visit my husband as often as needed to maintain a healthy marriage while his paper work is being filed. We (us and the lawyers) have been working hard to overturn the ban that was placed on him. This is not an easy process. Hours of paper work and searching for documents and having friends and family write multiple letters for us. We had the apartment in Georgia which is our home here. Obviously Aaron is still in Calgary so we had to get an apartment there as well. God has graced us with amazing Landlords that have helped us out tremendously.

The *new* plan: Get to Georgia as soon as possible. In the mean time, work hard and get this lawyer stuff behind us and look forward to a bright future. Life has not been easy, but this is to be expected. Nothing prepares you for the unknown, you just have to take it one day at a time. They say the paper work process can take 2 months to 18 months which is better than five years. We have no idea when we will start our new life down in Georgia together but we are praying it is soon.

Thank yous: To all who have been praying for us and to everyone who has written letters for us. We appreciate the support and love from everyone. It is amazing to see friends and family fight together for your relationship. Most important thank you to my husband for working so hard to support us both. I love him more than words can express.

To the man than banned him: May God be with you sir, because you have no idea the heart ache you have caused this family. If you cared to know Aaron a little better and realize our relationship is as real as ANY true relationship, you would not have wished what you did on him/us.

Traveling alone sucks. I look forward to the day my husband can fly with me again.

Until next time, your prayers are appreciated! Hope to have an update sooner than later!

Our Wedding Website

2011-06-24T20:32:00.003-04:00

We are so excited for this up and coming adventure! Life is about to change drastically and in 8 weeks I will no longer be Amanda Parker. I will let you know what I think about that in about 9 weeks! :)

Just wanted to invite you all to check out the details on our wedding! Hope to see all our friends there!

www.uruskiparker.ourwedding.com

Love and SO much of it!

2011-04-17T10:18:00.004-04:00

August 21st 2010 I met a man that would change my life forever.

At a Franklin Graham crusade, in Calgary (Canada), I was introduced to Aaron Uruski. I was flown to Calgary by a friend's, at the time boyfriend, so not only did I receive a free trip to Canada to visit a dear friend but I also met my future husband! A wonderful trip I would say. Never thought I would end up in a long distance relationship that would turn into THIS! On August 20th, 2011 is our wedding! The significance is wonderful, a year after meeting Aaron I will walk down the aisle and say "I DO" to him!

When I think of who I want to marry I think of someone similar to my dad; patient, kind, respectful, funny and always making me smile and laugh; a man after Gods heart towards others. Aaron is all these things and more. He was telling me how he remembers that first meeting he thought I was cool because I laughed at all his dumb jokes. It was love at first site I must say! haha! Our relationship has been built since day one on trust and honesty. It is a wonderful thing to be open about all your problems and short comings in the beginning so you can work through it all together. Aaron has challenged me in many ways to be the best possible version of Amanda I can be. I must admit I like to be that girl.

After 8 months of dating long distance he proposed to me, and I said YES. :) I loved his proposal almost as much as him asking me that wonderful question. He talked to my dad on the Tuesday before he asked me on the Saturday so my parents had to keep this secret for 5 days and if you know my mother at all, you know this was killing her. We were in Panama City Beach for a few days on vacation with my parents and brother (Matthew). The boys disappeared for a few hours to supposedly go "shopping." They came back to the condo took showers and cleaned up to get ready for a YUMMY dinner at Salt Water Grill! Little did I know before dinner my life was about to change drastically! We all pile in my dads white truck to head off for the night. Dad pulls into a Helicopter tour place and I'm a bit confused. Aaron tells me he wants to go see the shark tour. I have no interest in going to see sharks, however somehow he talks me into it. I'm saying all these excuses of why we should not do this, but I did not realize this was my destiny! haha!

So up up and away we go. I'm already a little shaky being in a helicopter, but the shakes really started when Aaron shows me something written in the sand to my left. It read: "AMANDA, MARRY ME?"! So the boys "shopping" trip was more like a Home Depot visit to buy shovels and dig in the sand. Four foot letters, ten inches deep so we would be able to see it from our view in the sky!! SO ROMANTIC, and if you know me you know I am a hopeless romantic so of course my heart melted and I said YES. When I turned around to look at him he was holding the GORGEOUS ring and put it on my left hand! We tried to enjoy the helicopter ride as much as we could with out thinking OH MY GOSH we are ENGAGED!

After we landed we were greeted by my parents and brother who knew all along! My sister was not in the loop so I called her ASAP! We then got in contact with Aaron's family to share the good news, and the next day onto informing friends! We are so supported and loved by so many people. I'm so excited to spend my life with this man.

Aaron has kindly decided to move to GEORGIA! My family and friends are ecstatic yet his family and friends are a little bummed! This is rightfully so, BUT we have plans to visit Canada a few times a year and of course opening our home to whoever may want to come visit us! Also we have no set plans, if the Lord wants us to move to Canada, or the USA government decides to go bonkers then we will head to Canada! :) I've heard British Columbia is a beautiful place to end up!! Who knows in years to come what may happen!

So living in two different countries makes things a little challenging with all the paper work and green cards/citizenship junk that comes with it. These next four months will not be easy on us there is so much to do, but with the Lords help we know it can be done. As long as its Him we are looking to for help, I believe with all my heart the money will come in and all this is possible!! Aaron will be selling a lot of stuff and filling out a lot of paper work in the near future! He is giving up so much to be with me, and I never want anyone to think I take that for granted. He is more than I could ask for when I think of my future husband. God has put us together for many reasons, one of those being we are good together and can make it through whatever life throws our way.

Thank you Aaron for everything you have done and will do for me. I've never been more excited for a date in my life. (And you know how much I love Christmas so this says a lot!!)

NEW YEAR * * 2011

2011-01-06T12:29:00.003-05:00

Dear Lord,
In the new year, we pray
that You will guide us each new day
in paths that are pleasing to You.
Lord, the new year gives us another chance
to rededicate our lives to You,
to study Your Word
so that we know right from wrong
and to act in accordance with Your commands.
Thank You for the sense of
direction, purpose and peace we get
from aligning our lives with Your will.
We pray for the strength and the will to obey You
each and every day of the new year,
and when we fail, we pray for Your mercy,
Your compassion, Your grace and Your love.
Help us in the new year to be Your faithful servants.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

By Joanna Fuchs

The 3rd annual SCARF SOME SWEETS BENEFIT!

2010-11-17T14:12:00.010-05:00

You could help rescue a beautiful girl like this one Im holding. Wonderful heart, precious little girl rescued by Destiny Rescue.
3rd annual Scarf Some Sweets!
Christina Jones and Jessica Stewart are going to Thailand to work with Destiny Rescue. Destiny Rescue works to remove young girls and women out of sex trafficking and to teach them skills and crafts, so they are not forced back into prostitution and have a way to make money for themselves and their families.
Jessica and Christina are going to teach the girls to crochet scarves! They will then bring back the scarves that the girls and women have made for us to buy. When we buy the scarves, this will support the women and girls. It provide an hourly wage for them.

Steen & Jessica-Scarf Some Sweets 2009
I am so proud of my sister and her vision for this company. It's been a long time waiting but now the time has come to up and start COLORS. She is following her dream to help change this world! Now the time is come to support her in this dream!!!!

This is where YOU come in, we need you to help us get Jessica and Steen to Thailand. Jessica and Steen will be selling earrings, hair clips, scarves, and some other things.
This event is just in time for Christmas. When you come out and purchase these items, you are giving to something bigger than we can comprehend. We know God is going to use this night in the lives of people around us and to help lives of people all around the world.
ALL money raised goes straight to plane tickets and buying yarn for Jessica and Steen to take with them!
SO…

December 10TH @ 7:30PM
River Park Clubhouse
166 River Park Crossing
Woodstock, GA 30188
$7 @ the door.
$25 for VIP access which includes front row to the fashion show & FIRST pick over all items!
*Cash and Checks will only be accepted.*

Please come out on December 10th for free desserts, live music, a fashion show, ALL for a great cause.

The Holiday Season

2010-10-27T22:58:00.005-04:00

2008 Christmas in Thailand

Since 2007 I have not been home for the Holiday season and I am beyond excited to be home this year. Yes it's a few days before Halloween and I already have my little Christmas tree up in my bedroom. I find it super comforting and relaxing to come home to a little bit of Christmas after work. There are so many things I am looking forward to this year. The shopping, the baking, and the family surrounding you all the time! Drinking egg nog while listening to Christmas music and decorating the house!! Thinking about it is getting me even more stoked. As much as the Holiday season is taken to the extreme, it's all about our savior being born so why not celebrate in a the biggest way possible!

2008 Christmas I was in Thailand with 3 other girls that I did not know very well at the time. It was a hard Christmas but I made it though, however who wants to just "make it though" the holidays. I hate thinking aboutthe people that dont really enjoy the holiday season. My heart breaks for them. JOY is something that must remain in our lives if we want to be happy while living though it. 2009 I was in Mozambique Africa, celebrating with a group of 12! This was another hard Christmas. Probably 110 degrees out and eating a fish head for dinner! Sometimes I get angry I am American and feel the need to cook an extravagant meal for Thanksgiving and Christmas BUT on the other end I am SO SO thankful and blessed to have the family and life style I have. These past two Christmases were extremely humbling for me. No presents under a tree.. no meal with your mom and dad, sisters and brothers.... Just you and God..... alone..... As much as it was a different Christmas experience for me, an American, it is their African every year tradition. Fish head for Christmas dinner. I love how all over the world "traditions" are all different. Non are better than others, but I am extremely thankful for mine.

Thank you God

2010-09-08T12:24:00.003-04:00

I wish I had the capability to track my every thought, written on paper. I have a feeling it would probably freak me out just a little bit. Lately I have had these thinkings I have not really ever had before. Good thoughts, happy thought, crazy thoughts! I always say how I love it when something happens to change your way of thinking BUT what if its something you thought you would never change your way of thinking on. I have been proven wrong. What?! This is nuts..

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 NKJ
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus for you."

I just want to thank you God for your mercy and grace. Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for defeating the devil and setting us free in Christ. Thank you for loving me and taking good care of me. In everything I will give thanks to God for what He
is doing. All God does is for my good.

Actions speak louder than words.

2010-08-18T13:19:00.005-04:00

These few weeks I have learned a lot of life lessons. I have met new people and some will be great friends, to all the others... well they introduced me to those great friends. I love people and I genuinely hate to see someone I care about hurting. So what happens when your the one hurting. You hope and pray there will be someone out there that has your back and cares about your pain. People mistreating people, that is something I hate. I believe everyone deserves a second chance. After that second chance well.... I guess its up to the person. Might depend on the crime, or even if the person wants to be vulnerable to pain again. Personally I have been given a lot of second chances therefore I want to give them to others. God is a God of love, mercy, FORGIVENESS. His grace is something I'm trying to intertwine within my life and how I treat others. People fail time after time, we are human and it is expected. That does not mean we have to try and fail, or not put our best foot forward. In fact I believe opposite. We need to try and (with EVERY action) show others how much we care, how much God cares. In our work place, in our every day reality, in our traveling even in our every conversation with a stranger or someone we know.

To the people that treat us wrong. We love them anyways?? Crazy right....
Well I have been trying to put this into action just to see how my life might be different. I believe that if a lot more people put this theory into action the world may be a lot different. Love on people, get to know people that you would not normally get to know. Its those people that can change your life. Your normal friends are great to have and encourage but when you step out and encourage the people that really need it, that's when life change can happen. Deep conversations, forgiving people, new friendships, bonding with people.. everyone loves a good bonding experience! It could be a conversation or an event but its usually something that will stick out in your head. Later on they are the memories that form and are forever stored into our minds!

Christ fights for us on a daily basis. Why don't we choose to fight for people. Fight for friends, fight for family, for the people we care about and love. Whatever the question may be, everyone deserves a chance to say no to you but what if they decide to say yes!

Just some of my random thoughts, kind of strung together "ish."

Joy

2010-08-09T21:48:00.005-04:00

I find joy in having visitors from other countries.
Eating pizza with my sister and watching Hannah Montana.
Making desserts that I have never made before.
Flying to visit friends from places I have never been.
Sleeping in my queen size bed for 9 hours a night.
Being young and able to sleep for 9 hours.
Watching a good chick flick, while eating popcorn.
Cutting someones hair off, and giving them a new look.
Talking to people and helping them work out their problems.
Dinner and movie dates with good friends.
Catching up with an old friend over a cup of coffee.
Having the unexpected happen to change your way of thinking.
Living as if you need to be happy everyday.
Cookouts with the entire Parker/Jones clan.
Enjoying a glass of sweet tea on a sunny day.
Holidays with the entire family together.
Putting up Christmas lights and drinking egg nog.
Snow days, and wrapping up in a warm comforter.
Drinking coffee and reading my bible.
Buying a new purse and giving an old one away.
A new pair of jeans that fit just right.
Country music on my way to work.
Country music on my way home from work.
A hot shower on a slightly chilly day.
Sitting on a dock relaxing lake side.
Long boat rides, with people that you love.
Vacations were you have no schedule, no time limit.
Surfing on the Sunny Coast of Australia.
A good run with your iPod on a stressed out day.
Organizing! (Im a little odd that way)
Helping the hopeless, and homeless.
Working in orphanages and loving on the kids.
Mentoring young adults seeking answers about life.
South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Thailand, Cambodia
Australia, New Zealand and of course America!

Well lately I have been thinking about things that make me happy. Things that make me feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. Good things.

?destination?

2010-06-24T22:02:00.005-04:00

There is a light at the end of every tunnel.

It starts off very wide then at times gets narrow.

It's beautiful and mysterious.

Walking toward it can cause pain and heartache.

Sometimes you can not see and you stumble to find your way

just so you can be a step closer to it.

It's brilliant however this light.

It guides you in the dark, and shines brighter than any other.

In return we want to seek it and pursue it.

Is beautiful and peaceful at times.

The road can be easy, and fun when the time calls for it.

On an off day this journey can get you down,

sometimes spinning out of control.

But as soon as that spinning stops its clear again.

Shining bright, inviting you in, forgiving

your now one step closer. To where...

Your destination.

To be kids again

2010-06-07T18:59:00.002-04:00

My thoughts are consumed by happiness as of lately. What makes me happy and how can I do that more often. On a bad day when I just want to crash, it never fails little Miss PeyPey can always put a smile on my face. Kids are so carefree and worry-less I want to seek more child like behavior like that. Im tired of allowing my mind to be consumed by unimportant things. I love being around my niece and nephew for the simple fact that the world seems brighter when I am around them. Kids dont see the big picture nor are they looking for it. Sometimes I think life would be more simple if we did not always seek after the big picture but actually lived for the day. "Day by day" we have all heard the saying but who actually follows it. I know we can not always act like kids. We have to be grown ups and go to our jobs and all that HOWEVER we can have our child-like moments. They are allowed and it's are fun needless to say. One thing I am going to be more intentional about it trying to enjoy each day for what it has to offer. Not think about the future because I will not enjoy all the present has to offer. I want to see the world through a child's eyes, be happier and brighter so that it radiants onto others. Live to laugh after all its contagious right..

The Road less traveled

2010-05-06T22:54:00.008-04:00

How often we must bear the challenges of life
The endless roller coaster between happiness and sorrow
The constant ups and downs of daily strife.
And always the question remains .... why?

Life is not an easy road for most
It twists and turns with many forks in the road,
Although always, and inevitably, we are given a choice ...

Do we turn to the right ... or the left?
Do we take the high road ... or the low road?
Do we take the easy path ... or the difficult one?

Decisions are not easy for those struggling for direction ...
And sometimes the many choices and signs become overwhelming.

While standing at a crossroads in life,
The urge is to take the most comfortable path
The road with least resistance
The shortest or most traveled route.

And yet, if we've been down that comfortable road before;
Have gleaned its lessons in life, and learned from our experiences

Do we yet again follow the known?
Or does our destiny lie in another direction?

The fear of the road less traveled is tangible and all too real
It manifests itself in many ways,
And tends to cloud the issues that might otherwise be clear.

It is in these times of confusion,
That we must seek peace and solitude

Time to contemplate on our life,
Our experiences and our choices past
Time to look back, and reflect on what we have learned
Without fear or confusion.

For only each of us knows our own personal thoughts
Our unique past and personal history
The experiences that brought us to the crossroads we now face.

We can always learn a small degree from others experiences,
And yet ... no one person can walk in our shoes,
Others know not, the trials and tribulations faced in private

For each is individual unique and personal.

And that is why ... while standing at a crossroads,
Only we can formulate the decision for ourselves
The true direction that lies within
The choices we must deliberate on with clarity and wisdom.

For it is only through personal reflection,
That we can now choose our destiny
Our next adventure
And the future we will embrace.

A clear new canvas of four blue walls

Life is good, But living it is even better.

Mood Swings

2010-04-07T10:05:00.001-04:00

Mood: The state or quality of feeling at a particular time. A distinctive emotional quality or character.

Swing: to cause to move to and fro, sway, or oscillate. To change and shift.

Whether we admit it or not ever one that is human has mood swings. Usually we refer to these as something only our mothers go through but that's not the case.

If you are human then you experience these.

Sometimes I wish my mind could expand wide enough to understand how God maintains peace in the midst of all the storms he sees. All the mood swings we non-perfect people go through. Yesterday I was lying on the driveway looking up into the perfectly clear sky and it was almost as if my eyes could not focus. There were blurry spots that clouded my vision of the perfect blue sky. We see SO many different objects/things within one day. Just looking at the computer now there are at least 100 different things that my eyes can capture an image of. No wonder we have a hard time focusing, no wonder we can not maintain one mood all the time. I consider myself a happy person, that enjoys the life that's been so graciously given to me but sometimes I'm a pain. I get distracted more than Id like to and loose focus on tasks that I have set out for. If at the end of every blog we truthfully told how long it took us to write it, how many times we lost focus.. well I would never do that.

Some say there are four personality types an some say sixteen. No matter the number one fact remains the same. People are all different. We may all share the common trait of mood swings but we experience them at all different times and in many different ways. Some of us need to be alone and some of us have to be with people and talk things out. Oh, the circle of life. Its brilliant really. Never boring, always keeps you on your toes, leaves you questioning many things. We experience pain, we experience love. We have money, we don't have money. Everything seem to be coming together, then tomorrow everything can fall apart. BUT... What if we had the same peace and happiness through all these things? Whether good or bad, we were just always happy, never frowning, never questioning. I watched a movie last night about a woman that was all smiles. Never upset. She never went on more than five dates with a guy so that no one got hurt. She was that cautious to never feel pain. Now its a movie so of course at the end she fell in love and what not. However this process caused the guy and her to hurt one another, say things they did not mean, and fail many times. We hurt people, we fail because we are human. It's what separates us from HIM. Hes the only perfect one. Despite our child-like moments that cause him pain, he never leaves us. He endured suffering on the cross for six hours. Six flipping hours of agony. Why.. So that we could make our human mistakes. So that we have hope. So that we can spend eternity with him, The perfect one.

YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE NO MATTER WHO I AM.

2010-03-24T22:33:00.000-04:00

As I kneel before my bed praying to God and begging for answers I ask myself these questions. "What do YOU want to do? What do you feel peace about?" I have to Remember that God just wants my heart. He wants my passion and my vision to encompass Him. My heart is to be sold out and serve God where ever and how ever HE so chooses.

I love my God and I live to serve him alone. He has placed us here for the purpose of expanding his kingdom. So I will do that, no matter what that may look like.

My heart hurts as I wait patiently to hear from him. Soon very soon it shall come, words from above. Patients is a virtue that I try to hard to attain, yet always seem to lack.

I surrender it all to you God, everything I am. Someone recently said to me God reveals doors to you at his perfect timing, why would we just stand in front of it and choose not to open the door. We must open them as we find them. Every opportunity is placed in our midst to leap and take it. Even though we may be scared and frightened at what the outcome could be, God will never leave us nor forsake us.

So I choose today to open that door, and say I will do this for you my God. "This" could mean more than one thing. Whatever it is, its for your glory.

I love my God, and my life is his. Speak to me Lord, I am listening.

The Summary

2010-02-16T22:01:00.000-05:00

Todays forecast:: rain on the Sunshine Coast of Australia. It is a good summary of my emotions as of lately. This DTS has come to an end and all 23 of our kids have dispersed among multiple countries, some traveling and some reuniting with their families. It is a very bitter sweet time in my life. God has rocked my world over these past 5 months and I will never be the same. All the people that told me staffing is a totally different experience and you will learn even more were actually right! One of the questions they asked us during staff debrief is how did the students impact your life personally. To answer that question truthfully I can say.. I've never been more challenged in my spiritual walk with God.. challenged with my personal beliefs on things.. challenged me to the 10th degree to live to a higher standard and take EVERYTHING back to prayer. I can honestly say I have the best relationship with God than I ever have in my entire life, and I owe it all to these students!

I won't lie there were many sleepless nights and many, many non-stop days (you know the ones where your not quite sure how you are going to make it through but you always do.) A lot of driving people around and feeling a little like a taxi service. Oh and do not let me forget the cleaning, the reminding people to bring this, bring that and basically feeling a lot like a mother. Then on outreach I got the pleasure of cleaning up vomit, holding hair while my girls where over the toilet. Its funny really thinking back of how my mom did the same thing for me and always thinking I guess moms just don't get sick. Out of the entire outreach I can proudly say I was the only ONE that did not get sick (if you include Joel chugging liquid ice cream and it coming right back up, sorry Joel I think that counts as vomit.) However looking back I would not change one of those things. God has done so much more than this for me. Serving others is a simple sacrifice in comparison to what our God did for us! The most awesome thing about this is God gave me amazing friends out of this sweet deal as well. I am walking away with a few people I will never loose touch with! I am so thankful God gave me this opportunity. Through the success and the failures I have made it and learned so much from this experience.

I have been praying a lot about my future and what God is calling me to do. As of right now I feel like God is asking me to serve on the July DTS 2010 as school leader. (Don't worry family I will be home for Thanksgiving and Christmas 2010!!) I will have to take two different courses on leadership both are 2 week courses here in Australia. They cost about 400 dollars a piece but if this is what God wants from me then I know it will happen. I am coming home at the end of March to spend time with my family and work for a month. Hopefully earn enough money for a plane ticket back over seas. When people ask me if I have a heart for a country or a group of people my answer is this... 2 different things, God has laid on my heart to serve young woman who desire to know more about God, then on a totally separate spectrum autistic kids and children with special needs, I could see me working with them at some point of my life.

I love working in a salon and truthfully I miss it so much. It actually hurts to walk by a salon and smell THAT smell and know that right now that's not what God is calling me to do. The money is good and it is easy for me, it's what I know. But God asked me to give that up for him, so with a little bit of a fight I said yes. I want to encourage you to say YES. After all it is the best hurt I would never ask for! Serving God for every person is different. I just encourage you to serve God and be a part of furthering his kingdom, it's an AWESOME place!! =)

Africa=patience

2010-01-13T07:45:00.001-05:00

We are 5 weeks in and 3 more to go left of outreach and all I can say is man time flys. Africa has been an amazing trip thus far. The team has been bonding a ton and God is really at work amongst us. God has been teaching me PATIENCE. This culture is so very different than America or even Australia for that matter. They say we will leave in 30 minutes that means probably two hours. Its something I don't think I could get used to. Its been a struggle for most of the team but we are learning so much through it. Id say for the most part is has made us closer as a team. We have to laugh about it really, there is nothing else you can do without making yourself go crazy!

This outreach is so different than my outreach to Thailand/ Cambodia. For one I am a leader but even beyond that the lessons that Gods been teaching me are totally different. Looking back I would say Thailand was a time where my relationship with God reached an entire new level of intimacy. This time I am learning to use all the things God taught me during that time to help out these students. We are only responsible for the outcome of our own obedience and that is something I am hoping the entire team takes away from this outreach. I believe that is why we are are getting along so well too. God is at work in each persons heart on this team, and they are seeking Gods plan for their lives. Of course everyones prayers play a mighty hand in it all as well!

Anyways.... Just wanted to let you all know our team is currently working in South Africa outside of Johannesburg. We are in a town called Benoni, working with a kids home that facilitates about 55 kids from babies to young adults. There is some spiritual heaviness at this place to just keep us in your prayers for good nights sleep. There are a lot of us that are having trouble resting/sleeping. Please continue to pray that within these last three weeks we give it all we have even if we are tired. Also pray the students find direction with the plan God has for them after outreach. Its always tough going back to the real world/ back home.

2009-12-20T10:46:00.000-05:00

We have a bunch of sick ones. Seems every 30 minutes that passes by another one is becoming ill. Please pray for the team! I believe 6 of the team members are not well. We think its the water. They have a faucet that is treated so we were told we could drink from it, but we are thinking it may have been a bad idea.
Pray I stay healthy, because someone has to take care of these guys, even if they are like children and don't want to listen... (Paul!)

2009-12-17T03:15:00.000-05:00

Alright so here is a detailed blog about what we have been doing and how things are going in Africa. Since we are staying at the YWAM base outside of the national park we are in the middle of the woods, surrounded by snakes and all sorts of creatures! There is this BEAUTIFUL huge rock that is a 5 minute walk away that overlooks mountains with villages on them. We call this rock the quiet time rock. We have all spent a lot of time sitting on this huge rock having conversations and overlooking Gods gorgeous creation. The other day I recall Heidi laying down sun bathing on this rock. Last night we had a big community dinner with the entire base staff that is here and the rock came up in conversation. Something along the lines of.. "Oh yes the rock, thats the home of the largest king cobra we have seen!" Last night we found out there are tons of snakes all around this area, black mambas and king cobras. So we have to be a little more carful of where our feet step!

Okay so now to the good stuff. Our ministry here involves shoveling and planting in the garden. Keep in mind its a big garden and we have to till the entire thing but without a till just shovels! Painting with water based paint praise the Lord because these girls are covered in paint by the end of the day. Claudia actually took a nap on the side walk so she did not get paint any where else, that girl was covered! She told me the more paint you put on the brush the faster the job gets done, it just splatters a little more than usual! Hauling bricks by hand and by a wheel barrel/ digging some trenches. A.J. and Joel have been doing some wiring for the internet and other electrical stuff. Joel got majorly shocked yesterday and praise the Lord he was alright. With the amount of electricity that went through his body it could have severely hurt him. I was nervous at lunch when he wasn't really talking that much, but by dinner he was not shutting up so our Joel is back in business! Corey and Nic have been busting down some brick walls and busting tiles. This place is going to look beautiful before we are done with it! It has an in ground pool which we thought was a fish pond when we first arrived. They have one lady who is in charge of cleaning it and they say by Friday it should be up and running! It went from the most disgusting green thing to becoming an aqua green pool! Amazing!

Saurday this place has over 150 youth coming for a weekend camp. We heard through the grapevine there was going to be a talent show which a few of our team members may participate in! Haha! Right now I can honestly say this place is such a blessing! We have access to a kitchen with an oven and everything so we are able to cook our own meals! Our water got fixed so now the girls have hot water for showers. God is blessing us so much! We work about 7 hour days and then have a lot of bonding time as a team. Worship/ bible studies/ playing ping pong/ long talks about our lives together and playing 20 questions! We have had some great chats! Thank you so much for all the prayers. I know its only been 6 days or so but we are really unifying as a team. So pray we keep getting closer and closer!

Saturday we are going on a safari through The National Krugar Park! Zach, the YWAM base leader is going to be our guide and we are going to rent a couple cars and drive though. The team is very excited about seeing all the "deadly" animals! =)

Prayer Requests:: Energy to continue working hard, as the first part of this outreach will be a lot of manual labor! Also when we leave Wednesday we will be taking a taxi up to the border of South Africa and Mozambique where we will get out visas (this is the easiest way & cheapest.) Pray we have no problems and that when we arrive to Maputo getting a bus up to Beira that same night or the next day. It will be Christmas Eve and I know the team will just want to be at the final destination, which is Destiny Rescue!

God is teaching me personally to find the joy in every situation. Wether shoveling dirt, or cooking for a family of 13. He wants me to have fun while doing it because I am truly doing all this for him anyways.

Africa Bound

2009-12-11T00:30:00.001-05:00

Please keep our team in your prayers. God has already switched some things up, but I think its all for the best. A little stressful at times but I feel like God has taken every burden and I am just trusting! Thanks for everything and I hope to update you all soon. Please pray for the 2o hours we will have in the air!

Ephesians 4:2-3 which says:

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Gods Will

2009-12-07T17:57:00.000-05:00

This past month of my life a lot of lessons were learned. Some in which I discovered a lot about myself. People have always told me I am strong, but when you think about that word there are a lot of things that come to mind. The meaning of the word "strong" applies to my God-given strength. Time and time again I have dealt with things that cause pain in my life, some that I bring upon myself and other stuff that is just consider crap. Crap is all the other stuff we have no control over, that we don't see coming, this is the stuff that we sometimes question God why, the stuff that hurts your heart..

The coolest thing about strength is that no matter how many times we get hurt in life, it stands true that... what does not kill us will make us stronger. I sometimes find myself telling God, I don't want anymore strength.. Im strong enough. HA, God knows way more about my life than I ever image. It seems whenever I catch a grip on where my life is going God jerks it right back in his hands, I love it! I am learning never to get angry with God. So many times when things go different then we had hoped, we get upset with God. I do not understand why we do this when God has given us free will. Free will to choose and make our own decisions. If there is one thing I know it is that in Gods will is where I want to be living, therefore if something goes a different way than I had hoped I will trust that thats what God wanted. As long as we are seeking him first everything else will fall into place, all in Gods timing of course!!

I love life. I love that God has given us this earth to enjoy, and people to enjoy it with. God is so good and we must not blame him for the things that go "wrong". Do not misunderstand me, I ask God tons of questions as to why things happen. But I never doubt him, or the plan he has for my life!

3 days until Africa, not sure how often I will have the internet but I will try and keep you posted! We have a team blog which is www.ywamteamafrica.wordpress.com

Thank you God!

2009-11-22T21:11:00.000-05:00

I feel as though I sit down at my computer to start my blog and I am always at a loss for words. When I think about this past week of my life the thoughts that come to mind are.... HEAVY * HOLY SPIRIT * INTENSE * HONEST * LIFE CHANGING * PRAYER * FRIENDSHIPS * LOVE * ANGELS * SPIRITUAL

I guess my life has felt so surreal lately, like Im out of my body just watching all these amazing things happen around me and all I can do is sit in his presence and take it in. Dont get me wrong I have many highs and lows, many worries, many doubts. However when my head hits the pillow at night and I pray to my heavenly father he is the one holding me. When you have the arms of a father to hold you and never let go, it seems to make the harder times a little easier.

Last week was prayer week. Also known as week 9 for this school, which means outreach is only a couple weeks out. Scary. There was nights when we stayed at the church for 6 hours praying and interceding for many things. We saw miracles, and experienced the TRUE presence of the holy spirit. I have never sweated/shaken so much in my life before. Wednesday night I felt compelled to go in the prayer room and pray over Roz. CJ went with me and the holy spirit walked in the door behind us let me tell you! The other girls that were in the room had never been touched by the holy spirit until that night. It was one for the books! I loved every minute! When you feel God in the room its a day you never want to forget! It continued to stay with me throughout the entire week which was the coolest feeling to me. Claudia and I have been fighting through some things with God but the coolest thing is that we were able to be there for each other. Funny when God knows just exactly what and who you need to help you through situations!

This week has been evangelism week. Time is flying and it is a bit freaky at times, however God has our entire outreach in his control and I know it will all fall into place according to his plan. As a team we all went to get shots together and it was a true bonding experience. As silly as it sounds for the first time I felt like traveling with a team of 14 will be okay! Im starting to get pumped and excited for it, the team seems to really be coming together in unity so thanks for the prayers. We will be working with Destiny Rescue in Mozambique for 3 weeks and that will be over the Christmas Holiday as well! They need a lot of help with building things, painting things and decorating! Also hanging out with the kids that have been rescued! We are very excited about this, so please keep these children in your prayers as well!

Also just wanted to say HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to my parents!!!!!!!! I love you to and you are an inspiration to me!!!! Thank you!

Prayer Week

2009-11-16T19:43:00.000-05:00

This week is prayer week for our DTS so please email me any prayer requests you have! I would love to pray for things back in the States! mayhayster@gmail.com

One of the most amazing days!

2009-11-12T18:41:00.000-05:00

Left to right: Claudia, Oana, Josie, and Teresa

My dear one on ones!

God has blessed me in such a BIG way. I have had the privilege to baptize four PRECIOUS girls in the ocean. Yesterday Oana (one of my girls from Germany) asked if we could publicly declare her love for Jesus in front of the DTS, so we did! She is such a beautiful woman after Gods heart and totally willing to lay down her life for God.

After walking out of the ocean, Claudia, my dear precious Claudia, asked if we could go ahead and baptize her as well. I have never experienced such an overwhelming amount of love from my God. Last night I had to fall to my face and say thank you so much God for how much you love me! Its beautiful! My only desire in life is to return the love he has graciously poured on me.

Josie is going through a lot of spiritual stuff right now and I love being able to walk along side her in that! She is seeking wisdom and prayer, so please remember her!

Then there is Teresa who got baptized last week and is moving forward 100 %! God is going to use all four of these girls in such mighty ways! Love them all so very much!

A first for everything

2009-11-02T18:36:00.000-05:00

Callie and I met with one of our

girls Sunday who desires to feel Gods true love. She made some tough decisions and let a lot of things go that needed to be out of her life. After confessing and praying, she felt like something

was missing. I looked at her and asked if she wanted to be baptized. She looked back at me and said "I want you to do it." Me.. little

ole me. For some reason my spirit is very sensitive to this girl. This is something she knows, she told me later sometimes she

can't look at me in the eyes because she feels that I can see what she is feeling. I guess since she has this connection with me she felt like I should do this. It is something I had never done and did not even think I had the authority to do. However God has given all of us the authority to baptize children of God in HIS name. We gathered the troops and took a van full of YWAMers down to picnic point for the baptism. It was one of the most humbling things I can remember in my life. To actually watch the sins of someone be washed away by the sea. She walked out of that water wanting and desiring a new life in Christ. I am excited to walk along side her in this journey. Then today I had my one on one with Teresa. She also wanted to be delivered from past things so we went through the

deliverance prayer down by the ocean. After we had prayed she felt like she wanted to be baptized in the ocean.. right then! What two in one week, I can hear Gods kingdom cheering now! So we got in the ocean clothes on and all, washing away her past and starting a fresh walk with Jesus! I have never seen her smile so much! What joy she had found in freedom with Christ! When I asked God to take me to the next level I had no idea what I was

asking for. I guess thats the beauty of it.

This week is on Spiritual Warfare, Im learning and gaining so much wisdom on this subject. This is something I have been wanting to hear more about and learn what God has to teach us. There is so much in the bible about fighting the battles of spiritual warfare. I would rather be prepared then taken by surprise.

Our Africa team is on fire for Christ. They all keep telling me they want to see miracles happen,

and pray for people on the streets. Im telling you one thing, God has big plans for this team, and he is going to use their willingness to serve. Im sure we will be stretched and challenged in many ways. Please continue to keep this team in your prayers, and the leaders as we try to nail down some things! Thanks for everything yall'

Me N Rozzy

2009-11-01T21:29:00.000-05:00

Warfare

2009-10-25T23:02:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to update everyone with what has been going on. God is moving in a mighty way, therefore this school is under major spiritual warfare. God has taken me to a whole new spiritual level, and man it is intense. Fighting against warfare can cause many sleepless nights and can drain you physically. God has shown me things I did not think I would ever see, but now Im in it and fighting full on. I am willing and ready to take on what he has been preparing me for over these past couple of years. My hearts desire is to be ready and prepared at all times to fight against the enemy. One thing we must always remember is to never fight alone, spiritual warfare is something we must fight against in unity. One thing CJ and I have learned is God made people to live in community, fighting for one another through thick and thin. When you feel like pushing everyone away, it's probably a sign that you should let people in. Fight the battle together, not alone. Don't be afraid to share your heart with people, they understand more than you think!

Please keep this school in your prayers as we fight to win this battle.

Ephesians 6:10-18
"Finally, my brethren be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having gird your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints"

Wish upon a star

2009-10-18T22:54:00.000-04:00

Three days of my life that shall go down in history! In all my 25 years of living I have never seen a shooting star until October 15th 2009!

The trampoline is my escape at night, my quiet place to chill under the stars, just God and me. Thursday night CJ was over and we were enjoying some time together just relaxing with Jesus. One of the girls Heidi came outside to chill with us as well, when all of the sudden we all scream over-joyed at the awesomeness of a shooting star! I was amazed and so thankful for God showing me his mighty hand at work! The next night me and Roz were driving home when right in front of our van, it seemed so close, another falling star! I was screaming yet again, 2 in 2 nights what more could I ask for. Night three came and I was having a stressful day so I went to the trampoline to talk with God and pray. I asked God to show me his presence with one more shooting star, I wanted three, greedy I know. Nothing. So I went inside to watch a movie with Rozzy. After the movie we decided to cuddle up on the trampoline and talk. She was looking to the right and I was looking to the left when God gave me, MY THIRD shooting star!! I was freaking out, Roz was ticked she didn't see it but she knew it was something I had asked God for.

God doesn't normally show me his greatness in these ways, but man I was and still am amazed! The next night it was pouring rain and covered with clouds. He showed me 3 falling stars 3 nights in a row, when I had never seen one! I guess this is something I never want to forget so I decided to blog about it and share it with you!

Wow God is so BIG. Before worship today they showed a you tube clip about the stars and how God created each of them to reflect his image. Now its something that everyone keep speaking to me about, just in casual conversations. I love the way God speaks through things and people to us. Each one of us are different but God knows what will get through to us.

The speaker this week Glen Vines (speaking on Fear of the Lord) has been amazing. Speaking so much of Gods truth to us. He has shared some awesome prophesies God had reveled to him about some of our students as well. I have missed hearing from true prophets, people willing to lay down their life literally for our Lord Jesus Christ! People who loose many nights sleep praying, people that go places when they do not want to leave, people that live out their love and appreciation for Christ's death on the cross. People that NEVER quit sharing the words God speaks to them, people with no fear of man. We need more of these people in this world!

When God asks for it all, I say yes! My possessions, my heart, my future, my family, have it all Jesus. Agape love, actions not feelings!

Obedience

2009-10-15T19:27:00.000-04:00

Obedience is::

Compliance with someone's wishes or orders

or acknowledgement of authority.

I am learning in the best possible way how to be truly obedient to my Heavenly Father. Its very hard at times, but once you obey there is a peace that comes over you. I have slept amazing the past two nights and I know its a blessing from God. Sometimes it sucks to hear Gods voice because he asks things of us we don't want to do. My dear friend Kelly reminded me the only reason God asks big things of you is because you have been obedient to the little things! This encouraged me to keep placing my trust in him. There is a reason for it all! God has made his presence know to me so clearly lately. When I start doubting a decision that I have made, he confirms to me (using a student usually) that I have made the right one.

There are so many students here that need to learn true obedience, so many that are holding onto things and not fully trusting God to take care of them. My hope is that God will use me to speak truth into their lives. If I can live it in my daily life then I hope it will rub off on the people I am around. With Gods help I can stand strong and believe he will prevail in the end!

My room mate and I were praying yesterday

about life and some of our current situations, one being outreach planning. I have not heard back from any of my contacts over in Africa and I just really would like to have an idea of what we will be doing. All the students keep asking me what the exact plan looks like and I have no answers as of yet. After our prayer time we went to the church for dinner. I checked my email only to find an email from one of my contacts in Madagascar! God is good, and bigger than we can even comprehend!

Please continue to pray for our outreach team! Unity is a big one we need prayer for. We are a team of 14 which is pretty big and people can bump heads (which I am already seeing.) Also pray for humbled hearts and serving attitudes. Paul, Cj, and I have a lot of preparing and planning to do as well!!

Thanks for everything

My Hero

2009-10-10T03:03:00.000-04:00

As I was thinking of how to describe this person to you I was struggling to find the words to explain just how much this person means to me and how they changed my life.

At the beginning of this DTS we all share our testimonies to the entire group. Twice now I have done this and it was just this last time I realized what a role she had in my life, and I want her to know it!

I grew up in a christian home, wonderful parents and the best family life a girl could ask for. When I was six I decided to follow Christ but Id say just within the past few years have I really understood what following Jesus means! I have failed many times at life but its at those times we need support the most. I put my awesome family through heck and back on multiple occasions, however they never stopped loving me and poring into me (much like our heavenly Father!) I have an amazing earthly father who has been the best role model for what I want in a husband, a mom who will pray for me until God comes back and I can always count on her. I have two little brothers that are the best accountability I could ever ask for, and one older sister. Six years ago, well I guess seven years, my sister found out she was pregnant. This was the first grandchild and we were all over joyed to be blessed with Elijah. A couple years later God blessed our family with little Miss Peyton! My sister and her husband have two beautiful children that both have been diagnosed with Autism. They live everyday glorifying God for there two children, they are their life (and mine when I am home!) I sit here at the computer for 2 reasons. One to share with you all how amazing my sister is, and Two to share with you the huge roll she plays in my testimony!

A couple years ago the four of us Parker kids were at a summer camp called Big Stuf. The speaker asked if anyone needs healing from a hard life, or from being angry with God then stand up. I looked over only to see my sister sitting. It was at that moment that God showed me exactly what he wanted me to see all along.. when you are tired and weary, when you are frustrated and upset, when you think you can not give him anymore, think again. Everyday she gives and gives for these two kids and when the end of the day comes she knows she will wake up and do it all again, and for the rest of her life if she has too! Why because Gods hand was upon Eli and Peyton when they were born. He formed them in his PERFECT image in her womb and she would not have it any other way. God calls us to serve him, and by serving her kids she is serving God! Which leads me to say if it was not for her and her current situation Im not sure I would be where I am today. She inspires me to be who God has called me to be. Not a wife, not a mother (though hopefully I will be those things one day) but a servant for Christ. Which for me looks like being a missionary over seas at the moment! God used her to get through to me. God can use us all no matter what is going on in our lives or where we are at. If you ever find yourselves saying things like she would say, "I just want to make a difference" or "I want to do big things" stop and soak in the moment. Because wether you realize it or not YOU ARE making a difference and you are doing big things. Somebody somewhere out there is affected by your daily life.

I struggle from time to time and wonder why two with Autism, but its always if God whispers in my ear... "This is for MY GLORY Amanda. Do you trust me?"...

I am learning what true trust is, and I am holding firm to it! The hardest part for me is being far far away and not being able to hold them, but I know God is doing it for me!

I want my sister and Andy to know how much it means to me to see them carry out Gods plan for their lives. This family of four is blessed and will be blessed, and I want everyone to pray that God shows great favor on them! They deserve it.

So when someone asks me is there someone in you life that has been an inspiration to you, I say yes my entire family but especially my sister!! Thank you God for her obedience.

The September DTS School!!!

2009-10-07T03:20:00.000-04:00

The Staff!

All of us!!!

Yes Lord...

2009-10-03T03:30:00.000-04:00

Megan, Roz, Me, and CJ

Serve with out ceasing. Serve without wanting anything in return. Serve with out any gratification. Serve with a willing heart. Serve as if you are serving the Lord.

This is something I want prayer for. I want this to be my heartbeat. Its a very hard thing to grasp, but if I can give God one finger my prayer is he will take my hand and lead me!

The first week has been amazing. The students are full on and I am so excited! We have finalized outreach teams. Paul and I will be leading a team to Mozambique and Madagascar! Our team is 5 girls and 4 guys (one being my brother), plus the two leaders. There is a lot of preparation that needs to go into this. From figuring out where we will stay, visas, and tons of other details. Please pray that our contacts will follow through and it will all work out according to Gods will! We have a pretty solid team and I am stoked to see what God is going to do. Also pray for our flights, and the prices. Obviously we are willing to do whatever because God has called us here but the cheaper the better! After all we are missionaries, and our income is from our supporters!! Which leads me to Thank you for supporting me financially and prayerfully! I could not do any of this without you!!!

Walking in the Spirit

2009-09-19T04:26:00.000-04:00

Awesome story..

To set it up for you I need to tell you about an amazing spirit lead guy named Andrew. Andrew was on staff during my DTS and has been ever since, so all together he has been here for a year. He has 7 more days on the coast then he leaves for home near Fargo. This man is an prophet of God, and because of this he experiences a lot of spiritual warfare. Alright so back to the story...

So Cj and I were sitting in our house praying for our one on one wondering what the day was going to bring. Little did we know what we were in for! As we sat talking we felt like God was going to do something with our day. As we wondered what that might possibly look like we both looked at each other and said, "lets go for a walk!" Its a crazy long story but through scriptures and prayer God lead us right were we needed to be 4 1/2 hours later. The scripture God used to speak to us was.... Song of Songs 2:10-18ish:

“Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, and come with me.
See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.
The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their
fragrance.
Arise, come my darling;
my beautiful one, come with me.
My dove in the clefts of the rock,
in the hiding places on the
mountainside,
show me your face,
let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet,
and your face is lovely.
Catch for us the foxes,
the little foxes
that ruin the vineyards,
our vineyards that are in bloom.
My lover is mine and I am his.”

We kept getting bits and pieces of the story along the way. I'll sum it up for you! Basically God spoke to both me and Cj about Andrew and that we needed to find him and pray over him. We felt that he was up against something strong, this heaviness come over the two of us and we began to grow weary fast. After some good curb side pray, we finally found his house and were able to pray for him. He is going through a lot right now and of course he wants to know what God has in store next for his life. Please keep Andrew in your prayers over the next week as he is battling a lot before he leaves for home. That is a very summed up version of the story but I truly believe God used it to teach me and Cj to walk by faith and when your done and over it, keep going!

Update ::: There is 6 girls on staff and 3 guys on staff this school. We have been bonding over the past week and they all seem very solid which makes me stoked for this school! We have moved into our houses finally. I will be living in one of the girls student houses (the one I lived in last time.) I have been appointed as house leader which means I have to confront any conflict with-in the house, hold people accountable to things and make sure we are always on time to school. There is a lot more that goes along with it but please keep me in your prayers! I have 3 one on ones I will meet with on a weekly basis, plus a small group to lead. We have staff training for the next 5 days and students begin arriving Friday! We have also been praying into outreach locations. Im excited to see where God will lead our school!

Prayer Request ::: Cj and I have been praying for a cheap car to come our way. It would make it easier to meet with our one on ones and for other things as well! A couple of the staff have been given cars or found them for under 1000 bucks. So we are praying for a divine car appointment sometime soon! We like to pray BIG!

Good' day!

2009-09-11T16:03:00.000-04:00

Well I have had an amazing last few weeks here in the US! My friend Jaclyn from Canada (one of my friends I met on my DTS) came to visit and we have had a relaxing and enjoyable time hanging out. Dad and Mom gave me a heck of a goodbye party with all the family and a bunch of my close friends! Had a really great time even through all the goodbyes.

Not sure how ready I am for this 20 hour plane ride, but the destination will be worth it! I will be leaving tomorrow Sept. 14th at 6:50pm and arrive Wednesday morning. Staff training begins Wednesday at 4pm. No down time, so please pray for strength and energy! I will fly into the Brisbane airport along with 2 other staff members.. I think we are the last group to arrive. The school will start Sept. 27th so we will have a couple weeks to prepare for them.

Its a little different this time since I know a bit of what to expect, however staffing will be completely different than being a student. I am sure there will be curve balls I am not ready for, but hey, that's what we need God for to help us with the hard times! This go around I will see familiar faces that I am SO excited to see!! From what I have heard there is bunch of new staff on this DTS as well. Pray that within our first week of getting to know each other we bond well and become a strong leadership team, also to be united in our goal to know & make Jesus known. Continue to keep the students in your prayers as they head out from countries all over the world.. probably not fully realizing (much like I did not when I entered my DTS) what will take place over the next 6 months.

Your prayers are greatly appreciated!! As soon as I settle in down under I will try my best to update you all. Please keep the travel safety in your prayers too.. AJ's (my brother) plane leaves Sept. 23rd as well. Love you all..

Next time you here from me...

My mailing address will be...

in C/o ywam

P.O. Box 5633 me,

Maroochydore QLD

Australia 4558

Round 2

2009-07-22T23:01:00.000-04:00

What can I say.... Gods plan will always prevail! A few months ago I was frustrated with life in general. I was missing what God had for me all along. I was dreading a job I once loved. Through a random/amazing act from God I have taken a new salon job that I love! I'm back in my groove and very happy. This would be a salon I could stay at for a while! The woman are amazing and the environment is a wonderful fit for me. BUT.. always a but right... I received an email from a dear friend, Kelly, who is leading the DTS (Discipleship Training School) in Australia in September. The same school I attended last October. She asked me to pray about volunteer staffing this school and that I would be a great asset to the team! She is the ONE that reached out to me more than anyone and poured into my life when needed. At that moment I realized I want and desire to be that person for these girls. I want to pour into girls life and share Gods love to this school. What makes it all the more special is my brother, AJ, will be attending this school as a student. He has been feeling called to dig deeper and really examine his heart and get right with God! I'm so proud of him and pumped to share this experience with him! As much as I did NOT want to be away for the Holidays, at least now I will have part of my family with me! I am nervous and excited for this journey. I know God will use me in the places I am needed because I am more than willing to serve him. I also just recently found out my best friend may be going over seas to serve and partner with Destiny Rescue for 3 months and I am so proud of her! I'm surrounded by amazing people who desire to follow Gods will for there lives and I love being a part of that.

I fly out September 14Th (27 days!) and my commitment is until December 2010. I will try (God willing) to come home for a month in between so see everyone and give updates face to face! God has blessed me with am amazing family as a support system! I will work up until the beginning of September trying to earn as much money as I can before I leave. However this is a volunteer staffing position so I will have to raise support again. They encourage us to get monthly supporters, for example: 12 supporters giving $50 a month or 25 giving $20. Of course a one time donation is awesome as well. It is a tax-deductible contribution and I have an account set up through a YWAM base in Texas that takes care of everything for me and you! There is also direct bill-pay online available as well to make it easier, just email patrobinson@ywamtyler.org and ask how! You can also send a donor-preferenced gift made out to YWAM and enclose a separate note requesting that YWAM make the donation to me. Also checks should mailed to:

Accounting Department

PO Box 3000

Garden Valley

TX 75771-3000

I want to ask you to pray about what I have shared with you and if it seems like something you would like to be a part of then your prayers and/or financial support would be appreciated. Things that I will need prayer for::

The September school has more girls than guys (which is different from the school i was on, we had 2 guys houses & 1 girls house now it will be visa versa). More girls means.. I will have more one-on-one’s & a bigger small group to lead.
I ask you to pray for God’s wisdom as I help mentor these girls. I will need prayer for rest as we will have a busy schedule and that I would make quiet times a high priority.
You can pray for God’s guidance in all of my steps & actions down there.. as i will be in a leadership role.. I will need to be bringing everything before the Lord asking his guidance on every area of my life.
Also keep my family in your prayers as they send off two of their four kids over seas.

I want this to be my heart... and I'm trying

Philippians 2:3-4
³Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ⁴Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Thank you thank you THANK YOU... to you all who are a part of this with me!

Surrendering everything

2009-06-23T21:56:00.000-04:00

It's time for healing, time to move on.
It's time to fix whats been broken too long.
Time to make right, what has been wrong.
It's time to find my way to where I belong.

There's a wave that's crashing over me,
and all I can do is surrender.

Whatever you're doing inside of me,
it feels like chaos but somehow theres peace.
And it's hard to surrender to what I can't see,
but I'm giving into something heavenly.

time for a milestone, time to begin again,
re-evaluate who I really am.
Am I doing everything to follow your will?
I'm just climbing aimlessly over these hills.

So show me what it is you want from me,
I'd give everything, I surrender to...

Whatever you're doing inside of me.
It feels like chaos but somehow theres peace.
And though it's hard to surrender to what I can't see,
I'm giving into something heavenly.
Something heavenly...

Time to face up, clean this old house.
Time to breathe in, and let everything out,
that I've wanted to say, for so many years.
Time to release some of held back tears.

Whatever you're doing inside of me,
it feels like chaos but I believe...
You're up to something bigger than me,
larger than life, something heavenly.

This song is my life story right now! Details to come

God is finally putting all the pieces together!

Exploration of HWY 1

2009-06-10T20:02:00.001-04:00

Me and my best buddy decided we needed to explore the west coast, so May 24th- June 3rd we discovered an entire different side of the USA! We flew into San Francisco and traveled down the coast exploring all the beautiful cities! We also ventured into the Red Woods for a day! All I can say is.. no one can see that beauty without believing there is a God to create such a place! We saw Gods glory even more when we were cruising down the coast with the windows down, intoxicated by the beautiful ocean and on the other side you have rolling mountains! God is amazing! People keep telling me to travel while you can and while your still young. There are SO many places in America I have not seen yet. So while plane tickets are cheap, it's the time to jump on it! I love traveling and more than that I love good friends. When you have both combined, I must admit life is pretty good =)

Overview

2009-03-06T08:33:00.000-05:00

I arrived home a little less than two weeks ago, after a LONG day of flying! I was on a plane with a few of my buddies that flew on to Canada so we parted in LA. That was a hard day for me. I hate goodbyes.

So to finish summing up my entire experience in Australia/ Thailand/ and Cambodia, I figured I would share with you my favorite part and my least favorite part about each. Also what I learned throughout my time in each Country!

So we start with Australia where our Disciple Training School (DTS) took place. I honestly can't pick one thing I loved about this place. The beaches are beautiful and the surfing was just the AMAZING added bonus! Looking back I can not believe I went to the other side of the world on my own, not knowing a sole there. It was a time in my life God wanted me to be away from everything I knew and everything that made me comfortable. Crazy enough I can sit here and say that's exactly what I needed. I made so many great lifelong friends, and learned a lot about my own character and who I am. I thought I learned not to sweat the small thing, but it took me a week and 1/2 to find a car and I was not very happy so I think I still need to work on that! However I am now a proud owner of a Honda Accord that I love! So patience is the key! I have to remind myself everyday. I also learned so much about the bible and how passionate I am about it. I love learning new things and digging deeper so I can not let that stop! Least favorite about Australia was probably having to walk everywhere and not having a car. Can't complain about Australia, I mean it is AUSTRALIA for crying out loud. It was a time I will never forget!

Thailand had some crazy smells and some LONG bus rides. I think total I calculated 9 bus trips and 9 flights throughout the pasted 6 months of my life! That's a lot, especially when half those bus trips were over 12 hours long! Remembering back about Thailand I would say I realized I have a heart for woman to be rescued from prostitution. Seeing all that we saw, woman throwing themselves at men wearing almost nothing, broke my heart. So many of these girls have no idea about God. They have no idea people want to help them get out of this trade and offer a different life. My desire is to see more and more teams going over there and showing them there is a different road you can take, plus encouraging them to take it. Many of the girls get comfortable with the money and don't want to leave. Those are the girls that need the most prayer! I also learned working with the MST project that these men need help. They have an empty soul seeking to fill it with lust, greed, and evil. These men need prayer and friends to hold them accountable. We were spiritually attacked SO many times but we fought it through with the power of prayer. I would say I really understood at this point how very important prayer is in our daily lives. Thailand was a real eye opener for me, much needed in my life!

Cambodia was a dirty country. Trash all over the streets, I swear they had no concept of a rubbish bin. We got tossed right in with our tour of the killing fields, the slums, and the genocide museum. This country to me was depressing. We worked with orphans a lot in Cambodia, which was hard for me. One of the reasons why I did not sign up for an outreach team that was primarily working with kids is because my heart breaks for them. Like I had told you before at Vanny's this one little boy just tore me up. I did not even get to know him but just by looking at him my heart shattered. The thought of him having no parents, or his parents not wanting him so they gave him away. Just makes me want to adopt 20 kids so Cambodia was probably the toughest for me. At this point I started missing people as well. I did not have access to a phone or anything to communication with home was very little. God taught me to FULLY trust in him. Im talking be in a relationship with him, talk to him, journal to him, everything about him. Let me tell you this was LIFE SAVING. Without God I would have gone crazy! I learned a lot about the character of God at this point in the trip. God wants us to laugh, smile, make jokes! So we did!!

These past 6 months have been FULL ON & LIFE CHANGING. I would not change a single moment of it. It is exciting to be home with the family and enjoy each other again. I am living at Christina & Andy's house which is such a blessing. I love being around the kids as much as possible. My friend Courtney (from Colorado) is flying in Sunday to spend a week here. I am super stoked! HOME is good but way to comfortable. So my prayer is that God continues to remind me not to get into a routine, to live each day FULL ON! We only get one life so make the best of it!

I believe God reveled to me that full time missions will forever be a part of my life. I have NO idea what that looks like at the moment. As of right now I plan to start back at Elite April 8th and doing hair again!

To everyone that has supported me in ANY way. I say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart! I said at the start of it all that this was the beginning but for some reason I feel like the past 6 months was the start of something unreal!!! So I appreciate every prayer, every donation, every email & the OUTSTANDING FUNDRAISERS!!! GOD IS BIG!!

Memories

2009-02-21T00:32:00.000-05:00

Our final days together... *tear*

Our graduation! Sharing stories!

Vanny's Orphanage

(To the left) The Killing Fields (super sad day for us) We learned all about the genocide that happened in Cambodia

Teaching on the Boat

Coming to an end soon...

2009-02-11T12:01:00.000-05:00

So the past couple weeks have been both very challenging and rewarding. We are currently in Sihanoukville (one of the beaches in Cambodia) enjoying our teams debrief. We have been working on our video to show at graduation, it's a summary of our entire outreach and I will be bringing a copy home with me. Last week we were in Battambang at an orphanage called Vannys. That was probably with out a doubt the hardest week of outreach for me!

Vannys has approximately 25 kids that range from age 7 to about 20. We were told it was out in the middle of no where and we would be staying there the entire week (no escape.) Lets just say my journal became my dear friend this week! We slept on a tile floor surrounded by 4 cement walls. We taught English and Bible to the kids from 8am to 10am then again at 1pm to 3 pm. Then at night we had a worship service from about 7pm until 8:00 then we went to bed. While we were not teaching, the four of us would lay in this room and do what... Honestly I can't remember and I am scared to look back and read my journal! The one thing that kept me going was how amazing the kids were! Just to see them worship God was heartbreaking. They would raise their little hands and sing SO loud to their father!! One little boy was so precious and it made me so sad to think he did not have a real family. I found myself purposely not getting attached to any of them simply to spare me and them from heartache!
This week shall also forever be remembered as the week we did not shower! Yes I know, we are some rough girls! Someone once told us they thought we would come back from outreach as girly girls, but after last week Im thinking not going to happen! We have become a very close and unified team, name the task and we are on it!! =) I will miss these gals when I have to leave them.

So we start traveling back to Australia on Friday the 13th. It will be good to see everyone from the other outreach teams! Courtney and Daniel have been in Indonesia on a surfers outreach. Michael has been in Vanuatu working with kids I believe and the other guys have been in Cambodia and Thailand doing other hands on ministry, building things and such. It will be our schools debrief with a little bit of surfing! Okay hopefully a lot of surfing!! I am ready for English speaking people!

A blog by Maria T, Jaclyn & Amanda

2009-01-31T02:47:00.000-05:00

HEAPS OF THINGS WE HAVE LEARNED TO APPRECIATE!

~People that know how to drive on the right side of the road.
~SMORES, MAC N CHEESE, RANCH dressing, GOOD CHOCOLATE, Doritos, Dark Bread (thats Maria)
~Dryers for our clothes, NO dryers in Australia or Asia
~Our beds!! soft pillows
~AIR CONDITIONING
~Comfy bike seats!
~Nice kids, not mean ones that slap you.
~SAUNA (Maria again)
~clean water!!
~Surfing!!!!
~Our friends and family!!!!
~Walking down the street in peace, with no beggers or people trying to sell you things.
~Waitresses that speak English/ Finnish (Maria).
~Getting what you ordered, without waiting FOREVER!
~Cheese!
~Not having to worry about snakes, bats, spiders, elephants... stray dogs and MONKEYS (Maria got attacked by a little guy, well she says he was huge.)
~Church, real worship music!
~Not sharing food.
~Clean clothes.
~Tank tops, Shorts, swimsuits!
~Not riding bikes for 2 hours a day that are NOT made for it.
~Real toilets, TOILET PAPER!
~Dust-free places

Now for a traumatic story....
This morning when our alarm went off at 4 am. We knew we must hurry so feeling rushed, we went through our entire morning routine of rolling out of bed and putting on some dirty clothes. We didn't have time to brush our teeth, we were going to be late. Breakfast was a must, mainly because it's free at our guest house & we needed the energy for a long day of bike riding. So we ate quickly and jumped on our bicycles. Destination: Angkor Wat for sunrise! We usually line up in the following order: Maria K., Maria T., Jaclyn, Amanda... and this morning was no exception. It was so dark we couldn't see our own bikes... we started out on what Amanda calls 'the most dangerous and scary bike ride of all time' . It was quite scary. Down these narrow dark-with no streetlights roads we almost got hit by so many vehicles, that buzzed past us. The cars would see us, when arriving right up on us! From behind Amanda screams, " I am NEVER bike riding in the dark again." Then when we thought it was almost over Maria K. says "watch out there is sand ahead!" Well those of you that dont know this, you can not ride a bike in sand, it just kicks out from under you. So Jacyln comes to a screeching hault, falling. Amanda pretty much plows into her, plus these LOUD wild dogs start barking on the shoulder of the road! Amanda and Maria start freaking out. Remember it is still pitch dark (as my mom would say.) For all we knew these dogs were about to attack and eat us and we were never to be seen again.
Very traumatic and long morning to say the least. Seven hours of bike riding in total. However we all survived it, arriving to our guesthouse to find out we had no electricity. I LOVE CAMBODIA

English classes on a boat

2009-01-27T05:04:00.000-05:00

This week our team will be working with an organization called PCL (Personal care and Learning.) There mission is to reach out to the poor children of these communities and offer them a free education. We are in Siam Reap, a quite little town northeast of Phnom Phen. We are staying at guest house that is about a five minute bike ride outside the town. Common Grounds Coffee shop is our central location in Siam Reap, that we love. It is owned by PCL, it is the cutest place and kind of reminds me of home. Above this coffee shop is a bunch of apartments that some of the volunteers live in. One being a girl named Kristen, who random side note :::happens to be one of my best buddy from home, Jessicas friend! Crazy how small this world really is.

Our team has split up into two groups for this week. The first group is the Marias, they have the morning shift. Then Jacyln and I have the afternoon shift. While we are here we will be: teaching English and telling a bible story each day. The school is actually on a boat that is located on the Mekong River. This river is massive and runs through Vietnam and Thailand. So let me fill you in on a little history about this Country. If people needed to escape, the river is were they went to hide out. Mothers would have children on boats and die during childbirth thus leaving the child with no papers or anything. About 10 years ago the wars in this Country finally took a halt. So the Mekong River is a place where "drifters" (people who have no citizenship) live permanently. Some are not allowed on land and if they are allowed they stay very close to there floating home or boats. These are the kids this ministry is trying to reach out too, and which is also why the school is on a boat. This river is where your human wastes go, and this is the same water they drink, wash clothes and bathe in. Very sad/ harsh living conditions.

Today was our first day and it was about an hour bike ride out to the boat. Pretty flat roads so it was not to bad. When we got to the boat we saw a lot of naked little kids running around. There is one class that starts at 7am, then the other starts at 1pm. Jaclyn and I are tag-teaming the 1:oo class! We arrive at the boat around noon. We had about 7 kids total which was a small class we were told. This week is the Chinese New Year which the Cambodians celebrate, apparently its a big deal with drums banging at 5am and VERY loud. Thats my way of saying oh my word it drives me nuts!!! So its a big holiday here. We had a good day today and enjoyed it a lot. The bike ride home was a little harder considering our bums are a little sore from the first hour of riding..BUT we will hang in there!

God has been amazing. I was really sick for a couple days but the timing was just right. I got a lot better before our 6 hour bus ride, with no toilet. I started missing home a little and now we have an amazing place called Common Ground coffee shop! Life is good and I am learning to soak in every moment. A little over 2 weeks of outreach left and I intend to make the most of it. Experience everything God has in store for this team!

Cambodia

2009-01-21T09:04:00.000-05:00

Greetings from Cambodia! We are in Phnom Phen at the moment! Are plans are to bus to Siam Reap Sunday. Bus to Battambang a week after that then head down to Sihanoukville! I will fill you in more soon. LOVE YOU ALL =)

Pattaya Thailand (Sin filled City)

2009-01-16T00:16:00.000-05:00

Fact::: This City has a population of 70,000 and an estimated 20,000 of those people are prostitutes.

When we first arrived in Pattaya I thought it was so beautiful. Mainly because it was the first time I had seen the beach since Australia. (Fact of life, I have become a beach girl!) Keep in mind we arrived during the day, sun shining and reflecting off the beach, ya know the real deal. Beauty at its best! However, that night when the sun set, the four of us girls saw the dark side of this City.

We took a taxi into town and decided to treat ourselves to a western meal. After dinner we had planned on doing a prayer walk down Walking Street also known as the red light district. This night will always be remembered as the night my eyes were truly opened to how evil and lost this world is. Do not get me wrong, I have always known the world as evil but to see prostitution right in front of your face is an entire different reality.
We started walking down this street with go-go bars on each side of us. Men standing in the street pushing these index cards in your face saying, "you buy, you buy." It got very old people always trying to sale you things. At first we thought they were a menu for restaurants, OH no that's not what it was. They were the age, weight, height, and so on of the women for sale. You can imagine our disgust when we figured this out. The thing is your walking up and down this street so not only are you seeing these prostitutes standing outside the bars wearing almost nothing, you have their "pimps" in the streets trying to push them on you. I have never experienced such evilness before. We honestly could not have made it in Pattaya for 3 days without a TON of prayer!

The next morning I woke up and remembered an awful nightmare still lingering in the back of my mind. Very disturbing and hard to shake off. So I shared it with Jaclyn and she had similar thoughts running through her head. So that morning we prayed for the day and for all the thoughts to be guarded completely. It scared me that evil things could enter into my dreams. I learned something new this day! Guarding your heart is not only meant for in the context of a relationship, which is where I had always put it. Guarding your heart is something you should do on an everyday basis. Meaning guard your thoughts, guard yourself from lies, from all evil in this world. Let only the truth in, Gods word, Gods love and all HE has to offer.

Day 2 was Tuesday afternoon and we had a tour of the Tamar Center. This organization is similar to Destiny Rescue but located in Pattaya. Its all volunteers and was started through YWAM. They offer a three month training program for the women who chose to leave prostitution. The ladies receive bible teachings, counseling, and are trained in hair dressing and baking. However its hard in Pattaya because the women miss the big money and want to run back to the bars.

Statistics estimate that 2 million tourist enter Pattaya a year. Just being their three days most all the tourist we saw were white men. These men come for a holiday or whatever the occasion, and spend money on these women for their entire stay and leave with what... a "good time." This really opened my eyes to how these men really need help too.

We entered into a tattoo shop owned by a white guy, just checking out tattoos for Maria, and ended up having a very interesting and in depth conversation with him. His opinion of Walking Street is and I quote, "The entire street deserves to fall straight to hell." Brutal but true. He hates living in Pattaya and has no mercy for the women their at all. He is in Pattaya for one reason and that is to get this tattoo shop up and running so he can open a second one in Bangkok. He then shared with us how the women have more money than they know what to do with. The women suck the men dry, then move onto the next
guy that has money to offer. Talking with this tattoo man made me get angry at these women for a minute. The verses, 2 Peter 2:14-15 kept popping in my head.
14.having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children.
15.forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.

But then I came to my right mind and kept thinking well every story has two sides. So yet some of these women may choose this others may not. In Thailand culture teaches that the Thai women are to make the money, and support their families. In the mean time the Thai men are off drinking and gambling. Sometimes the women feel prostitution is the only way for her husband to love her again and come back to her when he sees the money she has to offer.

When we left the tattoo shop the four of us started sharing our thoughts with each other. So to sum it up this is what we came up with....
Prostitution SUCKS! Even if we cant fix it, we can at least plant a seed of hope in these girls lives. These women are someones daughter, possibly someones wife and even mother. They do not deserve to be treated like a toy. On the other hand these men need help too. Their eyes need to be opened to the sin they are taking part in. Some of these men honestly believe they are just simply paying for a service, when there is so much more to it then that. At this point I was reminded of another verse in 2 Peter 3:9....
9.The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

God is waiting for these people. He loves them so much and we should too. I am reminded that its okay to hate the sin, just not the sinner. These men and women need to know there is more to life than these "worldly pleasures" that leave you empty. There is something everlasting, a love that will endure forever. God offers to us a love that is perfect, and is something everyone can experience, best of all it leaves you satisfied! I treasure 1 Cor. 13:4-7. These verses are something to hold onto. This is how God intended love to be and most importantly this is how God loves us everyday!

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Salon Day at Destiny Rescue

2009-01-10T22:55:00.000-05:00

So this was a really neat day for me. I got to put my hair skills to use for the ladies that work at Destiny Rescue. Jaclyn, Maria T. and I went over to the rescue home and had a salon day! The ladies wanted their hair colored and already had their own bottles of color, which frightens me, but we used it anyways. We did not have enough color but somehow the end result was okay. To be honest these woman were just thankful to have someone offer them something for nothing. They were so excited for their new looks! I learned in some situations you just have to use what you have been given and pray it works out!

Thanks be to Jesus!

2009-01-08T03:18:00.000-05:00

I have had a challenging few days. There has been a virus going around at the house we are staying at and last night I came down with it. So today has been a relaxing day and I am starting to feel better praise the Lord! The two Maria's went to the kids home and interviewed Sogge (who runs the home, and is also our translator.) They also interviewed some of the girls that have been rescued. They told us it went very well and it will be used in the documentary! This was a vision we had back during our DTS and a week before we left a couple of the guys from our school Michael, Kristoff and Joestin donated a camera to us! So now our vision is becoming a reality! I am super stoked about the documentary which we are making from our outreach. All of us will have copies to bring home and share with everyone. Our purpose behind it is to raise awareness about sex trafficking and child prostitution because a lot of people are unaware that it is as big of an issue as it is.

I got to talk with my family today and it was so good to hear there voices. Found out my little brother wrecked my car. So no more car, but Praise Jesus once again he is okay! My mom said it was a blessing he was in my car and not anyone elses, because it could have been awful. Somehow he managed to come out of it without a scratch. I have a lot to be thankful for these days or I just am learning to see the positive in situations.I have found my ways of thinking to be more uplifting. I believe that is just one of the little ways God has been working in my heart. Be positive! My sister and brother in law are opening there home to me when I get back to the states and I am so pumped to live with them. As an added bonus I will get to know my niece and nephew all over again!!! Love you guys!

Whats next

2009-01-05T10:22:00.000-05:00

Tonight was a great night. It was our first night to actually meet the woman that have been rescued out of the bars. When I say woman I mean these girls were probably 14-16. Tonight we were able to have a translator and we shared a little bit about ourselves and why we are here. We also washed there feet and painted there toes and finger nails for them. Just being able to serve them was a true blessing. And tomorrow it is back to digging! God be with us, we sometimes tend to become a little delerious while we dig, makes it more fun!

So just to let everyone know. Beth has decided it is in her best interest to fly back to Australia next week as our team departs to Pattaya. We are super bummed to loose her but excited for what God is going to do. Usually YWAM would not leave a team leaderless however we are not just any team they said. Hopefully that's a good thing!

We have become super close and relying on each other a lot. God is molding each one of us as individuals and as one! It will be super hard and trying at times I am sure but if we always remember to keep God as our focus we should be good!

Thanks for all the prayers!

POBG-thats for you Daddy

2009-01-02T06:41:00.000-05:00

James 1:

2. Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Our team has experienced a slight trouble. Our team leader Bethany has broken her foot in two places. She had surgery last night and they put a metal rod right above her ankle for support. It will permanently stay in. The doctors have been amazing here, speak pretty good English. I stayed the night with her last night and she is in a lot of pain. So please keep her and our team in your prayers! She has such an awesome attitude and the team is staying strong!

We have such awesome hospitality here! An Aussie family that helped start Destiny Rescue is taking her in while she recovers, as well as the rest of us! We do not want the enemy to separate us so we are sticking together! She is in the hospital until Sunday.

We are headed up to the hill tribes this weekend without her. Our theme song is "Aint nothing going to break my stride, Nobody´s going to slow me down, Oh no, I have got to keep on moving." So for the rest of our time we are keeping on, keeping on! The hill tribes are an interesting culture. They are the outcasts of Thailand. They feel unwanted and neglected. They hate most Christians and want nothing to do with them. A lot of the hill tribes are into dealing drugs because it is easy money. Thailand is a 100 % drug free, so when police catch onto this they will go to the tribe and completely burn it down. So Destiny Rescues long term goal is to build lasting friendships with them. So they go in and pick up trash for them, build fish ponds and just serve them. So our team is putting on a skit and singing some songs.. HA should be interesting. We are spending the weekend there with them. A group of about 15 of us going up!

Well outreach has been a crazy FULL ON adventure thus far. Digging in mud for hours at a time and getting blisters, to picking up trash for hours and killing our backs! Then there is a lot of time with AMAZING kids that speak no English. Monday we get to start working with some of the girls that have been rescued out of prostitution! I'm super stoked to start that! The life lesson I have learned so far is, rely fully on God and keep a positive/encouraging attitude!!!!

Well Happy New Years to you all!! What a way to start it off in Thailand and in the hospital! Got to love it! God is teaching me so much I am so thankful to be here!

Chaing Ria

2008-12-27T23:46:00.001-05:00

We are safe in Thailand!
The conditions are rough. Cold showers, and squaty potties! We just arrived in Chaing Ria yesterday and will be working with Destiny Rescue.
Hope to update you more soon!
P.S. The smells are awful here! You walk through a market and loose your appetite fast!

Departing to Bangkok!

2008-12-20T22:39:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to let everyone know our flight leaves tonight at 11:59 for Bangkok! Super excited and nervous for what is to come! I will try my best to keep everyone updated on what is going on. We will be in the city for Christmas then head up to Chiang Rai for a few weeks to work with Destiny Rescue.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

Time is ticking...

2008-12-15T02:34:00.000-05:00

5 days left until we leave for Thailand. Crazy to think about! So many thoughts running through my head.

This past weekend a group of us rented cars and took a road trip to Byron Bay. My car left early Friday afternoon, right after lectures ended. So to get to Byron Bay you have to through Brisbane. I had Michael, Evan, Joppe, and Kenton in my car with me. Oh I can not forget for those of you that dont know they drive on the wrong side of the car and wrong side of the road, so completely backwards! So driving through Brisbane we thought we were lost so I told the boys we needed to stop and ask for directions. I started to pull over on the side of the road when the guys told me no dont stop so I shifted right and tried to keep going. However, I might not have seen this guy getting out of his car until I plowed him with my left mirror. Yes, I hit a man. I thought I was going to jail for sure! I pulled over and 3 of the guys got out to see if the guys was okay or not as I sat in the car FREAKING out! When they came back over they were laughing so hard. They told me the guy was definitely on something because he gets up off the ground hits Evan on the arm and says "Man that was such an adrenaline rush!" Evan asked him if he was alright and he said, "do I look like Im mad, heck no." HA So praise Jesus we went on our merry little way. But dont you know this is something these boys will never let me live down. The entire rest of the way to Byron I heard, I can not believe Amanda hit a freakin' person with her freakin' car! HAHA its something I will never forget thats for sure!

So we get to Byron and have such an awesome time! They had great surf, our beach on the sunny coast has had no waves lately. So we surfed and chilled out all weekend. Lots of fun stories but the one that I want to share with you is about a man named Patty.

A few of us grabbed some lunch and sat under a tree and started eating. Next to us there was a man drinking a twelve pack about half way done with it. He was very obviously drunk already and this was at about 1:00 in the afternoon. He started up a conversation with Michael and I, and eventually found out we were Christians. He shared with us about how he hated God because God would not let him die. Patty shared with us about how he he is going to pay someone to kill him in his sleep so he can just be done with it all. He hates living basically. The only thing I could figure out that was keeping him alive was his mother whom he loves very much! After about 45 minutes of conversation I asked if he would mind me praying for him. He agreed to it so I did. After I finished he took off his sunglasses and was crying. He told us how he wants help but no one will help him because of his drinking problem. He has also been in jail multiple times for drugs and so on. A guy we know, Neville lives in Byron Bay so I emailed Neville, Patties number so hopefully he can help him! Just continue to pray for this man please! He feels hopeless and lonely.

So I leave Sunday for outreach and we fly into Bangkok airport. We will be in Bangkok for Christmas which will be SO weird for me. I have never been away from my family on Christmas so this will be a hard one Im sure. To be honest right now it totally doesnt feel like Christmas. No cold weather, in fact it keeps getting hotter. Most important my family is not with me and on top of that I will be leaving my close friends here (who have been like my family) as well. So please remember that in your prayers as well...

Hard day!

2008-12-08T19:35:00.000-05:00

I would appreciate everyones prayers! Hard day today.

Love my family!

2008-12-04T21:08:00.000-05:00

I love you guys!! Miss you tons!!

2 months check in.

2008-11-27T22:41:00.003-05:00

So it has been way to long and I apologize there is so much to catch you up on.

Last week we had a couple Kat and Dan talk to us about "relationships." We learned some cool things during this week but my favorite part was the talk on our relationships with friends that build us up in Christ. It is spiritually healthy to have a couple people in your life that will hold you accountable in your walk with God! I am super lucky and blessed to have an awesome family who have raised me up with this teaching.

We had one night last week where they sat us all at tables of four. We shared our first date, we shared the memory of our first kiss and such. It was a neat exercise to show how different everyones stories are. I was at a table with Will, John, and my friend Courtney. All our stories were so hilarious yet different. We were all a lot younger when our "first date" took place so to think of where we all are now compared to then was interesting. In Proverbs 4:23 it tells us to "guard our hearts." Above all else when thinking about relationships now, the number one thing to do is first take it to God. Pray and talk to God about it. This is a concept I think I have always known but maybe not necessarily put into practice.

This week has been super intense and full on. We have had lectures in the morning from 9-1 and Evangelism at night from 7-12. Not a lot of sleep this week. One thing God has been teaching me is how to be uncomfortable. Sounds like a funny concept but man when your in it, it's tough!

(Ryan is with the black hat on.)

In Australia they have a week after graduation that is dedicated to partying. The 2 huge cities involved in this are Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. There is an organization (has to remain nameless because apparently they have news stations that search web pages in order to post anything twisted they can find about the organization just for a good story, however I will post a picture and you can just read the name off our shirts) we worked with them this week from 7-12. Basically this organizations job is to make sure no one was lying in a ditch or if they needed help getting somewhere we were there to help out, call 911 and so on.. We handed out little gummy candies to these kids and they loved it! They know who we are by our t-shirts and loved talking to us. They shared so much with us, plus some. Michael Wood (one of my buddies) and I were walking on the beach handing out candy. Somehow I ended up in a deep conversation with this drunk 16 year old boy named Ryan. He was a sweetheart. He shared with me about his awful home life. He now lives with his 23 year old brother. He wants to go to acting school and become famous. Oh and he wants to have twin girls when he is 26. =) I wanted to get his myspace so that he could email me if he had any questions but imagine this no one had a pen. Well he told me if I wore the same blue head band he would try and find me and give it to me the next night. Odds were not good considering hundreds of teenagers everywhere. Well the next night he found me with the blue headband on! Sure enough he had it ready to give me! I was so excited and remembered one of my buddies Kenton is going to acting school after YWAM. Kenton and Ryan ended up talking for an hour that night. Turns out Kenton had a rough childhood to just like Ryan. Crazy I think not, totally a God thing.

Then our last night was a little more low key. Michael and I sat in the same spot the entire night yet had some really neat/interesting conversations with kids. One girl who was 16 completely wasted sat with me for an hour or more lying on my lap. We did not talk much but all she kept saying was "I like you and I dont know where my friends went." Also a guy named Holly talked with us. His mom died in a car accident a year ago and he now lived in a shelter. The odd thing was he said he was so glad his mother died that he hated her. We did not really get in to deep with this boy but I want to continue to pray for him! He needs some friends. One more boy that stands out to me. I did not catch his name however he shared with us how "satan" wont let him die and "satan" brought him here. He basically believes "satan" controls his life. In normal conversation with this boy we just kind of said don't you think someone else does not want you to die (pointing up at the sky.) He said yeah maybe your right but how do I escape satan. We told him run from it and don't look back you wont regret it! He told us he had never really thought of that before but he wanted to go into the army so maybe that would be a good chance for that.

Michael commented how cool is it that we can plant seeds in these kids lives and maybe we do not even really know or see what will come out of it. Overall it was an amazing week! I loved working with that organization and I wish we had it back in the States. Im bringing it to Florida for spring break week.. just a dream =-)

Being obedient plays a key factor in being uncomfortable. If God was you to do it, he is going to be with you every step of the way. So Im learning to "just do it." An example of me being uncomfortable. Every Sat. morning we have surf evangelism. We go to Coolum beach and make the surfers pancakes and just give them out. Well I find it really hard to walk up to strangers and ask them if they want free pancakes. BUT I am learning how to do it and most of the time they take them! Certain people push me forward which helps (but don't tell them that.)

Well I feel like I am all typed out. Love you all and miss you so much!

Shout out to my sister who is putting on a benefit to raise money for me! LOVE YOU SISTA! You can find the link to her blog on mine!

Fraiser Island

2008-11-24T21:15:00.000-05:00

yes a dingo...

Hank the Tank... tilted a little to much to the left.

Nothing but sand!

Evan .... Michael .... Me .... Courtney .... Kenton

Week 6

2008-11-11T02:23:00.000-05:00

Last week we completed prayer week, and this week is on Spiritual Warfare. There have been about 4 different speakers within the past couple weeks which has been a challenge. Its been interesting to say the least. When you have so many different speakers, odds are there will be a difference between some of there teachings. I have found this true.

I am challenged by this however to really seek after my own heart and what I feel God is speaking to me. It has really made me seek after my heart and my beliefs, little did I know I have more opinions than I thought. I was pretty excited to find this out. HA! This has taught me to seek hearing Gods voice and waiting upon the Lord more! Really digging into my bible too, which I find really fun, learning more about Gods character, he is a funny God.

Prayer week was a great week. If I had to pick out one thing that I really learned it was that prayer is our way of having a one on one with God. Our open line of communication with him. Our way of just opening up and talking to him! Yes, I knew this already but if you think about how often we talk to our families and then think about how much we talk to God... hopefully we can communicate with God as much as we communicate with our loved ones!

This week has been AMAZING so far. HUGE praise. We found out our outreach plane ticket was going to cost $2,400 Australian dollars which equals about $1,700 US. As of last week I did not have that money or the money for our ground fees which is about $2,000 or $1,600 US. As of right now my plane ticket money has come in!!! Monday we had a giving day where we wrote our financial needs on a board and as people felt compelled to give they did. SO many people gave and just like that God provided my plane ticket!!! It just goes to show how BIG God is!

Oh and little side note I am learning how to play the guitar! Its so much fun!

Just some pictures..

2008-11-05T08:20:00.000-05:00

Just some pictures for the grandparents!

My room.. I sleep on the bottom bunk. Its a challenge.

The girls

Me and Maria K.

Prayer

2008-11-03T02:58:00.000-05:00

I just want to let you all know this week is prayer week for us. This means 24/7 prayer. They have broken us up into groups of four. We take 2 hour shifts everyday and meet at the church. Please send me any prayer requests that you might have, I would love to pray for whatever and whoever! You can email it to me at mayhayster@gmail.com.

Also Uncle Mike I am remembering you in my prayers! I love you!

Getting Deep these days!

2008-10-28T06:05:00.000-04:00

Oh man! It is starting to get deep...

This week we are Learning to Fear the Lord. A guy from Darwin Australia has come to hang out and teach us this week! He is an awesome speaker and teacher. He has really been challenging us to think deep. To go further than just what is on the outside but reach down to the core of our hearts. Yesterday he called out all the YWAMers who were from the States to come up to the front. A little uneasy at what was about to happen the 6 of us headed forward. A guy from Minnesota, one from Indiana, 2 from Hawaii, and a girl from Colorado, then me! When we got to the front he asked all the others why people "bag" United States. He asked everyone to come up lay hands on us and to pray for our country. He said this is the country that helps those in need. I can honestly say I am thankful and proud to have grown up in America. We have been blessed with so much, too much even. After this we proceeded to pray for all the other Nations that are represented here! We have Canada, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and England. It was a very moving & humbling experience!

Back up with me to our first week here. We were informed all of us would have to do a fifteen minute devotion on a characteristic of God. Just glancing at the list I knew I would do mine on God the Healer. Hating to talk in front of large groups of people I decided I would go sooner than later to get it done! My day was today. Praise God it went really well and it is behind me! I shared the story in Mark 9 about the boy who was healed from an evil spirit. Jesus cast it out of him by a simple prayer. This story just spoke volumes to me of how powerful prayers are. Then I went on about my nephew Eli and how God is working through him and healing him!! At the end Michael and Daniel sang Healer. To be honest it was not as hard as I thought it might be but I am still thankful it's done!

After that we had morning tea (yes we have it everyday, I love it) we then started into lectures. Today the girls were prayed over. It was an emotional day for some of us. On a personal note I have found it hard to cry since I have been here. Somedays I want to but something always stops me. Today I had some awesome conversations with a couple of the girls. Ingrid, my friend from Norway shared with me about her brother who is 23 and has cerebral palsy. We just connected in such a cool way. She cried and I was a shoulder to lean on! She misses her brother as much as I miss my nephew! Then tonight I had a deep conversation with Maria, who is on my outreach team! She is my fellow 24 year old. She had a hard broken day.. Today in lectures, Dave shared heart-breaking stories with us of 10 year old girls being used for sex. My first thoughts are I can not wait to go and save girls from this crap!!! Maria just cries! So we talked and I reminded her in less than 2 months we will be out there and physically making a difference! These past few days God has given me this awesome sense of clarity and discernment and I am thankful because it has come in handy!

Its been a great week so far. Not going to lie, I have my good days and my bad ones as to be expected. I miss comfort but I also know this is a time in my life God has called for me to be uncomfortable! He has blessed me with some great people here and some amazing people back home also!!!

Oh p.s. totally saw kangaroos today!

Prayer request:: Plane ticket prices for outreach are outrageous. booo

week 3 already!

2008-10-20T00:35:00.000-04:00

Last week we had lectures on "Hearing Gods Voice." It was very interesting to me, learning to listen and wait for God. Really testing him in a sense to speak to us. I never really felt like God spoke directly to me, however there was one instance that sticks out to me!

Friday early afternoon we hiked up Mt. Coolum, which is a mountain that overlooks the entire Sunshine Coast. We had worship, then prayed for the people and churches of the Coast. Aaron, a local Aussie who grew up on the coast and is one of our leaders, shared with us specific things to pray for. One thing was for the coast not to be so wrapped up with material things. We were broken up in groups of about 4 and for some reason our group was having such a hard time concentrating. After all of us had prayed one of the guys in our group, Michael, broke his bracelet then sunglasses. At the time we could not help but laugh and be distracted. Then when everyone shared what God had spoke to them it hit me. God was teaching us as well not to be wrapped up in material things. Yes we came here with 2 suitcases and wish we had more stuff, but we have to lead by example. So overall I might not have heard an audible voice, but I believe I still heard from God!

This week we are learning "The father Heart of God." Should be good, I am looking forward to it. We also found out our Outreach locations. I am going with a team of 5 girls to Thailand and Cambodia. We will be working specifically with the woman who sale themselves for sex to make money. There is a line of bars about a mile long in Thailand that is full of woman who work there ready to go home with any man. Men from all over the world go there to buy these woman for one night, then head back to there wives. Its sickening. These woman are just looking for a man to marry and pay off there debt. So we will go there and "buy" the woman or do whatever it takes to share with them an alternate life style. We will be working with an organization that will give them jobs and a place to live! It is a bit dangerous but that is what the power of prayer is for! Our team is Bethany (from Canada and she is our leader), Jacklyn (from Canada), Maria(from Finland), Maria(from Denmark) and me! God has started preparing my heart for this so I am really excited to be used! We leave sometime right after Christmas.

Some interesting things I have learned...

~I have gone without T.V. for 3 weeks now and I can totally live without it.

~I love green apples, eat one everyday...that could change.

~peanut butter and jelly is a GREAT alternate lunch and dinner!

~I have learned to sleep without air conditioning! crazy I know...

~11 girls in one house, 2 bathrooms it gets interesting for sure!

~ummm.... I miss chocolate!

Love you all and thanks for the prayers!

Mom and dad miss having dinner at your house!!!

A.J. hope you are enjoying my car, because I miss it!

Matthew I miss your bed, this bed sucks!

and sister, I am so glad I talked to you first about my decision. You confirmed it in me that I had made the right call! I am so thankful God gave me a sister. You rock my face off!

1st week here!!!

2008-10-10T00:17:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone!! First off I miss you all and am SO thankful for all your prayers!

The flight over was a hard one but I made it here in one piece!! I arrived here and made instant friends with people! There are 10 girls and 20 guys total. The about 10 on staff. I have already attempted surfing a few times and LOVE it!!

A couple days a go we shared our testimonies with one another and it was such a humbling experience! God has brought each and every one of us here for a reason. I am super stoked to see what God is going to do in each one of our lives!

We also have work duties we do weekly, it acts as our job while we are here. Mine is hospitality with a girl named Christy. We make cards for the guest speakers, plan birthday parties, and make sure everyone feels loved and welcome!! Oh and best part we get to bake cookies for all the houses! Heck yes =)

We also have weekly local outreach and I signed up for the surfing outreach. Basically we get up on Saturday mornings, head out to Coolum Beach and make pancakes for all the surfers! Ask them questions, build relationships and eventually share with them our faith! Super excited about that!

We all so have 4 book reports we have to do. The first book we are reading is, "Is that really you God?" Its about YWAM, basically tells the story of how is came to be. Good book so far! They have been keeping us super busy here, which has been good for me!

Lets see side note, I blew up my hair dryer, flat iron and 2 converters since I have been here....Oooppppss! They have bats pretty much the size of bat man also! But besides that its awesome here! Next week we find out where our Out reach location will be! We will be broken up into four teams of 8 or 9! So pray for my team, whomever that may be!!

Love all of you!

THE DAY has almost arrived!

2008-10-01T14:41:00.000-04:00

What to say, My flight leaves tomorrow @ 7 p.m.

I could tell you all so many things but most important I want to say thank you for everything! All the prayers, great memories, and unconditional love!! Those are the things that will stay with me through out this time!

I promise to keep in touch! I will miss you all so very much =)

Email me whenever you like!

Dad, Mom, Steen, Andy, Age, and Matt I LOVE YOU so much and will always be a call away!

Eli and Peyton..lets just say, I will cry over being away from them the most!

God knows what's best in EVERY situation. He has put some awesome people in my life lately that has helped me and my nerves!! Tonight we are going to have some awesome dessert at the Cheesecake Factory then heading to the corn maze! I cant wait to spend my last night having blast with you guys!

Please keep the flight in your prayers its a long one! I will arrive in Australia your time, Friday at 4:05 p.m. My time Sat. 6:05 a.m.

Live Life Full

2008-09-22T19:30:00.000-04:00

Living life to the fullest is my new favorite thing!!!

This weekend was one of the best weekends! Thursday to Monday was nothing but fun times with the family and my best friend!!!

Friday I got pampered by my sister who is in cosmetology school! She is going to make an EXCELLENT hair dresser! Then Friday night the entire family up and went to the North Georgia Fair! We had so much fun, just hanging out and watching the kids ride the rides!!

Saturday night I spent with my co-worker Leslie, who will be taking over for me while I am gone.. She cooked an amazing Asian dinner for us!

Sunday night we had the "Passing Of The Hair Torch." It involved HAIR HAIR, and more Hair. Plus a little bit of icecream!!! All our family and friends came over so I could pass on some hair tricks to my sister!

Monday I spent with my best friend! It was our last WHO-RA before I split! She lives in Tennessee, however we manage to see each a couple times a month. I will miss her tons.

God has given me an AMAZING family and some AWESOME friends! I could not ask for more...As I think about moving from the USA to the other side of the world and meeting some great new people I get super excited! I can not wait to see what God has in store for my life. To think of all the people I love and to think God will add to it, overwhelms me with joy! Love makes the world go round!! so I love you ALL!!!!

New to all this....

2008-09-12T14:30:00.000-04:00

Well I am going to attempt to become a blogger. We shall see what happens. No promises!! Update you all soon. Creating this thing has worn me out!! Way to much to learn. Already stressing about the "New" facebook. By the way Hate it!