#320
Definitely struggled through planning a couple of the meetings today. But it made us realize how much we need to continue to rely on the Lord to give us direction, because this is HIS Conference we're planning. Things are slowly but surely coming together, and I'm excited for January 1 when we get to look back and see how He showed up :)
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Gen's Fall Conference Week Begins... NOW!
#319
Day 1 of Winter Conference planning done! We only went from 10am to 930pm haha. Man... long day. But exciting stuff! Lord, continue to guide us in Your will for the students and staff that attend this conference!
Day 1 of Winter Conference planning done! We only went from 10am to 930pm haha. Man... long day. But exciting stuff! Lord, continue to guide us in Your will for the students and staff that attend this conference!
Monday, November 14, 2011
L'Espoir Pour Haiti
#318
My cab driver this morning was from Haiti. He shared a lot about how tough a place it is, and what the devastation was like post-earthquake, and what the recovery process (there hasn't been much of one) has been like. It was a quick cab-ride so we didn't get to talk much, but I did get to share with him that God loves the Haitian people and wants them to find HOPE in Him. He agreed and was encouraged, and gave me a very warm handshake as he dropped me off. Please be praying for my Haitian friend, and hey- why not restart (let's be honest, for most of us, it's "restart", as opposed to "continue") praying for Haiti (and for that matter, Japan, the middle east, and other places where natural/political disasters have happened that have begun to fade from our memory)?
My cab driver this morning was from Haiti. He shared a lot about how tough a place it is, and what the devastation was like post-earthquake, and what the recovery process (there hasn't been much of one) has been like. It was a quick cab-ride so we didn't get to talk much, but I did get to share with him that God loves the Haitian people and wants them to find HOPE in Him. He agreed and was encouraged, and gave me a very warm handshake as he dropped me off. Please be praying for my Haitian friend, and hey- why not restart (let's be honest, for most of us, it's "restart", as opposed to "continue") praying for Haiti (and for that matter, Japan, the middle east, and other places where natural/political disasters have happened that have begun to fade from our memory)?
To Give or Not to Give
#317
Phil (my cousin's boyfriend) and I were walking to dinner when we were approached by a couple that needed some help with cash to get on a bus. Pretty typical story, but we gave helped them out anyway for two reasons. 1) They actually seemed really legit. Everything about their stories matched up with each other and made sense. And they didn't look homeless or drunk or anything. 2) More importantly, it gave me a chance to have some conversation with them. It wasn't much but I got to bless their unborn baby (due in a few months) and talk a bit about what I do for a career with them. Plus, we're called to generosity, right? I dunno... it's a tricky thing, this whole what-is-generosity-and-what-is-enabling question. But I'm starting to think I wanna err on the side of generosity.
Phil (my cousin's boyfriend) and I were walking to dinner when we were approached by a couple that needed some help with cash to get on a bus. Pretty typical story, but we gave helped them out anyway for two reasons. 1) They actually seemed really legit. Everything about their stories matched up with each other and made sense. And they didn't look homeless or drunk or anything. 2) More importantly, it gave me a chance to have some conversation with them. It wasn't much but I got to bless their unborn baby (due in a few months) and talk a bit about what I do for a career with them. Plus, we're called to generosity, right? I dunno... it's a tricky thing, this whole what-is-generosity-and-what-is-enabling question. But I'm starting to think I wanna err on the side of generosity.
Speak Through Me (please)
#316
Even more travel today. Got to have a conversation with a guy at an airport restaurant as we were having breakfast, then talked to a flight attendant a lot while on a near-empty flight. Both Catholic. It seems like everyone I'm coming in contact with is Catholic, but just about every one of them is only culturally so. How do I bring up the true, full gospel into these conversations naturally, effectively, and powerfully? You'd think that I would know, doing what I do as a career, right? Lord, please use me. Thank You for Your promises to speak through me by Your Holy Spirit!
Even more travel today. Got to have a conversation with a guy at an airport restaurant as we were having breakfast, then talked to a flight attendant a lot while on a near-empty flight. Both Catholic. It seems like everyone I'm coming in contact with is Catholic, but just about every one of them is only culturally so. How do I bring up the true, full gospel into these conversations naturally, effectively, and powerfully? You'd think that I would know, doing what I do as a career, right? Lord, please use me. Thank You for Your promises to speak through me by Your Holy Spirit!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Everyday Life
#315
Today, on Veteran's Day. I got to sit next to a guy serving in the army on my flight. A Mexican guy from Rosemead. Small world. We got to chat some and talked a bit about faith and Catholicism and such. Well, tonight, I was grabbing dinner before catching a train and I sat next to another young Mexican guy who's Catholic. We got to talk a bit and he asked me what the difference between Catholicism and Protestantism was and so I got to briefly share about that. Yeah, maybe it's cuz I'm tired but I was quite rusty in both those convos, when it comes to explaining/being direct about spiritual truths. But the point is, I love having opportunities throughout my everyday life to bring Truth, love, peace, in the Holy Spirit, to a fellow human :)
Today, on Veteran's Day. I got to sit next to a guy serving in the army on my flight. A Mexican guy from Rosemead. Small world. We got to chat some and talked a bit about faith and Catholicism and such. Well, tonight, I was grabbing dinner before catching a train and I sat next to another young Mexican guy who's Catholic. We got to talk a bit and he asked me what the difference between Catholicism and Protestantism was and so I got to briefly share about that. Yeah, maybe it's cuz I'm tired but I was quite rusty in both those convos, when it comes to explaining/being direct about spiritual truths. But the point is, I love having opportunities throughout my everyday life to bring Truth, love, peace, in the Holy Spirit, to a fellow human :)
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Spirit-Led Adventure
#314
Holly, our regional director in town to coach our team, spoke at our weekly gathering on what it looks like to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. It's really exciting getting to talk about the Holy Spirit, because it's something God's been teaching me a lot about lately, and it really does radically change how your life plays out! I'm still in the beginning stages of figuring it out, but I already love how understanding who the Holy Spirit is and yielding to Him makes for such an adventurous, exciting life. And it's so fun that our students are getting challenged in that area too!
Holly, our regional director in town to coach our team, spoke at our weekly gathering on what it looks like to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. It's really exciting getting to talk about the Holy Spirit, because it's something God's been teaching me a lot about lately, and it really does radically change how your life plays out! I'm still in the beginning stages of figuring it out, but I already love how understanding who the Holy Spirit is and yielding to Him makes for such an adventurous, exciting life. And it's so fun that our students are getting challenged in that area too!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Packing Pro
#313
Tomorrow is a crazy busy day of ministry. I have to leave my house at like 850am and I probably won't get back til around 11pm. And then on Friday, I fly out at 8am. So I had to get everything I needed to get done before leaving done. So I cleaned, I did laundry, I caught up on some emails, did admin work, wrote my prayer letter (about how the Lord has been providing for me in crazy ways lately! Such a fun letter to write!), prepped for staff development homework I'll be doing while I'm off-island, and packed. Ah, packing. It's ridiculous how good I've gotten at it. My mom (who's always been the packer of the family) unpacked my suitcase when I went on vacation with my family this past summer, and chose not to pack at the end of the trip (even though she always loves to pack for everyone. No, seriously) because she was so impressed by the system of my packing. Haha. That's a strange part of my job- because I'm on staff in Hawaii, I have to fly if I need to get anywhere more than like 40mi away. So without even knowing it, I've gotten packing down to a science and an art haha.
Having said that, I may very well go through a humbling process as I get to the airport and have my liquids in the wrong suitcase, or I go over the weight-limit, or I forget something super important, etc. Haha...
Tomorrow is a crazy busy day of ministry. I have to leave my house at like 850am and I probably won't get back til around 11pm. And then on Friday, I fly out at 8am. So I had to get everything I needed to get done before leaving done. So I cleaned, I did laundry, I caught up on some emails, did admin work, wrote my prayer letter (about how the Lord has been providing for me in crazy ways lately! Such a fun letter to write!), prepped for staff development homework I'll be doing while I'm off-island, and packed. Ah, packing. It's ridiculous how good I've gotten at it. My mom (who's always been the packer of the family) unpacked my suitcase when I went on vacation with my family this past summer, and chose not to pack at the end of the trip (even though she always loves to pack for everyone. No, seriously) because she was so impressed by the system of my packing. Haha. That's a strange part of my job- because I'm on staff in Hawaii, I have to fly if I need to get anywhere more than like 40mi away. So without even knowing it, I've gotten packing down to a science and an art haha.
Having said that, I may very well go through a humbling process as I get to the airport and have my liquids in the wrong suitcase, or I go over the weight-limit, or I forget something super important, etc. Haha...
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Love Visitors
#312
Jamie and I had a sweet day at LCC today. We got to train the student leaders on how to use Soularium to do evangelism on campus, and then we all went out in pairs and did it! It sounds like just about everyone got to have a spiritual convo too :)
Holly and Dave, two of our regional leaders, are in town to help give direction to our staff team, and Jamie and I got to take them to LCC and have them meet some of our students and our faculty advisor. It's really encouraging having them around, helping us process through how to best use our time to bring God's kingdom here to Hawaii!
Jamie and I had a sweet day at LCC today. We got to train the student leaders on how to use Soularium to do evangelism on campus, and then we all went out in pairs and did it! It sounds like just about everyone got to have a spiritual convo too :)
Holly and Dave, two of our regional leaders, are in town to help give direction to our staff team, and Jamie and I got to take them to LCC and have them meet some of our students and our faculty advisor. It's really encouraging having them around, helping us process through how to best use our time to bring God's kingdom here to Hawaii!
Monday, November 7, 2011
E Pule Kakou (Together We Pray)
#311
Fantastic day at KCC today! Got to prayer walk the campus during coaching time with our student leaders, and then I had a solid dischipleship time with Shaun, and then I got to go out sharing with a Japanese woman named Kazue (got to teach her how to do Soularium and we had a SWEET convo with two girls from the Philippines), and then I had great discipeship times with both Dylan and Mitch.
TONIGHT, we have a campus-wide prayer event, when all the campus ministries are getting together to worship and go out onto campus and pray for it! Prayer and unity among believers is a fantastic foundation to lay for revival to happen, and we're so excited to do battle on campus and bring God's kingdom. Be praying for UH tonight!
Fantastic day at KCC today! Got to prayer walk the campus during coaching time with our student leaders, and then I had a solid dischipleship time with Shaun, and then I got to go out sharing with a Japanese woman named Kazue (got to teach her how to do Soularium and we had a SWEET convo with two girls from the Philippines), and then I had great discipeship times with both Dylan and Mitch.
TONIGHT, we have a campus-wide prayer event, when all the campus ministries are getting together to worship and go out onto campus and pray for it! Prayer and unity among believers is a fantastic foundation to lay for revival to happen, and we're so excited to do battle on campus and bring God's kingdom. Be praying for UH tonight!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Be Anxious for Nothing
#310
Went to bed late again, missed church again. Not cool. Really a tired, lethargic day, but it ended with a great core team meeting with our student leaders. A lot of stuff going on with ministry though. And I'm feeling rather overwhelmed going into these last four days before my two weeks on the mainland. Realized I'm not too stoked on ministry because I'm being overwhelmed. Needing to look at the big picture, trust in the Lord, and rejoice in taking things one step at a time! I need Your strength, Jesus.
Side note: Man, I sure fell behind on my post-a-days. It's been so busy and I've actually not been in the best place personally/emotionally/spiritually. But that's not excuse. All the more reason to write and remind myself of what God is doing, as well as let people know what's going on so they can be praying for me! Thanks y'all for reading.
Went to bed late again, missed church again. Not cool. Really a tired, lethargic day, but it ended with a great core team meeting with our student leaders. A lot of stuff going on with ministry though. And I'm feeling rather overwhelmed going into these last four days before my two weeks on the mainland. Realized I'm not too stoked on ministry because I'm being overwhelmed. Needing to look at the big picture, trust in the Lord, and rejoice in taking things one step at a time! I need Your strength, Jesus.
Side note: Man, I sure fell behind on my post-a-days. It's been so busy and I've actually not been in the best place personally/emotionally/spiritually. But that's not excuse. All the more reason to write and remind myself of what God is doing, as well as let people know what's going on so they can be praying for me! Thanks y'all for reading.
Lazy Saturday
#309
Bummed around for most of the day. Hung out with John from BCM one last time before I leave for a couple of week on Friday. Always refreshing and encouraging. Then went to Duke's for Hula Pie with Chad and friends since it was their last night here. Exhausted...
Bummed around for most of the day. Hung out with John from BCM one last time before I leave for a couple of week on Friday. Always refreshing and encouraging. Then went to Duke's for Hula Pie with Chad and friends since it was their last night here. Exhausted...
Tired at the End of a LOOONG Week
#308
Long day of meetings, ended with a fun bday dinner for Jack (with his mom and stepdad- their treat!) at Duke's. And in-between was a LOVELY, MUCH needed quiet time with Jesus at the Moana Surfrider.
Long day of meetings, ended with a fun bday dinner for Jack (with his mom and stepdad- their treat!) at Duke's. And in-between was a LOVELY, MUCH needed quiet time with Jesus at the Moana Surfrider.
Appropriate Topic to be Spirit-Led In
#307
Spoke tonight. The talk just was NOT coming together at all, and then like an hour before I had to go to campus, it suddenly came to me. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for giving me the words to speak about Yourself.
Spoke tonight. The talk just was NOT coming together at all, and then like an hour before I had to go to campus, it suddenly came to me. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for giving me the words to speak about Yourself.
Cars Need Healing Too
#306
Snorkeled Hanauma Bay with Chad and friends, and had a few ministry phone calls/appointments today. All-around encouraging day.
PLUS, God totally healed my car of the main problem it had! The mechanic called me and told me it was beyond repair, and then I had everyone pray, and then he called me back a couple of hours later saying "actually..." and now it still has a lot of minor problems but he says the main issues just aren't there and the car is totally driveable! Oh man... such a needed encouragement. God knows! Such a loving Father... Thank you, everyone who prayed! Thank You, Lord.
Snorkeled Hanauma Bay with Chad and friends, and had a few ministry phone calls/appointments today. All-around encouraging day.
PLUS, God totally healed my car of the main problem it had! The mechanic called me and told me it was beyond repair, and then I had everyone pray, and then he called me back a couple of hours later saying "actually..." and now it still has a lot of minor problems but he says the main issues just aren't there and the car is totally driveable! Oh man... such a needed encouragement. God knows! Such a loving Father... Thank you, everyone who prayed! Thank You, Lord.
Clinging
#305
LCC was hard today. Really, really hard. Just feeling like we don't even know what to do from here. But God does. Gotta hold on to that.
LCC was hard today. Really, really hard. Just feeling like we don't even know what to do from here. But God does. Gotta hold on to that.
Jesus Loves to Use My Mom
#304
Mechanic said my car is really beyond anything they can work on. Second opinion mechanic said he'd be able to look at it on Wednesday but that it doesn't sound good. I got so discouraged I just went to Sbux in Waiks and had Jesus time. Cancelled my afternoon appointments and everything. But then God really spoke some encouragement into my heart, a lot of people joined in to pray with me (yay for mass text prayer requests!), and then a stunning sunset reminder of God's sovereignty as the backdrop for a VERY encouraging phone chat with my mom was exactly the end I needed to that day.
Mechanic said my car is really beyond anything they can work on. Second opinion mechanic said he'd be able to look at it on Wednesday but that it doesn't sound good. I got so discouraged I just went to Sbux in Waiks and had Jesus time. Cancelled my afternoon appointments and everything. But then God really spoke some encouragement into my heart, a lot of people joined in to pray with me (yay for mass text prayer requests!), and then a stunning sunset reminder of God's sovereignty as the backdrop for a VERY encouraging phone chat with my mom was exactly the end I needed to that day.
I Love My Side of the Island
#303
My car struggled today. Praying for provision. So frustrating dealing with so many car problems.
But got to take my other best friend Chad (visiting for a week and a half or so) and his friends on the drive by Hanauma, Sandys, Makapu'u, etc, and spent a while at Makapu'u beach. So beautiful... and then a DELICIOUS dinner at Uncle Bo's! MMMMMM.
My car struggled today. Praying for provision. So frustrating dealing with so many car problems.
But got to take my other best friend Chad (visiting for a week and a half or so) and his friends on the drive by Hanauma, Sandys, Makapu'u, etc, and spent a while at Makapu'u beach. So beautiful... and then a DELICIOUS dinner at Uncle Bo's! MMMMMM.
In This Together
#302
Got to talk to my best friend Beau on the phone today. Had a lot to process through with him in terms of where the Lord is leading me in my personal growth. Not the easiest stuff to talk about, but very refreshing to talk through it with Beau. God is good.
Got to talk to my best friend Beau on the phone today. Had a lot to process through with him in terms of where the Lord is leading me in my personal growth. Not the easiest stuff to talk about, but very refreshing to talk through it with Beau. God is good.
Planned Month!
#301
We planned out the rest of our weekly gatherings for the year today. The Lord totally led us in His Spirit, and we landed on the theme of, appropriately enough, the Holy Spirit, as what we'll be speaking on in the meetings. After last month's planning meeting, which was some of the most tiring/laborious three hours of discussion, I'm really praising God for totally giving us very clear direction today :)
We planned out the rest of our weekly gatherings for the year today. The Lord totally led us in His Spirit, and we landed on the theme of, appropriately enough, the Holy Spirit, as what we'll be speaking on in the meetings. After last month's planning meeting, which was some of the most tiring/laborious three hours of discussion, I'm really praising God for totally giving us very clear direction today :)
Not the Most Refreshing Day
#300
300th day of the year. Crazy. A busy, rather heavy Thursday of ministry. Seeking joy in Jesus.
300th day of the year. Crazy. A busy, rather heavy Thursday of ministry. Seeking joy in Jesus.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
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