Tuesday, August 31, 2010

outreach locations and such

Tonight I found out my two option for outreach. They are *Drum roll please* thailand or colombia!!! I'm pretty much ecstatic about both of these areas. I would love to go to a spanish speaking area and Thailand just sounds amazing. I have a cousin and aunt who would be in Thailand around the same time i am and would it would be pretty fun to meet up with them. These locations kinda seal it for me that Colorado is where I am supposed to be. As scared as I am to leave my beloved Lancaster county, I am starting to get very excited for september 27th (when i leave/arrive in colorado). It's kinda funny how you can be so excited for something yet dread it at the same time. I was never one to enjoy goodbyes or change in general so these coming months will be pretty stretching. Its pretty crazy times right now in my head- one minute I just want to stay, the next minute I'm itching to go. But don't worry even though it may sound like I'm indecisive and slightly bipolar, I think this process is normal so no need to worry for my mental health quite yet :)
As I've kind of been reflecting on life and how it's just brought me too this point in life, I can only think- God is amazing. The timing of it everything is flawless. It gives me hope for whats coming next because I know that whatever may happen, God is going to use whatever happens for His glory. God has brought some pretty incredible people into my path this past year, including a new church family, and they have all made this new step  so much easier. Even in church we are about to go through a book called radical and it talks about really becoming a person surrendered to the will of God and pretty much being radical for God. Its been such an encouragement and is really getting me excited for this change. I know this year is going to mark some pretty significant changes in life for me, and as scared as i may be sometimes, its exciting, radical stuff.
Well i could ramble on all night about this but i should sleep now if thats possible. Hope reading this doesn't get too confusing. If you have questions about anything (including my sanity) just ask :)
Goodnight and God bless.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

The preparation.

So. The time has come to start my blog. In this I'm hoping to keep you all (whoever that may be) posted on what's happening in my life. As you know I am getting ready to head out to Colorado in a matter of weeks to begin my discipleship training school (DTS) with YWAM (Youth With A Mission). It's a pretty new and exciting time in my life. Its going to be a big adjustment to move away from my family, friends, and church, and I know I'm going to miss my life here terribly. But yet I have a very deep inner-peace about it all because I know this is exactly where God wants me at this point in my life.

So I suppose I should explain a bit about what exactly I'm going to be doing out in Colorado. Well. To start I am leaving on September 27th. When I get there I will meet up with about 40 other people who will be doing this DTS with me. The DTS includes about 12 weeks of what is called the lecture phase. During this time I will be learning about ministry and basically deepening my faith. Then when those 12 weeks are done I'll be leaving Eagle Rock (that the name of the base I'm staying at in Colorado) and going out of the country for 8 weeks. The 8 week period is called the outreach phase. I don't know where I'll be going yet but as soon as I know I will let  you all know. So thats what I'm going to be doing for 5 months. Its going to be life changing and very stretching for me.

So thats what lies ahead for me. Its pretty cool to see God already use this experience to advance His name. For example. At work (I'm a waitress at my parents restaurant) customers ask about what my plans are for the fall and I'm able to tell them about this experience. It's always interesting to see there reactions. Some people have no idea what I'm talking about and others offer encouragement to me.

Thats about it for now. I'll be updating again probably as the time to leave fast approaches. Its amazing how fast time flies when you have so much to get done. Well so long for now.
--Janelle