Rose with a Mission

  I have some exciting news! I know where I'm are going on my missions trip. Are you ready? That's right! I'm heading to Panama! Here's the Panama team. How did I decide to go to Panama? That's a great question.  On Thursday our school leader surprised us in the afternoon by saying that we were going to be picking our missions trip country. First he told us that we were going to be going to Lancaster, PA and Ocean City, NJ from September 17th through October 3rd. I'm not sure all of what we are doing there, but I'm excited to see what God has in store for us. Then they gave us the option of 2 countries and asked us to pray about which one to go to. After prayer I felt like God highlighted Panama to me. As far as what that part of the adventure will look like I'm still a little unsure. I know that we will be doing some urban evangelism and some time in the jungles. I'm excited to have more planning meetings and see what we will...

  How could a place become home in just   three weeks? I thought as I got in the car today to visit my family. This adventure has definitely had its challenges, but YWAM has become home. A lot of the pieces of my heart are there and I know it's exactly where I'm supposed to be. I'm growing so much in God and learning so much about Him. It's made YWAM my home.  This week we were learning about the character and nature of God. We looked at Exodus 34:6 And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness."   As we unpacked this verse I was amazed by the depth of these Hebrew words and what it reveals about God. He is truly amazing. Our teacher was also very patient with us. He answered all of our questions and took time to probe deeper. It was a fantastic week. This week I was encouraged by a YWAM staff member to take a spiritual gifts test. I hadn't taken one ...

  Wow! The Lord is so good. I've been blown away by His love and care for me.  For starters the 4th of July was great. We swam in the lake, ate hot dogs and burgers with a ton of good sides, had a good time of fellowship, and then went to watch fireworks over a lake. They were beautiful. I was mesmerized.  This week we have been learning about hearing the voice of God. Our teacher was a man named Josh Langer. Originally from Germany, he was a very engaging speaker. I found myself amazed by how many different ways God communicates with us and how He invites us to partner with Him in the great commission. We looked at things that hinder us from hearing the voice of God and what our heart posture should be in approaching God. It was amazing how he brought truths to light that I knew already, but had become buried. I feel like I've been able to clear dirt away from precious jewels and examine their beauty again.  One of the things I'm really enjoying about YW...

  I keep having to remind myself that I have only been here a week. It has been one of the most packed and best weeks of my life. Saturday was a super fun day. I got moved into the dorm. It now looks so cute and pink. Between my quilt, clothes, bags, and other stuff my sections of the dorm look like a pink expolsion. #sidemissionaccomplished.  It was so fun to meet my new classmates and amazing YWAM staff. I loved hearing their stories about why they came here and getting to share how God brought me here.  Sunday I went to Church Under A Bridge. I liked the worship and seeing how God reaches people in places that I wouldn't normally go.  Monday through Friday was all orientation. Going over the schedule, going over some basic values, rules, and handing out work assignments. For two hours every day I'll be cleaning some offices. While this wasn't my first, second, or third choice, I hope to use this opportunity to pray for those who use those o...