Rose with a Mission

  I was so excited when we started out from Tyler. Even at 2 AM, I was so excited to begin the outreach adventure! It was so fun sitting with Marisa on the bus being excited for the new sights. It was Marisa's first time to Dallas. While I've been there many times it was fun seeing the city through her eyes. Full of wonder and fun. We arrived early and made our way through security. It was then that I started to feel bad. I didn't drink enough water the day before and it made me sick. I'm so thankful for the team I was with. Even though I felt awful, they took such good care of me. Marisa was my seat buddy and helped me navigate through the day. The guys on my team carried my bags. Joy (a classmate) prayed for me. Emily (my school leader) gave me a hug and helped me to calm down. And so many asked me how I was doing and just loved me even when I was feeling tired. Thankfully that afternoon when I arrived at our host home I was able to get some rest, water, a...

  On Sunday my sister Sarah got married.  It was a fun full weekend. The wedding was lovely. My sister made a beautiful bride and the love that Scott showed Sarah was beautiful. I cried off and on throughout the ceremony. I'm so happy and excited for them as they begin their destiny together.  After the wedding it was back to YWAM for the last week of class/outreach prep. I was so thankful for hugs from Marisa and Kat when I got back after a full, happy, long day.  Marisa has been a huge support to me this week. She has listened to me and drawn out details of the wedding. She challenged and encouraged me. I'm so grateful for her loving presence and how she champions me.  This week we have only had three days of class. It's been full of a lot of encouragement and what the great commission is. I was encouraged to follow God in simple obedience and that God enjoys me.  The rest of the time has been taken up with packing, cleaning, and preparing to ...

  On Saturday after I updated you guys on my week I had coffee with one of the staff here. It was an amazing time. She asked me what my long term goals were. I said that I'd like to come back for SOE and join staff. She encouraged me in this, but also wanted to know what else I was passionate about, what I wanted to do beyond just being on staff. I realized that for the past few years I haven't been dreaming much with Jesus. He gave me talents in filmmaking and ASL but I haven't been using them for a while. Fear, business, and insecurity all played a role in this, but I was sensing an invitation. In the course of our conversation I sensed God inviting me to dream again. To dream about how He could use my passions to expand His kingdom.  It's made me want to brush up on my filmmaking/ASL skills and pray. I want to catch God's vision for what He wants to do in and through me.  As part of that there's a Filmmaking intensive that will be happening after ...

  This week has been so full and so good. For starters Sarah's shower went so well. She is a gorgeous bride to be and I had a blast being the MC for the shower and seeing friends I hadn't seen in a long time. Then Sarah took me to their apartment and showed me around. It is so cozy and so much Sarah. I'm so happy to see them so in love.  To top off the day I had dinner with the family and got to share some of what God has been doing in me since I got here. Such a fun day.  I decided to drive back to YWAM that night. The drive back did give me lots of time to sing and process with Jesus. I did get very tired towards the end of the journey. I pulled in to the base at 12:05 AM and got a hug from Marisa before ii went to bed. Adventures never end. Although I was tired, I went to church and was so glad to spend time with my friends and get a hug from Hannah. Sometimes you don't even realize how much you need one until someone reaches out and gives you one.  Monday I was t...