Rose with a Mission

  When I first went to YWAM, I didn't consider myself a missionary. I wanted the training and adventure, but in my mind it was those who served overseas and had devoted their whole life to the mission field got the title of missionary.  Over the last year, God has not only taken me on an amazing adventure that helped me to see what a missionary really is. It's not just a title I get to assume when I'm in a foreign country, it's a lifestyle I get to live all the time. The truth is we all are called to serve and love those around us and around the world. We are all called to share the gospel. We are all called to live holy lives for Christ. We are all called to be ambassadors for the True King regardless of where we live. Since this is the life God has called us to live, we all hold the title of missionary. We all have a part to play in fulfilling the great commission.  So I now gladly wear the title of missionary. Not because I'm in a foreign country, but because I...

  I once did a blog post about how much my kids at the preschool have taught me about the way God sees me. This last week and a half of working in a preschool has given me more insight. She all but smashed two pieces together trying to make progress on the puzzle. She proudly showed them to me. Is this how I look to You, God? When I'm trying desperately to fit things together that are mismatched? He was fighting not to nap with everything in him. Is this how I look to You, God? Is this why You make us lie down in green pastures? Because I fight the rest I so desperately need? He kept crying when he didn't get his way and missed out on so much fun.  Is this how I look to You, God? I get so focused on one thing that I can't enjoy what is right in front of me.  He walked into the room and hugged me so tight.  Is this how I look to You, God? When I get discouraged and come to You for comfort? If it melts my heart, I wonder if it melts Your heart too.  I'm...

  On Wednesday I went back to work at Solid Foundation Preschool.  It was a little weird to be back at the same place that I worked at before after having spent a year at YWAM. I Although it was really good to be back with coworkers that I love, in a great environment, and working with kids again. They are so precious and teach me so much about how God sees me. I'm so thankful that God opened up the doors for me to work there. Not only do I enjoy the work, but I appreciate having a schedule. It's nice to be getting into a routine and to have great people around me to do it with.  While I miss my friends from YWAM, I'm thankful for the family I have around me and to be back with my church family. As I went to church on Sunday I realized how many people prayed for me. It warmed my heart to share stories with them of what God did in response to their prayers. As I continue to move forward and adjust to life here   things have stood out to me.  1. N...

  When they handed me my diploma and I was walking back to my chair, I started to cry. I was overwhelmed by God's faithfulness. I remembered all the times He had helped me overcome difficulties to get to this point. We made it! We (God, my team, and I) had made it to the end. I love this group so much. They have taught me so much and become so dear to my heart.  After a ton of pictures, goodbyes, and one victory shout, I went to bed happy at all that God had done.  The next day my dad came and picked me up and took me home. It was so good to see family and get hugs from them. There's nothing quite like family hugs. Plus I loved showing them pictures from Tanzania and stories of what God had done.  This week I've been doing a lot of resting and organizing of my room. I'm glad to have a place to stay for a few months while I fundraise. My plan is to work for the next two months while fundraising to become a full time missionary with YWAM. I've loved my tim...

  Today I graduate SOE!  This has been a crazy amazing journey with Jesus and I wouldn't trade it for the world.  I'm incredibly thankful to Jesus for how He has lead me this year and how He has been drawing me closer to Himself. I'm so thankful for my amazing school leaders Anthony and Emily for loving me, challenging me, and encouraging me in my walk with Christ. I'm hugely thankful to the staff at YWAM who spent hours mentoring me, encouraging me, letting me cry with them, and drawing out the best in me. I'm also so thankful for all of my fellow students. All of you were a part of my spiritual growth and demonstrated God's love to me in such a deep and powerful way. Thank you for all the deep conversations over coffee, the times of volunteering together, discussing lessons on short breaks, comforting me when I was crying, encouraging me when I was feeling down, and helping take care of me when I had a blood blister and a sprained ankle. You are amazing.  And ...

  While I was in Tanzania, God was doing a lot of work in my heart.  As I have been debriefing, I came up with a lot of sentences to summarize what God did. God loves me for who I am, not what I do. I'm valued more than I dared hope or imagine by God and my team. When a little girl was content to sit by me for over an hour, God whispered to my heart that He wants me to be as content with Him as that little girl is with me. When we were with the Dhaiso I became friends with a girl named Fazla. Even though we didn't speak the same language, her supporting me on uneven ground and working alongside me spoke more than words. I went to Tanzania to share God's love with people. Little did I realize they would share God's love and joy with me.  When I struggled with feeling left out, God used it as an opportunity to have intimacy with me.  The slower pace helped me learn to be more than do.  I also fell in love with Tanzania. I pray that one day I will get to return in ...

  After leaving the Dhaiso, we headed out for a much needed rest day.  I can't thank my team enough for how they helped me after I sprained my ankle. They pushed me around in a wheelchair, included me in games, put a compression sock on my ankle, encouraged me to walk on it some, and encouraged me to lift my eyes to the one who was above it all. They are the best team a girl could ask for. From Tanga we took a bus to YWAM Arusha.  Here we rested and prepared for the last week of ministry.  On Sunday our team had the privilege of speaking/leading worship at a small church in Arusha. I'm so thankful that whether in a mega church with bright lights or a tiny church with a dirt floor, the same God fills them both. The next day we headed to a YWAM base called Enkicaret. It's within sight of Kilamongaro and the mountain views were spectacular. Ministry here consisted of sharing some stories and songs with the kids in school, visting/encouraging wido...