The day I went into the future:

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

4.21.17 (sweet new friend, Mabel)  I have been overcome with supernatural peace since the moment I embarked on this trip. Free of any anxiety whatsoever, even in the midst of getting lost in airports. I have been without fear completely, I feel looked after.

On my flight to Los Angeles, I woke up just in time to see a dry lightning storm taking place beside the plane. It lasted about 7 minutes, and I was captivated the entire time. Calmness overtakes me each time I witness bright streaks from the sky, as it’s my favorite weather performance of all time. It had followed me back to Zeeland from Grand Rapids 3 nights before I left on this trip, and had lit the road for David, Charis, and me, years before as we headed to the Adirondack mountains. I will never cease to be fond of such a powerful strike of light.

Upon watching the strobe show, I pointed out the window to involve the passenger to my right. She spoke little English, so I attempted to use the minimal Spanish vocabulary I had attained throughout the years. She explained that she’d been visiting the states from Colombia. After finding a map of the US in her magazine, we exchanged stories as best as we could. When hearing about my destination, she shared with me that she too loved God. As we landed we used google to translate decent salutations. She said “a pleasure to meet you, and bless you in the name of God. If one day you come to Colombia, you may stay at my house.” In response, I struggled to translate all that I wanted to say through the text box, but ended up reminding her of the lightning. For the whole flight, neither of us took advantage of our movie screens placed behind the seat just in front of us. I told her to remember to tune into the big screen that is the sky, because it’s the show that God puts on display for us. Once we’d all exited the cabin, we hugged and she headed for her connecting flight. 

LAx is where excitement caught me. I easily walked for 15 minutes outside to find my departure spot, I had never before seen an airport that massive. Once I found Quantas, after speed walking past a sea of honking taxis, I discovered that my flight was already boarding. It became increasingly comedic that I was carrying in my arms a 3lb textbook, and the security guard didn’t withhold his deep bellied chuckle at the sight of me. As my heart rate accelerated I geared up to sprint to my gate. If I have any advice for you, fellow traveler, I wouldn’t recommend running through Los Angeles Airport with a textbook in your arms, a 50lb backpack strapped to your waist, and be especially diligent in lacing your shoes. I swear no hallway has ever felt longer. All seemed to have settled once I had boarded because I gained an extra seat to sprawl out on for 13 hours to Brisbane. Upon arrival all I could think about was how badly I needed to wash my face and brush my teeth. I hadn’t packed any facewash or toothpaste in my carry on, however, so I felt doomed to clogged pores and bad breath. While attempting to collect my checked bag, it became clear that it had not made it with me to Brisbane. The Quantas clerk was more than helpful with sorting out the baggage details. She then gave me an overnight hygiene bag for the trouble, equipped with soap, toothpaste, and a toothbrush!! She also deemed me worthy of a customs “fastpass,” which made for the biggest blessing after such a chaotic journey. 

How incredible it is to be taken care of by God, a God who sees to it that our needs are met, and gives us just the kind of adventure we can handle. 

(Spotted my first day- Townsville- The Strand)

610

 

6; love of home/domesticity. material aspects of ones life (business). serving others/selflessness. responsibility & reliability. providing for self & others (earning & giving). grace & gratitude. care & nurturing. problem solving & solutions.

1; creativity. beginning new projects. attainment. strength. self reliance. tenacity. inspiration. happiness/fulfillment. -You must create your reality. Your experiences develop through thoughts, beliefs, & intentions.

0; potential/choice. development of spirit. intuition/Holy Spirit. eternal/infinite. oneness/wholeness. – God force, magnifies the influence of other numbers.

“your thoughts & beliefs create your reality & experiences. -Hold ONLY positive thoughts about your material circumstances/life in general.”

“new & unexpected opportunities will arise. –All that you need to maintain & sustain you in your daily life will come to you when required. “

“do not hold fear of lack or loss. –Have faith for provisions.”

I believe that your life is not by coincidence, it wasn’t an accident. Likewise, my own. A few years ago a friend of mine told me that after they visited me, my address being “610,” they kept seeing that number everywhere. He informed me of angel numbers. Though God speaks to me in many ways, after taking note of those happenings, I grew aware of seeing consistent numbers in my life as well. I don’t remember the first set. But being back home, 610 has spoken to me. God has worked with my on my strength in this season, both with finding it in my personal spirit as well as physical. He’s been teaching me to focus on Him by being grateful through all things, and allowing myself to cease the day, tending to opportunities in my reality (cocreating with Him). Bigger than all of these is the trust I need to put in him for provisions in this next season. TRUST that all I need to maintain and sustain this ministry he has placed on my heart- WILL come when required.  This may be my last month drinking in my surroundings at this blessing of my temporary home. I know not what tomorrow brings- but I’ve got faith.

(911; encourages you to go after your life mission because you have the leadership. Be that Lightworker! -Americans remember 911… but not the tragedy! Grow the hope that darkness will continue to be overcome by the Light.)

 

..to come

During this summer, the build-up of unpredictability washed over me on many occasions. When I returned from my travels, I realized that never before had I been seated in a place of such uncertainty in my life. I was faced with a very tough decision. To continue on in community college, seeking a degree? Or to answer the call I feel on my heart. As hard as it is to admit, I have been resisting the leap of faith necessary for the latter option. But no longer, after consideration, prayer, and receiving “GO” from several reliable, and prayerful people; 

“GO” is what I must do! 

 

Haiti- 2018

June 2018

I landed in Haiti with my heels pressed into the ground ready to spring into whatever work I could do. For those of you who know my Dad, and the pace of things there, it is entertaining to watch the energy of my youth settle into tropical weather. Much of those days were spent drinking in the company of my sisters, Stephanie, and my dad. The restful spirit carried me alongside my companions, to many locations where I could further piece together the work that has gone into my grandfathers pioneering efforts, long before I was born. I had been to the country before, the visit this time was accompanied with fresh eyes. It was as though I was seeing everything for the first time alongside my sisters, who actually were.

On one of the days we rode up the mountain to visit Fonde Baptiste, a school of about 900 students now. After we were given a bit of a walking tour around the campus, we sat and spoke with Max, who runs the school. A need of his that was presented to my dad was for many recorders/flutes to be delivered to him from America, so that he would be able to teach a music class. (Music class, awesome!!) But something didn’t quite sit well with me when I envisioned my dad transporting quite literally, a TON of plastic from America to Haiti. Given the pollution I was already catching sight of far too often, overtaking what is such beautiful countryside. Sure, it might be really easy and simple to order such a load, but is easy going to be sustainable? Will further American contamination provide Haiti pride in its own natural resources? Questions like this had me reflect on what I saw during our small tour of the grounds. I realized the glimpse I saw of Bamboo. Would it be possible to make recorders and flutes for the schoolchildren out of what is growing just beyond their classroom window? Better yet, would it be possible to teach them to make the flutes themselves, so not only do they gain a nice tool to take pride in from building themselves, but they see their home differently. Their grounds and soils differently. This is my hope for a small project. 

After this realization I took it upon myself to do some research, sent a few emails, and a response was almost immediate. Greatly encouraging, a Flutemaker in Southern Florida, who does various flute outreaches, graciously offered his information and wisdom in creating such instruments.

(if this bubbles any interest in you to take part by joining me in prayer, finances, marketing, or labor-  please let me know)

GRATITUDE overflow

May 2018

so often during winter I felt like the sky was God’s little message saying- “ it’s cold & tiring but here’s something to take the edge off”– & now to finally celebrate spring & thawing! it’s no longer the coping beacon but the icing on the cake of the day.

(I had to get out of my car & stand in the street just to watch the sky this night)

“Leave May for Me

“Leave May for Me”  -An intentional month of seeking (journal entries beginning end of April 2018) 

Be it for my songwriting, be it for uplifting others, be it for practicing my penmanship.. above all else I see writing as an important way for me to re-align my heart with The Lord. Recognizing that each day he is speaking to me.

April 18; Visited a worship session that was lasting 48hrs, there a woman spoke the word “Simple” over me.

April 23; School has been shaping my character, I have never been a fan of the classroom setting. With that being said, I entered into this school year with less focus on the textbook information, and more focus on my own ability to manage my time, remain in a positive headspace, as well as see and speak with my surrounding brothers and sisters whom I was alongside for the duration of that semester. In committing to the routine of school, God showed up for me daily;

“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves to God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. “

1 peter  13-17

-My main shortcoming this past semester was procrastination. When the finals were upon me, I failed to adequately study my french textbook, as I was prioritizing other things as well as discouraging myself from trying to absorb the knowledge with confidence. When I arrived to campus the day of my French examination, I was trying to remain in a headspace clear of anxiety for what was to come within the hour. I stepped into the hall of my classroom, and in a study room was a peer of mine whom I’d had the pleasure of getting to know for the 3 months we’d attended this class. He was in the process of writing out all of our French terms “to know” on the whiteboard, preparing. This was a huge blessing to me, when I entered the room we worked to quiz one another. Because the walls of this room were made of glass, other familiar students trickled in to join the last minute, impromptu, study group. The atmosphere was helpful, a true blessing for each of us I am sure. Once we had all taken in the information that we could hold in that duration, we nervously headed into the classroom for the test. At our tables of 4, we were informed by Madame that this final would be one that could be completed with the help of the other people seated at the same table. WHAT? So, you’re telling me that even when this very real chance of failure is looming over me, GOD will be seeing me through my courses?? Not only was this a major WIN for believing that Jesus works with us through the small, I realized the amount of material I actually had known, and could’ve excelled in that test had I taken it by myself. God clearly made the focal point of those moments, the unity of spirit in a seemingly “secular” environment. God worked through our little college study group, he made a space for us to empower and support one another, for us to walk on this journey with the challenge divided. That day truly set school in a renewed light for me, I will from now on, take note of the people I am seated beside, the students that I find myself gravitating towards- because God moves when people are gathered to work.

I had another final that evening, in between the two I spent the afternoon in prayer & study at Barnes & Noble. Again, something took precedents over my marketing study sheet- a book on traveling Cuba. The country that has been on my heart since last September, without fail. I read the travel guide from cover to cover before heading to my last test. (Which I aced!!)            

 

Thanksgiving

early 2018 ;

 8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, 9 for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107; 8-9

To manage my mind state at GRCC, I had to carve out some sort of a routine for myself, besides the academic calendar. I decided to take a coffee cup (my puppy ended up chewing) I had written notes from a sermon on; & keep daily blessings scribed out on ripped paper pieces. The more I invested into thanksgiving on a daily basis, the more blessings I could see right before me- on a constant. This is one of the best decisions I have ever made. When the time came that I could pour out my little cup- every good thing that I had logged resurfaced. Many memories I had long forgotten were sitting there awaiting my notice. How many thanks I do owe, not only to God, but to great people surrounding me on a daily basis- unexpected ones & planned encounters alike. This discipline reminded me that God not only shows up during really exciting chapters, but all day- everyday, no matter where, no matter when.

 

 

post-dts reflections pt.1

Hello lovely people, I must first apologize for my silence on this end for so long, I am getting into the swing of updates slowly but surely. It is challenging to say the least, to try and some up the events of the last few months, so much has taken place and God has been so good to me. I will do my best.As far as lifechanging witness to the gospel is concerned, I’ve had more than my fill of miracles (praise Jesus. ask me about them over coffee sometime:). But to begin I want to say how important my time at YWAM has been, and why;During my travel into Papua New Guinea, it was on my heart to jot down some very significant people I have come across in my life- in an effort to send prayers their way. When i began mentally scanning the faces of people who’ve greatly impacted me, I was overcome with love at its purest and complete appreciation. Heart battles are an everyday thing, experienced by everyone, at all times, no exception. With that being said, I couldn’t stop myself from grinning. I have so much love for the people who’ve nurtured my spirit through the years; investing into me, seeing me through my heavy dilemmas, feeding the spark that for so long I myself had pronounced dead. To have once been convinced that my life would be a drag, and then to be seated in a place of such contentment and joy is greater than any transformation I could’ve asked for. & so- I owe a huge thank you to my YWAM family, to be around a group of people who saw to it that I flourish in that element, who saw to it that my heart be well cared for, who have stripped me of christian stereotypes, and who mean so much more to me than I can even articulate. We were a rowdy group who was sure to make a scene, a group who could be thrown into a shark infested tidal wave and somehow worship our way out of it, and a group of very beautiful individuals who I have such a high honor of calling friends. Had it not been for this group of people- nothing I have done in the past 6 months would carry any significance to me. God really did exceptional works, and it was through each of these people. 

hitting the road

6.24.17

-left to right: top row (Riley, Verity*, Isobel, Adaira, Jack.) bottom row (Angelique, Aviva, Lydia, Eric*, Jacques) *leaders.

Our first phase of lectures has come to close, we will be heading out for first outreach tomorrow. Our group of 10 will be partnering with Whitsunday for the next week before YWAM Townsville’s 25th celebration.

miscellaneous thoughts

Here are some little facts I’ve collected while being here; 

• There is an anti-Adani campaign being promoted by activists who are fighting for renewable energy alternatives. Government funding is being granted to the company “Adani,” for a mega-mine. This will not only be a huge contributor to air and marine pollution in and around Australia, but also oppresses the indigineous community in new ways, and supports corrupt practices. 

• I spoke with a beekeeper selling his honey at the farmers market, and he shared that the bees here are doing well. He did, however, say that tobacco is a primary killer of hives. Cigarettes here are typically around $20. Good on you, Australia.
• Vines hanging from trees just above the sidewalk should have a hazard sign, I did come close to a concussion after several successful swings.
• Stingers (jellyfish) are present at this time of year, see to it that you find a vinegar station if needed.

• Vegemite is not intended for my weak palate 
• Stargazing is highly recommended just outside of the city 
• Kangaroos are tired of tourists, I know because they told me

• All throughout the world there is negative connotation when it come to the Great Barrier Reef, it’s been “pronounced dead.”  I have yet to see parts of it myself, and do hope to in the coming weeks. To my surprise locals have seemed optimistic when I’ve mentioned it. (TBC)

• There is art everywhere I turn 

Jack & Jill went up the hill

5.27.17

I’m grateful I can walk on my foot again. It’s still rather sore, but I’m sure I’ll never take it for granted again. So much of this big world I have tackled on foot.

I descended a street which prompted a view overlooking the sea to my right and the famous castle hill (mountain) to my left. 

I then found Townsville paradise.

I had passed Queens Garden numerous times when walking after dusk. During the daytime it is magnificent. It was hard to focus on reading my bible in such a place, the world breathes through every inch of this park. Planted on a bench I was visited by a charismatic hummingbird. It sang its song just in front of me, an audience of one.

If I had to choose what my favorite thing about Townsville is I’d say it’s the birds, you can’t escape their calls. While most people are tired of listening to the tangle of noise- I seek the trees filled with them just so I can sit and watch the natural organized madness.