The Time has Come...

to leave Australia. For 6 weeks that is. My co-leader and I are taking a team of 4 to Borneo and we are leaving at 2am on Sunday. We will be gone until 9 Jan. beach2borneo.blogspot.com is our team blog if you would like to check that! Really, I don't have much to say...prayer for our team would be greatly appreciated. Thank you fo rreading and please please email me if you have specific questions....it's easier to answer things that way! Talk to yall in a few weeks!

sunshine and giggles.

Hello all!
In the beginning of Fear of the Lord lectures there is a crazy lull around the centre while we are getting ready for the upcoming 4-week road trip and the quickly approaching overseas outreach. In the planning of this many a to-do lists have been written. Just a few things on that list are: writing sermons, practicing skits, preparing worship, purchase plane ticket home, praying as a team to build unity, finish assignments, finalize budget, and buy outreach clothes. Our team is really talented and very willing to serve in Borneo. We have purchased tickets for outreach at a reasonable price, which is a huge blessing. I have sent out emails to all the parents requesting for presents to be sent secretly to the centre so I can pack and bring them to Borneo for Christmas to surprise the students/my co-leader. I really enjoy surprising people!

Another praise is that we have a rough sketch of what the ministry side of outreach will look like in Borneo! In that you can be praying that the people's hearts are softened and prepared for our teaching, dramas, and service.

A complete side note, one of the assignments for our students is called "adopt-a-nation" where you pick a nation and "adopt" it by researching, praying, and presenting the culture to the rest of the school. There is about 25 minutes of presentation in which we learn social needs, history, population, and religious background and 30 minutes of intercession for that particular country. Tonight was an especially powerful and inspiring time. While the two students were presenting we had to pass a brick around signifying how difficult it was to live in this particular nation. The brick was to be passed the entire time or there was the threat of being whipped. For intercession we sat in a circle and passed the brick. Every time we had the brick we prayed for freedom, blindness in government, and peace.

The second "activity" was having a plate of delicious cookies and brownies and not being able to eat them. We prayed for hunger in this country. (the delicious pastries symbolized the selfishness the government has for food). The third thing was a practical act of being "bound" in this country. We all we "handcuffed" with zip ties and then in groups of four bound to each other. We prayed that the very few Christians in the country would be able to break free. The women and children that were tricked into sex slavery would jump at a chance to be free and not be filled with fear. The final thing was we were cut free and prayed in a circle, Korean style, to thank God for how he had moved, was moving, and will move.

I for real love prayer. I love the power of words. Our God SPOKE the world into existence. He is just waiting to be released. And imagine this...in times and situations that seem hopeless if we ASK HIM TO MOVE HE WILL. What other god will blind the eyes of government officials? What other god will supernaturally fill people's bellies? What other god will overtake the preset radio frequency to tell the people how valuable they are? I love him is what I'm trying to say.

My heart and desire for the intercession for this school is to pray for the locations of the Old Testament. To find events (that happened in the OT) that are reoccurring in certain locations today. The patterns of society. (and really I just like to see where the bible "happened" cause I'm a nerd! :})

I do have a few prayer requests:
-All student and staff's hearts will be sensitive to what God is teaching us this week
-There would be no stress for packing in either the road trip or outreach
-Overseas contact will be clear to set up ministry
-God would prepare hearts for Him

A few practical needs:
-$1000 for base fees
-$100 for outreach clothes (long skirts, modest cultural shirts,etc.)
-$100 for living costs (food, post fees, laundry, phone credit)
-$2000 for plane ticket home in February



Thank you so much for reading and I hope you all are blessed! Please, please, please email me and tell me about your life! OR!!!! You can write me a letter. (: I love letters.

Have a good day, spend time with Jesus, smile at a stranger!
Love,
Shann

If you are donating by check/cash make out to "image church" and mail to
58 Arrowhead Drive
Stafford VA 22556

Post of News

Selamat Pagi! (goodmorning in Bahasa)

After our three and a half week road trip, life has finally settled a wee bit! Just a bit of a recap: AIRLIE BEACH! Fun fact, the movie "Fool's Gold" was filmed at the Whitehaven beaches in Airlie!

During this week we had a a friend, Jay Hach speak about Holy Spirit. A lot of the students had questions about what the function of Holy Spirit is and how he fits into our daily lives. We had a worship time one evening and we sang and some danced. We also prayed for healing, either emotional or physical. During the evening, two people were healed of allergies, one guy was healed of a boil, and one guy had major breakthrough with hurt and anger from his past. He was crying for the first time since he was a little kid and then he started laughing because he was so happy he was crying! You could feel the Lord working!!

A little rewind...before we left for Airlie beach we announced the outreach locations for the school. They were; Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, India, and Indonesia/Malaysia. The students had the deadline of Airlie beach to tell us where they felt God wanted them to go. Fast forward to Airlie...Too many people were going to Vanuatu and there was more behind the scenes logistics that complicated some things. Because of this we gathered as a whole school to pray and figure out God's heart for the whole thing. During this night we forgot all about where we wanted to go, where our friends were going, or where we felt previously to go. During that night people felt convicted of being here for the wrong reasons and one girl shared the reasons she was distant. In the end God worked out the whole thing and the teams are almost evenly split!

drum roll pleeeeeeeeeeeease...... I'm co-leading a team to Indonesia/Malaysia!!!

After a week in the beautiful Whitsundays we traveled to Springsure. Some good friends to our school leader and amazing servants of the Lord. Scott and Annie have 35,000 acres of property and they are ranches through and through! They go to rodeos and have bible studies among the normal drinking and partying. The battle of health and normal season worries that farmers have doesn't seem to phase this amazing Godly family. After a few days of fellowship and service at the ranch we moved about an hour into town to Emerald!

Emerald is a small, adorable, quaint, country town. This was the first location for us to reach out. We stayed in a former YWAMer's front yard in our tents! We did some prayer walks, practical work,and Religious Instruction classes. A few other opportunities we had was an evening church service, a youth rave, a morning church service, and an aboriginal youth gathering. During a prayer walk a team felt they should fight against apathy by worshiping in the park. As they were doing this a man approached them and of course asked what they were doing. They shared a bit and he then asked for prayer for his hurting back. They prayed and he was healed! Thank you, Jesus. We also had the opportunity to listen to a christian aboriginal man and some strongholds that exist in the community and how exactly we should assist, which, just like any people group, is to NOT come in with a plan but just partner and encourage what is already going on! It was a very humbling and eye opening talk.

Carnarvan Gorge was phenomenal! God moved so much by us simply taking time out of our days and being with him. It was very very cold at night time! We all had to cuddle up in our tents to stay warm.

Roma was the last destination for our adventure. We got to run 4 different church services, we ran a 2day kids camp, and visited two aged care facilities. We helped facilitate a race for the elementary school's holiday party. I hung out with 30 five year old little boys! Talk about a day!!!

Six hours of driving to Brisbane we unpacked and rested for the evening. Unbeknownst to the students relaxation wasn't the plan quite yet. Because we got home on a Wednesday we still had two days of "activities". Thursday afternoon we started outreach prep. We broke into groups and simulated going to our different locations, shopping at the markets, finding accommodation, and preparing church services in 15 minutes. We do this so we can bond, have fun, and get a taste of a different culture. It was a blast!

Relaxation finally was in sight for two days!!!! The following Monday started Bible Study lectures! (I had been looking forward to this for weeks!) We had five different methods of studying the bible. One of the most exciting ones was homiletic. Which is apparently was pastors use to prepare sermons. Exciting fact! We had nightly homework to read a chapter of Colossians and do homiletics on each one. It was extremely challenging and fantastic. After bible study we had Lordship...

Lordship is a scary word. Do not fear...it's just being of one mind with Christ. The entire week was reading different places in the bible talking about being one with Jesus. Thursday we walked through the different areas and steps and details of the Old Testament tabernacle. These areas being outer gates, inner courts,alter (burnt and sin offerings), brazen laver, candle sticks, Holy of Holies. On Friday we had a ministry day and walked through each step. Which without sounding crazy basically means we praised God for a bit, then shared thanksgiving stories, then we told all of our school what we needed to lay down so that we could follow God with our whole hearts, bodies, souls, and strength. We also talked about things we needed to ask for forgiveness for. We then worshiped our hearts out! Communion was in the evening and we just shared stories from the day and loved on Jesus. It was a full day but it was well worth it and God made some major breakthrough!!!

This is the middle of the lecture week titled "how you relate with others". Which as you may have guessed is about relationships between us and God, us and others, us and ourselves, and boy/girl relationships. One of the most interesting points brought up thus far is "Every problem is a relationship problem." Think about it. Tell me what you think about it. (seriously, email me and tell me your opinion)

Next week, our school leader in training is doing a week long topic on "Fearing the Lord". It's interesting to see people's opinions on issues such as speeding, texting and driving, and being content with how God made us.

24 October is when we leave for a four week road trip to Byron Bay, Stradbroke Island, Toowoomba, and Chinchilla. These four weeks will be a mix between lectures, outreach, and team building.

A few requests of prayer would be:

-Hearts during relationship week. That all of us (staff/students) may be able to work through past hurt and find true relationship with God and how to love others 100%.

-Nico (school leader in training) will be Holy Spirit lead.

-Outreach logistics will continue to fall into place. (tickets, budget, accommodation, contacts, etc)

Thank you for taking time out of your day to read about the adventure God currently is taking me on! Please feel free to ask questions and write me letters! (:

Shannon Baxter

671 Samford Road

Mitchelton, QLD 4053

Australia

To donate;

Cash mail to: 58 Arrowhead Drive Stafford VA 22556

Check make out to "Image Church" post-it note "Shannon Baxter" and mail to: 58 Arrowhead Drive Stafford VA 22556

HIGHLIGHT in Airlie... we had a BBQ for any backpackers. About an hour into it, Matt (staff member) started talking to a backpacker. The backpacker's name was Andrew and he happened to be writing a letter to his dad working a lot of hurt out from the past. After a little bit of the boys talking Matt lead Andrew to a relationship with Jesus. Andrew grew up going to church but wanted to make it personal. Matt prayed for Andrew and explained that life and hurt wasn't going to go away, that relationship with Jesus is a process. Then Andrew came and joined us for lunch!

Corridor is french.

On Beach to bush we travel around Queensland doing programs in schools, youth groups, church services, and prayer meetings. Also we have lectures at camp grounds and beaches. On our last road trip we travelled up to Airlie beach (whitsundays) and we had lectures on Holy Spirit. We stayed in Airlie for a week. During that time we joined the Discipleship school that was running in Airlie for these lectures. It was really good to watch the students get revelation about Holy Spirit and how he is just as much God as Jesus is!

One of the opportunities we had was having a BBQ right on the ocean. (Airlie beach is a big backpacker spot) We just played sports and asked people if they would like to join us. As we were waiting for the food to be done I saw a man in a travel van. I walked over to him and asked if he wanted to join us. He told me yes but he needed to finish writing a letter. I asked who the letter was to and he said it was to his dad! I then asked if he had a good relationship with his dad and he said that he would after this letter! So I chatted for a bit longer and then walked away so he could finish. About 20 minutes later I look over and another guy from my staff team, Matt, was standing and talking to Andrew (the guy in the van) they talked for quite some time. Then I saw Matt praying for him. After about 3o minutes they both walked over to eat and Matt shared with me that Andrew had just become a believer! So stoked! He apparently had gone to church growing up but realized he needed more in his life. So we got to encourage him for a bit then we told him about the church we were attending on Sunday. And on Sunday, he showed up!!!! He told us about the night before he had met a couple and they were pastors and they had a 4/5 hour conversation about Jesus and the bible and they prayed for him. Then on Sunday afternoon he

came to the baptism of 2 of our students. It was so amazing to hear how God kept setting up app

ointments for him to keep going!

That is just one story of our three week road trip. I have to go make dinner for the base, but I will update more as soon as possible. Thank you for being patient!!

<3 Shann

This blog entry is brought to you today by the letter F and number 4!

It's been almost a month since I last wrote. Right now I'm sitting in our classroom "supervising" the homework night! Each week two staff members are on the roster just in case the students have questions. So far I've gotten asked one question! Which is good! It means I have time to finish up some homework myself.

Our school officially start on 4 August. We had a welcome dinner that night with my favorite meal, chicken Alfredo, and get to know you question games! Afterwards we had a bonfire in a flower pot and talked! It was such a fun evening. We had orientation on Friday and Saturday then we traveled up to Redcliff for our student retreat. We stayed in the church and took that time to share testimonies! It was so encouraging to hear 25 peoples stories! (:

When we got back on Monday we unloaded and just hung out. Tuesday we start lectures on the Character and Nature of God. Our school leader Kimberley Brinkman taught that whole week. She is absolutely amazing and has a superb relationship with Jesus! The students were very excited about topic. I think the third day I was walking out of the bathroom and one of the students was walking in and was sobbing. Normally crying students would be a bad thing but this student started to realize that God was the PERFECT father and that he had unresolved issues with his father. It was great! There is a long road ahead of him but he's well aware and has many people to stand beside him and fight with him! The second week was intercession and hearing the voice of God. Two different people that work on the YWAM Brisbane centre taught these topics. It's very usual that students come and have NO IDEA that God is a speaking God. Many of them struggle with the confidence of actually being able to hear his voice. It's very rewarding to watch them be frustrated at the beginning of the week then have a revelation and watch them share it with the whole class with a love displayed all over their faces! Each week we meeting in smaller groups to process life, lectures, and anything God is teaching us. Today was the second one. Me and another staff member, Alicia, are co-leading a small group. We have four students all together. We decided to walk down to McDonald's and get 50 cent cones!!! When we walked down there we played two truths and a lie just to get to know each other. Also it was a good example of building relationship which is how you can recognize God's voice! We then talked about different revelations or struggles we are going through. And for the next week we will be secretly blessing one other person in our small group! I personally love this! (:

I am completely exhausted and ready to go to bed. I need to update more on my life possibly this weekend. Know this though, God is amazing and is truly challenging and blessing me. I miss everyone tremendously. Thank you for reading!

Send me letters, people! (:

Shannon Baxter

YWAM

671 Samford Road

Mitchelton QLD 4053

I would like a little water with my lemonade.

This is Nico ^
Alyssa Jo (AO! Jiley)
Dustin (DusyCole)
DustyCole
Myself and my ginger bread look alike
Messy room
making sure the noodles are done!
4th of July!
Secret flowers!
We made ice cream!

"Your love never fails, it never gives up, never runs out on me..."

This song has been super great in my life lately. Right now it's Sunday around 0931, I have homework to do, laundry to fold, and a staff bonding time to attend. It's still really cold here but it gets super lovely during the day.

there really isn't much to report if you have read my newsletter...but I will try to think of something exciting. Well yesterday we have ministry time and I was on the roster for hanging out with some local kids. A fellow staff member, Glenn, and I were together for this. Well...these local kids...they are 13 year old boys. We played ping pong for alittle bit then they got sick of it and walked away! haha So I went and made some cordial and just left them to be boys! I went and helped out with a girl was watching some little munchkins. Which made me miss Keeg and RQ.

I had pulled off ALL of the crap on my shelf two days ago and just left it on the floor. I organized, cleaned, and put it all back. Our room is super small and there isn't much floor space without my crap on the floor, much less with! Butttt my roommate was a good sport about it!

I will post a few pictures of our Christmas in July party, Canada day, and our messy room! Enjoy and thank you for your support.

love you all.

TAA=Terrrrific, Amusing, Accelerating

Gosh, it's week three that I am here I suppose. Like I said in my previous bloggage we did first aid the first week. Then we started TAA (teaching and assessment) We learned different learning styles, barriers to learning, intelligence's, how to teach a skill, how to assess students, how to set up a class room, how to lead intercession, and how to encourage each other when we want to pull our hair out. So far it's been really good. It's been pretty challenging to organize and write my thoughts. Which if you're reading this I'm sure you can understand how hard this is for me! I tend to need things spelled out for. And I don't fluff things. I say the bare minimum and I think that should be good enough. Which is ironic because I tend to yammer if you're talking to me. So yeah, TAA...fantastic. (No sarcasm, I really do enjoy it) Our leadership training starts next week. Our staff team is going on our "get to know each other so that we can love,encourage, and spend the next 2 years together happily" retreat. I'm super excited. It's almost dinner time so I need to go but I;m really trying to be better at communicating to people back home. So please bare with me. But if you want some specific information PLEASE EMAIL ME.

kbye.

Actually Laughing Out Loud (Just for you westcoasties)

Soooooo I'm here. Here being YWAM Brisbane. Here being my room that I share with my lovely friend, AO! Jiley. Here being a cold country. Here being my new life.

All of our staff is here except our school leader. We did some first aid training yesterday, which was nice, but kinda hard because of the training I have previously received. Today we are doing orientation of our new lives. Also at some point today we are having birthday festivities for two of our staff peeps. A random fun fact: my alarm clock wishes me a good day.

I would really love prayer. I don't really know how to explain it other then I just need it like woah.

I need to go eat brekkie.

Love you all.

So hot we'll melt your Popsicles

I'm in CA with my Aunt Shannon and cousin, Kim. I'm leaving on June 16th for Brisbane. I have all the funds I need to get over there but still need some monthly support. I really don't have much to write about other then I'm super sleepy! My excitement is building...which is good!

And also, my friends are awesome. I lost my passport and one of them suggested my purse which I laughed at him but turns out...he was right. Then I had like 12 people just show up at my house to hang out and help re-pack my bags. It was grand fun and I love them all.

I am just saying that I love letters.

YWAM

Shannon Baxter

671 Samford Road

Mitchelton QLD 4053

I hope that your summer days treat you well, remember to serve and listen to Jesus.

Shann

I got them for you!

I leave in 5 days. Today is my last day at work, then to bible-study, then EMT test site, and then HAMPTON! I get to see my Benjamin and Dana and Chris! I still haven't packed. I still need a few things. But I have a plane ticket. I need to write a support emails. One minute at a time.

I love my friends. They are pretty great.

He (Jesus) must be inked.

Tikets are bought.

Shannon has no more hair.

Stress possibly alleviated.

13 days left.

No more cold lips for you, sir.

Mr. Blue and myself.




Pawpaw and Mr. Blue
Mawmaw and me!
Cheyanne and me!
Speaking at Gloryland.
Display at Gloryland.
Pawpaw and me, before I left!

No pepper shakers after 8 pm.

I have been re-reading Galatians and in 1:10 it reads, "For am I now seeking approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." Last night at POD I was really convicted of not taking advantage of every opportunity and why? Because I was afraid of hurting someone's feelings? Didn't want to be too pushy? Wasn't sure how that person felt? Dumb excuses. One of the girls had just gotten back from a leadership conference and she shared a quote, "You can't light someone else's flame, but God can use you to fan it". That really spoke to me, even if fear of man was holding me back it's not really because I am going to fail it's because I'm trying to protect God from the disappointment. (dumb) It's like I'm telling God "hey ummm....I'm a human so let me handle this because I know how to communicate better." (dumb) So afterwards I realized that I need to take advantage of the relationships in my life and share how important Jesus is to me. Who cares if they are uncomfortable? (I enjoy making people uncomfortable, btw.) I should be doing it more often.

Shannon's life lesson #362

I spoke at my Uncle's church and it went fantastically! It was such a blessing to share and get practice talking about what God's doing and being vulnerable in front of people. I had the opportunity to meet a girl that's my age and is on fire for Jesus. It's exciting for me to hear about what adventure God is taking her on! And how it's totally different from the one He is taking me on, but just as impacting! Also, they will be supporting me monthly and taking up a special offering for me this Sunday! God's basically awesome with a bag of chips.

I am speaking at my church this Sunday. I am almost ready I just need to edit a few things and call some people. I'm really excited to share with people who are in my life weekly, people who supported me and prayed for me the first time.

God is still on me about His timing. I would say it's getting easier...but I still have times where I have to sit and focus. (literally, I have to stop and sit.) I've been getting places early and so I read just to ease this obnoxious feeling in my chest, which is odd but it's helpful.

Well, I need to do some productive things before the girls wake up. Thanks for all your prayers and support, I appreciate it greatly.

Have a fantastic day, remember to spend time with Jesus! It'll be worth it, promise! (:

Worth 20000 words.

Where's Waldo?

There is a few things that I can share...
First, I have been working a lot. The girls are fantastic and teach me things, daily. Second, money has started to come in from my support letters, which is very exciting. Especially because I know some of the people giving me money don't have a lot to give. Which makes the gift even more special to me. For example: I was at bible study on Thursday night and I was talking to a girl about my finances (which was $40) and she gave me a $10 note and said, "I know it's not a lot but take it". That brought so much joy to my heart.

I am leaving for WV this week to go speak at my Uncle's church. PLUS I get to see my brand new cousin! (: I will probably end up going by myself, but it will be fun. I like road trips, they make for excellent Jesus time!

God has been teaching me to wait on His timing in everything. Anxiousness goes hand in hand with that for me. I keep having to remind myself to not be anxious about ANYTHING not just the future or finances. The small things is what always trips me up, the being late, or fighting with a family member, or whether or not things get done and lack of sleep. It's very comforting when I actually apply it to my life. Lately questions of the future have been on my heart, which is helpful for learning this lesson. It's probably the best time because I have complete peace with things that I never thought I would. (vague I know, but trust me it's good)

God has also provided me with amazing friends. That are girls! It's tough sometimes but totally worth it. The girls I hang out with are all in different stages of life so it's nice to see what functional, God-based relationships/families look like and it's nice to be reminded I'm not the only girl who doesn't live for guys.

I also have been challenged recently about how I display Christ in public. Do I go places ready to share what Jesus did for someone? Do I have a Christ-like attitude at 0530 when I go to wawa before work? Do I help someone when I see them struggling? I have found myself getting wrapped up in my own little world so I'm trying to make myself more aware of the fact I live for Christ, not myself. Which is tough, but worth it.

I do have a few prayer requests:
Continuous peace about my trip, finances, leaving my friends and family.
Consistent times with Jesus, that I would realize how much I need Him.
Challenges would be faced with confidence in Christ.


Thank you for taking time out of your day to read about my life, it means a lot!
Have a fantastic day and spend sometime with Jesus! It will be rewarding.

<3 to you all,
Shann

Movies

I am speaking at my home church on 22 May. I'm sharing about 5 minutes about my past trip and my upcoming trip. I also, after weeks of dumb computers, have made this video to show some visual of what God did while I was over there! Thank you for your continued support through this adventure! The weekend before that I am speaking in WV at my Uncle's church to share what I am doing as well. I'm excited about that because I will get to see my cousins, Aunts, and Uncles!

I'm already starting to get letters back! One of which is from a family I babysat for during the summer I turned 13! Now the little girl is 13 and 2 more kids were added to the bunch. It's fun to catch up with people!

VISA UPDATE: I forgot to put my middle name on the application so I had to get my passport notarized. By the time I got it all worked out it was approved within 12 hours!!!!!

God has put such amazing friends in my life over the last few months. I have never really had friends that we can joke around and be completely silly with and then have a serious 3 hour conversation about how amazing our God is. ALSO!!!! I am watching two little girls while their mom goes back to work. Keegan is 3, Ryann is 2 months. They are such a blessing.

I have a few prayer requests:
That I would follow through 100% with speaking about my trip, no half hearted stuff.
That a plan ticket would be provided
God is glorified through my words and actions over the next few months.
And that people would see why I'm doing what I'm doing, to glorify Jesus.
One last one, that my heart would stay focused on Jesus.


Side note: My brother is a firefighter and was fighting in a structure in our neighborhood and the roof collapsed. He WALKED out of the building but apparently was over heated and threw up. His officer told him he was going to the hospital. He has a mild concussion, but no burns or other serious injuries. Matthew, for those of you who know who he is, called me and told me just in case I hadn't heard that Zach was being transported but to his knowledge was ok! Matt then said that my brother was a good firefighter and that he was proud of him. (: It's good to hear from someone who has been doing it for 12 years that Zach is doing a good job. This was such a blessing. Zach is currently sleeping on our couch and is safely home! Thank you to all of those who prayed for him!


Okay, I believe that that is all for right now. Let me know if you have any questions!
Love you all!
Shannon

Testing Video

Accomplishment

Well, I have my visa. Is it the right one? I hope so. They have changed the visa application process so I'm praying that it's correct. Out of my hands now, though.
I'm still looking for a plane ticket. The cheapest one I've found happens to have a 14 hour layover in LAX so I can visit my family! Such a blessing.

I miss the ladies in Australia.

God has been doing awesome things in my life. I, after much debate, have pulled my membership at the volunteer fire department and turned in my gear so I am completely done. It was good while it lasted but God has other things for me. It's been good so far.

I have people in my life that have been with me through a lot. It's kinda cool how things change and your lives run into each other. Jesus, you are quite the character.
I have lost, yet again, my bible. It's starting to distress me.

Last, I am almost completely healed from my surgeries. Blessing.

Support letters have been printed. Pledge cards have been made. A trip to WV for support raising is in the works. Visa is being processed. Addresses being printed is next!

Thanks for taking time to read. (:

Round two: where you go, I will go!

As of Feb. 16 2011 I have received my acceptance letter for going back to Australia for 18 months! This time I will be going as a volunteer leader. The break down of the 18 months will be one Beach 2 bush starting in August 2011. Some of the responsibilities I will have are leading a small group of 3-5 girls. We will meet once a week in a group and one on one to pray for each other, encourage one another, and just to process what God is teaching us. Along with small group, a few of the tasks that could be given for the first 6 months are: kitchen manager, finance receipt person, or equipment person. Also toward the end of the 6 months I will be co-leading a group of students to a different country for a missions trip. After we get back from the mission's trip there will be paper work galore to finish up so the students can graduate from their Discipleship Training School. After the first school I will go on the phase 2, or logistical phase. I will be helping out the YWAM Brisbane community by being kitchen manager for the whole base, receptionist, hospitality for our guests on base, or maintenance. Really it's where ever the base needs help! The logistical phase will be around 6 months long. Then I will volunteer lead another school starting in August 2012. I will be doing the same thing as the first school but with different students! There is so much more that goes into this process but this is just the brief overview to get yall updated.

A few things I want to clarify:

I'm going back to Australia but this is NOT a vacation.

This is not a job, everyone at YWAM Brisbane raises their own support.

I raise my own support because I trust this is what God wants for me and I trust HE WILL PROVIDE.

I am in need of prayer support. There is a lot of emotional stress that goes into this and I would love to know people are standing by me praying and fighting for God's will in my life.

I am also in need of financial support. I am needing $4,000 for visa, airfare, and insurance before I leave in June, but because I will have room, board, and food while I'm staying on base I am required to pay rent. I will be needing approximately $600 a month.

I have been praying about how to ask people to support me and I really feel like I need around 24 people who will pledge me $20 or more a month for 18 months. That way it's not a large sum coming out of one person's pocket.

Asking for money is always a humbling experience. I believe God will provide the money, but it's hard to balance when to find a job and when to trust. I am willing to babysit, petsit, or clean house to get a few extra bucks before June.

Please pray and ask how to support me in the next step of my life.

I want to just take a minute and thank you for those who supported me last trip. It was seriously one of the hardest most rewarding things I've done in my life. God showed himself to me in ways I could not of imagined and gave me comfort and hope. I am absolutely in love with our Creator and I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve Him in this way, again. I could not have left my family and my comfort zone with out knowing I support from my friends and family back home. Thank you for praying for me, sending me emails, letters, and money. Even the smallest things go such a long way.

Many of you know that I just had surgery on the 28 of Feb and will be having another one in about 2 weeks. That gives me a lot of time to dwell on what needs to be done and even more time to stress! One of the things I have been meditating on to help me not freak out is Psalm 34. In verse one: I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Verse 7-9: The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!

God is good, be blessed by Him today!

Thank you for taking time out of your life to read what God is doing.

If you have questions let me know!

Thank you again!