My Body may be turning 23, but my soul is 17...

Hey all! What a crazy few weeks November has brought! We have been learning so much that I have a hard time keeping up with my journal, and outreach prep and lectures and book reports- all of which I really want to do an excellent job on- so it takes time. :) Last week was a free weekend and I had a blast! I can't remember if I told you guys about it: we went to a hot springs resort that had 5 different pools, and 4 water slides (which were terrifying because they were so old!) Justin and Lisa and I went to the ocean as well as a random stop. We ended up finding a snorkeling cove with cliffs where we could jump off into the ocean and then climb back up!! We also climbed out onto this tree over hanging the ocean and jumped off of that! It was AMAZING. Today felt like the first day of summer, it was warm and sunny! I had such a wonderful day. I finally broke down and wore the clothes that came in my birthday package :) I love them heaps and will wear them all weekend long- a new shirt every day!!!! I'm hoping too that Tem and I can cut down a Christmas tree on monday and we'll all decorate it as a base! Also, I think we as staff are going into town sunday to watch James bond in theatres! I'm so thrilled!

 It sure feels different- I am trying not to play Christmas music or think too much about being away from everyone. I've met some awesome people here, but it is different being staff. Also, Nikki who is doing her BLS is no longer going to finish the school, and hopes to leave for her home in America come January. That was hard to understand, but right now my main focus is Guam: we are short on finances (what's new? :) But scarcity only leads into creativity. I look forward to the challenge but really realize the importance of taking care of myself, but it's hard to not feel like I'm withdrawing all the time. Hmm, is that enough for now? Thankyou all for your letters and gifts, they are appreciated more than you could know.

All my love

Laura Yemen

Summer is around the corner!!!

Hi Everyone!! Just firstly, thankyou so much for the gifts and cards, I haven't opened anything and won't until my birthday- so I'll be writing thankyous soon! (I'm also having a hard time sending off my packages to you- I really hope they get there in time!) But anyways- the school is moving quickly now, we are preping for outreach and are in the final month of lectures. We've had a biblical world view week and now we're on spiritual gifts. It's awesome and challenging. ( I grilled the speaker for 3 hrs!) Poor man! but anyways, I got to watch a lamb get killed and skinned. Sorry guys, there's simply to much moving to give a decent blog
all my love
laura

How the time flies!

So, here’s how the week began: I went to Matt’s (DTS Leader) small group/ bible study in the next community over- we decided to have a bon fire, and burned a bush pile about 10 ft high and 20 ft across, it was EPIC! I’ve never been so close to a blaze that huge! This should have been some indication of how this week was going to go, but it still caught be completely by surprise!

 

We had a spiritual Giant come through in a 57 yr old package named Goldie. She was 5’3 but fought for every student and staff. My world again was rocked and I am struggling to know what it looks like to be in relationship with God and not strive in my strength- or to strive at all. It is challenging but what I have prayed for.

Isaiah 50:10 Who among you fears the lord and obeys his servant? If you are walking in the darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God. But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from me: You will soon lie down in great torment.

Something to write on my heart for sure, and also another revelation that I’ve had is this: If someone is really damaged in an area, what is the gift that the Enemy was trying to destroy, and how much stronger will that person be in their gifting if they allow God to walk them through the attack?

This is just a small clip of what is going on here in terms of Character development for the people who are willing to commit to their spiritual growth and maturity- because God is far more committed to continuing a good work in you until the day of his return; these students are on fire. J

In terms of this weekend; OH MY GOODNESS- I would need another blog entry to tell what was happening. We went camping on the ocean just outside of Auckland for 2 days and 2 nights, so much fun!- summer is just around the corner!ye We played on the sand, hiked, repelled down 45 meter waterfalls, went to the hot springs, watched surfers at the sunrise and the sun set, played on a sweet-as play ground, and watched lawn bowling! ( I thought of Tony K.) J Hopefully I will be able to post pictures soon! Loves!

Driving Miss Daisy- and 16 other YWAMers

Well, it's official, I am now driving- and it is something else! Stick shift on a 12 passenger van on the OTHER side of the road- If I can do this on the metal (gravel) roads, I can DO ANYTHING!! This weekend was most eventful- we had a big sausage sizzle and lunch for Ross, who is stepping down as base director. There is a huge transition taking place- and the latest to take her leave permanently is my BLS leader. Straight up-  I don't know how I should feel about her leaving before my school is even half over, however I know that it is in God's timing and that I just need to wait on the Lord for understanding and direction. That being said we're also beginning the faith walk for outreach funds- very exciting, the team is just taken hold and committed this time and their monies to God- just what He needs to begin the impossible!!! 

I also took a group of students (because now I drive!) with 2 other staff ( Lisa and Justin) and a local "cave man" Mike to a local cave- unbelievable! Glow worms, crazy rock formations- pitch black nothingness. I was on edge but I wasn't doing so bad- until Mike and a 10 yr old girl got out of site and then fell 10 feet off a ledge onto the rocks. I was first to find them and It was by the grace and protection of God that they both walked away. Emily (10 yr old) was pretty banged up and Mike was in a lot of pain- he had dislocated his thumb, but he thought it was broken. We got back out, but I had to take the other 4 students back without Mike, thank heavens Justin and Lisa were there! It was an adventure that I won't forget!

We head down 3 hrs south of Auckland this week for a National conference. We're tenting it again, but there will be showers, hot springs and white water rafting!!! its going to fantastic!!

Love you all and thankyou for my birthday gifts- I just recieved them today!!! I haven't even had a chance to open the CDs but I'm sos soososososososooso excited! happy early birthday/ christmas to me!

Love Laura