tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69893852635749123572024-03-05T19:35:03.341-08:00global perspectives: 102our sketched timeline:
jan-june 2014: ywam san francisco, ca, and rome, italy.
july-aug 2014: lancaster, pa.
sept 2014-aug 2015: world race (11 countries/11 months)sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989385263574912357.post-46434971831505338562015-08-15T04:20:00.001-07:002015-08-15T04:25:41.417-07:00journal entry.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">August 15—Black
Forest, Germany<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">3 weeks ago we
waved goodby to K Squad in Budapest and escaped for a few days to Prague. Alone
as a couple :-P.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Next week we fly
back to the USA. Just about 2 weeks short of 1 year since we left
September 2, 2014.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(By the way, you know that 11 countries, 11 months thing? </span><span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Yeah, well it turned out to be more like 22 countries in 11 months or 26 countries in 12 months.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Crazy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Crazy that we
ever said, “yes” to this thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Crazy to think
that this season is actually [finally] ending.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Crazy to reflect
on the changes we’ve been privileged to be a part of in others through this
journey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Crazy to
acknowledge the change/growth in myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It has been
good. (Yeah, I know, I can’t believe I’m saying that.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Unbelievably
hard, yes. Especially as a couple. Something I’d never
want to repeat, yes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But still good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Because You were
in it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thanks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thank you, God,
for the good, the bad, and the ugly. Because You showed up in all of
it. Usually in ways that were not expected. Often not
immediately recognized.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But You were
there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You brought me
to a greater place of knowing You. (My ultimate goal in life.) Of
knowing myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Out of that,
beginning to live out of overflow, instead of outpour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Learning more
about being led instead of being driven—being led by faith, led by You, instead
of being driven by fear, guilt, duty, or others’ expectations. (Though
this is still a tough one for me to live out.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I'm not sure how
to prepare for the transition home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Home feels like
such a foreign concept.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(It has been
almost 2 years since we moved out of our houses, quit jobs, etc. to start this
adventure, first with YWAM, and then the World Race.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Transition,
change, moving place to place has become, in a strange way, normalcy for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How will it be
to stay in a single location for more than 1 month?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With no
"next place" to go???<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That sounds
absurd!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It feels like
everything is about to change. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Many of the
things that have been difficult will likely become easier. (We're hoping
for the foreseeable future to usually have a bed instead of a floor
to sleep on, a room to ourselves instead of sharing it with others, some
private space as a couple and individually...)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But also
realizing that some of the things that have been easy may also become more
difficult. (Different level of support, understanding, etc. than when
living, working, and being with a group of people 24/7.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yes, we'll be
back to being surrounded by friends and family. There are certainly many
aspects of that which we've missed in our travels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yet I'm sure
we'll also miss aspects of the communities we've been part of for the past 2
years—the support, energy, and being constantly propelled towards Christ that
we've experienced in these contexts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How do we merge
all of this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How do we
integrate the recent past with the more distant past as we look forward to
stepping back into our former life [somewhat] and community?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes it
feels an impossible challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Herein is the
constant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thanks for being
there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For being here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thanks for being
a Friend, a Guide, a Comforter, a Teacher, a Father, a Healer, and so much more
over these past 2 years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I've experienced
a reality in living with You that I never thought was possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I've prayed for
and tasted Ephesians 3:18 (AMP):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[That you may
really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love
of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you
may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have
the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and
flooded with God Himself]!</span></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yeah, sometimes
the future looks daunting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Incredibly so,
some days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But You've got
it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I don't have to
do anything, but follow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">No unnecessary
stressing or trying to work to figure things out, just keeping my eyes on You.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Wherever You
want to take me, I'll go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">However You want
to take me there, let it be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Whoever You want
to use in my life or me in theirs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Whatever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Whenever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You've captured
me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There's really
nothing besides You that I want.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I'm convinced
that any life you call me/us to is an adventure. And I'm excited to step
with You into the unknowns of this next phase!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJCjDfYwQxb2s7FYlzo_tT078qWEUQ6qdblZKi_ufWOePAtauFLHMZaSfw6DdEhMCI9InSwkqGMrj4jC3CdKXQwcnn4MZIfMqMTHFc3NXGaOC8LRGtfbMqZ0Tju0w67pD9G9Drn9RcBXj/s1600/IMG_2542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJCjDfYwQxb2s7FYlzo_tT078qWEUQ6qdblZKi_ufWOePAtauFLHMZaSfw6DdEhMCI9InSwkqGMrj4jC3CdKXQwcnn4MZIfMqMTHFc3NXGaOC8LRGtfbMqZ0Tju0w67pD9G9Drn9RcBXj/s640/IMG_2542.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You call me out
upon the waters<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The great
unknown where feet may fail<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And there I find
You in the mystery<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In oceans deep<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My faith will
stand<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And I will call
upon Your name<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And keep my eyes
above the waves<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When oceans rise<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My soul will
rest in Your embrace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For I am Yours
and You are mine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Your grace
abounds in deepest waters<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Your sovereign
hand<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Will be my guide<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Where feet may
fail and fear surrounds me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You've never
failed and You won't start now<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Spirit lead me
where my trust is without borders<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let me walk upon
the waters<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Wherever You
would call me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Take me deeper
than my feet could ever wander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And my faith
will be made stronger<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the presence
of my Savior<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Oceans (Hillsong
United)</span></div>
sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989385263574912357.post-544332558595913862014-07-30T14:33:00.001-07:002014-07-30T14:33:26.634-07:00ALERT!!!Dear friends and followers,<br />
<br />
PLEASE note that we are transitioning from BlogSpot to <a href="http://jasonandsarahurst.theworldrace.org/">http://jasonandsarahurst.theworldrace.org/</a> We would love to have you subscribe to get our updates if you're interested. Thank you SO MUCH for showing your interest and support in this way. It encourages us more than you know!<br />
<br />
Blessings,<br />
Jason & Sarasarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989385263574912357.post-75037248907500834452014-07-19T12:38:00.000-07:002014-07-19T12:40:57.996-07:00Georgia-bound!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEccyKNt-PjqNMJ2g-eXxeoemSR319f68KUpE1KcMIJUmJReBklR8jqal9eQT1EaQIajezmNQta4E5OMPdZFl1cojCEDV_lI3eMzPWMNB6ONcoCi10k21hI6EhSWszkWsz4G8mWTfSGcS/s1600/140712_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEccyKNt-PjqNMJ2g-eXxeoemSR319f68KUpE1KcMIJUmJReBklR8jqal9eQT1EaQIajezmNQta4E5OMPdZFl1cojCEDV_lI3eMzPWMNB6ONcoCi10k21hI6EhSWszkWsz4G8mWTfSGcS/s1600/140712_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEccyKNt-PjqNMJ2g-eXxeoemSR319f68KUpE1KcMIJUmJReBklR8jqal9eQT1EaQIajezmNQta4E5OMPdZFl1cojCEDV_lI3eMzPWMNB6ONcoCi10k21hI6EhSWszkWsz4G8mWTfSGcS/s1600/140712_0002.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yep! We are
currently en route to Georgia in the midst of a deluge of rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps the weather forecast of daily rain for
Gainesville, GA this week is an answer to Jason’s prayer for
cooler-than-average temperatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
(</span>Somehow he hasn't been too excited about tenting in Georgia for a week
in late July :-P.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today marks
the start of the 8-days of training camp for The World Race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our body backpacks are packed; this is a bit
of a trial-run for the 11 countries/11 months we will be starting in September.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(My pack weighed in at a record 25 lbs.!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe traveling is finally teaching me to
pack light…) We are excited to meet the rest of our team, spend the week
together, try out our new camping gear, and participate in team activities
(what exactly, we have no idea!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
thankful for this upcoming time of preparation and learning more about what to
expect in the coming year as it will make the actual packing and final
preparation much simpler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRplAbT9xjvIiuNubxLArFOFGAFg1ofb2fsqObrt6eT61R6zq6KP0Xy4sHrIey_ufBbMJIwJlgeGSX4pXpo_RHJoZpqqwRRPRrB4bqGOeC0ahJYOCHrtHcCyZXeBojNgQPBv5Z2n6i8CLR/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRplAbT9xjvIiuNubxLArFOFGAFg1ofb2fsqObrt6eT61R6zq6KP0Xy4sHrIey_ufBbMJIwJlgeGSX4pXpo_RHJoZpqqwRRPRrB4bqGOeC0ahJYOCHrtHcCyZXeBojNgQPBv5Z2n6i8CLR/s1600/unnamed.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTF27M6oASbEt-Lia9tkeVUnMHsEDgAfqGAlBEsmd4oHMRNS_ospVajDFBGPjg3QnmAk52SKztCqUnjG5sTDxGWQdqEUEPKtlLw7XoAxar8MKD3BpqfN77jyp1gsKq5WP0xGmBv3ahZ-i7/s1600/unnamed4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTF27M6oASbEt-Lia9tkeVUnMHsEDgAfqGAlBEsmd4oHMRNS_ospVajDFBGPjg3QnmAk52SKztCqUnjG5sTDxGWQdqEUEPKtlLw7XoAxar8MKD3BpqfN77jyp1gsKq5WP0xGmBv3ahZ-i7/s1600/unnamed4.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What’s been happening?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We recently spent a delightful week in Ohio,
helping my brother and his wife renovate a home to move into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We helped with things like stripping and
sanding floors, installing lights and doors, a bit of fencing repair and gate
installation, and other minor projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was really fun to see progress throughout the week and to give them a
boost for their upcoming move. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
returned to PA in time to attend an employee’s wedding Saturday evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXTokW7EZgkqt7i5Qxuj01jVJFcGMYifncU3G-zn5IMhik1do8k31izNZrkin5-AbIfDzNifCs2djhPqRynyDtrNDboEaUeT2BjMiqBfIqDvOAfZYkHJmBJExTX_fH-Xsgv6ljAa5WDpX/s1600/140716_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXTokW7EZgkqt7i5Qxuj01jVJFcGMYifncU3G-zn5IMhik1do8k31izNZrkin5-AbIfDzNifCs2djhPqRynyDtrNDboEaUeT2BjMiqBfIqDvOAfZYkHJmBJExTX_fH-Xsgv6ljAa5WDpX/s1600/140716_0001.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This past
week we were actually home!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sound
surprised, because it was the first few days in the past 3 weeks that weren’t
preplanned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jason was able to catch up
with a few business-related meetings and such, and we finally had time for lots
of shopping, packing, and preparing for training camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also got to spend a bit of relaxed time
with the Hurst family as well, which was a nice break from prep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, that’s
the past few weeks in a nutshell, and what we’re moving into this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we transition forward, we will also be changing
completely over to our World Race blog site: <a href="http://jasonandsarahurst.theworldrace.org/">jasonandsarahurst.theworldrace.org</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will find this post (and others) posted
on both blogs, but from now on, we will be updating only one site (yay!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A shout out to all our readers and
followers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your support, interest, and
care mean so much to us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>THANK YOU!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989385263574912357.post-44460085795861033072014-07-06T13:03:00.003-07:002014-07-06T13:09:34.162-07:00transitions.<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeWpmLbRu-z67lxAgN32WeWN2A-jm5OF_41X6JFQ0ok2XfAm-ULf85wffeK6k9t4x-seOCDeR6YbtEZ7p3RUbeL7kLuE2Knv5pFLVHaTJer9XE_h3T8T0Ft1YP0YgAMYQtvYjycjt4op2/s1600/20140628_140146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeWpmLbRu-z67lxAgN32WeWN2A-jm5OF_41X6JFQ0ok2XfAm-ULf85wffeK6k9t4x-seOCDeR6YbtEZ7p3RUbeL7kLuE2Knv5pFLVHaTJer9XE_h3T8T0Ft1YP0YgAMYQtvYjycjt4op2/s1600/20140628_140146.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason's brother's wedding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The past 10
days have been a flurry of activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
hard to believe that we celebrated graduation from our 6-month training program
with YWAM San Francisco just over a week ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Since then we’ve had a family wedding, a week-long “staycation” with the
Hurst family, and a trip to Ohio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And then
there are the transitions:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Eating
potatoes instead of pasta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trading the cool
San Francisco weather for an East Coast summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Learning to appreciate American coffee again after 3 months of Italian
espresso.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually speaking a common
language with everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Living with
family in rural Lancaster County instead of in community in urban centers in California and Italy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shifting from
intense focus on personal life/development, ministry, and community living, to
busy schedules, demands, checklists, and deadlines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> For Jason, moving into the next decade!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6yMnKUmH-63IQA7u2lFqUlWojNPJX4zb4ZDtwrXpo_tT3yodeUKYRl2-T9scYKruckGx0et1ElcOOwyU6fq3RrzNN6BIJXJgwlSdjuAeROpOSHjbByeMknOzESKZcj6szdo8cByDITcE/s1600/10454930_716002951794904_5513950942056514905_o%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6yMnKUmH-63IQA7u2lFqUlWojNPJX4zb4ZDtwrXpo_tT3yodeUKYRl2-T9scYKruckGx0et1ElcOOwyU6fq3RrzNN6BIJXJgwlSdjuAeROpOSHjbByeMknOzESKZcj6szdo8cByDITcE/s1600/10454930_716002951794904_5513950942056514905_o%5B1%5D.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YWAM San Francisco Winter DTS 2014. Our AMAZING team!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And then
there’s the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being apart from the
dozen or so people we lived with, worked with, learned with, and grew with for
the past 6 months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people who we shared
life with in close proximity, who became like family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I miss you guys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You encouraged, fostered growth, challenged, supported
well, were incredibly fun to hang out with, and were so full of life, love, and
deeply cared for all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re the best
team ever!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(You’ve set the bar awfully
high for our fellow racers on The World Race in September…)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaDD9XI1Osal-hCySlOVagWKsRfV32a6I9uAXUC0H3yUnWxEK9X8EkuM-MvTYGBOPtJoqQAUyelHpKh3mNQ6mmQu8GiwnR0J0QHL258B1TysvtAB7XxvUFPMcGLsCr3jf1lbpw4ZD-BUR/s1600/20140627_043127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaDD9XI1Osal-hCySlOVagWKsRfV32a6I9uAXUC0H3yUnWxEK9X8EkuM-MvTYGBOPtJoqQAUyelHpKh3mNQ6mmQu8GiwnR0J0QHL258B1TysvtAB7XxvUFPMcGLsCr3jf1lbpw4ZD-BUR/s1600/20140627_043127.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now that we’re
back, the past 6 months almost feels like a different life entirely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is like I have changed, deepened, been challenged,
and grown so much, then was plopped back into a former life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A life that seems SO familiar, despite an
extended absence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So familiar, in fact,
that it feels like I too should be unchanged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yet I cannot deny what has happened within and around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do I reconcile this tension?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This quandary makes me realize how much I miss
my team: those who have walked through the same challenges, experiences, and
have grown alongside of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the same
time, it makes me SO THANKFUL to have done all this in tandem with Jason and to
have one person who is in the same transition period with whom I can process my
questions and challenges.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eVuKx0682cnM1dnTJ9j4Ndvc5xH5LeSYi9Hm31vjMBL_WKv9nwVeRh3XjW33JgqngoqSOmpcTyWBjO8zrnhbihIsFEze8j9g0KIXbSwPg9M9Sp9EyDdXjIAseics-e_tSNoKvkjYN2Ph/s1600/20140702_093759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eVuKx0682cnM1dnTJ9j4Ndvc5xH5LeSYi9Hm31vjMBL_WKv9nwVeRh3XjW33JgqngoqSOmpcTyWBjO8zrnhbihIsFEze8j9g0KIXbSwPg9M9Sp9EyDdXjIAseics-e_tSNoKvkjYN2Ph/s1600/20140702_093759.jpg" height="240" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, there is
my attempt to encapsulate these transitions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now it is
time to close the YWAM chapter, while retaining what we have learned, and move into
the next phase: preparing for World Race and, of course, reconnecting with
friends and family while we are home this summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you all so much for your interest and
support!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have missed you and look
forward to spending time with many of you in the coming weeks and months.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-sara<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<img height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eVuKx0682cnM1dnTJ9j4Ndvc5xH5LeSYi9Hm31vjMBL_WKv9nwVeRh3XjW33JgqngoqSOmpcTyWBjO8zrnhbihIsFEze8j9g0KIXbSwPg9M9Sp9EyDdXjIAseics-e_tSNoKvkjYN2Ph/s1600/20140702_093759.jpg" style="left: 502px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 1113px;" width="96" />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuCD_Wwx4GYzPN6LsaxwIWQuK0qFIcUmgnFZawIayKmtbxUr-erwlo1Qn54QgvDQVZTbTL0CSzqWeMB5Hwr3nufYQx5hxtb8rekUY_AQ9wvCIcBDhDkv2zTt1s9-pWY_iur7RSzya4ON0/s1600/20140614_115328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuCD_Wwx4GYzPN6LsaxwIWQuK0qFIcUmgnFZawIayKmtbxUr-erwlo1Qn54QgvDQVZTbTL0CSzqWeMB5Hwr3nufYQx5hxtb8rekUY_AQ9wvCIcBDhDkv2zTt1s9-pWY_iur7RSzya4ON0/s1600/20140614_115328.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">music in the main square (aka "piazza")</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3R4gJWoXEtljExHsFQ3Y9WUIfBf5WSwe5nr4NrZwXIwaDV7QCUe91Kza8Z7GoYCMEFk_VWZU9qwakIbbpLSVaU00tM93ld7V4-VS7Z6R7AvuKDmayFeSDZEkWF6Up67UewizGArgrIF8/s1600/20140606_164909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3R4gJWoXEtljExHsFQ3Y9WUIfBf5WSwe5nr4NrZwXIwaDV7QCUe91Kza8Z7GoYCMEFk_VWZU9qwakIbbpLSVaU00tM93ld7V4-VS7Z6R7AvuKDmayFeSDZEkWF6Up67UewizGArgrIF8/s1600/20140606_164909.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">games at the youth center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3ShJLJJHsUMObdnQCxePI-8D7InTUeDP-asQNmAiFPT8xFINMwMDpEWUeVtzJp6N9i7hflxh-qHLYkfFtvPSiKuX1uuHpmDTnHzMaDNIVCOSWPWaECBMxj4Yn80sHeXWbKuC82i1gMc7/s1600/20140603_102153%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3ShJLJJHsUMObdnQCxePI-8D7InTUeDP-asQNmAiFPT8xFINMwMDpEWUeVtzJp6N9i7hflxh-qHLYkfFtvPSiKuX1uuHpmDTnHzMaDNIVCOSWPWaECBMxj4Yn80sHeXWbKuC82i1gMc7/s1600/20140603_102153%25280%2529.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">working/cleanup at the church</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7aOTpCPMpAJkuErUgZHtDAwjvVyQZg2U9LagViFPaEut_tyhDn07e3WS1NVOctUiE86q8f8Wel7wZJMctSOHxvfwHC97xVXHeE1s_V5m9FPnUJvOtqr4ETc8k5TWIMwBVfnaF2NKq4h5/s1600/20140605_173754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7aOTpCPMpAJkuErUgZHtDAwjvVyQZg2U9LagViFPaEut_tyhDn07e3WS1NVOctUiE86q8f8Wel7wZJMctSOHxvfwHC97xVXHeE1s_V5m9FPnUJvOtqr4ETc8k5TWIMwBVfnaF2NKq4h5/s1600/20140605_173754.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">playing with kids at the park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCD_vUDx2xY9T6lO8gxQYUmreqkfKDRO5H3uEFgtZA0JH-768LEv7kqTT7F_HcCWL46IrEkHUm6hoUop-4myKI0PqEl4mmGK3QVcz1Y7HFYB0Vnbg_cTfRq9IqKLhSJowUDk7HJ0-c5ppg/s1600/20140610_212537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCD_vUDx2xY9T6lO8gxQYUmreqkfKDRO5H3uEFgtZA0JH-768LEv7kqTT7F_HcCWL46IrEkHUm6hoUop-4myKI0PqEl4mmGK3QVcz1Y7HFYB0Vnbg_cTfRq9IqKLhSJowUDk7HJ0-c5ppg/s1600/20140610_212537.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">small group in a tiny, hot, crowded apartment (aka "flat")</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">last dinner with our amazing hosts in Milan...we made and served gourmet burgers!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmVG66SSzU4fOFYzsDv_CL4UmgNVXYYq7_lTCeyQytzrRWHXHpqpek5YxFKMKLAhiozgjEO9lnl4nzeFsVyToGNjTkGWlxG3sRqoi1Axe-alAM5rbk6CidhEBRO7KnDM23z6paP3wWxDk/s1600/20140609_191125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmVG66SSzU4fOFYzsDv_CL4UmgNVXYYq7_lTCeyQytzrRWHXHpqpek5YxFKMKLAhiozgjEO9lnl4nzeFsVyToGNjTkGWlxG3sRqoi1Axe-alAM5rbk6CidhEBRO7KnDM23z6paP3wWxDk/s1600/20140609_191125.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and gelato!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Venetian food...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">weekend getaway in Venice.</td></tr>
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<img height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyU1zLkbOCon6zN4HEh7ykjwiZM889YmMFtrRup_a5a6ynhJ2SaB7qzFW3GmaBhgex1xf1gHRCdP4ypyqXyyYsyfPybXCcaZDUc46Ka310MJuMCUk0bCKlWBds6EViTp0_RTzo3F2FcGeU/s1600/20140608_211520_HDR.jpg" style="left: 555px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 410px;" width="72" />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara looking great drinking her favorite beverage; Coffee</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gelato is something worth getting excited about!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Our time in Italy is going well and
we've been having a good time building relationships with the local church and
community here so that's been cool and rewarding. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTlFHX1pbn1SXA58EaaG44FDjFIgvMw-62CIC6NmqeeDEJ1Ybhy2C40dsUkxnVQyRA73uipgkM8cxlLbaSF3_m9VlwNAYhHrvM6Knkf3r3UXPtiDJ91mMTza3DMtWk7KB74HaaHltk3jU/s1600/20140525_181337_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTlFHX1pbn1SXA58EaaG44FDjFIgvMw-62CIC6NmqeeDEJ1Ybhy2C40dsUkxnVQyRA73uipgkM8cxlLbaSF3_m9VlwNAYhHrvM6Knkf3r3UXPtiDJ91mMTza3DMtWk7KB74HaaHltk3jU/s1600/20140525_181337_HDR.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classical accordion concert inside a old historic church with some talented performers!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We’ve been going to the local
park and on several occasions I have been able to play soccer with a few of the
local young guys. I'm terrible compared to them, but they love having me play
with them anyhow. I always come away feeling like an old man from all the
running and trying to keep up with them (yes, I have scored a goal once or
twice </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> ). Yesterday one of the guys
told me that I'm like his adopted brother… which I thought was pretty cool!
I'm hoping to use the relationships I've been building with them to get them
connected with the local church and youth group at our upcoming community
barbecue which we have planned on the 14<sup>th</sup> of June. <o:p></o:p></span>
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We've been spending time together as a team doing some wonderful things such as going to a free concert, getting gelato with our host family, and living life together. This trip has been amazing in large part to the wonderful people we get to spend so much time with and just do life together. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of us in Milan at a free outdoor classical music concert!</td></tr>
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sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989385263574912357.post-7566254142732850332014-05-21T01:07:00.004-07:002014-05-21T01:07:58.301-07:00The Cage, and other fun stuff...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxiAzU4RL3wlefvqR74nNUV9JA8NoN0-9vbyA62buH3rfwA6rqd6Hksl94n-aHc3Sju4iXgJceqiRSxKbNouw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
For the past week we have been partnering with a local church in a nearby town (Rozzano) to assist with community events aimed at kids and teenagers. We will continue with similar activities through the end of this week with more of a focus on young kids in the kids playground area. <br />
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There are numerous activities and treasures we offer for kids such as face painting, balloon animals, dart throwing, soccer in a cage, puppet show, simple English vocabulary, etc. The Cage [soccer] was the star activity this past weekend: 2-on-2 soccer in a small space for 2 minutes at a time. Then several times throughout the day we'd have the kids and staff all enter the cage and do a drama, tell a short personal story, etc. We ended the weekend with a tournament and trophies, which was a lot of fun for those involved. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwvdwU6zgH4_2JroeTNBKHN-UttpodIQiXbzOvJ2kZDo4WBsS9k_-YjzMZWPr0iQ0HA3V2EcqQsD-azAH3o0A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>It has been a lot of fun getting to know another community here and being able to be involved with the church and their ministry. Keith and his wife Debbie are the leaders at the church in Rozzano and are doing a fantastic job of organizing the daily events for our team. <br />
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It's starting to feel like summer here so the afternoons spent outside are pretty warm and we are working on a pretty nice tan the last few weeks :) Time is flying by with only a little over 4 weeks left here till we return to SF. It's hard to believe how fast the time has gone.<br />
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Love to all,<br />
Jason and Sara -a collaborative effort this time =)sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989385263574912357.post-26524007228461585632014-05-11T14:17:00.001-07:002014-05-11T14:32:43.637-07:00Milano, Italy.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful town of Casorate</td></tr>
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Blogging has been sporadic. Schedule is irregular and a bit unpredictable. It's time to attempt to describe where we are and what we're doing in Italy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working with our hosts at their home in Casorate</td></tr>
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I'm sitting on the balcony of a home in the little town of Casorate, enjoying a rare thunder storm. This is a beautiful place. A quaint village with little streets, old houses, little shops and restaurants. Nine of the thirteen people in our team are staying in Casorate with a host family of 5. Jason and I staying about 30 minutes away in Milan in a 2-bedroom apartment (or "flat" as it's called in Italy) with another couple, actually our team leader and his wife. We're typically together with the entire team during the day, usually we commute to Casorate, but some days they drive to Milan to meet us there. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason in the "pandemonium"</td></tr>
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We have been in this part of Italy for about one week. Our days have rather diverse. So far our time has been mostly divided between hanging out at local parks talking to people ... partnering with an organization working with teens ... helping our hosts with projects at the house ... squeezing into our small rented Fiat Panda (aka "pandemonium") for our daily commutes ... volunteering at church events and joining the youth group for an evening ... participating in an informal worship team on frequent occasions (Jason plays the keyboard and I sing) ... and just spending time in and getting to know the communities in which we live. We are still figuring out what the routine here will look like, but are excited about what is ahead. Already, we have met some amazing people and have made some wonderful friends.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ultimate Frisbee at the park</td></tr>
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As always, thanks for your interest and support. We love and miss you all!<br />
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-sara</div>
sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989385263574912357.post-8636150512851597542014-04-30T10:08:00.004-07:002014-04-30T10:26:50.747-07:00last days in Rome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Community picnic in the park</td></tr>
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Hello everyone!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park cleanup</td></tr>
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We're within 2 days of departure from Rome, Italy, to Milan, Italy where we'll spend the remaining 8 weeks of our YWAM adventure. We have had so many great opportunities here in the community of Laurentina during our stay, as well as some surrounding areas. Our activities included: helping the church host a picnic at the park for the community the Monday after Easter (an additional holiday here), picking up trash several afternoons a week at the park, volunteering at a community center that serves refugees from countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan, serving dinners for the community at the church, participating with another church's youth evenings, and doing cleanup and minor landscaping projects for our hosts.<span class="text_exposed_show"> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason's lasagna for 40! (community dinner)</td></tr>
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<span class="text_exposed_show">Hopefully this gives you an idea of the
sort of things we've been doing here in Rome...it has been a combination of
community service projects and more specific ministry times, all in
conjunction with the local church here in Laurentina. We have </span><span class="text_exposed_show">thoroughly enjoyed our time in Italy thus far and will be sad to leave our delightful hosts and the new friends we have made here.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildflowers along the road near the house</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7VJ7tu6cINrSPG16f0dXWLX_OEeSkcmYgGkL9dYVAMFiJBUamKTWgCryEo3mUvW76rytXEISjO6jsJcl1XBstRokSI1Cc3MVyW1YYc54DrSSbCBuVt0mDYmBi3oVCwI98H42Xbgki1cn/s1600/10168039_10152770613813222_5319177363928971252_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7VJ7tu6cINrSPG16f0dXWLX_OEeSkcmYgGkL9dYVAMFiJBUamKTWgCryEo3mUvW76rytXEISjO6jsJcl1XBstRokSI1Cc3MVyW1YYc54DrSSbCBuVt0mDYmBi3oVCwI98H42Xbgki1cn/s1600/10168039_10152770613813222_5319177363928971252_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><span class="text_exposed_show">We're not sure
what to expect in the next phase of the trip, but we're excited about
whatever is ahead! Thanks to you all for your thoughts, interest, support, and prayers. </span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show">We love and miss you!</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show">Sara for us</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our amazing hosts on the rooftop terrace</td></tr>
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sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989385263574912357.post-28709232846343630502014-04-16T02:02:00.001-07:002014-04-16T14:43:01.018-07:00Roma, Italy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMZSwr6cidSQ6VVjWen_W9AcxNDaDU76vUgRCQYSUGADPmhoMrVKkQT4Ewy8fnzJVSMfItxRJkTB_zw4gKJibL28dRGd3FkbX3vSy83YEyU90kIOYklFmtA3XRiyvz7j5t7pb-etfO8_i/s1600/140414_0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMZSwr6cidSQ6VVjWen_W9AcxNDaDU76vUgRCQYSUGADPmhoMrVKkQT4Ewy8fnzJVSMfItxRJkTB_zw4gKJibL28dRGd3FkbX3vSy83YEyU90kIOYklFmtA3XRiyvz7j5t7pb-etfO8_i/s1600/140414_0022.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a>We're here! Sorry this has taken so long, and now I only have a few minutes to write... We've been in Rome about 1 week now and are finally recovering from jet lag =). We are staying and working with the local church here in the southern part of the city in the neighborhood of Laurentino. This area is affectionately called the "ghetto of Rome." The building we're staying in serves as a community center, a church (for multiple different groups), and housing for the entire team and our fabulous host couple. Our activities so far have included community service projects like picking up trash in the park, volunteering at a drop-in center for refugees, participating in and helping to host a weekly community dinner, and just spending time in the neighborhood building friendships and relationships...and drinking lots of espresso and exploring this beautiful city in our free time. Speaking of which, I have an espresso appointment with another team member now, so I'll sign off. Love and blessings to all!<br />
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-sara</div>
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sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989385263574912357.post-10017950538206112742014-04-06T13:12:00.000-07:002014-04-06T22:05:57.838-07:00Italy, here we come!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwiMQf6FP-0aJcnpC8aAGYJddyQ5pqMD8eibZSxXh5ybb_7EJV4gXKHVeAfjeQ4R23g-ACF8cs6HxEFKHFi6rPParAH8U9qoNrF1RxT9CuTkz2L44a08C3qM_qWAPOe5UGko03GE2aYBt/s1600/IMG_0794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwiMQf6FP-0aJcnpC8aAGYJddyQ5pqMD8eibZSxXh5ybb_7EJV4gXKHVeAfjeQ4R23g-ACF8cs6HxEFKHFi6rPParAH8U9qoNrF1RxT9CuTkz2L44a08C3qM_qWAPOe5UGko03GE2aYBt/s1600/IMG_0794.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sail boat ride in the SF Bay!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgIfCkwLHf2pz1oYZL8_DVl79rajASSYbI3sTiLkI-59ce96uYUPoeur6J8-zL5ywQitwSp2BYE4ee6czg2-13ABugEYSc_Gpg-zCirixU3CE7Fxcg_Re7hfLA18gmTIrzwhKPy7VH7Sb/s1600/IMG_1066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgIfCkwLHf2pz1oYZL8_DVl79rajASSYbI3sTiLkI-59ce96uYUPoeur6J8-zL5ywQitwSp2BYE4ee6czg2-13ABugEYSc_Gpg-zCirixU3CE7Fxcg_Re7hfLA18gmTIrzwhKPy7VH7Sb/s1600/IMG_1066.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise overlooking the city of SF</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Three months has come and gone in a flash and we are in the
middle of our last full day here in SF with less then 24hrs to go till departure time
for Italy! While it seems time has sped by, the amazing things we learned from
so many great teachers while being here has been very impact-full in our lives.
Also the time spent building relationships with the people of San Francisco
has been a wonderful experience and we are very blessed to have been a part of
the community here during our stay. We definitely are leaving part of our heart
here as we leave for the next phase of our time in YWAM. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We plan on being in Rome for three weeks
working with a church there and then heading north to Milan for the remainder
of out time also working with a church there. We will return to San Fransisco
towards the end of June for our graduation and debrief time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVrNpbh3QZrHDCQR2Zgji9NsUHOArLJQj0sdZrm5PKxDutItZ3EATWCf6LwUqhYWQQ09Z1yTRilUq4ilg2QM1Bt4XT9hfVb47sxIGmRAljdMGOmfNJpXRDE_kdyOoRuGJObwcS6M9IhAH/s1600/IMG_1110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVrNpbh3QZrHDCQR2Zgji9NsUHOArLJQj0sdZrm5PKxDutItZ3EATWCf6LwUqhYWQQ09Z1yTRilUq4ilg2QM1Bt4XT9hfVb47sxIGmRAljdMGOmfNJpXRDE_kdyOoRuGJObwcS6M9IhAH/s1600/IMG_1110.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Gate bridge with Sara's parents who came to visit us!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Please keep us in your prayers as we go. Our goal is to
serve and support the churches we will be working with and to overall bless
them while being there and working alongside of them. </div>
sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989385263574912357.post-38590065708758017602014-03-23T20:59:00.004-07:002014-03-23T21:08:35.164-07:00cities...<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXNytZcRDReekX1SaB_4R5atni769wOgSgQFULKKgto4afKVNazj7IN2XMqC2ZlMSNv8xZXmT_NCbkTET38Ohy6CCznpNgr9I0TxRNEQBEBtJoqP20SsF3ZYi4lNYS6Egoj4lFRZRhWzL/s1600/140317_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXNytZcRDReekX1SaB_4R5atni769wOgSgQFULKKgto4afKVNazj7IN2XMqC2ZlMSNv8xZXmT_NCbkTET38Ohy6CCznpNgr9I0TxRNEQBEBtJoqP20SsF3ZYi4lNYS6Egoj4lFRZRhWzL/s1600/140317_0005.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hidden Cross atop Mount Davidson </td></tr>
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We had the best classroom spaces ever this week! <br />
Our topic was "cities", and our teacher, Tim Svoboda took us to multiple beautiful vistas overlooking San Francisco for class times. It was delightful to get out of our basement classroom for several sessions to enjoy the gorgeous day and views. A great diversion and an amazing way to dialogue about cities from these heights.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing views with Tim with sunset included!</td></tr>
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Other highlights from the week included visiting the Castro and hearing from a pastor there about ways to actively engage one's community, and doing chair aerobics with our friends at the senior center.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring has sprung!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chair Aerobics at the Senior Center</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cable car riding</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1 out of 10 miles down for the day...</td></tr>
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We were also blessed by a visit from my parents this week! They came Thursday and are staying in a nearby hotel until Tuesday [early] morning. They've been able to join us for some classes and activities, and we've had fun showing them around town. We even got to do a bunch of things we hadn't done before including: walking the Golden Gate Bridge, visiting the town of Sausalito, bringing the ferry back to San Francisco, dining in at Tony's Pizza, and going to the cable car museum. Of course, we also got to show them some of our favorites here as well, such as Telegraph Hill and Coit Tower (where we got to see a beautiful sunset), Filbert [wooden stair] Street, and the cable cars. Yet Saturday alone we logged about 10 miles on foot! (My parents are pretty spry, I'd say...) I believe the highlights for them were walking the Golden Gate and riding the cable cars (besides being with us of course!). We have had an wonderful time together being outdoors and enjoying the lovely spring weather.<br />
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-sara</div>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-0HEfTXoZ3Vc%2FUy-nDRLKvRI%2FAAAAAAAACOU%2FcjQkf8q7yN4%2Fs1600%2F140318_0002.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4qcUD-WnqYRmIYdz5E3laqV2RR_FMCyk9imgYN4PmTET5ZtMnqnDbxNjZoXl6nuThPQ3RcSVx2jWBx_EJ2a6gcNjpzgL6DRVi_HnKGs0kev7XndJuFnIBAOXtplBpZs5YFBoFqgUyEEM/s1600/140318_0002.jpg" -->sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989385263574912357.post-55075894226206108252014-03-15T21:20:00.000-07:002014-03-15T21:44:23.835-07:00where has the time gone???<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UbeAMCCfpOQG3WVGlBMrH4uDhUr6kSRDajU-nasTYhZ75JNKNRCRLSr24el9DM6wklsnXkqGCXtyzNfeQY2lYjao9qYvWU7g4QMW9eBbTOXQzNksEmzgbSMG3TFnpEaKBalXq7c0IcIx/s1600/140315_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UbeAMCCfpOQG3WVGlBMrH4uDhUr6kSRDajU-nasTYhZ75JNKNRCRLSr24el9DM6wklsnXkqGCXtyzNfeQY2lYjao9qYvWU7g4QMW9eBbTOXQzNksEmzgbSMG3TFnpEaKBalXq7c0IcIx/s1600/140315_0001.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a>We've suddenly realized that we have a mere 3 weeks between us and Italy! It's hard to believe that the months here in San Francisco will so quickly be over. We have learned so much, built amazing friendships, and are slowly, but steadily, translating new concepts into everyday life. And I've relearned how much I love living in a close community (yeah, I might annul this statement while traveling together for 3 months with more cramped and less ideal accommodations...but for now I'm thinking I'll really miss these folks when we finally part in June!). We've really become a sort of [big] family. Today we had the pleasure of all spending the day at the home of one of the students who lives about 1.5 hours from the base. Her parents graciously opened their beautiful home to us, made lots of amazing food, and provided us with a gorgeous place to kick back, relax, and enjoy each other and nature. It was a beautiful sunny day in Sunnyvale, CA and super refreshing for all of us. I think we'd forgotten what grass was like! We all enjoyed it immensely. The back yard offered such a peaceful haven and was a lovely change from the sights and smells of the city.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3BWdmpjbE1BZYMGTpwOctfj3JwHnL4wVn-7_7kz6bBvVFffXoGuKGeZN6Zk2a7nNrbQxoZUOqlV8J1j1ffi35Z1GSovhSyQ7puyqEifDy11xSA8rw_6v9pcRY4lY0VKYFzCyR3n__sPF/s1600/140312_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3BWdmpjbE1BZYMGTpwOctfj3JwHnL4wVn-7_7kz6bBvVFffXoGuKGeZN6Zk2a7nNrbQxoZUOqlV8J1j1ffi35Z1GSovhSyQ7puyqEifDy11xSA8rw_6v9pcRY4lY0VKYFzCyR3n__sPF/s1600/140312_0008.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>Our class topic this week was Lordship, and was taught by multiple speakers from the YWAM SF community. There were so many profound truths (as usual), I'm not sure how to condense it. (My plan for tomorrow--in addition to getting up super early to ride along to Twin Peaks to see the sunrise--is to review my notes from the past week in an attempt to increase absorption.) We talked about allowing God to show us what areas of life we are maintaining control over. For me, this included my rights, my reputation, and my ideas/ theories/opinions. A few other concepts that were highlighted to me in reflecting on the week were: entitlement vs. serving, hiding vs. leading, my agenda vs. God's will, and self-protection vs. vulnerability (all of which boil down to selfishness vs. Lordship). I kept coming back to how <em>counterintuitive</em> the gospel is. In search for peace, happiness, love, there are only counterfeits, but in seeking God, all these and more are fully realized. Hmmm, perhaps that's what the Bible means when it says, "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it." Luke 9:24<br />
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I hope you're all doing well. I'd really REALLY love to hear from you!!! If you have a chance, please drop a line via comment, email, or FB! I'm always interested in feedback and/or hearing how life is going for you. Love to all!<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
-sara</div>
sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989385263574912357.post-69436588166200497322014-03-08T14:56:00.001-08:002014-03-08T14:56:15.993-08:00God's kingdom and my KingdomMy Kingdom (sphere of influence, realm of decision making, anything I own), <span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">is
now under God's rule, made a part of his kingdom. I'm no longer king,
but a representative of the heavenly king to whom it now belongs! His Kingdom has come to earth and we are all invited to join His kingdom, and be a part of the amazing riches, and wealth that the heavenly kingdom offers to all who make the God of the universe the King of their kingdom! Jason</span></span><br />
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sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989385263574912357.post-1832668193770259062014-03-02T17:19:00.000-08:002014-03-02T17:19:36.206-08:00Who am I?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I have always had a fear of public speaking and felt like
there was always someone else who should do it because they were more gifted
then I was. Most times when I did need to speak publicly, I felt like I became
a different person because I was bound by fear of messing up in front of
everyone, convinced I didn’t have what it took to do it. I believed that at the
core of who I was I just wasn’t cut out for it, that somehow God didn’t give me
that ability. But then why did so much of what I was called to involve speaking publicly? Why couldn’t I conquer my fear of what others thought of me, and
live with confidence in what I knew God called me to? It was a completely new
thought to me that God wanted to talk to me about who I am and through this
struggle I had and show me what he thought of me and what he created me for. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The root of this problem was deeper than speaking, it was in finding my identity in Christ, which is a "christian" term for hearing from God himself what he thinks of you and who he says you are.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse">
God has been teaching me so much in the past few weeks about how
much he wants to be in communication with us as his sons and daughters. He
doesn’t just want a one sided conversation with me, where I’m doing all the
talking and he is doing all the listening, but actually wants to talk to me as
I listen to him. He wants to tell me what he thinks of me, tell me who I am,
and the plans he has for me. It’s about a relationship where God is my perfect
father and I hear from him the kind of things a son needs to hear from a
father. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="verse">
</div>
<div class="verse">
</div>
<div class="verse">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>So I took these big questions of
"who I am?" and "what am I made to do?" to my creator and father and asked Him and
then listened as he talked. Let me tell you, I have never been so affected by a
talk in my life. When you find out what God thinks of you and what the truth
about yourself is, there is nothing so freeing, nothing so life giving as God
telling you who you are. In spite of past failings and sin, not because of
anything I have done, but because of how much he loves me; because I am His creation. I know we cannot
fully understand how much God loves us, but if we can begin to let God tell us, show us,
and begin to experience his love, that is life like no other. </div>
<div class="verse">
<i><span class="text">Ep. 3:17-19 <sup>17 </sup>May Christ
through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent
home) in your hearts! <span style="background-color: yellow;">May you be rooted deep in love and founded
securely on love,</span> <sup>18 </sup>That you may have the power and be
strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people,
the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and
depth [of it];</span> <span class="text"><sup>19<span style="background-color: yellow;"> </span></sup><span style="background-color: yellow;">[That you may really
come] to know</span> [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of
Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may
be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the
richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and
flooded with God Himself]!</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I hear from God and find security in him as my father
and creator, I learn who I really am and am set free to be who he created me to
be. All of a sudden the fear of what others think about me lessens, the
thoughts that I don’t have what it takes melt away in the reality of who I
really am and the plans that the God who made me has for my life. Where could I
better find out what gifts I have, what I was created for, and why I am here in
the world, than to get it from the one who created me and made plans for my
life since the beginning of time? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Ep.
2:10 AMP For we are God’s own handiwork, His workmanship, re-created in Christ
Jesus, born anew that we may do those good works which God planned before hand
for us, taking paths which he prepared ahead of time, that we should walk in
them<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>living the good life which he
prearranged and made ready for us to live)</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why would I ever try to figure
it out on my own if my heavenly father who knows me better then I know myself
is wanting to tell me all these things? I’m learning through this that God has
the perfect plan for my life and if he asks me to do something he will provide
me with the means to carry it out, even if it means speaking publicly! I choose to let God define my identity not my fear.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Jason</div>
sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989385263574912357.post-32593539892096534552014-02-16T20:59:00.005-08:002014-02-16T21:13:53.953-08:00random happenings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslUwpdvlaNqZJSupjxoI7uBQHdAe4gAzvHq4L-yTgQBMa70c4pIL8yJBVoJ8o23VtU4cN-zC3nFhJNphBtVsNBbGeZTTGElCagckW8U2MEyf0O1XSV4jCzDVLOzdyIhfE7BQNNXToT-l8/s1600/IMG_0499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslUwpdvlaNqZJSupjxoI7uBQHdAe4gAzvHq4L-yTgQBMa70c4pIL8yJBVoJ8o23VtU4cN-zC3nFhJNphBtVsNBbGeZTTGElCagckW8U2MEyf0O1XSV4jCzDVLOzdyIhfE7BQNNXToT-l8/s1600/IMG_0499.JPG" height="400" width="263" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo201U66GJKiTKIkMT7Dt7MQMBPW0RYGqsNmMudgyLKN5j0RfyMpGIJKBBMhKJ-uXjdGQ7xV953s3WK0YldUhostyCaTQqCRkm71_huGo8ZMp2SZBx5dcg86uqZ8AO-ttPsP6OUqGP368b/s1600/140216_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo201U66GJKiTKIkMT7Dt7MQMBPW0RYGqsNmMudgyLKN5j0RfyMpGIJKBBMhKJ-uXjdGQ7xV953s3WK0YldUhostyCaTQqCRkm71_huGo8ZMp2SZBx5dcg86uqZ8AO-ttPsP6OUqGP368b/s1600/140216_0003.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>This week was again a full one, with classes every morning, some evenings, and community outreach/service projects in the afternoons. Highlights included a time of reflection/processing at the beach one morning and the long walk home, an <em>amazing</em> week of class: insights, inspiration, growth, encouragement, and increased closeness as a team, a special Valentine's dinner at Knob Hill Café with antique cable car transportation, flowers from a street vendor, and watching the Chinese New Year Parade with thousands of participants along with approximately one million onlookers. (The parade is said to be one of the top 10 parades in the world, and proved to be a fun cultural community event.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Class quotes from <em>Plumbline </em>(taught by Jerry Preatzal, Montana):</div>
<ul>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's not the past that makes up who we are, it's what we do with it.</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you don't deal with issues, they'll deal with you!</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If the enemy cannot keep you <em>out</em> of the past, he'll keep you <em>in</em> it.</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The person who leaves his past at the cross, takes up a new life.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When pain occurs and we "stuff it", we numb our <em>emotions</em>, compromise our <em>will</em> (turn to addictions), and live solely from our <em>minds</em>. However, the glory of God is a person <em>fully alive </em>(mind, will, and emotions).</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jesus offers to take our lives of pain, guilt, shame, mistakes, and failures and exchange it for a life of freedom--a redeemed life: a totally new, alive person!</div>
</li>
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Unbelief disqualifies God. It says, "I know you're all-powerful and loving, but not with me."</div>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
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We are forgiven people who forgive others.</div>
</li>
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"Whoever's sin you retain (hang onto) on earth, will be bound in heaven." Unforgiveness is a binding contract between parties that can be broken by one person, freeing all involved.</div>
</li>
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Humility (being willing to be known for who you are) draws God's presence.</div>
</li>
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<br />sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989385263574912357.post-11174521877109396952014-02-09T23:09:00.002-08:002014-02-09T23:09:16.650-08:00snippets from classTopic: Identity<br />
Speaker: Alessandro Gatti, Italy<br />
<ul>
<li>Who are you?</li>
<li>When you <em>are </em>what you're <em>doing</em>, when you stop <em>doing</em>, you <em>aren't</em>! =P</li>
<li>Is it what I <em>do </em>that determines who I <em>am</em>, or who I <em>am </em>that determines what I <em>do</em>?</li>
<li>Nobody is better equipped to fulfill the unique purposes God designed me to fulfill.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>We were all born with longings for security, significance, and acceptance--exactly what we were created for (Eden). </li>
<li>Jesus came to bring <em>abundant</em> life! (John 10:10)</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>No matter how much effort we put into creating an identity through appearance, accomplishments, or social status, it's a farce.</li>
<li>Identity never has to be proven.</li>
<li>As Christians, we live <em>from</em> our identity, not <em>for </em>our identity. We are defined by who we <em>are</em> [in Christ], not by what we <em>do </em>(or fail to do) for Christ.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>Truth only empowers when you believe it.</li>
</ul>
sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989385263574912357.post-1765693525723213482014-02-01T21:51:00.001-08:002014-02-01T21:55:13.757-08:00life on Ellis Street...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqyA-hz1LjIHz0i8GodOTluhWSFWduAvEBsEC6MBq7nsXo2djkG_NjqvSAOv2lDUuvJ8iaGX_EjBcOPAY6XcPaDhXAJYM-2yCrp66THnZ9KVS2FjZy8U4MpORjv0Zy8JYfemnadZGfbQ2/s1600/140123_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqyA-hz1LjIHz0i8GodOTluhWSFWduAvEBsEC6MBq7nsXo2djkG_NjqvSAOv2lDUuvJ8iaGX_EjBcOPAY6XcPaDhXAJYM-2yCrp66THnZ9KVS2FjZy8U4MpORjv0Zy8JYfemnadZGfbQ2/s1600/140123_0002.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a> Youth With A Mission (YWAM) San Francisco is based on Ellis Street on a block that is "home" to 20-30 homeless individuals. The front room of the YWAM building is known as the Ellis Room, and is a large open area filled with tables chairs and game tables, with windows onto the street. Monday-Thursday mornings this room is a drop-in center open to anyone who wants to come in to hang out, play pool, sleep in safety, or chat with staff. Most afternoons the Ellis Room is also open and offers free services to the local [homeless]community. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZ5FJXC0LaKOvI69oiQ3RfrN0EsFNKFYuJybcRIbcmtbgjv8lKaX3g4ADgB5cisutCU4mrtOnhmD_0WI48SPHxPCDc52s-47X2FNP3dJ0q-Pcu-3Vh6VFg6xO7MkL_lV1z8k-rzH5z0cq/s1600/140127_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZ5FJXC0LaKOvI69oiQ3RfrN0EsFNKFYuJybcRIbcmtbgjv8lKaX3g4ADgB5cisutCU4mrtOnhmD_0WI48SPHxPCDc52s-47X2FNP3dJ0q-Pcu-3Vh6VFg6xO7MkL_lV1z8k-rzH5z0cq/s1600/140127_0001.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>Monday afternoons are "nail day". The Ellis Room is open for women to get free manicures and/or be creative at our art table. Nail Day is staffed largely by volunteers as well as BJM (Because Justice Matters) staff. This is a great opportunity to serve the women in the community: it's a time for them to relax, be waited upon, and have someone to talk to who cares about them, and drink bottomless coffee =). Tuesday afternoons there different planned activities each week. Wednesday afternoons there are open Bible Studies and, later, free men's hair cuts. Thursday afternoons we have a "food pantry" for individuals registered with the food bank. We set up with pallets and bins of food and about 25 volunteers. As people loop around the room, they are handed their allotment of fruits, vegetables, meat, or dairy products by volunteers. We typically serve over 200 individuals. Friday afternoons are for life groups, prayer times, and a few (10 per week) people can come in for showers. Jason's ministry times on Wed and Fri afternoons are primarily with the Ellis Room, so he could expound on particular events, stories, and [occasional?] drama in more detail.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqOORlx0vm8oZCJGfjZ1p8skbBLyPl9zxcvwIFkMgmXulBrvZQs5fA9f3uNtZaSl6h4bveKRWn_NjokGjhmqRwATxxH3iPFfjl-9JPlYplt_foVa-a5tRbycub5EuuyFxcaBjgDMJblWJ/s1600/140131_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqOORlx0vm8oZCJGfjZ1p8skbBLyPl9zxcvwIFkMgmXulBrvZQs5fA9f3uNtZaSl6h4bveKRWn_NjokGjhmqRwATxxH3iPFfjl-9JPlYplt_foVa-a5tRbycub5EuuyFxcaBjgDMJblWJ/s1600/140131_0006.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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My ministry assignment is in North Beach, an Italian community about 20 minutes by bus from base. Wed and Fri afternoons are spent volunteering at the Boys' and Girls' club with an average of 150 (out of about 400) kids. We play four-square, soccer, board games, do origami, use game tables, etc., and just have fun building relationships with them. This week we also went to Italian Community Center, a senior center we'll be volunteering at every other week.<br />
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Another opportunity we have here in SF is "hot chocolate" (everyone's favorite!). Every Friday evening we take thermoses full of hot chocolate and hand it out to the friends and neighbors who live on the streets in the area around the YWAM base. Sometimes (like last week) we have as many as 100 extra volunteers who come just to help out for the evening. We split into small groups and just walk around and find people to talk to. Giving someone who sleeps outdoors a warm drink on a cold night, often opens up opportunity for great conversations. Our goal is to be a blessing, build friendships, and share God's love. Last week I had multiple people come up to my group and specifically ask for prayer. They seem to really like, as one person termed it, "hot chocolate moments". There are always interesting and inspirational stories told at the end of these evenings!sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989385263574912357.post-58676655049221826332014-01-21T17:06:00.000-08:002014-01-21T17:06:01.327-08:001st week in Cali...
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiD9b_ha_o77rnDzjQqrEtQcuwEIiHqOYnSi01KYCsQhozDRgi47UP75F9vDzN26vadHkUii6DcdIHYdl7qWLToRjzH_jdzi_fe-XSFnUk3UIdochc_oUu75JmJLaoJb80mwL5uWoJs8Wu/s1600/140118_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiD9b_ha_o77rnDzjQqrEtQcuwEIiHqOYnSi01KYCsQhozDRgi47UP75F9vDzN26vadHkUii6DcdIHYdl7qWLToRjzH_jdzi_fe-XSFnUk3UIdochc_oUu75JmJLaoJb80mwL5uWoJs8Wu/s1600/140118_0002.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jason:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We are here in CA, and it’s a balmy 65 degrees outside while
the snow flies in Lancaster, PA! It’s hard to believe we have been here for
over a week already, but we are quickly falling in love with this city, our
fellow YWAM’ers, and the people on the streets. We have begun building
relationships and investing in those around us while getting a solid stream of
amazing teaching and practical hands on experience in the short time we have
been here. We know this is where God wants us and look forward to all the stuff
we will learn and more importantly what God will do in our hearts over this
time. We are living on base here at the YWAM base with the rest of the crew and
have a delightful little room with our own bathroom and mini kitchen all to
ourselves (thankfully we were not separated to the men and women’s dorms as
Sara kept telling me might happen)! We eat all our meals together, minister
together, learn together, pray together, and have fun together, etc., so there
is a big emphasis on community which we have really been enjoying. </span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></o:p> </div>
<span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3ksOesDOTx1St1SJiXDQQVl9dUewoEqibfmaawqIQVUeHd6eA5_7zHn8wy__zhi2Ix8Cg1X-RIeqOChs8EsTV6T3W1jwItWmCTf7DQIGeD_m2YrXRyXanuvO7OSI-hH64-OvarkzbGib/s1600/140121_0001.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Probably the biggest lesson God is getting through to me so
far is this and I quote Will Strickland who taught on worship last week; “Don’t
let fear define you, don’t let others define you, don’t even let yourself
define who you are, let God define who you are as a person.” For me that means
not saying “God you can use me for this, but you can’t use me for this over
here”. Or “yes, I can do that, but no way, I don’t have what it takes to do
this.” When I can learn to walk in the confidence of who he is calling me to
be, I am no longer confined or controlled by my fear or who I think I am, but
am set free to be who God calls me and wants me to be! And then God can do
whatever he wants through me and call out talents and things in me I didn’t
even know he placed within me. Only then can I be truly who God made me to be.
So exciting, and I’m look forward to living life out of that reality!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks for your continued prayers and support! We love you
all!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sara: </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZT2Mtk0TYqMTgm2G_3UcOZBtkfN7_ihm753-UL8-nA9S3YuMrMlmN_G04KkVNOZ03Ux2hGA9IIArKrsuBpFecIgMgI3_rxacE149f8t-1iwpGI8uIdSh2PmiqAF-o7hD3CwdrqcyyjEsi/s1600/140115_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZT2Mtk0TYqMTgm2G_3UcOZBtkfN7_ihm753-UL8-nA9S3YuMrMlmN_G04KkVNOZ03Ux2hGA9IIArKrsuBpFecIgMgI3_rxacE149f8t-1iwpGI8uIdSh2PmiqAF-o7hD3CwdrqcyyjEsi/s1600/140115_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZT2Mtk0TYqMTgm2G_3UcOZBtkfN7_ihm753-UL8-nA9S3YuMrMlmN_G04KkVNOZ03Ux2hGA9IIArKrsuBpFecIgMgI3_rxacE149f8t-1iwpGI8uIdSh2PmiqAF-o7hD3CwdrqcyyjEsi/s1600/140115_0003.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We are <em>loving</em> life in the Tenderloin (aka homeless district) in San Francisco. This past week has been chocked full with lectures, ministry opportunities, book studies, getting to know the rest of the group (formally and informally), and exploring the city together. It has already proven to be a stretching and sometimes exhausting schedule, but we are SO excited for the opportunity we have to be here!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">During one of our exploratory walks this week, I was really impressed with the beauty and potential that exists here. Sometimes it's easy to overlook with all the overwhelming needs, but I just got an image of God wanting to bring restoration to this place. Back story: I love old houses, old vehicles, old furniture, etc., and like to think I have an imaginative eye for what things could potentially look like if they were restored. I had to think, what about people? How often do I see past the obvious and realize there is unique potential and beauty within every human being. As we heard in class last week, each person reflects an aspect of God's character in a way that nobody else does. Hmm, food for thought.</span></div>
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Speaking of which, it's dinner time so I must sign off. Love and blessings to all!</div>
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sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989385263574912357.post-5894053416521605342014-01-11T08:40:00.001-08:002014-01-11T08:40:09.644-08:00leaving town
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jason:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ever have the feeling that your feelings in a given moment
are not quite equal to what the moment demands? As if reality has not really
set in?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That happened to me the other
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt much too easy to leave everything
behind on Thursday to board the 1:52pm westbound train from the Lancaster Amtrak
station platform with plans not to return for a good long while. I left my
house, my job, my family, my friends, and my comfortable little life behind
without feeling like it was a big deal. Someday, a few days, weeks, or months
from now it'll hit me, but right now, it hasn’t. I know there are challenges
ahead; I know that my comfort zone will most likely be blown to smithereens,
but I don’t think I have realized that yet. I’m just happy to be on my way west,
and am looking forward to what God has in store for us, despite leaving the
little town of Lancaster with all of its comforts <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Just Thursday while sitting at a train station in Pittsburgh
while waiting on our next train to Chicago, my lovely wife and I decided to
reconcile the credit card transactions from this past year to redeem the time
(yes, it literally has been that bad with me in charge of the books for the
last while). If you don’t know me, you might find it surprising that I don’t
sit around twiddling my oversize thumbs, wondering what to do with 24 hours in
a day, but instead always seem to have 101 things going on at once and with
that, understandably of course (in my defense), not everything gets done. There
was a certain purchase that was unclear what it had been for and what it should
be categorized under. I was the offending party in the matter and try as I
might, I couldn’t remember what it was I had purchased. So using my very large
brain, I decided if I could remember what I did that day, then I might be able
to remember what it was I purchased as well. Wow Jason, smart idea. Try as I
might, even aiding myself with calendars, thinking out loud (this really helps
if you haven’t ever tried it), and head banging (not very useful), I couldn’t
even remember what I did on that day. I then started to wonder, how much of
what I do in life is so trivial that a half a year from tomorrow it’ll just be water
over the dam, a distant lost memory with no lasting importance to the human
race and of no eternal consequence? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
much of my life is so unintentional, so mundane that it becomes a blur along
with every other wasted day in life? I don’t want to live a life of normalcy,
but rather to live on the cutting edge and in fulfillment of God’s call on my
life!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So did I get all my responsibilities at home and with The
Fence Experts all wrapped up in a small neat little package and hand it over to
John Esh with the sound of a full orchestra playing behind me like I had hoped
to? No, I’m pretty sure it looked more like a box the size of a small car with
everything thrown in there haphazardly, needing hours of sorting by the
receiver and dropped off with a wheezing old tow truck to the ceremonious
sounds of the impatient drivers’ horns lining up behind me as I unloaded my
precariously huge box by the side of the road…. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></span>
The end of our time at home came upon me like a posse of wild horses overtaking
an overweight lumbering bull:, I knew it would happen, but it still caught me by
surprise. So here is a shout out to John Esh and all the wonderful people at
The Fence Experts who are sorting through the large box! You guys are amazing! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I will miss being part of a company that is full of amazing
and talented, energetic young men. I like that they care about more than just
the almighty dollar and take time to focus on the important and long lasting
eternal things like each other, and changing the people around them. I’m proud
of the amazing people at The Fence Experts who are on their way to China in
February to carry Bibles into a place where people don’t have a Bible to call
their own. So leaving and not being a part of that anymore is a bit hard. But
God has called Sara and I to invest in his kingdom in a different way right
now, and so here we go, to learn all we can, and to invest as much as we can
during this time.</span> </span></div>
sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989385263574912357.post-9011240607502957732014-01-09T13:19:00.001-08:002014-01-09T13:23:34.155-08:00family, friends, farewells...and we're off!Wow, an amazing and busy past few days!!! Thanks to all our friends and family who offered their support and encouragement over the past week. We felt incredibly blessed to spend a intensive weekend with friends in our home and then were honored with a farewell party hosted by friends and family. It was such a privilege to see so many of you before leaving the area! Thank you for your interest and involvement in our journey.<br />
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Here's the breakdown of the week:<br />
<br />
Monday: We moved out of the apartment that had been our home for the past few months. It was an odd feeling to pack up all our possessions and put everything in storage except our packed luggage! We almost felt homeless for a bit...but Jason's parents graciously welcomed us into their home for a few days while we completed last-minute preparations for the trip.<br />
<br />
Tuesday: Jason spent the day wrapping up responsibilities at The Fence Experts while I did some shopping and spent the afternoon at Mom's. Jason joined us in the evening and, together with my parents, we had dinner with my sister and her family.<br />
<br />
Wednesday ("Travel Day 0"): Left just before midday to drive to OH to spend an evening and night with my brother, his wife, and their family (kids <em>and</em> guinea pigs). It was a flying trip, but worth every moment to catch up with them a bit before heading west. As always, the food and accommodations were amazing, and the conversations delightful. We will greatly miss you, John, Rachal, and kiddos!<br />
<br />
Thursday ("Travel Day 1"): Travelled from Ohio to PA from Ohio in time to get the 1:52pm train from Lancaster to Pittsburg for the first leg of our Amtrak journey west. Our dear parents surprised us by meeting us at the train station when we arrived! The train pulled up as we walked down to the platform, so with some quick waves and goodbyes, we were on our way...to California (several days hence).<br />
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<br />
And so it is. It's still rather hard to believe, even aboard this train, that we're abandoning life as we know it and venturing into the great unknown. But it's incredible, really, that we have the opportunity to dedicate a period of our lives to study, learn, grow, and serve. We are ready to be changed by our experiences, to network with others, and to develop an understanding of ways in which to remain involved in ministry on a greater level (whether we are at home or abroad).<br />
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-Sara</div>
sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989385263574912357.post-69490754581715954422013-12-31T12:18:00.000-08:002013-12-31T12:18:02.830-08:00holidays, transitionsWow, so much has happened since I last wrote... Apologies to all for the delay.<br />
<br />
2316 Christmas Eve, 2014:<br />
Left work at the Lancaster General Hospital Emergency Department for the last time as I terminated my employment of 2.5 years. It was such an odd feeling walking out and being "unemployed"! I felt a rush of excitement and a sense of accomplishment mixed with a bit of apprehension as I mentally reviewed my recent completion of school and work and looked toward an unknown future. I have never before been in a position where so few future details are realized. It's rather thrilling: makes me feel a bit young, crazy, and unconventional, but carries with it a great many unidentified challenges.<br />
<br />
Holidays with family:<br />
In early December, we spent a week with the Yoder/Kauffman family at a cabin in Port Royal Pennsylvania. It was so fun being together with my siblings and their families from out of state, as well as my parents and extended family who live locally. Christmas Day was spent in PA with my parents and sister and her family. Two days later, we were en route to South Dakota to spend most of a week with Jason's family at a cabin. (Jason has two sisters who live in SD with their families, and his parents and the rest of his siblings from PA all traveled west.) The timing for this latter trip was perhaps not ideal, but we were so grateful for the chance to incorporate extended time with the entire Hurst and Yoder families into December prior to our planned departure January 9. <br />
<br />
Next week:<br />
Tomorrow we plan to return to Lancaster from SD and begin the madness of the next week. I'll admit it looks a bit overwhelming with packing for our travels, packing and moving out of our apartment, saying farewells, finishing up a multitude of last-minute details, and squeezing in time with friends and family in the few remaining days we have left before leaving for California. We will miss our life and friends in the east! Then we'll begin our train trek to San Francisco: a period of [hopefully] relaxation, reflection, and transition before beginning the next chapter of life.<br />
<br />
I cannot believe this is all coming up so fast. There are two components of these plans that I am particularly excited about: 1) gaining a broader perspective of the needs of the world, where/how God is moving, and how we fit in to all that, and 2) completing this in tandem with my best friend, Jason: studying together, learning new concepts, meeting people, discovering places and cultures, and serving together. For the past few years, although we have stayed involved in each others worlds, we have had very different foci--Jason with business, me with school and nursing. I am greatly anticipating the opportunity to do something like this together. Yes, this upcoming phase is exciting, but certainly not glamorous. We are well aware that it holds countless challenges and struggles that we cannot quite anticipate. For this reason, we greatly appreciate your prayers and support as we plunge into these unknowns. Thank you for caring and being involved!<br />
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-Sara</div>
sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989385263574912357.post-78360192612389938822013-11-04T09:28:00.003-08:002013-11-04T09:28:57.923-08:00in the meantime...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
So, perhaps some of you are wondering what's going on presently, between now
and our 2014/2015 travel plans. <br />
<br />
School: I completed coursework for my BSN the week before last
(yay!!!), so I spent a great deal of time over the past months doing final
school projects. It is such a relief and feels like a great
accomplishment to have that finished! This past week I celebrated
completing school by spending a week in north Florida with my Aunt Clara and
extended family. <br />
<br />
Florida: I had an amazing time and very much enjoyed the change of pace as
well as catching up with family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aunt
Clara taught me much about the culinary art of southern-style cooking!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jason drove down to FL to meet me and arrived
Saturday afternoon in time for supper with aunts, uncles, and cousins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He even got to benefit from my new cooking
skills Sunday morning with southern biscuits!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After church we again had a meal with the extended family prior to
traveling north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re currently on our
way home; we found a wonderful place to stay in Savannah, GA and took time to
see a bit of the town last night and this morning before continuing our road
trip.<br />
<br />
House: Jason has continued slaving away at remodeling an apartment for us to
move into this week. Yes, for those of you who hadn't heard, we're moving
across town to an upstairs apartment for a few months. Our current
residence is rented out for the duration of our travels to friends who are
planning a November wedding, so we're moving to another location for several
months until we leave so that they can move into the house. That said, the
evenings and weekends over the past few months have been filled with scraping,
painting, renovating kitchen/bath, etc. at our “new” place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jason did the lion’s share of the work while
I finished up school assignments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
Theoretically, the craziness will diminish in the next few weeks with the
house, move, and school behind us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
hopeful that this will give us the needed time to focus on trip planning and
preparation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many details that
must yet fall into place and much we hope to do prior to departure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I expect our “free time” to be spent in the
following ways: entertaining/hanging out with family and friends, fundraising
activities (any great ideas? Let us know!), final training of staff for Jason
at The Fence Experts, completing unfinished projects at the house, and
eventually, shopping and packing.<br />
<br />
We are extremely grateful for the amazing support of family and friends in
this upcoming venture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you for
being involved and interested in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><br />
<div align="right" style="text-align: right;">
—Sara</div>
sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989385263574912357.post-23496433650053639722013-10-18T09:07:00.000-07:002014-02-01T22:09:24.225-08:00jason's perspective<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My favorite season is fall, but I love all the seasons. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that the seasons change, and that with
every season there is something unique and fun that I enjoy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have discovered that life is very much like
the seasons, only in life you don’t necessarily know when the current season will
end or what the next will begin. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m
learning that just because God has us doing one thing for a time or season of
life doesn’t mean that he will have us doing that for the rest of our lives. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe he will, but we need to be ready to move
or change at any time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Season 1: The first few years after finding my lovely bride
and making her my wife were spent building a solid foundation in our marriage,
serving on short term mission trips, and being involved in urban outreach in Lancaster.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a fun season, full of necessary
time spent doing everything we could together; fixing up a house or two sped
the process of learning to work and communicate well with each other. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Season 2: We then entered a different season of life which
involved nursing school for Sara and business-building for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life became very busy with what we sensed was
preparation for whatever God had for us in the future. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sara learned valuable nursing skills and
professional workplace knowledge, while I learned more about being a leader and
the world of business and people. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During
this time we found out how important it was to make time for each other no
matter how busy we were or what we both were involved in. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This continued for the past five years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within the last year we both felt God was
telling us a change of seasons was approaching in 2014.</span><br />
</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Season 3: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without
conferring with Sara, I felt God was calling us to take at least 1 year away
from the “normal life” established in season 2, to spend time traveling the
world and serving with various established missions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While walking in downtown Lancaster one night,
I told Sara what I felt God was telling me for our future. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To my amazement, she told me that she had the
exact same sense from God as well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
sure knows how to bring about a change of season! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With much excitement we began praying together
about how, where, what, and with whom did God want us to spend the upcoming season.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has lead and directed, and here we
are, ready to experience this change in life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the seasonal changes in nature, there
will be things we will miss about the past phase of life, but we look forward
to all the new things God has for us in this upcoming season! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On January 13<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>, we will begin our YWAM
discipleship training school in San Francisco for 3 months of education and
outreach focused on urban and justice ministries. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After completing the training in CA, we head to
the Old Country and spend 3 months working with a mission in Rome in
urban/justice outreach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The biggest
reason we feel like this will be valuable for us, is to learn from others practical
ways to reach our cities in the United States. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve always both been interested in urban
ministry and want to learn to be more effective and intentional in the way we
live and interact with those in our community. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Follow the link in the right margin to learn
more about YWAM San Francisco.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">September of 2014 (if God has not shown us differently<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>) we’ll head off into
the unknown of spending 11 months in 11 different countries serving alongside
of an established mission or church. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
don’t know exactly what we will be doing, and I’m sure there will be a huge
variety of places and things we’ll do to serve Christ through serving others. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Follow the link in the right margin to learn
more about The World Race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A huge thanks to our family and friends for their support
and encouragement to follow God and actually do this mission trip. An even
bigger thanks to the great people at The Fence Experts for stepping up and
making it possible for me to take off for so long and filling my role in the
company while I am gone. You guys are awesome! All of you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-Jason<o:p></o:p></span></div>
sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989385263574912357.post-77907803815263305142013-09-25T13:22:00.002-07:002013-09-26T06:27:08.006-07:00why global perspectives: 102?<span style="font-family: "MV Boli";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: "Tunga","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Tunga","sans-serif";">In explanation of the title, I believe this adventure is simply a
continuation of our life up to this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’ve already had amazing opportunities to spend time in Africa, Asia,
Europe, and Central America, so traversing the globe isn’t a completely new
concept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, this isn’t just about
seeing the world and helping where needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This also seems to be the beginning of a new chapter of life for us in
several ways. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For one thing, this is the
first time we’re planning to travel without a definite plan to return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Don’t panic, we’ll be back, just not
promising to stay back forever!) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "MV Boli";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: "Tunga","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "MV Boli";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: "Tunga","sans-serif";">
</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "MV Boli";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: "Tunga","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Tunga","sans-serif";">My view:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "MV Boli";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: "Tunga","sans-serif";">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "MV Boli";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: "Tunga","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "MV Boli";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: "Tunga","sans-serif";">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Tunga","sans-serif";">Somehow throughout the past months I’ve
become more detached from my “need” for an American lifestyle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doubtless, I am extremely grateful for what I
have and the opportunities that have been available to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as yet we have no clear direction at this
point to permanently move elsewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
before completely settling down in Lancaster indefinitely, we both [individually]
determined that we would like to expose ourselves in a greater way to the
happenings and needs in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(And
yes, reading Radical by David Pratt and later, Interrupted by Jen Hatmaker had
something to do with it!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Tunga","sans-serif";">Regardless, I could get completely excited
about coming back home after 20 months abroad and jumping back into life in
Lancaster, PA or moving to a bigger US city and being involved in an urban setting
(which happens to be one reason we chose an urban-focused YWAM training
school).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If so, I anticipate having a
greater capacity to understand cultural diversity and to use our travel
connections to stay involved in cross-cultural missions at some level. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally, I expect my exposure to world
needs to continue to alter my values and the way I live my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can I live selfishly while continually
being exposed to the needs of those immediately around me as well as the world
at large?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May God keep me from getting
too comfortable and calloused!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tunga","sans-serif";">Alternately, if we are given both the
opportunity and the calling to transplant long-term outside the country, I could
get equally excited about that move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
other words, I have NO IDEA what is happening after 2015, but I suppose that is
part of the adventure!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow in my personal
experience God hasn’t often shown the final destination, just a step or two in
a direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tunga","sans-serif";">That’s what global perspectives: 102 means
for me: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tunga","sans-serif";">Just a guy and a girl. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Together going where God leads. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uncertain of the implications or destination,
but enjoying and celebrating the process of discovery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "Tunga","sans-serif";">—Sara<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<br /></div>
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16528403239319247145noreply@blogger.com1