Update.

We are now in the full swing of lecture phase here at 360! Our students have been hearing different speakers and topics every week, learning more about God, themselves, and others. 

We've also been blessed with beautiful weather, and have enjoyed time out in creation before the cold approaching winter.

It's been so amazing getting to know the students more every day, and being able to walk with them on their journey with Christ.

As always thank you all for your prayers and support!!

New beginnings.

Here I am in Maine! It's been a bit of a crazy ride. So here's an update of what's been happening lately:

I flew by myself for the first time, met so many new amazing people, and began to get settled into my new routine and surroundings.
For the first week I experienced those "I can't believe I'm here!" moments, but being here feels so right! I just know that this is where I'm supposed to be for this season in my life. I'm learning so many new things and it's a lot to take in, but I'm enjoying it.

We went to Charlotte North Carolina for YWAM staff training. It was so awesome to meet people staffing YWAM bases all over the East Coast, and hear about things other bases are doing. The week was filled with teaching, worship, prayer, encouragement, and great fellowship.

The next week the six students arrived. We had orientation, then went camping and hiked to the top of Mt. Chocorua. It was so amazing to be standing so high you could see birds flying below you.

This week is the students first full week of school. Filled with Lectures, internships, work duties, one-on-ones, and small groups. It's been so much fun, everyone gets along great! I can't wait to see how God will move and shape us this year.

As always thank you for your support and encouragement!

In Christ,
Emily

God makes me brave.

Lately God has been bringing the word BRAVE into my life. In my favorite songs, in books, movies. It’s been everywhere.

I've been learning, and believing that with God I really can do anything! I've done and continue to do things I NEVER thought I would do, only by the grace of God. Through God I can overcome my inability. God makes me brave.

It’s something God has been teaching me. Looking back I can see it’s been something He’s been bringing up over the years. He’s called me to do things I never thought I’d do, He’s called me to face my fears and I've realized I can do it!

Brave is defined as this: 

"To possess or exhibit courage or courageous endurance."

Growing up I definitely would NOT describe myself as a brave person. I was shy and crippled by fear. There were a lot of things I didn't do because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do it. There’s a quote I heard recently. “Fear kills more dreams then failure ever will.” That is so true! How many dreams have we given up on, not because we've failed, but because we’re too scared to even try?

I love superhero movies. Not just because they save the world [and the girl :)], but the fact THAT they save the world. Because they are brave. They face giants and demons that could very well destroy them, but they march on with great courage putting other’s lives before their own. 

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

-Joshua 1:9 

Did you catch that? God COMMANDED Joshua to be strong and courageous. So many times we pray and ask God to give us strength and courage, but as I read this verse I wonder; maybe that strength and courage is already inside of us? God is always with us, He tells us that over and over thought the scriptures (Matt 28:20). If God is for us, who can be against us (Rom 8:31)? So if God is with us and for us, why aren't we brave? That should give us great courage and joy, in the end God wins! God has defeated Satan, and all of our fears. We are more than conquerors (Rom 8:37), not by our own strength but by God's strength. 

Now I’m not saying being brave easy, I’m still working on it every day! But God never promised an easy life, He just promised He’d be there every step of the way.

Though Christ I am brave.

Ready to fly away.

This September I will be staffing at 360 Maine!! 360 Maine is a Youth With A Mission (YWAM) affiliate but is a little different, working closer with the local church. Visit their website to learn more.

You may remember I did my YWAM DTS (Discipleship Training School) in Wisconsin over a year ago. The directors of 360 Maine were there at the same time training under Madison’s director. I have seen their heart for this mission and after much prayer have decided to join them for a two year term. Some of my responsibilities include mentoring students, other various tasks, and a two month outreach overseas. God has laid this passion on my heart and I can’t wait to see what He has in store! 

Here's the story of how I got here: Ever since I returned home from my DTS I had this restless feeling. I struggled with it, looking for a job only finding a few temporary positions. I kept feeling like there was something else. For months I fought and tried to bury that feeling but it wouldn't go away. 

So I finally asked God about it. He gave me the word "Youth." I wasn't quite sure what that meant, so I continued to wait on God to make it clear. At that same time I was asked to help lead a girls weekend, it reminded me a bit of a mini DTS. I LOVED it!! It was so amazing, it was all the things I love; God, youth, and worship. It also gave me more confidence in my leadership skills. 

I continued to search for a job and get involved at my church until one day I saw that 360 Maine was looking for staff, and it just dawned on me! God gave me this passion for youth, He's been involving me in things to help me prepare to staff, He hasn't led me to a job for a reason. What do I have to lose?

So I applied and here I am! 

I realized that I tried to go back to "normal" life after my DTS because being a full time missionary honestly scared me, I didn't think that was something I could ever do.

But God has been teaching me more about myself and who He's created me to be, and what He can do through me. 

God has given me a passion for youth, but I didn't known what to do with it. I guess was been trying to do what was "expected" of me, but it just never felt right. But now that I've applied and been accepted I am beyond excited! I'm not scared anymore. I can't wait to see where this crazy adventure with God will go next! All I know is it will be great because He will be there, and that's all I need. He makes me brave!

"You make me brave, You called me beyond the shore into the waves, You make me brave, No fear can hinder now the promises You've made."

Thankful

Yes I know Thanksgiving was yesterday, but we should be thankful everyday. So I decided to do this to remind myself to always be thankful.

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving,

and His courts with praise!

Give thanks to Him; bless His name!

For the Lord is good;

His steadfast love endures forever,

and His faithfulness to all generations."

- Psalm 100:4-5 

I have so much to be thankful for!

For all my friends near and far. I'm so blessed to know friends all over the world doing things with God. I treasure their love and encouragement. No matter how long we go without talking, we always seem to pick up right where we left off.

My wonderful family. We don't always get along, but I know no matter what we do we always love each other. When I feel no one believes in me, I know they do.

For God providing all that I need. It hasn't been easy and most of the time I get overwhelmed, but God has been with me every step of the way and He wont stop now.

Jesus taking the punishment for all our sins. But also rising from death, so that we can live!

"Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" 

-Ephesians 5:20

Esther

For years I've heard the question asked "If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?"
I never knew quite who to say. But now without a doubt I would say:

"Esther."

I want to ask her what it was like to stand before the king, asking him to save her people knowing he could kill her.
Was she ever aware of God's plan for her life?
Did she ever loose faith?

She seems like such an amazing woman of God! She won favor in the eyes of anyone who met her. Changed the heart of the king with kindness. She Obeyed, but stood up for what was right. She was kind, and she loved and cared for so many! But most of all I admire her courage. If I ever have the chance, I hope I can speak the words she said:

"Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish."

 -Esther 4:16 

She was an orphan, raised by her aunt and uncle. She was not rich, she didn't have an extraordinary upbringing. Esther was just a young woman with faith, courage, and a powerful God.

"And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

-Esther 4:16

Yes Esther, you were born for such a time as this.

What God's been doing.

I thought I should probably make an update since I haven't wrote anything in a long time :)

After I got back from YWAM (see previous posts), it took me a long time to adjust back to life. I missed my friends, the teachings, the experiences and adventures, everything (I still do)! But after some long, constant, crying out talks with God I now know I am where I'm supposed to be... for now.

I know God has something amazing for me, I don't know when and where, but when He says "Go." I'll go.

In the meantime, I'm looking for a full time job. I've had a couple of temporary jobs, and I'm still doing [and LOVING] photography. I'm also involved at my church, helping with the 5th and 6th grades on Wednesday nights, I dance occasionally, and I sing on the worship team. I'm also a mentor to a Jr. High girl.

A few weekends ago I got to help on a teen girls weekend, I also gave a talk on Christian growth through study. It was so amazing!!! It made me realize even more the passion that I have for working with youth.

God keeps showing me that I can do so much more than I ever thought I could. If you would've asked me 5 years ago if I would believe that my first time flying would be over seas, and I would travel to three countries and one is a closed nation, and that I would give a 20ish minuet talk to about 25 people. I would have said "no."

All I can say is that when God says to do something, you can do it! He will never let you fall.