Key Lime Cheesecake Day (or A Lazy, Hazy Weekend)

Summer has FINALLY arrived here in England. And by that, I simple mean that we've had four days of consecutive heat and sun! So, what does one do when the sunshine is out and every England native is desperately tearing apart their wardrobe trying to find suitable attire (let's face it, none of us saw this one coming)? While most people are outdoors soaking up some rays, I've opted to remain indoors this morning and bake. Surprising because I never used to bake back home (my sister's the talented one in that regard). However, I've discovered that I really, genuinely enjoy baking nowadays. There are the obvious reasons why I love baking; the fun of tying on my apron and frolicking in the kitchen, whisk in hand, singing "My Sharona" at the top of my lungs whilst sampling my dish every ten seconds. But I've also realized there's more to baking that I enjoy. I love the finished product, not just for taste, but because it reminds me that all things come to a finish, a delicious closure, if you will. And now that the Impact UK DTS is nearing it's own closure (three more days!), it seems only fitting that I remind myself that finishing is often sweet...

It's been a long eight months and, though I can't honestly admit to enjoying every bit of it, I wouldn't change a thing about it. I grew deeper in my relationship with God, I learned that I am more than my past, present, and future. I met amazing people, people who have changed my life in, hopefully, similar ways to how I've changed theirs. I've seen God move in ways I've never witnessed before, and been able to be apart of them, too. God's reminded me of my dreams and the things I desire, not selfishly, but the things He's placed in my heart and desires for me as well. Overall, it's been a good year.

Granted, it's always slightly disheartening when I'm finished baking. I'm left to clean up and put the kitchen back in order again. But it was fun while it lasted and I know that I'll be back the next day with some new recipe and some new mishaps and deliciousness. 

Which is why I'm also excited for this next September DTS. Much fewer staff, many more students with a higher female/male ratio, and a whole new experience (or recipe!). I'll admit that I feel this new school will be tough, quite challenging. But I suppose it's like taking on a creme brule recipe after having just mastered oatmeal cookies; this is a new challenge that will be possibly more complicated, but just as delicious, and maybe even more so now that I know what I'm doing! 

Questions.

There are people walking about, wandering aimlessly through the heavy excitement and anticipation. All appear unaware of the large paint smear that hangs in the air above their heads. Not a beautiful, abstract smear that one can admire, but a grotesque, undefinable smear that taints the blue sky above. It takes me a moment to realize this is more than just an artists' error; it's an error of my own making. Where there once was a definite, if not slightly blurry, picture of God in everyone's mind, there is now a heavily disfigured, confused blur. With every voice that screams "God Hates", "God Loves", "God is Mormon", "God is Islamic", "God is Vegan", "There is no God", "God Forgives", the smear grows and grows in size. And I sit back and wonder, "Am I making this picture any clearer or simply adding to the noise?"

This was my experience when I was in Stratford this past Friday. You often hear people speak of "spiritual heaviness", but it's an entirely different matter to experience it firsthand. With so many leaflets, tracts, and pamphlets being thrust into peoples hands as they walk on by, how can anyone know what's true? Even more worrisome than that, how can anyone know who God is?

We know that God can do all things and that, through Christ, all things are possible, but I have to sit back and wonder sometimes, "Are we actually working WITH God, or are we working for ourselves"? When we go out to evangelize, whatever that looks like, are we listening to the Holy Spirit and being guided by Him, or are we following a formula created by man which has left the Church in its' current state? These are the questions I find myself asking myself when I go out now. As a human, there's only so much I can do in my own strength. The human soul is the heaviest thing to move and so it's only through Holy Spirit that lives can be restored and redeemed. 

The strength of man is fleeting, 

and earthly glory rusts with time.

But the strength of the Lord endures all things 

and His glory lasts throughout the ages. 

3...2...1...and they're off!

This is it; the moment we've all been waiting for. The Olympic Games have finally arrived here in London! Today's opening ceremony is rumored to be a most spectacular event, one which I am thrilled to be present for. I leave with a team of 15 this afternoon to begin our outreach within the city of London for a period of ten days. We will be working with a church, which is relatively closely located to the Olympic Village. We will be running a cafe dedicated to serving the public in the area, many of whom live in poverty in this particular burough. We will also be helping out in a local senior citizen's home and prayer walking as well. This is a particularly rough area of London, an area where the excitement and joy of the Games has seemingly past over or been forgotten here. The story of the church we'll be working in is one of redemption in of itself. 

As I pack my bags, once again, and type up my last blog before I head on out, I cannot contain my excitement. I am so thrilled to see and be apart of what God is doing in this city, in this country, in this nation. How cool is it that the world is quite literally flocking to my doorstep as I type, huh? I can't get over it! GAHHH!!!

Pencil in your Plans.

As you may well know, God has a way of changing plans swiftly and suddenly. Take for example my plans as of recently. For those of you who don't know yet (which would be most of you), I have agreed to staff the upcoming September DTS here in England. This sudden change in plans initially came as a shock to myself, but, after days of consideration, realized that it really is for the best. I am one of three single staff members (Caleb, Jenny, and myself) and then there are four married couples, three of whom have children. Very different from the 13 single staff on this school! Also, this school is going to be even bigger than the current school I'm staffing. 

I don't have many details about what this school is going to entail, but I'm very excited to be challenged in ways that I wasn't during this school. What that all includes, I'm not too sure (but I'm stoked!)

Let the Games Begin!

With the impending Olympic Games here in England, insanity on the base here has hit an all time high. Not that this is a negative; in fact, it's a welcome change from the normal lull of daily life. Since returning to the base, we have been given rooms in the dormitory, which is a relief considering that all other visitors are currently in tents. We may still be on outreach, but at least we no longer need to "rough it".

For the past weeks, there has been a program running here called Circuit Riders. Their vision statement is "Save the Lost, Revive the Saved, and Train them All!". They preach a very heavy message of revival across Europe and America. It was amazing, being able to attend all the lectures and take part in local evangelism. 

To be honest, I was incredibly humbled and, yet, ashamed that it took a group of over 150 American's to show me how wonderful the town I live in is. I've been living here for over 8 months now, and have ZERO friends outside the base. How shocked I was to walk around town and realize that I haven't seen everything and there are so many lovely people here that I've never bothered to get to know. After one particular afternoon of complaining to Kellie, a dear friend and fellow staff, about not being active in the community, we stumbled upon a church cafe, run by volunteers and open to the public. After only moments, I was informed that they were looking for volunteers. Though I hadn't even prayed about getting involved (merely complained and moaned to Kellie), God had answered in a most practical way! I have a vision to work in a cafe, so how perfect would it be to get involved here in town?

Needless to say, my opinion about community and getting involved is shifting and changing, making me more aware of the importance of it and, also, exciting! Can't wait to see what else is in store!

Homeward Bound

My lovely outreach "family" in Portland

 Pulling into the train station yesterday afternoon, knowing that within twenty minutes I'd be back on campus with the rest of the DTS, also returning from outreach, I was struck with an intense "bittersweet" feeling. Outreach, part one, is over. Granted, once I was unpacked and dressed in my favorite fuzzy, blue housecoat, I was happy, thrilled even, to see everyone again after nearly two months of being apart. However, these past couple months have been such an amazing experience, that, I admit, I was saddened at the prospect of returning "home". Coventry was amazing! Never have I felt more at home than with the people hosting us all. Weymouth and Portland are possibly the most stunning places I've been to in a very long time, with cliffside-views of the Atlantic Ocean. Both places were beautiful and filled with the most incredible people, young and old.

The Emily's and myself (Stacy behind camera)

The ten of us on this outreach team went from the awkward first steps of outreach to being a full-fledged family towards the end, including pillow fights late at night and constantly "taking the mick out of one another". As with any family. we had our moments of stress and frustrations, but we worked through it all and walked away from this time having grown in our relationships with one another and with God. 
I was deeply challenged throughout outreach to step beyond myself and make myself "uncomfortable" for Christ. One day in particular, I felt like God was saying to me, "Is one person not worth you humbling yourself and looking ridiculous?". Needless to say, I had to take some serious time to mull that one over. But outreach was amazing, and the people we met and grew to love were worth every moment of it! God loves the UK, and so do I!
But I'm glad to be back in my own bed again...

Yes, I AM still alive, and livin' the dream!

Too long have I been away from the delectable taste of my dear Chai, so I make my glorious, if not impromto, return for a short while! So much has happened in the past month or so, that I truly cannot recap all of it in this short segment. I will relay more to you as time goes on, but, in the meantime, I am quite well and lovin' life!

We, as a team, have done everything from putting on a youth conference for 400 young people to teacing Religious Studies courses in schools to litter picking. It's been incredibly busy and, at times, stressful, but every moment thus far has been worth it!

God has been teaching me humility in a whole new way. I've been so used to constantly serving others, which is, essentially, what we are doing here. However, I've always had a hard time when others try to serve me. In one of the locations we were in, the church and school we worked with catered to our every whim. I was so taken aback by the hospitality that was shown to all of us day in and day out. Everywhere else we've been, we have been equally blessed by the people around us. It's been an amazing oppourtunity to be able to serve alongside such wonderful, servant-hearted, godly men and women wherever we've been! My prayers are with each and every one of them!

Currently in Weymouth and Portland enjoying a well-deserved day of rest after a non-stop scheduale for the past month. The sea is freezing, but, my, how I've missed the sound of water!

And on that note, it's time to curl up with a good book and enjoy a nice cuppa tea! Cheerio and TTFN!

*Here's a little shout out to my sister, Jasmine, who graduates from Gr. 12 today, not only with A-Honours, but with a scholarship as well. So incredibly proud of you, Jazzy! Hugs and Kisses to the best sister in the world!*