Adventures at Timmies

My first morning going to Tim Hortons. I'm not used to wearing my pants up so high and tucking my shirt in, but at least they aren't tight and the shirt and visor are also comfortable.

The people there are extremely nice and funny as well. It's slow right now because no one really knows the new store is open (so its a good time to learn). I ran the drive-through all afternoon basically by myself! I'm still getting the hang of some of the things on the till but basic things like coffee, tea, and cold drinks I can do no problem. The lady training me was so nice and patient. She will also be there tomorrow (I work 8 - 5). I think I'm going to be working there about three days a week.

Well, I'm off to practice saying "goodmorning, welcome to Tim Hortons drive-through, can I take your order?" Just kidding. I'm going to eat dinner. I'll practice later ;)

Adventures in Shopping

Today I had a very fun trip to Barrie to go shopping with my dad. He was very patient while I looked at clothes and didn't do any stereotypical things that you'd expect dads to do. It was like good friends hanging out.

I discovered something shopping today though. I am a cheap when it comes to clothes. I already knew it. The thing is though I somehow spend a lot of money on lots of things but now looking at clothes makes me feel bad.

YWAM did it too me. $15 for a skirt seemed like too much today so I didn't get it. $15 could buy three mosquito nets treated with bug repellent for children in Africa so they will be protected from diseases like Malaria and Yellow Fever. Do I really need a skirt?

Don't think for a second that I am good at this stuff. I didn't buy the skirt but I spent $50 on two CDs today. That would buy mosquito nets for 10 children. But instead I bought CDs because the 2,000 songs I have already just don't cut it anymore. I'm tired of them or something.

I'm not saying spending money is evil. God made money and He can use it for good. It's when I feel I need something that worries me. Do I really need new songs more then the kids in Africa need a mosquito net to keep them healthy?

The thing is too, I asked God if I should buy the CDs and I'm not 100% sure He said yes. My mind wanted that answer so badly that I couldn't hear anything beyond myself.

If you don't believe me about the mosquito net thing go here and see for yourself. Every 30 seconds a child dies from Malaria.

I could have stopped 10 children from getting sick today, but instead I bought new songs. The thing is I'm not really that torn up about it. If I was I'd take them back tomorrow, and I probably won't.

Adventures in New Jobs and Fancy Uniforms

I got a job at Tim Hortons today :)

I start on Monday at 7AM and they can offer me close to full-time, starting at $7.85/hour. Its a huge blessing that I got a job so quickly. There aren't too many jobs up here in the great white north. I feel encouraged that I am working toward my DTS again now. Thanks for your prayers, notes, hugs, and gifts. God is good.

Adventures in Change

Well, this blog has been a long time coming. I wasn't really sure what to say.

I wouldn't trade my time in Hawaii for anything in the world. God met me in a radical way that I never knew was possible, and I didn't leave it behind there, I'm still experiencing it.

During the lecture phase of my DTS (from late September to early December), I struggled with my depression a lot at times. My school leaders heard from God that it is not the right time for me to be going on outreach. Even watching films and hearing stories about Africa was negatively affecting my depression to a point that it wasn't safe for me to go deeper into sharing in their suffering.

I wanted to go to Africa right now more then anything. More then I cared about being happy. God has plans for me at home right now though. Even on the trip home I saw how He wanted me right where I was. I was able to pray with another girl who was travelling home and was in the unique position of understanding what she was feeling at that moment.

My plan is to go back to DTS later this year and finish. It will be a new group of people and new leaders, but I know God will lead me to the right school.

Leaving my YWAM "ohana" (Hawaiian for family) was and is very hard. Going from having 19 roommates to having none is a blessing as well as an ajustment. I have never experienced sisterly and brotherly love like I did at YWAM. They really just love you from the moment you get off the plane and they don't stop loving you when you go home.

I know there is a reason that God has placed Africa on my heart. I've been doing a lot of intercession for Uganda and Ethiopia since I got home. God is working powerfully in these nations. I also feel that I will go to Africa sometime in the near future.

God has been doing a lot of work in my heart and after working through some more things I feel that I will be ready to finish my DTS. Some people tell me that I need to do the lecture phase over again, other people say I can just do the outreach. I'm not sure yet which it will be, but whatever the requirements I know God will provide.

I am praying right now about whether I should apply for DTS that begins in April, July, or September. Each of these quarters have special focuses I am interested in. I will update you when I know more.