Time is Flying!

Less than a week before the students take off for Southeast Asia! Time has flown by so quickly-I feel as if they just arrived! Here is a picture of each team :-)

Nepal

Bangladesh

Ch!n@*

Borneo

It has been awesome getting to know these students and also watching how God changes their lives during their 3 months of school :-) knowing that He will continue to use and grow them as they bring the message of Jesus to Asia. So exciting! And I am honored to be apart of this process :-D (thanks for supporting me!)

What else is new? This quarter I have learned a lot in my life personally. Living in community tends to bring out many sides in a person-good and bad- faster than in a "normal" life setting. That being said, God has been pruning me in several ways! And I continue to learn more and more how He is my good Father... how He knows what is best for me, and even the best ways to grow me. "...the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in"-Proverbs 3:12...awesome. I like this quote from Max Lucado: "God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus". Yes...please take all my ugly :) Beauty for ashes. Wonderful.

Also, I have come to believe that I don't think people are put into our lives by accident... and that when differences or conflicts arise, it may be pointing out things inside of us that God wants us to grow in, or may pinpoint an area we may need Him to heal a wound from our past. Many times when there are negative emotions stirring within us, that is a sign from something that goes deeper than the situation at hand. An example with me is just ways I have been acting out of selfishness, and my reactions from conflicts were stemming from this selfishness. So...with that said, negative emotions/reactions etc. may just be results from our circumstances, but looking deeper and asking God if there is something He wants to show us is something I am learning more of as I walk in this place of community.

OH!!!!! happy day. On a not so serious note-I am going home for Christmas :-D Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year, and will be happy to enjoy it with family and friends. I am immensely excited (that I have to make sure I am not too focused on the future and get distracted from where I am now :) I will be home for about 2 1/2 weeks, and will thoroughly enjoy all of it!!! :-)

Thanks for reading my thoughts. Thanks for being interested in my life.

~~Violetta

*Team Ch!n@ is spelled this way on purpose for security reasons.

Caffeination and Furry Lips!

OOOOH the bonus of working at this base... :))

This weekend was PACKED with activities that my department helped put together/plan...
First of all, this base is known for its strange interest in mustaches and crazy 80's events... and this saturday our base had its third annual "MANNY'S MUSTACHE MARATHON".... what comes into your mind with this title?? bahahaaa.... this is a mini marathon-7 miles long- that students and staff have the option to join... and not only is it a race, but also a mustache contest along with an 80's dress code. Basically, only pictures can give you a better idea of the colorful furry lip filled day!!!

Not only did we have furry lips, but also a "Coffee House" event on Sunday that was filled with snacks, coffee, and lots of talent. The night was filled with different goodness from both staff and students such as: singing, guitar, skits, jokes, poems, dancing, juggling etc... which ended up being the perfect balance of seriousness and laughter. :)) I even got to play and sing a funny song I wrote using the guitar.

The two fabulous events from this weekend are definitely two of my favorite events EVER our base puts on :)) And even though it was quite a busy weekend for us in hospitality because of the extra hours of planning, preparing, decorating etc... it was worth it :)) (and then went to bed at 8:30 pm on monday to recover haha). Events like these are great to encourage community and splendid memories for everyone during the schools!

Just a piece of my life in blog format for you :)) thanks for reading!

~Violetta

Where in the World is Violetta?

Glimpses of YWAM Maui

baking, cleaning, events-WOO!

some of the students I work with in hospitality!

students in lecture

lunch time!

our students this Fall :)

what time is it?

the kitchen and prayer room

glimpse of the yard

the girl's house/main house

CLICK HERE to see a ywam maui video :) it is a bit old, oh well!


CLICK HERE to see a newer promo video for a dts school

This is just a peak at what it looks like and what happens here. There is such richness in change and growth that God is doing! It is so exciting to be apart of it, to see students come and how much they change in only three months of school/three months of outreach. It may be hard to pause our lives for only six months instead of continuing into college, or finding our dream job/etc etc... but taking time to build a foundation and relationship with the most important One in this life may be the best decision before continuing with our own plans.

What is new with me?

I feel that God has asked me to take a slot of time every week to pray/intercede for the base and invite others to join.

I have also been asked to help lead one of our weekly intercessions for staff/students this quarter. God is teaching me to listen to what is on His for us to pray for every week. He is so faithful!

~Violetta

Fall DTS

Enjoying a hike in Maui!

Pictures of our student/staff beach day and picnic

Due time to blog! So what is new? The Fall DTS has begun. We have a large school this quarter-36 students! Our little base is bouncing with life all over :) These students have come from places such as: Canada, Finland, Norway, Scotland, Brazil, Switzerland, the Philippines, and all over the states. There is a beauty from the diversity of cultures and backrounds these students
bring.

For every school, the staff ask the Lord what the main theme is for the students. This quarter we felt Him say that it was going to be a refining time. Refiner's Fire- from Zechariah 13:9 which says, "This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The Lord is our God.' "

The staff are stoked to see how God works in their lives! This refining process may not always be easy because we have to go through the fire just like gold... but the result is we are more like Jesus.

This theme has also been carrying over to us as staff too. During our staff conference before the school started, there were themes coming up for us as well...such as getting our hearts clear before the Lord, laying down pride that can stem up so easily. We also have been learning how to be aware of spiritual warfare that happens often in places like this where God and people's hearts are such a focus. We are learning how to put on our armor like it talks about in Eph. 6, and what that looks like in our lives on a daily basis.


I am in hospitality again this quarter, and am learning how to continue working on the base with a heart of love. God has been challenging me to love out of a pure heart with the things I do, and with the people around me... at the beginning of the quarter, He challenged me to ask for His heart for people I may not like as much or easily get annoyed with, which helps to love them and see them with more of His heart. Love that. He is so good.

I work with three other staff in hospitality that are amazing :) and we are going to have many of the students working with us every week (for their 7 hour weekly 'work-duty' requirements). We will be the "moms of the base"... cleaning, baking, event coordinating, taking care of the speakers and guests, and other projects that happen around the base. Typically, I work 9-5 Mon-Friday.

Please pray for:

*That the students will be open to God's moving

*For all the leaders/staff on our base; that we will continue to be refreshed and go deep with the Lord as we are pouring into the students.

*I would also appreciate your prayers for my finances :) Because of college loans and required staff health insurance, I am short for my monthly bills. Thank you! And if you are interested in being a monthly supporter, feel free to contact me by email, facebook, or the ywam address that is given on this website.

Thank you for your prayers and support :)

~Violet

Back to YWAM :)

When I first sensed the Lord telling me to visit home after SBFM, I remember asking Him what some of the reasons were for me going home and not outreach after SBFM. In a way, I feel like this time has been an outreach, just not in a foreign country :) When asking, I felt that He said that the time at home would be a re-energizing time for me. A time to rest and reflect. A time with family and friends... but also felt the Lord say "Don't forget". Forget what? I knew right away that He meant don't forget the deeper levels I have gone with Him-the intimacy from growing out of my comfort zone. It can be easy to neglect Him when we are home and comfortable; when we don't realize our need for Him as easily.



I almost feel that two months is not long enough to see everyone! These two months have been filled with wonderful people... catching up, traveling, coffee dates, family... thanks to a small job that has allowed me gas money. I got to see all of my sisters (only my youngest sister lives at home), who some I have not seen in almost two years.



One of my favorite reasons for being home this summer is seeing my youngest sister get excited about her relationship with Jesus. And by growing closer with her...sharing my heart with her and hearing her share her thoughts on life, relationships, friends, and fears about starting high school. This is a huge changing point in her life... and so thankful I could be a part of it.



This summer, God has also challenged me with the question of where I get my strength. Because this summer has been filled with so many people, I got frustrated when I felt empty/burnt out... and felt that the Lord said there are times I try to do things without Him. We can't be lifegivers without Him giving us life inside first! I can have good intentions of reaching out to people, but this is another reminder that I am weak and He is strong. Check out Jeremiah 17:5-8. So thinking back on when He told me "Don't forget", I can smile now and see that we can so easily start depending on ourselves and forget that our strength is from Him.



I am not trying to be all "spiritual"...it is just from my heart and what I have been learning. Try it. Next time you are burnt out/feeling low, try soaking up some scripture... several times this summer when I did not want to start the day, I have read His Word and it literally made me hyper or drastically changed my bad mood into joy :) it really does bring life!

Next week I will be flying back to Maui to continue my YWAM commitment. WEEEEEE! I love my job.


~i found Truth and i am never going back!

BACK FROM ASIA!

After twelve weeks of learning, over 200 hours of classroom time, fourteen other students, and twelve different speakers from all over the world-I have finished my second YWAM School called SBFM (Studies of Biblical Foundations and Missions).

I was blessed to take the first SBFM that took place in Asia. This school was pioneered from the Maui YWAM base that I work for, and will continue to grow as God directs. The base was in a location that seemed to "hide" our purpose from the government-isn't God AWESOME?! He has been so faithful to provide for this new school, and also faithful to work in each of the students' (and staff's!) hearts and lives.

On a more personal level, I would like to share a bit what God has been doing in my life with you! First, this step of obedience to take SBFM was God building my faith BIG TIME. Because I still feel like a beginner at hearing His voice, I was often scared that I had heard Him wrong about going TO Asia to take this school. This left me with questions such as: "Lord, is this REALLY You telling me to GO?" or "What if I don't get enough money to pay for the tuition required?". Because of these questions, it brought me to a state of dependency on the Lord more than ever before... and He was faithful to direct and provide for my EVERY step. Even before the school He grew and stretched me in many ways that I am so thankful for. He is such a good Father!

Within SBFM, He has transformed my heart and mind in many ways. Everything I learned would be too much to write in this blog, so I will limit to a few main points. :) This school teaches the importance of living in both Spirit and Truth, applying a Biblical worldview within all areas of our lives, then taking this truth into the world. One of my favorite weeks taught by Andy Byrd, was about the importance of spiritual discipline motivated from intimacy with the Lord, and not motivated to gain His love. That week helped me see areas in my life that I try to "do" things in my life to feel good enough for God's love, instead of doing them as a natural result from His love. Isn't it funny how we can hear all our lives how much God loves us and nothing we can do or not do will change that, YET our minds and hearts can believe different things? We tell non-Christians that they can't earn their salvation, yet we as Christians easily fall into the same mindset without realizing it. This released more joy and intimacy in my life because of His love for me and desire for intimacy with Him.

I also learned the foundations of many world religions, along with the results from these worldviews. This helped me understand more fully why Christianity is the only Truth, and what makes Jesus the only way. Questions such as: "What makes Jesus so special?", "Did Jesus really die for my sins and also living today?", or "Can't people just believe in whatever religion they want and eventually get to the same place?". This school definitely challenged deep questions that need to be answered! From what I have learned, I feel more equipped to witness to people within other religions.

There is much more I learned, and am so honored that God called me to the first SBFM in Asia. He has not only stretched my faith, but also grown my patience, my character, my love for Him and love for the people He calls me to reach. I have learned with my heart but also been open to change within my heart. And I want to express to YOU how thankful I am for your prayers and support that helped me walk in obedience to take this school! Your interest in my life has helped me so much, and I am beyond blessed. :)

So what am I up to now? I am visiting home unil August, and will return to Maui to continue my commitment with the YWAM base there. I still have a year and a half left (unless God calls me to a longer commitment :). My prayer is that I will allow God to use me wherever I am, and am excited to continue my YWAM commitment with a fresh love and new vision. So thanks once again! You are not only making an impact in my life, but the lives of many others as well. :)

~Violett

Goodbye to my Hospitality Head Position

Newest update... I LEAVE ON WEDNESDAY for As!a!!! I am very excited to go, and ready to learn all that God has for me. The school will be much more in depth, comparred to my first school with ywa**. Thanks to all who supported me and continue to! I have recieved enough money for a ticket, and now only need funds for the school fees ($1,700). If you would like to support me, there will be someone taking care of my mail from my original address in Hawaii :) thankyou! Please pray for me during this adventure He is taking me through.

I also hope to visit my home for a few weeks in Virginia after the school is finished in June. I would love to catch up with family and friends before continuing my time working in Hawaii. Something I am praying about :)

While in As!a, a friend from the states is going to help me update this blog every few weeks since I cannot send out letters/many emails/or go on facebook. So feel free to check up on this while I am gone :)

On a note with hospitality, we had a 'Superhero Ohana' this past week for the students. It was a very fun/creative time for everyone! We had dinner as superheros, played a game, had superhero cheesecake, then had a prize for best dressed. As hospo head, one of my favorite job requirements is the monthly ohana's and events we get to plan. It helps build not only community, but FUN :) We have also had events such as a 'Tim Tam Slam Party', and a 'Valentines Day Coffee House'. Here are some pictures of the Superhero Ohana:

WOW

****For security purposes for myself and the country this information is limited and vague. Please email me at violetttsareblue@yahoo.com for details.


The latest update of my life is feeling God wants me to take a second y-school in less than a month! I felt Him begin to speak about it a couple of months ago, but did not know the timing and continued to pray for confirmation. I felt Him confirm it a couple of weeks ago, so I took the first step and applied. I just got accepted to the school yesterday, and am now making steps necessary to prepare. (WOW! starts very soon!) The school lasts for three months, starting in March.

Your prayers and financial support would be such a blessing for this next phase. The estimated cost with airfare, the school, and cost of living is $3,000. Thank you for your consideration and interest in my life! :)

Hospitality Homies and More :)

The Hospitality Ladies!

Our hospitality closet of goodness... and Jolene haha

My growth group ladies and I on a beach outing :)

My wonderful roomies and me!!!!! We love the beach on the weekends.


This is just peak at my job with hospitality and building relationships. loveGodlovepeople :)

Update on the Nepal team on outreach!

Here is an update of the Nepal team from our last school! It is worth watching :-D The two guys who filmed the video are two of our staff that are visiting each team to give support and encouragement. Enjoy!

Glimpse of Outreach

Start of 2010

Gracious! Haven't updated in a while :-) OH MY LIFE! Now that I am hospitality head, my schedule is more busy, but I am enjoying my job for sure. I feel that it's a good fit! I have three wonderful girls that work with me, along with four students that help us two days a week.

Our Winter DTS is in full swing! Here is a photo of them, along with their leaders.

Every school brings a different personality, which always makes it interesting while building relationships :-) One of the ways to get to know the students is by visiting the girl's bedroom before going to bed at night. It seems to be a perfect time to have heart to heart conversations after their schedule for the day is over (unless they are sleeping ;) . People tend to open up more when they are relaxed at night. It is not the only way I love on the students, but one of my favorites.

This week, the speaker talked about hearing the voice of God. I got to sit in on a lecture, and catch a glimpse of God working in the students. LOVE THAT.

God has also been challenging me to be more grounded in His word, seeking more of the reasons why I believe what I believe. It says in 1 Peter 3:15 ...always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. Mmmhmm. I desire that!

Thanks for being involved in my life :-)

p.s. here are a couple of pictures from my Christmas break.

Haleakala sunrise on Christmas day. GORGEOUS!