loveGodlovepeople

Thanksgiving and Goodbyes

2011-11-26T13:03:00.008-10:00

Here is a glimpse of the many, many hours of focused learning and teaching that the students and leaders have been involved with the last couple of months:
Our base has just finished a Thanksgiving celebration! Which, ofcourse, involved delicious food. It was quite interesting with all the nationalities represented at an American celebration :) Here is a glimpse of our feast:

We are also preparing for our outreach to Asia, which we leave for in only TEN days! I have been packing and simplifying my life this weekend, getting rid of items I don't need that have gathered the last couple of years since I have been here. (Note: all my packing and cleaning is being done with Christmas music playing in the background ;) I will then pack whatever possessions I have in a storage tub that will be put away until I return in February.

The students have one more week with a speaker/regular schedule, along with one last weekend to fully pack and clean our house before leaving for Asia. :)) Picture this for our last weekend: 43 students/staff scurrying about packing, skyping friends and family, last minute shopping for outreach needs, last beach visits, putting things in storage, laughing, talking, excitement, nervousness, team meetings, and an abundance of facebook goodbye statuses. :) Good times.

Speaking of what needs to be done, I am off to finish some logistics for my team's outreach! I will be distant from the internet for the next couple of months, but will update once I return in February with details of my team's time in Ch!n@ and also with information on where I feel God is leading me after my time with YWAM Maui.

xoxo

2011-10-16T19:47:00.003-10:00

What does a normal week at YWAM Maui look like for Violett? :) :) Well, let me tellll youuuu

*Monday-Friday*

5:30 AM

Rise and shine for running and Jesus time :)

7:30 AM

Breakfast

8 AM

Base Worship (Monday & Friday)/Intercession (Tuesday & Thursday)/Apologetics(Wednesday)-students also attend all of these activities.

9 AM

DTS Staff Meeting

9:30 AM

Student Chapel Talk

10:00 AM-12:30 PM-Teaching time/Different speaker & topic for every week*

(where the magic happens...God+speaker+36 students & staff=awesomeness :)

12:30 PM

Lunch

1:30-5 PM

Staff Fellowship with all staff (Monday)/DTS Staff Growth Group (Tuesday)/

Community Outreach (Wednesday)/Team Growth Group (Thursday)/Laundry Run (Friday)

5 PM

Dinner

6 PM

(Monday) House Cleaning

7 PM

Team Time (Monday)/Outreach Prep (Tuesday)/Town Run (Wednesday)/Night Teaching with Speaker (Thursday)

A glimpse into my world.

Love,

Violet

Asia, Here We Come!

2011-10-02T19:26:00.008-10:00

HERE IS MY TEAM!!!! YAY!

I am beyond blessed with the opportunity to help lead this team to Ch!n@*. Our team is double the size of the "normal" size our base sends out, so this team is equipped with three leaders instead of two. God has truly orchestrated the dynamics of the leaders and all of our differences/gifts we bring to the team; and I am so excited to see how He will work through our team of 19 people :)

The weeks are already starting to fly by, and soon the first month of school for the students will be finished. Before the school began, the staff prayed asking the Lord what the main theme was going to be for the school as a whole. We all felt that the theme of this school was going to be brokenness, and how God wants to restore and shine through brokenness for His glory. After getting to know these students, we have found that many of them are broken from difficult circumstances. Yet, it is so exciting to see how God is taking wounds and brokenness in exchange for healing and redemption. As a whole, this school is so hungry for Truth. Hungry to walk in more intimacy with God, hungry to hear His voice, and hungry for heart change...perfect :)

One of my favorite things as staff is getting to know the students, walking with them in life during this time and at the same time challenging them in their relationship with God. For example, I just walked with one of the girls on my team to a little store down the street to buy a snack, and got to hear how God was bringing new freedom in her life. Awesome.

I thank God for His timing with the brokenness He has brought me through, and now able to have better insight with the students that I am honored to work with for the next five months. Throughout my time at YWAM, He has opened my eyes to see the brokenness of my heart from wounds and disappointments in life... to see how I had formed walls toward God and other people from these wounds. And from these places of brokenness, God has been faithful to root out lies and heal wounds. I have never experienced such freedom and healing that has brought new revelation of His unending love, and also brought me into deeper levels of trust that wounds kept me from completely entrusting Him with these areas. Isn't it funny how our mind and heart can say and believe different things? We can know truth about God's character, and scriptures to back it up... yet do we believe it in our hearts? I am believing more and more how we have to fight for our hearts and for the hearts of others.

I also want to share my financial needs in this blog. I am still about $2,000-2,500 short for this time as DTS staff (depending on the flight ticket to Asia, which is more than expected). If you are interested in helping me financially, please make checks payable to "YWAM Maui" (for a tax receipt) or "Violet Stoltzfus" if you are not interested in a tax deductible receipt. Thank you for your consideration and for your encouragement that comes in more ways than just financially :)

Thats all for now! Thanks for reading!

~Violet

*spelled differently for security purposes

Reconstruction

2011-08-21T21:05:00.016-10:00

Three buildings being renovated. Moving our kitchen into a different building. All staff moving into different rooms. Department training. Base cleanup. DTS staff training. Spring school graduation. Fifteen days until our fall students start arriving!!!! AAAAAAAAA! :)

Here is a tiny glimpse of the reconstruction that is happening on our base:

Through this crazy time of reconstruction and other various things that have to be done before our next school, we are discovering on a new level what it means to have Jesus as our source of strength. Stress over time will eventually reveal what our functional source of life is.

Stress + Time = Source of Life.

Also! I was preparing myself to be Kitchen Head again during our school this fall, but was asked by our leadership if I would be one of the DTS leaders instead. A DTS leader is a staff that works directly with the students during their three months of school at our base, along with leading a team of students on a three month outreach to Southeast Asia. It is going to be a huge school for our base :) we have 38 students (and counting)! This responsibility is one of the most demanding and time consuming jobs here, but can also be one of the most rewarding. I am growing more and more excited about being apart of this school that starts in September and will continue with outreach until March. I will happily keep you updated on details, the students, and what God is doing as time continues.

Being a DTS leader also increases my needs financially to an extra $2,000-2,500 (expenses for the outreach to Southeast Asia), and I would love if you would prayerfully consider partnering with me in this need. Thankyou for your support in other ways as well-I am so often encouraged when having a rough day by many of you :) thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!

~Violett

Diving Deeper

2011-08-12T13:10:00.014-10:00

Do you ever feel like your heart might explode from dreams and desires that arise? that has been happening to me often, especially this past year. praise God for our hearts...from them flow the wellspring of life! yet, what do we do with desires that seem to grow that have not yet been met...or may never? do we push away our desires/dreams, numb our hearts and by doing so-kill our hearts?

something i have read recently by John Eldredge states:

"As our soul grows in the love of God and journeys forth toward him, our heart's capacities also grow and expand: "Thou shalt enlarge my heart" (Psalms 119:32).

But the sword cuts both ways. While our heart grows in its capacity for pleasure, it grows in its capacity to know pain. The two go hand in hand. What, then, shall we do with disappointment? We can be our own enemy, depending on how we handle the heartache that comes with desire. To want is to suffer; the word passion means to suffer. This is why many Christians are reluctant to listen to their hearts: They know that their dullness is keeping them from feeling the pain of life. Many of us have chosen simply not to want so much; it's safer that way. It's also godless. That's stoicism, not Christianity. Sanctification is an awakening, the rousing of our souls from the dead sleep of sin into the fullness of their capacity for life.

Desire often feels like an enemy, because it wakes longings that cannot be fulfilled in the moment. In the words of T. S. Eliot,

April is the cruelest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire. (The Waste Land )

Spring awakens a desire for the summer that is not yet. Awakened souls are often disappointed, but our disappointment can lead us onward, actually increasing our desire and lifting it toward its true passion".

This is what i feel like is happening to my heart... growing more in love with Jesus, which is growing my heart's capacity to more desires, open to more love from Him and people, open and growing towards the dreams and desires that i hope He has put inside of me...yet, i am realizing that this opens me up to the possibility of more pain, disappointments, and discouragements. i hope my rambling is making sense. i have come to learn that as my heart grows, changes, and is healed by having a relationship with Jesus- it can become more vulnerable. YES, we grow in His truth, strength, gifts of the Spirit, and how to fight the enemy's attacks. this grows our compassion. grows our intimacy with Jesus and love for people. grows our desire for the beautiful things in life that God points to as most valuable. by all of this, our walls fall. our wounds are touched by the Lover of our souls. our rough edges grow to be more like Jesus. our hearts overflow to others. we are challenged to grow into who God calls us to be, and by doing so are opening up who we REALLY are to people around us-giving what we may be afraid is not enough to others and may be rejected.

And through all of this, we are challenged to dive deeper into who He is... to not shrink back with what He calls us to do, or shrink back with who is raising us up to be through His redemption. by not shrinking back from Him as we continually lift to Him our dreams and desires. i am learning what this looks like. i have been asking Him what does it look like to not kill my heart and its desires because i want Him to have my heart that is alive... what does it look like to hold these things in surrender to His will and plans for my life, and live my life so abundantly with Jesus that I will be completely satisfied even if these desires do not happen.

That has been my wrestle with the Lord lately. entrusting Him with all of my heart in those areas, yet longing to fully trust Him as my Father, my Redeemer, Friend, and Lover of my soul... that whatever His plans are in my life-wherever and however long... i long to live in surrendered trust and intimacy with Him.

So i am learning through the times that it feels like my heart is going to explode, that diving deeper into Jesus with these things... allows my heart to rest. i might not see some of these things happen, but can trust that He brings beautiful completion and satisfaction to my heart. His love makes life worth it. my life, after all, is not about me-but about His glory.

Another quote:

The whole life of the good Christian," said Augustine, "is a holy longing." Sadly, many of us have been led to feel that somehow we ought to want less, not more. We have this sense that we should atone for our longings, apologize that we feel such deep desire. Shouldn't we be more content? Perhaps, but contentment is never wanting less; that's the easy way out. Anybody can look holy if she's killed her heart; the real test is to have your heart burning within you and have the patience to enjoy what there is now to enjoy, while waiting with eager anticipation for the feast to come. In Paul's words, we "groan inwardly as we wait eagerly" (Rom. 8:23). Contentment can only happen as we increase desire, let it run itself out toward its fulfillment, and carry us along with it.

It is starting to make more sense to me... how our longings continue to show that we were made for more than our earthly life. these desires, in the end will point to Him. without Him, nothing will satisfy us. the deepest longings, desires, and dreams are nothing without Him in it-without Him as my first love. as i surrender these things to Him, i am beckoned to love Him more deeply-challenged to want Him more than these things in my heart. if He chooses to give me these things, then i can enjoy them to the fullest because He will continue to be first and they will be blessings "on the side".

Hope my thoughts encouraged you :)

Violett~~

Where is Hayden???

2011-08-11T19:52:00.013-10:00

Hayden. most lovable, rambunctious little one on our base.

where did he go?

maybe the prayer room?

caught him red-handed!

Hayden...are you planning on driving your parent's car today??
you are just so cool.

oh good heavens. i found him. maybe i can steal a kiss :)

love,

Hayden & Violett

Faithful

2011-06-22T13:15:00.010-10:00

Where to start? But to say that God is faithful to my heart.

Ready?

With my heart: Challenging me to grow in areas only He can see. Rooting out fears with His love. Rooting out wrong motivations. Bringing me into situations that grow my trust with placing all my life into His hands.

Revelation of His love is what changes us. What moves us to live for Him.

With my job: Challenging me into job positions in ywam that I wouldn't normally choose for myself, but showing me that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Ephesians 4:19. And there is JOY that comes when we work for Him!

With my finances: Today, as i was going through the process to renew my license, i started to wonder where the money was going to come from after paying my normal bills... and when i reviewed my bank account, i realized there was JUST enough to pay for the renewal. Wow. He knows my needs before I ask Him!!!

whew.

He also provided all my needs on my three week trip to Minnesota! The two weddings i went to were wonderful. The first was of my dear friend from ywam, and the second was of my older sister. Both weddings brought so much joy and richness to life! And i am so thankful i got to spend time with a best friend and with my family :) here are some pictures!

For an update on our base, we just commissioned the spring school off to Asia this morning! So please pray for our team of ten people as they venture where God is going to use each one beautifully with divine appointments.

We are transitioning into our summer seminar quickly (Reformation Generation!), which we are excited about. Starts in less than two weeks!

Also, I am moving from 'kitchen manager' to 'kitchen head' for the summer quarter and will be tackling more logistics within the job such as budgeting, planning meals, grocery shopping, and making sure the kitchen is running smoothly. I would appreciate your prayers as I transition into this :) that I will have a servant heart, creative ideas, make wise decisions, and work with the joy of the Lord :) :)

Thankyou for being supportive and interested in my life!

~Violett

Reformation Generation

2011-04-07T11:26:00.003-10:00

Check out this video for our new summer program! We are so excited!

This seminar is designed specifically for students getting ready to go to college (open for anyone 18 and over).

"Reformation Generation Seminar is a 4 week college prep-experience designed to equip high school graduates to stand firm in their faith and make a difference on their campuses. The seminar will focus on thriving in faith and relationship with God in the midst of the moral, intellectual and spiritual challenges of life in the world. July 3 - 29, 2001 Maui, Hawaii www.ywammaui.com"

Statistics show that there is a 50-50 chance of a student staying an active Christian through their college years...don't be a statistic!

2011-03-16T19:51:00.005-10:00

This Winter school has flown by! Seems to have gone by faster than any other school for some reason. Tomorrow, the students will be leaving for Asia. Bittersweet! At times it is hard to continually say goodbye after getting to know the students/discipling them/growing with them, but God has been faithful to refresh my heart during those times. Even saying goodbye to staff that leave after their committment is finished can be hard as well. I hope I never stop loving the people around me. The Lord continues to remind me that when I keep Him first in my life, He will be the love that flows out of me to others.

The picture below includes the Fall school (after returning from Asia for their graduation), along with the Winter school that is just about to leave for outreach. During each school's graduation, there is a week of time that two schools overlap...so the base is hopping with lots of energy from so many people! It is one of my favorite times during each quarter :)

This past weekend the staff took the students for one last "weekend activity" before their outreach. Starting at 8 AM on Saturday, we drove an hour on windy roads to a popular scenic area called Hana. The day consisted of cliff jumping, swimming by caves and a black sand beach, hiking through bamboo forests to get to waterfalls up to 400 feet high, eating packed lunches, sharing water when people didn't bring enough :), and driving home to a sunset when everyone is wonderfully dirty and tired :)). Staff try to have several "weekend activities" for each school to give fun options for the students, and saved the best for last this time!

Also, God never fails to teach me new things every quarter! The last few months He has been showing me fears that I have, and helping to root them out of my life. Hasn't always been easy, but I am so grateful to serve such a loving Father that knows me better than I know myself. The verse that continues to come to mind is 1 John 4:18 which says: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love". I continue to learn that His love truly does drive out fear...bring on freedom! :)

The picture below is of the wonderful kitchen staff I worked with this quarter! I also just found out my next job has been changed to kitchen supervisor for the next school. Stoked!

Thanks for readinggggg!

New Students- New Position =D

2011-01-13T15:35:00.007-10:00

Aloha!

Being home for Christmas was wonderful. It was great to catch up with family and friends, and I even got the opportunity to speak at several Life Groups (Bible studies)from my church, explaining more of YWAM's mission, along with what God is doing in my life. Woooo! I also had a chance to rest, spend some good times with Jesus and some reading. It helped me feel refreshed and excited about the new school that just started this week! We have 20 students for this DTS and I like them already. =)

I also have a new position on staff, which is in the kitchen department... wooo! I have been in the hospitality department on our base for about a year, so this change of pace is refreshing. So now I help with cooking meals during the day, and will also get the chance to work with the students during their "work duties" Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons. This will be one of the chances the kitchen staff can pour into and disciple the students.

What else is new??? Random fact.

It is Winter in Maui, which makes it the rainy season! A fun fact about Maui is that it hardly ever lightnings or thunders here... yet within the past month, stats have shown that there have been over 400 strikes! Just last night most of our base were awakened from their slumber by boisterous thunder and lightning! :D

Thanks for reading! Pictures coming soon.

~Violet

Time is Flying!

2010-11-28T17:56:00.017-10:00

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!

2010-11-02T20:40:00.014-10:00

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?

2010-10-12T19:40:00.014-10:00

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

2010-09-17T20:01:00.009-10:00

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 :)

2010-08-07T08:47:00.006-10:00

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!

2010-06-23T07:29:00.004-10:00

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

2010-03-05T20:27:00.007-10:00

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

2010-02-17T13:16:00.000-10:00

****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 :)

2010-02-15T19:10:00.004-10:00

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!

2010-01-21T18:36:00.005-10:00

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

2010-01-20T22:06:00.006-10:00

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!

My Job Next Quarter

2009-12-15T20:38:00.003-10:00

Season's greetings! :-)

My job for next quarter has been made official-I will be hospitality head. Woot woot! I was in hospitality with my boss (hospitality head), and another girl who also worked in the same department. The positions are always prayed over, which is an encouragement to me! Usually, staff are in the same department for at least two quarters (two schools) before they are switched to another department.

I am happy for my position for the next school, and the opportunity to serve the base with "hospo" skills :) It will definitely be more challenging with the details that come with it, but it will be good leadership experience.

~Violetta

Christmas in Maui

2009-12-12T21:44:00.004-10:00

Oh my goodness! I don't know if I want laugh or cry :) it has been a week since our Fall DTS left for outreach, and it has been so empty on our base! Our base staff continued to work until Friday, and now have Christmas break until the end of the month. To be honest, it was sad to see the students leave for their outreach... it was my first quarter as staff, and first group of students I grew close to while working. But I am also enjoying my first official day of Christmas break today! I won't be going home for Christmas, which is another sad part of my blog... but I am looking forward to resting, spending quality time with Jesus, exploring the island, spending time with friends and other staff staying for Christmas, along with other hobbies. :)

The staff that are staying for Christmas have decorated our main living room area with lights, a tree, stockings, and other festive items around the house. It makes it much more like home! We even put fake snow on the windows :) It's hard not being with my family, but will make the best of having a green Christmas.

Summer DTS Graduation!

2009-11-21T22:32:00.013-10:00

The Bangladesh Team

The Borneo Team

This weekend was filled with lots of excitement from the summer school testimony night on Wednesday night, and graduation on Friday. And my hospitality job was definitely busy :-) For testimony night, all the staff and students gathered to listen to what God is doing in their outreach locations.

The Bangladesh team shared how they saw so much oppression, poverty, and need during their outreach on a daily basis. They spoke of the spiritual oppression they experienced and how it easily effected their own lives. But through this, they learned to stand against it with prayer, and depend on God in new ways. God used this team to shine in Bangladesh with joy and love that the people are so hungry for! :-)

The Borneo team also shared how God used them. Their main focus was traveling to different churches to encourage and disciple believers. They explained how apathy among believers was very strong in the country, but how God used them to bring excitement and revival with the people. They encouraged the people with Bible studies, church services, house visits, and dramas that always had huge crowds of people interested. God is awesome!

I also wanted to update on my needs financially. Next month, my bills will be increasing by $130 because of college loans that are starting. I would really appreciate your prayers and financial support. Thank you for supporting me so far, it truly makes a difference. :-)

Community Outreach

2009-11-18T18:18:00.010-10:00

Every Tuesday, I get the opportunity to lead a group of the students in Community Outreach. There are three locations on the island our base focuses on; and is a time we take to love the people around us. My group focuses on helping two business' nearby with any cleaning they need done such as organizing, sweeping, mopping, etc... Our goal is to be a light by serving the people who own the business', and speaking about our faith. It is not only fun, but also a learning experience to love people through the little things in life.

a couple of pictures of community outreach

organizing clothes

Packed House!

2009-11-16T12:03:00.013-10:00

The Summer DTS school came back from Asia on Saturday... and the base is PACKED! :) They will be here for a week and leave after their graduation ceremony. This week will give them time to debrief with the base leaders and process their time out of the country before going home. It is definitely an important week, and will help them adjust to life at home after an intense six months.

It is also encouraging for the Fall DTS school because they will here fresh stories of what outreach is like, and have a chance to get more excited of how God will use them.

Also, the Fall school is leaving in seventeen days! WOW! That will be a sad day for me to see them leave, but exciting at the same time :) Now more than ever they are finishing details, and preparing for their adventure.

Fall DTS School listening to one of the speakers

Group Picture of the Fall School

Prayer Requests

2009-11-05T21:20:00.010-10:00

In less than two weeks our Summer DTS Team will be coming back from their outreach to Asia! We are so excited, even though our base will be super packed for a week while they debrief :-) Please pray they will arrive safely. Here they are!

One of the latest news for our base is that our Summer DTS leader, Tik, was deported when flying back from Thailand. She was visiting the Summer school teams that had gone on outreach, and unfortunately her visa was rejected and she was sent back to Thailand. She is definitely needed on our base! Our leadership team was planning on placing her as Winter DTS School leader in January. So please pray that her application for another visa will be accepted by the end of this year. Thankyou! Here is a picture of Tik, along with Isaac who helped her lead the Summer DTS.

Baptism Day

2009-10-22T19:22:00.014-10:00

Last weekend our speakers had a baptism at the beach. Nine of our students decided to be dunked! :-) It was such a perfect day for the occasion.

praying for the students after they were baptized

Other than that, the week went by so fast! I hit a couple of low points during the week, and didn't understand why I felt so empty/had feelings of being burnt out. I was a little frustrated actually realizing I have only started my commitment with YWAM. But after spending some much needed time with Jesus, I realized THAT was the problem. He gave me a picture of myself as a wilted flower from not letting Him nourish me. That is something I am learning to do... often I get filled from spending time with Him/the Word etc... and feel super energized and excited to build relationships and love the people around me-and then stop being as intentional with my relationship with God. Then I start to crash because I run out of fuel :-) I get annoyed at myself when this happens... especially when I feel like I should have learned the first time! But I always love how God has open arms for me when I mess up :-) something I am learning how to balance in my life :) love it. love Him. weeeeeeeee

pictures!

2009-10-03T12:52:00.027-10:00

Snapshots of my life working at YWAM

hospitality homies :-)

enjoying the beach on the weekend

cliff jumping this past weekend..woooo!

the staff/students get to hang out

Just starting!

2009-09-28T21:56:00.002-10:00

September already?! Time is going by so fast:) I have already been working as staff in YWAM for over a month. But I absolutely love working here! Right now my position is in the hospitality department; which includes baking, cleaning, event-planning, and taking care of the school's speakers that come every week. It is a Monday-Friday job (sometimes we do some work over the weekend), with the weekends usually free to spend time with students, go to the beach, rest, etc...

The twenty-six students here are great! They are so hungry for God and what He wants to do in their lives. And I love spending time with them when I get the chance.

This week the speaker spoke on intercession and intimacy with God, and I got to sit in on two night lectures. (I can't during the day because of work) I loved it! It was one of my favorite topics to learn. Plus, God has been teaching me so much! More than I expected for only being on staff for almost two months.

Some of the things God is teaching me is to not keep Him in a box, and allow Him more freedom to move in my life. It is so easy to limit Him, and I am done with that. I am so hungry for His presence in my life, and learning what that looks like. I want more than just a quiet time with God then done for the rest of the day... I crave His voice in my life-intimacy is what I want! There are many other things He has been teaching me, but I need to go to bed :)

Some things I have been doing lately...

*Remodeling my room a bit that me and two other staff live in. It needs some spice! This weekend I am going to paint/collage/etc.

*Practicing guitar when I get the chance; I reaaaaallllly want to be good at this. Singing and guitar have been a passion growing inside of me, especially for worship.

*I went to a Purity Siege this weekend! It was amazing. A bunch of us went and prayed for purity on this island and in our generation. A lot to explain, so look at this link!

Purity Siege

Love,

Violetta