Change

"Leave. Everything will still be here when you get back. It is you who will have changed." -Donald Miller

I love this quote and how relevant it is to my life right now. Before coming to London, I wasn't sure if I should leave home...after graduating, I was thinking about taking dental hygiene classes, shadowing dentists, getting a job, and becoming more involved at church. All of these things are wonderful and I would still like to pursue them when I get back to the US...but they will always be there. Living abroad for a year, being out of my comfort zone, and developing new relationships will not always come into my path. Praise God for His blessings and remaining faithful through this journey.

Reflecting on the past 5 months, I have been changed for the better...

-a "worldly" perspective living in a foreign country...it's so easy to become self-centered and the idea of "the world revolving around me" living in a small city. After moving to London, I understand God created a HUGE world with so many different cultures and people who need to know Jesus. This is my calling.

-more independent and reliant on God. I love this verse from Jeremiah 17...“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” When I was living in the states, I would call my mom whenever I had a problem. Just a phone call away. However, it is a bit difficult calling my parents with an 11 hour time difference in Hawaii. I have learned to seek God first...pray first and pray foremost. I also used to be relying on my parents financially, but have learned to trust God with my finances and He ALWAYS provides. Thank you to everyone who have been supporting me as well.

-learning how to get along with different people/cultures. Even though we all speak English in the UK, there is a huge difference in culture. I could stereotype English people as polite, reserved, and drinking tea frequently throughout the day...not all of which is true, but they are very different from Americans. Americans can be stereotyped as loud, obnoxious, and fat. Pretty true, huh? Haha. I have learned to become more polite and not ask questions like "why?" as that could sound rude and limit saying "what?" Instead, I should say "sorry" or "pardon?"

-teaches me to live an ADVENTURE...take a risk. Be bold. I really can't do anything without God...I am weak, but He is strong!

The LORD is my ROCK

Psalm 18

I love you, LORD, my strength.

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Thank you Lord that you're our rock and we don't ever have to be afraid because you're with us.

Reading: Blue Like Jazz

"I know a little of why there is blood in my body, pumping life into my limbs and thought into my brain. I am wanted by God. He is wanting to preserve me, to guide me through the darkness of the shadow of death, up to the highlands of His presence and afterlife. I understand that I am temporary, in this shell of a thing on this dirt of an earth. I am being tempted by Satan, we are all being tempted by Satan, but I am preserved to tell those who do not know our Savior and our Redeemer...

I lay there under the stars and thought of what a great responsibility it is to be human. I am a human because God made me. I experience suffering and temptation because mankind chose to follow Satan. God is reaching out to me to rescue me. I am learning to trust Him, learning to live by His precepts that I might be preserved."

-Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

I've read this book before, but it's even better the second time. It's a book for anyone wondering if the Christian faith is still relevant in a post-modern culture, for anyone thirsting for an encounter with a God who is real, and for anyone yearning for a renewed sense of passion in life.

Scotland

The land of bagpipers, kilts, and haggis...oh how I love you. I was debating what to do for half-term break and I'm so thankful I spontaneously booked a flight to Edinburgh to visit my fellow TFG friends. It was a much needed break from the city and busyness of London.

Tuesday-spent the day with Ashley (from US), Sophie (Hungary), and Julian (Germany), walked around the boat town of Leith, ate at the cutest bakery Mimi's, Scotland Museum of Art, watched bagpipers (they were so friendly!), shopped around Prince St for kilts, and chilled at home with pizza and a movie.

Wednesday-A perfect sunny day...thank you Lord for vitamin D! Walked to Calton Hill, King Arthur's Seat, Holyrood Palace (Queen of England's house in Scotland...so worth 10 pounds and reminded me of Pride and Prejudice), ate haggis, neeps, and tatties (found out it was sheep intestines after...surprisingly, it was quite nice!), Edinburgh castle, and made dinner at home. Felt so nice to sit down after a full day of walking...so tiring being a tourist!

Thursday-Museum of Scotland, ate my first deep-fried mars bar (you must try it if you go to Edinburgh...can you say, heart attack?), and watched movies/baked treats with my Swedish friend Liv. What a fun time in Scotland...thank you Jesus for rest, laughter, and refreshment.



I'll end with this quote from a Westmont author...

“I want a life that sizzles and pops and makes me laugh out loud. And I don't want to get to the end, or to tomorrow, even, and realize that my life is a collection of meetings and pop cans and errands and receipts and dirty dishes. I want to eat cold tangerines and sing out loud in the car with the windows open and wear pink shoes and stay up all night laughing and paint my walls the exact color of the sky right now. I want to sleep hard on clean white sheets and throw parties and eat ripe tomatoes and read books so good they make me jump up and down, and I want my everyday to make God belly laugh, glad that he gave life to someone who loves the gift.”
-Shauna Niequist Cold Tangerines

You Said

You said, Ask and you will receive
Whatever you need
You said, Pray and I'll hear from heaven
And I'll heal your land

You said Your glory will fill the earth
Like water the sea
You said, Lift up your eyes
The harvest is here, the kingdom is near

You said, Ask and I'll give the nations to you
O Lord, that's the cry of my heart
Distant shores and the islands will see
Your light, as it rises on us

You said Your glory will fill the earth
Like water the sea
You said, Lift up your eyes
The harvest is here, the kingdom is near

You said, Ask and I'll give the nations to you
O Lord, that's the cry of my heart
Distant shores and the islands will see
Your light, as it rises on us

Spent the day with the YWAM Megacities teams...so blessed by them. They are Americans too...a little slice of home. :) One of the YWAMers was even from Mars Hill, my church back in Seattle. It's funny how God can put us in the same place thousands of miles away from home. Thank you YWAM for sharing Jesus' love to the people of Woodford, London, and beyond. We sang this song by Hillsong and the lyrics spoke to me...this really is the cry of my heart. I pray that people in England would come to know how deep, wide and vast is the love of Jesus. He's changed my life in so many incredible ways. I pray you would open their eyes to see you Jesus and awaken the church. Oh Lord, we ask for the nations.

Provider

Thank you Lord for the beautiful snow :) It was so exciting waking up Sunday morning to a winter wonderland. Sledding, snowball fights, and building snowmen after church...such a perfect day.

I've been thinking about Jesus as our provider...here's what I've been learning:

"So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." -Matthew 6:31-33

"God is the one who gives every one of us life, breath, and everything. Not just money and food. Everything! I ask myself and you: What is it that keeps us from venturing into something that God has been putting in front of us? What is it that causes us to say, 'I can't possibly do that.' What am I afraid of? What do I lack? What are my weaknesses?"-Noel Piper

I had every reason to say I couldn't go to London. I have to pay back my student loans from college. I need to start my career. I was afraid of leaving my family and comfortable surroundings. It has been a windy path of uncertainty, but a life-changing journey to mold me into the person He wants me to be. I can't do ANYTHING here without God. If we think we can't do what God is asking us to do, we're right. But God can. We can do all things through Him who strengthens us. (Phil 4:13) He has been faithful to provide everything I need...a lovely home stay with a second pair of "English grandparents," community, warm home-cooked meals, and relationships that will last a lifetime.

Britt Nicole's song "Walk On The Water" relates so perfectly...

You look around, staring back at you
Another wave of doubt, will it pull you under? You wonder
What if I'm overtaken? What if I never make it?
What if no one's there? Will You hear my prayer?

When you take that first step into the unknown
You know that He won't let you go

So what are you waiting for? What do you have to lose?
Your insecurities, they try to hold to you
But you know you're made for more, so don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all it takes, and you can walk on the water, too

So get out, and let your fear fall to the ground
No time to waste, don't wait, and don't you turn around and miss out
Everything you were made for, I know you're not sure
So you play it safe, you try to run away

If you take that first step into the unknown
He won't let you go

Step out, even when it's storming
Step out, even when you're broken
Step out, even when your heart is telling you
Telling you to give up

Step out, when your hope is stolen
Step out, you can't see where you're going
You don't have to be afraid
So what are you waiting, what are you waiting for?

Banana Bread

There's just something about banana bread, cinnamon, and walnuts...makes me so happy! :) It's probably one of my favorite things to make because it's easy and always tastes good for breakfast, lunch, or dessert. Thought I'd share a successful recipe:

Ingredients

• 100 g butter
• 200 g granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2-3 mashed bananas
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 250 g plain flour

Method

1. Preheat oven to 150C/fan 130C/gas 2. Grease a loaf tin or spray with non-stick spray.
2. Beat together the butter, sugar and eggs. Combine the mashed bananas with the mixture.
3. Add the baking powder, baking soda, salt and flour. Stir until well blended.
4. Pour into the prepared loaf tin. Add chopped walnuts on top. Bake for about 1 hour and 10 minutes until the cake has risen and is golden.
5. Cool in the tin for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack.

I've been thinking about gifts/passions and baking is definitely one of mine. I love baking because it takes my mind to a different place and of course, the benefits of eating your own creation. Baking is a great way to bless people...I hope this will inspire you to bake home-made cookies for a friend, co-worker or neighbor today. :)

Healer

Thank you Jesus for being our healer! This past week was pretty emotional...my mom told me to pray for my dad; he had a colonoscopy and 2 polyps removed. He was doing fine, but had a fever and abdominal pain so he was rushed to the ER. They did a CAT scan and thought he might have had a perforated bowel (which could be fatal), but thankfully Jesus has healed him and does not need surgery. When I first got the news in an email, I was about to freak out...especially being 7,000 miles away. "God, please don't take my dad...not yet." I was walking home and praying hard when I stumbled upon the YWAM team...I invited them over for tea and we did intercessory prayer for him. So powerful and felt so much peace.

I sent my Dad this Bible verse: “So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.”- Exodus 23:25
After, my dad said: "just before the doctors discussed surgery on my torn colon I received the Lord's confirmation via your Bible verse that I would be fine and not require surgery...that's a revaluation from the Lord through your prayers as He spoke to me that very minute!!" So awesome. :)