willing

"I must be as willing to remain as to go, for the presence of God determines the whereabouts of His people." Jim Elliot, quoted by Elisabeth Elliot in Shadow of the Almighty (53)

Even though my emotions change, this has been the battle cry stamped onto my heart. August marks the beginning of year FOUR. Another year of remaining.

But, where else would I go? God's presence seeps into Kitsap county and there is nowhere else I could be. For me, for now, this is where Heaven breaks into Earth. Lord, I am willing.

disciplers need extra shorts

Tonight was our first youth gathering since camp. Instead of a regular meeting at the highschool, we met at the waterfront park. I lost count, but I think there were over 20 students baptized.

The message tonight was from our junior high director, Kylie. She shared the simple message that Jesus gave his disciples before returning to Heaven. "Go and make disciples." (Matt 28:19)

So simple. So deep. So sweet.

It's who we are as followers of Jesus. We are called to be disciple-makers. We are commissioned as leaders. We are to point others to follow Jesus. We are to live in a way that they see Jesus by copying us.

This morning I got to have coffee with a friend preparing to leave for college soon. At one season, I was a leader in her life. I guess that kind of made her my disciple. Hearing the choices she is making, choices that bring God glory, blessed my heart so deeply this morning.

This afternoon I was blessed to lead a prayer meeting with our youth staff and summer youth apprentices. Challenging student leaders to step out of their comfort zone, I heard warriors pray to our God without abandon. A student that is dear to my heart prayed over the entire congregation tonight, "We ask you, God, to bring Heaven to Kitsap." Yes! This is the vision, the dream, the mission.

This evening, I sat with a dear friend and former disciple during the gathering. I can't wait to ask her to join me in leading a discipleship group next year for senior girls. Trinity will become a phenomenal leader as God works through her.

And the reason that disciplers need extra shorts...

Tonight I was honored to baptize two students: Tim and Chasen. They are stepping out, going public with their faith. In front of their friends, family, and church, they proclaimed today that they belong to God and choose to follow Him. The water was COLD, but baptism is such an honor. I am excited to see how God continues to shape their stories. There were six of us in the water baptizing each of them. This is our family, our tribe. This is disciple-making in action.

Thank you to Ryan & Katie Kanzler for having an extra pair of shorts, and for holding my watch, car keys and cell phone. Nobody does the mission alone.

back from camp

Theologically, I already knew that God's heart breaks for His children. Statistically, I already knew that teenagers struggle with broken families, body image issues, and histories of abuse. And from experience, I already knew that God would do incredible work at summer camp.

But, still...

Nothing prepared me for the overwhelming tide of brokenness. The stories of deep pain began the first night of camp. Students held nothing back, ready for God to intervene in their brokenness. Camp began with the broken half of beautiful promises: Weeping remains for a night. In our weakness. What seems impossible.

And praise our Father, He is faithful. Joy came in the morning. His strength proves. Nothing is impossible in Christ.

I was blessed with students' stories. Stories of abuse turned to forgiveness, healing, and new families. Stories of addictions ended, chains severed, self-harming behaviors killed forever. Grace WINS. I wasn't prepared for the wave of VICTORY.

The most beautiful thing happened: students caught the vision of welcoming their friends into the Kingdom. These teenagers embraced the mission so fully. They recognized Heaven intercepting earth. They now desire to bring Heaven into their schools, Heaven into their families. Inviting the broken to be healed. Inviting the lonely into families.

Oh, the Savior's love is so sweet.

I can still picture the crowd in worship. Hands raised to the Father, or stretched out to their brothers and sisters nearby. Dancing, singing, weeping praise. Our occupation in eternity: praising our God. (Revelations 4)

"I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation; Behold, I will not restrain my lips, O LORD, You know. I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation." -Psalm 40: 9-10 NAS

Behold, Kitsap. There's a troop of soldiers prepared to do battle for the Kingdom. They will pray over their classmates. They will change their families with forgiveness. They will tear down barriers with grace. They will bring Heaven to their schools. Darkness can't defeat them. They are full of light. They have been made new. They have been made whole. They are sons and daughters of the Most High God. They claim a new identity: FORGIVEN. Death can't stop them. Fear won't hold them back. They're playing for keeps. This is a game-changer. God has captured their hearts. They will never be the same.

pick-up lines

My favorite pick-up line in the Bible is "your hair is like a flock of goats" (Song of Songs 4:1).


However, the rock-climber-girl line isn't that bad either: "My dove is hiding behind the rocks, behind an outcrop on the cliff. Let me see your face; let me hear your voice. For your voice is pleasant, and your face is lovely." (Song of Songs 2:15) 


What climber girl wouldn't want to hear that? Entering into a summer of off-widths, overhangs, and outcrops, I love this example of holy pursuit from the Bible. Maybe hiding in the cleft isn't such a bad way to spend the summer!

sunshine pictures

 And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars--all the heavenly array--do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven. Deuteronomy 4:19 NIV


Sunshine itself isn't worth worshiping. However, I am SO VERY GRATEFUL to the God who made the sun shine this weekend! And I'm enjoying this creation SO MUCH this summer!

Since school ended two weeks ago, I've enjoyed so many beautiful people and beautiful places. God has been gracious to provide lots of sunshine as well!

Here are some pictures that tell the story better than my paragraphs:

Mom & I went to Port Gamble and then to the Silverdale Farmer's market on a day when the sun was trying to break through last week.

She bought these beautiful flowers from a local grower.

By Friday, it was beautiful and sunny again, so I drove to Mt. Rainier to renew my National Parks Pass. I love enjoying God in the beauty of His creation. Some kind German tourists offered to take my photo, but I'd already set the timer on my new camera.

The visitor center at Paradise has 290% of the average snowpack they should have this time of year. (That's three times as much as normal!!)
 

There were a LOT of people hiking to Camp Muir so I figured it was fine to join them.
It was like hiking alone... with a LOT of strangers.

So, I befriended a stranger named Gary for the trip back to the parking lot and heard all about his life and family.

Then, I spent the weekend camping with friends on Orcas Island at a hippie resort. It was beautiful, especially the wildflowers. Rhododendrons are the state flower of Washington and one of my favorites!

We drove to the top of Mt. Constitution on a sunny, sunny day. You can't see it yet in this picture, but I am very sunburned (even now, two days later!) Look at how beautiful the San Juan islands are, though. Spectacular!!!

The foxgloves are blooming. That means the fireweed will bloom soon! More favorites!

This is the ferry coming to pick us up from Orcas Island and take us back to Anacortes.

And these are my friends Chelsey & Al playing cards on the second ferry, from Coupeville to Port Townsend. We made up a few different card games over the weekend. The best one was called "Fourth of July" and included firework sound effects each time you discarded.

There have been even more sunshine-y moments this week. Today, I met with Joy to share hope and peace in life right now. Then, I had the honor of picking up Megan from the airport after her 3-week adventure to Sierra Leone with Children of the Nations (www.cotni.org). I tried to be good and stay out of the sun because of my sunburn, so I ended up at the climbing gym for a few hours planning for my first day of work tomorrow! Finally, we had a nacho party at my house tonight. Build-your-own-nachos are such a great meal to bring people together (Thanks, Kristen for the great idea!)

Here's another verse that helps me keep a right perspective on the sunshine: The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.
Revelations 21:23


Being a citizen of Heaven, I know that I can look forward to living in a city that doesn't even NEED sunshine. God's glory is far greater. Still, I plan to appreciate all of the sunshine we receive this summer!