Ravished

Well, this is my first ever blog post. I am kind of regretting not starting this thing long ago, because now I am going to have to try to sum up the last insanely beautiful and radical six months of my life in a few posts. 

To start off, I just got home a few weeks ago from graduating Engage DTS (Discipleship Training School) with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) in Kona, Hawaii. YWAM is an international volunteer missions movement of Christians from many backgrounds, cultures and traditions, dedicated to serving Jesus throughout the world. Their purpose is simply to know God and to make Him known.

My whole DTS family

For the first twelve weeks of DTS they have what they call “Lecture Phase” where each week we had speakers from all over the world come speak to us on focused topics that these individuals were fully living out in their walks with Jesus. Topics included, Hearing God’s Voice, Nature and Character of God, The Radical Call and the Cost, To Know God, Sin, Repentance, and Freedom, Bible Big-Picture and Worldview, Honor, Jesus the Word, Spiritual Discipline, To Make Him Known, Spiritual Warfare, Sensitivity to the Spirit, Holy Spirit, and Transforming Nations. Our weeks also included lots of other activities. Monday’s were my favorite - we started our week off with Monday Morning Worship where the whole base came together, then Monday nights we had “Ministry Night” which was in our 24/7 prayer room and it was two hours or more of full on worshipping Jesus. We had work duties everyday, and we had 24 hour prayer burns every other weekend. Every week we had revivalist training, intercession, family nights, community outreach, worship, etc…let’s just say we were never bored. 

Ministry Night Glory

These first twelve weeks were amazing. Jesus completely captured my heart in every way. Every week, I sat in class in awe of my Father and His goodness. I learned so much about who Jesus is, was, and is to come and who He says I am. I am a child of God, my personal heavenly Father, who intimately and infinitely loves me. Galatians 4:6  I got rid of all the lies from this world and began to walk in Truth. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15

I had so many revelations of Jesus, what He did, and the beauty of His Word - what a privilege it is that we get to sit and read God breathed words, revelations of the Holy Spirit, my Friend and Helper, and how much God loves us. You guys, it literally isn’t comprehendible how much God loves us.The power of prayer and intercession, the Father longs to communicate with us. Revelation of what we all as followers of Jesus are called to do - Jesus didn’t stumble over His words when He said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations..” GO. We are called to go, whether that is working in an office, coaching a football team, teaching in Korea, wherever we are we should bring the culture of the Kingdom with us. Revelation of the power and authority we have in Christ Jesus, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:12-14 

I learned how FAITHFUL God is, in everything, in every way. I saw Him heal people, provide finances in miraculous ways, answer the cry of people’s heart through prayer, and give people the desires of their heart. He just continues to blow me away with His faithfulness. "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."  Hebrews 10:23

After the initial twelve weeks, I and a team of six other people ventured off to North Africa for eleven weeks where Jesus totally rocked my world. I will write a post about our time there soon, but until then, here is a picture from my time in a village we stayed at with some sweet friends of ours :)

Basically, I want to walk in the fullness of who God has created me to be. This last six months I was filled with so much of who Jesus is and it left me insanely hungry for more. I want to bring the Kingdom with me everywhere I go, I want to seek His face in everything, I want my life to be a reflection of the Father's love. I want Jesus. He is the only thing that satisfies. 

Psalms 16: 11 “you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Some of my dearest friends - Ansley, Christy, Sarah, myself, Becca, and Hannah.

Thank you to all you have supported me throughout this journey - prayers and financial. You truly have made an impact in the Kingdom.