I just had the most amazing run today. It had been way too long since my last run and I forgot how connected I feel to God when I run. So I was running along this road to my church and one of my favorite songs came on my ipod. Keri Noble sings, "If no one will listen if you decide to speak. If no one is left, standing after the bombs explode. If no one wants to look at you, for what you really are, I will be here still." How true is that though, no matter what happens, where you are, what you have gone through, God is always there. He has been here with me since I left, been ever so present in my life and those around me. I have been reading little devos every night and morning, and they all accentuate on finding His Peace. That has been a big part of my spiritual focus so far; finding God's peace and being still. It's amazing how peaceful God can make me...how my worries and fears can be taken away.
Also, I added a flickr account so you can look at more photos, I will try to keep updating them! Love you all.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Wonderful Wales!
Oh my goodness...I have just gotten back from a wonderful weekend in Wales! I went with my host family to Abersoch, which is right on the sea in Wales. It was their friends birthday weekend and he invited 25 people to this house he rented out and we just enjoyed relaxing, laughter and great company. I met so many lovely people there, many that I hope to see again! Saturday night was the birthday celebration in which we had a 50's cocktail party. It was so fun to get dressed up, eat dinner to 50's music and then relax, chat and dance to good ol' Grease music! I also took a dip in the sea!! Whoo!! It was fabulous.
Sunday we had a worship service in the lounge which was really powerful. At one point I just sat there silently and listened to the 24 others praising God. It didn't matter if I say God pronounced like G-ah-d and they say G-oh-d; for we were all worshipping the same God. It was beautiful.
Now I am back to Boothstown, getting ready for a full week of preparation and youth clubs!
Sunday we had a worship service in the lounge which was really powerful. At one point I just sat there silently and listened to the 24 others praising God. It didn't matter if I say God pronounced like G-ah-d and they say G-oh-d; for we were all worshipping the same God. It was beautiful.
Now I am back to Boothstown, getting ready for a full week of preparation and youth clubs!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
My Host family!
Here are some pictures of the wonderful people who have opened their doors to me for the year! Their names are Helen, Ian and Daniel. Daniel is 2 and a joy to be around, as are Helen and Ian! 
They are brilliant!
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
A walk around my new home
I went on a walk one afternoon and decided to capture some of my surroundings to share with those I love! As pretty and lovely as the area looks, the people are so much more. I cannot believe how welcoming they have been and their never-ending support for me here. It reminds me of my lovely friends and family at home. I miss and love you all.
Welcome to Boothstown, Manchester
Here we are walking down the road on the way to my home...notice the cars driving on the left! Still a little different for me! I forget sometimes...not a good thing to forget!
Here is my road! And my house number...haha.
More to come..I know there are not many here but it's a glimpse into my life! A wonderful, undeserving life that I am so grateful and thankful for. God is so good. :)
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Welcoming Sunday!
I have just gotten back from a beautiful welcoming service at my church. It was so nice to meet these lovely people and be able to converse with them about the church, the year ahead and to simply learn a little about them. I now have names floating around in my head...I only hope I'll be able to place them with faces next time I see them! We had the service and the preacher gave an excellent and hopeful sermon on reviving the church and realizing that every person around Roe Green is loved by God. A guest performer sang a familiar song, "God of This City." This was actually kind of the theme song for my church at home; a theme about reaching people around the church and building up this city for God. It was a brilliant sermon, very evangelistic and hopefully we as a church can try to build up Roe Green as well.
Yesterday was a lovely day, I spent it with my host family; Helen, Ian and Daniel. We went to a neighboring town called Chester where there was a river, walls to climb, a picnic lunch, and many shops! I held myself to only one purchase; a raincoat!! Finally! It is going to be necessary considering Manchester is one of the rainiest places, and there has not been one day lacking in rainfall. That will be helpful in my life here. After we returned from Chester we relaxed a bit and then took off once again to a store, similar to Walmart, to buy groceries and tioletries. I needed some items like shampoo, gel...etc. Overall is was a great day and much bonding with my family here.
Tomorrow is my day off...which seems silly since I have only worked one day so far! But Tuesday we start in with work; cleaning, meetings, mailings, and much more. I think a big task is going to be learning the kids worship songs for the youth groups! I don't know any of them! And I might be the one leading them...which will be great once I learn them myself!
God is here; that is very evident and visually clear. I am thrilled to be here with Him and His people. This is going to be a great year, I can feel it!
Yesterday was a lovely day, I spent it with my host family; Helen, Ian and Daniel. We went to a neighboring town called Chester where there was a river, walls to climb, a picnic lunch, and many shops! I held myself to only one purchase; a raincoat!! Finally! It is going to be necessary considering Manchester is one of the rainiest places, and there has not been one day lacking in rainfall. That will be helpful in my life here. After we returned from Chester we relaxed a bit and then took off once again to a store, similar to Walmart, to buy groceries and tioletries. I needed some items like shampoo, gel...etc. Overall is was a great day and much bonding with my family here.
Tomorrow is my day off...which seems silly since I have only worked one day so far! But Tuesday we start in with work; cleaning, meetings, mailings, and much more. I think a big task is going to be learning the kids worship songs for the youth groups! I don't know any of them! And I might be the one leading them...which will be great once I learn them myself!
God is here; that is very evident and visually clear. I am thrilled to be here with Him and His people. This is going to be a great year, I can feel it!
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Arrival
Hello all! I have made it to the UK! I am currently sitting in the lounge at my host families house, or my new house for the year I guess! They are brilliant people; extremely welcoming and friendly! They are also teaching me all sorts of new words and phrases to say so I fit in more in Boothstown. (Like brilliant-meaning awesome!). Their names are Helen and Ian and they have a 2 year old named Daniel. It is a wonderful place to be staying!
I have spent most of my time with my supervisor and her 3 children; we have toured around the area, had many meals together, went for a walk around the greens, took a day trip to the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, and played some Wii. It has been a great time so far, they are also very welcoming to me!
I have tomorrow with my host Helen and Daniel, I am not sure as to what our day will entail but I do have some basic shopping to get done...so I am sure a little of that will occur. I am starting work a little on Friday with Sarah, my supervisor. She said we will go to church and find something to do there! Haha. Sounds wonderful! I am anxious to start working here...I am struggling a little with just "being" and not necessarily "doing" all the time. It is something I will continue working on! Sunday is my welcoming day at the church and I will speak a little about myself and then have a lunch after that. I am very excited for that!
More to come but just know that I am doing very well and I hope you all are as well. God bless,
ARD
I have spent most of my time with my supervisor and her 3 children; we have toured around the area, had many meals together, went for a walk around the greens, took a day trip to the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, and played some Wii. It has been a great time so far, they are also very welcoming to me!
I have tomorrow with my host Helen and Daniel, I am not sure as to what our day will entail but I do have some basic shopping to get done...so I am sure a little of that will occur. I am starting work a little on Friday with Sarah, my supervisor. She said we will go to church and find something to do there! Haha. Sounds wonderful! I am anxious to start working here...I am struggling a little with just "being" and not necessarily "doing" all the time. It is something I will continue working on! Sunday is my welcoming day at the church and I will speak a little about myself and then have a lunch after that. I am very excited for that!
More to come but just know that I am doing very well and I hope you all are as well. God bless,
ARD
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Here I sit and reflect on this past week of training. I arrived in Chicago on Wed. Aug 8, along with 52 other volunteers gearing up for our big adventure. I was extremely anxious driving the 2 hours to LSTC campus, unsure of what to expect, how the reunion will pan out and ultimately, hesitant about the idea of packing up and leaving. It was also unusual for me personally for the fact that I am not departing the U.S. straight from here as many of the other volunteers are. Rather, I am flying out on Monday, Aug 31st due to my supervisor's maternity leave and the church's preparation for my arrival. So unlike the others, I arrived with one small suitcase and one backpack...no tears in my eyes from saying my goodbyes to my family but still the anticipation of learning and discovering new ideas and lessons concerning our upcoming year.
The mission of YAGM/Global Missions is accompaniment. We discussed the idea of a "missionary" and what that title means to each of us. Many negative words were thrown out among the group, words that many people probably stll associate with missionaries and their work in other places. This program, YAGM, believes in the accompaniment model, the idea of walking along side people and accompanying them in their lives and tasks. I just love the idea of accompanyment because it brings a "you give, I give, you receive, I receive" feel. Another point was made that God is there, wherever we go. He is there before we get there and continues to be there while and after we leave. It was a nice reminder that yes, we are going to foreign places, but there is a constant in that God is already there.
I want to share a poem that was read throughout the week here in Chicago...
Passover Remembered...
Pack nothing
Bring only your determination to serve
and your willingnessto be free.
Don't wait for the bread to rise.
Take nourishment for the journey, but eat standing,
be ready to move at a moment's notice.
Do not hesitate to leave your old ways behind —
fear, silence, submission.
Only surrender to the need of the time —
to love justice and walk humbly with your God.
Do not take time to explain to the neighbours.
Tell only a few trusted friends and family members.
Then begin quickly,before you have time
to sink back into the old slavery.
Set out in the dark.
I will send fire to warm and encourage you.
I will be with you in the fire and I will be with you in the cloud.
You will learn to eat new food
and find refuge in new places.
I will give you dreams in the desert
to guide you safely to that place you have not yet seen.
The stories you tell one another around the fires in the dark
will make you strong and wise.
Outsiders will attack you,and some follow you
and at times you will get weary and turn on each other
from fear and fatigue and blind forgetfulness.
You have been preparing for this
for hundreds of years.
I am sending you into the wilderness to make a new way
and to learn my ways more deeply.
Some of you will be so changed by weathers and wanderings
that even your closest friends will have to learn your features
as though for the first time.
Some of you will not change at all.
Some will be abandonedby your dearest loves
and misunderstood by those who have known you since birth
and feel abandoned by you.
Some will find new friendships in unlikely faces
and old friends as faithful and true
as the pillar of God's flame.
Sing songs as you go,
and hold close together.
You may at times grow confused
and lose your way.
Continue to call each other by the names I've given you
to help remember who you are.
You will get where you are going
by remembering who you are.
Touch each other
and keep telling the stories.
Make maps as you go
remembering the way back from before you were born.
So you will be only the first of many waves
of deliverance on these desert seas.
It is the first of many beginnings —
your Paschaltide.
Remain true to this mystery
Pass on the whole story.
Do not go back.
I am with you now and I am waiting for you.
- Alla Bozarth-Campbell
This poem shows every side, aspect and angle of my fears, excitement, joy and worry as I get ready to leave for this year. It is a comfort to think, as the last line of the poem states, "I am with you now and I am waiting for you." This reiterates the idea that God is there before we arrive and stays once we have left. He is everywhere.
People are all finishing their packing for tomorrow...and I sit with my little carry-on sized bag. I am sad that I will not be leaving with them; leaving with the excitement surrounding the YAGM group..but I am very glad to have the opportunity to spend time with my family. Now I wait and prepare.
ARD
The mission of YAGM/Global Missions is accompaniment. We discussed the idea of a "missionary" and what that title means to each of us. Many negative words were thrown out among the group, words that many people probably stll associate with missionaries and their work in other places. This program, YAGM, believes in the accompaniment model, the idea of walking along side people and accompanying them in their lives and tasks. I just love the idea of accompanyment because it brings a "you give, I give, you receive, I receive" feel. Another point was made that God is there, wherever we go. He is there before we get there and continues to be there while and after we leave. It was a nice reminder that yes, we are going to foreign places, but there is a constant in that God is already there.
I want to share a poem that was read throughout the week here in Chicago...
Passover Remembered...
Pack nothing
Bring only your determination to serve
and your willingnessto be free.
Don't wait for the bread to rise.
Take nourishment for the journey, but eat standing,
be ready to move at a moment's notice.
Do not hesitate to leave your old ways behind —
fear, silence, submission.
Only surrender to the need of the time —
to love justice and walk humbly with your God.
Do not take time to explain to the neighbours.
Tell only a few trusted friends and family members.
Then begin quickly,before you have time
to sink back into the old slavery.
Set out in the dark.
I will send fire to warm and encourage you.
I will be with you in the fire and I will be with you in the cloud.
You will learn to eat new food
and find refuge in new places.
I will give you dreams in the desert
to guide you safely to that place you have not yet seen.
The stories you tell one another around the fires in the dark
will make you strong and wise.
Outsiders will attack you,and some follow you
and at times you will get weary and turn on each other
from fear and fatigue and blind forgetfulness.
You have been preparing for this
for hundreds of years.
I am sending you into the wilderness to make a new way
and to learn my ways more deeply.
Some of you will be so changed by weathers and wanderings
that even your closest friends will have to learn your features
as though for the first time.
Some of you will not change at all.
Some will be abandonedby your dearest loves
and misunderstood by those who have known you since birth
and feel abandoned by you.
Some will find new friendships in unlikely faces
and old friends as faithful and true
as the pillar of God's flame.
Sing songs as you go,
and hold close together.
You may at times grow confused
and lose your way.
Continue to call each other by the names I've given you
to help remember who you are.
You will get where you are going
by remembering who you are.
Touch each other
and keep telling the stories.
Make maps as you go
remembering the way back from before you were born.
So you will be only the first of many waves
of deliverance on these desert seas.
It is the first of many beginnings —
your Paschaltide.
Remain true to this mystery
Pass on the whole story.
Do not go back.
I am with you now and I am waiting for you.
- Alla Bozarth-Campbell
This poem shows every side, aspect and angle of my fears, excitement, joy and worry as I get ready to leave for this year. It is a comfort to think, as the last line of the poem states, "I am with you now and I am waiting for you." This reiterates the idea that God is there before we arrive and stays once we have left. He is everywhere.
People are all finishing their packing for tomorrow...and I sit with my little carry-on sized bag. I am sad that I will not be leaving with them; leaving with the excitement surrounding the YAGM group..but I am very glad to have the opportunity to spend time with my family. Now I wait and prepare.
ARD
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
The start of something new
Hello friends and family!
As I prepare for this coming year, I think mostly of all of you and what I am going to do without you all. I have been so blessed to have each and every one of you in my life, I would not be the same person without you. I will try my best to update this blog throughout the year, informing you of all I do. I will also be sending out emails, so if you would rather read those, feel free! I have about 2 months before I leave for Worsley in which there will be: one wisdom teeth appointment, a new niece/nephew birth, 2 family weddings, one family vacation, and MANY heart to hearts with a lot of you. It is going to be a busy, preparatory summer...I cannot wait! As my Grandpa Gumm used to say, there is nothing that will happen today that God and I cannot handle together! :)
As I prepare for this coming year, I think mostly of all of you and what I am going to do without you all. I have been so blessed to have each and every one of you in my life, I would not be the same person without you. I will try my best to update this blog throughout the year, informing you of all I do. I will also be sending out emails, so if you would rather read those, feel free! I have about 2 months before I leave for Worsley in which there will be: one wisdom teeth appointment, a new niece/nephew birth, 2 family weddings, one family vacation, and MANY heart to hearts with a lot of you. It is going to be a busy, preparatory summer...I cannot wait! As my Grandpa Gumm used to say, there is nothing that will happen today that God and I cannot handle together! :)
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