Influence

So my 5th semester at school is officially wrapped up and I am already on my like 4th day of Christmas holidays! Crazy!!  Like seriously...where does the time all go?  How to sum up this past semester, I really have no idea...there were a lot of ups and downs (but mainly ups).  Once again, God taught me way more then I was expecting.  At teh start of the year, I knew God would teach me, show me, stretch me, but I didnt know he would in the ways he did.  Yah, I dont even know where to start.  How about the last 2 and a half years...
when  I look at where I was when I started going to school...to where I am now...WOW wow WOW! that is what all really comes to mind! I know I have grown and changed in so many ways...the biggest being "People" if that makes sense.  let me explain.  People have come to REALLY matter to me and I know this may sound crazy and even a little wierd...but there was a point when they didnt.  I was 100% content with being by myself but now..though I am still an introvert at heart..have discovered that people really DO make life worth living and oh so much more interesting. 

At the start of this semester though...I was once again content with NOT branching out and meeting new people.  My heart =just could not give anymore after my summer of meeting new people tehn being forced to say bye and with a lot of them...never see again (thinking Ukraine).  I wanted to just hang tou with returning students and reconnect and further those friendships, which is what I was doing and doing just fine for like the first month and a bit of school..but as per usual, God had other plans and that soon changed.  Since then I have met AMAZING people at school, have been stretched, challenged and loved by them.  has it always been easy? no, because when investing in people's lives and when yours is being invested IN, people are "messy" creatures, all with different personalityies and backgrounds.  would I change anythign this semester? No, I would not change a thing.  It was one to remember.

I know people who have invested in my life...one in particular who, had she not invested in my life, my life would NOT be the same...Leah...I have no idea if you ever read this or not, but if you do...girl...thank you so much for ALL that you have done for me.  Especially for taking the time to get to know me and hang out with me my first year at school.  The chats, challenges and conversations will never be forgottten and I am convinced that had u not invested in my life, I would NOT be who I am today.  Thank you so very much.  You should me the importance of investing in peoples life and the impact taht that can leave and I in turn, have taken that to heart and I know that challenge will stay with me for the rest of my life, now and always.  So once again THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!  NEVer stop being you!

What about your own life?  What, or who, are you living for?  yourself? Others? God?  My challenge to you today is to step out, get out of your comfort zone and stretch not only yourself, but one other person around you.  Look at the people God has placed aroudn you, no matter wehre you are...I am truely convinced that GOd puts people in our lives when he does for a reason....and its up to us to figure out what to do with it...

When theres nothing else to do...update Blog!

Ok so that is a lie..the title should be..."when there is studing to do...UPdate Blog!" which is what I am doing.  I should study for my first exam tomorrow but I am learning or putting into practice, procrastination once again!  Dang I am good at that!  ah well.  Winter has finally arrived here, there is snow on the ground and jack frost is now nipping at the nose's of people and its sweet.  hard to believe that in a mere month, all of this will be behind me and I will be off in Philippines hanging otu and just enjoying life there with friends and serving God together!

But all in all, this semster has been pretty freaking awesome...gonna miss this place.  It will be hard to leave, but I know I will also be ready to leave come April..cause sometimes, even Good things, nee dto come to an end and continue on with life adna ll.  But right now, i am good, content to stay here that I am.  But i should stop procrastinating and go study for Faaith and Science tomorrow morning!

Free...

I went for Coffee the other day with a friend and something happend to me that has never happend to me before.  She wanted to say thanks (let me explain).  She went on to say that she could see in me that I was "Free".  Spirtually Free, and this concept, at first was new to her.  How does one look "Free" she said she could just see it in me, the way I interacted with other people and I guess strive for life...it got me thinking...I am Free...by God's grace alone.  Growing up was easy compared to some,yet there were days when I didnt think I would make it and God seemed VERY far away...but its true...I am free.  Christ Saved me, He has callled me back so many times when I have gone astray...so not really sure what the point of this post is, oh wait maybe I do knw....it is to say thanks....thanks be to God and God alone for HE did rescue me.  Thank you God so much for giving me this life, for speaking truth into my life and allowing me to influence and impact those around me.  Thank you for their influence and love that they have shown me.  HYou have immensely blessed me and for that, I am ever thankful!  As a newsboys song says it...I am FREE! and check out the rest of the lyrics..

Through You the blind will see


Through You the mute will sing

Through You the dead will rise

Through You our hearts will praise

Through You the darkness flees

Through You my heart screams I am free

I am free

Chorus:

I am free to run

I am free to dance

I am free to live for You

I am free

Yes, I am free
Through You the kingdom comes

Through You the battle's won

Through You I'm not afraid

Through You the price is paid

Through You there's victory

Because of You my heart Sings I am free

I am free
Chorus:
Who the Son sets free is free indeed.

Who the Son sets free is free indeed.



God, I Love you

Sweetly Broken

This past weekend, we had impact here at school and as per usual, it was pretty crazy.  Our music group sang a song a few times this weekend that I discovered I really took a liking too.  it is called "Sweetly Broken" by Jeremy Riddle.  I know I have heard it before around on the radio and all but since we sang it the first time ehre, I can not get it out of my head.  There are a few key lines in the verse/chorus that I guess have been sticking out....perhaps its sometihgn I have been struggling with internally.  Do you ever Get thsoe days when music is just that, music?  and it is nothing more?  I guess technically it is just music, but i am one who music can totally affect my mood...
but check out these lyrics and note that parts that I bolded and all...think about them and reflect on them


"To the cross I look, to the cross I cling
Of its suffering I do drink
Of its work I do sing
For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed

Showed that God is love
And God is just
Chorus:
At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered
What a priceless gift, undeserved life

Have I been given

Through Christ crucified

You’ve called me out of death

You’ve called me into life

And I was under Your wrath

Now through the cross I’m reconciled
Chorus:

In awe of the cross I must confess

How wondrous Your redeeming love and

How great is Your faithfulness



*But yah its just something on my mind lately.  Here is also something else...do u ever feel distant from God?  come on I know you do...we all do...

"Well, last while it has been that is for sure. God, why is it so hard to balance time? To balance friends? Why are girls such idiots sometimes? Why do I feel tired? Why are girls the way they are? Why can’t we just be friends with everyone and just all get along? Why do/did some of our home lives suck? Why can I not FEEL you???? Are you there? Are you near? Speak to me God, I wanna hear your voice, I want to feel your presence".  Just a few thoughts....

Worship and church

So the other day in church...I was looking around and my mind wondered from the message (sorry Ben!) on to something else...still church related! It was this concept of worship, and church itself. The thought jumped into my head..."what IS worship?" Is it singing songs sunday morning and thats it? is it all of us bowing our heads when the pastor says its time to pray (if you ever wait just a tad longer and watch people bow their heads when that is said, its actally quite amuzing, as its like robots and out of habit..try it sometime...)? What is church? is it the place where we gather on sundays and that is it?

These are just a few of my thoughts, as it is something I am still processing and learning each and every day. For myself, church IS good (dont get me wrong) but it is not where I worship the best.  For myself, I come to learn a few things about myself...one-I need/crave community of some form.  Now this seems wierd then that church isnt a place where I worship the best, because it totally is a community...but what I think it is, is that its too big...at least the church where I am now....there are some people who I know...but over all its too big.  that is one thing I love abtou school now, is the student size of it.  people are not just friends, but we are like one big family...you get to reall yknow people and so feel more open and honest with them...something I dont feel when I go to church.  Perhaps smaller churches are different, I am not sure, but still.    I just do better in small, more intimate crowds.  This past summer at WBC, we had a few "jamming" sessions outside where people would pull out their guitars and we would just sing praises to God.  Ther was one day where 5-6 of us sat between teh dorms, one sunday and just played and sang..very informal, but God spoke more than to me, then I think he would have had I actually gone to a church buiilding. It was great...that is where I connect really well.
 
another place where I love to worship God, is anywhere on my OWN.  I LOVE going out and just taking my journal, camera and pen and "losing" myself somewher eout in the country or off somewhere.  Just taking pictures, even though i may not be thinking anything or saying anything... I guess its a gift God has given me and I just love using it and capturing his Beauty and glorifiying Him through that.  Plus it does give me a chance to be on my own since I am still an intervert at heart for sure.
 
And i think the same goes with church...smaller populations and more "one on one' situations...a place where one can really get to know each other and lift each other up in prayer.  Church now is great on sunday mornings, but school, chapels and just hanging out in dorm, chatting and sharing life together, is what i love. 
God is all around us no matter wehre we go.
 
So not sure why I wrote about that, but felt like I wanted to, needed to...
Just a few thoughts and I thought it was time to update this once again

Been a while....

Yes that is has!  Life has been good.  God has been AMAzING and so faithful!  MX planning is coming along good, less then 70 days till we leave which is awesome!  was reminded again at how blessed I am with my super awesome amazing friends!  love ya guys!!  God is good, He is amazing!!
Hope all is well!

PRAY

As some of you know...i will be embarking on another journey come Jan. 4 2010 with SBC.  As a group of third years, we will be off to the Philippines for 18 days.  We will be going with Action ministries.  Reason for this post, is not to talk about MX (though Email me if you want more details on that-but an email will be coming out soon), but to ask for prayer for the country.  Not sure if you are following the news...but there is massive flooding going on right now...right in the area where we will be (though the people who we will be working with, are safe as is their organization anda ll)  Check out this link for a few more details..

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090929/philippine_storm_090929/20090929?hub=TopStoriesV2

 

but Yah, Pray for the country, for the people, for those greiving and those still missing, Pray for the government that theywill allow help to come in.  Pray to God Almighty that HE will move through this country and people during thsi time...

Thank you...

~A Prayer: Give me work to do; give me health; give me joy in simple things.  Give me an eye for beauty, a tongue for truth, a heart that loves, a mind that reasons, a sympathy that understands~

Break My Heart

So I am currently attempting to work on a Hebrews research paper on Perseverance...when one of my favorite songs came to play on my Itunes....Hosanna.  This version was done by Hillsong.  It is a song that I made my "theme song" or one of them, for my trip this past summer.  There is this one segmant of lines in it, or i guess one verse, that has always stuck out to me.  It is something that makes me think a whole lot, it is somethign I have used as a prayer before.  It is a statement I want for my life while I strive to live for God...check out the lyrics..and note the part in Bold especially.

 

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to
the things unseen
Show me how to love like
you have loved me

Break my heart from
what breaks yours
Everything I am for
your kingdom's cause
As I go from nothing to
Eternity

Last year in dorm, I had a little sticky note beside my bed just as a reminder, thinking nothing of it.  Then this year, my roomate informed me that she based a short devo this summer off of it, as it got her thinkign as well.  She also mentioned that it got her younger brother thinking about it as well and noted that it was an interesting request/prayer, because how often do we actually pray for our heart to be broken?  it seems wierd and un natural...this thought as well made me stop and think.  Though i am not sure where I am taking the rest of this post, it is  a thought that just jumped into my head (or perhaps I needed a break from Hebrews!) but whatever the case, its a thought.  Just another though, another day from troubled-heart...

peace out and enjoy!

~A Prayer: Give me work to do; give me health; give me joy in simple things.  Give me an eye for beauty, a tongue for truth, a heart that loves, a mind that reasons, a sympathy that understands~

New Favorite song

This entire CD is amazing, but this song is pretty sweet!  Usually not one for slower songs, but yah...it speaks...read the lyrics and meditate on it

Rush of Fools-Holy One

 

Face to the ground, I’m not proud

Of all you must see when you look at me

I tremble at first, as You wash the dirt

The dirt from my feet

And I see my need for thee

CHORUS

You lift me up, Holy One, Holy One

When I but come, you’re enough, you’re enough

You fill me up with your love, with your love

To you I run, Holy One, Holy One

All other noise, fades away

Like all of the fear,

when Your voice I hear

You’re beckoning me, to come and just be

A child at Your feet

Seeing my need for thee

CHORUS

Your enough to satisfy

When the world has left me only dry

Enough to save my life

When the world has left me here to die

Friends, Third Year, Weddings, oh and homework..

Greetings...so I realize I have not updated this for quite some time! whoops my bad!! anyways my third year has started at SBC...so far its been prettty awesome! late nights, great memories, timmy runs and all of that!! I've been told third year is the hardest...and so far its really not..which is good. I think why third year has been harder for some people is because the classes get smaller, friends leave and move on, but yet for me, the core group of people who I have gotten to know and love, are still at SBC, so that has for sure made it easier...
But yah it is good to be back and get into routine and all, though I am finding it difficult to get motivated but that will come!! I am really going to like my digital media class that is for sure!

People have asked me now that I am in my third year, what my plans are for when I am done...I am tossing around a few ideas, but we will have to wait and see. One of them being as per usual, work...one being working the summer than taking an acutal photography course, one being taking off overseas somewhere and acutally living and working abroad for a year or so (how amazing would that be?!!), or working for a year to pay of debt or something...yah not really sure.
But for now, I am going to enjyo my second last semester at school!!! Just soak in each and every moment and just remember to LIVE the moment, no matter what life brings....

So heres to a new year, a new start for my final year, a new chance to do somethign and make something of myself and all!

enjoy it, soak it in, live in teh moment

God moment at work

Greetings!
I write this now having summer pretty much behind me, WBC, ukraine, and even work...we are down to the last weekend before school begins...and another chapter closes (in sense that its grad year for me), crazy I know! But first is one final weekend of camping with the family...one final taste of summer 09....what a summer its been!
but that is not the reason for this post...I want to share a little God moment that happend at work the other day that was pretty sweet!
So like most youth groups/sunday schools, we are still looking for leaders for this next fall year. So i was up early for my lunch, and a friend of mine from the church was eating etc, and in teh back of my head, I had this thought.."hey, he was a youth leader back when I was junior high/high school and it was sweet! Maybe he would have time again" So before I knew it, before my brain could process it, my mouth was like "hey...you doing youth again this year??" On my part, it was totally random...but we got to talking and mentioned how junior youth apparently has no leaders...so what hear....and those are thursday nights...which he would have free. What was neat is that he said he has been praying about it and thinking about it and our pastor also approached him on it as well...so was it a concidence that i mentioned it?? No. He mentioned as well, its not a concidence that you mentioned it...
Did God speak through me to him, with just that simple question? I am not sure what he will do, if he will choose to work with youth and all, but it was a neat little example of God moments here and around and it reminded me that God is and will be still, very much in control in my life and forever mroe...and that he will use me as well...even with small things like that. it was a great reminder coming into my final year now!!!

Hope life is treating you well!

changes

So I have almost been home for a month already! I know my bad for not updating this...guess I am slacking these days!
Anyways, as the title suggests, this post will be about changes. Since I have gotten home, there have been lots already...some inner, some outer...
One thing i have come to realize is that Change will happen, whether we want it to or not. People change, people move, people dont move but need to, things around us are always changing. sometimes its for the good and other times, bad...but its still a change none the less.
For myself, I have transitioned back into working mode now for the next two weeks. i have already finished 2 weeks back at work and the transition was somewhat normal. there are days when I am craving camp...just being otuside and back with the kids, but then at teh same time, i feel content to be at work for NOW (notice the for now part). it is good, felt like I never left. this change was good.
I have talked with some friends who have recently gone through various changes in their lives...and its been interesting just to chat, hear their stories and all of that. For myself, I look back to this past summer that is wrapping up and I go, "wow, did I ever go through changes!" First with school finishing up, then WBC, the Ukraine, and now back to work! I want something that feels normal and steady! I love traveling and all, but the whole idea of constantly having to pack and live out of a suitcase and go from one place to the nexxt, really does get tiring. these past two weeks have been the longest amount of time i have been just at home since Christmas break!! how crazy! Especially since the last two summers I have been pretty much stirictly at home!
all in all though, its been a great summer! hard at times, but totally rewardign as well! God has been good and faithful and will continue to be that if I just keep remembering to hold onto him!
So wherever you are, whatever change or stage of life you are going through, hang on to God! Remember that what ever stage you left behind or are changing from, rememeber the good you ddid there and know that God used you in the lives of others. keep hanging on to HIM.
Change is good, its needed, its healthy...use it to glorify God!

still alive I am!

wow so i appoligize for not updating this more! its been a while! Thing was that for the month of july i had little internet access and the time i did have, used it for sending emails to those at home....that way i knew people would be getting updates....but i appoligize for not keeping this more updated!
how to sum up the last 4 weeks....i have no idea...what comes to Mind though is that God is faithful and He will continue to be always. camp was amazing. the first kids camp saw close to 100 kids and it was neat seeing how camps were runned there. for myself, i was involved with sports in the am and i even got to teach american baseball which was sweet, and then swimming in the afternoon. on those hot hot days that we had, swimming in the river was greatly appreciated! teh water was oh so nice! then i was also involved with various camp games and course taking lots and lots of pictures. I found that the Ukrainian-Russian culture is very interesting! Very superstitious...such as females can not sit on any cold surface cause they think it will make you infertile and the baboshkas yell at you to get up if they see you sitting, along with other things...very interesting. it was great connecting with some of the kids and teens as well as some of the leaders. I learned a lot but i know it will take time for me to process it as well...i have not had acutal down time like i know i need since i have gotten here....sensory overload even though it has not always felt like that but i know its there and i will only be able to fully breathe once i am home in a week as of yesterday (which i am looking forward to. even being just back on canadian soil i am looking forward to that).

after camp, spent a few more days in sumy and then we got to take the 5 hour train ride back to kiev where we spent one day with a family from camp getting a tour and taking lots of pictures and all of that. what an amazing city! lots of neat stuff and people and history! I never knew ukraine got hit as hard as it did in the second world war!! it was intense!
One thing I know i am learning is to appreciate more of where I come from, from my past history and dare i say i am even becoming glad and proud to be mennonite?? wow that is an improvment!!!

where am I now? I write this to you from my friends place in stuttgart germany! this is my second full day here and i am waiting for her to get off work in an hour to head out and see more of the city. yesterday was tough cause i just wanted to be home, but better now and acutally enjoying it aswell! |germany is beautiful but like i said, am waiting to fly home monday am at 10>45 well back to london ontario atleast..... i touch down at 1 pm in toronto, toronto time then have to go through customs and catch my final flight down to london ontario for 2 days of debrief and then home on thursday! 6 more sleeps!
yah just an update from the traveling wanderer!
thanks for everything

Ukraine Happenings

Privet!
Ukraine Goes well, sorry for not really updating this, but I have been sending out Mass emails as form...quicker and sometimes just easier! Anyways its good to be back in Europe and here in the Ukraine..I forgot what it was like to be back and I quite enjoy it (though will be content now I think to be at hoem for the next while!) THought I would put the plan on here for the next while that I am here. Keep in mind it is subject to change of course but here is the Plan for the next few days...tomorrow head back to campfor working...friday morning have off/sleep in/pack from stuff where I am now...head to camp by 3..meetings etc (in russian) and then spend the night, then work a bit saturdya AM and back in Sumy by 1....Then going to the final persons apartment (not sure with internet there...just as a heads up so come friday my time, might be the last internet I have!)THen next week will be back to camp each and every day yah know and then camp starts June 29 for a 10 day stretch...First camp ends July 8, second one goes 9th till 18th....then we leave camp on the 19th of July, a day (ish) in sumy...train together back to Kiev..spend a little time there...Brianne (a girl who came yesterday and is staying through now with me-also from canada) flies out early on the 22 and I am early afternoon...so that is the next whilehere at this point!

Camp work itself goes well, lots of maintence type work as that camp as quite a ways to go, but good knowing that we are helping where we can...hope to be a blessing in their ministry. THe camps themsevles run 10 day camps starting June 29. The first one goes till July 8 and the so on. So at camp itself, I will only bet her elike 20 days.

I ask now for a specific prayer request (along with the usual)
I am in a bit of dilema now...come the month of August I am not sure what I am/should do...
Initially I thought I would work at WBC for month of May, come here for 7 weeks and head back to Supreme for August...not knowing that I would take a loving to WBC...but now, I am torn at what to do..cause in my head I had told myself that come aug, if the job was still there, which as of today it still is, I would head there no qquestions asked....but now I know WBC would love to have me back (also of today)and I would love to go back....there in hence lies the delima....if you could pray for me that way, that would be great. That God would show me where he wants me...come Aug..either at camp, or back at work...cause I knwo there is ministry there as well!


please and Spaseebah! (thank you)

Privet

Privet!

How are things back where you are?  Ukraine continues to go well.  I am happy to report (at least on my end) that last night we had a nice thunderstorm and rain and cooler temperatures today!!!!  I think some of the people here prefer the warmer tempertaures we had, but I am very thankful for not having broken a sweat at all today!! This was the first time for it since landing in the Ukraine!  God is good! Even with weather!
I am doing well.  LIving with another family till thursday of this week and so far it is going well.  Really nice couple and 4 cute little girls! (plus a cat, kitten and puppy-so I am very content with it! :D:D).The last few days, I have gone out to a village that is just outside of sumy from 10-2:30 each day to hang out with the kids there.  That first day I went out (the hotest day) we went for a hike in the bush and then had home made mac and cheese (though different but good) and had games and lessons down there.  These past two days...have been up at the uilding in the village where they usally have it.  Its benn good to watch how things run in a different country and am starting slowly to pick up a little russian (though Irina there is no way I could have a conv. with you yet!!! Maybe come august!)  Praise the Lord for that and I pray I can continue to pick some of the language up.

I have already had many experiences riding their form of taxis (I know how to pronouce it, but NO idea how to spell it) and needless to say...its pretty cramped and on those hot days...well its a good thing I am not clusterphobic!!! But a good expereice none the less.  Been to the market a few times already..also crampepd there as well but another good experience.  Pretty much name it and they have it somewhere there..you just gotta look for it.  From what I have been told and seen the Ukrainian people are very forward..they say what they mean sort of thing (sorry Natalia! its true!) Chocolate pretty sweet here too, as is the apple pop!  Kbac are all over teh streets ("children's beer" is the name for it in germany but its pretty much fermented, low alcholic beverage that a lot of people here enjoy, though I do not plan on trying it at this point)  Streets are SUPER busy iwth people and cars...all kinds of cars..have even seen lots of chevs and a few fords even...interesting.

 

All in all, its good to be back in Europe...I missed it and it feels as though I never left eitehr at the same time.  THere were a few things about Europe that I forgot, but have since been reminded about since being back...its good though!!

 

Prayer Requests are similar to those of last email.. Praise Item would be that for the last few days, I had sort of a head cold/pug nose (due to climate change the most I think) but it seems to be over ofor the most part (PTL) but continual prayer for health and saftey would be appreciated.

 

God Bless where you are!

--
Nikki Friesen
http://troubled-heart.blogspot.com/

~The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing."~
~Zephaniah 3:17~

Contact Information While I am in the Ukraine

SEND International: www.send.org      www.sendcanada.org
SEND International Email
Canadian Office: info@sendcanada.org   ph  1-888-918-5036 
USA/International Office: info@send.org  ph  1-...

pics

me and another one of their girls..the oldest this time

--
Nikki Friesen
http://troubled-heart.blogspot.com/

~The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing."~
~Zephaniah 3:17~

Contact Information While I am in the Ukraine

SEND International: www.send.org      www.sendcanada.org
SEND International Email
Canadian Office: info@sendcanada.org   ph  1-888-918-5036 
USA/International Office: info@send.org  ph  1-...

Pictures

--
Nikki Friesen
http://troubled-heart.blogspot.com/

~The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing."~
~Zephaniah 3:17~

Contact Information While I am in the Ukraine

SEND International: www.send.org      www.sendcanada.org
SEND International Email
Canadian Office: info@sendcanada.org   ph  1-888-918-5036 
USA/International Office: info@send.org  ph  1-...

31 degrees celcius and counting!

Privet from 31 degrees Sumy ukraine!
Wow what a day!  up just after 7 my time...so yah just as you were going to bed!  Then went to a little village with one of the people through SEND just out side of Sumy and took teh kids on a hike...way to hot for one, but waas there from 10-3 all day out in the sun and all! very hot-I definately tanned thats for sure!!!!!!!!!!  Out again in a little while for the evening..same thing I did yesterday...will be warm again but should be in shade so that shoudl be alright!
Today was good though, beautiful.  Nice little village...old though...nothing like in canada...you should visit..worth the sights and history!  Took some pics...hope to be able to upload some tomorrow or something should time premit and all.
Things are well
Prayer requests: pray as i continue to adjust to climate and culture here
Pray for the kids who attend camp and these day camps
pray for health and saftey for me (my nose is constantly plugged becasue I am not used to teh heat and humidity yet...but thats just more annoying then anytthing!)
Pray for strength and rest for me each and every day!
God Bless

--
Nikki Friesen
http://troubled-heart.blogspot.com/

~The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing."~
~Zephaniah 3:17~

Contact Information While I am in the Ukraine

SEND International: www.send.org      www.sendcanada.org
SEND International Email
Canadian Office: info@sendcanada.org   ph 1-888-918-5036
USA/International Office: info@send.org  ph 1-800-736-3808

Sweating away in Sumy....Where is the cold when you need it?

Greetings from SUMY!
WOW is it ever hot out there!! crazy! But its sweet!  I miss my manitoba "cold" dare I say that?  Good to be back in Europe, part feels as though I never left (think I mentioned taht.) Scenery is nice,,,lots of green trees, lake running through sumy and tall tall building! They live in an apartment building that houses 2000 people! no joke! so over half of altona in oen of these wow! pretty crazy but its good!  Went to teh local market this AM that was interesting (no pics as I did not take my camera)  but its a freaking 32 degrees in the shade! yah crazy! ah wellL!  For last night and tonight, I am sleeping in the family rec room, whcih is good.  Then its sounds like I will be staying with another couple...not sure if they have internet access...assume they do, but just as a heads up...starting tomorrow I think!!

slept well last night, bed by midnight my time (everything will be in my time from now on...just so you know) But yah market was good, lots of people market pretty much ahd everthing though, name it they have it!  But yah its good.  lunch soon so this willl be as long as it is.  Day camps here run one in teh AM from 10-11 (which i did not go to today) and then 4 in the evening with two starting at 5 and two starting at 6 (guess its a littel cooler?)so yah then my evenings will be busy with that.  As to what I will be doing...just helping out where I can sort of thing...so not sure how that will play out at this point but it will be good...

But yah things are good.  Not much more to say at this point!! thanks for the thoughts and prayers! God is good, and by His Grace and will have I made it to this point

pictures will come when tehy can....though no gaureentss! more of a surprise for once I am home :P we will see thogh what I can do!
God is good! Keep holding on to him!

--
Nikki Friesen
http://troubled-heart.blogspot.com/

~The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing."~
~Zephaniah 3:17~

Contact Information While I am in the Ukraine

SEND International: www.send.org      www.sendcanada.org
SEND International Email
Canadian Office: info@sendcanada.org   ph 1-888-918-5036
USA/International Office: info@send.org  ph 1-800-736-3808

Sumy

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Nikki Friesen <nfriesen@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jun 9, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Subject: hey
To:


Greetings oen and all from sumy Ukraine!! 23 hours later of travel and its all good adn I am finally here
Took a 5 hour train ride to where I am now...long but good!!!! off out to day camps right away tomorrow...should be good, tired now...guess what-for those in Manitoba...its 30 degrees here when I arrived! hehehe (heidi-dont worry-will get a nice tan for you!)
but yah it goes well!  Great to be back (finally) in Europe!  Through kind of wierd at the same time as well!
hope things are well in Canada!!
--
Nikki Friesen
http://troubled-heart.blogspot.com/

~The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing."~
~Zephaniah 3:17~

Contact Information While I am in the Ukraine

SEND International: www.send.org      www.sendcanada.org
SEND International Email
Canadian Office: info@sendcanada.org   ph 1-888-918-5036
USA/International Office: info@send.org  ph 1-800-736-3808

--
Nikki Friesen
http://troubled-heart.blogspot.com/

~The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing."~
~Zephaniah 3:17~

Contact Information While I am in the Ukraine

SEND International: www.send.org      www.sendcanada.org
SEND International Email
Canadian Office: info@sendcanada.org   ph 1-888-918-5036
USA/International Office: info@send.org  ph 1-800-736-3808

Month of May

Greetings Friends and Family,

I begin this post with mixed emotions and not actaully sure how to write it, or what to say. I guess I will start with this past month. As most, if not all, of you know, this past month of may-I had the opportunity to serve on as Spring staff at a local camp. This consisted of some maintence/custodial work, along with helping with the different school groups that came and all. Going into camp...I was not expecting to "get as much out of it" as I did. I was wanting to just "go in, serve my 4 weeks and leave" not really getting attacthed or giving myself to it, because that was not my main goal for the summer, Ukraine is what I have been focused in on.

However, my meak and most often, pathetic human mind, could not comprehend how God would work and did work over the corse of those 4 weeks. I even ended up staying on a couple of extra days because I did not want to leave. God revealed Himself to me while I was there in so many ways. Simple things like meeting an old camper of mine from St. Laurent Manitoba when I went up there for VBS during high school-was really neat to see how seeds DO get planted and then grow, even when you that the kids are not listening to anything you are saying. Other things like just gaining experience at working at a camp and seeing how it runs...the committment and energy that it really does take.
God especially revealed himself to me through other people...not necessary the groups that came, but the staff-both full time and spring staff. I was lucky enough (or blessed) to work with a lot of super awesome people, all on fire for camp ministry and especially God. A lot of super awesome memories and friendships were made. A few that stick out in my mind are running activities together (chatting at climbing way, learning how to lasso at the Horses, canoeing, outdoor cooking), DQ runs, random "jamming times" outside and inside, hanging out in the dining hall anytime during the day, pictures, walks and talks and just sharing life with one another... Thank you for making camp even harder to leave guys!! You will be missed and will be in my prayers as you continue to minister where you are! Know that I will see you when I get back!!

As to Ukraine now..as the subject suggests, 4 days and counting...how am I doing? I have my moments where I am SUPER excited to just go, but also times where nervous get the best of me...so a lot of really mixed emotions...at the same time, something which has been really neat, is that through it all, I have had this overwhelming sense of peace that I know can ONLY come from God. So know that your prayers are definately felt!

Also note that I will try to update my blog once I can..although I know for the month of July when I will be at the camp, there will be no internet so updates might not come as often, but month of June I should have more access! Just as a heads up! Some of you have been asking abotu prayer requests-Here is what I have at this time

-Pray for the last few days at home, that I get things together t I need to get and that packing and all goes well, along with spending a last little time with friends and family
-Pray for my parents as I prepare to leave and am gone
-Pray for Health and saftey both as I travel down to the Ukraine and as I am there and serve
Pray for flights-that they will run on time and that I will be able to make connections hassle free and that my luggage comes with me
-Pray for open eyes-A goal of mine is that my heart will be broken for what BReaks God's heart (as a song says as well)
-Pray that I take every expereince as an opportunity to serve God-no matter where or when during this trip-whether that is at the camp, or flying, or during the time of traveling
-For those that have traveled-prayer for traveling in general and that I will be able to handle things as it comes (you know what I am talking about!!)

Christ's love for us

Each day- I get these "daily bible verses" emailed to me and its interesting to note how the right verses come when they come... today's verse was taken out of Romans 8:35,38-39, which read's

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ... I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Not sure why I am posting this, but it served as a reminder and encouragement for both my trip that is 11 days away, as well as working here at camp, at Christ's powerful love for us-nothing can seperate us from HIS amazing LOVE!
Keep Encouraged

Camp Update

Camp has been amazing these last few weeks...sorry I have not updated this sooner but have not wanted to spend a whole lot of time updating this...but do not worry, I will when I am out in the Ukraine for sure (2 weeks to the day till take off!!)
How to sum up the last 3 weeks?? First off, I have one more week to go as June 2 will be my last day at camp. But how to sum it up. Basically here was my thinking...."go into camp, serve my 4 weeks and not get attachtced and leave once the month of may is over" Well, here we are 3 weeks later and so much has happend. Now, Camp has become more then just camp-there are people there who have become like family. The connections, the memories, the struggles and everything in between, will be engraved in my heart forever. Going in, a purpose for going was to fill time between school and the Ukraine, since it was hard to find a job for that amount of time (I acutally handed out 7 applications in town and never heard back from any) so deciede that if nothing job wise came up, off to camp I would go, and so that is what I did, not knowing what God would teach me but I felt liek I should be there.

Being outside, working with the kids, sharing GOd's love not through scripture (in this case) but by playing games with the groups that come, by laughing and telling jokes or allowing kids to laugh at you when you purposely do something silly, has all been a real blessing. The relationships in dorm..I pray they will be life long and I think they will be, was alll a real encouragement and blessing as well
I can honestly say I am "bummed" to leave camp in just over a week and leaving camp was NOT suppose to be this hard..but it is and I am thankful and would not trade it for anything....

As to the Ukraine goes, 2 weeks from now I will be in toronto waiting for my next flight over to Frankfurt Germany then on to Kiev Ukraine..I will be arriving in the Ukraine aroudn 3:00 their time (so subtract 8 hours for time here) Mixed feelings I have, excited, scared nervous, etc but trusting GOd through it all

Continue to pray for me: pray for this last week of camp tha tI have, that it will just be a huge blessing and encourgement
Pray for me as I count down days and prepare for take off
Pray for my family who will stay behind (namely my mom) that God will just calm their hearts while I am gone
Pray for Health and saftey while I am out there and travel to and from
Pray that my heart will be opened and my eyes focused on God
Pray that I will be a light out there
Pray for my own Spiritual life and relationship with God

Thanks so much for your support
I have take Zephaniah 3:17 and sort of made it my "own" for this trip.
It reads..
"The LORD your God is with you,he is mighty to save.He will take great delight in you,he will quiet you with his love,he will rejoice over you with singing."

It just serves as an encouragement for me and I hope it does for you as well!

Pictures From Camp...

Leadership and Lessons learned...

So throughout this past year at SBC-there has been a re occuring theme that has kept been brought up to my attention and all. It is something that is fairly new to me at this point and I am still exploring it myself.
What is it?

It is this whole idea of leadership and to define what IS leadership. Growing up, I never thought myself as a leader. There could be a couple reasons for this, but whether they are legit reasons or excuses, not sure. Some of them would include just the group of friends I was in. Great group, but I was not the leader in that group. Although at the same time, not a follower as welll (if that at all makes sense). Perhaps it has to do with having grown up with brothers and having them just naturally being "better" at everything they do. Who knows.

But like I said, this past year at SBC, I have been challenged, and even forced into leadership. One of the re occuring questions I have been getting is "why do I shy away from it?" For example-Caregroup leading, or being the yearbook editor etc, both formal forms of leadership. Honestly, I do not know why I shy away from those-cause its not like I am not capable of doing it (and I am not just saying that to sound cocky...because more then one person has asked me why I am not doing it because they said I am beyound capable of doing it) (and if you followed that train of thought-well done!)

I have found that I love hanging out with people and I never would have thought I would have said that being an introvert-and I know I am still an introvert at heart, but am realizing a lot more extrovert qualities in me. So for example, I get challenged as to why I am not being a CGL since being what it, deals with a lot of people andhanging out-yet I tend to avoid it.... same goes with yearbook-that involves taking pictures (which I love) and working on computer/pictures (which is also fun) so again, doesnt make sense.

It also has to do a bit with stretching myself....I need to be stretched, but am not sure if this way of leadership is a way, at this point, to stretch me...for Example, Ukraine wil be stretching and that is partily the reason for going as well...again just some thoughts...

One thing that I think might contribute with me shying away from it (leadership) is this fear of failing that I have...I am not sure where or how this plays into it but here is a part of the email I wrote...But yah, I think what it comes down to is that I am scared to fail/disappoint. Let me clarify. I think I have put this to big of expecation on myself (or I tend to, also be to over critical of myself) and so when I am "Performing" I have to be able to perform and know I can complete the task well enough. maybe it also has to do with not wanting to disappoint other people.

Its this personal expectation that I have on myself that I think is holding me back. I knwo last summer at camp, I sat down with the camp director and we went over a evaluation thing for field ed at school and part of it was a self eval and a directors eval...he said he had looked at mine and overall-he said he thought I would being to hard on myself, that I had marked myself, the work I had done, to low.

I hope some of this makes sense-for those that know me-perhaps you can shed some light into this as well!

(the pics are a few from camp taken earlier this week!)
Till next time!

Camp

So here I am, 3 days into my Camp (Spring Staff) expereince at Winkler Bible Camp. THese last two days have consisted of lots of Orientation, but its been good. Today we did a lot of yard clean up and all but it was good. I am realizing I love being outside all day instead of inside all day, although I think it is more tiring but still good!
Tomorrow I will be helping out with bikes and horses here at the camp which will also be new and exciting but yet still good!


Ukraine is 1 month and 2 days away! crazy! but sweet. Mixed feelings about it but I lknow God will stretch me and I know it will be good for me!

Just a quick up date from camp!
God Bless

More

Here are a few lyrics to a SOng (well all the lyrics) To Matthew West's More song. I was listening to my itunes the other day and this song came on and it was one of those times when I needed to hear just what the song says. God loves us, He love you and HE loves me so much MORE then anything else. What an amazing, mighty awesome God we have!

Take a look at the mountains
Stretching a mile high
Take a look at the ocean
Far as your eye can see
And think of Me
Take a look at the desert
Do you feel like a grain of sand?
I am with you wherever
Where you go is where I am
And I'm always thinking of you
Take a look around you
I'm spelling it out one by one

(Chorus)
I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine, and you shine for me too
I love you yesterday and today
And tomorrow, I'll say it again and again
I love you more
Just a face in the city
Just a tear on a crowded street
But you are one in a million
And you belong to Me
And I want you to know
That I'm not letting go
Even when you come undone

(Chorus)
I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine, and you shine for me too
I love you yesterday and today
And tomorrow, I'll say it again and again
I love you more
I love you more
Shine for Me
Shine for Me
Shine on, shine on
Shine for Me

(Chorus)
I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine, and you shine for me too
I love you yesterday and today
And tomorrow, I'll say it again and again
I love you more

(Chorus)
Than the sun
and the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine, and you shine for me too
I love you, yesterday and today
Through the joy and the pain
I'll say it again and again
I love you more
I love you more
And I see you
And I made you
And I love you more than you can imagine
More than you can fathom
I love you more than the sun
And you shine for me

Local VS. Cross Cultural Missions

There is that age old debate about where to "do" missions. I have been challenged/asked the question/ before that in order to be able to "go abroad" and "Do" missions-What AM I doing HERE at home? In my own "Backyard"? "WHy do I think I need to go overseas to do missions, when the world is coming to me? (SO to speak...) These are all really good, legitamate questions and I myself have wrestled with them before as well. The debate has gone back and forth in myhead lots of times. Do I have a 100% right answer? No I do not, but is there a right answer anyways??? Anyways, with that, here are just a few thoughts to the question about going overseas VS. staying at home (practicum, travel etc everything aside...here is what I have learned

I have totally seen the need for missions here at home in MB and Canada...I have been a part of numerous different youth mission trips/volunteer time etc and the time has been

SO rewarding and I have learned SO much. Mission eXposure North is a latest one that sticks out...(see post on in from January). ICYA-having family involved with that, as well as first year mission X in the Inner City, and volunteering my time for a year there as well..all VERY eye opening and rewarding/hard-but I do not (at this point) feel called to those area.

Cliche sounding? perhaps-but its also 100% truthful. I have done some overseas traveling-never missions-but I have had a taste for what cross culture missions would be llike as to being immeresd in a new culture and having to get to know the local people and all and I love it. Again-the argument could be thrown at me that, "UP north and in the city are two totally different cultures as well" This is true-they totally are-no denying that-but they are still "too North Americanized" Even up North-the kids on a remote reserve-were walking around with the latest technology and all of that. SO different culture yes, but in a sense, not really..

THrough different classes here at school-I have also realized that it is the international opportunities that "fire me up". As my missions prof puts it, it is "how I am wired" God gave me these passions, interest and desires. My prof has 20+ years of missionary experience both in Mexico and NIcargua and he said that there are days that he craves to head back...but yet teaching gets him wired now...passing on that experience and knowledge to us students. Through classes and chatting and assignments, he has too seen my passions for missions abroad. While some are called to stay at home and work in the Inner city, others ARE called to go over seas cause there is so much work out there as well. God gave us different passions for different reasons, just like He made each and everyone of us Unique in HIS image. What is ultimately important, is that we follow HIS calling, HIS voice.

I am not saying that my future is set, that I am hard core focused on becoming a life long missionary overseas...though leaving the option oopen...what I am saying is that no matter where I end up in life-missions will always be around-at home or overseas. The opportunity is endless..when ever you are around people-you have the opportunity to "do" missions. I know what I'd like to do someday...that is hook up with an organization like MCC, or MDS or any other one, and take their "promo" photo pictures. To get down to the people in the gutters, where most people fear to go and capture the beauty that is there. To capture God's image (HIS people) in the gutters and ghettos of large cities. To get it on film, bring it back to the local church and through the pictures, show people the beauty that is there, and to make peopel here go "WOW..." and get them excited for missions (either abroad or here at home) through those pictures....How awesome would that be??!

That would get me excited!!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! Today surely is a GREAT day!! He is RISEN-INDEED He is RISEN!!!
Happy Easter! Hope today is a blessing and that you remember why Easter is so important to our Christian Faith!

Website

Here is a website I got from SEND.  The site is the website of the famil I will be staying with while in the Ukraine.  It also consists of pictures of the camp and further write ups! Check it out at www.thepaetkaus.net.  for more info, pictures and other tools!!
Thanks
--
Nikki Friesen
~Always be joyful. Keep on Praying. No matter what Happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)~

Comments

I am currently into third and final week of classes here at school, with a week of exams that follows. The paper I am currently am writing, is interesting that it comes when it does, its a paper on missions actually and churches...its good. Its making me think which is always awesome! Its great being back, and although I am ready for summer to come, at the same rate, I am content with where I am now at school. Last year this time, I was so ready to go home and stay at home, this year is different so that is good! Praise God!

I will post this a month or two from now as well (just for curiosity sake)
but wondering how many people are reading this (regardless I will still keep updating)
but if you drop me a comment just so I have some idea, tha twould be great!! Thanks
Keep praying and Looking to HIM

SEND

Here is some information on SEND (The Organization that I will be heading to the Ukraine with) Check out their main site, with this link...http://www.send.org/
and heres their link on specific Ukraine...http://www.send.org/ukraine/index.htm

Heres some info on their social culture:

Social Landscape
Ukraine has almost as many people as France, Italy, or the United Kingdom, but neighboring Russia has three times as many people! During the days of the tsars and the subsequent Soviet era, government policies of land development and "Russification" drastically changed the ethnic make-up of Ukraine. Ukrainians traveled east to "homestead" in Far East Russia, and ethnic Russians were moved into Ukraine in order to weaken Ukrainian nationalist feeling. Today ethnic Ukrainians make up about 73 percent of Ukraine's population.
About 22 percent of the people are ethnic Russians. Other ethnic groups include Jews, Belarusians, Moldovans, Bulgarians, Poles, Hungarians, and Romanians. When Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union, Russian was the country's official language. After independence, Ukrainian regained its place as the official language of Ukraine. The Ukrainian alphabet is Cyrillic and similar to, though not identical to, the Russian alphabet. Ukrainian speakers can often understand Russian speakers, and vice versa. Other languages spoken in Ukraine include Polish, Romanian, and Hungarian.

Sumy, Ukraine

Here is some information on Sumy-the region or province of Ukraine where I will most likly be! Sorry about the map quality, but this gives you a general idea of how the province itself, is laid out.
Area - 23,800,000 sq. kmPopulation - 1,384,000

The Sumy oblast was established on January 10, 1939. It includes 7 towns of the oblast subordination and 18 districts, 20 townships of the district subordination, 20 settlements of urban type, 1479 villages. The oblast center is the town of Sumy founded some four centuries ago. The town harmoniously combines antiquity and modernity, it boasts high tech industrial works, unique cathedrals with beautiful fountains, institutions of higher learning, nice recreation areas.The oblast is rich in mineral resources. Among them are oil (30.5% of the total oil reserves of Ukraine), natural gas, peat, also the nonmetallic minerals like phosphates, rock and potash salt, gypsum, lime, marl, glass sand, mineral paints (mainly ochre), construction sands and stone. 165 rivers flow through the oblast with the total length - 5444 km. All of them belong to the Dnipro basin. The "enchanted" Desna, the legendary Seim, Sula and Psel, Vorskla are the biggest rivers of the oblast. The water of these rivers is used for local foundry production, for chemical and textile industries. The forest area accounts for 387 thou. ha. There are different kinds of woods in local forests. Coniferous stands make up 43%, hardwoods - 45%, softwoods - 12%.

Check out the following link for a few pictures of Sumy (my own pictures will come in a few months!!

http://www.tripwolf.com/en/galleries/media/ext/2638576/381021/Ukraine/Sumy?3#top

Check out http://g.web.umkc.edu/gusako/sumy/sumy.html for more pictuers and history on the area!

Thanks for you Prayers and support!

Ukraine

I am going to start using my blog to put updates on here about my adventure this summer. The story is somewhat long, so I am going to upload/copy part of a letter I have written about this summer. Here is goes:
The journey to this point, started this past September at the start of my second here of schooling. Since I am currently working on my global missions B.A, I knew I would need an international practicum before Grad of 2010. Through different emails and different applications, God shut doors to some options and opened windows to others. What led me to SEND and the Ukraine was a casual conversation with my faculty advisor here at school about my practicum. I noticed an advertisement in his office about this partnership with SEND that school has in the Ukraine and knew that a few years back, an Alumni of school also went to the Ukraine through this partnership. This made me curious and I went on to inquire about it. This began a 3 way, email communication between me, my professor and a rep that my professor knew at SEND. One thing led to another and before long I was sitting down over lunch
with the rep from SEND.

Since then, I have learned that I am accepted to serve with SEND. Through a phone conversation with SEND’s Short Term Coordinator, I was able to narrow down a few more details. At this point, the plan for me is to spend my time in the Sumy Province of the Ukraine (which is in the North Eastern part of the country near the Russian border), under the mentorship/leadership of a missionary family already well stationed there and this allow me to get a small taste of missionary life abroad and their daily routine. I will assist SEND in their summer camp ministry, while being a part of their church planting team. I am told that although there are some “church kids” who attend camp, the majority of kids who I will be working with are orphans and youth. The dates that are tentatively planned, are June 15th, 2009-Aug. 3 2009. This would allow me to start with the camp season there and then to see it finished all the way through. In June, I would be involved with the planning and pre prep of the camp work and then during July, I will be a part of the camp staff. Along with that, I will also be doing some pre reading on the country and culture to gain a greater understanding. I will be working along side Professor Ernie Koop (my faculty advisor) here at the school and laying out the academics, or practicum, side of it as well. I am excited for this because it will allow me to gain a small understanding of the culture/area before I even arrive.
The map is a map of Ukraine and Sumy is located top east corner of the country

As you follow my on my journey with God and SEND this summer in the ukraine-pray for protection. Pray for Health. Pray that finances will come in prior to going. Pray for guidence. Pray for Openess and understanding. Pray for fun. Pray for opportunity. Pray that God will be glorified through this!

Thank you

Give it all away

Lyrics that have lately spoke to me

Aaron shust-Give it alll away

Search my heart, search my mind, search my soul
Make me clean, make me new make me whole

All of my plans, all of my dreams, I lay them down before Your feet
All of my time, all that was mine, I now submit to Your design
'Cause You are the one who can make my life complete
You are the one who can give light to my feet
You are the one and only one who dared to give it all away for me

You are my strength, You are my God, you are my King
You make me laugh, You make me dance, You make me sing

Everything inside, everything outside, I give it all away
You never change, but You rearrange my heart more everyday

--
Nikki Friesen
~Always be joyful. Keep on Praying. No matter what Happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)~

Never Under Estimate MY Jesus!

I was out walking the dog and this song came up on my Ipod...it made me think, thin About God, think about life, think about all the things I need to trust God with... read the lyrics and let them sink in as welll

Relient K-NEVER UNDERESTIMATE MY JESUS

Am I at the point of no improvement?
What are the deaths I still dwell in?
I try to excel but I feel no movement
Can I be free of this unreleasable sin
oOoOoOoO

CHORUS:
Never underestimate my Jesus
your tellin me that there's no hope
Im tellin you your wrong
Never underestimate my Jesus
when the world around you crumbles
He will be strong he will be strong

I throw up my hands
oh the impossibilities
Frustrated and tired
Where do I go from here?
Now Im searchin' for
The confidence I lost so willingly
Overcoming these obstacles
Is overcoming my fears
oOoOoOoO

CHORUS

I think I can't
I think I can't
but I think you can
I think you can
gather my insufficiencies and
place them in your hands
place them in your hands
place them in your hands.

CHORUS (2x)

You will be strong (3x)

Here I am

So I am sitting here in dorm...sticking around in dorm this weekend and decided to just journal on the computer... So here are some thoughts, some prayers, straight from the Heart...

God, where are you and I at?  Better there where we were awhile a go-that I know.  I am really loving my classes here, especially Psalms this semester.  I am totally finding you in the Psalms and falling once again in love with You and its awesome!  That fire that I lost for a bit, is slowly being inflamed once again and being energized which I am stoked about!  Praise God.

Today was also Mission day here at the school and I love where I am now compared to where I was last year.  Last year I was so confused after today, not knowing what to do or what life had in store for me.  I still don't know, but I am learning to just trust You God.  I had a really good talk today with the reps from SEND international who I hope to go with this summer to the Ukraine for 6-8 weeks for ministry as well as camp work there.  We didn't really talk much that had to do with SEND itself, but just getting a "feel" for each other and being able to put a face to a name and all.  It was good and found some similar connections that we each knew.  God is good.

One thing all the mission reps said in the little session is just the whole idea of trusting God.  With everything! I am learning to trust God with my finances.  Both with school and raising support for the Ukraine and Philippians as well.  Father I pray now that you continue to give me this peace about it that I am having.  Continue to work in me and through me.  The thought of fundraising is a little daunting and intimidating, but its an experience and I know I have to trust you and money will come in that I know.  Please Lord-teach me.  Provide for me both Financially and prayerfully as well.  You are the great giver.  Lord help me to continue to trust you.  Help me to continue to Fall in love with You more and more.  This is my prayer dear God.
--
Nikki Friesen
~Always be joyful. Keep on Praying. No matter what Happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)~

Character of Peter

I just realized that if one of my assignments this semester at school, would be to analyze the character of Peter, that would be the best assigment ever and I would put so much effort into it and love doing it! 
Reason being is that lately  I have felt like I totally can connect with him and just now I was reading John 13:5-20 where Jesus is washing the Disciples feet and at first, Peter says to him, "Never shall you wash my feet" yet a few verses down, once Jesus explains why He is washing their feet, Peter not only jumps at it, and changes his mind about his feet, but he asks Jesus to wash his hand and head.  How does one go from saying, "no way Lord are you washing my feet" or "yes Lord, wash not only that but all of it"  Umm confusion corner anyone?

 

What about him saying that he will NEVER deny Christ, yet when Jesus needs (well not needs...but yah know what I mean) the most, Peter denies Christ, not once, but THREE time!!  Like come on man!

 

There there is that little story of Jesus walking on water and calling out to Peter to come and join him, which Peter does but as a moment of doubt comes and he begins to sink and calls out to Jesus. Jesus reaches down and asks him, "You of little Faith, why do you doubt?"  Why did Peter doubt? I mean come on man?  Here is Jesus HIMSELF walking toward him ON WATER!!  Seriously...if Peter were alive I think I would smack him around a few and try and knock some sense into him!

 

However I must pause and reflect on my own life....how often has that happened to me?  Not JEsus walking towards me physically on water (though that would be awesome) but an experince like that, when I feel as though I am on top of the world and so tight with Jesus and have this magnificance faith...when this small doubt comes in and sends me crashing into the waves....ever have one of those?  I think we all have

But then look on through the rest of scripture and the journeys that peter goes on.  Like WOW!  I could never do what Peter did, yet he still doubted...hmm yah questions...

I dont know, anyone know any good books on the character of Peter worth reading (keeping in mind i am in college and have enough books)

 

So theres my random thought for the day!
take it for what its worth and let me know (email preferred)
--
Nikki Friesen

~Happiness is inward and not outward; and so it does not depend on what we have, but on what we are. Henry Van Dyke~

Update

wow so much has happened since I have last updated! Moduale block has come and gone and with it, mission X!  Here is a copy of what I sent oout to my prayer warriors as a final update!
Back to the boooks now for second semester! God help me!

Hard to believe that I have been home already since wednesday around 5:30...Where did that last week go?  A week ago, I was up in Oxford House, acutally out in the bush with my team and Tim (our host) cutting wood, having fun, goofing off and enjoying the peacefulness and beauty of God's creation in Northern Manitoba!  Wow....where do I begin...first off Thanks, thanks for praying and thinking of me and my team while we were up there.  Know that your prayers were totally felt while we were there!  Thank you so much!

But yah..wow where do I start?  I was asked the question, "what did God teach you?" the day I got home and at the time, I was sitll processing it all...and in fact, still am processing it-although with talking it through a few times with a few people, sharing memores and debriefing with my team, here are a few things God taught me-in no particular order

-Be Content-be happy with who you are, where you are and with what you have
       -up in Oxford house, the people are so resticted due to the physical access to Oxford House, yet at the same time-they make do-yes there are pains and struggles-perhaps even more then there are here (though thats debateable as well) but the kids that we played with-wow their smiles were amazing!  SO much life and energy and I can only pray that they keep that fire in their eyes!
 
-Family/Friends
     -Yah Life isnt always easy, but I know I always have my friends and family to turn to here and that is something I take for granted way to often.  Lots of those kids come from tough family backgrounds..some have both parents, some have one or the other and some have none- yet the care they have for the people who are in their lives...amazing
  The team that we had from SBC, the four of us, had a BLAST while we were up there.  We became our own little family together with our host family (Tim and Sue-who have been in oxford house for 10 plus years already) Thanks guys for all the amazing memories and fun!

and Community-
    -Simialr to friends and family- just watching at how tigh knit that community is....amazing.  Here I thought SBC had a strong community adn I go to Oxford House and realize that we have so very much to learn from them.  Our society here is so much of a "ME" centered community, where as there, it is very much a "WE" centered community.  The way the older kids look after the little kids, the respect teh people have for the band members and counsel is amazing...we have so very much to learn and we should be embaressed at how we treat one another here at times
       -
You don't have to go far for missions
  they are right next door-they could be your neighbour, family, friends, community.  They are all around and the question is, are your eyes open to them? are my eyes open to them?  I know I dont have to go over seas to do missions and an experience like this, is a good reminder to me
 
We all struggle
    Here is a blurb i wrote for SBC's write up on their site so thought this sums this up as well... Yes the people up on the reserve struggle, they struggle deeply and a good chunk of that is our fault (our European history), but its important for us to let them know that we too are not perfect (as they often percieve us as) and that we do indeed struggle cause I know all of you, including myself, have.  So read this entry, take it for what its worth, and as you read it, send a prayer up for the people/teens of Oxford House, send a prayer up for your self-that God will lead and direct you-that your eyes will be open and your heart will be broken for what Breaks HIS heart, send a prayer up for me that the lessons I learned up North will not soon be forgotten and that I can apply it to my life and those around me.

These are just a few lessons that God taught/reminded me and I know there are more and they will continue to be revealed to me as I head back to school for second semester and continue on with life

Wow, did God work today! Throughout this trip, as a team we were talking about it and so often we have heard stories from past MissionX years about people having to pray all throughout the night and spiritual warfare battles, etc., etc., and we thought that in that regard this trip has almost been "easy", if that makes sense... On a day when we were not expecting it and had nothing planned... God worked through us and in us in amazing ways....
Allow me to back up-this morning. We were waiting for a call whether or not we were flying out today, so our plans to get into the high school were waiting upon that. Once we found out we would be spending another night here, off to the high school we went, not knowing what to expect.
Before we entered the school, Dean prayed and that helped. First off I should mention that the high school is grades 7-12, with only 5-6 students in grade 12 graduating this year...
We headed in to the school and one of the first things we are told is that TODAY alone (in the morning none the less...) there were, not one, but THREE suicide attempts.  WHOA ok, way too much for a small town, Mennonite girl to handle!! I know that statement hit all of us in different ways. We were introduced to the principal and vice principal (who led us from class to class) and we were off (after a short debrief info on the situation today).
The first class we had were the few grade 12's. We were told that given today's situation, we should share positive experiences. So that is what we did and continued to do in each class. We talked about SBC. One of the teachers was wondering where they could find info on the school in case students asked, so we mentioned the website and the few connections SBC has with the community of Oxford House. We talked about the SBC memories and impacting moments there - both classes as well as dorm life. We talked about what we enjoyed doing and what God has taught us through that.
There were a couple of classes/teachers that asked what Bible school actually was. Like, did we just study the Bible or were there other areas as well and so we mentioned that although the Bible was the focus, there are programs like pastoral, social work (with partnership), counselling, etc.
At the end, we were waiting in the staff lounge for the VP who had stepped out, when this guy named Richard starting talking to us. He asked us where we were from, what we were doing and in a matter of minutes, started to open up to us about his personal life and his walk with Christ and the hope he is trying to relay to the kids/teens. We talked about the suicide a few weeks back and the attempts this AM and about life here on the reserve. Then we headed in to talk more with the Principal (who is newer to the school) he asked us what we thought about the school and how we think it went and what affected us. Personally, I told him it was an eye opener for me and he asked me to further that thought and so we were able to share that way. He did the same with Dean, Landis and Jeff. In the end, he too opened up a bit - he's been in education for 40ish years and this is his hardest assignment (he's not native) so we talked a bit about some of the struggles and he got a little emotional as well.
Overall, we walked into the day with no plan.  We walked into the school unsure, and a little scared; however, I was reminded of a prayer that was said during our commissioning at SBC before we left... someone had prayed that our hearts would be broken for what breaks God's heart... and today... I think it's safe to say that all of our eyes were opened and our hearts were broken for what breaks God's heart....
So as this is the last update from Oxford house on MX north 2009. I ask that tonight (or today) when you pray, spend a few minutes just praying for the community of Oxford House.... for the teens and kids in the schools - pray for HOPE, pray for PEACE, pray for JOY and pray for the kind of LOVE that only God can offer. I am reminded of John 4 when Jesus is talking with the women at the well... He mentions about this living water that if you drink from it, you will never be thirsty again. Pray that the people here in Oxford House will discover that Living water and be filled, not with drugs, alcohol, sex or violence but with God's love and peace and all that amazing stuff I know I would be lost without. Thank you so much


--
Nikki Friesen

~God know everything about us. And He cares about everything. Moreover, He can manage every situation.  And He LOVES us! Surely this is enough to open the wellsprings of joy...and joy is always a source of strength~ Hannah Whitall Smith

Been Thinking...and reading...

Reading GOD ON MUTE has been quite the interesting read...interesting, helpful and insightful as well...its making me think thats for sure and I am seeing/able to relate, a lot of what I read to what I am feeling these days and some of the authors points he is making, are clearer then clear.
In the book, from chapters 7-10, Pete Greig-the author-gives answers/thoughts to why he thinks it seems as though God is sometimes silent. They range from everything from common sense-saying some are just flat out stupid, to them being contradiction, the laws of nature, "life is tough", Doctrine, God wants something even bigger and better for us then what we pray for, motive (this was like a double wammy to me-because motive is huge for me-like especially for my practicum-I am realizing some things are not working out like I had hoped, because my motives were waaaaaaaaay off), relationship, Free will (also interesting), Influence,Faith, Santanic Opposition, Justice and Sin. Each point he makes, he further develops. I recommend this read for sure.
He also makes these few points giving a few suggestions to standing in Faith:
Keys to Faith:
Prayer and Worship
Fellowship
Fasting
Start Small
Impulsiveness
Adventure (I like this one)
Bible study
Pilgramage
Journaling (Really like this one...)
Listening to God
There too-he expanded on them (for full readin...pick up the book and read it-really good)

But yah it got me thinking-just about different areas in my life, everything from school, to home, to future, to right here and right now. I maybe in a spiritual valley now, and it might suck, but God isnt done with me yet, He will Never leave me, He will carry me through whatever I come across, and together we will come out stronger because of it.
Here is a verse/write up from the book which hit home as well-and making it a reminder and a prayer for myself-perhaps you can as well...

HElp me to STAND
Lord,
help me to stand today
Temptations and trials abound.
When Life hurts,
I get confused, dishonest, suspicious, and critical
I PUT ON THE BELT OF TRUTH
When life hurts,
my relationships suffer-especially my relationship with you.
I PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
When life hurts
I either get really lazy or I make myself really busy
I PUT ON THE SHOES OF THE GOSPEL
When Life hurts
I let down my guard and leave myself exposed
I TAKE UP THE SHEILD OF FAITH
When life hurts,
my thinking gets negative and I question everything
I PUT ON THE HELMET OF SALVATION
When Life hurts,
I am a coward.
I TAKE HOLD OF THE SWORD OF THE WORD.

LORD it doesnt feel very finished down here.
I dont feel very finished
see me kneeling
HELP ME STAND