Post #325-HAPPY NEW YEAR

2012 is 7 hours away.  Now is when people are or have, made new years resolutions.  Can I resolve to NOT make a new years resolution? or is that still a New New years Resolution then? *shrugs* ah well!
why make something that in less then a week, will either a) be forgotten or B) broken...just a thought

anyways enough of that. Wishing you a great last few hours of 2011 and a Happy 2012!! God Bless!

2011 in Review

Ive seen it done, where people give yearly reviews on here! So, thought I would give it a try! (sorry if its long, but it IS 12 months)

January

the gang!

Happy 2011!

I rang in the new year in a different country, with my younger brother and about 115 other senior youth and their leaders (about half of those, youth from my area) in Alexandria MN.  We got stormed in after our TF experienced days earlier.  Despite us all missing plans at home-we made the best of a cold snowy situation and had a blast! (gonna miss ringing in new year with those kids!

The rest of the month was jumping back into routine of youth and continuing to work. Also a girls weekend back in steinbach-celebrating and friend getting married and spending time with more friends! (always an adventure!)

Feburary:
Girl sleepover, Aces Hockey game, foudue evening with some youth girls and just spending time connecting and growing with people.  I cant really recall anything super special about this month.  Youth remained as did work. oh, sometime in this month (I think) our Africa team was finalized and meetings began? yah that sounds right!

Foundue night with the girls!

Aces games!

March:
Where to start-what a crazy emotional rollarcoster month!
Youth and work. March 23-there was an accident where a young boy lost his life and is still missed to this day.  It affected each and everyone of us and drew the high school and this town closer.  But wow, lots of hurting people and tons of questions.  I had my own for God too..lots of wresting with God this month because of thsi accident and Africa...

Pedicures with my roommate

some of the stuff we got ready to take down to Africa with us

I also spent two weeks this month-house sitting.  it is also during this time that I got sick-nothing serious-just enough to make me take a day off work. Yes our Africa team was finalized by this point and we were getting emails from our host.  Like I said above, lots of wrestling with God.  i wont go into detail-but the injustice of this world played heavily on my mind.  myself, being a person of practical need and action-couldnt (still can t somedays) figure out why a loving God-allows His people to go through things (this came from an email about a girl we would meet in Africa-a young girl that we got to witness a miracle through while we were there).  I wrestled hard with God.  God won hands down.

April
Still seeking answers-it was off to Africa I went with people I knew, but mostly just their names.  Praise God that quickly changed and as a team, we connected adn were able to support each other through the trip and after. I still cannot sum up Africa and the time in Zambia and with thsoe kids.  Out of all the trips/experiences I have been on-this one sticks out most.  Goin in-I remember telling a friend of mine that this trip would change me, how I was not sure, but I knew it would-and it did.  something inside of me 'clicked'. What I learned there, the people I met, the stories I heard, how I saw GOD move...I will NEVER forget.  This month was definatly a huge highlite for me this year!

the team!

some village kids

Two days after I got back, i could attend SBC grad and see friends I hadnt seen for quite a while which was another huge highlight!

May:
Counting down to summer started...back to work and finishing up the last few youths of the year! Still working at Supreme and still living on my own-OH my roommate at the time dropped the 'bomb shell' on me and said as of June 1, she was moving out and onward to the next thing..through me for a bit of a loop/slight panic and questions etc

June: Grad came and went and summer began! (if only) took time off to take Grad ceremonies-so proud of you all! Youth finished up (missed it as soon as it was done) and the leaves were coming out full!

July: 

crazy weather

fun times!

lots of pictures

Living on my own now-going good-different but good! Seeds of Hope dessert night-really special.  lots of summer pictures, camping with the family. Slow pitch games with youth.  Local town festival and queen crowning and soaking in the sun when I could! OH and NO overtime at work! strange, but also very nice!! I could actually enjoy my evenings.  LIfe was busy, I remember waiting for it to slow down-but it didnt.

August:

willow and I

starfield

charlie

Another busy month of camping with the family, hanging out with youth.  I took in other towns festivals with friends (lots of fun!), concerts at these festivals and a Children's Camp International Slow pitch tourny with a team of youth.  Although we sucked (score wise) each game- I am convinced our team had the most fun out there! so fun hanging out with the team and youth in general!  AND it was all for a great cause that is close to my heart as well!! We had a family gathering at my grandpa's old place-sometihng which we have not done as a family in a long time.  It was good-spent a lot of time with my camera and taking pictures.

September:

youth kick off!

what a month-many highs and lows.  A low would be-we had to put our dog down-long story- but it really hit me quite hard (see posts from that month).  I couldnt figure it out why?  Reverse culture shock from Africa? No I dont think so...that was too long ago-after lots of debating in my head, sermons in church, books I was reading, lots of prayer, scripture and talking with friends and family.  I realized it was intense spiritual warfare going on in my life. I had NEVER felt it like this before.   I didnt know what to do.  I even woke up one night feeling this intense neeed to just pray and read scripture (at 5 AM with work in a few hours) so I did...those 2.5 hours after of sleep-best sleepe ever-just this amazing sense of peace.  I realized that this whole incident-partially had to do with our dog and what was going on with that, but mainly it was because youth was starting again.  Our youth kick off for the year was sept 14...and it was that night that followed that i felt the attack.  satan knows how much I love hanging iwth youth and how my heart is totally in it so thats why he was attacking it.  It was an interesting month.  One that I needed and really opened my eyes.
As kids, we also took mom out for the day to the forks and places to celebrate her special day! (tho it was 2 days earlier technically! but a blast none the less!)

celebrating mom's 50th at the Forks

October:

Hanging out at SBC

Busy busy month! Bible studies, work, food drive, mall hunt, coffee times, Steinbach and YOUTH RETREAT at Camp Arnes! This youth retreat was a for sure highlight for me as I love especially connecting with youth outside of youth.  (wow I used the word 'youth' a lot!) but yes many late nights that weekend but it was so worth it! God is so good and its awesome seeing HIM move throughout the teens.  He also planted the idea of gettign a bi-weekly bible study group going with some girls, in my head and I began to pray about it and ended up approaching the girls on it during the retreat weekend.

Solo time with God at Camp Arnes

my cabin of girls-always an adventure!

the gang!

November:
Another busy month of working full time, various youth events.  Hanging out with a friend from Belize who I had not seen for a while.  Crafters weekend at the church. Aces game.  Baptism evening at our church (very proud of my youth who made that public commitment to Christ!).  At this point too, I have decided not to look for another roommate at this point as the freedom to come and go and be noisy etc is so worth it!   Life is going good.  God and I still doing well-tho always trying out how to have a constant good relationship with HIM. Oh also started Bible study with some grade 12's.  instead of going bi-weekly-they wanted weekly so that is awesome!!! Always a blast hanging out with them and learning and growing together!

Leah and I with our cake pops

Tia and I at the crafters weekend-she decorated cupcakes

set up for Christmas

baptism candidates

December:

dec 23-family Christmas

christmas party with the girls!

candlelight services

always good food!

And here we are-christmas eve day.   Busy month but so far too-it has been good! Just a few pictures thus far!

So a very merry Christmas! and have a safe, happy and healthy 2012!!!

In sickness and in Health...

Been a while since I have updated this.  As I said in the last post-Life has been busy-which makes sense...however last week did slow down and now, I think my body is playing catch up.  if you notice the time stamp (after I post this) you will see that it is like posted around noon....on a monday.  So why am I not at work?  Like I said my body is playing catch up and by that I mean-later Saturday night-it decided "oh Hey, lets be sick..." so although I will spare you details-Saturday night was not fun and I remembered why I hate throwing up so much (something which I have not done for WHO KNOWS how long).  Although I did manage to go to church yesterday (Christmas music morning-didnt wanna miss that!!) I spent the rest of the day hardly eating and just doing now (evening took a 2 hour nap-still felt exhausted-also something which I have not done in a LONG LONG TIME-so then i knew for sure something was wrong).  So that leads me today-after waking up to call into work sick-i shut my alarm off and fell asleep for another 3 hours.

So whats the point of all of this? I have realized just how much I take my health for granted (like i said, I hardly ever get sick-cant remember last time I felt this way....).   sunday morning, as I was throwin up- I remember thinking- "God, thank you for this reminder to not take my health forgranted like I so often do"  Especially now with Christmas like a few days away and hey, just life in general.

My mind couldnt help but think back to the kids who are so dear to me in Africa and once again, I am so thankful for Seeds of Hope and the work they are doing there.  Because of God's Grace and His followers who heard and obeyed His calling in their lives-those kids are saved and healthy.  Even if/when they do get sick-the have the care and protection to aid in their healing and for that-I am SO thankful for!

Although I dont like being sick-a day off work is nice and actaully-timing wise-this is perfect (if it had to come anywasy).  I was super busy all last weekend and next weekend is Christmas (so that would just suck) and hey, I am good with a 2 1/2 day work week this week!

so stay safe, stay ware and keep healthy!

and have a super awesome, Merry Christmas with those around you!!
cya in 2012!

Too Busy...

Life is too busy...I can feel my body telling me to stop and slow down. 
life is busy-with good things...but God gets 'pushed' aside...

Life is too busy to NOT include God in the day...thats the only way any of us will make it..with HIM in it!

In this moment...I belong

its late
and I need to go to bed however...
GOD IS SO GOOD!
despite my crappy last few days...HE blew my mind again tonight..and i was yet again reminded of HIS Grace and Power and JOY.  Seriously people, again...GET TO KNOW THE YOUTH IN YOUR CHURCH!!!!!! Youth was tonight and all day..I was counting down timejust to get to youth (as I knew it would lift me up) but once again, God did more then I expected.  Not only did HE lift me up through the youth;s worship, He encouraged and challenged me through the message we had, and HE showed His super fun side, playing a game with the youth afterwards.

I was/am reminded that yes, work will and does suck sometimes..but its worth it..for those 8 hours of work, its worth the time that it allows me to be around to go for coffee with some youth girls, to spend time at you and stay late playing a game with them.  THEY are so worth it.  One can not put a time or price on them.

Am I looking forward to going to work tomorrow? honestly, not really, but once I get through the tday, that means I have another evening to give back, to connect with the youth, to laugh, share and hopefully, bless and encourage them, the way they have me!!

Thank you God for youth.  Continue to shape and mold the young people around. You are doing amazing things through them!! :D

One of "those days'

Today was one of those days:

Where nothing goes right

Where controlling your tongue is super hard

Where you feel like smacking a few people on their heads

Where you realize just how pathetic the world has become

Where you have to remind yourself that politics are just that...politics and nothing more

Where you wished you never got out of bed this morning

Where  you wonder "is anything ever going to change?"

Where you realized, the drama you left behind in high school-is back-only in 'adult form'

Where you thought "adults' knew better

where you just wanna throw up your hands and quit


Where I realize just how badly I need God

Where I am thankful for another day and the ability to get up and Go to work

Where I see God's Amazing Grace shine through the morning sunrise

Where I can not do anything, but stand back in awe of my Lord

Where, instead of angry words, there is a prayer off my lips instead

Where I remember that I am "fearfully and Wonderfully made"

Where I recall how Christ died, so that I may live

Where I remember God's Crazy awesome, powerful Love is all I ever need

Where I think of what a fool I am to have ever doubted God

Where I know, that come tomorrow-life will happen and all the bad may happen again...
...but for now...I remember God's Love and how I am created in HIS image, made by Him and FOR Him for HIS good works.

Thank you God for today.  Thank you for closing my mouth when it needed to be close.  For opening it up in a prayer.  Lead me God-walk before me now, tomorrow and each day of my life!

Baptism

A year a go tomorrow (well technically the 21st) will have been a year since I got got baptized.  What a crazy year its been! (Spiritually).  But wow-what an amazing God we serve!
I recently shared my testimony with a small group bible study and while writing it-3500 words later-I realized that my faith always has been a part of me.  Depsite ignoring it in high school/growing up, God never does let go and it is in fact, that foundation of my parents faith-that was the starting point for where it is today.  Yes, certain people in my life (those both who are presently still in it and who have also come and gone) have for sure played an impact into it...but if it were not for that 'still small voice' of God...I wonder where I would be?  I was raeding through Kings the other day and came across the story of Elijah on Mount Caramel with the prophets of baal.  What a wonder powerful display that God gave...sending fire from Heaven-consuming not only the sacrifice and alter-but everything (this is of course after Elijah mocks the prohpets of baal-who are running around screaming, cursing and cutting themselves-fools I know!).  Yet it is not this story that surprises me...
it is a few chapters (one or two) later that we read about Elijah fleeing from those after him.  HIDING from God in a cave-in fear.  is this NOT the same Elijah-who days earlier-witnessed this from YAHWEH?  Like really Elijah-what the heck?!?! He sees this display and then shortly later-runs? Faith man! where is it?

Where is it?  this is a question I find myself asking myself a lot.  today, we have these stories and accounts of God working wonders in the Old and new testament alike.  We know about the cross, abotu how-through Christ dying for us-we are saved.  Yet we still flee in terror. Despite the junk on the news, there are good stories around.  Stories of God's healing and protection (I think of the missionary couple a year or two back who where beaten, raped (wife) and left for dead in africa-yet upon healing-they went back and FORGAVE their attackers).  Stories of survival when odds say they should be dead (4 friends of mine in a car accident last thanksgiving where RCMP were expecting 4 dead bodies-not 4 ALIVE bodies-with 2 of them walking away from it with no more than scratches and a few bruises.  Examples of young leaders in their high school taking that step of faith in Christ.  Being a leader to those around them and wanting a weekly bible study to learn and grow closer to Christ.  OH YES.  God is very much alive today-just like He was all those years a go and how HE will be with all the years to come!

Thank you God for this life.  Thank yo for loving me so much-even tho i do not deserve it.  Thank you for Your grace in our lives...in my life.  Thank you for being MY GOD!"

God is LOVE

Ever stop and just think that, the CREATOR of the universe...created YOU in HIS image?!? YAHWEH, the Alpha and Omega, Heavenly Father, Christ the King...created YOU and LOVEs you! so very much! I dont know about you, but my mere human mind can not grasp that at all! But what i do love, other than my Creator, is relishing in HIS love.  basking in it and soaking it in.  Despite a crappy start to this fall (Spiritually), right now...i can feel God next to me constantly throughout the day.  He is with me with I rest my head, when I wake and carry on my day.  I sitll have my moments, but I know God is right next to me.  I love that God overcame and won another victory in my heart. I love the fact that HE loves ME enough to go to amazing lengths to show me HIs love. Serving HIM truly is the best thing in this life. I can feel my insides 'bursting' with joy.  God is so so so so so So very good!!
thank you God for who You are. For Loving me the way you do!

Life Lessons

Hey all

God just has an interesting sense of humour
I am often at the expense of it...
At the time, its not funny
Later..after I realize all i got is a few bruises...its quite funny!

So funny story-I was leaving church this last sunday( not the funny part)  but my hands were full and i attempted to bike home (home, which is literally around the block-easily could have walked) anways, despite a little voice in my head saying "Nikki your hands are full..use your head..walk your bike home!" I attempted to bike home. OH I should add that I recently got a new bike, a bike with brakes that work..so imagine this- my hands full, coming up to a stop sign-car coming to my right, my hand that is free happens to be my front brake side (note to self, never just use front break..use BACK break!) anyways, one thing leads to another and in an instance I am on the pavement.  At the time, not funny, now..its very funny!

Needless to say, I am quite sore especially on my left side but I think my pride got wounded more than anything.  However, I learned a few things from this experience.
1) I think this was God's way of telling me to listen to that conscious HE gave me
2) people are too busy to even stop and see if people are ok after witnessing someone fall ( ok the car did slow do and through the window-saw the person mouth "are you ok"..but didnt even roll down window or stop...I could have been seriously hurt!  Tho at that point I didnt want to see anyone so I waved them on..but still...looking back at it...it almost seemed cold?!?)

Lesson two:
Despite our so called "great Canadian education" that we have here, we are really UNeducated.
I was showing someone my Africa book and explaining a little of what we did there and some of the kids backgrounds etc.  I realized through this conv. how little we here in canada actually know about HIV/AIDs.  I was asked if it could be passed via saliva..i was like, 'are you seriously asking me that?" (I thought it, didnt voice it). 

Its amazing tho, how the news or what we read in our text books-shape how we view things.    Like really.  People, it is time to get educated! 
But lets be honest tho...before going..I too-was nervous about how it spread.  yes, I did hear/read about it in school...but that was use as a "scare' factor-not a educational purpose (if that makes sense)

anyways, point being- I understood where the question came from , yet at the same time, it annoyed me.  The world is so huge, yet at the same time, its becoming smaller and smaller.  There is a LOT of work to do out there, and we are running out of time...so what are you going to do about it?  how about begin with this...get EDUCATED.  Open yourself up to the issues around you.  follow fact, not fiction. Those kids, those kids that I spent 10 amazing days with- depsite the disease in their young bodies (which is NOT their fault), will be living a full life, a life with chance and opportunity like I had, like we all had growing up.  Yes, they do live in Africa and so yes their lives will be different for that simple reason, however..Kids are still kids.  People are still people.  we all wanna be loved and cared for.

Oh the many life lessons each and every day!

what about you? what are you learning? what is God teaching you these days?
 

Beautiful african smilies!

"hold me please"

spending time with little angels from above!

A snap shot of what God must look like!

sharing the love!

Angel from above!

Kids are kids no matter where you are!

Sweet sweet angels!  A small glimpse into Heaven!

Is there anything more beautiful than the face of God?

Shaken

I've been Shaken from my head down to my toes...

check it out

Are YOU shaken?

Which faces come to YOUR mind?

Open my eyes LORD

I wanna make a difference tonight

Open my Eyes

LORD use me

Take me where YOU want me to go!

These hands are dedicated to Change

Lord use me

Hawk Nelson-Shaken

One.Life.

Ever get a book that just "clicks" with yah? I have found that I am very good at buying a book at impusle and then having it turn out to be something that totally clicks with me.  It happened with a book called "True Religion" as well. (A great buy/read right before heading to Africa in April).
Anyways- "One.Life" talks about the Christian Life and how we have, One.Life, to live...so we should be careful HOW we live it and for WHO we live it for.  It focuses a lot on God's Kingdom. Not a kingdom that we, as humans, would percieve (ie king sitting on an earthly throne etc) but a KINGDOM with God the center and focus.  It also talks a lot about dreams and the power behind them.

Although, I don't actually have the book at my side as I write this, I can not help but think of the term "Missions".  Actually you know what, lets scratch the term "missions" (I mean really, who came up with it..) and lets take a word(s) from the book instead...Committed.Life istead.

What does a Committed.Life look like?

It is simple.
However at the same time, it will be one of the hardest things ever.

A "Committed.Life"-looks to Christ in all things, while giving Thanks despite all/everything that goes on in that Committed.Life.

A Committed.Life seeks justice for the opposed

A Committed.Life cares for the needy, widow and orphaned

A Committed.Life shows Mercy and Compassion

A Committed.Life prays for their enemy

A Committed.Life offers their gifts and talents for God's Glory (after all, HE is who gave them to us)

A Committed.Life forgives even when its the Hardest to forgive

A Committed.Life is willing to give up their life for Christ

A Committed.Life lives in/with community

A Committed.Life hears Jesus's call...and follows

A Committed.Life loves their neighbour as themselves.

A Committed.Life loves the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul and mind.

Finally, perhaps Philippians 4:8-9 sums it up:

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Happy Thankgiven!

Its that time of year again, time when people usually eat lots of turkey, have family gatherings and give thanks...or rather..make a specific point of giving thanks (cause we should be thankful all year).  So, in no particular order..here are just some of the things that I am thankful for (cause its almost time for me to go to church)

-my family-both immediate and extended
-my friends locally (college, high school etc) to my friends world wide (across canada, Europe, Africa, Belize, Philippines etc)
-my church family/freedom we have to go to church


-music
-cool early morning sunrises and the colours of the sunsets
-my wednesday nights-worship with youth, youth themselves and the incredible blessings that they are, crazy coffee moments/energy with them!
-Seeds of Hope-the incredible work they are doing-we are praying
-missionaries around the globe (I think of sara in Ukraine, Ate Barb in Philippines, JOhn and Leanne P.-Ukraine-, Alexander and Leah Perez-belize, Armando-belize, Loewen Family-Philippines, John and Susan Chalkias-Seeds of Hope, Elizabeth-Zambia-just to name a few that I know)
-Education we have here in Canada-both high school/post secondary
-SBC-the knowledge both book and life, that I gained there.
-Capernwray Bible schools
-memories
-books
-Health
-Safe country
-my job
-a home...roof over my head that is cool in summer and warm in winter
-photography/camera
-the many gifts and talents God has given me
-spiritual battles-what an amazing time of growth

Most important-MY GOD...I am so lost without HIM.  I am SO thankful for the greatest sacrifice of all-that HE would send HIS son to die for me, so that I may live.