Hello everyone! It has been a busy past two weeks with talking about the character of God, deciding our outreach locations, and getting to see some different cities. The foundations of my beliefs and faith were shaken quite a bit when i was learning about the character of God. Ive realized more and more how much i have limited the power of God. Here are some things that made me think: do you use who God is to judge your theology or your theology to judge who God is? If God has never failed, is there reason to think He will fail us in the future? We are all predestined to become sons and daughters of God...some people reject their destiny. I wish i could go into everything that challenged me and what i learned...but i realize that it would take a very long time.
This past week we spent a lot of time reading through Genesis and Exodus in small groups. We didnt have a speaker until Thursday and she talked about cultural differences. It was a good thing to hear as we prepare to leave for outreach in Decemeber. I am going to Egypt/Israel! The past Friday they announced our three possible locations: Taiwan, Indonesia, and Egypt/Israel. We were not allowed to talk to people here about it, but just encouraged to pray. When i first saw the countries i was immediately attracted to Taiwan and Indonesia. I DID NOT think i would end up going to Egypt. BUT, God showed me that He had different plans. The whole week egypt/israel was the only thing that continued to stay on my heart. He gave me some crazy confirmation and i know now that Egypt is where i am supposed to go. My group is 17 people! Since we have the biggest group we will probably be splitting up into two teams. Its so good to finally know where i am going to be next!
Onto the general: A couple of days ago, some of us found a chapel near by that is on top of a hill. We decided to get pizza one night and watch the sunset..it was beautiful...and now im obsessed with the chapel. Yesterday, I went to Lucern. I am so glad that i got to see that city. We were able to just walk around and spend all day there. Im loving every minute of this place. I continue to just realized how blessed i am to be able to experience everything i am experiencing here. Thank you so much for being a part of the process that got me here. Have a good week!

http://www.ywamlausanne.com/content/view/196/215/lang,en/
click on this link if you want to see the rest of my group!

When i look back at this past week it feels like all of the activity that happened should have been in a three week time period. Our base accidently overbooked speakers so we actually had two speakers this week. One spoke on who we are in the morning and the other spoke on identity at night. Our night speaker was actually in L.A. and we set up a webcam and big screen at the front. I didn't even know that our world was capable of technology like that..but it was quite a new and amusing experience for me.
Here are some things from the week that challenged me: if we dont know who God has made us to be it will affect every area of our life, Hell knows more about your potential in Christ than you do and trys to do everything to prevent you from discovering it, it is in Christ that you find out who you are and what you are living for, God will never accept you more or less than He does now, there are no failures in the kingdom of God but all of God's children fail, unforgiveness imprisons you in the past and destroys the possibility of change, and IF YOU COULD JUST SEE THE WAY GOD SEES YOU. My favorite quote was this: "I pray that your life will be as wonderful as it was in God's mind when He created you." It was really good to just be reminded that God made me a certain way for a reason and it is not until you become confident and content with that truth that God can really show you your true potential.
Onto the general: A couple of us took a trip to a castle ( i dont remember the name...sorry!) but it was so beautiful. We did a lot of walking that day but it was worth it to see more of Switzerland. I am learning how to play the guitar. Should be interesting. Ive figured this is a good time to finally learn and there are people willing to teach me. I went for a 10 mile bike ride yesterday through the beautiful fall forest that is behind our base. Fall is definitely my favorite season in life. I just got done with my work duty and got to iron a bunch of table cloths and sheets. Ive concluded that the steam button is the best invention ever. Finally, two problems have come to my attention: 1. i am officially addicted to chocolate and 2. i cant speak French. Ya...that pretty much covers everything.

Hello strangers! I feel like it has been so long since i have last written. I am just going to give some highlights of my week. Everything has started to unfold. We have work duties everyday for 2 hours. My work duty is hospitality which includes all sorts of things like: baking, making cards, changing and cleaning rooms for our guests, and creating welcome baskets. We also have interest groups each Monday. The group that i chose out of art, music, and drama was music. I chose that one because i just want to worship...but i dont exactly know what we will be doing. My local outreach every other week is to a home of refuge. From the moment the kids saw us they started to climb all over our backs and shoulders. Its funny because they all speak french and i cant understand a thing they say. I find myself adding a french accent to my english hoping they will understand what i say. yaaa...doesnt work.
Our speaker this past week was amazing. It was so cool to see how God spoke through her and how each person took away something different. One thing that challenged me the most was when she started talking about Adam and Eve. When sin came into the world, Eve's desire turned from God to man. I realized how much in the past that has been true for me...when really, God should be our desire first. He is the one who knows our heart better than we know our own. On Friday, there was a wooden cross at the front of the room. We were able to do whatever we wanted in that time whether it be read, journal, pray, or go to the cross. Most people wrote things down on a piece of paper and laid it at the cross. It was such a strong visual about how we can lay our sins at the cross. We cant change what we have done. However, we can be forgiven. Our rejection can turn to acceptance, our shame to glory, our death to life, our fear to love, our curse to a blessing, our fallen state to a new creation ALL THROUGH THE CROSS. I can't even really explain what is going on here. I just know that i have already been challenged so much in just a week and a half of being here. I have never been so content and i really just know that i am here for a reason.
Onto the general: We got to play capture the flag in the forest at night. It was pretty intense. At one point, me and a guy FROM MY TEAM had a full on collision because he thought i was on the other team and i thought he was on the other team and we were both near the flag. Somehow we got really confused and both ended up on the ground. My group got to go to the city of Bern yesterday. It is such a cool city. We were able to go to the cathedrals and all of the little shops. I think it is my favorite so far. So that is all i can think of at the moment. Here is the verse i will leave you with: "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God. He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, o people, pour out your hearts to Him for God is our refuge." -psalm 62:5-8
Till next week!