I had "dinner" with some friends tonight. I call it "dinner" cuz all I had was a cherry coke. It was interesting because we are pretty much all there because of our connection with this one guy. I was sitting across from him tonight and it was like he was holding court. Not in a pompous self aware way just you can tell this is kind of where he gets to shine, be the leader. I'm not very social aware , I suppose, they talked about video games most of the night and I've only played wii with Robin's boys. And most of the time I loose at that or make someone so frustrated I just hand it off to the three year old.
Today was the first day I was happy to be back in Alaska. The mountains were beautiful, you could see all the way to McKinley. I really wanted to go for a hike. Today was the first day I felt I was going to be ok , away from the bustle of London, away from the family of people who know everything about me, away from never being alone. Don't get me wrong I like my space but I miss never being lonely. And I know, I know we are never alone, God's always at our side but God gave Adam , Eve because it wasn't good for him to be alone. God gave me a group of people that knew all my silliness and stupidity and downfalls but loved me any way. Tonight I guess was just a reminder that things are different here. But is that OK? no. It's not. I don't even know where to start when it comes to making friends anymore. I've literally grown up with everyone I know here. And in London you all just get thrown together for a time and you have to be friends for gosh sake.
This post doesn't make sense really I just needed to get it out of my system.
it's so quiet.
Friday, 2 November 2012
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Holy Momma it is WARM!
Our team left Denmark on Tuesday. The goodbyes were hard but that means the time there was good.
. The first couple days in Holbaek were a bit rough. Part of the team, Nimia,decided that she did not want to be with YWAM anymore. So she went back to Argentina. We were already a very
small team and now we were even smaller. That was the first 4 days. The first Sunday we go introduced to the churchand Alaina and I gave our testimonies. Then everyone but myself went to help in the Children´s class. That night Michela´s older brother and wife had us over to there home for delicious lasagna. The next day we all had the stomach flu. It was quite the first week. After starting like that things can only get better. And they did. they got A LOT better.
Out of the kindness of his heart, Moses, one of the young people in the church volunteered to help out with dramas. The second Sunday we went to a church about an hour away from where we were staying and conducted the entire service. Manny and Alain led worship, we all did a drama, and then Manny gave a really good message on the what Love really is.
None of that would have been able to happen if it hadn´t been for Chris and Moses from the Holbaek free church we wouldn´t havebeen able to do alot of things. I got to be in a home (other than the base which doesn´t really count 27 people is a lot) for the first time since I left Alaska. You don´t know what you have until you don´t have it
We got to go into a school two of our last days. This is one of our trip highlights. One of the days Alaina and I were given the opportunity to teach a class about Alaska and answer the questions they had. Then we had the opportunity to do a drama( again thank you Moses) , Noelia gave her testimony and then we broke into groups. Manny and I had a group of guys about 15 or 16 years old. Manny was able to have a really good talk with them and they asked lots of questions about the christian life.
Things I didn´t know about Denmark but now do.
1. It is very windy
2.The people LOVE coffee
3.The people are very hospitable
4.Black danish licorice is the worst kind
5.eating pieces of chocolate on toast for breakfast is ok!
6.They have 7elevens
7.When babies take naps they are put outside all bundled up in the prams. This is past down from the vikings.
And now we are here in Tenerife. Some are very greatful for the excessive sun and some others tolerate it and think back to happier chillier times of slushy rain and wind .This is going to be a very different experience for all of us. We are in two different homes at the moment . One of the church members has a villa a block from the church that he has given us for 10 days . On Monday the team will be back together. It´s funny that you can miss you haven´t ´seen in only 12 hours. I will be very happy to have us all under one roof again. I really love our team it has definitely become like a family and I thank God that I have them
Not only is the weather different now but the church we are working with is different. Tenerife is home to mostly retired Europeans. The youngest person in the church is 37 and after them is 57. It is encouraging though to see the passion they have for the Lord. My perception of the British before I moved to London was that they were quite stuffy. Some are but some really truly love the Lord. It´s VERY encouraging to see.
. The first couple days in Holbaek were a bit rough. Part of the team, Nimia,decided that she did not want to be with YWAM anymore. So she went back to Argentina. We were already a very
small team and now we were even smaller. That was the first 4 days. The first Sunday we go introduced to the churchand Alaina and I gave our testimonies. Then everyone but myself went to help in the Children´s class. That night Michela´s older brother and wife had us over to there home for delicious lasagna. The next day we all had the stomach flu. It was quite the first week. After starting like that things can only get better. And they did. they got A LOT better.
Out of the kindness of his heart, Moses, one of the young people in the church volunteered to help out with dramas. The second Sunday we went to a church about an hour away from where we were staying and conducted the entire service. Manny and Alain led worship, we all did a drama, and then Manny gave a really good message on the what Love really is.
None of that would have been able to happen if it hadn´t been for Chris and Moses from the Holbaek free church we wouldn´t havebeen able to do alot of things. I got to be in a home (other than the base which doesn´t really count 27 people is a lot) for the first time since I left Alaska. You don´t know what you have until you don´t have it
We got to go into a school two of our last days. This is one of our trip highlights. One of the days Alaina and I were given the opportunity to teach a class about Alaska and answer the questions they had. Then we had the opportunity to do a drama( again thank you Moses) , Noelia gave her testimony and then we broke into groups. Manny and I had a group of guys about 15 or 16 years old. Manny was able to have a really good talk with them and they asked lots of questions about the christian life.
Things I didn´t know about Denmark but now do.
1. It is very windy
2.The people LOVE coffee
3.The people are very hospitable
4.Black danish licorice is the worst kind
5.eating pieces of chocolate on toast for breakfast is ok!
6.They have 7elevens
7.When babies take naps they are put outside all bundled up in the prams. This is past down from the vikings.
And now we are here in Tenerife. Some are very greatful for the excessive sun and some others tolerate it and think back to happier chillier times of slushy rain and wind .This is going to be a very different experience for all of us. We are in two different homes at the moment . One of the church members has a villa a block from the church that he has given us for 10 days . On Monday the team will be back together. It´s funny that you can miss you haven´t ´seen in only 12 hours. I will be very happy to have us all under one roof again. I really love our team it has definitely become like a family and I thank God that I have them
Not only is the weather different now but the church we are working with is different. Tenerife is home to mostly retired Europeans. The youngest person in the church is 37 and after them is 57. It is encouraging though to see the passion they have for the Lord. My perception of the British before I moved to London was that they were quite stuffy. Some are but some really truly love the Lord. It´s VERY encouraging to see.
Monday, 9 January 2012
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Good ol' H.S.
Rosemary is probably my favorite teacher. She uses the excuses that she is from Irish heritage so her story telling really isn't her fault. It's in her blood. It's also an anointing! She taught our class on the Holy Spirit this week.
I always pictured the HS as a lighter version of the mist from The Ten Commandments. But that's not true. The HS is a person, with feelings and emotions. I was going to write more about the HS but I am having trouble deciphering my notes. So it is going to be saved for another time. I think I'll talk a bit more about what is going on with me personally.
Recently God's been doing A LOT of ripping out and refining. It's been a slow process. It's still on going, but I am excited to see the changes He is doing in me. I have always had this mental block, especially when it comes to spiritual things. My mind just shuts off. I will go to say some thing strong and moving and all that fills my mind is the plot to the newest episode of HIMYM. Actually, i think a large part of the growth has been cutting out my shows. I love television and story telling. So i can spend hours on my lap top with my knitting needles watching or listening to Bones and Booth solve the latest mystery or fly all over the world with the stewardesses from Pan Am. ( i LOVE pretty much anything about the 60's). God can speak through that, but He gets a lot more done when i co-operate too! wow, that was a bit of a rabbit trail.
Any way recently I have had a couple opportunities to practice speaking what God has place on my heart. AND IT IS INCREDIBLE! I know there is much more to come and I can't WAIT!
In other news I spoke to one of my leaders the other day about staying on as staff! I will be starting a two year commitment in April . The Lord has some exciting things in store for London in the next year and I am very very blessed to be here for all the excitement!
Prayer requests
-Finances! I am two months behind on paying for my room and board.
-Planning! The leaders are heading into a lot of unknown territory with
the Olympics . please be praying for no stress and good time management
-Housing! the base is growing with each school, Praise God but we are
starting to out growing where we are at the moment.
as always if you would like to participate with me in all the amazing things God is doing here you can donate here http://www.ywamlondonnottinghill.com/dts.php and just put my name in the memo or you can click the button to the side or you can drop an envelope in the box at Faith Christian Community and put ywam london in the memo! Thank you so much
again if you have any questions for me or would just like to let me know what God is doing in your life please please email me or facebook me. I really really reallly would love to hear from you!
Love you! marisa
I always pictured the HS as a lighter version of the mist from The Ten Commandments. But that's not true. The HS is a person, with feelings and emotions. I was going to write more about the HS but I am having trouble deciphering my notes. So it is going to be saved for another time. I think I'll talk a bit more about what is going on with me personally.
Recently God's been doing A LOT of ripping out and refining. It's been a slow process. It's still on going, but I am excited to see the changes He is doing in me. I have always had this mental block, especially when it comes to spiritual things. My mind just shuts off. I will go to say some thing strong and moving and all that fills my mind is the plot to the newest episode of HIMYM. Actually, i think a large part of the growth has been cutting out my shows. I love television and story telling. So i can spend hours on my lap top with my knitting needles watching or listening to Bones and Booth solve the latest mystery or fly all over the world with the stewardesses from Pan Am. ( i LOVE pretty much anything about the 60's). God can speak through that, but He gets a lot more done when i co-operate too! wow, that was a bit of a rabbit trail.
Any way recently I have had a couple opportunities to practice speaking what God has place on my heart. AND IT IS INCREDIBLE! I know there is much more to come and I can't WAIT!
In other news I spoke to one of my leaders the other day about staying on as staff! I will be starting a two year commitment in April . The Lord has some exciting things in store for London in the next year and I am very very blessed to be here for all the excitement!
Prayer requests
-Finances! I am two months behind on paying for my room and board.
-Planning! The leaders are heading into a lot of unknown territory with
the Olympics . please be praying for no stress and good time management
-Housing! the base is growing with each school, Praise God but we are
starting to out growing where we are at the moment.
as always if you would like to participate with me in all the amazing things God is doing here you can donate here http://www.ywamlondonnottinghill.com/dts.php and just put my name in the memo or you can click the button to the side or you can drop an envelope in the box at Faith Christian Community and put ywam london in the memo! Thank you so much
again if you have any questions for me or would just like to let me know what God is doing in your life please please email me or facebook me. I really really reallly would love to hear from you!
Love you! marisa
Wednesday, 12 October 2011
There are no ques in heaven
When my sister and I were little, we used to dance in our living room ALL the time. Mom would DJ with our favorite Donut Man and Psalty the singing Psalm book songs and Dad would video tape us. Watching one of these dance sessions years later I watched Jana and myself at about 4 or 5 dancing and then , me, suddenly shoving Jana violently out of frame.
God brought this time mind during our soaking time tonight at the base.
soaking
God brought this time mind during our soaking time tonight at the base.
soaking
v. soak·ing
To immerse in the knowledge of how much the creator of the universe loves you.
to allow God to permeate your being.
often through worship music and other forms of artistic expression such as; singing,drawing, dancing etc.
God never stops paying attention to us. I don't have to push any one out of the way to see him. We don't have to fight for an audience with Him. We don't have to wait in line patiently to ask him questions or talk about our day. We don't have to walk down never ending yellow brick roads to find him. He is at our disposal day and night , every moment of the day. HOW AWESOME IS THAT!?
Thank you again for all your support. This week has been a struggle doing a wild tango with the cross. Brokeness is so good yet so challenging. Please contact me if you have question about what I am doing or even if you just want to chat. I would LOVE to catch up with you!
Prayer Request:
That the new students would be a unified team.
That hearts would be open and willing to the changes God has in store.
That finances for everyone, especially those from hard financial backgrounds , would come when needed
That VISA applications would go smoothly
Your support, no matter what it is ,means the world to me! Thank you !
Friday, 7 October 2011
BLS WEEK 1
Yesterday I had the privilege of walking around London and helping show it to the DTS students. We walked from Oxford street to trafalgar square to the Thames to parliament to Westminster and then finished off with buckingham palace . There were 8 students with us and we had quite a good time waltzing about London. Here are a couple pictures of me on a bridge over the river.
Every other Wednesday me and another guy Mats ( from Belgium) volunteer at the salvation army In our area. We make food with donations from Sainsbury's and serve some of the homeless/needy people in the area. It's pretty fun. we've met some really interesting people to say the least. We have also met some people who are very passionate about helping people. We met a polish lady that is helping people, with addiction problems, from other countries get connected again with their families and even rehab centers in their home countries. She isn't a Christian but has this passion to help people. She is literally on call 24 7. But she is doing it all in her own strength . How long is she going to be able to last with out that "recharge" we get from Jesus? How long are we able to go if we do things out of our own strength ? I have this amazing opportunity to help prepare London to receive the world next summer. But if I try to do everything in my own strength I am going to burn out fast. Eevn depending on him for for little things like buyin shampoo. If I get caught up In a "how am I going to make this happen" mentality I'm not letting Him do what he is best at. Which is taking care of me. Making sure my batteries are charged (that I dot smell) so I can show His love to people who don't know how to see it yet.
Every other Wednesday me and another guy Mats ( from Belgium) volunteer at the salvation army In our area. We make food with donations from Sainsbury's and serve some of the homeless/needy people in the area. It's pretty fun. we've met some really interesting people to say the least. We have also met some people who are very passionate about helping people. We met a polish lady that is helping people, with addiction problems, from other countries get connected again with their families and even rehab centers in their home countries. She isn't a Christian but has this passion to help people. She is literally on call 24 7. But she is doing it all in her own strength . How long is she going to be able to last with out that "recharge" we get from Jesus? How long are we able to go if we do things out of our own strength ? I have this amazing opportunity to help prepare London to receive the world next summer. But if I try to do everything in my own strength I am going to burn out fast. Eevn depending on him for for little things like buyin shampoo. If I get caught up In a "how am I going to make this happen" mentality I'm not letting Him do what he is best at. Which is taking care of me. Making sure my batteries are charged (that I dot smell) so I can show His love to people who don't know how to see it yet.
Thursday, 29 September 2011
The Start of a New Season
Two of the new DTS students arrive today!! As the staff has prepared, us BLS students have a had a few classes on servant leadership and discipleship , painted, made welcome cards, and help tidy up the base. I love the smell of fresh paint. It just smells so clean! One of the things we did last night was organize the donations. Every other week Sainsbury's (a large english grocery store, considered to be quite posh) gets rid of large quantities of perfectly good food that a couple of our guys go and pick up. I realized last night that I hadn't shared with you how we got a good chunk of our food. So here you go! I am going to try and make this blog about day to day life here and the things God is teaching me in class. Probably more of what God's been teaching me than anything. Here are a couple of pictures of the donations. enjoy.
ps if you have questions about what i am doing or you just want to skype or something i would LOVE to here from you! i am very much in a bubble and would love to talk to someone that i don't see every single day! skype name is "marisa.annie" love you!
ps if you have questions about what i am doing or you just want to skype or something i would LOVE to here from you! i am very much in a bubble and would love to talk to someone that i don't see every single day! skype name is "marisa.annie" love you!
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