Hungry and Thirsty

greece

2009-08-22T12:09:00.000-07:00

Hi friends and family! Well we’re currently in Athens, Greece –but not for long. Thursday we’re headed out to Switzerland with a 30 hour boat ride! Our work here has been incredible and I wish I could find the words that would compare. Most of the ministry that we have been doing is on the local public squares putting on street performances and evangelizing to the people. Our host here is a missionary from Korea, he’s lived here for many years and has a church for the refugees located in Athens. We’ve had the opportunity to open the building that we’re staying at to bring them in for a couple of English classes and a chance to feed them. We haven’t seen too many Greek people because from what we hear this is the season that most of them are off traveling so we’re getting to minister to many of the refugees. We’re staying in the red light district, which has been interesting, but I’m finding that the Lord knew exactly where he wanted us and we are just where we’re supposed to be. The street evangelism is beyond what I’ve ever done before or even seen. The drug rate is extremely high here, although it is illegal they are openly using on the streets in public- anywhere. God has truly opened my eyes and taught me how to not just feel sorry for people on the streets. All he had to do was simply remind me of how much he loves and adores the people who were before my eyes. It’s so pathetic how I quickly judge and harden my heart towards certain kinds of people. That’s just honesty. But for moments I was completely stripped of my pride and I learned what Jesus meant when He taught ‘God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.’ Matt 5:3-4 I realized again how poor I am in my flesh. How desperately I need my sweet Daddy. He put before me many who are in some of the worse cases of being alone, lost, and sick- and reminded me that I am no different than them. He longs to be so intimate with every single one of us. It’s such a mystery to me. One of the guys on the street walked to me and asked why we were on that specific square. He told me that if we just went a couple blocks up that way (pointing) we would be around people who weren’t doing drugs and they would listen to me. I thought that was funny. But we got to speak and pray with many people.

Only about 3 more weeks until I’m back in the good US of A. Yippy! Time sure goes bye. Thank you for all of your prayers and support through this crazy journey. I love and miss you all!

home in Jordan

2009-07-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

I've fallen in love with Jordan.

Our group split up into different homes in Madaba for a night to get a little taste of what an Arabic home is like. We performed at an Nazarene church two days in a row there and had such a great time meeting and talking to the people. I was so blessed by the family that took me and a few others of us into their home. We were welcomed in with a nice big arabic meal late at night to fill us up before bed..peta bread, humus, falafel, fresh tomatoes..mmmm and the list goes on. I could get used to that.

Although it feels like we are performing non stop-we some how have found a way to fit in the sight seeing! I'll run through the list real fast..We performed at a small camp in Gilead that looked over the Valley-so beautiful!! We went to where King Herods palace was and where John the Baptist was beheaded..and on the way up we stopped and saw where he was in prison. Mount Nebo was probably my favorite..it's the spot where God revealed the Promised Land to Moses. It was just crazy to stand there and see what Moses layed his eyes on finally after 40 years. Of course we went for a float in the Dead Sea and enjoyed a body mud mask as well.

Strangely I'm finding it easier to find each new place as home. Jordan has welcomed me in with open arms and I don't think I have the time to get enough of this land.

King Herods palace

John the baptists prison

Mount Nebo

Dead Sea floating

Love and miss you all!!

turkey turkey turkey, i love your tea and baklava

2009-07-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

Well I'm officially the worst at keeping up with a blog..that's okay, i knew it'd happen.

Our time in Istanbul is coming to an end..though I have loved it, I must say that I'm looking forward to Jordan. Before arrival we thought our schedule would be a little more crammed than what it's actually turned out to be..but I don't speak negatively because it's been such a perfect time to take a few breaths and enjoy our surroundings. Turkey and I have a love-hate relationship going on. The people are so hospitable and welcoming! I love the food, the weather, the city...but I'm finding out how hard it is just to find peace. Warefare is tough..

Sadly, a camera just can't capture the beauty of it all, but I'll share some of my favorites

view from my bed

my faavorite fresh squeezed fruit juice

always busy

Welcome to our show:)

We performed here for all the waterparkers-that was interesting

Inside the Blue Mosque- so beautiful!

Lauren, Anna, and me on a ferry ride

Laura, Jessica, Cindy and I rode tandem around the whole Princess Island..such a blast!

I was tired

Inside the grand bazaar- aka the never ending shopping center

Jessica and I:)

I love my Anna

Love you!!

to my sweet father

2009-06-21T11:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Dad day!!

I love you!!!

3ts:)

a breath of air

2009-06-20T10:43:00.000-07:00

4 more days..

These past couple of weeks have gone by..well they've just gone by fast. Though I've had little time to stop and catch my breath, I couldn't ask for a better time or place to fall madly in love with my Daddy. Often times in life I fall away distracted, usually through my own selfishness, but I'm finding myself focussed, determined, longing after more. I want to only want Jesus. That can be a confusing and even bothersome statement to some. I want that focus, that longing, that determination to be only for Jesus. A couple months ago for the first time in my life I received true revelation of how much the creature of the UNIVERSE loves me. Not the head knowledge but the heart. Well of course I knew, but oh this time it hit me like it was something I had never heard before. The best news in the whole entire world! Because my Jesus spoke it into me. At exactly the right time. He is so good. My prayer now is that I would never stop discovering the depth of His love. One of our speakers Dan, told us that 'missions' is a very simple thing..it's falling madly in love with Jesus somewhere new. And I would have to agree. That is very simple..but it can truly rock your world.

A day after our arrival to Turkey we have 10 straight days of performing! AH! I'm still trying to figure in my brain how this whole packing thing is going to work out. We've got so many costumes and from the looks of it now, it'll take up most of my suitcase. We performed for the campus on thursday and over all it went great for a first performance. I had to slow down to a panic most of the day. hehe But I have a feeling after 3 months of performing we'll have it down just perfect:) We will be in Turkey until July 15th I believe and from there we'll head to Lebanon! Our performance is the story of the prodigal son. There's acting, singing, and dancing all incorporated. Our art is a tool, an instrument for the Holy Spirit to enter into the eyes of our audience to bring transformation.

Here are just a few pictures I got a hold of from our campus performace!

getting ready for the opening dance!

Dressing room!

Mighty Spirit- from the left- Cindy, Lauren, Kay, Me, Laura

Cindy, Kevyn, Me

Liz and Paula- they're so beautiful!

Daniel loves makeup hehe

PA Family!:)

Here's the travel dates so far-

Turkey: June 16th- July 15th

Lebanon: July 16th-Aug 1st

Israel/Jordan: Aug 2nd-15th

Greece: Aug 16th-31st

Switzerland: Sept 1st-11th

Back to KONA Sept 12th!

THANK YOU so much for all of your prayers!!

it's my favorite brothers birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

2009-06-08T20:51:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday bubba I LOVE YOU!!

faithfulness

2009-06-04T00:19:00.000-07:00

I sit silenced, in awe of what all the Lord has done for me. July 27th, exactly a week ago God completed one of His promises to me. A big one in fact. Every single penny that I was needing for my outreach fee came in. It shocks me to look back when God first called me to come to YWAM..to look at the amount. I couldn't have done it on my own. When I began to grow weary and fearful He ALWAYS reminded me that His faithfulness reaches to the heavens! I'm stuck here trying to find a way to say 'thank you' to all of you who have helped me reach this, but I can't even find the words. I must thank you for your obedience to the Lord when He told you to give, or just simply your love and care for me. You have blessed me in so many ways. This journey of the unknown has strengthened my faith more than I have ever imagined. He is such an abundant God. I have found that God may ask us, well...more like command us to do things that look beyond idiotic to the world, but it is in those places we find true fulfilling joy. We discover the true character of God. We learn to take up our cross and follow hard! We lean not on our own understanding, because it fails us, but we trust and believe. He is so faithful!

This thursday is the final day to make all payments, there are a few more in my group that are needing large amounts. Please please join us in prayer!

I love you all!

a few pictures!

2009-06-01T18:44:00.000-07:00

dance class!

The girls that I work with in recycling!

Lauren, Anna, and I dressed up and put on some makeup for the first time in awhile. Enjoying dinner at our favorite thai restaurant:)

skyping with kyle! hehe

2009-06-01T01:04:00.000-07:00

It's as if the Lord is setting off fireworks in my head. It's a non stop adventure to discover Him. Day by day the Lord sets new challenges before me. The past couple of days the Lord has opened my eyes to the subtle and often unconscious effort of self dependence. I read a few more chapters in 'The knowledge of the Holy' by A.W. Tozer and was challenged in this area. Because we are born into sin, we don't even have the eyes to recognize it all on our own. We begin to live not as self, but Self. "The sinful man is willing to share himself, sometimes even to sacrifice himself for a desired end, but never to dethrone himself." The word dethroned crushed my heart. I began to search where in my life I fall into this and how to destroy my false thrown. The more I searched, the more I repented and all I heard from our Father is "I love you, I love you, I love you my daughter." He is so good. "It is only when in the gospel the soul is brought before the face of the Most Holy One without the protective shield of ignorance that the frightful moral incongruity is brought home to the conscience." A.W. Tozer

I miss you all and love you dearly. Thank you for all your prayers and support:)

2009-05-21T00:55:00.000-07:00

Could it be that with one glimpse to the Lord makes his heart skip a beat?

"As a young man marries a maiden, so will your sons will marry you, as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over YOU." Isaiah 62:5

Our guest speaker Kevin Norris has been speaking to us about true, authentic, worship. He started by teaching us that the heart of worship is your relationship with the Lord. Just like we have a vision for our future husband, you and your spouse, your best friends- we must have a vision for our relationship with the Lord. We looked over John 4 where Jesus was traveling from Judea back to Galilee and stopped for a rest by the well and asked the Samaritan woman for some water. Because of the hatred between Samaritans and Jews the woman was surprised. Jesus spoke out her present situation when he said "You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is you have five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true." Immediately the woman acknowledges him to be a prophet because of what he knew and said "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem." At this point Kevin asked us what we thought she was really saying..why she mentioned worship and different mountains. I had no clue..

This is his conclusion..Is is possible that she's really saying "I've looked for love in all the wrong places, in earthly places and it's been a bummer. I didn't find it in marriage and I would really like to connect with God. Does it matter where I am when I worship?" And this makes sense when we read Jesus answer.. vs. 21 "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem." vs. 23 "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the TRUE worshipers will worship in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks."

To worship in spirit and in truth. What is a true worshiper? Not hidden, authentic, genuine, not fake. Gods not impressed with our voice, how often we lift our hands or don't lift our hands, where we are, or how skilled we are in our dance. He looks at our heart. This hit me hard. I've been challenged, deeply challenged to set out on this journey of transformation in my love for dance. My flesh is so weak. On my own I fall into pride and comparison..I begin to perform for people and this passion becomes all about me. But with the Holy Spirit I dance to bring all glory and honor to Jesus.

So captivated that my heart desires Jesus more than anything on this planet. This is my vision. To be so embraced by his love that no friend, boyfriend, husband (someday), material object could ever come close to my intimacy with the Lord. That I would long for him the way I long for my family after time of separation. Or my favorite food during a time of hunger. To dance in full freedom for my Savior.

Kyle, his mom and grandma came to visit me! We had such a blast together. I was so blessed to spend such sweet time with them..here are a few pictures!:)

Picking them up at the airport!

luau fun

This is the beautiful dress that Kyle surprised me with! He picked it out all by himself..impressive!

such a sweetie

We had so much fun at this arcade..I beat him in most of the games. hehe

Mom this was at the arcade!!!! It was only about 2000 tickets ha! We had to take a picture and send it to you. I miss those yummy snack master pizzas.

"We has a nobody make the heart of the King beat faster."

2009-05-14T00:07:00.000-07:00

The last two weeks of class have been...emotionally wearing, to say the least. But oh so good. Last week we had Christy Kim speaking on transformation. And transformed I am!!! Throughout the week we focussed a lot on 2 types of knowledge:

1. Head knowledge such as information-not much emotion.

2.Then there is knowledge based off of what you are familiar with or through experience-this is usually emotion filled.

As Christy said, many of us know in our heads, as information, that we are beautiful because God has created us, but because of what some of us may hear and experience we may believe something different in our heart. "But when the awesome Holy Spirit brings revelation with the word of God, it is no longer head knowledge, but it is in you and moves you." What would you say moves a person more, a knowledge based off of information or a knowledge based off of experience? Experience of course. The Holy Spirit can be that experience if we allow him to! So the whole week we individually spent time digging deeeeeep into our hearts and asking God what areas we needed some transformation. It wasn't real hard to figure out, before I could even ask God told me. An easy way to figure out if you need that in a certain area of your life is to ask yourself "would Jesus like this about me?" or "does Jesus like when I do this? Now think... Everyone got some ideas?

I'll share with you the steps she taught to find transformation:

1. Awareness of the problem

2. Ask questions to the Lord. (When did I feel this before? What did I think believe? How did i view it?)

3. My thoughts and beliefs

4. Forgive, and repent for the wrong beliefs or actions. (This is so important. No matter what happened to us or what someone said or did to us we are still responsible for what we believe and for our actions.)

5. Listen for Gods thoughts and words.

As our 6th week is coming to an end I'm realizing that the on going wrestle of my heart has been full surrender. FULL surrender. What that really means and how to possibly get there, I'm daily figuring it out. It's a freeing yet painful battle. My future, my family, my finances, my dancing, the things I cherish closest to my heart, my everything. The Lord has truly consumed me these past weeks and I love it. Oh He is so good. I ask God a lot of questions, but the one I'm asking daily is what next God? I can't wait to hear what he wants me to do after this DTS, and I can't wait to tell you all about it. It may be awhile though.

I'll leave you with some great word..

"He was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for out iniquities,

the punishment that rough us peace was upon him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

each of us has turned to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of it all."

Isaiah 53:5-6

Hallelujah!

update of photos:)

2009-05-08T01:21:00.000-07:00

Below, above and through the island. Here's just a few shots!

a sweet old man gave us two huge grapefruits

beautiful black sand beach

snorkeling

vents from the volcano

love you all!

thoughts for the day

2009-05-06T01:26:00.000-07:00

What is a successful life?

During class we discussed what a couple different countries valued most in their culture. Korea-education, what University you get accepted into. South Africa-entrepreneurial skills.

The day after University acceptances come out in Korea is when they have the highest suicide rate.

Our sweet Jesus, May you transform our hearts and minds. May we truly walk by faith and not by sight. Help us to see past money, status, material. What we see with our eye is truly passing away, it withers like grass, but as it says in Isaiah "the Word of God shall stand forever." I pray that we may fully grasp hold of you, the Everlasting.

Taste and see that the Lord is goood

2009-05-03T12:02:00.001-07:00

This lovely sunny day was filled with adventure. Beginning with a delicious French toast and cereal breakfast on campus, which brought back small reminders of home (mom yours is a million times better). But it was nice. Driving in a car to the beaches today with Annas friend Amy, who is visiting from California was quit nice as well. She rented a car and took us to a few different beaches for some beautiful snorkeling. It was a great change to hop in with her, apposed to sticking our thumbs out the old fashion way. Or just walking a million hours. Along the way we stopped at a thrift store where we spend way too much time, buy hey we left with some treasures. After a morning of snorkeling and poor girl shopping we met up with our lovely friend Ezra for some free surf lessons. They say girls survive much easier in Hawaii, lots of free stuff. Anyways, It was so much fun! It was mine and Annas first time surfing, but Miss Cape town Lauren was a pro out there. We headed out around 6 so we caught the sun setting while we were out on the boards. Mmmm, so relaxing. I’d like to say we surfed those huge waves that you see on TV, but I can’t. They were tiny. We ended our day with McDonalds. Oh wait did I mention that anna got bit by a fish while snorkeling? And also got hit in the head with her surfboard. Let’s just say it wasn’t her day.

We had such an inspiring week studying identity in class. While searching for deeper understanding and more intimacy, I was shockingly reminded of how often I put myself in that awful 'box'. As Joseph Avakian (our awesome guest speaker this past week) taught, there are 6 elements that box us. Fear (of man, failure, etc..) comparison, criticism, egoism, and arrogance. Though we often like to put the blame on others, the truth is we each choose for ourselves to be placed in the box. “We live in a world full of makeovers.’”SO TRUE! Home makeover, celebrity makeover, extreme makeover-it's everywhere! He used the analogy of a dancer on stage in front of hundreds and she doesn't know her part, just standing there. We must figure out who we are. Who God the creature of the entire universe created us to be, and who he himself calls us. I’m finding that I must get a better grasp and understanding of the love God has for me to be able to fully escape the awful box. Agape. Unconditional.

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 cor 15:57

“For everyone born to God overcomes the world. This is the victory that overcame the world, even our faith.” 1 john 5:4

Snorkeling!!

cute little shop off the road

2009-04-26T21:57:00.000-07:00

Well I come again with words of joy and satisfaction. These past few weeks I have been reminded of the attributes of our Lord and Savior. Oh it's such a pleasant thing to sit and think about. We are truly without excuse to believe. One of my favorite authors A.W. Tozer wrote "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." I thought this was interesting, because that's not a questions you can just pop out an answer to. It is deeply buried and can only be answered within yourself. Not what we hear in church over and over again, but what our heart truly feels towards Him. I could meditate on that for awhile..

So it's nice to review some of his characteristics..often times it's easy to have a false idea of who God is. Maybe we make Him to be who we want Him to be? Ah let's not fall into that any longer. Our Lord is never changing!

Last week in class we had Marc James come and speak to us. His band is called Verra Cruz from the UK, they have some awesome music. We worked a lot on writing music and this was my groups lyrics: (Chris, Jessica, Lauren and I)

I know your smiling at me

through my inadequacy

I am not enough

but your my everything

I know your holding my hand

amidst my disposition

and I am not alone

You bring everything

You are everything

Lord, you are everything

to be certain of you

I'm uncertain of me

I wait in expectation

Even in depuration

You are my restoration

And I will follow you

Taaadaaa! As you can see this is a "churchy" worship song. We attempted to go for the kind of christian song that reaches believers and non believers, but that was really hard. That'll be next. Maybe if your lucky you'll get a video clip of us singing it with the musical instruments. hehe

Along with music writing we have had one class of voice training, another of acting, and a few of dancing. Now I know what your thinking..Taylor doesn't do any of those things but dance. And you're correct. So i'm holding on for dear life. Oh but it's so much fun.

A couple days ago one of the awesome staff leaders came to me and said she had a scripture the Lord put on her heart to share with me..so I'll leave you with that.

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor, He has set me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lords favor and the day of vengeance of our God to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion, to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor." -Isaiah 61:1-3

Cindy, me, Anna at the Marc James concert

Paddle boarding-so much fun!

Love you all!

just the beginning

2009-04-20T23:47:00.000-07:00

Hello my friends and family! Well it's been about 2 weeks since i departed from sweet Texas and I must say it's a nice change of scenery :) Our Performing Arts team is very diverse with people from all over the US, many from South Korea, 3 from Switzerland, and one from South Africa. I couldn't ask for a more amazing group of people to grow with. As we all share the same passion for arts, it ranges from media, singing, acting and dancing! And I must say, we are in for a ride!! We have already started voice lessons, ALL of us! I'm no singer and that's for sure, but we are all being trained for when we're on stage. Also we had our dance auditions and have a taken a couple of hip hop classes. Oh I love it, we have some incredible dance instructors that are extremely talented and passionate about what they do. And more than anything they love love love the Lord and are so anointed by the Holy Spirit!

Now let me introduce you to my roommates. They are AWESOME!

This is Lauren, 24, from Capetown, South Africa! She's an incredible dancer and singer..oh and sorry guys, she's taken.

This is Paula, 23! (the crazy one of the room) She was born in Korea but last lived in Boston. She's lived all over the place being that her parents are missionaries. She has such a beautiful voice and can bust a move as well, you'll see in my videos:)

And this is Eun Sam, 22, from South Korea. She is a dancer as well! SO very talented in modern and ballet. I always ask her to dance for me in the room. hehe!

Lastly my friends, I will share with you our future plans thus far for outreach so yall can pray pray pray for us as we prepare! Our first stop will be Turkey, where we will meet up with some christian bands that are touring in the middle east as well. We are going to jump on board with them to perform through Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan. Now hold your breath because I have some exciting news! We were asked to perform for the king of Jordan! From Jordan we'll head to Israel where we will perform a few shows and hopefully visit the places Jesus walked. Our leaders informed us that we are going to try and sail from Israel to Greece just as Paul did. But that is not set in stone yet. From Greece we'll head to our last stop, Switzerland! There we will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of YWAM in Switzerland. Yippy! We were originally were supposed to be visiting Syria and Egypt, which were two places I was really looking forward to, but wherever the Lord leads we will follow!

Thank you so much for those who have graciously supported me financially and through your prayers. I CAN'T WAIT to share more of what the Lord is doing in our lives through these next 6 months. You all have blessed my life more than I could ever express.

Bellow is a little video I put together of the trip so far!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RioiTP2x6X4

Grace and Peace my loves!