turning bright in the sea

It's time i write this all down...

2010-09-22T14:28:00.000-07:00

Adventures are not made for trips alone. Adventures are the small burst of happiness that consume your everyday living. I started this blog as an adventure blog. Taking you with me on my journey to Australia and Indonesia. I stopped pretty much the day i returned to my home in eastern Washington. I now reside in the beautiful greater Seattle area and find myself with more time on my hands. I'm done with school and with a part time job I've got time on my hands. Creativity is screaming at me and this going to be a small outlet for the mean time. So consider this blog a vomit of my scattered ideas. Expect to see anything from fashion tips, event planning ideas, need to hear music, or even the vast realizations that occur in my head. I cannot guarantee you'll like what I write, let alone understand it, but I can tell you out of this I will force myself to sit down and entertain these thoughts/ideas that haunt me throughout the day.

So here's to the new...

I've recently been reading Captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge an inspiring book fro women. Captivating is simply the girl version of the book Wild At Heart by John Eldredge. This book is surely changing my life. It starts by explaining the heart of every women..(guys take note)

To Be Romanced

Every women longs to be seen, wanted, and pursued. We want to be romanced.

Have An Irreplaceable Role in a Great Adventure

We want to be in a shared adventure. Created from our core to be in relation. We want to be apart of something bigger.

Beauty To Be Unveiled

We all want to be seen as beautiful, but not just in looks, although it can result in this.

"We desire to posses a beauty that is worth being seen, worth fighting for, a beauty that is core to who we truly are. We want beauty that can be seen; beauty that can be felt; beauty that affects others; a beauty all our own to unveil.

As most of my peers head back to school to finish up their four year degree, or venture into the big world with big jobs. I find my self going inward. Going into the depths of my dreams and seeing them unraveled. I was worried about this season and whether i should go to my home land to be in this quiet season. Literally moving back in with my parents and taking time to just be. But a door has opened up that i can only assume it is an answer to my confusion. An opportunity to be an intern for an event planner for a large company in Seattle. I'm so excited for this 3 month challenge and hope to learn everything that's going to eventually lead to my big dream.

Beauty will save the world - Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Whatever You're doing inside of me..it feels like chaos but somehow there's peace

2008-12-17T00:47:00.002-08:00

So u was talking to one of my good friends Michelle who was on my DTS in YWAM and shes told me to look this song up...we both cried =] God usually speaks a lot of the same things to us at the same time..so maybe you'll enjoy it as well.

It's time for healing time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time to make right what has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
And all I can do is surrender

(Chorus)
Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something Heavenly

Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Reevaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow Your will
Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is You want from me
I give everything I surrender...
To...

(Chorus)
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com

Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say for so many years
Time to release all my held back tears

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This is something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly
Something Heavenly

It's time to fix up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out

To Fly

2008-11-19T00:47:00.003-08:00

I cant even explain what its like to meet people and not only get to know their likes and dislikes but to know every horrible thing that they have ever gone through and horrible thing they have done to others. Sharing almost every life changing moment with these people! Gettin so close that they honestly know you better than you know your self.

They sit up late with you in the kitchen praying until you hear Gods voice

They come into your bed and snuggle with you just cause they know without you saying anything that your lonely and need a good hug.

They hit you in the face when your alarm goes off because your pratically a married couple that.fights and still love eachother just the same =]

They sit up late bashing your ex's and being giddy about an amazing man of God thats some day going to sweep you off your feet. (yes fairy tails do come true)

They find you outside by your self skipping dinner dishes and let you cry and tell you taht its okay to feel the way you do.

They make you coffee in the morning because they love you no hidden agenda.

I've never experienced something this incredible and its soo hard to leave it all behind. We all showed up the first day with broken hearts and crushed dreams and resentment towards God. Where we quickly were broken of these lies and we together all fell madly in love with God. Besides God these girls are the only ones that know what was going on in this crazy 6 months of seperation. Its still hard to wrap my brain around them not physically in my life anymore.

Its hard. Being here. the tricities...I know God sent me here for a reason to deal with things i ran away from. But man...As much as i hate it here its soooooo much easier than before i left for australia. That was honestly the worst time in my life. When you loose someone that you were sooo dependent on. Then realizing you have nothing, not even God cause you peaced out on him for this dude. Ohh to be a 18 year old. =/ hah But God has taught me sooo much through it all. God has used this in the most incredible way and taught me the most valuable thing in my life...to FULLY surrender!! I've also learned what its like to be apart from him and to feel the GRACE that he died for. Ahh i could talk forever...=]
Anyways when i was Indonesia God told me to go home and deal with relationships and feelings that i ran away from. So i've been here..i've tried to mend things (but you can only do so much form one end)..i've delt with sooo many FLOODING feelings. The first month i really cant explain all the crap that went on. Everywhere i went or every store or place i went to i would have these massive explosion of memories that i DIDNT want to deal with...its amazing the growth thats taken place in the short time i've been home.
Something my mom always says is "the greates miracle God does is healing a truly broken heart" And its soo true. i love this and it makes me want to cry everytime i hear it..i'm a walking miracle...

Another thing He told me is that he would reveal to me my destiny. WHOA right! Something i've prayed for probably since i was 13! God reveal to me my destiny etc...etc. :)
Sooo i'm like OKAY God...what do i do...What have you called me to be...an art teacher, a stay at home mom, a artist, a photographer, travel the world, a graphic designer, a ywamer...blah blah..

i know what i've been called to. God FINALLY revealed this to me and i want nothing more than to begin to step out in that! I knew that this time here in the tricities would be short..so i've been prayin lots about what i should do next and when. Something has come up that i think is God. But i'm still convincing the parents and making sure its God. =] so please pray for God to speak clearly to both my parents and i. I dont want to go against them..but i need to do what God wants me to.

God created me to fly..thats my calling. You probably dont understand this and thats okay. I'm okay with people not understanding me and thinking my dreams are silly! All i know is i want to see it all through his eyes. And all of these random little passions i have (seriously like over 20 different things) are put in me for a reason. And that someday eachone of these things will be fufilled.
Oh man i love Jesus! Hes amazing!!

Call & Response

2008-11-05T00:20:00.005-08:00

What a week. I've been pondering my life more and more. And I find is soo frustrating! The parents obviously want me to stay home get my AA and then do whatever it is I want. I find it so hard to stay in this town with the few friends that I have and little or no vision or anything fulfilling to keep me going. I’m trying to enjoy where God has me right now, but it’s not fun and I have NOOO idea what is next!
So what moves me? SO MANY THINGS that’s the problem mom and dad I can’t just pick one!!!

Besides all that stress of what to do next I've been reading this book "The Rape of Nanking" for my S.E. Asian History class. Not gonna lie this is the MOST intense book I've ever read. It’s opened my eyes to things I had no idea that went on!
This book is all about the Japanese going into Nanking and not only killing everyone but raping women in the streets, in their homes in front of their children. But don’t worry they are sure there are no witnesses so they would kill the women and whoever else was around. So kinda depressing right?! Oh MY GOSH this book is horrible it goes into GREAT detail of what exactly they would do to the women and exactly how they would kill the men and behead them! I’ve been reading this with tears in my eyes and my jaw completely to the ground!
The whole time I was reading this all I can think of is Human Traffiking. Something I knew nothing about until I went to Australia, from this guy Andrew. He started this ministry out of YWAM, this video shares a lot more about it.

I mean I can read this history book and think wow what tragic times! How could anyone ever be so cruel! Here’s the thing ITS GOING ON NOW! Slave traders raised 32 billion dollars alone last year. There are 27 million slaves today, 17,000 being trafficked into America!!

Call and Response is bringing awareness to this horrifying thing that’s going on in our world today!

There are more slaves in today than their have ever been in any time in History! Can you even wrap your mind around that! We need to be a voice for the voiceless..how you go about doing that I’m not quite sure…Heres something even more interesting..

The history of music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How the voice began!!

The drum was the call…what was the response…What is Our Call today? My personal call? Christians call? What is our response? When do we hear the drums and respond?

My mind is everywhere right now..enjoy the videos..they may change your thinking forever!

Home Sweet Home

2008-10-02T18:34:00.005-07:00

Jenna Dear is back in America!

After long long flights and exhausting 33 hours of flying i landed in Pasco, Washington to this =]

I love my friends! I got the chance to go to Portland to see Amanda and Natalie (from dts). Amanda put on an art show for a trip shes planning back to Indonesia! Seriously 3 hour drive and time to think was definantly what i needed! I dont think i've ever spent so much time alone and home! Can you blame me?? I've gone 6 months with NOOO alone time! Ha Well its good i'm gettin use to just studying or spending time with Jesus! Hes been showing me lots and helping me adjust to this awkward-ness! The awkwarness of large groups, old friends, and random "americans". I think that has been some of the biggest shocks for me. I knew americans western countries were selfish, but OH my Gosh!! Not everyone obviously but a majority..its incredible i've been shocked many times by reactions of people or the way people are soo involved in there own lifes and wont even look at you and smile. I was so excited when i was waiting in line for coffee and someone else smiled at me and made a random comment..for once it wasnt me! =] Made my day!!

So i've been home 3 weeks now. Ive had sooo much alone time its ridiculous..i think my parents thought i was locking myself in my room hah! Just spending time with God! But i'm pretty sure its time i step out now. I'm hoping to get more involved in youth group and hopefully get to pour out my heart to young women. And Evangelize. Going from evangelizing 24/7 to being alone in your room...very different!! So ya Gods teaching me to love this city and have a heart for the people here! This next season looks like its gonna be a ride =]

Oh and i'd like to have a night with photos from my trip and possibly indonesian food and well just a hang out...if your interested let me know your more than welcome to come!!

Ohh What a bitter sweet week this will be.....

2008-09-07T06:42:00.000-07:00

Saying goodbye to my home...and these beautiful people i've become soo in love with!! And my team(my second family)..well i still have a week in perth with them...but ahh!

Part of me is soo excited to go home..and the other half is so incredibly sad to leave this season of my life behind.

Its something that has shaped and reformed me into who i was created to be...I'm so in love with God and honestly NOTHING can change that..i've gone to far..i know too much truth! Its not this "because i grew up with it" anymore..i've experienced it i've seen it...and i've seen incredible things take place in others lifes..healings and much much more!

But i'll be home soon...and i cant wait to see my Family!!!!!! I miss them more than i ever thought was possible!! And i especially miss Emily, Julie, Israel, Dayton and a few others!!!! And so many opportunities are opening up..job wise and wow i'm soo excited to step into a old familiar place with a whole new perspective!! Maybe just maybe i can have a love for the tricities again..I know nothing has changed..still heaps of drama and old friends will be there that i dont quite want to see...But Its different..because going back..its not about me! Its that simple...its not about me anymore! At all!!

Ya some of you were afraid i would change on this trip...and i have! Thank God i have! I just wish you could have changed with me. But I'm so ready...

So ready for this week
So ready for Perth (report back/party party party week)
So ready for Home
So so so so ready to be myself at home!

I'm holding nothing back anymore...
this is me..an open book...a fire ball for Jesus...and learning more and more each day that my life is no longer mine! My life is becoming less and less of me!

So i go home..to bring this love and passion i have back..to show you i've changed, to show you His love. And to SEEK. after Him with everything thats in me...to see where i'm to go Next! Do i stay..do i go...i honestly I will do anything for him....whatever he says...i'll go...

As I look into the stars
Pondering how far away they are
How You hold them in Your hands
And still You know this man
You know my inner most being, oh
Even better than I know, than I know myself
What a beautiful God
What a beautiful God
And what am I, that I might be called Your child

What am I, what am I
That You might know me, my King
What am I, what am I, what am I

As I look off into the distance
Watching the sun roll on by
Beautiful colors all around me, oh
Painted all over the sky
The same hands that created all of this
They created you and I
What a beautiful God
What a beautiful God

And what am I, that I might be called Your child
What am I, what am I
That You might know me, my King
What am I, what am I
That You might die, that I might live
What am I, what am I, what am I, what am I

What am I
What am I
What am I
What am I
What am I

its pouring rain..right now

2008-08-31T03:42:00.002-07:00

yes this is me..almost crying after walking out of Step Up 2 Movie..for a second i thought i was back home..until i walked out of the theater..then i fell to the ground..laughing/crying. Hilarious moment...that just happened to be captured!

David Graf Left friday..

we've had two team-mates join us during our 3 months here..akrum and ari (both only staying no more than 3 weeks) But David has been with us the whole time..from perth till now. He had to go to university. We got to encourage him and pray for him before he left. Everyone cried including the boys! We honestly were loosing a team member and we will probably never see David again..Hes from Switzerland and has this hilarious monatone swiss-german accent taht we all mock...in a loving way! Not to mention him singing "fix you" with Ben....i will never forget that. David and I also have left a legend we always sing "appoligize" together at the top of our lungs =]

So david leaving hit all of us girls like a ton of bricks..that we only have 3 weeks left together..and then we may never see eachother again...
Clearly this is us after we cried (horrid picture haha..but priceless)

I'm going to miss these girls especially Tiffany and Sarah..they are seriously my best friends! We talk about EVERYTHING! We have soo many jokes and wow i cant believe i may never see them again! But i'm ready to come home...

So for girls night (cell group) we talked about Humility..My lovely madagascar lover (tiffany) lead most of it. Anyways our talks with them was really really good! And then we washed their feet and gave them pedicures!

Amazing week...missing home..dont want to leave..BAHHHH

heres random photos you'll like!

At steak 21..we love this place and the people are AMAZING! =]

Me and my big butt calling for a taxi..hah

Yes there it is..the pigs head..and dog!!! =]

wow right! (oddly...i'm getting use to this..crazy hey?)

(the call)

ENJOY..more to come soon..Possibly in person..with me next to you??!?!? crazy huh!!
Blessings!!!!!!!!

these days changed my life..

2008-08-18T09:37:00.004-07:00

The past week has literally been the slowest and quickest week in my entire life!!! I was really really sick thursday and friday..like running for the toilet sick..not so fun. I must have ate something bad..i dont know. Still kinda dealing with it here and there all day?! ahha it sucks. But whatever right!! (new saying..whatever) hah Its my way of saying "NOTHIN IS WHAT YOU EXPECT..in jcity!!!!" or "THIS is me adjusting and learning not to care...remeber we laid down our rights..to EVERYTHING?" haha

One of the biggest things i've learned is to have a good attitude even in the most fustrating situations...such as..everything taking sooo long!! But if you keep silent or posative..things always end up amazing and God does some incredible things!!

A few days that have once again..touched my heart through and through!!

Lets start with Wednesday...
It was one of those days where everthing takes soo dang long!! No indonesian can be ontime i swear!! haha Anyways we were taking out this youth group to my favorite slum. As soon as we get there they lead us to this ladies house.

This lady has always had heart problems and has a beautiful baby boy! Soo precious. Anyways i guess last time they went to her house as well and prayed for her. So we asked if we could pray for her again and if there was anything specific. She asked us if we could pray for her and her husbands relationship then began to tear up. She explained that since shes gotten sicker her husband has been more distant, but she cant say anything because he hasnt done anything specific just by his actions she doesnt feel that theres a whole lot of love there. So we all pray for her. But a few of us...(including myself) that cried while she was crying all while praying for her. It was incredible..i felt like i truly felt her pain! I mean i could relate a little with past relationships but nothing compared to what she was feeling. we ended up gettin to share that God is perfect love and that we are created to be fufilled by that perfect love and no one on this earth can possibly fufill that hole. Even with the most amazing husband. She really recieved it..i cant wait to talk with her next week.

Sunday...
ohhh sunday was a day i know i will never forget for the rest of my life!! So Sunday was Independence Day!! We were invited to a community to celibrate..they asked us if 5 could dress up in traditional wear. I was still feeling sick so i got out of it. So we met at this community at 8am...waited for the 5 to get ready and Ohh suprise...we are in a PARADE!! haha Yes a 2 hour walk in the blazing sun!! here let me just show you pictures =] haha

yep we were in a parade..i wasnt feeling good so i luckily didnt have to dress up!! hahahah but i walked with little girls that were dressed up.

Shaun, Tiffany, Autumn, some lady, Sarah, David!
I'm so proud of them..it was soo hott!! And we all laughed soo hard at them!!!

Akrum (he was with us for only a month..amazing guy from egypt), David, Ben

Monday...
So mondays are usually our days off, but this monday was The Call! It started at 9am and was to go to 9pm! Little did we know...it wasnt translated..ha So the day was quite boring we got to leave for a long lunch break and dinner break..but at the end around 9ish. they finally started to play English worship songs..so i convinced my friend becca to go down and dance/worship. It ended up only being four of us that went down there...soo much fun. We met some really amazing indonesians that taught us traditional dances all while worshiping God is was SOO Much fun!!!!

Friday...
This one is short but i like this story..so today =] I got this word for a guy who was sorting out this pile of black stuff trying to find metal to recycle for money. (its his job..to go through garbage and make money off recyling) crazy hey! Anyways he was probably 19 years old. And i knew that God wanted to remind him to hold on to his dreams. And to remember that what he dreamt of as a little boy can come true and to not loose hope. Soo im like easy enough..get a translator go talk to him. I grabbed one of the girls that was with me..she went down to the water where he was with me and as soon as she said hello he turned and walked away. Ignoring us. soo We tried to approach him again he walked away. And i knew i HAD to give him this word. So i ask the youth group leader who did a dts at perth to help me out. So he tries the guy kinda ignores him. Anyways the youth group leader ends up grabbin him later and talks to him for atleast 15 min then motions me over. I walk over the guy is crying and Tommy (youth group leader) is like i told him what God told you and is there anything else you want to say? I was like WHOA?!? haha so we chated for alittle while i guess this Guy hated that he still lived in this recycling dump and he wants a good job and has big dreams and i ended the conversation with God sent us today to tell him to not loose hope and tears again...precious guy! Heri was his name...you can pray for him! I'm sure i'll see him next week though.

what a week. So this blog took me like three days to write hhaha many things have already changed. I'm soo excited about the seeds God is allowing us to plant (thanks lynn) Seriously we may not be reaping..but i KNOW peoples hearts are getting touched..including mine! I love these people...but four weeks...I'm SO excited to go home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHH!! haha

I mean i love it here but i know that this is only a season and this lifestyle is not reality. I'm excited to make this evangelism thing (that i now understand) a lifestyle..No worries no bible beating..i still hate that!! haha But i actually have a heart for people who dont know God now! I understand his love, him dying for us.....I get the great commission! I get it...

So watch out tricities...I've learned its not about me and i'm done holding back =]

what touches my heart...

2008-08-07T23:28:00.003-07:00

I seriously fell in love with this little boy!! What a crazy couple of days it has been.

Tuesday was PWT(passionworldtour). Headed up with Chris Tomlin. Soo amazing over 7000 youth of indonsia worshiping God like crazy! It reminded me of home a lot (huge confrences like the gathering, but much larger and more passionate). I seriously cried a couple times. Seeing 7000 kids worshiping and realized for the past 3 months you have been crying out for this, then its right in front of you...crazy!!
The city at its best.

i'm actually in this one..wearing a black vest..middle right edge..can you see me? haha

Incredible!

You’re the God of this city, You’re the King of these people
You’re the Lord of this nation, You are
You’re the Light in this darkness, You’re the Hope to the hopeless
You’re the Peace to the restless, You areThere is no one like our God, there is no one like our GodFor greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done in this city
Greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done in this city

Greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done here
(amazing song we sang on tuesday night as a city and nation)

The recycle slum..aka garbage dump.

LOOK at these happy faces!!!
and these are there homes!
Saying goodbye to us girls =]
listening to miss Jenna

And finally a mural that took too many days and that silly horse that i spent almost 2 hours on. It was good though i got to lead for the whole "paiting" Basically i went around and tried to show everyone how to blend and tell them what color where. =] Lots of fun though!!

Sharing the love...

2008-07-23T09:46:00.002-07:00

Okay so the past couple of weeks have been quite dry. Worship and intercession have been amazing, but we haven't been seeing a whole lot of things happen. Whether it be plans changing or translators not showing up...either way things have been slow. So we fasted on Tuesday and really sought after what God was saying. I mean we very well could be "planters" and we all understand that, but we had specifically gotten words from God before we left that we were to see fruits. So we spent a lot of our day praying, worshiping, and waiting on God. In the afternoon like every tuesday and thursday we take out youth to slums with us. Well after all our time of seeking God i feel like tuesday was a major breakthrough. The girls in my group were actually understanding that i wasn't going to do everything that it was about God using them as well. We ended up praying for a boy with hearing problems and met his mom and talked with her for a couple of hours. Nothing major happened but the atmosphere was just different.
But right before we took the youth out we also bought our food for the day and handed it out to people we felt led to give it to. My group ended up meeting this man that speaks Arabic and English. We had our new guy with us Akrum who's from egypt (hes only with us for a little while). We met him right out side of a mosk. He didn't really need the food but it defiantly blessed him. Akrum shared with him in Arabic to ask God to reveal himself to him in ways he never thought possible, the guy was taking it all in. (I had no idea what they were talking about, since it was in another language) I ended up asking him if i could pray for him. It was a blessing to see him receive it all so much. We exchanged numbers and hope to meet up and talk more with him.
Anyways good encounters. Wednesday (today) we started painting a mural. (defiantly making it up as we go along!! haha. But it was fun everyone kinda got to see me in a whole new way. after the base colors were on i went back after people and threw random colors on there for highlights and shadow...lets say i had to assign someone to open paint cans and close them, paint was flying it was fun/stress full/stretching. Teaching people how to paint for the first time..and i hardly knew what i was doing.
Okay last STORY! Tonight we had team time..Both teams that live together we had a dessert off! we were split in groups to prepare dessert for everyone to see what was the best. here's the results...
Presentation: Thai rice thing (MY GROUP..sticky rice cooked with coconut milk, strawberry or mango on top and a sugar glace over it. served on banana leafs)
Texture: Truffle (it was like layered pudding goodness with chocolate strawberries and cake)
Wow Factor: Chocolate Shots (Chocolate crumbs, fudge, more chocolate, chocolate whip cream)
Creativity: Fried bananas (with ice cream and strawberries)
Flavor: Truffle

It was a fun and we all ate wayyy to much =]

here's two photos from My day off in Mannga Dua (means two mango's)

Did i mention i learned to bargain like crazy here..my advice for bargaining!!!
1. Start with half of what they offer.
2. Slowly work your way up to what you want to pay.
3. Once you reach that they usually will say noooo this is my final offer.
4. You say...ohh Wellll maybe i'll come back..start to turn around (slowly) and take a few steps..(sometimes you don't even have to start walking) They will GIVE IN!

Works every time!! =]

here's a picture of Amanda and I in the taxi!

as i wait for you..

2008-07-16T09:12:00.003-07:00

Amazing calm week of intercession and prayer walking. Dont worry though, things are about to explode, its all about Gods timing. I've thinking quite a bit lately about God continually giving me a heart for these people. But also my future, i'm trying not to worry but its something thats been on my heart for a long time. I dont quite know what God wants me to do! But heres something that oddly has calmed my thinking....

There are many things that will carch my eye, but there are only a few that will catch my heart, it is those that I consider to pursue!

If only i can figure out those things that catch my heart =]. Another thing thats been pretty hard is dealing with past relationships, yes still! Who knew forgiving someong could take so long...probably cause i supress my feelings so much, but i'm slowly learning to deal with it now, so 5 years from now those feelings wont haunt me! ha I'm soo gratefull for a patient loving God!! Otherwise..it would be bad news bears for me!! =]

OKAY so i know everyone just wants pictures soooo here ya go =]
Night time fountain!

Prettty smogg!

A prettier view of the city, but gross sewer river!

Up close of river

A piece of home!

These girls fallowed me all day!

He really wanted a picture taken =]

Gates leading out of my home.

Slums....

Hope you enjoyed my verbal processing and a few random photos!!

love where is your fire

2008-07-13T21:41:00.001-07:00

i dropped off my friend pablo yesterday at the air port..sadly he only got to stay with us for a week =[ But we had a blast!

He taugh me and beccs the REAL way to shave your face..it was one of the funniest things i've ever seen! Not to mention he was bleeding like crazy from the new blade hahaha.

And our random conversations that went from men with hairy chest, to drulling while you sleep, massive amounts of music swapage (natty..hes amazing artist).

I've been sick since about wednesday and it sucks..with a bad cough and soar throat, but i had a chill day sunday and a free day today.

Gosh the kids are amazing here..i cant even tell you. I dont even like children that much...but when literally 30 of them are chasing you saying MISS JENNA!! HALLLOO!! (thats there way of sayin hello...obviously) haha Its so fun making trains and running around yelling. I swear no one has ever played with these kids its soo incredibly sad!! saturday night was so funny we had a nice american dinner =] steak since it was pablos last night or atleast we'd like to think thats why we had a nice dinner. Anyways when we went to this slum and this family invited us over and they had SOOO much food. It was sooo insane. I've never tried soo many weird things haha one of the foods was a gooey goober looking thing filled with coconut and then wrapped in a bananna leaf. It was soo random! And i was very full.

Things are going really well, missing home quite a bit..there are no comforts here haha. But you live and its much easier when you realize that everything isnt about you. And i've definantly realized that my time here in Indonesia is all about serving and blessing people.

Loving and missing a lot of people! I just wish a lot of people could see what i'm seeing and realize how much this time we have in this world isnt about "come what may"(something i use to believe) but really stepping out and doing something about it all. Well its definantly a life changing experience that everyone should go through. Anyways...i'll be home september 22nd. I'm soo excited and not all at the same time!!

Hope everyone is enjoying there summer!
love,
Jenna dear

who knew...

2008-07-07T09:12:00.002-07:00

WOW soo busy its been so intense!

I'm not here in Jcity! Its an incredible city SO MANY people yelling "Bule, BULE" or "BULE GILA" bule= foreigner or white person where gila means crazy! haha We just got done puttin on a confrence with more than 1000 young people. It was incredible!!

Tomorrow is the offical start of our outreach phase! Even though we have been here two weeks! I've met some really awesome people and i'm loving it here! The people are soo friendly!
I wish i could tell stories but i actually am not allowed to yet because of security reasons. But when i come home!! OH MAN!

I love you all and i'm missing home a lot! I miss fresh air SOO bad! I miss not being sweaty all the time =/ But i do love it here and i love what God is doing for this city! Its AMAZING!!

cherry blossoms and sun glasses

2008-06-08T00:03:00.006-07:00

HELLO
GAHH! 2 weeks left until i leave for My adventure!! OH my gosh i'm sooo excited!! I cant even begin to tell everyone how much has been going on here. We have had endless hours of praying for finaces and seeing amazing things happen!

I can thank all of you that have sent money to me! You truly have blessed me in so many ways that i can't even express in words!!! Thankyou all for you prayers and support. God is going to do amazing things!! Even just this week our group had time of unity! Basically our leader felt that we were in a line (army line) but some of us were behind the line and some of us were ahead of the line. And we need to pray about where we were at in the line. For me personally i felt like God was saying i was in line and he had me where he wanted me, but that wasnt what was important. That i wasn't looking to my left or right. That i was withdrawing the gifts God has giving me. And it was holding back from the group. So we got in a big circle and everyone explained out loud where they were at to everyone. It was really powerful, somepeople were crying and others were repenting. It brought so much unity as a group and i honestly believe some major breakthrough happened!

At the same time this week God has also been revealing to me how important my sensativity is. And how i've tried over the years to ignore and push my feelings away, when God created me to sensative. For example some drunk guy jumped onto the train tracks last sunday night and these two cops tackled him and were being really rough and not soo nice. I honestly started to cry, just wondering what this guy was going through and in a nut shell i'm begining to feel Gods heart for people and learning to not only be sensative to his voice but to step out and speak outloud what he has to say!

Gods doing wonders in my life and everyone else here. Its amazing.
Here are some fun photos of last saturday night. We had a 50's night! Enjoy!

the set up...done by my class

Some of the boys

Some of the ladies

ME =]

Michelle and I

BAM!

2008-05-26T01:20:00.005-07:00

first things first...
I'm still praying for $2500 Dollars for outreach!!!! Due next week!!
This coming saturday we are going to have a walk-a-thon! heres the info..feel free to join in even though you may not be here for the walk!

heres the actual document:

Hike-a-thon

At the end of June, the April Disciple Training School will be going on outreach to Indonesia and the Philippines. To raise money for this trip we have planned to go on a hike-a-thon around the Swan River here in Perth, Australia, on the 31st of May. We will be walking between 15 and 20 km’s and we would like you to consider supporting us with either a donation per km we walk or a one off amount. Thank you for your willingness to participate in this fundraiser, we really appreciate your support!

All we need is your Name, per Km, donation.

Its just a fun way to try to raise some money!! =] let me know if you would like to donate!

Now the fun part of my blog...UPDATE!!

Heres a late birthday song to my momma...Its a traditional song here at YWAM-perth...kinda like the red-robin song back home!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

I went on a long kangaroo hunt!!!
(for the first time ever)

This is the group that went

sweet picture of me

Natalie (one of my 3 roomies) and i being silly!

not to mention it took us 40 min to find them!!!
We were very sad!!!

MUFFIN!

I wanted to take him home!!

Me petting ROO!!!! SOoo precious!

We ended up gettin lost and danced in the rain (except that was the 2nd time i've EVER seen it rain that hard!!!!!!)

OVERALL

GOOD weeekend enjoy the photos!!!
Love and miss you all!!

my whole perspective i think has changed on EVERYTHING!

2008-05-20T00:12:00.002-07:00

Wow I can’t even begin to tell you what I’ve learned in just the past few days!! Something’s I’ve known all my life, but never really grabbed a hold of it! Tom Ellis is speaking this week on Spiritual Warfare! The funny thing is, he hasn’t even started on spiritual warfare yet! He’s a brilliant guy and I feel like I’m back in psychology class overwhelmed with so much information, which is a good feeling. Except when there are tests involved, but good when you’re just learning!
The basis of what we have learned (and this is just the surface) is that God is a relational God. Before creation there was the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit unified and relational with each other! This is the basis of EVERYTHING! God created us for relation! Yet he knew that if he created us with the freedom to choose who and what we worship he would have to send his son down to earth. In freedom there is risk because we have the capability to love and hate as much as we choose. So before he created earth He knew He would have to send Jesus down to earth! (It was not a plan B). So God of ALL power humbled himself to death. God was in Jesus, sacrificing himself. Okay so God holds every atom together, he holds our body together, even when we rebel against him! God is more committed to our freedom than for us to obey him! He is NOT a controlling, ruling, and condemning God. There were times (in the bible) where God waited 500 years for people to turn away from their wicked ways the flood (Noah and the ark). So he gives us the power to worship who we want, yet we are limited to this planet right? I mean you couldn’t fly to outer space! So there are restrictions. Yet the chose of who and what we worship is ALL our own choice! Only we can choose! Yes God is powerful, but he does not control! He placed us on this earth to be apart of the relationship of the trinity (the father, the son, the Holy Spirit) which is the ultimate love (agape). God placed us in certain places, and He waits, He pursues us, and He convinces us of his love. We are not oppressed by his presence, yet his presence dwells here on earth. We are surrounded by God while he holds us together! It’s so amazing how much He is so desires for us to feel his love. Which I can testify to, but I’ve only begin to understand Gods love!
Okay so there you go this is what I’ve learned in 3 teachings this week. My mind is so blown away and I don’t thing I fully understand half of this! Or if i even explained this well at all..this is pretty much just another word vomiting my thoughts all at once!!

On the other hand i found out today that outreach money is due in two weeks!! Which is very SOON! And i still need 2500 dollars! Ah but i completly trust God in providing! But prayers are more than welcome!
I miss you all! Love you!

On to week 7!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-05-18T23:12:00.004-07:00

EEEEK week 7 is here!! I'm having such a good time here and at the same time one of the most challenging times! I cant even begin to tell you all that i've gone through! Lets start with my favorite topic yet, Fear of the Lord(two weeks ago). So God basically just showed me that disobeying him in the small things really separated me from him. And by small things I mean like when he would tell me to talk to someone or give them an encouraging word I wouldn’t. I would rationalize and eventually the conviction would go away. This small sin created a block between God and me! But i now find my self in a place of dying to myself completely and surrendering to God. I honestly don't care what i do next with my life, as long as its Gods will!

Another thing that i've been so excited about is Indonesia! God has really just been showing me, that the reason i'm here is to prepare for Indonesia. I mean Australia is great and all, but i do find my self growing discontent (which is okay, i know that i need to deal with all my stuff, so i can freely pour out Gods love! I'm very excited if you can't tell! We had a car wash this weekend for outreach, but i'm still praying for God to provide 2,500 for my trip! Your prayers are more than welcome!!!!!
This week we also prayed about our groups and my leader Anders(pronounced Aunus)and Cory are going to be leading my group. And that group will be accompanied with the Media Reach DTS(discipleship training school). Should be amazing since my favorite girls are on the media reach dts. It will be good to be with them! I'm really excited about how things worked out!
On another note I do miss everyone alto, but i know i'm walking in the destiny God has for me right now and thats all i really need!
I'd love your prayers! I really do feel the support from back home! And i want to thank all of you bloggers for checking on my updates frequently and commenting. It sure means a lot to me!!!

Bless You all SOO MUCH!
Jenna Dear

Updater..2

2008-05-04T03:31:00.002-07:00

Well here we are fourth week in on my DTS (discipleship training school). I’ve been here for a month, which seems so crazy to me! I feel as though I’ve been here two months maybe three! It’s been long, but fast all at the same time! (not quite sure how to explain that one). Well the past couple of weeks we have had some pretty intense topics...Hearing Gods voice and Relationships! I cant even begin to tell you what I have learned there is way to much information bouncing back and fourth in my head..I barley feel like I’ve had time to digest half of the information! One of the main things that I’ve really grasped is that God is the only one that is going to fulfill my needs and wants. It’s easy to say God is my everything and I don’t need anyone else, but it’s another thing to fully believe it and walk it out. So here I am trying to comprehend the fullness of God and it has been amazing! He’s been showing me so much about himself revealing his character to me, which teaches me about myself (since I’m made in his image). Now I’m not gonna lie and tell you everything is perfect down “under” I miss my family and friends so much and with all the information that’s being put into my head really starts to overwhelm me, but its so good for me and I realize that this is one of those good/hard/tough/exciting things. And I love it. I’m meeting people form all over the world Egypt, Madagascar, Brazil, America ;), Germany, Switzerland, Canada and many more. Its fun to talk to people who barley know English and teaching them silly words like awkward, silly, goofy, weird…etc =]! I’ve had lots of fun as well as lots of teaching, the people here are so much fun and there is always something to do! Random little thing…Elton John is going to be playing across my street at Members Equity Stadium on the 10th of May. I’m not gonna lie it’s going to be amazing! Another thing that God has really been placing on my heart is a heart for Indonesia. We are leaving for Indonesia in about 2 months and I’m really excited to just share all this love I have. I’m still trusting God to provide the funds for my trip, but so far God has just been continually reminding me to not worry about it and that he’s going to take care of it. So you prayers once again would be amazing! I miss you all so very much and can’t thank you enough for your support!
Love always,
Jenna Dear!

Updater..

2008-04-21T01:44:00.003-07:00

Two weeks? Seriously! I cant believe i've only been here two weeks it honestly feels like a month! We have been so busy! A typical day here is 6am morning excersise then 8am cleaning(for 20 min)then at 8:30 we either have worship or prayer, then around 10:30 we have lectures until 12:30(which is lunch) then almost everyone has work duties where i dont have work duties till 5. So i have a little break (usually i take a nap haha 6am just doesnt work out so well for me) Then i have work duties ..the kitchen until 7:30 and then another set of lectures and then bed. So yes Very busy..weekends are free for the most part which is fun! Anyways the first week we heard from Peter Brownhill on the character/nature of God..REALLY GOOD teaching. Peter brownhill started YWAM-perth. Hes an amazing guy! Then we heard from another leader here at the base Ari Sloot on Repentense and Forgivness. Which was also very intense and good! This week is intercession...which is lead by my leader Anders. Should be amazing! Anyways things have been going super well met some awesome girls that i'm absolutly in love with they are soo great!! Everyone here is so nice and so down to earth..so far my favorite part (besides the beach) is Base worship..its basically everyone on base worships monday morning..its always incredible!!

I'm really missing everyone already! Gah and its only been two weeks!!!!! This is definantly going to be a long 6 months!! OH my goodness i cant believe i'm here for months!! WOW i think it just finally hit me! ANyways God is good and i know i'm suppose to be here! Soo I'd love if you could all keep me in your prayers and i'm still trying to raise money for outreach. So prayers would be soo wonderful! I miss you all very much!

photo time.

2008-04-19T07:06:00.007-07:00

Heres some updates with pictures =]
these two girls becca and amanda are about the best thing thats ever happened to me! They are SOO silly and soo real and love God with all there hearts! I have had wayyy too much fun with them..sharing silly stories about our lives and making new memories! Anyways heres more photos of life down UNDER!!

"The Wall"

in front of 228..where we live

Amanda and Darah

amazing sky!

kelly, sarah, becca, darah, and rebecca.

one of the few things we have here thats from america!

WOO tim tam slam night!
sarah and i.
yay for water

Okay so now you have seen that i'm physically alive =] MOre pictures to come and more thoughts and what not!! =] LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL! (and i promise more updates on spiritual things soon!)

one week in

2008-04-13T05:51:00.002-07:00

GAH....one week in

I LOVE THE BEACHES HERE!!!!!

The bass here is awesome..the people are sooo nice and sooo fun! It still feels like camp..and i should be heading home soon! I honestly havnt slept good since i've been here..and i'm pretty sure its gonna catch up to me..but PICTURES TO COME SOON!

Heres a cap of whats happened...

Lots of teaching
Celine Dion Concert
Coffee shops
AMAZING BEACHES
Going downtown
Going to parks
and lots and lots of giggles.

I am kinda missing somepeople from home, but what can you do! And i'm not gonna lie i'm really stressing about money situation for outreach! I really dont think i have that much =/ BUT i'm learning to trust God! WOO! Funn!

Gday mate!

witty banter please?!

2008-04-03T00:06:00.003-07:00

Apparently being witty and charming pays off! =] So My flight to salt lake and to L.A. went quite smoothly. Didnt even have to sit by anyone! Which was fabulous! So When i got to L.A. Airport i knew i wouldnt exactly know where i was going but didnt realize HOW many people there would be!! Not to mention i was the tallest one in the entire International Airport!!!! hahaha
So once i found my airline the guy that was helping me was like WOW you almost missed it! He proceeded to ask me where i'l like to sit..being smart i said..window? By my self? He laugh and said what are you allergic to people. Of course being me i gave him a serious face and said YES! then laughed. So he got me a window seat by my self!! (it was the last one) He proceeded to tell me that my Visa wasnt showing up on my passport! (meaning i wouldnt be able to get into Australia) I kinda freaked out(and by freak out i mean deer in headlights look). 10-15 min later he comes back saying he figured it out and everything would be okay. But the flight has been delayed and i wont be leaving till 2am. I looked at him and said "Well what the heck am i suppose to do till 2".

Lets just end this silly rambling with he gave me a free pass to go through security before everyone else. Not to mention a free pass to the business lounge. Yes the business lounge that cost at least 30 bucks or something. he also said something about me paying him back when he visits me in australia..i think i owe him a lunch or something hahahaha (he was joking..dont worry mom & dad)

Well i've got a couple hours in this beautiful lounge with lots of free food and Internet access!

GOOD trip so far! And its about to get better cause i get to sleep soon!!!!

All in all this blog goes out to Gilmore Girls..because my witty banter got me free things =]

Hope you atually watch this..and giggled as much as i did =]

hello world

2008-03-30T23:28:00.000-07:00

Oh my lands i leave for Perth, Australia on WEDENSDAY! I can't believe this dream/vision is actually going to happen!!! I honestly dont think i'll believe it until i'm actually in australia. I've basically created this blog to keep you all informed on the adventures i'm about to embark on! I can't tell you all how much you have helped me to get here..whether it be money, blessings, or the amazing faith that you have had in me!

I finally can see a small crack into my destiny and i'm sooo giddy like a little girl to begin what God has called me to do. Endless hours with God and loving people!! GAHHH i'm soo excited!

Thankyou for all your support and prayers =]