things i'm loving these days

the lane of memories that coldplay's viva la vida album causes me to walk down

the final two hours of my weekend when i complete my"weekend to-do list".

sunshine. oh i love sunshine. can't wait for summer

my most recent blog find http://www.treasuresandtravelsblog.com/ it's an amazing blog compiled by three girls from canada and australia. so beautiful 

poached eggs. really the best things to happen to breakfast since there was bread to put in a toaster.

jump roping. i'm sure i look hilarious jump roping in the car park in the dark but it's such good exercise.

international phone credit. lets be honest, talking on the phone is so much easier then skyping with sketchy internet.



what are you loving? 

What's New

This update is going to be full of media. When I read emails or blogs I find myself skipping over the long descriptive paragraphs and straight to the photos or videos the author has to offer. Like someone very wise once said, a picture of worth a thousand words so here's a few thousand for you. 

This is a photo of the Youth Street Dance Team that I have had the honor of leading for the past few weeks. We are small, only brining in two youth a week, but we have so much fun and are always learning new things and having heaps of fun. Leading the teams means that I am in charge of my two staff members (in the black shirts), organize the teams weekly activities, pastorally care for our youth and hear God on the overall vision of our team. It has definitely had its challenges but the biggest thing I have learned through the difficulty is how to hear God on the small things and let him take care of them. The first week I lead the team was a disaster because I approached the day without involving God or hearing what he had to say about what we were doing. The next week I took the time to hear from God and was inspired to try some new things that made the day run really well. I love that we can hand God both big and little things and trust that he will take care of them far better then we can! Currently we are choreographing a new dance and preparing to perform in the next few weeks! 

I am now actively apart of a local church here in Newcastle and have loved getting involved and meeting new people. This is a photo of the "Cell" that I am apart of on Tuesday nights. It is basically a bible study/community group that gets together to hang out and encourage and love on each other. I have been a huge part of me getting further invested in the church and pursuing more then just going to church but actively participating in the community as well. It is an amazing church full of wonderful people! I have also been given the opportunity to lead a cell for 6th graders on Sunday afternoons. I have loved getting a chance to minister to more youth outside of Youth Street and have learned a lot about young people growing up in the church. 

July is only two months away and Jeremy and I are staying busy with the preparation for DTS that we will be staffing together. I have learned that my favorite part of this prep time is encouraging the students that are interested in coming on DTS and helping them with the logistics they need to know in order to come. I spend most of my days online chatting with accepted or potential students. I help them with the application and visa process and encourage and pray-a lot. God has again and again proven that I have no power to get students here on DTS. It is only God that can bring students to our school and thats the way I like it. I would rather have a school of six students that strongly believe God has brought them here and are ready to change and bring change, then twenty students whom I have convinced to come. We are praying for a school of twelve students. I would love for you to join me as I pray for our school to grow and watch as God provides. 

I have added the link to July DTS 2012 promo video that I was able to be apart of! Take a look and let me know what you think! I loved being able to share a testimony in order to promote the amazing things you can be apart of on DTS! 

Here's the link: http://vimeo.com/39807666

I hope this gives you a good picture of what my life is looking like these days! I would love to hear any feedback you may have and answer any questions you come up with. 

I'm excited to share more with you as we get closer to the school starting. Please keep me and my staff team in your prayers! 

Cheers!

Co-workers. I have the best job!

This is the team of people that I will be staffing the Classic DTS with in July! All three of them are amazing and completely dedicated to serving God and loving people. I am so blessed to call them friends and now coworkers! Here is a little blurb about each of them. Hope you enjoy! 

Hello. My name is Jeremy Barry Randall. My parents were going to call me Jeremiah but thought it to be too nerdy. Barry was my nanas middle name (Norah Barry Randall - one of the greatest women to ever walk the planet) and the Randalls came out to Australia from England as immigration officers. We have been farmers, painters, politicians, knights (my grandad was Sir Richard the secretary to the treasurer and a stunt pilot), pastors, lawyers. I come from a legacy of lovers, improvers, charity-fueled card players. I am child 3 of four. My brother a social worker, my sister a primary school teacher, my younger sister a student of law and asian studies. 

I love peoples stories. I love the reasons why. I love figuring out how to make something better. I love living with people, even when its annoying. I love driving old corollas and photographing faces. 

I grew up a pastors kid. I have now seen church (and played in worship bands) on every continent except south america. I have been apart of community as musician, athlete, director, photographer, dishwasher, salesman, printer, model, leader, follower, chef, mother, father (weird huh?) encourager. 

I love speaking out truth to people who don’t realise it. When you see good in someone who can’t see it in themselves. I love hugs. Awkwardly long hugs. I love renewing peoples minds when it comes to hugs. I love elaborate hand shakes and slapping five. I love playing the clown to make people comfortable and then sitting down and having conversations that surprise people that i actually have a brain. and i actually have the capacity to be intelligent in amongst laughing about poop.

I’m slowly (very slowly) learning, that if absolute truth exists (which i believe is does) then that makes me wrong. Because i am not perfect. I am not God. I haven’t always been ok with being wrong. In fact i’m still not. But it something i need to learn. I believe people are worth all my time in the world and sometimes with people relationship comes way before being right. (slowly learning)

I’m excited about adventure. I love travelling and doing new things. I love meeting new people.

Me, yesterday.... like 20 years ago.

Me and my best friend evan.

Me on top of a mountain in Jasper Canada.

My name is Candace Braaten

I was born and raised in a small suburb of Seattle, Washington USA. At a young age I had a strong sense of adventure and always dreamt of what the world around me looked like and knew I wanted to see and experience all of it. When I was 18 I packed my bags and moved to San Diego, California to begin my freshman year in college. I soon realized that science and arithmetic did not excite me so I moved to Los Angeles, California to study marketing at a private fashion school. I graduated with a degree in fashion marketing and again found myself packing my bags for something new. This time it was New York City. I lived in NYC for 3 years working in the fashion industry until I realized that Jesus was the ultimate adventurer and that the plan He had for me was beyond what I could dream. I then moved back to Seattle to be with my family and dream with Jesus. January 2010, to my surprise and excitement, I found myself packing my bags for Newcastle, Australia to do a discipleship training school. After my DTS I joined staff at YWAM Newcastle and had the amazing privilege of staffing the 2011 October DTS and co-leading an outreach team to Mexico City. That was it. I was sold out. I was ready and willing to go wherever Jesus told me. I was ready for the front lines. I was ready to be his hands and feet. So I boldly asked what He had next and" Go Home" was all He said. So home I went and within a few months I found myself applying to do the School of Social Justice at YWAM Denver. To Denver I went, and learnt about the injustices of the world. During this school, I saw and experienced the vulnerable heart of Jesus and the crazy way He loves. This is something I want every person to experience, the real Jesus. 

I love my family. I love my friends. I love making new friends. I love traveling. I love exploring new cities by way of public transportation. I love listening to people talk about what they are passionate about. I love watches. I have a new found love for tea. I love loud music. I love when the sun is shining. I love movies. I love cheese and crackers. I love seeing people operate in their God given giftings. I love lions. I love encouraging people. I love laughing, like really laughing. I love snickers ice cream bars. I love a good dance party. I love when people are vulnerable. I love Jesus and how a life lived with Him is simply the best.

Hello my name is Jeff I'm twenty and I'm from Hawaii. I was adopted from Japan when I was a week old and moved to Hawaii where I spent the majority of my childhood. My family has always been in ministry, pastoring a church for twenty years, and then moving into the mission field when I was ten. Because of this I've had the privilege of living in some of the most beautiful places in the world, and traveling to over 30 countries by the time I was 18.  

I have been playing music since I was four, starting on violin and the moving onto other things over the years. Because of this i had a huge heart for worship and my heart is to see people set free and be free through worship. 

 Finally. I love music, food, and coffee. I enjoy cooking for other people and eating good food. So. Let's hang out about it. 

Jeff in his and Jeremy's room.

At an all night prayer meeting on a cold mountain top.

Jeff and Candace, almost creepy christmas photo

July 2012 classic DTS

Tell your friends, this is going to be fun.

For more info check out - http://ywamnewcastle.com/blog/2012/04/05/july-classic-dts-bringing-heaven-to-earth-2/

Faithful to the Last

This afternoon I received some exciting news. 

After over two months of paperwork, lots of waiting and prayer and a little stress my application for a Religious Workers Visa has been granted! 

I have learned so much about God's faithfulness and stedfast love during this short season in my life. 

I have learned that my worth is not based in how much how work but in Jesus Christ. I have learned how to relax and enjoy people and simple things like coffee and books and twenty minute conversations. 

My visa being granted allows me to be back in the office working on the upcoming July DTS. I am so excited to be working towards a common goal with my fellow staff again. I'll be back in the office tomorrow working on a promo video for the July DTS (which I will share soon), communicating with potential students and brainstorming ideas with other DTS staff. 

All the praise goes to God for this entire visa process. It is truly a miracle that I have gotten it so quickly, proving that God has had his hand all over this situation the whole time! 

When I first applied for my visa, in January, I felt like God told me to plan for it to be granted by the end of March (which seemed a little crazy at the time). Well here we are, with four days left in the month of March and my visa has been granted. God is faithful to the last! 

Our base comes together at the beginning of each week to worship God together. 

This morning we were led by one of our newly married couples, Jaso and Emily. 

Their contagious freedom and joy mixed with their incredible musical talents created one of the most fun and free times of worship I have had in a long time. 

Joy. It filled the room. As a base we basked in it's freedom and excitement and energy. 

A friend of mine shared this song with me today. It's not about God; it's about a boy-girl relationship but I love its sound and the joy it has. 

Give it a listen and go into each day expecting God's joy. 

http://youtu.be/zvCBSSwgtg4 

One of my favorite bands Branches posted a link to a video made my Invisible Children Inc. and simply stated that they believed in the cause and to check it out. 


This is a band I admire a lot, so naturally I clicked on the link and for the next 29:59 minutes this incredible video had my undivided attention. 


I had heard about Invisible Children Inc. when it first hit Facebook nine years ago. My older brother brought it to my attention and the passion the young founders had kept me interested. I had no idea how far they had come and how big their movement had become. 


I encourage you to watch the video and see what you think. I love that the founder, Jason Russell, incorporates his son into the film, he is so cute and speaks with such childlike truth and conviction. I also love the incredible numbers of young people who have risen up and began to care and fight for issues outside of their own lives.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Cousins

                                                          

Birthday lunch with the Keller's. Such a blessing

Delicious pumpkin soup 

Incredible Chocolate cake cheese cake combo!

My Allie Rae 

Living in the moment. 

Starbucks Church. 

Add caption

If only cameras could do this justice.

Tiny Christmas tree

Baking

Catching up with truly good friends 

Christmas 

Christmas Eve dinner. Amazing

Family 

New found love. Brussels sprouts 

love

Christmas Eve hike

Visiting my Jenna Burns and ice skating

Lovely Grandparents

We spent many of our evenings around this

I was in the States for both Thanksgiving and Christmas and have never been more refreshed. 

Here is a little glimpse into my time at home.

Enjoy.

I had read five chapters of Katie Davis' book Kisses From Katie when it hit me, this is why I do it. Why I have to take vacations to America and why the term "home" has become completely relevant to my current location. It's the reason why I sleep on a bunk bed and eat dinner with 100 people every night. The opportunity for teenagers to come to this beautiful country and have a "Katie experience" is worth it. Katie's book is a memoir of here life-changing missions trip to Uganda and everything that God has done through her in the past few years. While expresses her love for Uganda even through the difficulties she says

“I want to be challenged endlessly. I want to be taught by those I teach, and I want to share God's love with people who otherwise might not know it. I want to work so hard that I end every day filthy and too tired to move. I want to make some kind of difference, no matter how small, and I want to follow the calling God has placed on my heart. I want to give my life away, to serve the Lord with each breath. At the end of the day, no matter how hard, I want to be right here in Uganda.”

I cam back to Australia afraid that I wasn't doing enough to change the world; to reduce the number of orphans or hungry people. But by reading the stories of a twenty-something American girl in Uganda I've been reminded that for now, I have been called to this. I have been given the privilege of disciplining passionate teenagers to experience Jesus and go and love and feed and clothe his children. This July I have been given the opportunity to be a staff member for the Classic Discipleship Training School (DTS) which is running along side our Creative DTS. This is my heart for our potential students. As they begin to apply for the DTS, the cry of Katie's heart is what I pray over each of their hearts. This is my ministry. To see broken and passive vessels be refilled with the Spirit of God and long to be in His will for their life, no matter where that takes them. In that way, I am changing the world. I am equipping, disciplining and sending out the people who will adopt the orphans and feed the hungry. I will love them and they will love others.

While God has been moving greatly in my life and teaching me more then I thought I could handle I have also been learning a lot about the Australian government. About a week ago, through a series of misunderstandings and lack of communications, I was informed that my current visa had expired and had to rush to Sydney to explain myself to immigrations and apply for my next visa. Long story short, I was given a “Bridging Visa” that allows me to live legally within Australia until my pending application is put in the right hands and approved. However, while I'm on this visa I am not able to do any form of work. Sadly, preparing for the upcoming DTS, participating in Youth Street and many other of my daily task are not allowed. To be honest, I left the Immigration building feeling defeated and close to tears. It seemed so unfair. Why would God allow me regain my passion for DTS and become so excited to be back in the office only to have it taken away only a few days later. I haven't gotten an answer yet but I have come to understand that God is always ready to use hard circumstances for good. Rather then letting these next few weeks be filled with anxiety and frustration, I plan to fill them with prayer and reading and discipleship and an attitude ready to serve. These weeks will not be a waist but a time of preparing the soil for the seeds God desires to plant in my life and in my future students lives. Prayer for a quick grant of my visa and no need for medical checks would be greatly appreciated.

Much love,                                    

Hannah 

Made it

Four airplanes, 

forty two hours, 

three Cokes, 

one train,

two bags, 

one book, 

three babies crying,

three meals,

one missed flight,

two swollen ankles,

and I've made it safely back to this amazing country. 

Thanks for keeping me in your prayers and thoughts. 

Romance

Recently I have found a renewed love for BBC's Time Period Dramas. Movies such as Pride and Prejudice, Downton Abbey and Cranford have reminded me of how much I love to sit at my computer with a bowl of ice cream and watch as the drama of life in England in the 1800's unfolds. Yes, this drama may take three to six long hours of dialog and overly dramatic situations to finally end, but they always do end well. 

I love to watch Mary and Elizabeth quietly struggle against cultural traditions and Miss Mattie fight the never ending stream of gossip that serves as entertainment. But what I love most of all is seeing the hero and heroine, who have been at odds the entire saga, finally recognize their deep love for one another and confess their feelings no matter the cost. The man lays down his fortune for the girl with no dowry or the lady chooses love over security. Whatever the obstacle, their confession is always made in a pure, beautiful and sometimes wordy monologue. The man or woman will pure out their true feelings and they will lean in for a single motionless kiss that indicates that the movie is soon over and love has yet again conquered all. 


I'm not sure what it is about the movies that captivates me to the point of staying up late and blogging about them. Maybe its the dresses and way of life. Maybe its the simplicity of William turning to Fanny after knowing her for a month and saying "Fanny, I love you. Will you be my wife?" Or Mattie's simple but strong saying "the answer is love. It is the final word." Maybe its that good always wins. Or maybe, just maybe, its that these movies remind me of how romantic God is. 

God created romance, so naturally he would be the best. In the book Black by Ted Dekker, the characters refer to their relationship with God as "the great romance". In the bible God speaks more boldly and beautifully then any movie character. In what book or drama do you hear "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine."Isaiah 43:1 He couldn't hide his immense love for us when He wrote an entire chapter in the Bible about a couple madly in love that represents what he feels for us. I don't even have to mention the fact that He was so in love with us that he died for our freedom. 

My nine year old sister asked today why everything was always about boys and girls and being in love. We had a really cool conversation that got me thinking about all this. As we road in the car and talked about it we would listen to the radio and in Maggie's words, "see what the songs would tell us." They all told us the same thing. Girls, be like this and he'll love you like this and you'll feel like this. Or fall in love just to fall back out and feel like this. 

We all know that we live in a broken world but at the heart of the brokenness is a place that still longs for what we were created for. Our desire for romance and perfect relationship only reinforces the fact that God created us for more and we know it, and blindly fight for it everyday. Yes, the songs that were on the radio were horrible and they affect our youth in a negative way by they also scream for something more, something better. 

As I explained all of this on a nine-year-old level I was struck with the thought that we have something amazing. As Christians, we hold the answers to those pleas for help. We know why people search for the perfect someone to fill that void and we have the answer. Its easier to share what Christ did for us when we realize that everyone wants what we have, even if they don't know it. 

Just some thoughts as I continue to discover what being Christ looks like. 

Share Back Night

                 You're Invited 

What: A night of coffee, fellowship and hearing from me about my past year and the one to come. 

When: Thursday, January 5th 

Time: 7pm to 8pm 

Where: Java Journey Cafe 

2149 North Center Street, Hickory, NC

I only stumbled upon this song a few weeks ago but it seems to be God's theme song for me throughout 2011. 

I have learned a lot this year about God's character. 


His desire and ability to fight for us


His caring nature 


The value He puts on our hearts 


His grace that covers every good and bad thing we do




I love my relationship with God because it is ever changing and still has the ability to carry me through anything. 


So here's to 2012 and all the wonderful adventures we will walk through and what we will gain once we reach the other side. 

Happy New Year

It's not New Year's Eve but I have the same motivation and fears of failure about this blog that our list of resolutions gives us on January 1st. 


As I've read over my past post and mourned the fact that my last entry was in February, I've chosen to jump into a new phase of blogging rather then continuing to avoid that ever present "new post" button.  


As much as I hate to admit it, I am totally freaked out by social networking. Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, Skype. I have 'em all but rarely do I visit them let alone post something or talk to someone. 


I'm not sure what it is that makes me think up username after username just to neglect it out there in cyber space. Maybe it's the idea that it's new and confusing or that my life's too boring or maybe I'm just lazy. Whatever the reason, it really doesn't matter anymore. I have resolved to not be beaten by a silly computer any longer. 


So here I am, making a New Years resolution in December. I will post something on this blog twice a month. Thoughts, whats going on, photos, things that inspire me, anything as long as it's something. 


Yes, I'm still freaked out but I'm also excited to share my life with you. Give feed back, subscribe, shoot me an email. I love to hear from people and it helps me to remember I'm not talking to a wall. 


So here it is, my first post of this new year of blogging. 


Happy New Year blog readers, life's too short to not at least write some of it down for the world to see.  

Cheers, Hannah 

K Mart, Joy and April DTS

I thought I would begin this extremely over due update with a story. Yesterday, God woke me up with the idea of spending the day with Him. I liked that idea, even though I could have thought of ten other things that needed to be done and five people I would have loved to hang out with, I really wanted to hang out with God. We decided on going to the mall to buy things for my room. Due to lack of transport and boldness on my part we had to settle for walking to K mart. After enjoying a long quiet time and cold glass of Ginger Green Tea I set out on my way. Trip outfit; floral sun dress, sunnies and flip flops. Trip soundtrack; The Temper Trap. I was set. The music set a quick paced so I made it to K Mart in record timing.  Three shelves, cream curtains, 79 printed photos, two clocks, and an hour and a half later, I walked out of K Mart a proud shopper. After packing all those things and the other random items collected in a backpack, I tucked my selves under one arm and my clocks under the other and headed home. In my opinion, a one and a half mile walk up hill practically carrying my weight in home decor does not sound like good way to spend thirty minutes but, for some reason I didn't mind. As I walked I listened to upbeat music and laughed at the thought of how funny I looked. As I crossed the bridge over the train tracks I was suddenly filled with uncontainable joy. I could barely control myself and practically skipped the rest of the way up the hill.

Now, that might seem like the most anticlimactic and uneventful story ever, and it sort of is but I have a reason for sharing it. In communication I desire to be real with you. I want you to see and understand where I am coming from and what I am struggling with. This stories point is to display a struggle in my life and Gods infinite grace and glory. I have been struggling with a lack of God given joy for the past few months and this story describes the very moment I was once again filled to the top. This story is an example of the life I desire to live. One that is infused with God at every turn. One that is never lacking in miracles and God doing big things, even while running errands. I hope this will encourage you to seek God in every moment. Ask Him to show up and be expectant.

This last month has been filled with provision, excitement, home improvement, refreshment and heat. Over Christmas I was asked to pray about staffing the April DTS since I was not going to be able to staff the January school. After a week of prayer and encouraging conversation I confirmed that I would be staffing the April DTS 2011. Since then I have spent my mornings and afternoons in the office recruiting new students and pastorally caring for accepted ones. I have loved working on the school and feel such a great sense of ownership as a staff member now.

Our base celebrated Australia day together at the beach and has begun to have a BBQ in the backyard every Friday. I love the sense of family we are creating.

One of the biggest things to happen for me in January has been the completion of my room. I have been living in Lewis House for four months and two weeks ago I officially began to work on getting settled in my new home. I painted my wall with the help of two of my friends. Gray-blue and teal were my colors of choice and I love them together. I worked a whole weekend on painting my bunk bed and mirror and finding other furniture to put in my room. This last Thursday was the day that it all come together. Pictures are on the wall, clothes on hangers and furniture in place. I now love to hang out in my room and love having people over to sit on my couch and have a good conversation over tea. I feel truly settled for the first time since moving here and it is such a relief.


February and March are a bit of a mystery right now. Other then recruiting students I do not know what they are going to hold and I am excited to find out. Please pray for wisdom as I plan for the school and prepare for the students to come. I am so excited and scared out of my mind at the same time.

I will be posting pictures of my room and happenings over the last month on my blog. I would love you to check them out. http://hannahgreywilliams.blogspot.com/

Blessings until later,

Hannah