You can find me where my heart is...

Seriously. I was so blessed tonight by the church that I went to.

 There were people from Nepal, Africa, Guatemala...etc. 

We sung worship in all sorts of different languages...met so many different people...

I helped Lorie in her Sunday school class..and got to talk to these lovely ladies in the picture. None of them have been in the country for more than a year, so for some there was a language barrier, but for some it was absolutely amazing how well they spoke English! At one point we were talking about the language barrier and I decided to try and be all cool and told them I knew a song in Swahili...well come to find out I know a song in some other African language, but its not Swahili. Even with my pride a bit hurt though, we had a wonderful time...the minute I started singing, the whole group joined in...it was so sweet and lovely.

Some of the girls even went so far as to get m number..and said they wanted to add me on facebook, we'll see if that happens though.

I'm being a tourist....

Here it is my third day here in Colorado...and coffee has been a huge part of it! Thankful that Auntie is as much of a coffee lover as I am, and is spoiling me with plenty of it!

Yesterday, I went up to Rocky Mountains National Park...it was so gorgeous! 

We're all looking a little green in the pictures..mainly from the twists and turns up the mountain for the other two..I think the crazy altitude is what did me in. 

I also did a little bit of shopping for some dear ones...and may or may not have tried elk. I'm not too sure what I think about it..its a different taste from venison, which is more what I was expecting.

Love spending time with these ladies!

Today has been spent grocery shopping and relaxing around the condo...which has been so lovely. I needed a day of quiet rest...

Tonight I'll be visiting Aunt Leonie's church where she works..for some lovely worship!

Tomorrow I'll sleep in..then go to Lorie's church with her to go love on some African babies....

Welcome to Colorado!

This is how I was welcomed to Colorado.....

Sorry for this bad quality picture of this beautiful picture...my camera was packed away from the trip when we passed them, and I just couldn't help but grab a picture with my phone.

Yesterday was so eventful, and surreal! I flew on the first plane I've ever flown on...ALONE. I actually didn't really freak out all that much, however the guy behind me is a different story. Breathing into the puking bag, throwing around some words that shouldn't have been used around the somewhat loud child on the other side of the aisle, and just over all having a rough time.

I got to catch a tram to take me to where my baggage was...yep, the airport is that big.

I went and toured the school I will be going to, the YWAM in Colorado Springs...its so cool! Its in an old Hilton...so my dorm is a hotel room, fully furnished! I'm not sure if I'm happy I don't get to bring dorm "stuff"..it will save my parents money that's for sure. And its surrounded with mountains!

I and saw some lovely people that I last saw when I was about 4 years old.. I didn't really remember them, just their 2 sons, who used to take me to jump on the trampoline with them. It was too cool getting to catch up with them, and they live right down the road from the school, so any time I need to get away, I have people who I'm sure will become like family rather quickly.

I got caught in a flash flood..like we sat still in the road for over an hour. At least Auntie and I had our starbucks. Seriously though, about 6 cars ahead of us, the car that was there had weeds and pebbles all over it, the flash flood literally caught it. Crazy stuff!

When we got back to the house, Lorie was waiting for us...so much fun. I haven't seen her since I was 8 (we figured out that it has literally been about half of my life since then). 

Today, I shall be touring the Rocky Mountains with Aunt Leonie and Lorie...hoping to see some elk and Mountain Sheep!

So there you are..you're all caught up to date on my trip so far, and I haven't even been here for 24 hours! 

Oh, you work in ministry?

"Listen to me! These are my problems! What should I do? You're doing this part of ministry wrong. You should try it this way!"

These are the words posed to people in ministry all too often. I'm guilty of it myself, its so hard not to slip into taking the wonderful people that God has put into our lives to guide us for granted.

 Its so hard not to complain to that listening ear, that seems so willing. To simply forget that they may have much greater things on their plates at the moment.

Don't get me wrong, as I find myself heading in the direction of ministry I whole-heartedly believe that God calls those choice people to be those that will listen, care for, and guide. That they have chosen (or maybe even shoved by the Lord) to go into ministry.

However, I just see them being taken for granted so often.

That lovely woman that may not be at church because of a sick child, or maybe even sick herself who is beating herself up over the fact that people may think she's setting a bad example... The one who speaks truth into people's life thus may lose many friends... The one who doesn't have all the answers, but wants to have them for you. Who spends countless hours preparing lessons or activities only to be shot down, or argued with. The Pastor that takes on all the extra burdens for those that are hurting.

Really? Does God see this and feel pleased? I can't help but think that the answer is "no."

I can't help but feel like this was not His plan for the Church. That discord, arguments, and politics were not intended for His body of believers. That taking the people He planted in your life to guide you in His way should take on all of our burdens, leaving themselves no time to even recharge in His Word.

Maybe, just maybe...you should give them a break. They seem a little grumpy? Maybe they're just overwhelmed. They seem sad? Maybe they are.

I'm not saying that we can't lean on these wonderful people that God has so lovingly placed in our lives, like I said before...as I'm slowly heading that way, there's nothing I'd rather do than love on people. BUT...I'm saying that these precious ones could use some of that loving on as well...