I forgot how much I like blogging. And writing.
That wonderful feeling of sitting down and snuggling with just a cup of tea, your laptop or journal, and yourself, in your own little world. Where you can pour out your thoughts and let them dance all over until they've found contentment among the pages of your journal. There is a comfort in the silence that happens while your thoughts fight hard to contain themselves. And through that peaceful silence, the world of creativity begins to open up it's doors, and there is no going back. You are free to let it all out. Go ahead--pick up your pencil, open your tattered journal, start pressing those keys on your keyboard. Once your juices start flowing, it is almost as if you can't stop. How awful the feeling, to have to stop right in the middle of a fresh, new, growing thought?
At times, it is different. Those thoughts don't come alive. The worse feeling, above all, is the feeling of lost creativity. Where your thoughts no longer produce magic, but instead, insignificance, irrelevance, indifference. Where you no longer find the drive or longing to pour out those sweet, meaningful thoughts out.
But that is a lie that we trick ourselves into thinking to be true. And that lie is where I draw the line. I am here to tell you that the loss of creativity is truly a lie, and we are deceiving ourselves if we believe it.
Wherever those creative juices may have stopped flowing in your life, whatever creative passion is now lost, not to be stirred up again, or whatever situation that may have caused you to let go of your creativity, is most definitely not as big as the creativity that was first put inside of you. It is there for a reason. And we were designed with that very reason in mind! To be creative, to unleash that which is inside of us--whether it be on a canvas, dance floor, journal, stage, instrument...anything! It was certainly intentionally given to us, by the most creative person Himself: Our Creator. And the best part is, we are able to find joy in that very same creativity that He has put inside of us!
Lately, I have found myself run dry of those creative juices. I have bought into the lie that my creativity doesn't matter, that it's not worth it, that I don't have time to do it, work on it, practice it, that there are others that are better at it than me, so why bother. But all of those lies are exactly that--LIES! I find myself restless, discontent, unhappy, easily bothered, bored, stuck in repetition, going in circles..... all because I am itching to let it all out! Your creativity should not be kept closed up in a box. And especially not chained up and locked inside the four walls of a cell. But, I think that is where we find most of our creativity. It is not lost...it is just locked up. And we happened to throw out the key when we felt helpless. When you find yourself in that state of restlessness, discontent, and all other feelings of unhappiness--look to the One who is right there beside you, the One who gave that creativity to you! He WILL remind you that your creativity is not lost. And that it is, in fact, perfectly unique to you, just the way He intentionally created it to be.
If you are still with me, reading these words, than this is a gentle reminder to YOU to not let go of your creativity. Or you might be letting a part of yourself go, as well. Do not second guess yourself on if you have creativity or not. You were created with creativity in mind, so yes, you do!! If you love to dance, then dance! If you paint, then go out and paint! If you sing, then sing your heart out! If you bake, then by all means, please bake! (I could go on for hours on the types of creativity out there, and I still would not cover all that there is. Our Creator is BIG. So is the range of creativity He has given us.)
But, my dear friends, please do not let go of that which has been perfectly given to you, and only you.
If you find yourself lost of all things creative, do not lose heart. It is still in there, in the depths of your being, restlessly waiting to come up for air. And for goodness sake, stop drowning yourself. You were meant to breathe, and pour out freely :)
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Laying my life down for love.
Hey guys! Okay, so this post took much longer to write and put up than I had previously anticipated, so sorry about that!
After attending my Discipleship Training School with YWAM last June, and arriving back home this last November, God has been doing a lot of work in my heart. Some of you know that I struggled with the decision of whether or not to attend the School of Evangelism, another school YWAM offered after the Discipleship Training School. I had planned on it, but decisions were made and I did not end up going. Since then, I have been anxious to know what God has planned. These last few months have definitely been a season of patience, practice, and preparedness. But now what?!
I have always felt called to love. To know the love of Jesus, and to become a vessel of His love, pouring out into others lives. But what does that look like? What does that really mean?
For me, in this next season, God is calling me to do a school with Heidi and Rolland Baker's Iris ministry in Pemba, Mozambique. The school is the 'Harvest School of Missions' and consists of going to Mozambique for 3 months, surrendering yourself to God and laying your life down for love. How awesome is that?! For these past six months, I continuously have this craving for a real, intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit--one that knows no boundaries, that strives to go deeper than I could have ever imagined--that is completely whole.
So, with that, I am planning on attending the school next June. It is from June 1st to August 9th 2013. Even though it is a year away, I am so stoked! Twelve months will be go by so fast--and that is why I am raising support starting now. If you would like to contribute, honestly anything helps! I am grateful for the community and family that I have around me to help support me. I am looking for ways to keep the finanical aspect as organized as possible, so I will be looking into a Paypal account, so it will be easier to access for anyone who would like to contribute.
Alas, this is only the beginning of God's huge journey for me. This is where I start. This is where I dive in, wholeheartedly. Holy spirit, I am ready! And Mozambique, l'll see you soon :)
http://www.irismin.org/missions/harvest/ (this is the link for more information on the Harvest school, please check it out!)
After attending my Discipleship Training School with YWAM last June, and arriving back home this last November, God has been doing a lot of work in my heart. Some of you know that I struggled with the decision of whether or not to attend the School of Evangelism, another school YWAM offered after the Discipleship Training School. I had planned on it, but decisions were made and I did not end up going. Since then, I have been anxious to know what God has planned. These last few months have definitely been a season of patience, practice, and preparedness. But now what?!
I have always felt called to love. To know the love of Jesus, and to become a vessel of His love, pouring out into others lives. But what does that look like? What does that really mean?
For me, in this next season, God is calling me to do a school with Heidi and Rolland Baker's Iris ministry in Pemba, Mozambique. The school is the 'Harvest School of Missions' and consists of going to Mozambique for 3 months, surrendering yourself to God and laying your life down for love. How awesome is that?! For these past six months, I continuously have this craving for a real, intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit--one that knows no boundaries, that strives to go deeper than I could have ever imagined--that is completely whole.
So, with that, I am planning on attending the school next June. It is from June 1st to August 9th 2013. Even though it is a year away, I am so stoked! Twelve months will be go by so fast--and that is why I am raising support starting now. If you would like to contribute, honestly anything helps! I am grateful for the community and family that I have around me to help support me. I am looking for ways to keep the finanical aspect as organized as possible, so I will be looking into a Paypal account, so it will be easier to access for anyone who would like to contribute.
Alas, this is only the beginning of God's huge journey for me. This is where I start. This is where I dive in, wholeheartedly. Holy spirit, I am ready! And Mozambique, l'll see you soon :)
http://www.irismin.org/missions/harvest/ (this is the link for more information on the Harvest school, please check it out!)
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
It's time to get my BLOG ON.
I truly cannot believe that I have not blogged since January. I have decided that the whole "blog update once every couple of months" needs to be put to an end. It is time to go BLOG CRAZY.
If you are not aware of this already, I am one who tends to think about a lot, and with that, comes a LOT of processing. I also like to process with others. Whether that means spending time talking to Jesus, or having a coffee date with a friend to talk nonstop....it's what I do. With that, it usually results in either a lot of talking or a lot of writing.
So I sit now and think to myself. I have this blog, but, I rarely use it. ............. ????
I have thus come to the conclusion, that it's time to get MY BLOG ON.
Here are a few updates:
-I have signed up for Sierra College and will begin attending this fall :) no declared major or plan for further education, but I have faith that God will speak to me on that in the near future. YAY COLLEGE!
-I am happily living and loving life, and am currently spending my summer working (at Red Robin in Roseville!), getting my tan on, spending time with family and friends, and spending even more time with Jesus!
-Right now I am also really praying about a church to join. I am really missing the church community as a whole right now (and have been for awhile), and even though most people in my everyday life are my church, I am really craving relationships within that community that are people more MY age :) So I would love prayers in regards to that!
Other than that, I'm just enjoying my summer, and I hope that you are enjoying yours as well!!
Love love love,
Kelci
P.S. I can't wait to tell you guys what God has been speaking to me in regards to Missions, and will be sure to get back on here tomorrow to fill you in on that! (I will definitely need more than a bullet point to update you guys on my next adventure, so I'd love to write a separate post). I am so excited for the future and all that God has planned for it!
If you are not aware of this already, I am one who tends to think about a lot, and with that, comes a LOT of processing. I also like to process with others. Whether that means spending time talking to Jesus, or having a coffee date with a friend to talk nonstop....it's what I do. With that, it usually results in either a lot of talking or a lot of writing.
So I sit now and think to myself. I have this blog, but, I rarely use it. ............. ????
I have thus come to the conclusion, that it's time to get MY BLOG ON.
Here are a few updates:
-I have signed up for Sierra College and will begin attending this fall :) no declared major or plan for further education, but I have faith that God will speak to me on that in the near future. YAY COLLEGE!
-I am happily living and loving life, and am currently spending my summer working (at Red Robin in Roseville!), getting my tan on, spending time with family and friends, and spending even more time with Jesus!
-Right now I am also really praying about a church to join. I am really missing the church community as a whole right now (and have been for awhile), and even though most people in my everyday life are my church, I am really craving relationships within that community that are people more MY age :) So I would love prayers in regards to that!
Other than that, I'm just enjoying my summer, and I hope that you are enjoying yours as well!!
Love love love,
Kelci
P.S. I can't wait to tell you guys what God has been speaking to me in regards to Missions, and will be sure to get back on here tomorrow to fill you in on that! (I will definitely need more than a bullet point to update you guys on my next adventure, so I'd love to write a separate post). I am so excited for the future and all that God has planned for it!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Boredom? Wanderlust? What can it be?
Bored. Bored. Bored. I am bored. So so so so, sooooooo sooooooo BORED.
With what, you may ask? Well, um, hm. Let's see...EVERYTHING!!!!!!
(Well...Let me explain).
I have always been a person that gets bored very easily. I am a do-er. I enjoy doing things, I enjoy being busy, I enjoy going places, I enjoy the feeling of "doing." All my life I've been this way, but most recently (as in, the past three months) I have had this continuous, over-whelming feeling of boredom ALONG with the need to travel. When combined, they seem to equate into something very odd. Wanderlust.
Wanderlust (Definition): A very strong impulse to travel. Yes, my friends, I have been itching to travel again. To go places! Do things! Ahh! I even get crazy thinking about it. Ever since YWAM, I have been content with just packing my bags, getting on a plane, and leaving. But about three weeks ago when I made the choice to go ahead and stay where I was instead of getting the heck out of here, I've felt slightly off. I am itching to go out into the world once again, to get out there and to start what God has in store for me. But, my problem is, I am ready to go like, right this minute. And the thing is, God seems to be thinking a little differently right now. Remember my last blog, when I talked about my need for patience? Well...yeah. I have a feeling that that is exactly what I need to be learning right now. How to stay put, sit quietly, and wait on the Lord. Maybe then I will be ready to hear (and act upon) exactly what He has in store for me! And that should slowly cure my need to get OUTTA HERE! Then again, saying all of this is a little too easy, but doing it couldn't be harder.
I am also always in need of the reminder that a life with God should never, ever be boring! By just being in his presence and spending my days solely with him, I have already found the cure for my case boredom without even realizing it. While this is also easier said than done most of the time, I have now created a small list of things to do for myself and for God in these next couple of months, and will begin my newly inspired "Me & God" journey! My small list consists of simple things such as spending time in my journal and bible when I am alone, keeping God in all of my daily activities, and beginning some of my new-found passions (like photography)!
And it seems that I have written enough thus far--so I will update you all again soon!
Love love love,
Kelci
With what, you may ask? Well, um, hm. Let's see...EVERYTHING!!!!!!
(Well...Let me explain).
I have always been a person that gets bored very easily. I am a do-er. I enjoy doing things, I enjoy being busy, I enjoy going places, I enjoy the feeling of "doing." All my life I've been this way, but most recently (as in, the past three months) I have had this continuous, over-whelming feeling of boredom ALONG with the need to travel. When combined, they seem to equate into something very odd. Wanderlust.
Wanderlust (Definition): A very strong impulse to travel. Yes, my friends, I have been itching to travel again. To go places! Do things! Ahh! I even get crazy thinking about it. Ever since YWAM, I have been content with just packing my bags, getting on a plane, and leaving. But about three weeks ago when I made the choice to go ahead and stay where I was instead of getting the heck out of here, I've felt slightly off. I am itching to go out into the world once again, to get out there and to start what God has in store for me. But, my problem is, I am ready to go like, right this minute. And the thing is, God seems to be thinking a little differently right now. Remember my last blog, when I talked about my need for patience? Well...yeah. I have a feeling that that is exactly what I need to be learning right now. How to stay put, sit quietly, and wait on the Lord. Maybe then I will be ready to hear (and act upon) exactly what He has in store for me! And that should slowly cure my need to get OUTTA HERE! Then again, saying all of this is a little too easy, but doing it couldn't be harder.
I am also always in need of the reminder that a life with God should never, ever be boring! By just being in his presence and spending my days solely with him, I have already found the cure for my case boredom without even realizing it. While this is also easier said than done most of the time, I have now created a small list of things to do for myself and for God in these next couple of months, and will begin my newly inspired "Me & God" journey! My small list consists of simple things such as spending time in my journal and bible when I am alone, keeping God in all of my daily activities, and beginning some of my new-found passions (like photography)!
And it seems that I have written enough thus far--so I will update you all again soon!
Love love love,
Kelci
Saturday, January 7, 2012
A season of patience.
I would like to let all of you who have been checking up on my updates (since I've been home) know that I am not going to the School of Evangelism any longer (at this point in time). I had an intense couple of weeks with God to really figure some things out, and have decided that right now at this point in my life, I do not need to do this school yet. A few weeks ago, I was really struggling with the idea of dedicating myself for another five months towards SOE, or just staying home and seeing what God could have in store for me here, because I wasn't really feeling any clear direction from God. My main question was, do I stay here or do I go there? I prayed and focused and sought God for so long, that I began to feel like he wasn't answering my questions. But through confirmation after confirmation, all he had been saying to the entire time me was:
Kelci, you may choose either path. Neither decision is wrong, neither is perfectly right. But either way, I will honor you in your decision if you continue to seek me. I will be with you no matter where you go or what you choose to do. I will never leave your side.
I had been SO scared that if I didn't choose SOE that I would not feel as close to God during these next five months. As if, going to SOE meant growing with him but staying at home would make him farther away from me. But, that's such a wrong way of thinking on my part! Although I am positive that I would grow with him during SOE, that doesn't mean God isn't here for me at all times no matter where I am! God is everywhere! I don't have to go to a YWAM base to feel his presence...I just have to continue to seek him, and he will always meet me, right here. (Not that his presence isn't strong on the YWAM tyler base- it most definitely is- but you know what I mean I hope ;)
And during this entire process, I had also been doubting his awesome plans for me! Staying home doesn't mean that I'll be doing nothing, it just means that God now is opening doors to things he has for me here at home! Speaking of which, he has already opened up so many doors and he continues to reassure me everyday of the awesome things I will be doing here back at home as well. I know that in my heart I was created to go places, to see the world and God's people, and to spread his love- and trust me, I am not the type to sit around and do nothing... but I know that I know that I know that in the near future he has some crazy things in store for me, even if I am called to a season of "patience" and waiting on him for more of what's coming next, for now.
I promise to keep you all updated on those things!! But for now, it looks like I will be focusing on work, maybe a photography class or two, and the awesome community (you guys!) around me. I'll try and get a fun video up soon for everyone or something, but we'll see ;) I hope that all of you have had a great start to your new year! Love you guys!
Love love love,
Me
Kelci, you may choose either path. Neither decision is wrong, neither is perfectly right. But either way, I will honor you in your decision if you continue to seek me. I will be with you no matter where you go or what you choose to do. I will never leave your side.
I had been SO scared that if I didn't choose SOE that I would not feel as close to God during these next five months. As if, going to SOE meant growing with him but staying at home would make him farther away from me. But, that's such a wrong way of thinking on my part! Although I am positive that I would grow with him during SOE, that doesn't mean God isn't here for me at all times no matter where I am! God is everywhere! I don't have to go to a YWAM base to feel his presence...I just have to continue to seek him, and he will always meet me, right here. (Not that his presence isn't strong on the YWAM tyler base- it most definitely is- but you know what I mean I hope ;)
And during this entire process, I had also been doubting his awesome plans for me! Staying home doesn't mean that I'll be doing nothing, it just means that God now is opening doors to things he has for me here at home! Speaking of which, he has already opened up so many doors and he continues to reassure me everyday of the awesome things I will be doing here back at home as well. I know that in my heart I was created to go places, to see the world and God's people, and to spread his love- and trust me, I am not the type to sit around and do nothing... but I know that I know that I know that in the near future he has some crazy things in store for me, even if I am called to a season of "patience" and waiting on him for more of what's coming next, for now.
I promise to keep you all updated on those things!! But for now, it looks like I will be focusing on work, maybe a photography class or two, and the awesome community (you guys!) around me. I'll try and get a fun video up soon for everyone or something, but we'll see ;) I hope that all of you have had a great start to your new year! Love you guys!
Love love love,
Me
Friday, December 23, 2011
DTS Newsletter for you all.
Here is my newsletter! (it's only the first two pages, sorry about that)
DTS Newsletter (2)
And here is a link to my first VIDEO UPDATE! (please excuse my awkwardness in it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epu_qOZB760&feature=youtu.be
A special thanks to Bob Humphrey for shooting and editing it :)
DTS Newsletter (2)
And here is a link to my first VIDEO UPDATE! (please excuse my awkwardness in it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epu_qOZB760&feature=youtu.be
A special thanks to Bob Humphrey for shooting and editing it :)
Thursday, December 22, 2011
He blesses us abundantly.
The abundance of blessings that we constantly receive from God make me smile. His timing is impeccable and the blessings we receive are always exactly what we need at that given moment. From the smallest to the biggest things that we need, he always, always meets us there.
The reason why this was on my mind today is because I just got done having a coffee date with Brandi, a friend of mine, this morning! (Actually, a very recent friend of mine. We knew each other in high school, but both of us did something through YWAM post high school...so that's kind of what brought us together :) When I first got back home we talked about catching up over coffee and so we planned it, and, what do you know? Today, we spent a couple hours at Jericho Coffee talking about God and our adventures and our plans to come...and it was such an awesome blessing! God has placed a new friend in my life and is opening so many doors for the future to come.
I am so grateful for the way that God watches over me, and I thank him for all of the blessings that he places in my life, constantly. He has reassured me thus far, that with every decision I make in life--whether it be going to college or getting a job or going back to YWAM--he will always provide with what I need. Every step of the way is a big step, and I am overly happy that I get to take those steps with him. :)
I wanted to write this post on blessings because it is the Christmas season, (a season that many like to separate from the rest of the year--by making it that time 'once a year' to give, love, be jolly, and be grateful for what we have.) But I feel like sometimes we are all in need of being reminded of the blessings that take place in our lives constantly, and to remember to be thankful for them no matter the time of year. It's hard to always be grateful for those blessings when it seems that we aren't receiving them, or that God isn't providing. But, as I remind myself alllllll the time, God does know what he is doing and does know what you need when you need it.
Many crazy decisions have been made and many crazy things have been happening in this past month and a half of being home. But, seeing as my insanity has not been cured (kidding), it looks like the School of Evangelism is still currently on top of this crazy list of things to do. I am still in need of support towards this next school, and have exactly two weeks and three days until I need all of my tuition. Yes, that's right. I have until January 8th (or the 7th, more of less) to have alllllll of my tuition to go. Haha! No, I am serious.
God is good, eh? ...And slightly crazy? Yes, but that's why I love him :)
If you would love to read my newsletter (I know you would) and haven't received it through email or facebook yet, LET ME KNOW! My email is kelci_b@hotmail.com and I would love to send you a copy. If you would also like to stay in contact and keep up with all of my updates, send me YOUR email--I would love to have you in my regular contacts list. :) Guess this is all for now, folks. Talk to you soon!
Love love love,
Kelci
My facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kittyykat93
My email: kelci_b@hotmail.com
My YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/SpreadHISloveee?feature=mhee
The reason why this was on my mind today is because I just got done having a coffee date with Brandi, a friend of mine, this morning! (Actually, a very recent friend of mine. We knew each other in high school, but both of us did something through YWAM post high school...so that's kind of what brought us together :) When I first got back home we talked about catching up over coffee and so we planned it, and, what do you know? Today, we spent a couple hours at Jericho Coffee talking about God and our adventures and our plans to come...and it was such an awesome blessing! God has placed a new friend in my life and is opening so many doors for the future to come.
I am so grateful for the way that God watches over me, and I thank him for all of the blessings that he places in my life, constantly. He has reassured me thus far, that with every decision I make in life--whether it be going to college or getting a job or going back to YWAM--he will always provide with what I need. Every step of the way is a big step, and I am overly happy that I get to take those steps with him. :)
I wanted to write this post on blessings because it is the Christmas season, (a season that many like to separate from the rest of the year--by making it that time 'once a year' to give, love, be jolly, and be grateful for what we have.) But I feel like sometimes we are all in need of being reminded of the blessings that take place in our lives constantly, and to remember to be thankful for them no matter the time of year. It's hard to always be grateful for those blessings when it seems that we aren't receiving them, or that God isn't providing. But, as I remind myself alllllll the time, God does know what he is doing and does know what you need when you need it.
Many crazy decisions have been made and many crazy things have been happening in this past month and a half of being home. But, seeing as my insanity has not been cured (kidding), it looks like the School of Evangelism is still currently on top of this crazy list of things to do. I am still in need of support towards this next school, and have exactly two weeks and three days until I need all of my tuition. Yes, that's right. I have until January 8th (or the 7th, more of less) to have alllllll of my tuition to go. Haha! No, I am serious.
God is good, eh? ...And slightly crazy? Yes, but that's why I love him :)
If you would love to read my newsletter (I know you would) and haven't received it through email or facebook yet, LET ME KNOW! My email is kelci_b@hotmail.com and I would love to send you a copy. If you would also like to stay in contact and keep up with all of my updates, send me YOUR email--I would love to have you in my regular contacts list. :) Guess this is all for now, folks. Talk to you soon!
Love love love,
Kelci
My facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kittyykat93
My email: kelci_b@hotmail.com
My YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/SpreadHISloveee?feature=mhee
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