Answered Prayer!

    So tonight, I was sitting in the hallway just hanging out with people, as I normally do, when we heard excited screams from the girls dorm named Bhutan (we name the dorms after countries close to our heart here at YWAM Madison). A stream of girls came pouring out the door, telling us the news they had just seen: "The queen of Bhutan is pregnant!"
     Yes! The queen of Bhutan is finally pregnant! YWAM Madison has been praying for this for YEARS. And it has finally happened!! She is expecting a son in February!
     Jesus is so good!
     I just quickly wanted to share that awesome news, and ask you to keep praying for that child!
     Blessings,
          Katie

The Past Year

     As I drive to preschool, I have a lot of time to think and talk to God. And honestly, it is when I am driving that He often speaks to me. When He told me to staff, it was while I was driving home for Christmas last year. Last week, He was talking to me about how he ASKS me to do things, rather than TELLING me to do them. And He says thank you when I choose to do as He asked.
     Today, as I was driving that long drive, with fields of corn stalk remains on either side of the road, God and I were looking back on the past year of my life. And remembering all the things I have seen God do, all the things we have done together.
     In the past year, I have learned how much God loves me, and how real that love is. How He loves me without any strings. Nothing I do or don't do will ever affect His love for me. I have danced around while waving huge palm branches during worship. I have seen Him provide finances for people in astounding ways -He provided about 5 thousand dollars to our school leaders in one day. I have seen Him heal people of their illness or injury -I have seen people go from extreme pain to none at all after a simple prayer. I have learned about the weapons of spiritual warfare, and the power I have in that area, and I have used them. I have taken down bunk beds and lugged them up to a stifling hot attic. I have spent two months living in Mexico, just because God asked me to go there. I have eaten oatmeal, beans, and rice every day for a week. I have spent thousands of dollars just to serve others, to be God's hands and feet. I have changed the poopy diapers of special needs women. I have collected beautiful, amazing sea shells and seen God's creativity and beauty through them. I have handed out hot dogs to people who live and work in a dump, people who never leave the smell and dirt of that place. I have lived in a building with fifty others, sharing a room with twelve girls. I have talked to a complete stranger about Jesus for over an hour. I stood up to speak in front of a group of people, not sure what I was going to say, until God gave me the words as I spoke them. I have listened as God asked me to go certain places. I have taken a 27 hour bus ride, halfway through which the military stopped us, ordered everyone off the bus, and scanned out belongings. I have met friends who now live all over the world -Africa, Mexico, Ireland, Japan, and more. I have learned a lot about who God is, and I have grown in relationship with Him. I have handed out free hot chocolate in the frosty night. I have learned to hear and recognize God's voice. I have worshipped God while gazing at the amazing ocean He created. I have seen Him bring a preschool into being out of literally nothing. I have seen God bring joy out of dreariness. I have seen Him meet people in  new ways. I have laughed with God -for almost an hour, non-stop. I have been searched at a border, and then denied entry to the county (America, of all places!). I have felt His gentle presence. I have seen God change people's lives forever. I have seen people accept Jesus into their lives, thanking Him for what He has done for them. I have begun to actually trust God with my future.
     God and I have been on a crazy, crazy journey over this past year. These are only a handful of the many, many things that I have done together with Him! My time with YWAM has been a crazy, fun, incredible learning experience and a crazy, fun, incredible time with God. And I'm so excited to see what else I get to do with Him over my next few months with YWAM Madison, as well as for the rest of my life, where-ever I may be!
     Blessings,
          Katie
     PS. I'm coming home! In two weeks, it is Thanksgiving break, and so I shall be home for a few days! I'm so excited to see everyone again! I miss you all!

Prayer

     Every day of YWAM preschool starts the same. Once all the children have arrived, we sit down on the alphabet rug for circle, or "oval", as the children call it (because we don't sit in a perfect circle, it is more like an oval. When I say circle, they always correct me). Here, we talk about God, read the Bible, and end with prayer.
     When we pray is probably my favourite part of every day. It is the absolute best. I ask for prayer requests, which I write on the chalkboard. Some of their requests make me laugh. Take on of my personal favourites, for example- "I want to pray that the farmer won't mix up the milking cow and the eating cow." (he really loves his milking cows... like, a lot). They also have prayed for a room full of puppies, that everyone gets good at math, and that we will have winter AND summer (this comes from the same child).
     But while they have their funny prayer requests, they also have some that really surprise me. Like "Thank you for the new toy- it was an answer to our prayer because last time we prayed that everyone would get a new toy! And I did!" and "That the people in China and Mexico don't get hurt by the bad army guys." Another prayer request that has come up multiple times lately is that "Everyone will have a Bible". Yesterday, we talked during our Bible time about being blessed to be a blessing. How we should share with people in need. And during the prayer requests, one child requested that we pray that "People with nothing will be blessed."
     When we first started preschool, I would be the one to pray our prayers. When I asked if anyone else wanted to pray, no one would volunteer. Now, all the children want to pray, and I have to pick two each day. It is so awesome to see the children growing in talking to God!
     I was talking to Greg, the backing behind the preschool, whose son Bennett is in the preschool. He was telling me that he can see the impact that it is having. Bennett wants to pray more, and out loud. And that in turn is helping Bennett's older sister to be more outspoken in prayer, since she sees her brother doing it.
     So that's just a tiny glimpse of what preschool is doing. Its awesome!
     And now I am off to spend the weekend with my friend. I haven't seen her in a whole week -I spent this past week living in town with a mom and baby because the DTS went to Oklahoma for a conference. I got to snuggle baby Obie for like three hours every night, so it was pretty terrific!- and so I'm looking forward to spending time with her again!
     Oh, and since the DTS was in Oklahoma, Micah had to go as well. Apparently he kept telling his mom how saw he was to be missing school. Awwwww :)
     Blessings,
          Katie

Prayer requests :)

On Monday, I played chauffeur for a family with eight children. School drop offs and pick ups. I got to drive around this 12 seater beast... quite the adventure! 

This past week with just me, Lauren, and baby Obediah was the best. I got to cuddle Obie for so long every evening! I put him to sleep every night- apparently I am still the baby whisperer! :P

Bhutan

     I have a question for you. Have you heard of the country of Bhutan? I hadn't. Bhutan is a small country located just south of China. I have never been there, but it is an absolutely beautiful country. Totally gorgeous. But it is also very limited to tourists. They want to keep their country pure, so in order to visit the country, you have to pay a hefty fee. You can only enter Bhutan on their airline. The country is ruled by King Jigme Wangchuck, who is married to his lovely wife, a former commoner, named Jetsun. King Jigme's father had five or six wives, but King Jigme said that Jetsun is his one and only. However, they have been married for several years and have yet to have a child. Pressure is on him to marry again. Since the kingdom is predominately Buddhist, it is completely acceptable.
     The people of Bhutan adore their king. He is their father. Really, should they come to know the Lord, understanding the Father-heart of God would be so easy for them, because that is already how they see their earthly king.
     Bhutan is also the nation that we here at YWAM Madison have been praying for for twenty years. Each Tuesday and Thursday, at the DTS, we split into small groups and intercede -stand in the gap- for the country of Bhutan.
     Intercession. When I first came here, I didn't really know what intercession was. But it is really so simple! Intercession is prayer- prayer where you wait on God to tell you what to pray into. So we sit together and ask God what He would like us to pray for Bhutan. We are in Spiritual Warfare week here at the DTS, so today we were just talking about the power of prayer. Prayer is powerful, guys.
     And I would like to encourage you all to pray for this small, easily forgotten and overlooked country. This is something that we got in intercession this morning, as well as last week -that we need to raise awareness for this country. Tell people about it. I had never heard of it before last summer. I'm sure many people have never really heard of Bhutan.
     Here are some of the other prayer points that we have received from God over the past month or so of praying for this country.
     -The queen WILL have a baby
     -Pray that they love their King the same way that they love their king.
     -It may look hopeless, but God is the ultimate authority and power. Do not give up hope!
     -Unity for the Christians who are there
     -Supporting them in prayer. Radical prayer.
     So I encourage you to take time out of your day. Pray for this small, unknown country. Stand in the gap for them. Plead for them. Speak on behalf of them.
     I love intercession :)
     Blessings,
          Katie

                                                  Here are some pictures of Bhutan

The king and queen of Bhutan

The Bhutan flag

The Love Story

     "God wrote, 'I love you' -he wrote it in the sky, and on the earth, and under the sea. He wrote his message everywhere! Because God created everything in his world to reflect him like a mirror- to show us what he is like, to help us know him, to make our hearts sing... ....And God put it into words, too, and wrote it in a book called 'The Bible.'" (The Jesus Storybook Bible, Sally Lloyd-Jones, pg 12).
     Last Saturday, I stopped by the Family Christian Bookstore and bought something that I have wanted for awhile. It is an incredible book. I absolutely love it. I read it every morning during my quiet time, and I am always amazed by the time I finish reading. Even though I have read all the stories before, this book helps me see them in a different light.
     You see, I bought the Jesus Storybook Bible. Yes, the age on the back of the book is 4+. But guys... this Bible is amazing! I run a preschool and I do use it there, but I did not buy it for the kids. I bought it for myself.
     This Bible is written in a way that shows how the Bible is truly a love story. It continuously goes back to God and His love for us. For His desire for relationship with us. It shows hope and it shows who God truly is- a good, good Father.
     Just the introduction thrills me "Now some people think the Bible is a book of rules, telling you what you should and shouldn't do... Other people think the Bible is a book of heroes... No, the Bible isn't a book of rules, or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a Story. It's an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It's a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne -everything- to rescue the one he loves. It's like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life!" (The Jesus Storybook Bible, Sally Lloyd-Jones, pg 14,15,17).
     Isn't that an incredible description of what the Bible is?! Because it's true. It is a story of God seeking after His lost treasure. That's what we are to Him, you know. Precious treasures. How cool is that?!
     When God created Adam and Eve, this is how The Jesus Storybook Bible describes it: "And when God saw them, he was like a new dad. 'You look like me,' he said. 'You're the most beautiful thing I've ever made!' God loved them with all of his heart. And they were lovely because he loved them... God loved his children. He would move heaven and earth to be near them. Always. Whatever happened, whatever it cost him, he would always love them." (The Jesus Storybook Bible, Sally Lloyd-Jones, pg 26,27).
     God loves us. This was a major thing that I learned last year during DTS. That God loves me. I mean, I knew that. I have been taught that my whole life. But it really wasn't something I believed fully. It was head knowledge, not heart knowledge. Over the past year, God has really shown me that He really does love me so so much. He has helped me transition from knowing that with my head to knowing that with my heart. And it still amazes me, every day! I am God's beloved, precious daughter! Its so incredibly amazing, so wonderful, so indescribably awesome!
     So if you want to go back to the roots of what the Bible is, and who God is, try reading this child's Bible. Because it truly reminds me in every story about God's love for us.
     It was the best $17.92 I have ever spent!
     Blessings,
          Katie

It Matters

     This just made me happy, so I am going to share it with you all.

     The Facebook status of the mom of one of my preschoolers: "From the backseat Silas asks if I know what omnipresent means... Later he asked if I knew what a Pine-don was... he meant PYTHON. Preschool knowledge is bubblin' out!"

     What I do makes a difference!

     Blessings,

          Katie

You Are Welcome Here

     I can't believe that five weeks of preschool have passed. That's crazy sauce! How did that even happen?! Wasn't I just spending time painting the room and praying and praying and praying that God would provide everything I needed?! Wasn't it just the other day that I picked up the furniture and set up the room in preparation for the start of preschool?
     Yesterday was a good day. I arrived at my classroom about an hour early, as usual. I sat Micah down to eat his lunch (I bring him with me, and bring him home after), and I got everything ready for class. Then I sat down on the carpet and began to do a kid puzzle. And I was singing the song "Holy Spirit" by Francesca Battistelli, without really realizing it.
     "Holy Spirit, you are welcome here. Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere. Your glory, God is what my heart longs for. To be overcome by your presence, Lord!"
     Once I realized what I was singing, I began to sing it as a prayer over the classroom. I always try to pray before the kids come (and during, of course!) and I thought that this song was a very good prayer to have!
     I know that God is always with me throughout the preschool -and life, obviously. But yesterday's class just felt like it had God's hand all over it. After the children arrived -I only have four of my usual children, since one was sick, one was visiting grandparents, and one just wasn't there, but the nine year old brother of one child joined us for the second day in a row- we sat down for circle (or, as the kids always say, "No, it's not circle, it's OVAL!" because we don't sit in a perfect circle. I love them!). I talked to them about the big O words -Omniscient, Omnipresent, etc. I asked them if they could guess what each meant, knowing they wouldn't know, and then explained what it meant and how God was like that. One moment that cracked me up was when I asked what they thought omnipresent means, and Micah was like "It means that Santa is going to come and bring us presents!"
     After this, I read the Bible story of the plagues. After, I grabbed a cup of water and put it in the middle of the carpet. "Who can change this into blood?" I asked. One child raised his hand. "Okay, Silas! Turn it into blood!" I said. He looked at me, "I... I don't know how."
     I did this with a few other things, telling them to make frogs appear, and grasshoppers, etc. They thought it was hilarious, but they also realized how they cannot do it, but God can.
     It was a good day :) Plus I got cuddles from Franz, so that just was the icing on the cake!

     Preschool, though, is not the only thing I do here in Madison! Here are a couple pictures from my last couple of weeks here!

Sunset out at the TC, where I live

Our first Love Feast of the DTS! Each school, we have three 'Love Feasts'. Basically we dress up and eat together. We have a Thanksgiving Love Feast, a Christmas one, and then this one- a Passover Love Feast. We staff served dinner and dessert to the students, and then after dinner, we had different people sing and recite poetry focusing on Jesus and His sacrifice.

     So yeah, that's just a small glimpse into my life right now! Its busy but fun and I love every moment of it! 

     I did dream the other night that I was home and it was quite lovely being back. I can't wait to see you all when I come home for a visit!

     Blessings,

          Katie