Bojnice Hrad

I LOVE CASTLES!

I didn't realize how much I love castles until yesterday. That is when I took Shay to once of the nicest castles in Slovakia for his birthday. And I hope I can be forgiven if I enjoyed it more than he did (although he did really enjoy it too).

And because it is so GORGEOUS I hopefully can be forgiven for posting so many pictures (hint: you can click on the pictures to see them full size!)

The Birthday Boy!

Gold leaf ceiling? Yep!

The cave below the castle

These last few pictures are credited to Nick, one of the other DTS students who came with us. He isn't camera shy, but doesn't like pictures on public blogs. So I'll just give him a shout out!

We haven't had this many pictures of us together EVER. So I'm kinda enjoying them.

Ta ta!

First Two Weeks

When I left to come back to Slovakia for this trip I told myself that I would do a better job of posting on my blog this year. I definitely have not. I forgot how long it takes to get into the rhythm. And with the extra stresses and planning that comes with being staff I'm finding it difficult to have enough time. Right now I'm drafting this while on a bus to Bojnice for a day trip. It is Shay's birthday this weekend and pictures of the beautiful castle there will becoming soon. But I haven't even shared about teachings yet! Last week a wonderful woman of God who has been in YWAM since it's first school of evangelism came to speak. I had met her and her husband before but she always inspires me to become a greater and more faithful woman of God. if I have half as many adventures when I'm seventy then I will be very happy! Unfortunately smuggling bibles into Slovakia isn't really an adventure anymore (praise be to God for that!).

She taught us about prayer and the fear of the Lord. I really love her teachings on prayer because you can tell how much of a prayer warrior she is. Her daily intercession on others behalf, her group intercession for countries and cities, how she approaches God with prayers for herself.

One of the most inspiring things she told us about is women from her town coming together to pray. they come from 14 different denominations (every one in town except the evangelicals-which makes me sad because my church at home is evangelical. I hope we wouldn't pass an opportunity like this up). And these women meet together and learn what is happening in different churches and pray. A could times a year they put on a luncheon and invite Christian women to come but they are required to bring one unsaved friend. They have a speaker and lots of fun. And through these women getting to know eachother, the denominations are working together. When two churches hire a youth worker jointly and give them a commission to work with all the towns youth, that is a huge step for unity in The Church.

I also believe she has a powerful understanding of prayer. And it probably is what people have tried to teach me my entire life, but when YWAM explained it for some reason it clicked: Prayer is partnering with God. We ask God what he wants us to pray for and do and we agree with his plan by praying with the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit is present and you already know God wants to do it you can pray with strength and confidence! Your prayers and words are strong to tear down and build up. I had even heard this teaching last year. It's amazing how quickly you can forget if you aren't actively applying. But I have six months to practice applying this whenever I'm interceeding on anothers behalf or my own.

This week we had another speaker and he was Irish but living in Scotland. He also has acting training so it was so fun listening to him switch between accents. He spoke on sin, forgiveness, conviction vs condemnation, and giving up rights. Those seem like some pretty tough topics, and they are, but he was so easily able to make it real for us. One of his best analogies was about sin and temptation. (Skip to the next paragraph if you have a weak stomach).  Temptation is a nice, shiny wrapper from your favorite candy ( werthers or toffee?) that gets you excited in anticipation and you greedily want the candy... But as you unwrap it and shove it in your mouth you realize it isn't a candy. It's poop. And you taste it and smell it and your breath stinks. It is the grossest analogy ever but sin is gross. And when he was explaining it I was actually very grossed out. But I think it was good to use such a strong idea.

He also taught on how we need to lay down our rights. I hadn't really thought about it before, but the places where you are frustrated and upset with God often are the places where you are unwilling to lay down what you think are your rights in that area. If I think I have a right to a white picket fence life, I'll be upset when it isn't what I have. If I think I have a right to use my money and have a good reputation, and to get married, and to live where I want to then I will not be grateful for God's blessings when they aren't what I think I deserve.  Its such a sacrificial and biblical message, but I've thought my whole life that making sure that I have those rights is the most important thing. To lay them down and let God tell me what is actually what I need.

Next week we talk about the Father heart of God. I LOVE this speaker and his message. And I will upload pictures from today ASAP as well. Thank you all for your prayers. They mean so much to us, and we really do rely on them!

Pictures

I just found out that you can click on the pictures on my blog and see them bigger!  I LOVE when you find out stuff like that! Here are two you can click on!

Urpin

This weekend we went exploring!

We went up the "hill" called Urpin to the chapel and for a hike. It turned into a much more intense walk than I expected. We went all the way to the observatory.  I don't think I'll ever take that route to the observatory EVER again. 

The Chapel

The Observatory

If you look really close you can see students behind the trees!

I also had a chance to take pictures in town. So here is one the I got the other day just as the lights were turning on and the sun setting. I really like this building. 

Tomorrow our speaker is Reona, an original YWAM-er. She spoke last year and I'm so excited for her to be here again!  She challenges me to be a stronger woman of God.

Slovak Concert!

Today is the end of day four.

Last night we had a very cool opportunity as the DTS to go to a concert of Hillsong Live.  This was a VERY big deal in Slovakia. Slovaks from all across the country came to a basketball arena (is it an arena if its small? More like a gymnasium) to be at a Hillsong concert.  The place was amazingly full.

And although I was disappointed by the first couple songs, they actually were a good show.  To see all those Slovaks praising God, with hands raised and in English none the less.

While this event wasn't nearly as big as YC, the other times I've seen Hillsong.. I think the worship was great and worth our evening even if I didn't know about 1/3 of the songs.

I also got to see my Slovak parents at the concert!  Janka's parents came with her and I got big hugs from both of them.  It's so nice to have Slovaks that love me, even if we don't speak the same language. 

Hopefully I'll be able to blog more this weekend. Now we are off to visit the city!  

First Week Back

Well the first week back in Slovakia has been pretty eventful!  Outside of all the preparation work that needed to be done for the students (who began DTS today!) we actually got to do quite a bit!

This weekend was the market (which has a real name in Slovak, but I didn't learn it) in the town square. It actually was a HUGE event!  They brought in acts from Russia and some former Yugoslavian country (which one in particular I forget) to be on the main stage on Friday and Saturday nights.  They also had vendors lining the streets selling all kinds of goods.  It was so much fun just watching people and looking at the goods!

There were balloons EVERYWHERE!

These cookies are everywhere.  Some of them said "lasky" or versions of that word which can be translated love. I'm not sure what all the others say, but they all are heart shaped so I expect they are for sweethearts.  And no I didn't get one. 

They also had falconers (is that the real word? I just made it up...) who were showing off their birds.  It seems to be a pretty big thing here and they had quite a few different birds.  These owls were my favourite but they also had actual falcons and a hawk and a raven.  I'd love to see them actually practice with them.  I know some castles have birds of prey that they show for tourists, hopefully we will get a chance to see that. 

We also had a birthday party which is where all these pictures came from.

Yes this is a gummy bear cake. But it has gummy cows and frogs and mice and the normal worms and bears. Shay says they were surprisingly good. 

It is the end of day 2 of the DTS. I'm already wiped but I'm so happy!  I love this group. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to post a bit about what we are doing.  I have yet to pull out a camera this week though. That is how busy it is.

On Our Way

Well the trip has begun!  Shay can't change his mind anymore. (Well, actually he probably could until we step onto that airplane. But he's through security so chances are he won't)

I had a fabulous week in Mission with Shay and his family. We helped his mom prepare for her wedding and I was so blessed to be included in their celebration. It was a beautiful wedding in the most amazing setting. Heritage Park in Mission is home to the Blackberry Kitchen. Shay's mom and her new husband are running the restaurant. I'm sure they won't mind this shameless plug... because their place is amazing. Not only amazing food but a beautiful setting in the park and a fabulous view!  It was an amazing venue for their wedding.  

Shay also treated me to a day out to Lynn Canyon and with their help it included a picnic basket that he produced quite to my surprise.  They actually do that at the restaurant: call ahead and order a picnic basket for you and your sweetheart, family, or even a group of friends to enjoy in the park. Shay got special permission to leave the park, but there has to be some perks to being the son!  

Anyways, I was totally surprised and overwhelmed that he actually put that much effort in to make sure I didn't know that they had snuck it into his Jeep that morning.  And of course Lynn Canyon is beautiful. It was nice to get to see the mountains and ocean before we left Canada for 8 months.

So now there is 10 mins till boarding... EXCITING!  Keep checking back for the next bit of news!

Prayer Requests

Hi Everybody!

I'm just 24 hours away from leaving Alberta and 7 days from leaving the country. I don't think I'm quite comprehending it.   However I've been asked a couple times to share my prayer items as I head out to do another 7 months with YWAM. I don't know if I have officially said on this blog but my boyfriend Shay will be going to Slovakia as a student in the DTS, something that we are so grateful to be allowed by our staff. We really appreciate having the opportunity to be on the same base.

I love this picture of the WWII museum in Banska.

So my prayer requests are these:

For safety on our travels as last year my bus got in an accident on my way to the airport. 

That God would be preparing me and all TEN students for the months ahead of us.

Prayer for safety for those students and that God would work their circumstances that they can come without regrets for leaving people behind in their home countries. 

That God would help me reconnect with the other staff that I already know, and maybe even bring us someone else to help?

For Shay and me to be able to handle anything that gets thrown at us in these next months.

For wisdom as I'm going to have to make many more decisions than last year.

I want to be open to everything God has to teach me this next year so I'm praying that my heart and mind and spirit would be fertile soil and that I would learn how to bring this new understanding back into how I live my life in Canada. 

For guidance as we decide where we will be doing outreach (please somewhere warm!)

Lastly, I'm asking God for cohesion for our group. Last year we hardly had any reason to feel disconnected as a group. We got along so good. I am praying that God would help that be the case this year and prepare each persons heart to want to make the group one that is connected and very much a family.  I know that takes time, but I'm really praying for it to happen quickly.  

Thank you to everyone who has already told me that they are praying. I'll keep you updated on what you can be praying for and what is going on in a general sense. I expect that the next week I'll be in an internet black hole but look for a post while we are waiting to take off in Vancouver or between flights in London.  

Blessings, Alison

Three days

Three days from right now I'll be in Mission, BC.  That is the first leg of my trip to Slovakia, and I'm so excited.  I've been packing and preparing for a while already, but now it is getting so so close!

I expect that many new people will be checking out my blog in the next few days, so I want to give you a couple pointers on how to comment on my blog.  I LOVE hearing from people who are reading. It is especially good to be commenting on things you read on my blog because it encourages me to keep posting. So if you want something else to read about my trip, tell me what you think about the posts you do read!  It also helps me see who my audience is.  I've told an awful lot of people about this blog. I want to know who exactly I'm writing too. And if you don't know me and just stumble upon my thoughts, please join the conversation. I'd love to know someone I haven't even met is reading!  

So to comment click the little comment link at the bottom of the post (# comments). Write what you want to say.  Choose anonymous under the "Comment as" section.  (Unless you have a gmail ID and want to use it). If you do choose anonymous, I would love it if you would include your name in the post so I know who you are and reply accordingly.  

If you feel self conscious commenting and know my email, please email me!  I love hearing from Canada.  It really is a great surprise to see an email I'm not expecting.  

Thanks for reading, and there will be brand new pictures from Europe real soon!

What am I reading...

'Reflecting' on Lewis' writings.

(North of Dewberry, AB)

Its quite a bit of CS Lewis actually.  Shay got me started reading Mere Christianity and I finally finished last weekend at camp.  I really enjoyed it!  There were one or two analogies I wasn't a fan of, but for the most part I loved what he had to say about what Christianity is supposed to be and why we should care.  There were so many good analogies that I won't even try to write them all. Read the book and see how amazing it is yourself. The people with me last weekend were bombarded by me reading snippets because it is too good to keep to yourself!  (I think that is why Shay had me read a couple of the chapters in the first place).

I do want to share a couple things though.  The first is a thought that I like and believe is very true:

"God is easy to please, but hard to satisfy."  If I commented this blog post would be very long. But think on it.

And the second was a great illustration of how God is the root of so many things. Lewis is talking about how God helps us become who he wants us to be. That he is not only rooting us on but actively engaged in helping and such. But some people don't think God is helping:

"You may say 'I've never had the sense of being helped by an invisible Christ, but I often have been helped by other human beings.' That is rather like the woman in the first war who said that if there were a bread shortage it would not bother her house because they always ate toast.  If there is no bread there ill be no toaste. If there were no help from Christ, there would be no help form other human beings."

I LOVE that. Because it is so true. God works through others and it is because God exist that the world exists, that good happens, that you are helped...

After I finished Mere Christianity it only took me three days to get through The Great Divorce. I LOVED that book too. I need to get my own copies of these so I can write in them.. right now I am using a library copy.

As for everything else in my life: I'm packing. I'm excited. I have all my flights booked.  But my external hard drive just stopped working 10 mins ago... lets hope its the heat and it works tomorrow!