A Little Distracted but Here We Are!

Oh my, I've been a little distracted lately from updating our blog! My (Jami's) last post was in February! I'm so sorry! I updated our baby blog on a regular basis, but that doesn't explain anything about what Ted and I are up to these days.

You are probably wondering just that. What are we doing this quarter?

Ted:

Ted is running the maintenance department (like he did in the fall) and this time things seem to be running a bit more smooth than before. He is still busy as ever, sometimes even on weekends and with his phone ringing off the hook usually. That part is kind of a bummer, especially right now as we prepare for our baby! But God gives you the grace you need in these situations. Nothing is too hard or impossible to handle when you walk in Him. Ted is also leading worship here and there, which is a blessing! He is passionate about that and always enjoys it. Ted recently started a photography group here at YWAM Denver, which basically anyone with a Digital SLR can come and learn about the camera and lighting and how to take a good photo, etc. This saturday will be our first outing, so that should be fun. We will basically meet once a week with some kind of teaching and everyone can bring things to the table. During that week, we will go out and put everything to practice and each new week we will bring something back to share.

Jami:

Well other than being super prego right now (30 weeks with only 10 weeks to go)... I am currently working in the web department, updating the website and trying to learn graphics as well. I am also receptionist one day a week. At times things can get hectic, but really I am blessed to be able to relax and really enjoy the work I am doing. You would probably never take me as a web kinda girl... but I actually really love it! I get a maternity leave starting in June, but I am feeling really good right now and I will continue to come into work until basically the baby comes. I want to remain in community as much as possible and when you are gone for even a week, here it feels like a month and it sometimes takes a while to get caught up.

Prayer requests:

• Future- God is doing something seriously incredible right now. We will share in more detail, well when He shares with us! It's exciting!
• Relationships- balance between work and our relationship as a married couple soon going to be parents, our friendships and relationships with co workers.
• Finances- we are slowly but surely preparing for our baby but this is one area we are still worried about sometimes! It will no longer be just us and that can be frightening.
• Trusting God with ALL things.

I have really been struggling with loneliness lately. I think most of it is my pregnancy and emotions right now, also with Ted being busy all of the time with little time for us (he tries so hard to make it happen though). I haven't struggled with feeling alone for a long time now so this all makes me wonder what is going on. I even have backed away a bit from the community in my insecurities which haven't been with me for a while. I don't know what is bringing everything back up but I want it to go away and especially before our baby comes. I am writing because this is seriously something I want prayer for.

I know you all care and will be praying and that means the world to me.

We love you all and appreciate your prayers and love to us!

Jami, Ted and Baby E/C

p.s. for everyone who lives close by... we are having a Share Dish at my parents new home in Timnath on May 17th at 5 PM. Ted and I will be sharing some exciting possibilities for our future and we can all fellowship and eat some good food too! Come by! RSVP to Jami @ Colourherhope@gmail.com

Mardi Gras Reflections

Hello Everyone sorry it has been so long since our last post! I wanted to write up a though I had on my trip to Mardi Gras. (Ted)

The streets of New Orleans were just as everyone described; Rich architecture, Good food, and Beautiful music. As I wandered around I found myself people watching. Not the tourist who come to drink the nights away in a crowded street with chaotic music bumping away. but of the locals who call this unique place home.

There was this man who was set up on a bench. He had a cheap little amp and a fairly cheap classical guitar. You could here him playing at the back part of Jackson Square in front of the church. As I walked up to spectate his show I found myself some what lost in the music. He played many well known Classical hits, but he played them with a conviction that was mesmerizing. It seemed as though the music brought stimulation to all 5 senses. 

After a time he put the guitar down. Grabbed for a bottle of whiskey and drank. I was shocked to find that he was drunk. I felt sad as i realized how I had forgotten that humanity has the finger print of God on it. This man was not a shallow drunken hobo with no soul, No he was a human who has an understanding that there is beauty. Now I don't know What he believes, but I do know that he was expressing something beautiful to the world. I believe that God is Beautiful, and as we show beautiful things we bring a greater understanding to the Beauty that he is. Just as we love one another we bring greater understanding of how He is Love.

I wonder how many times do I keep the beautiful things that I see inside.......When there is a hurting world that desires to see beauty, because it brings hope. I want to express the beauty inside of me because I want to express God. 

Let's take time to express the beauty we see around us! 

Las Vegas. Mardi Gras.

It's hard to believe we are now entering week 6 of this quarter! Time is flying, and soon the Boarders DTS students will be on their way to one of three locations; Panama, Thailand (!), and Mexico. The WISE school will be graduating in 6 weeks, and either heading home, staying here for another school, or heading on outreach with the DTS (which is an option).

I'm writing to share some of the exciting things coming up. In fact, the next few weeks will be crammed! Ted was asked a few months back, to teach in the YWAM Las Vegas DTS on Grace. Ted is super excited about this opportunity to teach on this, for God has really given Him a lot of revelation about Identity, who we are in Christ, and Grace! They also decided to bless us with a ticket for Ted AND a ticket for me to fly out as well! So, Saturday (Valentines Day) Ted and I are flying out to Las Vegas until Tuesday evening. Ted will only be teaching two days due to the fact that he will be leaving for a WISE school outreach to Mardi Gras that Wednesday (Feb. 18).

Ted and the entire WISE school & staff will be heading to Mardi Gras February 18 - February 26. Originally they told me that I would have to take vacation time to travel with them, so Ted and I were super bummed that I would have to stay back. My vacation times are very limited, in fact after the trip to Las Vegas I will only have 1! 

After finding out I could not go to Mardi Gras, a family here on staff which some of you may know from our wedding, the Murphy Fam, asked me to watch their three oldest Isaac 6, Jada 4, and Emily 2 for about a week! I LOVE these kids a whole lot, and that brightened that week for me, seeing originally I would have been alone. My mom will be coming for a few days to spend with the kids and I as well, which is a blessing too because I will still need to work on my intercession and website jobs throughout the week.

I actually found out a few weeks ago, that I could go to Mardi Gras and help run the food side of things, but I declined because I already made a commitment to the Murphy's, not only that but I had already prepared myself for not going, and was looking forward to the time with the Murphy Kids. Plus, being prego and traveling hours in a van with 14 other people, then getting to Mardi Gras and being mixed in with all of the smells... too much I would think!

Anyways, please remember to pray for the Ted's teaching in Las Vegas, for Ted and the WISE school as they head out to show the love of God among Mardi Gras, and for me as I become somewhat of a "mom" for a week-ish! P.S. I don't have to take vacation time to watch the Murphy kids because John & Bethany are traveling to Hawaii for a YWAM conference with the directors of our base. Another blessing! 

Heavenly Father.

A song I love and wanted to share

By Jon Foreman (switchfoot's lead singer)

'Your Love Is Strong'

"Heavenly Father, You always amaze me,

Let your kingdom come in my world and in my life.

Give me the food I need, to live through today,

Forgive me as I forgive, people that wrong me.

Lead me far from temptation,

Deliver me from the evil one.

I look out the window,

The birds are composing,

Not a note is out of tune, or out of place.

I walk to the meadow, and stare at the flowers,

Better dressed than any girl on her wedding day.

So why should I worry?

Why do I freak out? 

God knows what I need

You know what I need.

Your love is, Your love is, 

Your love is strong.

The kingdom of the heavens, is now advancing,

Invade my heart, 

Invade this broken town.

The kingdom of the heavens, is buried treasure,

Would you sell yourself,

To buy the one you've found.

Two things You've told me,

That You are strong,

And You love me,

Yes, You love me.

Your love is, Your love is,

 Your love is strong.

Our God in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name,

Above all names, 

Your kingdom come, Your will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven,

Give us today, our daily bread,

Forgive us weary sinners,

Keep us far from our vices,

And deliver us from these prisons."

Do Justly, Love mercy.

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you. But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God..." Micah 6:8

This past Sunday God really spoke to me through this verse, showing me in the most loving way, how often I get caught up on the justice, that I rarely make it to mercy, or even walking humbly with our God.

I know the areas in which I excel in and am gifted in are also my areas of my greatest weakness. I love justice, and am lacking in the area of mercy. You see, if I see something wrong or unjust, I want to see it made right. I want justice, and usually I want it now. I get stuck so much on the justice side of things, that I grow uptight and ultimately merciless.

Synonyms of mercy: compassion, clemency, kindness, understanding, grace, forgiveness...

Antonym: cruelty (yikes!) 

I began this week with every intention of loving mercy, and unfortunetly it is harder for me to break this habit. Please pray for me to truly love mercy. To show grace, understanding, and to forgive! I really want to move forward in this, with my whole heart. I need your prayers. 

Prayer Request.

Just a quick prayer request: my (Jami's) health

Now that we are having a baby, we worry a lot more about my health when I catch something. It is almost impossible for me to not catch the community sickness, whatever it may be.  (I have a terrible immune system)! 

Anyways, living in the mountains with almost 100 other people, is frightening to me. I try to stay away from people who are hacking or have a cold, but it seems I've come down with one anyways. 

I either have a cold with a terribly runny nose and a headache and earache along with that. I don't know if it is the common cold or a sinus infection. Can you please pray for me!

Please pray that I heal up VERY quickly and that the baby will be okay throughout this entire quarter, regardless of what I may catch! I feel miserable, and don't want my baby to feel the same. I know you would all pray for us if I wrote, so thank you!

Love, Jami & baby

New Heights.

I apologize for being so late in updating! Hopefully now that our quarter is beginning to settle I will update more frequently.

I've received emails asking "What are you guys doing this quarter" or "How is the pregnancy" or "Have the students arrived"... well, I'm here to answer all of the questions. Hopefully if my pregnancy brain allows me to remember every detail. 

5 outreach teams left from Arvada on Christmas eve; Colombia, Argentina, Mexico, San Fransisco-Tokyo, & Mobile team (secondary students traveling the U.S.). They will return for debriefing February 9th. 

The new students arrived January 5 full of excitement & anticipation for what was ahead; for most of them, that meant the unknown. 41 students arrived for our Boarders DTS (snowboarding discipleship training school), and 13 students arrived for our W.I.S.E. school (worship spiritual warfare & evangelism). 

Boarders DTS: 

For more information on what a Boarders DTS exactly is: (www.ywamdenver.org/boarders_dts.htm)

I personally really enjoy this group of students already. This DTS is unlike any of the other DTS's we run throughout the year. 

The boarders are usually young & like a culture of their own. Ted grew up skating and snowboarding & I tried my hand in both, walked away with some scars from skateboarding & planning on improving my snowboarding by a lot. Despite the fact that we aren't pros, we both LOVE the culture. The students are brave, raw, courageous, and searching for adventure; whether is be good or bad. I really enjoy watching the growth already. Some may walk in with a tough facade masking private despair. The redemption is this school is phenomenal. 

W.I.S.E. School:

For more information on what the W.I.S.E. school exactly is: (www.ywamdenver.org/wise.htm)

For the first time in YWAM Denver history W.I.S.E. school is living up at our mountain campus called Eagle Rock. It has been great watching the two schools interact. This group of WISE student's is very diverse & enjoyable! 

What this quarter looks like for Ted: 

Ted is actually working as a small group leader of 3 WISE students & already enjoying sitting in class for each teaching & spending time with his guys. He will be heading out Feb. 18 - 27th for Mardi Gras outreach with the WISE school. Please be praying ahead for good weather & a great outreach! Ted is also leading worship up here.

What this quarter looks like for me: 

I am not working a school, because I am pregnant. At first I was disappointed, but now I see it is for the best. I need to rest a lot more than I ever have in my life, and having a small group would have been crazy. So... I am still working in the web department and loving it. I updated the YWAM Denver site (ywamdenver.org) and I am working in photoshop cs3 & dreamweaver trying to learn as much as possible about creating a website & graphic design. 

I am also working as the Intercession coordinator with one other girl on staff. We have the awesome opportunity to intercede & ask God what He wants our base to be praying for each Wednesday & Friday morning. We are trying to be creative & catch the heart of each student/staff, challenging them to step out in creativity & prayer. I've enjoyed the creative side of both of my jobs this quarter. It is fulfilling!

And... I am pregnant, which I feel is a job in and of itself; just wait 'til baby comes! I am reading material on pregnancy, eating, exercise, the baby in the womb &  outside. It's been awesome & eye opening. I am also trying to move forward in maturity & quite making life all about me. With a baby that will be close to impossible, why not learn now!

Oh, and we have temporarily moved to our mountain campus for the next three months, along with all of the transition ahead. Hence: new heights. 

Thanks for reading this novel. ;)

Love, 

Jami