Weeks 1-12

I realize that I have not done the greatest job of consistently posting updates. I also realize that I haven't truly shared all that God has been doing in my life these last 12 weeks. Granted, it's rather difficult to fully explain what I have been going through, but perhaps this list--very condensed--will give a better picture of my discipleship training school experience. From week 1, I kept a piece of paper in my Bible and made notes--just brief phrases--of what God was teaching me. The topic of the week's lectures may or may not correspond with everything God was teaching me that week. It's personal, yes, but all the more real. I don't mind sharing.

Themes from my DTS: Weeks 1-12

Week 1: Orientation and Intro to Trafficking

-Freedom in Christ: leaving my comfort zone behind to run with God

-God brought me to the desert to romance me, as in Hosea

-Brokenness, forgiveness, and healing

-Determining to seek God with my whole heart

Week 2: Hearing God's Voice

-Hearing and then obeying God's voice

-Faith vs doubt struggle

-God breaking me and cleaning out my heart

Week 3: Father Heart of God

-Giving up my pride and own dreams and ideas for my future

-God is not content without us:  we have ravished His heart!

-Frustration in trying to hear more from God

-Realization of my dependence on other's approval

Week 4: Forgiveness and Repentance

-Forgiving people in my life and making amends

-God showing Himself as my Deliver

-I am set apart, a special treasure with a holy calling from God

Week 5: Identity

-Resurrection of dreams and birth of new ideas for my future!

Week 6: Holy Spirit

-Bolding speaking truth: making the comfortable uncomfortable

-Desiring the gifts of wisdom and discernment

Week 7: Intimacy to Advocacy

-Desiring more joy in my life

-Refusal to be fearful regarding my future

-Love for the johns

Week 8: Bible Study

-God's greatness and unsearchable knowledge: He is a God of wonders!

-Learning to just be still with God, listening and learning rather than planning and doing: Being a Mary, not a Martha!

Week 9: Missions

-Refusing to plan and remaining open to whatever God wants to impress upon me

-Taking every thought captive!

Week 10: Sex and Relationships

-Reflections on the past year and the redemption and love received from God in fully returning to Him

-Identifying sources of struggles and insecurities

-Praying and living in greater faith and confidence

Week 11: Discipleship

-Desire to disciple others and share all that I've been learning

-Spirit of thankfulness

-Pure heart

-My identity is not as a sinner but as a pure and beloved daughter of God

Weeks 12:  Evangelism

-Desiring more of God, constantly craving more of Him

-Embracing who I am in my new identity

-Love for God=obedience to God's commands 

So, tomorrow starts the last "normal" week of lectures here: our lecture phase is almost over. On Saturday, we will be leaving for a week-long road trip to various cities in California to promote the Las Vegas YWAM base and to educate churches and universities on human trafficking in the US and in Vegas.  When we come back from CA, we have one more week here in Vegas to wrap up and get ready to leave for outreach. If you do the math correctly, that means we leave for Mumbai, India, three weeks from tomorrow!!!