OUTREACH!! And being a team.

Hey friends and family! 

Wow. This has been an eventful week. 

I cought a cold. 

Our team has changed a bit. 

My team and I prayed up about outreach. 

The weather has been so bipolar. 

Hey, I made some applesauce yesterday. 

So, this week started with 4 students. And it ended with 3. Kinsey, Sam and I were sorry to say goodbye to Spencer as his grandparents drove him down the mountain. I guess it was just time for Spencer to move on. The rest of the week has been pretty quiet without that guy but we know that this was best for him. Maybe even best for us. It's time for us to progress as our little team of 3. 

Before Spencer left, I remember contending for our team one Monday morning. That weekend before had been particularly difficult and my fleshy fleshness wanted its way, so I got on my knees to humble myself and accept Jesus above my wants. In my gnashing of teeth, God showed me a picture of a table. The table had 4 legs. There were things on the table but I didn't know what yet. Suddenly, I watched one of the table legs get kicked out from underneath the table and all the things on the table fell to the ground and were shattered. Holy Spirit revealed to me that the table legs resembled each one of us and the things on the table were what God had for us as a team but we needed to work as a team to receive and support what He had for us. He showed me that if I did what I wanted to do (this that was not His will) I would not be able to support my end of the table and He would not be able to release to us. I even asked "Lord! But like, if I become strong again and can get back in line, is that stuff on the floor salvageable?!" And He showed me again that it was completely shattered. That scared me. Righteously. I knew this was true and I went to my team to share this and appologize. I know that God forgives me and is pleased that I did that. I'm glad I did too and our team was strong and together. 

However, eventually we and Spencer learned that this was no longer a good place for Spencer to grow. Spencer has memories of a very difficult past that he needs ministry for and there are better places for him to receive that than here. In our team prayer time we asked The Lord to confirm with us again that this was a good choice to send him off and Sam got a picture of my table again. Only he said that this time, before the table leg was removed, a chord was attached from the ceiling to the center of the table holding us up. Wow. God is so good. So compassionate. Of course it's hard for all of us to say goodbye but it's time to establish ourselves as this new team. This week has been quite bittersweet. 

However, this past week we 3 and John and Jordan got together in their sweet little home to pray hardcore about outreach. After a while of praying and listening and worshiping and laughing and sharing our hearts... 

CHECK IT OUT, PEOPLE. 

****We're praying Indonesia!!****

Islands and children and fresh land and unreached territory!!! (At least by THIS base)

John is looking into visas and accommodations over there. I'll keep you updated on that. 

This also brings me to letting you guys know that I am still in the process of fundraising. After working at the coffee shop and saving and saving, it felt wonderful to put my own money into Lecture phase but I still need the funds for outreach. 

I'd like to ask you to pray and ask The Lord if He would like you to join with me in this outreach. 

$4,000 is the amount I'm aiming for so far. The exact cost will be clear as soon as we have tickets and visas figured out. I'll keep you guys updated on that. Sam and K already have their funds submitted. It's just me left! And I have about 2 months to get there. 

I've been looking into finding a way for people to submit money online but the legistics of getting the money back to me with receipts and things are pretty sketchy. 

I know when it comes to funding and supporting people and organizations there's a question about tax deductibles. 

The best way I know of so far: 

Send your support to:

Youth With A Mission

PO Box 158 

Cimarron CO 81220

Don't put my name anywhere on the check. Instead, you can write a little note or just write my name on a post it or something and slip it into the envelope with the check. That way, I can get back to you guys with little trinkets and love notes and such. And that way, it's deductible. 

Guys, thank you so much for considering  this. This time in life is so sweet yet so stretching but it's one of the most important decisions I've made so far! 

I also wanna ask you guys to partner with me in prayer. It's gunna take a lot of Jesus to get us there and back safely. 

Pray for safe flights!

Pray for clear direction!

Pray for favor with locals!

I'll keep you updated on prayer points with each blog. 

Again, thank you thank you for your love and support, guys. Thanks to you who have known me for my entire life. And thanks to those who have known me for even 2 weeks. I am so honored to have the Jesus family that I do.  Hopefully I will be able to get Facebook messages out to some of you with some of this same info.

Believe it or not, I wrote most of this blog out to you from the top of Black Cañon National Park here in CO. 

God created this. 

Anyhoo, I hope to be able to connect with you guys soon! 

Loving you dearly. 

Vividly,

Gracie

Eucha- what?

Eucharisteo

(Yoo-hau-dee-STAY'-oh)

The Greek meaning thankful, to be thankful.

(I know I kinda stink at word pronunciations.)

A dear friend of mine up here on the base taught this week on this word. It took me a while to pronounce it but it means to be thankful or grateful. And its been stuck in my head all week,

I felt God really putting it on my heart to be more attentive to the things He lays in front of me to be enjoyed. I do think that I am one who does that naturally but I really let it sink in this time.

I got my very first care-package from my mother this week. She sent me my boots! I really needed these things. Not only because its already winter up here but because, honestly, they're pretty darn adorable and my roommate has boots that are very similar and just because we live on a rural mountain, does'nt mean we need to dress like it. 

Thanks God, for cute things.

Thanks for skirts.

Thanks for time with you outside.

Thanks for brushing our deck with leaves.

I woke up to this the other day. Before it snowed like crazy! This photo doesnt even begin to capture the crazy beautiful scene that this was. I watched this cloud formation escort in the new day. It changed and shifted until the sun broke through to warm our home up here.

Thanks God, for natural warmth. 

Thanks for waking me up to share this with me. 

Thank you for creating the enormity of the sky to amaze and intrigue me. 

This one was from a few days before! Again, this photo is so lovely but it doesn't capture the all. Look at this, you guys! My God is an artist! He KNOWS Grace sees this and thinks "Holy buckets! What the heck!" And I stand there until it's done being lovely. See? God does that because He knows me and knows what makes my heart flip. He knows what it takes to make me stand still in the cold morning before a busy day.

Thanks God, for new days and new mercies.

Thanks for speaking to me in ways that only I understand sometimes.

Thanks for color

Thanks for golden leaves.

Thanks for crazy beautiful days.

Thanks for MOUNTAINS!

Thanks. 

Thanks, God for good music. 

Thanks for giving me my own sense of music taste, even. 

Thanks for meeting me in music.

Thanks for making me sensitive to music.

This is Kinsey Bean. 

When our room is a mess and we're sore from Insanity and we have book reports due in the morning and might be slightly irritated with each other, we stay up to chat and laugh distract each other from reading. Even when this girl makes my BLOOD BOIL!!!!!!!! (Well not really, not yet.) I decide to love her to death. She's my partner. I don't know what I'd do without her. And she puts up with my junk too. 

Thanks God, for Kinsey. 

Thanks for a someone to vent to when I need to. 

Thanks for beds. 

Thanks for sleeps. 

This is a candle my mom sent me. I sat outside and burned it all by my lonesome. Which is nice after being with people all day long. 

Thanks God, for little candles. 

Thanks for warmth when my hands are cold. 

Thanks for polka dot leggings when I probably can't even really afford them. 

Hey God, thanks for people. Even when I get tired of them. I need em. 

Thank you for light. 

Look at this amazing moth I found! I found it in the drive way. It was dead but it's wings caught my eye. I picked it up and it almost took up the majority of my palm. I loved its fuzzy little body and its stringy, broken antenni. I admired its white-grey stripy, textured wings and the bright, red-orange underwings. 

Wow! Thank you, Lord for moths. 

Thanks for keeping this little guy for me to find. 

Thank you for making moths gentle and not scary. 

Thanks for showing me Your beauty even through bugs. 

Earlier this week I got really sick. I didn't want to seem incapable or lazy so I pushed myself and justified myself. Eventually I pushed myself too far and instead of "getting through to the other side", I got too sick to participate. I layed in my bed and listened to some more good music. I dunno 'bout you but I love connecting with the Creator while listening to Sigur Ros. 

Thanks God, for more good music. 

Thanks for "making me lay down in green pastures" when I just won't. 

Thanks for restoring me. 

Thanks, God. 

Thanks that I have a home to go back to. 

Thanks for giving me people. 

Thanks for loving my city. 

There are so many more things I am grateful for; The smell of coffee! Bicycles! Pillows when I'm really tired! Showers! Toilet paper even!

This was a good idea. 

Cause honestly, you guys, this past week was pretty hard to live. I think for everyone. But God stopped me from complaining! He literally said "Quit it". He disciplines those He loves! And He knows what's best for me. This turned my week around and made it whole again. Plus, it's Saturday now. The week is over. A new week is a-brewin. 

Hey you, let me know what you're grateful for. Really. Think about it. And take time to enjoy it. God knows your heart. He knows what delights you! And He loves filling your day with those things. 

All good things come from God. 

Oh hey! I'm gunna start hanging out with the young people at the church we've been attending. I'm so excited. What is a weird dreadhead Jesus freak doing with our young people!? 

They're all gunna have dreads by the time I leave. 

Okay. I gotta go. Call me if you think you can pronounce Eucharisteo. Ha! 

But really. I'd love to hear your voice. 

Love you guys. 

Have a super awesome weekend. 

Mini Photo Tour of The Base

Weird gap before my post? I dont know why...

Horray! 

Today is the day you guys finally get to see a few photos of the base up here in Cimarron! Here's our little village of life and love. We took some time to establish ourselves and have finally learned the ropes. Eventually I'll get around to posting photos of our family up here but for now, gaze upon what I do have. 

Sorry these are in a weird order. My phone didnt like giving these up. 

Here's a distant photo of the outside of our kitchen and dining room. The sunrise escorts me here every day. 

Now that the seasons have been changing, I get to watch the sun rise up and conquer the mountains every morning. 

The photo on the left, i took a few weeks ago. The changing leaves up here are so crazy beautiful. The photo on the right is lovely too. Its kinda ugly and brown but the frost frames it so delicately. 

Here's a not good photo of our mountain chariot. We named it Bertha. She's quite a bit shaky going down these mountain roads but she hasn't thrown us from her seats yet so... I guess she's a pretty faithful wagon. 

Here's the kitchen! It took me a while to learn where everything goes... there are about a thousand cabinets it seems. I made cakepops here a few weeks ago. People dig me. Dont go in here barefoot or someone might try to throw silverware at your feet or something. 

Goodmorning. Have only some cheerios for breakfast.

Oh, you're too kind. 

We're pretty much on our own for breakfast.

Here's a flattering picture of me going through the medicine cabinet. Also known as the bear-attack cabinet, the snake-bite cabinet, the fingers-falling-off-because-of-frost-bite cabinet, tree-fell-on-jimmy-again cabinet... you choose.

Here's what breakfast looks like most of the time. 

Jelly plopped on the counter.

Every loaf of bread open.

Sam already drank all the juice.

Now here's a photo of the massive world map in the building where we sleep. This is convenient when you're standing there praying for peace in Pakistan or justice in Britain or healing in America or to point out where your home is. Or when you just want to play Godzilla. 

I like staring at these flags. Nepal's flag is the coolest. Its the one on the far right. Then the Tibetan flag. Then the Bhutanese flag. Then the Pakistani flag. Then the Indian flag. (from right to left)

Here's our laundry room. Cause I'm sure you all wanted to know where I wash my dirty, dusty trekking clothes. And my muddy socks. And canvas shoes that I insist on walking up the side of a rainy mountain in for some reason. All that jazz. 

Under my bed, I have a map of Minnesota. Dont laugh... this totally aids my sense of direction when I'm trying to remember the layout of Colorado ridges. 

I just like looking at you, Minnesotans. 

You like my new dress? Look how happy I am. Hi mom!

Here's our counter space. Lightbulbs. Vitamins. Mascara. Face wash. I found a couple really cool feathers while scouting around the base. Someone stuck a cool picture of a lion face in my mailbox so i stuck it to the wall. I display my preferred jewelry aside my sink. Because I care to look good in front of the same people every single day. 

Excuse our overly full garbage.... We're college aged.

Here's our sleeping space. We have matching clamp lamps cause we're cute roommates. We also share a bookshelf. Sometimes it just looks messy and stuff. But usually it just displays our mountain trekking trophies and bow-hunting badges and elk-shooting licenses. We had deer heads mounted above our beds that we had shot and tagged ourselves but I took it all down so you guys wouldn't be jealous or think we're too cool. 

This was a cool photo I took of the first snow fall. Not like first Minnesotan snow falls...

Look at dem mountains. And dem dreadies. 

I didnt pass out before I took this photo. It was intentional that I snapped from this angle. 

This is a little bird home. I found it a few weeks ago. I'm guessing the birds are on vacation but I left their home alone. 

Here's a shot walking to the kitchen. (This is the other side.)

Mountains and such. 

I love this photo. This is from the top of the pipeline that brings water to the base from a mountain spring. It's buried under all this mud. It's the cleanest, purest water I've ever consumed.

Tang. Tang. Tang. Sometimes, you're just right where you need to be. 

Most of the staff up on the hill actually reside up there. This is Patience and Ray's house. It's under a bit of construction but its still the cutest little home.

Happy day!

Look at this huge hornet I found. It was dead when I found it but just look at that stinger...

Welp, that's all I have for right now. Here's a start. I'll find other interesting photos to throw at you guys soon. Friend me on Facebook or follow me on Instagram (Amazinggrace5) to find even more neat photos of life here in CO. Basically, every day up here I try to live "in the moment". I'm trying to allow my heart to accept this as home for right now, know what I mean? Or else it all just flies by too quickly. Despite the spotty internet, no phone service, car-lessness, and early wake-up calls, I'm loving it here. I only have 139 more sleeps until I go home. I'm gunna make it worth it.

Have a sweet week, guys. 

Love, Gracie. 

Have Out Desert and Eat It Too

Hello readers. 

Sorry I haven't been able to write in way too long! Internet up here is getting worse and frankly, I've been spending my time sleeping, reading, and jamming anyway.

That is, except for this past week. Yesterday we got home from backpacking in the red Colorado deserts with a couple friends. 4 days of heavy backpacks, limited water, climbing over rocks, inching across ledges, dodging cacti, and sleeping in the dirt under the stars. Oh, and pooping in holes. Oh and soap wasn't a thing. Neither were clocks. Or escalators. 

The first night we spent in the Colorado National Monument. After hours spent in bumpy cars with people and noise I snuck away to scout out our territory as soon as we got there. I jumped over holes and climbed over rocks until my next step was to slide over the edge of a massive cliff! I sat and scaled the distant mountains, the sun in my eyes and covered in dirt.

"Clean dirt!" Cause there's a difference. Except when it's on everything... Like your Chapstick. And your water bottle mouthpiece. And sunburn. And everything... And you end up chewing dirt. 

Haha. No. It was beautiful, all bratitudes aside. After living in flatly Minnesota my whole life, I kind of had to let it soak in. Breathtaking, I tell you. 

Chris Austen, or "Captain" was our guide. Experienced mountain man. He's been leading adventures for longer than I've been alive I bet. He was such a poppa to us. He'll be 50 years old this weekend. I would have never guessed. Mark, "Rafiki" was a friend Chris ministered with at Burning Man this year and brought along for the ride. Mark has a headfull of gorgeous, blonde, dreadlocks and a heart sold out for Jesus.

I'll never admit how long I stared... Or drooled. 

Kinsey's trail name is "Sunshine"

Spencer is "Guardian"

Sam is "Pepe"

I'm "Story"

Cause trail names happen with Chris when your hiking for hours. 

Well! After the US government shut down, we were forced to get creative and we moved our way to Rattle Snake Arches. No rattlesnakes were found but we climbed down into the lowest crevices of the canons, found the Colorado River, pumped some water clean, and climbed back up to the highest point we could find. Hopefully I'll be able to nab some pictures from someone eventually. 

Anyhoo, there's a little snapshot of an awesome week. We got home and Chris, Mark, Sam, and I jammed into the night.

Chris happens to be good friends with Tim Coons and Aaron Strumpel, who's music is the soundtrack to my life, and we played a few of their songs. This made my heart melt. 

I woke up this morning to a white Christmas wonderland out side my window and with a heavy heart, said goodbye to Mark and Chris. 

The mountains are spotted with Autumn's golds and reds but the tops are capped with snow. What an interesting view. 

So much peace and so much anticipation comes with the hint of a new season. 

Check back next time! Maybe I'll finally get to posting a photo tour of my home up here! 

Much peace. 

-Story

Look at dem bronzed-burnt cheeks.