FALL NEWSLETTER!!!!

For those of you who like to read newsletters from missionaries, here's on that I put together for the fall. It covers the happenings of what is going on in ministry and life including a lot about the trip to Rome and what's to come. Click anywhere in this paragraph to read the newsletter.


AND if you don't get your fill, read the Fall Newsletter BONUS edition! 

I hope you enjoy them :)

The Glory of God.....

Go ahead, try to define it.
Pretty sure you'll have just as hard of a time as we did last night at Kairos as we wrestled with the topic.
The best thing I think we came up with was something like this: The Fullness of God's Majesty and Perfection. But I feel like even this is missing something. So what do we do when we encounter this? I'm not really sure! fall on our face? total and utter humility followed by repentance and obedience? complete awe?
But if we're in awe of something, we don't ignore it right? so why is it that we are not just ALWAYS fully consumed by awe of God's Glory?
I confess I often let myself be consumed by far too many other things. When we are truly in awe of something, we can't ignore it. I want to live in a place that keeps me truly in awe of the Glory of God.

Flyin home.

9 hours into a 10.5 hour flight really gives you some time to think. First, I’m grateful that we didn’t have a layover in London and that we are flying directly to Chicago from Rome. But more importantly, I’m grateful for an amazing time of ministry with some amazing contacts, outstanding staff disciplers, hard working, positive students, and a great cast of senior staff. Don’t get me wrong, the summers always offer their unique challenges, and this summer had a few. Overall it was a successful summer that offered many opportunities for our team to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ boldly, to grow in our walk with the creator of the universe, and have an amazing time with a solid team of like minded people in Rome.

Now I know that I’m not always an overly emotional person (except when I’m watching movies or select tv shows of course) but it’s hard to say good bye to this crew. As I hugged them goodbye, some for the last time, I felt the full weight of how honored I am to get to be living my dream job. I just spent two months on taking mission trip of quality high school and college students to Rome. I get PAID to do this. Yes, sometimes it is hard support raising and stuff, but it is SO worth it. I had the chance to watch this group grow in their faith in such cool ways. I love getting to sit down and talk about what is going on in their lives and what God is doing to challenge the ways they have previously thought and lived. Even the “really good” kids are often profoundly impacted and have their hearts shaken even more for the cause of Christ.

And now the finances are balanced, the medical logs completed, last bit of paperwork given back and major goodbyes done… and with that, Another summer in the books. And as I find myself on this long flight it’s been a perfect moment to reflect before diving headlong into the busy that awaits when my flight touches down in Minneapolis tonight.

Suzanne once gave me a great analogy, I’m now in the blank space between the end of one chapter and the top of the page which will start the next. August has Halbleib’s wedding, a vacation in Florida, young adults retreat at church, and a bit of time at home in Indiana before my Midwest visiting of likely Rockford and Wisconsin. Then, before I know it, September will be here and a completely new chapter for me with Reign Ministries begins. I’m not sure I know a ton, but I know this about the next chapter: I want to live life to it’s absolute fullest, I want to love others with all that I am, and I want to glorify God in every aspect of it all.

Prego...More than a pasta sauce in Italy....

The church here in Dragonia is inside of a compound which also houses an apartment building with 3 families from the church. The hospitality of our neighbors is OVERWHELMING. They have insisted on us using and eating everything they own. I'm typing this toay from an auning in the shade of Ester's porch. She lives here with her husband, parents, and sister. What an amazing family. a few minutes ago Giovani (her dad, who speaks very little english) came out to the porch an said to me "PREGO!" saying you're welcome to be here.

I was working on their porch the other day when Ester came out with a bottle of cold water to make sure I wasn't thirsty in the humid italian heat. It kills them to think I'd be anything but perfectly comfortable. They HATE that we eat lunch meat sandwiches and malto meal and if we didn't resist, they'd cook every meal we eat.
The hospitality and generosity of the people in the church has lead to many amazing times of fellowship which almost ALWAYS include a large italian meal. I am forever ruined for Lasagna.... Stoufers will no longer do it for me :) when i asked Ester if i could help cook so i could learn a few tips she said no because they were going to be cooking for 2 days and didn't think i could be away from the team that long!
Our team's schedule has been quite full! in the mornings we're up, ready, eaten and out the door by 8am ready to jump into ministry. a group has been heading into central Rome to the Universities. They walk around the campus and strike up conversations with the students (many of them speak english). God has given our team many amazing conversations and even a handful of people who have committed their lives to Christ!!! The rest of the team (about 7) have stayed here at the church helping run a VBS for the kids in the area. It has been fun to teach them songs in english and help them learn their memory verses in Italian. Everyone then comes back for a siesta and some free time before heading back out around 4:30 to different parks and piazzas in the area to do our street ministry performances. Our students are sharing BOLDLY and i couldn't be more proud as i watch them every day not only share their faith, but grow in it through times in the word and teachings. We get home late and don't normally eat dinner till close to 9 and bed time is rarely before 11:30pm. but I have not heard any complaints!
I have not gotten to be with the team when they're out doing ministry as much as i normally like because I'm pulling double duty as our team medical person and finance person. Unfortunatly we have had to take a few doctor runs. Praise God though that everyone is alright and they've only been minor issues. And as far as keeping the books? well that takes me a little longer than the average person.... for those of you who know me well, know that math is NOT my strong suit. But so far, I haven't LOST any money (i have however managed to gain some... go figure. Maybe I'm better at this than i thought!)

The mosquitoes here make me think i'm back in MN! I am glad I enforced a madatory purchase for hydocortizone cream for our team at walmart before heading over, we've all got at least a few bits on our ankles, lets, arms, or randomly on my middle toe. (i know right?)
As usual, one of my favorite things about Rome is the art and history of the place. I've got my Rick Steve's audio tours on my ipod and i give mini tours to our team as we see the different sights of Rome. Looking at some things here finds my gaze on objects from the time of Christ and BEFORE! The cathedrals and basilicas are beautiful but at the same time heart breaking. The people don't realize that they don't need to work for their salvation, that God offers it as a free Gift through the sending of his son Jesus Christ. We as believers don't do "good things" because we're supposed to, but because we desire to be more in the likeness of God who has given us eternal life.
I hope this post find you doing well, I do have my email and I would love to hear from you.
Your prayers are felt, don't stop :)

Check out more of my pictures here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.556240648759.2048456.163800297&l=20b008f6f0


PS. if my spelling is bad, i'm sorry. my spellcheck is in Italian so it's saying every word is wrong except the italian ones :)

Training Camp!

Training Camp is now in full swing. Hard to believe I’ve been here three weeks already and a good way into my fourth! The Italy Family has been coming together nicely and it looks like we have a fantastic team that will do amazing things for the Lord this summer.


We have 9 staff disciplers who have amazing hearts and a passion to see their students grow and to see people come to know Christ.
Our students are like sponges as we are going through teachings and preparing for the job ahead. We’ve had quite a bit of rain, and evacuated the staff and students a few times up to the Rec center, but luckily none of the storms were bad enough for me to need to leave mine. My tent has stayed almost completely dry through every storm we’ve had. Ironically, the only place I have a puddle is underneath the case of water bottles that I got in case I need a drink at night and don’t have a full nalgene!

God has kept me in Psalm 62 (STILL) and I’m still learning and gleaning new insights each time I go through it. Saturday night I had the opportunity to do the welcome for the students and Psalm 62:8 in the Message version was my primary point. I shared about my first Royal Servants experience and then read that verse. It says this: “So trust him absolutely, people; lay your lives on the line for him. God is a safe place to be.”

I thought that “God is a safe place to be” is a beautiful word picture for God is our refuge.

Please continue to pray for our team. Check out the website for our itinerary if you’re interested in sending me mail while I’m in Rome! (PS…. I LOVE MAIL) My goal this year is if you send a letter, I’ll send you back a postcard.

Blessings!

Reign Staff Week!

Wow what a great week its been so far. Its amazing to gather with the other 20 people who work year round around the country. It's fun to come together and laugh and work and get ready for the summer ahead. It has been HOT here in Lewistown but I'll take that instead of major thunderstorms! so far there have been three different storms that have near missed us and gone north! We've worked hard and sweat a ton to get camp ready. All of us are anticipating an amazing Christ focused summer.
Thanks for your prayers, things are going great.

Hello Royal Servants 2011!

Every Royal Servants summer is unique and special. I have amazing and life changing memories memories from each of my eight previous trips. Euro-Quest in 2001 when I was 17 gave me my first taste of missions and took me and my sister to 11 different countries over 8 weeks. For my first ever mission trip, this was HUGE.
Nehemiah in 2002 was a chance to hone in on leadership skills and for the first time I knew that God had big plans for my life in ministry. That summer in Turkey, he called me to surrender all, and I haven't looked back since.
Timothy in 2003 was a time that I was able to further learn how God had made me and to sharpen me as we traveled through Greece and Europe sharing the love of Jesus.
In 2004 I headed as a Staff Discipler/Sr. Staff on the Euro-Quest team where I got to pour my life into my 5 girls in my d-group as well as help be a part of planning and preparing for the ministry along with the other senior staff.
After a two summer hiatus exploring other ministry opportunities, 2007 found me on the Scotland team alongside what was an AMAZING leadership and a phenomenal team as a whole. I was able to teach and disciple regularly and that summer I knew God was calling me into full time missions.
In 2008 I was a late add to the Costa Rica team where I got to go as the Senior Woman. I had more responsibility and loved our costa family. Through trial and error, and a gracious leadership, we had amazing ministry among the people in villages around Costa Rica.
After officially joining staff 2009 took me to Ireland where our team TORE up. They were the type of team that goes after ministry hard. They were always eager to share the gospel and to have a GREAT time doing it. Our partnerships with the people in Ireland and England were unforgettable.
2010 took me to a place I never thought I'd go... Africa. Sierra Leone has literally changed the way I see the world. At the time it was the third poorest country in the world. Taking a light to people who have very little hope in life was astounding. Fellowship with believers there was something unlike anything else, they trusted God in a way that I envy. Their love of life and each other is an example to all. Spending a week in an orphanage with NO comforts of home living in a hut was the best part. God met us all there and the joy in the faces of the little ones will be something I will forever carry with me.
Each of those trips brought along with them life altering growth in Christ. Outside of my family, Royal Servants has been the biggest influence in my walk with Him. There have been lessons of faith that have stretched me to the point of near break and there have been times of great joy as I've released things to Christ. In the context of summer's I learned skills that help me year round seek the face of God and bring him Glory.
Each summer I also make forever life friendships. Friends who may not know my favorite American candy bar, but they know my heart. They are people who I have been in the trenches of ministry with. My love for them is deep. I am eternally grateful for the people who have come into my life as a of these summers.
So here comes Italy 2011. Now, ten years after I've began, I have a whole new approach and understanding of myself, of God, and of why we do this to start with. I'm excited about our leadership, our staff and our students. I know that this summer will mark me like each previous summer has.
Please pray that God will be glorified through our efforts, that hearts will find Jesus, and that our students develop a passion for reaching the world for his name.

Italy instead of Scotland!!!

Well, here at Royal Servants, we maintain a truly rigid stance of flexibility... In keeping with that theme, our Scotland team for this summer has been put on the shelf for another time. Because Matt is working so hard on getting our new training camp facilities prepared, he has volunteered to stay home for the summer which moved Jeff Bell and me to the Italy team!

Many of the people signed up for Scotland has now transferred with us and we are looking forward to amazing ministry in Rome for four weeks!

More to come...

In the mean time, check out my amazon page for the things that I still need to purchase before the summer hits. If you're interested, feel free to pick an item or two up and send it my way. You don't have to order the things from the websites that they're tagged on, if you find them somewhere else, that's great too.

Thanks for all your support!

Gear Me Up for Scotland!!!

I leave for Training Camp in just a few weeks!!! Wanna Help me get everything on my gear list for the summer?

Check out my Amazon.com Royal Servants Gear Up list!!!

Before you buy, choose an item or two and shoot me an email to make sure I don't get too many of one thing :)

ROYAL SERVANTS 2011!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This summer I'll be joining the Scotland Trip!!! We will be doing ministry in Aberdeen Scotland. I am beyond excited since I LOVE THE UK so much. I know God has amazing things in store for ministry opportunities. Please be in prayer as we prepare for the summer ahead and as people are still signing up!

I'd like to see one of these this time!

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE MY FAMILY.

 Our Family's favorite place to be... together at DisneyWorld

8 solid days.... still all smiles.

fears and wrestling and growth in God

Sometimes when God tells us to do things, we feel too small for the task. I've had that kind of week. The kind where you look at the task ahead and Satan whispers the lies and a wrestling match with God ensues. It comes down to this... Do I believe God is who he says he is? and that he'll do what he says he's going to do?
Ever ask that question? i mean i know the church answer is yes, but sometimes we really have to wrestle it out first. at least i do. and he ALWAYS reminds me, that, yes. yes he is. and yes he will.

Memory Monday....to be a woman of the Word.

One thing that I have been challenged by over the last year or so at my church is how much scripture our pastors have memorized! Even in casual conversation they use passage and reference! They are men of the Word! My first impression months ago after meeting our Senior Pastor was "wow, I WANT THAT!" So after letting it go for several months, I again was faced with it this weekend and decided I can't live with the conviction any longer, so I'm taking action.
Over the course of a Royal Servants summer each student has a list of things that get memorized and several years ago, I came up with "Memory Mondays" to quiz our students throughout the summer so they weren't cramming the last week before the major test.
Memorization is hard. It takes work, and it takes diligence! Many of our students liked memorizing scripture but because it was difficult and not passing meant missing out on free time, Memory Monday was not exactly looked forward to! Some students came back to me after the summers and said "LB, I HATED memory Mondays, but I'm glad you made us do it because I still know most of those verses we learned!"
Becoming a woman of the Word isn't just going to happen because i want it to. no amount of my "want" will make it so. it requires my action. A quote by Rick Warren was re-tweeted by someone i follow the other day "Real maturity is never the result of a single experience, no matter how powerful or moving. Growth is gradual."

So now i set out, for gradual growth, the desire is that in the end i am more like Christ and have the knowledge of the Word.
Memory Mondays start today. If you'd like to join me in memorizing scripture, check out the Memory Monday Facebook group!

thousands of voices...

 

This weekend at Dare2Share 2,300 students are gathered to worship and receive the challenge to take their faith off the shelf and give it away. Amazing speaking, worship, art and drama. 

Great way to spend the weekend.

HUGE blast from the past with Shane & Shane leading worship.

Do you Dare?

So this weekend the Un-Tour is coming to Minneapolis and I'm excited about being a part of it! Dare2Share is a ministry that mobilizes and equips students to share their faith in Jesus with their friends, family and entire generation.
I'm excited about the passion they bring and am looking forward to volunteering at the event.
If you're looking for resources on how to share your faith in Christ, or if you're wondering what "faith in Christ" even means, Check out their website!