Big news... {Spring 2013 Newsletter}

To read our latest, Spring 2013 Newsletter, click here.  We have some big news, announcements, and would love to have you partner with us in prayer and support!

Our Summer Travels

So if you're wondering where we were in August.... since we didn't post a single entry for the month... its because we were not in the same place for more than a week.  Given how long we've been a part of YWAM Pismo Beach, we knew how important it was to visit with the people who generously and faithfully give to us.  So we took a road trip.  (Yes, we're crazy like that.)

Shiloh is a great traveler... as long as we're well stocked with her favorite yummies.

Leaving at midnight, we drove straight down the 101, and then over into Arizona.  Where we met up with a lovely friend, Riana.  We grabbed a hearty lunch with her, while catching up.  Then it was off to El Paso, or at least we were suppose to make it that far.  However, at 8pm, and still in New Mexico, Shiloh informed us that she HAD ENOUGH!  So we found a local, and charming AAA approved motel.  It was actually really nice.  Too bad we were just crashing for the night.  The next day we made it into Texas, where we got to stay with one of my oldest friends, Amanda.  Catching up with friends, family, and even this awesome lady.... was great, but what was even greater, was the fact that another one of my best and oldest friends, Kim was getting MARRIED!  She had a tender and really fun wedding where we all put on our dancing shoes (even Brandon), and danced the night away... well, again, until Shiloh HAD ENOUGH.

Isn't she a beautiful bride?!  Lucky Scott!

Shiloh experienced her first nap without being in her crib, or peapod.  How does she end up so twisted and positioned like that?  What if we all did that in our sleep?  Ha!

After that, we hit the road again, and drove through Louisiana (staying at a sketchy motel with crawly things in the bed... ick!), and then finally rode into my old stomping grounds in Boca Raton, Florida.  I was estatic to be back in the sunshine state.  If any of you know me really well, there is nothing like my passion for warm beaches and warm blue waters.  We stayed in 3 different houses in 1 week... thank you, husband, for being so popular!  (Seriously?  He didn't even live in Florida and he was so popular with some of the guys there!)  It was awesome.  We were received with warm hospitality.

Each day I was able to connect with someone lovely from my life there.... catch up... it was food for my soul.  My friends there got to meet Shiloh, which was really good for my heart.  She got to have a couple play dates with some of my friends who have little ones of their own now. (Sarah who has 2 sweet girls, is a photographer, check out her work here.)

Smack in the middle of our time in Florida, we headed off to Nicaragua for a week long surf/missions trip there.  Remember those guys I mentioned who Brandon was so popular with... well 4 of them are really REALLY good surfers, and they accompanied us down to the Popoyo area of Nicaragua to work on a community building project, share Jesus with local, and yes, of course, catch some awesome waves.   We were joined by one of the other YWAM Pismo staff, Paula, who kept up the energetic 18yr. olds better than we did, she is amazing.

Here's a photo of part of the building project we got to work on.
We got to be a part of 5 people getting baptized.

Nica waves.... watch out.

It was really nice to be back in Nicaragua.  We had the privilege of staying in the same house that we did during our last surf DTS.  It made Brandon and I miss all of the folks from that school.  We also got to visit with Priscilla and her children... here's a photo of them when we were there with the DTS a year ago.

And this was from our visit this past August.

She was even more crazy about Jesus than when we met her.  Her house had truly become a home... and she was happily working a good job.  Her kids were doing great, going to school, and it was a blessing to see them.  Look at how much they've grown!

Brandon and I both have August birthdays, so we celebrated them while in Nicaragua.  Mine cumulated with a bat sighting inside the house.  Brandon got to spend his birthday on a boat, surfing and fishing.  I'd say Brandon won.

Brandon's birthday.... all day on a boat.  They surfed, caught a ton of fish, and were exhausted.  Haha.


So yes, from Arizona, to Texas, to Florida, to Nicaragua, back to Florida, then back to Texas, and home... August was a busy month.  But it oh boy was it fabulous!  If you were one of the people we got to see, were blessed by, or maybe stayed with... WE LOVE YOU!  WE THANK YOU!

Offering

Last night we had an offering.  The two DTS Outreach Teams still needed about $2,000.  Plus Brandon and I still needed about $4,700 for our Pastoral Visit to see the teams.

22 YWAMers sat in the living room.  We worshiped.  We prayed and asked God what we should each give.  We listened.  And we gave.

The numbers of what was needed began to drop.  People's amounts began to zero out.  Wait------ did you hear that?  They ZEROED OUT!

Our number began to drop.  And drop.  And drop.

Brandon and I both had our eyes closed once our amount still needed was down to around $4,000.  We just closed our eyes and sat quietly in the Lord's presence.  People were still giving.

When the offering was completed we received a total of $2,189!  Amazing!  (I'll admit, I was crying.)

We knew the offering would be a blessing to help those still needing money for the outreach.  We knew that God would move people's hearts to give.  We NEVER IMAGINED that people's hearts would be moved to give so much!  In total, through the entire offering, $4,140.05 was given!!!

So as of today, we've purchased tickets for the Israel portion of the Pastoral Visit!!!  Whoa!  Thank you Lord!  And we only need $2,500 more for the tickets to Asia + the in-country costs in both countries.   I am so joyed to feel the love behind all that people have given us!  It really is an exciting and inspiring thing.  It stirs my heart.  And I know that God has big plans for our time with the Outreach Teams.

We're excited to have the tickets bought for Israel.  Brandon went there on his DTS outreach back in 2006....  and he's getting excited to return.  I just realized today that I don't know anything in Hebrew!  Guess I'll just have to buy and iPhone and use this cool app:



Just kidding.  But isn't it WAY COOL!!!!

Brandon and I both hope that as you read this, it blesses you in some way, maybe just in a tiny encouraging way... who knows how God will move and bless you!

Pastoral Visit {an update}

Brandon and I are seeing God's provision through you people!  A big thank you to those of you who have given to our Pastoral Visit!  In the last week, we've received almost $1,000!  That is a major hunk-a-chunk out of our needed costs!!!  It makes me want to do a happy dance.  :)  We've also had a sweet family offer to provide a travel stroller for Shiloh!  Yay!

Thanks so much to each of you who have given.  And thanks to each of you that have been praying for us as well!  Its really a wonderful thing to have God use you to pray and give to us, and in doing so to have you partner with this DTS, and this Pastoral Visit!

Pastoral Visit

Israel to Asia.

As a part of this year's Discipleship Training School, Brandon and I are to go on a "Pastoral Visit".  Each school that we run here, we send someone about mid-way through the outreach.  We call that a "Pastoral Visit".  Brandon did one 2 years ago, on the 2009 Surf DTS; he spent 2 weeks in Nicaragua.

This year, we were asked to go, (our dear school leader is unable to do the visit... she's expecting a little girl in May!!).  The DTS has 2 outreach teams.  One is going to Israel (& then onto Ethiopia), and the other is going to Asia.  So we'll be first flying to Israel, and then go onto Asia.  We will be leaving May 5th (spend about 10 days in each location), and then return home May 24th.

During the visits, Brandon and I will be joining in with the teams in their ministries.  We are looking forward to serving alongside the students in the midst of their outreaches.  Also, we'll be taking the time to sit down with each student, and process things with them.  Then we'll do the same with the outreach leaders.  In past DTSes, the pastoral visit sometimes is a pivotal time in the outreach.  It refreshes not only the students, but the leaders also.  It also has helped encourage students, uplift their outlook, resolve any interpersonal conflicts, and just overall bless them.  Brandon and I are very excited to bring them home-baked cookies, mail from home, and since all the students adore Shiloh, she'll be bringing a smile to their faces also.

We need your help!  Will you please pray about helping us get to Israel and Asia?  Here are our needs:

• Prayer for safety, for comfortable travel with Shiloh, and for the time with the 2 teams to be effective and meet whatever needs there might be.
• For a travel stroller- about $15-$20... its called an umbrella stroller.  Its what the airlines allow, and will be the best way for us to travel with Shiloh, who... *smile*... may be walking by the time we go!
• Then for financial provision.  The breakdown of the cost for the 3 of us to go is:

air travel to Tel Aviv:  $1824

air travel to Asia:  $2720

in country costs:  $1000

visas:  $420

TOTAL:  $5964

(Geez.  Amounts like that still take the breath out of me.  But Brandon and I realize that if God has called us here, and He has called this visit to happen, and we are to be the ones to go, then He will also not fail in providing for us.)

We are hopeful that some of you might feel led to give to this Pastoral Visit.  Or others might feel led to pray for us.  In whatever way you decide, we are grateful for!  

If you decide to give a donation for the trip, you can mail a check made out to YWAM Pismo Beach to:

YWAM Pismo Beach

791 Price St. #119

Pismo Beach, CA 93449

{Please attach a note in the envelope saying that it is for Brandon and Kirsten's Pastoral Visit}

  

2011 is around the corner.... {2011 YWAM Calendars}

Need a great wall calendar for next year?  2011 is almost here, and we have these wonderful calendars featuring photos taken by YWAM Pismo staff.  You can keep all your dates, events, and schedules organized while at the same time enjoying a photos from around the world.  Each month features a different country... a great way to remember to pray for the people of China, Haiti, Thailand, and Nicaragua!

Below you can preview the photos that will be featured throughout the 12 month calendar... and in addition, a little information about who we are as YWAM Pismo Beach.  Brandon and I are personally involved in leading DTSes, as well as leading the SFMI (Surfer's For Missions International) ministry.

The calendars are only $15 each!  Get yours today!


Now for the nitty gritty:

• the $15 must be paid with your calendar order
• orders must be made before December 1st
• you can place your order online by clicking here

All the proceeds go to helping YWAM Pismo Beach do what we do!  Thank you!

Crazy days :)

The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. ~Psalm 145:13b

We are smack in the middle of crazy days... those kind of never-ceasing-craziness days that you actually LOVE because you feel so energized by God, and there is never a dull moment. At least, I love it, and I know Brandon thrives on days like that.

We've been getting everything taken care of here at our home base. Wrapping up little loose ends, and departmental work. Also we've almost finished setting up the 2010 Surf DTS, well, in the sense that we've gotten the "planning" side out of the way. You can even check out the website for our base.... www.ywampismobeach.org We've begun to change all the surf info... and over the next week or so, it should be completed. (Thank you Will!!!)

Our days this week have just been a hodge-podge of praying for our transition to the Richmond base... the DTS there, and making sure we've got our ducks in a row. Even today we've pretty much cleaned out the whole car, detailed the inside of it... let me tell you, whew! It was diiiirty! And we are just going through our garage and apartment, clearing out, cleaning out, and throwing out.....so that when we are gone, we are leaving things in order. Next step: packing! Yea! If there is one thing about our lives.... its that just when we've unpacked and begun to settle in, God gets our suitcases back out and here we go again!

We have already seen the enemy trying to bring us down.... just small things that are coming up, so please keep these things in your prayers...

1. I've managed to lose my cell phone (small deal, but when its gone, you realize how much you need it!)

2. Also, keep our families in your prayers, we are having some issues there.

3. And then for finances, we just lost some support, and we need to see God provide in the other direction...haha... we are trusting him for at least $300 more a month.

4. Lastly, we are driving my good ol' car all the way across the nation... so PRAY SHE MAKES IT!

Announcement!

Well, Hello friends of ours (who read our blog)!! We have an exciting and very cool announcement for you!!! Brandon and I will be going to YWAM Richmond in Virginia to lead a DTS for their base for 5 months. (No we are not leaving staff with YWAM Pismo... just going to lead this school and then come back here).

Last week, the base director from YWAM Richmond, Chris, called our base with a huge request: His DTS leader for the upcoming school had to return home to Korea due to a family medical problem, leaving the school without a leader... would our base help?

He had been on his knees before God on what to do, cancel the school, lead it himself, or find another leader? God told him to wait, and promised He would provide. That is when a friend of YWAM Pismo (and DTS speaker), Daniel Susenbach, ran across Chris, and after hearing the need for a leader, Daniel recommended our base as having run very good, quality DTS's.

With humility and many nerves, Brandon & I contacted Chris over at Richmond, and we prayed together about filling the need. In the end, we felt willing, and our base is fully behind us going, and the Richmond base has been asking God to bring a young, American leader... so, WE ARE GOING! As a couple we prayed and really felt God's hand guiding us to go, and that we could really serve their base by helping fill this position. Our only hesitation was how young we are... but then, they've been praying for a young leader, so I guess we fit that description! As newlyweds, we are looking forward to the natural bonding and closeness that leading a school results in... and their base is excited to support our new marriage. Also both Brandon and I have family in that area.

The school runs from September 21 through the new year and ends February 26. We'll be packing up at the end of this month (whew, so soon!) and traveling to their base in order to spend several weeks acclimating to the area, the base, their staff, and to have the time to do some school prep work. What an exciting opportunity!!! We absolutely love DTS, and it has been Brandon's passion to disciple as many people as God brings him, so we are joyed to be given this chance to run a school at another base.

As far as we know, there are currently 15 students, and 3 other staff.... and apparently 2 of the staff are Brazilians!!! Yay! The Richmond base will be very different than ours, and we hope to glean wisdom and experience while we are there, and then bring it back to Pismo. We don't have official details to share about the outreach phase... or if we'll even be going on outreach... but we'll know soon enough. Richmond allows a long Thanksgiving holiday, as well as a break for Christmas in between the lecture phase and the outreach phase in which the students can go home, and Brandon and I can go visit family.

We are just super thrilled to lead this DTS!!! It means a lot of change, and hard work, but we love both, and have a fire for trusting God with new and different things!!!

Please pray for us.... we have about 3 weeks to finish up some necessary work here in Pismo. Also we are in need of increasing our monthly support by $300. Then just be praying for our travel arrangements there, God's wisdom, and the such.

Check out our fun lil' video... the joys of having a mac.

As always... we love having a way for people to read what is going on in our lives... so keep checking back with us as we post more! (hopefully I can get some wedding photos up soon)

Kirsten (and Brandon)

Jehova Jirah

It means 'God the Provider'.  And now more than ever before Brandon & I are learning what it means to trust that God will provide.  We both have trips to Nicaragua, the wedding, the honeymoon, our new apartment, and a new vehicle that we are trusting God to provide the necessary money for.  In total we need $10,900 by April.  Whew!  That number alone sends me into a near fainting spell, waving goodbye to my wedding, and leaving me sucking my thumb... I am such a worry-wart!  But then Brandon reminds me that God ALWAYS provides what we need.  So, we've asked, we've prayed, we've sent out support letters, we've prayed some more, we've rebuked our doubts, and we are trusting in Jehova Jirah.  And you know what?!? Already we have been blessed with some support!  So thank you!  Praise our Lord, we are so thankful!

Living this kind of lifestyle is not so romantic as it may appear.  Trust me, its not an easy thing to live by faith, especially when it comes to finances.  But I see this as one more opportunity to see God move, to be blessed by others giving, and to testify that I have a good, loving, and providing Lord!