October 6th , 2012
Welcome to my blog that will be following me in Arvada, Colorado as I complete my Musicians Discipleship Training School (MDTS), through Youth With A Mission (YWAM)!
It's almost been a week since I've been here & I'm already experiencing God on such a deeper level than ever before!!! (Because I am listening and responding to the Holy Spirit)
There are currently 4 schools going on right now at YWAMDenver.
- Musicians DTS
- School of Social Justice
- Young Peoples DTS (Eagle Rock Campus)
- Phase 2
In my school (Musicians DTS) there are between 40-50 of us including the staff, and I room with 7 other girls! I already love all of them because each one of them are so beautiful and have a hunger for the Lord. They are encouraging and so much FUN!
The weather here is super wacky! A couple days ago the high was 81 degrees and there were people out playing volleyball and relaxing in the sun. Yesterday I awoke to SNOW!!! It's been so cold ever since! I can't seem to keep up with this weather, but it sure is beautiful!
This week has been what we call "bonding week." We are getting to know each other through bonding activities such as games, field trips, and the telling of our testimonies. How valuable this time has been. We all come from different places and backgrounds. There are students here from South Korea, Switzerland, Norway, Canada, and of course all over the U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii)!
One of my favorite things so far is worship. I've never experienced worship like this, and I've never LET myself experience worship like this before. We usually gather every other day for an hour of worship. During this time I've found what it means to whole-heartedly worship my Lord and Savior. My fear of man has kept me from experiencing this powerful expression of showing my love to my Heavenly Father. Letting go of this fear has unlocked such a joy and anticipation in my heart for our collective time of worship!!!
On Thursday we met in our small groups for the first time. Our small groups consist of a staff member and 4 MDTS students. I have a great small group, and for our first outing our leader, Molly, took us to a local coffee shop! The coffee shop is called "Noa Noa," in Golden, CO. After we got our coffee (in my case chai!!) we all sat down and Molly pulled out some rocks and sharpies. She asked us what one thing was that we were looking forward to while we are here at YWAM. Then she asked what thing would hold us back, or that we were afraid of. For me, I said that I was excited to start my new journey with God, and something that would hold me back was my "fear of man." She had us write these things one on each rock. Afterwards we traveled to Clear Creek (which is more like a river!). Clear Creek carves its way through the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and boy is it magnificent to see. The mountains tower so high with these miraculous evergreen trees and towering rock walls. Air here seems so refreshing and pure as the water looks so clear and crystal-like.
When we arrived Molly explained that God wants both of these things and that we shouldn't try to hold on to either. We counted to three and shouted what we were afraid of and then cast the rocks down into the river as we did the same for the rock that explained what we were expecting. It was so helpful having a symbol represent something that we needed to do internally. After laying these things at the feet of Jesus, I feel such a freedom from them!
We have had some amazing seminars so far on intercession and the flow of worship, just to name a few. I'm excited to dive into next week which is when the real work begins! We already have some assignments that are due and book reports!
I will try to update this blog at the very least every week so I hope that you continue to check in and hear the amazing things that I will be discovering about God.
From My Heart,
Brielle Renee
" The Earth is rigged for adventure, like a sailboat. And our hearts have adventure written deep within, like sailors hear the call of the sea."
- Musicians DTS
- School of Social Justice
- Young Peoples DTS (Eagle Rock Campus)
- Phase 2
In my school (Musicians DTS) there are between 40-50 of us including the staff, and I room with 7 other girls! I already love all of them because each one of them are so beautiful and have a hunger for the Lord. They are encouraging and so much FUN!
The weather here is super wacky! A couple days ago the high was 81 degrees and there were people out playing volleyball and relaxing in the sun. Yesterday I awoke to SNOW!!! It's been so cold ever since! I can't seem to keep up with this weather, but it sure is beautiful!
This week has been what we call "bonding week." We are getting to know each other through bonding activities such as games, field trips, and the telling of our testimonies. How valuable this time has been. We all come from different places and backgrounds. There are students here from South Korea, Switzerland, Norway, Canada, and of course all over the U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii)!
One of my favorite things so far is worship. I've never experienced worship like this, and I've never LET myself experience worship like this before. We usually gather every other day for an hour of worship. During this time I've found what it means to whole-heartedly worship my Lord and Savior. My fear of man has kept me from experiencing this powerful expression of showing my love to my Heavenly Father. Letting go of this fear has unlocked such a joy and anticipation in my heart for our collective time of worship!!!
On Thursday we met in our small groups for the first time. Our small groups consist of a staff member and 4 MDTS students. I have a great small group, and for our first outing our leader, Molly, took us to a local coffee shop! The coffee shop is called "Noa Noa," in Golden, CO. After we got our coffee (in my case chai!!) we all sat down and Molly pulled out some rocks and sharpies. She asked us what one thing was that we were looking forward to while we are here at YWAM. Then she asked what thing would hold us back, or that we were afraid of. For me, I said that I was excited to start my new journey with God, and something that would hold me back was my "fear of man." She had us write these things one on each rock. Afterwards we traveled to Clear Creek (which is more like a river!). Clear Creek carves its way through the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and boy is it magnificent to see. The mountains tower so high with these miraculous evergreen trees and towering rock walls. Air here seems so refreshing and pure as the water looks so clear and crystal-like.
When we arrived Molly explained that God wants both of these things and that we shouldn't try to hold on to either. We counted to three and shouted what we were afraid of and then cast the rocks down into the river as we did the same for the rock that explained what we were expecting. It was so helpful having a symbol represent something that we needed to do internally. After laying these things at the feet of Jesus, I feel such a freedom from them!
I will try to update this blog at the very least every week so I hope that you continue to check in and hear the amazing things that I will be discovering about God.
From My Heart,
Brielle Renee
" The Earth is rigged for adventure, like a sailboat. And our hearts have adventure written deep within, like sailors hear the call of the sea."
Love & War
"As for God, His way is perfect; the Lord's word is flawless. He shields all who take refuge in Him."
2 Samuel 22:31
I'm so happy to hear that already this trip has been something special. Throwing the rocks sounds like such a great idea and a physical reminder to let go, both of the things we're expecting and the things we fear. Love you, Dear. Blessings. Can't wait to hear what's going on each week.
ReplyDeleteYAY! I'm so proud of you! Bless you on your journey! I know you're doing the right thing! Love, you big bro!
ReplyDelete