Greetings!
This will be the last post on this blog.
Nathaniel and I will be blogging and updating on a new website.
http://nathanielandsarahjane.posterous.com/
Please check out this website for updates on us, ministry and wedding stuff!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Bank Problems
My bank here has decided they will no longer cash my Canadian cheques. They're not usually pleased when I bring them in and it generally takes around a month to process them. Until now this has worked fine, I mean it's inconvenient when I need the money right away but so far it's been the only option. Recently I found a bank around here that will process international cheques in a week with no complaints but unfortunately they will not give me an account because I am Canadian and do not have a social security number. Nathaniel does however have an account with this bank so we are asking that all cheques be made out to Nathaniel Lane and then he will cash them for me.
**This is only temporary, things will get much easier when I finally get my visa! **
Thanks!
**This is only temporary, things will get much easier when I finally get my visa! **
Thanks!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Ok so it's been a while...over a month actually.
Things are busy!
I'm planning a wedding and trying to keep up with the rest of life, can you really blame me?
Wedding planning is going well. Things are coming together and brainstorming the details is fun. This whole process has definitely brought out a lot of our differences and it's been good way to learn even more about each other. With all the ups and downs of the whole thing at the end of the day we're excited to be married in just 81 days!
We have new students once again. I feel as though I am always saying that but I guess it's true, each three month period goes by so fast! This quarter is smaller than the last few have been since it's summer time. Summer schools seem to be smaller since we haven't been running them as long as the other ones.
The students right now are fun. They're all really different but they seem to connect quite well. I've been blessed to have a significant amount of time in the kitchen this quarter and the opportunity to get to know the students in this way.
We are still raising money for the new campus, we got an extension on the closing date. Praise God for that! The new closing date is August 31, 2010 so be praying for that!
Well I hope you are all doing fabulous! Shoot me an email and let me know how things are going! sjrinas@ywamorlando.com
Love SJ
Things are busy!
I'm planning a wedding and trying to keep up with the rest of life, can you really blame me?
Wedding planning is going well. Things are coming together and brainstorming the details is fun. This whole process has definitely brought out a lot of our differences and it's been good way to learn even more about each other. With all the ups and downs of the whole thing at the end of the day we're excited to be married in just 81 days!
We have new students once again. I feel as though I am always saying that but I guess it's true, each three month period goes by so fast! This quarter is smaller than the last few have been since it's summer time. Summer schools seem to be smaller since we haven't been running them as long as the other ones.
The students right now are fun. They're all really different but they seem to connect quite well. I've been blessed to have a significant amount of time in the kitchen this quarter and the opportunity to get to know the students in this way.
We are still raising money for the new campus, we got an extension on the closing date. Praise God for that! The new closing date is August 31, 2010 so be praying for that!
Well I hope you are all doing fabulous! Shoot me an email and let me know how things are going! sjrinas@ywamorlando.com
Love SJ
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Always an Airport Disaster
I have come to realize that the airport will just never be a place I enjoy being. I always have some kind of problem, usually it's with visa or i get selected for a random search which is generally quite time consuming and slightly invasive.
This weekend Nathaniel and I flew to Chicago for his brothers wedding. Since We were only crossing state borders I figured thsi would be an easy trip through the airport. The way there was simple, a quick trip through the airport and a 2.5 hour flight.
The way back was a nightmare.
A friend of ours works for an airline and was able to get us really cheap tickets if we didnt mind flying stand by, naturally having little money we decided this was the route to go. Apparently when an airline employee buys the tickets you are given what is called a "Buddy Pass", what we didnt know was that this buddy pass requires you to dress in business casual attire. We unfortunately did not find this out until we reached the airport on Sunday at noon and went to check in and the lady informed us we would not be able to board the plane in our shorts, t-shirts and flip flops. Not to worry though, being that we had just attended a wedding Nathaniel had a suit and I had a dress and some heels. We figured we would change and be on our way. The lady then informed me that my shoulders would need to be covered. Oh Goodness, my racy shoulders! The only thing I had that would cover my shoulders was a sweatshirt and the lady made it quite clear that my sweatshirt did not go well with my dress and heels.
She advised we take our luggage and catch a city bus to the nearest Walmart to purchase appropriate attire before the next flight which she said was at 6pm.
I was so blown away that we were not allowed on the plane all because of my bare shoulders I didnt even know how to respond!
So we made our way to Super Target (much like Walmart for you Canadians) where I purchased a cute cardigan to go with my dress.
Now dressed in the appropriate attire we made our way back to the airport only to find that the 6pm flight we had been instructed to take did not exist! I do not know how that happened but one way or another the next flight did not leave until 8pm. So we sat around bored out of our minds for another 4 hours while we waited for the next flight which was actually delayed until 9.
When the flight started boarding I was so excited to get out of that airport and get back to Orlando! My excitement was quickly shot down as the flight filled up and there was no room! I had never flown stand by before and it hadn't occurred to me that we may not get on a flight that evening.
As it turned out I didnt get back to Orlando until late afternoon the next day and it took Nathaniel a full day after that!
Needless to say I do not think we will ever fly stand by again.
This weekend Nathaniel and I flew to Chicago for his brothers wedding. Since We were only crossing state borders I figured thsi would be an easy trip through the airport. The way there was simple, a quick trip through the airport and a 2.5 hour flight.
The way back was a nightmare.
A friend of ours works for an airline and was able to get us really cheap tickets if we didnt mind flying stand by, naturally having little money we decided this was the route to go. Apparently when an airline employee buys the tickets you are given what is called a "Buddy Pass", what we didnt know was that this buddy pass requires you to dress in business casual attire. We unfortunately did not find this out until we reached the airport on Sunday at noon and went to check in and the lady informed us we would not be able to board the plane in our shorts, t-shirts and flip flops. Not to worry though, being that we had just attended a wedding Nathaniel had a suit and I had a dress and some heels. We figured we would change and be on our way. The lady then informed me that my shoulders would need to be covered. Oh Goodness, my racy shoulders! The only thing I had that would cover my shoulders was a sweatshirt and the lady made it quite clear that my sweatshirt did not go well with my dress and heels.
She advised we take our luggage and catch a city bus to the nearest Walmart to purchase appropriate attire before the next flight which she said was at 6pm.
I was so blown away that we were not allowed on the plane all because of my bare shoulders I didnt even know how to respond!
So we made our way to Super Target (much like Walmart for you Canadians) where I purchased a cute cardigan to go with my dress.
Now dressed in the appropriate attire we made our way back to the airport only to find that the 6pm flight we had been instructed to take did not exist! I do not know how that happened but one way or another the next flight did not leave until 8pm. So we sat around bored out of our minds for another 4 hours while we waited for the next flight which was actually delayed until 9.
When the flight started boarding I was so excited to get out of that airport and get back to Orlando! My excitement was quickly shot down as the flight filled up and there was no room! I had never flown stand by before and it hadn't occurred to me that we may not get on a flight that evening.
As it turned out I didnt get back to Orlando until late afternoon the next day and it took Nathaniel a full day after that!
Needless to say I do not think we will ever fly stand by again.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Second post of the day...
I want to invite you 7pm EST tonight (Tuesday) for a YWAM Orlando property announcement and update.
Watch it live at http://www.ywamorlando.com/stream
The closing date on this property is tomorrow. We've been praying for this property and for the money to purchase it for a long time. Join us to see what happens!
Watch it live at http://www.ywamorlando.com/stream
The closing date on this property is tomorrow. We've been praying for this property and for the money to purchase it for a long time. Join us to see what happens!
Lawn Crew
YWAM Orlando owns 16 houses that all our students and staff pack into. These houses require a lot of maintenance including lawn mowing.
This is where "Lawn Crew" comes in. Lawn crew consists of 5 or 6 people who spend their Tuesday mornings mowing all 16 lawns. This quarter I became one of these people.
I can count the number of lawns I have mowed on one hand so it's been a new experience for sure. As strange as this is, I love it. It's nasty hot here, it's ridiculously humid, I end up covered in sweat, grass and dirt but it's kinda fun! It feels so satisfying, at the end of the morning I feel like I've really accomplished something.
Pretty sweet.
This is where "Lawn Crew" comes in. Lawn crew consists of 5 or 6 people who spend their Tuesday mornings mowing all 16 lawns. This quarter I became one of these people.
I can count the number of lawns I have mowed on one hand so it's been a new experience for sure. As strange as this is, I love it. It's nasty hot here, it's ridiculously humid, I end up covered in sweat, grass and dirt but it's kinda fun! It feels so satisfying, at the end of the morning I feel like I've really accomplished something.
Pretty sweet.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Finally
Once upon a time Girl met Boy.
They had some adventures and fell in love along the way.
Now they're getting Married.
September Twenty-Fifth Two Thousand and Ten
They had some adventures and fell in love along the way.
Now they're getting Married.
September Twenty-Fifth Two Thousand and Ten
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Facebook Break...
Facebook may very well be taking over the world...or at least my life.
It started off as a good way to contact people and keep in touch and may or may not have turned into a slight addiction...so I'm taking a break.
We as a base here in Orlando are fasting various thing for the next couple weeks to take time to really seek God about the property we are pursuing. When I think of fasting I automatically think of not eating but fasting can be really be from anything. It's not about the lack of food, it's about putting our focus completely on God and gaining a renewed reliance on Him. When I asked God what this should look like for me, I realized it's definitely facebook that needs to go. While I thought this sounded kinda silly initially, it really makes sense for me.
While I am sure I will miss chatting and seeing what everyone is upto (...all the time haha) I am excited to have more time to press in to my relationship with God and pray for the release of this property.
So for the next couple weeks if you need to contact me you can email me, call me, or just wait until next month!
Peace,
SJ
It started off as a good way to contact people and keep in touch and may or may not have turned into a slight addiction...so I'm taking a break.
We as a base here in Orlando are fasting various thing for the next couple weeks to take time to really seek God about the property we are pursuing. When I think of fasting I automatically think of not eating but fasting can be really be from anything. It's not about the lack of food, it's about putting our focus completely on God and gaining a renewed reliance on Him. When I asked God what this should look like for me, I realized it's definitely facebook that needs to go. While I thought this sounded kinda silly initially, it really makes sense for me.
While I am sure I will miss chatting and seeing what everyone is upto (...all the time haha) I am excited to have more time to press in to my relationship with God and pray for the release of this property.
So for the next couple weeks if you need to contact me you can email me, call me, or just wait until next month!
Peace,
SJ
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Birthday Weekend
Well My Birthday/Family weekend is officially over. My family left this morning. Sad day.
They arrived last Wednesday night. Nathaniel and I rushed to see them as soon as they got here! We were only able to spend the evenings with them on Thursday and Friday as we both worked during the day. But I was fortunate enough to be able to take time off on Monday and Tuesday so I spent both full days hanging out with them.
My Birthday was lovely. Nathaniel and I spent the day with the fam shopping at my favorite outdoor mall. Mom, Bethany and I enjoyed ourselves but Dad and Nathaniel were quite bored and retreated to a Mexican restaurant where they watched a basketball game instead. We then had dinner at Panera with friends and family followed by an evening of cheesecake, ice cream and presents. Great Day, tiring but great.
Monday and Tuesday were spent shopping and chilling out in coffee shops with the fam.
Now mom, dad and bethany are back in the car, on their way to Edmonton and I am back at work.
Thats all for now.
Peace,
SJ
They arrived last Wednesday night. Nathaniel and I rushed to see them as soon as they got here! We were only able to spend the evenings with them on Thursday and Friday as we both worked during the day. But I was fortunate enough to be able to take time off on Monday and Tuesday so I spent both full days hanging out with them.
My Birthday was lovely. Nathaniel and I spent the day with the fam shopping at my favorite outdoor mall. Mom, Bethany and I enjoyed ourselves but Dad and Nathaniel were quite bored and retreated to a Mexican restaurant where they watched a basketball game instead. We then had dinner at Panera with friends and family followed by an evening of cheesecake, ice cream and presents. Great Day, tiring but great.
Monday and Tuesday were spent shopping and chilling out in coffee shops with the fam.
Now mom, dad and bethany are back in the car, on their way to Edmonton and I am back at work.
Thats all for now.
Peace,
SJ
Friday, April 16, 2010
Almost my birthday!
Well, the countdown is on! Only nine days left til my 21st Birthday :)
My familia will be here next week, probably Thursday, that will be wonderful! I think they might be crazy for driving from Sayulita, Mexico to Orlando "on the way" back to Edmonton but I am definitely not complaining! I don't know what we will be doing for my birthday yet, Nathaniel has stated that he will be doing the planning this year so I suppose I shall have to wait and see!
Thats all for now.
Peace,
SJ
PS. Birthday Cards are always welcomed! :)
PO Box 620487
Orlando FL 32862
My familia will be here next week, probably Thursday, that will be wonderful! I think they might be crazy for driving from Sayulita, Mexico to Orlando "on the way" back to Edmonton but I am definitely not complaining! I don't know what we will be doing for my birthday yet, Nathaniel has stated that he will be doing the planning this year so I suppose I shall have to wait and see!
Thats all for now.
Peace,
SJ
PS. Birthday Cards are always welcomed! :)
PO Box 620487
Orlando FL 32862
Friday, March 19, 2010
Spring time at last!
Growing up in Edmonton I have definitely experienced my share of cold weather. I remember many years when it would start warming up after a long winter and suddenly -10 degrees becomes t-shirt weather.
Now living in Florida I have become quite a pansy when it comes to "cold" weather. I find myself complaining about what an awful winter we've had here when it's almost 20 degrees outside.
Fortunately for us pansies down here it is starting to warm up and we're all heading to the beach this weekend in celebration of the end of winter.
Thank you Jesus for warm weather, I do not miss the snow one bit!
Sarah Jane
Now living in Florida I have become quite a pansy when it comes to "cold" weather. I find myself complaining about what an awful winter we've had here when it's almost 20 degrees outside.
Fortunately for us pansies down here it is starting to warm up and we're all heading to the beach this weekend in celebration of the end of winter.
Thank you Jesus for warm weather, I do not miss the snow one bit!
Sarah Jane
Monday, February 22, 2010
Prayer Request:
Many of you know I'm working on applying for an R-1 Visa right now. This visa will allow me to be in the US for 3-5 years and I would be able to travel back and forth without any problems. It will hold me over until I can apply for a green card after Nathaniel and I get married.
Please keep my finances for this in your prayers. It's going to cost a chunk of money that I don't have at this moment. The visa itself costs $320 and then there will be lawyer fees on top of that. It's really easy to stress out about the money but I'm trying really hard to just give this to God and let Him provide how He wants to.
Please also pray that the paperwork would get filled out smoothly, that I wouldn't be missing any papers and that all this can be done in the next two weeks!
If you would like to donate towards this you can send a cheque either directly to me:
Sarah Jane Rinas
PO Box 620487
Orlando FL 32862
USA
or if you need a tax receipt you can send it to:
Project Funding Office
PO Box 57100
Vancouver, BC V5K 5G6
Canada
**Make the cheque out to "Youth With A Mission". It is important that my name NOT be anywhere on the cheque! Please attach a separate note saying it is for Sarah Jane Rinas with YWAM Orlando.
Or give online (also tax deductible):
Go to http://ywamcanada.org/donations.html and click "online donations"
Thank you so much for your prayers and support, it is greatly appreciated!
Peace,
Sarah Jane
Please keep my finances for this in your prayers. It's going to cost a chunk of money that I don't have at this moment. The visa itself costs $320 and then there will be lawyer fees on top of that. It's really easy to stress out about the money but I'm trying really hard to just give this to God and let Him provide how He wants to.
Please also pray that the paperwork would get filled out smoothly, that I wouldn't be missing any papers and that all this can be done in the next two weeks!
If you would like to donate towards this you can send a cheque either directly to me:
Sarah Jane Rinas
PO Box 620487
Orlando FL 32862
USA
or if you need a tax receipt you can send it to:
Project Funding Office
PO Box 57100
Vancouver, BC V5K 5G6
Canada
**Make the cheque out to "Youth With A Mission". It is important that my name NOT be anywhere on the cheque! Please attach a separate note saying it is for Sarah Jane Rinas with YWAM Orlando.
Or give online (also tax deductible):
Go to http://ywamcanada.org/donations.html and click "online donations"
Thank you so much for your prayers and support, it is greatly appreciated!
Peace,
Sarah Jane
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Happy New Year!
Wow life got real busy real fast in the past month!
On Monday we had 45 new students com in for 3 different schools. I spent Monday trying to register them all and make sure they were all settled into their houses and whatnot. That was quite a job.
This quarter we have a Discipleship Training School (DTS), a School Of Ministry Development (SOMD) and a School Of Missions (SOM). I will be working with our training department again, helping the school leaders with the administrative things that need to be done.
At the end of this month I will be coming home for a short visit. My visa expires at the end of the month so I will be trying to get another one. I'm a little bit nervous about this as it's out of my control for the most part.
Last but definitely not least, Nathaniel proposed on Saturday night!
We don't have a date quite yet but I will definitely keep you posted on that one.
I'm soooo excited, and so blessed!
Let the wedding planning begin! If you have any tips or words of advice I would love to hear them!
More Updates coming soon.
Peace,
SJ
On Monday we had 45 new students com in for 3 different schools. I spent Monday trying to register them all and make sure they were all settled into their houses and whatnot. That was quite a job.
This quarter we have a Discipleship Training School (DTS), a School Of Ministry Development (SOMD) and a School Of Missions (SOM). I will be working with our training department again, helping the school leaders with the administrative things that need to be done.
At the end of this month I will be coming home for a short visit. My visa expires at the end of the month so I will be trying to get another one. I'm a little bit nervous about this as it's out of my control for the most part.
Last but definitely not least, Nathaniel proposed on Saturday night!
We don't have a date quite yet but I will definitely keep you posted on that one.
I'm soooo excited, and so blessed!
Let the wedding planning begin! If you have any tips or words of advice I would love to hear them!
More Updates coming soon.
Peace,
SJ
Monday, November 30, 2009
Happy (American) Thanksgiving!
I just had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.
Thursday we as a base had a huge Thanksgiving dinner, Friday was Black Friday Shopping day, Saturday was our annual Christmas season kick off party and Sunday was a day for relaxing. Beautiful weekend.
Thanksgiving is a lot of fun around here, everyone hangs out and plays games, there's plenty of laughs and lots of good family time. It's been very refreshing.
I really have so much to be thankful for this year.
I am so blessed to be able to be here full time. I'm so thankful for Gods provision and incredible faithfulness in making sure I have the things I need.
I have a sweet YWAM family and am surrounded by great friends.
I am dating a wonderful man that I hope many of you will be able to meet someday.
YWAM Orlando has been pursuing a large property just outside the city for a few years now and we just found out that the owners signed the contract. This was really exciting as we are growing far too much for the facility we are using right now.
God is so good.
Peace,
SJ
Thursday we as a base had a huge Thanksgiving dinner, Friday was Black Friday Shopping day, Saturday was our annual Christmas season kick off party and Sunday was a day for relaxing. Beautiful weekend.
Thanksgiving is a lot of fun around here, everyone hangs out and plays games, there's plenty of laughs and lots of good family time. It's been very refreshing.
I really have so much to be thankful for this year.
I am so blessed to be able to be here full time. I'm so thankful for Gods provision and incredible faithfulness in making sure I have the things I need.
I have a sweet YWAM family and am surrounded by great friends.
I am dating a wonderful man that I hope many of you will be able to meet someday.
YWAM Orlando has been pursuing a large property just outside the city for a few years now and we just found out that the owners signed the contract. This was really exciting as we are growing far too much for the facility we are using right now.
God is so good.
Peace,
SJ
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Familia!
Hey everyone!
So I'm not going to lie, I've been feeling a tiny bit home sick the past couple weeks. Even though moving here is a huge change I didn't think homesickness would really be an issue since it wasn't during my training schools here. I suppose this is abit different since I don't really know when I'll be home next but it still wasn't something I was counting on dealing with. It's been weird not being home for thanksgiving, knowing I wont be home over Christmas and not really knowing when I'll get to see my family next.
Well good news...my family is coming to visit!!
They should get here on Tuesday night and they'll be here for about a week. I am so excited and SO thankful. Beautiful timing.
I'm looking forward to a week full of catching up, shopping, coffee and lots of hanging out!
Hopefully your week will be as wonderful as mine. :)
Peace,
SJ
So I'm not going to lie, I've been feeling a tiny bit home sick the past couple weeks. Even though moving here is a huge change I didn't think homesickness would really be an issue since it wasn't during my training schools here. I suppose this is abit different since I don't really know when I'll be home next but it still wasn't something I was counting on dealing with. It's been weird not being home for thanksgiving, knowing I wont be home over Christmas and not really knowing when I'll get to see my family next.
Well good news...my family is coming to visit!!
They should get here on Tuesday night and they'll be here for about a week. I am so excited and SO thankful. Beautiful timing.
I'm looking forward to a week full of catching up, shopping, coffee and lots of hanging out!
Hopefully your week will be as wonderful as mine. :)
Peace,
SJ
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Church Update
So we tried a church for the second time last week. It's called High Point Church of Orlando. It's definitely growing on me. The service last week was really good.
Pastor Keith preached a sermon titled "Leaving Boldly" He was talking about how it doesn't really matter how well we live our life here on earth and how many things we do if we're not passing that off to someone. He compared it to one of the relay races in the 2008 Olympics where Darvis Patton failed to pass the baton off to Tyson Gay and both were disqualified. Patton was an outstanding runner but without passing the baton his run meant nothing. This is the same for our lives. We might live awesome christian lives but if we don't pass that off to someone it stops with us, there's nothing to continue.
It sure gives ya something to think about right?
Near the end of the service there were a few baby dedications. Growing up in church I've seen numerous baby dedications and they're pretty much all the same, but these ones were different. The pastor and associate pastors took time to pray for each baby individually and then spoke out things God had placed on their heart for each child. It was really cool!
In YWAM we call this Original Design and it is often done for the students. We take time to pray and ask God how each individual was created, what gifts He has placed in them. It's really sweet. It was exciting to see it done in a church service.
I think we will continue going to this church. Thank you so much for all your prayers!
Peace
SJ
Pastor Keith preached a sermon titled "Leaving Boldly" He was talking about how it doesn't really matter how well we live our life here on earth and how many things we do if we're not passing that off to someone. He compared it to one of the relay races in the 2008 Olympics where Darvis Patton failed to pass the baton off to Tyson Gay and both were disqualified. Patton was an outstanding runner but without passing the baton his run meant nothing. This is the same for our lives. We might live awesome christian lives but if we don't pass that off to someone it stops with us, there's nothing to continue.
It sure gives ya something to think about right?
Near the end of the service there were a few baby dedications. Growing up in church I've seen numerous baby dedications and they're pretty much all the same, but these ones were different. The pastor and associate pastors took time to pray for each baby individually and then spoke out things God had placed on their heart for each child. It was really cool!
In YWAM we call this Original Design and it is often done for the students. We take time to pray and ask God how each individual was created, what gifts He has placed in them. It's really sweet. It was exciting to see it done in a church service.
I think we will continue going to this church. Thank you so much for all your prayers!
Peace
SJ
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Why is everything still green??
Apparently we have entered into the season of Fall...but who would know it around here, nothing changes colour! I miss seeing red, yellow, and orange leaves all over the ground at home. It's disappointing really.
It's weird to think that at home you all will be getting snow soon and I will still be sweating my brains out here. Oy vey.
On Sunday I was drinking my coffee on the way to church and by the time we got there I still had about half of it left but I didn't want to bring it in, so I left it in the car. After church (almost 2 hours later) I went back to the car and my coffee was still hot...kinda weird.
This past month has been a busy time of settling in and figuring out my place for this quarter. Here are some brief updates.
The Fall DTS
The fall DTS has started and we have 43 students roaming about the base. Two of them live in my house which I am quite enjoying. They are now in their second week of teaching and it's so cool to see the transformation beginning already! It's exciting to watch and listen to them as they are learning to hear God's voice and discovering that God wants to speak directly to them. I'm really loving it!
This quarter
I am working in two departments for the next 3 months. Half the time I'm in the Youth department which organizes and runs all our trips for youth under 18. Right now it's alot of planning for next summer and keeping up with the students that went on trips with us this past summer. It's fun though, I get to call alot of the students that were here over the summer and see how they're doing, encourage them in their faith and walk with God, and pray with them.
The other half of the time I'm working in the training department. This involves working with the DTS leaders and helping them with the administrative side of their job. I'm really enjoying this as well.
In the evenings I have the opportunity to hang out with the DTS students and get to know them.
In the evenings I have the opportunity to get to know the DTS students and disciple them as they're growing in what God has for them during this time.
Pray for a church
The past couple weeks I have been looking for a church to start attending regularly. During both of my training schools here in Orlando I went to a young adults evening service that I really enjoyed. The downside of it is that the church is HUGE! I would love to find a smaller church that i could be involved in on a more personal level.
Nathaniel and I have been to two churches so far and we are going back to one of them this Sunday. Please keep this in your prayers as it's rather difficult. I always feel pretty awkward going to new churches and it's not really my favorite thing to do right now.
Working in YWAM I have the privilege to participate in regular teaching and worship times as part of my job, Please pray for a church that feels like family and that i can contribute to, thats really what I'm looking for right now.
Random...
I finally got a cell phone! I've managed just fine without one for a long time but it's proving to be a necessary thing to have around here. I enjoy talking to people on the phone so please feel free to give me a call. 1 407 247 7341
I hope you all are doing awesome.
Peace,
SJ
It's weird to think that at home you all will be getting snow soon and I will still be sweating my brains out here. Oy vey.
On Sunday I was drinking my coffee on the way to church and by the time we got there I still had about half of it left but I didn't want to bring it in, so I left it in the car. After church (almost 2 hours later) I went back to the car and my coffee was still hot...kinda weird.
This past month has been a busy time of settling in and figuring out my place for this quarter. Here are some brief updates.
The Fall DTS
The fall DTS has started and we have 43 students roaming about the base. Two of them live in my house which I am quite enjoying. They are now in their second week of teaching and it's so cool to see the transformation beginning already! It's exciting to watch and listen to them as they are learning to hear God's voice and discovering that God wants to speak directly to them. I'm really loving it!
This quarter
I am working in two departments for the next 3 months. Half the time I'm in the Youth department which organizes and runs all our trips for youth under 18. Right now it's alot of planning for next summer and keeping up with the students that went on trips with us this past summer. It's fun though, I get to call alot of the students that were here over the summer and see how they're doing, encourage them in their faith and walk with God, and pray with them.
The other half of the time I'm working in the training department. This involves working with the DTS leaders and helping them with the administrative side of their job. I'm really enjoying this as well.
In the evenings I have the opportunity to hang out with the DTS students and get to know them.
In the evenings I have the opportunity to get to know the DTS students and disciple them as they're growing in what God has for them during this time.
Pray for a church
The past couple weeks I have been looking for a church to start attending regularly. During both of my training schools here in Orlando I went to a young adults evening service that I really enjoyed. The downside of it is that the church is HUGE! I would love to find a smaller church that i could be involved in on a more personal level.
Nathaniel and I have been to two churches so far and we are going back to one of them this Sunday. Please keep this in your prayers as it's rather difficult. I always feel pretty awkward going to new churches and it's not really my favorite thing to do right now.
Working in YWAM I have the privilege to participate in regular teaching and worship times as part of my job, Please pray for a church that feels like family and that i can contribute to, thats really what I'm looking for right now.
Random...
I finally got a cell phone! I've managed just fine without one for a long time but it's proving to be a necessary thing to have around here. I enjoy talking to people on the phone so please feel free to give me a call. 1 407 247 7341
I hope you all are doing awesome.
Peace,
SJ
Friday, August 21, 2009
I am finally back in Orlando!
I left my cute yellow house in Edmonton two weeks ago, spent a week in Chicago with Nathaniel and then on Sunday night we arrived in Orlando after 20+ hours of driving!
This past week has been spent in training and the first half of next week will be similar. Then on Thursday the staff team here in Orlando is going on "Staff Retreat". This a four day adventure which will probably include more food than anyone needs, a lot of games and plenty of good bonding time. I'm pretty stoked for this as it will be a great time to get to know some of the staff better before the next quarter starts.
Many of you are asking what I will be doing here in Orlando specifically and I promise I will give you more specific details as I get them. Because I am new to this it will take a few weeks to figure out exactly what my role will be this upcoming quarter.
What I do know is this, new students come in on September 24th and I'm so excited to meet them! I will have the opportunity to get to know them and encourage them as they grow in their faith and further discover the character of God. How cool is that??
I am preparing a monthly newsletter that I would love to send you! It will have regular updates on what God is doing in my life and ways that you can pray for me and my ministry here.
If you are interested in receiving this feel free to email me your address and I will send that out to you!
sarahjanerinas@gmail.com
Peace,
SJ
This past week has been spent in training and the first half of next week will be similar. Then on Thursday the staff team here in Orlando is going on "Staff Retreat". This a four day adventure which will probably include more food than anyone needs, a lot of games and plenty of good bonding time. I'm pretty stoked for this as it will be a great time to get to know some of the staff better before the next quarter starts.
Many of you are asking what I will be doing here in Orlando specifically and I promise I will give you more specific details as I get them. Because I am new to this it will take a few weeks to figure out exactly what my role will be this upcoming quarter.
What I do know is this, new students come in on September 24th and I'm so excited to meet them! I will have the opportunity to get to know them and encourage them as they grow in their faith and further discover the character of God. How cool is that??
I am preparing a monthly newsletter that I would love to send you! It will have regular updates on what God is doing in my life and ways that you can pray for me and my ministry here.
If you are interested in receiving this feel free to email me your address and I will send that out to you!
sarahjanerinas@gmail.com
Peace,
SJ
Monday, June 15, 2009
Garage Sale Weekend
The Garage Sale is finally over! Sitting in the sun for four days is exhausting - rough life eh. haha.
It was pretty busy on Thursday and Friday and then slowed down on Saturday and Sunday was nearly dead...but I still managed to make $1080.05!! Part of that money will get me back to Orlando in August and part of it will go towards buying a plane ticket to see my family at Christmas. Thank you so much to all of you guys who donated stuff - I couldn't have made that much without you!
It was a pretty fun experience. All four days were hot and sunny - wonderful for sitting outside all day long. Although I was a little over excited about the sunshine on Thursday and burnt my shoulders and my neck...but I'm hoping my skin wont all peel off and it'll turn into a lovely tan!
I got to talk so so many people and tell them what I'm doing and where God is taking me.
So overall it was pretty awesome!
Praise God!
It was pretty busy on Thursday and Friday and then slowed down on Saturday and Sunday was nearly dead...but I still managed to make $1080.05!! Part of that money will get me back to Orlando in August and part of it will go towards buying a plane ticket to see my family at Christmas. Thank you so much to all of you guys who donated stuff - I couldn't have made that much without you!
It was a pretty fun experience. All four days were hot and sunny - wonderful for sitting outside all day long. Although I was a little over excited about the sunshine on Thursday and burnt my shoulders and my neck...but I'm hoping my skin wont all peel off and it'll turn into a lovely tan!
I got to talk so so many people and tell them what I'm doing and where God is taking me.
So overall it was pretty awesome!
Praise God!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
random note
This morning in church we had a guest speaker - He was really great. He made this comment about how he just loves missionaries and how they adopt a people group and love them no matter how different they are- they adjust to the food they eat even if it wreaks havoc on their bodies and they love the people even if they look and act quite differently. This kinda made me laugh and think about my own situation. I am a missionary based out of Orlando FL. I love the food that is made for us even though I inevitably eat far too much of it and my body expands and complains as a result. I love the people even though they speak with weird accents and tease me about my own supposed accent. This is the life of a missionary i suppose...with a few other random things thrown in there of course. Love it.
Peace,
SJ
Peace,
SJ
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