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

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

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

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!

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

garage sale correction!

Shoot guys I totally lied about my garage sale date...by accident!
It's actually the second weekend of June - not the first. So thats Friday the 12 - Sunday the 14th.
COME CHECK IT OUT!!

I spent this last week with my wonderful boyfriend. He got here last Sunday and left last night. It was Nathaniel's first trip to Canada and while I've worked hard to convince him the stereotypes of perpetual winter are NOT true...the snow on Monday threw that all out the window! But anyway, we had a great week of shopping at West Edmonton Mall, walking on Whyte ave, playing dutch blitz, watching movies and lots of randomness in between!







Now life is back to normal - kinda disappointing.
Back to support raising and trying to figure out my visa situation.

But on the bright side, the weather is finally looking like spring/summer!! Bethany is training for a triathlon - how cool is that?! I have a random job interview tomorrow and I made the best sweet and spicy cashew chicken for dinner I've ever had! I was quite proud of myself.

Well it's 9:40pm and mom and I are making coffee. Good times.

Peace.
Sarah Jane

I have officially given up on having spring this year.
This morning I was sitting at my kitchen table and I looked out my window and saw teeny tiny snowflakes falling from the sky... IN MAY?!! This is getting a little ridiculous.
I am now enjoying my second cup of coffee for the morning while watching Nathaniel play monopoly junior with my sister...she's definitely kicking his butt...poor guy. He drove all the way here and now he's being beaten by an 11 year old at a game he probably hasn't played since he was in grade school.

I finally have a date set for my garage sale - the first weekend in June. I'm crossing my fingers that we will have some nice weather by that point.

Well I'm off to H&W for some fruits and vegetables!

Peace,
Sarah Jane