YWAM Update: Erika and the Creative Ministry Department + A Puppet Video

          I, Erika, have been going through a lot of transition lately in my area of responsibility here at YWAM DENVER.  I have been involved with the Creative Ministry Department now for a year and I have truly seen myself grow in communication, creativity, and leadership.  One of the reasons I have been 'transitioning' is because over the last 6 months I have been also working with 2 DTS's (Discipleship Training School) each school was 3 months long.  This work with DTS has been tiresome.  For the most part I was meeting weekly for an hour with up to 4 DTS student girls and talking about the journey they are on with God in their life.  This type of discipleship is taxing because it is not 'organic' in that the relationship happens in a normal life setting (going for coffee, having a game night, or just meeting up at church) The DTS model is set up so the student can get intense legitimate input-----ALOT and what felt like ALL THE TIME!  

         After the first 3 month school was over from September to Christmas I was drained!  I was spent actually.  My heart for the three girls I mentored grew, but my responsibilities in my creative ministry department grew too.  I came home crying the night before we left for Christmas break---for I had just finished packing all the outreach props, music, sound, and puppet bags all by myself late into the evening.  SOMETHING HAS GOT TO CHANGE!  I really had no processing time to think of what was going on in my own life......let alone needing to talk to these wonderful girls every week too.  

          Straight after Christmas I came back to the base and jumped into another DTS + Creative Ministry Department situation and barely made it through another 3 months.  This time I was meeting with 4 girls once a week for an hour or so and finding that there was a SMALL WINDOW of LIGHT coming in.  I was given a STUDENT ASSISTANT in my Creative Ministry Department and close to the end of the quarter was giving a STAFF ASSISSTANT too!!!!   The Lord knows my need!  We were able to pack all the bags for outreach teams a week early!  I was able to find some really great hard cases, air tight, water proof....and lifetime guaranteed  for our sound units!  There were enjoyable times in the preparation process and in sharing the load with some others that cared about the outcome.  

           I have spoken with the personnel department (responsible for schedules at our ywam base) and began laying a foundation of what I really needed to be a good leader and a creative asset to this base.  In this discovery I found a few things to be true:

1.  MULTIPLICATION---I need to train others in the details of this department so that I can be released from it from time to time in the future (to go on outreach)

2.  ASSESSMENT--I need to train people that are not going to take over my department to be the best at what they teach (if they are one time teachers I coordinate with)  I can give helpful feedback and connecting thoughts about the bigger picture of what it looks like to 'PREPARE A TEAM FOR OUTREACH'

3.  REST--- I can say 'no' to things.  I do not have to be a staff member in a DTS if there is no one to take my department.  That reality is okay........I can rest in this brand new time of growing.

            All I can say in response to this is that I am truly blessed because the Lord brings rest to those He loves.  I know he loves me and that is so evident 6 months later after a lot of trial, prayer, and tears----that YES, the Lord wants his children to be prepared for outreach and he will send workers to carry the load with me.  YEAH!!!   I love my job as the Creative Ministry Director.  It satisfies so many small areas of my personality and my calling as a teacher, exhorter, and artist!   My heart is to disciple wherever I am---whether I am working with a school or not.  If it was my choice, I would keep doing what I love in Creative Ministry and just be faithful to those around me in that 'organic' way.  But if someday I was asked to staff a DTS and to work with students directly again I will be able to say yes because someone has been trained to take over Creative Ministry for that quarter!  I will be able to advise and release them to do manage the department....and they will release me to work with a school.  Nice Trade!

             

          So it is the Spring Quarter already and I have 2 STAFF ASSISTANTS!!  God has already multiplied the help.  I have begun to see new areas of development that can come from my head being unified---not fragmented---with the thoughts of Christ.  

HERE'S A LITTLE CREATIVE MINISTRY IN ACTION!  This was the Musicians DTS team that went to Mexico from Christmas to February 2011.  A Delightful Puppet Routine!

music painting

This Accordian and Guitar Song is being drawn and written out at the same time!

We like trees too so, yes PLANT ONE, but mostly just enjoy this song and painting.

Dothan Trip

Dothan, Alabama has quickly become a new home away from home for me (Erika), and what a restful 12 days we had with Steve and Cindy in their home.  Mornings were spent sleeping in late and then making a brunch while watching HGTV, TLC's Cake Boss, or working out on the Gazelle.  Just having time to do life with the sweet Strickland's really got Will and me emotionally, spiritually, and physically ready for 2011.

 

Creativity is born with children.  Anna Kate and I had so much fun playing with some old toys that I used to play with while growing up.  Do you remember the brightly colored star shaped plastic toys--each arm has a little ball.  I connected them together to make this little person about as tall as AK.  She loved it, giving him hugs and kisses.  She is getting so big and soon she'll be 2!!! 

 

One night at home, I (Will) decided to finally try a few photography tricks that I had been wanting to do.  The above one is just one of MANY pictures that I took using homemade stencils (my brother in law made this one) that were placed directly on my lens while I purposely took blurry pictures of twinkle lights.  The result is that each tiny blurry light takes on the shape of whatever the stencil is.  So much fun!

The next three pictures were just some light painting fun that we had.

  

 

 Getting to see old friends is always a favorite part of Christmas!

Here's a picture of our updated missions board at Dothan Christian Fellowship.

We were blessed to be able to lead worship here while at home 

and always enjoy being reunited with this family.

tis the season

It's time for Christmas.....or...I guess Christmas is over....and these are late, but never too late!

 

 The halls were decked...with lights cascading down the railing.

 

...new stockings were hung by the fireplace...with lights and my grandma Helen Hydeen's handmade Swedish rosmaling painted ornaments.  

W.E. 2010 Ornament---First year married.  It's a batik painted wooden bird from Hands Around the World shop in Orange City, IA.

W.E. 2009 Ornament---Christmas was spent apart last year so this was the first time this little guy was displayed..... showing his chubby penguin cuteness!

I wanted to highlight just a few ornaments because we didn't have a tree this year.  I put some Christmas lights around the three green windows in our living room and just hung a few ornaments behind.  It turned out really great. 

I brought the little Christmas hats from Norway.  They belong to Jule Nisse....Christmas Elves that help take care of the animals in the barn on Christmas Eve.  :)

Now that Christmas is over and we have taken down our decorations...we miss the festive and extra light that those little bulbs bring!

 

It was fun to celebrate Christmas as a married couple---8 months in!!  Our time in Alabama with the Strickland family for 12 days was restful.  We'll probably go to Iowa for Christmas next year and maybe get a tree.  Maybe. 

...and Happy New Year

Because this post was finished AFTER Christmas and AFTER the new year,

we are already 9 months married and so in love. 

We continue to REALLY enjoy each other and speak words of truth over our marriage.

What's 2011 look like for W.E.Chronicles---

relax

create

laugh

hope

May the Lord bless you this year friends!

Sweet Home Alabama

This past weekend Erika and I were blessed to have the opportunity to go back to my home town, Dothan, AL. 

We came into town to surprise our good friend Colleen for her 25th birthday, and were joined by some other very dear friends.

We took these two pictures for Colleen and had them framed and signed for her birthday! Unfortunately the only thing missing is herself and Kurt (her lovely, the wonderful man that paid for our flights home)

Friday night we went the the National Peanut Festival! The night was complete with boiled peanuts, the most amazing corn dogs known to man, elephant ears, and lots of rides!  I had not been in several several years and had forgotten the joys of our fair.  It was so amazing to share it with Erika and give her more of a taste of good ole Southern culture.

 Colleen barreling through the bumper cars!

Alli and Colleen enjoying a ride on the slide!

 

Thankfully we were able to stay a few extra days and spend time with my parents.  Because of Erika's love for mini golf, part of that time was spent by playing an exciting game of putt-putt!

My first of 4 holes in one!

Posing with the Elephant at AdventureLand!

Erika in her natural habitat

Even though I'm not that competitive... winning still feels good :)

It was amazing to be with our best of friends and family for a long weekend.  We were able to experience so much together and Erika and I both were not ready to leave when the time came to go back to Denver.  We were greeted back in Colorado with chilly temperatures and snow! Maybe some of you guys don't care for that so much, but I'm from Alabama and I LOVE the snow because we never had any.

a handful of miracles

So this last week has been a bit of a unique one.  Last week Monday I started feeling a bit off.  A little bit of a scratchy throat and the whole bit.  Immediately I began to pray because when my spirit claims the sickness then it's as though I were giving the sickness permission to make its home and I did not want that. 
These first couple weeks of the quarter have been hectic for me.  Like I said before there are 4 teams going on outreach in 2 months, but the same amount of people going on a mid-lecture phase outreach next week-----so that means my heavy prep work begins early.  We have a school going on up in the mountains....at our mountain campus 'Eagle Rock'.  They join us down at the Arvada campus every monday. 
So....like I said I started feeling off on a Monday, the only day that I can possibly communicate face to face with the leadership from the Eagle Rock school.  Push through Erika!!!  I felt something like a wind of the Spirit pick me up and give me clear thoughts about what I needed to do that day...during the time alotted.  I was like a freight train!  In God's perfect timing, I actually finished what I NEEDED to do then began to feel weak again.  Should I go home now...and rest?  I felt like it was time.  I had overwhelming grace for the moment! Thank you Lord! 

This bug just kept me on my toes all week.  YES.....all week.  It is Monday again and I am not well still.  After hundreds of prayers from family and friends all believing for full healing....I am still coughing, blowing the shnoz, taking meds, and wondering what to do next.  There were times in this last week that I pressed anxiously into a cure, but pulled back just letting the Holy Spirit comfort me.  One of these moments was Friday night.  (Oh did I tell you we had house guests from Thursday to Sunday?)  Will insisted that I stay in our bed, but there were not many options because Kevin was sleeping on the couch and his parents were in the basement.  I knew I would cough for an hour...and cause Will to lose sleep.  So I just prayed that God would show me a miracle.  This is what He told me.

I felt like the Lord said 'Do not make a provision for being sick.  Lay down just like you would any night.  When an urge to cough comes over you....just lay your hand on your chest and pray quietly about my healing, my peace, and my promise of life for you.'  I really went out in faith on this one.  It was so personal....no one else (but Will....my bed buddy) would be awaiting the results.  I went for it.  No more sleeping with two pillows elevating me, no more getting up to read for an hour in the other room, no more vicks on the feet with socks, no more tea with honey.  I just rested....and prayed.  In the morning I awoke and realized I had slept that night.  It worked!  God was faithful to bring me rest!  It was a miracle!

The next couple of days I struggled to hold the faith that I would be healed because I felt like all the symptoms were getting heavier.  I had totally cut out all sugar and dairy...only drinking water and Emergen-C! 

Saturday I prayed about heading up to the Eagle Rock campus for a staff couples wedding and I got the go ahead.  I may have pushed myself too much.  When there are good tunes being played and little girls asking me to dance with them who can turn that down.  Nevertheless, I was bushed!   It's been almost a week.  Everyday I thought the next day would be the ending day....where all the mucus would break up and I would feel less pressure in my face and head.  Nope....not true. 

Sunday was a day of rest with Parker Posey--in--You've Got Mail & Josie and the Pussy Cats.  My favorite Parker outfit had to be this feather collar she wore.....it was amazing! 
Our house guests left us a a thank you card and $100!!!  Serious provision and graciousness....they were staying with me (coughing and under the weather), and still gave us a gift!

Monday now, time for the visit to the clinic.  So how much is it gonna be to do all this?  Can we afford it without health insurance?  75 bucks for the clinic and 26 for the medicine.  Hmmmm.....that's $101 dollars!  Seems like God provided everything we needed before we needed it.  MIRACLE!

So, yes I am a little behind on work, but it will all fall into place when it needs to.  I did get to read some...which I have not done in like 5 years.  I started AND finished the book 'Is That Really You God' by Loren Cunningham.  It was a a book I read while doing my DTS in Norway.  But that was a long time ago...and God was doing a lot in me.  I felt like now would be a good time to read it...and really understand the story.  I drew a ton from the book including some principles to hear God's voice.  I have started reading 'No Compromise' by Melody Green.  The book is a biography of Keith Green's life written by his wife.  It should be great although it is 500 pages long.  YIKES!

I have my meds.  And I am on the mend.  I just wanted to give God the glory for His provision and comforting ways.  Thank you Jesus!

Life on the Weekends

Now that the new quarter has started off smoothly, we're back to our normal weekend outings, and have added about 20 or more students to the mix each time.  Last Saturday we went to the Denver Art Museum and just loved the opportunity to be inspired, challenged, and awed by the creativity of this and past generations.

An entire exhibit of chairs... both modern and old. 
This was a personal favorite. 

I like to call him iron man.... however I'm not sure what it's proper title is. 
The best way to describe it is a sculpture mosaic of metal.

We stopped for a little snack break on one of the balconies. 
I sat in the shade, and in typical "Erika fashion" she chose to soak up some rays.

"View" by David Schnell

There was a huge installation piece called Fox Games, by Sandy Skoglund
of only grey foxes and red dining room tables and chairs.
It was definitely a favorite!   

Kevin Looper, a dear friend of ours, came with and stuck
with us the entire time through the art museum, despite our slow pace.

Please check out some of the other art we saw at the Denver Art Museum
The Violin by Roy Lichtenstein
Horse by Deborah Butterfield

Last Sunday we were able to help a good friend (who was out of town for a family funeral) by leading worship her local church downtown.  We missed our own community at Hillside, but it was great to have the opportunity to serve somewhere new and lead a new group of believers into God's Presence.

This past week has been a good one for the both of us I believe.  I've been seeking to look at what things in my life are renewing for me and focusing on purposefully putting those things into my schedule.  Mostly, I've found that they're having to do with me creating... painting, drawing, photography, music.  Previously, those would be the first things to go, in the business of the day to day, but I now see their vital relevance in my life in order for me to stay healthy.  Erika has been working hard to organize local creative musical outings with the Musicians DTS as well as getting everyone (70 students on 4 teams) creatively organized and prepared for a Dec to Feb outreach.  She's doing a great job with discipling her small group girls and really is making a difference in forming new ideas and opportunities for the school.

Yesterday, we hiked the Three Sisters with the DTS.  It was a beautifully fall day and even though the hike was easier than expected, the bouldering we were able to do was an added treat.

On her way up!

A good friend and fellow musician of ours,  Julie Tiehen, came along for the hike!

Almost there!

Kyle... took the hard way up

Kevin, the resident monkey, made it to the top in seconds and
was already taking enjoying the view.

 We are hoping for another week full of challenges, accomplishments, discipleship, and revelation.  As time allows we'll fill you guys in on the details.