Hello, friends! I have just finished my second week of my DTS, and, even for an English major, it is hard to put my experience thus far into words. It has been such a challenging, growing and peaceful time all put together. Like I said in my week one post, it truly does not feel like I have only been here for the time that I have been! There has been so many new things that I have experienced, so many new people that I have met and so much that I have learned in the past 15 days that it seems like it has been so much longer. This past week was an incredibly powerful and fun one. Dean Sherman, a world-wide known speaker and author and the man who started YWAM in Australia, spent the week teaching us on spiritual warfare. My eyes have been opened to how much my everyday decisions impact the power that either God or Satan has in my life. The more I yield to God, even in the little things, the more He will guide and use me. This concept is so exciting and so important to me because it has really shown me how every little thing I do counts. God is always looking for people who are willing to submit to Him, and when He sees that they are surrendered to His will, He uses them. One of the most exciting parts of all this is that God does not rely on human capability. When He calls someone to do something, He gives that person the supernatural ability to do that, whether they feel equipped or not. This is a big encouragement to me, especially since I have never really felt confident in sharing my faith with others. As we prepare for our outreach phase (which will be in about 3 months, and we do not know where our options will be, yet), please keep me in your prayers. Pray that God would give me faith and understanding that it's not about what I can do. It's about what He can do through me. Alright, friends, onto a lighter note. :) On the 4th of July, our school volunteered at an event hosted by a Christian home for single mothers called Fatherheart. Each of us students were given a special job. Mine just happened to be face painting! :) I had SUCH a wonderful time talking to the kids and painting an assortment of American flags, animals, bugs and superhero symbols on their faces. I really had such a fun time, and it was awesome to spend my time blessing others. Towards the end of the evening we students were free to hang out and watch their INCREDIBLE firework show. Y'all, when I say incredible I mean LITERALLY the best firework show that I have ever seen in my entire life. I had heard people raving about their show since I had arrived in Tyler, even saying that it was better than Disney's firework show, but I thought that, SURELY, it couldn't be that awesome. Now, I'm not sure I would go as far as to say that it was better than Disney's show, but it was a VERY close second. All in all, it was a wonderful 4th of July, despite not being able to spend it with my family. Other than our big 4th of July event, I have been spending my free time with the other students running around Tyler, playing many card and other interactive games, swimming and just about any other idea that someone comes up with. We even had a luau pool party which ended with a storm blowing in very suddenly. This past week was wonderful, and I am absolutely loving drawing closer to all of my fellow students and especially to God.
Thank you all for taking the time to keep up with my journey! I love you guys! -Olivia
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AuthorOlivia DeLaney is a recent college graduate that blogs about her transition into adulthood and the adventures along the way. Archives
January 2017
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