Dreams, and Coffeeshops

Prayer Card I will be printing out soon. . .


So Im sitting in the most beautiful local coffeeshop around. Granted its about 45 minutes away and usually packed, it reminds me of Australia, on streets of Fremantle. Its furnished in beaten and bruised antique wood everywhere, and some is probably authentic from when this was a shop of sorts in the early part of the century. Ornate tin ceiling, and muraled faux finished walls. Feels like it should be a library. But on top of all that there are bright and ever changing contemporary art pieces all over the walls. Oh and not-to-be-forgotten goddy brass light fixtures and chandeliers everywhere - Tea pots have found their way onto everyone of them. Look at the site you'll see what I mean. But its all great, original personality and all.

Its called Michelles

http://www.michellescafe.com/

Michelles, like many coffee shops, seems to have a life of its own. Vibrant, joyfully living and breathing, the lungs of the local community. On my day off this is my thing to do. I go to a coffeeshop and write down my dreams, my thoughts and visions for the future. Matt had to beg me to go today. . . cause I really struggle with spending money on myself; even if its a couple bucks and some gas for the sake of driving to a date with God. But thats really how I try to look at it. At home I look around and stress at all the personal-productive things I could be doing instead of taking some time to read, reflect, meditate on the word- - and dare I say it relax, resting in that still small voice.

I SHARE ABOUT THE CAFE THING BECAUSE. . . . A very long term growing vision of mine is to someday collaborate with a Cafe. Ive rattled this off to quite a few people, but humor me if youve heard it already- besides you may have missed something. Eventually I would love to work with a coffeeshop somewhere and have a community Arts Studio in it. Teach Art, hold classes, workshops, seminars and such. Of which would probably be held in a side or back room somewhere. The Art could be sold in the cafe for community projects or fundraisers. To buy paint for a mural on the sadder side of town, wells in Africa, or even scholarships for people of the community that couldnt afford the classes, workshops, seminars etc. Also, show, and sell fair trade art from around the world. There is so much more but please ask. . I love to share a brain-vision-storming party.

Ive wondered and prayed, since I first started dreaming about it all, what part would I play. I don't have a collage or business degree. Step by step God has showed me parts of myself I never new were there. First direct word to step out in- -"Make yourself available" right after I finished the Art Evangelists School. I was asked (right after that it seemed) to be the official Elementary Art Teacher for CLA. I one; didn't even remotely think that I could teach -let alone be good at it. Now that-that season there is over I miss it so so much, and have been told that Im am rather good at it naturally. - Yes-way! - But also I was asked to design a restaurant, officially be the executive design consultant. Um yeah,... can I just say I have first hand resources now and ideas I would have never- had I not been a participant. Can we say Photoshop? yay!

Rather cool huh?

Soo what are you guys doing again?

From YWAM site.
The first step in our journey. . .

description from the web site ywamperth.org.au
VISION
To know God and make Him known is the core value of our DTS. Be ruined for the ordinary! This is the gateway course to the international family of YWAM, come join us. Be challenged in your relationship with God, find your purpose in the Great Commission, and embark with us on the adventure!
ABOUT
A Discipleship Training School is all about knowing God more and making him known. It’s an opportunity to meet with God in a unique, dynamic and transformational way. DTS includes a 3 month lecture phase and a 3 month outreach overseas. Each week of the lecture phase, local and international speakers focus on topics such as: the fatherheart of God, forgiveness and repentance, the nature and character of God, missions, hearing God's voice and intercession. As a MediaReach DTS, we will also spotlight issues of worldview, creativity and Christlike communication throughout the school as well. With YWAM training it’s all about personal application, not just amassing knowledge, it’s about how does this truth affect the way I live my life? The DTS includes not only classroom lectures, but regular times of worship and prayer, small group discussion, one-on-one discipleship, hands-on serving on base, weekly outreach in the city... and lots of fun community life!


As for outreach, imagine using your gifts and passion for media to creatively share God’s love with people. A MediaReach DTS outreach could include sharing your story with university students in urban China. How about not only documenting but getting involved first hand in what God is doing in bringing transformation to a megacity? How about creating a website incorporating videos, photos and articles by your classmates to creatively and contextually introduce people to the love of Christ? How about linking with others who are using media to reach the nations? Professional photographers in missions, filmmakers raising awareness of social injustice, artists creating visual narratives to reach indigenous cultures, web designers serving in frontier media… get introduced to an array of opportunities to use your gifts for God! It’s about sharing the love of Christ with people through our lives and through the “voices” of the gifts God’s given us. So whether you’re a graphic designer, a photographer, a journalist, a film buff, an IT whiz, a screenwriter, whatever… just someone with a love for creative communication… if you’re passionate about knowing God more and making him known creatively, MediaReach DTS may be just your thing! Whether your camera is a $3 disposable or the latest digital SLR, whether you're hopeless at checking your e-mail or whether you're coding in your sleep, whether you've been a Christian a month or a lifetime, it’s not about skills or qualifications, it’s about growing with God and letting him use you as a voice to the nations.All experience and skill backgrounds welcome! It’s not about being the most skilled or the most qualified. A key passage about being called to communicate to the nations is Jeremiah 1:4-9.The word of the Lord came to me (Jeremiah), saying, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” “Ah, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “ Now, I have put my words in your mouth…”Don’t look at your “inadequacy,” just step out and obey God. Live the adventure!Expect to encounter God, expect to be challenged and encouraged, expect to be used by God!

art, photos, pushing for more

2 mile run park (1)
(2)


Ive thought a few times about selling some photography, but have questioned whether it would sell. I'm saving these so please don't take/copy without permission.





white shoes I bought, painted with hope this past spring



'Almost finished' mural in our apartment. A gift to leave for our landlords and an opportunity to work on my portfolio.



This is the biggest original canvas I have ever worked on. 30x34? Sorry for the flash glare. It looks wonderful on this wall, it was a present for the grand opening of the restaurant and was themed after the thoughts and feelings going into it all. Doors opening, stepping into a new world. . . I was so surprised at the positive public feedback I got on it so far. If you like this style please please let me know. Tell me what you like and what you don't. I'm thinking about continuing the feel, patterns, and random related objects in the next few pieces I'm in the midst of working on.

PHOTOS

Sometimes Im better off just shareing the pictures of my life.

Restuarant

Reaching out

Almost a month ago a good friend of ours, Amy Porter, stood in
front of the church advocating awareness about the devastation that Haiti,
a country in the Philippines, that has endured over the past few months
because of the monsterous hurricans that have swept over the already weak and
poverished land.
I know several women that are going down in about a month. I
had the priviledge of helping them wrap presents and prepare them for shipping
for a couple small orphanages. I've been crying in prayer ever since. The images
of joy on their little frames just flooded my imagination.

Amy works with a larger orphanage called "Danita's children"
and will be continuing to advocate awareness about what people can do. Here is a
website. http://www.danitaschildren.org


This specific flyer is for Danita's
Children

KEY WORDS: FAMINE IS IMMINENT