The morning air was misty and chill. I loaded my belongings into my car, and kissed my mother goodbye. Monday morning--back to YWAM, back to work. The grey darkness of a morning long before sunrise shrouded the trees and the creek that burbled alongside the house. I looked at the clock. I was late. So I sped through the grey washed countryside, trying to catch up to 5:15am.

And then there he was. Waiting for me at the top of the hill, sat my prince. Together, we watched the sunrise. Together, we listened to the birds sing gustily of spring and love, and together we sighed each time another minute ticked by.

The sunrise was clear golden that shouldered away the heavy charcoal sky. Clouds lit like torches. Mist spiraled into the sky like winter wood smoke. Our cold hands held on tightly to each other. No matter how hard we wished that the sun could pause, that the clocks would just be patient and let us be, time refused to halt.

Goodbyes are dreary.

Photo from: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sxc.hu/pic/m/k/ks/ksvignette/950782_sunrise_over_the_fields_.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.sxc.hu/photo/950782&usg=__On4BsZLqGc3CalOEhPucxQqtpis=&h=207&w=300&sz=15&hl=en&start=7&sig2=tnTIWfcG6q0GfqIo21W7cA&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=0-ChB87mIuqf-M:&tbnh=80&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsunrise%2Bover%2Bfields%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Den%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=-NXVS7DkLMH58AbH082jDw

What God Said.

This morning I awoke suddenly. I slapped at my alarm, and looked out the window. It was still dark. A patch of dingy blue light indicated an imminent sunrise. I glared at it. A bird began chirping outside my window. I threw it an accusing glare. My covers were ripped off my bed as I grumbled, and scowled, and felt more like a thundercloud than a girl.

"I don't WANT to get up," I informed God in a black voice. "Not even a little bit. Not even the teeniest, tiniest bit and...!" At this point, I had not even made it to my bedroom door.

"Go back to bed." He said.

"...what?"

"Go back to bed."

"...for real?" I looked at my bed. The blankets lay in a turbulent mess that looked so enticing. "If I do, I will fall asleep," I said suspiciously. "Then I'll be late."

"Go get into that bed, Rynn. We are going to have a snuggle-time."

I gave in. But after crawling back into my bed, I did not fall asleep as I had supposed I would. There, my head buried under a pillow, I whispered all of the reasons that I didn't want to get out of bed today.

"I am tired. My head hurts still. I hate getting up at 5:30! I am scared to teach this morning. I don't FEEL like being a grown-up, I want to be a two-year-old and stay in bed and wake up to pancakes and play dough! I miss Caleb. Ooooh, I am soooo crabby! Nobody loves me in all the world!" Quite dramatic. I admit this.

Mercifully, God allowed my ridiculous rampage, and by the end of our time in bed snuggling, He had whispered a gentle response to each of my grumbling complaints.

Laughing at myself was the result. The second time I slid from my blankets, my heart was light. I even leapt into the shower singing.

Because God said to go back to bed.

Catch A Falling Star...

This morning I am teaching a devotional on creation. This is one of my FAVORITE stories. I like to imagine it all out, with a soundtrack of My Soul Sings by Delirious, or God of Creation by David Crowder Band. All dramatic events have a soundtrack.

So, while I was planning my devotional, I thought about how precisely God made His creation...and all to bless us, His children. Food, water, air, materials for everything we make. He then challenged me, "How is my creation personal to you?"

And I thought of this story.

When I was seventeen, I spent a long time in a bus on my way to Juarez Mexico for a missions trip. Many hours crawled by, as monotonous as the Western landscape, until 3 a.m. I decided that I would crouch closely to the window to talk to God. No one was awake, the bus was roaring loudly enough to cover my murmuring, and the stars were too brilliant to be ignored.

We talked about this and that, and I admired His stars. Then I whispered to Him

"I would love to see a falling star...it would be so precious....could you...could you send a falling star to me?"

The words had barely left my lips when a star streaked across the darkness in a blaze of light.

It was one of those moments. The moments where God overwhelms you so utterly that all you are capable of is smiling and laughing and tears.

"You sent me a star!"

"It was waiting for you." My mind reeled. "It has been hanging there a long time. That star was made for you."

Our personal God created a world of such delicate intricacy and ferocious majesty. The complexity of creation is our gift, not just our home. More than that, creation is a gift to us personally, not just humankind as a whole.

The daffodil that you see in your garden and causes your heart to praise God is just as much your PERSONAL gift of creation from God as the stars light years away, or the rain forests from which we may get oxygen and medicines. The star that hung for years waiting for me was a piece of God's gift to mankind, and a personal gift to me.

Today, I am blown away by creation. Each tree, flower, cloud, sunrise I admire and praise God for is my personal gift. It can be your personal gift as well, because when you seize the opportunity to take that gift, it becomes your own.

Today, admire God's creation. Perhaps He'll send you your own falling star.

The Oriole's Goodmorning

Today, I met a bird.

In my oriole nest.

It thought it would sing by my head

To wake me up

And that I would invite him in.

For breakfast I suppose…

But I don’t eat worms.

I am sure it must have seen

My walls shine through the curtains

Brilliant orange...

(And chocolate)

It must have seen me sleeping

Lying in a drift of downy pillows

Dreaming that I could fly.

Like an oriole.

It must have noticed that I hit my alarm

Nearly five times.

It must have thought that the alarm

Was not a pretty morning sound

A sound to wake to dawn too.

A sound to yawn too.

So it sang for me.

A chirp, a trill, a “Goodmorning, oriole.”

“May I come in and sing with you?”

My eyes opened to the sky

Grey and dim with rainy light

Radiant blue with a soprano’s notes…

Blazing with song in the darkness

Today I met a bird.

It knew I was an oriole.

And it sang goodmorning for me.

And that is so much more inspiring

Than an alarm.

Meet the Students: Alice Denyer

Name: Alice Denyer

Where are you from? York (Leeds) England

Where and when did you do your DTS? Mobay, Jamaica January 2007

I enjoy…Skiing, kayaking, cooking, music (playing and listening), talking, exploring, laughing uproariously, roller disco, listening, running, walking, swimming, reading, writing, photography, theatre, adventuring, learning new things, and genuinely funny comedy.

Countries I have been To: Jamaica, St. Croix, South Africa, Gambia, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Australia, Switzerland, France, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Corsica, USA, Singapore, Belgium…

Chocolate vs. Vanilla Chocolate…sometimes.

What animal noise are you skilled at making? Monkey

Sky diving vs. Knitting Both. Simultaneously.

Water vs. coke Water.

What country would you love to visit? India…and Peru, and Mexico, and Alaska, and the North Pole, and Nepal, and Israel, and Japan, and Sri-Lanka, and the South Pacific….

Something you like or do that is out of the ordinary? I like to run long races e.g. marathons or ½ marathons. I also like to read the dictionary.

Favorite Bible passage/verse? Isaiah 49, 61 1 Samuel 2:1-10

Your goal in this school? To gain a broader and more solid foundation of truth and to have fun learning.

Any other information you would like to share J My love languages are words of affirmation and quality time. I love variety and helping people reach their goals.

Meet the Students: Chasity Thiessen

Name: Chasity Thiessen

Where are you from? Winkler, Manitoba Canada

Where and when did you do your DTS? Perth Australia in 2007

I enjoy…Dancing, soccer, doing fun random things spontaneously

Countries I have been To: Australia, Germany, France, America, South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, China

Chocolate vs. Vanilla? Both. I like chocolate bars and vanilla ice cream

What animal noise are you skilled at making? A cow.

Sky diving vs. Knitting? Sky-diving.

Water vs. coke? Water

What country would you love to visit? Italy and Saudi Arabia

Something you like or do that is out of the ordinary? Probably everything I do is out of the ordinary.

Favorite Bible passage/verse? Romans 8:28, Isaiah 55

Your goal in this school?

To grow in my relationship with God as well as to learn how to study and teach others how to study the Bible, so people and nations will be transformed by God’s Word.

Chasity is also my one-on-one!

Meet the Students: Taek Jun Jung

Name: Taek Jun Jung

Where are you from? Hoffman Estates, Illinois

Where and when did you do your DTS? Kona, Hawaii September 2009 to March 2010

I enjoy…sports

Countries I have been To: Kingdom of Tonga, Panama, South Korea

Chocolate vs. Vanilla Chocolate

What animal noise are you skilled at making? snake

Sky diving vs. Knitting Sky-diving

Water vs. coke coke

What country would you love to visit? Any country! If I have to choose, then China, North Korea and Japan

Something you like or do that is out of the ordinary? I don’t know yet.

Favorite Bible passage/verse? “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Your goal in this school? I want to get to know God more and knowledge about Bible deeper relationship with God.

Any other information you would like to share J

My first week of DTS in Hawaii, I sat on a sea urchin. So I had some needles in my upper butt. It was an ice breaker for me.

Meet the Students: Gyeongok Lee

Name: Gyeongok Lee

Where are you from? Seoul, Korea

Where and when did you do your DTS? October 2009 – March 2010

I enjoy…Watching movies

Countries I have been To: China, Japan, Philippines, Tonga, Fiji, U.S.A.

Chocolate vs. Vanilla Chocolate

What animal noise are you skilled at making? Fish.

Sky diving vs. Knitting Sky diving

Water vs. coke Orange juice

What country would you love to visit? Africa

Something you like or do that is out of the ordinary? BSN

Favorite Bible passage/verse? Psalms

Your goal in this school? To know more about God through the Bible.

Any other information you would like to share J I can’t pray in English!!

Meet the Students: Kathy Estelle

Name: Kathleen (Kathy) Estelle

Where are you from? Hillman, Minnesota

Where and when did you do your DTS? April to August 2009

I enjoy….(cooking, hiking, soccer, art, reading, sleeping…etc.) Reading, hiking, talking to friends

Countries I have been To: China, Israel, Austria, Germany, Guam, Switzerland, France, Italy, Japan, Denmark, Sweden, Norway

Chocolate vs. Vanilla There is only chocolate!

What animal noise are you skilled at making? Tiger

Sky diving vs. Knitting Riding a cable car.

Water vs. coke Coffee or tea.

What country would you love to visit? Australia or New Zealand

Something you like or do that is out of the ordinary? I like the smell of new mown hay.

Favorite Bible passage/verse? “Ask of me and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.” Psalms 2:8

Your goal in this school? To know and love God more & be able to share the Bible with nations.

Any other information you would like to share J I love to spend time on the internet with my Chinese friends.

Meet the Students: Lender Alger

Name: Lender Alger

Where are you from? Ouanaminthe, Haiti

Where and when did you do your DTS? St. Marc, Haiti January 2003

I enjoy…Soccer, reading, sleeping, being by myself

Countries I have been To: Jamaica, Turks & Caicos Islands, Dominican Republic

Chocolate vs. Vanilla Vanilla

Sky diving vs. Knitting Neither.

Water vs. coke Water.

What country would you love to visit? Canada, Japan, Africa

Favorite Bible passage/verse? John 3:16

Your goal in this school? To have a passion for Christ.

Any other information You would like to share J I LOVE YWAM.

Brooke Saunders

Where and when did you do your DTS? In Los Angeles, California

What is your hometown/country? It is Atascadero, California USA

Chocolate or vanilla? Definitely chocolate! Dark is best...mmmm...ya the darker the better

Hawaii or Alps? Hawaii! Warmth and sun makes me happy!

Sushi or enchiladas? Sushi! I love fish. It is delicious especially raw:)

Hiking or reading? Hiking, outside and being active and exercise are 3 of my favorite things! I can always get that book on tape anyways.

Favorite Bible verse/passage?

It is Col 1:27 'To whom God willed to make it known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles which is Christ in you, the hope of Glory' Ahhhh it just makes me so excited!:) 
 
 


Brooke Saunders is one of my favorite people! She was my one on one in my BSN last year, and we were able to become good friends. She says I remind her of her youngest sister, and she feels like an older sister to me! Brooke is quiet, but always has something either deeply reflective to say, or some hilarious comment in her dry humor. Brooke is studying to be a nutritionist, and shares my love of organic vegetarian food! Horses are her favorite animal. She and Dow enjoy going for long hikes together or having coffee shop dates.

Abe Lee

Where and when did you do your DTS? Madison, WI 2008

What is your hometown/country? Iowa

Chocolate or vanilla? Vanilla

Hawaii or Alps? Alps

Sushi or enchiladas? Sushi - no comparison.

Hiking or reading? Hiking.

Favorite Bible verse/passage? John 11:35 
 
 
 


Abe Lee was in my DTS two falls ago. He has a funny sarcastic humor, and also a heart that's deeply committed to God. He is a youth pastor at a Korean church in Chicago IL. Abe is an amazing guitarist, and also our very talented worship leader for the BSN school. It is quite common to hear him playing in his room, or in the YWAM Global Missions Center sanctuary, beautiful background music to all the studying and working going on!

Heidi Evans

Where and when did you do your DTS? 1987 Cambridge ONT Canada

What is your hometown/country? Kitchener, Canada

Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate – no question!

Hawaii or Alps? Hawaii? That was tough

Sushi or enchiladas? Sushi

Hiking or reading? Hiking

Favorite Bible verse/passage? There are lots that I like!

Heidi Evans is guest staff at Madison BSN. Her friendly outgoing personality brings a sense of comradeship to a group. She and her husband Mark have two beautiful blonde girls, Emma (4 years) and Meg (1 1/2 years). Heidi has a gift for creating a beautiful atmosphere with little supplies, and a passion for making the world, or a room, a better place to be.

Mark Evans

Where and when did you do your DTS? 1987 Tyler TX

What is your hometown/country? Melbourne, Australia

Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate

Hawaii or Alps? Hawaii

Sushi or enchiladas? Enchiladas

Hiking or reading? Hiking

Favorite Bible verse/passage? Book of 1 John

Mark Evans is guest staff here at Madison BSN team. The BSN was created by a team of YWAMmers, of which he was a significant participant. Mark has a lovely Australian accent, a gentle voice and strong opinions. He adores his two young daughters Emma (4 years) and Meg (1 1/2 years). They love to go to the zoo together. Mark grew up in Papua New Guinea in a missionary family.

Sarah Welther

Where and when you did your DTS: Seattle, Washington 2001

Hometown/Country: Manila, Philippines

Choc or Vanilla: Coffee

Hawaii or Alps: Hawaii

Sushi or Enchiladas: Sushi!

Hiking or reading: Reading

Favorite Bible passage: I don't have just one!

Sarah has a sweet gentle personality, with a gift for noticing people and speaking in their 'language'. Decorating and photography express her creativity with beautiful style. Her heart is always hungry for new learning. She dreams of bringing Biblical training into the unreached world. She and her husband David have a beautiful baby girl named Rouen with huge black eyes and the cutest smile.

David Welther

Where and when did you do your DTS?

Lausanne Switzerland 2001

What is your hometown/country? USA

Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate

Hawaii or Alps? Alps

Sushi or enchiladas? Sushi

Hiking or reading? Reading

Favorite Bible verse/passage? John 1:1-3 (if you make me choose ;)

David is a kung fu instructor, and also fluent in Hebrew. He is a fantastic DJ, and enjoys singing snippets of songs with Manuel Ramminger. He is married to Sarah Welther, with a beautiful baby girl named Rouen. He is also the proud owner of a Bengal cat, which is part tabby part tiger. His knowledge of the Bible is awesome.

Missie Christenson

Where and when did you do your DTS? Madison, WI 2005

What is your hometown/country? Madison, WI

Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate for candy, vanilla for ice cream.

Hawaii or Alps? Haiti

Sushi or enchiladas? Enchiladas!!

Hiking or reading? Reading about hiking!

Favorite Bible verse/passage? Galatians 6:4, Psalm 27, and the book of Philippians

Missie is as full of high energy enthusiasm, impromptu singing, and random dancing as anyone I have ever met. She laughs half the day, and cries usually once. Her eyes are the most brilliant expressive blue. She loves the Old Testament, particularly the Pentateuch. Friends are made almost instantly, and are kept indefinitely. Missie has a gift for love. The best way for her to communicate with God is through music.

Dow Saunders Assistant Leader

What’s your name? Woodbury Dow Saunders the 3rd

Where and when did you do your DTS? July 2002 in Townsville, Australia

What is your hometown/country? I am from Portland, Maine

Chocolate or vanilla? Vanilla

Hawaii or Alps? I used to say Alps... but Hawaii has mountains too :)

Sushi or enchiladas? Sushi

Hiking or reading? What? How can I choose between my two favorite passions?

Favorite Bible verse/passage?

Galatians 5:1 - "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."

Favorite person? Brooke Saunders

Dow Saunders has a gregarious, animated personality. He is a passionate Biblical scholar with a brilliant mind. Dow enjoys drama, literature, history, and loves Australian outback hats. He and Brooke love to go hiking together. Dow has a sweet thoughtful spirit, and is always sure that everyone around him is taken care of and loved and laughing! He is also the organized detailed saint that keeps all the rest of us on track!

Manuel Ramminger, BSN School Leader

Where and when did you do your DTS?

January 2001 in Amsterdam

What is your hometown/country?

Gummersbach, Germany

Chocolate or vanilla? Peanut Butter Cups.

Hawaii or Alps? Hawaii

Sushi or enchiladas? Bratwurst.

Hiking or reading? Gardening.

Favorite Bible verse/passage? Deuteronomy 23:10-13

Manuel is another of my favorite people. He was my BSN school leader last year, and also my outreach leader to China and Japan. He has a quirky sense of humor, passion for discipleship, and a heart to change the world through Biblical training. He has been a great mentor and friend for me over the past year. He is married to Brandy Ramminger, and has a beautiful daughter named Harper Lee (almost a year). He enjoys walking his dog Rocko, playing with his baby daughter and gardening. He also loves traveling to Asia, playing soccer, and campfires.