Tell the Story

Sometimes, in the business of life, we take for granted the place that we live in. We become numb to the "everyday-ness" of our lives. We begin to believe the lie that there is nothing special or unique about where we live, or the people we encounter on a daily basis. 

I have been wanting to write an update for a very long time for my friends and family. I haven't been able to find the words. It's hard to see what there is to report when I have become so used to my day to day. I had to take a step back to see the bigger picture of what I have been guilty of taking for granted.

God is at work.

I work with a non-profit mission’s organization. It is one of many in my area. Colorado Springs is the home of many churches and ministries. I have met, worked along side, and worshiped with many passionate believers who desire to see God made known throughout the whole world and our local community. 

On a weekly basis I hear stories from all over the world. I get to read reports from people who work in remote areas of our globe. I work along side people who have spent 10+ years on the field. I am very blessed because I don't have to guess or wonder if God is at work. I know He is. 

While I await the School of Biblical Studies to start up again this fall, I have been working in the communications department with YWAM Colorado Springs. The past few months have been a time of growth for me. I have been inspired by what God is doing. 

In the position I'm in, my job is to "tell the story". What that means is that I get to communicate what God is doing around the world. I have a pretty great job!

In the business of life it is easy to get bogged down by what is in front of us. It is easy to forget that there is a bigger story unfolding all around us. We each play a part in that story. My heart in this season is to communicate and to share - to encourage the church that God is here. He is at work. He has not forgotten His people. And He desires to be made known throughout the world. 

So be prepared to hear stories - God wants to encourage His church. He wants to inspire us to continue to patiently endure, because He is right there along side us. 

S.B.S. Staffing with YWAM SF

I am blessed to be able to come back on staff for such a wonderful school. I believe whole-heartily in the heart behind the program. YWAM SF is a campus that focus’ on mobilizing, equipping, sending and sustaining missionaries in some of the hardest of places, the least reached of the world. The S.B.S. plays a role in equipping those being sent out into these nations and regions. The desire of the school is to send out quality people, who are well equipped, and know the word of God. Students spend 9 months in the Bible going through the book 5 times during the course of their studies. They learn to interpret the Bible through the inductive method, allowing the text to speak and interpret itself. As a student this was perhaps one of the most cherished times of my life. 

Stepping into a staffing position means stepping into a whole new role for me. As staff I will be teaching lectures on various books of the Bible. For the first quarter I will be teaching Psalms, Philippians, and 1 Timothy.  I will also be grading student’s work. This is in order to make sure they have a good grasp on the method. There are also many logistical jobs that have to take place in order to help the school run smoothly and efficiently, and we will all have our hand in that as staff.

Discipleship is highly valued in YWAM. In the S.B.S. we are able to disciple students through grading, through one-on-one times set up with their staff, through the teachings, and they receive discipleship moments through their own personal time in the Word. 

I am honored to be able to walk through this season with our students. I know the Lord has a lot to teach all of us in this next season. 

Something I want to share with my supporters is the opportunity I might have to go back to Cambodia next summer. As many of you know the Lord has given me a huge heart for this nation and I have been dying to return ever since I left. It looks as if the door might be opening for me to make a short visit this summer. Please pray for me and with me as I begin to save up for this. I want to use part of my time there praying and seeking the Lord on what His desire is for me in regards to the nation of Cambodia. I am still looking to move there long term eventually, but I want to seek the Lord on what that might look like, and what His timing would be. It may be too that He closes that door for me. I want to seek His will and desire for me ultimately. 

As I learn more of what this trip will look like I will share with you on here. I want to share what the Lord has been sharing with me about this nation and I long to start a prayer chain for this country. Be watching this blog for more information if you are interested in partnering with me on this. 

I have committed the next two years to work here in the Springs with YWAM SF. I desire to serve this base that has poured so much into me. While here I will be working with the S.B.S. and serving the campus in any other way that I can. It is a blessing and honor to officially be apart of this campus and family. I am blessed by the community and by the friends that I have made here. Pray for us as we mobilize, equip, send and sustain people in the 10/40 window. 

Let Her Grow Wings

My sister Megan Owens wrote about the beautiful life of her daughter Adele Grace Owens. Adele's life was more than precious, she was a miracle and a messenger to us all. You can read all about her story below. 

Let Her Grow Wings

It all started September 16th 2013, while I was sitting waiting for the pregnancy test to turn. It felt like one hundred years. As soon as I saw those two pink lines my heart stopped. I panicked and started to cry, I thought to myself, "I'm not ready for a baby, we can't afford it, how are we worthy enough to raise a child??"

I then proceeded to walk over to where Jered was sleeping and hit him to show him what had been his fault! As I knew he would be, he was excited, as I continued to cry. We both decided to keep it a secret for a while just to see how things went. Days turned into weeks and we found ourselves just getting more excited, we just couldn't contain it anymore. We decided to call our parents and let them know. I think we produced about 5 heart attacks! They were so excited they were all going to get a grandbaby. For most of them, it was there first one.

Two weeks later our 10 week appointment finally came and we were to get an ultrasound of our sweet baby. Jered and I could hardly get there quick enough. As I laid there on the table the ultra sound tech began. We heard the beating heart and it brought tears to my eyes. The tech continued and began to grow quiet. She stopped asking me questions. Before we knew it she got up and said she would be back. When she came back she brought three doctors with her. One grabbed my foot and my heart sunk. I, being a nurse, knew this was never going to follow with good news. They proceeded to tell us our baby has Anencephaly.

Anencephaly is the absence of a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp that occurs during embryonic development. It is a disorder that results from a neural tube defect that occurs when the head of the neural tube fails to close usually between the 23rd and 26th day of conception. Greek translation literally means ‘no brain’. As they kept going and going I couldn't wait for them to leave. I was trying to hold myself together when all I wanted was my husband. The first thing they said to do was get a DNC to get rid of this child, “it has no life anyway”. They said that typically the baby miscarries on its own and mine hadn't. They said I could have a very complicated pregnancy leading to my death along with the inevitable death of my baby. They said not to wait. When they left Jered and I just died.  A piece of our heart was gone. We called and told our families and ruined their days as well. The doctors scared us so badly that we were going to schedule the procedure. That was the longest weekend. We prayed and prayed and asked God for a sign. We know abortion is wrong but how could we put our child through something like this? Sunday night came and I had a missed call from my doctor. She had said she couldn't sleep and could not stop thinking about our situation. She then said, “as your doctor,  I don't feel right about the DNC, you should wait and see what happens.” Our hearts were filled with happiness and we took this as our sign to wait. 

In the next weeks to follow we decided it was best for us to move back to Arizona. We had been living in Colorado Springs at the time. We knew that if she made it, we would need a lot of help, and we needed our family. So we packed up and moved back. At 22 weeks we found another OB doctor, and went through it all again. Except this time at our ultrasound it showed us that we were having a girl! No surprise there with this family! (I am one of six daughters) We were so excited. How could we get rid of our baby knowing this?

 The doctor then sent us to a specialist to do a more In depth ultrasound. Again, the same diagnosis, the same prognosis. Only this time he said that we were getting close to the legal limit to preform the abortion so we needed to let him know by next week if we were going to get rid of her. He proceeded to tell us all the horrible things that could happen, that I would die, my stomach would be huge because she would not swallow the fluid, my blood pressure would be to high causing many other issues. Enough to continue to scare Jered and I and make us think we were being selfish by keeping her.

That was the longest week of our lives. Trying to decide to abort our baby girl for a legal deadline. Jered was strong through it all. He never wanted to do it. Sadly, I was on the other side and thought considered it. I couldn't stand knowing the pain she might be in if she made it. I thought about her quality of life constantly. When I was going to call the doctor to tell him we were thinking about it, I could not dial the number. I kept staring at my phone and crying, I couldn't bring my self to do it. What kind of mom was I to want to give up so this easily? That to me was my confirmation from God that we were never going to abort her.

I felt Him comfort me and I knew from that point on that God had this. What was I doing trying to take over? Everything so far, everything the doctors said had not happened. Jered and I felt an overwhelming peace.

When our doctor found out our decision to keep her it was a completely different challenge from here on out. He looked at it as ‘we will just do whatever we can to get her out when the time comes, she not going to make it anyway.’ And for a while,  I just continued to trust him. Jered and I were stressed not knowing what to expect, we couldn't plan for anything, we lived minute to minute. We didn't have any resources nowhere to look for help. The idea was she was going to never make it to labor or through delivery so there is no reason to plan since we didn't abort her.

This was getting very frustrating, and wearing us down. We continued to trust in God knowing He could help us get though this and open doors. At one appointment we met with our OB doctors colleague who changed our lives. He had hope for our baby girl and wanted us to have a great experience. He referred us back to Phoenix so we could get more acute care. We met with another specialist who also rooted for our daughter. He looked at her life as valuable, that she did serve a purpose. He was the first person to look Jered in the eyes and say, “Your wife is going to be okay.” He then told us of a doctor who was amazing and would care for us, and would even come in on her day off to deliver the baby. He also told us about a foundation that could help us through this time and help gain control on situations we could not.

Not two days later, I received a call from Embrace Palliative Care Foundation. Sadly, I had never heard of them before, but that moment changed my life forever. Berdette was the one that called me and explained to me their services and that they were a non-profit. We couldn't believe that people did all of this for no compensation, it blew my mind. Berdette coordinated my doctor’s appointments and even met Jered and for the first time at the appointment on her day off. She is also a full time labor and delivery nurse. She coordinated an appointment with a neonatologist who broke down every aspect of our daughter’s condition; what to expect, that it is possible to have her and have her for days or weeks! It was a life-changing week.

As Jered and I traveled to Phoenix every Friday for our appointments, Berdette and Dana (the social worker who also was instrumental in this process), would meet with us just to talk and see how we are and always asked what they could do. They told us to cherish our time now with her, to take her to the zoo, and write to her everyday!

Jered and I could never agree on a name. One night he texted me at work the name Adele with a question mark. My heart melted, I loved it! I had always loved the name Grace so we decided to name her Adele Grace Owens. Meaning noble, kind, tender and God’s favor. If you ever held Adele, all of these summed her up perfectly.

As my due date finally came, Adele didn't! She wasn't ready to leave home. We had another appointment and they said that I would be induced that Wednesday. My heart stopped because Adele had beaten ALL of odds.. She was healthy, her heart was perfect, her lungs had developed perfectly, my blood pressure was great, my stomach never got huge. I felt great! I could still work out, and most of all, she was still in me. We loved knowing she was safe inside not ready to see what happens. Sunday, May 18th rolled around and there was no reason for an induction. Adele was ready to come into the world! We waited to drive down to Phoenix. We labored at home in comfort and cherished our time with Adele before she came. When we did make it to Phoenix I was 7 cm dilated and ready to go! God was also with us during the whole labor process, I was able to do it all natural so as not to slow anything down. She came so quickly! Berdette was able to deliver her, the doctor didn't have time to get there. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. The first thing they did was put Adele on my chest she was blue, not crying and my heart sank. We had prayed to God this whole time, to let us kiss our baby girl before she left for heaven, if that was His will. I saw her chest move and take a breath! I was so ecstatic, I asked for Jered to hold her because I had been blessed with nine months carrying her. He got Adele and his heart grew 20 sizes. She kept fighting, kept breathing. He was able to take her to meet everyone. She kept getting stronger and stronger.

After I was all taken care of they brought her back to me and I looked at her and she was the prettiest thing I had ever seen. No words could describe how Adele presence was unless you held her. She was an angel from the beginning.  All our family and friends had been there, they all got to hold and kiss her. We were in awe that she was not only here, but that everyone got to kiss and hold her. She kept on and made it through the night, and the next night. Next thing we know we're putting her into our car to take her home.

That was emotional…what a beautiful symbol of Gods love. We started with ‘she was going to never make it’, to taking her to our home! That hour and a half drive was so happy. The next 4 days at home with her were amazing. Jered got to watch all the classic movies with her that only a father would watch with his daughter…. Rambo, First Blood, The Hulk, Hobbit and Monuments Men. Movies that will now forever be our favorites. Adele loved her daddy more then anything. She would be fussy and crying and as soon as Jered had her she would just stop and look at her daddy. He would never stop kissing her and she knew it was him so she would always pout her lips and try to lick him.

As her mom, there was nothing I loved more then to see the greatest dad in the world hold his daughter. Adele was the most beautiful baby. She changed so much in those 7 days. She loved to eat. She acted just like a normal baby. Although we had our struggles, Adele Grace Owens was a miracle! She did things the doctors said she would never do. We got to fully experience what it was like to be parents. She brought so much joy to her grandparents who spoiled her rotten in 7 days and she knew their love and felt their prayers. Her aunts were head over heals for her! She would love to sit with each of them even when they were crying over her! Adele Grace had to leave us on May 25, 2014. As sad as we are, her life had a purpose, she defeated all odds, she was nothing like they said she ever would be! She was our miracle and angel from God, sent here to show us the true meaning of life, to trust God in every situation no matter how small. If Jered and I hadn't trusted in God, we would have never been touched by this angel who changed our life forever. We will never forget you Adele. May your legacy live on and continue to touch everyone who hears! You are forever in our hearts. 

The Beauty Of The Gospel Is Not Whole Without God's Judgement

What struck me the most when going through the book of Joel is seeing Joel's response to his revelation about the Day of the Lord. He was so urgent in his call to the people to repent and to consecrate themselves. He saw the severity and the awful state that the human heart was in. He saw that day and trembled. Yet at the same time he knew who God was, "slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love" (2:13). He knew God was ready to forgive in an instant, but he also knew that the Day of the Lord still had to come.


When Joel prophecies about this day he calls it, "awesome" (2:31). This struck me as odd. The Day of the Lord is understood as a judgement day. Why would he call it "awesome"? That word in Hebrew is "gadol" which means, "great, high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing" (e-Sword, Strongs).


It struck me that Joel used that word to describe the Day of the Lord after he had just foretold of it's judgement. How could he use a word like that? Why did he?

Because it was an awesome day. Joel's prophecy has already been fulfilled as we can find in Acts 2:13-21. It appears that Peter talks about Jesus being the fulfillment of that prophecy. After going through and reading and studying about the judgement of God in Joel, my heart burst with new revelation of just what Jesus did for me on the cross.

Truly, no one can stand against the judgement of God. Which is why Jesus did. What crazy unfathomable love is that! God, still being true to Himself and true to His word, made a way to have relationship with us! My goodness! He made a way for those who believe to have His Spirit of comfort, joy, and peace. He made a way for mankind to have full restoration.

God loves us more than we deserve. 

It is very unpopular to talk about the judgement of God in Christian circles, and really just in society as a whole today. We want to "win people to Christ" through love. Don't share the wrath and judgement side of it.

If we don't share God's judgement and justice, we can never fully appreciate or understand the cross. Let's not let ourselves forget that Jesus bore that full wrath and judgement on the Day of the Lord for us. God's judgement is not something that should be left out of the gospel message. I would argue that the beauty of the Gospel is not whole without understanding God's judgement.

We owe all to Christ, because without Him we cannot stand.

Meeting God For The First Time

What could be better?

     I feel like I’m meeting God for the first time. SBS has taken me for a surprise. This season has been one of the most blessed refreshing seasons of my life. I never thought there could be so much to learn about who God is. He is so much bigger and so much more diverse than I could have ever imagined.

     In starting my studies in the Old Testament I have become almost horrified by how skewed my perception of God has been all these years. My understanding of Him has been so narrow and so shallow. There are many “hard passages” to be found, especially in the Old Testament. Passages that are used to try to prove that the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New Testament. His standards have somehow changed, and He is now nicer because of the new covenant. Based off of some of the intense stories one can find in the Old Testament it’s easy to see how such a conclusion can be drawn. However, studying the Bible in the inductive method has really helped me understand what the stories and events would have meant to the original reader, which has changed my interpretation of the Bible drastically. I think the biggest revelation that I’ve had in SBS is that each book of the Bible was written for a specific audience, it wasn’t originally written for me in the 21^st century. Reading the Bible through this lens and studying who the original reader is changes everything, and it has really helped me better understand who God is. I have found that my previous interpretations have been based off of my own culture and the time period in which I am living.

     I’m so thankful for my staff who have really challenged me to dig deeper and discover on my own what the Bible is actually trying to present instead of taking the word of some well-known theologians. I have realized that all these years I have used the Bible to support what other theologians have said instead of forming my own interpretations by digging deeper into the Word. After spending about 60 hours a week studying, I have found so much more value in looking at the Bible itself verses what other people have to say about it. There is so much more to be gleaned from the Word than man’s own interpretation. It’s incredibly easy in Christian culture to play the name game. There is a lot of “he said, she said” going around and too often we base our theologies off of these profound quotes instead off of the Bible itself. I have found myself guilty of this.

     Thankfully, through this school I have been able to reshape my theology based off the Bible itself. The Lord has given me a passion to show people who He truly is. He is not a malicious God in the Old Testament and then a graceful good God only in the new. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. It’s always been about faith for Him. He is a graceful, loving God, and He is faithful to his character and to His people.

 “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” – Psalm 73:25-26

A quick update from me:

     I been recently asked by one of my school directors to come on staff with them for the next two years. I have spent some time praying and considering this, and I have felt like this was something the Lord wants for me for this next season in preparations for the future. I am applying to join SBS staff starting this fall. What does that look like you ask?? J Let me tell you. I will be learning how to, and will be teaching 6-9 hour lectures on various books of the Bible. I will be teaching students the inductive method of studying the Bible. The base I am currently at, focuses on sending people to the 10/40 window, which are the least reached people of the world.

     As it has been said to me by one of my staff members, "we don’t want to just send quantity out to the least reached, we want to send quality out to the least reached." We want to send people who know the Word and who have truly immersed themselves in it. That is why I chose to take 9 months out of my life to spend completely devoted to being in the Word. I could go over seas and do a lot of good works but if I don’t know the truth and don’t bring the truth, what will it be for? Staffing SBS will train me to be a teacher. I will also have opportunities to take separate Greek and Hebrew courses and further my education in some of the other programs which are offered in Montana. I will also have the experience of working with students one on one, disciplining students through the course of SBS. I have been so blessed by my staff here, and I would love to invest some of my time by serving them as they have served me.

     You might be asking, “What about Cambodia?” The Lord is keeping that desire in my heart, but I have gotten the word that the time is not yet. He has some prep-work for me first here in the Springs first. The doors are closed for now, but there are by no means permanently closed. I still believe the Lord will have me back there soon.

     My staffing in Colorado will be voluntary work, thus my need for raising continual support as I am beginning my life in full-time missions and truly believe this is the best foundation and stepping stone for me to be permanently placed overseas. By SBS staff members teaching on a voluntary basis, this allows the students in the SBS school to reap the benefits of the school at a much lower cost than traditional seminaries.

My goal is to raise $1200 a month in support. This amount will pay for my basic cost of living so that I may teach for these two years in Colorado Springs. This would cover my room, meals, medical expenses, gas for my car and savings for overseas travel costs. I would like to you to prayerfully consider a monthly partnership to help me to teach and equip those who are being sent out to the 10/40 window. Any money donated to this cause can be used a tax deductible.

How Can I Better Pray for You and Your Family?

     How can I pray for your family during this season? The Lord answers prayers and I believe there is power in numbers. Let me partner with you in prayer.

May He bless you and keep you always!

Success Is Found In Obeying God

I have often heard the phrase thrown around, "success is obeying God". It wasn't until I went through the book of Deuteronomy that I could finally see the truth behind the quotable quote. I never asked the question, "Why?" to that phrase before. I have always just took it for what it was. In the book of Deuteronomy I was challenged to ask the "Why?" question.


The revelation I had was found directly within the text. The reason why success is found in obeying God is because obeying God brings a person life (30:19-20). Trying to battle and succeed on my own has only brought me exhaustion, disappointment, and unfulfillment. Why is this so? It is because my focus is placed on what is to be obtained rather than Him. Things obtained are not life giving, it is the Life Giver who gives life. Go figure.


What I have been challenged by through this book is learning how to soak more of Him in and less of my own ideas of what success means. It is unpopular now a days in christian culture to demand people's obedience to God's commands. But being obedient is the very thing that will bring each of us life.


It begins with practical obedience. Simple things. Something like setting aside alone time with Him EVERY DAY. It starts with asking the question, "What/how can I be obedient to You today?" My prayer is that it won't stop there but it will grow more and more. But this is where I will start.

God's Highest And Best

What Is God’s highest and best for my life?

      A prayer that has been most often repeated in my life has been for God’s highest and best. My deepest desire is to glorify Him with my life. I am always considering His best, and praying that I choose His best for my life.

      The question I get asked most often (and the one that I ask myself most often) is, “What are you doing after SBS?”  I always have a general answer to give. I know the dreams and desires that are in my heart, but what does it look like getting there? I want to be fully equipped and ready for that end goal. I ask myself, “Should I go to Montana to learn Greek and Hebrew? Should I go back to Cambodia? Should I go to college? Should I stay in Colorado and invest in the base here?” There are so many options, and unfortunately they are all GOOD options, which makes the process even more exasperating.  

      I hadn’t realized how consumed I was by these thoughts until I talked to a good friend who was going through a similar thought process. It’s always when you think you are giving advice to someone else that you find you are actually saying what you need to hear.

      Something that was repeated in that conversation was the desire for God’s highest and best in life.  As we talked more I realize we both already had what we were desiring most. God’s highest and best in our lives.

God’s highest and best in life is having a relationship with Jesus. God’s only concern for our lives is that we know Him and make Him known. I can do that as a Walmart greeter or as a sign interpreter in Cambodia. When it comes down to it, no matter what direction I choose to take I can still be living in God’s highest and best in my life. As long as I am living in right relationship with Him. It has always been about choosing Him.

It becomes more clear the direction of the Lord as we live in relationship with Him. But ultimately when we get to heaven I don’t think God is going to ask, “Did you go to Cambodia right after SBS?” or, “Did you go to college?” What He is going to ask is, “Did you choose Me?”

      I have been challenged by this question daily, “Am I choosing You today?” The more I do this, the more peace I have over the future.  

 “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” – Psalm 73:25-26

A quick update from me:

My time in SBS (School of Biblical studies) has been amazing and incredibly busy. An update has been long over-due. In this past semester we went over the New Testament. To give you an idea on what we do, we go through each book about 5 times. We study the word in great depth. We learn who the book was written to, why the book was written, what style of literature it is, key verses, tackle hard passages, and discover the timeless truths that each book reveals for us today.

      As full and busy as this course has been, I wouldn't trade it for anything. The word of God has become completely alive to me. I feel like I am getting to know God for the first time. The craziest thing I have learned so far in this school is that you can never study the Bible enough. Each time I go to the text I learn something new. That cliché is  indeed true.  The word of God has demanded a response within me. Ignorance has been bliss, but it has also been destructive. I had avoided studying the Bible in great depths because I knew that it would demand a change and response from me. I will say that the word of God has definitely pierced my heart more than once during this process. It has been a painfully great season of my life. But whats more than that, I can say that I have a whole new level of confidence in God and His sovereignty in any and every situation.

      It is incredibly difficult to write in one update letter all the things the Lord has taught me and revealed to me in the New Testament. I could quite possibly write a book about it all. Neither you or I have time for that though. Instead I want to leave you with one timeless truth that has radically shook my world over the past three months.

      Jesus is worthy of our suffering, because He Himself was the Suffering Servant for all mankind.

I want to leave you with that last word of encouragement. No matter what you are going through in this life, this age, He is so worthy. He is so deserving of whatever we might be challenged with in this life. He waits to return so that all His children may come to Him. What an incredible merciful God we serve. This life is so short in comparison to eternity with Him. Continue to press in and abide in Him.

      Pray for me as I carefully consider what comes next for me after SBS. I still have six more months of studying, I will keep you updated a bit more frequently now that I am more familiar with the study method.

How Can I Better Pray for You and Your Family?

      Please email me and let me know how I can pray more specifically for you and your family during this season. The Lord answers prayers and I believe there is power in numbers. Let me partner with you in prayer.

      May He bless you and keep you always!