Sunday, August 03, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus
Well, I figured it’s about overdue time for an update on my life… (sorry it’s even later than I thought it would be, Dani!)After a long, frustrating job search, I’m now a “loss prevention detective” (aka shop-lifter-stopper-person). :) My department had no manager for my first week, and so starting off was pretty chaotic. I mostly just cleaned the office and helped catch up on paperwork (the guys I work with don’t exactly thrive on office work like I do!). But now the new “lead” has arrived, and over the past two weeks, Daniel, Rick and I have gotten to know each other. I’ve been surprised by how much fun I’ve managed to have! We’re usually teasing each other about something or the other… it’s refreshing to have a good balance between getting work done and goofing off.
My routine family craziness has managed to settle down a bit. As of late, there are no crisis to report *can everyone say, ‘hallelujah!!!’* Our household has become smoother as of late- DeLynn moved out (not under the best of terms, but children grow up and make their own decisions and have to face the consequences…) Grandma’s getting more used to people ;) and we’re getting more used to her strangely wonderful obsessions with all things plantlike and political. Victoria’s just been elected not only the president of the Fresh W.F. west class, but also president of her FFA club! (hmmm… taking after someone? jk). A week ago, I got to go to Aaron’s “pinning ceremony” (similar to graduation) from the medical careers program that he’s been in. Mom’s still trucking along at housekeeping, and every once in a while I’ll go with her and it’s fun to be working together again… Laci (my roommate) is a major exception to that “calm” factor ;) She and I have bonded in dangerous ways that we are both sworn to secrecy on… HA! Seriously, I don’t think you would WANT to know!!!!
There isn’t heaps more right now… like I said, the craziness has finally found some sort of settling. It’s really strange. :) I want to be able to just bask in the restfulness of it all, but I can’t help thinking this is the eye of the storm with me going to college this fall (I just found out I probably can’t register for fall classes till a few days before they start! Crazy? I think yes!)
But, I’m trusting God, working on taming my tongue, leading worship at Mars Hill Centralia, and living life. Recently, I’ve spent lots of time missing England and the people I love there… I still am not sure what God has in store for me on that front, but I keep telling myself that patience is a virtue (go figure). (and speaking of going, I read an awesome blog entry on waiting tonight… If you have time, definitely check it out… it’s shorter than mine! Lol http://voxpopnetwork.com/reformingthefeminine/2008/05/28/waiting/ ) On that note, I will bid you all adieu and thank you for reading my slightly long entry. Hope I didn’t bore you and that you feel a bit more a part of the slightly-less-than-usually-crazy happenings in the “crazy Kaiser universe” (credit goes out to Joseph Lloyd for that one…)
Saturday, April 19, 2008
The Here and Now
I'm sort of in an odd spot right now. Starting in January, when I realized I wasn't going back to YWAM Las Vegas, I applied to a HUGE amount of jobs (for which I was qualified for) and didn't get any job offers other than long-term ones or a far away one. When that wasn't working out, I decided to try to see if I could get into the spring college term in my town.Through a whole bunch of things, I realized that none of this was what God was really wanting me to do. I was running away from him by shuffling my feet like crazy- trying to find that "thing" that God wanted me to do. The reality was, God didn't want me to "do" anything.... just "be." It's a concept I've struggled with for my entire Christian life (yeah, so since I was six. lol).I've always tended to be an over-achiever and someone always trying to help do something or be better at something.God's been convicting me that, when those things take the focus off him, it's sin. (lol... duh, right?!)Yeah. ouch. not a fun realization that my common mentality is basically inately sinful.......So, I'm taking time to focus on being.... my family is really messed up, and I've taken the "stable person" role (which, if you know me well, is in itself pretty much hilarious!), so that takes up a big part of my mission focus right now :)In my forseeable future is lots of odd jobs, building things with my "dad" (we just finished a deck!), watching my niece most weeks, cleaning our house, improving my cooking skills, leading worship at church, and being as real with God and my circle of influence as possible :)....this is just a bit of a glimpse into more of who I am and where I'm at in this current moment :)
Friday, February 08, 2008
Dreams Differed
. Well, it’s been awhile since my last correspondence, and an update is certainly needed!
Since returning from Las Vegas and from my short trip to England, God has been doing some major work in my heart. At the time of my last update, I was planning on going back to Vegas until fall. However, God has re-guided my steps and I will be staying at home for a season. I’m not sure what God has in store for this upcoming year, but I am taking steps toward getting a job and pursuing a career in the education field.
Since returning from Las Vegas and from my short trip to England, God has been doing some major work in my heart. At the time of my last update, I was planning on going back to Vegas until fall. However, God has re-guided my steps and I will be staying at home for a season. I’m not sure what God has in store for this upcoming year, but I am taking steps toward getting a job and pursuing a career in the education field.
. Thank you to all who have kept me in their prayers- they have been much needed and appreciated! Right now there are many opportunities to be a missionary here at home, and I am definitely staying busy!
. My Grandma Oldenburg just went through back surgery this week and has moved in with us for a few months. After she's recovered, she'll move back to get her house ready to sell before moving in with us permanently. There's lots of stress associated with these circumstances, and it's only by God's grace that it's going smoothly! At my current job, I'm making friends and being able to challenge them in their beliefs about God, religion, and morality. It's exciting and a bit scary to enter into these conversations with people I'm going to continue to see around the community- instead of people I meet in foreign countries who I'll probably never see again. God has been challenging me to live missionally and with my eyes latched on Him.
. If you would like additional updates on my current state, I'm going to try to add things to this blog occasionally. I would also love to hear from any of you with prayer requests or hellos! My email is leanna.rae@gmail.com
. God bless you, and may your new year be filled with the constant appreciation of His love for you.
. God bless you, and may your new year be filled with the constant appreciation of His love for you.
~LeAnna Rae
Thursday, October 11, 2007
The Current Movement Of Things...
Dear Friends and Family,
This past summer has flown by! It’s been full of stretching, learning, and growing… with a lot of high-schoolers thrown in the mix! Serving in Las Vegas this summer was very rewarding. I spent most of my time leading middle school age to adult participants in evangelism… teaching them the basics of evangelism and a few simple ways to begin acting upon that teaching.
One of my favorite outreaches that we did was called sack lunch giveaway. We each pack two sack lunches and take them to a local park where homeless people congregate. Then we just sit and share lunch with a homeless person- talking about their lives and how Jesus has changed ours. Once when we were going to do this, I brought my guitar and sat down inconspicuously… I was going to keep an eye on the kids and not take part in the outreach. After awhile, I started playing my guitar and worshipping God. A homeless man came and sat by me. I stopped playing to introduce myself and my friend Kati (another leader). He asked me to play a song, and I said okay. Looking at the man across from me, I had the urge to play a non-worship song… something that was “safe” and wouldn’t offend the hardened man sitting next to me. Instead, I ignored the urge and played a song called “Unashamed Love” that speaks of laying down everything and worshipping our worthy God. God was definitely with me as I sang…and, as it turns out, he was also working on the homeless man’s heart, too. When the song was finished I looked up, and he had tears in his eyes. The man opened up to Kati and I; telling us of his past and how he never felt worthy. Like so many of the homeless men I met this summer, he’d served in Vietnam and came home crushed in spirit. The wounds the war left on him were more inside than out. Before Kati and I left, we had time to pray for him and to encourage him. We challenged him with the truth- that God had made him and he truly was worth something. We were able to give him a taste of the joy that Jesus brings. As we left, he thanked us for taking time for him and for the blessing we had been.
So many times this summer, God set up divine appointments- certain people that were ready to hear about his love; people that needed some encouragement. We also talked to a lot of people who didn’t want to hear about a loving God. I spoke with one woman who told me she didn’t want to know more about Jesus because it meant she might have to change her life. God used times like this to break my heart with what breaks his heart in Las Vegas.
Another outreach we did was Free Prayer on Freemont Street (the old “strip” of Vegas). This was by far my favorite. One day, as we were standing with our “free prayer” sign and asking people passing by if they would like prayer, a woman came up to me. She had a smug smile on her face and a glint of pity in her eyes- “honey,” she said, “you aren’t going to get anyone to pray with you. This is Vegas, haven’t you noticed?!” Thankfully I was able to let this woman know that God was bigger than that and that we had prayed for many people that day. She was shocked, and I think her eyes were opened a bit, too. I got to pray with so many people this summer, and I’m continually encouraged by what God did through our prayers. One day, I prayed with a trio of women who had had a sort of family reunion in Vegas. They were sisters, and all at different places with God. One woman had been addicted to gambling and alcohol… but that day, she asked us to pray that she would be able to quit. As I was praying for her, her two sisters came up and joined in. By the end, they were all crying and hugging each other (and me!). Later, their mother came up and thanked me. She was a Christian who had been praying for her daughters’ salvation. The gambling and alcohol had caused a rift in her daughter’s relationship, but, because of our prayer time, reconciliation had begun. I felt so honored that God had let me be a part of a life change for these women… it was such an amazing experience- and only one of many.
Maybe this doesn’t sound like the Vegas you’ve heard of. The flashing lights, the glitz and the sin hiding behind all of it. Well, that’s definitely there! But what sticks with me about Las Vegas are the people… lost people searching for something to fill their hurts. Las Vegas is a city of extremes- there’s extreme poverty next to people blowing millions per night. There are people trapped in sin, and, in some places, a church on every corner. There are Christians hiding behind locked doors and painted church buildings, and there are “card-slappers*” peddling pornography every twenty feet on the strip. Above all, Vegas is a place that needs Jesus.
Since June, I’ve been ministering in Vegas. Now, I’m back home in Washington. But, I’ve felt led to return to Vegas in January. I will be leading youth missions again and assisting with other areas of need at the YWAM base there until September 2008. This year is going to be a lot different that last year, and I’m helping with the planning side of things. We are going to take teams overseas to Russia, Costa Rica, and Brazil. I’m not sure yet which of these trips I will be able to go on, but I would love for God to tell me to go on all of them! In the meantime, there will also be teams coming from around the country to do evangelism in Las Vegas- and I look forward to ministering to and with them as well!
But now to that part that every missionary dislikes… the finances. Living in Vegas is very expensive and although I’m going to be living in the ghetto, my food and housing aren’t cheap. The YWAM base suggests that I raise $400 a month in support. For me, this is new territory. Before, I’ve only ever needed a lump sum. But this time, God needs to provide in a different way. And knowing Him, I know that’s not a problem! My monthly support goes towards staff fees, housing, food, overseas expenses, and travel costs… basically the normalities of life- on the mission field. There will be additional expenses for the trips to Russia, Costa Rica, and Brazil, but I’m not sure what they will be yet.
Please join with me in prayer for the next ten months of my life in Las Vegas. Where God calls, He equips, and I’m trusting him for the finances and the daily grace it takes to live in “sin city.” My plan is to leave in January and come back home to Washington next September. If you would like to make a monthly pledge or a one-time donation, please send it to my Washington address, until I figure out my new Vegas one.
Thank you so much for all that you have invested in me. God is moving in big ways in Las Vegas, and I am so excited to be a part of His plans there!! Thank you for joining with me in the mission field!
Blessings,
LeAnna Kaiser
*card-slappers: people who forcefully hand out cards with call girl ads on them.
This past summer has flown by! It’s been full of stretching, learning, and growing… with a lot of high-schoolers thrown in the mix! Serving in Las Vegas this summer was very rewarding. I spent most of my time leading middle school age to adult participants in evangelism… teaching them the basics of evangelism and a few simple ways to begin acting upon that teaching.
One of my favorite outreaches that we did was called sack lunch giveaway. We each pack two sack lunches and take them to a local park where homeless people congregate. Then we just sit and share lunch with a homeless person- talking about their lives and how Jesus has changed ours. Once when we were going to do this, I brought my guitar and sat down inconspicuously… I was going to keep an eye on the kids and not take part in the outreach. After awhile, I started playing my guitar and worshipping God. A homeless man came and sat by me. I stopped playing to introduce myself and my friend Kati (another leader). He asked me to play a song, and I said okay. Looking at the man across from me, I had the urge to play a non-worship song… something that was “safe” and wouldn’t offend the hardened man sitting next to me. Instead, I ignored the urge and played a song called “Unashamed Love” that speaks of laying down everything and worshipping our worthy God. God was definitely with me as I sang…and, as it turns out, he was also working on the homeless man’s heart, too. When the song was finished I looked up, and he had tears in his eyes. The man opened up to Kati and I; telling us of his past and how he never felt worthy. Like so many of the homeless men I met this summer, he’d served in Vietnam and came home crushed in spirit. The wounds the war left on him were more inside than out. Before Kati and I left, we had time to pray for him and to encourage him. We challenged him with the truth- that God had made him and he truly was worth something. We were able to give him a taste of the joy that Jesus brings. As we left, he thanked us for taking time for him and for the blessing we had been.
So many times this summer, God set up divine appointments- certain people that were ready to hear about his love; people that needed some encouragement. We also talked to a lot of people who didn’t want to hear about a loving God. I spoke with one woman who told me she didn’t want to know more about Jesus because it meant she might have to change her life. God used times like this to break my heart with what breaks his heart in Las Vegas.
Another outreach we did was Free Prayer on Freemont Street (the old “strip” of Vegas). This was by far my favorite. One day, as we were standing with our “free prayer” sign and asking people passing by if they would like prayer, a woman came up to me. She had a smug smile on her face and a glint of pity in her eyes- “honey,” she said, “you aren’t going to get anyone to pray with you. This is Vegas, haven’t you noticed?!” Thankfully I was able to let this woman know that God was bigger than that and that we had prayed for many people that day. She was shocked, and I think her eyes were opened a bit, too. I got to pray with so many people this summer, and I’m continually encouraged by what God did through our prayers. One day, I prayed with a trio of women who had had a sort of family reunion in Vegas. They were sisters, and all at different places with God. One woman had been addicted to gambling and alcohol… but that day, she asked us to pray that she would be able to quit. As I was praying for her, her two sisters came up and joined in. By the end, they were all crying and hugging each other (and me!). Later, their mother came up and thanked me. She was a Christian who had been praying for her daughters’ salvation. The gambling and alcohol had caused a rift in her daughter’s relationship, but, because of our prayer time, reconciliation had begun. I felt so honored that God had let me be a part of a life change for these women… it was such an amazing experience- and only one of many.
Maybe this doesn’t sound like the Vegas you’ve heard of. The flashing lights, the glitz and the sin hiding behind all of it. Well, that’s definitely there! But what sticks with me about Las Vegas are the people… lost people searching for something to fill their hurts. Las Vegas is a city of extremes- there’s extreme poverty next to people blowing millions per night. There are people trapped in sin, and, in some places, a church on every corner. There are Christians hiding behind locked doors and painted church buildings, and there are “card-slappers*” peddling pornography every twenty feet on the strip. Above all, Vegas is a place that needs Jesus.
Since June, I’ve been ministering in Vegas. Now, I’m back home in Washington. But, I’ve felt led to return to Vegas in January. I will be leading youth missions again and assisting with other areas of need at the YWAM base there until September 2008. This year is going to be a lot different that last year, and I’m helping with the planning side of things. We are going to take teams overseas to Russia, Costa Rica, and Brazil. I’m not sure yet which of these trips I will be able to go on, but I would love for God to tell me to go on all of them! In the meantime, there will also be teams coming from around the country to do evangelism in Las Vegas- and I look forward to ministering to and with them as well!
But now to that part that every missionary dislikes… the finances. Living in Vegas is very expensive and although I’m going to be living in the ghetto, my food and housing aren’t cheap. The YWAM base suggests that I raise $400 a month in support. For me, this is new territory. Before, I’ve only ever needed a lump sum. But this time, God needs to provide in a different way. And knowing Him, I know that’s not a problem! My monthly support goes towards staff fees, housing, food, overseas expenses, and travel costs… basically the normalities of life- on the mission field. There will be additional expenses for the trips to Russia, Costa Rica, and Brazil, but I’m not sure what they will be yet.
Please join with me in prayer for the next ten months of my life in Las Vegas. Where God calls, He equips, and I’m trusting him for the finances and the daily grace it takes to live in “sin city.” My plan is to leave in January and come back home to Washington next September. If you would like to make a monthly pledge or a one-time donation, please send it to my Washington address, until I figure out my new Vegas one.
Thank you so much for all that you have invested in me. God is moving in big ways in Las Vegas, and I am so excited to be a part of His plans there!! Thank you for joining with me in the mission field!
Blessings,
LeAnna Kaiser
*card-slappers: people who forcefully hand out cards with call girl ads on them.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Big Surprise!
An extremely random, yet God-ordained, series of events has happened these past few days. As a result, I'm going home! :) TODAY! I will be raising support, working, and spending time with my family and friends until January. The plan is to come back to Las Vegas in January and become staff.
Wow! I can hardly believe how fast this has all happened, but I'm packed and ready to go. God has given me such a peace and sense of his presence that I haven't had in a while. Thank you so much for all your prayers- know that they were spirit-led! :)
I will be home for awhile, and am hoping to talk about what I've been doing with as many people as I can- if you want to meet for coffee or tea, that would be great! Also, I'm needing to raise substantial support, so if you know (or are) a possible donor, please talk to me about how you can help!! :)
God has so obviously been working in my life and I'm excited to see the continuation of this at home! Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support! See you soon!
Wow! I can hardly believe how fast this has all happened, but I'm packed and ready to go. God has given me such a peace and sense of his presence that I haven't had in a while. Thank you so much for all your prayers- know that they were spirit-led! :)
I will be home for awhile, and am hoping to talk about what I've been doing with as many people as I can- if you want to meet for coffee or tea, that would be great! Also, I'm needing to raise substantial support, so if you know (or are) a possible donor, please talk to me about how you can help!! :)
God has so obviously been working in my life and I'm excited to see the continuation of this at home! Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support! See you soon!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
It's been too long
Hello Friends!
It's been awhile since my last blog post and so much has happened since then! Just yesterday, for example, I bought a new pair of shorts for 37 cents!! *Smile* okay, so maybe that's not the kind of "big event" that you all want to read about...
Seriously, though- this past month has been totally packed. Summer Mission Adventures ended at the beginning of this month (as mentioned in my previous update) and I had a few weeks of down time trying to relax and get to know Richard Taylor more. Yes, for those who don't know, I do have a boyfriend. :) Now, for the girly crowd, maybe I can post a sappy relationship update, but if I was a guy I seriously could care less! So, for all your sakes, I'll hold back on that for now :)
After our two week rest, we left on a mobile tour of the west coast (CA and OR). We visited Ventura, Pismo Beach, San Fransisco, Whittier (LA), and Salem. We basically went through visiting some of the kids that came through this summer and some from Spring Break. It was so fun to hang out with some of the cool cats that came through this summer again. :)
The trip in terms of van ride was not as pleasant as getting out of the van, but we all survived (although there was definitely some conflict that had to be resolved)!
We got back a few days ago, and now I will be starting work at the base as a Mission Builder (kind of temporary staff until I'm accepted). Right now, my project is revamping the website, correcting the errors... it will be a lot of hours staring at a computer screen! Yippee ....
Current Events:
I went surfing at Pismo Beach! And LOVED it!!! I'm not very good, but it's so stinkin fun!
I got hurt surfing... it hurt to sit down or lean forward for a few days. Not good when you're riding in a van for hours and hours!
The boys did paintball standoffs in Salem- so fun to watch, but they all got ridiculous welts... not worth it :)
I finally met Sam's (on MA staff with me) Mom who he always talks about. She's a fun person- we stayed with her on the mobile tour. I understand Sam more. lol. Which is good because I'm supposed to be working with him this year as his kind of secretary for MA next year.
I'm applying for a passport renewal.
Richard left to go back home to England. It's hard. Today is the second day that I haven't seen him in three months. Although I've talked to him :)
Please pray for:
-FELLOWSHIP! I need friends here and a church body to challenge me. I feel a bit lonely at times.
-Wisdom in support raising. I'm new to the whole monthly support raising thing. Please pray that I know just how to do it and that God moves on peoples' hearts to be generous.
-For Richard and I; we are endeavoring to do our relationship right. It's going to be hard from far away, but right now the plan is that he is going to fly me to England in November if he can earn the money soon enough. That would be great, because he could meet all my "family" over there and I could meet his.
-Family- I'm really missing them and they're missing me. It's also really difficult because they haven't met Richard.
Thank you guys, I know you pray for me and I appreciate that SOOOO much! If you ever want to know more about how I'm doing, I'd love to talk to you! :)
It's been awhile since my last blog post and so much has happened since then! Just yesterday, for example, I bought a new pair of shorts for 37 cents!! *Smile* okay, so maybe that's not the kind of "big event" that you all want to read about...
Seriously, though- this past month has been totally packed. Summer Mission Adventures ended at the beginning of this month (as mentioned in my previous update) and I had a few weeks of down time trying to relax and get to know Richard Taylor more. Yes, for those who don't know, I do have a boyfriend. :) Now, for the girly crowd, maybe I can post a sappy relationship update, but if I was a guy I seriously could care less! So, for all your sakes, I'll hold back on that for now :)
After our two week rest, we left on a mobile tour of the west coast (CA and OR). We visited Ventura, Pismo Beach, San Fransisco, Whittier (LA), and Salem. We basically went through visiting some of the kids that came through this summer and some from Spring Break. It was so fun to hang out with some of the cool cats that came through this summer again. :)
The trip in terms of van ride was not as pleasant as getting out of the van, but we all survived (although there was definitely some conflict that had to be resolved)!
We got back a few days ago, and now I will be starting work at the base as a Mission Builder (kind of temporary staff until I'm accepted). Right now, my project is revamping the website, correcting the errors... it will be a lot of hours staring at a computer screen! Yippee ....
Current Events:
I went surfing at Pismo Beach! And LOVED it!!! I'm not very good, but it's so stinkin fun!
I got hurt surfing... it hurt to sit down or lean forward for a few days. Not good when you're riding in a van for hours and hours!
The boys did paintball standoffs in Salem- so fun to watch, but they all got ridiculous welts... not worth it :)
I finally met Sam's (on MA staff with me) Mom who he always talks about. She's a fun person- we stayed with her on the mobile tour. I understand Sam more. lol. Which is good because I'm supposed to be working with him this year as his kind of secretary for MA next year.
I'm applying for a passport renewal.
Richard left to go back home to England. It's hard. Today is the second day that I haven't seen him in three months. Although I've talked to him :)
Please pray for:
-FELLOWSHIP! I need friends here and a church body to challenge me. I feel a bit lonely at times.
-Wisdom in support raising. I'm new to the whole monthly support raising thing. Please pray that I know just how to do it and that God moves on peoples' hearts to be generous.
-For Richard and I; we are endeavoring to do our relationship right. It's going to be hard from far away, but right now the plan is that he is going to fly me to England in November if he can earn the money soon enough. That would be great, because he could meet all my "family" over there and I could meet his.
-Family- I'm really missing them and they're missing me. It's also really difficult because they haven't met Richard.
Thank you guys, I know you pray for me and I appreciate that SOOOO much! If you ever want to know more about how I'm doing, I'd love to talk to you! :)
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