This Holiday Season I've been thinking things are a lot different than if I was spending the Holiday Season back home in South Dakota. I mean, it's still Christmas... music, decorations, and crazy crowds in all stores. But, there are a few things you would only see here...

A Christmas tree outside... right next to a palm tree.

A truck with Christmas decorations on the front bumper and grill... with palm trees and the ocean in the background.

This is what the locals call a Christmas tree. To me, it's a Charlie Brown Christmas tree...

This window sign is part of starbucks holiday decor this year. I thought it was funny... seeing as I'm in Hawaii.

Hope you've enjoyed seeing a Hawaiian Christmas through my eyes!
Mele Kalikimaka!

I AM still alive... and I haven't forgotten

So I've come to the conclusion that doing a photo journal about where I'm at and what I'm doing is a little harder when there isn't a school being run. They all went on outreach... so now I'm not really doing much of anything worth documenting.

It doesn't help that the week after I posted my Thanksgiving blog, I was laid up with a pretty severe staph infection. Did you hear they think it was MRSA? I feel strong and brave after conquering that one... however the healing process is still happening. I'm down to a bandaid, and I'm walking normal again. Finally!

Anyway, I just wanted to inform you all... whomever you might be reading this... that I WILL resume on the photo journal... it just may be a little here and there... Christmas is just around the corner. I think I shall start there... Stop back after next weekend! I promise there will be a new one :)

Mele Kalikimaka!

Thanksgiving is here!

For the actual day of Thanksgiving, I spent it with my cousins, Joey and Ciana. They live on the North Shore.




On the YWAM base we did a grand Thanksgiving dinner all together, Wednesday night. Fun, food, friends, fellowship. Perfect!






The little turkey I'm holding was hand made by me.. idea by my friend Casey. Its an avacado with colorful leaves pushed into it and a constuction paper turkey face. I made them to be center pieces for the tables.

Sound the Trumpets!

I have decided...

I will do a photo journal.

It will be about where I'm at, and what I'm doing.

Stay tuned.

Heart for Nations

This week was 'Missions Week'.

The main goal is to reveal more about missions to our students through videos, intercession and worship times, and a thing we like to call "Nations Night".

Intercession and worship times are already a part of the DTS' weekly schedule, but we really take time to focus on nations that people on our base have a heart for, are long-termers to, or where the outreach teams are going. It just gives the students a new heart for missions on new scales. The staff prayed that this week would be a week where multiple students get a long term call to the world. I believe God is faithful in that, and because in part of a word from the Lord for this school, we as staff really believed there would be a large number of callings to the nations from this school.

Nations Night was a blast! We had Cambodia, Thailand, China/Taiwan, India, Philippines, and Kyrgyzstan represented. Each booth set up clothes, material, food and drink, and pictures from their country. Everyone dressed up from a nation or people group and walked around booth to booth to learn about each country. We also spent time interceding for all the named countries. It was awesome to not only learn about the countries, but really ask for the Lord's heart for them.

For our speaker this week we had the famous Don Richardson! It was an honor to have him, and his wife Carol, to impart knowledge and wisdom, and hear his awesome stories. I loved hearing about his time with the Sawi people of Indonesia, and all the crazy ways he shared the Gospel with the tribal people.

God is teaching me a lot personally right now. He has me stuck in the book of Lamentations, which may be odd for some, but it's totally wrecking me! God is faithful, even when things are hard. I love it! I'm still in need of quite a bit of finances for staff fees and toiletries, etc. Please join me in praying for the Lord's provision in this area. Again, in case anyone wants it, here is my address:

2707 Hipawai Place
Honolulu, HI 96822

Love and miss you all!!!

Hard times = New revelations

The last few weeks for the DTS have been so busy. But we just completed the 5th week of lectures, the topic being "Fear of the Lord/Character and Nature of God". We have thus far covered "Evangelism/Spiritual&Personal Discipline", "Spiritual Warfare", and "New Hearts"(Openness and Brokenness). Having those last couple topics back to back was really tough for some of the students and staff. So this week was a lot more easy going.
The last few weeks for me have been really tough as well, but for a lot of different reasons. All I know, now more than ever, is when you're in leadership, you are put under the microscope a lot. The Lord has been with me, though, and I am working through new things... getting to know my Lord and Savior on a whole new level. Which I love!!
The DTS as a whole is doing amazing! We will be sending out four outreach teams in the early part of December. They are going to Vanuatu, Fiji/Samoa, India/Nepal, and Thailand/Philippines. Its such an exciting thing for the students, and I love watching them learn about God and themselves so that they can go out and tell the lost people in these nations about Him. This is what I live for! :)
I am still struggling financially, so if you could help me pray for God's provision in this area of my life, it would be greatly appreciated! I can also use prayer as I continue leading this school, that I would have the Lord's heart for each student, and that He would show me how I can serve the staff.
I love and miss all of you who are not on the island terribly! Thank you for your prayers and support! Keep in touch! Oh, and Happy Halloween!

God is Faithful!

It's been one week today that I've been back here in Honolulu at the Youth With A Mission(YWAM) base. And I never knew just how much of my heart was still here until I came back and found it. My heart is complete.

We started Monday morning with staff training, and I LOVE the team of people I will be staffing with. There is a family-like unity already, and you can just tell that God has put us all here for this time and His purpose. I feel completely honored that the Lord is allowing me to be a part of YWAM Honolulu again... especially in the place they're at. The Lord has amazing things happening here, and it's really exciting to be here watching all of it take place.

Tomorrow will begin another week of staff training; Tuesday and Wednesday being all-base staff conference. I'm pumped to continue learning and growing in the Lord with everyone here. Thursday we will have a cleaning day to get the base ready for students to arrive the following week. Aloha Day, as we like to call it, is the first official day of the Discipleship Training School(DTS), which will happen on September 24th.

Please pray for me as I continue to ask the Lord for his heart for my staff and the students that will be coming. I am also still in need of financial support. Please prayerfully consider partnering with me that way.

I know the Lord has SO much for me here in this time, and can't wait to keep you all updated!! Please keep me updated on how you're doing... I miss and love you all TONS!

Elise Moslander
2707 Hipawai Place
Honolulu, HI 96822
605-228-9219
eliserachelle@hotmail.com
ywamhonolulu.com

Rings!

My new favorite accessory! For the longest time I wore two white gold rings on my left ring finger... and everyone always thought I was married. So, recently, I decided that if I'm ever going to get married, I may need to let people know that I'm single.

Thus started the ring phenomenon. First with the simple yellow ring, bought for a couple bucks at Forever21... one of the greatest stores out there! And slowly but surely my collection has grown. I now have enough rings, all worn on my left ring finger, to wear a different one each day of the week... and I love it! Of course I don't just wear a different one everyday, I match them to my outfits... because that's what girls do.




I realize that I took off the other rings so that people know I'm single, but I'm assuming that people also know that the kind of rings I'm wearing in place of the other ones would NEVER be engagement/wedding rings. It's just a super fun way to dress up any outfit!

I also wear a ring on my right hand. Its cool and funky and I consider to be my "Right Hand Ring" like the ones advertised in magazines(Zales, I think). You know, the end of the woman-power statement reads "Raise your right hand"... or something like that. Anyway... this ring of mine was a gift from my parents. It has a tiny diamond in the middle, and a sapphire(my birthstone) on each side. It's beautiful.


Check out the blog that inspired me to write about my rings... jeanierhoades.com (my linker isn't working, but just copy and paste this into your web address bar)

My Heart Is Sad.

I made it through Sunday... but not without crying. Or more like sobbing. It happened... and I couldn't stop it. I was saying goodbye to a couple girlfriends from lifegroup when Pastor Rob Kelly came over... and then I lost it.

This moving thing, which I've decided my parents instilled in me throughout my whole life, is no fun. I really LOVE change, something I also think is because of my parents, but i HATE saying goodbye.

Tonight, I will part ways with my beautiful fam here in Colorado. The Rhoades', Powers', and Kelley's. They have no idea how much they've done for me, my soul, and my mind in my time here with them. I will forever be indebted to them. They have changed me, and they are a lot of the reason I am being changed by the Lord.

To all of you: THANK YOU! (if I could I'd tell you in every language out there) I LOVE YOU! I OWE YOU! and I WILL MISS YOU ALL TERRIBLY!

Ribbons of Joy

The other day I had the amazing chance to "ketchup", if you will, with my dear friend, Mary Jean Powers. Now, MJ has played a large roll in my life here in Colorado, and I'm not sure she even knows that. She has challenged me, taught me, laughed with me, and cried with me. She shared Venezuela with me and Honduras with me, and I am forever grateful for every minute I've spent with her.

At lunch we were discussing some of the good times I had on my very first mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico. And somehow landed on the topic of tambourines, ribbon dancing, and that both go well when paired with interpretive dance. MJ is a little bit of an expert on these things... you should ask her about it.

Needless to say, our conversation was quite intriguing and I know for certain people around us wished they could have been a part of it. Thank you again, Mary Jean, for lunch and your company. I will miss you and the way you teach the Word greatly. And I will never forget your love for pastel colored ribbons.

Things I like...

... With ketchup on them.

I figured since my blog name has the word ketchup in it, I might need to explain it. I didn't mean for it to be anything other than a fun way to title what otherwise would have just been "Catch Up With Elise". But, look how boring that is. So, I decided to tell you some of the normal, and maybe some of the abnormal things I like ketchup on.

* Hamburgers
* Hot dogs
* Scrambled eggs (this may be one of the abnormal ones)
* Brats
* Tacos (this is maybe my favorite thing to put ketchup on, and the one that gets me weird remarks and grossed ou looks)

And even though tomato soup isn't ketchup, it's kinda like ketchup, and I like it with mac-n-cheese in it :)

Thats all.

Life... Lately.

I feel like life has been crazy. I'm all settled in Brighton, and it has been so nice being closer to everything I'm involved in up here.

So... above is a blog I started a few weeks ago. And I feel like life has been WAY more crazy this last weekend.
Friday at theMill, Pastor Brady Boyd spoke. He titled the message "Five Questions", and it was SO good! He said that the first four questions should be answerable in your twenties, but that the fifth question, for most people, can't be answered until your late thirties. I believe these five questions have changed my life...

1) What are my purposes(the reason(s) of my life)?
2) ... I missed this question b/c I was in the bathroom :)
3) What are my passions(what makes my heart come alive, and causes me to be at my best)?
4) What are my values(my non-negotiables)?

...

5) What is my life message(my personal thesis statement; something I could speak or write about with little preparation; something you could communicate passionately and clearly)?

I believe I aleady know the answer to number 5... and seem to be having a harder time answering the other ones. All I know, is the Lord knows my future, has a plan for me, and loves me enough to get me through it all.

Girl Scouts

Tonight as I was going through things, preparing to move, yet again, and start a new chapter in my life, I had the Girl Scouts theme song come to mind.

Make new friends, but keep the old,
Some are silver and the others gold.
The circle is round, it has no end,
That's how long I want to be your friend.

But the thing that struck me odd, was, to me, all my friends are gold. They hold some characteristic I want in my life, or they've taught me something new, or they've counted on me to be a listening ear. And hopefully not to sound too 'Outsiders'-ish, they really are all golden... and will always "stay golden" to me. No matter where I live... even if I haven't talked to some of them for a long time.

There are so many things I'm going to miss terribly when I move away from Colorado. My last year here has been something so good for me and my life, that I don't even think I can put it into words. My roommates have been there for tears and laughing... going out on the town and staying home to watch Friends. I made some good friendships with new people, and improved a friendship with a childhood friend.
"The Fam", as I usually refer to them, has been my backbone throughout my year. They've been there to support me, and lead me really. I've learned countless things from them about how to truly live a life glorifying to God. I will take the times I've spent celebrating birthday's and all the "just because" family dinners, with me for the rest of my life. And hopefully be able to be such a great example to the people I meet in my life. Thank you Rhoades', Powers', and Kelley's for letting me be a daughter, sister, cousin and friend to you :) and for taking me under your wing, Aunt Jeanie, and always thinking of me when there's leftovers!
I am also SO thankful for my part-time roommie. Remember that time you started none-date dating a guy from your work? Then you started for-real dating, and we would stay up a little later just so I could be filled in on how things were going?? And then, remember when you came home, and I got to be there for you to announce that you were engaged??? Thank you for letting me be a part of your life, yours and Jake's lives... it means so much to me.
And to all my church family- I love you and have been blessed over and over by your overwhelming kindness towards me! Thanks for looking out for me... my parents really appreciate it!
Phipps's... YOU GUYS have blessed me more than I deserve. Your servant hearts in everything you've done for me has been such a great example in my life. Thank you for Nella By, she's been a true blessing. And for letting me live with you in June... that hasn't happened yet... but I already know how much it will bless me.

All of your crowns will be beautiful... now in abundance, simply because you let me in. Cared. Loved. Thank you!

My Plea To Weather and Seasons.

Today is gross. Snow. Sleet. Snow. Sleet... ugh. Weather, Seasons, please make up your mind. Is it Spring or Winter... because I can't take this much longer. Really, I can't take it any longer. I had things I wanted to do today, guys. Why did you have to ruin those plans? I might need to have a talk with your Mother... nature. Please, please, please, let Mr. Sun come out tomorrow! I can't promise I will love you if you do let him out, but I did say please... :)

Day 10

I stink at making habits. I was so excited, I really thought I could do this. And here I am on day 10... and I've only done Rosetta Stone 3 times. Bummer. I will, however, be working on it. It's still important to me, and I know learning Spanish will help me in my future.

Lord, help me! I want to learn so You can use me even more. I know with You, I can do anything...

Cacey is doing amazing! She is going through the book of John, which is great because it has 21 chapters. She is in her room now, reading and praying. You go girl! I'm SO proud of you!! God will teach you through this time with Him. After 21 days is over, keep going! I love you!

21 Days

Cacey- a roommate of mine, and I have decided that we want to make a few changes in our lives for the better. One of those being spending good, quality time with the Lord each day. Also, we're both trying to learn Spanish, and need to spend more time on that then we currently do. So, starting today, we are making a committment with eachother to do both of these things for 21 days in a row. Hopefully to find truth in the study that shows 21 days of something consistent equals habit. Bring on the Bible and my new best friend, Rosetta, for some well spent time every day. I sure hope this works!!

Tree$

I have this entire week off from work due to Spring Break. Not really by choice, but it has been nice. Actually, with all the time I've had, I find myself wanting to start all these projects. Either around my house, around Robbin's house (lol) or this huge scrapbooking project I was supposed to already have finished. And yes, it hasn't even been started... all this to say... if money just grew on trees, I would be able to do all these projects, plus some.
I recently stated how i wished money just grew on trees on my facebook status, and these are a few responses people had for me.

Mattias(my friend from Sweden):
im not sure I do. if it did, everyone would stock up buttloads of money, which means their value would drop, and all the prices would increase. so basically the only difference it'd make is that you'd need a wheelbarrow full of money to buy a $1-double cheese burger (how I miss those!)

Holly Guaper(a friend from my DTS' wife; she's now a friend to me)
i bet those trees would be really expensive.


Rebbekka Messenger(Robbin Kelly's cool cousin)
it kinda does grow on trees....


My roommate, Samantha, also said that maybe I should just wish that money grew on one single tree that I own. I think that's the best comment so far :)

"Oh, Oslwald"

Recently in my times with the Lord I've been telling Him about my desire to represent Him in everything I do. Today's reading in 'My Utmost For His Highest" really encouraged me in that desire, and I wanted to share it with you :)

"Preach the word." 2 Tim. 4:2
We are not saved to be "channels only", but to be sons and daughters of God. We are not turned into spiritual mediums, but into spiritual messengers; the message must be part of ourselves. The Son of God was His own message, His words were spirit and life; and as His disciples our lives must be the sacrament of our message. The natural heart will do any amount of serving, but it takes the heart brokenby conviction of sin,and baptized by the Holy Ghost, and crumpled into the purpose of God before the life becomes the sacrament of its message.
There is a difference between giving a testimony and preaching. A preacher is one who has realized the call of God and is determined to use his every power to proclaim God's truth. God takes us out of our own ideas for our lives and we are "batter'd to shape and use", as the disciples were after Pentecost. Pentecost did not teach the disciples anything; it made them the incarnation of what they preached- "Ye shall be witnesses unto Me."
Let God have perfect liberty when you speak. Before God's message can liberate other souls, the liberation must be real in you. Gather your material, and set it alight when you speak.

I pray this encourages you also :)

Honduras

While we were still in Honduras, Mary Jean had us do a little exercise to help us debrief the trip a little... we were to write down the story we would tell people when they asked how our trip went, or jot down a few memories of what the Lord did. Here is what I had to say...

Sujapita


This trip will be one I look back on in years to come and say, "that's where it all started". It took a few days to figure it out, but Home of Refuge litterally became a place of refuge; to search for what God had brought me here to find.
The first thing being "my shadow". She picked me from day one and would follow me around forever if only i could sew her on to my shoes. Sujapita- a beautiful name for a beautiful girl. So tender and light hearted. I'm not sure if there's a future in our relationship, but i truly believe we found eachother for a reason.
The second thing hasn't been completely found yet. I believe that my time at HOR has been 100% necessary for beginning a new journey with God. I came to Honduras to be with orphans, and hopefully bless Tony and Rosa, however, I now know I came to be with God. I came so I can survive. I'm learning all over again- everthing it feels like. But I am called "chosen" and I'm starting with that.