Season of Change.

Something I have noticed from living in England is there are actually 4 distinct seasons. Growing up in West Texas, I could usually only tell that we had moved from Winter to Spring because Hunting season was over and Baseball season was starting, and the only real sign that we were no longer in the summer months was when Football 2-a-days were in full swing.  The weather doesn't change very drastically except when we get the occasional Winter snow storm or the 300 mph winds that leaves dirt in your teeth for 3 years. 

Winter Wonderland in England!

Autumn in England

But England, England is different, England on it's best days has a way of showing off the 4 seasons really well.  Right now it is very obvious that Autumn is here, The trees are all changing to bright red and yellow leaves, the air is crisp, and everything smells like fall (You know the smell, that smell that just makes you want to get a pumpkin spice latte and read a good book in sweatpants or watch Downton Abbey with the girls, Fall is perfect in my opinion) After Autumn of course comes Winter, and the trees are completely bare here, but when the snow falls, it actually looks like a winter wonderland.  This is usually the season where I drink at least 8 cups of hot tea a day, and wear 5 layers of clothes, but who doesn't love a good chance to wear all the clothes you own at once :). Snow fights and tackle football can get out of hand around here, but I've always lived by the rules...scars are like tattoos but with better stories! After winter, it seems suddenly almost over night the trees bloom...yay, it's crazy, they actually bloom.  Spring is here and the flowers grow on the trees and bluebells in the forest, and I almost feel like I have stepped out of a Jane Austen book. Although that whole "April Showers, bring May flowers" Is actually "March, April, May, June, July Showers, Bring flowers," I like to complain about the rain, but on those rare days when the rain stops, England is perfect. I almost (VERY STRONG ALMOST) am thankful for all the rain on those days, because the flowers are incredible! Next, from July-September the sun decides to come out and everything is completely green and fresh, most of the time I get amnesia of what the rain was like because I think to myself, "I never want to leave this place, it's so beautiful!" 

Spring!

It's obvious that each season is completely different, each season has it's distinct and unique feel, each season has it's strength and weakness (except Autumn, Autumn is perfect :)), but when I look back at my time in England I can just remember how each season has always been beautiful in it's own way.

Why do I go on an on about seasons when this post is about change? Well, it's the lesson I have been learning lately.  For the past 4 years, I have been running around the world, living one adventure after the other, experiencing new cultures and eating crazy cuisines!  This season has been incredible, and I think back to everything I have learned during this time about myself, my worldview, and God's unfailing love. 

Before, when I would think about the upcoming changes in my life, it would terrify me, create an overwhelming fear of the unknown, and a sense of dread like I was leaving the adventure and fullness of life I have found overseas behind.  

But now, God has been showing me that just like the 4 seasons are distinctly different, good and beautiful, so it is with this new season I am entering into.  The adventure and living life to the fullness is a choice, and that mindset can follow me into each place.  This new season is going to be good.  This new season will be an adventure like never before.  There is hope in this new season, and when I stop complaining about the rain for a second, I can stop and see how amazing the flowers look!  It's so exciting to know that I'm going into this season with an incredible travel buddy, and I get to marry a guy that makes me "stop and smell the roses" from time to time, and I'm moving to Las Vegas, a place that God is so captivated by and so in love with, and there are people their that need to know that! This season is distinctly different, but beauty will follow.  LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN!

My New Book!

If my life was a book, then it seems that the next few months of my life, I will be finishing writing the last chapter of one book (probably finishing with the line 'and they all lived happily ever after') and then starting a sequel where 1 or 2 main characters continue on, but everything else is different.  When I do big life changes, it seems that I don't just start a new little chapter with an intro of a new character, but I like to do big Epic changes that require a new book and a lot more ink and paper.  Let me set the plot and storyline for you on my new upcoming "book." The scenary will be completely different, a whole new list of characters will be introduced, and we will get to read more on what goes on inside the "happily ever after" bit.

First, as yall might already know from my last post, I'm GETTING MARRIED WHOO HOOO!! Now, I didn't know that I would be one of those girls that would have so much fun planning a wedding, but I have not stopped flipping through wedding magazines and websites!  Crazy thing is that I have not looked at one wedding dress or cake, but my focus has soley been on making sure the reception is the party of the century.  Kyle made me stop and take a breather after my ideas got outta hand with balloon animals and slip-n-slides and go carts. But come on, who doesn't want a firework display and dancing monkey's in a grand finale production?  My point exactly! I have been looking for a cool barn venue so that all our friends coming from Europe and around the states can have a true Texas experience.  If any of yall know of anything in Midland/Odessa around March or April, please let me know!

So, now that I have a cool fiance, and a cool wedding (with an REALLY cool reception) We have been talking alot about the second big plot changer in the story.

My New Home!

I'm finally moving back to the states for a season!!! This one has been the scariest change for me. I remember before moving overseas, I was nervous of what lies ahead, and all the unknowns were terrifying.  Now, moving back, I'm in the same position, but the roles have been reversed, but I'm ready for the adventure! I will be coming home November 3rd for my fabulous best friend and roommate from College, Brittani Briner's wedding!!! Afterwards Kyle and I will be hanging out in Texas for November.  I even get to go to Thanksgiving at my Grandmother's house for the first time in 3 or 4 years!! I'm so excited about this time in Texas and I hope that we will get to hang out with most of you while we are there!  After November, (drum roll please...) Kyle and I will be moving to LAS VEGAS. Although much of this move has plenty of unknowns, we have been praying about how God wants to use us during this season. Kyle and I will be getting jobs and working, as well as helping with the local YWAM base.  

So let's see where we are in my new story and the changes coming.  New Location...Check.  New Job...check.  New last name...check.  New main characters...check. 

Here is an insert to one of the chapters in the new story that has already come about:

A few weeks ago after we had gotten engaged, we were both at a place where God seemed to be leading us to do many things and putting different passions on our heart, but no concrete direction of moving forward with those things. With one month to go before leaving England, and not seeing how

all these things were going to tie together, we had to learn that God is in control and the words "trust" and "have faith" became really real.  It seems easy to use those words or give that advice to others when outside of the situation, but to feel like you are walking blindly to the next step and trusting

anyways is a completely different thing. We really feel strongly about starting a prayer/healing room in Vegas, God has put Vegas on our hearts, not just the city, but also the people.  It is interesting that the original design of Las Vegas, was a meadow land which when "Las Vegas" is translated it means "fertile land."  We have been praying that the desert that Vegas is known for would be transformed and live up to it's name. 

     With these things on our hearts and no real direction, last week we were introduced to the couple who will be taking a big leadership role within YWAM, Las Vegas over this next season of their lives. Within the first sentences of our conversation, this couple talked about their heart for starting a prayer room in Las Vegas!  The amazing part about meeting these people, is not only that they had the same heart and passions we had, but also, that God was speaking the exact same words to them as He had been to us. They also need worship leaders, and Kyle's main passion and gifting is in leading worship! 

    The more amazing thing about this story is that our paths actually crossed in a bizarre way!  They were not planning on coming to YWAM Harpenden, but their airline lost their guitar.  With the tag on the guitar only saying YWAM, the airport googled YWAM and Harpenden's address was the only one to come up.  They were only here for a brief moment to pick up their guitar, but that moment was God ordained indeed.

Sooo looks like we will be coming home! YAY! A few things you can be thinking about and praying for us in, is to pray and see which part you could play in our ministry as we move to Vegas and begin this prayer room. Whether that means joining our team, helping with worship, coming and visiting, financially supporting, etc... As this is still very young and the vision is pretty big.  Other practical things, we will be looking for a car when we get to Texas.  As we are both coming off of the mission field and being self supported, we are praying for God provision on finding a good car for a relatively cheap price.  So if you know of anyone selling or could be keeping your eyes open for something that would be beautiful!!  Thank you for all your love and support.

“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the

life that is waiting for us.” – Joseph Campbell

The Beginning of My Journey to Becoming Mrs. David

First Date in St. Albans

To tell this engagement story properly, I've got to start us at the beginning. A year and a half ago, Mr. Kyle Robert David asked me out on our first official date to a cute English town called St Albans. As we waited for the bus, we sat and took our first pictures together which I have included to the right. As you can tell, it was also the beginning of my endless pursuit of getting just one good picture where Mr. David there is smiling like a normal human...my efforts are usually pointless! I remember being nervous,  anxious about where the day would take us, anticipating when he would hold my hand, and kicking myself for the awkward jokes I would tell. As our first date went on, we visited the St Albans market, got a cup of coffee, then headed to the duck pond. There we sat under a tree that shielded us from the rain, and prayed together about what our relationship could look like! 

Before we got engaged

Now, lets fast forward this little story to September 19, 2012, just a week and a half ago. When again, we sat at the bus stop and took pictures as we waited for the bus to take us to that cute English town of St Albans. (as you can see from the photos there on the left, we are still working on that whole 1...2...3...smile bit!) Things were different this time...this time I was going to St Albans with my best friend. I was going with the person I am most comfortable being myself, the person who knows me better than anyone, and the only awkwardness that remained on this day were when Kyle told some of his fantastic jokes that can only be described as "dad jokes" (sorry to you dads out there that tell hilarious jokes, these aren't the jokes I'm talking about!)  Anyways, although at the time it didn't dawn on me, we actually did the same things as we did on our first date, we went to the market, Kyle bought me daisies, we sat and drank coffee, and talked about life and our hope for the future. We walked hand in hand, flirted, and enjoyed a rare sunny day in England. One of the things Kyle and I like to do is throw the baseball together. As we were playing catch by the duck pond, Kyle launched the ball way over my head. He is usually a pro baseball player, so I was laughing at what a terrible throw he made, not knowing of course he did it on purposes. I ran to go get it, while teasing him on his aim, and when I turned around, he had disappeared! After searching for a few minutes, I found him under that tree from our first date. He was huddled up and I ran to him, thinking I was so clever for finding him, and this little hide-n-seek game was over, with me as the champion, of course :). I was standing and he was kneeling, and he looked at me with eyes that told me exactly what was happening. I started tearing up, thinking "is this really happening??" He said something along the lines of being best friends and wanting to spend the rest of our lives together, and I thought to myself "this is really going to be my best friend forever!" He pulled out a box from his glove, and I said "please don't be joking" He just smiled and said "Dondi Carter, will you marry me?" and showed me the ring that is now mine, and mine forever! Whoo hooo!!! In case yall were sitting there in suspense...I said, "YES!" I'm just so excited that I get the honor of being Dondi David someday! So there it is, the true hollywood story of how my journey towards becoming Mrs. David started. Let the wedding planning begin!

and just in case you didn't really get to see the ring....check it out one more time! I wake up in the morning, check my hand to make sure it's still there and that all this isn't just a dream...Cue the Disney princess music, I know this is all deliciously cheesy rom-com (romantic comedy) material, but come on, I'm a Bride now, I have offically been given permission to say all the cheesy things I want. So, move over Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant....Kyle and I are living in reality and still making the movies jealous whoo hooo! :)

Adios Olympics and Paralympic Games!

With the Olympics and Paralympic Games officially over, I've had a brief moment to think about the blog that I have seemed to neglect over the last month.  I had high hopes of updating this blog every step of the way, give the play by play, adrenaline rushing, live action, on location updates....but in the words of the great and wise Brittany Spears, "opps, I did it again, I played with your heart, got lost in the games...." ok enough of that, for those of you out there reading, I'm sorry I got "lost in the games" and wasn't able to give live coverage, but what I can give is the ESPN/Dondi's top8 Olympic Games Highlight.....


8. Gymnastics All-Around Finals!! That's right people, dream come true!!  The event was completely sold out, and my friend Sidney and I were able to get tickets!!  The adventure behind this story is this random guy we didn't know was called into work, and could no longer use his 2 tickets.  At 12:30pm we were ticketless and at 12:36pm we were on our way to meet a mystery man in a sketchy underground tube station...now folks, this is the part in the story where the ladies usually get kidnapped and Liam Neeson has to show up and show everyone what's up (reference from the movie "Taken") but luckily for me, I was wearing a large "uncle sam" type hat that drew the attention of anyone in a 5 mile radius and had my black belt with me. (maybe it wasn't a martial arts black belt, but it was nice leather one that looked great with my jean skirt) Anywho, we had a great conversation with this random guy that is now our friend and got to see the event of a lifetime!  As you all may remember, that event was incredible and watching it live is so unreal.  Each team is competing at the same time on different apparatuses, so it is fun watching each routine.  When it came down to the last rotation, my heart was about jumping out of my chest, I was so nervous.  The atmosphere was so crazy and I was in awe of everything "WOW, that music is so cool" "The floor is the coolest color of pink ever" "I love the way these seats fold out" "I don't think coke has ever tasted so delicious!" Then when it was time for the medal ceremony....I cried a little! It is amazing to think about how hard the athletes have worked and then get to watch it all pay off right before my eyes...WOW.  So, here is a picture of me in front of the gymnastics floor after everyone had left, we were probably one of the last people to leave because we didn't want it to end! :)

7. Watching the USA Men's Swimming relay team race!  My parents game me some money to go see an olympic event and I got lucky enough to get to watch swimming alongside my boyfriend Kyle!  We even had matching Team USA shirts, thanks to the beautiful Laura Carter!  It was fun going with Kyle because we would look at the athletes about to race and then guess who would get first, second, and third.  I'm not sure how well we did in the end, but I'll just stay on the safe side and tell you all, we won.  We guessed the most right out of everyone in the whole audience playing the game (seeing as we were the only ones playing, I'm going to give us the gold, silver, and bronze.)  After watching Ryan Lochte and Micky (that's what I call Phelps these days...we are on a nickname bases :)) we were able to walk around Olympic park!  It was cool seeing the world's largest McDonalds and looking at Olympic souvenirs that cost more than my arm and leg would sell for.  We had a great time just enjoying the Olympic atmosphere and even got to chow down on some Mexican food (which is almost impossible to find in these parts of the world.)  Here is a picture of us in our fantastic matching uniforms :)

6. Closing Ceremonies!  On the last day of the Olympics, my friend Lisa and I found some fantastic sequenced American flag dresses (see pictures below, if you don't believe me :))  We went to the Stratford Mall, which is the Mall that is next to the stadium and the place the athletes hang out! As we walked around, people took pictures with us, commented on our wonderful fashion sense or just simply starred at the crazy americans walking by!  The greatest moment you ask?? When athletes came to us and asked to take pictures with US! Hello? How many times does that happen in your life? Isn't it suppose to be the other way around?  Whoo Hoo!! We even got Olympic boxing pins from a boxer from the USA team!! You check out the pictures and tell me if this isn't the dress I need to wear everyday of my life.

5. Getting a London Media pass. Yep, I had more pretend power with my London Media pass than I knew what to do with.  It was amazing because not only did they give me a pass with my name on it and official picture but I got blown away by God' provision...London hooked me up with a 100pound London underground pass!! That's like 160 dollars worth of free travel...whoo hooo!! It was amazing just traveling around and reporting on team all over London, and it really opened up a cool door for evangelism.  I got to share the gospel with people who would notice the media pass and ask who I worked for, or open up conversations with me in hopes of landing a spot in the national or international spotlight (but who can blame them, every camera crew set up, I purposely walked behind them, in case they were rolling and In case I recieved some international facetime....so if you were watching and thought "whooooaaa, that girl that just did a very poor attempt at the moonwalk in the background looks just like Dondi" then it probably was!) All in All, I felt pretty official, and tried to milk it for all it's worth, but apparently my credentials don't pass for Usain Bolt interviews :)

4. Athlete's Breakfast/Press Conference, I have had this dream for years of getting to be apart of a press conference with gold medal athletes and camera crews and news writers trying to get their questions in, but honestly thought it would never happen!  HECK YEAH DREAMS do come TRUE!!  I was asked to attend this Athlete's Breakfast just as a guest, but as I strolled up to registration they quickly ushered me into the line of Athletes.  Do you realize what this means?? This means that they glanced at me, saw my potential of Olympic gold and assumed that I was apart of the national team!!  I didn't want to correct them, but then I think it was obvious I wasn't one when I got star struck from seeing the USA Basketball team!  I thought to myself..."You have a media pass Dondi, play it cool, play it cool!" but playing it cool was probably the last way I would describe my actions. Once I left the Athletes line, the head organizers saw my Media pass and showed me to the Media section, telling me that after the program was over, some of the athletes would be heading to the press conference room and they would show us to the room when the time came.  I was so excited!  The program was amazing as well!  They had Eric Liddell's Daughters come and present an award for Athletes that play with heart and integrity. (Eric Liddell is the guy that the movie Chariots of Fire is based off!)  The stories were so inspirational one quote they kept refering to from the movie was when Eric said "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast.  And when I run I feel His pleasure."  Wow! Such good stuff and so cool to think of God enjoying us thriving in the gifts he gave us!  The experiences was really cool and then it was funny as we went to the press conference because people around me had big expensive reporting equipment and all I had was a pad of paper and a marker because my pen ran out.  I was definitely a little fish in a big pond, using my coloring books to report! It was so great!

3. Going through the day to day outreaches.  I was able to go to different outreaches everyday and see what God was doing!  It was so cool that not only did I get to report on how people were getting to hear about true love for the first time, but I got to join in as well!  Every day was a new experience, from passing out water bottles and hanging out in a cafe showing the Olympics to playing soccer on the streets and doing evangelism around Olympic stadium.  It was really incredible that I was able to see so many different nations, doing so many different outreaches, in so many creative way, in all different parts of London, but the same God pouring his love out on people!

2. Watching the Opening Ceremonies with 30 different nationalities! That's right! The opening ceremonies and the parade of nations will never be the same!  I sat in a small cafe and watched to Opening Ceremonies with some of my best friends.  I had my face painted and USA gear that Kyle's family and church supplied me with (I wore my USA stuff all the time!)  We sat as the Games were displayed on a big screen and were in awe of the artistic display.  Then when the flags came in, we all either cheered for the nation we were from or nations we had been.  It seemed that of the 50 or so people watching, we had almost been to every country. It was so cool to watch as the Nations gathered together in one place to compete, so were the nations gathered from around the world in London to share the gospel!  I was thinking about how one day, this is what the party I will get to be involved in will look like!  New Heaven, New Earth, All Nations praising in one voice God's goodness! Amen!

1. Salvations and Healings!  Whoo hooo!!!!!  I don't know the exact number of Salvations and Healings because we sorta lost track counting around July 10th or so?  At that time we saw over 120 people saved in just 10 days of outreach.  So we don't know the final count from the last 2 months, but I can tell you that Jesus was made known through out England and the world and that beats any Olympic event or press conference!  If you want to check out the stories we reported on, you can read all about the summer at www.forever2012.com

Olympic Stories Week 1

This weekend the Forever Team welcomed a brand new group of volunteers to Harpenden, all ready for another action-packed week of outreach in and around London. 

This gives us the opportunity to reflect on the past couple of weeks and to give thanks. So many great things have already taken place as believers - both young and old, from England and from around the world - have gathered together to communicate the message of Jesus in all sorts of creative ways, to local residents as well as to the thousands of Olympic visitors.

Here are some of the highlights of this exciting season of outreach. We would like as many people as possible to hear these stories, and to praise God for what He's doing -- please share these stories with your family, friends, and prayer networks. Find them on the YWAM Harpenden Facebook page and click to like or share with your friends!

YWAM Missionaries take part in Official Olympic Celebrations

A YWAM volunteer from Ecuador played drums as part of the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony. 

In this video, Jose talks about how it felt to be part of the unfolding Olympic drama, and his experience of God with him: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfoDQw6IKMY&feature=plcp

Read more about this story here: 

http://www.forever2012.com/news/latest-news-press/drumming/

The UK Church Engages with Local Communities

Local churches in Sidcup and Ramsgate, near London, worked together to put on their 16th Summer park festival.

Watch a great video about this fantastic community event: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pkj0BFA62j8&feature=plcp

Read the story about the wonderful generosity on display at this event: 

http://www.forever2012.com/news/latest-news-press/is-anything-really-free/

A Viking Thank You Mission to Newcastle

A Norwegian group sailed to England from Norway in a Viking ship in order to thank the UK for taking the gospel message to their nation so many years ago.

To watch the news video about the amazing welcome they received, go here:

http://tyneandwear.sky.com/news/article/30410

To read the full story, follow this link: 

http://ywamnorway.wordpress.com/2012/07/30/vikinger-pa-takkeferd-2/

To see photos of the viking ship arriving in Newcastle, and of the welcome they received, click here: 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/forever2012ywam/sets/72157630823297054/

Art, Dance & Music Communicate the Gospel Message

Christian artists from all over the world collaborated on a massive artwork made of 141 separate canvases, that has been exhibited in the heart of London over the Olympic period.

Watch a video about this project: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aK8c7PLp2U&feature=youtu.be

To read more about the story of the exhibition, you can go here: 

http://www.forever2012.com/news/latest-news-press/art-and-the-masses/

Young People Share the Message of Jesus

The heart behind Forever, the YWAM team that hosted so many outreach teams over the Olympic period, was to establish projects that would leave a lasting legacy in the UK. Kerry is an example of a young person whose life is forever changed by her missions experience.

Read more about this story here: 

http://www.forever2012.com/news/latest-news-press/romsford-facepainting/

Thank you and God bless,

YWAM Forever Media Team

Forever - YWAM’s official outreach for the 2012 London Olympic Games

“Using the 2012 Olympic Games as a catalyst to establish teams across the UK demonstrating Christ through continuing outreach”

<http://forever2012.com/> 

My Dream for Gold: An Olympic Tale!

To say that I'm excited about the Olympics is a bit of an understatement!! I couldn't sleep last night, laying awake thinking about my love for the Olympic games and woke up early this morning with excitement for the Opening Ceremonies!  My dream for Olympic Gold has finally come true..Journey with me as I tell my tale....

Atlanta 1996 were the first games I can remember, It was when I began getting this deep desire to win a Gold medal! For the entire year following, I read every book, magazine, and article about the magnificent 7 USA women's gymnastic team.  My walls were filled with pictures and posters dreaming of someday being the one on the team with a gold medal around my neck, limping like Kerry Strug after giving it everything I had to win, and the national anthem playing in the background.  I would make my mom raise a perfect 10 sign I made out of computer paper when I would perform my impressive cartwheels.  That dream of Gold through Gymnastics quickly died when I realized cartwheels and Front Layout Piked Double Arabian with a Triple Twist are 2 very different moves.  That last one sounds like an nice ice cream, but don't be fooled ;)

I then moved onto swimming and diving during Sydney 2000 Olympic games, I became an incredible diver, pointed toes and no splash when entering the water!  I was on my way to gold until I had to move from the side of the pool to a real high-diving board.  They are alot taller than they appear and I was that kid taking the walk of shame back down the latter after failing to make the jump and ultimately abruptly ending my diving dreams.

Moving onto the 2004 Athens games, where I was into my teenage years, more realistic about my odds of olympic gold and more concerned with my love and massive crush on the Hamm Twins on the Men's Gymnastics team, maybe I couldn't win an olympic medal, but I could marry someone with one. That ended when they could only win a silver...and who wants a man that's second best? (jokes, jokes, jokes...silvers alright I guess :0))

That brings us to the most recent games in 2008 in Beijing, I was in my last year of college and attended daily Michael Phelps or Usain Bolt race parties! I was in awe of these guy's talent! I watched as Usain Bolt, ran a 9 second, 100-metre dash, WOW!! Then I realized and it hit me, he has spent his whole life dedicated to being the fastest man in the world, and he achieved it!  He got a gold medal, COOL! But then as fast as it happened, it was over. The Olympic athletes spend their entire life chasing this coveted gold medal, but when they get it...then what? That gold medal won't comfort them, won't satisfy their desire for purpose and meaning, and ultimately that gold medal won't fill the gap of eternity.  I'm not taking away from the honor of receiving a gold medal, because I think it really is incredible, but if winning a Gold medal is ultimate and everything, it doesn't last after death.  That was the moment, I knew that I HAD to be at the 2012 Olympic games, not for the gold, fame or husband hunt, but because I was learning about a God that loves me so furiously and passionately, and just wanted to be where the action was so other people could see it too!  During the Opening Ceremonies as the flags of every nation were parading around the track I felt that all those countries had to know about a God that loves them so deeply!  I wanted to be apart of the Olympics where every tribe, tongue and nation were gathered in one place, the gospel be spread and then taken out to the world after the games were over! 


Can you believe it, Here we are July 27, 2012, the day of the opening ceremonies for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.  I'm here! I'm in London! My lifelong dream of being at the Olympic Games is coming true, and how Ironic is it that I work for organizations called "More than Gold" and "Forever." I get to tell people about joy in life and satisfaction that goes beyond a Gold medal, about peace in life after death and sharing a story that changes people's lives literally Forever!  I'm so excited to see what God is going to do! I can't believe I'm living my dreams....this has to be what it feels like to win gold!

USA USA USA USA USA!!!!!

The Olympics are HERE!

With only 3 days left until the Opening Ceremonies, it is so exciting to see everything around here come together and begin to take off!  Tomorrow, everyone starts arriving on base to start the orientation of doing outreach in London and then Friday they are sent out through all the boroughs of London using sports, arts, youth and children, social justice, prayer and general mission to flood the streets with the Love of Jesus!  This is what we have been working so many hours for the last few years organizing, preparing, praying and waiting patiently for July 25th, 2012 to finally get here!  

If any of you have ever been to a Texas Tech football game, it feels like that moment when the band starts the beginning drum roll, the fans start the "2 bits, 4 bits" chant, the tunnel is full of fog, and the gun is about to sound for the team to run out on the field.  I always get those nervous butterflies in my stomach, waiting for team to arrive, for the kick off to happen, and ultimately the finish of the game (with a victory of course...I mean we are talking about the red raiders here haha;))

That's how I feel right now on a much bigger, eternally significant scale! The teams are about to arrive, butterflies in my stomach are out of control because of the anticipation and expectancy to see how God is going to show up and show off during these games!!  I am excited to see all the spectacular plays and incredible moves God is going to do!  Already this summer with only 4 days of outreach and just 200 people, we have heard of 129 people accepting Christ for the first time and over 50 people healed!  This is cool news because people talk about England as being a reserved country and shut off to the gospel...but what we have seen is that God is on the move and revival is here!!

During the next few weeks of the Olympics, my main job is going into London visiting the thousands of people on outreach and writing their story and ultimately God's story and what he is doing.  Everyday there will be articles, photos, and video of what's happening, so I will post stuff here as well as you can look at www.forever2012.com and see what we are writing and producing! 

Prayer request:

Safety - We will be using every source of transportation during the Olympics from buses, trains and the underground tube station. Pray that there will be safety as we travel and peace among those threatening to attack.  Pray for wisdom for the thousands and thousands of security guards, police force, and military personnel to guard and protect.

Energy - 2 years of working on this project has been full of ups and down and just energy for me to finish strong and finish with my eyes and focus on Jesus.

The outreach - that we will see revival in the people of London and the millions of visitors coming from around the world!! People will experience not the religion of christianity but the Love of Jesus.  People will find hope, purpose, and identity outside of science, different gods, and themselves that have been unable to fulfill or answer those questions within them. That Jesus furious love for his creation will be known among all nations!

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!

Mind Body Spirit Fair!

How did you know that?

“How did you do that?” seemed to be the common response from participants after receiving “creation prayer” at the prominent London New Age festival known as Mind, Body, Spirit.  For the third year in a row, we offered “creation and healing prayer” inside an exhibition booth among other booths that offered psychic readings, past life readings, and meeting with fairies.  After inviting festival goers into our stall, we listened to the Holy Spirit for specific words about God’s original design for a them as they sat in the chair next to them, then we basically just told them that God loves them and has a plan for their life. If I could describe Mind Body Spirit this year in two words it would be 'open heavens'. There was such a rich mixture of Gods blessing being poured out, numerous healings, several salvations and many have a real encounter with the living God.

Story after story came each day of hope, redemption, and a God that is furiously in love with His creation.  Word of this hope got around the festival, and news traveled that the “Forever” Stand was offering something free, something real. There were parts of the day we were so busy, we had a queue of people lining up waiting to be prayed for and people from all over the festival coming on recommendation from their friends.  One of the ladies receiving prayer said “I love your stall, it seems that I could stay here forever.  It is almost a shelter and refuge place from all the chaos around this fair. Its full of light, full of peace, and full of dignity!”  We had people lining up and waiting to come and sit down and basically hear the gospel!

Reiki Healers, Hara Krishna (Hindu sect), and other stand owners began to show up and see what the commotion was about. We had a group of Hara Krishner’s come one by one through word of mouth.  The first man, after receiving words of Grace and Beauty, cried tears of brokenness and joy, saying ‘I have never met any Christians like you and I have never felt loved like this before.’ The second woman was completely healed from a back and hip injury, and the last Hara Krishna to visit committed his life to Jesus. The last Hara Krishna man to visit, God gave us pictures that Jesus was anointing him with oil.  In their Religion, they anoint oil on the heads of diety statues as a sign of devotion or on themselves for purification, so this was really significant for him because it was meaning that Jesus (diety) was reaching down and purifying him for free. Which is amazing that in one word the gospel was presented in a way that met him where he was!

I have just learned when hearing the voice of God, you just go for it 100% and trust that what God lays on your heart was the truth and exactly what He wanted to say.  This year I was able to speak boldly and with confidence even if it seemed harsh or blunt because I knew it was truth that brings freedom.

One man who was particularly interested in the booth, came by a few times throughout the day perplexed by the idea of how we work, why we work without selling our services or a product, and where we get our power.  He came testing us and ready with an argument full of skeptism, and left claiming he had searched all day for something he could believe in.   What he experienced at the booth was peace and a God he could trust. In the end himself along with others describe their experience as the best encounter all day because it wasn’t about the people at the stand and their service, ability, or spirituality but rather about a God who loves them,  a God who is pursuing them, and a God who uses ordinary people to proclaim he has a plan and purpose for his creation. How did we do it? We didn’t, God chose to pour out his love and we just got to come along for the journey.

 

Our Prayer booth

pay 50 pounds to put coat hangers on your head :)

One booth that played a gong the whole time...good times!

The story

Come Join the story that God is telling in London! Check out this video I wrote and narrated!  I have always wanted to do voice overs or radio work, maybe this is my chance for my breakout career :) If you are interested in learning more come, contact me on dondi@forever2012.com

Latest Newsletter

Hope

Our team went out onto the streets of coventry and asked people "what is hope" or "what are you hoping for" Here is a video of some of their answers.  Amazing enough, one man realized he didn't have any hope and after a few hours of conversation, he decided to put his hope in Jesus for the first time! Great outreach

Dreaming Big!

So since my last official blog with updates on life, I rambled on and on about how I've slacked on writing all the cool things God is doing in England and then talked a big talk of keeping my blog up-to-date..giving play-by-play action commentary of all the highs and lows of this Olympic season...I had huge dreams of people saying..."wait who is Dondi?"..."oh you mean that girl that is always posting stuff on her blog and constantly updating the world on all the latest happenings in the Uk?" "yeah that girl!"  I could have been "that girl," instead here we are, 3 months later, no updates and my poor blog is in need of some TLC.

But, if I have learned anything from Disney and American Idol, it is that dreams do come true, so I'm fighting back in hopes that someday I can be known as the girl that won't shut up (yeah, yeah, I know I've received that title multiple times in my life, but this time I'm channelling that energy to the blogs!)  There is too much that God is doing to keep quiet about it, so let's see what's happened since we last talked.

We just got back from doing a week of evangelism at one of the Olympic host cities of Coventry.  The best way I can describe it is God moving, God shaking, and God making His name known in the United Kingdom.


We saw people find healing and peace and hope in Jesus for the first time, and it was incredible.  People on the brink of suicide experiencing joy, the blind and paralyzed seeing and walking again, orphans and widows being loved and experiencing the Father's heart for them in a real and practical way.  It was a week where the essence of the gospel were no longer just words, but life-changing and God just showed up and did things. 


Then when we got back, my parents came!!!! Stan and Laura Carter invading Europe in 4 short days, but it was so cool to have them see what happens in my neck of the woods.  We went to London, Paris, and Normandy!  Not gonna lie, I cried a little at the American Cemetery, it was powerful thinking of the price of freedom.  Also, don't want to ruin anything for all you Saving Private Ryan fans out there, but apparently Private Ryan wasn't real...I know Shocking eh?  It was just really cool to spend Easter with the folks and eat like a queen for a few days.  We had some amazing quality time, and they left behind some fantastic snacks to which most only lasted a mere days. 

So, now, where are we? We are now less than 100 days until the opening ceremonies, and then all the networking, planning, and preparing will begin to take shape and play out through the streets of the UK. We have so many opportunities to serve, and the need for workers is overwhelming. Maybe you could come! We have Art opportunities at tons of venues around London for singers, dancers, jugglers, circus acts, musicians, basket weevers and pogo stick jumpers (ok basket weevers and pogo jumpers is stretching it, but if that is absolutely your passion...we can make it happen!)

We also have tons of sports outreach opportunities where a typical day could range anywhere from running a sports camp with a local church to playing in an organized football tournament. You could come demonstrate your fantastic skating, surfing or taekwondo skills on the street (mom that's you!) teach Zumba exercise classes to women in drub rehab, play dodgeball in a largely Islamic area, or simply take a basketball or football to a park and start games with the locals.  So excited for the kick-off!

Coca-Cola gave us hundreds of thousand water bottles that we are going to be handing out for free during the Olympics.  My aim is to give Michael Phelps mom a water bottle, and then on TV, when they pan the crowd and she is drinking that water, it will basically be my claim to fame for years....alas, wishful thinking indeed.

If you are interested in coming, you can sign up now on the forever website www.forever2012.com and also, I am the one in change of writing the articles in our monthly newsletter, so if you want in on all the happenings you can email info@forever2012.com and say "I WANT ON THE LIST FOR FOREVER EMAIL's!"

So I think that's enough rambling for now...check back soon and maybe this blog will be loaded with chatter!  I love you all and thank you so much for all your help and support!

And now because I can, I would like to finish with pictures of the cutest little baby in the whole world!! With her first blog appearance debut, I introduce Caroline Grace Prather, my niece!  I get to meet her in November, so for now, I just ooo and aaaa through pictures and skype!

I'm Sorry

A couple of weeks ago, we went out into the streets of coventry and did an "I'm Sorry" outreach in the city center...We had tons of conversations and a few people accepted Christ for the first time.  This is one of the Outreaches we plan on doing during the Olympics in high traffic areas...Here is the video of our outreach.

Summer Events!

Everything I will be involved in and apart of planning this summer.  It's going to be on crazy crazy Summer... Please Pray Pray Pray!

MBS poster design

Mind, Body, Spirit poster I made for our upcoming evangelism outreach at a New Age Festival.

Week of Prayer Design

Age 24: Whirlwind Tour!

I have done a terrible job of keeping this handy little site updated!  I keep thinking, ahhh there is so much to talk about and write about...where do I begin, what clever remarks, witty post or bits of wisdom would be relevant to share, and who is actually reading this anyways?

This routine usually starts with me sitting in front of a blank word document after a major event or cool moment happens, not knowing how to put it all into words, getting hungry, making a sandwich, getting lost in the deliciousness of the simpleness that a sandwich can bring...just meat, cheese, and bread and of course occasionally spicing it up with toppings that just make your heart beat a little faster...and as you can see....getting completely off topic and off task from ever writing a blog.  So, If you are still out there reading, I'm sorry I've neglected all 2 of you!  (shout out to my mom as one of those faithful readers!) What I've decided is just to write a whirlwind tour of 2011, so I can start age 25 as an avid blogger!  It probably won't be clever or witty or even have much wisdom in it, because anything wise that comes from this is probably plagiarized by so many other people that have spoken truth into my life.  Anything I know or have learned has nothing to do with me! Let's get yall updated, so I can turn over a new leaf and not have to do speed through cool stories of God's goodness.

First off: Moved to England to start working on organizing outreach opportunity for the 15,000 expected volunteers coming for the Olympic games.

Initial reaction: Michael Phelps is going to be my new best friend! This is going to be Amazing, the Olympics!!! I love the Olympics, Maybe I will meet one of my heros (the US Olympic Gymnastic team in 1996...I was 10 years old...had the poster of the team and wore 400 clips in my hair just to be like them..Kari Strugg and the magnificent 7 were my heros!!)

False Reality Check: 15,000 people is like counting to one hundred a lot of times...I don't think I've ever even counted to 1,000 before much less 15,000....I get bored after counting to a 100...BAHHHH this is hard, this is stressful, I can't do it, I'm significantly insignificant!....

Lesson Learned: This isn't about me or the 15,000 people and what we can or can't do; it has everything to do with the fact that God is moving and shaking hope and love into a nation that needs a reminder of their first love...it is about God showing mercy and grace and saying "hey Dondi, I'm about to do something incredible in the UK, do you want to play? I'm going to do it with or without you, but I want you to experience that same love I'm pouring out.  You want to sit back and watch or join in the fun?"  I chose to join the fun and such a crazy adventure it has been...


Adventures around the World!

Denmark: Spoke at a Danish Youth Conference, taught on "First Love", realized in the process, my own motives of doing good things didn't come out of a relationship with God or out of love, but merely fulfilling expectations I thought He expected me to perform.  Good times in Denmark and was able to see DTS friends while learning how much I love dark bread!

Sweden: Stayed with Swedish friend and experienced Swedish hospitality!  What I learned in Denmark about Dark Bread is the exact opposite of what I learned about Swedish Licorice...I might have found the one food in all of life that I strongly disagree with it's existence, but thankfully the Swedish meatballs came to the rescue and redeemed the horror story of "oh look a chocolate stick...(gag) AHHHH it's licorice!"

Scotland: Soccer School in Aberdeen!  Coached soccer everyday and spoke about Jesus to 6-18 year olds!  Was able to watch and be apart of the story of 15 guys acknowledging the hope in Christ for the first time!  Also stayed with a host family that lived in a mansion and owned segways and had the most amazing snack food drawer in the world!  Ritchie Rich would have been jealous!

Austria: Went to a week long Equipping leaders conference in Vienna.  Had a vienna sausage and vienna schnitzel.  Learned lessons about Hope.  Hope is something the world is starving for and the answer for restoration for the nations.  It goes cross culture because it is written on our hearts and sometimes has been forgotten.  The church sometimes loses focus on the hope that the gospel brings, and if we don't bring it in it's pure form, someone else will step in with a puesudo-hope that does disappoint.
Also, I was able to travel up to the place where the Sound of Music was filmed!  It has been a family favorite movie for years and a tick off the ole' "bucket list" as I spun on the same hill the "Maria Von Trapp" sang about them being alive!  I know you are wondering...YES, I did sing every song from the entire soundtrack at the top of my lungs!

Visited the Country of Las Vegas!  Such an amazing time meeting new people and being loved outrageously!  Went to meet the family and friends of my boyfriend....(good looking guy on the right in the picture) and go to DISNEYLAND!! Ate some amazing food (oddly enough most of my post have something to do with food) but we did have some incredible food cooked by Kyle's Dad (It's in their blood, they are born amazing chefs...Italians can't help it), Learned to appreciate the Boston Red Sox via the David family, and talked more sports with Kyle's mom than I ever have with Kyle....Glad someone understands me :) It was almost the vacation you see in a movie including a view of sunset over Vegas....and we all sigh in unison..aaaawwwwwwwwwwwww

Now for the lightning round:

Taught football/soccer, Led recreation and sports for 400 youth at a Youth Camp, Spoke around the UK about the Olympics, Worked in a Prayer booth during Europe's Largest New Age Festival (that one needs a blog of it's own), 500 people prayed for, multiple healings, and was able to personally be apart of praying with a lady making a decision to follow Jesus, Toured Buckingham Palace, Wicked, and London Tower when my Grandparents visited, Camped with 10,000 youth and led sports outreaches, Was able to be with all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins in one place for my cousins wedding for the first time in 10 years, Went on 4 week long outreaches to the different Olympic host cities, Saw the Lion King when my sister Jacee and best friend Katy came to visit in London, Watched the princess get married while standing in front of Buckingham palace, Organized a Texas Night fundraiser full of line dancing and chicken fried steak, played flag football during thanksgiving in England, and learned I'm going to be an AUNT!...All in All it has been one crazy adventure!

If you are still with me and haven't lost interest yet or didn't get distracted on the sandwich part and went to make your own (like I almost did) Thank you so much for being such an incredible support to me! I'm sorry my communication has lacked, but I'm writing this now, so you can quote me, 2012 will be full of incredible stories and highs and lows and joy and frustration, and I want you all to be apart of it as well!  I don't want to have to play catch up on all that God is doing, because I believe these stories I get to see and experience are not my stories to keep to myself, but God's stories of how He is making himself famous in the nations.  I will try to regularly update this blog this year, so keep checking back!  I would also love to hear your stories as well!  Send me updates!  Thanks for everything, you all are precious to me!