Saturday, July 12, 2014

12 Cafes in 12 Saturdays: TnT's Coffee and Cafe!


So I was sitting in a cafe/coffee shop between sessions of the conference I am attending this weekend and this amazing thought came to my mind. 
I need to revamp my blog or just my blog writing muscles and I need to start now and this idea of visiting 12 cafes in the next 12 saturdays as I travel from Madison, WI to Mississippi/Louisiana (who knows where I'll actually end up) and back again. 

I'll eat some good food, stay under my $10 budget and share a bit of my experience through photos! 
so ... here goes!


TnT's Coffee and Cafe
729 High Point Rd.
Madison, WI 53717


Bowl of Kale, Sausage and Potato soup 
and 
 Medium sized Dark Roast
$6.75 
(tax included)


They serve Chocolate Shop Ice Cream here!
I didn't have any today but this flavor on the bottom is my favorite ever!


This cute little barrista was very helpful and super sweet!
They also serve sandwiches of all kinds and a full list of belgian waffles! 
Yum!

If you're ever on the West Side in Madison and just need a place to chill thats super fun with lots of options and an upbeat playlist give this place a visit!

 You never know where I'll show up next week!
See Ya!
Chels

Friday, June 6, 2014

7 Ways to Bless your Favorite YWAMer!

As I have been volunteering here at YWAM Madison this summer the realities of what it means to live on support have been setting in. God is truly our provider and everything always seems to workout just in the nick of time making for some great stories and worship sessions. That being said, there are some luxuries that I have had to give up that I didn't even know were luxuries until diving into living as a full time missionary.

That is what this post is about.

Although we would love to have you on our team through monthly support, that just isn't always an option, and sometimes even if you are supporting monthly you just feel an urge to send a happy, and this is a list of 7 little luxuries that will bless the heart of any YWAMer.

 ** This is not me asking for any of these things, just thing's I've observed this past month or so, although if you feel led to send them my way.. I won't stop you**

1.) A Meal Out
Whether by gift card or a dinner date with yourself, this is a treat to us. I have always been able eat out at least 3 times a week, many times more, thats just how our family worked. Since living on a TIGHT budget I've had maybe 3 meals out in the last month, and only 1 was not fast food. So if you're looking for a way to bless your missionary give them a reason to dress up and enjoy themselves without worrying about how they are going to be able to afford this and pay rent.

 and if you want to make them cry
...buy them a steak
... i'm tearing up just thinking about it!

2.) STARBUCKS!!
A gift card or just showing up with their favorite Latte in hand is such a blessing! One thing I've learned about YWAMers is that they LOVE Coffee... and everyone loves a latte or specialty drink now and then but $5 is a lot of money to spend when a $1.58 bold coffee with room will get the job done. You can take this a step further and find out their favorite local coffee shop and get them a gift card from there.

3.) Date Night
If you really want to bless a couple around their anniversary or another holiday, pay for a date night, even if you just send a check to cover childcare or volunteer yourself this really brings a smile to any couple's face. 

4.) Special Event Tickets
 Whether its Sporting events, a concert, movie or theater tickets these are a luxury when your budget is tight. Get to know your YWAMer a little better by taking them with you or if you are too far away find out when their favorite band is in their area and surprise them with tickets!

5.) Shopping Spree!!
New Clothes?! What?! Although thrift stores are amazing and the ones here are great sometimes its nice to just put on something new that no one has ever worn before. Also when youre not eating out its much easier to shed a few lbs without even realizing it... that is until you can't wear your jeans without a belt! Discover your missionary's favorite store to shop at and get them a gift card, it doesn't take much especially at stores like Old Navy or Target that have crazy sales, or ask them what new article of clothing it is that they really need if you know them well enough, it may be snow boots, a new suit or a dress for a wedding that is coming up (we have those all the time in YWAM) .


6.) Gas card
So some YWAMers don't have a vehicle but most do, and even if they don't have a car they typically need a ride to the grocery store or a ministry site, this is where gas is a necessary part of life for the North American Missionary. Gas prices are creeping higher and higher and ministry or relationship should never have to suffer because there is no gas.

7.) Blessing Money
So this one is kind of a fun one... one thing I've learned about missionaries is that they are VERY generous people, why would you not be when you know that your Father is King of Everything and will provide your every need even if you have to go without a luxury here or there.
Having an extra stash of cash that is ready to be given away if a need arises in the community or God places it on your heart is a huge blessing.
Another way this could work is if you are doing any of the above and feel like you want it to extend  further than just your missionary buy two gift cards, or tickets with instructions for you missionary to bless another with it. You will be such an encouragement!

So there you have it... it was kind of a long post but its been brewing in my mind for quite a while. If you would like to do any of these things but don't know a missionary to send it to.. let me know.. I've got lots of friends here and could easily find a missionary that would really, really appreciate your gift.

Blessings!
Chelsea-Lou

Thursday, June 5, 2014

June Update!

I've been meaning to write another post all week and just haven't but here is my monthly Mailchimp update. 


I promise I'll have another post this weekend. Its been kinda crazy around here with moving and cleaning but hopefully I'll become more faithful to y'all this summer! 

Love ya!
Chels

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

May Update!!


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Thursday, March 20, 2014

So Long, Fear Bone!


Hey Y'all!!

This week has been one that has changed how I view myself forever and I want to share this story with you. 

It has to do with FEARS. We all have them. Those little things we just can't let ourselves do because we would just die! But this story is about how God is helping me over come those little fears in a mighty way!

 I realized that I still had many of these little fears that were holding me back from doing some things that I really wanted to do. Things like meet with my pastor's wife, call a supporter or even eat something that wasn't made with flour, all just required me to walk up to someone I know relatively well and open my mouth to speak. But I couldn't. I couldn't find the courage in me to do this simple thing. 

I am a girl who has traveled to India by herself, really wants a second tattoo, lived in Africa for 2 months with a bunch of other girls and thinks a 7 hour drive alone is a  "Short trip" and I was afraid of asking the girls staffing the kitchen if the soup had flour in it? 

"Who Am I?" I thought and then proceeded to go get my rice mac out of the freezer with my head hung in shame. 


During our afternoon break I began writing down all the things I was afraid of and as I prayed about it later with God, he asked me if any of these things that I was so terrified of had ever actually happened. I realized just then as I went down the list that none of them had ever actually taken place. Stunned and confused I sat there asking God "Well how do I stop feeling afraid if these aren't even actual fears that have any substance?" 

then... a beautiful blonde friend from PA gave me this next verse as I was talking with her after an amazing worship session where we sang about God's love for 2 hours with our new church family. 
     
   "There is NO FEAR in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love" 1 John 4:18

As I read this verse it just hit me... I am choosing to fear and it is hindering me more than I realize. So I decided to choose not to fear, and everytime that I felt fear or anxiety about a situation or action I should take that I MUST just do it. No matter how much I think I fear, If I walk in the opposite spirit, meaning I do what I do not want to do, then I realize that that was in fact a false fear. It was like an operation where he cut me open and took out my Fear Bone. I don't have the "abilty" to fear anymore because He's removed it!

(google images)
This realization has brought so much freedom in the last few days and I can only imagine where God's going to allow me  to go and what he's got up his sleeve for me now that I've got this under my belt.

Pray for me. This is going to open some big doors that I always thought were locked but God was just waiting for me to try the handle and see!

Unti Next Time!
Chels

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

I'm Back!

Hi Everyone!

I have been crazy busy these past few weeks with a stateside tour, Graduation from Discipleship Training school, and a seminar and we have only been back in the states for a month! I can't believe it!


Over the next few weeks I plan on catching everyone up on what I have been doing these past few months as well as sharing about our time in Uganda. God has some major plans for me and has given me the opportunity to be part of an awesome team that will be bringing sustainable food sources to a very impoverished nation. I cannot be more excited about this opportunity.  This next week looks busy as well as a couple of us from the team will be doing some traveling to discuss our plans with some of the people who have invested in us during our school. 

A blog post is getting itself ready for tomorrow so just come on back!


Tonight I'm gonna keep it short and sweet and give you a couple of my fave photos from outreach to enjoy!

Love Y'all!
Chelsea Lou


Little boy who joined us for our
first week of Kids camp in Kampala.

Angela, the sweetest and craziest half mzungu
you'll ever meet! Miss this girl so much!
Notice the banana leaves she made into a wig? smart girl!

Two boys from Okoa Refuge, a children's
home just south of the Equator!

This is Robert.
Yes I fell in love with another one!
This one has a great story and I will share it later!
Travel in Uganda is always efficient...
Not the most safe but ALWAYS efficient!
(YWAM Nashville team joined us)

Group photo outside of Amecet,
a baby home who cares for children and babies
who are HIV Positive.