"The Bowtie Effect"

Let me explain the title of my blog...

I have been volunteering at the Haggai Institute in Maui for the past 3 months and it has impacted my life more than I thought anything possibly could. I grew up in a Christain home with church every weekend, prayer and devotions each morning at breakfast and I became a follower of Christ myself at a young age. I knew that God was BIG and 'out there' in the world -- I am always excited to find Him in nature, on hikes, by the lake, the ocean, on a mountain, in the stillness of a night and the powerful winds or gentle breeze -- and I'm in awe that this massive God knows me by name and cares for me with a love so deep.

My life has been pretty awesome and I have been blessed with a great ability in athletics and sports. I played field hockey at the university level and was named the Canadian National Rookie of the Year in my first year at university. All things looked to be moving along nicely to achieve my own goals of playing for Canada one day but with sport you are dancing on the line of injury at every turn. My turn came three times with tearing my ACL (twice on my left and once on my right). I stayed active in sport through coaching and was honoured to be asked to Manage the Canadian Women's field hockey team on two tours in 2008 -- one in South Africa and the Olympic Qualifying tournament in Victoria. I have most recently worked at two prestigious Independent boarding schools on Vancouver Island and had felt an urge that God was calling me to something different, something bigger than I could ever imagine. At the end of the 2008-2009 school year and 12 years on the Island, I packed my car with my belongings and my dog and moved off Vancouver Island and moved home (as any good 30 year old should!). My mind and heart were shifting to a greater cause of volunteering and a Christian environment was right where I knew God wanted me to be. He had some work to do in me and my experience at the Haggai Institute gave Him my full attention.

This is kind of where the 'bowtie effect' comes into play. I have met and worked with some of the most amazing people from literally ALL over the world! The sacrifices they have to make and the risks they put on their lives for the name of Jesus is inspiring, to say the least. The Haggai Institute trains leaders from around the world in more relevant ways of sharing the gospel based on their specific culture -- Doctors from Mongolia, business owners from Taiwan, corporate executives from Kenya -- all here to fulfill the great commission. I have been equally inspired by my fellow volunteers who I have had the absolute pleasure to work closely beside while we maintain and clean the hotel that the program is based out of. It is the connection and blessing from these people that made me wonder where we all were previous to this experience and how God has brought us together at this particular time and where He will take us from here. I remember so clearly having coffee with my dear friend Kendra where we were both beside ourselves blessed and were talking about how we heard about HI and what we were doing at certain points in the year previous to have each of us be available to volunteer when we did. The HI experience is the knot in the bowtie where God brought us in on a different path and is taking us out on a different path but we were tied together and knew that God did that on purpose. It's a cool thing and I just know that there will be many more 'Bowtie Effects' throughout my life...many more knots to tie where God will hold me still and close so to be sure that I am focused on Him and His ultimate plan for my life.

As for the Baklava...they pretty much make the BESTEST baklava I have ever tasted here and I just can't get enough of it! It makes me so happy and it is just soooo good! It is the sweetest thing!

So, basically, that's it. A reminder to trust in God's plan and the knot of His bowtie while rejoicing and delighting in the sweet baklava of life in celebration of His faithfulness. Woo!