Fun Down Unda'

Today we had our first official lectures. We are learning about "hearing God". As we finish up the rest of the week I will try to update you on what I am learning and hearing :) For now, I just wanted to post a few pictures so you could see how much fun I am having! Plus I figure you are more entertained by pictures than me blabbing on and on. 

This is Texas. Her name is Hannah. We share a room and she's one of the funniest people I've ever met! She's also one of my closest friends here! Eventually I will post a video with her in it and than I think you'll understand. She's freaking awesome!

Haley, Me and Amber being stoked on YWAM and on getting to dress up for a formal event! These are two of my other  best friends here!

Check out my sandals... I know I said I would never be caught dead in those...but I kinda like them and they are Haley's. This is Haley by the way, and I seriously love this girl. We are typically always together, and I wish we could adopt her into our room. (Room 7 stoked) Even though she can't actually move in, she basically does live with us!

Group picture of some of the girls on my DTS. We were all so stoked to be in dresses, wearing make up, and with our hair done. Most of the time we are sweaty, hot and not that cute- so this is a treat for us!

We had our first lecture today and the speaker brought koosh balls for those of us who listen better if we have something to play with. I was absolutely stoked to find a piece of home with the 49er  one. And yes, Haley and I already made sure we would be able to watch the superbowl here at the YWAM base. It should be fun, we are both super competitive and rooting for opposite teams. Yikes. We should be best friends...at least until sunday. :)

For everyone who said Australian money cannot rip, look what I stumbled upon in my wallet today. 

38 bites on my right arm... mosquitos are sort of an issue here. Needless to say, I need to get some bug repellant. I'm itching like crazy!

Big bugs happen.

loving it!

The Sunsets at the base are beautiful!

Here we are ditching class ;) But not really..!

Second day of lectures! So many fun people!

Address!

Write me letters!
Send me packages!
But for real, here is my address for those who have asked.

Kayla Barker
c/o YWAM Townsville
PO Box 6221 Ingham Rd
Townsville, QLD 4810


School starts today! Pray for us! We are covered in bug bites, roasted by the sun, and possibly all coming down with a cold... and I think it's fair to say a handful of us are feeling the effects of missing home. I know I am missing home! Trying to stay focused on why I am here and what is ahead of me! Love you all!

Moved In!

Hey all!

It is sunday morning here. I got up at 6am and went for a run with three(of my 9) roommates! It's super hot, even at 6am! We sweat a lot and it's kinda gross but it makes things pretty simple! Anyways, we moved into our dorms yesterday. There are about 40 people in my DTS and maybe 20 in the NFS DTS. So as you can guess we are meeting lots and lots of new people. In the girls dorm there is a total of about 50 girls with two bathrooms and two showers...crazy! But so far it actually hasn't been that bad at all! Showering isn't all that cool when it's this humid out because it really doesn't make a difference- more of a just rinse, shave and shampoo. In my room there are ten girls. We all very quickly started to click and get to know each other! Now that we have moved in, I feel much more settled and am really excited about the people I'm living with. Things are great! Anyways, getting ready for breakfast(the food is quite a change...we had lamb burgers last night...Hannah(girl from Texas in neon yellow) and I didn't do so well with those...it was kinda a funny scene)....and after breakfast we are headed to the beach(it's a 40 minute walk/$2 cab ride), and than we are back here at 4:30 for our official orientation and welcome BBQ. Thank you so much for your love, prayers and financial support! I can't believe I am actually here! It's quite a change but I'm excited for what God has in store. And I love the people I am in school with... so far ;) No but really, they are awesome!

Some of my roommates in our room! Amber(on the left), Michaela(on the right)!

Room 7 girls! (minus a few who hadn't arrived yet)

Sweet picture of the tat- thanks Aly!

Happy Australia Day(like the fourth of July)

I AM HERE!

Just a quick little blurb!

I AM HERE! After 24 hours of travel we arrived safely in Townsville. The 14hr flight was not bad at all- I slept for most of it which was amazing! When we arrived in Brisbane we had to go through customs and get to the Domestic Terminal- at the time we were checking in curbside for our flight, the flight was already boarding upstairs. We couldn't even check our bag at the first counter because it was too close to departure time. So yes, we did do some sprinting through the airport to our gate- but we made it and laughed about it later!

Thanks for all of your love.
My communication methods are limited but I love you all!

Last 24 Hours

I leave tomorrow.
In less than 24 hours I will be on a plane, the beginning of 23 hours worth of traveling en route to Townsville, Australia.

For all of you who have showered me in prayers, thank you. I should be absolutely freaking out right now, and all considered, I feel pretty good. I'm excited and ready to leave. I feel like I got to see everyone I wanted to see, have been solidly blessed with a month off of work to be with those that I love, and I feel ready to go. God has called me to another place, and I am stoked to be following that call. I know He is going to do such cool things in my life and I can't wait to share those with all of you. Thank you for your love and support! Here are a few pictures from my last full day at home in this country :)

Walking at Wilder Ranch with my best friend! I can't even make sense in my heart how much I'm gonna miss this girl!

I wish I had a picture of the three of us that ate lunch, rather than our numbers, but oh well! Had lunch with my two bestest friends in life. T&B! Can't wait to get home and plan a wedding with T, and live with B. So blessed by both of these very different yet perfect friendships!

For all of my fellow YWAMers- this is my home :)

Love&&Blessings,
K

Five Days till Departure!

In less than a week I will head to the airport, board a plane, and begin a journey that will surely change me for the rest of my life. I can not believe that YWAM is practically here. After ten months of waiting, expecting, praying, fundraising and preparing, the time has come to just go. I am excited to meet my fellow DTS students, to see Australia and to dive into a new way of life for the next six months. I have no doubt that God is going to use this experience to strengthen me in many ways. I know that there will be challenges throughout the process, but in the end I am faithful it will all have been worth it. I am so blessed to be able to have this opportunity at this point in my life. Thank you so much for supporting me, loving me and praying for me. Almost unbelievable to me, I am only about $1000 dollars short of being fully funded(which is seriously crazy and amazing). So I mean it when I say, I could not do this without all of you, and I am so so thankful for each of your thoughts, prayers and donations. I'm feeling pretty blessed and loved- you guys rock!

Here's a couple pictures of the quality time I've been able to have with friends and family as I prepare to head out!

Walking with the roomie on West Cliff

Had dinner with Amber and Kels... it's been forever! Safe travels in Thailand Kelso!

Crusher's reunion for Lizard's graduation! Love these girls!

Beautiful view up in Tahoe 

Watching the Niner game with my dad and uncle Mike... Never a dull moment

From snow to really hot/humid very soon...

Snowmobiling trip with James! Thanks dad for a great gift! So beautiful!

We are having a going away(called the "Be Back Soon Dinner") party tonight at Burger on Mission Street in Santa Cruz. It's from 6-8. We're just going to be hanging out and I would love to have any of you who have supported me stop by! Thank you so much for all that you do for me. It is certainly appreciated!

Quick Prayer Request!

This isn't an exciting or picture filled post, but a simple prayer request for those of you who are always wanting to come behind me in prayer- I am struggling with some anxiety with my departure date just a little over a week away. I'm having a hard time sleeping and am not eating all that well. Anxiety is something I've struggled with at many points in my life, so I'm not surprised by it at all. Just if you think of it, please pray for peace, preparation, and confidence in being ready to go. 

This is the opportunity of a lifetime, and I am so excited to just see God move in my life, and use my life to move through others! Obstacles are to be expected! Thank you so much for your support and prayers... as much as I don't want to admit it- I totally need them! You are all so faithful to me, and I really couldn't do this without you!

Love&Blessings,

K

My Small Group!

I realize I'm posting a lot lately, but enjoy it while it lasts because I have no idea how often I will be able to post once I actually leave!

God has been hardcore revealing stuff to me this week and I'm just so excited to share about it with all of you. I have been praying that He would prepare my heart in whatever ways He can for this adventure. The past couple of days I have just felt His presence so tangibly. He has been showing me that what this trip really means is to fully surrender everything that matters to me, and to fully let go, and leave. He is not calling me to Santa Cruz right now, and although I am surrounded by an incredible church community, a wonderful small group, and seriously some of the best friends and family ever- He is saying, "Kayla, trust me, follow me in the way that I lead you, and surrender fully all of these people that matter to you, and give your whole self to this new season of life." You guys, this totally blows my mind, it scares me and excites me completely. God is practically screaming at me(in a totally clear full of love way) I have something incredible for you and all you need to do is be there. So as I'm fully making the most of my last few weeks here, and hardcore loving and being loved, I know that an amazing journey awaits me and I am fully expectant to see God more than I ever have in my life.

Tonight I was hit hard with something I have to surrender. However, despite how challenging it is to know that I am leaving this behind, I am completely blown away and blessed at the gift that I found in these people in the last six months or so. These are just a few of the regular faces that I am honored to lead in a small group! I love you all and I'm going to miss you so much, but I know just as God will be working in my life, He will be working in yours as well!

Best Friend, Roommate, Co-leader. Bianca Franklin.
It has been such an honor to co-lead with you, learn from you, and do life right beside you.
You are an amazing friend, an amazing person, and your fire for the Lord is inspiring!
I'm gonna miss all the little things about you that warm my heart.
....and to think I've only known her almost a year...

This kid... she's silly, she's random, and she almost always has a confession. Meet Ashley.
Your desire to seek the Lord in everything that you do blows me away.
I am so proud of who you are, and although you weren't able to stay at Biola, my heart is seriously so glad you didn't.
It is so clear now with your boy, and your job that God was leading you to the best place possible.
Keep on trusting, because I know He has so much in store for you.
Thanks for never failing to make me laugh at really dumb things. Love you so much!

If she's around someone will be laughing, because she is hilarious. This is Alivia! We were lucky enough to have this one for a little while, but now she's on to bigger and better things. So proud of you for taking on the college group connections team. Minus the team since you pretty much run the show yourself. You are funny, weird and random, and yes those are all compliments. Keep seeking. And I will be SO STOKED for you if you get to do YWAM in october. You are amazing, and I am honored to been able to see God grab a hold of your life and start transforming you into the woman He has always desired you to be!

This is Kala. We have the same name, she just spells hers wrong.
I am so glad that you joined are small group this year. I haven't known you very long but I just love your heart for God.  It has been so fun getting to know you, and I'm totally going to miss seeing you every week. You are beautiful and I wouldn't be surprised if you were like leading your own group by the time I come back. 

This is Loreal.
And seriously, I could say so many wonderful things about her. I have never in my life met someone who is so incredibly thoughtful. If you ever feel a lack of love in your life, become friends with this girl. She is so encouraging, so creatively loving, and she will seriously just melt your heart. You have a heart for the Lord that sometimes leaves me absolutely speechless, and you have a love for people that is a straight up gift. I am so touched by who you are and I cannot wait to see how God uses you. 

Krista Krista Krista...
This girl is a pretty interesting one. She is a nanny...which is totally freaking awesome. She takes amazing pictures. And she really puts her heart into things. I love that you joined our group, and I have just loved getting to know you. You are such a talented person, and I am so proud of you for chasing your dreams and doing what you love. 

On the left, we have Kierstin. On the right, we have someone I don't know.
Anyways, this girls is freaking rad! I have seen her grow so much in the past... like 5 months?
You are an amazing young woman, you're really freaking smart, I don't know how you handle the school schedule that you have, but I'm just so proud of you. And I'm so happy that in between being like the smartest person on the planet, and taking a million units with insane teachers, you always make time for small group. Oh yeah, and you're like really funny. Love having you in my life!

And last but not least, Olivia. This girl is wise, and a lot of times she just says stuff that really challenges me to think. I love that you will stick up for what you believe, and that you aren't afraid to ask the hard questions, or to challenge others to do the same. You are such a balancing act to our group, and I just love what you bring to it!

So there they are, my small group. Just one more thing Jesus is requesting that I leave behind. But as much as I will miss each of them, I know that I am leaving them not only in each others hands(which are super solid and full of love) but also in the hands of God, and there is no greater place to be.

Thank you all for being my community, my support, my love and some of the coolest friends I've ever had. It goes without saying, I'm gonna freaking miss you all so much!

Help Me Prepare!

I leave two weeks from wednesday which is crazy, there is a lot of preparing to do and I really could use some prayer. So for those of you who have asked how you can be praying right now, here's a little list!

- Please pray that the rest of the finances will come in! I think at this point I'm about $2000 away from being fully funded- which sounds crazy, but I went into this needing to raise over $10,000, so I'm fully confident God will provide, as He has already so much.
- Please pray that excitement would overtake feelings of stress and anxiety. There is a lot to get done and protection from extra stressors would be amazing. For example, my wallet was lost(or stolen) last night...would be awesome to not have any more bummers like that happen in the next two weeks.
- Please pray that I would get to have meaningful time with all the people I love before I leave and that no good bye will be too hard.
- Please pray that I can fit everything I need into a very limited packing space :-)
- Please pray for wisdom, strength and guidance and that over the next week God would be revealing to me what He has in store for me, and that He would prepare my heart for this exciting journey.

Thank you so much for loving me, for supporting me, and for praying.
I couldn't do this without the many of you who walk along side me, cheer me on, give me money, pray for me, love me, and support me in all that I do. Please know I'm thankful for each of you, and you make a difference in my life.

Love&Blessings,
K