http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org Seth Simonson - Putting Skills to Work for the Lord en-us Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:43:59 GMT 30 http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=setting-back-in http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=setting-back-in Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable mso- Mon, 4 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=fun-in-swazi http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=fun-in-swazi Just a quick update because I have no time but really want to share the last couple days with you. On Thursday we got a tour of Swaziland and what all AIM is doing here. We got to see 5 of the 19 "care points" that AIM operates in Swazi. Care points are places set up around Swazi that feed children and allow them to get basic education. Right now, the care points feed around 3000 children a day. It was awesome getting to stop at them and just having these beautiful children jump up in my arms an Sat, 5 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=creating-relationships http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=creating-relationships The last couple days in Africa have been absolutely amazing! Every morning before we start our day, I like to walk by myself down the road to spend time with the Lord. While on my walks, it has become normal that I talk to the security guards that work on our road. At first it was just normal conversation, but now its real stuff. It has been fun to watch them understand more about our culture, while I learn so much more about theirs. The last couple days, I have walked down to the sup Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=visiting-the-homesteads http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=visiting-the-homesteads I have so much to tell you and so little time! I am sitting in an internet cafe which is pretty cool, but the internet is very slow and not sure how I feel about everyone looking at my computer screen :-) Now on to what the team has been up to; One of our biggest ministries that we do is our Homestead ministries. It is when we head up the mountain and just build relationships with the people who live up there.  My team goes all the way up the mountain and have been really blessed by t Sat, 28 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=167E9BBBC7DE4F488DAA31EC4DA263 http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=167E9BBBC7DE4F488DAA31EC4DA263 Yesterday was really our first day of true ministry. 10 of us went to an orphange for abandoned babies, and the rest of us went on prayer walk around our neighborhood. I went on the prayer walk, and the Lord revealed to us what He had planned right away! As soon as we walked down our road, we ran into a preschool that just got out. They were all sitting in the yard waiting for their parents to pick them up. As soon as they saw us, the started yelling "How are you?" repeatedly! We couldn't resist Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=team-swazi http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=team-swazi We are on our way to the airport now and will leave Atlanta around 4pm.  Please keep us in your prayers! Be back in a month! Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=becoming-a-team http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=becoming-a-team Taken from our Swaziland Team Blog page. I will be posting on that blog twice a week, and trying my hardest to blog on here as well. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    During one of our team builders yesterday called the Spiders Web, we had to crawl through a course with wires that cannot be touched. We are only given so many touches as a team and certain metal objects on the course sen Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=team-debrief http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=team-debrief We headed up to North Georgia in the mountains on Sunday for our team debrief. Basically a time for us to talk about our year and reflect on the good memories and just thank God for doing so much in us and through us. It was a great time of fellowship and fun. We got to play a 5-hour game of Risk, hike up a mountain to a waterfall, worship lead by Josh Gross, Bible study, and community. It was a great way of finishing off this internship. On that note, I also finalized everything about next Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=next-month http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=next-month As this month wraps up, so does my internship here at AIM. On the 8th of June, we will be having our team debrief for the weekend. Not sure exactly where it will be yet, but it should be an awesome time. Then on the 11th, I start leader training and on the 14th, all of the Ambassador kids fly into to Georgia for the training camp. If you have been following my blog, you remember my feelings toward training camp...not great, and this time I will be participating in all of it! Yikes! Pray for stre Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=happy-mothers-day http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=happy-mothers-day Happy Mother's Day Mom! I love you and miss you.Thank you for being so awesome and supportive. I will never be able to thank you enough for everything you have done for me. I love you so much!I know you will probably hate the pictures that I put up here, but your the mom, and the mom is never in any pictures. Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=my-first-image http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=my-first-image Yesterday I got an email from my boss, or one of my bosses, telling me that he would like me to create an image for the world race homepage. Naturally, I was totally excited and couldn't wait to get started. I thought after the first one, that I nailed it. I knew that he was going to love it and it would be up in no time...not the case. After about 20 more tries, not exaggerating, we found the one and I submitted it for review. This one got the approval. I know this isn't anything huge, but for Fri, 9 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=speaking-truth http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=speaking-truth Something that I have been trying to do is speak truth into my life everyday. Rather than focusing on the negative in my life, I am realizing the positives. It might sound pretty corny, but speaking truth and positives really goes a long way! To help me, I wrote Bible verses and positive things and posted them all over the house. Ever since the amazing experience with the Holy Spirit, the enemy has been trying to speak lies. He tries to tell me that what happened was just me making it into somet Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=the-holy-spirit-lives-in-me http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=the-holy-spirit-lives-in-me For the first time in a long time, I am speechless. I cannot figure out the right words to say, the perfect way of saying it. Without being there, I don't know if words are enough... The last couple days have been the most life changing of my life. It started like every other Monday, sitting down for dinner and a Bible study after. Driver lead us, but just stopped and told us about being baptized in the Holy Spirit. I had never heard of such a thing, and I was really ne Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=the-bronx-nyc http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=the-bronx-nyc Sorry this is a little late, I had to get pictures off of everyones camera before I could post this blog! But I believe in the phrase, "Better late than never." It basically got me through high school :-) House we stayed at in the BronxI am the kind of person that hates doing new things, but once I do them, I usually love it (my Mom can vouch for that.) Yet going to the Bronx was one of the best moments in my life. Even though it was only for two days, God used us! The enemy put so much doubt i Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=new-york-city http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=new-york-city Just a quick update for all of you who read my blogs! I am leaving with my team tomorrow morning at 4am and will be heading up to NYC! It is a 15 hour car ride and we rented a 7 passenger van (we have 7 people in our group.) For you who don't know Caleb, he is a 300 pound man, and I will have the pleasure of sitting next to him the whole ride! Please pray that we don't kill each other! :-)(Picture of me in Time Square last year)When we arrive, we will heading straight to the Bronx and spending t Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=disciple-now-weekend http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=disciple-now-weekend I arrived at the church on Friday to find out that the number of middle school kids went from 8-9 middle school kids to 15. To say the least, I was a little nervous. Afraid that I wouldn't be able to connect with such a large group, and that when it came time to give lessons, they wouldn't listen. When I sat down the first night with them for a lesson, it went how I expected...they listened but we really didn't connect. I was frustrated with the students that they didn't want to go deeper in the Sun, 9 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=gods-answer-to-prayer http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=gods-answer-to-prayer A couple of weeks ago, I told you about an opportunity of going to Swaziland as a support leader. I knew that I personally really wanted to do it, but there was the matter of raising another $4000 that made it less appealing. I had been praying about it constantly, and wasn't really hearing a whole lot back. I decided that I wouldn't get frustrated, but put it in His hands instead. Last week, during our Monday night, Dave told said that he had news for us. He told us that because of all the hard Tue, 4 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=the-awakening-discipleship-missions http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=the-awakening-discipleship-missions Awaken to the Adventure Disciples aren't born; they're made. It's a process that takes time, discipline, and God. In reality, it looks more like waking up than attending a class. As part of The Awakening, you can undergo a discipleship program like no other, experiencing four months of intense training in another country to prepare you for the ministry that awaits you for the rest of the year.Join The Awakening Your mornings will be spent in training and your afternoons ministering Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=being-open-vulnerable http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=being-open-vulnerable On Monday we decided to change things up a bit. Usually we would go over to the Gross's and do a Bible study, but they are in Africa. Instead, we decided to go to Cici's pizza and then do a Bible study back at our apartment. After we ate, Driver felt like we just needed to prayer for each other. He asked if we would go around and tell what we have been struggling with. So one by one, our team started opening up and letting each other in. We explained the struggles and the pain. We let each other Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=hearing-god http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=hearing-god "God will deliver me from whatever trap the devil lays for me." In my last post, I wrote about how I have been down and depressed. The root of my depression came from feeling that God didn't want me down here anymore. My student loans were due every month and I felt like I should go home and work to pay them off. It was a burden that I couldn't get off my shoulders. I couldn't be happy, and the glass was always half empty. Thanks to your prayers, my student loans were deferred and it was confi Tue, 5 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=trusting-god http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=trusting-god     It's so easy to for me to say, "I trust God with my life." Yet when decisions need to be made, all I can do is stress about it. Our group was recently given the opportunity to be servant leaders for a one month trip starting in June. Which means we have the chance to go to places like Peru, Philippines, New York, Swaziland, Dominican Republic, Ireland, Kenya, India, or Thailand. Since I have been down here, the place that I have wanted to go to is Swaziland. It's an amazi Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=food-for-thought http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=food-for-thought Yesterday during our prayer time, we were shown this article. It shows how much an average family buys a week in food, and what the diet consists of. It also shows how much they spend. I couldn't believe it when I read it: Take a good look at the food that is eaten in one week and how much is spent... Italy: The Manzo family of SicilyFood for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11 United States: The Revis Family of North CarolinaFood for one week $341.98 Germany: The Melander family of Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=a-city-shuts-down-due-toflurries http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=a-city-shuts-down-due-toflurries Now believe me when I say that I understand that there are few states out there that can compete with Minnesota for snow. I understand that when other states get snow, they might not be used to it and freak out a little bit...but for snow flurries? Last night right before we head out for church, it starts to sleet. Caleb says jokingly "Wouldn't it be funny if they cancelled church because of this?" Not but a minute after he says that, Driver gets a phone call saying that church is cancelled.&n Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=lanier-hills-youth-group http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=lanier-hills-youth-group Just thought I would post some pictures of our youth group. This was our Christmas party that was a couple weeks ago...so Caleb isn't in the pictures. We had a great time and dressed one of the leaders up as Santa, it was pretty funny. The youth group band & Us with Dave & Vicki The Lanier Hills Youth Group   (To see these pictures in better quality: Click "Check Photos" on the left hand side) It has been a blessing to get to know these kids! This church has been through a r Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=christmas-vacation-part-2 http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=christmas-vacation-part-2 The last part of my Christmas break was excellent! Ashley came up to Minnesota after her foot surgery and we got to spend an afternoon with my grandparents. We went out to lunch and I fixed up my Grandmas computer. It was great seeing them before I headed back. Ash and I at my grandparents                           &nbs Mon, 7 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=snowball-fight-video http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=snowball-fight-video A video of Luke and I in a snowball fight. Its not a great video, but I got this cool camera so I decided to use it! Sat, 29 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=winter-vacation-part-1 http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=winter-vacation-part-1 In Georgia, I just haven't been able to get into the Christmas spirit! I mean honestly, how can you without any snow? I feel bad for the South. So, I have to say that I was pleased to come home and see snow! We had a early Christmas at my Grandma and Grandpa's house on Friday. It was a really great time to spend with my family and see my cousins! My brother, me, and my cousin Well, thats about all that is happening so far on my break. I have been able to sleep in and watch a lot of movies. To Sun, 23 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=going-home-for-christmas http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=going-home-for-christmas On Thursday I am leaving Atlanta and arriving back home in Minnesota for Christmas break until January 6th! It is going to be awesome to be back home and spend time with my family. It has been a great first semester here in Gainesville, but a break will be nice. Between work, youth group and building a community between the interns, life can be exhausting! It will be relaxing to sit and talk with my friends and family for a while. I can't wait go home and go snowboarding in th Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=mexico-trip http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=mexico-trip  Check out this sweet video of us in Mexico! Kinda sums up our trip a little bit! (Click on "comments" if you can't see the video) Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=my-teams-blog-pages http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/?filename=my-teams-blog-pages I thought it would be a good idea to put up some of my teams blog pages, just in case you were interested in seeing how the Lord was working in their lives.  Ashley Hall  Ashley King  Caleb Conlow  Em Halls  Becca Arnold     Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT