Although this internship is not always "social work" focused, yesterday was like a lesson in all the things I've learned the last four years. It was overwhelming to be honest.
There's a gentlemen who has grown up at Calvary and lived in the inner city of Jackson his whole life. He is 56 years old and has had quite a life. He has 9 children, his wife left their family years ago for crack and prostitution, and he stuck around. His family life is crazy- children in prison, others on the street, some who stick around for money or help. He cannot read or write, he was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer in 2010, and his life has been falling apart for years. But in the midst of this, he is absolutely precious and has a heart of gold. He smiles and laughs, loves to come sit and share stories, and just listening to him can brighten my day.
However, because of his cancer, he can't do much work. I had the privilege of working with him to set up an appointment at the social security office and help him apply for disability. But yesterday I was saddened at the weight of his struggle and his look of defeat. As we sat down with the SS Employee, I could instantly tell this would be a struggle. She was hardened, had the attitude like she had seen plenty of folks cheat the system, and how would she know that this man was any different? As politely, yet determinedly as possible, we began to explain his situation and advocate his need for disability.
She listened, but barely. She spoke harsh words and asked questions loaded with doubt. I watched this sweet man start to feel defeat, with tears in his eyes, his spirit sunk. I started praying eagerly for the Lord to first strengthen him, but to soften her. I asked for God's blessing on the situation, to give us the words to say and give this employee the desire to listen. Afterall, she would set the pace for the process and advocate for his application once we left.
Eventually, she came around, thanks to the Lord. I watched her start to actually listen, to soften, to speak more kindly to him. He began to share truthfully his feelings and his situation, and I think she began to see the pressing need on his life -- the pain he experiences daily was clearly conveyed. At the end of our time, we were not denied, but the process was sent on through the forms stage which could lead to a potential hearing, and with the right advocates and many many prayers, he could receive disability in the next 60-90 days.
What hit me so hard in the middle of this was just how broken our system is and how hard it makes advocating for those who deserve and need help. The ones who take advantage create walls for the ones in pain to climb, even though they've been climbing through hoops already. It's devastating to see the humanity of the system and know there is not much to do for change other than persist prayerfully that some light would be shed on how to offer hope and help efficiently and effectively.
My little social work world was blown yesterday. But I couldn't help but thinking the Lord had put me in that situation for a reason. I went with this man and was able to see the world through his eyes for just a minute, and it broke my heart. But that's the exact place the Lord can begin to move and change us if we let him!
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 7
Saturday, February 4
all the small things
The first thing I've noticed in working with HIS Heart, an urban ministry in the heart of downtown Jackson, is the closeness of the poverty to where I am located. In actuality, it takes 16 minutes to get to Calvary Baptist from the home I'm staying in. But the irony is, Calvary is on the same street I am living in currently. If I turn right out of my driveway and go straight for ten miles, Calvary is there, in the midst of all this poverty, on the left side of the road.
It struck me the first day I planned the route how direct the path from my little safety net to the poorest of inner city living was, and how I can't really pretend like it doesn't exist. Straight shot into downtown, and everywhere you look is broken. My heart naturally longs to offer hope and light from the Lord when I see this type of need, and honestly as we made visits and met people this week, it was the closest thing I've seen to true need and poverty since Cape Town. I'm not naive enough to think that it only exists outside of our country, but I guess I'm selfish enough to live like that's the truth. And the Lord boldly reminded me this week why it is not right to go on living as if our neighbors aren't in just as much need and pain as those precious children I met in South Africa.
I've always said "I don't want to be a 'social worker', I just want to work in the church." But I think the Lord has already begun to show me that the work of the church is to love those in need--those who the social workers are often helping.
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27
I pray that the Lord uses this semester to soften my heart and blur the lines of that calling in a way--I've always separated what a social worker does from what my call to ministry looks like. But sometimes my hard lines have prevented me from seeing the extreme need right before me, and often those needs--physical, emotional, mental, etc...--must be addressed before spiritual counsel is heard. I have always recognized the need for Christ in any sort of help and healing, apart from Him we can do nothing. But as Christ almost always met physical needs, I know those are realistically a part of ministry that cannot be overlooked.
"If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?" James 2:16
This truth hit me hard this week, and it's only the beginning!
Sunday, May 15
a light in my room.
14 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light for everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
Get the picture? She's awesome. Crazy. Exciting. Wild. Fun. Hysterical. And more than I knew how to handle at the time. But we decided to live together in the fall of my junior year with Lauren and Kendra. Junior year started and I wasn't as close to Stace still. I was busy with GM stuff, and spent most of my time with the babies, or friends in 305, or asleep. I was missing out on the sweet roommates I had in my own room.
At the end of junior fall, I found out Mattie, Lauren and Olivia would all be gone in the spring semester. Stace instantly recognized my need for friendship and intentional relationships, something she is good at. Stace is a perceiver, she recognizes needs often before I know they exist. She is also intentional, and deliberate in her words of encouragement. This was something that God knew I would need this past semester.
As soon as we came back for this semester, God began using Stacey to rock my world and challenge my faith. Stacey is honestly one of the most devoted followers of Christ I have ever met. And I don't mean in the way where someone does a lot at church, but forgets about God in their everyday living. Stacey is legitimately on fire for God. She spends hours locked away in her room, crying, laughing, praying, worshipping and talking with God. She asks for guidance, she seeks wisdom, she lifts up those around her, she prays for the needs of her friends and enemies and strangers, she seeks the kingdom daily. She talks about God in her normal conversation, her lips are full of truth, and her conversation seasoned with salt and grace. She is joyful, hilarious, passionate, loving, patient, forgiving, honest, intentional, and kind-hearted. She uplifts, she is never selfish, she is always giving, always serving, always putting others first. In fact, she would hate that I have spent so much time bragging about her because she would rather me give the glory to God than talk about all the ways she is good.
But in all honestly, that is the only thing I can do to give justice to my Stacey. She is love, and God has used her radically to challenge me and hold me accountable and pour into my heart. God has given Stacey words of encouragement and wisdom that reflect a heart after Him. He has used her at my weakest moments to remind me of His faithfulness and goodness. When I am tired, she brings me Starbucks. When I am sad, she listens to me cry and gently prods me to share my life with her, despite my best attempts to convince her I have it under control. Stacey is truly a Godsend, the biggest blessing my life has ever known. I could never have imagined all the ways the Lord would challenge me through her. She embodies the Gospel definition of a servant, and for all the ways she has impacted the lives of those on this campus, we will never see until we worship in Heaven with the cluster of lives she has brought into the kingdom.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light for everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
If ever I have known someone to embody the Gospel of Christ, to live the commands of the Word as if they were written on her heart each day, and to shine the light of Christ consistently, its my precious roommate Stacey.
I saw Stacey for the first time my freshman year of college. She was visiting a camp friend at Union and she came with her to the Make-A-Wish 5K that Chi Omega put on each year. I saw her at a distance with one pants leg pushed up, crazy curls going everywhere, and a head band tied around her forehead. I thought she was a hippie, but she looked pretty exciting.
I met Stacey for the first time my sophomore year of college. She transferred to Union from Appalachian State and I went with my roommate Lauren to her room on move in day. We were in search for Stacey's roommate Katie, but when she wasn't in the room Lauren and I talked with Stacey for almost 30 minutes. I had no idea the influence Stace would have on my life in the next two years.
Stacey rushed, pledge Chi O, but dropped after one semester. Second semester of my sophomore year she started spending a lot of time in my room as her and Lauren became close. At the end of the spring semester, Lauren asked if I would consider living with Stace in the fall. Let me just explain a little bit about Stacey:
At the end of junior fall, I found out Mattie, Lauren and Olivia would all be gone in the spring semester. Stace instantly recognized my need for friendship and intentional relationships, something she is good at. Stace is a perceiver, she recognizes needs often before I know they exist. She is also intentional, and deliberate in her words of encouragement. This was something that God knew I would need this past semester.
As soon as we came back for this semester, God began using Stacey to rock my world and challenge my faith. Stacey is honestly one of the most devoted followers of Christ I have ever met. And I don't mean in the way where someone does a lot at church, but forgets about God in their everyday living. Stacey is legitimately on fire for God. She spends hours locked away in her room, crying, laughing, praying, worshipping and talking with God. She asks for guidance, she seeks wisdom, she lifts up those around her, she prays for the needs of her friends and enemies and strangers, she seeks the kingdom daily. She talks about God in her normal conversation, her lips are full of truth, and her conversation seasoned with salt and grace. She is joyful, hilarious, passionate, loving, patient, forgiving, honest, intentional, and kind-hearted. She uplifts, she is never selfish, she is always giving, always serving, always putting others first. In fact, she would hate that I have spent so much time bragging about her because she would rather me give the glory to God than talk about all the ways she is good.
But in all honestly, that is the only thing I can do to give justice to my Stacey. She is love, and God has used her radically to challenge me and hold me accountable and pour into my heart. God has given Stacey words of encouragement and wisdom that reflect a heart after Him. He has used her at my weakest moments to remind me of His faithfulness and goodness. When I am tired, she brings me Starbucks. When I am sad, she listens to me cry and gently prods me to share my life with her, despite my best attempts to convince her I have it under control. Stacey is truly a Godsend, the biggest blessing my life has ever known. I could never have imagined all the ways the Lord would challenge me through her. She embodies the Gospel definition of a servant, and for all the ways she has impacted the lives of those on this campus, we will never see until we worship in Heaven with the cluster of lives she has brought into the kingdom.
Friday, May 13
it's been a while..
This semester has been busy, busy, busy! Time has flown by, and now it's the last weekend of my junior year in college. Life changed a lot over the past few months, and I could not have imagined being where I am currently if you had asked around Christmas time.
January was exciting as I worked at Shades and got to experience the working side of ministry. I spent good time at home, and established a bit of a routine driving to Jackson for night class each Tuesday and working during the week. I think it helped prepare me for the semester, as well as get me into the basics of work at Shades for the summer.
February was exciting from the beginning. My living situation changed from last semester since Lauren went to Africa, and I had the opportunity to get much closer to Stacey and Kendra, my two roommates from last semester. Mattie moved back to Louisiana and Olivia got married and moved to Texas. I was nervous what the semester would look like, but I clung to Joshua 1:5 and constantly reminded myself that the Lord was with me through changes, through good and through bad. He faithfully placed friends in my life that had been there all along, but that I took for granted.
I began serving in a ministry called Fulfill at Englewood with the middle school ministry. I met a girl named Anna who has some sort of social disorder, I haven't quite figured out, but she completely captured my heart. She is often made fun of for being overweight for her age, and for being unable to interact with the other students easily. I noticed that even at church, she does not receive attention or love from many of her peers or even the adults. I think this is mainly because people don't really know what to do with her, she's hard to be around! But I consistently spent time with her, sitting with her at church each week and doing anything I could think of to get her to smile and share her life with me. It was a challenge the last few months but the Lord slowly softened her heart and helped her truly open up to me.
March got into the daily grind of my classes and Chi Omega, things were picking up. I was able to plan some fun events as Sisterhood chair in Chi O and was getting deeper in my relationships with new friends. The Lord was faithfully reminding me He is enough to sustain, and I began to focus more on my everyday life in terms of serving Christ. Fulfill was challenging and my relationship with Anna was getting deeper as she confided in me about how hard school is socially and how she often feels unloved.
I got to go home for spring break, then spent a few days in Clinton, then got to visit Mattie in Pineville, Louisiana. It was so much fun. I love getting to experience my friends from college in their natural home environment. I feel as if I learn so much from someone's family and home, but rarely get to see that in college. We went to the local coffee shops she spends most of her morning time in, we ate with her family, played games, I went to class with her and got to experience her school life. We drove around town and she even let me come to work and squeeze behind the tiny counter of the tiny flower/gift shop she works in at the hospital. I got to meet her friends and see where she goes when she just wants to get away. I got to go to Bible study at her house led by her parents, and I got to see the church her dad pastors. It was such an exciting week and allowed us to catch up and spend good quality time together. I would go back today if I could!
April showers hit hard. We had a lot of storms blow through and I spent a lot of time in my friend's tornado shelter bathroom. School was busy, and I was beginning to grow weary with the pace of life. After a rough weekend where God really shook my heart, I was learning a LOT about what it means to put my security and trust in the Lord. He reminded me gently, but constantly, that HE is the only one who can satisfy, the only one who gives me worth, the only one who makes me beautiful. If I am not pleasing him, how can I be content? Pleasing man is worthless and God must be the one I am fighting for. This month was rough, but consistently good as God revealed pieces of His character to me.
May has been busy and flying by. All of a sudden it's time to leave, my walls are bare, and I am getting ready for my internship at Shades this summer. I am excited for the responsibility of ministry, the opportunity to lead a Bible study lesson a few times, plan events, meet with girls, and have the accountability of intentional discipleship. I am eager to see what the Lord reveals and challenges me with this summer. I am excited for the chance to deepen and grow already existing relationships, as well as develop new friendships. I am also excited to prepare for next fall, my last normal semester before my practicum in social work. Time flies by, but I am constantly learning to seek God on a daily basis and surrender my desires and plans to Him. He is enough!!
January was exciting as I worked at Shades and got to experience the working side of ministry. I spent good time at home, and established a bit of a routine driving to Jackson for night class each Tuesday and working during the week. I think it helped prepare me for the semester, as well as get me into the basics of work at Shades for the summer.
February was exciting from the beginning. My living situation changed from last semester since Lauren went to Africa, and I had the opportunity to get much closer to Stacey and Kendra, my two roommates from last semester. Mattie moved back to Louisiana and Olivia got married and moved to Texas. I was nervous what the semester would look like, but I clung to Joshua 1:5 and constantly reminded myself that the Lord was with me through changes, through good and through bad. He faithfully placed friends in my life that had been there all along, but that I took for granted.
I began serving in a ministry called Fulfill at Englewood with the middle school ministry. I met a girl named Anna who has some sort of social disorder, I haven't quite figured out, but she completely captured my heart. She is often made fun of for being overweight for her age, and for being unable to interact with the other students easily. I noticed that even at church, she does not receive attention or love from many of her peers or even the adults. I think this is mainly because people don't really know what to do with her, she's hard to be around! But I consistently spent time with her, sitting with her at church each week and doing anything I could think of to get her to smile and share her life with me. It was a challenge the last few months but the Lord slowly softened her heart and helped her truly open up to me.
March got into the daily grind of my classes and Chi Omega, things were picking up. I was able to plan some fun events as Sisterhood chair in Chi O and was getting deeper in my relationships with new friends. The Lord was faithfully reminding me He is enough to sustain, and I began to focus more on my everyday life in terms of serving Christ. Fulfill was challenging and my relationship with Anna was getting deeper as she confided in me about how hard school is socially and how she often feels unloved.
I got to go home for spring break, then spent a few days in Clinton, then got to visit Mattie in Pineville, Louisiana. It was so much fun. I love getting to experience my friends from college in their natural home environment. I feel as if I learn so much from someone's family and home, but rarely get to see that in college. We went to the local coffee shops she spends most of her morning time in, we ate with her family, played games, I went to class with her and got to experience her school life. We drove around town and she even let me come to work and squeeze behind the tiny counter of the tiny flower/gift shop she works in at the hospital. I got to meet her friends and see where she goes when she just wants to get away. I got to go to Bible study at her house led by her parents, and I got to see the church her dad pastors. It was such an exciting week and allowed us to catch up and spend good quality time together. I would go back today if I could!
April showers hit hard. We had a lot of storms blow through and I spent a lot of time in my friend's tornado shelter bathroom. School was busy, and I was beginning to grow weary with the pace of life. After a rough weekend where God really shook my heart, I was learning a LOT about what it means to put my security and trust in the Lord. He reminded me gently, but constantly, that HE is the only one who can satisfy, the only one who gives me worth, the only one who makes me beautiful. If I am not pleasing him, how can I be content? Pleasing man is worthless and God must be the one I am fighting for. This month was rough, but consistently good as God revealed pieces of His character to me.
May has been busy and flying by. All of a sudden it's time to leave, my walls are bare, and I am getting ready for my internship at Shades this summer. I am excited for the responsibility of ministry, the opportunity to lead a Bible study lesson a few times, plan events, meet with girls, and have the accountability of intentional discipleship. I am eager to see what the Lord reveals and challenges me with this summer. I am excited for the chance to deepen and grow already existing relationships, as well as develop new friendships. I am also excited to prepare for next fall, my last normal semester before my practicum in social work. Time flies by, but I am constantly learning to seek God on a daily basis and surrender my desires and plans to Him. He is enough!!
Monday, February 21
reblog
My best friend Kendall never ceases to amaze me. And as she is going through an incredibly difficult time in this season of life, I am watching the Lord refine her daily and grow her into a God-fearing woman. This is something she posted from someone else's blog, but I couldn't help but share....
"I wake up in my own tension daily. Slept through the time I had planned for You and I can hear the accusing one sitting on my shoulder, an inch from me, his voice is like acid, seething yet smooth. It masquerades as truth and yet,
I sit and wait for it. Distorted truth, so tailored, sewn to fit me snug like a straight jacket. Bound, I put my own arms in the sleeves.
'Look at your brokenness.
Look at it. Look at your pieces.
Unlovable.
Look at your situation.
Too many unknowns and fears to move.
You're paralyzed, hopeless.
Look at your emotions.
Too many of them too spread out, most of them wrong.
Some barely exist.
He said you were made for love, did He mean it? He said you were made for Him, did it mean it? Is He really happy with you? How could He be? You've seen yourself.'
And when I am looking at Him, the accuser throws more distractions my way. A blatant attempt to keep me from Him. To keep me closed off and alone.
But my Beloved,
He is King.
And my Beloved,
His eyes are flames of fire, and if you saw how jealous they are for me,
you could not stand in His presence.
I know His eyes are mine and His heart is for me.
And He took my sin
He took it, along with your twisted words and lies void of hope that you've been screaming at me for twenty something years.
Nothing can keep me from Him,
Not my pain, not your lies, not sickness, nor death, not shame, not my sin, not even my own complacency.
Nothing can keep me from the love of my Father.
Oh Beloved, You are the glue that holds me together. Help me to remember when my eye avert You, when I run, when I quench Your spirit and fall apart, You have not left.
You never leave."
"I wake up in my own tension daily. Slept through the time I had planned for You and I can hear the accusing one sitting on my shoulder, an inch from me, his voice is like acid, seething yet smooth. It masquerades as truth and yet,
I sit and wait for it. Distorted truth, so tailored, sewn to fit me snug like a straight jacket. Bound, I put my own arms in the sleeves.
'Look at your brokenness.
Look at it. Look at your pieces.
Unlovable.
Look at your situation.
Too many unknowns and fears to move.
You're paralyzed, hopeless.
Look at your emotions.
Too many of them too spread out, most of them wrong.
Some barely exist.
He said you were made for love, did He mean it? He said you were made for Him, did it mean it? Is He really happy with you? How could He be? You've seen yourself.'
And when I am looking at Him, the accuser throws more distractions my way. A blatant attempt to keep me from Him. To keep me closed off and alone.
But my Beloved,
He is King.
And my Beloved,
His eyes are flames of fire, and if you saw how jealous they are for me,
you could not stand in His presence.
I know His eyes are mine and His heart is for me.
And He took my sin
He took it, along with your twisted words and lies void of hope that you've been screaming at me for twenty something years.
Nothing can keep me from Him,
Not my pain, not your lies, not sickness, nor death, not shame, not my sin, not even my own complacency.
Nothing can keep me from the love of my Father.
Oh Beloved, You are the glue that holds me together. Help me to remember when my eye avert You, when I run, when I quench Your spirit and fall apart, You have not left.
You never leave."
Saturday, February 12
life is good
Well, we're off to a good start. Every fear and anxiety I had coming into this semester has literally dissipated. The moment I got to Jackson, God gave me this overwhelming peace. And also this understanding of His voice saying "This time is not about you. It's all about outpouring and looking for others to invest in. Quit worrying about yourself and let me take care of your provision. Simply open your eyes and heart to the people I am blatantly placing in front of you."
That has changed my attitude and view of everything that's going on around me. I have joy in the Lord that I see echoed in my relationships. I see growth in places that were stagnant last year, or really the entire time I've been at college. I'm becoming so aware of all the ways I've put the Lord on the backburner. There are places in my life that I just shut off to Christ and decided I was capable to manage on my own. But God is teaching me about a holistic approach to relationship with Him. When I view my life as a whole, and recognize that my actions in one area completely affect my walk with Christ, then everything seems more black and white as far as whether or not I choose to follow Christ in every decision. I have not arrived, or gotten this under control... it's simply been a series of "Aha! moments" where the Lord is opening my eyes to the very places I tried to prevent Him from seeing.
I love this semester, the pace of my life as it's beginning to get busy. It's manageable only when surrendered to Christ, but that keeps me running back to Him on the days that I fail to surrender. It's showing me how to trust Him to provide and to only worry about how I can pour out to others.
I've been blessed already by new friendships and encouragement from the most unexpected places, and I am continually seeing His hand at work in my life. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good!
Monday, January 31
tomorrow
bags packed: check (kind of)
laundry done: ehh... working on it.
books read for tomorrow's night class: ..............
car full of gas: yep!
new real simple wedding magazine purchased: absolutely! (just for fun, don't worry)
well at least the essentials are taken care of, yes?
Today has been hectic, and not ideal for my last day at home, but tonight has been a reminder of the blessing God has poured out on my life this month. I had dinner with Janie, a precious senior girl at Hoover I've known for years through church. This month I have had time to get to know Janie more, to watch her grow up right in front of my eyes, and to see how the Lord is calling her to Him. I've heard her heart as she shares her convictions, her callings, her passions.. And the more that she matures, the more I see the Lord at work in her life.
Jane is the perfect example of what I am desiring in ministry. The opportunity to develop relationships with girls who have a heart for the Lord and are desperately seeking Him.. this is how I want to spend my time. To pour into these precious daughters of the King and encourage them through the hard transition into college, the difficulties in staying pure in relationships, the ability to balance old and new friendships. These stages in life that come quickly are prime opportunities to fall before the Lord and trust Him exclusively, but without encouragement that refining process is so hard. Being able to hear Janie's life lately has reminded me how much I want to do just that. To know someone and walk beside them in their life, that's what Christ did, and that's what I want to do,
As I prepare for school to start back, I'm asking God for the willingness to seek out these relationships in Jackson where I am, and not let what I'm learning be something save for Shades and home. This is applicable right now, in the ministries I involve myself in and with the friends who need encouragement in the Lord. I'm getting more excited for the semester the closer it gets, and I know the Lord can use that eagerness to change my life!
laundry done: ehh... working on it.
books read for tomorrow's night class: ..............
car full of gas: yep!
new real simple wedding magazine purchased: absolutely! (just for fun, don't worry)
well at least the essentials are taken care of, yes?
Today has been hectic, and not ideal for my last day at home, but tonight has been a reminder of the blessing God has poured out on my life this month. I had dinner with Janie, a precious senior girl at Hoover I've known for years through church. This month I have had time to get to know Janie more, to watch her grow up right in front of my eyes, and to see how the Lord is calling her to Him. I've heard her heart as she shares her convictions, her callings, her passions.. And the more that she matures, the more I see the Lord at work in her life.
Jane is the perfect example of what I am desiring in ministry. The opportunity to develop relationships with girls who have a heart for the Lord and are desperately seeking Him.. this is how I want to spend my time. To pour into these precious daughters of the King and encourage them through the hard transition into college, the difficulties in staying pure in relationships, the ability to balance old and new friendships. These stages in life that come quickly are prime opportunities to fall before the Lord and trust Him exclusively, but without encouragement that refining process is so hard. Being able to hear Janie's life lately has reminded me how much I want to do just that. To know someone and walk beside them in their life, that's what Christ did, and that's what I want to do,
As I prepare for school to start back, I'm asking God for the willingness to seek out these relationships in Jackson where I am, and not let what I'm learning be something save for Shades and home. This is applicable right now, in the ministries I involve myself in and with the friends who need encouragement in the Lord. I'm getting more excited for the semester the closer it gets, and I know the Lord can use that eagerness to change my life!
Saturday, January 29
friends, church, family, life... a good thing
First, just wanting to highlight Meredith's journey to Sevilla, Granada and soon Morocco. This was an excerpt from her blog regarding the flight attendants:
I was also warned repeatedly about the boys in Morocco and they all fretted over my safety because I have the "typical" American girl look. I don't know what that means, but Roll Tide.
She has made it safely, gotten place to place and is quickly becoming the coolest independent friend I know. That being said, Lauren is also making her way along in Botswana. Her emails explained the hard first adjustment to the people and the place, but the Lord continues to work in her life as she settles and meets new friends.
This semester is quickly approaching, I move back to school this Tuesday and class begins Wednesday... only not really because my only M/W class is PE and everything else is T/Tr. So that makes for a pretty nice start to school I'd say. On the other hand, my heart is slowly realizing the weight of going back to a place with a handful of my closest friends gone. I feel like I'm starting freshman year all over again when I only knew a few people. That's silly, I know plenty of friends, but that anticipation of creating deeper friendships all over again is making me anxious. I am incredibly grateful for the friendships that are still there and am looking forward to having more time to deepen and develop those.
This month has been so busy, so full and such a learning experience. I've been at church most days just working and interning and soaking up all the Godly leadership above me that my little heart can handle. To hear the wisdom of my youth ministers and leaders is always precious; but to work alongside them as they handle difficult situations, make plans, and share their hearts for ministry has been beyond my wildest dreams. It's like fastforwarding through school and just soaking up the real-life, hands-on aspects of my education. This is what I want to do with my life: have a job that allow me to develop relationships with girls needing discipleship and encouragement in their walk with the Lord. A job that gives Biblical teaching as its regular source of learning and that has ample time to strengthen the body of Christ. This month has been like a dream, and the best part is there are three more months for this waiting for me in the summer.
In the meantime, I get to do the same type ministry at Englewood in Jackson with the middle school. And I get to jump right in for the semester, next weekend I will be joining the girls and their mothers at a retreat close to Jackson. What a blessing. Although middle school is typically not my first choice of interest, I think that the Lord has some big things in store to teach me about His plans vs. my plans. Obviously, doesn't He always?
The Lord has given me so much rest and fulfillment this month. I've had time at home, time with my parents, precious time with Melanie as she has travelled home for a few weeks. I've spent weekends with Ethan, hours at the church doing art and ministry (what could be better?), and been able to visit with one of my dearest friends Meredith as she prepared for a semester in Morocco. (Might I add, props to her for packing for four months in one duffel, one backpack and a small carry on for camera equipment. I basically use the same amount of luggage for a weekend away.)
God has blessed me beyond anything I could have expected. And that rest was much needed coming out of such a difficult end to a semester. This next phase of my life is about to be so different, but I know the Lord has such big plans for renewal and refining. Bring it on!
I was also warned repeatedly about the boys in Morocco and they all fretted over my safety because I have the "typical" American girl look. I don't know what that means, but Roll Tide.
She has made it safely, gotten place to place and is quickly becoming the coolest independent friend I know. That being said, Lauren is also making her way along in Botswana. Her emails explained the hard first adjustment to the people and the place, but the Lord continues to work in her life as she settles and meets new friends.
This semester is quickly approaching, I move back to school this Tuesday and class begins Wednesday... only not really because my only M/W class is PE and everything else is T/Tr. So that makes for a pretty nice start to school I'd say. On the other hand, my heart is slowly realizing the weight of going back to a place with a handful of my closest friends gone. I feel like I'm starting freshman year all over again when I only knew a few people. That's silly, I know plenty of friends, but that anticipation of creating deeper friendships all over again is making me anxious. I am incredibly grateful for the friendships that are still there and am looking forward to having more time to deepen and develop those.
This month has been so busy, so full and such a learning experience. I've been at church most days just working and interning and soaking up all the Godly leadership above me that my little heart can handle. To hear the wisdom of my youth ministers and leaders is always precious; but to work alongside them as they handle difficult situations, make plans, and share their hearts for ministry has been beyond my wildest dreams. It's like fastforwarding through school and just soaking up the real-life, hands-on aspects of my education. This is what I want to do with my life: have a job that allow me to develop relationships with girls needing discipleship and encouragement in their walk with the Lord. A job that gives Biblical teaching as its regular source of learning and that has ample time to strengthen the body of Christ. This month has been like a dream, and the best part is there are three more months for this waiting for me in the summer.
In the meantime, I get to do the same type ministry at Englewood in Jackson with the middle school. And I get to jump right in for the semester, next weekend I will be joining the girls and their mothers at a retreat close to Jackson. What a blessing. Although middle school is typically not my first choice of interest, I think that the Lord has some big things in store to teach me about His plans vs. my plans. Obviously, doesn't He always?
The Lord has given me so much rest and fulfillment this month. I've had time at home, time with my parents, precious time with Melanie as she has travelled home for a few weeks. I've spent weekends with Ethan, hours at the church doing art and ministry (what could be better?), and been able to visit with one of my dearest friends Meredith as she prepared for a semester in Morocco. (Might I add, props to her for packing for four months in one duffel, one backpack and a small carry on for camera equipment. I basically use the same amount of luggage for a weekend away.)
God has blessed me beyond anything I could have expected. And that rest was much needed coming out of such a difficult end to a semester. This next phase of my life is about to be so different, but I know the Lord has such big plans for renewal and refining. Bring it on!
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