Welp, I got home around 4pm today. I still have to unpack and it's a little weird staying at home when I've been on my own for about a full year.
There have been many memories made this summer. I've done so many outdoorsy things and have been able to meet incredible people. I've gone hiking and rafting, tubing and fishing. I loved this summer. While there were some bad things that happened, things that frustrated me to no end, God was faithful and didn't give me more than I could handle.
Throughout the summer I suffered body pains almost every day. Some joint or muscle would hurt me and I knew it was just the devil trying to get me down. I still have pains in my shoulder and thighs so pray for me. I'm going to relax and wind down a bit before I have to return to Nashville in three weeks. I ask you pray for healing so I'm not in pain as we travel and I move in.
God has used this summer to teach me to trust and lean on Him. I've learned to have a soft heart for others and realize there are people right in front of me, who I pass daily, who are hurting and just want someone to let them know they care. I want to be a light wherever I go and meet as many people as I can. I've learned I can make someone's day by just giving them a smile and friendly greeting. Enough with being a closet Christian. It's time to show Jesus did a change in my life.
Sure I'll screw up, say the wrong things, do the wrong things but I learn better by trying then being so afraid to screw up I never move. No, I want to move and see and do. I want to see the world and experience everything God wants me to experience. This summer has made me stronger and more reliable on God than ever.
I'm ready to see my Jersey friends adn family. I'm ready to wind down and share all my experiences with them.
I thank you all for taking the time to faithfully read my blog. I love ya'll for the constant encouragement and prayers. I pray God will bless you for that. Thank you all so much for your love and support. I couldn't have done this without you.
If you want to read a continual story of my journey through life, read my personal blog www.inmymind08.blogspot.com.
For the final time...
Ciao!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
On the Road Again
The missionaries said their goodbyes this morning. It was difficult to say goodbye to some because of the strong bond we've been able to create these short 11 weeks. I will miss them terribly through the school year. I just want them to know how much I absolutely love them.
Now that my summer work is done allow me to tell you, faithful readers, about the progress we had in each of the kids who came to kid's club. There were all Taira's and my babies and we loved them unconditionally but there were a few who stuck out to me.
Dustyn: FIRST APPEARANCE:He was one of those kids who thought it was too cool to participate in anything. He came every day but he would just sit in a corner with his arms crossed. Taira and I saw the potential in him and I said we just needed to love on him and show him Jesus is cool. He went to church but how much he actually listened was questionable. AFTER: He opened up tremendously over the weeks. As we showed him how cool we were because Jesus was #1 in our lives, he began to think Jesus was cool, too. He shared his ideas during the lessons and was a peacemaker amongst the older boys. He would hug Taira and me once in a while and then when it was the last few days, he made it a point to hug us before we left. He turned out to be such a sweet kid. All he needed was a little bit of compassion.
Taris: FIRST APPEARANCE: She was shy and didn't smile much. The first time she came to Kid's Club she didn't say much. We tried to get her to crack a smile but that just wasn't working. I saw a hurt soul and it was my job to do some healing. Taira and I reached out to her and made her feel welcome. The first time we presented the steps of salvation she accepted Jesus into her heart. We rejoiced at this and a few tears were shed.
AFTER: Taris had quickly become the "mom" of the kids. She would always help us split kids up who were fighting or reinforce what we said to the youngers if they didn't listen. She came to me and gave me the biggest hugs I have ever received. She turned out to be such a sweetheart. Oh, and she wore a smile at least twenty times a day whenever I saw her.
Cody: FIRST APPEARANCE: He was just like Dustyn when he first came to Kid's Club. Cody would wear the same dull expression and would have his arms crossed. He refused to participate and would even back talk. I worried every time he came because I thought "Great. What shannanigans is he gonna pull today?" Though my thoughts were continually like this, I tried to show him Jesus. It was hard at first because I had to go away from the kids who were behaved and loved me already and go to the one who didn't love me. I had to take that step. Dealing with Cody was such a lesson in trusting God.
AFTER: He became a very respectful young man! He faithfully came and even when he left for a while, he would come back in time for lunch. If he missed the lesson, Taira would have a way of tying it in with their conversations. He loved us and we loved him. I rejoiced every time I saw him because I knew it was just another opportunity to plant a seed in his life. He stopped coming the last three weeks. What he was doing, I don't know. All I do know is that while he was at Kid's Club we made it a loving, safe environment where he could learn about Jesus. I pray those seeds we planted won't fall to the wayside. I pray we'll see a harvest and be able to rejoice.
Katie: FIRST APPEARANCE: As soon as I saw her I wanted to show her Jesus' love. She looked so sad and again, another shy girl. I began talking with her and she shared wit me some of her problems and difficulties she was having in her life.
AFTER: Katie is a wonderful girl. She's funny and just your typical teenage girl. She was very clingy and wouldn't let me or Taira out of her sight. If she was leaving the house for a minute or so she would tell us. (Her house was right next to Kid's Club). She brought her brother, James, and we worked with him. Together, they became loving kids and we loved having them come to learn about Jesus every day.
I didn't talk about all the kids (there were close to 30 of them!) but in their own special way they changed during the summer. They became mature, respectful, loving. Sure they would have their fights with each other and it would seem to the untrained eye that they were a bunch of hooligans. However, when you got to know them and spent some time with them, they were such gifted kids! Each one had their quirks and it was so great to see them slowly develop into them as the summer wore on. I was blessed to work with such angels. I will miss them dearly and love them unconditionally from here on out. No matter how old they get, they'll be my kids.
Ciao!
Now that my summer work is done allow me to tell you, faithful readers, about the progress we had in each of the kids who came to kid's club. There were all Taira's and my babies and we loved them unconditionally but there were a few who stuck out to me.
Dustyn: FIRST APPEARANCE:He was one of those kids who thought it was too cool to participate in anything. He came every day but he would just sit in a corner with his arms crossed. Taira and I saw the potential in him and I said we just needed to love on him and show him Jesus is cool. He went to church but how much he actually listened was questionable. AFTER: He opened up tremendously over the weeks. As we showed him how cool we were because Jesus was #1 in our lives, he began to think Jesus was cool, too. He shared his ideas during the lessons and was a peacemaker amongst the older boys. He would hug Taira and me once in a while and then when it was the last few days, he made it a point to hug us before we left. He turned out to be such a sweet kid. All he needed was a little bit of compassion.
Taris: FIRST APPEARANCE: She was shy and didn't smile much. The first time she came to Kid's Club she didn't say much. We tried to get her to crack a smile but that just wasn't working. I saw a hurt soul and it was my job to do some healing. Taira and I reached out to her and made her feel welcome. The first time we presented the steps of salvation she accepted Jesus into her heart. We rejoiced at this and a few tears were shed.
AFTER: Taris had quickly become the "mom" of the kids. She would always help us split kids up who were fighting or reinforce what we said to the youngers if they didn't listen. She came to me and gave me the biggest hugs I have ever received. She turned out to be such a sweetheart. Oh, and she wore a smile at least twenty times a day whenever I saw her.
Cody: FIRST APPEARANCE: He was just like Dustyn when he first came to Kid's Club. Cody would wear the same dull expression and would have his arms crossed. He refused to participate and would even back talk. I worried every time he came because I thought "Great. What shannanigans is he gonna pull today?" Though my thoughts were continually like this, I tried to show him Jesus. It was hard at first because I had to go away from the kids who were behaved and loved me already and go to the one who didn't love me. I had to take that step. Dealing with Cody was such a lesson in trusting God.
AFTER: He became a very respectful young man! He faithfully came and even when he left for a while, he would come back in time for lunch. If he missed the lesson, Taira would have a way of tying it in with their conversations. He loved us and we loved him. I rejoiced every time I saw him because I knew it was just another opportunity to plant a seed in his life. He stopped coming the last three weeks. What he was doing, I don't know. All I do know is that while he was at Kid's Club we made it a loving, safe environment where he could learn about Jesus. I pray those seeds we planted won't fall to the wayside. I pray we'll see a harvest and be able to rejoice.
Katie: FIRST APPEARANCE: As soon as I saw her I wanted to show her Jesus' love. She looked so sad and again, another shy girl. I began talking with her and she shared wit me some of her problems and difficulties she was having in her life.
AFTER: Katie is a wonderful girl. She's funny and just your typical teenage girl. She was very clingy and wouldn't let me or Taira out of her sight. If she was leaving the house for a minute or so she would tell us. (Her house was right next to Kid's Club). She brought her brother, James, and we worked with him. Together, they became loving kids and we loved having them come to learn about Jesus every day.
I didn't talk about all the kids (there were close to 30 of them!) but in their own special way they changed during the summer. They became mature, respectful, loving. Sure they would have their fights with each other and it would seem to the untrained eye that they were a bunch of hooligans. However, when you got to know them and spent some time with them, they were such gifted kids! Each one had their quirks and it was so great to see them slowly develop into them as the summer wore on. I was blessed to work with such angels. I will miss them dearly and love them unconditionally from here on out. No matter how old they get, they'll be my kids.
Ciao!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Home Stretch
Today was the last official work day for the summer missionaries.
Packing and exit interviews are to be completed. Keys are to be returned, apartments cleaned (YIKES!) and many "au revoir"s are to be said.
Tears shed? Quite possibly.
I've been so blessed to have come here for two months and work alongside fellow Christians. I've been challenged, weakened but never completely torn down. I've been strengthened and felt empowered and sometimes I questioned if God was truly with me when I couldn't feel Him. I now know that feeling God isn't believing. Believing is when we truly trust in His power and His presence when we can't feel Him right beside us.
God has taught me to look inside people and try to figure out why they act or say the things they do. He's given me doors of opportunity to hear people's stories and share with them the love of Jesus. While I haven't been perfect, I have learned to curb my tongue (for the most part) and try not to let my passionate spirit get the best of me.
I've learned to trust Jesus with every aspect of my life. It's so hard because I want to do things in a rush and I'm still learning it all goes His speed, in His time. I've learned, mostly, that when I do things my way, I screw up. When I do things His way, I succeed. It's a continuing battle for me to pull on my reins of impatience and let Him work the way He wants. But God is faithful and I praise Him for it.
I've spent these two months with some of the best people I've encountered in my 19 years of life. They're hilarious, care deeply about others, and know when to have a good time and when to be serious. There have been frustrations, there have been rifts, but in the end I would say that I'm blessed to know them and to have worked with them for a short season.
The next post I'll concentrate on Kid's Club and the progress we saw in our kids :)
Tomorrow I begin packing and cleaning and turning in my keys. My parents come into Jeff City Saturday afternoon. There will be two more posts and then I will retire from using this blog. If after these posts you're interested in my daily life, you can go to my regularly used blog, www.inmymind08.blogspot.com where you'll find links to my college newspaper articles, as well as my life's struggles, fears, successes and hopes.
To bed I go...
Ciao!
Packing and exit interviews are to be completed. Keys are to be returned, apartments cleaned (YIKES!) and many "au revoir"s are to be said.
Tears shed? Quite possibly.
I've been so blessed to have come here for two months and work alongside fellow Christians. I've been challenged, weakened but never completely torn down. I've been strengthened and felt empowered and sometimes I questioned if God was truly with me when I couldn't feel Him. I now know that feeling God isn't believing. Believing is when we truly trust in His power and His presence when we can't feel Him right beside us.
God has taught me to look inside people and try to figure out why they act or say the things they do. He's given me doors of opportunity to hear people's stories and share with them the love of Jesus. While I haven't been perfect, I have learned to curb my tongue (for the most part) and try not to let my passionate spirit get the best of me.
I've learned to trust Jesus with every aspect of my life. It's so hard because I want to do things in a rush and I'm still learning it all goes His speed, in His time. I've learned, mostly, that when I do things my way, I screw up. When I do things His way, I succeed. It's a continuing battle for me to pull on my reins of impatience and let Him work the way He wants. But God is faithful and I praise Him for it.
I've spent these two months with some of the best people I've encountered in my 19 years of life. They're hilarious, care deeply about others, and know when to have a good time and when to be serious. There have been frustrations, there have been rifts, but in the end I would say that I'm blessed to know them and to have worked with them for a short season.
The next post I'll concentrate on Kid's Club and the progress we saw in our kids :)
Tomorrow I begin packing and cleaning and turning in my keys. My parents come into Jeff City Saturday afternoon. There will be two more posts and then I will retire from using this blog. If after these posts you're interested in my daily life, you can go to my regularly used blog, www.inmymind08.blogspot.com where you'll find links to my college newspaper articles, as well as my life's struggles, fears, successes and hopes.
To bed I go...
Ciao!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Still Learning
Oakland Baptist Church is our host for our final week of being AO summer missionaries. It's nestled in Grainger County so it's a pretty ride every morning and evening. The church is phenomenal! Their cooking is genuine and so full of love. It doesn't hurt that it's amazingly tasty!With Kid's Club finished you would think we're in the clearing. The BAT girls could do some sorting, cleaning, and basically keep to themselves until the end of the week. Not so, says the Lord. Every day in that ministry center, we get people who would love to open up to someone. All they need are listening ears and the right questions asked.
For instance, a woman came into the center today and she was just shopping. I was pulling empty hangers, doing a basically normal job. She comes into my aisle and I asked her how she was and she said she was good. The conversation ended. "Okay," I thought, "This is awkward. We're both in the aisle and we aren't talking. Let's get her talking!" So I asked how her day was going. She goes on to tell me she just found out today that her boyfriend of three weeks was using her to cheat on his girlfriend. She said "He made me feel so small." She barely put a space between her thumb and index finger to show how 'small' she felt.
I began to encourage her and continually said she deserved way better than that. She said her husband cheated on her as well. She then divorced him. My heart ached for her because you could see that she just wanted to be loved. We talked about God for a little bit and then I was called to do something. After she was finished getting her items checked out she said, "It was nice talking to you." I agreed. Looking back, I wish I said more about God's love than what I did. Don't you hate that? Everything you would've said comes to you after that moment. That's when I have to trust God, I suppose, and let His Holy Spirit work in her.
I then had a young mother come in with her four month old baby girl. There was a pull on my spirit to help her and watch her baby as she shopped. The mom walked away to shop before I could stop her. When I saw her trying to balance clothes and her baby, I walked to her and said I could watch her daughter. She gave me a grateful smile and handed the adorable girl to me. Betsy, Taira, and I played pass the baby and the girl had a good time. She was trying to nod off to sleep but she wanted to stay awake. I suppose she thought she would be missing something if she went to sleep!
I think that's the best way to show people you care. In the ministry center, I feel like the entire summer we've tried to show the clients that their kids are our kids, too. We try to show them love and courtesy by playing with their kids and keeping them occupied and out of their mothers' hair as they shop. It doesn't hurt that we get to have a wonderful, fun time with the kids in the process! But to see the relief on the parents' faces when we offer to watch their kids is so rewarding and you feel as if you've done something right.
We had an older gentleman come into the store around 11:50am. We're closed for lunch from 12-12:30. Destry, one of our volunteers, told him we would be closing in ten minutes. The man said he walked to AO. He said this as he used his inhaler. My heart went out to him and I told Destry I would stay at the counter as the man shopped. The man began to tell me of his medical problems. He's on oxygen, has a pacemaker, asthma, and a bunch of other problems. He was so pitiful I couldn't not let him stay when everyone was gone and let him get what he needed.
Taira and Pete helped him carry his stuff home. I asked Taira how his house was and she said it was in pretty bad shape. There were oxygen tanks everywhere and the mattress of his bed was very thin. She said it was a sad sight and said she wished someone could go and just clean his house for him. He's medically disabled and we would love to get him some help. However, Angie knows him and has seen him countless of times so I suppose they know his situation a little better than we do.
It's those sorts of people we have to look after. My eyes are always freshly open to people's needs and conditions. Sometimes it's easy to forget to look past the smiles on people's faces and just assume everything is fine. We as Christians need to realize those around us may be hurting. Actually, most of the time they are and they are in need of a kind word and listening ear. The Lord has been good to me by continually keeping my eyes open to other's inside emotions. He's always showing me different needs. It's wonderful and I pray that continues.
Ciao!
Friday, July 24, 2009
The Bond of the Body---Week 10
This was a week of lasts: Last groups and last Kid's Club session for the summer.
The BAT girls (that's Betsy, myself and Taira) were given the lovely news that we would be going to a work site for the week--plus working Kid's Club and on Monday night working the ministry center. All was not lost, however. We were blessed with an awesome group hailing from Memphis. Most of them were youth ranging from 12-18. Their leader, Elias Garcia, was so awesome! So down to earth and interested in every aspect of our lives. It was great just to open up to him and tell him my story.
His group had pretty much everything planned and our kids had a great time participating. They made a lot of new friends with our group and became very comfortable around them.
After Kid's Club, for Monday and Tuesday, we went to the new property that will be used for the new Samaritan House. Basically, Jean-Anne wanted us to clear away the trees and brush from the place where the future pavilion will stand. We got that done in four hours, two hours a day. Our group worked so hard! I loved working alongside them because their willingness to work was astounding and wonderfully refreshing. I was pleasantly shocked to see the work ethic of these young people. I, being a young adult myself, was proud see not all of our generation is lost. There are still parents doing their jobs and raising God-fearing young men and women. I love it!
Wednesday and Thursday went very smoothly. Because the work site was pretty much done, after Kid's Club on Wednesday the group went back to the MC to do some sorting and cleaning. It was a fun time and we got to know each other a bit better, too.
Thursday was our last day with our kids. I didn't cry over leaving. Jesus gave me a peace in my spirit. It was a conformation that I did what I was called to do for the summer. I came to be a witness and teach the kids about Jesus, the one who loves them beyond what they can even imagine. I came to love them and treat them like my own kids. God showed me the progress that happened over the eight or so weeks we were with the kids. The progress came rushing back to my brain and I stood in awe at how great God truly is.
We had a mega water war, which everyone absolutely loved. Taira and I had bought cups so the kids could fill them instead of the tubs they were accustomed to having. The cups worked way better. Everyone got extremely soaked and by the end of the day, all anyone wanted to do was collapse in a heap and go to sleep! Oh, that was a fun day =)
Taira and I allowed the group to go back to the dorm since they obviously deserved it for being so wonderful. That night, after work (we stopped around 8:30pm), BAT went to a birthday party they were throwing for Mrs. Betty. We played spoons and oh, was that hilarious! I love those types of games when everyone gets rowdy and obnoxiously loud. It's so much fun!! Betsy and I stayed until about 11:30pm when we all decided it was time to go to bed. Taira left around 9:30pm...
This morning our fabulous team left. Not until I received a little something from one of the girls. I read what she wrote to me and as we were pulling out of the church, I began to cry.
She spoke of how I made an impact on her life...
To be honest, this entire summer I've been questioning why exactly am I here. I knew God had something big for me but I didn't know exactly what He was concocting. I still don't fully know the reason why He wanted me to come here. But, a little piece of the puzzle has been uncovered. Throughout the summer, I had questions. You can read my last post or so and see the struggle I was facing. Needless to say, those questions are put to rest and I'm soaking in the peace that is Jesus Christ.
However, as far as seeing the harvest of my labor, that was still in question. I wanted to see it and I wanted to know that I was getting through to someone. Every week a new group would come in and they would encourage but I just didn't feel like I got any one's attention. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not vying for attention. I know my reward is in heaven. I rejoice in that fact. While, I don't depend on human acclamation, it is nice once in a while to know that the work God put me on earth to do is not being done in vain.
This letter I read today answered my questions. She said I made an impact on her life. That is such a humbling and awesome thing to read! I was excited because 1) God answered my prayer in the simplest form...in writing. 2) I now feel as though my time spent here has not been in vain and that everything has come full circle. 3) As I leave Jeff City and travel back to Jersey and then back to Nashville to continue my college career, I'll strive to be more of a better role model for those who've gotten a chance to come to know me.
The weeks for summer groups have come to an end. This week it's all about cleaning and reorganizing. I make my way back to good ol' Jersey on Saturday.
Tomorrow, however, a little fun is to be had. We're going rafting and then on Sunday we're going to the Dixie Stampede. Should be a hoot n' a holler.
Ciao!
The BAT girls (that's Betsy, myself and Taira) were given the lovely news that we would be going to a work site for the week--plus working Kid's Club and on Monday night working the ministry center. All was not lost, however. We were blessed with an awesome group hailing from Memphis. Most of them were youth ranging from 12-18. Their leader, Elias Garcia, was so awesome! So down to earth and interested in every aspect of our lives. It was great just to open up to him and tell him my story.
His group had pretty much everything planned and our kids had a great time participating. They made a lot of new friends with our group and became very comfortable around them.
After Kid's Club, for Monday and Tuesday, we went to the new property that will be used for the new Samaritan House. Basically, Jean-Anne wanted us to clear away the trees and brush from the place where the future pavilion will stand. We got that done in four hours, two hours a day. Our group worked so hard! I loved working alongside them because their willingness to work was astounding and wonderfully refreshing. I was pleasantly shocked to see the work ethic of these young people. I, being a young adult myself, was proud see not all of our generation is lost. There are still parents doing their jobs and raising God-fearing young men and women. I love it!
Wednesday and Thursday went very smoothly. Because the work site was pretty much done, after Kid's Club on Wednesday the group went back to the MC to do some sorting and cleaning. It was a fun time and we got to know each other a bit better, too.
Thursday was our last day with our kids. I didn't cry over leaving. Jesus gave me a peace in my spirit. It was a conformation that I did what I was called to do for the summer. I came to be a witness and teach the kids about Jesus, the one who loves them beyond what they can even imagine. I came to love them and treat them like my own kids. God showed me the progress that happened over the eight or so weeks we were with the kids. The progress came rushing back to my brain and I stood in awe at how great God truly is.
We had a mega water war, which everyone absolutely loved. Taira and I had bought cups so the kids could fill them instead of the tubs they were accustomed to having. The cups worked way better. Everyone got extremely soaked and by the end of the day, all anyone wanted to do was collapse in a heap and go to sleep! Oh, that was a fun day =)
Taira and I allowed the group to go back to the dorm since they obviously deserved it for being so wonderful. That night, after work (we stopped around 8:30pm), BAT went to a birthday party they were throwing for Mrs. Betty. We played spoons and oh, was that hilarious! I love those types of games when everyone gets rowdy and obnoxiously loud. It's so much fun!! Betsy and I stayed until about 11:30pm when we all decided it was time to go to bed. Taira left around 9:30pm...
This morning our fabulous team left. Not until I received a little something from one of the girls. I read what she wrote to me and as we were pulling out of the church, I began to cry.
She spoke of how I made an impact on her life...
To be honest, this entire summer I've been questioning why exactly am I here. I knew God had something big for me but I didn't know exactly what He was concocting. I still don't fully know the reason why He wanted me to come here. But, a little piece of the puzzle has been uncovered. Throughout the summer, I had questions. You can read my last post or so and see the struggle I was facing. Needless to say, those questions are put to rest and I'm soaking in the peace that is Jesus Christ.
However, as far as seeing the harvest of my labor, that was still in question. I wanted to see it and I wanted to know that I was getting through to someone. Every week a new group would come in and they would encourage but I just didn't feel like I got any one's attention. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not vying for attention. I know my reward is in heaven. I rejoice in that fact. While, I don't depend on human acclamation, it is nice once in a while to know that the work God put me on earth to do is not being done in vain.
This letter I read today answered my questions. She said I made an impact on her life. That is such a humbling and awesome thing to read! I was excited because 1) God answered my prayer in the simplest form...in writing. 2) I now feel as though my time spent here has not been in vain and that everything has come full circle. 3) As I leave Jeff City and travel back to Jersey and then back to Nashville to continue my college career, I'll strive to be more of a better role model for those who've gotten a chance to come to know me.
The weeks for summer groups have come to an end. This week it's all about cleaning and reorganizing. I make my way back to good ol' Jersey on Saturday.
Tomorrow, however, a little fun is to be had. We're going rafting and then on Sunday we're going to the Dixie Stampede. Should be a hoot n' a holler.
Ciao!
Friday, July 17, 2009
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