I started my internship today and I am completely exhausted, but so excited for what the summer has in store! Last night, the Access leadership team met to eat some pizza, meet each other, and talk a little bit about the summer. I am really pumped to get to know everyone- the culture and community of Access is so hospitable and authentic, which is something that they value. Along with a guy that I haven't met yet, I will be leading the freshmen small group. I have a feeling that this could potentially be the highlight of my summer because I love freshmen A LOT, am excited to teach more, and LOVE making and building new relationships. I have plenty in mind that I want to do this summer. It's going to definitely be packed with learning, experiences, conversations, planning, teaching, relationships, and direction, but I feel ready to soak it all in.
Really the only thing I'm concerned about at this point is be refreshed and not getting burned out right away. I just left Taylor on Sunday, moved in my stuff, and started the internship. I am going to need to be deliberate to get adequate rest and rejuvenation so that I can be completely present and able throughout the whole summer. I'm just praising Jesus for a boss who understands and is sensitive to others' needs.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Lightening Speed
First of all, it's been quite awhile again since I posted. To celebrate this momentous occasion, I changed up the layout. Did you notice? But the sad thing is that I just spent over an hour trying to figure out how to put a picture on here and still came out unsuccessful. Ridiculous.
Secondly, some day soon I will post my Lighthouse letter. In short, it was one of the best experiences of my life and it seems like ages ago that I was there.
My goodness, this was a fast school year!! I'm sitting here, having completed my junior year, and memories from 9 months ago flood my mind. I can feel the excitement of new freshmen and a fresh start. Now it's over and I can honestly say that despite it's ups and downs, this has been my best year at college so far. After some intense figuring out times figuring out myself 1st semester, I found my groove at Taylor. I am enjoying my classes and classmates more and more. I got to live and invest in girls that make me laugh a lot and I consider my sisters. Sure, they drive me up a wall sometimes, but I still love them to death. As a wing, we had some incredibly hard circumstances to face, but I am so proud and thankful for the attitudes and presence of the girls. They are strong, capable, and so joyful even in the midst of intense trials.
Each year, there seems to be a theme to what God is teaching me. Over the course of the past three years, the overall theme has been to be faithful and trust God no matter what is happening. This year, God has been teaching me about trusting God in every situation, both great and small. He will help you get through a night and the next day on 2 hours of sleep. He will also give you strength when all you want to do is crawl into a hole and be invisible for a while after a painful break up.
I continually feel overwhelmed at the love God pours out to me each and every day, despite my lack of desire to be with him. I have had the best room on campus this year. The view from it is incredible and everyday God presented me with gifts of his handiwork. He makes some beautiful sunsets and some powerful storm clouds. Looking at those, it's hard to be anxious when you see the majesty of God and how he is in control. I have seen his love for me poured out during those quiet, dark, and lonely times too. There was one time (OK many times) when I sat in my room or in the prayer chapel and didn't have words to describe what I was feeling. I felt hurt and misunderstood, but Jesus' loving presence would wrap around me so much that I could feel his arm around me and imagine with perfect clarity him sitting next to me pouring his perfect love on me.
Human beings will always fall short. Parents, siblings, teachers, friends, boyfriends, bosses- they will all mess up at some point, so always be willing to shower them with grace and mercy. And the beautiful thing is that Jesus will never ever hurt you. He will never leave you. He will never be wishy-washy, mean, or spiteful. But he will always love, always protect, always comfort, always show grace, and always be there. How awesome is that! Seriously.
I leave Taylor on Sunday and start my practicum on Sunday. Boy, oh boy. It's going to be CRAZY!! I'm working in Noblesville, IN at Grace Community Church as the Access ministry intern. I'm pumped for a summer in full-time ministry and can't wait to learn insane amounts of things. It's also going to be pretty busy, but it's all filled with fun things. Maybe possibly, I will actually use this thing to keep up with what I'm learning. Don't hold your breath.
Secondly, some day soon I will post my Lighthouse letter. In short, it was one of the best experiences of my life and it seems like ages ago that I was there.
My goodness, this was a fast school year!! I'm sitting here, having completed my junior year, and memories from 9 months ago flood my mind. I can feel the excitement of new freshmen and a fresh start. Now it's over and I can honestly say that despite it's ups and downs, this has been my best year at college so far. After some intense figuring out times figuring out myself 1st semester, I found my groove at Taylor. I am enjoying my classes and classmates more and more. I got to live and invest in girls that make me laugh a lot and I consider my sisters. Sure, they drive me up a wall sometimes, but I still love them to death. As a wing, we had some incredibly hard circumstances to face, but I am so proud and thankful for the attitudes and presence of the girls. They are strong, capable, and so joyful even in the midst of intense trials.
Each year, there seems to be a theme to what God is teaching me. Over the course of the past three years, the overall theme has been to be faithful and trust God no matter what is happening. This year, God has been teaching me about trusting God in every situation, both great and small. He will help you get through a night and the next day on 2 hours of sleep. He will also give you strength when all you want to do is crawl into a hole and be invisible for a while after a painful break up.
I continually feel overwhelmed at the love God pours out to me each and every day, despite my lack of desire to be with him. I have had the best room on campus this year. The view from it is incredible and everyday God presented me with gifts of his handiwork. He makes some beautiful sunsets and some powerful storm clouds. Looking at those, it's hard to be anxious when you see the majesty of God and how he is in control. I have seen his love for me poured out during those quiet, dark, and lonely times too. There was one time (OK many times) when I sat in my room or in the prayer chapel and didn't have words to describe what I was feeling. I felt hurt and misunderstood, but Jesus' loving presence would wrap around me so much that I could feel his arm around me and imagine with perfect clarity him sitting next to me pouring his perfect love on me.
Human beings will always fall short. Parents, siblings, teachers, friends, boyfriends, bosses- they will all mess up at some point, so always be willing to shower them with grace and mercy. And the beautiful thing is that Jesus will never ever hurt you. He will never leave you. He will never be wishy-washy, mean, or spiteful. But he will always love, always protect, always comfort, always show grace, and always be there. How awesome is that! Seriously.
I leave Taylor on Sunday and start my practicum on Sunday. Boy, oh boy. It's going to be CRAZY!! I'm working in Noblesville, IN at Grace Community Church as the Access ministry intern. I'm pumped for a summer in full-time ministry and can't wait to learn insane amounts of things. It's also going to be pretty busy, but it's all filled with fun things. Maybe possibly, I will actually use this thing to keep up with what I'm learning. Don't hold your breath.
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