strongbad said it's over!
So the first week of school has come... and gone. I am excited about this semester. I know it will be a good one, although I already feel as though I am to busy. My parents have sort of decided to leave me on my own financially to see if I survive... gee thanks. But I think with a bit of penny pinching I can handle it. I knew that they couldnt afford to support me forever but I didn't think it would come this soon. Oh well, I know God will honor the fact that I am working my butt off and He will pick up the slack and take care of me.
Things at Lake Talquin are going so well! Thomas is doing an amazing job and decided what they need to hear every Wednesday and planning lessons on things that they can understand. We have both really connected with alot of the students. So many cool things have happened. They are all so eager to be loved and cared for. Whenever Thomas and I tell them that we just want to be there for them and hang out with them, they are so shocked. We have also gotten into some good discussions with a lot of students and I really feel like we are on the edge of something great. Like God is going to prick this one heart that will lead the way for the other students to see His power and love in a real way. I want to see their lives changed, I want them to know what it means to live with purpose and I want to convince the "church" adults that they are totally wrong about our students. The only thing that we are lacking right now is volunteers. But seriously it is so hard to find people that will be committed to being there every wednesday and hanging out with students in their free time. I know that God has people out there to help us and I know He will send them in His timing but the impatience is killing me! :)
There is a retreat coming up for staff and the leaders of the church to discuss long term goals and plans. Thomas and I were invited to go. And I am so glad because I feel that we will be the only voice of a younger and less traditional generation. Also, we understand better than most the "turn off's" of church, that is the things that keep unsaved people from feeling comfortable there. I am excited about getting to have a voice in issues which I feel so strongly about. I feel like Lake Talquin is a place where the members can feel comfortable in their fancy clothes, sing their traditional hymns (im not saying there is anything wrong with hymns)and leave feeling good about themselves. That is NOT how it is supposed to be. As Christians we are called to be uncomfortable for the sake of others! Our churches will not grow and people will not come if we are there for our own comfort.
Needless to say I cant wait for that trip. I have a feeling that afterwards, the people who think we are these sweet, naive college students will have a changed mind about us. And we might not have too many friends but I dont care about that. Change doesn't always have many supporters, especially revolutionary change. I just know that God is probably tired of seeing his church have the wrong purpose. Our purpose should be to love people, develop a relationship with them and introduce them to Jesus. Where did things get so off track?
Ok well I am done ranting now. (sorry some of that just had to come out)
I miss my friends. Everyone is back in town now and i still barely have time to see them. Grr.... I need more hours in the day!! :)
Things at Lake Talquin are going so well! Thomas is doing an amazing job and decided what they need to hear every Wednesday and planning lessons on things that they can understand. We have both really connected with alot of the students. So many cool things have happened. They are all so eager to be loved and cared for. Whenever Thomas and I tell them that we just want to be there for them and hang out with them, they are so shocked. We have also gotten into some good discussions with a lot of students and I really feel like we are on the edge of something great. Like God is going to prick this one heart that will lead the way for the other students to see His power and love in a real way. I want to see their lives changed, I want them to know what it means to live with purpose and I want to convince the "church" adults that they are totally wrong about our students. The only thing that we are lacking right now is volunteers. But seriously it is so hard to find people that will be committed to being there every wednesday and hanging out with students in their free time. I know that God has people out there to help us and I know He will send them in His timing but the impatience is killing me! :)
There is a retreat coming up for staff and the leaders of the church to discuss long term goals and plans. Thomas and I were invited to go. And I am so glad because I feel that we will be the only voice of a younger and less traditional generation. Also, we understand better than most the "turn off's" of church, that is the things that keep unsaved people from feeling comfortable there. I am excited about getting to have a voice in issues which I feel so strongly about. I feel like Lake Talquin is a place where the members can feel comfortable in their fancy clothes, sing their traditional hymns (im not saying there is anything wrong with hymns)and leave feeling good about themselves. That is NOT how it is supposed to be. As Christians we are called to be uncomfortable for the sake of others! Our churches will not grow and people will not come if we are there for our own comfort.
Needless to say I cant wait for that trip. I have a feeling that afterwards, the people who think we are these sweet, naive college students will have a changed mind about us. And we might not have too many friends but I dont care about that. Change doesn't always have many supporters, especially revolutionary change. I just know that God is probably tired of seeing his church have the wrong purpose. Our purpose should be to love people, develop a relationship with them and introduce them to Jesus. Where did things get so off track?
Ok well I am done ranting now. (sorry some of that just had to come out)
I miss my friends. Everyone is back in town now and i still barely have time to see them. Grr.... I need more hours in the day!! :)