So the experience of the week is my going to a Spanish bakery where I got 4 delicious bake goods for $2.50 (and may I add we stuffed 5 ppl in one small car for this venture)... I enjoyed the experience and the food and I thought share :)
for the last week or maybe week and a half I have been telling myself to get on here and write because so much has been happening and i didnt want it to be a long entry where I will bore people but yet I just havent been able to get around to it or I have been really tired........ so here goes
Honestly, I didn't want to come to Houston. After Orlando, I just missed it and the people there and knew I would be happy there and I kept thinking about me me me... And I took that to God but it kept coming down to Him breaking me and me just saying 'ok, you are in control, i am going to follow you because it isnt about me' and He, like He has been preparing me for the last year, has led me to Houston. The whole time I was scared and nervous and anxious and wanting to turn back around the whole 2 day drive here... man, I have never been scared to try new adventures, I always grasped them with a little nervousness but the excitement outweighed that... so the past few weeks have been challenging... but i got encouraged after talking to a friend and was simply told at the end of my conversation to get over myself and turn to God and remember the reason i was here so yea :)
And the way here and the first day in Houston before I moved in and began work, I was just getting discouraged in so many areas of my life. It is like the devil knew my weak points and those buttons were being pressed and I got here more discouraged than I had in a while but I didnt want to start off like that so I just keep bringing it back to my focus being on Christ and Him being the reason I was here and I just dived into my ministry...
The ministry itself was full of mixed blessings and struggles.... I have been primarily put at Fletcher because that is the biggest need... But I get to work a little at each center (fletcher, joy, and gano)......... so here is my week in short version............. Monday y Wednesday mornings I work in the ESL nursery at F., Tuesday mornings I work in the clothing closet at F., and Thursday mornings I did the paperwork and helped with the senior adult ministry at G...... all 4 afternoons begin at fletcher working in the clothing closet or helping with other things around the center and I end the afternoons as such: Mondays Kid's Club at G., Tuesdays Kid's Club at F., Wednesdays Kid's Club at Joy, and Thursdays Preteens at F...........I get to help teach in the Kid's Clubs and all that fun jazz........ oh and Teen Club at F. on Monday nights......... Friday mornings are staff meetings and every now and then I will work on a Saturday for a couple of hours........... so this is my life and I really enjoy it. Just being involved, even though I havent learned things yet and still am learning my responsibilities, has been the greatest!
When I walked into Joy on Wednesday, which is where I served in summer 2006, all my kids came running up to hug me and it just warmed my heart. This was my heart that summer and I think I left part of it there, so I was so glad to be back and it was the greatest time, I think it was my favorite time all week.
I feel like when I type it all out I am not doing much but by the end of the week it does feel like it. We will see what God does and how He will use me... I might be able to use a couple of evenings to do something but for now I am using them to settle in and try to get to know the ministries......
Okay so I feel like I have talked about a bunch of nothing and honestly for you to get a good depiction of this week and what has been going on you would have to talk to me directly but even then I dont know how to describe it. Please just pray for me because I am so content in knowing that this is where God wants me and He has moved things and placed me in ministries that are applying my gifts and I am so happy with that but so many discouraging things are happening and it is a battle to give it over and not let those things win over in my life. I have become awkardly quiet here though which is VERY unusual bc I love people so much so just pray that I will find my place here bc I have been overwhelmed and I am struggling with finding my place and so even though I love hanging out with the other missionaries and think they are hilarious to hang out with but I am so quiet around them and I cant move past that...
This week has highlights though......I got a flat tire bc of a screw and so Jonathan, after finally understanding what I was asking (he is from puerto rico and so we are learning the communication thing) he changed it for me but of course it became a hilarious thing to watch between the two of us figuring things out and then the car fell and it was just bad and then i dropped a 12 pack of soda as we were going in and they all exploded and it sounded like we were getting shot!!! it was hilarious though! that among other random experiences i am laughing a lot... :)
Aug 24, 2007
Aug 16, 2007
2nd part of end of the summer
Okay, the summer ended and the last post caught you up on the ministries.... so now I will finish with QIP and the actual end of the summer...
I did finish at QIP strong and I ended the summer with little things for each ofthe people I worked with, not really to remember me but something to remember Christ... and a couple that I got close with I did have a little something more special for them... well it was sad saying good bye but it was funny, bc i got close to the administrative assistant, kind of like my mom at work, but she never got to tell me good bye so she called my director upset and I luckily was in town so I was able to go say good bye but it made me laugh bc I was just as sad that i didnt get to tell her good bye. Then Eunide called me, a girl i worked with and we became friends, even called me to chat one day..... so I know that the time at QIP wasnt totally fruitless, but it did show me to respect anyone in the service industry that is helping me and also that PATIENCE is really a Virtue worth having!!!
Prayers answered: *I did get my car and was abundently taken care of...
* I did go to the foot doctor here and he has my foot hurting worse, but it is suppose to make it completely better in a couple of days so that is good, my feet are doing better (there is a possibility of surgery but I have to give the okay and since it isnt an emergency yet, I am not sure).
*Because I got my car, I did get to drive home and I will be driving to Houston in two days (more in the next entry)
*God has been in the middle of most of my relationships... God just shined His light and allowed me great friendships... each of the other 13 teammates and all the staff did teach me something but I am so thankful for the close friendships I did create and look forward to talking with them as we embark on this next semester... this summer transformed me once again and I hope it did all of my friends from CofC and that God just makes us more like Him each day... we are all used to seeing each other daily and now my prayer is that God shows us how to have friendships that dont see each other as frequently but still remain close, even as we change and go different directions in life... so that is my prayer God has shown me a lot this summer, a lot of areas I fell short on in my friendships and how by being self conscious to ppl not liking me and caring about what ppl think really hendered my friendships and i hurt ppl without meaning too... this summer, I grew into a person that I love and bc I am happy with who I am it is easier not to care about what others think about me bc I know where my heart is and that as long as my focus is on Christ and loving others and being as good of a friend as I can then I will be okay, so God taught me a lot this summer... it makes me so much more comfortable and happy and peaceful..... I wish i could explain it better but there isnt words to explain everything I learned this summer about me and God and my other relationships... another area that God is just amazing in!!!
The only other thing is to just be praying for me bc the last day at camp, it was wet outside so when i went inside i went sliding and fell and bruised my ribs so I have been in pain for the last 2 weeks. I ended up going to the hospital in Orlando (which added to my delay in leaving) and the doctor said it would take a few weeks to get better but i am packing up and leaving in two days so I hope they completely heal soon bc they still hurt..... at least joy and i got to spend more time together (there is nothing like a hospital visit to bond you, esp if i am laughing at everything even though it hurt to laugh... oh boy) so please be in prayer for that!!!
So that all in all is the end of my amazing and exciting and growing summer!!! I love the people that I became friends with, I love that I got challenged and had to grow closer to God and had to get over myself, I love that God answered prayers, I love that God showed us how BIG He is, and I love that God has prepared me for the next step in my journey..... semester missionary in Houston....
I did finish at QIP strong and I ended the summer with little things for each ofthe people I worked with, not really to remember me but something to remember Christ... and a couple that I got close with I did have a little something more special for them... well it was sad saying good bye but it was funny, bc i got close to the administrative assistant, kind of like my mom at work, but she never got to tell me good bye so she called my director upset and I luckily was in town so I was able to go say good bye but it made me laugh bc I was just as sad that i didnt get to tell her good bye. Then Eunide called me, a girl i worked with and we became friends, even called me to chat one day..... so I know that the time at QIP wasnt totally fruitless, but it did show me to respect anyone in the service industry that is helping me and also that PATIENCE is really a Virtue worth having!!!
Prayers answered: *I did get my car and was abundently taken care of...
* I did go to the foot doctor here and he has my foot hurting worse, but it is suppose to make it completely better in a couple of days so that is good, my feet are doing better (there is a possibility of surgery but I have to give the okay and since it isnt an emergency yet, I am not sure).
*Because I got my car, I did get to drive home and I will be driving to Houston in two days (more in the next entry)
*God has been in the middle of most of my relationships... God just shined His light and allowed me great friendships... each of the other 13 teammates and all the staff did teach me something but I am so thankful for the close friendships I did create and look forward to talking with them as we embark on this next semester... this summer transformed me once again and I hope it did all of my friends from CofC and that God just makes us more like Him each day... we are all used to seeing each other daily and now my prayer is that God shows us how to have friendships that dont see each other as frequently but still remain close, even as we change and go different directions in life... so that is my prayer God has shown me a lot this summer, a lot of areas I fell short on in my friendships and how by being self conscious to ppl not liking me and caring about what ppl think really hendered my friendships and i hurt ppl without meaning too... this summer, I grew into a person that I love and bc I am happy with who I am it is easier not to care about what others think about me bc I know where my heart is and that as long as my focus is on Christ and loving others and being as good of a friend as I can then I will be okay, so God taught me a lot this summer... it makes me so much more comfortable and happy and peaceful..... I wish i could explain it better but there isnt words to explain everything I learned this summer about me and God and my other relationships... another area that God is just amazing in!!!
The only other thing is to just be praying for me bc the last day at camp, it was wet outside so when i went inside i went sliding and fell and bruised my ribs so I have been in pain for the last 2 weeks. I ended up going to the hospital in Orlando (which added to my delay in leaving) and the doctor said it would take a few weeks to get better but i am packing up and leaving in two days so I hope they completely heal soon bc they still hurt..... at least joy and i got to spend more time together (there is nothing like a hospital visit to bond you, esp if i am laughing at everything even though it hurt to laugh... oh boy) so please be in prayer for that!!!
So that all in all is the end of my amazing and exciting and growing summer!!! I love the people that I became friends with, I love that I got challenged and had to grow closer to God and had to get over myself, I love that God answered prayers, I love that God showed us how BIG He is, and I love that God has prepared me for the next step in my journey..... semester missionary in Houston....
First half of the Ending of the Summer
So I just realized that my last post didnt really give a good picture as to what has been happening in Orlando.... and a lot has happened since I posted and I have just been too busy to catch the blog up....
Okay, first... I did get a jeep... it is the biggest God story ever, it really shows how BIG He really is... my church in Orlando decided to take up a love offering to help in my car situation (without me knowing bc I am always in the Children's area)... so Pastor Barry announced the love offering would be taken up the following week, well after service, a couple came up to Barry and told him they had a jeep they were going to sell, but they would be willing to donate it to someone that really needed it... and behold, I was handed keys to a jeep cherokee that day... Also because there was work that needed to be done on the car, the church took up a love offering and gave me a generous amount of money that helped fix the car up and get new tires on the car. THEN the last night, when we had our end of the summer dinner at a church, they heard the story of my car and wanted to help... so they got it set up to where I got new brakes put on my car and my oil changed for FREE..... Now, this is a WOW moment... so because all of this happened just a day or two after I wrote my last post, I was very occupied.... I even had to stay a few extra days in Orlando to get my car fixed bc i didnt have time before... which just canceled out my trips to Tallahassee and Charleston, but it was so worth it... this is a BIG example of HOW GREAT GOD IS!!!
Ministry wise, things were great... we finished out face painting with a BANG... we had a party come through and we were able to share the reason we were there several times and hopefully left an inprint on someone's life.... Kid's Club is amazing... once they finally let me back in the water (bc of my toe). we had kids asking about the bible story and the last sunday I was there I had the honor of taking on of my families to church with me... they were asking about churches but didnt want to go to the closest one but the one i attended 45 min away so I was really able to get to know them... I cant give exciting news that I led anyone to Christ bc they either knew everything or didnt care, but I got to show the love of Christ and share how amazing He is to the kids that showed up hang out with me and nathan... Prayer walking ended wonderfully... we visited our stores and my guy recognized me and as we talked i shared that i was a missionary and I have been praying over the magnet store and him (James) all summer... he was so happy about that and even thanked me and my team, which wasnt the point but the fact that He recognized us and acknowledged what we were doing gives me the hope that an impact was made there... so keep praying for him..... and I have a lot of magnets from this summer :)
GO Church ended with a bang... this summer I helped with the Children's department, giving Amanda, the girl in charge, a little break to enjoy service and fellowship with the other believers. I even had the opportunity to take care of the 2-3 yr old class and do their sunday school lesson... but for the most part i ran around helping all the classrooms and in the end, making sure all the classrooms were put back like they needed to be ( we are in a school).... Even though I did all of this i did spend the most time with the 2-3 yr olds and they are so great and I will miss them, miss holding them, playing with them, and teaching them.... Raela, Stephen, and Aubrey really touched my heart this summer and i miss them so much.... and the church in general came together as a family in Christ to help me and to just be there for each of the interns, to encourage and help us in any way... I will sincerely miss the youth! and Nick and the other youth leaders taught me a lot about their dedictation and love for the youth.... Kayla and Audrey are the two that really taught me a lot this summer and I grew to adore those two... Pastor Barry and Christina were so encouraging through everything this summer and I looked forward to seeing them each week..... I had myself in a bubble with Citadel Square bc I think it is an amazing church and so centered on Christ and being a family together that I didnt want to give any other churches a chance bc i didnt think anything could be as great as C2 bc I created a family there and I loved listening to Pastor David..... but I learned that God is using many churches out there and if they are truly focused on Him then they will be just as amazing, which helps me as I prepare for Houston and finding a church there...... but Pastor David and Pastor Barry, I will miss you a great deal bc you both always challenged me and encouraged me!
Okay, first... I did get a jeep... it is the biggest God story ever, it really shows how BIG He really is... my church in Orlando decided to take up a love offering to help in my car situation (without me knowing bc I am always in the Children's area)... so Pastor Barry announced the love offering would be taken up the following week, well after service, a couple came up to Barry and told him they had a jeep they were going to sell, but they would be willing to donate it to someone that really needed it... and behold, I was handed keys to a jeep cherokee that day... Also because there was work that needed to be done on the car, the church took up a love offering and gave me a generous amount of money that helped fix the car up and get new tires on the car. THEN the last night, when we had our end of the summer dinner at a church, they heard the story of my car and wanted to help... so they got it set up to where I got new brakes put on my car and my oil changed for FREE..... Now, this is a WOW moment... so because all of this happened just a day or two after I wrote my last post, I was very occupied.... I even had to stay a few extra days in Orlando to get my car fixed bc i didnt have time before... which just canceled out my trips to Tallahassee and Charleston, but it was so worth it... this is a BIG example of HOW GREAT GOD IS!!!
Ministry wise, things were great... we finished out face painting with a BANG... we had a party come through and we were able to share the reason we were there several times and hopefully left an inprint on someone's life.... Kid's Club is amazing... once they finally let me back in the water (bc of my toe). we had kids asking about the bible story and the last sunday I was there I had the honor of taking on of my families to church with me... they were asking about churches but didnt want to go to the closest one but the one i attended 45 min away so I was really able to get to know them... I cant give exciting news that I led anyone to Christ bc they either knew everything or didnt care, but I got to show the love of Christ and share how amazing He is to the kids that showed up hang out with me and nathan... Prayer walking ended wonderfully... we visited our stores and my guy recognized me and as we talked i shared that i was a missionary and I have been praying over the magnet store and him (James) all summer... he was so happy about that and even thanked me and my team, which wasnt the point but the fact that He recognized us and acknowledged what we were doing gives me the hope that an impact was made there... so keep praying for him..... and I have a lot of magnets from this summer :)
GO Church ended with a bang... this summer I helped with the Children's department, giving Amanda, the girl in charge, a little break to enjoy service and fellowship with the other believers. I even had the opportunity to take care of the 2-3 yr old class and do their sunday school lesson... but for the most part i ran around helping all the classrooms and in the end, making sure all the classrooms were put back like they needed to be ( we are in a school).... Even though I did all of this i did spend the most time with the 2-3 yr olds and they are so great and I will miss them, miss holding them, playing with them, and teaching them.... Raela, Stephen, and Aubrey really touched my heart this summer and i miss them so much.... and the church in general came together as a family in Christ to help me and to just be there for each of the interns, to encourage and help us in any way... I will sincerely miss the youth! and Nick and the other youth leaders taught me a lot about their dedictation and love for the youth.... Kayla and Audrey are the two that really taught me a lot this summer and I grew to adore those two... Pastor Barry and Christina were so encouraging through everything this summer and I looked forward to seeing them each week..... I had myself in a bubble with Citadel Square bc I think it is an amazing church and so centered on Christ and being a family together that I didnt want to give any other churches a chance bc i didnt think anything could be as great as C2 bc I created a family there and I loved listening to Pastor David..... but I learned that God is using many churches out there and if they are truly focused on Him then they will be just as amazing, which helps me as I prepare for Houston and finding a church there...... but Pastor David and Pastor Barry, I will miss you a great deal bc you both always challenged me and encouraged me!
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