It has been a crazy three weeks for me. As my time here is dwindling I spent the last three weeks kind of detached from my regular schedule as I focused on the two Spring Break groups that were here and then this past week I was up in Kennedy Township, near Pittsburgh helping Adam getting the Youthworks ready for this summer. It was a great three weeks, but still sad that I couldn’t do my regular schedule, I miss seeing everyone that I normally get to see on a weekly basis.
The Spring Break groups were great; I talked about the first week and the second one was amazing too. The group was from Central Michigan University, where I went to school. It was so god to know some of the people and reconnect. It was also great to be able to talk to them about things on campus.
Then last week was great as well. Helping Adam gave me much more respect for Youthworks vehicles and for that matter all vehicles in general. Adam is also a great teacher when it comes to cars and life. We got a chance to talk about a lot of topics from cars to belief to life lessons and stories. He also taught us so much about cars, we changed oil; replace shocks, breaks, and even a truck bed! It was great being able to help him out for the week, but also such an informational week.
Even though these three weeks were great, I really felt pulled from reality and I am really excited to get back into the swing of things starting Monday. Its crazy that I only have a month and a week here. I hope to make the best of the rest of the time I have here!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Where has thet time gone?
We just had our first Spring Break group last week and one on its way tomorrow. It is crazy that we have only 7 weeks after this week of Spring Break. It feels like we had just gotten back from Christmas break and were planning the Spring Break trips.
It was great to be able to show people what we get to do on a normal basis. The group that just left were such hard workers it was awesome to see 9 people with a huge heart for service. It was great having them here and getting to meet some great people, but
I am really excited for this week since they are coming from my school!
The only downside to having the groups here is that we can’t go to most of our ministry sites. It is hard not being able to see the kids at the STAR program for 2 weeks or see the ladies at the ACORN that come on Wednesdays. Don’t get me wrong, I love being able to have the groups here to show them some place I have fallen in love with, I just wish I could be able to do both.
It was also tough this past week because we found out where we are going for our Youthworks summer and that none of us our staying here. It really took the focus off of the group and they didn’t deserve that. But, it was really hard having to tell the people around here that we won’t be here and see their reaction. It totally ruined my Thursday. I am just trusting that God knows what He is doing and that He knows where He is sending us.
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
- Luke 9:23
It was great to be able to show people what we get to do on a normal basis. The group that just left were such hard workers it was awesome to see 9 people with a huge heart for service. It was great having them here and getting to meet some great people, but
I am really excited for this week since they are coming from my school!
The only downside to having the groups here is that we can’t go to most of our ministry sites. It is hard not being able to see the kids at the STAR program for 2 weeks or see the ladies at the ACORN that come on Wednesdays. Don’t get me wrong, I love being able to have the groups here to show them some place I have fallen in love with, I just wish I could be able to do both.
It was also tough this past week because we found out where we are going for our Youthworks summer and that none of us our staying here. It really took the focus off of the group and they didn’t deserve that. But, it was really hard having to tell the people around here that we won’t be here and see their reaction. It totally ruined my Thursday. I am just trusting that God knows what He is doing and that He knows where He is sending us.
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
- Luke 9:23
Sunday, February 22, 2009
What the future holds
I feel that lately what I am going to do after my Greaterworks year and Youthworks summer is up. I have been looking on some sights like Youth Specialties, Church Staffing, and Idealist to see what is available out there now that I could really see myself doing. When my "boss" Amanda came I talked to her about being worried and we talked about it and it made me feel better and so I stopped worrying about it as much. Then, soon after that I pretty much got a job offer from the Salvation Army for a full time position here in Monessen. It is pretty tempting to want to jump and be sure I have a job. It just scares me that maybe it is not what I am suppose to be doing. I was talking to my roommate Bryan about it and he said something really interesting- "Whatever you do as long as your serving God, even if it wasn't what you were suppose to be doing, He will work through you wherever you end up." It's just crazy that I could be in Monessen longer than expect.
It's so interesting the way God works in your life and put twist and turn in there and you just have to trust in Him to continue leading you through life. I just pray that I will listen to Him, hold on tight and go where he send me.
It's so interesting the way God works in your life and put twist and turn in there and you just have to trust in Him to continue leading you through life. I just pray that I will listen to Him, hold on tight and go where he send me.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Praise Him through everything
Today there was a lady who came into the Salvation Army who was having some problems with paying her bills on time and she was recently separated from her Husband. She was really struggling with not being able to provide with her family, but she kept saying "Praise god through the struggles" and "I'm not asking why God because why not" and just things that were so encouraging to hear. She knew that she was going through some tough times, but she was still praising God and knew that God wouldn't give her what she couldn't handle. It was such a blessing to see that and the attitude she had.
I find myself being so negative sometimes when I think things are not going well. To often I ask why God or get so frustrated when I am so fortunate and blessed and that no matter what I should praise God!
I find myself being so negative sometimes when I think things are not going well. To often I ask why God or get so frustrated when I am so fortunate and blessed and that no matter what I should praise God!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
God never ceases to amaze me
God never ceases to amaze me and show me awesome opportunities to serve him here. Even though I have my regular schedule in the day, which I can so often just go through the motions of the day and let the days pass me by. But when I really sit down and think about the week and what God has done in that week it blows me away. Just the compassion I see the people at the Salvation Army have for the people of Monessen and wanting to help them in any way they can, I hope that I can learn something from them and take that with me.
I also got the opportunity to spend some more time with the Jungs, the Captains at the Salvation Army, this week and get to know them on a more personal level. It has been great hanging out with them. They have really welcomed me in and made me feel so welcome. Just last night I got to spend the night with some of the youth that go to church at the Salvation Army and it was such a blast being able to hang out and get to know them more and really poor into them and see what God is doing in their lives.
Also looking back at the relationships I have made, I know it is going to be so hard to leave here and not miss the people I have made such strong connections with. (But I also had that struggle this summer.) When I think about it though, I’m sure it wasn’t easy for Jesus to go into a place get to know someone and help them and then move on. I think if it didn’t affect us we would have a problem, but that is part of working in ministry, you go where God leads you, even if it’s hard.
One cool thing that we got to do today was go up to Pittsburgh and meet up with Ben and Eric from Youthworks and attend the last session of the Jubilee conference that they were working at with them. We are so lucky here in Monessen to have Pittsburgh so close and have some pretty cool opportunities. It was really cool to get to know Ben and Eric a little more and to be able to hang out with them. We went to Primanti Brothers for lunch and had some “real” Pittsburgh food.
He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.
- Luke 10:2
I also got the opportunity to spend some more time with the Jungs, the Captains at the Salvation Army, this week and get to know them on a more personal level. It has been great hanging out with them. They have really welcomed me in and made me feel so welcome. Just last night I got to spend the night with some of the youth that go to church at the Salvation Army and it was such a blast being able to hang out and get to know them more and really poor into them and see what God is doing in their lives.
Also looking back at the relationships I have made, I know it is going to be so hard to leave here and not miss the people I have made such strong connections with. (But I also had that struggle this summer.) When I think about it though, I’m sure it wasn’t easy for Jesus to go into a place get to know someone and help them and then move on. I think if it didn’t affect us we would have a problem, but that is part of working in ministry, you go where God leads you, even if it’s hard.
One cool thing that we got to do today was go up to Pittsburgh and meet up with Ben and Eric from Youthworks and attend the last session of the Jubilee conference that they were working at with them. We are so lucky here in Monessen to have Pittsburgh so close and have some pretty cool opportunities. It was really cool to get to know Ben and Eric a little more and to be able to hang out with them. We went to Primanti Brothers for lunch and had some “real” Pittsburgh food.
He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.
- Luke 10:2
Homesick
So this week has been interesting. It started off normal, but as time went on this week I kept getting more and more homesick. I don’t know what it is, but I really miss my friends and family back home and at school and wish I could see them and hang out. I think the stress of things in our group and all the stuff I still have to do for my paper and working on the grant I want to get done its just getting stressful and I am missing my mom and dad.
I also get to thinking about the summer and talking to my friends about weddings and knowing that I will miss every one of them except for the one I have in May, which I know is worth it for the awesome experiences I get, but just thinking about the not being able to see my friends get married makes me sad.
I hope that this passes soon….
I also get to thinking about the summer and talking to my friends about weddings and knowing that I will miss every one of them except for the one I have in May, which I know is worth it for the awesome experiences I get, but just thinking about the not being able to see my friends get married makes me sad.
I hope that this passes soon….
Saturday, February 7, 2009
The best Valentines Day gift!
I have found the best Valentines Day gift you can give!
http://5dollarwater.com
http://5dollarwater.com
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