Let me first just say that this past week, I have been a great procrastinator, and my blog has fell victim to that. Not too much is going on here in Ohio. Mainly, I've just been sharing my missions experience with others. My youth pastor is out of town for 2 weeks, so what I'm doing now is getting geared up to speak at camp. This task has also fell victim to that procrastination I've done. I did spend some time with high school friends at the fair this week. Life in South Charleston stops during the fair week, so if you want to have hang out time with anyone, you have to go to the fair. But I can't complain, I go and get my fair food and see people I know and then I head home.
I talked with one of the parents who's daughter went on the missions trip and she had nothing but good things to say. That was really encouraging to know that that week we spent in TN was really beneficial to her and that her mom was so thrilled about it. I've had a chance to talk to some of the other kids who went to. I'm continuing to pray for one girl. She's decided to go to therapy because she has some things in her past that she needs to let go of and some issues that she needs to face in her present life. I've just been encouraging her with it and I'm glad to see that she is seeking help.
I'm still keeping up with my daily devotions but I'm still trying to work out a time to really sit and pray over things everyday. I'm getting there though. I'm determined to keep this up even when I transition back to school. That's it for now.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
6th & 7th Post
Wow. umm, where do I even begin. I'm not really sure.
I'll start by saying thanks for the prayers. God kept us all safe, especially during driving. There were definitely a few close calls while we were down there, but God had his hands on us the entire time.
The week was just great. I wasn't ready to come home really, and I'm still not wanted to be back here. Most of the activities we had to do (work at a food bank, go to a nursing home, go to a homeless shelter and do their worship service-which was an experience in and of itself, and other things) were very rewarding, but even doing all those things, it was never about making ourselves feel better. The entire week I had 1 Cor. 13:8 written on my hand reminding myself to love God's people and love them unconditionally. I saw need like I had never seen before, and I felt closer to the Lord then I have felt in awhile. I confessed that I had not been praying and seeking Him out as much as I should. I've got a devotional that I've been using since I've been home, and I'm working on my prayer life, but it's a difficult process for me. It was hard for me going into the week knowing that I was in a leadership position and feeling somewhat spiritually drained, but going on that trip was the best thing that I could've done and I wouldn't trade any of the kids that went with us either. Every night, one of the kids gave their testimonies and every night, my heart hurt for them. I would have never imagined in a million years that out of the 12 kids that came with us, there were stories that ranged from drugs, alcohol, serious depression, death, and eating disorders. But after it was over, I praised God that all of them were sitting in front of me knowing that Jesus loved them no matter what they had been through in the past. All I can say is God is good. I could write tons more about my week and what we did and who we did it with and how each one of us was effected, but I'd rather answer questions in person about it. So, that's all for now. I'm moving onto the next thing which is figuring out my talks for three nights at the Pioneer Club Camp coming up in a few weeks. Prayers for that. Until next week.
I'll start by saying thanks for the prayers. God kept us all safe, especially during driving. There were definitely a few close calls while we were down there, but God had his hands on us the entire time.
The week was just great. I wasn't ready to come home really, and I'm still not wanted to be back here. Most of the activities we had to do (work at a food bank, go to a nursing home, go to a homeless shelter and do their worship service-which was an experience in and of itself, and other things) were very rewarding, but even doing all those things, it was never about making ourselves feel better. The entire week I had 1 Cor. 13:8 written on my hand reminding myself to love God's people and love them unconditionally. I saw need like I had never seen before, and I felt closer to the Lord then I have felt in awhile. I confessed that I had not been praying and seeking Him out as much as I should. I've got a devotional that I've been using since I've been home, and I'm working on my prayer life, but it's a difficult process for me. It was hard for me going into the week knowing that I was in a leadership position and feeling somewhat spiritually drained, but going on that trip was the best thing that I could've done and I wouldn't trade any of the kids that went with us either. Every night, one of the kids gave their testimonies and every night, my heart hurt for them. I would have never imagined in a million years that out of the 12 kids that came with us, there were stories that ranged from drugs, alcohol, serious depression, death, and eating disorders. But after it was over, I praised God that all of them were sitting in front of me knowing that Jesus loved them no matter what they had been through in the past. All I can say is God is good. I could write tons more about my week and what we did and who we did it with and how each one of us was effected, but I'd rather answer questions in person about it. So, that's all for now. I'm moving onto the next thing which is figuring out my talks for three nights at the Pioneer Club Camp coming up in a few weeks. Prayers for that. Until next week.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
5th post
So this will be the last time i write for a few weeks. We are heading out on our mission's trip to Tenn. on Sunday. I'm excited about what God has for us and to get to know these kids. I'm a little unsure about driving though. I just want to make sure these kids are safe, so if there is any prayers i need, it's for safty driving down and back.
There was no turn out for Bible study again this week. When I got there, there were several kids in at Gilberts which was encouraging, but as soon as we told them it was time to close up and asked if anyone was staying for Bible study, it seemed like they all ran out the door :) Oh well, I think that we are gonna scratch the rest of them since we don't have a turn out. I'm a little dissapointed, but I only was scheduled to do one more anyways. Oh the other hand, Sunday school went well this week I thought. I didn't have as many kids, but I had a few I didn't last week and they were two girls I knew, so they helped out with the disscussion a bit. I actually took a passage that we broke down in inductive this past semester and had the class analyze it and I think it went over pretty well. If it wasn't for one or two girls in there who participate and talk more than the others, there would be much said, so I thank God that he's put those kids in my class.
Well that's all from here, be thining about me this week as we are on our trip. There are 12 kids and two leaders ( including myself ) Prayers for you tj, love ya!!! byes.
There was no turn out for Bible study again this week. When I got there, there were several kids in at Gilberts which was encouraging, but as soon as we told them it was time to close up and asked if anyone was staying for Bible study, it seemed like they all ran out the door :) Oh well, I think that we are gonna scratch the rest of them since we don't have a turn out. I'm a little dissapointed, but I only was scheduled to do one more anyways. Oh the other hand, Sunday school went well this week I thought. I didn't have as many kids, but I had a few I didn't last week and they were two girls I knew, so they helped out with the disscussion a bit. I actually took a passage that we broke down in inductive this past semester and had the class analyze it and I think it went over pretty well. If it wasn't for one or two girls in there who participate and talk more than the others, there would be much said, so I thank God that he's put those kids in my class.
Well that's all from here, be thining about me this week as we are on our trip. There are 12 kids and two leaders ( including myself ) Prayers for you tj, love ya!!! byes.
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