Lemon Drops and Gum Drops

Honestly, I'm very glad that all of the rain drops aren't lemon drops and gum drops. Yes...it does sound lovely-a carefree life of bliss where everything is picture perfect. Yet, in this fallen world that we live, how would growth occur without rain? Real rain. Not a light drizzle. Not a cool refreshing sprinkle. Real rain that saturates the ground so that "Life" can spring forth. The past couple of days have been quite rainy, to say the least. However, the trees in our backyard and our neighboring hills have never looked greener. Lesson #1: Rain brings LiFe. While the skies are often dark during the storm, and the rain is pouring down so hard you can barely open your eyes, the grass will never grow without rain.

Thank You Lord for the rain in my life. Lesson #2: Rain will inevitably come. The last few days I've kinda felt isolated and alone...probably partially due to returning home from project and adjusting with the transition. Still, I have the choice of dwelling on how I feel, or pressing on toward my Savior. I know, I know..the second one definitely sounds better..but how many times do I opt to pull out the self-pity card? Thank you Lord that I can pour out my heart to You.--"Trust in Him at all times. O people; Pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our Refuge." Psalm 62:8....and THANK YOU that You care enough about me to let me know when it's time to get over myself. "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials..." James 1:1. Thank You for the times when I feel lonely, and that my hunger for You grows. Thank You that as I draw near to You..you come even closer to me. Thank You for when I feel You, and for when I don't. Thank You that the "trying of my faith produces patience". Boy, do I need patience.

Thank You Lord for my bros and sistas. Thank You for those who pour into my life, and for those You enable me to pour into. Thank You that I'm NEVER alone, and that I'm part of a rockin' huge family. Thank you for the rain that prunes my character, and stimulates the processs of growth...process. Thank you for the image of the redwood tree-thousands of rings and it still began as a tiny seed. I wonder how many rains each of those things endure in a lifetime. Wowzers. It surely didn't become a tower overnight. Thank You that I must continue to be teachable/stretchable until I reach my home with You. Thank You for using the rain to wash out the things that may stunt my growth. Thank You that all of the raindrops aren't lemon drops and gum drops.

I Can Feel Changes Comin' on...

Transitions and change have been two of the consistent things in my life this past year. Move to Southeastern University, Move to WKU, and then move to Indy--here on summa' summa' project. This past week on project another transition took place as the Cru staffers left, and our role as students here changed. We now serve in their previous roles in addition to our work as interns. I'm pumped about how the project will now look different, as students lead each of the "project groups": Community, Outreach, T and T, Financial-Creative, and La Biblia Study leaders. It's sweet that this project really is our own now, and that it will be what we make it (welll what we allow the Lord to make it thru us). Started out great this wkend w/ friday night speed prayer-individual 5 min paired w/ each person, and car wash outreach on saturday. Really did not realize you could go so deep w/ someone in such a short time--when ur focus is in sync. Not to mention, the afternoon of pizza, movies, and a good ol' local carnival to end the day saturday.

Certain aspects of Team Mexico have seemed to gradually change as well. After spending the last 5 weeks with the students, we are starting to have more insight into the lives of these students. There are a few I feel the need to deliberately seek out each day, as I see their longing and need for someone to relate to them. I'm constantly reminded of my need to rely on the Lord for strength, and even slow down at times when needed. As I love to be active and involved in whatever's going on, I sometimes neglect the command to Be Still.

The students had an awesome treat today, as Level 3:16-a project group part of Impact (branch of Crusade), came to host concerts at Shepherd. All morning I told my class how great the concert would be, and then when it came down to it I actually ended up missing the performance myself. Right before the concert was to begin, one of our students-Alex, started crying due to an ear infection, and couldn't handle the blaring music. To get some peace and rest, he and I went back to the classroom. While I honestly was a bit bummed about missing the opportunity to let lose and rock out, I feel like the Lord painted a clear picture for me today. I've heard this time and time again,and have even repeated it myself. Nothing like an experience to make a lesson all the more profound. He is concerned w/ 'the one'. The one in pain, the one lost sheep...the one crying out for someone to wrap them in their arms. Forget the ones having a party, and go seek out the one looking for a hope to rejoice in. I'm thankful to have had the hour of alone time to talk with, and do my best at nurturing Alex through his pain. Who knows what he got from our time together, but it was made plain to me that we must never forget the wanderer. I'm like Alex. I daily need that one on one time to be reminded of my Father's love for me.


So as things change left and right, one thing always stays the same. For better or worse, His love is CONSTANT. We ended our devo by listening to How He Loves, and my prayer is that each of our students can grasp the concept that their Creator wants to communicate His perfect love to them above all else.

"Remember Lot's Wife."

So what happened to her again? Ohh yeah, she was turned into a pillar of salt. Ouch. While I say this in a seemingly nonchalant manner, this is tough stuff. Due to a single glance back at her "former life", her new life (the road out of Sodom) ended in an instant. Is that really what it takes for us to be followers of Christ? According to the following verse in the gospel of Luke: "Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it." (17:33), yep, I believe it is. Not that I have always stayed on the Lord's perfect course, and trust His mercies are new each morning....but Christ makes it clear that we must count the cost of following Him.

"So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:33

This is a tough pill for me to swallow a lot of the time. I've gotta let go of my life, and the affections of my heart to be fully devoted to my Lord. Def a work in progress, and am learning more each day of what this looks like in this world. All of us, may not be called to have the entitlement of "missionary", but we are all called to live a life of ministry & discipleship-in whatever context.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to go home for our family reunion. I'm so thankful to have been able to do this, but being there did make it even clearer to me that Indy's where I'm suppose to be this summer. The entourage of Mexicano, African American, and white children crying out for my attention and respect each day, keep me in check with what it's all about. Not to mention, the beautifully diverse group of interns here! I'll have to expound on that another time, and the relationships we are building. Gee golly, it's such a privilege to be a part of something way beyond myself & my wee lil' world.

Before going on project, I came up with every excuse why not to come. Excuses, don't get you anywhere tho--when the Big Guy's in control, and ur seeking His direction. One of the Cru staff members, Kristen, said a couple wks ago, "We want Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. He wants us to have broccoli." That basically says it all, our Father knows best.Yet, I'm often the little 8 year old who sneaks into the cookie jar an hour before dinner. Why don't I wait for the good stuff, the stuff that fully satisfies? Teach me to wait for You, and for what You have in store.

Good, Bad, Which is it?

My personal nature, like many of us, is to try to figure everyone and everything out. Why I think it is my duty to understand it all, I do not know. But this I know: I don't have all the answers, and I know the Only One who does, as I hope each of you do too. I know we are all made in the image of our Creator, and that we all have rebelled against Him. So whether we are inately good or bad, you can be the judge. Knowing Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life is the only thing we must grasp in this life.



Seeking to explain this to the kids during devotion time, is probably my fav part of the day. Even though they look at me like I'm an idiot at times, due to my goofy attempts to keep their interest, I pray the Spirit conveys the heart of each message to them. Today, we talked about Noah's Ark, and how the only difference btw us and all the ppl who were drowned is that we have a Savior. Also though, we discussed how Noah's faith is what seperated him from the rest of the peeps, just as we are saved through faith today.



I learn more and more from the children in Team Mexico each day. As they share more of their hearts, and what's really going on, your love can't help but grow for them. Yes, we do have many who take great pride in testing us...but isn't that how we all are at times? We don't wanna listen to someone until they've earned our trust. These kids need someone to believe in them, and to have high hopes that they can be different than who many expect them to be. I know that I have and will fail them sometimes, but I don't want to lose sight of the great influence we have here. While I know that there are certain things I must trust the Lord for these kids, I also know there are simple things each day that can make a difference to them. As we played soccer in the mud today, I saw how the simplest words of encouragement can light up the toughest guy's face.

If I can say anything to encourage you all as readers is this, never underestimate the impact of what you do and how you live. You've prob heard this before, but seriously EVERYthing can count. In the end, only what's done for Christ will count. Soooo, why not do everything for Him and with Him? I lose sight of this possibly about a billion times a day--hopeful exaggeration, but it's not about what we do, but who we do it for- Colossians 3:23. So when whether we're brushing our teeth, or gettin' our groove on, let's do it ALL for our Creator. Like Lecrae says, "Missions exist because worship doesn't." Let's go!

"Not because of who I am, but because of what You've done. Not because of what I've done, but because of who You are."-- Who Am I? Casting Crowns

These lyrics begin to express what is being reiterated constantly in my life...
1. That I could never earn my salvation.
2. That I'm nothing w/o Him.
3. Jesus Paid it All.

The acceptance of His grace is all it really takes.
The submission to His will is what makes our hearts be still.
No amount of works done, can match the triumph of the Son.

We can know it all, and really know nothing, until we know Him.

These thoughts may seem random, but this message is the driving force of my life. I intended to write a recap of the last few days at Shepherd, and while I may get to that at some point--this is what's coming out. I can't be reminded enough that any "works" we do here are just a manifestation of our faith..we aren't getting any brownie points-aka extra love from our Father for what we are doing. We are to be doers and not just hearers only, but we must always be conscious that we aren't doing our "doing" to earn anything. Through faith in Christ, we have unmerited eternal favor. Once we have received that gift, we can't help but get to work. It's our joy...it's what we were created for! Ephesians 2:8-10

Now I know most of yuns-yes I said yuns, know this..had to type this out before I could say anything else. Day camp's been great the past few days. I'm reminded of my human frailty each day, and that I've gotta rely on the Almighty for continual strength. The kids in my class are awesome. Some of them remind me of myself at times- pushing their limits and testing us folks in authority. Shewweee, we have a class full of diverse personalities, backgrounds, and cultures. Lovin' the differences, and how each child has their own special role in the family of our God.

I'm learning a lot through my class, and my partners. My partners and I have had conflicting viewpoints at times about teaching styles, and classroom management. Unfortunately, I've been shown quite a few times, that my ways aren't always best, or even right. Crrrazy, huh?
No, I'm sure none of you are surprised by this, but I've been encouraged by being able to discuss our differences openly & the opportunity to learn from each other.

Speaking of learning, I learned a bit this weekend by going cliff diving (great times). Note to all readers, eastern KY is not the only place with so called "hick-towns". I had a blast at this random lil' town in southern Indiana, maybe b/c I felt like I was close to my people...or maybe just cause it doesn't get much better when all you have are rocks, water, and some rope for entertainment.

Well, we'll be heading back to the house soon w/o internet access so I'm signing off for now. Hope you all are blessed, and know through the good, bad, and the ugly ur always loved...Cya lata

The Start of Something New...

Wow...one word to describe my last three days here at Shepherd Community. For those of you who don't have any background info, this summer I'm privileged to be a part of a summer project partnership of Campus Crusade for Christ, and Shepherd Community Center here in Indianapolis. Last week, all of us students here on project had training for serving as interns leading a day camp program called "Summer Excel" at Shepherd, and boy did we learn a lot.

However, as many of us have heard in some format or another, "One must learn by doing the thing, for though you think you know it, you have no certainty until you try"-Aristotle. Going into the camp this Monday, I had no clue what to expect in many aspects. I knew I would be teaching a group of 5th and 6th graders with a couple of other interns, and hat the children in our class would be from the inner city community. Yet, I did not anticipate to have already learned so much about the children, my fellow interns, and myself in only 3 days! Funny how whenever you set out to teach, you're the one who ends up learning the most. We've been praying about how we can serve these children, and show them love--and after these few short days they've shown me more than I can even describe.


Day 1-The first day with Team Mexico-aka our class of 12 blossoming adolescent girls and 13 mischeviously adorable boys--came and went in an instant. The morning began with an intro consisting of getting to know each other games, and laying down the laws of course. The rest of the day was filled with reading activities, devotion, worship, & spending time outside to make use of all that held up energy. Our devotion was about day 1 of creation, and we sought to emphasize how the trinity was present even in the beginning by tieing in John 1. It was so rejuvinating even for me to be reminded that, "In the beginning was the Word...", and that our Father knew even then He would send His Son for us. On the way to worship, one of the little guys told me about how his best friend went to juvi, and that he wanted to be there too. This showed me even more that a lot of these kids don't have many positive influences in their lives.
Tonight was also our, "Date Night w/ Jesus" for summer project, where we had a couple hrs set aside for very much needed personal devotion & reflection.

Day 2-The schedule of day 2 was different than the first because all of the girls and guys were divided up for a day out on the town-woo-hoo. I'm scheduled to go with the youngest group of boys on field trip days (usually Tues & Thurs every other wk), which is really cool since I get to interact with both age groups. On the other hand, I was amazed at how much I missed the kids in our class after one day..like seriously?! Even though I did miss Team Mexico, I had a blast with the young ens at Jireh Sports (gymnastics/sports complex), and loved teaching the good ol' A-B-C's in our lesson. They are a handful but ADORABLE!
On the Cru side of things, we had our first worship service as a team tonight. It was great to spend time together in fellowship this way--at the same time refreshing & convicting.

Due to lack of time, I've gotta run...hate to end so briefly but I'll sure to be include Day 3 in the next post! Always on the move here lol....don't think I've ever appreciated R & R more than now...Love you all & talk to u soon!