I feel like there is a void on my blog of what the last several weeks have meant to me. I think that it is kind of like when you go off to college your first year and then come back for the summer. You feel like you have changed so much and others have, too, and it is just so hard to find a jumping off point to explain what is so different.
So, I'll try to be brief AND complete (that might be hard). Nathan and I (and a handful of other adults) took our youth group and young adult group to Juarez, Mexico on a week-long mission trip to build two houses (really glorified shacks that are wired with electricity if the families wish to hook it up) and put on a few Vacation Bible Schools for the local kids. Impoverished does not quite explain the standard of living, especially in the areas outside the city where we worked (we stayed more "in town" in a church). It was such a blessing to touch families and bless them with what to us would be little. The biggest lessons I learned were that God doesn't need a schedule to work, but He uses us when we are prepared and waiting to join Him where He is working and that God's faithfulness really sets His believers apart when they show that to a world that really lacks in integrity and faithfulness.
We turned around from doing that to a week of preparation for our church's VBS. I was put in charge of that this year and helped train some people to continue that work in the future. We had over 100 different kids (many of whom do not regularly attend a "church function") come through our doors over three days. The theme was "Everyday Superhero." Nathan dressed up like a superhero (tights and all) who did not have any super power. The kids all got to learn about the superheros in the Bible, real-life heroes of the faith, and most importantly how they can have a superhero everyday when they ask Jesus into their heart. It was powerful to watch workers come together and plant seed of knowledge into these kids that will impact them for years to come.
Then, God gave us a week of rest. Nathan took a whole week off work, and we vacationed from home. The kids got to go to the zoo, the county fair, Broncos Training Camp, spent a night and Grandma and Papa Rick's house, go to an outdoor pool, and rest in the in-between parts. It was a nice balance of going, doing, being, and resting. God was sure faithful to fill our cups again after we had been obedient to serve Him.
And so now, what have I learned? I spent some time in Ecclesiates this summer and realized how important it is to enjoy the different seasons of life, the little moments along the way, and the memories that fill the walls of my home and the annuls of my heart. There are so many opportunities that pop up, and I've learned to be more spontanious and intentional about listening for opportunities to play and serve. I've learned to be a little more organized and prepared so that I am ready at a moment's notice.
I prepared my fall schedule to be open and flexible by cutting out most of the fluff. So, it shouldn't surprise anyone that God ordained that my time be filled with something else. I will be the JV volleyball coach assisting Matthew at Kiowa this year (barring any other strange political move). Camp started this week, two-a-days start next week. It wasn't quite the new "season" of life I anticipated, but I can't wait to see what God has in store for it!
"...But we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly."
Romans 5:3-6
