Week One

Week one went AMAZING!
This week we have been planning and preparing for our summer. Most of the students I am working with get out of school next week and that is when the summer activities actually start, so the other intern, Matt, Daniel the director or student ministries and I have a lot of work to do to get ready for that to happen. 
Tuesday we spent most of the day talking about the summer and what we are looking to get out of it. We also started brain storming for what to do this summer. 
Through doing this I now have a much better understanding about what I am going to be doing and how we are going to do it.  
That night we went to the Astros/Dodgers game at Minute Maid Park. 

As you can see, it was a beautiful night, even though the Astros lost. 
I got my first set of official business cards. For the picture I blocked out my phone number but look at technology these days. My business card has the iphone scanner so that people don't have to type in my phone number, they can just scan it! 

Then we had the last couple days technically off. 
Yesterday I went to the college bible study that they have over the summer and I am really excited to have it to go to this summer to be a place where I can be fed and poured into. In ministry it is so important to have a place like that. 
Then today some of the students asked me to come over for lunch and volleyball. It honestly felt really good for them to think of me to invite! 
I also got to Skype with the girls today. It was a needed time to see them and talk with them a little. And take funny pictures! 

Today I realized that for one of the first times in my life I am not looking forward to something really. Don't get me wrong I am definitely looking forward to certain activities throughout the summer, but I am in the place where I know that I am supposed to be. I totally can feel God telling me that this is what I am supposed to be doing with my life and my summer. I don't need to be looking forward to something, I need to be living in the moment and living out what God has called me to do. 


Please pray for the students as they head into their last week of school which is finals week for most of them. Pray that they have rest when needed and that they prepare for their exams as much as necessary.

First Official Day

 Today was my first official day of work. This weekend I have been hanging out with the students at any function that they have had so that I could meet them and start building relationships right away. 

I have truly felt God holding my hand and showing up in small and giant ways. Yesterday I met some of the junior high kids and we had a huge water balloon and water gun fight, and the best part of the day was they were leaving and a couple girls looked back and asked me if I was going to be around at TNT, which is the next gathering. When I told her I was going to be around all summer her face lit up. 

When people ask me why I want to go into youth ministry, that right there is a big reason. Just being present in a student's life can show them that someone loves them and someone truly cares enough to spend their time with them. 

I feel so blessed that I get to be one of those people and get paid for it! I get to have water balloon fights at work!!!

 As you can probably tell, I am loving it here is Texas! (Don't worry Mom, I will be coming home in august!) I can't believe I have only been here for a weekend! This summer is going to be an amazing experience! God has already worked in me so much and I JUST STARTED! 

Please pray for my team, Matt- other intern, Daniel-director of student ministries, and I that we build in communication and work well together, so that God can work in us and through us. So that we can be signs, to the students and parents and other members of the community, pointing them to God. So that they can see how God is working in their lives.

I'm Here!

I made it to Texas! I got in yesterday at noon! I got picked up in a large pickup truck and then went to eat some BBQ with some of the staff from the church. I knew for sure right away that I was in Texas! 

I got a tour of the church and met my host family, who are very sweet! Then last night I went out to a sushi restaurant and played games with some of the people from the college group. 

My first day overall was great. Like everyone has been telling me, it is very hot here, but it is great! I know I am going to really enjoy it.

Tonight I will meet some of the students and I start work on Monday! 

Please pray for the students of the ministry as they are ending school and transitioning into summertime!

Leaving on a Jet Plane!

 I am 7.5 hours away from sitting on a plane! This past 4 days has been spent at home preparing for this crazy adventure I am going to have. God has truly blessed me with a family that has supported me unconditionally. I have felt encouraged and loved beyond what I could have imagined, and I haven't even left yet. 

 I have spent the last couple of hours frantically packing and making sure my bags weren't too heavy and that I have everything I will need. 

  I said goodbye to the girls tonight and it was hard for all three of us, but I also realized that technology these days has made it so easy to stay connected in their lives this summer. Through Skype and email, I will be able to talk to them daily and still be a part of their summer.

 I am so excited to meet everyone tomorrow! I cannot believe that this time is already here! Time flies when you are having fun! 

Please pray for me as I am traveling tomorrow, especially on little sleep! Also, please pray for the transition for the youth group as well. I am only a temporary person in their lives. Pray that I will be used in the ways God needs me and that I remember that I is not for me, but it is for God that I am going to Houston!

A Week Away

Thank you so much for being interested in being part of my prayer support team.

I am a week out and I am getting so excited. 

I wanted to just give some back story on why I am going to Houston and what I will be doing.

I need to do an internship for my youth ministry major at North Park University on the north side of Chicago. I applied to multiple churches and I felt a huge pull to Clear Lake Presbyterian. It was one of the first churches that I pursued and the one that I had at the top of my list from the beginning. 

After a few weeks of applying and interviewing, I was offered the position and accepted it right away. 

In Houston, I will be the female intern which means that I will be a mini youth pastor for the summer, leading the female students of the youth group at Clear Lake Presbyterian. Another intern and I will be learning and growing together to plan and execute the summer programs. 

I leave next Thursday, May 19.

At the moment, if you could pray that I am able to take some time and prepare my heart and mind for what I will be experiencing and learning this summer. Please pray that I will release my anxieties and worries to God and let Him guide my summer.