Ready...

Today is my third day in the office at BCC. This week has held a lot of introductions, schedule planning, and meetings. And inevitably, as I have begun this step in my life, I have been asked over and over about the next step. As graduation nears, I am continually asked what I plan to do after I am done with school
To be completely honest, this question scares me. When I graduated from high school, I had a plan. I knew I had been called into ministry. I knew that I wanted to attend Johnson Bible College. I knew what (at the very least) the next four years had in store for me. Now, don't get me wrong, I am still convinced of my calling. However, over the course of the three years that I have been at Johnson, I have also come to realize the many things that "ministry" encompasses. I would like to work with teens and I would like to be within a few hours of my parents. I think these desires are part of my inner wirings. Family is so important to me and I can't imagine continuing to live 10 hours away from them.
Yet, beyond these things, I am unsure of where God is calling me. This morning I sat reading some articles about the search and candidating process in ministry. The simple yet honest words of Steve Harling in Memoirs of a Move were reassuring. I was reminded that these decisions about ministry and direction are not ones that I am asked to make alone. God will guide me and be with me every step of the way.

"God, I'm ready now. Ready to get out of the boat of my comfort and security."

Small Things

I've been home for almost two weeks now. Its crazy to think that. In some ways, it seems as though it has been so much longer than that. In other ways, I already feel as though the time is flying by. Either way, in those two weeks, I have been reminded that life has its meaning in the small things.

Small things like:
Watching one of my best friend's face light up as she tries on wedding dresses.
Having time to read what I want, because I want to.
Putting up a dear friend's artwork on the walls of my room.
Seeing my sister begin to grin as she finishes cutting my hair, and knowing she did an amazing job (again).
Spending hours at the camp doing whatever needs to be done, because I love every moment there.
Reconnecting with an old friend.
Family shopping day...(I never thought I'd enjoy that)
Youth ministry meetings over wings.
Being reminded that God will provide.
Sitting on my bed with my puppy at 12:30 am, realizing all I have to be thankful for.

You see, while I've been here for a mere two weeks, God is already doing tremendous things. For that I can not give him enough praise and glory. I am so thankful for the amazing people in my life. Whether I am close to them or far away, they remind me every day of the small things. It is these small things that make life worth living. They are the things that bring a simple smile. The small things eventually add up to the big things. And that is what makes everything go on. As I prepare to start my internship next week, I hope to keep seeing the small things. And I hope each day, you're able to see the small things too.

The beginning

As many of you know, I have just finished my junior year at Johnson and will soon be starting a six-month internship with Bloomsburg Christian Church. Many of you have asked me to keep you updated. So this will allow me to do that a little more easily.
I moved home on Wednesday and do not actually start at Bloom until June 1st. This sounds like two weeks of rest and relaxation, but so far that has not quite been the case. Yesterday, we spent hours reassembling my bookshelves (which still aren't quite straight) and they don't yet have books on them. There are also still plenty of boxes filling our foyer. Fortunately, those boxes will wait. I have gotten to spend time with family and I'm beginning to adjust back to life in my parent's house.
It has become a different place now. Mom and Dad are treating me as an adult and Jillian is feeling better lately. Matt Ayres has also recently joined the household and will be interning locally. I'm sure that it will be a fun, crazy summer.