Unpacked

Location: Old Town - Chicago, IL

I've unpacked my many boxes and I'm officially moved into the basement. A part of me feels accomplished because I'm no longer living out of suitcases and boxes. The other part of me wishes I could have just lived out of suitcases and boxes until the end of August. The idea that I have one or two more big packing/moving endeavors during this summer is a bit daunting. My goal one day would be to fit all of my possession in 2 suitcases. That way I would have the ability to be constantly mobile :)

As I did the physical unpacking I also did a bit on mental unpacking...

As I face the possibility of really going overseas, for a whole school year, I realized this will be a time for me to put into practice all of the training I've received over the past 4 years. I've become so comfortable being in training, preparing for the day when I get sent out. Now that day is drawing closer and closer and I don't feel ready, sounding very similar to this post.

Things are moving faster than I expected and trusting God, knowing He knows whether or not I'm ready, is quite difficult. But when I began this process I said I would walk through any doors God opens knowing He has a plan and He has yet to shut a door. So I will continue in faith, surrendering my fears and anxieties on a daily basis. I would appreciate your prayers as God continues to lead me, challenge me and shape me.

The house I'm staying in doesn't have internet so my Starbucks addiction is returning :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Ablaze: Finding Wholeness

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

I'm not sure about you all but I've been so blessed by the Ablaze series by Annie, Nicole, Erin and Annie.

Hearing from these ladies has encouraged, challenged and inspired me to pursue God in my singleness. I reflected while at work this morning (the thunderstorm kept people away from the pool) and here are some of my thoughts.

I don't have singleness figured out. I've been so confused by the Christian relationship culture. I haven't had time to truly learn what it means to being a single young woman seeking to be conformed to the image of Jesus.

In my quest to learn what this means I've studied the Bible, I've read books and I've listened to more than my fair share of sermons.

*What I've seen biblically is God honors women who seek Him first*

Rahab: hid the Israelite spies and is named in the "hall of faith" (Hebrews 11).
Ruth: made Naomi's God her God and as a result is one of the women listed in the genealogy of Jesus.
Esther: spoke up for God's chosen people and saved them from destruction
Mary: suffered ridicule for being pregnant out of wedlock but understood the privilege of carrying the Messiah
Anna: A devout Jewish widow that prophesied about Jesus and was able to see Him as a baby
Mary (Martha's sister): sat at the feet of her Master to learn from His teaching

In the books I've read and the sermons I've heard there seems to be an emphasis on preparing oneself for marriage. Not that this is a bad thing, we all want to be prepared if God should bring a spouse into our lives. However, what about young women who feel God has called them to a lifetime of singleness?

A couple months ago, I came to a realization:

I'm probably going to be single for the rest of my life. 

I'm not slamming the door shut on marriage but God has placed specific burdens on my heart and pursuing those burdens is going to require time and energy I might only have when I'm single. This was an incredibly difficult realization for me because even though I've been saying my whole life that I don't want to get married, deep down I've dreamed about my future husband. I've always hoped and wished that God would bring a man into my life, someone with whom I could enter marriage.

However, this hasn't happened yet. Admittedly, I'm still quite young and I've learned, the hard way, you can't tell God no.

BUT...

For now and for the foreseeable future, I am single. As I came to this realization, I started looking at my old Bible study notes, reading through some books and listening to some sermons. I realized that none of these books focused on seeking God in singleness without intentionally and consciously preparing for a life of marriage.

It's not that I don't want to be prepared for marriage. Rather, I want to seek God in a way that I will be prepared to be single or married. I want to learn to be a woman after God's own heart who's wholeness comes from being in Christ alone, not through marriage. My life's focus should be on God and seeking His glory, nothing else. Any hole I feel in my life can only be filled by my Savior.

So, I will surrender my anxieties to God (Philippians 4:6-7) and find rest in God alone (Psalm 62).

P.S. if you know of a book that speaks to this issue please suggest it on this page.

*Some of the coolest storm clouds I've ever seen*

If you missed out on the series check out the posts below!

Annie on singleness

Nicole on dating

Erin on breaking up

Annie on marriage

Reflections on Graduation, part 2

Location: Old Town - Chicago, IL

*Continuing from this post*

I ran into two fellow graduates from my alma mater at Starbucks today. Hearing a little bit about their post graduation life has helped me feel a little less abnormal about my lack of solid direction in life. Some things we have in common:

1. Nobody has a full time job and none of our jobs are in our respective fields of study

2. Every one of us is feeling a bit out of sorts during this time of transition

3. Job changes are imminent

4. Living situations are not ideal

5. We're all seeking God's will and learning this usually means not knowing what's ahead

6. Despite all of this life is much less stressful than it was in college

While I don't have a definite plan about the coming months/year I'm beginning to feel God wants me to be in this place. 

A place where I'm not grasping for control. 

A place where I'm ready to go wherever God wants.

A place where I'm constantly listening, hoping to hear the Holy Spirit's voice guiding me. 

God is sovereign...I truly believe it. However, it hasn't been until recently that I've started to live it. I'm surrendering my thoughts, desires and hopes. I lay them at the feet of my Savior, knowing He will take care of me. 

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."(Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV)

Things and Stuff...and more things and more stuff

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

I've moved...

AGAIN :)

This is not a complaint, in fact it's a praise. God's provision in the midst of my homelessness has been amazing to see. He has raised up caring and compassionate people to support me during this transition time.

However, the multiple moving processes has taught me one major HUGE lesson:

I HAVE TOO MUCH STUFF!

Not some clutter...

                               Not a junk drawer...

WAY TOO MUCH STUFF

I may seem a bit overdramatic but I've always had a love for the theatre :)

As someone planning to live overseas and who probably has many moves ahead the amount of stuff I've accumulated over my lifetime is a bit cumbersome. I sense a major purge coming up.

Through all of this I began thinking about materialism and my attachment to all of my things and stuff. I talked with a girl I babysit with and she said one of the most profound things that challenged my materialistic heart:

"We must live in such a way that we're ready to get up and go wherever God calls us."

3 months ago I would have said that I live this way. However, this past couple months have shown me how tied I am to my stuff, the US and this earth. Moving twice, all within 10 miles of each other, took over a dozen trips, 10 storage bins and countless man (and woman) hours. 

I'm not at all saying that creating a home, having a family and getting involved in a community is wrong. However, it's not the life I believe that God has called me to live. I hope and pray that this verse will be lived out in my life: 

"But out citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." -Philippians 3:20-21

Enjoy the rest of your week!

miscellany monday

Location: Evergreen Park, IL

1. The packing process has begun again. It's only a partial movie, hopefully only for the next two months. Then I might be doing it all over again! One day I'll be an expert :)

2. I'm back in the Chicago area and can't wait for my new job schedule to start. Things are going to be less chaotic and I'll probably be able to get into a rhythm.

3. The reading assignments will begin this week. I'll have to put my fun reading on hold as I try to complete my requirements as an appointee. I'll try to make sure I get some leisure reading in at the same time. 

P.S. I'm still working on the "Suggest a Book!" Page :)

4. I'm still waiting to hear about possible opportunities to go overseas. God is teaching me a lot of patience.

How is your summer going? Any big changes coming up?

Reentering

Location: Evergreen Park, IL

I'm back in Illinois and excited not to be living in a hotel room. As much as I loved my roommate and spending time with my Texas friends, it's good to be in a place that feels like home.

I'll be moving to a basement apartment tomorrow (very excited!) and I'll be in my own space. Also, I was able to go to a birthday party yesterday, a Mexican one, and see my friends and students from church.

However, not all parts of coming back have been fun and exciting. It's been difficult feeling so different when everyone else seems the same. It's a similar feeling to arriving home from a mission trip and having your entire worldview changed while everyone else is still caught up in their own lives.

I'm struggling with the idea of support raising, getting people to catch the same vision I have for going overseas. I will continue to pray and seek God's guidance as I wrestle through this process. I would appreciate your prayers as well through this time :)

This post is simple me trying to get some thoughts out and not necessarily and exhaustive treatment of the topic. More to come...

Night all!

Guarded Personality

Location: Richardson, TX

God has made us all with a personality. Some of us talkative and outgoing. Others are shy and reserved. Many fall somewhere in between. This is a part of being made in God's image; we have emotions and desires. However, the most important aspect of our identity is being in Christ.

Being in Christ means that our sense of individuality, our sense of importance, our sense of security, our sense of significance should all be found in Christ and Christ alone. When we submitted to Jesus Christ at the moment of salvation our identity became completely rooted in Him. It is only by His power that we can do anything and it is in Him that we have communion with the Father.

As a result, there are times when we must guard our personalities in order to honor Christ. This is especially difficult for me because I like to be outgoing, friendly and fun. When interacting with people it's incredibly difficult for me to learn how to take a step back from the situation to listen.

I want to be heard.

I want to be noticed.

I want to be useful.

I want to be appreciated.

However, there are definitely moments I look back on and see warnings where God was trying to tell me to slow down, listen and guard my personality. This is a part of my testimony, demonstrating respect and honor to others. The verse that comes to mind is James 1:19:

"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce righteousness of God."(ESV)

The "quick to hear" part is most convicting to me. When someone asks a question I am usually the first to answer instead of listening to others. I pray that God will continue to work in my life so I can be a better listener...

to God
and
to others

Happy Wednesday!

miscellany monday

Location: Richardson, TX

1. I can't believe I only have until Saturday in Texas! God has been teaching me so much and I love the people here. We had a new group of people come in last night who are a few steps ahead of us in this process and getting ready to leave. I'm so excited to get to know them and hear about their journeys.

2. I'm turning into a bit of a geriatric. Last night I managed to stay up until 9:45 before I fell asleep. Granted I get up around 5:00 to go workout :) I guess I'm turning into a morning person.

3. I forgot how much I love reading, for fun. I've enjoyed all the school books I've read over the last four years but being able to read what I want to read, when I want to read it is so refreshing. I'm trying to make my way through the reading list. My dear friend Annie tried to fix my book suggestion page because as of right now you can't suggest a book. It gave her a hard time so I'm going to try when I have a bit more free time. Until then if you have a book suggestion send me a quick email :)

4. This past weekend was relaxing and fun. The pictures will explain it better than any story I try to tell so:

The weekend began with nap time

Then picnic time!

Then Saturday in Dallas...

At the Ketchup Burger Bar

Mushroom Burger

Brie Burger

Blue Burger

Chicken Sandwich with Pepper Jack Cheese and Avocado

Then FroYo at Yumilicious :)

Silly brother and sister

Sunday after church we had lunch...

And played ninja!

I would love to hear about your weekend :)

Holy Discontentment

Location: Richardson, TX

Today was quite a taxing day at NPO. I worked out like every morning, ate breakfast and headed to the training center. After that we had an eye-opening time of worship. Instead of singing praise music like the other mornings we spent time reading God's Word out loud, without commentary, without preaching. It was a time of reading, listening and meditating. There are many times I've heard Christians say that worship is supposed to be more than just music and today we lived that out. It was so refreshing. I hope I will be able to practice this form of worship again soon.

After a profound devotion on suffering we spent about an hour getting to know the lovely people who work in the US office. Most people don't realize how much work goes into supporting workers on the field. These are accounts, lawyers, communication specialists and caregivers who have chosen to help workers be successful.

The second session began the hard work. It was our language learning session, this included an overview on the language learning policy and a language learning aptitude test. This test was about 30 min and forced us to demonstrate our ability to learn another language both orally and visually. I am so grateful for my linguistics training, otherwise this test would have been impossible. I'm actually finding myself excited to learn the results to help me become a better language learner.

After the test I was completely exhausted and I still had my doctrinal interview after lunch. I had a great lunch with some fellow trainees and staff members. I spent the time between lunch and my interview praying and surrendering the interview to the Lord. He blessed me in the interview allowing me to speak clearly and efficiently to my interviewer. I also had time to ask questions and get some more resources for the future.

Then many of the trainees were finished for the afternoon and we were invited to a session at a different orientation. We talked about the positive and negative aspects of coming back from overseas. It was encouraging to hear other people's experiences. It was during this session when one of the staff members spoke about something incredibly profound: Holy Discontentment.

This may seem like an oxymoron to people who understand the command to count our blessings and be content. However, this staff member commented on how many of the trainees said the most difficult part of reentering the US was the discontentment with the US culture. She said it was this discontentment with the US culture God was using to call us overseas. God put this passion for a different culture than our own in us in order to give us a sense of urgency to serve cross-culturally.

This reminded me of Philippians 1:20-26 when Paul talks about being torn between heaven and earth. His desire was to be with Christ but he knew he had a responsibility to serve on earth. Paul submitted to God's calling in His life. While many of us trainees are as torn as Paul, there are still aspects of living in the US that we will miss. It is ultimately about submitting to a calling from God to work where He has yet to be preached.

It also reminded me of many of the Psalms where David poured out his emotions, good or bad. There were times when he was angry with God and didn't understand God's plan. That didn't stop him from walking with God, rather it spurred him on to have a deeper walk with God.

I want to study this topic further and learn what the Bible has to say about it. However, I have the weekend off :) I'll be relaxing, recharging and probably not blogging.

'Til Monday,

NPO Day 2 & 3

Location: Richardson, TX

Texas is amazing! I am learning so much about God's passion for the nations and how Christar is pursing the same passion. I've been sitting in on seminars about Christar's values and mission, the importance of doctrine, doctrinal issues on the field and church planting essentials. In the afternoons I've been having interviews/meetings with different people and departments. Tomorrow is my doctrinal interview, prayers appreciated!

We had the opportunity last night to have dessert at the house of U.S./International Director of Christar and hear his wife's testimony. It was great to hear how God worked in her life and get to know them better. I also got to spend some time outside of training with the other candidates and Blaze participants. 

All the while, I've been embarking on a journey through an open door God has provided. There is a need for an ESL teacher in the Arabian Peninsula! I'm still in the process of applying and so I don't have many details to share. What I can say is I'm so excited to see how God is going to use this experience for His glory. I would greatly appreciate your prayers as I go through this process. I will continue to update everyone as I get more details :)

Here are some pictures I took yesterday and today (I promise I'll take more soon):

The pool at the hotel with the spitting dolphins

My news devotional 

 The training center door

 My roommate getting ready to sign in for breakfast

Some of my fellow candidates and a mobilizer

Happy Thursday!

NPO Day 1

Location: Richardson, TX

I'M HERE!!!!!!!! 2 flights later, I've made it to Texas and I'm so excited :) These next 10 days are going to be incredible and I've already met some amazing people who are on fire for the Lord.

After being picked up from the airport and driven back to the training center we were greeted by a whole host of friendly faces. I got to see a bunch of people from last summer and felt like I was coming back home. We had a delicious lunch and then spent the afternoon listening to announcements and everyone's testimony.

It was so amazing to hear about how God brought all these incredibly different people to Texas for orientation. Couples, singles, students, we're all here to bring glory to God.

God is good.

Then we got settled into our hotel room and hung out for a bit. My roommate is awesome! We have the same amount of hair products, we like the same music and we're both a little crazy. I know God brought us together to encourage each other and begin a life-long friendship.

I can't wait to see what happens these next 10 days. My schedule is pretty full but I'm still going to try to blog as regularly as I can. I don't have any pictures yet because it's been such a busy day but I promise to have some soon :)

Good night,

miscellany monday

Location: Evergreen Park, IL

1. I leave for Texas TOMORROW!!!!!!! I will be getting up at the crack of dawn to head out. The family I'm staying with is currently in Puerto Rico but luckily a couple from my church has agreed to pick me up and take me out to the airport. My procrastination tendencies are taking over a bit so I still haven't packed but I'll be ready by tomorrow...promise :)

The food at the training center is AMAZING!

2. I've found a place to live! I'm going to be in an a basement apartment in the house of a woman from church. This is such a blessing from God. I'll be closer to work. I'll be closer to church. I'll be in a Christian home. I don't have to sign a lease! It's anything I could possibly ask for in an apartment.

The neighborhood where I'll be living

3. My new obsession is Mock the Week, similar to Whose Line is It Anyway, only there's less chaos, a ton of British humor and they focus on popular culture. There are full episodes on Youtube and I can't stop watching it!

BEST TV SHOW EVER!

4. I'm debating on whether or not I should get a Kindle. I asked my friend Annie and it's obvious you will have to pry hard copy books out of her cold dead hands. However, I welcome other opinions about e-Readers as I make my decision.

The Kindle :)

5. I went summer clothes shopping this weekend and had the wonderful surprise of being able to buy closes one size smaller. I guess going to the gym every morning and not eating college cafeteria food will do that for you.

My new dress!

Have a wonderful Monday!

Uncertainty

Location: Evergreen Park, IL
I think I'm ready to go to Texas. I think I'm ready for orientation. I think I'm ready to go cross-cultural full time.

However...

There's this lingering feeling of uncertainty, not knowing what lies ahead.

The only thing I'm certain of is that God is in control and whatever happens is not outside of His will for my life. Therefore, if I complete orientation praise God. At the same time, if I don't complete orientation praise God. He knows exactly what He has in store for me and it is for my good (cf. Romans 8:28)

Thus, I'm going to cling to the peace that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7), knowing that God will supply all of my needs (Philippians 4:19). I'm going to take a step forward in faith and rest in the many promises of God. I will surrender my fear to my Savior, knowing that perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18) and choose hope. I will completely rely on my Savior and trust in His plan, which is infinitely better than mine. I will choose submission to whatever God desires.

On that note...I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!! God has been working on my heart for months now and I can't wait to see God put the pieces together. If you want to be added to my email update list let me know! (FYI I get to share more in my email updates because I have more control over who reads them).

One of my Sunday School students had her 5th birthday party yesterday :)

How cute is she?!?!?!?!?!

In Christ,

Good for you

Location: Evergreen Park, IL

I sit at the same little table almost every day. The pool binder (usually weighed down by a gallon of water), my water bottle, my Bible study book and my Bible are on the table in front of me. Scattered in between the books are highlighters, pens, permanent markers and colored pencils. As people walk by the table and sign in they usually exchange pleasantries with me and some will even have a short conversation with me.

Today, however I had a different kind of exchange while doing my Bible study (Just FYI this Bible study is blowing my mind, which I'll discuss in a future post). I was reading a couple different passages and taking notes when one of the guests came to sign out. He looked at my work and asked me, "Are you reading the Bible?" and I looked up and replied, "Yes, I am." His response confused me a bit, "Good for you. Say a couple extra prayers for me."

I couldn't tell whether or not he was joking because he'd been joking around with some other girls at the pool the entire time I had been there. He left before I had a chance to respond but his comment stayed with me for the rest of my shift.

It amazes me how many people have respect for someone who is seemingly religious even though they are apathetic towards or against religion. Having encountered people from other religions it seems they would prefer for you to a be a person dedicated to another religion than not participate in one at all. The difference between all these other religions and following Christ is that it isn't a religion. It's about pursuing a personal relationship with Christ.

This is where the confusion for me began. I wondered why this man thought that just because I was reading the Bible that my prayers for him would somehow be more effective than his own prayers? I realize the simple answer to this is that this man probably isn't a Christian. However, why then would he think that my prayers for him would be effective at all? I wish there had been time for me to ask him these questions, to see where his heart is. Maybe I'll get lucky and he'll stop by the pool again sometime and we will be able to talk further. Or maybe he was just joking and had no expectation whatsoever that I would pray for him.

No matter what his intentions were I will be praying for him. I will pray that someone will have the opportunity to explain to him that his personal prayers to God are just as valued as anyone else's. So long as he comes before God with a repentant heart seeking His will. I will pray that God will open his eyes to the truth and he will be able to join the Kingdom of God.

Have you ever encountered someone like this? What was/would be your response?

Just a little piece of the Bible study that is completely changing my view on missions

Here's the Church...

Location: Evergreen Park, IL

For those of you who grew up in church...remember that little rhyme with hand motions about the church? The one that goes, "Here's the church and here's the steeple. Open the doors and see all the people," or some variation of that? The rhyme what quite entertaining for me as a child but as I've grown older I've began to think more and more about the church.

Most members of the universal church today agree that the church isn't the building but rather the body of Christ. This is why we so many different forms of church around the world. From small meetings in homes to a gathering under a tree, church is anywhere where the people of God our gathered. But what will the church look like in places where it doesn't already exist?

It's hard to think about places where there is no church. For those of you who don't know, the most likely place for this to occur is the 10/40 window. The space in the eastern hemisphere between the 10 and 40 latitude lines north of the equator. These people have a lack of access to the Bible, Christian resources and missionaries. I was there last summer and got to see up close how the people have been deceived by false teachers.

As I learned about evangelism in the 10/40 window I realized many of our Western church models wouldn't work for these people. The culture they come from separates men and women completely. It requires extreme modesty for women. It places high value on written scriptures, so much so that no one would ever think to put a sacred book on the floor or write in it. Music is a controversial issue. These issues would post major problems when it comes to planting a church among this society.

So I began to wonder...

Is there anything wrong with church being separated by gender? Doesn't 1Timothy encourage older women to mentor younger women and older men to do the same with younger men?

Is it wrong for women to cover their head as a sign of respect and modesty? Any depiction of women in Bible times usually includes them with head coverings.

Would it be so awful if the Bible were always placed in the highest place of honor?

Can we worship God without music?

I'm not saying that Western models of the church need to change but I'm wondering how much contextualization can happen in the context of a place where God's church has yet to take root. It's not about making Christianity palatable because the Gospel is offensive. However, the West doesn't have the claim to perfect Christianity and imposing it on other cultures doesn't seem fair.

I could be totally off base here and I welcome your opinions. What is the church? What is the church supposed to look like? How far can contextualization go?

Two fellow interns and I at a restaurant on one of our last nights in the country

The Wandering Theologian: A Map

Location: Evergreen Park, IL

So with a new blog comes a new theme, a new design and some new elements. As a result I decided that I would write a quick post about the elements of this blog:

-About me: self-explanatory

-Contact: self-explanatory also :)

-Reading List: This is where I will post suggestions that you give me (see below) and cross them out as I go along.

-Suggest a Book (so titled by Annie): This is where you get to leave a comment with reading suggestions (fiction or non-fiction) along with your blog URL so I can link to your blog when I post about the book.

-Travel Photos: This is the section where I will link to all the posts that include my photos from traveling. Find your favorite!

I hope you all are having a spectacular week (halfway there!). I look forward to hearing from you :)

Reflections on Graduation, part 1

Location: Roscoe Village, Chicago, IL

I'm a college graduate.

It sounds weird even in my head.

I don't feel old enough to be a college graduate. I don't feel smart enough to be a college graduate. I definitely don't feel adult enough to be a college graduate.

Regardless of how I feel, I am a college graduate. I've walked across the stage, my final grades have been submitted and all I'm waiting for is my official diploma.

I put in four years studying, going to class, praying and preparing for life after graduation. Now I'm here and I'm not completely sure what I'm supposed to do. Plans have constantly been changing. Jobs and apartments not panning out. Postponing graduate school. Applying for orientation in Texas. Life's been crazy. Now things are beginning to settle down and I'm trying to sort out my feelings about post-graduation life.

What I've come up with so far:
-Seek God's will...His timing is perfect. Things may not be working out according to my plans but God's plans are better.

-Don't be afraid to ask for help. We are the body of Christ for a reason. I didn't realize how many people at my church were willing to help out a struggling college student until I asked.

-Set boundaries and take care of yourself. In my heart of hearts I'm a yes man. I struggle saying no and I want to fill every need around me. However, I've found I function better with 8 hours of sleep, working out in the morning and eating right.

-BE PATIENT. Waiting is a great character builder. It will test all your convictions about relying on the Lord and trusting in His Sovereignty. It's incredibly difficult for people like me who want to pretend to have control but God is working on that part of me.

-Maintain supportive relationships. If it wasn't for my friends supporting me and trusting me to support them I'm not sure where I would be. Never be too busy for your relationships.

-Finally, trust God. This points seems redundant but it's important enough that it bears repeating. God has got it all under control whether I can see it or not. Learning to actually believe that has been a invaluable lesson.

For those of you who haven't graduated yet, what do you look forward to most post-graduation?

For those of you who have already graduated, what kinds of lessons did you learn while you were in transition to "real life"?

The kitchen in the house where I work...I'm a bit envious :)

miscellany monday

Location: Old Town, Chicago, IL

1. 8 more days until I go to Texas. I can't believe orientation is already here! I get to visit everyone I met last year during internship training. Now I'll be training as one of their fellow missionaries :) God's sovereignty still amazes me. He is still working out plans and I'm leaning to be patient and wait for everything to fall into place.

2. I love working as a pool attendant, especially in the mornings. I usually get an hour to an hour and a half by myself to set up, clean and then relax. I get to enjoy God's wonderful creation around me and spend time reading, thinking and writing.

3. I might have found a place to live! Everything is still tentative but I'm pretty sure this is the place God planned for me. It's short term (in case plans change), close to church and closed to my jobs. I'm so thankful for my pastor and his family's hospitality.

4. There may be some overseas travel coming up sooner than expected. I don't have enough details to talk about it just yet but look out for coming posts.

5. Sunday School is going really well with the kids. We're hoping to get a couple more teachers soon but it seems that the kids are learning so much. I keep praying that God will continue to encourage the parents to be involved in their children's lives spiritually.

View from the pool deck:

Youth Ministry: Parental Substitutes?

Location: Old Town, Chicago, IL

I didn't have the best experience in youth group. This was mostly due to my poor attitude, desire for attention and immense pride. I did not value my parents' wisdom or instruction. The entire world revolved around me. Therefore, I don't think I can look at my experience as the normative one. In addition, I cannot discount all of the benefits from being in youth group. My first exposure to local missions was because of youth group. I made some incredible friends in youth group. I was mentored my some amazing women in small groups. I learned about Moody Bible Institute, my alma mater, in youth group.

However, after talking to my friends in college about their youth group experience and gaining some experience in children's ministry at my church I began to question the purpose of youth ministry. Obviously, no ministry is perfect but there is something about the youth ministry paradigm that is particularly unsettling.

I'll begin by looking at what the Biblical paradigm for children's and youth ministry.

In Deuteronomy, we see the pattern in the Jewish household to be parents instructing their children.

Deuteronomy 6:1-9 "Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the rules that the LORD your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to posses it, that you may fear the LORD your God, you and your son and your son's son, by keeping all His statutes and commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long. Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you in a land flowing with milk and honey. Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the door posts of you house and on your gates."

This passage demonstrates God wants parents to instruct their children, not only in the home but wherever the family happens to be.

"You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Not only does God want parents to instruct their children but also demonstrate their faith to everyone.

"You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the door posts of you house and on your gates."

5 chapters later (Deut. 11:18-21) the same commandment is given. God commands parents to teach and demonstrate their faith to their children.

Another well known passage on the subject is Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Here we see how the instruction of children is vital to a lifelong faith.

Looking at the New Testament Ephesians contains instructions for both parents and children.

Ephesians 6:1-4 "Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' (this is the first commandment with a promise), 'that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.' Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

For anyone who claims that Old Testament Law is no longer applicable it is in Ephesians we find the same commandment. God values parents teaching their children in the way of the Lord. He promises long life to those who do.

Furthermore, the life of Timothy is another great example of children being trained by their parents. In 2 Timothy 1, Paul discusses how Timothy's faith has been passed down from his grandmother and his mother.

2 Timothy 1:5 "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure dwells in you as well."

Timothy found faith through his grandmother and mother who instructed him in the ways of the Lord from childhood.

2 Timothy 3:14-16"But as for you continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through Jesus Christ."

Paul commends Timothy's childhood instruction which most likely, based on the beginning of the letter, came from his grandmother and mother.

Looking at the pattern in the Bible it seems that many, not all, of the youth groups in modern evangelical Christianity are missing a piece.

Based on my experience and the experience of my fellow Bible college students, many youth groups are set up to be more of a social event that a time of Biblical instruction. Kids come for the games, the food and their friends. This isn't necessarily bad. It's great that Christian children and teens. can have a place where they can spend time with like-minded people. They can gain support and encouragement from others. But how are the parents involved?

It's very true many parents volunteer in youth ministry. However, shouldn't youth groups be partnering with what parents are doing in the home. I understand there are exceptions, children whose parents aren't Christians, but for those children and students who do come from Christian homes it is vital that biblical instruction comes from the home and is reinforced at youth group. The parents should be seen as the primary spiritual caregivers, not the youth pastors. Biblically, it is the parents' responsibility to train their children.

It excites me to hear more and more stories of youth groups who are following this biblical patterns. It excites me even more to talk to my friends studying to be youth pastors who want to change the youth ministry paradigm as well. I will continue to pray that God will raise up people to address this need. I am also working as the Sunday School director at my church to partner with parents and encourage them to get involved in their children's' spiritual lives. I ask that you pray with me. I would also love to hear about your personal experiences from when you were in youth group or if you're involved in youth ministry now. Comment or send me an email!


Oh and my wanderings today have taken me to work where I suffer poolside:

I'm Back!!!!!!!!

Location: Evergreen Park, IL

My lovely and dear friend Annie has been on me for months to get back into the blogging world. I've been putting it off for a number of reasons...

It was my last semester of college

                                                    

                                                     I was in the process of applying for full-time missions work

            

           I was job, apartment and roommate hunting

                                                                       I was working 3 different part time jobs

As a result, the first thing to go was my blogging time. Along with some of my sleeping time, my workout time and leisure time. However, I'm now graduated, staying with the incredibly generous family of my pastor and I'm headed to Texas for orientation in less than two weeks. Now I have some very minimal free time.

Lucky for me Annie helped me design a new blog, all I had to do was come up with the name and give her some pictures. With the backstory out of the way, I'm going to take some time to explain the meaning and purpose of the blog.

I'm a travel addict. I blame it on the fact that I was born overseas, a military brat to be precise. I travelled all around Europe before I was three years old. I moved to the States when I was three and over the next two years I lived in Florida, North Carolina and Texas. My final and most permanent move was to Michigan, near my mom's family. However, my mom worked hard to let us travel and throughout my schooling years I traveled to Florida, Texas, Mount Rushmore, Grand Canyon, Hilton Head Island, New York, Germany and Venezuela. Traveling was in my blood.

Something I didn't realize at first was traveling could be used for God's glory. It wasn't until I went on my first overseas missions trip to Germany that I realized my relationship with God, my passion for travel, my love for other people groups and desire to learn about other cultures could all be melted together into one calling from God. I began to investigate missions which led me to Moody Bible Institute. 

It was at Moody that I began to develop a deep love for theology. My professors exercised great patience with me as I dug deeper into the complexities of Christian doctrine. They helped me foster a desire to learn all I could about God's Word. I began to read books by Piper, Grudem, Erikson and Ryrie in a way I never had before. 

Now that I have graduated I've began seeking a way to combine my two loves once again. So, this blog was born. Part of my free time will now be spent reading a host of different books (for fun!). Suggestions are more than welcome :) As I travel (T minus 11 days to Texas!) I will blog about both my travels and my reading. I'll share pictures, insights, memories and lessons from along the way. 

Today, I begin my journey as: