Hey everyone!
So I'm not going to lie, I've been feeling a tiny bit home sick the past couple weeks. Even though moving here is a huge change I didn't think homesickness would really be an issue since it wasn't during my training schools here. I suppose this is abit different since I don't really know when I'll be home next but it still wasn't something I was counting on dealing with. It's been weird not being home for thanksgiving, knowing I wont be home over Christmas and not really knowing when I'll get to see my family next.
Well good news...my family is coming to visit!!
They should get here on Tuesday night and they'll be here for about a week. I am so excited and SO thankful. Beautiful timing.
I'm looking forward to a week full of catching up, shopping, coffee and lots of hanging out!
Hopefully your week will be as wonderful as mine. :)
Peace,
SJ
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Church Update
So we tried a church for the second time last week. It's called High Point Church of Orlando. It's definitely growing on me. The service last week was really good.
Pastor Keith preached a sermon titled "Leaving Boldly" He was talking about how it doesn't really matter how well we live our life here on earth and how many things we do if we're not passing that off to someone. He compared it to one of the relay races in the 2008 Olympics where Darvis Patton failed to pass the baton off to Tyson Gay and both were disqualified. Patton was an outstanding runner but without passing the baton his run meant nothing. This is the same for our lives. We might live awesome christian lives but if we don't pass that off to someone it stops with us, there's nothing to continue.
It sure gives ya something to think about right?
Near the end of the service there were a few baby dedications. Growing up in church I've seen numerous baby dedications and they're pretty much all the same, but these ones were different. The pastor and associate pastors took time to pray for each baby individually and then spoke out things God had placed on their heart for each child. It was really cool!
In YWAM we call this Original Design and it is often done for the students. We take time to pray and ask God how each individual was created, what gifts He has placed in them. It's really sweet. It was exciting to see it done in a church service.
I think we will continue going to this church. Thank you so much for all your prayers!
Peace
SJ
Pastor Keith preached a sermon titled "Leaving Boldly" He was talking about how it doesn't really matter how well we live our life here on earth and how many things we do if we're not passing that off to someone. He compared it to one of the relay races in the 2008 Olympics where Darvis Patton failed to pass the baton off to Tyson Gay and both were disqualified. Patton was an outstanding runner but without passing the baton his run meant nothing. This is the same for our lives. We might live awesome christian lives but if we don't pass that off to someone it stops with us, there's nothing to continue.
It sure gives ya something to think about right?
Near the end of the service there were a few baby dedications. Growing up in church I've seen numerous baby dedications and they're pretty much all the same, but these ones were different. The pastor and associate pastors took time to pray for each baby individually and then spoke out things God had placed on their heart for each child. It was really cool!
In YWAM we call this Original Design and it is often done for the students. We take time to pray and ask God how each individual was created, what gifts He has placed in them. It's really sweet. It was exciting to see it done in a church service.
I think we will continue going to this church. Thank you so much for all your prayers!
Peace
SJ
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Why is everything still green??
Apparently we have entered into the season of Fall...but who would know it around here, nothing changes colour! I miss seeing red, yellow, and orange leaves all over the ground at home. It's disappointing really.
It's weird to think that at home you all will be getting snow soon and I will still be sweating my brains out here. Oy vey.
On Sunday I was drinking my coffee on the way to church and by the time we got there I still had about half of it left but I didn't want to bring it in, so I left it in the car. After church (almost 2 hours later) I went back to the car and my coffee was still hot...kinda weird.
This past month has been a busy time of settling in and figuring out my place for this quarter. Here are some brief updates.
The Fall DTS
The fall DTS has started and we have 43 students roaming about the base. Two of them live in my house which I am quite enjoying. They are now in their second week of teaching and it's so cool to see the transformation beginning already! It's exciting to watch and listen to them as they are learning to hear God's voice and discovering that God wants to speak directly to them. I'm really loving it!
This quarter
I am working in two departments for the next 3 months. Half the time I'm in the Youth department which organizes and runs all our trips for youth under 18. Right now it's alot of planning for next summer and keeping up with the students that went on trips with us this past summer. It's fun though, I get to call alot of the students that were here over the summer and see how they're doing, encourage them in their faith and walk with God, and pray with them.
The other half of the time I'm working in the training department. This involves working with the DTS leaders and helping them with the administrative side of their job. I'm really enjoying this as well.
In the evenings I have the opportunity to hang out with the DTS students and get to know them.
In the evenings I have the opportunity to get to know the DTS students and disciple them as they're growing in what God has for them during this time.
Pray for a church
The past couple weeks I have been looking for a church to start attending regularly. During both of my training schools here in Orlando I went to a young adults evening service that I really enjoyed. The downside of it is that the church is HUGE! I would love to find a smaller church that i could be involved in on a more personal level.
Nathaniel and I have been to two churches so far and we are going back to one of them this Sunday. Please keep this in your prayers as it's rather difficult. I always feel pretty awkward going to new churches and it's not really my favorite thing to do right now.
Working in YWAM I have the privilege to participate in regular teaching and worship times as part of my job, Please pray for a church that feels like family and that i can contribute to, thats really what I'm looking for right now.
Random...
I finally got a cell phone! I've managed just fine without one for a long time but it's proving to be a necessary thing to have around here. I enjoy talking to people on the phone so please feel free to give me a call. 1 407 247 7341
I hope you all are doing awesome.
Peace,
SJ
It's weird to think that at home you all will be getting snow soon and I will still be sweating my brains out here. Oy vey.
On Sunday I was drinking my coffee on the way to church and by the time we got there I still had about half of it left but I didn't want to bring it in, so I left it in the car. After church (almost 2 hours later) I went back to the car and my coffee was still hot...kinda weird.
This past month has been a busy time of settling in and figuring out my place for this quarter. Here are some brief updates.
The Fall DTS
The fall DTS has started and we have 43 students roaming about the base. Two of them live in my house which I am quite enjoying. They are now in their second week of teaching and it's so cool to see the transformation beginning already! It's exciting to watch and listen to them as they are learning to hear God's voice and discovering that God wants to speak directly to them. I'm really loving it!
This quarter
I am working in two departments for the next 3 months. Half the time I'm in the Youth department which organizes and runs all our trips for youth under 18. Right now it's alot of planning for next summer and keeping up with the students that went on trips with us this past summer. It's fun though, I get to call alot of the students that were here over the summer and see how they're doing, encourage them in their faith and walk with God, and pray with them.
The other half of the time I'm working in the training department. This involves working with the DTS leaders and helping them with the administrative side of their job. I'm really enjoying this as well.
In the evenings I have the opportunity to hang out with the DTS students and get to know them.
In the evenings I have the opportunity to get to know the DTS students and disciple them as they're growing in what God has for them during this time.
Pray for a church
The past couple weeks I have been looking for a church to start attending regularly. During both of my training schools here in Orlando I went to a young adults evening service that I really enjoyed. The downside of it is that the church is HUGE! I would love to find a smaller church that i could be involved in on a more personal level.
Nathaniel and I have been to two churches so far and we are going back to one of them this Sunday. Please keep this in your prayers as it's rather difficult. I always feel pretty awkward going to new churches and it's not really my favorite thing to do right now.
Working in YWAM I have the privilege to participate in regular teaching and worship times as part of my job, Please pray for a church that feels like family and that i can contribute to, thats really what I'm looking for right now.
Random...
I finally got a cell phone! I've managed just fine without one for a long time but it's proving to be a necessary thing to have around here. I enjoy talking to people on the phone so please feel free to give me a call. 1 407 247 7341
I hope you all are doing awesome.
Peace,
SJ
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