Still Learning

Hello! And welcome to my first blog—glad you made it! For starters, most of you know I am on Summer Project in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. So…I have been challenged to create a blog and update it as often as I can (maybe once a week?) This blog is for what I’ve learned while being on project, experiences on project, and will hopefully go beyond this summer. It might be short, it might be long, and more than likely grammatically incorrect, but I hope you enjoy it! : )

Areas that I’ve learned a few new things….

*My Own Walk*
-I am not worthless, but have been CHOSEN in Christ.
-I don’t receive God’s grace by what I’ve done. Nothing I have done will save me.
-Matthew 20:26-27 tells us of humility. Not to be served, but to SERVE others—just as Christ served us with his LIFE.

*As A Community*
-It is definitely a great encouragement to have daily conversation with brothers and sisters in Christ—to learn their story and be comforted by the similarities. (and laugh at the differences?)
-Learning to be leaders also takes teamwork. The day we went to Boston on a scavenger hunt, we stopped at Campus Crusade for Christ International. There, they told us of the team that oversees the Ministry in the area. This was very eye-opening and awesome to understand.
-We come from everywhere and have gathered to worship and multiply God’s kingdom.
-I am looking forward to outreaches on the beach and other places, and teaching Sunday School at Church on Sundays.

*At Work*
-Not to judge those I work with, but to have compassion.
-To step up to the challenge (sharing)
-Not to complain, but enjoy the job I’ve been offered. Obviously, there is a reason Jill and I both ended up cleaning hotel rooms with old ladies and a few Russians, after applying to so many places and being turned down so many times.

*New Surroundings*
-Honestly, I feel so blessed for my friends, family…and growing up in Iowa. New Hampshire is a completely different place and it has been a huge challenge to focus on my purpose here. I’ve wanted to go home ever since I got here, which is not like me at all. This has nothing to do with the people I am living with, but only with the area I’m staying in. Going back to the Farmhouse just can’t come soon enough.
-“Be strong and courageous…for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” says Joshua 1:9. That darn verse keeps popping up everywhere. I’ve had it on my desktop background for over a month. I comfortably used it when encouraging my friends who had just graduated or whose lives had changed dramatically. Then, a huge slap in the face: the pastor at church on Sunday gave a sermon about the passage. So….okay, God! I get it. He wants me to understand that He has things under control and not to get freaked out. He’s here too, and I need to get some courage and be strong. Get going!
-Being overwhelmed, discouraged, and needing to be away from all the commotion have been the greatest challenges so far. I’m still looking for a calm, quiet, country road to run on and recharge. Unfortunately, I’m looking for something that doesn’t exist. I hate when that happens.

*As A Woman*
-I am still waiting for my hero, but am “waiting well.”
-I would not be who I am if I had had different relationships, had a different schedule, or had to try and take extra time for a close relationship. Single? Yes. Alone? No..
-God had promised me “something” and I will just wait for that “something”…whatever it is. I will enjoy who God has made me and focus on making my life worthy of the Lord and being his servant, daughter, apostle, and friend. It gives me joy, what more could I ask for?
-BLESSINGS! They are abundant! Blessings of his grace, (even though I don’t deserve it) unfailing love, and trustworthiness fill my day. I’ve been so blessed by the people he has placed in my life. I care about all of them and am so happy to know them now, or have known them in the past. No complaints here, He takes good care of me!

Well, that seems to be a lot of what I’ve learned or relearned so far. The End! I hope this helps or encourages someone. I know that it’s too much for one week. Next week will be stort…er.
: )