Where did the summer go?

I am realizing that the summer is coming closer and closer to an end as my contract end date becomes something that is 2 1/2 weeks away instead of 2 1/2 months away. It's crazy how fast time can fly past. This summer I have had the opportunity to go and serve at Village Creek Bible Camp in a facet that I have never done before. This summer I was the support staff supervisor and the d-team leader. There were aspects of my job that I did not enjoy at all. There were aspects that I disliked at first and learned to love. There were aspects that I have loved from day one. There were aspects that I loved at first and have grown to dislike. At the start of summer during staff training, Camie, the director, challenged the staff to get outside of their comfort zones and do something that we have never done before. I can recall the first week of camp being told that I would be working in the office. Office work is something that I enjoy, for the most part. However, my least favorite aspect of the office is the telephone. I HATE talking on phone to people that I don't know. When I learned that phones were a part of my job description and when I had my first office hour I prayed that the phone wouldn't ring. Surprisingly it didn't ring! :D However, that was not the case the next time I was in the office and will never be the case ever again. So, I've stepped out of my comfort zone and I've answered and talked to more people on the phone than any introvert cares to admit. A fun way that I stepped out of my comfort zone was by going down camps zipline at night! SO MUCH FUN! First drop was a little terrifying and I screamed however after that it was so cool to just sail through the sky. Because it was dark I didn't even notice the height that I was at because I couldn't see.

One aspect of my job that I loved from the get go was d-team leader. This part of my job required me to meet one-on-one with most of the girl staff. I loved being able to meet each of the girls and just talk about life with them. I loved being able to build friendships with some really great high school students and meet some new awesome college age staff. It was a strange feeling to be considered as part of the "old" staff. I guess having a college degree gives you that label. ;) Anyways, I loved chatting with these girls and coming alongside them as they journey through life and seeing how God is using them and growing them.

The support staff supervisor part of my job was not my favorite at the start of camp. There are still aspects of the job that I am grappling with and I think that just has to do with my personality. In this role I go around camp and find cleaning projects for support staff to do when they do not have other assignments to work on. They can be projects from cleaning toilets, mopping floors to taking out the trash to watching sleeping campers. I struggle with this part because most of the day I sit in the office doing office stuff when I could be the one out there doing the cleaning. But I've learned that I cannot do everything and that delegation is important in any kind of ministry.

Another part of my job that is hard is confronting people with their faults. I struggle with this because I know I have my own faults and as human nature goes we are so quick to point out the faults in others before ourselves. I've learned that the discipline needs to happen. If all of staff got away with being on their phones we would miss out on what is happening in front of us. I'm also really learned to dislike my radio. It is just this thing that is attached to me that talks all the time and I can't choose to ignore it like I do my phone.

This summer has been one of the longest summers that I have worked at camp. I started on May 26th and finish up on August 16. With that being said as the summer comes closer to a finish I am having to rely on my Christ for strength to get through each day. My patience runs thin and I grow weary but HE strengthens me and uses me despite my cranky mood sometimes. I have also seen God through the people who work with me. Last week, Terri, a wonderful woman from town who works in the office with me, invited three of us over to her place for coffee and conversation. It was so refreshing and so needed. It was so great to sit in someone's home and enjoy fellowship and not worry about what was happening in the Valley. During our  conversation the two girls who told me that they feel at peace when I walk into the room and they just enjoy the presence of someone who has "been through it before". Being a college grad they look up to me as an a model to follow. I was so encouraged and it was in that moment when God was like listen to this Alison because this is the answer to why you are working at camp this summer. It was so great to hear the encouragement from those girls. It was such a great reminder that Christ works through us even when we do not realize it.

This summer has by far been the most stretching and growth filled summers that I have had. I got to use some of my gifts to write the curriculum for the children's chapels for family camp as well as compile resources for the family devotions time. I'd say that this summer has been unlike any other. I'm incredibly blessed by Village Creek Bible Camp and the people there who have been able to pour into me and be able to see my grow in my faith from being a little junior camper to cabin leader to leadership staff.

I'm so excited for what God has in store for the next chapter of my life. After a little break after camp finishes I will be off to Lafayette, CO to start my internship at Flatirons Community Church in their children's ministries department. I would greatly appreciate prayers as I transition into my house and job in Colorado. I'm so thankful for the opportunity that the Lord has given me to live in CO for the next 11 months and I know that it will be a very growing and stretching experience for me and my walk with the Lord.

In the course of a week...

In the course of a week...
...I finished my undergraduate degree at Taylor University
...Was a bridesmaid for one of my dear friends weddings! Love you, Katie!
...Spent a few days at staff training at Village Creek Bible Camp
...Participated in a proposal scavenger hunt for one of my best friends from high school!

With that being said the past week has been CRAZY but wonderful! I have been able to spend time with friends from many different areas of my life.
 I remember on the last day that I was at Taylor walking back to Olson Hall one last time, after having lunch in the Union with some great friends, thinking that this is the last time as a TU student that I will walk across campus. Instead of rushing back I took my time. I walked slowly and while walking was flooded with memories that had happened all around me in the Upland community. I even stopped at one point and took a picture of the bell tower, which had previously been looked upon in a rather negative light because of the symbolic lights that shine on it at night signifying "the integration of faith and learning." During my time at Taylor this phrase became a buzzword as well as "intentional community." Except this time when I looked at the bell tower I didn't grumble. Instead I thought about how Taylor actually strives to incorporate the faith we have in Christ with our everyday work in the classroom. Even though saying goodbye to Taylor and the people there was not easy I know that they have had a lasting impact on my life that I will never forget.

After coming home I spent a whirlwind of 24 hours at home where I unpacked to pack again for my long weekend in Iowa for Katie's wedding and staff training. I left bright and early on Friday morning and arrived in Tama, Iowa by noon to help set up decorations for the reception. But my help was not needed because they had finished everything. We then had some lunch and Katie took us to her house that she and Dustin will be living in. It's a quaint little farm house. Not my cup of tea but it suits them perfectly. After killing some time we left for Sigourney for the dinner rehearsal. After the rehearsal all of us bridesmaids went on a mission to find things for the "just married" vehicle. After that we had a nice dinner at Katie's place. After everyone left we started playing Broadway Just Dance and then headed to bed to get rest for the big day ahead. Saturday morning came and we all got fancied up for the ceremony. I put a few curls in my hair. I asked Gwen if she could do the back but she didn't really know what to do so we stuck to curls in the front. While Katie was having her makeup done we put in Beauty and the Beast, her fave Disney movie, and blew up balloons for the "just married" vehicle. The we took some pictures and headed to the church. After some lunch we gathered around Katie and prayed for her and Dustin and their marriage. Then the ceremony started. It was short and sweet. It fit them perfectly. After having more pictures the bridal party boarded the party bus to head to the reception. All I'll say about that is that it was the most interesting and entertaining bus ride I've had in my life. When we finally made it to the reception we entered in and ate food! I was SO hungry by the time we got there! After eating there were some speeches and then we cleared tables to let the dancing begin! At one point the DJ called the bridal party to the dance floor. All of us looked at Katie with the same expression of "What is happening?" Her answer, "I thought it would be fun to do a slow dance!" In that moment shock took over my face. I went to Katie and told her I've never done a slow dance before. Let alone danced with another man who was drunk and married. #privateschoolprobs So we grabbed our partner. Surprisingly it wasn't too bad. But the look on his face when he asked me what my major was in school was priceless. As it always is when a non-believer asks me what I studied in school. After many more hours of dancing I decided it was time to go. So I gave my goodbye hug to Katie and headed to the hotel to sleep and rest before camp. All in all, it was a really good day. I'm so glad that I chose to be a part of Katie's big day rather than going to my own graduation.

Sunday I arrived at camp. I felt as if I was on cloud 9 for the whole 2 days I was there. I love that place so much. I'm really looking forward to this summer and my new role on leadership. I would appreciate your prayers as I dive into this new role. I also learned that I will be writing the curriculum for family camp again. Hopefully this time will be much better than the first time. As I now know how to write curriculum. After a few quick days at camp I headed home.

On Wednesday I got to meet up with 2 of my best friends from high school. Although one of them didn't know it because it was a part of her proposal scavenger hunt. It was so much fun to be a part of the day. Kendra has been one of my longest and closest friends for 8 years. Every time we talk she leaves me with a challenge and she always asks me how I am doing with God and gives me encouragement. I couldn't be more excited for the journey that she and Karl will have with each other. My favorite part of the day was when she asked me why I came home so early if my grad party wasn't until sunday. My response, I just knew I needed a little more rest this week. The following day the three of us got together at Starbucks and she said now tell me the truth about why you came home early. I told her it was because I was asked to be a part of the scavenger hunt and I would never want to miss out on such a dear friends exciting day.

I'd say the past week has been filled to the rim with activity but I couldn't be more filled with joy. The Lord has shown me that I have some wonderful friends over the past week and I do not know what I would do without having them to live life with.

Deep Well Ventures

Some friends of mine have started a business selling water bottles to provide water for people who do not have access to it! Check them out!!http://www.deepwellventures.com/pages/home

Following with Faith

As of recently this whole idea of following with faith has been a constant theme. I first noticed this theme on Sunday at church. Pastor Joshua had mentioned that around this time of year the prayer requests on the communication cards usually come in masses from seniors in high school and seniors in college who are looking to discover God's will for their lives. Pastor Joshua shared with us that he prays for us but not in the way most people would like him to. He doesn't pray that the Lord would slap us on the face with his will but that we would listen to God because we do not serve a silent God.

Many people know that I have been offered a two year internship in Milwaukee at Transformation City Church to work in their children's ministry. I have also had a phone interview for a church in Colorado for a one year internship in children's ministry. I can honestly say that in going through the application and interviewing processes for both churches that I have had to put full faith in the Lord to guide me where He wants me to go.

When reading in my Bible this past week I was reading about Jesus calling His first disciples. They followed Jesus in faith. They left what they knew to follow something that they were unfamiliar with. As of recently I have really felt that this is my prayer for the next phase of life after college. I've prayed that the Lord would guide me to where He wants me to be rather than where I want to be.

Another example in the past few days that I have seen this 'following with faith' them arise was in chapel on Monday when we sang the song Oceans by Hillsong. If you have not heard this song look it up on youtube. The lyrics are below. The chorus goes like this: "Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior." These words have been my prayer over the past few days. 

With that being said I cannot wait to find out where God will lead me. I'm excited to look into my future and see that I will be where He wants me to be. Whether it be in Colorado, Milwaukee, or living at home in search of a job. I know that as long as I am following with faith that it will be where God wants me to be. 

Oceans by Hillsong
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
[x6]

I will call upon Your Name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine

#CEcapstone14

Over the course of the past 2 weeks my life has taken an unexpected turn. You see, these past 2 weeks I have been traveling throughout the suburbs of Chicago and the city of Chicago with 11 other CE Seniors. Throughout the duration of the trip we visited Willow Creek, Arlington Counseling Center, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, International Teams, Church of the Resurrection, STARS Disability Ministry of College Church, Christianity Today, Awana, Youth for Christ, First Baptist Church of Geneva, Breakthrough Urban Ministries, Community Christian Church, Lawndale Community Church, Nueva Vida, The Salvation Army Kroc Center, Westlawn Youth Network, Four Corners Community Church, and finally Emmaus Ministries. On top of all of these visits we also attended church services at Willow Creek, College Church, Church of the Rez and Westlawn Gospel Chapel.

The night before each ministry visit one of my classmates would research the ministry and based on the website place the purpose of the church or ministry into what is called the Frankena Model. The model consists of 5 boxes, 1) Purpose, 2) Premises, 3) People, 4) Processes, and 5) Practices. After visiting the ministry we would debrief the day and discuss our thoughts on all that we took in during the day.

Although the trip is mentally taxing I have had lots of time to reflect on what I have been learning over the past two weeks. One of the biggest things I have discovered is a clearer sense of my calling in ministry. I always knew that I wanted to work with children. I always knew that I did not want to be in a school system with children. I knew that I wanted to teach kids about having a relationship with Christ and I get the greatest joy in life when I can witness a child accept salvation in Jesus Christ for the first time. However, it wasn't until this past November when I googled for 1-2 year long children's ministry internships that I had been placed at a churches website for a 2 year long urban children's ministry internship located in the hardest part of Milwaukee. This was the first door to open for my pursue of an urban ministry. I have however applied to other positions but Transformation City Church keeps contacting me back and pulling me in. In fact during the duration of the trip in Chicago I scheduled a four day visit to see the church on a Sunday morning service, sit in on a staff meeting, attend Tuesday night youth group, and observe an after school program for children. I became enamored with the after school program. I love the holistic approach to serving the whole child not just his spiritual needs but his need for education, mentors, food, fellowship. While visiting the many churches in Chicago a constant theme was holistic ministry.

Now, before I get to far ahead of myself. The purpose of the capstone trip is to help us to find the topic in which we are going to write our 50 page, 7 chapter long, Philosophy of Ministry paper on in the upcoming semester. Throughout the trip I had many conversations with my professor, Phil, about what I was going to be writing about. I knew I wanted to write about children's ministry at the start of the trip but that was all I knew. After chatting with Phil it was made clear that writing about a holistic after school program for upper elementary kids in an urban setting was the topic for me. As the trip continued my passion and excitement for the topic continued to grow.

In general, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity I have been given to see and experience the many different ministries throughout Chicago. I have also loved growing closer to my wonderful CE friends and seeing them outside of the typical classroom setting. I have been immensely blessed to have spent the past 3 1/2 years with such great people. Not only do I look forward to spending one last amazing semester with them but I also look forward to seeing how God uses each and everyone of them for His kingdom. #CELovin #CEcapstone14

Research Papers of Thankfulness

The past week has been NUTS! I mean it. There are normally those weeks that come around every once and a while that just take everything out of you. This was one of those weeks. Or at least that's how my mind had thought the week would be.

This past week I have written not one, but two research papers. Neither of which were just a little walk in the park. Both were on some pretty deep biblical themes and topics. My first paper for my Gospels class was about a hard saying of Jesus. I chose Matthew 5:48, "You therefore must be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect." This was no easy task, to take on writing about what the interpretation of this text could possibly be. Then there was my Biblical Theology paper. This one was on Jesus as the Good Shepherd focusing specifically on John 10:14-18. I'm not sure how many hours I racked up at the library this week or how many cups of coffee I consumed or how few hours I sleep I received. But I do know that this academic venture taught me more about my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, than I had ever thought possible.

Quick moment of honesty, before this week I had only propped open my Bible to look at scripture passages read in my Bible classes. Back to my previous story.

Through the research and writing of these two papers I've learned more about the complete and perfect love that the Father has for me. I also learned about the Good Shepherd who is watching over me and knows me intimately more than I can even fathom. Through the research and writing and reflection of the scripture that HAD to happen in order for me to write I was deeply convicted of the lack of devotion to Christ and His Word that there has been in my life over the course of the semester. I've realized that I've lacked personal one on one time with my Heavenly Father.

Thus, I'm thankful for research papers. I'm thankful that the Lord placed these research papers into my semester to help me realize my need for His Word in my life. I've learned that the Lord is willing to do anything to reach and communicate with His sheep.

Doing vs. Becoming

I am a little over a month into my Senior year at Taylor. I can't believe that I'm a SENIOR! I know my mom will say the same. The past month as been a month of ups and downs. The feeling of excitement for a new school year. The feeling of anxiety because it is the last year. Thoughts of making the best of my last year at Taylor as well as thoughts of where I will be a year from now. Where will I be living? What will I be doing?

Last night marked the first 'My Story' night for seniors. A Taylor Alum and favored speaker of TU students, JR Briggs, came and spoke to us about the adjustment to life after Taylor. This is definitely something that has been on my mind a lot lately. But JR said one thing that really resonated with me last night. He said, "It's not about what you are going to do but who you are becoming." Now as a senior in college the most frequently asked question is "What are you going to DO next year?" My response as of lately has been, "Well I'm starting to look for a year long internship in a church in children ministries to get more experience before I enter into a vocational setting." Which is true. I have had meetings with the wonderful Calling and Career Office at Taylor to start some networking with churches in the midwest region. Then I get smacked in the face last night with, "Who are you becoming?" My answer last night was I'm becoming a children's ministry pastor, director... insert your word of choice here... But I realized that it is more than that. 

Later in the night JR mentioned that after graduation we need at least one person who will ask us, "What are you hearing from Jesus?" followed up with, "What are you going to do about it? on a regular basis. I've been blessed through my years at college to have a close friend from back home who asks me this question every time we are with each other. Now to tie these two different questions together. My hope after I graduate is that the things I am hearing from Jesus are things that are helping me to see who I am becoming. Then in seeing what I am becoming doing something about what I am hearing from Jesus. 

Over the course of the last month I have really had to deal with the idea of presence. Presence is the theme for student development at TU this year. As a senior who is trying to prepare for my future, foster new relationships on the wing, and continue to grow old friendships with friends that live on the opposite side of campus I am realizing that the idea of presence is a lot more difficult than it seems. I'm looking forward to seeing how this idea of presence is grown and developed in my life this year. Both with presence of my friends and family and being in the presence of God.

On a completely different note. My brother and sister in law had their baby two weeks ago. Liam Philipp was born on September 12 at 8:55pm. He was 6 pounds and 6 ounces and 20 inches. I am so blessed to become a first time aunt. I look forward to seeing how God uses this new role in my life.