Masks. Almost all of us have them. They hide our insecurities, they show others what we want them to see, and they allow us to be who we want to be, but they keep us from the very things we want most: To be known, and loved. What will it take for our maks to disappear?
After reading TrueFaced, our class is taking this week to learn the answer to this question. I typically don't take time to think deeply about what I read... this book was different. I saw myself in the examples described. I saw truths that, if I could apply to my life, would change the way I see others and provide freedom I have seldomly, if ever, experienced.
TrueFaced is about just that: being true faced; being yourself. The more I digested this book, the more I realized how many masks I have picked up. I want to look good and be accepted by others. I strive to do what's right in order to please God. I've decided that if I am to do well in this world, I'll just have to cover up my problems. I live as if I can fix myself... after all, I can do it on my own. This is okay, right? After all, shouldn't I be trying to please God?
While I should desire to honor God, what is the motive behind this desire? Too often it is, "So He will be happy with me." This view of God not only hurts my relationship with Him, but the way others relate to me. They begin to feel like they have to perform in order to please God and be loved by others.
Eph. 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from ourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast." This same grace I received at salvation is the grace God offers now. And it is the only way I can truly overcome my sin patterns.
I have to realize that no matter how much I mess up, God is pleased with me. I don't have to perform for Him, because He has already accepted me for who I am... a saint. As soon as I believe His definition of me, I am issued into incredible grace and freedom, and begin to live this truth with the people around me. Only God's grace and strength will overcome my sin and allow others to know me.
This week, I hope our class realizes who God says we are. When we do, the masks we have created before God and one another will begin to drop. We will accept each other dispite sin, frustrations, and awkwardness; and we will realize that it is when we allow others to see us, that we can be truly loved.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
First Semester
As I prepare to leave for Thanksgiving break, I am surprised at how fast the first semester has flown by. With only two weeks left, I have begun to ask myself: Am I accomplishing what I set out to do? The answer is both yes, and no.
When I arrived at Impact 360, my number one goal was to find out what form of missions God is calling me to. I would learn to hear God's voice, and then He would tell me where my future is going. During my time here, however, I have realized that while seeking God's will is good, often it is revealed step by step. I can use this year to learn academically, develop deep relationships with my fellow students, and spend time seeking God, or I can focus all my energy on hearing God's voice, and get frustrated when I don't.
As our group leaves for Brazil, my focus must be in the right place. If I spend the whole month only trying to discern God's call for me in missions, I will miss out on incredible opportunities to reach out to the Brazilian people, and to develop deeper relationships with my own team members. God is focused on accomplishing His purposes, not my desires, and I should be willing to jump on board. Our team will emerge from this experience with a much deeper understanding of the world around us, as well as lessons we will remember for a lifetime.
God has already used Impact to develop my experience in relating to and getting to know other people. He has also broadened my knowledge of the Bible, different worldviews, poverty, economics, and so much more. This semester has opened my eyes in many areas, and in that, I am accomplishing just what I planned... but more importantly, what He planned.
When I arrived at Impact 360, my number one goal was to find out what form of missions God is calling me to. I would learn to hear God's voice, and then He would tell me where my future is going. During my time here, however, I have realized that while seeking God's will is good, often it is revealed step by step. I can use this year to learn academically, develop deep relationships with my fellow students, and spend time seeking God, or I can focus all my energy on hearing God's voice, and get frustrated when I don't.
As our group leaves for Brazil, my focus must be in the right place. If I spend the whole month only trying to discern God's call for me in missions, I will miss out on incredible opportunities to reach out to the Brazilian people, and to develop deeper relationships with my own team members. God is focused on accomplishing His purposes, not my desires, and I should be willing to jump on board. Our team will emerge from this experience with a much deeper understanding of the world around us, as well as lessons we will remember for a lifetime.
God has already used Impact to develop my experience in relating to and getting to know other people. He has also broadened my knowledge of the Bible, different worldviews, poverty, economics, and so much more. This semester has opened my eyes in many areas, and in that, I am accomplishing just what I planned... but more importantly, what He planned.
Monday, November 15, 2010
The New Testament... Not Simply Head Knowledge
I was asked to write the blog for Impact 360 this week, and decided to use it here as well. Hopefully it will give you an idea of the classes we have been taking, and the depth to which God is taking us.
This week, I learned so much. When we began studying the New Testament, I had no idea we would end up drawing circular designs, listening to music, and spending time at Callaway Gardens, but through this time, I realized the New Testament isn't just about head knowledge.
While explaining the history of the gospels, Pastor Greg Brown revealed how these books are each unique because of the differences in character of their authors. God worked through these individuals to accomplish His plan. And in this purpose, God's quest for man, He seeks intimacy with His creation. Much of this week was spent studying emotional intimacy with God, as developed in the Kingdom Triangle, by J.P. Moreland. Often, we attempt to cut out our emotions in fear that they will rule us. As a result, we are unable to use them for good. However, it is only when we don't control emotions that they go wrong. In keeping with this idea, we practiced expressing our emotions on paper by creating mandalas. By the end of the week, class was filled with incredible drawings.
On Wednesday, the group took a trip to Callaway Gardens to spend half an hour alone with God. We had been given a series of pictures of Jesus crucifixion to meditate on, and many of us used both our mind and emotions in writing poems about what we saw. It was good to spend time meditating on what God has done for us, and some of the students returned later that evening for a longer stretch of time.
This week was refreshing. Not only because we were back on campus, but because we learned how to incorporate our emotions into what we do. I hope we, as students, can take this knowledge, and use it during both our individual and corporate devotions. God calls us to love Him with everything we have... and that includes our hearts.
This week, I learned so much. When we began studying the New Testament, I had no idea we would end up drawing circular designs, listening to music, and spending time at Callaway Gardens, but through this time, I realized the New Testament isn't just about head knowledge.
While explaining the history of the gospels, Pastor Greg Brown revealed how these books are each unique because of the differences in character of their authors. God worked through these individuals to accomplish His plan. And in this purpose, God's quest for man, He seeks intimacy with His creation. Much of this week was spent studying emotional intimacy with God, as developed in the Kingdom Triangle, by J.P. Moreland. Often, we attempt to cut out our emotions in fear that they will rule us. As a result, we are unable to use them for good. However, it is only when we don't control emotions that they go wrong. In keeping with this idea, we practiced expressing our emotions on paper by creating mandalas. By the end of the week, class was filled with incredible drawings.
On Wednesday, the group took a trip to Callaway Gardens to spend half an hour alone with God. We had been given a series of pictures of Jesus crucifixion to meditate on, and many of us used both our mind and emotions in writing poems about what we saw. It was good to spend time meditating on what God has done for us, and some of the students returned later that evening for a longer stretch of time.
This week was refreshing. Not only because we were back on campus, but because we learned how to incorporate our emotions into what we do. I hope we, as students, can take this knowledge, and use it during both our individual and corporate devotions. God calls us to love Him with everything we have... and that includes our hearts.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Overload
How do I begin? The past few weeks have been full to overflowing with classes, ministries, and hands-on learning opportunities. First, our group ministered to individuals living in an apartment complex in Atlanta. We spent the night in a host church before putting on a block party for the whole neighborhood. We offered face painting, snow cones, cotton candy, popcorn, music, bracelet making, and free lunch. In addition, we told bible stories, and I as well as a couple other students had the opportunity to share our testimonies.
Another weekend we worked with "City of Refuge", a homeless shelter in Atlanta. We prepared for their upcoming fall festival, handing out fliers in the neighborhood and setting up the room. We also helped fix up a house, and spent time with the people there.
This past week, our group traveled to SIFAT (Servants In Faith And Technology). We were taken to an area filled with reproductions of houses from countries like Nigeria, Nepal, Bolivia, and the Philippines. Taking only our sleeping bags, we stayed in these "countries" for the night, cooking our beans and rice over a fire. The next day we learned about basic technologies that are transforming third world countries, such as bio-sand filters and fuel-efficient cook stoves.
One unforgettable memory from SIFAT was our "Slums Experience". Around 8:00 the second night, we were divided into families, given roles to play, and led into a reproduction of a slum. As missionaries, my family's role was to find food, water, and shelter while helping others as much as possible. We were offered many opportunities to make money, including selling drugs[don't worry, they were fake ;) ], prostitution [and once again, don't worry, this would have been fake :P ], and stealing, however, as missionaries, my family tended fires for many of the locals... an easy job, but many never paid us for our work. We finally earned enough money to buy a house and, through a dishonest business dealing, lost not only our shelter, but our money. Discouragingly, our attention was shifted to finding food. We were given a bowl of soup by a kind family, and finally began to focus on helping others.
Towards the end of the night, I was standing in line to buy soup, when the individuals in front of me began to share Christ with the store owner. I joined them, and the woman called for the police. The three of us spent the rest of our time in jail, where at least we had a roof over our head.
While this wasn't a real slum, we experienced many of the same emotions of rejection, anxiety, and hopelessness as people who live there daily. Through this trip, we gained a deeper understanding of life in third-world countries, and learned about appropriate technology that can change lives.
Needless to say, my head is swimming. In between these adventures, we have taken classes, read books, and written papers, and although it has been tough, I have learned so much. God is showing me more about Himself, myself, and the people around me, and I know I will be able to use these experiences for many years to come... not only to help others live daily, but to give them eternal life.
Another weekend we worked with "City of Refuge", a homeless shelter in Atlanta. We prepared for their upcoming fall festival, handing out fliers in the neighborhood and setting up the room. We also helped fix up a house, and spent time with the people there.
This past week, our group traveled to SIFAT (Servants In Faith And Technology). We were taken to an area filled with reproductions of houses from countries like Nigeria, Nepal, Bolivia, and the Philippines. Taking only our sleeping bags, we stayed in these "countries" for the night, cooking our beans and rice over a fire. The next day we learned about basic technologies that are transforming third world countries, such as bio-sand filters and fuel-efficient cook stoves.
One unforgettable memory from SIFAT was our "Slums Experience". Around 8:00 the second night, we were divided into families, given roles to play, and led into a reproduction of a slum. As missionaries, my family's role was to find food, water, and shelter while helping others as much as possible. We were offered many opportunities to make money, including selling drugs[don't worry, they were fake ;) ], prostitution [and once again, don't worry, this would have been fake :P ], and stealing, however, as missionaries, my family tended fires for many of the locals... an easy job, but many never paid us for our work. We finally earned enough money to buy a house and, through a dishonest business dealing, lost not only our shelter, but our money. Discouragingly, our attention was shifted to finding food. We were given a bowl of soup by a kind family, and finally began to focus on helping others.
Towards the end of the night, I was standing in line to buy soup, when the individuals in front of me began to share Christ with the store owner. I joined them, and the woman called for the police. The three of us spent the rest of our time in jail, where at least we had a roof over our head.
While this wasn't a real slum, we experienced many of the same emotions of rejection, anxiety, and hopelessness as people who live there daily. Through this trip, we gained a deeper understanding of life in third-world countries, and learned about appropriate technology that can change lives.
Needless to say, my head is swimming. In between these adventures, we have taken classes, read books, and written papers, and although it has been tough, I have learned so much. God is showing me more about Himself, myself, and the people around me, and I know I will be able to use these experiences for many years to come... not only to help others live daily, but to give them eternal life.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Much Given, Much Required
Blessing. I have heard the word so many times, and the majority of these references relate to God’s desire to bless us, His people. While that is true, this week's assignment took me through many biblical passages related to blessing, and I saw something I have never noticed before. Most of these verses showed how God blessed His people, and they, in turn, did or did not honor Him. Blessing or cursing would follow depending on their decision.
As I studied, I began to ask the question, “Why does God bless people?” It’s easy to think, “because He loves them.”, and while this is true, there is more to the story. The Old Testament is filled with examples of God’s people following Him, receiving blessings, and then turning from Him and being given to other nations. I thought, "What if the Israelites were sold into slavery because they took God’s blessings solely for themselves? What if the reason He blessed them was so they could honor Him with that blessing, and He removed the blessing as soon as they kept it for themselves?" I have heard the verse, “To whom much is given, much is required”(Luke 12:48) many times, yet never fully considered its implications. While this is such a simple concept, it struck me as an essential truth.
God has blessed me in tremendous ways. He has given me a close family that loves God, a church that has helped develop my faith for over fifteen years, supportive Christian friends, the opportunity to travel on several mission trips, and now a year to study God and His Word with twenty seven like-minded believers. I can’t take this lightly. This blessing isn’t meant to remain stagnant. God calls me to take everything I’ve learned, and declare His name to the nations. When I say, “I can’t share Christ with that person… what would they think?”, I am throwing away the experiences and blessings God has given me for my own comfort.
The Bible says God cuts off those branches of a tree that do not bear fruit(John 15:2). I don’t want to be that person. I want to bear fruit in every area of life, honoring God with the talents He has given me. This week has taught me more about the purpose of God’s blessing. His love towards me is intended to be carried on in order to fulfill the greater purpose of glorifying my Maker. Only with His help can I do that.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Wait on the Lord
What does it mean to wait on God? Psalm 46 says, "be still and know that I am God". I have often wondered how this is possible. On the outside, it seems like an easy task... after all, can't I just sit down in a field for a few minutes? While that is often a great way to calm down and refocus, it's not that simple.
During my time here at Impact 360, I have found myself in the middle of two extremes. In one, I'm so busy thinking about new ideas, writing papers, talking with fellow students, that I have trouble finding time to focus on God. The other extreme was noticed during the backpacking trip two weeks ago. As I sat alone in the woods, I found myself struggling with this same inability to focus. Here I was by myself with five hours to talk with God, and I couldn't hear anything! What was wrong? I realized this frustration wasn't just a one time occurrence, it's something I have struggled with for years.
Why is it so hard to listen? I looked closer at these recent experiences, and realized one major problem is my inability to wait. "Waiting on the Lord" is commonly thought of as "not talking" or "being alone", however a closer look reveals something quite different. A person can experience stillness and peace in a crowd of people. My problem was that I was not waiting, but trying to force answers out of God. I wanted to know where to go to college, what to study, what my future would look like. Instead of simply resting in God's timing, I wanted His answer immediately.
The person who truly waits on God doesn't feel obligated to please anyone, but is satisfied with who he is. He isn't constantly looking forward to the next activity, but is at peace with where he is now. His heart is always open and attuned to the movement of the Holy Spirit, and he joins God in His work. God speaks to him because his heart is on his Maker.
This is the kind of person I want to be. Throughout the coming weeks, I want to be connected to God constantly, not just when I find time to pray or read the Bible. I want to invite God into every aspect of my life, and to honor Him instead of constantly seeking fulfillment for my own desires and answers for my own questions. As I practice this, I believe God's voice will become more and more familiar. He wants to speak to me... but I must listen.
During my time here at Impact 360, I have found myself in the middle of two extremes. In one, I'm so busy thinking about new ideas, writing papers, talking with fellow students, that I have trouble finding time to focus on God. The other extreme was noticed during the backpacking trip two weeks ago. As I sat alone in the woods, I found myself struggling with this same inability to focus. Here I was by myself with five hours to talk with God, and I couldn't hear anything! What was wrong? I realized this frustration wasn't just a one time occurrence, it's something I have struggled with for years.
Why is it so hard to listen? I looked closer at these recent experiences, and realized one major problem is my inability to wait. "Waiting on the Lord" is commonly thought of as "not talking" or "being alone", however a closer look reveals something quite different. A person can experience stillness and peace in a crowd of people. My problem was that I was not waiting, but trying to force answers out of God. I wanted to know where to go to college, what to study, what my future would look like. Instead of simply resting in God's timing, I wanted His answer immediately.
The person who truly waits on God doesn't feel obligated to please anyone, but is satisfied with who he is. He isn't constantly looking forward to the next activity, but is at peace with where he is now. His heart is always open and attuned to the movement of the Holy Spirit, and he joins God in His work. God speaks to him because his heart is on his Maker.
This is the kind of person I want to be. Throughout the coming weeks, I want to be connected to God constantly, not just when I find time to pray or read the Bible. I want to invite God into every aspect of my life, and to honor Him instead of constantly seeking fulfillment for my own desires and answers for my own questions. As I practice this, I believe God's voice will become more and more familiar. He wants to speak to me... but I must listen.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
He is Faithful
Monday morning, our group departed for the mountains of Alabama where we would participate in a four day backpacking trip. After stopping at Chick-fil-A for lunch, we pulled our packs out of the vans and hiked in under cloud cover, knowing the forecast of rain would cause an interesting first hike. The group leaders decided to camp early, before the rain started, which turned out to be a great decision as it began pouring down right after we finished setting up tents. The group came together that night for a few teaching sessions, and then went to sleep anticipating a long hike the next day.
Tuesday was beautiful, and spirits were high. We made a breakfast of rice with raisins and cinnamon... a new dish to me, but it was good! As we washed dishes, one of the leaders pulled me aside after hanging up his cell phone. I knew what had happened. Grandpa's funeral wasn't until Saturday, so I would stay with the group and finish our trip.
The following days were filled with activities, including rappelling and caving, and although I struggled to be fully present in them, it was a good place for me to be. I was surrounded by the beauty of nature, and the support and love of thirty other Christians. Wednesday, each student practiced the spiritual discipline of "solitude" by spending a few hours in the woods alone. I took some time to write down many of the things I remember about Grandpa. On Friday Dad picked me up, and brought me to Hendersonville for the funeral.
As individuals, we often go through a lot in a short amount of time. I definitely experienced that this week as I went through busyness and silence, joy and sadness, support and loneliness. However, every day I learned more about God's faithfulness. Although it's often hard to see what He's doing, He asks me to trust Him with everything. He will give me the strength I need, and the grace to trust Him when I can't see the path ahead.
"...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6
Monday, September 27, 2010
Available
How do you react to stress? If you're anything like me, it takes you back a bit... especially if you were focused on carrying out your own plans.
The Impact 360 director ended Tuesday's class time by announcing that students would be divided into groups, and that each group must prepare for and give a forty minute presentation on an assigned topic. This wasn't so bad... except that the assignment was due at 9:00 the next day, when our groups would give their presentations. Chaos ensued. Not only was each group responsible for having this presentation ready, but between cleaning up after lunch, Service Opportunities, and a planned group outing, we would only have 2-3 hours to work together.
My group received the topic of "The Fall of Man". As we met that night, stress levels were high. How would we get this done in time? We got to work immediately, deciding what each person would speak on, and quickly communicated our main points. After a prayer, we dispersed to begin preparing individually. The next morning, we had no time to run over the presentation, so we prayed again, hoping for the best. It was a nervous feeling as we stood in front of thirty people, beginning to give a speech we had never given before. In that situation, all we could do was trust God. And it happened... the speech happened. So often I get in front of a group like this, and begin to think the world is going to end... but it doesn't. No matter how poorly a speech goes, I am still alive afterwards. Thankfully, this presentation went well, and our group can look back to a job well done.
Schedules are important to me. I like to know the "what's", "where's", and "whens" of every event. I often get up in the morning and plan out my day... making a list of everything I have to accomplish, and placing a time bracket around each task. I also have trouble responding when unexpected events arise... tasks I HAVE to accomplish. Why do these kinds of things bother me? Maybe it's because a schedule provides comfort, or because of a need for control. Either way, God tells me to always be alert. I should be available and open to His voice and Spirit directing my actions, and telling me, "This is what I want you to focus on today." While schedules are great things to have, I can't follow them relentlessly or I'll miss out on what God has for me. This week's project taught me a lot about trust and availability, and it isn't the last time our group will receive a "surprise assignment", but next time we'll be ready.
The Impact 360 director ended Tuesday's class time by announcing that students would be divided into groups, and that each group must prepare for and give a forty minute presentation on an assigned topic. This wasn't so bad... except that the assignment was due at 9:00 the next day, when our groups would give their presentations. Chaos ensued. Not only was each group responsible for having this presentation ready, but between cleaning up after lunch, Service Opportunities, and a planned group outing, we would only have 2-3 hours to work together.
My group received the topic of "The Fall of Man". As we met that night, stress levels were high. How would we get this done in time? We got to work immediately, deciding what each person would speak on, and quickly communicated our main points. After a prayer, we dispersed to begin preparing individually. The next morning, we had no time to run over the presentation, so we prayed again, hoping for the best. It was a nervous feeling as we stood in front of thirty people, beginning to give a speech we had never given before. In that situation, all we could do was trust God. And it happened... the speech happened. So often I get in front of a group like this, and begin to think the world is going to end... but it doesn't. No matter how poorly a speech goes, I am still alive afterwards. Thankfully, this presentation went well, and our group can look back to a job well done.
Schedules are important to me. I like to know the "what's", "where's", and "whens" of every event. I often get up in the morning and plan out my day... making a list of everything I have to accomplish, and placing a time bracket around each task. I also have trouble responding when unexpected events arise... tasks I HAVE to accomplish. Why do these kinds of things bother me? Maybe it's because a schedule provides comfort, or because of a need for control. Either way, God tells me to always be alert. I should be available and open to His voice and Spirit directing my actions, and telling me, "This is what I want you to focus on today." While schedules are great things to have, I can't follow them relentlessly or I'll miss out on what God has for me. This week's project taught me a lot about trust and availability, and it isn't the last time our group will receive a "surprise assignment", but next time we'll be ready.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
First 2 Weeks
When I arrived at the campus of Impact 360 on September 7th, I had no idea what was in store. After saying goodbye to my family, I, along with twenty seven other students, was directed to the "Davis House" where orientation began. The following week was filled with classes, team building activities, and new faces. It was a great time of connecting.
The second week was also incredible... but in a different way. Wednesday we had the opportunity to visit Chick-fil-a corperate. Beginning with breakfast at the "Dwarf House", or first Chick-fil-a, we were led through the history of the restaurant by Trudy White, the daughter of it's founder, and given a tour of the corperate offices. The day ended with a pool party at the home of John and Trudy White.
Thursday through Saterday we resumed classes, beginning with devotions at 7:45, breakfast at 8:00, and, finally, teaching at 9:00. After these three days with Professor J.P. Moreland, we had seen God's existence through the Kalam Cosmological Arguement, Actual and Potential Infinity, and Morality. We had discussed the soul of man, and the existence of a spiritual world. We had learned about eudaimonia and the necessity of Spiritual Disciplines. In short, we were drinking from a fire hydrant... but it was good water!
So, as I stepped back to look at these past two weeks, I asked, "In which of these experiences have I learned the most?". The answer? None. When many of you asked me what I was doing this year, I responded, "A Leadership Program". I have come to realize that most of what I will learn about leadership will not come from classes, but from fellow students. I never imagined that this much maturity could exist within a group of teens. After a lifetime of letting "adults" tell me what to do, I am watching students take initiative to start bible studies, schedule a worship service, gather to pray for one another, and clean dishes. More than once I have seen a student put down what they were doing in order to talk or pray with someone who was struggling, encourage one another, or give a hug.
In short, the greatest thing about Impact 360 is the community. Learning will come as I live life with this group of believers, eating, studying, and worshiping with them. Although there will be conflict as we grow together, we are already family... and I couldn't imagine spending this year with anyone else.
Thank you for your prayers and support! I know this experience will be lifechanging, and I can't wait to tell you more.
The second week was also incredible... but in a different way. Wednesday we had the opportunity to visit Chick-fil-a corperate. Beginning with breakfast at the "Dwarf House", or first Chick-fil-a, we were led through the history of the restaurant by Trudy White, the daughter of it's founder, and given a tour of the corperate offices. The day ended with a pool party at the home of John and Trudy White.
Thursday through Saterday we resumed classes, beginning with devotions at 7:45, breakfast at 8:00, and, finally, teaching at 9:00. After these three days with Professor J.P. Moreland, we had seen God's existence through the Kalam Cosmological Arguement, Actual and Potential Infinity, and Morality. We had discussed the soul of man, and the existence of a spiritual world. We had learned about eudaimonia and the necessity of Spiritual Disciplines. In short, we were drinking from a fire hydrant... but it was good water!
So, as I stepped back to look at these past two weeks, I asked, "In which of these experiences have I learned the most?". The answer? None. When many of you asked me what I was doing this year, I responded, "A Leadership Program". I have come to realize that most of what I will learn about leadership will not come from classes, but from fellow students. I never imagined that this much maturity could exist within a group of teens. After a lifetime of letting "adults" tell me what to do, I am watching students take initiative to start bible studies, schedule a worship service, gather to pray for one another, and clean dishes. More than once I have seen a student put down what they were doing in order to talk or pray with someone who was struggling, encourage one another, or give a hug.
In short, the greatest thing about Impact 360 is the community. Learning will come as I live life with this group of believers, eating, studying, and worshiping with them. Although there will be conflict as we grow together, we are already family... and I couldn't imagine spending this year with anyone else.
Thank you for your prayers and support! I know this experience will be lifechanging, and I can't wait to tell you more.
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