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.

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.