That's all I need to know

I am at a very scary point in my life.

In about a week and a half I will start my last semester at Baker University...

Yikes...

Just writing that is giving me the willies!

I will be taking my last lap at this wondrous university.  I could never imagined when I arrived in in the fall of  '09 what all would have happened to me.  My college experience has been so formative, and, while it may sound cheesy, I am not the same person that I was back then.  Not even close.  So many experiences, so many faces, so many stories, so many memories.

Soon all over.

I would be lying if I said I was looking forward to it.

Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to being out on my own for a while.  I'm excited for the opportunities and challenges I get to face at Stilwell UMC and with the youth there.  The mission trip I had with those students showed me that I am in the right place, at the right time.  Believe me, I am also really excited to be going to seminary after a while.

But this place is my home.

Baker, Baldwin, Zeta Chi, all of it.  My home.

To think of leaving this place, is hard.

So I'm going to enjoy this semester.  I am going to go through one more recruitment week with my brothers. I am going to welcome a new set of brothers to our house.  I am going to enjoy homecoming week, as a student, one more time.  I am going to probably eat a lot of Joy Garden, and make many late night trips to the Kwik.  Ramble, ZXmas, Boo-ha-ha, and Silver Bullet will be fun to do once more.  I am going to take classes, write papers, and do finals one more time (at least until grad school).  I'm going to survive 401 (hopefully).   I am going to let Chapel be the highlight of my week a couple more times.  I am even going to get the sincere privilege of preaching there one more time.  I am going to breathe in and embrace Baker Life one more time.  Then it will all change.


But here is the thing. The one thing that will remain the same.  God is with me.  Hasn't changed since I got here, and it won't change after I leave.  I know it seems a little cheesy, but...I believe it.  So when I walk across that stage in December, I can have confidence that the constant love and strength of the Lord is with me, no matter where I go.  The great thing, is that He will never let go.

And that's all I need to know.

Mission update 6

Our last day was full of fun.

We started the day off at breakfast.  Due to our weird schedule that day, we had some time to kill.  We all threw around the Frisbee and them the boots played some football while the girls got some *ahem* interesting hairdos.

Finally it was time to got white water rafting.  The adult sponsored were with Robert as our guide who had over 17 years of experience in the Ocoee.  The students were with Adam.  The girls ended up flipping off their raft. 

After that we grabbed some lunch, some took naps and then we went horse back riding with Josh, our team effort staff member.  It was a great ride for...well...most of us (Mary Kate's horse did not cooperate).

After that we went into town for dinner art the riverside grill.  We came back, had some fellowship with other groups then went to bed.

We are now on the road and very excited to return to Stilwell!

Mission update 5

Today was our first of two free days. 
In the morning we took in two outdoor sights.  We took a hike at the Green Mountain Trail.  While there we talked about the 23 Psalm and how God can lead its out of the wilderness. The  second place we visited was Anna Ruby Falls, which is a waterfall in Georgia.  The waterfall was 150 ft. While there we looKed at Isaiah and the majesty and power of God. 

After that we went ziplining.  The place we went to was the ocoee river basin.  The zipline went through the trees with 9 lines and 3 bridges.  After we finished we went to the blue hole swimming area.  That was the site of the 1996 Olympic kayaking.  We ate at a grill by the hole and them came back for chapel.
Chapel was all about trusting God with our baggage.  After some group time we had a bonfire with our friends from Virginia and finally got some sleep

Mission update 4

We had our last day at our mission site.

The team effort staff have told us we are too far ahead and that next week wont have enough work to do.  We took it a little easier today and doesn't some time getting to know the homeowners of the house we were working on.  Turns out that Mr.  Cruse use to be a world famous chicken breeder! 

We managed to get a good portion of the shingles on before we had to say goodbye.  We were very blessed to get to serve the Cruse family this week.

We got back to camp, hit the lake, dinner, and then chapel.  At chapel we heard a an amazing territory from one of the staff members about  labels and how they can affect us and others.  We then had some group time and then headed for bed.

Mission trip update 3

It was another great day in Tennessee.

We continued our work on the roof.  We organized a better system and got so much done.  We are finished putting plywood on and starting on the tar paper and shingles.  After a hard day of work, Mr. Cruze (the home owner) shared some delicious home grown grapes with us.  Best. Grapes. Ever.

When we got back to camp we had some fun.  The camp we are staying at is actually a white water resort.  Three owner of the camp actually built the area we are staying in specifically for teameffort.

There is a lake,a chapel, and some high ropes elements ,(which we used today)

All in all its the nicest mission trip facility that I've personally ever stayed in.

We enjoyed some chicken fried streak for  dinner, and then we headed for chapel.

We heard a very impacting lesson on pride and how it can get in the way of us serving God.

Now we were back to bed for some hard work tomorrow.

Mission trip update 2

Today we started work.

This week we have been assigned to help build a roof over a trailer home.  This will allow the home to run more efficiently, thus lowering the utilities for the family.

Everyone from Stilwell is on this project and we are joined by 3 adults and 5 youth from northern Virginia.  Its been great getting to know them and work beside them.  We are also being assisted by a member of the teameffort staff.

Today we started putting plywood on the already built frame.  This is a process known as sheaving (we all just learned that today).   the students were very active and ready to work.

We came back to camp.  Swam in the lake and had chapel service.  Tonight's service was all about leading to let go of the unnecessary thing you don't need that are keeping you from serving God..  Finally we had some good group time on the pond and  now getting some sleep for tomorrow.

Mission trip update 1

We are getting off to a fabulous start here on our trip.  Currently i am updating from Nashville.  The drive has been going great. 

We got off to a slow start,  but we are well on our way to Copperhill.  Last night we stayed at Broadway united methodist church.  It turned out being a great place to stay, having showers, a gym, and even a pool.  (no we didn't use that last one haha).

Last night we talked about serving the Lord and putting what wewill be doing the next couple of says over our selves or what may be going on at home when we left or when we get back.  We discussed this point using Joshua 25.  The students z also took advantage of the old church and had a great time scaring each other.

When we woke up, we got ready to go and enjoyed some coffee and doughnuts with others before heading of to Sunday school.  There we talked about dishonest temptations and how to avoid them.  Finally we went to service where pastor Joe Beal talked about taking a break from our crazy life and enjoying ourselves e every so often. (a great message for our trip.)

Now with our bellies full, and being well rested, we are making our push for Copperhill. We are all very excited to get there!