Life has gotten kind of busy lately. Much of my time recently has either been spent at the coffee shop (working, not consuming), or working on my Grandparents place. I’ve been trying to get an update letter out sharing what has been going on. I had waited for information on how summer went at Victory, then I made myself too busy and distracted to get the letter finalized. But God has a way of reminding us that we need to slow down, regain our focus, and to listen to what He is trying to say to us.
When I was at Victory as an intern, I lent myself out to multiple areas around camp. It was there that I first learned to say “no” when it came to ministry work. It felt wrong. But being burned out mentally and spiritually actually hindered my ministry work and my relationship with God. That is the point at which I was (am) at. Over the last few weeks, I’ve had to inventory my life. In the end, some necessary changes had to be made, while others are still falling into place.
When I was at Victory as an intern, I lent myself out to multiple areas around camp. It was there that I first learned to say “no” when it came to ministry work. It felt wrong. But being burned out mentally and spiritually actually hindered my ministry work and my relationship with God. That is the point at which I was (am) at. Over the last few weeks, I’ve had to inventory my life. In the end, some necessary changes had to be made, while others are still falling into place.
The main reason that I am home, is to raise support to return back to Alaska. That sadly has been overshadowed by multiple ministries asking of my time and talents. As restructuring has happened, this has come to the foreground.
ROCC came into the picture when I returned from Alaska in 2010. This ministry was a blessing to be a part of. But my focus has turned elsewhere. As Warren Center Baptist Church has started a youth group, my outreach has turned from a wide range of focus, to a more focused group of youth. As I have become more active in the youth group and extended my time at the coffee shop, I’ve had to step back from ROCC. It isn’t that I don’t care about the youth there, but for me to be dedicated to the teens in the youth group, I need to step back in other areas. This really became a reality when our youth group doubled in size this year. I’ll still be part of some main ROCC events to be there for the teens in the youth group and to reconnect with teens in ROCC.
Another area that has taken up a lot of my time, has been my job at a local coffee house. God directed me here as a volunteer in the spring. It allowed me to share my skills in coffee/espresso making, as well as opened an avenue to share my passion with serving in Alaska. God has blessed me in that this is now a paid job that is helping cover costs with trying to raise support, as well as basic needs in life.
God has also thrown in a little surprise recently that came unexpectedly. I've always felt playing drums was my form of worshiping God. The dream of finishing up my drum set so it is playable has always been a dream in the back of my mind. Then, a teenager in the youth group brought up the idea of me teaching him lessons on percussion. At first I said no... But God prodded, poked, and flat out told me this was a priority. So, I dug out the shell of a set that sat in the attic of our garage since returning from Alaska in 2010... then dropped some savings on finishing it up. It has been an amazing time of relearning as well as teaching.
Though God has been blessing me in various areas of my life, there is still a part of me yearning to be in Alaska. It pains me to see support go as slowly as it has. But God has said wait, it will happen... just not yet. It has been evident over the last year as to why God has been saying wait. This time has allowed me to reevaluate and redirect my life, share my talents that God has blessed me with, encourage and teach teens, and so much more. It has been a humbling experience. Can’t wait to see what is next.
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