Report 8

Report 8

Ministry Activity -
Sunday service - Faith in Action Sunday
Staff retreat - Sister church Idea
Planning for missions trip
Missions trip meeting
Staff meeting


Hours -
Thursday - 7:30am - 3:30pm
Sun- 9am - 12:00pm
Mon -10:30am-6:30pm
Tue- 8:45am - 4:30pm meeting -7pm-10pm
Wed - 8:45 am - 4:30pm


Personal Reflection -
On Thursday all of the staff minus the senior pastor and the other intern went to a lake house and discussed and planned ideas for a sister church. It was a really long day but so much was accomplished. I really believe that getting out into a new setting in nature can help with creativity and attitude. It was great to see so much fall into place and plans being made. I would say the meeting was incredibly productive.

After the meeting two of the pastors stayed and their families came along with the owners of the cottage and family. I stayed as well. I was thinking it was going to be a little bit awkward because it felt like a family thing to me, but they said I should stay. At first it was a little weird, but after I went tubbing and had dinner the kids were no longer shy around me. I made a new friend with one little boy because I snuck him potato chips.

After dinner we took a boat ride and some people water skiied. I was in the front of the boat with six kids and it was a blast! I had them singing camp songs and doing silently loud screams. They were all having fun and so was I. Being with kids (other than family) reminded me of how much I love younger kids. They are so funny and innocent. The past week or so I have felt that maybe I shouldn't close off the idea of children's ministry and the time at the lake with the kids was just another reminder.

On Sunday the church had it's annual Faith In Action Sunday. This is where we as a congregation do work projects throughout the community in the place of a regular Sunday service. I got to know the youth pastors kids a little through this experience and by the end of the our project both were holding my hands. It once again brought the idea of children's ministry to the front of my mind. I am not sure if it is necessarily what I want to do. I feel called to youth ministry and do not want to just drop it because I still feel that God wants me where He has me, but I also believe that my eyes are being opened to other possiblities God might have in store for me.

On Tuesday we had our last missions trip meeting...the trip starts on Saturday! crazy! The meeting went pretty well. I was tired and I always get a little self-conscious around this group (a lot of them were in youth group with me and I have always struggled with fitting in) That night I again felt like I was sinking back to the same ol' feelings from when I was in high school and it took me by surprise. I have grown and changed so much sense then and do not need any of their approval. I had to remind myself that I am called by God and I belong because God called me there. I think that it was good for me to realize a weakness of mine and also realize that it is not the same as it was and I have no reason to let it get me down!

Today I met with the youth pastor's wife to go and get supplies for the missions trip VBS craft time. I really really enjoyed talking with her and getting her advice on things. She was my small group leader and I really look up to her, so it was good to catch up.

Spiritual Reflection -
This week I have been so busy and so tired that having discipline in my spiritual life has been hard. I am getting drained and we haven't even left on the trip yet! I continue to read a fictional Christian book which helps me to get on the right mindset. I also have been more present through music. I haven't been reading my Bible as often as I wish and hope to set time aside tomorrow for a devotional and prayer time. I need to get focused for the missions trip, not only because I am going and experiencing it, but I need to be a leader for the students and need to be as close to God as I can. I want to rely on HIM for strength and encouragement. I keep coming back to a song by Jon Foreman that says...."inside His open arms...the only place I ever will belong" How true and perfect is that? I do belong and I belong right in the arms of my heavenly Father.


If you can, please keep the youth group, leaders, parents, Dane (the youth pastor), and I in your prayers throughout our trip. We are going to Chicago, doing work projects, leading a VBS, and witnessing to others. We leave Saturday the 25th and come back Sunday Aug 2nd.

Thanks