i have, yet another, super cool story to share about how God absolutely rocks my world. and like always, its a bit lengthy, so grab your coffee and once again, get ready to rejoice with me.
let me preface by saying that i have a tendency in my tiny human brain to make what i think are these elaborate and brilliant plans. im sure God finds them very amusing and quite mediocre. anyway, here were my big plans for the summer before my senior year of college. an internship. i know, exciting, right? luckily, i participated in a corporate fast with my church for about three weeks this january. through this i sought direction and wisdom as to what i should 'do with my life'. during this time the Lord urged me to not discredit a calling to work in children's ministries. here is what i mean by 'calling'; i have served in children's ministries from the time i was no longer considered a child myself, which i think was about the age of 12. i lead my own pre-school class at the age of sixteen, and now even sometimes have the great privilege of running the entire children's service when our children's pastor is teaching in the main service or away. as a little girl if you asked me what i wanted to be when i grew up, i would have told you a penguin trainer and a children's pastor. im not sure how i planned one juggling those two jobs, but hey, a girl can dream. however this dream of mine was somewhat squashed by the public school system, urging me to choose a career path, and apparently being a childrens pastor wasn't a suitable one. i knew i was called to teach, whatever that meant, so here i am pursing credentials to teach in a special needs class. i know that i am where i'm supposed to be here at CBU, these past three years i have been so incredibly blessed, challenged and shaped into a woman of God, and i am so thankful for that. but still, don't push aside the calling to children's ministries, even though i had NO clue what that looked like in regards to my future i trusted that in due time, i would understand. so there i was, it was almost february, and it was about time to make an appointment with the internship specialist on campus (side note: she is probably the coolest internship specialist of 'em all)
i made my appointment, sat down in her office and explained that i wanted an internship, preferably something where i could work with children who have special needs. she explained that she didnt have any leads on something like that, but that we could search and find something that could work. just when i thought we were done she says something that catches me off guard 'i dont know why, but i feel like im supposed to share this opportunity with you' okay, why not. 'so before you came in i was on the phone with a gentleman from a church in oregon' HA, and this when my mind started shutting down. however, i dont think i could have been mentally prepared for the next thing she would say. 'he kept stressing that he wanted to find someone for children's ministry, and i told him i didnt have anyone interested in that at the moment, but that you were coming in an you were liberal studies' NOW, i know people often times use the expression, my heart skipped a beat but i assure you mine truly did. alright lord, im listening. well she explained that he would be on campus the following week, and she encouraged me to just pray about it and talk with him. well i prayed, and prayed, and prayed some more.
by the time it was the day for me to chat with him, i had such excitement about the idea of being able to work in children's ministry for an entire summer. i had somewhat decided in my mind that i would apply and the if they were willing to let me possibly come home early, if i got the RA position i applied for, that i was IN. well i met with Brandon, the gentleman in charge of the internship program at Antioch, and his joy was so contagious. His love for the Lord was so evident and encouraging as we talked. So as i answered the question 'what do you want to do with your life' he stops me and proceeds to say something along the lines of 'let me tell you why i know you need to come to oregon this summer' i am then told that last summer a girl with a heart for special needs children worked with them and began to work on a way to implement special needs accommodations within children's ministry. sweeet. well, for one reason or another she left mid program. and here i come with the same heart and a desire to hopefully finish this thing that has been started. this just sealed the deal for me. i had one question. 'would i be able to leave early if necessary' well i guess you could say i got the right answer. i got to fellowship with him and the other couple staff members who he brought along with him, who were all equally as witty and joyful. well, within the week i was applied an accepted into the program. and since then i have found out even more exciting details. one of the other ministries i was interested in was social justice, which is what i have developed a heart for this year working with IJM. well i was actually blessed to share a brief conversation with the missions guy at Antioch. he informed me about this thing they are starting the month before I arrive called Mission Kids. which is basically this awesome blend of children's ministries and social justice, encouraging parents to become globally minded and in turn, teach their kids to do the same.
yet again just a beautiful example of how Gods intricate plan is absolutely perfect and way better than I could have even imagined for myself. from the get go this internship has just been a reminder that and of His perfect timing. i have already been so blessed by the favor that God has shown me in regards to this summer, whether it be my future host family (so excited), the fact that i can hold a part time job (praise the Lord), or the knowing that i get to have adventures and build relationship with 16 other interns who love the Lord. i know i've said it before but im so thankful that our God is personal, that His timing is intentional and His plans are so intricate and designed specially and purposefully.
when i take a step back from my life and look at all the incredibly amazing things God has brought me through and is allowing me to enter in to i cant help but feel so blessed. i am forever thankful for all he has done, all he is doing, and all he has yet to do.
'Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is NONE upon the earth that I desire beside THEE.'
-Psalm 73:25
also...
school has been crazy with midterms and getting ready to commence spring break, colorado here we come. however we did have a little thing called WOO WEEK. let me just give you an idea of how my roller disco night went.
