I cannot believe there are only TWO weeks left. It is crazy how fast time is going. I wake up every morning with much determination to accomplish whatever it is God has entrusted me with and I go to bed exhausted and thrilled at what I am learning, how I am growing, and just the joy of this whole experience. My heart is eager to serve in whatever way and just walk more intimately with my Lord and Savior.
This week has been quite busy! Every night there is something going on, which leaves me in anticipation because I never know how God is going to use me and I’m always so excited to see how the students respond to what is going on. It has been amazing watching the students interact with one another and just observing what is going on.
Sunday nights we gather as a project for prayer. This Sunday we were taught ways that we connect most to God. For me, I love the solitude and simplicity of God, which is called ascetic. I also love being alone with God and meditating on his love, intimacy, and heart, which is called contemplative. There are of course other ways people connect to God but these were mine. After this we were “released” to pray alone. However, Jenna and I came back to the Darby and talked with Chrissi for a few hours about relationships, engagement, love, etc. It was REALLY encouraging and good to hear from these women and just talk about life together.
Mondays for the most part are spent alone. Every Monday morning we have a staff meeting from 9-12. In the meeting we discuss Jonah, pray, and talk about our ministry teams. It has been so encouraging being on a staff team that is supportive, teachable, and willing to grow. This experience has been really healthy for me and I’m excited because I have learned so much about myself and others. After this I have the afternoon pretty much free and a lot of times the Darby girls go to the Hilton, where we have free summer passes!!! Its nice to just relax and not think about anything. Monday nights are spent with training from CoJourners and then reflection night for the women and men’s time for the men. Reflection night for me has been so influential and vital. I have really been able to start to forgive myself and just realize how much I held onto…I’m finally letting go of a lot and I’m breaking free from many things of my past. God is really healing me! It is nice to just sit in his presence without my phone, music, or noise and reflect on all he has been teaching me and I have been experiencing.
Tuesdays are spent planning ALL morning for bible study, one-on-one appointments, and ministry team. Yesterday I spent from 9 to 12:30 planning and then met with two of my girls. It is very tiring but so rewarding. I have been able to meet my girls where they are and just learn to rely on the Holy Spirit for words of wisdom. It has been cool being able to pour truth into their lives and help them process what is going on. My small group is bonding SO well and just watching them connect, bond, and love one another has been beautiful. I am so excited to hear what happens in their relationships together after I leave. I am confident that they will remain sisters for years to come!
Wednesday mornings are spent praying for our project and specifically students. It has been very powerful in my life to pray and then watch those prayers come to life. God really does answer prayers if they are lifted up together! In the afternoon, the staff women go out to lunch together and that has also been so fruitful! Being on a team with mature women of God has allowed me to believe and hope in authentic relationships that I have been craving. I trust all of the women I am serving with and we all have such a passion to see the women bond, grow, and develop. I know part of my healing process has been because of these beautiful, passionate, and humble women. At night we have family night, which Jenna is leading. Michael gives some really encouraging talks that make all the students think. It is fun being together, worshiping, and learning.
Thursdays are spent in staff development led by Michael. We also have some staff fun in there as well! In the afternoons I have time for appointments or to plan/relax. At 5:30 the project comes together with working dinners. Each table is given a problem that comes up in ministry and then discusses that problem and ways to resolve it. After this the women have women’s time and the men have reflection time. Last Thursday at women’s time we made charts and each of us wrote lies we believe and then for the rest of the time we all went around and poured truths into one another by writing the truth that cancels out the lie…it was powerful and just the beginning to God breaking us down. I also did this at Hampton Beach but this time it was more powerful and hit me because the lies we all struggle with are so common, something I didn’t notice last year. It breaks my heart that as women we believe deceptive lies and they affect our thinking. But, now, there’s room for healing and new beginnings. I LOVE seeing the women relate to each other and growing vulnerable. It is always so inspiring to see women who have a passion to want to bond and take the necessary actions to make it happen.
Fridays I have FREE!!!! This Friday my roommate Becky came to visit me and I got burnt really bad but had such a fun time with her. We caught up and just were real with each other. Friday night our staff team went to Salisbury to a Shorebirds game. It was fun to hang out and laugh a lot together!
Saturday morning I usually sleep in til about 9 and then in the afternoons we have outreach. Being here is very different from Hampton because people are open to hearing about Jesus and want life change. They love to talk and it is very easy to strike up a conversation with them! I have gotten into multiple conversations where people want to go through the KGP and Soularium. We also have our community time on Saturdays. We went to Assateague and had a bonfire on the beach. It was SO beautiful to see everyone worshiping the creator of everything on the beach. It was very peaceful and so far a highlight for everyone. Matt also came this weekend and it was different because he was here last year as a student. I enjoyed being able to show him everything that I have been soaking up and it was such a blessing to spend time with him! We were able to see each other twice before August this summer, which never happens!
That is how my weekly schedule here in Ocean City is…quite busy as you can tell! I am still enjoying being here and even though I am exhausted at the end of the day, I don’t want to be anywhere else doing anything else. I love this experience and opportunity, it is SUCH A BLESSING!!!
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