"Each person on my staff team has been a role model and example to me. To be more specific..."
Benton, SV Director for all of Dallas, has been an example with his words of wisdom. On our Brasil trip, he said to always expect God to teach you something. When you wake up, be expectant. I loved hearing that. It gives each day more focus, and the focus isn't on me. Benton's also been a great example/reminder of how to look at the small things and praise Him. Last week he spotted a red tail hawk and called me to his backyard to watch it. People just don't do enough of that these days.
Susie, my trainer, has been an example of diligence. She works hard and spends a lot of time preparing for our training meetings, and other things she does. She's also a great example of how to be a servant. Watching her serve her husband is a big example of how I should serve those around me in my day to day life. AND she does it without complaining! It's helped me evaluate what I'm doing for my roommates to show them I love them. It has also pointed out how I should serve my coworkers, too. And sometimes this is hard if we've had long days!
Tom, Carrollton Director, has encouraged me to learn more about how powerful God is. We always have conversations about what God can do. Actually, Tom has encouraged me to just keep learning about faith. If I ever have a question about theology or a passage, I go straight to him. He knows quite a lot. He's a great example of how we can never know enough. I love it! He's also a great example of biblical love. He knows each of us on his team, and has gotten to know what makes us laugh, what makes us feel loved, and tries to love each of us. For example, my love for Clemson is easy to recognize. So, this summer, Tom started to talk about how he had met a Clemson student that day and that they said they hated football, that the student had never been to any football games, and the student didn't even know the coach's name. Tom's point was to get me riled up, which worked (evidently, I've gotten this way before). As he goes on with this story, I KNEW he was trying to push buttons so I started laughing and calling his bluff. Then, he takes his sweatshirt off and underneath he's wearing a size small Clemson T shirt!!!!!!!! I couldn't believe it!!! I thought I was going to cry tears of joy (remember, I'd been in Texas for 7 months where NO ONE even knows what state Clemson is in). But Tom knew I loved my team, he knew I loved defending them, so he pulled that prank. Besides that, he's always showing acts of selflessness without complaining. It's a great example of how we should all be.
Randy, Frisco Director, aka my boss, is a great example of perseverance. While I have a hard time with students because I want them to like me, Randy is who he is, and doesn't allow others' perceptions of him stop him from doing his job. It's easy to shy away when you think a certain group of students don't like you or draw back when you think students would think you're a nut for doing something. Randy just trudges right on through with no thought of what people might say. I guess this is a great example of boldness, too. And that describes him well too. Randy is bold about his faith and purpose. Sometimes almost too bold. In a classroom setting he mentioned a little more about who we are than what might have been permissive. But it was a great example of not being ashamed of the gospel. Randy (and his family) is a great example of familial love. He and his family constantly ask me over to dinner, to play card games, to watch movies. It reminds me a lot of how we read about the very beginnings of the new church-lots of time spent together, encouraging each other, and sharing the things they had.
Jeremy, Frisco SV, is a great example of listening to God. He's had a few months where he had the opportunity to do something else than what he does now, but He knew God wasn't asking him to leave. And he stayed. It was a huge example to me of obedience. Jeremy is also a good example of keeping no record of wrongs. He always gently confronts me or Randy or anyone else if he thinks he's offended one of us, or he apologizes if he knows he did/said something out of line.
Brooke, Plano SV, is a great example of gentleness. She lives with me, so I see her react and respond to many different situations, and she handles the good and the bad with patience and gentleness. She's also a good example of what it means to desire to see students know God. She talks about her students as if they were her children because she loves them so much, and she wants to see them grow. In some situations, I would have liked to hit some of her students upside the head and ask them what they were thinking. She just loves them past their mistakes. She's also a good example of organizing. Just check her closet. Color coded, arranged by seasons, and style. She's the same way with ministry too. She's methodical and organized which is really key when you have a not so structured job.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Assignment #2 and more updates!
This week's assignment is:
"When students don't respond like I hoped for, I..."
-usually get discouraged. This happened just last week when I talked to some of them about doing an outreach to a team. I got discouraged because I thought my idea would be good and that the students would be excited with me. But I've just kept praying God would show me where He wants me, what teams, what groups of students, which students are ready to hear the gospel.
-sometimes frustrated. This happened when a student and I shared the gospel with her friend, and her friend said she wanted a relationship with God, but some things were holding her back. I get frustrated in situations like this because sometimes I don't know how to respond, and sometimes, I just want to make them take God's gift of grace. buuuut then it wouldn't exactly be a gift.
Updates...
Clemson Coach Tommy Bowden is gone. WOW. I got a text from my friend Friday after the Wake Forest game that said, "Tommy Bowden may be gone after thsi weekend." I was completley shocked. I knew this year would be his last, but I never guessed he'd go mid season. I think Clemson will manage a few more wins, but probably not the ones we're hoping for. I think we can squeak by against Carolina. We'll see.
Thanksgiving...I'll be home! YAY! I didn't expect to be able to purchase flights home for Thanksgiving AND Christmas. But I found a good price and Mama Niles is gonna split the cost with me. So, Tuesday, my birthday, I'll be flying home to see not only the mom, but both brothers, sisters in law, and niece and nephew!!!! I really wanted to make it home for this because absolultely nothing else brings more joy to mom than having all three of us chil'run under her roof at the same time. I can't wait to see how excited she gets with us all there.
Sadly, I won't make it for 423 church service because I fly out in the afternoon. I might have a chance to get to the 8 or 11 o clock though! For those of you NEPC goers, be sure to stop me and say hey if you see me!
Last night was a bittersweet moment in time. With excitement and a hungry stomach, me and four other friends ventured our way to South Dallas to the Texas State Fair. I eagerly anticipated eatin my corn dog, elephant ear, fried mushrooms, vinegar drenched Fiske fries, and possibly a fried snickers. We had an interesting 45 minute drive to the locale (NONE of us were from Dallas, in fact we all had just recently moved there) and thankfully at least one of us wasn't directionally challenged-that wasn't me. After avoiding many a tollway and sketchy roads, we arrived at the state fair, and could smell the fried everything-you-can-think-of-on-a-stick. I think this year's most creative fried entree was Chicken Fried Bacon (aka quadruple by-pass on a plate). Fortunately, I passed by that after I had eaten all I could take in.
I had a hint of sorrow when I noticed there were no Fiske fries, no fried mushrooms, no elephant ears (no worries, funnel cake sufficed), and no fresh squeezed lemonade like the beloved South Carolina State Fair. So I had a tinge of homesickness at the realization that my expectations of yummy fried goodness were not met. BUT my corn dog, funnel cake, and green-apple-syrup-would you like some ice with that-snow cone were very delicious.
My favorite part besides watching thirty goats leaping and bounding in a small pen, was just being able to hang out with girls my age. I haven't had much of a chance to be around girls my age outside of a church group setting, and man that's just what I needed! PTL!
Well, it's late, and I'm still contemplating whether I should go to the cross country team's work out at 6:30am since they were out of school Monday (and i slept in this morning after fair fun friedness last night). Thanks for your love, support, and prayers!
"When students don't respond like I hoped for, I..."
-usually get discouraged. This happened just last week when I talked to some of them about doing an outreach to a team. I got discouraged because I thought my idea would be good and that the students would be excited with me. But I've just kept praying God would show me where He wants me, what teams, what groups of students, which students are ready to hear the gospel.
-sometimes frustrated. This happened when a student and I shared the gospel with her friend, and her friend said she wanted a relationship with God, but some things were holding her back. I get frustrated in situations like this because sometimes I don't know how to respond, and sometimes, I just want to make them take God's gift of grace. buuuut then it wouldn't exactly be a gift.
Updates...
Clemson Coach Tommy Bowden is gone. WOW. I got a text from my friend Friday after the Wake Forest game that said, "Tommy Bowden may be gone after thsi weekend." I was completley shocked. I knew this year would be his last, but I never guessed he'd go mid season. I think Clemson will manage a few more wins, but probably not the ones we're hoping for. I think we can squeak by against Carolina. We'll see.
Thanksgiving...I'll be home! YAY! I didn't expect to be able to purchase flights home for Thanksgiving AND Christmas. But I found a good price and Mama Niles is gonna split the cost with me. So, Tuesday, my birthday, I'll be flying home to see not only the mom, but both brothers, sisters in law, and niece and nephew!!!! I really wanted to make it home for this because absolultely nothing else brings more joy to mom than having all three of us chil'run under her roof at the same time. I can't wait to see how excited she gets with us all there.
Sadly, I won't make it for 423 church service because I fly out in the afternoon. I might have a chance to get to the 8 or 11 o clock though! For those of you NEPC goers, be sure to stop me and say hey if you see me!
Last night was a bittersweet moment in time. With excitement and a hungry stomach, me and four other friends ventured our way to South Dallas to the Texas State Fair. I eagerly anticipated eatin my corn dog, elephant ear, fried mushrooms, vinegar drenched Fiske fries, and possibly a fried snickers. We had an interesting 45 minute drive to the locale (NONE of us were from Dallas, in fact we all had just recently moved there) and thankfully at least one of us wasn't directionally challenged-that wasn't me. After avoiding many a tollway and sketchy roads, we arrived at the state fair, and could smell the fried everything-you-can-think-of-on-a-stick. I think this year's most creative fried entree was Chicken Fried Bacon (aka quadruple by-pass on a plate). Fortunately, I passed by that after I had eaten all I could take in.
I had a hint of sorrow when I noticed there were no Fiske fries, no fried mushrooms, no elephant ears (no worries, funnel cake sufficed), and no fresh squeezed lemonade like the beloved South Carolina State Fair. So I had a tinge of homesickness at the realization that my expectations of yummy fried goodness were not met. BUT my corn dog, funnel cake, and green-apple-syrup-would you like some ice with that-snow cone were very delicious.
My favorite part besides watching thirty goats leaping and bounding in a small pen, was just being able to hang out with girls my age. I haven't had much of a chance to be around girls my age outside of a church group setting, and man that's just what I needed! PTL!
Well, it's late, and I'm still contemplating whether I should go to the cross country team's work out at 6:30am since they were out of school Monday (and i slept in this morning after fair fun friedness last night). Thanks for your love, support, and prayers!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Hot off the Press!
Hello friends and family! No worries, the blog has not been forgotten. This is one of the first Saturdays I don't have to be up at 6:30 to get to a cross country meet, and my football team isn't playing today. So behold, a new blog is in order!
Most of you have probably been updated through my newsletters about Brasil and will soon receive my September update letting you know how school started. I'll highlight a few things those updates haven't.
Currently, as a first year staffer, I am a part of First Year Staff Training. This involves reading articles, and responding by journaling on a blog spot. So I'll begin with my assignment, and then update you with other happenings.
Assignment #1...
My sleep, exercise, and eating habits are...
Well, after seeing a chiropractor twice weekly for the past two months, my sleep habits have changed drastically. For a while I've had trouble sleeping through the night. This summer it got worse to the point I couldn't sleep for more than an hour or two without waking and feeling a lot of discomfort in my shoulders. My friend convinced me to go to her chiropractor down the road, and I had my hesitations. I reluctantly went, and I actually enjoyed it. Minus the noise of my spine and muscles popping up and down my back. The greatest help has been the massage therapist. Each time I go in, the chiropractor adjusts me, then I get massaged for 20-25 minutes, then I lie down on the water or roller bed (both are amazing!). It's pretty much spa treatment, and my shoulders have loosened up to the point that this week I have slept through almost every night!! PRAISE The LORD! Since I've seen improvement, I'm going just once a week and hopefully will go to once every other week soon. The whole office consists of believers who love Jesus, their job, and being around people. Needless to say I enjoy going!
Exercise. Yeah. I do a lot of that. Between riding horses 2x a week, working out with the cross country team 2x a week, playing tennis with friends every so often, and yoga classes each Thursday night, I'd say I'm getting plenty of exercise in. Monday mornings I go to Frisco High School's cross country team practices, and suddenly the coach decides to volunteer me to run with them any time there's a partner work out. Talk about getting my butt whooped! Tuesdays and Wednesdays I go out to the farm to ride the ponies at the farm. The owner asked me to show two of her ponies for me. One of them is the one I trained in South Carolina (Dip!), and the other is a 5 year old she raised (Elliott). I'll try to get some pictures up soon. Elliott and I get along quite well. He's seeing an equine chiropractor, and he's receiving weekly massages from me and some other girls. So he's quite spoiled, but he knows me well and walks up to me each time I go to get him from the pasture.
Thursday mornings I work out at the Natatorium with the cross country team for an hour. Then later, in the evening I go to yoga to stretch my aching muscles after a long week. It's so nice! So, yeah, my exercising habits are there.
Eating. My favorite habit! It's hard for me on some days to be as healthy as I'd like, since I'm running to and from places and don't have much time to cook. However, I'm starting to eat a little better. It's hard. Especially when you're addicted to non-natural sugars! I've found a few new recipes that are my favorites for chicken dishes. If you have any suggestions, let me know!
Now that that's done with...
My new apartment situation has been going really well. As of July, all of us are moved in, and settled. Brooke is my coworker from Colorado, but she works in a different city. Living with her has been great because I can talk to her about my experiences with students and Bible studies, and get advice from her. My other roommate is Kristine who works in elementary schools in the area. She brings energy to the apartment! It's never a dull moment with the three of us, and we're all getting along really well. PTL.
Ministry at the high school has been good and hard. Mandi, my coworker/friend who was training me and on campus with me, got married in August, and left staff. It's been hard to work as the only girl on the campus, trying to meet new students and build relationships with coaches. BUT it has been lots of fun. I've seen a few spiritual conversations happen as a result of me just being obedient to the Lord and going to running meets, volleyball games, and just being on campus. I'm praying for chances to talk to certain coaches about their beliefs. The more support we get from them, the better.
I may have said this in my previous blog, but I have finally found a church and a small group with it! I'm going to perhaps the smallest church in Texas (at max 150 people across 2 services). It's called Providence, and it meets in an old saloon! The pastor is very literary arts minded, which is right up my alley. The praise and worship is great, and more importantly, the body of believers is authentic, real, and desires to follow the Lord. The small group is made up of single girls ages ranging from 20-30. We meet each week to discuss the sermon, what's going on in our lives, and just to hang out for fellowship. It's been really good, and I've met a few girls who are a lot of fun.
Well, my stomach is grumbling. I better go feed it. But have no fear, blogs are back, and should be updated at least twice monthly if not four times! Love y'all and miss y'all,
Katy
Most of you have probably been updated through my newsletters about Brasil and will soon receive my September update letting you know how school started. I'll highlight a few things those updates haven't.
Currently, as a first year staffer, I am a part of First Year Staff Training. This involves reading articles, and responding by journaling on a blog spot. So I'll begin with my assignment, and then update you with other happenings.
Assignment #1...
My sleep, exercise, and eating habits are...
Well, after seeing a chiropractor twice weekly for the past two months, my sleep habits have changed drastically. For a while I've had trouble sleeping through the night. This summer it got worse to the point I couldn't sleep for more than an hour or two without waking and feeling a lot of discomfort in my shoulders. My friend convinced me to go to her chiropractor down the road, and I had my hesitations. I reluctantly went, and I actually enjoyed it. Minus the noise of my spine and muscles popping up and down my back. The greatest help has been the massage therapist. Each time I go in, the chiropractor adjusts me, then I get massaged for 20-25 minutes, then I lie down on the water or roller bed (both are amazing!). It's pretty much spa treatment, and my shoulders have loosened up to the point that this week I have slept through almost every night!! PRAISE The LORD! Since I've seen improvement, I'm going just once a week and hopefully will go to once every other week soon. The whole office consists of believers who love Jesus, their job, and being around people. Needless to say I enjoy going!
Exercise. Yeah. I do a lot of that. Between riding horses 2x a week, working out with the cross country team 2x a week, playing tennis with friends every so often, and yoga classes each Thursday night, I'd say I'm getting plenty of exercise in. Monday mornings I go to Frisco High School's cross country team practices, and suddenly the coach decides to volunteer me to run with them any time there's a partner work out. Talk about getting my butt whooped! Tuesdays and Wednesdays I go out to the farm to ride the ponies at the farm. The owner asked me to show two of her ponies for me. One of them is the one I trained in South Carolina (Dip!), and the other is a 5 year old she raised (Elliott). I'll try to get some pictures up soon. Elliott and I get along quite well. He's seeing an equine chiropractor, and he's receiving weekly massages from me and some other girls. So he's quite spoiled, but he knows me well and walks up to me each time I go to get him from the pasture.
Thursday mornings I work out at the Natatorium with the cross country team for an hour. Then later, in the evening I go to yoga to stretch my aching muscles after a long week. It's so nice! So, yeah, my exercising habits are there.
Eating. My favorite habit! It's hard for me on some days to be as healthy as I'd like, since I'm running to and from places and don't have much time to cook. However, I'm starting to eat a little better. It's hard. Especially when you're addicted to non-natural sugars! I've found a few new recipes that are my favorites for chicken dishes. If you have any suggestions, let me know!
Now that that's done with...
My new apartment situation has been going really well. As of July, all of us are moved in, and settled. Brooke is my coworker from Colorado, but she works in a different city. Living with her has been great because I can talk to her about my experiences with students and Bible studies, and get advice from her. My other roommate is Kristine who works in elementary schools in the area. She brings energy to the apartment! It's never a dull moment with the three of us, and we're all getting along really well. PTL.
Ministry at the high school has been good and hard. Mandi, my coworker/friend who was training me and on campus with me, got married in August, and left staff. It's been hard to work as the only girl on the campus, trying to meet new students and build relationships with coaches. BUT it has been lots of fun. I've seen a few spiritual conversations happen as a result of me just being obedient to the Lord and going to running meets, volleyball games, and just being on campus. I'm praying for chances to talk to certain coaches about their beliefs. The more support we get from them, the better.
I may have said this in my previous blog, but I have finally found a church and a small group with it! I'm going to perhaps the smallest church in Texas (at max 150 people across 2 services). It's called Providence, and it meets in an old saloon! The pastor is very literary arts minded, which is right up my alley. The praise and worship is great, and more importantly, the body of believers is authentic, real, and desires to follow the Lord. The small group is made up of single girls ages ranging from 20-30. We meet each week to discuss the sermon, what's going on in our lives, and just to hang out for fellowship. It's been really good, and I've met a few girls who are a lot of fun.
Well, my stomach is grumbling. I better go feed it. But have no fear, blogs are back, and should be updated at least twice monthly if not four times! Love y'all and miss y'all,
Katy
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