Goodness me, where has the last month gone? The month we referred to as "the calm before the storm", storm meaning 50 students arriving on base, has somehow come and gone, though it feels like just yesterday that new staff were arriving for training. The last week has been nonstop of making beds, cards, welcome backs, cleaning up base, trying to find time to just for once hang out as a staff team and not talk about anything work related, praying for students, planning teachings, working on various job roles...
It is busy. But it is so worth it. I'll be honest - most of the last few days I've felt how I imagine the energizer bunny feels - which is so unlike me. It's like a switch has been hit and I can just keep going and going and going until dinner. God seems to have increased my capacity to what I can handle on my workload - funny how we can feel like we don't have time for quiet time with God, yet I'm realizing that when I put that as priority, which is adding something to my schedule, everything else miraculously falls into place. This must be what God was referring to in a picture He gave me for this season. I jumped up into Father God's arms and rested my head upon His chest. I then reached down, and picked students up to join me there. So in a way I was carrying them. But I could only carry them because He was carrying me.
Jesus needed quiet time, therefore we definitely need quiet time.
I'm learning many things, here's a few...
I'm learning that God will always raise up the humble, and to be faithful. (Matt 5:29). It can be so hard to have a good attitude about serving sometimes, but God continues to transform me. The other day I was picking up sticks around base. I'll be honest, within 2 minutes of starting I was over it. I do not enjoy picking up sticks. So I began dialoguing with God. "Really, God? Picking up sticks? I want to grow in leadership, and lead a school someday. And I'm stuck here picking up sticks?" And I just felt like He was asking me to really serve Him this season. And saying, "If you serve me, I will reward you."
I'm a worship leader so I'm always trying to learn more about worship. The last few days I've been praying and researching hardcore putting together some teaching on worship - I can't wait! One tip I found for worship leaders is that most of your ministry should be off-platform. It's funny how we can view leadership - we think it's all about at the front. Actually God wants us to spend some serious time influencing from among the people. One of the best times I had recently was simply discussing worship with a student as we washed walls. My school leaders Sara and Kent are great models of servant leadership. Sara is always making people tea, helping out with dishes, helping someone put together manuals even though she hates jobs like that. Kent is so great at working with his hands - chopping wood, picking up misc rocks, or helping in anyway we staff need. the other day he came in to check on us making cards for students. I am not gifted in card-making. At all. So glue was getting everywhere, the card was a mess, and I was ready to call it a day. Rather than watching me struggle, Kent helped me fix the card and encouraged me. I'm so stoked to be on their team this season and learn from them.
I could easy keep going, because let's face it - I never stop learning. I should really write a book or something. For now I will leave you to go enjoy some sunshine - or whatever the weather may be doing at your end of the globe.
It is busy. But it is so worth it. I'll be honest - most of the last few days I've felt how I imagine the energizer bunny feels - which is so unlike me. It's like a switch has been hit and I can just keep going and going and going until dinner. God seems to have increased my capacity to what I can handle on my workload - funny how we can feel like we don't have time for quiet time with God, yet I'm realizing that when I put that as priority, which is adding something to my schedule, everything else miraculously falls into place. This must be what God was referring to in a picture He gave me for this season. I jumped up into Father God's arms and rested my head upon His chest. I then reached down, and picked students up to join me there. So in a way I was carrying them. But I could only carry them because He was carrying me.
Jesus needed quiet time, therefore we definitely need quiet time.
I'm learning many things, here's a few...
I'm learning that God will always raise up the humble, and to be faithful. (Matt 5:29). It can be so hard to have a good attitude about serving sometimes, but God continues to transform me. The other day I was picking up sticks around base. I'll be honest, within 2 minutes of starting I was over it. I do not enjoy picking up sticks. So I began dialoguing with God. "Really, God? Picking up sticks? I want to grow in leadership, and lead a school someday. And I'm stuck here picking up sticks?" And I just felt like He was asking me to really serve Him this season. And saying, "If you serve me, I will reward you."
I'm a worship leader so I'm always trying to learn more about worship. The last few days I've been praying and researching hardcore putting together some teaching on worship - I can't wait! One tip I found for worship leaders is that most of your ministry should be off-platform. It's funny how we can view leadership - we think it's all about at the front. Actually God wants us to spend some serious time influencing from among the people. One of the best times I had recently was simply discussing worship with a student as we washed walls. My school leaders Sara and Kent are great models of servant leadership. Sara is always making people tea, helping out with dishes, helping someone put together manuals even though she hates jobs like that. Kent is so great at working with his hands - chopping wood, picking up misc rocks, or helping in anyway we staff need. the other day he came in to check on us making cards for students. I am not gifted in card-making. At all. So glue was getting everywhere, the card was a mess, and I was ready to call it a day. Rather than watching me struggle, Kent helped me fix the card and encouraged me. I'm so stoked to be on their team this season and learn from them.
I could easy keep going, because let's face it - I never stop learning. I should really write a book or something. For now I will leave you to go enjoy some sunshine - or whatever the weather may be doing at your end of the globe.
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