Looking Up

There comes a time in every college age person's life where you face a decision. It's the most important decision you will make in your life, and while you can seek the counsel of others, ultimately only one person can make the decision. 


No pressure, right?


This lovely decision and all it's importance is the one known as "changing majors". 


Before I went off to college I went from wanting to be a meteorologist, to fashion merchandising, to journalism, to bull fighter, to model, and finally as my senior year rolled around, I decided on Athletic Training. Sounds fun, huh? I basically would get to be out on a field watching games and making sure that an injured person received the proper care. I went in and was flying through my core and pretty much excelling in my major classes and really thought I had found my niche until one day the idea of being an athletic trainer just wasn't sitting right. So after much prayer, searching, and inspiration from a friend passed, I decided to become a nurse.


If you've been reading, you've seen how this path has been one of trust, blind steps, and leaping into the unknown. I really enjoyed the journey over the past year and didn't think anything could change my mind. That was, until I went to camp. 


Experiencing ministering to kids was a very unexpected opportunity that completely changed my life. If I had never gone to camp then I never would've loved doing ministry, if I had never fallen in love with ministry I wouldn't have taken this amazing internship with my best friend and amazing staff. All this being said, I'm coming to a point that I'm thinking that God might have something alongside me being a nurse... Being a Children's Minister.


God knows that I love to have an end goal in mind. He knows that it's practically written in my DNA to know where I'm going to end up. The in between steps can be a little fuzzy but I HAVE TO HAVE A DESTINATION. Well as my love for ministry grows every day, my end goal of simply being a nurse has become a little hazy to say the least. I've been struggling over asking God, "What do I need to do? Where do I need to go? Where are you leading me?" And then I realized he's leading me one day at a time now. He's going to break my compulsive need for an end goal until he is ready to reveal my destination to me. 


The author of "Jesus Calling" said it best: "Rest with Me a while. You have journeyed up a steep, rugged path in recent days. The way ahead is shrouded in uncertainty. Look neither behind you nor before you. Instead, focus your attention on Me, your constant Companion. Trust that I will equip you fully for whatever awaits you on your journey...."


I don't need to look in front, around, or behind. I need to look up. Don't worry about your destination, it may be hidden now but you are becoming more and more equipped for the days ahead.


Live Today.

Oh Bother.

Well, it's practically halfway through the summer and I'm still very much in love with my job as I was the day I started. This week is gong to be a little quieter than the past because my fellow intern and brother is out of town and at camp! He's been super excited about it for the past few months and now that they've finally made the eight hour trip they can finally just go to camp and be a youth group. This only makes me more anxious to be at camp with my kids in a few weeks. In all the hustle of getting money, forms, and contacts there seems to be something that has been gained in it all. That my friends would be a severe and crippling reliance on God and his timing. 


That reliance has come from more than just getting people's forms in, it's come from me seriously considering taking this part time internship and turning it into a full time ministry. I didn't think that working with kids over the past two summers would have changed my heart as much as it has, but I can't imagine doing anything else with my summers than stressing out and jumping around. (Trying not to do that at the same time.) God has shown me his love through these kids and I know that there is no better feeling that watching a child grasp the love and the grace that God has given them. 


Naturally this shady bit of uncertainty has affected my life simply because I want to know where I'm going at all times. Here again, I'm smacked in the face. I was talking to a friend the other day and was telling them all about what was going on and they simply said, "Jesus has gotten you out of a lot worse things than this, so what makes you think he's just gonna leave you behind now?" Ouch. 


I also finished up 1 Corinthians today and after looking through there a verse really stuck out to me. 


1 Corinthians 16:14 "Let all the things you do be done out of love."


God's greatest commandment is to love so it's not too surprising that you see the words "do love" pop up pretty much everywhere in the Bible. But it still doesn't hurt to be reminded every once and a while that even when we are frustrated or annoyed or even plain angry we cannot let these feelings get in the way of what we've been called to do. Love.


Live Today.

This is VBS?

Let VBS begin! A week of 12 hour days, jumping up and down, running around with kids, coming home exhausted and still doing work. Sounds oddly like camp to me. I was DEFINITELY not completely prepared to tackle the logistics, creativity, and many various aspects that directors undertake. And believe me, if it wasn't for my awesome team of directors and volunteers I can tell you right now there is no way that VBS would even be close to a success. 

Sunday during the Children's Sermon, Bro. Earl brought out our stuffed astronaut (Lt. Dan, he got new legs. Heehee!) And while his legs were pretty securely attached, his hands... not so much. So while Bro. Earl was waving his hands around a glove plopped off and hit the astronaut straight in the stomach. The kids definitely loved that. 


Last night, we got to do a VBS Kick-off were I got to play with kids on a bouncy slide and get snow cones and pop corn. Getting paid to play? Yes please. I don't think I've had so much fun this entire summer. I got kids going down on their stomachs, backs, barrel rolling, and just doing whatever. 


Tonight however, was more of a worship atmosphere. We're doing the SpaceQuest theme and it has been so much fun to watch the kids pretend like they're in space and jump up and dance around like there's no gravity. There's nothing quite like the feeling of leading worship for a bunch of kids. 


Working with the same kids has been a different thing for me to do but I know that God called me here for a reason and the reasons are starting to become clear. I am so excited to see what else will happen this week and how these kids lives will be impacted thanks to the amazing team of volunteers putting in countless hours and tons of effort towards the success of VBS. 


Live Today.

And So It Begins

The first official week has passed and Parker and I are still very much alive. It's a miracle right?


Well the first week of bible study was such a learning experience. This is the first children's bible study I have taught outside of the camp world and needless to say I was very very nervous about teaching it. But, just like riding a bike, I remembered that there's really not any magic words you can say or something magic you can do to make the kids truly take in and grasp what you are saying. 


I've been reading through 1 Corinthians in my quiet time and the first few chapters Paul emphasizes a couple things. First, he is NOT the one who saves. He says over and over again, "Some say, "I follow Paul." Others say, "I follow Apollos." But you actually shouldn't be following either of us." He tells them over and over again that Jesus is the only one who can save, change, and cleanse us. Secondly, he really is passionate about not having to use big fancy words to share the gospel. I mean, this guy is really passionate about this. "My speech and my message were not plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." 


Now that was great for me to start out with and to learn, but something I struggle with as a bible study leader is worrying about looking silly in front of the kids. (Which they actually love by the way.) In Chapter 4 Paul says that while he is teaching he is a fool and he is weak for Christ's sake. If one of the greatest missionaries of all time is a fool while teaching thousands, I think I can be a fool for kids. 


I don't have to worry about looking cool, having the best lesson plans, being the most eloquent teacher, or being perfect in front of the kids. God will use everything that I have to give. A friend told me not to worry about my first bible study because I can only speak the words that God gives me and God alone can change hearts. He was right. So very right.

Now for the fun!! The birthday elves visited our Minister of Education last night and were kind enough to decorate his office with balloons, easter eggs, and even a hidden air horn!! How fun is that?? But after the birthday elves left, Mr. Earl decided to take it upon himself to welcome the interns... and this is what it turned out to look like. 










Don't be afraid to be a fool. And don't be afraid to have fun!


Live Today.

Start of Summer

Today marked the official start of my summer internship at First Baptist Church. I honestly don't even remember everything that I did today other than being extremely thankful that I had gone in a couple days last week. I don't think that I could've gotten as much done if I hadn't gotten a head start. 


Today I tried to conquer the folding machine. Key word here, try. I was sending out baby shower invitations (For Bible Study!!) and thought, "Man, it'd really be a lot simpler to just use the automatic folder." Well... I though that but once I approached this contraption of squealing parts and metal I was soon very intimidated. There were buttons glaring at me and wheels screaming and I didn't even know where to put the paper to begin folding. I can honestly say that it took me probably 25 minutes to figure out where to even begin on that machine. After I folded it in half once I needed to figure out how to fold it in half again. Well I can tell you that that didn't happen. I just ended up folding those sill things by hand. 


Tomorrow I think I'll try and conquer the printer and it's settings. Don't laugh because it's a lot harder than it sounds.


One thing is for sure, Parker and I are seriously going to have one amazing summer. I can't wait to spend a ton of time with my best friend and see what God has in store for our ministries through the summer.


Please be praying for us as we serve the students throughout the summer and as we go throughout the general struggles of figuring out a new job. We both are so excited and can't wait for the summer to get in full swing!


Live Today.

An End and A Beginning

This Mother's Day weekend is definitely one I will never forget.


I was finishing my last day of work Friday and received a call that my Gan had passed away. I went home from work, and met my mom (who made a huge driving sacrifice of which I am eternally grateful) and we packed up my apartment and while she drove back to Jesup, I drove to Norman Park to be with my family. I got there to be received by a Pop, Angela, and Mary Jo and we laughed and talked about Gan. Don't get me wrong, we cried as well but we tried to celebrate her rather than mourn. Her funeral was on Mother's Day, 13 May 2012. There couldn't have been a better day to have a beautiful funeral for a woman who was like a mother to so many and was a spectacular grandmother. The picture above is one of me and Gan at this past Christmas, and one of my favorite pictures of all time. I couldn't be more thankful to Angela for arranging us to get them. 

Now I'm a terrible Mother's Day, birthday, random gift picker outer. I mean if there was a scale I'd be the reference for the bottom. But this Mother's Day I knew that the only gift I needed to give was one of support to my Pop. He is a man that has been through so much. After 52 years of marriage he was still very much in love with the girl who captured his heart in the tenth grade. I don't think there was really any secret to it. He loved God and he loved his wife. He took his covenant before God and his commitment to her very seriously. Even when she contracted Alzheimer's and she had to be put in an assisted living home he visited her every single day and made sure she knew that he loved her. She had called me Andy for the past few years and could barely remember Angela and Mary Jo's name sometimes, but she never forgot Pop's name. Every now and then she'd look at us and say, "Where's Jimmy?" or "Is Jimmy coming?" or "Jimmy, I love you!" Talk about your "Notebook" love, right? 


I came home after the funeral and the next day began my intern work for my home church. I can already tell that this summer is going to be a wonderful blessing and it hasn't even officially started yet. 


Similar to last summer, I will be posting updates of what I'm doing with the kids, random stories, and little stories of things occurring around the office. I can't wait to see what God is going to do through this Children's Ministry this summer.


One thing that I'm super super excited about is the fact that I'm working with my brother and best friend, Parker Wayne. The dynamic duo is back together for an entire summer and the fun has yet to truly begin. I have many pranks already planned and can't wait to have some pictures up... because guess who's birthday is happening this summer? Don't worry, I'll be writing about that as well. 


Live Today.

Live To Love

Well, I'm wrapping it up here at UGA. Getting ready for the summer and the opportunity to minister to and serve kids and their parents at First Baptist Church. I can't thank God enough for everything that has happened and everyone that I have been blessed to call my friends. 

Wrapping up my time here at UGA, I'll also be wrapping up my study of Ephesians... well almost. I was reading today through chapter 4 and literally the first verse out of the gate screamed at me. 

"...Walk the life to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love." 

Notice that the listed attributes are not ones that come naturally to us. I've talked about patience and how that is a struggle, but the rest are definitely not easy for me either. But it is written that this is how we are to live. 

Bearing with one another in love. I definitely need to start reminding myself of that when I run into someone when I'm in a hurry and they just want to talk or when I am super frustrated with someone. That's what we are called to do as Christians. Love. And love genuinely. God sees our hearts when we do things and when our heart conflicts with our actions it makes him nauseous. I mean, we don't exactly feel like a million bucks when we're doing it either. There are so many blessings to be had and opportunities to witness when we do things with a genuine heart and it's a shame to miss them.

Live Today.