First, I must apologize for it being so long since I last wrote. I can't even believe it has been that long. Big things happened in this last month ... here are the highlights:
SSP - Sierra Service Project
The last week in July, I left with the youth from Claremont UMC on a mission trip to Covelo, CA/ more specifically to an Indian Reservation called Round Valley. A little history seems appropriate: Sierra Service Project is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1975 by United Methodist pastors. It was based off a a similar organization called Appalachian Service Project (ASP). As a youth and young adult, I went on ASP every year since I was old enough to go. Therefore, I was overjoyed when the youth asked if I would serve as a chaperon. I have to admit, it was almost ironic that I was asked to go - I remember when I moved to CA I threw away all my old ASP clothes thinking "I won't be able to go on ASP again for a while - I don't need these." I still wish I hadn't done that - but the good will provided the inexpensive clothes I needed. I also had to get past the thought of "dang - I am old enough to be a chaperon!?!" Even as my last few trips to ASP were as an "adult" - I didn't actually have any responsibility and my father was still there. This would be my first trip without my father and actually leading my own group. Can we say responsibility? So with some trepidation and tons of excitement I drove over 10 hours from home with 19 youth and three other adults to Covelo, CA.
If you've ever gone on a mission trip, then you will understand when I say that words do not do justice to the experience. One of my best friends, Aeron, and I have always said that nothing would ever beat our first year on ASP; no matter how amazing the following years there was a special nostalgia attached to the first year. Well, this, my 10th (or more, I've lost count) mission trip experience falls a very, very, very close second to that first trip - it's almost tied. That is how amazing this experience was.
On this trip, and for the first time since my honeymoon, I finally felt I was in the right place at the right time. I felt that the gifts that I have been studying and honing for the past 4 years could be used - and they were used and it felt amazing! I counseled both adults and youth. I co-led a group of 6 youth in building a large deck.
Speaking of leading a group of youth to build ... I have so much respect for my father who led groups by himself for about 10 years! In my sweet childlike mind I had somehow just expected that my father just knew how to do this building stuff. Now I know, that's not the case. Like me he was just following instructions ... it was a lot like putting together bookshelves from Ikea. You can see the picture, you have most of the tools ... but it's really luck and brains that get you to a completed project. My respect for his work and leadership did increase, though. (Don't worry - I immediately called him when I got home and told him this.)
Obviously, building a deck is a huge self-esteem boost. The whole week was an energy boost for me. The on-site staff were amazing and an inspiration for all. This was their second to last week of the summer - they'd been working for the past 6 weeks or so on previous projects and with all Jr. High. One might think that this staff would be slightly tired. They might have been tired, but they never let that show. They gave these youth everything they had. They danced with the youth, they shared their life experiences with the youth, some of them even drove over 3 hours out of their way on Saturday to be able to give the youth of CUMC one of the biggest and best surprises! I came home with way more energy than I left with (though I was physically exhausted!).
So, a huge part of the experience was how amazing it felt to feel useful and how much energy the week gave me. It was also an incredibly spiritual experience for me. This spirituality had two components. The first one was connected to that feeling of being in the right place at the right time. Not only was I in the right place at the right time, but I could see the ingenuity of God to call this particular group of over 70 people together. Now, this is not the time for me to describe my understanding of how God calls people and people have to respond so let me just say that it was refreshing to see the amazing amount of inclusion that can occur between 70 strangers when all 70 are saying yes to God at the same time. No one left Covelo feeling like they did not have a place in the group. It may not have been the place they wanted or envisioned upon arrival in Covelo, but a place of acceptance was found by all. It's always a blessing to hear a youth say they have found a place where they knew they were important. The second component was personal. God and I have a lot of conversations about patience. Now, I never ever pray to ask God for patience because of the fear that God will then create a situation where I have to learn to use it. I still hope to be known for the saying "Patience is a virtue ... that I do not have time for." Thus, you can imagine how I've been enjoying my constant job searching and what I may have been talking to God about. I can't say that I heard anything specific from God over the week, but every time I prayed I was reminded of how amazing the week was - I felt God telling me to live in the moment - learn from it.
While I'm not sure what I am supposed to learn from the week, two amazing things have occurred since I came home from Covelo.
1. I was interviewed for, offered, and accepted a full time job!
While I was in Covelo (and without cell service - so much for the large network AT&T supposedly provides... I'd have had cell service if I were a Verizon customer, anyways, ...) I got a call for a job interview. As soon as I got home, I was able to call and schedule an interview. The interview and the follow-up interview went well and I was offered a full time position as an enrollment counselor for Concordia's Online Degree Program. I will be helping students enroll for their classes, determine which classes are best for them, helping them get their books, and helping them determine the best way to finance their education. I start the week of Labor Day.
2. I have also been seriously thinking about what future roll(s) I would like to be playing in the United Methodist Church. I am slowly working on ordination. The moving of states really slows everything down. Anyways, I still want to do consulting work with churches who are in struggle - but I would also love to focus on youth, young adults and small groups. These church groups just really energize me and with my background of counseling and groups I think it would be a great match.
Needless to say, I'm so excited about a full time job. A good friend of mine pointed out that the job really works well with what I want to do with youth and young adults - as it shows that I can work well with that age group and care enough to work with them.
The future is looking very exciting. SSP has served as the fuel for this transition. I feel very blessed.
