Protecting His faithful ones.

"My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways. It will save you also from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words, who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God. For her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead. None who go to her return or attain the paths of life. Thus you will walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it."

[Proverbs 2]

Seeking the wisdom of the Lord is something I desire to do in all my life, in every season and stage of life I endure and transition into. I am sure some (if not all of us - at some point in your life) of you desire the same thing. My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ has been with me every step of the way; knowing that, I am blessed with a huge sense of peace and comfort understanding I am never alone wherever life may take me. I can always go to Him when I think no one is listening, when I don't know who else to talk to or if no one answers the phone or text. He's never too busy for me. He "...protects the way of his faithful ones."

I am astonished as I reflect on where the Lord blessed me to travel this summer: Oklahoma, Texas, Illinois (x3), northwest Iowa (x3), northeast Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska (x3). Many of these trips to these various states involved witnessing weddings of dear friends and family. May the Lord bless the beginnings of all the marriages that occurred this summer. As I think of the many miles I traveled on the highways and byways, I am beyond thankful for God's protection of everywhere I went.

This past weekend, marked my final wedding of the summer. I played piano for a friend's wedding and all went smoothly. After rehearsing the morning of her big day, I watched the bride and her party get ready and take pictures; I couldn't help but think of my life-long friend getting married this December. I am super excited for that because it's the next wedding I know of and will be the first one I am in as a bridesmaid! I was blessed to stay in Seward with a friend at the house I lived in last year. Then, I was doubly blessed to extend my weekend trip to last a week and babysat a very sweet little girl I watched during my senior year of college. We had some fun times playing together and it was so good to space out my time seeing people before I had to leave town.

Never would I have imagined preparing for graduate school by spending the week before I move in Seward. I couldn't think of a better place to spend my time! Now, it's time to hit the ground running as I normally do and finish details of packing/getting my ducks in a row for heading east to seminary.

I AM STOKED!

one/half.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." [Hebrews 12:1-3]

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." [1 Corinthians 9: 24-25]

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." [Phil. 4:13]

Well, I suppose this makes it official. Or more official than just thinking about it or saying that I am going to do this. My dear, spontaneous friend, Cap, and I are going to begin training for running in a half marathon later on this fall. I hope I follow through. I hope I can fit in the training runs amidst a new school, a new schedule, digging into more theology than I have ever immersed myself in before. I know it's going to take a ton of endurance, time, and possibly some pain.

But people do this all the time, I remind myself. And oh yeah, you did run 4 years of Cross Country in High School. You can do this. We can do this.

Only with the power of Christ in me am I going to be able to survive this endeavor. And knowing that a friend is training for the same thing...just a mere 11.5 hours away from me is just the start of encouragement for me.

Let the training journey begin!

100 things...

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. [Psalm 100.]

Well, after a short hiatus (week and a half?) from blog world here's the latest from my corner of the world. It's been busy times as the month of July turned into August. I was blessed so much so last week to be in Seward, NE and serve at the Seward Worship Conference. Great to be gathered around others that care to learn more about a great topic! 

It's hard to believe that the summer is nearly done and over with. How blessed I have been to experience this summer. I shared with my mother recently that I probably will never have another summer like this, but only God knows what is in store in the future.

I began this summer wanting to keep track of things I learned during my summer internship in Children's Ministry and following you can read for yourself. Maybe you know it all and nothing is new to you, all I know is I had fun keeping tracking and learning tons this summer!

100 things to keep in mind while serving the Lord in the church: 

(All learned during my 2011 summer internship in Children’s Ministry at Gloria Dei Urbandale, IA) 

1. Always know where to get a refill of coffee. 

2. Find joy in long staff meetings. 

3. Be early to things you are responsible for. 

4. Snacks are a must! 

5. Always have a listening ear ready for use whenever someone stops by. 

6. When you don’t know something or are unsure about something, ask for help. 

7. Have a resource room available for anything and everything related to ministry. Label everything! 

8. Greet kids at their level and ask them questions they’re excited to answer. 

9. Plan ahead. Yep, think about the coming year and do some Advent preparations during the summertime. It’s okay to work ahead! 

10. Look for ways to save money. ALL the time. Coupons go a long way. 

11. More than likely there is a song to engage kids to calm down, clean up, or simply praise the Lord! Incorporate music into everything! 

12. When working alone, listening to music makes time go faster. 

13. Decorate at kid’s level. They’ll appreciate it. 

14. Always take time to plan. 

15. (VBS) Always take time to decorate. Decorate, decorate, decorate. 

16. (VBS) Hold a informational meeting with teachers and helpers. Run through the schedule and logistics of how things will go. 

17. (VBS) Make sure registration is organized: 1 table for walk-ins to register on the spot, another table for those pre-registered. 

18. (VBS) Keep your teachers informed of what to expect, what they can do, ask if they have questions. 

19. (VBS) Thank your teachers and helpers for all they do to make VBS run smoothly! 

20. Remember to communicate constantly with those you serve with at your church or ministry location. 

21. Thank your volunteers/ministry partners that help support you in your ministry. 

22. Be resourceful and use up all that you purchase for an event or activity. Leftovers? Recycle into another project. 

23. Never wear shorts when leading something. It’s kind of tacky. 

24. Be prepared for lots of meetings. Find joy in them and brainstorm ways to communicate whether or not the meeting is necessary to have or not. 

25. Think outside of the box when planning an activity/Bible game for kids. They’ll get more out of it if you make it fun. 

26. Be enthusiastic! Get into it! If you aren’t, the kids won’t get into it at all either. 

27. Never allow the church kitchen to double up as a person’s office. The kitchen needs to serve as the heartbeat of the church. Warm and welcoming for people of all ages. 

28. When it doubt, make it easy. Don’t spend too much time doing one thing. Look for the easiest way to do something when you can.  

29. Have things set up before the day you need it to be ready. Less to worry about the next day. 

30. Day camps are a great outreach to the community. 

31. Be prepared for a messy desk. That means things are happening…if your desk stays clean for a long time…well, something’s wrong with that picture. 

32. When teaching kids songs repeat the words and find actions to with the words. Be enthused! 

33. When teaching kids a Bible verse, help them remember it by acting it out. 

34. Always think ahead.  

35. Thank those you work with. Have time set aside to encourage and lift each other up. 

36. Find time during the summer to do large scale planning for the coming year. 

37. Look for ways to partner with other ministry areas/ages within the church. 

38. In educational rooms for kids, make them bright and appealing for kids. Murals on the walls and scripture verses painted on the walls. 

39. Know that in your ministry you never serve alone. God is with you in everything you do. 

40. When working with kids…and engaging them in prayers, remember to do repeat prayers every so often. 

41. Always be on the lookout for volunteers to help you in your ministry. Each bit some one else can do will help you in the long run! 

42. Explore many publishers for educational/curriculum ideas. Weed through any incorrect theology and tweak it if necessary.  

43. Invest your energy and time in your ministry to the church, but do not neglect time with your family. 

44. Don’t be afraid to take work home. It helps to get things done in a different atmosphere. 

45. Try to live in the good grace of the senior pastor where you serve. Things will go more smoothly. 

46. Be aware of multiple ways to contact people: via email, texting, Facebook, etc. 

47. Publicize events well in advance of the actual date of the event. 

48. Remember to keep in mind definitions of words people use around you. If you have a different understanding of the word, you need to communicate that. 

49. Don’t take shortcuts when you know you shouldn’t. 

50. If you update or rearrange something in your office, chances are some one else in the office will want to do the same. 

51. Whiteboards are excellent to hang on the wall in your office. Great brainstorming space. 

52. It’s okay to prefer liturgical style. It’s okay to prefer contemporary style. Really, it’s okay to prefer liturgical style. :)

53. When planning an event, always have plan A and a plan B set in case of weather issues. 

54. Take note of advice older, wiser coworkers share with you. They’ve been there, done that. 

55. Look for ways to involve high schoolers to assist and serve in ministry with you. 

56. When working with others, be specific as to what you expect. Less chance for confusion to occur. 

57. Surprise those you work with every so often. It brightens their day you know! 

58. Pray for your coworkers. 

59. Brainstorm with volunteers/ministry partners how to improve a program so it can go better next time. 

60. Be aware of your surrounding community. Find ways to reach out and serve those that are not part of your church. 

61. Always look multiple places for resources you could use for a new craft! 

62. If the church doesn’t have something, have a “needs” list published to ask for donations. 

63. (music) Set aside time to practice each week.  

64. (music) Communicate to the music people if there’s anything special or different about the service than usual. 

65. Learn how to use the copy machine. And…don’t forget how to use the copy machine. 

66. If you forget something, the secretary is bond to know what is going on. 

67. Ask permission if you are unsure you can do something or not. 

68. Have FUN. 

69. Time is money…doesn’t apply in my book. Enjoy what you do and it won’t seem like work. 

70. Embrace those that stop in the office to say hello or catch up. You never know for sure what all is going on in their world. 

71. Look for ways to involve your ministry with all generations of your church. 

72. If you’re the newest on staff, be prepared for being picked on – in a loving way of course! 

73. Appreciate what others on your ministry staff are doing and let them know! 

74. When brainstorming new ministry ideas make sure every one is on the same page about implementing the new ministry. 

75. Get tons of sleep when you have longer days than normal. 

76. Don’t be afraid to say no. 

77. Always keep track of your sales receipts and get them to the right person before you lose them. 

78. Be aware of those near you who serve in similar ways. Ask them for help when needed.  

79. Collaborate with surrounding churches to do events together every once in a while. 

80. Make every moment a teaching/learning experience. You’ll get a lot more out of it. 

81. Share your ideas with others in your congregation, zone, or district. 

82. Know who your district mentors are, they are there to support you! 

83. Always look for ways to learn how to do things better and more effectively in your ministry. 

84. Continue your learning by going to conferences on special topics relating to your ministry. 

85. At wit’s end? Stop what you’re doing and pray. 

86. When you make a mistake or wrong some one, approach them in love and apologize. 

87. Keep in mind the “Bob Riggert Edition” of the Bible: Psalm 46:10 where God says, “Shut up and listen!” 

88. Don’t mess with Steve Hayden. :)

89. If all else fails, use guilt (but you can’t use it all the time!) 

90. Learning does not stop once you have a college degree. 

91. It’s okay to cry. Really it is. You are just being real! 

92. When some one’s wronged you, step away from the situation and look at the situation from their point of view. 

93. Don’t forget to plan ahead. It’ll serve you better in the long run to work ahead. 

94. If you can get away with it, don’t schedule things before 9am in the morning. 

95. Realize that the devil is hard at work in the church. But don’t fret because the Lord is always near and on your side! 

96. Continue to digest God’s Word. Day in and day out. If you don’t feed yourself, how do you expect to feed others? 

97. Love what you do, and do what you love. You’ll never “work” a day in your life. 

98. Continually, share God’s grace. He’s gives it to us to share with others. 

99. Pray often. For anything and everything. 

100. Above all, give all that you do to our Lord Jesus Christ!

"The Russians are coming!"

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." [1 Corinthians 12: 4-7]

"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." [Romans 12: 6-8]

It's true, it's true: "the Russians are coming, the Russians are coming". In about a half hour two 20-something-year-old females from Russia will be making a home here. My family is hosting them I think for 2 weeks and I'm excited. Unfortunately, I only get to see them during their second week stay with us. Many times during my childhood I've been able to think that infamous movie quote and it's been true. I like to think that I've been exposed to many different cultures due to the fact that my parents have been hosting foreign exchange students and businessmen and women for many years. It's super cool to do this as we've been educated about different parts of the world we may not have come to know about otherwise. I especially enjoy holidays around my home because we receive random phone calls every so often from friends across the sea.

In my reflections on the day...I am so blessed to know so many friends. Those around my age, those younger and older than me. People from all different walks of life. People that care and are passionate about their own special thing. Those that have so many gifts and talents and interesting hobbies that I couldn't even begin to master myself. I'm blessed to know people that do so much and share their gifts and talents with me.
 
It's so cool that God has designed us each to be unique and each to find our own way of using the gifts He's blessed us with to serve Him and those He places around us. May we all be able to look at the gifts we have and use them all to His glory. Afterall, without Him, we couldn't do it.

Places to call home.

"'Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.' Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?' Jesus said to him, 'I am  the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.'" [John 14:1-7]

I was reading in the book of John last night and came across the passage you see above. Whenever I read through scripture God blesses me to think of songs or hymns that I've grown up singing at church, VBS, or once learned at Camp Okoboji. [I am a musician, yes?] Last night was no different...the lyrics of "Big House" began running through my mind. Maybe because we'd sung it at VBS the night before or possibly because I've been thinking lately about the homes God has blessed me with in my life thus far.

My childhood home in Urbandale, IA has been a great haven to grow, learn, and be formed under my loving parents care. It's been nice to spend another summer here...reconnecting with those I've not been able to see as much & getting to meeting new people through my church internship.

Camp Okoboji has always been a second home to me. Why? Well...living and serving there for 5 summers just makes sense to me for calling it one of my "second homes". Also, spending each of summer of my life there has created many precious moments with my family. While as we grow older it's been harder to get everyone there at the same time, I will cherish those memories for years to come. [Treasure Village golfing, playing cards, visiting, swimming at the beach - to the raft, BLTs, Clearly Canadian, puzzles, Dad's kite flying escapades, Stomp Rocket, sleeping in, etc]

Seward, Nebraska....is and always will be considered to me (& I'm sure many others) a treasure of a place hidden amidst the corn fields. I am beyond thankful to have been a student there at Concordia University and so blessed for the ways God taught me more about loving others with the love of Christ. Even as the years continue to pass by, I will ponder the moments, memories, people, and all the learning that happened there.

Now I look forward to my next home in this life: Ft. Wayne, Indiana. And I know it will be another place to call home. In my 3 short visits there, I already feel I can call it home. It will be exciting to let time unfold there and see what God's planned for me to experience during my studies and formation there.

I am abundantly blessed with homes.

While all of these places seem to be amazing to me...you probably have your own set of homes/places that are near and dear to your heart. How blessed we are to experience moments & create memories in different areas of this beautiful land called the US of A.

I can't help but wonder what our heavenly home will be like.
& Something I can't even begin to describe.

the energizer bunny.

"Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil,  struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me." [Colossians 1:28-29]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." [Ephesians 2:8-10]

Lately, I've been thinking about energy. I think it's because of all this humidity that's struck the midwest & other areas of the country. I'm surrounded by people that have said to me, I just can't do it because of this heat. Their energy has been zapped out of them and I completely understand. It takes a lot out of you to go from one extreme temperature to the next. It's especially hard to see how the heat affects a loved one with enough health struggles of her own.
 
I find some irony when thinking back to my childhood, with understanding the person I am today & how I received the gift of a life-size energizer bunny stuffed animal.

I guess the story goes that I was the youngest kid at a church event & so there the Morrison family took home a huge new toy. I'm sure my parents thought, What are we going to do with this? But I'm pretty sure I loved the bunny awhile - so much I remember the drum getting ripped off it.

Ironic...well, because I tend to do a lot and keep busy and keep going and going and going. Yes, like the bunny.

But I know I can't keep going and going and going. And you can't either. You'll wear yourself out, and I will too! I think a lot of times people don't realize they're doing too much until it's almost too late
to fix that issue from getting worse in their current situation.

Remember to take time each day to breathe, relax, and find some quiet time with the Lord to renew your energy and ask Him for His strength, power, and energy to get you through whatever is next on your to-do list.

Trust me, He's already there with you even when you doubt Him.
Remember, nothing is impossible with God!

a transitional time.

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace." [Ecclesiastes 3:1-8]

This summer has been all about transitions for me. For that, I am so thankful. Because when transitions in life occur, most likely growth & learning come along with the changes & newness of the current situation. The Lord continues blessing me just as He has in all other times of my life, whether joy or struggle. I am grateful to recognize the blessings He gives me during this transitional season of life.

One major transitional time began with graduating from CUNE in early May of this year and moving back home and not back to Camp Okoboji (where I've spent the last 5 summers of my life serving in various capacities on staff). While some may not find much happiness with the thought of moving home after graduating college, it's been a huge blessing to live at home this summer: I've had time to go through college stuff (get rid of things I don't foresee needing); see people I've not been able to see in a long while; enjoy more time with my parents; start projects (&hopefully finish all of them!); take walks with a neighbor lady & her dog and so much more.

This living at home &being blessed with a church internship to keep me busy is one way I've come to realize how God is preparing me for my next journey in (academic) life.

I'll be honest...I was a bit apprehensive with the idea of not going back to Camp, but knew the timing was right. God allowed me to be at peace with the decision of living at home this summer. Even though I knew I'd miss the atmosphere, the people who've become my Camp family, and other special things about serving at a beautiful place in this world. What's pulled me through is how God has allowed Camp friends to connect with me and let me know they've missed me. Those words are priceless to hear, all glory to God for allowing me to meet some remarkable people. I know He will continue to guard and protect all those He blessed me to meet over the years and I can't wait for the next time I'll run into some one from my Okoboji days.

While July is not officially over (and there's tons left to accomplish & complete before it truly ends) I feel it's retirement drawing near. With the onset of August coming...beginning school all over again comes to mind. I know fall is coming close because e-mails have heightened from the Ft. Wayne community. This excites me greatly as I am so so so eager to begin my diakonal studies there. It will be good to be immersed into studies again & wonderful to meet new brothers & sisters in Christ. I can only imagine what God has in store for me there.

I end this by sharing a welcome to "seeing" the beginning of a new chapter in my life. With other transitions occurring, I wanted to transition to a new blog. So here it is, enjoy!

ps. thanks Teagan for tips & showing me the ropes. You're wonderful!