Another great week!

It is hard to believe that there are only three weeks left of my stay here in Salado. The summer has gone by so fast! Here is an update of this past week...

-Monday through Thursday was Kidz Kamp for the 1st-4th graders. We had a total of 19 kids join us everyday in Georgetown for the fun. The day camp was centered around  providing fun activities for the kids and integrate a few Bible stories along the way. I  know the kids had a great time, but by the end of the week I was fairly tired and ready for the weekend.

-On Thursday night, I had dinner at the Warren household. This is an incredible family! They show so much generosity and kindness towards me, as well as everyone else in this community. Jeff and Stephanie have three kids: Paul, who recently graduated and will be attending Howard Payne University this fall, Andrew, who will be a junior at Salado High, and Matthew, who is entering 3rd grade. After some home-made enchiladas, me and the boys played some street hoops for a few hours before calling it a night. It was a great night of getting to know this family and spend some quality time with these guys.

-Friday night, I had four high school boys come over to my place to hang out for the evening. Although we did not engage in any very spiritual conversations, we shared some laughs and had a great time of getting to know each other even more. I am planning on having many more of these nights over the next three weeks!

-Saturday was so much fun! The Warren's invited me to go on an all day kayaking trip down the Colorado river. Jeff runs a local sporting good store and rents kayaks as part of the business. They had a scheduled trip on Saturday, in which they needed to chaperon the kayak renters, and he takes the boys with him to help load the kayaks in and out of the trucks. I was able to tag along and spend the day lazily gliding and fishing down the Colorado river.. Paul caught 34, Jeff caught 11, Andrew caught 6, and your amazing summer intern caught 5. It was a beautiful river and I had a fantastic time with the Warren's! It was a great weekend of relaxation and recharging for these upcoming weeks.

Continue to pray for these high school students and their attitude towards the gospel.
Pray that I will stay focused on being intentional with everyone in this community and not lose sight of my purpose here in Salado.

Love you all and thank you for your support!

Listen to this!

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/out-of-your-heart-will-flow-rivers-of-living-water

I have listened to this sermon multiple times. John Piper sheds so much light on how our spiritual thirst is quenched in Jesus alone! Drink deep!

Out of your heart will flow rivers of living water!

I will share what went on this past week and July 4th weekend....

After driving back to Salado from Denver at midnight on Saturday morning, I then made my way to the Austin airport by 4:00 am. I had a flight leaving at 5:45 to good 'ol Indianapolis! I was home by 11:00 am and was greeted at the airport by my wonderful girlfriend Brittney. It was so nice to see her, share what God has been doing in both our lives, and spend some time together. I was even more excited to visit my family and share the July 4th weekend with them at home. It was great to grab some hugs from them and share all that has been going on in Texas. My parents are so incredibly supportive of my call to ministry and I cannot imagine how difficult life would be without their support and encouragement! On the day of the 4th, we had a large family reunion and it was the perfect day to hold one! I was able to hear many stories of my family's history and share some good laughs with the cousins, and uncles, and aunts, and second cousins, and uncles twice removed, and second aunts third removed in law, and sixth stepsister twice initiated with a quarter branch barely hanging on to the tree in the first place. Nonetheless, it was a great time.

After some long hugs, tears, and some encouraging words, I made my flight back to Austin. God has been answering prayers, in that, He is stirring up the hearts of these young men in this church. When I landed, I was greeted by some text messages asking me if I would be up for some guys coming over and spending the night on Wednesday. I texted back with an enthusiastic YES! The result...I had seven high school guys come over shoot some hoops, eat some pizza rolls, and most importantly talk about the Bible. They asked questions regarding relationships, sin, sharing your testimony, and "God Moments". These guys are hungry and my prayer is they will continue to drink deep from the Word of God and realize the renewing power of the Spirit.

Pray that God will continue to manifest Himself to these students and that I can continue to point them to the cross. Pray for the eighteen 1st-4th graders that will be around during Kidz Kamp this week. I will have every day between 8am-3pm this week to invest in the younger kids of this church body. Pray that God will give me a deeper hunger for his Word and that I would continue to drink deep of the time I spend with God.

Love you all and thank you for your support!

Update!

Sorry for the delay...the place I am currently living does not have Internet access and the past month has been quite busy. Here is a quick recap of all that has gone on:

-Super Summer was fantastic! The entire week was spent investing in ten 8th graders and discussing with them the lessons they learned from Seminars. I was able to build great relationships with a few of the young men and spend a lot of extra time teaching them and pouring some of what I learned into them. It felt so fulfilling when the kids would come to me with questions on the Bible and seek my direction. One young man in particular, Brent, is still emailing me questions and looking for advice as he seeking the Lord. It has been such a blessing to help those kids, and I learned a lot about my heart for teaching and my desire to invest.

-Immediately following Super Summer was Vacation Bible School at First Baptist. I was simply known as the "Rec Guy". I spent each day of VBS outside in the 100+ weather, goofing off with 1st through 4th graders. I had the opportunity to follow up with one child's decision on following Jesus, and was able to walk him through the first steps of a life hidden in Christ. VBS was a great success! We are currently working on contacting all the parents without a church home, trying to invite them to get connected to our body here at FBC.

-After a week of preparation, we took almost 60 kids to Denver, Colorado for our summer mission trip. It was incredible! Most of the students have never been exposed to the urban community, let alone, starting conversations with complete strangers in the city. Each day we would do a project in the community and try to show people the love of God through our actions. On Monday and Tuesday, we took sack lunches into downtown Denver, in hopes of being able to share the meal with someone in need. I was so very proud of the students and how well they jumped out of their comfort zone to talk with random people in the city. I was able to meet a few people who were homeless and share a meal and the message of the Gospel with them. Outside of the scheduled events was where God really used me. Each night of the mission trip I would gather together the upperclassmen and talk before going to bed. We had incredible conversations! I was able to share my testimony and my experience of college with them and help answer some of the questions they had concerning the Bible. God has been answering my prayers! My prayer has been to feel competent for ministry and have opportunities to share what I know with others. And God provided just that! Denver mission trip was a success!

I will share some more about my weekend in Indy and this past week in Salado in another post!

Pray for these high school students, that the fire that was lit in some of them would continue to be fed and their desire to seek God would grow even stronger. Pray for me, that I would not get distracted with earthly things but set my mind on things above and continue to jump on the opportunities God is providing me!

I love you all and thank you for your support!

A Super week starts tomorrow

       Tomorrow morning, Tim and I will head out to Howard Payne University for Super Summer. All together this week has not been too exhausting, but after almost 5 hours of laying sod today, I am starting to feel the effects. Looking back on the week, I really have enjoyed my time so far in Salado. I am learning a lot about the ministry I am a part of and  have been introduced to many wonderful people. The relationships I started on Tuesday with the staff have already blossomed into great ones and I hope the same will happen with the students. Unfortunately, I may not get any students from FBC to be part of my Super Summer group because of the way Super Summer divvies up the students. All I know for certain is I am part of the red school which is incoming 8th graders! That means lots and lots of energy. But no matter what students I get (Salado kids or not), my desire is to preach the Gospel with  my words and actions and love these kids as Christ first loved me...

       With the start of Super Summer also means the end of my stay at the Mescher house. I have had the most encouraging experience while staying with this family. Everything from observing their breakfast devotionals, to being offered jalapeños every meal by Noah, to the many questions Corey and Scott have answered about their lives, to the late night theology discussions held by Scott and I. This has been a great way to start my summer and I hope I make my way over to their house many more times before the summer is gone....

Since Super Summer begins tomorrow, I will not be able to update this blog until next Friday. My prayer requests for this week are...

-to pray for good soil for the seed of the Gospel to land in and that I may recognize where the Holy Spirit is working among my group.

-energy...I will be physically tired from the demanding schedule of this camp, and I don't want my tired body to affect my patience or willingness to talk/share.

-that I would find time to spend with God regularly during this camp experience. It can be easy to get caught up in talking about God, but I need  to talk with God to remain strong in Him.

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 12:28-29

A great birthday!

I am officially 20 years old today! I'm trying it on and it feels good! 20. tehwentie. twenty. twunny (as said down here). I figured nothing spectacular was going to happen today but sure enough, the Mescher's and others made this day very memorable. Today was also the very first day being in the church office. To inaugurate my staff membership, Gaylia brought the Salado-famous Johhny's breakfast burritos. It was so great to finally meet all the staff and be a part of the planning process. After the staff meeting a ran through the summer with Tim, the youth minister, and helped him with a few projects. I bounced back and forth between Tim, Kevin, and Scott all day helping them prepare events and brainstorm ideas. Although every day this summer may not as easy as today, as far as the work load, it was certainly a great day! The staff has totally welcomed me with open arms and I am very excited to head back in tomorrow...

When Scott and I pulled in to the house after work, I was greeted by birthday balloons and a cake siting on the table. The Mescher's were able to pull off a surprise party right underneath my nose! They then treated me to dinner in Temple and then to cake and a song when we got home. It was way beyond anything I would have expected from this family! I am so blessed to be staying with Scott and Corey, they are such wonderful people who show so much kindness, love, and hospitality to me and others in this community. 

I took a few pictures from today's surprise!

Memorial Day

           It has been an exciting couple of days in Texas so far! Yesterday was my first exposure to First Baptist--I shook a lot of hands and forgot a lot of names--and I am very excited to see where I will be in the following months. I met most of the staff at FBCS and I really felt a warmness and welcoming spirit by all. I chatted with the lead pastor ,Travis, before the second service and his initial journey into ministry much like my current situation and I felt very encouraged afterwards. Travis shared with me how he too left his home town after his sophomore year of college and worked at a church he has never attended. He told me that summer was extremely influential in his decision on which area of ministry to pursue. His testimony brings so much encouragement to me, but it also gives me a sense of anxiousness. I desire so deeply to fulfill my ministry and follow the path that the Lord desires for me and I want to walk away from this summer having a better direction in ministry. I guess when it all boils down I want to be teaching the message of the Bible, loving others, and making/encouraging disciples. I need to trust God with this summer and trust that He is absolutely and totally worth my entire life which includes my career path....

Some other things that have happened in the past few days:

-We played basketball at a students graduation party yesterday, and I finally did that one crossover between the defenders legs and took it in for the finish. I have never played a game of bball that well in 99 degree weather.

-Scott and I (mostly Scott) cut down a tree today on Papa Bob's prairie. Shout out to Big John for making me the worker that I am today. 

- Had a great late night theology talk with Scott last night. I am looking forward to many more over the course of this summer. 

           Tomorrow is the first "real" day of the internship and I cannot wait to become closer friends with this team of leadership and see what I can do to serve. Begin to pray for Super Summer which is coming up next week. Pray that the gospel will be preached and hearts will be softened to receive and adjust. 

This hymn was sung yesterday and I just was moved by the lyrics. Christ is all we need and the only "need" in our lives...

1. 
   
2. I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
   No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
   • Refrain:
     I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
     Every hour I need Thee;
     Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
     I come to Thee.
3. I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
   Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.
4. I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
   Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.
5. I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
   And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.
6. I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
   Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.

First day!

The first day is complete! Scott and I got in about 10:30 last night after almost 18 hours worth of driving. The trip seemed to fly by since the majority of the car ride was spent discussing life, theology, and this summer. After a good night's sleep I woke up to the wonderful Mescher family that includes Corey and the three kids Corban, Noah, and Ellie. Scott and Corey have shown so much kindness towards me by allowing me to stay in their house for the upcoming week...

Today was very relaxed and consisted of a very thorough tour of the majestic town of Salado. (It was about a 30 minute tour). This town is definitely different then the "town" of Fishers that consists of 80,000 people back at home. Although it may not be the most prominent landmark on the map of Texas, I am excited to see where God is working and how I can join Him this summer. After touring the church facility of First Baptist I am getting anxious to meet all the people that make up this particular part of the Body. I look forward to the relationships that will spring up tomorrow and I hope I can awaken affections for God in the people I walk alongside. Pray that I will be intentional this summer and that God will open the hearts of those in Salado...

Also...Scott told me today that Salado means "salty" in Spanish. That made me think of this verse "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good fr anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet" Matthew 5:13

May we remain salty!

Packing up...

Well, it's crunch time...there is only about half a day between me and the open road to Salado, Texas. I have been packing everything into my car very slowly today as I have been thinking about what this summer ahead of me is going to be like. A feeling of unpreparedness continues to linger in my thoughts, but I know it is just my nerves of living in a new place getting the best of me. I have confidence that God has provided this internship for me and I know it will be a wonderful opportunity for spiritual growth and dependence upon God. Before I go on, I will catch you up on what exactly I will be doing this summer...

I will be the summer intern at First Baptist Church in Salado, Texas working with mainly youth and children's ministries. Much like previous internship, I am sure my job description can be summed up as... "all duties as assigned" .... so anything this staff and body need me to do. I will be attending retreats, camps, mission trips, and Bible studies throughout the summer with a purpose of sharing the message of Christ and creating and developing His disciples. 

So I ask those of you reading this to pray. First of all, please pray for things outside of me. Pray for the people I will encounter in Texas, that their hearts will be softened like rich soil ready to receive the seed of the Gospel. Pray for this body of Christ (staff and congregation), that we will continue to grow in becoming more like Jesus and we will deepen our trust in God. Pray against the evil one, that his lies about God's saints being incompetent, failures, and weak would be defeated by reflecting upon the cross of Christ. Also, pray that Scott and I would have safe travel down to Texas tomorrow morning. I want to thank you all so much for your support and I will try my best to update this blog everyday or every other day.  

1 Peter 4:10-11

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."