wow, can't believe it's been 2 months since i've posted on here! crazines... first of all, my apologies for the lack of posts... so much has gone on since i got back from brasil and i haven't had sufficient time to update like i want... i'll make a better effort to do so in the future. :)
i am completely mind-blown right now! i am just coming off of a retreat that i went on with our 2nd year confirmation students at my church... a local missionary, ennie hickman, commented a few weeks ago that speaking to high school sophomores (ages 15/16) is the most hostile missionary field he's experienced... and man, after this weekend, i couldn't agree more!
it's been a while since i volunteered with church youth programs & activities and this year i decided to volunteer as a catechist because our church was in dire need... well, thankfully, God has been working in my life in ways unseen because this weekend i was blessed with grace and patience and wisdom to speak on tough issues that i wouldn't have been able to answer on my own. can i get an amen?! we took 63 sophomores on retreat and i can honestly say that most of them were there in mind, body and spirit, (after a little prodding to be themselves and let the pretention go) while there were only a handful that were there because mom & dad wanted them to be there and were just completely against the concept of the weekend. so it was a good discovery.
i was also charged with the task to speak on being a catholic christian in today's society--my struggles with living out my faith and what i've learned on my journey. i think i'll post my speaker notes in the next few days with pictures so you all can see how God can even take someone like me and use me to His glory.
it's been a long time coming but i am SO thankful to be here, in this moment, doing what i'm doing, thinking what i'm thinking, learning what i'm learning, feeling what i'm feeling. there were times in the past that it was all about me, me, me and i'd my life was a shambles. i'm learning that there is no shame in having a "past" if you can use the experiences to bring others hope in Jesus Christ. this weekend, my story spoke truth into the hearts of some of the teens, and i couldn't be more thankful for everything God has done in my life.
it was a very, very touching retreat and i was so inspired to see the young Church getting fired up about Jesus. it was very cool...
well, that's all i have time for today... i will post an update on life, school, work, etc., soon... until then, take a listen to this song by third day featuring brandon heath--it's a tribute to rich mullins' "creed." it totally made my day! :)
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