my internship

i have just finished my last Sunday as an intern at Harvester. i must say, i thought it would be a bit different...perhaps w/ a disco ball and confetti paper...but that was not the case...knowing that i'm still going to be in the area and serving there on the weekends has created a stirring in my heart. I know i'm still gonna get to be a part of the ministry, but i also realize i'm not going to be in the office day-in day-out preparing, organizing, and doing the behind the scenes ministry that i've come to learn to love over the past 7 months...

nonetheless...i'm still getting to serve and be a part of the ministry...

as this chapter in my life is ending and a new one beginning...i've come to learn many things. many about myself, ministry, and just life in general...I've been so blessed with those that i've come into contact with through this internship. I must say that i've gone through alot over the past 7 months...but some may ask if it was all worth it? i would look whoever would ask such a question and tell them this...

"every drip of blood (there was some), every drop of sweat and all of the tears that was put into this internship was worth it, not for my gain of knowledge or my experience, but for His benefit and gain. If only 1 student was led to Christ or came to know Him more through what I was able to do through the gifts and talents that Gad has given me, then you better believe it was all worth it. And i'd go back and do it all over again if i could in the blink of an eye."

there just isn't anyway to put it other than that I've been blessed beyond belief and I praise God for every single bit of of it

my epiphany

-my integrity
back in August of 2002, i heard this new word over and over again..."integrity" i had never heard it used before. I was on the campus of LCC and was overwhelmed by the use of this word. I remember walking into my room one day after class and asking my roommate, Goody, what does this word mean?...i can't exactly remember what he said that afternoon, but i do remember hearing the word used over and over again throughout my college career. "INTEGRITY" it was all through college that i learned what it meant and how i was able to grow in my integrity. i have come to realize that many times my integrity became questionable...sometimes i know my integrity was about as wholesome as an ice-skater in the tropics...it just wasn't right. after 4 1/2 years of first hearing this word, i'm still learning how to strengthen my integrity...for when i'm at my weakest, i still need God's grace, just as much as i do when i'm at my strongest...

-my repor
when i started my internship, i learned a new word. "repor" i had never heard of it before, but realized that it meant 'to have respect' gaining repor is not an easy task. i have come to learn that right when i have the repor needed to establish in-depth relationships with some students, i've completed my internship...however, this chapter has come to a close of 'interning' but the chapter of ministry will never end...

...falling...and bouncing back up...

So with a week into 2007, i've had time to think about what took place through 2006...i sit here thinking of the many events that took place. i think a simple phrase could sum up this past year. "falling and bouncing back up" i feel like i have accomplished alot during 2006.

For starters, i've learned alot...
-I finished my last semester of college classes ever
-I realized that there is a 'ticket curse' upon me
-I have wrestled with figuring out where i fit into the world of ministry
-I have grown spiritually
-I led another group to Florida for Week-of-E
-I have matured in my faith
-I have completed an internship
-I have extended an internship
-I have been through alot
-I have fallen into the deepest and darkest places i've ever been and bounced back up...over time, of course.

I would have say that I've gone through alot. There were many fun times and many sad. I must say though, i brought 2006 in with the boxer run and ended it with a lock-in. Everything in between seems like a blur honestly. I know where i've been though, i've seen what i've done...i've learned from it. I've fallen, and i've bounced back....i do not want to ever go back down those roads i've traveled down before...i'm looking forward and by God's power will i ever look back behind me. I know that through all of the mud and crap i've drugged myself through, that i've been able to finally walk on solid ground and be able to know where to put my focus for 2007 and beyond.

-for when i'm at my weakest, I still need God just as much as I do when i'm at my strongest

many things are going to take place in 2007, many things i don't even know about...but here is what to look forward to in 2007:
-trips to Lambert's
-Cardinal Games
-getting a job
-Walking on May 12th!
-continually serving God