To be with Jesus...

To be with Jesus.
Resting in His arms.
To have no worries.
That's where I want to be.

There are days that I have a chance to sit down, relax, and frankly-just don't want to do any homework that I may have to do.  I want to worship along with the radio and "curl up into Jesus' arms".  Such imagery, I know.  That picture perfect life seems to be all that we can hope for.  What do I have?  That picture perfect life is actually reality...in my eternity.

Right now, I am in a world and on an earth that cares about success-money-perfection-popularity.  In my life, I do try and pursue those things.  Yet, I am never satisfied...but rather broken.  I start to push things away when things do not go my way, things that are not in the right place.  Many around us try and reach perfection-to be wanted and seen as the perfection of what life brings.

But how can we be perfect?  There may be an appearance of perfection-but what about the flaws that came along the way?  After some consideration, I have decided that I don't like the word "PERFECT".  When it is used to describe me by other people, I feel as if I have automatically dropped because of the things I have done to get that reward.  There is a standard attached to what being "perfect" means-and I know that I cannot live up to that, no matter HOW hard I try.  The end result may look perfect, but the flaws along the way make the product polluted, ugly, and in no way perfect.  I know all the flaws that I have, and do not feel worthy to be called that.

YET: For in the eyes of Jesus, the One that I place my life and trust in, He can see me as perfect, and call me perfect even through my flaws.  I can feel free in His arms through all the things that I may and will do wrong.  This doesn't mean that I am free to do whatever I want and know that my relationship with God is covered by the blood of Jesus.  It means, that I do not have to be afraid to TRY.  I have the freedom to be me, to pursue the life God has laid out for me, BECAUSE I have already been seen as perfect.
For example:
When I have an opportunity to share Christ with a friend, I do not have to be afraid of messing up or saying the wrong thing. I put my trust in the Lord to know that I am doing what He has called me to do, and I do not have to be perfect in all my actions.  If I say the wrong thing-stumble over my words, its okay.  I don't have to tear myself apart and worry that this will not work out-because it is in God's hands.

I am not perfect.  And I do not have to be.   And nor do I have to worry about being that person.  I am able to come and rest in Jesus that He holds me close and says that I am perfect, beautiful, in His eyes.

And I LOVE THAT.

I am still trying to understand DAILY what Jesus Christ has done for me.
I don't think that I will ever understand.
But I can TRY.

There is so much that I want to do, so much that I want to understand.
I want my desires to become His for me.
But I don't want to just follow others...

As I think to next semester, next summer...I don't know what I want to do.  My close friends want to go on a Missions trip, work at camps, and I want to do something similar.  With those things, I need to make a decision now, and I just can't do it.  I don't know what I have a passion for, I don't know where God wants me.  I know that God can use me no matter where I am, I just need to ask Him where he wants me.  I WANT to be that person that goes on a Missions trip and change lives for Christ.  I WANT to work with children and teach the Gospel.  I WANT to know what I am supposed to be doing...right now.

But that is not what God wants for me.
He wants me to trust Him.
He wants me to PRAY to find the answer.
He wants me to be ONE with Him.

As a human, we will never understand this life, or have all the answers.  I have to be satisfied with that, and continue to see His way.

Nothing crazy, no crazy rituals.

Just to be with Jesus...

Colton Dixon - You Are
When I can't find the words
To say how much it hurts
You are the healing in my heart
When all that I can see are broken memories
You are the light that's in the dark

(Chorus)
You are the song,
You are the song I'm singing
You are the air,
You are the air I'm breathing
You are the hope,
You are the hope I needed
You are 

And when my circumstance leaves me with empty hands
You are the provider of my needs
When all my dirtiness has left me helpless
You are the rain that washes me

Chorus (x2)

If I had no voice,
If I had no tongue,
I would dance for you like the rising sun.
And when that day comes and I see your face.
I will shout your endless glorious praise. 
(x2)

Chorus x2
Lyrics Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1Q0mwVsMwo&feature=related

The World Lies-It's not all about ME...

I just want to be pretty, accepted, attractive, desired, and so much more.  I want the people I hang out with to pay attention about me, care about me, and love me.  I am stressed on all the little things in life, and I just HAVE to get them all straightened out. Money, looks, getting my work done in a perfect way....

This is just all a lie.

I am 20 years old and I am a Christian who desires to follow the Lord and His way for my life.  But why do I sit around and dwell on the lies that are stated above?  When I am not focused on the Lord, all these things creep back into the picture.  Life is definitely not perfect, but why do we as humans try to make life perfect, when indeed it is not?

It is the weakness of the flesh.

Tonight, I was at the Missionary Dinner at Ashland Baptist Church in Lexington and I was asked along with others to sit at a table with members of the church and share about my summer-the things that I did, what I had learned, what the focus was.  And I most definitely made it a bigger deal than it was supposed to.  Even up to last week, I was stressed about bringing pictures that we were supposed to bring and yelling at technology as it continually lied to me and I couldn't get all my pictures perfectly the way I wanted it to be.  To my surprise, (well, not really) I didn't even use the pictures that I was asked to bring.  I managed to still make this night about me as I desired to show people all my pictures and the neat things that I did in Santa Cruz.  Yes, to a point this is natural that you want to share what you did with your summer-but I think I left out God...

God seems to take a backseat when I'm stressed.

I just wanted to go back to SCSP when the night was over.  The dinner went well, the food was delicious.  Yet, I was tired.exhausted.worn out from trying to make this first week of class happen on my own efforts.  I wanted things that made my life easier, yet drowning in things that I should give away, but selfishly wanting to keep it all.  I wanted to turn to a friend and say that I need encouragement, and I can't do it on my own.

But what is it that I truly NEED?

Wait a moment.  There is all this want, want, want, but where have I said that I need something?  I keep doing everything on my own and forgetting that I need God. And God alone.  I can want my SCSP community back, but what is there is a push to God, the Comforter of my soul.  When I am so exhausted, I tend to want human contact and comfort-and that is where I fail, BIG TIME.    I have the best place to run to, and it is into my Father's Arms.  I can CRY at His feet, FEEL His warm embrace around me.  But why do I not go there?  This world tries to define it differently and I have fallen into the mold where a hug is what will make me feel better-words will make it all better.

But where is God?

I learned a lot this summer: growing in my time spent with the Lord, learning to be bold and unafraid of others, being patient and a servant.  I have forgotten all of that when life takes a different turn.  I have neglected to read the Word this week, I have forgotten to let God be sovereign in my life.  I have confronted fears, attached them with feelings of brokenness.  I have been blessed with great friends, support, and so much more than I can ever ask for.

I decided to make my treasure all the little things in life...

Matthew 6:21  "For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also."   

I give this week back to God.  He has shown that He can control-and He will always get His way.  I have to actively choose to say that every moment is His, just like this summer.  It doesn't matter where I am, it only matters that He is here, and never going to leave.  So why do I walk away from this great gift? No one ever knows why, but we know that Satan tries to get his way-My God is BIGGER and wins me over every time :)

Pray for me, for us as believers to not walk away from God's Hand in the midst of hardship-but to walk straight into His arms every second of every day.  And NEVER walk away from an opportunity to get into His Word and overflow our own cup.

<3 Melinda

1 Peter 5:7  "Give ALL your worries to him, because he CARES about you. " (Emphasis added)

A New Journey at Home

Greetings Everyone-

It has been a while since I posted, but since then I have returned home back in Ohio.  The last week was incredible and hard at the same time since we all had to leave the friendships and bonds that we have made over the last 10 weeks.  But it is also a time to rejoice as we are now able to return to our homes and campuses with so much new knowledge and tools that will help us share the Gospel when we return. 

In my last post, I had mentioned that our team was headed to Yosemite National Park in El Portal, CA.  The 5 hour drive was beautiful, and even though my van took a detour, we were all able to see God's immense beauty as we traveled to Yosemite.  We even found a Chick-fil-a (YAY), but we were sadly informed that it was Sunday, and Chick-fil-a is not open...it is always on Sunday :) But even after all of that we were able to make it there safely and stay in a luxurious hotel lodge.  It was really nice to get away for a few days, but we really missed the Peter Pan.  On Sunday night, we headed up to Glacier Point for dinner and Praise&Worship while out looking the entire park.  I can say that it was the most beautiful place I had ever seen! Much better than the Grand Canyons, because we could actually hike in Yosemite. 

I was also given the opportunity to share my testimony at Glacier Point, and I would not have changed it for anything.  To see how my confidence had grown this summer and to hear the words of what God has done in my own life was amazing.  God has done such a work in my life this summer, that it was reflected in my short testimony in front of 55 of my friends. 

Here comes the best and worst part...on Monday morning, 26 of us embarked on a hike to Half-Dome, something that was seen from Glacier Point.  It is a 17.8 mile round-trip hike, with 4,100 feet elevation change (yes, that does mean pretty such straight up!) and at the end to even get up to the top of Half-Dome, we pull ourselves up the side of this mountain by the use of arm strength and cables. (The best way to see it is google Half-Dome hike)  I wanted to do it, and I knew it was going to be hard...starting your morning at 4:15am to get on the trail before sunrise was a big endeavor.  Yet, after a LONG day, I can say that ALL 26 of us made it to the top and back with no one being left behind. It was so exhausting, but the immense beauty at the top cannot be matched.  I also thank God for Christian guys that had the patience and willingness to stay with me on the way up and back.  I honestly could not have done it without them. It made me realize where my standards should be set and what God can do in someone's life to help serve. 

Returning to the Peter Pan on Tuesday morning was exciting but hard at the same time because it meant that we had to start cleaning up the Pan and packing everything away in the PODS.  The summer had gone by so fast, yet it was a summer full of joy.  I don't know what else to say about the rest of the week, other than the fact that it was not rushed, or hard but rather set up by great leadership and time to gather our thoughts and spend time with co-workers before we had to leave. 

Friday night on the other hand, was so hard.  As our last night together, we shared dinner together and had time to share with the group of things that we learned, what was hard, and just thanking everyone for the impact that they had on our lives.  After that, we received our Yearbooks-and this started an all-night event of signing yearbooks with encouraging notes and sharing with each other what they have seen in us this summer.  To see the love and determination to sign yearbooks  for hours on end was incredible and so much better than signing high school yearbooks!! We had all left a mark on one another and desired to share that with each and every person, that brought joy to my heart. 

As the night went on, people started leaving for their flights,and it was truly a sad time.  To see the tears and hugs made it seem a little more real that we were leaving, that this summer had come to an end.  When the buses came to pick everyone that was flying home, it was hard beyond belief to get on that bus and know that it would be the last time that we would see the Peter Pan, the Boardwalk, and everything in Santa Cruz.  To leave he people that were driving home was even harder knowing that they would be able to stay with their friends just a little bit longer. 

Being back home has been a joy, knowing that I am with my family, that I will be able to pour into others in just a short time.  I am excited to return to school in 2 weeks to see my friends, my church, and let the Lord use me for His glory.  It is hard not being around 55 people that you can always talk to, but Christian community cannot last forever, as we are sent out in the world to share the Gospel.  The best part-we will all see each other in November, at reunion :)  We will all have stories to share, opportunities to encourage, and just to see what God does in our lives. 

THANK YOU for all that you have given me this summer, whether it was financially, physical needs, or even just prayer.  I am so thankful to have this opportunity and what God was able to teach me this summer.  I will continue to blog as the Lord works in my life this semester, so feel free to bookmark my blog and follow my walk with Christ!!

<3 Melinda

Yosemite-Bound

So as tradition continues, SCSP travels to Yosemite National Park during the last week of project.  We are all very excited to hike Half-Dome, be able to relax, and get away for 3 days.  Yet, all of this brings the worst news of all-we have to leave and return home in a week.

There are so many mixed feelings that I could share about this, in the way that I know this Christian community cannot always last and I am ready to let my cup overflow onto others lives.  But there is also the feelings of sadness and grief as we are all about to leave the people that we have lived with for over 10 weeks.  I don't know how I feel right now, but I know I will be frustrated with all the feelings that I will have in a few days.  This is the time where the Devil works the hardest, trying to get us to be short with others and cause anger and strife between the group.  We as a project have to remain strong and know that God is going to carry us through all the way to the end.

Thinking back on this summer is hard because I still remember the first day that I got here! Summer is coming to a close, and I feel as if it hasn't even happened yet! That's Santa Cruz weather for you :) Anyways, the first day that I was here I had no idea what kind of impact that the Lord was going to have on me.  I was trying too hard and the Lord worked into those cracks to get me to be open and honest about things that were and are weighing on my heart that I need to deal with.  I am indeed a different person, I still struggle, but I am looking forward to how God will use me and my new knowledge.  I do not want to fall back into a cycle of who I was, and not push myself to what I have already achieved.

I praise God for who He is and how He has placed me in this place.  I praise God that He has used you as an individual to place me here in financial need, as well as prayer! Thank you :)

Some Prayer Requests:

1. Help the team continue to remain strong, even through the last week of cleaning
2.  Safety as we travel 5 hours to Yosemite and back again
3.  For those hiking to Half Dome, that we will remain safe and healthy
4.  For God's power to move, even in the last week here in Santa Cruz
5.  To have a lasting impact on Santa Cruz-even after we leave for the summer!

God Bless,
Melinda

Desire and Passion

This summer has been incredible in the way that the Lord truly has provided what I needed.  From support, to providing a way to get here, great community, spiritual growth and more-He has indeed been here with me.  All the clique saying of how "Summer Project will change your life!" is so true.  It takes a step of faith to see what the Lord can do in your life for 10 weeks.  Praise God for who He is and His mighty power!

I wish that this blog could contain all the wonderful and hard things that God has done, but there is only so much that you can verbally say.  Last night in my Action Group, or better called bible study, the five of us realized that this is the one time during the week that we are all together, studying the Word, and encouraging each other in incredible ways,  and letting God work through us.  All of this gives me motivation and a desire to return to school and seek that relationship with the girls in my Junior bible study, as we live in the same way.  In Action group, we are studying through 1 Thessalonians by the Cru.Comm curriculum.  Paul's focus is showing the Thessalonians how much He cares and has tried to return for a visit.  His love was not  shallow,  but paternal love that has had him pushing to return and see them after being removed from the city.  He wanted to share life with the Thessalonians and did whatever he could to protect them.  This is an amazing picture of discipleship, and makes me think of the "Everything Skit" by Lifehouse.  The way that Christ fights to intercede in our lives shows great love and desire to see others walk in faith successfully with the Lord.

With that being said, I have a desire to push someone to Christ-and live life everyday with them.  I was asked to lead a Freshman CRU bible study, but with my class schedule there would not be opportunity to fully pour into it.  Yet, since being here for the summer, I have a desire to disciple, or even help lead my own Junior bible study.  I do not know what this may look like and I am giving this to God to control.  But I want to use my knowledge and wisdom to lead others in the same walk with Christ.  And that is something that I will indeed pursue.

I do not know of anything else that could match this summer of growth, and even understanding.  There has been so much that I have finally "fully" understand that I have been complacent with in the past.  The tool that CRU uses to share the Gospel, Knowing God Personally booklet (KGP), has been an eye-opener to a way to concisely share the Good News of Christ and even allow open discussion throughout.  It most certainly is not a way to shove theology in people's faces, but rather the key points into 4 laws and basically take the whole bible down to a mere 12-16 pages! The conversations that can be transitioned into this, and what can be understood is amazing.

This Saturday July 21, is a big day as we are bringing "Christmas in July" to Santa Cruz!! Of course-Santa is coming! ;) In the effort of time, we had decided that rather trying to fit two more events we could plan ahead and make this a huge outreach event! We have had 2 weeks to advertise, and decorations start in just a few hours.  There will be Christmas dinner, and guess who is cooking?? Yep.  I will be cooking a Christmas feast for what we are guessing, 120 people.  We may have a lot left over, or it will be an awesome success! I am not preparing the meat, but all the side dishes and desserts-mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and pecan pie.  Please be in prayer for this event but also for my strength as I serve in one of the important aspects of a party-food! :) Cooking in the kitchen has been a joy, and I pray that I can finish this summer strong in my service to my team in this way.

What more can I say, except to thank God for the things that He has taught me this summer? Among all things, God is to be praised and be given all the glory! These last few weeks until August 4th will be tough, busy, and enjoyable.  Thanks for all your prayers and support!

Melinda

Nearing the End...

Yes, I am indeed updating my blog :) The weeks go by so quickly and it is so full of things to do!! :)

This past week has once again been a week of growth and learning in the Lord. There have definitely been some star moments, and others in moments in weakness.  I will try my best to cover all that I wanted to say since I have forgotten what I wanted to say ;)

This summer has just been incredible! God is so big and really puts us where we need to be, at the right time-and even at the right place.  I continually look back on my life and see that if I had not lived my life the way it has already happened, I for sure would not be the same person, and not have experienced life in the same way.  I praise God that He has placed me in Santa Cruz for the summer,and brought me the Christian community that I have here.  I cannot believe that I am 20 years old, serving the Lord in a place that many would dream about living.  I can say that I have not felt that I have reached out to the community of Santa Cruz as I should have, but I have let this city leave a mark on me as I grow in my Spiritual walk with the Lord.  I have learned how to thirst for quiet time with the Lord-and still have to fight away all the distractions that I may have in trying to achieve that.  I am pushing myself to rise early (that is hard for me!) and give myself time to rest in the Word before heading to my daily routine.  The internal conversations in my head have changed from thinking that I am rejected-to taking the initiative in relationships.  I desire to follow the Lord and illustrate what 1 Thessalonians 2:4-8 states:

⁴ but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.⁵  For we never came with words of flattery,^[b] as you know, nor with a pretext for greed— God is witness. ⁶  Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. ⁷ But we were gentle^[c] among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. ⁸ So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

So, we have to live life together-among each other and really become one body in Christ.  A difficult thing that I have been learning is how to share my brokenness when I come across others.  I am so good at hiding what is hurting or burdening me that I don't grow deeper in relationships.  As living here for 10 weeks  with 55 other students, all I want is to leave with close friends, an impact on my own life and with others.  I am resisting the Devil's words to me that state I am not going to gain friendships this summer, and I will leave an outsider.  Yet, I fight that with being intentional with others and hold tight to the words that I have to choose to pursue a friendship, and not necessarily wait for that person to come along to me.  

Another way that God has been working on in my life is how I see myself.  This is a difficult one to explain, but I will try my best.  I guess you could say that I put a front on and stand "on the outside" looking in, as I just don't see others seeing me for who I may imagine me for who I am.  I can easily think that everyone sees me as a project mom, a cook, and a willing heart.  We have what we call "Encouragrams" and have envelopes where we can write notes to each other and encourage each other in any words that we want.  Even though I have not gotten many, I have found myself in shock sometimes in what others see in me.  One card that I received recently stated how they saw me being a great example of a quiet and gentle spirit. Even though I think I do not receive attention-I do.  And my lack of being actively involved has received a view of a humble spirit.  That is convicting to me because even when I think that I don't have a place-others see characteristics in me where I would not find myself.  This is why encouragement and uplifting in others is so important from the body so that each other can find what they may not realize themselves.  It is not a pride thing, but rather a humble realization that you have an impact on others that you yourself can never see radiating.  It also pushes community as encouragement puts a desire for further love and uplifting from one another! That is the amazing part of the body :)

To close, I can go over what has happened in the past week!! 

This week, I returned to work on the Boardwalk.  I was fortunate to receive two days off, Wednesday-as my grandparents came down to visit for the day and Friday.  We had a busy week, and certainly a busy weekend as we had Praise and Worship night on Thursday and several upcoming outreaches.  On Saturday (or today for those that are on the East coast!) we are hosting a "Coffee House" with couches, pastries, and candles :) Everyone loves that, and it is a great way to invite co-workers to a non-threatening environment to hang out.  On Sunday, we are once again having a beach outreach from 3 to 5pm with Tug of War, volleyball, free watermelon and water, and of course-Spiritual conversations.   The previous Sunday brought several conversations and interactions with locals and internationals on the beach-so we are doing this again. Following this at 5:30pm, we are hosting an ice cream social for those internationals staying at "La Hacienda", which is a hostel that internationals come and work the summer to September on the Boardwalk.  They come from all over Europe such as Germany, Poland, and several from China and Asian countries.  These are great opportunities to love on them and bring them the Gospel that they would have otherwise may never hear! 

Our big outreach for the summer, following our Barn Party in June is-Christmas in July! On Saturday July 21st, the Peter Pan will be converted into a Christmas atmosphere with Santa, Christmas trees, tacky Christmas sweaters and possibly fake snow! Of course we cannot forget food-and that is where I come in.  Yes, I will indeed be cooking all the holiday fixin's (but the meat is taken care of-not by me!).   From green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, homemade mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin and pecan pie-it will all be made.  We as a project consist of 60 people, and since we have started advertising so early-we anticipate MANY guests.  I may have to cook for at least 120 people...please be in prayer as I do my part in feeding many people and using that to a gateway to the Gospel.  I will definitely keep an update on this :) 

It brings me close to tears to think that this summer is coming to a close so very soon! Time has gone by so quickly and God has been a huge part of it.  I am blessed to be here, and will continue to make the most of my time here.  On July 29-31, we will be traveling to Yosemite National Park for a fun trip, and a last hoorah before we embark home.  And yes-I will be hiking Half Dome! If you are unaware of what that entails- 17 Miles roundtrip. 12 hours. So worth it (I hope!) 

Thank you SO much for all your prayers and support this summer-I cannot thank you enough what it means to be here and growing with a team of supporters right behind  me! Excited to update you next time! 

<3 Mel

The First Half--Compiled into one post!

Greetings Everyone!!

I have been here for almost 6 weeks, and I have not been able to update since I have been out of a computer.  For those that are unaware, my computer hard drive crashed after the first week that we were here in Santa Cruz,  and to my blessing-a Computer Science student here on project gratefully took my computer and fixed everything for me.  I spent very little money and gave him a project to work on :) But now, I am back and able to fill y'all in on what God has been doing through me and in Santa Cruz.

Since the first week, I have been through so much change and seen some amazing things occur.  I am one of the Project Cooks, and every other week I am in charge of cooking for approximately 90 people.  This is such a feat for one person, but after the first week, the Lord blessed me with the strength to use my hands for the feeding of the troops :) I had wonderful guidance under Sharon Mahaffie and Brooke Miller. I have  had learned a lot about cooking for a large group, but it has definitely been fun and challenging as well.  I do have help during mealtimes, as 2 Action groups (essentially one girls room and one guys room) to help run dishes and serve clean-up as well. Yes-that does mean I do not have to do dishes ;) But it is nice to have the help and service of others.  The kitchen is a place where students can come and talk when they have nothing to do.  I am glad to be able to have a servant's heart in this way.  And I am excited for the weeks to come as I continue to feed my fellow projectees and also the co-workers that come to dinner as well to experience Christian community.  Every night at dinner, announcements are made but a student is asked to share their testimony as well.  We want to soak everything that we do with the Gospel, as well as prayer as this is our purpose in being here in Santa Cruz.

The weeks that I am not in the kitchen, I am working on the Boardwalk for a food company called Whitings.  They own several different food locations that include ice cream, cotton candy, icees, Pizza Hut, Burgers, Senor Teds, Dipping Dots, and more.  Every day that we work we are assigned to different stores which create variety and ultimately different co-workers that you may come across.  Until last week, I have been simply going through the motions of getting my job done and not getting a chance to interact with co-workers since I am not there on a week to week basis.  But, by the blessing of God I was able to meet a co-worker, on Saturday that I worked with in ice cream (that I did dread, but fell in love with it!) and invited her out to our dinner here at the Peter Pan.  I had overcome fear and invited her and it was a blessing.  We exchanged numbers and I am trying to place an effort to hang out with her and get to know her better.  It is in God's hands, but to be used by Him is an even greater blessing that I am able to experience.

We have also had weekly outreaches, where we go out around Santa Cruz and attempt to engage in Spiritual conversations through various means.  The tools that we use are KGP (Knowing God Personally) which sums up the Gospel essentials in 4 Laws.  It is a booklet that I have grown to love because 1. It's Simple, 2. Everything is laid out before you. I will share on this in a later post :)  We also use a tool called "Soularium", which uses pictures and questions to direct spiritual conversations into the Gospel.  In Santa Cruz, this is a big thing as we are in a community that embraces artsy things and the use of 50 pictures laid out on the sidewalk definitely draws in crowds.  Check out: http://mysoularium.com/index.php to see the questions and pictures that are used.  If you click on "See What Others are Saying", you can see the images and questions that are used.  In all of these things, conversations occur that do lead to discussion of Spiritual things.  Santa Cruz is a city that is lost-but also very open to what they believe.  Being close to the Bible Belt, we may be spoiled with the idea that all have heard of the Gospel, or who God is.  In this city, it hits you hard that it is not true and makes you realize the impact that the Gospel can truly have!

In a large outreach event, we had the traditional "Barn Party" event! We have brought the South here to California :) We had a family come and cook traditional pulled pork, barbecue, corn, and Sweet Tea as w used this event to bring co-workers out to a night where two testimonies were shared and southern dancing occurred.  It was a fun night to have fun and get funny looks by people that would drive by ;)  We had about 15 co-workers come out and join the fun, and Gospel conversations did occur.

In the past week, the staff has officially left and has left student leadership in their place.  After having them here for 5 weeks, teaching and training us, we are now on our own to carry the torch and tradition that we have been sent here for.  The famous saying is that, the next 5 weeks will be the best part-and we will not remember what it was like when the staff were here.  We have to fully depend on each other and essentially grow closer to one another as we continue on. I am excited to see the Lord work and focus on establishing awesome relationships with the people that are here.

One thing that the Lord has been teaching me is the way that I form relationships with people.  I am very good at remaining on the surface level with people, that I do not establish deep connections at all with others.  Being in Santa Cruz for 10 weeks and not really having close friends is not the way that I want to end my summer.  The Lord has laid on my heart that I am to pursue and be intentional with at least 3 girls, that I get to know better and begin a deeper relationship with them.  I pray that as I seek them out, that God will be with us and bond us with Godly intentions for serving Christ together.  I have 5 more weeks, and I do not want it to go to waste!


Thank you for all your support and patience! I will update as much as I can (now that I have my computer back!)  Feel free to email with more questions, or leave a comment :)


Here are some pictures that sum up my journey so far:

A glimpse into what my daily cooking routine is like-20 lbs of ground beef :)

Women's Night! 

Barn Party Outreach-Welcoming our guests

The Celebration

Our Weekly Meeting, similar to a traditional weekly Campus Crusade meeting 

Kentucky Girls! After group picture night

The 17-Mile Drive near Pebble Beach, so beautiful! 

Typical travel around Santa Cruz-crammed into a large van named Brutus :)

Night Worship on the Beach (and S'mores of course!)

Reflection Time on the Beach, with the Boardwalk

Group at Gharadelli Square in San Francisco for the day! 

 The girls in San Francisco! 

The Directors on their last night-passing on the leadership

Sharon Mahaffie-My leadership in the kitchen! :) 

Shag Dancing and having fun on July 4th :)

Charlie and I (one of my 4 roommates!)

<3 Mel

A Week Down...9 more to go!

Hey Everyone!!

It has been a great week here in Santa Cruz with the whole team here and getting to know everyone here.  There are a total of 57 students, and the last student, Damon, has arrived today so our project is complete! There are 20 staff here as well and we have been immersed in so many activities that require interaction of every student on the project.  With every confrontation between other students, the way that the conversations are genuine and are filled with Christ's love that I have never encountered before.  We are all here to serve the Lord for the next nine (9) weeks, and to be in a community where you can turn to anyone to talk about your struggles and joy is amazing and a blessing of God.

There has been some challenges and struggles along the way as having so many people in one location can be overwhelming.  But with God's power, we have continued to bathe everything that we do here in prayer.  The Santa Cruz Summer Project has not been placed here by the hand of man, but rather by the hands of God for the last 21 years.

Today was everyone's first day of work on the Boardwalk (minus a few lucky ones that had the day off!) and to have students of CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ) spread all over the Boardwalk allows  for countless conversations and relationships to be formed.  Even though I am indeed a Project cook for the summer-which involves cooking dinner for my team every evening-I do also work for Whitings food on the Boardwalk.  They own several of the food stands scattered among the Boardwalk, and I was placed in the Freeze stand, a place that sells ice cream cones, icees, and chocolate dipped bananas/ice cream sandwiches.  This was definitely a challenge for me, as making ice cream cones is a big no-no for me, so I managed to stay busy on the register most of the day.  A friend on project did remind me of an important thing that I have managed to put aside.  As I expressed my desire to NOT work in the ice cream stand, a friend stated that I can do it.  "I notice that you always say that you can't.  But you can. "  I was taken aback when she stated this, but she was right.  The devil tries to tear us down when we express our fears, and that is such an easy way for him to win us over.  Yet-I have the strength of God and the Holy Spirit within me that allows me to break through these barriers that make me take my focus off of the Lord.

In light of that, it has been a great day! I would like to share some pictures of my journey here so far, and I will include a link to all my photos as well :)  View my other photos at: Santa Cruzing photos

The first sunset in Santa Cruz :)

The beach by the Lighthouse

Meg and I awaiting our friends arrival!

Our home for the Summer!!

Creative date-the guys

The Peter Pan!! Setting up

Worship Band at the Soquel Winery

 More to come!!! Thanks for supporting me, and continue to follow me throughout the summer!

<3 Melinda
  

The Day has Come...

After being here at the Peter Pan motel for 5 days setting up for my team, it has come for the rest of the team to arrive!! I have been setting up all the rooms, cleaning, washing, and everything that you could possibly imagine to be ready for 57 students to live here!! It has been a busy week, and a very cold one as well! The weather has been cloudy and overcast-forcing us all to wear pants and fleece jackets.  But, it has finally warmed up to 65 and sunny today so that we can all enjoy the California sun and the arrival of all :) 

Yesterday, an unexpected arrival occurred and the first of the team arrived, Meg Gaito.  After being with 10 guys from my team (and the staff, of course!) it was so nice to finally have another girl here that I will be spending my summer with! We hit it off immediately, and chatted for a good 4 hours after her arrival.  I was slightly ignored by the guys, since I had a new friend-but all is good as we all anticipate the arrival of the whole team. 

Santa Cruz is an interesting place to be, and to be close to the Boardwalk, beach, Lighthouse, and even the Redwood forest is such a cool place to be this summer :) I don't have much to say, since the project has only officially started today but I am so pumped to finally begin what I have been called to in Santa Cruz, California!!! :)

<3 Melinda

One week Vacation

I have been in Southern California for almost a week now.  Even though I have not made it too Santa Cruz, I have been enjoying the first week of my 12-week journey here with my grandparents.  It has been a week full of fun trips to Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Downtown Huntington beach adventures and just relaxing.  I am sad to say that I have not actually enjoyed the beach and sun yet, as I have not had time to lay out on the beach.  BUT, I have 11 more weeks for that ;)

I actually have to remind myself that I am going to Santa Cruz, as being on vacation for the first week has made me think as if I am going home to Ohio first! I am excited to say that I will be finally in Santa Cruz on Wednesday.  My grandparents and I will embark on the 360 mile drive from Huntington Beach (near Los Angeles), up to Santa Cruz.  We will take the scenic route over two days, making stops in Santa Barbara, Morrow Bay, and driving up the Pacific Coast highway along the water and mountains.  

I am a mix of every emotion heading to Project.  But I am prepared for a radically changing summer that is filled with meeting 60+ people that will forever be in my life.  To sacrifice my summer, and give it to the glory of the Lord will bring so many blessings and willingness to follow where the Lord wants me, beckons me even further to follow the Lord. 

Two more days, and I will be in my summer haven :)

Melinda

It's finally here...

The time has officially come for me to board a plane and leave everything that I know Behind.  Tomorrow morning, or Wednesday, I will be leaving for California. It has been hard trying to get ready for the summer, as I have to pack very light and prepare for whatever the next 12 weeks throws at me. 

The last week or so has been really hard as the time has come so quickly for me to leave.  I did get to hang out with friends and family, see co-workers and have a great time during the week and a half that I have been home.  But the thoughts of how I am leaving for 12 weeks, hit me hard several times as I realized that when I leave, I cannot turn around and come home for a weekend like in college.  Essentially, I am stranded in California.  Some may see this as a good thing, as I am right by the Beach! But, I am leaving what I have come home to in college for a different summer.  The thoughts of not wanting to go had crossed my mind, as I became anxious and so very nervous for what was to come.  I had become so complacent with going, since I was accepted back in February-but now is the time to re-embrace all my excitement and be excited for what God will use me for. 


I am excited, and ready to meet all the friends that I have made on Facebook.  All the conversations of flights and travel plans have flooded our group page, and to know that we will all be in the same place in a week and a half, is super exciting in itself! I am ready to be humbled, challenged, and used by God in incredible ways, far past my fears and insecurities.  I am indeed making a huge sacrifice for the Lord, and I know that it will be worth it!! :)

Please be in prayer for my travels tomorrow to Huntington Beach, CA as I spend a few days with my grandparents before heading to Santa Cruz next Tuesday/Wednesday.  Thanks for all the prayers and support that you have given-and there is more to come as I continue on this journey!!! :))

<3 In Christ, Mel

The Countdown is here...

Well, in less than ONE week I will be leaving my home state of Ohio and taking up residence in the state of California for 12 weeks- A vacation with my grandparents, and then 11 weeks in Santa Cruz.  As it is getting closer, I fight with the feelings of being nervous, excited, and content at the same time.  I have known that I was accepted since the end of February, and SCSP has just become a part of my summer plans.  I don't think that reality has hit me that I am giving over my summer to God and His work done through me. 

Honestly, in talking with my team on Facebook and planning various fun things to do, I don't believe that it has hit them yet either.  We are all so excited to spend an amazing summer together, yet we do not know what to expect in the ministry field.  The hardest part is remembering why we are all there for, not for a fun summer of living with these random college students but rather there to PROCLAIM the Gospel in such a real way that we are involved in the daily lives of the people that work on the Boardwalk.  We are living life with them to show them that we are different, we have a great hope, and want to share this with everyone-even in California! This is where I become excited, to see what the Lord has in store for us :)

I was reading Hebrews 6-10 last night, and I was overcome with understanding of how and why Jesus Christ had come to die for us. The priesthood demanded a change, and with that came a NEW covenant, one that came with eternal redemption from sin! Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross was a replacement for all the animals sacrifice that could not forever wash away our sins.  Hebrews 7:26-28 states:

26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men sin their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

How awesome is our Lord and Savior, that He has come ONCE for all of us! To learn this, requires sharing with others! :) This is why I am spending my summer in California.

<3 Mel

End of the School Year!

So, it is finally Finals week for me here at EKU.  It has been an awesome semester so far and I am so excited for the summer! It is still going to be a busy week, as I have to pack everything up in my college dorm room and store it away for the summer as I head back to Ohio for less than two weeks before I take flight to California for 12 weeks! It is amazing how time has gone by and the amount of support that I have raised so far.  I am officially at 65% of my full support needed for Santa Cruz! I am allowed to continue to raise funds as long as I need to, since project does not start officially until May 28th.  

In thinking of the work that I will be doing in light of the Gospel, I am nervous for the conversations that I will have and the things that I will be challenged to do.  Tonight, at Bible Fellowship Group (BFG), we were talking about Acts 1:1-11, the new sermon series that our church is going through on Sunday mornings.  We started talking about sharing the Gospel in situations that we feel even the most uncomfortable situations.  I started to share my example of how going to Santa Cruz, it is easy for me to think about the people that I will meet on my team yet I forget the other relationships that I will have with my co-workers and others that I come across for the sake of the Gospel.  The conversation turned into talking about the Holy Spirit and how sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ does not come from the way that we share a tract with people, or how successful that we are in sharing the Romans Road that will lead others to Christ.  Rather, we are sharing the Gospel when we are simply explaining how God is working in our lives and conversation comes from sharing life with them.  In this way, sharing the Gospel becomes easier in knowing that we do not fail if we do not go through the whole Gospel every time we talk to someone.  There is a time and place for that, and the opportunity will naturally arise from that.  AND we have the amazing Holy Spirit that guides us, and prepares hearts for us.  We are not the one that saves, but it is our God who saves!! :) 


I want to leave with this verse of encouragement:
2 Timothy 4:1b-2
"1 ...I solemnly charge you: 2 proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching." 

I am so excited to see the Lord work through me and challenge me to places that I have never gone before.  But, there is no reason to fear because He has given me the Holy Spirit that works in me and through me to proclaim the Gospel message wherever I may be! 

How has God been working in your life?
-Mel

Drawing Near

Hey Gang!!

So, I know that it has been a few weeks since I have posted an update-and for that, I apologize! The last few weeks of the semester here at Eastern are finally here-and that has kept me busy! It is the last week of classes, and Finals are next week.  This semester has flown by, and I am proud to say that I will be halfway done with my college career! It has been a great two years, and I am so excited for what will come in the following two years here.

In thinking about Santa Cruz this summer, I can most definitely say that I am PUMPED! My Santa Cruz team has a Facebook page, where we post various things about this summer, questions, and just fun things about ourselves.  It has been a joy seeing the interactions of my team, an it has made me even more excited to meet them all.  Just a few more weeks to go, and I will be surrounded by my whole team!  There are 60 of us students that will be serving and that does not include Staff.  We have a large number with us, but that makes the work of the Gospel even more enjoyable with all the people to share with.

I am also glad to say that I have reached approx. 60% of my support for this summer!! The whole project fee is $3500.  I am still waiting and praying for full support to come in the next week or so.  God has really worked on my heart during the support raising process, as there were dry periods of no mail and I fought with the thought that I have no idea if raising $3500 was even possible.  But, I am glad to say that God has bigger plans for me, and has shown in the last week that He is truly in control and brought me from 45% to 60% in one day.  Praise the Lord :) I am excited to see what He will do through me this summer.

To close out, I have some prayers that my prayer partners can be praying or over the next few weeks before I head out to California. 
1. Pray for support to come in on God's time and for my faith in His work.  As always, He is in control.
2. Pray for team unity leading up to Santa Cruz.  Having a large team may lead to issues, but be in prayer that God is bigger and that He can create unity and bonds between us all.
3. Most importantly, pray for my heart's preparation to Serve the Lord in a big way.  I am excited, nervous, scared, and ready for this challenge.  Pray that I can prepare my heart daily for this.

Thanks for Serving Christ with me!!

In Christ, Melinda

Team Prayer

 <sup>Hey Everyone! 


I just thank God every day for all the new supporters that I have for Santa Cruz this summer!  If you are just reading this for the first time, this is a place that I will update weekly or so all throughout the summer so that you can see what I have been doing with my ministry in Santa Cruz :)


I am continuing to trust God daily with bringing in the resources that I need to go on my trip this summer, and I wanted to share this scripture with you.  This is a prayer for our team, that we are brought together and able to reach others, as well as strengthening ourselves! I hope this can be a tool for you as you pray for this summer, and the preparation leading up to May 28th :)


 Ephesians 3:14-20


14</sup> For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, ¹⁶ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
²⁰  Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,


Praying daily,  Trusting God.  How can I be praying for you?


<3 Mel

A Daily Journey

Hello Everyone!!

I hope that as you are reading this, you are a supporter on my team in any way this summer! As I have a few weeks to go before that I embark on my Santa Cruz journey.  As I receive support letters and prayers, I am overjoyed that I have a team behind me and this ministry this summer. 

Santa Cruz means "Holy Cross" in Spanish, yet it is a magnet for the strange, weird, and bizarre.   The prayer and vision is that it would attract those things that are righteous, holy, and true.  Santa Cruz is a beach city, located at the end of Monterey Bay and known for spectacular surfing.  The Redwood forests are located 15 minutes away, and San Fransisco is 45 minutes away.  The temperature is warm during the day, yet very cool at night.  Amidst the beauty of this place, the goal is to have God work in our lives during the summer in lifelong friendships, personal and spiritual growth, hands-on training and evangelism. 

I just wanted to list some prayers on here that can help you start praying for my summer. 
1. Pray for continual support raising!
2. Pray as I prepare myself in every way for this summer-spiritually and mentally.
3. For God to bring supporters behind me this summer.

How can I be praying for you?

<3 Melinda SCSP '12

Santa Cruz Bound!!!!

Here is my first OFFICIAL post to start off my Santa Cruz preparation! I am super excited to be able to spend my summer serving and sharing the Gospel with the people of Santa Cruz! The patience and faith has paid off-I am going!

BUT-it does not stop here.  I have to raise support to be able to go to Santa Cruz with the support of all my family and friends (yes-that means YOU!).  I still have a long way to go before the summer is even here, and I still need prayer and support to do the Lord's work through my summer.  So-I am glad that you are here, reading my blog, and praying for me as I embark on this new adventure that the Lord has put in my life.  I can never stop pursuing the Lord, and going to Santa Cruz is no different. 

I am praying for you, my supporters and prayer warriors, that through this summer, my life (and my team!) will be changed-and the lives of the people in Santa Cruz as they will be exposed to the Gospel in radical ways! Let's start this journey together, in the Lord.

<3 Mel