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
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
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
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
Saturday, July 14, 2012
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:
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
Friday, July 6, 2012
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:
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!) |
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)