Hello hello again!
Let me start by saying that this was the craziest and quickest month of the apprenticeship yet. I was telling a friend that October had just started, and she looked me in the eye and told me it was October 25th already. I felt like there was always something new happening, every weekend was filled with a new adventure, and it genuinely was such a fun month to reflect on. Let me tell you about it!
Lets start with my classes! Once a week, I take a class with Ronnie Worsham as the teacher. He's a really godly, kind, and blunt man who tells it as it is. Ronnie has been a part of campus ministry for 50+ years, so our class consists of the apprentices asking him questions about ministry, and he usually gives a talk on any given topic by the end of class. I really do look forward to this class. Well, one thing that he spoke on was what we actually tend to believe about the gospel. Here are some of the things he said that I'm quoting: "Belief is not a feeling, it is a decision, and that's why we're transformed by the renewing of our mind- not our heart," "The gospel isn't about what you feel, it's about what you've decided," and my personal favorite "I'd rather be a stepping stone into the kingdom of God than be 'all that' during this time."
Basically, Ronnie was challenging us to realize that the gospel of God is such good news, but there are a ton of hardships that come along with following God. Jesus said in John 15:18, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first." It's oddly comforting knowing that Jesus can relate to our hardships as disciples since He experienced difficulty much more than most of us ever will. Being a follower of Christ is difficult, and if it's not, something is wrong. Yes, there are joyous times, and I have hope and faith for what is to come. But right now, I get to set aside my American rights, my personal ideals for life, and become the lowest of the low. There's something beautiful in this way of living. I do get to be a stepping stone for people to understand God better. Here are a few photos from my classes!
Here is Ronnie continuing his lecture even though he just used sharpie on the whiteboard. My sweet friend, Renee, spent so long cleaning it!
I had misplaced my phone during class and had been looking for it. Well, my friend, Connor, had been taking photos of me from my phone as I was looking for it, and this is my face when I realized that I actually had it!
For my maturing and leadership class, we talked about having authentic rest while we continue to work hard. My assignment was to set aside a full day of rest, and think through what I find to be genuinely restful. I decided to go to a lake my family and I visit from time to time by myself. I spent most of the day in silence, I didn't talk to anyone, I would read a bit of a Jane Auston book if I felt like it, and I came home to Arlington later that night. I don't know if I had ever felt so rested and rejuvenated to come ack to work in such a long time. I can't take days off like that regularly, but I hope to be intentional with those times when I can.
Let's move on to ministry related things! Let me tell you some cool things that are happening in my core. I've started to get really close with my co-fa, Lindsay. She's southern, very sarcastic, and such a servant to everyone she meets. I absolutely loved getting to call her friend. I also disciple a girl named Success. When I first met Success, she hardly spoke three sentences because she was so shy. Now, I see her at outreach events talking to absolute strangers about God and telling them about our ministry. She makes jokes in core and has some really good insight on the things we talk about. As I study the Bible with her, she picks up on things that most don't. I've been really encouraged by her setting aside her shyness for the sake of learning and sharing with others the goodness that God has shared with her.
This is me with my co-fa, Lindsay!
Now let me share with you some things that caused this month to go by so fast because I was having so much fun. Focus at UTA held a Halloween party after our Thursday night fellowship meeting. There was Karaoke, spooky-themed snacks, bowling with pumpkins and toilet paper, and corn hole! Let me tell you, it was so fun seeing everyone dressed up and having such a fun tie time together. My team and I dressed up as characters from Toy Story. The best dressed Halloween Costume group went to a group the dressed as the Despicable Me characters. Here are a few photos!
This is my with my team! (I think we should've won our own costume contest)
