It's About Time!

So it's finally here! I am now starting to learn to play guitar!!! For you who don't know, I have owned a guitar for about two and a half years and have not had a chance to learn it.  And now, I had my first lesson today.  One of the worship leaders at the church is teaching me.  I'm so excited, he says I should be set to play what I need to by the end of the summer (as long as I keep up the practice myself).  My goal from the beginning was to learn guitar before I graduated college, and now I am on my way there.

Also, apparently the people of the congregation I led in worship last week enjoyed the piano more than I thought, because I am now scheduled to lead two more weeks at the church.  God must of been working through it because I can tell you nothing I did was impressive whatsoever.  It's cool though, I am glad I am able to help.

That's pretty much all I have to report for this week.  Short I know, but maybe I will think of something later.

More Piano Please

I had the opportunity to lead the music during a service for a small congregation this morning.  It was my first time leading by myself on piano, and it went better than I expected it to.  And I know that's because God was working through it.  It definitely not my talent, that's for sure.  This congregation was an interesting one, as they are very traditional and have several elderly members.  However, there are many younger people as well.  All who came in before the service was extremely excited to find out I would be playing the piano and not guitar.  Multiple congregants greeted me after the service saying how much more they enjoyed having the piano instead of the "hippies playing guitar" (one comment I heard).  It was humbling for me, honestly, to hear how much they appreciated me coming to lead them, and I felt like I had done nothing.  God is so good, and every time I do something like this I am reminded of this fact more and more.  I was invited to come back whenever I am able, so we'll see what happens with that.

I have been getting to know more people and have had the opportunity to go out with some new friends.  It's been really nice to be around people my age and get to relax in an atmosphere I am more used to.  God has really shown up in this area the past couple days.  I had been getting a little discouraged, and within a week, I have been able to meet and hang out with four people I had not met previously.  Again, GOD IS GOOD! He has been taking care of all my needs, supplying me with rest when I need it, and is giving me above and beyond what I could have asked for.  Including working it out for me to be learning to play guitar this next week! (Probably shouldn't mention this to the other church...)

Who Would of Thought?

What to say about these past couple weeks.  Well, to start, I got my guitar in the mail today! One of the worship leaders here has volunteered to teach me to play, and I can't wait to get started.  I have been working and planning for the service this Sunday I am leading.  There are only about 20 people in the group, but I am still nervous and want everything to work well.  Even though it's small, I want the people to be able to sense God's presence and to be able to worship them with all of their hearts.  If you remember, I would love your prayers as I have this opportunity this week!

So far I have been learning many new things.  I have been video editing for one of the ministries at the church.  My job is to take out all the awkward moments and all the repetitive lines of each person interviewed.  I will be taught how to finish the video to make it more professional too.  So much fun!  Tomorrow I begin learning some of the audio stuff.  I am shadowing some of the arts staff on the job and am really excited to see how it all works.  

I have been babysitting more, and am realizing this may be my job opportunity while I am here.  I have even had to turn a job down already because of schedule.  God definitely provides! The kids I have been watching are great, very polite and well-behaved.  And they live right across the street so I don't have to drive anywhere.  

Sunday was a very interesting day.  It was Father's Day, and although I did get to talk to my dad and family, I still missed not being there.  However, for Sunday brunch, I had the opportunity to eat with a couple pastors who are here from Africa, one from Malawi and the other from Uganda. It was cool to here their stories and here how God is working over there.  They are here with a whole group of international pastors for 3 weeks, away from their families and churches.  Both of the men we ate with had a wife and multiple kids.  I can't imagine how hard it is for them.  It was so awesome to see them responding to God's call and hear how God is meeting the needs of His people.  

My aunt and uncle have been here to visit this week.  It has been great to seem them for a while.  Growing up, I wasn't able to see them much, so having time now is a blessing.  The kids love having them here as well. It's nice not being the new person in the house and have my time taken up so much, even though it really hasn't been much of an issue.  I love spending time with the kids! I have been reminded of many things, like not to bring back a treat you have bought for yourself without bringing some for everyone (OOPS!)

I was hit a little bit with wanting to be back on Wellspring this week.  I have been missing camp and working with teens and praising God with a group of excellent musicians. I think even more I miss the community built within the team and the friendships I made.  I am still trying to build those relationships here, knowing it's going to be difficult with how little time I have.  Thankfully, I have great friends back home, who, although far away, still make time for me :)

I guess, to sum it all up, everything is going great here in Dallas.  I am having an awesome time and am learning some things I did not expect.  God is working in my heart and I know He will continue to do so in the weeks following.

1 down, 9 to go

I have completed week 1 of my internship.  I can't say enough about how great it was!  The staff is incredible and so much fun.  I am starting to get to know them better, and I can already tell it's going to be hard to say goodbye to them at the end of the summer.  Many of my jobs this week have involved working with Excel.  I have made charts of who serves in the ministry in different areas at the church and listed out what songs have been used Sunday mornings for the past year.  This coming week I get to help out with a video shoot.  We are interviewing men and women who have had to deal with abortions.  I would appreciate your prayers for this, as it could get quite emotional.  It will be exciting to see how the video interview process works though.  This is something I haven't had much experience in.  Also, I have already been scheduled to lead worship at a small church that Watermark has taken over recently.  The church congregation is about 20 people, so it's small, but I will be leading by myself on piano.  Again, I would greatly appreciate your prayers for this.  Leading on piano is something I have not done often, so please remember me on June 26!
I have not found a job yet.  However, God has provided me with the opportunity to babysit for a little extra income.  I watched a little girl and her nine year old brother last night, and already got a text from the mom asking me to babysit again next weekend.  With no other job prospects as of yet, God is taking care of me!
It is supposed to be hitting the 100 degree mark here this weekend, I plan on staying inside and enjoying the wonderful world of air conditioning.  I have adjusted a lot better to the heat than I thought I would.  It's the lesser humidity which makes the difference, it's great!  Driving here has been getting easier as well, and I thank God so much for that.  It can be scary at times, but I am getting much more comfortable and am able to get around to where I need to go.  And after only a week! Wow, I can't wait to see how God works out these next nine!

Denim Capris

Today was the first day of my internship.  I could not have felt more welcomed by everyone!  I attended the Arts meeting worship ministry staff, and I don't remember the last time I laughed as hard as I did during it.  Here are a few ideas we discussed: man capris, the role of denim (including denim underwear), "Are you smitten with the mitten?" (I told them I am from Michigan), and two of the male staff members discussing who was the "Lady" and who was the "Tramp" (they were enacting the Lady and the Tramp spaghetti scene).  Let's just say it's going to be a fun summer.  I have my own desk and cubicle, including a Mac computer.  Working on the 7th floor is going to be great, there is an awesome view of the city out of the window right behind me.  I am still getting used to driving here, 3-4 lanes of steady traffic on a normal road is not something I am used to.  By the time this summer is over, there will be no driving I can't handle.  The job hunt is coming along still, I have applied to a few places and have a few more to keep looking into.  God will provide in His time.  For now, I am thanking Him for  putting me here for this time, because I am loving it here.
Most of my time has been spent with the kids, and it's been great.  I have played many many games already and have watched "Tangled" I think 4 times.  Getting to know my cousins better too has been wonderful.  I am so thankful for them and all they have done for me.
Tomorrow I attend my first all church staff meeting.  I am told I may have to introduce myself to everyone (80-90 people).  We will see how that goes!
I appreciate all of your continued prayers, for my adjustment here, driving situation, my car (it broke down a couple days ago again and had to be fixed, hopefully it will last the rest of the summer now), and that I would be able to meet people here to interact with.  As of right now, I have had enough to do to not get lonely, so hopefully I will get to know people soon.  Thank you!

I MADE IT!

This is going to be a short one, because I have been riding in a car for about 13 hours today and I am exhausted, but we made it! I am in Dallas, and I couldn't be more excited.  I already have a meeting/seminar session tomorrow, and officially start my internship on Monday.  Before then, I will be looking for a job.  Guess we'll see how that goes.  God will provide.  I can't believe how much God has blessed me so far with this whole thing, and I can't wait to see what else He is going to do!