In the past few weeks I have been just flooded in my mind with the thoughts of stories. Stories in the Bible, Stories of my family and friends, stories, you here them everyday, in fact, each of us lives one everyday. It hasnt been until recently that I have really taken the time to think about what my story is, the one that I am living right now. What do people think when they here the name, "Becky Canny"? What is my story?
But more than that, I have been thinking about other peoples stories. My family, my friends, my youth kids, the people in the community around me. Mainly the thoughts that have consumed me are my story and my parents story. I have been trying to figure out why it is that my moms part of the story right now has to be with her in a nursing home instead of enjoying life. Or why my dads part of the story is living apart from his wife right now. My parents love story is a great one, they both met later on in life. My mom was in her late 30s and my dad in his early 40s. They got married a few short months after they met and knew God had led them together. They had me 9 months after their wedding. Now, yes that was quick, but for a couple who never thought theyd meet anyone, and then thought theyd just met to late to have children, you can imagine the joy of a child. And then 2 years later, the joy of another little one! At age 40, my mom had my baby brother, Bryan Edward. Our family was complete, Edward Patrick, Brenda Joyce, Rebecca Dawn, and Bryan Edward. My parents have had their fights, but they have always cared for and loved one another VERY DEEPLY. They finally have a chance to be just Ed and Brenda, now that Bryan and I have both found the places God has called us and we are out of the home. and they dont get to spend this time together.
Now, I could get very angry, but I know God has a reason for it all. He is writing a story I couldnt even begin to imagine. I have been so worried and scared about my parents lately, being away from them is a new experience in my life. We have always been close, but we have always literally lived close to one another, letting go of them has been tough. Trusting and knowing that God is going to care for them, its been tough for me. I have been wrestling with God alot. I am learning to know him more, who he is and who he is to me.
If I am honest with you, Im not the optimist everyone thinks I am when they see me and spend time with me. In fact, I spend much of my life riddled with anxiety and worry about the next bad thing that is going to happen. I just prepare myself for it. I try to write the stories in my mind and figure them out, so that when the bad things happen I will be ready for them and able to accept them. Its not a fun perspective to live from at all and I am vowing to try and stop it! I have no joy or hope in this God I say I serve when I live my life in this way.
I have no idea what the story is that God is writing, not for me, not for my mom, not for my dad, but I am excited as I see that he has some great things in story. Many of the Bible stories I read, I have heard them for so long in my life, that I fail to realize 2 things. First of all, these are REAL people, these are not just stories, these people actually experienced these things. Second, they had no idea the end to their story either. They lived the life of faith God is calling us to. Joseph had no idea that after being thrown in a well and being betrayed by his brothers, and then thrown into Pharohs prison that God was doing INCREDIBLE things and that he was going to live a life he never could have planned for himself. Zaccheus had no idea that by trying to just see Jesus, he would get to experience him in ways he never dreamed of. And there are many more stories. These people had no idea what God was doing, but they chose to follow him and gave them greater blessing than they could have ever imagined.
I am going to get to that point myself. I know God is writing a great story and rather than wrestle with him over the pen, I am going to hand it over to him. He can write a much better one that I could. And hey, I bet I will enjoy some of it too :)
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
When Will it Be My Turn?
I know I go through some of the same emotions over and over again in life. I might be okay for a while and then they flood in again. This has been one of those days for me. I LOVE living in Sumner, I love my friends here, I love the church, I know Im where God wants me to be...BUT... as much as those things are true, I also, get very lonely in my little apartment at night and wish, no LONG for the day that I wont have to live alone anymore. I know God is all I need and I have been very reliant on him, but seriously, can I just meet the man of my dreams now? So I can quit writing blogs about how I long for that day?
I mean, come on :) I have some great friends, both here and in other parts of the world. But 98% of my friends are in very loving relationships. Of those 98%, over half are in loving marriages. And of the 98% of my friends who are in loving relationships and married, probably at least 60 % of them have beautiful children. Right now, I have at least 8 friends who are expecting. AND I AM HAPPY FOR THEM! I learn from these people everyday of my life. I watch their marriages and learn how to fuction well in the one I hope to have in the future. I watch them parent, and sometimes I get to babysit and I learn lessons from this on how to one day be a good mom. But I long for it.
To be honest, 2010 has been one of the HARDEST, no THE HARDEST year of my life. My mom has been sick and in and out of hospitals, my brother got married and is going to be moving to Bolivia, and I have had to learn to adjust to these things. In the midst of all of this change, God called me out of the place I had known all my life, the place I was comfortable, the place that I had friends and family I could lean on, and he led me to Sumner, Iowa to be in full time ministry. Now as I said, I LOVE IT HERE. I have some great friends here already and IM SO THANKFUL for that. I have some great kids here and God is doing some INCREDIBLE things!!
BUT Im tired. Im tired of the bad news. Im tired of feeling alone. Im tired of feeling like I have failed. Im tired. And in this, I am learning that I have to let God give me strength. I have to learn that he has a reason and a plan for all of this. And he doesnt have to explain any of it to me. I just have to know that its part of my story and in the end, amazing things are going to happen. I love my God. And I am trying to get to know him more. I said this year has been one of the HARDEST of my life, it has also been one of the most rewarding. I have grown closer to God than EVER before. I am being used by God in incredible ways. Im very thankful. So while I ask when will it be my turn, I know its in Gods way.
I want so badly to meet the man of my dreams, fall in love and get married. I want to have children and start a family. But more than any of that, I want to serve God, however he asks me to. So it is my turn. Its my turn to be used by God in this way. If I continue to just sit and wish I had other peoples lives, I am going to miss out on the great one that God has set right here before me to live.
Its my turn now, Its my turn to give my life away.
I mean, come on :) I have some great friends, both here and in other parts of the world. But 98% of my friends are in very loving relationships. Of those 98%, over half are in loving marriages. And of the 98% of my friends who are in loving relationships and married, probably at least 60 % of them have beautiful children. Right now, I have at least 8 friends who are expecting. AND I AM HAPPY FOR THEM! I learn from these people everyday of my life. I watch their marriages and learn how to fuction well in the one I hope to have in the future. I watch them parent, and sometimes I get to babysit and I learn lessons from this on how to one day be a good mom. But I long for it.
To be honest, 2010 has been one of the HARDEST, no THE HARDEST year of my life. My mom has been sick and in and out of hospitals, my brother got married and is going to be moving to Bolivia, and I have had to learn to adjust to these things. In the midst of all of this change, God called me out of the place I had known all my life, the place I was comfortable, the place that I had friends and family I could lean on, and he led me to Sumner, Iowa to be in full time ministry. Now as I said, I LOVE IT HERE. I have some great friends here already and IM SO THANKFUL for that. I have some great kids here and God is doing some INCREDIBLE things!!
BUT Im tired. Im tired of the bad news. Im tired of feeling alone. Im tired of feeling like I have failed. Im tired. And in this, I am learning that I have to let God give me strength. I have to learn that he has a reason and a plan for all of this. And he doesnt have to explain any of it to me. I just have to know that its part of my story and in the end, amazing things are going to happen. I love my God. And I am trying to get to know him more. I said this year has been one of the HARDEST of my life, it has also been one of the most rewarding. I have grown closer to God than EVER before. I am being used by God in incredible ways. Im very thankful. So while I ask when will it be my turn, I know its in Gods way.
I want so badly to meet the man of my dreams, fall in love and get married. I want to have children and start a family. But more than any of that, I want to serve God, however he asks me to. So it is my turn. Its my turn to be used by God in this way. If I continue to just sit and wish I had other peoples lives, I am going to miss out on the great one that God has set right here before me to live.
Its my turn now, Its my turn to give my life away.
Belay Ready....Climb Away
This weekend I took the kids on our first of many retreats together. As their new youth pastor, I have loved getting to know them, but am still trying to figure them out and find out who they really are. What makes them tick? What do they like? What do they hate? On Friday night, we had a great night together. We played games, we roasted hot dogs, made smores, sang worship songs, and had devotions together. We went back to our respective dorms, and I have no idea what the guys did for the rest of the night, but us girls had fun. We laughed and joked around for a while and then it was time to go to sleep. Now, for those of you who dont know me, most of the time, Im a pretty big softy, I dont like to make people sad or hurt their feelings, so its VERY HARD for me to discipline, however, I have learned, that I can and HAVE TO do it sometimes. And when its midnight and this little red head needs some sleep for the busy day ahead, she can be very true to her hair color :) I only had to "speak firmly" to the girls once about allowing those who wanted to, to get some sleep. They all decided it was time for bed and the giggles and loudness gave way to the peaceful silence :)
The next day, because we were all well rested, morning was not that difficult to awake to. We were headed to the ropes course. The kids would do a zipline, climb a wall with team work, a leap of faith, and climb a rock wall. This is where the real fun was and where I learned tons of lessons. Both about the kids and applications to take with me in life.
This is where we used the term, "Belay Ready"...""Climb Away". I was so proud of the kids too. I wanted to tell you a couple of stories about them and what I learned from this weekend. First of all, I had a curiosity. I wanted to what this "Belay" word meant. What was it all about. So I asked one of the workers. He told us that "Belay" meant, 'Lifeline', it was from the French language. Now, Im kind of a skeptic at times, so I did my research to make sure he was right on his facts, before I placed them on my blog :) And sure enough, one of the meanings is 'lifeline', there are other meanings too, but I will allow you to look those up on your own. The meaning I wanted to discuss was 'lifeline'. I am the type of person that if I can, I will use annalogies or stories from life to help me and other understand the walk with God more. So of course, I began to think about this in our walk with Christ, God being the ultimate lifeline to us. But also, how at times, I have been called to be that lifeline to someone else and allow God to use me as such. And finally, to admit that there are times where I need a lifeline too, and God has been there but has also used others to be there as my lifeline as well. So when the kids were going to climb up to do something, they had a "contract", they were connected to the "Belay", they would say "belay ready" to which they would reply, "belay ready", they woulds say "climbing" and the "belay" would say, "climb away". This person was connected to whoever was climbing with another rope, it was up to them to anchor the person climbing. It was all a very safe procedure, but scary none the less. You have to trust someone you dont know very well to hold you while you jump and trust that the rope is going to hold you securely. And for all of the kids, of course, IT DID!
Cody is one of our middle schoolers. He is 11 years old, in 6th grade, going to be 12 in December. I had known him and his family before moving to Sumner, but I am still very much getting to know who Cody is. At the retreat, I got to know Cody more. I learned that he loves to sing, he loves to talk, and he has alot of energy :) I also learned, that, even though he is scared, Cody is going to try something, hed rather fail trying than to just not try at all. This is a trait that I am still trying to develop. You see, if I know Im not good at something or think I wont be, Id rather just not try, to save myself the embarassment of failure. But this is not the way God has called us to live at all.
So Cody got a little scared while doing the zipline, but he made it to the top of the pole and had a great time swinging down to the other side. But the "Leap of Faith", well that would make anyonen scared I think. It is this very high telephone pole, complete with holds for you to climb on, when you get to the top, you must stand straight up and then jump, the object is to grab this trapeze bar that is set out in front of you. Cody climbed the pole, he got up to almost the top and then got scared, he froze, and he felt like he couldnt go anymore, so everyone else stopped what they were doing and they began to cheer for him. "Come on Cody, we know you can do it", it was so sweet to see them all cheering for each other. Cody made it to the top, but he couldnt stand up, I was so proud of him for getting that far. So he looked down at me and I was giving him instructions, "Just scoot yourself forward, you will begin to fall off or jump and the rope will catch you." he said " Okay, Becky, so I just scoot forward and it will all be over?" he kept scooting an inch at a time, and then he jumped, right off the pole and HE WAS SAFE! It was scary, and uncomfortable, but he did it! I was so so proud of him. And I gave him a big hug when he got down there.
Then there was George. Now George is a foreign exchange student, he is 15 and he is from the country of Georgia. I have gotten to to know him fairly well and have learned that there is not much he is afraid of. He likes to work out everyday and he is going to be in wrestling. So for him, I thought this was a piece of cake. I figured he wouldnt be scared at all. And climbing this pole, he wasnt scared, he did a very great job, but then it came time to stand up when he was very high off of the ground, he did it, I saw his face change color a little, but he did it :) And then it was time to jump, he jumped and he actually grabbed the bar! The only one of our youth that did! But then came the funny part. George had the bar, he had taken the risk, all he had to do now was let go, but he knew that when he did, the harness would tighten and it was going to hurt, he just kept swinging there and holding on, not wanting to feel the pain from that harness. Hed start to let go and then grab it again, finally, he let go, and it hurt for a minute, but he was fine and it was the only way down.
I could share stories with you all day, but these are the 2 I wanted to share for right now. Im so proud of all of the kids that went this weekend and took risks and did things that they thought they couldnt do. Its so much like our walk with God and if they can see these things in a tangible way, I think its easier for them to understand and make the application to their lives and relationships with Christ.
For me, I identify with both of these stories in some ways. You see, God has called me into some very scary places, and I didnt think I could go, I didnt think I could do it at all. Much like Cody, I got to the top of the pole in my life and I froze, but, God put people in my life to cheer me on and help me the rest of the way. They were not always the people I thought they would be, but God put them there and they cheered me on and they helped me jump off that pole and when I got down, they were there to hold me and care for me. Im so thankful for that.
There are other times in life. where I have been like George, I took the risk, I took all the steps, I did what God wanted me to do, and while I was so excited and there was great reward, I knew that there would be some pain involved in letting go as well. Weather it was letting go of things in my past, so I could have the reward of the things ahead. Or weather it was realizing that there are times in the journey where we will be alone in taking the risk and there will be some pain involved, but to get where God wants us, the pain is part of the process.
Both of these stories illustrate places we have been at in our walks with God I am sure. But the difference is, our reward is much greater than a simple accomplishment on a ropes course. At the end of our journey, at the end of our risk taking, we get to jump into the amazing unknown. We have no idea how awesome or amazing Heaven is going to be. Its like something we cant even imagine or grasp right now, but its a hope that we have to hold on to. That if we continue to take the risks and allow God to mold us into the people he wants us to be, we have some great rewards to look forward to!
SO CLIMB AWAY!! (Cheesy, I know :) )
The next day, because we were all well rested, morning was not that difficult to awake to. We were headed to the ropes course. The kids would do a zipline, climb a wall with team work, a leap of faith, and climb a rock wall. This is where the real fun was and where I learned tons of lessons. Both about the kids and applications to take with me in life.
This is where we used the term, "Belay Ready"...""Climb Away". I was so proud of the kids too. I wanted to tell you a couple of stories about them and what I learned from this weekend. First of all, I had a curiosity. I wanted to what this "Belay" word meant. What was it all about. So I asked one of the workers. He told us that "Belay" meant, 'Lifeline', it was from the French language. Now, Im kind of a skeptic at times, so I did my research to make sure he was right on his facts, before I placed them on my blog :) And sure enough, one of the meanings is 'lifeline', there are other meanings too, but I will allow you to look those up on your own. The meaning I wanted to discuss was 'lifeline'. I am the type of person that if I can, I will use annalogies or stories from life to help me and other understand the walk with God more. So of course, I began to think about this in our walk with Christ, God being the ultimate lifeline to us. But also, how at times, I have been called to be that lifeline to someone else and allow God to use me as such. And finally, to admit that there are times where I need a lifeline too, and God has been there but has also used others to be there as my lifeline as well. So when the kids were going to climb up to do something, they had a "contract", they were connected to the "Belay", they would say "belay ready" to which they would reply, "belay ready", they woulds say "climbing" and the "belay" would say, "climb away". This person was connected to whoever was climbing with another rope, it was up to them to anchor the person climbing. It was all a very safe procedure, but scary none the less. You have to trust someone you dont know very well to hold you while you jump and trust that the rope is going to hold you securely. And for all of the kids, of course, IT DID!
Cody is one of our middle schoolers. He is 11 years old, in 6th grade, going to be 12 in December. I had known him and his family before moving to Sumner, but I am still very much getting to know who Cody is. At the retreat, I got to know Cody more. I learned that he loves to sing, he loves to talk, and he has alot of energy :) I also learned, that, even though he is scared, Cody is going to try something, hed rather fail trying than to just not try at all. This is a trait that I am still trying to develop. You see, if I know Im not good at something or think I wont be, Id rather just not try, to save myself the embarassment of failure. But this is not the way God has called us to live at all.
So Cody got a little scared while doing the zipline, but he made it to the top of the pole and had a great time swinging down to the other side. But the "Leap of Faith", well that would make anyonen scared I think. It is this very high telephone pole, complete with holds for you to climb on, when you get to the top, you must stand straight up and then jump, the object is to grab this trapeze bar that is set out in front of you. Cody climbed the pole, he got up to almost the top and then got scared, he froze, and he felt like he couldnt go anymore, so everyone else stopped what they were doing and they began to cheer for him. "Come on Cody, we know you can do it", it was so sweet to see them all cheering for each other. Cody made it to the top, but he couldnt stand up, I was so proud of him for getting that far. So he looked down at me and I was giving him instructions, "Just scoot yourself forward, you will begin to fall off or jump and the rope will catch you." he said " Okay, Becky, so I just scoot forward and it will all be over?" he kept scooting an inch at a time, and then he jumped, right off the pole and HE WAS SAFE! It was scary, and uncomfortable, but he did it! I was so so proud of him. And I gave him a big hug when he got down there.
Then there was George. Now George is a foreign exchange student, he is 15 and he is from the country of Georgia. I have gotten to to know him fairly well and have learned that there is not much he is afraid of. He likes to work out everyday and he is going to be in wrestling. So for him, I thought this was a piece of cake. I figured he wouldnt be scared at all. And climbing this pole, he wasnt scared, he did a very great job, but then it came time to stand up when he was very high off of the ground, he did it, I saw his face change color a little, but he did it :) And then it was time to jump, he jumped and he actually grabbed the bar! The only one of our youth that did! But then came the funny part. George had the bar, he had taken the risk, all he had to do now was let go, but he knew that when he did, the harness would tighten and it was going to hurt, he just kept swinging there and holding on, not wanting to feel the pain from that harness. Hed start to let go and then grab it again, finally, he let go, and it hurt for a minute, but he was fine and it was the only way down.
I could share stories with you all day, but these are the 2 I wanted to share for right now. Im so proud of all of the kids that went this weekend and took risks and did things that they thought they couldnt do. Its so much like our walk with God and if they can see these things in a tangible way, I think its easier for them to understand and make the application to their lives and relationships with Christ.
For me, I identify with both of these stories in some ways. You see, God has called me into some very scary places, and I didnt think I could go, I didnt think I could do it at all. Much like Cody, I got to the top of the pole in my life and I froze, but, God put people in my life to cheer me on and help me the rest of the way. They were not always the people I thought they would be, but God put them there and they cheered me on and they helped me jump off that pole and when I got down, they were there to hold me and care for me. Im so thankful for that.
There are other times in life. where I have been like George, I took the risk, I took all the steps, I did what God wanted me to do, and while I was so excited and there was great reward, I knew that there would be some pain involved in letting go as well. Weather it was letting go of things in my past, so I could have the reward of the things ahead. Or weather it was realizing that there are times in the journey where we will be alone in taking the risk and there will be some pain involved, but to get where God wants us, the pain is part of the process.
Both of these stories illustrate places we have been at in our walks with God I am sure. But the difference is, our reward is much greater than a simple accomplishment on a ropes course. At the end of our journey, at the end of our risk taking, we get to jump into the amazing unknown. We have no idea how awesome or amazing Heaven is going to be. Its like something we cant even imagine or grasp right now, but its a hope that we have to hold on to. That if we continue to take the risks and allow God to mold us into the people he wants us to be, we have some great rewards to look forward to!
SO CLIMB AWAY!! (Cheesy, I know :) )
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Bump, Set, Spike, or is it Blue, 22, Set, Hike?
Sports.....now for those of you who know me at all, I am not the athletic type. I guess you could say that I have never really enjoyed sports. It could have something to do with my lazy eye and the fact that I have pretty much non existant hand-eye coordination, it could be that I am not good at running, because my legs are so short, or those could just be excuses for the fact that I just plain dont enjoy playing sports :)
When I was in high school, I loved being in all of the music and drama classes and organizations that I could. I may have never won a medal in track or recieved the honor of being an MVP in a sports game, but I was voted the "best singer" in my class. I was voted the "outstanding singer" in choir, I was section leader in both chorus and show choir, and I was voted the "best actress in a supporting role" for a play I was in. Yes, these are just a few of the honors that I carried with me, but you see, those things were so great and important to me and I didnt understand what was so great about sports, but to those people who play sports, the honors they recieved and the fun they had playing the sport were just as great.
This week I have been driving around this new little town of Sumner, which by the way takes much less time than when I lived in Oskaloosa :) But I have been seeing all of these signs. You see, let me back up for a minute. Since moving here, I have been to 5 volleyball games, 4 football games, and this is only my 3rd week here! I have learned one lesson from all of this, SPORTS ARE A BIG DEAL HERE IN SUMNER! I have seen all of these signs around town for support of the teams and its more than I have ever seen before. Did I mention that only 2 of these 9 games I have attended have been in town? Yes, thats the real lesson, this entire town follows the teams to all of their away games. Yesterday, we drove 1 and 1/2 hours each way to see the Volleyball girls play for state. The night before, we drove about 45 minutes to see the boys play in the playoffs for football. There was a sign that read, " Last one out of town turn out the lights" last year when the boys basketball team went to state. And its true, when we were leaving town, I noticed that there were many cars behind us, literally, almost all of the town was in a caravan to see these games being played.
Now I will be honest with you, I have loved watching my youth play in these games. My girls have been amazing in their volleyball games. And the guys have done just as well in football. So dont think for a minute that I am complaining about going to these events, that is not the point of this blog at all. But, as I was sitting last night during the 4th of 5 volleyball games that were played, I started to really begin to think. I got completely distracted from the game for a few minutes as my thoughts were consumed by this. You see, sports are a very huge deal here. It builds a unity with the people of the town as well as the teams that we are watching. And I think thats great, but why isnt the church more like that?
I started thinking, to drive the distance to these games, many people had to get off work early so they could get there on time. When the teams win, school gets cancelled so everyone can support them as they play. In fact, we had a meeting scheduled here at church and as i am the secretary as well as the youth pastor, I had to change the calendar twice to accomodate a sporting event, because people would not come to the church event if there was also a sporting event at the same time.
Now I am not trying to step on any toes here at all. As I said, I have enjoyed these sporting events as much as everyone else has, however, it really got me thinking. Why is it that sports are becoming more important to us than the growth of our church? When was the last time that someone took of work early or took a vacation day to be at a church event? When was the last time that people got so excited for God that they invited the whole town to be a part of sharing in him together? Again, this is not a slam on anyone, It was just something I was thinking about. But I think its true. For myself as well as others. We have trouble asking for a week off in the summer for church camp, or taking a day off so we can go to a youth event that will help us grow in our faith. Its not hard for us to miss a church event because we are sick or have a headache, but we will do everything we can to make it to a sporting event, no matter how sick we feel.
I did the same thing in high school. I would rather be at show choir practice puking my guts out than to stay home and miss doing what I loved. I would rather be running lines at play practice with a headache the size of Montana than stay home and rest. And if it meant that I had to miss show choir or a play practice or anything of those things that were important to me, I just refused. I missed many church events because these things were more important to me. Looking back now, I dont understand why. There is not really a demand or need for girls who have 4 years of experience in show choir.
I guess what I am trying to say in all this, is that I am learning what a chance we have to make a difference for Christ in the lives of those around us. If we would choose to take a little more time for him. If he was as important to us as sports, what am impact we could have for him. If we had the same sense of unity in the body of Christ as I have seen at these games, we would be doing AMAZING things for him!
I am not trying to hurt anyones feelings or say that sports are not important, not at all. I love the sense of unity at these sporting events. I love how supportive we all are of one another in these events. I just wonder what it would be like, if we let that sense of unity flow over into the church? If we let that sense of loyalty to practice and games spread into bible studies, small groups, church services, just plain doing things to bring us closer to God, I just get excited thinking about what could happen and how much of an impact we could have for Christ.
I have been challenged, and I hope that is what this blog is to you who are reading it. A simple challenge to look at where the focus of your life is, what is important to you. And how you could be doing better. I know I am going to try!
When I was in high school, I loved being in all of the music and drama classes and organizations that I could. I may have never won a medal in track or recieved the honor of being an MVP in a sports game, but I was voted the "best singer" in my class. I was voted the "outstanding singer" in choir, I was section leader in both chorus and show choir, and I was voted the "best actress in a supporting role" for a play I was in. Yes, these are just a few of the honors that I carried with me, but you see, those things were so great and important to me and I didnt understand what was so great about sports, but to those people who play sports, the honors they recieved and the fun they had playing the sport were just as great.
This week I have been driving around this new little town of Sumner, which by the way takes much less time than when I lived in Oskaloosa :) But I have been seeing all of these signs. You see, let me back up for a minute. Since moving here, I have been to 5 volleyball games, 4 football games, and this is only my 3rd week here! I have learned one lesson from all of this, SPORTS ARE A BIG DEAL HERE IN SUMNER! I have seen all of these signs around town for support of the teams and its more than I have ever seen before. Did I mention that only 2 of these 9 games I have attended have been in town? Yes, thats the real lesson, this entire town follows the teams to all of their away games. Yesterday, we drove 1 and 1/2 hours each way to see the Volleyball girls play for state. The night before, we drove about 45 minutes to see the boys play in the playoffs for football. There was a sign that read, " Last one out of town turn out the lights" last year when the boys basketball team went to state. And its true, when we were leaving town, I noticed that there were many cars behind us, literally, almost all of the town was in a caravan to see these games being played.
Now I will be honest with you, I have loved watching my youth play in these games. My girls have been amazing in their volleyball games. And the guys have done just as well in football. So dont think for a minute that I am complaining about going to these events, that is not the point of this blog at all. But, as I was sitting last night during the 4th of 5 volleyball games that were played, I started to really begin to think. I got completely distracted from the game for a few minutes as my thoughts were consumed by this. You see, sports are a very huge deal here. It builds a unity with the people of the town as well as the teams that we are watching. And I think thats great, but why isnt the church more like that?
I started thinking, to drive the distance to these games, many people had to get off work early so they could get there on time. When the teams win, school gets cancelled so everyone can support them as they play. In fact, we had a meeting scheduled here at church and as i am the secretary as well as the youth pastor, I had to change the calendar twice to accomodate a sporting event, because people would not come to the church event if there was also a sporting event at the same time.
Now I am not trying to step on any toes here at all. As I said, I have enjoyed these sporting events as much as everyone else has, however, it really got me thinking. Why is it that sports are becoming more important to us than the growth of our church? When was the last time that someone took of work early or took a vacation day to be at a church event? When was the last time that people got so excited for God that they invited the whole town to be a part of sharing in him together? Again, this is not a slam on anyone, It was just something I was thinking about. But I think its true. For myself as well as others. We have trouble asking for a week off in the summer for church camp, or taking a day off so we can go to a youth event that will help us grow in our faith. Its not hard for us to miss a church event because we are sick or have a headache, but we will do everything we can to make it to a sporting event, no matter how sick we feel.
I did the same thing in high school. I would rather be at show choir practice puking my guts out than to stay home and miss doing what I loved. I would rather be running lines at play practice with a headache the size of Montana than stay home and rest. And if it meant that I had to miss show choir or a play practice or anything of those things that were important to me, I just refused. I missed many church events because these things were more important to me. Looking back now, I dont understand why. There is not really a demand or need for girls who have 4 years of experience in show choir.
I guess what I am trying to say in all this, is that I am learning what a chance we have to make a difference for Christ in the lives of those around us. If we would choose to take a little more time for him. If he was as important to us as sports, what am impact we could have for him. If we had the same sense of unity in the body of Christ as I have seen at these games, we would be doing AMAZING things for him!
I am not trying to hurt anyones feelings or say that sports are not important, not at all. I love the sense of unity at these sporting events. I love how supportive we all are of one another in these events. I just wonder what it would be like, if we let that sense of unity flow over into the church? If we let that sense of loyalty to practice and games spread into bible studies, small groups, church services, just plain doing things to bring us closer to God, I just get excited thinking about what could happen and how much of an impact we could have for Christ.
I have been challenged, and I hope that is what this blog is to you who are reading it. A simple challenge to look at where the focus of your life is, what is important to you. And how you could be doing better. I know I am going to try!
Monday, November 1, 2010
This is the Great Adventure!
Let the Adventure Begin
Well, it has been almost a year since I last wrote on this blog, and WHAT A YEAR it has been! I will now be posting at least weekly, and hopefully more frequently than that. I should start this post by sharing with you the new adventure I am on and the things that I have gone through this year to bring me to this place.
well to recap for you, this year, my brother got married, and he and his wife are in the process of moving to Bolvia. My mother has been in and out of the hospital 3 times since January with Major Depressive Disorder, and is not in rehab at a nursing home. and in the midst of all of this, I was offered my first full time youth pastor position, at a church in Sumner, Iowa. This is the very shortened version of all that has happened over the past year, and I should have been blogging about it all the while, but sadly, I didnt find the time :)
So now, I am working in Sumner, Iowa! I am now a full time youth pastor and I LOVE IT!!! This has been my dream for many years, and more than that, the calling God has placed on my life. He has brought my family through many trials this past year, which makes the mountains we are beginning to see even more beautiful. We are still at the bottom of the mountains looking up in some of these situations, but we are at least see the light at the top!
I have been learning many things since I got here and God has been revealing himself to me in such incredible ways! I cant wait to share some of those things with you as he continues to grow and bless me.
I look forward to the journey and to sharing it with you!
Well, it has been almost a year since I last wrote on this blog, and WHAT A YEAR it has been! I will now be posting at least weekly, and hopefully more frequently than that. I should start this post by sharing with you the new adventure I am on and the things that I have gone through this year to bring me to this place.
well to recap for you, this year, my brother got married, and he and his wife are in the process of moving to Bolvia. My mother has been in and out of the hospital 3 times since January with Major Depressive Disorder, and is not in rehab at a nursing home. and in the midst of all of this, I was offered my first full time youth pastor position, at a church in Sumner, Iowa. This is the very shortened version of all that has happened over the past year, and I should have been blogging about it all the while, but sadly, I didnt find the time :)
So now, I am working in Sumner, Iowa! I am now a full time youth pastor and I LOVE IT!!! This has been my dream for many years, and more than that, the calling God has placed on my life. He has brought my family through many trials this past year, which makes the mountains we are beginning to see even more beautiful. We are still at the bottom of the mountains looking up in some of these situations, but we are at least see the light at the top!
I have been learning many things since I got here and God has been revealing himself to me in such incredible ways! I cant wait to share some of those things with you as he continues to grow and bless me.
I look forward to the journey and to sharing it with you!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
A New Beginning...
This summer has been one of the most life changing ones I have had in a very long time. I have been searching, longing, and waiting for God to do something incredible in my life, and he has done that and SO MUCH MORE!!! I started off the summer working at Peek A Boo Point Daycare, now let me just say that I did like it there alot. I loved my kiddies, they were adorable and I got along super well with my coworkers, and last but not least, God gave me the job when I needed it! You will see that from previous posts :) But as I had been working there, starting in June, I just really felt like God was stirring me. He was putting something in my heart that said, "Becky, this is not where I want you to be anymore, this is not what I want you to do." So as any good Christian would do, I ignored him, oh wait, thats right, I was being selfish and putting myself first, not like a good Christian would do at all.
Well, Bryan(my brother)and I went to Red Rock Camp in the middle of June. For those of you reading this that dont know me, you need to know 2 very important things, first of all, Bryan is not only my little brother by 2 1/2 years, he is also my best friend. Doing camps together is a blessing that God has given us as siblings. We get the joy of knowing that as a family, we are serving Christ together. Every summer, we go to at least 2 camps and lead worship and counsel. The SECOND thing you need to know is that I LOVE CAMP MINISTRY!! Its one of my favorite places in the world to be.
So, as we were at camp, God began to speak, even more clearly about me quitting my job and following and trusting him. He did some AMAZING things at camp that week. I loved my girls, as I always do and it was just a great time for me. A time of fun and laughter, but more than that, a time of spirtual renewal. When I got home, I knew that God wanted me to quit my job, but I said, "NO"! Have you seen our economy right now? Im thankful I even have a job, I cant loose it now, how will we pay the bills and make ends meet? So I disobeyed, God had blessed and wanted to bless further, and I said no.
About 2 weeks later, it was the first week of Bible School at our church. One of my favorite weeks of the summer as well. I always lead music and it was so much fun. Well, that first night, I was at my computer before it started getting everything ready when a friend got on facebook and shared with me that they really needed me to council at Bethel Camp. Bethel is one of the first camps I ever counseled at and it means ALOT to me. However, I knew that I already had the next week off for Shiloh Camp. I begged and pleaded with God, I did not want to go. I loved Bethel, but 2 weeks of camp in a row? more than that, 2 weeks of no paycheck from work? would my boss even let me? How would we figure it all out? But God was very firm with me. "Becky, YOU ARE GOING TO BETHEL, you already told me no about the job, you will not tell me no again." so...I got a call from our superintendent while we were at Bible School and I said, "yes, I will go, as long as my boss approves it." I went into his office that next morning and my boss said, "if God wants you to go, then you need to go." We sat down and figured it all out and with no problem at all, it was set, I was going to Bethel Camp.
Now let me just say now, I would not trade me week at Bethel for anything in the world. I LOVED it! God moved, I was doing what I was passionate about and most of all, God was using me, the way he intended. I felt the stirring again, "Becky, when you get home, you have to quit your job, I have something else in mind." I wasnt ready to surrender, but I knew I had another week of camp, so I put it off. I piled in the car with my friend Luke and for the weekend went to visit he and his wife to get ready for Shiloh camp which all of us would be going to, Luke, his wife, Ali, one of my BEST friends, and their 2 adorable children. I tried to put off the decision all weekend and just focused on getting homework done before camp and having fun with 2 of my bestfriends.
We got in the car to go to Shiloh and I knew God was going to do something huge that week, I felt him sharing it with me. God did move huge!! He spoke to me the first night and I couldnt hold back any longer, I knew I had to quit my job when I got home. I went to the alter and I balled. I had friends around me praying and I knew what I had to do. I surrendered all of it and God began to bless. That week was great with my girls, with the guy campers, God used me once again. And it was then that he said, " Do you remember the call I gave you, Becky? I called you to work with youth. You have loved these past 2 weeks because you are doing what I have created you to do!" God was speaking and I was finally ready to listen.
I got home, I quit my job, and that SAME DAY, My friend Pam told me about a chance to take a class to substitute teach, but not just anywhere, in MIDDLE AND HIGHSCHOOL, the very age I felt called to work with. The next week we had a meeting at church, one that I knew would be very pivitol in the ministry of our church. I felt God speaking again. He is moving and Im so thankful. I will be heading up a new ministry called, "Life Hurts, God Heals", it is specifically for teenagers and the needs that they have. I will also have a chance to reach out into the community and bring people to Christ by working with our youth.
I have learned so much about the Blessings of Surrender this summer, more than any other. When we give God EVERYTHING, He shows us that he has SO MUCH MORE than we could ever ask or imagine just waiting for us!!
I will write more as he continues to move. I love you all and hope and pray he is moving in your lives as well.
Becky
Well, Bryan(my brother)and I went to Red Rock Camp in the middle of June. For those of you reading this that dont know me, you need to know 2 very important things, first of all, Bryan is not only my little brother by 2 1/2 years, he is also my best friend. Doing camps together is a blessing that God has given us as siblings. We get the joy of knowing that as a family, we are serving Christ together. Every summer, we go to at least 2 camps and lead worship and counsel. The SECOND thing you need to know is that I LOVE CAMP MINISTRY!! Its one of my favorite places in the world to be.
So, as we were at camp, God began to speak, even more clearly about me quitting my job and following and trusting him. He did some AMAZING things at camp that week. I loved my girls, as I always do and it was just a great time for me. A time of fun and laughter, but more than that, a time of spirtual renewal. When I got home, I knew that God wanted me to quit my job, but I said, "NO"! Have you seen our economy right now? Im thankful I even have a job, I cant loose it now, how will we pay the bills and make ends meet? So I disobeyed, God had blessed and wanted to bless further, and I said no.
About 2 weeks later, it was the first week of Bible School at our church. One of my favorite weeks of the summer as well. I always lead music and it was so much fun. Well, that first night, I was at my computer before it started getting everything ready when a friend got on facebook and shared with me that they really needed me to council at Bethel Camp. Bethel is one of the first camps I ever counseled at and it means ALOT to me. However, I knew that I already had the next week off for Shiloh Camp. I begged and pleaded with God, I did not want to go. I loved Bethel, but 2 weeks of camp in a row? more than that, 2 weeks of no paycheck from work? would my boss even let me? How would we figure it all out? But God was very firm with me. "Becky, YOU ARE GOING TO BETHEL, you already told me no about the job, you will not tell me no again." so...I got a call from our superintendent while we were at Bible School and I said, "yes, I will go, as long as my boss approves it." I went into his office that next morning and my boss said, "if God wants you to go, then you need to go." We sat down and figured it all out and with no problem at all, it was set, I was going to Bethel Camp.
Now let me just say now, I would not trade me week at Bethel for anything in the world. I LOVED it! God moved, I was doing what I was passionate about and most of all, God was using me, the way he intended. I felt the stirring again, "Becky, when you get home, you have to quit your job, I have something else in mind." I wasnt ready to surrender, but I knew I had another week of camp, so I put it off. I piled in the car with my friend Luke and for the weekend went to visit he and his wife to get ready for Shiloh camp which all of us would be going to, Luke, his wife, Ali, one of my BEST friends, and their 2 adorable children. I tried to put off the decision all weekend and just focused on getting homework done before camp and having fun with 2 of my bestfriends.
We got in the car to go to Shiloh and I knew God was going to do something huge that week, I felt him sharing it with me. God did move huge!! He spoke to me the first night and I couldnt hold back any longer, I knew I had to quit my job when I got home. I went to the alter and I balled. I had friends around me praying and I knew what I had to do. I surrendered all of it and God began to bless. That week was great with my girls, with the guy campers, God used me once again. And it was then that he said, " Do you remember the call I gave you, Becky? I called you to work with youth. You have loved these past 2 weeks because you are doing what I have created you to do!" God was speaking and I was finally ready to listen.
I got home, I quit my job, and that SAME DAY, My friend Pam told me about a chance to take a class to substitute teach, but not just anywhere, in MIDDLE AND HIGHSCHOOL, the very age I felt called to work with. The next week we had a meeting at church, one that I knew would be very pivitol in the ministry of our church. I felt God speaking again. He is moving and Im so thankful. I will be heading up a new ministry called, "Life Hurts, God Heals", it is specifically for teenagers and the needs that they have. I will also have a chance to reach out into the community and bring people to Christ by working with our youth.
I have learned so much about the Blessings of Surrender this summer, more than any other. When we give God EVERYTHING, He shows us that he has SO MUCH MORE than we could ever ask or imagine just waiting for us!!
I will write more as he continues to move. I love you all and hope and pray he is moving in your lives as well.
Becky
Saturday, June 27, 2009
But what if I fall?
Working at a daycare, I feel like I learn new lessons every day. Kids are people in this world that are just trying to figure it all out. The say things innocently without understanding its full meaning. The play and have fun with kids, and they dont care about color, size, anything, just that they are all friends caring for one another. Sometimes, as they are figuring life out, I see myself in them. I see things that they do and wonder if that is how I figured it all out. and sometimes, I look at them and parallel to my life.
For example, yesterday, there was a little boy that was standing at the top of the firemans pole on the playground. He wanted so badly to slide down it and enjoy the fun, but he was scared, he looked at me and said, " But Becky, what if I fall?" I looked at him and said, show me Evan, show me you can do it and I will be here to help if you need. He didnt need me, in fact, he LOVED the feeling of taking that step. I wonder if this is how life is for me right now. I am so scared in life and while i want freedom and im tired of being scared, I keep saying, " But, God, what if I fall?" and I hear his still small voice saying, 'Becky, you can do it, and if you need me, I will be here', further more I hear him saying, ' there is great blessing I have for you, if you will just take the steps of faith and not worry about falling'.
so, this is what I have done this week, with much prayer and God by my side, I have taken some HUGE steps of faith and there are still more to be taken. I cant wait to see what he continues to do as I trust him and serve him.
But the challenge, as it was for me, is, are you scared of falling? Is that what is keeping you from blessing from God. You keep asking, " but what if I fall?" God is right there, to catch you, to help you, to love you....he is there and he wants to bless you.
For example, yesterday, there was a little boy that was standing at the top of the firemans pole on the playground. He wanted so badly to slide down it and enjoy the fun, but he was scared, he looked at me and said, " But Becky, what if I fall?" I looked at him and said, show me Evan, show me you can do it and I will be here to help if you need. He didnt need me, in fact, he LOVED the feeling of taking that step. I wonder if this is how life is for me right now. I am so scared in life and while i want freedom and im tired of being scared, I keep saying, " But, God, what if I fall?" and I hear his still small voice saying, 'Becky, you can do it, and if you need me, I will be here', further more I hear him saying, ' there is great blessing I have for you, if you will just take the steps of faith and not worry about falling'.
so, this is what I have done this week, with much prayer and God by my side, I have taken some HUGE steps of faith and there are still more to be taken. I cant wait to see what he continues to do as I trust him and serve him.
But the challenge, as it was for me, is, are you scared of falling? Is that what is keeping you from blessing from God. You keep asking, " but what if I fall?" God is right there, to catch you, to help you, to love you....he is there and he wants to bless you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)