There are three weeks left to school- and I'm super excited. This has been a challenging year and I'm looking forward to a break. My paperwork is almost all wrapped up and I'll be able to concentrate on getting ready for the fall. There is a chance that I may lose some of the kids on my caseload- and that makes me sad. I really have a great crew and I've worked hard to build repoire with them. We'll have to wait and see what happens.
Last Friday- we hosted a coffee house at youth group. It seemed to go really well. The turn out was good- we were packed out and will have to use an alternate location for next year. Every church brought "acts" and everyone did really well. It was nice to sit back and watch the evening unfold!
I went to VA last weekend to visit Matt and Alicia. I needed to get away and just have a time-out. We had a good time just "being"! It is good to see their home and all the touches that are making it theirs. It was good to meet their family and friends- I also had the opportunity to see Kim in Lynchburg. That was a blessing! It is never long enough of a break but it definately got me recharged to finish the year.
Mom and Dad are home from the Ukraine- they had a great time. It is good to have them back. It was too quiet here. Next week, they celebrate their 50th anniversary! WOW!
The summer is coming together and I have tons of projects to accomplish. Pray I am able to give proper attention to all the tasks before me. I'm excited to see the things that God is unfolding and what the summer will hold. Germany will be here before I know it and then we'll jump head first back into youth ministry and school.
Always
Elisabeth
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Last Saturday, the men of our church hosted a "Daughter's Dinner"- honoring all women of the church. They invited a special speaker- who shared the following song with us.
I'm in His Hands
I shall not fear though darkened clouds may gather 'round me
The God I serve is one who cares and understands
Although the storms I face would threaten to confound me,
of this I am assured, I'm in His hands.
I'm in His hands
What'eer the future holds
I'm in His hands
The days I cannot see have all been planned for me
His way is best, you see
I'm in His hands.
What though I cannot know the way that lies before me?
I still can trust and freely follow his commands
My faith is firm since it is He that watches o'er me
Of this I'm confident, I'm in His hands
In days gone by my Lord has always proved sufficient
When I have yielded to the law of love's demands
Why should I doubt that He would ever more be present
to make His will my own! I'm in His hands
I love the line- "my Lord has always proved sufficient" and "to make His will my own".
That is my prayer- that my desires would be replaced by those that are HIS. That His plans would be the plans of my heart instead of attempting to settle for the plans I have for myself.
It has been a busy few days- but I'm excited to see God actively at work. In the simple things (driving home today- I was in awe of the sunshine!) In His perfect timing (the van situation especially). In His confirmation (areas where I've had doubt- and to see that those decisions were right all along). In the peace He provides.
One of my students lost his father yesterday. The mother and I spoke soon after and I knew most of the day yesterday (before the student). It was hard to know and not be able to offer him comfort, when I knew in a few short hours (once he heard the news), his life was never going to be the same. He came to school today. He sought me out a number of times and we just sat together. He shared memories of his dad and what the last few days have been like. In those moments, I felt so utterly helpless. Nothing I can offer will ease his pain, change his circumstances or bring his daddy back. I pray that I am able to offer him comfort and a safe place where he can vent and express what is on his heart- and most importantly, I pray that I can offer him the love of the one who longs to be his Heavenly Daddy- the only one who can fill the void in his heart.
Always-
Elisabeth
I'm in His Hands
I shall not fear though darkened clouds may gather 'round me
The God I serve is one who cares and understands
Although the storms I face would threaten to confound me,
of this I am assured, I'm in His hands.
I'm in His hands
What'eer the future holds
I'm in His hands
The days I cannot see have all been planned for me
His way is best, you see
I'm in His hands.
What though I cannot know the way that lies before me?
I still can trust and freely follow his commands
My faith is firm since it is He that watches o'er me
Of this I'm confident, I'm in His hands
In days gone by my Lord has always proved sufficient
When I have yielded to the law of love's demands
Why should I doubt that He would ever more be present
to make His will my own! I'm in His hands
I love the line- "my Lord has always proved sufficient" and "to make His will my own".
That is my prayer- that my desires would be replaced by those that are HIS. That His plans would be the plans of my heart instead of attempting to settle for the plans I have for myself.
It has been a busy few days- but I'm excited to see God actively at work. In the simple things (driving home today- I was in awe of the sunshine!) In His perfect timing (the van situation especially). In His confirmation (areas where I've had doubt- and to see that those decisions were right all along). In the peace He provides.
One of my students lost his father yesterday. The mother and I spoke soon after and I knew most of the day yesterday (before the student). It was hard to know and not be able to offer him comfort, when I knew in a few short hours (once he heard the news), his life was never going to be the same. He came to school today. He sought me out a number of times and we just sat together. He shared memories of his dad and what the last few days have been like. In those moments, I felt so utterly helpless. Nothing I can offer will ease his pain, change his circumstances or bring his daddy back. I pray that I am able to offer him comfort and a safe place where he can vent and express what is on his heart- and most importantly, I pray that I can offer him the love of the one who longs to be his Heavenly Daddy- the only one who can fill the void in his heart.
Always-
Elisabeth
Saturday, May 03, 2008
When it rains, it pours.
Exhaustion.
I don't think I've ever felt it before- truly.... until now.
Coming home from NOLA and jumping head first back into work/ministry was challenging.
Then, last weekend happened. Two Stafford students were injured in an early morning accident. For one, the injuries were fatal. For the other, one of our high school students, the injuries will be forever life-altering. This past week at work has been hard as we wrestle with the questions and uncertainties. It has, however, thrown open the doors to share the love of Jesus with our students. We've had many opportunities to listen to them, comfort them, encourage and challenge them. Even in our times of sorrow and despair, God is working mightly. Tensions are high at school as we head into a series of evaluations over the next few days. There are six weeks left to school- and I think there will be a collective sigh of relief when we head for summer break.
But then, you have last night. Katie and I went to see the spring musical. A number of students that I work with were involved. It was so fun to see them stepping out of their comfort zones. Afterwards, one of my boys and his mom came over to see me. It's those little moments that you realize you are making a difference- one life at a time. I was so proud of him- he stole the show!
Today has been a good day as I try to catch up- on rest and work. I am thankful for days like this when the phone doesn't ring, it's quiet and I can move at my own pace. I finished my support letter for Germany today- and it gets me excited! Meeting my teammates last week was great- in the 10 days of camp, they truly get to know the young people and build strong relationships. I can't wait to see what God is going to there!
My heart has been heavy lately- I know being tired and overwhelmed play into it. But, in many ways, it goes deeper than that. There is dissapointment by the lack of urgency I see around me for things of God and for accomplishing His work. My heart desires to do so much more- but the constraints of life prevent it. I continue to bring these things before the Lord- pray for HIS perspective on them and that my desires would be the ones He has for me and not my own.
Psalm 91:1
"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty."
I love this verse. We need to dwell- to live 100% of the time in the Most High. We will find rest/comfort in His shadow. How big is He? That the cool covering of His mere shadow is sufficent to bring rest, to bring peace.
May you find rest today in the Almighty.
Always~
Elisabeth
I don't think I've ever felt it before- truly.... until now.
Coming home from NOLA and jumping head first back into work/ministry was challenging.
Then, last weekend happened. Two Stafford students were injured in an early morning accident. For one, the injuries were fatal. For the other, one of our high school students, the injuries will be forever life-altering. This past week at work has been hard as we wrestle with the questions and uncertainties. It has, however, thrown open the doors to share the love of Jesus with our students. We've had many opportunities to listen to them, comfort them, encourage and challenge them. Even in our times of sorrow and despair, God is working mightly. Tensions are high at school as we head into a series of evaluations over the next few days. There are six weeks left to school- and I think there will be a collective sigh of relief when we head for summer break.
But then, you have last night. Katie and I went to see the spring musical. A number of students that I work with were involved. It was so fun to see them stepping out of their comfort zones. Afterwards, one of my boys and his mom came over to see me. It's those little moments that you realize you are making a difference- one life at a time. I was so proud of him- he stole the show!
Today has been a good day as I try to catch up- on rest and work. I am thankful for days like this when the phone doesn't ring, it's quiet and I can move at my own pace. I finished my support letter for Germany today- and it gets me excited! Meeting my teammates last week was great- in the 10 days of camp, they truly get to know the young people and build strong relationships. I can't wait to see what God is going to there!
My heart has been heavy lately- I know being tired and overwhelmed play into it. But, in many ways, it goes deeper than that. There is dissapointment by the lack of urgency I see around me for things of God and for accomplishing His work. My heart desires to do so much more- but the constraints of life prevent it. I continue to bring these things before the Lord- pray for HIS perspective on them and that my desires would be the ones He has for me and not my own.
Psalm 91:1
"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty."
I love this verse. We need to dwell- to live 100% of the time in the Most High. We will find rest/comfort in His shadow. How big is He? That the cool covering of His mere shadow is sufficent to bring rest, to bring peace.
May you find rest today in the Almighty.
Always~
Elisabeth
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