Starry Night

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” 

      

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

from Google Images

As I was locking up the house after a night at the drop-in, I paused to look up at the sky.  With the blessing of a clear, cool night came the beauty of a star-filled canvas as I gazed up.  It was the perfect picture for how I feel much of what we do at the Kairos seems to be and that the above quote portrays.

Tonight was an exciting night at the drop-in because it was a full of hope, love, strength, and God's Light shining in the darkness.  One of the young people who recently became a follower of Christ got up and answered a few questions after a short video was shown.  The video expounded on the topic of Jesus vs religion, something that really resonates with the young people we interact with at drop-in.  And during his answering of questions, some of his friends began asking questions such as, "How did Jesus dying on the cross do anything about our sin or anyone else, especially if we hadn't even sinned yet?"

Giving a talk at drop-in

Young people feeling comfortable enough to ask questions encourages us to know that God has created such an atmosphere during drop-in where young people can come with their questions, doubts, and raw feelings and know that although we don't see things the same as them necessarily, they can do so and leave loved and unjudged.  Most impressive was the courage of the young man who got up, in front of his peers, and spoke of his faith, what he believes, and how it has impacted his life, in spite of the snickers and giggles.  I can only imagine what kind of courage it took him to stand in front of them and confess his faith knowing the possible outcomes and reactions from them.  Then, after the talk one of the young people stayed behind and talked with two of the volunteers for quite some time, mulling over questions, doubts, etc.  There is no doubt he's close to accepting what Christ did for him on the cross over 2,000 years ago.  Please pray for his, and the many other precious souls we encounter throughout our ministry.

All of this to come full circle to tell how the starry canvas relates to this short story.  You see, in the ministry with drop-in, it can at many times seem very dark spiritually.  This brings about discouragement among us as volunteers.  But amidst the darkness, just like in the night sky, we are given reminders not to give up, to persevere and press on, even when it seems that we can't go on or there's no point.  Evenings like tonight remind us that God is bigger, more powerful than our darkest nights and our loudest storms of life.  I would be lying if I wrote that these kinds of stories happen all the time for us, because they don't necessarily, but that is why we must hold each one dear and precious in our hearts to help us keep on keepin' on.  We aren't alone, we're never alone, no matter how lonely we may feel.

Some of the drop-in volunteers :)

I write this because I am humbled by the testimony of this young man tonight and the encouragement that God has given many of us through tonight's activities, encounters, and interactions with the young people.  Please keep the volunteers in your prayers as this is a very difficult and demanding ministry that, although we see ourselves as blessed to serve in, can be so taxing on the individual.  These volunteers who range anywhere from teenage years and up our absolutely incredible.  Their love for these young people brings me to my knees in thanksgiving to God more and more as I spend time with them, hear them speak from their hearts, and watch as they interact with the young people.  Thank you for your continued prayer and support.  Throughout this past year the power of prayer has benefited the Kairos, and drop-in specifically, so dramatically and in such clear ways that I couldn't say thank you enough for the prayers you have and continue to lift up on our behalf.

Romans 12:12

Rejoice in hope, patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

That is my life verse, let it bring peace to you, no matter where you are in life and on this earth.

"WELCOME HOME"

These two simple words combined have been said to me more often than you'd think over the past year.  It's funny, sometimes I find it difficult to decipher where to call "home" these days.  If you distinguish "home" as where you've laid your head down at night the majority of the past year, my answer would be Newcastle, Northern Ireland.

Part of my Northern Irish family

However, if you determine where "home" is by where you grew up, for me it would be Michigan City, IN.

Lunch w/grandma & grandpa Walrath :)

Visiting w/grandma Sloop

Even still, what if you determine "home" to be, as is commonly said, "where the heart is"...then I'd have about 3 homes: the Chicagoland area, the Cincinnati area, and Newcastle, Northern Ireland.

Fun times in the snow w/Henna & Chase'm

Bible study w/the girls!

What I find most compelling about these two words is how much comfort, peace, and joy they bring.  They are usually accompanied by smiling faces and warm embraces.  For those of you who don't know, I'M A HUGGER!  I love hugs; getting them, giving them, it doesn't matter, I love them.  This is one of the reasons I love having so many "homes".  Coming "home" always guarantees bunches of hugs, great catch-up lunch or coffee dates, and plenty of good, quality time with family and friends.

As much as I feel at home in all these places, I can't wait until I am truly home.  When I will hear God say, "Welcome home."  I don't think there will be any sweeter time than that.  But until that day comes, I will serve Him no matter where He calls me to consider "home" while here on this earth.

Getting over jet lag has not been easy, nor do I feel completely over it, but the excitement of the young people upon my return has really made me itching to get back into routine, events, and spending time with them catching up and whatnot.

Please pray that jet lag subsides quickly and that I make a smooth transition back into the ministry :)  SO EXCITED TO BE BACK IN NORN IRON!

EPR: Emergency Prayer Request

We're looking to get 8 inches of snow by Saturday morning and I fly out of O'Hare about 5pm. I'm really itching to get back because I miss the girls in Newcastle!!! Please pray for on time flights :)

". . . I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told."- Habakkuk 1:5b

So it's been a while since i've updated my blog and for that i apologize.  It's been a little hectic and life sometimes throws ya curve balls, even when you don't realize you're on the field, let alone in the game.  For this reason, i thought it would be best for me to share some pictures with a few captions then write a bit of my thoughts on something i journaled about the other night.

First time seeing the Red Arrows!!!!

Switching Places

Giant's Causeway

Fused 2011 Team

Some of my faves!!!!!!!

BIBLE STUDY!!!!

Rabbits on a friend's farm

On a wee dander up the mountain (not all the way to the top...THIS TIME lol)

Trampoline fun with the girls!

A true beauty from South Africa

Fused: Drop-in 2011

Chippy Crawl results: Best Chippy in Newcastle

Yay for socials!

Getting loco at the Mexican Party!!!!

A beautiful girl who is near and dear to my heart

Baby chicks are the cutest (also at a friend's farm)

Inside jokes

Partners in crime

You're seeing right, we're making up our own moves to Just Dance 3 while in our onesies lol

Gotta love fancy dress parties!

Fun times playing games at the Mexican Party

Being part of a panel at Newcastle Baptist Church

So the Bible study i am blessed to be a part of in Northern Ireland (pictured somewhere up above) is going through Habakkuk at the moment.  Even though i haven't been able to be there i figured i'd read through a bit of it.  Now, i'm taking this out of context, i know, but Habakkuk 1:5 is something i think we, as believers, must always keep in mind.  "Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded.  For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told."

How true is that statement for us here in the western culture of the twenty-first century?  So many times i think we underestimate God.  Then, because we underestimate Him, we don't talk to our Father, we don't tell Him our desires, hopes, and dreams, and we definitely don't ASK for anything (of real importance that is).  But if we truly took hold of what He's capable of, if we simply grasp what's capable if we ASK we surely would "pray without ceasing".

i also feel that this snip-it of Scripture is something our generation needs to take hold of as encouragement.  Anyone who works/volunteers/serves in ministry will shout out an "AMEN!" when i say ministry can be discouraging.

You see, an American friend and i were chatting together about the respective ministries we have the blessing of serving in.  Hers is in urban Cincinnati while mine is in Northern Ireland.  However, while she was sharing stories and we were sharing life updates, i couldn't help, but be comforted.  Even though we serve in two very different types of ministry, we still had so many overlaps including discoragement, growth, heartache, and hope.

What i've come to find is that where the Holy Spirit is present and at work, satan tries to screw things up.  And that's where discouragement comes through.  However, the Holy Spirit uses this as a time of growth either within an individual or a community.  Because of this growth, a desire for others to venture in the blessing of life redeemed by Christ emerges resulting in heartache many a time because of those we minister to choosing to reject Christ time and time again.  Yet, still, there are those people, those stories, which when told, make the hairs on your arm stick up and make you tingle all over.  You know the ones.  They get even the manliest of men to wipe at a tear or two.  These are the stories of hope, reminding us we're not serving in vain.  Not all will choose life with Christ, but what we see may not be the end of their story either.  We don't know where we are in a person's story.  We may plant the seed, water it, or reap the harvest.  But one thing remains: we are only responsible for our part.  i feel like a broken record because i've been reminding myself and many others this throughout the past year;  There's three parts to ministry: our part, God's part, and the part of the person we're ministering to.

God doesn't expect us to do more than our part.  Let Him intervene and don't hold yourself responsible for others' choices.  They're not under your control, only under your influence.  And remember, God's doing more than you're aware of so "keep on keepin' on."