I have now spent 6 long days in Ocean City, Maryland. I'm right back to where I was last year - unable to understand how "time moves differently on the island". It's so true!!!!! Days have been LONG but somehow it's 11pm before I know it. I've been here since Monday, but it feels like I just got here two days ago....but at the same time it feels like I've been here for a month. Where does time go?! Enough about the confusion of time and how it flies - now moving onto what has been going on during that time!
Each morning we have had breakfast at 8:30am, a devotional (consisting of worship, breaking down scripture, applying it to how we can play it out this summer, and specific prayer for various things the students have/are/will encounter), quiet time alone with God, various content, lunch, year maps, etc. BUSY!!! But it's great. I have been learning so much about why we do what we do and the meaning behind each activity the students take part in. Though I have loved getting everything ready, the anticipation is beginning to kill me. Is it time for everyone else to get here yet?!?! We have also spent a ton of time cleaning up the house and preparing it for the students arrival. It's pretty draining and gross at times, but seeing the progress makes it so worth it. The 3 Jacks is almost ready for the students to come on Tuesday! I can't wait.
One of the highlights for me has been finding out my Bible study, Life Group (the group that goes to church), and Ministry Team. The girls that I will be discipling (the same girls from the Bible study) are Emma, Alaina, Callie, and Brooke. Please pray for our Bible study and for the girls individually. I am so excited to officially meet them and to spend 5 weeks with them! :)
This year, just like last, I will be going to Stevenson United Methodist Church (featured in Runaway Bride, no big deal). Stevenson is a church full of people who LOVE the Cru students that come every summer. They look forward to it and strive to serve us in any and every way. I am excited to go back there tomorrow morning and for the rest of the time I am here :)
Last year I was on the Family Night Team; the team that plans the weekly meeting. I am really excited to lead the Family Night Team this year because that will be my position back at school. I hope that through leading the weekly meeting this year I will gain experience and develop new ideas for the weekly meetings back at CNU.
Today we moved into the staff housing. I feel so spoiled! Air conditioning, cable, no bunk beds, a thick mattress, only one roommate, two bathrooms, a mirror....oh, the little things. It is so nice to finally be settled and to be able to unpack, grocery shop, and know where all of my belongings are. Another plus is that the Freys and the Bakers are in the same building as us and they have some ADORABLE children!!! The kids love to come up the stairs and just walk right in as if they own the place...so cute. Carol says the kids think we're here for them, and I am beginning to think there is some truth behind that....
I will try to post before the end of next week! The students come Tuesday so pray for safe travels, teachable hearts, and EXCITEMENT for what God will do this summer. Thank you all so much!!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
And So It Begins!
OCMD Round 2. Oh, yes.
I am currently sitting on the porch of The 3 Jacks (the house the students live in and the staff stay in for the first week). I almost forgot about how noisy it is being right next to the busy road! It never seems to be quiet around here. :)
Ben and I had planned to start our journey by leaving my house around 8am Monday morning. Our plan was to meet up, grab some breakfast, and hit the road for OCMD! Ben is my good friend from CNU who is also interning in OCMD this summer (read his blog for a different perspective on life over here! http://ocmd2011.tumblr.com/ ). I was so excited when I found out Ben would be joining the staff team in Ocean City this year! He is so fun - loves to joke around, knows how far is too far, and has a contagious smile. Most importantly, Ben is a great example of a biblical man. I just know the guys will absolutely love him! Anyway, back to Monday morning.....as soon as he got to my house, he wanted to go on a walk to pray for the project and safe travels. What a great way to start off the trip and what a great way to take leadership before even arriving in MD.
As we finished turning the corner into my cul-de-sac and I asked Ben where we were going for breakfast, he pointed to the car driving up behind us. I didn't recognize the car, which is uncommon to see an unfamiliar vehicle in our small cul-de-sac that's tucked away off of the main road. Little did I know, Ben and a few of my friends had planned to come over and serve us breakfast. HOW SWEET IS THAT?!?! I am so blessed. Sarah, Sally, and Bree arrived with chocolate chip pancakes, eggs, bacon, fruit, coffee (with three different flavored creamers), orange juice, and milk. I felt so spoiled, blessed, and thankful. They prayed for our trip and headed out! What a selfless act.
I have never really caravanned before, so it was fun for me to travel alongside Ben! I felt safe on the road knowing that someone was near me and wouldn't try to cut me off or anything hahahh :) So we arrived to our destination around 1:30. I immediately felt comfort by the smell of the 3 Jacks. Weird, I know....but it's so familiar! It feels like I never left. Shortly after greeting Michael the other staff arrived. All of us seemed to get here within an hour or so of each other....what great timing is that?! So we hung out, made connections, and began to form bonds. So fun! The rest of the day was filled with many things, such as
- a hunt on the boardwalk for hermit crabs for the Baker's girls (named Shelly and Colorful..how cute!)
- a delicious dinner cooked by the Bakers and the Freys (yummy tacos and chocolate covered strawberries)
- a look at our binders (the schedule for the week, the orientation week for students, a typical week, and a ton of resources)
- Michael and Carol's year map - a map of big parts of their year to kinda catch us up on where they're coming from
- the boys playing games outside while the girls sit inside and chat :)
Today has been filled with content....and that will continue tonight and for the rest of the week. I found out who the girls I will disciple and have in my Bible study are!!!!!!! I'm so excited. I won't share specific names just yet in case any of them read this :) But please be praying for our Bible study and their final week at home before coming here. Today we also got to hear Roy and Chrissi's year map :) The other staff will share their year maps tonight and tomorrow, so that should be enjoyable.
HUGE prayer request - for the students to not get nervous and to continue to be excited for what the summer has in store
More to come later this week :)
I am currently sitting on the porch of The 3 Jacks (the house the students live in and the staff stay in for the first week). I almost forgot about how noisy it is being right next to the busy road! It never seems to be quiet around here. :)
Ben and I had planned to start our journey by leaving my house around 8am Monday morning. Our plan was to meet up, grab some breakfast, and hit the road for OCMD! Ben is my good friend from CNU who is also interning in OCMD this summer (read his blog for a different perspective on life over here! http://ocmd2011.tumblr.com/ ). I was so excited when I found out Ben would be joining the staff team in Ocean City this year! He is so fun - loves to joke around, knows how far is too far, and has a contagious smile. Most importantly, Ben is a great example of a biblical man. I just know the guys will absolutely love him! Anyway, back to Monday morning.....as soon as he got to my house, he wanted to go on a walk to pray for the project and safe travels. What a great way to start off the trip and what a great way to take leadership before even arriving in MD.
As we finished turning the corner into my cul-de-sac and I asked Ben where we were going for breakfast, he pointed to the car driving up behind us. I didn't recognize the car, which is uncommon to see an unfamiliar vehicle in our small cul-de-sac that's tucked away off of the main road. Little did I know, Ben and a few of my friends had planned to come over and serve us breakfast. HOW SWEET IS THAT?!?! I am so blessed. Sarah, Sally, and Bree arrived with chocolate chip pancakes, eggs, bacon, fruit, coffee (with three different flavored creamers), orange juice, and milk. I felt so spoiled, blessed, and thankful. They prayed for our trip and headed out! What a selfless act.
I have never really caravanned before, so it was fun for me to travel alongside Ben! I felt safe on the road knowing that someone was near me and wouldn't try to cut me off or anything hahahh :) So we arrived to our destination around 1:30. I immediately felt comfort by the smell of the 3 Jacks. Weird, I know....but it's so familiar! It feels like I never left. Shortly after greeting Michael the other staff arrived. All of us seemed to get here within an hour or so of each other....what great timing is that?! So we hung out, made connections, and began to form bonds. So fun! The rest of the day was filled with many things, such as
- a hunt on the boardwalk for hermit crabs for the Baker's girls (named Shelly and Colorful..how cute!)
- a delicious dinner cooked by the Bakers and the Freys (yummy tacos and chocolate covered strawberries)
- a look at our binders (the schedule for the week, the orientation week for students, a typical week, and a ton of resources)
- Michael and Carol's year map - a map of big parts of their year to kinda catch us up on where they're coming from
- the boys playing games outside while the girls sit inside and chat :)
Today has been filled with content....and that will continue tonight and for the rest of the week. I found out who the girls I will disciple and have in my Bible study are!!!!!!! I'm so excited. I won't share specific names just yet in case any of them read this :) But please be praying for our Bible study and their final week at home before coming here. Today we also got to hear Roy and Chrissi's year map :) The other staff will share their year maps tonight and tomorrow, so that should be enjoyable.
HUGE prayer request - for the students to not get nervous and to continue to be excited for what the summer has in store
More to come later this week :)
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Here We Go!
I will be leaving for Ocean City in less than 24 hours! Wow.
I feel like I have been so busy lately and May 23rd just snuck up on me!! It's hard to believe that something I have been talking about since January is now so soon! Oh, how time flies. So exciting!! Well with 17 hours left, there is still a lot to do. Now to packing..... :)
Here's my address for the time I will be in Ocean City -
Jenna Wall
Campus Crusade for Christ
503 N. Philadelphia Ave.
Ocean City, MD 21842
Expect another blog later this week :) Keep our team in your prayers, please!
I feel like I have been so busy lately and May 23rd just snuck up on me!! It's hard to believe that something I have been talking about since January is now so soon! Oh, how time flies. So exciting!! Well with 17 hours left, there is still a lot to do. Now to packing..... :)
Here's my address for the time I will be in Ocean City -
Jenna Wall
Campus Crusade for Christ
503 N. Philadelphia Ave.
Ocean City, MD 21842
Expect another blog later this week :) Keep our team in your prayers, please!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
100%
...and then some.
I'm so stubborn.
God is sovereign and proves it to me time after time, yet I somehow still feel the need to stress, plan, and play "what if" with myself.
Finals week I decided to not check my mailbox until Friday, in hopes of that simple action calming my nerves when it came to support raising. In many ways, I was fasting from checking my mail! Sounds silly, I know. Each time that temptation to check my mail snuck up (which was even more difficult when I was working in the mailroom) I had to pray for strength to not slip my little key in box #3456. Tougher than it may sound.
Friday, April 29th I got to experience the thrill of checking my mail for the first time in a week. I took a little detour on the way to work so that I could make a stop at my box. I fumbled for my key, turned it clockwise, and peeked in the little opening.....there were envelopes!!! In the seconds it takes to grab them and read the address line, I reminded myself that even if they weren't support, it would be ok. God is still good.
One was an Easter card from my mom :)
The other was a check.
Two hours later, I was told about two more checks being sent my way.
Later that day, another person said they would write me a check -
getting me to 100%.
After signing into MPD (a really helpful tool Cru uses for support raising), I clicked on "donations" and found an online donation from a month ago.
wow.
WOW.
WOW!!
I am so thankful for all of the support - both financially and through prayer. I'm blown away!! Thank you to everyone who is helping reach others in OCMD. Thank you God for calling me to go and providing what it takes to get there. Thank you Jesus for giving us a message to share.
Please continue to pray for financial support for the students and staff. It's crunch time! The perfect time for doubts and lies to creep in. Please also pray for the unity of the project.
Countdown: 17 days.
It's all beginning to play though my head - beautiful sunsets on the beach, the comfort of the 3 Jacks, great conversations, the love from the community at Stevenson, the busy schedule that I somehow love, the stuff God brings up that challenges you in ways you least expect...the list could go on forever....
I'm so stubborn.
God is sovereign and proves it to me time after time, yet I somehow still feel the need to stress, plan, and play "what if" with myself.
Finals week I decided to not check my mailbox until Friday, in hopes of that simple action calming my nerves when it came to support raising. In many ways, I was fasting from checking my mail! Sounds silly, I know. Each time that temptation to check my mail snuck up (which was even more difficult when I was working in the mailroom) I had to pray for strength to not slip my little key in box #3456. Tougher than it may sound.
Friday, April 29th I got to experience the thrill of checking my mail for the first time in a week. I took a little detour on the way to work so that I could make a stop at my box. I fumbled for my key, turned it clockwise, and peeked in the little opening.....there were envelopes!!! In the seconds it takes to grab them and read the address line, I reminded myself that even if they weren't support, it would be ok. God is still good.
One was an Easter card from my mom :)
The other was a check.
Two hours later, I was told about two more checks being sent my way.
Later that day, another person said they would write me a check -
getting me to 100%.
After signing into MPD (a really helpful tool Cru uses for support raising), I clicked on "donations" and found an online donation from a month ago.
wow.
WOW.
WOW!!
I am so thankful for all of the support - both financially and through prayer. I'm blown away!! Thank you to everyone who is helping reach others in OCMD. Thank you God for calling me to go and providing what it takes to get there. Thank you Jesus for giving us a message to share.
Please continue to pray for financial support for the students and staff. It's crunch time! The perfect time for doubts and lies to creep in. Please also pray for the unity of the project.
Countdown: 17 days.
It's all beginning to play though my head - beautiful sunsets on the beach, the comfort of the 3 Jacks, great conversations, the love from the community at Stevenson, the busy schedule that I somehow love, the stuff God brings up that challenges you in ways you least expect...the list could go on forever....
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