Homecoming
Hey hey!!!
I just want to do a little happy dance real quick because this blog post is coming out SO MUCH SOONER than normal!!! Go me!!! *Starts Happy Dance*
The past week has been way too much sitting and listening. We just finished up Orientation Week- also known as the Longest Week in History. If you don't believe me, ask my sweet friends!
We all are so extremely excited for this next week which will include the beginning of the normal schedule of DCLS. We are assigned our tracks this week and our community groups, along with our standard prayer/worship opportunities.
One thing we were able to get a head start on, though, was outreach! Yesterday was our first time back at our Adopt-a-Block sites. We go out every Saturday to meet the communities right where they are at, pass out needs, and continue to build relationships with them. I have the sweet blessing of attending Imperial Courts every Saturday. The site and its people have definitely stolen my heart.
The only unfortunate part about returning to this place, though, is that one of my favorite people at the site actually passed away over the summer. I had the blessing of meeting her at her house every week to check in, bring some minor needs, and listen to what she did all week. More often than not, we'd pray and she'd bless us with her incredible wisdom. She was a gift to all.
Stay with me, I'm going to jump around Isaiah 57 a bit:
Isaiah 57:15
"For the HIGH and Exalted One, who lives forever, whose name is holy, says this:
'I live in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit, to REVIVE the spirit of the lowly and REVIVE the heart of the oppressed.'"
Reading that gave me a bit of peace, because I was not looking forward to coming back to Imperial after Miss Pheba had gone to be with Jesus. I was sad, and contemplating why Jesus would even call me back to this place if she wasn't going to be there.
It's comforting to know that He is still with me. Even if my favorite little old lady is no longer available to me on Saturdays, He still is. And He is still walking alongside me as I go. He still walks alongside the lowly of spirit and is reviving me day by day.
Even though Miss Pheba was not in attendance at Imperial yesterday, I was able to see so many dear friends. I gave huge hugs, and some of them actually remembered my name! It was so welcoming and I will forever hold that dear to my heart. We threw some water balloons with the kiddos, walked around a little bit, and I noticed one of my sweet ladies, Connie, was sitting in the shade with a neighbor. I walked over to introduce myself and say hello when she immediately welcomed me and started pouring out a surplus of wisdom. Sharon, my new friend, and I talked for over half an hour, and not only was she able to pour into me, I was able to pour into her!! We ended our conversation with prayer and a promise to visit next week.
God works in miraculous ways.
Back to Isaiah 57.
Isaiah 57:17
"...But she went on turning back to the desires of her heart. I have seen her ways, but I will heal her; I will lead her and RESTORE COMFORT.."
It was an easy choice for me to choose the desires of my heart instead of leaning into His promises. It was easy for me to doubt that I still had purpose at this site, and it was so easy to convince myself my thoughts were more trustworthy than my God is.
And despite my foolishness, despite me running to my silly thoughts instead of His truths, He still heals my heart. He still gives. And He still restores.
He's so good.
I walked into outreach yesterday doubting that He would come through. I questioned my obedience and my purpose. And despite all of that, He still blessed me with an amazing new friend. I'm so thankful I serve a God that chooses me, despite.
So thankful to have been able to return home to Imperial this past weekend. I'm looking forward to this next week full of new surprises, more love, and meeting my new friend Sharon next weekend!
All my love,
Ry
#HesDoingANewThing
I just want to do a little happy dance real quick because this blog post is coming out SO MUCH SOONER than normal!!! Go me!!! *Starts Happy Dance*
The past week has been way too much sitting and listening. We just finished up Orientation Week- also known as the Longest Week in History. If you don't believe me, ask my sweet friends!
We all are so extremely excited for this next week which will include the beginning of the normal schedule of DCLS. We are assigned our tracks this week and our community groups, along with our standard prayer/worship opportunities.
One thing we were able to get a head start on, though, was outreach! Yesterday was our first time back at our Adopt-a-Block sites. We go out every Saturday to meet the communities right where they are at, pass out needs, and continue to build relationships with them. I have the sweet blessing of attending Imperial Courts every Saturday. The site and its people have definitely stolen my heart.
The only unfortunate part about returning to this place, though, is that one of my favorite people at the site actually passed away over the summer. I had the blessing of meeting her at her house every week to check in, bring some minor needs, and listen to what she did all week. More often than not, we'd pray and she'd bless us with her incredible wisdom. She was a gift to all.
Stay with me, I'm going to jump around Isaiah 57 a bit:
Isaiah 57:15
"For the HIGH and Exalted One, who lives forever, whose name is holy, says this:
'I live in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit, to REVIVE the spirit of the lowly and REVIVE the heart of the oppressed.'"
Reading that gave me a bit of peace, because I was not looking forward to coming back to Imperial after Miss Pheba had gone to be with Jesus. I was sad, and contemplating why Jesus would even call me back to this place if she wasn't going to be there.
It's comforting to know that He is still with me. Even if my favorite little old lady is no longer available to me on Saturdays, He still is. And He is still walking alongside me as I go. He still walks alongside the lowly of spirit and is reviving me day by day.
Even though Miss Pheba was not in attendance at Imperial yesterday, I was able to see so many dear friends. I gave huge hugs, and some of them actually remembered my name! It was so welcoming and I will forever hold that dear to my heart. We threw some water balloons with the kiddos, walked around a little bit, and I noticed one of my sweet ladies, Connie, was sitting in the shade with a neighbor. I walked over to introduce myself and say hello when she immediately welcomed me and started pouring out a surplus of wisdom. Sharon, my new friend, and I talked for over half an hour, and not only was she able to pour into me, I was able to pour into her!! We ended our conversation with prayer and a promise to visit next week.
God works in miraculous ways.
Back to Isaiah 57.
Isaiah 57:17
"...But she went on turning back to the desires of her heart. I have seen her ways, but I will heal her; I will lead her and RESTORE COMFORT.."
It was an easy choice for me to choose the desires of my heart instead of leaning into His promises. It was easy for me to doubt that I still had purpose at this site, and it was so easy to convince myself my thoughts were more trustworthy than my God is.
And despite my foolishness, despite me running to my silly thoughts instead of His truths, He still heals my heart. He still gives. And He still restores.
He's so good.
I walked into outreach yesterday doubting that He would come through. I questioned my obedience and my purpose. And despite all of that, He still blessed me with an amazing new friend. I'm so thankful I serve a God that chooses me, despite.
So thankful to have been able to return home to Imperial this past weekend. I'm looking forward to this next week full of new surprises, more love, and meeting my new friend Sharon next weekend!
All my love,
Ry
#HesDoingANewThing
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