Last Day

Today was a mixed kind of day for me. My workshop didn't go as planned. I wouldn't let the kids listen to hip hop with any cuss words in it, and they got mad and walked out. While at first I was like wow, that stinks; it actually gave me an opportunity to work with these three guys that just wanted to dance. They listened to what I said about the music, and they even wanted me to help them with their talent show routine. It was really encouraging to be able to just leave some type of impact on them, however small.

Bible Club was a pretty good turnout as well, we did our skit and our Everything skit, and I really pray that it made a lasting impact on these kids. With Bible Club it's a very different atmosphere from how it was in Glennallen. Glennallen was very flexible with a little bit of structure, where as Bible Club is very structured with little flexibility. Having to switch from such extremes was kind of difficult for me to be able to feel out how people were reacting to the Gospel, and also, how much of an impact we were making. It really made me realize that I just have to keep doing the things that I'm doing, to be the light, and that God would do the rest.

Tomorrow I'm leaving Alaska, and I think one thing I really learned on this trip was to have faith. I think many times I learn lessons of grace and love, but faith has been something that I've really been tested, and something I'm hoping to keep strong. God has a plan for our lives, and while I might not know it, and I might have many plans for myself, nothing is random. I think for me going into my last year of college and really thinking about my future and what I'm going to do with it, is something that I need to not freak out about. Although that's kind of hard, I know that God will place me and use me wherever he sees fit, and he will protect me and guide me through all parts of life. I'm really blessed and grateful to have gone on this trip, and I really thank everyone who was praying for me and the team, as well as following my blog.

Please pray for our safety tomorrow as we fly back to Philadelphia. God Bless!

It's not about Me. Not at all.

I need some serious prayer.

Maybe this is God's way of constantly reminding me that it's not about me. That instead of teens I'm working with kids. Out of our team and the CEF team, I am the only one my age, which makes it very difficult to talk about day to day things without feeling either too old or too young for the conversation.

I was excited for this trip because God has given me a "great story" which could very much relate to the teens in Alaska, and just how God has been faithful and gracious throughout my trials, yet God has shown me through ^^ above, that it is really not about me. It is His will that I am working with the kids, and it will be on His time for me to have a chance to really share with someone the Gospel. I think today is the first day I really felt some spiritual warfare in my heart, as my attitude was becoming very bitter towards the end of the night, and I was really just torn apart by the various frustrations I felt building up over what I wanted rather than what God has in store.

Before I ask for prayer request, I have a praise. Praise God that we have other ministry teams that we can fellowship with and share how God is working throughout this week. It has been nice to hear from people that have ministered at this conference for some time now, and it has been a blessing.

Please pray:
- For my attitude, that God will continue to show me how to trust in Him, and to wait for Him to work. Also that I can continue to show love to these kids in a very genuine way and not in a way that seems obligatory because I am ministering to them through our program.
- Please pray for the continual recovery and just overall health issues our team has been encountering
- For safety as we travel to Liberty Falls in the morning and will do hiking and a picnic; and also strength and energy for the evening conference.

Thank you, and In Him,
xtinee