On Bended Knee

I have needed to update for a while now! So much has happened. Specifically, I couldn't sleep one night and I was tossing and turning thinking about what I could do better to raise more support. I was convicted that this isn't the way it should be. That morning I woke up and got on my knees to pray. I told the Lord that I didn't want to be obsessing over the little tasks I need to do to get my money in, but that He is ultimately the one that will nudge the people I have met with to give. It is very hard trying to distinguish what is MY job and what is the Lord's job (maybe it isn't so difficult, but I feel like it is). Anyways, I spent most of this day compiling email addresses and putting together an update. Long story short, I stayed at home working and the Lord blessed me with 4,890 dollars that day. I know prayer does not always have this quick of a response, but I can say that is was not chance that this happened. We worship an almighty and all capable God. I am not convinced that we give big enough prayer requests or praise. He can change our heart. He can change our desire to be sinful. He can move MOUNTAINS.

²"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

The picture above is not one that I have taken. I found it on Google images. Do not fret, everything else on my blog is one I have taken (unless I am in it).

What do you call a white man on a bench?

Sunday through Wednesday this week, I worked the West Georgia team basketball camp! It was so much fun and I really enjoyed my time there. I was the huddle leader for the Grady high school basketball team (see pic). At first, I wasn't sure if they would like me just because I am not as energetic as the other huddle leaders, but as time went on I felt that the girls loved and appreciated me. I could tell because they told me so, but more through the fact that they opened up with me so much in a group setting.

Also, I was able to meet more FCA staff and volunteers. The camp speaker was very smart and spent some time talking with me about what I will be doing. She was very excited for me but she questioned my thinking on several different topics. She told me that I needed to make sure and spend time with the inner city staff, although I will technically be Atlanta metro area. She also said there is plenty of money in the inner city if you build relationships and learn about the existing ministries. I told her about out 'strategic plan' and she said, "People follow people, people don't follow plans." She told me I need to listen to the people in the area. To have an open ear and don't go down there to preach. The organized control freak side of me wants to have something set and outlined. But I am constantly being reminded that ministry doesn't work that way. It is important to have a vision, but it is even more important to dwell with the people and learn what the needs are first hand.

I visited Denver Seminary this morning. It was very interesting and exciting to be on a campus that I could see myself attending in the future. I just don't see how it can fit into the plans right now. But I would love to be in a new city and be at a good seminary. I was looking at a masters in arts for leadership. It is good for those working with parachurch organizations. They offer classes on volunteerism, and other things that help you be more effective in training leaders.

Oh, the answer to the question in the title, is the NBA. This is a joke the girls told me during camp.

We Got the Beat

I dont have very long to write. But I was very encouraged and excited after talking with Shane and Kim this week. We nailed down some specifics that I will be working on in my first year on staff. I think this is called, MAP ministry action plan. I will be building relationships with the Atlanta Beat (women's pro soccer) team since they have a big interets in FCA. Since this is the case, I think one of the first or second things we can get going for United FC, are clinics. I talked with one of the players on the phone yesterday and I am looking forward to meeting those girls and maybe attending their weekly team Bible study (this is what Shane suggested). Also, Shane told me that I will be working with him and Kim more directly than I thought. Although, my focus will be inner city, I will not be on staff down there with Danny and them. Since we are moving toward more sport specific staff we have floaters that don't belong to a region because are focus is one sport in a larger area. This made me excited because Shane and Kim know my situation much better than the inner city director. Anyways, I have to go but I am moving along in my fundraising. Hopefully I will have it all raised before September 1!

ACTS

I just got home from a weekend away! I flew into Philly on Fri morning for a conference at Eastern University, called Association of Christian Teachers of Sociology. I presented the senior paper I wrote this past school year to about 25 professors that were present. The paper was an ethnomethodology on 5 inner city girls that I had coached for Chattanooga Sports Ministry. I was looking to better understand their construct of a world/life view. They found my presentation to be fascinating and requested that I come back next year (we will see about that). That night we went to Lancaster County in Penn to talk with a Mennonite couple and eat dinner at an Amish home. It was very interesting to meet people that live such a different lifestyle than everyone else. The Amish meal was fan-freakin-tastic. And the food just kept coming and coming....

On Saturday, Jen Venter and Lauren Beckley (friends I met in Italy) picked me up from the conference to hang out the rest of the weekend. We were able to see another friend, Tanya, that lives in Delaware for dinner. It was great to see those girls again and be able to reminisce on our good times last summer. Then we went to D.C. on Sunday! We really enjoyed ourselves and were happy to be reunited.

Getting back today, I have been reading my How to fund your ministry book on my trip and it has been helpful. A lot of review and reinforcement of what I have learned so far. But I read about the difficulties in being a single girl in ministry. Some families would rather support a couple than a single female. This was just a realization for me and a reminder that I am limited in my capacity due to my relational status, but Lord has perfect timing. But at the end of the chapter he comes back around and says that women are very affective fund raisers and it is something to recognize so that they (I) can be better supported through the process.

I have configured. I have 15,000 so far, I need 25,000 more. If I have 25 friends at 25/month, 15 at 50/month, and 10 at 100/month I will reach my goal! It helps me to break it down this way, and hopefully it will help others as well. So I am excited to get going and talk to more people!

All or Nothing.

It has been a good day so far. I met with Kim Boyce this morning and talked about the details of having a fund raising banquet. I think that is something I should plan for in the fall! I also learned that I need the full amount raised before I can start full time. There are other options, but I would prefer to have most all of it raised or pledged before I get heavy into the ministry.

More and more people are joining my Home Team and it is very encouraging for people to follow through with their actions. I am near 14,000 raised! Baby steps are good.

Another thing, I took from the meeting with Kim this morning was that things will progress very slowly. I need to build a strong foundation for the soccer ministry before I can have big hopes and expectations. You cannot rush building relationships, especially in the inner city. I think I feel pressure to produce results, because I want to be able to tell my Home Team exactly how their money has helped. But I can show them the work I have put into the foundation and such. Anyways, I am glad to have sort of refocused and realized that this vision is ultimately the Lord's and I should move at his pace.

I already had one support meeting today, and I have one more tonight. I am so thankful that people will kindly invite me into their home and hear what the Lord has put on my heart.

Pace.