Hi y’all! I just have a couple of fun updates from September. God has been so good to me and to our ministry as a whole this month. We got the opportunity to have two Thursday Night Fellowship services, several of our staff got to take some students on a trip to South Padre, and the girls in my leader small group got to teach each other something new. It’s been lots of fun and I am excited to share it with you!
First up, our South Padre Trip. Nine members of our staff took eleven students to the beach to do a triathlon. We played board games, took naps, were very athletic, played in the waves, saw a rocket launch, ate lots of good food, all drove about 20 hours round trip, and more! I feel so thankful that we have the opportunity to know and love these students in unique ways and get to really be part of their lives.
Next, we went to the Denton Fair. Every year they have a rodeo, lots of games and rides, and so much fried food. Lots of our students and alumni go every year and this time I got to go with 2 exchange students and see them experience all things Texas! It was lots of fun.
I have a group of our student leaders that I get to meet with in 2 on 1 groups every week and for one of our meetings I had each of them teach our group about something that they know how to do well. We learned water coloring, self defense, how to make a fall playlist, dot coloring, and how to make ninja stars. It was actually some of my most fun meetings ever, and it gave them a chance to share something that they’re good at!
One of the students you see in the pictures above is named Jordan. She has been one of the most committed freshman students this year that we have. She goes to two or three cores, is always at TNF, is doing foj, and is ALWAYS at my house- in the best way. She doesn’t have any roommates (because they just never showed up even though there is stuff in the room…) so she gets pretty lonely at her dorm. Because of that, we have her over a lot to stay the night or just to be with us on the weekends so she’s not alone! Would you pray that Jordan would find new friends in college, and continues to be so invested in knowing and loving the Lord’s people. Jordan is and will continue to be so much of a light to our community!
One of the best things I get to be thankful for- my roommates! The main issue with our house is that none of us get enough sleep, because we won’t stop talking to each other and go to bed!
For those who made it to the end of this, I wanna share a little reflection from my times with God this month. I have been deep in the weeds of pre-engagement counseling and one of the lessons we did recently is about financial stewardship. Additionally, our church is in a discernment process while we decide if we should take over the lease on a new building for us to meet in. In my times of prayer over these things, I have been reflecting on what it is like to live from a place of scarcity compared to a place of abundance. God has been stirring in my heart that everything we have is really from Him. Nothing that I own is really mine and I am led to a place of thankfulness for all of you! I couldn’t have all of these sweet moments that I shared about above without the support I have from you all. So thank you. In your times with the Lord this week, ask Him how your heart posture can be oriented towards one of abundance instead of scarcity. We have so much to be thankful for and every good gift really is from above.
Love you all!
Hannah