It's what.. Week 6? Week 7?
A lot has happened. A LOT. So much that it'll be hard to fit into a single post. But.. I'll try..
Work
..is a mixture of so many things. Most days I take joy in talking with people from all over the world for a few minutes and seeing locals over and over again. But some days.. it is so hard to be at work and hold onto that certain kind of joy that only comes from the Lord. I struggle with not wanting to be fake with co-workers, locals, and visitors to show them that I'm not okay, but at the same time I don't want to bring them down if I'm exhausted, mad, or drained from already being delightful with a few hundred previous customers. Being real and honest along with being joyful and loving only comes from the Lord and His strength.
Relationships
..are so sweet to watch being built. At this point in the summer our co-workers are finally starting to trust us, desiring to hangout with us, and wanting to be our friend. God is softening their hearts and it's beautiful. Each little interaction we have with them gets us one step closer to verbally sharing Christ with them and the challenge is that we're living in such a way that within those tiny interactions.. they notice a difference in us.
Ugh. So I seriously can't pick out what else to tell y'all.. So this is about to get random.
Trips to Flagstaff keep me sane. Getting out of park is probably one of the GREATEST feelings and releases ever. I'm such a city girl. This place is too small and the spiritual warfare can be suffocating. Thank the GOOD Lord that He's given me a team of 12 (Tasha, you're one of us whether you like it or not :) ) and a church staff that literally works alongside me. I don't think I could live here without so many brothers and sisters.
So, this week has been a little rough.. I've had to have a few conversations that were just not ideal and unexpected when I considered what this summer would hold. Ya know.. the kind that just make you ache a little.. or a lot. But, I've recently started reading through 1 Corinthians. Yesterday this verse stuck out to me.. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2) Isn't that so simple? Paul also talks about how he came to the Corinthians without fancy words and in fear. What?! Paul afraid? What?? He didn't have all those big Christian words? When does that happen?... How often are we consumed with having the right words to say and acting in the right way always?
Hold up. We're not perfect. And it's not up to us to have the "right" words and phrases. We plant, we water, but only God can bring growth to the seeds. This cannot be more true about this place here. It honestly won't surprise me if we don't see someone become a christian this summer. I hope and pray that salvation comes every single day but it won't be a wasted summer if it doesn't happen. We have no clue what the Lord is doing in the lives and hearts of people we interact with.. which is hard to come to terms with on some days, but that keeps me seeking for all of the little ways He let's me see how He is moving.
All we need to know is Jesus.. how He lived, who He is, how He died, and how He rose from the grave. All we need to know is Him and simply live that.
So... this Friday and Saturday a pretty big group of us are hiking down to Phantom Ranch aka all the way to the bottom. Brett (Burt), a co-worker, asked to come with us. He's been to church with us a few times and he's someone I've seen the most change in this summer. He's a 30 year old that doesn't want to grow up and a really awesome guy. Pray for his soul this weekend, that he would see Jesus because of how we live and interact together, and that we would be intentional with our conversations with him.
Thanks for bearing with the silence.. I don't like that I have to make an effort to get to internet and it's hard to make the time for it. But thank you for being faithful in prayer and supporting me in the littlest of ways.
Love,
Jo
Ugh. So I seriously can't pick out what else to tell y'all.. So this is about to get random.
Trips to Flagstaff keep me sane. Getting out of park is probably one of the GREATEST feelings and releases ever. I'm such a city girl. This place is too small and the spiritual warfare can be suffocating. Thank the GOOD Lord that He's given me a team of 12 (Tasha, you're one of us whether you like it or not :) ) and a church staff that literally works alongside me. I don't think I could live here without so many brothers and sisters.
 |
| One of the moments that I will treasure from the summer. Tasha, Julia, and I at Snow Bowl. Sheer Beauty. |
So, this week has been a little rough.. I've had to have a few conversations that were just not ideal and unexpected when I considered what this summer would hold. Ya know.. the kind that just make you ache a little.. or a lot. But, I've recently started reading through 1 Corinthians. Yesterday this verse stuck out to me.. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2) Isn't that so simple? Paul also talks about how he came to the Corinthians without fancy words and in fear. What?! Paul afraid? What?? He didn't have all those big Christian words? When does that happen?... How often are we consumed with having the right words to say and acting in the right way always?
Hold up. We're not perfect. And it's not up to us to have the "right" words and phrases. We plant, we water, but only God can bring growth to the seeds. This cannot be more true about this place here. It honestly won't surprise me if we don't see someone become a christian this summer. I hope and pray that salvation comes every single day but it won't be a wasted summer if it doesn't happen. We have no clue what the Lord is doing in the lives and hearts of people we interact with.. which is hard to come to terms with on some days, but that keeps me seeking for all of the little ways He let's me see how He is moving.
All we need to know is Jesus.. how He lived, who He is, how He died, and how He rose from the grave. All we need to know is Him and simply live that.
So... this Friday and Saturday a pretty big group of us are hiking down to Phantom Ranch aka all the way to the bottom. Brett (Burt), a co-worker, asked to come with us. He's been to church with us a few times and he's someone I've seen the most change in this summer. He's a 30 year old that doesn't want to grow up and a really awesome guy. Pray for his soul this weekend, that he would see Jesus because of how we live and interact together, and that we would be intentional with our conversations with him.
Thanks for bearing with the silence.. I don't like that I have to make an effort to get to internet and it's hard to make the time for it. But thank you for being faithful in prayer and supporting me in the littlest of ways.
Love,
Jo
