Andrews Christmas

Something I made along with the help of my husband over the holidays. Hopefully, in years to come, this video will be greatly appreciated.

Territory for 2016

My Territory
My School (CRES)
My Family (Husband)
My Church (Life Church Worship)
My Community (The Bridge)

My School 

Since I've been at CRES I was made 4th grade chair, put on the PLT team as well as the Digital Literacy team. Not to mention, teaching two 4th grade classes. That is a lot for a first year teacher but, it's what God has placed in my territory so I will do whatever it is that is placed on my plate while at CRES.

My Family

Our family has been thrown a curveball and needs more hands on deck for the next year. I need to release some responsibilities to make sure that if needed I can be there in any moment. Also, my husband and I have decided to begin house shopping to prepare for our next stage of creating a family. This of course is my most important territory.

My Church

This coming year I want to serve my worship pastor in whatever areas he made need. I have seen myself flourish and grow in leading worship on stage with him for the past months. It's very evident and with that knowledge, I want to continue in this role for as long as I can.

My Community 

2016's Focus. The Bridge. The Bridge is a gathering of young adults all across the Gulf Coast quarterly where we come together to worship, pray, seek God, and hear His Word. This has been a HUGE step for our young adults group and at times can feel overbearing and too large of a vision. But, God has really really been pressing on my heart to run with this vision this year. Visit other churches, meet with church leaders, find the needs within their groups, create relationships, and network the church in our community. I truly believe if we can get our churches on the same page about the college aged ministry, we can really impact the colleges and universities within our city. Furthermore, we can definitely improve on the number of church dropouts and build the next church generation. Because, whether you know it or not the 20 somethings are the next church. In 2016, I really plan to get to know the church of Mobile, the Body of Christ in Mobile, Alabama and give The Bridge the attention it needs. The Bridge needs a four runner. Someone to take it where it needs to go and I'm willing to do that if that's what God has for me this next year. So many people right now in leadership for the Bridge have many roles to fulfill and the Bridge can get put to the side in most cases because it isn't top priority. God has shown me this month to make Bridge top Priority. We'll see in 2016 what that looks like and I will remain in prayer to hear what that should look like. 

For All I Know (Response to Last Post)

I stated in the last two blogs that I have been meditating on the reasons why I do what I do currently in my stage of life. I also said I feel like I may be in a boundary right now coming out of the "Doing Stage" of life. I've come to that fork in the road of Why? What is the point. Who told you to do what you do.

For all I know....

At 20 years old I was standing in an arena with thousands of youth and young adults when God spoke to me and called me to ministry. Now, people will tell you they've always known you were called and so on but, I, myself heard from God at 20 that for the rest of my life I was to do something in ministry. The problem for me now, is finding what that looks like.

Now, in my opinion, when you become born again you are immediately in "full time ministry", but there is that next level of serving day in day out for the ministry and for the Kingdom. I've been leading worship nine years and I have loved every part of it. The struggles, the holy moments, there has never been a night that has been the same and I love that. It shows me even more how precious the Holy Spirit is and how He is genuine and unique.

I have been serving in leadership of a young adult group now almost five years. At times, this has been a real pain, a real headache and super stressful; especially when your spouse serves in the same ministry. But, I find my heart and soul truly loving this role because you see the work pay off when the group grows numerically, relationally and spiritually.

I'm at this point of realizing I'm stretched. (I find myself here many times.) I teach (two 4th grade classes), I coach, I lead, and I sing. It's been this way for years and I don't know what hit me this month but, I found myself one service saying, Why?

I don't know what aspect of ministry I'm supposed to be in I've just served in whatever capacity that was handed to me. This coming year I've been hearing God tell me that's not how I should be any longer. When an opportunity or a role or a job is handed to me, I am to inspect it. Think on it. This year, I sense that I am going to say No to many roles. That's not a bad thing in some cases but, that's going to be super difficult for me. I don't like to disappoint. But, God has been showing me I can only take care of my territory and my influence and saying yes to too many roles is disrespecting the influence that He's given me. It's practically saying, what you've given me isn't enough.

Territory:
My School (CRES)
My Family (My Husband)
My Church (Life Church Worship)
My Community (The Bridge)

For some this may be an easy thing to deal with, you may be asking yourself why is it taking her such a long time to just find what she can be responsible of? Well, like I said earlier, for the past years if you asked me to, I would do anything for however long you needed me. That's going to change in 2016.

This past week God has shown me what to release and what to increase in 2016. I'll mention some of those things in my next post.

Wrapping Up 2015, Unwrapping 2016 Part 2

I was recently listening to a teaching on the 5 Stages of a Leader.
In this teaching, I learned about the stages and boundaries that we experience in life and the definition of a leader. I began to ponder on what stage I'm currently in.
In January, I will have been leading worship now for 9 years, I will have been a schoolteacher one whole year, I will have been a leader within my college ministry for five years, and I will have been a coach for 6 years.
That's a bunch of platforms. Too many, some in my life think.
I'm very honored and thankful for those in my life that have given me these platforms and allowed me to grow in them. But, I believe I'm coming to the place where I want to narrow down and put myself in the exact place where I am being used to the utmost ability with all my abilities where I can experience utmost joy and satisfaction.
The first stage in life that you experience is considered divine beginnings. The part of life that you have no control over. Who you are born by and who raises you up.
The second stage is considered general ministry. A time of doing. This stage I do believe I have been experiencing for the past ten years. The moment I became a worship leader at sixteen. Working in ministry and in general. Baskin Robbins, Skating Rink, Daycare, Babysitting, whatever honestly, I look back and I see a trail of busyness. Work. Studying, leading worship, working in ministries, missions trips. Always working and doing. I don't look back unpleased I just see years of doing which I would rather see than nothing.
However, I have found myself for the past few days with a question in my mind becoming bigger and bigger.
Why?
What is it that I have been working towards or for? Honestly, I have just felt as though there has been a task at hand to be done and I have been "getting it done". Accomplishing whatever has been put my way big or small. Because that's what I have been taught to do.
But, why? What is it taking me to? Another task? I don't know.
Stage three is considered focused ministry. Where a person narrows their focus and is better defined. A central theme.
Well, I don't know what my central theme is so I can't be on stage three.
So I think I may be in a boundary.
In the teaching, there are four boundaries. Surprise boundary, growth boundary, creeping boundary and expansion boundary.
A growth boundary refers to the need to grow or expand.
A creeping boundary refers to a relatively long process of preparation.
I come back to I don't know.
In a sense, I am always being told by other leaders in my life that I am in preparation for something but, I can't see it nor do I know what it is. I also have to remind myself I am just 25, there's a lot of life to be lived. But, I also don't want to be doing what I am doing now going through the motions and it not take me anywhere. I may want to expand but, I'm wanting to release myself to less not more.
This is what I see: Teaching, Coaching, Leading, Administrating, Planning, Ministry and Music. Out of it all, music is what I have been doing the longest but, I don't see that platform expanding.
How on Earth, can those things wrap up to one or two things?
Unwrapping 2016, I think this coming year may be a year of No. Not in a bad way but, understanding that I can't do it all and when I am asked to do tasks or to take on responsibilities, leadership roles and jobs, I just need to say no.
So I'm here writing this blog for comments, advice, and guidance. Maybe you've been here in this feeling of why and what for. What came next for you?
The one thing I know I am supposed to be doing at this moment is teaching. So am I just doing all of the other jobs for service or purpose? Why and what are these other roles for?

Wrapping up 2015, Unwrapping 2016...

2015 was a great year. For sure. 

1. Got my first big girl job at Collins-Rhodes Elementary. 

2. Travelled to Idaho. 

3. Started my first year as a 4th grade teacher. 

4. Travelled. 

5. Adopted a new puppy. 

6. Celebrated my 25th birthday. 

7. Experienced a Saint's football game. 

8. Reunited myself with Bryant-Denny Stadium. 

9. Alabama won the Iron Bowl. 

10. Derrick Henry won the Heisman. 

It was good. No doubt. No complaints. 

As I reflect, I recall the Word that I had from the Lord and that I had for the Lord. 

"Allow God to pour into me until I was overflowing."

"Learn to Host His Presence"

I feel as though, in ways that I didn't expect, God poured his wisdom and knowledge into me throughout the whole year. In situations that most would just assume was a normal moment, for me, was God-breathed moments. Comments from children, the way the clouds would align in the sky, staring at red lights, extra traffic, cashier comments, all year long God was showing me things that I had never seen. I believe mostly because I was expecting Him to speak. I was anxiously looking to hear and know more from Him. 

I don't feel like I hosted His presence every day of my life. I sense that this Word will continue on for 2016. It isn't something I am just going to be a novice at within one year. This may be a seasonal Word that I have for some time. But, just having it on my mind I believe is improvement on my part. To walk in His presence every single day of my life so much so that just walking in a gas station, clocking in at work, or going to the grocery store changes my surroundings. This will definitely take conscious effort UNTIL it becomes second nature to me and I just walk in it with no thought. 

.....to be continued.

Youth Retreat and What It Did For Me The Worship Leader

I had the opportunity to lead worship for a youth retreat in Panama City, Florida. There were about 140 youth there represented by two churches. I always go into these things excited, pumped, and awaiting God to use me in leadership to usher in the Holy Spirit whether that be singing, teaching, or hanging out with girls in a room talking about life. In everything I do in ministry I want the Holy Spirit to know He is welcome and He can move however He needs to. You can never expect though, sometimes God uses these trips to minister more to those like me, being used in leadership. Here are a two things that God showed me during worship and the young people showed me through their worship seeking God. 

Usually, when I lead I try not to watch those worshiping. I try to keep my focus on the Lord and what He is doing in these precious moments. But, one night God spoke to me to look across the altar and see the young people passionately, seeking the Lord. As I did, I noticed that all the seats were empty. Every teenager was at the altar. Not only that, they all were pursuing God in their own worship. Sometimes with teenagers you'll see the "distracted" teenager who is just doing what his/her neighbor is doing. Or you'll see the kid who has their arms folded just standing there cause honestly they'd rather be at their seat but, they went with the crowd. No, this night, every teenager was worshiping. As I scanned the altar and was filled with encouragement and fire in my own worship, one teenage boy caught my eye. He was most likely six foot tall very athletic looking, not your average youth group student. Popularity most likely followed him at schools as well as girls. He should be out with the popular kids in the summer playing around and doing what popular kids do. But, there he was at a youth camp both hands lifted towards heaven, eyes closed singing. Not a care in the world. In that moment, I was overwhelmed. My heart was struck with admiration. It's typical to see teenage girls worshiping. It's so uncommon to see an athletic teenage boy pursuing God. I thought of all the places he would be within the next school year, lunch rooms, locker rooms, football fields, bus rides, the platforms that God would give him that not everybody else would have. I was so encouraged by his worship I pray that he continues to pursue God with such passion. There is such a power in a teenage boy's worship. 

One night the pastor asked students if God had done anything in their lives to come give their testimonies. Shortly after he said that, a line began to form on the side of the stage full of teenagers. One after the other students shared what God was doing in their lives. It was amazing to hear them share. This young boy grabbed the mic and began to share his story. He shared how his parents had gotten divorced and before they did he was laying in his bed one night and God had spoken to him that they would be getting a divorce. As he talked he became emotional and my heart began to break because you could see what divorce had done to him. He shared that during this trip God had healed him of all the pain he'd gone through and that he was going to make it. This student was barely even a teenager. Tears began to fall from my eyes as I looked away to wipe them, I wasn't the only one. Every grown adult in that room was emotional. Why? Because divorce is a decision we make, not that a child makes. Through his testimony he looked out at his friends and said you're going to make it those of you who are going what I'm going through and it broke me. Divorce. Such a wretched thing. Has more effect than it is given. The pastor asked students to raise their hands if they had been through divorce because he wanted to pray for them. When those students raised their hands, I hung my head. My heart was so heavy. Youth camp is where students are supposed to give testimonies of hearing God's voice for the first time, feeling the Holy Spirit, choosing to stop drinking or dipping or choosing to be abstinent until marriage. Things they can decide for THEMSELVES. Divorce is something they cannot decide for themselves. The precious fourteen year old boy folded into the pastor's chest and just began to squall. In that moment, I made a decision, a vow and a commitment. I NEVER EVER wanted to hear that my son or daughter stood at youth camp to testify that they'd been healed of a decision I made for their life. I know marriage isn't perfect. I know parents aren't perfect and sometimes yes, situations become better on the other side after divorce. But, I did not want to take that chance. The fact that we even had to have an altar call for students to be prayed for who had gone through divorce hurt me. I am so thankful for two Godly parents. I never had to experience that pain. Through that little boy's testimony he'll never know how many of his friends, other teenagers, and adults he ministered to. 

Needless to say it was one awesome week in the presence of the Most Holy One. I'll never renounce that a young person has heard from God or that they know God. Some of the teenagers there prayed better than 30 year olds that I know. It's such a precious season, a season of influence. I left the retreat encouraged and ministered to by teenagers and their hearts turned towards God. The worship leader! :) 

American Continued...

I find beauty in the fact that man can build these masterpieces. They stand day in and day out as thousands of people parade their hallways and offices. With the weight within and the weight without they do not budge. We don't commend ourselves enough as humans that we are brilliant and we can accomplish anything when we come together. Behold Chicago. Take in the detail. 

Chicago Stock Exchange. Built with a road underneath. 

Arts Museum. With Gargoyles and and Owls Sculptures.

America The Beautiful Continued...

More posts of the Beauty in our country. 

Share Beauty Not Ugly. 

Positive Over Negative. 

It's still hard to say America is beautiful with the most recent horrifying news in South Carolina. My heart goes out to the families who are grieving right now.  But, I'm hoping for any who may read my posts, they would see hope through God's creation. 

America: The Beautiful

It was rather tough typing out the title of this post but, it's what I wanted to portray. 

The media will do what the media wants to do. Most of the time, that seems to consist of sending out nothing but negative news. But to be honest, I myself have tried to put things in their perspective and yes, negative news always catches the eye before positive news. Think about it, heroic story vs. crime rage story, which one are your eyes going to wander to? Well, the crime of course because you want to know if it's happening near you! Dog gets rescued vs. car bomber: Car Bomber wins! Happens every time. With society becoming more and more of a "share", "retweet", "+1" culture, one negative story can be told more than 60 times in a matter of one hour. It's a shame really. We blame the media but, yet here we are sharing in their negativity. I can't stand it. I told myself at the beginning of the year, kind of as a New Year's resolution, I would keep all shared posts positive. I wouldn't dabble in the negative stories. I would leave that to all the conspiracy theorists, arguers and complainers. It hasn't been easy, I'll admit. I had to "untrain" my fingers from clicking share. You would think as much as we argue day to day that our facebook's would steer clear of all that jazz. But, I digress. 

What I wanted to say is this: America is beautiful. Yes. I said it and here's why. IDAHO. As I stated earlier, the media will portray what they want to you to see, think, feel, worry, ponder, and fear. Paranoia is their tactic. If television can keep us distracted it's done its job. When we stay glued to the tube we miss what is actually going on around us. Around us, it's actually not too bad. When you plant a garden and its crop is ready for harvest, if you see one bad ear of corn, do you throw away the whole harvest? Absolutely not. That's to say the same for America. When you have one religious fanatic who goes and shoots up a school in the name of his/her god does that make every individual in that religion a murderer? Nope. I've been rather ashamed within the past few months to look at my country through a tv screen and see what is going on. But, that's not really ALL that's been going on. That's the "bad ear of corn". Out there in all the other 49 states good things are happening everywhere. What the media isn't showing, is the kind gentleman in the airport who helped an elderly lady get a wheelchair to wheel her to her flight. What the media isn't showing, is the man who on his free time picks up litter around his city to keep it beautiful for visitors. What the media isn't showing, is a city like Boise where people actually go to bed with their back doors unlocked because there is no crime. THERE IS NO CRIME. Seriously, for six days I visited Boise and the rest of the state and I would watch the news shows in the afternoons. They shared Other cities crime stories because their city didn't have any. The media loves to show how overweight our country is but, yet in Boise, half the locals travel to the foothills of the Rockies on the weekend to camp, hike, fish, and kayak. I saw America again and had hope. I also saw the media for what it is, a lens. A lens can only capture part of the story it can never give you the full perspective, as is the same for a photo. 

Maybe you have felt the same way as I, in that when you thought on your country or thought of yourself being a proud American, you got this bad taste in your mouth or a pit in your stomach, almost embarrassed. I encourage you, TRAVEL. If all you do is stay on your recliner in your living room, enjoy your paranoia. But, if you get out and travel, rest assured, the whole harvest hasn't gone to pot, it's just one ear of corn :). 

This is your country :). America: The Beautiful. Let's share the beauty not the ugly. 

Leadership Traits: Working Out of Success Not Stress

I'm learning through being apart of a college ministry leadership team there are different qualities you find throughout leaders. 

There is the "fine detail" individual who spends time on the little things that may not seem important and the big picture individual who scopes out the big things that everyone will notice.

There is the present day planner who thinks in the here and now and the future planner who thinks ahead. 

There is the "light load" individual who can only handle one responsibility at a time and there is the "heavy load" individual who can handle multiple responsibilities at one time. 

All of these traits are good traits not one is better than the other. It depends on what you are looking for at the time. What's the need? It would become a problem if you are asking something of someone who doesn't have that trait such as, needing someone to setup a room with furniture who is a fine detail thinker and yet there they stand with an empty room. You would need a big picture thinker in that moment. It would be like handing a professional basketball player a glove and telling him to go play shortstop. Yes, he is an athlete, yes, he is talented, but that's not his sport. Set leaders up to be successful not stressful. This is the bottom line: giving leaders the capability of accomplishing responsibilities successfully. The only way to do that is to know what traits different individuals have and put them in roles where they can use their abilities successfully. Stress comes into play when a person is placed in a role where they have to actually work OUT of their abilities rather than IN their abilities.

Once again, no trait is wrong, no trait is superior. We need all individuals in leadership. That's when you have a complete leadership team! You can't have a team of just big people thinkers, things may never get accomplished. You can't have a team of just "light load" individuals, your team would have to be big to see things get done. We all have traits that are there to better the team. The better the leadership, the better the ministry.