Thursday, December 31, 2015
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.
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, December 13, 2015
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?
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.
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