country roads take me home

Where exactly is my home these days?

I grew up in Virginia, lived in Florida for two years during college, desire to move to Japan to do missions work, but eventually I'll end up in heaven with Jesus. After my birthday trip this weekend to Orlando, I returned to my homesponsors' house in Bradenton, but after graduation of this year, I'll return to my parents' house in Virginia; I have no clue about the rest.

This week has been crazy and ordinary at the same time. In Twenty-Four Seven it’s so easy to get caught in the routine and lose yourself to the excitement until it becomes normal life. God never ceases to stir me, though; He has rocked my world during my time in ministry school, but He shook my boat right at the end. Even before moving to Florida and leaving everything I knew and loved, He proved to me that I can never predict all of the incredible things to come. His plan for my life is so much better than what I can imagine for myself, even when I can’t quite see that yet. On Thursday I realized I was right about my condition earlier in the year, but people brushed off my thoughts when I brought them up. Then at the end of the year, nothing had changed except for the worse. Going forward I’ll grow and learn even more. When I met with staff on Friday, I found out that I officially will not return for a third year. Now I have to trust God to guide me to my future; I just hope I’ll learn how to better hear and obey Him.

I had a fantastic birthday after serving all but one of the awesome Easter services this weekend. Bayside had eight weekend services, and the one I got to attend was a fantastic service with great music and an incredible message about what we think can keep us from God’s unconditional love. Being in the Green Room is always fun, and I got to make lots of fun crafts and watch lots of Disney movies during the seven services that I served. Directly after serving at church on Sunday, Alex and I drove to Orlando to meet my parents and some of my mom’s family. While there my sister called me from Guam to sing happy birthday right when my mom was bringing out the birthday cake a day early. We enjoyed our pieces of toasted butter pecan after eating hamburgers for dinner, which was a mini-adventure all on its own. Then we went and watched Jungle Book after dancing with little kids and Chip and Dale. On Monday morning we left for magic kingdom and did pretty everything there that’s worth doing, so I had a blast; my presents are pretty great too. Tuesday was nice and relaxing for a spring day; I enjoyed Heaven is For Real once we found a theater that worked. After dinner at Chipotle, we went our separate ways. The rest of the week was alright too. 

ARC Conference

(Matt Keller giving an incredible message at All Access '14.)

Last week Twenty-Four Seven got to drive up to Celebration Church in Jacksonville and be a part of ARC (Association of Related Churches) All Access Conference for almost the whole week. This conference is just a time for leaders, church planters, pastors, etc. to get filled up and poured into by awesome speakers and fantastic worship sessions. Those who attend have access to great resources and opportunities for relationships that can help build their ministries or just encourage them. Each year various ministry schools from ARC churches, like Twenty-Four Seven at Bayside, have the privilege of serving these world changers. We, the students or interns, pretty much run the whole event, while attendees just get to enjoy their time so that God can bring them rest. Long, filled days make for a lot of work, but last year and this year have both been great experiences full of wonderful memories. During All Access 2014, I got to work in the food preparation tent almost the whole time, and I loved it! I got to apply some of my experience from Chick-fil-A and helping my mom cook to make food for the pastors and leaders in the Lounge area for meetings. Miss Renee, the woman basically in charge of the tent the first day, taught me a lot too through her example and leadership, so that was cool too; she and another woman even prayed over me and Alex one night during the conference! After helping in the food tent during our “two hour break” I ended up gaining some authority in the food tent through those above me and led the food prep team for almost every meal after the first day, except when I needed some direction to administrate. This experience taught me so much about servant leadership and initiative, so I loved it.