Questions, questions, questions

Goodness gracious, if my life has had a theme lately, it would most definitely be questions.

Example one- I teach children's church for kindergarten-2nd grade every other Saturday at The Journey. Last Saturday we were learning from Ezra about the Jews rebuilding the temple. We didn't even finish our story for the day because we got delayed by so many interruptions. I encourage my kids to ask questions related to what we are reading- almost my entire class is made up of 6 year old boys, all of whom are curious about everything under the sun. I try my best to keep us on topic, but some weeks, like this one, it was a valiant but hopeless effort.

Here is a sample-
Ms Kelly what shape was the temple?
Ms Kelly what color was the temple?
Ms Kelly was Jesus a real person? (perfect example of a good time to let it go off topic...)
Ms Kelly I need to throw up (thank goodness for classroom assistants) (he was fine)
Ms Kelly why does the bible have so many big words?
Ms Kelly what kind of clothes does God wear?
Ms Kelly my shoe is untied
Ms Kelly you just said the temple lives in us now. Do I have bricks in my belly?
Ms Kelly is that why Nelson had to throw up? Are there bricks in his belly??


Ay yi yi. I love them to death

On Friday, I taught a 30 minute social studies lesson to a class of 3rd graders. We were talking about all the landmarks in America and whether they were natural features or man-made. One of my students could not understand how a bridge could be made by people because it was over water and people can't just swim out there and build a bridge. This launched me onto a 5 minute tangent on how bridges are built before I looked up and saw how lost my kids were. I realized my ship was sinking fast and thankfully reeled everyone back in before all my lesson completely went down the toilet.


As crazy busy as I have been writing term papers, doing projects, working my butt off, training for a half marathon, trying to start studying for finals, AND trying to raise support on top of it all, I haven't been sleeping well. The second my head hits the pillow every night, my body desperately tries to sleep but my brain starts going a million miles a minute with my own question reel-

Am I going to die in Nashville this weekend while trying to run 13.1 miles?
Am I going to pass my finals?
Am I going to finish my term paper?
What am I going to do my independent study on? What am I going to spend the next YEAR of my life researching?
Am I really gonna cut it as a teacher? Do I have what it takes?
Am I doing the right thing going on project this summer even though the smart thing would be to work and save money?
Am I going to be a good student staff member this summer?
What are the girls I disciple going to be like? Will I be able to help them grow?
Am I going to raise enough support for this summer?


All of this really boils down to one question. The root of all of these questions, no matter how diverse, is the same.

Do I trust God? Do I trust that He is who He says He is and that He will do what He promises to do?

As I wrestle with this question day in and day out in every form possible, I find comfort only in the truth of God's word. One verse in particular has been on replay in my head. I have been continually turning up the volume on my "Truth Player" as the lies inside my head get louder and louder. When I am stressed, exhausted, and overworked, my "Lies Player" hits me full blast telling me I am not good enough and I never will be. So I pray for the strength every day to wake up and choose to listen to the Truth instead.

That I WILL never be good enough, but I am not in this alone. I serve a God who is, was, and always will be more than enough for me. A God who will fight for me and be my source of strength. As the semester draws to a close, please join me in praying for the strength to drown out the noise of life and draw my strength from the fount of living water.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” 
Deuteronomy 31:6

To everyone who has given thus far, I am SO thankful for you. To everyone still interested in giving, please call me. I would love to chat and share stories about how God has changed my life these past two summers. To everyone else, please keep me in your prayers. I love you all.

Kelly

Eastering

Hello friends!

I think the last three weeks of crazy weather, crazy schoolwork, crazy traveling, crazy visits, and crazy amounts of extra babysitting shifts have caught up with me- it is sinus infection city in my apartment. I woke up yesterday convinced that my face was going to explode, so I took a sick day and went to the doctor this morning.

A different kind of sickness has been creeping in lately too- it has been over three months since I have seen my family, and it will be 6 more weeks before that happens. That is beginning to take it's toll as well. I got to see my sister last weekend, which was super fun, and I have seen a lot of friends as well. But I still miss home, especially around Easter. Luckily, the lovely Alicia Corona drove over from Louisville this weekend since neither one of us got to celebrate with our own families. We had a blast dyeing eggs, eating jelly beans, and being downright lazy as we powered through multiple movies camped out on my couch. We got to just chat about what life is like so far away from home and how weird it is to be "big girls."

As I face the marathon of the next few weeks, I am supremely thankful for the dozens of people I have here that I can call family. They love and encourage me, life me up, pray for me, make me laugh, and constantly point me to Christ.

Support raising is going really well, I am at 40%!!! I am really eager for this summer to begin. Brief overview again for newcomers- in 2010 I was a student on the Walt Disney World Summer Project. Me and 32 other college students worked full time in entry level positions in Magic Kingdom for the purpose of sharing the Gospel with our co-workers, especially international students who come to work at Disney for the International college program. We had a staff team of 14 people who led the daily project ministry events- bible studies, women's time, ministry teams (prayer team, world vision team, community team), etc. I was discipled by an incredible woman named Liz who helped me learn more about myself and grow confident in my identity in Christ. I was so impacted by the leadership team that last year I went back as student staff. I got to mentor women as they experienced the same thing I did the year before. I got to train leaders, give messages, and plan events. It was an incredible experience! And this is what I get to do again this summer. I won't be working at Disney again- my full time job will be leading the project- kinda like being a camp counselor instead of a camper! I need to raise over $1600 for living and travel expenses for this summer. If you would like to partner with me, please email me your address so I can send you a support letter! My email address is KLW91288@gmail.com. Or send me a text or give me a call with your address- 561-704-0509.

For those of you who have already partnered with me, you are awesome. I am SOO thankful for you. I am praying for the Holy Spirit to work through me this summer, and I cannot wait to share what God does.

I am getting SO excited. Please be praying for my support raising, the hearts of the students, the hearts of the rest of the staff team (including the NINE other student staff interns!! We make up more than half the team!!), and that I can finish the semester strong and be content where I am! I don't want to wish away a single day the Lord has given me.

Let me know how I can be praying for you!
Much love,
Kelly