2 Weeks….

My sister leaves in two weeks to spend 8 months in New Zealand for Bible School. I’m so excited for this opportunity and adventure that God has blessed her with. I know God will teach her tons through the experience. I can’t believe that it is almost here. She has been talking about it for a couple years, but it is starting to set in that she will not just be a phone call away anymore. Anyone that knows me knows that I communicate with my sister on a daily basis, so this will be a bit of an adjustment for me. I think God is also going to teach me tons through it as well. I’m thankful for a great support system of friends and family.

I’m so thankful for my sister. She is one that brought me to Christ and has been there for me my entire life. I look up to her faith and appreciate that she knows me so well. She can call me out on stuff right when I need to hear it. We also just have fun together. We have been in Bible studies together these last three years and its been so cool to see how we have grown in our faith. Now its time to see how God is going to grow us in this time in two different countries.

I know its sounds like she is leaving forever but I am going to miss her!  I’m so proud of her and wish her the best of luck in NZ.

And Christine if you are reading this, I really will be fine so don’t worry….but that doesn’t mean I can’t miss my sis.

Fuge Part 2

This time last week I was on my way home from the Fuge Missions Trip. God taught me so much while I was there and I wanted to share a few thoughts.

• It is not about my plans for my life. God likes to remind me of this often. I think its because I tend to try to forget it. I get frustrated when things do not go according to my plan, and I get so wrapped up in the day to day stresses of life. In our devotional book they said this “Is it possible that you fail to see what God is doing because you are so focused on maintaining what you are doing” That one hit pretty close to home.
• God put my out of my comfort zone so much on this trip. At first, I was frustrated with some things, but later in the week I saw what He was trying to teach me. Its not all about me. I had so many really good and hard conversations with some students from other parts of the country and if I would not have been in that place, I wouldn’t have been able to hear their heart. God knew that I needed to be challenged to not think about me so much. We are all such selfish people and I’m just as guilty as anyone else. I heard someone say “the inward focus we are, the more miserable we will be”. This is so true. Seeing the needs of the people in Birmingham helped put things in perspective and my little worries went away.
• I loved serving and hearing the residents stories. Most of the widows just wanted someone to listen. Why do I not do things like that more often?  I don’t need to be in Alabama to serve. I feel very blessed to have interacted with the other students and residents on this trip. God blessed me with an amazing week.
• It was so easy to be with God in the morning because it was part of the “program”. Why do I not always make that a part of my program? It was awesome way to start the day and all it would take is me getting up a little earlier.
• I’m blessed to serve in a ministry I love with students I love.

I’m praying that these are not just words but that I put the lessons God taught me into practice. Its already been a week and I’m sad to say I have already started to get caught up in the routine of work and life again.

FUGE part 1

I wrote this blog for the Christ Community Impact Blog. Here is a copy of it. I’ll write some more post thoughts on the trip this weekend. Below is also a link to the highschool blog, its also worth checking out.

http://cccomaha.org/blogs/highschool/

From Birmingham, Alabama

I had the privilege of going as a leader on the Fuge Mission Trip. I didn’t know what to expect considering we have not been to this camp before. The experience has been more than I could have imagined.

God has been doing a mighty work among our students and leaders through this camp. It has been amazing to hear their stories about how God is stirring their hearts, what He is teaching them, and to hear them turning back to Him. The students have given there all throughout the whole week. I always think that God has me go on these trips to serve the students, but He always ends up changing me as well.

We have been serving throughout the city of Birmingham. We have been doing yard work, serving in Children’s ministry, and ministering to seniors in nursing homes. I have been so proud of our students. They have stepped it up and served with their whole heart even in the heat and lack of sleep. I also feel so privileged to serve under the leadership of Terry and Alex. They have done an amazing job leading this team.

We have also had so many fun times and grown closer as a group. I can say that I know all of these students so much better after this week. I’m excited to see what God is going to do through this group. I also can’t wait for another fun filled van ride back to Omaha!
Guest Post by:

– Amy Gerhart

Alabama Here we come!

I’m getting ready to head down to Alabama with the youth group at CCC. I’m excited to see what God is going to do in the lives of the students and leaders. It is coming at a perfect time for me. I can’t wait to have a whole week to serve students, hang out with students, serve the city and most importantly hear from God. I’m also driving a 15 passenger van down there, so that should be an experience! Prayers are appreciated. Pray for safety, the students lives are transformed, for me to hear from God, and for me to be a servant. Have a great week!

Construction

Coming South on Hwy 75 N there is a section thats under a ton of construction and its a really bumpy road. Today as I was driving through it, I thought about how much nicer and better the road is going to be when its done. Therefore, that the construction is worth it in the end. If we never had road construction, all the roads would suck.

This relates to how I feel sometimes in life. I think God takes us through periods of “construction” sometimes to get to the end result. The process is worth it in the end. It was a good reminder for me that I need to be patient in the process and know that God has a plan. He is working on repairing some aspect of me. There are tons of things He could be working on me in my heart so it makes sense that I would be in the process a lot.

I pray as I go through different seasons of life that I would remember to praise God no matter what, despite whatever circumstance I’m in, to be patient, and to have faith. God knows the whole plan, I don’t, so I need to trust Him in that.

28

Someone asked me last night what was the best memories of 28. 28 was a year full of changes and great memories for me.

It started out strong. I interviewed for a job in another state which I was super excited about it. Ultimately, it wasn’t God’s will for me, but I grew so close to God in the process and  was able to clearly hear and discern God’s voice when He said no. I was also so thankful to my friends and family who supported me in prayer and listened as I talked some things out.

In summer and early fall, I was helping to lead a jr. high ministry at a Church plant. It was an awesome experience and I loved the Church, the people, and the kids. I however, quickly learned that leading a ministry is not an easy task. I gained so much appreciation and respect for leaders and volunteers of ministries. God really humbled me in the process and taught me a lot. Through that experience he also taught me my limits. Working full time at a demanding job and leading a ministry while still maintaining my own life was to much for me. He also showed me that my story relates and I relate better to high school students. The same week I decided to not continue to lead the ministry a small group opened up at CCC. I previously had some of the girl’s older sisters and it was a perfect fit for me. So, I came back and started leading a small group for the high school ministry again. I love it. One of my mentors once told me that I was so lucky to have found a ministry that I love to serve in. I think she is totally right and I am super blessed to serve there.

I also saw so many of my friends go through life changes this year. My good friends got married and others had babies. Lots of babies! Its been awesome to see and be a part of all of it. I love being “Aunt Amy”.

The last major change is my new job. I left the field of property management and a company I had worked at for 3 years in January. I now work for the Food Bank for the Heartland and love it. I’m able to help serve agencies that serve people in need. Its been such an answer to prayer to have a job that I’m passionate about it.

So overall, 28 has been a big year for me. I’m looking forward to 29 (well a new year, not so much the 29 part) and seeing what God has in store.