Grace upon Grace...

I'm honestly not quite sure how cohesive this post will be.... God's been revealing Himself and His plans for me in ways I'm sure I don't fully understand yet. Although some of it may not make sense, there are definitely things worth sharing as God's been working so much in my life. So here goes.....
I spent the long MLK weekend in Clemson. For various reasons, my heart very much needed to be uplifted through the prayer and fellowship of members of my church family, particularly my sisters (To those of you who have been so graciously lending a loving ear and sound council: I am so thankful for you and your prayers. God's been using you so mightily in my life! Once again, you never fail to speak truth while showing more love than I know how to accept sometimes. You're truly tools of our Father) My time back in home sweet TigerTown was divided among much-needed time with my sisters, much-missed group activities, gathering the wisdom of mentors, and also some time alone as God ministered to my heart through His creation. (oh how I long to be closer to such breathtaking reminders of God's creativity, attention to detail, and beautifully mastered pursuit of my heart through nature). My Heavenly Father knows every intimate detail of what I need and graciously provides even when my sinful nature selfishly holds on to fear that things wont be as good if I release control.
I told some of those I spoke with over the weekend that it seemed to me that God "turned up the volume on His voice" on my trips to Clemson. The drives there and back are a great time to listen to sermons, music or just shut everything off and spend quality time with the Lord in prayer. While I'm there, I'm surrounded by such strong believers who I respect and cherish time with. A few days after I returned, a friend pointed out that I see God through people. I think she makes a valid observation. It definitely explains part of why the transition away from Clemson and my church family has been so much more difficult than I anticipated. She encouraged me to remember that God isn't just in Clemson. Although its going to be different and probably a little frightening at times, it will be good for me to experience change in this new season of my life.
I also experience God through nature which is very much a part of the Clemson landscape. I loved taking advantage of free time to just enjoy the peace of campus, the Botanical Gardens and other areas nearby. God had already been working on my heart in the area of trust. He used this time to comfort and encourage me to allow Him full control over my next steps. After leaving the church staff position, I really felt lost as to where I'm called. To some extent, I still do though I have more of a peace that God's going to reveal His will in His perfect timing (just as He has at every change of season or direction in my life). When I heard the wisdom and council of those who I know love me, it was repeated confirmation of what God had been trying to get me to accept. As a young single, the whole world is open to me. God could call me anywhere. I cant deny that I'm still a bit frightened about the uncertainty of my future but I'm also starting to get excited about the possibilities. Jer 29:11 I know God has a plan for me. He's going to greatly use this time when He's all I have to cling to through all these changes.

Update

Hey everyone!
I'm not even sure who reads this anymore.... If anyone still does I'm long overdue to let you know whats going on....
As of early December, after a great deal of prayer and discussions with church staff and my family, I resigned from Generation LINK staff. It was very difficult but I believe the decision was definitely Spirit led. I am currently job searching praying that God would send me where I'll best be used by Him. Please keep me in your prayers as the economy is not currently friendly to job seekers. My family continues to be a great support. They've been such a blessing and so patient as I'm not sure when I'll be heading out on my own as I should have months ago...
Also, please pray for my grandmother (dad's mom) She's had numerous long hospital stays in the last month or two Many in the span of a week or more. She's also had blood transfusions, numerous tests and now an upcoming surgery. She is in her 80's so of course anything has its risks. Please keep my family in prayer as this will be a difficult time.
There's not much else to report. I will likely get to visit Clemson soon I'm very much looking forward to the fellowship! I definitely need a time of refreshing with my church family.... I miss them so much especially in times that I would have run to their side for encouragement and comfort. They've remained my wonderful, supportive, loving brothers and sisters through everything including distance. They've truly been doing everything they can to support and love me. I'm so blessed to have them in my life! I have no doubt though that this is part of God's plan for me.... when I'm not geographically close to what has been my support system, when I'm frightened and unsure of whats to come, when I feel like I have nothing left, I'm going to feel His arms around me the most. Although there is so much uncertainty, my God is stable, strong, peace, and mighty!

Seek Me and You Will Find Me

I had the amazing blessing of spending last weekend on a personal retreat. A friend's family was very kind in allowing me to use their beach house. It was definitely a needed, refreshing and nurturing Heavenly Father/daughter weekend. There is truly nothing like getting away from the noise and distractions to allow you to hear God's voice and see His work in your life more clearly. At a couple points in the weekend though I became rather confused as to why it didn't seem like God was saying much....Although I didn't expect to receive all the answers I wanted in neat little packages, I was expecting to experience God in ways I hadn't before... That's definitely something about God... sometimes He gives what I'm asking but its not in the package I'm expecting... The beach was empty as far as I could see so it was just me, God and the sunrise. (something I experienced in Hilton Head last summer and wanted to take advantage of while I had the chance) I began asking God why I hadn't felt He was saying much... Almost instantaneously I heard something not too far off shore.....




Dolphins hunting for breakfast. They're such graceful, beautiful, peaceful animals. I was caught still for a few minutes just watching them. As I stood there I felt God say one of most clear things He had since I arrived. "What do you mean I'm not speaking? I brought you here to see something you loved as a little girl" He knows me. Inside and out. He knows what touches my heart and makes me feel closer to Him. Dolphins were my favorite animal growing up and here I was watching God's private display for me of His beautiful creation.
I felt badly for questioning Him about not meeting with me as I'd hoped. But he was.... He was right there beside me treating me to such an undeserved glimpse of His beauty. God's always with me. Its just a matter of opening the eyes of my heart to see His fingerprints all around me...

Finding Purpose

You put me here for a reason
You have a mission for me
You knew my name and You called it
Long before I learned to breathe

Sometimes I feel disappointed
By the way I spend my time
How can I further Your kingdom
When I'm so wrapped up in mine

In a blink of an eye that is when
I'll be closer to You than I've ever been
Time will fly, but until then
I'll embrace every moment I'm given
There's a reason I'm alive for a blink of an eye

And though I'm living a good life
Can my life be something great?
I have to answer the question
Before it's too late

Cause in a blink of an eye that is when
I'll be closer to You than I've ever been
Time will fly, but until then
I'll embrace every moment I'm given
There's a reason I'm alive for a blink of an eye

If I give the very best of me
That becomes my legacy
So tell me what am I waiting for?
What am I waiting for?

In a blink of an eye that is when
I'll be closer to You than I've ever been
Time will fly, but until then
I'll embrace every moment I'm given

In a blink of an eye that is when
I'll be closer to You than I've ever been
Time will fly, but until then
I'll embrace every moment I'm given
There's a reason I'm alive for a blink of an eye

In the Blink of an Eye -- Mercy Me

Jer 29:11
Rom 8:15-17

SummerLINK Reunion Weekend/Homecoming

Last weekend was homecoming at Clemson and the much-anticipated SummerLINK reunion weekend!!! Admittedly, I wasn't as good as I should have been with the camera this trip! Thankfully, Liz and Brandy were a bit better about documenting our time together. Activities began on Friday evening with dinner at Jeremy and Liz's house. The CP group I attended during my senior year was held in their home so its quite familiar and enjoyable to be back particularly surrounded by such cherished brothers and sisters. Jeremy and Liz were the SummerLINK Director and Assistant Director for the first half of the summer before the staff left the program to the students. It was wonderful to also have the Gainors with us. Gray is the Connections Pastor at Crosspoint Bluffton. He and Brandy practically adopted all of the students especially helping providing oversight to the program after the staff left. Our student leadership were awesome in keeping things running so smoothly! They really did handle everything very well. It was great though to still have Gray and Brandy there to give guidance. They were such a blessing in their obvious eagerness to make us feel welcome in the church and with their family. Gray's interns were given the added blessing of spending a bit more time with Gray, Brandy and their children. I've learned so much from them about public ministry and the ministry of a Godly home. All the Linkers greatly enjoyed our time getting to know them more and being reunited with them over the weekend.
Saturday was Homecoming so we gathered for a tailgate with BCM (Baptist Collegiate Ministry) and the game against Duke. I ended up taking all my pictures at the tailgate and game. It was a good thing though as I was distracted visiting with everyone :)

Myself, Meredith and Ashley

Two of my disciplers :) Becca (Summer) and Tara (Sr yr)

Myself, Ashley and Becca

My and Laura's girls picture with a special appearance by Jon haha

SummerLINK Roommies!!! I miss sharing a room with this sweet sister!

31-7 Go Tigers!! :)

One of my favorites haha Heath is making a joker face and Emily is trying to give him
distance bunny ears. (I was distracting Jason and Nick from watching the game haha )

Two of our Generation Link staff guys: David (youth) and Jon (college)

Our University President, James Barker, carrying the Clemson flag!
He ran it down the stands right to the student section!!

Saturday evening, we all had dinner at Just More Barbecue. Its definitely a Clemson experience. I never went as a student (I know....bad tiger! :( ) so it was also a new one for me. Here's Brandy's pictures and thoughts on the evening :)
On Sunday, we had a luncheon after church to invite college students to hear about SummerLINK (summer missions opportunities) and GenerationLINK (year-long opportunities). There was a great turnout! We're so excited to watch God bring together next year's team of student staff to serve with Crosspoint Bluffton and Crosspoint Clemson.
I got the opportunity to stay a couple of extra days in Clemson to meet with my discipler, Amy and attend my old CP group. It's always a treat to get more time with my church family. I leave the time so refreshed. The visit went by quickly but it was wonderful to see so many wonderful friends.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. God Bless!

Fireproof

It doesn't mean the fire wont come, just that you'll be able to stand up against it when it does....

Mom and I went to see FireProof today. This has to be one of the best movies I've seen in awhile! To me, it was a visual depiction of so many things I've been learning about relationships in the last year. Crosspoint has been such an amazing blessing in providing theologically sound counsel on what God-honoring relationships should look like. I've also been blessed to spend time with some of the married women in the church. They and their husbands exemplify these God-honoring relationships. I'm so thankful that the church loves its members enough to make the spiritual health of couples and families a priority.Another great resource that's been a blessing to me recently is a sermon series from Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill church. Peasant Princess has been a blessing of incite into what individuals who desire a God-glorifying relationship should be striving for.
I've heard on a couple of occasions that the characteristics and attributes of a Godly wife and mother arent granted at the end of the aisle or in the delivery room- they must be cultivated over time. So even though the movie is focused on a marriage and the sermon series does mainly address married couples, there is so much so singles to learn as well. Relationship strains are so often caused by some sort of sin or selfishness. God's been so gracious in working on me in this area. My boyfriend, Matt, and I have been learning so much about what it means to glorify God and serve one another in a relationship. Of course, I'm in no way saying we have it figured out! Growing closer to the Lord as we learn together has been such a humbling blessing. I'm looking forward to how He'll continue to grow us as He reveals more of Himself and His plan for our sanctification.

Staff Retreat

Last week, I had the opportunity to join the Generation LINK Staff for the fall retreat. We went to Columbia to hear Dr. Robert Coleman speak about his book, The Master Plan of Evangelism. The book discusses Jesus' ministry on earth and how we should be following His example of evangelism now. The staff very much enjoyed the opportunity to hear Dr. Coleman speak and discussing the topic as a staff as well.
Something that stood out to me relates to the importance of Evangelism. Dr. Coleman said that without Evangelism (which cannot be entirely separated from Discipleship), the church does not exist in future generations. The Master Plan of Evangelism concludes with an also convicting truth: our aim as disciples turned disciplers and evangelists should be that those we disciple would also take on this great responsibility. "The criteria on which a church should measure its success is not how many new names are added to the role nor how much the budget is increased, but rather how many Christians are actively winning souls and training them to win the multitudes."
"Note, it is not enough to rescue the perishing, though this is imperative; nor is it sufficient to build up newborn babes in the faith of Christ, although this, too, is necessary if the firstfruit is to endure; in fact, it is not sufficient to just get them out winning souls, as commendable as this work may be. What really counts in the ultimate perpetuation of our work is the faithfulness
with which our converts go and make leaders out of their converts, not simply more followers."
Even though it is good to share with others and help bring them into a life-changing relationship with Christ, it should not stop here. We should strive to train disciples so that they are equipped and desire to do the same ensuring that the message does not stop but spreads through the nations.

Here are a few pictures of the staff's time together.

This was Davids car after driving through the Kneece's farm. We had a great time touring the farm and wooded property nearby. We even got to pick some wild cotton. The boys really enjoyed seeing some of the large farm equipment. The girls did well on our mini outdoors adventure taking in the beautiful surroundings.

We took a few group pictures as its not often we're all able to be together. Annie is now working in Bluffton and a couple of the Clemson staff members are still support raising.

Generation LINK Staff 2008-2009

Generation Link Men:
Associate and College Pastor, Jeremy
Ronnie- Worship Leader, Tanner- Music Ministry
Jon- College Ministry
David- Youth Ministry
Matt- College Ministry, Pastoral Assistant
Generation LINK Ladies:
Tracey- Women's Ministry, College Ministry
Ashley- Preschool, Media
Annie- Children's Ministry, Crosspoint Bluffton
Tara- College Ministry
Amy- Mercy Ministry and Children

I'm so thankful for such a wonderful staff team! Each member clearly seeks to serve the Lord out of an overflow of their hearts. I've learned so much from them and I'm greatly looking forward to serving with them.