In Deer...

This evening as I was preparing dinner for the house, I looked out of the window above the sink in the kitchen and witnessed an entire family of deer grazing in our front yard.  It's cool to see God in creation sometimes.

In a New Church...

I began my internship with Lamberth Memorial Baptist Church this morning.  I'm really excited to see what God has in store for me there.  The people are wonderful, and I'm really looking forward to working with the youth.

In A Meeting...

Today at lunch, I met with the pastor who will be my supervisor for my Field Education placement at Lamberth Memorial Baptist Church in Roxboro, NC this academic year.  I'm very excited about the chance to work with this church and with this pastor.  At first glance, it looks like a really good fit for me.

In repetition...

Sometimes, when you hear the same advice with the same wording over and over again, you begin to think there's something that the Holy Spirit has to say.

In First Years...

I am incredibly encouraged about the incoming class here at Duke Divinity School.  The people I encountered this past week helping with the BriDDDge program (Building Relationships in Durham [through] Duke Divinity Graduate Education) are quite incredible.  They are blessed to be at DDS, but DDS is also blessed to have them.  The love of Christ radiates from each of them, and renews my own spirit and passion for God's church and God's people.  I look forward to meeting even more over the next few days, weeks, and months.

In the Cupid Shuffle...

I have been participating in a pre-enrollment program at Duke Divinity School called BriDDDge.  The past couple of days have been very difficult days personally for me (just a lot of stuff on the "mind grapes"), and on our schedule tonight was a dance with a ministry called "Reality Ministries".  Reality Ministries is a local organization in Durham that works with groups of people that society has marginalized.  One of those groups is the mentally handicapped.  I had no interest in being extroverted and dancing (especially for ministry), but it was a wonderful time.  For the first time in a while, I was able to let my hair down, and just have fun and be goofy and remember the me that I actually really like.  And it was extremely life-giving to spend time with a group of people who love life and love people and are so willing to share that love.  It was an incredible blessing that was so desperately needed.

In a New Home...

A year ago, I moved to Durham, North Carolina in answer to a call I feel God has put on my life to be in ministry.  It has been a difficult transition at times, and I have resisted the idea of even being here.  So hesitant was I to connect to this place originally that I refused to call where I lived last year "home" (I didn't even label it as "home" on my GPS).  I am now setting down some roots and have moved into a new house with friends.  I painted my bedroom today, and it really is starting to feel like "home".

"Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come.
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will [has] lead [led] me home."

In Excitement for the Future...

I picked up the keys to the new house I'll be staying in this coming school year, and I was genuinely excited about it.  Given that there were times last year when I was dreading this school year, the excitement is a God-send.

In Struggle...

It's no secret at this point that I have dealt with anxiety for a good portion of my life.  This morning, for reasons I couldn't quite understand, my anxiety level was quite high.  It was painful to not feel in control of my emotions.  All I could do at one point was pace around my office, worrying... worrying... worrying... about unimportant things.  But in those moments of weakness, God's strength and provision shines through.  It shines through in moments where I am brought to my knees (or under my desk, as it were) to pray.  It shines through in moments where friends allow me to be me in all of my "craziness" and struggles.  I would like to see God in more enjoyable things, but the pain reminds me of my need for God.

In My Summer Church Family...

Last night, the church that I'm serving this summer (Bethany United Methodist Church, Wanchese, NC) held a potluck in my honor and allowed me to preach one last sermon this summer.  They have been such a blessing and so welcoming this summer.  I will miss the people here quite a bit.

In Caregiving...

It's been a while since I last updated.  I have seen God in many places in the past week or so, but no place more, perhaps, than in the life of one of the members here.  She is taking care of both her husband and her father who are both very sick.  She is exhausted and just drained, but yet she still carries on and holds strong in her faith in God.

In, well, I'm not quite sure...

Some days I don't know exactly where I've seen God, or if I've even seen God at all.  I suppose that's ok sometimes?  Maybe not.  I'm not really sure.  Regardless, for today, a pinpoint response is hard to give.

In a New Dining Experience...

So this one requires a little background.  I'm weird and always feel self-conscious trying new, local restaurants in towns that are not my home (don't ask me to explain at this time).  But I decided today to try this small pizza place that I pass on the way to work everyday.  I was greeted warmly and treated so nicely, and the pizza was quite good too.  I saw God in this, showing that you can see God in even seemingly everyday things.

In Leading Bible Study...

I lead my first Bible study tonight.  I think it went well.  It was neat to see kids grasp the concepts you're trying to teach.

In the Blessing of Friendship...

I am blessed with some incredible friendships, and I always enjoy the moments when I most fully realize and appreciate this fact.

In the Movement of the Holy Spirit...

It is always a cool thing when you are a part of things in which you can clearly see the hand of the Holy Spirit. Worship this morning was one of those occasions.

In Hopeful Anticipation...

I returned to Durham this weekend, and realized how much I've missed it there, and also how excited I am about next year.  When juxtaposing this sentiment with how I felt at times last year, I can really see the hand of God at work.

In Spiritual Practices...

I have always struggled with consistently incorporating spiritual practices of any kind into my daily routine.  Over the past few weeks, however, I have made a conscious effort to read a Psalm a day and to write about where I see God each day. I can feel that these practices are not only beginning to become more and more routine, but they are also beginning to feed my spiritual appetite.

In Opportunities...

As I was standing on a beautiful beach this afternoon, I became extremely aware of how blessed I am with the opportunities I have been given in life.

In Boldness...

The faith and conviction of some of my friends is inspiring.