Earth Wind and FIRE!

I have been in JAX now for over a week!  It seems like it has gone by so fast and I just can't believe what God has already been teaching me and the ways He has been challenging me and shaping me to be more Christ like!

First I think I should share about what an amazing provider He has been!  Before school got out I was reading in Exodus 16 how after God brought the Israelites out of Egypt He fed them with Mana.  Each person was provided with just the right amount to meet their needs.  It was sweet how God didn't give them too little or too much.  I began praying that for my fundraising this summer and praying that I would be fully funded by the time I got to JAX.  Well our God is a faithful God who meets all of our needs according to his glorious riches in Christ!  It took us two days to get down here and on our first stop I got a phone call and I AM FULLY FUNDED!  Which is such a blessing!  I feel like I can now just focus on the work set out for me here and put all of my energy there!

There were also many aspects of my character that I was praying over God to break this summer and again he has been faithful.  One of these is my pride.  I would say that it's something that is always there, especially in a leadership position.  I was talking to Heather today, I girl that was in my bible study at UNI, about how God has really began to break me down in this area.  At UNI I feel like the NAV staff knows me pretty well and will give me many chances to lead and take things over which is one of the sources of my pride.  Here the staff doesn't know me as well and so they will pair me with another team leader that has been here before.  My first instinct is to defend my competence but I know that it is just my pride.  It's been amazing how God had been teaching me humility through these little things.

Another characteristic is when I get into large groups of people I tend to have a dominate personality...sometimes I call it "competitive talking."  I have really begun to desire being a more peaceful and quiet person, not meaning I don't talk but that I don't have to rule the conversation.  I have also seen God work in this way too.  I don't feel the need to command attention to myself which has been a new experience.

The most exciting thing is my my team! We are team EARTH WIND AND FIRE.  I didn't know about this whole team name thing but it's kind of a big deal to pick a sweet team name.  So mine is based off of Isaiah 43:1-2 and it's about how not matter what we go through God is our creator and he is with us.  I was so nervous to meet the women on my team but I couldn't me more excited to have these three wonderful ladies in my group.  Liz and Laura Tyler go to the University of Iowa and then Erica goes to Northwest Missouri State.   They are wonderful and It has been a joy to get to know them and their hearts for the Lord.  

Yesterday (Saturday) we got to do some evangelism.  I got to go out with Erica and we talked to three people.  They all said their were believers, but the most exciting thing is Erica got to share the bridge (illustration of the gospel) for the first time!!!!!  It was so exciting to see.  One of the things you could be praying for is just boldness and opportunities for us to share the gospel.

We have also had a bunch of team time this week.  One night we got gelato and just walked on the beach, we also all went swimming in the ocean and another night we spend an hour looking for a cookie place that I guess had now closed...so sad but it was the journey that was fun :)  Last night we went to an area downtown to eat that is right next to the harbor and we got to see almost twenty dolphins!!! It was AMAZING!  If you would be praying for just further unity and vulnerability for our team that would be wonderful!

I also had orientation for my job at Adventure Landing...which I start tomorrow.  We spent most of orientation playing lazer tag and driving go-carts so it was pretty fun.  I start at 7am tomorrow and I'm told we are doing odd jobs since we work at 7 but the park doesn't open until 10.  I'm really excited and think this job should be pretty fun and interesting.  They told me I might just be welcoming people to the park.  I like welcoming people so I'm totally fine with that! :)

I know this was kind of scattered but I hope it gave you a little update on what I'm learning and areas where you can be praying.  It is so encouraging to know there is a group of people prayerfully supporting me! Oh and my computer isn't working so I don't have any pictures so sorry...I'm sure there will be some on facebook soon!