A Week In..

Well, I’ve been here over a week. Tonight will be my 2^nd Wednesday night here at Red Bank. Things are still kind of slow, only because my job is so relational, and I haven’t met many students. Well I take that back, I’ve met A LOT of students. So many, that it’s hard to get to know them as individuals, instead of masses. A group hug, followed by introductions, is hardly the way to retain pertinent information from students… but it sure did warm my heart and make me excited about this next year.

I did a week of observing the different program elements we’ve got going on. I’ve spent time getting to know the adults who so lovingly pour in to the students here, and now I’m hoping to really dive in. In a couple weeks we’ll kick off our small groups, which is the main focus of my job here. Discipleship, community, relationships, applying the Word practically to our everyday… those are things I’m passionate about. Almost to the point, that it’s hard for me not to just place myself as a small group leader, instead of the leader of the small group leaders. I hope the girls wont mind me dropping in to their groups regularly.

My friend Alex came to get me last Thursday and took me on UTC’s campus to go to their weekly Campus Crusade meeting. Red Bank is really involved with CRU and so I wanted to check that out. I’ve heard so many good things about it, and it was so exciting to stand in a PACKED auditorium and to hear from Seth how the year before that space hadn’t been even close to full. God is moving on UTC’s campus, and I’m hoping that I’ll be able to get involved in college ministry here in Chattanooga as well as working with the youth at Red Bank. My friend Rebecca and I have been throwing around the idea of doing a Bible study together, with some of her friends from school. I would love that! Not that I have any crazy words of wisdom to give these girls, but I have been where they are now, and I just think it would be a huge blessing to have the opportunity to walk alongside them and encourage them while they’re in school. Who knows. I’m praying for the Lord to open and close doors and that He would show me wise ways to spend my time.

Then Friday and Saturday I spent time over at Seth’s house with Seth, Olivia, and then Alex and Steve stopped by some. The guys in the Seth Medley Band are working on a new CD, and Olivia and I got to record some of the vocal tracks. It was so much fun to just sit around and listen to the incredible talents that my friends all have. The CD sounds so great so far, and I can’t wait to hear the final product. What a blessing they are to me, as they encourage me in my own gifts as well. I’m so stinkin proud of them, and grateful that they allow me to walk so closely with them in ministry.

Sunday was Red Bank’s pastor’s last Sunday. He’s moving to Alabama to pastor a church, and oh goodness, Sunday was a sad day. You could tell from the pulpit, the pastor was grieving over leaving a church he and his family have grown to love. Sitting out in the congregation, the feeling was much the same. It’s obvious that the love they feel is mutual. I didn’t anticipate accepting a year long position with a pastor-less church. It’s definitely not ideal, but I know the Lord has me here for a reason. That confidence has not wavered since getting here… well maybe it did a little bit, when I looked around Sunday morning and accepted the fact that Molly will NEVER be wearing jeans to church as long as she’s here. It balances out though.. because I can wear them at my desk all week long. I’ll survive it.

So that’s the latest. I’m about to head over to the student center for our Wednesday night programming.

Pray for me and for the guys (seth, alex, drew, steve, and Robert) this weekend as we head out of town with UTC’s CRU to lead worship for their fall retreat. Pray for big things to happen in the lives of these college students, and that God would receive all the glory for the things that happen.

"Human beings know deep down inside that they're not made to feel significant... they were made to stand on top of mountains and feel stunned in insignificance. Self-forgetfulness in the presence of Greatness is the capstone of joy. So from the very beginning, we see that God made his exaltation and our salvation one piece. You don't have to choose between God's glory and your joy, because the apex of your joy is praise, and the apex of his glory is grace." John Piper

So far..

Last night was my first night meeting a lot of the youth and adults at Red Bank. Most of what I was doing was observing, and trying desperately to remember names. The name thing, I'm going to have to work on for sure! haha there were a lot of people there! It was a great first night and I'm so excited about getting to know these students and adults over the next few months.

Things are going really well so far.

I'm here!

Well, I’m officially living in Chattanooga now! I drove down Sunday and surprised my friends a day earlier than they were expecting, so that I could go to church where they lead worship for an evening contemporary service. I’m so glad that I decided to do that, as it was such a HUGE relief to look around and be reminded that yes, I’m moving to a completely new place and yes, I’m starting a brand new job and becoming part of a new church family… but that despite all the newness, I’m still never going to be far from people that I love a lot. I think if I had gotten here today as planned, and jumped right into working, and paperwork, and moving in to my temporary living situation, then I would have sat on my bed in tears (although we were close a few times today).

I woke up yesterday and drove to the church, and talked with my boss, Pat about the house I’d be living in. It’s incredibly close to the church, so I can walk to work everyday… but I think I’ll start looking for an apartment soon. I think the sooner I can get into a more permanent place, the easier this transition will be for me. My friend Drew and his muscles came to help unload my car, which I was so grateful for and then he sat around and talked for a little bit. I’m sure he wanted to leave, but I was afraid that if he left me all alone, I’d sit in the middle of my boxes and the realization that I was really living 8 hours from home, would hit me and I’d freak out. I am so excited about this job. I am so excited about this church and living in Chattanooga. I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for this next chapter in my life, but for someone like me who has been terrified of change, this is all a little scary and overwhelming.

Yesterday was just kind of crazy.

Then last night I went over to Pat’s house for dinner to meet his family. He warned me that with 4 kids all under the age of 11, dinnertime can be kind of crazy, but it was a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to getting to know his family this year.

Today I'm just getting settled in the office and figuring out what my day to day will look like. It's been busy, but fun meeting a lot of new people :)

Same pose, 2 1/2 years later... craziness.

80s Anyone?

Tonight was my last night in Stafford before I start the move down/over to Tennessee. I have so many mixed emotions about this, that I'm not really sure what I think about it all. Last night my wonderful friends had a going away party for me where we played goofy games and just enjoyed laughing together. I only had to say goodbye to a few people because I knew I'd see a lot of the others today. The hardest part was definitely saying goodbye to Noah and letting go of Chloe (who was sleeping in my arms). I tried not to cry because a 3 year old just wouldn't understand (and he already thinks his aunt molly is crazy) BUT it didn't work. I cried.like.a.baby.

This morning I had brunch with some of my small group and said goodbyes there. Cried then too. haha!

Then tonight was one of my best friends', Stacy's 30th birthday party. It was 80s themed and so much fun! It was a great time laughing at the hilarious costumes people put together and just enjoying celebrating Stacy (and her boo Bryan's birthday too). This was definitely the hardest night of goodbyes. I cried a lot. I'm crying as I type this.

2 1/2 years of good memories, some ridiculously difficult times, lots of laughter, some tears... it's been the craziest time in my life, thats for sure. I'm excited about this new chapter as I leave for Chattanooga tomorrow (I'll get there Monday, since I'm breaking my drive up), but so grateful for the ways God reminded me that He's been here with me during this time. i have WONDERFUL friends that I'm going to miss so stinkin much. I'm overwhelmed with the support group and amazing friendships the Lord blessed me with when I moved back home from Texas in May of 2008.

Katie, Jenn, and me

decked out for the 80s party!

Becca, Ben in his creepy magnum pi look, me, and the Jakester

Becca and me!
Bryan looking fly

Stacy! The birthday girl, before we cried.

Today I went up to Manassas for my older sister's birthday and housewarming party.. it was fun. I did have a slight freak out moment when a lady asked me where in the line of girls I fell amongst my sisters, and when I said I was the middle child, she then turned to my older sister and asked her if she was the youngest or the oldest. Uh, excuse me? Erin is 4 years, FOUR years older than me... in asking Erin that question she implied that there's even the slightest possibility that I'm 32 years or older. What the hey diddle diddle?!

No thank you.

I was glad to see both my sisters and my cousin and her fam today though. I probably wont see them again until Thanksgiving.

Then I came back and set up chairs at church in the FLC for tomorrow morning with my Sunday school class. They're all so much fun. I mostly chased my favorite 3 year old noah around, taking his stuff, and making him give me hugs and kisses to have it returned. Look people, when he was 2 he gave those hugs and kisses freely, now, I have to get creative to fill my love tank up!

One of my best friends Jessica is also in town this weekend, so after all the sunday school class shenanigans, I went over to her parents house to spend some time with her. Sadly, she's about to leave for yet another lame deployment, and so even though I'm glad she's here, tomorrow is going to be an extremely sad day. When someone you love as much as i love her, is over there, its like this constant state of worry. Its constant presence starts to feel normal.. you just get used to worrying about their safety and how they're handling being so far away. It's no fun and I'll be so glad when she gets home, and doesn't get deployed ever stinkin again.

Anyway, I'm grateful for all the time I'm getting to spend with people I love before I move next week. 1 more week here and then I'm heading down to Tennessee! I can't wait!

To Write Love..

September 5-11th is National Suicide Prevention week...

For the last few years I've been inspired by an organization called To Write Love on Her Arms, which has become quite the trend among teenagers, and musicians. Who cares if it's the "trendy" thing to do, if it's for a good cause. I'm glad this organization is finally getting recognition, which gives them a greater platform and louder voice to be able to help people struggling with depression, cutting, and suicide.

Working camp, and in student ministry, you just wouldn't believe the number of students I've met who are struggling with cutting and depression. You wouldn't believe the scars I've seen on these kids' arms and the pain I hear in their stories. It's absolutely heartbreaking to have a 17 year old tell you about times in her life that she felt so ugly, so unloved, so alone, that all she could do was carve physical pain into her arm, to escape the emotional anguish she felt with such intensity... and so many have stories like that.

Today, students, and supporters of this cause are writing "Love" on their arms to show their support for people who are suffering, and as I looked on their facebook page for this event, my heart was just overwhelmed with emotion. So many of those very people who wrote "love" on their arm, have scars of their own etched in to their skin. They've been to very dark places, and yet here they are offering hope and encouragement that new beginnings are possible.

As Christ followers, we all have the scars from the years we spent apart from Him, or the times we ran from Him. Sometimes my pride, my guilt keeps me from allowing others to see those scars. I choose to help people through their difficult times, without admitting out loud that their circumstance hits closer to home than they could ever imagine. How ridiculous.

I want to be a person that gives Hope. A person that shows others that I'm living proof that God is willing to reach down to the depths to rescue us, that He loves us, and that despite the dark places I may have been, I can trust that He is sovereign and I can know that everything I've ever faced is for a purpose and a reason. If I don't use those experiences to help others, to strengthen the Body, then really what was the point of it all??

To love others enough to be real and honest with them...

To love others enough to let them know they're not alone...

To love others enough to look at my past, and help someone not face what I did...

To love others enough to get out of my comfort zone, so they know they're love...

To be Christ to the world, so that they might know what Love really is.

For His glory...

Community

This weekend was great. Well, let me be more specific, Sunday and today were great... Saturday, not so much, BUT I was grateful for the holiday to make up for it. Sunday I sang in church, which meant I had to be up at 5:40 to get there on time by 630. Holy moly... that was a long day! THEN I rushed home, to change and headed down to Fredericksburg for a cookout with my small group. I have a pretty fantastic small group that I get to "do life" with here at home, and I love them a whole stinkin lot. These people make me laugh, and they're fun to study the Word with. I'm going to be sad to leave them!

After a few hours with the crazies, I headed over to my friend Stacy's house to celebrate her brother Jake's birthday. The entire Griffitts family is like family to me.. so it was one big happy party. It was a ton of fun, and great to be with people I love. BUT let me just tell you, when I finally got home around 1am.. I was exhausted! I slept great last night!

This morning one of my best friends Mary and I got to hangout and catch up, since I hadn't seen her since like, April! Then we headed out to the lake on base at Quantico to hangout and enjoy Labor Day with some of my small group. The weather here has been incredible this weekend, and today was an absolutely beautiful day! I even got to kayak for the first time. A fish almost jumped in my kayak and I almost peed my pants, but other than that it was pretty easy to get the hang of! I had a lot of fun today! I don't know what will hurt more tomorrow, my arms from rowing, or my abs from laughing.

To capture the greatness of my small group, I wanted to share a card they sent me while I was a camp...

Gone With the Wind is one of my absolute favorite movies.

So they sent this card of Scarlet and Rhett.

And when you open it, it plays the Gone With the Wind song!

And then I got pictures as an added bonus!