Ok, so I've been back about a month. And I've had lots of time to think about this blog post and how to summarize everything I learned in two months into a couple of paragraphs. Because I've discovered that people stop reading blog posts after they get too long.
So this summer I did some crazy things that I've never done before, talked to people I would never ever talk to otherwise, and learned a whole about the Creator of the Universe. Instead of making one super long post, I'll just divide it up into two parts. First part is the informational post- the who/what/when/how/why, etc. Here's a brief overview of the common questions I get:
Q. Hey, so, like, what did you actually do everyday?
A. Well, my days were spent between training and evangelism. Some days we would sit and learn about apologetics and evangelism, and the next day we would go out and put it into practice. Evangelism varied between setting up table to give out free books about Christianity and talking to women in coffee shops and parks. I loved meeting new people and being in such a diverse place! I was with teammates from different parts of the world- Korea, Finland, Bulgaria, Pakistan and Texas just to name a few. I interacted with over 30 different nationalities this summer- NEWS FLASH: Jesus is not just for Americans! About every two weeks we would have different teams come in for different programs; some people were there for 2 weeks, some for 2 months (me!), and others for 1-2 years!
Q. Woah. Was it hard telling people about your faith in parks and coffee shops?
A. YES. Yes it was. Like, really hard. Especially at the beginning of the summer; I would sit in the van and silently convince myself to get out and do evangelism, even though I felt like I was going to throw up. But it got wayyyy better with time! (More on this next post.)
Q. Did you love it? Are you moving overseas? Don't you miss it so much?
A. Yes. I loved it. I made some amazing friendships with people all over the world! No, I'm not currently planning on moving overseas (but its never out of the picture!!). I think two months was the perfect amount of time; I learned A LOT. And I loved being there, but now I get to come back to my wonderful UTK BCM family and teach people what I learned! That's the really exciting part to me.
Q. Did you go to the Olympics?!?!?!?
A. No guys, I did not. Sorry to burst your bubble. I went across the ocean to tell people about Jesus. Once I found out my free days, the tickets for beach volleyball and pretty much every other sport were sold out. Plus, Americans had to pay more for tickets... turns out they really are still bitter about the Revolutionary War. But we did have one free night during the Olympics and we went to a park with a bunch of big screens and we got to watch several different events with a couple hundred other people! That was pretty awesome; the whole city's atmosphere was the most unique experience.
Q. How did you find this trip? That sounds awesome!
A. Simple... I did my research! There are lots of mission trips out there. My personal favorites are sportsmissions.com and imb.org. And if you're a Tennessee BCM student, go to sendtnmissions.org :)
BONUS QUESTION FOR READING ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE BOTTOM!!!
Q. You're a senior, right? What's your whole life plan? ...Oh, you don't know? Well what will you do next year then?
A. Next year I'm planning on going to grad school somewhere and getting a Masters in Social Work. Combining that with my business degree might help me somewhere down the road if I want to work in the administrative part of the non-profit sector. As for figuring out my whole life... God and I still have some work to do! And thats ok with me! :)
This concludes my first entry about my summer. Next time I'll share some stories about conversations and more reflections!
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Decisions
I have two stories to tell.
1. I went for a run yesterday. It was a fairly short run, much less than usual- it was more a leisurely run than a workout run. But about half way through, I stopped because I felt like I was going to throw up. Don't worry, I didn't. I wasn't feeling sick because I ate something bad or was pushing myself too much. I wanted to throw up because I'm nervous and scared out of my mind about leaving this country for two months and going into unknown territory and having no idea what is down the road. I'm not the type to worry, but this upcoming trip has been all I've thought about! But then, Philippians 4:6-7 pops into my head:
2. Today I went to Walmart. That place was a ZOO today. I've never seen it so crazy! I needed some big plastic bags for packing (BEST way to travel = roll up your stuff and put 'em huge Ziploc baggies), but Target didn't have them, so off to Wally World I went. After driving from Target to Walmart and waiting in line for about ten minutes to buy my one thing, I was walking out and I thought to myself, "Wow. I just went through a lot to get these stupid bags. These things better be worth it." And then it clicked! I'm going on this crazy mission trip where I'm going to be uncomfortable for 2 months sleeping on the ground and getting no sleep... is it worth it? Is JESUS worth it? Why am I going to another country where I could possibly be in danger?! Am I crazy? Right there, in the Walmart parking lot I made a decision. I am going to give my all to this trip and to Jesus. Because if I don't, sleeping on a church floor will NOT be worth it. If I'm faking this devotion to God and I just want people to see my "good deed for the year", I picked a really labor-intensive trip to do it (aka I should've gone on a mission trip in the Bahamas or something). So I'm going to make it worth it. Jesus is SO worthy to be praised and worshiped, and His Name is a Name worth spreading. Jesus is worth my summer and my life.
1. I went for a run yesterday. It was a fairly short run, much less than usual- it was more a leisurely run than a workout run. But about half way through, I stopped because I felt like I was going to throw up. Don't worry, I didn't. I wasn't feeling sick because I ate something bad or was pushing myself too much. I wanted to throw up because I'm nervous and scared out of my mind about leaving this country for two months and going into unknown territory and having no idea what is down the road. I'm not the type to worry, but this upcoming trip has been all I've thought about! But then, Philippians 4:6-7 pops into my head:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."Ok. It's gonna be alright.
2. Today I went to Walmart. That place was a ZOO today. I've never seen it so crazy! I needed some big plastic bags for packing (BEST way to travel = roll up your stuff and put 'em huge Ziploc baggies), but Target didn't have them, so off to Wally World I went. After driving from Target to Walmart and waiting in line for about ten minutes to buy my one thing, I was walking out and I thought to myself, "Wow. I just went through a lot to get these stupid bags. These things better be worth it." And then it clicked! I'm going on this crazy mission trip where I'm going to be uncomfortable for 2 months sleeping on the ground and getting no sleep... is it worth it? Is JESUS worth it? Why am I going to another country where I could possibly be in danger?! Am I crazy? Right there, in the Walmart parking lot I made a decision. I am going to give my all to this trip and to Jesus. Because if I don't, sleeping on a church floor will NOT be worth it. If I'm faking this devotion to God and I just want people to see my "good deed for the year", I picked a really labor-intensive trip to do it (aka I should've gone on a mission trip in the Bahamas or something). So I'm going to make it worth it. Jesus is SO worthy to be praised and worshiped, and His Name is a Name worth spreading. Jesus is worth my summer and my life.
"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." (Act 20:24)After all, Jesus thought I was worth it.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Facebook.
Fact 1: I hate Facebook.
Fact 2: I probably spend at least an hour on Facebook everyday.
Why do I hate Facebook? Well, it's a recent development. I used to not mind Facebook, but that was before I realized how much I put on a metaphorical mask when I log onto Facebook (for more mask stuff, see previous post). On Facebook, I can be anybody I want to. People will look at my pictures and statuses and say, "Wow, this girl is great! She has it all together; look at that status she posted about how much she loves Jesus! And look at those pictures of her on the mission trip! I wish I was that cool." So I put up what I want people to see and in doing that I shape what everyone thinks about me. Facebook is the biggest and most public mask ever created. For example: I can't tell you how many pictures of myself I have untagged; if a picture of me looks slightly weird, I untag it. Can't let anybody see how I look in real life! Instagram (which I love to use) has become popular recently... why? Because you can alter how the picture looks. We don't like real life.
I was talking to one of my best friends about Facebook recently, and we agreed that it is a real problem, especially for girls. We have become so reliant on Facebook! People look to Facebook to find value in themselves. If I post a good picture of myself or a particularly clever status, I will admit that I'm on Facebook about twice as much waiting for a 'like' to affirm how good-looking or smart I am. How pathetic is that?! Especially when there's a heavenly Father who can show us how much we are worth- EVEN on our worst days that nobody else can see. And for people who post "my life sucks" statuses, they're looking for just as much affirmation and attention (something along the lines of: "no, you're beautiful!" or "OMG, whats wrong? If you're posting a vague status about you ex-boyfriend for the whole world to see, it must be important! Text me!").
I've almost stopped posting statuses on Facebook altogether because I'm tired of lying to the world. I'm tired of acting like I'm so happy and excited and feeling "blessed" about everything that happens to me. Really?! Is that really true?! NO. I'm a wreck most of the time!
...I think I just threw up in my mouth a little thinking about all the "masked" posts.
Anyways, I'm still on Facebook all the time. It's a problem and I realize it. I like to know what's happening and I like to know who's in a relationship with who, etc... It's really quite terrible. I'm trying to stop. This summer I'm planning on getting on Facebook minimally. I can't wait.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Eph. 2:8-10)
Fact 2: I probably spend at least an hour on Facebook everyday.
Why do I hate Facebook? Well, it's a recent development. I used to not mind Facebook, but that was before I realized how much I put on a metaphorical mask when I log onto Facebook (for more mask stuff, see previous post). On Facebook, I can be anybody I want to. People will look at my pictures and statuses and say, "Wow, this girl is great! She has it all together; look at that status she posted about how much she loves Jesus! And look at those pictures of her on the mission trip! I wish I was that cool." So I put up what I want people to see and in doing that I shape what everyone thinks about me. Facebook is the biggest and most public mask ever created. For example: I can't tell you how many pictures of myself I have untagged; if a picture of me looks slightly weird, I untag it. Can't let anybody see how I look in real life! Instagram (which I love to use) has become popular recently... why? Because you can alter how the picture looks. We don't like real life.
I was talking to one of my best friends about Facebook recently, and we agreed that it is a real problem, especially for girls. We have become so reliant on Facebook! People look to Facebook to find value in themselves. If I post a good picture of myself or a particularly clever status, I will admit that I'm on Facebook about twice as much waiting for a 'like' to affirm how good-looking or smart I am. How pathetic is that?! Especially when there's a heavenly Father who can show us how much we are worth- EVEN on our worst days that nobody else can see. And for people who post "my life sucks" statuses, they're looking for just as much affirmation and attention (something along the lines of: "no, you're beautiful!" or "OMG, whats wrong? If you're posting a vague status about you ex-boyfriend for the whole world to see, it must be important! Text me!").
I've almost stopped posting statuses on Facebook altogether because I'm tired of lying to the world. I'm tired of acting like I'm so happy and excited and feeling "blessed" about everything that happens to me. Really?! Is that really true?! NO. I'm a wreck most of the time!
...I think I just threw up in my mouth a little thinking about all the "masked" posts.
Anyways, I'm still on Facebook all the time. It's a problem and I realize it. I like to know what's happening and I like to know who's in a relationship with who, etc... It's really quite terrible. I'm trying to stop. This summer I'm planning on getting on Facebook minimally. I can't wait.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Eph. 2:8-10)
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Masks
Alright, well its been about a year since I blogged. Oops. No time to catch up, lets just get right to it.
If you walk by the door and glance into my room, it looks pretty clean. Things are in order, you can see the floor, and every item has its place. However. When I walk in all I see is a mess. School papers crammed into folders, clothes stuffed into drawers, and let's not even begin to talk about how badly I want to vacuum my floor right now (it's been on my to-do list for a week). But if somebody comes in to my room to talk I can shuffle the papers around, close the closet door, and steer their eyes away from the little black pieces of intramural field turf all over my floor.
I can hide my mess.
And boy, am I good at it! But let me tell you, its exhausting... I live in my room. I do homework in my room and occasionally eat in my room. How am I supposed to keep it clean?! I'm constantly walking around my room trying to do little things to make it look tidy. But I will never have it completely clean. Never. Something will always be out of place.
So let me break it down for you. My room is a hidden disaster area. My life is a hidden disaster area. I have nothing right, I'm stressed about a million different deadlines, and I'm counting down the days till I can just go HOME. But I can so easily fool you into thinking that its all together! It's just a mask. An exhausting mask. I'm tired of it. It's time to tell the world: KRISTI IS A MESS.
And it's ok.
Because Jesus is the ultimate life-cleaner. He lovingly cleans up my mess and doesn't get mad at me for letting it get that bad in the first place. He gives me grace. I think it's time to stop worrying about making my life-mess look neat. And duh, that's hard because that mask has been worn my entire life. I'll be honest, I don't exactly know what taking the "have-it-all-together" mask off looks like because I've never done it before. It's scary. What will people think?! But I know that the freedom and rest I'll find in Christ will be a whole lot better than the edge-of-a-nervous-breakdown girl that I am right now. Well, here it goes. I'll keep you updated. (Maybe.)
All of this has been inspired by the book Grace for the Good Girl by Emily Freeman. Buy it. Now.
If you walk by the door and glance into my room, it looks pretty clean. Things are in order, you can see the floor, and every item has its place. However. When I walk in all I see is a mess. School papers crammed into folders, clothes stuffed into drawers, and let's not even begin to talk about how badly I want to vacuum my floor right now (it's been on my to-do list for a week). But if somebody comes in to my room to talk I can shuffle the papers around, close the closet door, and steer their eyes away from the little black pieces of intramural field turf all over my floor.
I can hide my mess.
And boy, am I good at it! But let me tell you, its exhausting... I live in my room. I do homework in my room and occasionally eat in my room. How am I supposed to keep it clean?! I'm constantly walking around my room trying to do little things to make it look tidy. But I will never have it completely clean. Never. Something will always be out of place.
So let me break it down for you. My room is a hidden disaster area. My life is a hidden disaster area. I have nothing right, I'm stressed about a million different deadlines, and I'm counting down the days till I can just go HOME. But I can so easily fool you into thinking that its all together! It's just a mask. An exhausting mask. I'm tired of it. It's time to tell the world: KRISTI IS A MESS.
And it's ok.
Because Jesus is the ultimate life-cleaner. He lovingly cleans up my mess and doesn't get mad at me for letting it get that bad in the first place. He gives me grace. I think it's time to stop worrying about making my life-mess look neat. And duh, that's hard because that mask has been worn my entire life. I'll be honest, I don't exactly know what taking the "have-it-all-together" mask off looks like because I've never done it before. It's scary. What will people think?! But I know that the freedom and rest I'll find in Christ will be a whole lot better than the edge-of-a-nervous-breakdown girl that I am right now. Well, here it goes. I'll keep you updated. (Maybe.)
All of this has been inspired by the book Grace for the Good Girl by Emily Freeman. Buy it. Now.
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