Hello, Goodbye

The interns! Back Row: Tate, David, Kevin, Jeff. Front Row: Heidi, Sean, Jodie, Alan, me, Patsy. 

I'm writing this final post while sitting on the windowsill of my new apartment at Dordt, listening to Ben Howard's "Old Pine," one of the many songs from my summer in KC (I'd highly recommend it!). I arrived in northwest Iowa on Tuesday afternoon and have jumped right into my internship with Sioux Center Christian School. Before that, I had a week at home to unpack, re-pack, reconnect with family and friends, and welcome a new sister -- Francisca, a beautiful seventeen-year-old from Portugal who will spend the year with my family.

The last week and a half of the internship went quickly. During our four-day trip to the Ozarks, all ten interns and three of the staff stayed together in one condo. Thankfully, the woman on the floor below us only had to tell us once to keep the noise down! That week we cemented many of the relationships that we had been building all summer. Living in close quarters for four days also reminded me of the importance of alone time  -- no matter how much I love those I'm with!

The last four days of our internship were focused on final teachings and preparation for the transition out of this community and into college. I especially appreciate these teachings on transitions now that I am going through one. Jean reminded us that change happens in an instant, but transitions (to be comfortable in the change) can take much, much longer. And during this time of transition -- even if it is an essentially happy one, such as the transition from single to married life -- our emotions, motivations, and routines can be very unstable as we mourn what we are loosing, look forward to what we are gaining, and try to reconcile the too. Though this time is unsettling, we must allow it to happen, as in it we truly embrace both the past and the future without demonizing or idealizing one or the other.

I have been experiencing the unsettling feelings of transition as I try to figure out how to fit together my summer and my school year. It's not going to be easy. But before I left Kansas City, God quietly but deeply reminded me of the truth that Jesus is my very good Shepherd. He is the only one who knows everything about us, and He leads us through different pastures according to His love and knowledge of our hearts. For a season, Jesus lead me to Kansas City and Ascent Ministries. He allowed me to explore the good things He had for me in that place -- deep peace, loving community, an awareness of His presence. Now He has shown me to the gate and asked me to follow Him to the next phase of our journey. Because I trust Him, I follow, knowing that He will lead me always into deeper reliance on His love.

My final prayer request for you all is that God would continue to pour His Spirit onto the staff and work of Ascent Ministries and HopeFaith Ministries as they seek to spread His kingdom in Kansas City. And also that the Spirit would give me the ability to allow Jesus to Shepherd me in the way that He chooses, throughout this school year and into whatever lies after graduation in May.

Your encouragement and prayers are powerful, brothers and sisters! "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

May God bless you as you continue to follow the Shepherd!
In Him,
Alex