i just had my last meeting with kim about my summer funternship last week. it was pretty bittersweet to say the least. initially ending my collegiate year, i had my sights set on seminary and taking the world on headstrong.
how foolish this would have been as i was completely blind and ill equipped in many different ways...
Fast Forward to today:
we had our last staff meeting of the summer yesterday. oh man. i think i was about to cry multiple times, and i did kinda tear up a few times, but i dont think anyone saw me. :phew:
we all went around and shared about how our experience with the internship went. and from my standpoint. this was basically what i shared...
I wasn't sure what to expect going into the funternship. it was going to be the way in which i would find answers for my future-- whether that be in ministry or not. it was going to be a way to find out what really goes on behind the scenes of ministry. i had hoped to figure out what the reality of life had to offer and what that entailed...
but let me say this...
I have been so blessed to be a summer intern. if i could put this into better words, i would. but simply, this internship was one of the best things to happen in my life. out of so many different things, i would have to say this internship was a catalyst for the rest of my future. it changed my heading and i believe that my life will be completely different...
i originally thought that i was going to just be convicted more of my sin and learn how to grow from it. that did happen, but so much more went on...
i learned more on how to have the right mind, heart, and love for God, His Word, and one another. i learned how to be a servant and to further die to my own selfish desires. i learned how to see the Bible rightly, to be able to see with the right lenses God and the world around us. there's so much more...but I dont know what else i can say other than i'm just so glad this happened.
Everyone at the office is such example of what it means to love God and treasure Him rightly. it was all so richly and vividly displayed... I was able to grow more and be humbled even more by the service of those around me. It was the biggest blessing to serve alongside everyone this summer. i dont think there is anything that compares. and yah... :D
(this was a rough summation of what i said)
after we each shared, kim asked one of the leaders to offer words of encouragement and to pray for us.
I got josh, and this is for sure where i almost cried. I don't think i've said this before, but i respect josh so much. and it's not because he's a genius or dealing with his intelligence. but it's because he loves God so much, and it shows with the way he interacts with us lowly interns, and most importantly his family.
we were invited into his home this year for intern study, with him just sitting on a chair in front of us while his daughters ran around and kicked balls at us. he held hunter while talking to us...and when he did, i instantly lost focus as i was mesmerized by his sons smile. all the while he discussed covenant vs dispensationalism. it was just a great picture of what true vine works looks like.
anyways, he encouraged me by talking about how i serve others such as hanging out with his kids sacrificing energy, time, and monies. he encouraged me to continue to minister to others through this, and that it's definitely a different type of ministry that's unorthadox...but should be expanded upon. he emphasized the high energy factor that i have to have in order to do this. lol. :D it was super awesome/encouraging to hear this from josh. he then prayed for me. ahhhhh, i was so touched. this has been such a blessing!!!!
i also expressed how i'd been writing this blog trying to think of what to write in summation of the time i've had, and there isn't really much i can say that was going to encompass all emotions. i guess it was more, just something that i just soaked in from working here. . .
i don't know what to express but utter gratitude towards kim, gav, dave, josh, jee, jesse, eric, brian, and eufemio...
their pearls of wisdom made everyday, a day filled with many great things to learn.
their never-ending amount of joy and humor spread into my heart.
their deep love for God and His will excited my soul.
their words of encouragement have helped give me direction for the future.
and their words of ways for myself to improve have impacted me in the most convicting manner possible...
i wish i could write down all that i learned for you all, but instead i'll include one quote or idea that i've gained from this funternship from each one of the aforementioned persons...
Kim - "stay true to your convictions you've expressed" & "treasure Christ rightly"
Gav - "we want to be faithful to those who have 40 hour workweeks and give 40hrs +10." & "just sit before the Word and let it speak to you."
Dave - "be wise to steward your time productively. there are things in your life...those things that aren't sinful in and of themselves, but is that where you want to use your time? remember that in ministry every minute counts, as our business deals with lost souls."
Jesse - "the best way to love is to pick and choose your battles wisely. always being right in arguments isn't your priority, it's to love the other person rightly."
Eric - "ministry is hard"
Jee - "don't let the fear of man dictate your decision." & "don't just use the church as a scapegoat, stand up for what your choosing to do."
Brian - "you have to understand, we're all at different points in our sanctification." & "we're in the business of saving souls, and business is good."
Eufemio - "there's still so much to learn." & "it's all by God's grace that we're here"
go back to the beginning of the story:
so as kim was praying for me and putting closure on the funternship...i think i almost cried multiple times...but i refused because i wanted to stay professional =] we embraced and i left. ahhhhh, i'm too sad that it's over. =[
buttt...this has undoubtably been one of the best times of my life. :D so exciting.
Praise be to God. All Glory be to God.
so now what's next for JT? i'll update you all tomorrow or the day afterrr...i needs to sleep.
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