Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. This was hung on the wall of my ninth-grade biology classroom and pointed out on a regular basis as our teacher sought to set us up for success, both in her classroom and beyond. If you read many of my posts, you know that sponsoring is a huge love of mine and a big part of my ministry here at … Continue reading The Big Event: Planning
There is something special about the RVA community. We work together, we laugh together, we go to church together, we do ministry together. Sometimes, it is too much together, and other times it just isn’t enough. I have come to love this community, my rhythms, my routines, the people I see on a regular basis. But what continues to blow me away is how people … Continue reading Community Blessings. Community Prayers.
Once more, one of my favorite times of the school year has come and gone. It used to be called interim, but now has more aptly been renamed “African Field Studies (AFS).” It’s a time where our 11th and 12th grade students head off on adventures all across the continent, many in Kenya but a few beyond, to learn about other cultures, ministry contexts, some … Continue reading Adventure Is Out There!!!
Let me tell you about my fun week! I wish I had pictures of some of this to share with you, but I find some of the most spontaneous moments of joy don’t have a camera poised and ready to capture it, so here is my attempt at a few word pictures of what this past week has looked like… It started on Monday. Eighth … Continue reading Snippets of Stories
Usually I write a blog post when I’m inspired, when something happens that I think is really funny, or really moving. Typically, there is always a story mulling in the back of my mind just waiting for me to put it down on paper. Welp. It’s been over a month and there isn’t anything ground breaking that I’ve said, “THAT’S IT! That’s the one I … Continue reading Simple Joys
They call it a “Sunrise Summit.” The goal is to reach the summit by sunrise, and watch the world awaken around you from over 16,000 ft of elevation. As the guys began to stir and the world was still dark, I knew it was time. I rolled out of bed and packed up my sleeping bag. I’d worn to bed what I’d hike in on … Continue reading The Hardest Thing I’ve Ever Done (2/2)
I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I just knew that my work permit will be expiring in March, and there has been a delay on many people’s renewals for the last few years-my batch was pretty much the last batch that passed through without over a years’ delay on processing. Why is this an important fact? Well, the trip over doubles … Continue reading The Hardest Thing I’ve Ever Done. (1/2)
If you’ve chatted with me at all while I’ve been home or around, you know that one of my prayer requests has been for the class of 2026. I began sponsoring them over two years ago, that is, working with their student officers, planning monthly weekend activities called “class nights.” Class nights always mean providing snack for 65+ students, organizing a prayer time for our … Continue reading Twenty Six
Staffing here at RVA can sometimes be a challenge with the home assignment/furlough cycle of people needing coverage, and with the shot-term pattern missions seems to be shifting toward, RVA has seen a lot of staffing turn over in the past couple of years. This year, the staffing shortage seems to be exacerbated just a bit, leaving gaps in unexpected places, and stretching some staff … Continue reading A Recipe For Success
Overnight. That’s how fast I went from feeling totally on top of things to completely overwhelmed. Was I an entire unit planned in advance? Yes I was! Was I completely caught up on grading? Miraculously. Was I able to spend my evenings taking my dog for a walk, or even going to bed early? Yes. So how is it yesterday I found myself on my … Continue reading They Need Me.
Faithful Footsteps 