Caring

I feel like I haven't been on this thing in FOREVER when in reality, it's only been a few weeks. There's a few reasons I go for awhile without blogging:

1. My life isn't all that interesting

2. Sometimes I have a hard time putting into words what's actually going through my mind

3. I'm flat out too busy(or too lazy) to sit down and type out my thoughts

That being said, you now get to hear my thoughts :)

I've been going to First Woodway here in Waco since I've been at Baylor. We had always just gone to the college service but recently we started going to the actual church service because we missed seeing people other than college kids. I missed seeing the young families, the elderly couples, and just the church family in general. I'm also doing an internship there this semester which has allowed me to get to know more people in the church. In short, I absolutely love the church and the people in the church. I've been able to see how they've clung to Christ after the death of two ministers and how they've used that to grow as a body in Christ together. Don't get me wrong, FBC Rockport will always be my home and they will never be replaced. However, doesn't growing up also include moving on? All of this considered, I'm thinking about moving my membership to First Woodway. And it makes me sad to even say that because I feel like I'm abandoning my church family. It makes me sad to think that I'll walk into FBC Rockport and no longer be a member of the church. Am I being too emotional about this? Probably. I can already hear most of you saying, "Now Erin, just because you aren't a member in the books doesn't mean you aren't a member in our hearts." And I know this. I know my church family won't hate me if I change memberships but it still makes me sad. 

Being too emotional about things leads me into my next thought that's been running through my head lately. I've always had a passion for helping people. Obviously, this means that I care a great deal about people. I do my best to put other peoples needs, feelings, and emotions before mine.  I feel like I automatically put someone before myself and it keeps getting me thrown under the bus. But if someone is going to get hurt, I would rather it be me because I know I'll be fine and I'll move on. So do I care too much? Is it even possible to care too much? On the other hand, I cherish this quality about myself because I think it shows Christ's love through me. I would never want to not have this caring trait but it sometimes gets frustrating.

So that's what's been going through my head the past week or so. I know some of yall want to hear about my trip to Honduras and you will eventually. I'm still processing what I saw and what I'm supposed to do now that I'm back so once I get that figured out, then I'll talk about it.

I'm going home Thursday for Easter and I'm so excited. Since I wasn't in Rockport for Spring Break, I'm looking forward to getting to spend time with family and friends and just take in the beauty of Rockport! 

One more thing! I'm obsessed with this song right. I absolutely love the lyrics and the meaning that it conveys. 

*edit-this is easily the most personal blog post I've ever done and it makes me slightly uncomfortable to allow everyone to see it. However, I'm assuming the only people that read this are those that legitimately care about me. So why not allow it to be put out there?

Figuring it out

When I was in elementary school, I remember thinking, "Man, when I'm 20, I'm gonna have it all figured out." I just knew that I would fulfill all my hopes and dreams by the ripe age of 20 years old. I really did think that by this time in my life, I would know who I was gonna spend the rest of my life with, I would know what my career would be, and I would have life all figured out. You know what? I know absolutely none of those answers to those questions. None. I haven't found "the one", I don't know what I'm going to do with my life, and I certainly don't have it all figured out. However, I've recently figured out that no one has life all figured out. But you know what?

It's okay! 

I don't have to have it all figured out. I don't have to know what my life plan is. When it comes down to it all, it doesn't matter what my plans are. I'll admit, I have huge expectations for my life. I dream about where I want to be in 20 years and I dream big. I want to help families. I want to show them the love of Christ. I want to bring people to Jesus. I want to be married to a man that loves Christ more than He loves me. When my life is finished, I want to hear God tell me, "Well done, child." Honestly, those dreams slightly freak me out because they're big. 

However, those dreams are NOTHING compared to what God has in store for my life. My dreams are big but God's dreams for me are bigger. 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20

Valentines Day and such

Tomorrow is Valentines Day. If you didn't know that and you have a significant other, I think some stores are still open and if you get lucky, you could probably find a one dollar box of assorted chocolates. But let's hope it doesn't come to that.

Along with Valentines Day comes the flood of Facebook statuses about people(mainly girls) wishing they had a Valentine for the day. They want that special someone to share their love with.

LISTEN UP LADIES: You do not need a guy to make you complete!!

You do not need a man to make your life whole. I realize it's really awesome when you find someone, but don't think that you're gonna die alone because you haven't found anyone by the age of 18. Your worth does not depend on the guy you aren't/are dating.

Rant over.

I've started my internship at First Woodway and I couldn't be more excited about it. I'm loving getting to know the people at Woodway better and I'm so glad I'm able to get this experience. It's only 3-4 hours a week so it's not a lot but I'm still super happy that this opportunity was given to me. I have a conference time with my mentor once a week, I'm involved in a discipleship bible study on Wednesdays that is based on raising Godly children, I'll be involved with different groups starting up a family ministries program and also one that is developing a curriculum for a family devotional based on missions.

It's also nice that people up here are getting to know my heart and my passions with ministry. I've been up here for almost two years and people know my personality and what I like/dislike. However, it's nice that a person within the church is getting to know my heart for families within the church. Also, as much as I absolutely LOVE Rockport and FBC Rockport, it's kinda nice that the people at First Woodway just know me as Erin. They don't know me as Bobby and Kathryn's Daughter. Or Courtney and Joey's sister. Don't get me wrong, I'm extremely proud to be known as those things. However, it's nice that they just know me for me. They know me as Erin, the girl from Baylor that is passionate about working with families and helping them grow closer to Christ.

Thankfulness

I'm in an Intro to Ministry class this semester which I absolutely love. It's a small class so we're able to discuss things and I find it super interesting to see all the different viewpoints thrown into the pot. We each came from a home church and we each attend a church here in Waco. Each of those churches have given us different experiences. Today, we were talking about the polity, or government, of the church. This is a topic that I honestly didn't even pay attention to until I was called into ministry. We talked about deacons, elders, committees, senior pastors, the whole bit.

At FBC Rockport, we have multiple ministers, deacons, committees, and of course, the congregation. After hearing the experiences of the other students in my class, I was reminded how blessed and thankful I am. I heard stories of abuses of power by the head pastor, abuse by the head pastor, hatred from the congregation towards a number of different ministers, and it just left me shocked. I'm so thankful for a loving church family. I'm thankful for a head pastor that deeply cares about his church congregation. I'm thankful for a head pastor that tells us the Word of God whether we want to hear it or not; whether it's easy to hear or not. I'm thankful for a church family that has always supported me, prayed for me, and loved me for who I am. I'm thankful for my church obeying Christ by sending out members on multiple mission trips. I'm so thankful.

In a number of my Child and Family Studies classes, we get into some deep topics. I hear stories from students that involve abuse, tragedy, hatred, sorrow, and disappointment from their parents. I'm constantly reminded of how thankful I am for my family. I have a family that unconditionally loves me. I have parents that support my actions and show me a glimpse of Christs' love for His children. I grew up in a household absent of hate, abuse, and violence. I'm so so so thankful for that. I hear classmates talk about siblings that don't talk anymore or parents that have caused them to not believe in love. I'm so thankful for awesome siblings. I'm so thankful for a family that has showed me how to live out my faith. How to show people love. How to truly trust in Christ in every situation. I'm so thankful. I'm so blessed.

I don't want this post to come off as bragging because I'm definitely not. I'm simply putting into words how awesome God is. I'm stating how undeserving of this I am, yet He gives me so much. He gives me more than I could ever ask for and I'm so thankful. 

Spring Semester

I've officially been to all of my classes and I have to say, I'm pretty excited about my classes! I say that now, but ask me in 2 months, and I might have a different answer. So here's all you'll want to know about my classes this semester...

Nutrition

I'm not too terribly excited about this class but I'm also not dreading it. The teacher seems really nice as most of them are in the Family and Consumer Science department. Embarrassing story time. On the first day of class, I went into the room, sat down, got my binder out, and then realized I was in the wrong class. I'm a junior, people!! I should not be going to the wrong room anymore! So once I got to the right room (on time, actually!), I was able to actually get a feel for the class. 

Introduction to Ministry

I already LOVE this class. First off, there's only 13 of us in the class which is always great. Then, instead of desks, we sit around a big round table in comfy chairs. Then, my professor told us that he is going to take our class out to dinner(and pay!) in the next month so he can get to know us all outside of the classroom setting. How awesome is that?! I absolutely love Baylor professors. In the class, we get paired up with a minister in town that goes along with the ministry we are going into. For that internship, we spend 3-4 hours a week with that minister getting hands on experience in that field. Super excited about it!

British Literature

Bleh. Not my thang. However, the professor seems super nice and he's very passionate about the subject. I can tell that he desperately wants us to love the literature just like he does. Still. Bleh.

Child and Family Policy and Advocacy

This class is for my Child and Family Studies major so I already love it. I love the professor and I love how he runs class. He's very laid back and really wants us to learn the material and be passionate about it. As a class, we also get to take a trip to Austin for a conference on Family Relations. And we get to track a bill throughout the semester to see the whole process. I think it'll be super interesting! 

Family Stress, Transition, and Resilience

I'm super excited about this class! The professor that teaches it is my adviser and I've had her many times before and I absolutely love her. Once again, it's a Child and Family Studies class so I'm already in love. The class is very open and there's a lot of discussion so I think it'll be really interesting.

In case you weren't aware, it's stinkin cold up here. Not just like chilly, but painfully and miserably cold. I was walking to class today at 12:30 and the wind blew ice out of the tree and onto my face. Umm excuse me, I grew up in South Texas, this girl is not used to this cold nonsense. 

By Our Love

Brothers, let us come together 

Walking in the Spirit, there's much to be done...

We will come reaching, out from our comforts

And they will know us by our love...

Sisters, we were made for kindness

We can pierce the darkness as He shines through us...

We will come reaching, with a song of healing...

And they will know us by our love!

The time is now

Come Church arise...

Love with His hands

See with His eyes...

Bind it around you,

Let it never leave you,

And they will know us by our love...

Children, You are hope for justice,

Stand firm in the Truth now, set your hearts above

You will be reaching, long after we’re gone,

And they will know you by your love! 

Christmas, Passion, Back to School

I'm gonna start off by saying that there is absolutely no way that I can possibly put into words everything that has happened over the past few weeks. I feel like my break was only one week long but it also feels like I've been out of school for so long! 

We'll talk about Christmas first. Joey and Courtney got to come home for Christmas which is always very nice. Unfortunately, Justin didn't get to come because he had to work. Now that we're older, I love the time that we all get to spend together. I'm not quite sure I like this whole "growing up" business, though. I miss my siblings too much! Anywho, my grandpa was able to come home on Christmas Eve which was definitely an answer to prayer! It's been a difficult few weeks getting him settled at home and making sure he behaves, but I think things have finally stayed positive for a few weeks and there is an end to his injury at last! He was even able to come to Sunday School on Sunday and I know that being back in church just made him so happy. He's been missing his church family like crazy so I'm glad he's finally able to go back. Christmas included lots and lots of family, food, laughter, and Jesus! Just how it should be, right?

A week after Christmas, 22 of us loaded into vans and started the 16 hour drive to Atlanta, Georgia for Passion 2013. People keep asking me how Passion was and I just keep telling them it was awesome but I honestly have no idea what to tell them. I'll try my best to explain it so you can understand a glimpse of how awesome it was. First off, it was very encouraging. People describe my generation as lazy, self-centered, and rude. I spent 4 days with 60,000 young adults that would prove that wrong. I think it's hard to comprehend just how crazy 60,000 people is. To be in a stadium with 60,000 people worshiping Christ was an experience I will never forget. It was so encouraging to see all those people and know they are in love with Christ and that even after Passion, they will go out and set the world on fire with His love. 

God always does some pretty awesome things during Passion, and let me tell you, He definitely didn't disappoint this year. I mean, with 60,000 people desiring to know God more, Francis Chan, Louie Giglio, Beth Moore, John Piper, Lecrae, David Crowder, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, and Kristian Stanfill, how could things not be awesome? For me, God showed me how I need to give more to Him. More time, more love, more energy, more trust, and more faith. He does SO much for me and He deserves so much, yet I give him so little. So that's what God put on my heart. Ask other people that went and I'm sure they'll be more than happy to tell you about their experience. I couldn't have asked for a better group to spend 4 days in Atlanta and 32 hours on a van with. We all got really close and we're ready to make a difference. 

Also at Passion, we learned about slavery in the world today. Right now there are 27 million enslaved people around the world. That's just crazy. These slaves include children as young as preschool, which is very hard to understand. At Passion, we raised $3,170,000 for human slavery. To learn more about it, go to enditmovement.com. Plus, watch this video:

http://cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2013/01/08/exp-passion-movement.cnn.html

I could've (and probably should've) taken a million pictures while we were in Atlanta, but these are just a few of the ones I had. 

 This is my awesome family group. Out of the 60,00 people, you split into Community Groups based on the color you are assigned. After that, you're placed in a family group of 8-10 people that you've never met before. You end up sharing things with them that you normally wouldn't share and it's just really awesome. 

So that's the very short version of Passion! I leave to go back to Waco tomorow and I'm still not packed. It'll be nice to be back in Waco, but it's always very hard for me to leave Rockport after I've had a long break. However, I am excited for this semester and everything that is happening!