Delighted in December
We are now at the halfway point of the apprenticeship. Five months down, five more to go!
There were a lot of wonderful things that happened this past semester. One of the highlights was our end-of-semester Christmas party. Every year, there's a theme, and this year it was the Polar Express. All of the decorations and activities were Polar Express-themed. There was a train track made out of tape and cardboard that was laid out across the church and that people used to take a tour in some train carts that were also constructed from cardboard and tape. There were board games, arts and crafts, lots of food, and hot chocolate as well. We played the movie, but we also brought the movie to life with the staff performing the hot chocolate dance for all of our students. Everyone wore their pajamas and had a golden ticket. Overall, it was a really fun and exciting night — probably the best FOCUS Christmas party that I've had the privilege of attending so far! Our students also really enjoyed themselves and had a blast, and getting to see that made all the hard work so worth it.
The end of the fall semester also signaled the end of core (for this semester). Our last core was centered on encouragement and challenges. Each student had the chance to be in the spotlight, where everyone else would give them:
It was sweet getting to just sit back and see how everyone was encouraging and challenging one another, how they have seen each other grow in their faith, and knowing that others are witnessing and acknowledging this growth. It made me feel like crying at times because I could see how God was working through and in them and transforming their lives. Although this school year is my second time being a corefa (small group leader), I still wasn't sure how things would go, but one thing I have known and clung to is trust in God and the knowledge that He is the only one who can change others and their lives.
I also gave my very first sermon! It was a nerve-wracking experience like no other. I laughed and cried. I reflected on all that God had been doing in my life and ministry this year. How did I get to be where I am today? It’s all thanks to God. He has blessed me immensely and shown me His love and the true meaning of community through FOCUS.
Looking ahead, I am so excited for all that is to come this spring semester. I have a new set of classes I'm taking. I have new challenges ahead of me. I've learned and grown so much these past five months, and I’m excited to continue down that path over the next five months. Please pray that, as the new semester starts, I am able to learn, grow, and continue to seek God.
Student Testimony Time!
Every month, we feature a student’s testimony of how their time in FOCUS has grown and shaped them. Here is this month’s:
There were a lot of wonderful things that happened this past semester. One of the highlights was our end-of-semester Christmas party. Every year, there's a theme, and this year it was the Polar Express. All of the decorations and activities were Polar Express-themed. There was a train track made out of tape and cardboard that was laid out across the church and that people used to take a tour in some train carts that were also constructed from cardboard and tape. There were board games, arts and crafts, lots of food, and hot chocolate as well. We played the movie, but we also brought the movie to life with the staff performing the hot chocolate dance for all of our students. Everyone wore their pajamas and had a golden ticket. Overall, it was a really fun and exciting night — probably the best FOCUS Christmas party that I've had the privilege of attending so far! Our students also really enjoyed themselves and had a blast, and getting to see that made all the hard work so worth it.
- an encouragement / praise based on what they'd seen them grow in over the course of the semester, and/or
- a challenge that they would like to see them work on in the spring semester
It was sweet getting to just sit back and see how everyone was encouraging and challenging one another, how they have seen each other grow in their faith, and knowing that others are witnessing and acknowledging this growth. It made me feel like crying at times because I could see how God was working through and in them and transforming their lives. Although this school year is my second time being a corefa (small group leader), I still wasn't sure how things would go, but one thing I have known and clung to is trust in God and the knowledge that He is the only one who can change others and their lives.
I also gave my very first sermon! It was a nerve-wracking experience like no other. I laughed and cried. I reflected on all that God had been doing in my life and ministry this year. How did I get to be where I am today? It’s all thanks to God. He has blessed me immensely and shown me His love and the true meaning of community through FOCUS.
Looking ahead, I am so excited for all that is to come this spring semester. I have a new set of classes I'm taking. I have new challenges ahead of me. I've learned and grown so much these past five months, and I’m excited to continue down that path over the next five months. Please pray that, as the new semester starts, I am able to learn, grow, and continue to seek God.
Student Testimony Time!
Every month, we feature a student’s testimony of how their time in FOCUS has grown and shaped them. Here is this month’s:
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