Week three of GMS just passed by, and I realized that as I'm settling into life here in the North Pole, I find myself playing a lot of catch up with friends and family. With a lot of questions centering around what I'm actually doing here. So, since I'm not anywhere near falling asleep tonight (the curse of an unintentionally long nap), I will try to recap for you. Also, feel free to keep asking questions. As wonderful as this is, it's still so very, very lovely to hear from home.
Okay. So, when I got here, I honestly didn't even know what I was going to be doing. I just knew that I was coming to Vermont, and that people from all over the United States would be here, and that somehow, it was going to change my life.
The first couple of days (like the first few weeks of college) were about matching faces with names and then schools and majors. We have people from Alabama to Montana, to California and Indiana, and that diversity is partly what makes it so great. Like I do with most situations, I came in and started wondering what role I should assume. At UGA, there are enough chiefs so that usually I can get by with a good bit of following.
When I got to Vermont I felt as if I was free to be...free (I'll expand on this later). But that's just how Vermont makes you feel, really. As I unpacked my stuff into my room, I thought of all the possibilities before me. I seriously considered being an introvert all summer, for about five minutes...while I was folding and storing my clothes in my empty room. Then I realized that I'm about as introverted as I am tall, so that didn't work out. Then I considered reverting to the role I always assume, which requires me to feel as little as possible, and be as efficient as I can. Which is really one of the areas in which I'm growing the most. And finally, with an empty room, and the remnants of nostalgia at saying goodbye to my daddy for the millionth time (which is still strange, unnatural, and heartbreaking even after two years of college), I sat down to think about why I was here and what that meant for who I needed to be, or how I needed to let God change/mold/use me. So I wound up just praying. Praying that God would transform me into the new creation that He's died for me to be, and that I would welcome change and be eager to grow towards becoming that.
Since then, there have been a whirlwind of emotional, intellectual, and transformational realizations about my faith that are just overwhelming, so I'll try my best to keep writing every once in a while to log them, because as I'm looking at my notes now I'm a little overwhelmed. I want to tell you a little about what we actually do before I jump straight into writing a novel.
Every day, everyone works in different places around Burlington until around 5:30. At 6:00, we have a family style dinner prepared by our wonderfully incredible chef and sous chef. After dinner comes testimony time, where we get to hear all about someone here and how God has worked and is working in their lives. On Monday nights we have Navnites, which include worship and a message (I could write a series on just each message; just briefly, we've talked about Shalom, living the kingdom of God here, and loving one another), which really just sets us off to a good start for the week. Tuesday nights, we have Salt and Light, which is training in Evangelism, which ranges from learning how to be curious about others, to why we even share the gospel. Wednesdays, we come together at 4:00 and have the choice to either play sports or do art. Then at 6:00, we have a grill out that we can invite our friends/coworkers in the community to come to. It's a particularly fun night because our Burlington friends understand a little better why we're here. Thursday nights, we have team Bible studies. There are eight teams with leaders who are either on staff, or have previously attended a Summer Training Program. We're going through the book of Colossians in depth this summer. I feel like I have so much to say about that, but I have to pace myself because I'm scared I'm already losing your attention. I'll try later this week. Then Friday-Sunday are a little more relaxed, and up to us to decide how to spend our time, which we usually end up spending together. It's a little bit ridiculous how quickly community was established.
I'm sure you've seen lots of pictures of me having lots of fun right now, and I'm not going to try and sound like I'm not. I go to the beach on a regular basis, we go hiking, adventuring at night, and play games till two in the morning sometimes. That having been said, the focus of my time here is simply Jesus.
That's the thing about Colossians, it's very small, but when you look at it closely it has this sneak attack depth about who Jesus is and what that means for us. I mean, just simply that He is the image of God makes my head spin. The things we're studying in Colossians, and learning in our individual devotionals, and conversations with each other and our leaders, lead to the undeniable truth that Jesus is so much bigger than our understanding, so much greater than our expectations, and so much more than we attribute Him to be--and it is those very things that make Him God. And not just this God that we see as a figure of authority, but a God to be praised and admired and desired.
There's so much I want to say, but there's not a chance that I can get it all written coherently tonight. So I'll try again tomorrow.
So, there is my very messy introduction to what this experience has been. Know that I am so very joyful, and awed, and blessed to be here. Thank you so much for your love and support!
A few final things:
1. like I said, hearing from home is so fun! Shoot me an email, or send me a letter to:
Box 18
85 So. Prospect Street
Burlington, VT 05405
I'd love to hear from you/answer questions/catch up!
2. I am still in the process of funding. If you could pray for that process and for my own faith in God's provision, I would so very greatly appreciate it! Also, to those who have supported me, thank you so much! Words cannot express how thankful I am for your help in this incredible summer!
3. If you could pray for me and my continued growth this summer, I would so very much appreciate it. I have already been so blessed. In my experience though, I've learned that Satan gets intimidated by God's work and does all he can to prevent it. Just pray for the ministry here in Burlington, for continued spiritual growth in my own life, and for the miraculous power of God to trek through whatever may come our way this summer.
I know that was long, but thanks so much for reading! I'll try to be more frequent with updates so that I don't feel so terribly behind, and you all are in the loop as to what the heck is going on in the North Pole.
Still missing Chickfila, sweet tea, and your sweet southern faces,
Mary
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