Week #Who Knows?

Well folks, sorry that I haven't been the best at updating this thing.

Stuff has been SUPER busy over the past weeks. I've finally started to settle into a rhythm at the office, and I finally feel like each day I have some real tasks to accomplish and some regular responsibilities, etc. I'm really enjoying working at Suncrest. I feel like I'm connecting with our staff pretty well, and that's been very enjoyable for me. Bobby (my mentor) and I are making a pretty formidable team. I'm really enjoying working/learning from him.

While we're talking about office staff, I guess I should mention that our East Campus pastor, Doug, and his wife Sheila finally got the chance to celebrate the birth of their 5th child, a little girl named Lydia, yesterday at 3pm. She was only 9 days overdue (note sarcasm). Some things are better late than never, I guess. Anyway, I got to visit them at the hospital today and that was really great. Mom and baby are doing well, and they should be home tonight.

Doing a lot of video stuff lately... I feel pretty cool working with our cameras and taping and all that kind of stuff. I've been doing a ton of editing, which is very tedious work at times, but usually I enjoy it. I'm now the in-charge person for recording and filming Greg, our lead pastor, as he delivers his message on Thursday afternoons for us to record and get to East Campus for that Sunday's services. Last week was my first week... a little rough in spots, but a good experience.

We've also re-launched our "Cultivate Blog" (you can click on the words for a link to the site). On Sunday, we launched our Thrive series, which I think is going to be awesome. It talks about how we can do more than just survive tough times in our lives, but how we can actually embrace and grow in them. The first Sunday was great... there was a real energy in the room. Anyway, we are doing a 21 day devotional journey on the Cultivate blog. Each day on the blog there will be a new Scripture to read, as well as a short devo video from someone at Suncrest. I filmed a ton of these videos, and I'm actually the speaker in 4 of them (in fact, tomorrow is one such video). Check out the blog at www.suncrestcultivating.blogspot.com!!

Well, I've probably talked enough. Hope you enjoyed the update, and I promise I'll try to do better on here. Definitely keep praying for me to form some relationships with folks here at Suncrest, for me to keep learning, and also just for finances to keep working out. I am feeling pretty penniless most of the time, but I have no doubts that God will keep providing in unexpected ways.

Thanks guys! Love you all.

the journey continues...

Week #3

This week brought with it some first time leading experiences and a few new relationships.

Sunday was pretty fun. I played in the band at the West campus and also did communion comments. I was pretty happy with how stuff went and it was really great to finally get a chance to jump in and do something at church. I also got a chance this week to lead worship for student ministry on Tuesday night, and that was awesome. The students were great and I got a chance to chat with a few people afterwards, which is always a good thing.

But the end of the week was really a lot of fun. I went into the office after lunch on Thursday and got to work on a few projects, but around 5 or so, I went with my boss, Bobby, over to his home for some spaghetti and meatballs (and also cupcakes with the best icing ever!) to celebrate his son Sawyer's 4th b-day. I also got to hang out with Kay, one of our worship volunteers and her two daughters, and they're all awesome. Then on Friday afternoon, I went out with Bobby and his family to see Ice Age 3 and then we had dinner at Joe's Crab Shack, which again, was awesome.

This morning, I went to church early and led worship for a community group leader training event, and that was pretty cool too. Very slowly, but surely, I'm beginning to feel a touch more at home here in NW Indiana. I've still got a ways to go, but things are ever so slightly feeling a little more normal. Keep praying though!

the journey continues...

wb

Week #2

Well, it's been a very busy, but very good, first full week here at Suncrest.

Slowly but surely, I feel like I'm starting to get my feet under me and like I'm also getting to know some people. I'm growing closer to my mentor, Bobby, and his awesome family, and I think that's a really great thing. I'm also starting to gain a few new skills and start to come to a better understanding of what exactly it is that I do around here.

Overall, things are pretty good right now, I suppose. Still doesn't feel like home quite yet, but I'm really hoping that over the next month or two that will slowly become the case. I am really missing people at home and at school quite considerably... it's tough to log onto facebook and see people I know and love with statuses like, "I'm out and about with so and so," because I wish I could be there! Right now my life is pretty much go to work and then come home each day... would like to make some new friends soon who could possibly change that up a little bit! I know that will come in time.

I got to do a lot of different stuff this week. I got my feet wet with a little bit of video editing, and I'm sure I'll have some more opportunities at that in the future. This week I'm also playing in the worship band for our West (main) campus, which will be cool. I'm also doing our communion comments this week, so that will be something pretty neat too, I suppose!

For right now, I'd just love your prayers as I continue to get my feet wet here at Suncrest. I'd also love prayers for God's financial provision for me. So far, he's been very gracious and bountiful with me. A real theme in my life recently has been God's faithfulness, especially when we don't deserve it. I know I can bank on God's promises to always provide and be there for me... it's just that doing it is a different matter. Nevertheless, I am confident!

the journey continues...

wb

Week #1

Well, thought I'd take a little time off here at the office to update.

Things are going really well! I moved in on Tuesday evening. Right now, I'm living with a guy named Lonnie. Lonnie's a stock person for a local area Target, so it's actually kind of like living by myself a lot of the time because he works weird hours (usually like 4a-11/12a 5x a week). Lonnie's wife is named Tonia, and I actually haven't met her yet. She's an auditor for T-Mobile, and so she is generally out of town during the week, and then comes back Friday night for the weekends. I'm looking forward to meeting her. They also have a cat named Cosmo, and for those of you who know how great I am with the Animal Kingdom, you will probably laugh at that fact. I'm pretty sure Cosmo hates me now because I accidentally kicked him last night... he was under a table and I didn't see him. Oh well.

But so far, I'm really enjoying the internship. I started on Wednesday, and while I'm still not sure exactly what I'm always supposed to be doing, I'm finding some stuff and overall just trying to stay active and involved in things. I'm getting ready to play for the first time on stage next weekend, and then I'm actually leading worship on the 18th for a Student Life Worship event. That should be interesting. I'm really excited to see my first few worship services this weekend! Should be great!

Anyway, I should probably start working on some other stuff now. Just thought I'd drop by and check in! Thoughts and prayers, as always, are welcomed.

the journey continues...

wb

Getting Excited...

Well, today was an active day for me, considering that I haven't even arrived at Suncrest yet...

My day began at 9 (8 out in St. John) when I called in to share in a prayer meeting with Bobby, the minister I will be interning under, along with several other worship staff. Even though my phone kept cutting in and out, I could really sense that they were excited to have me coming there, and I know that they are very passionate and committed to serving God in the best way possible. The fact that they would think to include me in that meeting was really cool to me as well.

Then, later on at 12 (11 there), I got to call in and be part of the "Genesis" meeting. Again, phone was cutting in and out and I couldn't always hear clearly, but it was really cool to get to listen to a whole team of people creatively plan and think about what's going to be happening in the future. Listening to some of the personalities in the room, I know I am going to feel right at home and I am going to love working there.

All in all, I'm getting really excited! I know that there are many challenges in store, but I am really looking forward to them and learning a ton as I leave soon.

Still trying to get finances in order, but I am not worried. I just have this sense that God is going to provide and help me through. We'll see. I'm still not sure if I want to send some support letters to a few various people, but I might. Who knows.

Anyway, the theme of the day is excitement. I'm really excited to be a part of such a cool community at Suncrest. I can't wait to see what God is doing there and what He has in store.

the journey continues...

wb

Welcome.

Well, I guess you have to start somewhere.

Today was a long and rewarding, yet difficult day. I said goodbye to a bunch of great people at Southwest Church in Springboro today. That was tough. I will definitely miss everyone. Stay in touch!!

But for real, this blog was started to try and give some regular updates about my work as an intern with Suncrest Christian Church in St. John, IN (near Chicago). I hope you guys find this interesting, and my hope is that this will be a great way to keep everyone updated.

I'd love to hear from you! Don't be a stranger.

The journey continues...