I'm sitting outside of The Preserve (our house) on a blue picnic bench looking across the bay at yet another marvelous sunset in which God shows us his magnificence. This is our last reflection time, our last (scheduled) date night with God. Obviously I will be continuing my quiet times with God and though this is the last Thursday (when I write my posts), there will be one last post on this blog before the end of the trip. I'm considering continuing blogging my spiritual journey on a new blog, so if that would be something you'd like to use to look in on from time and time again, I'll keep you up to date on that situation.
It seems like forever since last Thursday. So much has happened, I don't even know where to start. Saturday we (attempted) to have a co-worker/international student barbecue. We thought that each of us on the mission would have 3-5 people show up, so in the prep process we cooked for around 150 people. God has a great sense of humor... Let's just say we had a bunch of leftovers. In our outreach debrief meeting, Braise, our student leader, commented on how God used it, even though it seemed like a flop, a very tangible example of just giving everything to God. Sunday we attended First Presbyterian as usual and afterward went over to one of the members house in Ocean Pines. Beth, Lou, and their son Alex had us over for tubing and a picnic. They were such good hosts and it was so much fun!
This week is a week of "lasts." Monday was our last TNT (teaching and training) ran by our prayer team. Tuesday was our last bible study. So many feels. It was bittersweet. We sat in the same positions (and awkward spacing) that we did our first bible study where we shared our life stories with one another. I love those girls so much. They have been wonderful friends, giving amazing biblical advice, listening with loving hearts and attentive ears, and always willing to call "porch" when need be. They are really the first Christian girl friends I've ever had (with maybe one or two exeptions) and I had no idea how valuable having women after God's own heart is to have in your corner. I want to thank all three of them for their continuous support, love, and patience they have had with me on this summer of ups and downs. Yesterday was our last life group dinner followed by our last family night, which was by far one of the bests nights of this trip. We had 9 songs (instead of our usual 5), an activity on encouraging one another, and a talk by our very own student mission director, Matthew Burns. His talk was on our faith as a light in our own lives, a light into the lives of others, and a faith that does not lose hope. We then ended by recognizing the images of stones found through out the bible and we took two stones and wrote on one sins that we want to rid ourselves of and throw to the ocean floor. Then as we rid ourselves of our sin, we put on armor of biblical truth, which we wrote on the other stone. On my castaway stone, I wrote; self-worth, control, and anxiety and depression. As for my armor; 1 Peter 5:10 After we have suffered, God WILL restore us.
Tomorrow is my last day at work. If I'm being honest I'm actually going to miss it. Alright, yes, it wasn't the most interesting job in the world, mostly filing and entering information into our company's database. But I've become attached to my co-workers. They may not be my age, but it really has been a joy working with them. My direct boss, Shannon, is hilarious and slightly crazy. You wouldn't expect it on first glance, but she is :P. She has an 8 month old daughter who I'm obsessed with and always has the best stories to tell about motherhood. Sarah, is the Payroll director and I help her out when I've caught up on Shannon's paper work. Sarah also has a young daughter (10 months old) and I love seeing new pictures of her on facebook. Their kids are both so cute. Both Shannon and Sarah along with the other people in the office have been so welcoming and kind. I truly am going to miss riding my bike to work every day and seeing their warm smiles.
As this mission comes to an end, I pray for each and every person on this mission, that God will continue the work he has started in us and let us be lights in this dark world. I also pray for "post-project depression." We have been a part from the real world surrounded by faithful Christians. Though we won't be losing the community that has been created here, it is going to look very different. I just pray that with the Holy Spirit we will use the tools we have been taught this summer and rise above any depression or anxiety we may feel.
I have been so blessed to be on this mission and take part in all of the experiences that I have. I recognize that none of this would have been possible primarily without God, but this is possible through the blessings you have received and decided to use to bless me. Thank you all so much for your love and support. I am so very grateful.
Lots of Love, Maddy
