I've come to accept it, but I've grown to hate it. For the last few years I have felt like change is the major theme of my life. I haven't felt the constant, steady pattern of life that some people have. Or many nobody really has that? Who knows. All I know is that even today my life brings more change and will continue to do so in the coming days. As many of you know, I have one last semester of school before I graduate with my Bachelors. That's only four more months until I'm supposed to officially begin my life in my chosen field of study. I've been living with a family I met back in January (a couple I traveled to Japan with and their five kids). Tomorrow I more out- a bitter sweet moment. Bitter because I love them all so dearly, and God has truly blessed me this summer because of them- sweet because it just means I am moving forward in my life. I'll be living with a couple who works at my school which will be just as great, I'm sure. God has already used them to encourage and bless me and I haven't even moved in yet! It is a steady reminder of Gods provision and presence in my life. So yes, one last semester which I'm sure will fly by, and then my time at Corban will come to an end. If you have been following the updates via my Facebook, you know that I have been raising support to be sent out into the missions field to work for Young Life Military. I am slowly understanding that everything in my life has been preparing me for a time such as this. God surely has given me a passion to work with youth, specifically through the ministry in which I came to know Christ, and specifically with military kids. I am beyond thrilled and beyond scared. I am hoping to be at my fundraising goal by the time I graduate in December and quickly move to a base where I will be running the Young Life ministry. You've probably heard this all already, but here is my financial info incase you haven't. Younglife is a donor based, non-profit ministry that exists to bring every Kid to Christ. In order to do that, staff must raise their own support and I am currently in that process. I have to raise $31,600 annually in order to make this all possible. That is about $2,633 in monthly donations ($2,000 of which is my actual salary). To qualify to be placed in the field I must have 80% of that pledged as well as have 3 months worth in my account ($7,899). To be honest, I'm only at about 9% funded... and that makes me nervous. However, I have faith that my supporters will come through and God will work everything together. If you would like to know more please ask! Okay, that rant is over. So, change. Change is all around me and sometimes it's hard to come to terms with. I know most of you have felt this before so if you have any words of wisdom please pass them along. I will never turn down an encouraging word! Sorry for such a small update. I'm not too great at this blogging thing, but I do know how important it will be especially once I'm in the field. So give me grace and pray that I would be more diligent in this. I do desire to keep all of my supporters and friends involved as much as possible. I'll write soon. Be encouraged, be fruitful and be Jesus to someone today! Tori
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Hello my friends! I have so much I need to be doing right now (for work and for school) but I couldn't help but fill you in on what my last week has consisted of. Unibrows, mud wrestling, Hawaiian Laue's, an overwhelming amount of food and ice cream, waterslides, obstacle courses, crazy dancing, loud music and a whole lot of Jesus. That's right- you guessed it- YoungLife Camp. This last week I had the privilege of taking a group of awesome middle school students to Washington Family Ranch- Creekside. One of the greatest places on earth (if not THE greatest). It was a last minute decision really, as the leader who was set to go broke her knee just a few days before. For those of you who don't know, YoungLife is the reason I came to know the Lord, the reason I am where I am today, and honestly the reasons I'm still alive. Because of the ministry of YoungLife, Jesus rescued me from a life of brokenness and defeat and welcomed me into His family full of joy, hope and love. So of course I would jump at the chance to take some students to a place where Jesus has been known to work miracles. Not to say He is limited to YoungLife Camp, because He is definitely not, but if you know anything about YoungLife, you know that many, many kids come to camp with broken hearts, and leave with the hope of Jesus Christ- it's an overwhelmingly amazing experience. Going to camp as a leader is much different than going as a camper (and I have done both), but every year I get to lead there- I am reminded of just how amazing my old YoungLife leader is. Going as a camper is one thing... you get to have the BEST week of your life, but going as a leader is far greater because you get to be a part of giving a kid the best week of their life. I'm not exaggerating when I say that we go above and beyond for kids at camp. We pack their days full of activities that are a once in a lifetime experience. We eat some of the most amazing food, we dance like mad men, and we listen to short messages about what life is like with Jesus. For most kids, camp is the first place they are treated the way they should be... like royalty. I love how YoungLife does everything in its power to make sure that each kid leaves feeling loved, valued, special and wanted. Not just loved, valued and wanted by their YoungLife leader, but by someone far greater- Jesus! I could go on and on about how amazing camp is for kids, (I mean come on, they scrape bird poop off of the sidewalk because they know that God wants the cleanest experience for His kids. They pull every weed in sight, scrub every toilet twice a day, and even shine the soccer balls). Like I said, I could go on. But the point I want to get across is this... This last week, over 100 kids gave their life to Jesus at Creekside (7 of which were from my area!!!). There are 8 groups of campers that attend creekside this summer. and Creekside is just one of 32 YoungLife camps across the world. YoungLife is only one of the amazing ministries around the world. Are you getting this through your head!? God is doing great things and I feel so honored that He uses me to be a part of it. I hope you feel just as honored as I do because if you are actively living for Him, He uses you too. One last thing I wanted to share was a song that we sang at camp... It truly encompasses what ministry is all about... Because of Jesus we will never be the same. When you rolled the stone away, when you walked out of the grave, you were standing in the light of day, everything changed. You said do not be afraid, you were scarred to heal the pain, you defeated death and shame, everything changed, everything changed. And when I mess it up, you say your love's enough, you say you'll never leave or forsake me. And when I come undone, you are the only one, to say You'll hold me now and forever- I- will never be the same. I- will never be the same. When you rolled the stone away, I was lifted from the grave, I was standing in the light of day, everything's changed. I don't have to be afraid, cause you're with me through the pain. You freed me from all my shame, everything's changed, everything's changed. And when I mess it up, you say your love's enough, you say you'll never leave or forsake me. And when I come undone, you are the only one, to say You'll hold me now and forever- I- will never be the same. I- will never be the same. I- will never be the same. We will never be the same. How exciting is it that we will never be the same. These kids who come back from camp will never be the same. I love that I get to be a part of that...
If you would like to know more about YoungLife, or would like to get involved somehow- please contact me! Much love. |
My Name's ToriThis is a place for my thoughts, dreams, rants, experiences and more. Archives
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