The Hands of Christ

Here is a series of pictures from the weeks I have had the pleasure to work on Mr. Jose's house. 

Joseph working in the bathroom
where we put sheet rock on the ceiling.

Mae sanding down the mud and tape
lines in the bedroom.

Sal helping me put sheet rock on the
ceiling of the bedroom.

Volunteers Sammy and Jase helping drill into
concrete and screw boards into the wall so
that we can hang up sheet rock.

Teaching the Sophie, Catherine, Abby, and Amy
about liquid nails so that we can add additional
support to the boards.

The sweet girls presenting our homeowner with the
scrapbook they made.

Boards up, ready for sheet rock.

Megan getting messy as she mud and tapes the corners.

Grant and Bailey showing the shelf they made in the
bathroom in front of the wall they helped put up! 

Justin, Grant, Georgia, Bailey, and Megan mudded,
painted, put in floor boards, and helped
put the bathroom back together.

Zach, Grant, Alex, and Mackenzie did a
great job tearing off tiles and replacing them
with tub surround.

They did everything from priming, to nailing
in baseboards to caulking.

Overall, these teams have been so open to learning new skills that we needed to do the jobs done on this house. They have all been such a blessing to not only our homeowner but to me as well as they remained patient when I was making decisions or helping others with their tasks. So excited to see what the next group is capable of next week and what all we can get done together! I hope that next week my group has the team work that all the other teams this summer have had! What a joy it is to hear "Whats going to work? TEAM WORK!" while working.

Be a Spoon

Tonight may be one of the highlights of my summer. Have you ever been in a room of middle school students in total worship to God? Tears were spilling, noses were sniffing, hands were writing, etc. Scott, our speaker, decided on a spontaneous worship session after the message. He asked everyone to spread out around the room and focus on what God wants to change in each of our lives and what does that look like in our lives individually. His message tonight overviewed Psalm 101 in which David writes of his aspirations to praise God in every way. Scott talked about a part of this Psalm the past three nights and tied it up tonight. The Holy Spirit was extremely evident in the message tonight as it seemed to register fully with the entire sanctuary of students and leaders. You know that feeling when you know God truly has His hand in something? Well, thats what it felt like, and everyone felt it. Over and over my only thought was "God is CRAZY!" Not crazy in a bad way at all, but crazy as in amazing, huge, unfathomable. Trying to even imagine God's greatness is simply not plausible, and that is the beauty of it.

Dwight invited the students to remain in the chapel to pray or think or anything they felt they needed to do instead of leaving. Many left, but quite a few stayed. I stayed. One, because seeing God work in the lives of others is beautiful. Watching one girl cling to the front wall, which holds the cross, weeping, completely ridding herself of inhibitions and humbling herself before God was one of the most powerful sights I have seen this summer. Another reason I stayed was to talk to anyone who needed an ear, an encouraging word, a shoulder. A couple girls, in particular, I approached and asked if I could pray with/for them. Such a tender moment for me when they allowed me to pray for them. It didn't hit me until I returned to my seat how much I have grown in Christ. It is truly amazing that I now am filled with enough confidence to overflow the Christ in my life to others. I feel like I am finally realizing what it means to advance the Kingdom of God in the world.

My version of David's Psalm 101 is filled with aspirations to be a leader in Christ, to not only be a disciple, but one who disciples others as well, and also to be someone who can pour love, knowledge and wisdom into the lives of others. As I have seen over and over this summer, I was privileged growing up not because God loves me in particular, but that God loves His children. I am called to take what I have, whether that be material things or not, and give them and share them with others. For example, God has graced me with a positive outlook on others, not for me to keep to myself, but to share through smiles, hugs, words, and encouragement. 

Another part of my Psalm 101 is not limiting the gospel. The gospel is for everyone. By everyone I mean my neighbor, the student I sit next to in class, the man behind the cash register, and people in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, Antarctica: EVERYONE. The gospel seems to have become limited to words said instead of through the lifestyle of those who claim Christ as their Savior-that needs to change. The story and truth of Christ changes the way we act as it is an overflow from what we know is true inside of us spilling to reach those around. 

So, what does this look like? A boy this week wore a shirt this week that said "Be a spoon. Spoons serve." And that is exactly what my Psalm 101 looks like. Being a spoon.

Ephesians 6:7 

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.

Confidence is Key

Best weekend in San Antonio so far.

Friday after we got off work, Reed, Doug, and I watched Reed's younger brother Jase play baseball. Jase is a very big help around Blueprint. Not only does he bring tools and supplies to us at the sites, he does it everyday with a smile. He is a constant support to us while we are working and it was great to finally be able to support him back.

Saturday I FINALLY slept in. After hanging around the house for half the day, Karen and I went out and about around an awesome outside mall called the Quarrey Market. However, the best part of Saturday was going to the Mission's baseball game with everyone. They are the AA team here in San Antonio located very close to Lakeland Air Base (we saw a lot of guys in their blue uniforms--really neat). Since it was only a AA game, there was a lot of entertainment mixed in between the innings, the favorite was the Puffy Taco Race--a little boy chased a person in a Puffy Taco costume. Only in Texas.

"I think I broke my collar bone." (The big rifle)

Sunday-Monday afternoon we spent at Reed's family's land about an hour and a half outside of SA. They refer to their ranch as Paradise Springs because they have a few springs on their land, one of which supplies water to their entire ranch house (pretty neat).  Also, it is paradise. Such an awesome escape from the world of cell phones. I did a lot of things I had never done before: driven a four wheeler myself (I did need Karen's assistance on when to shift), shoot a compound bow, shoot shotguns (I hit the clay pigeons), and shoot rifles (which we had stationary targets that I hit as well). I still cannot believe I shot a gun. I hadn't hit a clay pigeon with the shotgun yet so Doug was playing backup with the other gun for when I missed. However, I finally told him "I'm not going to need you this time." Sure enough, I hit the clay pigeon: Confidence is key- just like Austin Fullbright always says.  Besides our adventures, we really had a great deal of bonding time. We cooked, ate, played games, watched the Sandlot, and really just enjoyed each others' company.

Everyone this summer has really helped me grow in a number of reasons whether they realize it or not. Through a number of trials and events, I have learned to be confident in myself. Whether that is with fixing a roof or praying out loud, I have learned that I can be confident because Christ gives me the strength to do all things (Phil 4:13).  Coming into this summer one of my biggest concerns was inability because I am a girl. However, as the summer continues, I am learning that I am very capable to do the things the guys can do. Clearly, they can lift heavier things, but I don't need to feel incapable in comparison. Instead, I am also experiencing differences in gifts and talents. We truly need everyone to create the body of Christ. "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do no all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another."-Romans 12: 4-5 What a blessing that we are all so different.

Overall, so thankful still for all the Lord has blessed me with this summer. These memories and lessons will mark my life forever.

Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. 

Colossians 3:23

Huge right!?

This could not have been more reinforced this week by the entire group of students and leaders who came. A grand total of about 140 people came to Blueprint this week to work on a total of 14 houses. Yes, we were at full capacity in the building. Luckily I never felt like we were climbing over each other. From the first night, I immediately clicked with this group. Not only did they bring middle school kids like the other church but also high school students as well. This created a real great balance among the group as the older and younger kids all got along and mixed. Also, our big group was led by DeeDee's son Chris along with a bunch of awesome adult and college age leaders.

My team posing on the roof.

My team in particular consisted of 8 high school students, mostly going into junior year, and their leader Wes, who used to be the church's middle school youth director. From our very first group meeting I knew it was going to be a great week, I had already gotten the nickname "Princess Diana." (Real original I know.) On top of that, they were open, outgoing, excited, and experienced. Could not have asked for a more perfect group to have on a roof in 100+ weather. Every now and then you would hear one of them shout "What's gonna work?" To which everyone else replied "TEAM WORK!" This was true. Team work really does make the dream work. They did a great job of encouraging and looking out for one another. The spirit of servitude shown through them all as they worked hard to finish a roof for our sweet homeowners, Mr. and Mrs. Huizar. 

Apart from construction, tools, supplies, and home depot this week, I gave my testimony one night during worship. Although I openly talk about my faith, I have never told my testimony at a given time for a large group of people. Although my testimony doesn't include any catastrophic event or major change in life style, I felt like I really connected to the group who was there. I was once in their shoes and went on mission trips, retreats, to youth group, bible study, church, made my best friends in youth group. Therefore, I felt like I easily related to them as the things that they participate in are the very things that helped my lay the foundation for my faith to grow from. I made sure to encourage them to not create their faith through others, but instead begin to also grow and search personally in order to genuinely own their faith. It took a while, and I am still working on it every day, but I have learned that Jesus died for me, and I am in control of my life and how I live for him.

And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Ephesians 2:22

Work in Progress

It is still funny to me that I am in charge of people working on houses. When someone in my group has a question or doesn't know what to do next, they ask me. They are looking to me for instructions. Me? How am I qualified to do this? Do I even know what I am doing enough to tell others what to do? These are questions I ask myself on a daily basis. However, I am learning so much. Each day this week I learned more and more just by evaluating situations and finding the best way to go about it. My feeling of inadequacy is slowly dying away and I am becoming more confident in both my ability and leadership.

This week we sheet rocked a lot of ceiling. The only other time I have worked with sheet rock before this summer was my first mission trip to a Youth Works site in New Orleans. Then, I was merely just an assistant. Needless to say, my first day doing the sheet rock was a lot of contemplation about "What do I tell the kids to do next?" However, we finished the ceiling of a bedroom that had been started, completed a hallway and a bathroom ceiling, insulated all of those areas, and floated/mudded a large majority of what we put up. The pace of interior work is much different than the pace of doing a work. So, all week I felt like we weren't getting anywhere just because there is so much measuring, cutting, seeing if things fit, recutting, drilling, moving ladders, redrilling, repositioning, etc as opposed to a roof where to place and hammer, place and hammer.

My group this week ended up being such a blessing too. The last two nights I got to spend a lot of time off the worksite talking to them and really just investing time with them. One of the coolest parts of this week was homeowner night. Our homeowner who came is not a practicing Christian, but is beginning to show interest more and more into Christianity. Not only did he stay for worship after dinner (which he didn't stay his first week at the homeowner dinner), but he also began opening up about his faith to our team leaders. God really gave a push this week to this witnessing situation. Mr. Gilbert (the homeowner) was planning to take the bus home after, up until the bus didn't even stop at the bus stop. Therefore, the team leaders convinced him to let them take him home, which is when he really began to talk about his faith, or lack of faith. Comes to show, God works in funny ways, even by letting the bus skip the stop.

Also, my group surprised me with a whole bunch of goodies the last night. How neat it was to see the thought they put into the gifts they gave me. They kept joking this week I was a redneck, being from Tennessee. So they gave me a bunch of camp stuff. But, now that I am loving Texas and San Antonio, they also gave me many small Texas related items, as well as Spurs gear. (Go Spurs Go!) Then, the best part, is a plastic toy tool set, complete with plastic screws, nails, hammer, drill that can even be put into reverse, a drill bit and a screw bit, as well as a box to carry it all in. Needless to say, I will bringing that to the worksite with me Monday. Hopefully my group of high schoolers next week find it funny. If not, I will still find it funny.

Overall, a much needed week. I feel much more confident in my ability to do interior work. Even though, I am praising Jesus to be back working on a roof next week, even though the temperatures will be over 100 all next week.
Prayers needed.

Days Go By

Keith Urban puts it best when he says "Its all we've been given, so you better start livin' right now!"

This past week we didn't have a group of campers here so we worked normal work hours (9-5) and stayed at our host homes at night. We really just got to enjoy each other this week after work. We did everything from have a cook out, swim, play Telestrations (awesome game), see Reed get stung by a scorpion, eat Mexican (Karen's favorite--joke), watch movies, read a lot, go for walks, and other miscellaneous activities. Overall, just a fun, relaxing week. Just like Keith suggests, we lived.

One of the best parts about being home this week was spending time with our host mom Mrs. Jana. What an amazing woman. Karen and I had the pleasure of spending father's day with them as two of their children joined, their son-in-law and his parents, their granddaughter, and son's girlfriend. Clearly, we had a full house. We had a beautiful lunch and really enjoyed each other's company before and during lunch. 

Unfortunaley, I couldn't be home with my own Dad this Father's Day. I have to admit: I have the best Dad ever! And no, I do not say that because I am biased. I say it because it is because it is true. =)  I really am so grateful to have such an amazing dad who has always supported me in everything I have done growing up. I cannot think of a time that he ever shot down any of my dreams to say "No, you can't do that." He helped me in countless endeavors to reach my goals and aspirations whether that be through helping me study for a big test or by spending his Saturdays on the track watching and correcting allison and me with high jump. Numerous times, I was blessed with being chosen for homecoming court in high school. The best part of it was Friday night at either the basketball or football game (whichever season it was) and being escorted by him across the crowd. I proudly stood holding the arm of the man who taught me everything: how to ride a bike, sew the holes in my socks, how you should put soap on a screw before trying to screw it in, how to drive, and overall how to live a life through motivation. I could go on for years and years about how amazing my smart, talented, kind, loving, gracious, giving, selfless father is. (Love you, Dad)

This week we have a much smaller group than our last group. Two churches came and between the two we have a total of around 30 people, kids and adults combined. It is a totally different atmosphere having a fourth of the size of our last group. Not only do we take up less than 3 rows in the chapel, but we barely use 4 tables for meals. The last group used over 15 tables! So far, this group of campers has proven to be a tremendous group! My team for the week consists of 3 kids, 2 adults, and me. Yes, there is only 6 of us. An 8th grade girl, her brother who will be a senior, a 10th grade boy, their youth director, and volunteer assistant youth director. They are from Edinburg, TX, near the border. 

Today we completed a roof that the last group had almost finished. Tomorrow we will be working on a different house with the interior sheet rock and ceiling..yuck. So, this should be interesting. Sheet rock, mudding, floating, cutting, screwing, maybe insulating. We shall see. Let's all be in prayer tomorrow that I am knowledgable about the tasks we have to accomplish. 

Also, in sad news for this week, sweet, sweet Mark Gregory passed away. He is Christen's, my sister-in-law, grandfather who has played a grandfather role in my life the past couple years as we have gotten very close to Christen's family. He was a truly inspirational man in that he always followed his dreams. Nothing was ever too big for him. I love him and will miss him. My heart goes out to Andy and Christen and her family. Heaven gained a great addition this week.

Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor heights, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Officially 3 Weeks in SA

After 3 weeks in San Antonio, I have to say that I absolutely love it. As you can guess, my week wound up much better last week. A group of 8 crazy middle school kids, 3 adults and I finished a roof for a wonderful woman in 4 days. It is so true. With God, all things are possible. (Phil 4:13--I think this will be my verse for the summer.) It was such an inspiration to see the group of kids really come together and say "yes, we will finish this roof!" Their determination, even though they sure loved their water breaks, was truly something that I will remember throughout the summer when I have other groups. Another awesome thing we do at Blueprint is give the homeowners a scrapbook made by the youth of pictures taken during the week. So the last day the group gives the homeowner the book so that they can remember the people who worked on their house. Our group was so excited to give Ms. Delia her book!

Throughout the week, I was noticing one of my tires acting funny. Finally, after driving back to the Galt's on the interstate, I stopped at HEB and sure enough when I came out my car was tilted. Flat tire. At least it was expected. A very nice man came and helped me change it to my goofy looking spare donut tire. He was a father of three children, one of which had the same thing happen a week before. Flat tire central.

To finish off the week (once I made it home on my goofy looking tire), after we laid out and napped by the pool, Karen and I went to a local coffee shop called Local Coffee (original right?). We relaxed and really had good bonding time away from all the craziness with the group this week. What a relief it was each day to come back to the building and have Karen there. One of her best qualities: listening. Even to my dumb stories.

Saturday we went with the other interns, Sarah, and Doug to get breakfast tacos from Ruthie's. Yes, I did it. Breakfast tacos. And I have to admit..YUM! After that lovely meal, Karen, Sarah, and I have a High School Musical Marathon (which we still need to finish). In the middle of our marathon, I had to go get my tire changed. Adult status. Really, I did feel pretty grown up.

 Later that night, Karen and I went downtown to the Mexican Market Square and the River Walk. I FINALLY saw the Alamo. Didn't realize how tiny it was until then. Still amazing though. We had a bunch of fun just playing downtown and hanging out. We even got ice cream at a little shop along the River Walk. Fun fact about Karen and I: we love dessert. After, we met up with Reed and he took us to Gruene, Texas, a little town about 45 minutes away. 

Sunday we went to The Park, the church that most of the Blueprint staff attends as well as the Galt's and other people we have become connected with, such as our worship leader and summer speaker for our Blueprint camps. What an amazing community of people. It is so personal as it is only about 250 people who attend. We meet in an elementary school cafeteria, nothing fancy, and I love it!

This week we are back to work hours because we don't have a group this week. So we are doing miscellaneous stuff around the building and at some of our homeowners' houses. I am crossing my fingers that I get to go see Ms. Nannie May this week and paint the bars on her windows. Also, I want to go to visit with her. Love our homeowners!