My books for our classes we take with Southeastern University

John's car = Candy Mountain!

Our mentor family :)

Crissy and I and cake on our faces!

my living room

kitchen and dining room

the view from the back

my bedroom

more of my room

Jessica, Emily and I; 2 of my new roommates!

     Monday was a great day. We had our opening chapel in Athens at the Georgia State Botanical Gardens. It was so great to be back there, it is a beautiful place that I get to go to and meet with God. He shows up everytime, and I am so grateful for that! I got to pray with a few of the first year girls and share with them my experiences last year. I love them all so much!

     On Wednesday night, Pastor Jordan spoke a powerful message on suicide. It was incredible to realize just how many of our students are dealing with this issue, or have been effected by it. At the end of the night, I got to pray with and talk to one of my small group girls about the issue and help her break free of the effects in her own life. It really was such a privilege to be part of helping her change her lifestyle.

     Friday night was another incredible one. All of the Masters Commission girls went to Jeanne’s house and we discussed the sisterhood, and how important it is for the year. As second years, we shared on how our sisters helped us last year and how important it is to be there for each other. Every girl in my class has helped me in some way or another. At the end of the night, Jeanne gave us all a necklace and we just hung out and had fun. She is such a good mom away from home!

     On Saturday we had a family field trip to sliding rocks in southern Georgia. We climbed a mountain and swam in a huge waterfall! It was a great experience, and I loved doing it again, as we did it last year too.

     This past Sunday was the church picnic! I helped assist in running it, and it was a lot of fun. The people at the Tabernacle are so amazing, and really have wisdom of the ages. I love to talk with them and build relationships. They really have a special place in my heart! Later that night our mentor family found out who our “kids” are for the year. I am so excited, and feel truly privileged to be able to guide these guys through the year. We have our first family time on Tuesday; I’ll let you know how it goes!

     Today was a glorious day off. I went to Perimeter mall with a bunch of first year girls and we just relaxed and had fun! I really love these girls already, and I can’t wait to get to know them better. God has really put these girls on my heart, and I know he is going to do great things in them!

     Let me start off by saying, it was a GREAT WEEK. It had its challenges, but it seems my reoccurring phrase that I keep telling myself is that God won’t give me anything I can’t handle. He will stretch me, but not throw me in the deep end and leave me to drown!

     On Tuesday everyone on the cadre executive team was invited for breakfast at Jeanne’s. We talked about the upcoming year and how what we do really has a rippling effect across the nation in youth pastors lives, and their kids. It really is such an opportunity!

     The next few days involved preparation for orientation weekend and ultimately preparing ourselves for them. We were all sweetly reminded of how we came in last year… far from perfect! In the day we would assemble binders, make welcome home baskets, and order any materials needed. On Thursday night we were divided up in our AC families and sent to different apartments for “scenario night”. At each apartment, there was staff members acting out different situations we will face this year. As a second year and a leader to first years, we had to confront the situation and lovingly help them change.     The scenarios ranged from a girl with a messy bedroom to a guy caught smoking on the porch. It really was a great night, and taught me a lot on how to correct my brothers and sisters in the right way.

     Saturday finally came; ORIENTATION DAY! It was such an incredible thing to see everyone’s families and the students all together for the first time. I got a little teary eyed remembering what this day meant to me last year. After spending the morning going over the year, we came back to the apartments and helped our girls unpack. Having three more people really did make our apartment feel like home!

On Sunday we went to church, had a breakfast for their families and students, and went to the main church service. Jeanne spoke and as usual, it was incredible. After church our girls went out and said goodbye to their families, while I prepared for roommate night.

     For roommate night we drove to Perimeter and found a restaurant we could all enjoy: Chilis! After eating there together, we went to Walmart and bought anything else we needed for the apartment, as well as some foam core board and paint. What did we need that for? Later that night we made an apartment creed. We all brainstormed ideas that we wanted our apartment to be this year, and the atmosphere we wanted to create. It’s not completely painted yet, but here is what we decided:

“As the apartment of 910, we promise to first and foremost put God first above anything else. We vow to create a relaxing, peaceful environment where we are free to be ourselves. We will be an encouragement to each other, and adding to the positive atmosphere we want. Together, we will protect each other’s hearts and commit to looking out for each other wherever we may be.  We will not be afraid to confront each other in the right and honest way, and receive any confrontation as a way to be better. Lastly, our apartment will be a FUN EXPLOSION!”

We all signed, and then I made bazookies for my girls; half-baked cookie dough and icecream!

     When Monday came, we went to church for a continuation of orientation week. We went over what’s expected, gave the 1^st years a tour of the Tabernacle, and talked to each other about our roommate nights.  Later that day we embarked on a secret field trip: we went to Buffalo’s Southwest Grill in Athens and ate some amazing Mexican food as a family of 96. After dinner we went to the Georgia State Botanical Gardens for our opening chapel.  I remembered this night for me a year ago, when God did so much in my life, and showed me a glimpse of what I was called to become this year. We had a time of worship, Jeanne spoke, and then we received tokens and prayed together. I got the chance to pray with a few of the first year girls, and it so blessed my heart to help them sort out what they want from this year too. It really is such an honor that I am able to help them in this stage of their lives. God also confirmed to me once again that this is where I am supposed to be. There are so many more challenges this year than last, and although I feel incapable, I know with God I am a victor. Pray for me that I rely solely on God, and not myself! 

My First Post of my Second Year at Masters Commission ATL!

     I have only officially been a second year for a week, but it seems like an eternity already. I have done so much, learned so much, and realized just how God has lined my footsteps to be here again.
                                   
     Friday, September 3^rd I hit the road with my mom and dad. We drove all the way down to Georgia, and made it by Sunday afternoon. It was a great drive, and I loved getting the chance to spend some good quality time with my parents. I love them so much, and I’m so thankful for what they have done for me. They really are such a blessing!

     Tuesday morning I moved into my new apartment. It’s a 3 bedroom just like last year, but I have new roommates. I’m the resident advisor (RA) for our apartment, so it’s my job to make sure everyone is taken care of and that we get along, and keep our apartment clean. The first year students don’t move in until this Saturday, but I love them already and I can’t wait to help move them in!

     Tuesday and Wednesday were our move in days, and Wednesday night we all headed to Oxygen, our youth group, to meet up with our students. It was such a happy reunion! I missed my small group, Audax, so much this summer… and to see my girls again was so great. I can’t wait to be with them for the year again!

     Wednesday night we left after Oxygen to Forsythe, GA for our leadership retreat. From Wednesday to Friday our entire 2^nd year class, the 3^rd year interns, the 4^th year support staff, and staff met to discuss the upcoming year, what we want to change, our targets on the wall, and how to improve. I found out my masters “husband” that I lead an accountability group with, and we even had a fake wedding that was one of the funniest moments I have had to date. Also this trip, I found out my portfolio for the year. As a second year, we have a portfolio consisting of different ministry and masters jobs we are responsible for the year. This year, I have 7: 

1.    1. House Prep co-lead for Cadre: In a nutshell I lead a team of about 5-6 people, and we go before and after each cadre to prepare Jeanne’s house. We make sure it’s clean and in great shape so it can be used for a place that youth pastors can be coached and effectively ministered to.

       2. Creative Art and Design co-track lead: Remember last year when I took Inner city, Administration, and Verbal Communications Classes? This year I have been chosen to lead a class about how to minister using art and set design in church or any sort of ministry setting. The fact that I haven’t even taken this class before is a big indicator of how much the staff must believe in me to think I can do this! I’m nervous, but I’m excited. I am very creative and I know that I can help others bring out their creative side!

3.    3. Female Room Check lead: I am in charge of checking all the girls’ apartments and making sure they are clean for our weekly room checks. If they are messy, I issue probation for Saturday morning. I am excited for this one especially, as I am a clean person and I am happy to help others in this area.

4.    4. Under-shepherd for Audax: This is a big one. I am one of three head leaders of our small group, and act as a youth pastor to them. I never thought they would give me this role, but I am so privileged to do it. As the only girl under-shepherd, I will be responsible for helping them spiritually and for the health of our entire group. I can’t wait to jump in, and I know it’s going to be such a rewarding experience!

5.   5. Academics Grader: I will help grade scripture studies and other papers of first year students for our academic director. It’s a great opportunity to help them dive deeper into God’s word, as well as learn from what they have found as well.

6.   6. RA: I mentioned this above, but above all being a mentor to those I live with and making sure our apartment is a great environment.

7. AC Mom: Our Masters “families” really are just small groups of 5-7 people who go out and relax, have fun, and help each other throughout the year with any problems or situations that arise. As a 2^nd year I have a “husband” and we will have first year “kids” that we mentor and take care of. I’m so excited to get to know my girls and help them any way I can!

     Along with everything I did last year, I have these jobs that I am personally responsible for. Then there are the online classes I take with Southeastern University... it’s going to be a very challenging, busy year. The first few days I was here, I honestly felt scared and unsure that I could do everything expected of me. I was reminded that I couldn’t do this year without God being my only strength, and it’s so true. This year will undoubtedly be the hardest year of my life. But I can’t wait to see how God will change me, mold me, and make me more into his image by using me at Masters for a second year.

     On Friday night we got back from our leadership retreat, but only for an hour or two. The next few days we embarked on our own version of the amazing race. We were given clues and pit stops in Tennessee and Georgia, and had limited resources to complete it all. This is what we were allowed to bring, and the only things we had for the two days: 1 sleeping bag, 1 pair of shorts, 1 pair of underwear, 1 pair of socks, 1 pair of sneakers, 2 shirts, 1 backpack, ½ gallon of water, and 3 power bars. We weren’t allowed any makeup, our hair was a mess from the challenges, and we couldn’t dry our wet clothes (it rained) or shower. We were split up with our mentor group, and drove around in cars to the different challenges: all while we were tied together on a rope! In the course of the two days I went white water rafting on class 4 rapids (class 6 is Niagara falls) which was scary but incredible, I went swimming in Georgia red clay, I slept outside in the rain with just a sleeping bag, I saw beautiful Tennessee mountains and the gorgeous countryside of Georgia, and I went to a little German town called Helen. It was so cool to really bond with my fellow classmates, and through all the challenges our mentor family won! It was so great to get to know the 2^nd and 3^rd year students again after a summer apart, and we all really helped each other and looked out for each other. After our amazing race, we came home Sunday night and rested after an incredible journey.

     Today I had the day off, and went to the Golden Corral buffet with my mentor family to celebrate our win. I helped some of the girls move in, and went grocery shopping. I have done so much the past week, and I have loved it all. I love being here, I love what God is doing in me, and I love having the peace of knowing this is exactly where he wants me to be. This coming week we have a lot of preparations to do for the first years to come, but I am more than excited about it. I know God is going to use me here! That’s it for this week, but expect another update next Monday, and hopefully some pictures too!