Quirkiness in Queen Creek

Being in Arizona really does feel like a whole new world even if it's on the same continent as my home. 

So here's some fun facts I've gathered about these crazy Arizonans..

1) even though it's 10000 degrees, almost everyone always wears jeans. Still haven't gotten to the bottom of this.

2) it is not illegal to text and drive, however there is a law that prohibits donkeys in your bath tub after 7pm.... It makes me wonder what ass was caught in the act!!

3) they say "the" in unnecessary places in their sentences. Example: we're gonna get on the 202 to Phoenix. Why?!?

4) they also don't say north or south when referring to high ways and everything is at an intersection apparently. "Oh yeah it's at power and ray" for about every shop you could need

5) clouds are the most exciting thing here! Clouds = storm and although they know rain is coming...they even call it "monsoon season"...they haven't figured out a drainage system. More than an inch and it's possible you'll get off work. I saw on the news there was .8 of an inch and there was a unanimous "oh no!" 

(But I must say the heat lightning here is incredible)

6) they're a different breed out here, every personality is really distinct and everyone's super friendly, it must be the sunshine (or the joy of the Lord!)

7) lizards are as common as squirrels. I get that it's a desert and all but I really wasn't expecting that! 

Despite these differences I really am feeling at home here. I'm so glad I decided to spend my first semester doing something different with different people than I'm used to! It's been a blast, and I hope no one takes offense to any of that, just fun stuff I've noticed!! 

Ready, Set, Go!

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Jesus Christ for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10 

Since I've been in Arizona, I've done a bunch of new things I never thought I would. I'm running the coffee shop by myself on some days, I got my Zumba instructor license so I can teach Zumba classes, and much more. But those two things stick out in particular because they've taught me similar things.

I may not feel like I'm good enough to run the coffee shop or believe I'm good enough to lead a Zumba class, but who cares! It's whether or not I trust and believe that God has equipped me for every good work, like He's promised.

We're so funny in the fact one day we obey God and have a great outcome and the next day when faced with a decision to listen to Him or not, we are suddenly filled with all this fear and doubt and uncertainty of how it'll go, when yesterday and the day before and the years before have always proved to be good! I don't know about you, but I would hate to look back on my last day and regret all the times unbelief had stopped me from doing everything I wanted to accomplish.

Becoming an instructor is something I've been wanting to do, but the training taught me more than salsa and merengue, it showed me how to jump all in with no reserves.

However, preparation is important. What kind of Zumba instructor would I be if I go to teach my first class unprepared, never listened to the songs, never practiced steps beyond my first training...it wouldn't be pretty. Or if I worked at the coffee shop alone with no training or knowledge of what's on the menu. I think that's why set comes after ready.

We decide that whether we feel ready or not we are in fact ready, because God says so, and then we set ourselves up for success by planning ahead ("prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and AFTER that build your house" Proverbs 24:17). Plans aren't bad, and can be "spirit-led"

 

Setting up for success could look different depending on what the goal is. Sometimes it's getting rid of something we know isn't good in our lives we've been clinging on to. We aren't ready to let that go, but we know we need to. So, set yourself up, or guard yourself, so that you can eliminate it from your life. Regardless of the change, the prep should always include praying, knowing the Word and scriptures to get you through doubts and understanding what God's will is for His people, and educating yourself on what you are doing!

And what I've learned, no matter how much prep work I do, I won't feel completely ready, or set, but the next step is still coming and that's to go! Go in confidence of who God is, who he made you to be, and what you're capable of! As James 2:18 says, "...I will show you my faith BY works" so by doing things, stepping out in faith when you don't have it all figured out, you're setting yourself up to be blown away by God, and it's exciting. Whoever said living the Christian life is boring is doing it wrong. It always will appear to be risky stepping out in faith, but it is so safe and secure. That's the paradox of our God! 

Anything you do in His name and for Him won't go in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). So our Go may not look like we planned it to, but does God's plans happen like we want them to? For me, usually not. They're better than I could dream of, but in the moment when my plan isn't working and God's doing something different, I panic and feel like all my prep went out the window!

I don't like saying this because I feel like it's cheesy, but "let go and let God" let the go-ing happen and God will move too! Although he can, God won't move a parked car. Rarely will he give a couch potato a CEO position dropped in his lap...NO! You are equipped with working  body parts, an incredible brain, and a heavenly army on your side. Use 'em! You think you're still not ready? Let Him prove you wrong. He proves my doubts and hesitations wrong on the daily, and I want the same for you!

"May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen." - Hebrews 13:21

"Are You Okay?"

"Are You Okay?" and "How Are You Doing?" Are questions I've been asked frequently while I've been here. More recently because an obvious rash is spreading all over me (thought to be an allergic reaction). But whether it is for physical reasons, a misread facial expression, or someone just caring for my soul, I realize I shouldn't take those questions for granted. I am grateful so many wish to know how I am holding up, especially when I'm experiencing so much change.

I realize that most of the time, I don't answer honestly. Before the whole question comes out, I hear myself saying, "yeah!" with as much enthusiasm as I can muster in that moment. However reflecting on it, yesterday specifically when I wasn't having a good day, I stopped and asked why I do that. It's so silly. I'm trying to fool someone else, and worse, lying to myself.

Two lovely ladies here told me, "if you didn't break down while you're here (in Arizona) something would be wrong. We expect you to." and I knew they would be prepared to handle the weight of whatever was burdening me...but I didn't and still don't know if I can.

I realized after the third or fourth person asked me yesterday morning how I was doing, I could barely say, "okay." and that is my answer. If you can't even say you're okay without wanting to cry, you're not doing okay... and as cliche as it may sound; it is okay not to be okay.

I'm learning God's love for me more every day, and the love around me and realizing no one (even the most perfect and powerful person in the universe) is expecting me to have it together all the time. and that is so freeing.

Have you ever felt trapped, but no reason why? That's how I've been feeling. I have been cared for so well here, and nothing negative has really happened to me, but I don't feel free to be me all the time. The only limitation is the expectation I have put on myself. It doesn't matter how great, or terrible your circumstances are, if you cannot voice what you are feeling at any moment, you are trapped.

I didn't come to Arizona running from anything. I was in a period of grief when I left home, and had some idea that would follow me here, but God is showing me more than just grieving, it's experiencing things I wanted to forget were ever there. From childhood and any hurt I'm carrying since that is stopping me from experiencing the freeing and fulfilling love He (and his church) has to offer. He cares enough to not leave me in the pain, and wants to walk through it with me. Pastor Ben and I had a short talk about grief. He was sharing the wisdom I haven't really thought about before. He mentioned that we focus a lot on grieving behind closed doors instead of together. Isn't that what the church is for? Jesus came for sick, not the upright. So why are we trying to be upright? I need Jesus more than I did when I first accepted Him into my life, because His perfectness reveals my weakness. He needs to be my strength, but I need to see and embrace my weakness. I think we all do.

So, if you have people checking up on how your day is going, care enough back to give them an honest answer. Take time to answer. Think about where you're at today, and accept yourself as loved by the one who created you on your best AND worst days. All the same. And think of who you can check up on. Everyone is allowed bad days, but no one should be allowed to face them alone.

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9

Watch and Learn

I survived my first week and a half here in Arizona!!! Just kidding, it's been such a joy.

(I'm already falling behind on blogging once a week, so this post will be a long one, I'll do better next time!!)

From the moment I arrived in the Phoenix airport, to dinner this evening, I have been surrounded by so much love, support, and understanding. The Amadeo community is even greater than I remembered from two years ago.

I knew there were a ton of new things I'd have to learn, but I honestly had no idea how much. I am working at Third Place Cup, the coffee shop that is (literally) attached to Amadeo church. I rarely drink coffee, and never imagined I would know the difference between a latte, cappuccino, frappe, pour over... the list goes on and on. So I had the privilege to be trained by the amazing Shelly Kohler who has patiently and graciously dealt with my mistakes and lack of confidence in this new job. I heard that this week we had more sales in the coffee shop than ever before, and I'm thankful (as well as nervous) I get to jump right in and support the growth!

I also have the joy of serving alongside a diligent group of people who devote 4+ hours every Tuesday afternoon/evening to work extremely hard to pack and distribute 120 boxes of incredible food to the local homeless community. Every Tuesday. Wow, am I right?

Wednesday evening I got to meet the energetic, lively youth who gather every week to love each other and learn more about the Lord. This week, we went to a park nearby and provided dinner for the community and anyone willing to hang out. It was cool to see middle and high-schoolers being bold and starting conversations with strangers, with a motive of love for Jesus.

Friday I got to serve the community through the coffee shop at open mic night that Third Place Cup hosts every Friday and spend the night worshiping and praying at an all night prayer held in the sanctuary. At the prayer service, a man who had terrible back pain that prevented him from walking was healed. I kid you not, he was sitting in a chair, many prayed over him, he stood up and did a back bend I wouldn't be able to do. That is just one of the many healings I have witnessed this week.

Saturday I got to go to a new community to feed people and talk to them. I met this really cool guy who gave me such wise advice and although he was much older, he treated me as an equal. He shared that he had a heart attack, and his son who was 7 years old visited him in the hospital for a short time before the doctors rushed him out after his dad flat lined. He died, and came back to life with no explanation from the doctors. Needless to say his thankful heart (pun intended) and respect for who God is in his life was something I can't forget.

Sunday was a wonderful day where I got to pray for an hour for the church with some prayer warriors before service started. The love and joy in the sanctuary was indescribable and the unity was obvious.

The crazy thing is, this is only a fraction of what the church does. They host groups of suicide survivors, offer free pregnancy tests, deep prayers, men's breakfast, women's bible study... Their service just never stops!

I have been fortunate enough to watch the Amadeo community love each other and Queen Creek community through all these activities and more. Not only did I observe the obvious necessary training, but I saw God perform miracles before my eyes. That really showed me my lack of faith. It's easy to read the Bible and all the ailments Jesus healed, but to see it is a whole new story. It is possible to trust God to do mighty things, and He will.
I also learned that members of the congregation are faithful to the callings on their heart and have enough trust and support in the church that they confidently share their ideas with the church, trusting they will gather and stretch themselves to make the idea reality. That is what happened with re-store, the food pantry on Tuesdays, that started out of Shelly's house years ago, and now fills the church.

I could go on and on, but if you made it to this point on my long post... I'll sum up what I've learned here.

1. Prayer is everything, It is powerful and purposeful.

2. This congregation willing serves A LOT, and don't feel like they "have to" do anything. Shelly, who I work with at the coffee shop told me just today that she volunteers with no pay because running that coffee shop brings her joy and she doesn't feel stuck into serving, but she is delighted to.
(that says something about how Amadeo treats their members, and about the members who are so faithful to the church and to God.)

3. Everything Amadeo has been blessed with they use to bless others. None of their resources are reserved for themselves. What they have in the moment, they will give to you. (I feel comfortable saying they when I refer to the church because they truly are unified.)

4. Rest is necessary and valued here. With everyone giving of themselves, it's important to take a break and not feel burdened. When Pastor Ben gave me my schedule my first response was, "I don't think there's enough for me to do!" But I was wrong. He was right. He put in break periods that I so need, and haven't allowed myself to have. There is just as much meaning in giving as their is in receiving and being filled by the right things. Naps have become my best friend, and have helped me serve because I want to, not because I have to.

Honestly, this is just a snapshot of everything, so I will definitely blog more often so this isn't so long..

Last thing, I just am constantly reminded of the early church while I'm here and this Scripture nails all that Amadeo is:

"They devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signed performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:42-47 

Preface

As many of you know, I will spending the fall season in Queens Creek, Arizona, which will feel hotter at this time of the year than it does in my usual summer. This blog is completely dedicated to what the next few months will teach me that I don't even know yet.

Here, I will record my emotions, experiences, prayers, and praises as I respond to God moving in my life and those around me.

My first choice was to call this blog "My Response" because I believe Jesus calls us beyond the initial encounter to follow Him. A relationship with Him means responding to who He is day by day, moment by moment. My response to His callings will be recorded in various ways throughout this blog I want to share with all of you.

But some lucky fella picked that name already, so I chose Singing My Desert Song instead. I hope you pick up the pun, but for those who haven't, Desert Song is one of my all time favorite Christian songs, and is fitting because I will be in Arizona! 

For those of you who blog regularly, please comment and keep up with my posts! For those of you who do not, I will post most, if not all, of my posts on Facebook!

Before I even start this journey, and as I prepare my heart to respond to a calling waaaay bigger than me, I am reminded to thank people who have supported my walk with the Lord and made this possible.

Sooo, Thank you to:

Tony Sheng, my mentor who let me intern with Embercast (and contact to Amadeo Church in Queens Creek), my parents and siblings who are just as excited as I am to send me off in my not so conventional first semester of college, to my youth group leaders in Maryland, Anna Moore and Mariana Ganim who believed in me and Jesus's work in me enough to encourage me constantly to step out and follow the Spirit's unpredictable calling. Lastly, Amadeo Church, who hosted me on a missions trip two years ago, and blew me away enough to make me want to return and be apart of the mighty work they are doing in Arizona, I feel so blessed (#blessed) to be invited back with open arms, and so many offering to host me in their homes. I am so excited to meet the Ozmon family, who has so generously offered to care for me while I am there.

Let the Journey Begin!!!