New Family

Photos: Our first family photo at Santa Monica beach during the outing that the 2nd year planned for us first years during orientation weekend (Molly, my roomie Jen, Casey); Molly looking quite happy enjoying the omelette, toast, and tea that the three of us made for her the morning of her birthday; the backyard of the internship director's home where it all began for me back in March during interview weekend (doesn't it look so peaceful, especially with the tree?); my fellow first year interns enjoying a meal in a circle; a plate of the deelish dinner that Jen made one night; our kitchen; and our lovely, warm-hued living room (thanks to Anton, Julia, and my lil' sis Lydia for a superb paint job; if you look closely at the ceiling you can see Lydia's little footprints)!

I'm finally posting on my new blog!! :0)

There is so much to share, I don't know where to begin. Simply because I am short on time, I'm going to let go of the need to "make sense" in the flow of my post and just write.

At the moment, I am just finishing up packing completely for Manila. I hate packing. Thank you to Mom for bringing me all my necessities, as I haven't had a car this past week, and for helping me to pack most of my stuff. I really need to grow up, but in the meantime, am beyond thankful that God gave me such an incredibly loving and sacrificial mother.

I've been living at my new home since September 1, and it feels like it's been longer. I truly feel at home here! I have enjoyed the company of my roomie, Jen, and housemates Molly and Casey IMMENSELY. They are amazing women!!! The fact that I feel at home here is so GOD because I totally wasn't ready to begin living here a week ago. We are taking care of our home well thus far, and it's been enjoyable to share groceries and some meals together. I'm also learning already how much intention it really takes to do small acts of love every day, stuff like washing dishes that weren't used by me, cleaning when I don't really have to do it this time, being aware of how many times my roomie or housemates take out the trash, and being intentional about doing it more myself; not coming home from work carrying the day's crap into our home with me... This is really good stuff, but not necessarily easy of course, and I pray that I will learn to actively love my parents, Lydia, and Jonny better through all that God's doing in me through my new household.

Community

I am already experiencing it like never before. We all barely know each other (a few are good friends with each other because they went to the same college, but otherwise we all don't know each other), and the dynamics are interesting because there's only one brother (half of the married couple), but we've already begun to share with the kind of vulnerability that would normally take awhile to build. During the first weekend of orientation, we debriefed a lot together, and prayed together, and confessed our sins before one another. Many of us are bringing deep wounds from the past into our households, and into this internship, but we are acknowledging that "the whole package" is what God intends for us to begin this internship with.

The Book of Nehemiah Coming to Life

Most of the interns come from an InterVarsity background, and the internship director himself, Kevin Blue, was on full time IV staff for a long time. Thus, when we studied the first part of the book of Nehemiah during the first weekend, we did it inductively, meaning the entire book of Nehemiah was printed out on regular white printer paper, double spaced, and the chapter breaks are eliminated so that we can read the book straight through (this is called a manuscript). We spend some time reading a portion of it individually, noting repeating words/themes/phrases, as well as questions, background info, other Scripture verses to refer to, etc. Then we come together as a group to share, and to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us through the Bible study as a community.

It is amazing that what God has been burning on my heart this past school year regarding restoring Himself to His people through His Spirit is what Nehemiah is about. Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the king, finds out that his people in Jerusalem have been without the presence of the Lord because the walls around the temple were brutally destroyed. He fasts and prays on behalf of his people, whom he does not know personally. With the favor of the king, and God most of all, upon him, Nehemiah is able to get all the resources he needs to set out for Jerusalem to submit himself to live there among the people long term, and to cast the vision to rebuild this wall that has long been destroyed, so that God's people will know His name and presence once more. Who would've thought that a book of the Old Testament can be this applicable to what the Holy Spirit is doing not only here in LA but all around the world?? Nehemiah is such an inspiring leader... no matter what happened, blessing or hardship, he responded by acknowledging the Lord and praying. God used him mightly to restore HIMSELF to people who had forgotten that they were to be the dwelling place of God.

And yet, as much as studying the Scriptures in this way has sparked in me a renewed longing to know the LORD more deeply through the Word, I know that I lack still in this area and truly need prayer for discipline to spend that quality face time with God every single day.

Manila

We leave at 10:10 p.m. tonight from LAX. I can't believe it!!! I really don't know what to expect, although we're reading a couple chapters of a book called Dispossessed on the plane ride over. I found out last week that I will be separated from the rest of the group along with two other first year interns. The three of us, plus Michelle, an SP staff member, will be in a squatter community named Pajo for most of the time, while everyone else will be 45 minutes away in Belic-Belic. We'll be staying with host families, and I know there is at least one work day where we'll have a chance to get dirty and do manual labor. I have a feeling I will definitely be making some cultural blunders, but that is to be expected of all of us. We'll be learning a bit of Tagalog. I know I'm going to be so humbled, because deep down I'm still going into this trip thinking that I'll be the one who has something to give, when in reality... God wants to give me something that I sorely lack right now, whatever that may be. I desperately want to be fully present, and to receive.

I know all of us desire to totally be present during our time in Manila, whatever it is that we'll be doing and however uncomfortable we'll be. I have a strong sense that God's going to rock me in a good way while I'm there, and I'm sure I won't be the only one. I just don't want to be distracted the way that I have been since this internship has begun. I need prayer for focus...

My parents are pretty concerned about my safety, health, etc. so please pray that the Holy Spirit will be their peace, and will still their hearts and remind them that HE IS GOD.

Thank you thank you thank you!!!

As always, thank you so so SO MUCH for your love, support, and PRAYERS, most of all. I don't know where I would be without them!!! Already, after a week of deep discouragement/stress/grief because of the most overwhelming week of work thus far, and also my lack of focus on the Lord at all times, I am deeply renewed, especially after this weekend of not having to think about work at all. I know it's because the Lord hears your prayers! Jesus fully redeems, hallelujah!!

On a more sober note... here are some articles that I read this morning that moved me to pray for our country, and for our brothers and sisters who are crying out for help and dying in Sudan, specifically Darfur. If nothing else, please pray:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/11/nyregion/nyregionspecial3/11bush.html?th&emc=th

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/10/world/africa/10darfur.html?pagewanted=3&fta=y

"Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a swelling for my Name. They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength, and your mighty hand. O LORD, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this Your servant and to the prayer of Your servants who delight in revering Your name." Nehemiah 1:8-10

See you when I get back on September 29!!!!!

in HIS mercy,
Court