a tradition..

I have made it a tradition of mine to take time to write a blog post reflecting on the year that is close to being finished. Here are some of my cherished memories of the year 2013.

..2013..

 

 J A N U A R Y

 New Year's Eve Party. kicked off the year with friends. the pizza dome. sparkling grape juice. fondue. party hats. clara. shelby. molly. yari. bree. olivia. brooke.

 

F E B R U A R Y
Lent. fasted from any food not from a seed. took time each day to journal about things I was grateful for.

 

M A R C H

 Band and Choir Trip. New Orleans. beignets. dancing. swamp boat tour. jazz. steamboat cruise. oak alley plantation. bubba gumps. free time. aquarium. early morning devotions with ines.  

 

A P R I L

 Pirates of Penzance. musical. daughter #?. notorious for a graceful faint. "how beautifully blue the sky..""climbing over rocky mountains.." loads of fun.

 

Prom. purple dress. nathan. won a lap-top. star wars theme. leader of the invitation and program committee. hair done by Jordan.  

 

M A Y

 Edisto Beach. family vacation. South Carolina. walks on the beach. sunrises. sunsets. putt putt golfing. seafood. family time. very relaxing.

J U N E

Journey to Kidron--->Canton. said goodbyes. said many hello's. grandparents. biking. fishing. Canton. Lighthouse Ministries. samara. k'yanna. savannah. lillian. fara. coriane. skyla. life lessons learned. much laughter. many smiles. many hugs. many friendships made. sharing God's love.

 

J U L Y

Convention. Phoneix, Arizona. 120 degrees. coloring with Aaron and Justin on the plane. reconnecting with friends from VA. inspiring seminars. photo scavenger hunt with the youth group in Tempe. awesome worship gatherings. lots of fun.

Illinois. celebrating Grandma & Grandpa's 50th anniversary. cousins. hiking. wonderful food. beautiful scenery. much laughter.

 

A U G U S T

 Campout in the backyard.  2 days. no technology. prepared all my meals on the fire. slept in the tent. journaled. relaxful.

 S E P T E M B E R

 Start of school. senior year. volleyball season. One proud big sister.  

 

O C T O B E R

 Virginia. reunited with old friends. senior picture sesh. photo credit: Alicia Berry. cold morning. lots of smiles. loads of fun. Mr. J's Bagel's. long car ride. mountains.  

 N O V E M B E R

 Hesston. college visit. fell in love with everything about Hesston College. reunited with Danika. waiting in line for an hour to eat BBQ in Kansas city. 14 hour long car ride.

 

 

D E C E M B E R

Indy. Noteworthy trip. 18th birthday weekend. shopping. singing. putt putting in the dark. pool time. buying a lotto ticket. seeing a Christmas Carol. eating at the Spaghetti Factory. adventures with Ines. my lap-top dying (but no worries it came back to life).

 

 What a year it was. I learned so much and gained so much affirmation throughout the year. From not just my family but from my friends and teachers at school as well as my church family who continually encourages me. There were definitely times when I felt very distant from God and wondered what exactly He was doing. But as I look back and took time throughout this year to reflect it was so evident the many different ways God has continued to shape me and help me to grow. I am so thankful.

I would die for you...

  the other night i was watching my favorite show "Rookie Blue", and at the end of the episode a song was playing in the background as the cops were recovering from several being shot. they were in all waiting in the hospital to hear whether they would all be okay. watching what was happening on the show as well as hearing the words of the song brought tears to my eyes. the song repeated over and over again.."I, I would die for you..yeah I, I would die for you..and it all came true yeah it all came true.." this song has never left my mind since. as i was explaining it to my friend, i mentioned how i imagine jesus singing it to me..."Emily, I, I would die for you....and it all came true..." i know it may sound a little on the cheesy side..but in the past i have been amazed  at how powerful words can be when you put music to them..

  the lyrics have kept playing in my mind. kind of  like how i have been playing it over and over again on spotify, and so it made me think of how much Jesus really does love me. how like in "Rookie Blue" he would take a bullet for me. he would lay his life down in order to let me live, and i keep saying would, but the thing i cant quite wrap my head around is that he did. he loved me despite my imperfections, my flaws, my sinful deeds, enough to lay his own life down.

  love. what does it actually mean? we throw that word around sometimes like its no big deal. "i love pizza" or "i love Rookie Blue" Jesus took love to a whole other level. when He said for us to love our enemies..he didn't just mean say hi once in a while or share a laugh here and there..love, to Jesus was so much more than that...with love comes humility...putting others before yourself...no matter what that person did or said to you..Jesus said to love them...no matter if that person has the same beliefs or views as you..Jesus said to love them...this whole love thing isn't easy...numerous times throughout this school year so far, its kind of slapped me in the face..as ive interacted with people who don't always look or feel the same way i do about things i don't think "love" is necessarily the first thing that pops into my brain...but then i remember that Jesus didn't just die for me...he died for them too...wow, he died for them too...

"I would die for you"..Matt Walters..



family.

throughout this summer I have become to realize more and more how much I love my family. not just my mom dad and sisters, although those are the ones I probably have missed this most. while living with my grandparents in Kidron, I have also come to love and care for them in a new way that I dont think I would have if i wouldn't have been with them most of this summer. and this past week as I spent time with my dad's side of the family i was also reminded how much I love being around my cousins and grandparents on that side as well. how much fun we have together, and the laughter we share whenever we get together.

 

there is something really special about knowing you are related to someone. a connection you wouldn't necessarily feel with a friend. while friends may come and go, family remains close and steady and they are always there to fall back on. now, i say all that but at the same time i realize that not all would view their family that way. as i've heard the stories and reality of some of the kids i work with in Canton, i realize how blessed i have been. how blessed i have been to grow up in a family where both a mom and a dad are present. how blessed i have been to grow up in a Christian home where good morals and values have been passed down to me and have helped to create a strong foundation.

 

 

you don't always realize what you have until its no longer there anymore.

 

ive really become aware of this reality as i had to say goodbye to my beloved parents and my two bestest friends, my sisters, for most of this summer. it has not been easy for me. and i have to think of what it will be like when i say goodbye in about a year from now as i head off to college. its not easy to leave the ones you feel most comfortable with. the ones who know you best and accept you no matter where your at in life. but ive learned a lot from being away from them. ive gained more independence, and i view that as a positive thing.

 

 

so i encourage you to take time to remember and give thanks for the family members that have helped shape you over the years. we aren't who we are without the help and guidance from those who share that connection of being related with us.

 

 

take care,

lessons learned.

location: Phoenix, Arizona

climate: 112 degrees, dry, sunny

daily routine: breakfast, morning worship, browsing college booths, lunch, seminars, supper, evening worship, evening activities.

people: 4000 Mennos

time period: June 30th--->July 6th

 

i learned....

- that 112 degrees in Arizona feels like a hair dryer blowing in your face.

- that its fun to watch the many different people while sitting in the airport.

- that it takes 100 years for a cactus to grow an arm.

- that you don't sweat when its 118 degrees outside.

- that the floor in the youth worship auditorium is not made for 3000 youth to jump on it.

- that it is important to hold onto something when riding a metro or you will fall over.

- that Chipotle quesarito (quesadilla + burrito) is only sold in the western states.

- that it is possible to fit 20 high schoolers in an elevator.
- that no one will ever beat my daddy's hugs.
- that even though my daddy is 45 years old he is still strong enough to carry me on his back all the way down a hotel hallway.

 

but more importantly i learned....

- that it is important to be a follower of Jesus instead of just a fan.

- that i am proud to be apart of the Mennonite church.

- that it is important when talking to someone of a different denomination to elevate the conversation so that it focuses more on Jesus Christ than on your differences.

- that faith is reasonable, logical, and sensible.

- that forced love is abuse.

- that testimony can be described as the ways our stories connect with God's story.

- that Christian testimony is different from other testimonies because is focuses on how God is involved, a larger purpose is involved in sharing it, that it is important, and can be described as "when God meets us right smack in the middle of our lives."

- that testimony is needed in a world that doesn't follow God' story.

- that God is beyond words, therefore it may take years to share about the ways God has touched our own lives.

- that you know God is real when you put the Bible and your own personal encounters with God together and they connect.

- that where you invest your love is where you invest your life.

- that we need each other. we cannot follow God alone.

- that i am an S in DISC test. which means.....

i take my time to do things step-by-step.

i am dependable and can be relied upon.

i don't rush to make decisions and stick to things i know work.

i go out of my way to get along with others.

i don't create conflicts or make waves and i am accepting of others.

i am easy to talk to, and i have a calming influence on others.

i have a compassionate nature and tender heart and feel others hurts.

i am there when people need me and i follow through on your promises.

- that everyone has strengths and everyone has weaknesses. and we need both to make us human.

- that any strength that is overused or misused becomes a weakness.

- that five practices of exemplary leadership are:

1)model the way (set the course, do the dirty work)

2)inspire a shared vision (the leaders own belief in and enthusiasm for the vision are the sparks that ignite the flame of inspiration)

3)challenging the process (leadership involves a change from the status quo)

4)enabling others to act (the work of leaders is helping people feel strong, capable, informed, and connected)

5) encouraging the heart (a leaders job is to show people that they can succeed.

- that anger is a valid emotion.

- that i am imperfect and i am in need of belonging.

- that i am insecure.

- that i am loved.

- that i have been blessed with a family that accepts me despite my weaknesses.

 

i hope from what i have shared you can gain knowledge and understanding. although my week at convention was challenging, as you can see i learned a lot.

 

take care.

 

a rollercoaster..

  and what a ride it has been. full speed. with numerous ups and downs along the way.

 

   each day this week I have come home from camp with so many stories, so much less energy than I started the day with, and many new lessons learned. i would be lying if I said this week was easy.  i love my girls, Samara and K'yanna but they don't make my job easy.

 

   K'yanna/KK is very outspoken, you will often hear her ranting. one of her famous lines is, "i'm gonna pop you on the head." the first two days of camp I was busy taking care of Samara's needs that I didn't spend as much time with K'yanna. by the third day I could tell that was bothering her. so we had a talk and it ended with a hug and her saying, "your my favorite staff." she comes across with an attitude at times and will often ask me to not touch her or her things. so i have learned to only show her affection when she either asks for it or she gives it to me first. while she may come across at first as very confident and almost obnoxious at times but throughout the week i saw glimpses of a softer and more sensitive side. i look forward to continuing to build a friendship with her as the weeks go on.

 

   Samara/Mar Mar is less outspoken. small for her age, but sometimes you would be surprised with how loud she could be. the first day her and her best friend Skyla shared with the class their best friend rap: "skyla and samara this is all we be about, your papa's so fat i got cheese on my Minnie mouse" now don't ask me what that means but they sure do love it. one of my favorite memories with Mar Mar was both on Monday and Tuesday during Bible story time she decided to fart on me. Monday's were small and not so loud but then Tuesday came around and let me tell ya it was explosive. both times she was rolling on the floor laughing and so was i. from then on i knew she was comfortable with me. i also learned that to get attention Samara likes to pout. it was a struggle for me to know how much attention i should give her. i say all this, and at the same time i still love Samara. even though she gives me trouble i still love her. unconditional love, that is what the camp is all about.

 

  now even though those are the girls i have been asked to closely mentor i have also started to build friendships with the other fourth graders. Imani, quiet personality, cute outfits, and beautiful smiles. Lillian, soft voice, always doing the right thing, is a helper. Fara, smart, likes to say "hi", and she enjoys camp. Savannah, quite a handful, tells it like it is, likes to be the one in charge. Skyla, loves hugs, very outspoken, loves to laugh. And Corian, the only boy in a class of 7 girls, lady's man, loves hugs, responds better to female staff. its been such a joy getting to know all of them.

 

first impressions are always interesting. i look forward to learning more about and from the kids as the summer goes on.

 

each night i have made it my duty to no matter how hard the day was to write down in my journal a list of things i was grateful for from that day. i have found it to be a good way of ending the day well no matter how it might have gone. its good for me to reflect and to be grateful. because there is always something to be grateful for.

 

thank you so much for your continued support and prayers. even though the hardest part may be over i still have a lot to learn and a lot more days ahead. while i really look forward to them, i know they will not all be easy.

 

take care.

 

 

prepared, inspired, and anxious..

on Monday of this week I woke up at around 6:30AM. the first thing I did was open my Jesus Calling devotional book to June 10th. and this is what was written...

"Rest in Me, My child. Give your mind a break from planning and trying to anticipate what will happen. Pray continually, asking My Spirit to take charge of the details of this day. Remember that you are on a journey with Me. When you try to peer into the future and plan for every possibility, you ignore your constant Companion who sustains you moment by moment. As you gaze anxiously into the distance, you don't even feel the strong grip of My hand holding yours. How foolish you are, My child! Remembrance of Me is a daily discipline. Never lose sight of My Presence with you. This will keep you resting in Me all day, everyday."

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." -Psalm 62:5

 

   before reading this on Monday morning I had overwhelmed myself with worry, fear, and nervousness. all the new that I was about to encounter was causing me to ignore my constant Companion. I was gazing anxiously into the distance, not remembering the strong grip of God's hand holding mine. when I read this I immediately felt at peace. one of the most bizarre feelings ever. although I did go into the day at peace, taking all that "new" in was very exhausting.

 

   I carpooled with 3 other teens to Belden Elementary School in Canton, Ohio where I would be spending the majority of my summer working. This past week each day we focused on how to be best prepared for when the kids would arrive. each morning we watched a TED talk. these talks sparked good discussion as we answered questions like: what is this telling us about who we are as humans? how is the speaker challenging us as educators? what steps can we take to create a positive atmosphere for our students?

 

   another form of training we went through in the afternoon was called MANDT training. the MANDT system teaches that all people are important. at the most basic level, relationships are formed to satisfy human needs for human safety and security and needed for people to grow and develop. building positive healthy relationships is the ultimate goal of their training system. Darin Nissley, one of the directors, led this part of the training. I was very impressed and encouraged hearing his words and wisdom. some of the key things he said during this time were:

-Jesus died for them (kids) as much as He died for me.

-This camp is about power under. We are not here to stand on top of these kids and share our power that way, but we are to about power under. Helping these kids to be empowered.

-All this camp cares about is the heart.

 

   so Monday went and came, and the rest of the week went smoothly. I learned to get to know the rest of my team. many smiles were shared as we talked about how excited we all were to meet the kids. towards the end of the week we found out the names of the kids we each would be individually mentoring throughout the summer. I found out that I have two girls. Samara and Kyanna. I look forward to building a relationship with them both. I feel as though I am as ready to learn from my mistakes and grow as I invest in both of them. i believe this week was really beneficial. i learned a lot. i feel as though i am prepared. and although I am very excited to meet the kids, I also find myself a little anxious about the unknown. then I am reminded of this verse.

 

 "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." -Psalm 62:5

 

i hope to keep you updated on how next week goes for me. thanks for your prayers and your support. i appreciate it so very much!

take care.

 

 

an opened door.

To my friends and family,

   I am so excited to inform you of a very exciting and special dream of mine that has begun to take shape. I have been accepted to work with Lighthouse Ministries in Canton, OH this summer! Each summer Lighthouse Ministries leads what they call a Summer Enrichment Camp. They have both college and high school students help minister and walk alongside kids predominantly elementary aged.
   I will be living with my grandparents who live in Kidron, Ohio during that time. I leave Sunday June 9th and training begins on June 10th. I will be in Kidron for the majority of the summer all except for 2 weeks. I am grateful to be allowed to still be able to allow time off to go to Convention in Arizona and enjoy time with my extended Kauffman family. My official last day working will be August 1st.    The Lighthouse Summer Enrichment camp focuses on nurturing kid’s needs academically, physically, and spiritually. We will spend time each day exercising, learning math, science, arts, and reading, and finishing the  day with worship and a Bible study.
   As a high school intern, I’ll be placed in either the 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade class and I’ll be assigned to one or two kids for the summer. My job is to be their encourager, motivator, supervisor and friend. Many of the children in this program have very little knowledge of God or the Bible. The goal is to plant seeds of faith in their young lives and let them know how much Jesus loves each and every one of them.

  

 

I would really appreciate your prayers throughout this summer. Prayers for an open mind, an open heart, and open arms to all that God has in store for me. I plan on using my blog as a way of updating and sharing my experiences throughout this summer.

take care.