Transition

Have I mentioned that I love my team of Bigs? I really do. Yesterday we had a fun day of hiking for "Doulos Day" which is a day we'll spend once a month just with the other Bigs and the staff. There are pictures on Facebook becuase one of the counselors here is a big Facebooker.
This afternoon we had a BBQ and scavenger hunt with the Littles.

Tonight was pretty rough. The old Bigs officially left about 2 hours ago. There were a lot of tears, which is a really big deal for these girls. The girls here tonight are all really upset. One of them cut - which happens to be quite the fad around here.
Tomorrow is our first day officially "on coverage". We will pick up the girls who are still on break from the airport and the real fun will begin. The girls who are coming back tomorrow actually have the stronger more vocal personalities and for the most part are the girls who have been here longer and will take the change even harder.

One good thing in the middle of this is that for the first time since Sunday afternoon, "M", my Little talked to me and acknowledged my presence as a human. It wasn't a big conversation, but it was a big step. Hopefully I'll get to talk to her for real soon. Please pray for so much grace these next few days. That the joy of the LORD would be our strength.

Thanks for your prayers. It is good to be alive. To enjoy the sun and the mountains and beautiful people. To know the powerful Word of our God, and to be in the place he has put me. I am really having a good time here. We got to go outdoor rockclimbing yesterday. How fun!

The 5, 9+ rock we conquered

Please pray against any apathy for my team. This next week will have a big impact on our whole year since as the other Bigs leave we will be begining the new routine and setting the tone for what's ahead. Oh how we need to seek and rely completely on our Father. We all agree that anything good that is accomplished in this place is going to have to be done by the work of God - pray that our actions would reflect this.

This is in Downtown Denver - we don't look like apathetic people do we?

I don't think I've put up a picture of Jodi yet - the last girl added to our team- she's fun.

Today

Me and Tasha, M's old Big, picked her up from the airport this afternoon as she returned from her time home. I'm so excited to begin spending time with her and learning more about her. (Did I mention that we get to do fun things like strip searches here?)

Pray for our interaction with the old Bigs- it hasn't been that great so far. This is a hard time and transition for everyone. But we definitely need their wisdom since they are just finishing what we are about to begin- pray that there would be a chance for us to really glean from them before they leave, the 28th.

Rules and other thoughts

Rules- there sure are a lot of them around here - its kind of like working at a prison. :o) Just kidding, but I definitely feel like its going to be impossible to remember, much less enforce all of the rules. The good thing is that the rules are here to serve relationship, which is what really brings change. (Rather than the rules being almighty and relationship being in place to serve them, which is more typical and much less effective)I'm not too great at enforcing, confronting, dealing with conflict, etc and that is going to be daily life around this place. And when I do have to deal with a problem, my tendancy is to go into what we call "helicopter mode" and try to fix things myself -thinking that others need me to help. But people have to learn how to deal with situations and make good choices themselves without others controlling them, or fixing things for them.

We're learning all the theories of correctly dealing with crisis situations right now - its really intersting and very wise, and totally doesn't come naturally. Supposedly, the only thing constant in this place is chaos. Seems true enough so far. I'm asking the Lord to free me of the need and desire to be in control, to fix things, to have the right answer. And at the same time to give me the strength to be firm and consistent.

Supposedly I am going to fail here every day. Seems true enough so far. I don't like to fail - I'm asking the Lord to free me of this performance based, people pleasing, prideful living. (And by the way, if he could, I'd like him to do it without me having to fail to much .....wait a minute, i guess that's the problem)

I'm also asking him to free me of judgemental attitudes and teach me to really see and love people like him. I know he's changed me a lot in this over the years (I'm from a rich, white, subarb) but that I still have a long way to go.

I'd love for you to pray these things for me too.

The Property

My new favorite thing to drive

The Gazebo area

The front living room and Bigs office in the girls house

My hammock in front of the Dining Hall/meeting area/classroom building

Our high ropes course and rock wall

Basketball court and land

The volleyball court, parking lot, main office, and entryway

In addition to these, there is a pool, a metal playground, a guys house, another girls house, and a weight room. The actual property/facility has grown on me quickly - I really like it. Its not that big of a place though in comparison to a camp, so its definitely nice to leave property when an opportunity presents itself.

The last couple days

Hiking the FlatIrons

Saturday was a fun- I explored Westminster a little in the morning had lunch with my teammates, then most of us hiked up the FlatIrons in Boulder and then had dinner together and a time to pray for what’s ahead. When we got back to the property all the girls were here and waiting to meet us – It was really fun just to see them, it takes away the intimidation to put faces on them. They may have hard issues and there may be hard times ahead, but they’re just teenage girls…so that’s good to know. As we spend the day with them today (Sunday), pray for eyes to see them as Jesus does – to feel and mourn for them and to also see who he wants to make them.

Sunday- we went to church with all the current Bigs and Littles. The church we'll be taking them to is called FlatIrons Community Church - The Littles all seem to really like it, and for most of them it may be the first time they have ever liked a church. The place is huge (for being in a strip mall next to a liquor store) and full of people (they have 6 services- 2 on Saturday). Most people don't dress up and there was a pretty diverse group of people.One of the announcements was to help buy backpacks and school supplies for the 1700 students in Denver starting school without them. Another announcement was that people coming to later Sunday services need to start coming to early Sunday or Saturday night in order to make room for visitors. And the sermon was from James on caring for orphans and widows - haha, it was sweet to my heart to have these familiarities from Living Hope. Sunday afternoon we were assigned our Littles. At the moment I only have one. We'll call her M. I really like M- she's very chill and just seems sweet in comparison to many of the high strung girls. Before church that morning she had come and sat with me and another Big and asked us why we had come to Shelterwood to be Bigs– saying that it was gunna suck and wondering why we would want to be there –but being real and genuine.
This morning we took most of the girls to the airport to go home for break, except for 4 who weren’t allowed to go. So this week its just us and the old Bigs and a bunch of training b/c when the Littles come back the old Bigs will be gone. Pray for M and all the Littles as goin home is very painful and filled with temptation for most of them.
Jodi and David - 2 more Bigs just arrived, so we'll be getting to know them to.

PRAY:
That this week we would truly seek the Lord and his heart for us together over the next year- to start off with great purpose and vision.

Never Done a Role Play Like That

Today is pretty much a free day for us. Yesterday was a little overwhelming - There are 2 counselors (who do therapy with the Littles) who have been training us and they were talking about different situations we are going to face and having us role-play them. It was like the, "Are you ready to be hated, yelled at, cussed out, ignored, mocked, and everything else negative" Game. Its not that we didn't know that was coming, but it's one thing to know and another thing to stand in the middle of it and try to respond correctly. It was definitely helpful, but a little overwhelming. Pray that we would all die to self and not try to win or fix, but simply love. I think we are going to spend time together praying for the Littles today before they all get back. Please pray that this would happen, be so good, and only be the begining of much to come.

My new room

It was already maroon - whoop!

A Willing Team

Praise the Lord already for unity in my team! Yesterday was full of team building (as today will be) but by God's grace we already fit well together- there is a willingness among all of us and unity in what we are here to do. Plus, I really love all the LeadTimers- this is gunna be a great community. There are 6 girls and only 1 guy here right now. 2 married guys1 or 2 single guys, and one more girl (newly added- her name is Jodi- Lindsey decided not to come last monday) will be arriving in the next week. So please continue to pray for unity - especially for the 3 who are still to arrive and a little out of the loop- that they would ease right in feeling comfortable- that we could get to know them quickly and they would add exactly the dynamics that are needed.

This pic is in Golden- we jumped in a floated a short piece of the freezing river

Nehemiah

This morning I was reading about Nehemiah (I've just started studying him) and he was a leader who saw a need and was impacted by it and passionate about it. Who sought the Lord but also had a plan. Who waited for God's perfect timing but acted in boldnes when the time came. Who was afraid and opposed, but trusted God anyways. Who motivated people and led by action.
I want to be like him. I don't want to just dream of and hope for big things, but want to trust the Lord for them. To have a plan and in boldness and action in his timing and blessing inspire others in them. Please pray that I will do this, specifically in the area of prayer here.

I'm here - for real

I don’t even know where to start, I’ve been here for less than 24 hours, but of course have a million things to tell already – I’ll start with 3.

1) I know God has perfectly placed me here, and I am excited about that! When my parents drove out of the parking lot after moving me in yesterday there was a moment of freak out- “This is real now- I’m stuck here, by myself, and I have no idea what I’ve gotten myself into” – Thankfully the moment was brief - and I’m not stuck here, I am perfectly placed here by the one who knows exactly what He’s gotten me into and is holding me and keeping me so that I am totally not alone. (And this is fun - we have a great view of the mountains from here- One that I admired during my walk under the red-pink sun-rising sky this morning.)
2) I have a one roommate, her name is Sarah (see previous post of girls for picture) – she is from California, and I like her. We have a small room with bunkbeds that we miraculously fit all of our stuff in. And, oh yeah, we are the only 2 LeadTime girls (Bigs) that live in the Shelterwood Teens’ (Littles) house. Its right next door to the Bigs house, but I have a feeling it will be very different living over here. We will have a unique opportunity for relationships with them that I’m excited about. Plus, we get our own little bathroom. :o)
3) The current/old LeadTimers (Bigs) and Shelterwood Teens (Littles) are on a trip to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. They will be home Saturday night. Until then it is really just time for the new LeadTimers to get to know each other. Please continue to pray for unity in Christ as we do that. Pray especially for their return Sunday as that will be our first day all together and the day the Littles are paired with us (their new Bigs) and probably a really hard day – as you can imagine, the Littles aren’t fond of change and maybe the first good relationship they ever really trusted is about to leave them.

Ahh that mountain air

There's just something about the mountains and trees and cool air . It invigorates and excites me. It is good to be in Colorado! What a blast I have had with my family - time together is rare and treasured.

I was thinking about Psalm 23 and our good leading shepherd this morning and being with my family reminded me of what it should look like to follow him. When I'm home, there's this assurance of protection and provision and goodness -this lack of worry and return to almost childlikeness, because I know my parents are taking care of me. Anybody else know that feeling of being home? Praise God that the truth of his goodness as a shepherd and the security and blessing in Him, even amidst the valley of the shadow of death far surpasses the security found in parents or any other earthly relationship. May we follow and dwell always with this good shepherd!

Isaiah 42:16 "I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them."

Lead me on Lord!

Colorful Colorado

I made it safely to Colorado with my family last night. It is beautiful and I am glad to be here. I begin LeadTime on Wednesday. There is much to pray for, but I ask that you please pray that those of us in the program will be commited to and walk in unity in Christ from the very start as we meet and get to know one another. I know that will be essential to the year ahead.

"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all....speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Eph 4:1-5, 15-16

Sifted to Strengthen

Luke 22:31-32

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

These verses about being sifted as wheat and the soon to follow passage of Simon Peter's denial may not seem too encouraging on first glance. But read them again. Any sifting that Satan is allowed to do is permitted by our Savior. Our Savior not only knows we will come through the sifting but prays for us in order that we may come through and be able to strengthen others by what we have learned. Peter reached his lowest point in denying Christ - he was humbled and taught that none of us are above falling - but then he was lifted up when Jesus reminded Him over and over that he really was a lover of God and reminded him of his task of strengthening and feeding the other sheep.

Why does this particularly excite me right now? Much of my heart feels like it has recently been carried through a season of great sifting, but praise the Lord my faith has lasted and come through as refined by fire. Now as I go to Colorado I am going there to strengthen my brothers! How exciting! That makes all the painful sifting worthwhile.

Everyone says that LeadTime is often a place of great sifting. I almost think this may not be the case for me as I have just experienced much of this, but am excited even if it is because I know the end result.

Set Apart

Acts 13:1-4
"In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues."


This scripture has come to my attention a few times in the last week and it excites me. I have been set apart by the Lord for a specific work and am going to go complete it!


I desire to be like this church and these men. To be expectant and in position to hear from the Lord and then to hear and follow the voice of the Holy Spirit alone - not the voice of my own desires, or others words and expectations, or who I've always been, or any other voice, but in all things God's alone.
"Every hour of every moment, Lord I want to be your servant, I desire to be a blessing in your eyes."

Where do I send the dough?

Several people have wanted to send support and asked me this question. Here is the answer posted for all to see.


You can make a check out to Doulos and just put Becky Blackmon in the "For" line.


You can mail it to:
Doulos Corporate Office
801 W. mineral Ave.
Littleton, CO 80120