Week 1 (Home away from Home)

Dear Friends and Family,

As of today, I have officially been away from my family for 7 days, and away from Olney for 9. To say that this week has been easy, would go against the 9th commandment. But Jesus never said things were going to be easy. Let me run you through my first week here at Rockford.

To begin with, when my mom and dad left after service Sunday morning, I took a lap throughout the church. I have spent the last 20 years and 358 days in the presence of my parents. Deep down, I was starting to regret my choice to come here. I wanted to pack up, forget all the work that I did to make Rockford possible, and go back home. But I had to remind myself that God has called me to more than to be average. I need this time in my life, this season to break out of my comfort zone and to focus on God. So I went out to lunch with a few guys. That was a blast. Instant friends. After that, a bunch of us took the long boards out and skated down thru downtown Rockford. Some of you might not know this about me, but boys intimidate me. I don’t get along with many guys, so to have guys I can relate with and do the things I enjoy doing, that was refreshing. Then we went to our start of the year party. Thats when I start to realize what this year is going to be like. No matter what the schedule says, no matter what you have planned in your life, if you are fully promising your life to christ, it can be changed in a moments notice. They were preparing us on the spot to be sent down to Florida, the stronger guys, to help wth relief. Thank the Lord prayers were answered and the Hurricane was weakened before it hit landfall, but I quickly realized in ministry you’re always on call to be sent anywhere God needs you. Still be in prayer, because there are still small possibilities we could go down there. That was in the first day. There are still 6 days in this weeks, and over 200 days left in the year.

Come Monday, we have a special service. This is the main event I want to talk about right now. This is a tradition every year. Lance, our director gives a sermon on praying bold prayers, as we prepare our hearts for the year and what God has in store for us. This is where is gets really deep and personal. We are asked to pray, and as we pray, right down what we expect of this year. Come the end of the year, we open up those prayers, and as we notice the handwriting on the paper but read it as changed people. It was a powerful night. But thats when the best part happens. All the men get together in the center of the room and start praying with each other. Its amazing the bond we’ve created, all 21 of us. These weren’t normal prayers. These prayers had meaning. These are the prayers that will send us into the whole year. The next few days were kinda monotonous, filled with rules and everything. But Wednesday night we served in the youth ministry. This was an exceptional time for me because the Lord has called me into Youth so its my passion to serve. And that night didn’t go into vain. The 8 hours I invested were well worth it, because 82 students accepted the Lord for the first time. Exceptional. It was amazing, and in two weeks we are expecting amazing things for our community event. Keep this in your prayers. Its called ‘Big” cause we are expecting nothing less. I missed something. Every morning we spend the first hour in prayer, and devotion. This has become my favorite hour every day. I love just focusing on God and feeling his presence before I start my day. Lets jump to Friday. We had chapel outside, away from technology. The worship was strictly guitar and voice. It was so raw and simple. It was amazing. I am so thankful for what God has done in this short time and I am expecting big things.

A few things I am needing prayer for, to begin with is my discouragement. Out of nowhere, the last few days I have this spirit of discouragement that I don’t know why. I’m praying God takes that away cause its not of him. Please keep that in your prayers. Another thing is, I have a very amazing opportunity to coach a high school wrestling team this winter. It came out of nowhere. If this is Gods plan, pray he will make it possible because I can only imagine the avenue this will create to minister to these hurting high school students. Please pray for this. One more thing is keep praying for finances and that God will continue to work on my heart this next year. Im believing in amazing things. Thank you all, and God bless. I love each and every one of you guys.

Love,

Timothy:)