Another Beginning

Dear family and friends,

I am almost home! Tomorrow morning I leave on a plane at 8am, land in Chicago, then land in Colorado, and then FINALLY land at Ontario Airport in California. One HECK of a flight to be sure. I am not looking forward to the flight so much as I am looking forward to landing in my baby's arms when I get there. (clarification... baby = Matthew....NOT a small child...*cough*laura*cough*)

This week went by FAST, though the days went by slow. I sat in the office literally staring at the clock as I had little to do, and all the time to do it in. And still I managed to have a good time. Was taken out to lunch a few times, dinner a few others, a dear friend bought me flowers, and another took me to the state capitol. I'm glad I managed to see it before i leave. It really was a most beautiful building second only to the Country's capitol in my opinion. The lady who took me there was called Louise Knight, a utilities lawyer and such a sweet woman. It made me wish I had gotten more time to spend with her, but that's life I suppose. Time is our worst enemy and greatest friend.

As I look back on my summer... i am astounded at how far someone like me can come in 2 1/2 months. I'm not the same person I was, that's for sure. I'd like to think I'm closer to looking like Jesus now than I was all that time ago. And it wasn't even that long ago that I stepped off the plane in Harrisburg and stared wide-eyed at the broken city of Harrisburg wondering what in the world I has signed up for. I can honestly say I've grown to love this city as a second home, and the Harrisburg First Church people as a second family. I could never forget the Hospitality shown me, the love and care given to me, and the experiences shared. I sincerely and completely hope my paths cross with more than a few of them in the future. I love them dearly, and i really do. I mean that. It was harder than I expected to say goodbye to some of them, the kids especially. But these amazing people literally showered me with cards as a going away present, I walked away with two pictures, a hand crocheted cross, and 145 dollars. LOL. I'll never forget opening card after card, reading all those lovely things, and feeling my eyes grow bigger as that little green stack got bigger and bigger. hahahahaha. Oh my word, Jesus is the absolute coolest. the for SURE.

Now I am taking a break from packing, waiting for some laundry to get down. I swear on butter flies, that my suitcase will be the 8th wonder of the world if everything ends up fitting. lol. It's already to the brim with a load still in the washer, and my bathroom still in disarray. Fingers crossed peoples. ;0)

With this I will bid you adieu. I have no idea where the time went, but I'm to try and catch it tomorrow...on a 9 hour plane/layover journey home. I can't wait to see you again. I've missed you all terribly. and to those of you I'm leaving... I'll miss you. I guess one can never be fully satisfied with who one's around. In order to no longer miss a certain person, you have to leave another you will undoubtedly miss sooner or later. THAT my friends is why I'm looking forward to heaven...won't have to miss anyone...and won't have to leave anyone behind. Those will be good days.

I hope to keep this blog up and going through-out the year, but i wouldn't get any hopes too far up into the sky. I'll be really busy and blogs may be few and far between.

I love you all dearly. :0) Here's to the beginning of another adventure!

All my Love,

~ME

September: Growing Edge

Dear Harrisburg First Church,

I am a firm believer that “Church” is not a word, or an idea that can be held captive behind four walls and a Sunday sermon. My Father’s Church lives in each and every one of your hearts. Everywhere you go, to the store, the shower, school, or a friend’s house, Church travels with you. With out you, this beautiful building would be just that. A building. In your heart and fellowship, I was introduced to Jesus all over again. It never ceases to amaze me where He seems to pop up. He’s in the smiles and stories of the Kids at the Youth Group, He’s sitting in Kim’s kitchen as she cooks, in Pastor Belita’s office as she counsels, He’s cheering at the Baseball games, He’s eating pizza with Pastor Gerald at Agape-Satyagraha, He’s everywhere!!!!!!!!!
Through my encounters with the members of this community and Church this summer, God has taught me a few lessons I’m sure never to forget and I wanted to share a few of them with you before I leave.

1. Love the individual, not the action. In a world such as the one we live in, there are a lot of people making a lot of unwise decisions. Every day there’s another teen pregnant, there’s another drug addict dying, there’s another bully at school, there’s another tax collector cheating us out of hard earned money. Fortunately for us, God called us to love the person, NOT what they do. I can reach out to that pregnant teen in the love of Jesus, throw her a baby shower, and remind her how much she is loved with out ever judging the actions that got her there. That’s the challenge isn’t it? To look at these people, to look at ourselves, and try to see past the rotten actions to the Piece of God’s Heart that is living, breathing, and trying to shine in each one of us.

2. It’s not about who I am, but whose I am. Since I was in high school, I’ve always been worried about what job I’m going to have, how I’m going to support a family, who I’m going to marry, what my kids will be like, what will people say about me when I’m gone. Slowly but surely, I’ve come to learn it’s not about that. It’s not about me. This life, this world, these sometimes heartbreaking circumstances were NOT meant for me. Or for you. We were meant to walk in a beautiful garden holding the Lord’s hand. This summer, for me, was about forgetting that I’m a suburban, white, college girl with some pretty cool friends and family waiting for me back home. That’s all a part of who I am. Whose I am…is what really matters. I belong, heart and soul, to Jesus. If I live like I’m His, by His word, and His love, there will not be a need to worry. Who I am won’t matter, because Jesus becomes my definition.

3. Don’t be Afraid to proclaim the Faith. Don’t be afraid. In my life I’ve been called many different things, but coward has never been one of them. However, until recently when it came to talking about God I was rather skittish. God isn’t exactly a beloved being in the theatre where I’m from. His name is more often used as a curse word, than anything else. But I’ve also discovered that as my friends find out I’m in love with Jesus they start asking questions. “Do you think God has a gender?”, “Why does God let horrible things happen?”, “Who is God to you?” etc. And the coolest part is, all these questions came to me with out the title of ‘Pastor.’ I’ve always loved these questions, and answering them always opens up the door for further awesome conversations. Never-the-less, I’ve always had trouble volunteering prayer and God’s word in such an environment. God’s used this summer to give me the courage to be more vocal about my relationship with Jesus. This love is so awesome, why in the world would I want to keep it secret?

Having said all this, I want to let you know that when I return to California I am going to be a Jr. High Leader at a church near my school. I’ve been talking to the Jr. High Pastor there, and he’s really excited to be bringing me aboard and getting me plugged into these kids’ lives. It gives me such joy when I think about it, and I know it’s exactly where God wants me to go right now.
I want to thank you for all the encouragement, the fantastic food, fellowship, and love you’ve given me this summer. I’ll never forget it. And God willing, I’ll be back in the future to visit. I’m not a huge fan of good-byes, because I know I’ll see each and every one of you again when we party it up together in Heaven. So I’ll leave you with the verse that has spoken most into my life, Romans 8:18,

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us.”


With Love,
Jen Scarr
MSS Intern 2009

Almost Home

Dear family and friends,

(picture is of Me and Eliana, one of the awesome sunday school girls...she's 7....maybe 8.)

Here i am! Nine weeks in, and one week away from home! Though this summer has been amazing,and something I am sure never to forget...I am ready to come home. I miss my friends. my family, and mostly my boyfriend. hhahahha. This time next week, I'll be in his arms and happy as a clam. Nay, happier than a clam...

So this weekend was fantastic! Josiah and Christine took me to Philly on Saturday, and oh man that was SO much fun. It felt like we walked all over the city by the end of the day. We saw Independence Hall, the line for the liberty bell, and at Steaks! PhillyCheeseSteaks. It was pretty awesome. We found a map of a walking tour around the city where there are still many of the original houses and stuff. The needle in a haystack ended up being Betsy Ross's House. We accidentally walked right past it...all the way around our elbow... and when I finally saw the sign Josiah was like, "You're kidding me!!!" It was awesome. I laughed alot... I don't think my friends thought it was as funny. teehee. While we were standing outside the allusive house, there was a tour guide talking about Betsy. He said that she was buried in the courtyard of the house.....maybe..... lol. He said that when they wanted to move Betsy Ross's body they discovered that Quakers don't mark graves. Betsy was a Quaker. lol. So they took an educated guess...bottom line - who ever is buried in that courtyard is Betsy Ross. :0) awesome story.

For lunch it was Philly Steaks for us! There are two steak stands near South st. called King Pat's Steaks and Geno's. Pats is for the locals, and has very specific way of ordering...and Genos is more lenient and meant for tourists. You can tell just from the decor. lol. I had a half from each place...and decided that Pat's was better. If you don't order right at Pat's they may send you to the back of the line, or across the street to Geno's. BAHAHAHA. Lucky for me, I was a quick study. :0D

Sunday was my last youth group. Next week Josiah is doing a wedding, so they aren't going to be back in time. Josiah asked me to try storying for my last night.....so I did. I think it may have gone over okay. lol. As well as Squirmy urban kids could take it. :0) There were a lot of new girls...who didn't like me at all. I've found that I do much better with the guys than the girls. I have no idea why! The guys in the youth group were WAY easier to befriend and play games with. Most of the girls looked me up and down, sneered, and gave me attitude. No bueno.

Well anyway, here I am through with youth group. I'm gonna miss some of those kids. They were really cool...as much as they drove me crazy....I kinda love 'em.

I'm back at the Kelly house after a four day "escape" to the Reardons. They were really fun people to live with, but I missed my basement. lol. It's good to be back. :0)

SO this week, is full of people wanting to take me out to eat before I leave. What's cracked me up is that while these people only eat out once a week....i've been eating out three or four times a week ALL summer.... hahahha. I'm also spending time finishing up all the final details before I leave. I've almost got everything marked off my list!! Whoohoooo!

For those of you who are facebookers, I've got some pictures from Philly up and VBS and such things. Also, I've had to write a letter for the Growing Edge which is the Newsletter for the church, so I'm going to make a blog of that and post it here as well. If you so wish to read it, you may. :0)

I'll probably blog one more time before I get home. So keep those eyes pealed!

Love you all and see you soon!
Love

~ME

I SURVIVED.

Fellow people,

I HAVE SURVIVED what was possibly the craziest week of my existence! ok...ok...maybe not my existence... but definitely the month... I would describe this week as an inverted wave in terms of hecticness. Monday was CAH-RAZY. I went in early (i'm supposed to have half day off on mondays) at around 10 and worked as well as had a meeting all the way up until 6:00 when Josiah and I tramped into the neighborhood to pick up some kids who wouldn't come otherwise. I met some of THEE most awesome kids. Nygeria (Ny-Ny is the nickname) was the sweetest child I've ever met, so cute, lovable, and she held my heart in her hands. lol. Jalen (Jay-len) who has been an incredible hand-full in youth group, came to VBS and behaved like a little adult....which completely floored me. lol. He answered questions, stayed quiet, and looked out for the other kids. I actually really liked the kid by the end of the week...when I asked him why he doesn't behave this way at group, he smiled this goofy smile and walked away. hahahhhaha. oh dear. There was also, Eternity, D'ajah (dee-ah-sha), and Shayla who were all girls and all completely wonderful. It turns out that we had around 61 kids come over the whole week, and they were a pretty good group.

Tuesday- Thursday were pretty slow daytimes for me. I had to re-write some stuff for the skits (meaning I had to write a character out of the story we were telling cause the actor had to go to a wedding..lol....) and I did Devos and tried my best to take it easy...but by Wednesday night Josiah said to me, "I better not see you here until at least 1:00pm tomorrow." I laughed. and he said, "Seriously." So I didn't go in Thurs. until 12:30pm....I'm a rebel. lol. It was GREAT fun.

Friday was crazy. We had food Distribution in the morning at which one lady standing in line almost fainted. Her name was Nadine, and it turns out she hadn't eaten yet that day and needed water. I laughed to myself, cause she reminded me of myself a few years back even though she is at least 3 times my age. I got her water, Aleve for the head ache, and she refused food so I let her son deal with that. It was crazy talking to her....she clearly loved both of her children but she had cut ties with her daughter because she was in an abusive relationship that has physically deformed her and gotten her four kids placed in Children and Youth. Overall, the stories of the people in this town, NEVER cease to amaze me.

Friday night was the Sleepover with Kim, myself, and 5 hyperactive 3rd-5th graders. Oh my golly goodness...lemme break it down for you...

6:30-8:30- VBS

8:30-9:00 I had to walk the kids home. Josiah wasn't there and Kevin was MIA so I had to walk them home on my own. It pumped my adrenaline a little bit, but I survived. The kids were sad to see me go, and I was sad to see them go. I'm going to miss them.

9:00-11:00 Jen = alone with the hyper active kids. LOL. Kim has some stuff she needed to do, so I was left to entertain them on my own. Katie brushed my hair, while Eliana told me stories about her nephews, Giovanni and Devin played on DSes, and Sierra was doing gymnastics in front of me complaining about one of the boys at her VBS table. They also played four square. 2 hours of that. I was pooped.

11:00-12:00 Kim came back and we blew up air matresses...rather IIIIII blew up air mattresses while Kim entertained the kids for a spell. We got all set up for bed and popped in a movie. Veggie Tales!!! Sadly...it was only a half hour.

12:00- 2:00am Finding Nemo played while the kids ran around the fellowship hall, Kim and Katie made Deviled Eggs, Sierra and I actually watched the movie.

2:00am - 4:00am We watched the WaterHorse. *sigh* FINALLY the kids fell asleep, so I did as well...probably around 3 or so.

5:00am - I wake up to Kim snoring and our airmatress deflating.

5:00-6:00am I walk around the fellowship hall, go to the bathroom, grab my pillow and blanket and go sleep in the kitchen to escape the snoring. WAke up in the kitchen and go back to the now completely deflated airmatress.

6:00am, Kim goes down to the classroom and pulls up two tiny couches that roll out into beds of a sort....i curl up on one of those and was OUT.

9:00am... The kids awake.

9:30am everyone's up and about...talking and playing. We put in the Waterhorse again so they could see the parts they missed for sleep.

9:30-11:45 watched movie, ate breakfast, played games.

11:45-12:45 we cleaned up, packed up, and got ready for the pool party.

1:00- 5:00pm POOL PARTY.

5:00-7:00 Kim and I cleaned up the fellowship hall and did other such things.

7:30 = HOME. and also - EXHAUSTED.

So THAT was my Friday into Saturday. So when I say, I Survived..... literally....I survived. lol. When I got home Saturday evening, I had a beautifully decorated package from my boyfriend who had sent me a CD with a couple songs he'd written for me, a DVD with good wishes from a lot of my friends back home that made me laugh and cry...it was great, and two little boxes I wasn't to open until Sunday morning. Perfect ending to an exhausting day.

Sunday was nice...had to get up super early. But I got to open my boxes!! Inside the boxes was a little ceramic baseball glove that reads "You're my best catch!" and inside the other was a beautiful little necklace of a dancing person. The note that came with it read "Dance like no one is watching." I absolutely loved it, and have decided to wear it everyday til I get home. lol. Matt and I have been together for 10 months now!!! Crazy huh? I love that man.

So looking forward into the next two weeks I see a lot of busy-ness. I'm basically rolling right from VBS into all my other regular activities. I have to move houses this weekend, so I'm not sure I'll get a chance to Blog this weekend, but I'll do my best to get at least one or two more out before I get home. Mostly in reflection of the summer and what's coming next, and what I've learned. Believe me, I've been keeping a list.

Until then my dear friends and family, I am off! I have to go to a ribbon cutting ceremony of sorts in a few mintues. I hope you are having a beautiful day, and I'll see you all very soon.

Love,

~ME

"See ya Tomorrow"

Hey friends and family!

This is the beginning of an 8 day stretch that I am to be going NON stop. haha, so I thought i'd sneak in a blog to tie you over in case I don't get a chance to blog until next week!!

This weekend has been really awesome so far.

Last night I drove down to Palmyra (that's right, I've got NEW WHEELS. pictured at right...lol.) and went to see Harry Potter with Bethany. It was SO fun. lol. It took my an hour to get there!! There was traffic because of a concert going on Hershey Park, I literally traveled 20 miles an hour almost the whole way there. lol. It was great, and raining, but I was having a good time anyway. :0) Even though it took me HOUR to get there, I was there half hour early and so Beth and I went to get dinner at this completely rockin' place called "Sheetz" it's a gas station, but also a pretty good distributor of glorious food. I got Three-Cheese Macaroni, as did Beth, and an OJ which we ate and drank in her car. It was 6:30 (our movie was supposed to start at 8) by the time we finished, and on a whim decided to go the theatre and get our tickets early..to beat the rush ya know? First friday in theatres and all....

We get there.....hardly anyone there....and there was a showing at 6:45. It was 6:37. SCORE. We got to go to the film EARLY and it wasn't even that packed. It was beautiful.

The movie itself, was the BOMB. Bethany and i were equally as impressed. I enjoy going to movies with Beth cause we are both jumpy and giggly. At one point I looked over at her, and both her and I are sitting there with our knees up to our chests, hands over mouth, and eyes wide. (it was a scary part.) Oh man, I giggled. We also would jump at the same time at a startling part and then laugh at ourselves....realize we were the only ones laughing...stop...and then silently giggle. It was really fun. We went home after the movie and watched the first Harry Potter movie cause she had it at the Baker's house. It was really cool to watch the beginning of such a great saga.

I drove home this morning after a fantastic breakfast of blueberry pancakes and an education on Sinkholes.

This afternoon was Doris Frysinger's memorial at our church. I had the honor of meeting this fantastic person but once before her passing. She was an enchanting lady as was demonstrated by her full and love-filled life. She praised Jesus even until the end. It was a very moving service. What got me the most was a devotional that Roy (her husband) shared with her a few days before she went home.

"It seems that 'good-bye' is a word all too prevalent in the Christian's vocabulary. Missionaries know it well. Those who sen them know it, too. The Doctor who leaves the city to work in the jungle hospital said it. Those who feed the hungry, those who teach the lost, all know the word 'good-bye'.

Airports. Luggage. Embraces. Taillights. "Wave to Grandma." Tears. Bus Terminals. Ship Docks. "Good-bye, Daddy." Tight throats. Ticket counters. Misty eyes. "Write me!"

Question: What kind of God would give you families and then ask you to leave them? What kind of God would give you friends and then ask you to say good bye?

Answer: A God who knows that we are only pilgrims and that eternity is so close that any "Good Bye" is in reality a "See you Tomorrow."

*sigh*

It was beautiful and SO true. I was reminded of all the times I've had to say good bye for good, and hated it. Wondering if these people I'm leaving will remember me in a few years, If i'll remember them, if we'll write, if i'll ever see them again. I was reminded of all the people I've known who have gone home to Jesus leaving me behind.

I cried even though I didn't know her. Hearing her sons and husband talk about her, made me want to live for what she lived for. And then I giggled to myself cause I already do. She lived for Jesus, and I'm living for Jesus.

Beautiful....Simply, Peacefully, Beautiful.

Next week started VBS, followed by a sleepover for the young kids, a pool party, and then youth group. All in 8 days. phewie. It's gonna be rough, and I'm going to be TIRED. so I ask your prayers for stamina. I'm gonna need it. :0)
Only Three weeks left and then I get home!!!! :0) Yippeeeeeeeeeee!!!!! It's SO funny, I'm already making plans to hang out with friends back home and spend every waking moment with my boyfriend. ( I REAAAALLLY miss him, if you didn't gather that already....hahahaha). it's so weird to make plans to go to the Pacific Ocean when I'm in Pennsylvania. ;0)

I love you all, and I can't wait to see you!!!!

Love

~ME

VBS: Only the Beginning...

Hello friends and family!!!!!

6 weeks down and 4 to go!! It's gone by SO fast, crazy huh? I hope the next four go by just as fast, and also not as fast. lol. I just know that when I get to the end of my time here I won't be able to wait to get home, but I'm going to be SO sad to leave at the same time. I've made some awesome friends here, and have created from awesome relationships that I want to keep beyond the summer. One part of me can't visualize myself living, and the other part of me never left home. Hmmmmm, well God will sort me out thankfully. haha.

Today was a pretty fun day. I spent all my time working on VBS stuff. I made a surf board!!!! I painted it, and cut it out! I almost died doing it... lol. That knife thinger is pretty dangerous. but don't worry I dominated it. Bwahahahaha.

A friend came to help us out today in terms of painting and she is a WIZARD with paint and art and things. She painted a back ground scene for out stage that was ultimately the best thing ever. lol. Apparently this church hasn't done much in terms of VBS in the past years. Like NOTHING. No decorations or costumes or anything. So what we are doing for next week is going to be like Disneyland for these kids. I am so excited to be a part of it... and to have contributed a SURF BOARD....made of cardboard...but made with SO much love.... teehee. I'm really happy that these kids are going to get a taste of how much they are loved for the week.

I'm overall in charge of the dramas. Which means I have a team of three actors, hahaha, including myself and we get to open the VBS night and then do the story-telling and then close the night with a skit. It should be really fun... I'm meeting with my team on Thursday night and kind of planning everything out and running through things. I'm excited to see it fall together. It may be kind of low budget, but it's going to be the BEST ever. :0D

This Sunday, I am also leading worship for the 9am service. And I just got the order of worship down today at the request of Pastor Belita. I'm a little nervous about leading worship cause I haven't done it since before Jr. High. But see that's what life is about, jumping in head first and being unafraid to make mistakes. So here I go, a-mistake making. Wish me luck! lol.

I almost forgot! Highlight of the past week was getting to hang out with my East Coast family! Aunt Sandy came and picked me up last Saturday and we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house to have lunch (which was fantastic!!! Grandma fed us veggies and potatoes from her own garden!). Uncle Ed, Jason, the Grandparents, Aunt Sandy and I were all there. It was really cool to see everyone. I've missed them lots. Then Aunt Sandy, Uncle Ed, and I went to see Transformers. Holy crow that movie was LOUD. I went in with super low expectations and so was not disappointed as others have been. As far as a Micheal Bay big movie, full of explosions, and one liners....it was pretty good. I had fun. Ed and Sandy seemed to enjoy it too, so that made me happy. lol. Ed drove me home and we had a good conversation. I realized some where in the course of the afternoon that I had never hung out with my family without my parents around. It made me miss home, but I really enjoyed getting to see my family with out the eyes of my Parents. :0)

Well I'm fixin' to watch 'The Princess Bride". It's going to be on the ABC family channel. LOL. I haven't had cable in so long, i feel so spoiled. teehee.

I hope you all have a wonderful week, and I'll try to blog again before the week is up. The rest of the week has me out rather late each night and then occupied on Saturday and tied up Sunday...so maybe Monday?

I'll talk to you then.

Love you all so much!!!

Love

~ME

Stop it Uzzah! *ZAAP* uh-oh....

Hey Friends and Family (and Now uncle Ed, special shout out, cause you haven't been getting these blogs. lol....well late night time reading for you to keep you company! lol....i sawwry)

Anyhizzle, It's been an interesting past few days.... hahaha....when hasn't it been an interesting past few days you might ask......well I might answer....never. It's always interesting around these here parts.Pastor Belita is back and in action. It's been good to have her around the office again, like the final puzzle piece for Harrisburg First Church fell nicely into place. On the other hand....that actually means I have to get work done *sigh* ....i kid i kid. I worked the whole time.... Promise. ;0)

Today we had the Volunteer Luncheon for people who help out in the Office with Administrative stuffs and junks. I was in charge of planning and putting it together. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out and so were the volunteers who attended, so that made me quite happy.
Now, however, I am beat. I could really sit down, fall over, and sleep for the remainder of the day as my morning was dedicated to getting that luncheon up and running. Phewwwwie. I am sleepy...

Well i wanted to share a bit about what God and I have been chatting about. Lately I've been going through this Daily Devo book called "Streams in the Desert" and it's a little compilation of stories, insights, poems, and quotes to help get us through the tough times, which really....is every single day. LOL. So yes, anyway, I've been really enjoying it. On July 6th, however, God said BAM. and I said, "whoa." He said... "What now sugar?" and I said, "Cool." lol.
There is a scripture I have always struggled with, and it's the one about Uzzah and how he tried to catch the Ark of the Covenant when the ox stumbled and the Ark almost fell. I've always been like, "Hey God..that wasn't necessary, the dude was only trying to help!!" ...and then it hit me. He was trying to help.

So the dude who wrote for July 6th, said it this way: he says that Uzzah got zapped cause he touched something he should have let alone. If something is completely God's, it's been completely given to him....don't touch it people!!! You'll mess it up!

So let's look at Jen for a minute here.... about (and Kristi's gonna have to help me with this one) two years ago? one year ago? two years ago... I think... I was baptized in the Clark's backyard pool, not at a salvation statement (that came when I was 8 or something)...but as a Promise to my Heavenly Daddy that I was gonna take my hands off my future and give to him as a gift. He gave me eternal life, so I gave him my earthy life. Seemed fair to me. Ever since then, whenever I start making decisions about my future and say something like "I'm going here to school..." or "I'm going to do this or that" God says, "Nope. You're doing this...remember, you promised."

*sigh*

SO...to make a long story longer, God reminded me that my future belongs to him and I had better stop messin' with it. lol. This is both comforting and terrifying. Yippeeeeee.... LOL. But terrifying or not, it sure makes life interesting..

Aside from the distant future, I'm looking forward to this saturday. Aunt Sandy is coming to get me, and we are going to see a movie! Yippeedoodles! Transformers!!! WOOT. I've decided that's what I need to survive this week for. lol.

Pastor Gerald just came in and informed me of some work i need to be doing, so I'm off! I hope you are all having a spectacular week!

I love you!
Love
~ME

Simply.

Happy Fourth of July my friends and family!

I hope you are all having a beautiful day full of friends, family, and fireworks. My day has been pleasant in its own way.

The picture at the right is of my this morning...I found Simply Orange (FANTASTIC orange juice) at the grocery store in town...and I was sharing this with Laura, so I decided to share it with you too!!! That's also in the kitchen of the house I'm living at. :0)

I am now officially with out wheels!!! :0) I picked Grandma and Grandpa up at the airport around 5:30pm and they headed off home from there. It was good to see them and hear about their trip a little bit. Other than seeing them I've had a pretty quite day to myself. The weather was beautiful today....i have caught myself thinking more than once about what this land looked like 200 some odd years ago when our forefathers were fighting for freedom. It's really weird being on the land that was stained with so much sweat and blood over freedom. I've found myself wondering what these hills would look like with out all the houses and industry piled on top of it. What battles (that never made the history books) happened where? Why does it still feel like some of us are fighting for freedom today?

America's battle may have been won, but what about the rest of the world? We are all one family, this whole world.... i'm ready for all the violence to stop....for peace to prevail again. I'm ready to go back to the Garden. Jesus? please? Soon?

On a different note, i ask your prayers for the Harrisburg Congregation. A dear member was lost to cancer this morning at 11:45am..her name is Doris Frysinger, and she was a very active member of the church....well loved by everyone who met her. I even had the honor of meeting her before she passed. Pray that hearts will be comforted, because she has been graciously called Home. She's the lucky one, after all, we're still here. Her husband needs some extra prayer, he just lost the love of his life and has battled depression for parts of his life. So pray that the devil won't grab hold of that and destroy him. Let light prevail. He needs Daddy right now, to grieve in a healthy way, and walk day by day knowing she's okay.

Pastor Belita is home also. I am looking forward to talking to her about her thoughts on conference and her vacation travels. I hope she comes back rested and ready to go. ;0) She's leading worship tomorrow, which I'm sure is divine intervention.

For me- i am asking God right now for guidance, and a clear way to what I'm supposed to be doing when I get home. I can feel a shift in my soul...or maybe a magnification. I don't know. I'm waiting for God to tell me what this inner peaceful chaos means for me. Discernment is what I need...to hear God's call on my life more clearly. That's my desire. Also, at the same time to remain present here in Harrisburg. i am growing closer and more in love with the kids in this city... many of them have attitude problems and super rough backgrounds that I am thankful i can't relate to...but my heart breaks for them. I wanna love them, to help teach them better ways to deal with conflict than guns, hitting, and emotional damage.

Well I'm pretty tired...and getting more busy as I reach the middle of my time here. So my blogs may become little inconsistent, but I will try to keep you updated as much as I can!

I love you all, and continue to pray for you as I am here!!!

I love you!!!!! OODLES.

Love

~ME

Public Safety Meeting

Hello all!

I've got sort of an easy day today so I decided to dedicate part of my day to writing this blog. :0) Just cause I love you guys so much.

Last night Josiah and I went to City Hall for a Public Safety Meeting. This meeting was designed so that members of the community could voice concerns and solutions about the recent extreme violence in the neighborhood. It was conducted by the Head of the Public Safety committee for the city, and unless I am mistaken, she was a woman of God quoting scripture before the meeting began. I really appreciated the way she set it up saying that this was not to be a blame fest, but a meeting for solutions. Everyone is at fault, so don't point fingers, just offer solutions. As far as I'm concerned, everyone played by the rules....except this one guy who got up and started complaining about parking tickets. 0_0 for real? wow....she shut him up right quick, thankfully.

Josiah and I didn't stay for the whole meeting, because we had been invited to dinner that night, but had it not been for the hunger in our stomachs we might not have left. Everyone seemed to be providing some really sane and well thought out solutions to this violence. Most of the ideas involved getting the kids off of the streets and into programs, and reinforcing the curfew in the neighborhood, which they also suggested be moved from 11pm to an early time. I totally agree with that. Elementary school kids have no business being on the streets after 9.... let alone 11. They should be sleepin!!!! or something... come on now.

It was also really interesting to see parents harping on parents. Instead of spending the time blaming the kids for the violence, they were blaming themselves for not being better parents and watching out for their kids. One man said, "We have to get these parents out of the bars and hair salons, and into the lives of their children!" I say Amen to that. The people who spoke their minds also had something to say about community. They said it needed to be reinforced, one lady said, "Do not yell at me for correcting your child. Back me up, like I'd back you up for correcting my child." They want to create a tough love kind of environment where kids have their biological parents and also a group of other respectable adults that will hold them accountable in their life. The parents called for parents to stand up and BE a parent, NOT a friend. These kids need parents, and I'll bet a million dollars they want parents too.

I'm praying that all these solutions and quotes get heard by the people in charge, and that action is taken. The police can only do so much. It's up the community in a lot of ways, to patrol their own streets and protect their own families. And they are aware of that, and in some cases have even started their own community safety squads and things. Kudos to them.

After the meeting we went to Doris and Woody Ziegler's house for dinner.....

BEST DINNER OF MY YOUNG LIFE.

Doris made stir-fry, mashed potatoes, potato stuffing bread thingy, beef something other, gravy, salad, fruit, and her own bread. YUUUUUUUUUUUMMMY. It all tasted GLORIOUS. And for desert we had our choice of chocolate-peanut butter cake, rhubarb pie, and ice cream. I had the cake and ice cream. My tummy was so happy... i might as well have already been in heaven.

*** We interrupt your regular program for a weather warning***

Jimminy Christmas!! It's raining outside like there is NO tomorrow. Sideways....and everything. Holy cows on ice!!! There is a river coming in down the street!!! Daaaaaaang.

*** Thank for your attention***

So far today has been easy and un-exciting...except for the torrential down-pour.

Love you all, hope you are having a beautiful week.

P.S. Special shout out to Kristi Anne Hawkins for getting an amazing job at APU! YOU GO GIRL.

Love

~ME

The Sweetest Place on Earth...has problems with entrances...

Hello awesome people!

I think it's been a few days since i last wrote. I'm sorry for this. It's been pretty hectic in Harrisburg lately, and some late nights i'd rather be reading or watching t.v. than writing, but I'd figure to give it a shot tonight!

Just to start off, I don't know how many of you keep up with Harrisburg news (probably none of you....i only do it because the headlines are on my street...lol) but it's been pretty rough around here lately. Something 18 shootings in the past 11 days, and that's only the last I heard a few days ago. Since then I think I've heard 2 to 4 more gun shots, and a lot of ambulance chatter. It's getting ridiculous. Many of the shootings are happening on Hummel St (the location of the church) or in the very near surrounding streets. I've seen flowers and memorials near telephone polls that weren't there two weeks ago. It's heartbreaking. Many of the kids in the youth group live on this street, and may have witnessed some of the happenings this past week. I ask your prayers for the safety of those on and around Hummel St. For wisdom from the city's leaders, and for the minds of those involved that they would have a little imagination so they can solve their conflicts beyond gunfire. It's unnerving for me to hear gunshots from a few street away, could you imagine hearing them right outside your window?

ANYHOW. I desire to move on.

Today Bethany (palmyra intern) and myself ventured out to Hershey park! It was lots of fun. here are my high lights from the day:

1. Hershey Park is right next to Chocolate World and Zoo America, Beth and I had the HARDEST time imaginable trying to find the entrance to Hershey Park. We did several u-turns, and eventually ended up in the right place. THANKFULLY. but holy crow, we must have driven circles around the place before it bit us in the behind.

2. We were about to get on a ride entitled "The SooperDooperLooper" (I kid you not) and we didn't see any loops on the ride. There were no harnesses normally required for loops, so we assumed the loops were horizontal swirlies. As we reach the top of the drop, I look to my left and see something that looks remarkably like a loop. 'Bethany' I says 'is that us?' She says, 'No it can't be.' i say 'we're about to find out.' and low and behold we had just enough time to grab our bags at our feets before the whole world turned upside down. We laughed about that for the rest of the day.

3. The weather was perfect, except the time we got in the longest line in the WHOLE park and fried to death beneath the sun's unrelenting rays. However, we were wearing sunscreen so I stand before you only a slightly darker shade of white. ;0) That line was 2 hours, about, but the ride was SO worth it.

4. Upon leaving the park, we found our way out and made a right on a street called Derry. We didn't recognize the road, but figured it was the right call. I look up at some point and say "That's a Roller Coaster" sure enough.....we were back at the park. Confuzzeled, we laughed at ourselves and turned around managing to find our way back to Bethany's in one piece. LOL. I laughed a lot.

5. The drive home for me, was BEAUTIFUL. I was jammin' out to Praise Mix Josiah made a while ago, and oh man oh man oh man. This world is beautiful. The sun hit the trees just right, and the hills were rollin like it was no bodies business. The clouds were perfect and fluffy.... *sigh* i love moments like that.

Now I am home. Heather and John and the kids went camping so I have the house all to myself. Woot woot. I'm totally in the basement minding my own business anyway. Houses you aren't used to tend to make noises to freak you out just because they can. So since I'm used to the basement, here I sit... completely content. With my mice.....

AND MY BOOK. Holy Moses..... how many of you have read "The Poisonwood Bible"? This thing is really rather well written. I absolutely HATE the Father in the story (i think we are supposed to) but man I can't out it down. I keep thinking, 'I'll just read one more chapter.' and Twelve chapters later I fall asleep. lol. It's beautiful...and oh so heartbreaking and frustrating. *sigh* I can't wait to find out what happens next.....

I hope you are all doing well. I miss you all dearly, and long to see your beautiful faces at the end of the summer! :0D Keep me in your prayers! Pray for whatever you so glean from these blogs...i've discovered I have issues asking for specific prayers for myself. Seriously... sometimes my mind goes blank and I forget that i have things to pray for about myself. Good and Bad. lol. Well there you go.

I love you, I miss you all.

Until we meet again,
~ME

No more running.

Hello fellow awesome people,

Much has happened in the past few days...and all of it exciting, challenging, and hopefully fulfilling. But let me start with today....

Today I got to do the most awesome thing in the world. Something that I have always wanted to do, and FINALLY got a chance to do it. What was this awesomely monumentous task?

I got to create a myspace page for the Harrisburg Youth Group. EEK.

It was totally fun. I spent hours over it. Mostly trying to figure out how to customize the layout of the profile...only to find out that the myspace profile I was trying to customize was a very basic setting and new to the MySpace editors... and therefore my hours of hard work....down the drain. BUT. Jesus is cool, and this new layout allows in house customizing, and just happened to have the look i was going for. Urban, but not Graffiti, colorful, and spirited. I like my final product. I....think i may be in love with creating and organizing. It's the stagemanager in me. Who knew?

I also got to show off my excel skills (special thank you to my old boss Brian Tresner for teaching me all I know) to make an attendance sheet for the youth, and a contact sheet. Who knew filing, and keeping up excel databases would help in youth ministry? Jesus, that's who. Booooo yah. :0)

Aaaaaaaand, we're backtracking.

Sunday was a blast and a half. I got to lead worship playing guitar and singing for the first time ever in front of a group larger than 11. (The Interns being the first big group of people i've ever played for). I think it went as well as it could have gone for three people who had never played or sang together before. :0) Over all, I'd give it an A-. I'm really looking forward to a time when my eyes aren't glued to my chord sheet so I can observe others praising and singing, enjoying it as much as I am. I think that's what I missed out on, on Sunday. *sigh* Oh well.

Youth Group. Holy moses. The kids were 1000s of times better this week than they were last week. However, they can only recover so fast from being jr. highers, so I forgive them that much. We went over a song called "Dead and Gone" by T.I. feat. Justin Timberlake. They seemed to really get it. Josiah talked about how T.I. had a really messed up life, and when he got arrested, the experience was enough to turn his life around. Now he's writing positive songs so that kids, like the ones in the youth group, don't make the same mistakes he does. Sweet right? I was thrilled. Yay T.I.!! Afterwards, we ate some pizza and played some games.

To end the pretty cool night, we went bowling. hip hip hooray! We only had a few behavioral hiccups, but for the most part these kids were having so much fun playing! :0) It was great. It tickles me to death, they call me Miss Jen. teehee. Totally cute, and i think they are starting to warm up to me. It makes me really happy. I'm having loads of fun, and I just know the end of the summer is going to be bittersweet.

So those were my highlights of the past few days. I had my first MCT (Ministerial Committee Team....or something like that....) This was a frustrating meeting. It may have even hurt my heart a little bit... It was full of worry. Full of what ifs, and we dont have a plans. *sigh* Eventually I said, "I would encourage you not to worry. God will take care of it. The vision statement you want will be given to you when you pray about it."

Oh ye of little faith... I can hear my lord whispering these words to me. They have their mission. They have a plan. They are just so worried about what the church will look like in 10 years, they are missing the present. They are missing what they have, and what they are currently doing. ARGH. It must be clear that when I say "they" i am speaking of the various Team Leaders. The Pastoral Staff has their head on straight. Josiah spoke up and shared the same thoughts as I, and Marisel's thoughts were also with ours though she did not speak. It's just so hard to tell an aging person not to worry about a church they are so invested in. But Jesus is. and if they are having trouble listening, somebody has to be that voice.

I think the most important thing that has been happening in my heart the last few days, is the constant stream of convictions Daddy has been streaming into my heart.

He's been bringing back to mind that testimonies of the Pastors we heard at Orientation. Almost every single one of them spent years and years running from the call Daddy gave them before accepting it...and I have even heard testimonies of people pushed into ministry with out being called by our Lord, instead being called by the earth...because the earth saw a need. Poo on the earth. Why did they run? I totally understand the reasoning... pastoral ministry is not a walk in the park. It barely pays the bills, has the potential to drain every part of your light if you're not careful, it means long hours, endless meetings (many of which are not needed), constant change, constantly moving from place to place dragging your family with you, losing your job over something ridiculous because it's people we work with and Lord knows we aren't perfect, all this to say- It's the most challenging life imaginable, and if done to it's fullest, the most rewarding.

I was 15 when Jesus whispered to me that I was going to make a difference, that i was set apart to be a part of a miraculous adventure. Since then people have laughed at me, wondered if they could talk me out of it, pushed me into acting, complimented me in all the right ways to unknowingly lead me a different direction than i'd originally been called. And I am here thankful for each and every laugh, dismissal, and unhelpful nudge. :0) Honestly, and genuinely. I now know that I'm suited for nothing else but ministry. I am not going to run.

Why waste time? I think of all the good those Pastors are doing now, and I think to myself - what could God have in store for me if I start now? I'm not coming down on those Pastors...hahah, one of them happens to be my mommy whom I dearly love and respect, they ran until God needed them most and then fell into His plan perfectly. God's a genius like that.

So here I sit, not knowing my next move, or even where I'll end up for seminary honestly. But the beauty of it is, I'm taking that blind leap of faith and trusting that God will open doors and light my way as long as I keep tuned to his Spirit and his love.

YIPPEE!!!!

*ponders* How am I going to explain this to my Acting professors? :0D

I've kept you long enough, kudos to those of you who are still reading. I love you dearly.

Until next time,

~ME

In a Broken World: Truth Matters

Dear Fellow travellers,

I hope this blog finds you well. I have had a beautiful past few days. Truly beautiful. Belita and the rest of the staff have collaborated to mark out some kind of a schedule for me and my time here. So I have assignments! teehee. YAY! I'm really excited for what's to come, for sure. Bethany, a fellow intern at Palmyra, PA, managed to get free tickets to Hershey park. So if all goes according to plan, she and I will be going to Hershey park next Saturday. yippee!! We shall see, but I am completely excited. :0)

Thursday was a good day, as many days are here. I got the chance to talk with Josiah in the morning about the youth, and our lives. It was a great time. He's really easy to talk to, and I know he's going to be a great friend. In the evening Josiah, Kim, Doris and Roy Frysinger, as well as Romayne Reeser went over to Janet's house to eat some awesome food and gab about the approaching VBS week in July. I guess that's about 4 weeks out now. It was a really great time. Here is snipet of conversation between Kim and Josiah that I couldn't help but write down:

Josiah: I bet you've had rabbit.

Kim: Bet I haven't.

Josiah: How often do you eat Chinese?

Kim: Often.

Josiah: Well there ya go.

Kim: No, that's cat.

Josiah: That's pork.

Kim: The cat is pork?

Josiah: Yeah, and the chicken is rabbit.

Kim: Well I'll be.

0_0 Note to self: don't eat Chinese over here. hahahahaha. Worry not, VBS was discussed as well. Josiah and I are in charge of the little skits that go along with each day's scripture. I'm pretty excited to put it all together. There are a lot of unknowns, but it'll all fall together. I'm excited to see what it ends up looking like. I've already started brainstorming ideas.... teehee.

Special Mention of the Night: Doris Frysinger, bless her heart, is suffering Cancer. From what I understand it's been awhile, and she's not doing so well at the moment. A few that i've talked to fear they are close to losing her. Please keep her, and more importantly her husband, Roy in your prayers. She is going through cancer, and he's watching it. Soon he'll have to deal with losing his life's love. As she and Roy were leaving at the end of dinner, i caught a glimpse of what her t-shirt said. "Truth Matters." *ponders* Something about those words on a woman facing death really struck me. Truth matters...oh yes it does. It doesn't matter how old, young, full of life or staring straight at death. It's never too late or too early for Jesus, for a Truth that can turn your life upside down and backwards in the most beautiful way. I don't think i'll be forgetting that anytime soon.

Friday was a busy day. BCM's Bible study in the morning went really well. More and more I am getting blown away by the people I am meeting. Met a sister who was living with her boyfriend, on her 40th birthday he beat her, like he does every day. She pulled up her sleeves and showed us baseball sized bruises on her arms. Broke my heart in half. Everyone around the table immediately offered help. One woman said she knew of a safe house to escape to, I gave her the numbers of a few different hotlines hidden in a lipstick container so her boyfriend wouldn't know she was trying to escape, another big man said he had friends in the police and was willing to make himself available to help as well. She kept saying, Jesus just tests us. I said, "Sister, Jesus does not want you in that relationship. It's not good for you." Truth Matters. She gave me a hug, and hopefully is running as I'm typing this. I'm praying i see her next week to see how she's doing.

Folks, I would ask your prayers for the people living in Allison Hill, and more specifically for those who live on and around Hummel Street. From what I understand from community meetings, and the news, there have been many shootings in the area. One on Hummel which left a 19 year old in critical condition, and another that involved a police officer shooting a kid in the cheek-maybe leaving him paralyzed. This place needs Jesus, needs a revival, a change. Pray for that and expect it to happen. Most of this violence is probably drug related, with young people paying to fill a hole that only Jesus can fill. Pray for the leaders in the area, for the mayor, the police men(who are actually invested in making this town safer) and the religious leaders. Pastors Belita, Gerald, Josiah, Marisel and others in the area, Pastor Liz of the Ridgeway COB. As i meet more of them I'll post names here. They need wisdom, compassion, and the right circumstances for the Holy Spirit to move. Truth Matters.

Well I'm off to practice for tomorrow, and get some stuff in order. Thank you for reading, for joining me for a moment in my passion. I really appreciate it. I love you.

Love

~ME

Love Across the Storm

"A harp stood in the calm, still air

Where showers of sunshine washed a thousand fragrant blooms;

A traveler bowed with loads of care

Struggles from morning till the dusk of evening glooms

To strum sweet sounds from the songless strings;

The pilgrim strives in vain with each unanswering chord,

Until the tempest's thunder sings,

And, Moving on the storm, the fingers of the Lord

A wondrous melody awakes;

And though the battling winds their soldier deeds perform,

Their trumpet-sound brave music makes

While God's assuring voice sings love across the storm."

Dear fellow pilgrims,

Today was a spectacular day. I had the opportunity to pour love into every single aspect of the day. This morning I went to a wrap-up meeting going over the final assessment of a Walk for a Healthy Neighborhood that, of course, I wasn't here for. It was really cool to be a part of a lively and positive meetings. There were flowers given, speeches made, awards presented to the biggest fund-raisers and the most improved. It was really cool.

It made me forget that I got lost on the way there, had to get directions from my hostess, and then went into the wrong building once I got there and I had to hike across the landscape to find the room! ;0)

After the meeting, i got lost coming home. NEWS FLASH. Harrisburg West Shore is FULL, completely FULL of one way streets. Got that? ONE way. *sigh* I think i made three circles before landing on the right street to take me across the bridge. lol. Believe it or not, I actually had a lot of fun. I surprised even myself. Jesus was totally with me. Kid you not.

In the afternoon I hung out with Marisel, and did some work for her to try and make her life less stressful. That was lots of fun. I folded Bulletin covers, and made a spread sheet. I am also continuing to file, and teach her how I'm filing, as the process continues.

Then the fantastic Kim made us lunch! Spaghetti, and a Boston Creme Pie (which she swears she made herself... haha, her partner in crime was the store. ;0P) It was delicious, no matter where it came from. lol. She did make the spaghetti on her own though, and it was pretty spectacular.

*Brief pause while Jen goes to sleep for the night*

Good morning!!! :0D

Later that night we had Agape-Satyagraha....translation? Unselfish Love-Truth Force. It's a program that helps kids control their anger and sharpen conflict resolution skills. It was developed by Pastor Gerald to help the urban kids, and now it is spreading across the nation. Pretty cool huh? Well I worked with a young girl, of 12 who was only coming out of 5th grade. Her name is Samera (rhymes with Sara). She was the hardest attention in the world to keep focused!!! Finally, by the end of our time together I started making up a metaphor to help her understand and remember the different elements of what we were going over. get this=

Firework = Samera

Anger Trigger = Lit Match

Anger Cue = Sparks.

Believe it or not...she got it by the end of the night.....now....will she remember next week?!? This is yet to be determined. lol.

After Agape, I got some reading material from Pastor Belita that I'm pretty excited to read. Woot woot. and went off to Praise Band practice. This was, up and away, my favorite part of the day. BY FAR. :0D I think i've fallen in love with Jesus, guitar, and singing all over again. Since our regular praise band members are away on vacation for the next few weeks, it's the dynamic trio of Mr Mitchel (Belita's husband) on the keys, Josiah on the Bass, and Myself on the Guitar. Josiah named our little band Occam's Razor. teehee. Ever seen the movie Contact?

Anyway, we are singing some really cool songs. I was surprised that I could play them all half decently. I still have some chords I have to learn by Sunday to be spot on, but I'm super stoked. :0D

Best part of the night: one of the songs we are singing is called "Guide my Feet" with Mr. Mitchel leading. So Josiah and I follow him. When we were done singing through the song Josiah goes, "That was pretty good for never having sung together before." I said, "Jesus knew what he was doing." And we all giggled. it was fantastic.

Well I best be off my friends, I gots to eat breakfast and be off to work.

I love you. I miss you. Take care,

love

~ME

**Worship

Touched by an Angel....then saw a mouse....

Gooooooooooooood Morning Vietnam!!!! (name that movie.... HINT - i gave it away....)

Hope this blog is read with happy eyes. I love you all so dearly, and I miss you just as much. To start off with, the homesickness is completely bearable now. I'm just a little hungry at the moment... which has nothing to do with homesickness. So thanks for praying! It'll probably pop up again before the summer is out, but for now I'm doing alright. :0) Jesus is so cool.

For purposes later in this blog:

Kim = a member of First Church, she lives literally next door to the Church and makes sure the building is locked every night and that the parking lot is locked on the weekends. She also serves on various committees.... I'm not sure what she does beyond that, but she has a lovable edge to her. Most people are afraid what's going to come out of her mouth, but she is great with kids and does her best to live the best she can.

Marisel = i've already talked about, but she's my homegirl for sure. teehee. She's the Pastor of Hispanic Ministries, and the part time Administrative assistant. She's superwoman. lol.

My day today was quite pleasant. I woke up, got my booty to church and worked on the church directory until 12, when Marisel, Kim, and I went to Pastor Belita's for lunch. Now lemme tell you something my dear friends, Pastor Belita is a true Brethren. teehee. She found out what my favorite kind of lunch was, (grilled cheese and tomato soup, for those inquiring minds) found out the kind of cheese I like, and then she went and made it for lunch today! But it was like gourmet type of food my people. It was also, like a three course meal!!! To start off with we had watermelon and honeydew (which I called green stuff, until Kim corrected me with a giggle), and some wonderful homemade iced-tea sweetened to perfection. After this beautiful beginning, Belita brought over the Tomato soup....oh my dear goodness. It was the best tomato soup ever.... i ate it right up. It was all creamy, and tasty and GOOD. lol. The sandwichs came next (which i promptly started dipping in my tomato soup) and they were scrumscious. yuuuuuuuuummmm. And just when you think you're done...Belita brings over some homemade cheesecake with choice of blueberries and strawberries. Needless to say at the end of this meal... i was STUFFED. but oh man it was great. FANtastic. *happy sigh* Us brethren and our food....wowza.

The rest of the afternoon was great. I had a date with the filing cabinet in the office, and man did we tango. I got that thing in a whole mess of order. teehee. I finished with that thing around 4:30, and then started doing some stuff for the newsletter for the church called "The Growing Edge". Catchy huh? I got it all proofed, and Belita and I figured out how to make it into a PDF file. Woot woot, go Pastor!!! and then I got it sent out to the Masses. It was swell. I feel like a got some stuff done today. :0D Huzzah!!!

Then I came home and turned on the T.V. to discover. "Touched by an Angel" okay...now who remembers that show? I LOVED that show as a kid. It was probably one of my favorites. I just loved Monica, Andrew, and Tess. They were like my heroes. I hadn't seen that show in such a long ol' time. Watching it now, i realize the acting is somewhat horrible, and the writing is.... also pretty bad... but the messages meant to be conveyed are totally awesome!!! Today's episode was kind of a rehashing of many episodes focused on Tess, kind of the mother angel. There was a filing and permanent records clerk from upstairs, who had read all of tess's files and totally loved her... so he wanted to be just like her!! But Monica and Andrew were trying to convince him that, we all serve God in different ways. This guy could turn filing into a way of Praising God, just like Tess turns every song into a prayer. It was just cool. A good reminder, for this intern, that the grunt work is a great way of praising God too. It's just as important to the Church as hanging out with Kids and singing in the Praise Band. :0)

During "Touched by an Angel" I saw.....dun dun DUUUUUUUNN.... A mouse!!!! I think there might be two of them now actually. I am going to name them Mickey and Minnie Mouse and try to make friends so they don't poop on my stuff or try to crawl up on my bed and sleep with me. I'm not a fan of that. They can have their corner...and i'm going to stay in mine. YIKES. I need to get my food up where they can't get to it...... hold on..... *brief pause* okeeday... I'm back and hopefully my food is safe. Phew.... close one.

Well I had better go before this gets too long. I love you all so so so dearly, and I can't wait to see you all again at the end of the summer. I love you!

Love

~ME

p.s. I love Matt.

Defeated by a Stapler...betrayed by my sunglasses...

Hello ya'll. :0D

Today was my first monday at work. I know right? I've been here round abouts two weeks, and it's my first monday. That's what we get when we go home for Sister's graduation. lol. Oh well, it was well worth it.

So I get monday morning's off, which means I don't have to go into work until 1pm. YAY!....? lol. i went in at 11:30 today cause I didn't know I didn't have to be in until 1pm. Well....life happens. So i slept in until 9am this morning, and then got up...ate some foodies... and got out my guitar and played for about an hour to so. probably longer... like until 11. so about an hour and a half. Special shout out to my super hero of a boyfriend for teaching me how to change a guitar string over the Internet. I love you!!!!! :0*

Work today was shockingly like work back home. I got dive head first into a filing system that is in desperate need of medical attention. lol. Not really, but it needs help, and so I'm trying to help it. My favorite moment with that filing cabinet so far was finding a baby consecration bulletin inside the funeral bulletin folder. 0_0 It was fantastic. I laughed. But I managed to make a lot of headway in the re-filing of that cabinet, and i was actually sad to leave. Though i could have stayed longer if I wanted to....this whole flexible hours thing is new to me.... and i think i'll just have to adjust to it. I was also needing to staple something and the stapler was jammed.... hahha, so i tried to fix it..... no go. it was stubborn and horrible. Pastor Belita was working on it when I left. lol. and also...my sunglasses fell apart. one of the screws came loose and fell out. So no more sunglasses for Jen. Et tu Brute!!!!! *sigh*

I think the best part of the day was getting to debrief with Belita about what happened at youth group the previous night. What happened? you may find yourself asking...what happened was this...

The kids were all crazy. I think, unfortunately, it's a regular occurrence. They were bouncing off the walls, and refused to respond to orders. It's REALLY hard not to raise your voice when they are getting completely out of control. It took Josiah about 30 minutes to get a game started for them to play..cause they wouldn't stay still or stay quiet for longer than a minute...and not even then. It was a madhouse. The bible lesson Josiah tried to give them was not listened to. They talked, or did cell phone stuff, or made eyes at one another from across the tables. I don't even remember what Josiah was talking about because i was trying to gage whether anyone was taking in what he was saying. Maybe one kid was...maybe. Something has to change in this youth group. It is SO clear to me. But i can't change it on my own. I can't wait to sit down and chat with Josiah about the kids and brainstorm ideas to make it better. *ponders*

We are supposed to go bowling next week, but Josiah said that if they act anywhere near how they acted last night, they aren't going. Jeepers.

So it was really good to talk to Belita about that, and also run down through some of the other ministry experiences went. I am beginning to see how I am supposed to fit in here, and it's going to stretch me..that's for sure. I'm up to the challenge and I can't wait to see how things play out.

Thanks oodles from you Praying bunch. I still miss everyone loads, but the homesickness is getting better and easier to deal with. I'm trying to put my energy into my job description and creating tasks to do with in that description. We shall see how that goes.

Well i am getting pretty darn hungry... so I'm going to go get some food, and then do some homework. lol. I am leading the music for sunday school hour for the next month while the regular person is away on vacation, so i have that curriculum to look at. And then also, i got a folder full of info from Pastor Gerald in terms of Agape-Satyagraha, which is the conflict resolution class taught at the church on Wednesday nights. So yay!!! We'll see how far into those i get....

I love you all, and I hope to hear from you soon!
Love

~ME

First Day Off

This is Jen Scarr reporting from her couch on "Her first Day off"... stay tuned for more information....

Yesterday was a jam packed day of awesome-ness. It started out with 9:00-11:00 bible study for the people who want to learn a little about Jesus before the Food Distribution, or perhaps who just want to be first in line when Food time comes. *shrugs* you win some...you lose some... The important thing is, is that the people who are getting something out of the studies keep coming and talking about Jesus. Some of these people have amazing stories to tell. Living on the streets is no easy deal, living in condemned buildings or buildings on the way to condemnation isn't easy either. But these people, some of whom have young kids, keep the faith in Jesus and have a stronger relationship with him because of it. It blows my mind sometimes.

On the flip side of the conversation, Sister Waverly (The lady who normally leads one of the classes) was absent, so we combined Kevin's class with hers and had a kind of mega class, led by Reverend Dixon. Now, Brother Dixon has his own special way of leading bible study. I think it turned into more of a sermon, preachin' at them instead of talking with them or to them. I guess I'm just trying to fit into a different type of ministry. *ponders* Pastor Belita, pointed out that with the lack of Bible knowledge in that group of people they might need someone to do most of the talking. Who knows? I know God's working in that ministry, so I'll trust him to do what he needs to there. I am looking forward to sitting in on Waverly's class next week, and seeing how she runs it. It'll be interesting to get a sense of different teachers.

After the Bible class, was the food distribution. This week, we served 126(ish) people. I gave out tickets this week and made friends with Nathan and Barbara, both from the Christ Community church. Jo, the guy who runs the event and who prays with anyone who wants it while they stand in line, is convinced I don't have the Holy Spirit in my life because I don't pray in tongues. He tried to convince me again that I needed the Holy Spirit, when I said I did, he informed me that I needed to learn how to pray. *confused face* Oh well, people are just different. It'll be interesting getting to know him through-out the fridays i'll be working this summer.

Once that was finished, I ate some lunch, and then got Office Orientated by Marisel. She the Pastor of Hispanic Ministries as well as the Office Administrator for the church. I am to be working on updating the Directory as well as cleaning up some Hard Cope filing. She introduced me to the machines, and phones, and systems and how they operate. We talked and joked, and generally had a good time. I'm excited to get started. :0)

Then Marisel left, and Pastor Belita showed up soon afterwards. We had some good times debriefing and talking about the day, and my experiences here so far. Before I left, we went down to the Prayer Room (the new pride and joy of First Church :0D ) and spent a little more time talking about Brethren and kids, and we prayed. It was good times. :0)

Now, i am chillin on my day off fixin' to work on getting my guitar fixed, maybe going on a run, watching a flick, maybe finally get some pictures up on facebook, and doing a little devotional time. I'm looking forward to it. :0) Trying to keep myself busy, but not TOO busy. bahaha.

Have a beautiful day peoples!

love

~ME

p.s. Prayer = I am suffering from Homesickness. I miss my friends, family, and of course Matthew....a lot. So I need help dealing with that, and not letting it affect my ministry here. Thanks for praying and being awesome. I love you.

My First Official Day!!!

Dear inquiring minds,

I hope this little bloggie finds you well. :0) Today was my first REAL day at the office. I woke up extra early (not really) and got ready by putting a little bow in my hair (ok.....so it was a bobby pin) and left the house a half hour early!!! (ok....so it was more like....on time....) teehee.

For reals though, I got to church before Pastor Belita and most of the other staff members. But it was ALL cool cause Marisel brought donuts and coffee cause she is a DARLING creature from heaven. hahaha. I then had my first staff meeting EVER. It was pretty cool. It consisted of:

Belita Mitchell (Pastor)
Marisel .... (Pastor of Hispanic Ministries)

Josiah Ludwick (Youth Minister)

Gerald Rhoades (BCM Director)

and ME (intern extraordinaire)

We talked mostly about my job description and how each of them wanted me to fit into thier ministry and lives basically. It was a very good thing for me, since it put down in concrete certain things I am expected to do. Yippee!!! I am really excited to FINALLY get going, and hit the grind. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be super tired by the end of the summer, but it will be WELL worth it. :0)

Then Belita took me with her on some Hospital visits after lunch. We saw Wilda, who was in recovery from neck operation. She had such a great story. So she was sitting in the room in pre operation, and the surgeon walks in and looks at her and says, "You're nervous." And then she just starts bawling, saying no she wasn't cause she knew he was a good surgeon. But he says, "it's okay, I am just the instrument. God's the healer. And the nurse that's in the room with me is also a devote christian, we are looking out for you." And then he gave her a hug. :'0) Awwwwwwwww. We need more doctors like THAT in the world. How cool. She was such a neat lady. I can't wait to see her in her element and away from the hospital.

In the evening, I went to a community meeting called "Weed and Seed" which is a collaboration between Police, residents, and non-profits to make the community a safer, and more beautiful place to live. It was really cool to see a Police force that was hell-bent on doing something good for the community and willing to ask help from the community to do so. It was so different from my perception of policemen I've encountered in the past. I think that South Allison Hill (the community First Church is located in) has the right people in the right places in terms of leadership. In such a broken neighborhood, it's spectacular to see God's light shining. It was encouraging, very encouraging.

On my way home i decided to stop at the grocery store to get supplies. lol. ya know...ibuprofen, peanut butter, jelly, bread...the basics. ;0) And I got lost in the grocery store!!!! hahahahahha. I couldn't find bread for the life of me and actually asked two people before I was able to locate the correct isle. Phewie. It was intense. And all the while it's getting dark outside, and I don't feel all to comfortable trampin around harrisburg in the dark...so I make it to the line. And end up having a little conversation with my cashier. She was a nice girl, who seems to have gotten herself in a fix with her pregnant best friend and her current boyfriend. She was ready to tell me her autobiography....and probably would have if there hadn't been a line. But man, she was so interesting. I think i'll try to find her line the next time I go.....

I am continuing to read this book "Irrestiable Revolution" by Shane Claiborne...and let me tell you. This author has my attention. Some favorite quotes are:

"Over and over, when I ask God why all of these injustices are allowed to exist in the world, I can feel the Spirit whisper to me, 'You tell me why we allow this to happen. You are my body, my hands, my feet.'" (pg 65)

"When we truely discover love, capitalism will not be possible and Marxism will not be nescessary." (pg. 164).

Over all, so far - i'm feeling that this 'ordinary radical' has a lof of good things to say and shares my genuine passion for people, the word, and trying to share it in action and voice. At times, it feels like he gets a bit preachy, and pulls of a few guilt trips. But honestly, if i were living the way he is... i might say the same types of things. His call mirrors Jesus in a very literal way. He lives in Community with a few others who pool thier money and support each other. They share everything, cars, grocery bills, rent, everything. It seems to work really well for them, and they do thier best to live simply on purpose. Opening up thier doors to whoever, whenever. Helping however the Spirit leads them. It's a different and radical way of living....but at the same time. it shouldn't be so radical. It should be normal for chrisitans to live that way. ya know? But so many of us are tied to our comfort. *ponders* I have never been a fan of money... and part of me would gladly give up all i have to live with those who have nothing, and yet have everything at the same time. In a way, I am doing that. Pastoring does not offer much in the way of payment, but who needs money when we got Jesus, community, and Agape. I would rather die starving full of love, than full of food and starving for company. Jesus's words are gut wrenching.... convicting... challenging. It's a life style. He asks us to join a hard lifestyle.....living simply, and walk humbly with God. *continues to ponder*

What do you guys think?? Especially those of you who have seen a few more years than me? what are your thoughts??? How have you struggled with stories about the rich man who was called to give up everything, and walked away instead? How it applies? if it applies? Let me know.

Well kids... it's been an awesome day and i am looking forward to tomorrow. :0)

Keep walking, steppin', and running toward Jesus!

Love,

~ME

p.s. Prayer: Tomorrow is the Food Distribution at First Church and we serve up to 180 families bags of needed food. There is a Bible study before the distribution, pray for high attendance and that people walk away learning something useful and touched by the very heart of God.

i am also starting office work tomorrow, so pray that I fit right back into my office niche and do my people proud!!! :0D

There and Back Again

Dear wonderful and beautiful readers of my written..er...typed word,

How are you guys doing? I hope your summers are treating you well so far. Mine's been a blast....but i am happy to be staying in the same time zone now for two months. yippee!! Normalcy!!! ...kinda.

So as many, if not all, of you know....i left my placement sight two? days ago to see my wonderfully awesome little sister graduate from high school. It was SUCH a wonderful time. I spent most of it with my darling boyfriend, and my family. I enjoyed laughing with my Aunt (who apparently is easily startled by the sound of my mother sneezing), talking with my Grandma and Grandpa, getting to see Shane, Gloria, and Baby Hailey, and OF COURSE watching my baby sister walk across that Bonita stage all growed up. :'0) Happiness. It was also cool to see Allison Vana (a second little sister) walk across that stage, as well as Trevor Peugh, Katie Hart, Liz Redd, and countless others. I am so proud of you guys!!!

Honorable Mention: It has been a life goal of my Dad's to get me and my sister through high school with out moving anywhere, cause we moved around every four years when i was a kid. So Congratulations Daddy you did it!!! Thank you so much!! I loved High school, and I think Ashlie did too. Thanks to Daddy AND Mommy for waking up early to give us rides, and being lax with curfews, and allowing Ashlie and I to grow up the way we needed to. Developing as God wanted us to. You two deserve trophies, and certificates, perhaps even gold stars. I love you both.

So i get home today..... at around 7.00pm and go right to church....i sing in the praise band (all ready to go for sunday)...I travel home and it's starting to rain HARD. lol. But no worries!! I got home with out using my Map Quest Paper!! Woot woot! It was my silent victory today. So I get home and Heather is watching "So you think you can Dance?" a modern dance show on T.V. that is similar to American Idol, only with dancers. So we watch that, and once that's over I turn on the light to head down to the basement and see something shiny....um.... "Heather the basement's flooded." She says, "No it isn't." Then she looks down there....and sure enough....about an inch or two of water was seeping in through the storage closet. HHAHAHA. I thought it was funny, Heather appreciated my sense of humor but didn't find it funny herself. lol. So she turned into Superwoman, and shop vac-ed the whole floor. 0_0 So it's all clean and dry for the time being. Luckily none of the water made it to my bedroom side of my living area, so none of my stuff got wet. That was happy. :0) But it was exciting, and so Heather's husband John is going to fix everything up tomorrow while I'm at work.

And now Matthew is calling me, so I'm going to end this blog. :0) I love you all, and I can't wait to hear from all of you.

Love Love LOVE
~ME

Meetings, Running, Naps, and Nemo!!!!

Good Evening you wonderful lovers of all that is good,

*The picture is of the 2009 MSSers. From the left: Marcus, me, tricia, Bethany C.,MaryAnne, Marian, Tim, Bethany F., Hannah, Chelsea, and Jessica in the purple on the end.*

Today was a gooooooooood day. I had to get up a little extra early this morning to that Belita, her husband Don and I could go to the Annual Conference Breifing at the Constantinople church of the Brethren.....oh it's not called that.....Costagna???? Costogna... Costers. Oh dear..... Somebuddy set me straight please... lol.

Anyway, whilst we were there, I drank coffee and met some really awesome people who knew some interesting stories about my mother. ;0) Also ran into my Uncle Ed, whom I haven't seen in awhile. It was good to connect with him....I'm looking forward to seeing them some this summer in my time off. I also ran into Dennis, Bethany Clark's mentor, it was cool seeing a familiar face. He's gonna set Beth and I up with some free tickets to Hershey Park so we're gonna go to that. :0) Sometime... should be good.

The rest of my afternoon was pretty restful. I went on a run around the neighborhood. That was interesting, and I'm just glad I didn't get lost. :0) Then I got back and had a good conversation with Heather my hostess, then I slept for 3 hours, and woke up just in time to catch my mother, father, and sister on Oovoo. It was good to see them, and talk to my sister. I miss them muchos grandes. Now I am watching Finding Nemo, and blogging to you folks!!!

Interesting point of fact: I learning a little about the Brethren today, as I am sure to do every day for a while. lol. Our Moderator spoke at the meeting this morning and mentioned Acts 15. He refered to it as the first conference of the Christian people. and so...curious, I looked it up and so it was!!! It was the first time a group of christians got together to discuss disagreements and seek the answers to questions, as well as report on the good things each ministry is doing. It was pretty cool... I'm gonna go back and read it again. :0) Yay for meetings!

I am also trying to decide which book of the bible to go through on my quiet times this summer, any suggestions? I'm thinking Acts....perhaps Paul's Letters, or maybe the Prophets. I just don't know.... *ponder ponder*

Well I am going to be off and finish Finding Nemo, and then do some reading, possibly talk to my lovely boyfriend, and then hit the sack. I'm excited to go to Church tomorrow and meet all the people I'll be working with this summer. There are two services, 9.00 and 11.15. They are holding a reception for me during the regualr sunday school hour. It should be a good day. :0)

I love you all, and I hope you have a good weekend!!!

Love

~ME

P.s. Cultural Difference of the Day: there are cows.....EVERYWHERE. and Amish folk. We passed a buggie on the way to meeting this morning. I took a picture. teehee.

Accidental Tour of Harrisburg

Good day to one and all!!!

I hope you are all well. Just thought I'd check in and give a little introduction to my day. :0)

I worked with Pastor Gerald this morning in the BCM (Brethren Community Ministries) parts, doing food distribution and the like. I was introduced to quite a few characters that I am looking forward to getting to know as my Friday Mornings are spent helping them out. People start lining up for the food at 7:00am when the weather permits, and they normally let people in at 11:00am after the optional bible study for those collecting food. I am amazed to say they get through everyone by 12:00pm and close up shop.

At one my Grandparents arrived for me to take them to the airport, since they are letting me borrow thier car for the summer! (Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!!!) We managed to get turned around quite a few times before we made it to the airport, but luckily we did! Yay!! I then took my own private tour of PA as I tried to find my way through the hood and back home where I am staying.

This evening, I went with Heather (my hostess) and her son Tim (4) and his friend Tomas (5) to a Strawberry Festical at Ridgeway COB. It was a lot of fun, but MAN Tim and Tom were incredibly hyper and gave me a whole new respect for Heather. She is an incredible mom to be sure. I ate Strawberry Shortcake was content with my existance. :0P

Well I am off to go to sleep, I have a big day tomorrow. Belita and I are getting up wicked early, and traveling to a neighboring COB for an Annual Conference Breifing. Need to be ready to go by 7:15am, that's 4:15am CA time. Pity me. ;0)

Love you all!!! I'll write again tomorrow, if time permits.

Love

~ME

p.s. Cultural Difference of the Day: The traffic lights are WAY smaller, and street signs...... what street signs? I've been guessing which streets are which.....some ally ways are also named as streets....even though they are allys... Thank you Harrisburg, PA. ALSO. The speed limit on the freeway is 55mph. Good thing to know. ;0)

AND ALSO.

there are loads of one way streets... it can be confusing.