Stories of An Amazing God

New Blog:

Hopefully means more updates, and well it's time to move on from this one. Thanks for reading. I truly appreciate it.

Tasha

New Blog Site

Last Post Before A Change

I would like to be excited about each blog story I do, but a lot is going on with my jobs, and I think I need a new title and a little revamping. God is doing stuff in my life in the lives of my students and I want to share it.

I haven't consistently blogged in a while, and I miss it so I am hoping a new title and direction will help.

Thanks to those have been reading Ebenezer records, may God get the glory.

Tash

finding encouragement in the less hopeful cycles...

Back to blogging.

I took this picture about two months ago, and I still continue to find encouragement in it when I see it.

Some people are scared to come into the neighborhood where I work, some people label my students as "street kids" or "ghetto", some people call my students "bad kids", or their families as "lazy" or "poor".

And it's has been an ongoing struggle to  break down labels and stereotypes in this community.

Racism.

Discrimination.

Injustice.

It's all still here.

But I will tell you what else is here: HOPE. The picture is encouraging to me because I have seen basketball destroy walls that separate people from other people, my students from the community they are supposed to be a part of.

Rays of sunlight shine in on the NETwork basketball court: a place where students come after school excited to just hangout and be themselves, a place where they know they are cared for. Nothing about this court is scary, nothing about this court is street, nothing about this court is ghetto, and nothing about this court is lazy, or poor.

Everything about this court brings HOPE.

I see cylces. Shorter ones of kids repeating grades, or committing crimes that result in probation. Longer ones of repeated family mistakes or adopting an unhealthy parental habit.

And yes, the cycles in this community are a lifelong battles to fight that must include: the Lord, love, prayer, education, and listening. And yes, the cycles can be discouraging to watch, especially close up... but I will tell you what is here that I also get to watch close up: HOPE.

And the rays of sunlight that dry the basketball court on a rainy day so that when the bus rolls in the students here can do more that just play basketball on the court....

may we continue to break cycles and turn to the One who constantly is breaking us down and building us, providing hope.

Jesus.

thankful for things, dreamy weather

I am taking a turn in my blogging, no more song titles, just a constant update of what's going on, I honestly don't think anyone read these, but I like to look back on them. It has been awhile since I have been on here, but God has continued to bestow is blessings upon me.

I am so thankful for such a good transition and my students.

Just last week, I took 11 students and some high school "helpers" to Baltimore. Praise God for safety and fun; it truly was a blast. I love them, and love spending time with them. They have taught me what it means to be honest, genuine and the importance of consistency and devotion.

This Baltimore trip was amazing because I  learned a lot about them when I interact with them, sure, I hear things like "I wish I had money" or "I always order off the kids menu because it's cheaper", but these students don't what my money, they want my time. They want me to love them, and invest in them, and even though they don't want to admit it..they want to learn. Some of them are scared to turn out like their dads or moms, some of them question their situation and the Lord, but they ALL want something-and they ALL need Jesus. They want attention and to be loved, and cared for...my prayer is that I can do that through Christ. That I can love them well; being a reflection of the One who loves and cares for us more than anyone else!

These kids are honest, they say how they feel, they say whatever they are thinking, but their honesty is so contagious, and I laugh so much. All the time, really. Between them, and time in the office with my co-workers, I am just learning and growing so much. It is an ongoing cycle. And slowly my students are beginning to understand that I am not just trying to have fun, but to come alongside them and help them "do" life.

It is crazy, but I am thankful for things and loving this dreamy weather. Really what I am doing is amzing to be a part of, I just love waking up and giving my day to the Lord.

May He be glorified, ALONE;

tash

God is Enough: Labor Day at NETwork

It's Labor Day and I'm at NETwork. It's only a short walk down the street from my new apartment. I'm loving it. I do actually have work to get done, but thought I'd take a second to share some thoughts.


I miss camp,  but the kids have been coming by today, and I am just excited for what is next. I start my FLAVA program in a couple weeks. It's challenging here but...I'm learning, I'm growing. I got a year older, an apartment, and started a new job all in one week. Car comes next week. God is so good.

I also came to the conclusion that I have a lot of stuff. I moved into my  apartment, and realized that I have so many things, and if I am not going to use them to glorify God. I need to get rid of it.donate it. toss it.
 

Let us live above reproach. God is enough.

the transition.

It seems as though almost everyone I know is experiencing a transition. Myself included.

Going back.
Leaving familiarity.
Moving blindly.
Accepting jobs.
Making decisions.


We question why we are called "to this place", we pray that we can trust God 100%. As I drove to an unfamiliar place with everything I owned in the back of the truck...my thoughts changed.

Aren't we always supposed to be ready and willing to do. (whatever it may be)

Matthew 4:20 (Immediately they left their nets and followed Him) This is it, the transition. As we pick up our cross, daily (Luke 9:23, check it) we should be constantly in transition, constantly evaluating and discerning where we think the Lord is leading us, and learning to trust Him more.

The 'inbetweens' are hard. We grow weary. We don't understand. We must be obedient.

My new prayers include boldness, and willingness, to see the calling and to be obedient to it. To do. I want transitions, reevaluations, rearranging. I want to find comfort in the transitions knowing I am right where God wants me.

TO DO what He wants. TO BE where He wants me. It's enough.

embracing the transition. here I stand.

...at this time next week I will have finished up my first couple days at NETwork ministries. This is a non profit organization that emphasizes spiritual growth, learning life skills, christian leadership, and academic excellence. the community has needs. the kids have needs.

I am excited. I am scared. I am ready for the transition.

Something Beautiful...

here are the lyrics to the needtobreathe song:

'Consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something beautiful
To touch me, I know that I'm in reach
'Cause I am down on my knees.
I'm waiting for something beautiful

I love it. The acoustic version is definitely better. It hit me a little while ago that we are actually getting toward out halfway point this summer. That and the fact that I am leaving and probably won't be working at camp again. Not sure what to make of that.

I have been here in this community over a year now and it has been awesome. To see a good display what it means to have a family all love Christ together, working in an environment of amazing Christian men. It has really been a huge blessing to me and has rocked my world. It's beautiful.

all the things at camp, the kids, the fun, and I have been hoping and praying that something beautiful hits me when i get to chambersburg. i mean the kids will be there and so will the fun. I more so want to be able to realize the beauty of investing in a community, like i did in this one.

i will be somewhat permanent and i am going to have to settle. and that needs to be something beautiful.

spotters ready?

tashh