The Treehouse

I was saving this topic until I had photos, but I don't have photos and that's ok. They are to come. I'm busy ok? (And experiencing occasional camera difficulty)

Last spring as I was contemplating graduation and joining Edge, I was also praying about where God wanted me to live. I was blessed to be able to live with my family all through college. I saved a lot of money and I also had the comfort  and support of a familiar group of people to end each day. I considered staying with my family during this year, but as I prayed, I felt God urging me to take a step out of my comfort zone.  I eventually arrived at the decision to live with Kendra and Sydney, my friends who were also joining Edge, and Molly, my Akron teammate.

As the time drew near for us all to move in together, I prayed that our home would be one of love. Love for each other, and love for each other. I prayed that God would give us the opportunity to open our home to others in ways that would honor him. I also prayed for a teachable and humble heart, knowing that living with roommates would at times be a test and would probably bring to light some sin issues in my own heart.

We now have been living together (all four of us) for a little over a month. We live in a three story town house (The Treehouse) with three bedrooms, a living, kitchen, two bathrooms, a patio and tons of closet-space.  We also live next-door to some of our best friend. We have definitely been blessed.

All that said, our home is not without quirks.  Knowing that our place was provided for by the Lord though, we have made a pact not to complain about its issues. We went as far as to set up a "Negativity Jar"

Tonight Kendra, Sydney and I sat in the living room knitting while Molly read and two girls from Kent came over to do homework. We want others to feel welcome here.  We want our home to be an environment of love.

And I really feel like it is. Our door is open. Our home is yours. Because we know it's not ours. Nothing is ours. That's been a huge blessing of this Edge experience so far...my perspective has changed on the things I have.  Everything is a gift.

I am so so very blessed.

students and pride

So this is our third week on campus. We are still unofficial, but we have students! We spent weeks contacting students and trying to build interest the best we could without being allowed to officially recruit. I am happy to say that last week was our first real Bible study and not only did students come, but they seem committed and excited to be meeting with us.

We have to decided to use a system of books called Designed for Discipleship for our ministry to study.  The books are designed for believers and non-believers alike and ask really simple question that can open up into deep conversation. Last week we talked with the girls about being made in God's image and what that really means for us. I was really encouraged by the questions they asked and how willing they were to open up and go deep with us.

We are still praying for a faculty advisor. Until we have one who is willing to sign the papers for us, we can not apply to become an official campus organization. Essentially this means we cannot recruit on a large scale, hang flyers, rent rooms, etc. We have talked as a staff team about not treating these things that we perceive as walls as actual walls. If we do not believe that God is big enough to move in the hearts of this campus, then what are we doing here?

As far as my own heart, God is working on the P word. Pride. Dangit.

I tell myself so often that I am not prideful. Which is pretty delusional of me.

Ultimately, this ministry is God's. That includes all the work I try to commend myself for, the money I fundraise, and the girls I meet with. It is HIS. So why am I so afraid to look like a fool for God? How will protecting my status further His kingdom? One days when I am too afraid to make funding calls or approach strangers on campus, pride infests my heart. What if they say no? What if they make fun of me? I have been praying prayers for humble boldness in place of my pride.

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this is mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, word may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly as I should." Ephesians 6:18-20