Finally! Another Update!

Ok! Finally I have more information to pass along to you! there's a lot of it so please bare with me if you want to know!

Preparation
-Stacey and I had some interest this weekend from a lady about my cat. However, we didn't hear from her after the initial phone call so we're not sure what is happening now...
-I have two friends interested in my car. Both of which know they wont get it until I leave and fine with this agreement. I feel pretty confident that my car will be in good hands.
-I have begun gong through all that is in storage in Grandma's basement. It's a bigger job then I thought it would be... I'm glad I started early!
-Pat Noble and I talked on Thursday. She is having surgery in the month of january and is worried that my leaving will put her behind more then she already will be. We both decided that if I began training someone now (she already has someone in mind) then the both of us plus Pat will have her not only caught up but ahead enough for her to take some time off for her surgery. I should begin training my replacement soon!

Fund Raising
-Last Sunday, while at the ministry fair, I stopped by the missions board table. Sandra and Tom Matthews were there and were very interested when I told them about my plans. In the beginning I didn't think about going to the missions board to help with funds, but they both seemed very eager to help. Then on Thursday, at choir, Sandra told me that the missions board, even though it is for an academic program would be happy to help. Also that I should send out support letters. I'm not really sure which road to take, considering that I had decided against this but they seem to think because it is a missions related program that it is still acceptable. Any feedback on this one?


Emails!!!

First of all, I sent an email to Colin and Darin asking a few major questions... however the most important one was responded to this morning... regarding how to handle health insurance while overseas :-/

Hi Shelley,
Darin here again. I think you have a variety of people responding to your
questions, so I hope you are getting the ones answered that you are really
wondering about. If time goes by and you find one of us hasn't picked up on
a question, feel free to ask again!

So far, I think the only question you have raised that has been left
unanswered is the health insurance one.

The short answer is that if you receive a UK Visa, which you will have to
have in order to gain entry to the country, then you are eligible for free
health care under the NHS (National Health Service).
So when you come, you register for a GP (General Practitioner...aka family
dr) and that is the first person you go to see when you get sick, etc, etc.
Usually you have to pay about $12 for a prescription, but other than that,
the visit is free. If you need any treatment, that as well is covered under
the NHS scheme.

So the upsides of socialized medicine are readily apparent! Apart from the
downside of living with 17% sales tax among lots of other taxes...some
people do carry private health insurance in addition to the free care they
receive. This is because at times people have to go on long waiting lists
for 'non-emergency' procedures. So if you needed a knee replacement or back
treatment or something, you could wait months. My wife and I have been here
5 years and have been more than happy with the NHS. I would say unless you
have some extensive medical history, I wouldn't even consider carrying
private insurance.

If however, you want to look into this more, I can dig up some more
information for you on this. We had a colleague who carried insurance from
the US that covered her over her...VERY expensive, though.

Hope this helps!
- darin

ps- Our plans are to be in the US from 2 October to 5 November. We're up in New York state and Ohio for the first week, and we'd be keen to connect then if possible.


This is great! I have been worrying about the health inssurance ever since I started thinking about it and I also finally got the dates to when they'll be in the US. Now we can set up our appointment and get things ready for the next step!

You want me to do what, God?!

I know that I haven't written in a few days... ok, maybe more then a few ;) but I've been busy... not much has to be updated when I'm just sitting around for the first week of October to come around (that's when I'm meeting with the ICY guys in Bloomington). However, today, while I was on facebook, I read something that I new I couldn't keep to myself. This is a note (kind of like a blog post, for those of you that don't know facebook) that my best friend Alicia wrote yesterday. She is an amazing writer, and while yes, that does make the story interesting, that's not the reason I loved it. Mark 16 says to "Go into all the world." And if you're like me, and have a passion for the mission that God has placed before you... you will appreciate this. However, if your kind of "Go" means your home, community, school, work, etc.... then you will also appreciate this, because you still know how it feels to be called to witness, even if it isn't on the other side of the world. God can use us anywhere, at anytime, in any circumstance. All we have to do is be ready for the call. Alicia, for instance, found called to the homeless... the people we usually ignore and walk by... in the middle of the busy streets of Chicago.

I Have Nothing
~By Alicia Moreland~

“Excuse me, we want something to eat now.” She decided that waiting more than a minute for a Subway sandwich was uncalled for. The lady said it in such a demeaning tone towards the ones serving her that I shuddered. Is our American society so set on materialism and instant gratification that we choose to forget to treat those serving us as equal human beings?

I guess it would be appropriate to rewind and give the context for sharing this story. I was walking down the streets of one of the most populated cities in the world, Mexico City. An older woman came up to me and begged me to buy one of her rice cakes because she had no money to feed her family. I first tried to ignore the present situation. She persisted. I tried saying No, thank you. I said I didn’t have a lot of money (lie). She kept trying until eventually I told her I did not really speak Spanish (also a lie). I still to this day regret the way that I treated her.

Fast forward to approximately a year and a half later which would lead you to…well it ultimately would lead you tonight. Slightly apprehensive, I wondered if I was making the right choice, but I trusted God had his purpose for what was about to be done and would give us safety. It was a Friday night and I was able to go to downtown Chicago with two amazing women of God with the only goal of serving and forming friendships with the homeless. My prayer is that this will be as eye opening for you as the experience was for me. And here begins my story…

We reached Union Station and after prayer, proceeded to make our way towards Michigan Avenue. We strolled down Millennium Park until we met Mike from New Orleans. He sat on the steps with his crutch (which after observation, I realized was broken) at his side. He had hurt his leg falling down stairs and had been walking all day…with a broken crutch. It was so swollen. If ever I had wished for a non-broken crutch to magically fall from the sky, today was the day. We had small talk until he finally asked if he could have food. His eyes lit up as soon as we responded yes. As we left to get him Subway, not knowing if we would keep our word, he looked at us with a mixture of anticipation and doubt.

This leads me to where I began. As I waited in line to get this man food and heard the reaction of the lady in front of us, I was yet again convicted of that one day in Mexico City again. While I did not exactly behave the way the woman did, I still was guilty of being completely self-centered and lacked empathy for those who had less than I did. Repulsed, I realized that if I were to ask myself if I had displayed the mercy that Christ has shown me to the woman in Mexico, I would have to answer no. Motivated, I saw this as a teachable moment for change in my own actions and perspective. We continued to meet more people. The more I saw, the more the need for not only social justice, but also the great need for Christians to serve and get to know the homeless became real to me.

*If there is anything out of all of this that I wish you to read, it would be this.* I read the sign that stated the following: “Please help. I have nothing. Please help.” Wearing a hooded sweatshirt with the hood draped over his head and slightly covering his face, kneeling with his face towards the ground, I saw a man on the streets with a bible sitting right next to him. As we attempted to start a conversation, he lifted up his head and when I looked in his eyes it looked as though he had tears in them. All he wanted was to take a shower and a place to sleep. We began a conversation and asked him his favorite verse. He replied that he loved Psalms and Proverbs and tries to underline verses so he can find them. What got me the most was that he said he is thankful for God because he knows that there are people that have it worse than him. As we prayed for him before we left, I found it hard not to have tears in my eyes myself.

The phrase “I have nothing” has been stuck in my head ever since. Lyrics from worship songs such as lines that say “I have nothing without you” start playing in my mind. I feel conflicted because I feel so grateful for what I have, but at the same time, I feel so much sorrow for what they have to go through everyday. Something needs to be done.

I feel he is the perfect example of what it is like to come to fully accept Grace. To be on our knees and humbly realize that without him we have nothing. Everything I have comes from him and could all be gone tomorrow. I am in so much awe of how God has opened my eyes tonight.

So I encourage that if this resonates within your heart, get a group together and go to Chicago. Be a light where many do not get to see.




I was tears by the end, simply because I too felt convicted of my own actions, heartbroken for the lost, filled with joy from her experience, and guilty for the things I take for granted.

But I also found this to have another lesson that I'm not sure Alicia knew she was putting in there. "Is our American society so set on materialism and instant gratification that we choose to forget to treat those serving us as equal human beings?" Maybe, Alicia... but we as Christians shouldn't. However, I see many Christians today acting the same way this lady did in Subway. They think they have the right to better because of who they believe in... The I AM. But should we continually have an attitude of hierarchy towards others? Let's take a moment to look back on the actions of the God that we follow. So often did our Jesus, the King of Kings, humble himself and make himself a servant. Yet, all the while still was the Son of God!

Last summer while at training camp, one of my students asked why we were called Royal Servants. I told her that I wasn't exactly sure but that I believed there were two possibilities. The first (and less likely, I believe) is that we as children of God are royalty... and we are here serve in the world. But the second is the one that I believe is the true meaning of a Royal Servant. And it that we, as Christians are called, whether it be down the street or the other side of the world. Obeying this call is to serve the Lord, which makes us servants. However we are not just any servant. We are servants of the most high God, the one who spoke creation into being, the Alpha and the Omega... We serve Royalty. Christ said, "what ever you do for the least of these you do for me." Royal Servants taught me to take this seriously. Serving the Lord, although some of us don't have servants hearts (like your truly lol), is where we truly become like Christ. Serve the world on behalf of serving Royalty, the same Royalty that once knelt before his closest friends and made himself the lowest of all and washed their feet. We need to offer up our time (oh and our time is precious...) because it wasn't ours in the first place. Give it all back to God. Remember, we have nothing... without God.

So next time you are walking down a busy street, buy the ladies rice cakes, and have a heart of love towards her. In fact, take some time and change her life, serve her... be like Christ.

Sunday Sunday Sunday!!!

I love fall... It's always my favorite season. And this weekend, I've definitely had a "fall" weekend.

First, on Saturday Stacey, Shannon, and I took Lydia and Joshua to the apple orchard... which really gave me the "fall" feeling. But Sunday is what really made the weekend for me.

After church, my friends and I decided that it was such a nice day, we should have a cook out. (I didn't have my camera with me, otherwise I would have pictures!) We stopped by hilander and got stuff to cook and then headed over to the Knaul's house, where Trisha lent us her house for the afternoon. Steven and I prepared the food inside while Matt and Michael headed up the grill outside. It was a lot of fun to cook with them again... it's been a long time since we all cooked together (it used to be a usual get together activity!) Everyone enjoyed the food, even Beth, whose a vegetarian!

Then we headed to church for Jr. High youth group where we prepared the kids for the assignment for the night. After a few instructions, we took them over the Roscoe Fall Fest, where we challenged them to the "Ten Commandment Challenge." It was great to go, but way out of the comfort zone for some of the kids. So, what is the "Ten Commandment Challenge?"

You walk up to a group of people... introduce yourselves and ask them if they would like to take part in a documentary. If they agree, then you proceed with a video camera. The first question you ask, is if they can name the ten commandments. After letting them answer with as many as they know, you then ask how many brands of beer/liquor they can name. Depending on how the conversation goes, ask them more questions... Where was Jesus born? Where did he die? Does God make mistakes? How was the earth created?... If you're really bold, like some of us were, you may even ask them to explain their belief system and challenge them with questions that lead to a spiritual conversation... but that's only if your willing to enter into the walk through the plan of salvation.

Most of the kids were way to shy to talk to kids their own age, if not older. Andy started with a group of kids that obviously didn't know anything about God. They got into a very heated discussion with Andy about Christianity and everyone was glad that Andy was doing the interview... not many of the kids could have answered their questions. Then, Andy split the groups up. I took a group of younger females. The first group we approached, none of the girls wanted to speak, so I told them I would help... and with my extroverted personality, I had no problem (this was no different then street evangelism, that I have done many times before). The kids we talked to were all catholic... and knew most of the religious questions. It was hard to get to the specifics when they were in a group of about 15 and really distracted. Then, we approached a group of older teens, who actually turned out to be slightly intoxicated... so the girls and I didn't stay long. (Not that I would have a problem, just didn't want the younger girls to be around that.) And for our last attempt, we approached a pair of cops that were working the fair. They stayed very neutral and avoided all religious questions.

It was a very hard setting with the loud music and many distractions. Andy wants to eventually take us to the mall, and wanted the kids to get some practice locally before they ventured out. It was a good night and very exciting to see the younger ones getting out and speaking up! I'm looking forward to our next attempt and am praying that God will open many door for us to minister!

This is a picture (the only one I took...) of Beth and I with Chris, who was working the Culver's booth at the fall fest... we stopped to talk to him as we were all closing up.



It really was a great day... I look forward to many more fall days just like this one! But what can I say, there's just something about this time of year for me!

Phone Interview!!!

I finally got the phone interview with Colin that I had been waiting on yesterday during my break at work. It all went really well! (he had a great British accent!)

The very first thing he told me was how excited he was to get my application. They get a lot of applications in but because of the overseas opportunity that ICY gives, not very often do they get one that seems completely sincere. Then he asked me some questions, some harder to answer then others. We talked for a little while about the calling that I felt and how he program would suit me.

Then he asked if I had any questions... so I brought up the question about financial aid, which he said they didn't accept. I kind of figured this would happen but I was also hoping that they would give me an alternative to the financial issue... however his answer was the same. They need the full payment of the year before the sessions for that year begin. I told him that this was my biggest worry and knew that if this was were God was calling me, it wouldn't be a problem and not even worth the worry time, but I couldn't help thinking about it.

Next, he walked me through the next steps of the application process. First, they get a hold of my references, and put me in touch with Darin and Kyle (the leaders of the UK division and also former Royal Servants Alumni). The next big step is to meet with one of them to put the application packet together to send to the churches. He said that one of them should be coming into the area(they are both from Illinois) around the beginning of October. This is when we'll make the DVD interview and talk a little more in person about the program and what's to be expected. Then, we sent the church packet to all of the available churches and wait for one to be interested. Meanwhile, prayer is a major part of this. Everyone should be praying about the right church placement, right timing, etc. If everything should work out, the next session begins the beginning of January. But as Colin said, "there are lots of hoops to jump through!"

There are still lots of things to be praying about. I'll give you the main points:
The right timing for our meeting here in the US
The right church placement
Finances and other expenses
Finding a way to sell what I need to sell (or someone to take my cat...)

At the end of our conversation, Colin asked if i had any more questions. When I said I couldn't think of any off the top of my head, his answer made me laugh. "Thats ok, because actually the best people to talk to are the others (meaning Darin and Kyle), because, well... they're American." ;)

He then made a few last points and told me to keep praying about the whole process, because in the end, it's not up to us: "All we do is rejoice to the Lords speaking and leading, it's not our call."

Talking to him made me feel very excited, apprehensive, and content that I'm following God's call all at the same time. He answered lot's of questions and brought up some new ones. I'm looking forward to the meeting in October but know it will be hard being patient until then. Thank you all who are praying and if you have any questions, let me know!

Livin' on a Prayer!

"Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, We'll make it I swear
Woah, livin on a prayer!"

Ok, it's official... I have hit "the waiting stage." It's been a few days now since I have heard anything from ICY, which isn't a bad thing, but it's me being patient that's tough. As you recall, last Saturday I was supposed to have a phone interview with Colin, but as he also predicted, the day was full for him and we weren't able to fit it in. Now, we have rescheduled for tomorrow around 10:45. I'm praying that it all works out, considering that I wont have much time to talk to him.

Although, even with the waiting time, I will be keeping busy. Pastor Andy and I had a very good talk this weekend and he is looking forward to stepping up my leadership opportunities now that he knows my future goals. He said he has lots of training he could go through with me, but doesn't know how much time we'll have. We're also looking at lots of new things he has planned for the school year. Depending on how long I will be here, I am planning on heading up the first Freeway Youth group Drama team. Pastor Andy has a big plan for this (and more) and we're all looking forward to how it's going to pan out. We will also be preparing to add a puppet team and full coffee shop in the hebrew's cafe. The plans are already in action and I can't wait to see the end result! I'm so thankful for Andy and how he's really pushing our Youth group to focus more on ministry and less on entertaining the kids... :( I'll keep you updated on all the new stuff coming up!

Last week, at the monthly, "Wednesday Night Live" my dear friend, Greg Speck, spoke to the teens about "an alternative to dating: friendships that grow." As always, he did a great job and everyone loved him. It was so exciting to see him getting to know and interacting with my home youth group. Pastor Andy was very impressed and wants to have him back in the winter for a talk about "God in our lives: is He enough?" If you've ever heard him speak, (especially to teens) you'll understand how much fun he is to listen too. Teens love comedy... and Greg definitely has it.

Not to mention that Awana's is starting in the next few weeks! Woohoo!!! This year, they have moved me up again. Three years ago, I started helping with the music and Drama for the older kids (T&T), which they saw that this was one of my gifts. So the next year, they had me running the drama and working with Jo Ott to take over the music. Then last year, I was heading up the music (for T&T and the sparks), drama and speaking on occasion (just T&T) whenever they had a free night. Now, this year, they has asked me to step up to over see the the music/drama for the whole program. I also have been specifically asked to speak to the kids (of all ages). Of course, I don't want to take credit for this... It's God who uses me to speak in a way the kids will understand. I'm looking very forward to this year... I will be working equally with both the T&T and the sparks. I can't wait to see all the kids again and watch them benefit from Awana, the same way I know I did. It's such a great program!

Also, the choirs will be starting up pretty soon. Which means that my schedule will be quite full. This year, we will be putting on the Christmas program "I'll be home for Christmas." It's the same program put on about 5 years ago. It takes place in the mid 50's and centers around a normal American family. We've already started on the preparations for it and soon will launch the music and drama! I will once again be working as the assistant under Pat and head Drama coach. My Christmas season will be full, but so rewarding! Everyone seems to be involved in this on including the Adult choir, teen choir, and the big band. It's going to be a great show!

So, ask you can see, my schedule is quite full for the next couple of months... If the ICY program works out, I'll be working right up until Christmas time, and then it will be off to Texas to visit Mom and Dad and then I'll have a small break before my big adventure. I'm taking delight in the fact that right now, I still have free time ;) Soon, I'll be juggling 2 jobs, youth group, awana, choir/the christmas program, and the preparation for ICY. It will be hard to find the free time in there... but for now I'm just livin' on a prayer!