Mustang Cruisin' Cruisin'

After church today (second Sunday at Grabill!) my host family and I joined the Lenke's for lunch at Steak and Shake. Here, for about the past week, we've been getting rainstorm after rainstorm... and so with an afternoon of actually being able to feel the sun-rays on our poor vitamin-a deprived skin, we just had to take full advantage of mustang-cruising our way through the warm wind.

After our milkshake fix at Steak 'N Shake, and a short visit at "grandparents house", we set out for some three-generation put-putt... plus me :) Host dad won with a few holes-in-one in his pocket, "grandpa" got second (by two points!!!) and Lisa and I tied.

PS -- did I mention host dad let me drive home??? Not too shabby for one day after getting my license, huh?!

...I Find My Rest

Right up until coming here (to Grabill), and even then some, I was possibly the most fear-filled I've been in as long as I can remember about something. I felt incredibly trapped in such a battle. Those feelings of fear, nerves, inadequacy, etc. just remind me so much that we do have such active opposition in our lives (as Christians making strides of obedience, love, and so on unto our Abba) -- and that we cannot do anything solo without God. 

Here at Grabill, everyday we start out with personal prayer and devotions, and that has been such a sweet time for me -- it's becoming my favorite time, which is incredible just seeing the whole picture displayed through Scripture of Jesus' voice being what calmed the storms. If we relate Jesus' voice to God's Word -- then it makes sense that when we're actively diving into it, it's God's Word... His voice that calms the storms (and fears, etc) in our lives. That's just something that has been on my mind a lot recently. 

I am almost tearing up right now thinking throughout my life and honestly believing when I say that I'm not sure I've ever been in a better place in my life. I don't know if I fully believe that or not, because I've been in some places that have thoroughly influenced and impacted who I am, but it is beyond clear and beyond exciting to me that I am right where I am supposed to be. I mean this not in the sense that things are "going well" or that "I feel good about where I am", but rather that I believe with confidence that there is no other place for me at the moment that would be more perfect for where I am right now in life, and for how God is preparing me for whatever is to come. You could say I've been "set up!" -- by the best coordinator in the entire universe.

The support I have here, the potential for impact and for Christ's love to be poured out onto and into these students lives, lifelong relationships forming, being a part of a family where I feel 100% comfortable, cared for, and a part of who they are when I'm with them (even when I'm not with them)... is just incredible. It's beyond anything I thought it could be. God knows what He's doing. With you; with me. He does not waste anything. He works for the good of those who loves Him. And He asks for obedience. For our devotion and love toward Him. 

If someone were to ask me how I'm doing with the whole fear thing... I'd say better. I really am. Do I still feel inadequate? Oh absolutely, and I'm okay with that. Mostly because it's true. It's too easy to fall out of "dependent on God" mode -- so it's right where I belong.

Since I often share and speak through the language of tunes... give this song a listen. 

Where I Belong by Cory Asbury. My favorite line in it goes, "It's here in Your presence, God, I find my rest."

Much Love and thankful for your continued prayers,

Case

Four Years Overdue, Never Too Late

Saturday, May 28th -- Someone had a full day you might say :)

Right off the bat I had my second shot at passing my driver's test. First in Mishawaka. Second in Auburn. Four years overdue, but finally this girl is an official licensed driver. (Also, I managed quite the attractive mug shot I should add.)

Chip-chap (Courtney -- other female intern) is now finally here in Grabill to say for good. To celebrate, we went shopping for some Sunday attire... and met up with our dear Gabes (aka: my future roomie) in town for a wedding. 

Never short of an interesting story, more like awkward or "just great" if you will, two took place: one at Hot Topic, another at Maurices. You can ask me in person if you so desire; i'd be glad to share. 

Coming home from the mall, Chap and I decided to crash "Turdle's House" -- home of Heath for the summer. His host fam is still on vacation out of the country, and his brother was in town visiting, so we payed a short visit ourselves. Maybe we shoulda stuck around a bit longer, as Heath's bro was practicing his culinary skills on quite the rack of lamb. 

Lisa and I have the house to ourselves since I got home, since host mom and host dad are at a wedding. For starters, we just chilled out and surfed our pasts through the sharing of some Facebook photos, followed by (as we soon found out, a very sad...) attempt at some home-made chocolate chip meets butterscotch meets coconut meets oatmeal cookies. On a normal day I would only choose two of said ingredients, but I decided to go along with it!!! Made for a good memory though :)

After failing at a simple task of cookie-making, we had the bright idea of making up for it with some ice cream at CVS. Waiting in the check out line, we were soon informed that there was a deal going until 10pm of buy one get one free. Prime example of "two is better than one." 

After a once-started-never-ending YouTube game of show and tell, with our dog Missy having a shaking attack from the pretty intense roars of thunder and flashes of lightening outside, we now find ourselves just sitting back watching some Monk in the basement. 

Talk about a fun-filled Saturday. 

Country Roads, Grabill I've Come...

For those of you who don't know, I've been offered an internship near Fort Wayne, IN at a church called Grabill Missionary for the summer. This place has been my home since four days ago... Tuesday.

Wednesday was my first official day at Grabill in the office and with the youth. It was a long day, but I just loved it so much. Some of the youth actually ran up to me and told me how excited they are for me to be here, get to know me, and spend time together. How crazy and exciting!

Let me take you back a minute though a mini-trail of how I've ended up where I currently am. Initially, I applied for an internship called SOAR -- it seemed promising to say the least, and very much made sense that I would be an intern with them for the summer. Unfortunately, things fell through with SOAR, and I was not offered a summer spot. The main man over there named Terry sent me an incredible email, and in it he stated that the first time he ever read my application he thought that if for some reason the numbers worked against me there, then he couldn't think of anyone he'd rather have me intern under than Sarah Lawrence -- at Grabill. She's a woman, with a family, in full-time ministry. A super valuable model and mentor for me. He asked me to lunch with her... she got snowed in (crazy Indiana!). We talked via phone when I was in Colorado for spring break. Then, I talked with Kelley (the guy youth pastor here) too, and they offered me a spot. Turns out that Sarah is pregnant with her third child under the age of four, among other things (taking on a different job, etc) and so she stepped down, and is not the youth pastor here anymore. That was really a bummer to me, but it's so interesting to see how God used SOAR to bring Grabill into the picture, and then Sarah to lure me into committing. And now she's not here. Even though there have been several changes already, and quite a bit of uncertainty, I know I am here for very clear, purposeful and specific reasons -- that I don't know yet. And I might never know. It's just so obvious that this is where I am supposed to be.

God is good. So much greater than good.

Throughout basically as long as I have known about and been preparing for this internship, I've been faced with quite a bit of fear and inadequacy. What I've been battling is not from the Lord, but it has been able to serve as reminders of how much I do need God, His Spirit, and His mighty Word.

So, here I am. Living with people I've only known for less than a week, serving with a church over 100 years old, building relationships that I can only pray will last a lifetime, growing and learning tons and tons for the betterment and sake of Christ's kingdom, and taking things one day at a time.

There are three other summer staffers with me. Two friends from Bethel, who are actually returning as they interned here also last year: Heath and Courtney, and another guy who is from around here, Joey. I can already tell it'll be a great summer with them. Lot's of inside jokes will arise, I'm sure -- they're my favorite! Mmm, yess... I've always wanted to be apart of an inside joke someday (for all you Office lovers).

And of course, my host family.  Love them, love them, love them. They are pretty incredible, not perfect of course, but very devoted to serving the Lord. I have a sister here who just finished her first year studying Business at Huntington, they have another daughter married living in Texas, and they lost a son in his sleep about ten years ago when he was thirteen. My host mom is super talkative, and very encouraging, supportive, and hospitable. Host dad likes to play Scrabble. The other night he was in a game mood, and so Lisa (my host sister) and I agreed to play some Sequence with him, and then later that night us ladies (including their dog Missy, haha) stayed up and had "girl talk" until 2:30am. Yikes! Last night they sent Lisa and I out on a date on them -- we ate at a Mexican restaurant (SO much food), and then went to see the movie Soul Surfer. It was definitely great, although I cried so much during it. What can I say... I'm a cryer :) It was a blast hanging out with her for the night.

Today, I had my second wedding of the summer season (Congrats Caitlin and Peter!), seriously just minutes from where I am living here. I could see the church the reception was being held at outside our kitchen window! It was a great wedding (although I can never say I haven't been to a wedding without dancing again... ever), and I had a fantastic and super inspiring and thought-provoking conversation with Jeremy and Ann -- I love them so much! After I came back, my host family was just finishing up hosting a wedding shower themselves. Mama of the house took note that everyone was all dressed up in the middle of the afternoon, and we just had to live that out to the fullest, so we went out to Panera for dinner followed by a viewing of Jane Eyre at this downtown Cinema Center in Fort Wayne. Interesting movie -- would I see it again? Most likely not. What a night :)

I've already written so much, though I could go on! Shouldn't be that much of a shocker :) BUT -- tomorrow is my first day at Grabill for church on a Sunday. Us summer staffers are being introduced to both services... accompanied by a fabulous meets ridiculous "movie" of us. I'll plan on posting that later for all to enjoy!

Much peace, and thanks for all your prayers!