Today as I write, our team is enjoying a free day full of rest and whatever else we want to fit into it. Last Tuesday we waved goodbye to about 50 Texas high schooler who had been here for a week. This coming Tuesday we will be meeting another Texas group of about 40 at the airport.
A lot happened in the week they were here. I think I learned more in those 7 days about what it means to be a field staffer than all the days leading up to it. I was a part of some hard conversations with a intern who had been pushing too hard on some of the rules we had set. We had several one week girls who were sick that I got to stay with and/or take to the doctor. I had to talk through decisions, talk to parents of the girls who were ill, and stay super up to date on my emails.
It was a hard week, but it was a good week. For one of the first times since I have been gone, I actually felt like I was doing my job. I wasn't just a helper, I was doing work. I know that part of that "helper" feeling is a lie that I have been battling all summer, that I haven't really been doing much work. But I have also been learning a lot about what our summers look like overseas. Until our first Texas team arrived, I had been riding with training wheels on. This past week I learned how to ride on my own under the watchful eyes of people who have been doing this for a long time. Starting Tuesday, Hunter and I will be running the show on our own, along with the Ms who live here in Madrid.
I'm not going to lie, I am a little nervous. But it's a good nervous. I know that I can't do this, but I know the One who will give me all that I will need for each day. But I am thankful that we have seen how everything is supposed to run before we have to do it on our own. That means we will be doing all of the teaching, running the meetings with the interns each morning, and staying on top of all the admin stuff that happens during the week. I think we are ready. We came into this summer not really having an idea of what an iG summer looks like in Europe. By grace, we have been able to watch and walk with people who have been running it for a while.
To be 100% honest, I am ready to be home. It's closing in on 10 weeks since I left the States. I don't mean to sound complainy, I am beyond grateful to have this opportunity to spend this much of my time in Europe. I really have loved every part of this summer. I mean, I got to go to read the Book in a meadow in the shadow of the castle in Segovia yesterday. It was marvelous and magical. I am thankful for a time of rest this week. I am looking forward to a set aside sabbath tomorrow to just dig into the word and take the time to reflect on my time in Madrid so far. But I am also ready be in a home, with my family, and to eat some Mexican food. Priorities right?
Please pr for all of us as we are tired and some of us are feeling a little under the weather.
Please pr that as we spend a couple of days resting, we would be resting in Father, his word, and making the most of our time.
Please pr for a couple of my friends who have had their lives completely changed in the past two weeks. Pr that as they adjust to life looking different than they had imagined, they would fight for joy and rest in the One who saw it all coming.
Please pr that I would be all here in Madrid. I really am glad to be here. I just need to keep fighting for joy in this work. I want to run hard my last 19ish days here. I don't want to check out. I want to pr harder for and selflessly love and serve my team.
Pr for the 40 students currently at base camp. Pr they would soak up all the teaching and hit the ground ready to run hard.
I cannot explain how thankful I am to know all these pr requests will be pr'd over. I COULD NOT do this without each and every one of you. Thanks for loving me friends. Love y'all!
Kel
A lot happened in the week they were here. I think I learned more in those 7 days about what it means to be a field staffer than all the days leading up to it. I was a part of some hard conversations with a intern who had been pushing too hard on some of the rules we had set. We had several one week girls who were sick that I got to stay with and/or take to the doctor. I had to talk through decisions, talk to parents of the girls who were ill, and stay super up to date on my emails.
It was a hard week, but it was a good week. For one of the first times since I have been gone, I actually felt like I was doing my job. I wasn't just a helper, I was doing work. I know that part of that "helper" feeling is a lie that I have been battling all summer, that I haven't really been doing much work. But I have also been learning a lot about what our summers look like overseas. Until our first Texas team arrived, I had been riding with training wheels on. This past week I learned how to ride on my own under the watchful eyes of people who have been doing this for a long time. Starting Tuesday, Hunter and I will be running the show on our own, along with the Ms who live here in Madrid.
I'm not going to lie, I am a little nervous. But it's a good nervous. I know that I can't do this, but I know the One who will give me all that I will need for each day. But I am thankful that we have seen how everything is supposed to run before we have to do it on our own. That means we will be doing all of the teaching, running the meetings with the interns each morning, and staying on top of all the admin stuff that happens during the week. I think we are ready. We came into this summer not really having an idea of what an iG summer looks like in Europe. By grace, we have been able to watch and walk with people who have been running it for a while.
To be 100% honest, I am ready to be home. It's closing in on 10 weeks since I left the States. I don't mean to sound complainy, I am beyond grateful to have this opportunity to spend this much of my time in Europe. I really have loved every part of this summer. I mean, I got to go to read the Book in a meadow in the shadow of the castle in Segovia yesterday. It was marvelous and magical. I am thankful for a time of rest this week. I am looking forward to a set aside sabbath tomorrow to just dig into the word and take the time to reflect on my time in Madrid so far. But I am also ready be in a home, with my family, and to eat some Mexican food. Priorities right?
Please pr for all of us as we are tired and some of us are feeling a little under the weather.
Please pr that as we spend a couple of days resting, we would be resting in Father, his word, and making the most of our time.
Please pr for a couple of my friends who have had their lives completely changed in the past two weeks. Pr that as they adjust to life looking different than they had imagined, they would fight for joy and rest in the One who saw it all coming.
Please pr that I would be all here in Madrid. I really am glad to be here. I just need to keep fighting for joy in this work. I want to run hard my last 19ish days here. I don't want to check out. I want to pr harder for and selflessly love and serve my team.
Pr for the 40 students currently at base camp. Pr they would soak up all the teaching and hit the ground ready to run hard.
I cannot explain how thankful I am to know all these pr requests will be pr'd over. I COULD NOT do this without each and every one of you. Thanks for loving me friends. Love y'all!
Kel
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