Last week we opened our brand new building at Room in the Inn. After 15 months of construction, inconvenience, and transition, I have to say that it was completely worth it. The new space is twice as large as our old one, and so much nicer. Some amazing moments have already happened here in just the past week...
*Jeff decided to take one of the participants around the building and give him a personal tour. This guy is one of the ringleaders around the Campus...the one we all know is selling drugs on the corner. Yet when Jeff showed him our new space, he actually cried.
*Another participant, who is usually kind of a jerk toward everyone who works at the Campus came in Monday morning to pick up his mail. He was as pleasant as can be, especially compared to normal. He told me how much the new building really made him feel worth something, and how much he appreciated everything that we did here.
*Sitting in the new Day Room on Tuesday morning, I heard people share their stories. I heard one man tell me about his former career as a musician. In fact, he toured Europe with Neil Diamond many years ago! I listened to people tell me memories about projects they did in grade school and visiting blackberry farms with their family in the summer. I got to ask people about their future goals. The entire atmosphere has been so much more open to conversation and connection.
*Wednesday morning, I played pictionary with Lucia and 4 participants and had a blast. I can't even tell you the last time I played real pictionary, if ever. Today I played Spades and earned some respect from the guys who never expected a young white girl to know how to play cards :)
There have been plenty of hardships that have happened this week within our community, but we have been there for each other even in those moments. I don't regret for one minute staying here another year.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Beginnings and Endings
Hey everyone! I can't believe that in less that 3 weeks from today, I will officially end my YAV year. Where has the time gone?! As with all transitions, it has brought up a variety of mixed feelings...excitement and anxiety, worry and hope, ready for the next step and sad to be leaving this current one. Here is where I am at right now:
On the one hand, I am so ready to begin my new position at The Campus. I am also so excited about transitioning into our brand new building at the end of next week and getting settled in there. I even have my own desk, which is a big deal after having no space of my own all year. Getting paid will be a nice change, too :). I am also getting really excited about finding a cute house in East Nasvhille and really making it our own. Rebbecca, Bonnie, and I are hopeful that we will find something good.
However, all of these transitions also have some anxiety attached to them. In addition to the worry about those adjustments, I am definitely not ready to say goodbye to the rest of my YAV community in Nashville. I am sad to think about going to The Campus everyday without seeing Paul and Lucia, whose JVC year ends at the end of July as well. And I'm kind of sad about not having the YAV title, which has resulted in such wonderful hospitality from people in Nashville since we have been here.
Change takes time...I just trust that God has led me to stay here for a reason and that it will all work out for the best.
On the one hand, I am so ready to begin my new position at The Campus. I am also so excited about transitioning into our brand new building at the end of next week and getting settled in there. I even have my own desk, which is a big deal after having no space of my own all year. Getting paid will be a nice change, too :). I am also getting really excited about finding a cute house in East Nasvhille and really making it our own. Rebbecca, Bonnie, and I are hopeful that we will find something good.
However, all of these transitions also have some anxiety attached to them. In addition to the worry about those adjustments, I am definitely not ready to say goodbye to the rest of my YAV community in Nashville. I am sad to think about going to The Campus everyday without seeing Paul and Lucia, whose JVC year ends at the end of July as well. And I'm kind of sad about not having the YAV title, which has resulted in such wonderful hospitality from people in Nashville since we have been here.
Change takes time...I just trust that God has led me to stay here for a reason and that it will all work out for the best.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Montreat 2010
Hello everyone! I have really slacked on writing updates lately, but time just seems to get away from me. I cannot believe that in 6 weeks, my time as a YAV will officially come to a close. I am reassured over and over again that staying in Nashville next year is absolutely the right decision, but that does not mean that I still do not face anxiety that comes with change. For right now, I am going to try to not think about what lies ahead, and instead update you on what I did this past week.
For the 2nd summer in a row, I headed to the beautiful Black Mountains of North Carolina to Montreat, about 20 miles east of Asheville. I had the opportunity to serve as a Small Group Leader to 30 high school students attending Week 1 of the Montreat Youth Conference. I am not going to lie...it was challenging, draining, and frustrating at times trying to keep 30 high schoolers focused for 3 hours of small group time a day. In the midst of these struggles, though, I loved being a part of this small part of their faith journey. I was energized to see the youth forms such strong bonds with one another in just a short week; to be challenged in my own faith from their questions and comments; and to be reminded of the importance of faith when we are faced with the storms of life.
I also had the privilege of getting to know the 3 youth that went from Second Presbyterian Church throughout the week because I stayed with them in a house nearby. They never ceased to impress me with their maturity and willingness to grow. They also kept me laughing all week long! I am so grateful that 2nd Presbyterian is feels more and more like my second church home.
It was a good week...it was a great week, actually. Although I return back to Nashville and back to work probably more tired than when I left, it was well worth the trip :)
For the 2nd summer in a row, I headed to the beautiful Black Mountains of North Carolina to Montreat, about 20 miles east of Asheville. I had the opportunity to serve as a Small Group Leader to 30 high school students attending Week 1 of the Montreat Youth Conference. I am not going to lie...it was challenging, draining, and frustrating at times trying to keep 30 high schoolers focused for 3 hours of small group time a day. In the midst of these struggles, though, I loved being a part of this small part of their faith journey. I was energized to see the youth forms such strong bonds with one another in just a short week; to be challenged in my own faith from their questions and comments; and to be reminded of the importance of faith when we are faced with the storms of life.
I also had the privilege of getting to know the 3 youth that went from Second Presbyterian Church throughout the week because I stayed with them in a house nearby. They never ceased to impress me with their maturity and willingness to grow. They also kept me laughing all week long! I am so grateful that 2nd Presbyterian is feels more and more like my second church home.
It was a good week...it was a great week, actually. Although I return back to Nashville and back to work probably more tired than when I left, it was well worth the trip :)
Monday, May 31, 2010
Thoughts from "Radical Hospitality"
Rachel, the executive director at The Campus, loaned me the book Radical Hospitality by Homan and Pratt. Reading this book has been exactly what I needed to remind me of the reason that my position at the Campus is so important. Here are some particular passages that stood out to me that I wanted to share:
"It is an escapable reality that our relationships are the soul from which we grow a heart capable of caring."- p. 152
"Hospitality is a way to help others discover their true selves. They need to see that precious person reflected in your eyes sometimes, before they can believe it for themselves"- p. 158
"In taking on the pain of others we act in the transformation of the world. We ourselves are changed, and we make a small push against the darkness. We make a difference"- p. 200
"Hospitality is a way to counter the thousands of times another human being has felt less than human before others didn't listen. Listening is the power of hospitality; it is what makes hospitality the lifegiving thing it is"- p. 214-215
Allowing other people to come into our lives and be a part of it is such a powerful act of love. As difficult as it is some days to see, I know that God is at work in these places and in these moments. I am grateful for the reminder!
"It is an escapable reality that our relationships are the soul from which we grow a heart capable of caring."- p. 152
"Hospitality is a way to help others discover their true selves. They need to see that precious person reflected in your eyes sometimes, before they can believe it for themselves"- p. 158
"In taking on the pain of others we act in the transformation of the world. We ourselves are changed, and we make a small push against the darkness. We make a difference"- p. 200
"Hospitality is a way to counter the thousands of times another human being has felt less than human before others didn't listen. Listening is the power of hospitality; it is what makes hospitality the lifegiving thing it is"- p. 214-215
Allowing other people to come into our lives and be a part of it is such a powerful act of love. As difficult as it is some days to see, I know that God is at work in these places and in these moments. I am grateful for the reminder!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Go look!
Mary Jane Winter, who is on the Missions Connections Board for the PCUSA, read my newsletter article for 2nd Presbyterian Church, and asked if she could post it on their website. Here is the link if you want to read it!
https://www.pcusa.org/missionconnections/letters/yav/yav_langl_1004.htm
https://www.pcusa.org/missionconnections/letters/yav/yav_langl_1004.htm
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
It's "Official"!
Today my news was announced at staff meeting, so I guess that's official enough for me to make the announcement public:
My next step after my volunteer year as a YAV will be joining the Room in the Inn staff as a Case Manager!
I definitely had to weigh my options about what to do next year, but I could not be happier with my decision to stay at the Campus. Never in a million years did I expect this to be the path, but I think God has reasons. My acceptance to Columbia Theological Seminary will be defered until next Fall, and I will be staying in Nashville :)
My next step after my volunteer year as a YAV will be joining the Room in the Inn staff as a Case Manager!
I definitely had to weigh my options about what to do next year, but I could not be happier with my decision to stay at the Campus. Never in a million years did I expect this to be the path, but I think God has reasons. My acceptance to Columbia Theological Seminary will be defered until next Fall, and I will be staying in Nashville :)
Thursday, March 25, 2010
New beginnings
Tonight I attended a special event for a new program at The Campus called HPRP- Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program. This particular program gets certain individuals into housing quickly and helps them to develop long-term skills to keep their housing.
One struggle formerly homeless people face when they move into housing is the loss of community. Therefore, HPRP includes a component to help to create a sense of community among the participants in the program. Tonight, thirteen men and women who have been recently housed or will soon be housed came for great food, fellowship, and fun. It was such a joy to see the excitement on their faces as they received household goods to take with them; to laugh together as we shared funny stories and random facts about ourselves; and to see the bonds beginning to form among the people present. As dinner was passed around, and I made a comment about the "nice" plates, one man replied, "Wow, do you know how long it's been since I've eaten off a real plate? I don't even remember." New beginnings can start with something as simple as kitchenware.
I drove home in the rainy weather. I looked up, and right in front of me was a beautiful rainbow over the city of Nashville. It was a physical reminder of the spirit of hope that was contagiously present in that dining room tonight.
One struggle formerly homeless people face when they move into housing is the loss of community. Therefore, HPRP includes a component to help to create a sense of community among the participants in the program. Tonight, thirteen men and women who have been recently housed or will soon be housed came for great food, fellowship, and fun. It was such a joy to see the excitement on their faces as they received household goods to take with them; to laugh together as we shared funny stories and random facts about ourselves; and to see the bonds beginning to form among the people present. As dinner was passed around, and I made a comment about the "nice" plates, one man replied, "Wow, do you know how long it's been since I've eaten off a real plate? I don't even remember." New beginnings can start with something as simple as kitchenware.
I drove home in the rainy weather. I looked up, and right in front of me was a beautiful rainbow over the city of Nashville. It was a physical reminder of the spirit of hope that was contagiously present in that dining room tonight.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
San Francisco
Last weekend, I had the privilege to travel to San Francisco, California, to take part in a Volunteers Exploring Vocation conference, funded by the Fund for Theological Education. I gathered there at San Francisco Theological Seminary for four wonderful days of sightseeing, worship, lectures from seminary professors, and spending time with over fifty volunteers from various programs all over the country. It was such a positive experience, and best of all, completely free!
I found this conference beneficial for me in several ways. First of all, taking a few days off work to travel and be spoiled a little was much needed at this point in the year. I am learning more and more how important self care is, especially in direct service. If I do not take care of myself and make sure that I am finding ways to rejuvenate, then I am not going to be able to serve others to the best of my ability. This realization is one I do not want to forget or forgo.
It was also such a wonderful gift to spend time with other volunteers and share our experiences with one another. We talked about our struggles during this year of service, as well as the “high points” we have had along the way. Spending time with other people who are passionate about similar things was so energizing. I was able to imagine the future of the church when I was surrounded by other people my age who were considering the call to ministry, and it was exciting. I cannot wait to see what the church can become!
I also had a lot of time to reflect personally on my own service at the Campus. I feel extremely blessed to love my job and consider it meaningful work. It gave me something to think about as I discern my next step. I will keep you updated on what that is going to be when I know for sure! Until then, I feel at peace that God is going to lead me to where I need to be next, and that God will open doors in order to make possible whatever is supposed to happen. Thank you for your continued support!
I found this conference beneficial for me in several ways. First of all, taking a few days off work to travel and be spoiled a little was much needed at this point in the year. I am learning more and more how important self care is, especially in direct service. If I do not take care of myself and make sure that I am finding ways to rejuvenate, then I am not going to be able to serve others to the best of my ability. This realization is one I do not want to forget or forgo.
It was also such a wonderful gift to spend time with other volunteers and share our experiences with one another. We talked about our struggles during this year of service, as well as the “high points” we have had along the way. Spending time with other people who are passionate about similar things was so energizing. I was able to imagine the future of the church when I was surrounded by other people my age who were considering the call to ministry, and it was exciting. I cannot wait to see what the church can become!
I also had a lot of time to reflect personally on my own service at the Campus. I feel extremely blessed to love my job and consider it meaningful work. It gave me something to think about as I discern my next step. I will keep you updated on what that is going to be when I know for sure! Until then, I feel at peace that God is going to lead me to where I need to be next, and that God will open doors in order to make possible whatever is supposed to happen. Thank you for your continued support!
Friday, February 19, 2010
It's the little things
I don't think I could even count the number of times that participants at the Campus have asked me with absolute honesty, "Why in the world would you want to work/volunteer here at this crazy place?" Usually, I just shrug with a smile and tell them that it's never boring. However, after thinking about it more, I think I could give a more honest response. It's for the little moments of hope every single day....
*To have a participant tell me with such excitement that he starts job training this week.
*To see participants that have been around for years get approved for housing.
*To look at the pride on a participant's face as he shows me the review for his exam to become a certified electrician.
*To laugh with people who really wear their emotions on their sleeves...who laugh real laughs.
*To hear prayers for those who are poor from those who I often think of as "the poor"
*To see the transformation of an alcoholic after he has entered into treatment
*To listen to participants tell me how much they appreciate that I always seem to have a smile on my face
*To walk down the alley to work every morning and be greeted by name. In return, to witness the surprise of so many when they realize that I also know their names.
My job is not easy...in fact, there are times when I wonder "why am I doing this again?" But the little moments, the God moments, are what makes it more than worthwhile. These are just some of the reasons why I love what I do.
*To have a participant tell me with such excitement that he starts job training this week.
*To see participants that have been around for years get approved for housing.
*To look at the pride on a participant's face as he shows me the review for his exam to become a certified electrician.
*To laugh with people who really wear their emotions on their sleeves...who laugh real laughs.
*To hear prayers for those who are poor from those who I often think of as "the poor"
*To see the transformation of an alcoholic after he has entered into treatment
*To listen to participants tell me how much they appreciate that I always seem to have a smile on my face
*To walk down the alley to work every morning and be greeted by name. In return, to witness the surprise of so many when they realize that I also know their names.
My job is not easy...in fact, there are times when I wonder "why am I doing this again?" But the little moments, the God moments, are what makes it more than worthwhile. These are just some of the reasons why I love what I do.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
"We are Praying"
It has been awhile since an update! Now that the holidays are over, I feel things starting to settle back down at the Campus (as much as it can anyways), and I have some time to breath again.
Last weekend, the 8 Nashville YAVs, along with 2 Cincinnati and 2 Atlanta YAVs all ventured to Deer Run Retreat Center in Franklin, TN, for a weekend of reflection and rest. We were literally snowed in all weekend, making it even more necessary for us to slow down and just be- with God and with each other. It was exactly what I had been needing at this point in the year.
Lately one of my struggles has been not experiencing meaningful worship. I do not think it is 2nd Presbyterian Church that is the issue; it's me. For whatever reason, I have had a hard time experiencing God's presence in worship. I expressed these feelings to two other YAVs during a spiritual listening exercise on Saturday night, and they prayed that God will help me to be filled with joy once again.
Sunday morning, these prayers were answered when our group of sixteen women collectively planned worship. Huddled in a cabin with nothing but a guitar, drums, and our voices, I felt the presence of God so powerfully in the words sung and spoken. It was one of the most meaningful worship experiences I have had in a long time, just when I was longing for it the most.
One song that we sung together was from our YAV Orientation called "We Are Praying." The song was written to help draw us into the prayer concerns of others as if they were our own. It has been a week, and ever since the retreat, this song has been replaying on repeat over and over in my head....
We are praying, oh, we are praying
We are praying, oh, we are praying
We are man, woman, we are children,
And oh, we are praying.
Let the rains go
Let the mighty rivers flow
Let justice roll like water
Let the day begin
When new life enters in
And let your kingdom come.
As much as it gets annoying to have one song stuck in my head for a week, I could not have chosen a better one. It gets to the heart of the passage in Thessalonians which urges us to "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). In that case, I will keep on singing...
Last weekend, the 8 Nashville YAVs, along with 2 Cincinnati and 2 Atlanta YAVs all ventured to Deer Run Retreat Center in Franklin, TN, for a weekend of reflection and rest. We were literally snowed in all weekend, making it even more necessary for us to slow down and just be- with God and with each other. It was exactly what I had been needing at this point in the year.
Lately one of my struggles has been not experiencing meaningful worship. I do not think it is 2nd Presbyterian Church that is the issue; it's me. For whatever reason, I have had a hard time experiencing God's presence in worship. I expressed these feelings to two other YAVs during a spiritual listening exercise on Saturday night, and they prayed that God will help me to be filled with joy once again.
Sunday morning, these prayers were answered when our group of sixteen women collectively planned worship. Huddled in a cabin with nothing but a guitar, drums, and our voices, I felt the presence of God so powerfully in the words sung and spoken. It was one of the most meaningful worship experiences I have had in a long time, just when I was longing for it the most.
One song that we sung together was from our YAV Orientation called "We Are Praying." The song was written to help draw us into the prayer concerns of others as if they were our own. It has been a week, and ever since the retreat, this song has been replaying on repeat over and over in my head....
We are praying, oh, we are praying
We are praying, oh, we are praying
We are man, woman, we are children,
And oh, we are praying.
Let the rains go
Let the mighty rivers flow
Let justice roll like water
Let the day begin
When new life enters in
And let your kingdom come.
As much as it gets annoying to have one song stuck in my head for a week, I could not have chosen a better one. It gets to the heart of the passage in Thessalonians which urges us to "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). In that case, I will keep on singing...
Friday, January 8, 2010
The Great Equalizer
After spending four months working at the Campus, I have learned a lot about how to communicate with people that I seemingly did not have much in common with. I decided to share a very valuable piece of knowledge I have learned...
Coming from such a different place from the homeless men and women that I spend time with everyday, there are many "normal" topics of conversation that do not really apply. We can't talk about what we cooked for dinner last night, or what Christmas presents we went shopping for last month, or the car troubles we have experienced this week. However, there is one topic is not only "safe", it actually has helped me develop some great connections with participants.
Football. It may seem ridiculous to say, but it's completely true. Following sports has been one of the most valuable hobbies I could choose right now. The participants gave me a hard time when I wore my Titans jersey after their first win of the season; they came up to me every Monday morning to congratulate me on another TCU victory; and I don't know how many people came to offer their condolences after the TCU loss to Boise State this past Monday in the Fiesta Bowl.
These are the moments that I look forward to when I come to work every week. As insignificant as football may be in the grand scheme of life, it means that we share in victory and loss together. Thank you, God, for football! :)
Coming from such a different place from the homeless men and women that I spend time with everyday, there are many "normal" topics of conversation that do not really apply. We can't talk about what we cooked for dinner last night, or what Christmas presents we went shopping for last month, or the car troubles we have experienced this week. However, there is one topic is not only "safe", it actually has helped me develop some great connections with participants.
Football. It may seem ridiculous to say, but it's completely true. Following sports has been one of the most valuable hobbies I could choose right now. The participants gave me a hard time when I wore my Titans jersey after their first win of the season; they came up to me every Monday morning to congratulate me on another TCU victory; and I don't know how many people came to offer their condolences after the TCU loss to Boise State this past Monday in the Fiesta Bowl.
These are the moments that I look forward to when I come to work every week. As insignificant as football may be in the grand scheme of life, it means that we share in victory and loss together. Thank you, God, for football! :)
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