Sorrows and Sunshine
This update was sent as an email on March 2nd; sign up for Leah’s Letters to get the inside scoop!
We’re already midway through the spring semester, and I have tons to update you on! Literally so much, so I’ll get right to it.
I gave the message Tuesday January 24th about the Story of Hope. Read more here.
Last update, I was on the cusp of the winter break, excited for the season of rest and recovery between the semesters. I had a good break—I stayed busy for a little while but eventually things slowed down and I got to read a lot and get ready for the spring. It was SO cold over the break so I didn’t go out much, but it was nice to just be home for a while. I spoke the second week back at CSF, so I really jumped straight into work this time around! I studied and taught about HOPE for our Bible Words series, and it was so life-giving to remind myself the hope we have. Right before the semester started, I submitted my novel that I wrote a few years ago to a publisher to see where God would take it, and that second week, I heard back! […] but besides that, I’ve still been climbing and working out, and I started running, which is super new for me, but I’m enjoying it! I’m focusing a lot on incorporating things I value and enjoy into my every day/week life, and it’s been fun getting to see the sunshine (since it’s been unseasonably HOT this February), write and read, and see lots of friends. I spend lots of time with my Flourish group from church and friends from college who are in town, and my best friend Hayden came to visit about a month ago so we got to spend a whole weekend together! Work/life balance is hard, but it’s still fun figuring it all out. I’m looking forward to continuing to figure it out, incorporate more writing/publishing stuff, and start a new (bigger) garden for the summer. Also, I’m going to visit my best friend Karla in Georgia for spring break!
At CSF, lots has happened! Shortly after my last email, Nate McClendon was announced as our new Campus Ministry Director. He’s been on staff for 5+ years, so the transition hasn’t been too hard. We haven’t made very many changes yet, since we didn’t have a lot of time to plan after Christmas for the spring semester, but we have been incorporating a few behind the scenes things, like feedback/review for the speakers each week, which has been really cool and helpful in developing our spiritual gifts. But out in front, students have been stepping up to lead a bunch of things, like all our clubs and community groups and even a weekend backpacking trip! We‘re preparing now for a worship night on Tuesday led by some CSF alumni, just like last semester, right before we saying goodbye for spring break.
This is just the beginning of all we have planned at CSF!
March will be mostly over after spring break, and April is always a busy season in college. Students’ classwork increases and the sun comes out more often and we have Ladies Night (which we’re fundraising for, if you’re interested)! We also have lots more outdoor trips planned, like a Men’s Backpacking trip at the end of spring break, a climbing trip to Clarksville, TN, and a white water rafting trip! Soon after that, it’ll be the end of the semester and we’ll have our huge senior night/last Tuesday cookout at Eagle Ridge retreat center right at the beginning of May. We haven’t yet finished planning the rest of the speaking schedule, but I’m hoping I’ll get to speak again before the semester is over!
Looking ahead…
God willing, I plan to continue working at CSF next year! This summer will be full of planning, cleaning and updating the house, and FUNDRAISING. This year was the first year I was fully funded within the fall semester, and the weight of the fundraising worry being lifted from my shoulders made a huge difference in the way I’ve done ministry this year. Next year, I’m increasing my goal to cover increasing expenses (like getting my own health insurance since I’ll be turning 26 and saving more for my future), so please start praying now for how much God is calling you to give! My goal will most likely be $38,575, which is about a $12,900 increase from last year, but I’ll let you know if that number changes! If 15 people commit to giving $250 a month, I’d be covered and then some!
If you want to hear more about my ministry and life (and see LOTS of pictures), sign up for Leah’s Letters! I send out an update email every three months—the next one will be around June, detailing the end of the spring semester! Sign up now so you don’t miss it!
