I met someone.

Yesterday I had an unforgettable encounter. It wasn't unforgettable because it was amazing... no, I did not meet "the one" or anything like that (#thingschristiangirlssay). Actually, it wasn't amazing at all, just unforgettable. A simple conversation while getting my Chrysler's oil changed at a local body shop.

The lady at the check-out seemed noticeably interested in my life... where I went to school... where I worked... yada yada. We'll just call her Sue.

Sue: "So, you work at a church, huh? Would you say it's your vocation or calling?"
Me: Is this a trick question? "Uhhh. Vocation. No, calling. I'm sorry, can you repeat the question?"
Sue: "I mean, do you do it because you like it, it's your job, and you get paid for it? Or do you think it's what you are created for?"
Me: "I definitely feel that I am called to do it, born to do it, but I also really like it. So, both I guess?

Sue just looked at me with a blank stare. Then gave me my keys back.

Me: "So, do you go to a church in the area?" breaking the silence with small talk is always a good idea. 
Sue: "I used to go to *a local church* but not anymore. I got divorced.
Me: "Oh I'm so sorry, so now your ex goes and you don't want to be at the same church, right?"
Sue: "Oh honey, it's much uglier than that... It was my fortieth birthday and we had just moved to Williamsburg. It was that day that my husband decided to tell me that he was having an affair with another woman and was leaving me. Then he did. It came out of no where and I was devastated. The next Sunday, I sat in church and all I could do was cry.  Not one person came up to me that day.  Not one person reached out. They didn't even look at me. It's as though they didn't want to face the ugliness. That was the last time that I went to church.
Me: "I am so sorry that happened to you-"
Sue: "Do people fall through the cracks at your church too?"

Do people fall through the cracks at your church too? 

That would be the question that would leave me speechless. How could I respond to the depth of hurt in her heart? I couldn't. All I could do was express my sincere apology and tell her that I wish the church was perfect, but it's broken because it is filled with broken people. 

Do people fall through the cracks at your church too? 
Do people fall through the cracks at your church too? 
Do people fall through the cracks at your church too? 

This question has occupied my brain for the last 24 hours. The sad thing is, I know that they do. Sue caused me to think inwardly and outwardly. Inwardly because I evaluated myself and how I respond to others in the church. And outwardly because it reminded me to reach out when it comes to people in my own congregation. Because, you just never know when that person might be having a Sunday like Sue's. You never know when that person is inwardly miserable, devastated, broken-hearted, bitter, angry, or feeling desolate.  Sometimes, that person simply needs you to reach outward and help them reach upward. And because if you don't, who knows, they just may not be back next week.

Now, I didn't have all the answers yesterday and I still don't have all the answers. But I want to tell Sue that  even though she may have fallen through the cracks of that congregation, she never fell through the cracks of His hands. As I have been listening to this song today, Sue has been on my heart and in my prayers. 

There's a light in the dark that's shining, there's a song for the broken-hearted

Jesus, Jesus

There's a peace for the restless soul, there's a love that will not let go

Jesus, Jesus 

There's a cross that invites the broken, there's a King with His arms wide open

Jesus, Jesus

Just maybe I'll go see Sue again. And just maybe if I reach out, she'll reach up. 

"Yesterday"

Yesterday was a great day, I know it probably won't be one of those days that I will remember, so I felt I needed to blog it :). 

Yesterday morning I prayed that I would have the boldness to be a witness for Christ at work. And everything that I prayed for actually took place. I did ask her why she stopped going to church, and I did ask if she shares common beliefs with her fiancé and if they will raise their family in church. It wasn't anything like a "come to Jesus moment," but it got her thinking. I did ask another how I can help her "dig deeper."She was excited about that term and agreed to do an online Bible Study with me. I did get to talk about purity with her and told her that it's ok that her dad didn't give her that purity ring at thirteen. I told her that she can marry a man that will be that kind of father to her future daughter. 

Yesterday I watched my two best friends get their hair done. I was reminded of how beautiful they are inside and out... but especially out! Seriously, these girls are unbelievably gorgeous!! It made me think about how amazingly blessed I am to have young woman of God in my life whose hearts are burning for Him in the way that mine does. I cherish these Katelyn and Sammie so much. 

Yesterday I had a KidsQuest meeting and was reminded of the privilege and great opportunity that I have to speak into the hearts of children. I was also reminded that it really is one of my biggest fulfillments and passions. 

Yesterday, I sat with my mom on the couch and we stalked a boy! Yes, it's true. If you know anything about my momma, she doesn't typically do these sorts of things... like any mother of ten kids would! She has never been too inquisitive about the boys we mention, but yesterday she was all it! It was one of those special times when my Mom felt like one of my girlfriends and I was reminded that she really is one of my best friends. 

Yesterday I talked to Jessica for three hours. Yep, we didn't even get to our Bible Study that we were planning on doing together. It's amazing what two great listeners and unashamed talkers can accomplish! 

Yesterday I spent quality time with my brothers. It was the first time in a long time that I went to their room, sat on their floor, and asked them about their lives. Landon had just arrived back from his internship with the Potomac Youth Network. Man, he's changing fast. When I was talking to him, he didn't seem like my eighteen-year-old brother who has not yet been to Bible School yet.  Instead, he was speaking into my life, almost like a mentor. He also told me that three pastors want to hire him... one of them lives in Seattle and I said a big, "no." Suffice it to say, I have never been so proud of this guy. 

Love,

Whit

What did you all do yesterday? What did you think about yesterday? 

Grocery Stores and Daddy time...

From a young age, I've always enjoyed going to the grocery store with my Dad.  I think my Mom liked to send me because she needed a break from my whiny self who loved to tease my older sisters. But, I didn't see it like that then. I merely saw it as an opportunity to spend time with my Dad, ask obvious questions, and learn from his profound explanations. When you're in a large family of ten kids, sometimes it takes trips to the grocery store to get those special times.

As I got older, I eventually stopped going to the store with my Dad. Probably because we moved into a small town and he knew everyone and their neighbor. What started as quality time turned into meeting all of his "friends."

Last week was one of those hard weeks for me, surprise surprise. I don't really know why, except for  that I just didn't feel like my typical, quirky self. My Dad was on his way out the door, making his regular pre-dinner grocery run and asked me if I would tag along. I suddenly felt like I was five years old again! At the store, we chatted about absolutely nothing while looking for the barbecue sauce and sliced pickles. And somehow, between the walk down the aisles, I started feeling like myself again and I felt so happy  to be there gettin' some green onion with my Daddy. I love how well he knows me and can always break through the walls I put up. Thanks for taking me to the grocery store, Dad! Thanks for always treating me like I'm special. I love you.

-Whit

Easter Sunday 2013

I have spent the last two Easter Sundays pouring into children in ministry, teaching them about the underserving death of Jesus on the cross and his foretold resurrection that occurred three days later. I love that story. In fact, I am convinced that it is the greatest story ever told.

Last year, I was just getting involved in children's ministry and I had no idea what to expect. I had always known that Easter was a big day for churches especially for kid’s church, next to Christmas, of course. But, what does a nineteen-year-old girl do with thirty-something kids? I was a little scared, but it was more the excited kind of scared. Sure enough, God gave me the grace... and the patience to do it and it was great! Yes, there were plenty of things that I learned in the process, but overall, my first Easter as a "kid’s pastor" was totally awesome.

This year, I was expecting Easter to be utterly amazing. I had planned for it, hoped for it, RECRUITED for it (gah, it was difficult), prayed for it, and even campaigned for it! As a church, we challenged each individual to bring three people who are unbelievers. I figured our numbers would double from last year. We're talking ninety kids! We even rented a tent to comply. I was so pumped about this lesson... I pictured children running to the alter giving their hearts to Jesus. Well, it didn't quite go as planned... actually, it didn't go as planned at all. First of all, it raiiiiiiiiined. And mind you, we were outside and in a tent, the temperature is dropping, kids are complaining, and I am freezing and giving all of my layers of clothing to the kids! Not to mention, we only had sixteen kids and three of them were helpers. Things went very differently than expected, but I was determined to keep my excitement, my energy, and my zeal for salvation. Well, nobody came to the altar after the teaching and invitation to become a Christian. Not even one. Nobody even wanted prayer at the end. This Easter really didn't go as planned.

At first, I was really discouraged. Did I do a poor job presenting the Gospel? Was I not convincing enough? I felt inadequate, like I should have just played a movie. But then there was the voice speaking to my spirit, it's not for the count, it's for the cause. Regardless of what did or didn't happen in that two hour period on Sunday, Jesus is still alive and on His throne and those sixteen children needed to know it. They needed to feel the excitement, hear the story, and see the truth depicted in modern videos and images. When Jesus walked, it was twelve that walked with him. Jesus could have been stumped by the few numbers, but instead he was driven by His cause and those twelve changed the world.

So folks, Easter service was far from what I expected, but I sure did learn a lot. And, I am already excited to give my all next year, no matter what results come forth.

 

A Few Steps Back...

Yesterday, I was rummaging around in my top drawer for a match to one of my mismatched socks and came across a half eaten, wrapped up, traditional, Romanian chocolate bar.  The Bible Students, who were so welcoming and openhearted, gave Brianna and I these bars when we arrived. Funny as it seems, this chocolate bar meant a lot to me. When I found it, my mouth watered as I excitedly unwrapped the wrapper. But, the chocolate did not look like the rich, creamy brown shade it once was. Now, this old candy was a faded and discolored, hardly edible. 

Finding that chocolate yesterday reminded me of my life-changing, soul-searching, heart moving, experience in Romania and Ukraine in May 2011 that I vowed to never forget. Though, looking at the chocolate caused me to realize that it was much like my memories of that missions trip - faded and discolored.

Just like I had forgotten about this special (and tasty, I might add) gift sitting in my sock drawer, I was also unknowingly forgetting about the incredible people I met, places I saw, things I touched, moments I felt, words I heard, and prayers I prayed in these eastern European countries. All of a sudden, the mismatched sock didn’t matter. My cold feet didn’t matter. The chocolate bar didn’t matter. I just wanted to remember the things that did matter.

So, as I held the candy to my nose and smelled the rich hazelnut chocolate that smelled so fresh, I was brought back to last spring, and it all became real again.

I wanted to document just a few things that I learned, and remembered, while in Romania and Ukraine just in case I don’t find another ethnic chocolate bar to remind me… 

It was a time of clarity. God made something, a few things, very clear about my future. One of them was about my future husband and I knew that the guy I liked at the time wasn’t him.

   

      It was a time of closeness. Brianna and I have always been very close sisters. But, on this adventure, we reached a new level of closeness. On this trip, we discovered that our personalities are opposite. But on the inside, we share the same heart. Being in an unfamiliar country, with unfamiliar people, who spoke unfamiliar languages, made us not only closer sisters, but also best, best friends.  As Anne would say it, she was my kindred spirit.

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 It was a time of inspiration. Brianna and I got to put our comradery to use and contruct our first “real” sermon together. We, of course, spoke on dating. Surprised? And, as a honorarium, we got flowers and more chocolate from these chaps!

  It was truly father-daughter time. I have never had such quality time with my Dad. In Romania, I got to see my father’s heart – pure and raw. I wish this on every daughter. Listening to him speak about leadership everyday for an uninterrupted five hours, I realized that my Dad is the greatest leader. He’s also, my hero.  He challenged me, taught me, led me, and loved me and I am so thankful for this man of God in my life.

 

  

It was a time of friendship. The three of us met some of the best people who were so simple, yet so complex with their walks with God. These people studied day by day in hopes to witness to those in Muslim countries and corners of the earth. We gave our friends the name, world-changers. Because, they will do just that.

 It was a time to love. In Ukraine, we visited an orphanage. Loving these children was something I didn’t know my heart could feel, but it just did. Unlike some of the other memories, this was an experience that could never escape my memory. I hid these precious faces in my heart and their smiles in my mind.

It was a time of complete sacrifice, fulfillment, expense, gain, laughter, and weeping. God gave me passion for people and a purpose for reaching those people. He allowed me to see into my God-appointed future and I became so overjoyed and pleased. Because I knew that whatever I do in this life, it will be for the sole purpose of furthering His kingdom. And that, my fellow bloggies, is the most fulfilling thing in the world. 

Love,

Whit

My Camp Encounter

It's good to be back, bloggies!

I did something new this summer. I chaperoned for Kids Camp at Pine Creek Camp, a camp where I had only ever attended as a student. I was the leader of our expedition, as well as Ms. Katina. At times it was stressful, chaotic, and while I tried to be as organized as possible, kids camp really stretched me. Overall, I had a great time; I connected with my campers in such a way that only God himself could describe. It was incredible. Beyond the strong bond with my campers, fun-packed days, and moving services for the kids, it was a somber moment with the Lord and I that impacted me the greatest.

I truly believe that the more you pour out, he pours in. Speaking of “pouring,” it was a rainy day at camp and the afternoon activities had been cancelled. The campers were enjoying a movie in the chapel to pass the time. It was a nice break for me to go on a run, enjoy the fresh air… and some alone time! While on my run, I began to seek the Lord. I ran up and down the massive hills and found myself at the bottom of the campground near the creek. Far in the distance I spotted a chair that was placed beneath an oak tree near the creek. I sensed the Holy Spirit leading me to sit, pray, and just meditate in his presence. While seated, I had worship songs playing on my ipod that I sang when I was a camper. All of the revelations that God had ever spoken to me, and all the times spent with Jesus on those altars flushed my memory. Tears began to stream down my face as I began to recall the passions and promises that the Lord put in my heart. And then, a feeling of sadness arose. Here I was at this same camp where God had so clearly spoken to me and now, I felt as though I did not measure up to the person that God had shown me throughout the years, the person that I wanted to be. I found myself frustrated. My friends have found their calling, destiny, and passions but I’m not nearly as talented as some my friends and I had this feeling that I was not qualified to do the work of God and how could he use me to do His great works? Though it may seem petty now, Satan can make mountains out of molehills!  I then turned my music off and just sat silently without a whimper or sound.  I yearned to hear the voice of the Lord once more at this place of solitude. After sitting for a few minutes pondering and reflecting, I clearly heard God saying, “Did I ever say that I would tell you what your plans are? No, I said, ‘For I know the plans I  have for you…’ Trust me. Walk by faith, not by sight”  

For all you out there that have a unique and less-evident set of strengths and talents, we have to put our trust in the Lord and not allow the enemy to get a foothold. Suddenly I felt a burden lift. I didn’t have to have anything planned out. It’s not about me. It’s about Him and His plan. How He wants to use me in His perfect timing to further His kingdom. It doesn’t matter if 10,000 people hear me preach and accept Jesus, or if I teach fifteen kids about an incredible unfailing love that forgives them and desires relationship with them. It doesn’t matter if people see my fruit, as long as I am fruitful. I no longer had the self-seeking mindset of me doing something great for God, but truly understanding that all the power, glory, and honor belong to Him. I am to be a humble servant. I still do not have a clear direction of “what I want to be” or how I’m going to get there, but I do know my next step in my journey. I will pray that when I open my mouth God will give me the words to proclaim fearlessly the mystery of the Gospel and I will serve onto Him and only Him. And last of all, I know to walk by faith, not by sight and to lean not on my own understanding, but in all my ways, acknowledge him.

It was a great week. After that encounter, God showed me so much more about children and his love for children. I was able to pray with young girls, explain biblical doctrine to them and witness them believe it.

“Be faithful in the little things and I will make you plentiful in the big” Luke 16:10

-WDM

Crosswalk's 10th Anniversary.

Today, October 2nd is Crosswalk's 10th Anniversary. It was incredible.

To make this day unforgettable, we had service in a 1200-seater tent, outdoors with a great sound system, moon bounces, and Greg Ashley's barbecue for lunch. It was cold, but cozy. We were surrounded by the so many loving people, a family. There were some old people there: Tracy Evans, the Chongs, the Brittans, the Daytons, and some new folks there. We had a choir that was compiled of all of our rotation singers, I got to stand by my mom and it made me happy. We sang seven songs today, a Crosswalk record, people. It was powerful and special.

I cannot express the love that I have in my heart for this church. It isn't just a church for me, but it is home, where I belong. Though Crosswalk's journey hasnt always been peaches and sunshine, 't the last ten years, I have received more love and happiness than I would hope to find anywhere. I am so proud of my parents in celebrating the harvest of their hard planting. Crosswalk is full of miraculous stories of God's provision and power to change lives and it has been amazing to sit back and watch.

Not only was today so special because of it being the Anniversary, but Katelyn, Justin, and Kara came back from college for a short visit. Katelyn has been going to Crosswalk for almost ten years, since we were meeting in the elementary school. Most of my Crosswalk memories have been made with her. We have been best friends since we were eleven, sitting together at church, singing together, praying together, leading small groups together, and participating in youth events together. I loved that she was there today, getting to share yet another historic Crosswalk day together. Kara is a great friend from high school who I invited to Nexus the summer of my senior year. After Kara came and experienced the Spirit-empowered worship and message, she in turn invited more of our friends. Before we knew it, Nexus was filled with girls from Jamestown High School. That summer, we cried out to God for our school, grew in the Lord, and witnessed Him transform hearts. Some of the girls got saved and recommitted their life to the Lord, others went making their Christianity a religion, to a lifestyle and dynamic relationship. I have a special place in my heart for every single one of those girls who came to Nexus. It was so great to see Kara. I was especially surprised to see Justin. He goes to VMI and there, you cannot just pick-up and leave, so it was special that he was able to be there for a special day. He is such an awesome guy and great friend, so it was great to see him and hear about his VMI experiences.

So, that was my Sunday, folks. Being with some of my best friends, family, and church family are the ingredients for the perfect day.

How was your Sunday? If you were at the service, what made it so special to you?