The (long) beginning. . .
For as long as I can remember I've always wanted to be a teacher when I grow up. While I enjoyed the teaching part of my student teaching last spring, that experience reinforced my passion for service and missions. I really felt that missions was where God wanted me whenever I would eventually finish school. In the school I taught at, right down I40 in Greensboro, I saw so many students, parents and teachers who were lost, searching, and who felt the hopelessness that so many people in the U.S. and in the world feel. While I was nervous about being placed at that school in the beginning, I now know that God placed me there for a reason.
Many of you have been asking what will I be doing next year? So I thought that I would briefly explain.
Well . . . I still don't know!
I said it would be brief! Actually, I have learned a little bit over the last month, which i'm sure has made my parents feel a little better. Personally, I have come to like how this process has been. From day 1, back in June when I was accepted to the Americorps NCCC program, I have been waiting to find out if it was funded, then when I would be leaving, and now I am still waiting to know exactly what i'll be doing, and where i'll be going. I've learned that everything is in God's hands and He is revealing His plan to me in His time. It hasn't been easy at times this semester, wondering what I would be doing next year, or how long I would be living at home (no offense mom and dad) , I've actually begun to enjoy knowing God has a plan and that He is taking care of the details.
So now, briefly, what is Americorps NCCC? Click on this link below for a quick overall description of the program. http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/nccc.asp
I was accepted to the western region, so I will be based out of Sacramento CA. We will be staying in dorm like facilities on the old McClellan Air Force Base for the first 4 weeks for training and then periodically throughout the year in between projects. I will be placed on a team of 10-12 others and we will be sent out to do 4-6 different projects over a 10 month period of time. Usually they keep the teams in the regions they are assigned, but I have learned that things will be a little different. Remember how the funding was in question? Well apparently the funding was granted, given that they send a lof of volunteers to the Gulf states to help in the reconstruction efforts. So, it looks like I will be spending quite a bit of time down in the Gulf. We will be doing a little reconstruction, but also projects could include working in schools, or communities to get programs going to continue their recovery efforts. We'll also get at least one project somewhere out west.
So on January 9th (2 weeks!) i'll be leaving the comforts of mebane/greensboro, my wonderful family and friends, an awesome youth group, and a supportive church family, to move to the other side of the country, knowing absolutly no one (ok except for my uncle there, and Katherine 7 hrs away) . . . have I mentioned that the longest I've been away from home is a week, and i've always known someone else with me. I'm sure there were times over the last 4 years that I didn't come home for a few weeks, but that was only Greensboro so that doesn't count. I'd be lying if I said i wasn't nervous, but mostly I'm excited. While I know that I will get homesick and i'm sure living with the same 10 people all year will not be a walk in the park, knowing that I am in God's hands, and that ya'll are back here supporting me and praying for me, I know I will be just fine.
At the youth worker's convention a few weeks ago one of the speaker's Tony Campolo said something that has stuck with me. He said "Our task is to see where He is at work and to join Him there where He is." I am excited to see where and how God is at work in CA, the Gulf and wherever else I am sent. I am also excited about being able to be a part of what He is doing in these communities.
Hopefully i'll be able to keep ya'll updated on a regular basis. I know I will have internet access in Sacramento, but anywhere else I will do my best to find a public library or coffee shop that has internet access.
I'll post my address as time gets closer. Until then. . . Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!!
Happy New Year!!! =)
Many of you have been asking what will I be doing next year? So I thought that I would briefly explain.
Well . . . I still don't know!
I said it would be brief! Actually, I have learned a little bit over the last month, which i'm sure has made my parents feel a little better. Personally, I have come to like how this process has been. From day 1, back in June when I was accepted to the Americorps NCCC program, I have been waiting to find out if it was funded, then when I would be leaving, and now I am still waiting to know exactly what i'll be doing, and where i'll be going. I've learned that everything is in God's hands and He is revealing His plan to me in His time. It hasn't been easy at times this semester, wondering what I would be doing next year, or how long I would be living at home (no offense mom and dad) , I've actually begun to enjoy knowing God has a plan and that He is taking care of the details.
So now, briefly, what is Americorps NCCC? Click on this link below for a quick overall description of the program. http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/nccc.asp
I was accepted to the western region, so I will be based out of Sacramento CA. We will be staying in dorm like facilities on the old McClellan Air Force Base for the first 4 weeks for training and then periodically throughout the year in between projects. I will be placed on a team of 10-12 others and we will be sent out to do 4-6 different projects over a 10 month period of time. Usually they keep the teams in the regions they are assigned, but I have learned that things will be a little different. Remember how the funding was in question? Well apparently the funding was granted, given that they send a lof of volunteers to the Gulf states to help in the reconstruction efforts. So, it looks like I will be spending quite a bit of time down in the Gulf. We will be doing a little reconstruction, but also projects could include working in schools, or communities to get programs going to continue their recovery efforts. We'll also get at least one project somewhere out west.
So on January 9th (2 weeks!) i'll be leaving the comforts of mebane/greensboro, my wonderful family and friends, an awesome youth group, and a supportive church family, to move to the other side of the country, knowing absolutly no one (ok except for my uncle there, and Katherine 7 hrs away) . . . have I mentioned that the longest I've been away from home is a week, and i've always known someone else with me. I'm sure there were times over the last 4 years that I didn't come home for a few weeks, but that was only Greensboro so that doesn't count. I'd be lying if I said i wasn't nervous, but mostly I'm excited. While I know that I will get homesick and i'm sure living with the same 10 people all year will not be a walk in the park, knowing that I am in God's hands, and that ya'll are back here supporting me and praying for me, I know I will be just fine.
At the youth worker's convention a few weeks ago one of the speaker's Tony Campolo said something that has stuck with me. He said "Our task is to see where He is at work and to join Him there where He is." I am excited to see where and how God is at work in CA, the Gulf and wherever else I am sent. I am also excited about being able to be a part of what He is doing in these communities.
Hopefully i'll be able to keep ya'll updated on a regular basis. I know I will have internet access in Sacramento, but anywhere else I will do my best to find a public library or coffee shop that has internet access.
I'll post my address as time gets closer. Until then. . . Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!!
Happy New Year!!! =)
posted by Sarah @ 10:13 PM
3 Comments
