Christmas Time Is Here

It really feels like Christmas and I absolutely love this time of year! Everything just feels so touched with love. I could listen to Christmas music everyday from now until Christmas day and still feel warm inside whenever I hear "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" or "Hang all the mistletoe, I'm gonna get to know you better this Christmas".  I love ALL Christmas music! One of my favorites is: 

Don't get so busy that you miss
Giving just a little kiss
To the ones you love
Don't even wait a little while
To give them a little smile
A little is enough

How many people are crying
People are dying...
How many people are asking for love

Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find a way
To give a little love everyday
Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find your way
Cause holidays have come and gone
But love lives on
If you give on
Love...

How could you wait another minute
A hug is warmer when you're in it
And Baby that's a fact
And saying "I love you's" always better
Seasons, reasons, they don't matter
So don't hold back
How many people in this world
So needful in this world
How many people are praying for love

Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find a way
To give a little love everyday
Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find your way
Cause holidays have come and gone
But love lives on
If you give on
Love...

Let all the children know
Everywhere that they go
Their whole life long
Let them know love

I love this song because it really is how we should act all year long. Pastor Mark began a series entitled "Gift" this week and he said something that was really interesting. He said that God gave us the best gift and we are called to re-gift.  We need to tell people and share the love and GRACE that God has given us.  Sure, it's awesome giving presents to people we love, but throughout the year we should find joy in sharing the gift of grace with those around us. 

I welcome in the Christmas season, but I pray it is not just a season for us.  It's cliche, but it can feel like Christmas all year long if we rethink the idea that giving only involves material things.  The true Spirit of Christmas is finding Joy in sharing the most important gift and accepting that ourselves.  

in the grand scheme of things...

This Thanksgiving was so great and relaxing at home with my family! We did miss Jack and Jenny, but knowing that they are doing well is all we needed to know.  I left DC around 9:30pm on Wednesday night on a plane to Rochester. I knew that this plane ride was not going to be normal as soon as I heard the words: "Can I sit here?".  As everyone knows, seats are assigned on the plane in which case my response was "sure...but I think you need a ticket".  The guy looked at me and said "Oh, I have a ticket I was just asking you if you would mind me sitting next to you" to which I responded "you're welcome to it".  Interesting start to a flight.  I had already been on the plane for a little while and had put my book, water bottle, and Ipod in the seat back in front of me ready for take off.  John, the guy sitting next to me, was paged on system because he was transferring from Tampa and his plane got there late.  We made the normal small talk: "Why are you going to Rochester?" "Where did you go to school", etc and then John asked me what I do in DC and I knew the answer to that question would start a conversation.  I explained the protege program to him and told him about NCC and Ebenezers.  He sort of turned his head and smirked a little bit and then he let out his feelings about a church owning a coffeehouse and how everyone has a right to believe what they want, but with so much knowledge it's foolish to say you believe in a 'story'.  

John and I discussed many issues from creationism vs. evolution and the Big Bang Theory to why good people go to hell and why there's evil in this world; from other religions to why God created man.  I could go on, but we touched on everything...we even talked about how he feels one can never know the truth completely because we're always learning new things. It was a great conversation and I know it was one of those divine appointments. He asked me at one point how people learn about "the truth" if they don't grow up in a family that believes and looking back our conversation was an answer to his own question...moments of complete honesty with complete strangers.  

After we landed we said our goodbyes and I started walking towards the gate to see my parents.  Another guy came running next to me and told me that he overheard my conversation, he encouraged me and told me that he enjoyed listening. Then he handed me a small piece of paper with his favorite books that helped him approach conversations like that in a different way.  How cool! Already I had a great trip home and then I started walking really fast because I knew my family was waiting and I couldn't wait to hug them.  

When I got home I realized that I left my Ipod on the seat back in front of me on the plane.  WONDERFUL! I called the airport and we went the next day to check baggage claim, but nothing was turned in.  The man basically told us that those things don't usually turn up.  I was sad, but then my parents reminded me that the excitement and adrenalin I was feeling after that plane ride had my mind other places and in the grand scheme of things, it's small price to pay for the conversation I had with John. My dad called it "collateral damage for the Kingdom".  I hope someone who really wants a pink Ipod gets one because I left mine behind...sure it has my name and favorite Bible verse engraved on it, but maybe it will find itself in the hands of a different Erin. That would be cool!

Sure, there were moments of sadness and I felt like an idiot for leaving my Ipod on the plane, but I know God works out all things for good for those that love Him.  I am so thankful for that plane ride and now I know I will NEVER forget it.  My aunt told me not to talk to any more cute boys on the plane.  When I told her it wasn't that he was cute she told me that he had to be cute if I left my Ipod behind...so I took her advice and just read my book on the way back to DC and I didn't leave anything on the plane.

Harriet

I have been up way too long talking to my roommates and it's time for bed, but I needed to post a before and after shot of Harriet (that's what I named my turkey this morning).  After a couple VERY early morning calls to my wonderful mom I successful cooked my first turkey!

new adventures!

Liz was my roommate for the Alpha Getaway! It was a ton of fun...the room was like a hotel! Anyway, we had our first experience with Sheetz this morning! We had heard a lot about this "gourmet" gas station and it was pretty amazing! We woke up early just so we could check it out! We got some yummy fake french vanilla cappuccinos and on the way out noticed they actually had an espresso bar in the back! We were disappointed, but then we realized that we can just go back another time! I guess people that go to Sheetz a lot don't think it's that great, but it beats any gas station I'm used to by a million...and the people were super nice! It was like a community hang out! Okay...now I'm going over board, but we had fun! Anyone know what a Sheetz is? I had never heard of one til this weekend!  

busy, busy, busy week!

This week has been extremely busy! Let me re-cap the days that have lead to me sitting on my bed exhausted, yet very satisfied and refreshed at the same time.  

First of all I had last Saturday and Sunday off of work which was AMAZING and MUCH NEEDED! Sunday I fell asleep on the couch probably about three times...and I loved it!

Monday I headed to Baltimore with the rest of the staff at NCC for the annual staff planning retreat! It was wonderful! We stayed in a Marriott right on the water and enjoyed each other's company over intentional meetings usually involving food.  I walked to Little Italy a couple of times for some meetings over food and each time it was wonderful! We had some great staff bonding and dreaming time on Tuesday and I really enjoyed hearing what each department is thinking and dreaming about for 2009.  It was a great time of getting away and processing.  Awesome to go as a protege and see how they work through things.  One thing I know for sure...NCC cares about their leaders and the investment of time and money to bring each staff member (and protege) to Baltimore for two days was a great blessing. So glad I was a part of it!

We got back late on Tuesday and Wednesday morning came too soon.  I worked at Ebenezers on Wednesday, but it really felt like Monday.  Wednesday night I went to dinner with a friend and got some things to fill a couple boxes for operation Christmas child.  It was so fun to fill two boxes on my own. Usually I fill boxes with my family or with a small group, but this time I was able to fill two on my own and it was such a blessing. I enjoyed every minute of picking out presents and I'm pretty sure God multiplied the size of my box because there's no way everything should have fit, but IT DID!

I worked on Thursday until close and then got ready for the second retreat of the week.  I packed my overnight bag for Friday and went to bed dreaming about what my turkey would look like.  I woke up and went to work for a bit and then took Michelle's car to the store to get a turkey (hence the dream on Thursday night) to make for the inservice Thanksgiving for the homeless community around DC that we are hosting tomorrow at Ebenezers! I picked out a beautiful bird and I even made a friend in the process...she was looking for the perfect turkey and she comforted me as I embarked on my first experience of making a turkey by myself.  That afternoon I headed to West Virginia for an Alpha getaway!  About 50 people came who are a part of the Alpha course through NCC...a course that seeks to help people discover Christianity in a non-threatening way.  It was an amazing retreat...the facilities were nice, but the transformations made it what it was. I saw so many people raising their hands in worship for the first time, crying during prayer for the first time, asking for prayer for the first time, and overcoming the obstacles that have kept them from believing.  It was powerful and so great to be a part of.  So many questions and God truly met each person where they were.  Not everyone left with a mind blowing experience or even a firm commitment to Christ, but each person left with a better understanding than when they came in.  Alpha is neat because everyone is at a different level and place in their faith so the outcome is not the same for each person...but you see steps taken by everyone and it makes me want to clap for God!

Now, here I sit exhausted and empowered! I'm challenged by the people attending Alpha because I don't want to lose that excitement and curiosity, but it is so easy to do! I pray I would seek God like it's my first time raising my hands in worship every time I do it.  We can become so used to it that we forget how significant it is, but being in a context like this retreat reminds me of just how much that means to God and to me.

I am off to bed.  Getting up early to cook a turkey...pray for me! ;)

packed house for a cause

Last night was a great night at Ebenezers! We were at maximum capacity and it was so cool to see that many people supporting such an important cause! I had only seen To Write Love On Her Arms at a Switchfoot concert so it was great to see them talk about their cause on their own tour.  There was great music and great discussion! At one point Jamie (the guy talking in the picture and the founder of TWLOHA) told a story that really hit me. He was meeting with someone he didn't really know all that well and Jamie was dealing with some stuff in his life and just started crying.  The guy he was meeting with looked at Jamie and said "I'm not afraid of your pain".  That's an awesome response and an awesome concept! We all have things in our lives that we would rather keep to ourselves, we all feel lonely at times, but to have someone say that they are not afraid of what you are feeling is such a relief!  Freedom was offered in that moment along with a profound sense of hope and love.  I pray we can all respond to those around us in that way...that we are not afraid of other people's pain.  He also mentioned a U2 song in which one of the lines says: "we get to carry each other".  It is a privilege to do life with one another...we should not feel burdened by those that God brings into our lives, we should feel blessed to walk alongside them. 

As I looked around the room last night and saw so many people there I thought about the fact that it is a privilege to be in a room with that many people. If you walk through life seeing those around you as a blessing instead of as strangers I think we will all live a little more intentionally and maybe our lives will feel a little more full. Instead of being in a sea of strangers, we are in a web of blessings...God created each person we come in contact with and he called us to community! We may not form life long friendships with every person we encounter, but at least we can say that their life is worthwhile because it comes from God! I think walking to work with a million other people every day on the streets of DC will be different now and my prayers will not be so self-centered if I see the world and the people in it in this way-that I get to carry them.

change of plans

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and my family was supposed to be coming to DC to celebrate here, but I just got a phone call from my dad and it looks like they aren't going to be able to make it here! Thank God for US Air...I was able to book a direct round trip leaving Wednesday evening and returning Saturday early afternoon.  I have to work at Ebenezers until 6:30pm on Wednesday and on Saturday at 3:30pm.  There was only one pairing of flights that worked around my work schedule and there were only a few seats left! God is good and I was able to book them! 

I was looking forward to showing my family around DC, but I really just want to be with them on Thanksgiving so this works out too! I guess they'll just have to come to DC another time so I can show them the city-girl that I am! :)

Thank God for the internet, thank God for planes, thank God for being able to book flights online, thank God for parents who love me and would be willing to drive 7 hours just to pick me up for Thanksgiving if I couldn't get a flight, thank God for His sovereignty, thank God for holding us in His hand, thank God for everything! No matter where I spend Thanksgiving, I'll be happy to just be in the presence of my family! Maybe I need to be in Rochester...there's a reason that everything happens and I'm taking this change of plans with my heart open to see what God has in store!

TWLOHA

On Friday Ebenezers is hosting "An Evening With To Write Love on Her Arms".  To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.  TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery. I am really excited about this because the group is really committed to getting the message of hope and love out to people who feel they are hopeless and not worthy of love.  It all started very small with friends longing to help a friend and turned into a huge outreach! They have helped so many people along the way.  There are many ways to support their efforts and I encourage you to read the whole story...

I'm excited we get to partner with them in spreading the word and offering hope!

The adventure continues!

I had a really great week...the last couple of days were extremely fun! Yesterday we had a Leadership Summit and all the leaders of NCC got together and were encouraged by Pastor Mark, Pastor Heather, Pastor Joel and others.  It was a great time of fellowship!  During one of the breaks I hear my name being called and I turn around and see Sara and JT (who I went to school with in Geneseo).  I was so surprised.  Sara moved to Virginia about a month ago and JT was visiting her. It felt so comforting to see faces from home.  Of course I made them take a picture with me! I'm going to hang out with them today and I can't wait to just hear everything that is going on with them.  It's so amazing how God provides those moments of comfort just when you miss something the most.

I worked at Ebenezers until close last night. I never work on Saturday nights (I usually open) so it was a change of pace.  There were moments of craziness, but it was a blessing because the reason for the craziness was that there were 200 people at the first service and 100 at the second!  Praise God! He is doing great things here!  As the night slowed down my favorite cops came in (as they always do). They are the  "segway cops" because they ride on segways around the city.  They always come in, get hot chocolate and check on us before we close.  They have been asking us if they could teach us how to ride the segways and I've always wanted to...last night was my chance....

It was definitely a full day and I was ready for bed at the end, but it was definitely full of fun! :)

God, be the solution!

We sang this song at the end of church this weekend and it was really powerful! With the election tomorrow it is important that we PRAY that God would be the solution! So many people are putting their trust in Obama or McCain to change the world.  We know that only God has the power to bring about the kind of change that the world truly needs.  I absolutely believe that no matter who is elected into office tomorrow God is bigger than the situation and He has ultimate control!

God, please be the solution! I pray that you would lead Your people and redeem this nation for Your glory! Have Your way, Oh God! We surrender to Your solution and we ask that you would help us to be Your hands and feet despite politics!

Join me on your knees...cry out for this nation! It's not just about one day and a new President...it's about everything that's wrong with the nation and everything that is right with God!  We need to be His feet and "run with the solution".

a full day off

Today I have a full day off...no work at all! I love Ebenezers and NCC, but it's important to just have a day of rest and I am definitely doing that today! It's even better that we got to turn our clocks back last night...an extra hour of sleep is ALWAYS a good thing in my book!  

I woke up this morning to voices talking in the kitchen and it reminded me of home.  My parents were always up before me, especially on the weekends, and that sound of familiar voices in the morning just brings me peace.  I'd rather wake up to that than an alarm any day!  It's just a simple reminder that people are there!  

I'm sitting in my chair, drinking coffee with a pile of books and a journal and I feel like I'm back in Rochester sitting in my chair, drinking coffee with a pile of books and a journal enjoying my parent's company!  We would always spend the mornings in devotion together and it is such a great start to the day...being with those you love in the presence of the Lord.  I miss my family, but the cool thing is that we are closer than we think every time we are in the presence of the Lord.  I feel that in prayer we are always closer than we think...despite time and distance.  That's the beauty of relationships built in the Lord...though we may be far physically, our hearts are just a prayer away! God is good and His Spirit is Love...unconditional Love...Love that doesn't stop because of state boundaries, political differences, difficult circumstances, or the busyness of life. That's the kind of Love He wants us to know and share!