All Things GMC

It's been almost a month since I last blogged, and it's been a big, wonderful, change-filled month.

May went pretty quickly... my Gettysburg Master's Commission team traveled to and around Armenia for about a week and a half. They did worship services, teaching, leadership training... and from what I hear... a lot of eating, too. I was told several times how hospitable and generous the Armenian people were to them. My good friend Kimmy and I stayed in Gettysburg and spent the week doing work around the church. It was great to have that week with Kimmy. Every time I spend time with her I become more and more aware of how blessed I am to have her in my life. Not sure that anyone can make me laugh or do weird things like she can.

The team returned and we wrapped up our final week together here in Gettysburg. There were great prayer times, lots of laughter, a photo shoot at the battlefields, a cookout, and, for me, many moments of looking at each of my 5 team members thinking "I won't have this much longer..". What an incredible team I had this year. I love each one of them and I'm so thankful for the way I saw them grow and for the way God used them to grow me.

We graduated on May 22nd in what I thought was the most perfect graduation ceremony. Simple. We started with worship. Then Lance spoke and addressed our team, using the metaphor of the shaping of an arrow and the shaping of a disciple that he shared with us our first week at Master's, all the way back in August. Gerry spoke out of 2 Timothy where Paul encourages Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God that was in him. We were each called to the stage where Lance spoke to us individually about what He saw God do in us this year or how we impacted his life and the team. They were some of the most meaningful words I've ever received.

After receiving our diplomas and a gift from Lance, the pastors and staff at Freedom Valley prayed over us. Then we were done. Graduation closed out as we were congratulated by friends and family and some of the team said a few "final goodbyes" (at least until next year :)

That afternoon standing in the sanctuary I really felt released into my calling and into the future. It was a powerful year. I learned more about faith, leadership, ministry, and relationships than I ever could have expected. Daniel, especially, spoke into my life in ways that stirred up God-sized dreams in me and confirmed that I am headed in the right direction. He spoke to Luke and I saying "This (motioning to the two of us) is good. You need someone like him and he needs someone like you." Sounds simple... but moving forward into the future and into the ministry God is calling me to... I'm so glad it's with Luke.

I said goodbye to my team and cried a little with Kimmy. Just because I love her... I wasn't really sad at all :) Lunch at Montezuma's with my family and Luke followed by a Catalyst leadership meeting closed out the day.

Three hours after graduating... a few of us began planning for Gettysburg Master's Commission's future. This summer I'll be staying in Gettysburg, working part time, and working on a team that's developing and strengthening the program. More on that to come.. :)