Hello to you all! Another month has gone by quickly!
This month had some new learning opportunities, not unlike the months before it. I began the month by serving in the parking lot, where it unexpectedly snowed. Then, the interns began working on our 90-day reviews. During these, we looked back on how our internship experiences have been going and reviewed them with Lauren, our individual mentors, and our individual supervisors. This process has given me the chance to intentionally grow, and to consider what my best next steps might be. My main growth focus over these next few months will be in leadership and taking initiative. Who am I to receive a blessing if I am not equipped to steward it well? Who am I to receive any blessing, for that matter? I am continually undeserving of grace and love, and yet I receive it, because my Father in heaven freely gives to his children, out of his abundant love. So, through the journey of walking faithfully with God, I aim to live my life well and to grow in faithful stewardship.
In the intern program, I continued to learn and have some fun experiences. The interns had a game night at the Snyder’s house; that was really good. We also substituted most of our regular intern classes this month for masterclasses, where someone on staff got to show us something they do outside of working at CedarCreek, how it impacts their life, and how it coincides with their spiritual journey. Jason Jones, who works mainly on the communication team here, also works as a regional event manager. During our first masterclass, Jason showed us how his agency books artists, sets them up with local venues to host their tour dates, and then works with the venues directly to make all the logistics of the performance run smoothly. His role acts as a middleman, where everything that needs to be ready for show day is his responsibility, from food to seating to lighting to costumes to specific requests, you name it. He works in this role while also working at CedarCreek, and although he is very busy, he still has experienced so much growth through these experiences, by the grace of God.
Our next masterclass was with Julie Lewandowski, who works as an assistant project manager at CedarCreek, but runs her own painting business outside of the church. During our time with her, she showed us watercolor painting, the importance of each person leaning into their unique form of creativity, and some good ways to utilize and express creativity in everyday life. Her artistic and thoughtful background provided for some unordinary viewpoints on life, which was quite valuable to hear and experience. Our other masterclass this month was with Libbe Brossia, who works part time for CedarCreek as our director of payroll. Her main job, though, is being a data analyst for IBM, where she works remotely, and has a flexible schedule. This is necessary in her situation, as she balances working her main job, working for the church, volunteering at the church, raising her children, and maintaining fitness as a priority. To that note, our class with her was at a CrossFit gym in Toledo called The Standard, where Ben Olin was our instructor, and Libbe led our discussion afterwards. She told us about her work life balance, her love for fitness, the pursuit of continuous improvement, the motivation to start right now on your improvement journey rather than waiting to magically be ready, and how she makes fitness, faith, and family some of her biggest priorities in life, even if it means moving her schedule around. Luckily, she has the luxury to move her schedule at moment’s notice, so she can go to CrossFit 5 days a week, even when other demands come up. The drive for improvement and the commitment to priorities, despite the challenges, is what really stood out from our time spent with Libbe.
Some other things I did in the intern program this month included being a part of a Squawkbox, where a select group of people gets to help bounce around some ideas, usually about future church messages, and often utilizes the working geniuses of wonder, invention, and discernment. These do not occur very often, so I enjoyed the opportunity to experience this. Additionally, I was a part of my first financial advisory meeting for CedarCreek. In this, some of our church leaders meet with a board of volunteers, typically those that are involved with CedarCreek and have some substantial business/finance background. Church leadership shares some high-level info on church financials, the current direction/projects of the church, some history on where we are trending, and some look at where we are wanting to go. These meetings happen four times a year as a way for the church to receive additional accountability and oversight, and to get valuable advice on what we should do next.
Outside of work, I went deer hunting for the first time this year, courtesy of my mom’s boyfriend Darin, who is exuberantly passionate about all things outdoors. After purchasing my Michigan hunting license, getting a buck tag, being given some equipment, and going the whole opening day of gun season only seeing some doe, we went back out a week later at my uncle Dan’s place and finally saw a buck. We were in a deer blind; the shot was through a small brush hole, 140 yards away, got it. First buck acquired.
The month was capped with Thanksgiving, then another snowy day to finish out the At The Movies series. My rhythms of serving and groups have continued throughout most of the month as well. You’ll see a photo attached of just a few of the guys from my Thursday night group. I’ll leave you with some scripture as you depart from my blog. Thanks for reading and have a great week!
Luke 19:10 ESV “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Luke 18:17 ESV “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Luke 18:27 ESV “But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
Joshua 1:9 ESV “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”