Here is my update I wrote in an email to close friends and family from the end of my first month:
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Well it has been an AMAZING first month of life in Birmingham and at NorthStar Youth Ministries. I have definitely faced challenges and have often felt burdened and discouraged, but the Lord has been so good in providing me eternal encouragement through His Word and time with His community that He has blessed me with here.
This past weekend was the start of our fall soccer games. Our U8 games were cancelled Friday night due to crazy Bham rain, but we got to play on Saturday. I felt "Camp All-American Val" come alive for the 5 1/2 hours I was there and LOVED every minute of getting to coach these kids. Its so weird being on the "coaching side" of rec soccer (by the way, I got invited to a soccer coaches' shindig a couple weeks ago where I would have been hanging out with people who coached ME growing up...crazy!?!) Im figuring out through practices that coaching is a bit harder than it may seem, which is weird considering the fact that I played for 14 years. With all the logistics concerning team rosters, communication to parents, and getting my "stuff" together as the soccer program director, I am learning/have learned how much I don't know and how much I cannot control. There are moments when I feel SO inadequate, humbled, and like Im in over my head, but its those moments when the Lord has reminded me that it is not me but Him who causes all things to happen and work together as they do. Good or bad, its the Lord's doing and its His glory that should be recognized. Im thankful that I have His Spirit which has compelled me to take initiative and seek to be His "hands and feet" here at NorthStar.
Im spending one day a week eating lunch with my kids at one of the elementary schools where a bunch of them go. I love getting to know these kids, and the love I feel for them is purely from above...I feel like I have 85 kids of my own who I want to see grow in the grace and truth of our Lord. And NorthStar is receiving great exposure - we have been in the West and South side news sections of the Birmingham News for the growth and my hiring in the soccer program! Wednesday I was invited to be a guest attendant with a law firm to the Alabama Humanities Annual Awards Banquet. The keynote speaker is the author of the book, "Outcasts United," which is about a refugee soccer team in Clarkston, Ga. Im thrilled to get to represent NorthStar at such a "prestigious event" :)
Paul and I have been working through communication differences...We have identified our different personality types and the balance/compromising that the two of us need to make in order to effectively communicate as a "team." We are both open and willing to work through it to sharpen (and humble) each other throughout the process of reaching that balance. He has never worked with anyone full-time at NorthStar before, and I have never worked a "job" (outside of CAA :) ...the Lord clearly has intentional and greater purpose than what was expected in my time here, and much of that is coming out in mine and Paul's communication experiences.
I have been going to the girls Juvenile Detention Center and have spent time with one girl who was there back in November. We have had the opportunity to build a solid relationship through the foundation of Christ, and it has been amazing to see her grow. One of the biggest differences about my time at juvy, and in Birmingham overall, is the way the Lord has opened my eyes, mind and heart to seek solution to the injustice and oppressive situations that people are in, specifically young girls. There is so much in the darkness that people, including myself, will turn away/run from. But we, as the body of Christ, are responsible to praying for these people/situations and looking after those He puts in our lives. I look forward to continuing to learn about the city of Birmingham through my juvy friends, and I hope to be a vessel of hope for them when they are sent home.
Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. It's amazing to experience the Lord encourage me through His body.
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