Start of 2023
New Year Ministry Update
Dear Supporters,
To say the last 4 months have flown by is the biggest understatement of the year. From moving over 2,000 miles across the United States, to starting a new internship in youth ministry, living on my own without roommates and more, the days feel long but the weeks are so short. It feels like just last week that I was pulling into Roanoke with a car packed with everything I could fit (which was a lot, ask me for the picture - it is pretty impressive) and navigating my way to the Church that would become home for the next two years. The community of people that I have walked into has been everything I expected and more. I am asked multiple times a week by people in the Church whose names I don’t always remember how they can be praying for me. I see my youth kids on Sunday morning and have no chance of walking down the hallway without getting pulled into a group of middle school girls who want to fill me in on the latest happenings in their lives. I get to spend my afternoons baking treats for our volunteer Christmas thank yous and reading book after book after book. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for supporting the work that I am doing both in your prayer and through your finances - I would not be here if it weren’t for you and I do not take that lightly. I am grateful for these last 6 months.
CTK Update
In my last update I had asked you all to pray for our upcoming youth Christmas party - that students would invite their non-Christian friends and that we would have a good turnout of students. I am happy to report that this prayer was answered! We had 60 people - students and leaders combined with 14 of them being non-Christian students. The turnout was both chaotic and a lot of fun. We had an epic game of white elephant where the big ticket items were a Mario backpack, a $10 Chik-fil-a gift card and a book completely in Chinese that has been passed around going on year four. We had a lovely spread of snacks, fun decorations and ugly Christmas sweaters! We have our Super Bowl party coming up this Sunday the 12th and we are expecting a similar turnout. Please be praying for us as we spend time together this Sunday in community.
One of my favorite student performances recently was a middle school band concert. I had 6 students playing in it and they did a fantastic job performing - I have a video for those interested in checking it out, it was just too big for this newsletter! I snagged a picture with a few of them after the performance and they all told me that they were very excited to see me and the flowers I brought - overall it just made them feel important.
For our monthly middle school discipleship group, we once again crammed 13 middle school girls into my tiny apartment for a time of fellowship and community. We have enjoyed this offsite monthly time to spend an evening with prayer for our community and being able to bond over (spilled) hot chocolate and treats. This week in February we did a hangout at the Church building, made valentines for friends and family and spent time praying for those we love. It has been a sweet monthly time of building up tools on prayer and teaching the middle school girls how to spend this time thoughtfully praying together. They feel awkward to say the least, but have really come a long way over the last 6 months in feeling more comfortable and willing to pray aloud.
I have been co-teaching our high school Sunday school class and we have been continuing our way through the book of Matthew. Last week we discussed Matthew 12 and spent a lot of time talking about how it is a milestone chapter in the NT where Jesus faces a major rejection from those around Him (the Pharisees). We talked about how Jesus is greater than the law and Jesus is greater than the Sabbath. The main takeaway my high schoolers came up with is: Let us learn to show love more than anything else. We exist to develop disciples who love God, love the church, and love others. This means not getting caught up like the Pharisees over a rule or a law with the goal of stumping Jesus and being in the right. God’s Word is sufficient as it is. We don’t need to add anything to it. Let’s follow the Word of God, be devoted to the Son of God, and show the love of God. I have enjoyed our Sunday School hour each Sunday morning going through one chapter of Matthew at a time.
Last update here: my middle school girls so kindly threw me a bridal shower last week on February 4th, and it was a very kind and meaningful afternoon. They were all very excited to do it, worked very hard and felt proud of the result that came from it. A lot of them had never been to a bridal shower so it was fun to see them enjoying themselves through food, games and fun. Pictures of a toilet paper wedding dress game below, of course.
RYM update
I am continuing to meet twice a month with leaders and other interns across the country from RYM (Reformed Youth Ministries) to have a book discussion and talk about what is going on in our ministries. We just finished another book which I do highly recommend: You’re Only Human by Kelly Kapic. Kapic talks about how we are finite beings and how that is the way we were created to be even before the fall. It is a good reminder that we do not need to live perfect lives or be completely independent of others because that is not even how we were made to live.
Coming up, I am 1/3 deep into Paul David Tripp’s book, Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change. So far I have really been encouraged by what he has to say. Probably another book I will highly recommend!
Lastly, at the end of January I was able to travel to Nashville, TN to attend a conference called YLT (youth leadership training). I heard from key speakers such as Nancy Guthrie, Barnabas Piper, Sam Allberry and many more. It was a very refreshing and encouraging week to show what impact we are actually making on the youth in today’s world. They emphasized the true importance of our roles within the Church and how we are called to be continually faithful in relationship building. I was able to connect with some friends who I met while attending this same conference last year and it was fun to talk about how our lives and ministries have grown and changed since last January. Already looking forward to next year.
Personal Update
It has been a whirlwind of a month and will continue to be this way until pretty close to the end of March. Brian and I were lucky to find a nice size house in the town Grandin here in Roanoke and I am excited to get moved into that. It happened somewhat last minute and I had one weekend to get packed and moved out of my one bedroom apartment, which I did with the help of some friends here in Roanoke. I am living for the next two weeks with a lovely couple from the Church and have really enjoyed their company and conversation at the end of each day.
I am set to graduate from Southern New Hampshire University in less than three weeks and am doing my best to faithfully chug away at the last projects and discussion posts. The end is near on that front! We will be flying back to Montana on March 8th for the wedding on March 11th and I am looking forward to getting the whole family back together for a busy weekend. I am enjoying the weather here in Roanoke - temps in the 50s and 60s, and have made sure to spend some time doing work or going for walks outside.
How you can pray
Give thanks for God answering our housing needs and please pray for a smooth transition into the new living situation for me in 9 days.
Pray for the students here at the Church, that our ministry would reach the lives of unbelievers and that we would also encourage our students who have a desire to grow closer to Christ.
Pray for our volunteers. Spring is a hard time to stay motivated and faithful to the things you have committed to and I am praying as well that they would be encouraged in what they are doing and be able to see the impact they are having in the lives of our students.
Conclusion
Thank you always for taking the time to read and invest in the work I am doing here in Roanoke. I am taking things one day at a time with a very busy schedule, but would always love to make time for you if you have the margin to set up a phone call and chat about life! As always, please let me know how I can be praying for you and your family.
Chloe