Renewed.

I’m blown away that yesterday marked the first of November. Where has 2017 gone? It’s unbelievable how time continues to melt on by. The past month or two has been a whirlwind of good things. With autumn comes routine, a familiar rhythm, and the long-awaited blustery days of fall drizzles, crunchy leaves, and gray skies. Pumpkins. Leaves. Hot Chocolate. Blankets. Family. Books. Sweaters. Boots. Stranger Things. Football. Cozy dark evenings. Muted fall foliage. Thanksgiving. What can I say, I’m a sucker for fall.

The past month has been really rich for me. With the transition into my position with TTG, I’m still in the limbo, getting-my-feet-wet/finishing-fundraising stage. I’m itching to jump right in with both feet and fully submerge myself in ministry, while at the same time I have to remind myself to be patient in the process. Which is bittersweet.

Over the past few weeks, God has been renewing my mindset. He’s been teaching me that productivity doesn’t always look like crossing endless items off a forever-growing to-do list. He’s led me to grow in vulnerability and has been stripping me of some prideful tendencies to do it all, be it all, and find my value in pleasing people. He’s revealed to me that this has been a season of filling up and resting in Him, preparing me to be able to pour into others. And with this perspective shift, as I’ve leaned into Him and let Him reset my anxious brain, I’ve been growing and learning and experiencing so much more of Him.

In this time of transition, it’s been wonderful getting my feet wet and jumping into the different areas of TTG. Again and again, I’m reminded that this is exactly where I’m supposed to be, and even in the stressful moments of fundraising and waiting, that simple truth brings so much peace.

A condensed summary of my role and experiences from my TTG journey thus far:

I’ve gotten the opportunity to get involved with several different character development groups within local businesses, which has been such an enjoyable experience. I’ve grown and been challenged personally through these groups and lessons, and it’s been a great pleasure to meet a host of individuals from the community whom I otherwise would've never known. I got the chance to lead one of the meetings, and am being trained to be able to lead future groups.

The Garaway mentoring program is up and running, and we are super excited to be in the process of starting up a similar program at Hiland. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to mentor a student and have absolutely loved getting to know her. It’s been so cool to see how God is working in our school systems, and it’s sweet to be a part of.

I recently agreed to serve as a Career Mentor for a small group of sophomores at Indian Valley High School. I’ll get to hang out with them once or twice a month and help them navigate the waters of choosing a path after high school. Having struggled in this area myself in high school (and even into college), I am extremely passionate about youth and helping people understand themselves and their giftings and passions, so this excites me! While anything new is usually scary and slightly intimidating, I look forward to getting to know a new group of students in a different school setting. My first meeting with the students is next Wednesday, so prayers would be appreciated. :) I’m pretty stoked to meet these kids!

I’m in the process of working on some grant applications, which is something new but also exciting and enjoyable to me. I’ve loved learning and growing in each of the arms of the ministry; one of the great things about being a part of TTG is the variety aspect—getting involved in a range of areas and getting to meet lots of new people.

Over the coming weeks, I would love if you’d join me in prayer for the continued growth of the mentoring programs in our local schools and our students, for my relationship with the student I’m mentoring, for me as I begin leading this small group at IVHS (and for the students!), and in general as I continue to stretch myself in other areas of ministry.

Thank you to all who are praying with me and partnering with TTG, and to those who are involved in local schools, businesses, and other ministries. God is moving in our community, and I’m humbled and thrilled to be tagging along for the journey.

~

Rys Reads:

Another beautiful element of this season is that I’ve finally rekindled my love for reading and actually find/make time to read! I’ve been growing and learning and challenging myself through the books I’ve been reading, which has been so. darn. refreshing. My mom asked me to pass along any good titles to her, so I thought I might as well share them here as well for those who love to get their nose in a good book. So if you’re looking for some good, practical reads, thank my mom. Here’s a shameless plug for what I’ve been reading:

Undaunted, by Christine Caine — a phenomenal book on setting aside fear, clothing ourselves in courage, overcoming, and presenting a challenge to take action against injustice. Love it.
Unglued, by Lysa Terkeurst — a wonderful read that focuses in on our emotions and our unhealthy tendencies of dealing with them (hellllooo, conviction train!); this was definitely good for me to read.
Search for Significance, by Robert S. McGee — I’m currently working through this at a slower pace with Jocelyn, but it’s got some good meat! This one emphasizes our identity in Christ and addresses the traps we fall into regarding lies about our identity, providing the complementary truths that God speaks about us. The second half of the book is a workbook that engages you with each chapter. I’d encourage you to grab a friend and work through it together!

New Horizons: Journeying as a Community Missionary

Once again, I'm blown away by how God works. 

Growing up, I'd always read, repeated, wrote out, and prayed Psalm 37:4-5— Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. 

I've always LOVED this verse (still do), but over the years, time and again I found myself wondering what it meant to be given the desires of my heart. I feel like it's not really that complex, but for me, the greatest struggle was understanding the desires of my heart in relation to a career path. I would grow frustrated, praying this verse but begging God to simply reveal to me my soul's desires. What did I long for, yearn for, want to come to fruition in my life?

Over the past couple of years, I've started putting the pieces together, watching them come full circle, becoming a tapestry that highlights God's faithfulness, goodness, and grace over the years, woven together in a beautiful masterpiece.

I realized that the desires of my heart have been there all along, I've only just begun to recognize them as I'm watching them come to fruition. 

For the past few years, I've felt called to community. I've been drawn to people and forming relationships. I love practical, relational ministry and simply meeting people where they are and getting to know their hearts. I believe that the church can and will impact its communities by going out and meeting people where they're comfortable, establishing relationships that can lead to growth of all kinds, for both parties. I'm especially passionate about working with young people, and have dreamed about being involved in some sort of mentoring program for high school students, or have an opportunity to walk alongside students as they grow and learn to understand themselves and figure out "what's next" after high school. I've always loved writing and have wanted to use that gifting and passion to speak into or make a difference in the lives of others.

I knew I would love to incorporate these passions into my career, whatever that may be, but I really wanted to work in a setting in which this would be my main purpose—walking alongside people, forming authentic relationships, meeting basic needs, and getting involved in the community. After graduating and coming back home, I was stumped as to how to make that possible or what that would even look like. Getting married and settling down in Small Town, USA, I felt like my options were limited (but how very wrong I was). 

All along, I'd been praying about potential jobs. I applied to a vast array of positions; some doors opened; some doors closed; I didn't have peace about the open doors, and I still wasn't able to put into concrete words what it was I was looking for. I had this consistent feeling and longing for the right door; an intangible, foggy cloud seemed to be hovering in front of it, but I knew I'd recognize it when I saw it. 

Then I sat down for lunch with Bruce and Jocelyn Hamsher. 

Although I've been living local, somehow I'd previously failed to notice this local ministry that's been doing some big things in our local community. Toward the Goal Ministries is very community-oriented, seeking to walk alongside and investing in the lives of others through coaching, mentoring, and servant-leadership training. By doing so, they seek to create a space for people to experience Christ, and the hope, encouragement, and ongoing transformation He offers. TTG leads character development small groups and servant leadership trainings within local businesses; they're starting up a mentoring program this fall with Garaway High School (the dream!) in which community volunteers can walk alongside teens and be an advocate and consistent presence in their lives; they are partnered with the Tuscarawas County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force and have been taking action to promote advocacy and professional training in our communities. 

This initial lunch meeting had been arranged for me to learn more about their ministry and what they do and share my passions and dreams. As I listened to them talk, the passions in my heart were stirring yet again and I quickly realized that their ministry and my calling overlap undeniably. 

As we stayed in touch following the meeting, we began exploring the possibility of me joining their team. They proposed a position in which I would help with the mentoring program, anti-human trafficking initiatives, and character-development groups, along with other ministry needs as they come. They also shared with me the need for ongoing funding as they continue to grow, and that they need someone to help with research and grant writing for TTG. 

But there was a catch. Because of the nature of their nonprofit organization, which is completely donor-funded, I would have to raise my own funding to support my position with Toward the Goal. 

I spent some time in prayer, seeking God for clarity and discernment, and it didn't take to long for me to recognize the immense peace I'd had all along in regards to TTG. I had complete support from my husband and family, and in praying, God made it very clear that this was what He has next for me. I knew that I absolutely was going to do this. And I am ecstatic. 

As I've been getting my feet wet, I've already been loving every aspect of this ministry. I've gotten to attend a mentor training for the upcoming school year, and will be getting to hang out with teenagers soon. I've gotten plugged into a character development group at a local business and have already experienced growth in my own life and am so excited to be trained and eventually lead additional groups. I've gotten to sit down with an amazing team and cast a vision to bring hope, healing, and awareness with our anti-human trafficking initiatives. It has already been such a blessing to be a part of this ministry and what God's doing in our area, and I am so excited for what's ahead. 

I ask that if and when you think of me, you'd pray for me. In the coming months I will be learning and growing, stepping out of my comfort zone, trying new things, and meeting new people. I will soon be connected with a teenager that I'll be able to walk alongside, develop a relationship with, and learn and grow with. Be praying even now for that relationship, for the relationships that will be formed among other mentors and mentees, and for possibilities for this program to grow and be transformational in the lives of area students. You can be praying for our vision and plan to walk alongside trafficked victims, for doors to open and connections to be made to bring hope and healing in this realm of darkness. And you can be praying for me as I raise funds to support my position with TTG. 

And if you pray about it and feel led, I would love for you to become a partner with TTG by financially supporting me through the organization. Our goal is to raise $2,100/month to support my position with their ministry. Donors can write a check to Toward the Goal Ministries, and I will then be paid by TTG (donations are tax deductible). You can either commit to becoming a monthly supporter or a one-time donor. If you are planning to partner with us, please shoot me an email with which donor option you would like to pledge.  

Growing up, I strongly disliked fundraising. It meant awkwardly asking people for money, trying to "sell" people on supporting something, and feeling like a nuisance. Taking on this new role of becoming a "community missionary" is scary. But this time my mindset is different. For one thing, I feel confident that God is going to provide, especially as I've been affirmed by His peace and Spirit in the pursuit of this journey. And two (most importantly), I am so 100% on board with TTG and their vision for being Jesus to this community. I could talk your ear off sharing about how excited I am to be a part of this ministry. God is doing big things, and I fully believe He will only continue to blow our socks off with His goodness and faithfulness. I am so thankful to be a part of it, and part of what excites me is knowing that through your prayers and support, you too will be blessed to be a part of what God is doing in our communities. It's such a joy to me to invite others to join TTG and experience what God is doing here. [for more info on TTG, you can check out their website here]

I will continue to provide updates through my blog, sharing how God is at work and what He is doing through TTG. Please feel free to reach out to me and ask if you have any questions or just want to hear stories of what God is up to in my life. I would absolutely love to share with you and hear your stories of His faithfulness too. That's the beauty of Kingdom living. We're all in this together. 

One of the cool things about God is that He sees the big picture. He writes the whole story. Those passions, dreams, and gifts He’s given you and stirred up in your heart? There’s a place for that in His Kingdom. Even if we can’t see it now, He’s just waiting for the perfect time to drop an open door in our lap. When He gives us the green light, it’s go-time.

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. 

Psalm 37:4-5 

Parakoloutheo: Lessons from the trail

A month of marriage. That’s wild. On one hand, it feels like yesterday—that long, beautiful celebration of our marriage, surrounded by so many family and friends. On the other hand, it feels like forever ago; months, at least. And time just keeps moving right along. 

Our first month of marriage has been full of so much joy and growth. It’s incredible, really. For so long we’d been living in anticipation of simply being one, living this gift of life together, enjoying each day as it comes, and sharing a home. 

Home.

That’s what marriage is for me: The place of safety and assurance that I’m secure in the arms of love, with the Father, and with my husband. Home, a place where love permeates the air, authenticity is expected, silliness is encouraged, and the gentlest, warmest golden doodle is always there to shadow me to the next room.

Home.

It’s what I’ve longed for the most over the years in anticipation of marriage. Knowing that every day is another gift to share with the best human I know in a space that is ours; the freedom to completely be ourselves with one another; the design of marriage that so intricately models the Father’s sacrificial and relentless love for us.

The second half of our honeymoon was spent in the mountains of Gatlinburg, TN. We hiked quite a bit, and through these hikes and moments of enjoying the fresh summer mountain air, God continually taught me about marriage and journeying together.

As we hiked, we traversed over paths of tree roots, muddy waters, firm, matted-down dirt, fallen trees, little streams, mossy rocks, wooden planks; uphill, downhill. As we hiked, I noticed myself following closely behind Noah as he led the way, watching his feet and mirroring his steps, trusting that where he stepped, the path was secure. This steady rhythm of one step after the other continued as we hiked, and God began painting this picture in my mind in relation to marriage: the two of us hiking on the path of life, in a similar rhythm of being in step together.

Throughout our various hikes, Paul’s command in First Corinthians resurfaced and continued to dance around my mind: Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ (11:1). In that moment, I had a light bulb instance of realization that this is what God intended marriage to look like: A journey of husband and wife together, with the husband ultimately leading the wife in the way of Christ, modeling for her His love and living as an example of Christ that she can follow closely as they pursue Him together. This rhythmic dance of walking closely together painted such a beautiful picture of marriage for me, Noah leading the way and me shadowing each step. Even in those initial days of being married, it was so incredible to see this image playing out in other areas of our life, with my husband leading the way, gently pointing me toward Jesus and me keeping closely in step with him. What a beautiful revelation of God’s merciful gift to us; oh, what a tremendous gift He’s given us in marriage.

I realize the path of life won’t always be the smooth, matted down dirt that’s level and easy to maneuver; there will be steep climbs, thick air, tree roots that pop up out of nowhere to trip us, those darn slippery mossy rocks, messy, and muddy stretches; uphill, downhill. We’ll trip, wipe out sometimes, get tired, frustrated, discouraged. But I know that in these moments, we’ll have each other and the Father to cling to, pushing through the path to get to the beauty at the top of the next clearing.

This week in one of my devotional readings, I came across the Greek word “parakoloutheo”, meaning to tirelessly accompany someone; to constantly be at the side of an individual; to always be in close proximity with a person, like a faithful companion who is always at one’s side. Again, I was reminded of this previous imagery, and how closely this represents marriage. Tirelessly walking together; a faithful companion; constant. I love how God works, and I love how He speaks, through anything and everything.

In one short month of marriage, my husband has been my leader, my protector, my counselor and listening ear, my navigator, my encourager and comforter, my nurse, my teammate, my truest companion, full of servanthood, compassion, tenderness, selflessness, and, of course, great humor. In reflecting on this first month of sharing a home, my heart is overwhelmed with complete joy. It’s been such a rich season of newness, growth, and togetherness.

As this journey begins, I am brimming with gratitude. Here’s to many, many more months of joy in this home of love.

This moment in time

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It’s crazy to believe it’s already been a year since we were in Myrtle Beach. It’s hard to believe it’s been exactly two months since I graduated college. And it’s wild to think Noah and I have already been married for three weeks. Time is such a strange concept. It’s the endless mystery, the timeless enigma. I’m a believer that I’ll never fully understand it, nor will I ever cease to say “it feels like just yesterday…” 

Time flies.

I think about seasons often. I love living in a locale with all four seasons. While I always think summer’s my favorite (and it is), I’m always ready for the change of scenery, the change of pace that comes with each new season. There’s so much beauty in every season, both in nature and in life.  

I recently had a shift in mindset regarding my relationship with time. For the past number of years I’ve been looking ahead, constantly counting down the days until the next big thing. I’ve anxiously awaited trips, vacations, summer breaks, Christmas, a new job, being done with summer classes, graduating from college, and the big one—getting married to the love of my life. For nearly five years, this big focal point has held my attention with longing; I’ve gazed ahead into the future, dreaming, counting down days, weeks, months, years, pleading with time to speed up so the day would get here sooner. Now here we are. June 10^th served as a turning point. Like the point at the center of a teeter-totter, the weight of forever shifted and the balance beam began tilting in the other direction. I'm no longer anxiously waiting for time to speed up.

I'm begging for time to slow down.

I saw this coming, as the days drew nearer and we were closer and closer to the wedding day. I noticed myself holding on tighter to the moments, realizing how quickly time slips by. I knew the second we were married that I no longer wanted to wish away the time. No, my desire is in fact quite opposite. I want the time to slow, so that I can fully experience the beautiful, heavy weight of each moment, of each simple second of every day. I want to enjoy folding basketball shorts and socks, washing Tupperware and vacuuming floors. I want to hold onto quiet moments on the patio, soak up every walk through the allotment, grocery store visit, library trip, Nala walk.

No longer am I wishing away today in exchange for a handful of tomorrows. Instead I hold tightly to today, letting every breath energize my soul, surging through my body, extending to the tips of my fingers and toes. I am learning to appreciate the present, this very moment in time. This moment in which goodbyes are extinct and today seamlessly melts into tomorrow, this new ebb and flow of life, like the peaceful waves of the ocean lapping rhythmically onto shore.

I’ve spent so much time worrying about what’s next, focusing on figuring out where God wants me and what job He has in store for me. But I’ve come to truly appreciate this season of waiting and simply living. I fully trust that His timing is perfect, and He’s been proving Himself again and again by opening and closing doors at just the right times.

I’m realizing that this season, no matter how limited it may be, is so rich; it’s a moment in time that I can’t and won't get back. But I’m so thankful for the time I’ve been given to fully enjoy this beautiful season of being home with my husband, settling into our home together, spending time as husband and wife, and simply having an abundance of time to enjoy each other. This season won’t last forever; I know that God has a job for me just around the corner, and Noah will start up school again in just a couple of months. But now, this moment in time, is a beautiful gift, one that I am more than joyful to live to the fullest and hold onto with a grateful heart. Here’s to enjoying the now, the beauty of this season, and the hope that maybe, just maybe, by enjoying this moment in time, time itself will feel like it’s slowing down.

the honest ramblings of an (almost) college grad

I'm pretty sure just yesterday I moved into Galloway 120 as a freshman in college. I was an emotional wreck, unfamiliar, overwhelmed, and I distinctly remember shedding an embarrassing amount of tears during the emotional move-in weekend.

In some bizarre reality, three years have passed since then and in three days I graduate from this place that I've grown to love and call my home. I am truly, truly excited. Yet a portion of my heart hurts because I know that this moment in time, which is so rich, will not last, nor will it ever be the same again. The friendships I've cultivated over the past several years, no matter how hard I try, will not remain in the same shape as they are now. The adventures and activities I've experienced will only live on as words on journal pages, reminiscent text messages, stories I'll someday tell my kids, memories that grow foggier and less tangible with the passing of time. This place I've called home, will no longer hold that title. And that's sad. (Yes, I know I'm a sappy sentimentalist.)

But seasons come and go, and I'm beyond thankful for this season of my life I had the privilege of experiencing at MVNU. I've worked in Admissions for three years, and I know that nearly every college boasts of being community-oriented and providing that "home away from home." But I've also learned that this aspect truly sets this campus apart—the way people genuinely care about one another and foster relationships that matter; the intentionality of professors to care about you beyond your grade in their class and speak into your life as a person and fellow child of Christ; the faculty and staff who invite you into their homes and treat you as one of their own. This place isn't your average college, this place is something special. And while this place will no longer be "home," it'll be a place I can always come home to, a place I'll carry with me wherever I go.

And yet again I'm reminded of the beauty of seasons. While the ebb and flow of life brings constant change and transition, I'm thankful for the love of a God who is constant. As I prepare to transition from an independent college student to an adult wife (that combination of words just sounds funny), I know I do not walk alone, and I hold on to that hope.

I've been here before, treading this place of unknown waters. The future is scary, and I still don't know what God's calling me to do with my life. To an individual who just completed college and is going to walk across a stage and into the "real" world in a few short days, that is an intimidating reality. Upon entering college, I assumed that by the time I graduated, I'd surely have figured things out. Of course I'd have a career path planned, a job lined up, and a future I could skip happily into. Naturally, life doesn't always work according to plan and here I am, still in the process of figuring things out (translated: begging God to open doors and help me figure things out).

And even in the midst of all the unknowns, I have peace. God has proven Himself faithful time and again. I know He has plans, good plans, for me. In the same way that He took my stressed-out fears as a senior in high school into His hands and led me to MVNU in the most perfect of ways, confirmed my major and minor, and brought the best people and friendships into my life, I know I can lean into Him to take my hand in His and lead me step by step into the path of abundant joy He has lined up for me.

For years, I have loved the passage in Isaiah 55 that serves as a reminder of God's perfect plans and the way His timing far exceeds anything we could plan or even imagine for ourselves.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. 

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. 

For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Isaiah 55: 8-12

These past three years have not been wasted, not in the slightest. I'm stoked to see how God chooses to use the knowledge and experiences I've gleaned from my time at MVNU to accomplish His purposes. In the meantime, I'm rejoicing in the season of newness that is ahead. In 45 days (45 DAYS!!) I marry my dream boat bff and get to start the much anticipated adventure of marriage; I can return to my hometown and invest in friendships I've been sloppily maintaining at a distance for three years; I can begin to dream, serve, and enjoy the community I love. I'm truly excited for all that's ahead in the coming months. I have no doubt it'll be good. In the meantime, I think I'll join the mountains, trees, and hills in a holy dance party.

[a brief walk down the college memory lane]

Freshman move-in day

Participating in a res-life music video

Me stunting as Casey Cougar for an event

Getting lost in the middle of nowhere

Octoberfest 2015

Roomies Day Out

Last first day of school!

Girls day out

Christmas festivities

Simple joys of golf cart rides

Cheering on Ash at IWU

A trip to the Bean

Kansas City Midwest Trip, SB 2017

The best roommates a girl could ask for