2 Weeks Notice

There’s less than two weeks left of Project. Can you believe that? I’m sorry that I haven’t updated you lately. So much has happened and the business of it all has made me shirk from certain duties, including this blog.

Well, I can’t tell you that it has been super easy without staff. In fact, it’s gotten harder. Many of us have jobs and so it’s been a challenge learning how to juggle them with our new positions in the community. In addition, many of us have felt that we’ve been under spiritual warfare. Despite these lows, I believe we bonded even closer because of them and therefore we have grown stronger as a community. For me, the first week without staff ran pretty smooth. I only had two shifts that week, so I had plenty of free time for discipleship and planning Bible studies. That week we focused on servant-hood and I got to wash my disciples’ feet, which was a humbling and funny experience ‘cause all my girls were giggling (I think it was just a shock of the whole experience and the fact that they might be ticklish). I also was filled with boldness to talk to one of those condemning preachers on the Promenade (the guys that use loud speakers and tell people to repent or they are banished to Hell) and as a result, I met a Christian Lebanese family, who were also compelled to speak to that man. It was just really cool to meet other Christians who wanted others to speak about God’s grace and love. 

And then the past week we focused on our identity in Christ. I think this past week has been especially hard for me because I felt like I was being pulled in all different directions and could not satisfyingly devote myself to every cause. You see, my sister was getting married and I’m her maid of honor so I so wanted to be by her side and comfort her in tough times; and then I have family visiting (because of the wedding) and I wanted to be able to spend time with them and serve them; and I also have Project… so you can see that I had a lot of things on my mind and heart. Oh, and I had a shift scheduled every day of the week. I was just emotionally and physically drained and had to be honest with God and my disciplers that I can’t do it all and I need grace. Grace. That’s something I’ve always struggled with accepting. What was refreshing about this week was actually my sister’s wedding. Just being with family and friends and being able to celebrate my sister and Erick, and Jesus’ love for the church was amazing. I cried more than I thought I would… I think I even cried more than Amy! It was a exhausting, but a joyous occasion.

And now comes this week, a week focused on prayer. To be honest, I am a bit glad Project is ending because I’m getting exhausted. I’m excited to physically rest (juggling two jobs has been more difficult than I thought and they’re only part time! I fear for the future where I have to actually have a full-time job) and also just be by myself. Don’t get me wrong, I love everyone here and I do want to get to more people more deeply before I leave, but it’s tough living in community. I’m an introvert and so I prefer to spend my nights alone and just doing things at my own slow pace, but there’s always something going on here. I’m sure I’ll miss everyone as soon as I’m back home (it only took me two days to start missing USC when summer started).

As for a job update, working at Tilly’s has actually been more difficult than Abercrombie & Fitch (Super surprising, right?!). Last week I realized, at a work-training day, that all of the workers at Tilly’s are super extroverted and I felt like I was the oddball. I didn’t converse with others as easily or build close relationships as I hoped. Not only that, but one of my managers has been giving me a hard time (I work at a slower pace than the rest and I’ve noticed that I easily get exhausted, plus I’ve found that I’m pretty bad at multitasking. I prefer focusing my attention on one job and pouring everything into it before moving on to something else). I’ve been trying to at least meet my manager’s expectations, but my attempts don’t seem suffice. As for A&F, I’ve actually had more opportunities to talk to other coworkers and get to know them on a more personal level. Who would have thought! I have less shifts there, but I’m actually glad when I get to step in that perfume-bottle of a store.

My prayer requests of the week are:

-       I met a Taiwanese girl who is going to Santa Monica College in the Fall and she’s interested in meeting up with me once she moves down here. Pray that our relationship will continue past Project and that I would keep her in my heart and pursue her.

-       I met another girl named Kathryn who is a Mormon. She talked about desiring to get closer to God, but saw it was something she would only earn through works. I pray that she would attend one of our events and see what the body of Christ looks like and how she can have a personal relationship with Jesus. And that she doesn’t have to earn God’s love, but that He freely gives it.

-       For energy. I want to be revitalized so I would be able to set time aside for people here so that I can intentionally get to know them. I also want to end my last two weeks strong by going out and sharing and growing as much as I can.

-       For my quiet times. I’ve been spending less quiet time with God and instead of listening to Him, I started to revert back to my old tendencies of depending on myself. Pray that I will always fully depend on Him and seek Him for wisdom through studying the Word and prayer.

-       Please pray for my jobs. I only have two more weeks to get to know my coworkers more and minister to them. A month doesn’t seem like enough time to get to know people super well in the workplace and share with them, but I know God is all powerful and He can and will move hearts. Pray that I may trust in that and act in boldness.

-       And lastly, please pray for everyone on Santa Monica Summer Project. We’re all struggling with different things and trying to make it through the next two weeks. Pray that we would step out in boldness and love and that more people would get to know Jesus in Santa Monica.