Hope Pregnancy Center

This summer I worked at Amnion Crisis Pregnancy Center for my internship for school.  This fall Hope Pregnancy Center asked would I like a part time job.  Hope is connected to a Baptist church in North Philly.  Thus far, it has been an amazing experience of learning as I go!  My previous supervisor from Amnion works part time at Hope, so I’m able to get biblical counseling supervision.  I’ve seen about 15 girls so far who are coming in for free pregnancy test.  Many of them are living below the poverty line and respond amazingly to me, someone so different from them.  I know, and continue to pray, that is the love of Christ.   I go in 15 hours a week and in addition to counseling, help the new Director with administrative things. Pray for her as she reaches out in North Philly to introduce our center to the community.

changing seasons

As I look out the window at the changing leaves and as I pull on my wool socks, I can’t believe October is in full swing.  I must say, I love being in Philadelphia in October.  Though I’m pulling on wool socks, the weather here is so much milder than Minnesota.  I miss you, MN friends, don’t take that personally!  Our windows are still open and no snow in sight… 

I will confess that there are two main reasons I haven’t blogged since June: I wasn’t in class this summer and there came into my life a man named James Schaefer!  He’s still here and I hope to give more updates along the way.  I obviously am not committed to blogging, and I’m sorry!  He’s been more fun to talk to than sitting at my computer typing.  He’s even more interesting to listen to than to talk to.  

School has resumed, and I told  you this why I started a blog: to tell you what I’m taking and learning: Apologetics, Survey of Reformed Theology, Survey of Church History and Biblical Theology 1.  I learned a ton about Augstine last week and am being challenged to think about worldview, the authority of the Bible, and the Old Testament as a pointer to the cross.  All amazing stuff!

Please do continue to read this… I’ll try to not take a 3 month break from now on!

“Learned desperation is at the heart of a praying life.”

“We don’t like God too close, especially if… we can’t control.  We have a primal fear of walking with God in the garden, naked, without clothing.  We desperately want intimacy, but when it comes, we pull back, fearful of a God who is too personal, too pure.  We’re much more comfortable with God at a distance.  A praying life opens itself to an infinite, searching God.  … we can’t do that without releasing control, without constantly surrendering our will to God.  “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Mat.. 6:10) is actually scary. “

Paul Miller, A Praying Life (117)

my first day at Amnion

We can see God’s providence and care most clearly when we stop and look at the details of our life.  I can see His providence in my life in great detail as of late.  I am working part time this summer at Amnion, Crisis Pregnancy Center and every job/ministry position I’ve had since I graduated from college helped me to get it!  The two years I spent working with CO in an administrative role, the 5 years on campus, the 9 months I spent in a law office and the one semester I’ve spent at WTS have equipped me to just jump in there .   Administrative skills, theological training (CO and WTS) and a relational bent got me the job!  The Executive Director is encouraged by how my background and training will help Amnion and  I am eager to see how the Lord will work in my heart through the interactions I have with those in crisis pregnancy. Pray that every time the phone rings, I will be reminded  of my dependence on the Lord for what awaits on the other line.

David Powlison

” Modern psychology in its most significant form is a markerplace of differing popular philosophies of life.” 

David Powlison “Psychology and Christianity

It is well… always

A reminder before I fell asleep… “From the beginning of the year to the end of the year, from the first gathering of evening shadows until the daystart shines, in all conditions and under all circumstances, it shall be well with the righteous.  It is so well with him that we cannot imagine it to be better…”

Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, April 14 evening

Bridge Community Church

I wish I was a poet, a creative writer or an artist.  I feel things about my new church that words or pictures cannot describe.  I wish you could come sit with me and experience the gospel with me there.  I want to tell you something about it, so I will struggle to say something.  I am falling more in love with Jesus because of the people there.  The authenticity of the pastor and the elders who have preached is beautiful.  The Holy Spirit is detectable and the fruit is breaking my heart.  That is, the community I see and the mercy ministry and missions they have as a backbone electrifies me for some reason I can’t explain.   It was wonderful to celebrate our resurrection hope today together.  If the gospel continues to deepen like this, I can’t imagine what heaven will be like.

Easter Sunday

My friend Jen Carty

from my favorite book this semester

“Grace flows downhill.  It runs down from the heights of God to the humble at the foot of the mountain.  Grace also takes away fear and reveals the mighty, tender, compassionate securities of God.  As you humble yourself, you will find fears fading away like the morning mist.  Believe, only believe. “

“The Heart of a Servant Leader: Letters from Jack Miller”

I haven’t forgotten about my blog!

Oops!  I haven’t made a post in over a month.  No excuses, but I will say my life revolves around the classroom, the library, waiting tables, running, eating, sleeping and hanging out with my new friends (not always in that order!).  I love it here, sorry I haven’t worked harder to fill you guys in.  It’s spring break and I’m staying in town, working a little extra, catching up on things and taking it easy.  There are only 4 weeks of class left after the break and then I’ll have a summer. weird! I plan to keep working at Anne’s and am hoping to get a part time job at a Crisis Pregnancy Center (or I’ll volunteer there and get another small PT job).  I will keep you updated. I have a road trip planned with a friend Megan  through the great North East.  I also will be going to MN the last week of July to pack up my earthly belonings to move to PA.  Can’t believe summer is almost here!