God's abundant goodness

Howdy everyone! 

Oh my goodness, I cannot believe that is has been ten months since the apprenticeship started and now it is ending! This will be my last blog :( These have been some of the most challenging, healing, and joyful months of my life. I loved getting to work with God's people and see their hearts turned towards God. I feel like I am also walking away with a fuller understanding of who I am as a person and what it means to be a child of God. I'm in awe of God's character, how he brings hearts to him, and makes people more into the image of him. Thank you so much for investing in my ministry this year and all the cool neat things God was doing! There has been seeds placed and harvested, I know that y'alls support in this is going to bear fruit for years to come in the lives of people in my ministry and my life.

The apprentices during class and then watching the eclipse!

This is me and the other apprentices during class watching the eclipse whenever it happened. We were in Ronnie's class (who is in the pic on the left) which is our ministry essentials class. All of my apprentice classes were such a blessing! They definitly equipped me to be a better minister and also just ministered to me so much. Some of the classes we took were new testament foundations, old testament foundations, holy spirit, evangelism, and body stewardship, etc. Everything I learned in these classes I will carry on wherever I go to go serve the Lord and his people around me.

Sweet Jenna! I have been doing FOJ with her this spring semester! 

This is my core girl Jenna, we started doing FOJ this spring semester! I have loved getting to see her heart for others and the Lord. She felt like community was something that was missing in her walk with the Lord and was prompted to try out a community this semester, which she did and joined F.O.C.U.S. It's been sweet getting to become friends and learn more about God. I have been inspired by her commitment to core and she came consistently even if it wasn't comfortable. Love her so much! 

Roller Skating Hangout! Some people who came!

Me and Tania have been planning hangouts with the whole community this past spring semester! Some of the hangouts we planned were an ice cream night, movie night, roller skating night and also a volleyball night. The goal of these hangouts were to build community across different cores in our ministry. It was so sweet getting to see the different cores building relationships and loving each other so well. They were also just fun to get to do something fun with people in the community.

My cofa Jamie! 

Hangout after core!

This picture above is my sweet cofa and I! I have loved getting to lead with her this year. She's a fool for God, loves people fiercly, and is so much fun to be around. Jamie has taught me to love people better and has been such a sweet friend to me. I'm so proud of her in how she stepped out of her comfort zone to lead this year and how she loved our core girls so well. Our last night of core was such a sweet night, everyone was talking about how core had been impactful throughout the year and didn't want it to end. I definetly will miss getting to do life together, learn about God, and just be there for each other. We also did a powerpoint night and had dinner together which was so sweet and fun! And then after that we had a frozen custard hangout. 

          

The whole collin staff!

This is the whole collin staff team! These people have been such a blessing to be able to work with and also just in my own personal life. Each one of these people love people so well but more importantly point people to Jesus. I can tell that there's a river of flowing out of them of God's image, they use their freedom to serve one another humbly. I don't deserve them as coworkers! They also have been such a fun and chill group to work with!

Me and the apprentices at the end of year sermon!

Omg! We done and did it! The picture above is me and the other apprentices, I am so proud of each one of these friends. They have been such a blessing to get to do this year with them and have become lifelong friends. I have loved getting to learn about God with them, laugh with them and cry with them. Love each one of these individuals so much! And yes there is nine girl apprentices and only one guy apprentice this year lol.

 

I am so grateful for how God has worked this year in the ministry and in my own heart. The apprenticeship has been such a sweet gift that I will cherish forever. I can't wait to keep seeing how God will grow seeds that were planted this year and friendships. Your support has meant the world to me and I know the students are also grateful to you guys. You guys helped change young lives which will impact them forever and also their relationship with God. Which is so impactful!!

Some prayers to close us out: 

• Please pray for our students and that they would keep seeking community throughout the summer even if it's hard. 
• Please pray for our summer focus fellowship nights and that God would be stirring hearts during those nights. 
• Please also pray for our focus staff who are still fundraising and that God would remind them he will bring people their way and provide. 

In Christ,

Carolina