And the Internship Begins...

Hello all!

Well today is the end of my first official week doing my internship. It was actually a good start...getting to know everyone on staff and doing some things that will be useful in the future. I did a lot with Planning Center, scheduling things in online for Sunday services and other special services. I'm beginning to like it, because it organizes everything for us...and if you don't know me well, I loveeee organization! I have also decided that I'm going to try learning to play the drums and guitar this summer while I'm here with my internship. I'm working with people who are SO good at them, I might as well learn from them! ;)

However, I am beginning to learn that I am different than a lot of people on this team. I am very work-minded and I get super stressed out when I don't have a specific thing to do because things are literally scattered everywhere! Yeah, I know...it's actually really weird. But when I'm sitting in my cubicle with an assignment given by my mentor, I finish it at a very fast-paced rate. Some people in the office seem so relaxed and chilled...which makes the environment so relaxing and I love it, but I'm so used to working in an environment where there is a lot of stress. So now I'm getting used to this "laid-back" work environment, which honestly is not too laid-back because there is a lot that needs to get done but these people are not stressed about it (or it doesn't seem like they are)! It amazes me! Maybe it's because I was just in a 1-week intensive class and I did all that I could to finish all the assignments ahead of time (5 papers all done in 1 week). And I guess that's how I am with my classes during the year too. So I get stressed out when there is a lot work, but I also get stressed out when there is not enough work for me to do! What?! Yeah, I have come to conclusion that I'm just plain weird or something! In all seriousness though, I think I am learning how to work with others. I like doing things my way and doing things at my own pace, but it is a valuable lesson to work with others. Ministry is NOT a one-man job and I want to make sure I have that mindset.

I really am learning a lot through this internship, even just this 1 week, so I'm looking forward to the 12 more weeks that are to come! Although I wish we all can stay focus all the time, I am learning that there is a time of rest and relaxation as well and how that plays out in this kind of environment. It's weird that it's hitting me now rather than the past 3 years while in college. I definitely know that, but it just isn't hitting me quite yet until this internship, I guess.

But God is so good. He allows me to learn all of these things by being in this kind of environment. Although sometimes I find it hard to connect with some people, I really do love the people I am working with. God created us all so uniquely with different personalities and I appreciate that. I'm continuously being reminded by how faithful He is and I'm so thankful! I am blessed to have been given this opportunity to intern at my home church and I love being here! Right now, however, I have something else that is overwhelming me more than this internship though: graduate schools. Ahh, so overwhelming! Updates will be given later on in this blog, but right now I just need to pray and surrender to Him all. I'm reminded of Psalm 37:3-7...
               Trust in the Lord and do good;
                     dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
               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 do this:
               He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
                     the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
What a wonderful reminder! And with that, until the next post! Thanks for your prayers during this busy summer!

In Christ's love,
Andrea

1 Thing Finished!

Hey guys!

Today marks the last day of my intensive discipleship class and my last night at Wheaton until August. Although there was a lot of work and I felt out of place at times (I was one of the 2 undergraduate students), I learned SO much in that class on how to be a disciple of Christ. Seriously...that was probably one of my best friends classes ever! I learned a lot!

This week has been a hard, yet good week. Even though I had this class, I had time before and after class to spend time with my Heavenly Father. In fact, that was the goal of all of the assignments was to meet God. I didn't bring my music with me because I thought I wouldn't have time to practice, but I did check out some of the music from the library. I was able to practice some this week, but not much. I was able to finish all the papers that are due for this class this week though! I'm really blessed for this time of rest, because I haven't had the chance to rest since probably Christmas break, so I am enjoying this time to be still and relax :)

This week, I was really blessed with a very cool discovery. In my discipleship class, I met a pastor from Indonesia...and it turns out we were related! Yeah, not joking! His wife is my mom's cousin. WOW! After a whole week of class, I really believe that it was God's plan for me to be a part of this class - to meet my family who lives at Wheaton. It was amazing! So thankful for God's perfect plan!

Now, I'm headed back to Toledo (tomorrow afternoon) to spend the rest of the summer doing my music internship. I'm really looking forward to being home because it's been lonely here at Wheaton. No one is here and I don't know too many people who are here. BUT, it's been a wonderful week making new friendships with those in my class and my roommates here in this apartment. It's been quite a blessing. But, now I'm heading home to continue the work God has called me to do. I'm looking forward to being able to practice piano again. Preparations for graduate school and senior recital will officially begin!

Thank you so much for reading this blog and for the support you have given to me! I hope you are all having a wonderful summer! May God bless you all!

Love,
Andrea

Quick Updates!

Quick updates!

Junior year is officially done and summer has approached! …that means…discipleship class, internship, grad school prep, recital prep, etc. Ahhh! The semester was very rough, but by God’s grace, I pulled through! He is SO faithful to me! My brother and my mom also graduated this year, so that was another huge milestone for our family! What an awesome blessing!

Anyway, this week was my first week doing my internship at Calvary! …actually, my first official week starts in 2 weeks and this week was only doing observations around the office, following the pastor around, and helping him if there is anything that needs to be done. It was a good experience just to be exposed to the schedules and activities that are done as a music pastor. Obviously, I did not really get to do much, but I was able to plan out what I am going to be doing the next 12-13 weeks here at Calvary…and it will be quite a journey! Each day, I pray that God will keep working in my life, as I open myself up to a new “world” of music. May God continue to challenge me so that I can continue to use my gifts for His glory!

Now I am off to Wheaton for a 1-week intensive Discipleship class, then I will be back to officially start my internship on May 22! I will hopefully update my blog as I go through my internship and keep you all posted at what God is doing!

In Christ,

Andrea