As many of you know, I have moved out of Tennessee! The last month has been a whirlwind of events, phone calls, writing, paperwork, travel, and learning! I now find myself dwelling in the bowels of the Midwest (a.k.a Kansas City, MO). What would make me move half way across the country on such a short notice you ask?
Well that is a bit of a loaded answer...
In March of this year I received an email from my professor at Bryan College informing me of an open position, as well as future plans to hire in May and August, at this place called Shelterwood. For over a year I had been living in Knoxville seeking God and wrestling through my passions and desires; trying to come to a final conclusion as what vocation I wanted to pursue. That's an overly simplified description of my reasons for being in Knoxville, but that would be the general overview. In the midst of my wrestling, receiving this email was a bit of unexpected event. I prayed about it, but kept shying away from pursuing the job due to uncertainty and self-questioning.
After wrestling through these things and continually being brought back to Shelterwood, I sat down with a dear friend of mine and shared my heart with him on the matter. Afterwards he gave me the words I needed to be able to move forward with my desire to apply: encouragement. I applied, and now I'm in Missouri!
Here is a video I took while driving up!
So why Shelterwood? Shelterwood is a therapeutic boarding school for teens experiencing all sorts of life struggles. Me? I'm a Big Brother/Direct Care Staff. My job is do life with them, get to know them, love them, protect them, hear their voices, and to share in their deepest pains and greatest joys! Easy? Heeeeckk no! but this is what I have chosen. It called to me, pulled at the deepest places of my soul and demanded my attention for months. This job is more than just a job. It is pushing me far outside the realms of comfort and ease; it is the place that God has drawn me to and has already had a significant affect on me as an individual! In just one week I've already seen God do some amazing thing in me, the kids, and the other "Bigs".
It has been difficult to give up my favorite coffee shops and hang outs, to leave my closest friends behind, and to take such a huge leap of faith into the void of uncertainty, but I know that I am where I belong and that after my year-long contract has ended that I'll be a completely different person and that God is going to make me even more into the man He designed me to be.
So here is to year of learning, purging, and growing. To learning the depth of love, grace, charity, and community.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen
Well that is a bit of a loaded answer...
In March of this year I received an email from my professor at Bryan College informing me of an open position, as well as future plans to hire in May and August, at this place called Shelterwood. For over a year I had been living in Knoxville seeking God and wrestling through my passions and desires; trying to come to a final conclusion as what vocation I wanted to pursue. That's an overly simplified description of my reasons for being in Knoxville, but that would be the general overview. In the midst of my wrestling, receiving this email was a bit of unexpected event. I prayed about it, but kept shying away from pursuing the job due to uncertainty and self-questioning.
After wrestling through these things and continually being brought back to Shelterwood, I sat down with a dear friend of mine and shared my heart with him on the matter. Afterwards he gave me the words I needed to be able to move forward with my desire to apply: encouragement. I applied, and now I'm in Missouri!
Here is a video I took while driving up!
So why Shelterwood? Shelterwood is a therapeutic boarding school for teens experiencing all sorts of life struggles. Me? I'm a Big Brother/Direct Care Staff. My job is do life with them, get to know them, love them, protect them, hear their voices, and to share in their deepest pains and greatest joys! Easy? Heeeeckk no! but this is what I have chosen. It called to me, pulled at the deepest places of my soul and demanded my attention for months. This job is more than just a job. It is pushing me far outside the realms of comfort and ease; it is the place that God has drawn me to and has already had a significant affect on me as an individual! In just one week I've already seen God do some amazing thing in me, the kids, and the other "Bigs".
It has been difficult to give up my favorite coffee shops and hang outs, to leave my closest friends behind, and to take such a huge leap of faith into the void of uncertainty, but I know that I am where I belong and that after my year-long contract has ended that I'll be a completely different person and that God is going to make me even more into the man He designed me to be.
So here is to year of learning, purging, and growing. To learning the depth of love, grace, charity, and community.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen
omg im so happy for you! i know this is the type of stuff you where called to do! will be praying for you in your transition. love ya bro!!! -Chastidy Winston
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