Watching a student share their faith with another student is...

I cannot think of anything better than watching a student share their faith with another student. It is always a highlight when students connect on that level with other people. They always have a great time in sharing their faith, and they are able to see how important it truly is. I think it is also a great reminder to me how much I need to be sharing my faith with others. ~Danny

Getting Students to participate in a small group is like...

Sometimes I feel like I am trying to pull teeth to get them invovled, but other times it just happens without me initiating in any way. I think that students are more willing to share what they are thinking when they are okay with being vulnerable. If the students have not been vulnerable I think it is good to foster that in the small group. So a first order of business that I feel is very important in small group participation is breeding vulnerability. ~Danny

When I feel disappointed with God, I...

I am not sure I felt that it was okay to be disappointed with God until last summer. I have found new expression in being able to relate how I am really feeling with the Lord. When I feel disappointed with the Lord, I let Him know that in a verbal expression. I have found that it is very beneficial to me, to express my true feelings to the Lord. ~Danny

Trying something new was...

I really enjoy trying new things, so it is always fun for me to try new things. I am in the process of trying to build a pipe, and it is going okay. I often find that even though I like to try new things, I can often get down on myself when I feel that I have not performed to the level in which I think I should be at even if I am new. ~Danny

Leadership is...

such an elusive term, I hate it. I guess I am always trying to evaluate myself, like 'Do I exert leadership qualities? Am I a leader?' As I have learned and read about D.I.C.E. I guess I would say that I am somewhat of a leader. But then I always question myself because I am really not 'leading' anyone, therefor, am I a leader even when I am not leading anyone? I don't mean for this to be a silly question either. It's always something I have wondered about. Or is it that I am a leader, but just never really feel like one... comments welcomed...
~David

When I think about asking a student to follow me as I follow Christ, I...

... I heard this when Dan Allan went through my vision plan in San Diego. At first I was really uncomfortable thinking about saying this. But it has always been in the back of my mind since then, and it has become more and more of a desire to challenge students to 'follow me as I follow Christ.' Knowing that I am not living the christian life perfectly, but I am truly seeking to follow Christ. So I become more confident in challenging students to follow me.
~David

When I feel disappointed with God, I...

...don't know when I feel this way. Honestly, I'm not sure I feel...wait, I have. I think I have felt this way in regards to MPD. During our initial MPD time, I asked the Lord numerous times to finish our support by xyz time, but alas, He had other plans for us. I'm not sure if I would say I was disappointed with God, but I was frustrated that we had to do keep at it. I even wanted to give up at one point.

- Palf

Trying something new was...

...really, really hard for me. I recently attended the Impact Leadership Institute that Mizzou hosted. It was challenging being submerged in a completely different culture for most of the weekend. I really enjoyed what I learned, but have a new appreciation for those who find themselves totally outside their cultural context.

- Palf

When I feel disappointed with God, I...

...sometimes let my emotions get the best of me. I know the right response, and I long to automatically take my disappointment to the Lord, but I so often turn to other things and people to ease my disappointment. By His grace, I am learning to more quickly bring my feelings before Him, asking Him to heal my disappointment and hurt and to change my heart, so that I might have peace about the circumstance or situation.

-Laur

Trying something new was...

...really fun and stretching. I counted East Asia as experiencing a different culture. I had an incredible summer and loved almost every minute of being there. I've always desired to travel the world, and this was my first experience overseas, so it will always be a special memory for me. Immersing myself in the culture was incredibly challenging, from the language to the food to the way of life, but it helped me see the world from a different perspective. The best part, though, was seeing how steadfast the believers in EA are.

-Laurie

Watching a student share their faith with another student is...

a beautiful thing. It is poetry in motion. We work so hard at challenging, and training students to share their faith that when we are able to see that come to fruition, there is no greater joy. I have to admit, though, that there has been moments where I want to jump in and relieve the awkwardness. Since I have had more experience it is easy for me to want to jump in and take over the conversation because I see how the student is skipping over some potential good questions. And I know you can always bring it up during a reflection of the conversation, but there are only so many suggestions you can bring up during the critique as to not discourage them. So in some cases it is very painful to let the student grow in their ability, and not parachute in and rescue them.
~David

When I feel disappointed with God I...

Usually turn into an impatient, angry, immature whinner. I have incredibly short vision when it comes to what is best for my life and development. If something tough happens and im not able to see immediatley how it is going to be good in the long run I start throwing stuff out the window.....like my trust in the Lord. In the past I have spent time yelling and punching my mattress when things dont seem right and Im disappointed. The Lord may keep me there for a little while and I eventually learn a lot from the situation. Its usually Hebrews 12 that brings me out of a place like that. The message from that chapter soothes the anger and frustration inside me and melts it away.
"My son do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, BECAUSE THE LORD DISCIPLINES THOSE HE LOVES, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
My disappointment seems to melt away as I meditate on this scripture and I some how become thankful for my position of discomfort. It makes me proud. I want to suffer for Christ ad I want to be molded by Him. It ultimately brings my focus and MORE of my trust back to Christ.
- Dustin

Getting students to participate in a small group is like...

an art AND a science. There some basic principles you want to follow but it is impossible to rely upon them. I have discovered that the art comes in trying to molding the questions to fit the flow of the discussion, so that you can follow where the momentum is going yet cover what you meant to cover. There is nothing worse than have a great response and discussion to one question and then ask a completely different question to only kill the synergy and momentum.
~David

When I feel disappointed with God, I...

tend to focus all my efforts to please David and doubt my faith. I become so self consumed and critical of others. However, I have noticed that especially when I am disappointed with God, that community is very important to breaking my hardened heart. It is through a healthy community that I feel the love of God, and usually is the starting point to trusting God again.
~David

Trying something new was...

So uncomfortable and exhilarating at the same time. I went to an orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico and for the first hour was taken back at the reality this children were living in. After hearing about the orphanage and playing with some of the children I was so encouraged at how God was using this orphanage to take care of dozens of abandon or abused children. An experience like this help take me out of my World and realize how big God is, and how many needs there are. It helped me take the focus off my life, and help serve in any way I could.
~David