I have found myself clinging to some promises of God this year such as...

his unconditional love for me. I just read Abba's Child two weeks ago, and was so overcome by how much the Lord loves me. He does not love me in spite of my sin, but with it. He loves me, every part of me. The good, the bad, the ugly. I have thought much recently of His grace. I have done nothing, and there is nothing I could ever do, that could earn God's favor. His grace is a free gift, unmerited favor, that He has chosen to show me. He loves me simply because I am His. ~Miki

My participation in our WSN partnership has opened my eyes to...

the world. God truly cares for the world. The people of Cameroon need the gospel just as much as Americans do. There is no one who does not need the gospel. It has also helped me to love people I do not even know. I care about their eternal destiny because God cares about their eternal destiny. There is so much pain and suffering and hurt in the world. God's kingdom needs to go forth to every part of the world. There is no area that does not need to hear of His grace. It also helped me to see how incredibly blessed we are here in the States, and how much we take for granted. ~Miki

Seeing a new movement planted and growing makes me think of...

Paul. This is what he did on his missionary journeys. He planted churches all over the world and followed them up to see how they were doing, encouraged them and challenged them. ~Miki

Because my life is a role model to other students, I am committed to...

living a life that is worthy of being followed. I want to live a life that is holy, a life that is above reproach, that leaves no question as to my character or integrity. I am committed to continually seeking the Lord, spending time with Him, growing in my knowledge and understanding of the gospel and His word. For it is only by His power that I am able to live at all, let alone a life that is exemplary. ~Miki

Leadership is...

confidently, yet humbly, living a life that is worthy of being followed. ~Miki

Paul said to "follow me as I follow Christ" and when I think about asking a student to follow me as I follow Christ, I...

am humbled. I know how great a sinner I am, that I blow it all the time, that I do not have it all together. And yet, because of grace, because of God's mercy and love in my life, I am able to say this. I want to come alongside others and walk with them, having lived life a little longer and having a few more life experiences than the college students. It spurs me on to live a life worthy of the call. I want to live a holy life, a life that is worthy to be followed. I can only do this in the power of the Holy Spirit. Spirit, fill me, empower me, lead me so that I might lead others into your kingdom. ~Miki

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

awesome! My experience comes mainly from summer projects in watching this happen. In Cameroon it was incredible watching students share with other students, especially being from very different backgrounds and cultures. Having been a teacher, I love it when students have internalized something so much that they are able to explain it to someone else. It shows they truly get it. To know a student has internalized the gospel and longs to share that with someone else, what a treat to watch! True multiplication has started! ~Miki

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

I truly enjoy small groups. They are possibly my favorite thing about being on staff. The Lord has blessed me with awesome freshman groups the last two years, so it helps that my experience has been positive. It can be challenging to get students to join a small group. It seems their schedules are always incredibly busy, and for some it just is not a priority. But those that choose to come, in my experience, have stayed connected and really enjoyed it. The group shares vulnerably based on how well they know each other. Sometimes groups mesh quickly and feel instantly connected, and others take much more work to foster community. ~Miki

Seeing a new movement planted and growing makes me think of...

...exciting times, because I feel like in my staff experience I have not seen a movement launched and grown. ~danny

Because my life is role model to students I am commited to...

...seeking the Lord with all of my life and surrendering to Him. This thought has been recurring in mind for the last year, and has been good to think and pray about. The Lord has really met me and provided great avenues to think and discuss this within and without the team. ~ danny

Seeing a new movement planted and growing makes me think of...

...the Gospel going forth. It also makes me think that God is using my life and our team to further the Gospel.

Because my life is a role model to students, I am committed to...

...walking well with Christ, not drinking in front of them, loving my wife the way Jesus loves the Church, studying the Word regularly.

Leadership is...

...learning to do what is right even when no one else is looking.

Paul said to "follow me as I follow Christ" and when I tihnk about asking a student to follow me as I follow Christ, I...

...feel the weight of responsibility to avoid sin and wickedness.

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

...affirming to what God has called me to. I don't often get to see this, but it is really encouraging when it happens.

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

...trying to sell a used car. I feel like I have to really explain why this is going to be of value to him in particular.

When I feel disappointed with God, I ....

...try and figure out what He has for me that I'm missing. I think of this often in times of doing MPD. When it doesn't come in when we want it to, I can feel disappointed with God. But, I remind myself that He knows what we need and has NEVER failed to provide for us.

I have found myself clinging to some of the promises of God this year ...

I have really clung to the promise of God that we can know Him. I have struggled to delve into Him this year. Nicole has struggled with this to a greater degree than I have, but it has not been easy to talk with the Lord. He has been gentle with me allowing me to discover His promise that although He is unknowable and to great to even have one name, we can know Him. I have clung to this promise without even realizing it. When I have been angry with God and allowing myself to vent my feelings to Him, He has not rejected me or said depart from me. He has gently reminded me that I have a place at His feet and in His arms for me always. I have enjoyed this gracious attitude of the Lord. I pray that this same grace flows from my heart. ~ danny

Trying something new was....

really good. I went to Grace Encounter and the Lord met me there.

I have experienced God as...

a gracious and loving Father. - Alan

Each person on my team has been a role model and an example to me. To be more specific,

Matt has taught me what it means to be a Christ-centered leader.
Liz has taught me what it means to persevere and trust God in the midst of terrible circumstances.
Chris has taught me to learn the value in interpersonal dynamics.
Eliz has taught me to listen well to what others are saying.
Miki has taught me to laugh hard, and often.
Eric has taught me to deal with conflict as soon as possible.
Stephanie has taught me to love others deeply.
Danny has taught me to lead with confidence.
Ryan has taught me the value of a dollar.
Jamie has taught me to work through conflict.
Will has taught me to pursue God consistently.
Laurie has taught me to serve with humbleness.
Jason has taught me to pursue after things in life I wouldn't consider.
Mandie has taught me to expect the unexpected.

When I feel disappointed with God, I ...

talk to him. It is so great to be able to express my feelings with the Lord. I have really gotten into the habit of talking out loud. It is pretty weird, but it really helps me to process things with the Lord especially when I am pissed about something or think that He has not done something I think He should have. It is great because then in the silence when I stop talking, it allows the Lord to speak back to me, rather than my silence then begetting more silence. For me it creates more of a conversation. ~ danny

Trying something new was...

great. I really like to try new things, and it has been great to stretch myself in new areas. I think the newest thing that I desire to do is learn a new language, and this is going to be trying and challenging because it will require discipline and work. A lot of new areas that the Lord is expanding in my life is emotions as well. This has been messy and not an easy process, but it has been a very rewarding process. I will continue to try new things. ~ danny

Leadership is...

tricky. I am just now beginning to have any idea what it means to be a leader. I always thought I new what it meant to be a leader, because you need to be a servant leader like Christ. However, now I know that it entails so much more than that, and I have just begun to break the surface of a 100 mile deep pool. I desire for the Lord to really grow me and develop me into a leader. The few things that I have begun to understand, are the emotional contexts of the leader. He sets the tone for how others will interact and think on any team. If the leader sets a demanding tone with no grace, then people will walk on eggshells and not take the risks that need to be there to really open up peoples creativity. I know there is a lot more about the emotional side, but this has been a big one that I learned recently. ~ danny

Paul said to "follow me as I follow Christ" and when I think about asking a student to follow me as I follow christ, I...

I get a little bit freaked out. That is a huge responsibility to have someone looking at you on how to live their life for Christ, but in reality, that happens already. The students look to us as models for what it means to live your life 100% for the Lord. I would not have a problem saying that to a student, and then divulging my weaknesses and failures. Then they would know that it has nothing to do with me, and everything to do with Christ living in my life. Pray that students would be begin to want to challenge their lives and seek out You above and beyond all things. ~ danny

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

amazing, or so I would think. I have not seen a lot of students sharing their faith with others. I think watching students come alive for Christ and really desiring for their friends to know Christ would be amazing. Lord I pray that you would burden the hearts of the guys in our movement to share with their non-christian friends. Lord I pray you would continue to give me a heart for the lost, and not just those students who come to me. ~ danny

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

pretty easy. I think that students desire community, and we just need to offer it to them in an attractive way. I have noticed that the guys I have been talking to have really been desiring to get to know people and a small group is a great way to do that. Also it is a very non-threatening way for students to be involved and be exposed to the Word without having to leave their dorms. I pray that the Lord would continue to lead us to students who desire community, and have an interest in spiritual things. ~ danny

Module 12

When students don't respond like I hoped for; I...am honestly disappointed. I do hope for great things with students but I understand that it is not all dependent upon my hopes. I just have to tell myself again that it is up to the Lord and not up to me, about how they respond.

When I look at my staff account balance and contributions, I...sweat a bit. It is hard. But I am trying to embrace the reality. Support is a major concern right now in our staff life and a lot of focus is needed to be put towards it. Trying to get to the end of the year again.

Module 11

My financial partners know...as much as I tell them. I mean, they know everything that I tell them in my prayer letters. I would think/hope/pray that they feel connected with what is happening on campus as we have seemingly done an 85% job with getting a letter out every month.

My sleep, exercise and eating habits are...not great at all right now. I got the sleeping part down. I get a good 8 hours generally every night but during the winter it is hard for me to get great exercise and to always eat well. I'd give myself a 80% with eating and a 35% on exercise and a 95% on sleeping.

Taking a day with the Lord is...something that has not happened in a while. I want to soon.

When I look at my staff account balance and contributions, I...

am really humbled at how the Lord has provided through my end of the year ask! I am also encouraged and energized that I have a renewed faith to step out and continue raising support. Even though I am in an ok spot at the moment, I know I must continue to look for new support. ~Mik

When students don't respond like I hoped for, I...

get frustrated. I am finding that I am growing in not blaming myself, but it is still so discouraging to see students choose something you see that they shouldn't. Or if they are not making something a priority that you know would be best for them. But, it gives me a glimpse of how the Lord must feel (even infinitely more) when He sees me choosing what is not best for me, or if I respond in a way that is different than He would hope. Seeing the patience He has for me encourages me to have more patience with others. ~Mik

Taking a day with the Lord is...

something I long to do more often. It is really cool to see how I used to not even really know what to do with myself for even half a day. I think it was especially during Cameroon this summer when we were given so much time to spend with the Lord, and I learned it can look so different...worshipping to the music on my ipod, reading a book, praying, spending time in the Word, journaling...there is just so much! Going to workout can even be part of it! It's communing with Him, and the more I taste of Him, the more I want of Him. Psalm 34:8, "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." ~Mik

My sleep, exercise and eating habits are...

better than they have been in a long time! I am especially excited to be in a routine of running a few times a week. I can tell I feel better, eat better, and sleep better because of it. I could do a better job of making sure I am eating enough and not just whatever I happen to have on hand. But, I do feel like I am improving at being ok going to bed at a decent hour. Tuesday and Thursday nights are hard for me to hang on! I'm getting old :) ~Mik

My financial partners know...

that I am so thankful for them. It was really fun to write my end of year ask and share with them what Ellis had advised us...how thankful we are for them, especially in the times our economy is seeing. For the first time in an ask, I asked for a goal amount I was praying for, instead of suggesting amounts for them to give. And the Lord has provided so graciously!! ~Mik