The First Entry of Many

                HI ALL! This is my Blog which I am starting so I can reach out to the world and talk about my thoughts and ministry. I’ll be trying to post blogs twice a week, so keep your eyes open. I am at training right now in New York for my position as US-2 missionary. I will be living in Nome, Alaska by September 1^st and am so excited to start this new chapter of life. I wanted to start by letting you all know how training is going.

                We have a very structured routine here and we are working on discussing issues about racism, domestic violence, substance abuse, political movements, social environments, how to approach being a missionary, and how to work toward systemic change. The US-2 program works to enhance the leading ability of young adults between the ages of 20-30, and have US-2 missionaries all over the United States, and I do mean ALL OVER! However, I think my thoughts are directed mostly toward this idea at the program at the current time:

                When I signed up for this program and was invited to the interview, I was blown away. I was EVEN MORE blown away when I was offered the job! When I got here however, I noticed that nearly everyone from the interview days had also gotten the job. Did everyone who applied get the job? It seemed like it. A plot? Call it what you will, but I have a different take on things.

                I remember reading in The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne and reading about his experience with Mother Teresa. Shane and his friend wanted to know more about her time in ministry and mission, but they had very little clue how to go about it, so they started sending her letters and eventually she wrote back to them and invited them to ministry saying “Come as you are.” In their time in ministry with her, they learned much about the world around them and how they could effect change. So in this instance, getting this job was a committing action.

                I realize that I’m leaving behind my family, Church and friends to live somewhere else with a different culture and people. Sometimes in life we have to run into things with our eyes closed and have faith that God is leading our way. Joshua 1:9 mentions that there is no need to be afraid of such things and further more Jeremiah 29:11 can strengthen this path. I feel no doubt in my mind that this is what He wants me to do. I was born on April 9^th, 1985 in Fairfax County during a snow storm (and that was during the spring season). Nome was established on April 9^th, 1901 and just happens to have a lot of snow being around the Arctic Circle. Also, might I mention that before I was given my placement site, and before I even knew Nome was a placement site for US-2s, I had dreams of waking up at 2am and walking around outside. If you look at Nome’s daylight and nighttime hours, you will find that Nome has six months of mostly daylight and 6 months of mostly night. Believe what you will, but I ask that you trust me in this.   

                While in Nome, Alaska I will be working with the Nome Community Center with the Elders in the village, the youth, and issues regarding substance abuse and depression. Keep in touch, and keep your eyes open. You never know when life will surprise you, sometimes you just have to let go and let live. Breath, take in the pure air, live strong, live awake, live open.

+ PeAcE +