graduate school

So many of you know that my plan was to be here at much ministries for just 4-6months and then come back for graduate school at KU in the fall. however before i left my 2 closest girlfriends both separately challenged and encouraged me to really think about getting my MSW and if it was really where my heart was. i really felt like it was from the Lord as they had not communicated and they know me very well. at first i was very surprised and felt confused as in this world it is the most logical thing to do next. work in the real world doing a 9-5 for awhile, travel and serve, do an internship and then buckle down and get letters in front of your name so you can get a better paying job.

however the more i was down here working with much ministries the more i realized that i didn't really want to be in debt for letters in front of my name. i don't want to live by the logistical things of this world, but be in the world with a kingdom attitude if that makes since to anyone besides me. so i actually started praying that i would get rejected because i was about 95% sure i didn't want to go anymore...and didn't really want to make a decision because i can be pretty indecisive. but if that was the case then what would i do next?

well i spent time talking to mama Kathy, and lots of time in prayer. And they are so excited for me to be on board long term with much ministries and in terms of me covering things financial the Lord also answered a prayer. i have been praying to fully rely on him and that i would see money as a tool for his kingdom not for security and safety. God didn't call me to a life of security, but an adventure that includes picking up my cross and carrying it daily. with that comes risks, but He also says that i am His beloved and to cast all my cares upon Him, to not worry for today has enough trouble of its own, that His yoke is light...and he will take care of me. He knows what is best for me better than anyone else on this earth.

so last week the letter came...and i was not accepted into the MSW program at KU. at first i was like well sad day i feel a little dumb, but then i remembered that's a lie straight from the enemy's mouth and that my God has created me and i am beautifully and wonderfully made and He has plans to prosper me, NOT to harm me. then i laughed and was like...this is what i prayed for...

so then i started really feeling like i am going to be here for awhile. there is still potential for a much ministries/market place kansas city one day, but i am thinking that it will be longer than a couple years.


i am starting to feel like i am going to just jump in down here and really make a move. my belongings have been scattered for gosh...years. i am ready to be settled somewhere for a long time. i haven't lived in the same space for longer than 11 months since i was 18 or 19 years old and i am 27 not. i am feeling like this is the time for me to settle for at least 2-5 years. and i am really confident about this decision, there is much peace in my heart and within the much ministries community. they are all very excited i am going to be here longer.

i feel much ministries is in a big transition as lots of things are happening as well. it really still is a new community...going on 3.5 years. there is still so much to work on and so much growth at each door. Casey will be back soon and we have talked a lot about what a wonderful team the two of us will be. for those of you who haven't kept up- Casey is with Dorothy right now...but was doing much of what i am doing here before, we sort of in a funny way switched places) but i think the two of us will make a great team tackling big projects from the cool stuff store, to loving and mentoring people that God brings our way.

Much Ministries also didn't get the grant that we applied for to build transitional housing in the back of the market place...but we feel good about that. Kathy and Beavers prayer was that they didn't want it if it wasn't the best fit. so God will provide means in another way.

so being here longer has much in store as i will be apart of the team that does this wonderful thing called life together/ much ministries. kathy said today 'work is the excuse to be together' that we don't want to be seen as a organization, but as a community living life together. oh and i loved this... that our practices would be congruent with our ideals...we talked about that the other day. we want to grow, but still have the small things in mind...still keep the heart. its good. i love being a part of it. it fits me so well.

some books we are really challenged by and encouraged by in our world here lately are:

THE IRRESISTIBLE REVOLUTION by Shane Claiborne (this one was life changing for me years ago and its refreshing to read it again)

EVERYTHING MUST CHANGE by Brian MacClaren

perhaps you all should read them!!! i highly recommend them!!!!


well that was lots of info...i really am not very good at short blogs...its partly because i haven't been great about keeping it up. forgive me.
well i really should go...
blessings to you all.
lovex3