The Many Talents We Have

Every Thursday for our staff meeting we have a devotion to reflect upon our work that week. Two weeks ago we reflected on 1 Corinthians 12:4-13 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.

This bible verse has stuck with me because I observe this verse in action everyday as I continue to serve God. We all work together to spread God's love to those in need but we all bring something different to the table. Each team has a different personality and character that God uses to spread his love to those who need it. Each team has a different skill set that God uses to help repair the physical burdens of those in need. And each team has their own calling and purpose that God unfolds for them throughout the week. This shows that God will use everyone that wants to serve in his name. Everyone is valued and everyone has a purpose which God will unfold.

His plan, our hands

Hi everyone,
So this first month has been very busy with hundreds volunteers! We are starting to get into a routine that we follow week by week, but sometimes life is unpredictable and throws a curve in your plans. Unfortunately I'm a list person and like to know exactly what I'm doing before it happens. This job has helped me to realize that that is not always going to happen. God has a plan and sometimes His plan might not match with yours, but those changes are always for a reason. Usually you can't see that reason until you look back and think about your life. For example last week for me was a very rough week. I had some communication difficulties with one of my teams that left me upset and confused. I didn't understand why people working for God did not want to help a very deserving organization. Now that I look back I realize that God had different work that He need this group to do. They helped out all week at the camp that they were staying at and did a great job out there. They also helped paint almost a whole parking garage and mowed in the rain!!! God had a different plan for this group that suited them and took them out of a place where they felt uncomfortable. God works in ways that we may not always see, but we have to learn to rely on him because he has a plan for our lives and will lead us away from harm.

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. John 4:16

:) Abby

About Me

Hello all! My name is Sarah, and this summer I will be an intern at the Flood Recovery Office. I graduated from high school last May. And since then I have been working at Pictured Rocks camp, and went to Nicaragua for nine months. This past year has pretty much been amazing and life changing. Next fall I will be attending Simpson College.

The Difference Between Worrying and Preparedness

Today I learned first hand the difference between worrying and being prepared. I failed at being prepared which lead me to succeed at worrying, but this was not the combination I wanted. I am usually a very punctual and organized person; therefore, I am usually prepared and have what is needed. Last night, I forgot to call a new homeowner to make sure she would be there for my team to paint her house. I realized my mistake this morning when I had the team following me to the house 20 minutes away and she wasn't answering her phone. That is when the worrying set in. I had people relying on me and I was going to let them down. After getting the confirmation that she wasn't at her house I shamefully had to tell my team we must turn around and scrambled to find a job that we could do instead. With a lot of other teams and a thunderstorm rolling in the pickings were slim. But God prevailed and helped me by finding a great job for us to work at. My worrying started to diminish as God revealed a new plan for our day. But then, I took my team on another detour to SW instead of SE and got stuck waiting for a train after I corrected my mistake. As I watched the train roll by, I worried about the team's perception of my competence. I had taken them half way to a house that no one was at. They had to wait as I found us a backup plan. Then, I took them to the wrong side of the river. But after worrying about all these things the day turned out great. My teams were completely understanding and served with joyful hearts. The homeowners were appreciative and provided the team with a free lunch to show their thanks. In the end, I learned to be prepared but not to worry if the plan you spent all your time preparing no longer works out. God will prevail and jobs will be found to satisfy the volunteer's serving hearts. Whenever I am worrying I think of Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." and try to refocus and allow God's will to be done.

This also lead me to compare the difference between worry about disasters happening and being prepared. Disaster preparedness is very important. Having a plan to make sure people are helped as effectively and efficiently as possible is very important, but worrying about what could happen gets us no where. Be prepared, but above all allow God to provide and stop worrying about tomorrow.

Look Around.. God is everywhere

To reflect upon my first week in the field I was asked to answer the question, how did you see God at work this week?

I thought about it for a while and knew the answer most people would think of right away: the homeowners' appreciation and volunteers' hard work. And, yes I saw the Lord at work in the serving hands and selfless hearts of the volunteers. I also saw the Lord's joy in the homeowners eyes and heard his delight in their thank yous. But as I pondered the question a little more, I started thinking of all the little acts of love the staff showed each other this week. Abby sending me a thank you text after a long day of delivering and picking up stuff in the truck. It was a simple act that took her ten seconds but meant a lot to me and eased my stress of running around to get stuff. Sarah going with me to get the lawnmowers because I knew I wouldn't be able to find the shed without her help. She knew from experience the shed was hard to find so she suggested that she come to show me exactly where it was. Shelby helping me find a house when I couldn't find it to drop off drywall sheets. Carma always smiling when she sees you first thing in the morning and sincerely asking how our day is going. Melisa getting chocolates for Trina to ease the stress of her piles of paperwork. Curt always being willing to come explain a job to me and never getting annoyed by the endless questions I ask.

Simple acts like these show God's love exists in actions we take everyday. Never underestimate the power of a simple gesture of love. It may take you only ten seconds, but could impact the person's life forever. God's love even in small actions can work wonders in another's life.

The volunteers are here!

Last week we had a slow week with just over 100 volunteers. The group of volunteers I worked with almost completed the house they were working on. They were here for three days and worked hard to get old siding removed and new siding hung. They also did some painting and made the "house look like a home," as the homeowner commented. The homeowner was very appreciative of the groups' work and grilled hamburgers and hotdogs for them on Saturday as a thank you.

This week is a bit more active in downtown. We have around 375 volunteers here this week. It is really neat to drive around and see groups of youth serving God and working on homes. The first day working with a group is always a little hectic getting everyone where they need to be and getting them all of the supplies and tools they will need. Being this busy doesn't allow for much planning ahead and has taught me to fully rely on God that everything will fall into place as He has planned; Matthew 6:34 says, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

My Second Day in the "Field"

My second day in the "field" as we lovingly call the flood houses was a busy day. Just like yesterday, I was constantly on the move getting tools for my teams or checking up on their progress. In these two shorts days I have learned how to drywall and other useful information such as putting weed killer on the top of a tree stump to kill the root system. I have also witnessed the appreciation homeowners express when talking to the volunteers. One of the homeowners exclaimed that the team was "a heaven sent blessing". The homeowners who lost so much truly appreciate the work the teams are doing to help them recover faster. One of the homeowners told us they had just finished the basement and then the flood destroyed all their hard work. But our team is finishing his basement for him so he can focus on his job and newborn baby. Every homeowner regardless of what task you are helping them with is extremely grateful. The work is truly appreciated and every hour spent helping them recover is an hour spent serving God.