The Fall Semester in Full Swing!

So here I am, a Senior!! (That is my last, first day of school pic!) I can hardly believe it! I've been at school a little over a month, so things are finally starting to settle down and I can get into "the groove" of my life. This past month has been great. I moved into the dorms midAugust, a week early, to help out with our freshman orientation. It's always great to see the timid students get out of their car and have no idea what to expect on move-in day. God has placed 11 new girls on my floor! Although this means insane amounts of freshman energy, it also has been great to get to know some of them and help them along with their transition. There are three girls especially (nicknamed the 3 divas), who are crammed into the room on the end of the hall. I know that God has placed them here for me to do life alongside, and I'm really trying to pour what I have into them. Already, they've taught me a lot too. They call me Momma-Britt, but I pray that our relationship continues to spur one another on.

I've also loved having one of my favorite girls, aka ride-and-die friend, here at school with me! Nikki Blodgett, who I've grow incredibly close to especially in this past year, transferred to Moody this fall. Her persistent accountability and friendship is such a blessing.

Though I could go on forever summing up this past month, here's my attempt at being brief:
**I've been nannying for two boys in Old Town, who I pick up from school and often stay and put to bed. This job is an answer to prayer.
**I've been able to spend some time on the South Side preparing for our Awana program which starts this upcoming Monday, and spending time with my Sunshine family. We also took the kids on a Back to School Retreat. Our weekend at Sunshine Cove was great! Many new kids came, along with a handful that we hadn't seen in a while! It was a fun time! As they've all now started school, pray that they continue to register for our fall programs (Awana, tutoring, etc) and that the kick-offs of them next week will start strong.
**Classes are going well. Because of the huge load of credits I took last year, its been refreshing to pour all I have into the 12 that I'm taking this semester: Romans, Apologetics, Cross-Cultural Leadership, and The Holocaust and the Crisis of Evil.

Here are some of the commitments that I've made for the semester that you can be praying about:
1. I feel like these past 3 years at Moody have flown by! I truly want to make the most out of my experience here and soak up all that I can. I've made renewed commitments to getting all that I can out of classes, chapel, and the people around me. I hopefully even am going to start sitting in on a few grad school courses that I can learn from. Pray that I'll be a sponge that absorbs all I can.
2. As always, balance is key in my schedule, and that balance is hard to find. Pray that I'll know when to say, "NO!" whether it be in babysitting, socializing, or whatever else. I've decided to "hit the sac" by 11 every night. Though this doesn't happeen daily, as girls drop in the room, or I have a huge load of reading, this goal has helped a lot in having energy for class and work.
3. Along the same lines of having a balance, dedicating time in the morning to digging in the Word and simply being in the presence of God is key. Pray that I keep my commitment to Christ above anything else.
4. As I'm a senior now, everyone is asking the big question: "What are you going to do after you graduate?" Though I want to be able to have my life planned out to a "T", God simply hasn't placed that confidence in my life. Pray that the direction He's currently pointing me in will be confirmed and that I will have faith and contentment, IN ALL THINGS, along the way.

Leaving a Legacy

This past weekend, Moody hosted the Legacy Disciple-Making Conference. Some of our staff and I were able to go to sessions at night and Saturday morning. What a phenomenal time of challenges for Christ and amazing music! Some of my favorite artists were there- Lecrae, Flame, Shai Linne, and many others. The sessions were led by our Pastor James Ford Jr., Flame, Paul Washer, and even an interview by an Ex-Islamic extremist! A few of the challenges that God put before me were these:
** “God does not open his secrets to a Christian with a closed Bible.” –James Ford
** On gratefulness for Christ’s gift…“I don’t have to be beaten to be a part of something- He was beaten and bruised for me.” –Flame
** “Why are we so impressed by things God hates?” –Flame
** “Do you feel the weight of the ugliness of sin? Do you hate it?” –Paul Washer
** “This country isn’t gospel hardened, it’s ministers are gospel ignorant.” –Paul Washer
** “Everybody wants to go to heaven; they just don’t want God to be there… Ask, 'Do you want GOD?'... not… 'Do you want heaven?'” –Paul Washer
** “God isn’t an accessory, you’re naked without Him!” –Paul Washer
** “Can you be alone?... Be shut up to God.” –Paul Washer
** “He must become a greater reality to you than the friends by which you stand.” –Paul Washer

I can't tell you how much God has worked in my life this summer. I can say with all my heart that I have never loved the Lord more passionately than I do right now, and I long for a deeper intimacy with Him. I have been challenged about having a true FAITH in Him, my heart for evangelism and sharing my Hope, and striving to be on fire for Christ- nothing close to lukewarm. My summer on the South Side was amazing and I'm still praising God for all He has done and is doing!!

We did that SUMMER BLAST BOUNCE, we did that SUMMER BLAST SLIDE, we did that SUMMER BLAST SWIM, we did that SUMMER BLAST GLIDE!!

Here I sit relaxed and rested, but already missing our kids! This past Friday sealed off the summer for our day camp. Summer Blast turned out to be a great success and God truly showed up. I have so many memories and had such a great time getting to know about 50 different kids over the 5 weeks. Friday we went to Deep River Water Park in Indiana. The kids loved the wave pool, crazy lazy river, and slides. What a great end to a great summer!

Thank you for all of you who prayed for this program throughout the summer. You’re prayers are truly appreciated!! Continue to pray that the relationships God blessed us with will continue into the fall through our Back-to-School weekend retreat in the end of August, Club 2-5-2 tutoring, Monday night Awana Bible study, and other programs that will be happening.

Let's get a baptizer!

Another God-filled summer week has past, and I'm gearing up for week five of our day camp. Our numbers were down a bit last week, but our 30 or so kids still kept us plenty busy. Our theme for the week was "One Way to Serve Others." Through small groups we challenged the kids to take Jesus' example of washing the disciples feet and apply it to their lives. It's been encouraging to see kids own these challenges and come back to tell me the things they've done at home, for their parents, and even for the people on their block! We sealed off the week with our final beach trip- a sunny day at Chicago's 63rd St. waterfront. My favorite part of the summer is just hanging out with the kids and talking, and Fridays are filled with that. The kids always make me smile when we talk, especially with their questions about what sunburn is like! :)

The weather didn't stay quite as nice Friday night for our peace campaign. We were all set up and the grills were going, but God had other plans as a thunderstorm rolled in. The few hours we had went well though, and we're excited to host another Friday Night Lights in our community in a few weeks. We won't let our prayers stop though... God- BRING YOUR SHALOM TO OUR STREETS!

This weekend God blessed me with the opportunity to go home for one of my best friend's baptisms- Kelsey Cameron. Kelsey and I have been friends since the beginning of high school, when God uniquely placed us on the same traveling volleyball team, and high school softball team. (there's an amazing story about this to be told later!) She started attending church events with me and ended up accepting Christ the winter of her sophomore year. Taking the challenge from a camp message, we went back to our high school with a fervour for evangelism. Within 2 weeks, 4 or 5 of our friends had made decisions for Christ. Kelsey is someone that I bond deeply with spiritually, and her faith that was initially child-like and is now mature and inspiring. To make a long story short, she joined me at Moody and is now there for Women's ministry. To see her in the baptismal this morning not only brought tears to my eyes because of how proud I am of her, but stirred deep within me a gratitude and passion for Christ and his gift to us of eternal life. I praise Him for Kelsey and pray that His name may continue to be spread in this same way.

I was able to take three of the girls home with me for a sleepover, church, and a day at my parents pool. We had a blast, these girls always make me smile. We celebrated one of their birthdays with pink cupcakes! My favorite part of the weekend was laying next to one of them last night and talking. This little 9-year-old was asking me about what baptism was and why my friend Kelsey was doing it. Upon explanation, she was very persistent that she was ready to be baptized. I told her I didn't think it could happen the next moring, but that we could talk to Pastor Pete about it when we got back to the city. After a pause she said, "Yeahhh and we could put a baptizer tank right in the front part of the office!!" Praise God for her excitement about baptism! We'll have to see what Pastor Pete says about that baptismal next to the copier. :)

Havin’ a SUMMER BLAST!!

John 14:6 “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”

This has been the theme verse as we’ve kicked off a successful and fun first two weeks of summer blast. 50 kids are registered, laughter is heard, and the ONE WAY is being preached! Though the weekends have been much needed for rejuvenation and rest, these two weeks have been amazing!
Mondays through Thursdays consist of stations of indoor games, drama, step it up station (tutoring), crafts, and indoor games. Thrown in the mix are Bible times, snacks, and lunch. Keeping the energy level high is the key, and so far the kids have loved it. On Fridays then, we head out for our day trips, which have been to Lincoln Park Zoo, and this past week, to the beach.

One of the most exciting parts for me to watch unfold is the kids’ curiosity in all things spiritual. We’ve had questions about the Trinity, the devil (who gets laughed at for having the name Lucifer), and many other questions about how God and heaven work. Their childlike faith is always refreshing! Pray that their questions will keep coming and as they sing the song, they will begin to, “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”

We also had an amazing kick off with bringing Friday Night Lights to the community! Over a 100 hotdogs were devoured, rappers proclaimed the gospel over speakers, and the shouts rang through the streets, “MAKE PEACE HAPPEN!” This is the first of 3 consecutive weeks we plan to have the gathering. Pray that the impact will only go further this Friday and the peace will spread. If you’re in the city, come join us!! My roommate sent me a text at about 2 a.m., after all of the festivities ended, “I just am driving home down sixty first… never before have I seen it so peaceful and quiet. Praise God.” God answers prayers!

Praises and Prayer

Life has been crazy but amazing these past two weeks. I know for sure that prayer has blessed the ministry in huge ways this summer.
PRAISES:
**We have 50 kids enrolled in SUMMER BLAST and we even have started a waiting list!
**SUMMER BLAST has ran smoothly and we've had a lot of fun. The kids are amazing, and many of them are delving deep into questions about God (they sure test our theology knowledge with some of the questions they come up with!)
**We had our first FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS in the community two days ago. It was one block away from our building. The Light shone brightly and many people came to see what was going on. His name was proclaimed on our streets!
**I have been blessed with a special relationship with two sisters in our program. As my relationship with them has deepened, issues with their attitudes and anger have been something we've been working on. This past week, after the 11-year-old had an issue at Summer Blast, she called me on the phone sobbing and apologizing. PRAISE HIM FOR TENDER HEARTS AND WILLINGNESS TO CHANGE! Apology showed that she wants to live differently. Lift her up in prayer as she seeks to honor God and make decisions that please Him!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
**That SUMMER BLAST will continue to run smoothly. That our staff will have energy, patience, and lavish Christ's love onto the kids. That the kids will continue to ask questions and seek to know Christ.
**Many of our kids are at the point where they are willing to live for Christ, but don't know how to do it in their worlds. Pray that God will guide our staff as we lead them and disciple them in Bible studies and individually.
**Nikki Blodgett and I are brainstorming how to reach a few of our girls that have health issues. As see Christ's heart for the holisitic individual, pray for sensitivity and wisdom in how to help some of these kids live healtier lives.
**Pray for Dave Clark (our city team leader) and his high school basketball team. They play in a league downtown. As the season wraps up in the next week, pray that he and the assisitant coach will have an impactful time with the guys and that decisions will be made for Christ!
**Continue to pray for peace on the streets, not just during FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, but every day and every night. Pray for the safety of our kids and families.

Thanks for all of your support, prayers, and words of encouragement. I am humbled by the amazing things that God is doing in this city!

O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted;

you will strengthen their heart;

you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,

so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

Psalm 10:17-18

As I came to this verse in my reading through Psalms this afternoon, it was read through different lenses. This week, as the heat and humidity has risen, so has the violence. Even our staff have been experiencing the violence of the streets. Gangs war and bullets fly. While on our knees for peace on the streets, I think of the lives affected by this violence. One of our teen workers that I've been blessed to spend time with this week, poured her heart out to me about the death her sisters boyfriend. Living here in the community has opened eyes and ears more than reading and sympathizing could ever do.

I pray that God bring peace to the neighborhood, to the streets, to my block.

LORD,

You hear the people of the community crying out against the violence. Strengthen their hearts Father. Do justice. May men of the earth may strike terror no more.

Friday Night Lights

Through Chicago Peace Campaign, there is a new movement hitting the street corners of Chicago... Friday Night Lights. I learned about it only a week or so ago, and went to check it out this past friday. Two friends and jumped into the car at 9 pm Friday night, and drove over to the neighborhood next to ours, at the corner of 59th and Normal. Though to most of you this intersection means nothing, to that neighborhood, its the hotspot. Just four Fridays ago, a pastor counted 80 people on the four corners. Drug dealers, prostitutes, gang bangers, and everyone in between were congregated. Yet, just a few weeks later, the scene I experience was of Christ's light shinning brightly. Friday Night Lights is where a group of believers in the community comes together to shine light so darkness has to flee. Candles, huge lights, and gospel music are radiant. As we approached the top of every hour, we joined hands, prayed, took communion, and begged God to bring peace to the streets. I stood at the corner with a 6 year-old on my shoulders who shouted to the passing cars, "MAKE PEACE HAPPEN!" Her little raspy voice rang on the streets, as people honked in approval and the crowd grew. I knew God was working, I could feel him there as the darkness was pushed off the corner and peace of God dwelt there. Our prayer is to be able to replicate this in our neighborhood of Woodlawn. Pray that this summer God would allow that to happen.

Check more out on this clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03Yuy8z6oOA

ALL MOVED IN AND ALL STIRRED UP

So here I am, all settled in on the South Side! Last weekend I moved my apartment, only two blocks away from our building. My roomates are both interns for us too, but for our short term missions program-bridge builders. It's been amazing to get to know these girls and set up our apartment up for a summer of ministry.

This Monday we started our training and planning for the summer. God has blown us all away with how he picked and planned for each one of us staff to be here at this time. With four youth interns, two bridge builder interns, and the current Sunshine staff, we've had an amazing time fellowshipping, planning, and getting excited for what is in store. We have been challenged in unity and living a lives that reflect Christ in every aspect. God is surely pushing us in tough but needed places in our lives.

Next week holds finalizing of plans and sending the kids off to KAA (Kids Across America), which is a camp in Missourri. Though I'm not able to go because of a wedding, we are excited to see what God does in the lives of the kids! Here's a few prayer requests for where things are right now:
**That the kids will arrive at camp safely, and that they will have an amazing, life-changing time
**As we're having to plan and do more technical things for the summer for these few weeks, God will still present us with opportunities and open eyes to proclaim His name in the community
**Kids will continue to be drawn to Sunshine and get involved in our summer programs
I'll continue to keep you all updated when I can find time and internet! Thanks for your prayers!

Anticipation...

Two weeks from today we'll be kicking off staff training. So far, there have been so many answers to prayer...
**I found summer housing at an apartment only 2 blocks from Sunshine. I have two girls as roomates who are doing a different internship with us.
**Support continues to come in. Thank you all for your contributions and sacrifice.

For now, I'm at home in Indiana for a few weeks of relaxing. Though I'm currently in a hospital in Grand Rapids with my grandma, so far I have been able to unwind from a chaotic junior year. Until my move to the South Side the weekend of June 6th, I'm spending lots of time with God renewing and refreshing, and doing lots of brainstorming for the summer. For now, please pray that:
1. God will continue to let plans fall into place for the summer (ie. programing, kids signing up, etc.)
2. The staff's relationships with Christ will flourish so our summer is centered in His will.
3. That the kids will continue to stay safe in their neighborhood and their hearts will be prepared for what God has in store for them this summer.

Thanks so much for staying involved. I'll continue to keep you all updated!