I'm writing this on a Wednesday morning, and I love Wednesday mornings. It's kind of my "recovery day" since we have RUF large group on Tuesday nights. We had a pretty good turnout for large group (especially for it being midterms week), but not a single freshman girl came last night. Any other week, this would have really bothered me — and hey, let's be honest: it still does bother me, but not like it would have in weeks past — but over the past two weeks, the Lord really reminded me that it's not about numbers. In all actuality, it's not even about getting people to come to RUF. It's about building relationships with these girls, loving on them, listening to them, praying for and with them, and helping them get involved in a church. I'd love to see them involved in RUF, but more importantly, I want to see them growing spiritually and loving Jesus with all their heart.
Having said that, I would love for y'all to pray that more freshman girls would join RUF and would attend freshman Bible study. We have a solid group of freshman guys, and I am very thankful for each one of them. I would just love to have more girls to be with and hang out with — if that's what the Lord wants here at MTSU. At the same time, please pray that I wouldn't find my identity in how many girls come to RUF, because again, it's not about numbers.
It has been such a sweet blessing to be here in Murfreesboro. I am so thankful for the RUF staff, the church, and all the students. They are such an encouragement to me. I'm slowly but surely beginning to get the hang of things here, although I still feel like a "glorified freshman" (that's how I describe myself to a lot of students: I've basically started all over at a new school, not knowing anyone, but I do have a college degree).
It is also great to be 35 minutes away from my sister, who's finishing up her senior year at Belmont University in Nashville. I've been able to go visit for a day or so on several weekends, and it's been fun to hang out at her apartment and go to her soccer games. My sweet parents have been so kind to bring me things from Memphis (like all my winter clothes when it got unexpectedly chilly last week!), and Mom is great about helping me stock my apartment. She found this awesome chair for $5 at an estate sale (and Dad took off all the paint splatters on it) — they rock!
This means I now have three kitchen chairs — hooray!
This week, MTSU RUF has freshman Bible study/dinner on Thursday. Paul teaches on one of the Psalms, and it's a great time of discussion and fellowship. After Bible study, we head to Slick Pig, which is exactly what it sounds like: an awesome BBQ and wings joint. While I'm still a Memphis BBQ girl, their wings are INCREDIBLE. It's pretty hilarious to see the RUF crew walk in every week (usually me plus 5 to 10 guys — occasionally, we have a girl or two!) — no telling how many wings we demolish each week.
Me with the Slick Pig mascot
Please be praying for the staff (Paul, Rob, Heather, and myself) as we head to St. Louis on Friday with seven students for a missions trip. We'll be hanging out with refugees, playing with kids, possibly helping with some ESL ministries, visiting Covenant Theological Seminary, and seeing a few of the sites in St. Louis. I'm really excited about it, and I'm so thankful for each person going. Pray that the Lord will give us traveling mercies (it's about 6-7 hours driving!), servants' hearts, kindness towards each other, and unity. I'll be sure to post some pictures soon!
Thank you again for your prayers and support. It means so much to hear from y'all, and I could not do this without each one of you. I am very thankful for each one of you!
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