Experiences to Smile - Kaleo Ministry: Kaleo Ministry #11

So...this past week completed our last class of the semester. Okay, we are not completely finished, there are still a few assignments to complete, but we are finished sitting in class listening to lectures. This course on the Foundations of Church Ministry gave us all new insight into the church and how God intended it to be. This class challenged me in many areas. Often we look at church and wonder what we can get out of it, yet, really we are need to look at church and say, how can I give to others while I am here. Church needs to be first and foremost for God. when He is at the center, everything else will fall into place.

Stockings. I never would have believed they could bring a class of 27 so much joy. On our last day of class, we walked into the room and placed on our desk we found a small knitted stocking filled with candy. After squeals of excitement, we learned that our Professors wife hand knitted each of the stockings with our name on it and then filled them with goodies for us. The love and work behind each of those stockings brought me more joy than the stocking itself. She said that while knitting our stocking she would pray for us. Wow, that made it even more special!

I have no complaints regarding the weather out here. Just one suggestion, Christmas needs snow! This past Thursday night, as a Kaleo group we travelled to Ladysmith to watch the Ladysmith Light-up. As we walked down the street, Christmas carols playing, watching the lighted floats pass, seeing Christmas decorations and lights everywhere I could not help but miss big white snowflakes lightly falling to cover the ground and stick to my eyelashes! Everything is starting to look festive, except the fact that there is not a speck of snow to be seen, and probably will not be seen for most of the winter. It is funny looking back and thinking how much I was looking forward to a year without snow, but now that I am here, I have to admit that I actually really miss it! Not so much the coldness that accompanies having snow, just the atmosphere, mood and character it provides with its presence. What I am really trying to say is if Thursday night had snow...it would have been complete!

So it seems like every town has their own light-up show. Consequently, for part of youth on Friday we walked to watch the Duncan light-up! I don’t think I have seen so many fireworks in the space of two days. For the past few youth group nights we have slowly being piecing together a future event in helping the homeless. It started with one night buying the food, this Friday putting everything in bags and hopefully next Saturday actually handing the bags to homeless people of Duncan. To be honest, this Friday I really was not looking forward to youth. It was the first week I entered with a bad attitude. Thankfully God showed me my mistake, but in a way only He can do...He completely changed my attitude around. I don’t even remember how or what caused it to change. It was not anything I did, only through God’s grace did I become joyful. If this change had not occurred, I do not think some of the conversations I was able to have with people would have taken place. I cannot believe that next Friday is the last youth group we attend before leaving for our Christmas break! I know I say it a lot, but, this fall has just flown by. I look forward to next semester and continuing to pour into the youth at St. John’s.

Here are a few prayer requests. Could you please pray for...
~A cheep flight for returning in January.
~That I make the most of the last few weeks before Christmas.
~The Kaleo girls night on Monday night. That it will be a great bonding experience as we are in a girls only setting.
~Focus while completing the last two assignments of the semester.
~Direction for University next year. It looks like I may not be eligible to attend where I had hoped. Please pray for guidance and peace regarding the whole situation.

Thanks again for all your prayers. I would not be where I am without them!

Much love,
Kylie

Here are a few picures from our Thursday night adventure...

Jesse, Myself and Jayme