April Update

   

Alisa and Lizzy's Birthday celebration! 

      Hey everyone! I hope you all are doing well, and that April was full of reminders of God's promises to you. April was a rollercoaster of a month for me, while it was full of celebration and really incredible reminders of God's work on the college campus, it was also coupled with a lot of grief. Several students very close to me experienced heavy tragedy in their lives this month, the kind of tragedy that makes me ache for the brokenness of the world and long for it to be made right. This month had some pretty sharp reminders that evil and death are not normal in the Kingdom of God and that they are innately opposed God's design. My friend and mentor Austin reminded me that college ministry, while it can be so fun and exciting, also is full of the worst things the world has to hurl at us. He continued to say that this is the attack our students are under, and this the battle that we have chosen to join. This month was pretty painful and reminded me that I am in a battle. This makes me thankful for a God that has already defeated evil and death, the Kingdom of God has won and I long for the day it is fully realized. During months like this nothing else holds up against the blows evil and death deliver. I am also so thankful to have all of you as partners in the battle alongside me. Join me in praying for these students, they are all still very much processing and experiencing the blast of this month. 

That being said, there is also so much good news from this month. Let me share some of that with you! 

    This is from my last core with these girls!! It feels like I was just introducing them to you. I finished studying FOJ (Focus on Jesus) with Mia, Cassidy, Molly, and Alisa (not pictured) this month! I could share about all the girls in this picture (and more) but because I don't want to keep you here for hours I want to share about those four. All of those one on one studies are something I am so thankful for, they give me such a close up lens into God's work in someone else. Molly (bottom left: green jacket) started the year not following Jesus and now nine months later has made huge changes to follow and love Jesus. I am so proud of her humility and receptiveness to scripture and conviction. I can't wait to see how God continues to use her next year. Mia (top right: gray jacket and mask) has come to see and experience the goodness of God and his people, I can't want to see how God continues to shape her heart for community and build meaningful friendships. Cassidy (top middle: black shirt and glasses) has stepped up as a leader so much this year, as she learns more about God and discipleship she does her best to internalize it and share it with our core. I've watched her actively set the pace for other girls in our core, one of my favorite things about Cassidy is that she is quick to praise God and quick to encourage others. I shared a lot about Alisa last month so I'll leave it at this, she is seriously a different person. I am so excited about the work God has done in the hearts of these four and I am honored that they trust me enough to give me front row seats to that. God's kindness and pursuit of us is so clear in looking at all these girls, not just Molly, Cassidy, Alisa, and Mia. Praise God for all of them and his work! Join me in praying for them and their walks with God, even though the year is over their walk in a lot of ways is just beginning. 

    There are a couple neat things I want to share with y'all before I close, the first one is this picture! We did a balloon animal outreach event this month where we taught groups of students how to make balloon animal dogs. I seriously had so much fun and was so encouraged at how many students we met this late in the school year. Pray that we can continue to think of creative ways to reach the campus even in slower months like summer and end of semesters. 

Lindsay and Emily's core with Lizzy and I's core!

Tuesday core lawn games!

    Two other things that were meaningful from this month were joint cores! Early in April, all the guys and girls cores that meet on Tuesday met on campus to play games outside in hopes of meeting people and getting connected with each other. It was such a fun night that reminded me of how many people there are on UTA's campus alone, that don't know God. The top picture is a joint core Lizzy and I had with Emily and Lindsay this month about unity and diversity. It was a fun evening that had good reminders of how both unity and diversity are valued by God, and good discussion of how we can reflect that as a body. 

Hiking with some students :)

    The last good news I want to leave you with is about me! I mentioned in my last monthly update that I will be staying on staff with FOCUS for five years at UTA and am beginning to fundraise again. Since starting to fundraise last month I am at about 40-45% of my goal for this upcoming school year!! That is such a testament of God's kindness through some of you guys, so thank you, thank you, thank you for loving me and these college students so tangibly. Please pray for continued provision with my fundraising, through the rest of the summer. Thankful for all of you, until next month, 

Sophie