October Update

Happy Fall! 

    Ministry has finally settled down into a normal rhythm over here in Arlington, lots of exciting stuff to share with you! Reaping the harvest of those first few weeks is always the most exciting and fulfilling part of this work to me. Getting to start developing real relationships with new students, and deepening relationships with returning ones is deeply deeply rewarding. Getting to learn each students specific sense of humor, fears, passions, strengths, weakness, and relationship with God- gives me a glimpse into the affection and real love God uniquely has for me and each one of his children. Praying you can be reminded of the affection and love God uniquely has for you as his child today. 

I have been reading the Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning this month. It has really oriented my heart towards the grace of God & His profound affection and mercy towards us. I recently was gripped by a chapter & wanted to share someone else's summary & reaction to it, as I so resonated with it. 

"Not so long ago, I read about a couple who shared a very special kiss. The story, in Brennan Manning’s book, Ragamuffin Gospel, describes a rather solemn scene between a surgeon and a young couple. A young woman is lying in the recovery room after a procedure to remove a tumor from her cheek. Unfortunately, the surgery severed a facial nerve and her lips are permanently skewed as a result. In a tender moment of acceptance, her husband bends down and repositions his lips to meet hers with precision. The physician witnesses their exchange and recognizes it as a God moment.

Since reading this story, the image of the young husband contorting his mouth and twisting his lips for an intimate kiss with his palsied wife has gripped my heart.

I thought about how God symbolically did the very same thing for us when He fashioned Himself in the form of flesh and became “man” through the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.

What a love story. The God of the universe bent down from Heaven, leaned toward mankind, and expressed His love to a very disfigured people."

This story from Manning's book has been such an illustration of what the Gospel of grace is and how it responds to my disfiguration. It has been on my mind as I have met with students this week, I hope it's a blessing & reminder of God's unfathomable grace to you as well.  

Introductions:

Speaking of individual students- I wanted to introduce you to some of the ones I spend time with every week this year. Each of these girls are so uniquely gifted & special. I want to ask that you join me in a simple prayer for them- that they would all be unshakably convinced of God's great love for them. They are all tempted in different ways to wander form this truth, but my prayer is that their time in college would teach them to hold fast to God & his great love for them. 

This is Olivia (L) & Sarai (R)- we get to meet every week! They both are true pacesetters & disciple makers in our community. Join me in this simple prayer for them- that they would be unshakably convinced of God's great love for them.

This is Italia (L) & Emily (R)- we also get to meet every week! These two are some of the most earnest & sincere students I get to spend time with, they truly are bringing the light & love of God wherever they go. Join me in this simple prayer for them- that they would be unshakably convinced of God's great love for them.

Thank you for your continuous prayers & support- students like the ones I just shared with you are truly some of the most exciting things to share to me. Because when a disciple is formed- lives around them will be changed. It continues to give me vision for the Kingdom of God to be brought to earth as it is in heaven. 

Until next month, 

Sophie