on: encouragement.

Today was a great testament to how much influence we all have on each other.

I woke up this morning to 3 texts from one of my most responsible students. Immediately I knew something wasn't right. The texts explained that someone had made an INSANE claim that our pastor was at the launch of our On Site campus at Sandia High School, and was preaching about the "sinful nature of homosexuality." Yes, we launched an On Site campus on Friday. Yes, Dustin was there. Funny thing is, Dustin was not introduced as our pastor and he didn't say a word. He was just creepin in the back supporting his students as they catapulted a brand new ministry.

Their sponsor teacher had a meeting with the principal this afternoon about the claims. We've yet to hear what was discussed.

So, needless to say, morning started out with me feeling an extreme case of the Monday blues. After texting Shaylynn to stay strong, and that I'm praying for her team, I was feeling a little better. Together Shaylynn and I encouraged each other out of the immediate reaction of "AKEOIROIWEMALKEJOICUASRIJ" Encouragement number 1.

Next thing I knew, Dustin was IMing me on facebook asking how the other schools were doing, any main problems, and we talked about his trip to Kenya. He fleetingly mentioned the issue at hand and said "they're all problems that come with success, so that's good! keep me updated on everything, you're doing a great job!" Encouragement number 2.

Then I get in my car, running late to econ, as always, with a way less than empty gas tank, feeling a little bit stressed. Delaney texts me to make sure I'm okay, because she saw my tweet. She simply says "Remember Satan attacks the things that have the most potential to win people to Christ! So the fact that so much is going wrong ironically means that you're doing something right! So keep on." Encouragement number 3.

As I'm walking to the library, already feeling better and trusting that God's with us as we walk through this madness and those extreme lies, I stumble upon Phillipians 4:13 chalked on the ground in front of Mitchell Hall. Whoever chalked that there had no idea how much of an impact it would have on me, but it did. It just reminded me that Christ is everywhere and is completely in control. That it's Him walking with me through all of this, and I, as well as my amazing team of students, can handle anything we come across in Christ's name. Encouragement number 4.

Somewhere in here my dad offered to buy me a tank of gas, and a near stranger asked to come to church with me on Thursday. It's funny how the scariest days can turn into the days where you see God the most.


So between the kid who made the claim about Dustin and created this mess, Shaylynn, Dustin, Delaney, and the stranger who chalked up the sidewalk, there is quite a chain of influence. Two of these people I'll likely never meet, but they effected my day in huge ways. And as Delaney was in California, Dustin in an airplane flying over Arkansas somewhere, and Shaylynn in school dealing with this up close and personal, we all had quite an important exchange today.

I just think today was neat.