Things Progress

The students have been here for two weeks now, and we're really getting into the swing of things. We divided up into seven groups this past weekend, each with a different word: Invitation, Anticipation, Reunion, Intimacy, Betrayal, Sacrifice, and Pursuit. Last night we pitched ideas based off of these themes. Overall, it went well. We're all still adjusting to how to critique and accept critique in a setting like this. We're all in this together, and we're not making 7 individual pieces, we're making one collaboration that includes seven pieces.

My group is contemplating anticipation. The words were chosen randomly, but it ties in really well with us. All of our mediums utilize time, and so much of anticipation is watching the clock. We've decided to make a short film...technically two that complement each other. It's going to be hard, but it will be awesome if it comes together. Please be praying that God stays the center of our endeavors. We're about to take on a pretty big task, and it won't happen without Him.

I'm adjusting to the schedule finally. Your prayers have helped. I'm not nearly as exhausted or stressed after 12 hours in the studio as I was last week. There's still stress, and there's still exhaustion, but it's in moderation. I have Psalm 62:5 written on the wall in front of my workspace, so everytime I look up, I'm reminded to find my rest in God. It's been helpful.

I'm still short on support. We've been asked to have everything in by the end of the month. That's today. I've asked everyone I can think of. Most people who have given so far weren't even asked to give. I know God will provide...whenever I start to forget, I listen to Consider the Ravens and/or read the passage that it's based on. If you're willing/able to give, it would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I will be posting more pictures soon. I need to acquire a card reader to transfer them from my camera to the computer. For now, here's a photo of the first colla

boration exercise (Art in a Bag) that a friend took:

oops...I almost forgot Fact of the Day again.

Fact of the Day: I like peanut butter and bananas together...actually peanut butter is good with a lot of things.

update #3

This is going to be a bit short, but I wanted to get something up. This experience has been good, but things are hard that I was not expecting to be hard. I'm exhausted, mentally & physically. I'm getting enough sleep, but I'm tired like I haven't slept in over 40 hours (those of you who know me well know that I'm familiar with that feeling). I'm used to being able to sleep random hours (anywhere from 3-12) each night and be fine. I don't know if it's the city, the structure of project, or even a spiritual attack, but it's getting to me. It's a struggle that I didn't anticipate (ha. that's my word for our collaboration groups). I'm still learning how to deal with it.

I've spent the last hour up on the roof just praying and listening to music. God is good. I'm finding rest in Him. I just wish I didn't need it so badly by the time I have a chance to just sit with Him.

Please be praying for the project. We're all feeling exhaustion, and we're not that far into it. Pray that we find rest in God, and that we won't fight God or each other in our stress.

The end of week 1

It's been a good week...some of the days early in the week were difficult, but a good difficult. God is stretching me.

This year we'll be doing a few things differently. The days are more structured than they were in 2008, and we're incorporating a few new things such as our "T&A" times. One of our directors recently spent a year studying Theology, Imagination, and the Arts, and she will be sharing some of that knowledge with us through Theology and Arts times. They've been really cool so far. During our lead into the first T&A time, a few questions were posed:

What compels me to create? Does God enjoy creating? Where is the evidence of this? If God creates to display His glory, can we accuse Him of vanity? This last one was initially a shock, but I found it interesting that nearly all of the small groups that discussed this question came up with the same answer & reasoning...I was going to share our answer, but I changed my mind. What do you think?

One more question: If God creates to display His glory, what should our creation display?

I'd like to encourage you to think through some of these questions, especially if you like to create.

Our first discipleship group session was this week, and it went well. I was worried when I first met my girls that I'd be too socially awkward and be unable to lead our time together. I was worried for nothing though because God is good, and He led our time together. The group this week also included one of the directors, and the four of us clicked. It was good. We continued to talk and hang out for a while after our D-group time was officially over.

We met our mentors last night. Another girl, Kristine, and I have the same mentor. She's also a filmmaker, and I'm excited to get to hang out with two other Christian women filmmakers. And we're all at different stages in life, so we all bring something different to the table. I'm excited to see how that relationship develops.

Other Highlights : Babette's Feast (a play at the IAM space), students arriving,

Fact of the Day/Week: We've got a really good group of students & staff this year for the arts track....I'm sure the other tracks are awesome too, but I've had limited contact with them.

I'm Here :)

Day 2, and I can already see that God is going to stretch me and teach me much these next few weeks.

I made it here. My roommates & I didn't oversleep & miss the plane. The plane didn't crash. My luggage arrived in once piece. The E train wasn't running, and I had to brave the J train (which was a much longer trip) and lots of stairs with all of my luggage. I saved roughly $38 by doing this (taxi=$45, airtrain to subway= $7.25) It wasn't really frustrating though. It was more of a "welcome back", and it reflected the rest of the day...we dove right in. I arrived at the airport at 8:45AM, got to check-in at 11:30AM, got to my room at 12:40PM, got to staff meeting (lunch in hand) at 2PM. I was very happy to see my bed last night.

I have learned a lot more about what I'll be doing specifically while I'm here. The intern team (Brian, Tiffany, and myself) will be leading prayer for the project, and I will be assisting one of the staff women (Amy) with Special Event planning, along with discipling two women. I'm excited to see what God will do this summer. There's definitely a bit of nervousexcited mixed in with the happyexcited, but excited nonetheless....I like that word, nonetheless :)

Tomorrow the staff have a day off, but Tiffany, Brian, and I will be working putting together our plans for the first prayer event. I'm looking forward to working with them more tomorrow, both to get things done and to re-establish a relationship with them. I know them already, but working together will be slightly different. It's another form of collaboration, and I think it's going to be great.

Fact of the Day: We actually have a shower in our room :)

God Provides

First off, I love this song, and it really resonates with my post, I think. And my life this semester...or maybe just my life in general: Consider The Ravens

A week ago, I barely had 50% of my support for summer project. I was in desperate need of a 3rd roommate for our house. Today, I'm at 78%, with one more check on the way, and family willing to help out (more) if I'm still short the day before I leave. And I've got an awesome 3rd roommate to take over the lease when my current awesome roommate moves out. God is good.

Last Sunday I prayed "God, I've done everything I can think of. I've asked everyone I can think of. There's nothing else I can do. It's up to You now." And everything came together in a matter of days. I couldn't see how all this could happen in a week. I didn't see how I was going to raise the rest of my support and find a roommate in such a short time. But God did. I'm so in love with Him...He's the perfect Father. God is sovereign :)

Did I mention that all of this came together the day before the 100% deadline?

There are still a bunch of details that need to come together before I leave for Tribeca in 3 weeks, but I have no doubt that God will bring them together better than I could have ever dreamed.

Luke 12:27-31

²⁷"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ²⁸If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! ²⁹And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. ³⁰For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

A new thing for my roommates will be Fact of the Day...todays is: God is Sovereign :)

Press through the crowd to the feet of Jesus

That's what I'm learning (again) this week. My faith is being tested. I'm really short on support. I've got a ton of details to take care of before I can head to New York (including support raising). But through it all, I know God is in control. Even if I screw up, all the little details fall to bits, and I end up staying in Orlando this summer, God is still sovereign. If God is for me, who can be against me?

I may not understand why things happen. They may not be what I expect/want, but who cares? God knows soooooooooo much more than I could ever dream to comprehend.

I will slip up. I will get frustrated with circumstances. I will lose faith from time to time. I'm human (or as my table at church said last night in response to "why do we try to do things on our own?"- I'm a "stupid human".) God is still sovereign.

I've been spending a lot of time thinking and praying about why support is coming in so slowly. Am I really supposed to go to New York this summer? Or is God telling me that I need to stay in Orlando? I've been looking for a job for months and have had no luck. Now all of sudden "now hiring" signs are popping up all over Orlando...for jobs that are looking for someone like me. Except now is the time when I can't apply for those jobs. "Can you hire me to work for a month, give me a couple months off, then I'll come back in August?"

I don't get it...logically, the "responsible" thing is to stay here & take advantage of the job opportunities, etc., but I'm still convinced that God is sending me to New York City this summer. God is sovereign, and He is the only one who can make this happen. So right now, I'm pressing through the "crowd" and spending time at the feet of Jesus (read Mark5:24-34). And He's teaching me. I'm continually amazed at His love for me. I know me...I know the stupid things I do & think, but God just won't give up on me. It's really humbling.

Okay....this has turned into a bunch of rambling. Short version: I need $2000 by the 25th. God is sovereign. Sit at His feet & listen. The crowd can wait.

Update

Before the update: Please pray for Nashville...they've had a lot of bad flooding this past week & really need our help. If you're able, consider getting a group of people together to help with relief efforts.

Where I'm at right now: I've asked a handful of people to specifically partner with me in prayer for this trip. I can't do this on my own. If you'd like to join with this group of people, let me know& I'll add you to the prayer list. It will either be a facebook group or an email list. Probably an email list.

I'm still raising financial support...God brought in $112 from a bake sale. He turned cookies, banana bread, and water into money for Tribeca. It was a good day. I'm in the process of setting up a car wash and possibly a Spirit Night with Chik-fil-a (still looking into details on that one). If you have any creative fundraising ideas, let me know!

I'm just over a month away from leaving for Tribeca, and I'm about $2300 short of my goal. I have no doubt that God will provide what I need. If you feel God calling you to give or you'd like to know more, please send me an email, and I'll send you a letter with more information. If you have a specific question, I'd be happy to answer that as well. My email address is wmayer@knights.ucf.edu.