- Courtney Sterk inspires me to enjoy life. I love the connection she makes between the spiritual and the secular world, and how she can use her Biblical worldview in society today to connect with her students at UMass Boston.
- Ryan McReynolds is incredibly inspirational through his wealth of ideas, bounds of creativity and the manner is which he exhibits both. I admire his knowledge of God's Word and how he manages to illustrate Biblical teachings through stories from everyday life. I appreciate his openness and willingness to be transparent before his entire team.
- Rachel Cotton is focused, dedicated and mindful of her work environment. She constantly seeks to improve our effectiveness as an organization, whether through graphic work or by providing a structure for project management. My relationship with Rachel has taught me so much in regards to investing in new relationship despite initial impressions. I truly treasure our relational dynamics in the office - how she is open to my opinions and suggestions, but is not so timid that she does not stand up for her own thoughts - and also our developing friendship.
- Jonathan Thorn constantly emits a positive energy in any and all situations. Whether he is staying late working on MPD, leading our time together during intern training and our weekly meetings, or engaging in personal affairs at his desk, Jonathan is always ready to false a smile or crack a joke (no matter how obscure his references may be).
- Susie Richardson is always willing to engage with those she works with. I love her motivation to learn new things, especially computer skills. She does not allow her age or stage of life to hold her down as she enjoys chatting with Rachel and me about fashion, books, TV shows and our young marriages.
I have experienced God as...
(1) an impersonal entity who somehow dictates the way we live. Throughout high school, I never knew God nor imagined that a relationship with Him was possible. My experience of God was once who gave us the 10 Commandments, who cracked down on you if you broke the rules, but considered your presence at church something that was "good enough."
(2) a coach. For most of college, God had a greater presence in my life, but He was always in a position of authority. I understand that Almighty God is always in a position of aithority over all of Creation, but He was someone that I didn't know on a personal level - maybe more like the president of the US. However, he was someone I reported to: I listened to His instructions (for the most part), and salvation, or getting into heaven, was definitely something I earned - something I deserved for following his instructions so well.
(3) a crush. After Jesus and I truly met for the first time at the fall retreat a year and a half ago I returned to my campus really in love with him and excited about our relationship. I confided in my lifegroup that he was constantly on my mind and that I always looked forward to our time together every night through prayer. I'm now realizing that I felt this way because I really beared my soul and my whole personhood to the Lord at that fall retreat and was overwhelmed by his love and acceptance of me.
(4) an historical figure. Throughout this internship I've learned that God is someone who needs to be studied - someone who revealed much of his character in the past. I've been reading through the Old Testament for the first time and learning about God's relationship with His people, meaning the people of Israel. Unfortunately, such a view of our awesome God has taken away some of His personal nature and ongoing, living connection with me. I've found myself struggling here and there to rekindle that crush-like feeling I had some time ago.
