Hello Friends and Family,
It has been over a week since my last post and the stories are piling up. I have been busy with class, youth ministry work, homework, getting to know people, and trying to fit some sleep in there somewhere. We are now on our fourth book and the report is due fairly soon. Many memory verses and an in depth study assignment for the book of James is also on the itinerary. The weather here has been really cold the last few days and I am really enjoying it! I will definitely need some warmer winter clothes as December and January roll around. The picture on the right shows the first of the snow we have received in Olathe, Kansas.
The other students are a blast to be around. We have really gotten to know each other in the past couple of weeks. We have done skits together, played sports (my favorite so far is indoor foam hockey), had crochet parties at Starbucks, run errands, watched movies, and spent much time together in class. We recently had a man named Ollie Olsen come in who talked about biblical foundation. The picture on the left is my Kairos class and the man in the middle with glasses is Ollie. We have had seven teachers come in so far teaching us a wide range of topics from spiritual warfare, relationships, how to correctly study the bible, personal foundations, biblical history and foundation, and next week a pastor from the local church is coming in to talk to us about personalities. We recently took the Laurie Beth Jones Path Elements Profile (PEP) and I found out I am mostly Fire. It is a really neat and seemingly accurate test.
The picture on the right is a picture of what Life Church calls the barn, because it used to be a real barn. It has been resored and now is a very cozy classroom where Kairos meets everyday.
"The core element of humility is truth; about God, ourselves, and others."
Things to pray for:
- That I am fully rejuvenated every night and 100% focused on God and the things He wants me to learn
- That the Kairos class does not become divided from cliques and/or arguments or irritations
- That Satan does not distract or prevent us from this season of growth or our focus on Jesus Christ
- That the finances continue to come in and that I am not anxious about it but rather lift if up to Christ
Thank you all so much for keeping up with my life and for your attention and prayers. It is such an awesome blessing to have; to see people continue to be a part of my life even when I am 1700 miles away. You bring me great joy and I am grateful for everything God is doing. Every day is full of new surprises and blessings. A favorite quote of mine by Elizabeth Barrett Browning says, "Earth's crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God; but only he who sees it takes off his shoes, the rest sit 'round and pluck blackberries."
Have a blessed and joyful week and I will talk to you soon! :)
With Joy in Christ,
Stephen Reynolds
