Half Way Point

As of yesterday at 12pm I completed half of my summer here at the Pittsburgh Project. I'm swimming in a sea of emotion right now. I feel like I am falling more in love with God everyday, I'm here. The other day in my quiet time I asked God if he loved me. He said, "Yes!" But then here's where it gets deep. I asked God if he loved that scared and hurt little girl inside my heart, and do want to know what He said? He said, "Yes, especially her!" Two weekends ago I got the opportunity to have a glimpse of what it would be like to hold God's hand and touch His face. I have learned that if you accept love properly, it won't become something you crave selfishly. I have had love lavished upon me in so many ways this summer and I look forward to showering it back on God every time. Another thing I have learned is that we need to love people in their love language. My love language is physical touch (can't beat a good hug!). So I look forward to find ways to lavish love on my brothers and sisters when I get home.

I've also made another decision since being here. I have decided that my life is better when I lay it at the Lord's feet. Before coming to Pittsburgh for the summer, I prayed that they wouldn't hire me so I couldn't go. I almost decided to call them and tell them I wasn't coming. But I decided to give God's way a try. This summer has been the best thing that could have ever happened to me. Because of that I have decided that God's way is always so much better than my way.

Could you all please pray for one of my leadership students who works with me. Last Sunday he was at the Pirates/CUBS game and one of his friends didn't show up. The reason he didn't show up was because he was shot in the head and rushed to the hospital. Later that evening he died. My LIT went to the hospital and heard the devastating news. He showed up to work on Monday and seemed fine. But then all day he was rapping songs that had to do with shooting people in the head. My heart hurts for him. This is so common in the neighborhoods these kids live in. In the last 2 weeks we've had 3 people shot to death on the North side of Pittsburgh. The gun shots were easy to mask because of the fireworks on the Fourth of July. Pray that the kids in those neighborhoods are kept safe and that their hearts don't become harden.

Love you all!