Howdy from Memphis!

just hard at work

Well now that all of the LT-ers have posted, I guess I'd better give y'all an update on how life is down here in the south. First of all, it has been flying by. Today marks the halfway point of our time at SOS, and that kind of freaks me out. I love it down here. I love the opportunity to serve God essentially without distractions, to be poured into by others and to pour it back out is one of the most fulfilling things I have ever experienced. And I LOVE THIS CITY! So far, this summer, I have totally felt God calling me back to this city after I graduate. I have even had a few really cool conversations about what this could possibly look like for me, what my future might have in store, and that has been super encouraging. 

Since you guys really don't know the life that I live, here's a little breakdown of what my weeks look like: Every Sunday, we welcome new campers in at 3. This involves being outside banging on cars, yelling at them when they pull in and then running all of their luggage into the building. It's the best workout of the week for sure. After that, we just play ultimate or pick up basketball or football with them. We start each work morning Monday through Friday at 5:45 and go until about 9 or 9:30, so it's exhausting but so fulfilling. We are at our houses from 8 until 3 working and then have chapel and other activities the rest of the week. Also, this is the first time in my life that I have ever had a nickname that sticks. No one calls me Erica, which has been really weird. I've got Hoot, Hooty, Pooty every once and awhile, and Ricky. So I'm sorry if I forgot to respond to Erica in the fall ;)

My homeowner's name is Miss Alice and her son Chuck lives with her. It has been such a blessing to get to work with them. They have both touched my heart tremendously, and saying goodbye to them will be so hard. I know now that I always have a place to stay here in Memphis. The community here is amazing. Some of y'all have talked about the openness and vulnerability in your group, and I have experienced the same thing here. It has been so cool here, and I definitely want to take that back to Mizzou in the fall. Every Sunday night, we have confession (and no, Marge, it's not a Catholic thing). Basically, it's just a chance for us to tell each other what we've been struggling with and to express God's grace to each other. The cool thing about it though is that it isn't just on Sunday. On Sunday, we set the bar for the rest of the week. I have asked people to be accountability partners to me and some have asked me. It has just been really cool to experience this vulnerable body of Christ. I was afraid that people here wouldn't get to know the real me, but I believe that I confidently say that God has made this community so real and vulnerable, and people do know the real me. 

I guess that's all from me for now. It's supposed to be over 100 this whole week, so prayers appreciated. I'm keeping all of you in my prayers consistently. Can't wait to hear more about your summers.

Hoot :)