The Work of the Potter

Back in December, a church member asked if I might be interested in taking a hand building pottery class at Sawtooth (a school for visual art here in W-S).  She explained that it was for 8 weeks and would be from 6:30-9:00pm each Thursday night. My first response was "um, I think I might need to talk to Drew."  Well, to be honest, I didn't talk to Drew because I thought there is no way I can commit to that.

A few weeks later she asked again (persistent little thing) and I at that point I had a change in heart- and I said "let me talk to Drew."  I came home and discussed the class with Drew and immediately told her I was in!

For those of you who really know me, you know I am not known for my art abilities.  It is just not one of my gifts.  When it comes to anything crafty or creative, I quickly look to recruiting folks  (I'm a great recruiter of crafty people!).

To tell you the truth, the first night that we went to the class I was so intimidated.  I cannot tell you the last time that I tried something completely NEW.  I mean this was brand new to me!  Lucky for me I wasn't doing this alone- Pastor Bev agreed to take the class as well.  Our experienced friend, Cheryl, and her awesome daughter, Leigh, quickly showed us the ropes.

Leigh talking Bev through rolling a slab of clay. 

To say the first few weeks were rough is an understatement.  I struggled.  And because I struggled, I really wanted to throw in the towel.  Other people in the class were rocking, and well, my stuff looked like it had been made with love by a young child....

After 2 weeks of class (about 5 hours), I had this to show for it....

And then it happened- our 4th week there, I really started to get it.  I wasn't intimidated by the clay anymore.  I wasn't scared to mold it or shape it, I just did it.

 

Each week our teacher says, multiple times during each class, that clay is very forgiving.  I mean come on people, it's clay.  If I making a design on something and I mess it up, I can go back over it with a 'rib' and smooth it out- it's that simple.

Two pieces that I worked on for several weeks.  Picture on left is after they were glazed but
 before they were fired and picture on right is finished product.

Each week as I leave, I find myself reflecting on the true potter.  The one who forms us all.  And I'm thankful that I am the work of His hands.  Thankful that He constantly molds me and shapes me and that He has not given up on me.  What a beautiful thing!  The thought that His hands are constantly shaping me- the work that takes and the long-suffering that is endured- amazes me. For as I've learned in this class, it's about progress.  It takes time and it's not something that can be rushed.  

Thankful for the work of the great Potter.  Amazed by His patience and His love.

Transformation Tuesday

This morning as I was preparing to head to church, I stopped in front of a frame on Drew's dresser.  The frame is one he gave me the Christmas after we became engaged.  It includes our first picture ever- from the summer of 2005!  I was stunned when I realized that we are now in 2014 and that God put Drew in my life 9 years ago this coming summer.

Throughout the day, I found myself reflecting on God's faithfulness through our relationship.  I paused several times throughout the day and thanked God for orchestrating such a beautiful journey- one that is sometimes unreal to me.  

For those of you who have not heard our story, let me share.  In the summer of 2004, I spent my first summer serving at Carolina Cross Connection.  The following summer (2005), I did not reapply to serve on staff- I thought that time of my life was done (little did I know it was just starting).  My sister went to camp in 2005 at Camp Patton Springs in Franklin, NC.  She arrived to camp on Sunday and called me Monday afternoon.  She asked if I could come up and serve as a camp cook for the week- what?  I had never done anything like that before.  I agreed and drove up the following day.

Often referred to as Carolina Love Connection....

Carolina Cross Connection hires a cook and two junior staffers (who help in the kitchen) for each camp.  Well- as our journey would have it- Drew Setliff was one of the two j-staff who were assigned to Patton Springs.  We spent two weeks together that summer serving in the kitchen.  I remember how dedicated Drew was to his job.  We spent many early mornings together.  He helped me more than he was required to- he went above and beyond.  We spent our days in the camp playing card games and laughing lots.

Our first picture- summer 2005

The following year, Drew applied for a position at CCC but was not hired.  I spent the summer of 2006 as a lead program coordinator at Camp McCall.  One week, I got a phone call from a fellow staff member at Camp Elk Shoals, Jesse Arnett.  Jesse had Drew as a camper that week.  I spoke to Drew briefly- and that was the end of that.

Some of the CCC staff members at Jesse and Hunter's wedding in September 2006-
notice who is also in the picture..

I know, I know- hurry up MT, get on with it.  In the summer of 2007, I was selected as a camp director for CCC.  One of the staffers I was asked to reach out to before staff training was Drew.  I remember connecting with him on Facebook and email.  Upon the completion of staff training, Drew was placed on my staff at Joshua Youth Camp.  After staff selection, Mom called and asked if I thought one of the guys on my staff 'could be the one'-  I just laughed- little did I know...

Staff Reveal 2007

Drew was so committed while we were on staff together in 2007.  He took every word that I said to heart.  If I said "you cannot come back to camp unless you have 3 donations", then he didn't return unless he had 3 donations.  He was dedicated and extremely efficient.  He went above and beyond and did whatever needed to be done- without ever complaining.  He supported me that summer with his whole heart in a way that I had never been supported before.  Oh how the Lord was preparing our hearts.  We were so sad as we finished that summer, but little did we know that the true journey was only beginning.

JYC Ladies 2007
MT, Jenny, Krisin, Lauren, Kelly, and Allyson

And our 2 boys....
Drew and Daniel

Such a sweetness that summer!

In August, I entered the real world and Drew returned as a sophomore to Liberty University.  We remained in contact, but as the year went on we lost touch.  Until the spring of 2008.....

To be continued...

Lessons: Take 1

Over the past few months, the Lord has revealed many, many things to me.  I continue to be in awe of this awesome God that we serve.

For the majority of my life I have struggled with God's timing.  We live in a world where we get what we want when we want it.  If I want a new dress, I get in the car and go get one.  If I want to go out to eat, I can do it.  And if I want a sweet tea from McDonald's I drive through the drive thru and get one.  The wait time is short and patience is not required (most days).  The waiting game is not something that I have to practice a lot.

I love my McD's sweet tea!  Glad there isn't usually a line:)

For the past few years, I have questioned God's timing.  I've been waiting and not patiently- waiting on what I believe should be the next step in my life- not necessarily His.  There are two lessons that have come out of this time of waiting.

The first is this- enjoy the moment, enjoy the stage of life you are currently living!  One of my sweetest friends, Leeann, and I have talked about this a lot over the past months.  In one of our chats, she said something to the effect of "if we aren't enjoying the blessings God has given us now, why would he give us more?"  That spoke to me!  It was like an instant wake up call.  God has blessed me with a wonderful husband, sweet family, the greatest of friends and a position in ministry that I am beyond thankful for- so why would I not enjoy this part of life?  What's not to like?

The second lesson is that God's timing is perfect.  As I write this, I can feel my heart flutter because I know this to be true.  When I reflect back over the past 15 years of life, I can clearly see how God was using each situation to bring me where I am now.  He was shaping, molding, preparing me in each phase for the next step.

Over the past year, I have felt like God's timing was not matching up with mine at all.  My patience was running thin and I was OVER waiting.  I had waited all I could wait.  Then I went to Greensboro to spend a week volunteering with the Distinguished Young Women of NC scholarship program.  A program that has meant a lot to me for a long time.  The Thursday of program week I had an epiphany- I mean a big epiphany.  I literally had spent the whole week away from home and work- I had given all my energy to that program and the girls who were participating.  And then I saw it- God's Timing is perfect.  For you see if my life's timing had been in my hands, I probably would not have spent that week in Greensboro.   His plan for us, and I mean every single one of us, is greater than anything we can dream of.  Praise be to God for that!

Thankful for these sweet girls and thankful that God blessed me by putting them in my life.

For you see, in my time of waiting, the Lord used me for His Kingdom and in turn taught me some things.  He is letting me know loud and clear that He has a plan. My prayer is that you too will have faith in His plan and know that He is teaching in the time of waiting.