My people! :) How are things?
It's strange to see that we've only got a month left in the semester. It's even more strange to know that I have a 3-month old daughter. It feels like a day ago we were walking into the labor & delivery room to welcome our daughter, Anaya. Such is time!
Thank you for your text messages & encouragements as I have entered this new path of parenthood. I get emotional thinking about all of the years of feeling insecure, not equipped, and unprepared for fatherhood. God is teaching me that all I really need to be is present and he will ultimately resource me as he sees fit. The truth is I have a deep feeling that, when it comes to parenthood, I have no clue what I'm doing. But, isn't that with most things in life?
When I first was a part of planting Richland FOCUS in 2017 I was filled with similar feelings of inadequacy. It felt vulnerable and scary to share with someone: I know that I'm a campus pastor - but, I have no idea what I'm doing. Truth be told, if I could go back in time to tell 2017-version-Sirak anything I would tell him: "Trust God. Stop trying to do/be/earn everything. Show up. Love students. Go home. Sleep." Or, I would say something like that.
I wonder what 45-year-old-Sirak would tell current 35-year-old-Sirak? Hopefully something along the lines of: "Show up. Love students. Love your family. Go home. Sleep." I hope 45-year-old-Sirak has healthy knees.
With one month left in the semester, I am excited about entering the holiday season with a new rhythm that involves life with our daughter while still including traditions of previous years. I'd like to live with a posture of "welcoming". A couple of days ago, Anaya woke up with a bad cough and we had to make a run to the ER. She is now doing fine; we just had a small scare of RSV. Sloan and I felt out of control and were afraid.
This "welcoming" posture has found its wording in a prayer I have returned to time & time again:
Jesus, I release my need to feel safe and secure. Welcome Jesus, welcome.
Jesus, I release my need to be accepted and approved. Welcome Jesus, welcome.
Jesus, I release my need to control this person or event. Welcome Jesus, welcome.
Jesus, I release my need to change reality but accept it as it is. Welcome Jesus, welcome.
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| Wednesday Night FOCUS has been a hit this year! Each week we have had new students show up and share excitement for our mission on campus to love students & share Christ! |
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| Last week we took Anaya to Wichita Falls, TX to meet some of her cousins! Uncle Ryan and Cousin Sammy were both excited to spend time with Anaya <3 |
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| Our Thursday D-Class has been a highlight for me every week! We have been going through the book of Mark and our weekly conversations have been meaningful and special to me. |
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| Anaya turned 3-months old! We feel so blessed to have her in our lives :) |
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| We had a scary moment on Sunday when we had to take her to the ER. Anaya had a scary cough and was battling RSV throughout the weekend. Thankful for the doctors & nurses who cared for her! |
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| Please pray for continued wisdom and strength as we finish the semester strong! We feel blessed with the group of students who have been showing up and making FOCUS their home while they are students at Richland. |
Thank you for your support! I hope you feel encouraged and reminded of what your support is going towards as we serve & love the students in our ministry. Let's finish the semester strong!
Your brother & campus missionary,
Sirak
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