My friends & team -
Here we are again - and I'll get straight to the point: I am absolutely pumped for this year!
I definitely sense a fun momentum among our students and, judging by how our summer has been going, this fall we will have more students than ever before ready to hit the campus ready to connect with and love the students we will meet.
As I conclude my first year of parenthood, my concept of time is beginning to change.
Sometimes my friends will ask me: "Dude, what is it like being a dad??" or "How do you feel, man?? She's growing so fast!". When I am asked these questions, I typically respond with a simple: "It's awesome!" or "I feel great!"
My responses are true - I do feel that it is so awesome & such a gift. But, to be honest at a deeper level, I often have no idea what it is like because I haven't quite had the time to pause and ask myself that! I do not know quite what I feel other than: I love my baby <3.
Or, when my wife & I do, in fact, get some downtime (to potentially ask how we're doing/feeling...), we just want to relax, connect, or prepare for the next day.
Sometimes, when I leave a staff meeting, I will often drive home asking myself: Sirak, how do you think that meeting went? Parenthood affords few opportunities to pause, reflect, and summarize how exactly you're feeling & doing.
Parenthood (so far) feels like a visceral, nonstop, full-body, emotionally-exhausting privilege that continually invites you to be present with what is in front of you - knowing that, in faith, you will make it to the other side.
Campus ministry is similar - we are about to embark on a visceral, nonstop, full-body experience called: Welcome Week - and, our prayer is that we would remain faithful as God is faithful for us. God doesn't stop to ask himself: How do I feel about how things are going? (well, maybe he does - I'm not sure) He just...loves us. And pursues us. And...honors us where we are at as he calls us deeper to himself.
I hope to be that kind of Father to Anaya. I hope to be that kind of Pastor to the students in my ministry.
Thank you for your support - enjoy the pictures!
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| We had our final summer FOCUS of 2024 and our incoming apprentices in addition to our returning staff made commitments in front of our students to serve and keep their eyes focused on Jesus this year. |
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| Anaya is 1! Where did time go? I feel so overwhelmed with love & gratitude. Wow. Feeling so grateful :) |
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| Summer FOCUS was a blast this year! Thank you Lord for the group of students that kept showing up consistently and making it a great experience. |
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| This is my friend Bernard! He is going to be one of our Richland Small Group leaders this year - he's been a consistent and engaging part of our ministry last year and I'm excited for him to step up and impact our campus. Please be praying for him as he connects with new students, makes friends, and excels as a student! |
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| Our Richland FOCUS Summer Boys-Club has been a blast this summer. These guys have encouraged one another and have been open with where they are at in their own personal faith journey. Please be praying as they step onto campus and impact the students they meet! |
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| Anaya & Sloan took me out for my birthday! <3 was a fun time - 36 years old! <3 |
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| Summer FOCUS! |
Thank you again for believing in me & our mission to love college students :) Looking forward to another great year with y'all!
Your brother & campus missionary,
Sirak
