Here We go!

 


Hello dear family and friends,

We have made it to the first month of the FOCUS Apprenticeship! I am truly grateful for each one of you both for the support generously given to get me to this point as well as to have you on my ministry team for the year. I couldn't do this apprenticeship without you guys, and I know it's going to be a wildly neat ride ahead! 

August started off with a special licensing ceremony where all of the incoming apprentices got to make promises to God, each other, and the community at large. I will link the video of the ceremony if you want to check it out. The next morning I flew to Massachusetts for my last little chunk of time with Dallas Back Dance Theatre. After finishing up my last performances, I flew straight into San Antonio. Every year Focus sends students to a week long leadership conference called SICM, which stands for Student Institute for Campus Ministry. This year the conference was held in San Antonio, and it was surreal to arrive on site to 150 students and 50 staff members. The week is all about equipping, empowering, and encouraging both the new small group facilitators, Corefas, and other returning students. I was able to attend SICM the first time in 2014 at the end of my freshman year, and have consistently seen since then how useful the information has been. Topics span from Jesus' Style of Discipling to How to Ask Good Questions to Inner Life: Remaining Connected to the Source. I am so blessed to have come from a community that prioritizes developing students into leaders and life long disciples. 

Lastly, I want to introduce you all to one of my new friends! Her name is Addie, and I get to facilitate a small group with her for the next school year. She has crazy good dance moves and a sweet personality. I know it is going to be a blessing to get to lead with her. Core, what we call our small groups, won't start for a couple more weeks, but Addie and I are already praying over the girls who will be a part of it. 

In the next couple of weeks, I will be moving into a new apartment with my coworker and new fellow apprentice, Lailah Duke, meeting students through Welcome Week, and starting some of my apprenticeship classes. Lots to look forward to!

 Thank you for your prayer and encouragement. What a team I have. 

Talk to you all again soon!

Renee

https://fb.watch/7l1KhVyss7/

^This link will direct you to the video of the Licensing Ceremony. You can copy and paste the link into your browser. 

         Here is Lailah and I at the stage we performed 11 times in 5 days at!

                                               A really special stage to get to be on. 

These are my coworkers from DBDT. They are all so special, and I am going to miss them immensely.

Here is a picture of me and some Collin girls at SICM, including Addie who is in the tank top towards the right corner of the picture. 

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