Perhaps even more amazing is the fact that God’s mercy stretches into our inner struggles as well. No matter how badly we mess up, or the number of mistakes we’ve made, God’s mercy provides for us, lifts us up, and carries us through. May God grant you a glimpse into the immensity of his mercy and love for you, and may it fill you and carry you through whatever life throws at you! Above photo from http://inhabitat.com/kentucky-noahs-ark-encounter-opens-amidst-severe-flooding/ “Take the world, but give me Jesus! All its joys are but a name. But his love abides forever, Through eternal years the same. Oh, the height and depth of mercy; Oh, the length and breadth of love! Oh, the fullness of redemption, Pledge of endless life above!” (CW, 355) Lezlie España is a summer RA who recently graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College with a BS in Psychology and Computer Science. She is currently working at the Medical College of Wisconsin in the Brain Injury Research Program.
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Looking at the devotion titled, “All Together Now,” by Miriam Drennan it teaches us a very valuable lesson. Australian turtle eggs are buried at all different depths, yet they all hatch at the same time. It’s a mystery as to why that is. We can look at that and see in this world everyone is at different ‘depths’ when it comes to knowing about God. Some do not know him at all, which is why we need to spread God’s word so that everyone can ‘hatch’ at the same time when it comes to the last day and we can rejoice in heaven. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” As believers we should not keep our faith and knowledge of God to ourselves. It is our job to get out into the world and help others get to the same level in order for us all to ‘hatch’ and be taken to heaven together. Holly Holm is a Resident Assistant as well as the Intern here at New Beginnings. She is pursuing her BS degree in human social services and will be graduating this December. School was nearing an end and I did not know what to do. My family lives in Arizona and for the past 5 summers, I have always gone home & found jobs there to save up money. This year however, I had been blessed with a very good job during the school year that I did not want to give up. After a lot of praying, I was given my answer.
Fast forward 3 months... These women that I work and live with have become family. It has become such a blessing to have this experience in my life. It has taught me so much about the field I wish to pursue and has given me the tools to best serve God through my work. This past semester of college was rough. There were many things that had not fallen into place for me. When I was unsure about where I was going to go this summer, God stepped in and led me the way that he wanted me to go. I am so thankful to know that God truly does have a plan for me. Eden Ehlers I am from Peoria, AZ. I'm a currently a Junior at WLC, double majoring in Psychology & Human Social Services. I aspire to become a social worker in a medical setting. I am thankful for New Beginnings & the experience it is giving me. It has been a great blessing. All the time is the perfect time to praise our Lord God Almighty.
When I wake up in the morning, before checking my email, or turn on the television to catch the news and weather, I could say my praises to God. Though you probably want to find your own praises, the ones that mean the most to you personally, here are a few you could use: “I praise you because you are a loving God, whose very nature is love…” This praise is in reference to 1 John 4:16 which says "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them." “Lord, I praise you, who is just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus…” This praise is in reference to Romans 3:26 which says "he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus." “I praise you, Lord, for you are my mighty rock, my refuge…” This praise is in reference to Psalm 62:7 which says "My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge." Since God is the God of everything, let’s praise him, at all different times, everyplace, and in the midst of everything. Karen O'Leary is an Assistant Home Manager at New Beginnings. She has her BA in Bible Theology and her Masters of Divinity. She has 8-years of experience as a Social Director at a non-profit organization helping those in crisis with financial assistance, brief supportive counseling, and being a spiritual presence in their time of need. In her free time Karen enjoys reading, cooking and traveling.
Our moms here at New Beginnings had plans too. They were perhaps planning on continuing the struggle to support themselves, to find yet another shelter who would take them in, or perhaps they had no plan at all and was just living day to day in an effort to survive. What a wonderful thing that God’s Plan brought them to New Beginnings! Each mother now has a safe and stable place to have her baby. They learn new skills and hear God’s Word daily. The mothers here are gaining an education to get a degree and will then be able to find a job to be able to support themselves. I’m sure that being a young, single mom with no place to go was not in their plans but according to God’s Plan, it brought them here to make a New Beginning. How has God changed your plans? In the comments section below, let me know how God has led you to where you are now? Christina Pritzlaff is married with two children. She has completed Early Childhood 1 & 2 classes, Infant Toddler classes, and completed the coursework for her Associates degree in Child Development. Christina splits her time between spending time with her family and working at New Beginnings. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her children, camping, fishing, reading, and doing counted cross-stitch. When the time came for me to look for an internship for the summer, I sat down with my advisor and we talked about my options and all the places she had contacts with in order to help place me in just the right place. After going through about five different areas, we came across New Beginnings and I knew right then that that was the place I wanted to pursue my first internship.
Thinking about my time here, which has only been a month so far, I have already learned so much and have had my eyes open to the world around me. Being in this environment, God’s love is seen everywhere. Through nightly devotions, group nights, friendship Sundays, and all the fun activities that happen here I can really see the work of God being done and how truly blessed we all are to be children of God. We recently had a baby shower here where all the residents got together to play games and support the mother of the child who will shortly be with us. Just sitting back and watching and listening to all the conversations going on, you can really see how everyone truly cares about one another and how we all are like family. I have been so blessed to have become part of the New Beginnings family and I cannot wait to continue my journey here! Holly Holm - Summer Intern and Resident Assistant As Home Manager, I am often asked, “What does a typical day look like for you?” I will be honest and say that I have an entirely difficult time answering that question. I walk into work each day wondering what tool I will pull out of my tool belt that day! I have a list of expertise to add to my resume including: counselor, mentor, supporter, painter, interior decorator, schedule master, and most recently, expert grill assembler. I am beyond thankful for the many tools God has equipped me with - I will not get bored anytime soon! Along with balancing various tasks, comes a responsibility to prioritize, uphold patience, and use time wisely. Ultimately, it is a balancing act.
What tools has the Lord equipped you with in your job, daily life, or relationship? Please feel free to share in the comment section below. I would be thrilled to hear from you! Brianne Kluge is the Home Manager at New Beginnings. She grew up in Marshall, WI and graduated from Lakeside Lutheran High School. Brianne has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. In her free time, she enjoys singing, camping, refurbishing furniture and spending time with her fiancé, Daniel. “There are two days you can’t do anything about, yesterday and tomorrow, all you have is today, and today is going to be a great day.” - Celine Dion. The Apostle Paul said “… but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead”… (Phil. 3:13 AMP).
The reason Jesus died for our sins is because we have them, we are not perfect, and we fail many ways. That’s why we need a Savior. As believers, we stand in our forgiveness, we are freed from our past failures and sins through the blood that was shed for us on the cross at Calvary. Karen O'Leary is an Assistant Home Manager at New Beginnings. She has her BA in Bible Theology and her Masters of Divinity. She has 8-years of experience as a Social Director at a non-profit organization helping those in crisis with financial assistance, brief supportive counseling, and being a spiritual presence in their time of need. In her free time Karen enjoys reading, cooking and traveling.
What does all of this mean? Well, according to Luther’s Catechism it means that baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God’s command and combined with God’s word. Luther also answers the question “What does such baptizing with water mean?” He answered “Such baptizing with water means that the old Adam in us should, by daily contrition and repentance, be drowned and die with all sins and evil lusts; and that a new man daily come forth and arise, who shall live before God in righteousness and purity forever.” Baptism truly is a great blessing. What a wonderful God we have that blesses us this way through the Holy Spirit! Christina Pritzlaff is married with two children. She has completed Early Childhood 1 & 2 classes, Infant Toddler classes, and completed the coursework for her Associates degree in Child Development. Christina splits her time between spending time with her family and working at New Beginnings. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her children, camping, fishing, reading, and doing counted cross-stitch.
Well, it always turns out that it's actually not so bad. I just need to keep reading, and I usually come to really like that chapter just as much, if not more, as the first one.
God certainly put me here for a reason and introduced me to dozens of people along this journey that I wouldn't have had the chance to meet otherwise. I am filled with gratitude for the influence each one of them has had on molding me into the person I am today; a better version of me than I was before I started this position. To each of you, thank you. To my fellow staff members: Through the ups and downs and the wading through uncharted waters together, we formed friendships and respect for each other. We overcame challenges as we grew individually and as a team. I had the opportunity to work for the best boss ever (wait... I'm not sure I can say that; my next boss is my husband!), but regardless, I gained a lifelong friend. To the resident assistants: You have put yourselves in a position that requires model behavior every step of the way. This is not an easy task and many college students would shy away from this great responsibility. You may sometimes feel that your job is thankless, but know that you are making a difference in many lives through your time, Your work at New Beginnings is priceless. To the residents, the bravest moms I know: You are stepping away from pretty much everything you have known your entire life in hopes of giving yourself and your child a brighter future. Whenever you're feeling like life is giving you too much to handle, remember that God is in control. He's got a much bigger picture in store for you than you can see right now. You have taught me so much, instilled a new self-confidence in me, and offered a perspective to life I'm blessed to now know. To the babies: Little ones, you bring so much joy to our home! You will never remember me, but I will always remember each beautiful baby who came home to New Beginnings while I worked there. Always remember that your moms are determined, hardworking, and love you more than you could know. To the future moms to reside at New Beginnings: Whatever life you want to live, you CAN live it. No matter how unattainable it may seem right now, there are people who want to help you succeed
Wherever life may lead all of you, approach each new chapter with excitement! Live your life with a purpose and above all, keep your faith in Christ Jesus and embrace our Father's plan for your life! "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love." 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Beth Shiels is an Assistant Home Manager at New Beginnings. She graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College with a degree in Psychology in 2008, where she also met her husband, Zach. Along with working at New Beginnings, Beth enjoys staying home part-time with her four children and assisting in Zach's chiropractic clinic. She loves this crazy busy life God has blessed her with and is thankful to have the opportunity to share His love with the moms and babies at New Beginnings! |
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