Saturday, June 8, 2013

First Year Thoughts

This time last year... I had just finished RUF Intern Orientation and was about to meet with my very first (then potential) supporter!  The question that is repeated in every one of my conversations right now: "How was the first year of the internship?" My response: "Well, it was a lot of things."

I was blessed, shaped, and challenged, as I both rejoiced and cried, sometimes all in the same day!  After being amazed at the financial support that the Lord so graciously provided through so many generous people and families, I moved up to Raleigh without a question that this job was indeed what the Lord had planned. 

New city, new relationships, new job, new campus, new church... It was easy to get lost and overwhelmed in all of the new-ness and adjustments.  I settled quickly into a church community (Christ the King Presbyterian) where I have enjoyed fellowship and been reminded of the gospel every Sunday since. As the school year and RUF started up, I was affectionately nicknamed 'Hentern' and began the everyday act of getting lost on campus.  Some days it felt like God was placing students right in front of me telling me to pursue them and walk life alongside them and other days it felt like they were no where to be found (or maybe I just didn't want to find them sometimes..).  Did I feel weird hanging out on a college campus after I had just graduated and asking freshmen to grab lunch and coffee so I could then ask them a bunch of get-to-know-you questions and pry into their lives?  Yes.  One-on-one meetings were a regular part of my day where conversations would be sprinkled with countless topics (roommates, loneliness, broken families, missions, careers, summer plans, homesickness, death, forgiveness, insecurities, body image, alcohol, father wounds, dating, spiritual apathy etc).  Although I did not always know what to say or how to respond, the gospel did.  Jesus had a response in every one of these conversations and that is simply because He knows and cares for, and is more faithful, forgiving, merciful, and gracious than I am capable of imagining.  However, the Lord did bless these conversations, which served to deepen relationships, and grow BOTH of us.  On Fridays while meeting with Chuck to catch up on the events of the week, I would often find tears welling up in my eyes, because I was just emotionally overtaken by what the Lord was doing in their lives, whether it was certain realizations or sufferings, and in our conversations.

What a seat I have as I journey along watching and witnessing the work that God is doing in these girls' lives!  Sure there were (and are) times where all I wanted to do was talk about myself, avoid the struggles, preach the gospel of Allison instead of the gospel of Christ, cancel on them, not be patient, and not listen.  I so often got impatient with Jesus and wanted to be the one to save these girls, but as you can see from the list above, I would've (and have) clearly and immediately failed them.  Although I have not succeeded at every chance I had to tell or remind them of the Savior that Christ is, I rejoice in the fact that that is still the truth and that Jesus is revealing Himself to people despite my failures.

Above is just a glimpse into this past year, but Bible studies and Large Group were also regular happenings.  I was so glad that girls at Meredith College got involved in the Bible study that we had on their campus, which helped them to get plugged into Large Group too. I'm excited for a couple of these girls to serve on ministry team this upcoming year and to see what else is in the works for that campus.

I'm so thankful for this first year and the ways that Jesus has met me both in the pits and the peaks.  The pits of figuring out how to deal with the cable guy when he doesn't come at the time he says or going out to put something in the mail in your pajamas and realizing that the door locked behind you (and allowed you to meet the sweet 75 year old woman on the other side of the complex who let you use her phone) or being stood up 3 times in one day (ouch)... but then in the peaks of getting to know a new freshman while simultaneously learning how to play racquetball or painting nails while talking about Jesus in a 7th floor dorm room or rollerblading around Lake Raleigh weighing pros and cons of different majors.  I could go on and on, but if you're still reading... be encouraged, only a little bit more.

  
What am I doing this summer?? After the school year ended, we took about 40 students to RUF Summer Conference in Panama City Beach, FL along with about 1000 other RUFers from across the country.  Special thanks to some Atlanta supporters for housing students overnight as they made the drive from Raleigh! Students attended seminars lead by various campus ministers, hung out on the beach, worshiped together, and were taught by Scott Sauls, who pastors Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville and talked about what Scripture teaches us about Scripture.  
I've been in Raleigh for the past few weeks and will head to Atlanta this week.  Interns' first priority of the summer is support, so I will be working on that in the coming weeks. I'll also be working through my study program (and catching up on it too) and starting to plan for Bible studies happening at Meredith College and the Tri Delta sorority house at NCSU.  A trip to Chattanooga, Nashville, and Memphis is happening this month, so if you are in any of those cities, I would LOVE to catch up with you as I'm passing through! I'll wrap up the summer with staff training in Atlanta and man oh man am I looking forward to spending some time with fellow interns!  I'll head back up to Raleigh before the new freshmen move in!


Thank you for humbly giving towards, praying for, and caring about the work that God is doing in the lives of college students.  It is my hope that as a supporter you feel connected to this ministry and know that you have helped make it possible for me to be serving in this role.  



Support Update:
My budget (expenses and salary) has increased slightly from last year to $30,000 and after accounting for continuous monthly pledges, I have about $13,000 left to raise this summer. 

If you are not yet involved in supporting RUF, would you consider giving?
If you made a donation last year, would you consider matching that donation or consider giving monthly?

You can give at www.ruf.org/donate (select my name under 'staff member')

No donation is too small and all donations are tax-deductible

Please let me know if you have any questions! allison.henley@ruf.org


Jorts of All Sorts (end of the year party)

Summer Conference

Summer Conference


Summer Conference 

RUFers hanging out on campus



NC State








Monday, December 17, 2012

Support and Referrals


If you're reading this, you qualify as one of the 2 options below...

1. You are already involved with RUF at NC State.
or
2. You are NOT already involved with RUF at NC State.


As you might know (or can see from the handy thermometer scale on the sidebar), I am currently at 89% of my budget for this school year.  Because of a change in insurance, my budget (through May) was recently increased by about $3,500.  This means that in order to be able to stay on staff with RUF at NC State this next semester, 100% must be reached within the next few weeks.  

Believe it or not, YOU CAN HELP!
Here's how...


---> If you qualified as #1 aka already involved, you can.....

  • REFERRALS: Please consider sharing with others about how you have become personally invested in this ministry and how they can too!
    • Think of a few people who may be interested in getting involved with the ministry of RUF and send their contact information my way! It's totally fine if I don't personally know them, I'd love to talk to them!
    • Share with family, church friends, your tennis partner, your college roommate, neighbors, coworkers, anyone! Send a link to this blog in an email, show them a newsletter you've received, Facebook it, etc.
    • This could make a HUGE difference!

  • GIFT A DONATION: An alternative Christmas gift option of donating in the name of a friend or family member; this is a creative (and year-end tax write off for you) way to give while also getting others directly involved in the ministry of RUF.  The amount given in a gift is decided by you. Please email me if you are interested in this opportunity! 
  • Continue to give as you feel led.
  • Pray that God would lead me to people with generous hearts who desire for college students to know and be encouraged by the love of Christ.

---> If you qualified as #2 aka not yet involved, you can.....
  • Check out what RUF is all about by roaming around this blog or clicking on the RUF or NC State pictures/links on the sidebar.  Feel free to ask me any questions as well! allison.henley@ruf.org
  • Prayerfully consider financially partnering with the ministry of RUF.
  • Give a one time donation or pledge a monthly donation (scroll down to see how to do that).
  • Commit to pray for RUF at NC State.  Your prayers are so valuable! If you'd like to receive monthly email updates and quarterly newsletters which both include prayer requests, shoot me an email at allison.henley@ruf.org 

Keep in mind that all donations are 
TAX-DEDICTIBLE 
and that 
NO DONATION IS TOO SMALL!

To breakdown $3,600, that could mean...
1 person giving $1,000
2 people giving $500
3 people giving $250
5 people giving $100
5 people giving $50
and
4 people giving $25

Would you consider supporting the ministry of RUF at NC State in this way?

Feel free to contact me at allison.henley@ruf.org or 770-548-0124

HOW: To give a one time donation or pledge a monthly donation, go online at www.ruf.org/donate (indicate "Henley, Allison-NC State) or via check (indicate "Henley, Allison--NC State" in the memo line) in the mail to:
Reformed University Fellowship
1700 N Brown Rd Suite 104
Lawrenceville, GA 30043




Merry Christmas!








Monday, December 10, 2012

Another Update in Pictures...


A post with actual WORDS is coming in the next week or so, I promise! This semester has been great, challenging, amazing, hard, wonderful, stretching, and every other adjective there ever was. I can't possibly explain everything, but I will try to shed some light on what's gone on at NC State and Meredith and how God has been at work this semester very soon!


Until then, here are some pics...






geekin out for Christmas





Lydia and Lauren flippin away



study break craft night!



Mary Kate and her crafty coasters!
Before caroling in Downtown Raleigh

A very geeky Christmas with RUF

Sunday, October 14, 2012

An Update in Pictures...

Girls after Tie-dying!

Tie-dying in September

Large Group on Tuesday Nights


RUF Beach Trip to Wilmington

RUF Fall Conference at Camp Greystone

Fall Conference hang out time

Fall Conference

State Volleyball game with the girls

INTRAMURALS!

Beautiful City of Raleigh

RUF Skeet Shoot Camping Trip



Shootin' some Skeet

Girls at the Skeet Shoot

Worship Team 

Intramural Twins!

RUF Girls Pumpkin Carving!



A bunch of the RUF girls!


NC State RUF Fall Conference Group!


God is at work in Raleigh, that's for sure!

Friday, August 31, 2012

We're in Full Swing!


After about a month of being in Raleigh, things with RUF are in full swing!

What's been going on so far:
Through large group meetings, freshman bible study, ministry team meetings, staff meetings, Friday girls’ lunch, coffee dates, lunch dates, rollerblading outings, and planning upcoming events I think I’m starting to get the hang of intern life... actually I probably don't have the hang of it, just wishful thinking.  At NC State, we have large group every Tuesday night.  This time of worship is filled with music and a message from Chuck (this semester he is preaching on relationships).  Large group has always been my favorite part of RUF and I’ve found myself forgetting I’m an intern and feeling like a student while I’m there listening!  It was awesome to see about 110-120 students come out.  Although Tuesday nights are pretty draining for my introverted self, I find it to be the day that I look forward to most. 

Leslie, Elisha, and I doing some blading

a slightly awkward picture of Friday girls' lunch
TWINTERNS! Ian (co-intern) and I accidentally matched at the first Large Group. I loved it but I think he hated it.

I’ve been getting to know freshmen girls through different RUF events and through other people.  Some have agreed to meet with me and others have been kind of reluctant.  There are some girls who understand my role as an intern with RUF and then there are others who are a bit skeptical or just uninformed.  For example, in one conversation this week a girl said to me... "so are you a junior or a senior?" umm neither.  Another... "So what year are you?"...uhh I don't go here. "Oh, so where do you go?"...uhh I don't go.  And then I explain further.  It's not my intention for them to not know that I'm an intern and not a student, but sometimes that just how the ball rolls.  I've enjoyed so much getting to know these girls and their backgrounds.  Although I'm just in the beginning of developing relationships with them, I'm excited to see how God works in them in this semester! Please pray that Jesus is at the center of all of these relationships and that I trust that He is guiding my words pouring out His grace as I talk to them!

Last weekend we had a cookout to welcome the back students and reach out to new ones. The afternoon was full of food, desserts, sand volleyball, frisbee, and giant jenga! Thankfully the rain held off!




What's coming up:
-Dyeday Friday (Sept 7): This will be an event for girls to get together and fellowship over tie-dye!  We will be reaching in to find our inner hippie and indulging in some tiedye pancakes as well :) Pics are sure to come!
-RUF Beach Trip (Sept 8): Chuck and his family decided to invite all of RUF to come along with them for a day at Wilmington.  Pray for good weather! (sidenote: this will be my very first NC beach experience!)
-FALL CONFERENCE! (Sept 14-16): NC State will be joining UNC, Western Carolina, Duke, Wake Forest, and Wofford for a weekend at Camp Greystone in Tuxedo, NC.  
-Every week we will be having freshman bible study on Monday nights, large group on Tuesday nights, other bible studies and fellowship groups throughout the week, and girls lunch on Fridays!


Life in General:
Sheesh starting life in a new city sure is hard.  I’ve never had to do it before and I sure am glad.  Don’t get me wrong, exploring Raleigh and finding my way around has been a blast, but I do miss home and familiarity.  Hopefully I will continue to get more established in Raleigh as time goes on aka find community and FRIENDS (if you are reading this and currently reside in the Raleigh area... Let's be friends!).  I still could not be thankful enough that I have a loving aunt, uncle, and cousins here who are such a big help to making this new city feel more like home.  Also, a few weeks ago I had my first visitors… which is weird to say because I feel like I’m still a visitor in a way.  These three great guys (see pic below) and I explored together, because I am clearly not well equipped (yet) to play hostess, and it was so good to see some familiar faces!  


Brian, Perry, Niles, and me



 Well, folks, God is surely already at work in the hearts of students all over this campus and I cannot wait to for Him to reveal His presence throughout the semester!
Thank you for all your prayers and support!


GIANT JENGA

Chuck, Ian, and me