We asked the GPS folks to share a little about what they are learning by being with us. We thought you’d be interested to see what they said.

This reflection is from Rachel:

With GPS I am learning a lot about myself and who I really am.  Used to be, I was so consumed with materialistic things, like having the newest, cutest, pair of jeans or the cutest shoes.  Now I’m thinking of ways that I can creatively make money while still doing things that I like and instead of trying to buy my happiness I am learning to live and be happy with where I am at.

We asked the GPS folks to share a little about what they are learning by being with us. We thought you’d be interested to see what they said.

This reflection is from Conner:

We need to really think about the people that we’re serving. I don’t know, but in service- long term investment is important.  Strategic planning is important.

Putting power under people is huge.

Something else is that commitment starts with you, and you’re relationship with God. Knowing who you are is very important.

We asked the GPS folks to share a little about what they are learning by being with us. We thought you’d be interested to see what they said.

This reflection is from Justin:

I think God is trying to tell me that right now I’m not being the full me.  I’m holding back and he is trying to give me all these opportunities to go all out and I need to start using them.

We asked the GPS folks to share a little about what they are learning by being with us. We thought you’d be interested to see what they said.

This first reflection is from Lindsay:

What I’m learning about myself is that I am able to adapt to different types of people and different circumstances.  I figured out I like being challenged and being put in hard situations.

I found that when Im interacting with others that it doesn’t matter if they’re exactly like me or in anyway like me at all.  I found that it is almost easier to be myself when I’m around people who I know aren’t there to judge me and who I know are going to accept me no matter what.

We’ve talked a lot the past few weeks about our service time at the elementary school. And some weeks it seems to have gone well. Other weeks not so much.

But as I sat & listened to everyone share about their experience there each afternoon, I was struck by something. Something I knew GPS would provide from early on, but I guess it was just fun to see it playing out in reality. (Not just “here’s what we HOPE will happen with GPS”-but “here’s what DID happen b/c of GPS.”)

For most of us, when we are serving somewhere & things aren’t going just as we’d like-we don’t feel very useful…we seem to just be spinning our wheels…it probably wouldn’t matter if we stopped showing up… We’ve all felt those things I think.

But with GPS we’re getting to remind ourselves that the service experience being awesome is not what we’re after. We’re after service that teaches us something…about ourselves…about others…about life. And so, even though we maybe had a not-so-great experience, we are less likely to just check out, or stop going & find a different place. Because the emphasis is not on the experience making us feel good, but about the experience shedding some light on our own actions/behaviors/thoughts.

That is one of the things I think is so great about GPS & why I want to be involved in what’s happening here.

We had a new student sign up for GPS after our bios were put up last week. Here she is!

This is Rachel:

Rachel has been in both public school and homeschool environments. She has also spent several weeks and summers at Camp Barnabas, a camp for people with special needs. She is outgoing & loves to be challenged. “Rarely do I EVER back down to something that would challenge me severely.” She’s also learned that “no matter how hard or how easy serving/helping is you will in turn be helping yourself.”

We’re excited to introduce you to our first GPS Tulsa group. You can read a little about them below right now. And in the future you’ll be able to join in the conversation with them as they share some of what they’re learning here on the website. Stay tuned!

This is Justin:

Justin is in his first year at TCC. He grew up in Colcord, OK & was very involved in the community mentoring program at New Life Ranch. Justin’s favorite movie is The Blind Side because, “it shows that no matter how hopeless you think a situation is, there is still hope to be found.” If Jesus was here, in the flesh, for 24 hours Justin says He would, “…go into some of the churches & turn over some tables…It’s about helping people become Christians and to improve relationships with God & one another. It’s not about condemning people for everything they have ever done wrong.”

This is Grant:

Grant grew up in Tulsa & his favorite movie is Tommy Boy, because, “it can always cheer me up, no matter what mood I’m in.” One of his role models had a big impact on him because, “he showed me that you didn’t have to be a dork to be a Christian, & she showed me how to be comfortable with myself & talking to others.” He’s enjoyed mission trips he took with his youth group because they helped him, “see what God has given me & other people to help share His word.”

This is Conner:

Conner is in his second year at TCC. He is an Eagle Scout & has been involved at Garnett Church of Christ. He wants to be part of GPS Tulsa because he is “genuinely interested in hlping the homeless, poor, and disadvantaged population of Tulsa.”  He’s been involved in serving others, but not on a weekly basis. “I want to make a bigger impact on the needy in the city of Tulsa.” Two things he says he brings are “hard work & a sense of humor.”

This is Imran:

Imran is in his first year at TCC. He’s also taking classes at Tulsa Tech.  He is a Harry Potter fan & he wants to be in GPS Tulsa because, “I want to help people out while earning college community service hours.”

This is Lindsay:

Lindsay is from Tulsa & is in her Senior year of homeschool. “I feel like God has made me the way I am on purpose so I shouldn’t be afraid to live the way God made me.” Her favorite book is Praise Habit by David Crowder because, “…it explained the importance of praise, and what it truly means to praise God.”

We talk a lot about discovering those things that give you life. Those things that are unique to you that give you a joy that you have a hard time describing in words.

I’m an assistant. I like to make sure the coffee stays flowing & color-coding spreadsheets & filing & organizing. It’s hard to explain to others why those things are fulfilling for me. And sometimes it’s hard to explain to myself that just because I don’t always thoroughly enjoy talking with people (*gasp*) doesn’t mean I’m a bad person.

And it doesn’t mean I should completely shy away from the things that are hard (or at least the things that don’t come naturally). Those things are important to my growth as a person. But I think there’s a freedom that comes with allowing yourself to do what truly makes you happy, regardless of the way that might look to the world.

I don’t personally know John Acuff. But I often find myself passing along things I find on his site. Some of it’s funny. Some of it’s challenging. This one was interesting-and goes along with our work of helping people live into the gifts they have been created with.

http://stuffchristianslike.net/2008/06/271-being-afraid-to-use-our-gifts/