November - Building Rhythm

" 'A child, a child, shivers in the cold. Let us bring him silver and gold.' How 'bout a blanket?!? How 'bout some soup?!?" -Tim Hawkins

I don't know about you, but I have some major pandemic fatigue. It's easy for me to feel emotionally and mentally numb and want to withdraw from people, responsibilities, as well as the push to get back to normal. I don't know if it has do to with getting older, but I get more sensitive to changes that happen, no matter how small. I like to get in a rhythm with life, but the metronome always seems to be broken.

It was an adjustment to get used to Max going to "big school" as he calls it. After a few months of rhythm, there was a teacher shortage at his school, requiring his awesome PreK teacher to move up and teach 1st grade instead, thus combining the PreK classes into one.

It was an adjustment to get the after school program back in person. After a month of rhythm, three high schoolers were hired through Goodwill to help volunteer. After a month or two of this new helpful rhythm, their work program suddenly and unexpectedly came to a close, which will leave us with less help (hopefully only for a time).

I've always been a "look before you leap" kind of guy, but also a "do we even need to leap?" guy. Needless change feels counterproductive and foolish at times. I think I'm just desiring something to stay the same, something to build off of, to look back and go, "Yes! That was worth it!"

This year of the two:fiftytwo After School Program has felt very similar to that first year we ever did the program back in 2011. The program director is new. Most all of the kids are new. It feels, in a way, like a blank slate, starting over. The program can take shape in a new way and most assuredly will form into a product from all the good days and bad days to come.

The BLOCK Middle School Program, however small, has been very enjoyable thus far. Most of the students started the year very shy, quiet, and very much in their own shells. As they've played games together, had discussions about God together, and even volunteered together, true friendships have been developed and I'd like to believe that leadership is taking root and starting to grow.

Pray for the Christmas break to re-energize us on staff at 2nd Mile. We see God working in our lives and using us to impact others. With all the things life brings us, please pray for our hearts to dwell on his word (Colossians 3:16), to be strengthened by him (Isaiah 41:10), and for the work of our hands to be established (Proberbs 16:3).

I shared this last December and thought it'd be a good idea again.

Easy way to help us this holiday season: Do you shop on Amazon? Did you know that if you designate 2nd Mile Ministries as your charity of choice, Amazon will donate to us a small percentage of the amount you spend? It's no cost to you and it helps us out in a big way!

How to set it up is just a few clicks.

1. Go to Account & Lists and look for AmazonSmile Charity Lists

2. Click Get Started at the top or bottom of the page.

3. Type in 2nd Mile Ministries and select the one located in Jacksonville, FL.

4. Boom! All done.

It's important to note, IF YOU SHOP ONLINE AT AMAZON.COM, THE DONATION WILL NOT GO THROUGH. YOU NEED TO SHOP ONLINE AT SMILE.AMAZON.COM AND THE DONATION WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE GENERATED. You'll still be able to purchase the same exact things as before, only now Amazon knows to designate a little of their money to our ministry through your purchases. Easy peasy.

Lastly, if you haven't received a newsletter in the mail or an email, we are also trying to raise money for a new van. Our old one is just that....OLD. You can make a donation at our website, 2ndmilejax.com, or just click HERE to go directly to the giving page.

If he's this excited for fake snow, just imagine if he saw the real thing!

Here are a few replies from my question of the month.

Question: "What Bible verse do you find yourself going back to again and again?"

Colossians 3:1-4 "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Philippians 4:6-7 "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."