Wednesday, September 23, 2009

The Opportunity Center

While working on a homework assignment this past week, I realized how proud I am to call Wellington my home.

For the assignment, we were given a 3X5 index card. It had to have our name, hometown and one other thing that helped describe us on it.

For my “one other thing” I used a picture of a cross against a blue clear sky.

My reason for putting this cross is because I truly believe, with all my heart that no matter what trials or tribulations we face in this life, God is right there beside us. He will never leave us or forsake us. He leads, guides and directs us. He is the source of my joy.

Romans 8:31B, 35-39 says, If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

While thinking of my hometown, The Opportunity Center came to mind.

As I wrote last week, I worked at The Opportunity Center this summer as a teacher for the 4th and 5th grade class. Wellington is extremely fortunate to have such an amazing program.

One of my favorite memories was when we went to Pioneer Park. We picked up trash after the 4th of July for community service and played in the river. Most of the time was spent ‘herding’ minnows. The students were awesome at catching them! By the end of the afternoon, they had several ‘corrals’ full of little minnows.

Other fun activities over the summer included playing sports, swimming, creating power point presentations, journaling, reading and playing board games. (By the way, the 4th & 5th graders are great at checkers!)

Patsy Willoughby and Wilson Lemieux helped me immensely! I wouldn’t have made it through the summer without them.

I look forward to seeing great things from my class in the next 15 years.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Kristen’s Corner is Back

I, Kristen Odom, will be writing my weekly column from Lubbock while attending Texas Tech University.

To give you a little update over the past year and a half - I was a student at West Texas A&M University, in Canyon, for the fall and spring semesters majoring in Agriculture Communications. While at school, I worked at The Canyon News in the advertising department. For the summer, I lived at home, in Wellington.

The days of not having to make my own decisions are not too far in my past. I definitely enjoy the freedom of deciding where and what I do for meals and how late I can stay out with my friends, but the decisions that can have a major impact on my future can be tough!

The decision to go to Texas Tech was very difficult. After graduation from high school, I had my plans to go to WTAMU and did not even apply anywhere else.

I had a blast in my classes and learned so much at WTAMU. I met some amazing friends and had great professors. However, there were little things that God showed me that let me know that it was not where I was supposed to spend the next few years.

After weighing the pros and cons and guidance from God, I made the decision to transfer to Texas Tech University. Tech is known to have an outstanding Agriculture Communications program and I look forward to all the knowledge that I will gain in the next few years.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.

I’m amazed at how fast June, July and August have flown by! Thinking back over the summer in Wellington, it has been one I will never forget!

My activities included teaching at The Opportunity Center, being the youth leader for the Methodist Church in Wellington and McLean, taking a college algebra class and doing some freelance writing.

Look for Kristen’s Corner in the following weeks to read about my adventures at West Texas A&M, being a teacher and a youth leader, skydiving and life at college.

To contact Kristen with questions or comments, please email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com.