And so the next chapter begins...

Well, its funny how quickly things can change in just a few days.
I spent just a few days ago, packing up my life into a uhaul, spending special moments with my dear friends and youth, and then after a few hours of flying across the states into san diego... suddenly Im in another world...
It was a long, but smooth travel day. After spending the afternoon running errands for the camp in San Diego, we arrived at EOC in the evening on Friday. It was exciting to see all the changes at the site, and great to catch up with Scott and remind myself why I was excited to be apart of this ministry. Because admittedly, I had a few moments in those first few hours thinking "what am I doing here! take me back!", as i thought of friends, youth, and community I was leaving behind but here I sit in my sweet new place, and it already feels like home.
Saturday included staff meetings, a taco run, unpacking, pizza diagonal!, and a chillax movie night with the rest of the staff. Sunday I hope to enjoy some QT on the beach, and work on my chapel teachings... and then Monday, the chaos begins! But am looking forward to seeing the rest of the staff again too!
I have a deep sense of peace, calm, as well as anticipation and eagerness to see what this next chapter is really going to look like.... i know i can't just race again and read the end of the story, i gotta watch it unfold page and page...

packing up ... packing in...

Well, here I sit in my half packed apartment. It's soooo weird. I can't believe how quickly these last 3 months have gone. The last few weeks have begun the farewell process - from youth retreats, to confirmation, preaching my 'last words', and cramming in lots and lots of lunches and coffee dates - i've been immersed in this last phase for awhile now and am quickly approaching the final goodbyes... it will be emotional. hard. and strange. but i know it needs to happen. and im almost ready to just start the next chapter of this adventure...

I move out of my place Wednesday, and I fly out to Cali Friday. I'll spend the summer serving at EOC, resuming my duties as camp host, leading chapels, and mentoring the intern team. I'll come back to Ontario for a month or two at the end of August - that will give me time to raise support, figure out all those details of moving to another country for a year. It's all a bit blurry, but Im confident in the plan God has for me (jer29:11) and confident in the opportunities I will have to use my gifts and passions in this new community... and culture.

oh. and im really excited to actually really learn some spanish.

so keep posted to the blog. im sure you'll see more regular updates and photos in the weeks and months to come.

a glimpse at some of the incredible youth over the years
... at my farewell at the Square...

im leaving on a jet plane...

So, there ya go.
Im moving to mexico! It doesn't quite seem real yet. the reality of leaving my youth, my friends, my community, my comforts haven't quite sunk in yet. I still feel a lot of excitement and peace throughout it all - even the moments of uncertainty and fear of the unknowns. It's been an amazing couple months, sharing in the lives of my youth and watching in the impact one week in Mexico had on so many of these young people (and leaders!). As June comes closer and closer, the grieving and sadness start to pick up as well. This church community has been my family, my life, my everyday for so many years.... it will be hard to let it go.
Not to mention my friends and family and personal life (is there really such thing when you work at a church?!) I think its comforting to know that I will be back in september and october to just get to hang out with them. these last few months have been so busy wrapping things up at the church and closing that chapter of my life up. But my friends - they will continue on through the next chapters of life's journeys...
So June 15 is my last sunday. June 20 - August 20 (ish) I return to Mexico to resume my duties as camp host, intern leader, and whatever else Scott has up his sleeve! I will return to Southern Ontario to kick around, raise support, and figure out what it takes to live and move to another country. Ill return to EOC again in november for an indefinite period of time... 8 months...a year... more... who knows...
so how's that for an update?
be sure to keep reading as this new journey gets more exciting and blog-post-worthy!

more mexican journeys...

an assortment of shots of the past few visits and trips down to EOC...

update time!

it's been so long since i've updated, but some big changes happening and on the horizon, so let me catch you up to speed and share with you the letter I wrote to my church family here at Wellington Square church.

It is with mixed emotions that I share with you this news. I will be stepping down from my role at Wellington Square at the end of June, 2008. Although this has been a huge decision to make, I have a real sense of God’s peace in this being the right decision for my own future and the future of Wellington Square

This journey of searching and questions began over a year ago when I started to feel restless. I have been completely satisfied with my role and time at Wellington Square, however began to feel God moving me, nudging me, and shifting my heart towards new possibilities. I want to be clear that this decision has nothing to do with Wellington Square or feelings of frustration or conflict. This decision has had to do with me and God.

I wrestled with the decision because I absolutely love my job. I love this community. I love my youth; they mean more to me than anyone will ever know. I love the encouragement and training I received here. I know I’ve grown a lot since that rookie 23 year old who joined the staff team some 7 years ago. And much of that thanks goes to the incredible people that I’ve gotten to work with, be mentored by, and thru the opportunities you have provided me. As well as from the incredible young people who have taught me so much about life, passions, and living for Jesus. This church never put me in a box and I have always felt Wellington Square is a safe place for me. So of coarse I then questioned “why would I want to leave?!” , but I know God has new and fresh experiences for me, and I need to be in a place where I can hear and be open to those callings. I knew if I stayed I would either become too comfortable or too restless…

I will spend my summer in Mexico, and likely eventually spend some extended time there as well. From there I will continue to seek out God’s plan for my life. It’s my hope that these next few months will allow me to transition out well, equip volunteers, and make this transition a healthy one for the youth and the church.

I again must thank you for your support of me and my ministries over the past 7 years. I am forever grateful…and Wellington Square will always be my family…

I posted this for the eoc blog a few weeks back, and thought i'd bring new life to my dying blog and share it here too...

"Mama Rho" here...back and in the house!
For those who don't know me, I was on staff here at EOC this summer as the camp host and intern leader. When I'm not in Mexico, I work as a youth pastor in Burlington, Ontario, Canada and had the incredible privilege of having my two worlds join forces this week! I took down 18 youth and leaders from my church in Canada, partnering with another church from Southern Ontario, and we trekked through the snow storms to get to Ensenada this past Sunday!
What an incredible week! I won't say how it's the best team I've seen pass through here, because I know that's a little bias... but I will share what a blessing it was to be here! The camp is looking and feeling awesome! The staff is full of life and energy, the site has some new great colors and additions, and the program continues to offer some new exciting elements! For those groups returning, you have some new things to look forward too!

One night in small group time, I was talking with my kids (who are an incredible inspiration to me btw) about what we learned about ourselves this week... and what we learned about God this week. I had a startling revelation.
God is enough.
God is all I need.
It's a statement that terrifies me and one that is hard to really live out. I know I still cling to so many other things... worldly things... things I like to control... and even though I may try to encorperate God into my life as best as I can, it's often after I have everything in order
Whether it be watching families who don't have much of anything, still be content in all circumstances; or whether it be living in community and feeling alive and so purposeful... i was reminded God is enough.
this is how He wants us to live.
in community. interdependent. purposeful. serving. loving.
and not just in mexico.
not just on missions.
in our everyday realities.
So I want to redefine what is normal and everday for me when i return home.
I want God to be more than enough.

It's been a pleasure to be among my family here in Mexico again. I look forward to continuing to see God move in this place and in the teams that pass through here week after week!
blessings my friends,
Mama Rho

my return to mexico

Im sure most people have given up on reading any new posts on this blog. i know, i've failed. i know i've had many other adventures since my return to Canada... but i suppose none worthy of being blogged??

well, in about two days i get to return to my community of friends in Ensenada. I head out Sunday with a team from my church and cannot wait for the grand reunion!! Seeing Lil' Britt in the airport, driving around in the jeep with Marvin, catching up with all the guys, and of coarse seeing new addition Naomi! I just can't wait to swing a hammer, eat some tacos (and perhaps drink a margarita or two...) and be part of such intentional community again. there's few times i feel as close to God and such a tangible example of being Christ to people in need than i do when i'm at EOC.

i can't wait to return "home" my friends!