September Newsletter

Hello everyone, I know it's November and I'm just now posting my September newsletter, which still has yet to be sent out. I wanted to make sure to include pictures of all the people I talked about it in, but I don't have those picture yet and with finals finishing this week - it's been busy! But, here is the September letter. Meet the people God has put in my life. Amazing things have been happening since I wrote this, so stay tuned for the update!

September Prayer Letter

Well October has arrived here in Ohio and the cold weather along with it. We officially turned the heat on in the house and I guess that means September is over with! Which means time for another update! And a lot has been going on since I’ve moved here and have become entrenched in this world. So even though it may seem like a double monthly installment since my August letter went out so late, it’s just like the gum! – Double the fun! This month I want to introduce you to all the people the Lord has placed in my life and whose lives He will hopefully use me in.

First, are my 27 girls – the Sophomore Alpha Xi Delta class. Yes, the Mom in me has come out, but so has the sister, mentor and friend. I have come to know each and every girl in the house and love ‘em all! We are working to love one another as well, which goes wonderfully some days and horribly others, but I’m hoping and praying my example will lead the girls to seek Jesus’ love. I’ve had a few Godly conversations, but am hoping and praying for more opportunities to share the gospel. There are also some out-of house girls I have connected with, so please pray for their spiritual well being as well., The photo was taken on Bid Day, which is at the end of Fall Rush. Boy was it an experience! On Bid Day, we celebrated 30 new pledges and possible next year’s in-house girls – please be praying for amazing God things to happen with those sisters next year.

Next, is the AIA group and more particularly the Action Leader Group. Action Group is made up of student-athletes who are the Christian leaders on their team. These students have risen up and are working to multiply the disciples of the Lord. We meet every Monday night to pour into them, equip them for leading and to go over the Bible Study for Wednesday nights. Individually, I have the pleasure of working with Darby – the cross-country leader. She is an amazing evangelist and woman of God. I am so blessed that the Lord is using me in her life because she is being used in mine!! Right now, she is experiencing the transition of no longer being a competitive university athlete – something that has defined her for the past 8 years of her life. I am encouraging her in the fact that she does not have to give it up, but to seek the Lord’s will in her running future and not her own.

On that note, the people who encourage me to do the same are my AIA staff family! I didn’t think the Lord would place me as a mentor, example, and teacher to my fellow staff members. However, He has recently shown this to be case and I am excited to learn as much from them as the Lord may teach them through me. My fellow partner in crime, single full-time female intern, Rachel Kloosterman, has been a huge encourager, friend, and confidante to me. The Lord’s blessing through her is revealed to me daily and I am so grateful!

Fourth are my track team peeps. These are the men and women I run with just about everyday and will be helping coach next quarter. Right now, I am looking to make more connections with these men and women and hopefully open some doors for me to share the gospel with them, answer their questions, and invite them to AIA so we can build a co-ed track presence at our meetings.

Lastly, is the group of my fellow grad students. This group consists of both Coaching Ed (my program) students and Rec Studies students. There is a good collection of us and I have become fast friends with the Rec students, who basically are people who like to play in the great outdoors J I appreciate that they have adopted me even though I’m Coaching Ed. I enjoy having fellow grad mentality people to talk with and keep me grounded. In fact, my church buddy is a Rec grad and a blast! I hope to bring more of Christian presence to our circle and activities. There are some who are very skeptical – it’s all about expanding the mind and view points.

So as you can see the Lord has me all over the place and I am excited about that! Please, pray I switch my hats well, but stay constant in shining His light to everyone, being a true statue for the Lord amongst this environment of lost souls.

Best, Tori

Follow me and I will make you a fisher of men. - Matthew 4:19