Bethel: A Year In Patterson, Bethel

Imagine the scene:

     A cloistered complex, filled with young and old ones leaving behind the halcyon of the old days. Putting hand to the plow for a common purpose, that of serving their God, Jehovah.
Yup. That's Bethel. And yup. That's where I am, at the current time.

     So pretty much, I've been in Bethel for over a month now. Why haven't I updated my blog? Well to be honest, I wasn't in a writing mood. And I hate to force out a post, but rather, I like to allow my mind to tackle a post more when I am prepared for it. So my apologies, but I assure you this is the best course of action. So here we are, posting. What to include?
Now in an effort to avoid boring you with the minutiae of everyday Bethel life, I'll focus on the more salient points of my time here in Patterson. Rooming, Work, Congregation, etc. 

Rooming

Well I am in a five man room. (Shriek!) No no no. It isn't that bad. Let me finish! It is actually like...3 rooms connected. Its like a huge room with walls. And two bathrooms. Remember Italy? Yeah. I have my own bed this time. Rock that. So compared to Italy this is palatial, thus no complaints to me. And my roommates are kind of awesome, to boot. No complaints.

Work

Many of you know my deepest passion. Food. No, this doesn't mean I know how to prepare it, serve it, or do anything else with it. I know how to eat it. And I can eat it well. Now how, you might ask, does this matter? As Jehovah's will would have it, I am in Food Services. More specifically, I am a waiter. Well...sort of. I am being duel trained right now, as they haven't the manpower to fulltime train me for waiter. So I wait the breakfast meal, then cook all day. Then rinse, repeat. August 5th, I will be trained for fulltime waiting.
They are putting me to work, and making me break a sweat everyday. My moto? Don't try to show them up, just try to keep up. So far, the work load is fine. I have had far worse jobs. So while I am moving all day, nonstop, this isn't the first time I've ever worked. So pretty much, I'm already used to that.

What else is awesome? The Gilead Students are in right now. After class, they are sent to work assignments, which means I am regularly working with them. That is sort of fantastic. Just saying. 

Congregation

I have been assigned to Trumbull, Connecticut English. They have about 100 publishers, and so many young ones that its nearly ridiculous. And they are the kids that outshine the Bethelites in commenting and service! Like I said, don't try to show them up, just try to keep up.

Additional Thoughts

Yup. Now. I asked of Jehovah for a second shot at Bethel. He blessed my request, and offered me a year of service in Patterson. I accepted. So until the clock strikes 1 year, I'll give Jehovah my 100% here in New York. In the meantime, staying busy helps offset the dreaded Homesickness.

Yes, I'll be totally honest, I have been very, very homesick.
UGH. TREVOR, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well you know what? I love Alaska, and I love my Family and Friends. I am hardly worth a second look without them. It is certainly the only downside I cant think of to being in Bethel.
The work? Nah. 
The roommates? Nope. 
The schedule? Not even. 
Its all about my cursed heart. It longs so strongly for the people I care about, that it begins to be my end. Its strange, because I have such a deep appreciation for what Jehovah has given me, and I love the fact that I can be back in Bethel! But in the middle of all the joy is the pain of heart. The first week was the worst. Since then, its still ever present each day, but more or less it is more manageable each day (though some days it completely surges up strong). Literally a weight on my heart, where I can actually feel it PHYSICALLY . To be honest, I don't see me being able to ever root it out completely, but I find that I am able to survive more and more by looking for ways to be busy, and by following closely in the pattern of Lamentations 3:55-57. Rely on Jehovah, that is the key to happiness and contentment. So while it pulls me down each day, I can stand again, knowing that the ones I love and miss are the same ones that are happy for my efforts, and are praying for me, as I pray for them.Yes, that helps me greatly in my convincing my heart to quell its sobbings, even if it is simply a temporary palliation.

So to my dear Family and Friends that I so miss, thank you. I miss you, I love you, and I know that if not on this side of The Battle, then I will spoil myself with an eternity of your company. 

And to my dear readers, fear not. I have been through far worse than homesickness, and my Father has pulled me up and out of the deepest of pits. I write these seemingly less positive thoughts simply to include a measure of realism. Life isn't all about rainbows and butterflies, right? When we are shattered on the rocks, its how we respond from that point that defines who we are. Do we allow our broken bodies to lay there lifelessly, or do we reach for Jehovah's hand?
Jehovah. Thank you for reaching your hand out before I even reached out my own.

Ciao for now, readers! Questions or comments, you know what to do and how to do it. :]