Final Reflections

It has been a while since I've been able to share more about my PTM experience, but hopefully this will give you some insight as to the final weeks of my summer internship and its impact on me as a whole.  I actually finished my fellowship on July 13th, but I have been very busy since then.  My last week at Preston Taylor Ministries was a blur.  It sped by so quickly that I barely had time to realize I was leaving before I was gone.  Nevertheless, that week was just as rewarding and fun as the other weeks, and it helped me realize how blessed I am to have been able to spend my summer there.

Preston Taylor Ministries has two different branches.  One is the main PTM building where the younger kids (through 6th grade) spend their time during the summer.  The other is called the Calvin House, which is a program PTM has developed in partnership with St. Andrews Presbyterian Church.  Calvin House serves the older group of PTM students (grades 7 through 12).  The 6th graders I worked with all summer had the privilege of spending this week with the Calvin House, instead of their regular routine in the main PTM building.  It was so encouraging to meet some of these older kids and see what an impact PTM has on these kids' lives in the long run.  They were all extremely welcoming and friendly, and had no problem including the young 6th graders in their activities.  I felt blessed to experience so much of PTM  in such a short time this summer, and this was a great way for me to close out my internship.

Another high point of this last week was on Thursday the 12th when we took the Summer SaLT class on a field trip to tour a hospital.  My dad actually knows the CEO of Nashville General Hospital at Meharry, and was able to put me in contact with their staff.  I got to plan the trip and organize the logistics, and seeing that come to fruition was very fulfilling.  It was a rainy and dreary day, but the hospital tour was exciting and entertaining, finished off with lunch in the cafeteria.  Needless to say, the kids immensely enjoyed the pizza and cookies they were served during the trip.  This trip, coupled with the fun activities at the Calvin House, made for an amazing final week of my Turner Fellowship.

My last day at PTM was also very memorable, and once again reminds me what an amazing opportunity I had this summer.  At the end of the day, before all the kids went home, the director of PTM and my co-worker put together a little send-off, and the kids gave me a card with all their names signed on it.  I was full of conflicting emotions, extremely thankful and happy about my time spent there this summer, but also sad that it was over.  I don't think I could have asked for a better environment and group of people and students to work with, and I'd like to thank FRA and the Turner family for providing me with such an amazing experience.

The next day, I left for New York City with my church youth group on a mission trip.  It was an intense week of service, fellowship, and spiritual growth, a perfect continuation of my time at PTM.  The reason I mention this week after my fellowship is to show how immediately my time at PTM influenced my life outside of the Turner Fellowship.  One aspect of the trip that I felt a little apprehensive towards at first was the task of talking to complete strangers.  Many times throughout the week we were given opportunities to serve random people throughout New York, whether it was handing out food, working in a soup kitchen, or praying with someone we passed on the sidewalk.  It was difficult to feel comfortable doing this, and I know that the work I did at PTM helped prepare me in confidence for this task.  Finally, one day in particular we went to a kids summer camp at a church in New York and spent the afternoon helping out and being with the kids.  This experience was absolutely what I was ready for, what I'd done all summer, as a result of the Turner Fellowship.  I was right at home with the kids, and felt like I was right back at PTM.  It was so cool to see how applicable all the lessons I learned at PTM are to each day we are given.  Before this summer, that experience at the New York kids camp would have been a little weird to me.  It would not have been my favorite, and I would not have felt as comfortable or helpful.  Preston Taylor Ministries changed that, and I am so thankful for what this summer has meant in my life.

Lastly, I want to thank Preston Taylor Ministries for allowing me to come in and work there this summer.  I want to thank Chan and Sarah for always being encouraging and making me feel useful, for having patience when I goofed up, and for showing me what it truly means to serve others selflessly.  Many thanks also to Megan, Josh, Claire, Joel and the Preston Taylor Community.  All the people I worked with this summer were absolutely amazing, and that is really what made this internship so enjoyable.  It was a life changing experience, and I won't ever take it for granted.

Both Sides of the Coin

I love how easy it is to sit down and write these blogs.  I never have writer's block, I never run out of ideas, and that is because I haven't run out of amazing experiences this summer.  Every day, every week is an adventure of its own where I learn new things about the world and about myself.  In particular, I want to talk about the second half of this past week.

On Thursday, we had the amazing opportunity to go visit a law firm in downtown Nashville. Not only was this law firm downtown, but it was also on the 27th floor of the First Tennessee building.  Being on the top floor of one of Nashville's tallest buildings was so cool, not just for the kids, but for my coworker and I as well.  Then four of the lawyers from that company came and talked to our kids about life, success, and the road through college while we ate Chick-Fil-A provided by the firm, quite a treat for our kids.  They were able to connect with the kids SO well.  I've never seen the kids give their attention so fully to anyone as much as they did to these four men.  It was almost like they should have made a living as motivational speakers instead of lawyers!  Afterwards, we walked to the public library a few blocks away and visited the Civil Rights Room, where we experienced an eye-opening presentation of the civil rights movement in Nashville.  That was also a really neat experience, especially for the kids as they got to see a piece of history that directly affects their lives today.

The next day, however, was one of the toughest days I've had at Preston Taylor Ministries.  It was a Friday, and that may have had a factor in the day's outcome.  We had some respect and attitude issues with the kids, and it ended up that I had to take some disciplinary action.  In the end, I had to suspend one of our kids for the next day, which is actually tomorrow since this was Friday.  It was a tough decision because this week is my last week at PTM, and this child already had plans this week, and now will not be able to come at all this week.  Essentially, I had to tell him goodbye for the summer this past Friday.  It was a tough decision, and I had to call his mom and explain it to her too, but it was the right thing to do.  Now that I look back on it, I know it was necessary and that in reality it was best for the child too, even if he does not think so.  All kids need to learn to respect others, especially in order to become a servant leader, the point of our Summer SaLT class this year.

It was quite a roller coaster weekend, going from such a great day Thursday to such a rough day Friday, but it taught me that life too has its ups and downs.  There are two sides to the coin in life, and not everything is going to work out every time.  The silver lining is present in how you handle yourself during those droughts, how you respond in the tough times, how you learn from mistakes; that is what truly fulfills life and makes the good times all the sweeter.

Finally, I gained so much more confidence in myself as a result of this weekend through the presentation at the law firm and the ordeal at PTM on Friday.  I couldn't second guess myself in that decision, and it taught me the importance of self-respect.  It's interesting how self respect is such a huge part of respecting others.  Now, I know I handled the situation properly, and I hope that every child there that day is better off because of it.  It is amazing how much I have come to care for these kids in 5 short weeks.  I am so blessed to have been a part of PTM this summer, and I can't believe I only have one more week.  Nevertheless, I will continue to love and respect these kids in the coming days, hopefully as a role model for the type of servant leaders we want them to become.

Community

This week at Preston Taylor Ministries was a busy one.  In addition to the Summer SaLT class every day, we took the kids on 3 field trips.  We went swimming, took a tour of a bank, and arranged a science experiment conducted at a Belmont University laboratory.  We also worked on a business project this week, designing a business and creating a "billboard" for each one.  The kids were exposed to many amazing opportunities this week, and hopefully, with many more to come.

In my own experience, this week was significant because on Thursday night we had a large community supper that I got to plan and organize.  All PTM kids and their parents were invited to cookout and hangout at PTM's main building.  I was in charge of creating a flyer to advertise the dinner, buying the supplies, setting up, and even helping cook!  It was quite a responsibility, but it was an enlightening experience, seeing the amount of planning and organization that goes into an event of that magnitude.

When everyone arrived, we had probably close to 75 people come and go throughout the evening.  It was a great chance to get to know the kids outside of a classroom or day-program setting and just have fun with them, as well as to meet some of their parents.  I also got to meet some older kids in the neighborhood who are involved in PTM's older program, the Calvin House.  It helped me understand even more the community I am blessed to have become a part of this summer.  Everyone was so friendly and accepting, even though I was obviously new.  It was definitely an uplifting experience and prime example of fellowship.

I am so thankful for this opportunity, and I cannot say that enough.  I have learned to take nothing for granted, especially the value of community and fellowship.  People really are stronger together, and having a community like that makes life so much better.  I am thankful for being able to expand my own personal community while also feeling included in the community of Preston Taylor Ministries.

Learning Curve

Last week as I prepared a lesson for the Summer SaLT (Servant and Leadership Training) class at Preston Taylor Ministries, my mom said something that gave me a new perspective on my role this summer, but also applies to many situations I will encounter later in life.  She said "I've found that teachers learn their own material much better than students ever can.  Teaching is the best way to learn."  As I examined this statement and compared it to my experiences thus far at PTM, I agree with her.

Last week, for example, I taught lessons based on the theme of conflict resolution.  I organized discussions, activities, and at the end of the week, a survey that helps the subject understand their style of conflict resolution based on their personality.  In the process, I gained knowledge about conflict resolution myself.  I even took the survey along with the kids and learned my style of conflict resolution.  Not only have I grasped a greater understanding of what I taught, but I've also gained an appreciation for what my teachers do everyday at school.  It is not an easy job, and I am thankful for this experience that has shown me that.

Summer JAM

This week at Preston Taylor Ministries, I had the opportunity to participate in the community-wide Summer JAM (Jesus And Me) sponsored by PTM and a partner church.  In addition to the regular day-programming at Preston Taylor, I stayed to help set up for, participate in, and tear down Summer JAM.  It took place every night this  past week from 6-8 pm in a local park.  This week was both a trial and a blessing.  Despite the long hours and stressful schedule, I had a chance to bond with the PTM kids outside my Summer SaLT class.  I spent close to 3 hours each night with younger kids, forming even more relationships and friendships, while also witnessing the kids have a blast and learn about Christ in a fun and safe environment.  It was also a beautiful exhibit of diversity and unity for one purpose, to glorify the Lord through worship, games, and teaching.  There were both kids from the local community, as well as kids of the volunteers helping put on Summer JAM.  There were participants of all ages, all races, both male and female, all there in a pure and happy environment.  It was a truly massive operation, and therefore was a humbling experience to see myself as a servant to these kids, to see myself as a part of a larger whole.  This is definitely the longest week of my summer PTM schedule, but it was a great continuation of my Turner Fellowship experience.

More specifically, a few things stood out throughout the course of this week.  For example, Audrey Kromer, last year's PTM Turner Fellow, came to Summer JAM to spend time with the kids she worked with last year.  It was encouraging to see the relationships she formed were still intact even a year later.  Also, my family came to volunteer on Friday night, and although Summer JAM was called off for rain, it was a great feeling to share this summer experience with my parents and sister, even if only for part of a day.  We also took our Summer SaLT class on a few field trips, and had several quality discussions about leadership and discipleship throughout the week.

Overall, this week was long.  Every day, however, I was rewarded tremendously by the work I was doing.  I look forward to the rest of the summer with an eagerness to serve and bond with the children involved at PTM.  I hope I can impact them in a positive way even half as much as they have already influenced my life.

Forming Relationships

This week was my first one on the job, as well as the first week of Preston Taylor Ministries' summer program. Because this is the first week I would be working with the kids, it was a crucial time to begin developing relationships and forming bonds.  It was challenging, but also very rewarding.  This summer I am co-leading a class for rising 6th graders called Summer SaLT, or Servant and Leadership Training.  Because my role with the kids is as a teacher and mentor, as well as a friend, I also had to establish my authority within the classroom setting.  It was quite a balancing act, being strong and authoritative while also being humble and caring.  Nevertheless, by the end of the week, I felt very optimistic about the rest of the summer.  The kids are all great,   and even insisted on individually signing the cast on my broken wrist.  By Friday, several of the kids even gave me hugs before they left for the weekend.  I am so blessed to not only have such great co-workers and supervisors, but also to be forming relationships with the kids of the Preston Taylor neighborhood.

Furthermore, the exchange is not one sided.  These kids have taught me a few things as well.  Already, I have learned the importance of self-confidence.  These children will not take you seriously until you take yourself seriously.  They have also shown me the importance of having fun!  Sometimes you just have to throw the lesson plan out the window and go outside to play in order to refocus.  Finally, I have been exposed to a situation where someone depends on my efforts.  This accountability is very strong motivation to go home every night and come back the next day with a beneficial lesson plan and schedule, as well as the right attitude to make the most of the time I am with them.

Overall, this first week was amazing.  It felt like it flew by, but at the same time, it now feels like I have known these kids for years.  I only hope that I continue to develop the relationships that have begun to form, and that I am able to be a positive influence in the lives of these kids.

Week 1 - Responsibility

Because I haven't begun my time at Preston Taylor Ministries, as my first day is tomorrow, I haven't encountered the full experience of the Turner Fellowship just yet.  Nevertheless, this preliminary time of organization and coordination has opened my eyes to the accountability required of individuals in their specific fields.  I have had several meetings with my co-workers at PTM (Preston Taylor Ministries), and each one has made me appreciate the fluidity and reliability of any work environment.
The whole operation reminds me of a group project in school.  In this project, however, every person involved has the utmost respect, care, and passion for the task at hand.  Furthermore, each person is capable and willing to put in the work required of them.  There is no wondering which group member will fall down on the job, as there tends to be in high school assignments.  I've come to appreciate the commitment that adults in my life allocate to their own occupations.
Finally, I've already learned how to be more accountable and responsible for my own part.  Obviously, I am still a work in progress, but I am learning how to formulate lesson plans, execute and plan a schedule, and work   with others to accomplish a goal.  These are all indispensable attributes that I've been exposed to, not even a day  into my actual work schedule.  This summer looks to hold a very promising and beneficial experience as I leave my comfort zone and adapt to what I will encounter on a daily basis after college.