April 2020

Thriving In Quarantine

From social distance picnics to tailgate parties to drive bys, we Thrive students have found ways to get creative in seeing each other. This reality has been so encouraging to me in realizing the strong bonds of community we’ve built together over these last 9-months of Thrive School. The catch phrase of Thrive School is Discover, Risk, Encounter, Lead. Discover your direction, Risk real relationship, Encounter his Lordship, and Lead. Though I’ve been blessed to learn a ton in each of these areas this year, risking real relationships has probably been one of the hardest and most rewarding parts of Thrive School. I love my friends God has placed in my life to grow with, encourage, admonish, and spur each other closer to Christ. Above, you can see many pictures of me and my Thrive friends from this month.

I was able to celebrate Passover and Resurrection Sunday with my family. We did a traditional Seder meal for Passover, and on Resurrection Sunday we went for a beautiful walk by the lake. Pictures of these can be found above. I also have had so much time to work on my music. I’ve been able to write three songs and improve my guitar and piano skills, which I’m very grateful for. With having more time at home, I’ve also been able to take time to do things I love but never usually have time for like drawing, painting, reading, and writing.

This month I’ve been a part of SO many Zoom meetings and Houseparty meetings. Online platforms are the most difficult way for me to focus, but I was able to manage. My classes, D Times, D Group, Small Groups, and Staff Meetings all moved online. Pictured above you can see a small part of our staff meeting that had 317 people in the Zoom meeting. I’ve been in more breakout rooms in Zoom than I’d ever care to be in again. I’m so grateful to God that we had the ability and technology to continue doing Thrive School through online platforms even though it was an unexpected change of pace.

I was very disappointed that Thrive School had to end online instead of in person, but also blessed that we were able to end together at all thanks to our amazing production team. Unfortunately, we were unable to go to Mexico or Arizona, two landmark trips at the end of Thrive School, due to the necessity of social distancing. But Thrive School has assured us that we will be rescheduling our end of the year trip together once social distancing mandates are lifted. 

Here is the recording of our Commissioning Ceremony we have at the end of each year in Thrive School if you’re interested and would like to watch it! https://vimeo.com/413855594/5d0626a2b1

Additionally, here is a fun recap video made by a friend of me and my fellow Thrive Students this year: https://baysidechurch603.sharepoint.com/sites/ts-allstudents/Shared%20Documents/General/Recap2020.mov 

Thanks for reading!