Quick Update on March & April

Hello All! I am looking forward to beggining this blog and using this as a way to keep everyone updated :) I will try to keep this up-to-date as much as possible.

March and April of 2008,

Both of these months were full of incredible opportunities and many great things. Sometimes when I look back on my experiences at the Honor Academy I get a little overwhelmed, because it is hard to process everything. March was a pivitol time in my internship thus far as I had many changes happen.

In my ministry placement - I am working on promoting the Pittsburgh Acquire the Fire. This event is May 2&3rd. It has been quite a transition from the Minneapolis event, but I am excited to be focusing more on Customer Care. I have the opportunity to work with customers who have registration difficulties, etc. It has been a great experience and we have a new manager - Mrs. Randee Jones :) She is a great blessing. Her Husband, Mr. Trace Jones is the director of Honor Academy North. He teaches some of my classes and runs the program in Minnesota!

Being a part of Teen Mania Ministries has been a life transforming opportunity for me. I am challenged daily in my faith and in chosing what and why I believe the things I do. At the end of March we had our Ring Ceremony. Everyone intern has the opportunity to "join the line" and commit to a LIFESTYLE of Honor. We had a whole week dedicated to learning about what it means to live honorably. Each evening we had a session on another characteristic of Honor. These included: Teachablitiy, Resposability, Purity, Excellence, Valor, etc. At the end of this week as a symbol we recieve a Honor ring. There is NO power in this ring, but it alone is a reminder of the commitment of honoring the Lord in all areas of my life. There was a beautiful ceremony, because this was a very big and special commitment. Here are a few pictures from this amazing ceremony.

My family joined me :) laurel, mel, sammy, me - my core! The ceremony was BEAUTIFUL!

There are 4 Pillars of the Teen Mania Honor Academy - Wisdom, Vision, Discipline and Leadership. The Leadership of the Honor Academy awarded 4 interns with these awards at the cermony. I was honored by recieving the Vision Award. It was an encouragement and surprise to me. It has reminded me to keep dreaming big and pouring my whole heart into whatever the Lord has called me to. I am realizing that the Christian definition of Vision is - Understanding God's plan and identifying MY part in it!

Besides the Ring Cermony we just had our Womens Retreat this past weekend. We had the opportunity to stay at a Hotel, relax, but also have sessions on incredible material. Something that I am learning a lot about lately is how the Lord uses Seasons in our lives. This thought started back in November, when I spoke at Concordia Academy high school. I was learning much about how the Lord had used things from my previous seasons of life. He was using them in what I was doing at the Honor Academy. More so I am realizing the timing of Physical Seasons: such as Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. Spring is coming! I am learning about April Showers bringing May flowers in my life. I am living in expectancy for the things the Lord is going to do in my heart this May!!

I wanted to start this blog, because May is one of the busiest months yet at The Honor Academy. I want to quick be able to jump on here and write about what the Lord is doing. Every single weekend in May we have something going on and then Early June I will be heading to Uganda, Africa. By the way - thank you very much to everyones financial support for my trip. I am very close to having all my financial needs met. I am still believing for about $1,000. I know the Lord is faithful and he has called me to Africa for this summer so he will provide for me.

Thank you for your prayers mostly. This is a season of refreshment and growth in my life. Many things have been brought to the light, restored and it has been beautiful! I know continued growth is going to come in May. Please pray for discernment and direction for my desicions about after the Honor Academy.

Blessings,

Ria Lenzen

Ria.lenzen@teenmania.com

6820 Auto Club Road

Suite S

Bloomington, MN 55438

(email or write me anytime!)