It’s the Monday night after Christmas and I’m listening to the rain on the roof while watching an episode of Gilmore Girls. December passed by so fast I think I have whiplash. But that’s still no excuse for not posting this sooner. I apologize!
It’s impossible to sum up 2015. I’ve seen God move in incredible ways; I’ve seen Him provide when it seemed impossible. I’ve laughed so much and experienced so much beauty. 2015 has been a big, beautiful gift.
Last spring, I shared with you the 5 things I was praying about: a home, wisdom concerning my car, going to India, and the opportunities to both sing in a choir and play softball again.
But I forgot something important: when you ask, be ready for an answer!
It started on Easter, when I sang the “Hallelujah Chorus” with the CBC Chapel Choir – which is always epic beyond words.
In March, I made the decision to start looking for an another place to live. Around the same time, 2 girls at my church started looking for a roommate. I knew within 10 minutes of hanging out with them that we would live together.
Then, a month before I was to move in with them, they found out the house they rented was going up for sale. We prayed and started looking. Eight days before I was to move in, we found a new home – a perfect home that is as quirky as we are. Because of timing with leases, I moved to their house and we all moved together 6 days later (which I highly recommend as a workout), and settled just as June came.
In July, God sent me back to India (thank you all so much for your support and prayer that got me there!).
Around that same time, a friend and I started talking about putting a softball team together. The next thing I know, I’m co-coach of the Dawsonville Ninjas.
We had a great season. Playing again was such a gift! Now that it’s over, I’m having withdrawals – and planning for spring ball!
And then, August, when my loaner car started smoking and died, therefore answering my “When?” question – and then God provided my dream car, down to the color.
I am so, so thankful.
But God didn’t stop there—He gave me a #6: pottery classes. This is something that never occurred to me to do. I’ve loved pottery ever since a dear friend introduced me to it. Her house and kitchen hold some of the most beautiful pieces in the world. It’s something I’ve come to appreciate as well.
Then, one day, I was in a pottery store probably being way too enthusiastic about how amazing it was, when one of the friends with me said, “Why don’t you take some pottery classes?”
My response was, “I can do that? I had no idea.”
A few weeks later, I found myself in a studio learning how to throw. I’d purchased 1 lesson, because I didn’t know if I’d be any good at it. Two hours in, I was frustrated. I wanted to quit. Then, something clicked.
It was funny, actually. I stopped paying attention. “Treat it like mud, not gold,” my clay teacher (we call her the “Fairy Potter”) said. “Some people even learn with their eyes closed.”
I was looking at the woman to my left, listening to her story, and just like that, the clay was centered.
Centering is the most important thing—always the first step. Well, that is, after “turn on the wheel”. In that moment, I decided to come back 1 more time. Just to see. And after 2 classes, I was centering on my own. That’s when I when I realized two very important things: 1) I loved this and 2) I wasn’t bad at it.
I’ve learned a lot of important things from my pottery classes. Like not to forget the splash guard (oops!), that my #drivelikeaGerman tendencies translates into a lead foot at the wheel, the importance of water (and the problem of too much), and the dance of pressure and tension on the clay. I’ve also found so much laughter in this community of women who love to create art. I’m learning from them too.
I haven’t made anything incredible yet, but each week I’m more and more encouraged. I’m learning and improving each week. My pieces are getting stronger, taller, and wider. Last week, my pieces from my very first week were glazed and I got to give one as a Christmas present to my mother.
This is real—I’m learning how to make beautiful things, something I never thought I’d be able to do. I’ve found something I really enjoy.
There are so many analogies about clay as pictures of us in the hands of God. He is the Potter, and we are the clay—it says it in the Bible. But the other week, I realized something I can’t forget:
I was trimming a bowl from my first week. (Well, “bowl” is a generous description). I’d been shown an example, had an open book next to me on a bench with a step-by-step guide, and also had a friend next to me willing to help. I set the wheel to spin (weeeee!!!!) and picked up my tool with my right hand.
“Where’s your other hand going?” The lady next to me asked.
“Um…” I looked back at the book, and studied the pictures. Then I placed my left hand also on the bowl, started trimming, and thinking. Because basically, the entire time this piece of clay has been on a wheel, it’s been poked and prodded, raised and pressed down, pulled, drenched, dried, and squeezed. And the entire time, it’s been firm in both of my hands—being held, supported, guided, and formed.
Throwing pottery can’t be done without full commitment. It requires the potter to be all in, pushing his being against the clay to form it—with both hands.
When the wheel is spinning and centering begins, there isn’t a second where the clay is left alone.
The same is true with us—we never leave the hands of the Potter, even when it might feel like it.
Three nights before 2016, I’m so thankful for this reminder.
I hope this encourages you too. I pray you had a wonderful Christmas and holiday season, that the celebration was beautiful and memorable (for all the right reasons!) for the years to come. I pray you had a chance to rest and savor the beauty that is Christmas and the reason we celebrate.
And I pray that you look at 2016 the same way I am: with great hope and anticipation!
Thank you so much for all you have done! Thank you for praying for and encouraging me. Thank you for your support!
As I raise money for the ministry of Adventures in Missions, my continued goal is $1250 per month ($15,000 for the year). As 2015 ends, I’m humbly asking that you consider sending a tax deductible, year-end gift.
To give financially, you can click “Donate” on the top left of the screen for an online donation, or send a check to:
Adventures in Missions, INC.
P.O. Box 742570
Atlanta, GA 30374-2570
Please make all checks out to AIM and write “Kristen Torres-Toro” in the Memo line.
Thank you SO MUCH! I hope you had a Merry Christmas and that you have a Happy New Year!
P.S. Right now I do not know the exact trips I’ll be going on in 2016, but I’ll let you know as soon as I do!
