Date: 11 March 2016, week 9

Time: 6:30-10pm
Duration: 3.5 hours
Total: 28.5 hours
Its not everyday that you go to see a middle school play of Beauty and the Beast but,
when you do, you go with Alpha! It was not the best play I have ever attended but the middle
school talent and effort was adorable. Regardless of the quality, everyone had a great time and
shared some laughs.
One of my favorite moments during the night was at the end of intermission. Christina
put her arm around my shoulders, giving me a side hug, and then we walked all the way to her
seat with her arm over my shoulders. It was an expression of love, acceptance and friendship.
In the final scene, Jenna and I, the two interns, were laughing so hard we cried when
Charlie, inappropriately said Oh my god! His volume was a little too high and his timing
arguably perfect. He simply said what was on his mind as his reaction to whatever happened on
stage. This is a pattern I have noticed among many of the participants: they say what is on their
mind, which is often accompanied by a lack of social awareness. If I continue in this work
setting, I will need to develop appropriate ways to handle the inevitable inappropriate situation
that come up.
The diversity of events that the group takes part in is something I love. There is room for
creativity, lazy nights, extra special events and lots of flexibility. Truly, there are endless options
at a minimal cost. You can receive input from participants on their favorite events, ones theyd
rather not do again and any new ideas they may want to try.

As Duane Grobman calls our attention to form and function of vocation in his 2005
Westmont Chapel talk, it leads me to consider different forms my God-given function may take. I
have enjoyed my time at Alpha, working with people with disabilities, yet I do not see this
specific area of work as the form my function will take for years to come. Grobman talks about
the form needing to fit well for the function, otherwise chaos and problems may arise (2005).
After three hours of fun with the Alpha participants I am exhausted. I love spending time with
them, but it is not a refreshing, consistently life-giving occasion.
Before deciding on the form, I must attempt to articulate my function. I believe my
function is related to actively bringing Gods reconciliation into the world, especially to less
privileged groups or ignored groups. Practically speaking, Alpha does have its place in this
function. I can actively bring reconciliation to a marginalized group of people in society and love
on them and advocate for them. Other forms that this reconciliation may take is in health
advocacy for immigrants, refugees or other marginalized people who may not have the language
skills to get their health care needs met appropriately and effectively. I have a deep passion for
spiritual formation as well which I believe can be another form of reconciliation between an
individual and God. Therefore, another form may be facilitating that reconciliation through
offering individuals resources and teaching them the practices of spiritual formation.
Reconciliation is a function that makes me excited about the life and work God has for
me. I feel a peace and eagerness at the thought of bringing reconciliation into the spheres of life I
will enter. The forms are countless, which is both encouraging and overwhelming. The best I can
do now I is move forward knowing that I should seek opportunities that allow me to engage in
reconciliation, realizing that the form can change if it isnt life-giving to me or that in another
season of life, one form will be more appropriate than another.