LA Reflections

Camellia. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn

In less than 2.5 hours I will be heading to airport to begin my journey home (this time I will fly from LAX to Charlotte and from there fly to Harrisburg). This has been an incredible five days. I have experienced more love, hospitality and joy than I ever imagined! I came to love and serve and instead I was loved and served.

I am so thankful for the youth that I was able to meet on Sunday at church! That was an emotional moment! For the past year I have prayed for these young people and participated in online study with them and now I was able to give them a hug in the flesh! Thank you Jesus! This whole experience reminds me the church is so much more than we realize. There is our local church and then there is the worldwide church. Praise God there will be a day where believers are united in Heaven!

It was really fantastic to meet some of the guys who are in the Tuesday night Bible study. What a joy when God’s people are able to rejoice and worship together in person! I never want it to be far from my mind that this life is not about me, my wants and my desires, it is about Christ and loving others well.

What I have learned the most is how amazing Nancy is. I knew she had a heart of gold and served her family well, but wow, I want to be more like Nancy because Nancy exudes Christ and grace.

It was beautiful for me to see how much this family loves each other. And it wasn’t fake because there was a guest, it is a lifestyle for them. I know that God will help me reflect more on my time here throughout this week.

I am ready to see Nathan and PQ. God in His Sovereignty allowed me to have this experience as well as allowing me to have this week off before starting classes online at Westminster next Monday February 7, 2022.

It is my heartfelt prayer that we will all meditate this week on the fact that “faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor 13:13 ESV).

Lord God, thank You and praise You for this time. Thank You for the opportunity to love and be loved. Lord God, may Your people love You and others well this week. Lord God, help us to grow in extending forgiveness, grace, mercy and love. Help us to be a genuine light in this dark world. Help us to put You and others first. Lord God, prepare us to live for You even though it may be costly. Thank You Lord for this reader. Thank You Lord for Jimmy and his family! Bless Jimmy, Nancy and kiddos for the love and kindness they have shown me. In Jesus’s Name I pray.

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Blue Collar Theologian

My name is Mandy Sweigart-Quinn, I live in Lancaster, PA and I am a “Blue Collar Theologian.” I love Jesus! I am passionate about His Word (The Holy Bible)! I come alive when I can encourage others in their walk with Jesus (whether by writing or speaking). As a “Blue Collar Theologian” it is my aim to live/practice/work out my Christian hope with sincerity, authenticity and genuineness. As a “Blue Collar Theologian,” I strive to meet people right where they are (“Incarnational Theology”). I graduated in May 2019 from Capital Seminary and Graduate School with a Master's in Biblical Studies. I am a passionate, excited and enthusiastic person! I love flowers, sports and sunsets. Since January 2, 2018 I have had the privilege of being married to Nathan.

45 thoughts on “LA Reflections”

  1. So delighted to hear about your visit LA and spend time with brother Jimmy’s family and church. It reminds me we all have such a great extended family in the body of Jesus the Messiah. What a treasure to be able to integrate into the LA family over the last couple of years, even from a distance.

    I hope you will write more on your time there. Praying with you as you prepare to go back to class.

    Blessings.

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  2. What a fellowship opportunity, bonding, and journey it truly was Mandy! It is something to cherish! Indeed, it is great to see people virtually, how much more face-to-face with Jim, Nancy, and the Bible Study Group. Blessings to you and Nathan!

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  3. Wow, the Lord truly answered my prayers for you! So glad you’ve had such beautiful fellowship. Safe travels dear sister, may the Lord Himself assign your plane seats, perhaps next to a hungry soul.
    You’re a blessing Mandy! ❤

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      3. Oh no! 😵
        Even still rest assured, God makes no mistakes. Sometimes He assigns the very thing that will stir our flesh to see what needs to be crucified.
        May your next flight be a blessing! ⚘

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  4. So thrilled this opportunity proved to be such a blessing! I can feel your joy radiating in your words. Praying safe travels home and all the best as you embark on your studies soon! Much love, sweet friend! ❤

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    1. Hi, Marisa! Prayers for adjusting back to eastern time would be WONDERFUL!!!!! I have to take the puppy to get groomed tomorrow and I don’t want to miss his appointment hahahaha!!!! I am thankful for you!!! Someday, God willing I hope to meet you in person!!! You are LOVED! I am praying for you!!!

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      1. Ha! Yes, time zone adjustment can be fun to deal with! Yes, I’d love to meet you one day too! Thank you for the prayers! I can feel them!

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  6. Good comparison of the local with the worldwide church that can be glimpsed at by traveling. You helped me realize by the account of your travels that the worldwide church is larger and greater than I could imagine it to be.

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  8. I’m betting your cheeks are sore from smiling Mandy! It does my heart good to hear of the joy that you experienced and the insights gained. And then to top it all off, you have Nathan and PQ waiting for you at home! God is so good! Praying for a safe trip home and follow up posts! Blessings!

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    1. Thank you, Bruce!!!!! I gave Jimmy a hug for you and Michael ASAP, he was thankful!!!! God is SO good! It will be interesting to see if the Lord will have me sit with anyone on this flight! I know you get this, maybe even more than me. While Covid has been horrific for everyone, there truly are blessings that have come from it if we take the time to notice! I am so thankful for your love and encouragement toward Nathan, PQ and I. It is returned to you and Peggy!!!! 🤗🧡🙏

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  10. What a precious and delightful opportunity the Lord has blessed you with. Mandy. Your post has gladden my heart . It always amazes me how we feel right at home with God’s people from the first time we meet them.
    Have a safe trip home.

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  11. Praise God for answered prayer!! So glad that you had an amazing time Mandy! God is so good, he knows knows perfect time for all things. I’m starting online classes very soon too! I will be starting Portuguese classes as I really want to get better at speaking. Sending much love to you, Nathan & PQ. God bless 😊

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      1. Muito obrigado Mandy! That means thank you very much, you would say Obrigada as the language is feminine and masculine. God bless 😊 🙌

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  12. We were blessed with you visiting! Wow, this is a very touching and loving post Mandy! We are blessed with you over, I think the girls are too. I know we are a small church and after you left I realized we had some people that weren’t there because of people getting sick and work shifts, etc. I wished everyone was there too but alas things happen. Still the youth you got to see and meet was very precious!!! Linda told me she was blessed to see you and was encouraged!

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    1. Thank you for this comment, Jimmy! You are more than welcome to share this with Nancy if you would like! I am so, so thankful for y’all! I am praying for a time for Nathan and I to come together to visit TCAC! (He was super jealous we went to Korean bbq!!!!) I am humbled by the love I received from y’all! Thank you, Nancy and kiddos for letting me stay with y’all and give them each a big hug for me too. Oh and one for Dangles as well 😉😉😉😉Praying y’all get rest as well!!!

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