Thermostat? Thermometer?

As a staff we have a meeting every Tuesday morning. We're going through a book called Habitudes. This week happens to be my week, so.....here's the question. Are you a Thermostat or a Thermometer? Think about it.....

Do you set the temperture of a room, or do you simply reflect it?

Hmmmm......

The Day of Fathers.

So much of who I am today I owe to my Dad. I LOVE him. Happy Father's Day, Bill.

Meet the Interns....

Brandon Billups and Amanda Loper. So Much FUN!

Chill Out Yo!

One of my very favorite things to do is to chill. While I love being around people, I seriously value my time alone. I love living by myself! There are days that I just come home and I'm so anxious to get into a good book, or play with my dog, or just veg out on the couch. I had a conversation this week with my mom and it reminded me of how well I am at losing sight of how important it is to spend time alone with God. It seems these days there is no such thing as a slow paced life....we're all about the going...and going...and going. I know I'm guilty! Girl, I've always got somewhere to be!

Tonight I came home after dinner, I didn't turn the TV on, I didn't turn on any music. I just sat. If you're picturing that I could see how that could be a little weird....but me sitting alone, inside my one bedroom apartment, with my dog is exactly what I did. For a long time. I just sat and prayed. (Now that I'm saying it to myself it is weird....I promise I'm stable) I truly feel though that sometimes that's just what God asks us to do. Just be still....and know that He is God. It's so easy to get lost in so many other things. But regardless of whatever those things are, our time alone with God isn't an option. It's a command. And a lot of times, it has to be intentional!

The Beach Retreat After Math!

I've found one, and only one negative to Beach Retreat.......my house is a wreck! I seriously don't think I've really CLEANED it since ohh, like.....the middle of March. Sad and discusting! I found myself looking around at everything today like- WOW, when did this happen and how did I not notice! Beach Retreat is consuming. It can steal your attention before you know it. It's hard work, but it's so worth it! God did amazing, amazing things this week. Not only in the lives of students, but in my own too. I consider it a joy and a privilege to be on the team I'm on. I truly love it.

This week: Beach Retreat Reflections Week.....a lot of students....a lot of hanging out! It's summer time!! SO looking forward to it.

BEACH RETREAT 2009 IS HAPPENING!

Ok so, I've been in Alabama since Thursday getting ready for BR09. I attended Beach Retreat as a graduate my senior year, but had NO CLUE the process and work that it takes to make this massive retreat happen. It's amazing, and I love every bit of it. I was fortunate enough to get to hand pick a group of ladies to make the trip with me and be my extra hands for the week.We're running off of lots of deadlines, lack of sleep, and especially the anticipation of knowing that God is going to show up this week and do some huge things in the lives of students. There is no other work I would rather be doing. The process is long and tedious, but the outcome is more than we'll ever know. That's good enough for me!

I'll definitely be updating events and good stories from this week! So excited for all the kids to get here! Hurry! Can't wait!

a small reminder....

I am not Jesus. I am not a prophet. I don't always pray as often as I should. Sometimes church isn't something I feel like doing. I don't love the way I should, in fact in the time it's taken you to read this you've probably already done something that would get on my nerves. I don't always reach out to people who are in need the way I should. I ignore your phone call once in a while. I'm waaay too sarcastic. I hurt feelings from my lack of tack. Sometimes I'm excellent at being plain rude.

But every time I read the words of Jesus in Matthew chapter 20 I am reminded of my place in this world.

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many."

My Savior. My God, came to serve and give up His life for others. Where does that leave me?

My life is NOT my own.