a year in review...

The highlight of 2011 was the time that I spent in EA. 

My favorite picture taken in 2011.

Other great things that were caught on camera in 2011.

2011 can be summed up with a phrase that I have used over and over again this year. 

What a privilege it is to be involved in the lives of people.

I am blessed with the opportunities that I had to spend time with old friends, getting to know new friends, exploring new places, meeting new faces, enjoying new experiences, facing hard things, enduring tough and stretching times, and dealing with grieving times. 

A good friend of mine wrote this in her Christmas card to me. 

"Hard year... good year... growing year. You've done it with grace." (oh how I pray she's correct) She continued, "Stay close to the Lord - celebrate all that He is, all that He came for - all the time. Keep partyin! You teach all of us how it's "supposed" to be done!!!" 

I share her words on this little piece of the world wide web for the sole purpose that I will remember her words as we all turn our calendars over to 2012.

what a privilege it is...

It went from this....

to this...

photo from a ND scrapbook

photo from a ND scrapbook

What a privilege it is to be a part of this little guy's life even with an ocean between us. 

Orphans are easier to forget until you see their faces and you know their names.”
- David Platt

Orphans are impossible to forget when you know their face and have the opportunity to give them a name.

Christmas

reflecting
pondering 
processing 

expectant 

grateful 

blessed

scarves and cardigans

There are some people who believe that it is perfectly okay for all people to wear scarves.

There are others who believe that it is NOT perfectly acceptable for all people to wear scarves.

You decide.

Then there are these two. One is a kindred spirit. One is a trusted listening ear. 

One is from the state with all the mountains. 

The other is moving to the state with all the mountains.

Both are dear friends.

Haiti team

I am really excited to see what the Lord has in store for us. 

I am really excited to go to Haiti with this group of people. 

Is it spring break yet? :)

Mau & Poppo

I adore my grandparents.

Today my grandpa turned 80. We call him Poppo.

photo by Mosaic Photo

Yesterday was my grandma's birthday. We call her Mau. 

Holly and I had the rare privilege to have our Mau as our first grade teacher.

They have been a part of so much of my life. (see post Day 6)

photo by Mosaic Photo

photo by Mosaic Photo

They love Jesus. They love people. 

I have learned so much from them.

I am blessed to be one of their grandchildren.

I love my Mau & Poppo.

It doesn't take much...

... to be involved in the lives of people.

It doesn't take much to contribute to some of the amazing things that are going on around the world.

It doesn't take much to be convinced that what is happening HERE is truly a work of the Lord. My friend Hannah reminded me once again that "They aren't sick babies who are dying, they're miracles babies, being healed day by day."

With the click of a few buttons your Christmas shopping can be done...

BUT did you know that you can help support New Day while you are shopping?

Check out this link.

Or you can just click on this link, that takes you right to Amazon and all you have to do is SHOP!


Follow the link - just click the above button, and submit that order.

There are some amazing places that are tangibly helping people. Check out this blog and online store. 

PS. Be careful though... it's risky business to open your heart up.

Day 24

I am thankful for family traditions.

my mom dipping coconut balls

my sister making millionaires 

Coconut balls

Peanut butter balls

Day 23

I am thankful for the opportunity to help one of my favorite kids celebrate Christmas.

Day 22

I am thankful for students who come back to visit.

Day 21

I am thankful that HIS grace is sufficient.

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Day 20

I am thankful for lessons learned, shared experiences, and the opportunity to work with a team.

I am thankful for intentional conversations, willingness to be vulnerable, and time for relationships to deepen and strengthen.

I am thankful for the times we had together as a team to just "be." I am thankful for lopping and for times to serve together. I was so encouraged as I observed these dear ones step out of their comfort zones and engage in conversations. Their desire to grow and struggle and learn with great attitudes and eagerness to become more like Jesus was amazing to see.

I am humbled to be one of the "leaders" of this team. I am excited to see what the Lord is going to do in and through us as we seek to serve well.

I am thankful for each and every member of the team that I have the pleasure to travel with to Haiti over spring break.

Day 19.

I am thankful for childhood friends who are still dear friends of mine today.

Day 18.

I am thankful for the Gospel.

Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Day 17.

I am so very thankful for the body of believers that I have the privilege of worshiping with every Sunday at First Free.

I am thankful for the amazing staff, their commitment to the Word and their desire to see the Gospel transform people's lives.

I have met some amazing people through the seven years that First has been my church home.

My cup overflows with gratitude.

Day 16

I am thankful for the Navs.

I am thankful for the "mission" to knowing Christ and making Him known.

I am thankful for their commitment to scripture memory and discipleship.

I am so thankful for my cousin Luke for dragging me to Nav Night my first Thursday at K-State.

I am thankful for the countless amazing people that I have met as a result of my time at summer training programs, conferences, retreats. etc.

I am thankful for Lindsay & Linda and the time they took to disciple me at STP.

I am thankful for the amazing opportunity I had to spend two summers at Snow Mountain Ranch.

I am thankful for the opportunities to go to Zambia and Malawi and EA. Those experiences have been life-changing.

I am thankful for the ladies who I had the privilege to be in Bible study with my freshman year in West Hall.

I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the leadership of FC way back in the fall of 2002.

I am thankful for the girls who I had the privilege of leading in Bible study.

I am thankful that many of those friendships have remained.

I am thankful for the new friendships that have begun.

I am thankful for the opportunity to continue to be a part of an amazing body of believers.

Day 15

I am thankful for the people that I met when I moved to Wichita in January of 2005.

Day 14

I am so very thankful for the house on Indianapolis.

Day 13

I am thankful for my friend Amy Martin. We met eventually (after several suggestions of mutual friends) during our last few years at K-State. I vividly remember the day. We were in the classroom in the lower level of the Derb at some kind of RA thing. I overheard someone say her name and realized that SHE was the one that I had been told I needed to meet. We became fast friends. We bounded our love for Java (Bluestem Bistro) and our shared experiences from being RA's and our time spent overseas. Our friendship really thrived though once we both left Manhattan and lived in different states.

We have THE best talks. Some of my most favorite talks with her were when I would be driving to and from CV. I knew the exact spot where I could call her on my way back where I FINALLY had a signal. She was the first person I called when I realized that I actually HAD cell phone service in the land that once was the "land of no cell-phone service (i.e. Cedar Vale).

She helps me process so much of life even across the miles. We have shared many laughs together and our fair share of tears. We have brainstormed writing several books, (maybe one day we will actually do it.) We have walked with each other through some of the darkest days but also some of the most exciting times of each others lives. Our paths do continue to cross, though a trip to the east coast is definitely HIGH on the list of things I MUST make happen. (summer - 2012?) 

She is truly the definition of a heart sister. 

I am grateful for Amy and her friendship.

(in other news, Amy we are in desperate need of an updated picture!)

Day 12.

So thankful for the Lord leading me to the finest institution in the land... I remember the day (November 3, 1999) when my dad and I went up to Manhattan for a senior day. That was the day it all changed. THAT was the day when I knew that this is the place I needed to spend the next 4ish years of my life. Hands down one of the best decisions I have ever made. The 4 and a half years that I spent in Manhattan are truly some of the best years of my life. Living on the 4th floor of West Hall impacted my life more than I could even begin to describe. Hanging out with my cousin Luke on the first Thursday night I lived in Manhattan was for sure a decision that changed the course of my life.  Being an RA in Ford Hall was the best job ever. I worked alongside some of the greatest people I know. Manhattan holds a special place in my heart sure, but more so than my love for that city and the amazing people that I met during my time at K-State, it is a place where I can confidently say that I fell more in love with Jesus.

A fun little side note: 

I thoroughly enjoyed watching my Wildcats beat A&M 

What a crazy insane game... GO STATE!