Fall.

what a privilege...

Granted it is only October but I think it is safe to say that my "phrase" of 2011 is this...

What a privilege it is!!!!!!

It is truly something amazing to be a part of something SO MUCH bigger than ourselves. 

The crazy part of all of this is if you would have told me before I went to EA that I would have the opportunity to be a part of this I WOULD HAVE LAUGHED IN YOUR FACE.

Right now it's vague and that's okay. Trust me when it is okay for me to share ALL of the details I will. 

But know this, the people that need to know KNOW and the people that can make it happen will KNOW soon enough. God is BIG. God is GOOD. God is FAITHFUL to HIS promises. God does place the lonely in homes. God is a father to the fatherless. It is WORTH IT to be involved in the lives of children. When people are obedient, crazy awesome, only God could have orchestrated all this, things happen.

Be there.

Presence matters.

Showing up matters.

It's what community is all about.

It's what holds a family together.

Be there.

Be in.

Be ALL in.

Listen.

Ask questions.

Cry some.

Laugh more.

It's messy. 

It's hard. 

It is worth it.

and before you leave, give me a hug.

94

He lived a long life.
He loved his family and his work.

He served his country with pride.
He served his community and church for many many many years.

He was a quiet hardworking man.
He was a man of the Word.
He was an avid reader.
He was faithful to his wife and family.
He was stubborn, frugal, creative and determined.

He had 4 children, 13 grandkids (most pictured below) and 4 great grandkids.

It's an honor to be a Call girl.

Teens vs Wild

This past weekend was the 3rd annual Teens vs Wild high school retreat. 

It was my first. It was a great 24 hours spent out in the "woods," hanging out in a "barn" with a group of students who are eager to learn and grow in their walk with the King.

 

the "barn"

The owners of this barn have some really neat collections of "stuff" all over the place.

It is SO great having this kid back in town. 

He's a dear friend and brother.

 

Says it all.

Yes there was a pig involved. 

There is never a dull moment when these two are together.

a few good men

haha

 love them

the most hard core

29 things that have made me who I am today...

1. Keith & Cindy being my parents
2. Holly being my sister
3. Understanding the power of the Gospel
4. Having cousins who are also dear friends
5. Being a part of an incredible legacy and family of believers
6. Growing up in CV
7. Having my grandma as my first grade teacher
8. Falling in love with reading thanks to my third grade teacher
9. Being a camper at Kids Camp
10. Playing volleyball and basketball for CVS
11. Going to basketball camp at Maranatha and then to the Bahamas with those same people
12. The death of my friend Rachel
13. Falling more in love with Jesus
14. Going to K-State
15. Learning the importance of loving people
16. Living on the 4th floor of West Hall
17. Meeting the Navs
18. Understanding the importance of discipleship
19. Going to STP
20. Being an RA
21. Going to Zambia
22. Going to Main Event
23. Going to Malawi
24. Moving to Wichita
25. Student teaching at Heights
26. Being a teacher at Southeast (on year #7)
27. Attending First Free
28. Buying a house and moving to Indianapolis (street)
29. Going to East Asia

back together again....

This past Monday night was the official end of summer... It was a night that I had been looking forward to since May. We all scattered about for the summer and THIS was the night that the MNGP's were back together again under one roof. 

 

 

We all wore shirts from our various summer adventures. Some of us left the country, some of us left the state, others headed up the road to another city, and still others of us loved on kids at camp. My prayer that we would each come back different was most definitely answered. We each saw evidence of the Lord at work in the places He took us. We all met people that challenged us, encouraged us, and walked along side us for a season. It was such a blessing to have everyone back together again. I am excited for our times together on Monday nights.