- taking the path others have not and never losing sight of the dream.
- standing together and making tough decisions, all to meet the needs of others.
- holding onto unchanging principles while pursuing an ever changing path.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
National Conference
I just finished up at our EFCA (Evangelical Free Church of America) national conference. Leaders from all over America gather together for networking, equipping, resourcing, & to get a little business done. It was an incredible couple of days for us. At the conference 2nd Mile was given the "Courage Award" for:
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
I'm Trying
I will try to do much better at keeping this blog updated...especially since I know at least 1 person reads it. :) I am setting a goal of updating it weekly...that might be a little ambitious but I will try! I also will attempt to get some pix up on the blog...to break up the monotony and to give you a visual window into my world! :)
8 Days at KAA
I recently returned from Kids Across America with 34 students from my neighborhood.
This camp is incredible. The facilities are great, the programming is excellent, and the staff are top of the line! Not only did the Lord accomplish alot in our kids lives - several gave their lives to the Lord for the first time, others were challenged about reconciliation in relationships, forgiveness and living their lives to please Christ not their friends - it was a wonderful rest for me from the battle that seems to be raging all around me.
The Lord brought me face to face with some of the things I had been "too busy" to think about and started the process of healing the hurt I have felt towards Him from him not meeting some of the expectations I have of Him. I realized through a game of spades (spades is a very spiritual game) :) how hard it is for me to trust someone when they don't make the decisions I am expecting or think they should make. So if you ever see me doing that...feel free to call me on it! :)
26 hours in a bus with 39 others (including other leaders) can be a very bonding experience. :) I returned home at 3:00 am only to re-awaken for a full day of class at 7:30 the same morning. It was a fantastic experience let me tell you! :) If I wasn't the ONLY student in the class, I might have stayed home...but since the professor flew in from South Hamilton just to teach me, I thought it might be important to roll out of bed and get to class. :)
Our whole group on our way home at our favorite eating establishment. None other than Micky D's.
Jason, MaryAnn, Cecil and myself. Cecil is a counselor at KAA this summer. He has been very connected with our kids...keeping in touch with many of them outside of camp. He is going to spend a month of his summer break hanging out with us in Jax (right after he leaves KAA).
Our fearless leaders!
The students loved spending time at the pool!
Our High School kids representin' their locker (cabin) numbers.
This camp is incredible. The facilities are great, the programming is excellent, and the staff are top of the line! Not only did the Lord accomplish alot in our kids lives - several gave their lives to the Lord for the first time, others were challenged about reconciliation in relationships, forgiveness and living their lives to please Christ not their friends - it was a wonderful rest for me from the battle that seems to be raging all around me.
The Lord brought me face to face with some of the things I had been "too busy" to think about and started the process of healing the hurt I have felt towards Him from him not meeting some of the expectations I have of Him. I realized through a game of spades (spades is a very spiritual game) :) how hard it is for me to trust someone when they don't make the decisions I am expecting or think they should make. So if you ever see me doing that...feel free to call me on it! :)
26 hours in a bus with 39 others (including other leaders) can be a very bonding experience. :) I returned home at 3:00 am only to re-awaken for a full day of class at 7:30 the same morning. It was a fantastic experience let me tell you! :) If I wasn't the ONLY student in the class, I might have stayed home...but since the professor flew in from South Hamilton just to teach me, I thought it might be important to roll out of bed and get to class. :)
Our whole group on our way home at our favorite eating establishment. None other than Micky D's.
Jason, MaryAnn, Cecil and myself. Cecil is a counselor at KAA this summer. He has been very connected with our kids...keeping in touch with many of them outside of camp. He is going to spend a month of his summer break hanging out with us in Jax (right after he leaves KAA).
Our fearless leaders!
The students loved spending time at the pool!
Our High School kids representin' their locker (cabin) numbers.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Yes, I'm Sure!
My sister and I have become the mom's/aunties of 2 puppies. Pitbull puppies to be exact. They are very cute. As soon as I remember to bring the digital camera in, I will put a pic up for you to see. We have gotten alot of questions to the affect of: "Are you sure you want to do that? Pitbulls are mean. You aren't safe."
Funny thing is - that was very similar to my dialogue with people when I decided to move into the inner city. "Are you sure you want to do that? There is a lot of crime. You aren't safe."
People often expressing fears based on our oh so reliable source of the money driven, sensationalistic media...not too much from real life experience.
Besides safety is relative...and a little bit boring. While it can be scary getting too near the edge of the cliff, the view is breathtaking, the feeling is exhilerating...I feel like I am really living. What was the famous brave heart quote? Every (wo)man dies but not every (wo)man truly lives... :)
I want to live today in a way that will make eternity just as breathtaking and exhilerating!
Regardless of whether the claims of unsafety are true or not (which I truly believe most of them aren't)...God hasn't promised me safety...not in this life anyway.
And so I respond with much confidence, "Yes, I'm sure!" :)
Funny thing is - that was very similar to my dialogue with people when I decided to move into the inner city. "Are you sure you want to do that? There is a lot of crime. You aren't safe."
People often expressing fears based on our oh so reliable source of the money driven, sensationalistic media...not too much from real life experience.
Besides safety is relative...and a little bit boring. While it can be scary getting too near the edge of the cliff, the view is breathtaking, the feeling is exhilerating...I feel like I am really living. What was the famous brave heart quote? Every (wo)man dies but not every (wo)man truly lives... :)
I want to live today in a way that will make eternity just as breathtaking and exhilerating!
Regardless of whether the claims of unsafety are true or not (which I truly believe most of them aren't)...God hasn't promised me safety...not in this life anyway.
And so I respond with much confidence, "Yes, I'm sure!" :)
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