Missing Pieces

I've been missing... sorry about that. Let me 'splain. No. There is too much. Let me sum up:

JAMAICA

Amazing. God made some very clear comments to my heart. Not as clear as I'd like, but clear none-the-less. I had an amazing time despite sweating every moment of every day - including while I slept, ate, worked, and even showered. We're talking dripping down my back as I ate my tiny breakfast at 8 in the morning. Met amazing people who inspire me to follow God's leading and watch what happens, worked with kids who were so excited to hang on us and be loved by us that everything we did/said/showed them was an instant hit, painted, was exhausted, and bonded with some of the coolest students on the planet. Don't know when my next adventure will be, but even now thinking back on my experience there with God, I can't wait to see how He uses me next.

SUMMER DAY CAMP

The reason I never blogged about Jamaica. I came home, I rested for A day. I did enough laundry to get through the week. I worked countless hours making sure we were prepared for Day Camp. This was my life for the next 3 weeks. Oh, and prepping for the fall ministry year. Yeah, cuz there isn't too much to do for that, is there? No. Of course not, silly.

VACATION AT THE LAKE
My saving grace this summer. It was the thing I looked forward to most after Jamaica. It was my time for rest, for recovery, for revitalization. I went with my mom and spent 9 & 1/2 days walking, reading, sitting in the sun, eating junk (spoiled Americans), taking pictures of God's glorious creation, talking with my grandparents, and relaxing (what a concept). It was wonderful.

A DAY WITH THE KIDDOS

I spent my first day back from Minnesota with my brother's family - my beautiful niece, my two adorable nephews, the best sister-in-law a girl could ever hope for, and (one of) my sweet brother(s). Pictures, tickling, laughing, hugging, Elmo-and-silly-song watching joyfulness.

FALL PREP AT WORK and beyond...

Yup. It came fast, it came crazy, it came expected and yet unexpectedly busy for some reason. I have now begun as a leader with our youth group, my small group (which I am also leader of) has switched gears, and I have helped my friend get some of our church's singles events going. It's been amazing, but I have not had a free weekend since ... August 18th. I have been out of town with friends, family, other youth leaders.

Today, in the midst of the last week of September (what??? where did the time go??) I realized I hadn't written here since JULY. (#epicfail) The summary now complete, I vow to be more regular again. Last year was a sad showing. This year has been positively pitiful. Let's make it look a little better before it leaves us, shall we?

Until next time...what have you been up to since July?

And you thought it was Spring...

silly rabbit.

I know this is a bit redundant - I've said it a few times today - but seriously? SNOW?? in APRIL??? Nice April Fool's joke for us, as that's the forecast for tomorrow. 

Yeah, I know, I live in Chicagoland and we have 2 seasons, winter & construction. In reality, we actually have a couple weeks of spring and fall - whether you believe it or not. And it tricked us, as it always does. We had a (literally, one) week of beautiful, sunny, mid-50s to mid-60s weather. Then it got colder again as expected, and the threat of snow is always there when the overnight temps lie around 20-25. But as it gets closer to April, we all always hold out hope that it won't snow again. Of course, it always does. How have we not learned this?
Hope springs eternal.

And the sun comes back on Saturday.

San Diego Conference - Promise (finally) Fulfilled

First, I said this.
Then, I said this.

...and it's not Monday night as promised - it's Thursday... forgive me. Ok, here we go.

We left on a Sunday morning. I swear our (main) flight attendant was Mike Rowe. Without hair. Once we'd been picked up from the airport, we went to lunch in Ocean Beach, which culminated in some interesting "calamari" that looked more like a flat piece of rubbery plastic under the eggs Benedict, and tasted about the same. Fortunately, I had a very tasty zucchini sandwich. mmm. that kind of goodness could make me a vegetarian very easily. Then we walked on the beach in the sun, and tried not to fall asleep standing up. It was breezy - ocean and all that - but nice. Then we stopped for a little ice cream and I bought the necessary salt water taffy to take home.

Once at the hotel, we simply unpacked and relaxed for a couple hours until our first session of the conference. Surprise! We got to enjoy Tim Hawkins, a fabulous Christian comedian who literally had us laughing so hard we were crying for 45 minutes straight. Still, so funny. "I don't know where that snort came from! I've never done that before!! I have a pig in my soul that just won't come out!"

The sessions the next day were wonderful - the worship was great, the speakers were amazing, the topics were fabulous. I felt like God had designed my schedule - it was just what I needed to hear. This includes one speaker I heard 3 times (and was glad to). I went to ones on prayer, leadership, and rejuvenation along with a few other topics mixed in. I was encouraged by hearing that I don't necessarily have to "stay put" to be staying in God's will.

We also got to go to dinner one night - the same Mexican restaurant we went to last year in Old Town San Diego - and hear our 'friends' the singers (for tips) play some songs for us - complete with cheesy grins, singing along, and laughing.

I was able to enjoy the sunshine (and get the tiniest bit of color) in many ways. One of the best was that one night when we went to La Jolla ("la hoya" to those who need pronunciation help) for dinner, we stopped to listen/look at the waves in the dark - and realized those "rocks" on the shore were seals! We went to dinner then at a place called Azul, which was expensive (woah) but delicious. The next morning before we went to the airport, we went back to La Jolla to watch the seals and take pictures - and found out 2 babies had been born the night before, just before we were there. Amazing.

Then, of course, the flight home had its own interesting little bits. First, we sat by the same man on the way home as we did on the way there (passenger) and had some laughs over that. Then, again, we had a pretty funny flight attendant (a woman, this time). At the end of our flight, she sang a little song (to the tune of I love you, you love me from the Barney show) "...marry one of us and you'll fly free..." followed promptly by laughter from the passengers, to which she said, "You'd better clap, or I'll sing again." We all laughed louder, and clapped immediately.

Overall, it was a good time to hear from God, enjoy His creation, and find some time to rest, relax, and refresh. Thanks be to God!

I believe I made a promise....

One that I have not yet fulfilled.

Here is the promise.

Here is part of the reason it hasn't been fulfilled.

And now, the new promise:
The fulfillment is coming.

Tomorrow night.

Coming Soon...

Update on the conference to San Diego.

In other words, I'll be posting the eventful/insightful/interesting/hilarious/cool parts of the past 4 days (March 14-17).

Look for it.
You know you want to.

Sun & Fresh Air...

I love sun. It makes me happy.

Not happy like I want to sit in it forever and get cancer, but happy as in, skies are blue, birds are singing, flowers are blooming, I can open my windows and let the fresh air in.

Maybe that's it. I love fresh air. IT makes me happy.

That's what is the best - even if it's raining, I love fresh air. Have you ever taken a walk in the rain? In a sprinkle? In a downpour? On purpose? So fresh. And very nice.

Today I left work for a break to run to the bank, and I had a very hard time getting in my car to drive there. Then, when I returned, going back into the building to go back to work was just as hard! But, I anticipated the end of the day and walking back out into that perfect fresh air and sunshine so much. Ah, perfect day. So wonderful! Definitely taking a walk when I get home.

I know this is contradictory as you are online to be able to read this, but I strongly encourage you to turn off your computer and go outside. Enjoy the fresh air. Whether it's raining or sunny where you are, it doesn't matter. Take a book, or take a walk, or a run, or whatever else you would like, and sit under a tree or under an awning if you have to, whatever, but get out there.

And the good news is, tomorrow in Chicagoland will be fabulous as well! 70 degrees, more sunshine. So if you're in that vicinity, there's really no excuses! ;)
Then, the next time it's raining, I challenge you to put on a sweatshirt and a raincoat and some good shoes, and go outside. It's a wonderous experience.

Oh, fresh air, how I love you.