Time Away From the Front Lines

Finally the new year is beginning. Right after the holidays on the 4th of January I went straight to Young Life Winter Training at Sharp Top Cove in Jasper GA. It was basically a week spent studying Systematic Theology with 250 other Young Life employees. It was so much fun and I learned so much about how to take God's word and tangibly live out His commands and His will daily. To be completely honest when I was flying from Killeen to Atlanta I dreaded being in a camp with all of those people with no time to be alone. But, by the second day in camp I was sooo excited to be surrounded by so many people who love the Lord and love kids. There was never a time of solitude even when we were having "Quiet Time" with the Lord, which actually meant sitting in a room with 5-10 other people while spending time with Jesus, ha ha, but I loved every second of it. Which is a crazy statement coming from me... an introvert. I met so many wonderful people and am so grateful that God provided that break up in the mountains where I could just be in community with people my age and with God. It truly was a mountaintop experience.... an R&R of sorts... some time away from the front lines of ministry. A time to recenter and remember why we are doing ministry in the first place and what this is all about. It is all about relationships with one another and the Lord!!

Here are some pics from the week:

(Another blessing a snow storm came through the area which actually stranded us in the mountains an extra day which was a blessing in disguise. More time to forge relationships and be alone with God. The snow was gorgeous!!)

Christmas Party

Sorry that I haven't written in a while. The Holidays got hectic but they were great! It was fun to celebrate with all of our kids. In December we had an amazing Christmas party. We had an ugly sweater contest, Christmas chain making race, snowball fight, and Christmas carol singing with chem lights. It was a ton of fun! We also had a family style Christmas dinner with some of our leaders and volunteers. Here are some pics from over the Holidays!

Cookies and Clay

We held a Christmas cookie decorating and Christmas Ornament making party this Saturday. We decorated dozens of sugar cookies and were able to give them to a group of carolers that were going caroling throughout Fort Hood. We also molded our own Christmas ornaments out of clay which are going to be cast in plastic later this week. It was sooo much fun and extremely relaxing. I am going to have to start sculpting in my free time. :)

Here are some pictures from the afternoon:

Hollywood Here We Come!

Today at Arts Night we finished taping for our drama presentation for Christmas club next Wednesday. It is going to be epic!! We had so much fun. We moved into the kitchen of the chapel tonight, which was amazing. We were able to set up 4 different sets throughout the room for different scenes and shot everything in an hour. Today we do Christmas skits and tomorrow Sundance Film Festival!

What is the Christmas skit about? you ask... I will give you a hint. It has giant sunglasses, palm trees, a coffee maker, barbies, and some elves!! Get Excited!!

Stay Tuned!!

Time Goes By So Quickly

This time last year I was trying to get used to being in Fort Hood. I remember being excited and scared and nervous all at the same time. I didn't know many people and didn't know what to expect when it came to ministry. Now I sit here in my apartment with a year of ministry under my belt. I think about all of the friends that I have made... well the family really and about all of the wonderful things that I have seen God do here. This first year was full of learning and at times was really difficult, but right now I am certain that this last year has only been preparing me to be ready for 2011. I am excited and can't wait to see how this year pans out.

Things God has been teaching me this year:

1. To work for Him and Him alone and to put Him opinion and direction above those of the world.

2. To trust that I don't NEED to work for Him. He loves me just the same no matter what ministry looks like, no matter how many mistakes I make, and no matter how much I fall short. Cause I always will...We all fall short of His glory.

3. To allow myself to be transparent with people and open up to people even if they are going to leave in 8 months.

4. To be the person left behind. I have always been the person who is leaving and now I am having to learn to be the one that is left behind.

5. To trust in His plan even when it looks different from what I had imagined

6. To be more patient (I am far from where I should be)

7. That when He says that He takes care of our needs He really means it. We just have to trust Him and let go of it.

8. That I cannot guide someone to a place that I have never been.

9. That sometimes the people who are the hardest to love are the ones that you are called to.

10. That I am just as lost and in need of Him as everybody else!!!