Wow!

So, the Fellowship Dinner has come. . .and gone. Thank you for all of your prayers - it was an amazing evening of both celebration and a call to action. Things went so smoothly and people really seemed to enjoy the program. Dr. J.P. Moreland did an excellent job addressing the parents and community members and hearing him talk got me re-aligned and re-excited to go out and reach college students for Christ. He called the Campus Crusade for Christ ministry at Cal Poly and Cuesta the #1 college ministry across the nation (he has spoken at over 200 colleges in the states. . .I didn't even know there were that many :)!) because of our commitment to reaching the lost AND building the faith, through intellectual study (he is referring to our theological library of over 600 books for our students to read, research, and reflect on in order to strengthen their faith in a post-Christian culture), of our students. His remarks were so encouraging, but also very sobering - there are many more who need to hear the Good News of Christ.

From a details standpoint things went smoothly as well. There are definitely a handful of things that went differently then I would have expected and liked them to go but if I keep the right perspective and remember that God knew exactly how the night would go before it even happened then I can't help but thank Him and give Him all the glory. I really have learned so much about event planning and what it takes to pull off a night like this - it takes a lot of planning and prayer!

So, all this to say that - our fundraising goal for the evening was met, and slightly surpassed!! I am in awe of the generosity of people and am energized to know that so many consider this work on the college campus to be of great importance. We have a fantastic team of people standing behind us and allowing us to be the hands and feet of Christ to our students.

At this point there still are some tasks to complete. Sending out letters to all of the guests who attended (and those who didn't, we had 10 no-shows) in order to follow-up with their commitments and to thank them for giving and/or attending the evening. Also, I need to wrap some things up with the hotel and the caterer before we pay the bill. However, my "fellowship dinner to-do list" has never looked so short. . .there really is light at the end of the tunnel. :)

On another note, it was so nice to have my parents at the event. The enjoyed the company of the people at their table (I strategically placed them with agriculture oriented parents) and simply having them there made the evening that much more special and meaningful for me. They got to meet some of the people I work with as well as hear a lot more about the need for college ministry and what the Lord is doing here on the Central Coast. This morning my mom and I went to go get pedicures together. . .my first one ever!! And it might be my last, it just wasn't relaxing for me - I'm too ticklish! However, it was very fun that my mom wanted to go together, her treat. Afterwards we met up with my dad for a late breakfast and now they're on their way back to the valley. I am blessed to have the parents that I do.

And now, on to a fun and relaxing couple of days (not that the last couple of days haven't been fun, but they certainly haven't been relaxing!). My dear friend Stacie and her family are in town so I'll be meeting up with them today - I'm so excited to celebrate Grandma's 85th with them! In the next couple of days I am also getting a hair cut, having dinner at the home of a wonderful family from church, and having my Bible study girls over for a pizza making party. I hope your next couple days will prove to have moments of fun and relaxation as well!