Fall Retreat is here!

Hi friends! Wow - what a week. The Lord definitely took me THROUGH some valleys and I am seeing my roots grow deeper and deeper in Him as a result. He is so faithful to be purposeful with every single day of our lives, both the good and the bad. I have a renewed active desire to remain steadfast in Him and I'm excited to have the armor of God at my disposal (Eph 6). Let's put off the old and put on the new as we head into this weekend!

My weekend will consist of many wonderful things. . .Lake Tahoe, an awesome speaker, 32 students from Cal (our staff team prayer faith goal was that between 30-40 students would go, if we include ourselves we're right smack-dab in the middle at 35!), a total of about 200 hundred staff and students (from UC Davis and Sac State as well), a thrift-store dance, a so many fun life-change moments!

If you'd like to pray. . .here's how:
- Safe travel. Students will be coming in at all different hours, some very late - pray for safety on the road as well as God-glorifying fun during the drive (about 3 1/2 hours from here)
- Jim Sylvester is our speaker. . .have heard great things. Pray that the Holy Spirit would give him the exactly words that each and every student (and staff :)) need to hear. Pray for energy and wisdom as giving 3 powerful talks in 2 days is certainly a God-sized job.
- Pray for the freshmen that are going. Well, first praise God for the freshmen that are going! :) Kim, Christine (both Christians but not sure which campus ministry they want to be a part of), Kelly (a nonchristian), and Frances (a believer who's struggling at Cal) from my small group are going! Pray that each of these girls would experience life change and a radical commitment to Christ that carries over back at Cal.
- Specifically for Kelly. . .I've had several chances to share the Gospel with her (the last time was through a phenomenal video - check it out, http://www.juststopandthink.com/) but she has yet to surrender control of her life to Christ. Pray that she will this weekend! Pray that God would use whatever/whoever it takes - including other students and the beauty of His creation at Tahoe.
- Pray for me. For the right balance of serving and ministering to as well as taking the time to be ministered to first and foremost by the Lord. It certainly is a "working weekend" for me and can be very draining but I want to be intentional with my conversations with each and every student. Pray for wisdom, and ability to connect, discernment, and the fruit of the Spirit to be present through me. . .all for God's glory!

Your prayers really are heard by the Lord and used to further His Kingdom. Thanks for praying in faith on behalf of the students, staff, and particularly myself. I know He is daily using you here and I'm so thankful for you! Now off to the thrift store to find something to wear for this dance. Then I'll be ready to pick up some students and hit the road. Have a great weekend!