baseball and antler chandeliers

We headed to a Rockies/Dodgers game in Denver last night. Got caught in a hail storm on the way, quite exciting! Fun seeing a game at a different stadium but I don't want to talk about the outcome. We did get a great wave going all the way around the stadium - that was fun!

We've been going to a church called "Agape Outpost". I just had to snap a picture of the sanctuary, complete with wooden beams and many antler chandeliers. Only in Colorado!

Off to prepare dinner with a couple of students I recruited to help. Later tonight one of the staff couples is giving a talk about relationships - should be great!

California girls

It's been fun representing California well with my fellow staff girl (at USC) Casey. So thankful to be at Greek Summit with her - and maybe one day we'll see a Greek Summit start on the west coast! That would be great for students in our "pacific southwest" region. Later tonight we'll be sure to cheer for the LA Dodgers playing the Rockies in Denver. We're all going and it should be a blast! Before then we'll be striking up conversations about spiritual things with people in Breckenridge. The students have been getting lots of great training in how to have Gospel conversations and how to share their stories of what God has done in their lives. I'm excited to see what the Lord will do during this time. Ok, off to write a couple of post cards and go for a little hike. I hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Spa Day!

Hi friends,

The day us girls at Greek Summit have been waiting for has arrived - we're going to Vail to have a spa day! I'm getting a mud wrap - just a little nervous, should be interesting to say the least.

Things are going really well. We had a great women's time last night - learning about idolatry, making good things ultimate. Many of us, myself included had "light bulb" moments. I just love that as I have the privilege of pointing women to Christ I get to grow as well.

Ok, well - this is a short one, our morning meeting starts in 1 minute so I need to head down stairs. Each morning we start with some worship, then a talk (today's is on "service and sacrifice"), then some reflection time, and then another talk (Casey's speaking on "being in the world but not of it"), lunch, and then community groups. That brings us to 2 PM - so as you can tell the days fly by!

Would love your prayers as I finish preparing for my talk tomorrow on God's/our heart for the lost and the world. Big topic!

Will Berry If Found

It's a very windy Sunday here in Breckenridge, seems appropriate on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-3). So thankful that God has made His home in us as believers, by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, thanks to Christ's death on our behalf.

It was also SUPER windy while white water rafting yesterday - but we still had so much fun, and are all rather sore today. One of the guides told us that because of the wind we ended up paddling 10 times more then on a calm day. In the picture I'm toward the back right, with the yellow helmet and sunglasses (that was the first time I've worn a wet suit, quite flattering).

Our guide, Will is pictured on the back left. Let me tell you a story about him. So, I momentarily forgot that his name was Will and was seated near a red bag (I'm assuming it had rescue/safety gear inside) that said, exactly like this:

Will Berry

If Found

Return to Noah's Ark Rafting Co.

Well, I proceeded to have a long and loud conversation about how Berry was spelt wrong because that's a fruit, and how it should be "Bury". It's curious to me why someone should bury this bag when they found it, and then how that someone would return a buried bag to the rafting company. And then, all of a sudden, it hits me that "Will Berry" is the guide's full name and I've been (unintentionally!!) making fun of him this whole time. Oops! :)

Hope you're having a lovely Sunday!

The Gospel

It is so fun and refreshing to be with a concentrated number of students who love the Lord! Yesterday I met with my two other girls, Allie and Marie. Both shared their sweet stories with me, I'm always humbled when someone chooses to let me in on their pain, as well as God's redemptive work in their lives.

The students meet in community groups every week day, using curriculum called "The Gospel-Centered Life". I was reading one of the articles this morning and here's a quote that really stood out: "As my understanding of my sin and of God's holiness grows, something else also grows: my appreciation for love for Jesus. His mediation, his sacrifice, his righteousness, and his gracious work on my behalf become increasingly sweet and powerful to me. The cross looms larger and more central in my life as I rejoice in the Savior who died upon it". So true!

I'm missing out on two weddings today, sad! Tiffany, a college friend who I met in the dorms, and Melissa, a student I discipled/mentored at Cal Poly, are both making significant commitments to godly men today and I'm just so excited for them. I look forward to seeing pictures on facebook soon!

These students, that quote, and thoughts on marriage all are reminding me of the beauty of the Gospel working itself out in every aspect of life, as it is intended to.

Merritt

How cool is her name? Merritt just finished her freshmen year at the University of Texas at Austin. She is so fun! She is a Chi Omega - and comes from a long line of Greeks in her family. Next year she'll be helping to lead a small group Bible study for freshmen Chi O's and that's so exciting. Our first hang out this afternoon was so encouraging. We looked at Psalm 16 - one of my all-time favorites. It was so fun to chat with her about who we are in Christ and what the means for our lives.

Yes, at times I can get nervous about these opportunities to impact these women's lives but I know that as long as I keep it Christ-centered and rooted in the Bible we're good to go. I love showing them that I'm not perfect and just as much in need of God's love and grace as they are. If they have a question I'm not sure how to respond to I'm not afraid to let them know that I don't know/have the answer or I need some time to think about it. Also, the power of Christ works through me so I have to trust that He'll work, even when I don't say things right or what I say comes across wrong.

So, the reason I'm going to head back to California with an accent is that everyone else, staff included, is mostly from Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana - no native Colorado peeps in our group. Although, the locals are great. After our hang out at Starbucks (it's the highest one in the world!) Merritt and I were walking back to the condos and this local woman began franticly whispering and pointing at us. At first we were very confused but she was letting us know that there was a Momma fox and 2 of her babies playing near by. So cute!

Well, we're doing a progressive dinner with the students tonight. Should be fun! Dessert a couple nights ago was brownies, last night it was birthday cake for one of the students, and tonight it's store bought pie. . .we're not afraid to keep it simple out here.

Time to go - here's Psalm 16 in closing. . .

You Will Not Abandon My Soul

1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you." 3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. 4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips. 5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. 6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. 7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. 8 I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand arepleasures forevermore.

Summer time?

This is the view that greeted me when I woke up this morning! It was 30 degrees and snowing. For fun I checked the weather in Orlando, Florida (where I'll be for the 2nd half of my summer) at the exact same time (well, I guess that not entirely true because of the time difference) and it was 77 degrees. . .that's a whole 47 degrees warmer. Oh dear!

I have arrived!

I wrote here exactly a week ago, while in my lovely hometown. . .and now I'm in a whole other state! And boy, my boy's definitely letting me know it's not in it's element. Altitude sickness is real my friends - we're just shy of 10,000 feet here.

Breckenridge, Colorado is so beautiful. We are surrounded by huge snow-covered mountains and cutesy shops, restaurants and ski lodges. The clouds are fluffy and the wind is crisp . . . good thing I packed (way too much as usual) lots of cold-weather clothes.

I am so loving getting to know the staff I'm working alongside as we prepare for the students arrival tomorrow afternoon. Everyone has been so nice and welcoming toward us (Casey's on staff at USC) California girls. . .and their thick southern accents are just going to take a little getting used to. Who knows, I may even come home with one!

I love how Gospel-centered our project directors, Brandon and Jenn, are. . .we will definitely be focusing on the main thing, Jesus, these next couple of weeks. At staff meeting this morning, Brandon spoke a little on God's unconditional love for us (1 John 4:7-8) and his great delight in us because of Christ, and how that's not based on anything we do. Such refreshing truths that I hope these students will walk away with a deeper understanding of as well.

Speaking of students, I will be mentoring 3 girls from 3 different states (Texas, Virginia, and North Carolina). I am so excited to get to know them, speak grace and truth into their lives, and encourage them to step out in faith in their Greek chapters on their campuses. I am also looking forward to learning more and more about the Greek culture through the experiences of these men and women here - trusting that the Lord will show me what, and how, to implement different ideas back at Cal. Oh, and white water rafting is happening this Saturday - just a tad excited about that as well!

That's it for now - off to a staff dessert/getting to know each other time. . .and I'm going to continue chugging lots of water. Oh, let me know if you have any questions and I'll blog in response. And I do hope to post some pictures as the days go on so come on back y'all (I've heard this said countless times by the staff the past 24 hours)!

Thoughts on a Tuesday. . .

Eek, this week is flying by! I'm in my hometown, hanging with fam and (supposed to be) prepping for a summer project that I leave for in less then a week. I'll be on the staff team of Greek Summit in Breckenridge, CO. Giving a couple talks, putting on a banquet, mentoring women, and learning tons about the Lord and Greek ministry right alongside the students. Excited!

Thinking about heading out to Colorado brings back lots of memories of last summer, at New Staff Training in Fort Collins, CO - what a great couple of weeks that can never be re-created. I'm sure I've forgotten a lot, but some random things I'm remembering right now are painting with Jen and Cara, turtle cookies in the cafeteria, thinking I was going to die while walking back to the dorms from a shakespeare play (yuck, still not a fan) in a major thunder storm, rodeo in Wyoming, not being able to read Lecrae's lyrics fast enough, white water rafting. . .ok - this list really could go on and on.

It's crazy to think how poor my memory is - how quick I am to forget things both small, and more concerning, big. Basic things too - like the steadfastness of God's love, the fact that He is in control, and that ultimately it's the eternal things that really matter. Oh man, I loose perspective, that's for sure. Good thing God is gracious and patient toward me - how I want to grow in living out His grace and patience toward myself and others!

So, I'm kinda getting into coffee - gasp! Well, I had my 2nd frappe-chino (ha, I don't even know how to spell it - that's what spell check just told me, still doesn't look right. . .) today. Craziness! I learned my lesson from last time and went for de-cafe, oh dear - I was a shaky, head-achy mess. Got one with a sweet friend at Starbucks because from now until May 16th they're doing half-off fraps from 3-5pm. However, I have decided that I probably should do my best to stick to tea - so much healthier, and still cheaper. Gotta love being Dutch!

Speaking of being Dutch, if my Oma (mom's mom) were alive she would have turned 90 today. In honor of this wonderful woman I asked my mom I teach me how to make her Appeltart (I guess like apple pie, but nothing like you've tasted - for one, there's rum in the recipe!) and in doing so we converted the recipe from grams to cups and now I can make it for all of you. Don't ask for the recipe though - top secret. :) So so tasty, we shared it with some neighbors tonight and it was fun getting to know them.

Do you ever get overwhelmed by the number of people in the world?! If I stop and think about it too much I go kinda crazy. Not only are there all these literal neighbors to get to know in my parents neighborhood but there are countless neighborhoods like it. . .all over the world. It's not like I need to get to know everyone but still - the thought of so many people living, feeling, experiencing, eating, talking, etc at the same-ish time is, well, overwhelming. Once again, thankful that God is truly in control, working in each segment of society world-wide, asking me to simply be faith-filled and obedient to the things He's called me to.

It's paragraphs like the one above that explain, in part, why living in a big city is not my favorite thing. The long country bike ride I went on this morning soothes the soul - well, if I ignore the part where I almost blew over because of a semi-truck that flew by me. Oh, and in case anyone wonders if there truly are happy cows in California . . . yes, there are - I love the contrast of their colors against the bright green grass and the crisp blue skies as they contentedly chew their cud and watch me go by. Oh, the simple life of a cow. Glad I'm not one but they're fun to admire none the less.

Ok - lots of thoughts on a Tuesday, thanks for tracking with me. . .and keep my wonderful students in your prayers, they're in the midst of finals - yuck. Good night!