The Fall is conference season in Crusade world. It starts with Fall Retreat and then we move on to conference-o-rama which I just came back from yesterday. I attended 3 conferences, but thankfully they were all back-to-back and at the same lovely location in Ontario, CA. I really had such an amazing time! Intern conference was such a felt-need for me, at times it feels isolating to be the only intern on my campus. . .it was so sweet to connect with all the first and second year interns in our region. We heard from great speakers, gave feedback on our experiences, and had a blast together. Then came regional staff conference where the approximately 200 staff of our region got together for fellowship, refreshment, vision, and guidance. We got to hear from the National Director of Campus Crusade which was such an honor. . .it's nice to know that head quarters in Florida is thinking about us out here on the west coast. And then came Crossroads, my all time favorite conference that Crusade puts on. It's for juniors and seniors - the Lord always moves in big ways at this conference, this year was no different, and I believe He moved in the biggest ways in the history of this conference. Once again, several great speakers, an awesome worship band, lots of sweet one-on-one significant conversations, late-night fun, and more. Oh how I love college students - especially when their focus is to love and serve the Lord completely, so exciting to think what God will do through their fully surrendered lives in light of eternity! Because Thanksgiving is a few short days away (made a turkey burger for dinner in preparation) here are a few of the many things I have been thankful for lately:
- the completely undeserved gift of the forgiveness of our sins
- flying to and from Ontario
- a new friend, my sweet roommate at the conference
- unexpected blessings
- the warm southern cali weather
- my mini staff team
- the Word and how God uses speakers to illuminate Himself
- Chipotle chips and guacamole
- students choosing to obey and follow the Lord as workers into the harvest
- family to head home to tomorrow
Well, a very Happy Thanksgiving to each of you! I love that no matter the circumstance we will always have countless things to be thankful for as believers. I am thankful to God for you!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Hello!
Hi friends. . .it has been a while, as usual. :) And as usual a lot has happened. The most exciting praise report is that Kelly, one of the girls in my freshmen small group, is now a believer!! We hung out one-on-one yesterday and she told me that she made the decision to begin a personal relationship with Jesus about a week after Fall Retreat. Praise God - and now please continue to pray for her, that she would grow in her faith. She once was lost and now is found! I just ordered a bible for her and we'll beginning meeting once a week for follow-up lessons on foundational truths that will help her to grow.
Another cool aspect to the week has been hanging out with nonbelievers and bringing them steps closer to making their own decisions for Christ, like Kelly just did. Pray for Afsoon, Alison, and Cailyn in particular. God is at work in the lives of students at Cal!
I am about to board a plane to head down to Ontario, CA for a slew of conferences. . .intern conference, regional staff conference, and crossroads - a conference for juniors and seniors, helping them to apply biblical principles to decision making for their future. Pray that the 144 students signed up would really hear from the Lord this weekend (particularly Maria and Lucky, the two students going from Cal) and that many would be led to intern or join staff in our region for the coming year. This is an exciting time! Pray that I too would continue to hear from the Lord about the direction He is leading me in for the coming year or so of my life.
Last week I spoke at our large group meeting and I thoroughly enjoyed doing so! The process of preparing and practicing was both fun and challenging and then actually giving the 30 minute talk was such a joy. It helped that I was speaking on a topic that I have been learning a lot about since coming here, unashamed love. Not sure if speaking at large group meetings is an area of giftedness for me, it's possible, but either way it's so fun to grow in this area and I'll get more opportunities to do so next semester.
The application process for summer project opportunities is up and running and we have students applying which is so encouraging! Pray for Justin and Melissa as they fill out their applications for Ocean City (NJ) Summer Project and please pray that Rebecca, Natalie, Kim, and many more girls and guys would go together and spend a summer serving and growing in this way!
So, things have been pretty encouraging here lately - thank the Lord! I personally am doing well, as well. Really enjoying my church and the fellowship there, making time for good swims/runs/workout classes through the YMCA which has been fun. Baking up a storm as usual. Setting aside quality time for my personal relationship with the Lord which is always God-glorifying and re-energizing.
And now I'm off to pack and head to the Bart station, which will take me to the train station - oh, how urban I've become. :) I'm so excited to see many friends, be refreshed, and see God move through this conferences. Hope you have a great rest of the week/weekend as well!
Another cool aspect to the week has been hanging out with nonbelievers and bringing them steps closer to making their own decisions for Christ, like Kelly just did. Pray for Afsoon, Alison, and Cailyn in particular. God is at work in the lives of students at Cal!
I am about to board a plane to head down to Ontario, CA for a slew of conferences. . .intern conference, regional staff conference, and crossroads - a conference for juniors and seniors, helping them to apply biblical principles to decision making for their future. Pray that the 144 students signed up would really hear from the Lord this weekend (particularly Maria and Lucky, the two students going from Cal) and that many would be led to intern or join staff in our region for the coming year. This is an exciting time! Pray that I too would continue to hear from the Lord about the direction He is leading me in for the coming year or so of my life.
Last week I spoke at our large group meeting and I thoroughly enjoyed doing so! The process of preparing and practicing was both fun and challenging and then actually giving the 30 minute talk was such a joy. It helped that I was speaking on a topic that I have been learning a lot about since coming here, unashamed love. Not sure if speaking at large group meetings is an area of giftedness for me, it's possible, but either way it's so fun to grow in this area and I'll get more opportunities to do so next semester.
The application process for summer project opportunities is up and running and we have students applying which is so encouraging! Pray for Justin and Melissa as they fill out their applications for Ocean City (NJ) Summer Project and please pray that Rebecca, Natalie, Kim, and many more girls and guys would go together and spend a summer serving and growing in this way!
So, things have been pretty encouraging here lately - thank the Lord! I personally am doing well, as well. Really enjoying my church and the fellowship there, making time for good swims/runs/workout classes through the YMCA which has been fun. Baking up a storm as usual. Setting aside quality time for my personal relationship with the Lord which is always God-glorifying and re-energizing.
And now I'm off to pack and head to the Bart station, which will take me to the train station - oh, how urban I've become. :) I'm so excited to see many friends, be refreshed, and see God move through this conferences. Hope you have a great rest of the week/weekend as well!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Week 12
Clearly Cal is on the semester system because it's week 12 here, in SLO we only went til week 10. Endurance is needed! Hello friends. Sorry it's been so long. . .once again! Since I last wrote I have come back from Holland, spent a couple days on campus, and then took a long weekend trip to SLO. . .and have no pictures to show for myself. I know, awful. But I can tell a few quick stories so here I go:
- Holland was awesome, absolutely no regrets! Yes it was quite the whirlwind and I seemed to spend most of my time traveling but it was completely worth it. My grandma's funeral day had many parts to it and I'm just so thankful I got to be a part of the process. During the service the pastor did a beautiful job of sharing the Gospel which was definitely a highlight of the whole trip! Also, it was so great to connect with the many aunts, uncles, cousins, and cousins' kids at a family dinner afterwards. Dutch people are so cool in their love for family, we need more of that here! Another highlight actually happened when I got back into San Fransisco on Monday. . .my parents surprised me and were waiting for me when I got off the plane. So awesome! We had a good time eating many of the goodies I brought back with me. Oh, and jet lag was basically nonexistent which was such a blessing!
- My time back in Berkeley was busy with prayer meetings, discipleship, evangelism, writing my newsletter (if you want a copy let me know!), as well as voting and seeing students respond to the outcome. . .pretty unforgettable.
- And then I was off to SLO for a couple of days. I had such an amazing time connecting with old friends, hanging out with students, getting my hair cut, spending time with my brother, enjoying meals with different families from church and supporters of my ministry, and more. Though the weekend was jam-packed I would not have wanted it any other way. It was so refreshing to be around people who really know me in a place that I really know and love dearly. I am realizing more and more that these little getaways are so crucial in terms of renewing my vision and calling to ministry. I'm looking forward to another trip back to SLO already!
- And here we are, back in Berkeley. Last night was a pretty rough transition because of a discouraging small group Bible study I tried to lead. I am continually needing to remind myself that God is at work and this is going according to His perfect plan. But couldn't it be a little more fun? :) Well, change is always on the horizon and with some talk about next semester at staff meeting I think that next semester may just be a little more enjoyable. If not I will choose to continue to persevere and glorify the Lord in the midst of the madness. On that note, I need to get going - sophomore girls coming over for dinner and Bible study tonight, need to prep for this week's discipleship times, and write the talk I'm giving (on unashamed love) at our large group meeting this Thursday. Please pray!
I'd love to hear of some highlights of your past couple of weeks so if you get the chance shoot me an email or phone call, I'd love it!
-
- Holland was awesome, absolutely no regrets! Yes it was quite the whirlwind and I seemed to spend most of my time traveling but it was completely worth it. My grandma's funeral day had many parts to it and I'm just so thankful I got to be a part of the process. During the service the pastor did a beautiful job of sharing the Gospel which was definitely a highlight of the whole trip! Also, it was so great to connect with the many aunts, uncles, cousins, and cousins' kids at a family dinner afterwards. Dutch people are so cool in their love for family, we need more of that here! Another highlight actually happened when I got back into San Fransisco on Monday. . .my parents surprised me and were waiting for me when I got off the plane. So awesome! We had a good time eating many of the goodies I brought back with me. Oh, and jet lag was basically nonexistent which was such a blessing!
- My time back in Berkeley was busy with prayer meetings, discipleship, evangelism, writing my newsletter (if you want a copy let me know!), as well as voting and seeing students respond to the outcome. . .pretty unforgettable.
- And then I was off to SLO for a couple of days. I had such an amazing time connecting with old friends, hanging out with students, getting my hair cut, spending time with my brother, enjoying meals with different families from church and supporters of my ministry, and more. Though the weekend was jam-packed I would not have wanted it any other way. It was so refreshing to be around people who really know me in a place that I really know and love dearly. I am realizing more and more that these little getaways are so crucial in terms of renewing my vision and calling to ministry. I'm looking forward to another trip back to SLO already!
- And here we are, back in Berkeley. Last night was a pretty rough transition because of a discouraging small group Bible study I tried to lead. I am continually needing to remind myself that God is at work and this is going according to His perfect plan. But couldn't it be a little more fun? :) Well, change is always on the horizon and with some talk about next semester at staff meeting I think that next semester may just be a little more enjoyable. If not I will choose to continue to persevere and glorify the Lord in the midst of the madness. On that note, I need to get going - sophomore girls coming over for dinner and Bible study tonight, need to prep for this week's discipleship times, and write the talk I'm giving (on unashamed love) at our large group meeting this Thursday. Please pray!
I'd love to hear of some highlights of your past couple of weeks so if you get the chance shoot me an email or phone call, I'd love it!
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