I'm Back!

Hi friends! Just wanted to let you know that I made it back to Berkeley safe and sound yesterday afternoon. Had an AMAZING time experiencing God's creation, faithfulness, and redemptive plan in East Asia. Words, and even pictures, simply will not do justice to the things I saw, tasted, heard, smelled, and experienced. . .but in the coming days I will try to give you more words and pictures nonetheless. As for now, this girl is tired and trying to beat jet lag so it's off to bed. Have a blessed week!

Spring Break!

Today is the start of Spring Break for our students. . .sadly they still have midterms to study for and papers to write due when they get back, but nonetheless it's a break! My teammate, Deb, and I are off to East Asia today. Our flight leaves SFO around 3PM and we'll be gone until the 29th. We are going to visit the 2 STINT (Short-Term INTernational) teams that we are connected with (Cal grads and Cal Poly grads/students) out there. The hope to is to minister to them and minister alongside them. . .as well as to bring back vision for what God's doing world-wide to our students here. Please pray for us throughout the week! We'll be doing a TON of traveling so pray for safety, strength, and direction as we explore several different cities. Also, pray that we'd be a blessing, not a burden, to the teams that we're visiting. . .would we know how to encourage and exhort them in their last 4 months of ministry out there. I am so excited for this adventure and know that this opportunity to see what God's up to in East Asia is a HUGE blessing. I promise to take pictures and to update you on the trip when I get back. God bless!

Hats

I am the wearer of many hats. . .sometimes in the actual sense (just got a cute one for my birthday!) but most often in the figurative sense. Take today for example, some of the hats I wore were:

- banner maker
- roommate
- walker
- spiritual leader
- newsletter writer
- friend
- driver
- email sender
- daughter
- tea drinker
- staff application filler-outer
- volunteer
- reader
- ministry partner developer
- photographer
- learner
- blogger
- trip planner

And the list could go on. I'm sure yours goes on and on too. My job requires me to develop many different skills and do many different things, often simultaneously. Sometimes I love this, and other times I don't. But what I do know is that this type of to-do list day in and day out leaves me with 2 options. Either rely on my own strength, be discouraged and sinful. Or rely on the Lord's strength, take courage, and walk in step with the Holy Spirit. . .the only One who can give me the power to live this life in a way that's glorifying to God regardless of how many hats I'm asked to wear.

And the reality is that the number of hats will probably change over time. Some hats will no longer be worn (hoping to have the staff application done by Friday!) and others will be added to the mix (wife and mom, perhaps?). Each hat is designed by the Lord to uniquely fit who He's made me to be. . .doesn't mean that it's easy to wear the hat but it means that He's allowed me to wear it and wants me to wear it with hope and courage, knowing that each hat along the way is so purposeful.

Ok, a little cheesy. . .yes. :) BUT, true nonetheless, don't you think? Well, it's time to put on the hats of tooth-brusher, reader, and sleeper. . .many more hats await me tomorrow. With that I tip my hat to you and say "Good Night"!

Growth

I love the idea of growth. I love that God has made us in such a way that we can grow; though there are seasons where we don't because we choose not to. Or, there are seasons where we do grow but because we're in the thick of it we can't tell that we have just yet. Or there are seasons where it's just so obvious. Like the new little leaves that are pushing through the buds on the tree that I'm looking at outside of my window. Or like precious little Kate, the toddler on our staff team who has recently started walking. Those are very outwardly visible signs of growth. But often, and especially in the case of spiritual growth, the growth process begins and really never ends. . .at the heart level. It may not be immediately apparent on the outside but if you're a disciple of Christ, one who loves and obeys Him. . .it's happening, and that's just so exciting! Growth takes a lot of grace, a lot of truth, and a lot of time. But it's so worth it.

Today, as a result of reading Romans 6, I've been growing as I think through what it means to have new life in Christ. Doubt that anyone saw the growth as the day went on, and goes on, but it's happening. It's a process, a journey, but one I want to be on. Especially as I'm graciously and truthfully reminded by the Lord that my sin led to spiritual death, eternal separation from my loving Creator King. That is, until I died to sin when I appropriated Christ's death on the cross for me. And not only did I die to sin. . .but just as Christ rose victoriously from the grave, so have I. . .and so will I as I continue to "walk in the newness of life" (Romans 6:4). I just love that. I just love that life in Christ will never grow old, it will always be new. Granted I hope and pray that I will grow more wise, but not old. Old is tired, worn-out, approaching the end. But in Christ, I get to be new in Him always. . .and forever, there is no end. So, in this sense I'm not growing old. . .I'm growing new! How cool is that?

Spring has Sprung

Yep, it has arrived (well, not according to the calendar. . .but oh well!). Beautiful blossoms on trees big and small. The smell of nature in the crisp air. Green hills rolling as far as the eye can see. How I just love this time. ESPECIALLY after getting to go home for the afternoon yesterday. It's as if I was blinded to the breathtaking beauty of the Central Valley as a child, there's nothing like it. It's particularly enjoyable when you've got your awesome mom and a cool Dutch international student in the front seat of an old orange Volkswagen bug. And oh, did I forget to mention that it's a convertible. To feel the sun on my face and the wind through my hair as we drove down curvy country roads. . .the Lord knew exactly what I needed in order to take a break. Here are some pictures so that you can experience some of the sights with me:

Ok, I couldn't quite choose my favorites. Our Sunday drive took us to one of my favorite places, the home of my "grandparents". . .well, they're my fake grandparents I suppose but just as special to me none the less. Since all my relatives live in Holland finding some fake ones here is totally necessary. :)

And as for this Dutch international student I speak of. . .well, 2 of our students met her during "Bear Share" this past week. Through a conversation she told them that she is a Christian - then she came to our Weekly Meeting on Thursday night and I got to meet her there. I had already been planning on going home and it just made sense to invite her to go with me. Well, I think she just might be my long lost older sister. She fit in so perfectly! And my parents are great hosts, they know how to make a person feel comfortable. . .and eating good Dutch food always helps too. Sadly, she's only here for a 6 week exchange via the University of Leiden - can't wait to visit her there. Spending time with Nelleke was yet another reminder of how I just love being Dutch, wondering how God wants to use this love of mine for His glory down the road. We have plans to hit up my favorite Pakistani restaurant in town before I leave for East Asia (she'll go back to Holland while I'm gone) next Friday. I'm stunned that it's coming so fast and there's so much that's going to happen before we leave. Instead of stressing over this, here are some ways you could be praying :)

- I'm speaking at our Weekly Meeting this week (thurs), from Philippians 3 (verses 7-9 will be my focus). Pray that the Holy Spirit would give me understanding, clarity, and wisdom as I prepare and speak. I really enjoy speaking but also get a tad nervous!

- I'm attending an all day intern/new staff training time in San Francisco on Thursday, pray that I would be able to be all there and grow in my heart for God and how He wants to work in and through our lives.

- This weekend is our Women's (and Men's) Overnighter. . .I'll be speaking there as well. Also, there are a lot of logistical details to work out in terms of schedule, food, activities, etc - pray that God would lead the way!

- Lastly, for now, pray that I would keep the Lord's perspective (I love John 13:3) as I serve Him here. It really is such an insane blessing to help students grow toward beginning a relationship with God (like Jenny, Cailyn, and Alison, pray for their salvation!) and then grow to know Him more (pray for Cynthia and Denisse specifically this week). But I want to be in close communion with the Lord as I do so, we cannot live this life by our own strength. . .I am daily reminded of this reality.

Ok - this is long, thanks for reading and praying. I hope you get a chance to enjoy God's beautiful creation in many different ways this week!

Drum Roll Please. . .

I'm so excited to show you our new logo for Cru at Cal. It's so snazzy and I just love it, I hope you do to! So, without further ado:

As for a little explanation. . .we're a movement (headed somewhere!) on campus with a focus on evangelism and discipleship. The tree can signify that we desire for students to be rooted and grounded in Christ as they grow in Him during their years here and beyond (the BUILD aspect of our strategy). The birds breaking free can signify both freedom in Christ because the bonds of sin have been broken (the WIN aspect of our strategy) as well as the idea that as believers we are called to spread our wings and are to be sent out to tell others about our amazing Savior (the SEND aspect of our strategy).

Nolan Henderson is the designer of this logo and he's done such a great job! He's also a great friend and an awesome hubby to my dear friend Rebecca. They both support God's work at Cal in many ways and I'm so thankful for them! Check out more of Nolan's work at www.eternalvisiondesign.com and keep him in mind for your next creative project.

Now I'm off to figure out how to get a banner made. . .and then it's time to spruce up our website (www.CruatCal.com), but thankful I'm not in charge of that! :) It's so fun to see things both change and come together over the course of our (meaning the staff team) first year here. Thanks for being a part of the ride. Have a blessed Saturday afternoon!

What to write?

I want to write. . .it's been a while but I'm not sure what to say. Well, I'm sure something will come out as I type away. :)

I am beginning to realize that I've only experienced the tip of the iceberg in terms of the amazing diversity at Cal. Last week I went to the Intercollegiate A Capella Competition. Yesterday I went to the Intercollegiate Bollywood Dance Competition. Both events, though very different, really were used by the Lord to remind me of His heart for people in every nook and cranny of the world. And really, the university campus, at least here, is such an amazing taste of what's offered world-wide in terms of diversity. At least 57% of the campus is not Caucasian and therefore many of the 700+ student groups are tailored to those with various ethnic/cultural ties. It is a blessing to be surrounded by so many people so different from myself as I know that I am getting a clearly picture of what heaven will look like one day - it's going to have people of every tribe, tongue, and nation - how exciting! Oh - and I've been reminded of what a joy it is to work with college students who are so talented and passionate about where they've come from and where they're going. Now to help them see that it's the Lord who's created them and that He desires for their citizenship to be in Heaven forevermore.

I have so much to learn in every way. I have so much to learn about the students here, their stories, the city and it's ins and outs, and simply life in general. At times I feel overwhelmed with how little I really know but I am reminded that the Lord knows us completely and it is He alone who will grow me in "knowledge and all discernment" (Philippians 1) ultimately of Him and His ways. Praying that this will be a week where we all grow in our love for the Lord and gain more insight into His perspective on all things. Hope you're Sunday evening is a good one!