The end of summer is never that sad for me; I love fall and even really enjoy winter until mid-February or so. The change in seasons brings another thing I love ... football!!
I was just reflecting on my summer and realized something- even though I just stuck around Minneapolis and didn't think the last 3 months were that great, I had some awesome experiences!
My summer truly began when I sent 150 college students and Cru staff off to their international summer mission projects. I worked so much that week that I was able to take a 2 day holiday over Memorial Day weekend to relax and recoup from a crazy spring (it took two days just to unwind and stop thinking about work!).
Rest was a good idea, because the next weekend of June 5 I ran my first half-marathon! I was nervous, but so pumped for the challenge. I ran a majority of the race and finished in just over 3 hours.
The next weekend I found myself at Lake Okoboji with old friends from a med-student Bible Study I was a part of during my final year in Vermillion. Wonderful to spend hours in theological conversations along the lakeside! I came away from this weekend very refreshed, and the worst leg sunburn I've ever had.
At the end of June I was able to catch a Twins' game with my brother Joel and two friends from the regional office. We had a blast, and I don't even remember if the Twins won.
Another highlight of the month was discovering the TV Show Parks & Recreation. If you've seen it, you know what I mean. Hilarious! I had a couple Parks & Rec TV marathons during June and have now seen all 3 seasons (46 episodes...about 15 hours total). :)
I spent the July 4 weekend in Minneapolis, meeting with our finance coordinators for each summer missions project. I didn't really mind working over the holiday weekend; all the meetings went exceptionally well and I was able to catch 3 fireworks shows simultaneously at Lake Calhoun with a friend.
Ten days later, I packed up Sawyer Stratus and took off on a 2 week road trip. I spent a night in Des Moines with college friends, and then 2 nights in Omaha with more college friends. Then it was off to Ft. Collins, CO for our every-other-year US Staff Conference. over 5,000 staff were present at a 10 day training and leadership event, where we heard from interesting speakers like Francis Chan and David Platt. We also learned of the new name for Campus Crusade in the US: Cru. On the way home I stopped in Omaha again, and then spent 2 nights in Vermillion with more college friends.
Once I got home, August 1 came and so did preparations for my big brother's wedding on August 6. He married a wonderful woman, and I'm so excited for them to begin their new journey together (and to finally have a sister!!). A few days later, I took an unexpected trip to Sturgis, SD. I made the 10 hours drive with a friend overnight, which was something I'd never done and would be fine never doing again. It was crazy to be out in Sturgis during the Harley Davidson rally.
Mid-August found me meeting with my Operations Team to gear up for another year of ministry. It was so great to be back with my coworkers, such a privilege to work with an awesome team of people who bring me closer to the Lord and help me develop professionally. That weekend I took a quick trip home to share my faith journey and ministry calling with a church in my hometown. The pastor's wife works with Student Venture, the high school ministry of Cru.
Last week we had a regional office staff fun day on Lake Minnetonka and I got to venture out on a sailboat for the first time. It was windy but still a lot of fun. Last weekend my brother Joel came up and we took in the Vikings/Cowboys pre-season game, (my first nfl game) which was a ton of fun. I kid you not, I almost teared up when I walked in to the Metrodome and saw the field. I seriously love football.
And this weekend I will head to Sioux Falls to visit friends and take in the Lifelight music festival. I haven't been in a few years and always have a fun time.
And that was my summer. And this was my 600th post! Incredible how time flies.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Paper Calendars
Say what you want about phones and technology, but sometimes you just need a paper copy of something. I'm in the process of lining up 10 Day Vision Trips for the next school year. To keep myself organized in all of the planning and preparing for numerous trips at different times through the year, I keep a yearly calendar posted in my cubicle. Certain tasks have to be accomplished 90, 60, 45 and 30 days out from a trip, so using a yearly calender helps me stay organized (and keeps me sane!)
Since it's a new school year I needed a new one, so I just went online and found a great resource, and I thought I'd share it with you: CalendersThatWork.com You can select whatever format you'd like (over 100 options), and each of those options can be customized further. You can also start the calender on whatever month you'd like.
Once you're done selecting your options, the calendar will download into a Word file and you can print and/or save a copy. I know Word also has a calender program/template in it, but this website was more efficient and easier to use, in my opinion.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Vocation.
I was just reading through a list of quotes I wrote down at one point in my life and came upon a great one by the theologian Frederick Buechner - 'vocation is where our greatest joy meets the world's greatest need.'
I hadn't written down who said it, so (of course) I googled it. To my surprise I stumbled upon a blog post written by a professor about this quote, vocation and how our passions play out in different ways.
The blogger gives us two takeaways when thinking about our passion and our calling on life that struck a chord with me:
It's a good, quick read - feel free to check it out here: Vocation
I hadn't written down who said it, so (of course) I googled it. To my surprise I stumbled upon a blog post written by a professor about this quote, vocation and how our passions play out in different ways.
The blogger gives us two takeaways when thinking about our passion and our calling on life that struck a chord with me:
- we can live out our vocation even in the most uninspiring surroundings
- pursuing our passion is not an excuse to burn ourselves out
It's a good, quick read - feel free to check it out here: Vocation
Thursday, August 04, 2011
Wedding Bells
Around 36 hours from now, I will be heading to my brother's wedding! I was talking about marriage tonight with my roommate, and how significant events change our perspective, passions and purpose in life. Marriage is one of those events for sure, and having kids. I can't imagine the sacrifice that goes into preparing for and being a parent. You're always a parent, forever. Irreversible life change that brings sacrifice and blessings and challenges and memories. I'm so excited to celebrate my brother's marriage to a great gal this weekend. (And, I finally get a sister after 25 years of only brothers!)
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
Leaving A Legacy.
One of my favorite moments of the 2011 CCC US Staff Conference was the night of the 60th Anniversary celebration. Up on the stage sat an adorable, gray-haired woman. The MC (left) shared with us that Nancy (right) spent much of her life as a missionary with her husband Mark. The two served with the PCA in Brazil for 50 years. She was a nurse, and her husband Mark was a pilot. They used his plane as an ambulance to take care of people with machete wounds, snake bites and bullet wounds.
The MC asked Nancy how she was affiliated with Campus Crusade. Nancy was pursuing religion and truth while in college, so she went to a meeting at the house next door to her sorority house. After the meeting, a woman approached her and asked if she enjoyed the meeting, and if she had any questions. Nancy said she'd never placed her faith in Christ, and when the woman asked if she's like to do so, Nancy said she would.
The two women met frequently that year, and on December 2, 1952, at 11:30 in the morning, Nancy became a Christian during her sophomore year in college at UCLA.
Nancy wrote to this woman every year, even while living in the jungles of Brazil, to thank her for her impact in her life.
This woman who shared with her was Vonette Bright. Nancy was the first person to come to Christ through Vonette...ever. Vonette was so encouraged by this experience, she continued to share her faith on the UCLA campus. She was scared to do so, but she "did what Bill told her to do" (her exact words). Vonette didn't know it, but Bill kept track of her faith sharing journey. The next 100 people she shared the Gospel with placed their faith in Christ. Incredible. And now, 60 years after that appointment, the two met on stage at the US Staff Conference.
You never know how one conversation can change a life. And how that one life will impact the world.
The MC asked Nancy how she was affiliated with Campus Crusade. Nancy was pursuing religion and truth while in college, so she went to a meeting at the house next door to her sorority house. After the meeting, a woman approached her and asked if she enjoyed the meeting, and if she had any questions. Nancy said she'd never placed her faith in Christ, and when the woman asked if she's like to do so, Nancy said she would.
The two women met frequently that year, and on December 2, 1952, at 11:30 in the morning, Nancy became a Christian during her sophomore year in college at UCLA.
Nancy wrote to this woman every year, even while living in the jungles of Brazil, to thank her for her impact in her life.
This woman who shared with her was Vonette Bright. Nancy was the first person to come to Christ through Vonette...ever. Vonette was so encouraged by this experience, she continued to share her faith on the UCLA campus. She was scared to do so, but she "did what Bill told her to do" (her exact words). Vonette didn't know it, but Bill kept track of her faith sharing journey. The next 100 people she shared the Gospel with placed their faith in Christ. Incredible. And now, 60 years after that appointment, the two met on stage at the US Staff Conference.
You never know how one conversation can change a life. And how that one life will impact the world.
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
Perceptions.
A few weeks ago I watched the movie Marley and Me. I was busy doing something else, and had the movie on in the background, when all of a sudden my ears perked up.
John, the main character, was talking to his boss about the column he wrote for the local paper. He said, "I just always had this idea in my head about being a reporter (instead of a columnist)."
His boss Arnie replied, "sometimes life comes up with a better idea."
Throughout the movie, we watch John as John watches his friend Sebastian progress as a reporter and move forward in his career, while John stays put. It's obviously tough for John to watch, but he is a very successful columnist.
I identify with John, and I think all of us probably do at some point in our lives. We have a perception about something that we want to attain. Do we really want it? Or do we think we want it? And why do we want it, because it will provide us with more power or fame? Or is it a sincere desire that we have, with proper motives? It's hard to know sometimes what we really want.
How we perceive ourselves can be tricky. We may be something entirely different than we think we are. When we look in the mirror, what do we see? Is it what we really are? Do others see us in the same light?
You can’t seem to see past your own reflection
Caught up in the halls of your introspection
And you’re staring at your mirror on the wall
Asking “who is the fairest of them all?”
‘Cause Lord I know, it’s not me
If only you could see that you’ve already been set free
Well you say “hold on, if I could just try this one thing.
Well I know I can change and that would change everything”
But a house made of mirrors never helped you see any clearer
It’s yourself you can’t see past
And Lord, isn’t that just like me?
If only we could see, that He’s already set us free
Well come on, come on
Let’s throw our mirrors down
Yeah come on, come on
Let’s shatter the glass on the ground
-Tenth Avenue North//House of Mirrors
John, the main character, was talking to his boss about the column he wrote for the local paper. He said, "I just always had this idea in my head about being a reporter (instead of a columnist)."
His boss Arnie replied, "sometimes life comes up with a better idea."
Throughout the movie, we watch John as John watches his friend Sebastian progress as a reporter and move forward in his career, while John stays put. It's obviously tough for John to watch, but he is a very successful columnist.
I identify with John, and I think all of us probably do at some point in our lives. We have a perception about something that we want to attain. Do we really want it? Or do we think we want it? And why do we want it, because it will provide us with more power or fame? Or is it a sincere desire that we have, with proper motives? It's hard to know sometimes what we really want.
How we perceive ourselves can be tricky. We may be something entirely different than we think we are. When we look in the mirror, what do we see? Is it what we really are? Do others see us in the same light?
You can’t seem to see past your own reflection
Caught up in the halls of your introspection
And you’re staring at your mirror on the wall
Asking “who is the fairest of them all?”
‘Cause Lord I know, it’s not me
If only you could see that you’ve already been set free
Well you say “hold on, if I could just try this one thing.
Well I know I can change and that would change everything”
But a house made of mirrors never helped you see any clearer
It’s yourself you can’t see past
And Lord, isn’t that just like me?
If only we could see, that He’s already set us free
Well come on, come on
Let’s throw our mirrors down
Yeah come on, come on
Let’s shatter the glass on the ground
-Tenth Avenue North//House of Mirrors
Monday, August 01, 2011
Knowing What Counts.
It's no secret: I like numbers. One of my favorite ways to use numbers is by counting things. (In fact, I'd love to stop writing right now and count how many times on this blog I've started a post with the phrase, I like numbers).
I've always liked counting things. Sometimes I feel like Harold Crick from the movie Stranger Than Fiction. (I know I've made that reference at least once before on this blog...)
But I love something more than the process of counting things. I love living my life in a way that counts. Even as a kid, I knew I wanted my life to count for something. I knew that I could use my talents and abilities to do something great.
What better to do than to pursue the American Dream? The nice house, the car, a suit and heels I could wear in my corner office in a big skyscraper downtown that would make me feel powerful.
The problem with that was, my life wouldn't count for anything once I was gone. I'd earn a lot of money and spend it all on myself. It would be fun, but I forgot to count something. I only had one life, and my desire not to waste it was stronger than my desire for my version of the American Dream.
I love knowing that I count. And it's not because I do well at my job, or have a nice car or apartment or friends, or money in the bank. I count because I'm a human being, created in the image of God. I count because He loves me - not because of the good I do (which would never be enough!), but because He says I count.
All I have is one life, and this life is only a dot on the timeline of eternity. Why not use my one life to count in ways that matter after I'm gone?
In college, our CCC movement used to count how many people we shared the Gospel with, how many people we had spiritual conversations with, etc. We used to explain that to others by saying We count people because people count. It wasn't about being rewarded or chastised for your number - it was about keeping track of how many lives had been impacted that year by our small group of student leaders.
By living life in light of eternity, and impacting those around me, I can multiply my life, and really make it count.
I've always liked counting things. Sometimes I feel like Harold Crick from the movie Stranger Than Fiction. (I know I've made that reference at least once before on this blog...)
But I love something more than the process of counting things. I love living my life in a way that counts. Even as a kid, I knew I wanted my life to count for something. I knew that I could use my talents and abilities to do something great.
What better to do than to pursue the American Dream? The nice house, the car, a suit and heels I could wear in my corner office in a big skyscraper downtown that would make me feel powerful.
The problem with that was, my life wouldn't count for anything once I was gone. I'd earn a lot of money and spend it all on myself. It would be fun, but I forgot to count something. I only had one life, and my desire not to waste it was stronger than my desire for my version of the American Dream.
I love knowing that I count. And it's not because I do well at my job, or have a nice car or apartment or friends, or money in the bank. I count because I'm a human being, created in the image of God. I count because He loves me - not because of the good I do (which would never be enough!), but because He says I count.
All I have is one life, and this life is only a dot on the timeline of eternity. Why not use my one life to count in ways that matter after I'm gone?
In college, our CCC movement used to count how many people we shared the Gospel with, how many people we had spiritual conversations with, etc. We used to explain that to others by saying We count people because people count. It wasn't about being rewarded or chastised for your number - it was about keeping track of how many lives had been impacted that year by our small group of student leaders.
By living life in light of eternity, and impacting those around me, I can multiply my life, and really make it count.