Golly I'm a slacker.. or blogs just don't do it for me anymore.. or my own blog at least.. But reflecting is a good thing.. something I do without the blog.. but here goes!
Aug- The big move.. again.. back to Florida to give teaching and Christians another shot. Fort Myers is familiar. I know people. People love me there. They are excited to have me.. after what happened in Austin, this is the environment that I need. The month is great. It's like I never left. Teaching is so much fun. The beach is wonderful. And I'm enjoying Nicole and Shiner and the city.
Sept- Boys soccer beings.. coaching boys is a little nutty. We have a fun pep rally at school. I've figured out how to watch Uconn football games and the NY Yankees online! We also take a road trip to Tampa to see the Yankees and Rays. We're meeting some neighbors too. I also decide to get my hand checked out again.. It still hurts... after all of these months.
Oct.- A routine is established. I'm digging the church here. I'm really enjoying school and people. There are weekly trips to Moes and Bw3's. I take a quick trip to Austin to reconnect and celebrate Whitney Miller!!!!!!! and Nicole decides to join the National Guard.. whoah I know.. The Spring will be very different now.. Trying to not think about that though and trying to enjoy the now. I check out a Surfers for Autism event.. fantastic!! and even do the Discover classes at Next level. I decided to start serving in the kids zone.. :)
Nov.- Mom comes to visit! We do the walk for Autism Speaks. I sign up to coach a Challenger baseball team in the Spring. Boys Soccer at school ends and I get a quick break before basketball begins. I go see a wound care specialist and he does a complete eval. on my hand.. uggggg.Let's just say cortisone shots hurt like hell. Looks like surgery is in my future. Unbelievable. Taylor swift in tampa was awesome. wow.. Then a nutty trip to Austin, Orlando and then Connecticut for Turkey fun. Then back to Orlando for Disney fun!!
Dec. - Basketball is off and running. The girls have great attitudes but not a lot of experience. It's fun having nicole coach at the school too. Things are getting nutty now. School is winding down, the holidays are coming. Nicole is leaving soon and now I'm having surgery... wow. I've loved getting involved in BeOrange.com . The weather here is awesome. Surgery.. not so much.. Golly.. then off to CT for the holidays.. or to lay very still and rest my hand.
I'm very thankful for this year of family fun, and a time to get back in the saddle and see what the lord has.. He is good. :)
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
another year 'bites' the dust... Jan- July
I like to reflect.. it helps me process and see what the Lord has done.. My rock star life is never boring.. and this year was no exception. I am regaining my voice and learning to use it again. Thanks Taylor Swift and Hope Solo for the inspiration. Part 1 ...
2011-2012
Jan. '11
Amelia and Nicole visit me in the frozen tundra of CT. We get snowed in from multiple blizzards and have a blast with Shiner. We also go to NYC!! I continue my BB coaching at Masters, Dog walking fun, and watching Uconn basketball games at the XL Center and Gampel. SO MUCH SNOW! Happy birthday Amy :). I put pressure on myself to think through whats next.. but that takes so much effort...Loved spending the holidays with the fam!
Feb. '11
Dog business continues to grow and thrive. I am dressed head to toe in snow gear but am enjoying it. I also love my Young Explorers class at church. Concussions have hit my team hard. So hard in fact, that we have coined the phrase 'concussed'. It is hard to see the girls struggling and missing school with headaches and dizziness. BOO CONCUSSIONS! Planning for Sports Camp begins. It's great to be with my church during the planning stages. Future.. Connecticut? Church Planting? Back on Campus? Kids? Teaching? Will the Village join me??
March '11
UT spring break an only mean one thing!! Amelia and Nicole are coming to visit!!! And we're staying in the Castle!! And there is snow! CT Whale and Uconn games, watching Griff play soccer, and Ultimate Frisbee begins. Throw in a surprise trip to Austin for Centex, family birthday fun, and lots of dogs, and the month flies by!
April '11
Final Four fun in Indy with Nicole. We see the Indy 500 track, LATZ :), and Uconn upset by ND.. so sad. Texas A&M wins it all, but Howl at the Moon cheers us up! :) Coaching Ultimate Frisbee is a challenge but I'm enjoying the players. I'm holding down the fort while my parents go to Florida, when I'm stopped in my tracks. During a Doggy consult I'm attacked and bitten by a dog :(. Ambulance, ER, doctors, pain = no fun zone. I try to keep up the business but need help. Dad, Tracy, and Nicole to the rescue! But I'm in a lot of pain and my right hand is useless. Griff starts baseball and I try to keep up with everything, but by Easter I'm rethinking the dog business and thinking about what to do.. maybe teaching.... Nicole seems up for a move but Amelia has landed a job!! A Real job! YAY!!
May '11
Frisbee gets more challenging. So many doggy friends. My hand hurts so much. I'm very tired. I put some feelers out about jobs in CT but don't hear much. I reconnect with old friends in Florida and a job opportunity pops up. Fort Myers? Again? HMM? Off to Texas to celebrate Amelia and Nicole (and others) and have a meltdown at a wedding. Too many faces... Thankful for the Tooleys, Haugs and Allison Brown to pick me back up. They say Florida... but I don't know..
June '11
Masters Athletic Banquet. Great to see the kids from VB, Basketball, and Frisbee. I am bummed there is not a job opening there and am confused why the Lord wouldn't open that door. I keep on keeping on and go back and forth on whats next. Griff starts soccer , Gianna graduates from Pre- School and has her Dance Recital, :), Ella has a birthday, and I go see the Yankees/ Red Sox with Cheryl!!! Lots of clients, lots of family, but community is missing. Panda Mania is a blast and I'm convinced Kid's Ministry is where its at. The Gospel, the Faith, is so simple when its taught to children. God is wild about you. God made you. God listens to you. God watches over you. God loves you no matter what. God gives good gifts. I left this week refreshed in the gospel of grace. But it made me think, at what age do we add to these simple truths? At what age do we complicate and add to the gospel of grace... cause we do.. I decide to go to Florida to be back with kids, do sports and ministry, and enter back into Christian community. A big step of faith yes.. especially when I get the text from one of my players that she's been kicked out of her Christian school for admitting she is a lesbian...
July '11
This month is filled with emotions as I fight for this student athlete and fight against what I feel is an injustice, against the teachings of Jesus.. and just plain wrong!! This situation brings back all that I feel is wrong with how believers are called to live and love.. I question my decision to leave CT. I now know why a job wasn't provided at that school for me. I would have had to resign. I enjoy leading Sports Camp and being with Griff, Gianna, and cousin Carter. The UW team embraces my family, my birthday and Yankee Stadium :). I visit Florida which helps with my doubts, and I dance the night away with Michael Jackson and TC! Nicole comes and we prepare to move.. Saying goodbye to doggies and owners are sad.. goodbye to the family even more sad.. But a fun job awaits so the road trip begins! Hopefull on 3!
2011-2012
Jan. '11
Amelia and Nicole visit me in the frozen tundra of CT. We get snowed in from multiple blizzards and have a blast with Shiner. We also go to NYC!! I continue my BB coaching at Masters, Dog walking fun, and watching Uconn basketball games at the XL Center and Gampel. SO MUCH SNOW! Happy birthday Amy :). I put pressure on myself to think through whats next.. but that takes so much effort...Loved spending the holidays with the fam!
Feb. '11
Dog business continues to grow and thrive. I am dressed head to toe in snow gear but am enjoying it. I also love my Young Explorers class at church. Concussions have hit my team hard. So hard in fact, that we have coined the phrase 'concussed'. It is hard to see the girls struggling and missing school with headaches and dizziness. BOO CONCUSSIONS! Planning for Sports Camp begins. It's great to be with my church during the planning stages. Future.. Connecticut? Church Planting? Back on Campus? Kids? Teaching? Will the Village join me??
March '11
UT spring break an only mean one thing!! Amelia and Nicole are coming to visit!!! And we're staying in the Castle!! And there is snow! CT Whale and Uconn games, watching Griff play soccer, and Ultimate Frisbee begins. Throw in a surprise trip to Austin for Centex, family birthday fun, and lots of dogs, and the month flies by!
April '11
Final Four fun in Indy with Nicole. We see the Indy 500 track, LATZ :), and Uconn upset by ND.. so sad. Texas A&M wins it all, but Howl at the Moon cheers us up! :) Coaching Ultimate Frisbee is a challenge but I'm enjoying the players. I'm holding down the fort while my parents go to Florida, when I'm stopped in my tracks. During a Doggy consult I'm attacked and bitten by a dog :(. Ambulance, ER, doctors, pain = no fun zone. I try to keep up the business but need help. Dad, Tracy, and Nicole to the rescue! But I'm in a lot of pain and my right hand is useless. Griff starts baseball and I try to keep up with everything, but by Easter I'm rethinking the dog business and thinking about what to do.. maybe teaching.... Nicole seems up for a move but Amelia has landed a job!! A Real job! YAY!!
May '11
Frisbee gets more challenging. So many doggy friends. My hand hurts so much. I'm very tired. I put some feelers out about jobs in CT but don't hear much. I reconnect with old friends in Florida and a job opportunity pops up. Fort Myers? Again? HMM? Off to Texas to celebrate Amelia and Nicole (and others) and have a meltdown at a wedding. Too many faces... Thankful for the Tooleys, Haugs and Allison Brown to pick me back up. They say Florida... but I don't know..
June '11
Masters Athletic Banquet. Great to see the kids from VB, Basketball, and Frisbee. I am bummed there is not a job opening there and am confused why the Lord wouldn't open that door. I keep on keeping on and go back and forth on whats next. Griff starts soccer , Gianna graduates from Pre- School and has her Dance Recital, :), Ella has a birthday, and I go see the Yankees/ Red Sox with Cheryl!!! Lots of clients, lots of family, but community is missing. Panda Mania is a blast and I'm convinced Kid's Ministry is where its at. The Gospel, the Faith, is so simple when its taught to children. God is wild about you. God made you. God listens to you. God watches over you. God loves you no matter what. God gives good gifts. I left this week refreshed in the gospel of grace. But it made me think, at what age do we add to these simple truths? At what age do we complicate and add to the gospel of grace... cause we do.. I decide to go to Florida to be back with kids, do sports and ministry, and enter back into Christian community. A big step of faith yes.. especially when I get the text from one of my players that she's been kicked out of her Christian school for admitting she is a lesbian...
July '11
This month is filled with emotions as I fight for this student athlete and fight against what I feel is an injustice, against the teachings of Jesus.. and just plain wrong!! This situation brings back all that I feel is wrong with how believers are called to live and love.. I question my decision to leave CT. I now know why a job wasn't provided at that school for me. I would have had to resign. I enjoy leading Sports Camp and being with Griff, Gianna, and cousin Carter. The UW team embraces my family, my birthday and Yankee Stadium :). I visit Florida which helps with my doubts, and I dance the night away with Michael Jackson and TC! Nicole comes and we prepare to move.. Saying goodbye to doggies and owners are sad.. goodbye to the family even more sad.. But a fun job awaits so the road trip begins! Hopefull on 3!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
a birthday blog :)
Friday was my birthday. Giddee UP! I was sang to at camp, received fun texts and facebook posts, and even got a phone call or two (Who knew you can use your phone to call people! Wow!).
I was then asked the birthday questions. Yes, there are birthday questions! This tradition was started by the Fairback family, and I have tried to pass them on to everyone I know. The great Sarah Tooley called my on my birthday and asked me the big 3. It was fanfreakingtastic.
The birthday questions are:
You can add more or put your spin on them. But it is a fun tradition!
Here are my answers.. On this 35th birthday of mine!
1- Favorite birthday memory:
After camp a few years ago, my UW team shocked and awed me by singing me a special song. It really made my day. If you have facebook, you can see the video of this special moment!
https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/video/video.php?v=568385204570&comments
2- Highlight of my year:
After having a really rough 2010 spring and summer, the Lord led me to a great peace about moving home and spending a year with my family. In August 2010 I decided officially to leave Austin and return to Connecticut, and the head and heart finally began to rest and heal. It was an amazing time to know I was right where the Lord wanted me to be.
3- What I'm most looking forward to this upcoming year:
The Lord blessed my time in CT as I launched my own dog walking and pet-sitting business. I enjoyed being outside withe pups and having freedom and flexibility in my schedule. However, as I taught a 5-6 year old class at my church each week, I realized I missed working with kids on a regular basis. I wanted to use my gifts and talents on a regular basis again. I wanted to be in an encouraging working environment. And the Lord has provided an opportunity. :)
SO is it someones birthday? Ask them the questions!! It will make that person's day!
I was then asked the birthday questions. Yes, there are birthday questions! This tradition was started by the Fairback family, and I have tried to pass them on to everyone I know. The great Sarah Tooley called my on my birthday and asked me the big 3. It was fanfreakingtastic.
The birthday questions are:
- What is your favorite birthday memory?
- What was the highlight of your year?
- What are you most looking forward to this upcoming year?
You can add more or put your spin on them. But it is a fun tradition!
Here are my answers.. On this 35th birthday of mine!
1- Favorite birthday memory:
After camp a few years ago, my UW team shocked and awed me by singing me a special song. It really made my day. If you have facebook, you can see the video of this special moment!
https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/video/video.php?v=568385204570&comments
2- Highlight of my year:
After having a really rough 2010 spring and summer, the Lord led me to a great peace about moving home and spending a year with my family. In August 2010 I decided officially to leave Austin and return to Connecticut, and the head and heart finally began to rest and heal. It was an amazing time to know I was right where the Lord wanted me to be.
3- What I'm most looking forward to this upcoming year:
The Lord blessed my time in CT as I launched my own dog walking and pet-sitting business. I enjoyed being outside withe pups and having freedom and flexibility in my schedule. However, as I taught a 5-6 year old class at my church each week, I realized I missed working with kids on a regular basis. I wanted to use my gifts and talents on a regular basis again. I wanted to be in an encouraging working environment. And the Lord has provided an opportunity. :)
SO is it someones birthday? Ask them the questions!! It will make that person's day!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
God showed up... a look at my year... 2010-11
i have more Christmas shopping to do. my creative juices aren't flowing yet. they will. oh yes they will. i have time, in between doggy walks and uconn games, to get er done.
as i begin to reflect on the season.. god's love for sinners through Jesus.. i have looked back a bit at the year. its been a year like no other... a ton of the highest highs and lowest lows.. miracles.. deep joy and hurt...new adventures.. a lot of steps of faith... sin.. repent...believe the gospel..step out in faith..
the waltz of the christian life eh? (thank you dancing with the stars for the visual)
yet the lord's faithfulness and care have blown me away yet again. so here we go looking back at the lord's handy work. god showed up kids..
Jan: Great time with the family and shiner in CT. Road trip baby- Memphis & Harrisonburg.. and a night on a highway in Lexington.. so much snow!! Uconn games, more snow, & family time!! a new hire at the church and great hope and excitement for the year!! Amelia off to Peru! road trip training begins!! bring on the verge! poor colt :(. hang outs! hang outs! hang outs!
Feb: verge.. Haiti.. holy spirit.. rocking my world... spark group encouragement & kerby lane... road trips full and gaining steam.. intern connection team fun.. hang outs ! hang outs! hang outs! loving me some renovate ut! trivia Tuesday nights at the saucer! Special Olympics volunteering too.
March: spring break road trips!! fort myers, memphis, omaha, sherman, gonzales, piedras, beruit, D.R. oh my!!! over 120 folks trained and sent! florida or bust! then to CT for family birthday fun! then i took the long way back to TX and stopped and saw the huskies in VA! followed by an amazing and refreshing time at uw head coaches training in colorado! a lot of traveling.. but the lord is speaking as I'm on the go!
April: final four in san antonio with the family!!! huskies huskies huskies!!!!! intern recruitment and road trip follow up. SENT training begins, acts reading with the staff, the lord moving and speaking.. hang outs! hang outs! ... and a then god says enough.. my time with hill country ut ends.
May: a blur of shock, confusion, hurt, and Jesus having the wheel the entire time- emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual exhaustion. Jesus speaking so clearly its incredible.. my condo sells in a day- I've never felt the lords love more then that day in he tooleys backyard... hotel tooley saves the day (and fill my stomach) . trips to vegas w' my sis and wisconsin to see melee kick ass... the packing begins. no idea what's next.. but feeling such amazing peace and freedom.. his voice was so clear... i feel so free...
June: uw training in oklahoma.. a soothing balm to a weary soul. then finishing packing & a few goodbyes as shiner & I leave austin for awhile for a road trip to the beach, and then to memphis and virginia to be with old friends who speak truth.
July: shiner and I make it to connecticut! rest, naps on the deck and family time help me recover my strength for 3 weeks of UW sports camp in VA, CT and MA . so great to be with a UW team partnering with churches to use sports to share the love of Christ. CA CAW! birthday questions at 5 guys too! then return to CT, and reach out to a few campus ministries and church plants about the fall.. but not feeling settled in that direction at all... read 'the shack' and 'a tale of three kings'..
Aug: mental battle still tough..a week in cape cod enjoying 'eat, pray, love'. head and heart decide to stay in CT for awhile.. not sure what to do now.. but feeling rested and excited.. make contact with the master's school.. and over drinks at chili's a new business venture is pondered.
Sept: jv volleyball and varsity basketball coaching jobs! lods of love ct pet services is launched! loving your pets well while you're away!!! young explorers class begins! trip to austin to say goodbyes, watch the yankees get spanked and grab a few boxes... god is moving and healing.. and we got season tickets to uconn basketball games! also saw jennifer knapp live and chatted with her.. kansas cd plays really loud with the top down! i am home.. after 14 years away, I've moved back home!!
Oct: settling in and finding a rhythm. my home church away from home becomes home :): valley community baptist church and its saturday night service. volleyball is much more then bump, set, spike. shiner loves my parents and their comfy couch. are time with griff, gianna and ellafanfreakingtastic! feeling blessed to serve so many clients and their pups!!! and it's not that cold :)
Nov: ellie, shiner and I have fun while family is in aruba.. uconn men and women begin their awesomeness.. a very thankful holiday with the family.. and a lot of pets to love on! and the Connecticut Whale are back!!! hometown paper interview too! busy busy busy but jesus has taken the wheel. so blessed! and it's not that cold (with a few layers)
Dec: wow it's december. where did the semester go? (yes i still see life in semesters) in awe at what the lord has done to bring me to this point. his voice was so clear in the spring and his love and leading has been incredible. family. the masters school. valley. lods of love ct. and 89-0. nicole and amelia are visiting! and keith tooley is a pastor once again.. all is right with the world. happy birthday jesus! (and supposedly its cold.. but a Christmas miracle has me adjusted fine to the elements!)
yes god showed up. he spoke. i listened, obeyed, stepped out in faith.. and my goodness, his love, care and provision have been truly amazing.. i am still a stumbling, bumbling, big fat sinning ragamuffin.. but a very loved one as well.
a thrill of hope! the weary world rejoices! for yonder brings.. a new and glorious morn!!
i can't thank sarah, the tooleys, trish, jimmy & christine( go road trip!!) lisa, susan at cfrc, md, todd, justin, sam and the uw staff, susan & britton, sharon & jane, jordan, bradford & aubry, nicole, the masters school, my family & the college students enough.. they prayed for, cared for, and loved me very, very, well. may you know the love of christ more this year..
i hang out with my family. i care for and love on cats and dogs. i coach high school sports. i pick up poop. i watch uconn sports. i do px90. i teach kindergartners about jesus.
and all is right with the world... God continues to show up!
as i begin to reflect on the season.. god's love for sinners through Jesus.. i have looked back a bit at the year. its been a year like no other... a ton of the highest highs and lowest lows.. miracles.. deep joy and hurt...new adventures.. a lot of steps of faith... sin.. repent...believe the gospel..step out in faith..
the waltz of the christian life eh? (thank you dancing with the stars for the visual)
yet the lord's faithfulness and care have blown me away yet again. so here we go looking back at the lord's handy work. god showed up kids..
Jan: Great time with the family and shiner in CT. Road trip baby- Memphis & Harrisonburg.. and a night on a highway in Lexington.. so much snow!! Uconn games, more snow, & family time!! a new hire at the church and great hope and excitement for the year!! Amelia off to Peru! road trip training begins!! bring on the verge! poor colt :(. hang outs! hang outs! hang outs!
Feb: verge.. Haiti.. holy spirit.. rocking my world... spark group encouragement & kerby lane... road trips full and gaining steam.. intern connection team fun.. hang outs ! hang outs! hang outs! loving me some renovate ut! trivia Tuesday nights at the saucer! Special Olympics volunteering too.
March: spring break road trips!! fort myers, memphis, omaha, sherman, gonzales, piedras, beruit, D.R. oh my!!! over 120 folks trained and sent! florida or bust! then to CT for family birthday fun! then i took the long way back to TX and stopped and saw the huskies in VA! followed by an amazing and refreshing time at uw head coaches training in colorado! a lot of traveling.. but the lord is speaking as I'm on the go!
April: final four in san antonio with the family!!! huskies huskies huskies!!!!! intern recruitment and road trip follow up. SENT training begins, acts reading with the staff, the lord moving and speaking.. hang outs! hang outs! ... and a then god says enough.. my time with hill country ut ends.
May: a blur of shock, confusion, hurt, and Jesus having the wheel the entire time- emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual exhaustion. Jesus speaking so clearly its incredible.. my condo sells in a day- I've never felt the lords love more then that day in he tooleys backyard... hotel tooley saves the day (and fill my stomach) . trips to vegas w' my sis and wisconsin to see melee kick ass... the packing begins. no idea what's next.. but feeling such amazing peace and freedom.. his voice was so clear... i feel so free...
June: uw training in oklahoma.. a soothing balm to a weary soul. then finishing packing & a few goodbyes as shiner & I leave austin for awhile for a road trip to the beach, and then to memphis and virginia to be with old friends who speak truth.
July: shiner and I make it to connecticut! rest, naps on the deck and family time help me recover my strength for 3 weeks of UW sports camp in VA, CT and MA . so great to be with a UW team partnering with churches to use sports to share the love of Christ. CA CAW! birthday questions at 5 guys too! then return to CT, and reach out to a few campus ministries and church plants about the fall.. but not feeling settled in that direction at all... read 'the shack' and 'a tale of three kings'..
Aug: mental battle still tough..a week in cape cod enjoying 'eat, pray, love'. head and heart decide to stay in CT for awhile.. not sure what to do now.. but feeling rested and excited.. make contact with the master's school.. and over drinks at chili's a new business venture is pondered.
Sept: jv volleyball and varsity basketball coaching jobs! lods of love ct pet services is launched! loving your pets well while you're away!!! young explorers class begins! trip to austin to say goodbyes, watch the yankees get spanked and grab a few boxes... god is moving and healing.. and we got season tickets to uconn basketball games! also saw jennifer knapp live and chatted with her.. kansas cd plays really loud with the top down! i am home.. after 14 years away, I've moved back home!!
Oct: settling in and finding a rhythm. my home church away from home becomes home :): valley community baptist church and its saturday night service. volleyball is much more then bump, set, spike. shiner loves my parents and their comfy couch. are time with griff, gianna and ellafanfreakingtastic! feeling blessed to serve so many clients and their pups!!! and it's not that cold :)
Nov: ellie, shiner and I have fun while family is in aruba.. uconn men and women begin their awesomeness.. a very thankful holiday with the family.. and a lot of pets to love on! and the Connecticut Whale are back!!! hometown paper interview too! busy busy busy but jesus has taken the wheel. so blessed! and it's not that cold (with a few layers)
Dec: wow it's december. where did the semester go? (yes i still see life in semesters) in awe at what the lord has done to bring me to this point. his voice was so clear in the spring and his love and leading has been incredible. family. the masters school. valley. lods of love ct. and 89-0. nicole and amelia are visiting! and keith tooley is a pastor once again.. all is right with the world. happy birthday jesus! (and supposedly its cold.. but a Christmas miracle has me adjusted fine to the elements!)
yes god showed up. he spoke. i listened, obeyed, stepped out in faith.. and my goodness, his love, care and provision have been truly amazing.. i am still a stumbling, bumbling, big fat sinning ragamuffin.. but a very loved one as well.
a thrill of hope! the weary world rejoices! for yonder brings.. a new and glorious morn!!
i can't thank sarah, the tooleys, trish, jimmy & christine( go road trip!!) lisa, susan at cfrc, md, todd, justin, sam and the uw staff, susan & britton, sharon & jane, jordan, bradford & aubry, nicole, the masters school, my family & the college students enough.. they prayed for, cared for, and loved me very, very, well. may you know the love of christ more this year..
i hang out with my family. i care for and love on cats and dogs. i coach high school sports. i pick up poop. i watch uconn sports. i do px90. i teach kindergartners about jesus.
and all is right with the world... God continues to show up!
88-0
yes my huskies are about to (god willing) make history. the uconn women's basketball team will play florida state tomorrow night, and if they win, will hold the record for most consecutive wins by a men's or women's collegiate basketball team..
giddee up. i will be there yelling my head off and hopefully drinking in celebration afterwards.
but it got me thinking.. what would it be like to be 88-0 . to find a way to win every night you faced an opponent. no matter the talent against you.. no matter the opposing coaches game plan.. no matter the injuries or illnesses.. no matter the team you have assembled.. or changes to that team.. no matter the leadership.. or changes in that leadership.. no matter the venue.. the time.. the crowd you play before...
you find a way to win.. over seasons.. over years...
to give your all every game.. in front of 1000's of witnesses.. and to not stop until victory is attained..
and this is about basketball... a game.. a hobby for some.. a job for some..
and these are women.. the weaker, sensitive ones..
not one coach.. not one team.. has solved the uconn women's basketball mystery...
well yes heather.. since leaving austin you've gone coocoo for uconn cocoa puffs..
nah.. I've always been this nutty. (see tattoo on right calf)
but as I've cheered on my huskies from my couch and in the stands, its begun to hit me what it must be like to be 88-0..
the pressure and expectations..
but also.. why don't we all give it our all each and every day.. when witnesses are watching.. or not..
do we have an inner drive and passion that makes us stop at nothing until the goal is accomplished..
i have felt that.. most of my time in austin was like that.. when I'm coaching now i feel glimpses of it.. but i look around and don't see many with that look.. that drive.. that passion..
to go 88-0.. or strive for anything close to it..
church.. what the hell are you doing most of the time?
right right.. its women's basketball heather.. well then, where the hell is Tennessee? Stanford? unc? duke? lsu? and all the other women's basketball powerhouses?? not every all american goes to uconn. what is it about this land of storrs that has produced this streak?
freakin tree..
88-0. in basketball.. in life..
giddee up huskies...
giddee up. i will be there yelling my head off and hopefully drinking in celebration afterwards.
but it got me thinking.. what would it be like to be 88-0 . to find a way to win every night you faced an opponent. no matter the talent against you.. no matter the opposing coaches game plan.. no matter the injuries or illnesses.. no matter the team you have assembled.. or changes to that team.. no matter the leadership.. or changes in that leadership.. no matter the venue.. the time.. the crowd you play before...
you find a way to win.. over seasons.. over years...
to give your all every game.. in front of 1000's of witnesses.. and to not stop until victory is attained..
and this is about basketball... a game.. a hobby for some.. a job for some..
and these are women.. the weaker, sensitive ones..
not one coach.. not one team.. has solved the uconn women's basketball mystery...
well yes heather.. since leaving austin you've gone coocoo for uconn cocoa puffs..
nah.. I've always been this nutty. (see tattoo on right calf)
but as I've cheered on my huskies from my couch and in the stands, its begun to hit me what it must be like to be 88-0..
the pressure and expectations..
but also.. why don't we all give it our all each and every day.. when witnesses are watching.. or not..
do we have an inner drive and passion that makes us stop at nothing until the goal is accomplished..
i have felt that.. most of my time in austin was like that.. when I'm coaching now i feel glimpses of it.. but i look around and don't see many with that look.. that drive.. that passion..
to go 88-0.. or strive for anything close to it..
church.. what the hell are you doing most of the time?
right right.. its women's basketball heather.. well then, where the hell is Tennessee? Stanford? unc? duke? lsu? and all the other women's basketball powerhouses?? not every all american goes to uconn. what is it about this land of storrs that has produced this streak?
freakin tree..
88-0. in basketball.. in life..
giddee up huskies...
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Titles of books I haven't written yet...
1- For the Love
2- The Art of Sarcasm
3- How to Be a Passionate Sports Fan
4- What Really Happened (and other conspiracy theories put to rest)
5- How to Survive in the South
6- How to Survive in New England
7- Sweet Nectar of the Gods- The History of Diet Coke
8- Singleness- It doesn't have to be Akward (or suck)
9- Holy Spirit on 3 (co-written by MD)
10-How Christians have screwed up Christianity
11- Why God should hit the re start button
12- Why People Hate Christians
13- Why Jesus Hates most Christians
14- Thank God my Father Raised me a NY Yankee Fan
15- Weddings- How the World has set the cost and stolen the image of the Gospel
16- Authentic Community: The story of a Longhorn band member, Ultimate Frisbee Player, Church Staffer, Nurse, 2 dogs, 2 cats & a llama
2- The Art of Sarcasm
3- How to Be a Passionate Sports Fan
4- What Really Happened (and other conspiracy theories put to rest)
5- How to Survive in the South
6- How to Survive in New England
7- Sweet Nectar of the Gods- The History of Diet Coke
8- Singleness- It doesn't have to be Akward (or suck)
9- Holy Spirit on 3 (co-written by MD)
10-How Christians have screwed up Christianity
11- Why God should hit the re start button
12- Why People Hate Christians
13- Why Jesus Hates most Christians
14- Thank God my Father Raised me a NY Yankee Fan
15- Weddings- How the World has set the cost and stolen the image of the Gospel
16- Authentic Community: The story of a Longhorn band member, Ultimate Frisbee Player, Church Staffer, Nurse, 2 dogs, 2 cats & a llama
Saturday, September 4, 2010
# 84
Top ten's lists are everywhere.. of course they are best on Sportscenter.. Letterman is just too weird for me.. but the city of austin seems to major in top ten lists. the city seems to be on every list!
- top 10 up and coming cities
- top ten place to live if your single
- top ten greenest city
- top ten film making city
- top ten place to live in ten years
- top ten place to meet your mate (ok might have made that up)..
but everyone seems to know how cool austin is.. and over the past 5 years when i told people i lived they, their response was always, "what a cool city" or 'i've heard great things" or "that's right by san antonio and the riverwalk right?" :) . yes my coolness factor increased while living there.
But i've decided to leave austin, the #1 live music city capitol of the world.. and move home.. to the #84 best places to live :).
ok bristol.. or connecticut, actually, doesn't have any cool slogans... or the ones we do.. need a little work:
- bristol- home of the oldest wooden roller coaster
- connecticut- the nutmeg state!
- hartford- we're in the middle (of boston and new york!)
- hartford- the insurance capitol of the world
- bristol- home of espn!! (ok that does make us really cool.. and i have seen sportscenter live!)
- hartford- we used to have the hartford whalers
- connecticut- home of the University of Connecticut Huskies!!!
- hartford- part time home of some UCONN games :)
so yeah.. its no austin.. and i think you can fit like 10 Connecticut's or more into the state of texas.. but i've decided to come back anyway..
why? well leaving my job at hill country ut didn't mean i was leaving austin... and in the months following my resignation I did a lot of resting and traveling, but it was always in the back on my mind to return to austin eventually, jump in with another church and continue to hit the ground running in my burnt orange tee yelling hook em (as i secretly checked the UCONN , NY football Giants and Yankee's score :).
but then, after a month of sports camps in new england, much prayer, godly counsel, reading a small book that was recommended to me (ask me and i'll tell you), and family time ... i've decided to leave the city of austin... and move home..
god gave me 3 reasons.. although there are a few more... but the big 3 are:
1- to preserve unity
2- to spend more time with my family
3- to bring the gospel to new england and the ridiculous amount of college students and other folks up this way who think people that are way into jesus are nut jobs.. along with other things i'll tell you later..
do i love the college students at the University of Texas and do i miss them? YES! I also miss dear friends that knew my heart well.. I miss mama fu's and trivia nights.. I miss renevate ut meetings and partnering with other ministries to get all of our students on mission. i miss the village and walking shiner in hyde park...
but #84 was calling. God has been calling me 'home' for a long time. so here am! not sure for how long.. awhile i think.. will i return to austin ? yes! my stuff is still there ! but also dear people i love.. so keep your ears open for a 'heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy' really soon..
will i return for good some day? you never know.. jesus is silly that way.. but for now i have a uconn football game and ny yankee game to watch...
:)
Thursday, August 12, 2010
What I'm jamming to..
JOHN'S FIELD
Melissa Ferrick
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1aOSqA479g
Time seems slow when I'm sittin' around at home,
Waitin' for this winter to lift,
So I feel my way around my half-lit house
At dawn, 'cause I haven't gone to bed yet,
And then, oh, no! Here comes a song again,
And what's this? I think I might be cryin'.
And I know this is not about fear or fault;
It's just my need to be clear.
So would you make way, everybody?
It finally looks like I'm movin' out of here.
In my dreams, I'm flyin' over still-life scenes.
I've been eatin' strawberries in John's field,
And I wake up wearin' brand-new shoes,
And then, oh, no! Here it comes, the song again,
And what's this? I think I might be cryin'.
I might be cryin'.
If life is just a series of fallin' down and gettin' back up,
Don't forget, everybody, to wear your seat belts,
'Cause I've been speedin' around this unknown known
And sometimes I forget, too:
Life is just a metronome.
With or without me, it would all go on.
With or without you, this would all go on,
And without you, I'm gonna go on.
I'm gonna go on.
And then, oh, yes! here it comes: a song again.
And what's this? I think I'm finally, finally cryin'.
Thank all the gods for cryin'.
Mr.Gray
Jennifer Knapp
Melissa Ferrick
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1aOSqA479g
Time seems slow when I'm sittin' around at home,
Waitin' for this winter to lift,
So I feel my way around my half-lit house
At dawn, 'cause I haven't gone to bed yet,
And then, oh, no! Here comes a song again,
And what's this? I think I might be cryin'.
And I know this is not about fear or fault;
It's just my need to be clear.
So would you make way, everybody?
It finally looks like I'm movin' out of here.
In my dreams, I'm flyin' over still-life scenes.
I've been eatin' strawberries in John's field,
And I wake up wearin' brand-new shoes,
And then, oh, no! Here it comes, the song again,
And what's this? I think I might be cryin'.
I might be cryin'.
If life is just a series of fallin' down and gettin' back up,
Don't forget, everybody, to wear your seat belts,
'Cause I've been speedin' around this unknown known
And sometimes I forget, too:
Life is just a metronome.
With or without me, it would all go on.
With or without you, this would all go on,
And without you, I'm gonna go on.
I'm gonna go on.
And then, oh, yes! here it comes: a song again.
And what's this? I think I'm finally, finally cryin'.
Thank all the gods for cryin'.
Mr.Gray
Jennifer Knapp
It’s as bad as it has been
For over 20 years but then
I haven’t been here all my life
And all the wells are going dry
All the bankers saying “bye-bye, Mr. Gray,
We’re glad we met
But no money yet.”
If I show my hands
Would you watch them bleed?
Long enough to prove they are indeed in need of mercy
In need of mercy
Dawn always breaks the noonday high
Shade rarely offers alibi
Or decent rest for such a man. If I think, I can
Try harder some might say that I’m smarter
But only God knows
Only God knows who I am
Chorus
I try to laugh about it
I try not to cry about it
Mamma always hates it when I cry
What will it take to convince
This is just the road to excellence
Faith before the skeptic’s eye
I need your mercy me I need your mercy, mercy me.
Both are touring in New England too.. Lucky me!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
What I've been doing...
- Visiting dear friends in Virginia
- Trip to Yankee Stadium
- Family picnics/ birthdays
- Enjoying 85 degree weather
- Walks against fatness with Shiner
- Grilling out
- Drinking a lot of Diet Coke
- Enjoying 5 Guys Burgers & Fries
- Watching The NY Yankees with my Dad
- UW Sports Camps in New England & Virginia
- Chatting with Church Planters braving it in New England
- Researching health insurance & new cell phone services
- Thinking of starting my own business
- Drinking McDonald's Diet Coke
- Driving with Griffin in the jeep with the top down singing and doing the hand motions while the "Go The Distance" CD is blasting..
- Reading "The Tale of 3 Kings" and "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years"
- Talking to Jesus
There is no where else I could imagine being, then here. Then is nothing else I could imagine myself doing, then this.
Jesus has taken the wheel. He is good. I feel/ am so free.
:)
Sunday, July 18, 2010
I'm home...
I am home. My family is here, my dog is here, and my team of interns are here. Sports camp at my church in Avon, CT begins tomorrow and I am excited. I hope my nephew has a blast and I hope my little cousins come and watch. Were expecting over 100 kids at camp!!
Please be praying for energy, a strong loud voice, for people to feel loved, and for God to move. We will also be doing a camp for inner city kids in Hartford every afternoon!! Giddee up!
Also pray on Weds. at 1:30pm!! That's when my closing is!! Come on Jesus!!
One week in Conn. Then off to Massachusetts. Please be praying!
I also finished the book, A tale of 3 kings. It was really, really good. Thank you John Herrington, for the recommendation.
I feel good. Satan is still trying to mess with my head. Please pray that I can fight him with the truth of scripture, and stay in the now, focusing on what god is now calling me to do each and every day..
Birthday week baby!! Jesus take the wheel!
I am home.
... if we ever leave a legacy, let it be that we loved each other well... I.G.
...some say that I am much to demanding to want a better place than here... J.K.
Friday, July 9, 2010
my summer vacation :)... so far
I've been drinking.. lots of diet coke :); been doing lots of traveling; visiting old friends; hanging with the family; playing bananagrams; watching the yankees win; playing with my nephew and cousins; taking walks against fatness with shiner; laughing a lot; and preparing for camp!! it has been a great summer vacation.. so far!!! but giddee up.. sports camps are here!!!
for the 6th summer in a row, I am blessed to serve as a head coach with uw sports ministry. I will be training churches in virginia, connecticut, and massachusetts (east coast baby!!) on how to use sports as a vehicle to love on and share the gospel. i will be with a team of college students putting on 2 sports camps a day, seeing hundreds of children each week learn new sports skills and hearing more about jesus.. and having lots of fun!!
uw sports ministry is awesome!! god has used this ministry to heal and transform me, as well as 1000's of children over the years! it allows me to use my gifts and combines my love of discipling college students, teaching and coaching children, equipping the church, and connecting people to christ, his people, and his calling on their lives!!
uw sports ministry trains and equips churches in the US and overseas! The hope is to see 1 million people come to christ by 2014!! please check out http://uwsportsministry.org to see where the ministry is serving this summer and how you can pray!
I would like to ask you to pray for my team ! Here's a few suggestions:
if you would like to support me you can do it online!! just go to http://uwsportsministry.org and click on the giving link! then just follow the prompts and put my name in the memo! or you can email me and i'll send you my address to where you can send checks. all donations are tax deductible!
I will blog more in the upcoming weeks and share all that god is doing! thank you for partnering with me in life and ministry! thanks for loving me well!
-heather 'lods'
for the 6th summer in a row, I am blessed to serve as a head coach with uw sports ministry. I will be training churches in virginia, connecticut, and massachusetts (east coast baby!!) on how to use sports as a vehicle to love on and share the gospel. i will be with a team of college students putting on 2 sports camps a day, seeing hundreds of children each week learn new sports skills and hearing more about jesus.. and having lots of fun!!
uw sports ministry is awesome!! god has used this ministry to heal and transform me, as well as 1000's of children over the years! it allows me to use my gifts and combines my love of discipling college students, teaching and coaching children, equipping the church, and connecting people to christ, his people, and his calling on their lives!!
uw sports ministry trains and equips churches in the US and overseas! The hope is to see 1 million people come to christ by 2014!! please check out http://uwsportsministry.org to see where the ministry is serving this summer and how you can pray!
I would like to ask you to pray for my team ! Here's a few suggestions:
- energy
- good weather
- lots of campers!
- holy spirit to do his thing!
- safety traveling
- excited and energetic church volunteers
- that the good news of jesus to be proclaimed boldly and clearly
- that the children will fill loved
if you would like to support me you can do it online!! just go to http://uwsportsministry.org and click on the giving link! then just follow the prompts and put my name in the memo! or you can email me and i'll send you my address to where you can send checks. all donations are tax deductible!
I will blog more in the upcoming weeks and share all that god is doing! thank you for partnering with me in life and ministry! thanks for loving me well!
-heather 'lods'
Friday, May 14, 2010
a sabbaths rest..
so as i sit at the lake watching pti after a nap, it dawns on me how tired i am. I can't remember the last time i napped.. i'm not that guy... a napper.. college students nap! older, more mature adults nap! :). not heather lods!
so either the prescription meds i was put on today for my cough knocked me out, or i was really tired.. or both. :)
i am tired. and so i rested. but i also completed my list of to do's this week and came out to the lake to rest. i came to the lake for a sabbath.
god took a sabbath. and then he commanded us to take a sabbath. yeah its one of the big 10. its that important to god. jesus had no trouble restuing... i on the other hand, have a hard time resting. i, as many of you know, run and run and run and run.. til my feet fall off (shout out to mouse tales baby!) resting.. even though i have tried harder this year then any, is still very hard for heather lods...
but now i'm entering a season of rest. a sabbath season to rest, and then prepare, for a new work. recently the lord told me that my work at hill country ut was completed. i didn't believe him. no way! I hadn't helped them reach the entire campus yet! I hadn't help them connect every student to christ, his community and his calling on their lives to be missionaries yet! i had more hang outs to be had! right lord?? right???
no.
he told me that i had finished my work. he told me that it was time to leave and rest, and that it was ok to leave and rest. 4 years and 11 months after i had moved to austin to partner with some amazing people to plant a church specifically to reach the university of texas, he told me that my '6 days' of work had been completed, and now it was time to rest.
jesus.. really? really? golly... but.. ok. holy spirit on 3...
to rest, to be, to drink lots more diet coke :) to spend more time with my family, to take a sabbath. he has freed me from my work for a sabbaths rest...
this christian life is nutty. following jesus, trusting him, obeying him is nutty... most of the time i suck at it. i am faithful and loyal to people, sports teams, restaurants, walks against fatness, but stumble and bumble at this christ following spiritual faithfulness thing big time.
jesus always has to take the wheel.. he has to completely take over. and that is a good good thing. the best thing..
i want to thank hill country ut for allowing me this amazing opportunity to serve along side of them. it has been such a great joy.. golly so great. i was humbled and amazed at these folks great faith and love toward the students at UT. and they let a sarcastic ny yankees fan from new england in on their fun. they inspired me with their faith and belief that jesus would reach the city, and the campus. i have no doubt that they will! i will miss this community of believers!
i have so many memories...and my heart bursts when i think of students, dodgeballs, spring break trips. entrepreneurs, einsteins hang outs, walks, milkshakes, :) texts, the joy of emails and facebook chats, spidey sense, magical powers, renevate ut, missional communities, and just spending time with hundreds of students every semester, sharing my life and the gospel with them, and seeing jesus transforming their lives right before my eyes...
thank you jesus.
thank you for this season. to be used in your work was a humbling, incredible, joyful time. fanfreakingtastic.. amazing.. life changing..
thank you denny and bridget, for inviting me to come to austin to join the dream of hill country ut. thank you josh and erica for teaching me to worship. thank you sarah and candace for being my voice and knowing my heart. thank you adults for pouring into students and into me. thank you students for answering my emails :), for the hangouts, for not settling for less than all of jesus.
i pray that if i did leave any type of legacy at all, it was that i tried, i really really tried, to love people well... thank you for putting up with my attempt..
so either the prescription meds i was put on today for my cough knocked me out, or i was really tired.. or both. :)
i am tired. and so i rested. but i also completed my list of to do's this week and came out to the lake to rest. i came to the lake for a sabbath.
god took a sabbath. and then he commanded us to take a sabbath. yeah its one of the big 10. its that important to god. jesus had no trouble restuing... i on the other hand, have a hard time resting. i, as many of you know, run and run and run and run.. til my feet fall off (shout out to mouse tales baby!) resting.. even though i have tried harder this year then any, is still very hard for heather lods...
but now i'm entering a season of rest. a sabbath season to rest, and then prepare, for a new work. recently the lord told me that my work at hill country ut was completed. i didn't believe him. no way! I hadn't helped them reach the entire campus yet! I hadn't help them connect every student to christ, his community and his calling on their lives to be missionaries yet! i had more hang outs to be had! right lord?? right???
no.
he told me that i had finished my work. he told me that it was time to leave and rest, and that it was ok to leave and rest. 4 years and 11 months after i had moved to austin to partner with some amazing people to plant a church specifically to reach the university of texas, he told me that my '6 days' of work had been completed, and now it was time to rest.
jesus.. really? really? golly... but.. ok. holy spirit on 3...
to rest, to be, to drink lots more diet coke :) to spend more time with my family, to take a sabbath. he has freed me from my work for a sabbaths rest...
this christian life is nutty. following jesus, trusting him, obeying him is nutty... most of the time i suck at it. i am faithful and loyal to people, sports teams, restaurants, walks against fatness, but stumble and bumble at this christ following spiritual faithfulness thing big time.
jesus always has to take the wheel.. he has to completely take over. and that is a good good thing. the best thing..
i want to thank hill country ut for allowing me this amazing opportunity to serve along side of them. it has been such a great joy.. golly so great. i was humbled and amazed at these folks great faith and love toward the students at UT. and they let a sarcastic ny yankees fan from new england in on their fun. they inspired me with their faith and belief that jesus would reach the city, and the campus. i have no doubt that they will! i will miss this community of believers!
i have so many memories...and my heart bursts when i think of students, dodgeballs, spring break trips. entrepreneurs, einsteins hang outs, walks, milkshakes, :) texts, the joy of emails and facebook chats, spidey sense, magical powers, renevate ut, missional communities, and just spending time with hundreds of students every semester, sharing my life and the gospel with them, and seeing jesus transforming their lives right before my eyes...
thank you jesus.
thank you for this season. to be used in your work was a humbling, incredible, joyful time. fanfreakingtastic.. amazing.. life changing..
thank you denny and bridget, for inviting me to come to austin to join the dream of hill country ut. thank you josh and erica for teaching me to worship. thank you sarah and candace for being my voice and knowing my heart. thank you adults for pouring into students and into me. thank you students for answering my emails :), for the hangouts, for not settling for less than all of jesus.
i pray that if i did leave any type of legacy at all, it was that i tried, i really really tried, to love people well... thank you for putting up with my attempt..
Friday, February 12, 2010
Thoughts from the verge....
So I've had a few days to ponder anew, what the verge conference can do.. or has done in my head and heart. I haven't had much time to process, but here are a few things I'm chewing on:
- The 'church' is a collection of Christ-followers who gather on a regular basis to worship, pray, take communion, baptize new (and I emphasize NEW) believers & learn the scriptures... not a building.. so I'm not sure we should even have our own buildings.. it confuses Christ followers. They forget they are the 'church'.
- I'm moving to Haiti. Well not really, but the focus on the poor, the orphans, widows and the least of these was moving and convicting. But you don't need to go to Haiti to love and serve these folks. The Western 'church' must do more. I must do more.
- The 'church' spends too much time on focusing on Christians. By all means Yes for Sunday worship, teaching and communion. Yes to a small group or accountability. But that's it. You got the Holy Spirit. You got a Bible. Come on- self sustaining faith on 3!! The 'church' should then go out and redeem the culture. Sunday 9am-11am- focus on believers. The rest of the time we are sent out to serve, love, and share Jesus with the world.
- The definition of discipleship is not what you think. Over and over the speakers talked about discipleship in the context of people that don't know Jesus. Evangelism. I really thought they were speaking on the wrong topic. Nope. Just seems I had the wrong definition. Life on Life, investing your life and the gospel in someone... that doesn't know Jesus, that's discipleship!
- Missional means many things to many people.. same with missional communties...and this has led to a simple thought becoming a jumbled, mangled, mess that people think is to hard to accomplish. I mean what do you love to do? Find people who don't know Jesus that love to do it too. Hang out! Be intentional! Too complicated? Love God. Love your neighbor (or classmate, roommate, hall mate, workmate, family, friends, etc etc).
- Speakers like to wear black.
- Frances Chan is a great communicator. I hope he can move his 'church' missional. I really do.
- Ed Stetzer said it best. "The 'church' has made it acceptable to sit in the pews week and after week and do nothing, and call yourself a Christian." The American or western 'church' has said it's been born again, and knows the Living God, but lives pretty joyless, spiritless life.. Who wants that?
- Frances's, can I call him Frances? He said that when he tells his daughter to clean her room, she doesn't go pray about it. She doesn't go get some friends and do a study on it. She doesn't go memorize what he said. She goes and cleans her room! But when Jesus says do something, or don't do something, what does the 'church' do? Convicting as all get out...
- The 'church' should be the most generous folks in the world...and we should laugh the loudest & cry the hardest.
- Spiritual disciplines are needed yes, but can we rename them, or preach a lot of gospel around them? I mean whats cool about spiritual disciplines? That's gonna make someone want to give their life to Jesus? We can't reduce the faith to them.
- You shouldn't have to say missional disciples. Disciples should be missional. A Christ- follower is a missionary. We shouldn't have to beg Christ- followers to be missional.
- The biting sarcasm of Jesus is awesome. I knew he was from the Northeast! :)
- Are we for people or against them? Do we point out God's work in them? Can we find a little bit of truth & then just listen.. really listen?? I can list the people the 'church' is not for.. and so can the world.. sad :(
- Ordinary life + gospel intentionality = hanging out with less church people and instead focusing on folks that don't know Him yet
Saturday, February 6, 2010
a few thoughts...
So I went blog crazy over Christmas break, and then have been silent since.. My bad.. I had a lot of free time watching the snow fall in Connecticut with my family. But since I've been back in Austin.. Life has been nutty. That's typical in my world of college ministry. Mid Jan. until March it's crazy. Relaunching, motivating, tweaking, encouraging, gathering, connecting, praying, data collecting, spring break training, 35 day journeying, a new pastor acclimating, and then a conference... So I apologize being absent.
In the mean time I've been enjoying my dog and our daily 'walk against fatness' and my roommates- 'The Village", as we call it. I have enjoyed living in community.
However, there is a stirring inside my heart.. Been growing for awhile now.. It may just be excitement over my Uconn Lady Huskies, and the NY Yankees, but I think it's something more.
I'll be back with more thoughts.. Jesus take the wheel...
In the mean time I've been enjoying my dog and our daily 'walk against fatness' and my roommates- 'The Village", as we call it. I have enjoyed living in community.
However, there is a stirring inside my heart.. Been growing for awhile now.. It may just be excitement over my Uconn Lady Huskies, and the NY Yankees, but I think it's something more.
I'll be back with more thoughts.. Jesus take the wheel...
Saturday, January 2, 2010
2009 was a very______________ year :)
2009 was a very freeing, revealing , unbelievable , eventful , love-filled , defining , very blessed/ at times challenging but full of grace and full of growth , surprising/ life changing , surprising , fantabulous , stretching , emotionally straining , slow , interesting , odd , challenging , crazy , adventure-filled , growing/ epiphany , ridiculous , emotional , learning , radical , trial & error , revealing, humbling truths , chaotic , amazing, breathtaking , unique , emotional , eventful , learning , interesting , crazy , humbling, excrcuciatingly great , jazzy , perspectivizing , long , crazy & eye opening , anxious , nonstop , faith invoking , glad its over , unbelievably intense , good & bad , satisfying , encouraging , emotional , blessed, golden , challenging , enlightening , humbling year (not my words.. yours)
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Missional Resources- Equipping the saints to be missional christ followers that love people well
To reach our campus's, and our cities, and beyond, we need to learn from each other and train and equip the saints for the work of the kingdom.. Here are resource's I've collected that you may find helpful. The link is to a google doc with the same content! We're trying to develop missional christ followers that love jesus and people well... Holistic missionary training I call it.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AW63Pm_t9djdZGZwYjJmanJfMjVnZjloNXZoaw&hl=en
missional community resources
I also have the syllabus of our entrepreneur (missionary) training program
Books:
Exiles- Michael Frost
Radical Reformission- Marc Driscoll
Connecting- Larry Crabb
Hudson Taylors Spiritual Secret- Taylor
The Present Future- McNeal
The Shaping of Things to Come- Frost
SHAPE- Rees
ReJesus- Frost
Heart of a Servant Leader- Miller
Enduring Community- Habig
Ordering your private world- Macdonald
The Unlikely Disciple- Roose
The Enemy Within- Lundgaard
Articles:
Advancing the Gospel in the 21st Century- Keller
The Three World Views- Glen Smith
The Missional Church- Keller
Creating Community- Lance Ford
Looking Outside- Brother Maynard
Clarifying our Calling- Glen Smith
Evangelism by Networking- Glen Smith
Beginning a Conversation- Ed Stetzer
Being Intentional- Bischof
Holistic Formation- Bischof
How Can I be Missional- Emerging Grace
Gospel Discipling- Smallman
Marks of a Spiritual Leader- Piper
Cultivating a Tender Heart- Macullum
Being Intentional About Passing it on- Bischof
Living on Mission- Coram Deo- Will Walker
Life if David Brainerd- Jeremy Lantz
William Carey: Father of Modern Missions- Royer
The Real Reason for Revival- Dr. Martyn Lloyd- Jones
A Theology of Work- Bob Thune
How to Exegete your culture-
Christ in the City- Keller
Getting Upstream to Transform the City- Keller
A Vision for the City- Villafane
Core Team Health- pdf
Decoding UT- hcbc-ut
Missional Contact Sheets- hcbc-ut
Establishing Missional Communities- hcbc-ut
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AW63Pm_t9djdZGZwYjJmanJfMjVnZjloNXZoaw&hl=en
missional community resources
I also have the syllabus of our entrepreneur (missionary) training program
Books:
Exiles- Michael Frost
Radical Reformission- Marc Driscoll
Connecting- Larry Crabb
Hudson Taylors Spiritual Secret- Taylor
The Present Future- McNeal
The Shaping of Things to Come- Frost
SHAPE- Rees
ReJesus- Frost
Heart of a Servant Leader- Miller
Enduring Community- Habig
Ordering your private world- Macdonald
The Unlikely Disciple- Roose
The Enemy Within- Lundgaard
Articles:
Advancing the Gospel in the 21st Century- Keller
The Three World Views- Glen Smith
The Missional Church- Keller
Creating Community- Lance Ford
Looking Outside- Brother Maynard
Clarifying our Calling- Glen Smith
Evangelism by Networking- Glen Smith
Beginning a Conversation- Ed Stetzer
Being Intentional- Bischof
Holistic Formation- Bischof
How Can I be Missional- Emerging Grace
Gospel Discipling- Smallman
Marks of a Spiritual Leader- Piper
Cultivating a Tender Heart- Macullum
Being Intentional About Passing it on- Bischof
Living on Mission- Coram Deo- Will Walker
Life if David Brainerd- Jeremy Lantz
William Carey: Father of Modern Missions- Royer
The Real Reason for Revival- Dr. Martyn Lloyd- Jones
A Theology of Work- Bob Thune
How to Exegete your culture-
Christ in the City- Keller
Getting Upstream to Transform the City- Keller
A Vision for the City- Villafane
Core Team Health- pdf
Decoding UT- hcbc-ut
Missional Contact Sheets- hcbc-ut
Establishing Missional Communities- hcbc-ut
2009 : books i read this year
I am a seasonal reader; which means some seasons I read a ton and in others not so much. But here's a blurb about books I've read this year. We should always be learning and listening to other voices. I recommend reading many different authors :). And if folks tell you not to read a certain author.. I'd go ahead and read them and let the holy spirit guide you. The ** are ones I really enjoyed.
*Hudson Taylors Spiritual Secret: classic on going all in - exegeting your culture- missional living
Missional Church- Guder: Theory that inviting folks to join our christian community first will lead to life transformation 2nd
*Heart of a Servant Leader- Jack Miller: Pastoral letters to missionaries around the world- drips of gospel sonship
*Vintage Jesus- Driscoll: Sarcastic and revealing look at who Jesus really was.. and is
Vintage Church- Driscoll: Sarcastic and revealing look at who the church should be
*The Yankee Years-Joe Torre: Guide to dealing with stress and finding your leadership style
*Reaching the Campus Tribes- Hines: Why we need to blow up most college ministry methodology and start over on our unique campuses
**The Unlikely Disciple- Roose: Non- christian college student transfers from Brown to Liberty for a semester and lives to tell the tale
Idols of the Heart- Fitzpatrick: What happens when you don't believe the gospel
Serving as a church greeter- Parrott/ Fusion- Searcy: Loving people well the moment they walk through the door of your church
*I once was lost- Everts: fascinating look at the '5 thresholds' folks must walk through in coming to faith- it's my story too.
Compelled by love- Stetzer: What should motivate you to live missionally
*Practicing Greatness- McNeal: How to lead well
Off Road Disciplines- Creps: The title got me.. I admit.. but reminders of the disciplines that will keep you walking with Him
Rejesus- Frost: How we should be mini Jesus's to the world
The Blueprint- Ma: Helping college students to see themselves as missionaries on the campus
Sticky church- Osborne: How to get folks to stick to your church.. the right folks
On the NT, OT, Church Leadership, God- Driscoll: Attempt at being brief and sarcastic while sharing deep truths
**Ordering Your Private World- Macdonald: I read it every year..
*The Shack- Young: I should have read it years ago.. don't think too deeply, just enjoy the story.. it's fiction remember?? :)
*Going Rogue: Sarah Palin Bio- She got screwed by the man.. beware she knows how to handle a gun.. and wild caribou
Irresistible Revolution- Claiborne: Christian Pacifist calls for a new way of living.. in Philly
What should I read next year??? :) Holy spirit on 3!
*Hudson Taylors Spiritual Secret: classic on going all in - exegeting your culture- missional living
Missional Church- Guder: Theory that inviting folks to join our christian community first will lead to life transformation 2nd
*Heart of a Servant Leader- Jack Miller: Pastoral letters to missionaries around the world- drips of gospel sonship
*Vintage Jesus- Driscoll: Sarcastic and revealing look at who Jesus really was.. and is
Vintage Church- Driscoll: Sarcastic and revealing look at who the church should be
*The Yankee Years-Joe Torre: Guide to dealing with stress and finding your leadership style
*Reaching the Campus Tribes- Hines: Why we need to blow up most college ministry methodology and start over on our unique campuses
**The Unlikely Disciple- Roose: Non- christian college student transfers from Brown to Liberty for a semester and lives to tell the tale
Idols of the Heart- Fitzpatrick: What happens when you don't believe the gospel
Serving as a church greeter- Parrott/ Fusion- Searcy: Loving people well the moment they walk through the door of your church
*I once was lost- Everts: fascinating look at the '5 thresholds' folks must walk through in coming to faith- it's my story too.
Compelled by love- Stetzer: What should motivate you to live missionally
*Practicing Greatness- McNeal: How to lead well
Off Road Disciplines- Creps: The title got me.. I admit.. but reminders of the disciplines that will keep you walking with Him
Rejesus- Frost: How we should be mini Jesus's to the world
The Blueprint- Ma: Helping college students to see themselves as missionaries on the campus
Sticky church- Osborne: How to get folks to stick to your church.. the right folks
On the NT, OT, Church Leadership, God- Driscoll: Attempt at being brief and sarcastic while sharing deep truths
**Ordering Your Private World- Macdonald: I read it every year..
*The Shack- Young: I should have read it years ago.. don't think too deeply, just enjoy the story.. it's fiction remember?? :)
*Going Rogue: Sarah Palin Bio- She got screwed by the man.. beware she knows how to handle a gun.. and wild caribou
Irresistible Revolution- Claiborne: Christian Pacifist calls for a new way of living.. in Philly
What should I read next year??? :) Holy spirit on 3!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Home for the Holidays
I decided to drive home from Texas to Connecticut for the holidays. Yes, it is many states away, and in the heart of winter, but I wanted to bring my dog home and stay awhile with the family. So I packed up the jeep with diet coke, found a friend to tag along, shiner jumped in, and off we went on an adventure.. and yes we hit the 'storm of the decade'!
I haven't lived in Connecticut since the summer of my sophomore year of college- go JMU. Since then, I have lived in Harrisonburg and Vienna, VA; Fort Myers, FL; and Austin, TX. It's been like 14 years since I've spent an extended time at home due to my workaholicness. Since then I've worked for:
Yes, I know my S.H.A.P.E. and am living in the calling and gifting. I have magic powers, and can connect folks to Jesus, His community and His calling on peoples lives, but the head and heart are heavy some days..
So I drove home, unpacked, and am staying awhile.. Shiner likes the snow. I like have Uconn, Yankees, and NY Giants on every sports show and newspaper in town. I like seeing my family everyday. I babysit, run errands, and just be.. with the family. Don't worry, work is getting done via emails, facebook, texts and calls.
Call it a vacation, a sabbath, a holiday. I call it a disconnect and reconnect. Much needed.
The work will be there when I get back.. It always is. :)
I haven't lived in Connecticut since the summer of my sophomore year of college- go JMU. Since then, I have lived in Harrisonburg and Vienna, VA; Fort Myers, FL; and Austin, TX. It's been like 14 years since I've spent an extended time at home due to my workaholicness. Since then I've worked for:
- Chilis- Server, Cook, Trainer & Corporate Trainer for New Store Openings
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes- Summer Camp Staff & College Staff at JMU
- Intervarsity Christian Fellowship- College Staff at JMU
- Mclean Bible Church- College Ministry Staff
- Leesburg Park & Rec.- Pre-k-3rd grade Sports Instructor
- The Little Gym- Sports Director, Program Director, New Gym Trainer & Lead Teacher
- Southside High School- Women's Basketball & Soccer Coach
- Fort Myers Christian School- K- 8th P.E. Teacher, Athletic Director, Men's and Women's Basketball & Soccer Coach
- UW Sports Ministry- Head Coach
- Hill Country Christian School- K- 8th P.E. Teacher
- Hill Country Bible Church UT- Church Plant Core Team, Student Fellowship Director, Associate College Director, College Director & Connections/ Missional Communities Director
Yes, I know my S.H.A.P.E. and am living in the calling and gifting. I have magic powers, and can connect folks to Jesus, His community and His calling on peoples lives, but the head and heart are heavy some days..
So I drove home, unpacked, and am staying awhile.. Shiner likes the snow. I like have Uconn, Yankees, and NY Giants on every sports show and newspaper in town. I like seeing my family everyday. I babysit, run errands, and just be.. with the family. Don't worry, work is getting done via emails, facebook, texts and calls.
Call it a vacation, a sabbath, a holiday. I call it a disconnect and reconnect. Much needed.
The work will be there when I get back.. It always is. :)
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Why you should go on a Spring Break Trip..
If you don’t believe it when I tell you that a spring break trip will change your life, here are some stories that may convince you otherwise. Take a look and come on a trip! You won’t regret it!
:)
Josh Williams:
My trip to Omaha in the Spring of 2009 was momentous. I have a close relationship with almost everyone in our group, and continue to grow alongside them. At Coram Deo, I relearned the gospel. I experienced a group of people who loved Jesus and pursued Him in every aspect of their lives. The learning was non-stop: from the day I got back, I had an insatiable desire to grow and learn more about this God I love.
Stefan Berthelsen:
"You want me to do what? Give up my own break of Spring Semester? And go to... Omaha? You've gotta be kidding me..." That's what I was thinking when I got asked to go on a Spring Break Trip last year, and yet somehow I ended up packing my self and a week's worth of provisions into vans early Saturday morning last Spring Break. How did I end up on van that morning? Well, God slowly removed the petty excuses... I've gotta go home and see my friends. I want a week to myself. That's a lot of money. You name it. God broke it down. He's a provider. He's a God who opens doors of opportunity because when He is in your life he shakes it up and breaks you for the path he wants you to be on... Yeah, I fought it at first. I like my way until God blows it up and shows me how much more beautiful his is. Over and over again.
Not knowing exactly why I signed up in the first place, I went to Omaha and came back with something different. I am not going to tell you I came back a NEW me (we will leave that type of superficial transformation to Extreme Makeover Home Edition), but there was something different. An attitude. A desire. A new family.
In Omaha, the passionate teaching of men who lived and breathed the Gospel to different communities of people woke me up. They taught us about the persistent, continuous, and deafening power of the Gospel in our individual lives in a new way. The same message I have always heard but from a fresh perspective. They taught us by helping us do it. I remember driving around Omaha with a recent college grad volunteer named Bill. Bill liked Kurt Vonnegut; so do I... we hit it off. Our conversations reminded me over and over again of what we had been learning all week. The importance of living with, caring about, and truly loving the people you so desperately desire will find the joy we have found in Christ.
Not only a new perspective, I came back with a new family. The people I shared a hotel room with, cleaned a devastated basement with, and road fourteen hour in a van with were my team, my gang, my chums, (any more 50's group references, anyone?). Not only this group though, but I also felt like Hill Country was now my home. Another community that I was a part of because I knew we all had a common goal: to spur each other on in this race we are running in, to let his redemptive power consume even the foulest parts of my soul, and to reach those at UT who need the Gospel just as much as I do.
Collin Huber:
This past spring break, I went on the trip to Omaha with HCBCUT. Honestly, I had very low expectations going into the week. I mean, how fun could Nebraska really be for spring break? But God cornered my heart during that time. On one hand, He made me vulnerable because I was going to a new place with new people from the church that I did not know all too well. I was forced to be intentional and put my pride on the line for the sake of getting to know others. God also convicted me deeply of the way I use my time. Every reason that I had for not going to Nebraska over spring break was a selfish one. I would not have as much fun there as I would at the beach. It is not as comfortable spending a week with people I don’t know as it would be with people I do know – and so on. He revealed to me how completely trivial my ambitions were towards my life because they were all aimed at how I could improve myself.
When I got to Omaha, I spent a week with the leaders of the church that we were visiting and what I saw from their lives was a deeply convicted obedience to the Gospel that was not a duty, but a sincere delight. This was the greatest lesson that God taught me during my spring break trip – that committing my life to Him brings more joy and fulfillment than anything else my heart could ever desire. Since then, I have been able to pursue that fact alongside the other people who went on the trip with me and God has been true in satisfying my heart as I chase after His purpose for me. Before this past spring break, I would never have believed anyone who told me that I would spend my holiday in Nebraska, but in hindsight I am forever grateful for my time there. God used it to lean on my motives towards life. He rescued me from my ambitions of self satisfaction and encouraged me to live as His son because that is the only thing that brings true satisfaction.
My time in Omaha truly changed my perspective towards life and faith and it taught me the meaning of true joy. I do not plan on returning to the sentiments I had before that trip and I would not have it any other way.
Kaity Harlan:
When I first came to Hill Country, I knew immediately that this was the church for me. I immediately jumped into a freshman bible study at the church and started serving in the worship ministry, but I was still having trouble feeling connected.
I was asked to go on the Spring Break trip to Memphis and I said yes. I still remember being nervous for the first meeting because I literally didn’t know anyone else who was going. Even by the time we were loading up the vans and heading to Memphis, I still didn’t feel like I really knew anyone on the trip. But over the course of the next week, our team grew closer than I ever could have imagined. I not only learned some amazingly practical ways to be missional and the importance of having someone disciple me, but I also made some lasting friendships. I remember coming back from Spring Break feeling really connected because I knew that I had 18 other people in the church that I had grown really close to. I actually met one of my best friends in Austin on that first trip! Honestly, if I hadn’t gone on that first trip I don’t know if I would have stayed at Hill Country because before that I didn’t feel like I had any friends here. Now I’ve been on two trips, led one of them, and am on staff here at the church.
The Spring Break trips changed my life because they changed Hill Country from being this place I go to on Sundays into my home here in Austin where I feel loved, encouraged, and surrounded by friends!
Krissy Cunningham:
My freshman year I was asked to attend the Memphis trip. I was hesitant at first since Spring Break was my time to go home with my family and friends. But I decided to take a risk and go. It has literally changed my experience at college. I learned the importance of discipleship and service through the ministry we partnered with. In addition, I was able to experience fellowship with my church body. This was the biggest benefit. I had built relationships that kept me wanting to serve and be involved with the church after the trip, which was critical in a time that I was searching for my identity in Christ. I was now able to call Hill Country my family away from home (and lets not forget that I also met my future husband...haha).
The second trip was to Omaha and I was one of the student leaders. This was a great time of growth and trust. I had to learn to let the guys take lead and how to support and encourage them. In addition, I learned how to deal with conflict and improvise as the schedule would change. Seeing the team grow and learn was excellent. Furthermore, I learned what a missional community was...Living life on a daily basis for the glory of God. It was really neat to see how the church was reaching a city one action at a time. Most of all, prayer was established. Speaking with him and sharing my joys and fears allowed him to work to the fullest extent.
Nathan Byard:
Honestly, last spring break trip has had a huge impact on my life. It wasn't noticeable to me at the time, but looking back it was the turning point. I had a lot of things going wrong in my life and didn't feel like I was spiritual enough. I didn't feel adequate, I didn't feel like God would use me, I didn't feel like it would change my life like everyone said. But I went anyways cause of that ever so tiny feeling like God might have wanted me to. It was a lot of fun! I made a lot of friends! But I didn't feel a whole lot different. There was no giant hand reaching out of the sky putting me back on track.
Its been almost 9 months, and looking back, that trip really was the turning point. It got me connected to people at church. They loved me and cared, so I started going to church more to see my new awesome friends. Going to church helped me get involved in a missional community. The people in that missional community took time to talk to me, went through scripture together, and helped me work through all those issues in my life that were dragging me down. I have since been reconnected in my faith, a new fire in my soul, and a new passion! I am a completely different person then last year and truly believe it's cause of the spring break trip I went on. And now, I never thought I would, but I am leading one this year. I cannot wait to see what God does this time!
Lola Longe:
I guess spring break in St. Louis opened my eyes to the need of those around the world. But it also reminded me of the need of those who i see everyday around me. In one of the neighborhoods we visited in St. Louis, there was an apparent need of re-structuring in order to create a friendlier, safer, and cleaner environment. There was also a need for safety from the gangs that were present there, and from the police officers who routinely incriminated the innocent. The other neighborhood we visited in St. Louis was a typical suburban town, with nice houses with nice cars residing in their driveways. It was visually more appealing than the other neighborhood, with a seemingly smaller problem of gangs and corrupt policemen. However, the people there keep to themselves, and were not as particularly open to listening to us speak about Jesus, as the first neighborhood had been.
This is one of the most important features of the trip I learned: there is a need for Jesus every where we go, no matter what we appear to need, or think we need. I think that if people in those two different neighborhoods lived a life in which they fully sought God's kingdom, they wouldn't have the problems they had, and even if they did, they would still have joy and love that would get them through difficulties. This was an important lesson to bring back to UT with me. My goal was to recognize that we are all in need of saving, and to bring the truth to those around me. I don't need to go somewhere else to help people, when people around me need help too.
Take a step of faith! Join the Road Trip 09-10
Beruit, D.R., Omaha, Memphis, Gonzales, Piedras Negras, Fort Myers, Sherman
Register at :
http://hillcountryut.org/connect/ministries/spring-break-missional-training/
:)
Josh Williams:
My trip to Omaha in the Spring of 2009 was momentous. I have a close relationship with almost everyone in our group, and continue to grow alongside them. At Coram Deo, I relearned the gospel. I experienced a group of people who loved Jesus and pursued Him in every aspect of their lives. The learning was non-stop: from the day I got back, I had an insatiable desire to grow and learn more about this God I love.
Stefan Berthelsen:
"You want me to do what? Give up my own break of Spring Semester? And go to... Omaha? You've gotta be kidding me..." That's what I was thinking when I got asked to go on a Spring Break Trip last year, and yet somehow I ended up packing my self and a week's worth of provisions into vans early Saturday morning last Spring Break. How did I end up on van that morning? Well, God slowly removed the petty excuses... I've gotta go home and see my friends. I want a week to myself. That's a lot of money. You name it. God broke it down. He's a provider. He's a God who opens doors of opportunity because when He is in your life he shakes it up and breaks you for the path he wants you to be on... Yeah, I fought it at first. I like my way until God blows it up and shows me how much more beautiful his is. Over and over again.
Not knowing exactly why I signed up in the first place, I went to Omaha and came back with something different. I am not going to tell you I came back a NEW me (we will leave that type of superficial transformation to Extreme Makeover Home Edition), but there was something different. An attitude. A desire. A new family.
In Omaha, the passionate teaching of men who lived and breathed the Gospel to different communities of people woke me up. They taught us about the persistent, continuous, and deafening power of the Gospel in our individual lives in a new way. The same message I have always heard but from a fresh perspective. They taught us by helping us do it. I remember driving around Omaha with a recent college grad volunteer named Bill. Bill liked Kurt Vonnegut; so do I... we hit it off. Our conversations reminded me over and over again of what we had been learning all week. The importance of living with, caring about, and truly loving the people you so desperately desire will find the joy we have found in Christ.
Not only a new perspective, I came back with a new family. The people I shared a hotel room with, cleaned a devastated basement with, and road fourteen hour in a van with were my team, my gang, my chums, (any more 50's group references, anyone?). Not only this group though, but I also felt like Hill Country was now my home. Another community that I was a part of because I knew we all had a common goal: to spur each other on in this race we are running in, to let his redemptive power consume even the foulest parts of my soul, and to reach those at UT who need the Gospel just as much as I do.
Collin Huber:
This past spring break, I went on the trip to Omaha with HCBCUT. Honestly, I had very low expectations going into the week. I mean, how fun could Nebraska really be for spring break? But God cornered my heart during that time. On one hand, He made me vulnerable because I was going to a new place with new people from the church that I did not know all too well. I was forced to be intentional and put my pride on the line for the sake of getting to know others. God also convicted me deeply of the way I use my time. Every reason that I had for not going to Nebraska over spring break was a selfish one. I would not have as much fun there as I would at the beach. It is not as comfortable spending a week with people I don’t know as it would be with people I do know – and so on. He revealed to me how completely trivial my ambitions were towards my life because they were all aimed at how I could improve myself.
When I got to Omaha, I spent a week with the leaders of the church that we were visiting and what I saw from their lives was a deeply convicted obedience to the Gospel that was not a duty, but a sincere delight. This was the greatest lesson that God taught me during my spring break trip – that committing my life to Him brings more joy and fulfillment than anything else my heart could ever desire. Since then, I have been able to pursue that fact alongside the other people who went on the trip with me and God has been true in satisfying my heart as I chase after His purpose for me. Before this past spring break, I would never have believed anyone who told me that I would spend my holiday in Nebraska, but in hindsight I am forever grateful for my time there. God used it to lean on my motives towards life. He rescued me from my ambitions of self satisfaction and encouraged me to live as His son because that is the only thing that brings true satisfaction.
My time in Omaha truly changed my perspective towards life and faith and it taught me the meaning of true joy. I do not plan on returning to the sentiments I had before that trip and I would not have it any other way.
Kaity Harlan:
When I first came to Hill Country, I knew immediately that this was the church for me. I immediately jumped into a freshman bible study at the church and started serving in the worship ministry, but I was still having trouble feeling connected.
I was asked to go on the Spring Break trip to Memphis and I said yes. I still remember being nervous for the first meeting because I literally didn’t know anyone else who was going. Even by the time we were loading up the vans and heading to Memphis, I still didn’t feel like I really knew anyone on the trip. But over the course of the next week, our team grew closer than I ever could have imagined. I not only learned some amazingly practical ways to be missional and the importance of having someone disciple me, but I also made some lasting friendships. I remember coming back from Spring Break feeling really connected because I knew that I had 18 other people in the church that I had grown really close to. I actually met one of my best friends in Austin on that first trip! Honestly, if I hadn’t gone on that first trip I don’t know if I would have stayed at Hill Country because before that I didn’t feel like I had any friends here. Now I’ve been on two trips, led one of them, and am on staff here at the church.
The Spring Break trips changed my life because they changed Hill Country from being this place I go to on Sundays into my home here in Austin where I feel loved, encouraged, and surrounded by friends!
Krissy Cunningham:
My freshman year I was asked to attend the Memphis trip. I was hesitant at first since Spring Break was my time to go home with my family and friends. But I decided to take a risk and go. It has literally changed my experience at college. I learned the importance of discipleship and service through the ministry we partnered with. In addition, I was able to experience fellowship with my church body. This was the biggest benefit. I had built relationships that kept me wanting to serve and be involved with the church after the trip, which was critical in a time that I was searching for my identity in Christ. I was now able to call Hill Country my family away from home (and lets not forget that I also met my future husband...haha).
The second trip was to Omaha and I was one of the student leaders. This was a great time of growth and trust. I had to learn to let the guys take lead and how to support and encourage them. In addition, I learned how to deal with conflict and improvise as the schedule would change. Seeing the team grow and learn was excellent. Furthermore, I learned what a missional community was...Living life on a daily basis for the glory of God. It was really neat to see how the church was reaching a city one action at a time. Most of all, prayer was established. Speaking with him and sharing my joys and fears allowed him to work to the fullest extent.
Nathan Byard:
Honestly, last spring break trip has had a huge impact on my life. It wasn't noticeable to me at the time, but looking back it was the turning point. I had a lot of things going wrong in my life and didn't feel like I was spiritual enough. I didn't feel adequate, I didn't feel like God would use me, I didn't feel like it would change my life like everyone said. But I went anyways cause of that ever so tiny feeling like God might have wanted me to. It was a lot of fun! I made a lot of friends! But I didn't feel a whole lot different. There was no giant hand reaching out of the sky putting me back on track.
Its been almost 9 months, and looking back, that trip really was the turning point. It got me connected to people at church. They loved me and cared, so I started going to church more to see my new awesome friends. Going to church helped me get involved in a missional community. The people in that missional community took time to talk to me, went through scripture together, and helped me work through all those issues in my life that were dragging me down. I have since been reconnected in my faith, a new fire in my soul, and a new passion! I am a completely different person then last year and truly believe it's cause of the spring break trip I went on. And now, I never thought I would, but I am leading one this year. I cannot wait to see what God does this time!
Lola Longe:
I guess spring break in St. Louis opened my eyes to the need of those around the world. But it also reminded me of the need of those who i see everyday around me. In one of the neighborhoods we visited in St. Louis, there was an apparent need of re-structuring in order to create a friendlier, safer, and cleaner environment. There was also a need for safety from the gangs that were present there, and from the police officers who routinely incriminated the innocent. The other neighborhood we visited in St. Louis was a typical suburban town, with nice houses with nice cars residing in their driveways. It was visually more appealing than the other neighborhood, with a seemingly smaller problem of gangs and corrupt policemen. However, the people there keep to themselves, and were not as particularly open to listening to us speak about Jesus, as the first neighborhood had been.
This is one of the most important features of the trip I learned: there is a need for Jesus every where we go, no matter what we appear to need, or think we need. I think that if people in those two different neighborhoods lived a life in which they fully sought God's kingdom, they wouldn't have the problems they had, and even if they did, they would still have joy and love that would get them through difficulties. This was an important lesson to bring back to UT with me. My goal was to recognize that we are all in need of saving, and to bring the truth to those around me. I don't need to go somewhere else to help people, when people around me need help too.
Take a step of faith! Join the Road Trip 09-10
Beruit, D.R., Omaha, Memphis, Gonzales, Piedras Negras, Fort Myers, Sherman
Register at :
http://hillcountryut.org/connect/ministries/spring-break-missional-training/
Saturday, November 21, 2009
A church plant for college students???
Are you nuts? Planting a church for college students who: have no money, are flaky, and over committed; Who are only in school maybe 30 weeks a year; Who skip out on the weekends & Sunday worship, for trips home, to see friends, attend football games, etc. etc; Who, if they are Christ- followers, are involved in multiple ministries; And if they don't know Jesus yet, have no interest in our Jesus our our church...
What were we thinking???
Wrong question.. It's who were we thinking of???
Over 50,000 students at UT...
Over 5000 of those are international students..
90% who don't know Jesus..yet...
But take a passion for college students.. A committed staff.. Faithful adults.. A few college students crazy enough to jump on board with us...And the Holy Spirit...Jesus has showed up..
Read about our journey.. The good, bad, and ugly:
http://www.hcbcut.com/docs/HCBCUTCaseStudy_2009.pdf
I hope it inspires you and your church to partner with us.. or inspires you to reach your neighborhood college campus..
If we can help you reach your campus in anyway, just let us know!
Hill Country UT - A missional community of Christ- followers, committed to connecting students at The University of Texas, (and other surrounding campuses), with the life transforming power of Jesus.
http://www.hillcountryut.org
What were we thinking???
Wrong question.. It's who were we thinking of???
Over 50,000 students at UT...
Over 5000 of those are international students..
90% who don't know Jesus..yet...
But take a passion for college students.. A committed staff.. Faithful adults.. A few college students crazy enough to jump on board with us...And the Holy Spirit...Jesus has showed up..
Read about our journey.. The good, bad, and ugly:
http://www.hcbcut.com/docs/HCBCUTCaseStudy_2009.pdf
I hope it inspires you and your church to partner with us.. or inspires you to reach your neighborhood college campus..
If we can help you reach your campus in anyway, just let us know!
Hill Country UT - A missional community of Christ- followers, committed to connecting students at The University of Texas, (and other surrounding campuses), with the life transforming power of Jesus.
http://www.hillcountryut.org
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