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:

• 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

Many places, many jobs, and much time away from my family. I've tried to visit 4-5 times a year since. so that's like 60-70 visits, maybe more.. I have loved my work and have felt very useful in these positions and have seen much fruit of the my labor. Not sure why God has chosen to call me out and use me- a sacrcastic, sports loving, single from New England. But his calling has 'kept' me from my family.. and it's very, very hard on me.

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. :)

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