Catching Up!

Okay so I have been bad with catching everyone up on things happening in my life... the whole point of this blog. Well I looked at my calender last night as I was setting something in for next week, and realized by the end of this month I will have had just one night to myself! And that was last week and I had to run errands! So sorry I have been bad but I promise I have been busy! Here is some quick looks at the fun September has held!

For Sara's Birthday she wanted to host a dinner party at our house...

She prepped and did all this herself because she had a picture in her mind what her party would look like! So it was fun having all the friends over for a nice relaxing meal.

The Gathering kicked off this month in full effect. This is the "Sisters" as we are called hanging out the first night!

Little pic of our after service fun!

We had a Gathering Leadership Retreat for Students and Volunteers at Jodi's Rents Lake House and my favorite part is there is a Sonic close by!!!! So we stopped for a little Cherry Limeade Goodness!

The Girls enjoying some bonding time, making fun of the boys

Me and My "Cuz" Katherine

There was a serious Ping Pong Tourney which I reffed.

The Gals decided to jump in the water for some late night swimin!

For Labor Day Jodes and I headed down to Florida for my annual summer trip and hit up Miami and Key West

We saw some interesting people...

And some interesting vehicles... Nothin Runs Like a Deere

Enjoyed some time with out Snorkel Guide

Sadly when you snorkel you just can't look to cute! ;)

Then we headed to Key West for dinner and sunset

As we left Key West this is what we saw... we were confused on how this system worked?

So that is some of the fun I have been having. Jared comes in town this weekend and we are going to head to Annapolis to catch a Navy Football game. Will post on how that goes. And I am going to try to get some sleep and Michelle time very soon! Miss y'all!

It's a Great Day to be Alive!

Well its 2:45 pm and I just got a large latte from the coffee shop. Why you may ask, because I am a tired as I think I may have ever been in my life. Well I take that back there are a couple of times where I think I may have been a bit more tired, but right now I am giving them a run for their money. So literally for the past three weeks I have gone non-stop without what feels like a moment to myself. I have had something every night of every week for the last three weeks. It’s all been things I love, hanging with friends, chatting with college students, work functions. But as hard as this may be for some of y’all to believe I NEED Michelle time. Time with just me, and I have been truckin through with none of that for a very long time right now, and have now added no sleep on top of no Michelle time.

This weekend I was certain would be different. I tried to ensure that it would, and alas it did not work out as I had hoped. While again I truly enjoyed all I got to do, I was still tired and still wanting alone time when Sunday rolled around. So I was a tad sad when I realized that my time I thought would be a break was gone. I pushed through Sunday as I would any other day, happy to be where I was but desperately wanting to be somewhere else (i.e. my bed!) As I headed into church I was rushed, I had lost track of time and asked Jodi to stop for coffee on the way so I would not dose off during the prayers (you’re laughing because you know you do it!) And those who know me know how anal I am about schedules and time and the like. So I was flustered upset to be there late, upset at myself because I had caused us to be late! But as I rushed in barely taking time to acknowledge friends, I turned the corner to where we usually sit with the college students and my eyes fell on a row and a half of students piled in and worshiping the Lord! I almost wanted to go into tears then, but gave a line full of hi-fives to show my joy and entered into one of the best times of worship I have ever experienced. God just stopped me and reminded me that all of this is His. Everything, even my time and my sleep, all His. He chooses when to allow me these luxuries and He chooses when to pour me out to where I think there is nothing left to give. I was rejuvenated in a whole new way during worship and it was awesome. As the sermon began (it was good and I did take notes) I began to look around me at the folks there. The students I am so honored that God lets me serve and the friends that help to sustain me and put up with me when I think there is nothing left. They usually get the brunt of me because I try never to be short or tired around the students so they are the ones who endure my frustrated tired side, and still love me. It is for that I am thankful.

Then my best friend for the past six years and roommate for the past 3 and I and our other roommate Nicole went to grab dinner and coffee to celebrate Sara’s birthday. It was a refreshing and joyful time of fellowship. We headed home to meet our other roommate Selena and had some good laughs trying to take a roommate picture. I had one of the best quiet times I have had in a long time last night and it was so refreshing! I awoke this morning still tired but yet more alive and awake than I have been in a long while! My morning and afternoon has been filled with many blessings and promises fulfilled by the Lord. I may be exhausted and worn out but to be honest that just physical junk. I feel like I just finished one of the best work outs ever! I am ready to keep trucking through till I actually get that day of rest… when will it be not sure… every night has something already booked this week into next, but I know it will come when it is needed and I will be pumped! I love the people God has sent to support me in my life. And I could have never walked the road I have walked without them. Spiritually, physically and in my career. I am so thankful of the blessings of my friends! Here are a few of those DC faces!

The Gathering Leader and Student Leader retreat last weekend!

Jodi and I this weekend

And then there are my roommates... uh I have no words for these girls. Lets be honest if they live with me you know they have to be crazy! We may or may not have turned our quest for a roommate pic into a roommate photo shoot last night! I LOVE these girls! And could not do my life without their support and love!

Sara and Nicole ready for their photo shoot!

Um yeah we can not be serious...

Ah we are sweet... Me, Nicole, Selena and Sara seated

Happy Birthday Sara!

Do you really think anyone should have allowed us to have coffee this late at night...

Evermore

This morning I awoke at 4:45 am to watch the Women's National Team take on North Korea. It was a tough match and they tied, not what I was hoping for to start the morning. I took some time acknowledging the day and what it meant for so many in our nation today. And was a bit perplexed what this day might bring me. There were many random happenings that sent my day to very sad and then very happy and back to sad.

By the time my work day was over I was WIPED but I knew it was time to get myself into shape and head to American U for The Gathering. (The college ministry I work with) Spiritually I have had a very difficult last few weeks. With many struggles and past junk coming back at me. I was wondering how our night would go. On my way to campus I received a text message from a former camper I had led while I was in college. She is the first student I had become extremely close with who walked away from the Lord. Its heart breaking for me to know she does not believe in Him anymore but I am glad that God has kept us connected. Just before we were getting started for the night one of the students informed me that another student I have had the privilege of leading, that now has also stepped away from the faith would be showing up to say hi. It was a great reunion as I am always so happy to see her face but at the same time sadden as she walks away from the Lord. I met this person when the Gathering first started on campus with just three students. (I got to see two of them tonight) And as we were standing out side of Kay I told her to look around at what she helped create for all these new students. It was kinda a cool and very sad moment.

John spoke about making sure we carve out time to do exactly what God has created us to do that we are passionate about. And as many of life's big decisions are weighing over me again and I feel overwhelmed with responsibility, it was amazing to stand in the midst of this ministry I have had the honor to serve with for the last almost three years. God could do all this without any of us but He gives us the privilege to be a part of it. As 83 students (27 being guys) stood in worship to the Lord, I could not help but cry in awe of God. This weekend I looked at my situation with earthly eyes, and only saw my current hardships. And even asked the Lord if He was sure He really wanted me leading these students and volunteers. Tonight God said nope, I want to lead them but I want to do so through you. I have brought you through these last three years and look how I have blessed and molded this ministry. Its not about me and my struggles, its all about the Lord. Sometimes we just need to be reminded of that. I love these students and I am SO blessed an honored to serve them, and get to love on them. Watching them praise the Lord tonight and looking at so many faces I have seen mature into strong Christian leaders from just a few short years ago. Its amazing. God can take whatever you give him and multiply it despite us and our failures. In the Spring of 2005 3 students and a handful of volunteers got started at AU and now in the Fall of 2007 83 students, and 11 volunteers met together tonight to worship God because of their vision. Its pretty awesome!

Here are the Lyrics to Evermore (the Worship song that made me stop tonight)

Lost for words with all to say

Lord you take my breath away

Still my soul, my soul cries out For you are holy

And as I look upon your name

Circumstances fade away

Now your glory steals my heart

You are holy You are holy Lord

Evermore my heart, my heart will say

Above all, I live for your glory

Even if my world falls I will say

Above all, I live for your glory

With all my heart I'll say I'm living for your name

With all to give you praise

We're living for your glory Lord

True Story...

So there I was enjoying a perfectly great vacation when Jodi and I walked into a local Winn-Dixie (that's a grocery store for those who do not have a local one) in Key West, FL. We headed to the back to seek out their ladies room... I was the first through the door, as soon as I walked in I was certain we opened the wrong one and turned back and checked only to find we had in deed found the Ladies Room. To which Jodi asked why I was so unsure and as she stepped through the door she almost fell on the ground laughing. We had to get a picture because no one would believe us if not! Just imagine people if we did not know each other... this would be very awkward! I'll give 'em this, at least it was really clean!

Women's World Cup Schedule

I know you were all concerned but the full schedule and TV schedule for the WWC has now been posted! Make sure you tune in or set your TiVo to watch the WNT take on the world and bring home the cup!

Phil. 4:8

Mindy and I my Sr. Year of High School

“Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.” Hebrews 13:1

Well today is the one the only Mindy’s 31st birthday. I told her last year that once she crossed into the 30’s this would be a hard time in our friendship thus we decided 31 was official 30’s giving us one more year to hang out so since this marks the end of an almost 11 year friendship I thought an ode to her would be fitting… obviously I am kidding. But on this glorious day of her birth I thought I would give a shout out to the most influential person in my Christian walk.

Not enough people in this world are blessed with someone like Mindy to pour into them, and that I feel is a tragedy. God knew I was a “special case”… ;) and thus He sent her to me my Junior year of high school at church camp. I could go on about just the way the Lord orchestrated it, and how He knew I needed someone in my life at that moment, and how He sent me someone who would not take the PC answer of “I’m Fine” or some watered down version of what was really bothering me. That’s one of the best qualities of Mindy she does not let me just skate by what’s bothering me, or not give her the full truth of what I am struggling with. She will sit there until I let it all out and then tell me the practical things I need to do to get through it or wipe it out in my life.

But I digress… she has lived a life where she has walked strongly with the Lord all of her life, not that she does not struggle but she has a pretty amazing track record in my eyes. She is bold enough to call me out on the junk in my life, and loving enough to let me just vent about silly things in my life. She has taken more than the required hours of her life to pour into me and help develop me into the Christian I am today. As I said I have known her since I was a junior and therefore she has been putting up with my “drama” for a while. All with a smile and a beautiful heart of service. She takes my phone calls at all hours, and talks me down from any thing I see as out of control. And reminds me of the important things in life. Through all the years she has not lost sight of me and has kept me close which is something I am truly blessed through.

She has a spirit that totally trusts the Lord no questions asked, and she selflessly serves people around her like no other. Even as she raises three beautiful children, she still pours into girls in her local church. While she was sick and in the hospital during her last pregnancy she was reaching out to the women there, and the women who contacted her to pray for her, she actively sought out how she could pray for them. I daily pray I could have more of her heart of service to others. She has a passion and conviction to walk strong with the Lord no matter what the sacrifice is, and she never sees the worldly things she gives up as a sacrifice but as a blessing to not struggle with. Its that passion and acceptance that draws folks to her, and that the Lord uses to pour into so many others. I knew over 10 years ago when I saw her at church camp there was something different about that counselor. I observed her all week long and knew that if I was going to be a Christian I wanted to look like she did. While I obviously strive to look more like Jesus everyday, I truly believe He gave me an earthly example to mimic in Mindy. And as I get older and begin to mature in my faith I think I may look more and more like her and then I look and she has grown even more. And she is so humble about it, she is the perfect example of a Paul’s spiritual leadership of follow me as I follow Jesus.

I could go on and on truly and pray that every person could have a Mindy in their life. Someone who pushes them constantly to look more and more like Jesus, but at the same time are loving enough to help us up after we fall, or protect us when we are hurt. I thank my Lord every day as I remember Mindy. And today on the day of her birth I am extra thankful.

Love you Mindy and pray that this day blesses you ten-fold of the blessing you have not only been to me but so many.

Mindy and I last year in DC

Women's World Cup!

Get excited people because the Women’s World Cup is just around the corner! I have watched the Women’s National Team long before it became popular in 1999 with the famous Brandi shirt incident. This year there were plans to attend the World cup in China with my long time soccer friend Jennifer… now she has decided to go and be an adult and buy a house and thus $ for a plane ticket, hotel and game tickets are not easy to come by… so I will watch this World Cup from the comfy of my home. It is rumored to be Kristine Lilly’s last World Cup and so I wanted to be there to see her win her maybe last… but she has got a lot of spunk in her and I am sure (really praying) we will see a lot more games from this player.

Last fall the WNT came to Richmond, VA and I was faced with my first chance to see them play in person. My Mom and my Sister were gracious enough to help out and get me a seat on the field to see the game. I purchased another ticket and my good friend Kate and I drove south to see the team. Kate was a trooper... the whole way she was calming me down as I was so excited to see them play in person and have the chance to finally meet a player I had admired since I was 14. I am sure having kate tell the story of our trip may be a bit more funny because she had to deal with me. My prayer team rallied for me and began praying even before I had the tickets and when the team first took the field who would walk right in front of me… But non other than Kristine Lilly! It was AWESOME! I totally believe God cares about even the small things in our life and He knew that I would totally die over that when most of the world may not even know if they were holding a conversation with her. Kate and I had made a sign that stated “We Love Lilly” and proudly displayed it at the end of the game praying she would walk over to our side to sign autographs… and who did she walk up to first… you guessed it non other than Me!!!! It was awesome!

Well all of this to say I hope that you will get a little World cup fever this September and cheer The Greatest Team You Never Heard Of (side note this team has not lost a game in almost two years!) on to claim yet another World Cup Title. They are currently ranked #1 and I am sure they will not disappoint! They have a blog up and going to keep you up to date on all things WNT and you can also check out Kristine Lilly’s page and her personal journal entries at the bottom of her page. I included some pics below of our adventure last year to Richmond.

Kristine Lilly and I
Kate and I showing off our Great Seats!!!

Kate, Me, and Kristine

Aly Wagner and I

Me, Kate Markgraf, and Kate

Me and Leslie Osborne