College Summers: San Diego

I spent my college summers doing Summer Missions— China, Myrtle Beach, Kanakuk Kamps, and one full summer in Colorado Springs at the Focus Leadership Institute. These opportunities were ways to serve others, yet as is often the case, these were major blessings in my life and made an impacting change in my life. I still have solid friendships with people that I met during these adventures.

My sister, Laura, is a part of a summer mission project in San Diego right now. It’s crazy to think that she’s even old enough to be in California without an adult, but more so to hear her talk about her faith in such an adult manor. Since when did my little sister (seven years younger!) become so mature in relationship with Christ?
 
I want to share with you what Laura has written about her summer. Her willingness to follow the Lord’s calling is amazing—even when it meant not spending her summer with her niece and nephew, not traveling with friends on fun road trips and vacations, and to potentially cease involvement in her much loved sorority simply to pay for her trip. It’s kind of long, but I condensed it a little bit—there is just too much good stuff and I’m just really proud.

Hello! I am spending my summer in San Diego on a Summer Project through the campus ministry, Campus Crusade for Christ! I have decided to give you a better glimpse of what I am doing here, how God is using me, and what will this trip look like long-term in my life! 

I have experienced in-depth Bible teaching through the preaching of the staff here on project. The staff  directing the project are some of the most respectable, God-centered, faithful, and intelligent leaders I have been blessed to grow with so far this summer. At each meeting, we start with a devotion to center or hearts and minds on our purpose for being here on project. We are constantly filled with the Word and are blessed with leaders who we can look up to to understand what it means to surrender our lives to Christ. 

The opportunities to not only influence Americans, but people from numerous other nationalities here in San Diego are tremendous. As we go sharing at San Diego State University, there are more than 1,900 international students from more than 95 countries*. God has already placed me in spiritual conversations with an undergrad girl from the Philippines, a Muslim girl with a Political Science major, and a girl going on a college tour planning on moving to the States in the fall from Germany. Those are just to name a few! While on the beach I have been able to share the Gospel with a 19 year old boy from France; also, a high school boy at a bus stop about my faith, whose family still lives in Mexico and has an uncle who just started taking him to a Christian church! 

While gaining new experiences of different types of evangelism and just simply sharing with all different types of people, I can feel the Holy Spirit changing not only the way I want to live my life glorifying God when I get home, but also placing in me such a life-long, deep desire to use these skills and experiences to lead others to an understanding of what it means to live a life, not just filling up with the Good News, but also pouring out the beautiful redemption we have received through faith! I am so excited to see how God will use me when I am back in my ‘comfort zone’ of school, familiar friends, and family! 

I have felt a calling for ministry for the rest of my life throughout this past school year; with this, I know that my summer spent here is not just preparing me for my next 2 years at Missouri State, but for a lifetime of professing my faith in Christ throughout the world. God is growing me and preparing my heart to take the Good News to the numerous unreached peoples of this world. 

While on the San Diego Summer Project, we will be living the last 4 ½ weeks without the project staff here. During this time, students will be given the chance to take over the many leadership roles and gain the experience of being a leader in a big way! These leadership positions will not only influence us now, but will be an experience that will help shape us as we continue to live our lives God-centered.
Something unique about the state-side Summer Projects, is that we have the chance to get jobs or volunteer and begin to live life here, proclaiming the Gospel, as we will when we get back home. We have a weekly meeting called Friday Night Live where we are encouraged to invite our fellow employees and students we meet on campus so that they may hear the gospel and see what a Christ-centered community truly looks like. 

I am still short on my support, God placed it on my heart to be here this summer and that He is using me and growing me in ways I could not expect He would. Please read through and consider, through prayer, helping me reach my final support goal! I have about 10 days to raise $1400. Thank you! Again, I encourage you to consider, through prayer supporting me; and to remember that you are giving for me to be here, but I am here to further the glory of God!
If you would like to help me financially, you can donate through this site.

Whew. Don’t you wish you had the guts to talk about your faith to a boy at a bus stop? There is great stuff happening over in San Diego this summer. There are over 100 Campus-Crusade-for-Christ-ers there with her.

I wanted to share this, regardless of if you can contribute or not! But if you’re at a place in life where you can spare some funds to help—it will definitely help change lives. She misses home and covets encouragement too! Leave a comment and I’ll be sure to pass it along to her!

And here are a few pics that I borrowed from her friends off facebook!

Girl time—Laura is in the black tiger sweatshirt.

Yes, that’s my sister acting all ghetto in front. I’m holding onto this one to show her future children!

Not sure what’s going on here—but then, she probably doesn’t either…

For this child, I have prayed

Several years ago, I attended the Focus on the Family Institute {which has since been renamed Focus Leadership} out in Colorado Springs, CO. It was an amazing summer and one of the best parts was getting assigned to live with one of the sweetest {happiest, bubbliest} people I have ever met.

At Family Dinner- Kate's in green, I'm in blue 

{back when I wore glasses and had blonde highlights}

Seriously, you cannot be around Kate without a smile. She even makes me grin when her status updates show up in my newsfeed on Facebook. Kate has been blessed with an amazing talent of writing. I always love reading what's going on in her mind and it's always so insightful. Even little pieces that reflect on Prince Charmings and Facebook etiquette {please read this... it's great!}-- can really get your mind turning and give you spiritual insight.

Unfortunately, Kate has dealt with unfortunate loss in the past couple of years. First, her father was killed in an automobile accident just mere weeks after her wedding. Kate was so open and transparent about the grief in her life, yet at the same time, she was able to reflect and give God the Glory at the same time. Read this piece and share it with anyone who's suffering loss. I promise you won't regret it.

And just this very week, Kate suffered a miscarriage. Even though I've never had to endure that crisis, I have watched as several friends- near and far, "in real life" and bloggy friends alike, suffer through that emotional turmoil. This was Kate's facebook status just yesterday:

It's funny...we say this verse "I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him," when we get pregnant and it makes our hearts happy and thankful. But the end of that verse is this..."So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." Hannah didn't get to keep her baby very long either. (1 Samuel 1:27-28)

I reread this status over and over again. And I realized that I, too, needed to hear this! I wish I would've known these words as I dealt with my postpartum depression after having Jackson. In fact, I could have used it after first finding out we were pregnant with him. I sobbed for a week unable to accept that things might actually be okay: I was certain something catastrophic was going to happen. I just knew! And then after he was born, I struggled just to let myself love him so much because I was devastated at the thought that I might actually lose him someday.

I was terrified my entire pregnancy with Belle of going into the same darkness after giving birth and even though I was medicated it still hit-- just not nearly as deep or hard. I didn't sleep a wink the first night she was home because I knew the minute I wasn't watching, something could happen to her.

Two things kept me grounded: Philippians 4 along with this little phrase I learned from a mentor in high school. She would tuck her kids in each night and say, "I love you. But Jesus loves you more." And at every moment that I would begin to worry, I reminded myself that God feels the same way about my little babies a million times more than I do. And he feels that way for each and every one of us too.

People sometimes say that the reason Christians believe in God is so that they have something to get through the hard times; to make life easier. But, I have to say-- sometimes it's harder. Because I have to trust His plan over mine. Even when it doesn't make sense and even {especially} when it hurts. Because it ultimately comes down to being God's "fault" and that isn't easy to deal with. But that's when I have to pray for God to give me that peace that passes understanding.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Kate, you're strength and insight during difficult times NEVER ceases to amaze. You, my dear, are amazing. How you do it-- I don't even know. God's given you an amazing gift. I am so blessed to have you in my life.

Kate is having her procedure tomorrow. Please pray for her. Let us all pray for all of the families who've suffered through miscarriage. Pray that we can see God's hand and provisions even in the toughest times.

Pray and Play

The kids and I spent our time a friends house for part of this morning to be a part of the Pray and Play group. Our MOPS group started meeting again last month and I'm excited to be able to join in the pray and play time this year!

It is precisely what it sounds like. The kiddos play and the mommies pray. We pray over the prayer requests submitted at the MOPS meeting the week prior and for our kiddos and husbands.

This was by far the most chaotic praying experience ever. There was an abundance of banging going on in the basement, a loud fussy baby {mine} along with fairy princesses joining us! 

I have got to figure out the book the Katherine brought today-- it's about how and what to pray for our children. I always try to pray for them, but I don't always know what to pray for exactly. Anyway, this book was a prayer guide about characteristics backed by scripture to pray for your kids. I can just remember two off the top of my head-- kindness and obedience-- but there were many, many more.

One of the mentor moms also had such a great tip that I thought I'd pass along. Being always on the go {and the times when I do get the chance to sit and relax, I generally just fall asleep}, finding a big chunk of time to pray is tough. But Debbie mentioned that she would pray for her children as she was picking up the house. Like, if I'm putting away Belle's laundry, I'd take that time to pray for her and if I'm picking up Jackson's toys that would be the time to pray specifically for him. What a neat way to be diligent about praying for our children! {And as one mom pointed out, this would be a guaranteed way to pray without ceasing!}

I didn't want to keep this tip all to myself, so I just had to share! Do you have a special way or handy tip that you use to pray for your children? Your spouse?

Let's Be Honest

Today I went to my MOPS Bible Study group. Of course they ooh-ed and ahh-ed all over Belle. I mean, look at this face... how could you not?

The compliments also kept coming in about how I even have energy to come to a meeting already, that I managed to get two kids out the door and to church, that I am doing so well handling the new baby without my husband around. I, of course, accepted each compliment with a smile and a thank-you. I mean, it was really encouraging!

But really, I wanted to say... Oh, if you only knew the mess I've been!!

I had an awful panic attack the night we came home from the hospital. I had several nights that I had to take a benedryl just to fall asleep and I could hardly eat. I cried practically non-stop the day Derek left and continued to cry every single day that week, including an episode of sobbing while cuddled on my Mom's lap. Each day continues to be a battle in keeping my head up and each day it gets a little bit easier and easier.

I have found myself self-treating myself as if I were a patient using techniques from my classes and I do have some meds that I know are contributing to my mental health. However, I am fully convinced that my strength has come from the Lord. I know that there are so many people praying for me. I have received comments, facebook messages, emails, and text messages that have really lifted me up. I have found myself in almost constant prayer throughout the day-- sometimes practically begging the Lord to hold me up from falling into the dark places. I have read Philippians 4 about bazillion times:

The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I chuckled to myself as the speaker at our MOPS meeting today spoke about this scripture. She talked about the times that we should have every reason to be anxious about a situation, but yet we find ourselves at peace- that is having a peace that passes understanding. I wanted to stand up and say, "that's what I have!" I have a peace that passes all human understanding. I know that God is in control of our situation. He has proven to me over and over that he will provide and take care of us. I really am okay!

I am enjoying Belle and this stage of mommyhood much more than I had the chance to enjoy Jackson as I dealt with some postpartum anxiety for several weeks. I have my glass-is-half-full perspective back and I am truthfully happy and doing well.

So, for all of those people who have been praying for me-- please know that your prayers are being answered. I am being well taken care of by friends and family as I anxiously await Derek's return. God is definitely good.

Thankless Jobs

Though I have no experience as being either, I have concluded that being a soldier is a little bit like being a parent of a teenager. I am a civilian and I was once a teenager- and as both, I have taken my privileges and rights for granted.

As a teen, do you really realize how much effort goes into raising you? And did you ever, EVER thank your parents for their hard work during your teen years? My parents were always there to support me, to encourage me, and to cheer me on despite the fight that happened the night before, or the inconveniences of taking me to the places I needed to go, or the simple fact that I, at times, was a ticking time bomb that could explode at any moment. Needless to say, I hear it is a pretty thankless job.

While soldiers today aren't treated with such disrespect as they were in the Vietnam era, I am still fairly certain that it is also a thankless job. Some may get some praise and support when they leave for deployment and possibly receive a grand welcome home party upon return. What about all of that hard work and dedication to serve (even in pink boxers) in the hundreds of days in between? What about the soldiers who don't have support from loved ones at home?

This picture made the cover of The New York Times earlier this year.

The reason this is on my mind today is because a friend is leaving today for his training to be deployed to Africa next month. Here is a picture of Rich with his kiddos home from leave during his last deployment in 2008 (Emma was a student in our Sunday school class at the time. Connor will be in the class next fall.)

Rich is so fortunate to have such a great family that supports him along with friends and his church. Not everyone is so lucky. So, how can we be grateful, thankful citizens and let all soldiers know that we stand behind them?

• We should pray for them daily.
• Go out of your way to say "thanks" when you see a soldier in uniform.
• Send an encouraging note or a package of goodies to a soldier (don't know one personally- check out www.AnySoldier.com. You can browse through hundreds of Unit Leaders who have registered and requested specific requests for their groups. The leader will deliver the packages to soldiers who do not receive packages from friends and family at home.
• Say something encouraging to the families of soldiers. They will find comfort knowing you are praying too.
• Do something special for the families of the soldiers. It's hard to be a soldier living in the desert. It's also hard to be a wife of a soldier with a 2 year old and a newborn to take care of all by yourself. (You did a great job, Jessica!) Offer to cook a meal, watch the kids, take the kids to karate lessons.
• Donate time or money to an organization that sponsor's soldiers and their families. http://troopssupport.com/ is a great place to look for opportunities- they have several organizations listed, so click on one that interests you. From being a greeter for soldiers coming home to working with the kids of deployed soldiers- there's something for everyone!

Just like we all can't be doctors and we all can't be President- we can't all participate in every single one of these activities. But if we could all do a thing or two, once or twice a year imagine what it could mean to our servicemen and their families. It may not make their deployment shorter or the conditions less harsh, but feeling appreciated can make a world of difference in anyone's job- especially a soldier.

This past fall, our Sunday school class partnered up with the Women's Bible study class to send a package to several soldiers. The kids painted signs for each package- a simple gesture, and the moment our friend Josh received the package, he hung up the poster and posted a picture- and it remains his profile picture even 6 months later.

To all of our soldiers and veterans: Thank you SO much for your service. Thank you for sacrificing your standard of living, time with your families, and most of all your lives to protect our freedoms and to uphold our Constitution.

She's a fighter!

There was a time at Grandma's house when Katelyn was a little girl (maybe four-ish) and she had to sit in a chair until she apologized for some silly thing and she sat there for three hours until she finally decided to say sorry. Katelyn has proven to be just as stubborn to win this fight against her veno-occlusive disease.

 

Katelyn's Senior Picture 

A week ago at this time, our family waited in suspense as we wondered if she would make it through the weekend. What a relief it was to hear the doctor come in today to report that her liver and kidneys are rapidly returning to normal function. They have taken her of her CPAP and she's expected to be moved out of the ICU tomorrow. Praise the Lord!

 

 It's so good to see her smile!! 

Katelyn with boyfriend Mat, who has been up to visit her 

several times and is such a support for her!

This is my second trip up to the Mayo Clinic to visit Katelyn. The clinic is actually a group of several hospitals here in the city. Last time, Katelyn was undergoing radiation and was receiving a blood transfusion. She was mobile and we even left downtown to go visit family in the area. This time, she's in Pediatric ICU. It's amazing to see the technology of modern medicine, yet heartbreaking at the same time to walk these halls and see babies and young kids in such severe conditions. There is a toddler down the hall waiting for a heart transplant. It takes a certain strength of person to be able to work in this sort of environment.

 There are just many machines, cords, and tubes behind this column
that Katelyn is hooked up to in her room.

The staff here is amazing. Everyone that I have met has been friendly, kind, and positive. They have lovingly challenged her to get out of bed and pushed her gently to gain her strength and lung capacity.

Katelyn, Dr. Miller & Dr.Reynolds.
These are the 2 residents that made a cake for her.

Thank you SO much for all of your prayers for Katelyn over the course of her entire treatment, but specifically for the prayers you've offered this past week. I know that I have filled my status updates and everyday conversations with prayer requests and I want to thank all of you who have been so supportive. I am confident that her tremendous progress is a result of the prayers that have been said on her behalf. Last Wednesday night there were prayer groups from across the country and even the world that lifted Katelyn up in prayer. Our family cannot thank you enough!

What's next: Katelyn will not be undergoing her third and final chemotherapy treatment. With her liver and kidney's almost functioning as they should, her main obstacle will be to undergo physical and occupational therapy to regain her strength and motor skills. Ultimately, once she recovers she will be able to go home! Of course, there are several weeks ahead of work to get to that point, but how exciting to see the end in sight. Please continue to pray for Katelyn's health that it will continue to improve. Her most immediate need is to be able to eat so that she can have her feeding tube removed.

Go big... or go home

Today is the 27th day of 2010 and yet I feel I have experienced enough emotions, filled out enough paperwork, and blindly followed God's lead to fill an entire year. In these first few weeks of this year, we have:

• remodeled the master bedroom and moved in (it's wonderful)
• completed (almost) the refinance of our home
  
• committed to having a foreign exchange student for the 2010-2011 school year

and lastly,

• Derek has enlisted in the Army National Guard.
  

Throughout the month of December, Derek and I had anticipated finishing the master bedroom and getting our house refinanced into a 30 year note. However, prior to January 1st, the ideas of hosting a foreign exchange student and joining the army had just been ideas that got mentioned in the form of "I think someday it'd be cool if..." every now and again.

I sit here today, still, wondering what on earth we were thinking and wondering how we will get through it all. I feel almost that we are being wreckless. Why would a young family trying to make ends meet carry the financial burden of a high school student living in their home? Why would we send a dad away from his growing baby for seven months? It doesn't make sense.

Except that it does. And the only reason is because we both know that this is exactly what the Lord has called us to do, right now, at this time. There is simply no other explanation. Aside from it, this all sounds like nonsense.

The idea of the foreign exchange student came first. And then it was rejected. We wouldn't do it this year just because I knew we couldn't afford it without me going back to work. Eventually. Someday. But, the rejection didn't stick in my mind. It kept coming up. And then I knew I had to do it. Because just a few months ago, I was sharing with my Women's Ministry committee about the importance of tithing not only with your money, but with your possessions-- your car, your yard...your home. I know that I have been given an amazing blessing in the form of my home. And it is my responsibility to offer it up to him as a sacrifice knowing that He will provide. Luke 12:48 "... To whom much has been given, much is to be expected..."

The National Guard came next. Technically, it was first. For as long as I have ever know Derek, joining the military was always something he had wanted to do. It all comes down to his sense of duty to protect those he loves. If anyone knows Derek well, they will know this is part of his personality, a part of who he is- a protector. We had seriously talked about it twice before in our marriage, but other opportunities surfaced instead. It came back up as Pastor preached one Sunday Night about protecting the innocent and the ones who can't protect themselves. Derek said to me that night as we were in the drive-thru at Long John Silvers, "I need to start looking into the Guard again." And it was at that point, I knew. And then I knew that since I had such a peace about it all, that it was surely the Lord's will.

Derek didn't quite know yet, as he is more timid about new ideas and big changes. It was at that point that I realized that I was in the position to convince him either way. And to some, maybe I was foolish. When I am alone for those 32 weeks, who can I blame but myself? But how could I argue with what the Lord had so clearly made him to do? How could I prevent this man- who is not only capable, but willing- from serving our country? It was only two weeks ago as we were teaching our fourth and fifth grade Sunday School kids about Jonah. It was clear, that if God had called us to this service, that we would get there one way or another. Whether it was on a boat or in the belly of a fish- somehow, we'd get to Nineveh.

So, Derek met with the recruiter time and time again. We filled out 19 pages of the application (Did you ever sneeze, EVER?). He took the ASVAB. We filled out more paperwork. Met with the recruiter again. He spent last Sunday night up near the airport, passed his 4 hour physical, filled out MORE paperwork, and swore in on Monday afternoon as an E-4 Specialist. 

I couldn't be more proud of my husband.

If you are curious to know, Derek's MOS will be 25B Information Technology Specialist (this will complement his current job nicely). He will leave for 9 weeks of basic training at Fort Benning (GA) on July 25th and will go straight to his 23 weeks AIT training to Fort Gordon (GA). Fortunately, there is a two week break over Christmas, so he will be able to celebrate the holidays with our family. He will be done with training in the middle of March 2011. He begins his one weekend a month duty next month, in February.

Jackson Rolls Over

We had an exciting end to our already fun weekend last night!

Friday night, Derek and I enjoyed a wonderful date night. We used a gift certificate from Christmas to go to Ruby Tuesday's and we redeemed a "Babysit Jackson" coupon from some friends. Dinner was delicious. Then after dinner, we unromantically went to CVS but I needed to go and it is just easier when I don't have to carry Jackson in and out, especially when it's freezing cold outside.

Saturday, Derek had Jackson all afternoon while I joined some ladies from church to make Jackson's Christmas scrapbook. Last year, I got a little pre-made scrapbook from Hallmark, so I just had to put the picture in. I worked a little on his baby book too, gluing in his hospital bracelets, a few pictures, etc... The ladies all had beautiful scrapbooks, but I just don't see myself putting in enough time and effort to have those myself!

Saturday evening we went over to some friends house for taco's and game night. Derek really enjoyed doing guitar stuff with Mike. They pulled out some old recorded tapes of their band back in the day.

Sunday lunch was spent with Derek's parents so they could hang out with Jackson a little bit. While Linda and I were upstairs with Jackson, Derek and Forrest managed to break their router.

Last night, Jackson was being really playful so we decided to get out the video camera just for fun. And then Jackson decided he wanted to roll over and it was so exciting to have gotten it on camera. He rolled over once before on New Years Eve, but hasn't been interested since. Now he is just a rolling machine! It was just so neat to seem him figure it out and put it all together.



And to make our weekend even better, Jackson has slept for 6 hours the past two nights. Derek and I were listening to an old broadcast by Dr. Dobson, who mentioned that one night when their son was little that they just got on their knees to pray for him to sleep longer than a few hours. I was thinking about that as I was falling asleep, but decided that I didn't really need to do that because Jackson isn't a horrible sleeper, but both nights it was as if God was saying, "I'd like to give this night of rest for you if you'd just ask..." So, I did and he slept.