Cheering Me On...

Some of the girls from our women's ministry took a day trip out to the OELS Ropes Course. We've been before and it never disappoints! It's a great event to build team unity and the challenges we face together always send us away feeling like we can conquer just about anything! It is certainly a reminder that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. The last challenge of the day was a 34-foot tall rock wall that we had to climb and once we got to the top, we could ride the zip-line to the bottom. So awesome, but it was a challenge I didn't think I could complete. When it came my turn, the weather was a little drizzly and the rocks (the grips) were a little slick. It was hard to hang on, much less hard to pull yourself up! Almost halfway up, I slipped. You are harnessed, so you don't fall far, but it scared me and I quickly gave up. I had them lower me down and with my arms shaking like jello, I sat and watched the rest of the group complete the challenge. After everyone had a turn, the girls convinced me to try again. I didn't want to. Failing once was bad enough, but to try and then fail again would be even worse. They wouldn't accept that. So I got back on the wall. It was still hard. But the girls were screaming and cheering below as well as calling out directions for my feet. They could see easier moves that from my viewpoint I could not see. One of our JANES had gone before me and she waited at the top for me to make it, making sure that I didn't give up. And our wonderful instructor was at the top, doing the same. About 30 feet in the air, not believing how far I had made it, I looked down at all those faces that were intent on helping me succeed(I wanted to make sure they were taking my picture!) and I thought, "What a great picture of the body of Christ!" This is how it's supposed to be. Rallying around one another and cheering one another on. I made it to the top. But I wouldn't have given it a second try if it wasn't for my team. They were a great reminder that we are stronger than we think and we can overcome challenges with the help and support of those around us. I am so grateful for these girls that challenge me to do the things I think I cannot do. See the proof below!

Saying Goodbye...

My sweet grandad passed away this week after a short battle with cancer. He was the kind of man that everyone loved and wanted to be around. He had children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren that he loved and took great pride in. He was baptist, right down to the suit and tie and though fear tried to creep in during these last days, he never wavered from his faith in Jesus.

He served in the Marines when he was a young man and his dream has always been to have a military funeral. I've posted some pics so that you can see that his dream came true. It was so moving. His grandsons and great-grandsons were the pallbearers and it was a striking sight to see them carry the flag-draped casket to its final resting place. My grandad would have been so proud. I was so proud...of the man he was...of the life he lived...of the legacy he left behind.

We'll miss you Grandad.

JANES

I just need to brag on some of the sweetest girls I know! JANES is the women's ministry of Bay Area Fellowship and the leaders that serve are some of the most creative, talented, generous, fun-loving girls you've ever met. They are bound together by their love for Jesus and for their fellow JANES and they have answered a call to reach out to other women in our church and our community. They have a huge vision and such enthusiasm and I am amazed at the sacrifices they make in order to make sure God's work is accomplished. I am so proud to serve alongside them!

Here's a pic of our JANES coordinators! For more pics of the extraordinary ladies that make up this amazing team, hop over to our new JANES blog and check it out. It's still under construction, but feel free to sneak a peek!

God's Promises

I was heading to work this morning, looked up and saw the most beautiful rainbow. I just happened to have my camera in the car (never happens!), so I grabbed it and started clicking away. It was so spectacular, I applauded God out loud. The pictures do not do it justice, but I promise you that God outdid Himself today! In fact, I think He was showing off! And it was such a sweet reminder that His promises are true and He is faithful. It didn't take long to begin to recount the precious promises that He has fulfilled in my life and to look forward to the ones that are still yet to come. If you're waiting on the delivery of a special promise, have no doubt, He will bring it to pass. This was in my CD player this morning...I played it over and over! Salvation is here...


God above all the world in motion
God above all my hopes and fears
I don't care what the world throws at me now
I'm gonna be alright

Cause I know my God saved the day
And I know His word never fails
And I know my God made a way for me!

Genesis 9:13"I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth."

River Inn

Hey Guys! For those of you who've asked, our vacation was at River Inn near Kerrville. It's a great place for families! Click the link and check it out!

My New Job...

After 14 years of working in the education system (9 years at the same school), I am moving on. I have been blessed with a wonderful career opportunity, working with some great girls I'm just crazy about. There have been sweet blessings along the way already, but the first one happened within 24 hours of accepting the job offer. My new boss took our entire firm and their families to an awesome river resort for a week where we did nothing but have fun and relax! It was amazing and I'm posting some pics to prove it. The adorable girls you see are my nieces and yes, another blessing is that they are part of my new firm family as well! God is so good!

New Blog Buddy!

Hey Girls!

We have a new blogger in the world! Go see Leslie and welcome her to the family! She now joins the ranks of those of us who stay up way too late catching up with our blog buddies!

Ropes Course

This past weekend, we took several girls from our women's ministry (JANES) to a ropes course and it was amazing! A ropes course is designed to promote teamwork, problem solving, building trust and character, and just getting to know each other better. All of these things and more were accomplished. Fears were conquered, new friendships were made and old ones were strengthened. Every challenge had a lesson or spiritual application about life and ministry. One of my favs was the "log roll" you see below. We had to stand on a log and then rearrange ourselves in alphabetical order without stepping off the log. At one point, we realized that if one person would squat down, another person could step over them with the help of those on their right and left. It's the same in life and ministry. When you humble yourself so that someone else can advance, the whole team wins. What an awesome illustration! If you've never taken this challenge before, I would highly recommend it. You will not be disappointed. For more about our day, head over to Alisa's place! She has a great post about our adventure.

Thankful Thursday

I am grateful for so many things, but here are a few:

1. Even when I mess up while trying to follow God's will, He doesn't give up on me or leave me to my own ruin. Hallelujah!
2. The greatest family and friends in the world.
3. Books! I'm grateful for books! I know...it sounds corny...but I have read so many books this summer that have totally inspired me!
4. Blogs! I love blogs and the encouraging people behind them.
5. JANES (women's ministry) and the girls that make it so great!
6. Frappacinos...from anywhere!
7. Music and the ability to sing it. It is my most favorite form of worship.
8. Lunch with a friend...that tells you like it is...and then makes you laugh.
9. God's blessings that come at the most unexpected times, for the most unexpected reasons.
10. The ability to dream and dream big.

Laurel Wreath is hosting Thankful Thursday this week. Head over to http://www.laurelwreathsreflections.com/ to check it out!

Jill's Book Bag Giveaway!

Hey Guys!

This is so much fun! Go see Jill for more details and tell her I sent you!