This can be addicting

I’m really getting old. At least that’s what I’ve decided after last night. After helping with youth yesterday – Alisha, another youth sponsor and friend of mine, decided that she was going to have a “Night Out” for the girls in our youth group. I was able to go hang out for a few hours, and several of the girls came. Some stopped by, and others were able to stay for the night. Alisha is moving out of her apartment this week, so it was completely empty – which made it great for sleeping bags and pillows.

I found myself trying to impart all kinds of wisdom to them – as if I know so much about life…please. I know I’m still learning, but I still heard myself saying things my mom would have said to me. And it made me sad, because while the girls are all wonderful – it seemed like they were missing the point of who God is. How great he is. How our lives are so insignificant without him, and yet – how much we are loved by him. I thought maybe if I reiterated that point in different ways, subtly, over and over again – they would somehow find it in themselves somewhere deep down….but I’m not sure if that’s true. I guess God will reveal things to them in his perfect time, but I want to share Him and His overwhelming greatness with them, and I want to know they understand.

It just hurts me to see people living on the surface of their potential in Christ. To see young women so upset by high school situations. It’s only natural…they are in high school, it’s just that I want to wake them up to how little of a part of life that really is. I’m the pot, calling the kettle black. I’ll admit it. Whatever stage of life you’re in, you always feel like the issues surrounding you are so huge and overwhelming. We all get caught up in daily life – and some of us forget that really “living” is so much more. To be able to see past today’s worries – b/c as we’ve been told “each day has enough worries of it’s own”. But to know what’s next…to know what we’re supposed to do – to know with certainty that we are following God’s will for our lives….how sweet it is when you know you’re in line. How sad when you are unsure.

Alisha and I talked about starting a business of sorts together. The objective would be "equipping the saints" and enabling people to “go” – More about this some other time, maybe, ….but I did get excited thinking about the possibilities…..

Anyway – that’s all for now. I was up until nearly 3am with the girls before I finally went home and got some sleep….It was a blast & they are great girls, who I'm really looking forward to getting to know better.....

In Him,

Welcome Back

Okay,

After visiting my good friend Elizabeth's site, elizabethlicitra.blogspot.com - I felt guilty thatI had let mine slip, and have decided to attempt to update this semi-regularly. Funny thing is...Elizabeth and I actually have the same background =)

This picture is from my trip to Monterey Bay Aquarium. I was travelling for business in April- but was able to take a slight detour. Phil and Kurt decided to sit this one out - but I had a great discussion with a sea otter. =)

This is a fairly recent picture - not the most recent - but at least it's something! =)

Since I last posted - Beck has gotten married to Michael - and even recently announced that she is pregnant! =) Congratulations! John has gotten married! Noel got married! Elizabeth & Brian had Corban - who has his own site too..(And we've made a lot of new friends who are also getting married! =)

Clint and I are attending a great church- and are really enjoying getting plugged in there. We've also made some really great friends there - one of whom (not to mention any names...Adam) does the church website. To check out his work & the church visit - www.edmondchurch.com - then if you want to find out more about God visit us! It's a friendly place with plenty of nice people who would love to invite you in & tell you more!

Clint and I are still enjoying being married. No changes there! =) We recently had an opportunity to visit his family in Italy ( in the end April) and had an absolutely wonderful time there. We visited Tuscany, Rome, Pisa, Pompeii, Naples.....yes, we got to see a lot of Italy. A big thanks to Clint's parents for being such gracious hosts! Bonjourno! Jen is there for the summer, and will shortly be going to Spain to study abroad! That should be fantastico!

I didn't get to meet up with any of my friends from Sweden while I was in Italy, but I did manage to visit with a few via email. I miss you all if you read this. I hope you are doing well. Please write me if you have a chance.

Goals for now: Continue to work hard, and be diligent in being all that I have been created for. Although my purpose is yet to be determined, I am ready and wiling to be clay - and will do my best to be patient in the process. I am learning about compassion and mercy, from a different angle, and am enjoying the new perspective.

Guess that's about it for now. I'll try to write more later! =)