November 8, 9, 10, 11 -- Compelling

I haven't posted in the last few days because I was without a computer and completely immersed in the planning and executing of Compelling 2012, InterVarsity's Fall Conference for Michigan. This blog post will not even begin to give words to the work that went on, but hopefully I can share just a bit of my thankfulness. May this post give glory to God for His work among college students.

1. Physical safety...easy travels, no sickness/injuries

2. 31 Albion College students in attendance, last year, there were 14.

3. 4-8 Albion students made a first time decision to follow Jesus. Total, about 36 students made a first time decision to follow Jesus.

4. I slept so well. I slept deeply, and had more sleep than I do at home. It is amazing when you don't have to wake up several times a night to deal with a crying baby.

5. One student in interested in leading the Albion chapter in starting a ministry with fraternity and sorority students on campus.

6.  7 international students attended from Albion (Indonesia, Mongolia and China). It is so sweet to see Jesus reign among the nations.

7.  Significant conversations with students.

8. My call to ministry was re-affirmed. The Lord knows I am needy and need to hear it about every 53 seconds.

9. I saw an old friend who was visiting the conference. She left staff with InterVarsity and I haven't seen her in a while. We chatted real quick in passing. She asked if she could pray for me and for our foster care situation. Tina my friend, the Lord is using your prayers. I was so encouraged and challenged to pray the things that Tina prayed for, in my own life, especially with G. I am so grateful that God allowed me to run into Tina in the hallway for a quick second.

10. Staff friends. Ya'll are my favorite people in the world. The only people that I can really be myself with. I love that my closest friends and staff. I love that we can be real and do the work of the Lord together. I love that I can come alongside you and work with your students and you come alongside of me to partner with my students. To God be the glory.

11. Excellent expositional teaching on the life of Joseph. I was fed well by the Word this weekend.

12.  My husband. I am literally bursting at the seams with love for him. Our marriage is so incredibly awesome right now. Trying times bring people together, right? That has totally been us. I enjoyed knowing that he was at home taking care of things all weekend. I loved the texts he sent me. I love that he cleaned (and tried to clean) the house for me. I love that he bought me flowers and told our foster son that I love pink.

13. Kyndall and Paiton-- two awesome girlies who came over on Saturday to watch the little boys while Jon did yard work.

14.  Lunch on Saturday with Albion students. I had such a fun time connecting with them.

15. Serving in a track/seminar teaching students how to lead on campus via intercession and prayer. I love prayer. It was incredible to have students walk in on Friday night, some with no prayer experience, a lot with "I pray for exams" and very few that actually intercede or pray regularly and to walk out Sunday afternoon with a deepened Biblical basis for prayer, tools, ideas on planning great prayer gatherings and actually enjoying prayer.

16. Obedience. This is probably a longer story, maybe for another post, or a conversation. If you want to know it's really cool:)) Anyways. I am thankful that God gave me the desire to be obedient this weekend. He allowed me to hear his voice and to clearly speak to me. It was a joy to be used by God, to be obedient and to see how my obedience changed the course of my Sunday morning (and all of those involved in my track/seminar).

17. Lofthouse cookies. They are my favorite. Jon had some for me when I got home today. He knows the way to my heart.

Compelling 2012 was amazing!

November 7 -31

In a few days, I will be joining almost 800 college students and InterVarsity colleagues for our annual fall conference for Michigan. I am so excited to serve on the staff team. I will be posting more about it later, I am sure, but for today I am thankful for the 31 Albion students that are attending Compelling 2012.

31.

Last year, we had 15.

The year before that, about 10.

The year before that, about 5.

31. 31. 31 students!! And you know what??? If everyone said "yes" that was invited, it would be well over 50.

I am so excited to see how God is growing the chapter here!

Can't wait to spend the weekend deepening relationships with 31 Albion students:)

November 6- Teachers

I grew up in a family of teachers. I never ever want to be a teacher. I don't have that much patience. I can't put things into a language kids can understand. I don't understand why you can't grasp easy concepts. And since we are being honest here, I really don't like other people's kids that much.

I am so incredibly glad for men and women who choose to invest their lives into the lives of children. These teachers do not get paid what they are worth, they are scrutinized and judged and endure long, tiring days. I am so grateful for teachers.

I am grateful that G has a new teacher. His teacher quit abruptly about a month ago (as if this kid needed more transition in his life.) This week, there is a new teacher for him, one that he really likes, and one that I think will be great for his class room.

I am grateful for my mom, sticking it out as a second grade teacher for 30 years. Today she was hurt by a kid, and spent some time in this hospital getting x-rays. This is not the first physical incident she has between a kid and yet she continues to work hard at her job. Keep pressing on mom! 

I am so grateful for teachers and more grateful that God allowed me to break the generational tradition in my family to NOT be a teacher. :)

November 5-- The best coffee date around

I feel like Caleb has been getting lost in the shuffle with busy work schedules, and now having two foster kids at home. This morning we had an extra three hours and decided to have a mommy and Caleb date. We went to a coffee shop, I had a beloved caffeinated drink, while my almost three year old had a hot chocolate. We talked. I worked. He colored. We split a scone. I helped him color. We talked. We laughed. We sang songs in the car.

It was beautiful. It was fun. I want to cherish times like this before he grows up too quickly.

On our way home, I asked him, "Can you be my baby forever?"

He responded: "Yep, forever and ever mommy."

Love that kid so much it hurts.

November 4--- A husband who takes care of the kids

While at church, a migraine hit me hard. For those of you who have migraines, you know the feeling. Huge headache, dizziness, sick to my stomach, seeing stars, shaking...it was bad. I left church to go to the store to buy some meds. I sat in the parking lot of the church for a while...I had to go back in and get Jon and the boys but I was so incredibly sick.

We came home, I had some soup and bread for lunch and went to bed until 7pm. Jon was amazing. He took care of the boys, with no complaint at all. None. He let me do what I needed to do.

I am so thankful that I could rest yesterday and not worry about taking care of the boys.

Thanks honey!

November 3--Thankfulness

1. Seeing Raegan. I love my 9 month old niece, but living 2.5 hours away makes it hard to see her. It was so fun to kiss on her sweet cheeks today.

2, Family Photos. I am usually on the other end of the lens doing family photos. Today, I had a chance to get my photos taken. It was so fun....cold, but fun. Check them out here. (And yes...Wendi, my business partner took the photos.)

3.  A husband who is on the same team. It was a rough night with G, and I am so glad that I was able to run to campus and Jon was able to hold down the fort, knowing we are on the same team.

4. Witches Brew Wine. I haven't technically drank any tonight, but you can bet your bottom dollar, I will be.

5. Students who aren't afraid to have difficult conversations.

November 2- Grateful that there is lots to be grateful for:)

Today was an all around pretty good day, so I am grateful for a lot today!

1. Sleeping in. There was no school today, so we slept in. I slept till 7am, baby J woke up at 7:15, G at 8, and Caleb at 9:15. It was grand! I love lazy days.

2. Wendi's house. There was a time in my life where I visited Wendi's house at least once a week. Now....it is a success if I visit once a month. Life has gotten busy. Wendi is one of my dearest friends and co-business partners. Her boys had school off, so it was a giant chaotic, boy playground while the mamma's chatted. It was so good to catch up.

3. Becca. Becca lived with us last summer and gave us movie gift certificates. Tonight she babysat all three of the crazy kids and we cashed in her gift certificates.

4. Date night! Adult Conversation. Movie. Sangria. Boneless bbq wings. No kids. Need I say more?

5. G had a good day. More days than not, our 8 year old foster son gives us a run for our money, having lots of bad days. It has been a very hard season. Today was a good day. He had a great attitude and was really good. These days seem to be few and far between and I am glad today was good.

Today, I am thankful that there is so much to be thankful for.