....days that just won't end....

i am sure you have had one....you know the day that just WON'T end? yep- having one now. but this day should be a great day- i didn't have to work. after over 100 hours of work last week alone on a movie for our youth sunday- i was given today off.
so my day started with a wake-up call from mother nature as a storm shook my house at 6:30am. so yeah finally was able to fall back asleep after the rumbles settled down a bit (not much it poured until noon- lightening and thunder attacking left and right). my day actually started with a visit to the chiropractor for a back injury that is a year and a half old and getting very OLD every day. today hurt...it hurt bad...but what hurt worse was to hear my chiro actually admit that he is not sure he can do anything to get rid of the pain...he is as stumped as i am as to why almost 2 years later i am still in so much pain....AHHH ...that is so freaking frustrating! he poked and popped some spots then did 'presure point' treatment that actually hurt so bad i couldn't help but cry...insane.
so after that fun event i was off to spend some time in fort worth-woo hoo- but that too was a bust- some cause i was not feeling so hot thanks to the chiro visit- and some because i went to get some new crocs and they were OUT of my size and color i wanted- nothing like not being able to buy some shoes to make you feel sour :-) then had to fight once again with best buy...long story- so not worth writing about- lets just say their "geek squad" that they boast about is not truly a squad of experts but people who dress badly and offer bad advice and pretend they know what they are talking about....also wanted to see 'in her shoes' and that didn't work out...so i just came home and called the day over...
so what is with today? some of it i know is dealing with feelings of things past and things that maynever be....some of it is knowing that there are people who are hurting today- who have lost a friend..a pastor...a father...a husband.. and that their are people out there who don't want to let them be and let them have their time-
you know sometimes life just sucks- today is one of those days- but the bright side of a bad day- is that tomorrow can't help but be better!
but really could today just end? i am gonna make a move in that direction and call it over- sleep come quickly!

NYWC reflections from the interpreting platform part 2....

...so today i spent some time reflecting back on my week in pittsburgh- some with the excitement of the nashville convention being just 3 weeks away- and some just thinking about what i saw...what i did...and most importantly what i heard.....

so doug fields....i feel like i should write him a letter of appology- early on in my years of attending NYWC's i went to a few of his seminars- i got very frustrated while sitting in the class...i kept not wanting to hear one more thing about the different items he had created and we could buy...and from that point on i just never honestly gave him much time....but my views of him have been adjusted a tad!

enter general session #2: worship time was freaking amazing- crowder did "you are my joy" which is hands down my favorite song on their new cd- and i was interpreting at that time...but i digress from the point of this post- if you want to read more about an amazing experince that came with the song....go back a few posts and read "and God heals NWYC style" and you can hear all about it..it truly was awesome....but this post is not about that....

okay so general session 2- doug fields- i was not interpreting during the message- so i sat with my new friends and listened just incase something was missed by the person interpreting and we could feed them the info...so there i sat not so excited about message...mostly because i had this colored picture of doug- but WOW his message was truly amazing and rocked my mind a tad bit....it was like he had crawled into my mind read my thoughts and was speaking just to me (okay so many people i talked with felt the same way- seems us youth pastors share a lot in common) ... the whole 'my mind is saying no yet when i open my mouth the word yes jumps out'- i can't tell you how many times i sit and listen to someone asking me to do something and in my mind i am screaming 'you have got to be kidding- you truly can not believe that i have time on top of everything else i am doing here at the church to put it all on pause and help you out' to open my mouth and have the words 'sure i would be so glad to help you out- let me see what i can shift in my schedule to help you accomplish what you need to accomplish' .....no matter how many times i tell myself i am going to say no- i say yes....sometimes i feel obligated...sometimes i say yes in fear that saying no would be more of an issue then my lack of sleep....sometimes i say yes because business feels so much better then loniness...OUCH....that last one is a kicker...why sit at home alone with my pups if i can be doing something for everyone else.... but my inablity to say no clashes with the rest of my life....so doug asks the question- 'how many of you left cluttered offices? cluttered homes? cluttered cars?' okay so i was ready to make an excuse that i needed to use the restroom as i was feeling like everyone was looking at me....and i make eye contact with a friend who says 'wow....why do i feel like the only one here who's life is full of 'clutter' because i just go and go?' so i didn't run and hide...instead i sat there and thought about what he had said...i started running through my mind how i can start saying no....who i can have hold me accountable to saying no more.... now i will say i have done so much better since moving here to Stephenville- i actually have carved out time that i protect...and i have been doing better then i ever have before...but i need to do even better....i wear 3 hats at my new church and each one holds many other hats....just need to find ways to find a different balance in life now...and also find ways to say no for the protection of my soul....so umm thanks doug...and sorry about those neg thoughts! :-)

okay....off to zz land if i can defrost....we have hit our first COLD snap here in texas and i don't have my heaters lit yet....so instead i am sleeping under 7 blankets....ahahah the joy of living in the country in a OLD house!

be blessed!

NYWC reflections from the interpreting platform part 1.....

so i must admit- interpreting for the convention is totally different from attending the convention- it is BETTER! yep- i have really really enjoyed being a part of the vol team the past few years- giving back to people who inspire me daily. but there was something totally different about being a part of the vol team as an interpreter. in the past i have spent my time at the HQ desk meeting people, hearing stories, handing out pounds of candy and helping people find their way...
this year was spent with a smaller group of people....and was more tiring then years past- there were times at night that my brain would completely be slushy by the time i crawled into bed at night....but during the event- i was all there....
we actually interpreted a critical concerns course- talk about alot of time with hands flying- wow...I spent my CC in the '3 story evangilism' course- it was a very good cc- even though i was interpreting i did get a lot out of it. not the same as getting to attend- but still it was pretty awesome. people in the class were very accepting and embracing to our deaf attendee- which is always a total plus. most of the stuff was pretty common sense but was a great review and some new insights. and a movie that i have enjoyed in the past but had lost sight of was brought back to mind as they showed a clip from it during the class...i will for sure be checking amistad out again soon.
from the cc we were off to the first gs- Mark Yaconelli gave an amazing talk- i couldn't help but think of a few people in my life that my thought would be 'yeah i would love to unaffirm them too'- if we are honest that is usually our first reaction when we are 'unaffirmed' by others- for me though his talk took me to a place where i wanted to find ways to forgive those that have unaffirmed me in my ministry. for my own hearts sake.... so his talk really got me thinking....and of course the david crowder *band did an amazing job of leading us to the very feet of our Savior. it was a great gs- and getting to interpret for dc*b was amazing- something about interpreting worship just brings me to a place in my heart that is closer to Jesus then anything. it was awesome....i will say though the experince of interpreting for the skit guys is pretty comical....stacey (the other interpreter) and i shared the prodical son skit interpreting- each taking on one character....which went well. but i was left to do the "welcome our new youth pastor" skit myself.....rap and all- it was pretty stinking crazy and funny....
more to come....reflecting time first :-) keep walking the journey has just begun!

...flying the friendly skies....sometimes too friendly...

so do you sleep on planes? usually i have more then a tough time falling asleep on a plane....but today was a tad different. i didn't get to bed all too early last night (too busy spending a few moments with friends as the convention closed up) and my alarm went off all to early this morning-
so up i got- way before i ever ever ever wanted to see the day- but up i got to finish packing and head off to the air port. so pretty smooth go to the airport- got there....got checked in....got on plane....here is where things got interesting...
so as i get on the plane as typical the person i was assigned to sit next too was already settled in their seat and i was the window seat. well he gets up...i put my stuff up and get settled. we start having some conversation- you know just nice convo- 'how are you?'- 'where you from?' etc....you know nice little chit-chat.... which is great when you are gonna be sitting next to someone for 3 hours....
well the plane takes off- we finally hit the right place where the little bell chimes and you know it is okay to get out your electric stuff...so i pop out the good o ipod ready to enjoy some crowder and spend some time reflecting on the week (which i have....and will be continuing to do so...and will post more about that later). well i get really really tired...and actually pop my seat back and close my eyes- well not only did i close my eyes- i totally fell asleep. i am not sure excatly how long i was asleep- i woke up the first time as the grouchy little attendant was walking through cleaning up trash from the beverage service (oops missed that one)- funny side bar my seat mate and i agreed that she looked like an exact twin of the wicked witch of the west from the wizard of oz....it was kinda funny....so well i was like whatever and went back to zz land....next time i wake up...i wake up to realize that my seat mate (who's name i don't even know) has fallen asleep. not only has he fallen asleep- he is sleeping on my shoulder! okay....so he is actually close to my age...single....is kinda cute and has great taste in calone....but HELLO...i don't even know his name and he is totally zonked out on me. i kept trying to wake up fully but couldn't- you know that place in sleep when you are awake and asleep- i shifted alittle- and he stays asleep- finally i give up and fall back asleep myself. well next time i wake up....(i am pretty sure i slept at least 2 of the 3 hours) he is not only now sleeping on my shoulder but has cuddled up with me...his hand wrapped around my arm and touching my hand...still zonked out. well this time i was able to wake up more so i shifted and kinda coughed pretending to still be asleep- (i didn't want to embarrass him) he finally wakes up and i can tell he is a little freaked out that he was sleeping on me. i just continue fake sleeping for a few more....then 'wakeup' he doesn't make eye contact with me for the longest time....finally toward the end of the flight he strikes up a conversation with me again. it was all i could do not to start laughing....but i just played nice....played dumb.
i guess it could have been worse...he could have smelled bad and been rude...instead it was just one of those strange- slightly odd- a little uncomfortable- and alot funny (well atleast in my mind it was) flight experiences. sure beats my flight to pittsburgh. but wow....those were the 'friendliest skies' i have ever flown...ha!
okay so stay tuned....more on NYWC experience and reflection coming.....once i recover from cuddling with a guy whos name i don't know....YIKES ....hahahhaa
be blessed....and dream well!

....and God heals....(NYWC Style!)

okay...so i am a tad slow and off this week on my posting....for good reason though. i am currently in pittsburgh at the nywc........freaking brilliant time!
anyway i am here as a volunteer helping the ys staff. i have been doing this for the last 5 years and LOVE the time i have volunteering- nothing like finding a way to give back to people- fellow youth workers who walk in the same shoes i do...on very holy ground....in differnt places all over the world.
i can't help but think back to last year--- i was in such a difficult place...i was more then broken i was shatterd. i felt like i walked around in the "icu" the whole time- still enjoyed my time last year...but was a completely differnt experince. so anyway...
this year i am actually getting to interpret. that has been such an amazing highlight for me. i actually graduated from college with a degree in interpreting- i then was called to full time ministry and had to really give up a lot of my invoulvment with the Deaf community. i have prayed so often about how God could take my 2 biggest passions and connect them. this week has given me the start of that great picture.....God truly is amazing....blessings flow and continue to do so. as the week has gone on...i feel my skills coming back- and with them...my deep burning passion for the Deaf community. ...so yeah...one of my favorite things to interpret is worship- and i set up a schedule with the other interpreters and i got to interpret for the david crowder *band.....my favorite worship leaders....anyway i had asked crowder a few weeks ago if he would for sure do 'you are my joy' from their new cd as the picture that song creates is amazing. anyway...so second worship time crowder busts out 'you are my joy' and WOW can i tell you what an experince that was? WILD.....
so here i am interpreting that song...and when you interpret you are to do the best of your ablity to match not just the words...but the emotion behind them. so here i am...just in awe at His feet signing this song...so one of the Deaf guys here that i have had the PURE joy of hanging with and getting to know looks at me and says:
"it is like God has healed me- i 'hear' the joy...i can see the joy....i can feel the joy...i 'hear' the joy so loudly- God has spoken and is speaking and His joy is shining-wow..this is amazing"...well okay so i was so close to tears not funny- such a sweet and beautiful moment with our Savior and a new friend. - see when he says he was 'healed' he didn't mean he was hearing like as if his ears were opened...but he was hearing with all of who he is to all of who God is..... AMAZING....so after i went back to thank crowder for doing the song...and asked if it would be alright for the guys to come meet him- and in his typical way- crowder was more then gracious- they had a few min to chat ....snaped a photo....shared hugs...and we were out of there.....i love that crowder is so real- just a normal guy....who is called to lead us to the very throne of Jesus....it was a truly awe inspiring experince. WOW.....i won't forget this anytime soon.
this week has relit the passion in my soul for Deaf teens- i am hoping to find some ways to get involved with doing more. i have so missed interpreting.- it is not my calling full time...but it is truly a passion....so it has been a week of joy.
my arms do feel like they are going to fall off and my brain is full to over flowing....infact yesterday my brain truly "hurt" you have to think and process so much when you interpret. but it has been pure and simple joy........tomorrow is it and i am sad that it will be over...but i am ready for some real sleep. convention time is always crazy and sleep seems to fall by the side... oh well it is more then worth it.
okay tomorrow is another full morning- then clean up and such...so i need to find the journey to my bed and the zzzz's.
praise God for He is good!

keep walking slowly- don't miss out on even the little things.....
thank you Jesus....thank you for the cross....thank you for the calling....thank you for the gift you gave and give today. you are holy...and i seek to be wholly yours!

customer what?.....

....oh yeah so some people just don't even know what the words "customer service" mean....yep...basically i have had communication with aa and they just don't get it.....basically i was blamed for a employees choice to use inappropriate language and didn't even get truly an appology.....ahh so as for my last post....i still agree.....i am still thinking it...and i still am screaming to all who will listen....AMERICAN AIRLINES TANKS!.....avoid at all costs!....not sure the "discounted ticket" i found was worth the headache....for 32 more dollars i could flown the friendly skys with my favorite airline and had a much better experince!....UGH.....live and learn....

okay back to "work"....
walk on!

american airlines sucks!

okay so that is a tad strong....MAYBE... you see it has been one of those days...you know the ones.....well welcome to my day today.....it was a glimpse of hell....as my dad use to joke...it is days like this that make me glad i know Jesus.....cause atleast in the end end....there will be no end just joy with Him.....guess you have to know my dad to know how fun that coment is...but yes today makes me glad that this is not my ultimate life.....

so i fought with a airline person...without even trying....really i just went to figure out where my plane was to find out they left 15 min early.....well not really really the door was just shut and i was told "i am in charge of that door and i am not opening it..you will just have to deal with it.. " a few other things were said....i just stood there...saying nothing back knowing that fighting with this woman would not result in anything but more hell for me. UGH....i was at her mercy..so i was put on a flight to leave 2 hours later...but for fun....(NOT) i sat and waited and watched the plane.....my plane the one i was spose to be on ...sit for another 15 min before leaving the gate....(hello how freaking hard would it have been to open the door? i have made tighter flight issues) ....so then go to my next plane area...wait....get on....fly get here and have issues....ahhhh finally arriving at the hotel to find out that 6 of the crystal hand etched communion chalices i made for friend broke because the same NOT SO NICE aa employee told me she woul dnot allow me to carry the box on (mind you it was smaller then most carry ons) and that it would have to be checked....oh yeah and can i mention that i had already made it through security with the box? yeah ...okay so i explain what is in the box...she just gives me this look takes the box and checks it....so yep i am even more TICKED at aa......i am sending a letter.....i am so over it....but realy the part that makes me more over it is that i was nothing but nice to the lady and she not only was rude but cussed at me.....what the heck is that? .....ahhhh

okay too long of a day too much drama for this gal.....i am off to try and get some zzzzzzz

keep walking....slowly.....one foot infront of the other...

art projects that go BLAH!

okay so i am a tad frustrated....YUCK....okay so i LOVE doing art stuff...i love it love it love it...but i know i am overly critical of my stuff....and tonight is one of those.....i just got done doing some glass etching...but well i am not sure it has turned out how i want....hummmm....we will see...i need to go to sleep and see what it looks like in the morning- i know that if i try to do anything to it tonight.....life could get really really bad....besides it is 1am ...i didn't sleep last night....so i need to go to bed....and reality is...if tomorrow they are as bad as i feel.....well they can go bye bye and who ever has to know that i didn't like what was created? humm no one ..... trash cans were created for days such as this:-) hahaha

tomorrow is a new day- tomorrow is a new day with a new project.....tomorrow is a new day with a new project just waiting to be created.....yes it will happen...tomorrow is all about art-baking some cookies- packing for my trip- and going to hit a movie in the afternoon for a brain break!

walk on!

working on my day off....

....so what good is a day off?
yeah so this is my typical friday- it is my day off...yet i still find myself in my office. CRAZY...what the heck am i thinking- yeah yeah yeah i know lots to do and only so many hours...but why do we work when it is not our time to work? i can tell you i do it some out of boredom...some because i don't feel like i get enough done...and some out of need....
i told myself all week i wasn't going to work today- but well i had to get up early as it was 'pep rally' day at the high school- can i just go on record right now to say that if you have never lived in texas you haven't really experienced high school football insanity! here in good o St'ville they go all out. EVERY friday during football season our high school takes a full hour of classes to get everyone together in the gym to yell, scream, jump up and down and show school spirit. today i sat as i normally do with the parents (yep here everyone- the whole town it seems sometimes) comes to the pep rallies) and just watched. it is interesting to see- it is interesting to experience- it is something that still to this day baffles my mind.
you see we can't just have a simple pep rally- nope...we have to go over the top....we have to take propane takes and fill them with ball barrings so we can shake them to sound like an attack of the yellowjacket (the school mascot....well if you are a boy...if you are a girl you are a honeybee) ...i don't have anything against it really- i mean i will say i believe we take it a little too far....but i do like the idea of encouraging the students to have some spirit...but yes the pride does come in the way sometimes....it just baffles me what we choose to get so excited about. yes yes yes here it comes.....sike...no it doesn't i am not about to say 'i just wish we gave Jesus the same cheers we give at friday night football' ....because what happens on friday nights is too much- it put on and it is forced.....there is HYPE in the air....there is some excitment....but at the end of the night everyone goes home and it is over....
so today it just hit me that here in texas we tend to go to far....and when i am tired it really seems so....it also hit me that i find one excuse after the other to work when i should be truly taking my day off...wow today has been a day...and with that i am gonna go get my hair done....new hair is a great adventure of a great day....and besides this ramble needs to end...what the heck? ahhhh welcome to my friday.

come and listen.....come and listen to what he's done....

come and listen.....
i can't tell you exactly how many times i listened to this tune as i drove home tonight from our bible study. david crowder *bands new cd is insane- in a really really good...no wait...in a really really amazing way. anyway- we had a great night of discussion- they are so hungry for truth- the students- they are seeking- they are striving- they are wanting and yearning for more of HIM....ah YES!
so i got in my car stoked out about the night and on came the song "come and listen" so i did listen- again and again and again- however long it took me to get from the church to the house- that is how many times i listened to the words- they are so freaking true- do we...do you take the time to listen to what He has done...what He is doing? do you take the time to praise Him and thank Him for all He has done, is doing and will do? tonight i stand is total AWE of my Savior- His love is so real and alive and here in our face everyday- how do you not see?
i also am thinking on this song as we work on our worship service for the 30th. the song speaks so much to the challege, question and declaration we want to speak that day. It is about Him...it is about challenging people to be bold enough to declare their identity in Him- so i am working on the video...the ideas are RUNNING in my mind nonstop......i am praying they will all come together soon- His goal- His time- His message- that is what we want.
well i am off to listen and see what He has done!

a difference in a year....

wow.....what a difference a year can really make!
litorally at this exact moment (i mean time and everything) last year i was walking into what would prove to be one of the worst days of my ministry career. you see just a year ago today at 4:15pm in florida i was heading into my weekly 'checkin' in' meeting with my supervisor at the church. no need to feel anything but this is the weekly deal...no big deal...only added stress was we were in the heat of setting up for our rummage sale...a HUGE fundraiser that was a HUGE headache...but the outcome money wise was usually worth it....so here i am walking down the hall thinking nothing of it...i walk into his office...shut the door and sit down ready for our quick 30 min...........i was no way prepared for what would come out of his mouth......i remember the words, the look on his face, the temp in the room and the rock hard slam to my gut that came with his word.... "liz i don't even know how to start....i don't want to be saying this...i don't know why ...but i promised you if i ever thought this was going to happen i would warn you....well it is....it is going to happen. i don't know when i don't know why....but sprc is going to ask you to step down....get your resume out and ready....again i dont' know why or when...i just know it is going to happen." i know i asked some questions- i don't remember them...i just remember beins so unsure if i could even take a deep breath......he kept saying sorry...sorry...i don't know why...why don't you just go home for the day....it will be okay....can i do something for you...i just sat there not saying anything....i remember at one point looking up at him and he just gave me this look- you know like the one a puppy gives you at the pet store begging you to take it home...his last words to me as i was leaving his office- "and liz you can't say anything to anyone- you need to keep this between you and i...i want you to have time to find new position...if you go off talking about this it may speed things up"....so there i was....i had been fired before being fired (how the heck you do that i don't know)....i just walked out to my car got in and started driving.....and then the tears came....and i made a few phone calls....and my world became dark, hallow and very lonely.... ..wow crazy what a year can do....
so this past weekend i was looking for something and i found a journal that i thought i had lost that i actually started last year at this time...my entry from a year ago includes this "my body is numb but yet pain is ripping through my soul. my mind is so fuzzy- i'm not sure about what time it is or what i am doing at any given moment- all i know is time is passing and i can't account for it. i hide now..i hide in my pain, i hide in my anger, i hide in my embarrassment- FIRED- not the word used but it is really the outcome to come- when? i don't know- time doesn't matter anyway- my heart feels as if it has stopped. tears just run down my face- i feel s broken, branded and scared. i feel like i am standing on the firing line watching them clean and prepare their guns that would deliver the final shot- the final blow..i know what is coming- it is the when i can't see. i can already feel the bullets enter my body- they burn as they tear through my flesh- as they enter my soul- even though the first bullet is a direct hit to my heart i am left still breathing watching and waiting for the end to come. how will i do it? how will i move on? how do i prepare to leave when i have to pretend to stay...that nothing is happening...shhh gag order....don't talk to anyone...you have to be your normal happy self- doesn't matter that you are broken...doesn't matter that you are hurting- get over it and get ready to move on. night has come and i should be sleeping- but sleep is escaping me. i lie in bed the dark surrounding me- i am so scared i don't know what to do...tears just keep coming- morning is here..i must go to work...i enter a building now that feels like a prison- a shell of a place- quick paste a smile- nothing is wrong- my mind keeps yelling at me to 'escape- run- don't look back' but i stay- i have no choice. the walls are closing in on me and i can't find a door- what can i do? i can't escape. .....i feel like i have been beaten and left by the side of the road...yet with each car that passes i have to raise my head and smile pretending that nothing is wrong- nothing has happened. ...Jesus (i cry out) i need you- please be more real to me right now it this place then ever before- guide and restore my soul- direct me- i am walking without sight right now...embrace and give me rest....."
it goes on...lots more really- but you see where i was just one year ago today at this exact moment- but a year does change things. I am in a better place- i am in a new ministry- Jesus was faithful then as He is today- it is hard to look back- it is hard to remember last year- it was crazy- but today is beautiful. I love what i do...i love the call He has placed on my heart- i just dont' always like putting my feet down on the path that is before me. fear is a crazy thing- so that is what i am working on right now- FEAR NOT- FOR I AM WITH YOU........yes He is...and for that alone i rejoice greatly- Jesus is my all...my rock...my hope in dark and troubled times...He has lead me and held me...He has covered and healed me.....He is still healing me...wounded and broken i shall always remain- but in that brokenness He shines- Thank you Jesus for the difference of a year.....Thank you for your faithfulness and your hand of grace, mercy and hope....thank you for people who stand in the gap so the bumps only sting and not bruise.....Praise the Lord for His is good- faithful- true.
walking forward with the story of the past to give me strength!

a million miles an hour.......

......my brain right now...that is where it is....i have a million thoughts....going a million ways...it is INSANE!!!!!!!!!!! i have so much that is happening that sometimes i feel like i am just running after a parked car....do you ever have that feeling? i am made up that way- i like to have lots going all at the same time- but sometimes i just want to yell.....WAIT......STOP.....someone please for the love of jellybeans push the PAUSE button..... right now is one of those times.....i need to stop for a moment...yet i am not sure when and how i can...that is my goal tonight as i fight to fall asleep (yep i know it is gonna be a fight because my brain is going mad crazy)....i am going to look at my next few days and truly find time that i can just PAUSE and BE.....i need some BE time with the great I AM....I need to BE with BE.....yeah that is it....hold me to it...challenge me to do it...sometime between now and sunday i need to do this!...that is the goal!

alright...off the the journey of zzzzz land- well soon i hope!

Jesus....

...my identity. is He? that is the question....the statement....the truth that we are focusing on in the coming month during our times together at our youth meetings. we lead worship once a qrt at the church and our theme on october 30th is Jesus:my identity- focusing on the question that Jesus asked of the disciples (it is found in matthew, mark, and luke)- you see first He askes "who do others say that I am?" and the disciples are quick to tell Him- "a prophet, elijah, john the baptist" .....he then turns around and asks... "who do you say that I am?"....peter speaks up..."the Christ of God....the Messiah"....so Jesus asked that question then....and i believe He is asking that question still today- so that is our challenge....that is our goal....to ask people "who is Jesus" and in asking them the question causing them to think about it.....think about how they respond to the question.....not just with their words...but with their very actions.... some would say we are being a little risky- some would say we have no right- some would say that the question has been answered again and again- but has it? every day i feel like i am surrounded with "cheesy Jesus" junk- being in full time ministry i get a whole stack of things asking me to buy this buy that....look at this cool pic of Jesus playing hockey- get it for all your hockey loving students.....COME ON PEOPLE......have we taken it too far? sometimes i find some of this funny- other times i find it sad.....what if the only Jesus we are being to others is the one found at urban outfitter? you know...the Jesus action figure....or hey better then that....what about the ever so popular bobble-head Jesus? ............ just has me thinking.... and thinking.....and wondering.....and pondering....who is Jesus? is He really my identity? ........if so....how do i show it? or is it just a little bobble-head Jesus style of identity? humm more on this later........

pondering and wondering!
Lizzy<><

caveman night in stephenville...wow...

so tonight we had our first B.A.R.F. event (bring a real friend) it is our evangelism program with our students. we host events that are fun and low key for our students to invite their non-churched friends.

tonight was caveman night- i try to have a theme each time we get together...for the fun factor..so we asked and encouraged all the youth to dress up in caveman stylin' clothes...(some did some didn't)...and get ready for a great night. we had cave painting contests (they had to do bible stories in cave art...pretty funny really)...we ahd food...oh my did we have food! ....and we had a little screening of encino man. since it came out in 1992 many of the kids han't seen it. it was a great night full of laughter and fun.....but more then that it was a glimpse into what can be.....you see i haven't been here all that long....this is our first event like this...and the kids get it....i mean they get it....they want to be here...they want to bring their friends...not just for the fun.....but to be together as a crew...a family of believers and seekers....it was a GREAT night....thanks Jesus for the love and hope...and thanks pauly shore for one wicked mellon thump of a story du-ed...yeah bu--dy

ahh with that...i am climbing in bed for some well needed and well earned zzzzz's......

praise Him who loves us as we are!