Savor. 651-700

651. Nickel Creek's "Doubting Thomas" & remembering all the stories & youth connected to it

652. Finding a 7-11 in Kanab, UT - which means a yummy Slushie.

653. Buying way too many bags of Trolli egg gummies.

654. Realizing that our hotel in Kanab is right next to the Escalante Staircase Visitor Center

655. Driving down a road just far enough to see if we could catch the sunset

656. Seeing at least 20 deer cross the road and chase their friends

657. Belgium waffles at hotel breakfasts.

658. Walking next door to the visitor center to register for the Wave

659. The fact that they only let 20 people hike the wave every day - to keep that land protected

660. Being the number four in the lottery for The Wave

661. Speaking German with a French/German couple

662. Not winning a permit for the Wave on Saturday

663. Driving three hours north east to the Hole in the Rock dirt road. 

664. Only getting to mile 16 out of the 26 miles on the dirt road.

665. Exploring the 25 mile Wash.

666. Stepping into mud or quicksand and being able to laugh about it and get my boots out

667. Climbing a cottonwood tree

668. Getting off the Hole in the Rock road before it rained on us. Didnt' want to get stuck in the mud.

669. The beautiful scenery that changes before your eyes

670. A second morning eating Belgium waffles - I really like them! So yummy!

671. Watching a couple from Japan celebrate because they got a permit for the Wave 

672. Driving over to Arizona for the day.

673. Finding a Sonic & drinking a Route 44 Cherry Limeaid

674. Sitting at the edge of Horseshoe Bend, AZ

675. New adventures

676. Experiencing Red Mountain Resort with Michelle

677. Yummy and healthy food

678. Access to a variety of hot tea all day long

679. Early morning hikes in the Red Rocks

680.  Trying new workouts back to back

681. Riding bikes to have coffee in a neighboring village

682. Laughing. A lot.

683. Trying to open wine without a wine opener

684. Sabbath by lying in a hammock for the afternoon

685. Walking the labyrinth by myself surrounded by red mountains

686. Meeting Deedre and Kim on one of the morning hikes

687. Running into Abby while getting my haircut with Merrill! I love small reunions!

688. Experiencing The Summit Youth Ministry conference for the second time.

689. Catching up,with Anne at dinner in Atlanta

690. Lunch with my YMCP guys

691. Meeting & listening to the guy behind the Kid President share how God is using them

692. Listening to speakers and feeling so thankful that I do what do & how we do it

693. Sonny's barbecue

694. A slice of pizza from the best pizza place ever in Atlanta

695. Love when friends come into town

696. Wine tasting with Candis at Arrington Vineyards

697. Talking about guys with Candis and her friends

698. Yard Sales. Don't like them but thankful for the people who give and the people who buy so my youth can raise money

699. Laughter with my youth after an entire today together at the yard sale

700. Face timing with my dad and Grace

"Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving." - W.T. Purkiser

Savor. 601-650

601. Running my last 8 mile taper run through Black Mountain.

602. Naps on the deck at the Knob.

603. Second chances

604. Hard questions

605. The warmth of arms wrapped around me.

606. Friends who teach with me.

607. The same two friends who meet me at Los Compadres for chips and drinks.

608. Sharing in life stories.

609. Julia, mom and Grace picked me up from the airport the weekend of the Akron Marathon!

610. Grace's smile.

611. Raising over my goal for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in honor of my sis.

612. All of the messages that we received in support of the marathon and my sister.

613. The grace that my parents offer so that I can struggle less.

614. Rolling a ball with Grace.

615. Excitement of walking through the Akron Marathon Expo with Julia and dad.

616. Getting to know Julia's community better.

617. Digging through old pictures to find some of dad for his surprise retirement party.

618. Hugging dad and Paul before the marathon.

619. The feeling of freedom & strength while running down the hill before I got on the towpath around mile 12 during the marathon.

620. Knowing I would finish the marathon.

621. Passing Brandon the last two miles and giving him my arm band.

622. How I always sob as I cross the finish line.

623. Running up heartbreak hill. Or walking it. I hate that thing but I get to the top!

624. Finishing strong - and thankful that I got my nutrition & water intake right this year!

625. Dinner with one of my girls, Jamie at Los Compadres. Love getting to know her better!

626. Catching up with my amazing, strong warrior of a friend - Mary Ann.

627. House sitting at the Kuna's for over a week. Such a great place to be still. 

628. My cell phone does not work at the Kuna's.

629. The Brantley's opening up their home for our Fall Break movie night!

630. Getting to know youth families even better.

631. Going to Wilderness Trail for a Fall Hike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

632. Sharing a ministry that I love so much with my new church family.

633. Being invited to the oldest UMW Circle at Lebanon FUMC to share my story.

634. Vacation in Utah! 

635. The wisp of cloud resting on the tallest mountain.

636. Rising up and away from beauty

637. Having a friend who can get away for a week 

638. Michelle being willing to be flexible for three days to see if we could get a permit to hike the Wave.

639. Feeling so small and insignificant next to mountains

640. Crumbling the edge of sandstone with my boots

641. Yellow trees that pop up unexpectedly

642. Driving a long road that has a new view around each corner

643. Chopsticks trying to grab the last of a shared Pho

644. Remembering how yummy Del Taco guacamole salad was

645. Stopping the car for fire roasted pizza on the side of the road. Even though we already ate lunch. 

644. Giggling as we walked back to the pizza with frozen yogurt in our hands

645. Melty mozzarella on a margarita pizza

646. Finally getting my Zion National Park stamp - it was closed last time

647. Finding my stamp that Mary Ann signed for me - verifying that I had been in Oct 2010. 

648. Sharing that moment with her over text

649. The cameras in cell phones now

650. Listening to songs that I hadn't heard in awhile

"I'm so glad that I live in a world where there are Octobers." - L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Mom & Dad's the night before the Akron Marathon. September 2013

I love learning new things in youth ministry...

...or actually this time - it's not new but I relearned it.

Here's my latest 30 Hour Famine blog about getting out of the way so that our youth get a chance to lead There are also some quotes from my youth about their experience.

http://30hourfamine.org/2014/03/30-hour-famine-get-out-of-the-way/?cons_id=0&ts=1394148473&signature=f93e645a8d5bb167588286e6ec33b53f

Labels.

My latest blog for the 30 Hour Famine...

How do you see yourself? 

Who are you really? 

http://30hourfamine.org/2013/12/labels/

Savor. 551-600

551. An afternoon with Mary Arthur in Nashville. 

552. Finding a masseuse at Massage Envy who helps me be ready for the marathon.

553. My community. All of my friends who cheered me on through text, fb and in person during my 20 mile training run.

554. Falling asleep on the couch with Nathan while waiting for Brenda's flight to get here.

555. Life changing conversations with Brenda.

556. House sitting with Toly and Yana.

557. Long conversations about life and faith and brokenness with Yana.

558. Building a little trust with both of them.

559. The invitation to sing at the church for the first time.

560. Learning a new song in two days.

561. The congregations sweet response when they realize that I can sing.

562. Driving down I-65 with Brenda & Ingrid with Mumford and Sons playing loudly.

563. Rereading "Love Does" by Bob Goff.

564. Giving Susie my copy of "Love Does". 

565. Celebrating Susie's birthday in a small way by decorating her hotel room in gator colors.

566. The gift of a free flight to Pensacola with Gene.

567. Feeling I was coming home when we got to Pensacola.

568. Trying to see many of the people I love while in town.

569. But also giving myself permission to not see everyone so I could rest well.

570. Meeting Clay and having a new friend in ministry with him.

571. Getting to share what I love about all of the amazing youth he works with. 

572. Meeting Lisa's new boyfriend.

573. Candis was in Pensacola at the same time I am!

574. Meeting Heidi and Denise to run at Bagelheads on Wednesday morning.

575. Laughter with them. 

576. The fact that they mocked me for forgetting my running shorts  and I wore a skort instead. And they though I was just wearing a khaki skirt and no underwear. Ha.

577. Play and laughter with Cora. And Stacy and Ben. 

578. Pedicures, songs,friends and good food in honor of Susie.

579. The fresh, cool breeze when I got off of the plane in Nashville. 

580. Getting back to Nashville in time to spend a couple hours with Nathan before he went on a retreat for the weekend. 

581. Meeting Becky and Emily E. to run twelve miles on the greenway.

582. Experiencing Shari's Run - one of Lebanon local 5k's with church members.

583. Gorgeous weather to run in. 

584. Freedom to leave work early to get my haircut.

585. Catching up with Merrill.

586. Spending an evening exploring live music on Broadway with Nathan.

587. Stories about our families and experiences that shape us into who we are right now.

588. Inviting middle schoolers to be open to a life of faith filled with adventure at Winfree Bryant Middle School FCA.

589. Spontaneous photo of all the middle schoolers from the stage.

590. Short nap on the middle of the afternoon.

591. Listening to suicide survivors tell their stories at the "Never Alone" rally.

592. Being asked to do the opening prayer at the rally.

593. Getting to take care of Nathan after he injured his knees at Ultimate frisbee.

594. A weekend in Black Mountain, NC.

595. Having sweet and wise friends to sit with when my world is turned upside down.

596. The risk of opening my heart to someone else.

597. Bubbles in the mountains.

598. Roasted broccoli with parm and lemon.

599. Local Carolina brews.

600. Friends who are family.

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

Photo by Susie Schmidt at the Knob.

Life is Messy - My latest 30 Hour Famine Blog

I've been reflecting lately about how I have some great (and awkward) life experiences that also make up a really great story. Most of these stories involve me wondering how I ended up in that moment and a lot of laughter. 

This one is something that I went through back in August and I wrote about for the 30 Hour Famine Blog:  What story is God telling in the messiness of your life?

http://www.30hourfamine.org/2013/10/life-messy-complicated-funny/

Year Four. Day 48.

Nap. Time. Before Pulse... He showed up early to make it happen !!

Year Four. Day 45.

Game Night!!! Lots of laughter tonight!

Year Four. Day 41.

Loving the new color of my office walls!!! 

Year Four. Day 40.

Winfree Bryant M.S. FCA. Love starting my day off with middle schoolers!!

Year Four. Day 38.

Our new prayer board in the youth lounge. 

30 Hour Famine Blog - New School Year

It's that time again... Needed to have a blog done this past Tuesday morning. I knew what I wanted to say but it wasn't quite flowing the way I wanted it to... And I was going to see Mumford and Sons on Monday night in Birmingham, AL. 

So I put off finishing until Tuesday morning.  

I wrote about a new school year and being at a new church. How it's a bit of a challenge to invite teens and parents to do something like a 30 Hour Famine especially if it sounds like something hard and "not fun". But so incredibly worth it. It can change our lives, help us realize how we can come together by living out the gospel and that we can bring actual change into children and teenagers lives around the world!

Check it out:

www.30hourfamine.org/2013/09/a-new-school-year-and-a-new-youth-group/

Year Four. Day 33.

Homemade gift from one of my youths! Love it! 

Year Four. Day 27.

Where's the paper?? This brings me joy!!

Punching holes into the Darkness

Let's be honest.  

Sometimes life is just overwhelming. With certain situations I ask with hesitation,  "Is it possible darkness won this time??". 

I don't feel like I have solutions or resources or prayers or words to offer... 

Is there enough light???  Will the darkness overcome everything else? 

Almost a year ago, in a church staff day retreat I heard the following statement - "Punch holes into the darkness so light can shine thru...".  

What?!  I scribbled it quickly in the margin. 

I honestly don't really remember anything else we talked about that day. 

I was so taken with the charge and freedom of this action.  What a beautiful way to empower the body of Christ. 

I love that the light was not overcome by the darkness as it says in John 1:5,  "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it".

But I forget that I get to step in and join the process.

I am empowered.

I get to punch holes into the darkness so the light can shine through.  SHINE THROUGH!!!!  The light is still here.  Even if we can't see it.  Even when we can't see it.

I don't have to wait for someone else to reveal the light to me.  I get to take action.

I spent quite a bit of time this past week thinking about all the ways that I get to punch holes in the darkness:

Prayer (What a beautiful, powerful and life giving gift we've been given through this action)

Phone calls and leaving messages

Messages over text, email, twitter, instagram and facebook or whatever it needs to be

Reaching out to someone that others have given up on
Offer grace instead of judgement - to others AND myself

Empowering teenagers to find their gifts and strengths

Helping teenagers take the risk to use their gifts and strengths

Noticing others and making a point to affirm them

Challenging myself and others to see each other the way God sees us. Again and again.

Asking others to share how I could stand with them.  And then actually doing it.

Education

Collecting money or items for people who can't do for themselves.(Josephs Storehouse)

Supporting ministries (Open Table, Nashville) that stand in the gap for the less fortunate

Celebrating victories with my friends who are taking risks for the kingdom. Too many to list but currently pretty proud of my beautiful friend, Mary Ann

World Vision's 30 Hour Famine or SIFAT's "48"

Sponsorship of a beautiful child named Emily in Zimbabwe.

Experiencing life at an orphanage in Haiti (like Sur La Roche)or Nigeria or any where and sharing their story

Telling or retelling stories

Getting to be a part of changing the culture of a youth ministry or a church

Being a real friend

Running a marathon every year to raise money for the National MS Society in my sister's honor

This list could go on and on...

I also give HUGE thanks for the times that others have punched holes into my darkness.

I still feel sadness in certain situations when I just don't understand why... I know I don't know the entire story.  I don't know what God knows.

Today I am remembering Lee and his family and I will tell his story. I don't know all of it.

But I do know that it isn't over.  His story will help me punch another hole and let the light shine through.

*** 

I was wondering where the line "Punching holes into the Darkness" originally came from.  According to the internet -  Robert Louis Stevenson grew up in Scotland on a hillside.  And one night he was watching the lamplighters who would climb a ladder and light the torches on the street lights... his parents or his nanny asked him what he was looking at and he said, "Look at that man!  He's punching holes in the darkness!".

Year Four. Day 5.

"Strong"

I can't wait to explore this book with my youth!!

Year Four: Day 4

"Wonder" 

Why it's so hard for many of us to realize we're all in this together. 

Year Four: Day 3.

"Love"

Community...

Savorings...401-450

401. Slip-n-Slide

402. Seeing deer on my run at Long Hunter State Park

403. New experiences with my youth

404. The youth and adults willing to try PULSE at a new location

405. Watching youth softball games

406. Meeting Emily & Becky on a 4- mile run

407. A running groups acceptance & care for individuals

408. Sandi's gift to REI - and my hammock!!

409. Getting to stand alongside Bev & Scott on their sweet day

410. Rain clouds that pass just in time for their picnic & ceremony

411. Lunch with Clint at Prince's Hot Chicken

412. The Wonder Women & their flexibility & willingness to serve as needed

413. Moving my furniture from Pensacola to Lebanon.

414. After my wallet was stolen - Susie's clarity about my drivers license 

415. Having everything I needed to replace my license in a couple hours

416. American Express overnighting a new card to me.

417. Susie helping me pay for my moving truck

418. Friends who I can just be with even when I'm hurting

419. Movies with Lisa & Tim

420. Watching Gene back the truck into his backyard

421. All of the youth & friends who came at the last minute to help me load up

422. Testosterones song at Sandie & Joe's wedding.

423. Sharing stories after the wedding

424. Susie's food that I get for my drive back

425.  Driving with the windows down in a 24 foot diesel truck because the air went out...but the air was cool enough that I actually enjoyed it

426. The youth and friends who helped me unload my furniture into storage in Lebanon

427. Free storage from a stranger

428. Breakfast at the pancake pantry with Karla, Helen, Lauren & Paige

429. Following the Pensacola FUMC youth & adults on their choir tour

430. My friend who let me stay at her house for sabbath when my home wasn't

431. Realizing that Lorene may not make it & then hearing that she might get new lungs

432. Staying up late on June 20 to wait for the results of Lorene's double lung transplant 

433. The relief & joy I felt (& still feel) when Steve let us know she came through surgery well

434. Reconnecting with high school friends because of sharing in Lorene's story

435. Celebrating her recovery processs

436.  Running on the greenway from Kohls

437. Teaching youth to put tents up

438. Camping in a state park for the week

439. Eating spaghetti in the rain win my youth after our first day doing home repair

440. Watching my youth take risk and succeed

441. Closing worship - speaking a kindness to the person on our right

442. Watching the fog lift during morning devotion at Devil's Pass, Big South Fork National Park

443. Getting to know our home owners

444. Watching every one of the youth & adults climb the tower

445. Getting to each one of these youth better

446. The loud, loud bird that kept every one up at night

447. The bear frog

448. Taking Annie to the ER and her bloodwork was ok

449. Learning how to back-up a trailer

450. Jake's humor and ability to speak truth

Prayer is sitting in the silence until it silences us, choosing gratitude until we are grateful, and praising God until we ourselves are an act of praise. –Richard Rohr.

This beautiful child is full of life!!  Spring 2013

Recognize. Turn back. Say thank you.

30 Hour Famine blog -

Last month I blogged about the practice of saying thank you as a spiritual discipline. So when Marko suggested that I use that same idea for my 30 Hour Famine blog - I spent some time figuring out how to line up what I am experiencing through this spiritual discipline in a way that would make sense and invite other youth leaders to try this practice for themselves.

I'm not sure if I got it quite as clear as I had hoped. But I really do believe that if we take the time to say thank you for all the things that we have - it helps to not take advantage.  The practice may not change a child's life in another country but it could change how we approach ministry...our youth...our day to day lives - which might possibly it change our lives and their lives in a small but significant way.

Ironically, the two days I was working on this blog have been filled with hard or sad news - personal and for a few friends.

Amazing how I'm challenged to continue to say thank you. Even if I'm not sure what to say thank you for yet.

Wanna read what I wrote for the 30 Hour Famine?  Check it out here:

http://www.30hourfamine.org/2013/06/recognize-turn-back-say-thank-you/