I'm reading this book called "The Life You've Always Wanted" by John Ortberg. I think he is one of my favorite authors. He writes in a very frank and convicting manner that changes my life. Last night I was finishing up the chapter called "The Unhurried Life" and I just wanted to share a couple of thoughts with you because I am guilty of running through life. Today I was convicted by what I could be missing.

"The truth is, as much as we complain about it, we are drawn to hurry. It makes us feel important. It keeps the adrenaline pumping. It means we don't have to look too closely at the heart or life. It keeps us from feling our loneliness."

"American society is filled with ideas and values and pressures and temptations about success and securty and comfort and happiness that we will not even notice unless we withdraw on occaision."

Hope this speaks to you in the same way it spoke to my heart.

Love you all.

Freedom Writers

My sister and I went to go see Freedom Writers this weekend. I thought it was going to be "Dangerous Minds" revisited but it was so much different. Erin Gruwell inspired classmates to abandon old beliefs set up by their families to unite in one class. I loved it. My sister and my mom are both teachers and I'm sure it was inspirational to Amy but for me it challenged me to do my job better. The reason I stepped into college ministry was because my own life was transformed by the Gospel in college. I'm not the same. This movie reminded me how sweet life change is and how blessed I am to be a part of it. Go see it...I think you'll love it. We, as Believers, have the power through the holy spirit to change lives. Let's do this together.

Colorado...

I'm back in Colorado for our annual student and staff conference. It's fun to come back here and be reminded of what the Lord has done in my life here in this hotel. When I first attended the Denver Christmas Conference (DCC), I was a senior in college--not sure where the Lord was calling me. Now, I'm here in the middle of raising funds to impact student's lives the same way that Jesus used staff here to change my life. It's good to be in a familiar place with people that know me well.

I was talking to my friend Suz the other day about the restlessness that I feel sometimes in this season of life. We talked about how different it is to live in authentic real community. She told me this quote from a friend, "Once you have lived in a community that takes steps of faith together, you'll never feel at home anywhere else." And I have been thinking about this a lot and realized, my heart longs for a community of peers that knows me well. I can't wait for heaven.