I Will Go

Drew and I had the privilege of going to NYC last week as district sponsors for the Chicago Central District.  It was such a wonderful experience to hear the word of God and worship alongside 6,000 + high school teens and sponsors.  It was so great to be able to watch our teens worship and grow closer to the Lord.  The theme was A World Unbroken.    It was very powerful!  The speakers, musicians, and artists worked beautifully to portray a message of hope and healing for this broken, hurting world.


Here are some pictures from the week:

Our family group did a car wash to raise money for a hotel called Wayside Mission.  They give shelter to homeless people in Louisville, KY.

A view of the YUM Conference Center where we had worship and heard from some wonderful speakers. 

College Church teens worshiping the Lord in our blue "Windy City" t-shirts.

NYC's 6,000 + teens singing Amazing Grace led by Starfield

We had lunch at the Old Spaghetti factory one day!  Delicious :)

All of the Chicago Central District teens and sponsors

This is a song that Starfield sang during our worship time that I could not sing without getting emotional.  I love the lyrics and this is my prayer for myself and for our teens.

Jason Gray

For Your name's sake - Shane & Shane

i come to seek Your face
Holy Spirit wont You fall on us
speak wisdom to Your people Your saints
fill us with the knowledge of you
fill us with the knowledge of you

overwhelm my heart
overwhelm this place with a passion for Your name
i need Your tender mercies
Holy Spirit wont you make a change

For Your name's sake

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving was spent here in the Bourb with the Bensons.  EB came in town from CO, Gran and Bo came up from Nashville, and some dear friends, The Olneys, joined us from town.  Here are some pictures of the women working in the kitchen and doing all we can to help out Drew's mom, the Ultimate Thanksgiving Chef.  She did a fabulous job and we ate Thanksgiving food throughout the rest of the weekend!  So yummy!

And there you have it!  Thanksgiving was a success!

so it's been a long time...

Sorry blogger world.  I'll catch you up.

This fall several things have happened:

1.  We went to an apple orchard in Michigan with my parents and lovely Grandma James.  It was a fabulous weekend!

2.  We, EJB & the bridesmaids and I, threw my pretty sister-in-law, Katie, a personal shower... Read more about that here as I don't want to repeat (and would not be able to adequately describe) all that took place during this event as beautifully as EJB herself. 

3.  I attended another shower for the now Mrs. Katherine Nielsen, at the lovely home of Drs. Frank and Sue Moore.

4.  I ran around with some of Katie's beautiful friends for pre-wedding activities such as manicures, lunch, rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, and going to see Katie and Doug's new home.

5.  The only proof I have that I was around for the wedding day... standing on stage did not allow opportunity for wedding day pictures.  I guess we will all have to wait for JAKE!


6. OLIVET'S HOMECOMING!  Our lovely friends Matt and Laura Ryba stayed with us in our humble abode in Chappy-Chap.  Not only did we thoroughly enjoy their company, but my whole family was reunited again as my parents, sister and brother-in-law joined me, the hub, and my little broski on campus for the weekend.  We loved seeing the faces of Olivet Alum with quick passing "hello's" and briefly being caught up on one another's lives.  It truly was a wonderful weekend.  

7.  We bought BIKES!!  And we went on a bike ride early this afternoon.  It was glorious!
I'm looking forward to enjoying God's beautiful creation, exercise, and time with my hubby!

 8.  And lastly, as this new crisp and blustery weather approaches, I have a new found appreciation for hot tea.  Since I do not like coffee but love to be warm and cozy, tea gets the job done.  

Presently, I'm enjoying a cup of TAZO Passion tea.  I think it is my favorite!

(This pretty cup was given to me last Christmas from my sister-in-law, EJB)

And now it's back to the books...

Prayer by Jeremy Taylor

Lord, let my life be orderly, regular, temperate;

Let no pride or self-seeking, no covetousness or revenge, 

No little ends and low imaginations pollute my spirit and unhallow my words and actions.  

Let my body be a servant of my spirit and both my body and spirit be servants of Jesus, 

Doing all things for your glory here.  

Amen.

Watermark on Pandora

I have had my pandora station on Watermark these past couple of weeks and I have really enjoyed hearing new songs.  I don't own any of their cd's or tracks on Itunes except for Knees to the Earth which I absolutely love!  (It was played in our wedding while Drew and I took communion together.)  I love the simplicity of the words and I feel like my heart really connects with the lyrics.

Here is a song I heard today that I really enjoyed.  It's titled Incorruptible by Watermark.

Incorruptible, indescribable
Salvation's calling...
When I was longing...
Now You're the strength that holds my life
With a love that will never die
And never fade like the flowers...
It is a love that stands forever!

Oh I am not redeemed by corruptible things
Not by silver, not by gold
And not by aimless tradition
But by the blood of God's sacred Son Jesus ...
Oh You alone are my living hope
And my inheritance is...
Incorruptible

Incomparable, inconceivable
Your plans for me...
Shall always be...
And for the day that You're revealed
My heart is forever sealed
With the promise of mercy...
And the hope of all Your glory!

Oh sacred Son
Who paid the price
Oh may I live a grateful life
That magnifies Your name forever! 

So grateful for a God who continually pursues me and loves me.