Accelerate

Accelerate.
That pretty much describes what Jesus is doing right now.
(I still can't believe we're only a month and a half into 2010)

Fused has grown so much over the last year...we've pretty much doubled in size since we went 'fused' last February, & Jesus is now switching things up again...starting in 1 week, we will be split HS & MS to make room for more kids. I'm getting to step into the permanent producer role, which means not leading a small group anymore. I'll miss my senior girls, but I heard from Jesus this is where He wants me, so I'm going to follow Him there. I can't wait to see what He has next for fused.

Accelerate 2010 starts tonight...& I was accepted to participate this year. It makes me excited & nervous at the same time. I feel like Jesus told me I will be an apprentice this year. Crazy, & I know it's not because I deserve it...but because He wants to root out all self in me so He can remold me into who He dreamed me to be.

This week...

I need to be refueled.

It's been a challenging few days. But, thank Jesus, I'm looking forward to the Thrive class tonight & some free time afterwards, as well as a free Friday, followed by Cincinnati w/D. all day Saturday & a wedding at an aquarium Sat. night. (how cool is that?)

So, tonight/tomorrow, I plan to do some or all of the following to refuel my heart:
-Spend time at a coffee shop sipping on delicious drinks & spending time w/Jesus
-Go to the gym
-Play outside
-Take pictures
-Paint
-Clean my car out

Wowzers

I couldn't think of a better title.

Jesus is a-mazing. It's just over 2 weeks into the year & I can't believe what He has done already.

After I wrote my last post, I went to Fused that night & got to lead my 12th grade girls in small group, where we all got to encourage a new girl, Courtney in her search for God...then I got to freaking lead her to Christ! What in the world! She is a new girl...pure & innocent because of Jesus.

After we cheered & celebrated, I then learned that D. was leading a boy to Christ at the same time! His first person ever! I can't wait to see how that shifts something in him...it's like he's been right at the edge of something big for a while & now it's time for take-off.

A few days later, Mer asked me to pray about being her (official) Lifegroup apprentice! After praying about it, I heard a yes from Jesus. I now get to step into deeper water & learn what it means to lead... Crazy.

And now, it's almost my birthday! Last night we had my b-day dinner at Dad's...it's always fun getting to hang out with family & watching D. interact with them. I got a desk calendar with gorgeous pictures of places around the world, & reed diffuser that smells delicious, but is currently overpowering my office!

My best friend surprised me this afternoon with beautiful flowers & a gift certificate to get a 1 hour hot stone massage! AH! SO great. And I just finished a caramel machiatto my boss bought me.

Thanks God for lavishing me today...even before my b-day.

Now I have 1 hour before I leave for a 3-day weekend where I'll get to celebrate Shannah, myself, produce at church, hang out with my best friend & listen to great music, have a blast at lifegroup & possibly go hiking at the Gorge! YAY!

So...Wowzers. It encompasses the state of my heart over the last month.

2010

It's 2010.

2009 was an amazing year...Jesus did SO much in me & around me, it's hard to even imagine what He might do this year. I don't even know what all to ask for...

Last week was winter break & I got to spend a lot of time with my family & D's family. It was so great. Going into the break, I was asking Jesus to help me just be myself; to love our families with His heart & just be me without worry 0r pretending or people-pleasing. And, as the Lord is faithful, I felt more like myself last week than I ever have around our families.

I got to play board games with my dad & Fran, hang out with Tommy & Jessi, play & joke with D's cousins & even tell my story to his family from Iowa. It was incredible...an amazing start to the new year. If that's what the beginning of 2010 looks like, what in the world could it look like by the end of the year? There is so much hope for restoration & redemption.

Fused is kicking off tonight with a look back at what Jesus did in 2009 & looking forward to this year. I don't have a clue what to expect in Fused this year...we have pretty much doubled since this time last year...and I only see us growing. Not just in numbers, but I see the kids growing closer to God. I love it!

Well, I'm going to close out with a few things I'm asking for for 2010:

• Lead 5 people to Jesus
• Fran to come on Women's retreat
• to be confident & unapologetic in the way I lead people
• to read 'the Shack'
• for a different heart towards my old friends...one that is joyful & hopeful instead of scared & hidden
• Taylor to come on Fused retreat in March
  

A light in the Darkness

I've been learning a lot this season. A lot about leadership & what it means to just be myself. This weekend was a big smack in the face, but at the same time, Jesus was so faithful and steady.

Truth is, there is so much darkness around us, and in us. But when we bring that darkness out into the light, it loses whatever power it once held. I'm learning what it means to get everything into the light...not just the seemingly big things. To be known and recognize those things about myself & my heart that I have just tended to overlook or try to overcome....Jesus wants us to get those things out. Not so that he can fix us, but so that he can love & lead us through them to freedom.

I pray that when you find yourself in the middle of the darkness, that you'll be exposed. It may hurt & be scary at first, but it's really such a gift to be in the spot where you get to choose now what to do...choose Jesus. Whatever that means. Just choose Him. He is always the best choice.

He exposed to me yesterday places where my heart had started to harden on the subject of engagement...I was turning bitter & hopeless, believing the lie that God has been withholding something great from me. I really do desire to be married, to Dusty. I want him to propose. But I don't want it to be rushed-I really do want it to happen in God's timing. Jesus really does know how to lavish me, and I know that's His plan...so let's see, be lavished, or just get it over with? Hmmm...I choose Jesus.

I can't believe it's already December...it's unreal to me how much I've grown over this past year & I really can't wait for what God has next for me in 2010, and for my family...it feels like He's on the brink of something huge. I can't wait!

Excitement!

I am SO filled with excitement I can't stand it!

• Tonight we start our Fused at the Movies: Christmas Edition series with Joanna teaching about family conflict. I can't wait to hear her teach! Jesus speaks so loud & clearly to her it's insane...
• Next Wed. I get to teach in Fused about greed vs. generosity...Ah! How amazing is that? I can't wait! I need to get started on the teach ASAP.
• D & I just got the OK to take our relationship to the next level...he's joining my family plan on Sprint. I can't wait to go shopping for a new phone for him (and maybe me) and add his new line!
  
• I've officially moved in with Shannah & Mer! I slept in my bed in my new room for the first time last night! yay! I still need to finish decorating & getting all my stuff arranged & go grocery shopping, but I'm so excited!
• Tomorrow my new roomies & I are going to decorate our Christmas tree together! I'll post pictures for sure.
• Friday D. & I are going to Cincinnati for our 2-year anniversary date! I'm taking a 1/2 day at work & we're going to Ikea, H&M, out to eat & to a House of Heroes show! Oh so fun!
  
• Saturday I'm going to a 'Good Sense' workshop at church to learn about how to budget finances in a healthy way...which will give me a great grasp on it leading into combined finances in marriage down the road...
• Next Monday D & I get to go on a double-date with an old friend & her boyfriend! Rach & Doug! I can't wait...they are both absolutely hysterical & wonderful to be around. We haven't been able to hang out with them in a long time, so I'm definitely looking forward to it!

And....it's December! Christmas music has commenced! The tree in Triangle park is lit up & the sleigh in front of Lexington Green is out. Peppermint Mochas are at Starbucks (as well as the red cups) and I bet eggnog ice cream is at Graeters too! Oh how I love this season! I need to go Christmas shopping soon though...or get crafty & make gifts.

Well, it's time to head to church & help get ready for tonight! yippee!

Jesus wants the Rose

I cannot believe the amazing things Jesus is doing...

He's redeeming people & using them as poster children for broken people (Tim & Sandra got engaged last week...redemption story for all to have hope!)

Students are asking for more & stepping into risky territory...

Students are coming home..
Seth-8th grade longshot
Jodie-9th grade good girl
Hannah-I've been asking for her for a year and a half! Holy freaking cow.
& 2 more just last night.

8 College students gave their lives to Christ just this week.

And Ashlea is in process...Goodness am I begging Jesus for that girl! I pray He keeps stirring up her heart & making her desperate for Him! Don't let her think too much & talk herself out of needing you...that girl could very well come home this weekend! AH!

I've started listening to some of NewSpring Community Church's sermons. Beautiful & Don't Get Married Until series....listen to them.

9 days.