this isn't really an update on my life...my previous post is more revealing...but i just wanted to fill you all in on our youth prayer retreat.  it was awesome!  we took students who have never been on a prayer retreat into the mountains...we laughed, we fellowshipped, we ate lots of food, and we prayed.  it was so impactful for the kids and so precious for me.  God meets us!  He always meets us!  i feel like my life is just a journey of desperation.  He is the object of my DESPERATION!

new seasons are difficult, amazing, painful, joyful, and well, difficult.

i am lonely in colorado.  ministry is lonely.  i feel like ben and i are trying to do this incredibly impossible task of reaching students and we're all alone in it. 

school is difficult.  the students are great most of the time, but  i feel like it's one step forward, five steps back. 

being a mom and working over 40 hours a week is so frustrating.  sometimes, i so desperately miss my little girl.  i see her everyday, but i feel like i hardly ever see her. 

however in the midst of dark clouds, there is a silver lining.  my new favorite hobby...swimming with belle!  i love it!  we go about 3 to 4 times a week.  she's so cute.  she splashes and tries to play ball with the 'big kids'.  she is such a joy!  and ben...he proves to be an incredibly godly, faithful friend, who always has the right wisdom.  and of course...there's jesus!  sweet lover of my soul...is there anything i could possibly say?

miss you all

cam

i hope you had a truly wonderful christmas!  it's crazy that another year is gone.  i grieve the speed at which life is passing by me and yet i rejoice in new beginnings and new seasons.  i am so excited about this new year and all that God has for me.  ben and i have set our goals and i believe that God is going to move in our lives and in our community.  we are truly grateful for the blessings that God has etched into our souls this year and yet we await with open arms the new things that He has for us.  i pray that we as a body can grow closer to Christ and see more of Him on this earth this year.

 

Belle hangs out

I went ice climbing with a guy from our church...he took the first blind man up Mt. Everest.  it was such a neat experience.  there were two kids with us...one was blind and the other had epilepsy.  it was so encouraging to see these guys do what they do and overcome their disabilities.  ben also went.  he climbed up the ice wall without any problems, i on the other hand could barely make it a few feet up :).  i took one of my high schoolers, she also did awesome!

 

 

me with one of my co-workers and one of my high schoolers.  both are studs!

 

Belle prepares for winter

 

Merry First Christmas baby Arrabelle!  You're such a beautiful little girl...you have brought us all so much joy.  you are the greatest gift.