Perhaps someday I’ll be a true blogger that updates consistently with insightful thoughts instead of simply updating when I upload my pictures once a month.  Too long since our last update….so much has gone on!  There have truly been sweet times of counselor training and staff training—training fun?!  Yes, we get to work with some INCREDIBLE high school and college age staff, not to mention great year round staff as well!  Below are some pics of the annual summer staff social kick off!  It is a time to celebrate the summer, spend time getting to know each other, pray for the upcoming months, and enjoy some good eats…

I love walking out my front door.  The cheesy, overused cliche, “stop and smell the roses” has become a reality at this house.  The whiff of our lilac bush makes me linger a bit longer on the front porch.  In fact, today it was littered with of handfuls of butterflies and bumble bees lingering too. 

It is crazy to think that earlier this same month we woke up to the world covered with snow. 

I am amazed at the seasons.  Though it may sound nostalgic of sorts, watching my rose blushes bloom reminds me of God’s promises.  Those thorny sticks become roses.  The overgrown bush in the front forms fragrant purple lilacs.  The once dormant, brown earth was preparing to paint the world green.  I long for that growth in my own life…

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has from from beginning to end.”  Ecclesiastes 3…

I am a sap.  I tear up when they each exchange heartfelt vows—their voices brimming with the emotion of the pledge to a life together for better-for worse.  I can clink my glass with the best of them eager to watch the bride and groom kiss.  I save wedding invitations and programs in a file. 

Last weekend, we eagerly headed to two weddings in one day.  I wanted to get married all over again.  (to the same wonderful man of course….)  I simply love the celebration of it all and am reminded of the commitment that we made to one another almost five years ago.  Despite my sappiness, I know full well, the road in a relationship with another is far from easy… 

...But as I take in a wedding celebration, I can’t help but hold Larry’s hand a bit tighter, inevitably get misty eyed, and fall into my husband’s arms with thankfulness.

We had to divide and conquer a bit with two weddings in one day…..yet are so very happy for Mitch and Elizabeth and Carson and Maggie!  May you each experience deeper aspects of our great God through your relationship with one another!

I have constantly been feeling that there is far too much do be done.  When I don’t accomplish tasks, I feel as through I am letting others down, myself down, and God down.  I’ve constantly felt torn, as though there is always more to do.  At times I feel defeated, feeling that I could always do more at camp, relationally, in the community, at school, in our marriage.  It can be exhausting.  I carry these weights of “to do’s” and “should do’s” with me everywhere.  And in the midst of it all….I say that I think I understand the gospel….

“The point on which the wold goes astray is imagining that man, however partially defective he may be, still in some degree merits the favor of God by works.”  -Calvin… 

And then I read Romans 3.  Stop reading my silly blog and go read Romans 3.  Seriously…God’s word is way better than mine.  Just read it…k?  It is convicting, yet so very sweet.  Such a reminder of my ridiculous misconceptions about so much of my life.  It is not who I am.  It is not what I do.  It is Christ in me.  Nothing more.  Nothing Less.  Christ in me by HIS GRACE.  God, give me the faith and grace to embrace this!  Is there really peace of conscience in my life because of this truth?  When I loose this Christ-like perspective, I fall into the confidence of my own works.  God help me.  In the midst of it all, I am trying to live by allowing God to order my day, learning how to be sensitive to his spirit. My prayer this morning….

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

Be encouraged….Commit to HIM ordering our days….  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xerKqtH_ZEA

Yup, you read it correctly, “spring fling mural thing!”  I don’t often write a lot about my involvement with the schools as an Americorps Member.  I honestly LOVE being at the schools.  While the bulk of what I do is tutoring and mentoring 7th grade students along with working in the afternoons with high school students, I also work with overseeing after school programs.  Because we are a part of a small school, there are limited after school opportunities particularly for middle school students.  My friend and I organized a mural painting activity this past month.  Teachers looked at us like we were crazy; Students loved it. 

As if painting a really cool mural wasn’t enough, we were selected as “Class of the Week” and honored on the channel 9 News!  So proud of these kids!!!!!!
Check out this link with the news report:  http://www.waow.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=4766326&h1=Class%20of%20Week%205/7%3A%20Rib%20Lake%20Middle%20School&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=152233&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&rnd=97672450

I have loved the opportunity to take an adult pottery class…..yay for community education!  May sound dorky, but so much fun.  I posted pics a while back of the process so here’s a glimpse of the finished product. 

(okay, I gotta admit, I felt a little silly displaying this because I am no master potter, but I had fun….)



(cool glaze, eh?!)

(though it may look like a 1st grade art project, they are lil Hoffert magnets.)