Oxford, Mississippi

I sure wish I had new pictures to post on here. Two dilemmas stand in the fore front...first off I have lost my camera battery charger, thus I have no pictures to put on my computer. Plus, I have a new computer because my other one died and so I have no access to my old photos. Bummer.

Tonight I am taking a little personal retreat. Love it. The past few weeks have been slightly crazy. This past weekend I got to go back to my roots (ok, semi)! I went to Oxford, Mississippi. I had not been back there since I graduated, so I was for sure over-due for a visit. IT WAS WONDERFUL!!! It was so refreshing to be back in the South, in Oxford, and with my peeps. It was a weekend full of friends, love, laughter, and fellowship. Oh, and my dear friend Mr. Jonathan Rainey proposed to his lovely Cynthia...and she said YES! I have yet to meet this beautiful woman, but I sure cannot wait. Anyways...I had the opportunity to catch up with a number of beautiful friends. I also ventured back into the athletic arena to say hello to all of those who were of great assistance throughout my 4 years there. All to say...the time I had there was delightful.

Lately I have been thinking about what the summer holds for me. I want to do something. Something that will transform me and make a difference in my life...but more importantly that the Kingdom will be impacted for Christ. Options. Taking classes and working? Coaching summer volleyball camps? If I had money going to Bolivia? Working at summer camps? Traveling overseas with a bunch of teenagers? What shall it be Lord? I will wait...

Exchanging ashes for BEAUTY.

Prayer. What a powerful thing. I believe that we make prayer more complicated than God wants it to be. It's just coming to the Father, and communicating with Him. Why is it that we find it so difficult to communicate with someone that is constant and all knowing? But, we do. I admit it, I do too. The cool thing about God is that you can talk to Him where ever the heck you are! I mean in the shower, in the car, doing cartwheels, swimming, in another country, or in a culture that doesn't worship the same God that you do. God is an AWESOME God. Do we really understand what we say, when we say God is an AWESOME God? Hmmm...what it really means is...extremely impressive or inspiring awe! We should stand in AWE of who God is! I mean come on now, let's pick up the Bible and see what outrageous things He has done for us...but the thing is is that it doesn't stop there! God is STILL doing beautiful things, and He so desperately wants us to deny ourselves and pick up the cross and follow THE Beloved! So cool. How does God impress you? Well, for me...obviously prayer and the communion with God is one way He is currently impressing me! In Romans 12, we are told to be faithful in prayer, are you? As this chapter continues, we see that God wants us to share with His people who are in need, to practice hospitality! And my favorite part about this chapter is God wants us TO LIVE IN HARMONY WITH ONE ANOTHER!! Wowzas. How beautiful of a God we serve. He wants such beautiful things for our life, yet we choose to see things not of Him or on our own personal terms. I guess these thoughts and revelations have developed because finally some true and much needed fellowship took place tonight. It is pretty profound when you sit in a place where you can truly experience God's dwelling. God wants to exchange our ashes for BEAUTY! Let Him. Man, I sure have plenty of areas for that transformation to take place. But, HE is Almighty and can give me Beauty for Ashes!

And the journey only continues...be blessed!

After 9 months without blogging...

Obviously it has been quite some time since I have blogged...oops! My attempt is to start consistently blogging again. I don't really know what I will have to blog about. Maybe some thoughts, experiences, revelations, or life in general? Who really knows! I am not even quite sure why I stopped blogging when I did and why I all of a sudden decided to pick it back up! hmm...

It was very interesting to go back through my previous blogs from Bolivia. It actually brought back a lot of spectacular memories as well as some sadness since I deeply miss the country, the beautiful children, thrilling culture, and wonderful people! There is not anyone that I think will really go about reading this other than those who randomly search through blogs to read Which is quite alright with me! My hope is to just be able to share about life here in Colorado just as I shared life in Bolivia.

Well, I just wanted to write a little "buffer" blog to lead the way into a new journey of blogging. Now I am going to get ready to head over to a little Super Bowl Party. Would it be completely sad news if I confessed that I don't even know who is playing? Yikes...well it sure is unfortunate so I guess I am just going for the fellowship:)