National Youth Workers Convention

This past weekend I had the privileged to attend The National Youth Workers Convention.  It was an amazing experience.  Being there with thousands of other youth workers who have a passion for youth was one of the best experiences I have ever had.  Just knowing that there are so many people who share the same passion that I have to help youth is so encouraging.  It is difficult to put in words how this experience impacted me.

Since starting this job, I have had many ups and downs which is normal for anybody in their job for the most part.  Just hearing and talking to other youth workers, I learned that they deal with the same frustrations that go along with this job.  It was comforting to know that I am not alone in feeling the way I do sometimes.  

Since being back, I am still trying to process everything that I learned and felt like God is wanting me to do in this ministry here at Wesley Church.  One thing that Dr. Kenda Dean said was, "Mission is not a trip! Mission is what we are called to do!  If you don't have a mission, you don't have a church.  Mission is the business we are in, young people included!!"  This one statement has completely changed the way I want to do ministry.  

This conference has also confirmed some of the decisions that I needed to make in my own personal life.  I am not quite ready to reveal what God has been stirring up in my heart, but I will be blogging about it very soon!  For anyone who reads this, please just keep me in your prayers as I move forth with my own spiritual journey as well as my ministry here at Wesley.  I want to do something radical with my faith as well as something radical in my ministry :)  

A Girl's Worst Nightmare is Finding the Perfect Jeans

I don't think that I am being overly dramatic when I say that EVERY girl’s worst nightmare is shopping for jeans.  I love shopping for the most part...what girl doesn't?  But when it comes to finding the perfect pair of jeans that fit just right, I would much rather watch a Harry Potter movie (that is saying a lot because I absolutely hate Harry Potter.) 

Saturday, I was feeling brave and decided to go out on a quest for the perfect pair of jeans.  I have not been shopping for jeans in quite some time and I really needed some especially since it is getting quite chilly outside.  Let's just say that it did not start out on a good foot.  Every pair I tried on was just hideous.  They would fit perfectly in my legs but be entirely too big for my waist.  Or they would fit perfectly in my hips but be skin tight on my legs.  And since the "style" is low rise, I had the WORST time trying to find some that weren't.  I guess it's my "old age" kicking in but I absolutely HATE low rise jeans! 

After going to New York and Company, American Eagle, Express, and Charlotte Russe with  no luck, I was thinking this will be an unsuccessful shopping day.  Just as I was about to walk out of the mall I saw Old Navy.  I am not a huge Old Navy fan but I decided I would see what there jeans were like.  I grabbed several pairs of jeans and headed to the dressing room.  I slipped on the first pair of jeans and to my surprise they fit perfectly.  There is no better feeling than finding that perfect pair.  I tried on the next 2 pairs and once again, they fit me perfectly.  I ended up coming home with 3 new pairs of jeans.  And they were under $40 which is huge for me!  I am used to spending way more on the "perfect" pair of jeans.

Any of you ladies out there who are a bit curvier, I would highly recommend Old Navy jeans.  I am super happy with them!  The quest for my perfect fitting jeans is over!  :)

Camping :)

One of my most favorite things to do is go camping.  I am not talking about going to a cabin, I am talking about real, legit tent camping.  I can not think of anything more relaxing than being outdoors experiencing and admiring God's beautiful creation.  There are no distractions of the "real world."

This past weekend I had the opportunity to go camping with 3 of my good friends.  We had a blast despite the fact it took me 2 hours longer to get there due to my inability to follow directions.  After finally getting there, Melissa and Dannielle already had the Tent up.  I must say I was very proud of them being able to get that tent up with no problem.  We went to Poinsett State Park and it was breathtakingly beautiful.  After getting camp set up we did some exploring.  The colors of fall were in full force.  Melissa, being the photographer she is,  couldn't walk more than 5 feet before she would stop and take a picture.  The colors were so vibrant and it made for amazing pictures.  It was any photographers dream.  I had to share some of her beautiful pictures with you guys.  I am already ready to go back this weekend  :)

While we were there we also made up a drink called "The Poinsett."  It was quite yummy so I thought I would share the recipe.  

2 parts Raspberry rum (Cruzen)

2 parts lemonade (Real Simple)

1 part soda water

Mix all together.  Do not shake, you will loose the fizz!

My Heart is Stirring during this Christmas Season

It is that time of the year again!  Let the Christmas music, Christmas shopping, Christmas commercials, decorations, lights, and Christmas trees begin!  I LOVE this time of the year  :)  Believe me though, I do not skip over Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays as well. I can't help but get into the Christmas spirit because from November-December all we will see is CHRISTMAS!

Over the past few days I have been struggling with the idea of Christmas.  For me it is such a joyous time of the year but for others, Christmas time can be hard.  I feel for the people who have no family to celebrate with.  I feel for the parent's who can not afford to buy their kids presents.  I feel for the kids who have to see all of their friends receive gifts while they try to understand why their parents can not give them anything.  I feel for the people who never know when they will eat their next meal while people like me gain 5lbs. during these 2 months due to the excess of food.  But most of all, my heart breaks for the people who do not know the true meaning of Christmas and what CHRISTmas truly is about.

I have grown up knowing that every year during Christmas I would be getting spoiled with so many presents and so much love from family not thinking twice about the people who do not get to experience Christmas the way I do.  Did I completely miss the true meaning of Christmas?  Absolutely.

It could be that I am having one of my overly emotional days, but as I sit here writing this blog I can't help but to tear up.  Knowing that there are people in this world who look at Christmas as a sad time of the year or Do not understand what Christmas should really be about literally makes my heart break.  I feel like God is calling me to do something this Christmas that is most likely going to be out of my comfort zone, or even have me make some major sacrifices during this time of the year.  I am still trying to figure out what it is that God is wanting me to do this Christmas.  One of my biggest prayers for myself is for God to break my heart for what breaks His and I do believe He is truly doing that to me right now.

My prayer is for God to give me the direction he wants me to take during this time of the year.  I want my heart to continuously break for the lost, hungry, and poor.  I want to stop talking about it and actually take some action.  I know that God will lead me into the direction he wants me to go as long as I continue to seek him.  I will keep you posted on what God is stirring up in my heart.  :)

Psalm 31:3
Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.