tag team. back again.

it's been 3.5 weeks since i arrived back in florence, italy. and i am so happy to be back.

it was hard to leave oklahoma. to leave my stateside teams, both in edmond and in stillwater. to leave my family. and to leave a slew of friends that i had so enjoyed being around.

but oh how sweet it has been to return. to a country that needs a Savior. to italian friends that have such a zest for life. to people who walked alongside me during one of the hardest years of my life. to a new beginning.

i have loved every bit of this beginning. i am so thankful for all the newness it holds. my new team. new apartment. new roommates. new perspective.

so here's to another year of living and serving in florence. i am full of hope.

soularium.

a dialogue in pictures. that's what soularium is all about.

on thursday, a teammate of mine and i asked several college students to describe their life and their spiritual journey... all through pictures.

the above images are all part of a tool used to create an easy conversation between two [or more] people. students are asked to select a photo that describes things such as 'where i wish i was spiritually' and then articulate why they made a certain image choice. i think it's a beautiful way to create conversations about the Gospel and to hear where students REALLY are.

when asked to pick a photo that describes God, one girl chose the mountains scape, one a dark tunnel with a shining light, and one a hand holding a bird. what a privilege it was to hear why. it's a joy to share truth as well.

the fall retreat.

it's almost that time- this weekend, over 200 college students will be traveling from all across the state to Cave Springs for a weekend of fellowship, fun, learning, and a little relaxation.

i am so excited to be a part of this great weekend. we are hoping to see students challenged in their walks with the Lord, pushed toward becoming leaders, and coming away with a heart for reaching their campus... together! how wonderful to see students unify over such a powerful message. they have a responsibility to take the Gospel to their campus- pray that they will realize this over the next several days!

it was at fall retreat 4 years ago that i first heard about a summer project opportunity to thailand. spending that summer in ministry absolutely changed my life. pray that God will change lives- i know He can!

here's a photo from back then- right before the barn dance. it's such a joy that some of these ladies are still in my life today.

a new role.

here i am. still in the good ole united states of america.

but ministry has not stopped! over the last few days, i have spent time with the local Campus Crusade for Christ team here in okc/edmond. it's been great to be around them, to hear what's going on at universities here in oklahoma.

my new position is still being set up, but the bottom line is: i won't be leaving for italy until november, but i will continue working for campus crusade here in america! i love this.

i'm excited about the opportunity to be around amazing people, new college students, and be exposed to staff life here at home. i can't wait to see what the Lord is going to teach me during this time.

please keep praying. for this little leg o' mine, and for the newness of ministry upon me. it's going to be a great few months!

a time to rest.

well, i broke my ankle. actually, i broke my fibula [which i hear is a leg bone] but very near to my ankle.

i was at our annual STINT briefing last week, along with 250 others like me who are going to the world. it was such a joy to be around friends and to see their excitement as they head to places like mexico, france, north africa, japan, bosnia, and so so so many more.

it was on my way down from copper mountain [after ski lifting and having lunch at the top] that i slipped and fell. it seemed like such a minor fall- there was no dramatic tumbling, no paraphenalia flying, and no jean tearing. but there was a broken fibula. yikes.

i'm currently spending my days in a splint, waiting for the swelling to go down so that i can find my way into a hard cast. pray that nothing shifts- i sure don't want to have surgery on the september agenda.

and speaking of agendas, it looks as if the Lord has a little bit up His sleeve. i still plan to be italy bound as soon as possible. it just looks like it won't be happening alongside my teammates. but the Lord is good. He is in control. i don't know why, or what He has in store for these upcoming weeks, but i know it will be good. and it will be best.

please pray for a speedy recovery, for complete restoration, and for sweet times with Jesus.

enough.

this is a must listen.

giving up.

the following song by ingrid michaelson has been sinking in these last few days. i would say that i have let the 'what ifs' of life freak me out over these last two weeks. i'm giving up. i'm giving up on not trusting the Lord. i'm giving up on trying to figure all this out on my own... and seeing a bunch of half-empty glasses. He is in control. i need to stop fretting over my own contingency plans. give this song a listen- her voice is magnificent:

What if we stop having a ball?
What if the paint chips from the wall?
What if there's always cups in the sink?
What if I'm not what you think I am?

What if I fall further than you?
What if you dream of somebody new?
What if I never let you win, chase you with a rolling pin?
Well what if I do?

I am giving up on making passes and
I am giving up on half empty glasses and
I am giving up on greener grasses
I am giving up

What if our baby comes home after nine?
What it your eyes close before mine?
What if you lose yourself sometimes? Then I'll be the one to find you
Safe in my heart

I am giving up on making passes and
I am giving up on half empty glasses and
I am giving up on greener grasses
I am giving up

I am giving up
I am giving up
I am giving up on greener grasses

I am giving up for you
I am giving up for you
I am giving up

-ingrid michaelson.