Just Me...

My Friend Rita

2008-09-11T14:49:00.002-05:00

This morning I heard a lady on the radio whose name was Rita. It reminded me of Rita that I used to work with. So, when I got to work I sent her a quick e-mail that just said "Hi, I'm thinking of you". She's one of those people who sees the extraordinary in the small everyday life things. Here's part of her reply to me. It encouraged me, I hope it encourages you too. :)

PS-Lloyd and I just harvested our summer garden. Haven't grown one for many years. But I marveled that only months ago we planted "seeds". Small, insignificant, lifeless looking things. Many of them looked the same. We had to keep track where we had put what...

Then as things grew they took on their own unique design and now that they are ready for picking they are beautifully and individually designed and colored. The bonus is we get to eat them but we marveled just to even look at the produce as we dug or picked each one.

Lloyd remembered when he was cutting back our grapevine the teaching from the Gospel of John that Jesus said He was the vine and we are the branches...the fruit doesn't come from us but from the life in the vine. And I thought of "unless the seed falls to the ground and dies it abides alone but if it dies it brings forth much fruit. There has been a lot of life that has come from those seeds that were buried.

And then recently I read of Jesus, that He "emptied Himself" taking the form of a servant. I wondered what it really is like to live "emptied of oneself". I suppose it would look like Jesus :-)

I hope you are enjoying daily the joy of watching God use you in your family and workplace as you live in the vine.

A day in the life...

2008-08-05T08:28:00.003-05:00

Hello everyone! I thought it was about time to send out a little update about what's going on with me. I finally have a new job. I'm working in the special events department at the university in town. So far it's going well. I like it. I like the people I'm working with. I get to help plan all the events that the president is involved in. Our next major one is in Aug and a major recording artist is going to be here and I'll get to meet them. It's a band that I grew up listening to thanks to my mom. That's kind of exciting. I'm still working a couple of Saturdays a month at the bank for a little extra income.

I've moved into a new apartment. I LOVE IT! It's much better/nicer/newer than the old one and bonus it has hook-ups for a washer & dryer...and I even have a washer/dryer that I can use. I never thought I would be excited about doing laundry, but there's the truth of it...I am. It's a little smaller than my old apt. The new one doesn't have any kind of a dinning area, no place for a kitchen table. But really, let's be honest...I don't sit at the kitchen table when I eat anyway so it doesn't matter.

The family is doing well. The boys are great. Hayden starts pre-k in about 2 weeks, he's going to school all day! He's a big boy. Rowdy is as cute as ever. When I go to their house, Rowdy comes up to me and grabs my hand and says (with his big brown eyes looking up at me) "Come pay wis me auntjenn, come pay wis me." I have no choice but to go and play...you can't say no to that.

There's been a little drama with the rest of the family. My youngest brother Brett (just turned 20) has decided to date a girl with 3 kids who is still married (she's in the process of getting divorced). My sister tells him and anyone who will listen in no uncertain terms that it's wrong and it's causing some tension between her, the parents and the brother. I agree that it's wrong, but there's got to be a way to say it's wrong and not condone the behavior while still accepting the person. My sis is so far on the truth side of things and the parents are so far on the grace side of things, that they can't seem to find a middle ground. I'm not sure about all this drama...it's driving me a little crazy!

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the drama and anything else you want to share. Love you all :)

Aruba Day 4

2008-05-19T00:04:00.005-05:00

Kelly and I went para-sailing...That was a pretty crazy experience. It was a super windy day, so it was kind of a turbulent ride. I think I went as high up as 300 feet. I LOVED IT and I would not hesitate to do it again! Some of these pics Kelly took with my digital camera on the boat...and some of them I took with a disposable camera from 300 feet up in the air...Aruba was just as beautiful way up high as it was up close.

I have lift off!

That's our boat from way up high...and my feet :)

The view behind me

The view in front of me...all the dark spots are rocks/coral in the water...
there's hundreds of colorful fishies swimming around down there

Self portrait from 300 feet

Kelly in the air!!

The "captain" of our boat...you can't see it but this guy has INCREDIBLE arms...

We walked through one of the hotels to get to the beach where went para-sailing
and they had these birds perched everywhere. They were a little camera shy...

Aruba Day 3

2008-05-18T23:50:00.003-05:00

Malmok Beach (right next door to Arashi). We went snorkeling here too...pretty amazing!

The Buccaneer...this is where we went to dinner. It wasn't quite what I was expecting, but it was fun. They had aquariums all over and tables right next to them so you could watch the fish and turtles swimming around.

Aruba Day 2

2008-05-18T23:33:00.003-05:00

My view of the ocean from Arashi Beach. We went snorkeling here...it was AMAZING. The water was so clear and there are so many colorful fish. Some of them would even come right up to us and swim around with us. I saw squid (little one's not the 20,000 leagues under the sea kind), a sea snake, eels, even rocks that looked like it came right out of a Sponge Bob cartoon.

There were these lizards everywhere...While we were on the beach one of these crawled on Tracy...she scared it away :)
One day Krista and I were sitting by the pool and 2 of them went racing by us wrestling and then one of them grabbed the others head in it's mouth and got it in a "head lock"...literally.

The bus ride back from Arashi Beach

Eagle Beach at sunset (this was "our beach")

AahhhhRuba

2008-05-12T07:56:00.007-05:00

Day 1Getting on the Airplane

We made it through Customs!

Kathy (in Slovenia) worked hard with one of the staff of the place where we stayed and had chocolate chip cookies waiting for us when we got to our condo. That was an awesome surprise to "come home" to!

This is where we stayed.

To be continued...

Explain yourself!

2008-03-16T21:49:00.003-05:00

Ok, so I appreciate those who posted comments and voted on my dilemma. But I need one more thing...if you voted no...tell me why. What's your reasoning. I'm a why person, I need more than just the answer. I really do want to know what you all have to say about this.
Thanks! :)

Dilemma

2008-03-11T08:49:00.003-05:00

OK, so I've been going to this church and I've decided to make it my church home. That means getting involved in it's ministries. So, I signed up to work in their children's classes once a month (I start that Easter Sunday) and I've tried 3 of their small groups. 2 of them weren't the greatest and the other one was great but it was all college students except for the leader and he's younger than me too. So here is my dilemma...I would go to the bible study with all the college students (the leader wants to expand it so that there's something for young adults out of college) but it has been meeting on Tuesdays at 6:30 and with my new part time job I don't get done until 7....with where it is and what it takes to get in the building where the group meets (on the college campus) I can't go, it would be too distracting. So, I got an e-mail from the leader asking if I could go to the group if it was switched to Sunday's at 6:30....here is my dilemma(and what I told the leader)

I’m a little conflicted about meeting on Sunday’s. I don’t have any weekly schedule conflicts so that’s not an issue. On the one hand, meeting on Sunday gives me the opportunity to be involved in a small group where otherwise I wouldn’t be. All of the small groups meet at 6:30 during the week. On the other hand, I usually spend my Saturdays and Sundays out at my sisters house…which is the only time I really get to see them except for the occasional lunch during the week. Now, I want to be involved in a Bible study, but I don’t want to get in the habit of telling my sister "oh, I gotta go. I’ve got a church thing to go to". I moved here to get to know them and to share Christ with them…how can I do that when I’m not actually with them? But on one more hand, I know that I need to be involved with a body of believers that can encourage and pray for/with me about all of this. I just need to figure out what my work/life/church balance should be. Usually when I get involved in church, I get involved so much that’s it’s the only thing I do.

So, what do all of you in blogger land think? I would love to hear your opinions!
:)

Quick Update

2008-03-06T20:47:00.007-06:00

ANSWERED PRAYER!
Ok, so I've been praying that God would send me a friend here. I told him "Boy, Girl, I don't care, just a friend" and you know what...He did it! I was sitting in church on Sunday and there was a couple about my age sitting right in front of me. Then during the "say hi to 50 people you don't know part of the service" this girl turns around and introduces herself. Says she's kind of new here. When she found out that I was too, she practictly yelled at me "can I have your number? can we get together?". I sort of yelled back "OK!" So we exchanged numbers. So tonight I met her for "soda" (not coffee here) and we hit it off. She even invited me to hang out on Saturday. So, I think God answered my prayer for a friend!

BIRTHDAY PARTY
Here's a couple of pics from Rowdy's birthday party. There were more adults than kids, but it was fun. There was a storm brewing (I know that sounds like hick talk, but it's true) so it was really windy (perfect for kite flying) and I got a couple of great "sun behind the clouds pictures". All the pics were taken at my sisters place.

These boys are my youngest brother and his friends (3 of them live with my Dad & Stepmom) The girl is my brother-in-law's daughter.

A few random pics: Rowdy Ropin' and the boys sleepin' (they sure are cute):

Ok, one more, I can't help it...this is bathtime fun... (it's ok to put this kind of a picture on my blog right???) I took this picture on my phone when I was watching all 3 boys once...I sent it to my sister...It's going to make a great bribe picture one day...

My Brother

2008-02-22T09:51:00.001-06:00

Medicine Park

2008-01-28T22:57:00.000-06:00

I went here with the Fam. We had a great time. The extra girls you see in the pictures are friends of my sisters. Hayden and Rowdy LOVE them! These pictures make it look like it was just me and my sister with all these kids. The mom of the girls was there and my sisters mom was there too.

Hayden and Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn, Rowdy & Hayden

My sister, Rowdy, Me & Hayden

Kaitlyn & Rowdy

Hayden

Kaitlyn (big sister Desi in the background)

Rowdy

A dead tree that had this face carved on it...it looked pretty cool. We walked by it twice and I didn't notice it the first time...it was kind of hard to see at first.

Churches??

2008-01-08T10:07:00.001-06:00

Dear Abbey,
Ok, I've been trying different churches and I found one that I like. It's an Assemblies of God church. I'm still a little unsure about it. It's very different from anything I've ever been a part of. I would love everyone's input. What do you know about that demoniation? Do you have any experiences you want to share? I've looked at their website (e-mail me and I'll send it to you) and from what I can tell they seem pretty grounded in the Word. So...what do you all think?

Signed,
Churchless in Oklahoma

Fun with Aunt Jenn

2008-01-08T09:48:00.001-06:00

My nephews LOVE playing with "kickers" (stickers). They put them everywhere...my apartment has kickers all over the floors, I even found one in my slipper the other day. They also love cutting, coloring and reading books. It's a ton of fun when they come play at Aunt Jenn's. Hayden always wants to come home with me.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T10:07:00.000-06:00

Moving Pics

2007-12-04T22:54:00.000-06:00

Heading out...bright & early!

Somewhere...?

Colorado

Diary of a mover part 2

2007-12-01T20:41:00.000-06:00

Ok, so I'm moved! We (my sister and I) made it safely. We stayed in Ogden Utah the first night and pushed through the next day and made it to my sisters house at about 4:30 in the morning the next morning. Then on Wednseday, my family that lives there came and helped me unload the truck. On Thursday (thanksgiving) my parents got there from Nashville with more furniture and we got that unloaded and then went to Wichita Falls Texas for thansgiving with the Abel side of the family. That was fun I met some cousins and an aunt and uncle that I had never met before. On Friday my parents and I worked getting my apartment set up. I had a big list of "Daddy, Do's" that my dad did for me (like putting the futon and book shelf together). That's about it. I'll post pictures as soon as I get internet at home. Right now I'm sitting at a place called The Atlanta Bread Company. Tabs told me about it, they have free wireless. I've spent a lot of time here this week.
So, I miss you all and hope to keep in touch.
Love ya!!!

Oklahoma!

2007-10-19T15:21:00.000-05:00

So, I went last week to Oklahoma to go apartment hunting. I was mostly successful. I found one that will work.
I saw more than ever before how much they (my family) really need Jesus. Will you pray with me that these boys (and their parents & grandparents) would be open to the Gospel? Would you also pray for me? I need to be open and honest about my relationship with Christ. I don't want to ever be afraid of sharing when the Spirit prompts me. I want to be available for God to use me in whatever ways He wants to no matter the cost.

Go Fish!

2007-10-04T00:05:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I got to go fishing. I was the only one in the boat to catch a fish that day...it was a good day! Here are some pics of the fishing adventure.

Columbia River by Boneville Dam

My fishing partner George.

Jenn & Jenn

Greg & Bob

The fighting chair.

Just me and my fish!

Looks good enough to eat! YUM :)

Diary of a Mover...

2007-09-24T10:21:00.000-05:00

I have a penske truck rented (with a trailer to move my car) and I have an interview at a temp agency scheduled when I go to visit in October. With each little step, it's sinking in a little deeper that I'm really doing it. CRAZY!

News

2007-09-16T19:36:00.000-05:00

Well, most of you may have heard by now that I'm moving Oklahoma. I want to get to know my sister and her family. Remember these guys?

I want them to know Jesus and I want their parents and grandparents to know Jesus too.

So my estimated departure date is Nov 18th(ish). That's the week of Thanksgiving. So that's my news in a nutshell. Here's what I did this summer...

After the cruise that Tracy & I went on (see previous post)I went to California on 5-Day Clubs, Out of Towns. Check out our team blog to see how it was...WE GOT TO GO TO DISNEYLAND!!! that was fun :)

Then I got to work at Ikea for a couple of months. I was just a seasonal employee. I LOVE THAT STORE!! I would totally work there again.

Then it was time to start getting ready for the fall to start and things to kick in at church.

That's about it. I'll keep you all "posted" on my move.

:)

Cruise!

2007-06-12T20:41:00.001-05:00

Tracy and I got to go on another cruise. Here's a couple of pics.

San Fransciso from the air

Getting on the ship!!

Sunset on the first night...we also saw dolphins there might be one in this picture.

Towell lobster. We also got a duck flying under the TV and a mouse...

Two of the people we had dinner with every night (it was assigned seating)...they were pretty interesting...pot heads...

The other two people we ate with. We hung out with Betsy (on the left) one night. They were pretty cool.

The amazing decorations in the hallway by our room.

My view of Cabo...

My view of the rest of the ocean day after day after day...

Happy Mother's Day!

2007-05-13T22:11:00.000-05:00

In case you can't tell, our shirts say "I love Mom"

Big Nerd!

2007-03-31T11:44:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I'm a huge nerd! I've been learning how to use Adobe InDesign CS2 and Photoshop CS2 and I LOVE IT!!! You can do all kinds of cool things with them. In InDesign you can put pictures into words and letters see...

You can also do this...

How cool is that?!?!
That's it. Have a good day! ;-)

How was Oklahoma?

2007-03-07T18:37:00.000-06:00

It was great!!
Rowdy turned 1 while I was there, we went to the zoo and just hung out. Here are some pics... (with more to come)

Rowdy

Hayden

OKlahoma where the wind comes sweeping down the plain...

2007-02-26T12:09:00.000-06:00

I leave for a long weekend in Oklahoma on Thursday. I'm going to visit my sister and her family (see pics on the side). I'm praying for an opportunity to share Christ with them (and also praying for boldness and obedience on my part). If you think of it will you pray with me?
Thanks!!

Christmas in Nashville

2007-02-03T21:55:00.000-06:00

This is all the Abel's at the Rock City just outside Chatanooga TN where you can see 7 states at once...that's what's behind us...

Me and my Mom going through the needles eye...it was pretty cramped in there...

A waterfall at the rock city

we went here too and saw some pretty cool fish and stuff...

We walked past the Grand Ole Opry...didn't go in...

And played with the dogs...Jager & Pippen

Convicting Encouragement

2006-11-17T12:53:00.000-06:00

This is a note that a family friend sent my mom about another family that I grew up with. It's an amazing story about a man with a desire for everyone he meets to know the Lord...

Not to bring you down more but I have to let you know that Rich died 11/4/06. We attended a lovely memorial service 11/11, at Golden Hills Church with about 600 people. Rich's heart was always for evangelism and missions. There was no doubt to anyone who met him because he made it very clear that evangelism was all that he was doing... bringing people to Christ and loving them as Christ loves. Because he had time to plan, the whole service was orchestrated by him. He recorded a video greeting asking the congregation to listen carefully to the speakers because he told them what to say, what verses, songs, and that he trusted them fully. There was a live worship band, 2 evangelism msgs, and a full alter call with several responses.

Kathy (wife) was very up at the service and Cameron (son) did an awesome speech. She expressed gratitude that Rich was really only sick, sick for the last 3 weeks. It was reported that Rich had himself carried to his sister's hospital room (she is dying of breast cancer) 2 weeks before and led her to the Lord. Then on 10/16, he led one of his friends teen age daughter to the Lord and she wanted Rich to baptize her. They showed that video, too. You could sense his uncertainty with the process while being blind along with his emotions when he expressed regret that it would be the last time he baptized in this life.

There were lots of people that we new from the various churches around and Psalm 100. It was a very sweet and poignant day. I told Dan that it made me wonder if everyone I know realizes that I am a committed Christian. It also spurred me to want to spend my time and efforts on my own calling from God.

Apes, Jackalopes & Cowboys

2006-11-06T16:35:00.000-06:00

Here are a few pics from our road trip...

Kelly, Tracy & I at Mt. Rushmore

I sure know how to pick the lookers...

Tracy can make friends anywhere she goes...

Kelly's new boyfriend...

Ever heard of a jackalope???

Joe's Diner

2006-10-30T10:45:00.000-06:00

Well, this week (Thursday) is my last week at Joe's Diner. I don't have my debt paid off yet, but have made a dent in it. Joe's just wasn't for me. I'm not cut out for big, corporate "resturants". It's too impersonal and they wanted me to work more than I was willing to or able to. I am looking for another part time job that is only M-W in the evenings. If you know of something specific, let me know. I've looked on Craigs list and found a couple of good leads.

On a more fun note, I was able to go on a spontaneous road trip with Kelly & Tracy. We had a blast. We went to The Grand Teatons, Yellowstone (Old Faithful), Mt. Rushmore, St. Louis Arch, Graceland and Nashville. Blogger is wigging out and won't let me add pics to this post. So...you won't get to see what kind of fun we had, but it was pretty great.

:)

Passwords

2006-09-13T10:18:00.000-05:00

I finally remembered my password (and I wrote it down). Now I can give you a little update. I finally got a second job. I am now on my way to financial peace. There are pretty interesting people working at (we'll call it Joe's Diner to protect the innocent) Joe's Diner. I have some pretty funny stories. When I have a little more time I'll tell you all about them. I even thought about changing my blog name to "Confessions of a Joe's Dinner Beauty Queen"...we'll see.
In the meantime, here's a GREAT picture of my nephews...my sister sent me a disk with about 300 pics on them...aren't you all excited?!?!? (ok, so it was too hard to decide on just one pic out of 300...so you got a few) :)

Long time no hear...

2006-07-28T10:26:00.000-05:00

I really have no excuse for not updating my blog. I'm just too lazy to do it. So I think this is going to be my last post. I could post millions of pictures of my nephews, but you might all get kind of bored with that. But they are the cutest EVER!! My sister just sent me some new pics. Maybe I'll scan some of those and post them just so you can see that they really are the best ever. Ok, one more post...maybe I'll just take it one day at a time. I'm trying to get a second job. I've been applying everywhere, but nothing has come of it yet. I think maybe I need to be a little more aggressive. I've never had to look for a job before. They have all come to me. This is a new experience. That's all for today. I hope you all do something fun and unusual this weekend. :)

Cruise part 2

2006-05-16T13:48:00.000-05:00

This is a sunset somewhere in the Pacific Ocean on the way to Mexico.

Kelly & I in Puerta Vallarta

The coast in Mazatlan

I'll give a brownie point to whoever can tell me which movie these rocks were in. I'll give you a hint...there's a pirate ship sailing behind them in the movie.

Cruise 2006!

2006-05-13T12:46:00.000-05:00

Well, we just got back from our cruise. It was FANTASTIC!! I recommend cruising to everyone. Here's a couple of pictures of our adventure.

Taking off from San Francisco

1st Stop: Catalina Island

2nd Stop: Puerta Vallarta

I've run out of time, I'll post more later.
Jenn :)

Thoughts

2006-04-13T10:56:00.000-05:00

I was doing my community life lesson this morning (which made me late to work, well, actually, if I had just done my lesson I would have been on time, but I started reading my book too, that made me late) and one of the questions really struck me. It's a lesson about Easter and the Resurrection. "If Christ had not risen from the dead, would your life as you know it be seen by others as worthless? Why or why not?" Meaning, am I living my life now as if Christ is resurrected and do others see that in me? My first thought was yes I am, then I got to thinking about it a little bit and I thought, well, I am sort of. Other Christians will look at me and see evidences of Christ in my life, but what about those who don't believe? What am I doing to show evidences of a risen Christ to them? I had to respond, "nothing". I'm not involved in anything where I come into contact with non Christians. So then, now what action am I going to take to change that? Here's the problem, I'm so busy doing things for the Christian world, that I don't have time to be a light in the non Christian world. What good is that? I'm not talking about totally forsaking my commitment to serving the body of Christ, I just need to find a balance and I think that's going to be hard. So, what do you think?

Nephews

2006-03-23T11:19:00.000-06:00

Well, here they are. Hayden and his new brother Rowdy. I LOVE being an auntie! I took about 70 pictures while I was in Oklahoma and I think only about 3 of them don't have Hayden in them. He is a very imaginative kid and does all kinds of funny things. Here's a couple of pictures that show off his creativity.

He draged out his Teenage Muntant Ninja Turtle chair, got his monkey, put the monkey on the chair and sat down next to it and watched TV with the rest of us.

When he's 18, he might be the one with the lamp shade on his head!

Podunk, Oklahoma

2006-03-09T11:24:00.000-06:00

Hi Friends,
I'm visiting my sister in Oklahoma. She just had her second baby, he's the cutest! I think I officially have the worlds cutest nephews!! The Lord is faithful to give me opportunities to share a little about Christ with her in our conversations. Will you please keep praying with me for more opportunities to share and that her heart will be softened to Christ?

That's all for now.
Jenn :)

DUNES 2006

2006-02-22T09:41:00.000-06:00

Well, another Dunes has come an gone. What an incredible experience! The way God moves and to watch the students respond to Him is amazing. I was able to have some meaningful conversations with a couple of girls. One girl in particular decided to change the way she was living and actually acted on it when she got home. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity... Jeremiah 29:11-14 This verse is so true and I witnessed it in action this weekend. God is so good! Will you pray with me that those students who made some kind of decision for Christ this weekend would not fall back into their old ways?
Here are a couple of pictures from the weekend.

Bucket Ball...the girls are WAY more brutal than the boys when they play this game.

A beatuiflu day at the beach

A trip to town. (Yep all of them are talking at once...they are kind of loud.)

Weekend Pics

2006-02-13T18:15:00.000-06:00

All in all, it was a BEAUTIFUL weekend to be at the beach!

Sunday at the beach!
Beautiful Saturday!

Tracy, Krista and I at the beginning of our Community Life Group retreat this weekend. It was a spectacular sunset!

Weekend at the Beach #1

2006-02-13T11:15:00.001-06:00

This was my first of 3 weekends in a row at the beach. Life can't get any better! This weekend was my Community Life Groups retreat. It was a lot of fun! We did everything you're suposed to do on a retreat. We played games, talked, got to know eachother, played on the beach. The Lord used the time to help us get to know eachother better. There were a lot of great conversations, where people were real and transparent. Here are a couple of pictures I took this weekend.
well...I was going to upload some pictures, but it's not working. I'll try again when I have more time to mess with it.
J :)

2006-01-29T11:41:00.000-06:00

Let me show you a picture of the absolute cutest nephew in the world!
This is him last summer when I went to visit him for his first birthday. His name is Hayden and he's about to be a brother. His parents (or the rest of his family) don't know the Lord. Will you pray with me that the Lord would pursue that family and that they would respond to Him? They are Bobby (brother in law), Kristen (my sister), Hayden (cutest nephew ever), Ron (my dad), Terri (my step-mom), Travis (my brother), and Brett (my brother). I get to go visit them in March when my sister has baby #2 (and then when I get back from there it's only ONE MONTH UNTIL MY CRUISE!!)

2006-01-20T14:04:00.000-06:00

Hi, I just found this picture of Melissa, Tracy and me. It's from a couple of years ago at some banquet at church or something. That's all you get for now Kristin! :)

Girls Retreat

2005-11-28T16:07:00.000-06:00

I went on a Girls Retreat with the high school group a couple of weekends ago. It was a blast! Some of these young women are truly seeking the Lord and really interested in knowing Him. The theme verse of the weekend was Mark 12:28-31 "One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" 29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'" NIV A couple of them would just sit and read the Bible and then talk about the cool stuff they found. One of the sessions was about purity. I had the privilege of talking and praying with one of the girls (who had never been to a retreat before) about some of the things she is struggling with. I am amazed at what girls are dealing with these days. The Lord was definitely moving and working in their hearts. We also got to play in the snow!

2005-10-30T18:17:00.000-06:00

Me and my friends at the Opry Land Convention Center in Nashivlle.

2005-10-30T18:09:00.000-06:00

This is in Yachats, on the Oregon coast.