After a two-week absence

Sometimes I wonder if you've all given up checking my blog. I realize that I haven't been very regular about posting. And the people that aren't regular eventually get taken off my own "check" list, so I can understand if you've stopped. But I figure there are a few of you who continue to check in... so I'm going to continue posting.

So I'm here at home today - its Sunday, and I have an ADPi meeting at 2pm, so I will try to make a quick update before I have to get ready to go. School starts tomorrow and I feel like I'm ready... or at least as ready as I can be. I have my books, and my schedule (though I don't think I know where my class is tomorrow).

Tomorrow I am going to be at both chapel services. The first reason is that I'm sitting at the freshman retreat table after both services to sign people up to attend. The second reason is that in the absence of the Crowder Band (they are on vacation and so unable to open the chapel semester) we are introducting the entire university ministries staff. At least I think its because the Crowder band can't make it... it might have been part of the plan all along. But anyway, I have to introduce myself and I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to say yet... hopefully in a few hours I'll have thought of something. Sarah is going to help me pick out my outfit, which makes me laugh, but I need the encouragement that something looks cute enough to be on the chapel stage. I kind of want to wear a black dress, but that seems too dressy.

So that's chapel, and school, and that rounds up my Monday, except for the Baptist Student Ministry BBQ that evening - which should be a fun time.

Now, for the last two weeks....
School ended on a friday and I drove up that evening to Dallas with some friends so that I could fly out the next morning. I landed at Sea-Tac around 11, and immediately enjoyed some lovely lunch and catching up with Erin. That afternoon, Bethany picked me up and we enjoyed dinner with Scotty and some former GC football players (so fun!) then hung out with new boyfriend after church. Church at New Song was great and I was refreshed by their enthusiasm and passion, and was as always reminded of my enthusiasm and passion for Jesus.
Sunday I drove to Kirkland and spend the day with my aunts, Gloria and Donna. It was the company picnic for Gloria's office and the day was amazing - very fun (music, BBQ, bingo, etc) and beautiful weather (sunny, no clouds, seafair weekend, 85 degrees). We enjoyed a good dinner of leftover BBQ and then went to see the Bourne Ultimatum (great!). Monday morning I met Kristen, Amy Jo and Verla for breakfast. It was delightful to catch up with all of them, and was food for my soul. Kristen, and I then picked up Janae and Jean and headed north.
We met Larina and Paul Wang in Bellingham and enjoyed lunch together then caravanned (?) to Vancouver (or Richmond, actually) and spent the evening with them in their country of Canada. It was great fun to be all together, talking, laughing, watching movies and getting caught up. I miss those women!!!
We headed back to Seattle on Tuesday and I met up with Gloria and Donna and we had a great dinner together ( I love hanging with them!) and then watched some TV together. We got up early and they took me to the airport... and my trip was over.
So short, so fast and intense, but a great visit over all!!!

Sarah picked me up at the airport and we had a great time on the way home shopping at the outlet mall and getting caught up after my vacation. She's a great roommate. We only had a few days together before she left for Michigan for a week - she gets back today.

I attended the willow creek leadership summit ( baylor was a sattelite campus), after my return. It was incredible this year - Marcus Buckingham, Richard Curtis, Colin Powell, Jimmy Carter, all gave presentations, among a number of other amazing speakers. I was really challenged and hopefully learned a lot about leadership to supplement my class from the summer.

The summit ended and there were a few days where I just worked on getting ready for the school year at work, and then students moved in on Wed and Thursday. Its been welcome week since then, with a variety of activities, and also me at work getting ready for new grad assistants and to start my year with chaplains, etc.

I am so excited for this school year. There is a lot on my plate, but I'm looking forward to all of it!

I'm still working with fraternity and sorority chaplains, but am making a more concerted effort to reach other chaplains as well.
I'm going to be training the small group leaders for freshman retreat - which I'm super excited about - and then I'll be at freshman retreat giving a presentation on keeping your faith while being in a fraternity and sorority.
I'm going to help train a youth ministry team leader
I'm going to coordinate operation christmas child (again)
I'm co-leading a sunday school class at my church (UBC)
and I'm going to have a sale of Amani Ya Juu products in early september.

And while i do those things, I'm also going to be working on my classes, reading a TON (we have 13 books this semester) and writing, and trying to have a life.

And for myself I'm going to be attending BSF on Monday nights. :)

I can't wait!

Blessings to you, and especially those of you who are starting new things this year or at this time.