Wait, I live here?!?

I find myself saying that almost daily.  I can't believe that these mountains are mine for the summer.  People come into our Welcome Center at Focus on the Family from all over the country.  They have to go back to their homes after a few days.  I get to stay.  Well, at least until August, but I'm not ready to think about that yet...

Bear Lake--Rocky Mountain National Park

Working full-time at Focus has been incredible, but it sure has been keeping me busy.  However, I pack the weekends full of touristy activities, so I've been able to get out and have some fun in Colorado.  A few weeks ago, my sister and my friend Allee flew out to visit for a few days.  It was incredible to have them here.  We spent a day in Denver shopping on the 16th Street Mall and enjoying the city with Becca, my friend and fellow intern at Focus.  There were no Tim Tebow sightings while we were in Denver, but that's okay.  The summer isn't over yet.

Lauren, Allee, Mattie (my host mom), and I took a road trip on my day off.  We enjoyed the shops and restaurants in Estes Park and then drove around in Rocky Mountain National Park and hiked Bear Lake.  There was still a ton of snow around the lake, and despite the fact that I was wearing sandals and was not prepared for a hike, I did it anyway.  I'm not sure if that makes me stupid or tough.  Probably both.  Actually, probably just stupid.  I hope to go back there before the summer is over.  I LOVED it.  It's by far one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.


We also went to the Flying W Ranch, which is a chuckwagon dinner and show.  Think Dolly's Dixie Stampede on a smaller scale.  It was Branson-style cheesy, but I had such a great time!

I am so blessed to have made some of the most incredible friends out here.  We've been all over the place!  We've climbed the rocks at Garden of the Gods (something Mom and Dad weren't too interested in when we visited) and explored Manitou Springs.  We've had movie nights and long conversations in Old Colorado City.  We've been to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.  We've visited different churches in the area on Sunday mornings.  We've played Pickleball.  We've eaten Father's Day lunch together and introduced some of the interns to Chik-fil-a.  We've made ice cream runs to Rock House in Palmer Lake.  I'm so grateful for great friends!  I know that my experience here wouldn't be as wonderful as it has been without them.

Getting ready to climb at Garden of the Gods

Petting a baby wallaby at the zoo

How my dad conquered the Wicked Witch of the West

I was five or six years old the first time I watched The Wizard of Oz with Mom and Dad.  I immediately loved everything about it, from Dorothy’s ruby red slippers to the Horses of a Different Color to Glinda’s floating bubbles.  There is only one part of that movie I did not like--the Wicked Witch of the West scared the pants off of me.  I still get chills the each time she appears on-screen in a plume of smoke.

After the end credits rolled, it was time to go to sleep.  Well, after watching the Wicked Witch try to kill Dorothy and seeing the flying monkeys snatch up Toto, there was no way that was going to happen.  I remember lying wide-awake in my bed, completely terrified.  I was just sure that I could see the brim of the Wicked Witch’s hat sticking out from behind my bedroom curtain.

Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore.  I needed someone get in there and take care of this Witch.  But not just anyone—I needed my daddy.  I yelled, and he was there in seconds.  I immediately felt better.  That Witch was going down.  I told him that I was afraid of the Wicked Witch of the West who was waiting behind my curtain.  He checked behind the curtain and said it looked like she was gone.  But just in case she came back, he told me, he was going to put my Lion King stuffed animals around me so they would gobble her up if they tried to get me.  After placing Simba under one arm, tucking Nala under the other, and putting Mufasa at my feet, he kissed me goodnight, made sure I didn’t need some water (I always seemed to need water when it was time to go to bed), and turned off my light.  I woke up the next morning thinking that my dad could do anything, even keep the Wicked Witch of the West from eating me.

Life still gets scary sometimes, and my dad is still there for me.  But now instead of stuffed animals, he surrounds me with wise words, love, and prayer.

Thanks for loving me, Daddy, even though it’s my fault you started losing your hair (or so you claim).  I wish I could be with you today, but know that I’m thinking about you and I’m thankful for you.  I couldn’t do this summer without you.

Happy Father’s Day!  I love you!

1992 (please note the hair)

An update from Colorado

I LOVE my job!

I honestly don’t even know where to begin.  I could start off by talking about the 21 other incredible interns that I am blessed to call friends.  I could talk about my awesome co-workers who have made me feel welcome and at home at Focus on the Family.  I could talk about the visitors to FOF that I’ve had that chance to meet, each with their own story of how God has touched them through this ministry.  I could talk about the feeling of doing something from 8 to 5 that doesn’t just matter today, but matters for eternity.

Have I mentioned that I love my job?

I promise more updates soon!

Firsts

I have had Colorado on the brain for the past two months.  I’ve thought a lot about what it would be like to see the mountains, enjoy the zero-humidity weather, and experience a new place.  With all of the “oohs” and “aahs” and “you-are-going-to-love-it’s” from everyone I know who has already been to Colorado, I came with very high expectations.  Well, I’ve gotta say—I love it here, and my experience so far has exceeded expectations.  I don’t think I’ll ever get used to those big, beautiful mountains.

Mom, Dad, and I arrived in Colorado Springs on Friday afternoon after a long drive through purgatory—uh, I mean Kansas.  We stopped by Focus on the Family.  We took a look around, and I got to meet some of the people I’ll be working with.  We spent the evening getting to know my housing hosts, Jim and Mattie Cooper.  Think of the kindest, most hospitable couple you know, multiply their hospitality by 10, and you’ve got Jim and Mattie.  They’re fantastic, and they have a view of Pike’s Peak that could go on a postcard to boot.  I am so incredibly blessed to be their “summer daughter,” as they call me.

On Saturday, my parents and I hit the ground running.  First, we made a visit to the Air Force Academy.  The setting is so beautiful that I bet it takes the edge off of having to do push ups until your arms fall off.

The chapel at the US Air Force Academy

Next, we took a quick drive through the Garden of the Gods.  It was incredible.  I definitely look to spend more time there this summer.  I’ve got some big red rocks to climb!

Me and Momma at Garden of the Gods

We drove through Manitou Springs on our way to the foot of the road leading up to Pike’s Peak.  We stopped for lunch and ate outside by a creek in 85-degree weather and we didn’t sweat to death.  Mind-blown?  Me too.  Manitou Springs was neat with lots of little restaurants and shops and twice as many hippies.  I even saw a lady who didn’t shave her armpits.  Sorry, no picture for that one.

After lunch we drove up to an elevation of 14,110 feet on Pikes Peak.  There is a windy, guardrail-less, 19 miles road up to the top.  Dad talked about how we would definitely die if we fell off the edge as his knuckles turned white from gripping the steering wheel.  Mom refused to look over the edge and took deep, slow breaths as she reminded Dad that she was well aware that we could die.  I clicked pictures as I wondered if I could see all the way to Kansas.  We finally made it to the top, and though we were underdressed for the 45-degree summit we really enjoyed the view.  Hopefully my lungs will get used to the air by the end of the summer so I can hike to the top.

View from the top

Smiling!

Today, I said good-bye to Mom and Dad then headed off to church with Jim and Mattie.  This afternoon I had another first I never ever ever thought I’d have—I rode a motorcycle.  Jim and I took off on the scenic route to Castle Rock.  At first I was a little apprehensive (code for “Please, oh please, don’t let my grandpa, who has long cautioned his grandkids against motorcycles, find out about this”).  But it was a rush!  I don’t think I’m coordinated or balanced enough to drive one, but I don’t mind riding along.

Tomorrow will bring yet another first with the beginning of my internship at Focus on the Family.  The first day is new intern orientation, so we’ll get a tour of the campus and I’ll get a chance to meet all the other interns.  I’m nervous, but the excited kind, not the I’m-totally-dreading-it kind.  I can hardly wait to get started!

All of these firsts have been exciting but admittedly a bit overwhelming.  I’m realizing that just as there will be blessings that I did not expect, there are also going to be challenges that I could not have prepared for.  There have been several moments when I’ve thought to myself, “Wow.  This is going to be hard.  Can I really do this?”  The conclusion I have come to is this: No, I can’t do this.

BUT that thought brings me so much freedom and comfort.  Why?  Because recognizing that I can’t do it allows God to show me that He can.

Sure, I could probably do my job at Focus based on work experience and personality.  I could live 14 hours away from my family and close friends based on my independence and new relationships formed here.  But I cannot have an experience that is Spirit-filled, life-impacting, and Kingdom-futhering by my own doing.

When Jeremiah was given a task that he though was too difficult for him to accomplish, God comforted him with these words: “Behold I am the LORD, the God of all flesh.  Is anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27)”.

Those same words are encouraging me tonight.  If God can be glorified in my weakness, apprehension, and inability then I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses.  Please join me in praying that I will continue to humble myself before the Lord so that I can be used by Him this summer.

Hope for Joplin

Over the past week, stories about the devastation in Joplin, MO have been all over the news.  Reporters on the scene continue to repeat that mere pictures and video footage do not do justice to the scope of the destruction.

They are absolutely right.

On Saturday my parents and I went to Joplin to help clean up the home of some family friends.  They had debris covering their house and yard.  Windows were broken.  Part of their driveway had been lifted when the tree next to it was uprooted.  Their rear windows of both of their cars were broken after being tossed into the trees that once stood in their yard.  The cars were full of debris.  They had no electricity.  Despite all the damage to their own home, their house is still standing and they are still alive, putting them among the lucky ones affected by the Joplin tornado.  Just down the street from their home is where the worst of the tornado’s damage begins.

Seeing the extent of the human or material loss in Joplin in person was something I couldn’t prepare my heart for.  It’s devastating.  But don’t be fooled by the bleak imagery—our God is at work in Joplin!

During my few hours cleaning the yard, four or five carloads of people drove by the house, offering sandwiches, water, snacks, medicine, and Band-Aids.  Some were from the city, some were from churches, some were just citizens trying to lend a hand.  Electricity companies from all over the region lined the street, trying to get power back to the houses that were still standing.  Every yard had volunteers in it, ready to get to work.  Aid stations were set up all over town.  The restaurant we stopped at on our way out of town had shopping carts full of clothing free for the taking.  The atmosphere was full of encouragement and hope.  It was a truly incredible experience.

I consider myself privileged to have been able to be the hands and feet of my Jesus as I worked alongside my parents and our friends.  I had been praying for this community since the tornado had hit, but there is just something different about actually being with the people affected and ministering directly to them.  I’ll never forget it. 

There is a long road to recovery ahead, and there is so much still to be done.  Pray for the people and volunteers there.  Pray that God will show his love to Joplin and that salvation will come to that city.  Pray about how you can be used to help the community there.  You can give securely or sign up to volunteer on the United Way of the Ozarks website.  I would encourage you to give and go now, and save up time and money to give and go a few months from now.  The need will still be great.  Take advantage of this opportunity to be the church and reach out to the hurting.  There are few things closer to the heart of God than that.

Finals rock. No, really. They do.

It can be hard to stay positive during finals week.  The joy of the last day of classes gives way to the realization that mountains of information that you have forgotten are separating you from summertime.  There are plenty of reasons to hate finals week, but I am kind of a fan.  I know that this is weird.  But here are my favorite things about finals:

1. With no activities or classes to take up my time, I study, eat, sleep, and hang out with people. Whenever I want.  It rocks. 

2. Late-night final exam treats in the cafeteria.  What’s not to love about getting to decorate your own donut or eating so much cereal that you have to be rolled back to the library? 

3. I always find the other sock that I lost at the beginning of the school year. 

4. I discover million fun ways to procrastinate.  Like whenparentstext.com. 

5. The SUB and C-Stores have tons of food that I can buy with leftover meal blocks.  You name it, they got it--in bulk. 

6. I get to marvel at the sheer amount of stuff I was able to fit in my tiny room.  It’s defies nature.  I know I didn’t show up with this much stuff...

7. Tons of people are at the Rec workin’ on their fitness to de-stress, so my regular morning workout turns into social hour, which makes sweating a lot more fun. 

8. People can’t wait any longer for summer cookouts, so it smells like barbeque and charcoal everywhere you go. 

9. The library is more packed than ever, but it is dead silent.  Again, this defies nature. 

10. Everybody is brain-fried, sleep-deprived, and in that giddy stage right before you hit the wall.  Life is a lot funnier during finals. 

11. Summer is only days away.  Hallelujah.

If the scenery goes corn…beans…corn…corn…pigs…corn…tree…

…then you’re definitely in Iowa.

Even though Kirksville is only minutes from the Iowa border, I’ve never spent more than a few hours there.  But I more than made up for lost time this past weekend with two road trips to Iowa.  Complete with miles of cornfields, good music, delicious food, visits to Northern Iowa and University of Iowa, time with friends, and multiple encounters with the Amish, my weekend in Iowa did not disappoint.

On Friday, my friend had a graduate school visit scheduled at University of Northern Iowa, and I tagged along for the 4-hour trek up Highway 63.  It was windy and rainy the whole way, but we stayed entertained with an iPod full of 90’s music, buggy-counting, and people-watching as we drove through towns with populations the smaller than the Kirksville Wal-mart.

On Saturday, I went with some good friends and fellow communication majors to Iowa City to see The Civil Wars play at The Mill.  We stuffed ourselves at University of Iowa tradition, the Hamburg Inn No. 2.  Best part—pie shakes.  They somehow cram a whole slice of pie of into a milkshake.  And then you somehow cram that whole milkshake into your stomach.  It defies logic, but it was delicious.  If you drove to Iowa City to get one right now, no matter how far away you are, it'd be worth the drive.  Promise.

After dinner, it was on to The Civil Wars concert.  They were, to sum it up in a word, incredible.  I’ve been a huge Joy Williams fan since I was an awkward preteen, so seeing her in this new duet was my thirteen-year-old dream come true.  The venue was packed with fans, and the show was truly awesome.  Even better live than on the album, and for anyone who has listened to The Civil Wars, that’s really saying something.

Here is a video of them singing "Poison & Wine."  Disclaimer: the video quality is so-so, but not bad for an iPhone.

So all in all, it was an awesome weekend in Iowa.  Not all the rumors are true.  Yes, there is a lot of corn.  But I didn't see any Idiots Out Wandering Around.