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.