Student Life camp

I won't attempt to put into words how great our week at camp was. The Lord moved in the lives and in the hearts of our students in a huge way! CIU grad, Jeremy Kingsley, was our Bible teacher for the week and challenged us to be audacious Christians. It was incredible in SO many ways. Here are a few pics :)

1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

Father's Day 2012

Holley and I had the best dad in the world. He was the kind of dad who was thrilled to attend all dance and piano recitals, countless cheerleading competitions and pageants... and even Dance Marathon at 1 a.m. at USC just to cheer me on for a few minutes. He yelled loud and proud to support us in all of our activities. He was our #1 fan.

Snorkeling in the Bahamas

Not only was he athletic, enthusiastic and passionate, but he had a strikingly sensitive side too. He was the kind of dad who studied God's Word in front of us and challenged us to memorize Scripture together so we could "hide it in our hearts." He was the kind of dad who shared in our emotions and really felt what we felt-- no matter happy, sad, or angry. He was the kind of dad who wrote notes to put in our lunchboxes and sent us emails to say how proud he was to be our dad. He would dance with me in our living room to Rod Stewart's "Great American Songbook" and on stage with Holley in The Nutcracker.

He was a dad who wanted to spend his Friday nights grilling steaks for us for dinner before settling in to watch Ocean's Eleven or Tombstone for the 98th time. He was the kind of dad that allowed me to talk to him about anything. He knew all of my secrets, hurts, goals and ambitions. He had the best advice... which always included consulting the Lord in prayer. 

He loved my friends and announced at my high school graduation party that it was an honor to be known as "Shelley's Dad." He would wake up early on Saturday mornings to make my friends and me pancakes or go get us Publix subs for lunch. He was the kind of dad who constantly made us laugh and lifted our spirits. Never will I forget driving to the beach for the first time by myself and reading his directions that said, "There will be a fork in the road, but don't stop to pick it up." ;)

He always put us first and never let a single day pass without saying I love you and I'm proud of you. He was taken far too soon, but made a monumental impact on the women Holley and I have become. Today I celebrate Father's Day in remembrance of my amazing Dad who gave me more joy in (almost) 22 years than some daughters experience in a lifetime.

Houston, TX

I am also thankful for a father-in-law who loves us so well and goes the extra mile to serve his family. Ryan is lucky to have Phil as a dad and I'm grateful I am his daughter-in-law!

Psalm 103:13 

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

Divine Revelation

I had the opportunity to attend the Trinity Focus Group luncheon at the Summit Club today. Debby Jones, wife of CIU’s president, was the featured speaker so she invited me and a few of my co-workers to join. Not only did she share a little bit about Worthy: An Event for Young Women, but she gave a message that the Lord prepared just for me. ;) For starters, it was based on my life verse: Proverbs 3:5-6. So I knew I was in for a treat right from the get-go. 

She talked about how we have a glancing and a gazing problem. Too often we GAZE over our problem, complain until we are blue in the face and occasionally GLANCE at God. This lifestyle becomes our default when we are not spending daily time in the Word and trusting Him with all of our hearts- just as Proverbs instructs. When we lean on our own understanding and gaze (with temporal eyes!) at our problem instead of at our God; we are depending on our own strength instead of His. How selfish that is!

We think fixating on all that we want to change about our situation will somehow give God a hint to do something about it. That’s not how it works. He longs for us to gaze at HIM, not our circumstance. Isaiah 14:24 says, "Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened." Do we really think He doesn't know what's going on in our lives?

Our posture should be towards the Heavens… leaning on Him alone to satisfy us and care for our "problems." I desperately needed to hear this simple yet profound message today—so maybe it will help someone else too. I was convicted, reminded, and inspired to shift my focus off of myself and towards the God of the universe. He is worthy. 

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight.

1 year anniversary!

This year has flown by!! It's really crazy to think we have been married one year today!

I am so thankful for you, Ryan, and for our marriage. You make every single day so much fun. You hold me accountable to the woman God has called me to be and you encourage me daily to live a life worthy of that calling. Your tender heart, bright smile, and quick wit make you so very easy to love. Thank you for being a husband who cares about the little things and for showing your unconditional love for me through word and deed. It is such an honor to be YOUR wife and to walk beside you in ministry. Happy Anniversary My Prince!! I LOVE YOU!

 

Colossians 2:2-3

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Wistful Wednesday

The Three Amigos :)