VBS

{This is yesterday's "God Sighting"}

Our church has been doing Group's High Seas Adventure VBS program...and honestly, this is the best VBS I have ever been to or participated in.  As an adult, it is even encouraging to my spiritual journey and teaching me things...here are just some highlights from last night:

-getting to talk to a 3rd grade girl about how horrible the cross was for Jesus, but how He still chose to die for her...watching her process the severity of it all...and the wonder of it all was a precious gift

-during one of the centers, there is a time where kids write down their "God Sightings" and stick them on the "Journey of Life" map...I hadn't really looked at the map...at all the detail...until last night when the center leader walked the kids through where they were...we had traveled through the Sea of Sadness, Mountains of Homework, New School, Laughing Point, and the Island of Loneliness....then we went through the Wave of Goodbye...Fishing for Friends...Deep Blue Blessings...and those three things really hit my heart...I thought about crying, they were so meaningful to me....getting ready to go through the Wave of Goodbye in two weeks...and having to Fish for Friends in Pennsylvania...and I know God will lead us through Deep Blue Blessings...it was sooooooooooooo good

-it also has been great to just get to know the kids, watching them enjoy their time at our church AND watching the people of our church come together and give of their time and talents to make this the best VBS ever has been AMAZING...and so encouraging...exactly what my heart needed yesterday...and this entire week

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

Doodly love

So it's come down to this...moving in three weeks...putting together the auction for our special event at work...starting school in three weeks...moving into a group home in three weeks... and trying to focus

Although there is so much to do {which is why I have not really been able to post very often} God has given me a blessing of letting me see so many little wonderful things that happen each day...so I'm going to try to blog everyday until I move...a small post...just to share with you all those things I see.

Today, I saw Him in my new friend Amy Morgan {who writes these wonderful journals you muuuuussst check out}  Amy is one of those people who can read you from the second she meets you...and then, she will meet you where you are...not just expect you to get over yourself and get to know her.  So in our short time together sharing the same corridor at work, she has figured out how I receive love...gifts and acknowledgement...we went to Mardels over our lunch break and I showed her this lovely green "GRACE" that I would like to have for the new Newlin Nest in Pennsylvania...and the next thing I know...she is buying it for me...along with my lunch...and all I can think now is "siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh...she loves me..."

Thank you, SMorgan, for your beautiful heart and spirit...and for allowing God to work through you even when you are having a bad day.

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

Notes

Yesterday began my birthday month!  Yes, that's right...having a summer birthday was always sad as a kid because my friends were out of town/on vacation when my day rolled around...so my parents let me have the whole month to celebrate, ie make my b-day an excuse to do something fun with the family...so I still do it today...the hubbs is being a trooper...I think he will find that just wishing me a "Happy Birthday Month" everyday is just what I need :)

Speaking love into my life is as easy as a couple of words...I got this message on Facebook this morning...

{Hey! How have you been lately? I know I just saw you on wed. but yet it seems like its been FOREVER! :) Anyhow, I feel like I should let you know something.. you ruined my life. Now, before you get upset let me expound upon this idea. Shane Claibore says that Jesus ruined his life.. well you kinda did the same for me.. in a beautiful, wonderful, lovely way though. Emily, you introduced me to ideas, revelations, and facts that I have never even thought of. And, because of the spark that you've ignited in me I've learned more, so much more that my parents call me a "liberal-idealist-Jesus-hippie". God spoke through you to speak truth, life and love into my. You've helped me figure out stuff in my life and I will always be grateful.}

Letting someone know how much you appreciate them can make a bigger difference than buying them a car...or giving them $100...because it lets that person know that they are fulfilling their purpose on this earth...and that they are loved for it...

Do you have someone that has made a difference in your life lately?...a quick note could make their life.

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

Church Camp

I celebrated my 12th year at church camp last week...and it's going to be a sad day when I have been a counselor at camp more years than I have been a camper...not there yet...but I will arrive shortly!

I have to say that I began the week with not very high hopes and dreams about my bed at home...our youth group arrived three days before everyone else to do some service work at a church nearby...so when everyone else was arriving...we were already settled...and feeling like we had already been there for three weeks...

All of this to say that I am so glad I went this year...I've missed it! I love being with my girls...and meeting new people...and drinking lots of water...and acting like a fool for the sake of "I can and its cool here"...but more than that...I love that camp is a place to connect...with new and old friends...and God...the music was wonderful (minus the rock star egos of the band at times), the speaker (Tim Milburn) said things to these teens that I had never heard when I was their age...

{life is going to be hard...and you will have pain...but if you are living for God and letting Him live through you, you will have a life that surpasses all expectations and dreams you could have come up with on your own!}

I LOVED IT...I saw some of my youth stand up and be counted as ones who have received a call into ministry...I, myself, even met God in a place that I have missed for some time...we sang a song that included the lyrics:

{here in your presence, heaven and earth become one}

in the moment I sang that with my whole heart...God allowed me to be there...the place where heaven and earth become one...at His feet...it was beautiful

I love church camp...but more than that, I love my teens that the hubbs and I have the honor of serving and spending so much of our time with.

All aboard the crazy bus....this was a GREAT game!

Aren't they soooo cute...and yes...that's Kendra...another counselor on Sidney's shoulders :)

Thank you, God, for a wonderful week and thank you CCN youth for being so cool.

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

"Year in the Life"

Here is a preview of the new Mission Year documentary that follows Chicago 2009-2010 team members.  I am so excited to see the entire project...Hassan, featured here, is in the same neighborhood , La Villita, that I spent my Mission Year in!  SOOOOO EXCITING! 

Next personal goal:  Get a story of Mission Year on NPR...maybe even This American Life????

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

RE: Shout Out, baby!

Dear Abs:

Thanks for the shout out...LOVE THE PIC...even though the brown looks a little pink...these booties were for a boy :)...and I told Abigail that I would LOVE to see them make a post on her blog...success!

To show you my thanks and love, here is the picture I told you about from our wedding:

LOOOOOVVVVEEEESSS and can't wait to meet Baby Ransom, even if it is only through Facebook and Blog stalking

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

the love bucket

My cousin Tori and I have a long running tradition...I don't think we have practiced it in a while...but it is still ours

A love bucket is a bucket/basket/bag full of small presents that are specific to the receiver's favorites..for example...Tori LOVES orange tic-tacs, orange gum, cookie and cream Hershey bars...and anything with Buddha's doodle :)  So, for many a birthday, we have given each other these containers overflowing with things the other loves...and since we share the same birthday month...we go over the top for each other!

Love buckets made for Tori...purple one from me
(click to see larger)

There is nothing that speaks love to me more than a thought filled gift...especially when those thoughts are from my closest friends...and cousins :)

Thank you Tori for always thinking of me and making my birthday extra special!

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth