MIA

Yep ... it's been two weeks.   I've been a bit overwhelmed ... a little (or a lot) tired ... and so far behind.  I kind of lost the mojo and creativity necessary to put sentences together let along think about or write about anything meaningful.  Not sure I've made it past that, but I am trying to act my way into my old way of feeling here ...

Those thoughts I'd entertained about blogging in New Orleans got replaced with thoughts of getting more than 5 hours of sleep a night .... and then it just got placed with surviving.  It was a good week ... so much community, so many great stories, such a great city.  It's amazing to see God at work there.  I saw students open their hearts to God's plan over theirs.  If there was ONE thing that summarized the week, that would be it ... not my will, but yours ... Pretty sure that with the exception of one of two, EVERYONE on the trip would say that they did not do what they expected.  But pretty sure EVERYONE would say that what they did far exceeded their expectations.  Love it when that happens!

Here are a few pics from that week ...

 

 

One of my favorite parts of the trip is how students came home.  THEY decided to extend NOLA and bring it home to Athens.  That is always our prayer as we expose students to missions ... that it would be part of making missions part of their everyday life.  Praying for the conviction to keep serving even in the midst of life, distractions, and demands.

Ironically, I came home from NOLA to Gavin's family's Cajun party here at home.  And this is what I got to enjoy on the gorgeous weekend I found myself in back in GA ...

I've had some great days at work ... but some long days at work and as I find myself a bit overwhelmed getting ready for too many mission trips and leaving for Mexico on Saturday (way too early) ... I think I need to stop and remember some of the blessings of the last two weeks ... because they have been sweet and many and in my weariness, I am finding myself a little less thankful than I could be:

332. great travel companions and impromptu stops along the way
333. Cajun food
334. being outside ... LOVE, LOVE this time of year
335. blooms pushing up and colors painting the landscape
336. sweet conversations with strangers
337. exploring the city
338. u-turns
339. prayer walking with my girls
340. being stretched beyond our comfort zone
341. daylight savings ... and light in the evenings
342. crawfish in a pot ... really just how it looks more than how it tastes! :-)
343. grilling
344. talking to Gini
345. hanging out with Callie and Wells
346. Callie running her first marathon
347. seeing Amy Cecil and being with my nursing girls
348. Coffee with Stephanie and the Hannah sandwich
349. a long dinner with Meg and seeing God open doors for her and Tyson
350. yummy dinner that Gavin cooked
351. making cookies for middle school boys who ask (or beg) for them ... can't deny that sweet face!
352. Going to church with Gavin and Slade and Emmy
353. shopping for Mom's birthday
354. Gigi's cupcakes ... now if they were lowfat ... I mean, a girl can hope!
355. hanging out with Sarah
356. driving ... so peaceful
357. seeing the police cars from all over the state come to Athens for Officer Christian's funeral ... a beautiful picture of what community SHOULD look like
358. sorting supplies for Mexico
359. thunderstorms ... laying in bed listening to the rain
360. the smell and sight of a clean house
361. long lunches and conversations about God and life ... nothing better ... especially with Diet Coke refills
362. SUNSHINE!
363. getting to tell Jackie that she was going to LONDON!
364. laughing at staff meeting
365. unveiling the new BCM vision and structure and dreaming of what God will do in the future