March Madness

I can't believe it's been three weeks since I've posted. I'm sorry for that.

This month has been filled with a lot of learning, a lot of working and a LOT of laughing.

Here are pictures of some of the laughter moments:

Korrie and Erika leading the Mariners Staff in a round of Just DanceJared getting camera-ready for the video our team made for Easter services
{I will post it this weekend}

Yet another shot of Jared in a different costume for another video shoot

Today was our Student Ministries Team Day...
We kicked-off the day with some Karaoke and Manicures.
{Thanks Katie and Diana for pointing me to that amazing place!}

Phil and Drew singing "Crazy in Love"

Jeff enjoying his manicure

Buddy and Drew rapping "Changes"

Lunch at Boneheads {super tasty}
Prayer for Easter services at Mariners {really, really cool}

Surrey races on the Balboa Peninsula
{action shot}

We ended the race at BJs Pizza for pizookies

I wish it were as interesting {or as easy} for me to post the learning moments from the last month. I'm trying to record them, because I know they are so valuable...

5 Could-Have-Been Tweets In One Blog Posts

I've carried this black-and-white-striped journal almost everywhere I've gone, since Christmas. I've made task lists a few times, but for the most part, it has been a place for me to write down remarkable things that people have said.

I thought I'd share them here, since I am a firm believer in the idea that you can learn from what I'm learning...and vice-versa.

Here goes nothing.

Five things I recently heard smart people say:

"One man sinned, we were all broken; one man died, we were all redeemed"

"Our biggest need is not to be known for something, it's to be known by someone"

"The Good News is about getting heaven in to us, not just getting in to heaven"

"We need the restorative powers of Jesus to take us out of this cycle of selfishness"

"God's dream for you is so much bigger than your dreams for yourself. God's dream is extraordinary...good is the enemy of extraordinary"

Right Here, Right Now

I know I'm a little behind-the-times posting this video now, but I'm assuming there are still a few people that haven't seen it...or others that may want to watch it again.




I watch this video and wonder what it means for the next generation...any ideas?

Ken-ya Feel The Love?

I have some friends that are headed to Kenya...

My friend LV, who works for Catalyst Conference, landed this morning and will be blogging about his visits to many of the Compassion projects in Kenya. You can read his posts HERE...and be praying for him.

A HUGE team from Saddleback {26 students and 8 leaders} are headed to Kitale first thing tomorrow morning. I'm not sure if they will be blogging while they are there, but I do know they will be working hard to provide some memorable moments of sincere childhood for the children of Kitale. {I cried saying goodbye this afternoon...wishing, so badly, that I were going with them}.

Here is their trip itinerary, if you would like to pray for them over the next twelve days:

Day ONE & TWO: (3/4/10 & 3/5/10) Travel to Nairobi then on to Kitale
Pray for safe travel to Kenya. Pray for rest and the preparation of our hearts for ministry. Pray that all goes smoothly with the logistics.

Day THREE: (3/6/10) Travel to Kitale and ministry at the KITALE PRISON
Pray for our team as we minister to the prisoners of the Kitale prison. Pray that these prisoners would hear and accept the message of Jesus Christ. Pray for our team as we minister to the prisoners of the Kitale prison.

Day FOUR: (3/7/10) Church and Orphanage
Please pray for our team as we experience “Kenyan Church.” Pray that we are an encouragement to those ministering each week to the people of Kenya. Pray that we find new ways to partner with these churches. Also, pray for our ministry to the boys in the orphanage.

Day FIVE: (3/8/10) First Day of Camp
Please pray for our team as we prepare camp for kids and teenagers. Pray for good connections, good conversation, and for camp to go according to God’s plan. Pray for our partnership with Oasis of Hope. Pray for the kids at camp to have open hearts to the message of Jesus Christ. Pray for the students on our team who are teaching, singing, leading and counseling the kids. Pray that we would be open to ministering outside of our comfort zone.

Day SIX: (3/9/10) Camp
Pray that God would give opportunities to our students to share their personal faith with a camper. Pray that we wouldn’t miss any opportunities to share Jesus. Pray that God would make an impact on lives through our team.

Day SEVEN: (3/10/10) Camp
Pray for protection from exhaustion and the enemy as we wrap up our last day of camp. Pray that our team would have courage and be bold in sharing their faith with the kids of Oasis of Hope. Pray for the team leaders today. Pray for the teachers of Oasis of Hope that they would continue the mission of bringing kids to Jesus Christ.

Day EIGHT: (3/11/10) Ministry at Discover to Recover
Pray for the strength and the spirit of our team. Pray that God would help us to be bold in our conversations with the kids affected or infected with HIV Aids.

Day NINE: (3/12/10) Work Projects at Oasis of Hope
Pray for our last day of ministry. Pray that we would stay focused as team and that fatigue would not set in. Pray that we would make the most of our last day at Oasis of Hope.

Day TEN & ELEVEN: (3/13/10 & 3/14/10)
Pray for safe travel back to Nairobi and then back to the US. Pray that we adjust well spiritually emotionally, and physically. Pray that God would continue to work in our hearts after we return. Pray that we would continue to remember and reflect our journey in Kenya. Pray for protection from sickness and fatigue.

Broken. Brokener. Brokenest.

I'm earnestly asking for God to break my heart
and He's doing just that.

But what I'm wrestling with tonight is:
if my heart breaks and breaks and breaks...at what point do I have to stop responding to that heart break?

when does that heart break stop at being informed instead of taking a step in to action?

and, is simply being aware, but not moving toward change, really having a broken heart?

I know that if I'm listening, God will direct my heart...
I know that as I'm obedient to His directions, He will provide the strength, the comfort, the discernment...

I'm in the middle of these thoughts, but trying to document my journey.

An Actual Web-Log

Tonight, as I was driving home from dinner with my Aunt Gina and my cousins, I was praying aloud. {This is my favorite way to pray, for so many reasons.}

I was telling God how much I wish I kept a journal...mostly because I am amazed at how much He is teaching me. I wish I were better at keeping record of what I've learned and even where I was when I learned it.

I then came home and read through some of my old posts...I was once very good at recording all of the minute details of my day, how is it possible that I lost that just when my days became filled with God's presence and provision? {That has to be equally as interesting as my love for new crayons or the fact that I follow Bill Cosby on Twitter--thanks Ryanne}

All this to say, I'm going to do my best to blog about what I'm learning...

Because, I'll tell you what, I have a lot to learn.