Monday Mailbag: May 23, 2011

The song that fits this Monday Mailbag perfectly...

Welcome to the beautiful town where I grew up:

Location: Salem, MO

Population: 4,854

Entertainment: 100 Acre Wood Rally, Current River, Montauk State Park, Salem City Park, Salem Senior High sports, Salem Bowling Center

Home to: Southwest Baptist University Salem Center, Montauk State Park, Ozark National Scenic Riverway, US Foodservice Distribution Center

Random Facts: The Battle of Salem was fought December 3, 1861, where 6 Yankee and 16 Confederate soldiers were killed; the Confederates retaliated by burning the county courthouse

It may be a small town, but it was a fun place to grow up! There wasn't a lot of things to do, so you had to make up your own entertainment. From Friday night football games to floating the river, I'll never forget this place!

Family Fun!

"The family.  We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. " Erma Bombeck

Family is one of the most important things in my life. I don't know what I would do without them. Though crazy at times, I never dread spending one moment with them! Last week we celebrated Jackson's 4th birthday, complete with an awesome firefighter theme. We had a blast, but definitely missed having Michael and Courtney with us. Take time to enjoy family this week. They may drive you crazy or make you angry at times, but they will be the ones making you laugh when you want to cry and will bring you comfort when the heartaches are unbearable. I love my family!

 

Nothing I Could Do Would Make Him Love Me Less

The story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 is one of my favorites. A father had two sons. His younger son came to him one day and asked for his inheritance. The father agreed and his younger son left to live life on his own. The younger son wasted everything that was given to him. In order to survive, he took a job feeding pigs on a farm. Desperate from starvation, he came to his senses and decided to return to his father and beg for forgiveness. He rehearsed his plea and was determined to ask his father for a job so that he could return and be forgiven.

"When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: 'Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son ever again.' But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to his servants, 'Quick! Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time! My son is here - given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!'" Luke 15:20-24 (The Message)

This story is the story of how many of us live our lives. We strive to achieve our own dreams and desires. We squander our inheritance and are often left for dead. But the love of Christ is unconditional, never ceasing or diminishing. He never leaves us; we choose to leave Him. We are given freedom in Christ to make decisions, and when they don't work out, He's right there waiting to embrace us and welcome us home. He rejoices when his wandering child returns to Him. Nothing I could ever do would make Him love me less. He desires a relationship with us that is forgiving and full of grace. It's never too late to turn back to the One who gave His life to save us from our own demise!

Monday Mailbag: May 16, 2011

In the words of Johnny Cash, "I've been everywhere, man. I've been everywhere." What a crazy year it's been! The 2011 SIFE USA National Exposition has come and gone, and so my first travel season as a Program Manager comes to a close. I wanted to take a look back at all the places I've been this year and share with you what it really looks like to never be home! It's been an awesome year. I'll be sharing about some of my experiences in the weeks to come. Some are downright hilarious, others are completely weird. Nevertheless, it's been a year to remember! Here's a summary of my travels thus far. Make sure to listen to the perfect theme to my travel season here!

Since August 28, 2010 I've:

Traveled to 15 states from coast to coast

Flown on 47 airplanes through 21 airports

Driven 17 rental cars for 21,000 miles

Stayed 91 nights in over 50 hotels

Spent 105 days away from Missouri

Worked 15 events from Training Conferences to the SIFE World Cup

Visited 90 teams on college and university campuses

I couldn't ask for a better year! I've spent time with some of the most amazing and inspiring students who are impacting their local communities and those all around the world. These are the future leaders of our businesses, schools, and government agencies. I couldn't be more proud of them or more excited for what lies ahead!!!

Girls' Night Out!

What is better on a Friday night than hanging out with some amazing friends??? Nothing! The girls and I went to dinner last Friday night at Huhot and played some mini golf for a great night before the start of summer. I'm very blessed to have some incredible friends who know how to keep me laughing! I must say...we will never be pros at mini golf! Haha!!! What a great night! Thanks girls! You are each a blessing to me!

Conviction Makes the Heart Grow...Stronger?

Conviction is a word thats...well...painful. Conviction isn't fun or joyful, it's tough and gut-wrenching but is necessary for believers to grow in Christ. Monday night I was overwhelmed and completely convicted about a certain area in my life...what I watch on tv and in movies. It's funny how one harmless night watching a supposed "comedy" brings about such conviction in my life. Christ calls us to be set apart, to be in the world but not of the world. 1 John 2:15 says "Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world - wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important - has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out - but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity" (The Message).

Immediately Christ put Philippians 4:8 on my heart as well: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." It's sad how our society has evolved into one of tolerance for all things ungodly. There are very few movies that don't use crude language or explicit sex scenes. Television is just as bad. I don't want my nephews to watch or hear these things, so why would I ever allow myself to do the same?

We are called to be set apart, to be an example. We are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Praise be to God for His unfailing love that doesn't grow weary or diminish despite my faults and failures. His love is the only perfect love that can bring about change in this world. May my convictions bring about change in me that others might see and come to know my Savior!!!

Monday Mailbag: May 9, 2011

This week I’m in…

MINNEAPOLIS! It’s time for the 2011 SIFE USA National Exposition! Over 4,000 students, faculty, and business executives will travel to the Twin Cities to name the 2011 SIFE USA National Champion! 

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Population: 382,500 (3.2 million in the metro area)

Entertainment: Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Timberwolves, Mall of America, Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Famous Former Natives: Minnesota Supreme Court and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Alan Page, actor Josh Hartnett, musicians Bob Dylan and Prince, co-founder of Pillsbury Company John Pillsbury, former US vice presidents Walter Mondale and Hubert Humphrey, wrestler and former Minnesota State Governor Jesse Ventura

Home to: Target Corporation, U.S. Bancorp, Xcel Energy

Random Facts: Billy Graham started his ministry in Minneapolis, 63.8 percent of the gross state product for Minnesota comes from the Twin Cities, nicknamed the “City of Lakes” for its more than 20 lakes and wetlands, once the world’s milling capital, currently serves as the primary business center between Chicago and Seattle, the Mall of America is the size of 78 football fields

I am excited for a great week in Minneapolis. It's supposed to rain all week but I'm extremely thankful for the skyways!!

If you're interested in following the 2011 SIFE USA National Exposition, you can view information and results here.