Whew! What a few weeks it has been. I've been flooded with blessings, but of course, there have been some interesting moments along the way too!
I'll back up and start from the beginning. Christmas was absolutely wonderful - one of the best of my entire life, truthfully. John did not have to work for the first time in 3 years, so we were able to enjoy the entire weekend together, which was great. We also were grateful to participate in Passion City Church's first ever Christmas Eve service, which was at an outdoor venue. Both of our families were present, which was uber-special on multiple levels.
On Christmas day, we had a fun breakfast together at our apartment and then our families merged for one big lunch together in Cumming, which was a blast. Then we visited with the rest of John's family with a snowy backdrop. Unreal, and so special. I used to think that Christmas was way more special/enjoyable for children, but now I firmly believe that it is more significant for an adult who can comprehend the meaning of it all and soak it in.
Two days later I headed downtown to prepare for Passion 2011. Wow. The pre-conference days were intense and we worked long hours, but it was honestly thrilling to experience it from that side for the first time. Though our bodies were tired, our spirits were so enthralled! I really enjoyed seeing my coworkers thrive and live out their gifts - it was such a gift to live those days with them. The hard work was nothing compared to the overwhelming joy I felt standing in Philips Arena as the first session opened. My heart overflowed as I watched the conference unfold and students offer their hearts and wallets fully to the Lord! Over a million dollars was raised for international justice organizations across the world in just four days. More importantly, students' eyes were opened to the reality of life on other continents. It was like the Brooke Fraser song that says "Now that I have seen, I am responsible." I can't wait to see how God moves in these students' hearts years from now...I'm sure that I will never even know most of the testimonies. It was so humbling to play even a small role in the story!
It was also super special to me that John was able to serve at Passion and be there. He played a great role on the security team, and he has such awesome effects on me! His calm spirit is so good for my sometimes frantic ways. :-) My dad also attended many sessions, John's family volunteered, plus several of my good friends attended or volunteered as well. It was a sweet moment when I realized that so many people I loved were experiencing this together, and the Lord was using those days in unique, significant ways for each of them!
I began to get pretty sick during the conference, and unfortunately, that sickness blossomed into a sinus infection and pink eye. I guess it makes sense that I got sick since I slept for 5 hours or less multiple nights and interacted with 22,000 people! I'm finally beginning to feel like myself, and today I have some energy, but whew, I haven't felt that sick in a WHILE. John left to go on a week-long hunting adventure with his dad the day after Passion ended, so I came up to my parents' house for physical support and companionship! This morning we woke up to about 6 inches of snow, so it looks like I may be here for a while! I'm dying to go outside and enjoy it, but I think these will be my forms of enjoyment for now: homemade snow ice cream and pretty views.
What's next? Well, John gets home Thursday. I should be able to crawl out of my parents' driveway before then, likely go to work, and then resume life as normal... gearing up for Passion 2011 - Ft. Worth and doing life with friends, family and Passion City Church.
I'm feeling thankful for an incredible Christmas, joy-filled and 200%-worthwhile-all-of-the-hard-work Passion 2011, and the love of my family. Happy 2011!
I'll back up and start from the beginning. Christmas was absolutely wonderful - one of the best of my entire life, truthfully. John did not have to work for the first time in 3 years, so we were able to enjoy the entire weekend together, which was great. We also were grateful to participate in Passion City Church's first ever Christmas Eve service, which was at an outdoor venue. Both of our families were present, which was uber-special on multiple levels.
On Christmas day, we had a fun breakfast together at our apartment and then our families merged for one big lunch together in Cumming, which was a blast. Then we visited with the rest of John's family with a snowy backdrop. Unreal, and so special. I used to think that Christmas was way more special/enjoyable for children, but now I firmly believe that it is more significant for an adult who can comprehend the meaning of it all and soak it in.
Two days later I headed downtown to prepare for Passion 2011. Wow. The pre-conference days were intense and we worked long hours, but it was honestly thrilling to experience it from that side for the first time. Though our bodies were tired, our spirits were so enthralled! I really enjoyed seeing my coworkers thrive and live out their gifts - it was such a gift to live those days with them. The hard work was nothing compared to the overwhelming joy I felt standing in Philips Arena as the first session opened. My heart overflowed as I watched the conference unfold and students offer their hearts and wallets fully to the Lord! Over a million dollars was raised for international justice organizations across the world in just four days. More importantly, students' eyes were opened to the reality of life on other continents. It was like the Brooke Fraser song that says "Now that I have seen, I am responsible." I can't wait to see how God moves in these students' hearts years from now...I'm sure that I will never even know most of the testimonies. It was so humbling to play even a small role in the story!
It was also super special to me that John was able to serve at Passion and be there. He played a great role on the security team, and he has such awesome effects on me! His calm spirit is so good for my sometimes frantic ways. :-) My dad also attended many sessions, John's family volunteered, plus several of my good friends attended or volunteered as well. It was a sweet moment when I realized that so many people I loved were experiencing this together, and the Lord was using those days in unique, significant ways for each of them!
I began to get pretty sick during the conference, and unfortunately, that sickness blossomed into a sinus infection and pink eye. I guess it makes sense that I got sick since I slept for 5 hours or less multiple nights and interacted with 22,000 people! I'm finally beginning to feel like myself, and today I have some energy, but whew, I haven't felt that sick in a WHILE. John left to go on a week-long hunting adventure with his dad the day after Passion ended, so I came up to my parents' house for physical support and companionship! This morning we woke up to about 6 inches of snow, so it looks like I may be here for a while! I'm dying to go outside and enjoy it, but I think these will be my forms of enjoyment for now: homemade snow ice cream and pretty views.
What's next? Well, John gets home Thursday. I should be able to crawl out of my parents' driveway before then, likely go to work, and then resume life as normal... gearing up for Passion 2011 - Ft. Worth and doing life with friends, family and Passion City Church.
I'm feeling thankful for an incredible Christmas, joy-filled and 200%-worthwhile-all-of-the-hard-work Passion 2011, and the love of my family. Happy 2011!
Comments
Post a Comment