This was the first weekend in a bit that I was able to truly stop for a bit. It felt good yesterday- though I was a wee bit grumpy to hear my cell ring before 8am- WHO could be calling on a Saturday morning???? Just kidding Rob!



The last few weeks have been so full. Work has been very busy- almost to the point of overwhelming. One day- I thought I was going to breakdown. I was so behind and couldn't get my head above water. Katie was so wonderful to stay late with me and help me wrap up some important to-dos. What a blessing her friendship is. We spent some time together yesterday and it is always enjoyable to hear what God is doing in and through her. She challenges me to be faithful and a bold witness- I fail so often. I appreciate her wisdom and insight. Friday night was great too as I got to catch up with Bek (and enjoy the most delicous steaks ever!- plus new shoes at TJ Maxx to boot!)



Today was a full day with the youth. We are gearing up for Teens Involved and had a number of practices planned. The teens are working hard and really doing a nice job. I love to see them getting excited and involved. Plus- it is fun to hang out with them. They are so hilarious!



Speaking of- last weekend was Snow Camp. We had an adventerous drive up including some bad weather and a spin out on the highway - I won't tell you WHO did that???


The weekend was fantastic. The kids enjoyed each other and that was pretty cool. They had awesome counselors who answered all their questions. It was neat to see God working and challenging many of them. It was especially exciting to see our unsaved kids really questioning and seeking. One said to me, "I know that I need to accept Christ." Another said they believed but were not ready to surrender to the Lord yet. Pray for these kids- they are so close to making a decision for Christ. It was exciting to see our teens witnessing to them and being a light- and to see our kids really looking out for one another. Most of our kids had never gone to Snow Camp before and the more experienced kids took them under their wings to help them out. I walked away truly blessed- especially when the counselors complimented our youth and leaders. It made me smile to think back over the hard work that we've put in the last 1.5 years. I felt like this weekend brought me closer to a number of the kids too.



Enjoy a few pics and video of our kids-

There is threat of a snow day tomorrow- yippee!
I should be heading to bed, just in case- but an update is in order.

Hmmm- where to begin?

School: Is crazy!!! We are in the midst of many changes and it is challenging. Some curve balls have been thrown lately, and I'm praying I come out as gold. The good news is that I have moved in to my very own classroom finally! It is such a blessing. Slowly I'm making it home- and I look forward to decorating in the next two weeks. My kids are happy to have a place to call their own- where it is "just us". I'm back on the first floor in the throws of activity- which I enjoy!

Youth: Is crazy too!! We have been busy! Last weekend we took the kids to the soup kitchen- they had a good time and were a blessing to many. In the evening, we took them to a concert which they all enjoyed. Youth group is growing- we had 34 on Wednesday with 5 new kiddos!!! Is is overwhelming- but I pray we have wisdom and know God will supply all we need. We are seeing exciting things happening- excellent questions, teens stepping up in ministry and also many developing godly habits. One joy is that I get to bring a girl home every week and we get to have some 1 on 1 time. Pray I have wisdom as I disciple her. We are taking 21 to snow camp- which is challenging but exciting! We are also in the midst of Teens Involved Preparation- which is fun and I love seeing the teens step out! Today- I was reminded again of how much I truly love these teens. They are a blessing and joy! The big project I'm working on now is a Ministry Fair for March- we are hosting area youth groups and inviting a variety of presenters to come and share their work. It is a huge undertaking- pray it all comes together!!

Life in general: We had a marvelous spa day last Sunday- it was so good to be pampered. I enjoyed the day with friends and we laughed so much. The investment is well worth it. This week is busy between planning meetings and a HOPE council meeting. Pray we have wisdom.

The Lord is continuing to challenge me- We've been reading in Matthew for our Quiet Time. I've been reminded that Christ could heal with just a simple touch or word. Nothing is too hard for him. He can change hearts- He can orchestrate His plans through any situation- through any amount of confusion or failure on our part. He can change the hardest hearts- He can heal the brokenness.

One song that I'm teaching the teens is All I Need by Bethany Dillon. It has been a challenge to me in recent weeks- what am I relying on? myself? others? He is our rock- our fortress- our protector- our comforter. He is All I Need!

When the day is done
And there's no one else around
While I'm lying here in bed
You're in my heart, You're in my head
You're all I need, You're all I need

There are a million voices
Calling out my name
But You're the One I want to hear
So make the others disappear

You are all I need when I'm surrounded
You are all I need if I'm by myself
You fill me when I'm empty
There is nothing else
You're all I need

When the morning comes
And Your mercy is renewed
There's a fire in my bones
I'm not afraid to go alone
You're all I need, You're all I need

The sun on my face
I hear You whisper loud
You're still the God that opens seas
Every flower, even me
You're all I need, You're all I need

I'm drawn to everything that You do
Nothing compares with You

Love
Elisabeth

First Post of 2008!

A New Year! I love looking at a fresh, clean calendar and imagining how the days and months will unfold. Slowly, the little boxes will become full of plans and possibilities. With anticipation, I wait for specific days- a celebration, an adventure, reconnecting with friends, the comfort that on certain days I have a standing date (the youth....don't get your hopes up!). Isn't it fun to look back at a filled-in calendar (or better yet a journal) and see how the events unfolded and turned out.

For a few years now, I've made a point to set goals for the coming year. Not one for resolutions, setting goals seem more attainable and I'm motivated to work toward them. Some of my goals are broad (discipleship ministry, marriage/motherhood) while others are quite specific (write a book for preacher's kids, take a photography course, travel to Colombia). Each New Year's, I take some time to sit and reflect on each goal- what I've done to work toward that goal or to revamp the goal as God directs me. Early this morning- around 2am I guess- I sat on my bed and did just that. It was exciting to record progress in certain areas and to be challenged to regain the momentum in other areas. This accountability is good for me- it keeps me purposeful and heading in a good direction.

Below is a familiar passage about God's plan for us- but catch it these two versions. Doesn't that just excite you! In talking with my friend Carrie on Sunday- how cool was it to be reminded that our God desires good things for us- and has amazing plans in store for us. For me. He has amazing plans in store for me. When I reflect on some of the amazing people He has brought into my life and the incredible opportunities I have- and the tremendous ministry that I get to be involved in- HOW MUCH MORE is to come! How humbling- that He would choose me.

Jeremiah 29: 10-14 The Message
This is God's Word on the subject: "... and not a day before, I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed. God's Decree. I'll turn things around for you. I'll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you—God's Decree—bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on it."

New Living Translation
"This is what the Lord says: ... For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you, says the Lord."

More to See- Hillsong

Well I know that I may have had
My share of failing and falling
But I have come to understand
One thing remains

By all He’s done
I have been made holy
Worthy of serving the One
The One who wrote eternity
So deep in my heart

Open your eyes and see
The wonder of a life
So wonderfully free
Lift up your head believe
There is more
There’s so much more to see

You remind me still
Of the hope and promise
Daring my heart to be brave
And all the while You strengthen me
So deep in my heart

His mercies are new every morning
His mercies are new every day
His mercies are new every morning
Beautifully new every day

His mercies are new every year!
Have a Joyous New Year!

Always~
Elisabeth

One blessing from vacation was finishing a book called Forever in Love with Jesus by Dee Breestin and Kathy Troccoli. It was especially challenging and God's timing is perfect. Just when I was processing some very specific truths, this book was dealing with the same topics. It provided so many wonderful reminders of God presence.

The following are two passages that have brought a lot of challenge this week-

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." Matthew 6:34 The Message

Sometimes it is helpful to re-read familiar passages in alternative versions. I love this verse! My brain runs a mile a minute- always thinking, rehashing, processing. It can be a blessing and a curse (great when you're planning an event- not so good when you're trying to move past something). I love the phrase- "Give attention to what God is doing RIGHT NOW". If I'm so caught up in the past or in what may or may come in the future, I miss out on what God is doing right now. My full attention needs to be placed on what is happening around me. The people, the youth, the circumstances, the opportunities, the task at hand. The last two months have been filled with such blessing as I have seen God at work- I'm thankful I haven't missed that. I am able to speak of His faithfulness!

Then- the last phrase says, "God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." Because of fear or uncertainty, I could choose not to do something -to not be available. But, "in the moment of my weakness, He gives the grace to do His will." This last week has created some opportunities that were out of my comfort zone- things that I'd rather not do. Whether they were social gatherings that I didn't really want to attend- God used those evenings to bless my heart and remind me that He is at work in lives. One situation this week, could have been incredibly uncomfortable, having to face rejection head on- but the Lord used the situation to encourage and be a testament of His Power. Instead of sitting on the sidelines or getting worked up- put your hand to the plow and do it. He will give you what you need to accomplish what He has asked you to do. He gives grace.


I won't go into a detailed commentary on the second passage- but what encouragement is given here! God frees us from our fears, He hears our cries and surrounds us! We lack no good thing! He rescues those who are crushed!

No matter what your circumstances- worship Him! Revel in His glory, in His awesome might, in Who He Is! He is unchanging! Cry out to Him- be honest before God- what release! He will come to you- He will bring comfort- He will satisfy you.

"Taste and see that the Lord is good!"

Psalm 34
1 I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart.
3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.
4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.
7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
9 Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.
10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
12 Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous?
13 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!
14 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
15 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.
16 But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth.
17 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
19 The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!
21 Calamity will surely overtake the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
22 But the Lord will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.