The Dream Team of East Meck 2003ish.
As for me, the LORD has led me on the journey...
It’s true, every step of my life, but especially the last 8 years on the Young Life staff, the Lord has led me on an amazing journey! There have been major inclines to climb and great coasting moments but all in all I have grown and experienced the Lord in ways that blow me away! From starting my internship in a small town I had never even heard of, Pinehurst, being apart of wonderful staff teams with faithful committees and leaders, climbing 14,000 ft mountains, sailing in the Bahamas, mountain biking in Tahoe, to planting roots in Charlotte, it’s been INCREDIBLE. There are so many memories that when I stop to recall all of them I am amazed at what the Lord has allowed me to be apart of.
I have LOVED serving on the Young Life staff over the last eight years. It’s a place I always thought I would stay and then this year the Lord started moving me in surprising ways. I couldn’t put my finger on what He was doing and wanted to understand and follow where He was leading. That’s when I pursued taking an abbreviated sabbatical. Thankfully that was graciously granted and I took six weeks this spring to get away and reflect.
After much prayer and counsel it became clear that the Lord was leading me away from the Young Life staff, at least for a season.
It’s with great anticipation that I enter another stage in my journey. I am saddened to step back from such wonderful relationships but am certain that it’s where I am being led. So I am taking a step “out of the boat” not sure where I am going to land but knowing the Lord is leading me and will keep me afloat.
Thank you for being with me along this journey. Thank you for your friendship, prayers and support. I am honored to have served with you and on your behalf as you gave of your resources. I am blessed to have you in my life and am looking forward to how the Lord continues our relationship!
last day of sabbatical
Well, this is it, my 6 weeks are drawing to a definite close… it’s bitter sweet. I love not having an agenda and demands on my day but I miss the Young Life crowd bunches!
Some highlights of the last 6 weeks are…
- of course, 2 weeks in Africa and 5 days in Germany.
-celebrating my 31st birthday with great friends… pedicures, PF Changs, Thomas Street Tavern.
- spending some days in Greenwood with my family, hanging out with my 4 beautiful neices, shopping with my mom, driving with dad, and spending time on the deck overlooking the lake.
- DECIDING TO DO A MARATHON!!! WHAT?! Chicago, October 12th.
- celebrating my roomie’s (amy) birthday at Village Tavern and getting my meal for FREE along with a $50 gift card!
- Going to the mountains with Betty and Ava Joy, staying in an awesome house and buying new clothes at the outlets!!
- Reading 3 books
- Going to Charlotte Eagles’ games
- Spending time with Jesus in various ways… journaling and reading through Acts and Romans to name a few.
- being a part of a beautiful wedding… thanks Katie for including me! And also getting to seeing old friends that live very far away!
- Hanging out with the roomies when I would typically not be around.
- trying to do a “cleanse” but getting 2 days in and giving up!
- Getting to see Al Murfee, even if only for an hour.
- And last but definitely not least, feeling affirmed in the next step in life… details to come!
I’m finally back from the other side of the world!! We had an amazing trip to Ethiopia… the Lord did wonderful things in and through the team there! The picture above is in Langano where we “camped” for 4 days. This was the soccer field that we played on (note the cows) and this is one of the Ethiopian (Abesha) boys that came out everyday to see us and play with real soccer balls.
On the way back I stayed in Germany a few days with some family friends in Marburg. Two of the Eagles came with me. We were quite blessed by by our time there… a great transition between the 3rd world and America.
Thank you for praying for our time there! I would love to share more stories with you anytime!
We head out tomorrow and this is how you can be praying for us during the 2 weeks!
THANK YOU so much for all the financial support! I only have $700 to go!
Well, just after it was determined I was to take some time away I had an offer to join the Charlotte Lady Eagles (pro soccer team) on their trip to Ehtiopia. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity and we leave APRIL 1st!!! Woah!
You may be thinking, “I didn’t know CC played soccer, or any sport for that matter”… well, YOU’RE RIGHT! I don’t but I have a great friendship with the Eagles. They are “owned” by Missionary Athletes International so they are going over to train Sports Friends missionaries in ministry aspects… THAT i know a little bit about! The girls will also play games against some of the national teams. We will also get to go to some orphanages and more rural areas.
Please join me in praying for this trip. The Sports Friends organization is doing amazing work in Ethiopia through soccer. It will be a privilege to come along side of them and flesh out the Gospel for two weeks. (We get back to the states on April 15th.)
THANK YOU for your friendship and partnership!
The next step...
The 50th year celebration was a complete hit a few weeks ago! There were around 600 folks there, the majority of those being folks that have made Charlotte YL what it is today. We had a great time reminiscing of the beginnings, the crazy bike tours, countless trips out west, and the big hair of the 80’s (and let’s be honest) the 90’s too. It was a night Charlotte won’t soon forget.
With this BIG event behind us we look intently on finishing the school year strong with kids and leaders. One thing I’ve come to realize in a very clear way is that I am need of some time to reflect, reenergize, and renew my calling and passion. So, with that said, finishing the year strong for me is going to take the form of a 6 week sabbatical. I know, it may seem a little backward because I will actually be out of the lives of kids and leaders during that time BUT I am hoping to return stronger than ever from the time away.
I am planning to do a little traveling, meet with some folks that are much wiser than I and can provide direction, and seek the Lord whole heartedly in an effort to affirm my calling at this point in my life. PLEASE join me in praying for this time! I will actually try to be disconnected from ministry all together which I anticipate being difficult, especially at first. My sabbatical starts April 1st and will go through May 16th.
Please also pray for the parts of my job that will go undone while I am gone. I am certain that the team of volunteer leaders at my school will be amazing during this time but they will take on more responsiblity. Pray for female leadership in the area. Pray for the high school girls that I have relationships with to continue to stay connected to the ministry in my absense.
Thank you for your friendship and support! I am grateful beyond words for you!
Saturday night we will celebrate 50 years of Young Life in Charlotte. It is going to be an incredible night of sharing stories, laughing at classic skits and hearing from Ty Saltzgiver and Allen Levi.
I am so blessed to be a part of the legacy of Young Life here in Charlotte. I pray that God continues to bless the ministry here, reaching high school students for Jesus.
