2 more weeks...and the braces will be off!!  (or at least partially)...no more looking like a 15-yr-old!  the sad thing is, I don't notice a whole lot of difference from when I got them to now.  we'll see.

so I definitely made a post yesterday and low and behold, it's disappeared!  I'm almost certain that I posted it!  basically, it consisted of the wonderfulness of La Paz, aside from the sunburn and seasickness.  it was just brilliant!  I've got pictures up on facebook; if you haven't seen them already, take a looksee.

fUEL, the student ministry here at BRCC is in full swing, with me running around again like a chicken with its head cut off.  hopefully with a few good volunteers, that won't be happening every week.  we had a record attendance of nearly 500 people 2 weeks ago!  I love the ministry and the people that we're reaching.  most of the kids have never stepped foot in a church and would probably never willingly go to a service if it weren't for a service unlike most other youth groups.  it's growing, evolving and moving with the Spirit. I'm excited to see how the Lord will work this year, growing our leaders and teaching them what it means to guide, lead and teach our students who the creator of the universe really is.  I'm excited to see how He'll use me and rock my world through those students.

check it out if you're ever in San Antonio.  fuelshed.net

How is it that the Lord always knows what song I need to hear exactly when I need it?  In a lot of ways, I think that's one of the ways He speaks to me, especially when it's so hard to hear Him with all of the noise... I know it's so cliche, but love the words to this song, and they remind me that though others may not forgive or forget the stupid things I do daily, He does.  How reassuring!! 



Here I am Lord and I’m drowning, in Your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me, I yearn for peace and rest
I don’t want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind
Keeps me awake tonight
I know you’ve cast my sin as far as the East is from the West
And I stand before You now as though I’ve never sinned
But today I feel like I’m just one mistake away
From You leaving me this way

Jesus can you show me just how far the east is from the west
‘Cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been
Rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
‘Cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day, the war begins
Endless reminding of my sin
And time and time again
Your truth is drowned out by the storm I’m in
Today I feel like I’m just one mistake away
From You leaving me this way

I know You’ve washed me white
Turned my darkness into life
I need Your peace to get me through
To get me through this night
I can’t live by what I feel
But by the truth Your word reveals
I’m not holding on to You
But You’re holding on to me
You’re holding on to me

Mom just informed me of the details...  her daughter found her body on the back porch...she's an adult, but I can't imagine how that will scar her.

Lord, may you be honored through this...bring peace and comfort to them.

pre-teen camp= exhausting and somewhat-horrible weather...at times, but it was still AWESOME!!  i love those teeny-boppers.  I'll be it, it got annoying to consistently nag them about being prompt, picking up after themselves, eating their food BEFORE their dessert....oh my gosh, I sound like my mother.  I'll stop that right there.  camp was great!!  one down, one to go.

it's official....kinda.  I'm no longer the "family ministries' assistant," but the "student ministry assistant."  the children's staff is taking me to lunch on Thursday for a faux going away lunch.  kinda awkward, but bittersweet.  it'll be interesting to see how things go in the student ministry.

I downloaded Kelly's new album and let me just say this: it's very different from the last, not in a bad way, just in a "I'm figuring out who I am" way.  she's come into her own, that's cool.  there are a few songs I could do without, but some that are already becoming favorites.  it's not completely a bad breakup album, though it's obvious she's still hurt.  I think it's one of those albums that an artist just has to get out to get over the past.  check it out, but if you're hoping for the pop-influenced Kelly Clarkson, keep on looking...that's why Lindsay Lohan and Hilary Duff exist- to make you appreciate true talent.  don't get me wrong, they've got catchy tunes and bearable voices, but they don't have nearly the range, pitch, or tone of Ms. Clarkson.  gotta love them Texas girls!!!