Bullet Points Update

I know I haven't updated in a while, and I do apologize for that. I am busier now than I ever remember being, so blogging has taken a back seat. Its actually kinda sad for me because I have a lot of thoughts spinning around in my head that I would love to blog about. So, hopefully in the coming days I will carve out some more time. I have realized that this semester will challenge my time management skills immensely. I am up for the challenge though! I am really committed to doing this with God, making my schedule based on HIS plans for me and not letting the important things take a back seat (which is what usually happens). We're almost in February and so far so good!

Unfortunately, this is a very busy time for both AIM and Cornerstone. Generally the two alternate busy times, which is why I rarely get overwhelmed with both jobs, but that's not the case right now. I work non-stop from 9-3 for AIM, and then immediately get started on Cornerstone stuff, usually finishing that up around 9 or 10 at night. The 10 hour days are definitely overwhelming, but God is being SO good to me. I am taking time to cook and eat healthy, making sure I actually get sleep at night, taking time to talk with Him daily and I am exercising regularly...all of which are keeping me in a really good state of mind despite my busyness. And, I'm holding on to my Saturdays (my ONLY day off) like my life depends on it (which it kinda does). I am struggling with a little bit of guilt as I turn down things so I can keep my time off, but I know that this is what God wants me to do.

Okay, so that's my general update. Here's some more fun facts for you:

* I spent last weekend in Birmingham, Alabama with my friends Jess and James Hawbaker. We haven't seen each other in over 3 years, but you would never know it from last weekend. We had SO MUCH FUN! We went hiking, played Wii (I LOVE the surgery game!), laughed A LOT, ate yummy (healthy) food, and best of all; we encouraged each other in the Lord. They are such a HUGE encouragement to me! They are actually moving to Denver this summer so Jess can attend seminary and I am planning on spending one of my vacation weeks with them sometime after they get settled. That's how great they are!

* I am traveling a lot more right now, partly because of AIM and partly because of some great support raising opportunities. In the coming weeks I will:

* Spend Valentine's weekend in South Boston, VA where I will speak at a church and a
women's group. I will also get to hang out with my brother the whole weekend!

* I am leading an AIM Spring Break trip in Philly in March. They will work with Cornerstone for the week, so it should be fun. The team is actually a college football team, so it should be interesting!

* AIM is sending me to Chicago in April to teach a one day seminar for youth pastors.
The seminar is all day Friday. After it's over I am going to drive to Urbana, IL (about 2 hours away) and spend the rest of the weekend hanging out with Brooke!

* Starting next Tuesday, Bonita and I will begin training for the Broad Street Run. I have to admit that I am EXTREMELY nervous about this and totally unsure if I can actually do it. But, I am committed to trying!

* Several weeks ago, just after Christmas, Beth (Jen's dog) bit the mailman. Its a crazy story, but Beth saw the mailman as a threat and was not restrained by anyone at the door (neither me nor Jen were home at the time, a friend was staying at the house with us). The bite was not severe and barely broke the skin. Unfortunately, the mailman is now suing for the "muscle spasms" he now suffers, and even though the dog belongs to Jen, the lawsuit falls on me because I own the house. My home owner's insurance should take care of it, but I'm researching all of it and asking a lot of people a lot of questions before I just hand things over. Please keep that situation in your prayers!

* A really good friend of mine just found out his mom might have ovarian cancer. Its just the 2 of them in their family, so he has a lot of decisions to make (he lives about 4 hours away from her), and neither have a lot of support from other people. I am hoping to get the chance to spend some time with him and possibly help him and his mom out sometime soon. They find out for sure on Friday, so right now I'm just praying that all the test results come back normal! He isn't a believer, but we've been able to have some good conversations about things since I'm dealing with my dad's cancer while he is trying to handle his mom's. I feel like I'm being surrounded by cancer right now, and that is not fun!!

Okay, that's all I can think of right now. Its WAY past my bed time, so nighty night!