Hard words make soft hearts

I was listening to Mark Driscoll talk to his congregation (Mars Hill in Seattle) via podcast tonight. His message was about Preaching Jesus, using Paul and the Corinthian Church as an example he showed that it was Jesus that has to be the focus of our preaching. Now I know that most of you reading this understand this truth and so it was with me not a great revelation.

However, one phrase caught my attention. "Hard words make soft people and soft words make hard people." It just hit me on a personal level that I need to speak more truth into the lives of those around me, and I need to listen to more Hard words as well.

Just a thought.

It begins slowly . . .

Campus Life at Mason Middle school was officially launched! We had about 40-50 students show up for free pizza and some crazy games after school. The school has been extremely co-operative and very helpful in getting the club started. The fact that we meet in the teachers lounge I think says it all!

I'm excited that we have the opportunity to be a part of students lives on their turf. I love the fact that we have been given the opportunity to share Christ in a place that is familiar to students and easy to get too even though I've been working with students for 10 years I still feel like I have no clue what I'm doing.

It's not that I don't know how to do the programming. It's just that when you sit in a meeting and try to get 45 Middle Schoolers to calm down for 90 seconds. It feels like your losing the battle. BUT! When you get to sit down and have pizza with 3 of them at a table and you begin to hear their stories (usually of their latest X-box game), your reminded of the slow process of building meaningful relationships.

I've always known that you reach students through meaningful relationships, but today I was reminded of it again. It's just a slow process that has to start somewhere. So today I met some students for the first time and hopefully began the slow process that will produce meaningful.

I HATE LOSING...SO, why am I a loser?

Well, I had to wait until today to post this or else I might say something I shouldn't. But, I truly despise losing. I have never admitted to being a "good loser". Last night our basketball team, the Varsity Curtis High girls team I coach, should have won. I know we played better than last time against them, but I was not satisfied with that. We should have won! And, if we had played to win, I think we would have. I mean, we only lost by six. And, that was with us deciding to run our offense very little, deciding to forget the success we can have and have already experienced with our teammates. I cannot figure out how a team can watch something work and then so quickly revert back to doing what was not working...playing for individual stats...playing for "me".

So, if I hate losing in games that don't matter like basketball. Why don't I mind to continually fail and lose in my relationship with Christ. I mean I constantly watch Him do something amazing in my life, only to question His direction later. I can sit down and write out the times He has so graciously delivered me, the times He gives me more than I deserve, the times He welcomes me back into His arms. And, then the next moment I am out "playing for me" again. I am living life my way. I am making the decisions. My selfishness leads to blindness. I am unable to look at what has worked...trusting God to lead...and fall into what has continually failed..."playing for my individual stats".

So, see, basketball does have something to do with real life. I hope it continues to teach me every day. I also hope that we don't lose again...I HATE LOSING!

Snow in Tacoma

This was the picture we took
trying to make it look like Narnia!


Buck & me


Snow the following morning!

Thanksgiving Photos

Buck & Josh


"the kids" before we flew out


Uncle Rick & "Fancy" Aunt Kay


Adam, Stephen (my cousin) & Daniel


Grandad & Mom at Thanksgiving Dinner


I just thought I would post a few pictures...first, a few from when we were home in Florida for Thanksgiving...

Board Game Geeks...

It is official. We have become board game geeks. It wasn't intentional. But, I must say we are not interested in removing that title from ourselves. We are at heart board game geeks. It only worsens when you find so many quality games at one time. We have started playing this game called Settlers of Catan. It is the perfect mix (most of the time) of strategy, luck, and interaction with other players. The only problem we have faced is finding people just as passionate about the game as us. It is starting to get better as we introduce new people to the game, people who say they are coming over for a quick game and end up staying for three games or so. If you are a board game geek and are interested in learning this new game or would like to introduce us to a new game, do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We have flexible schedules when it comes to important priorities like board games.

It's about time...

Well, it has only been about ten weeks since we last posted. I guess you could say a lot has happened. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year...oh, and a good Thanksgiving too. We went home to Florida for Thanksgiving. The time with the family was short but great! The weather was way too hot. Of course, our weather on Christmas day was pretty warm here in the Great Northwest.

Here is a quick update:
1. I quit my job at Ambrosia so that Carol and I could start our own company, fit4kids. We have started, although trying to get business early on is hard. We will stick with it!

2. Buck has accepted a part-time position with Campus Life at Mason Middle School. It is definitely a target school for us at Discovery, and so this provides him with a great opportunity to get in there and meet more students.

3. I am coaching basketball as a varsity assistant at Curtis High School in University Place. I have already learned so much. The second half of our season starts next week & we are hoping to make a surge for the postseason.

4. We have built some quality relationships with students at Discovery & are hoping to finish the year strong. We are looking forward to reaching more students in Tacoma this spring and summer.

Okay, so I am sure more has happened, but that is the highlights! I hope everyone is great! Hopefully we will be posting more often...and we will include some pictures.

November Brings the Rain...

I love the rain...really, I do. I have loved the rain ever since I was a little kid. It just so happens that now I get to live in one of the greatest cities for rain. I enjoy waking up to the sound of rain; it is just refreshing. Some days it does make me want to stay in bed a little longer, but it is still a nice way to wake up. So, the rain has begun here in the Great Northwest. It has barely stopped raining over the last few days. At work, David and I really do like the rain...everyone thinks we are wierd. We don't care.

This past weekend, we had a scavenger hunt with our students. They had to travel around Tacoma & they ended up at a corn maze! I think they had a blast...even the group that got lost and was quite a ways behind the other groups. I love doing things like that. I love the planning of it all. I love the anticipation. I love meeting the friends that students bring. I love when you feel like there is even just one student you have moved into a deeper relationship with...like you have just clicked. It is such a process. I love our leaders too. They really do love the students & are giving a lot to invest in these students. Our student ministry is so young. I know we have to stick with it. Press On!

Anyway, things are staying quite busy. This is my last full week at work here at Ambrosia & then fit4kids officially kicks off. I am excited & yet a little nervous about this new step in our lives. Also, coaching is starting up. I will be the Varsity Assistant Coach for the Curtis High School Vikings in University Place. They have a great program. I will be able to gain experience at a high level. I am pretty excited about it. We have try-outs in two weeks.

Buck is staying busy with school, work, and Discovery. We are also having fun watching ALIAS, Season 4. It came out on DVD last week. We have kind of been pathetic...but, it's okay to be like that every once in awhile.

BYE, BYE USC!

TEXAS PASSES USC IN THE BCS POLL!!! Don't worry, USC will continue to drop. They play in the PAC-10, so there is no way to regain your status as #1 when you are playing a bunch of pansies. But, if you hate Texas don't get too excited either. Virginia Tech has the toughest schedule of the TOP 3 & could beat either. Texas fans should be very worried if you have to play VA TECH or and SEC school instead of "Prom King" Matt Leinart and USC. If the ACC & SEC have someone (VA TECH, UGA, OR BAMA) go undefeated it will be an absolute disgrace when they have to play each other again in the Sugar Bowl. WAR EAGLE!

Uh yeah mom can you hold on a sec. ?

There are few things in life that you put your mom on hold for this one paid off:
Last night I talked to my mom for the first time in a month. No reason we hadn’t other then I let things get in the way of a simple phone call home. We chatted about important stuff for 20 min. or so then she asked about my Cardinals. (yes I realize I hold no stake other then emotional pride in the St. Louis Cardinals)

Mom: Your cardinals are doing pretty well
Me: Actually they are down 3games to 1 and only have 3 outs left to make up a 2 run deficit.
Mom: Oh really?
Me: yeah, I’m not real thrilled, make that 1 out left

Beth: I’ll let you know if it’s anything you want to watch.

I head back in the kitchen we chat a little more. A few minutes pass

Beth waves at me and motions for me to come into the living room

Me: *in a hopeful, but subdued tone*Ok hang on a second mom the greatest hitter in the game is up to bat with runners on 1st and 2nd (an exact quote) I might be a bit distracted.

Mom: *chuckles* who is that

Me: Albert Pujols, he’s also facing the games best closer.

Mom:ok

Pujols takes an ugly cut at a nasty slider (looking back on it I wonder if he didn’t do it to bait Brad Lidge).

Me: 2 strikes left

Next pitch Lidge hangs a slider over the plate, Pujols hits it square . . .

Me: *Yelling into the phone and jumping around the room* He did it! No way! He did it!

The ball lands literally over the bleachers (about 500 feet from home easy)

I’ve never felt a team go from utterly defeated to back in a series as quick as I did last night. Mom then handed the phone over to dad and I recounted to him the greatness of Albert Pujols and watched Izy close out the Ninth.

3-2 and headed back to St. Louis

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Tagged...

Well, I knew this was going to happen when I was reading Robyn's Blog...

i also don't normally do stuff like this, but I was tagged to continue the game, so i must.

what I was doing...10 years ago (1995)
let's see...I was starting 8th grade at Tucker High School in Tucker, GA...I played on the JV fastpitch team that year. I remember playing basketball during PE with the guys on the football team including Patrick Pass (now of the New England Patriots) and Lance Huff, our Varsity QB who I of course thought was totally cute! I had science with Ms. Burden...a legend at our school...and them some other classes I don't really remember. Oh yeah, and I went to Briarlake Baptist and was involved in a great student ministry!

5 years ago(2000)
I was starting my freshman year at Auburn. I didn't know anyone when I showed up on the lovely plains, but quickly began to find my place at Parkway Baptist and the BCM. CC Farris was my Insight (fresh Bible study) Leader...Amanda Champion and Rachel Greene were in my group. I loved my freshman year (minus my fall roommate)! I really began to understand the larger purpose God has for me & that His glory reigns above everything!


yesterday (9/11/05) Yesterday was the last day of INFUSION...our entry event for middle-schoolers...it was a blast. We went to the 9:19 service together and then had the drawing for the IPOD Shuffle (Cooper Won!) and announced the winning team (ORANGE!) who recieved Mariners' tickets. Then we came home to a messy house...b/c of the intense weekend...watched a little football. We went to a small group leaders meeting & then went to Red Robin to watch the first half of Sunday night football since we don't have cable. Afterwards, Buck studied for seminary and I didn things around the house until it was time for bed!

5 snacks I enjoy: Strawberries, Jalapeno Poppers, Ice Cream, Sour Patch Kids, & Mozzarella Sticks

5 songs I know all the words to: I don't know lots of fun songs like some people...so, it will have to be songs I play often on the guitar: One Pure & Holy Passion; Jesus, You Alone; I Will Walk By Faith - Jeremy Camp; Prince of Peach; oh...and the Auburn Fight Song!

5 things I would do with 100 million dollars: Build my mom the house of her dreams; Support church plants in the northwest; travel with Buck...I can't think of anything more fun or relaxing; invest in real estate (you know for college funds and stuff like that); and choose five friends to completely support in overseas missions!

5 places I would run away to: Boston in the fall; SanFrancisco...it's different; Portland...quaint after Seattle/Tacoma; anywhere in the mountains (why I love living in the Northwest); and the San Juan Islands (where we went on our honeymoon...it was perfect)

5 things I would never wear: Black Tennis Shoes; Reebok anything; lipstick that is not in the red, pink, peachy family; anything that supports the University of Alabama...it's a bad example to others & would probably make me throw up); Molly's (my maid of honor) "come get me" shoes..and for that matter...the skirt she made me!!!!!

5 tv shows that I love: College GameDay; SportsCenter; Survivor; Friends; Anything else having to do with sports

5 bad habits: Biting my fingernails; Judging people from the moment I meet them; are these my habits??? it doesn't say...some people have a bad habit of eating ants; okay back to me: eating junk food for breakfast (not often I guess); being too critical of situations & actions

5 biggest joys: the fact that Christ desires to have a relationship with me; my husband; my family & friends; the purpose & gifts I have been given to serve Christ; oh...sports...especially Auburn Football!!!

5 favorite toys: scrapbooking stuff; rubix cube; beanbag chairs we got for students; all my different picture frames; i guess I will say our new Mac b/c we need a computer...and it is really cool for video editing and stuff like that!

4 people I'm tagging: sorry about this...but i'm choosing... amanda champion, jenn stratton, rachel rogers, and rob weideman!

THE DAY IS FINALLY HERE: COLLEGE FOOTBALL KICKS OFF

For the first time in as long as I can remember, I do not have ESPN during college football season. I am a big fan of the "no cable in our home" way of life we have chosen...we are much less likely to waste time vegging in front of the television. However, watching college football from dawn on Saturday (College GameDay actually starts at 7am on the west coast) until I go to bed is definitely NOT a waste of my life, and I will miss it. Yes, there are still games on other stations...but the constant football & the best coverage in terms of analysis is only available through ESPN. I am sure I will survive & I will still be able to see my Tigers play. Below is an article from a great site, especially if your roots are in Auburn: www.theauburner.com

10 Rules for the Upcoming Season
by Mark, The Auburner

10. When Kenny Irons is hit hard on the field (which will be a rare occasion) … do NOT say “Oh my God! They killed Kenny!”

9. While in the student section, it is ok if you wish to sit down; but do not expect the people in front of you to do the same. It doesn’t matter what the score is.

8. Don’t get drunk before the game. The masterpiece of art that is Auburn Football must be enjoyed with a clear mind. If you can’t be the best at something, don’t even try to be. LSU fans will always be better drunks… get over it.

7. Don’t say ESPN sucks. While most of their analysts and hosts are morons, they provide more college football coverage than any other source. You should be VERY thankful.

6. If you’re going to make a sign or paint your body, it must be in complete support of Auburn… none of this “SportsCenter is Next” crap.

5. All clothing located on the upper half of your body is to be completely Auburn affiliated…Preferably, an orange t-shirt. Wearing a blue polo shirt with an orange undershirt won’t cut it… too preppy. As for the fraternity attire…UAB called, they want their blazers back. har har.

4. Cheers that involve cursing is classless, don’t join in. The “go to hell Alabama” cheer is acceptable however.

3. Know the fight song. Don’t get mad at me for not knowing the Alma Mater.

2. Auburn went 13-0 last year. Why? Because of their ingenious football skills and beastly athletic abilities… it wasn’t because of your “lucky hat” you wore to every game last year… don’t say it was.

1. During a football game, do NOT boo at anything Auburn. I don’t care if Brandon Cox throws 20 interceptions. I don’t care if Coach Tuberville puts in Tre Smith at Left Tackle. Every newspaper article about Jason Campbell going into the NFL mentioned how he was booed by the students after he threw an interception during the first game last year. Unfortunately, it was true.

WAR EAGLE! ! !

Happy Birthday Buck!

Well, it was a great weekend celebrating Buck's birthday! We had the traditional peanut butter pie (you know, the pie I won his heart with). Anyway, I am so glad I have been able to spend the last year with you, babe. And, I look forward to many more celebrations in the future. I love you!

Seriously...

I cannot believe another hurricane is headed straight toward my family...and the entire Florida panhandle again...CRAZINESS! It should it them sometime Monday. I have never seen Pensacola as devastated as last October from Ivan. And, nothing has let up since then.

Trust...

The last few years of my life...I have had many conversations with God about TRUST! I have asked Him to place me in situations where the only way out is by TRUSTING Him. And, then everytime I question what He is doing...WHY?!? He is God; I am not (I actually came to this conclusion awhile ago). Anyway, life is good because God always provides...not in the way we always plan out...but, HE always provides. Mostly, He is concerned with His name being lifted up & He loves to have us lean on Him so that others will see Him. So, I am sure there is another adventure around the corner...and, I know, somehow God's character will be revealed in my life. I am so glad I am able to commune with Him every second of every day...If only I chose to spend more time with Him...I don't think I would be as shocked or overwhelmed by His continual presence and provision in my life.

70:4

Last night we kicked-off 70:4, it was such a blast! 70:4 is our mid-week outreach to 6-8th grade students. We had 8 kids and it was just plain exciting! Most of our middleschoolers are new 6th graders. And they are pumped to be out of elementary school.

The thing I love more then anything about the fall is the fresh start. When you have new people to a group or organization they often bring with them an excitement and enthusiasim that becomes contagious. It was great and I can't wait for next week. If you would pray for our students and leaders this fall.

New Site...

We are in the process of developing a new site for student ministry news. Feel free to check it out anytime: www.discochurch.com/students The link is also located to the right. If you know students or parents of students in the Tacoma area, please direct them here for all the newest opportunities for students at Discovery Community Church. Thanks so much! Enjoy!

Bare with us...

Our blog could get crazy in the coming months...I mean late summer & early fall is one of the best times in sports...football kicking off...baseball heating up...basketball free agency...predicting the heisman...predicting brackets...you name it, it can all be done this time of year. So, our blog may get a little heavy with "our" exciting responses, polls, and news...bare with us.

Now for the fun...College Football Pick 'em. It was a fun race to the end last year. Follow this link to join our league View From the Northwest: http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/college

In order to join the group, just go to College Football Pick 'em & click the "Sign Up" button (or "Create or Join Group" if you are a returning user).

From there, follow the path to join an existing private group and when prompted, enter the following information...

Group ID#: 1242
Password: tacoma

Rookie of the Year

Let us know who you think will win the offensive & defensive rookie of the year awards in the NFL; tell us why if you would like:

Offensive
A. Carnell "Cadillac" Williams - Buccaneers
B. Ronnie Brown - Dolphins
C. Cedric Benson - Bears
D. Alex Smith - 49ers
E. Troy Williamson - Vikings
F. JJ Arrington - Cardinals
G. Braylon Edwards - Browns
H. Mark Clayton - Ravens
I. Other (there are plenty to pick from...Heath Miller...Matt Jones...anyone!!!)

Defensive
A. David Pollack - Bengals
B. Marlin Jackson - Colts
C. Carlos Rogers - Redskins
D. Derrick Johnson - Chiefs
E. Thomas Davis - Panthers
F. Fabian Washington - Raiders
G. Antrel Rolle - Cardinals
H. Adam "Pacman" Jones - Titans
I. Other (I left off some good sack guys)

We will post the totals in a couple of weeks! Have fun!

P.S. If you are interested in joining our fantasy league, let us know ASAP.