Wheaton....Sweet Memories, Sweet Friends

In early October, I made a trip to Wheaton, Illinois for Wheaton College Homecoming and to see many of my dearest friends that I don't get to see very often. One of my favorite moments was coffee and dessert at Honey in Glen Elyn with Sarah Aulie, Erin Hoekstra and myself. It was a culmination of my favorite things about Wheaton. Here I was connecting two of my dearest friends for Christ and His Kingdom. The Notre Dame MBA student was giving the Executive Director of Hand and Cloth (a nonprofit that provides diginified work to women in the developing world) business advice. We could have all talked for hours. I love being the connector; it's one of the things I do best!:) And the unexpected run in with Hannah and Chloe; such an unexpected gift!!!! And then of course there was dear Celeste, my constant hostess who makes her home my home, even with 2 children under the age of 3. Thank you Celeste!!

Thank You For This Jennifer Dukes Lee

"Good theology doesn’t evaporate — even if faith gets bruised — because truth is still truth. God has still very much got it." "If it rains, or if it doesn’t rain, God still reigns.

Religious Liberty In the Balance...Please Pray for Wheaton and Catholic University!

See the article below for what is at stake and why you should care: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/07/23/co-belligerency-and-the-first-freedom/

Word and Deed....

The following is an article by the former President of Wheaton College, who was there during my time. I have a deep gratitude for A. Duane Litfin and the way He faithfully led Wheaton College in his time there.

But first a few thoughts on Word and Deed of My Own: If the gospel is truly deeds, then every religion rightly can claim that it is the way. Almost every religion gives a way of living morally, of doing good deeds. The gospel is offensive. It is. To my human pride and to yours. It says that I am the problem with the world and that I need something completely outside of myself to fix it. Conveying the relevance of the verbal gospel, the only true gospel there is, is an ever increasing struggle to this culture. The culture is louder than the church, it is more in your face, it is the school system most kids go through, it is where young people are making their closest friends. We need some serious prayer and some serious disciples of Christ in this century in response. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/may/litfin-gospel-deeds.html?paging=off

See I am Making All Things New!

This is what was written on my 30th birthday gift. These are words Jesus spoke and speaks to his people. He is making me new. Even when I feel like life is the same-old same-old. Somehow He continues to make even me a new creation. I am also grateful for my dear friend Erin Hoekstra, taking time out of her busy summer interning at Chic Fil-a` to come see me this weekend. We went shopping, hung out at my brother's pool, watched movies, and went out for a nice dinner and drinks. An all around good weekend. Thanks Erin!

The Gospel Coalition....

Over the weekend of June 22-24, I spent a weekend with WONDERFUL college girlfriends at The Gospel Coalition Women's Conference. I love being part of something. I love belonging. And I feel like I belong to The Gospel Coalition. Like these are my people. Thinking Christians who care about transformation. So let's break it down...what is a coalition? According to Websters it is, "the act of coalesing: UNION" And coalesing is, "to grow together" and "to unite into a whole". So Gospel Union...Gospel Growing Together...Gospel Uniting into a Whole...yes I want to be a part of this. And what is the Gospel? Not according to webster, but according to Jesus, who is and defines the Gospel. The Gospel is GOOD NEWS. And what is good news for a sinner? Redemption and forgiveness of those sins for all time, by a perfect God. So The Gospel Coalition is Growing Together in Redemption and Forgiveness through a Perfect God. Can't wait till the completion of this in heaven. But until then I will gladly attend the conferences whenever my finances allow:) Here are a few pics of time and money well spent:

ME, CELESTE AND LANI

ME AND NEW FRIEND KRISTEN:)

30...A decade dedicated to gratitude to God for His gifts in Joy and Pain

I am 30. New decade. New introspections. Out of winter and into spring. I want to be a more consistent blogger I really do. So here is my start. Today is picture gratitude for some gifts of God since my birthday: Coffee and Irish Jesus Music birthday love from heart friends spring showing itself and growing into summer beauty and growth in the the chaotic jungle of life