I'm very sorry that I didn't post more a/b MBSF throughout last semester. It was so hard to stop and blog a/b just HOW much we were doing when we were still in the middle of it. But what an incredible semester within our ministry it was! There was so much growth, tons of hugs, and an enormous amount of laughter!!! The Lord has been increasing our core within Lifeline and really, really stretching the faith of our leadership. I'm just @ a lack of words for what all has been happening within our group, and what is continuing to happen.
Just please pray...continue to pray. Several of our students have been balancing pretty heavy family problems within the past several months/yrs. as well as really hard school loads. A large portion of our students are now upperclassmen which has certainly increased their stress load within their classes. We've had students who have gotten married the past 2 Summers and 2 more couples saying their vows this coming Summer. We have freshmen who are still adjusting to college life, homesick students, young men/women who are dealing w/ illness away from home for the first time, serious dating couples, engaged couples, some who are coming out of abusive situations, singles that are struggling w/ being single, students who are majorly dealing w/ their self-esteem, some who are constantly battling w/ addictions, and the list goes on and on... To sit down and talk to or mentor any of the students on any given day would completely blow your mind and easily overwhelm you. And that's why we are constantly praying to the Lord for strength, wisdom, understanding, patience, guidance and love. LOVE being the most important for sure.
And on top of everything else, the students are trying to remain faithful in their prayer life and in the Word daily. They are trying to reach this huge campus for Christ, even when it seems impossible most days. They're growing and studying to be able to continue leading our LTG's (Life Transformation Groups)/small groups. They're putting in time to commit to the worship team, the media crew, the event planning group, the service team, etc. They (and we) are always trying to remain faithful in the Lord's work, and that's why fervent prayers are truly appreciated.
God is doing SO much within our group. I hope that these pictures show at least a glimpse of how special this group is and how blessed we are to lead them. Each student has their own quirks, but each are completely beautiful in their own way. If we didn't have the carefree and OCD students within our ministry...it wouldn't run near as smoothly. If we didn't have the students who guard their hearts and the students who wear their hearts on their sleeves, we wouldn't have the special type of love that our group portrays to others. If we didn't have the loud-mouths and the introverts, we wouldn't be able to reach each and every visitor in the way that they need to be reached. Thank you Father for each of the unique qualities that make up this group. You are so good and your mercies DO endure forever!
* These next several pictures are of some of our "kick-off" events of the semester. Lemonade stands - passing out info. a/b Lifeline, outdoor evening worship on a main/well traveled corner of campus, "movie on the lawn" @ Old Main on campus, prayer walk around campus, meet and greets, etc.
* We planned a leadership retreat for all of the LIFEteams involved in LIFELINE. It was such a wonderful time "away" (even though it was only across town) to focus, prepare for the school yr., and pray together.
Setting up for the retreat into the wee hours of the morning w/ wonderful friends (who also volunteered to host the retreat @ their beautiful home)...
(Me and Ang)
(Patrick and Jared)
And THESE are the size of pots it takes to cook for just our leadership crew. : )
The first team on leadership had to show up VERY early for a Sat. morning in order to get everything accomplished during the short retreat!
One of our goals w/ leadership for LIFELINE is to not only teach, but also show the students what love, humility, and service looks like. So, we went to the Word and allowed our Savior to teach our students, just as He did his apostles when He washed their feet (John 13).
Chow time!
Production crew teaching new members how to work the sound system, etc.
Worship team practicing out in the beautiful weather
Grow team(s) meeting together to strategize
Ladies of leadership
Free time/pool time Sat. afternoon
Just some of our incredible grub! (green beans/potatoes, salad, rolls, chicken, steak, and crab legs...thanks to the incredibly gracious Ennis family) We had such a blast cooking dinner together for the whole group!
A time of praise and sharing under the stars...
A little more fun b/f we called it a night. : )
LIFELINE leadership ~ Fall 2010
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