REFRESH 2008

So tomorrow-Sunday is REFRESH 2008- InterVarsity's Fall Conference for students in the Baltimore/Western Maryland area.

I'm super pumped about what God will do this weekend.

We have a RECORD 198 students attending! We are maxing out the camp! This is the largest turnout we've ever had- the highest attendance before this being 145.

Our speaker is Michael Koh- a pastor at a church in Pasadena, CA. He is an incredible speaker- he has such incredible spiritual insights and is so in-tune with the Holy Spirit. He spoke at our conference in 2005 and I have never seen so many students respond as powerfully as they did that weekend. Lots of students received prayer and major healing and several students made decisions to follow Jesus that weekend. Powerful stuff!

So- I'm expecting God to do great things this weekend. He is doing a mighty work in this generation of students in our area.

So- if you're the praying type- PLEASE PRAY for this weekend!

we have 47 McDaniel students attending (record number!) including several seekers!

also- please pray for me- I woke up yesterday with my 4th cold this fall (ugh!)! and I'm the MC this weekend (I know- shy little old me- what were they thinking?) and leading a seminar on "Power Packed Prayer- intercessory prayer for your campus".

I will pretty busy and wired all weekend and I need God to strengthen me- otherwise the gig is up with me!

Thanks Guys!
God is GOOD!!!

one more picture

so- for my 4 friends who chimed in with their ideas of where XiXi was sleeping- it was in the linen closet at the end of our hallway-

and yes- it wasn't until I posted the picture that I realized it was once wired- which makes me think the "linen closet on steroids" as my friend, Tami, calls it- was not always a linen closet on steroids.

this last sleeping picture was taken in February- she made a bed in a box.

today she made a bed of pillows on the living room floor and we "took a nap"

oh to be 4.

encore

since I have have at least 5 people following my blog- here is an encore sleeping picture- taken last fall-

can anyone guess where xixi was sleeping?

unusual spot

so- last week xixi was being really quiet in the living room. I started to get nervous- as a good mother should. What could she possibly be getting into?

I went into the family room and couldn't find her- wasn't on either of the sofas asleep, or behind them, or in any of her usual napping spots.

fear and panic levels increased. where is she and what is she doing?

then I thought- look up.

there she was- balanced perfectly on the top of the sofa- sound asleep.

a very unusual spot to take a nap. but hey- whatever works!

ps- yes- for the 3 of you who actually read my blog- this is my 2nd post in less than a week. please try not to panic or die of shock over this!

Double Entendre

Yes- I'm back- don't all of you drop dead of a heart attack over the SHOCK of seeing something next after a 10 week hiatus!

So- here are a few highlights of the last 10 weeks of my life
1) I became an aunt on August 12. Helen Katherine Crader made her debut into the world at 10:52pm weighing in at 7 pounds 2 ounces.
2) I've managed to be sick about 4.5 of the last 11 weeks- yuck!
3) I finally joined the IPod revolution and got an IPod nano for the my birthday (can you guess the color?) complete with the Nike running/walking feature so I can track my pace when I walk with my friend, Amy, who is the bomb diggity of a power walker!
3.5) I turned 39 on September 15- counting down the last days of my 4th decade of life. When did I get so old?
4) I spoke 3 times in 4 weeks at our Wednesday Nite Fellowship Meetings on campus- I was in the SWEET SPOT! LOVED IT!
5) XiXi started ballet and tap and actually likes it (YAY!)
6) Went on an amazing women's retreat last weekend with my church, played all 4 worship sets, had a blast with my roomies and small group and am now super energized!

So- for those of you who are still reading...here's the double entendre of the week....
Conversation in the car on the way home from school:
X: Mom, I really love Jesus and God.
J: That's great! Why do you love Jesus?
X: Cuz I do- I love everyone- Jesus helps me do that.
J: What does Jesus do in your heart?
X: He cleans my heart and puts all of my dirt on him. Then he cleans himself.
J: Can you clean yourself ?(trying to get a bit theological/faith vs works based at this point with her)
X: NO- WE NEED TO TAKE BATHS TO GET CLEAN.

enjoy! hopefully my next post won't be in 10 weeks.

Picture guides:
1) Helen Crader at 3 weeks
2) My freshman Bible Study surprised me with a pink cupcake party during our time weekly time together! They are so great!
3) XiXi - the aspriring jewelry designer (can you guess what her earrings are made out of?)