It’s been a busy month here at BGSU as we’ve immersed ourselves into the lives of the students here on campus.  I’ve forgotten what it’s like to stay up until 2:30 a.m. and turning around, waking up the next day at 7:00 a.m. every morning.  I’m exhausted, that’s for sure.  But it’s a sweet, sweet exhaustion.  These students are so worth it.  The mission is so worth it.  We were created for this.  We were created to be part of a bigger picture; to live beyond ourselves.  It’s satisfying.

Wanted to give you the opportunity to check out some of our [cru] meetings.  We’re starting to post videos of each of our weekly [cru] talks online, which you can check out HERE.  Enjoy!

Summer, I miss your scolding hot rays of sun that burnt me to a crisp.  I miss your days that lent themselves to all day pool usage.  I miss your carefree days.  I miss your sweet ways that beckoned me towards the ice cream shop.  I miss your smell.  I miss your skies full of happy-to-be-alive birds.   

Autumn, you have a lot to live up to, but I take great faith, believing you’ll measure up.

Yours truly,

  Lori

 

How is it already September?  I must bid a sweet farewell to my sweet friend, summer.  Until next year…

For my own sanity (and maybe to your amusement), I feel like I need to recap my summer thus far in an itemized list.  Seems contrary to my Myers-Brigg’s ENFP reading, but it must be done.  Where is this taking place?  Right here on this ol’ blog. 

June 5-7 — date to Luke’s wedding; Cleveland, OH

June 12-14 — Penny’s bachelorette party; Deep Creek Lake, MD

June 19-21 — Jon & Candell’s wedding; Ann Arbor, MI

June 26-28 — Penny & Nate’s wedding; Massillon, OH

June 30 – sell car/buy new car

July 2-6 — Trevor, Leslie, and Jerm; Raleigh, NC

July 10-12 — put parents’ house up for sale

July 13 — fly to Colorado

July 17-19 — in Colorado; Lake George, CO

July 24-26 — in Colorado; Fort Collins, CO

July 30-31 — fly home from Colorado

August 2 — move to Bowling Green, OH

…all in the context of finishing my initial support raising time, many trips to the doc with my mom, and saying goodbyes to many friends around here.

It’s been a whirlwind!  I’m looking so forward to tomorrow and the next few days.  Sweetness behind, sweetness ahead.

Here in Colorado.  It is remarkable. 

Beautiful mountain skylines, life-giving friends, refreshing worship, captivating teachings, and renewal of vision; could I ask for a more restorative time?

Just a few pictures for now to share with you the sweet time had here…

You ever feel like you’re caught up in a crazy whirlwind, struggling to even find a place to plant your feet?  I’m definitely there.

With the beginning of May marking the start of summer, it was then that I believed I would have a relaxing summer ahead.  I was mistaken.  Having been gone every weekend — the majority even spent outside my sweet Ohio borders – I’m now looking back, thinking how quickly this summer has flown by.  The end is already in sight.  Looking back on my sweet summer, I praise God for the great friends I’ve gotten to spend time with, the sweet friends I’ve witnessed marry their love, and the hilarious adventures I’ve found myself stumble into. 

I must admit, however, in the midst of thanking God for a fantastic summer, I’m currently feeling a bit overwhelmed.  I found out less than a week ago that I’d be flying out to Colorado this coming Monday and staying there until July 30 (cough, someone special’s birthday, cough).  Returning home the 30th, I turn around, just a day or two later, and move my life to Bowling Green.  In the midst of all this, my parents are putting our house up for sale, meaning the past 4 days have been chalked full of making my room immaculate (sprinkled in with some “handy” tips every 3 seconds from my mom on how to effectively master dust bunnies) and packing up everything I need for BG.  I’ve found myself reminiscing much this past week as I’ve flipped through old pictures, thrown out old mementos, and gave away old clothes with fond memories attached. 

While it’s true I’m feeling nostalgic, a bit sad, and overwhelmed, more than anything I am so thrilled and excited!  I can’t wait to be on-campus at BGSU; I’m anxious to get with the staff there, spend time with the students, and be a part of something way bigger than myself. 

What do Frankie’s mini-golf, a motorcycle ride, watching fireworks on top of a Camaro, and delicious parmesan cheese & ranch chicken have in common?  My 4th of July weekend!

Having just returned from North Carolina after visiting with some of my favorite people, I find myself in Ohio missing these people greatly.  It’s amazing how much fun you can squeeze in a mere 4 days when you’re company is so sweet.  My heart is refreshed and thankful for great conversation, adventures had, and rich friendship experienced. 

Shout out to Trevor, Leslie, and Jerm!  You three are dearly loved and rooted deep in this ol’ heart.  I, so often, see the face of our sweet Jesus when in the presence of you guys.  

This couple will significantly change their world.  Just wait and see…

First mission: Mount Union.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Berkey!

One of my absolute favorite C.S. Lewis’ pieces: The Weight of Glory.

With deepest sincerity, I suggest everyone (those who follow Jesus and those who think it’s all a bunch of crock) read this.  There’s something in this piece that awakens our hearts and gives us a brief, sweet taste of this fully unattainable fulfillment this side of eternity.

CS Lewis, the man himself

There’s something really beautiful about a man and woman who marry and see their relationship and lives in light of a much greater story beyond themselves.  Congratulations, Jon & Candell!

Just returned home from a weekend in Maryland celebrating the sweet soon-to-be marriage between two great friends, Nate & Megan.  After finally arriving to Maryland after quite the little roadtrip, we pulled up to what looked like a mansion featured on MTV’s Cribs.  Kelsey, another sweet friend from college, hooked us up with her friend’s parents’ lakehouse — which included two kitchens, six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, better than Christmas Conference beds, hot tub, two balconies overlooking the gorgeous Deep Creek lake, etc.  We also got access to the family’s boat (nevermind the fact that none of us have our boating license).  Us ladies had a blast kayaking, hot tubbing, Dutch Blitzing, picnic-ing, boating, dancing, swimming, etc.  Thanks to Megan for getting married so we had an excuse to live up the weekend! I’m so genuninely excited for Megan and Nate to tie the knot — what a refreshing relationship to see; two hearts ultimately concerned with Jesus being seen in their lives — as individuals and as one.