O death, where is your sting?

I have really been dreading writing a post for the past week. I just don't know what to say after all that's happened this week. And I don't want this to just be an informational post about the death of dear friends and people so closely involved with Campus Crusade. But I don't really know what to say. I just feel like death has been such a part of my life the past few years. And I know that it is something I have to deal with. Death, that is.

Losing David and Heidi was such a complete shock and horror. They were servants of the Lord and vibrant spirits. But despite the horrible way that they were sent to meet their Savior, I have comfort. I guess that's what I've been thinking about this week. Comfort, and hope, that we have in the Lord. After going to the funerals and seeing my close friend Sherri, the sister of David, embracing the goodness of God through the destruction of death, I knew that God was good. And faithful.

"O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

And the charge: "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

1 Corinthians 15:55-58 (emphasis added)

Death is an awful, painful part of this world that leaves us grasping for purpose and meaning. It is not a natural part of life. Death was never part of the plan. God made us to live in relationship with him. But because of our sin and rebellion against him, we must all suffer this physical death. And it really hurts for those who are left. But I rejoice because spiritual death is not something that those who know Him have to experience. This is so beautiful and so hopeful!

As I think back over the past few years, with 4/16, losing my grandfather and my mother-in-law last year, and now experiencing the murders of David and Heidi, I am so suprised that I'm not turning away from the Lord, cursing him for not preventing death. But all I want to do it grow closer in step with him. And I know that that feeling is a supernatural one, and given by the grace of God. And so I praise him. For the lives of those who we lost this week, for the steadfastness of the families and friends, and for the unwavering hope we have in the Father.

This post was kind of a rambling one. But hope you all have a great Friday and Labor day weekend.

Cookout Yummies

Today is the day for the cookout for Jordan's birthday! I am so excited. I love cookouts - the company, the activities, the bustle around the kitchen, the relaxing around the grill, the cool summer night air. And cookouts always mean: really good food!

So, I have made it my project and activity of choice for occupying most of my spare time this week. It's been fun to plan the menu, shop, and the past couple days, get everything ready! I am really sitting down to take a break from cooking nonstop today just to write this! I wanted to record and for you guys to know all the yummy food we get to have for our cookout tonight!

I asked everyone to bring their own meat, so who knows what people will come with, but I bought Jordan a big juicy strip steak. And I'll just eat sides:

Veggie Skewers: on the grill with corn, zucchini, grape tomatoes, and red onions. And a chili rub.
Potato salad: this is really simple, just a martha stewart original with bacon and scallions.
Classic mac-and-cheese: another martha recipe.
Homemade applesauce: just like my grandma makes. absolutely delicious, and a cookout staple.
Salad: asian island crunch - just bought it from the store.
Watermelon!
Summer Sangria: with lemons and limes and oranges. and pineapple juice.
Raspberry Iced Tea: sooo yummy. i tried it this morning! i also made raspberry ice cubes that are so cute!

For dessert:
Summer Snowballs: this isn't the link to the exact recipe i used (i couldn't find it online), but they are similar! i dipped mine in toffee bits, coconut, and chopped up reese's pieces.
Vanilla Cake with Key Lime Buttercream Frosting: i am really hoping my cake looks at good as this one! YUM! it just came out of the oven so i need to make the frosting soon. :)


Okay, this is the end of my gush about yummy food at happy birthday cookouts in blacksburg. I'll let you know which recipes turn out especially well (and, of course, which shouldn't be tried). Happy August!

Happy 24th Birthday, Jordan!!

I LOVE YOU!!!

Welcome to the Family!

Friday night we got commissioned into the religious order of Campus Crusade for Christ!!

YAY!

This is Jordan getting his certificate and getting ready to shake hands with Steve and Judy Douglas - the president of CCC and his wife. When we shook their hands, I swear, with the most tender heart, they told each one of us welcome to the family, and thank you for committing your life to Christ. It was really special. I cried 3 times during the ceremony. It just feels really good to be needed and wanted. And it feels great to be done with New Staff Training! On to the National Staff Conference! Woo!

Road Trip Recap:

Okay, I know this is bad. It's been about a month since we got to Colorado, but I sorta despise long blog picture posts. But then when I'm done I love them. And Anne Parker got on my case for not posting, so out of love for her, I am abandoning the procrastination :)

These are all of our 26 hour road trip from Blacksburg to Ft. Collins....starting with the crazy huge cross in SWVA...I love us.






Sadly, I only got pictures of 3 of the state signs out of the 6...I thought about cheating and getting them off line, but I can be honest. We just weren't quick enough!


















Us, drivin' along - with all our stuff for the summer! The car was so heavy.














In Nashville, we stopped at the Opryland Hotel - which I kept calling the Grand Ole Opry. It was so cool and a great hour-long break for us. If you've never been there - and are in Nashville - you should definitely visit. It is filled with indoor gardens, shops, pathways, restaurants. It's really a resort town all in one place. You wouldn't even have to leave if you were there for a week. We got Haagen Daaz while we were there! I love their honey vanilla flavor.




































Random bridge in Kentucky, I think. Maybe Illinois. But it's pretty.






















YAY!






In Carbondale, we stopped to visit Colleen. I haven't seen her in 2 years and it was awesome to stay with her. Her family was so hospitable and sweet. And Colleen and I stayed up til 1 talking - I love friends I can pick up with right where we left off. Happy Marriage in 16 days!!


















Driving into ST. LOUIS! The arc. Which we didn't go up in. We were trying to stick to free stuff.







Got this the second time around - when we had to turn around cause we got on the wrong highway -- oops!











Busch Stadium - the St. Louis Cardinals. You could practically see into the stadium from the interstate.







Then we stoppped at the St. Louis Zoo - which was free :) and so fun! We stayed for a couple of hours and had a great time



These were HUGE turtles!!





Love him.












These were statues - in case you didn't know.











In Kansas City, MO, we happened upon an AWESOME outdoor integrated shopping center/mall thing - kind of like Carytown in Richmond but way cleaner and bigger - and with shops you would see in a mall.






Isn't that crazy that they have the doggie bar! Such a good idea though for an outdoor mall.















All of the architecture was Islamic which was kind of weird - but i loved it!!











































Too bad we didn't go to PF Chang's or Fogo, but it was cool to see them!!
















































Amazing windmills that I was obviously obsessed with.








These were in Kansas, while we drove the 464 miles in one day.




The huge Van Gogh painting in Goodland, KS, where we were planning to stay. We decided to drive through to CO that night. But notice the scary clouds. While we were there eating, there was a tornado warning for the area - and the locals were telling us they'd take us to their shelter and stuff. Kind of unnerving, but after our near death experience, we made it out alive. :) whew.


Now we're in Ft. Collins - this is our lovely dorm room! I brought our sheets and comforter and stuff from home which makes it way more homey. And we have an awesome view!!
















See...I told you, this is from our dorm room. :)