Colorado in Photos

So as most of you know, I was in Colorado last week at The Navigators' Headquarters in Colorado Springs. I thought I would share with you some fun memories from the week through photos!

 EDGErs think alike! Without planning Monday turned out to be red/salmon/coral/pink day! 

A morning hike at the Glen proved to be not only beautiful, but also healing as well. God just seems to meet His people up in the mountains. ;)

We took a couple hour road trip in a charter bus through the mountains for our fun day, where we ended up at a beautiful frozen lake!

Many of us spent time with God during our stop at the lake. It was sunny with a slight breeze and just perfect with a jacket!

The way home lent us a beautiful sunset!

My quiet time spot one day was so peaceful and serene. I heard a loud buzzing and thought it must be a giant bumblebee but it turned out to be a cute little hummingbird!

On our last night there the staff had set up a 26-game "Minute-to-win-it" Carnival where we had to do all kinds of crazy tasks! The one that drew the most attention was this game where you put a pair of pantyhose over your face and tried to knock down the water bottles with the baseball that was in the bottom of the pantyhose. So hilarious!

Overall my third Summit was relaxing, rejuvenating, encouraging, and a great time to connect more with the Lord and friends from all over the country! Our next conference is in Florida, so I will definitely miss Colorado, but some sun and warmth will be much welcomed come mid-November!

Firsts

I'M IN COLORADO! Oh this beautiful state, how I love thee! I am once again headed to the Glen Eyrie in Colorado Springs for our semi-annual Summit Training. And although this will be my third time there, today has been a day of firsts

My very first time flying alone! It definitely helped that I was flying out of Lincoln, NE... home of the Lincoln airport with approximately four gates and one tiny, non-threatening security area. I enjoyed the tiny little puddle-jumper sitting squished next to a middle-aged man flying to Canada. When I got to the Denver airport I was surprised by its size- not quite the same as the four-gated Lincoln airport! :) BUT, I am proud to say that I figured everything out and maneuvered my way through many long hallways, down a few escalators, on a train, more hallways and escalators, and to the door where I waited for my aunt to pick me up.

I went back to my aunt's house, where I currently am waiting for a friend to pick me up to take me the rest of the way to Colorado Springs. This morning has been productive and LONG (I woke up at 5am and CO is an hour behind NE). We decided to whip up some yummy dessert and I got to enjoy my first time making baklava! It was crispy and gooey and oh so delicious! It was also super fun (if not a bit time-consuming) to make! We forgot to cut ours before baking it, so it ended up falling apart when we did end up cutting it, but I don't care! I still think it looks beautiful and it tasted delicious! Try out the recipe here.

Soon I will be headed off to the Glen where I will enjoy a week of spiritual encouragement, leadership training, and more! So I am happy to say that the day is only half over and I've gotten to experience some new things- some scary and stretching, others fun and experimental. What "firsts" have you experienced today?

You're Beautiful

I see Your face in every sunrise

The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes

The world awakens in the light of the day

I look up to the sky and say 

You’re beautiful.

Summit II

... and we will once again be in LOVELY Colorado. Here. We. Come.

EDGE Summit: See ya next December!

Yesterday was the last day of our EDGE Summit and we are now sitting around the kitchen counter of HB's aunt and uncle's house in Denver, CO. The last week was exhausting and wonderful, with many great memories, LOTS of information [drinking out of a fire hydrant, anyone?], and the development of many amazing friendships! Here are some highlights of the last two days....

HB finally realized her life dream of seeing the famous big horn sheep at the Glen!

And KC got to cross spelunking off her bucket list! [Just kidding... it was just a crevasse at the Garden of the Gods]

Mary, our sassy [and AMAZING] support-raising coach.

Petah [aka Peter]... please notice the Texan belt buckle [it had an eagle on it] and the cowboy boots that are barely visible. "Yes, ma'am."

HB and new friends from all over! [Rolllll tide!]

Flo featuring KC. Deuces.

GO BLUGOLDS!!!

EDGE MEN '12.

EDGE LADIES '12.

The whole gang.

Saying goodbye to all these wonderful new friends was hard, but really, we were just saying, "See ya next December!" Can't wait til Summit 2! 

EDGE Summit: Day Four

Here are some highlights from today's hike that we took during free time... great time in the great weather with great friends! 

The path we trudged 

Roomie and HB.

HB and some new friends.

HB & KC in the sun!

KC and her crazy awesome hair skills... oh, and the beautiful Colorado landscape.

The boyz.

Roomie and KC.

Crazy caterpillar action.

P.S. We start our funding training on Sunday... prayers for that would be great! 

EDGE Summit: The First Few Days

This has literally been a few of the coolest days of my life. Meeting people from all over the country. Hiking up to beautiful, clear waterfalls and pools. Eating every meal in a castle. Laughing until my side hurts. Listening to speakers who are mature in their faith and intimate in their walk with Jesus. Adventuring through Colorado Springs late at night to find some Vick's Vapor Rub. Continually joking about accents. Learning more about my Savior. Seriously, this is my job.

A group of girls from ALL over... Texas, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and more! The two girls in the middle are rooming with KC and I.

At the waterfall.

At the Punch Bowls! Quite a hike, but SO worth it!

KC and a new friend jumping in.... 

It was COLD! [Or so I was told!] :)

Some of the guys helping each other up the slide between the "bowls."

 Overall, I am feeling SO BLESSED to be here right now! Not only is Colorado beautiful, the people amazing, and the food delicious, but Jesus is so present! I love how all of the sessions have been so gospel-centered and always coming back to Jesus. We have had tons of time to dig into scripture, and lots of time for relationship building as well. I just keep thinking "How can this be real?! Am I really here, experiencing all this cool stuff?" Everyone has been so welcoming, vulnerable, and loving... we really are feeling like a family after only 2 1/2 days here, and I am so excited to get to walk along these men and women for the next year or two!

Yeah for Colorado Springs!

We are in Colorado Springs!

It was a road trip to remember!

After two days of traveling, it was great to arrive at
“The Glen” (as it is known) and finally be out of the seated position.

“The Glen” is one of the most beautiful places ever!
No worries, pictures will be coming (you’re welcome Mom).

Our roommates are from Texas and Tennessee.
HB has already picked up the word “y’all”.

& many others enjoy our lovely Midwest accents.

But after some hiking and delicious food, sleep is a must.
We will update all that we are up to soon.

Until then, enjoy the photo montage ….

Gothenburg, NE & the pony express!

The Midwest Edgers... minus Kristin. Notice our AWESOME free pot holders that "Deb's grandma" [the owner of the bakery] gave us at the local donut shop! 

We are finally friends.

Welcome to COLORADO!
(can you find Patrick?)

Flying by Denver.