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?

Edge Summit: Drinking from a Fire Hydrant

Edge Corp Summit number one is complete but the fun has only just begun!

Because I had to ask several times today what day it is, it’s hard to believe all that has happened in the last two weeks.  I graduated college, took a road trip to Colorado and had a life-changing week at my first Edge Corps Summit Training. 

Oh boy has God rocked my little world in the last couple of weeks. I had major doubts that I was meant to be at Summit with over 70 new Edge Corps staff.  
(P.S. I am going to mention now that this is the largest staff The Navigators has had yet! …yeah so cool).

(A couple of key themes that ran thought my head): 

-I haven’t walked with the Lord that long, why do they want me here?

-I have not thought, talked or prayed like many of them.

-I have a hard time communicating, period. 

-I am not ready like they are.  

-Maybe this is too far outside my comfort zone.

Talk about a major panic attack and the biggest urge to run, run far far away.

Oh but God is good and more than patient.  He wasn’t about to let me go running 
(except up the sides of a couple mountain trails during free time), 
but He did walk me through many of my fears. 

I was meant to be there.  And He blessed me.  From the Bible studies, seminars on trusting God and prayer, to the amazing friends and coaches who encouraged and listened to me all week, God has prepped me for the next step He wants me to take.

Believe me, I am still more than scared (accompanied by a pair of sweaty palms), but this isn’t about me.  I may be the only Bible someone may ever know.  How can I deny someone the opportunity just to hear about what Jesus has done for me and what He has and can do for them?

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. 

Do no be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord 

your God will be with you wherever you go” 

Joshua 1:9

…but all your fighting men, fully armed, 

must cross over ahead of your brothers. 

You are to help your brothers until the Lord gives them rest, 

as he has done for you,and until they too have 

taken possession of the land that the 

Lord your God is giving them. –Joshua 1: 14b-15a

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! 

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.

New Neighbor Series: What in the world is EDGE Corps? [Part 1]

We figured since we're new on the block, we'd do some introducing of ourselves. First off though, KC and I realize that we threw around some words that may be a bit foreign to you in our first post. Edge Corps. Yep.

First things first: pronunciation.
Edge Corps: ej kohr. 
Hmm.... I feel like that just made it way more confusing than necessary. Just think Edge Core. So basically ignore the p and the s. You get the picture.

Moving on... Edge Corps is a one to two year program for recent college grads to impact college students for His Kingdom. It equips and sends out people like KC and I onto college campuses to show people the love of Jesus. Pretty cool, huh?

How exactly will we be doing that, you ask? Just to name a few ways... discipling women, leading Bible studies, planning events, attending meetings, helping put on Nav Nites, doing intern-like work [coffee and donuts anyone? :)], and learning, growing, and being trained.

We just got back from our very FIRST Edge Corps experience this past weekend; a staff training/retreat that we got to take part in... so great! We are so blessed to get to work so closely with such godly men and women! [More coming soon on what we learned there, sneak peak: hermeneutics and spiritual gifts!] In just over a month we'll be headed out to Glen Eyrie in Colorado Springs for our 10 day training... then it's on to a summer of fund raising.

Welcome to the next two years of our life! 

Why, yes! This is where we'll get to hang out for a bit this summer! :)

[If you would like to learn more in depth about Edge Corps, click here.]