Think Bigstuf, Do Bigstuf, Live Bigstuf

     In the past week a lot has happened! Monday, twenty students and leaders piled up in three cars and went to Daytona, FL for BigStuf all week. I could not have had a better week than I did with all of the Noonday Youth. I went as a leader, and I had so much fun with the middle school and high school kids. We started out hearing the BigStuf band and Andy Stanley. Throughout the week we learned about how important "Konnecktions" are as we got to worship some more with the David Crowder Band and Gungor. We were also able to hear John Acuff, Andy Stanley, and Donald Miller speak many different times. In addition to all of this, we attended leadership meetings, enjoyed getting to write letters of hope and encouragement to students in Kenya, and had fun on the beach! During BigStuf, I was blessed to share my birthday with everyone!
     Here are a few pictures from the week!

Beach view from the hotel

Everyone getting ready for the first session of BIGSTUF!

BIGSTUF trips are anniversaries for Eric and I...we became friends years ago at BIGSTUF!

Gungor (the hippie band)

This is where we had small group time every night

Donald Miller talking about the new movie, Blue Like Jazz

I love these girls!

A group of us down at the beach to watch the sunrise

Chelle and I enjoying free time

Happy Birthday to me!

My favorite part of the week, making connections with students in Kenya!

Happy Belated Birthday to Sean!

Yesterday...well I guess technically two days ago, on July 15th, my little brother turned 19! I can't believe how time flies by so fast, and I definitely cannot believe that my brother is 19 already! We celebrated by throwing a little bible study party since he couldn't attend bible study this week due to his job ultimately consuming his entire life lately. We had popcorn, cheese-its, chips and salsa, watermelon, sodas, and blue fun-fetti cupcakes of course! The theme was none other than that of Kung Fu Panda 2! :) Sean loves pandas, especially Kung Fu Panda, so I figured it would be a fitting theme. Sean ended his day going to a braves game with a friend, where he sat in the Golden Moon level, which I'm sure I'll never see, but it sounds pretty cool. Needless to say, I think his birthday rocked! I love you little brother, and happy birthday!!! :)

Braces, Swimsuits, and Other Happenings

     Starting the summer out by getting braces is not the way to go, but it had to happen, AGAIN. After a dreaded visit to the orthodontist to get my bottom braces, I have now gone two weeks with these lovely additions, and I'm already ready for them to be gone. 5 months and 2 weeks to go!
     During these past two weeks, along with having braces, I have been searching for a cute one piece swimsuit to wear to BigStuf at the end of July. I have had absolutely no luck with that, and I have decided that swimsuit shopping is probably the worst thing ever. But, I will not let that get to me, and I WILL find a swimsuit before July 18th, because, even though my birthday happens while we will be out of town, I don't think anyone would appreciate me wearing nothing but my birthday suit.
     On a lighter note, yesterday, I was called old by a four year old. Yes, I am getting older, but I didn't think I was to the point yet where little kids would call me that. Apparently, 21 years is a long time, and according to little miss. Payton, I will start to grow gray and white hair out of my face when I get even older (which could possibly happen soon lol). The first thing that popped into my mind when she said that was that I was going to look like Santa. Lovely. I guess I will just have to watch out for those little hairs. haha