CFW week 1...and other ^_^

It's that time of year again. The time of year when students are done with their classes and we drive 10+ hours to the Upper Peninsula in Michigan for a week long time of training, planning for the coming year, fellowship, and spiritual growth...Chapter Focus Week.

We had 2 students from Pitt go this year. In the picture on the right you see Brian, Julie (Volunteer), and Mikaela. During the week we were able to spend some great time with Brian and Mikaela. It was great to spend casual time on a hike to Narnia (which is a beautiful spot on the campgrounds) and have some fun. It was also good to hear about things they were learning through their tracks, and what they wanted to bring back to campus next year. God had put fire in their hearts for Pitt, and it was wonderful to hear them talk with such passion.

My experience was different than theirs. As my 1st year going as staff I wasn't completely sure of what to expect, but I was excited. I was helping to lead the Small Group Leader's Training track, where I would lead a small group and then help train the students in how to prep and lead their own back at campus. I really enjoyed these sessions, and we had a great group of students. There were roughly 31 in the track, and 6 in my small group...and I learned that arming yourself with a bag of milky way minis is a great way to get group participation ^_^ On coming home I noticed that I was not on a "spiritual high" as I had been in the past, and this is how going as staff was different (other than teaching). I came home tired and needing rest, but feeling good about the past week. Instead of feeling a spiritual high, I was feeling accomplishment, and knowing the work was good. It was the sense of God saying, "well done. Now rest." Even though I was tired, I could not think of a better way to end the week.


This is part of Narnia. It was a great day to be there. The sun rays were shining through the trees, and there were plenty of rocks to climb.

At the Narnia cove some students were overlooking lake Huron.

A Large group session for the SGLT Track. Denny is leading this one.

This was my table group. This is where we were given a passage that the students will later lead their own small groups in. In the table groups we studied the passage together and gave tips and helped each other in planning for their own small group.

This was my small group. From left: Jared, Jason, Tim, Olivia, Erin, and Caleb

Great group ^_^

As CFW came to an end, I was on my way to the next big project...moving back to Morgantown. I spent a few days packing, getting things ready for the move, and preparing myself mentally, and emotionally for how I would be feeling. I said my goodbyes and well wishes, and on Sunday I brought all of my belongings back to the mountain state. I will be honest and say it was a difficult time. As excited as I am to be back and working at WVU, I will miss the life, the friends, and the work I have developed at Pitt.

For the next few months I will be traveling quite a bit, so apartment hunting is becoming a slow process. I would like to ask that you guys would join me in prayer that I will be sensitive to where God would want me to be, and that decent openings will become available. For now though, I am staying with my parents and get in some of that family time I've not had the past year.