Update from CSU

"CSU" for those of you who don't know (most, I assume) stands for Colorado State University and that is where we are at. We talk about CSU as the bi-annual conference all U.S. staff are required to go to for Campus Crusade. I was exempted 2 years ago with being full-term with JJ at the time of the conference. This time I am "only" 7-8 months pregnant:) so I am here. Truth be told, I probably could have applied for an exemption, but I didn't want to because it's a big family reunion. We see people here that we haven't seen for years...like the people we trained with 2 and 1/2 years ago to join CCC staff. And others that we only see at special events...so it is great!

I have been feeling the pregnancy here, however. We do alot of walking and my sciatic nerve was going crazy last night (lots of pain in the back side, hard to walk) but prayerfully it went away during a picnic today while I was sitting in the grass of all things! I am so thankful.

Unfortunately, I don't have a way to upload the pictures I've taken so far. There's been a fun carnival and JJ got to ride a "choo choo" and a "erse" (horse) and I will post those pictures when I can. It's tough to be surrounded by the Rockies and not be able to hike:( The good thing is that I can in 2 years!) but it really is beautiful and I am enjoying the break from the Florida heat.

JJ also gets to go to child care during the day. Today was his first day and he did great! (other than the normal crying when I leave him there) In general, the kids love child care and I'm so happy he gets to interact with other kids. He's in the 2 year-old class A (there are 4 or 5 2year-old classes alone!) and there are 15 kids and four college age or older girls that work with his class. They have their hands full! But they are really sweet and love JJ:) I actually kept him there today from 8:30-3:30pm and he took his afternoon nap there. I didn't know how he would do, but he did the best of any in the class...sleeping about 2 hours!

This is great because if he naps well there then Jared and I can go to the morning session together and to afternoon seminars. Even though we miss him, it really is a unique opportunity for us (me especially) to be able to hear from the ministry leaders and special speakers. Today and tomorrow we hear from Tim Keller who is pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan and I really enjoyed him. He spoke today of the Gospel for the believer and how in "Americaology" we have made even our surrender to God and desire to have Him enter our life a means of somehow doing something good enough to earn God's favor. He also talked about how often when we speak to non-believers we really need to start with where we "boast" in our flesh even more than our areas of sin/brokenness. That is because it is so subtley a part of the core of our humanness to think that we can do something to please God. We take even the amazing good things we are to be about--raising Godly children, making the Gospel known to teenagers, loving our neighbors--as things which define us and "justify our existence". He talked alot about how in Americaology we all must have a VPR--Validation Performance Record. Something that says we are worth being alive, etc.

Needless to say, it was really great to hear...I so appreciate the blessing of being able to come here and be renewed. Though I am tired and weary and actually have had near breakdowns (today was so much better) I know that it is a gift to be here. It was amazing the amount of things we had "thrown at us" before coming here and when I finally saw that we were being attacked spiritually to discourage us before CSU, I got really excited knowing that God was preparing something very special for us here.

We will be here until next Thursday, the 30th, and I will give you another update, probably. Can't wait to post some pictures!