D Town...kind of

This year was my small group girl's last D-Town (Watermark's version of disciple now).  They all had a ton of stuff going on with being important seniors and stuff. :)  So none of them signed up for the weekend, but we ended up crashing Saturday night.  I was glad that I got to spend at least a little of the weekend with my girls.  And we took a few pictures of course...

 Karley, Megan, me, Maddie, Tori

 me & Maddie - I just love this girl!

Bode came back from Chicago to do program.  It was awesome.

Getaway

Every year we go on a retreat with all the girls who lead in student ministries.  It's always one of my favorite weekends.  It is always really chill and relaxing.  Without fail I get to spend time with people who I already know and love and also spend time getting to know new people.  There's something about the bond of people who serve in this ministry - it makes for great friends for sure.

This year we were out at Possum Kingdom lake staying in an amazing house of a Watermark family.  They are always so gracious.  Mel had us do a project with playdo describing where we were spiritually.  Really funny, but it does make you think.  I don't have many pictures, but it was a great weekend.

Photo taken by Jen.  It's pretty.

Leader Christmas Party

And the great blog catch up begins.  Back at the beginning of December (oh yes, this is how far behind I am) we had our student ministries leader Christmas party.  They went with the tacky Christmas theme this year, and it was really fun.  It was a fun night hanging out with friends and made for some great pictures. 

 Me & SarahBeth

 Game Time - love the ridiculousness!

 Jen, Leanne, Lindsay, and me

 Community Group - Jen, Leanne, Lindsay, Sarah, Katie, me, & Alex

 Roommates!

SarahBeth & Julie

Hideaway..the last one!

We had our fall retreat out at Pine Cove the last weekend in October.  I only had two of my small group girls, but we had a great cabin of senior girls.  Hard to believe this was our 7th retreat together.  I'm thankful I got to spend a weekend with the girls.

 Senior girls & leaders - Kyla, Rachel, Katie, Katherine, Tori, Amanda, Karla

 Tori, me & Rachel

 Me & Kyla

 Katherine & Rachel

 Spectating warball

 Announcers for kickball...I just love these two.

 Giant Jenga

 Three blind mice

 Oh how I love these girls...they are so much fun!

And perhaps my favorite part of the weekend...Josiah - one of my all time favorite skit characters - made an appearance.

Typical Wednesday Night

One night I was taking pictures at small group for an assignment for a photography workshop I've been taking. I thought I should post them to document what a typical Wednesday night in my living room looks like. 

 Karley and Tori

 Rachel, Karley and Tori

 Maddie and Rachel

My other Maddie.

Dancing it up!

My high school girls are senior.  We had our last Draw a couple of weeks ago.  There was lots of fun country dancing - mainly line dancing, as two-stepping requires a partner. :)  I always love this event.  And it was a great way to kick off senior year with my girls!  I can't believe it's the beginning of the end.

 Me & Melissa - I heart her.

 Leanne & Kyla!

 High school girls are rough on phones.

 They are seniors - craziness!  Tori, Maddie, me & Rachel.

 Jessica, Leanne, Katie & Shawn

Leanne, me & SarahBeth

Lists, lists, lists

• Apparently only list posts will be happening in the month of January.
• I spent last weekend out at Possum Kingdom lake with all our girl leader's for student ministries.  It was such a great weekend out of Dallas hanging out with friends and meeting new people.  I didn't take a single picture, but it was wonderful.
• I found out I don't like brussel sprouts, but I love cooked bell peppers.  This is news people.  But I still won't eat them raw.
• I also faced my fear of putting air in my car tires.  It was successful. Thank goodness.
• I am doing The Journey (a bible reading plan through my church) this year. We are in Isaiah right now.  I can't say that I've ever read all the way through it.  I think I always give up, but I'm really enjoying it this time around and learning a lot.
• One of my friends from high school started a blog.  It's way fun for me, because of course, I know him.  But their life is crazy.  He and his wife are my age, have three boys, two of which are twins on the autism spectrum.  I love reading their story and reading how they figure out what it looks like to love these boys and follow Christ in the midst of it all.  You should check it out. 
• I've been a little bit of a funk lately.  The cold weather, some frustration with different areas of my life, and I don't know what else have played a part.  I'm thankful that I got a chance to lay it all at the feet of Jesus this weekend at the retreat.  This week is better. 
• Lindt Dark Chocolate with a touch of sea salt is heavenly.  You should try it. Sounds weird, but it is amazing!

Leader Christmas Party

The Student Ministries Leader's Christmas party is always one of the highlights of my December.  I love the way that they make us feel appreciated for the work that we do.  And I love just seeing everyone outside of the normal context. 

Some pictures from the evening:

 The old running buddies...me, Kyla, & Lisa.

 The Community group minus Katie. Alex, Karla, Leanne, Sarah F., Caryn, Jen & me.

 Sweet friends!

 Shawn!!

 Me, Robyn, Sarah J. & Julie

 Sweet Katie Davis - love this girl!

The whole crew!

Small Group Christmas

This year we had to have small group Christmas a little early because I had wedding festivities right before Christmas.  We decorated Christmas cards to send with the prison ministry.  And we did our annual gift exchange.  As always, I had a blast with the girls.  They are so great, and it's crazy to think about how old they are getting. 

 

Karley's card is a little goth...

And a creepy santa!

Just love these girls.  Me, Maddie, Karley, Maddie & Rachel!

Their gifts from me this year.