3:45 am.

That's what time my alarm will go off tomorrow morning so we can leave by 4:30 in order to make my 6:15 flight. Yowch. That hurts SO BAD.

Sara Groves: Fireflies and Songs

I know I wrote about this already, but I just discovered a website where you can listen to parts of each song on Sara's new album. So take a listen. This album is addicting and fabulous...gentle, honest and wise.

Creativity at Camp

We had an all staff meeting at Carol Joy Holling this morning. We had devotions, went around the circle and heard what all 25 people are up to these days at work, and then we were presented our new mission and vision statement. Our executive director, Dave Coker, came in the room dressed as you see him here to the music from Blues Brothers. He sat down and talked about what it means to have a mission. Then we watched a clip from Blues Brothers where one of the guys says, "we're on a mission sent by God!" And the video paused and we were presented a confidential file folder with a few pressing documents. One of which included our new statement:

Then we were given a list of suspects who we might find living this mission out as we serve our campers, guests and retreaters at Carol Joy Holling Camp. Each staff person was listed with a funny picture, and their own personal mission statement for the specific work that they do. This is my friend Gina, the brilliant Graphic Artist who put all of these papers together.

The meeting was basically a pep talk to live out our new mission statement. But the way it was presented was so fun, so creative and SO CAMP that it just sort of rejuvenated my whole excitement for being in camp ministry. Which, I suppose, was their hope, and if that's the case: mission accomplished.

Then I went down to the Swanson Center to lead devotions for our Unfinished Objects Retreat and found 40 women quilting and crafting and using their creativity too. I love that our Creative God created us to be creative too.

Reginna Brett

one week and one day....

...and I will be in Montana with my SISTER!!! I cannot wait, I cannot wait, I cannot wait. I found this picture in my parents halloween stuff and am pretty sure we will resume this posture when she picks me up at the airport. We've practiced similar lifts as seen in dirty dancing when we were a bit older and I'm confident we've still got it. So look for me, Annika, leaping into your arms in EIGHT DAYS!!!