I probably should have written this perspective about 3 months ago. However, it’s different now than it was 3 months ago and in 3 months it will yet again be different.
I love how life works that way.
So here’s the skinny:
Since I left SpringHill Camps, I have relocated to Clarksville, TN just north of Nashville. I started my own business, Cr8iv Productions and have picked up writing fiction.
Cr8iv Productions has provided a way for me to combine what I’m good at and continue to help ministries and businesses move forward or try something new and different. So far, I’ve been able to partner with a church starting a capital campaign, a Pro-Life Organization create a commercial, helped the marketing department of a camp get their head above water again, and have had the privilege of working alongside a couple of bands. The month of June has me in New Zealand with KC and the Glowworms and then stage managing at the Big Ticket Festival in Gaylord, MI.
The journey is just beginning and I can honestly tell you I have no idea what is next, but what I do know is that this journey is a faith journey and it’s been awesome. Scary? Yes. Awesome? Yes.
So here’s to a life of adventure! Documented, here.
I had thought about a different way of tell all of you, but the
Rockettes wouldn’t come to Evart.
With a great deal of peace and excitement, I’d like you to know that my
journey in this crazy life is taking me in a new direction. Over the
last six months or so, I’ve had a sense that Jesus was preparing me for
a life outside of SpringHill. The time has come. My time at SpringHill
has been a leg of the journey that has matured me, grown me, encouraged
me, stretched me, and help define who I was in Jesus in many ways. You
all have had such an integral part in my life, it will be impossible in
limited human language to express my heart felt love and gratitude that
you have shown me, but mostly in the sacrifice of your service and work
on behalf of Christ and Kids.
Top 5 Questions I anticipate:
5. What will you do next?
I have no idea…. While many opportunities are before me, I have not
chosen a definite direction, and am even looking forward to taking time
away to consider many of the things that have caught my attention and
interest. What does a weekend off look like? The opportunities range
from joining other youth oriented ministries to tour managing some
bands… but don’t worry the Girls Gone Wild Cougar Edition has fallen
through.
4. Do you realize this is the craziest month in time to quit your job?
Yeppers. The peace however that is in me is overwhelming. God’s got
something and I can’t wait to see what it is.
3. Will you miss me?
Yes, specifically you. But don’t worry, I will continue to Facebook,
email, text, and use my phone. Don’t be offended if I don’t call you
back… I don’t call people back now…
2. Are you moving?
Yes. By the end of the month, I will be out of my house and into my Kia.
Current plans are Nashville, but may change to Indy or wherever…
1. Is this goodbye forever?
Once someplace is your home, there is no goodbye forever. It’s a “see
you later” for now, with a hint of definite paths crossing, topped with
the SpringHill Compound in Heaven.
Impact is a funny word, I think. And it’s really not used as much in any circle (I think) than how much it’s used in the Christian realm.
If anything, I’m more fascinated by what people are impacted by. Things that seem insignificant or strange to you have the most profound “impact” on someone else.
Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve heard stories from students who have remembered something from 4 to 6 years ago and remember it better than I can remember if I ate breakfast yesterday. For instance, I was chatting with a student and her leader last night and she begged me for the “Oven Dance.” The Oven Dance was 15 seconds of an improv sketch… seriously 4 years ago… but yet, she knew the entire story, and why it even existed.
And it really only exists because Trina, Ben and Al think it’s funny to make me inanimate objects during improv games and during our rendition of Hansel and Gretel, I was … the OVEN. So in order to get hot, I needed to do the oven dance. Ridiculous really.
Her leader mentioned that his favorite memory was a talk show several years ago we did about body image. I had forgotten all about it, but in talking with them I remember that it was the only time I ever said anything that wasn’t “facilitating” the conversation. The question came up during the panel, “You seem to be very confident with your self image… is that just a stage thing or is it for real?”
I remembered the question made me feel like every spotlight in earth focused straight on my head and the room was eerily quiet. I remember the feeling I had as I was about to answer . . . I was about to be brutally honest.
Here was my answer (from what I remember of it): I have always been “chubby.” In fact every woman in my family has struggled with their chubbiness. My mom had gastric bypass surgery and so did my sister. I also remember comments being said to me like, “if your not careful, you’ll end up just like mom.” I also remember how that impacted me. I was crushed that my “worth” was wrapped in my appearance. Then something deep inside of me resonated, “My worth has nothing to do with my appearance.” And I am positive at such a young age the Holy Spirit was protecting my heart and my mind from the lies of this world. I remember telling myself that day, if I choose to make a lifestyle change and “get skinny,” it will have nothing to do with because the world told me too, but because I have taken an active responsibility for my health. I firmly believe that if the “lies of the world” had set in, there would be no way that I could do what I do. Even for that I thank God for allowing me to not succumb to those, but seek earnestly to find my worth in Him.
I forget that “impact” takes mere moments. It’s a really convicting reminder.
