Graduation

Last night was so cool! (Pictures to come, they wouldn't load right). Two years ago I embarked upon a mission to take 2 full years (TWO YEARS!!!) of Elevate. Honestly, as I entered that class, I was not sure I would be able to complete even one year. Last night, I had the honor and privilege to walk across the stage with some of my favorite people in life to receive my diploma from one of my favorite pastors, Pastor Dino. What an milestone for me! With God's help & guidance, I actually finished! The best part about it was spending this year in class with Doug. I am amazed at the change I've seen in him this year. I am so glad I married him! After a long battle, I have to say Doug won the Scripture challenge. All year, we've been competing and I just don't know how he did it! (we are very competitive so it's hard for me to say that!) Doug and I were excited that Renee and Miley came to our graduation last night. Miley was like a hot potato being passed from person to person. Mic bugged out on us...had to study for her Biology final that was this morning. Oh well, she missed out on some awesome food!

I'd like to give a shout out to Shannon Rasbury who I just love. She got "Elevate of the Year" last night! Woo Hoo! Being friends with and serving along side Shannon in Pathfinders and in Sparkle, I get to see a side of her that a lot of people don't get to see. She is an amazing, dedicated, sold out for God leader. Her passion for youth is above any I have seen (other than Pastor T and Crystal, of course). She is constantly pouring into the lives around her. I love sharing life with her. She is definitely worthy of that honor! Go Shannon!!!

Lastly, I'd like to say Pathfinders was well represented. Menk (Life of the Party), Shannon (Elevate of the Year), Ashley Looney ("someone gave me a car!!!"), Kaycee (Most Likely to be on Dancing with the Stars), and I all graduated last night. It's been a great year, but I am looking forward to an even greater summer & year!

Life just keeps getting better!!!!

Elevate...

As I sit here today taking a late lunch break and finishing my Quarter Pounder (which was basically a quarter pound of gross!), I cannot help but wonder what God's got for me this semester of my life. I'm trying to get things together at work from being out so long, processing the fact that last night was actually the last Elevate class for the year, and attempting to keep my house clean with all of the activity right now. Last year at this time, all I could do was cry at the mention of Elevate ending. (Diakanos!!!!) Life just keeps coming full speed ahead, and I just keep wondering "how can it get better than this??"

I remember thinking last year "what now?" when Elevate ended for the year. And you know, this year, I have the same question with the same answer with a twist... Next year, I will be attending Elevate AGAIN to get my Associates in Ministry. WOW! I've never done anything education wise for me other than graduate high school, so I am very excited about the opportunity to actually have a degree from these couple years of internship. I have always wanted to go to college and in fact, that was my plan all along. But with all that rambling, I just wanted to say that for me, Elevate began simply as an opportunity to learn more about the bible and faith in general, but it was so much more than that!!! More than college could ever be in my life. I've made life long relationships with incredible people, knowledge on top of knowledge has been deposited in my life by some of the most amazing people (pastors, teachers, missionaries, etc), my faith has been stretched to the max and grown, and I feel like I've discovered who I really am for the first time in my life. God has really shown up, touched my life in a massive way, and pointed me toward a goal. As I look back I wonder how I ended up where I am today. And as I look forward, the only answer I can muster up is GOD!

If you have even remotely thought about going to Elevate, I encourage you to check it out. If you want to grow closer to God, learn so much more about the bible, desire to find out what the church teaches, ......... Don't wait!!! You are never too old to learn and grow. It's one of the best decisions I have ever made!

(Elevate is Healing Place's intern program, but it's more than just an internship!)

Can you believe I posted something without saying the name Miley??!!??