S'mores are a Summer Staple around here. Ever since our kids were old enough to hold a skewer they have been roasting marshmallows with friends and family around our firepits. I cannot imagine a summer or fall without them. We purposely built our firepit on the edge of our patio so that you could either sit or stand around to easily roast marshmallows. I love that there really isn't a wrong time of year to eat them. 

S'mores always feel like the perfect compliment to celebrating Independence day. Maybe it's because I've watched The Sandlot one too many times, or maybe its because some of the greatest friendships of my life were formed around a firepit. 

When my oldest was about 8 he even came up with a plan to create his own S'mores food truck! We helped him draft different recipes and started using them at our own parties. This weekend I put together a tray of goodies to help make some of our favorite combinations. I got everything I need at our local Hy-Vee grocery store! I especially love that their marshmallows are dye-free (yes, most marshmallows have blue food dye in them! who knew!?)

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A post shared by Erica | Life at the Clubhouse (@lifeattheclubhouse)

Of course everyone loves the OG S'more with Honey Maid graham crackers and Hershey's chocolate, but have you ever had a "Monkey Mallow" S'more?! Those are my absolute favorite. I use cinnamon graham crackers, banana slices, dark chocolate and a well toasted marshmallow. It is the right amount of sweetness without feeling like you're eating pure sugar. 

Of course, I ended up not using any bananas this weekend because my people ate them all before I could use them for S'mores! Go figure. I had to settle for one with just dark chocolate instead. My husband loves using Reese's Peanut Butter Cups for his. Now the real debate is toasted marshmallow vs burnt mallow. I will always go for a golden mallow over a burnt one! 

If you want your own printable version you can download it here: S'mores Printable

Our tray version of a S'mores bar worked so well Saturday night that I even took some along to use at my sisters house on Sunday.

We had so much fun helping the kids make their own S'mores, even my Dad got involved! It was a great night of fireworks, family, and friends. 

I hope you all had a safe and happy 4th of July! 

Hady in ONE-derland

Once upon a time, the sweetest girl named Hady, turned 1 years old! ....and she lived happily ever after! Ha!

This weekend we had a celebration for my youngest nieces 1st birthday. My sister and I have been calling it our swan song. It was the last first birthday for our kids. Its crazy to think that its been nearly 15 years since I threw my first 1st birthday party for my own son! His wasn't nearly this elaborate, but then again I was 23 and Jeremy was deployed to Iraq. The sentiment was the same though...enjoy this baby who has brought so much joy to our lives during a difficult season.

Near the start of the year, my sister came to me with the idea of having a ONE-derland (Wonderland) themed party for Hady. My mind immediately went to photos that a friends wedding venue had shared of a garden themed, tea party style, event. Everything was dripping with greens and muted colors. There were tiny sweets and fun drinks. I knew this would be the basis for her party. Then we found the cutest tiny plates at Michaels with little pink and blue flowers. There it was. The perfect color scheme for her celebration. 

Over the last few months, I collected pieces together as I shopped to use for her party. I also started setting aside or making notes to bring pieces of my own. This included some tiny spoons that I inherited from my Great-Grandmother and flowers I use in my own decor. My sister even managed to find a vintage highchair at a garage sale for $10! 

The plan was to have it outside, under one of my sisters Magnolia trees. Well, mother nature had other plans. It stormed and rained all weekend. On Friday, we knew that we would have to move the party inside. Even if it was dry during her party, the yard was going to be a muddy mess after 3 days of rain. Mud + young kids + pretty decor = a monstrous mess. So, we crafted a plan of how we could switch around her furniture to accommodate the extra leaves in her beautiful table, and still leave room for people to easily sit or mingle. Swapping the table with a loveseat & ottoman was the only way we could make it happen inside. It worked so well that my brother-in-law was trying to figure out how in the world to keep it without sacrificing having a TV on the main level! 

This was definitely a labor of love, but it was so worth it. 

Isn't it dreamy?

Some of my favorite items that we found were the foil edge plates from Michaels, the banner from Party City and of course the cutest favors ever by Becca by the Book. How cute are these bookmarks!? They perfectly matched the images on the banner and really sealed the vintage vibe for the whole look. Her bookmarks inspired me to create the tags on the bottles & mini cake stands.

Mother Nature may have tried to throw us for a loop by forcing us inside, but it turned into a great day. I am so happy with the way this turned out and I hope you find inspiration here to create your own little Wonderland.

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Wonderland Banner  -  Teapot Cake Stands  -  Mini Cake Stands

5oz Bottles  -  Bookmarks  -  Mini Foil Plate  -  Pink Foil Plates  -  Blue Foil Plate

Hope Anyway

My good friend Emily said these words during one of the hardest parts of her story last year. I am clinging to them now.

We are in an unprecedented crisis in our country. Our world has literally been turned upside down. For me, and many other military spouses, this feels all too familiar. The uncertainty, the lack of information, the constantly changing guidelines, and immediate major change of plans are all things that our military is used to.  Our family's life has been uprooted before, however, we had immediate resources available to us at that time with clear structure on how to proceed. The uncertainty and heartache surrounding this current crisis is devastating to say the least. 

Yesterday, I watched my son process his world being shattered for the second time in his life. Everything that he loves... sports, his friends, his community, school... gone for the immediate future. Our Governor closed school for the remainder of the 2019-2020 year. Our district is now scrambling to find ways to meet the needs of students using distance learning opportunities. Our teachers and administration are amazing! They are working their tails off to try and do their absolute best for the students in our district. They are as heartbroken as we are. Our kids became their kids. They know and love them for all that they are, and all they can be. They see potential in them that we may tend to miss. 

One of the pieces that makes this hurt so differently, is that it was a decision that our Governor made; this wasn't an act of God such as a tornado or hurricane. I applaud her for doing all in her power to try and keep our kids and communities safe, but dang this still hurts. Some of you may be reading this thinking, but you're so blessed! That's another reason why I cried last night. The ramifications of this crisis are going to be devastating for so many families in more ways than one. Our children have known heartache, but have led a very privileged life overall. We are fully aware of how incredibly blessed we are, but being blessed does not mean that we don't feel pain, sadness, or grief when things we love suddenly disappear.

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A few weeks ago, I cried when I realized how few years we had left with our kids at home. This was our final year in elementary. I cried because I felt like I've failed. I felt like I hadn't done enough and there just wasn't enough time to fix it. I lamented that my children didn't know the Bible the way that I did by their age, that we spent so much time going to practices, games, and events, we would rarely see each other on certain days. I hated that I felt like I had missed out on entire seasons, years even, with my kids thanks to my anxiety & depression. I had spent so much time trying to numb my own life, I was missing theirs. 

And now, here we are...smack dab in the middle of the biggest pandemic facing our country in the last 100 years. We are home. We have no where to be but together. We have meals, we are safe, have steady incomes, are able to help our friends and neighbors, and we are currently healthy. I can see hope springing up.

I fully believe that in the midst of grief, anxiety, despair, uncertainty, and desperation hope can be found. We can find it in new life circumstances, trying new things, in serving those around us, and finding what we thought was lost forever. 

There is hope in this. 

Last night I made a list of all the things I want to teach my children during this season and some things I want to learn. I added doing their own laundry (they know how, but we need a better routine), and learning note taking/study skills, but I also added things like the story of King David, a regular yoga practice and learning to paint with watercolors. I asked both kids to make me a list of 5 things they each want to learn about. I said "it can be anything: a city, a point in history, an experiment, a person, how to make something, a language, whatever you are interested in learning more about". I want them to know that I value what they are interested in during this stage of their life. This has not always been something I am good at. And for the first time, we truly have the time to devote to this. I have not gotten a response yet but I'm interested to see what they come up with. "Homeschooling" my kids was never something I wanted to do, and this is coming from someone who grew wanting to be a teacher! I am so grateful I will not be doing this alone. I need the instruction and plans their amazing teachers will be providing. I also know that I need to be truly intentional with this time with them and make the most of this opportunity. 

So today, I will choose hope. I will choose to be grateful for the resources we have been given, the opportunities we have, and how God is going to move in and through this time together. No matter how out of control this situation seems, there is hope and we are not alone in this. While we can't all go grab a cup of coffee together (how good does that sound right now?!) we can still be there for each other. Please reach out if you need help. And if you can be a help to others, do that...

...and wash your freaking hands. xoxo

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PS: My friend Emily, makes the most amazing handmade soaps. You can find her www.livesimplesoap.com . Seriously, best soap ever. 

Spreading Holiday Cheer

Hello friends! As I begin to revamp this space (again....) I decided that I would start by sharing a really simple way to spread a little holiday cheer this year.

The way we do our shopping has changed over the last few years. Where I used to do majority of my shopping in stores and just a little bit online, but it really has flipped around. I end up having to track Amazon packages like I'm smuggling something illegal because I want to make sure no one steals them, or that no kid (or hubby) gets a glimpse of what I purchased! With only 11 days until Christmas, I am doing a lot of online shopping.

Being in KC also means that we have multiple fulfillment or distribution centers. I know quite a few friends who deliver for either UPS, Amazon, FedEx or USPS. The rise in online shopping means that they are in high demand, working longer hours with very few breaks, as they strive to get us everything we ordered. What better way to share some holiday spirit than to give them a treat while on their route!?

 

While I work from home, and often intercept packages as they arrive, most of us do not. So being able to physically offer something to a driver usually isn't possible or always the safest option. However, you can leave them a basket of treats to choose from!

I love how my friend Katie over at MyLittleKateCod does this as well and I adore heart behind it.

Photos from @mylittlekatecod. 

She is a gem! A talented interior designer, has her own blend of coffee, raises monarchs, and works with kids on the awesome(autism) spectrum as a speech pathologist. I've learned so much from her! Go follow her! Go.... I'll wait... 

Ok so now that you've followed her over at MyLittleKateCod, lets talk delivery baskets...

Here are my top 5 favorite things to include in a basket 

for delivery drivers:

1} WATERS
     We live in an area where the temperature often goes below freezing at night in December, so leaving cans of soda or other carbonated drinks outside is really not an option. Waters or gatorades are a great option that can freeze/unfreeze well.

2} GRANOLA BARS
     I try to leave a mix of these out, with several different flavors/options. I would absolutely hate for someone with an allergy to not be able to take a treat because all I had was peanut butter based bars.

3} COOKIES/CRACKERS
     We pack lunches daily around here so I usually have snack bags of cookies or crackers on hand. These are nice because they are something that they can take and eat later.

4} DRINK MIXES
     A littler energy boost can go a long way, especially if they already have a water on hand. Watch for ones that have electrolytes and/or caffeine.

5} MINTS 
     Because sometimes that's all the pick-me-up you need!

AND DON'T FORGET A NOTE! 

You can download your own blank copy of mine to use here, or by clicking on the image.

*for personal use only*

I hope this gives you some ideas of how to help spread a little holiday cheer this Christmas! Merry Christmas!


Photos belong to @lifeattheclubhouse and @mylittlekatecod. They may not be reused without permission. 

Who needs coffee? Me.. I need it...

Hello friends!

While I have been pretty good about keeping up on instagram and trying to update facebook as well, I have severely neglected this space! I am so sorry!

This last year had made me realize how much I truly love design, both graphic and interior, and I am hoping I can find a way to share that here. I think I finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up! Haha! Nothing like waiting until 36....

Not much has changed since my last post nearly a year ago, except that we have done a few more things to the house, Jackson is officially taller than me (and gaining on Jeremy daily), and we are knocking on the door of having no kids in elementary school. HOLD ME!

So much for being back...I need coffee.

As my current favorite instagram blogger, Jen @theramblingredhead, says(sings):
"Good morning, good MORNING!"

Hi. How are y'all?

Got your coffee?

Oh, shoot, mines in the microwave. Hold Please.
.
.
.
Alright...Here goes nothing. Let me catch you guys up on life.

Mother of a Monday... on a Tuesday

*I wrote this last Tuesday and never got it posted, but it it is still so relevant this week...so grab some coffee and read on...

My friend Lee said those words to me earlier today. In her amazing southern accent that I can't get enough of.

"It's been a mother of a Monday... on a Tuesday."

My kids are home from school again today. This is day 5...and a half. Parent Teacher Conferences were last week and so they had a half day Thursday, off Friday for teacher in-service, off Monday for Presidents day, and today...oh today. I woke up at 5:35am to my phone ringing and heard the wonderful sound of their Superintendent cancelling school because of an ice storm.
Let's add in the fact that I have been sick for over a week, the house is a disaster, I needed to go to the store today, and we all have cabin fever after a lazy weekend.....

It's been a mother of a Monday... on a Tuesday.

Lee could say this because she is also having a mother of a day. Her 9 year old broke his finger and had to go to urgent care this morning. He now looks like he is part Hulk with his awesome green cast.

Even though both of us are having hard days, the kind that make us soul weary, the one thing we are both counting on is for Jesus to show up in the hard places. And boy does He ever.

After the phone rang at o-dark-thirty, I tried to go back to sleep. I just couldn't. I felt an urge to get out of bed (which is odd, cause mornings aren't magical). I even went out and made coffee. By the time I made it back to my room, hubs was up and starting to get ready. So, I did the thing my soul has been craving... I sat in the presence of the Lord.

Quiet space.
Bible open.
Calm mind.

I opened up to Isaiah 41. I love this book, and I really love this chapter. I opened to this same chapter on another rough day over 6 years ago while en route from Landstuhl, Germany to Dover Air Force Base in Washington DC. The 21 year old on the bunk above Jeremy had lost both legs, and was at risk of losing his right arm. While I was praying and reading my Bible on the flight, I ended up in Isaiah 41. I ended up asking this soldier if I could pray for him and I read these verses over him...

"8 But as for you, Israel my servant,
     Jacob my chosen one, 
descended from Abraham my friend,
9 I have called you back from the ends of the earth,
   saying 'You are my servant.'
For I have chosen you and will not throw you away.
10 Do not be afraid, for I am with you.
   Don't be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."

Isaiah 41:8-10 NLT

This morning, it was still as powerful but with new meaning. You see, today was rough because lately life has been rough. I am dealing with some chronic health issues that are unresolved. We are trying to buy a house. My oldest is in middle school (aka the armpit of parenting). It's just been rough.

Through all this, I truly believe that God has stood with us. He called both my husband and I out of dark places for a purpose, and I am not going to give up that notion.

A post shared by IF:Gathering (@ifgathering) on Feb 9, 2018 at 5:35pm PST

and maybe He is calling you out of there too.

What do you need right now? Is it more time in the word, or just some quiet? Maybe it's another cup of coffee... yeah, coffee would be nice right now.

Too many changes, not enough coffee...

And here we are....FALL. No blogging done during the last year.

I feel awful about it.

There is not enough coffee in the world to make me feel better about it.

There is also not enough coffee to solve my issues that have kept me from blogging.

As my friend Kelli said recently,

"If those of us who struggle, as much as I struggle, are ashamed of it, we're never going to get anywhere". 

And the thing is, I am tired.

Tired of struggling, tired of feeling like I am failing, feeling alone, and overwhelmed.

and I'm guessing you are too. So many of us are. Don't get me wrong, I have great people in my life who love me well, but I think its the nature of our society today to be stressed out.
Do more. BE MORE. All the freaking time. And when we fall, getting back up is harder and harder.

So how do we stop?

Making Mornings Easier { part 2 }

I am still not a morning person.

Are you surprised?

Me either.

Mornings aren't magical.

Making Mornings Easier { part 1 }

I am not a morning person.

There I said it.

My husband will agree 100%. It is the entire reason that he is the coffee fairy.

Yes loves, you are understanding me correctly. He makes the coffee and brings it to me in bed to wake me up.

Cause without it, I am kinda (really) grouchy. I am fully aware of just how spoiled I am by this.

As you can imagine, this also means that getting the small people out the door for school is a battle for me. The two hardest parts for me are packing lunches and breakfast. There never seems to be enough time, especially when trying to make healthier choices. I've come up with a few solutions that I have found help us, and I hope will help you too.

Back to School!!

It's my favorite time of year!

THE KIDS ARE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL!!!  

You might think that as a stay-at home mama, I would dread them being gone.
Nope.
This is when I get to work. 
My ability to volunteer, blog, support my friends, get involved in community events, and love my neighbors well, all seems to work best for me while the kids are actually in school. It sets up a good routine for us. There is a rhythm to our life that we lose somewhere between June and August.

Its been a while...

So many things have happened, some have gone right and many have gone wrong, and everything changed.

I've changed.

And definitely not in the ways that I thought I would. I took a look back at my blog posts and realized that some of those same demons that I have fought in my past, still define me. New ones have also crept in.
I have been living in a hard reality.

For the last year, I have let grief define me. It came in multiple forms, and under many circumstances, but I'm finally dealing with it.

I'm finally beginning to heal.

I can see the beauty in the storm.

I'm gonna need more coffee for this...

I started to title this post "Where Religion Meets Relationship". I immediately deleted it.

All I could think was there isn't enough coffee in the world to help me write this post.

This week I sat with my young life girls and we talked about prayer. We talked about it being an act of obedience, how it has many different forms, and how it defines our relationship with our creator. We decided to get our booties in the habit of prayer before the start of each day by just texting each other to say we are praying. I am helping this week by prompting them with the YouVersion Bible app verse-of-the-day. and a short prayer related to it. They are sharing requests for prayer and beginning to see what a prayer community looks like...

...just a group of people who love Jesus and want to be in relationship with Him, together.

All the things...

I have this grand idea of what I wish my life looked like.

It's pretty.

That vision is full of pottery barn furniture in a spotless house, kids who always listen, money that never ends, and having the time to do all the things I want to do, including ministry, blogging, family time, crafts, and worship.

It's a fairy-tale. Plain and simple. My life has never looked like that and probably never will. I will not ever have all the money, or all the time in the world to do ALL THE THINGS. I might someday have some pottery barn (knockoff) furniture, and my kids sometimes listen (rarely). I do get to do ministry, build stuff, and worship, but I feel like a frazzled mess through most of it.

and that's okay. 

I'm stating this to remind myself that it's alright to not have it all together all the time. It's fine that I am basically starting over (again). The beginnings of Spring and of Fall seem to be my renewal seasons. Funny how God does that. He takes this time of natural change and allows me to be a part of it.

Handle With Care

Thursday was a busy day here. I was facing a day of lots of prep for hubs and I to head to RadDog (roadtrip) for Young Life. After I had sent the kids out for the bus, Brooklyn came inside in a panic. The kids had spotted a bible at the end of the driveway. It was soaking wet from the rain. I told her to bring it inside.

My heart sank when I saw it. It was worse than I had imagined.

So Very Blessed

So, I Am ridiculously spoiled.

I forget sometimes how awesome the people in my life are.

I am surrounded by family and friends who love me deeply.
Even in my darkest moments, there is light and love.

So Very Blessed.

One of those blessings is my sister, Kendra. She is the owner of Kendra Miller Photography. And because I am her sister, and she loves me, she takes pics of me for my blog in exchange for me watching her munchkins.

I really wish she had already been in business when I had my babies. While she takes awesome pics of me and my family, she is a truly talented birth photographer. Its her calling and passion to help capture the precious memories of bringing a new baby into the world.

See why I couldn't help but share some of her photos?

Amazing. 

So very blessed. I think maybe I need to grab a coffee and go hang out with her this morning.

Thanks again for the photos Munchkin.

Love, The Queen.





*All images are used with permission and are not to be copied, reproduced, or transferred without permission. Thanks for your awesome support!*

  

Peace and Joy

My prayers the last few weeks have been unfamiliar. Change is coming in our life. Some of it was expected (like school), while some is new and more challenging (like saying goodbye to our dog Bailey). I don't like change. I don't like going through hard places. I hate the unknown. I am tormented by the thought that everything could be gone in the blink of an eye.

Its what anxiety does. It takes a small thing that you think you understand and asks you so many questions about it that the small thing begins to unravel. You begin to wonder how you could have ever trusted that small thing, that thought, in the first place.

And when you couple anxiety with depression you get a slippery slope of doom. Think Wipeout obstacle course, but in complete darkness. You never know what new thing is going to send you spiraling towards the icy water.

I'm incredibly grateful for the gift of being able to see my anxiety and depression for what they are. I can identify them and reach out to those who I know can help hold me accountable for my actions.
I can reach for truth and grace and find my footing again; I see the small lamp that lights the very next step.

Right now the next step is an MRI of my hip next week.

Me waiting for-ev-er at the doctors office

I may have a torn labrum (the part that holds your femur into your hip). A fall at camp in July only further aggravated the discomfort I had been having all summer. If I am up and around too much it begins to bother me. I never know when certain movements will cause sharp, shooting pain and make me want to scream bloody murder.

Seeing the doctor about my hip was a "small thing". It knew something was wrong but it had taken me most of the summer to be seen about it, 2-3 weeks after my fall even, because I didn't think I was hurt that badly. It was supposed to be something simple. Instead it unraveled and turned into a meeting with the orthopedic clinic, x-rays, an MRI, a meeting with the surgeon, and physical therapy for the foreseeable future. I am facing the possibility of surgery and a difficult recovery, depending on the severity of my injury.

I have had to put all of our current plans for the fall/winter on hold until I know for sure how bad it is. The anxiety of not knowing, of not being able to plan, worrying about all the possible bad things that could happen in surgery, how will I take care of my family, not being able to commit to anything, how will I ever finish all the things that need to be done at the house...... Its eating me alive.

And of course, because I have depression, its like the wind got knocked right out of me. I'm angry. Its how my depression comes out. I'm not a sad, crying mess all day. I get out of bed (although I don't really want to), but I am not all sunshine and roses. I'm pissed off at everything and everyone for basically no reason. The slightest things set me off, and make me just want to crawl back into bed. I have good moments too. Ones where you would never ever know that I even battle depression. I'm so grateful for them because it means that I still have hope.

I am so happy I am a part of Dauntless Grace Ministries.

Hope is what drives me. It keeps me from going completely under. It allows me to take my thoughts captive and rein them in; it gives me a chance to choose peace and joy. I love hope.

So for today, I am choosing

Peace & Joy. 

Because with all the changes coming our way in the next few months, I need God more than ever. His love, that perfect love, brings me peace and joy in a way that I could never duplicate.

Jesus said to his disciples,

 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." -John 14: 27 (NIV)


Here is to a new season of hard things that are only going to make me stronger.
I'm are going to need lots of coffee.




*All opinions and images are my own and may not be used without express written consent.*

Because I'm a Young Life Leader

Hubs and I received the awesome opportunity to go to as leaders to Young Life camp in July. We went to Timberwolf Lake in western Michigan. So incredibly gorgeous. The leaders, speaker, and program team were so fabulous. Not to mention the awesome work crew & summer staff! This was my 3rd camp over two summers, and this go round I learned a few things I would like to share with y'all.

15 hours on a charter bus is better when you can sit next to your hubby and drool on him while you sleep. Sidenote: The current generation of doesn't appreciate Wayne's World. This is both sad and stunning.

Our fearless leader Robyn and her hubby Casey.

Do not try to play games/mixers in flip flops with your loaded backpack on. You will fall and almost break your hip only an hour after arriving at camp, because you are old.

You will then go get ice, miss club, and cry in your room because you don't know if you can do this. Because now you are going to miss the events and fun stuff with your friends. Every step will be painful. Every activity sitting on the sidelines will make your heart break a little more. And the thought of missing out on that time with them sucks. Especially having to stand at the bottom of the ropes course, the one thing you really wanted to conquer with them. You will do it with a smile and coach them down from the tower and cheer like crazy when they take that leap.

The good news is, there are amazing people and staff at YL camps. From program team to head leaders and especially the speaker, Ms Kelsey Jenney. They will be funny, encouraging, and most of all, will love your HS friends deeply. Almost as deeply as you do. They will perform the most awesome skits, come up with the most hilarious games, get the least amount of sleep (as if a leader thought it was possible to get any less at camp), and bring the holy word of God to life.

Photo courtesy of Kelsey Jenney.

You will ask those people help you by praying for you and your friends, you will continue to walk all over camp (even though it hurts like crazy) to participate in events and share meals with those friends, teach the freshman and newbies the meaning of “spoons”, get pied in the face (and enjoy it), ask the deep questions during cabin time…

and you will see God move in the most amazing ways.

Also, you will also spend way too much money on YL swag at the store. And even more money buying ice cream (or frozen lattes) for friends during one-on-ones. Every penny will be worth it. Because your friends will see how much you care. They will begin to understand that you are in this for the long haul and that they can trust you.

You can even watch as friends accept Christ for the very first time. Watch their eyes light up when they realize that they don't have to “do” anything to earn God’s love, it is freely given. That they ARE Tov Meod. Broken places in their life begin to find healing, new friendships and bonds are formed, and they see how important a relationship with the creator of the universe is. God does mighty works in them.

The long bus ride home is dark and quiet with reflection. You come home tired, exhausted really, yet so energized and ready to see how God is going to continue to move in the lives of your friends.

I thought being a parent was tough. I am pretty sure that being a YL leader is right up there. My girls make me a better parent, a better wife, and a better friend. They continue to teach me how awesome God is, and how much He loves us. I am forever grateful to get to participate in this ministry.

I cant wait to see how much my girls grow this year. I am so blessed that they let me be a part of their amazing journey.

#TeamSandlotForever

Have questions or want more info about YL? Click on one of the links below!

Young Life

Timberwolf Lake

YL Kaw Valley

*All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for them. All pictures are owned or used with permission. Please do not crop, edit, or use photos for personal or commercial use without express written consent.*