Parents, I am sorry if we sent you into a frenzied panic when we revealed the theme. That was not our intention. I think the theme this year was fitting for the season we are in in our ministry, and many of our students are in in their personal lives. One thing Matt Orth said on Saturday night that has really stuck with me is, “Where there used to be dried up tomato plants, He is bringing up the Garden of Eden in you.” What a beautiful image of what our Creator King is doing in our lives. If we are willing to give up the dead roots of our sinful natures, rebel against that life, and seek to deepen our roots in Christ, He will bring complete restoration! He will make something beautiful in us, in our lives. Paul says this, in Philippians, “I am confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it through to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

THAT is the rebellion- being faithful to the good work He wants to do in us and through us.

1. I’m not sure if you guys have driven (or been in the car while your parents drive) down North Hampton Blvd at night. The Christmas lights are up and it just looks magical. When I was growing up, one of our traditions was to get in the car and go drive around neighborhoods and ooh and aah at all the houses.
2. Christmas music. I know I plug bands and new cd’s all the time. But you turn on the radio to almost any station between now and New Year’s and you’re bound to hear at least one Christmas song. You guys remember Rory Tyer, the bearded hipster man of The Far Country? He and his band, which super star drummer/intern Jason Cizdziel is also in, put out a Christmas cd of classic Christmas hymns. You can find it here. The other two Christmas albums that I got this year that you need are Hillsong’s cd, Born is the King, and the charming Zooey Deschanel is in a two-person band, She and Him. Their album is classic Christmas poppy tunes. Buy them both, you won’t regret it.
3. Christmas cookies. Even if you don’t like to bake, or make anything other than Ramen Noodles- you have to admit that Christmas cookies are the bomb.com. You should probably tell your mom you want to make cookies and decorate them. It will make her happy.
4. You should also make some Christmas crafts. Michael’s (aka Kristi’s favorite store) is chock full of easy ideas if you aren’t the craftiest person in the universe. Here’s a hint- take a look at your Christmas tree. The ornaments your mom and dad love the most are the ones that you made in school and brought home and gave them for Christmas. Make a cheesy Rudolph popsicle stick ornament. Creativity is something I am always going to promote, but cheap Christmas presents, that are made with love, are a great alternative to trying to save enough money to buy your dad a new bag for his golf gear. Just saying.
5. Christmas traditions. Like I said, we used to drive around and look at lights as a family. Now, we have a specific breakfast we eat, a very orderly way we open our presents, we used to read The Night Before Christmas. Without fail, we will watch Elf about a hundred times, as well as Charlie Brown Christmas, and all the wonderful clay-mation movies that come on ABC Family.

I know-you deserve Christmas break as much as the next person, which means you should be able to do whatever you want, whenever you want. But that’s not really what this season is all about. Take some time to put on some classic Christmas music, or Home Alone, and hang out with your family. I guarantee you won’t regret it. Make some Christmas cookies and share with your friends. They’ll think you’re awesome. And lastly, remember that the best way to spread Christmas cheer is by singing loud for all to hear.

The Lord’s Prayer, dinnertime prayer, bedtime prayer…there are a lot of prayers out there. If you’ve seen Bruce Almighty, you know that Jim Carrey gets overwhelmed by all the prayers, and just says yes to every prayer.

But that’s not how God works, is it?

Sometimes we don’t get our ‘yes’, but that doesn’t mean that God isn’t answering us. Mike Elliott has been walking us through prayer the last two weeks of Elevate, and Ben is teaching us this week- but we’ve learned that God answers in one of three ways “Yes”, “No”, and “Not now.”

The ‘not nows’ are perhaps the hardest answer. It can be discouraging to pray and pray and pray for something, only to see no results. But what I’ve learned, especially in the times I’ve prayed and God’s answer has been ‘not now’ is that He is faithful to the end. And He knows what is best for me- beyond even what I think is best for me.

This past week I went to Dallas to the Right Now Conference. I got to hear Pastor Matt Chandler of the Village Church and his wife, Lauren, share their story. I shared with some of you on Sunday night Matt’s story- of how he was diagnosed with a rare and advanced brain cancer a few days after Thanksgiving a few years ago. He has undergone chemotherapy and was told he has three years to live. Today, Matt is cancer free. The neatest thing in the whole world was hearing Lauren talk about what the Lord has taught her during this process of Matt’s sickness. She turned to Psalm107 and talked about how the Lord brings us out of all situations- not for our comfort, but that we will know Him better.

Lauren shared this at the end of her talk. She said “I’ve learned that the end goal is not Matt getting better. It’s not us having another fifty years of marriage together and seeing our grandchildren. The end goal, after all of this, is to know Jesus better.”

Wow.

If only I could say that is what MY prayer life is. So often I pray for God to step in, to make things better and easier. But my prayers should be shaped by my desire to know Him more, to have His name glorified in my own life. Not to worry about if the answer is ‘yes’ or ‘no’ or ‘not now.’ But my prayers, like Mike has talked about, are an act of worship, declaring His name holy, and that His will would be sovereign in my life.

Prayer. What is yours?

In case you hadn’t noticed, fall is finally here! I, for one, could not be more excited. Summer time is so busy all the time, not to mention incredibly hot. Yes, you kiddos are out of school, but I remember an old commercial that shows how happy your parents are to get you out of the house and back in school. But that’s not why I love fall (I don’t have any kids to get rid of…). I love fall for many reasons and here are just a few of them:

1. It’s finally acceptable to drink hot chocolate. I don’t really like hot beverages; hot chocolate is the only exception. But you can’t really order a hot cocoa from Starbucks or Panera when it’s 102* outside without getting a few crazy looks from the cashier. You can order it, or make your own. Add in a few dozen marshmallows and you’re good to go.
2. The wardrobe. Yes, the addition of boots and jackets and mittens and scarves makes my heart leap with joy. Scarves are more than just an accessory now- they’re a neck warmer. And you can bust out those hobo mittens that easily transfer into gloves for the easy and inevitable application of chap stick.
3. The release of new music. In case you hadn’t heard- this little band Coldplay released their new album today. I’m telling you: get yourself to iTunes this second and spend $9.99 on a cd I personally guarantee you will love.
4. The changing leaves. If you have been living under a rock the past few weeks and neglected to notice that the leaves are turning from their lovely green shades into beautiful orange and red hues. It won’t last but a few more weeks- so get out there and take a look around at the creation around you!
5. Bonfires. Summer bonfires are great and all- but when it’s already eight trillion degrees outside, who REALLY wants to stand around a fire? No one. Which is why bonfires in the fall are better. The way the leaves crinkle around your feet, the way the bonfire smells, and the kind of cold feeling that resides in your toes until you go hang out by the fire.
6. Halloween. Now- I’m not an advocate or not not an advocate of Halloween. I think costumes are great. Last year I was Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus. It was very confusing for me when I took my wig off and no one wanted my autograph anymore. But- I love seeing what you guys come up with for costumes.

Those are just SOME of the reasons. Why do YOU love the fall?

1. Steve Moakler’s new album Watching Time Run. His catchy hit “Hesitate” won me over a few months ago but he just put out his second cd and it is really great music for autumn. He reminds me a lot of Tyler Hilton, maybe even Train, but I would say more talented than them. My favorites on the album include Waiting, Truth, Lifetime and especially…This Ain’t Rock and Roll. I highly recommend you head over to iTunes and grab this little gem.
2. This cd is not new, in fact, I picked it up this time two years ago at the Starbucks outside of Liberty’s campus on my way to Jewish Literature. It’s a cd by Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johannson. Imagine if you could put me into a cd format and listen to me- that’s what this cd is. Poppy, fun, and at times pretty quirky. There are only nine songs on the album, so I’m not going to say which are my favorites, because in my opinion you have to listen to it as a whole. So really, go get this one too.
3. Hand sanitizer. Yes. I saw Contagion over the weekend with my family and was scared half to death. So pick up a bottle, or fourteen, and keep your germs to yourself.
4. Cupcakes from Icing. This is because it’s officially birthday week and I love cupcakes. I’ve only had two different kinds from Icing but really loved both. They’re located over on Courthouse Road and they are delicious. I am looking forward to having one, or three, on my birthday.
5. Lion King 3D. Okay, I know I can’t recommend this because it’s technically not out yet- but I’m going to go ahead and say it’s gonna be good. I remember watching the Lion King for the first time and being scared of Scar, rooting for Simba, and singing along with all the wonderful songs in that movie. Grab a friend and go see it as a matinee.
6. Fall TV. For me, it’s like football season is starting. Glee, Grey’s Anatomy, How I Met Your Mother, Modern Family…all the greats are coming back in the next week!
7. Last, but not least, with the promise of fall in the air, Kristi recommends breaking out your favorite hoodie. There’s nothing better than a crisp morning drive to work (or school) while wearing your favorite hoodie and favorite pair of flip-flops.

So Mike and I drove to Lynchburg and picked up some of our friends to drive down to Greenville, South Carolina for the wedding of our two sweet friends. Traffic on 85 in North Carolina was atrocious, but we got to our hotel and had a night of rest before Saturday’s festivities.

Pause.

Three years ago I went down to Georgia for my roommate from freshman year, Emily’s, wedding. The pastor that preached her wedding was awesome, a very Godly man and really emphasized the beauty and miracle that marriage is.

So, we get to the wedding and the same guy that did Emily’s wedding is the same guy that’s doing Travis and Christina’s wedding! He started out by talking about the couple, and how he’d known them and grown to love them over years and years. He then went to John 2, where Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding. That served as the first of many signs of Jesus’ time in Galilee. The couple wrote their own vows, took communion, and then Travis washed Christina’s feet. Let me pause here for a moment. The pastor walked through the entire gospel in the wedding ceremony, from the creation of Adam and Eve in the garden to redemption! It was really neat for a wedding ceremony. But he rested in the upper room for a few minutes and talked about how Jesus didn’t take his disciples one by one into a private room to wash their feet; he did it in front of his friends, his followers. He did it in order to show his disciples that he came to serve, not to be served. So got down on his knees and washed his men’s feet.

Travis took his suit jacket off, rolled up his dress shirt and got down on his knees. He lifted Christina’s dress up to her knees and unstrapped her heels. He took a towel and hung it over his shoulder. He washed her feet as his first act of service to her, as his bride, in their marriage. It was so humbling to watch as Travis and Christina shared a beautiful moment together in the first moments of their new marriage.

It was one of the most eloquent and beautiful weddings I have ever been to. Christina, being an artist, really did an outstanding job with everything. One more neat thing: the groomsmen all wore these really cool medals from World War II that Christina had made into boutonnieres for them.  Travis gave them each a sword. Before their first dance as a couple, Travis and Christina stood together and the groomsmen put their swords over them and prayed over them. They are the first line of protection for their marriage, to hold Travis accountable to his vows and to remind him of his love for her when times get tough. The bridesmaids are to do the same.

In truth, it was the most honoring and worshipful wedding ceremony I have ever been to, and cannot wait to see how the Lord grows and blesses Travis and Christina as a couple.

 Too soon? Maybe.

Can you guys believe the last week we’ve had? As I sit here in my office and out my window, it is a beautiful day outside! It’s not too hot, the sun is shining and there is a promise of fall in the air.

But this time a week ago we were on the tail end of a 5.8 earthquake. Last time I checked, we live in Virginia, not California! I sat in my office and had a few thoughts as a freight train ripped through the underground tunnels in Virginia (or at least that’s what it felt like.)

1. Man, Quantico is going crazy today!
2. I wonder if we’re being bombed.
3. If the Lord is returning right now, I thought it was supposed to be a tad more exciting.
4. There’s no way this is an earthquake.

Just like that, in that very order. My mom and brother and all my friends on the East coast were texting me, and facebooking and tweeting about it. And then everyone is predicting the end of the world. What in tarnation is happening?

Then, Friday rolled around and my mom asked me to get batteries and flashlights and water and apocalypse survival tools. Well, as you all well know, we got a lot of rain and a bit of wind, but nowhere near the devastation we were predicted to get. And thank the Lord for that!

I can remember very vividly the last time actual storms ripped through my life. One was the day before my twelfth birthday- that was Hurricane Isobel. She knocked our power out for a few days and made me spend my birthday dinner at Applebee’s. The other one was in North Carolina, years and years ago. My dad was overseas so we went to our neighbor’s house. Our neighbor had a garden out back with squash and vegetables. The wind was so strong that night that the squash was flying around in the air. That’s crazy.

We look at these storms and we so often think “God, where are you in this storm? Why are you letting this rip through the country and wreak havoc on so many lives?” I come back to a verse in Genesis. God is literally making the world- and His spirit hovered above the chaotic waters. He was creating nature, the world, to worship Him. In these literal storms, creation is crying out, we as His people cry out. God is in the storms- He holds us up, and sometimes he stops hurricanes before they get to Stafford.

How did you spend your hurricane weekend? Tell us your earthquake story here!

Today’s blog post will be another addition to Kristi Recommends.

1. To start things off, let’s talk movies. And there is only one movie that mattered this summer. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Pt II. I know that some students and parents don’t condone Harry Potter-I won’t comment on that here. But if you have read the books, or even if you haven’t, I recommend you get started on a Harry Potter-thon ASAP and get yourself to the movie theater while you still can. The movie made me cry, made me laugh, made me scared, and finally, made me very happy. You see, I got my first Harry Potter book when I was in the 5^th grade. Harry and I have grown up together; I knew the ending before it happened…but that didn’t change a thing for me. *Spoiler Alert* Happy endings were had by all that deserved it.
2. This one is for the girls. Sally Hansen recently released these things called nail stickers. I am currently rocking a set of zebra print nails. They’re about $8 and you can find them at your local Target. There are lots of fun prints, and colors. It’s also really very easy to use; just make sure your mom says it’s okay first…middle school girls!
3. For those of you who know anything about me- I’m a music buff. I listen to just about anything and everything…except the trash they play on 99.5 (Okay, sometimes I listen to Ke$ha…). But as Zac likes to tease me about, I like bands that most people haven’t heard of. Bon Iver (pronounced Bone Evare), who was featured on one of the Twilight soundtracks, has a new cd out. When I say that it’s one of the most beautiful and cohesive albums I’ve ever heard, I’m not lying or exaggerating one bit. It’s one of those albums you listen to when you’re studying, or you’re sad, or it’s raining. All but one or two of the songs are names of cities. I need to look up if that’s where he wrote each song. BUT, Kristi recommends the following tracks off of the cd: Holocene, Towers, and Calgary.
4. Last, but certainly not least, Nutella. Yes, Nutella. It’s cocoa and nutty and delicious…especially on pancakes. You can buy a delicious jar at World Market, Wegman’s, and the commissary, I do believe.

That’s it for this week’s installment of Kristi Recommends. I hope to see you all next Wednesday at the pool party at the Smith’s house!

1. When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a dolphin trainer. And by dolphin trainer, I mean, I wanted to swim with dolphins at Sea World. My dream came true when we went to Cancun on family vacation. We went to a place…Xel Ha, which is like a water park/snorkeling area. It is a beautiful area and has a ton of awesome swimming holes where you can see all the underwater life. My dad set up an hour for me to swim with two dolphins and three other girls. It was the best hour of my entire life. We got to do tricks with them, and get this…one kissed me! See Facebook for proof!
2. I went to Lynchburg during the 4^th of July and got to spend some sweet time with my roommates from college, which was awesome. If you ever find yourself in the beautiful Hill City, make sure you go to a restaurant called The Farm Basket, they’ve got all fresh and local foods. Very neat. We spent some time on the lake, ate at all my favorite places in Lynchburg, and spent some quality time catching up.
3. CROSSROADS 2011!  We got off to a rocky start, and had a rough finish…but minus the terrible bus situation, it was a wonderful time at camp. It was neat to be on the other side of things- not a student, not an intern, not just a chaperone, but an adult (HOW WEIRD!) I was so encouraged by you, students, and was reminded of how much I love you guys, and that’s why I do what I do every day- to see you have these head-on collisions with Christ and worship Him in a beautiful way!
4. 80’s Night. I love the 80’s…the music, the clothes, the movies, the hair…everything. So 80’s night was a blast for me! And you guys did a great job dressing up to the 9’s! We even had a Michael Jackson impersonator that won the grand prize: an autographed picture of Zac Ashley. That’s legit. After we cleaned up and all the students left, the interns and myself had an epic dance party to our favorite 80’s songs. We put the video on Facebook, Jason does an excellent job at his air piano and guitar. 
5. Impact VA!- We took a small team to Bluefield, Virginia for a week of construction. It was a really awesome week. I learned a lot from my Crew Chief, and from the students on my team. It was refreshing to see students from across the state giving up a week of their summer to serve people in their own state that need so much help. I was very proud of you guys, to see your commitment to your projects, your teams, and to one another.

Now summer is winding down, and we’ve got a few big things yet to come. I for one am thankful to be in one town for longer than a week, and to be able to cook my own food again. If my mom reads this, she’ll laugh, because my cooking is a very rare thing. We’re looking forward to the rest of summer, and to the beginning of the school year –are you?