Michelle and Brandon

Nate and I have recently joined a new small group with a few people from our church. Michelle and Brandon organized the small group and graciously host every other week. While none of us really knew each other very well before the group started, we have meshed incredibly well and all seem to be very comfortable with each other. Michelle and Brandon chose a study guide for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd John. Those are the books of the bible we are going to study for the next several weeks. While our group has only just gotten started and we have met three times, we have had some great discussions so far. We had an amazing discussion at our last meeting on Thursday about prayer, what it means for our “joy to be complete,” and we talked about the mystery and beauty of eternal life through Jesus. We are challenged this week to think about how we testify to the world about this gift of eternal life.

Michelle and Brandon have been such a blessing to all of us. They are wonderful hosts, making us feel comfortable, relaxed, and welcome. They help us stay on track so we discuss what we plan on discussing, and the insights they share from their own personal walks of faith are so wonderful to hear. I already feel like I have learned so much in just a few short weeks. Thank you so much Michelle and Brandon for inviting us to be a part of your group and for your leadership. You are truly a blessing to us!          

Love,

Andrea  

Natalie

Natalie is one of those special people who you remember after only meeting once. I think it’s her smile and the way she seems to relate to you right away. She has a natural way of making people feel comfortable and accepted. And besides that, she is always up for a good time, never wanting to miss the fun! She and I knew each other through out middle school and high school, but it was as college roommates that we really got to know each other. When you live together for 2 years, you share all kinds of experiences… going to class together, cooking meals together, staying up late watching Food Network, studying for finals (or distracting each other from studying is more like it! lol), and of course, talking!! Natalie and I have had some of the most intriguing, thought-provoking, and challenging conversations, which I love! There’s nothing better than getting past the surface and diving in to talk about real life.

Natalie, you are one of my favorite people in the whole world! You are beautiful, intelligent, courageous, and fun… others just brighten up when they're around you. Never stop searching for the ultimate treasure this life has to offer. I know you will find it, and it will change your world.

Love you!

Sil

Janice

Janice is a fellow high school youth group leader at our church. Nate and I have had the privilege of working with her over the past 2 years, and she continues to bless us with her wisdom, guidance, and fun personality. 

At our last youth group meeting, Janice led a discussion with several students who have traveled to Kenya on a mission trip with the church. Janice also went to Kenya with the church, and has so many interesting stories from her time there. It was such a joy to see Janice lead the students the other night. She has a passion for Jesus and helping students find their way to Him. She never hesitates to jump in on the icebreakers and games we play with the students. She even came to JumpStreet with us for our Christmas party. I love the way Janice always helps us bring our plans for youth group back to the heart of the matter - Jesus and prayer. Janice, I truly love you and the way you interact with people. (I know the students love you too!) Youth group just wouldn't be the same without you! 

Looking forward to our prayer series with the students!

Love, Andrea 

Brooke

Where to begin with Brooke? SO many good things to mention! :)

Brooke and I went to 24 Hour Fitness to work out together the other night and she kicked my butt! Seriously. Talk about sore arms the next day.

Working out is actually a really good analogy for Brooke. Working out takes time, endurance, creativity, and it’s a whole lot more fun when you can be with someone else. Brooke, you always make time for those people and things that are important in your life (aka me! lol). You have endurance like no one I know, and this is most evident in your Arbonne business. It doesn’t matter who gets to the top the fastest – it’s about getting there, and I know that you will get there. And you are creative.  Amazing dance moves aside, you are creative in many ways – your fashion sense, your horse back riding, the way you run your business, your great cooking… I’ll stop there so I don’t bore you with all the wonderfulness. And you are genuinely fun to be around. You truly have a gift with people. Whether it’s your friends’ kids, the awesome girls at your job, your sisters, your nieces, or with your friends, you keep things interesting and fun! I mean, for your birthday, you wanted everyone to spend the afternoon playing kickball together – who thinks of that but someone fun like you? :) Brooke, keep being the beautiful woman God created you to be. Don’t ever stop pursuing your dreams – even if they are so hard you want to give up every few steps along the way. Nothing worth having comes easily. I’m here for you and I love you!!

Andrea

Nate

This blog wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you, babe. In fact, I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. When I know that you believe in me, it’s one of the best feelings in the whole world. So I’m going to brag on you a little (or a lot), and you will probably pop up frequently in my posts.

Nate has always been the supportive type. For years I have been talking about how I want to write a book someday. It’s kind of wishful thinking, but for some reason I’ve always wanted to do it. Nate is always open to hearing my ideas and he is a good listener, so my book topic has come up often over the course of the years we’ve been together. And now, it almost feels like our book because he is in on the dream too. And that’s one of the things I love about him - how what is important to me also becomes important to him. 

(Someday we'll write that book!)

Thanks for believing in me and for reading my blog everyday.

I love you so much!  You change me for the better everyday!!  S'agapo.

Andrea

Keleen

Keleen and I (and her beautiful daughter Leila) got to spend the day together on Saturday at the Stock Show and Rodeo. What a fun time we had! Seeing all the rodeo events, walking around and looking at the booths, and of course – the petting zoo! It had been months since we had a chance to hang out – much too long in both of our opinions, but finally, we made it happen.

Keleen, you are such a terrific mama to your little girl. Just hearing you talking to her on our way out to the parking lot - asking her if she knows what a special girl she is, and how lucky you are to have her for your daughter. You couldn't speak more beautiful words into her life than the assurance that she is loved by you no matter what. Keep being the amazing woman that you are. All of your hard work is paying off! (And you will be through school and be an RN before you even know it!!) Love you!!! Andrea

Julie

It's fitting Julie would be the first person I post about - for 2 reasons. First of all, it's Julie's birthday today! Yeah! Happy Birthday Julie! Hope it was one of your best yet! And second of all, Julie was the first one to tell me that I am an encourager. :)

I first met Julie through Timberline church in Fort Collins. We were in a bible study together. It turned out, we were also both taking classes in nutrition to eventually become RD's. Not only is Julie smart and driven in her career, but she is a woman after God's own heart. I have never known anyone to pray so faithfully and trust in the Lord through any circumstance. We can go months between our conversations on the phone, and she never fails to bring up very specific prayer requests I have shared with her, and ask me how things are going. She inspires me to always treasure prayer - the amazing communication available to us with the Creator of the Universe. Julie, thank you for all the wonderful things you have shared with me and taught me along this journey. You are truly a light to this dark world. Love you!    

Andrea