Thursday, June 30, 2005


Doesn't my mom look cute? Her two favorite things in the world are the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. For those of you who don't know, Ellis Island is the place where immigrants come into the US. She cracks me up constantly! You gotta love her! Posted by Hello

Me and the parents at Tavern on the Green in NYC. Oh my gosh, the food was so good!!! Posted by Hello

Emily, Antonio, and me at G-ducks! Posted by Hello

This was my music debut. Can anyone say, "Dancing Queen" by Abba? Posted by Hello

Me and Jenn at the Hearthrob. It's an 80's dance club we went to! Posted by Hello

My friend, Becky, with my parents in New York City on the LES (Lower East Side).  Posted by Hello

Me and my sister, Jenn, when she came to visit! Don't we look good? Posted by Hello

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Fellowship

I have been traveling so much lately with work and just so much stuff to do that I have really missed out on true fellowship. I went to NYC this past weekend where I met up with my parents and some of my supporters. I also got to see Becky Ogburn, a childhood friend, whom I haven't seen since we graduated from high school. She was so New York and very fashionable. She definitely put me to shame. Not to say that I have a whole lot of fashion sense or anthing.

Back to the fellowship thing. I go to Bible study when I can and to church when I can. Now, before you get all over me and wonder why I don't go to these things regularly, I do go....when I can. I am sometimes out of town on business or with bible study I have work things in the evening. And...although I hang out with these great people, I don't really know them and have true fellowship, and although I know this will take time to develop, I could really use some now. I'm tired of getting to know people and doing "chit chat".

But I will say that I had lunch with an old friend today. Kristen, a roommate from college who moved out here last summer has been an amazing friend and lifesaver to me. She introduced me to her church and her friends and it's been wonderful. (I think I already told you this.) Anyway, she and I meet every other week for lunch. I pick her up from her office and we usually go for Thai food. We have a great time every time. We just chat and share. We talk about work and things we like to do in the future. But today was especially nice. We talked about things we were struggling with spiritually and were very vulnerable, which was a breath of fresh air. We talked about things that we would like to see happen with the women in our Bible study. And I think we're going to start an accountability group, me, her, and our friend, Brynn. I'm so excited because this is what I've been praying for and God has answered!

God does amaze a lot! Yesterday morning I was completely struggling at work, just not into it. That's how I've been for about 2 weeks and it finally got to be too much because I was so frustrated. I took my lunch break and went to Jamba Juice and sat outside at the little picnic tables. I just prayed and wrote in my journal about my frustration and asked God to help and restore the passion and desire I once had for work and the ministry here. I promise you, without eve realizing it, I walked into the office and my entire outlook and heart had changed. I was back to my little ol' self. It was wonderful. God answered immediatley.

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Good times with old friends

Well...last night I had dinner with a dear old friend, Miss Jennie Otte. I met Jennie when we were both students at The Laborer's Institute at Kingdom Building Ministries in Denver, CO. That was in 2001. We were on the same team and headed into a whirlwind of a summer and headed to Cambodia. We have kept in touch through the years and always get together during the summer when I'm here. But this summer, for some reason, I believe it was God, we were brought together more and have a stronger bond. Maybe it was always there and we never noticed. But nevertheless, there it is. We ate a quaint little cafe downtown Denver called A La Tomate. Sooo good. Little tart pizzas. The service was great, the atmosphere was great, the food was great, and the prices were great. The whole thing was great.

I cannot even begin to explain the freedom that came with last night to share and just talk and be honest. It's so hard to find solid people who love God deeply and truly. And Jennie is definitely one of those people. It was nice. We laughed and cried and shared. Fun times brought to you and me by God. We even got dessert. And those of you who know me well know that I LOVE dessert. We also got coffee at a fabulous coffee shop down the road. Fun times.

Today I got to have lunch with my two favorite children, Silas and Aynsley Vermilya. We went to Subway. They managed to make the most interesting drink combinations I've ever known. Does anyone remember suicide drinks when you were growing up? Yeah, that's what they did, but they loved it:) And...they made me things in vacation Bible school. I got a magnet with feet on it from Silas and a bracelet with the brightest color beads in the world with African animals on it from Aynsley. I'm wearing it right now! So cute!

I'm off to spend the rest of my afternoon doing graduation shopping and birthday shopping and dinner and then off to baby-sit Silas and Aynsley for the evening. Good times!

Monday, June 20, 2005

Sunburned

Well...this weekend was filled yet again with excitement. And boy was last week busy. Let me allow you to imagine how busy it really was. Throughout the week we had a going away party for our COO, a Board Meeting, a Marketing Summit, an alumni retreat and the TLI concert of prayer. There were guests all throughout the office and children running around a us in a daze. But throughout it all, there was fun and excitement and opportunities for learning.

Friday was a 14 hour day at the office. Man was I beat! But I found it in me to still meet up with my church friends and have coffee. (I had a huge one with extra caffeine in it!) And then we went and saw "Batman Begins". Movies out here cost $9 and I couldn't believe I was paying that much to see Batman. But I surprised to find it so good. I highly recommend this movie. It was a really good one. After the movie let out at quarter to 1:00am we all went to Ginger's to roast S'mores. I had one and then I was spent. I was so pooped I was falling asleep sitting there. I left early and went to bed considering I had to be at the office the next day at 6:15am to go white-water rafting!

Yes, I went rafting again! I live for stuff like that. We took students, children of staff members, and alumni and it was so great. We had people falling out and rafts overturning. Luckily no one got hurt, but it still made for great stories for later and excitement for some:) Needless to say, I got really sunburned on my legs. I was at the front of the boat and totally forgot about putting lotion on my legs and they are burned to a crisp. I should put a picture on here and show you. But for the life of me, I can't remember how to post pics. It's been too long.

Yesterday consisted of a wonderful church service. Pastor Jim preached from Daniel 3 about Shadrach, Meshak, and Abednego. (Sorry about the spelling.) I love that whole passage. God was definitely there yesterday and spoke to me so clearly. I can't go in to much detail, pretty much none at all. But I would appreciate prayers for me. I heard God speak to me so clearly. I want to be obedient and follow Him, but I"m waiting on timing and more specifics. Pray for patience for me and for open ears and an open heart to listen to God. Thanks you guys.

Oh, I also played ultimate frisbee yesterday. I really love sports a lot. What fun! And then I went up to Barnes and Noble to read and journal and get some coffee. I sat outside and just watched people, which is so fun! Much love!

Friday, June 10, 2005

A month

It's almost been a month since I last posted. Sorry. I'm not even sure if anyone's keeping up with this. But it brings me happiness, so here goes.

Life has been extremely hectic. Extremely! But I'm learning so much and I'm having so many opportunities to grow and share and learn and what not. It's been great! I spent 10 days in the Rocky Mountains and boy was that needed. I have come to find that my pathway to God is to be outside in the good ol' outdoors BY MYSELF! It's wonderful!

The students that we have here this summer absolutely amazing! They are so much fun and truly a blessing to all of us! I have loved getting to know them and hanging out with them. I'm going to miss them when they leave. And...there are 5 of them from SC! That's right. The best state in the country:)

My sister is currently in town for the weekend and we are going to have a ball! I think we're trying to go to an 80's dance club tonight called "Hearthrob". They even have coolers shaped like hearts for the sodas. I'm so stoked. And I know all of you are jealous. I'll try my best to post pics of the event.

Life in Colorado is wonderful! The weather is great, no humidity or bugs! I found a great church with a great small group with great people that are so fun and encouraging and we all want to grow. It's great!

I'm reading a great book called "Good to Great" by Jim Collins. Most business people get it cause it refers a lot of times to changing your company from a good one to a great one! It really applies in every area of your life, school, any job, friendships, relationships, yourself, your perspective on life. It's great. He did a great job writing it.

I'm sorry, I feel like because I haven't written in so long, I have to write a little bit about a bunch of stuff to get everyone caught up. But I don't.

I'm going to attempt to post some pics. Bear with me please:)