"So... the Patriots and the Chiefs are playing in the Super Bowl right?"

Just in case you've missed the hype, the Super Bowl is coming up. Indianapolis is currently going football crazy and Molls and I wanted to soak up some of the excitement. After school we headed downtown to Super Bowl City. We took our picture by the giant XLVI like the other thousand people were doing.

We really wanted to go on the zip-line, we were even prepared to wait in line for hours, but all the tickets for the day were gone by the time we arrived. But even just watching people zip overhead was so cool and everyone stood on the sidewalk with their heads turned toward the sky watching the action.

There was a Rugby scrimmage, food vendors, Comedy Sports, people playing bags, a clown passing out balloon animals, and huge banners enveloping every building. And perhaps if I really loved sports, or football more specifically, then I would think was the best thing ever.

But the very best part was easily these kids having the time of their lives. They figured out that if they stood above these vents and held out their coats, scarves, and sweatshirts they would fly straight up on the wind. The kids were giggling, huge smiles on their faces, and a crowd of people stood watching them play. Who knew watching your jacket fly up in the air would be so fun?

Today I'm so thankful for Junior High kids that make my day, getting to hang out and laugh with Molly, lettuce chicken wraps for dinner, a friend calling with great news and watching favorite TV shows on the couch.

"Do we have 24 friends though?" "Oh yeah, definitely. We might have to get more!"

Today we started a week long writing project in English Comp by drawing maps of our imaginary islands. Welcome to Young Life Island.

Holy cow it was sixty degrees today. As soon as I got home, Molls and I headed back outside to enjoy the sunlight on the Monon. It was just so glorious out I forgot that it was still January and convinced myself that it was the start of summer. Wishful thinking.

One of our bucket list items is to make at least three crafts. We explored Michael's looking for inspiration and stumbled upon some great ideas. We'll keep you posted on all of our artistic endeavors. It could be anything!

After weeks of being apart all of the Young Life leaders gathered for the the first leadership of the semester at Carrie's apartment.

Sometimes I forget how many of us there are. It was just so fun to laugh and eat dinner together, to welcome new friends into the group, to read about the story of God calming the storm, and talk about what is to come.

Campaigners began with a set of worship songs we've come to love. It's seriously the best to worship with these kids. To hear all of our voices intertwine, to sing these words of truth together as they're lifted up in prayer, to be connected to Christ without distraction.

Upstairs we talked about how worship is so much more than just singing songs. But biblical worship is this, "Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name." Psalms 29:21

Since we are created by God everything we do is a sub-creation of the creator that we can use to give glory to Him. Your actions can be an offering.

If the Lord has blessed each of us with different gifts that make us unique and that are meant to be used for his glory, then we've got to figure out what they are. What are your talents? Where have you been gifted?

We each shared one of our gifts that we want to make sure we're using this week to worship God. What if these were the names we identified ourselves with? Maybe a little odd, but really really cool.

Tony did a great job of writing our Campaigners sheet and wrapped it up, "Never shy away from the Gifts the Lord has give you; but never forget that He has given them to you in order that you will worship and honor Him in all that you do. They are not your own. You belong to the Lord."

How can you worship with your talents this week?

Why can't it always be the weekend?

My Saturday began with Patachou brunch with Molly Brunner. Nothing beats eating some cinnamon toast with one of your best friends. I'm so thankful for quick visits with her when she's back in town because she is one of those friends that just really gets me, we get so excited about the same things and we care about living a life we're passionate about instead of just going through the motions.

My mom and I decided that I needed to just rest for awhile and not run around so I read, wrote, and watched a movie. Have you seen "I Don't Know How She Does It" with Sarah Jessica Parker? You should add it to your must-watch chick flick list... because I know you have one.

Saturday night Maddie Mahoney and I went to watch Kathleen Altice, Erin O'Farrell, Emma Hall and Caroline Skulski perform at North Central. Spec, a prom fundraiser, is a set of four student-written, student-directed, student-performed short plays and all four of the CILT girls were part of one called Classic.

It was so fun to watch them on stage as a jester, tree, maid and towns person and then find them afterwards to tell them they'd done so great.

I really think Spec is the coolest event because it gets so many students involved in something creative, fun and out of the realm of what they normally do. I would have loved to have been part of something like this when I was in High School.

Two other favorite parts of my weekend, that don't get the glitz of a photograph on the blog but are still equally important, were reading a letter from Allison Stamer and getting to Skype with Krafty while he's at Officer Training. Sometimes it's not until people are far away that you can see which friendships you really care about and are willing to put effort into. 

Allison shared this verse that she found last summer. I put it up on my wall right away because I want my life to be centered around this truth, "But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus- the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God." Acts 20:24

I heard this at church this morning and it's sticking with me, "Going through the motions doesn't please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don't for a moment escape God's notice." Psalm 51: 16-17

I moved in with Molls this afternoon for a week that is sure to go down in the books for adventure, fun, friendship, crafting and lots of good food. After making our calender for the week, we got some face time with some of our favorite people.

Mags never fails to be entertaining and we are so glad Chrissy has returned from Africa and Mary from Brazil. 

Tonight's featured chick flick was the classic "You've Got Mail." Watching it reminds me of growing up with my sister Katie. We would sing the soundtrack together and quote every line before Joe Fox or Kathleen Kelly has a chance to say it. "What will NY152 say today, I wonder. I turn on my computer. I wait impatiently as it connects. I go online, and my breath catches in my chest until I hear three little words: You've got mail. I hear nothing. Not even a sound on the streets of New York, just the beating of my own heart. I have mail. From you."

Alli joined us tonight and the three of us worked on making the earthquake friendship bracelet. It's the hardest one I know. I still have to think about it the whole time and I've made at least ten of them by now. Alli and Molly were troopers as I taught them and their bracelets are looking so great.

"Doesn't get more intense than the Christian movie."

Lows
I hate when my eye twitches.
How are there still 7th graders that don't know how to use a stapler?


Highs
Bible study with girls before school this morning was great--I love that I get to be a part of it. There were new faces in the group and good conversation.
Daphne's smiling face and pig-tails greeted me first thing this morning to tell me a story.
I convinced Mark to read Bloomability so he could learn about girls.
A couple of my girls gave me their extra rice-krispy treats they made in FACS class today. They get brownie points for sure. (Did you know when I use the phrase "brownie points" in class they think it actually means points for earning a brownie?)
The notes Grace leaves on my board everyday.
Making lists during SLT with 8th grade girls. I had told them about all my recent nannying jobs and so they made lists of what we would do if I stayed with each of them.

Taking a nap right after school.
Reading The Pact. I don't want to put it down until I know what really happened with Chris and Emily.
Seeing Chrissy for a quick second, she just returned from Africa, before she and Coll left for Depauw. I can't wait for this summer when I get to see them all the time.

Getting pizza with MaryEllen on the run. I just really love pizza. And MaryEllen.

We ran into Carly Ball and her mom Libby at the movies and I was so excited to see them. After watching the movie together we stood and talked in the lobby for a long time.

After discovering no one wanted to watch either of these movies except us, MaryEllen and I decided we  should just watch both of them together tonight. Both so cheesy, both so great, both so inspirational. If you like Christian music soundtracks, scenes reminiscent of Sister Act 2, and moments sure to make you tear up then you need to watch these.

No posing, this is how MaryEllen and Kayla watched the final scene of Courageous.