"Miss Wright, I have to be a car rider tomorrow instead of riding the bus so I can bring your present."

6th graders came over to tour the Clubhouse this morning and I had my fingers crossed that I would get to see my marble-maze-loving, pajama-pant-wearing, violin-playing, smile-shining girl Morgan as the small groups walked around. Lucky for us, she was the VERY FIRST KID to walk through my door. She sprinted across the room to give me the best hug. 

It was project day in room 107-- Board Games for the kids and all kinds of fun things for me-- I love days when I get to be all kinds of productive. 

And when I have lots of visitors during passing period...

I had a "meeting" after school with Smelko to talk about the Human Barometer. Oh. My. Gosh. Talk about a good time. The HB was one of my favorite additions to CILTs 2016 and Smelko is going to use the activity with Wilderness guides in their training next month. We just got to brainstorm and dream and talk about ideas and it was the coolest. PLUS we saw our pal Jesse at Culver's for their infamous corn dogs and then walked outside into a snow globe.

Meeting #2 was with the DC chaperones because we leave in a week and a half. There are all kinds of fun additions and changes to the itinerary and I'm pumped. This is my fifth year chaperoning the trip and we're doing multiple things that I haven't seen yet.

Meeting #3 took me back to the Clubhouse for 6th grade parent night. I got to spend most of the evening representing FBC in the library with the rest of the clubs. While Grace and Ellie talked Run Club, Katie gave tours, and Brooke, Brynn and Claire made bracelets with me. Nothing like a school party.

Tomorrow is my birthday and I'm not gonna lie, I'm pumped. Dear friends have been secretly planning capers and sending letters and plotting shenanigans. But the truth is that just knowing people thought about me in advance and wanted to make sure I'd feel loved and celebrated means the most. I've got some really incredible people on my team, in every circle of my life. Bring it on 30.

"I woke up and my nose was whistling and I thought-- I miss Sarah Wright!"

I got this reminder in my mailbox from the one and only Rachel Kent today. When we look for it there are so many good things around us... Ava playing a concert in her dorm room via Instagram live, laughing with Max and KCraig, sharing the ways YL has impacted lives, the joy I find in cleaning up, stories from 7th graders who pop in my room.

Once upon a time, when the world was extra magical, I got to spend a summer of CILTs with two of my very best friends-- Arie and Smoon. They became best friends too and the rest is history. 

I'm so excited for another summer of magic at Tecumseh that's only four months away. The magic of kids becoming a family in a matter of days, the way the light shines through the trees in the Green Cathedral, the community that's formed when everyone buys into the culture, the standing ovations at closing campfire, the fireflies in Main Field at night, the power of presence when technology is removed, the art of listening, laughter every single day. The best is yet to come.

"We give up things we love (psych grades) for things we love more (YL and all my pals)."

"My favorite times of the year are when our lives overlap." Today I'm so thankful for all the people I get to overlap with on a daily basis. 

My 8th grade book club girls...

Heart to hearts with my girl Mall...

Hanging out at the Myers' house and watching Morgan in her element whipping out marble mazes...

The YL fam at Campaigners who couldn't be happier to have Ryan back leading...

This beautiful crew of HSE and LN, Senior/Junior/Sophomore girls who consistently show up to love one another and know Jesus more...

My dear Anna Morgan who brings Camp T to the barn every Monday night...

Kaylee, Erin, Cass and Kegs-- these girls who have become the main characters of my life and made such a difference...

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:5-6

Honorable Mention Blog Title:
"So they were sitting next to each other?! They must be dating."

"I want my legacy to be that because people knew me, they knew Jesus more." IF: Gathering 2017

For the second year in a row, I attended IF: Gathering Local with my mom and sister in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The event is for Christian women and is a beautiful, purposefully diverse collection of speakers, writers, friends and bloggers from around the world. I soaked up their words.

Jennie Allen

Humble, regular people can pray and God moves

Here's His plan: pray together, eat together, read the Word together and live life together

His plan is relationships: invest in the few lives in-front of you that Jesus gave you to disciple

We need to turn off the noise and pick up our bibles

I want my legacy to be that because people knew me, they knew Jesus more

Let's build disciples, rather than platforms. Let's do invisible, simple, deep work that no one may ever see

"God I pray that you would shape our conversations"

Rebecca Lyons
You've been given everything you need to spread the good news-- so do it

You will be broken and then the Spirit will come and you will multiply

Vivian Mabuni
I'm all about life change and being practical-- when we open the Bible we are in a sacred place. There is no other book described as living.

When you study the Bible with people who are not like you it will be tremendously more valuable

Defensive people can not empathize

Be about impact rather than impression-- when you leave, growth should continue

Hebrews 13:7 "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith."

Whose names are written in the margin of your bible? Who will write your name in the margin of their bible?

Jeanne Stevens round table discussion of singleness

The church has turned the relational status of being married with children and a pinterest perfect life of something to strive for-- but we worship a savior who was single

"I'm not sorrowful in this season. I'm rejoicing in this season because it's what God has for me."

Singleness is not about waiting or being stuck in neutral-- God is calling you to use your gifts and talents and to use your life right now

God is in control of all the details. Your story has purpose NOW no matter where you are

"What will I do here on this earth in this season for His glory?"

Be The Bridge
Elevate the voices of people who have been marginalized and let them tell their stories in their own words

-meet face to face
-hear and acknowledge hurt
-come up with a plan of resolution
-affirm dignity

"You can never reconcile what you do not recognize."

Are you treating the symptoms or the root of the pain? What's my part in this?

Permission to pursue all the places of my perception--how does my privilege affect you?
Accountability and action
Remembering the gift, renew relationships with real people face to face
Truth to power-- build a foundation of trust

Peace isn't the absence of conflict, but the pursuing of shalom in Christ

We have to extend the table-- look around and see who is missing and invite them. I need to back up and give the space and power to speak to the women who don't have it yet.

"If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."

Be a bridge to racial unity

Ellie Holcomb

"You need only to be still. The Lord your God will fight for you."

What if we walked up to the impossible and lifted our eyes up to the God who makes all things possible and is always faithful 

Jill Briscoe

Just say, "Yes!" to everything God asks of you-- everything

From now on, the orbit of your life, the space between you own two feet, that's your mission field. Give it everything you've got until God moves you on.

If you've been saved you've been called to be a missionary. 

"After obedience, the courage will be waiting for you."

Bianca Orloff
Paul had a conversation that led to a conversion. When we have a conversation with God we can't help but to be changed. He'll change what we're saying, doing, consuming, believing.

"That same power that resurrected the Lord is ALIVE in you." Romans 8:11
If you're not dead, don't act like it. He came to give you life and to give it abundantly.

RISE UP-- you're not done yet. He's asking you, "Will you trust me?"

Shauna Niequist
The church makes family out of strangers. What God does as he knits people together is a really sacred, beautiful thing.

It might not be that you need the church. It might be that the people at church need you.

The church can be uncomfortable. You've got to sit with people and sometimes offer forgiveness or ask to be forgiven and you're part of something larger than yourself and it transforms you over time.

Jenny Young
Discipleship is obeying Jesus for what he can do for others

The stories of refugees transform us and teach us about what God is doing in the world

1,000 languages are not enough to declare how great our God is, how big God is

Jo Saxton

Be a disciple-- student/learner/apprentice-- someone who is doing it, who is engaged in it

-be intentional about community

-be devoted in your faith

-live a life on mission

Pray about who God is asking you to invest in

If we're going to do this, people need access to our lives. We are called to be living examples of Christ. Is your life worth imitating?

Jennie Allen

The enemy wants you to focus on your inadequacy instead of God's power. The enemy wants you to gossip and cut down those who God has made.  But instead... we're going to do small things really well. 

Here's the thing you have to do-- Love Jesus exactly where you are and let that love flow into the lives of everyone around you.

This is how the world changes-- it's chocolate chip cookies and sitting on the floor and talking about Jesus and these conversations that you don't even think matter. That's how we change the world.

You are stones building up the house of God in which the Holy Spirit dwells. Who changed you? Who are you being called to change? 

"Whenever I come to camp to visit you there's always a gang of boys sitting in front of us. They sure goof off the whole time but next thing you know they have their arms around each other swaying. And they leave so quietly. I'll never know how you get them so quiet!"

When she works on papers, Ellie girl turns around and uses my desk as her desk. She stays focused the whole time and it's just about the most precious thing. 

I drove up to MI to spend the weekend with Bethie and Katie, my mom and sister, have a pre-birthday celebration. We went to the IF: Gathering together, which gets a post of it's own, celebrated with all my favorite things and just got to hang for a few days.

The conference was in a middle school and I laughed every time I walked by these signs on a locker. I think the Clubhouse needs some signs like this too. Can FBC be a non-ball sport? 

While we were in Grand Rapids we went to lunch at one of Shauna Niequist's favorites, The Green Well.  We'd been there once before, but the food was phenomenal this time. I will be dreaming of our brussel sprouts app for days.

We stumbled upon one of the best card stores I've ever visited. I walked out with too many cards, but I already know who they'll be mailed to.

Sunday before church I got to be part of the McDonald's breakfast with Red, Linc, Kate and Nick. I gave a dime to Red, because money is his favorite, and he quickly donated it to the Children's Hospital donation box. Then this kid impressed me with his songs reciting the days of the week AND the months of the year.

Brookie pointed out Friday, "Miss Wright, you haven't posted a bracelet pic in a long time." I told her I'd get right on that. I sure love organizing, friendship bracelets are no exception.

Did you hear the Super Bowl was on Sunday night? The most impressive part of the whole night had to be Lady Gaga and her back up dancers. I got to hang out with my girl Mall at the Craig house...

and watch Mall and Alex "cover" their ears when KCraig told secrets. These are my kind of people and my kind of party.

"She just compared you to Jesus."

You could hear Taylor Swift from all the way down the hall. The girls of FBC were lined up, forming a tunnel, and singing at the top of their lungs while waiting for our special guests. Both the Principal and Vice Principal of the Clubhouse were coming to visit Friendship Bracelet Club. 

"The name of the game is 200 paper clips," I announced. Soon Mr. Amones and Ms. Lippe realized they would have to step up their game if they were going to find any of the paper clips hidden around the auditeria before the girls snatched them all. 

The 8th grade girls were perfect hosts and friendship braceleting coaches. They took our admin under their wing and taught them all about cutting string, tying 4-knots and mastering the tornado.

I can't tell you how thankful I am to work in a building where both the Principal and Vice-Principal would come hang out at FBC, play the game, sit down with kids and eagerly ask to be taught something new. My girls were loving every bit of this situation and I know it's something we won't forget.

Tonight was a culinary adventure-- Thai Taste. For the first time, at least that I can remember, I tried all the culinary delights of Thai food including tofu, spring rolls and pud thai. It was far better than I expected and I felt quite brave. What should I try next?

"Passing period is an extroverts dream and an introverts nightmare."

I love being part of conversations that matter. It's so easy to go through our days talking about surface stuff, or other people, or complaining. Sometimes the best kind of conversations happen organically, but sometimes we can seize the opportunity to be intentional about them.

I used to think you couldn't force a deep conversation to happen, but then I met Taylor, Dom, Allison and Susan. Years ago, they were my first Carmel YL girls and they would say, "Ok, let's talk about deep stuff," and then they would really do it. I was shocked-- I had never seen teenage girls mutually agree to do that before. They showed me that not only can you plan these conversations but that everyone genuinely wants to be part of them.

Tonight KCraig had us start off Campaigners by talking about things that matter. Here are some of her prompts that I'm still thinking about:

Social Media: What are your pros and cons of social media? Does it tempt you to compare yourself to other people? Do you think what people post on social media is a true representation of who they are? How does social media add or subtract value from your life?

Included and Accepted: Have you known friends who make everyone around them feel included and accepted? Are you like that? How can we become more like that?

Appearance: Do you know anyone who struggles with their appearance? What do these false perceptions lead people to do? Where do you struggle?

Belonging: Jen Hatmaker writes, "We are not invited to sit at a small table, friends. The table is big. There is room for you at it exactly as you are. You do not have to shove someone else out of their seat so you can occupy their space; you don't even have to share a chair. You get your own seat at the table and it is mercifully wide, because God has created us all so uniquely." What do you think of this analogy? What 'tables' are you part of or do you want to join? Who could you invite to come and join you?

Honorable Mention Blog Title:
"Shouldn't your main insta be the finsta because it's where you're being fake?"