yesterday was a pretty good day. i met glenn and victor linscomb for some vietnamese soup and some time talking about student ministry. it is always encouraging to talk to those two because their love for students comes out so clearly!

i started a new book yesterday called Life of the Beloved by henri nouwen. i have really connected with it so far. i've been working on putting some things together for the girls' ministry here at garnett and this book hits on the very things i want my girls to understand about how precious and treasured and beloved by God they are - regardless of what the world tells them.

another interesting person i've been "spending time with" who has some great perspective on this is lauryn hill. she has some incredible insight as far as the truth of being human. she doesn't try to say that things can be perfect or we can be perfect, but she has this way of embracing who she is with all her brokenness and just depending on God in that. her website is being updated, but if you are interested, i would definitely recommend picking up her unplugged cd.

anyway, i also had a great talk last night with my friend dustin from juneau. it is really nice to talk to old friends. dustin and i have been friends since we worked at the same camp in alabama in 1995. we have really different backgrounds and stories and perspectives, but that has made our friendship lots of fun. he is a cool friend!

last night i also went to kickboxing. my teacher is so hard core! i am having a tough time getting back into the workouts - it is still very painful. but, i'm going to stick it out. and kickboxing is an excellent way to deal with stress and frustrations. tonight i'm going to abs class and a step class. let me tell you, step might look easy (or ridiculous), but those classes are pretty tough. i can do it though! peace.