A month in pictures- Deeper Still

I got to go to a women's conference called Deeper Still. Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, and Priscilla Shirer were the speakers. I learned a ton. The 2nd day was the most impactful for me. Besides getting to hear from these amazing speakers, I was so glad I was able to go with some of my girlfriends.

Robin, Cindy, Dusty, and Deleise (some of the girls had already left when I took this. We also had Amy and Mandy w/us :)

The speakers (the picture is a little blurry but I wanted to post because I was so happy to hear from these ladies)

Friday follow-up #9

Hmmm, let's see- not a real exciting week here but I will give you the scoop nonetheless.

• Merrick started "Chess Academy" at school this week. His school has a great team and they make it to Nationals every year! In 3rd grade, they just get to learn all about the game of chess. He really liked his first week!
  

• I'm heading out on a women's retreat today. I'm really excited. Several friends are going and my sister and I are driving out there together. I will share about what I learned later.

• Fantasy football kicked off this past week. We are in a league with Brandon's family so it's a blast teasing each other. (Brandon is also in a league with the guys that he has been in one with for about 7 yrs. now). B and I both lost our first game of the season. I lost by 1 pt-bummer.
  

• We are both really into twitter right now. If you don't know what it is, read HERE. It's basically like texting all your friends about your day. If you want to follow us on Twitter, it's @brandonaldson and @mrscdonaldson
  

• The Internet campus launched a new mission experience called LIFESHARE. We are really excited about this.You can read what it's about HERE. Also, you can watch the video Brandon made about it below.
  

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND! Keep in touch:)

Out of your element?

I think I'm starting to grow up a bit! I'm starting to realize things that I enjoy and don't enjoy, as well as things I am good at and not so good at.

Recently, I have been put in situations where I am leading where I just don't feel comfortable. It's a stretch for me. You know how you do things that come natural and easy? Well, that's where I like to be. Not that I want life to be easy, but I want to function in areas where God has gifted me. I want to be challenged for a season, but I shouldn't stay there- it's just NOT natural.

Let me give you an example. I love to love on people. I do that through hospitality. Hospitality can be shown in many different ways. My way is trying to make people feel relaxed and comfortable. There are times when I am not "trying" at all and people will tell me that I made them feel "welcome" or comfortable. It's something that just comes natural.

Then, put me in a situation where I am out of my element and I crumble. I begin to look inward, get insecure, get nervous...it becomes something that I think I can do but really can't. I take it all in my own power rather than letting God work through me. I am learning to say no in these situations because it's OK to not be good at everything! I would rather do a few things well, than do several things mediocre.

What are your natural gifts? What makes you "out of your element"? Tell us about a situation where you have succeeded or a situation where you bombed.

Burnout

Ministry- it is challenging, humbling, a huge responsibility, rewarding....it can also be very tiring and demanding.

Lon talked about burnout on his blog. Here are 4 things he quoted, from a book he just read, that might help you stay away from burnout.

1. I am not invincible. I can get sick, sin, and weary. 2. I am not immortal. I am going to die. 3. I am not indispensable. The kingdom keeps going without me. 4. I am not an island. I need friends around me.

Out of those 4, I personally struggle with #3 and #4. Brandon struggles with #1 and #4.

Also, here is a great article from Relevant magazine talking about "burn out" in a different way.

Are you feeling "burned out"? Do you struggle with a certain area? How do you overcome burnout? What are your warning signs of burnout?