Things I'll Miss

Here I am, sitting in the Minneapolis airport with Paige Moyer, almost ready to head back to PA. Paige and I were so excited to find out we would be on the same flight from Colorado Springs to Minneapolis.  We didn’t plan that at all! And get this…we were in the same row!! I was able to switch with a nice lady and so Paige and I were across the aisle from one another.  It was such a relief for both of us…I love how God provides! 

As I have been thinking about my summer plans and reflecting on my time in Colorado I wanted to share some of the things I’ll miss and some of the really important things that I learned.

When I think about things, or people rather, that I will miss, Joh and Corrie are the first to come to mind.  In the short amount of time that I was in Colorado Springs, they became like grandparents to me. We had a blast watching NCIS, eating ice cream, hiking, and laughing together.  They did a great job at making sure I was taken care of and comfortable at the Glen.  The other night, I stayed late at their place after NCIS, and they showed me tons of pictures that they have taken from their trips around…well everywhere!! Pictures of Europe, Hawaii, Alaska, and several from their stays at the Glen from years past.  It really inspired me to take advantage of the time I have now to travel! I hope to see Joh and Corrie on my next trip out to the Glen.

I am going to miss all the other volunteers and staff members that I met during my stay.  They were all so great in welcoming me! It was so nice to be in a community of believers every day as much as I was.  I am really glad and thankful that I was placed in the bookstore/coffee shop because that provided such a unique opportunity for me.  I got to meet so many different people, from different organizations.  I met several people on EDGE Corps, Nav staff, and many that were just locals.  I am a big people person, so it is really important to me to be in a position where I come in contact with a lot of people.  I was constantly letting people know that I was a student at Penn State and am involved in the Navigators there.  Some people even mentioned how they knew the Bowman’s! And I got to meet Cathy Bowman’s best friend (oh yeah, besides Dave).  Ok sorry, I’m starting to ramble.  I can’t seem to get my thoughts in order.  Long story short, I really enjoyed working in the bookstore because it provided many opportunities for me to get to know people.

While I was at the Glen, I was able to attend many of the EDGE Corps talks and get to know them.  That was such a blessing to me as I am thinking about going on staff with the Navigators in the future.  This time provided a bigger and broader EDGE preview for me! I got to meet several staff with EDGE and I was able to not only meet Drew Frazer personally, but I had dinner with him!  I had several questions for him and he was so helpful and he gave me such good advice!  He is the campus director at Boulder, Colorado and I would love to make a stop there when I return to the Glen. 

I am also really going to miss the beautiful landscape in Colorado! Every morning I would open the blinds in my bedroom and there would be the gorgeous mountains! My house was quite a ways away from the castle and carriage house, but I really enjoyed the walks.  It took me about ten minutes to get anywhere, but it was such a great time for me to look around and take it all in.  The turkeys would be walking around and the deer would be grazing in the brush.  They would stop and stare at me as I walked by.  Two days ago, there was a bear on property, but unfortunately I wasn’t able to see it. 

Okay, I said that I would share more on things that I learned while I was in Colorado, but right now I'm really exhausted.  I will be sure to post again soon.

2 Days Left?

Ah! I only have two days left here in Colorado Springs! On Saturday I was thinking about my last week here and I realized I still hadn't gone hiking.  Between Sunday and Monday I went on three different hikes.  Sunday, I hiked the "Echo Rock" trail with Joh and Corrie and their daughter, Monique, and her husband, Rick.  Rick and Monique were at the Glen from Wednesday to Monday for a marriage retreat and also visiting their parents.  They were so great!! Just like their parents! They didn't miss a beat in getting to know me and making me feel like family.  They came in to the coffee shop quite frequently...one morning Rick said, "We needed our fill of Keri".  They got me to try soy milk in my latte and they also had me try tea.  It wasn't too bad! Anyway, they invited me to go on a hike with them and their parents, so Sunday afternoon we lathered ourselves in sunscreen and set off up the mountain.


Joh and I at the beginning of our hike




I love our expressions




That was a really steep incline up "The Scar"





Me with Rick and Monique





After the hike, we went back to the Pink House and enjoyed a nice cup of tea.

Monday morning, I hiked up to Dawson's Grave and had my quiet time.  It was such a beautiful hike and what a gorgeous view!

Monday afternoon, Sonja took me to Manitou Springs for coffee and dessert!


Right before I devoured that delicious piece of art! It was a coconut banana bombe...really good!


Annndddd, I had to take advantage of the beautiful day, so I hiked up to Dorothy Falls.



It takes my breath away every time

More pictures will be up on my facebook page tonight! :)

I'm surprised I'm blogging this much... :)

I’ve been reading a book written by Joni Eareckson Tada and I wanted to share with you all some of the things that I have been learning.  I’ve been thinking a lot about my past and I worry a lot about my future and I am so touched with her words about grace.

“God doesn’t give us grace for the future…He doesn’t give me grace for next year’s headaches—or even next month’s heartaches.  God only gives me grace for today.  He expects me to live this day in His strength, leaning on His wisdom, drawing on His presence and power.” –Joni Eareckson Tada

What awesome truth!

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” –Isaiah 43:18

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.” –Matthew 6:34

We are called not to think about things of the past (Isaiah 43:18) and are also called to not think and worry about the future (Matt. 6:34).  We must live in “the Now”.  Why? Because now is all we have.  There is no more important moment than this one…right here, right now!  Ephesians 5:15&16 says “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

So often, I am on the treadmill of life.  I don’t live in the Now, but instead I am living and running in the future.  My days are packed with meetings, work, and getting together with friends. Don’t get me wrong, those aren’t bad things to do with my time necessarily, but I don’t take time to be still…I’m restless.  I’m anxious about what’s up next.  Man, does it ever get me down. 

John 10:10 says that Satan “…comes only to steal, kill, and destroy."  Am I going to let Satan steal my present time right now worrying about what might come next?

I love how Joni puts this:

“When you think about it, if our adversary can get us to focus on our past mistakes, wrong turns, and wasted opportunities, he has stolen the present moment from us…If our enemy can keep us occupied with our past or with our future, we lose the grace, blessings, and opportunities in the Now.  And when you lose the present moment, in a sense you lose everything.”

I think that is so true.  Now is all we have…why waste it with thoughts and worries from the past or the future.  Enjoy this moment.  Live this moment to its fullest. 

“This is the day that the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

                                                                                 -Psalm 118:24

~~~

With that said, I thought I would catch you up with a few things that are going on here at the Glen.  It has been really rainy the past several days which, for me, has been disappointing.  This weekend is supposed to be nice so I will be spending my free time at Garden of the Gods.

Bookstore hours are long and sometimes they drag by.  I work 10:30-6 and I get a lunch break.  We often get busy right when a tour lets out or when the EDGErs have their free time.  And there are several other conferences that have been going on.  When it’s not busy, my boss has me and Alex working on different projects.  It’s been really fun and I love working in this bookstore and meeting different people…many of whom are affiliated with the Navigators.

When I’m not working at the bookstore, I normally read in my room.  I’ve also had the privilege of joining on some of the EDGE Corps talks.  They are really good! This morning I found out that Drew Frazer will be coming to spend a few days with the EDGErs.  It doesn’t look like he will be speaking at all, but I’m hoping to talk with him and his wife. 

With only a week left, I am trying to think of some things I still want to do while I’m here.  I haven’t done any hiking, so this weekend I plan on hiking up to Dawson Trotman’s grave and also hike the “Lady Bug” trail.  I’ve heard that both trails have wonderful views of the Glen and of Colorado Springs! Boy oh boy, I’m excited!!

Days Like These

Yesterday, I did a lot of touring here in Colorado Springs! One of my roomies, Alex, planned a day of adventures! It was fantastic!

First, we toured the Air Force Academy.  Alex has a few friends that attend there and we were able to get a tour that “no one else gets”. 

Our wonderful tour guide, Andrew, and my lovely roomie, Alex



Alex and I with...uh, I forget



I would have to say that the best part about the Air Force Academy was the chapel.  It was soooo beautiful! It was built in the 1950’s.  The architecture is incredible!



Incredible right?!



The massive organ!

Needless to say, weddings are booked years in advance.  And sometimes they pack 4-5 weddings in one day.

After spending a wonderful hour and a half there, Alex and I hit up Starbucks.  We both decided to try the new frappuccino, Mocha Coconut.  Let me tell you…it was AMAZING!!! It was just like a candy bar.  We even took the lids off and licked off the toppings.  Mmm so good!

After Starbucks, Alex took me to Focus on the Family.  We looked around the bookstore a little, and then we headed downstairs to Whit’s End!  Talk about a blast from the past.  It was so neat.  They had a cute little soda shop just like Whit!  They also had this two story slide that I just had to ride.  I went up the stairs with a little girl.  She barely made the height requirement to ride the slide and I was almost over.  But we both enjoyed sliding our feet into carpet bags and we cried “wee wee wee” all the way down.  Ok, not really….

Whit's End!

Ok, so there elevator was made into the "imagination station" from Adventures in Odyessey.  Well, I was trying to take a picture of it and a random guy walked out....awkward.

Success!

Next stop: Lunch!  Earlier in the week, Alex found out that I had never been to Chipotle.  She was appalled! So we planned it into our day.  We met up with Andrew there.

Here I go!

We spent two and a half hours there, chatting and watching academy guys jumping from planes.

Finally, we concluded our day with a trip to Garden of the Gods.  Wow! What a gorgeous place! I just kept singing “God of wonders” over and over in my head.  What a majestic place…what a magnificent God I serve!!!

First, we walked the middle and then we drove around it.  Gorgeous!

We got back to our place around 6 pm and let me tell you, I was dog tired.  AND I was sun burnt.  Whew! My face was like a tomato last night and thankfully its faded a little today. 

So…I’m loving Colorado Springs.  Honestly I am seriously thinking about visiting again really soon and would LOVE to move here sometime in the near future.  Maybe EDGE Corps? Maybe stationed at UCCS? I’m gonna dream… but in the meantime I’m going to keep living it up here in the Springs J

Alex and I love country music and thats pretty much all we listened to the entire day.  Jason Aldean puts a day like this perfectly:

"Life is short

Lets go live it

Ain't no time for wasting time

Days like these they go by too fast

Yeah, days like these you wanna make them last"

Soul Food

Back in early February, I attended the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Conference (or MACC) and the speaker for the weekend was Drew Frazer.  He was an absolutely fantastic speaker! He’s on staff with the Navigators in Boulder, Colorado and if you ever have the chance to hear him speak, I highly recommend that you do.  Our topic for the weekend was “Dangerously Close to God”.  Since the MACC, I have been meaning to go back over the notes from that weekend and read over the verses that he shared on that particular topic.  Here in CO, I finally found the time! 

One thing I am struck with over and over again is how BIG our God really is!  We have so many false perceptions of who God is.  The God of the bible is GOD!! He is not the “Big Guy Upstairs” or the “Cosmic Mr. Rodgers”.  He is the Creator of the Universe!  He called light from darkness!  He says in Isaiah 40:12, “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?” and verse 15 says, “Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, are accounted as the dust on scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust.”  Do you see that? Dust on a scale is like a microscopic difference.  And you know what’s even more incredible? God created us to reflect His glory.  Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  You know what I like the most about that verse? Is that God says that he prepared them beforehand.  God didn’t say, “I’m just making it up as I go” like Indiana Jones, but He has everything planned for us; for me.  He formed my inward parts (Psalm 139:13) and He knows the exact number of hairs on my head (Matthew 10:30).  I/we have got to realize our beauty in Jesus Christ!  He has a special and specific plan for each and every one of us. 

All too often, I serve a small God.  I don’t always believe what He has said in His word to be true.  Why? To me, I am too tied down with my worldly views and mentalities.  Yet it’s right there in God’s word.  Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us”.  Another translation says “immeasurably more”.  Think about that…if I can measure it, then He can do more! More than we ask or think! That is a powerful God!  Jesus knows the power of His name (John 16:24). 

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”                -2 Peter 1:3-4

A promise is only as good as its giver.  God is faithful to His promises.  I love Numbers 23:19 because it says that, “God is not a man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind.  Has he said, and will not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” God will not give up on us.  God hears us and is there to supply and fulfill not only our needs, but our desires if we bring them to Him.  John 14:12-14 says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.  Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” Stop!  Think about that verse and don’t move on until you believe it.  It is definitely a challenge for me.  I always seem to come up with the “well…” or “but not if…” or even the “what ifs”.  But that is not what Jesus is saying here.  He says in 1 John 5:14-15 that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  Drew suggested that a good way to pray according to God’s will is to pray through the scriptures. 

Thinking and praying over these issues, I wrote down some promises that really encourage my heart.  I have a great list, but I will only list a few. 

“Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” -Isaiah 43:19

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”   –Jeremiah 33:3

“The Lord’s lovingkindesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.” –Lamentations 3:22-23

“And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”  -Colossians 1:17

“Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.”  -Psalm 37:4

“The steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in Thee.”  -Isaiah 26:3

What an AMAZING God we serve!  Who can compare?

Blessings, blessings, blessings

" For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods,

In whose hand are the depths of the earth; the peaks of the mountains are His also."

-Psalm 95:3-4

For those of you who don't know, I am in Colorado for three weeks and volunteering at Glen Eyrie which is owned by the Navigators.  Glen Eyrie is a conference center, nestled into the corner of Colorado Springs, and is just down the road from the Navigators headquaters.  I am stationed in the bookstore/coffee shop.
So far this trip has been absoluteyl amazing!  I can see already how God has richly blessed me with, not only the opportunity to come here, but the wonderful and loving people that I am surrounded by!  It was definitely a big step in adventuring into the "unkown" for me but I think it was a step worth taking.  I believe God is going to use this time to draw me closer to Him.  I have been reading a book by Joni Eareckson Tada called "A Lifetime of Wisdom" and in it she stated somthing that really stuck out to me.  She says, "If you need a word from the Lord--direction, help, hope--set aside time to be alone with Him.  Expect Him to speak to you.  Guidance and real fellowship only come in those times of solitude, in an hour when you say to the Lord, 'I need You.'"
I feel like here at Glen Eyrie, even though I am surrounded by other people, I have such a valuable opportunity to be alone with God.  That doesn't mean that I am shutting myself off from other people, but I don't have lots on my schedule which allows so much more time, that I haven't had in awhile, to just read the word and pray.  Sarah Gildea put it as having my own "spiritual retreat".  I know God is going to use me in incredible ways here and I am so excited to what He is going to show me!

With that said, let me tell you about some of my awesome experiences here at the Glen.  I am one of many volunteers here.  The other volunteers I have met and been able to get to know are older married couples.  Gary and Kathy have been volunteering here on occasion for several years.  I went to church with them and their son on Sunday.  They were able to show me more of Colorado Springs and some of the other christian organizations that are located here (Focus on the Family, Compassion, etc.).  Joh and Corrie have also been volunteering here for several years and they are orginally from the Netherlands.  They are staying in the Pink House and I had the pleasure of joining them this evening for coffee and NCIS!!

As I mentioned earlier, I am stationed in the bookstore which is also a coffee shop.  Yesterda was my first day and it was really slow.  I was almost dreading the 7 hour shift when I arrived this morning, but it was much busier with all the EDGE Corps people.  I was busy making blended drinks, coffees, and organizing books shelves.  I was only able to organize about two shelves today cause I took a lot of time looking over the books and writing down ones I wanted to read.  My reading list just grew about ten times!!

I am staying in a house with some other girls that work on staff here.  It is a really nice place and I am fortunate to have my own room AND my own bathroom!! It is quite a distance from the castle and bookstore so I have been doing a great deal of walking.  I don't mind it hardly at all, though, because the weather is beautiful!  And I literally walk everywhere with my mouth hanging open in awe of this place.  The mountains and rocks and the wildlife are just amazing!  The big horn sheep and wild turkey roam freely here at the Glen.  This morning when I walked out of my place, the big horn were right outside.  The wild turkey are in mating season, so I was able to see a male turkey all "fluffed up" the other day.  Unfortunately I didn't get a picture...yet.  However, I have taken many of the big horn sheep. 

Ok, so my computer is acting up and it won't let me to add any more photos.  So I will have to figure that out and share more with you at another time!

Where to start...

Golly! Ok, so first of all, I apologize if this gets to be a long blog post.  I have a lot I want to say write now...haha get it?! 
First up, I wanted to explain my title.  In pondering the idea of starting a blog I spoke to the lovely Victoria Wilds and asked her for ideas of witty names/titles.  I told her I was thinking about something involving my life (duh!) and coffee.  So she suggested Keri's coffee break and then that evolved into Coffee Break with Keri.  I think its perfect for many reasons.  One, I LOVE coffee, BUT surprisingly am not addicted to it.
Secondly, it reminds me of one of my greatest treasures...my family.  Growing up my family and I would frequently travel to New York to visit my grandparents and my aunts, uncles, and cousins that lived nearby.  Every morning, my grandparents would be the first ones up and drinking coffee in the living room.  Slowly but surely everyone else would trickle in to join.  Those who were staying in my grandparents house would drive over just for coffee break.  Anyway, many stories and memories were brought up during this time and most of the time we spent the entire morning laughing hysterically about stories we had heard several times.  My Uncle Tim once said, "Well, that's bound to come up at coffee break." When deciding on my blog name I thought of that phrase and thought that that was very much how my life is.  Something crazy, embarrassing, funny, and exciting always seems to be happening to me these days.  So why not share it right?
Well, I was going to go into some things I have learned and seen here in Colorado Springs, but right now I'm beat and might turn in soon.  And just so you know, its only 8:46 pm here.