Oh, What A Week

What can I say about this week? It was jam-packed full of good things, and jam-packed full of time with people, and by yesterday I was completely wiped out. We continued to do the survey table every day through Friday, and ended up having around 700 surveys filled out. Most of those people indicated they were not interested in a Bible study or the chance to see an illustration showing the main theme of the Bible (the Bridge), but a fair number did, and so our evenings were spent following up those surveys and meeting those people. Our sophomore Influencers have been going out sharing the Bridge, which is just so cool to see. And, many of our juniors have helped us follow-up on Bible study leads. It's neat to get all of the students involved, even if they themselves aren't leading a Bible study. One cool story from the table - as one girl was filling out the survey, she got to the question which states "Would you be interested in seeing an illustration showing the main theme of the Bible?" and she proceeded to ask, "Is there one main theme of the Bible?" Steven said, "Yes, there is." She asked if she could see the illustration then and there. So, Steven showed her the one-verse Bridge with several other students filling out the surveys nearby. Who knows how that might have affected that girl? Who knows how it might have affected the nearby students? It's exciting to think that God can use that one 5 minute conversation in their lives to plant a seed, and maybe He'll choose to make it grow. It was definitely fun for me to watch.

My sister, Jamie, came down to Tucson to visit on Thursday and Friday. I hadn't seen her in several months, and so it was good to reconnect with her. She got to join me on campus on Thursday night, and I realized not many of my family and friends really get to see what I do. I can explain about follow-ups and meeting students in the dorms, but there's something different about people actually experiencing it. It was fun to have her along, and to give her a little peak into my job.

After we left campus, we came home and hung out with the Strudel girls and one student, Cori. Get six tired, giddy girls together, combine that with whipped cream, and just watch the fun...

No, that whipped cream blob isn't anywhere near my face, and no, I did not catch one blob in my mouth. I did catch one right on the top of my head, which made for some nasty sticky hair. Robin and Cori decided to get creative and try to launch it into each other's mouths...

After we had sufficiently made fools of ourselves and gotten whipped cream all over my backyard, we went back inside and watched Summer Magic, an old Disney movie with Haylie Mills. It is the most random movie I've ever seen. We giggled and laughed through the whole thing, thoroughly enjoying its ridiculous plot, songs, and characters, partly because we were tired, and partly because we were just in the right company. And, as hard as it is for me to say it, it is from this movie that I have found the name for my new car. You know how a car name comes along, and it doesn't seem right, but it just sticks? My last car was the girliest car imaginable (a purple Beetle), and it was named Virgil. Well, my CRV has now been affectionately named Lolly Joy - LJ for short. Don't try to understand, just go with it.

Anyway, to finish out the week, we had our first NavNite outside in the wet grass after it rained, and we had over 100 people show up. I couldn't believe it. It's a far cry from the days when I was one of just a few students at NavNite, only five years ago. We broke up the students by class and the juniors and seniors came to The Strudel while the freshmen and sophomores went to The Mullet. Both parties went well, and it was fun to have a lot of students in my home again. Saturday night was the pool party, to which I ended up not going. I hear that was a hit, though, and I was able to get some much-needed time with God. Today has been a great day of sleeping in, cleaning house, running errands and spending more extended time with God. And, tomorrow starts another week. I wonder what adventures this one will hold?