Impact, part 2

A few months ago I shared a letter Phillip had received from a student in the youth ministry at New Life. Well, the same kid wrote Phill another letter, recently. I'm so proud of my husband. Something about his silent, yet strong, demeanor resonates with some of these kids in a way I can't believe. They love him. I love him!

Hey Phill,

Thanks for the help through my tough time through this week. I know I may not show it often, but you are like, one of my biggest inspirations and role models here at New Life. I can't thank you enough for all the advice and help you've given me through all the weeks spent together. In all seriousness, I really don't hate you :) I notice sometimes I can be a  really big jerk if you're having an 'off-day' or I can seem to set you off. I'm sorry if that's the case. I'm having a different outlook on the way I act from now on to everybody. I can honestly say that I never, ever want you to leave New Life. I hope you end up staying. You're a super rad kid and I hope to still know you (words I can't decipher) still go out to lunch w/you even if you do leave. All in all, you are an important person in my life. Considering, I never really had a real brother. haha. But thanks for any advice or anything else in this past year. It means a lot to me. Keep doing what you do! You're good at it! God is doing something! As a brother in Christ. I <3 you. PS-Grow the stache. It's only right...

Don't you love the PS? Ha! This kid truly is awesome, too. He's a student leader so he spends a lot of additional time around the church, with Phill particularly. He's tugging at this home-sick girl's heartstrings with the "never, ever want you to leave" stuff!

Now, I will leave you with this awesomeness:

Monday

There hasn't been too much happening around here lately. I apologize (<<I always put two 'p's in that word!) for the quietness around the blog as of late. There's been work, movie watching, and a little fun thrown in, too.

First, I'm going to insist you all go HERE and watch this video of some of our amazing Velocity students performing their skit. They did this in youth service a few weeks ago, but this past weekend they were asked to perform in all three main services. The subject matter is rather difficult to swallow, but I'm so proud of them. I can't watch it without crying due to the song, the lyrics, and the awesome kids.

Speaking of youth, I have some pictures from the final night of the Velocity series "The Battle Within".

It. Was. Hilarious.

There was an ongoing fight skit between Mortimer (aka Brian) and The Tolleson Terror (aka Steve) throughout the series which culminated on this final night. Brian, dressed as you see below, was talking and jerking with a Harry Caray influence, while Steve, New Life's lead pastor, was all ridiculous in his bearded get-up. It was great and the kids were loving it. Actually, Missy and I were probably laughing the loudest.

Phill created the whole boxing ring theme you see in the background complete with ceiling drop down mic!

Velocity worship.

On St. Patrick's Day the man and I went to a Reds vs. Indians spring training game (ahem, Reds win!, cough, ahem...).

Finally, Thursday night arrived. The night we had been anticipating for weeks, nay, MONTHS!

(This may or may not be my iPhone lock screen wallpaper)

THE HUNGER GAMES!!! 

Phill wore his homemade bad-ass shirt (it looks awesome, right?!)and I wore my Katniss get up braid, cargo pants, boots and all. I was the Girl On Fire. Boom. It was pretty awesome.

THEN! Friday, I had the pleasure of meeting some great ladies I know from technology alone. Isn't that great?! Yay for Internet and Instagram friends and brunch!

Missing a few ladies from this pic. Aren't they lovely?

Finally, due to the awesome Internet relationship of myself and Mandy, Phill and I went to Jester'Z Improv for some laughyoufaceoffness on Saturday night.

Apparently more happened in this week than I originally eluded to at the beginning of this post. 

Woops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blog Love

I read a blog post earlier today that really resonated with me as a girl, er, a woman.

Being a girl is hard. Being a girl can be downright terrible at times. 

Knowing girls can be frightening.

I encourage you all to go to Rebecca's blog, Girl's Gone Child, and read her post, On (Finally) Accepting Feminism.