Fall Con 2015

Here are some pictures from our most recent trip to CBS for Fall Conference 2015.

Our tradition of wearing plaid on the way to Catalina.

Sunset on the boat ride over.

Darin is one of the emcees for the weekend.

Our 90's dance party. 

CBS

Greek Staff, Kristina Crosetto was our speaker for the weekend.

CSUN!

Kayaking. 

During free time.

The beautiful island.

Our group again.

Small Groups

Small Groups

Small Groups

Small Groups

Small Groups

Small Groups

Small Groups

Our 14 international students and 3 leaders. They represented half of camp!

Leadership team.

Preparing to go home.

Boat ride home was a little bumpy.

Luke's Fall Con Testimony

For those who got the snapshot of this story through the ministry update or just want to hear an amazing story of what happened at Fall Conference, one of our seniors, Luke, shared this me to share with you about how God spoke to him at Fall Conference:

I have always had a strong "one-on-one" or "pocket God" relationship with The Lord. I was always selfish with MY God and the things that He could do for me. I was oblivious to the fact that by sustaining my relationship in the state it was in that it wasn't really a relationship at all.

A turning point for me was at Fall Con 2015. Before the trip I was feeling a little lost spiritually and was anxious to see what the weekend had in store. I went to Fall Con the year before and said that after my amazing weekend that my life would change permanently. We all know a camp high when we see one and that is exactly what this was. Within a week I was back to my selfish ways once again.

I was not forcing change in my life at Fall Con 2015 but man did it happen! All weekend I felt like Kristina was speaking directly to me. Everything she said resonated with me greatly. It was going so well for me so far, but it was not until the last night of worship and prayer that my faith took off.

Everyone around me was so FULL of the Lord. People were accepting Jesus into their lives for the first time. People that I didn't even know were praying over me. It was then that I realized how selfish I was. I was so focused on what God could do for me instead of what He could have me do for others. This realization really tore me apart and tears began to fall. I closed my eyes and just asked God, "What do you want from me?"

I have never really been one to believe that God could speak directly to someone until that moment. God and I were standing on the rocky beach of Catalina and He picked up a rock. He handed me the rock and said, "Look at this rock. These are all of your flaws and imperfections that I know that you struggle with. Now throw the rock." I did what He had asked and I threw the rock. He then said to me, "Now go find your rock." I looked out over the shore and there were thousands of other rocks that looked just like mine and there was no way of finding mine. God said, "All of these other rocks are the rest of the world. The same insecurities that you have are within a lot of others."

As I sat in tears listening to what He was saying I realized that God was speaking directly to me and I immediately jumped out of my seat, lifted my hands to the sky, and began to praise the wonderful name of God with all of my imperfect brothers and sisters of Christ.

My vision or meeting with God left me with a little interpretation of what should be done with what was shown to me. That night before I went to sleep I laid in bed and thought if there was more to what God was telling me than just "I love you for you." It dawned on me that God was sending me on a mission. By sending me out to find my rock I would be bound to pick up other rocks that looked similar to mine. Instead of realizing that they aren't my rock and just throwing them aside, He wants me to gather them and show them the love that He showed me. God wants me to go out and find the people that struggle with insecurities and self identity and let them know that He loves us and that His Son died on the cross for us.

God was trying to get me to see that eventually I will find my rock but He has other plans for me first before I find it.

Twenty Fourteen

2014 was a good year. It had a lot of joys, a lot of new experiences, a lot of growth, some pain and fears - as do most years. But overall this year felt like a stepping into myself, more of who I am and growing into the person I love being. 

So here are 14 highlights from the past year. 

1. Full Time Staff and Fundraising 

After some very difficult seasons, I felt a sense of joy to step into full time ministry. With that came fundraising. Fundraising was a great way to teach me about story-teling, dependence on Jesus, and humility. 

2. Maintaining and Making Friends 

Making friends outside of college is just hard. This year I've had a lot of new friendships occur, many mature and grow, and taking risks as some prepare to move away. But the friendships I've maintained over this year have been so sustaining to me this year. 

3. Pentatonix Concert 

They are just awesome. It was amazing. There was screaming and shouting and singing. Best mini road trip of the year.

4. Getting a Tattoo

I actually got 2 tattoos this calendar year. It feel surreal sometimes but both carry extremely special and important meaning to me. This is the story of the first one. The second one's story is coming soon. 

5. Supporting Sean and Jenel in the LA Marathon 

In March two of my students ran the LA Marathon. I was so proud of both of them for their perseverance, their training, and their fearlessness. They both inspired me to sign up for a half marathon in May of 2015. Also I got to randomly volunteer hand out water to runners! 

6. How I Met Your Mother Series Finale 

I had watched the show starting in season three. I followed the gang from New York for years. It was both exciting and sad to see the series finally come to a close. But I did finally get to meet the mother and that was legendary. 

7. Teaching Mark I at Catalina

I love teaching manuscript study. And preparing to teach the gospel of Mark was amazing. The text came alive for me again as I saw Jesus' compassion and power throughout the pages. 

8. Orientnation for New Staff (ONS) 

This was one of the best conferences I've been to with InterVarsity. I made lasting friendships, had an amazing breakthrough about my multi-ethnicity, and became reaffirmed in my calling to ministry. Table 9! Yeaaah! 

9. Visiting Nashville

Every year my best friend and I take a vacation. This year we broke our Portland/Seattle tradition to visit somewhere new. Here I grew to love country music, bought a pair of boots, and ate a ton of BBQ. 

10. Hiking to Glen Aulin 

We've talked about it for years and our family finally made this happen. It was a beautiful hike to see parts of Yosemite I had never seen before. I grew up camping here and I loved seeing a new things. 

11. Developing InterVarsity Leaders

This has been the year to develop new leaders in IV. We took on apprentices, taught leaders about intercession and prayer, took risks together. One of the most challenging and fulfilling seasons of ministry so far. 

12. Intercession and Prayer 

Thanks to Molly Ramos, I've learned a lot about intercession and prayer. I'm not an expert at it but I'm growing to see a deep need in my life to commit to interceding and praying on a much deeper level. 

13. Fall Conference 2014

This has been the most memorable Fall Conference I've been to date. Our speaker not only challenged our students to see God as immeasurably more, but I was able to seek healing from Jesus in some deep places. This was the start of some very important growth and seeking more of Jesus not just for my students but for me. 

14. My 27th birthday

I love birthdays and celebrating birthdays. This year was one of the best birthdays I've had. I felt celebrated and relaxed all at the same time. Pizza, card games, and Fast and the Furious movies will do that to a person. And yes even 27 year olds can still have sleepovers. 

Here's to many more adventures in 2015!