So I realize it has been awhile since I have posted anything, it's been a whirlwind of a week! I have been trying to spend a good amount of time outside...it is definitely fall here in the Ozarks. The weather has been changing but still staying in the upper 60s to mid-80s, we have had many of what I like to call "perfect autumn days". I'm so blessed to live in such a beautiful place to enjoy God's creation.
This past week in class, Keith spoke to us about developing our vision statement. Basically, a vision statement is taking a step back to evaluate your life and figure out what you want to accomplish, how you expect to fulfill what God has called you to do, and why you are bringing these dreams to reality. I have always had sort of a mental vision statement, but it was good to be able to work through some of that on paper. Your calling does not necessarily have to be your occupation, yet oftentimes these overlap, which is great because everything is about discipleship...God calls us to make disciples of all nations. I feel like at this point, some of us still do not know what exactly we want to do when we "grow up", but our calling as Christians is to be all there and to be the best, wherever God takes us. Pretty exciting, if you ask me :)
The rest of the week was spent listening to Mitch Maher walk through the Bible. At this point, we have read "30 days to understanding the Bible" by Max Anders, heard a week of teaching from Karen Chancey, and a week from Mitch Maher. I think it's been very helpful to hear the same material taught in 3 different ways. On Friday, we began our Precepts discussion groups. We are doing our inductive study on the life of Abraham, which is really interesting so far! I'm excited to dig deeper in understanding of the Scriptures that I have always just merely read over.
Friday was a monumental day....I turned 25 :) I woke up that morning and my roommates, Sarah, Courtney, and Addie had decorated my room with posters and balloons and baked me a cake! They made me a "healthy cake"...it was only Sprite and cake mix...yum.
A few of us girls went to lunch at one of my favorite places here in Branson...it's a Mediterranean Deli called Vaskens!
On top of all the love I got from my incredible KI family, I received many phone calls, texts messages, and cards from my family and friends. Thanks everyone :)
And to make things even better....Tim came to visit for the weekend. :) He arrived Friday night and we went to dinner at the Candlestick Inn, a delightful little restaurant with a fantastic view of Lake Taneycomo. The specialty that night was kangaroo...and though it was tempting (ha!), I opted for the vegetable wellington and Tim ordered chicken cordon bleu. After our dinner, we headed to the Landing. I really didn't know what was going on but knowing Tim, I knew it was something special! :) After we parked at the Landing, he pulled out a cooler from the back...he had brought gelato (he knows how much I love gelato) packed in ice all the way from Kansas City! Since it was such a beautiful night, we took our gelato (lemon, chocolate, and strawberry with fruit toppings) and ate it on the landing in front of the water and fire show. It was wonderful.
Saturday we went to get coffee at my favorite little coffee shop, Vintage Paris. I studied a bit, as I had our Bible Overview test on Monday...then we went to lunch at Vaskens. Did I mention I love that place?! That afternoon, we went to see some of my small group girls play volleyball at the RecPlex, then hit up the Tanger Outlets for some shopping.
Later that evening, we met up with a bunch of Institute people at a favorite BBQ dive, Danna's, then onto another Institute fave for dessert...Andy's frozen custard. Delicious.
On Sunday, we went my church (FBC Branson) then met up with more KI friends for lunch. Studying filled most of the afternoon followed by another visit to the Landing. It's great to be able to enjoy this awesome weather. Monday was the big test, which turned out to be quite alright! We also began our Apologetics class with lesson one of "The Truth Project", which is what we will be watching and discussing all this week. We had lunch with my dear friend Sam at Sugarleaf, and browsed around the Kris Kringle Christmas Shops (Branson loves Christmas!) Later that afternoon, we were able to take a drive through the Ozarks to a fun lookout point, visit a fish hatchery, and have dinner at the Bleu Olive...another Mediterranean delight. It was a perfect ending to a wonderful weekend. :)
Until next time...
A few of us girls went to lunch at one of my favorite places here in Branson...it's a Mediterranean Deli called Vaskens!
On top of all the love I got from my incredible KI family, I received many phone calls, texts messages, and cards from my family and friends. Thanks everyone :)
And to make things even better....Tim came to visit for the weekend. :) He arrived Friday night and we went to dinner at the Candlestick Inn, a delightful little restaurant with a fantastic view of Lake Taneycomo. The specialty that night was kangaroo...and though it was tempting (ha!), I opted for the vegetable wellington and Tim ordered chicken cordon bleu. After our dinner, we headed to the Landing. I really didn't know what was going on but knowing Tim, I knew it was something special! :) After we parked at the Landing, he pulled out a cooler from the back...he had brought gelato (he knows how much I love gelato) packed in ice all the way from Kansas City! Since it was such a beautiful night, we took our gelato (lemon, chocolate, and strawberry with fruit toppings) and ate it on the landing in front of the water and fire show. It was wonderful.
Saturday we went to get coffee at my favorite little coffee shop, Vintage Paris. I studied a bit, as I had our Bible Overview test on Monday...then we went to lunch at Vaskens. Did I mention I love that place?! That afternoon, we went to see some of my small group girls play volleyball at the RecPlex, then hit up the Tanger Outlets for some shopping.
Later that evening, we met up with a bunch of Institute people at a favorite BBQ dive, Danna's, then onto another Institute fave for dessert...Andy's frozen custard. Delicious.
On Sunday, we went my church (FBC Branson) then met up with more KI friends for lunch. Studying filled most of the afternoon followed by another visit to the Landing. It's great to be able to enjoy this awesome weather. Monday was the big test, which turned out to be quite alright! We also began our Apologetics class with lesson one of "The Truth Project", which is what we will be watching and discussing all this week. We had lunch with my dear friend Sam at Sugarleaf, and browsed around the Kris Kringle Christmas Shops (Branson loves Christmas!) Later that afternoon, we were able to take a drive through the Ozarks to a fun lookout point, visit a fish hatchery, and have dinner at the Bleu Olive...another Mediterranean delight. It was a perfect ending to a wonderful weekend. :)
Until next time...
Love the blog Asha! Tim was so sweet to bring you gelato, such a romatic! I'm so happy for you two. It seems like you're having a wonderful time down there. We'll keep you in our prayers. Can't wait to see you over Christmas!
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