Airline Revelation

Recently when I was praying I heard God say to me, “I will always take care of you.” Those were some sweet words to hear then and have continued to be very comforting these past few weeks.

Today I was traveling on Delta Airlines (the only way to fly if you ask me!) and I realized this is the same reason why I love Delta - they take care of me! Let me give you a recap of my flight to show you what I mean!

I was the last passenger proceeding on the plane and I couldn't seem to find a spot for my bag. Immediately Cindy, the stewardess notices and says, “Come here sweetheart we will find a spot.” Sweetheart?! My heart melted right there! Cindy found a spot for my luggage in the very back and then she realized my seat was way upfront, so she said “Why don’t you sit in the exit row (with no one next to me)!!" Ah, yes please! God sure does LOVE me!

As I sat down I saw the gentlemen next to me take off his shoes and I thought that’s right let’s get cozy, so I took mine off too! He instantly looked at me and smiled and then asked if I wanted a blanket as well?! I said, Is the Pope Catholic? Heck Yes, I will take a blanket! Actually I just said Yes with a smile, but you get my excitement!

As we took off I was in the midst of a lovely quiet time snuggled up in my blanket with my feet up. Just as I was getting thirsty, Cindy came by with the drink cart! :) Another great perk about Delta – they give you snacks! I of course asked for both Pretzels and Cookies (Yes, Haley these cookies maybe for you!) and Cindy said, “Of course, sweetheart.” Again sweetheart?! Well that was it, I was done for. I sat back pretzels in hand along with my cold crisp Diet Coke and the revelation came – I love Delta….because they take care of me!

Then I look over and the guy next to me is having Rum & Coke with this shoes off and the couple in front of me are having wine. What is this place?! Airline Hideaway if you ask me.

The moral of the story – I want to be known as someone God uses to take care of people, in whatever big or small way that may be. As dumb as it sounds I felt encouraged and loved on that Delta aircraft and as Christ-followers we should be taking care of people way better than any secular company. Thank you Delta Airlines - I am challenged and a satisfied customer!

AND

Here are a few "Photo Booth" photos I took with little sweets, Eva!

At first she wasn't quite sure what I was doing! :)

But then she warmed up to it!

That's right - now were talking!! Aunt Kae Kae is the best!! :)

Softball Shenanigans

Awhile ago someone asked me what will change in my life once I am done working at Veritas.

My response - "Hopefully nothing"

An example of this is Katie & Megan. These past two months God has given me the privilege of meeting with them and seeing first hand His redeeming work in them!

Megan (left) & Katie (middle)

We spent an afternoon on the softball field - pure delightful! Reminds me of the good ole days!

Here's Megan trying to teach me how to juggle. When I first met Megan she had a lot of questions and was intrigued by my walk with God. I did a lot of talking and she did a lot of listening and not much talking. She knew about God but knew there was so much more she was missing.

About 1 minute into learning how to juggle, I said "I don't think I am going to get it, mainly because I don't care." Not having a job leaves me highly unmotivated from time to time!

Here's Katie putting me to shame juggling. When I first met Katie she was lost - simple as that. She had TONS of questions and little self esteem (she barely looked at me our first convo). She has had a hard past to say the least which has allowed for some great honest and real conversations.

Katie is also going to play softball at Luther College. She's legit!

Yes, I just threw 5 balls up in the air. Don't be impressed!

AND here are some more shots with me in the gear!

I know. I look tough! :)

These past couple months God has done nothing but bring these two closer to Him, it's been AWESOME to be on the Front Lines :) of their stories!

These paragraphs give you a glimpse into what God has done!

Katie's recent revelation - it's MONEY!

Everyone fears death and mourns those that they have lost but shouldn't we be doing the exact opposite? Now I'm not saying we should want to die and that we should be happy when people pass away, but we should look at it as a miraculous thing. If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior and if you know God, death will be the best thing that ever happened to you. Yes we all have things we want to accomplish and we all want to live long lives and we should do our best to do that, but living on Earth is nothing compared to living in Heaven. Heaven is the most amazing place ever created and God gives us the privilege of being able to go there for eternity.

Megan's recent thoughts on this upcoming year - again MONEY!

My biggest theme recently is being more conscious of living my life for him. I’ve always been a relatively nice person (no smart remarks please), I liked doing nice things for people but I did them selfishly, not to glorify him. I started a daily devotion before I leave for school in the morning and it’s been awesome. I love going into the day thinking “what is HE going to do today?”

God's also teaching me that he’s always there! Every time I even think about taking my eye off him he has been sending BIG signals (kinda like a fire…) to remind me of his love and his plan for me. It’s such a relief to trust him and not try to plan everything myself.

It's relationships like these that make the

waiting (for England) totally worth it!

Jesus Stuff & Adventureland

In Mark 1:9-13 God speaks over Jesus His identity - that He is His Son, He loves Him, and He is well pleased with Him. Jesus hadn't even started His ministry and God was declaring these truths over Him. And so it's the same with us. Before we ever "do" anything God tells us that we His children, He loves us, and He is pleased with us.

This is hard for me because I am a doer. I think most Americans are. Performing and having something to show for your day/life is important in our culture. It's how we determine success and attribute value to people and also how we attain our "identity". Yet in God's Kingdom success and worth are determined differently. God speaks over us who we are, it's not by anything we do.

In the past couple months many of the things that I find myself placing my identity in have been removed from my life which makes sense when your moving across the pond! So for the first time I think I am actually learning what it means to have my identity, my worth, and my value in Christ! (Email me if you would like a more detailed unpacking of this!)

FINALLY, this phrase that so many Christians throw around actually makes sense:)

Conclusion - experience really is the only way to learn anything!

AND

On a lighter note here's a few pics from my recent Adventureland adventure:)

10:30am - Get at me Adventureland!

Ms. Kari and I - she's a stud and a ride junkie!!

Tornado!!!!

Nothing like going on a coaster with a big ole turkey leg in your stomach!

Accompanied with a bag of Mini Donuts!

Kari & Emily - some of my favorite ladies this past year!!

These two are one of the many reasons I am SO thankful I moved to Iowa City!

We went to the circus, which was actually pretty good!

The main guy kept doing this "pose" above! Circus people are weird!

Full Day at Adventureland! We left happy!

Although this is how we really felt. Adventureland makes you dramatic!

AND here are a few things we learned after a day in the park:

1. People STILL have mullets

2. Mullets are still NASTY!

3. We don't want to be fat

4. Mini donuts are amazing (but in moderation- see #3)

5. The A-Step accompanied with a fist pump in the air is the ONLY way to end a roller coaster or water slide (see above picture) Thank you Lance & Emily for this discovery!

6. You absolutely MUST have a tattoo to ride every ride Adventureland has to offer.

7. Pizza Hut is a perfect way to end a day at the park, BUT easy on the breadsticks (see #3)

We really did "love it at Adventureland!"

Exactly...

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Summer Reading & My New Nephew

A few books I have been reading this summer...

Understanding the Dreams You Dream by Ira Milligan

This was helpful in understanding how God speaks through dreams!

I look forward to re-reading this one.

Adventures in the Prophetic by lots of authors

Once again a book to get me fired up about the power and authority

we have through the Holy Spirit!

Covenant & Kingdom by Mike Breen

It takes you through the major themes of the Bible (Covenant & Kingdom).

This book is solid - a must read!

Launching Missional Communities by Mike Breen & Alex Absalom

This book truly is a "field guide" and explains all you need to know about missional communities. I highly recommend it if your church is headed in this direction!

Voice of God by Jack Greene

Maybe one of the best books I have read on what the Bible says about the Holy Spirit,

hearing from God, etc... I am LOVING this!

AND INTRODUCING............

the newest addition to the Schaefer family - my nephew Ethan James!

He sleeps A LOT!

I mean come on - does it get any better than this?

He smiles and giggles in his sleep - ADORABLE!

Deep Thoughts by Mikaela Schaefer

In my time of waiting I have had time to reflect on the past couple years and the future that lies ahead of me. As a journaler I often spend time writing down my thoughts, prayers, and feelings, but it has been good to spend a little extra time in some "deep" reflection.

Think - Saturday Night Live, Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy :)

So without further delay, here are a few of my Deep Thoughts:

The Holy Spirit is stinking ridiculous and I want to be more and more aware of it in my everyday life!

You can't take people where you haven't been.

I always want to be in a place where I am invested in and not just accepted in.

When I am finding my identity and worth in Christ, I have freedom to live fearlessly for God's kingdom because I am not worried what people will think about me.

8 out of 10 times I prefer a small group or one on one setting vs large groups.

I am an introvert and need time alone to really refresh and energize me.

My best and favorite mentors and friends have been people that have been great listeners.

I shouldn't take myself so seriously.

I am more productive with routine in my life.

The Bachlor/ette should be watched every season - kind of not joking!

It's always worth it to follow God and not to please people.

Staff retreats are way better with a boat and jet skis.

It really is all about communication!

I really enjoy encouraging people (specifically notes) and need to continue loving on people in that way!

My last couple blogposts included recent wedding pictures,

so I thought I would post some pics of my friends whose weddings I will miss :(

Sarah - this girl can make a mean cross stitch and she can cook!

Shoot, how do I get into her family?!

I would marry Evee in a heartbeat because I would never stop laughing!

I am smiling just thinking about her! :)

Jenn (right)

The first word I think of with Jenn is potential!

I am so excited to see where God is gonna take Jake & Jenn!

Slyvia (left) - also known as Sylvia

Sly-via is one of the best friends to have because 1. she will laugh at your jokes!

2. she's authentic which means we have great convos!

Love you all and I am SO bummed I will miss your big day!

When God asks hard things & wedding goodness!

Think of the hardest thing God has ever asked you to do.

Now imagine your Abraham and God is asking you to sacrifice your only son.

I can't even imagine doing that, let alone having a son right now! HA! Regardless I think we can learn a thing or two from a few "steps" Abraham took in following through with what God asked of him. Here's what I gathered after re-reading the account in Genesis 22.

1. Early the next morning Abraham set out - v. 3 (without delay he obeyed)

2. When he had cut enough wood - v. 3b (he prepared for what was ahead )

3. We will worship - v. 5 even in the midst of something hard he worshiped! (I am so curious what this looked like and what was going through his heart, especially with his son right next to him)

4. he himself carried the fire and the knife - (maybe I am reading too much into this but there seems to be a sense of responsibility/ownership in him carrying this vs his servants)

5. God himself will provide the lamb - v. 8 (he continues to speak truth)

6. Then he reached out his knife to slay his son - v. 10 (follow-through)

7. There in the thicket he saw a ram - v. 13 (God's faithfulness)

8. v.15-18 - Rewards of obedience

And on a less serious note here are pictures from yet another wedding!

I must admit I am not a big wedding fan BUT these past two have been a blast!

Margy - she can't keep her hands off me! Who can blame her?! HA!

My partner in crime : Executive Buxton with Executive Schaefer

or should I say Ruth and Anita?! (It's a long story)

Donnelly - what a lovely lady! We were trying to spell out KLMJ (her Dad's radio station)Another long story!

Ohhh Margy - She's one of those friends that we never really hung out in college,

but now we are "tight" - as they say!

AND last BUT not least the Beautiful Bride - Mrs. Stephanie Larscheid

Steph and I meet the first day of college and were best buds ever since!

The first day we met I asked her if anyone ever called her "phanie" instead "steph".

She laughed and said No BUT somehow the nickname stuck!

Your welcome StePHANIE:)! It's amazing after that we remained friends.

Some of my best times were had with this lovely lady! She will always remain a favorite friend of mine and I will always smile when I think about our times together!

Congrats Steph:)!