Summer Bible Study...part 1

Summer. The word just makes me take a deep breath. I want to share what God did this summer at PiNK, but I 'm going to warn you - It's going to take a few blogs!

I'm still in complete awe of this summer. To be really honest with you, I've been putting off blogging about this because it's so overwhelming all that God did, and I truly want to share it all with you - it's just sometimes I have to sit back and realize all that has happened. Then, if I sit back too long I will forget it. Therefore, I figured I'd better blog now! :)

Hoarders was the theme of this years summer Bible study. I knew it was going to be a summer to remember from the beginning because the devil did not want us moving an inch as we were preparing for summer study.

The LORD started clearly talking to me about the study of Hoarders last year. First, before anything - He started working on me. (Which is the best...I don't ever at any point want to get up and speak to any group without the LORD speaking and dealing with me before I teach on that subject). It was a season of cleaning out some things I didn't want to let go of - forgiving people that hurt me, trusting the LORD's plan, and so on... it's such a freeing feeling letting go! I had to let go of things that I was holding onto tightly and didn't even realize. I'm so glad I serve a patient God - He knows exactly how to deal with me. :)

At that point - God really started speaking to me on what He wanted the girls to hear this summer. I was beyond excited to share what the LORD had in store.

There was the issue of finding a location because of our growing group. We actually had canceled Bible study, but then the LORD opened a door at one of our girls' home. We fit at their house for about 2 weeks, but then we jumped locations again... I'm telling you - it was a roller coaster of a summer. All of this is so not me... I'm a full-out planner and like to have everything perfect way ahead of time. The LORD was truly streching me.

The first week of Bible study we did some evaluating of ourselves. We talked about what we are Hoarding in our lives that needs to be cleaned out.

We asked ourselves: What am I HOARDING? What is keeping me from moving closer to God? Friends, boyfriend, filthy language, TV shows, music, gossip, bullying, drinking, drugs, and disobeying parents were a few examples the girls laid down that night at Bible study and said no more. We each declared: "I don't want the things of the world - I only want Jesus." Let me tell you, friend. That kicked off our 7 week journey of Bible study this summer.

From there we saw God move in the girls' lives in ways I can't even begin to tell you. True transformation began to happen that only He can do. Lives given to Him, girls seeing that there is more to this life than just what the world has to offer, girls began to see the hope in Jesus. They didn't have to "hoard" and carry around this junk anymore.

More to come... here are a few fun pics from the summer!

Recently...

Recently, it's been insane over here... I'm so thankful for summer, though. It's such a great and fun time for ministry with the girls, but to tell ya it's been crazy for PiNK's staff schedules would be putting it lightly.

I wanted to check in and give you a quick update on summer so far... and even better, I thought I would do it through photos.

First, here is a very small and hard to see photo of some of the girls attending Hoarders Summer Bible Study... God has been blowing our socks off. Tuesday nights have been the highlight of my summer.

My sweet cousin, Emily, came to visit us from Kansas. We had a blast with her while she was here.

Emily, Mom, and I went to Painting with a Twist one night - we had a blast.

Showing how we got paint all over us!

We made a road trip up to A&M for the day to show Emily around campus and hopefully convince her to move back down here in a few years and become a future Aggie.

The three of us also ventured to the Kemah Boardwalk for a day!

So sad to see her leave. Love her oh so much! Between some long car rides, movies, countless hours of games, pedicures, manicures, painting, shopping, and digging into God's Word, we had a blast with her here.

If you know me, I haven't ever really used the crock pot. My closest friends say it's a true blessing to any woman... So, I gave it a try to and cooked a roast, potatoes, and carrots last week and we loved it. The house smelled amazing all day.

With the leftovers from the roast, I made a homemade beef potpie! Oh, happy day!

This summer, PiNK Ministries started a college girls night on Thursdays called - ChickChat Night. This has been a powerful time of talking about a passage from a book and praying together. It's been a true blessing to me personally, and I've enjoyed every moment with them. I've loved just talking 'til the wee hours of the morning, crying, and gut laughing 'til my stomach's hurt. Here are a few of the girls from ChickChat Night.

Here is the book the girls at ChickChat Night and I have been using for our group discussions. I love this book! I'm actually going to be blogging about Notes for the Goats soon. Amber, the author, is a firecracker for Jesus, and hearing her heart and passion for Him through the pages is amazing. The girls and I are loving it.

Of course, I'm loving working with PiNK's interns this summer! They have been a pure joy and God-send to me. I'm sure going to miss them.

On Friday we had a staff lunch here, and I just love love love this place.

This season with the LORD is one that will go down in the books. I've been journaling a ton in this season. With so much going on... I mean so much... it has done me a world of good to journal and write down what the LORD is showing and teaching me. This scripture below just popped at me the other day, and I decided to write it on the board in our kitchen.

Sweet morning time with my Savior.

I love my job and just have to tell you a few of my favorite things about it...

Of course digging into and sharing the Word of God with people is my favorite, but here are a few others...

Praying and believing with girls!

Spending sweet, quality time with them...I wish I could remember to take a photo with all the girls I have a date with, but here are a few I remembered...

Finally - some random favorite things recently...

My friend popped in the other week with a bag of these and ever since I've been addicted.

A sweet necklace I got with the girls shopping. Love this and the flower is pink (of course).

A new headband. I'm so loving the trend of having flowers in your hair. This one is super cute, big, and pink. My momma picked it up for me... she's so awesome!

Hope you are having a wonderful and blessed summer!

Don't want this summer to end...

Seriously? I am in complete denial...I walk into the stores and see school supplies and just don't want to believe we are almost at the end of summer. I feel like this summer went by so quickly, but God has accomplished so much.

At the beginning of Summer I challenged the girls to allow God to shake them up this summer and don't go back to school in the fall the same person as when they left. Instead when they go back to be someone who is more in love, awe, and excited of who God is and His Word. I love hearing the stories from them of that happening, but I can tell you one thing for sure - God rocked my world this summer. He showed me more of Him everyday, I became more in awe of Him so much, and I have a new level of excitement for Him and His Word. I pray God showed and revieled Himself more to you this summer as well...

Here are a few snap shots from the past couple of weeks...

Hanging out a Starbucks with some of the girls...

Catching up with my sweet Christine!

I made these homemade Cinnamon Rolls from scratch... dough and all, ladies! It was so much fun and I had my parents over for a Saturday Breakfast/Brunch!

Hanging out with my awesome Julia!

Sorry this is blurry... but it was a fun dinner night with the girls at Olive Garden! Just love love love them soo much! They are going to shake this world for Jesus!

It's been crazy...

I don't know about you but these summer months, weeks, even days seem to be just flying by. I wish it was not so...I just want to sit and just soak it all in, but that is not the case right now. I have so much to tell ya...tons to catch up on. So just prepare yourself...this is going to be long.

First, we wrapped up the Girl's Summer Bible Study- Sex and the City last Monday. It was such a fun fun night. I can't even begin to express how much the Bible Study changed my life and loved what God taught each of us. It was an awesome time and I soo miss studying the Word with everyone.

Here are a few photos of the last couple of weeks.

This was week 3 -

Week 4

Week 5 -

One of the things everyone just loved each week...

The girl's are so precious. They bought me these wonderful gifts at the end of the study...crazy about them!

This really shows how behind I am on blogging...we celebrated my awesome Mom's birthday a few months back and had such a fun time celebrating her. We had a garden party - if you know my mom...you know she is a garden freak! Here are some fun photos from her fun night...

Isn't that crown awesome? I just love it and the birthday Queen! She was so fun to celebrate!

My cousins from Kansas came to visit. He had such a fun fun time.

Love love love my family. Here a few snap shots from the time they were here.

One of my man and I's friends moved a couple of years ago to Seattle. They mean so much to us and are just so dear to our hearts. They were both in our wedding and we have been friends now for about 8 years. She was in town and we got to catch up over lunch with their beautiful daughters...

Sorry this photo is blurry...I'm not that great at taking photos with my iPhone.

Also, another one of our very close friends came to visit Houston. We caught up with them and some of our close friends over dinner. It was such a fun night and loved seeing them! They will never know how precious they are to each of us...we love love love them and their family a ton!

This photo of us took like 5 previous takes! Haha...love it. Miss her!

Last, I'm currently gearing up for the fall (which is sad to say that is around the corner). I'm currently doing 2 very awesome Bible Studies. I'm studying Esther and Ruth. Loving them both for different reasons. I love how God puts the right things for you to study at the perfect season in your life. He's so amazing!

Hope you have enjoyed your summer so far and continue to take each day in for what God has in store.