love captured on a phone.

Every now and then you have a weekend that is just what you need. I just had a weekend like that. It was so full of things I love. people I love.

*I loved the 17 plus hours driving in the car with Bri.


*I loved crossing into WV(& staying in WV all weekend)!


*I loved that it was actually FALL there. The leaves were starting to turn. The crispness was in the air. ((It still acts like summer where I am from)).

*I loved getting quality time with Ashley: so. much. fun.


*I loved getting quality time with April! We launched into deep convos almost every second that we were together. It was refreshing!!


*I loved watching the groom & his men watch a golf game in the distance for a LONG time:


*I loved watching the bride prepare for her groom:


*I loved the ceremony: beautiful.


I LOVED the program:


I loved the rose petal aisle:


Most of all I loved this:

Congrats Chris & Amanda!

The team.

I am in full-time campus ministry. And, I just love it. I am in the midst of a new school year on 4 campuses. Each day is wild. Each day I see God in a new way.


But, the thing that restores me the most these days is a group of people that I sit in a circle with every Monday morning from 9-11:30. It's a group of people that listen well & laugh often. They pray HARD and care deeply. They carry dry-erase boards and boxes of water bottles across 95 degree campuses. They help carry burdens too. They don't complain. They drive hundreds of miles/week to care for students. They are honest about insecurities. They put others ahead of themselves. They stand at CCC info tables and do "the small talk" thing for hours on end. They love well. They work hard even the day after serious surgery. They text encouragements. They rub your back when you cry. They make thousands of copies of fliers. They pass out thousands of fliers. They arrive early. They stay late. They ask good questions. They love Twix & Snickers. They are gracious. They pursue purity. They initiate conversations with new students until they are blue in the face. They carry sound equipment up long staircases. They see the best in people when I don't. They are funny. They pray to be bold. They are bold. They pray for new ways to share the gospel. They pray to see campuses changed. They are my staff team. They are an inspiration.





And, when you can't stop thanking God for such a dear team you get an email that says another teammate is coming and SOON! Heather Louk will be here in 2 days- can't wait!!

Sunny With a High of 75.

As we walked in to the LAX airport I said a quick prayer under my breath: "God, please let our flight get cancelled! I want to explore LA! Amen." We were then hustled through security{all the while looking for famous people, come on LA is stocked with them!} Brian was hoping to see Kobe I was hoping for Taylor Swift or Frances Chan(or both!). We get to our gate and we are scheduled to leave right on time: bummer! I pop my Dramamine(flying freaks me out!)and walk to the Starbucks LINEEEE and wait for a scone. The girl behind me is questioned by the guy behind her about the book she is holding: Church Planting something something. He asks if it has something to do with gardening. She proceeds into a great convo about Jesus with this guy who has not had a positive experience with church. It was cool to hear her talk about Jesus- it encouraged my faith(and his too, I think). Apparently more can happen in the Starbucks line then I thought. I got my scone and then headed back to Brian. Flight still on time:bummer. I decide to sit on the floor-every seat in LAX was taken...the only spot left was next to 10 5th grade boys who were about to travel to Japan to compete in Battle of the Brains and represent America or something crazy. I've never been more entertained in my life by how intelligent and weird their conversations were. A few moments later I hear over the intercom: "Brian and Brooke Barnett please report to the US Airways counter". At first I thought I was just having a Dramamine side effect...but as I saw Brian get up I realized that YES our name was just announced throughout the airport. We roll our bags to the counter and they say: "You are getting on an EARLIER flight out of LA" Noooooo. Whyyyy? I want to stay where it's 75 and sunny! Where I am flying to has a 107 heat index! I prepare by myself to be on a plane sooner than I thought(I really do have to prepare myself for these kinds of things). Then, ALL of the sudden the lady at the counter says, "CANCEL THAT. It looks like your original flight will be leaving on time again." Oh, great. We wait for awhile now. I'm feeling really loopy. I get up(it's probably been 45 min now) and walk back up to the counter(The flight she wanted us to get on and then didn't want us to get on had been gone for 40 min now) and ask the lady what is the reason for the delay of our flight, she looks me in the face and says "Medical Emergency!" I lean and whisper in her ear, "I need to know if it's contagious!" she looks back and says, "no mam!". WHEW, close one. I turn back around and wait again. Moments pass and a new guy calls us over. He whispers "This flight isn't getting out of here anytime soon, WOULD YOU LIKE TO STAY ANOTHER NIGHT IN LA? You won't make your connecting flight in Philly so you might as well just stay here or sleep on the floor in Philly!" I quickly respond, "AHEM WE WILL STAY IN LA!" I look at my phone it's only 2:33pm- Brian and I have FOREVER to live it uppp in LA! Brian and I can't stop smiling! I thank God for hearing my prayer and answering my silly request. We even got $30 dollars from USAIRWAYS to cover a few meals. I said my goodbyes to the people I had gotten to know in the past 3 hours of my life. And, we ran out in to the SUNNY LA streets.
We booked a hotel.
We dropped our bags in the room.
We hopped on a trolley that took us straight to Manhatten Beach.
We watched people surf.
We watched the sunset.

We ate at Whole Foods.

We shopped in cute boutiques.

We never saw famous people.
We laughed a lot.
We took pictures:

East to West.

Back in May of 2004 I met Katy.
We've been Besties ever since.
The 2,728 miles between us just makes the visits even more special.

Here are some highlights from our recent trip to Cali-this time it wasn't just Scott & Katy we were visiting it was also Miles{the sweet new addition to their family}:

thankful.

Your love is strong.

This song has been the prayer of my summer. I just love it. I hope you love it too! The lyrics are below(it's simply scripture meshed into a song, powerful).



Heavenly Father
You always amaze me
Let your kingdom come
In my world and in my life
You give me the food I need
To live through the day
And forgive me as I forgive
The people that wronged me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one

I look out the window
The birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune
Or out of place
I walk to the meadow
And stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl
On her wedding day

So why do I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need

Chorus (3x):
Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong.

The kingdom of the heavens
Is now advancing
Invade my heart
Invade this broken townThe kingdom of the heavens
Is buried treasure
Will you sell yourself
To buy the one you've found?

Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me
Yes, you love me

(Chorus 3x)

Our God in heaven
Hallowed be
Thy name above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us wicked sinners
Lead us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons.



Amen.

Bestie's babe!

I'm finally an Aunt!(sort-of!)

My Bestie & her husband Scott had their first baby last Thursday night! Isn't he a doll? Less than 3 weeks til I get to kiss his cheeks! We could not be happier for Katy & Scott! Miles is going to have so much fun with them!!

This summer I have done a lot of thinking about three verses found in Mark chapter 12:
Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

During a quick trip to the library I came across a book called, 40 Days Living the Jesus Creed by Scot McKnight. It sounds intense and a little weird but let me tell you that I am just eating it up! It's a 40 day devo that helps you apply those 3 verses everyday.

About 4 days into this 40 day devo I was talking to a good friend on the phone. She was telling me that she had a court date coming up in a few days--after I asked her why she proceeded to tell me a story that I won't forget.

She said that a few months ago she was heading back home at like 1am to her apartment. To get back to her apartment she has to drive through the center of campus where there are lots of bars, etc. Night life is always booming! In the midst of the criwded streets she notices that there is a guy beating a girl on the side of the road to the point that she is laying on the sidewalk while the guy is yelling and hitting her. My friend notices people looking and walking away. She immediately pulls her car up on the the sidewalk right next to this scene, puts her 4 way flashers on and rolls down her window and yells for the vistim to get in her car...over and over she yells(All the while calling 911)! The girl will not escaoe to my friend's car. She even asks a guy that is looking at the scene to do something or say something to this abusive guy, he looks at my friend and then drives off. The guy that is continually beating this girl starts to yell back at my friend. She doesn't move. She stays until help comes. The police interview her and now she has a court date to testify as a witness.

Now, I wonder about what I would have done. I think if I had seen this same scene- I would have prayed really hard for them as I drove home to my comfy bed! But, I believe that my friend did JUST what Jesus calls us to do in Mark 12. She lived out what Jesus calls the greatest thing. She showed neighbor-love. She loved someone she didn't know as herself. I want to be like this.

Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?"He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise." Luke 10:36-37

Rite Aid

Have you seen those coupons in the weekly Rite Aid ad about receiving a $25 giftcard if you transfer your prescription to Rite Aid? I did it today. It was fun. My prescription only cost $4 & in return I received the glorious $25 giftcard. I went around the store and got things that we actually did need(ziplocs, toothpaste,body wash, etc...)The essentials only cost $10. So, I used the remaining $15 to get a Panera giftcard. Which means a fun date night out with Bri or 4ish morning trips to get a bagel & coffee. All on Rite Aid's tab:) love it. Transfer your prescriptions if you can:)

WVU friends to VA!

Recently in a 6 day span we had we had 6 friends(& a precious baby!) come in from out of town. It was such a FUN few days for us....

Here are a few pics from our time with Claire & Caleb & Lydia...talk about a family that keeps the Lord as the focus. It was really encouraging to live life with them for a few days.






Memorial day weekend brought in some really special friends, too:

Within the first hour of Laura getting into town we decided to make lemonade from scratch! It was sooo good(and so easy!).



we also had a picnic on the beach with PB&Js!




John Michael and Ashley were in town visiting family so we got to spend a little time with them! It was a blessing!!


Time for a Friday night date with Bri! Off to Five Guys where we will have a little Nertz competition! Our dear friends Abby & Steve taught us the other night- so fun! We can't get enough of it!

Rest.

So, I've been learning a lot the past 2 weeks on the importance of REST. After a FULL/FUN/CHALLENGING/BEAUITFUL/REFINING year of launching ministries--I think I've forgotten how to slowwww down. (And, sometimes I start to feel guilty for slowing down, yikes!) My prayer for the summer is that even though it will be busy that I will :embrace: the little moments to rest/restore.

Here are little -daily- things that help me(& hopefully you)rest/relax:(most of which are under $5)
*Trader Joe's Sparkling LIME Spring water! (.79!) This is a new love of mine. It's a GREAT calorie free complement to any snack, meal. *This has made limiting my Dr. Pepper consumption to 2/week easier:)
*Saturday morning blog reading!
*Last week I got a Library card! I wanna start reading more fiction books this summer...the first one I checked out::: The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks(don't hate)...i'm on page 160 of 390...so far it's pretty average but i am interested in how it will all end. What other books do you think I should check out this summer? I'd LOVE to hear suggestions!
*Playing Skipbo with Bri at Starbucks or Norfolk Ice Cream!
*Walking through our neighborhood with a good friend or a good talk on my Ipod(Louie Giglio,Francis Chan, Piper, Priscilla Shirer...). I need to blog about our neighborhood sometime-it's one of my TOP fav things about living in Norfolk.
*Watching Everybody LOVES Raymond reruns with Bri(&popcorn.)
*Trying new recipes! Cooking=rest to me. My summer goal is to try a new/fun recipe each week. Let me know if you have a good one I should try.
*Today to rest I woke up at 6:15am and cracked the window open so that I could clearly hear the birds singing. I know it sounds crazy but it was actually REALLLLY interesting to hear all the different songs birds sing.
*Curling up with any of the Better Homes and Gardens Creative Collection magazines. Especially 100 Decorating Ideas under $100. It only comes out 4 times a year--I get really pumped when there is a new issue!
*Workbooks! Last summer I did the Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed workbook by Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore, and Kay Arthur. This summer I am working on the "sequel" to that book, Faithful, Abundant, True. It's by the same 3 women. Love it. Has been a GREAT encouragement in my walk with the Lord.
*There's a dog park in my neighborhood! This dog park is always BUMPIN'! On average there are 15-20 dogs with 15-20 people standing around. I haven't gotten the courage YET but I am hoping to slip in without someone noticing that I am coming in without a dog...when i'm in I can just play with all the dogs(no one will know i'm dogless)..and then somehow I will slip out. This will def help me rest:) ha.

strawberries, salads, & sisters!

So on a semi-regular basis(daily) Kristin Boden and I check in with Bethany Dillon via her blog. Several weeks ago Bethany blogged about a Summer Strawberry Salad...yes please! And, tonight we made it...we even had a little Bethany playing via grooveshark in the background. As a side note, you should check out grooveshark! Recently someone shared with me about the beauty of grooveshark-all the music you want all the time, for free! It's a great thing!
Here are some cooking/food pics!:

Here is the recipe from Bethany's blog:
Summery Strawberry Salad

serves: 5 people (or 2 if those two are Shane & me)

1 container of pre-washed baby spinach
couple handfuls of ripe strawberries, washed and quartered
half of a Granny Smith apple, chopped into bite-size pieces
half to a whole handful (depending on how much you like gorgonzola) of crumbled gorgonzola cheese ** if you don’t like gorgonzola, feta or bleu cheese would work fine! I’m just a fan of gorgonzola’s strong flavor and richness
a GENEROUS handful (let’s make it one and a half) of walnuts and/or pecans (I prefer walnuts), toasted (if you like) and chopped
Brianna’s Blush Wine Vinaigrette (most groceries carry the brand – look for a pretty glass bottle with a picture of a strawberry on front)
To toast the walnuts or pecans:
1) Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.
2) Lightly coat the bottom of a glass baking dish (any size) with a couple tablespoons of melted butter or oil (walnut, vegetable, olive, any kind you have around).
3) Coarsely chop the walnuts and/or pecans, pour into baking dish and toss to evenly coat with butter/oil.
4) Sprinkle a couple teaspoons of sugar (sugar in the raw or organic sugar work great) on top, half a teaspoon of salt, and a LIGHT dusting of fresh ground black pepper. Toss again to coat.
5) Place in the oven until you begin to smell the nuts toasting, about 10 minutes. Be careful not to burn! (although I LOVE things burned. Seriously, I do.)
For the salad:
1) Take toasted nuts out of the oven, place on a plate to cool.
2) In a tall bowl, throw baby spinach, quartered strawberries, chopped apples, crumbled gorgonzola, and COOLED (or it will melt the cheese) walnuts/pecans.
3) Add the amount of vinaigrette you want, and then toss!
4) Put on a plate. Grab a fork. Go outside on your deck or backyard, find a sunny spot, and enjoy.

*We added chicken to it! We just cut up chicken into bite sized pieces and then browned it in a skillet with the help a little olive oil. After it was cooked all the way through we added just enough Strawberry Salad dressing to give the chicken a light glaze! It was great.

Thankful for:
Yummy salads!
Good music!
But mostly I am thankful for the sister I have in Kristin!
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17