Focus Institute Series

I know the series thing is so cliche, but I'm not smart enough* to try to think of a more clever title, so just deal with it...

I can honestly say, by far and away, my experience at Focus on the Family Institute (FFI) was the most transformational 3 1/2 months of my life as a Christian. However, I have a hard time conveying that experience. I realize when I do talk about my experience at FFI, and I do it a lot**, most people just give me this blank "deer in headlights" stare back. So I figured I would write a short synopsis (in series form) on my experiences while living in CO Springs and taking classes at FFI. Hopefully, through stories and pictures, everyone will have a slightly better idea of why I deeply love Colorado, FFI, and the people I met there.

*by not smart enough I mean too lazy to think of/look up a synonym
**This means an inordinate amount (like Steve Conn talking about Taylor University or Cubs fans talking about this year being 'the year')

Changing Relationships

It's all about relationships! This has become my theme recently and maybe has even become a crutch to me at times. However, God has placed this innate desire for deep relationship within us, and as much as we can hate relationships in our lives, we sure can't survive without them.

Over Thanksgiving a couple weeks ago, I experienced quite a few changing/new relationships. It was interesting to see how I felt towards each one as I experienced that change. For the sake of length, I will just mention a couple.

I started a brand new relationship (as new as I think you can get) with Preston Quinn Miller, my newborn nephew. He is so tiny, and as I held him for the first time, I felt this rush of joy and excitement in me. It wasn't that I knew this little guy so well, but the fact that there was a new, meaningful relationship in my life. It's amazing what a new life brings to your world.

The second one was saying goodbye to an old high school friend who is going to Turkey to be a full-time missionary. Just for precaution, I won't mention her name, but I'm assuming most of you know this person. It was a mixed bag of emotions saying goodbye to a longtime friend. On one hand I was sad to see her go, but I was also full of excitement for the opportunities and experiences that await her on the mission field. I don't know how much I'll see her the rest of my life, but I know that she is impacting lives for Christ and I'm proud of her for taking a step of courage and faith and living with abandon. What's great is that because of our connection in Christ (coupled with great technology) our relationship doesn't have to end, it's just going to look a lot different.

Maybe I'll mention my other changing relationships in another post, but reflecting on these two was enough for me to be reminded to live with intention every day. In light of that, I would just remind everyone to invest in the people around you, because you never know when your last day together will be.