The Saxon's Cat Check Up

Adventures in Colorado: Work hard, play hard.

Adventures in Colorado:

Thanks to a flexible work schedule, I have every other Friday off (if I take it) since I work every other Saturday. So, this past weekend I was able to go visit some special friends in Colorado that I went to college with.

1) Psychologists to be- I visited with four lovely ladies that all live together and (3 of the 4) are receiving their masters in Counseling from Denver Seminary. They live in a 2 bedroom apartment, where they have a sleep room with two sets of bunk beds and a study room, where they study, or Skype with their long distance boyfriends ;-) Needless to say, though it was not too long ago, this was a flashback to the very exciting dorm life I experienced at Covenant! Talk about sharing your life with others, whether you like it or not! You have NO privacy. And if you know me at all, you know I don't have much need for personal space/ time. I loved the hours we spent in the tiny family room that night discussing their clientele and the intricacies of addiction, abuse, etc. Sweet taste of fellowship.

Focus on the Family- Adventures in Odyssey

2) Atlantan's- Second leg of the trip I was able to see some friends that live here in Atlanta! They were visiting for their spring break so we traveled to Colorado Springs together to visit Focus on the Family and Garden of the Gods. We were almost ready to leave the book store at Focus on the Family when Jesus himself set a colorful sign in our exit path. This sign directed us to a whole 'nother level of life: "Whit's End". Some of you know Mr. Whittaker from the Adventures in Odyssey, but for those of you who don't, i'm sorry. Anyways, our watches anxiously ticked with the little hand on the 27th minute and the big hand between the 10 and 11 when we were asked by an angel (employee) if we wanted to part of a recording session for Adventures in Odyssey at 11:30. Done and done. It was perfect. 

Team prayer before the big State Championship game

3) When silver is better than gold- I then hitched a ride with my friend's husband to her state basketball semi-final game. She is the assistant coach to her father-in-law for Evangelical Christian Academy. They qualified for the finals from a jump shot with 2 seconds left on the clock to take it into overtime. I was able to stay at the hotel with the team and coaching staff, following a late night meal at IHOP after the victory. The whole girls' team was zeroed in on me telling funny stories about their assistant coach, my former teammate. Next day, was the big state championship game! (Oh don't worry, I was totally living  through them vicariously) I was lucky enough to sit in their last team Bible study for the year. We spent close to an hour praising the Lord, through song and prayer for his blessings this season. The Head Coach told the girls, he is not concerned about the basketball player they have become, but that every player knows Christ as their personal savior. His wife spoke to the girls about praising the Lord in all circumstances, not just when things go their way. There was no doubt in mind that those girls were changed forever. They recognize the emptiness in winning a 1st place spot, without a God to thank and praise in ALL circumstances. The lady eagles lost by 3 points that night. But in this case, I honestly think silver is better than gold.

4) Home- I made it back to Denver that night after hitching a ride back with three different 'new' mutual friends. The night was full of teamwork! The next day I felt a little woozy! Think it was altitude sickness, or an overdose on fun. Probably both. I stayed with a friend I also knew from college, though we didn't become friends until after school. She, her father, and her pastor joined us to Honduras last October. 2/3 of them are committed to going back again in September! We had a relaxing day, but still very eventful! She took me and her two younger siblings to see Red Rocks Amphitheater. By far the sickest concert venue I have ever seen! Don't you agree?

Red Rocks Amphitheater

Then we had dinner with her family, who lives only a couple miles from her house. I also was able to sit in a Bible Study that her pastor leads at her house. We talked about the concept of home, out of chapter 6 in The Prodigal God, written by Tim Keller. What is home? Where is home? Is it a physical place? Is it the company of certain people? Where or with whom you feel most at home on this earth will eventually cease to exist. Home is with Jesus. This should redefine hope.

Red Rocks, CO

This trip I wanted to see my friends in their element. I wanted to see their families and their day to day activities. This makes me feel alive. Life is too short to, "work to live, and live to work." I know I am very blessed to have the resources and time to make trips, but it's also because I make it a priority. 

Work hard, play hard.

Special shout out to Chelsea! Thanks :)