Take me Back!

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What a week!  I am so grateful to be coming home refreshed and energized after an amazing week in Orlando, FL.  It started with my sister, Catherine, and me flying down last Monday and hitting the ground running for four days in Disney.  Neither of us had been since we went on a family vacation there in 1997, and we had a blast exploring the parks.  Even as an adult, that place is still magical (though admittedly stressful at times too!).  We were a bit shocked at how crowded it was for this time of year, and we didn’t necessarily get to do every ride and attraction we wanted to, but you will never hear me complain about the chance to walk around in 80+ degree temperatures in February!
Visit to France in Epcot

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Just a couple of grown adults, geeking out over Cinderella's Castle!

     On Thursday afternoon, my FCA teammate Denise (Women’s Ministry Director in MD) picked Catherine and me up at our hotel and brought us to the Orlando Marriott World Center for FCA’s Realtime 2018, a conference that happens once every three years.  From Thursday night through Sunday morning, over 1700 FCA staff and spouses from 43 different countries gathered for worship, teaching, and fellowship.  Some of our speakers this year included NCAA analyst Clark Kellogg, former professional soccer player and director of Christians in Sport Graham Daniels, LSU soccer All-American and Best Selling author Mo Isom, and comedian Michael Junior.  We also heard from members of our National Board of Trustees and teammates from all over the world on how God is at work through FCA in so many different capacities.  Our president, Shane Williamson, also presented our newly tweaked vision and mission.  In the past, FCA has been largely known as a “presenting” ministry, much due to the camps that we’re known so well for.  But over the past year, our focus has really shifted and we are honing in on the importance of discipleship with the coaches and athletes in our ministry.  Having just come out of the IF: Gathering the week before, this discipleship focus resonated so much with me. 

FCA's new vision and mission.
Graham Daniels did an amazing job with our teaching over the four days.  He based his talks on Psalm 137:4, “How can we sing the songs of Zion while in a foreign land?”, while leading us through the first four chapters of Daniel.  Mo Isom was incredible as she shared her testimony and the impact FCA has had on her life.  What was particularly special about that is the fact that the staff who poured into her throughout her college career are still on staff.  One of her LSU teammates also came on staff a few years ago, so the talk she gave was personal as so many people she knew were in the audience.  I can’t wait to hear her speak again at our regional Remarkable Girls Conference in just a few weeks!


Loved hearing from author and speaker Mo Isom!


Though there is much to do now to get caught up from being away for an entire week, the trip was such a blessing, both personally and professionally.  I’m so thankful for a sweet time with Catherine and this ministry that does such a wonderful job equipping its staff to see the world influenced by Jesus Christ.   

Catching up with my huddle from October's New Hire Training

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