Hit the ground running...

That's my life!

I'm sorry... I've been a terrible blogger. I still haven't updated you on what happened in Texas and I'm leaving for Medford today.

Well, Texas was... incredible. I got to see people I hadn't seen in a long time that I've missed like crazy. We visited the Texas capitol two of the days which is, oddly enough, pink. We were there over Sunday, which turned out to be so amazing. First, we had an awesome worship set (which, granted, happened every day, but anyway...) then, Mr. Echols preached a very challenging sermon, followed by communion, and another awesome worship set. Then we all went off (or stayed on, as the case was with some of us) for service projects, then came back for another great worship set! I love TeenPact! The rest of the week was just as amazing, though in different ways.
And, of course, I played Ultimate Frisbee!
If I were to sum up what I learned, it would be this way...
We sang "You're Beautiful" by Phil Wickam right at the beginning of the week. If you haven't heard it, it's about two posts down. I had never heard it before, and so was discovering the song as we went along. So, after singing to incredible verses about how majestic God is and how His beauty is displayed in the sunrise, the third verse took my breath away.

I see You there, hanging on a tree,
You bled and then You died and then You rose again for me,
Now You are sitting on Your heavenly throne,
Soon we will be coming home.
You're beautiful.

Between that experience, other songs we sang, and some challenging words by Lydia, I came away with a renewed sense of just how beautiful, strange, and life changing the gospel is.

He died for me?

So, that is Texas. The flight back was long and a baby cried the whole way, but I was with friends, so it was okay.

And, of course, all the Oregonian Rainmakers brought the rain with them. :)
Y'all are awesome!
And now, I've hit the ground running (four algebra lessons on Monday to catch up!) and I'm off again. To Medford, for the Clarion Speech and Debate Tournament! Woot!
First qualifier of the season. Pray for us! I'll be competing in Team Policy (ahhh....), Apologetics (my box is uncomfortably empty), and impromptu (for which, of course, I have no box at all.)

This should be fun.

And so, the process of the transformation of Rachel Lynn continues... on the road...

And yes... I am saying y'all now.