Today I’m celebrating one year in full-time ministry. Holy cow – a year already? I can truly say that I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had no idea that my family would grow and stretch and change and be tested. I had no idea that maintaining friendships while working full-time and then some would be so hard. I had no idea that trying to run a business at the same time would push me to my limits.  Any yet….

…I had no idea how worth it all of that would be. Every life we reach for Jesus matters. That’s the beginning and the end of everything.

SO, while I owe my sweet husband and children every thanks and more gratitude than I could this single blog post could ever contain, I’d like to take a minute and speak to my Campus Experience Team. My other family. The people that wrapped me in their arms from the start and haven’t let go.

To Jason – The Pusher. Thank you for not allowing me to stay the same, especially when sameness feels so right and so easy. Thank you for letting me cry and instead of judging, handing me the tissues. Thank you for reassuring me that I’m more than enough when I don’t believe it. Thank you for seeing something in me when I couldn’t see it in myself many, many months ago and for reminding me it’s still there when I need it. Thank you for showing me grace when I don’t deserve it.

To Jeremy – The Protector. Thank you for making me feel safe. Thank you for making sure I’m taken care of and my ideas are heard. Thank you for margin and family time and for a steady assuredness that all is well, no matter how chaotic I feel inside. Thank you for holding doors and for making the big boys squish in the back seat so that I can be comfortable in the front. Thank you for seeing the softness that I brought to our team.

To Zach – The Teacher. Thank you for taking me under your wing and teaching me anything and everything about video and more. Thank you for helping me when I break all.the.things. Thank you for smiling when I have another question. Thank you for pastoring me when fear gets the best of me. Thank you for dreaming dreams in the same way that I do. The best is yet to come.

To Christian – The Caretaker. Thank you for checking in on me and making sure I have everything I need to be successful. Thank you for knowing my favorite type of cough drops and for keeping almond milk creamer in the fridge. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and your gentlemanly manner. Danelle is a lucky lady.

To Nathan – The Helper. Thank you for taking the time to explain cable management to me, for organizing all.the.things and for knowing way too much about everything. Thank you for lending a hand even though you aren’t required to. I know I can count on you.

To Chrissy – The Lord of the Hosts. Thank you for asking how my week was, how my family is doing and for always remembering when something noteworthy is going on in my life. Thank you for loving me well and giving my babies See’s suckers. Thank you for being an incredible example to me. I hope I can be as amazing as you are when I grow up.

To Tyler – The Quiet Dreamer. Thank you for your subtle enthusiasm and fresh ideas. You never cease to amaze me and watching the Lord mold and shape you in the last year has been an honor. You’re the little brother I never knew I needed. Don’t stop, kid.

I love you all madly and you’ve made this journey that much sweeter. Year two, here we come!