The Month of June

What an insane month of June it has been for the Stowell's!

We began the month by flying across the country from Newark, New Jersey to Los Angeles, California. A long six hour flight.... However, I was finally able to see the movie Les Miserable.

The start of our Cali trip was spent in Huntington Beach for a birthday celebration for me, and just a fun getaway for us. We were blessed by a friend, able to stay at a stunning resort, and able to relax before our busy busy summer. During our stay, we got quality time together and experienced for the first time the Pacific Ocean! I was also blessed and spoiled by my sweet husband for my twenty fifth birthday! It was a memorable experience, to say the least.

From there, we headed back to Los Angeles for Athletes in Action's Urban Project - Los Angeles. There, we spent four weeks in community with AIA staff and students. It was a month full of eye opening lessons and events. I was exposed to things I'd only ever read or heard about. God worked in my life in ways I never could have dreamed. And I was stretched to levels of discomfort I had never known before, which ultimately led to growth. I can't possibly sum it up without writing a novel. The best I can do is share with you stories from throughout, written by those on the Urban Project. Without further adieu, the Urban Project blog.

One of the most impactful elements of the Urban Project for me, personally, was the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. (a 20 hour athletic competition put on by Athletes in Action as an opportunity to apply the AIA Principles). That being said, going into it, I felt more out of shape than I have in a good while. Through the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. God spoke intimately to my heart. I was reminded that I am adequate and approved, no matter my performance or ability. "Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God." - 2 Corinthians 3:5 was the Truth I clung to throughout the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. I was on a team with 4 others, all of whom were males. And poor guys... they had to put up with my crying mess throughout almost every event. But they were true gentlemen and such strong teammates! I wouldn't have traded my team or the experience for anything!!

We have now wrapped up the Urban Project with the other staff and the Stowell's have made it to Orange County. For the next week-ish, we will visit with friends before heading north, to Sacramento, to visit friends and family! The craziness of #StowellSummer2013 continues..... [follow me on Instagram (@afstowell) for photos throughout our trip!]

Crazy Days of May

WOW. I cannot believe May is at it's end. It seems like just yesterday the month began and I was wrapping up my regular meetings and Bible studies with student athletes on campus. But, here we are, approaching June.

May was a month of many blessings. It hit me what an incredible treat it is to live in a small state, able to travel to so many (new for us) places with ease. Growing up in Florida spoiled me in many ways. I've seen more sunsets than I can count, swam many a times in both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, and have owned an annual pass to Disney World. Some, if not all, of those things many people will never experience. But now, living in New Jersey, I am overwhelmed with gratefulness to have such quick and easy access to so many new adventures! 

For instance, in early May, we headed to Philadelphia (a mere 65 miles from our New Jersey home) as staff team to end out the semester. It was a new experience for both Tyler and I... as we had never been to Philly. During our day there, we devoured cheesesteaks and broadened our understanding of our country's history. And let me say, we will be back. On my "Living in New Jersey Bucket List" is to attend an Eagles home game!

Later in the month, my Mom visited! She had never been to New Jersey and was excited to see our new home. We gave her a well rounded tour of the surrounding areas and spent one day in New York City! She absolutely loved Princeton, and I don't blame her. In about 45 minutes, we can be in downtown Princeton-- a quaint, historic town with so much character! We also were able to visit some family history while she was here. One of our ancestors fought at a battleground here in New Jersey during the Revolution! So cool to see and experience some deep family history.

    

To end the month, Tyler and I hit New York City for a Walking Cupcake Tour we found on Groupon. An easy (yet exhausting) day trip. We hopped on the train and were soon walking the city enjoying sweet deliciousness. We sampled several desserts and walked new-to-us streets in New York. After the Cupcake Tour, we spent some time sightseeing -- the Empire State Building, the "Friends" apartment building, the apartment stoop used as Carrie Bradshaw's in Sex and the City, and the New York Public Library. Needless to say, it was a day of much variety!

While I was counting on May to be a time of extended rest and rejuvenation before our hectic summer of work and travels, I am glad to have gained a true appreciation for our current home and taken advantage of what our diverse country has to offer!

What do you appreciate about where you live? Get out and enjoy it!

This Is How We Do It

Life change. It's inspiring, contagious, and exciting! Depending on your generation and music taste, Montell Jordan may or may not be a familiar name to you.

Regardless, Montell Jordan has experienced a positive life change. And even if you're not familiar with who he is, I think you'll appreciate this. 

Here, in short, is his story. I find it super encouraging, and hope you do too! Love the redemption!! 

Here's how we came to know Montell Jordan.

And here's how he got....

Here.

AMEN.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 

- 2 Corinthians 5:17

Nobody Wants a Wasted Summer

For many, summer is a time of relaxation, family vacations, and days spent in the sunshine! And by God's grace, we are blessed with this warm, sunny season every year. This summer, I want to invite you to more than the status quo -- a summer with more than laughter and tan lines. Now, I know what you're thinking, "if I end my summer with a glowing tan and a ton of fun Instagram pics, I'd call that a good one!" And I wouldn't necessarily argue with you. But what if there's MORE? What if you could have a great summer?

This year, my summer will involve lots of travel. I will spend extended periods of time in a total of 4 states, all while living out of a suitcase. If you know me, you'll know this has been stressful from the time it was even just an idea, let alone an actual plan. But, I am trusting God to give me the grace, patience, and strength that I need to persevere! Throughout this time of traveling, I will experience God in a couple different contexts -- first on an Athletes in Action summer opportunity (Urban Project Los Angeles). I'm eager to love on students and folks in the LA community, grow in my faith, and learn more about who God is. I'll also have the opportunity to experience a time of refreshment, learning, and growth at Cru's National Staff Conference. In conjunction with planned events, Tyler and I will have a chance to catch up with friends and family! All in all, I'm looking forward to what lies ahead.

If at the end of my travels, I've made it through all I've listed above, I would say it was a good summer. A success. But I long for much deeper. A summer of intentionality. I invite you to join me! Ok, so practically speaking...

Make a plan for your Spiritual growth. I recently heard wisdom shared comparing our Spiritual lives to our "athletic" lives. When you desire to gain muscle or lose weight, do you just wish for it to happen? No! You make wiser food choices and get into a workout routine (or at least you should, because wishing to get in shape while actively doing nothing about it will get you no where, sorry). Same goes for our Spiritual life. We can't just wish we could grow more mature in our faith -- we must workout our Spiritual muscles! How? Read your Bible. Start a Bible study or devotional, even just something on your own [I'd highly recommend Shannon Ethridge's Completely His series or Beth Moore's Breaking Free]. Get connected & spend quality time with other Christians (church, Bible study groups, etc.).  Saturate your mind with things of God. Spend time in prayer -- both speaking and listening. Check out a sermon series online. How will this look for me this summer? Well, aside from whatever curriculum will be provided for me at Urban Project and at Staff Conference, I am looking at going through Kay Arthur's Lord, I Want to Know You to deepen my understanding of who God is. I also plan to continue  my Bible in a year reading plan, praying for miracles, and trusting God in my daily life. How will it look for you?

Pick up a good book! Summer is a great time to read. I know I find myself with more free time in the summer months -- or at least in more "prime reading" situations (travel, beach, pool). Although I read regularly as a part of my job, summer reading allows freedom and a time for more light reading. Some I've recently read and would recommend are (although, not all are fun and light reads):

As (an early) birthday gift, my Mom gave me a Nook HD+ which I am stoked about, especially doing so much traveling this summer. I've been browsing the "under $2.99" ebooks and came across one I just began reading, so I don't know that I can recommend it, but as of now I'm enjoying it -- How to Eat a Cupcake by Meg Donohue. I also plan to grab a couple paperbacks from my bookshelf that have been collecting dust, waiting to be read, to accompany my journey this summer.

Intentionally catch up with friends. With more time, spend some of it with the people you love! Browse LivingSocial or Groupon for fun, discounted events to embark on with local friends. Plan Skype dates with family and friends across the country or overseas. Download the SnapChat app and stay connected through silly photos, across the miles. Or send a card or package to someone, just because you've been thinking about them! You won't regret investing time into your relationships! I know I'm eager to see friends and family this summer, and looking forward to making memories with them!

Don't waste your summer. Bottom line, I do hope you choose to join me in seeking to have a great summer, one full of purposeful plans to grow in your walk with Christ! 

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." - 2 Peter 3:18

Do I Have to Say Thank You?

Many of us often seek to...... Do the right thing. Give to one in need. Go above and beyond the expected. Or do we seek to simply be caught doing so? Do we so badly want to be seen for our good acts that we lose sight of the pure motivation?

We live in a culture that places high value on being recognized, appreciated, and thanked. Now don't get me wrong, I am all about showing gratitude and appreciation. But I'm afraid there is too much emphasis on that and not enough on simply doing good.

I have experienced this personally-- been accused of not appreciating one and all they've done for me enough. Now, this could be true. And I need to search my own heart for the sins of pride and entitlement. But the same could be said for the one accusing me. Could they be experiencing such entitlement for serving and loving me that they feel I now owe them something? Because then it isn't service and love at all....

It seems as though people do not want to offer to help, give, or do unless there is something in return for them. Is this true of you? When you help somebody out and they don't thank you [in the way you believe would be best], how does that make you feel? I know I find myself wrestling with this at times. It takes supernatural power for me to serve, wholeheartedly, without hoping for or expecting anything in return -- even within my own marriage! But I know when I don't get anything in return (or what I'd hoped to get in return) I do gain God. I learn more about who God is when He alone sees and rewards my deeds. And it's in those moments that God reminds me that we don't deserve a thank you (our pride just tells us we do).

Being under appreciated can either tempt me to complain and expect, or push me towards gratitude and godliness. I would much prefer, in the long run, gratitude and godliness! How about you?