June 10, 2009

We've Moved!

Not physically, but bloggically...is that a word?
check out our new website & blog HERE.

www.endlesssummermissions.wordpress.com

May 27, 2009

Our Last Wednesday

How do you prepare to say goodbye? I've been struggling with that idea ever since we turned in our resignation at Dakota Ridge Assembly. It's a little strange especially because we will still be here in the state, same home we've lived in for the past year-and-a-half, I'm in the same job and we aren't leaving the country for another 6 or 7 months at least. I mean, I don't want to say goodbye because I don't want to cut off all kinds of communication with our teenagers. I want to stay connected with them. But I know we won't be seeing them every week like we are used to. In fact, I don't even know how often we will see them before we leave. That makes me very sad. I also know that our role as Student Pastors is coming to a conclusion and we do need to step aside so another SP can take that role. This saying goodbye thing has never been easy for me and I think I am kind of digging my heals in...even though I know it's our time to leave.
To our students (if any of you ever read this):
I will miss you terribly. I can't help but tear up when I type this. You have been a huge part of our lives these past four years. I know it has been our role to hopefully impact your lives to follow Christ into eternity, but you all have impacted my life beyond what you can know. I hope that we can stay in touch in some form or another (thank goodness for social networking sites). It is my desire to reconnect in a few years and see that you are still following Christ and have made your own decisions to believe in Him and His promises. I hope that you know how much I love you! And I can still be called or texted if you have things weighing on your heart.
Follow your dreams and your passions! God has created you with specific skills and talents and rejoices when you use those to His glory! He's like a proud dad.
I love you guys and will miss you terribly!
Bridget

May 3, 2009

A Big Day

Today was a very big day. We did something we have never done before.
We formally resigned from youth ministry at Dakota Ridge Assembly.
We have known this day would someday come. We didn't know how, or when, or why, but now we do.
We are so excited about what the future holds.
God has placed a passion in our hearts to become misssionaries in the Phillippines.
Specifically the eastern Visayas, to the islands of Samar and Leyte.
We will be partnering with career missionaries of 20 years, the Alstons.
We're looking forward to the coming weeks as we write the ending of this paragraph of our lives and prepare for the coming months of preparation, training, and raising support.
Thank you for your support, we need your prayers as we take this step of faith.

Heb. 11:1, 2 (The Message)
1-2The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.

May 1, 2009

A Slight Change

To those lucky people who have already read my first 2 blogs,

I am changing the content of my blog. Originally, I was going to use the blog as a "keeping up with the Summers family" type blog as well as a running journal for myself. Kind of like an accountability system. Well, running isn't the most exciting thing to write or read about if it's not on your radar. So, without further ado, I am tracking my running via another medium. If you are truely interested in tracking my running progress (I won't be offended in the least if you aren't) you can follow me at www.dailymile.com/people/BridgetS .

Thank you for reading and for your support!

April 29, 2009

Running Journal, Day 1

Today was the first day of my "training." I have wanted to do a marathon for quite some time now and finally have the motivation to begin the training. Fortunately, I have some accountability as well. My sister, Rachel, is my training partner...even though we are separated by hundreds of mile spanning several states. We have set our goal to run a marathon by October of this year, so there is no time to waste.

Yesterday, I made the commitment in my head to run this morning. When I awoke, I had to remind myself that I just couldn't break the promise I made to myself. To me, that's just like failing...and I HATE to fail. So, after getting the boys fed and myself some coffee (I was trying to delay the inevitable), I realized that my double-jogging stroller had a flat tire that I had to completely replace. I almost threw in the towel right there because I thought that was just way too much work, and besides, Christian wasn't home to do it for me. :) Logical, I know. Well, I thought I would just give it a try and if I couldn't fix it myself, well, that was a good enough excuse to say "I'll start my training tomorrow." Amazingly enough, the tire was easier to change than I imagined and all I had to do now was change the boys, put on my running gear and hit the trail. Another 20 minutes later I was off! It was a beautiful day and I was feeling good about my self-motivation, not to mention my mad tire-changing-skills.

I must be fairly out of shape, because I was beginning to really suck wind at minute 16. I don't know if I mentioned it already, but my goal was 30 minutes (I don't run on streets the whole time so I can't really gauge my miles). Well, at that point it was mind over matter and I knew I would have to deal with it. As I mentioned before, I HATE to fail...so I was not going to do it my first day out! I set my mind to other things and just kept running. Rounding back toward home I was feeling really good but knowing I was close to my limit. I was so proud of myself when I hit 33 minutes before slowing to a walk! For you experienced runners out there...33 minutes may not seem like a big deal, but I hit my goal and exceeded it!

Of course, I had to give my sister a call and send Christian a text...probably the only 2 out there who really care enough to get instant information. Either way, I plan on keeping it up and sharing my successes and hopefully no failures along the way! Marathon here I come!

p.s. I keep typing marathong...not important, but it made me chuckle :)

What's in a name?


So, "Chasing the Goose" comes from a book I am currently reading. (Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson) The "Wild Goose" in this book is the Holy Spirit. The Celtic Christians named the Holy Spirit An Geadh-Glas, which translates "Wild Goose." They had the idea that the Holy Spirit was mysterious and untamed; following him meant uncertainty and maybe even danger. In our technologically advanced world and intellectually based beliefs, this description is counter-intuitive. "What do you mean we can't explain away the Holy Spirit?" The idea of "untamed" speaks to me. It means that I can't put it in a box and pull it out whenever I want or need it. It means that I won't have all the answers. It means that I have to have faith to believe something so strange and "unproven" by scientific evaluation. To me, that speaks excitement and adventure...an awesome way to live. Who wants to cruise through life having all the answers and never being stretched in the faith arena? Who wants to put one foot in front of the other "hoping" that they are happy today? Who wants to live a life with zero adventure? I am choosing to "chase the Goose" and embrace uncertainty. I want a life that is more than ordinary...a life that has purpose and meaning...but meaning that is beyond just my personal happiness.