I-25

Do you ever find your heart just overwhelmed with memories? Do you ever find yourself in a place that you are so desperate to remember exactly how you felt at a certain moment in your life that it almost hurts? Today I find myself in one of those places where my heart is flooded and somewhat overwhelmed with specific memories of my past. They are such amazing moments and times in my life that I feel near the verge of tears as I remember those times and miss them! Maybe I am just the ultimate, emotional girl, but I thank God that I am able to recall the sights, sounds, smells and emotion of certain events in my life. This all started last Saturday as my husband and I were driving to Ft. Collins to visit Horsetooth Resevoir. I have driven that same road hundreds and hundreds of times. That road has seen me through so much hurt and heartache, yet so much joy and love.

My first time driving from Littleton to Ft. Collins was when I was a senior in high school and I drove myself to CSU to audition for the Colorado State Golden Poms Team. Now, 8 years later, I sit in my new Honda with my new husband and drive back to my old life that is now going to be my new life as I move back to Northern Colorado. Funny how things work out that way. I think of the people that I have loved and lost along the way. I don't know whether to laugh or to cry. As I look back on my college/ 20 something years, I am overwhelmed by the things I have been able to be a part of, the experiences I have had, and most importantly... Those people whom I love and have made such an impact on my life. As I look back, I see God is all of those events, experiences and relationships. He has been right there with me all the way, even though most of the time I ignored Him. All of these things have shaped my heart and who I am today. The good, the bad and the ugly. And, believe me, I have had plenty of all three...

My parents separation
Moving to Fort Collins
Dancing for CSU
Falling in love for the first time
Becoming part of a real community of friends
Experimenting with my wild side
Loosing my first love
The death of my friend Katie
The Columbine High School Shootings
Great friends, Sarah, Mikael, Austin, Brandon, Jenn, Rene, and the list goes on...
A three year love affair
The rape-6/24/00
Surrender to Christ-7/4/00 The Next Level Church
Getting my first dog- Jackson Riley
Call to youth ministry- 8/00
The death of my roommate and friend Krissy
Transferring to CCU
September 11, 2001
My parents divorce
Moving to Denver
New Life Church
Un-employed
My dream job at Cherry Hills as High School Pastor
Meeting my future husband Nick
Dating
Passion for church change
Passion One Day 2003
Illness
Depression
Traveling with the Crowder Band
Being a part of the conversation
Falling in love
Crooked Creek
Engagement- 2/14/05
Marriage- 7/15/05
Illness
Devastated by the mega-church
Counseling
God reaching down and re-igniting the passion for Him in my heart!
Blue Sky Church
Moving...

And that leads me to today. April 6, 2006. I have been married for almost 9 months now, I have the most wonderful dog on the planet. I still don't know what the future holds for me health wise or job wise, but I am so thankful to look back and remember all of the things that have made me who I am today.

All this from driving that crazy highway you say? Maybe I am nuts, but I am thankful for every mile traveled on that highway, and I look forward to many more miles ahead of me on this journey!

If you are one of those people who has been a part of this journey with me, I want you to know how deeply I care for you and that you will always have a piece of my heart!