we need to go out & "do", mom

i'm going to apologize in advance
as this post is a long one with loads of pictures
& hopefully two videos to share.

however what occured last week here in atlanta
could probably fill every blog post i might write for quite some time.
i wish each of you knew someone that attended
or was able to watch the live stream
or
will purchase the digital access pass to the entire event.....

savannah headed back to school last night.

as she pulled out of the driveway i began to have that weird struggle in my mind.

knowing she's where she needs to be & is doing SO well, 

yet feeling like it will never be easy to letting one of them go. 

i realized as i walked into her now empty room again,

she won't be home for a long visit again until school is out. in may.
sigh

it was nothing less than fantastic having her home & catching up. watching movies. coffee dates with friends. eating out. shopping. visiting. going to church together.

i guess it's a weird battle 

our minds play

while we're in this phase of mothering.

don't you think?

this age, this 18yearold age, college freshman age

it might just be my favorite yet.

i loved the cute preschool age, 

& the age where they loose their front teeth

& still hold your hand and call you mommy,

but i really really love this age she's in right now.

(see, there's hope for you with middle schoolers.wink)

cheering them on as they leave the nest 

full of promise & so much potential

and yet

feeling like there's a vital part of the family unit

my family unit

that we're functioning without when she's elsewhere.

i know they must go.

we talked last week on the last morning of passion.

she told me multiple times, "i'm just sad mom. i'm sad that it's over".

we talked about mountain top experiences

& how after any big event 

there is a time of necessary down time as you readjust.

but then she said, "but mom, it needs to be over. we need to go out & do

all that we've been equipped to do. we need to go ".

i sat there in the carpool lane

ready to drop little bit off

with that lump in my throat that i've come accustomed to

anytime she wow's me with some profoundly simple revelation such as that.

passion 2012

equipped just shy of 45,000 college kids to do just that.

go out, go back to their campuses, go forward towards their future

with a passion for the lord

to bring justice to the injustice in this world.

to begin to free the over 27 million people 

enslaved. right now. 27 million people.

i'm sorry friends, but that alone blows my mind.
27 million. more than any other time in our history.
can you even wrap you mind around that?

these kids have an amazingly generous spirit

full of dreams

with the knowledge they need to make change.

i posted on facebook that they raised a specific amount of money

only to quickly realize my error.

i quickly went back & fixed it...

they GAVE over 3 MILLION dollars
not raised, they GAVE

3 million dollars towards various ministries/organizations to free slavery.

gave out of their empty college co-ed idon'thaveacareeryet pockets.

3 million.

the structure pictured below was a statue, huge temporary statue, built to represent the hand of worship & the hand reaching out to help others. it was covered with clothing & articles representing children involved in child labor. women involved in sex traffic and others bound into a life of slavery.

all 45,000 of the kids went out on the last night, silently, and light candles as a symbol of solidarity in their fight against injustice.

my words & descriptions are terribly inadequate

& while it's more powerful to have been there

it was super powerful to watch it

you can purchase a digital pass to have each

session downloaded to your computer

along with all the music right here

& i promise you , it will be one of the best spent $25 in your life.

i find myself just stumbling through my thoughts & words regarding this amazing event.

through my excitement as i watch this generation as they rise up

through my love for these kids that spent four days together.

they'll change our world, they'll change our world

the friend of mine that sponsored savannah & 4 of her friends

gave over $3,000 in support  by the time the week was over.

( that i know of. knowing her, probably much more).

the last day she asked if she could treat them to a wonderful meal.

she wanted somewhere wonderful for them

yet savannah wanted it to be somewhere non-intimidating & fun too.

after getting loads of tips ( thank you facebook friends)

she chose Fogo de Chao.

wow.

it deserves a post of its own.

we had an incredible meal!

dan & i were blessed to hear each of their passion highlights

& how the Lord really changed their lives.

an evening dan & i will treasure forever.

 

 the sweetest part of the evening was when we were able to connect with my friend

unfortunately couldn't get facetime to work

but all the kids gathered around my phone as she spoke to them

& encouraged them.

they thanked her over & over again...so sweet.

so yes, my heart is a little tender today as i'm missing having my girl

right here with me.

as sad as i am about that...i'm immeasurably more joyful as i get a front row

seat to her life & all the lord has in store for her

for her friends ( about 20 of them)

that all shared a powerful powerful week together.

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, 

words may be given me so that I will 

fearlessly

make known the mystery of the gospel

ephesians 6.19