June — Full Throttle

Wow, what a full month! It’s been good but a LOT … maybe too much. Ha! Hopefully, I can recap some of the highlights in a way that brings you joy and encouragement today.

The sweetest times at the Y have been leading communion on Thursday evenings. Very few people attend, but for the ones who do, it’s holy ground. The little chapel reminds me so much of the prayer chapel at the camp I attended as a high school student. It even smells the same. It was smaller and more rustic, but the same, sweet presence of the Lord is in both places. I love being there to share a short devotional and then serve communion. Years ago, I wrote a worship song that comes alive each day in my private time of communion with Jesus.

Precious, precious is Your blood, Lord Jesus
Jesus, You are love.
For eternity, Your blood will be
the most holy expression of Your love.

The small group I’ve been with for 14 years met for a Friday night/Saturday stay-treat. We talked about legacy — what we want to give away, what we want to learn, the questions we’re asking, the strategies we’re using, and the life we’re imparting. Rich conversations, laughter, great food, challenges, honesty. What a treasure to be with the same group for so long.

Have you ever been to so many conferences that you just don’t want to attend another one? Yep, me too. However, when you’re invited to speak at a conference, and you love the organization and the people and they ask you to talk about stuff you love sharing … well, you rethink the conference opportunity. Yep. So I flew to Wisconsin on a Sunday night, spoke twice on Monday, twice on Tuesday, and flew home on Tuesday night. A whirlwind, for sure, but I didn’t want to leave the conference. This one was right up there in the top five of the best conference experiences I’ve had! Seriously. The leadership of Cadence, International (a worldwide ministry to US military personnel) hosted this event with integrity, honor, humility, joy, rest, intentionality, strategy, challenge, and love. What a humbling honor for me to be among this group of missionaries. And the setting was stunning! Serving alongside dear friends (Get the Word Out supported missionaries) David and Andrea Hutchings is a fun way to build up the family of God creatively and with life-giving sustainability. I value their friendship immensely.

One of my favorite churches to teach at is Pinewood Church in Boulder. I had SO much fun worshiping with them and teaching about intercessory prayer during a Sunday service this month. This church is packed full of young adults who are leading people to Jesus, living in humble, faithful service to one another and to Boulder, worshiping with whole hearts, and learning to live lives full of the Word and Spirit. I get ministered to by just being with them and I cherish each opportunity.

All of that was going on … in addition to the daily opportunities at the Y in Estes Park, having great friends visit me and hike in the Rockies for a few hours, driving to Wyoming on Sunday afternoons to hang out with a fun and beautiful expression of the body of Christ, planning Fall ministry opportunities, and breathing in the mountain air while feasting my eyes on God’s ever-changing creation every day.

It’s been a full month, and … I’m tired, but satisfied.

Love to you all, Mary Jean :)

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Ways to partner: Give online at getthewordout.cc/give · Venmo: @Mary Jean Powers / Get the Word Out · By check: Get the Word Out, 4210 Vulcan Creek Dr. Unit 208, Loveland, CO 80538.