RE-Vive!

Hi family!

There are so many things going on- good things! First- Phil and I were recently at our Staff Retreat:

Phil & Julie

Mike grilling us his amazing steaks

We had an amazing time. Just listening to staff from all over MN talking about their year, their ups and downs and mistakes and saves, was incredibly encouraging. We are not the first ones to have written the "202 Mistakes to Make in Campus Ministry."  !! Nope, and we won't be the last. It's so great to meet with people who have the same vision: reach the campus, and you reach the world. People who make mistakes and then get right back up and back at it. We are inspired by all of them.

We came home determined to clear our schedule and tie up some loose ends. We have resigned from several things that are very very good, but taking time and focus away from campus. We have Fall 2013 planned and in the calendars at BSU. It is the perfect time to be on campus- the world, frankly, is going a little crazy and we need to be on the most strategic mission field in the world right NOW.  

I have a new blog/website because of my new book, and I just posted a blog there that gives you more about all this.  But here is the best part- our top ten 2x4's: 

1. Instead of being overwhelmed by the need, we are looking to overwhelm the need. Just that tiny little shift in that sentence causes a great big shift in my thinking.
2. Faith changes the situation: the Lord saves by many or by few. We're asking for many....we're asking that even now, He would be calling leaders to BSU that come here because God called them, so they can be part of the transformation of our university and our whole area. And if you think about it, the whole world.
3. Rumors of our courage will rattle cages all around us. I have to remember this, so that when opposition comes it doesn't shut me down. (Hmmm. I'm rattling cages. Of course.)
4. I would rather die in faith than live in unbelief.  Unbelief is a sucky place to be. Like a freaking bog and your cute red flowered boots literally get stuck there and you have to leave them behind.
5. The assignment is so overwhelming that it keeps us dependent and humble. Uh, yeah. Check.
6. Extreme courage in me will flush out the backslider: they hate all the religious crap and are looking for the authentic. Sometimes I'm the first statement, sometimes I'm the second.
7. Next time I want to quit- remember that people are watching me and they will return. (See # 2)
8. The enemy will "add to our call" to minimize our impact. HELLO. Got that t-shirt. It's going in the burn pile. Or, no, actually, I'll keep it as a reminder.
9. If He has given us the same word several times, it's because it will receive the most opposition. (another t-shirt)
10. Find out what you're born for and don't pay attention to the other options.

I found these in an old notebook from two years ago. It's amazing how God will just reinforce stuff for you out of the blue. I randomly picked it up this morning and there it was. Here are some more facts for you:

There are over 17 million college students studying in the US:

11 million (7 out of 10) have never considered Christ

44% of college students binge drink

1000 students attempt suicide every year

There are over 700,000 international students

Over 50% of all Christian students attending college struggle with keeping their faith in college

Family, we have a big job. (see #5 above) A missionary we know said recently, "when hell is exploding all around us, stop for the one."  

And we have 2 graduates! Grace took and passed her GED with flying colors:

And Ilsa graduates Thursday night! YAHOO!!!!! Milestones in the Thooft family! 

Thank you for all your support and love and prayer over the past nine years!!

:)