On Sunday, thirteen friends (some of whom I just met the night before) and I came together from all over the United States, completed the San Diego Rock N’ Roll Half Marathon and raised over $10,000 for Compassion International.

It was the perfect day, the perfect setting, to run a half marathon.

The sun was out. The sky was blue. The air was dry. The breeze was cool. The bands were…loud. And the crowd enthusiastically cheered us on, right to the finish line.

And we did it. All 14 of us. We finished our race.

I don’t cling to my life for my own sake. The only value I place on my life is that I may finish my race, that I may fulfill the ministry that Jesus, our King, has given me, that I may gladly tell the good news of God’s Grace.

Acts 20:24 (The Voice)

Congratulations Jennifer, Tim, Marijke, Milyn, LV, Chad, Sarah, Cassidy, Christine, Jessica, Melissa, Lauren, and Scott! I loved finishing this race with you.

And a big “thank you” to everyone here who supported us with prayers, words of encouragement, and donations. We couldn’t have done it without your love and support.

What did you get into this weekend?

Today is one of those days where I have a thousand different thoughts circling around in my head and so instead of fleshing one out to make a tidy little post, or not blogging at all (which is the more likely alternative), you are going to get a whole bunch of randomness.

Last night I got to help out with Cross Point’s new internet campus. I am such a huge fan of my church and so I am stoked that they have created a way for me to share the experience with friends and family who aren’t in Nashville. Be sure tune in with us next Sunday night at 6 PM CST at http://www.crosspoint.tv/live.

I am so very sad to be missing Catalyst Dallas. As I said here, Catalyst and Dallas are two of my favorite things so I am pretty sure that together they will be pretty freakin’ incredible. If you go (there are still tickets available here if you haven’t purchased yours yet), be sure to take good notes so you can tell me all about it. And will someone please keep an eye on Bianca for me? I have this fear that she is gonna go all cowgirl on us and we won’t be able to get her back to her to the “gnarly” Southern California girl I know and love.

Instead of heading to the Lone Star State, I am heading to Louisville, Kentucky to participate in the Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit at Southeast Christian Church. I am really excited to see some friends, learn more about how we can get better serve orphans, and blog about the experience. It’s gonna be awesome. And this is my first trip to Louisville. Any tips on things to do, or more importantly, places to eat?

Last but not least, today Shaun Groves posted a sweet introduction to all the Compassion Bloggers that are heading to the Philippines. Go meet them and join me in praying for their trip. The month or so before they head out can be scary (I know that I was a big ol’ mess before my trip) so pray that they will find peace as God begins to open their hearts and prepare them for this journey.

Now it’s your turn. What’s circling in your head today?

I have been traveling the last five weekends.

I don’t how it happened exactly. I would have never planned it that way but…

There was a wedding of a close friend and co-worker in Dallas. There was a Women of Faith conference that my sister and Bianca could attend. There was a baby shower in Birmingham that I was helping host. There was Thanksgiving in Asheville with the whole family. There was a reunion of Compassion Bloggers at Deeper Still.

They all seemed like opportunities I could not turn down. So I went. Every weekend. For the last five weekends.

And it wore me out. My house is a wreck. My bills are piled up high on my desk waiting to be paid. My puppy has been neglected. My friends haven’t been properly loved on. My life is in general disarray.

But I learned a lesson. There is always a lesson.

I need to learn to say “no.” (Let’s practice it together…”nooooooo.”) I need to build more margin in my life. I need to build in down time so I can fully enjoy the experiences I say “yes” to. This is key…I found myself so tired last weekend in Birmingham that I couldn’t fully revel in the incredible opportunity at hand. (Shame on me.) I found myself knowing exactly what Beth meant when she said, “Our treasure gets lost in the same trash as our time. Where there is no margin, there is no treasure.”

In 2011, I am going to TRY to living with a new rule.

I will be in town at least 2 weekends a month.

We’ll see if I can do it. In the meantime, I am going to enjoy being in Nashville the next few weekends.

What kinds of boundaries do you put around your time?

This weekend I was back in Birmingham for a reunion of Compassion Bloggers at Deeper Still. It was incredible. The conference, the speakers, the worship, the laughter, the food, the time with friends, old and new…incredible.

I heard solid Biblical teaching from three powerhouse women. Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore, and Kay Arthur brought “it”. A lot of “it”. So much of “it” that my head is still spinning.

I worshiped with Travis Cottrell and 14,000 women. For me, there is no time I feel more connected to my Creator than when I am belting out (much to the chagrin of the people who have to stand by me) lyrics of adoration and praise. Worship is good for my soul.

I ate AH-MAZ-ING chicken and mashed potatoes with friends who share two of my passions, social media and the good work that is being done to rescue children from poverty in Jesus’ name by Compassion International. Never have I felt less worthy and more privileged to be a part of a group of people. These folks, each one of them, are world-changers.

I spent time (but not nearly enough) with the bloggers who traveled with me to Guatemala. I am so thankful that Guatemala brought us all together. I LOVE these women. Lisa-Jo is an energetic and passionate connector. Ann is one of the most beautiful people I have ever met, inside and out. And Amanda is kind, gentle, smart, funny, and warm.

I returned home Sunday morning feeling a little tired and a lot blessed.

A special thanks to Amanda, Sophie, Compassion and LifeWay Events for hosting us. You outdid yourselves.

Do you like reunions? What is the last reunion you attended?

First off, let me apologize for completely disappearing for the last week or so. It was never my intention to be away so long. But man, Catalyst came with a big ‘ol bang and stole every ounce of my energy. Okay, that’s enough of that…

Last week I was in Atlanta, Georgia, for the Catalyst Conference. It was a complete whirlwind that stirred a lot of things, good and bad, inside of me. Candidly, I am still recovering and processing (if you’ve been around here before you know it takes me a long while to process). But I wanted to be sure to share My 10 Favorite Things About Catalyst 2010.

1. Digging deep with my Catalyst/3DM Coaching Group (Brian Wurzell, Bianca Juarez, coach extraordinaire Jo Saxton, Hillary DeMeo, and the “MIA” Kyle Zimmerman.) LOVE these people. So thankful that they are boldly speaking into this season of my life.

2. Learning from Francis Chan. The man truly is fired up about emulating the life of Jesus. Some might call him “radical” but it is clear he is just faithfully working to live out the word of God. He has me wondering if Jesus is truly more than my Savior, if He is my role model?

3. Joyfully belting out John Mark McMillan’s “How He Loves” with 13,000 of my closest friends. One of the best worship experiences of my life!

4. Learning from T.D. Jakes that we need to get on out of the “cor-ner.” That “people who play it safe are not leaders.” That “if you always do what you have always done, you will only be who you have always been.” That “you need to make yourself uncomfortable.”

5. Hearing John Ortberg. That man is one gifted communicator. His book, The Me I Want to Be, has profoundly affected the way I think. I am still processing a couple of things he said on grace.

“Transformation requires at least as much grace as salvation.”

“Grace is God doing anything in me that I can not do myself.”

6. Boohooing as I watched Jimmy (who broke my heart last year) meet his Compassion child.

7. Having Andy Stanley reframe the story of Jacob and Esau. I know this…I don’t want to trade my future, my calling, my legacy, for a “bowl of stew.”

8. Watching Michael Hyatt teach a roomful of eager participants about the importance of “Platform.” Such an engaging presentation…made me so proud to call him “boss.”

9. Debriefing at night with my Catalyst roomies Trish, Bianca, and Annie. And laughing so hard that I cry trying to figure out the techno-style-video-chat with Sarah and Keely.

10. Witnessing a human cannonball. I lie. Actually, I hated the human cannonball. All I could think about was how that poor man was going to die a gruesome death in front of 13,000 strangers. Thankfully he made it. This time.

Were you at Catalyst? What were your highlights? If not, what were you up to last week?

I returned from Guatemala two weeks ago. Wow…two weeks…14 days…336 hours. In some ways it seems like just yesterday, in other ways it seems like a lifetime ago.

On Friday, Shaun Groves sent an email to the Compasssion Bloggers Guatemala team.

I’ve been laying low, reading your posts, praying for you from a distance but now I’m gonna put my nose back in your bid’ness and pry a little: How’s everybody doing?

It took my two days to respond to his not so subtle nudging. And still my response was stilted.

It is not that I felt uncomfortable exposing my thoughts…or feelings. It is just that I don’t know quite know what I am thinking…or feeling. Ugh.

How. Am. I. Doing?

I can’t quite say.

But I can say this.

Today I witnessed the incredible effects of the work Compassion does. Again.

I had the opportunity to hang out with two Leadership Development Program students, Ben (27) from Kenya and Richmond (30) from Uganda. They are seemingly ordinary young men that were unleashed from poverty through Compassion’s Child Sponsorship Program. And then taught to chase extraordinary dreams through Compassion’s Leadership Development Program.

It was an incredible couple of hours.

We laughed about college football. Unfortunately Ben is a misguided A&M fan.

We compared fruit. I guess there are some crazy bananas in Uganda that will get you on-the-floor drunk?

We talked about dreams. In the spring, Richmond will return home to get married to Sheila, pastor his community, and equip other pastors all over Africa. This fall, Ben will go on tour with with Amy Grant to share first-hand the importance of the LDP program.

And we marveled at the lives changed by generous men and women who provide for hundreds of thousands of Compassion children. Generous men and women who are playing a critical role in unleashing children from poverty and unlocking their dreams.

I hope that I never forget the stories of these young men. I hope that I never forget the opportunity we have to love on our neighbors around the world.

So…How’s everybody doing?

I woke up this morning in Sunriver, Oregon for the final day of The Building Champions Experience excited about the progress made on my life plan and vision but still struggling to process everything I have experienced over the last two weeks.

How does what I saw and experienced in Guatemala fit into my future?

What is God’s vision and purpose for my life?

How can I live more intentionally?

And most importantly, how can I live more faithfully?

I am thankful because I know what a luxury it is to have the time, the space, and the resources to be asking these questions.

For some reason this morning this illustration by Wilbur Rees popped into my mind. I thought I would share it because it has me thinking, and maybe it will do the same for you.

I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please, not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine.

I don’t want enough of Him to make me love a black man or pick beets with a migrant. I want ecstasy, not transformation; I want the warmth of the womb, not a new birth.

I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack. I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please. Wilbur Rees, “$3.00 Worth of God”

Do I REALLY want all that God has to offer? Do you?

I returned from Guatemala late Sunday afternoon. My first stop was the laundry room to erase the undeniable evidence from my trip, the stench of poverty.

I showered and went to church. (I can’t tell you how much I love that evening service. I was desperately needing the worship and fellowship.) I grabbed yogurt with a close friend. I crawled into bed and slept.

Monday morning arrived and I was instantly jolted back into “normal.” A day full of meetings, knocking out emails, and tying up loose ends. Finally home from the day-turned-into-evening’s events at 10 PM, I folded my clothes and carefully placed them back in my suitcase.

On the road. Again. It sounds overwhelming but truly, it is a sweet relief.

I treasure the hours of alone as I make my way to my destination, the Pacific Northwest. The hours to reflect. The hours to process. The hours to write. The hours to answer the two questions that everyone has asked since I returned to America.

How was your trip? Was it life-changing?

Questions that don’t just make me uncomfortable, questions that make my skin crawl in conviction. Questions that have made me realize how recklessly I have come to use the word “life-changing.”

At least once a week, something is “life-changing”… a sermon, a book, a song, a word of advice, a fish burrito. All inspirational in their own right, but seldom a catalyst for authentic life change.

And I don’t want this trip to savored and then slowly forgotten like a “life-changing” piece of pie.

I want this trip to be a seed planted deep within my soul that with the proper care will bloom, grow, and bear beautiful fruit.

I want this trip to be a recognizable turning point in my life. I want this trip to be a recognizable turning point in my heart.

So to all of you who are wondering, “How was your trip? Was it life-changing?”

All I can do is shrug and say, “I sure hope so. Will you please pray that it will be will be?”

What was the last thing you described as life-changing? Was it really…life-changing?

Today we visited the Guatemala City dump.

A place that is 1 square kilometer. A place where 20,000 families reside.

A place where the water is unfit for consumption, even by a rat.

A place where little girls go missing like discarded baby dolls.

A place where vultures circle, searching for something, anything, to prey on.

A place so dark that even hours later my eyes still are not accustomed to the light.

If I am honest, I am frustrated. Really frustrated.

Frustrated because I cannot begin to reconcile the disparity.

The disparity between wealth and poverty. Want and need. Developed and developing. Light and dark.

I have questions.

How do I fish shoes out of my overflowing closet after seeing babies walk on trash barefoot?

How do I discard leftovers after watching kids line up for whatever the Compassion project is serving because it is a rare warm meal?

How do I return to the abundant life I left five days ago knowing the haunting truth of poverty?

And unfortunately there are no easy answers. There are no pretty pink bows to tie up this life-changing journey.

There are only challenges.

The passionate pursuit of becoming more like Christ.

And the question that Shaun Groves asked each of us tonight, “Now that you KNOW, what are you going to DO about it?”

I must ask you the same question.

Now that you know, what are you going to do about it?

Would you consider sponsoring a child from Guatemala? It would mean the world to me. It would mean the world to a little boy or girl, their family, and their community.

There really are no words but still I am going to try to express all that is laying on my heart tonight.

From the moment you ran into my arms until our last goodbye this afternoon, I absolutely loved every moment of our day together.

It was one of the best days of my life. Even hours later as I write this letter, my heart is bursting with joy. I am overwhelmed by opportunity that God has given me, to be your sponsor, and your friend.

I loved seeing where you spend your days.

This morning I saw the tiny dark room that you share with your mother, sisters, and brother. Even though it was small and imminent danger lurked outside, I could instantly tell that you felt safe there. And that made me happy.

This afternoon I got to experience the Compassion project where you play, where you learn about Jesus, and where you will find the kind of friends that will last a lifetime. I know that as you grow this place will serve as your home away from home. I know that the pastor and the project director will be there for you, anytime you need them. I know that they will see that you are molded into the Godly man you were created to be. And that made me happy.

I loved hearing firsthand about the challenges you face.

Even though it tore me up inside to see and hear the trials that you face at only four years old, it was incredible to know specifically how I can pray for you.

I will pray that you stay safe, that the gangs don’t come knocking, that the rain will let up so that when you sleep your bed is warm and dry.

And I will pray for your father, that he is safe as he travels four hours to work, that he remains strong and faithful during the week as he lives separated from his wife and children, and that he finds steady employment closer to home, closer to you.

Jenser always remember, “Life is hard, but God is good.”

God is so good. And He has big plans for you.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. Jeremiah 29:11-12 (New International Version)

I loved seeing a picture of what the future might hold for you.

You probably don’t realize this but today I met three young men who grew up in your project. Three young men that are pursuing their dreams at the University with the help of Compassion’s Leadership Development Program.

Hearing each of their stories gave me great hope for you. You can be anything you want to be. You just need to stay focused on your studies and walk where God leads you.

Most of all I loved being with you.

I loved laughing with you. I loved feeding you. I loved kicking the soccer ball with you. And I loved holding you close. How I wish that I never had to let you go.

Until we meet again, I will write you letters. Letters that keep you abreast of my adventures and dreams. Letters that remind you that you are loved. Letters that affirm everything you are learning about Jesus.

Now it is time to say goodbye again but know that a big chunk of my heart remains in Guatemala with you.

Love,

Lindsey

PS – I will be practicing my soccer (or football as you say) so that I can try to keep up with you when we reunite.

If you would like to sponsor a child like Jenser through Compassion International click here. You will not regret it. As you can tell from this letter, I don’t.