Finally, here are some pictures I took while at RUF Summer Conference at Laguna Beach:

A lively afternoon on the beach

The Bethany Dorm!

A cloudy but peaceful sunrise

Storm clouds coming in...

Sailing!

RUF Nebraska made a sweet Abe Lincoln sand sculpture!

Beach sunsets are the best.

Summer Conference was terrific. The 20+ hour drive down from Lincoln wasn't too bad, especially since I had the privilege of enjoying the ride with good company.

Our main speaker at the conference, Jean Larroux, was incredible. The theme for his large group talks was Glorification. The way he spoke about the future glory to come, when God restores everything, stirred my longings for that day. One of his talks got me to think about what future glory means not just for me and all who believe in God, but also what it means for Jesus! God knows more than we do how everything is supposed to be. We have some inclination that things are broken and the world isn't right, but we really have no idea what God originally designed nor do we realize how far we've really fallen from that design. God longs for future glory much more than we ever could.

The week in Florida was filled with other good talks from different seminars. My mind and heart were stimulated in so many ways as I thought about relationships, dating and art as well as some controversial subjects. Small group time after Jean's talks was great, too, as we processed what we heard and tried to wrap our minds around the glory to come and what that means for our lives.

Spending time at the beach was so great. I enjoyed relaxing in the sun reading "Searching for God Knows What" by Donald Miller and splashing in the salty water a bit. Several times I tired to go sailing with another girl; we couldn't go one day because storm clouds were coming, but finally we got to go and it was so fun! One morning I woke up early to see the sunrise. Unfortunately it was cloudy, but it was so peaceful and quiet and not many people were out. The sunsets, though, were awesome. There really is nothing quite like seeing the sun dip down into the ocean. I love watching the colors and listening to the waves roll in and out. The sound is so calming. I was amazed by how the tides never cease. Gazing out across the big blue expanse, I thought of "3 minute Song" by Josh Wilson:

"How can some melody communicate eternity, it's like trying to fit the ocean in a cup." Love it.

I had the privilege of meeting the RUF campus minister at Tulsa, Brent Corbin, as well as his wife Sarah and their two little girls. About 36 students from the Tulsa RUF were also at the conference and I got to meet a good number of them. Everyone was so friendly and seemed excited to meet me and have me be a part of the Tulsa RUF. I was very encouraged by everyone's enthusiasm. I'm excited to get to know the students and the Corbin family better.

I moved back to Omaha this past week and I've been slowly unpacking and starting to think more about all the fundraising I have to do. In a week I'll go to Atlanta for Orientation. I can't wait to meet other interns and really get going with everything.

Hope everyone has a restful Memorial Day weekend!