It's like erin with a p: the magnificence of the gospel

Richmond Weekend was beyond great. Traveling there on Friday afternoon I felt like a little kid on Christmas morning- so giddy and excited. I couldn't wait to be with the Young Life leaders in our region and to see my sweet friends and family and to be spiritually fed. I came into the weekend craving Jesus. And He did not fail. He used Casey Dunn and spoke right to me.

Casey talked about the magnificence of the gospel and how the gospel is the one thing that changes everything. There were so many great reminders of the gospel and other things that I was so convicted of doing or teaching. The gospel is news, not advice- making it unique because every other religion gives advice. And with that, he asked the question, "How often do I teach kids what to do, not what Jesus did for them?" Wow, convicted of that one. A sweet reminder was that if I am in Christ, I am perfectly righteous without blemish and I am not to let the evil one take that away. Don't you love when the same themes come across your path over and over again and you know it must be the Lord wanting to teach you something? Well that's how this weekend felt. I've been studying Galatians lately and if you don't know, it's all about Paul teaching the Gentiles that faith is not earned by being "good," obeying laws or traditions, or by works. Salvation is only earned by faith in Christ. Only by faith in Christ. And I know this, but it's so easy to forget it. I know the Lord has been trying to show me this over and over again. Because then Casey said, "I am accepted therefore I obey, not I obey to be accepted." Ouch. I'm guilty of this one. How badly I want to remember that and know that nothing I do will ever make me lose or gain the Lord's love for me. Casey said that this is the great dichotomy of the gospel: That we were so sinful Christ had to die for us, but so beloved that he wanted to die for us. Have I forgotten the great love of Jesus? Am I applying the gospel to my life before sharing it with others? HE LOVES ME DEEPLY & REMARKABLY. Do I believe it?!

Gosh, I was convicted with so many things. I'm so grateful for the Lord's forgiveness and so glad He has called me out on these things.

Friday night we had our first session and hung out and caught up with friends afterwards. Saturday morning we had another session and then broke out into 2 smaller sessions which were awesome. Saturday afternoon was my favorite though. It was so laid back and spent with all my favorite people. I went to Red Robbin with Virginia Beach and afterwards went to HomeGoods, REI, Starbucks, Target, and Hobby Lobby. I am officially obsessed with HomeGoods. I got the 2 cutest aprons that I cannot wait to cook in next year! (probably won't happen though). It was just the best afternoon. Mom, Dad, and Morgan were there with Rob and Stacey and Lauren and Mrs. Bradshaw and Hannah and Grace and Abby and Erin. Ahhhh they're all just the best. Anyways, that night we dinner together as an area which was so great and afterwards had another session. We headed out the next morning before the last session to avoid the snow. The weekend did not disappoint. Still my most favorite weekend out of the entire year.

These are the only pictures I took ALL weekend. Can you believe that?!