After everything we had been through, we were ready to go to Frontier as adult guests.  We weren't allowed by Austin and Sam when asked, but eventually Sam made an exception for us. Charlie was at Kanakuk, and it was kinda painful for us to be home.  So, we came.

The first part of the week, we were flooded with thoughts of Austin and what it was like for him just one year earlier. I could just see his face in the crowd with his buddies as Sam was with her friends. We were touched by Tim Halprin's music which Austin heard one year earlier.  In fact, last fall, he went and heard him with some friends in Dallas (we're gonna do the same thing).

Sam had a great week. She was taken on a rough spiritual journey with her small group.  She was able to re-affirm her faith and come alongside friends who decided to dedicate their lives to Jesus Christ.  For us, it was a little rough as we had to leave early to pick up Charlie.  So,  we missed out on the uplifting part of the week.  Nevertheless, we thankful for all the hard work and love put into the week by the Young Life staff.

We look forward to Colorado another day under better circumstances.

​lakehighlands.younglife.org/Pages/default.aspx

"I waited patiently for the L ORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear. And will trust in the L ORD." -Psalms 40:1-3

Is it ok to be sad?  Of course it is. I'm no psychologist, but I know one of the points of Inside Out is that its ok to be sad and sometimes that feeling can actually help us overcome bigger problems.

We've all been through something traumatic and awful.  There's no way we should get over it fast.  Each of us has our own timing. What should we do?  We should inform our sadness with Truth.  We know Austin is in heaven. We should share our sadness with a friend, parent, or youth leader.  We should cry, journal, sing, or pray. Don't hold it in.  It will get better over time.  

​One day difficult memories will become sweet memories.  Then, one day, something may still hit you and things will go south again.  It's ok.  In time, things will improve. If not, raise your hand and ask for help from one of those people I mentioned.  We may always have some sadness.  I know I will.  Austin was part of me.  But, hopefully, the things we know to be true will make us joyful. Why because we have a Hope.

"Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope." - 1 Thessalonians 4:13

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." - 1 Peter 4:12-13

"Our bad things will turn out for good. Our good things can never really be lost. And the best things are yet to come." -Jonathan Edwards

Based on...
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.” Romans 8:28-30

Tim Keller says, God is not promising better life circumstances, he is promising us a better life. He is promising GLORY.The world’s peace is intermittent based on transitory circumstances. Christian peace is constant based on the never changing love of God.

Jesus set the standard for us. Jesus ran the race for the sake of the joy set before him. Suffering was ahead of him, He is the pioneer and the forerunner.

GLORY is the only thing that can deal with the hurts of our heart.

Our family has enjoyed the Narnia series.   I must say, I haven't read many of the books, but the kids have.  Here's a quote from the last book:

“All their life in this world and all their adventures had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.” 
― C.S. Lewis, The Last Battle