1.  I had an amazing weekend.  Tubing, water skiing, boating, eating amazing fresh food (that I didn’t cook), resting, talking with my soon to be husband, shopping with 2 of the greatest friends and funnest friends in the world, photog walking, watching Flight of the Navigator (one of my favorite 80s movies), loving on a sweet baby girl (see above picture), praying for missionaries, talking the gospel, eating at Madhatters.  Weekends don’t get much better than this!

2.  I love to hear what God is doing in other countries through the power of the Gospel!

3.  This week is Impact Camp for our students here at pray dot org.  Troy Temple is our camp speaker and this is Bryan Nelson’s first camp as our new youth pastor.  Please pray for both of them!

4.  Tonight I’m singing with the FBC Durham choir at the Durham Bulls game.  We are presenting the National Anthem.  Fun times!  I love summer AAA baseball!  Maybe drugs, egos, salary caps aren’t as prevelant!  Just playing for the love of the game (No, I’m not naive enough to believe that).

5.  New book picking up on Wednesday to read: What Did You Expect – Paul Tripp.  Can’t wait!

6.  Looking forward to an amazing 4 day weekend: wedding planning, friends, fireworks.  LOVE.

Link Love

1.  CJ talks on biblical manhood and womanhood.

2.  I think I wanna try this pizza.  Hmmmm….dinner sometime over the long weekend?

3.  I’m actually seldom in MY kitchen now, but would love to apply these in my new kitchen (come October 8).

4.  Oh my goodness – fabulous summer dessert!  May need to make this for the weekend too!

1.  Wow – its been a long time.  Alaska was in the middle of it, then Memorial Day, then a half marathon, then… I GOT ENGAGED!!!

2.  Yes, folks, you heard me right!  I’m getting married to Mr. Eric Campbell – you should go check out his music.

3.  God is amazingly gracious in my life.  I really think the last 15 months of my life have the been the hardest and the best.  And I think the next 4 will be the most hectic!  But, bring it! 🙂

4.  The Curriculum launch went so well and we’ve had overwhelming response to it by several people: Thank you Dr. Moore, Dr. Reid, and Jared Kennedy!

5.  June is going to be a busy month: complete with wedding planning, writing, a hiking wknd with a friend, and a lake visit!  Have I mentioned I love water?

6.  One of my sweet couple friends welcomed a new baby in the world over the weekend and one is about to bring another sweet baby girl into the world tonight or tomorrow.  I love babies!

Anyway, these are some great links I’ve been saving to share!

1.  My former boss taught a class then wrote a book with fellow VP, Dan Dumas, all on Biblical Manhood.  SO GOOD!

2.  I had this on the big boat – need to make it.  Healthy and yummy and perfect for summer!

3.  Love this post by Matt Chandler!

4.  I really love a natural food way of looking at health (instead of medicine).  God gave us so much.  here is a great read if you suffer from headaches!

5.  Love this video talk by Piper, Keller, and Carson – three amazing men of God.

6.  My friend David posted a great post for preparing for peace in relationships.  So vital, especially in light of upcoming nuptials!

For the Church. For the Nations.  For the Glory of God.

Some of you who are long time readers of this blog know that I moved back to Raleigh in March of 2010 to begin a job as a curriculum writer for Providence Baptist Church.  This is technically my dream job.  I never thought my dream job would be so hard, so big, or so rewarding.  Honestly.

You can check out the website here, but I wanted to give an insiders view to the Curriculum.

I didn’t realize how time consuming and exhausting creativity could be.  I love to write Bible studies and encourage others to be in the Word.  But, teachers – I’ll hand it to you – making lesson plans day after day – you are my heroes!

This curriculum has been on my mind a lot.  I’ll be listening to a sermon, a devotional, a song, or see a game or a craft – and think “what lesson could I use that in?”.  I love it when a job is free enough to let me do that and have it not be a burden.

I could never do this on my own:

Steve Wright: Boss!  Thank you for giving me this opportunity.  Thank you for your encouragement and for pushing me in this direction almost daily.  Thank you for grace.  Thank you for your wisdom in the Connecting Church and Home Piece.  Maybe one day I’ll get to write one because I’ll be a parent – but most of it will be what I learned from you!

Blake/Nick/Joel/Bryan/Tana/Laurie/Shannon/Neal and Heather/Mike: Guys – you are a pleasure to serve with in many different ways and for different amount of times.  Thank you for your editing, your ideas, your crazy intro ideas, your hours of planning with me, book borrowing, etc.

Amy/Michele/Jennifer/Todd : These are the people behind the scenes – but you see their beautiful work.  Amy: you make me laugh and grin with your artwork.  Jennifer – no one would read this curriculum if you weren’t such a gracious editor.  Michele: your design ability blows my mind.  It is beautiful because of your work.  Todd: your diligence into the website design was great – thank you for your patience and hard work.

Jared K/Randy S/TPJ/Michael/Jesse/Dr. Ware/Ken Coley and countless others: Your impact on my life in ministry has been so profound and believe me – much of what you have taught me over the years is in this curriculum.  Thank you.

So, needless to say, this effort and resource that is still being made to help the next generation to Treasure Christ – it is for God’s glory – was not the result of me: but by an amazing team that I serve with here at Providence (including the pastors and elders that are such an encouragement to me in every step of this journey).

So…is your church needing a nw curriculum for everyone under the age of 18?  Do you want a tool your parents can use to help teach their children to worship Christ and treasure Him above all else?  Do you have a heart for the nations and want to see the Gospel taken to all peoples?  Do you serve at a church where you don’t have a large budget for SS curriculum?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions – this curriculum is worth your look.

I certainly think so – and hopefully I’m not too biased!

I’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have too: kim@pray.org

1.  I had a lovely time up at Kerr Lake this weekend – amidst storms and books and subway sandwiches and solitaire.  I took this photo (above).  Very relaxing.

2.  4 days till Alaska.  I love to travel and can’t wait to get to Seattle and then board a boat!

3.  A good friend of mine from Louisville was unanimously approved last night to be the new Student Pastor at Providence!  So excited to get to share life (and books) again with this family!

4.  Communication is so key in every relationship!

5.  I am not bringing any work stuff with me to Alaska.  The only reason I’m bringing the laptop is so I can download pictures off my camera to my laptop so my card won’t get full.  I’ll have my phone with me but primarily for answering personal emails, making phone calls in port cities, and sending mobile pictures to people who can’t enjoy Alaska with me.  I’m only bringing fun books – not theology books.  So EXCITED for Thursday – Sunday week.  Needed break!

6.  But that means I have a lot to do this week!

7.  Finishing up Randy Newman’s new book about sharing the gospel with people you are closest too (mainly, family).

8.  You should see my desk: seriously…books and print out of books – EVERYWHERE.  I am looking forward to Wednesday afternoon when it will be cleaned off! 🙂  I won’t know what to do with a clean desk!  – but see #5 – I won’t be here to see it!

Link Love

1.  Do you want to be a better writer?

2.  Bruce Ashford introduced me to this man, and here is a video Justin Taylor highlighted last week.

3.  Love my friend Courtney’s view on marriage.

4.  If you haven’t read this: stop whatever you are doing and read it now: and be encouraged.

Wow – its already May.  Where does the time go when you are having fun?

This month is a busy one for me, so here we go.

1.  First, to honor Christ through honoring Professor Chip Stam from the RDU area but last as a prof at SBTS.  He is now worshiping Jesus with no pain.  He met his Maker last night after a 4 year struggle with cancer.  I look forward to rejoicing with friends this weekend in Louisville as we celebrate his home going.

2.  The work I’ve been pouring life into the last year finally launched.  Not all done, but ready to put it out there and see how God will use it to bless churches and the nations.  Check it out: http://www.treasuringchristonline.com

3.  In three weeks from right now I’ll be on a big boat sailing up the coast of Alaska.  Can’t tell you how excited I am! 🙂

4.  Between now and then though I have much to do: a conference (Advance the Church), a night with Tim Keller to benefit DurhamCares, a trip to Louisville, welcoming friends in town, a wedding, work, writing, book reviews, training for a half marathon.  BUSY!!!! 🙂

5.  God is so gracious to me – in little ways!

Link Love:

1.  Love Tim Chester’s post on food

2.  Jess includes another make-under post: your workday!

3.  Makes me long for football season.  Only time of year I wish I didn’t live in NC: I’m not a Panther’s fan

4.  Oh my goodness, I so want to make this.

5.  Ann writes a great post on how to be a missional family.  You can also view a great resource we did at Providence on this topic as well:

6. I love my friend Courtney and her views on marriages and weddings.