My word, what a summer.

I’m writing this on the drive home today surrounded by piles and piles of my ridiculous possessions, as well as four incredible friends. I couldn’t have paid to be in a better spot.

Where do I even begin the story of the journey I just went through? Between working hard and earning some cash to live on this semester and making lifelong friends, the city of Austin became my home away from home in a matter of moments, upon my arrival there. The Lord amazed me in countless ways this summer that would take more than a blog to really dive into!

Over and over, I heard the voice of the living God reminding me to be faithful this summer. Find contentment in only Him, dying to myself, and being so moved by the love story that the only thing I can become is a vessel for Christ’s love to flow through. Worshiping at the Austin Stone was life changing, and only served to energize me for this semester of growth! In preparation for this semester, I have come up with some big goals and ideas about how I would like to see things go, but one thing that has become so clear to me is the way that the huge mission that God has called us to will struggle if it’s members are not meeting daily with their creator! With that said, I’m praying fervently that the Lord would be constantly burning a passion in my soul for Himself, and praying for other people around me to burn as well. See for me, if someone wants to join with me in the pursuit of the Lord, that accountability is inescapable, and before I know it, I’ll be headed down a path that the Lord might actually want me to take! (Imagine that!) So it starts with community between myself and my fellow soldiers; I want to first join with others in chasing as hard as we can after the Glory of the Lord, and then watch as the supernatural power of Christ is released onto the campus upon our profession of faith in the Gospel that we preach. Like I said before, I met some incredible people this summer, and one of them encouraged me to, “begin to wake up every day and desire to know what the Lord is thinking.” Could our mindset become the same as the Lord’s? Could we begin to see the people around us the same way that He sees them? My prayer is that Plaza Canvas Group could be the group to do it.

So, after we begin to build our own community, my prayer is simply that we would add to it. It’s not about seeing people get saved for me, at least not right off the bat. If the Lord is ready for that, then by all means! Let’s do it. But so often I have seen the spirit seem to use me as a puzzle piece, instead of that final link to when the gospel finally makes sense to someone. I want to give people a chance to see what Christians who are consumed by the grace of God look and act like; to me, to give kids a home away from home is the biggest testimony to Christ’s love we can display. But it all stems from falling deeply in love with the man who fell deeply in love with each one of us.

Phew

Does that even say it? (It's 9:30, July 23rd a.k.a. my last day in K.C., MO). Today will be full of packing up my heavy, heavy load of belongings (not really) after a 12 hour shift guarding lives around the pool environment yesterday. Guard BIG or go home, I always say! Solid, I know.

For those that thought I had disappeared...thank you for your concern; but no, I've been life-guarding here in Kansas City. And I must say: "what great hospitality." Since the middle of June I've been living in my friend Megan's attic/AC 3rd story. I've explored the city during my off-days. I've been to The Plaza, Westport, Brookside, Lee's Summitt, Belton/Raymore and Raytown. I've seen Tom Petty at The Sprint Center, gone on a few bike rides, and ran around town. I've been to Winstead's numerous times. I've even shown CoMo some love supporting the Band of Horses concert (a great show).

But listen, enough catching up. Let's cut to the chase.

"Tell us again, what is something you are excited about come this fall" you ask?

I am looking forward to more fellowship, time to grow, and support from Him. I've missed the support from peers that I always would seek from The Rock. Granted, I've been blessed to grow my friendships with people here in KC, but being away at college with kids really does something special for me... With that said, I've learned to seek more support from Christ when I wasn't around The Rock community. I've always known this; yet I feel more inclined to rest on His intentions (not mine or others). Essentially, this year I will continue to seek support from Him. I am excited to continue learning to grow spiritually. I'm looking forward to the encouragement from one another to reach out more; to really show Christ's love. I am ecstatic to learn new good habits like reading more often and discussing more often; what a challenge!

Well, that's all she (he) wrote folks! Heading to the countdown city (SATX) tomorrow in the morning. Some time spent in San Antonio, Austin, and hopefully the border. Grand. I'll take some pics!

God is good: always remember that.

Miss you guys- Ben

Dreaming

Hey people! Chris here, after a month of no posts on the blog I say we need to fix that.

Aimee and I have started talking about the fall and we have a couple questions for you:

Can we get an update from your summer?

Tell us again, what is something you are excited about come this fall?

We want to get the ball rolling by dreaming. Personally, I just got back from a staff retreat in Colorado on Sunday and the gears are turning big time. I've had a summer filled with planning a discussion group, taking a recovery class and doing a men's bible study with the guys here in Columbia. God's really challenged me through those things and although it's not been perfect, I've been really encouraged this summer.

To get to what I'm excited about. You all are a huge part of that. It's going to be my first time beginning the school year as a staff member so to have the time to pour into this beginning-of-the-year stuff is something I am really pumped about. I'm excited about casting the net early on and seeing who we catch. The beginning of the year is a crucial time for us to set a precedent in the group and in the dorms. I am praying hard that we take full advantage of that opportunity.

Your turn!

Get Ready

Hello Planvas Group Equippers.

I hope your June is going well. Have you gotten some time to rest? What is your relationship with the Lord like these days? Are you taking initiative with your time to further his kingdom? I'm praying that you are all finding joy in the Lord and that he has been at work in your life. It's crucial for us to be pursuing the Lord so that we do not become apathetic, complacent or lazy.

Come July, we need to turn the page in our roles as equippers for next year. We will need to start dreaming for the fall. I have a ton of questions I want us to start thinking about but I'm going to hold off until July actually gets here. Please start taking the time to take a hard look at where you are with the Lord. What changes need to happen? Are we taking joy in Him? Are there things that we need to bring to light and humbly ask others to pray for? If so, then let's get to it.

I can't wait to do ministry with you all this fall. Get excited because this will be a big year for us. We need to be prepared, though. A huge danger of doing ministry can be that it replaces your actual walk with the Lord. I want us to be in a healthy place as an equipping team to start dreaming and brainstorming for the fall. Let us know what to pray for. Lay your struggles, your fears and your burdens at the throne - that's where they belong. I pray that your fellowship with the Lord strengthens and that you get to know him more and more.

This is going to be great. I can't wait to get started.

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."

So I finally have internet again!

This is Cassady signing in... I'm sure some of you were beginning to wonder if I had fallen off of the face of the earth and in a way I kind of did. Or so it feels without internet. lol

Since leaving Columbia, which feels like a lifetime ago, I've been a lot busier than I expected to be at home. The week after I got here (Blue Springs, MO) I helped my family move to Oak Grove (about 15 minutes from Oak Grove). Between the move we haven't had internet until today and so I'm finally able to post!

The new house we moved to is awesome, and besides the air conditioner breaking after the first week and the sunk pump breaking and flooding our basement (which is where my room is or was before it moved into our living room while we pump the water back out) after the rain storm last Tuesday (June 8) night, and the toilet breaking the house has been a blast. My parents might need some prayers from all the stress and costs though....

I've had an awesome time working on our new yard and garden and going fishing in our new pond with my little brothers. My youngest brother Keenan (he's 3) caught this huge catfish which I think was about half his size!

Besides working our new house and remodeling and cleaning the old place up I've been working at my glorious summer job at Taco Bell. This is where I might need some prayer.... although I've been getting overtime, which is great pay, we have a total of 16 employees, including our 3 managers and we are constantly understaffed. So it's been kind of stressful. But we recently got a new manager and six new employees... so once they know what they're doing I'm sure it will be great.

The last few weeks since coming home I feel like there have been a lot of ups but a lot of downs too. Life feels a little crazy and uncontrollable while one thing after another breaks or goes wrong between work or the house(s) even while it's exciting and fun too. Although so many things haven't gone as would've been preferred every time I talk to God about it He seems to whisper one word over all the noise- Patience. This craziness is temporary and God is there through all of it! So very in brief that's whats been going on and I have been practing the virtue of patience :).

Great to hear from you again Brooke and CR looks awesome, and I'll be praying for your job Ben. Your church sounds exciting Travis and good luck to the Schultze's with their support raising. It's so great to hear from you all and have a blast in Yellowstone Zach!
Over and Out and God bless!
-Cassady

hey there friendlies!

Greetings from the flowery side of the Swift apartment! I hope you all are doing well. Man, I have been so encouraged by all your posts... so encouraged and excited in following them that I forgot to post myself! Silly me.

Thanks Travis, Ben, Brooke and everyone for keeping up. This has been so fun to stay connected. I have been excited to see your enthusiasm with the beginning of the school year. Travis I liked the scripture you shared to "finish the work we have started," because I think it is all to tempting at times to zone out and start planning for the next best thing. And yet we still have two good solid months of summer.

2 months.
That's 61 days.
17% of a year.
.0083 % of our lives so far (averaging our ages).

God could probably use those 2 months to do some good things.
Just a guess.

Things are starting to get going in Como. I started classes last week, and I am really enjoying it. Unlike my Biology classes in Undergrad, my Education courses are way more discussion based, reading based, tell-me-how-you-think based. I really like that and feel that I am designed to think more like that anyway.

Other than that, I have been reading a few new books (other than the three I am reading for school). One new one is What's So Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancey. I'll let you know how I like that in the next few weeks.

Here are a few more highlights of what I've been doing since my last post:

Chris and I went to the St. Louis Zoo
(You may have seen some of our pictures on his last post)

My feet after Ben and Mazvita's wedding.

Started biking thanks to my friend Beth.


My Papa got a new puppy.
First named Willy, then Buddy, then Bully, and now Dingo.

Hello Friends! Austin, Texas here!

It's been a while since i've heard from you guys, so I figured I had better check in. Brooke - it's great to hear from you! those pictures are all sooo awesome, seems that your semester has been an incredible one. As i write this today i'm encouraged by the thought of you all, knowing that we're all fighting this summer together, one in mind and purpose. This morning i was energized by the fourth consecutive life changing morning at the Austin Stone Church, and was moved by the faithfulness of the Lord; as i look back on my life, there are so many places where i can definitely say i "set up an altar" (like Abram in Genesis) at a time when the Lord came through for me. This entire summer is already shaping into one of those times.

Last night I was encouraged and challenged by something I read, sitting at Mozart's coffee shop, enjoying my ginger-peach iced tea. In 2 Corinthians, Paul encourages the church in Corinth with the knowledge of their "new creation" in Christ, and through his blood. Check out chapter 5, verses 16 - 21...

"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

With that said, I'm sure you would all agree that the semester can't get here soon enough. No doubt, we're looking forward to a year of incredible growth, and hopefully one that is blessed by the Lord working through us. I'd like to follow up that passage with another one though, that will hopefully serve to be a foundation for the mission; that we might continually read it, be encouraged, and forever motivated with a passion that burns, to spread this beautiful Word. 2 Corinthians 8: 10-12 -

"And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have."

Intense, right? I think we've got the willingness, and my prayer is that we will carry it out, throughout the summer, and the next two semesters. One day at a time. Thanks for tuning in today guys, hope you're all doing well!

From Far, Far Away,

- Trav

p.s. - starting a good summer playlist... check out all the live bands playing from Bonnaroo right now on NPR, especially this one...!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127132792

The Heart of Kirkwood

Alright. New day. Kaldi's coffee shop. Hope all's well. I'm doing well! Music of choice: "Hallucinations" by Angels & Airwaves (props to Travis and Deano's introducing me).

Been around today applying for different jobs around the Kirkwood area. This place could happen... simultaneously with that last statement I just witnessed what I would potentially start out as (yes, dear reader, a busboy). Perfect. Maybe the Alpine Shop, the YMCA, or Schnuck's should become my priority possibility.

With that said, the day has been full of purchases. Got the pop's his Father's Day gift (retro Spurs pennant and a Rams' pennant and an $8.00 poster of the recently-constructed-year-old stadium of the new Busch Stadium). Oh, what a day it will be when he receives this in the mail with my sympathetic card for the national dedication day set for Dad's all around. Not too sure if the gift will match the spa treatment my sister's and I bought for the mom. Who knows?...

The K.C. possibility is still a toss up. I've become a bit more comfortable with the idea; so, "it could happen" -(J.P., Angels in the Outfield).

However, avid reader, do not get the notion that I haven't enjoyed my time here in St. Louis. I've become accustomed to alone time and time for reading...a time I never knew I'd develop. And, yes, a time for this blog which (for what it's worth) I never saw myself doing during summer.

But, as I said before (and I'll say it again), "not my will but the Bigger Man's Plan".

Well, it's been real ladies and gents. Hope all's well.

I leave with this final statement: "Soul Survivor" by Angels & Airwaves (LOVE).

Over and out-

Bschwenk

Hola todos! Estoy en Costa Rica todavía.

But I only have about 16 days left. It has been a good semester, but I’m definitely ready to be back home to family, Cruz, friends, and food (I eat rice and beans about three times a day). I have really missed you guys and being with my church family, by the way Ben, it’s nice to meet you. I thought I’d share with you guys some of my experiences and adventures here since I’ve been out of contact for so long. I thought this could be a quick summary of some of my happenings.

I got to zip line through a cloud forest,

climbe an active volcano and go boarding down it,

and climb a bell tower in a church overlooking a beautiful town in Nicaragua,

I found great napping spots,

sometimes the cows were there to wake me,

also chose this as a resting place for a few nights.

I lived off of chips and salsa for the weekend,

and made sure I was hydrated.

I visited an exhilarating banana plantation,

went to the championship futbol game in CR

and then ate taco bell for the first time in months.

Then I got asked to play in a soccer game myself, futbol cinco.

we hunted for crocodiles, and found some

And this past weekend we saved some leather back turtles and helped their moms lay eggs.

Of course those are just the some of the highlights. I did some school work too. I hope all of your semesters went well for you and I can't wait to be back on campus at Mizzou and get back together with you guys. I'm glad to see that so far your summers are off to a great start! See you soon!

Brooke

Man! Can I just say that I love the people involved in this blog so much. It's like i'd be ok with summer being done, just to get back into all that crazy Rock ministry action. I'm reading the last two posts and rolling on the ground laughing.

Life in Austin is still good this week - working a lot. The Austin Stone Church is going to be a life changer for me this summer; it's already been a blessing in my life, only two weeks in. Check out Aaron Ivey (the worship leader) 's stuff on iTunes or MySpace - so sweet.

I'm thinking of you guys - tuesday night college night starts this coming week, so i'm hoping to get involved in some incredible community; if you get a chance to pray for anything, that'd be it!

Thanks for the joy guys -

Travis

Chris here,

I used to be a good blogger. Seriously, I used to post all the time back in the days of Xanga. Now I'm like, well what do I even say in a blog? Then I have this mini-conversation in my head of what I could say and then by the end of it I get bored and forget to post anything. But not this time. This time I'm going to post!

So life in Columbia has been pretty interesting so far. Andrew and Kirstin have been through training and are now officially raising support to be on staff! That is something that I've been pretty excited about lately. I'm really hap

py for them. They are starting on the planet Vulcan and working their way around the universe from there.

Secondly, Aimee and I went to St Charles/Louis lately. That was a pretty good trip for us to just get away (and see a lot of her family.) We went to the zoo! Look what we saw!

So basically other than that we have been preparing and waiting patiently for Summer Rock to begin. It does so tonight, so the wait is over. I'm really excited to be

gin getting to know some of the guys and gals here this summer a little more. I'm leading a basic theology discussion group on Sunday nights that I am pumped about. The men and women are going to be having separate studies each week that the Clootens are leading. And finally, I'm sure we'll be up to other antics throughout the summer.

Boys & Girls Town continues to be a joy. Here is a typical day:

Fun!

The other big thing going on right now is that God is really moving in my heart lately. He's gotten me excited about his Word again and the joy in bringing the kingdom to this campus! I've been reading me some 2 Corinthians 5 lately on the Ministry of Reconciliation. It's some good stuff.

"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

Hey, thanks for the updates guys! Keep em coming! It's good hearing from you and I hope God is at work in your hearts.

- Chris

Well- as you can tell, I had a problem today. Around the likes of 6:30 P.M. or so I had the inclination to go on another "Grant's Trail" bike ride (Yes, named after Ulysses S. Grant, for all you Civil War junkies). I thought I'd have another enjoyable ride.

Now, if you haven't come across the split from the overview. Let me readdress from a first-person frontal point of view...

There we go. So as you can notice, I rode (pun) into a malfunction with my handlebars. Now, mind you, I was at a four-way stop with at least one fellow motorist nearby. In fact, it was a Mazda with an attractive girl as its driver. Looking ahead of my well-read stop sign, I couldn't help but taking this stop "by a girl so stunning, only to get stopped by a girl so stunning." Unfortunately, she didn't notice or stop to assist me (being in front). So no, no help or getting asked to the Sadie Hawkins Dance. Anyway, my handlebars snapped today. I was wearing my helmet, for what it's worth. To my disbelief, not a scratch nor a bruise from this split second or a yelp from this strangling instance. Looking back, I remember I could have gone to church (as tonight being the mid-week gathering) or go on a bike ride. I chose to ride.

To debrief, let me leave you with this idea. The choice I made to ride my bike instead of attend church alludes to our relationship with Christ. He loves us so, that He allows us to choose. This choice paints a supreme picture of what His true love is for us. I feel that many (as myself) may choose earthly practices (i.e. riding a bike) while few choose to attend a mid-week church service. Either way, that freedom he equips in our relationship reveals how great His love is for us.

Whether or not this allusion might be a bit of a stretch, I feel its importance as this instance had my day at a high and at a low.

This is Ben Schwenker from St. Louis, Missouri and goodnight!- signing off.---

I appreciate that Ben really explored the creative opportunities of posting on this blog.

-travis

Ben here!- (no pun intended)

Hangin' at this empty house in Kirkwood, MO; and to all whom it may concern, they don't partake in any activities (i.e. Bridge, Solitaire, Bunco). These folks are rich with life selling houses left and right. I don't see them much through the day, yet once the PM hits it's possible there may be a homemade meal waiting for me.

To be honest, they've been gone for a week in the hearty state of Kentucky. As much as I enjoyed their meals and company, I can guess they miss my youth to assist their "being young again". No worries, though; for today I await their return!

Today (May 29th) is my "first" day of work. I've had meetings and in-service trainings. Fun, I know!

To my surprise, the last meeting I had I found out that I wasn't on the schedule for the entire month of June... definitely a problem. It's a mystery. I've gotten in touch with my employer and there's not much they can do about it. Apparently I can "be a groundskeeper" (YES!) or "be a primary sub for those that can't work." Honestly, I'm not a fan of either.

With that said, there's a bit of opportunity on the table: On the other side of the spectrum, I have the chance to move to KC, MO and lifeguard there (And yes, a promising schedule and a higher rate w/ more shifts). All I need to do is talk the 'rents into it (Mom and Dad) & really stick to "The Plan of the Big Man".

Though the problem doesn't seem too great, please keep me in your prayers as to where I'm supposed to end up. I'll keep you all posted.

Well, it's ben great, really! As you can see, I've found a lot to do in this wonderful city of Missouri.

Off to save lives!

Ben Schwenker

Yes!

Howdy y'all!

That's Texan for what's goin' on. Travis Blaine Sterrett, signing into the blog here!

I'm in Austin, doin' my thing like I always do I guess. Life has been good these past couple weeks, living in the house by myself some, spending time with some interesting characters. Hey I was wondering if we were going to be studying anything together over the summer though - any thoughts on that? I know I will have time to be on the blog quite a bit, so if we all want to read some scripture together I'm in. I know Schwenker doesn't have anything to do in St. Louis, so he's in too. ha ha ha. Anyway - i'll try to figure out how to post some pics on here!

Talk to everyone soon -

--Travis

Zach here, I'm in Fayetteville AR at the moment and i'll be leaving for Camp War Eagle this afternoon. At camp i'll be able to check the internet about once a week and will be able to use my phone about as often so i'll try and shoot another post whenever I can. Camp ends on july 10th and we leave for yellowstone on july 15th, during that time i'll be in KC and i'll just be hanging out with friends and getting ready for the trip. After we leave for yellowstone it'll pretty much be no internet and some phone until i get back to Columbia. Right now i'm nervous about camp but also really excited, i'm sure i'll feel better after i've been there a day or two though. over and out.

Greetings from the Swifts!

Yep, still here in peachy Columbia, Missouri. You all have left us and yet we have to go on with our lives... sad... I know.

Anyway, here's to our attempt to stay connected over the summer. Chris and I are super excited about this idea that Travis brought up. We hope that our canvas group blog can be a great way for us to all share the ups and downs, bores and excitements, things learned and things taught. Share with us the lessons learned at home (Cassidy), favorite kids at camp (Zachariah), best coffee shop in Austin (Travis), favorite St. Louis trend (Ben), and even some culture shock returning home to the States (Brooke). We'd love to hear it all, and we will definitely be keeping in touch with you.

So far, nothing has changed except for you guys have left. Sad.

But soon, things will be changing. Until then, adios!

aimee swift