April 21, 2013- Today is a glorious day. Awaken pioneer, our original and ultimate school leader Andrew York marries the beautifully magnificant Terry Lee. Together they usher our growing family into a greater impartation of what love looks like and means to be family.
This union brings together friends from all over the world, Awakeners past and present. Our school gets to watch it all, experience the amazingness that is going on and carry on the legacy set before us- uniquely and in greater measure. I firmly believe that. One, because ' Uncle Andy' told us so. But moreso, because I know it's true.
Two days ago, Andrew York, Erica Gusterson, Kat Hobin, Matthew Scapparotti and Chris Chun sat with our Awaken crew for an hour before our Awakening Leadership Track family time(which consists of sharing Scripture memorization and testimonies). They spoke to us about the vision and history of this school we have taken part in through DTS and have now chosen to come back to staff. Our vision is simple... HAHA we don't have one! After many attempts, it has never been pinned down. But that's okay because the history sums it all up. Awaken has been and continues to be all about people commited to pursuing God's presence in community. That's how it started and I know without a doubt that's what it will continue to be. Awaken is a bunch of friends following the Lord together, prioritizing His presence and celebrating it above all.
Ahhhh! I love it. This is so my heart. What I long for. What I am desire to live out. Kat asked me last week what I imagine when I envision heaven. I hadn't thought about it much before, but I spoke about this dream I have. Of a group of epic friends huddled around a fire in the woods. Intimate fellowship in wild beauty. Hanging out with people I love for eternity. This is what I see this 2013 Awaken school as. We are made up mostly of teammates and leaders, friends and family from the past few DTSs. All gathered around this thing that changed our lives. This Man, Jesus, we believe in. Commited to seeing the new, fresh, insane things He wants to pour out each day. Commited to being a part of it and receiving it for ourselves as well. Commited to His love and will being unleashed on all our friends as well. Because we know we need Jesus and we know Jesus desires for us to experience and enjoy His presence in community.
I am so excited for how these 30 Awakeners are going to be knit to my heart during the Track. I thirst for the way we are learning to walk out Awaken and hunger for how we will uniquely champion this name in 2013. For we are truly standing on the shoulders of giants. And yet, we are not intimidated. No, we are encouraged! AWAKEN carries FAMILY! That is who we are, there is no way we could be anything else. So, here's to pursuing Jesus forever with the ones that we love, to 'Uncle Andy' and his lovely bride Terry!!! May the glorious blessing of this phenominal union rain down on us all.
"Abide in Me, and I in you....that your joy may be made full....This I command you, that you love one another ....and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning."
|John 15-NASB|
