Thoughts from the infamous "Slidewinder"

Slidewinder...a great nickname given to me by one of the guys on our assignment. A perfect description of who I feel I am now. Walking hand in hand down a hill with Wyatt Ogle (age 3) today at Dollywood, he started to sit down mid-stride. I asked him what he was doing, and he replied, "I thought I could slide down!" Sometimes I feel as if I am sliding, sometimes I feel like I am winding...both courses have two emotions. I am either enjoying the lack of complexity they both behold (like Wyatt) or other times I am overwhelmed with the lack of control. I want to slide and wind into the hands of my Savior, the one that Wyatt sees and wants to say, "Come on, Carol Lee...of course you can slide down this concrete hill."

Winding through the mountains to Pigeon Forge with the Ogle's, trees on each side, gorgeous views, I was amazed at the beauty of it all! Heaven, or what I think my heaven is like! :) Sliding away from the business of the past few days in between Maryville, Lenior City and crossing the Battle of the Bridge (Loudon). Overwhelmed with the excitement of seeing what and where I am going to be a part of in this new adventure that I am about to embark on. Walking and praying around Loudon High School (population 700) and up the stairs we run into the LHS Cheerleading squad and coach. How incredible to see the need so deep and desire to become the fabric of these girl's lives! :) These past few days, I loved my time with my family: Grandad (who turned 87 this week), my Nana, Patricia (sister) and unexpected surprise, Andrew (brother). Great conversations, encouragement, excitement to be moving closer and priceless conversations. I was incredibly blessed to meet and be encouraged about the excitement of bringing me here on staff, by the Loudon County YL committee Tuesday night. Isaiah speaks about the year of the Lord's favor in chapter 61.

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor"...

I am expectant of great things! His favor is upon this adventure. There are so many broken hearts, pain, high school kids held captive to their darkness. I am expectant of the Lord to anoint this ministry, for every leader, staff, committee and for this entire community!

AS we slide from this into the next 3 weeks at Windy Gap on assignment, I am expectant of the Lord to do immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine. As I fill the role of Work Crew (high school kids coming to serve) Boss, I look forward in encouraging deep relationships, depth with the Lord and serving this team in such a way that glorifies the Lord.

C. John Miller writes in the Heart of a Servant Leader, "What I finally came to as I walked and prayed for you is the old, old story of getting the gospel clear in your own hearts and minds, making it clear to others, and doing it with only one motive- the glory of Christ."

Whether you are sliding or winding...Your motive-the Glory of Christ! Or like Wyatt, just plain common sense (Duh!)

-"Slidewinder"