Rediscovering Writing

One of my (Jonelle's) jobs at Keynote is to write stories. I enjoyed my time in high school on the school newspaper and yearbook staff - but that was high school! Our 10th year reunion was this past summer, and 10 years is a long time to be writing infrequently.

I was a little nervous, yet excited, when I learned that there was a big need for writers on my team at Keynote. All of the external communication from Keynote (blog updates, brochures, recruiting pieces, etc...) stems from my team.

Since reporting last summer, I have been given the role of senior editor of writing and photography at Keynote. I love being able to capture stories of God changing lives through writing and photography! The writers and photographers whom I work with are phenomenal!

I'd like to share my latest story with you. It is a glimpse into the spiritual journey of a college student from Portland, Oregon.

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Sowing Seeds in Portland

“Who is the real God – Allah or the God of the Bible?”
 
Matthew, a college student in Portland, asked this question. His dad is a Muslim, and his mom is Catholic. While in Jordan last summer with his dad’s family, he read the Quran resulting in more questions about Islam and Christianity.

This situation is not surprising to John Rozzelle, Cru campus staff member in Portland. He believes that the rough spiritual soil in Portland brings unique challenges. As a result, more time is needed to cultivate relationships so spiritual conversations about Jesus can happen.

Continue reading about Matthew's journey...

Two Minute Tuesday | Feb26

Blog. Resurrected.

No long post about how it's been awhile. None of that.

Thank you for taking two minutes to pray for us this week. We apologize for missing last week's update. To try to make it up to you, here is a video update:

 

Prayer Requests:

Please pray for...

• our daily walk with Christ.
• Tony and his team's preparation for leading the World Wide Day of Prayer for Cru staff members in our region.
• Jonelle and her team's preparation for Keynote's Golf Challenge annual fundraiser. 

Please send us any prayer requests you may have!
In Christ,
Tony& Jonelle


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Go Team, Go!

We were blessed to report to our assignments at Keynote on the very first day of Summer Project. We quickly mixed into the fun and the crazy that is in the air when we have many college students with us for the summer!

While the students were with us learning how to share their stories, practicing their craft (music, film, or theater), and getting ready to take the gospel through the country on their tours....we were busy as well!

Tony and I were both assigned to the "Go Team" during summer project. But, what does that really mean? Take a look...

See those tables? The Go Team was responsible for keeping the tables wiped down from snacks and meals throughout Summer Project. The team also frequently set more up or tore some down, depending on what events were happening.

At the beginning of Summer Project, Tony picked up Kennan (singing in the white shirt) and others from the Indianapolis Airport. Jonelle made an airport run and got to know Toya (singing, left) and a few others.

The Go Team prepped, cooked, and served the students' Friday night dinners. The students were thankful for a meal that wasn't fast food!

The students' dress rehearsals (final performance before they left for tour) were open to the public...which means snacks and popcorn!

We enjoyed working as a team to set up and decorate the final banquet for the students to celebrate what the Lord did during the summer!

We had fun serving together! Although we were running around all summer and working late during the week and weekends...we had a great team and loved our first assignment with Keynote!

Our Happy Hand Model

Recently, our New Media Labs team at Keynote asked Tony to help with a video they were creating to promote MissionHub, an online follow-up system (developed by Cru in partnership with Keynote) designed to connect leaders with students who are interested in growing spiritually.

This animated video was sent to campus staff leaders with Cru to remind them of this great tool that was created for them to connect, communicate, and track ministry relationships. Keynote is excited to provide this tool to help campus staff reach others more effectively!

However, it oddly started to feel like the Seinfield Episode starring George Constanza as a hand model. Yes, Tony's role was to be a hand model in this little production! Take a look behind the scenes:

Here is the finished project:

*To read more about MissionHub, click here.*

Prompted

A good friend recently posted something on her blog that I have been thinking about lately. Instead of trying to formulate words for my thoughts...I am just going to feature hers.  :)

I have been on both ends of what she talks about in her post [below]. There have been times where I've called or texted someone just because they "came to mind", and those conversations, seemingly random to me, were a need filled to the recipient. On the other hand, there was a time where we were really struggling financially...living with friends while raising support, not getting paychecks yet, and living off sporadic part-time hours. We didn't tell anyone how crazy the situation was, because we were to get our little paychecks in a week, and God always comes through. I still don't know who did it, but someone left gift card in an envelope on my car. [If that was you: you don't know how much you blessed us that day!]

God knows. He sees. He listens. Sometimes he uses you.

Here are my friend's words. [Check out her blog, good stuff!] Wendy says:

    While at the recent home school convention in Cincinnati, I received a phone call from a friend back home.  It was very unexpected, but instead of letting my voice mail get the call, I picked it up.  On the other end of the line was Jenny, a gal who was quick to make friends and help them in any way. Although she possesses these great gifts, to the best of my knowledge Jenny is not a mind-reader.  She could not have known that I was just mulling over a recent workshop at the convention that convicted me regarding the parenting of one of my children.  She could not have known that I was struggling with the strained relationship this child and I were experiencing.  She could not have known that I was fighting fear that this child’s heart was hardening to the Lord.  Yet, even without this knowledge, the Holy Spirit worked within her to prompt her to call me from”out of the blue” and encourage me.  In her phone conversation, she shared how this child, the very one I had previously been dwelling on, was so kind to her recently.   She shared specific instances and words.  Purpose and love were driving this conversation and I was tremendously encouraged.

    How many times has the Holy Spirit prompted you to call someone?  To write an email or letter?  What is your response?  As I think back to the many prompts I’ve received from the Holy Spirit, I can remember specific times that I obeyed and rejoiced as I knew only God could have orchestrated such an occasion.  Of course, there have been other times that I’ve gone on with “my business” and not touched base with a friend who God put on my heart and mind.  I missed out on the chance to bless.  How good God is, though, as He continues to prompt us as we draw near to Him and humbly keep our hearts soft to Him.

    If the Holy Spirit has been silent in your life, consider if you truly know Him.  Has He done a supernatural work in your heart to change it from being dead to being alive and a new creation?  If He has indeed, and the fruit of your life is evidence of this very truth, then seek Him.  Ask Him to reveal people in need of an encouraging word, of help with babysitting their children, of money to pay a bill, of an invitation to dinner or even church.  Be open to these promptings; act on them.  And, see God at work!

From: Iron2Iron, Original Post Date: 30Apr12

Photo Friday

I got to spend a quick day with my little buds while we were in Dayton for some meetings. They love playing with the camera on my phone because it can flip around to look like a mirror. Giggles were had by all!

So Much More

As staff with Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru), we have the opportunity to venture to Colorado every other summer for the US Staff Conference. We have been there twice and have been so thankful to be able to take the 1.5ish weeks to be refreshed and renewed.

Keynote plays an exciting part at the US Staff Conference, too! Many of our staff are deeply involved in planning and running the conference. Also, Keynote staff provide the music! [Fitting, right? :)] Tony and I look forward to serving at many future conferences!

Below, enjoy the song, "So Much More," by Seth Irby, performed by Keynote at the 2011 US Staff Conference in Fort Collins, CO.

So Much For Love

Take a peek inside of one of Keynote's bands! Below, you can watch "So Much For Love," by The Gap Theory, performed at the 2011 RUSH Festival in Hyderabad, India. This large event was in partnership with the Billy Graham Association. We are excited to have worked with the Billy Graham Association and hope to build on that relationship in the near future!

Thankful.

Thankful - for our team of supporters speaking encouragement, truth, and wisdom to us...both when the waiting is good and when the waiting is rough.

Thankful - for access to the Word. "...hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God." (Psalm 43:5)

Thankful - that my happiness is not dependent on my circumstances. I have a deep contentment that is in the Lord alone. "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice." (Philippians 4:4)

Thankful - for the amazing sunshine today and the ability to take my dog on an afternoon walk in the sun.

Thankful - for an abundance of great church families in the area and our ability to choose where to connect and grow.

Thankful. 

What are you thankful for today?

Photo Friday

Welcome to the world, Devyn Vaughn.

This week, I had the pleasure of meeting this little guy and helping my sister and her hubbs out for a few days. His due date was this coming Sunday, but he decided to make his appearance a week early. No body seemed to mind, though. Devyn and I had two mini photo shoots while his parents were napping. Although we got some great shots, I don't think he was too fond of being my little model. He let me know by pooping all over me. End of shoot. Immediately. Clean up, aisle 1.