Keep Moving Forward

For the United Methodist Illinois Great River Conference we have put another annual conference in the bag. For 4 days all the UM pastor's of central and southern Illinois gather and confer. This is a time where families, friends, and colleges have a few short days to catch-up, laugh, eat, and reflect over the past year. This is exactly what has happened.

As I sit and relax, with my feet up, relaxing at a dear friends house with her family, I am reminded of the art of growth. I reflect over this last year alone, at the person I have grown into.
Not only my own personal growth and understanding but overall the UM's growth and understanding has occurred.

With the close of 2015 annual conference there was an air of discontent and even sadness as many big and meaningful decisions and legislations were made. After the general meeting of the United Methodist Conference in Portland, OR. in May of this year, the church found an understanding of direction, unity, and the need of Christ's Love in this life. When we convened, worshiped, went through legislation, celebrated, and said goodbye; it was clear that growth had occurred over the past year.
How are we able to identify growth and then able to continue that growth?

It seems like in today's culture and driven society we don't take the time to recognize our own amazing abilities and accomplishments! If we are never able to admit and admire our own growth, how do we know that we are growing? How are we able to calculate growth? We acknowledge, we reflect, and we celebrate what we have done and where we have come. We find our biggest growth in the little milestones that pave our path.

I love witnessing the growth that has happened in my life and the life and ministries around me. Everyday I am excited and ready to step into the future of this growth. So for one more year Annual Conference has been put in the bag and the person I was yesterday has grown into a future that has been paved for me.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope!" Jeremiah 29:11

Blessings & Joy