Greek Mega Bible Study

On a Tuesday night, a group of about 25 students involved in greek life at UNO came to the "Mega Bible Study" hosted by my teammate Adam and I. It was co ed, which offered a different dynamic than the traditional studies that are held each week. The topic of discussion for the night is something that I think everyone can relate to: Relationship, Identity, and Mission. 

25 students came out for the Greek Mega Study

Caleb, Jill and I before the study began!

Caleb and Jill are both on the FOCUS Greek Exec committee and are helping to plan events like this in the future! Each of them are learning ways in which they can reach out to their sorority and fraternity members now, and eventually how to lead a life of evangelization in the workplace after college.

Study on Relationship, Identity, and Mission

It was crowded, but not a problem for these college students. We just pulled up couches, and chair and this room transformed from a formal meeting space into a comfortable lounge, where the students (and myself included) could listen to God's word, learn from each other, and eat snacks! 

Pulling up couches and chairs, there
was just enough seating for everyone!

Jill, Marisa, Myself, and Ali after the study.

This mega bible study went very smoothly! Opinions and questions were brought up by the students and it was so great to hear them discussing and explaining to each other the importance of things like prayer, and going to church. The importance of having a personal relationship for Christ, and how they also need to invite their friends into that relationship. It seems like the students I am working with are really understanding the importance of their actions and how they can both make a positive or negative influence on those around them...and they are choosing to make sacrifices so that they can lead their friends and others to Christ! I am so blessed to be living here to witness this and help them along the way. Please continue to pray for me and the students I encounter. Thank you!

Nebraska March for Life

Thousands of people gathered at the Capitol in Lincoln and marched in the snow and slush early on a Saturday January 31, 2015. News story here All religions, all ages, and all organizations that are pro life were present. 

My favorite poster from one of the young Pro Life marchers!

Many students and parishes from Omaha drove to Lincoln to join the thousands of marchers in support of the walk for life. Even the snow/sleet/rain could not keep the pro life marchers away! (The Arizona girl in me was crying inside, but the new Nebraskan was ready for the adventure in the snow at 8am! All things become possible with both passion and God.)

Elizabeth and I taking a picture in the snow!
 (Yes, even the snow could not keep us  away!)

Snow and sleet making it a very wet morning.

Students from the College of Saint Mary in Omaha.

Brian, Me, and Teresa drove from Omaha to Lincoln
 to be present at the pro life March in Lincoln.

"We <3 Babies"

Boys will be boys: these high school boys ran the distance from the capitol to UNL and then stood outside until the conclusion of the march. Their chests were painted as if they were going to a football game, but instead of cheering on their team they painted their chest for those who do not have a voice! They painted their chest pink and blue with the message, "WE <3 BABIES." 

Jason Evert in Omaha: Chastity

Jason Evert and his wife Crystalina.

Jason and Crystalina Evert have spoken to more than one million people on six continents about the virtue of chastity. After working for Catholic Answers in San Diego for more than a decade, the couple moved to Denver and began a new ministry focused solely on promoting purity: Chastity Project. One of the Parishes in Omaha hosted Jason Evert for a Q&A session for the college age students in the area. Over 100 students were in attendance, and let me tell you the impact was huge on many of the students!  

 Jason Evert in Omaha! He is a national speaker
on chastity, and was one of the guest speakers
 in Nashville at SEEK. 

Who attended?

Over 100 college age students in Omaha attended this talk about chastity. Keep in mind that there was no one "type" of student in attendance. Some of the students were faithful Catholics. Some had attended SEEK in January and liked what they heard from Jason there. Still more came at the invitation of a friend, not knowing exactly what to expect. 

 One student, Marisa, came to this talk and I have had the privilege of getting to know her over this past month. Since this talk in early February she has attended the Thursday night Mass's, Greek Community nights, as well as Sunday night Mass's each week. She also joined the bible study that is being led by one of my disciples, Ali. (They are both in Chi Omega). For lent, I saw her on ash wednesday at a fundraiser event on campus. As soon as she saw me, she couldn't wait to tell me that she had just come from Mass. (Which I could see, from the ashes on her forehead.)  She went on to say that not only did she go, but her entire family went with her, and they haven't been to church together in years. I can't wait to see what where this journey to Christ leads her, and I am privileged to be a part of it. Thank you for joining me in this journey: together you are helping me reach students like Marisa each day here in Omaha! 

One of the best things about being in Omaha, is that not only do I have the opportunity to impact the students, but I have the ability to impact the entire family! 

I was able to sit very close with the students
who came with me!

So what kinds of questions did the students ask?

You might be curious to hear some of the questions that college students are asking today. Below are just a few of the questions that were asked, and Jason did not hesitate to answer any one of them! 

"What is wrong with reading 50 Shades of Grey?"

"What's the point of saving sex for marriage? Don't we need to 'practice' so we know what we are doing?" 

"Can a person of the opposite sex be the accountability partner for a friend who is struggling with a porn addiction?"

"Why is it bad to spend the night at your boyfriend/girlfriends house if you don't do anything other than sleep next to them?" 

"Is it ever ok to take birth control?"

Jason discussed answers to these questions, and many others. He also discussed how students can start living a chaste life today. I recommend checking out his website www.chastityproject.com to see all that Jason is involved with and how he became an international speaker about chastity. He also recommends http://www.covenanteyes.com/ for anyone who is struggling with an addiction to porn. (Not something we like to talk about, but something that is affecting men and women everywhere. It knows no one type of demographic. In fact, the statistic is that by the age of 11 most children have been exposed to porn.) 

Over 100 students in attendance for the Q&A about Chastity.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Because of you, so many students are having life changing experiences and encounters with God while they are in college. Speakers like Jason are able to come to Omaha to give presentations about chastity and not only do the students attend, but they are engaged in a conversation with him throughout! 

Spiritual Bootcamp (Feb 2015)

The Spiritual bootcamp was a retreat built around getting to know the Holy Spirit and receiving spiritual healing. Jen, a grad student in the engineering program at UNO, came with me and it was a great experience for the two of us and the other students who were able to come!

Jen and I at the retreat! 

Praying with the students.

Going for a walk to pray with the students
and Father Taphorn. 

Students came from across Nebraska for the retreat.

At the end of the retreat, the students were trained on how to pray with one another so that they can bring the power of prayer to their campuses. Pray for them and all of us here in Nebraska (and Pittsburg). Thank you!

Big Mamma's Kitchen

When not a single bank would offer Big Mamma a loan just 8 years ago, she was 65, retired and had no experience in the restaurant business. Determined to not let that get in her way she applied for a loan through a company that takes risks on people like Big Mamma. Her dream of opening up her kitchen to serve more people soon became a reality and today she still cooks the old fashioned way. (no microwaves!)

This restaurant is located in one of the rougher neighborhoods of Omaha, and can be hard to find unless you know exactly where you are going. For Fr. Hoesing's birthday he wanted to go to Big Mamma's and we all enjoyed ourselves!  

Big Mamma came and shared with us how
her restaurant got it's start. 

The team and I at lunch for Fr. Hoesing's Birthday!