Adventures in Austin

I can't wait to share with y'all about fundraising, Urbana, and preparing for the spring semester. I ran around so much for the last month I haven't taken time to write about it all. But here's what I did last week.

I drove to Austin with my area director, Josh Howell. We planned next week's Area Team meeting and Ministry Intern hiring. After we were brain dead from planning, we got to our actual meetings in Austin!

It was my first Regional Leadership Team meeting; I loved it! The team is funny, passionate, and encouraging. We discussed developing champions for our ministry, people who are so committed to what we're doing they'll help us in whatever way they can. And we learned a ton about chapter building. I'm excited to apply it.

We shared what's going on in our lives and prayed. The next day, I had a couple breakthroughs. I realized my job isn't about maintaining my appearance for others - students, colleagues, donors. When I fail to do something, I don't have to find excuses or scramble at the last minute. I don't have to wonder if what I said or did is "good enough." I also realized I'm out of my depth in a lot of my life, especially the last 6 months as the new Assistant Area Director. That I've stepped out of my comfort zone to do something new. That any anxiety and exhaustion are caused by risks I've taken. That I should give myself space to turn to God, instead of feeling guilty over my fear. I just hadn't put together that I was taking any new risks.

Okay - on to the weekend! Kyle drove over Friday afternoon and we spent the weekend having an adventure. Friday night, we saw the Lion King! Saturday morning, Kyle ran in the Austin Gorilla Run. I have pictures:

Driving to the race.

Gorillas dancing to Thriller.

Kyle right after the race. A little tired and sweaty, no?

Kyle, a little happier, now that he has his banana.
Saturday night, we went to the Alamo Drafthouse, where we saw the group Master Pancake Theater make fun of Terminator 2. It was inappropriate most of the time, but it was also really hilarious. Sunday, we visited the Capitol for the first time.

Now for the food - with the Regional Leadership Team, I ate an Independent and a Democrat at Torchy's and my first hot pot at Chen Z. I had a burger at Cherrywood Coffee House. Kyle and I hit 888 for pho; Tacodeli for like 6 different tacos; Amy's Ice Cream for Fudge, S'mores, and Mexican Vanilla with strawberries; Alamo Drafthouse for pizza, popcorn, and movie candy; and Gourdough's. Delicious.

Food trucks are all the rage in Austin. And now I understand why.

A Funky Monkey and a Flying Pig at Gourdough's.