Recently with the McLaughlins

Wow. Friends, someone needs to help me remember where I left my mind when I moved to Denver. Apparently, I have lost it. I have been trying to access this blog for about a month now, desiring to post about our life & ministry, and hmm...Kayla cannot remember her password. Or which e-mail she uses for that matter.

Finally, I found it today ;) Both my login information, and my mind.

Denver sort of feels a bit like our home now. It's interesting how comfortable we can feel here in a short time, and even in the midst of traveling with little chance to build momentum in personal life, relationships, or ministry. Most of you know the past few months have been some wild ones. Yet, God has been so intimate with us. He in a lot of ways has been showing me my "roots" that He has been deepening in me my whole life. Austin said something to me yesterday that I should never forget. I was feeling a bit discouraged about my abilities to reach Latino students here in the city, and really my importance or place on a team, in our marriage, or just in life. (you know those moments?) I told Austin, "I feel called to something I am not 100% sure I am the most qualified for, even in my dependence on God for everything...I mean I wasn't called to love Latinos since I was 7 or anything...." Austin looked me dead in the eye and said

"Kayla, your God has been preparing you for this very moment since before you were born. Everything He has done in and for you has been preparing you for this time..."

For some reason it stuck. It really hit. I know I have been through these tapes many times before, but God whispered through Austin his unfading plan for my life that will not be thwarted and has always been set. It's fun now to see God showing me how He has been doing that in my life. What an exciting time of life when my eyes are being opened. He is so gracious. And my husband is such an ever-deepening blessing.

As for what we have been up to? Well...

Us at our first Rockies game. That's right. We sat SO STINKIN CLOSE. A faithful supporter of Denver CRU here in the city gave us free tickets! Thank you Lewan!

We ended on campus the last week of April, as classes were coming to a close. We had a great week of connecting with students. I had 2 conversations specifically that excited me for the coming summer. Girls at Auraria are so eager for friendships and Jesus is eager to give them life in His name. Although Austin has had a more difficult time finding guys who are interested in discussing spiritual things, the few guys he has connected with are really great. One, a believer, is passionate about the Lord and looks forward to seeing his campus transformed with the Gospel.

The first week of May we had a week of planning with the greater Metro team of CRU. The Lord really met us there as we evaluated the year and looked ahead to what He would do next year. Austin is still relishing in how God continues to show us that He will move mightily through Destino. We took time this week to specifically plan for Destino, and established some great goals & vision for the coming year. We are SO EXCITED at the potential of having 2-3 staff members join us this fall with Destino!

Last week, we had the chance to visit friends at a wedding of one of my (kayla) best friends. We also spent a few days with family on the way home. Some of you may know, but my cousin had a brain tumor removed from his cerebellum a few weeks ago. As hard as it was to be so far away during the crisis of my family, we were so delighted to spend the day worshiping Jesus as He continues to heal Bay. He is doing great now. The doctors got all of it, and we are still waiting to hear back from Oncology. Please be praying for his recovery. If you could see him, you would want to "drink him in" (as my dad said) and be caused to worship God at the sound of his thanking God for not only his healing, but for the tumor itself. Bay has a special heart of trusting God for this to be a part of his story that will cause many to trust God as he does. ( the above picture is of my mom, Lynn, & my cousin, Bay)



WHEW....do you think I needed to blog a bit? Sorry this is so long. We love you all, and it will be sooner than later that you hear from us again.