First of all, Happy New Year! May 2024 beat 2023 in every possible way for you and yours.
As your reading this, the snow is continuing to fall here in Omaha. We got about 6 inches earlier in the week and are expecting about that much today. This means that for the kids, they begin their semester with 3 snow days in the first week.
However, cold and snow bound is not how Megan and I started the year. Nope! We got to start our 2024 in shorts and sunshine.
Every 3 years, InterVarsity gathers so of its staff from across the country for our National Staff Conference. Because of COVID, last year's conference was pushed to this year, meaning for 5 days, Megan and I, along with roughly 1400 of our coworkers, were in Orlando, Florida, connecting with God and one another.
To be honest, I've lost count of how many Staff Conferences attended. Apparently, we missed SC20 because Jonah was born but I'm pretty sure I remember being there. However, is possible that I'm thinking of a different conference and they're all just running together. =0).
Regardless of whether this was my 5th or 6th conference, it was still so good to be there and God really showed up. Here are a few highlights:
- ISM Pre-Conference! SC24 started on the 2nd but Megan and I came in a day early so she could attend a pre-conference for international student ministry staff. Even though she's not explicitly ISM anymore, she still wanted to connect to old friends and I got to tag along. It was tons of fun hanging out with them as they celebrated together on the night of the First but it was also great that I had the day to myself on the Second while they were in meetings but SC24 hadn't officially started yet.
- Seeing old friends! One of the best things about being at Staff Conference is that you get to see old staff colleagues you haven't seen in a while. I help host an event for Asian American staff who have been on staff for 10-18 years and it was so good to see my friends. Our current staff team also played a game where we tried to get photos with people who used to be on staff with us in the Central Region. That was a ton of fun too. Even if it was just for 30 seconds, reconnecting with other staff in person was an absolute joy.
- Miraculous Healing! I woke up Wednesday morning with a pretty bad migraine. I get them a lot less than I used to get them but they still crop up every now and again. It's usually from dehydration, a change of weather, or some combination of the two. I skipped the first morning session to sleep but wanted to get down to the second morning session. I'm glad I did. The theme of the season was praying for the next generation. One area where we were called to pray was for healing. As we were praying in small groups, I felt the invitation to ask for my own healing. As my colleagues prayed for me, I was immediately healed. It was pretty great.
- An Impartation! Thursday's afternoon session included a time for us as staff to receive a word from God and to be prayed over by other staff. First of all, it was so cool to see Megan pray for other staff as one of the designated prayer ministry folk. The other thing that was so great was hearing a word from God. I really believe God wants me to pursue more depth and intimacy in my life, but just doing the right things but seeking depth and intimacy with God in the midst of right actions.
- Travel! Y'all, do you know know how easy it is to travel without kids?! We sat in an exit row for one of our fights. I got to take a nap! I didn't have to share my rye chips with Jonah when they passed out the snack bags on Southwest because he can't eat the Cheeze-its! It... Was... Glorious... =0).
Special shout out to my in-laws who held down the fort with the kiddos here in Omaha so Megan and I could attend. They're the real all-stars of the trip. It was a great time and I'm excited for what God will do in IV and through IV between now and SC27.
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Rich Villodas, our speaker
Connecting with Asian American staff
IV president, Tom Lin!
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