Blindfolded 4 Square Game

Blindfolded 4 Square Game
Originally uploaded by Whitley

For a dose of creativity...the Elevation Staff..will play a friendly 5 minute game of 4-square. Sometimes...we'll even play it..with our eyes closed....the video..portrays this. Might I mention the mad 'face' skills that Larry H. shows while having his eyes closed..watch for it... (appearances in video made by: Ryan Hollingsworth, Larry Hubatka, Gene Lakey, Shannon Yates & Joel Salter....big laugh, courtesy of Jeremy Scott.)

Oh yeah!

Daniel and I continue to crank out the photos...and we are working with the ever so talented Caleb Loffer to get a blog designed. NICE. Go here to see what Daniel just finished...

What day is it again?

Life has been running full speed for both Daniel and I ...and some days...I wake up and have to ask myself, "what day is it again?" I absolutely love what I do at Elevation Church. God has given me some amazing people to work with. Today, I overheard one of the people I work with said to another..."can you believe what we get to be a part of every day? how many people can say they did this kind of thing at work today?"

I agree.

I love the opportunities I have to grow and be challenged to grow...one of those opportunities included me getting to post at Access:Elevation. Go check out that post here.

...in addition to loving work...

Thank you to everyone who made yesterday (my birthday) such a fun an memorable day. Who knew 28 would be so exciting? My husband hooked me up with all kinds of good stuff...along with my family, friends and co-workers. Thank you so much!

....in addition to my birthday....

so many pictures are coming from the Lanning Family with the Beautiful Mess. Keep checking us out to get a sneak peek on those!

He's Still Workin' On Me...

...to make me what I ought to be... I love that song. I remember growing up and singing it (it's by 'The Hemphills). Still true...he's still working on me.

Monday's at the Elevation Church Offices mean MOMENTUM. That's our all-staff meetings. Each meeting can be so different...and today was no exception. Pastor Furtick led MOMENTUM today. He prayed for each staff member individually. What an amazing honor to be prayed over by him and to hear his prayers for my amigos in the ministry. We are all on the same team...and to hear the prayers for each person go up makes me want to weep. I guess I just wanted to take a minute to share how incredibly honored and blessed I feel. Thank you Jesus for your grand design and plan.

**
This past week was crazy. Crazy busy. But God is good..and it was fabulous! We photographed a couple from our small group on the most important day of their lives next to salvation...at their WEDDING! Eric was such a gracious groom. I can't wait to post some of their pix soon...

Today we are photographing Mack & Meredith. Meredith is the Creative Director here at Elevation. The girl is crazy talented and a gifted leader. Mack is a worship leader at Elevation. This dynamic duo is doing AMAZING things to further the gospel. Our gift to them are their pictures for her CONGO missions trip coming up. So cool we get to photograph them.
**

Thank you God for your unfailing love. I just had to say that. There are times when I just run up and grab Daniel to hug and hold onto him. He'll respond, "What did I do to deserve all of this attention..?" My response is.."I was just so full of love for you at this moment, if I didn't show it...I was going to burst." That's what I feel for God right at this very moment. God. You are so good.

In Color.

(picture taken by Sean Lyon)

On Sunday I had an awesome opportunity to be a part of the creative dynamic of worship. At both campuses, Chris and Mack sang U2's Yahweh. They started out singing with a straight jacket on...and those were cut away to reveal a clean slate. It was there that Meredith painted Mack and I painted Chris...a new heart. It was powerful imagery for all and a cool illustration to be a part of.

EVERY SUNDAY.

I love working at Elevation Church. I love Guest Services. I love the fact that God has given me a job that I love so much. God is so good.

Each Sunday, Daniel, though he is not paid by Elevation Church, volunteers many many hours to help me in any way needed. He's selfless and willing. He not only does it because it helps me, but he believes in the vision of Elevation, 'to see those far from God be filled with life in Christ.'

He's also caught the photography fever and has done some amazing work taking photos for Elevation Church as a volunteer. Every Sunday, he posts those here.....along with our campadre Sean Lyon.

Daniel, thank you for the sacrafices you make. You are my unsung hero....and because of what you do...non-believers are able to have a distraction-free Sunday. I love you.

March Badness Crew

March Badness Crew
Originally uploaded by Whitley

You ain't seen nothin' ...until you've seen March Badness. Check out these photos of our very own Elevation Staff Men playing some 2-on-2 basketball. Impressive.

p.s. more tomorrow on our FANTASTIC anniversary....

If God Ain't Good!

I just wanted to take a second to brag on God. Today at Elevation of the 4833 people in attendance....He came into the hearts of over 500 people. That's 500 individual lives that asked Jesus to be their Lord. I am convinced that God is the coolest thing and most rewarding thing I've ever witnessed in my lifetime. That's only something a big God can do.

Thank you Jesus for caring about people. Thank you Jesus for the sacrifice you made for us all. I am forever grateful for you. I am so honored that Daniel and I get to wake up and be a part of something bigger than ourselves.

All glory to you, my Lord.

A Special, Special Sunday

My last Sunday at the Providence Campus was this past Sunday. It couldn’t have gone smoother! I was so proud of our communion volunteers that served almost 4000 people so smoothly. Thank you volunteers for committing to do all the services. I will be starting at the Butler campus this Sunday. What an honor. I love that both Daniel and me will have the unique opportunity to get to know such a wide variety of people at Elevation. God has truly ordered our steps.
Speaking of Sunday, we had the wonderful privilege of Cliff Barrows speaking with Pastor Furtick on Sunday. I cried and cried as he prayed over Pastor and Elevation, and as he quoted scripture and as he humbly received kind words. What an amazing man of God….and to top things off, he sang during our communion, ‘Just As I Am.’

You must watch the service. Click here to see it. (It is Week 5 of the My Generation Series...and will most likely be put on later today or early tomorrow morning.)

On a quick thought change….click here to see what few pictures we took from the UNLEASH conference held at NewSpring last week. We were able to take almost 150 volunteers with us! Amazing!

Hopeful.

Today is a HUGE day. The staff here at Elevation headed up to NewSpring today with 150 of our volunteers to the Unleash Conference. It's amazing that we had 3 charter buses that went. SO glad that Daniel went as well! Can't wait to see our volunteers be encouraged to think and dream bigger!

2 Year Anniversary

God exceeded our goals this 2nd year of Elevation Church. He's amazing. He's reaching out and 'people far from God can be filled with life in Christ.' That's what it is all about. Period.

Want to witness it? Daniel, my very talented husband, photographed the baptism and the morning Volunteer Push/Services. Want to see some of his stuff? Go here for baptism and here for Sunday morning. Awesome. He, along with Sean Lyon and other gifted photographers are capturing memories of God's goodness.

How I miss being behind the camera, but my new role prevents me from being able to do this during Church. But never fear, this girl is shooting every other day of the week.

Nice work Elevation Photogs!

2 Weeks Notice

In lieu of my 2 weeks notice given at work last week...Daniel and I rented the Sandra Bullock version of '2 Weeks Notice.' I like it, though it's not really my favorite...and Daniel was a trooper and was up for watching it. Having said that. Yes. I have taken a job elsewhere.

Where?...you may ask. Well. I have accepted the position of 'Guest Services Director' at Elevation Church. I couldn't be happier, and the same for my sweet husband. It's amazing how the Lord connected all of the dots for me to be ready 'for such a time as this.'

YAY!

So much more come. Just wanted to share the good news.

**
In other news...this Thursday, fun and excitement begins in our home. Daniel's parents are flying from Michigan down for a visit. They will be staying with us the first couple of nights...and we can't wait to show them all around and give them a Southern meal (from Mert's) that they couldn't possibly forget.

Daniel's sister, Rachel, and her family have flown from Taiwan and will be staying with us too! So fun....We'll have all of the family together in one place (Daniel's 3 sisters and their families as well as his parents). It's not until you have to live a part from everyone that you really realize how special the times together are. We'll have TONS of pictures for you soon!

Before's, After's and all the MUD that lies in between...

Pastor Steven ROCKED it on Sunday with his message, The Method To His Madness. (you can listen to it here or download it off iTunes). It was actually a real comfort to both Daniel and me....so to understand...you must listen to the message (bwahahaha...yes...this is me, again encouraging you to listen to it.)

....more to come...

The girls...in my family.

The girls...in my family.
Originally uploaded by Whitley

Well...last weekend we celebrated my grandmother's 66th birthday...and my Aunt Starlee (far right in picture) came up from Florida for a visit. Thank you Dana (my cousin...in the yellow polka dot shirt) for the picture.

I also just read Pastor Furtick's blog post from today (from my church Elevation)...and all I have to say...BRING IT PREACHER....to see what I'm talking about....click here.

One more thing....check out NewSpring Church's capital campaign stuff here...really creative...nice work NewSpring!!

Guest Speaking

Daniel and I were perusing through our everyday blogs this afternoon....and came across to Tony Morgan's...and we saw our pastor, Steven Furtick in a roll-in video from the service today when he was a guest speaker at NewSpring Church in Anderson (I went there while at Clemson for grad school). Cool. This is the video....

Powerful.

Read this blog post. Powerful.

.....

Life is going good. Daniel and I are getting more involved at our church as the days pass on. It's amazing how church can provide such a wonderful breeding ground for community. We are so thankful. Daniel shared a really cool story about his baptism....you should read it. I'm really proud of him.

.....

I have the 3 cutest nephews in the whole world. Want to see them? I thought you would say that...below are the cutest boys under 7!

Blake....


Micah....


Brock....


Yeah. They are the cutest.

You really should....

...come hang out with Elevation on Sunday. Yeah. I said it. You should. If you live in or near Charlotte and you are looking for something ....on.... Sunday, come here....you get to hear (click here to find out)...and you will not be sorry. Want a preview...a trailer of sorts? Click here.

Holla. (yes. I realize I am 27...and I said 'holla' like I was 18 once...)

Happy Birthday Reba!

The Godfrey's
Originally uploaded by Whitley.

Today is my sister-to-be's birthday! I hope to day is so great...and that you have a WONDERFUL weekend!

-I have another wedding shower this weekend and I'm so looking forward to it. My friend/bridesmaid Jenni is doing the honors.....so it should be a fun time in Augusta.

3 more weeks....23 more days...till we get married. Oh...check out the church that's "Bringing Sexy Back' Sweet..huh? .