Thankful Thursday - Great Escape

Great Escape - This is one of the places in my Christian life that the Lord used to impact my life. When I was a college student at Stephen F. Austin (Ax'em Jacks!:), Great Escape was the event I looked forward to each and every week. It was a time where 400+ other college students who loved Jesus or just wanted to know Him more came to worship and be encouraged to make it through another week on their journey the same as I did. It was definitely a social event, but also a place where there was always incredible worship music and people who were like-minded. It was the place where my hubby asked me out on our 1st date (or to just hang out;). It was the place where both of us had the opportunity to lead worship together. It was the place that put your heart and mind back on track at a school that was more lost than found. It renewed, refreshed and refined who I was in the Lord. You getting the picture? So, you can imagine the emotions that were going through me and Andrew when he was asked to speak to the college students at Great Escape last week. It really was an amazing honor and a true full circle moment for both of us to come back and be on the "other side" trying to encourage and inspire these students, many of them at a crossroad in their journey of faith as both of us were at their age. Andrew did an incredible job as I knew he would. I was so proud of my man standing up on that stage! I can't even put it into words! So proud and humbled by the Lord's grace! Worship was awesome and the energy and spirit of those students left us hoping that Andrew would be asked back again, but even if he doesn't - we had a BLAST! Thanks to Aunt Zuzu for driving up to watch our kiddos during the event and then driving home so late. Love you! Here are some pictures from back in the day at Great Escape. Enjoy the ride down memory lane! :)

This picture pretty much sums up Great Escape for me. Loved the party every week and LOVED these girls! So fun! SFA might be a state school with quite the reputation, but the Lord also definitely placed incredible Christian people there to reach it for Him!

These girls were with me at Great escape every week sitting on the front row most times. (Yes, we were those girls!:) 4 of these girls were in my wedding and 3 of them were my roomies before I got married. Great times and great memories!
Love you, ladies!

This is the band and some friends at the last Great Escape we were part of and lead worship for my senior year of college. We had many fun times with this crew! Oh my!

This is my little bro and sis on our last night together at Great Escape before I graduated and moved into the "real world." I absolutely LOVED that all three of us went to the same college and were able to make awesome memories together for a year before I left. I praise God that I was able with so many other people to experience Him week after week in a place like Great Escape. The Lord used that time and place to strengthen and mold me into who I am today and I am forever grateful and thankful! I hope and pray that my kiddos will have something like this on the college campus they choose! Thanks for reading!