The Focus Institute, Spring 2006 semester

One of the most defining experiences of my life thus far has to be my semester at The Focus Leadership Institute (formerly FFI/The Focus on the Family Institute) in Colorado Springs, CO.

In a nutshell, the Institute’s goal is to transform 88 young people’s lives (ages 19-26) in one semester to prepare them to live & lead biblically in every area of life, including career, marriage & family, government, and the like. A huge part of the transformation process happens via Focus’s rigorous curriculum as well as the relationships developed among students & with Focus faculty/staff.

“Intense” is the word I’d use to describe this semester! A LOT happened between the taking of these 2 photos (below), & our lives were never the same.

Winter 2006 ~ Our first FFI retreat

Spring 2006 ~ Our last FFI retreat

Focus challenged us through 4 courses, a semester-long internship, & a reading curriculum 80 books deep! We were busy, which caused HUGE growth in us intellectually, spiritually, relationally, emotionally, even physically.

Dr. Del Tackett of The Truth Project was one of our professors all semester. Lucky girls!!

So. Many. Books.

Did I mention we read??

But learning wasn’t the only thing we did! In between our workload, we had LOTS of fun adventures…..

My roomie & I got trained by an Olympic trainer (FFI student Tracy)!

We skiied our faces off!!

We rock climbed outdoors (my 1st time ever) ~ exhilarating!!

We hiked near Pike’s Peak & Garden of the gods!

We socialized plenty (& lost tons of sleep over it)!! Making new friends & living together “in community” was one of the BEST aspects of FFI, bar none. We lived in quads & had an absolute blast 🙂

2 of my best friends from Focus, Rachael & Heather

Weekly “Koinonia” meetings!

We brunched….

… and dined….

… and goofed off {a lot}!

I hung with my roomies….

LOVED my incredible suitemate Laura!

Piecing together one giant, semester-long puzzle for kicks…

We ALSO did one of the scariest assignments I’ve ever had to do in my life (sorry for the graphic pic)….

2 days of talking “Abortion VS. Life” with UNC students. Scary but changed how I view respectful disagreements with people!

Eventually, most of us graduated!

Graduation Day “Jazz Hands” 🙂

My roomies & our great friends/neighbors, the men of apt. 422

And forever left our mark on the Focus Institute….

Our class picture got hung on the wall!!

Our class “gift” to Focus was a broken pot we glued back together, just like Jesus had done with us 🙂 My piece said “He has proven Himself FAITHFUL – Psalm 116.”

We’ve reunion-ed several times since Focus. I’m so blessed to have met such unforgettable people, and I know God is & will continue doing incredible works through them!

Our 1st reunion in Florida!

We’ve hung out in cars, on playgrounds, or in airports!

Airport lovin!

Havin a blast catching up on the road

Sharing laughs with this spunky girl Sarah. Adore her! 🙂

We’ve gone to (or been in) each other’s weddings!

My gorgeous friend Rachael & I at her wedding (in CO Springs)!

Heather & I celebrating Jason’s marriage to Betsy in DFW! I’ve never seen him happier 🙂

The bestest Focus bridesmaid EVER, Heather!! We were affectionately known as “Hummer” 🙂

Celebrating Mr. Jones, one of our favorite guys, tying the knot in Indy!

Post-Greg’s wedding with a great group of gentleman ~ These FFI guys taught us how a man should treat a woman & what it means to have true “brothers in Christ”!

Needless to say, the Focus Institute changed our lives – the way we saw & lived them (even today). I’m SO grateful for this “experience of a lifetime” at such a pivotal time in my life.

Focus taught me so much about God’s design for living biblically and, more importantly, about living in community with other believers every day. I hope everyone has this experience sometime because it’s truly a slice of heaven on earth!

Have you had a life-changing experience? What did you love most about it?